Deb Fischer

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today I wish to join my colleagues in saying goodbye to our friend and mentor, John McCain. As our country and the world grieves for his loss, we remember him as he was: a father, husband, grandfather, a war hero, and a dedicated public servant who loved this country. We remember his extraordinary story and how the tragic and painful experiences he endured gave him the uncommon strength we all knew so well. Most of all, I remember John for his passion. He was a fearless advocate for American values and a champion of democratic ideals. When I was elected to serve the people of Nebraska in this Chamber, I became a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Serving on this committee has been an honor, but one of the greatest privileges it offered was the opportunity to work with John McCain. As a senior member and chairman, Senator McCain set the tone for the committee. We all benefited from his good instincts, his unfailing energy, his unwavering values, and, of course, his sense of humor. His leadership fostered an environment that led to bold reforms. He embraced and encouraged the heated debates. But John knew how to unite the committee, how to compromise, and how to refocus members on our fundamental responsibility: providing for the defense of the Nation he loved so dearly. As much as John was an inspiration to us, he was truly a global figure who took his message of liberty to some of the darkest regions of the globe. All around the world, people had such respect for John McCain. Traveling with him, I witnessed firsthand the weight and authority his words carried with foreign leaders. This strong global support reflects the effect he had on this world and the legacy he leaves behind. Last fall, Senator McCain addressed the brigade of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. He said: ``My appreciation for those lessons and for the friendships I made here bring me back often. So does my gratitude for the life of adventure the Naval Academy prepared me for, and for the privilege of being a bit player in the story of America that the Navy made possible.'' John was not just a bit player in our Nation's story. He was a man who served our country in war and peace with courage and honor. This weekend, John will return to Annapolis for a final time, but generations from now, Americans will still be inspired by his story, that of a hero committed to his nation and willing to live a life of service. He has carried our Nation's highest ideals through the darkest of times, and he remains an enduring example of selfless dedication to country. I know I join so many of my colleagues here in the Senate in sending our love and prayers to Cindy and the rest of John's family, who supported him every step of the way. John McCain will certainly be missed here in the U.S. Senate. Though he is no longer with us, his steadfast commitment to the ideals of our Nation will not be forgotten here, across the country, or around the globe. Thank you.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a bipartisan amendment with my colleague, the junior Senator from Wisconsin. Our measure would provide much needed funding for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or the DPAA, so they can continue the important work of identifying and accounting for our missing servicemembers from conflicts around the globe. Tragically, more than 83,000 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean war, the Cold War, and the Vietnam war. Many more remain unaccounted for as a result of more recent conflicts. The Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency is an agency within the Department of Defense whose mission is to recover personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. Their core task is to provide the fullest possible accounting for these personnel to their families and to this Nation. The value of the work being done by DPAA cannot be overstated. No matter when an American servicemember goes missing, our commitment to fully investigating what happened and bringing closure to their family should never waver. I am honored to represent one of DPAA's forensic laboratories, located at Offutt Air Force Base. There, they are currently working to identify the sailors lost in the sinking of the USS Oklahoma during World War II and conducting forensic identification of the Tuskegee Airmen who remain listed as missing in action. As a result of North Korea's recent agreement with the United States, DPAA's work has taken on added significance. In July, North Korea turned over 55 boxes containing the possible remains of DOD personnel lost during the Korean war, who must now be processed and identified. On several occasions, North Korean officials have indicated they possess as many as 200 sets of remains they have recovered over the years. To this day, there are still 5,300 U.S. military personnel who remain listed as missing in action and are presumed deceased during the Korean war, their remains still located in North Korea. For the families of those lost, this is a long-awaited opportunity to gain closure and to give their loved ones the respectful, dignified remembrance they deserve. For that to happen, we must ensure that DPAA has the resources it needs to conduct the forensic analysis of these new remains and continue working to locate and account for American servicemembers. That is why I am offering this amendment, which will provide $10 million in fully offset funding to allow DPAA to cover this additional workload. By supporting this amendment, we can ensure that this influx of new work can be handled without delay and that the talented men and women of DPAA have the support necessary to continue this important task. For the families of those lost in service, it is never too late to offer closure, and for our heroes in uniform, it is never too late to remember and to honor their sacrifice. I thank the junior Senator from Wisconsin, the junior Senator from Massachusetts, and all of our cosponsors who have aided in this effort. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment and lending our voice to the memory of our missing and fallen servicemembers. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 5:30 votes take place immediately.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to amendment No. 3074. Agriculture is the economic engine of Nebraska, and the beef industry is the largest segment of Nebraska agriculture. In fact, in Nebraska, cattle outnumber people by more than three to one. The industry plays a critical role in my State's economic viability with nearly $7.2 billion in annual cash receipts. Nebraska is also the No. 1 cattle-on-feed State, illustrating our commitment to provide American families and dinner tables around the world with affordable, safe, high-quality Nebraska beef. As a Nebraska cattle rancher, I understand the purpose of the checkoff program and its direct impact on producers' ability to market their products. It is an investment into the future of my State's No. 1 industry. Funds collected from producers are used for research and promotion programs designed by producers to benefit the entire industry. Producer control has been a defining feature of the beef checkoff since its inception and is what drives its success. Since 1985, producers have proven perfectly capable of deciding how to spend their money and should be allowed to continue to do so. This amendment would harm agricultural producers and the rural communities they support. I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. Thank you.