Martha McSally

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I rise to give my final speech on the Senate floor, with a heart of gratitude. Serving and fighting for Arizona as a U.S. Senator has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Many times in the last 2 years, I had to pinch myself that this middle-class veteran became one of only 1,984 Americans to serve in the U.S. Senate and only 677 to serve in both Chambers of Congress since our Nation was formed. Like most Americans, on my life's journey, I have overcome adversity which could have crushed me but, by the grace of God, gave me a purpose to fight for others. When I was just 12 years old, my dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack. I learned at that early age to treat each day of this life as a gift. I was reminded of that lesson again this year when my 58-year-old brother Martin passed away. Though it wasn't from COVID, this type of deep grief--unexpectedly losing a family member--is one too many of us have faced in 2020. We have been reminded once again that every moment, every day, every chapter of our lives is truly a gift. As it has been for most chapters of my life, I didn't come here in a traditional or easy way. I want to first thank Governor Doug Ducey for the blessing to serve the great State of Arizona, especially during these times of unprecedented challenges. Accepting the Governor's appointment to be a Member of the world's most prestigious and powerful governing body was, like most missions in my life, a high-risk, high-purpose endeavor. Becoming a U.S. Senator was the ultimate expression of one of my life's principles: Do things afraid. I took on the mission with my eyes wide open. I gave it my all, and I left it all on the field in my fight for the Grand Canyon State. When I gave my maiden speech on this floor, I shared my approach to service, which was forged through 26 years in uniform: Honor your oath. Live up to your calling. Don't walk by a problem. To paraphrase renowned fighter pilot John Boyd, choose to ``do something'' instead of trying to ``be somebody.'' As I make the trip back home from DC to Arizona for the last time and close out this 9-year chapter of my life, I do so with gratitude, with joy, with no regrets, and with the pride of having represented the most optimistic, resilient, and gritty people on the face of the Earth. While my name is on the door of our office here, this has always been a team effort. None of what we have achieved would have been possible without an exceptionally talented, selfless, and committed staff, many of whom are here today. I am so thankful for my team of professionals in DC and Arizona, who truly embody our core values of integrity, service, excellence, teamwork, and a ``make it happen'' mindset. I especially want to thank those who have been with me for all 6 years of my time in the House and Senate: my chief of staff, Justin Roth, whom I trust completely as my closest wingman to lead our amazing team through thick and thin; my legislative director, Pace McMullan, who drives our legislative success and embodies the young, brilliant talent making a difference on the Hill; my deputy State director, C.J. Karamargin, who took a risk to join our team first in the House and built strong relationships across southern Arizona; and Rosa Ruiz, who has been a tireless case worker to help so many Arizonans left behind by Federal agencies. They welcomed our larger team in the Senate to serve the whole State. Of that incredible group, I want to recognize my deputy chief of staff and State director, Tanya Wheeless, who brought a wealth of experience, maturity, and relationships to lead and mentor our Arizona team, and Alana Wilson, my director of scheduling--really, my director of everything--who has extraordinary capacity and maturity beyond her years, and I absolutely could not function without her on so many levels. This institution could not operate and the people of all 50 States would not be served without the intelligent, hard-charging, often young men and women who choose to work on the Hill in staff positions. They don't do it for the pay, and they could make much more and work fewer hours in other fields, but they choose these behind-the-scenes, unglamorous jobs to be a part of keeping our constitutional Republic strong. I am so proud and thankful for Team McSally and the profound and lasting impact they have made for others. Together as a team, we intervened on behalf of over 7,800 Arizonans who were getting the runaround from Federal bureaucracies in the last 2 years alone. We secured nearly $7 million of benefits they deserved. To my fellow Arizonans, it was an honor to be your voice and fighter on your behalf. We crafted a legislative agenda that fought for freedom, opportunity, and security for Americans and Arizonans--the very principles for which I and my fellow veterans put our lives on the line. We played a key role in creating a strong economy so everyone has the opportunity to realize the American dream; rebuilding our military; standing up to China; securing our border; and transforming the judiciary back to its constitutional role for generations to come. This includes the historic opportunity to confirm a pioneering Justice, Amy Coney Barrett, to the Supreme Court. We worked together in this Chamber to quickly deliver relief during this first-in-a-century pandemic, saving lives, jobs, and small businesses. My thanks to President Trump, Vice President Pence, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and all of my colleagues who demonstrated leadership and commitment to these important missions. We saved the mighty A-10 Warthog from being mothballed--again. I stood in the gap to ensure due process for a brilliant senior military leader to continue to serve our Nation, and I told the whole world in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that, as a fighter pilot, retired colonel, and U.S. Senator, I, too, am a survivor of sexual assault. My path of healing, of finding my voice and strength to not be held down or held back, was not easy, but I can truly say, like Joseph in the Old Testament: What others intended for evil, God used for good. I am grateful to God for giving me the courage to tell my story, and I am blessed to be a Senator, not only to lead on reforms that were signed into law but also to use my platform to be an example of hope and healing for others. During my time serving in the Air Force, I developed a commonsense approach to solving problems that I took with me when I deployed here to DC. This approach, despite the division, obstruction, and dysfunction here in Congress, drove me to tirelessly seek common ground, to find pragmatic solutions that have made a real, tangible difference in people's lives. We know where we disagree--the lines are very bright--but I am proud to say my team always looked for where the Venn diagram overlapped to solve problems and get something accomplished, and it worked. We tied for the most bills signed into law in my first year in the Senate, and I am proud to say I will leave this body ranked as the sixth most bipartisan Senator--because I joined with many in this Chamber, on both sides of the aisle, to find common ground for the common good. As one of the few combat veterans in the Senate, I was uniquely honored to fight for our military heroes, their families, and veterans. Too often, our men and women in uniform come home with the invisible wounds of war. The legislation that my team and I crafted and successfully got across the finish line gives them the lifesaving treatment they earned and deserve, allowing them to heal and reach their full, God-given potential. Those who sacrifice life and limb for this country--who bear the scars of battle, both seen and unseen, who ran toward the sound of the guns in godforsaken lands--are the heroes we can never forget and to whom we owe a profound debt. My deepest hope is that the work we did to fight for our veterans is a cornerstone of the legacy we leave here in the Senate. Over these last few years, I have met so many inspiring Arizonans as I have traveled through all 15 counties and engaged with people from myriad backgrounds and experiences. It was an honor of a lifetime to meet four Navajo Code Talkers when attending National Navajo Code Talkers Day on the Navajo Nation; to visit with World War II vets like George Cross while participating in the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy; to connect with and encourage Arizona sailors patrolling the Straits of Hormuz during heightened tensions with Iran; to secure, then pin an overdue Purple Heart on Iraq war veteran Michael Letcher; and to tour the border with the Ladd family and other ranchers--hard-working, patriotic people whom I never would have met had I not served in Congress. Over the last several, challenging months, I have been so inspired and proud to witness Arizonans stepping up to help each other get through this pandemic. Our small business owners and universities found innovative ways to make PPE for our frontline healthcare heroes. We delivered meals to doctors and nurses with church congregations and packed up food boxes with the National Guard at local food banks. Even in the midst of such unprecedented challenges, I, like many other Arizonans, took in the beauty of our great landscapes by hiking sections of the Arizona trail. On a day-long trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back with a dear friend, we were joined for part of the hike by the park's new superintendent. We saw firsthand the benefits the Great American Outdoors Act would bring to this national treasure and crowning jewel of our State--legislation we championed in this very room. I also went on ride-alongs with Border Patrol and local law enforcement to experience the challenges they face in keeping our communities safe and learn how to best support these heroes. I will miss these life-changing opportunities, but I will always carry with me the time I had and lessons I learned from Arizona's amazing unsung heroes. As we approach the end of a year that has tested our country, I look forward to spending time, as I do every year, in prayer, thought, and writing for the year ahead. Sometimes I feel the Lord presses a few words on my heart--words that are important to keep strong and guide my spirit for the next year. At the end of last year, three words stuck out during my time of reflection for 2020. I put these words on sticky notes on my bathroom mirror to serve as daily reminders: peace, joy, and gratitude. In the most difficult year in modern history, I have known a peace that surpasses all understanding, a joy that can only come from a loving Creator, and a gratitude that even on the most difficult days, an almighty God put me on this Earth and in this Chamber to stand in the breach during this moment in our Nation's history. Standing up for what is right during challenging times is the founding ethos of our great country. Early in my time in the military, a mentor pointed me to the Book of Esther for guidance as I navigated whether to risk my career to stand up for what was right. I have carried the lesson of Esther 4:14 as my life's scripture ever since: Can it be that you were put in this position for such a time as this? I was honored to serve with each of you in this Chamber for such a time as this. We experience this gift of life in seasons, and while this season is one filled with tumult and challenges, I know we will get through it as Americans always do--together. When I was appointed to the Senate, I thought of this season in my life and decided, if this is the last 2 years of my life, I want to make it count for others. Today represents a change in seasons for me. I don't yet have clarity on what my next mission will be, but I do know who is the author and finisher of my faith and that He created each of us with a purpose. We live up to that purpose when we live, as John McCain exhorted to us, for causes greater than oneself. This mentality was encapsulated by Teddy Roosevelt in a famous speech more than 100 years ago, one I trust we all know well. I came across his ``man in the arena'' passage when I was just a teenage cadet in the Air Force Academy, and it spoke to my purpose-driven spirit, so I cut it out and put it on my bulletin board. The same yellowed, torn paper is on my refrigerator today, more than 30 years later. We can truly say in this short season that we were daring in all we did to advance worthy causes, and our place shall never be with those timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. It has been a true honor, Arizona. We are an extraordinary State with extraordinary people. I know our future is blessed and bright just like our State motto: ``God enriches.'' I have been enriched by the privilege to fight for you and serve you these past 6 years--2 here in the Senate. I wish my successor, Mark Kelly, all the best as he represents our incredible State in this hallowed Chamber. Let me close with the words of Apostle Paul, which I hope and pray will be said about my life in my final days whenever they come. He wrote: ``I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.'' May God continue to bless America and Arizona. May we all finish the race and keep the faith. I yield the floor for the final time. (Applause, Senators rising.)

