Harry Reid

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Madam President, this morning the Supreme Court issued its final set of rulings for the year for the Court's term. I was pleased with two of the Court's decisions especially. One pertains to women's health and one with keeping guns away from dangerous individuals. In the Court's 5-to-3 decision in Whole Woman's Health, the Court affirmed the constitutionally protected rights of American women. The Justices struck down a Texas law that limited women's rights and restricted access to health care. Infringing upon the rights of Texans has become all too familiar for the government of Texas. It is a theme they have, and they play that theme all the time and they march to it. The State has pushed laws to restrict people's right to vote. In the last general election, 600,000 Texans couldn't vote because they didn't have the right ID. The State has pushed laws to restrict people's right to vote and limit victims' ability to recover deserved damages after accidents and medical malpractice. The law restricting women's care was just the most recent example of Texas trampling on the rights of its people. So I am pleased that the Supreme Court struck down Texas' unconstitutional attempt to deprive women of health care. In another ruling today, the Supreme Court also whacked the National Rifle Association. By a 6-to-2 decision, the Justices upheld a Federal law that bans people convicted of domestic violence from buying guns. While the Supreme Court did its job today, I must note the many other missed opportunities in the Court over the last 4 months. Due to the Republicans historic obstruction of Judge Merrick Garland's nomination, the United States' highest Court is often deadlocked. The Court has been unable to provide definitive rulings on some of the most important issues of our time because there are not nine Justices, but only eight, due to the Republicans' obstruction. For the first time in the history of the country in a year right before an election, the Republicans have decided they are not going to allow a vote on a Supreme Court nomination. It has never happened before. By denying President Obama the chance to fill this vacancy, the Republicans have infected the Supreme Court with the same gridlock they have perfected with the Congress for the last 7 years. Eight Supreme Court Justices are simply not enough to serve the American people and the rule of law. One Drake University constitutional law professor wrote recently: With just eight members, the Court cannot resolve certain controversial cases. It can split 4-4, which means there is no uniform rule of law. All told, the Supreme Court has deadlocked on seven important cases and issues. Because of Senate Republicans, employers can deny women who are working access to contraception coverage; because of Senate Republicans, companies can misuse the private information of consumers; and because of Senate Republicans, lenders can discriminate against married women. There are others. The most glaring example, though, was from last Thursday when the Court was unable to reach a majority decision on an important immigration case. It issued a one-sentence ruling: ``The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.'' As former Solicitor General Walter Dellinger wrote, ``Seldom have so many hopes been crushed by so few words.'' These immigration programs would take millions of people out of the shadows and allow them to work and pay taxes. Today also happens to be the third anniversary of the Senate passing a bipartisan bill to fix our Nation's immigration system by a heavy vote of 68 to 32. It was bipartisan in nature. Three years ago, after the bill passed in the Senate, Republicans used their obstructionist ways to prevent a vote in the House of Representatives. Today, those same Republicans are obstructing a ninth Supreme Court Justice in order to kill the President's Executive actions on immigration. Latino and immigrant families across this Nation are watching who stands with them and who stands against them. It is very easy to see. It is appalling Republicans are willing to prevent the Court from doing its job as they wait for a Donald Trump-appointed nominee. That is startling. Just yesterday, the Republican leader refused to say if he thinks Donald Trump is qualified to be President. His silence speaks volumes. Republicans continue to block our justice system from functioning so this unqualified bigot can reshape the Supreme Court in his image. It is time for Republicans to stop fomenting partisanship and gridlock, even in the Nation's highest Court. America deserves a fully functioning Supreme Court.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am glad to see the Presiding Officer is my colleague from Nevada. Yesterday I said Republicans should not play loose with Zika funding. What is Zika? For the first time in recorded history, we have mosquitoes that are causing birth defects. Mosquitoes have plagued this world for centuries--perhaps forever--but they have never ever caused birth defects. They have caused death and a lot of terrible sickness but never birth defects. Now they are moving forward. We need to do something to stop this dreaded spread of this virus. I said yesterday the Republicans shouldn't play loose with Zika funding, but that is exactly what they have done. We had an appropriations bill on the floor, and in that there were a number of things that were very important. We had money to do something about Zika. There was money in there for lots of different issues--a very broad bill, having a lot of things in it--one of our appropriations bills. The Republican agreement on the MILCON-VA is a disgrace. It is a mockery of how Congress should treat an emergency. The conference report was jammed through the House with no debate, with a rule that was questionable. They are supposed to give a certain number of days' notice on anything they do on the House floor. Of course, they did this within a few hours. We don't know the exact time, but it happened around 3 o'clock in the morning--something like that--when they jammed through this bill. That bill provides $1.1 billion in Zika funding, which is $800 million short of the President's request. Remember, the President's request was more than 4 months ago, and we have learned since then how awful the spread of this virus is. We knew quite a bit 4 months ago, but we know more now. There is a report also, in addition to being short in that respect--remember, this is an emergency bill as it relates to Zika. All emergencies--flood, fire, earthquake, all of the many things we face every year, we take care of as emergencies. It is part of the responsibilities of the American people that they pay for that, and they have always been happy to do it. When there was a situation with a devastating windstorm, a deluge of water with Katrina in Louisiana and all that part of the country--it doesn't matter what the emergency is, we have taken care of it in the past, but not this Republican Congress, no, no. They also, in this so-called conference report, stripped $120 million from Ebola funding. Remember, 2 years ago, Ebola was the thing that frightened Americans. All over America people were afraid of Ebola, this terrible disease originating in Africa. Well, 2 years have gone by, Ebola has been contained but not eliminated, and there is still, according to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, lots and lots of work that needs to be done, but the Republicans keep taking away from the funding. It is really unfortunate, but that is not the half of it. They cut a half a billion dollars from the Affordable Care Act-- ObamaCare. The Republicans have tried 67 times to defund ObamaCare--67 times--and that has failed, but the stripping of Ebola money and ObamaCare money--it gets worse than that. The conference report would completely undermine access to birth control for women in Zika-affected areas by restricting money for Planned Parenthood. This is all some women have. It is the only care they have, the only place they can go. So women are disproportionately affected by Zika. At a time when it is more important than ever for women to plan their families, we are appalled at this partisan attack on health centers women rely on to get the care they need. Instead of responding to this emergency that is threatening American women, Republicans are using this awful virus as an excuse for another attack on women's health. Republicans have voted repeatedly in this Congress to defund Planned Parenthood. The Republican Zika bill is just more of the same anti-women--something I am sorry to say is part of the McConnell-Trump tactics we have found lately, but it gets worse even than what I have already outlined. Republicans slashed funding for veterans by one-half billion dollars--not million, $500 million--for veterans. It allows more pesticides into our environment. Republicans even used this conference report--listen to this one--to block the prohibition of Confederate flags at Federal facilities. We should be working together to fight Zika. We should be providing public health experts the tools they need to fight this virus. As we speak, we really don't know for sure because it changes daily, but there are almost 3,000 women who are now affected with the virus here in America, and 400 of them are pregnant. We have already had half a dozen born with birth defects. Rather than doing something to help the public health experts with the tools they need, Republicans turned an emergency spending request into a wish list for all the anti-women, anti-veterans, anti- minorities, anti-environment, and anti-ObamaCare radicals in Congress. Last night, the Republicans took this monstrosity of a conference report, rammed it through the House in the dead of night with no debate, and then immediately went on vacation but only until July 5. Is this how we should treat an emergency? Of course not. Is this how we should respond to a health crisis? Of course not. Shame on Republicans for turning a public health emergency into a partisan, political show.