Marco Rubio

Mr. RUBIO

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. RUBIO

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I am very happy that our first votes, not only of the session but of this decade, are going to be focused on supporting small businesses. In America, we tend to speak about businesses with a sense of reverence that I think is absent in other countries, and there is good reason for that. So many of the great companies in this Nation started out as small businesses, and some of the greatest companies in America today are small businesses. We also have just under 60 million individuals who are employed by over 30 million small businesses throughout the country. The Small Business Administration can play a very important role in our success and in the success of these businesses by providing entrepreneurs and firms with technical assistance and access to capital, so it is critically important for the country. Today, as we consider the nomination of Jovita Carranza to serve as the SBA Administrator, I thought it was an important point to make. There are some additional points I would like to make. First of all, the position of Administrator is really crucial to ensuring that the agency is functioning well and is successful. It is also important that the Administrator be someone who is open to and supportive of the need to modernize the Small Business Administration and its many programs. As we move into this new decade, it is really important that the agency evolve to meet the unique and special needs of the entrepreneurs of today at a time in which we have ever-changing and increasing global and business climate adjustments that are occurring. I think we sometimes forget that businesses today face a very different environment than we saw 10, 20, or 30 years ago. So as we are aware of these changes, it is important that, as policymakers, we have an obligation to identify the goals that achieve our national interests and that provide for our national defense, that create good jobs for American workers, and then that organize the laws that we propose and the reforms that we propose around those important items of national interest and how to achieve furthering them. The last time the Small Business Administration was fully reauthorized was 20 years ago, in the year 2000, when just 42 percent of households, for example, had internet access. Nearly everyone was still using dial-up phones for access. It would be another 6 years before the iPhone even existed. Back in 2000, Americans bought fewer than 10,000 hybrid electric cars. From 2000 to 2020, those are the changes we have undergone, and that was the last time the SBA was reauthorized. By the way, it also happens to be the year when China became a member of the World Trade Organization. I say that because, today, American small businesses--if you think our big businesses face unfair competition, imagine the unprecedented threat in competing against the Chinese Government and its Communist Party's systematic industrial espionage and coercion, its large-scale subsidies for their own industries, and its sweeping obstruction of market access to its own country. The challenges are extraordinary, and they require resources that allow our small business sector to compete against these conditions and to operate dynamically, to grow, to be innovative, and to be creative. Small businesses need access to services and programs that better position them to support not just our Nation's competitiveness on an international scale but particularly with regard to Beijing's continued economic aggression toward our Nation. Just as the SBA was critical in building the technologies and helping to spur the creation of the technologies that allowed us to be successful both in the space race and, ultimately, in the Cold War, I believe the SBA can play an important role in our efforts to compete with Chinese economic hostility. In that regard, it is important to note that the status quo is just not enough. We need an agency that incorporates new and creative programs, that focuses on spurring investment, supporting advanced manufacturing, promoting innovation, and expanding our export opportunities. It is important to note, as I said earlier with regard to the SBA's role during the space race and the Cold War, that innovation breakthroughs we have often seen in our history have often been contingent on private-public collaboration, especially in the space program that also happens to have a commercial obligation and also furthers our national security. Small businesses and startups have historically always been essential to developing the technologies and the commercialization of products that often come out of those partnerships. But unlike what we have seen in Silicon Valley--startups that venture capital firms tend to gravitate toward over there--these technologies--the ones that are in our national interests, which I just spoke about--require significant time and resources to finance. So on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, we are going to continue to work toward a comprehensive reauthorization of the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act to achieve these ends that I have just outlined. But the leadership and the guidance of a forward-thinking SBA Administrator is going to be essential, not just to get it passed but to make sure that modernization works. As the chairman of the committee, I am very eager to see the position of Administrator be filled. President Trump nominated Ms. Carranza to serve in this critical role back in August of last year. She has a long and successful career, having spent many years in both the private sector and government service. She started her service at UPS. After 29 years, she retired from there as vice president of air operations. Then she was nominated by President George W. Bush and was confirmed by this body--the Senate--to serve as SBA's Deputy Administrator back in 2006. She served there for 2 years and then went back into the private sector until returning in June of 2017, when President Trump named her Treasurer of the United States. Last month, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee held a hearing to consider this nomination, and we voted favorably to report her nomination to the Senate floor. In that hearing, Ms. Carranza made a commitment to work with Congress--to work with each of us--on the pressing issues that are facing the SBA and the program. She assured us--myself, ranking member, Senator Cardin, and other members of the committee--that she would address the management challenges in the Office of Investment and Innovation to ensure the integrity of its programs but, most importantly, that she would appear before the committee after her confirmation to provide an update on how she is addressing these challenges. She has committed to do other things that are important: to assess the far-reaching rule governing the agency's critical access to capital programs so that it is not restricting access to capital for small businesses; to be communicative and transparent with us on the subsidy models and calculations they are using for the Federal credit programs; to fill the backlog of staff that is needed to properly run the SBA's innovation programs; to ensure that Federal grant dollars are being properly used--the dollars especially associated with the entrepreneurial development programs to modernize the agency's disaster loan programs; and to establish better controls to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. She committed to expeditiously establish a women- owned small business certification program and to provide responses to Congress on several of our past communications to the agency outlining proposals to aid small businesses against cyber threats, which is a critical threat facing many of the small businesses in this country today. In the business meeting we had after the hearing, we considered her nomination. I was pleased to see that the overwhelming majority of our members on both sides of the aisle, including the ranking member, supported sending the nomination to the full Senate because there is a lot of work to be done. Restoring and expanding the SBA's historic legacy of assisting businesses and meeting the international challenges at hand are very important and very crucial. I look forward to working with Ms. Carranza to modernize our existing programs to meet the challenges we have before us and working toward solutions that ensure that small businesses have access to the resources they need to start, to grow, and to empower our Nation at large. I urge all of my colleagues to support this nomination when we have a vote in a few minutes. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. RUBIO