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the important legislation before us, and that is the 2018 farm bill. This is critical legislation for Nebraskans and for all Americans. It will provide the certainty and predictability agriculture producers need to do their job of delivering abundant, high-quality, nutritious food to our Nation. My husband, Bruce, and I have a family ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. That is our home. That is where we live, and that is where we work. I know firsthand that being a farmer or rancher is more than just a job. It is a way of life, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is one of life's most noble callings to care for the land and God's creatures, to be stewards of our natural resources, and to feed the world. As a State senator of the Nebraska legislature and now as a U.S. Senator, commonsense agriculture policy has been a top priority for me. This year, I was honored to have the opportunity to join the Senate Ag Committee, where I am the voice for Nebraska agriculture as we work on this vital legislation for our State. I want to thank Chairman Roberts for welcoming me to the committee and for his excellent work on this bill. I also want to thank him for making a trip to the ``good life'' this past May. Together, we held a roundtable at the Nebraska State fairgrounds in Grand Island and toured a soybean processing plant in Hastings. During these visits, we heard feedback and input from Nebraska ag producers that we brought back to Washington as the committee crafted this bill. Production agriculture is the economic engine of Nebraska. Across our State, there are more than 47,000 farms and ranches. From the panhandle to Central Nebraska, to the city streets of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraskans understand the monumental role of agriculture as our State's No. 1 industry. One in four Nebraska jobs is tied to agriculture, but we all know there is a lot of anxiety in farm country today. Current net farm income is down by over 50 percent compared to 5 years ago when we passed the last farm bill. While uncertainty surrounds international trade and biofuels policy, we are looking at experiencing depressed commodity prices and tight margins. Since the beginning of June, Nebraska cash corn prices are down roughly 11 percent. Cash soybean prices are down 14 percent. This has resulted in over $1 billion in potential lost receipts to corn and soybean producers. Farmers and ranchers are worried. For many years, I traveled the State of Nebraska to meet with and listen carefully to folks about their ideas to address the issues they face. I hosted several ag roundtables with local producers, Nebraska stakeholders, government officials, and agriculture industry experts about how we can boost our rural economies. Many of our discussions explore the relationship between the ``internet of things'' and agriculture. A key point that has been consistently made is the need for high-speed internet connectivity on farms and ranches. I hold a number of these roundtables every year, and it is always good to hear straight from producers about these important issues. I also bring leaders in our government to Nebraska so that they can develop a better understanding of our State and familiarize themselves with the challenges producers deal with on a daily basis. On a snowy day in May last year, I welcomed the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, to our family ranch. The Secretary joined me in hosting a roundtable discussion with more than 60 of our neighbors and our friends. He heard about our suggestions on trade, marketing our products, broadband deployment, and other concerns we as ag producers have. Working together with my colleagues here in the Senate, we have had some great successes rolling back Federal regulations that have hurt farmers and ranchers. For example, Congress worked with the administration to halt the harmful waters of the United States rule, which would have expanded the Federal Government's jurisdiction over my State's water resources. Earlier this year, as a part of the government spending bill, Congress passed and the President signed into law a permanent fix, which I championed. It ensures that farmers and ranchers are not treated like superfund sites under those EPA regulations. Additionally, we made some progress in eliminating regulations meant for oil refineries that were unreasonably affecting producers who use on-farm fuel storage tanks. Leading up to the 2018 farm bill, I was pleased to work alongside the USDA and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to lift a 13-year ban on U.S. beef shipments to Israel. I have also been outspoken about the value of the South Korean market to Nebraska's high-quality agriculture products. I advocated for our country to stay in the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, and I visited with both the U.S. administration officials and South Korean officials to stress the importance of the trade relationship between our two countries. I was pleased to see that the administration made a good trade deal with South Korea. This is a step in the right direction. It will expand opportunities for our producers and for the State of Nebraska. These were big wins for our producers, but we can, we should, and we must provide the predictability our producers need, especially during these tough times. That means passing the farm bill and enacting it into law. Traveling around our State, a common theme that I hear is the continued need for a strong farm safety net that upholds the integrity of the crop insurance program. This is a critical risk management tool that works for farmers. From the very beginning, I have made safeguarding crop insurance my top priority throughout this process, and I appreciate that the farm bill will enhance this vital program for producers in my State and across the country. This farm bill also recognizes the importance of our trade promotion programs. Nebraska producers have demonstrated that they can excel in the global marketplace. The bill before us merges the Market Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Program, the Emerging Markets Program, and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops into one new Priority Trade Promotion, Development, and Assistance Program. This new priority trade promotion program will ensure that the baselines for these important programs will be upheld while allowing ag organizations to leverage these critical dollars to promote our high- quality ag products around the world. Moreover, the program will allow the Secretary of Agriculture to address immediate trade needs effectively to ensure that valuable market access is prioritized. What is more, this bill takes major steps to expand broadband so that our rural communities, which are harder to reach, are not left behind in this digital era. There is no stronger example of the benefits of innovation than the influence of internet access on the agriculture industry. Today's rural areas are experiencing increased productivity because of the advanced technologies fueling U.S. agricultural growth. Just recently, I had the honor of welcoming the FCC Commissioner, Brendan Carr, to Northeast Nebraska to further address this issue. Together, we visited Northeast Community College, where we learned about their fascinating precision agriculture curriculum, which focuses on familiarizing students with new farming technology. Advanced information technology and the data these systems gather help our amazing agriculture producers make effective decisions as they feed the world. The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act was included in the Ag Committee's managers' package during the markup of the farm bill. This would create a task force at the FCC charged with identifying breaks in high-speed internet connectivity across America's farm and ranch land. Additionally, in the committee markup for the farm bill, I was also pleased to sponsor several amendments that were adopted