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, yesterday I was privileged to join my Democratic colleagues in the House of Representatives for a protest on the House floor. House Democrats were demanding that Republicans close the terror loophole which allows suspected terrorists to legally buy guns. We wanted to stop that. In the Senate, we are also waiting for Republicans to act on gun safety just like they are in the House. The senior Senator from Maine--a Republican--has proposed legislation to keep guns and explosives out of the hands of suspected terrorists and criminals. The Collins amendment isn't perfect, but it is a step in the right direction, and I will vote for it, but in order to vote for legislation, we need to be able to first have a vote scheduled on it. Yesterday the Republican leader said: ``I'm going to be working to make sure she gets a vote on that proposal.'' Frankly, I am an expert about what goes on here on the floor. I know the procedural problems my friend the Republican leader has so I understand that. I know sometimes it gets extremely difficult, but 48 hours ago, that is what he said, and we need to be shown a path forward. I don't see it, but we will wait and see. The American people want us to prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns so I look forward to the Republican leader's plans for the day. As is the procedure here, the majority, the Republican leader, is allowed to speak first. He just wasn't here and his staff said I should go ahead.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, the Collins vote, which just took place a few minutes ago, was a vote that was, for lack of a better description, just a show vote. The Collins supporters won. That was their victory, and it is the first time since the historic vote of Senator Feinstein in 1993 dealing with assault weapons that the NRA has been in a situation where they can't declare a victory. They lost this one. But I would hope now the Republican leader will bring the Collins compromise to a vote here on the floor--a real vote. Today's vote was kind of like heads I win, tails you lose, because for the supporters of the Collins amendment, that was it with them because it guaranteed that even if Collins supporters won the vote, it wouldn't advance. But we did. We won the vote. Collins won that vote. It is really too bad that the Republican leader worked so hard to defeat the bipartisan compromise put forward by the brave senior Senator from Maine. But despite the efforts of the majority, now the Republican leadership has a responsibility to bring the Collins bill to this floor for a real vote, not a fake vote--a vote that provides the bill a real chance to advance. I sure hope we have that opportunity. It is the right thing for the country. The country agrees that something has to be done. Even though it wasn't a big victory, it was a victory. I hope the NRA will step back and do what they have said they would do 15 years ago, and that is work to close loopholes, especially the gun show loophole. It is disappointing that they have taken a new tack and are against anything for more gun safety.

Mr. REID

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

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a 1-page document prepared by our ranking member on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at the conclusion of my statement. Mr. President, my friend the Republican leader talks about President Obama not doing enough to fight ISIL. What we see in the Record is the document prepared by Senator Carper that outlines the progress that has been made. Is it enough? Of course not, but it is pretty significant in our fight against ISIS or ISIL, whatever you want to call them. I don't know what the Republican leader wants. Does he want another invasion of Iraq, ground troops? Does he want us to invade Syria? Those are the two countries he named. Our last invasion of Iraq didn't work out too well. We have had about 500,000 Iraqis killed. They are dead now as a result of that invasion. The number in Syria is reaching about 300,000. Millions of them have been displaced because of that last invasion of Iraq. The whole Middle East is destabilized. Is that what the Republican leader wants? Does he want another invasion? Which country? Both of them? How many troops-- 100,000, 150,000? What does he want? Be more specific. What does he want done that isn't being done?

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am encouraged by the dialogue on gun safety that is taking place in the Senate now. Democrats and Republicans are working together to find solutions to protect Americans from gun violence. The obvious first step is to keep guns and explosives out of the hands of suspected terrorists and criminals. That is why it is imperative that the Senate call up legislation to get a vote. The amendment from the senior Senator from Maine has bipartisan support and, at the very least, is a step in the right direction. The State of Maine has a reputation for bipartisanship. I can remember when President Obama was first elected, when we did the American Recovery Act--the stimulus. We had 57 or 58 Democratic Senators. I needed help in order to get that passed. Where did I look first? The State of Maine, Senator Collins and Senator Snowe. They always came through. The reason we were able to pass the Recovery Act is because of the State of Maine's senatorial representation. So it should be no surprise to anyone that the senior Senator from Maine is working on a bipartisan basis, and while her legislation at this stage, in my mind, is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. I am concerned with the Collins amendment for a number of reasons, and the Justice Department also has concerns. They are worried about provisions within the legislation. But as we speak, bipartisan discussions continue to resolve these matters. But there is no question that the Senate should vote on legislation that keeps guns away from suspected terrorists. So I appreciate the good work of Senator Collins. Of course, it wouldn't be fair to talk about the State of Maine without talking about Angus King--what a terrific Senator. The State of Maine should be so proud of this guy, as I know they are, based on his record as having been elected as Governor and other things in the State of Maine. I know the National Rifle Association is whipping its followers into a frenzy about this legislation--the Collins bipartisan legislation. They are going crazy about it. That is disappointing but not surprising. Almost every American agrees that suspected terrorists should not be able to purchase firearms and explosives. The Republican leader should ignore the desperate pleas from the NRA and bring Senator Collins' amendment to the floor for a vote.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, on another subject, when we have voted on the Collins amendment, we must turn our attention to another critically important matter--addressing the Zika public health crisis. The American people have been waiting since February for Republicans to respond in regard to this serious, serious threat from Zika caused by mosquito bites. For centuries, mosquitoes have been wreaking havoc on people, but never, ever in the past have there been any reports of mosquitoes carrying a virus or anything else that causes birth defects. The American people have been waiting since February for Republicans to respond to the threat from Zika. It has been four months to the day since President Obama sent an emergency appropriations request to Congress for $1.9 billion to fight Zika, and $1.9 billion was the specific figure requested by researchers, public health experts, and doctors. There is even more needed now that 120 days have passed and have exposed even more dangers from Zika. While this Republican Congress has done nothing to provide the necessary funding, the threat from Zika continues to grow larger every day. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how Zika is affecting the United States-- listen to these numbers because they are stunning, and in a few days they will be changed even more. Nearly 2,200 Americans have been affected by the Zika virus, and 423 pregnant women have tested positive for the virus. Tragically, six pregnancies in Zika-infected women have already resulted in severe birth defects. Of these 423 pregnant women, how many more women are going to have babies born with these extreme challenges? It is awful what this virus does to a lot of babies. In the past we have responded to public health emergencies with the urgency they deserve. When the Nation faced the Ebola crisis, we responded. When the avian flu crisis hit, we responded quickly with emergency funding. We have done the same with tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and fires, but the Republicans aren't doing that. I don't know; I don't understand this. It is an emergency. Zika is an emergency. It is devastating. Republicans should treat it as such and work with Democrats to fully respond to this. They should do it now; they should have done it months ago. It is stunning and sad that instead of responding responsibly to this Nation's emergency in a bipartisan way, the Republicans have retreated behind closed doors and are negotiating Zika funding among themselves. There is a conference going on, but nothing is happening. The Republicans over in the House are playing around with something they are going to send us. We know; we have been there. It is going to come here. The Republicans in the House will then decide to go home, and the Democrats will have to go with them, and they will be gone. So we will be jammed sometime next week, and the Republican leader will say: Listen, we have to do this. The House is gone. We can't change anything. Well, that is wrong. They should not turn this general public health emergency into a partisan game, syphoning money from Ebola or cutting the Affordable Care Act as we heard they are doing over in the House. That is a dangerous break from our commitment to address emergencies we are funding. We should respond to this crisis and respond now. We know what we need to send the President--at least $1.9 billion--and it is an emergency. It is no different, as I have said, than a flood or a fire or those other emergencies I mentioned. For every moment the Republicans delay in responding to the Zika virus, we endanger more Americans. Mr. President, there are a number of people on the floor. I would ask the Chair to announce the business of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, last night the Republican leader filed cloture on the McCain amendment. The Republican leader has committed to a Democratic alternative pending to the McCain amendment, and we have one. We have it ready now, and we will have it typed up and ready to go in a couple of hours.