Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, let me be frank. Today, our water and our health is at risk from highly fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. These chemicals have been widely used commercially, and they are also concentrated in firefighting foams used by the Department of Defense. They are toxic, and they have been linked to serious health issues in those who are exposed to them. High levels of PFAS contamination exist at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI, and at military sites all across our country. My resolution would retain the Senate language prohibiting the Department of Defense from using firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals to the end of 2023. PFAS-free foams are already widely used internationally by military services and at major hub airports, such as Heathrow and Dubai. We must protect our troops, our firefighters, our communities, and our water. I urge my colleagues to support my resolution. I yield back all remaining time.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 60th anniversary of Motown and remarkable life of Berry Gordy, Jr., a man who achieved one of the most significant musical accomplishments of the 20th century. Motown is the sound that changed America; it broke barriers between people and united fans of every race and creed. Mr. Gordy was born in 1929 to a middle-class family on the east side of Detroit. At first, Mr. Gordy pursued his dreams to become a professional boxer and boxed until 1950 when he was drafted to serve his country in the Korean war. After returning from Korea in 1953, Mr. Gordy began to pursue his passion for music by opening a record store, and then went on to work at the Ford Lincoln-Mercury Plant. In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records that would go on to become Motown after he received an $800 loan and moved to 2648 W. Grand Blvd, also known as Hitsville U.S.A. Due to Detroit being known as the Motor City, Mr. Gordy, in tribute to what he felt was a city of warm, soulful people and Detroit being his hometown, decided the perfect name for his company and new label would be ``Motown.'' Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy formed an early partnership and co- wrote Motown Records' first smash-hit ``Shop Around,'' recorded by The Miracles, who would go on to be Motown's first million-record selling record. Soon, other acts would follow, including legendary artists such as the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Temptations, all discovered by Mr. Gordy. In the 1960s alone, Motown Records had over 75 records in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s, Motown moved to California and continued to create hits with a Detroit sound by groups such as the Jackson 5 and the Commodores. With so many music legends, Motown has often been considered one of the greatest labels of all time. In 1998, Mr. Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as founder and helmsman of the Motown music empire. In addition to music, Mr. Gordy produced films such as the Oscar- nominated, ``Lady Day Sings the Blues'' and ``Mahogany.'' both starring Motown icon Diana Ross. In 2013, Mr. Gordy went on to write and produce ``Motown: the Musical,'' to tell his story and the story of Motown Records. ``Motown: the Musical'' went on to play 738 Broadway performances, and have massively successful national tours and international productions. Mr. Gordy founded an American music institution that exemplifies the unity that must exist in our country and created a sound that still moves the Motor City today. Motown's music has become a genre all its own and has grown to be beloved all over the world. Motown music helped break barriers, and it is my hope that the legacy of Barry Gordy, Jr., and Motown will inspire the next generation of leaders to follow their passion and change the world.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to oppose the nomination of Dale Cabaniss to serve as Director of the Office of Personnel Management. With roughly 5,500 dedicated employees, OPM is responsible for managing the Federal Government's civilian workforce--overseeing government-wide policies for recruiting, for hiring, and training--and administering the healthcare, life insurance, and retirement benefits that impact millions of Americans every year. The Director of OPM plays a crucial role in the Federal Government, not only by managing the agency's employees but by serving as a leader and an advocate for more than 2 million hard-working men and women in the Federal workforce. The next Director of OPM must have a proven track record of effective leadership. While I acknowledge and I admire Ms. Cabaniss's long record of public service, which includes more than 20 years here in the Senate, I do not believe that her experience and qualifications satisfy the requirements of this very important and very challenging position. Last summer, the Trump administration released its government-wide reorganization proposal, which includes plans to dismantle the Office of Personnel Management as we know it. Since then, Congress has repeatedly attempted to engage in an honest and productive dialogue with the administration about their reorganization proposal. However, they have not been transparent about the repercussions of this plan and what impact those repercussions could have on the Federal workforce. They have not demonstrated how taxpayers will be better served by their proposal, and it remains unclear if they have even studied the full impact of their proposal. In short, they have left too many fundamental questions simply unanswered. The Office of Personnel Management is charged with safeguarding the nonpartisan civil service from the political motives of this or any White House. During such a time of uncertainty and upheaval, OPM needs strong and steady leadership that is focused on good governance and that will not be swayed by political whims of elected officials. This Agency and the millions of Americans it serves each and every day deserve a proven, independent leader. Simply put, Dale Cabaniss is not that leader. While Ms. Cabaniss has some experience leading a small agency, I am not confident that her