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Wyden and I be able to complete our remarks prior to the recess.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, 5 days ago, I stood before you and this body and urged our fellow Senators to reach across the aisle and find agreement on how we can best help millions of Americans who have lost their livelihoods through no fault of their own due to this once-in-a- century pandemic. I made a simple request for Senators to be pragmatic, to meet in the middle, and to expand the unemployment benefits through Friday--for 7 days--while Congress continues to work through our differences and comes up with a solution. I asked: Who could possibly be against this? Well, it turns out the minority leader came to the floor personally in order to object. The Senator from New York decided to play political theater and thought it was more important than assisting Americans who have been struggling to make ends meet. Once again, he led the way and used hard-working Arizonans and Americans as pawns in a political game. For the many Arizonans who are out of work right now, this is not a game. So here I am again, asking for a simple extension through the end of this week so that Arizonans don't see an interruption to these benefits as we work through our differences. Again, I ask: Who could possibly be against this? While some States continue expanded checks after they expired on Friday for a few weeks, Arizonans got their last one. These Arizonans live in my neighborhood. They live on my street. They worked paycheck to paycheck before this pandemic hit, and then they couldn't work. These Arizonans are people we know, like the single mom of two from Phoenix who for the first time in her life had to rely on unemployment to survive. She is the owner of a catering business. She has seen her income drop drastically, as weddings and large events continue to be canceled. The $840 she collected a week on unemployment is helping her get through, keeping her afloat, keeping her business and her family afloat to care for her two sons, one of whom is autistic and requires significant support. I am pleading with my fellow Senators: As we work through our differences, let's extend her benefit for 1 week. Who could possibly be against her? Last week I heard from another single mother of three who lives in Tucson. She told me she is terrified of falling into poverty because she is forced to live on $240 a week. The extra that we provided during this once-in-a-century pandemic helped her pay her bills and make ends meet. I am imploring my fellow Senators to extend her benefits, to keep her afloat for 1 week while we work through our differences, to address what we need to do to fight this pandemic, to defeat this virus, which we will, and provide the economic support and the recovery we need, because America will emerge stronger from this. We need to work through those differences. Let's just extend this for a week. Who could possibly be against her? Arizona seniors are also suffering. A 70-year-old man in Arizona drove for Uber and Lyft before the pandemic hit. He can no longer safely drive strangers throughout Phoenix given his high-risk status. He, too, benefited from the extended unemployment. That additional week will really make a difference for him. Again, I ask my fellow Senators: Who could possibly be against his getting those benefits for another week? These are just three of the countless stories I have heard from Arizonians. They are pleading with Congress to put the bickering and the dysfunction aside and work together. When I got back home last weekend, people were asking: Why did they object? It was for 7 days while you guys work through your differences. Why can't you guys get your act together? Why can't you just do your jobs and, in the meantime, just give us 7 more days? That is a reasonable request. That is why I am here again to offer a simple, commonsense solution--to extend the expanded $600 for unemployed Americans through the week while we continue to work through our differences here to provide economic support, relief, and economic recovery for America. Who could possibly be against this? Who could possibly be against this? Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of my bill at the desk. I further ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered and read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I am just picturing, if you are one of my neighbors or one of the people I mentioned who are watching TV right now--this is Washington. These are bureaucratic reasons why we can't just simply do what I am asking, which is extend for 1 week what we all agreed upon in the past while we continue to work together to try and solve problems on behalf of Arizonans. That is all I am asking. Bureaucratic reasons or posturing or finger-pointing--people are so tired of it. I am tired of it. That is why I first ran to come into this deployed zone and fight in a different way than when I did in uniform but with the same exact oath. We are here to solve problems. We are here to represent the people we represent. And, while we work through our differences, there is political theater happening, Arizonans. There is political theater. There is unserious negotiations, unfortunately, happening because some people, like the minority leader, think that this is the path to power. Somehow, Arizonans can be hurt, and others can be hurt. Somehow, that is going to work in their favor. I am disgusted by that. I am simply asking for us to do our job. Maybe I need to offer another bill that all Members of Congress have their pay held until we sit down and solve this. I did that before when the CARES Act was being delayed for political reasons. This is frustrating. It is disappointing. It is simply a 7-day extension while we work through our differences. Once again, friends on the other side of the aisle have let Arizonans and Americans down, but we need to keep working to solve this issue and support the people we represent. This is a commonsense request, and it is very disappointing that they are not letting it through. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I deployed to Washington to be a pragmatic problem-solver, and for the past 5\1/2\ years I have made it my mission in Congress to better the lives of hard-working Arizonans. In a time of toxic partisanship, this is no easy feat. It requires me to go across the aisle to find where the Venn diagram overlaps. Well, today I am calling on my Senate colleagues to be pragmatic, to meet in the middle on what we should agree on. I am asking Senators to simply extend expanded unemployment benefits for 7 days while Congress comes up with a solution. Who could be against that? With the 1st of August approaching, Americans out of work are counting on us for cash so they can pay their rent and put food on the table for their families. While some States will get the expanded checks, we understand, for the next week or two, Arizonans have gotten their last expanded check. These Arizonans are in my neighborhood, live on my street, and worked paycheck to paycheck before this once-in-a- century pandemic hit. Well, I am here to tell them that Washington, DC's dysfunction and bickering is alive and well. Congress, once again, is using hard- working Americans as pawns in their political games. For the many Arizonans out of work right now, this is not a game. Americans, Arizonans are calling out for help, and it is time we deliver it. What I am offering today is a simple 7-day extension of the extra $600 a week for unemployed Americans while we work through our differences on how to move forward and see Americans through this first-in-a-century crisis. This is a reasonable proposal. Who could possibly be against this? I understand, as we work to defeat this virus--which we will--and support the economic recovery for our country, we need to incentivize people to return to work safely, when they are able. And there are disagreements in this Chamber on what that looks like, what the ultimate dollar figure or percentage will be, where we land and for how long. I know today Congress needs to do their job and to prevent this desperately needed, extra lifeline from fully expiring. In this uncertain time, everyone is doing the best they can to make ends meet, to help each other, to help our neighbors, to stay safe--everyone, that is, except Congress. Americans who have lost their livelihoods through no fault of their own due to this cruel virus should not be the collateral damage of political maneuvering. I am calling on the Senate: Let's do what we were sent here to do. Let's do our job. In the face of the virus, we have asked millions of Americans to go back to work when they can safely, to make hard decisions, to do what they were hired to do. It is time for the Senate to do the same. This is a reasonable request. It is simply a 7-day extension of the expanded unemployment benefits while we continue to work out our differences. Who could possibly be against this? Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of my bill at the desk. I further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, this is disappointing and a political stunt and a game. For all the normal people watching out there who don't understand why Washington is so dysfunctional, we are just looking for a 7-day extension so they can get another check and pay their rent. I asked the question: Who could possibly be against this? Well, we found out. It is the Senator from New York. So you can clip the tape or put his picture on your refrigerator when you open it up because it is the minority leader who is against this, on his path to try and become the majority leader. And that is unfortunate. Arizonans deserve better.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, in the words of entrepreneur Henry Ford, ``coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.'' As you and I know all too well, the role of a mediator presents unique challenges. From negotiating contracts to facilitating dialogue among parties, very few have the skillset and dedication to produce favorable results. Today, I am here to honor a man who exemplifies the qualities of a true leader and innovator: James ``Rusty'' Mitchell, the director of the Community Initiatives Team at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Mr. Mitchell will be retiring this month after over 39 years of government service to our country. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California as an ROTC cadet, Mr. Mitchell was commissioned in 1976 to attend pilot training at the old Williams Air Force Base, which has a near and dear place to my heart, as I also attended it. The culmination of an impressive 22-year USAF career as the commander of the 21st Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing at Luke, he retired in 1998 as a lieutenant colonel with multiple honors, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the USAF Meritorious Service Medal, with three oakleaf clusters; and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After 3 years as a pilot with United Airlines, Mr. Mitchell returned to Luke to take the lead as the director of the newly created Community Initiatives Team, CIT. Working with all 14 jurisdictions around the air base, as well as the State of Arizona, Mr. Mitchell and his team took into account the interests of various stakeholders in the State, the Federal Government, and the local community. The results were beyond favorable. His team's efforts transformed the entire community. CIT's first-class work on the Strategic Basing process led to the USAF selecting Luke to serve as the F-35A training site, which brought 144 F-35s and significant investments to the base. Through initiatives such as the FAA's approval of a Special Air Traffic Rule, which enhanced safety and reduced flying hour costs, Mr. Mitchell and his team have truly shown how essential their role has been. There is no question that this work strengthened the Maricopa Area's ties to Luke AFB. Under Mr. Mitchell's leadership, CIT is now one of the country's best examples of how to bring community leaders, military families, and base leadership together. The outcome has all three of these groups rallying around one shared mission: to support the base's military personnel and readiness. As a Valley resident for more than 25 years himself, Mr. Mitchell's firsthand understanding has allowed him to personally address key issues at the base and in his community. His frequent appearances at city council meetings and active involvement in the broader community truly highlight his unwavering dedication to building bridges between Luke AFB and the public. I would like to thank Lt. Col. (ret.) James ``Rusty'' Mitchell for his many years of service to our Nation, Luke AFB, and the Arizonans who call his community home. I have personally witnessed the many tremendous changes Rusty has made for Luke Air Force Base and the surrounding community. We will all be better off because of his selfless and tireless efforts. He will be sorely missed, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I want to thank Chairman Grassley for his tireless leadership on lowering the cost of prescription drugs for Americans. I am proud to join with him on the floor today and join him in his legislation that we must pass to help Americans and to help Arizonans. Everywhere I go--and when I am hearing from Arizonans--I am constantly hearing about the rising costs of prescription drugs. It is among one of their top and most pressing concerns. From seniors who can't afford their medications to parents struggling to care for a child who suffers from chronic conditions, out-of-pocket drug costs are too high. Far too many seniors and hard-working individuals in our State either can't afford both their groceries and their medications or they have been forced to ration their prescriptions because of skyrocketing drug costs. In 2017, AARP Arizona reported that a whopping 26 percent of our residents stopped taking their medications as prescribed due to cost. Last fall, I heard from a constituent in her midsixties from Green Valley, AZ, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and taking several medications to treat her condition. When she transitioned