Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness, I know how important it is for our country to invest in scientific research and to make informed decisions based on those findings. Sound science has played a critical role in the United States' becoming a leader in fields like space exploration, medical research, advanced manufacturing, and other high-tech industries. So when 97 percent of scientists in a particular field agree on a serious problem, it is wise for our policymakers to listen. The scientific community is sounding the alarm about the urgent need to address the causes of global climate change. Scientists here in the United States and across the world overwhelmingly agree that the weight of evidence is clear: Global temperatures are rising, dramatic changes in weather and climate have accompanied this warming, and humans are largely responsible due to our emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Military leaders, doctors, economists, and biologists are among the experts warning us about global climate change and the fact that it is major threat to national security, public health, our economy, and our natural resources. Unfortunately, powerful special interests, led by some organizations and companies in the fossil fuel industry, are deliberately spreading false information about climate change to influence public opinion and to muddle the truth. The strategy to confuse the public about climate change science and delay policy action has many parallels to the strategy used by Big Tobacco to mislead the public about scientific evidence linking smoking to lung cancer and heart disease. The corporations spreading disinformation on climate change are the very same interests that have the most to gain financially by stopping meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gases, protect our clean air, and address global warming for future generations. The Koch brothers are a prime example of this fact. Charles and David Koch made their vast fortunes from owning companies that profit from a range of dirty industries. Much of their wealth is funneled into activist groups that produce questionable information and the spin necessary to support their own interests. The web of denial they have created is a threat to sound science-based decisionmaking. While some big polluters seek to confuse and cloud the judgment of decisionmakers and the public, the American people continue to suffer the consequences of our dependence on fossil fuels. These consequences are not just limited to rising global temperatures. The people of Michigan are paying for the costs of coal and oil pollution in many ways, but I would like to focus on just a couple of them. A few years ago, three-story, high piles of petroleum coke, or pet coke, lined the banks of the Detroit River in the open air. Pet coke is essentially the industrial byproduct that is produced during the oil refining process. These particular piles were owned by Koch Carbon, a company controlled by the Koch brothers. Usually pet coke is shipped off to other countries, where it is burned as fuel, worsening terrible air quality problems in places like China and contributing to global climate change. In this case, the banks of the Detroit River were being treated as a dumping ground to store these mountains of pet coke. The wind would blow the pet coke dust everywhere, including into the homes and lungs of those living in the neighborhoods nearby. It was even documented blowing across the river into Windsor, Ontario. Not only was the air being contaminated, the pet coke was fouling the Great Lakes, a source of drinking water for nearly 40 million people. When it rained, pollution would run off from the piles into the Detroit River, which is part of the Great Lakes system. I joined residents in Detroit to call for these pet coke piles to be moved, and only through a community-wide effort were they eventually successful. I have also introduced legislation to study the health and environmental impacts of this pet coke but, unfortunately, this same area of Detroit that has had to deal with mountains of particulate matter blowing into the air already had the distinction of having some of the worst air quality in the Nation. Research shows that exposure to air pollution at a young age can lead to health problems like asthma, and air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms. Detroit has the highest rated of asthma in young children among the 18 largest cities in the United States. Over 12 percent of Detroit children have asthma; the national rate is around 8 percent. Most air pollution comes from burning of fossil fuels, and parts of Detroit are dealing with high pollutant levels as a result. I wrote a letter, along with Senator Stabenow, calling for a plan to reduce sulfur dioxide levels in Southwest Detroit and comply with Federal clean air standards. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality finally just submitted their plan to comply--over a year past the initial deadline. These examples in Detroit show how protecting clean air and clean water are often environmental justice issues. Those that are most affected by pollution are often from low-income and minority households. Addressing climate change will also improve the air quality of these affected areas. While these communities bear the brunt of fossil fuel pollution, the Koch brothers and others pour hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars into activities to avoid regulation of their dirty industries. One of the tactics that powerful corporate industries use is to bankroll numerous front groups to spread misinformation. The idea behind this strategy is to use seemingly independent organizations, such as think tanks, to deliver misleading messages that the public might rightfully dismiss if they had heard them directly from industry. They have calculated that it is better for business to mislead the American public, rather than acknowledge the scientific evidence and their role in climate change and join the effort to combat this growing threat to our planet. It is a page taken right out of Big Tobacco's playbook. By creating their own scientific studies and policy papers from a network of surrogates, it gives the appearance that there is a legitimate debate over the fundamentals of climate change science. One example is the Cato Institute. For years, the organization has received funding from fossil fuel interests such as ExxonMobil and the Koch family. At the same time, Cato spreads climate skepticism. Over a span of 15 years, the Cato Institute published 773,000 words and 768 documents expressing climate skepticism. The web of denial is intended to manufacture doubt among the American public in order to delay action, but the spending efforts by the same corporations also specifically target elected officials and other key decisionmakers to prevent meaningful action on global warming. The Koch brothers have poured vast sums of money into election ads, lobbying efforts, and campaign donations often funneled through other organizations to hide the source of the funding. As a result, I have heard many climate myths repeated in the Halls of Congress that were carefully crafted by the network of climate denial front groups. Late last year, the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness held a hearing that was specifically designed to cast doubt on the scientific evidence of climate change. The witness panel was stacked by the majority with prominent climate deniers. As the ranking member, the one witness I was able to invite was RADM David Titley, who, as the U.S. Navy's chief meteorologist, initiated and led the Navy's task force on climate change. At the hearing, Dr. Titley outlined how climate change is a serious threat to national security. Admiral Titley explained that the military makes decisions based on known information and calculations of risk. Often they must act on less than perfect intelligence, but they understand risks and will take action to prevent threats when given the chance. The admiral applied this to the broad agreement among climate scientists, saying that any military commander would take action ``in a heartbeat'' if there was a consensus among 97 percent of the intelligence community about a particular scenario. In fact, the military has already started taking action to anticipate vulnerabilities and mitigate the impacts related to climate change. The brightest, most experienced minds in our U.S. military realize that reliance on fossil fuel leaves our troops and citizens exposed to more risks at home, as well as abroad. Unfortunately, Congress has not been as quick to act. Efforts to pass meaningful legislation to address climate change have been blocked. Existing administrative efforts to reduce admissions or invest in clean energy have also been repeatedly attacked. We can and must pass legislative solutions to address global climate change. Transitioning away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy will create sustainable jobs and good-paying jobs here in the United States. Taking bold action on climate change will strengthen our public health, economy, and national security. We must wake up and realize that those attempting to mislead and confuse must not be successful. I am confident that we will overcome this web of denial and use peer-reviewed, sound scientific information to guide our decisionmaking in order to create a resilient future for our children and grandchildren. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise with a heavy heart to address devastating tragedies that have shaken communities in Michigan and across this country. Just yesterday, the community of St. Joseph, MI, suffered a tragic shooting that cost the lives of two dedicated public servants and injured several others. I would like to extend my condolences to the families of bailiffs Joseph Zangaro and Ronald Kienzle, who were fatally shot yesterday in Berrien County, MI. Both Joseph and Ronald had distinguished careers as public safety officers prior to serving as bailiffs in the Berrien County Courthouse. Joseph Zangaro retired from the Michigan State Police as post commander of the Bridgman Post and had worked for the Berrien County Trial Court for over 10 years. Ronald Kienzle retired as a sergeant in road patrol with the Benton Charter Police Department in Benton Harbor, MI, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. I also want to wish Deputy James Atterbury and Kenya Ellis a speedy recovery for the wounds they received during this attack. Yesterday's incident illustrates a very important fact. Whether as a member of a local police department, a rapid transit officer, or a court bailiff, public safety officers risk their lives every day to keep our families and our communities safe. This is a fact we can never forget and a reality that confronts public safety officers and their families every day. Across Michigan, our hearts have been shattered by senseless violence like this, and I know the grief of my fellow Michiganders because I feel this grief in my own heart as well. Unfortunately, this is not the first tragedy to strike West Michigan this year. We are still reeling from the mass shooting in Kalamazoo in February, where six people were killed and two were critically injured. We are facing a very difficult time in our country's history. Last week's tragedies further demonstrate this point. Within just 48 hours, we saw two separate incidents where American citizens died at the hands of those who were sworn to protect them. Then, what started out as a peaceful