Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Now on another matter, Mr. President, Members of the Senate are continuing to work hard to deliver much needed tax reform for families and small businesses. Yesterday, Senators, members of the administration, and tax reform advocates met here in the Capitol to discuss a mutual vision for relief. They shared the goals of simplicity, fairness, and economic growth. These are the same goals I have, they are the same goals the House wrote into its legislation, they are the same goals the President asked us to consider, and most importantly, they are the goals shared by many Americans across the political spectrum. So we are working together to get this done. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and it will help us create jobs and boost the economy, while closing special interest loopholes at the same time. We can do all of this through tax reform. Today, the House Ways and Means Committee will continue to mark up its legislative proposal. I would like to once again commend Chairman Brady for his good work on the House plan. The hearings this week are building momentum to accomplish our goals for the American people. Soon, the Senate Finance Committee, under the leadership of Senator Hatch, will release its own plan for tax reform. Working through an open committee process, the committee will ultimately bring tax reform legislation to the floor. I am exceedingly grateful to Chairman Hatch for his continued leadership of the Finance Committee. As we continue to advance tax reform, I would urge our Democratic colleagues to join us. In recent years, many prominent Democrats have expressed support for tax reform. Since then, the need for tax reform hasn't changed at all. The American people haven't stopped hurting either. The only thing that changed was the President. So I hope our colleagues will put partisanship aside and work with us in a serious way to help us deliver real relief to families. I hope they will help us take more money out of Washington's pockets and put more money in the pockets of the middle class. That is the aim of this tax reform effort, and we are going to keep working until we accomplish it.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 4:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, November 7, there be 30 minutes of post-cloture time remaining on the Engel nomination, equally divided between the leaders or their designees; that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the confirmation of the Engel nomination; and that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; further, that there be 2 minutes, equally divided, prior to the cloture vote on the Robb nomination.

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

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as we all know, the Senate has been quite busy. Legislatively, we have been hard at work on everything from budgets, to disaster relief, to consumer protections, to tax reform. On the nominations front, we have taken strong action to strengthen the judiciary, including confirming a slate of very-well-qualified nominees in recent days. This week, we are continuing our work to staff up the rest of the government as well. This is one of the Senate's most important functions and one we take seriously. We are currently considering men and women who have been nominated to serve in many different roles at many different agencies. The one thing they all share in common is this: They are ready to get to work, and the sooner we confirm them, the sooner they can get on the job for our country. First, we will vote to confirm John Gibson as Deputy Chief Management Officer at the Department of Defense. He will be responsible for increasing efficiency throughout the Department's business operations. Afterward, the Senate will continue its consideration of Steven Engel, who will, as I discussed yesterday, serve as the Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel. The next nomination we will consider is that of Peter Robb to serve as the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. For most of its 80-year existence, the NLRB has had the important responsibility of supporting stable labor relations by acting as a fair and impartial umpire in the resolution of labor disputes. Unfortunately, that changed under the previous administration, which wielded its Board majority as an anti-worker political cudgel at the behest of special interests and union bosses. Instead of the Board's historic commitment to impartially applying the law, the NLRB's Obama- appointed Democratic majority put forward policies that diminished the rights of employees, hurt small businesses, and rewarded entrenched political elites at the expense of workers and the middle class. Thankfully, this Senate recently confirmed a new majority to the NLRB that is already beginning to undo the damage of the past 8 years. Now we have the opportunity to build upon that good work with the nomination of Mr. Robb. The NLRB's General Counsel is responsible for investigating cases of unfair labor practices and for advancing cases before the Board and its members. Mr. Robb will fulfill these duties under the aegis of a new Board majority that is returning the NLRB to its true mission once more. Labor policy is not simply some theoretical abstraction for Mr. Robb; he knows what it means to work as a hospital orderly or a construction worker, welder, truckdriver, forklift operator, or highway sign maker because he himself has worked in all of those jobs before. After law school, Robb gained valuable experience in employment law. His previous leadership roles, including as an NLRB regional field attorney and chief counsel to a Board member, contribute to making Robb an ideal candidate to serve as the Board's General Counsel. I look forward to voting to advance this nomination, and I urge my colleagues to join me in helping restore the NLRB to the neutral umpire of labor disputes it was meant to be.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on another matter, our complex Tax Code is in desperate need of reform, and we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul it. We all want an economy that reaches for its full potential again. We all want to support small businesses and the middle class. Tax reform represents the single most important action we can take today to advance goals such as these. I have heard from many Kentuckians calling out for relief from our outdated and burdensome Tax Code. Listen to this small business owner from Murray, KY, who wrote to my office about his struggles under our current Tax Code. This is what he said: I am writing to stress the importance of tax reform for small businesses. As a small business owner, I have been saddle[d] with tax burdens since I began my business over 8 years ago. Tax reform for small business and families need[s] to be done immediately [so] we can have some economic hope once again. Small businesses just like this one are calling out for relief. So are families. So are middle-class workers all across our country. Instead of better opportunities, our Tax Code gives them a complicated web of schedules, deductions, and regulations, a byzantine system that is easy for the wealthy and well-connected to exploit and impossible for almost anyone else to understand. It is time for a system that actually helps the middle class succeed and actually encourages small businesses to grow, invest, and hire. We want to help families plan for their future. We want to get the economy going again and growing again. Most of all, we want to take more money out of Washington's pockets and put more money in the pockets of the middle class. To accomplish these goals, both the House and the Senate are continuing to move forward to deliver tax reform. Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee completed its first day of discussing the House legislative proposal unveiled last week. That bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, builds upon the unified tax reform framework and reflects goals shared by President Trump, Republicans in the House, and our conference here in the Senate--priorities shared by Americans of both parties all across our country. Later this morning, a group of Senators, administration officials, and tax reform advocates will highlight the benefits of relief for families, small businesses, and the American economy. They will share their constituents' calls for tax reform. As they do, the Senate Finance Committee will continue its work on this important issue as well. Chairman Hatch will continue to lead the committee through an open process, giving members the opportunity to provide their input, offer amendments, and work together to take another big step forward. I am grateful for the work of both Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch to get us to this point. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are committed to passing tax reform to help our Nation's economy reach its full potential.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate a dear friend whom I have known for more than 30 years, Dr. John Logan III, of Henderson, KY. John was recently honored by his community for a lifetime of servant leadership. The city dedicated a plaque on the Henderson Riverwalk, which is one of the many landmarks that John had an indispensable hand in building and one I was proud to work with him to help secure. In a surprise ceremony--John thought he was simply going to lunch with a friend--they honored him for decades of philanthropy and service to his community. The plaque includes a quote from author Margaret Mead, which reads, ``Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.'' These words perfectly encapsulate the impact of my friend John. John serves as the chief medical officer of the Methodist Hospital in Henderson, where he started working in 1962 specializing in family medicine. A number of years ago, John embarked on a mission to highlight the extraordinary history of the hospital. Because of his tireless work, the successes of this Henderson institution will continue to be remembered for years to come. In addition to his work caring for patients and leading the administration of the hospital, John gives of himself to other aspects of the community. In 1971, John joined the Family YMCA's capital campaign, working to help the group move from its old home downtown to a much larger facility on 5 acres of land. He has continued to work with the YMCA, making sure that young people in Henderson have a well-equipped facility to enjoy and grow. John also helped establish other community initiatives, including Henderson's Depot Welcome Center and the Methodist Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In 2012, the Henderson Community College board of directors presented John with an award recognizing his substantial service to the school. Through the years, John has taken a keen interest in the students. He worked with State legislators and community leaders to raise $1 million to support scholarships to the college and to build a fine arts center. His impact will be felt by students for years to come. John has spent his life giving to others--his community, the Methodist Hospital, and his friends. So many of the projects in Henderson would not have been possible without John's dedicated leadership, and I am immensely proud to call him my friend. His decades of service have truly made Henderson and Kentucky a better place. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the selfless work of Dr. John Logan, a remarkable Kentuckian and a wonderful friend. Mr. President, The Gleaner in Henderson recently published an article on John's career of service. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the article be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 7; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for debate only until 11 a.m., at which point the Senate proceed to executive session and consideration of the Gibson nomination under the previous order; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