background has prepared her to provide the stability and the autonomy that OPM deserves. Unfortunately, after a careful review of Ms. Cabaniss's record, I do not believe that she is the right choice to lead OPM at this critical time. I will be voting no, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. I appreciate the opportunity to speak about this truly significant milestone in the history of our veterans and this organization. The centennial celebration is a historical benchmark for the State of Michigan, as well as the entire Nation. Established in 1919 in Paris, France, the American Legion was founded to bolster the morale of American troops as they awaited their return home as recently discharged combat veterans following the Great War. In September of the same year, the American Legion was federally chartered by Congress. By November 1919, the American Legion had 2,500 paid members and hosted its first national convention in Indianapolis, which then became the permanent home of the American Legion National Headquarters. With local posts in each State, various territories, and overseas, the American Legion is our Nation's largest wartime Veterans' service organization. The Legion embodies its commitment of upholding the Constitution of the United States of America and promoting peace and goodwill through its volunteerism in the communities it represents. The Legion's grassroots involvement has shaped legislation at all levels of government. Within its inaugural year, Legionnaires across the country advocated for better conditions for disabled veterans in Washington, DC. Within a week, Congress passed the Sweet Bill which included provisions that would more than double the compensation disabled veterans were receiving at the time. In 1921, The American Legion claimed another legislative victory with the consolidation of three Federal agencies into the Veterans Bureau, which would later become the Veterans Administration. The American Legion created various organizations to support the Nation's veterans and youth, including the Veterans and Children Foundation and Sons of the American Legion. Since its creation in 1924, the foundation has given over $30 million in financial assistance for disabled veterans and military families. Through scholarships and programming, the Legion also invests in the future of our Nation's youth. Today, with 386 posts in Michigan and more than 12,000 posts nationwide with nearly 2 million members, the American Legion continues to grow to support the needs of today's veterans. Whether it is drafting the first version of the GI Bill, organizing our flag code, or donating to the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, the Legion has been at the forefront of monumental changes to our military and veterans policy and overall patriotism. It is my great pleasure to congratulate the American Legion on the lasting impact it has made throughout our Nation's history and for the work it continues to do. As the American Legion celebrates this centennial milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating its members its growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I further ask that the committee-reported amendment to the title be agreed to and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. PETERS. I know of no further debate on the bill.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague Senator Cruz for helping me develop and advance this legislation. Thanks, as well, to my colleagues on the House Science Committee, Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Members Horn, Lucas, and Babin for their leadership and support in the House of Representatives. Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left a plaque on the lunar surface. On that plaque is a map of Earth and the following words: Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. Our grandchildren's grandchildren should have an opportunity to observe this plaque. I thank my colleagues for taking this small step with me to ensure that the opportunity will remain for generations to come and that the spirit of Apollo--of ingenuity, of cooperation, and of peace--will inspire generations to come. Thank you.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, 50 years ago, more than 650 million men, women, and children from nearly every corner of the Earth gathered around radios and televisions with wide eyes and quickly beating hearts. They gathered to witness one of the greatest triumphs of ingenuity and cooperation in human history. Scrawled across television screens were the words never seen before: ``Live from the Moon.'' I remember that moment vividly. I was 10 years old, and I was in France with my mother and my French family, my grandma and grandpa, and we huddled around a little black and white TV in my grandma's home on July 20, 1969. It was evening in France when the landing occurred. Our eyes were glued to the screen and we saw this grainy video, and there was little prickly audio broadcast of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they were attempting to do what no human had ever attempted to do before. Almost 2 hours after the landing, as we held our breath and saw the landing, Commander Armstrong created the first human boot print not on planet Earth. In that moment, I remember thinking that the astronauts on the Moon didn't just represent America at that moment. They also represented my family who lived in France and their excitement. They really represented everybody around the world. They were representing humanity and what is achievable when you dream big. I have come to the floor today to honor the incredible achievement of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, as well as the 400,000 people around the world who made the Apollo 11 landing possible. Among those were NASA's now-famous ``Hidden Figures''-- African-American women pioneers--including Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn, who were responsible for calculating trajectories to get Apollo astronauts to and from the Moon. Ultimately, this achievement was the result of the perseverance of countless individuals and, of course, the American taxpayers who, after numerous high-profile failures, including the