protest in response to those deaths, suddenly morphed into an unrelated and horrific attack on law enforcement--an attack on officers who died to protect the rights of protesters to peacefully protest. Let me be clear. Something is wrong when a hard-working and beloved cafeteria supervisor is killed during a routine traffic stop. Something is wrong when police officers, honorably serving and protecting their communities, are killed during a peaceful protest. Something is wrong when a salesman and a father of four dies while selling CDs. Something is wrong when a police officer is ambushed and shot while responding to a 911 call for help. Too many precious lives are being lost, not just in Michigan but in States all across our country. I was heartbroken by the tragic shooting deaths of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana last week, only to wake up horrified on Friday morning to learn of five Dallas police officers, including Michigan native Michael Krol, who were struck down in the line of duty. We have seen enough violence. Across our countries, our communities are outraged and heartbroken at the number of lives which have been lost. While the events of last week are almost too much to bear, the images from communities like Chicago, Staten Island, Ferguson, and Baltimore have gripped this Nation's attention as well. We have seen tears of sadness, burning storefronts, and confrontations between police and young people, as well as peaceful protesters marching through the streets. It is clear there is a persistent and troubling problem in our country that is eroding away Americans' faith in our justice system. With each troubling incident, it becomes clear that justice in this country is sometimes neither fair nor equal, and we must act now to address this inequity. This problem isn't isolated to our African-American communities or to our law enforcement communities. These injustices undermine the very values our Nation was built upon. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to acknowledge that too many Americans are needlessly dying, and we must come together to stop them. More now than ever, it is time for us to unite as a country to encourage understanding and compassion for our fellow Americans. Now is the time for us to walk in another's shoes and acknowledge the experiences that have shaped their views. Now is the time for this body to come together to offer solutions. The American people need us. It is crystal clear that the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve is strained, and an overhaul of our criminal justice system is long overdue. On top of these strained relations, we are continuing to see rising prison populations and unsustainable costs as public budgets remain tight. We see too many at-risk youths being funneled out of our schools and into our prison systems, continuing a vicious cycle in many of our communities. We see too many people who have served their time only to find that once they get out of prison, they can't find a good job or a stable home. We need a better understanding of the causes of these concerning trends, and we need to identify solutions that will help ensure we are administering justice in a fair and equitable way for every American-- regardless of who they are, where they may live, or their income level. That is why I have introduced legislation with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas to create a National Criminal Justice Commission. The Commission will be made up of experts on law enforcement, victims' rights, civil liberties, and social services who will be charged with undertaking an 18-month review of our criminal justice system from the top to the bottom. It is something that has not been done since 1965--more than 50 years ago during another very difficult time in our Nation's history. The goal of this Commission is to identify commonsense solutions to the serious issues facing our criminal justice system, promote fairness in our laws, build stronger relationships between law enforcement and our communities, and strengthen faith--basic faith--in our criminal justice system. The Commission will focus on transparency, issuing recommendations to the President and Congress, and making reports on its findings available to the public and entities within the criminal justice system. It will take a comprehensive approach to reviewing the criminal justice system and will look at numerous issues in light of our current climate. When President Lyndon Johnson's 1965 Commission last conducted a comprehensive review over 50 years ago, it was the first time police, prosecution, defense, the courts and corrections were all examined as a whole. That Commission made more than 200 recommendations to improve the criminal justice system, including creating the 9-1-1 emergency system that is so ingrained in our society today. Our country has changed significantly over the last 50 years, and another top-to-bottom review of our criminal justice system is long overdue. In fact, the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which was created after the troubling situation in Ferguson, strongly recommended the creation of a national commission to evaluate the entire criminal justice system. The National Criminal Justice Commission that my legislation creates will shine a light on the whole scope of our criminal justice system, including police and community relations, our grand jury system, the right to counsel in misdemeanor cases, the lack of speedy trials, and the struggles ex-offenders face in finding housing, employment, and support services after leaving prison. This Commission is one critical piece of a larger puzzle. We must also take swift action on our justice system, such as sentencing reform. The Commission also has the support of a wide range of groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the NAACP, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Urban League, and many other law enforcement and civil rights groups. The National Criminal Justice Commission is vital to understanding the reforms and best practices that we need to reduce crime, help law enforcement do their jobs safely and effectively, protect our communities, and build a justice system that works for every American. These problems are not easy, and there are no quick answers. It is going to require all of us working together to make these vital changes a reality, but together we can achieve the promise of this great country--justice for every American, no matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you may have in your pocket. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which is a bill that I introduced yesterday with my colleagues Senator Gardner, Commerce Committee Chairman Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson. This bipartisan legislation is the product of a yearlong effort that began with a series of roundtable discussions on ways to improve the American innovation system. We met with a wide range of stakeholders-- representatives from the science, education, business, and economic development communities--and listened to their input. We leveraged their expertise to develop this important legislation that promotes science and research, strengthens innovation and advanced manufacturing, grows our skilled workforce, and enhances American competitiveness around the world. Specifically, we are maximizing our Federal investment in basic research by reducing regulatory burdens on academic researchers so they can spend more of their time on science and less on paperwork. We are strengthening our oversight of Federal research and development investments while ensuring that the integrity of the National Science Foundation's widely acclaimed, independent merit review process is fully maintained. We are also working to promote STEM education by providing resources to improve the participation of women and minorities in STEM fields. Fixing the underrepresentation of these groups is absolutely critical to American competitiveness in the 21st century. Our country is simply not producing enough qualified new graduates in STEM fields to meet workforce needs. In fact, some studies indicate that the United States must graduate 1 million more STEM professionals than are currently projected to fill the growing number of jobs over the next decade. Women and other minorities represent the largest untapped talent pool to meet the needs of the STEM workforce today. I am proud that the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act provides significant new support for grants and programs to increase the participation of women and other minorities in the underrepresented groups in STEM fields, both in academia and in the workforce. We also must ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in innovation. Our Federal investment in research and development has led to discoveries that have had profound impacts on our health, safety, and quality of life. From 3D printing to GPS, we have seen that federally funded R&D has resulted in commercially viable technologies and products. Many universities today operate technology transfer offices and business incubators to expedite the transfer of these groundbreaking discoveries to the marketplace. However, we have seen in recent years that our Nation is facing significant challenges when it comes to moving innovative ideas across the valley of death, which separates promising research from commercialization. The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act will help bridge this valley by authorizing grants for commercialization of federally funded research, broadening the scope of existing commercialization grants, and improving entrepreneurship training for research so that young researchers can be best positioned to get their innovations to the marketplace. This legislation also encourages the Federal Government to utilize prize authority and crowdsourcing to spur innovation and public participation in science. These creative approaches will help engage more Americans in the development of the next big thing. I am proud that the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act also fosters the expansion of the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps Program, also known as I-Corps. The primary goal of the NSF I- Corps is to foster entrepreneurship that will lead to the commercialization of technology that has been supported by NSF research funding. The University of Michigan is home to one of seven I-Corps nodes in the Nation and for years has been a shining example of the strength of this program and its ability to translate research into new, innovative startup companies that are improving lives with their products and creating good-paying jobs. Our bill will expand the I-Corps Program to other Federal agencies, greatly expanding its reach and helping to facilitate the commercialization to a much broader base of federally funded research. Finally, I am proud of what this legislation will do to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan, as well as across the country. The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act provides for more Federal support for regional manufacturing centers, such as Michigan's Manufacturing Technology Center, or MMTC, which has provided support to Michigan businesses since 1991. By increasing the Federal cost share for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, this bill will allow MMTC to provide training and assistance to more small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses. With this legislation, Congress can do its part to support and invest in the U.S. science enterprise. By enacting the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, we can drive economic growth, increase American productivity, enhance our safety and security as a nation, and secure our competitiveness going forward. We must solidify our position as the country to beat when it comes to innovation and create more good-paying jobs here at home. It has been an honor for me to work with my friend and colleague Senator Gardner on this effort. I also thank Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson once again for their leadership and support throughout this process. I look forward to the Commerce Committee considering this critical legislation next week, and I hope the full Senate takes up action soon thereafter. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I thank the Presiding Officer for that recognition from a fellow Eagle Scout.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize CPL Duane Dewey, of Baldwin, MI, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a gunner in a machine-gun platoon of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, Reinforced, in action against enemy aggressor forces near Panmunjom, Korea, on April 16, 1952. Dewey was born on November 16, 1931, in Grand Rapids, MI. He attended school in Muskegon until 1947. He then worked for 6 months on a farm in South Haven and for a year as a foundry worker at National Motors, Inc. Dewey signed with the Marine Corps Reserve on March 7, 1951, for an ``indefinite'' enlistment--the duration of the war, plus 6 months. He completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina and underwent intensive combat training at Camp Pendleton, CA. When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner were receiving medical attention for their wounds during a fierce night attack by numerically superior hostile forces, Corporal Dewey, although suffering intense pain, immediately pulled the corpsman to the ground and shouted a warning to the other marines around him. He bravely smothered the deadly missile with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from possible injury or death. After treatment of his wounds in Korea, Dewey was evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, and then to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Mare Island, CA, before being transported to the Great Lakes, IL hospital. Following his recuperation at Great Lakes, he was released from active duty on August 19, 1952. On March 12, 1953, Dewey was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After presenting the medal to Dewey during the ceremony at the White House, Eisenhower said to him, ``You must have a body of steel.'' Dewey's military awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing CPL Duane Dewey for his service to the United States of America. His indomitable courage, outstanding initiative, and valiant efforts on behalf of others in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Dewey and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. naval service.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, this week I was pleased that the Senate acted unanimously to pass a pipeline safety bill that will help ensure the safety of our Nation's vast energy pipeline network. The bipartisan bill, known as the PIPES Act of 2016, now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Safely transporting energy to our communities and businesses is a goal that we all share. It was encouraging to see my colleagues come together on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Capitol, as well, to come up with a final product that will improve pipeline safety and oversight. With more than 2.6 million miles of oil and gas pipelines across this Nation, the energy industry must work together at all levels of government in order to protect lives, communities, and our environment. Pipelines can be one of the safest ways to move oil and gas products; however, we have seen truly devastating explosions and spills with pipelines, including in my home State of Michigan. The cost to clean up an oil spill from a pipeline break near Marshall, MI, into the Kalamazoo River has totaled over $1.2 billion. A similar spill in the Great Lakes would be devastating to our economy, environment, and drinking water supply. The transition to a clean energy economy is one of my top priorities, but in the meantime, as we push this transition forward, we cannot accept that pipeline spills are simply the cost of doing business. Our safety regulators must be equipped with the tools and equipment to better prevent pipeline accidents, protect public safety, and demand accountability when things invariably go wrong. Our pipeline transportation system must be more transparent, and technology will continue to provide better insight into the pipeline network without compromising national security and proprietary information. Our land, air, water, and wildlife must be safeguarded against leaks and spills. By enhancing safety standards, we can reduce waste and cleanup costs while making sure we can proudly pass down a strong outdoor heritage to the next generation. We can also create jobs for our construction workers, pipefitters, steelworkers, and utility workers as we upgrade pipelines and fit them with state-of-the-art technology. The PIPES Act will make strides in these and many other areas. I was especially focused on creating measures to safeguard against the catastrophic consequences of an oil spill in our precious waterways, especially the Great Lakes. Thanks to a provision I originally worked on with my colleague Senator Stabenow, the entire Great Lakes Basin will be designated as an unusually sensitive area. This will make any pipeline that could spill in and around the Great Lakes area subject to higher standards for operating safety. The bill also adds coastal beaches and maritime coastal waters as areas that should be considered when making an ``unusually sensitive'' determination. We also must recognize the unique regional challenges our Nation's far-reaching pipeline network present. In Michigan, we get serious winters. Lakes and rivers freeze, and even the Great Lakes end up under very thick ice cover. To address these challenges, I worked to include a provision requiring pipeline operators to prepare response plans that address cleanup of an oilspill in ice-covered waters. The Coast Guard has stated that it does not have the technology or the capacity for worst-case discharge cleanup under solid ice and that its response activities are not adequate in ice-choked waters. We need to address this problem now before a spill under ice-covered water happens. Any oil pipeline that is deeper than 150 feet underwater will be required to undergo an inspection every year as a result of this bill. This requirement would be especially relevant for pipelines running through the Great Lakes, especially the twin oil pipelines resting on the lakebed in the Straits of Mackinac. The bill also establishes emergency order authority so that PHMSA can take quick action to ensure safety when pipelines pose an imminent threat. This bill goes beyond just addressing pipelines; it also directs the Department of Transportation to issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. The dangers of a leak from an underground storage facility was illustrated in a massive methane leak at a facility in California just a few short months ago which resulted in evacuations and an emergency declaration. These new standards are especially important for my home State of Michigan because we have more underground natural gas storage facilities than almost any other State in the Union. Other sections of the PIPES Act encourage collaboration on research, development, mapping, and technology between Federal agencies, public stakeholders, and industry leaders. All of these constituencies were key to providing input into this bill. I would like to thank Senators Fischer, Booker, and Daines, and of course Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for their hard work on the PIPES Act. The Energy and Commerce Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the House were also instrumental in making changes and important improvements. As we continue to move forward and find better ways to meet our energy needs, it is my hope that we can learn from past catastrophes and prevent future ones before they ever occur. The bipartisan PIPES Act can be a model for how we work together to improve performance and raise our standards in the energy sector. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the Lansing Rotary Club's centennial. For 100 years, the Lansing Rotary has been a cornerstone of fellowship and service for those in the greater Lansing community. Throughout that time, it has remained committed to the core value of all Rotarians, ``Service Above Self,'' by enhancing the quality of life of the City's residents and helping shape business leaders into community leaders. Founded on May 29, 1916, the Lansing Rotary was the 232nd club in the world and the seventh in Michigan. Its commitment to service was demonstrated almost immediately; within the first 6 months, the club contributed funds to help erect a barrier at a dangerous curve on Okemos Road, generated enthusiastic support for a citywide vote to establish municipal garbage collection for Lansing residents, donated footballs to the poorly equipped Lansing Boys Industrial School, and began the tradition of hosting annual Christmas parties for children in need. What truly thrust Lansing Rotary into the spotlight was its organizing of the Cabaret Charity Ball in 1917. Created to pay for the paving of the road connecting Lansing and East Lansing, the State Journal called the Ball, ``easily the most talked of social event in the history of the city . . . it will be the marking of the growth of Lansing from a little city to the ways and habits of larger and more progressive cities.'' In a remarkable display for a club still less than a year old, the ball attracted hundreds of attendees and funded the paving of the road known today as Michigan Avenue, the road that leads directly to Michigan's Capitol building. Like many rotary clubs around the world, Lansing Rotary gained a reputation for its emphasis on providing unique services. Continuing the main trend of its work during that immensely successful first year, Lansing Rotarians became best known for their efforts in assisting disadvantaged children. In the decades that followed, the club purchased a 12-acre campsite and donated it to Boy Scouts; established an educational loan fund to send young people to college; created a dental program for children and youth; donated $10,000 for the establishment of Camp Ingham, a facility for troubled boys between the ages of 14 and 17; and, in 2002, it contributed $100,000 to Lansing's Helping Other People Excel, HOPE, scholarship program for Lansing at- risk youth. Today Lansing Rotary boasts a membership of nearly 300 and continues to fulfill its mission of ``Service Above Self.'' Since its establishment 100 years ago, it has donated millions of dollars to Lansing-based organizations and continues to give through annual grants to organizations like the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the Mother Teresa House, and Lifetech Academy, Michigan's cyber school. Moreover, it provides similar services internationally, including grants for small projects in the Philippines, India, and Mexico, and larger projects like the construction of a school in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. Through its generous service to Lansing and helping shape business leaders and community leaders alike, Lansing Rotary is truly a pillar of mid-Michigan I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Lansing Rotary Club's 100th anniversary and its service to the greater lansing community. As the organization moves into the future, I am confident it will continue to demonstrate the same high standard it set so profoundly 100 years ago.