unanimously in the managers' package. My amendment encouraging producers to utilize efficient water irrigation conservation technology directs the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to recognize the use of remote telemetry data systems for irrigation scheduling as a best management practice. The 2018 farm bill will also provide some much needed relief for our ag haulers. It is clear that the hours of service regulations for truck drivers are inflexible, and they fail to consider the realities that impact our livestock haulers. I filed an amendment with my colleague, the senior Senator from Arkansas, which would expand the definition of livestock to include llama, alpacas, live fish, and crawfish. With this expanded definition, agricultural haulers would receive exemptions for these products from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's hours of service requirements. This legislation addresses many important issues for Nebraska's producers, but it is not perfect. Pesticide applicators in Nebraska are being forced to deal with redundant Federal regulations that provide no environmental or water quality benefits, yet they are putting a financial strain on producers. This is a bipartisan issue, and it needs to be addressed. In fact, the EPA, under the Obama administration, supported this fix. I wish this bill did more to cut redtape and to provide relief for our farmers and their families. Additionally, I was disappointed that the bill doesn't include commonsense flexibilities for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. That is why I am a cosponsor to an amendment that would provide our children, no matter where they live, with access to fruits and vegetables, regardless of form. This bipartisan amendment would ensure that the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program does not use our taxpayer dollars to pick winners and losers based on product categories. Instead, this amendment would provide our schools, particularly those in the most rural areas of our country, with more flexibility to provide their students with canned or frozen produce that is nutritionally equivalent. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I am proud to fight for farmers, ranchers, and producers in the Senate. Our ag producers are God's gift to Nebraska and to the world. They are my neighbors and my friends. They are my family. By coming together to pass this pro-farmer, pro-agriculture farm bill, we can secure a better future for our producers and for our country. Again, I thank Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for their good work on this bill. The House has done their job, and now it is our turn. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, as everyone in this Chamber knows, passing the Defense authorization bill is a tradition that has taken place without interruption for 56 years. That means that, regardless of political party or the disagreements we may have on other issues, we can agree on this: the importance of a strong national defense. This year, we consider the National Defense Authorization Act against the backdrop of a changing world. America faces challenges from nations seeking to upend our rules-based international order. These nations aim to undermine the United States and her allies and disrupt the American- led system of international commerce and security that has been the foundation of global prosperity since the end of World War II. America is at a crossroads, and as we look out at the forces that threaten our security, we need to be ready to defend our way of life. In Europe, a newly emboldened Russia under the control of Putin seeks every opportunity to exert its malign influence, undermine democracies, flaunt international law, and bully our NATO allies. In Asia, expansionist China is working to coerce its neighbors, invest millions in military modernization, construct illegal artificial islands, and challenge American leadership across the globe. In short, we have reentered an era of great power competition. If we value our security and our prosperity, we must be prepared to support the men and women of our military so that they are able to win in this environment. Earlier this year, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis presented Congress with a national defense strategy. This blueprint for the Nation's defense thoroughly emphasizes the fact that interstate competition is now the focus of our U.S. national security. The priorities laid out in the NDS provide a road map for confronting these challenges head-on. Now is the time to fund them. That is why I am proud to stand before you in support of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. With this legislation, we take important steps to ensure that our Nation's defense is ready to deter and defeat great-power adversaries. This year's NDAA provides $716 billion in fiscal year 2019 for the national defense--a direct investment in building an agile, capable force that is prepared to take on the threats of the 21st century. This authorization closely aligns with the core tenets of the NDS. It provides keen investments in modernization priorities to help America defeat threats identified by Secretary Mattis and position our forces to be more lethal against our major foes. First and foremost, this legislation fully supports the sustainment and the modernization of our nuclear forces. I serve as the chair of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, whose jurisdiction includes nuclear forces, missile defense, and the national security of our space programs. The subcommittee increased investments in each of these areas in order to speed the development of next- generation capabilities and to meet the unfunded priorities of the military service branches and of our warfighters. Additionally, the bill before us today fully supports the administration's 2018 ``Nuclear Posture Review,'' which charts a responsible path forward to make sure that our nuclear forces continue to deter strategic attacks on our homeland and also to assure our allies. Across all spectrums, this legislation helps to support the needs of the warfighter and the goals of our national security. At sea, the fiscal year 2019 NDAA includes over $23 billion for shipbuilding, to fully fund 10 new combat ships and accelerate funding for several future ships so that we can continue to ensure free navigation across the world's oceans. On land, it authorizes more than $1.5 billion to procure 135 Abrams tanks and authorizes $190 million to prototype the next-generation combat vehicle, which is $70 million more than the administration's request, to ensure that we are prepared to fight and that we are prepared to fight and to win. In the air, it ensures that our forces are ready by authorizing nearly $400 million for the RC-135 family of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, which are proudly headquartered at the 55th Wing, at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Though the threats of today are pressing, we must continue preparing to meet and defeat the adversaries of tomorrow. That is why this legislation makes significant investments in building the future force. To keep our military a step ahead, this NDAA authorizes an increase of more than $600 million above the administration's request for science, technology, and testing programs, including $75 million for university research conducted at innovative locations like the University of Nebraska. All told, the fiscal year 2019 NDAA provides a wide spectrum of investments that will help our military to stay ahead and to ensure that we never have to face an adversary with equal capabilities. Just as importantly, this bill demonstrates the belief of the Senate that the most important asset in our arsenal is not a weapons platform but the men and women who