loss of the very first Apollo crew, continued to support the Apollo Program. Over the last few months there have been celebrations of this anniversary around the world because the achievements of Apollo were achievements for humanity. Here in the Senate I was proud to introduce legislation with Senator Ted Cruz that would establish the first of its kind of Federal protections for the Apollo landing sites. Our One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act would permanently protect the Apollo landing sites from intentional and unintentional disruptions by future Moon missions. It would ensure that any activities destined for the Moon and licensed by the U.S. Government would have to follow NASA's preservation guidelines for the Apollo sites. In recent years, a number of countries and private companies have announced plans to send spacecraft to the Moon. For example, India just recently delayed a launch of a spacecraft that is destined for the Moon, and China has announced plans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon. Our legislation will set an example for other countries to protect these sites for their historical, archaeological, scientific, and engineering value and to help ensure that future lunar activities do not disturb these sites. I am pleased that last week we were able to pass the One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act out of the Senate Commerce Committee, thanks to the leadership of Chairman Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell and their staffs. Today I ask the Senate to take one small step in passing this legislation--a first of its kind conservation measure to honor and preserve human heritage in space. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 152, S. 1694.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the Peters' amendment to the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to, and the substitute, as amended, be agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Tristan Brown, a member of my staff, be granted temporary floor privileges.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, one of the great honors we have in the Senate is the tradition of bringing Americans of great reputation and achievement before the Record of the U.S. Senate. Today, I am proud to rise to speak about a personal friend of mine-- we don't often get to do this--a man by the name of Woody Woodside. He is actually here with us today in the Senate Galleries. Woody is the epitome of what makes America great. He is an institution in south Georgia and in my hometown. Woody has never met a stranger. He is a man of character and a joy to be around. Woody graduated from The Citadel and spent 23 years serving our country in the Army and the Georgia Army National Guard. He later worked 13 years as a congressional staffer for Congressman Bo Ginn and Congressman Lindsay Thomas, both of whom represented Georgia's First Congressional District. Woody then became president of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce in Glynn County, where my wife, Bonnie, and I today reside. During his 34 years at the chamber, Woody has overseen a number of major economic development projects and been a true leader not only in that community but across our entire State. Much of Brunswick's success and, indeed, the success of our entire State of Georgia can be attributed to Woody Woodside. Woody is honest, persistent, and reliable. He knows how to get things done. He knows how to laugh. Woody has long been an advocate for Georgia's ports, and he played a pivotal role in securing funding to deepen the Brunswick Harbor. That project was completed in 2007 and enabled the port to specialize in roll-on, roll-off cargo, like cars, trucks, and heavy construction equipment. Because of that, today, the Brunswick Port is the No. 1 port in the United States for new auto imports and the No. 2 port for roll- on, roll-off cargo in total. It is an amazing development in less than a decade. This port is a major economic driver in coastal Georgia and supports 11,000 jobs in the Brunswick area. Woody has also worked to develop a strong and diverse base of employers in the area. Today, Glynn County is home to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, FLETC, which is the largest homeland security training center in the United States. It is also home to companies like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a major medical center, the College of Coastal Georgia, and a strong tourism industry. One of Woody's top priorities is workforce development, and it has been throughout his entire career. In 2009, through partnerships with business and education leaders, Woody helped to open the Golden Isles College and Career Academy. It was one of the first programs of its kind in the entire State of Georgia. Last year, Golden Isles College and Career Academy was named the best career academy in Georgia. That is quite an achievement. Clearly, our citizens, our community, and our entire state are better off because of Woody Woodside's leadership, his dedication, and his perseverance. Woody, Bonnie, and I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us personally and for the State of Georgia. We are proud to know you and to call you our friend. We wish you and Ellen all the best in your retirement. I know this won't be the last time we hear of Woody Woodside. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, in the United States, American foreign policy is not determined by just one person. The Constitution makes that clear. Article I grants Congress the power to declare war, not the President. Consistent with that responsibility, Democrats and Republicans in this body worked together to pass a bipartisan resolution directing the President to end U.S. support for Saudi-led hostilities in Yemen. I am a proud cosponsor of that bill, which passed both Chambers of Congress in recent months. We made it unmistakably clear that our involvement in Yemen is not authorized by Congress, but the President has chosen to sidestep the bipartisan majority by not signing this bill into law. In doing so, he is sustaining the crisis through the continuing refueling of Saudi aircraft and other activities. The American people are not asking the President for this. Taxpayers, certainly, do not want to pay for it. I serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I can assure you that supporting Saudi Arabia's operations in Yemen is nowhere-- nowhere--to be found in our national defense strategy. I urge my colleagues to reject continued support for Saudi Arabia's military actions in Yemen. Congress must do its job and vote to override the President's veto. We have an opportunity this week to help make the suffering in Yemen come to an end. Let's not forget that 22 million people in Yemen still need humanitarian assistance or protection. More than 8 million people still go hungry every single day. Sixteen million Yemenis still don't have clean water, resulting in pervasive disease outbreaks. Children are still dying every single day. Every 10 minutes, a child under 5 dies in Yemen from a preventable cause, according to the United Nations. For many people, their survival is a daily challenge and struggle. Their future hangs, literally, by a thread. In addition to disease, starvation, and displacement, the people of Yemen are subjected to indiscriminate bombings led by Saudi Arabia. Let me be clear. Bombs will not resolve this conflict. All parties must come together and work toward a peaceful solution that places the dignity of all Yemeni people at the center of those negotiations, and we can help facilitate that. That is what the American people want. If you go to Michigan, you can meet with some of the Yemeni Americans who just want the same thing that everybody else does--help for those who are suffering and meaningful steps toward peace. American diplomacy can help to resolve this tragedy, and we must make every effort to do so. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, transportation is responsible for roughly two-thirds of our national consumption of petroleum and one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. But imagine a future where we could produce low-cost, secure clean energy technologies to move people and goods easily across our Nation. Imagine if we could then sell our advanced American technology and products to the rest of the world. Well, that is a future, by working together, we can indeed achieve. There is no question that the cars and trucks of the future can be equipped with technology to make them safer and more fuel efficient while also saving consumers money. Rapidly emerging technology has the potential not only to reduce air emissions, but their development could also create jobs in Michigan and across the Nation, and these are jobs that cannot be outsourced. We must ensure that the United States leads the way in developing these innovations. That is why I reintroduced the bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act with my colleagues Senator Alexander and Senator Stabenow. The Vehicle Innovation Act promotes research and development investments in clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies. The bill also modernizes the Vehicle Technologies Office within the Department of Energy, which exists to help create and sustain American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy. This office's leadership has already led to improvements in engine efficiency through vehicle weight reductions and reduced fuel production costs, and the Vehicle Innovation Act will help ensure that these continued innovations move forward. I am proud to again partner on this bill with Senator Alexander and fellow Michigander, Senator Debbie Stabenow. In the last Congress, we were able to pass the Vehicle Innovation Act through the Senate. Now, with fellow Michigan delegation Members, Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Haley Stevens, leading this bill in the House, there is no reason this legislation should not be enacted into law. The bill is supported by labor, by industry, and by conservation groups, including the United Auto Workers, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, the Auto Alliance, the BlueGreen Alliance, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. America should lead the world in clean energy advancements, and I urge my colleagues to support the Vehicle Innovation Act. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, revolution is deeply embedded in the character of this Nation. More than two centuries ago, delegates from across the American colonies gathered in Philadelphia to take what was audacious action. They risked everything, including their lives, by declaring independence from the greatest and strongest power in the world at that time, the British Empire. I am proud to say that my forefather served in George Washington's army, and he was called to risk his life and serve in the Continental Army to fight for an idea--that freedom and liberty would reign in this country. As Americans, throughout history, we have been called to service. Sometimes we are called to service by clear and present danger, such as the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Sometimes we are called to greatness by stretching our imagination like, when we went to the Moon, and sometimes we are called to unity by necessity because the stakes of inaction are simply too high. Today the United States faces such a challenge, and I believe we can once again prove our greatness. It is an undeniable fact that climate change, caused in large part by humans, is a threat to Michigan, our Great Lakes, our country, and our planet. Climate change poses a threat not only to the lands and waters that we all depend on but also to our health, our economy, and even our national security. It is also undeniable that the United States, unified in purpose, can meet the challenges and defeat the threats caused by climate change, but we need to take action now. Time is simply not on our side. Without question, taking action involves political risk, but doing nothing is simply not an option. The longer we wait, the risks to our planet only grow more challenging and difficult to solve. Our planet is showing clear, unequivocal evidence of climate change, according to an overwhelming scientific consensus. Our ice caps are melting. Our oceans are warming. Severe weather is becoming the new normal. Land