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

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I highlight a small business that exemplifies the value of dignified work and the unique entrepreneurial spirit of our Nation. It is my privilege to recognize a Florida small business that is dedicated to its patients, as well as the surrounding community. Today, I am proud to honor Delicate Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of Wellington, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 2017 by owner Dr. J'Nelle Delica, Delicate Periodontics and Implant Dentistry is a friendly, welcoming dental practice that provides quality dental care with a specialization in laser periodontics. A first-generation Jamaican-American and native Floridian, Dr. Delica dreamed of opening a dental practice since she was 13. Years later, Dr. Delica has achieved her dream and has dedicated her career to treating patients and educating individuals on dental health. In addition to services such as exams and cleanings, Delicate Periodontics provides surgical and laser periodontal therapy, soft tissue and bone grafts, dental implants, and sinus lifts. With the help of her staff, Dr. Delica ensures that each patient receives personalized attention. When faced with large and complicated cases, Dr. Delica ensures that the process remains collaborative so patients feel at ease. Delicate Periodontics is also involved in giving back to the community through events like health fairs where Dr. Delica provides dental screenings for Palm Beach County residents. The dental practice has also been a dedicated sponsor for events in the Wellington community such as the Meet Me at the Race Sunset Stride Family 5K. Additionally, Dr. Delica has dedicated much of her time to educating local middle and high school students about careers in dentistry as part of an annual health symposium. Dr. Delica's passion for educating others on dental hygiene has extended far beyond the walls of Delicate Periodontics. As a student, Dr. Delica partnered with the Jamaican Ministry of Health to educate families on dental health in early childhood. After earning her degree in dentistry, Dr. Delica maintained her relationship with Jamaica and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of West Indies Dental School. In recent years, Dr. Delica has brought her dental expertise to Saint Ann, Jamaica, where she and other health professionals volunteer their dentistry skills for patients in need. Dr. Delica and her team's dedication to quality dental services and community service, both in the United States and abroad, makes Delicate Periodontics and Implant Dentistry an integral member of the South Florida economy. Congratulations to the entire team at Delicate Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague Senator Scott for offering this and all of our colleagues and, of course, all of the Senators who voted for it unanimously. My colleague from Florida has already mentioned the three names of those in the service of our country who lost their lives in Pensacola. I will talk about them more in a moment. I do want to say a couple of things. First, Pensacola really is one of the hidden gems of the State that Senator Scott and I represent. To understand Pensacola, you must understand that is it not just a city in which a naval facility is located. The Navy is very much a part of the fiber of that community. I would almost equate it to a college town's relationship with a university; that is how much its identity is connected to this naval air station. This attack wasn't just an attack on this facility, but it was an attack on the heart and soul of Pensacola as a community. As I had an opportunity to visit in the aftermath of the attack, I was not just deeply saddened by the loss of life but impacted, first, by the way the community responded and, second, by some of the stories, which I hope we will learn more about as the information comes out, of extraordinary bravery--not just the first responders but others who happened to be there at that time who exhibited extraordinary stories of heroism in the face of evil in this terror attack. People rushed into the building the gunshots were coming from instead of running away as most people would do. I want to point out some of those things. ENS Joshua Kaleb Watson, who was mentioned earlier, happened to be the officer on deck at the time of the shooting, and he ran toward the shooter and was yelling for people to get out of the way. He actually proceeded to tackle the killer and fought him in an attempt to disarm him, all while being shot at least five separate times. He was wounded, but he, nevertheless, happened to make his way out to flag down first responders and be able to give an accurate description of the shooter, which ultimately allowed him to be neutralized. Amn Mohammed Haitham's family moved to St. Petersburg from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. His school's assistant principal called him ``the Perfect One'' because he was a good student, a track star, and basketball player. This is a quote from the assistant principal: [He] would walk into any room and it would light up. He had this magnetic personality--big smile, always happy. And people would always gravitate toward him. His commanding officer told his father that it was his son Mohammed who had also bravely attempted to take down the gunman and lost his life. Then there was Cameron Walters of Georgia, described as ``an amazing guy, he always had something good to say to everybody, and was always smiling.'' The morning of the shooting, Airman Walters was randomly assigned to watch duty in Building 633. He had been stationed in Pensacola for only 2 weeks before this attack. Again, I want to thank Senator Scott, my colleague of Florida, for offering this. It ensures that not only will we not forget the heroes who sacrificed their lives while protecting fellow Navy members as this tragedy unfolded, but it also reminds us of the obligation we have to get to the bottom of how this happened and why this happened so that it may never, ever happen anywhere again. I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today, I honor the life and work of Rachelle Bergeron Hammerling, a human rights lawyer who served as the acting Attorney General of Yap in Micronesia when she was murdered just a couple of months ago. Rachelle was killed in front of her home on October 14, 2019, as a direct result of her courageous fight against human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. She was just 33 years old, but her legacy will live on through her family and the communities she made the ultimate sacrifice to serve. Rachelle was born in Waukesha, WI, to parents Thomas