James Risch

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Michael Assante, a leader, a visionary, and a patriot who has contributed so much to protect our Nation's critical infrastructure and our interests around the world. Michael Assante began his impressive career as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy where he learned the intricacies of cyber security defenses. After leaving the Navy, Mike became the chief information security officer at one of the largest U.S. utilities, American Electric Power. Mike continued to work in the private sector in the field of cyber security before he joined Idaho National Laboratory, INL, as a critical infrastructure protection specialist. At INL, Michael Assante assembled a unique team of computer experts, power engineers, control systems technicians, grid operators, infrastructure designers, law enforcement officials, and U.S. military special forces officers to tackle the most challenging cyber threats to critical infrastructure. This team has an impressive list of successes and its work continues to this day. As Mike's accomplishments and recognition grew, he left INL and assumed senior positions at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Council on CyberSecurity, the Center for Internet Security, NexDefense, the SANS Institute, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In all of these capacities, Michael Assante brought unique insights and strategies to the effort to protect our critical infrastructure from cyberattack. It was during this time that Mike became a resource to me and my staff, and he helped us better understand the magnitude of the cyber threat to our grid and opportunities for engineered solutions to interrupt the kill chain and mitigate the threat. As a result of more than two decades of dedication, hard work, and impact, Michael Assante has a long list of noteworthy publications, collaborations, recognitions, and awards, but perhaps his greatest legacy is the thousands of professionals he trained to help protect our Nation's critical infrastructure. Most Americans, including Mike's family and friends, will never know how much he did to protect U.S. national security interests. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I can tell you that he is a giant in his field, and our country is safer because of his efforts. We are grateful for his many contributions.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I thank the Senator very much. I want to associate myself with the remarks of my distinguished Senator from New Jersey. I thank him also for the cooperation he has shown in getting us a little further down the road on the Saudi Arabia bill. The issues regarding this longtime ally of the United States are troubling. I don't think there is anyone on this floor who is adverse to the idea that action needs to be taken. Obviously, the relationship is not the same as it has been for a long time. Having said that, on a transactional basis, there are a number of things we are allied with Saudi Arabia on. Also, having said that, some of the things that have happened cannot go unnoticed. There are certainly going to have to be repercussions, and we have been negotiating with all parties, including my staff and the staff of the ranking member, together with the State Department and with the White House. I think we are very close to having a bill that could actually pass the Senate, pass the House, and be signed into law by the President. I think this is a real step forward; I think it is progress on this issue; and I think the structure we have put together is in the best interests of all parties. So I agree with my friend from New Jersey. I yield the floor.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, along with my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson, I congratulate the American Legion Post 7 in Twin Falls, ID, on its 100th anniversary. On March 15, 1919, the first American Legion caucus was held in Paris, France, in the wake of World War I. Just a few months later, in June of 1919, the American Legion Post 7 in Twin Falls, ID, was chartered. On September 16, 1919, Congress established the American Legion as a federally charted corporation. As you can tell, those men in Twin Falls wasted no time answering the call in peacetime as they had in time of war, as veterans so often do. The low post number, post No. 7, shows the veterans of Twin Falls were one of the earliest to request and receive a charter in the Idaho Department. The Twin Falls American Legion Post 7 has been around to help veterans from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other U.S. engagements and activities. A remarkable record of accomplishment of service and support to our troops and veterans. In addition, you will see post 7 members serving on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, veteran funerals, and many other community events as the color guard, providing 21-gun salutes, or playing taps on the bugle. They quietly provide support to grieving military families, injured veterans, and patriotic citizens. Twin Falls American Legion Post 7 is part of the fabric and spirit of Twin Falls and the surrounding communities. They provide assistance and service to veterans by helping them to understand and apply for benefits, find jobs, and healthcare services. In addition, they are involved in many programs and community activities such as American Legion Baseball, Boys State, Oratorical Contests, and scholarship awards. Post 7 also has a women's auxiliary that sponsors the Girls State Program and serves in many capacities in the community. The Preamble of the American Legion Constitution speaks volumes about the quality and patriotism of American Legion members. The first few lines of the preamble make evident these values: ``For God and Country we Associate Ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism . . .'' We thank Twin Falls American Legion Post 7 and its membership for their outstanding service to community, country, and America's veterans. Congratulations on 100 years of achievements. We commit to ensure veterans have access to the highest quality services worthy of their remarkable dedication to our Nation.