temperatures are rising. Just last week, an alarming new report found that the Great Lakes are warming more quickly than other parts of the country. This change will negatively impact fish species, lead to more algal blooms, cause flood damage to communities, homes, and businesses, and irreversibly alter a sensitive ecosystem that provides drinking water for 40 million Americans. I represent the Great Lakes State, and climate change threatens our economy and our way of life. I am disappointed that instead of working together on commonsense efforts and treating climate change with the seriousness that it deserves, the Republican Senate majority leader has chosen to waste limited floor time on a political stunt. What we should be doing is having a thoughtful debate on the need to address a significant threat to our country. Rather than playing partisan games, it is time to find unity and take bold action. The Senate must come together to pass real, concrete policies that will help to mitigate climate change and to wean us from our dependence on fossil fuels. I know it is possible because I have worked on bipartisan efforts with my colleagues to advance clean energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Together, we have advanced technology innovation, fueled our Nation's transportation with cleaner energy, bolstered our Nation's infrastructure to be more resilient to climate impacts, offered incentives for carbon capture sequestration, and boosted energy efficiency. These are all accomplishments that we have done together, but more needs to be done. This Congress, as we consider a surface transportation reauthorization package, as well as a new Water Resources Development Act, would be foolish to ignore climate impacts as we spend taxpayer dollars for infrastructure. We must seize the opportunity presented by a clean energy economy to continue driving American innovation while creating sustainable good-paying jobs. Today our auto industry in Michigan is rapidly working to advance electrification. Just last week, General Motors announced plans to add 400 jobs and invest $300 million to build a new electric car at their Orion plant. But despite these efforts, our State and our country have been hurt by the lack of a coherent, cohesive, and forward-looking policy that grows our economy while protecting our environment. We need a policy that ensures that renewable energy is produced here in America and done in a way that creates jobs and strengthens our national security. I know that we can do it if only we can find the political will. Together, we can effectively confront climate change in a way that benefits Michigan workers and families, our Great Lakes, and the entire country. The science is clear, but time is not on our side. We must take action now to confront climate change before it is too late. I urge my colleagues to stop playing political games. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work on solving the climate change crisis together. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, MI. I appreciate the opportunity to recognize the efforts of the Anton Art Center to fulfill their mission to enrich and inspire people of all ages through the arts. The Anton Art Center was established in 1969 by three members of the Mount Clemens Art Association: Bea Wright, Gretchen Thompson, and Phyllis Wickens. Upon its founding, they took over occupancy of the then Mount Clemens Public Library to save the historical building from demolition. The library was built by Andrew Carnegie in 1903 and opened in 1904 and was one of approximately 2,500 libraries that Carnegie funded throughout the world. The center converted the interior to include three galleries, an art studio and meeting area, a pottery studio and kiln room, and offices. In 2006, local businessman Gebran Anton led a fundraising effort to expand the building with the addition of a gift shop, an increase in gallery space, and more classroom space. It is fitting that the center should occupy a Carnegie Library, a beautifully designed building that is now listed in the State of Michigan historic register. The goals of the Anton Art Center are to present a wide array of programming to appeal to diverse audiences, provide support for the arts, and become a focal point for arts programming and work toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in all they do. Through its many programs, the Anton Art Center has become a leading advocate of the arts and artists in Macomb County and throughout the surrounding area. In addition to traditional artist exhibitions, the center offers a multitude of programs for artists to showcase their work to the public. There are multiple juried statewide competitions, as well as two annual events that include the ART! Macomb Art Fair and holiday market. The center's gift shop offers yet more opportunity for the community to support local artists. The center also supports the aspiring artist inside many of us by offering adult and child classes in many mediums including clay, drawing, mixed media, photography, weaving, and watercolor. The Anton Art Center also serves as the Region 10A Re-granting Agency for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, MCACA. As such, they award mini-grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, municipalities, and individual professional artists in Macomb and Oakland Counties in support of arts and culture programming and professional or organizational development. They also provide technical assistance to organizations applying for funding through this program. I am pleased to rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Anton Art Center. They have been a staple of the arts and cultural scene in Macomb County for half a century, and I wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise to speak on the need to vigorously protect the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a vital natural resource not only for my home State of Michigan but for the entire Nation. In addition to providing drinking water for nearly 40 million people, the Great Lakes serve as an economic engine for our entire country. This freshwater system is associated with adding nearly $6 trillion to the U.S. GDP while supporting millions of jobs. It accounts for more than 50 percent of all U.S.