to Medicare Part D from her employer's health plan, her out-of-pocket costs for one of the drugs she was taking--Enbrel--went from $10 per month to nearly $6,000 per month. This is a 600-percent increase in her monthly out-of-pocket costs just for this drug alone. I don't know anybody who can afford $6,000 a month for one drug as a senior--as anyone. This is insane. She had to switch to another medication twice, but because they were infusions, she now has to travel 84 miles round trip to get treated. The significant jump in drug costs have affected both her pocketbook even her quality of life. This is unacceptable, and I have worked with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle, with Chairman Grassley's leadership, over the past year and a half since I have been in the Senate to bring down the costs of drugs and help Americans save more of their money. Senator Grassley's bill, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor, does just that by holding Big Pharma companies accountable for exploiting loopholes and keeping pricing high for seniors, families, and taxpayers. Our bill pulls back the curtain on drug pricing and negotiations. It ends the sticker shock at the pharmacy counter, and it caps out-of-pocket costs for seniors so that Arizonans can afford the medicines they need. According to the Congressional Budget Office, our Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act would save taxpayers close to $95 billion, reduce out-of-pocket spending by $72 billion, and reduce premiums by $1 billion. This bill is even more important now that we are navigating a global pandemic and its subsequent economic challenges that are squeezing family and fixed-income senior budgets even more than in normal times. With over 17 million Americans unemployed--including many Arizonans-- along with the ever-looming threat of the coronavirus, affording prescription medicine should be the least of their concerns. Our bill would give Americans and Arizonans one less thing to worry about during these extraordinarily difficult and unprecedented times. Unfortunately, despite this bill receiving strong bipartisan support until just a few months ago, Democrats recently chose to walk away at the direction of their party's leadership, and they refused to join in on the reintroduction of this legislation that they coauthored. This happens only in DC. Just to be clear: They were for it before they were against it. This is maddening. This is why people all over my State are so frustrated with the dysfunction in this place, where people are willing to put looking for power and electoral politics ahead of what people need right now. Right now they need relief. They need relief to lower their out-of-pocket costs for all of the issues that they are facing as seniors, as families--any of the diagnoses, any of the conditions. These lifesaving and quality-of-life-improving medicines--we have to lower the costs, and now is the time to do it. Arizona patients and taxpayers and families and seniors need Washington to act now. I want to urge our Democratic colleagues to put politics aside. I know it is hard to do in an election year, but put it aside. Service before self--that is one of the core values I learned in the Air Force. I bring it here with me today. Serving others first--that is why you are here. Put those politics aside. Let's act to lower the out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs in our upcoming coronavirus relief bill. This is a pivotal moment for action. We have to come together as a Congress to ensure hard-working Americans, their families, and seniors can access the treatments they need at an affordable cost. Let's pass this bill now. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY. I thank my colleague from Ohio and others here from Florida and Iowa for coming together to talk about this important American issue and national security issue. I served 26 years in the military. In my last years in service and since then, we have seen the threat of the rise of China. It is a threat to America's security, our jobs, and our role as a leader in the world. They are on a deliberate path to try to dominate the world and shape it into their vision. They need to be stopped. When I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, we had an honor code that said: ``I will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate among us anyone who does.'' China has been lying, cheating, and stealing for far too long. Americans are now waking up to this threat and are resolved to change the trajectory and hold China accountable, but this can't be done by us alone. Our European partners and others in the Pacific and elsewhere need to join with us and also wake up to China's dangerous path and work with us to stop them. We have been calling this geostrategic shift a return to ``Great Power Competition,'' as if to assume that we are all playing by the same rules. We aren't. China is playing by their own rules and cheating the system for their own gain and power. The Chinese Communist Party is a reckless, predatory adversary that is dedicated to subverting U.S. interests and supplanting our Nation as the world's dominant leader. Over the past 10 years, China has increased their military spending by 85 percent. Their investment in defense has been used to build their navy, expand their missile stockpile, and emerge as a leader in technologies like hypersonics, cyber warfare, and artificial intelligence. This buildup has been far from defensive alone. From their illegal maritime claims among several sovereign states, then building artificial islands where they didn't exist before to militarize them in the South China Sea with their maneuvers and exercises that are aggressive and belligerent, to their covert attempts to infiltrate the United States through our universities and stealing our technology, Chinese forces are expanding their tentacles far beyond our borders, to the detriment of American national security interests. Congress must do our part to respond to this threat. For these reasons, I introduced several pieces of legislation that immediately stopped China from taking advantage of government funds and taxpayer dollars to purchase products and services from Chinese companies with ties to Chinese military. To end our reliance on China's control and manufacturing of PPE, I introduced legislation to authorize the President to incentivize American companies to produce medical devices, equipment, and drugs. We saw at the onset of the coronavirus that it was clear that outsourcing the production of PPE to an adversary was wrong and risky. I witnessed firsthand the ingenuity of Arizona companies that stepped up to help fill the gap. That is no excuse for ignoring the fact that we have to bring manufacturing home of vital medical equipment and PPE so that, once again, it is made in America. Finally, the coronavirus outbreak has taken a catastrophic toll on our country and the world. Make no mistake. The virus began in China and spread globally because the Chinese Government lied about what they knew about it, and they destroyed evidence and silenced doctors and whistleblowers. Like the rest of the Nation, Arizona has suffered devastating consequences due to this pandemic. Already, we have lost over 2,900 Arizonans, plus the economic toll. Communist China unleashed this virus on the world, and it should face severe repercussions for their coverups and lies about the origins and spread. China's actions cost lives and devastated the world economy, and it must be held accountable. I moved to do just that this week by introducing the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act. Americans who have been victimized by the lies and deceit of the Communist Party--to include those who lost loved ones, suffered business losses, or personally harmed--deserve the opportunity to hold China accountable and demand just compensation. I appreciate many of my colleagues joining with me on this legislation. It is due time that we hold China accountable for their malevolent behavior--not just over the past several months but over several decades. The United States must take immediate action and, with strength, demonstrate that the greatest country in the world will not be taken for a fool. Our Republic and our freedoms that it stands for will allow our country to prevail over China's Communist and rogue agenda. With American will, American innovation, and the American spirit, we will prevail. I appreciate my colleague from Florida joining as well. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, we are at war. Unlike the enemies I fought against in uniform, this enemy is invisible, but it is just as deadly. Earlier today, the World Health Organization cautioned that the United States could be the next epicenter of this coronavirus pandemic. The Surgeon General sounded the alarm that things would get drastically worse this week. Economists are warning of a prolonged economic downturn that will devastate the country financially in ways unseen since the Great Depression. As of right now, more than 600 Americans have died from the coronavirus. In Arizona, our Governor announced this morning that the death toll from the outbreak is up to five. In the past 4 days, we have seen more than a 200-percent increase in the number of cases in my State. It is going to go up. These aren't just numbers; they are people. Our hearts and our prayers are with the grieving families who lost their loved ones and those fighting for their lives right now The Nation has embarked on a massive effort to flatten the curve of the coronavirus to protect the vulnerable, buy time, and ensure our healthcare system doesn't get overwhelmed. These aggressive steps will save lives, but this path creates another calamity of massive economic hardship unlike anything we have experienced. We are telling people to stay home and not work. The financial devastation is wide and deep. Arizonans are stepping up to do their part to save the vulnerable. Working people deserve relief, and their needs are urgent. I was home in Arizona a week ago Sunday and saw a neighbor, a single mom with three kids. She owns a food truck. She told me that her income just went to zero, with all events canceled. ``What am I supposed to do?'' she asked me, with her son by her side at the grocery store. I told her I was heading back to DC to pass legislation to get her cash fast for her rent and food, plus additional support for her small business. She was scared. I can't imagine the fear that must be gripping all Arizona parents just like her who must provide for their families in the face of this open-ended economic lockdown. That same day, I ordered takeout at my favorite local restaurant. There was hardly anyone there when it is usually packed, and this was before the Governor's order to shut down eating in dining rooms. This is a family-owned, small restaurant where they poured their savings, their hearts, and their lives into building this local success story. I asked how they were coping, and they said they were deeply concerned. ``What are we supposed to do?'' they asked. I told them to hang in there and that relief was on the way. More fear in the eyes of people whose only sin is to have worked hard and played by the rules in pursuit of their American dream. On Monday morning, I walked to the gate in the airport terminal where I usually hug a woman who shines shoes. We kept our distance, but I asked how the virus impacted her. She said that she had only one client that day and that things were grinding to a halt. ``What am I supposed to do?'' I heard again. I took her phone number, and I told her relief was on the way soon. This morning, she is waking up to no relief bill and a news story that airlines have plans to shut down altogether. It is a nightmare with no end in sight for so many like her. On the plane back to Washington, DC, I texted the woman who grooms my dog Boomer to ask how the virus was impacting her business. She told me that it was slowing down but that she wasn't feeling well. I urged her to go home immediately and stay away from people. She said she couldn't because she had to pay her bills. What is she supposed to do? I pleaded with her on text to go home and said relief was on the way soon. Later that day, I heard from a doctor who asked me to send a message of encouragement to the healthcare workers serving on the frontlines of the VA. ``We're gonna need it,'' he texted. ``It's coming.'' He shared with me their concerns about their patients and families. ``We want to do the best we can against an unknown enemy in darkness,'' he said. He went on to share that he was most impressed by the nurses and the support staff, like the housekeepers who do their jobs in a petri dish, still smiling but terrified inside. I put a short video together to thank these heroes, and I told him that relief was on the way soon. Over the past 8 days, I have heard countless stories similar to these from Arizonans across the State. The situation is dire, and it is urgent. These are real people who are suffering real harm from this pandemic. Relief must be delivered posthaste, bold and swift. Time and again, every Senator in this Chamber has promised a constituent that relief is on the way soon, but the actions by some Members in this Chamber have resulted in broken promises to the American people. By blocking advancement of this urgent relief package that was drafted by Senators of both parties, Democratic leadership has ushered in one of the saddest chapters in American history. Although I have only been in the Senate for a little over a year, I can say it has lived up so far to its reputation as a place where nothing happens fast, but with a sense of urgency, Republicans and Democrats came together and have been working around the clock to build this comprehensive relief package. We worked on this with the goal of keeping employees connected to employers to the max extent possible, and we strengthened unemployment benefits for those laid off. Working Arizonans need cash now to pay rent and buy food. Small businesses need to be rescued from closing forever. Our economy needs to be stopped from collapsing. Our hospitals need resources now to meet the coming tsunami. If passed on Sunday, this package would send $3,400 in cash to every family of four in Arizona making $150,000 a year or less. It would give small businesses money they don't have to pay back to keep their employees on the payroll and pay other overhead costs like rent. Those businesses are in danger of closing down in the next week or so, and they won't be around to provide jobs when the virus is defeated. We must urgently--urgently--act to keep them afloat. The legislation also allows larger employers that provide jobs for people in each of our States to take out loans to keep people on the payroll as their revenues plummet. Take PetSmart and Best Western Hotels, both headquartered in Arizona--these businesses and others like them provide jobs for our neighbors, and those are at risk too. For our frontline warriors in this pandemic fight, our initial bipartisan framework provides $75 billion to hospitals, more than $1 billion to the Indian Health Service, $20 billion for veterans' health services, $11 billion to develop treatments and vaccines, and $1.7 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile for essential equipment like masks, test kits, and ventilators. If you want to plus it up, we could have done it Sunday afternoon. We could have had that conversation and swiftly passed this bill. We also significantly increased unemployment benefits. Currently in Arizona, unemployment is $250 a week. We increased that to $850, while expanding eligibility for those who are self-employed, independent contractors, part-time workers, and gig economy workers, like Uber and Lyft drivers. All of that--that is what the Democrats blocked on Sunday and then again on Monday. And for what? So they could throw money at liberal pet projects that have absolutely nothing to do with treating the health and economic fallouts of the coronavirus--nothing whatsoever. Relief was on the way. It was all but a done deal. And then Nancy Pelosi landed in DC, and she and Chuck Schumer decided to blow it all up for their unrelated, ideological wish list. People are dying, people are running out of money, and they are looking for us to provide strong relief now, but that doesn't seem to matter to them. We said relief was on the way, and now it isn't. I was presiding over this Chamber on Sunday night after the first failed vote when Chuck Schumer waltzed in that door and objected to opening up the Senate early on Monday, instead forcing us to wait until noon. He gave a theatrical speech from over there, filled with flat-out lies, saying that we had set ``an artificial deadline'' to pass this bill. An artificial deadline for whom? The following day was the deadliest day in the U.S. fight against COVID-19, with more than 100 new deaths reported, and people in Arizona are losing their jobs every single day. While the Senator from New York may not worry about where his next meal is coming from, the people I talk to every day in Arizona do. In fact, they are more than worried. They are afraid. People are dying, and the Democratic leaders think this is an opportunity to score political points and grab power. It is despicable. It is infuriating. It is immoral, and it must stop. This is an unprecedented challenge for our country, but I am confident we will prevail. Just like other severe crises in our history, this pandemic is bringing out the best of America and the best of Arizona. I am inspired every day by stories of Arizonans who are stepping up to serve others and putting their own concerns and fears aside. During this crisis, our country is not divided. Our States are not divided. Our communities are not divided. Instead, Arizonans are being selfless and serving others. Young people are delivering groceries to the elderly. Healthy people are volunteering at food banks and donating blood. Neighbors are pitching in to provide childcare for essential healthcare workers. Faith communities are delivering care packages to the vulnerable and first responders. They are rising to the occasion because that is what we do. So here in the Senate, what are we supposed to do? Follow their example. Rise to the occasion. Put selfish motives aside. Stop with the opportunism. Stop with the ideological wish list, and start voting yes immediately to get relief to Americans and Arizonans now. I yield the floor

Ms. McSALLY

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

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, last week, I cosponsored a bipartisan resolution honoring the three American firefighters who lost their lives fighting Australia's bush fires this year, including First Officer Paul Hudson, from Buckeye, AZ. Each of these men gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. Paul dedicated his life to protecting others, first as a marine and then as a firefighter. He served in the Marine Corps for 20 years, including as a C-130 pilot, before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Paul graduated from the Naval Academy in 1999 and later went on to earn a master's degree in business administration and information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School. When aid was needed in Australia to combat the devastating wildfires, Paul jumped into action and put his life on the line to help others. He was only 42 years old when he was killed in a plane crash while fighting to extinguish these awful fires. My heart and my prayers, and Arizona's heart and Arizona's prayers, go out to his wife, Noreen, and her loss. Arizona will not forget Paul's immense selflessness and his sacrifice. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, on Wednesday, I voted against convicting President Trump of the two Articles of Impeachment. The Senate has spent the last 3 weeks in a Presidential impeachment trial for only the third time in our Nation's 244-year history. Adam Schiff and House Democrats demanded that the Senate overturn the results of the 2016 Presidential election, remove President Trump from office, and take him off the 2020 ballot. These outcomes would be deeply disruptive to the functioning of our government, would further divide our Nation, and would prevent the American people from deciding who their President should be at the ballot box. The American people collectively are better fit to judge Donald Trump's Presidency as a whole than the partisan politicians in Washington who brought forth this impeachment. Despite the celebrations by Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats, this is a grave and serious matter with implications far beyond this President, this Congress, and this generation. During the trial, I have remained committed to my oath to administer impartial justice with the same seriousness as my oath to protect the Constitution that I put my life on the line for in uniform. I listened carefully to the presentations by both the House managers and the President's counsel. I researched the law, reviewed historical precedents, and asked questions. I discussed the evidence and the issues with colleagues, and I came to my own conclusion. The text, history, and purpose of the Constitution support acquittal. Our founding document gives the House the sole power of impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try all impeachments. Further, it requires a two-thirds vote to convict and remove any President. The Founding Fathers were concerned that impeachment would be frequently used as a partisan political weapon. Because of this concern, they deliberated whether to include Presidential impeachment at all. Then, they considered the scope of the offenses subject to the grievous, divisive, and disruptive punishment of decapitating one branch of our government. At the constitutional convention, the Founders rejected vague, standard-less terms like ``malpractice,'' ``neglect of duty,'' and ``maladministration.'' James Madison, the father of our Constitution, objected that vague terms would be ``equivalent to a tenure during the pleasure of the Senate.'' Madison's view prevailed, and the framers settled on ``treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors'' to minimize the risk of partisan abuse of impeachment. Madison and the other Founders intended impeachment to be an extremely disruptive last resort to save the Republic. What our constitutional text and tradition teach us is that no President should be impeached and removed from office without the support of both parties and the American people. The reason that President Andrew Johnson avoided conviction in his trial was that a mixed group of both Democrats and Republicans voted to find the President not guilty. Richard Nixon's impeachment inquiry vote passed the House 410 to 4. Senator Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi used to agree. ``I expect history will show that we've lowered the bar on impeachment so much, we've broken the seal on this extreme penalty so cavalierly--that it will be used as a routine tool to fight political battles,'' Schumer said in 1998. ``My fear is that when a Republican wins the White House, Democrats will demand payback.'' Likewise, Speaker Pelosi stated last March: ``Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path because it divides the country.'' Before a few months ago, the consensus--articulated well by Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi, was that a partisan impeachment is not a proper impeachment. The first Article of Impeachment for ``abuse of power'' does not warrant removal from office and the ballot. The President is not perfect, and the way in which he evidently attempted to address his legitimate concerns about corruption involving the Bidens was inappropriate. But even if all that the House Democrats allege in fact occurred, even if John Bolton supports their allegations in his book, even if other negative information comes out in the future, this does not rise anywhere near the level of throwing the President out of office or off the ballot for the first time in American history. Abuse of power is a vague offense that the House managers have failed to define with precision, but even accepting all the House managers' facts as true, the alleged conduct does not justify conviction. The second Article of Impeachment for ``obstruction of Congress'' is frivolous and dangerous for the separation of powers that is foundational to our Republic. Presidential clashes with Congress are not just routine but are baked into our constitutional DNA. The separation of powers painstakingly negotiated by our Founders is working--and that is a positive thing. The Framers designed tension between the coequal executive and legislative branches of our government. Congress often wants access to everyone and everything in the executive branch. The executive branch, in contrast, has legitimate grounds to prevent certain advisors or documents from being hauled before Congress. This article, if legitimized, would cede unprecedented power to one Chamber and would permit the House to remove a President from office any time that it does not get what it wants from the President, exactly as James Madison feared. Not only do the two articles fail, but I also cannot in good conscience vote to convict because every step of this slapdash impeachment process has been characterized by a lack of fundamental fairness. I am troubled by the speed and cheerful eagerness with which the House Democrats railroaded through their investigation and vote on the articles. Unlike the Nixon and Clinton impeachments, the investigation into the alleged wrongdoing was hastily conducted and sloppily executed. The House Democrats made it clear that their objective was to impeach the President by Christmas, and they trampled over fairness and well-established legal processes on the way. After initially failing to vote to authorize the inquiry, they went from a vote authorizing an inquiry to impeaching the President in just 48 days. What is more, the House Intelligence Committee failed to afford the President with procedural rights. The House should have voted to authorize the impeachment before investigating and should have attempted the usual accommodation process to resolve the tensions with the executive branch. The fundamentals of due process also include the right to have counsel present during interviews with investigators, the right to cross-examine witnesses, the right to call your own witnesses, and the right to submit evidence. Here, House Democrats called only their preferred witnesses, and they denied President Trump's counsel the opportunity to be present for examinations. The Democrats conducting the investigation also failed to subpoena individuals whom they now claim are key witnesses. If Adam Schiff genuinely wanted to hear from John Bolton, he should have subpoenaed him, should have allowed the President to assert immunity, and should have gone to the courts to sort out the competing claims. But that wouldn't have fit the House Democrats' rushed timeline or narrative. Once the process was handed over to the House Judiciary Committee, House Democrats had a single hearing with law professors on December 4 before announcing on December 5 that they were committed to drafting Articles of Impeachment. The committee approved the articles on December 13. To put this in perspective, this meant that the relevant committee spent 1 week drafting the articles before Speaker Pelosi spent 4 weeks sitting on the articles. And on the Senate side, I am likewise concerned that Adam Schiff, House Democrats, and Chuck Schumer demanded that the Senate do the House's job and clean up the House's shoddy work. Democrats have insisted that the Senate subpoena witnesses that the House refused to call and that the Senate shut itself down for weeks or months to allow for an investigation that the House should have conducted before proceeding to a final impeachment vote. The House Democrats showed testimony of 13 witnesses during the trial and submitted 28,000 pages of documents. Having repeatedly stated that their evidence was overwhelming, they then claimed that they needed more witnesses and documents to make their case. You can't have it both ways. I am particularly troubled that in the Senate, the House managers sought to have the Senate address issues of executive privilege in a way that it has never done before. Executive privilege is a right-- asserted by all Presidents