wear the uniform. With that in mind, the fiscal year 2019 NDAA provides a 2.6-percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces, and it authorizes nearly $146 billion for military personnel, including costs of pay, allowances, bonuses, and benefits. We all know that meeting the challenges of tomorrow means having the best talent. It also means having a process in place to incentivize career progress and retain those uniformed servicemembers who excel in their fields. That is why this legislation also makes important, much needed reforms that will modernize our personnel system. For decades, the personnel management system has remained stagnant. Now, with the reforms included in this bill, we have the opportunity to bring the system in line with the changing needs of the modern military. The fiscal year 2019 NDAA lays the ground work for new career flexibility and provides additional opportunities for the highest performers to advance, opening doors to allow the best and the brightest to take on tomorrow's leadership roles. At the end of the day, we must be prepared to face an uncertain future. This bill is about ensuring America's security in a volatile world. As the national defense strategy made clear, our Nation is faced with ``a security environment more complex and volatile than any we have experienced in recent memory.'' I think all of us in this Chamber can agree that this environment requires us to stand united and to stand ready as a nation. For that reason, I am proud to say that this year's Defense authorization bill expands our capabilities across every domain to meet these threats. Ultimately, passing this legislation is about fulfilling the promise we made to our men and women in uniform to give them the best tools to wage the most effective fight and to ensure that America is never outmatched on the battlefield. There may be much uncertainty in this world, but you can count on this: There is no more professional, dedicated, or lethal fighting force in the world than the U.S. military. Let's vote to keep it that way. I thank the Presiding Officer. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise to continue my tribute to Nebraska's heroes and the current generation of men and women who have given their lives while defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a powerful story of answering the call to serve. Sergeant First Class Tricia Jameson Today I honor the life of Nebraska Army National Guard SFC Tricia Jameson. Tricia grew up in St. Paul, which is a small town in central Nebraska's farm country. She had a love for animals and wanted to pursue a career as a veterinarian. Tricia usually kept to herself and was not outspoken, but she displayed great determination when something was important to her. In elementary school, upon learning that she and other young girls could not play organized softball, she started a letter-writing campaign to change the rules. The community soon took notice and revised the policy to include girls her age. When her friend took his own life because he was picked on at school, Tricia again took up her pen and wrote a letter that was published in a local newspaper, whereby she condemned bullying and honored the life of her friend. She advocated for what is right and how others should be treated. In looking back, it seems obvious that her selfless spirit would, one day, lead her to serve her country. Tricia attended St. Paul High School, where she was a determined athlete. She participated in volleyball and set athletic records that still stand to this day. Her family then moved to Omaha. She spent her senior year at Millard South High School and graduated in 1989. Like many young people, Tricia saw the benefits of joining the National Guard as it could provide extra income and help her with her college tuition. She joined in 1994. It didn't take long before her grit and determination caught the eye of her superiors. They rewarded her with a promotion to become a full-time training instructor at Camp Ashland. As combat intensified in Afghanistan and Iraq, so too did the need to improve battlefield medical knowledge. Sergeant Jameson was assigned to improve the combat lifesaver course. The course teaches soldiers basic medical skills for application on the battlefield. With the same dogged determination that was evident throughout her life, Sergeant Jameson raised the program into a world-class operation. Hundreds of soldiers who learned from Tricia in that program would go on to save lives on battlefields across the world. In 2005 Nebraska's 313th Medical Company needed to replace two soldiers. So it reached back to Nebraska for volunteers, and when her country called for her service, Sergeant Jameson eagerly stepped forward. She quickly got her personal affairs in order and was sent to her deployment training. By June of 2005, she was in Iraq and on duty with the 313th Medical Company at Camp Speicher. Her impact was felt immediately as the camp was stretched thin to support combat operations in northern and western Iraq. Staff Sergeant Jameson's first mission on the road was a long one. She was the vehicle commander of an M997 ambulance that was headed to Trebil, near the Jordan border. Staff Sergeant Jameson and her battle buddy, SPC Rachelle Spors, had just left with a convoy when an urgent call came to help marines who had been injured in combat a few miles away. Without hesitation, Tricia was speeding toward the battlefield to attend the fallen when their field ambulance was struck by an IED. That day, Tricia gave her life while serving her country. The Nebraska Prairie Soldier newspaper wrote of Tricia's service: ``Hundreds of family, friends, veterans group members, state governmental leaders and uniformed co-workers flooded into St. Bridget Catholic Church in Omaha, to help lay a fallen hero to rest.'' Her name and reputation live on as soldiers save lives, just as she did, on the battlefield. For her service to our Nation, SFC Tricia Jameson earned many military decorations, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, posthumously. Today I ask that we take a minute to remember Tricia and her selfless spirit. I wish to thank her family, her mother Pat, and her brother Rob, who share their own heroic burden. SFC Tricia Jameson loved her family. She embodied the pride of her State and the values of our Nation. I am honored to tell her story. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to my longtime scheduler and dear friend, Vaughan Wehr. After 5\1/2\ years in Washington, Vaughan is returning home to her sprawling, tight-knit family in Omaha. Vaughan started with me as an aide in my legislative office in Lincoln. It was an easy decision to ask her to come to Washington as an original member of my team. She did a good job, she worked hard, and she was a joy to have around. She started out in the Senate, where so many do, answering phones and greeting constituents. That is hard work, but Vaughan always did it with a smile on her face. It didn't take long for her to take on more responsibility, first as a deputy scheduler and later as a scheduler for nearly 4 years. Throughout that time, Vaughan always did her job with a special blend of diligence and humor. She has earned a reputation in the Senate as a top scheduler and the life of any party. It is no exaggeration to say that Vaughan has been the beating heart of my office. She has made a mark here by doing her job with love and laughter every single day. My husband, Bruce, and I are very thankful for her service, and most importantly, we are thankful for her friendship. She is one of a kind. We wish her the very best as she returns home to Nebraska. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the men and women who keep our communities and our country safe as we celebrate National Police Week. This week, we recognize the sacrifices of those who have taken a pledge to continually serve and protect families in Nebraska and across this Nation. Every year, thousands of families, friends, and comrades of fallen officers gather in our Nation's Capital to offer a solemn tribute to law enforcement officers. Today I wish to pay special tribute to the men and women who protect my home State of Nebraska. These officers risk their own safety for the safety of others. In times of crisis, they run toward danger, not away from it. We are forever indebted to them and so fortunate to have them. I also would like to express a profound sense of gratitude for those who have fallen in the line of duty. In 2017, we lost one of our own officers in Nebraska. Omaha Tribal Police Sergeant Curtis Blackbird was responding to a call when his car fatally struck construction equipment while driving through dense fog in the area. Sadly, traffic-related accidents are a leading cause of on-duty law enforcement deaths. Sergeant Blackbird served the Tribal communities in Macy, NE, for over 17 years as a law enforcement officer and earlier as an EMT. His comrades described him as someone special to the law enforcement community and the Tribe's own ``personal warrior.'' This month will also mark the 3-year anniversary of Officer Kerrie Orozco's death. On May 20, 2015, Officer Orozco was preparing to serve an arrest warrant as a member of the department's metro area fugitive task force. When her team arrived, the suspect opened fire and 29-year- old Kerrie was hit. Tragically, she was on her last day of duty before starting maternity leave to care for her newborn daughter, who had spent months in neonatal intensive care. Kerrie's legacy lives on through her husband, Hector, her daughter Olivia and her two stepchildren. On National Police Week, we honor fallen officers across our Nation who share a similar story. Our police officers and first responders are a constant reminder of bravery and sacrifice in the face of peril. As we remember them, we also pray for the families of fallen officers who are faced with their own heroic burden. I am proud to cosponsor the senior Senator from Iowa's Senate resolution commemorating National Police Week. This bipartisan resolution acknowledges the selfless acts of bravery undertaken by law enforcement officers and recognizes the need to ensure our law enforcement officers have the adequate equipment, training, and resources required to safeguard our democracy. Our men and women in blue serve with valor, dignity, and integrity. For all of our officers who keep our communities safe: Thank you. We are grateful for all that you do. We know that the weight of what you do every day is heavy, we thank you for your dedication, and we honor your service. May God bless you and your families.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss H.R. 1865, the anti-human-trafficking legislation currently being considered here on the Senate floor. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. More than 20 million people in our Nation and around the globe are affected by this modern-day form of slavery. The criminals who carry out these heinous acts often go after the vulnerable, such as young people who have run away from home or are victims of domestic violence. Women and girls are disproportionately affected. According to the International Labour Organization, 55 percent of total victims worldwide are women and girls. Tragically, children are frequently targeted. The perpetrators trap their victims in unconscionable and violent situations, forcing them to commit sexual acts against their will. This practice occurs in nearly every area code. It is happening closer to home than we even realize. A report published by Creighton University and the Women's Fund of Omaha found that there are 900 individuals for sale online every month in Nebraska--almost all of them female. Our government has a responsibility to stand up and do something to protect women and children from exploitation. Fighting the horrific scourge of human trafficking is a priority for me, and it is a priority for the U.S. Senate. In 2015, we passed the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act, and it was signed into law. I was proud to be a cosponsor of that legislation. The bill set up a deficit-neutral fund to support trafficking victims. Through enhanced reporting and mechanisms to reduce demand, this law provides care for victims of trafficking and child pornography. Importantly, the law also protects victims in court by treating traffickers as violent criminals. Labeling traffickers in this way means that convicts can now be detained while awaiting judicial proceedings. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act represents a strong effort by Congress to stand against human trafficking. I am proud that, at home, Nebraskans are also rallying together and taking action to stop human trafficking. This past January, the Nebraska attorney general, Doug Peterson, launched Demand An End, a public awareness campaign to stop child sex trafficking. This campaign aims to build on the momentum from legislative bill 298, passed by the Nebraska unicameral, with significantly heightened penalties for those perpetuating and profiting from human labor and sex trafficking. While I was a member of Nebraska's unicameral from 2005 to 2013, our State made several important legislative strides to address key policies related to human trafficking. In 2005, the unicameral passed L.B. 111, which established the Missing Persons Clearinghouse in Nebraska. The law created a centralized database with information on individuals who went missing within our State. Known as Jason's Law for an Omaha young man who went missing in 2001, L.B. 111 was an important advancement to ensure vital information sharing and to prevent the missing from becoming anonymous. Additionally, in 2012, the unicameral passed the L.B. 1145 to increase penalties for human trafficking and establish a task force to examine issues in Nebraska pertaining to human trafficking, including its scope, possible solutions, and how to assist trafficking survivors. Most recently, I am proud to have joined the ``Demand an End'' campaign and offer my support of AG Peterson's work on this front. Now is the time to build on these collective efforts and be responsive at the Federal level to stop this evil. That brings me to the legislation before us today, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, or SESTA. I am grateful for the hard work of the Senator from Ohio and the Senate Commerce Committee in making it possible for us to be having this conversation today. Not only did this legislation pass committee, but it received a unanimous vote. Last fall, during the hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee, Ms. Yvonne Ambrose shared a heartbreaking story with our Members. She told us about her daughter Desiree. Desiree was a wonderful young woman with much potential. She was a high schooler and a member of the Junior ROTC. She dreamed one day of becoming a doctor in the U.S. Air Force. Like so many teenagers, Desiree was on social media because she wanted to connect with friends and make new friends. By accident, Desiree suddenly found herself in the shadows of the internet on a web page called backpage.com--a platform where men were able to find her, intimidate her, pressure her, and use her to make a profit. On Christmas Eve 2016, Desiree was murdered gruesomely by a 32-year-old man who bought her services online. Sadly, Desiree's story is not unique. The murky edges of the internet are still enabling predators all over the world to engage in sex trafficking, meanwhile websites like backpage.com continue to sell and exploit people for profit. Between January 2013 and March 2015, backpage.com earned nearly 100 percent of its profits from adult advertisements. The internet is giving criminals an avenue to commit these crimes, and certain websites are knowingly facilitating their activities as part of an organized network. Compounding the issue, smartphones make it easier for traffickers to complete transactions. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, reports of online child sex trafficking skyrocketed by more than 800 percent between 2010 and 2015. Analysis of this major increase showed that it is directly correlated to the increased use of the internet to sell children for sex. In the months following Desiree's murder, a Chicago newspaper headline read: ``Teen's tragic death shows it's business as usual at Backpage.com.'' The internet can no longer be a place where the perpetrators of these atrocious crimes can hide. It can no longer be business as usual, and that is where SESTA's provisions come in. SESTA would ensure that section 230 of the Communications Decency Act cannot be used as an excuse anymore for websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. It also would give State law enforcement clear authority to enforce criminal statutes against websites. I have been dismayed to hear about the obstacles State law enforcement has faced when attempting to prosecute entities knowingly participating in trafficking activities online. In its current form, section 230 protects websites and internet service providers from liability for content their users create. This has allowed websites that depend on user content, like Twitter and YouTube, to flourish, but it has been misused to effectively provide impunity for bad actors maintaining websites that facilitate sex trafficking. SESTA is critical to empowering survivors, providing the legal tools needed to seek and receive justice from all those involved in these monstrous crimes. As a cosponsor of SESTA, I hope my colleagues will pass this monumental, bipartisan, and bicameral bill to combat human trafficking today, and I urge my colleagues to vote against amendments that would derail this important and vital legislation. Thank you. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to continue my tribute to Nebraska's heroes: the current generation of men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a special story to tell. Sergeant Lonnie ``Calvin'' Allen, Jr. Today, Mr. President, I will recall the life and service of Sergeant Lonnie ``Calvin'' Allen, Jr., a native of Bellevue, NE. Calvin grew up in a military family. His father, Lonnie Allen, Sr., was a senior master sergeant in the Air Force. When Lonnie Sr. was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, both he and his wife Sallie thought they would be there only for a short time. However, they enjoyed ``the good life,'' and soon after the birth of their two sons, Nuru and Calvin, they decided to stay. As a young child, Calvin spent much of his time in the kitchen. His mother still talks about how Calvin learned to cook at the age of 5. Sallie has vivid memories of Calvin in the kitchen in the early mornings or on the weekends, experimenting with new recipes or dishes. There were times when she would still be in bed and Calvin would bring her food or a new dish to try. She said that he was always open to trying new things, whether it was in the kitchen or elsewhere. This also pertained to sports, where Calvin played basketball and football, ran track, and wrestled. Calvin also had a caring attitude, which extended to church on Sundays. Calvin was widely known amongst the congregation at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Bellevue. He often volunteered to be an usher and displayed his musical talent in the choir. Calvin had a personal and very open relationship with God, and he happily shared it with everyone he met. Throughout his high school years at Bellevue East, Calvin spent much of his time with friends and family. Sallie recalled many video game parties and sleepovers at their house, which would end with many of Calvin's friends sprawled out on the Allen living room floor. Calvin was a member of a close-knit family who spent time playing games together. Whether it was card games or board games, the competitive spirit would always come out in the Allen boys. They loved to compete. After graduating from Bellevue East in 1998, Calvin enrolled at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO, to study criminal justice. He long envisioned a career in law enforcement and thought this would be a good starting point for him to launch his career. After completing 2 years at Northeastern, Calvin enrolled at Colorado State to finish his criminal justice degree. Soon after enrolling at Colorado State, however, he returned home to Bellevue. Calvin's vehicle had been involved in a wreck, which left him without any means of transportation. Due to this, he enlisted in the Army as a way to pay for a new vehicle, while also pursuing his law enforcement career while serving his country. Sallie still laughs about the fact that Calvin returned to Nebraska due to a wrecked car. Although many expected he would follow in his dad's footsteps by enlisting in the Air Force, Sallie knew better. Calvin wanted to pave his own road in the Army. Following his enlistment, Calvin soon shipped off to Fort Benning to complete his One Station Unit Training for the infantry. Shortly after graduation, he was assigned to a station in Germany. It was in Germany where Calvin met his wife, Brigit, a German native. After dating for some time, Calvin was assigned to Fort Drum in New York as part of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Brigit came with him to New York, where they wed in 2004. Shortly after their marriage, Calvin served in Iraq for the first time, and Brigit moved to Bellevue to be closer to Calvin's family while he was deployed. After a brief stint at home, he deployed to Iraq for a second time. In August of 2005, Calvin was stationed near Baghdad. During Sergeant Allen's second deployment, patrols became increasingly dangerous. At the time, the Baghdad area experienced a large increase in suicide bombings and sectarian fighting. On May 18, 2006, while on patrol in Baghdad, Sergeant Allen's Humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device, killing him and three other servicemembers. Sergeant Allen's memorial service was held at the Capehart Chapel in Bellevue. Over 500 people attended the standing-room-only ceremony to pay their respects, including over 200 Patriot Riders, who lined up with American flags. Calvin was laid to rest on May 30, 2006, in Arlington National Cemetery--the day after Memorial Day. Fellow friend and Air Force Capt. Bill Eckley talked about how Calvin was a man of honor. Bellevue also honored him by naming a street after him, and his high school established the Sgt. Lonnie Calvin Allen, Jr. Scholarship. Sgt. Lonnie ``Calvin'' Allen, Jr., received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously. I join Nebraskans and Americans across our country in saluting his willingness and his family's sacrifice to keep us free. I am honored to tell his story. I thank the Presiding Officer. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I have 7 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 Armed Services The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Review of the FY 2019 State Department Budget.'' The 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 Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Perspective on the 340B Drug Pricing Program.'' Committee on the Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Veterans' Affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a joint hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on nomination of Lieutenant General Paul M. Nakasone, to be Director of the National Security Agency, Department of Defense.

