Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the President is on his way to Puerto Rico to survey the hurricane damage personally and see how the Federal Government can continue to assist in the recovery efforts. Our thoughts remain with the hurricane victims as they continue to piece their lives and communities back together. During his visit, the President will have the opportunity to see the resilience of the Puerto Rican people. He can also witness the overwhelming support of their fellow Americans who have volunteered to help deliver relief. Much of that support has come from the military, including the men and women of Kentucky's own Air and Army National Guard, who have helped bring relief to Texas, Florida, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Just last week, the 101st Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade deployed from Fort Campbell in my home State to help support relief efforts in Puerto Rico. President Trump will also have the chance to see the groundswell of generosity from our communities. Many donated money, food, and other essentials. Other brave Americans left their homes behind to go to the disaster sites to offer aid. I am especially proud to recognize some of the Kentuckians who have volunteered to join the relief efforts in the wake of these storms. The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services selected eight fire departments from around my State to send to Florida to assist local operations after Hurricane Irma. Working 12-hour shifts, these firefighters responded to 911 calls in Tampa as residents began to move back into their homes. Throughout my State, churches and nonprofits sent volunteers to help however they could. One religious organization arranged more than 200 volunteers to help flood victims in Texas and Florida. In all, they served over 78,000 meals, helped with laundry, and distributed many bottles of water. The Kentucky Humane Society stepped in to care for pets that were affected, and chapters of the American Red Cross from across the Commonwealth have mobilized to help where needed. The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives sent dozens of linemen to Georgia to help restore power after Hurricane Irma. The joint effort from 17 of our State's electric cooperatives represents one of the largest mutual deployments in Kentucky's history. These Kentuckians, along with so many more, have generously given their time and labor to help their fellow Americans during this time of suffering. And they aren't alone. Compassionate men and women from around the country have joined the cause to help ease the pain of the victims. Along with my colleagues in the Senate, I am committed to continuing to do our part to support relief efforts with FEMA, the Department of Defense, and the rest of the administration. We will soon receive a supplemental funding request from the administration. When we do, I expect Congress will act quickly to ensure that the men and women providing critical support in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have the resources they need. The Senate will continue to stand with those suffering from these devastating storms.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on another matter, last week Congress passed legislation to reauthorize the FAA, including its authority to collect and spend money for repairs and replacement parts for our air traffic control system. I am proud that we worked together to get this bill over the finish line. Now the FAA can continue to play a critical role in the Federal Government's response to the powerful hurricanes that have hit our country.

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.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on an entirely different matter, last week the chairman of the Budget Committee unveiled a comprehensive budget for fiscal year 2018 that the committee will consider this week. This comprehensive budget resolution provides a path to balance by restraining Washington's spending, by reducing the tax burden, and by putting our country on a trajectory for better economic growth. I look forward to considering it on the floor after the committee finishes its work. Not only will this budget put our country on a better fiscal track, with reduced spending, it will also provide Congress with legislative authority to enact much needed tax reform for hard-working American families. The tax framework released by the administration and Congress's tax- writing committees is a template that will guide these committees as they work toward producing pro-American tax reform. The framework envisions a 21st-century tax code that is built for growth, that supports middle-class families, and that promotes American workers and American jobs. It is the framework our committees will look to as they work through a transparent and inclusive process in pursuit of its important goals, such as more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks. Basically, here is what our framework envisions: We want to take more money out of Washington's pocket and put more in yours, simply put. I know the chairman of the Finance Committee is committed to goals like those. I know I am. I hope our friends across the aisle will work with us in a serious way to achieve them as well because after decades of lost economic opportunities, it is time to get our economy on the right track again so it can finally grow at its full potential. Let's shift our economy into high gear with pro-jobs tax reform. Let's put our finances on a better path with Chairman Enzi's budget. Let's watch the good work of each initiative advance within the Finance and Budget Committees this week, including the Finance Committee hearing on tax reform this morning.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this morning our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in Las Vegas who suffered a horrendous massacre. We will all be praying for them and hoping they can recover from these grievous wounds.

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. 351, 352, 353, 354, and 355.

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, 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. 119, Lee Francis Cissna.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

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, October 3; 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; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Cissna nomination; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference 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 Senators Gillibrand and Blumenthal.

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 Cornyn amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1616 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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 bill be considered read a third time.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar No. 224, S. 396.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate a special anniversary in my home State. The Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, NKU, is marking its 125th year of educating students and helping them follow their dreams in the legal field. Chase's story is one of transformation and innovation, and through it all, the school has produced graduates prepared to excel in the legal field. Originally founded in Ohio, Chase was only the third law school in the Nation to offer night programs. Since then, Chase has crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky, joined with NKU, and continued to find the best ways to grow as a respected institution. Named after Salmon P. Chase, the sixth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the college is known as the Lawyer's School for its commitment to helping students be practice-ready upon graduation. Today Chase is a proud part of Kentucky's legal community. With graduates in a wide range of careers, including serving as Federal judges and as Members of Congress, Chase's impact has grown considerably since its founding. It is also the proud home to a nationally recognized moot court team and has led the Commonwealth in the bar exam passage rate in recent years. These successes wouldn't be possible without the dedicated work of Chase's faculty, staff, and administration. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Jeffrey Standen, who serves as dean and professor at Chase. Under his leadership, Chase has continued its growth, innovation, and achievement. The school's distinguished faculty come from some of the highest levels of the bench and bar with the experiences and passion to prepare students for success in their careers. The school's alumni, more than 5,000 and counting, are using their skills in more than 47 States, in Washington DC, and around the globe. I would also like to thank NKU's interim president Gerard St. Amand, a current professor and former dean of Chase himself, for his commitment to the university and his willingness to help guide the community. Each time I have had the opportunity to engage with Chase students, I have noted their intellectual curiosity and their passion for the law. The Chase College of Law has grown so much in the last 125 years, and it has become an integral part of Kentucky's legal community. I am proud to join with the Chase students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni to commemorate this occasion. I urge my colleagues to help me celebrate Chase's quasquicentennial anniversary, and I look forward to many more years of accomplishments.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 112, Eric Hargan.