of different parties for decades--to prevent close advisers from divulging confidential communications. But now, for the first time in our Nation's history, the Democrats sought to have the Senate displace the judiciary and resolve, by majority vote, highly complicated questions on executive privilege--a task that would raise substantial constitutional and institutional questions. Even more disturbing was the House and Senate Democrats' casual attempt to drag the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court into this process. With a straight face, Adam Schiff repeatedly called for the Chief Justice to be the decisionmaker on serious and complex issues, as if attempting to remove a President and adjust the relationship between the House and the Senate forever weren't enough. On top of this, Democrats tried to bring the third branch of government into this partisan political exercise with no concern for the seismic implications for our Republic. Although my vote against convicting President Trump lies with the failure of House Democrats to prove impeachable conduct, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize one crucial fact: The historical record is clear that President Obama was weak on Russia and trivialized the geopolitical threat posed by Putin. In 2009, Obama's Secretary of State presented the Russian Foreign Minister with a ``reset'' button, grinning alongside him in a photo opportunity. That year, President Obama, at Russia's request, cancelled plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. In 2011, an open microphone caught Obama telling Russian President Medvedev that he would ``have more flexibility'' with easing pressure on Russia--``particularly with missile defense''--after the Presidential election. During the 2012 election, President Obama mocked his opponent for expressing geopolitical concern about Russia. ``The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back,'' Obama said. Two years later, Russia annexed Crimea and then invaded eastern Ukraine. Obama refused to provide lethal aid to Ukraine to defend itself and his policies toward Russia were a national security disaster. In contrast, President Trump has placed unprecedented sanctions on Russia and provided lethal weapons like the Javelin anti-tank missile to Ukraine to defend itself. Several of the House managers who attempted to remove President Trump for a minor delay in security- assistance funding, which was separate from the Javelin missile purchases, voted against providing lethal aid to Ukraine in multiple defense authorization and funding bills. Should we have impeached Obama for not providing lethal aid to Ukraine? No. It was bad policy and weak compared to what Trump has done but not impeachable. This Presidential impeachment is historic for dangerous reasons. It is the first partisan House impeachment with bipartisan opposition. It is the first to deny procedural fairness protections to the President during the House inquiry. It is disturbing because this entire matter should have been handled via the normal oversight processes available to Congress with subpoena disputes resolved in the courts. With all the above in mind, I conclude that the President did not engage in conduct rising to the level of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Democrats have been trying to impeach President Trump repeatedly since he was elected. They filed eight impeachment resolutions for everything from undermining the freedom of the press to using insulting language. Our country has a Presidential election in 9 months, with the first votes in Iowa already completed. The American people deserve to be represented by the President they elected. They also deserve to choose who is the President for the next 4 years. While I have concerns about the upcoming 9 months, I am likewise concerned about the next 90 years. Looking at the process that unfolded in the House and the constitutional contortionism that the Democrats displayed in the Senate, it would be a dangerous precedent to normalize how House Democrats have carried out this process. If rewarded, this precedent would trivialize impeachment, distort the relationship between the two Chambers, and forever alter the relationship among the three branches. In the future, any House controlled by the opposite party of the President could trample on due process, ram through an unfair impeachment for vague accusations, and demand that the Senate shut down its legislative work to investigate on behalf of the House. No future House of Representatives run by Democrats or Republicans should take this path. I have heard it said repeatedly throughout this trial that Benjamin Franklin left Americans ``a Republic--if you can keep it.'' I vote to keep it.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize one of the most influential and well-known forest ecologists in the Nation, Dr. Wally Covington of Flagstaff, AZ. Last month, Dr. Covington retired from his current position as regents' professor at the School of Forestry and the executive director of the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University. When we talk about the wildfire crisis afflicting the West, we frequently reference the need to thin our forests of the enormous number of small, dead, and dying trees that have fueled some of largest, deadliest, and most destructive mega fires ever seen in the United States. In my home State of Arizona, about one-quarter of our pine forests have been impacted by fire over the past two decades. In 2011, the largest wildfire in State history, the Wallow Fire, incinerated over a half million acres in a matter of weeks before finally burning out. And a nation mourned the loss of 19 brave wildland firefighters from Prescott, AZ, who gave their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. These fires burn so hot and fast that they barrel through rural communities, insatiably consuming property in its path and, sometimes, human life too. We recognize that the fuel load is too high in many forests and that prescribed fires and fuel breaks alone are not enough to prevent mega- fires that crown atop forest canopies. Today, it is common sense that our fire-prone public lands need to be restored to their natural, fire-adapted state. It is difficult to imagine how this conventional wisdom shared across both sides of the aisle, and among the timber industry and environmental groups alike, was foreign, controversial, and, frankly, heretical only two decades ago. It was Dr. Covington's applied research in forest ecology and his tireless advocacy that showed us how reducing tree density through timber harvesting is not only beneficial, but also necessary if we want to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires. So when we talk about forest thinning, the country should know just how influential Dr. Wally Covington's contributions were to the practice of forest ecosystem restoration. Let me share a little bit of Dr. Covington's story with you. From a young age, Wally was exposed to the wonders of the great outdoors by his parents who first met and fell in love in Flagstaff. They instilled in him a profound appreciation for nature and a humbling perspective on humanity's impact on the land. At his father's urging, Wally studied the works of conservationist Aldo Leopold, who is regarded as the founder of the wilderness preservation movement and the philosophy of ``land ethics,'' which espouses the belief that man is not a conqueror of his environment, but a unique component of it. Later, Wally graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in biology, and he planned to become a physician in pediatric oncology. However, the emotional toll of working with children with cancer left Wally disheartened. He departed medical school never to return. Still, that heart-wrenching experience taught Wally that he was a healer. Shaped by the burgeoning environmental movement of the 1970s, Wally answered another calling. He decided to pursue a master's in ecology from the University of New Mexico. It wasn't long before Wally's academic achievements led him to Yale University where he earned a doctorate in forestry in 1976. Dr. Covington was already an accomplished forest ecologist by the time he joined NAU. At Yale, he developed an innovative theory for predicting the carbon budgets of unharvested forests, a calculation known as ``Covington's curve'' that is still widely used in modern forestry. His next achievement, however, would transform how we view and manage our forestlands. For some time, Wally had been studying ponderosa pine trees, a type of evergreen species that dominates the landscape in the West. These iconic conifers span more than 27 million acres in the United States. Wally observed that our Nation's pine forests were out of balance, unhealthy, and highly susceptible to drought, insect infestation, and disease. A majority of the mega-fires or ``conflagrations'' impacting northern California, Montana, Arizona, and elsewhere were occurring in ponderosa pine forests. As a forest ecologist, Wally understood that fire plays a natural role in our forests. Historically, in North America, low intensity ground fire led to large, mature pine trees and forests that are naturally adapted to withstand fire. But modern wildfires in the West were now burning with such ferocious intensity that even the sturdiest of pine trees would literally boil to the point of exploding. Postfire conditions were no longer the regenerative force that ecologists had once studied. Soils were damaged, taking years to replenish their nutrients, and watersheds were more likely to experience long-term flooding and erosion. Wally once poignantly described the situation in an article he authored in the journal Nature in 2002: ``The dry forest ecosystems of the American West, especially those once dominated by open ponderosa pine forests, are in widespread collapse. We are now witnessing sudden leaps in aberrant ecosystem behavior long predicted by ecologists and conservation professionals. Trends over the past half-century show that the frequency, intensity and size of wildfires will increase--by orders of magnitude--the loss of biological diversity, property and human lives for many generations to come.'' Like any good healer, Dr. Covington worked tirelessly to diagnose the illness and devise a cure. As part of his research, Wally pored through historical records, old photographs, and land surveys dating back to the turn of the century. He listened to Native American Tribal members, the first inhabitants of our forests, who shared stories told and retold through the generations about elk and deer hunts in open canopied forests teeming with bountiful grasslands. Wally discovered that, in a very short time, about 50 years, the forest landscape of the West had substantially changed. He hypothesized, correctly, that man's presence had transformed our once fire-adapted, low-density forests into overstocked tinderboxes. Before there was a Forest Service, before westward expansion brought pioneers and homesteaders, the land, he estimated, supported around 50 to 100 pine trees per acre. In contrast, today's modern forests host roughly 300 percent more trees--sometimes as much as 1,000 trees per acre--a number far greater than the natural ecosystem can support. This meant that the West was overloaded with a dangerous amount of kindling fuel. To prove his theory, Wally ran experiments. Beginning in 1992, on a modest 10-acre parcel of Forest Service land in the Gus Pearson Natural Area, Wally established three test plots. The first plot was used as the control, its post-settlement state preserved as-is. The second plot was thinned of excess pine trees. On the third plot, the trees were thinned to simulate pre-settlement conditions and then subjected to prescribed fire, the kind of controlled burns routinely used by the Forest Service to clear our low-lying fuels from the forest floor. His test showed that fire behavior dramatically decreased on the plot that was thinned. Trees didn't suffer the same trauma found on the other two plots and in fact responded positively by producing increased resin, which meant increased resistance to bark beetle infestation. Also, the number of species and amount of native grasses and plants increased improving both forage and habitat quality. Wally had successfully conducted the first science-based forest restoration project in history. Dr. Covington took his findings to Congress, the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the National Academy of Sciences. He met with Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt under the Clinton administration and, later, Secretary Gale Norton under the George W. Bush administration, to convince them to implement forest restoration treatments. In many of his meetings, he would echo the old adage, ``an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' They listened, and Congress listened, as did my Arizona predecessors in the Senate. In 2003, he worked with Senator Jon Kyl to enact legislation like the Health Forests Restoration Act and also established the congressionally chartered Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes at NAU, Colorado State University, and New Mexico Highlands University, which assist the Forest Service in developing restoration projects across millions of acres of land. Today, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior are working to mechanically thin millions of acres of forestlands across the West to make our forests more resilient to fire. It is a slow, expensive, and time-consuming prospect to reverse 50 years of forest mismanagement across a territory as vast as the United States, but the reward is worth it. In doing so, we are saving our forests, our homes, and human lives. I cannot overstate Dr. Covington's tremendous contribution to the field of forest ecology. Had it not been for Wally's work, his compassion for healing our unhealthy forests, and his drive to educate policymakers on the sound science behind forest restoration, I suspect our forests would be in far worse shape today. I am proud to recognize Dr. Covington, a fellow Arizonan. Our Nation owes Wally a debt of gratitude that we can never repay.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Chief Justice.

