Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of Senator Brown.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to pay respects to a member of the Senate family who tragically passed away last week. Michael Beaver was a talented attorney who served as the Senate's Assistant Parliamentarian. That followed service as deputy legislative counsel for the State of California. Michael was just 39 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Gilda, his two beloved sons, Bradley and Connor, his parents, and an extended family that mourns his loss. They are joined by Michael's colleagues here on the Senate staff, in the Secretary's office, and with the floor staff on both sides of the aisle and throughout our whole institution. The Senate's prayers are with all of Michael's family and friends at this immensely difficult hour.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on a totally different matter, this week the Senate will consider another slate of extremely well-qualified nominees for seats on the Federal bench. A thoughtful, independent, and expert judiciary is a cornerstone of our constitutional order. It has been the case since the very beginning of our country. Accordingly, the six circuit court nominees we will now consider have excellent reputations in the legal field and have demonstrated they understand the proper role of Federal judges in our government. First up is Kurt Engelhardt, of Louisiana, the President's choice to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate previously confirmed Judge Engelhardt by voice vote to the Federal trial bench in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Since then, he has only strengthened his reputation for fairness and thoughtfulness. In the latest edition of the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary, his legal peers describe him as ``very conscientious'' and ``fair and independent minded.'' The American Bar Association agrees. It awarded Judge Engelhardt its highest possible rating of ``unanimously well qualified.'' I urge every one of our colleagues to join me in voting to advance Judge Engelhardt's nomination later this afternoon.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on one final matter, in storefront windows across America, new signs are going up--signs that many communities haven't seen literally in years. Here is what the signs say: ``Now Hiring.'' Just 16 months into the Trump administration and this Republican Congress, the percentage of American workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up finding a job is already smaller than it ever was in any of the Obama years. In fact, it hasn't been this low since 2001. Let me say that again. Less unemployment, underemployment, and discouragement today than at any point in the last 17 years. Or we can look at how many Americans are receiving unemployment benefits. The answer is this: fewer today than at any time since--listen to this--1973. We all know that these economic indicators can be noisy, but the big overall shift from the Obama era is impossible to deny. Republican policies have taken Washington's foot off the brake of the U.S. economy. We have rolled back a host of job-killing regulations. We have passed historic tax reform for middle-class families and job creators. These Republican policies have helped to unleash a dynamic, growing economy that is producing many more new jobs. It is putting the stagnation of the last decade literally to shame. That means sidelined workers get the chance to check back into the game. It means renewal is coming to so many small towns, small cities, and rural areas that had to sit and watch as Democratic policies funneled nearly all of the new wealth and new jobs into our Nation's biggest and bluest urban areas. It means higher wages, as local businesses are forced to compete again for the best workers. I recently read about a man named Chandler Steffy. He owns a roofing company in Iowa. Three years ago, in the Obama economy, his laborers earned less than $15 an hour. Today is a different story. The unemployment rate in Iowa is under 3 percent, and Mr. Steffy pays $25 per hour to attract the best talent. American small businesses are doing well and outbidding each other for American workers. It feels good; doesn't it? After 10 years of Democratic policies, this had practically become a foreign concept. Not anymore--it is a new day. There is more business for job creators, which means good jobs that need filling, which leads to higher pay for workers. This is happening all over our country. Rich Obermark owns a small contracting business in Paducah, KY. They retrofit electrical systems, A/V equipment, and gas piping. He wrote me to explain: ``For our small company, the tax cuts will mean [we'll] be able to afford more trucks and tools.'' Tax reform, he said, ``will allow us to invest back into our company, which will in turn allow us to hire more people.'' There is more business, more investment, more job openings, and higher pay for workers as a consequence. After 8 years of Democratic policies, this sure is a sight for sore eyes, and this is only the beginning. These are only the early returns from Republicans' pro- opportunity, pro-worker agenda. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Kay Adkins, the president and CEO of Ashland Community and Technical College, ACTC, on her upcoming retirement after more than 5 years of leadership to this Kentucky institution. A western Kentucky native, Dr. Adkins knew this would be her last post before a well-deserved retirement that will begin at the end of June. After earning her doctorate in educational administration from Illinois State University, Dr. Adkins held leadership positions at community colleges around the country. Just before coming back to the Commonwealth, she served as the president of Yuba College in Marysville, CA, where she found success in diversity, strategic planning, and the establishment of the Yuba College Foundation. During her time at ACTC, Dr. Adkins helped the organization fulfill its mission to provide accessible, affordable, and quality education to its students. A member of the school's board of directors said, ``She's the total package.'' A former chairman of the board credits her leadership with making ACTC a leader of Kentucky's community colleges. One of her many accomplishments in Ashland was the establishment of the Holy Family Community Collegiate High School, which helps students earn 2-year degrees while they pursue a high school diploma. Dr. Adkins also strengthened the relationship between ACTC and many of Kentucky's colleges and universities, so students could transfer their credits to a 4-year program. In the face of economic hardships in the region, she helped develop second-career retraining programs to help displaced or out-of-work Kentuckians. Dr. Adkins' efforts have already shown impressive results. Under her guidance, ACTC awarded a record number of credentials to its graduates each of the last 3 years. She has also built close ties with the employer community in an effort to increase the number of scholarships available to students and help them begin meaningful careers after graduation. Her leadership has benefited students and the community. Now, she plans to spend retirement in her native western Kentucky with her husband, playing golf and traveling. I would like to congratulate Dr. Adkins on her successful career and thank her for years of dedication to Kentucky's students, and I urge my colleagues to join me.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today it is my privilege to congratulate Albert Hale, of Laurel County, KY, on his recent retirement after more than four decades of public service to his community. Hale left his position as emergency management director for the county earlier this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to join with the men and women of Laurel County in thanking him for his diligent service. After graduating from high school, Hale began working for the Kentucky Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator. Then in 1994, he added second career working on a part-time basis for the county's sheriff's department. Since he took on that new responsibility more than 20 years ago, Hale had been ready to answer any call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Almost a decade later, Hale retired from the transportation department and began working full time for the sheriff's department. In that role, Hale coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service to assist in its efforts to patrol the area surrounding the Laurel Lake. In 2008, Hale left the sheriff's department for a position in the Laurel County jail's work-release program where he worked with inmates to help them find employment opportunities. Two years later, Hale heard about a vacancy at the Laurel County Emergency Management Department. He applied and joined the department in 2010 as its director. In this role, Hale leads the support organization to help his community prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of emergency situations. In this position, Hale had the opportunity to collaborate with emergency management professionals from across Kentucky. As director, Hale remembered one particular event with great satisfaction. After a powerful tornado in Laurel County, a number of organizations and individuals came together to protect the community and to help it rebuild. In the face of a disaster, the citizens of Laurel County worked collaboratively to help their neighbors in need. Throughout his long career, Hale has dedicated himself time and again to the service of his community. As he fondly looks back on his career, he also remembers the many family holidays and occasions that he missed because of that service. So now, in his retirement, Hale looks forward to spending time with his wife, son, and grandchildren. However, if an unfortunate disaster were to strike the Laurel County community, Albert is ready to volunteer to serve the public once again. I would like to join with Albert Hale's family and community in thanking him for his lifetime of service, and I ask my colleagues in the Senate to join me.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of Officer Phillip Meacham, of the Hopkinsville Police Department, who lost his life in faithful service to his community. Like all members of law enforcement, Officer Meacham put his safety at risk each and every day for those he was sworn to protect. However, on March 29, 2018, tragedy struck in a targeted act of violence when an individual impersonating a police officer fatally shot him. For a small community like Hopkinsville, KY, Officer Meacham's killing appalled everyone to their core. This type of senseless violence had no place in their or any community, and Officer Meacham's loss sent shockwaves throughout western Kentucky. During his funeral procession, hundreds of people--both friends and total strangers--lined the streets to honor him. Officer Meacham joined the Hopkinsville Police Department last May after more than a decade at the Christian County Sherriff's Department. His honorable service to this community will be remembered for years to come by the men and women who served with him in uniform and by the wife and young daughter he left behind. As the community mourns Officer Meacham, we are all reminded of the ever-present danger that the brave members of law enforcement face. Officer Meacham's courage and heroism were hallmarks of his service, and his community is safer because of him. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Officer Meacham's family, to the Hopkinsville Police Department, and to all those who knew him. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in honoring this Kentucky hero.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to help Whitley County, KY, mark an impressive milestone. Founded in 1818, the county is commemorating its 200 years of heritage and success with a year full of events and celebrations. I would like to take a brief moment to join them in remembering the unique history of Whitley County. Although the first meeting of the Whitley County Court was held on April 20, 1818, in the home of one of its earliest residents, Samuel Cox, the area's history extends back to its first exploration as early as 1750. The county was named for Colonel William Whitley, famous for fighting many battles within the area, safeguarding the Wilderness Road, and for his service in the War of 1812. The county seat, Williamsburg, was also named in his honor. At its founding, the county was home to only 500 residents. Whitley County saw only tepid population growth during its first decades, but after the Civil War, the number of residents quickly increased. With the arrival of the L&N Railroad in 1883, the area flourished with the influx of lumber and coal jobs. Now, Whitley County is home to more than 35,000 Kentuckians. Among the most remarkable aspects of the area is its picturesque geography. In the Cumberland Mountains, much of the county is included in the Daniel Boone National Forest. A portion of Whitley County's western border also follows the path of the Cumberland River and includes Cumberland Falls, known as the Niagara of the South. As the only place in the Western Hemisphere with regularly visible moonbows, the falls are a major source of tourism. To celebrate its bicentennial, the county is hosting a wide range of events, focused around the official founding in April, which included a birthday party and the decorating of the downtown Williamsburg in red, white, and blue. The county will also dedicate a historical marker at the site of Samuel Cox's residence. Later in the year, Whitley County will collect items for a time capsule and host a barbeque cook-off. I would like to join everyone in Whitley County, including Judge/ Executive Pat White, Jr., in marking this occasion, and I would like to ask my Senate colleagues to help me commemorate the bicentennial anniversary.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the Whitehouse amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1732 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 8; 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. I further ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Engelhardt nomination; finally, that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the Engelhardt nomination.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of Senators Cassidy and Cantwell.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 780.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 690.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 621, 789, 790, 774, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 784, 785, 786, 787, 821, 773, 775, and 776.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this week we confirmed yet another well-qualified nominee to the Federal bench. Now Kyle Duncan of Louisiana can get to work serving on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. His qualifications are truly impressive, but his sterling reputation among colleagues and peers was an even greater testament to Mr. Duncan's fitness. I am glad that the Fifth Circuit will benefit from his expertise. Speaking of well-qualified nominees, the Senate will vote today on the President's choice for Secretary of State. We will consider an outstanding nominee. Fortunately, we have the votes, and later today we will confirm Mike Pompeo as our Nation's 70th Secretary of State. We have been discussing Director Pompeo's abundant qualifications all week. In a little over a year, the Senate has had two opportunities to assess his considerable qualifications. Last January, a bipartisan supermajority of us saw fit to confirm him as CIA Director, and his performance in that role--exemplary by all accounts--has given us even more compelling cause to confirm him to serve as our chief diplomat. He has earned the trust and the confidence of the Commander in Chief by providing top-notch counsel on critical issues and helping to lead ongoing efforts to lay the groundwork for negotiations aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Along the way, he deepened his reputation for fairness and discernment. I am glad President Trump has nominated this distinguished leader to be America's chief diplomat, and I am glad a bipartisan majority of Senators will vote to confirm him today. It is just too bad that Director Pompeo's confirmation process has offered such a prime example of the historic partisan obstruction that my colleagues across the aisle are visiting on the Senate. All fair observers agree that Mike is up to the job. Here is how the Washington Post--not known as a bastion of Republican thinking--titled their editorial, simply: ``Confirm Mike Pompeo.'' But despite all this, Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee almost took the unprecedented step of voting him out with an unfavorable recommendation. That attempt to play politics with our Nation's security fortunately failed. But even so, according to the Senate Historian, he became just the second Secretary of State nominee in recent memory to clear a committee by a