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 rise to pay tribute to a great public servant who passed away last night, former Member of Congress and Nebraska Governor Charley Thone. I think the Omaha World-Herald summed up his outlook well: Official biographies list Thone's first name as Charles. But Nebraskans knew him better as Charley, the unpretentious farm boy who adopted ``Accentuate the Positive'' as his personal theme song. Governor Thone was born near Hartington, NE. He served our country in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II. While serving in the House of Representatives, then-Congressman Thone fought on behalf of farmers and ranchers as a member of the House Agriculture Committee. When tragedy struck with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he served on the Warren Commission to investigate the death of our President. As Governor of Nebraska, his love of our State was always evident during his time in office. He guided Nebraska during a tough farm economy in the 1970s, but he always looked ahead and supported others. Governor Thone led by example, and he empowered and encouraged others. He was a mentor to a Nebraska woman named Kay Orr, who became his chief of staff and then went on to be the first woman Governor of Nebraska. Governor Orr, herself, has said she would not have been Governor had it not been for the opportunities Governor Thone had given her along the way. The legacy of service and the mark Governor Thone left on Nebraska will never be forgotten. The motto that he held so dear, ``accentuate the positive,'' was a good one. It reminds us to find the good in every person and every moment. His positivity made Nebraska a better place both while he served and afterward as he worked in his community. Governor Thone served the State of Nebraska with dignity. He was an exemplary public servant and a dear friend to my father and to me. I join all Nebraskans in praying for his wife, Ruth, and the entire Thone family. I thank the Presiding Officer. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. FISCHER

Mr. FISCHER. Mr. President, I have 8 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 Armed Services The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on pending legislation. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on S. 2421, to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide an exemption from certain notice requirements and penalties for releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 10 a.m.., to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Opioid Crisis: Leadership and Innovation in the States.'' Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: John F. Ring, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, Frank T. Brogan, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, and Mark Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Institute of Education Science, both of the Department of Education, Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr., of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations. Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Personnel The Subcommittee on Personnel of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 2:15 p.m. to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulation Oversight The Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulation Oversight of the Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Legislation Hearing on S. 2421, the Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act.''

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the bill before us, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This bill is a product of a multiyear, bipartisan process. It is the result of stakeholder input, multiple legislative hearings, a committee markup, and a committee report. There are a lot of great provisions in this bill, but what I would like to focus on today is what this bill will accomplish for smaller financial institutions--our community banks and our credit unions-- especially in the State of Nebraska. I also want to touch on the important regulatory relief included for small public housing agencies that are in Nebraska and all across this country. Over the course of the past year, I received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from people and businesses across Nebraska about this bill, but the outpouring of support from community banks and credit unions has been particularly notable. These institutions are the pillars of our local communities. They sponsor local Little League sports teams. They provide scholarship funds. They award grants to students. The prosperity of America's small financial institutions is directly tied to the success of the communities they serve. These institutions, from Eastern Nebraska to the Panhandle, have shared with me their support for this bill we have before us today. For example, Lee Potts from Security Bank in Laurel, NE, wrote: The bill is a step in the right direction to remove ill- fitting regulations on community banks. As a lender in my community, I am not against regulations in general, as there is a need for certain regulations. However, the regulatory spectrum has become so burdensome that it often has affected otherwise creditworthy borrowers in my community. Brandon Luetkenhause from the Nebraska Credit Union League cited the positive effect this legislation will have on seniors in America's communities. He wrote: This bipartisan, commonsense reform legislation will protect seniors from elder abuse, make mortgage processing easier and quicker, increase affordable rental housing in our communities, and help my credit union provide better service to members. Under this legislation, well-managed, well-capitalized community banks with less than $3 billion in total assets would qualify for an 18-month exam cycle that is currently only available for banks with less than $1 billion in total assets. Furthermore, the legislation allows banks with less than $5 billion in total assets to use short form call reports in the first and the third quarters of the year. The quarterly call report community banks currently have to file comprises 80 pages of forms and 670 pages of instructions. Only a fraction of the information that is collected is actually useful to regulators in ensuring safety and soundness of these institutions. The minimal impact is far outweighed by the expense incurred and the staff hours dedicated to collecting it. The legislation also increases the appraisal requirement exemption for rural mortgage portfolio loans from $250,000 to $400,000. This provision of the bill reflects that in rural markets, it can be hard to find an independent appraiser. They may live hours away, and it could take weeks for them to come and appraise a property. This slows down and adds cost to the transaction, where a bank has 100 percent of the risk associated with that loan. Simply put, provisions like these in the bill help provide relief to Main Street lenders who did nothing to cause the financial crisis and have been unfairly burdened under Dodd-Frank. For example, Alan Emshoff from Generations Bank in Exeter, NE, told me: This bill is a solid step towards right-sizing regulations. As one of the smallest banks in Nebraska, reducing the regulatory burden will allow us to do what we do best, to serve our community through the making of loans to help start new businesses, finance agriculture, and put people in homes more efficiently and at a lower cost to the consumer. . . . Even with reduced regulation, we will continue to respect the safety of our customers and provide all of our customers a safe and sound banking environment, just as we have for the past 80 plus years. Steve Edgerton from Centrist Federal Credit Union in Omaha wrote me: The increasing trend of regulation ultimately reduces the availability of products and services to credit union members, as well as increases the cost. Clearly, any claims that this bill only provides relief to big banks are not true. In addition to the great regulatory relief provisions for community banks and credit unions, I was very pleased to see provisions from my bill with Senator Tester, the Small Public Housing Agency Opportunity Act, included in this legislation. Our bill would address the overwhelming administrative burden that has been placed on the roughly 3,800 small and rural housing authorities across the country, including the approximately 100 public housing agencies in the State of Nebraska. The provisions included from our bill will simplify the inspection and compliance requirements facing public housing agencies with