Ms. McSALLY. I send a question to the desk on behalf of myself and Senators Scott of Florida, Hawley, and Hoeven.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, in April of 1981, President George H.W. Bush said ``think about every problem, every challenge, we face. The solution to each starts with education.'' These words were true then, and they are just as true today. Education is the bedrock of our society, and it allows our country to advance. It is difficult to think of someone who exemplifies President Bush's words more than Vail School District Superintendent Calvin Baker. I have been privileged to get to know Cal and his wife Nancy over the last many years. I also live in Vail School District--VSD--so I have seen the impact he has made in our community firsthand. Cal moved back to Arizona in 1987 to become the principal of the only school in the Vail School District, serving 500 students. He was appointed as the superintendent of the district in 1988 and has been at the helm ever since. During his nearly 33 years of service to students and families in our community, Cal led the growth to now 22 schools serving over 14,000 students. The growth was not by accident. Families want to move to VSD so their kids can experience the world-class educational experience thanks to Cal's extraordinary leadership and success. As with any organization, leadership matters, and for effective leadership, character matters. Calvin Baker sets the example of integrity, selfless service, and humility for all to follow. He is truly a good man. In his tenure, Cal built an impressive team of educators and support staff and created a culture of innovation, parent involvement, and dedication to students. Cal's vision for success was based on the principle that education is a community effort. He has been the glue that kept our growing and diverse community together united with a common goal of educational excellence. In a recent letter Cal sent to parents in his district, he said, ``I encourage each of you to invest deeply in your child's education and our local schools. It is that investment that is the `secret sauce' of Vail's success.'' Calvin Baker is a trailblazer on innovation in education for so many other districts in the State and country to follow. Empire High School was the first school in the United States to eliminate textbooks in favor of computers. He pioneered the Beyond Textbooks program that combines Vail's successful instructional methodology with an online delivery system. Cal didn't just want Vail students to benefit from this effective approach. Now, 115 school districts across Arizona and six other States use this program, some of which have become top performing districts in their States. Baker's creative and visionary leadership didn't stop there. When enrollment in the district surpassed capacity, he developed a year- round track system to ensure educational standards were high while new infrastructure was planned and built. Under his leadership, Vail schools are consistently labeled as ``A+'' by the Arizona Department of Education. Calvin Baker's legacy is immense and immeasurable. It will continue on with the thousands of children in a generation who received an amazing education in Vail School District under his leadership, propelling them on a path of opportunity for their futures. Cal is the longest serving superintendent of any school district in Arizona and has left an indelible mark on education for Arizona and the country. Appropriately, Pima County passed a resolution naming December 20 as Calvin Baker Appreciation Day, an honor in which Cal is more than deserving. Last year, Cal confronted another challenge when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. His example of faith, grit, and courage as he faced the diagnosis and treatment continues to be an inspiration to us all. I want to personally thank Cal for his service and wish him, Nancy, and their whole family all the best in his much-deserved retirement.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the importance of a vote we took earlier on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. This bill delivers on the needs of the warfighter today and invests in capabilities we must have for the future. I also fought for and secured huge wins for the Grand Canyon State. As home to 10 military installations, Arizona plays a key role in many missions critical to our Nation's defense. Our bipartisan legislation highlights the incredible contributions that Arizona bases, citizens, and industry make to support our military each and every day. Since I have been in Congress, I led the fight to stop the A-10 from being mothballed, and this bill continues to secure resources needed to modernize the A-10, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. We also succeeded in funding a new hangar and barracks at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and additional F-35s at Luke Air Force Base and Yuma for training and deploying the next generation of F-35 pilots. I also secured funding to upgrade the Barry Goldwater training ranges and many other Arizona initiatives. The annual defense bill is about protecting the people who protect us. This year's bill reiterates to the men and women of our military that we have their backs. It provides the highest pay raise in a decade and protects military families from greedy contractors who provide their tenants dangerous and unlivable base housing. These contractors, who act more like slumlords than landlords, will now be required to implement a tenant bill of rights. We also give military families more power in filing disputes and fund additional housing office personnel to ensure families have advocates on base. I am particularly pleased to see 17 of my 18 reforms to combat sexual assault in the military are also included in this bill. Earlier this year, I disclosed that I, too, am a survivor of military sexual assault. After I did, I charged the top leaders at the Pentagon to immediately identify ways to improve the investigation process and support to victims. My provisions increased the number of personnel investigating sexual assault cases and ensure a victim has access to a special victims' counsel within 72 hours of reporting an assault. These and my other improvements share the goal of getting justice for victims sooner. The greatest disappointment in an otherwise bipartisan bill is the lack of backfill funding for military construction projects. After unprecedented obstruction by Democrats on border security funding, some resources were diverted to border security projects under authorities legally granted to the President by Congress. I hear from my constituents all the time in our pro-military and southern border State: We can and must secure our border and fund our military. Life is full of difficult choices. This shouldn't be one of them for any Member on either side of the aisle. The Senate voted in a landslide, bipartisan way, 86 to 8, to fund effective military construction projects in this bill--in the Senate version of this bill. Then, during conference negotiations, Democrats refused to fully fund these projects due to political games surrounding border security. Think about that for a minute. They didn't like the President diverting the resources to secure our border, so they decided to take it out on our military by refusing to backfill funding. Our military deserves better. The American people deserve better. Nevertheless, one of Arizona's fiscal year 2019 projects at Fort Huachuca was stalled for unforeseen environmental issues at the construction site, so it wasn't ready to spend the fiscal year 2019 funds that we approved for it. This funding would have been diverted to some other purpose in any other year. It could have been funded in fiscal year 2020, but the Democrats refused to support that. The earliest the project will be ready to start is next summer. The Secretary of the Army has assured me that this project will be in the budget for fiscal year 2021, which starts 9\1/2\ months from now, following the completion of this environmental cleanup. I will continue to fight for the funding for Fort Huachuca and resolve to work hand-in- hand with the Army until this project is complete. Finally, I have to note that this is the first NDAA that this body has passed in decades without Senator John McCain. I think I speak for Members of the Armed Services Committee and this entire Senate when I say that we have felt his absence deeply this past year. While he may not have been physically with us, it still has the fingerprints of his leadership, grit, and ultimate dedication to servicemembers and military families. His memory has propelled us to secure lasting, meaningful reforms for the men and women who serve, whether in uniform, as a family member, or in a supporting civilian role. This is the 59th consecutive annual defense bill that has been passed. It remains a shining example, for the most part, of what we can accomplish when we work together to protect Americans and support our troops. It was my privilege to bring home these massive wins, working with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, for our troops and for the great State of Arizona. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, I rise today in strong support of my amendment with the Senator from Alabama, Mr. Jones, to this domestic spending package. Our amendment will permanently block an impending $1.2 billion cut to Federal investments and Federal transportation. Without our legislative action to block this cut, public transit agencies across the country will suffer a 12-percent across-the-board cut. These cuts will be devastating to all of our communities. Transit funds in my home State in Arizona are critically important to our quickly growing communities. Maricopa County was the fastest growing county in the United States last year, and cities such as Flagstaff and Tucson are also attracting more jobs and more families. Our State continues to have to meet the demands of our expanding cities and towns, and that is true from Phoenix to Flagstaff and all throughout the State. Our amendment would block more than $15.4 million in cuts to Arizona transit agencies. These cuts could result in drastically reduced services, including those for low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities, and reduce funds necessary to modernize bus and rail fleets, as well as slow construction of news stations and shelters. A broad coalition of over 30 associations--including the American Public Transportation Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--support our efforts and this amendment to block these cuts. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of a letter from the 32 national associations urging Congress to support our amendment.