margin of only one vote. The only other time that has happened in all of the Senate's history was also at the hands of Senate Democrats during the Trump administration. Once they got here on the floor, they were also the only two Secretary of State nominees in history who needed cloture to receive confirmation votes. Let me say that again. From the founding of the Republic until 2017, the Senate never required cloture to confirm a Secretary of State. Now we are at two, both in this administration. I guess Senate Democrats are in a history-making mood, because over the past 15 months, they have embarked on a partisan campaign to block, obstruct, and delay President Trump's nominees that is, quite simply, without precedent in American history. Let's put things in perspective. In the first 2 years of the last 6 Presidencies combined--the first 2 years of the last 6 Presidencies combined--the Senate subjected nominees to a total of 24 cloture votes during the last 6 Presidencies during the first 2 years--24 cloture votes. Add up President Carter's first 2 years, President Reagan's first 2 years, and so on, through Presidents Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama and there are 24 total cloture votes on nominees. For President Trump? There are 88 and counting, just 15 months into his term. By the end of the day, it will be 90--90 cloture votes on nominees. This is partisan obstruction elevated to an art form, and every one of us has seen it firsthand. It is not just high-profile nominations. Scores of unobjectionable choices for all kinds of posts have languished on the Senate calendar. It took months and months and several deadly accidents to persuade Senate Democrats to stop obstructing a fully qualified nominee to lead the Federal Railroad Administration. Or take the example of district court judges. With only one exception, we have had to file cloture on every single district court nominee. It doesn't matter if every Democrat on the Judiciary Committee supported the nominee. It doesn't matter if every Democrat in the whole Senate supports the nominee. No matter what, our colleagues across the aisle are insisting on obstruction, for no apparent reason. Here are some of the final vote totals for these district judges: 96 to 1; 98 to 0; 97 to 3; 95 to 0; 96 to 0; 98 to 0, once again; 100 to 0. Back in January, it took more than a week of the Senate's time to confirm four district court judges, and not one Senator voted no on any of them--a whole week to do four district judges, and not one Senator voted no on any of them. Our problem is not the qualified personnel before us. Our problem is that nearly half of the Senate has decided that resisting for the sake of resistance is more politically advantageous than doing right by this institution or by our constituents. This, regrettably, is where we are: Democrats chewing up hours of Senate time on nominees that literally no Senator opposes. I understand that my friends on the other side have a number of disagreements with the President. That tends to happen in politics, but that is no excuse at all for this historic obstruction of noncontroversial nominees. It is bad for the Senate. It is unfair to the American people. That is why I support Senator Lankford's efforts to enact the very same rules change--the very same rules change--that a large and bipartisan majority agreed to back in 2013, when the Democrats were in the majority here in the Senate. It would empower the Senate to process nominations more quickly while preserving ample opportunity for debate. It is precisely the rules change that my friend the Democratic leader supported back in 2013. I joined in that bipartisan effort, along with a number of my fellow Republicans. It passed 78 to 16--78 to 16. The White House may have changed hands, but the last time I checked, fair is still fair, and common sense is still common sense. So Senator Lankford is giving my Democratic colleagues their very own chance to show that principled convictions matter more than political convenience. I am proud to back his proposal. I am glad to see the Rules Committee advance it to the floor yesterday. There is no reason why every Senator shouldn't be able to join us. Otherwise, until our Democratic colleagues put aside their historic obstruction, Republicans continue to do our duty and process the President's nominations, one way or the other. Let me repeat that. We are processing these nominations, one way or the other. After Mike Pompeo, I filed cloture on Ric Grenell's nomination to serve as Ambassador to Germany. We will vote on this confirmation later this afternoon. So why don't we turn over a new leaf together and start rebuilding the comity and customs that ought to define our work here. Just yesterday, the Rules Committee held a very productive meeting that took a step in that direction. Colleagues from both sides of the aisle took a serious look at what we can do as a body to more efficiently fulfill our responsibilities in the appropriations process. That follows on a productive meeting I had with the Democratic leader, the Appropriations chairman, and the ranking member a few days ago. So I am hopeful about the prospects of moving forward together. We need to keep this momentum going and extend it--not just to appropriations but to nominations. This Congress has already made great progress implementing a pro-growth, pro-opportunity agenda for the middle-class, including historic tax relief for families and small businesses, but there is a lot more to do. That is how the Senate should be spending our time--exchanging ideas and fighting for the American public.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 673.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.