and Tammy Bergeron in 1986. After growing up in Wisconsin, Rachelle went on to obtain a juris doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law in 2010, an experience her family says she loved. When Rachelle graduated from law school, her passion to help others led her to volunteer with the International Justice Mission in India, where she represented women and children who had been trafficked. Rachelle spent her career prosecuting criminals involved with sex trafficking and worked tirelessly to protect the poor against violence. Rachelle's work took her around the United States, including New York and Washington, DC. She was a member of the New York State Bar and created the ``Not-So-Super'' campaign video as an effort to raise awareness regarding human trafficking during the 2014 Super Bowl. Her work took her to Beijing, South Africa, India, and finally the Pacific island of Yap. Rachelle fought to give a voice to the voiceless and dedicated her life to empowering and uplifting others. About 4 years ago, Rachelle moved to Yap after accepting a job as that community's assistant attorney general. Since January 2019, she had been serving as the island's only prosecutor and as the acting attorney general, where her duties included being a part of a human trafficking task force. Rachelle was very active in the community she served and spent a lot of time in local schools and community centers to warn against the dangers of sex trafficking. Rachelle also met her husband, Simon Hammerling during her time in Yap. The two were married in 2018 and had planned to take in a young girl they had found sleeping on their doorstep. Rachelle passed just before the two were about to celebrate their 1-year wedding anniversary and shortly before she and her family were due to move back to the United States for a new job in Wyoming. Her passing is a tremendous loss to her family, to the community she fought to serve, and to all who knew her. We remember Rachelle with gratitude for her life, and we honor her for her sacrifice. Scripture tells us that the righteous will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. As she now rests from her tireless and courageous work on behalf of the most vulnerable among us, we know Rachelle's deeds will follow her and continue to inspire others to pursue justice as fiercely as she did.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I am privileged to honor an American small business for its dedication to dignified work and its surrounding community. This week, it is my honor to recognize Granny Cantrell's Restaurant of Panama City, FL, for its achievements. Founded in 2002 by Doug Crosby and his family, Granny Cantrell's is well known for its delicious southern comfort food and catering. Based on recipes from friends, neighbors, family, and local churches, Granny Cantrell's food consists of familiar items such as fried chicken, pot roast, and macaroni and cheese. Since opening more than 17 years ago, Granny Cantrell's has experienced success and continued growth. Their menu has expanded beyond comfort food to offer a variety of daily specials and health-conscious options. Today, they are an important part of the Panama City community, attracting and retaining customers who enjoy their food at the restaurant, as well as at catered events. Granny Cantrell's dedication to the greater Panama City community is unmatched. In the days following the landfall of Hurricane Michael in 2018, Granny Cantrell's worked tirelessly with local authorities to ensure that the city's employees were fed. Additionally, with the help of likeminded community partners, Granny Cantrell's restaurant was able to provide and hand-deliver more than 500 prepacked Thanksgiving meals and 400 cupcakes to those in need after the hurricane. In recent years, Doug and the Granny Cantrell's team have also opened the restaurant's doors as a drop-off location for Coats for Kids, a Bay County program that collects and distributes gently used coats to prepare local children for the winter. Their dedication to the Florida community, their fantastic homemade dishes, and exemplary customer service has certainly not gone unnoticed. For 9 years running, Granny Cantrell's has been awarded Panama City News Herald's Best of the Bay Award, highlighting its customers' loyalty and integral place in the local economy. Furthermore, Granny Cantrell's has been awarded the Reader's Choice Award by Panama City Living for several years in a row to commemorate their outstanding food and customer service. Small businesses play an important role in supporting and uplifting their communities. Granny Cantrell's is a prime example of the bonds that small businesses can create when such an integral role is bolstered. I am proud to recognize this Florida business for its reflection of America's unique entrepreneurial spirit and its dedication to the common good of its community. Congratulations to the entire Granny Cantrell's team. I look forward to watching your continued success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the unique American entrepreneurial spirit. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy: creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and providing services to their local communities. This week, it is my pleasure to honor a small business that exemplifies these qualities, Tomato Express of Kissimmee, FL. More than 28 years ago, the Siracuza family decided to immigrate to the United States, leaving behind their home in Argentina and bringing with them the hope of achieving the American dream. When Pedro, Stella, and Luis Siracuza arrived in Florida, they discovered that quality Hispanic foods were difficult to find in their Kissimmee community. This observation marked the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. In November 1991, the Siracuzas opened the first Tomato Express, a small produce stand selling local fruits and vegetables. As Kissimmee's Hispanic population grew, Tomato Express's business expanded until their produce stand became too small to support their customer base and sales numbers. After securing private funding and a Small Business Administration loan, the Siracuza family was able to grow from a small produce stand into a larger grocery store. Today, Tomato Express still focuses on their original vision, supplying quality Hispanic foods for their community. The Tomato Express grocery store now offers locally sourced fruit, vegetables, meat, and imported beers and wines. In its deli and bakery, Tomato Express offers various homemade Hispanic dishes from both Central and South America, but its main focus remains authentic Argentinian cuisine. The Siracuza family has been recognized for their part in making Kissimmee the dynamic and innovative community that it is today. In 2016, the Osceola Chamber of Commerce presented Stella Siracuza with the Compadre Award commemorating her numerous contributions to the Hispanic community. As a family-owned business, Tomato Express is dedicated to giving back to the community that is their home. For example, Tomato Express is a devoted sponsor to Orlando's Community Vision, Inc., which aims to allocate resources to solve the community's complex issues with innovative solutions. The Siracuzas' expansion and success of Tomato Express has also inspired entrepreneurs in their community to open Hispanic food businesses. Today, the Siracuza family's initiative and passion has made them a vital part of the Kissimmee community and economy. The Siracuzas' entrepreneurial journey is a key example of the success that can be achieved through dignified work. I offer my sincere congratulations to the Siracuza family and the entire team at Tomato Express, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, in