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, in the aftermath of last week's mass murder in Orlando that took the lives of 49 people, we saw where the American people stand on gun control. We know that gun safety is essential to making us a safer, more secure America. As an example of what went on in Orlando after that terrible morning, people stood for hours in long lines waiting to donate blood. People attended large gatherings to express their united grief. People left flowers and figurines at the scene of the murders. In cities across the country, people stood at candlelight vigils to honor members of the LGBT community and the Latino community who were slaughtered. Here in the Capitol, Senator Murphy stood on the floor of the Senate for 15 hours demanding that Congress act to stop gun violence. In Florida, families and friends of victims stood grieving at graveside services for their murdered loved ones. Where were Senate Republicans? Where did they stand? Yet again, Senate Republicans stood with the National Rifle Association. Yesterday, the leader of Gun Owners of America--the shadow organization of the NRA--said he believed that people should be armed in bars and taverns. That is what he said. Last night, for the third time in as many years, Senate Republicans stood with the NRA in blocking commonsense gun legislation that would keep firearms and explosives away from suspected terrorists and other dangerous individuals. Senate Republicans proved again that regardless of how brutal the massacre or how reasonable the solution, ultimately--it doesn't matter; there is never a good time--their actions will be dictated by the National Rifle Association. A CNN poll released yesterday said 90 percent of Americans support expanded background checks and 85 percent of Americans support legislation keeping guns away from suspected terrorists. There is one reason that these proposals are not already law--the National Rifle Association--because they oppose anything dealing with guns. How can Senate Republicans side with the NRA against the American people? Ninety percent of Americans support expanded background checks. If you are a criminal or a crazy person, you shouldn't be able to get a gun. Eighty-five percent of Americans support legislation keeping guns away from suspected terrorists. But the NRA doesn't support that, and so Senate Republicans don't support it. Here is a little secret for my Republican colleagues: The NRA doesn't care about you. It doesn't care about your constituents. It doesn't care about the constitutional rights of its followers. The NRA and its leadership care about two things: Making money for gun manufacturers and making money for the NRA--and selling more guns. The NRA wants gun manufacturers to be able to make more guns. There are never enough. The NRA wants to have more firearms sold. More guns sold means more money and more donations for their bottom line. During times of crisis when Americans should be coming together to find these commonsense solutions, what does the NRA do? They raise every dollar they can by spreading lies and fomenting these conspiracy theories. The mail is out, folks. Look in your mailbox. Direct mail is their specialty. They circulate false mailers to their followers. For example, ``Congress is trying to take away your guns!'' or ``President Obama wants to confiscate your firearms!'' The NRA uses that money to fund ads against candidates who refuse to bow down to the gun lobby. Taking a page from the Koch brothers' playbook, the NRA uses so- called dark money to influence elections through mysterious front groups awash in undisclosed campaign cash. The NRA says they are spending money to protect gun owners. Well, it is clear what it is really about. It is about protecting the power of the National Rifle Association. Since the Supreme Court's misguided Citizens United decision, the NRA has tripled its political spending to support their radical agenda, but Republicans in Congress have no knowledge of any of this. Senate Republicans pretend the NRA is simply a grassroots organization working for America's best interests. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is false. The NRA used to advocate for mandatory background checks. It used to encourage reasonable legislation to keep guns away from dangerous individuals. One month after the Columbine shooting in Colorado, where those two young men killed a lot of innocent people, Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association--the man who goes on TV all the time justifying what they do--testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. Here is what he said: We think it is reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone. Wayne LaPierre said that. Now, in 2016, it is a different story. Just yesterday this same organization pressured Senate Republicans to vote against closing loopholes he said should be closed. Senate Republicans voted against the Murphy amendment that would have closed loopholes in our Nation's background check system. Senate Republicans voted against Senator Feinstein's amendment that would have closed the terror loophole, which simply allows suspected terrorists to legally purchase weapons and explosives. We believe it should be closed, but it is not. The loophole is still there because Republicans have always followed the NRA mandate. That is how strong the NRA's hold is on Senate Republicans. Republicans won't even agree to keep guns away from terrorists. The Republican Congress has become so thoroughly indoctrinated that it is now the legislative wing of the NRA. While the Republicans do the bidding of the NRA, innocent Americans are being gunned down in schools, churches, and nightclubs. How many more mass shootings will we have to endure before Republicans realize that they are being used by the NRA? How many more people have to die before Republicans come to grips with the fact that the NRA is only concerned about its bottom line? The American people are looking to Congress for leadership. They are hoping we will do something substantive to protect our communities from gun violence, but the simple truth is, we cannot protect the American people and protect the NRA at the same time. Public safety demands a solution that prevents dangerous people from possessing weapons, while the NRA exists solely as a fundraising vehicle for more guns, more bullets, and fewer safeguards. It is time for Republicans in Congress to defend the people who sent them to Washington in the first place, and put the personal safety of their constituents over the needs of the NRA. It is time for the Republicans to tell the NRA: Enough murder, enough carnage, enough guns. Mr. President, there is no one on the floor seeking recognition. I ask the Chair to announce the business of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, we have an epidemic of gun violence. It is here. I wish it weren't, but it is here, and it is getting worse every day. Last week's attack at a popular night club in Orlando, FL, was the deadliest shooting in modern American history. It was an act of hate and an act of terror. Forty-nine people were killed, and dozens were wounded. Many of those wounded are going to suffer for the rest of their lives from paralysis, blindness, and other maladies caused by the evil of Mr. Mateen. Sadly, mass shootings are occurring with sickening regularity in our country. Let's just talk about some of them in recent years. Tucson, AZ, 2011: Six were killed, and a number were injured, one of whom was Gabby Giffords--a wonderful, wonderful human being. She was critically injured. Her good husband, a famous astronaut, is doing everything he can to make her life as normal as possible. Carson City, NV, 2011: Four were killed in a popular restaurant in Carson City called Heidi's. Three of the dead were National Guardsmen getting ready to do their duty, having a break. In fact, they were having breakfast when they were gunned down by a madman. Aurora, CO: People there watching a popular movie in 2012 were gunned down in a night of terror. Newton, CT, 2012: Twenty little kids--20 babies--and six educators were killed. The Navy Yard, Washington, DC, 2013: Twelve were killed. Las Vegas, NV, 2014: A couple of people had just left the Bundy domestic terror situation. I guess they didn't get enough opportunities to do terrible things up there. So they came to Las Vegas and went to a restaurant where two police officers were sitting there having breakfast--two men with families. This man and woman walked up, having left the Bundy enclave, and shot both of them in the head right in front of everybody. They walked out, went next door to Walmart, and killed another unsuspecting shopper. Charleston, SC, 1 year ago: Nine were killed in a church--praying and singing. That is what you should do in a church, but a murderer was there, and he killed nine of them. Roseburg, OR, 2015: Nine were killed at a community college. Colorado Springs, CO: Some crazy person hell-bent on doing something in his own mind--stopping abortion--killed three innocent people. They had nothing to do with abortion. They were just innocent people. San Bernardino, CA: In a government facility, people there for a holiday celebration were maimed and 14 killed by two domestic terrorists. Kalamazoo, MI, 2016: An Uber driver picked up a fare, drove around town to kill another one and got six. So if we add these up, it comes to 100, not counting the 49 who were killed a week or so ago. We add to that the 90 who are killed every day--90 every day--with guns in America. That is a pretty staggering number. But after the murders I have outlined here--Tucson; Carson City; Aurora; Newton, CT; DC; Las