fewer than 550 units. Specifically, it would limit HUD inspections of housing and voucher units to once every 3 years unless a small PHA is classified as troubled. The less time Directors and employees of small public housing agencies are required to spend complying with unnecessary reporting and oversight demands, the more time they can spend improving the lives of their residents. The bill we are considering today is good policy. It is a major step in the right direction, but there is more we can do. Since 2013, I have called for Congress to consider changing the CFPB's leadership structure. For the past three Congresses, I have introduced legislation to change the leadership structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from a single Director to a multimember, bipartisan board or commission. Although consumers and the industry have experienced some relief under Director Mulvaney, a problem remains--the Bureau's unaccountable leadership structure. A bipartisan board of directors would increase transparency, provide regulatory certainty, and guarantee input from multiple stakeholders with various points of view. I do not view this as a partisan issue and neither do Americans. A poll in March of 2017 found that 58 percent of those surveyed support a bipartisan commission, including a majority of Republicans, a majority of Democrats, and a majority of Independents who were surveyed. Given our success working together on this bill before us today, I hope some of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle will consider joining my bill so we can reform that structure of the CFPB. I would like to close by thanking Chairman Crapo and the other cosponsors of the bill for their hard work on this legislation. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting for the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. It is what our communities need to grow and to prosper. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, we have an opportunity before us today to fund key priorities that we all agree are important. The American people elected all of us to do a job, and that job is to provide for the most important functions of our government. For far too long, politics has prevented us from committing the resources necessary to sustain the most critical part of our government--the military that keeps us safe. This is a chance to cast aside partisan differences and give the Department of Defense the stable and consistent funding it needs so it can rebuild readiness and execute its mission. Just this morning, Secretary Mattis testified before Congress, saying: ``I ask that you not let disagreements on domestic policy continue to hold our nation's defense hostage.'' He is right. We cannot let these basic issues distract us from the job that we have all, under the Constitution, taken to provide for the common defense. I just came from a classified briefing with the Secretary, and he outlined the most important needs we must fund for our country's security. So why not come together on issues we can agree on? Six months ago, this Chamber passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 89 to 9. In the time since, however, our military remains hamstrung under short- term measures that are standing in the way of modernization and readiness. That is why I say to my Democratic colleagues, here is a chance for you to prove that you are serious about funding the military. Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have already spoken clearly about their desire to support the troops. Last month, the senior Senator from Vermont remarked: Our military leaders agree, we cannot govern by a continuing resolution. The military cannot function under sequestration. The senior Senator from West Virginia said: We want our military to be funded properly so they can defend us. The senior Senator from Montana said: The uncertainty we have without a longer budget that goes to the end of the fiscal year is unacceptable. The senior Senator from Connecticut said: I hope there is bipartisan consensus among us on the Armed Services Committee and in the Chamber as a whole that we need a strong national defense. Even today, the minority leader told this body that Democrats ``support increasing funding for our military.'' So why not act? There is a consensus that we desperately need to fix the readiness issues in our Armed Forces. Why not take that step today and vote to provide the stable, predictable funding the Department of Defense so seriously needs? When I swore an oath to defend the Constitution, I did it knowing that every day I hold this office, countless numbers of my constituents would be wearing the uniform and be in harm's way. Around the globe, you find Nebraskans, you find Americans protecting and defending the United States. Each of us here represents people who sacrifice and serve American heroes. Today is a chance to show them we have their backs because they have proven, time and time again, that they have ours. I urge my colleagues to put aside partisan differences and take the vote to support our military and the programs that are critical to the safety and the well-being of this Nation. Community Health Centers Mr. President, we also have a unique opportunity today to address another program that has a deep, bipartisan well of support in the Senate. Today I visited with Nebraskans who made the trip to Washington to advocate for funding for community health centers. Across our Nation, community health centers are vital to keeping our children and our families healthy. Last year, nearly 85,000 Nebraskans received care at centers across our State during approximately 296,000 visits. These centers provide high-quality care, compassionate care, and patient-focused care. Community health centers in my State rank second in quality measures nationally and first in four other measures involving individual care. Their focus and their impact on the communities they serve is very impressive. We all recognize the importance of these health centers, and I was proud to recently join my colleagues in the Senate in urging that funding be reauthorized so these centers can continue to provide the quality care all Nebraskans and all Americans deserve. Our military and community health centers are too important to be caught up in politics. As we find ourselves once again facing the prospect of yet another impasse, I urge my colleagues to join me in showing your support for these critical areas. Article I, section 8 of the Constitution makes clear what our job is: provide for the common defense and the general welfare of the United States. Let's fulfill that duty today. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise this evening to call up and pass a resolution recognizing the commissioning of the USS Omaha. This weekend, the USS Omaha is scheduled to be commissioned in the United States Navy as one of our newest Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships. As the only triply landlocked State in the union, you may not think of Nebraska when you think about the world's oceans. And while we are proud of our heartland heritage, we are equally proud of the ships that have carried the name ``USS Omaha'' to the far corners of the globe. Just two years after Nebraska became a State, the USS Omaha, a screw sloop, was launched in 1869, helping to grow our young Nation's navy. The second USS Omaha, launched in 1923, served with distinction in World War II, capturing a German blockade runner a month before the war officially began. And now this upcoming weekend, we welcome the newest USS Omaha, LCS- 12, which carries the distinction of being among our Nation's newest Littoral Combat Ships. She will enter the navy as an agile surface combatant, and one which I know will prove to be a capable tool in our Nation's naval arsenal. Though Nebraska may be far from open water that has not stopped countless men and women from our State from answering the call to serve in the United States Navy. Their service and sacrifice, both in times of war and peace, have helped ensure that the United States continues to enjoy freedom of navigation around the world. For that reason, I am honored to know that now we will once again have another USS Omaha carrying on this proud tradition, and urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this momentous occasion. To the crew of the USS Omaha, I wish you well in your mission and all the years of distinguished service to come. May you enjoy fair winds and following seas, and know that you have the best wishes of the State of Nebraska behind you. Thank you Mr. President. I yield the floor.