a moment here, as my colleagues gather, we hope to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. I first acknowledge all of the people who worked so hard on it--our staffs, obviously, and, in addition, Senators Cardin, Risch, Menendez, and over 50 cosponsors, many of whom will join us here this evening. I also thank Leaders McConnell and Schumer for their support in helping us get here. I thank Chairman Crapo, who has helped us make some important changes at the end that will make the sanctions easier to implement. A lot of people have been watching on the news the protests that have been going on in Hong Kong and are wondering as to, perhaps, the depths of what it is all about. When the United Kingdom handed Hong Kong over to China, they signed an agreement that is known as the Joint Declaration. It basically guarantees a high degree of autonomy and freedom of the people of Hong Kong. As a result of that agreement, the United States has treated commerce and trade with Hong Kong differently than it has its commercial and trade activity with the mainland of China. What has happened over the last few years is the steady effort, on the part of Chinese authorities, to erode that autonomy and those freedoms. The most recent protests really began with a proposal to pass an extradition law that would allow the Chinese Government to basically have arrested and extradite someone in Hong Kong over to the mainland. There was a huge pushback against that, and protests emerged as a result of it. Even though the Government of Hong Kong has pulled out from pursuing that law, the protests have continued because the people of Hong Kong have seen what is coming. They see the steady effort to erode their autonomy and their freedoms. The response by the Hong Kong authorities, with its having been under tremendous pressure from Beijing, has been that of violence and repression. So far, over 5,000 people have been arrested in Hong Kong. The youngest has been 12 years of age. The oldest has been 82. Hundreds more have been injured by violence committed by police authorities but also by street gangs--criminals, thugs--who have been empowered and encouraged by the Chinese authorities. This effort by China to exert control and remove autonomy continues unabated. Here are some examples. There was a law that was passed that banned wearing masks, and a Hong Kong court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. The so-called National People's Congress in Beijing today ruled that Hong Kong courts have no authority--no power--to review Hong Kong Government legislation. Under pressure from Beijing, the Government of Hong Kong threatened to cancel the November 24 elections--elections, by the way, that China has been interfering in. China has pushed to ban critics, like Joshua Wong, from running. Seven candidates who are running have been attacked by street gangs during this campaign, and two candidates have been arrested while campaigning. And now for the latest move, China is pushing the Hong Kong Government to pass what they call the new national security law--a law that would allow them to arrest political critics and opponents. If this passes, if that happens, that is the very definition of control and de facto proof of all loss of autonomy. By the way, China is also pushing for something very ominous. They call it patriotic education. What China is really pushing for in Hong Kong is moving from ``one country, two systems'' to ``one country, one system''--the Chinese system. So the bill that we will bring up here in a moment, with tremendous bipartisan support, requires five quick things that I will touch on. First, its most important element is that it requires the Secretary of State to annually certify whether Hong Kong warrants being treated differently than China. If Hong Kong is no longer autonomous--and that is the rationale for different treatment--then, they should no longer receive that treatment. It says that students in Hong Kong shouldn't be barred from entering the United States or getting a visa to study here, for example, because they have been the subject of a politically motivated arrest or detention. It says that for the next 7 years, the Secretary of Commerce is going to report on whether export controls and sanction laws are being enforced by the Government of Hong Kong or whether China is using Hong Kong as a back door to evade export controls and sanctions. It says that if Hong Kong ultimately returns and passes that extradition bill that China wants, the President has to present a plan to protect Americans from this law. Last but not least, it mandates that the President identify and sanction foreigners the President determines, based on credible information, who are responsible for extraditions, for arbitrary detention, for torture, or for forced confessions inside of Hong Kong or any other human rights violations in Hong Kong. By the way, it would also allow blocking the assets of these persons if those assets are located here in the United States. So, in a moment here, as we continue to gather, we are waiting the arrival of companion legislation. I yield the floor because I know we have lot of important sponsors that are here who want to speak on the subject.

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 238, S. 1838.

Mr. RUBIO. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn, the Rubio substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, the bill as amended be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our economy. It is my privilege to honor a Florida small business that not only creates a great product but also invests time and effort into charitable work for the Greater Miami area. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Misha's Cupcakes of Coral Gables, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Established in 2005, Misha's Cupcakes offers a variety of delicious baked goods at its multiple storefronts throughout South Florida. After hearing about a small cupcake company in Los Angeles which produced 1,000 cupcakes a day, founder Misha Kuryla became inspired and believed she could replicate the same process. She began baking cupcakes out of her kitchen, and after strategically giving away several free samples, landed her first wholesale account from a local bakery. What started as small, home-based operation has developed into a thriving company, employing nearly 70 Floridians. Misha's Cupcakes now produces more than 10,000 baked goods every day at its stores and warehouse. In addition to selling baked goods locally, Misha's Cupcakes sells its products nationally through its website. This website offers customers not only the ability to order products such as cookies and brownies but also to request donated cupcakes for a charity event or fundraiser. Misha's Cupcakes' dedication to community service has been central since its founding when Misha donated several hundred cupcakes to a local breast cancer awareness event. Since then, this business has remained committed to serving its community. It has partaken in a wide range of community service events, including donating baked goods to local food banks and organizing a Hurricane Dorian relief drive for the people of the Bahamas. Such dedication to service has made Misha's Cupcakes a valuable member of South Florida's community. Residents of South Florida have responded to Misha's Cupcakes' involvement in their community by becoming loyal customers. In addition to receiving rave reviews, the business was named ``Best Cupcakes in Miami'' by the Miami New Times in 2014 and ``Best Cupcakes in Florida'' by the Daily Meal in 2017. Misha herself has also been honored by the community for her dedicated work. In 2012, she was named an ``uncommon thinker'' by her alma mater, Florida International University--FIU--and participated as a speaker at FIU's 2017 Women's Leadership Summit. Misha's Cupcakes is a great example of the integral role community oriented small businesses play in our unique American economy. I commend their efforts to provide a quality product while simultaneously making local involvement a priority. Congratulations again to the entire team at Misha's Cupcakes. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today, I honor the life and legacy of Cuban-American, Arturo Cobo, who died on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at the Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, FL. Arturo, a beloved south Florida resident, founded the Transit Home in Key West, a sanctuary for Cuban refugees fleeing the country's tyrannical regime by boat and raft. Arturo fled Cuba in 1960 to escape Fidel Castro's communist revolution but returned to Cuba in 1961 to fight in Brigade 2506 during the Bay of Pigs. After being imprisoned, Arturo returned to the United States in 1962 and dedicated the rest of his life to supporting Cuban refugees and fighting for a democratic Cuba. The Transit Home not only provided a safe haven for Cuban refugees, but also provided hope for a new life for them in a free society. All who came to the Transit Home received food, clothing, and assistance to help rebuild their lives in America. I pay tribute to Arturo's life with immense gratitude for his invaluable work during such difficult circumstances and for his dedication to the South Florida community.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to honor small businesses that embody the entrepreneurial spirit of our American economy. I am proud to recognize Global Freight & Commerce of Jacksonville, FL--a veteran-owned small business--as we celebrate this National Veterans Small Business Week. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2014, founder Jesus Garay started Global Freight & Commerce using the precision and skill gained from more than 20 years of military experience. During his years of Active Duty, Jesus specialized in strategic operations and completed six combat tours in Iraq and Bosnia. The Armed Forces of the United States provides individuals, such as Jesus, with leadership skills that are practically applicable to entrepreneurial pursuits. Because of Jesus's leadership experience, Global Freight & Commerce has become a successful, 100 percent owner-operated trucking, logistics, and transportation company. This business not only provides quality service but also makes a dedicated effort to extend dignified employment opportunities to our nation's veterans. Through its website, Global Freight & Commerce assists semi-truck owner-operators with the buying and selling process of their vehicles, a feature that enables owner-operators to gain independence and grow a potential fleet of vehicles. Additionally, Global Freight & Commerce makes the safety of its drivers and those around them a priority. It follows national safety protocols in all operations to provide the best, and safest, service possible for its customers. A member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Global Freight & Commerce is also involved in the community through events such as job fairs and conferences. These community events provide leadership training to assist and develop the local workforce. Such efforts are valuable to the Jacksonville economy as they help to provide skilled and reliable employees. Even after leaving the service, our Nation's veterans continue to serve our country. Making up nearly 10 percent of all businesses in the United States, veteran-owned small businesses ensure that our unique economy remains robust. Veteran-owned businesses like Global Freight & Commerce are examples of the talent and dedication of our Nation's veterans. This National Veterans Small Business Week, I would like to thank Jesus Garay for his service and congratulate him on the creation of a successful small business. I look forward to watching Global Freight & Commerce's continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week it is my honor to recognize a small business that exemplifies family values and dedication to its community. I am proud to recognize Amelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Established in 2013, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is the product of the Bullington family's love of kayaking in the Amelia Island inlands. Six years ago, Mark Bullington and his two children, Amber and Aaron, decided to turn their hobby into their livelihood. Their love of Florida and commitment to responsible stewardship of the Earth led the Bullingtons to share their passion with visitors and their community. Showcasing Florida's beauty, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions offers both kayak and boat expeditions throughout wildlife-rich Egan's Creek, Lofton's Creek, and more of Florida's coastal environment. Tours range from 2 to 5 hours, and overnight tours are offered for experienced kayakers. Additionally, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions offers private boat tours for small groups to observe the diverse local wildlife. Since its founding, the tour guides of Amelia Island Kayak Excursions have continued to learn more about Florida's unique environment and community. Over the span of his career, Mark has logged more than 4,500 miles kayaking and canoeing, gaining extensive knowledge about the scenic ecosystem in the process. Amber not only leads tours but is also involved with the local business community through the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce and, in 2018, was recognized as the chamber's Ambassador of the Year. Aaron is certified through the University of Florida as a Florida Master Naturalist, a certification which lends itself easily to his role as tour guide. As a well-established tour service, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions has become an essential part of the economic framework of Fernandina Beach. This business's influential role has not gone unnoticed. In 2017, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions was recognized by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year and received the Bold City Best Water Sports Award. In addition to its accomplishments, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is dedicated to giving back to the community through engagement with local charities and corresponding fundraisers. To educate the next generation about Florida's wildlife, the Bullingtons have partnered with an after school program by gifting students a free kayak trip if they meet their academic goals. Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is a great example of a community- oriented small business. I am proud to honor and congratulate Amelia Island Kayak Excursions for its hard work and dedication to the Floridian landscape. I wish the entire team at Amelia Island Kayak Excursions the best of luck and success in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. RUBIO

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