Vegas; Charleston, SC; Roseburg, OR; San Bernardino, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Kalamazoo, MI--the American people have looked to Congress to stop them. No more, they say. The American people don't feel safe. They want to feel safe. They want the violence to stop. They want it to end. But instead of getting help from their elected officials, our constituents see a disturbing pattern of inaction. It is always the same. After each tragedy, we Democrats try to pass sensible gun safety measures. Sadly, our efforts are blocked by the Republican Congress, which takes its marching orders from the National Rifle Association. In April 2013, just months after the shootings in Aurora and Newtown, Democrats proposed legislation that would expand background checks and reinstate the assault weapons ban, limit the size of ammunition clips. The man who went into the nightclub a week ago had an assault rifle that would hold a magazine of 30 shells. He could fire that every time he pulled the trigger. It would take him about 3 or 4 seconds to empty the 30 shells. He could reload in 1 or 2 seconds. We don't know for sure, but he had at least two extra clips, so 90 bullets. Does anyone think there is anything you hunt in America that requires 90 bullets? Is there anyone who thinks that in America you need 30 bullets to go hunting--for what? Well, the man in Orlando, FL, went hunting for people. We tried to limit the size of ammunition clips, to prevent firearms trafficking, but the NRA didn't accept any of our proposals, and so the Senate Republicans didn't accept them and they filibustered and blocked every one of them. It happened again last December. Following the shooting in San Bernardino, Senator Feinstein proposed legislation to close the so- called terror loophole. Senator Feinstein's bill would have prevented suspected terrorists from legally purchasing firearms and explosives. Keeping terrorists from buying guns should be something upon which every Member of the Senate agrees. Again, the NRA said no, the Republicans said no, and they blocked Senator Feinstein's legislation. That is a pattern we see. We see it repeatedly. It doesn't matter how sensible the legislation or how terrible the tragedy, the Republicans are beholden to the National Rifle Association, the NRA, and not the people who elect them to come here and represent them. Today I am afraid it will be more of the same. About 2 hours from now, the U.S. Senate will have an opportunity to stop the rampant gun violence that has plagued our Nation. Stop it all? No, but it certainly will do something. So, at 5:30, Senators will vote on four gun-related amendments, two from Democrats, two from Republicans. Two of these amendments--the Murphy and Feinstein amendments--are serious proposals to protect Americans from gun violence. The Murphy-Booker-Schumer amendment would close loopholes in our background check system and ensure that firearms and explosives are kept out of the hands of terrorists and criminals and those who suffer from mental illness. Senator Feinstein's amendment would close the terror loophole, which allows suspected terrorists to legally purchase weapons and explosives. Both of these proposals are in keeping with what America wants and what America needs. About 90 percent of Americans favor expanded background checks, and more than 80 percent of Americans want to close the terror loophole. These are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. I might say, as to the National Rifle Association, all NRA Members don't feel the way the leaders of the NRA do. Even though 90 percent of Americans favor expanded background checks and more than 80 percent want to close the terror loophole, Republicans will again, I am confident, reject the voice of the American people. Instead, Republicans are proposing legislation that will actually make it easier for someone who has a mental illness to get a gun. Instead, Republicans are proposing legislation that will actually make it more difficult for law enforcement to keep guns out of the hands of the dangerous. The first Republican amendment proposed by the senior Senator from Iowa would make it easier for a person with severe mental illness to buy a gun. That is what it says. The Republicans would make it easier for one who just gets out of a psychiatric facility to walk out of a psychiatric facility and go buy whatever he wants in the way of firearms. The second Republican amendment, the Senator from Texas proposed legislation that would allow the sale of firearms to terrorists after a brief 72-hour waiting period, which would compromise ongoing counterterrorism investigations. The Grassley and Cornyn amendments are political stunts that are meaningless in doing something to stop gun violence. These are amendments to divert attention from real legislation. Why? So Republicans can say: Hey, look, we tried. And all the time they are cheerleaders to the bosses at the NRA who are cheering them. My Republican colleagues are again stuck in the same rut, the same warp, giving in to the demands of the NRA. The Republican leaders always find an excuse to say no. Democrats look at any reasonable proposal when it comes to gun safety. Right now there are Democrats like Senator Heinrich who are working with Republicans to find a solution. We are open to any of their ideas, provided the legislation really does keep guns and explosives away from suspected terrorists, criminals, and people with mental illness--but we know the NRA will never support any of these proposals. That is why we need the Senate Republicans to take a stand against gun violence and against the NRA. As I stand here, the NRA is sending a lot of direct mail. They are even getting better now and putting stuff on the Internet, saying: We need more money. They are trying to take your guns away from you. It is a fundraising operation. What we need is the Senate Republicans to take a stand against gun violence and against the NRA for a change. If they don't--if the Senate Republicans continue down this path and reject the Feinstein and Murphy amendments, it will be the third time recently they walked away from sensible gun legislation. It will be the third time recently Republicans have walked away from sensible gun legislation and will be the third time Republicans will have voted to give suspected terrorists, criminals, and the mentally ill access to firearms. It will be the third time recently that the Senate Republicans have protected the gun lobby, even as their own constituents have been gunned down in cold blood. The Senate Republicans should be embarrassed, but they are not because the NRA is happy. The Republicans need to put the lives of innocent Americans ahead of the NRA. I yield the floor and ask the Chair to announce the business of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, for 14 hours and 50 minutes, beginning late Wednesday morning and ending early Thursday morning, the entire Nation watched as the junior Senator from Connecticut gave our Republican colleagues a lesson in a number of things, not the least of which was courage. Senator Murphy stood here for 14 hours. We talk a lot about filibusters in the Senate. They don't happen very often. I have been in Congress for 34 years. I have probably been involved in two more filibusters than anyone else. We have talked about them and there are fake filibusters, but this one was real. I admire and appreciate the junior Senator from Connecticut very much. Four days after 49 innocent Americans were gunned down in cold blood, Senator Murphy stood here on the Senate floor, as I have already indicated, for 14 hours, pleading with Republicans to join us in doing something to help stop our Nation's scourge of gun violence--and it is a scourge. Thirty-eight other Democrats joined him on the floor, all of whom, without exception, echoed Senator Murphy's call to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals. All 46 of us were united together, led by Senator Murphy in support of what he was doing. We all believe that he echoed the words that we wish to speak--to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals. It was an inspiring reminder to Americans that the Senate Democrats will not cave in to the National Rifle Association or Gun Owners of America. We will not cave in to them, and the people of this Nation responded to Senator Murphy's stand against gun violence in an overwhelming way. Throughout the course of Senator Murphy's filibuster, hundreds of our constituents came and watched from the Senate gallery. There were nearly 100 people still sitting in the gallery at 2:12 a.m. this morning as Senator Murphy brought his filibuster to a close. Thousands and thousands and thousands of constituents called Senate offices demanding that Congress do something to address this gun violence. Senator Murphy's filibuster took over social media. ``Hold the floor'' was the top-trending topic nationally and globally. Senator Murphy got the world's attention and certainly America's attention, and I hope the attention of the Senate Republicans. In the early morning hours, the Republican leader and I spoke. He indicated that he would commit to a vote on the Murphy-Booker-Feinstein legislation to expand background checks and the Feinstein measure to close the terror loophole, preventing terrorists from walking into a gun store and buying all the firearms and explosives they want. Why the passion by Senator Murphy? Why? Could it have been the deaths of these little babies by some madman walking into Sandy Hook Elementary School? Of course it was. He has indicated that he can't get that out of his mind. He thinks about that every day--not 24 hours a day, but every day. Why was Cory Booker here every minute of the time with Senator Murphy? He was here because he lives in an area where people are killed--several a week. He gave one of the most passionate speeches on Tuesday in our caucus about holding a little boy who was shot in the head and died in his arms. Senator Schumer, the third sponsor of this legislation, has been involved in gun issues since his early days in the House of Representatives. Dianne Feinstein--doing something about guns has been on her portfolio