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, fellow Senators, today, in a few moments, we are going to consider S.J. Res. 20, which is a joint resolution that it prohibits the sales of munitions to Bahrain. Actually, we are going to consider a motion to discharge, and the same is true of S.J. Res. 26, which is a joint resolution that prohibits the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to the proposed sale to Qatar of 24 helicopters. I strongly urge my colleagues to consider these sales on their own merits and to avoid conflating these with unrelated controversies over the administration's recent emergency declarations. They are not related. They are different matters. These sales--the two that we are talking about regarding Bahrain and Qatar--address the legitimate security interests of both countries and strengthen the U.S. partnerships with both countries and support shared efforts to deter Iran. Congress should support these sales. The news this morning of attacks on two more civilian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman lend further weight to the conclusion that our allies and partners in the region need greater capabilities to share the burden of defense in support of our mutual security interests. The State Department notified these sales in the standard process, and the chairs and ranking members of both House and Senate committees approved them last month. The sale to Qatar is not related to the activities of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Denying this sale will not punish Saudi Arabia or influence its actions in Yemen, as Qatar ceased its participation in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen 2 years ago. I think that is very important because there is a lot of discussion up here, as there should be, regarding the hostilities in Yemen, but they are not related at all to the matters we are dealing with today. Bahrain has not been implicated in any inappropriate strikes in Yemen and has focused on defensive operations, including border security. The Royal Bahraini Air Force patrols Saudi Arabia's borders to counter incursions from Yemen into Saudi Arabia. Just this week, we saw how real these threats are, as a missile from the Iranian-supported Houthis wounded 26 civilians at a civilian airport. Denying this sale will not punish Saudi Arabia or influence its actions in Yemen. As the ranking member said regarding the resolution brought up last November, this vote is not Yemen, it is not Saudi Arabia, and it is not the UAE. It is Bahrain. Bahrain is a critical ally to us, and there is absolutely no question about that. These sales will help Qatar and Bahrain rightfully assume the burden of their own defense and relieve U.S. forces that have been providing support. The helicopters will enable the Qataris to provide for their own defense against threats to its vital infrastructure. The munitions are critical for Bahrain's F- 16s and essential to any plans to defend Bahrain. The United States has critical and strategic interests in both of these matters. In addition to Qatar and Bahrain taking increasing responsibility for their own defense, they are taking an increasingly prominent role in U.S.-led coalition operations. Importantly, Qatari fighters conduct joint air patrols with U.S. forces to deter Iran. Qatar contributes more Naval forces to coalition patrols of the Arabian Gulf than any of its neighbors. Qatar C-17s have moved more than 3 million pounds of cargo in direct support of coalition operations in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan and is expanding its tanker fleet to become the No. 2 provider of coalition air refueling, ahead of the British. Bahrain has also contributed to stability in the region. Bahrain has been the key mediator in opening relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iraq and contributes to counter-mine, counter-piracy, and intelligence sharing in support of regional security. The United States named Bahrain a major non-NATO ally in 2002, and since then, they have lived up to that designation. Bahrain holds 7,000 U.S. troops in its borders, including the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, and it is home to the only U.S. naval base in the Middle East. For its part, Qatar hosts 10,000 U.S. forces and is home to the regional headquarters of U.S. forces, including air and special operations. Qatar provides access to key logistic nodes and overflight rights for U.S. aircraft. It has already invested more than $8 billion to develop Al Udied Air Base and is now providing more than $3 billion to upgrade U.S. facilities there to meet specific requirements of the United States. The Qataris are also providing $200 million a year to sustain these facilities. Duplicating or recreating the facilities in Qatar would result in a sizable and needless bill to the U.S. taxpayer. In recent years, Qatar and Bahrain