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, I urge my colleagues to join Senator Jones from Alabama and me in supporting this important bipartisan amendment. I yield the floor. Recognition of the Minority Leader

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, I rise in strong support of my amendment with Senator Jones from Alabama. As he said, this is a very important amendment to block $1.2 billion in cuts to these transit agencies that are impacting every single one of our States. Across Arizona, this is millions of dollars, a 12-percent cut in every State, and we are going to stop that from happening here today. As Senator Jones mentioned, this is impacting people of low income, of disabilities, and in rural communities across the board. A broad coalition of over 30 associations--including the American Public Transportation Association, Associated General Contractors of America, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--support our efforts today to block these cuts. I urge our colleagues to please join us and vote for our amendment. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, I come to the floor to speak in support of the USMCA, and I appreciate all of my other colleagues who are speaking out as well. Almost a year has passed since President Trump signed the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement and notified Congress of the administration's intention to enter into the deal. Legislation to implement the agreement must originate and be approved first in the U.S. House of Representatives and then the U.S. Senate, where it will pass with a strong bipartisan vote, including mine. This modernization of NAFTA matters for Arizona businesses, hard- working citizens, and families. Mexico has already ratified USMCA, and Canada is in the process of doing so. Congress needs to pass USMCA without any further delay. Simply put, USMCA is a win for Arizona. Trade with Mexico and Canada is key to Arizona jobs and opportunities. Almost 50 percent of all Arizona exports go to Mexico and Canada, and more than 228,000 Arizona jobs rely on this trade. In 2018, Arizona and Mexico engaged in $16.6 billion worth of cross-border commerce. Exports to Canada and Mexico support Arizona jobs across a broad variety of industries. In 2018, Arizona companies exported $2.3 billion worth of computer and electrical products, $1.4 billion in appliances, $928 million in transportation equipment, and $796 million in machinery to Canada and Mexico. Arizona miners exported $1 billion in minerals and ores, and Arizona farmers exported almost $600 million in agricultural goods. One out of five Arizona manufacturers export to Canada and Mexico, and most of those are small and medium-sized businesses. It is not too hard to see how much Arizona communities, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and business owners stand to gain from Congress finalizing the USMCA. A few weeks ago, I was honored to host Vice President Pence in the Grand Canyon State. One of our stops took us to Caterpillar's proving grounds in Green Valley, AZ, where the company tests their impressive machinery and trains operators on new equipment. With roughly 660 full-time employees in our State, Caterpillar knows what a critical role cross-border commerce--and the passage of USMCA-- is for Arizona. Caterpillar recycles 150 million tons of scraps a year to create new products. This kind of innovation should be promoted, not penalized. USMCA encourages this kind of innovation by specifically prohibiting restrictions on remanufactured goods. In turn, companies like Caterpillar are not penalized but encouraged to be thoughtful in their environmental footprint. I made many other visits to local businesses this year and heard straight from Arizonans about why we need to get this deal passed and now. The USMCA opens doors for Arizona to continue leading in the aerospace, financial services, film and digital media, and bioscience sectors. It enhances intellectual property protections and will benefit Arizona's emerging automotive sector by requiring at least 75 percent of a car to be built with North American parts in order for it to be sold duty-free. Arizona's farmers and ranchers will have new opportunities to export dairy, eggs, wheat, chicken, and turkey products to Canada. Earlier this month, Speaker Pelosi said about USMCA that her Democratic caucus in the House was ``on a path to yes.'' Well, with less than two dozen legislative days remaining in 2019, I sure hope that is true, and I would encourage them to get to yes now. The USMCA is good for our country, and too much time has passed without any House action. During these divided times, this is a proposal that should bring both sides of the aisle together. It is good for America, and it is good for Arizona. USMCA is a clear win for my constituents in Arizona. Arizonans in every corner of our great State need to contact their Representative in the House and tell them to encourage Speaker Pelosi to bring this bill to the floor immediately. Let's pass USMCA now. I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, I rise today to give my maiden speech as the 14th Senator to represent our great State of Arizona. It is an honor to be serving Arizona in the United States Senate and humbling to be appointed to serve in the seat held by Senator John McCain. Like most of my life, I didn't take the traditional path, but I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to make a difference for others and stand in this historic Chamber today. I love Arizona--the Grand Canyon State--its people, and our spirit. Like many Arizonans, I wasn't born there, so this is a love of choice. Also like many Arizonans, I first came to the State on a military assignment in the summer of 1990 to attend pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, now home to a thriving industrial park called Mesa Gateway. I fell in love with Arizona right away and was fortunate to have the majestic view from the sky as a pilot. What a privilege to live in a land of adventure that I had only read about as a kid, home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world in the Grand Canyon and our diverse landscapes, mountains, canyons, lakes, rivers, sunsets, and the powerful desert lightning. After an assignment away, I came back to Arizona to fly the A-10 Warthog at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. I can tell you, from experience, there is nothing quite like finishing a demanding training mission on the Barry Goldwater Air Force Range and having a near heavenly view of Arizona's beautiful red sunsets. It isn't only our climate and beautiful landscapes that make Arizona a great place to live and work. We Arizonans are known for our fierce independence, resilience, heartiness, hard work, faith, and diversity. It is this legacy of service and patriotism that transcends generations. They say the best comes last, and that couldn't be truer when it comes to Arizona. We were the last in the continental United States to become a State in 1912 and have a history of attracting adventurous hard-working people searching to live out their dreams. Our State motto is ``Ditat Deus,'' or ``God enriches,'' highlighting the importance of faith in God in our past and our future. The original foundation of our economy is known as the five Cs: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate. Today, we still have Morenci mine, the largest copper producer in North America, which I recently visited. Arizona has made history in our own unique way. We are known around the world for the famous town Tombstone and the legendary OK Corral. We gave women the right to vote 8 years before the whole Nation and are the proud home to Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court. Arizona has always proudly hosted and supported our troops and remains crucial for our defense. Our vast open land, beautiful weather, and airspace makes our State a national security treasure, and Arizonans have always answered the call to serve in uniform and support our vets. Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized Tribes and has the largest percentage of Tribal geography in any State. The Old Oraibi Hopi Village is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the country, started around 1,000 AD. Piestewa Peak is named after Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native-American woman to die in combat while on foreign soil while serving in the U.S. military. Arizona has a history of punching above our weight with elected leaders. Carl Hayden was our first Congressman turned Senator, who served 56 years and secured funding for the Central Arizona Project to support our water needs. Raul Castro was the first Latino Governor of Arizona and served as U.S. Ambassador to multiple countries. We are home to two Senate heavyweights: Barry Goldwater, who served five terms, and John McCain, who served six terms in this Chamber. I approach this opportunity to serve in the Senate the same way I approached my 26 years in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and my 4 years in the House. I lost my father at the age of 12, so my life was shaped early on to be treating each day as a gift. In the hospital, shortly before he died, my dad told me to ``make him proud.'' My journey to this chapter of service has not been an easy one, but I learned from my dad and my mom, who was left behind with five kids, that hard work, education, faith, and a mindset of service to others are unfailing foundations for any endeavor in life. When I retired from the Air Force, having served both in peace and war, I gave a speech, and I shared some principles and lessons I learned along the way that still ring true today for this new deployment here to the Senate. First, know your oath. The oath that I took on January 3 as a U.S. Senator is the same oath--the same exact wording--as the one I took as a military officer. The oath and what it represents is what those of us who serve in the military were willing to fight for and, if necessary, die for. During my 8-year battle with the Pentagon over their policy requiring U.S. servicewomen to be treated like property and wear the Muslim burqa like coverings over them when they were off base in Saudi Arabia, I often felt alone and discouraged. There was extraordinary pressure telling the top four-star brass they are outrageously wrong; and me, a lowly ranking major, had every reason to believe my career would be cut short for taking on the establishment over what I believed was wrong. At the most anguishing moments in that long fight, I had to ground myself in my oath and why I placed service above self. We were taught as cadets and officers that moral courage means doing the right thing, even if it comes at a great personal cost to you. Trust me, I was tested, but stayed the course. Subsequently, I sued Donald Rumsfeld, which we all can probably agree, on both sides of the aisle, is not a good career move. Nonetheless, I went on a one-woman lobbying campaign as a regular citizen, which led to legislation being passed unanimously, signed into law, and resulted in overturning this demeaning discriminatory policy. It took 8 years to win, but by all measures, it was worth it. I credit that oath. It gave me purpose. It gave me power. It enabled one woman, opposed by the entire Department of Defense, to endure and, as a result, change the world. So this is how I plan to serve Arizona in this body: standing up for what is right in the same fighting spirit that comes with living up to my oath of service. Next, the question is, is this a job, a career, or a calling? A job brings a paycheck, provides certainty, and pays the bills. A career can sound noble at its surface, but if someone is only focused on a career path and advancement, they can purposefully or inadvertently step on others, not be a good teammate, not rock the boat to do the right thing, make decisions based on fear. A career focus can foster risk aversion and selfish motives. A calling, however, is being a part of something greater than yourself. Just like my time in uniform and in that message I gave at my retirement, I approach my time here in the Senate as a calling for this season and this moment in time. I get up every day with a focus of what I can do today to make a difference for Arizonans. Next, don't walk by a problem. It is part of our military culture that, if you are complaining about something, you better be willing to step up and do something about it. God puts us in certain circumstances in order for us to use our energy and our talents to make a difference for others. That is how I went from yelling at the television in my living room to delivering this speech in this hallowed Chamber today. As I learned from my dad's untimely passing, if these 2 years are the last 2 years of my life, what will I do with them? How can I make this time truly meaningful for those I represent? The Senate was created to be the world's most deliberative body and designed to be methodical in nature, but it wasn't designed for anonymous holds or partisan bickering to score cheap political points or clicks on stories. I built a reputation in the House for being a pragmatic problem solver who understands why constituents send people to Washington: to work together, to increase opportunity and prosperity for everyday Americans, and to take a stand when actions go against their best interest. Far too often, too many elected officials lose sight of that goal. During my retirement ceremony, I concluded with this quote from a renowned fighter pilot named John Boyd. He says: One day you will come to a fork in the road. And you're going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. He raised his hand and pointed. If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments. Then Boyd raised his other hand and pointed in another direction. Or you can go that way and you can do