since she was a member of the board of supervisors of San Francisco. She became mayor as a result of the mayor being murdered. Dianne Feinstein led the charge a number of years ago to pass legislation on this floor when filibusters were not the way we did things around here, stopping every piece of legislation from going through. She persevered and passed legislation to stop the easily obtainable assault weapons. Does anybody think these assault weapons are good for hunting or protecting your family? This evil man that went into this nightclub in Orlando, FL--I don't personally know how many clips he had, but he had at least three 30-bullet clips. It took less than 3 seconds to shoot those victims. They were all gone in less than 3 seconds. If you are really not very good at it, it takes a couple of seconds to reload. So to fire off 90 shells would take 10 or 15 seconds if that was what he wanted to do. Dianne Feinstein was right many years ago, and she is still right today. These assault weapons are not for the American people's entertainment, and they shouldn't be, but the NRA and Gun Owners of America love to sell these guns. We are going to vote on the Murphy- Booker-Schumer legislation to expand background checks, and we are going to vote on the Feinstein measure to close up terrorist loopholes to prevent a terrorist from walking into a gun store and buying all of the firearms and explosives they want. These are commonsense safety measures that the American people overwhelmingly support. According to a December poll--December, September, October, August, it doesn't matter; it has been this way for years--almost 90 percent of Americans are in favor of expanding background checks. Ask anyone: Do we want a criminal or someone who has problems with their mental capacity to purchase a gun? Of course we don't. That is what background checks are all about. More than 80 percent of Americans want to close the so-called terror loophole preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms, and legislation by Senator Feinstein will cover just that. I am glad that there will be votes, and I appreciate that very much. I shouldn't have to be appreciative about something that should just happen, but I am because around here we don't get votes on a lot of stuff. I want to be very clear: It is not enough for Republicans to simply let us vote. Democrats can't pass the gun safety legislation by ourselves. We are the minority party as a result of the elections 2 years ago. It will change, and there will be a new majority in the first part of next year, but for now we are in the minority in this Chamber and Republicans must join us in order for those measures to pass. That will not happen if the Republicans continue to take their orders--and I mean orders--from the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. We need Americans to understand that we need Republicans to follow Senator Murphy's and Senator Feinstein's lead and show courage in standing up to the gun lobby. In the aftermath of the worst shooting in modern American history, our constituents elected us for help. They want to feel safe, and they want to be safe. We can help provide that safety by closing the terror loophole and expanding background checks today and do it immediately. I hope Republicans will do the right thing and work with us to protect Americans from this gun violence. We need gun safety, not more guns. We must take a stand in the Senate and say enough is enough.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, this Sunday, June 19, is Juneteenth, a day we celebrate each year as a reminder that liberty and justice must reach all corners of our great Nation. On June 19, 1865, nearly 2\1/2\ years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and more than 2 months after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, a number of slaves in Galveston, TX, learned that the institution of slavery was no longer. There was no media, no press, no Internet, and no television at that time. As we celebrate Juneteenth, I hope we take a moment to reflect on what it represents, the celebration of liberty and freedom for all Americans. Sadly, 151 years later, we have much work to do to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, no matter their race, religion, national origin, or whom they love. We must ensure all of our citizens can assert their right to vote. Our Nation continues to struggle to make the ballot box more accessible for those who continue to be disfranchised in a number of areas, including ex-felons. They have done their time. Let them be a part of society. We want them to come back and be citizens and a part of the network of our great communities. Let them vote. Here in our Nation's capital, Washington, DC, more than 600,000 residents in the District of Columbia--that is how many live here-- continue to face taxation without representation. I have been here a long time, and I have always supported Statehood for DC. Why not? As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, I hope that all Americans will look at the example Lincoln set when he sent troops to Galveston, TX, which is, no matter who you are or where you may be, this Nation is a land of liberty and justice for all. Let the record reflect, I understand protocol here, and I was told that Senator McConnell may be a little bit late. So I was told to go forward.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, today marks the fourth anniversary of President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. Four years ago today, President Obama announced that young people-- DREAMers--who do not present a risk to national security may become eligible for temporary protection from deportation. Since that day, over 730,000 DREAMers no longer live in fear of deportation. More than 12,000 of these young men and women are in Nevada, and they have been protected by this program. They are our newest college students, teachers, engineers, small business owners, and they have contributed enormously to our communities, making America better. Because of the President's program, the authorities can sensibly prioritize those who do present a threat to our safety and our country. What a shame that Donald Trump and his Republican supporters in the Senate want to deport these kids who know no other country than the USA. In my morning briefing this morning, I heard that the House is going to do something really unique today. They have a measure not to allow these young men and women to serve in the United States military. It doesn't matter what you do, you can't be mean enough using the Republicans' playbook. There have been efforts made, votes taken to rescind what the President did. There have been efforts made to make sure there is no money in the Immigration and Naturalization Service to expedite the processing of these young men and women to become legitimate in the only country they know. These are the same Republican Senators who last year were willing to shut down the Department of Homeland Security--stop it. Why? They wanted to stop this program. These are the same Republican Senators who insist on eliminating the Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship, ending family-based immigration and deporting hard-working families. It is because of what has happened by Republicans in the Congress that we are now faced with Donald Trump. We are here because of what the Republicans in Congress have done. Look at the Senate. Who was the leader initially of birthright citizenship? President Obama was not born in America; he was born in Africa. Everybody should know that. He is an illegitimate President. Republicans in Congress have made Donald Trump legitimate--to some, but not to us. So I look forward to the day when programs like DACA are replaced with permanent, comprehensive immigration reform. It needs to be done. It is long overdue. I am hopeful the Supreme Court builds DACA's success when their opinion is rendered over the next few weeks, which could extend the same protection to the parents of DREAMers that the DREAMers have. Mr. President, I would ask the Chair to announce the business of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, here is a frightening quote from an Al Qaeda spokesman urging would-be terrorists to buy weapons in the United States. This is exactly what he said: America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle, without a background check, and most likely without having to show an identification card. So what are you waiting for? This is an Al Qaeda blueprint for would-be lone wolf terrorists. They are telling them to buy guns because nobody will stop them and then go and murder Americans. That statement should make every Member of Congress think long and hard about our Nation's gun laws. Terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda are using America's gun laws against America. They are using these gun laws against Americans in every State. These murderers are calling on their radical followers to exploit loopholes in America's gun laws. Why? Because firearms are easier to obtain in America than making their homemade bombs. Republicans need to think about this very closely because, as Adam Lankford, an expert in criminal justice at the University of Alabama, told the Washington Post this week, ``It is becoming increasingly apparent that mass shootings may be just as deadly as bombings. And the scary part is it's often much easier to pull off.'' Republicans are in denial about the connection between terrorism and guns. In the aftermath of the mass murders with guns at the LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Republicans are saying that these attacks have nothing to do with guns. The senior Senator from South Carolina said yesterday: ``This is not a gun control issue.'' It is a gun control issue, and that is undeniable. There is no question about that--none. Terrorist leaders are urging lone wolves to exploit our Nation's gun laws by telling them to buy assault weapons and then go out and murder Americans. The Republicans have blocked every attempt we have tried to address the deficiencies in our Nation's gun laws. Last December, Republicans blocked legislation that would