have worked to strengthen cooperation with the United States on countering the financing of terrorism. As part of these efforts, Qatar has agreed to increase the sharing of information on terrorist financiers in the region, to place greater emphasis on preventing terrorist financing abuse in the charitable and money services business sectors, and develop a domestic designation regime in line with international standards. Bahrain, too, is a significant partner in cutting off terrorist financing and has assisted in blocking Iranian efforts to circumvent sanctions. Meanwhile, the credibility of the United States as a partner of choice is on the line. If the United States cannot reliably sell its partners weapons that are vital for defense, these partners will turn by necessity to China and Russia. The United States recently sent 1,500 more troops into the theater in protection of U.S. forces. As we ask partners like Qatar and Bahrain for their support in protecting their own forces, we should support them as they seek greater capabilities to protect themselves. In November, this body concluded that blocking sales to Bahrain over an unrelated issue was inappropriate and did not make sense. I urge my colleagues in the strongest possible terms to reach the same conclusions in this case. In closing, these sales should be considered on their own merits and should not be entangled with unrelated controversy. These sales address Qatar and Bahrain's legitimate security interests, strengthen U.S. partnership with Qatar and Bahrain, and, importantly, they deter Iran. I support these sales. I urge my colleagues to do the same. As we can see from what I have said here, these sales are minimal, really, in the overall scheme of what these countries are doing to help us. We should show these countries that indeed we are reliable partners, we are good friends, and we deeply appreciate their efforts to promote the same interests the United States of America has in the region. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor. Vote on Motion to Discharge S.J. Res. 20

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, on May 24, 2019, pursuant to section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, the Secretary of State determined ``that an emergency exists which requires the immediate sale of the following military sales'' to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Arms Export Control Act indicates that, in the Senate, the notification of such a determination shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the Secretary's determination and transmittals submitted to the committee by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency regarding sales under section 36(b). The Secretary's emergency determination and transmittals for sales conducted pursuant to other sections of the Arms Export Control Act were included in the Congressional Record via separate executive communications on June 3, 2019.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, this month I celebrate the power of the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Hard work, innovation, and perseverance are some of the characteristics that have helped so many of our Nation's citizens achieve the American Dream. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Partner Steel Co. as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for June 2019. Partner Steel Co. first opened its doors in Pocatello, ID, in 1947 as a custom steel fabricator and wholesaler. Since then, Partner Steel has expanded to provide Idaho-made products not only to Idahoans, but to consumers all over the world. Partner Steel uses high-quality raw materials to produce custom creations, meeting the unique needs of each individual customer. As a commercial steel supplier, Partner Steel Co. provides steel to large and small clients across the United States. Spanning beyond the realm of commercial steel supply and custom steel fabrication, Partner Steel Co. has an outdoor camping equipment line. They create products such as camping stoves, Dutch ovens, griddles, coffee pots and water purifiers for outdoor sanitation. These camping supplies have generated an international customer base, from the United States to Canada, Europe, and Australia. After operating Partner Steel for more than five decades, the Partner family decided to sell the business in 2005. Having worked at Partner Steel for more than 30 years, Rick Eskelson had a deep understanding of the operations of the company, and he and his wife Debbie made the decision to buy the business. Now owners for 15 years, the Eskelsons have continued supplying steel products to Pocatello residents and consumers around the globe. In addition to operating their small business, the Eskelsons have prioritized reinvesting into the Pocatello community. Rick and Debbie are avid supporters of the local 4H club, local sports teams and high schools, and are involved in the Pocatello business community. It is my honor to recognize Rick and Debbie Eskelson and the employees of Partner Steel Co. for their outstanding contributions to the Pocatello community. You make our State proud, and I look forward to your continued success.