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I would like to thank my colleague from Connecticut for yielding the floor for a question. While I intend to ask my colleague from Connecticut shortly about the interaction between closing the terror gap for gun purchasers and expanding background checks, I would first like to take a moment to mourn the loss of the 49 people who were killed and recognize the dozens more who were wounded in the worst mass shooting our Nation has ever seen. While my heart goes out to all the families and friends of the victims, today I would like to honor two Michigan men who lost their lives that night. Tevin Crosby and Christopher Andrew Leinonen, who went by the name of Drew. Tevin was only 25. He was born in North Carolina, and he came to call Michigan home after finishing school and starting his own marketing business in Saginaw. Total Entrepreneurs Concepts is the name of the company. Founded just last year, his business already employs about 20 people and handles marketing for Fortune 500 companies. Tevin had recently visited family in North Carolina to watch several nieces and nephews graduate before traveling to Florida to see friends and colleagues. Drew was 32, and grew up in metro Detroit before moving to Orlando with his mother. He became a civically minded activist early in life, starting a gay-straight alliance in high school before studying psychology and becoming a licensed mental health counselor. He recently won the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award for his work in the gay community. Drew was at Pulse with his partner, Juan Guerrero, who also lost his life that night. Now, instead of potentially helping them plan a wedding one day, their loving families are planning a joint funeral. They want their sons to be side-by-side as their friends and family pay their respects and bid them farewell. Orlando's events serve as a stark reminder that the fight for equality in this Nation for LGBT Americans must not end with marriage equality. We still live in a nation where Americans can face discrimination and even be killed simply because of whom they love. We cannot tolerate violence that targets any individual based on their gender, sexuality, race, or religion. This horrific incident raises a number of questions. Was it a hate crime, an act of terrorism, an outgrowth of ease in which individuals in this country can purchase deadly weapons with high-capacity magazines or the heinous actions of a self-radicalized young man inspired by and swearing allegiance to ISIS? The answer to all these questions is yes. I urge my colleagues and Americans across the country to resist painting this tragedy in simple, reductive terms. This attack was a hate crime. This attack was an act of terrorism. Yes, this attack speaks to the disturbing ease with which dangerous firearms can be acquired in our Nation. The problems that led to this tragedy are complex, but complexity is not an argument for inaction. We need to start somewhere. Thoughts and prayers can be meaningful and are certainly powerful, but we need to do more than just offer our thoughts and prayers. Now is the time for action. As Senators, we have no higher duty than keeping the American people safe. This includes taking the fight to ISIS overseas with our allies and vigilant law enforcement here at home. My colleague from Connecticut has been discussing two simple critical changes we can make to help prevent gun violence in our Nation, including the acts of terror like we have seen in Orlando. We need to keep guns away from those who shouldn't have them. This includes individuals who have been convicted of domestic violence offenses, people with court orders related to stalking, and convicted felons. These groups are already barred under Federal law from purchasing or otherwise possessing firearms, and this is enforced through background checks. It is also painfully clear that we need to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists. This is why we need to close the terror gap and prevent individuals on terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms. Unfortunately, however, closing the terror gap and enforcing gun safety laws cannot be effective without universal background checks. It doesn't matter if we ban selling guns to people on the terror watch list if large percentages of purchasers avoid background checks by buying a gun at a gun show or over the Internet. A story from our neighboring State, Wisconsin, haunts me as an example of violence that could have been stopped. Recently, a Wisconsin man subject to a restraining order from his estranged wife--a man who was barred under current law from purchasing a gun--was able to take advantage of the private seller loophole and purchase a weapon without a background check. He then confronted his wife at the spa where she worked. He killed her and two others, injured four more people, before turning the gun on himself. Just like our current law bans gun sales to those convicted of domestic violence or with restraining orders in place against them, closing the terror gap will only be fully effective if we have universal background checks. My question to the Senator from Connecticut is, Will closing the terror gap alone prevent the sale of weapons to potential terrorists in the United States or will we need universal background checks to ensure that these individuals are not able to exploit the loopholes in the current law?

Mr. PETERS. I don't, but I think that sums it up. I hope this body will come together to take up this important legislation, this amendment. If these two measures are separated into two potential votes, as we hear may happen, I hope we all understand that we can't vote for one and not the other and think we are really dealing with this issue. If we only block someone on a terrorist list but do not require universal background checks, it is basically a vote that may sound good but is simply not going to be effective in dealing with this horrible situation and dealing with the incident I mentioned from Wisconsin. These stories happen every day. It may not capture the national media like the horrible, tragic event we saw in Orlando, but the devastation to the families is every bit as real every single day. It is the obligation of this body to step up. I appreciate that answer. I appreciate my colleague from Connecticut for standing up on this issue, and I look forward to working closely with you to address this.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise to thank Chairman McCain and Ranking Member Reed for their support and for their help in passing the Peters amendment No. 4138 to the National Defense Authorization Act. I also would like to thank my colleagues Senators Daines, Tillis, and Gillibrand for joining me in this important bipartisan amendment. I would also like to thank all the Members who cosponsored the amendment, including Senators Tester, Stabenow, Kirk, Sanders, Stabenow, Blumenthal, Boxer, and Chairman McCain. We have far too many servicemembers who are suffering from trauma- related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, many of these servicemembers have received a less-than-honorable discharge, also known as a bad paper discharge. These former servicemembers can receive bad paper discharges for misconduct that is often linked to behavior seen from those suffering from PTSD, TBI, or other trauma-related conditions. The effects of traumatic brain injury can include cognitive problems, including headaches, memory issues, and attention deficits. In addition to combat-sustained injuries, PTSD and TBI can also be the result of military sexual trauma. Bad paper discharges make former servicemembers who are suffering from service-connected conditions ineligible for a number of the benefits they have earned and have become ineligible when they need them the most. These discharges put servicemembers at risk of losing access to VA health care and veterans homelessness prevention programs. This is completely unacceptable. I would like to share a story of a former servicemember who shared his experience with my office in Michigan. This individual was deployed in Afghanistan in 2008 as a machine gunner. For his performance overseas, he received a number of awards, including the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. When he returned home, he began suffering from agitation, inability to sleep, blackouts, and difficulties with comprehension. He was scheduled to be evaluated for TBI. However, that evaluation never occurred. He began drinking to help himself sleep and received an other-than-honorable discharge after failing a drug test. Following his discharge, the VA diagnosed him with TBI, and he began treatment. The VA later determined he was ineligible for treatment due to the character of his discharge, and his treatment ceased immediately. He was later evaluated by a psychologist specializing in trauma management who determined that the behavior that led to his discharge was the result of his TBI and PTSD. He petitioned the Discharge Review Board for a discharge upgrade and presented the medical evidence of both TBI and PTSD. However, the Discharge Review Board considered his medical evidence to be irrelevant and his petition was denied. This Michigander has since experienced periods of homelessness and has had difficulty maintaining a job. This is an example of someone who is suffering as a result of service to his country, and yet the VA denied his request for benefits on the basis of this discharge. The Discharge Review Board also denied his request to upgrade his discharge, despite his presenting clear evidence of his condition. We must stop denying care to servicemembers with stories like this and start providing them with the benefits they deserve and earned through their service. We have a responsibility to treat those who defend our freedom with dignity, respect, and compassion. Last year I introduced the Fairness for Veterans Act, and the Peters- Daines-Tillis-Gillibrand amendment that was unanimously accepted by this body is a modified version of that bill. The Peters amendment would ensure liberal consideration will be given to petitions for changes in characterizations of service related to PTSD or TBI before Discharge Review Boards. The Peters amendment also clarifies that PTSD and TBI claims that are related to military sexual trauma should also receive liberal considerations. I would like to thank the many veterans service organizations that advocated tirelessly on behalf of this amendment and legislation. I would like to recognize the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, United Soldiers and Sailors of America, and Swords to Plowshares. In addition to seeing strong support from these veteran services organizations, this has also been a bicameral effort. I would also like to thank Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado and Tim Walz of Minnesota, who introduced the companion bill in the House and are supportive of this amendment. Servicemembers who are coping with the invisible wounds inflicted during their service and were subject to a bad paper discharge should not lose access to the benefits they have rightfully earned. That is why we must ensure that all veterans get the fair process they deserve when petitioning for a change in characterization of their discharge. The Peters amendment No. 4138 will do just that. I am proud that today this body unanimously approved this important amendment that I authored with Senators Daines, Tillis, and Gillibrand. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to ensure this provision remains in the conference bill. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of the Peters amendment No. 4138 to the National Defense Authorization Act. I would like to thank my colleagues, Senators Daines, Tillis, and Gillibrand, for joining me in filing this important bipartisan amendment. We are a nation that takes care of our own, and we owe our veterans the highest possible level of care and support. The United States is home to over 2.6 million post-9/11 veterans--a number that is expected to increase by 46 percent by 2019. The improvements in medical technology have saved the lives of wounded warriors, who will receive the benefits and care these heroes deserve. While scars, lost limbs, and other injuries are readily apparent to the eye, there are thousands of veterans coping with the invisible wounds of war. We have far too many servicemembers who are suffering from trauma-related to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, many of these have received a less-than-honorable discharge, also known as a bad paper discharge. These former servicemembers often receive bad paper discharges for minor misconduct--the same type of misconduct that is often linked to behavior seen in those suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other trauma-related conditions. The effects of traumatic brain injury can include cognitive problems, including headaches, memory issues, difficulty thinking, and attention deficits. It is not difficult to see how these effects could lead to behaviors like being late to a formation or missing scheduled appointments--behaviors that can be the basis for a bad papers discharge. In addition to combat-sustained injuries, PTSD and TBI can also be the result of military sexual trauma. Bad paper discharges make former servicemembers who are suffering from service-connected conditions ineligible for a number of benefits that they need the most. This includes GI benefits and VA home loans which they otherwise would have earned and which can significantly help them transition to civilian life. These discharges also put these servicemembers at risk of losing access to VA health care and veteran homelessness prevention programs. This is completely unacceptable. We have a responsibility to treat those who serve their country with dignity, respect, and compassion. Last year I introduced the Fairness for Veterans Act, which will help provide these servicemembers with a path toward obtaining these critical benefits. The Peters-Daines-Tillis-Gillibrand amendment is a modified version of this bill. This amendment builds upon the policy guidance issued by former Defense Secretary and Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel. The 2004 Hagel memo instructed liberal consideration to be given when reviewing discharge status upgrade petitions for PTSD-related cases at the military department boards for correction of military and naval records. The Peters amendment would codify the commonsense principles of the Hagel memo, ensuring that liberal consideration will be given to petitions for changes in characterization of service related to PTSD or TBI before discharge review boards. In addition to codifying the Hagel memo at the discharge review boards, the Peters amendment clarifies that PTSD or TBI claims that are related to military sexual trauma are also included. Our bipartisan amendment is supported by a number of veteran service organizations, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Vietnam Veterans of America. We also have bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, and I appreciate the work being done by Representatives Mike Coffman of Colorado and Tim Walz of Minnesota, who have introduced a companion stand-alone bill in the House and are supportive of this amendment. Servicemembers who were subject to a bad paper discharge and are coping with wounds inflicted during their service should not lose access to benefits they have rightfully earned. That is why we must ensure that they get the fair process they deserve when petitioning for a change in characterization of their discharge. Peters amendment No. 4138 will do just that. This is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue; this is about doing what is right and about taking care of our own. I appreciate Chairman McCain's and Ranking Member Reed's leadership on the National Defense Authorization Act, and I look forward to continuing to work with them on this critical issue. I hope to see a vote on the Peters amendment No. 4138 as we continue the work on the NDAA, and I urge my colleagues to join us in fighting on behalf of our Nation's servicemembers. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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, tonight I rise to speak about the pressing need to invest in our aging infrastructure across this great country, especially drinking water infrastructure. What makes the ongoing crisis in Flint so tragic is that it was preventable. Steps could have and should have been taken over months and even years that would have prevented the poisoning of the citizens of Flint. Because these steps were not taken, efforts to mitigate the effects of lead exposure and repair the damage will be necessary for many years to come. Our drinking water supply is largely dependent on systems built decades ago that are now deteriorating. Many of the pipes in some of our older cities were installed before World War II, and many are made of lead. The EPA estimates about 10 million homes and buildings are serviced with lead lines. The American Water Works Association has said that we are entering ``the replacement era.'' Water systems are reaching the end of their lifespan, and we must replace them. We have no choice. If we want to simply maintain our current levels of water service, experts estimate a cost of at least $1 trillion over the next two decades. That is why it is so important that we pass a new Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA. We now have the opportunity and the ability to dedicate resources to Flint and to communities dealing with infrastructure challenges all across our country. The Environment and Public Works Committee listened to water experts, State and local elected officials, and the shipping industry, as well as stakeholders, to craft a WRDA bill that makes crucial infrastructure investments in drinking and wastewater projects as well as our ports and our waterways. My friend Senator Debbie Stabenow and I were proud to work with Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator Barbara Boxer to include bipartisan measures that would include emergency aid to address the contamination crisis in Flint and provide assistance to our communities across our country facing similar infrastructure challenges. The Flint aid package included in the bipartisan WRDA bill includes direct funding for water infrastructure emergencies and critical funding for programs to combat the health complications from lead exposure. This includes a drinking water lead exposure registry and a lead exposure advisory committee to track and address long-term health effects. Additionally, funding for national childhood health efforts, such as the childhood lead prevention poisoning program, would be increased in this bill. The Water Resources Development Act also includes funding for secured loans through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, or WIFIA program. This financing mechanism was created by Congress in 2014 in a bipartisan effort to provide low-interest financing for large- scale water infrastructure projects. These loans will be available to States and municipalities all across our country. There are also a number of other important provisions in this year's WRDA bill. It promotes restoration of our great lakes and great waters, which include ecosystems such as the Great Lakes, Puget Sound, Chesapeake Bay, and many more. In fact, the bill includes an authorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through the year 2021, which has been absolutely essential to Great Lakes cleanup efforts in recent years. It is important to know that the Great Lakes provide drinking water for over 40 million people. The WRDA bill also will modernize our ports, improve the condition of our harbors and waterways, and keep our economy moving. A saying attributed to Benjamin Franklin rings especially true with this WRDA bill. He said: ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' If we make the necessary infrastructure investments now, we will preserve clean water, save taxpayer money in the long run, and protect American families from the dangerous health impacts of aging lead pipes. The Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Water Resources Development Act with strong, overwhelming bipartisan support last month. This bill is ready for consideration by the full Senate, and communities across our country--including the families of Flint--are waiting for us to act. I am hopeful that this body will do just that in the coming weeks, and I urge my colleagues to prioritize this commonsense, bipartisan infrastructure bill for a vote on the Senate floor. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the Michigan Milk Producers Association on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Over a century ago, on May 23, 1916, some 400 dairy farmers from across southern Michigan met in East Lansing at the Michigan Agricultural College, spurred into action by their peers from Livingston County, who had just a month before raised a critical issue: the establishment of a fair price for their product. The result of their meeting was Michigan Milk Producers Association, MMPA. In the early 1900s, Michigan dairy farmers faced a variety of pressures, including the increasing costs of land, labor, and feed, which threatened the livelihood of many producers. Without a unified voice, farmers were confronted with growing difficulties in negotiating prices for their products which would cover their production costs. For many, the severity of these challenges was leading to the real possibility of the collapse of Michigan's dairy farm industry. Engaging in a cooperative endeavor, dairy farmers from Michigan sought to speak with one voice in their mission to secure a fair price for their products. As an organization for dairy farmers, open only to dairy farmers, MMPA immediately embarked on finding a resolution to this existential crisis. Within its first 5 months, MMPA membership swelled from just under 200 to nearly 1,000 milk producers from almost every county in southern Michigan. Within a year, MMPA successfully ensured a cost for milk that would support the livelihood of its members. With this vital goal met, MMPA stretched its efforts to include increasing the quality of its members' products, an effort that was vital to counter prevailing public opinion. By joining together, Michigan dairy farmers were also well positioned to work with the Federal Food and Drug Administration in its efforts to accommodate producers' price demands. As with all Americans, MMPA