close the so-called terror loophole, which allows suspected terrorists to enter a gun store and legally buy firearms or explosives or both. Republicans also blocked legislation that would close the gun show loophole, which allows criminals and terrorists to purchase guns without any background check. Remember what Al Qaeda's spokesman said: You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle, without a background check. . . . That is what he said. This terrorist was talking about the gun show loophole. He was specifically pointing to a flaw in our Nation's gun laws that allows convicted terrorists to slip through, and it is a big, wide hole to slip through. Yet the Republicans refuse to respond to this crisis. Why? Because the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America told them not to allow us to address this flaw in the law. This flaw in the law is leading to Americans being murdered. By blocking sensible gun safety, Republicans are playing into the terrorists' hands. Republicans' failure to legislate has added a new chapter in the ISIS playbook. As we have seen in Orlando and San Bernardino, deranged individuals are using the terrorist playbook. When terrorist groups are urging lone wolves to buy assault rifles and murder Americans, keeping guns away from terrorists is one of the most important steps we can take to protect Americans. How many more people must be murdered by terrorists wielding assault weapons before Republicans stop their obstruction? How many more? Perhaps 49 is enough. Hopefully we will find out this week with a vote here. How much longer will Republicans allow killers to manipulate our laws and continue their campaign of terror? How much longer will Republicans fail to protect the American people by allowing these gun loopholes to remain? Democrats are going to wait no longer. We are going to demand solutions to our Nation's gun law epidemic every chance we get. On Monday, I stated that we would demand a vote on the terror loophole, and we are going to do that. This is our obligation. We must try at every opportunity to say to the Republicans: The American people, not the NRA and not the Gun Owners of America, should be their obligation. There is no excuse for allowing suspected terrorists to buy guns. Guns are the problem. It may not be the only problem, but it is a problem, and it is a big problem.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Madam President, throughout history, in times of crisis and tragedy, the American people look to leaders for one thing: leadership. Americans don't want to hear excuses. We don't want to hear self- congratulations, nor do we want to hear scapegoating. It is a very simple concept: We want our leaders to lead. In the aftermath of Sunday's shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL, a place of celebration for the LGBT community, Donald Trump proved that he is as terrible a leader as he is a businessman. Trump proved he is not the person to lead our Nation through difficult times or, in fact, anytime. Trump failed the most important of tests for a Presidential candidate: how to respond in a crisis. When our citizens are under attack, how do you respond? Donald Trump failed that test. Trump proved he is not the person to lead our Nation through a crisis. He is not Commander in Chief material--underlined and underscored. It doesn't matter what the problem has been, Trump has failed. Trump isn't the person we want to have his finger on the nuclear button because he is clearly incapable of that responsibility. That is not just me saying it; even the junior Senator from Florida has questioned whether Trump can be trusted with such an enormous obligation. But the fact that Donald Trump can't be trusted with the nuclear codes hasn't stopped Senator Rubio or many other Republicans from endorsing Trump for the highest office in the land. There is absolutely no question-- none--that Donald Trump is not capable enough or experienced enough to have this high-level responsibility. We expect more from a Commander in Chief. Here is how Trump responded to Sunday's massacre--classic Trump. Within hours of the shooting, Trump first congratulated himself and then began to immediately denigrate Muslim Americans. Trump then suggested that our President and one of Secretary Clinton's aides may be in league with Islamic terrorists. Let me repeat that. Donald Trump suggested that President Obama and one of Secretary Clinton's aides may be in league with Islamic terrorists. Is that outrageous? Of course it is. It is outrageous for Donald Trump to suggest that the President of the United States, our Commander in Chief, would support terrorists and the murder of innocent Americans, but yesterday, 1 day after the mass shooting--it is the worst in modern American history--Trump, the standard bearer for the Republican Party, went even further. Trump delivered one of the most un-American speeches ever from a major party nominee--ever. Trump was hateful and vicious. He was Donald Trump. He was everything that Republicans knew him to be when they made him the party's nominee. Donald Trump used his remarks to foment hatred against millions of innocent Americans based solely on what? Their religion. He denigrated Muslim Americans--all 8 million of them. The Republican nominee suggested that all Muslim Americans were complicit in the Orlando shooting, saying that they, Muslim Americans, ``know what's going on.'' Trump also renewed his call for a ban on all Muslims coming into the United States. The Trump speech was, as one news outlet called it, ``a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance.'' If you are the parent of a Muslim American, how do you explain his speech to your child? If you are not a Muslim parent, how do you explain Trump's speech to your child? You can't. How do you look your son or daughter in the eye and explain that a man running for President is telling your classmates to be suspicious of you and to doubt your loyalty based purely on your religion? You can't explain it. I can't explain it. It is not possible to explain because this level of hate is not comprehensible. It is incomprehensible that any Presidential nominee would foster and promote systemic bigotry, as Trump often does. It is reprehensible and un-American for the nominee of any major party or any party to declare millions of Americans guilty until proven innocent purely by virtue of their religion. These are frightening times, and I understand that, and Trump's fear and paranoia are making us feel less safe. Trump is fanning the flames of violence and menace. There have already been reports of threats and obscenities being yelled at Muslims in Florida, Chicago, Seattle, and all across the country. Mosques all around the country have been threatened. Donald Trump's rhetoric has been encouraging this scary behavior. What we have seen from Trump in the 2 days since the Orlando shooting is rank and reckless, but no one should be surprised--this is vintage Donald Trump. Contrast Donald Trump's actions with the response from our Nation's Muslim communities. Muslim leaders all over America were some of the first to condemn this attack and rally in support of the LGBT community, and the Muslim community has taken part in the blood drive to help victims of the attack, as they always step forward. But while Americans within the Muslim and LGBT communities are trying to unite Americans in the aftermath of Sunday's shooting, Donald Trump is doing just the opposite. He is doing what he is so good at doing-- dividing. Then, in the wake of this awful massacre, Trump tried to cast himself as a friend of the LGBT community. How about that? But it didn't take minutes for a spokesman from the Human Rights Campaign, the Nation's largest gay rights group, to state that Trump is ``no friend'' of the community. What does this say about the Republican Party, that they are endorsing this vile man? It doesn't say much. What does it say about Republican Senators who are backing Trump for President? Not much. What does it say about the Senate Republican leadership, about the Senate Republican leader, who is supporting Trump? Not much. Every time the senior Senator from Kentucky reaffirms his commitment to support Trump he is validating Trump's behavior. He is giving credence to Donald Trump's rabid anti-everything speech--his un-American stance against Muslims, women, Latinos, Blacks, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, and others. If the Senators I have mentioned accept this kind of rhetoric as part of our political dialogue, they are all guilty of normalizing hatred. Senate Republicans are doing just that. When the leader of a major party is promoting unhinged conspiracy theories and calling for hatred against his fellow Americans based solely on their religion, we are in dangerous and uncharted waters. We must make clear that Donald Trump does not speak for us. I am trying to do that. We must stand arm in arm with our Muslim allies around the world who have been victims of terrorism, who say to the radicals: not in my name, not in my name. Remember, Muslims around the world are helping us defeat the terrorists. Who has suffered so much because of this crazy brand of hatred? Who has suffered more than anyone else? Muslims. We don't know how many are dead in Iraq following the invasion--half a million? We know there are at least 300,000 in Syria--Muslims. We must stand arm in arm with our Muslim allies in the world who are victims of this terrorism. Any Republican who cherishes the American values of religious freedom and tolerance should immediately do the same and say: not in my name. Republican Senators should say: not in my name. Republicans must do what they haven't had the courage to do--stand up to Trump and say: No more, stop it. He is not a leader. He is unfit to be our President and unfit to stand for the values on which this great country was founded. As for the Republican leader in the Senate, Senator McConnell should be the first to condemn Trump's hateful rhetoric and reject his Presidential candidacy. Let's hope the senior Senator from Kentucky can bring himself to do just that and do it soon. Madam President, what is the business of the day?