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, for the Committee on Foreign Relations I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize an Idaho small business that exemplifies creativity, hard work, and dedication to improving their community. The small business I am honoring today is a shining example of the many Idaho businesses that are led by innovative individuals who are not afraid to harness creativity to bring new and inventive ideas to market. In honor of the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, it is my pleasure to name PEET Shoe Dryer, Inc., of St. Maries, ID, as the Senate Small Business of the Day. Founded in 1968 in the heart of one of the most beautiful locales in the United States, PEET Shoe Dryer has been a supporter of American outdoor enthusiasts for the last 50 years. Searching for a quicker way to dry his boots after hiking, founder Gene Peet designed the original shoe dryer for his own personal use. Soon, however, his friends and family began requesting shoe dryers for themselves. Realizing the demand for his new invention, Gene opened PEET Shoe Dryer. Starting from humble beginnings, Gene and his son Blair began building their shoe dryers in the kitchen of their family home. Gene's first customers were loggers and hunters in the local St. Maries area, who depend on having dry and comfortable shoes for their workday. Not having enough money for advertising, Gene simply relied on the quality of his product and satisfaction of his customers to help spread the word for his new invention; and as word spread, Gene's enterprise quickly grew into a thriving business. Today, PEET Shoe Dryer, now run by Gene's son Blair Peet, continues to succeed. They have improved the manufacturing of their boot and shoe dryers, as well as expanded their offerings. Serving millions of customers over the years, PEET Shoe Dryer has never compromised on its commitment to quality and service. Having grown from a small, word-of-mouth business to a successful international exporter, PEET Shoe Dryer is an outstanding example of the American dream. It is with great pleasure that I extend my congratulations to the Peet family and all of the employees at PEET Shoe Dryer, Incorporated, for being named the Senate Small Business of the Day. I wish them well as they continue serving the people of Idaho and look forward to watching their continued growth and success.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

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

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today we begin to consider S.J. Res. 7, which is a joint resolution that directs--and I quote from the resolution--``removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Yemen.'' This is the second time, of course, that we have considered this. We passed it, the House passed it, and the President has vetoed it, and it is now in front of us, under our constitutional responsibilities, to consider whether the resolution becomes law, notwithstanding the President's signature. I am going to urge a ``no'' vote on this, that it does not become law, and we sustain the veto the President has made. As I have stated before, the premise of this resolution is fundamentally flawed and I believe a mischaracterization of the actual facts on the ground today in Yemen. I want to start basically by, once again, making it absolutely clear what is and, more importantly, what is not happening with respect to U.S. engagement in Yemen. What isn't happening is the injection of U.S. troops into active hostilities in the Yemen civil war. To put it simply, our troops are not cobelligerents in this conflict. What we are doing, however, is providing limited noncombat support to the Saudi-led coalition, including intelligence sharing and practices that have been developed to minimize civilian casualties--I am sure a goal everybody in this body supports. This support is very narrow in focus, it is advisory in nature, and helps defend the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which both face a very real threat from the Iranian-backed Houthis and from Iran itself. Our limited support is intended to prevent the conflict in Yemen from escalating. Iran's support for the Houthis, notably the transfer of missiles and other weaponry, threatens to undermine our partners' territorial integrity, imperils key shipping routes, and puts U.S. interests at risk, including thousands of U.S. personnel and citizens currently within range of the Iranian-made missile systems under Houthi control. This, of course, includes the airport in Saudi Arabia, which many Members of this body have used from time to time when they go to codels in Saudi Arabia. Many of us have been, for a long time, proponents of resolving the war in Yemen, and it could be resolved if the Iran regime will simply turn their back and walk away. Unfortunately, that is not likely. When I say many of us have been longtime proponents, I would certainly include the Presiding Officer in that and commend him for his long and hard work in that regard. He has been dedicated to this for a long time and has been a leader on this, for which he is to be commended. Like many of us here today, I am dissatisfied with the state of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Indeed, while Saudi Arabia has long been a bulwark of our Middle East policy, there is a growing gap in U.S.