something--something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide you want to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won't have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That's when you will have to make a decision. To be, or to do? Which way will you go? That question is what should be posed to all of us who serve in this Chamber today. It is no secret my path is to take action and do something. I would ask my fellow Senators to join me to do something with this precious time we have been given. I already know so many of you feel the same and are driven to serve. Let's point in the direction of do. There are only 1,983 people who have served as United States Senators. How many can you name? As for me, but a fraction. Except for a few extraordinary exceptions, no one is going to remember our names when we are no longer here. We will go back to being regular citizens, so it is about service now, not self--to do something that matters. Arizonans, like people all over the country, are tired of the gridlock. They want Congress to work for them, not the other way around. Many people here want to protect this institution, but the American people have basically lost faith in these bodies and those serving in them. Our approval rating is pathetically low and is likely credited to family members and paid staff. To point the direction of John Boyd's challenge of doing something, we must commit today to stop the dysfunction, break the gridlock, stop spinning, stop obstructing, start truly working on behalf of the American people. Yes, we live in divided times, but there is always more that unites us than divides us. Since I took this oath on January 3, my first mission in the Senate was to visit all 15 counties in Arizona to listen to my constituents' priorities and challenges. It was a ``2 ears and 1 mouth'' tour--used proportionally. Despite the diversity of our State, there was tremendous common ground on so many major issues and priorities. Arizonans want us to promote policies to ensure, if they work hard, they will be able to provide for their family, get ahead, and meet their full potential. They want to make sure our country is safe for them and their children. They want a life of dignity and respect for one another. They want us to give our military men and women everything they need to do their mission and take care of them and their families when they are done serving. That is why I am going to continue to fight to protect the A-10 Warthog at Davis Monthan and fight for the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base, plus other amazing military installations that we have and their unique missions in Arizona. It is why, since taking office, I have visited numerous veteran service organizations, like U.S. VETS, where I heard real stories from veterans who struggle with homelessness and addiction who have since been helped off the street and have been able to start a new life for themselves. Arizonans want us to solve the border crisis and stop playing political games with it. It is a crisis all too real for cities like Yuma, where I saw firsthand the place where over 300 migrants illegally crossed the border due to poor infrastructure and lack of resources for agents, or like Douglas and Nogales, where outdated facilities leave agents overwhelmed with volume and leave our country vulnerable to illegal trafficking of drugs or people. Arizonans want us to work together to bring down the out-of-pocket costs of healthcare and allow patients, families, and doctors--not the government or insurance companies--to make healthcare choices for them. We can do this by protecting preexisting conditions and supporting initiatives like association health plans, which allow groups like the Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Association to partner small businesses together to access health insurance plans that right now only big companies can. Lives will be saved with the medical innovation that is happening in my State. Arizona is home to many institutions that are leading the way to find new treatments and cures for deadly diseases. When I visited the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, I was inspired by the story of Catherine Ivy, whose husband Ben passed away from glioblastoma, the same deadly cancer that took the life of Senator McCain. Instead of being consumed with her grief, Catherine searched all over the world for the best place to invest and partner for groundbreaking innovation to conquer this disease. She found it at the Barrow Neurological Institute right there in our own State of Arizona. Dr. Nader Sanai and his team are doing amazing work and leading in cutting-edge research and clinical trials. We need more investments and less barriers for initiatives like this. Arizonans want us to continue to tackle the opioid epidemic that is disproportionately impacting our rural communities. During my 15-county tour, I met Jason Kouts, the mayor of Safford, who shared the senseless death of his son Josiah whom his family lost to an opioid addiction. His life and all its potential tragically ended with a fentanyl-laced heroin dose. We mourn for his family and pledge to end this crisis. Arizonans want us to smartly invest in infrastructure for the long haul, not in a one-size-fits-all approach. What they need in New Jersey is not necessarily what we need in Arizona. We need flexibility and partnerships with States. Cities in both the West and East Valley of Maricopa County have been tasked with the daunting feat of keeping up with the fastest population growth in the country but without the resources to modernize their streets and freeways. We need bipartisan solutions to modernize our infrastructure, including water infrastructure and rural broadband. Arizonans want us to ensure that our freedoms and opportunities are preserved for their children and their grandchildren. They want us to ensure that seniors can have retirement security after working their whole lives. We can solve some of these problems in the days ahead if we choose to--if we choose to work together and do something bigger for those we all serve. At this moment in history, as John Boyd said, we are at a fork in the road, and we have a choice: Be someone or do something. I choose to act for those I serve. I know you do too. So let's get to work for the Nation. As Senator McCain once said: ``Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.'' I yield the floor.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, on Monday, the Senate passed my bill, and yesterday, we passed identical House legislation to ensure this went to the President as quickly as possible. I would like to take a few minutes to thank those involved with these agreements and again highlight the importance of this historic achievement. The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, also known as the DCP, was negotiated between the seven Colorado River Basin States to respond to this prolonged drought. It is designed to protect Lakes Mead and Powell from reaching certain critical water elevations that would trigger severe water supply and hydropower impacts, including the risk of reaching crisis levels where operational control of the Colorado River System is lost. The set of five agreements that makes up the DCP builds off of the tools and water saving commitments made by the basin States in the 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lakes Powell and Mead to further address water security and respond to actual water conditions as demanded by responsible water resource management. These added savings bring the risk of the Mead hitting 1,000 feet over the next 7 years to near zero. I am especially proud of the work done on these agreements in Arizona, which takes the biggest and most immediate reduction in water supply under the DCP. Through inclusive, good-faith negotiations, cities, farmers, tribes, and conservations groups came together to make the tough decisions required to improve long-term water security and avert the looming water supply crisis. I would like to thank and congratulate Governor Doug Ducey and his staff, the Arizona State legislature, Tom Buschatzke and his team at the Department of Water Resources, the CAWCD board, Ted Cooke and the CAP staff, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Lewis and the Gila River Indian Community Tribal Council, Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairman Dennis Patch and the CRIT Tribal Council, and the dozens and dozens of ag, water, municipal, NGO, and other stakeholders, including the entire Arizona DCP Steering Committee, involved on this outstanding achievement that will improve Arizona's water security for years to come. Work on the DCP has been underway for nearly 6 years. It has spanned the terms of two Presidents, three Interior Secretaries, and 13 Governors. The effort has seamlessly transitioned between Republican and Democrat administrations, both here in DC and out in the States, and I am proud of the swift action taken by Congress to authorize this agreement. The Colorado River DCP Authorization Act was developed in a bipartisan and bicameral manner, and involved the Governors' representatives for each of the seven basin States. Responding to concerns of some in the House and Senate about potential unintended consequences of the legislative language proposed as part of the DCP agreements, several changes were made to provide assurances that the Nationals Environmental Policy Act applies to future Federal actions outside the scope of existing environmental analysis and compliance done in the Upper and Lower Basins. I would like to thank Senators Cortez Masto, Gardner, and Barrasso, along with House Natural Resources Chairman Raul Grijalva and Ranking Member Rob Bishop for working with me to reach this compromise legislation. This exact statutory language is crafted to ensure water conservation activities in the Colorado River Basin can begin in 2019 and be built in to the Annual Operations Plans for 2020. Once the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act is enacted, execution and implementation of the DCP can and should begin immediately, as all of the actions in the agreements authorized by this bill are well within the scope of existing NEPA and Endangered Species Act compliance in the Upper and Lower Basins. Specifically, the actions to be undertaken are within the analyses and range of effects reviewed in the 2007 final environmental impact statement on Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lakes Powell and Mead, and the EISs and ESA documents prepared for operation of the Colorado River Storage Project Act initial storage unit reservoirs. Additional environmental compliance is only applicable should future Federal actions be undertaken that are outside the range of effects analyzed in those documents or the applicable Records of Decision. In closing, I am proud to have led my colleagues from the seven basin States to get this DCP Authorization Act passed through Congress as quickly as possible, and I thank them for their hard work and support. The Colorado River DCP Act chooses the path of water conservation, compromise, and proactive water management over and litigation, conflict, and creation of a zero sum game on the River. I understand that there will be more work to be done after we have authorized the DCP, but we have made important progress in passing this critical legislation.

Ms. McSALLY

Ms. McSALLY. Mr. President, the Colorado River is the lifeblood of the Southwestern United States. The river provides drinking water to 40 million Americans, irrigation to 5.5 million acres of farmland, and more than 4,000 megawatts of carbon-free hydropower to communities across the West in seven States. Unfortunately, the last 19 years have been the Colorado Basin's driest on record. This long and intense drought has left the combined water stored behind Lake Powell and Lake Mead near critically low levels, putting the water supply for some of the Nation's largest cities in danger. The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan--otherwise known as the DCP--was negotiated among the seven Colorado River Basin States to respond to this prolonged drought. It is designed to protect Lakes Mead and Powell from reaching certain critical water elevations that would trigger severe water supply and hydropower impacts, including the risk of reaching crisis levels where operational control of the Colorado River system would be lost. These States put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice for the good of all who rely on the river. By doing this, they avoided having the Department of Interior directing draconian measures and cuts from the Federal Government. But the plan must be codified in law. It literally takes an act of Congress to approve the DCP, and it is urgent. That is why I am on the floor today. I am proud of the bipartisan nature of this legislation. As the Water and Power Subcommittee chair, I am leading this legislation with my Democratic ranking member from Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto. We have all 14 Senators from all 7 States--8 Democrats and 6 Republicans spanning a wide ideological spectrum--as original cosponsors. This bill is about an impending water crisis impacting Western States like Arizona. The effort to get this bill to this point is an example of bipartisanship that Arizonans and Americans are calling for. This is about the livelihood and the safety of 40 million Americans. The Colorado River DCP Authorization Act puts sound water policy over partisan politics. People thought that never happened in Washington, DC. Today, they should be celebrating about this bill. I ask all my colleagues to join the 14 bipartisan Senators from the Colorado River Basin and support this bill. Mr. President, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 1057. I further ask consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.