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Madam President, before I start my remarks on the subject of the day, I wish to speak about another subject of the day, as Senator McConnell has indicated, George Voinovich. He was a fine man. He died yesterday morning. He was a colleague and a friend. He passed away at his home in Cleveland, which Senator McConnell talked about. He was one of the most experienced public servants with whom I have served. His career in public service began 53 years ago as Ohio's assistant attorney general. From there, he served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, county auditor, county commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, mayor of Cleveland, Governor of Ohio, and then in 1999 he brought his wealth of experience to the U.S. Senate. Senator Voinovich was well regarded for his preparation and hard work. He was courageous. George was one of the few Senate Republicans to speak out against the unpaid-for Bush tax cuts because he thought they were wrong. He questioned the strategy of the war in Iraq, which he also thought was wrong. George Voinovich was right on both of those issues, and the other Republicans were wrong. Senator Voinovich voted to repeal don't ask, don't tell and bucked the rest of his party by voting for background checks on all firearm purchases at gun shows. Again, he was right, and his colleagues were wrong. Today the Senate mourns the Voinovich family. I send my personal condolences to George's wife of 54 years, Janet; their children, George, Betsy, and Peter; and their seven grandchildren. He was a great Senator. He will be missed by his loved ones, the people of Ohio, and the United States.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Madam President, everyone is in a state of shock and sadness today, following the worst mass shooting in modern American history. The facts continue to develop--I had a long conversation with the FBI this morning--but we do know this much. A shooter pledging allegiance to ISIS opened fire at an LGBT locality in Orlando, FL, killing 49 people and leaving dozens seriously injured. This was an act of terror in every sense of the word. This was an attack on the LGBT community and all of America. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, especially those who were killed and wounded, and to the many first responders who were on the scene where one police officer was wounded. I hope every Member of the House and Senate had time for quiet reflection yesterday to ask what we could have done to prevent this tragedy. I had time to think about it. I am heartsick. I am basically sick by our inaction. It is shameful that the U.S. Senate has done nothing--nothing--to stop these mass shootings. Is this what we want for America? I don't think so. Do we want to live in a country where someone who has sworn allegiance to ISIS can walk into a store, buy assault weapons and explosives, and murder dozens of Americans in a club or at a school? I don't think we do. Is that a country where we want to live? Because that is the country where we live now, thanks to the National Rifle Association and their cowardly supporters in Congress. Last December, the senior Senator from California proposed legislation that would prevent FBI terror suspects from purchasing firearms and explosives. All but one Republican voted against the Feinstein amendment. That means that as of today, FBI terror suspects can walk into a gun store and legally purchase assault weapons and explosives. It is beyond me how these same Republicans go home knowing they voted to let FBI terror suspects continue to buy assault weapons. Senate Republicans have voted against expanding background checks, limits on the size of ammunition clips, and the assault weapons ban. How can these same Republicans campaign for reelection in good conscience, knowing they voted to block every sensible bill to address gun violence? Not some of them, all of them. For example, how can the junior Senator from Florida--who all of a sudden has an interest in running for reelection--how can he speak of running for office again when he voted to let potential terrorists buy assault weapons and explosives? That is how he voted. The junior Senator has voted against every gun safety measure. He was quoted as saying: Well, with what happened yesterday, I might reconsider. He better reconsider his gun votes. He voted against background checks, assault weapons ban, and against legislation limiting the size of ammunition clips. I ask again: Is this what we want for America? Mass shooting after mass shooting, and each new attack, it seems, is worse than the previous one. We still have much to learn about the Orlando shooting, but we know one thing for sure. Congress is failing to do anything to prevent these mass killings--anything. Why? Because of Republican obstruction. Because of Republican obstruction, we are doing nothing. We are failing every one of the people killed on Sunday, their families, the whole State of Florida--the whole country. We are failing the families. We are failing everyone who has died in these mass shootings--and there are thousands of them--and those who have lost loved ones to mass shootings--thousands of them, I repeat; the injured, tens of thousands. As President Obama said yesterday, ``To actively do nothing is a decision as well.'' And my Republican colleagues have made that decision: doing nothing. It is time again to try to stop the plague of gun violence. We have a responsibility as lawmakers to do what we can to prevent these shootings, to enact commonsense reforms--nothing radical--that have proven to stop these attacks and save lives. We should start by closing the loophole that allows terrorists to legally purchase weapons and explosives. Remember, everyone, we voted on this. Everyone in this Chamber should be able to agree that a suspected terrorist shouldn't have guns. Is it more than common sense? I don't think so. We should do something to expand background checks, ensuring that terror suspects and criminals don't slip through the cracks, and we should do something to limit the size of weapon magazines and clips. There is no reason for gun stores to sell these clips that are that big, magazines or drums designed for the mass killing of human beings. That is what they are made for--no other purpose. People don't hunt with them. Our Nation can no longer ignore the fact that every day Americans are being gunned down in cold blood. We can no longer ignore the will of the people. We shouldn't, at least. We can no longer ignore the will of the people. The overwhelming majority of voters support these proposals. According to a December poll by one of the foremost polling agencies in America, nearly 90 percent of Americans are in favor of expanded background checks. It doesn't matter what State you go to. This was a nationwide poll. In Nevada, Massachusetts, Iowa--it doesn't matter where you go. More than 80 percent of Americans want to close so-called terror loopholes, preventing people on terror watch lists from purchasing firearms. I see my friend from Florida behind me. Of course they care, as much as anyone, if not more, today. Yet, in spite of the public's demand for action, Senate Republicans continue to cower--cower--before the NRA and the Gun Owners of America. The NRA is bad--really bad--but Gun Owners of America is even worse than bad. These two organizations are competing, seeing just how extreme they can be in pushing for more guns and fewer protections. And I know, after the statement I am making today, they will send out these fundraising calls: Reid is trying to take away our guns. Send us some money. These two organizations are competing to see how extreme they can be in pushing for more guns and fewer protections. Congressional Republicans are content just to go along. Republicans are so terrified of the extreme right that they refuse to pass legislation supported by the vast majority of their own constituents. The NRA and the Gun Owners of America mean more to them than the people they represent. Do you know what terrifies the American people? It is not the NRA. It is not the Gun Owners of America. Mass shootings scare the American people. Innocent victims being gunned down at nightclubs and holiday parties and schools and movie theaters, that is what scares the American people. Republicans need to find the backbone to stand up to groups like the NRA and Gun Owners of America. Senate Republicans are stalling important mental health legislation because they are afraid to talk about gun safety measures. Not only are they stalling, but Senate Republicans--led by the assistant Republican leader--are even threatening to include a provision that weakens the FBI's current background check system--which isn't much, to be honest with you--and to weaken it more would be speaking volumes. We don't need to hear any more of the gun lobby's talking points about how more guns are the answer to what is going on in America or hiring security guards will solve our Nation's scourge of gun violence. The Pulse nightclub in Orlando had security, and there was reportedly an armed, off-duty police officer on the scene, but even that didn't prevent this tragedy. Instead of pushing for more guns, maybe