-Canadian border trade and facilitates the shipping of over 200 million tons of cargo every year. But ask Michiganders what the Great Lakes mean to them, and they will tell you that they are a great deal more than simply a source of commerce; the Great Lakes literally define our State. They not only define our borders but who we are among the States. We are, in fact, the Great Lakes State. We love to spend our summers on or near the lakes and, in the process, form the family memories that we hold for a lifetime. It is no exaggeration to say that for Michiganders, the Great Lakes are part of who we are. It is in our DNA. Over the years, Democrats and Republicans alike have understood the importance of maintaining the vitality of the Great Lakes. That is why, in 2004, President George W. Bush signed an Executive order to promote a Great Lakes regional collaboration. Then, in 2010, President Obama built on his predecessor's leadership. In his very first budget request, President Obama called for the funding for what would later be known as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The GLRI today remains a bipartisan success story because it provides a platform for Federal Agencies and States to come together to address the biggest threats to our lakes. Let me give you a few examples of the positive impact that the GLRI has had in my home State of Michigan. In Deer Lake, near Ishpeming in the Upper Peninsula, GLRI funds were used to successfully eliminate mercury runoff that had contaminated local wildlife. Over just a few years, these funds were used to restore the natural habitat, and as a result, Deer Lake was no longer considered a Federal area of concern. Thanks to the support of the GLRI, sufficient improvements were made to prevent runoff at the Gloede Drain in the Clinton Township of Macomb County, reducing flooding and soil erosion in an area that many Michiganders call home. In Detroit, 30 steel mills, oil refineries, chemical manufacturers, and other plants discharged pollutants into the Detroit River for decades. However, with the implementation of $89 million worth of GLRI waterway cleanup projects, the water quality has improved, and Detroit now has a thriving and vibrant downtown RiverWalk that has become an economic engine for small businesses. There is no question the GLRI is a proven success and has been vital to Michigan's environment and to Michigan's economy. Yet, despite this success, President Trump, once again, is willing to risk the health, safety, and vitality of one of the world's largest freshwater systems by proposing a 90-percent cut--yes, a 90-percent cut--to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Unfortunately, this is not the first time. Since taking office, President Trump has tried to eliminate the funding to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative each and every year he has been in office, and each and every year, Congress has united in a bipartisan way to ensure that this critical program remains funded. Let me be clear. Slashing GLRI funding would have an immediate and catastrophic impact on the future of the Great Lakes and on both the nearly 10 million Michiganders whom I represent as well as our entire country. I again ask my Senate colleagues for their support. The Great Lakes are not just a Michigan priority; they are not just a regional priority--they are truly a national priority. Fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative should never be a partisan issue--it is simply the right thing to do--and, together, we can protect the Great Lakes for this generation and future generations to come. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to honor a lifelong champion of the American labor movement, Mr. Rick Blocker, president of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, on the occasion of his retirement. As a member of the U.S. Senate, it is both my privilege and honor to recognize Mr. Blocker for his lifetime of service and contributions that have strengthened our community and State. Rick Blocker has been a tireless advocate for his brothers and sisters in labor throughout his career. From 1987 to 2013, he served as the secretary-treasurer and executive assistant to the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers, UFCW, Local Union 876 in Madison Heights, MI. In this role, he was responsible for managing the finances and expenditures of the over 19,000 members of Local 876. Rick also served as a trustee for the Michigan UFCW Unions and Employers Health and Welfare Fund where he maintained membership services, helped develop community programs, and assisted in contract negotiations. Since 2013, Rick has served as president of the Metro-Detroit AFL- CIO. The Metro Detroit AFL-CIO is comprised of approximately 120 affiliated labor organizations that represent nearly 70,000 members. In this capacity, Rick serves as the lead voice of these affiliates and members to the public and the State AFL-CIO, representing the interests of working people throughout the region. Through his work, Rick continually advocates for economic and social justice and the betterment of workers lives, not just in metro Detroit, but across the State of Michigan. Rick has spent his career and life in support of his community, organized labor, civil rights, and faith. Throughout his life, he has been involved with many organizations, including the Trade Union Leadership Council, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Coalition of Labor Women, is a founding member of the Change to Win Federation, a life member of the NAACP, and a trustee and executive director of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Rick also serves on Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's Mayor's Workforce Development Board, with the mission to strive toward successful delivery of workforce programs across the city of Detroit. Rick has spent his career in service to others, his community, and his brother and sisters in labor. I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring my friend, Mr. Rick Blocker, for his leadership in furthering the causes of the organized labor movement and for his many other contributions to the metro Detroit region. I wish Rick and his family health and happiness in the years ahead.