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, it is interesting. When we come here, we seem to think that everybody in America is reading the blogs and all the major newspapers every morning. A lot of people do, but some people have lives. They get up early. They go to work. They listen to the news from time to time, but they don't follow it closely. That is what they hire us to do and they hire us to deal with as policymakers. On this issue of Syria, it strikes me, and it really did earlier this week when I visited this gas station close to my home that I frequent. It also has a little convenience store with a coffee stand inside. A gentleman comes up to me and basically says: Why do we care about all the stuff that is happening there? You know, it is thousands of miles away. These people have been fighting forever. Let them figure it out. Why do we have to be involved in all of this? I will tell you that there is appeal to that argument. There really is. I understand why Americans feel that way. Since September of 2001, we have lost countless young men and women abroad in combat. We have seen families who have been ripped apart. We have seen the injuries that people come home with, not to mention the amount of money that has been spent on all of this as well. At a time when we face so many challenges, a lot of people are saying to themselves: Well, why do we have to be everywhere? Why do we have to care? These people have been fighting for a billion years. It is not our problem. We need to focus on issues here at home. I do understand the appeal of that argument. I want to tell you that despite how much I focus on these issues and spend time on them, from time to time, those arguments appeal to me. But then you have to analyze why we are there to begin with and what it would mean in the short to long term to our country to just walk away from these obligations. That is what I hope to do here today in a way that answers the question the gentleman asked me last Monday. I didn't have time to get into all of this because I had an airplane to catch, and these airlines don't wait for anybody. So here is the way I would explain it. The first is that you have to tell people why we are there to begin with. Let me tell you what this is not. This is not about an endless war or being somewhere for the rest of our lives. Frankly, it is not even about committing thousands of troops. The U.S. force presence in Syria was quite small. It actually achieved an extraordinary amount with such a few number of people. There were 2,000 special operators imbedded alongside thousands of Kurds and our international partners. Basically, it is an area that ISIS once dominated. They literally controlled the cities. The capital of the caliphate was once there at one point. They were driven out. There was tremendous success, a real example of the sort of counterterror that these missions have successfully pursued. The stated goal was, first and foremost, to stamp out and eliminate ISIS. The second was that our presence would provide leverage when the time came for a Syrian peace settlement--a settlement that would reflect our national interests, which are primarily three things. The first is limiting Assad's power. The guy is a stone-cold criminal. This guy has gassed and murdered his own people. There has to be some limits and constraints to his power. The second is to safeguard the Kurds. As you have heard others come to the floor and talk about, these people fought with us. We told them: If you will do the ground-fighting and we help you from the air and with logistics, we are going to be here with you. They did, and they lost over 10,000 people in that fight. They have been great partners in that endeavor. We had a moral obligation, not to mention a promise that we made. The third is to limit Iran's influence. Iran would love nothing more than to completely dominate Syria because it links them directly into Lebanon to supply and support Hezbollah. It allows them to pivot over into Iraq to become the dominant power there. Just imagine a Middle East in which Iran is the dominant power in Lebanon, in Syria, and, of course, in Iran, and, eventually, in Iraq, and, God forbid, in Bahrain, and with a growing influence in Yemen through the Houthis. They not only encircle Israel. They encircle Saudi Arabia. It would be a nightmare. We are engaged in a campaign of maximum pressure against Iran, and the last thing you want to do in a maximum-pressure campaign is to alleviate pressure, and having a greater influence in Syria would alleviate a lot of pressure for Iran. That is the purpose of our presence there. The administration's and the President's decision has undermined every single one of them. That is the only way to talk about it. I think it has done so in ways we are going to regret for a long time. The first is the ISIS mission. There are 10,000 ISIS killers being held in jails and camps in northern Syria. The guards at those camps are not Americans. They are Kurdish guards. What happens when someone invades the cities that your family lives in? You send people to go meet that enemy. That means that they have been removing guards from the prisons to the frontlines. There are less and less guards in these camps. Estimates are already that a large number of ISIS killers have already gotten out, and they anticipate more to get out soon. Just imagine 10,000 killers running loose, not to mention efforts by ISIS to break them out with less security. By the way, this is a problem not just in Syria. It is a real problem in Iraq. About 200,000 refugees have already amassed at the border. There is no way Iraq can go through every single one of them and determine who is an ISIS killer and who is a refugee who is coming back. So you can suddenly see this resurgence of ISIS spread and destabilize Iraq. So, suddenly, this evil movement that we had on the ropes and had become an insurgency--and, frankly, was already reemerging as an insurgency--has just been given fuel to operate in one, and now in two, countries. How about the goal of providing leverage for a future settlement to reflect our interests? First of all, in restraints on Assad's power, think about it this way. Literally, overnight, when the Turks came in and the Kurds didn't have us anymore, they were forced to cut a deal with Assad. So, suddenly, the Kurds are basically telling Assad's troops: Come up to the cities that we once had, and you now be the troops here to back us up. You take control of them. That is what they had to do to avoid being slaughtered. In practical terms, what it means is that Assad, literally, overnight, has captured a third of the land of Syria at no price and no concession. He had to make no concessions, pay no price, do nothing other than just send people up to take it. To me, this doesn't sound like we have imposed restraints on Assad. It sounds like he has just literally been gifted control over a third of the national territory at no concession and no price. He had to do nothing. How about safeguarding the Kurdish interests? I think that is self- explanatory. The Kurds have now been forced to align themselves with Assad, who, in the short term, may be fine, but once this is all over, I doubt very seriously whether the Kurds will be treated well, not to mention the Yazidi and the Christian communities that the Kurds were protecting, who now are also under Assad's rule. Suffice it to say that nothing here has safeguarded their interests. There is news today that the Vice President and the Secretary of State were able to go to Turkey and work out what is being called a ceasefire. I think they deserve praise, along with the President, for pursuing that mission because anytime that human lives are spared from death in a war, that is cause for celebration. With all due respect, it does not appear to me, however, that this is really a ceasefire. It is more an ultimatum because what Erdogan is basically saying is this: Here is land that I intend to take. I intend to drive every Kurd out of this area, and I intend for Turkey to control this area in northern Syria as a security zone, as he calls it. The only thing he has agreed to as an ultimatum is that the Kurds can leave this area voluntarily in the next 5 days, or he will move in and take it and kill them. You can call it a ceasefire, but, frankly, it doesn't appear to have changed the