it is time to make it harder for terrorists and criminals to get guns. It is time for Congress to do something to stop the mass slaughter that is being carried out in our communities. How else can we describe it? Are 50 dead people--49 plus the killer--49 dead people--is that enough to get our attention? The 50-odd who were injured, and somebody may be paralyzed, is that enough to get our attention? It is time for Congress to do something--something--to stop this mass slaughter that is being carried out in our communities. Going forward, Democrats are going to continue to support and continue to push these solutions to our Nation's gun violence epidemic, and we are going to, as soon as we can, force a vote on this terror loophole. We are going to do this as soon as possible. There is no excuse for allowing suspected terrorists to buy guns. There is much we can do but not if Republicans aren't serious about addressing these problems, and historically it has been proven they do not care. I hope Republicans will find the courage, like George Voinovich, to help us pass meaningful legislation to protect the American people. By the way, George Voinovich was a good Republican. Madam President, will the Chair announce the business for the rest of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have been to a few of these rodeos, and I think the only way we are going to get some fairness here is that we do not invoke cloture. As I said, I have been through this a number of times. I think if that happens, people will understand. We have to have a few votes--not a lot of votes but a few votes. I was on the floor yesterday when Senator McCain made this emphatic statement that, frankly, only he could make. He was talking about how people's lives are in jeopardy here, especially with the Shaheen amendment. We don't have to change the rules of the Senate, but I suggest that we do not invoke cloture, give us some time to work out a few amendments, and I think that can happen. We have two experienced legislators. The chairman of the committee and ranking member of the committee, Senator McCain and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, are two of the best we have here in the Senate, and we should move forward in a way that is expeditious yet productive. Earlier this morning I said that a robust amendment process has not taken place here. There hasn't been an amendment process. You can blame a lot of people, but it hasn't happened. I think this is an important piece of legislation. Senator McCain and I have worked on this issue for years, and we have been at odds on occasion. He was upset that I didn't bring the bill forward quickly enough, but I do remember that we always brought it to the floor. I can remember on one occasion when he and Senator Levin, who has since retired, finished this bill in 2 days, and we had a good bill that came out of here. There were no vetoes, no threats of veto, and we worked out the problems. So I would hope that we can move forward and get some fairness in this bill. It is a huge bill. I have some differences in the bill, but it is not fair that we don't have a better process than what we have had so far. So I would suggest that others vote no on cloture.

Mr. REID. I announce that the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Leahy), the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner), and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate the hard work of Senator Reed and of course of Senator McCain. They have worked very hard on this bill, but it is not a good bill. I am going to vote against cloture for a lot of reasons. The White House has announced they have scores of reasons to veto the bill, and they will. I also am concerned about the so-called robust amendment process we were supposed to have under the new Senate leadership. We have Senator Gillibrand, who has worked for years. All she wants is a vote, and she hasn't been given that opportunity. We have many other Senators. I know every Senator who has an amendment can't offer it, but, gee whiz, we have had a handful of amendments. I think we have been very outgoing and doing what we can to make sure these managers' packages are approved, but it has been unfair, the whole process. So for that, and many other reasons, I will vote no on cloture.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I just left my ``Welcome to Washington,'' which I have been having for many years. I had about 85 people from Nevada, my constituents--our constituents--and they asked me what I had done in the Senate that I remember. So I told them a few things. They also asked me if I have a regret, and I do. It takes a lot of gall for my friend the Republican leader to talk about foreign policy. My biggest regret is having voted for the Iraq war. I was misled, as a number of people were, but it didn't take me long to figure that out. So I became convinced it was a mistake, and I spoke out loud and clear. Why was it a mistake? It was the worst foreign policy decision made in the history of our country. That invasion has caused the death of-- no one knows for sure but about one-half million Iraqis--500,000 dead men, women, and children. At this stage, because of the invasion, we have now complete instability in Syria. About 300,000 are dead there. Millions have been displaced, driven into Europe and other places. Iran is stronger than they would have been but for the war. The whole Middle East is destabilized. When President Bush took office, because of the work done in the Clinton administration, we had a balanced budget. Can you imagine that? A balanced budget. We were spending less than we were taking in as a country. When Bush took office, we had a surplus of, over 10 years, $7 trillion. Where is that money now? It has been used with a credit card--a credit card that paid for two wars. I repeat, unpaid for and tax cuts unpaid for. We are now upside down. So for my friend to talk about failed foreign policy takes a tremendous amount of mental gymnastics. We have been clear from the start, enough on the war in Iraq. It is a disaster that will be written about for centuries because the full impact of it is not over yet. We have been clear from the start of this Congress, the appropriations process needs to stick to last year's budget agreement. It is the law, which maintains parity between the Pentagon and the middle class, and avoid poison-pill riders. Today, we vote on Senator McCain's amendment to add $18 billion in Pentagon spending beyond what Congress agreed to in last year's bipartisan agreement. In response, Senator Reed of Rhode Island and Senator Mikulski of Maryland have offered an amendment that would add security and other funding in America to maintain the parity to which both parties agreed in the budget law passed last year. Our amendment would increase funding to combat Zika. By the way, we had a briefing yesterday by the head of the Centers for Disease Control. The man who is in charge of NIH, with this terrible virus that is sweeping this part of the world, told us they are desperate for money. They are desperate for money to do their research to prepare vaccines. Our amendment would also increase money for local police to fight the opioid scourge, to improve our infrastructure around the country, and to do something about the money that has never been provided to take care of the devastation that hit Flint, MI, with the lead in the water. The security of our great country depends on more than bombs and bullets. I support the military. I have my entire career. I know how gallantly they fight. In my ``Welcome to Washington'' today, there was a young cadet there. I brought him up first thing to show him off. This young man is one of the finest students in America. He could have gone to school anyplace. Not only was he a good student, he was a good athlete. He chose the Military Academy. He believes in serving his country. I do everything I can to support the military, but our security depends on more than bombs and bullets. It depends on the FBI, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administration, and these many other myriad things that take place in our country that need our attention. If Republicans pass this amendment of Senator McCain's to block a similar increase for the middle class--Senator Reed's and Senator Mikulski's amendment--they will have a broken budget agreement, and they will grind the Defense appropriations bill to a halt. We have put everyone on notice. We have done it before, but let me reiterate. If they break the budget agreement with the McCain amendment, the Republicans will be stopping the appropriations process on the Defense appropriations bill. We will not get to the appropriations bill. That is not a threat. It is a fact. The solution this year is the same as last year's: stick by the budget agreement and give fair treatment to the Pentagon and nondefense spending. They should be on equal grounds. Mr. President, I see no one on the floor. I yield the floor and ask the Chair to announce the business of the day.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, is the time automatically divided?

Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask that the time be divided equally between the majority and minority.