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I know that American small businesses can outcompete anybody in the world; however, they deserve to have a level playing field. All too often, foreign countries engage in unfair trade practices--like dumping and countervailing duties--that make it harder for small and midsized businesses to compete in the global marketplace. This is especially true in my home State of Michigan, where businesses, from family farms to auto part suppliers and other small manufacturers, face unfair competition from foreign competitors whose products are subsidized by their governments. Michigan's cherry growers have experienced these unfair practices firsthand. In Traverse City, which is home of the National Cherry Festival, Michigan cherry growers struggled to sell their products after Turkey dumped artificially priced cherry juice into the American markets. As a result, many of Michigan's cherry growers are facing dire financial situations. Late last year, the Commerce Department revoked the duty-free status of cherry juice from Turkey, but Michigan cherry growers had to wait far too long for the government to step up. Small businesses and agricultural producers don't have the resources to employ an army of international trade lawyers like larger corporations and other industries do. As a result, they are often defenseless against illegal trade practices that undercut American businesses and American workers. We must use our expertise and strength to stand up for these small businesses and give them a fair fight. Under current law, the Commerce Department has the authority to start their own investigations into these harmful trade practices, but unfortunately they rarely do. That is why last week, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Burr to address unfair trade practices. The Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act will strengthen protections for small businesses and their workers by creating a permanent task force dedicated to proactively identifying illegal trade practices that unfairly target small businesses and small industries. Last year, I attended a bipartisan trade policy meeting with President Trump and Commerce Secretary Ross, and I discussed this commonsense legislation with both of them. They both expressed their strong support. I will continue to work with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to get this legislation signed into law. Michigan workers and businesses deserve a fair chance to compete, and I will keep fighting to enforce fair trade rules and give Michigan's small businesses a level playing field. I urge my colleagues to support the Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act to help small businesses and family farms across Michigan and the United States successfully compete and ultimately succeed. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the nomination of Mr. Chad Readler to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court. There are certainly many reasons to oppose Mr. Readler's nomination. His track record paints a very clear picture of what he values and what he does not. Mr. Readler fought to uphold President Trump's travel ban that targets people because of their religion. He has argued in favor of a business turning away customers simply because they are LGBT. He worked to unravel programs made during the past administration that would ensure low-income workers would actually receive their hard- earned benefits. Of the things that Mr. Readler values, protecting Americans from wrongful acts of discrimination is clearly not among them. Yet it still remains difficult for me to understand why Mr. Readler-- and any of my colleagues who choose to advance his nomination today-- would support going back to an era when health insurance companies are allowed to discriminate against people with preexisting health conditions. I have heard plenty of my colleagues from across the aisle make public statements in favor of preexisting coverage protections. That is probably because they hear, like I do, from people all across my State who fear losing coverage as a result of having that preexisting condition. What are preexisting conditions? Well, it is things like diabetes, asthma, or even high blood pressure, and they are a reality for over 4 million Michiganders. This range of fairly common to fairly complex conditions is experienced by one in every four children, over half of the female population, and 84 percent of adults in their late fifties and in their sixties. Today, there is a broad consensus that we need a Federal law in place that prevents insurance companies from denying coverage or jacking up prices based on someone's health status, their age, or their gender. We have a law on the books right now that protects people with preexisting conditions, but this law must be defended, not undermined. I worked hard to pass this important coverage during my first term in the Congress, and I have fought to preserve it every day since then. Although this fight has been successful so far, it is based on the premise that the laws passed and upheld by Congress will be defended in court. Yet the Department of Justice Civil Division, under Mr. Readler's leadership, decided not to do so. His actions fit into the story of the Trump administration's ongoing partisan efforts to sabotage our healthcare system and dismantle strategies that would lower premiums and expand quality, affordability, and coverage, generally. The President is constantly looking for ways that he can sidestep Congress and attack legislation that has brought health insurance to over 20 million Americans and cut Michigan's uninsured rate in half. We should not be advancing a Federal court nominee whose disregard for the rule of law comes at the expense of the health and the financial stability of millions of Americans. I urge my colleagues to vote no on Mr. Readler's nomination and his track record of promoting discrimination. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss why I voted in opposition to the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler for the position of Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Clean air and clean water are not only vital to our public health; they are at the very heart of our economy. Nowhere is that more apparent than in my home State of Michigan, where we are blessed to be surrounded by the Great Lakes, a source of drinking water for more than 40 million people and the lifeblood of our State's multibillion-dollar fishing, shipping, and tourism industries. That is why I spent my entire career in public service fighting to protect our environment. In the Michigan State Senate, I worked to ban oil drilling under the Great Lakes to preserve our most precious source of drinking water. When I represented the city of Detroit in the House of Representatives, I fought to end harmful air pollution coming from piles of petcoke that left homes coated in dust while being breathed into the lungs of residents. In my first term in Congress, I supported landmark climate change legislation that sought to drastically reduce deadly greenhouse gas emissions that are continuing to warm our planet at an unsustainable rate. In the U.S. Senate, I led the charge to protect the Great Lakes from pipeline spills and pressured industry to cut down their deadly sulfur-dioxide emissions that give Michigan communities some of the highest rates of asthma anywhere in the country. I have championed these vital efforts because protecting our environment in Michigan is in the best interest of everyone, and I will never let up on that fight. There is so much more work to do and even more pressing challenges ahead of us. We cannot afford to turn back the clock on clean energy innovation or refuse to address climate change, and that is, unfortunately, what we can expect from the EPA now that Andrew Wheeler has been confirmed. His entire career has been devoted to undermining public health and environmental protections. As Acting EPA Administrator, he is personally responsible for the most significant efforts to roll back our Nation's bedrock environmental laws in the Agency's history. He oversaw the proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections that safeguard drinking water for tens of millions of people. He is leading efforts to weaken standards on the largest sources of greenhouse gases and to reduce protections against climate change. When he was a Senate staffer, he drafted the so-called ``Clear Skies Act,'' which was directly intended to undermine the Clean Air Act. As a lobbyist for Murray Energy, Wheeler represented a company that didn't just knowingly violate environmental laws but consistently put its own employees' safety at risk by undermining basic protections for coal miners. He has even undermined the widely supported mercury and air toxics standards. These commonsense standards would have protected people, particularly children, from a well-known neurotoxin that impairs fetal brain development and reduces children's ability to learn. Every single one of these actions has a direct bearing on human lives and has put people at risk. In Michigan we have witnessed firsthand the visceral and painful human costs when public leaders fail to keep our drinking water and our air quality safe. Just ask the people of Flint whom they would want to have in charge of protecting their drinking water. I can tell you it certainly is not Andrew Wheeler. The city, the State, and the EPA all contributed to the crisis that poisoned thousands of children through lead exposure, and now those children will suffer lasting consequences for the rest of their lives. While I am proud that the Senate was able to come together to provide initial Federal funding to help Flint replace its lead pipes, the community needs continued support going forward. I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that the people of Flint are made whole, and that included my opposing this nomination. We cannot allow the failures of leadership that led to Flint's devastating crisis ever be repeated again. The people of Michigan and of every State deserve to know that their air is safe to breathe and their water is safe to drink. Yet communities across my State and around the country are facing another emerging drinking water crisis. This time it is from toxic fluorinated chemicals, known as PFAS, that are currently unregulated by the EPA. Rigorous testing has found that 1 out of every 10 water systems in my State has unacceptable high rates of PFAS chemicals. Families across the State have been exposed to these dangerous chemicals that have been linked to cancer, thyroid and heart problems, and even autoimmune issues. But under Wheeler's leadership, the EPA has failed to take aggressive action to list PFAS chemicals as hazardous waste and to establish strong and forcible limits to protect drinking water and to limit exposure to these toxic substances. While I work to bring Senate action to this issue through legislation and hearings, the Wheeler-led EPA thinks action can wait. Michigan families certainly deserve better. My constituents are understandably concerned about their drinking water, and they are rightfully skeptical about who will be at the helm of the Agency charged with keeping water safe. Since Wheeler has failed to exercise the leadership needed to address the environmental concerns we face on a national level, it is clear that he is completely unprepared to lead the Agency charged with tackling the global crisis of climate change. We must confront climate change. I have been advocating for action since before I ran for Congress. It is an issue impacting our economy, our health, our safety, and our national security. I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues to find innovative and achievable solutions to address climate change, but we also need a leader at the EPA who can find commonsense ways to address this very serious threat, to protect our environment, and to ensure that our country can remain economically competitive. We need a leader who will fight to protect the people and the interests of my State. Given his abysmal record, it is clear that Andrew Wheeler isn't the right person for the job, and that is why I voted against his confirmation. I suggest the absence of a quorum.