faced considerable hardship during the Great Depression. An overproduction of milk coupled with decreasing urban density, MMPA labored to formulate solutions for their crisis and create new innovations in the marketing of milk. Thanks to its efforts, many of MMPA's members were able to survive the Great Depression. From its early challenges, MMPA and its members have persevered. Today MMPA is a respected and recognized advocate for dairy farmers, representing 2,100 members across 1,400 farms from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is the eleventh largest dairy cooperative in the United States, and its members market 4 billion pounds of milk annually. Again, I am pleased to rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing such an auspicious milestone for the Michigan Milk Producers Association. On its 100th anniversary, MMPA and its members have much to celebrate, and I wish them continuing success and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the need to drive innovation and competitiveness here in the United States. I vividly remember watching the Apollo missions on TV and the launch of that 36-story tall Saturn V rocket that took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the surface of the Moon. The space program not only inspired a generation of Americans, but it also led to incredible advances in science and technology that over the last 50 years have accounted for as much as half of all the economic growth in the United States. These groundbreaking advances firmly established our Nation as an international leader in innovation. During the height of the space race, America's Federal investment in research and development reached nearly 2 percent of the Nation's GDP. Today, overall Federal R&D spending--the seed corn of our future prosperity--has fallen to a historic low of 0.78 percent of GDP. With the United States investing less on science, research, and education, and our competitors outpacing us, we are losing our footing in the global marketplace. Congress must increase the Federal investment in R&D to 1 percent of GDP if we want to continue to be leading the world in innovation. This commitment should include a focus on increased Federal support for basic research--an essential component of any kind of innovation economy. In addition to increased investment, we in Congress need to implement policy solutions that will reassert American leadership internationally. We need to invest in what works. We need to listen to the innovators, academic leaders, and industries that are making the life-changing inventions of the future a reality. To that end, my colleague Senator Cory Gardner and I have convened a series of roundtable discussions on ways to improve the American innovation system. Just last week, our Commerce Committee leaders, Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson, held a productive hearing on ways to leverage the U.S. science and technology enterprise. After receiving input from industry, academia, science organizations, and economic development organizations, Senators Thune, Nelson, Gardner, and I are working to develop new legislation to guide our Nation's research priorities in the coming years and to improve America's innovation system. Through these roundtables, we heard that the stakeholder community agrees that modest, sustained, and predictable increases in Federal research and development investments are absolutely critical to ensuring the economic competitiveness of the United States. We need continued Federal investment in basic research, while also providing opportunities to commercialize that research. There is basic research that our companies simply cannot afford to conduct, making Federal investment absolutely critical. We also need to work to reduce administrative burdens on researchers so that we can maximize our Federal research investment. We need that investment to be put into the lab and not filling out more paperwork. We need stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, and academia in order to capitalize on discoveries emerging from our world-class research universities, such as the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Michigan State University. We must also close the significant employment gap in the STEM workforce for women and underrepresented minorities. Women make up less than 50 percent of post-bachelor STEM degree programs and only about one-quarter of the STEM workforce. Underrepresented minorities, including Hispanics and African Americans, make up about 10 percent of the science and engineering workforce. Last month, I joined a number of my colleagues in introducing the STEM Opportunities Act, legislation that would improve inclusion of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM careers. It is a top priority for me to see that a similar provision is included in our bipartisan legislation. Finally, if we want to continue to be a leader in the global economy, we need to be a nation that makes things. Michigan is a State that builds and grows things, and I will continue to fight to make sure we continue doing that. Investments in advanced manufacturing will support firms of all sizes and support good-paying jobs and help keep them here in the United States. That is why it is one of my top priorities for this legislation that we ensure American manufacturing companies can compete and succeed in the highly competitive global marketplace. Last month, I joined my colleagues, Senators Coons and Ayotte, to introduce the bipartisan Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act. The Manufacturing Extension Program, or MEP, is a Federal public-private partnership that helps businesses get their products to market through a variety of consulting services. The MEP Improvement Act would expand and improve the MEP Program to serve small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies, which are a critical part of our economy and our national competitiveness. Including key components of the MEP Improvement Act will be a top priority for me in the new legislation being drafted. Science and technology are inseparable from the American competitiveness ecosystem. However, we need to focus on the entire ecosystem--from STEM, or STEAM, to basic research, to application and commercialization--and the inspiration that drives ambitious endeavors like exploring space and the other frontiers of science. We in Congress must do our part by supporting and investing in our efforts to drive economic growth, unleash increased productivity, enhance our safety and security, and make the world a better place for future generations. We are facing big challenges as a Nation, but I am committed to working with everyone--Democrats, Republicans, industry, academia, workers, students, and employers--to increase investments and implement the solutions that will ensure American competitiveness and create more good-paying jobs here in the United States. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, MI. I appreciate the opportunity to speak about this truly significant milestone in the history of this congregation, as well as the city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. I offer Beth Israel my warmest regards and congratulations on its centennial. I am also pleased to express my pride in the many contributions of the congregation's members, who dedicate their talents to benefit Beth Israel and the greater good in Ann Arbor. Established in 1916, Beth Israel was Ann Arbor's only Jewish congregation for many years. Initially, families met informally in the home of Osias Zwerdling to celebrate the Jewish High Holidays and community milestones. Mr. Zwerdling, a furrier by trade, would serve as the diverse congregation's president for the next 40 years. His leadership was particularly valuable given the fact that the congregation, as in many small American towns in the early twentieth century, operated without a rabbi. Instead, members of the congregation volunteered in a variety of roles, including teaching in Hebrew school, leading the congregation in prayer as cantor, or serving as its schochet to ensure the kosher slaughter of animals. Early on, Beth Israel hired Reverend Pincus Gropstein, who was paid $18 a week to serve the congregation's 30 families. In 1932, Rabbi Joshua Sperka became the congregation's first ordained rabbi and served in the role until 1934. After his departure, the congregation continued to rely on the devoted efforts of its members, who provided a steady backdrop to the contributions of Rabbi Julius Weinberg, who served from 1952 to 1961; Rabbi Allan Kensky, who served from 1971 to 1988; and Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, who has guided Beth Israel since 1988 with wisdom, humor, and warmth. Beth Israel Congregation was the first conservative congregation in southeast Michigan to become egalitarian, encouraging men and women to participate equally in the ritual and spiritual life of the congregation, and was the first conservative congregation in the United States to choose a female president. The community's welcoming spirit is exemplified in its longstanding support of the LGBT community, where it is an active leader in promoting inclusion in the conservative Jewish movement, which is highlighted by its advocacy for the ordination of LGBT rabbis. Moreover, Beth Israel has taken steps to ensure people with disabilities have full access to the synagogue and its services. In addition to nurturing an inclusive environment at Beth Israel, the congregation is committed to supporting the Jewish community at home and abroad. Members take steps to ensure that everyone has a place to celebrate the Passover Seder, volunteer in the congregation's extensive Hebrew language program, and send care packages throughout the world, including a care package that gave a soldier in Manila and Jewish communities in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Uganda the chance to celebrate Purim. The synagogue is also proud of its sponsorship of trips to Israel, as well as serious dialogue it fosters on issues related to Israel and the Middle East. Beyond its service to the Jewish community, Beth Israel is committed to the larger Ann Arbor community; playing an active role in city's Interfaith Hospitality Network, Interfaith Round Table, and the Ann Arbor Shelter Association. Once again, I applaud Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, MI, on its 100th anniversary. The congregation's generosity and commitment to diversity exemplify the values of the people of Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan, who I am proud to represent in the Senate. I thank Beth Israel for its decades of service to the Jewish community and everyone in Ann Arbor. I wish the congregation and leadership of Beth Israel many more decades of success and may they always go from strength to strength.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I would certainly urge all of my colleagues to oppose the Coats amendment. What this does is eliminate a program that basically pays for a very carefully crafted agreement on which we are working to deal with the Flint water issue, as well as water infrastructure issues all across this country. This is part of the proposal Senator Stabenow and I have been working on and have been building support. We are looking to move to this very shortly to deal with this broad issue. A vote against this amendment allows us to continue to move forward with a bipartisan plan, critical for our whole country. I yield my remaining time to the senior Senator from Michigan.