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 Durbin.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bill.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1370 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Johnson-McCaskill substitute amendment be considered and agreed to and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3031, which was received from the House.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 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 ask unanimous consent that the order of November 2, which notwithstands rule XXII, be modified to have all executive session cloture motions ripen following the disposition of the Gibson nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Engel nomination, the time postcloture be counted as if invoked at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for most Americans, a church is a place of worship and love, a place where the faithful go to feel mercy and compassion, which is why what happened in Texas yesterday is so difficult for many to comprehend. Why would an individual do this? Families lost so much. Our hearts go out to them in this time of untold grief. Our gratitude goes out to the civilians and first responders who answer the call when others are in need. As we continue to learn the details of yesterday's tragic events, I, along with all Members of the Senate, will keep the victims of this tragedy and their families in my prayers. Mr. President, on a completely different matter, last Monday I said the Senate would confirm four excellent judicial nominees by the end of the week. That is just what we did--Amy Barrett, confirmed; Joan Larsen, confirmed; Allison Eid, confirmed; Stephanos Bibas, confirmed. After 8 years of a President who selected judges based upon an ideological litmus test designed to find nominees who favor certain groups or individuals over others, we now have a President who is sending over nominees who will ensure that the judiciary is actually living up to the role we expect in our democracy: treating everyone equally, giving every litigant a fair shake, applying the law as it is actually written, not as the judge wishes it might be. The four circuit court nominees the Senate confirmed last week will do just that. Democrats have put up a lot of procedural roadblocks to prevent the Senate from moving forward all year. We have moved ahead anyway. As a result, despite all the obstacles from the other side, we are making significant progress. Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and notable leadership of Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, and I want to thank him again for everything he has done. We are not finished yet. We are going to keep pressing forward on judicial nominees. We are going to keep confirming the other nominees before us as well. This week the Senate will consider some of President Trump's other qualified nominees for various positions throughout the Federal Government. Each of these individuals will help lead their agencies to fulfill their particular mission in running the government. First, we will advance the nomination of Steven Engel to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. Mr. Engel previously worked in the OLC, having done so under President Bush. He also served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and counsel to the Assistant Attorney General. He obviously has a lot of experience advising senior policymakers on a wide variety of legal issues facing the executive branch. That is good because the role he has been nominated to has the responsibility for providing legal advice to the executive branch on all constitutional questions and reviewing pending legislation for constitutionality. I look forward to advancing Mr. Engel's nomination tomorrow so that he can begin putting his experience to work for our country as soon as possible, and then we will turn to the various other nominees before us so they can begin doing the same. Confirming the President's nominees is an important part of the Senate's business, and I urge all of our colleagues to work together so we can get this done.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 159, Derek Kan.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. For the information of all Senators, there will be a cloture vote on the Engel nomination at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The Senate will vote on the Gibson nomination at 12 noon on Tuesday.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the pending cloture motions ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 6. I further ask that at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Executive Calendar No. 247, as under the previous order.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the cloture motions be waived.

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