strategic objective that Erdogan has for that region. I certainly think that while it is good news that it made some lemonade out of this lemon, nonetheless, these are cities in which not just Kurdish troops but people and families are going to have to leave now, and we are going to have to be involved in helping to coordinate and guarantee that, which runs its own risks. Ultimately, it is an ultimatum by him saying: You have 5 days to leave before I move in and kill you. How about limiting Iran's influence? First of all, clearly, Iran will now have more operating space in Syria. The lack of a U.S. presence there means that Iran and its affiliated groups, particularly these Hezbollah shoots that are now in Syria, will have much more operating space. The stronger Assad is, the stronger Iran will be. Assad is a very close ally of the Iranians, and the more space he controls, the more space they have to operate. Embedded in this, as you have noticed, is that Iran has developed this ability to conduct attacks against the United States, sometimes using third groups that they control, to either blame the attacks on, to claim credit for the attacks, or, in some cases, to conduct them, because what this does is it gives Iran the capability of attacking the United States without facing international condemnation for the attack--enough deniability--especially from countries that are looking to not blame Iran anyway because it would force them to get out of the Iran deal. And they have gotten away with it. But one of the things that Iran has calculated in these attacks--one of the things they have taken into the calculation--is this: We believe the United States is trying to get out of the region; meaning, if we attack them, we can hit them much harder than we ever had before because they don't want another war. They are not going to hit us back as hard. We can get away with more. I submit to you that I am pretty confident that this decision has strengthened that perception, not weakened it. I fear what that can mean next. This also increases Iran's influence in Iraq. If you are an Iraqi politician right now, whether you are a Shia or a Sunni, and you have just seen this decision, you are thinking to yourself: We are next. And when the Americans leave here at some point--at some point we will have to--the Iranians are going to become the most important group on the ground. In fact, there were reports yesterday that there were these protests on the street and there were Iranian-linked militias with snipers on the rooftops operating in Iraq. These were not elements of the army or the police force. These were Iranian elements operating in Iraq. This has increased their influence in Iraq and their ability to determine the future of Iraq in a way that is terrible for us, terrible for our allies, like Israel, and a great benefit to the Iranians, not to mention that Syria creates an extraordinary land bridge that the Iranians can now use to increasingly continue to supply Hezbollah in Lebanon and to increasingly supply their own militias just across the Golan Heights. The irony in all of this, ironically, is that I fear this decision actually makes it likely that there is going to be a war. I will tell you why. As I pointed out first, there is the Iranian attack calculation. This further strengthens their belief that they can get away with even more brazen attacks because the threshold for a U.S. military response is higher than it has ever been because we are looking to get out, and this proves it. What that can mean is they can miscalculate it, and we are going to have to respond. Then, all of a sudden, you are in a real shooting war--not a ``2,000 person on the ground, working with the Kurds'' war, a real regional conflict. The other point is that all of our alliances around the world are built on security guarantees. In Eastern Europe, the NATO security guarantee in many of these countries is a 300-, 400-, 500-man force--a tripwire. It is not enough to stop a Russian incursion, but they are there because if they were confronted by Russians, that would trigger a broader conflict. You could say the same about South Korea, our presence in Japan, the commitments we have made to Israel, and the troop presence we have now in Saudi Arabia. It goes on and on and on. Ask yourself: After this, would any ally relying on the U.S. security assurances be more or less confident of our assurances? I will tell you this. Less than 48 hours before this withdrawal decision was made, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff gave unequivocal assurances that we were not going anywhere. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a general, General Milley, said: We are there. We are not going anywhere. These are all rumors. Forty-eight hours later, this withdrawal announcement was made. With all due respect, this is not his fault. I don't blame him, if he believes that. What is his credibility now when he says anything like that to anybody else or when he warns someone not to do something against us because we will act in return? Maybe his credibility isn't shot--and I would warn our enemies not to view it that way--but I can tell you it certainly hasn't been strengthened by this. One last point on this. You know, Russia and China are going all over the world trying to come up with an ad hoc, anti-U.S. coalition--a coalition of countries that are sanctioned--to try to get around the dollarization of the global economy, a coalition to fight against the impediments against Chinese spyware and technology, and a coalition to limit our presence in one part of the world or another. The argument they make to these countries is, Why are you aligned with America? They are unreliable. They are unreliable partners. They will cut on you as soon as it makes sense domestically for them to do so or somebody else gets elected and has a different opinion. Well, ask yourselves, has that argument been strengthened or weakened? Have we made it easier or harder for Russia and China to make that argument, including the countries that we have basing agreements with now and including the countries that we are meeting with every single day and asking them: Don't buy Russian weapons. Don't install Chinese technology and spyware in your Safer City Initiatives so they can spy on you and ultimately on us. Don't allow them to take over your port facilities or operate rotationally based military forces in your national territory. We will help you with those things instead. Well, I can tell you that when China and Russia go to them the next time and say that America is unreliable, they will have one more exhibit to show them as evidence to prove it. That is why I say this decision has an impact that goes well beyond Syria. I will tell you that, again, I think what the Vice President and the Secretary of State did today is noble. There are lives that are going to be saved because now they have 5 days to leave those areas. But that doesn't address any of these other repercussions. In a blink of an eye, we completely undermined and unraveled the very justification for this operation and all of the stated reasons we said we were there. We had these 2,000 troops working with the Kurds to keep ISIS from reemerging and to provide leverage in the future Syrian settlement, to restrain Assad's power, to safeguard Kurdish interests, our partner's interest, and to limit Iranian influence. Every single one of those stated interests--that was our policy less than 2 weeks ago--has been wiped out. One of my favorite questions in the hallway from the reporters is, What should Congress do now? What can we do? Well, I think we are all searching to see what we can do to mitigate some of this damage. But I want to be honest with you--there are some mistakes and some decisions that cannot be reversed. There is some damage that cannot be mitigated, and I fear that some of these things are a part of it. We will spend time thinking about it. I think there might be some opportunities for the administration in the weeks and months to come to do something about it, but right now, I think we need to prepare ourselves for the consequences, for what this is going to mean in the long term. So it was kind of a long answer to give someone at a gas station when I had a flight to catch in 45 minutes and they were in a hurry as well, but I hope that for the people back home and potentially around the country who have an interest in this topic, I was at least able to shine some light on why some of us do not support this decision. It isn't because we favor endless wars or want invasions. It is because while this may be popular when first presented to people, when you view it in its totality and entirety, sometimes what is popular in the short term is not good for America's national security in the long term, and it is my fear that this is one such example. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize a unique Florida small business for its valuable contributions to the local economy and its dedicated efforts towards sustainability and dignified work. Today, it is my distinct pleasure to name Mother Kombucha of St. Petersburg, FL as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2014, Tonya Donati, a former occupational therapist, became Florida's first licensed kombucha brewer after noticing there were not many locally sourced options. Tonya and her business partner, Joshua Rumschlag, began brewing kombucha, a beverage of fermented, sweetened tea, in Tonya's small test kitchen to sell at local farmers markets. Eventually, Tonya and her husband, Victor Donati, secured a Small Business Administration 7(a) loan to move into a larger space, which enabled them to manufacture kombucha full time. Through hard work and a strategic vision, Mother Kombucha has grown from a 2-person operation into a full-scale business that now employs nearly 20 people and packages around 7,500 bottles a day. Over the last 5 years, Mother Kombucha has opened more than 600 accounts across Florida, and their products can be found in Publix, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie. Though the kombucha industry has expanded in recent years, Mother Kombucha's niche position provides a competitive edge in the expanding market. Mother Kombucha sets itself apart in this industry as a brand committed to making a positive social and environmental impact. As a woman-owned and operated company, Tonya's business is an inspiration for other women entrepreneurs. It has been certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, one of the leading advocates for women business owners in the United States. Several of Mother Kombucha's flavors are based on a single-source green tea from a company that helps to raise women out of poverty in Bangladesh. Mother Kombucha makes community involvement a priority. In addition to providing competitive salaries to its employees, the company hosts an annual Mother's Day fundraiser to benefit women and children affected by domestic violence. Mother Kombucha has incorporated solar panels into each of their facilities, operates a robust recycling program, and is working to achieve B-Corp status. This certification is awarded to companies who uphold the highest environmental and labor standards, while also giving back to their respective communities. Tonya has worked hard to expand her business throughout Florida, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Notably, Mother Kombucha was honored by GrowFlorida as one of Florida's 50 Companies to Watch in 2019. Tonya's love of kombucha, her hard work, and commitment to her community make this business an integral part of Florida's economic framework. This National Women's Small Business Month, it is my honor to congratulate the entire Mother Kombucha team for being named Senate Small Business of the Week. I look forward to watching their continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, due to a family matter, I am unable to be in Washington, DC, today. I informed Senate leaders of this commitment several weeks ago.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4285, which was received from the House.

Mr. RUBIO. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the order of August 1, 2019, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 102, S. 1340.

Mr. RUBIO. I further ask unanimous consent that the Menendez-Lee amendment at the desk be agreed to; that the committee-reported substitute, as amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I highlight a small business that displays the unique entrepreneurial spirit found throughout our country. It is my privilege to recognize a Florida small business that demonstrates consistent hard work, a commitment to excellent customer service, and a desire to give back to the Florida community. Today, it is my honor to name Melao Bakery as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 2009, Melao Bakery is a family-owned and operated restaurant run by Eduardo Colon and Denisse Torres. Originally from Puerto Rico, Eduardo and Denisse have created a place where families can enjoy traditional Puerto Rican cuisine in Kissimmee, FL, a city many Puerto Ricans call home. Melao has grown from a small bakery in central Florida with seven employees into a full-menu restaurant employing more than 150 people at its two locations in Kissimmee and Orlando. Melao Bakery is known for its commitment to exemplary customer service and for providing an authentic, traditional experience for its customers. Eduardo and Denisse arrived in Florida 17 years ago from Vega Baja, PR. In Vega Baja, the couple owned a bakery but made the decision to move to Florida, with their 1-year-old son, in search of new opportunities. When Eduardo and Denisse settled in Kissimmee, they did not move to open the bakery immediately; Eduardo studied to pass truck driving exams, and through hard work, he was able to establish his own heavy transport company. Melao Bakery not only provides delicious pastries and cuisine, but it also serves as a meeting place for local Hispanics. They have since expanded their vision through the acquisition of the shopping center where Melao Bakery is located. Eduardo and Denisse's business has been honored for maintaining a strong sense of Hispanic heritage by the grassroots organization, the Libre Initiative. In 2012, Melao Bakery was also recognized by the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce as the first Hispanic business to win its annual Small Business of the Year award. In 2014, Melao Bakery was presented with the Governor's Business Ambassador Award for its leadership in creating employment opportunities in central Florida. Additionally, Melao Bakery has won awards for the quality of its food, such as Best Latin Restaurant in the Osceola community. Eduardo and Denisse have made significant efforts to better the lives of those in their community, both in Florida and in Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico in 2017, Eduardo and Denisse donated dozens of generators to help survivors get their businesses back up and running. Their dedication to preserving the culture and heritage of Puerto Rico in central Florida has created a loyal customer base and has made Melao Bakery a community staple. Melao Bakery is a shining example of how dignified work can lead to grassroots engagement and successful business expansion. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, I am proud to highlight Melao Bakery for their dedication to Florida's Hispanic community.