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

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act, which passed the Senate yesterday with my strong support. This bill will help improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and appliances, saving Michiganders money on their heating and electric bills by incentivizing weatherization and other activities. Many of these cutting-edge building efficiency technologies, such as insulation and window sealing, are designed and developed in my great State of Michigan. The bill also included a number of conservation provisions that will not only protect our environment, but they will boost our economy by supporting the $646 billion outdoor recreation industry. Permanent authorizations of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and reauthorization of the North American Wetland Conservation Act are just two examples that will protect wildlife habitat and improve access to public lands for all kinds of outdoor recreation. Mr. President, I would also like to take a moment to focus on a bipartisan provision that I authored with my colleagues Senator Stabenow and Senator Alexander, the Vehicle Innovation Act. This legislation will provide the tools that researchers, engineers, manufacturers, and others need to create the next generation of cars and trucks built in Michigan and in States all across our country. Southeast Michigan is home to more engineers per capita than anywhere else in the country. We must ensure that our automakers, part suppliers, and other advanced manufacturers have the right tools to develop and incorporate new vehicle innovations that will improve safety, innovation, and vehicle performance in the cars and trucks of the future. Exciting innovations are already underway. Cars and trucks are being made with high-strength, light-weight materials that can improve fuel economy without compromising safety. Improved combustion technologies can increase the efficiency of traditional engines while decreasing emissions. Researchers are making batteries more affordable and recyclable while enhancing battery range and performance, making hybrids and electric vehicles even more competitive. The Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program is leading this effort, working with a wide range of partners, manufacturers, material suppliers, universities, energy suppliers, and our National Laboratories. The Department of Energy's vehicle technology activities are authorized by a patchwork of different laws, and these authorities were last renewed almost a decade ago. A lot has changed in that time. Vehicles today are wired with cutting-edge electronics and sensors. While my favorite part of Detroit cars and trucks remains horsepower and torque, advances in onboard computers and new technologies are making our cars safer, more efficient, and more competitive globally. The Peters-Alexander-Stabenow Vehicle Innovation Act provides for a steady increase in funding for critical DOE programs through the year 2020. This will create more certainty for companies and entrepreneurs engaged in public-private partnerships and ensure that critical research and development can keep up as technologies continue to emerge. Our bill also establishes a clean authorization for DOE's advanced vehicle technology activities. This will improve collaboration with light-duty automobile and medium- and heavy-duty commercial truck engineers, manufacturers, and suppliers to conduct cutting-edge technology-neutral research that will improve fuel economy and minimize fossil fuel use. With over 256 million vehicles on our roads, it takes decades of sustained effort to turn over our fleet. It is absolutely critical that we continue developing these advanced technologies here in the United States in order to achieve major fuel savings in the future and become truly energy independent. The Vehicle Innovation Act has support from major manufacturers, labor, and environmental groups. This is something that just makes sense. I appreciate the support of Senators Murkowski and Cantwell and all my colleagues who supported including this legislation in the bipartisan energy package. While I was pleased to see this commonsense measure included, I continue to be frustrated and disappointed that this body has held up an up-or-down vote on a bipartisan package authored by Senator Stabenow and me to help the people of Flint, MI. Flint is still in crisis mode as families still do not have safe, reliable water flowing from their taps. Senator Stabenow and I will continue pursuing all paths to fight for the assistance that the people of Flint deserve. We will not give up. We remain fully committed to delivering to Flint families the assistance they need to be able to use their tap water for bathing, cooking, and drinking without the fear that it may harm them or their children. I know that many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are willing and able to join us in our efforts to help Flint. I urge them to continue working with us to pass this package through the Senate as soon as possible. The people of Flint cannot wait any longer. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I concur with my colleague from Michigan, Senator Stabenow. We urge our colleagues to vote no on the Coats amendment. This is part of a very carefully crafted amendment to deal with water infrastructure around the country, and in particular Flint. I think this will be a win-win for those folks who may want to see this program go away. We have a plan to do that while also dealing with an incredibly important issue not only for our State but that is also incredibly important to other States across the country. I urge a ``no'' vote. I thank the Senator for yielding the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise to urge swift passage of the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 currently pending on the Senate floor. This legislation supports U.S. jobs and promotes competition while increasing safety in the national aerospace system. In the wake of the tragic attacks in Brussels, the bill includes a number of important airport security reforms. We are proposing to invest in our Nation's airports by authorizing a $400 million increase for the Airport Improvement Program, which airports across the Nation rely on to modernize their infrastructure. We are also seeking to preserve the Federal Contract Tower Program, which supports general aviation safety, commercial airports, law enforcement, and emergency medical operations. Michigan is a large State, and our rural airports keep smaller communities across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan competitive and connected. Maintaining the Essential Air Service Program supports airports that Michiganders rely on, such as the Alpena County Regional Airport, Muskegon County Airport, and Delta County Airport. This bill also advances responsible usage of unmanned aircraft systems--known more commonly as UAS or drones--by addressing safety and privacy issues, enhancing enforcement against irresponsible usage, and creating new opportunities for research, development, and the testing of these innovative technologies. I thank my colleagues--Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson--for working with me during the committee markup process to include a provision that grew out of bipartisan legislation I authored with Senator Moran of Kansas--the Higher Education UAS Modernization Act. This important legislation will clear the way for our Nation's students and educators to use UAS technology for research, education, and job training. This will keep our research universities, workforce, and manufacturers on the cutting edge of global competitiveness as they develop the UAS of the future that will drive our economy forward. Our brightest minds will have the ability to design, to refine, and to fly UAS so they can advance these technologies to help prepare our country for safe, widespread integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. This will support job creation across the income spectrum as our Nation's workforce will be able to get the training they need to operate these systems both safely and efficiently. This legislation has the support of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Association of American Universities, and dozens of other colleges and universities across this country. In addition to advancing the next generation of civilian drone development, the reauthorization being considered also supports and protects the ability of our Air National Guard to safely and effectively operate remotely piloted aircraft, or RPAs. I worked to include legislation that helps Air National Guard units across this country maintain their operations, including the Michigan Air National Guard's 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek, MI, which I had the privilege of visiting earlier this month. The 110th has two critical missions: operating MQ-9 Reaper RPAs and a Cyber Operations Squadron. Michigan is proud to host these cutting-edge, high-tech military operations that securely and effectively operate aircraft located thousands of miles away supporting our troops that are deployed overseas. Our troops have a high demand for remotely piloted aircraft, which conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations as well as offensive strike operations. The Air Force is working hard to meet the demand for RPAs from commanders in theater and has already increased incentive pay for RPA pilots and doubled pilot class sizes to keep up with the demand. Air National Guard units based in the United States but flying aircraft which could be anywhere else in the world add additional capacity to meet our global security needs. These are sensitive operations requiring very specific infrastructure that the Air National Guard has invested in at bases all across the country. As certain Air National Guard units operating at civilian airports, like Battle Creek, transition from manned missions to remotely piloted aircraft missions, they are concerned the airport where they lease their base could be forced to either raise their rent or risk losing eligibility for much needed FAA grants. I worked with my colleagues-- Senators Cotton and Ernst--on legislation to prevent this unfair and unnecessary choice for Battle Creek and other airports across the country. I am proud this provision has been included in the legislation we are considering today, which will prevent the FAA from denying grant funding on the basis that an airport renews a low-cost lease with a military unit, regardless of whether that unit operates aircraft physically stationed at the airport. While I understand the FAA's interest in ensuring that airports receive a fair rate for the space they lease, I am glad this legislation will clarify that military units, including the National Guard, can continue to receive nominal leases. If an airport and a military unit agree to renew a low-cost lease, they should be able to proceed without concern the FAA will revoke the airport's grant authority. The communities that host our military bases are proud of their role in national defense. These airports shouldn't have to choose between continuing to host a military tenant and maintaining eligibility for grants that can improve the safety and efficiency of local airport operations. Again, I want to applaud Leader McConnell, Leader Reid, Chairman Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson for their work on this important bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage early next week. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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, it is very hard for me to believe I am once again standing on this floor. I have to come before my colleagues in the Senate to report that despite the fact that we have been building bipartisan support for legislation that will address the catastrophic situation in Flint, we still have one Senator standing in the way of this coming to a vote. It has been now nearly 2 months since Senator Stabenow and I introduced legislation to deal with the catastrophic crisis in the city of Flint, MI. Since that time, we have been able to build a broad coalition of folks on both sides of the aisle, Republican cosponsors who have joined with us to say it is time for this body, it is time for the Senate, to stand and help those in need in the city of Flint, as well as issues all across this country. Senator Stabenow and I offered legislation, along with Senator Inhofe, and a long list of Democrats and Republicans, including Senators Burr, Capito, Kirk, and Portman, have been working very closely with Senator Murkowski as chair of the committee as well. Yet we have one Senator, one Senator who says that is not enough. He wants to have more, and he is standing in the way of the people of Flint getting the help they desperately need. He is standing in the way of children like this young infant who appeared on the cover of Time magazine. To me, those eyes are very compelling, and I think those eyes are very compelling to every American who has witnessed what has happened in that city, who has witnessed the horror and the tragedy of having poisoned water going into people's bodies for many months while the State government dropped the ball. I will say folks around the country have responded. There has been an outpouring of help from people in every corner of this great country of ours. People have sent bottled water. They have sent filters and are providing resources. It is what our country does. It is what our people do when we see people in crisis. We stand and lend that helping hand. We know any one of us at any time could be in that situation. The wonderful thing about being an American is that as Americans we look out for each other. We know we are a community, a very special place in this world, and we look out for each other. That is why people back home in Michigan--and as I travel around the country--people are at a loss and wondering why the U.S. Congress hasn't done something to address this issue. When I tell them we have legislation that will help deal with infrastructure, not just in Flint but in communities all across the country, that will plus-up public health programs to deal with lead poisoning at a time when we realize lead poisoning is not just an issue for Flint but is an issue for communities all across this country and one we need to focus on and probably ignored for far too long, they wonder why we have not acted. When I tell them we have one Senator--just one Senator--standing in the way, it only adds to their belief that this is a dysfunctional place; that partisanship and polarization have prevented this body from doing what is right. We can't forget the people of Flint, and I know many of my colleagues on the Senate floor have not. That is why we have been able to get broad support from both Democrats and Republicans, who have come together and said to both my senior Senator, Ms. Stabenow, and me: We understand it is a problem in Flint, but we also understand it is a problem in other communities around the country. Let us design legislation to deal with that. That is what we have before us. We have legislation that will provide money for those cities that may be in a declared emergency, which is where we are with the city of Flint, but we also know there may be other communities in this country--in fact, we think there will be a community very soon--that will also have a declared water emergency that will be able to access those funds. We also know aging infrastructure is not unique to the city of Flint. It is with cities all across the country, especially older urban areas that have lead surface lines, but there are certainly many rural areas that have that as well. Those pipes need to be taken out. In this legislation, we create a fund that will allow money to be loaned to those communities--oftentimes, communities that don't have a lot of resources but desperately need infrastructure improvement. It is a loan fund that will be paid back to the taxpayers but will extend the money necessary to make improvements that truly will be lifesaving improvements for the citizens in those cities. We also plus-up a number of public health programs from the CDC that deal with lead poisoning in children. The insidious thing about lead poisoning is that once it gets into the brain of a young child--like this child who is looking at us right now in this picture I have in the Chamber--it has lasting effects. It has lifetime effects. We need not only to embrace that child with our love but understand that the child is going to need health care for decades. That child is going to need educational support to be able to pursue his or her version of the American dream that he or she may have. They are going to need to have, in addition to education and health care, good nutrition, making sure the food they eat will provide their bodies with the nourishment that can counter some of the impacts of lead. But it is not just the children; it is everybody in the city of Flint. Senior citizens have also been impacted. I have gone door to door in Flint and worked with volunteers, including the American Red Cross, delivering bottled water to the people of Flint. I never thought I would have to go with the American Red Cross to deliver bottled water to a community because the water they were getting out of their pipes was poisoned--not in this country, not in the United States of America. But that is what people are doing, and filters as well are being given door to door. The people of Flint are appreciative. Please know they are extremely appreciative of the generosity they have seen from people across this country and from FEMA response as well, but they are also frustrated. People can't bathe with bottled water. They are cooking and cleaning food--all of the basic things we take for granted each and every day. It is simply impossible to live just on bottled water and have that bottled water delivered to them every few days. It is not a workable system. It is unacceptable, and it certainly should be unacceptable to everybody in this country. That is why we need to have a long-term solution. It has to be a long-term solution that will fix the problem permanently by making sure the infrastructure improvements are there, lead pipes are pulled out, but makes sure other support services are going to be there for decades. My fear for the people of the city of Flint is that although they have been the beneficiaries of a great outpouring of love and support from people around the country, they have been able to get that because the spotlight has been on Flint and the TV cameras are in Flint. We all know in today's media world that those cameras will eventually go away. There won't be media attention for Flint. There won't be the bright lights of publicity motivating people to do what is needed in the city of Flint. When those lights go down and when it goes dark, the people of the city of Flint will still be confronted with this absolutely catastrophic situation that is impacting them in their homes. It is impacting businesses--businesses that have been rocked as a result of this. People don't want to go to restaurants because they are not sure of the water there. Real estate values have plummeted. This is a different kind of a disaster than a natural disaster if a hurricane goes through or a tornado goes through. Then we can rebuild, and it can be as good as new. Our concern with Flint is that there will always be this stigma attached to the city as a result of this, and if that stigma is there, it is going to make it even more difficult. The people of Flint are resilient and courageous and brave and strong. They will survive, but we need to be there to lend that helping hand. That is why it is even more frustrating to me, given the fact that when we have natural disasters across this country, this body--the Senate--acts. We send money. We help those local governments. The State governments provide help. Now, I know some colleagues have said that this is not a natural disaster, that this is a manmade disaster. All I can say is to ask that child when he or she grows up: Does it make a difference that it was a manmade disaster or a natural disaster? Ask the senior citizen in Flint right now. Ask the parent who is concerned about that child. Does it make any difference? I don't think any American here thinks it makes a difference. There isn't anybody in this country who thinks it makes a difference. A disaster is a disaster. Now, it is true the State government messed up horribly in Michigan. In fact, the Governor's own task force that he appointed to look into it clearly points the finger at the State of Michigan and the incompetence that was shown by the government of the State of Michigan. That is a given. They are primarily responsible and need to step up, and they have. But they need to do a whole lot more than what they have done so far. But even though the State has to do that and must do that, that doesn't prevent us, the Federal Government, from also standing up and saying: We can help as well because that is what we do. It is what the American people expect us to do. I certainly hope my colleagues will help Senator Stabenow and I move this legislation forward. If we can't get around this one Senator who wants to constantly move the goalpost, who wants to change the basis of negotiations even though this legislation is completely paid for--we have used a pay-for that Senator Stabenow fought for, authored to help manufacturers in the Midwest. I fought aggressively to keep that fund when I was a Member of the House. This is something that is important to us, but we know that dealing with a catastrophic situation in Flint and water infrastructure across this country so that we don't have any more Flints is more important. That money will be used to help the people of Flint and communities across this country. Not only does it pay for this, but it actually reduces the deficit at the same time. I think it is important to say that usually when a disaster hits this country, we don't look for pay-fors. We step up and provide money for people in need. We have been asked to come up with a pay-for, and we did--completely paid for while reducing the Federal deficit at the same time. Yet we have one Senator who wants more. He wants more. I don't know how that one Senator can hold up something that has been able to get this kind of bipartisan support and can hold up something that is so important to this child in this picture. How can you stand in the way? If that one Senator does not like this legislation, that is fine. They can vote against it. But allow the other 99 Senators in this body an opportunity to have their say. That is the way this institution is supposed to work. I still believe in this institution. I still believe the Senate can do better than allowing one Member to stand in the way of helping this child and other children just like this one. It is now our task as Members of this body to come together and say: Enough is enough. We are going to help somebody in this country no matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter the circumstances. If you have been hit by a major disaster, we will stand with you. We will help you. That is who we are as Americans. It goes to the very core of our values. It is now up to my colleagues here in the Senate to please join Senator Stabenow and me and our long list of both Democratic and Republican cosponsors. Put this legislation on the floor. Let's vote on it, let's pass it, and let's help the people of Flint and other folks all across the country. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

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