-Saudi relations. Frankly, aspects of Saudi Arabia's behavior are cause for serious concern. We are taking a comprehensive look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia on the Foreign Relations Committee, and it is common knowledge that there are a number of pieces of legislation floating around here--some of which have been introduced and that are circulating--that address this issue. We are attempting to craft legislation that can garner support in the committee, address concerns on both sides of the aisle, and actually become law. I look forward to examining our interests in a measured and responsible way that will put the relationship on the right trajectory. This is not an easy needle to thread. All of us have concerns, all of us have specific issues in that regard, and what is important is that we don't just poke at this but that we actually develop legislation that is bipartisan and that can be signed by the President and will become law. The debate today, however, is predicated on the notion that this resolution will punish the Saudis and stop the devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It will do neither of those. In fact, the DOD has assessed that this legislation would have no impact on the limited support we are currently providing today. That said, there can be no arguing that after years of conflict, Yemen is now in the grip of the world's worst humanitarian crisis, and that is in spite of the fact that many Members of this body--including the Presiding Officer--have gone way past limits to attempt to try to do things that would help that humanitarian crisis. Just the simple delivery of humanitarian matters such as food in the country have been frustrated by things that logistically should be very easy but haven't been. I know the Presiding Officer has been very active in that regard and has been successful in that regard, for which he should be commended. An estimated 24 million--80 percent--of the Yemeni population are in need of assistance, and 15.9 million people-- more than half of the country's population--remains severely food insecure. A solution to this conflict must be found. Make no mistake, many, indeed, most of us, are committed to doing everything in our power to restore peace in a country that has been ravished by years of proxy war and fractious infighting. I believe it is axiomatic that lasting peace can only be achieved through a political settlement brokered by the U.N. The U.N.-led peace talks are our best bet for achieving peace in Yemen, and they appear to be at a critical juncture right now as we sit here today. As this body considers ways to drive effective U.S. policy that helps end the war and relieves humanitarian suffering in Yemen, I would urge all parties to abide by the agreement reached last December in Stockholm and find a political solution to the conflict. We should remain committed to doing everything in our power to advance this cause. Thank you. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

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

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record at this point the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson join me today in recognizing the 100th anniversary of Jerome County, ID. Established February 8, 1919, by the Idaho Legislature, the county was named for either Jerome Kuhn, son of William S. Kuhn, or Jerome Hill, who was commissioned by Kuhn to find a suitable town site north of the Snake River Canyon. With the city of Jerome as the county seat, the small farming communities of Eden and Hazelton also make up the eastern portion of Jerome County. One of the early pioneers of Jerome County, I.B. Perrine, was looking for a place to winter his cattle, and Charles Walgamott showed him a spot with beautiful clear blue lakes bubbling up from an underground aquifer. Mr. Perrine settled this area and called it the Blue Lakes Ranch. These blue lakes continue to provide water for irrigation, raising rainbow trout, and pristine drinking water to the residents of this area. It also features the beautiful Blues Lakes Country Club with one of the most scenic 18-hole golf courses in the State. Although not officially recognized, local historians have documented the Hudson Bay Trail as an alternate route of the Oregon Trail, which goes through Jerome County. The traders of the Hudson Bay Company seemed to have preferred the trail going north of the Snake River Canyon to make their way to Fort Boise in the West and Fort Hall in the East. With water, Mr. Perrine saw the magic this area produced and, with the help of Eastern United States Financiers, created the Milner Dam along the Snake River. The Milner Dam and subsequent irrigation system opened the Southern Snake River Plain to farmers, ranchers, and new communities. As a result, the communities of Jerome, Eden, Hazelton, and Greenwood were established between 1905 and 1911. In 1919, the Idaho Legislature took the south portion of Lincoln County and the western portion of Minidoka County to carve out Jerome County. As one of the youngest counties in Idaho, it is the 43rd county, out of 44, in the 43rd State. A notorious part of Jerome County is the Minidoka Relocation Center north of Eden; it is one of the 10 Japanese internment camps created by the U.S. Government during World War II. Currently, it stands as the Minidoka National Historic Site as a memorial of the sacrifice and suffering of the Japanese-Americans during this period of our history. Today, Jerome County boasts a thriving economy lead by the dairy industry, producing more than 100 million pounds of cheese, whey protein, and other dairy products. They also produce the agricultural commodities of alfalfa hay, silage corn, barley, winter wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, beans, and spring wheat. Senator Crapo, Representative Simpson, and I are proud to recognize this landmark anniversary. We congratulate Jerome County residents on this centennial, and we wish its communities many more years of success.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.