Jacky Rosen

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, it is my honor today to recognize the career and service of Robert J. Halstead, a pillar of the Nevada environmental community, who retired earlier this month after serving the great State of Nevada for over three decades. Bob has been instrumental as a leader in the fight against the failed and fiscally irresponsible proposal to dump our Nation's nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Since 2001, Bob has served as the executive director for the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, where his watchful eye and his inexhaustible passion for protecting our State has been an invaluable resource. On numerous occasions, Bob has stood before the State and the U.S. Congress to share his expertise on the subjects of nuclear waste, radioactive materials, and nuclear waste transportation. We owe Bob Halstead a debt of gratitude for the crucial work he has done to protect Nevadans and the State itself from becoming the Nation's nuclear dumping ground. Bob also has defended the state beyond the Yucca Mountain fight. Two years ago, when it came to light that the Department of Energy had secretly shipped a half ton of weapons-grade plutonium to the Nevada National Security Site, Bob led the charge to right this incredible wrong committed against our State. I am deeply grateful for Bob's tireless work to protect the health and safety of our community and our environment. He has been a source of great support for me and my staff, offering his unmatched knowledge of the complex history of Yucca Mountain and our State's fight against the ill-advised proposal, to which Nevadans have never consented. Even though Bob is taking a step back from his work and is beginning a well-deserved retirement, I know that he will remain a continued source of inspiration, knowledge, and passion as we continue in our fight to defend Nevada. I thank Bob Halstead for a lifetime of service, and I wish him and his family all the best in this new chapter of life.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today because our States, cities, and Tribes are in trouble, and they desperately need our help. State, local, and Tribal governments are on the frontlines in this fight against the coronavirus. We have seen local leaders in each of our States step up during this difficult time to do what is necessary to mitigate the spread of this virus, to protect the health and well- being of their residents, and to prevent critical industries and institutions from failing. Their goal is the same as ours--to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people whom they represent. I know this to be true in Nevada, where dedicated heroes are working tirelessly to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in every corner of the Silver State. However, this proactive and necessary response has not come without a cost. In addition to the coronavirus, Nevada must also deal with an alarming budget shortfall that has been exacerbated by a struggling economy that relies on tourism and a massive drop in tax revenue. Before this crisis began, Nevada had not mismanaged its State's finances. The State had a record-low unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, and we had a rainy day fund for emergencies, but we have needed to use hundreds of millions of dollars from that rainy day fund in order to try to address our budget shortfall. Nevada has a tough road ahead and difficult choices to make, but Nevada is not alone. Many States across the country are identical. They are in similar situations. Red and blue States are facing this very challenge due to no fault of their own. Cities and towns are struggling to contain the health and fiscal impacts of this pandemic. During a special session of the Nevada State Legislature, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a resolution to ask Congress and the Trump administration for funding for State, local, and Tribal governments in order to help offset an expected $1.2 billion budget shortfall caused by this pandemic, and they needed the flexibility to spend it based on local needs. Nevada's Governor, Steve Sisolak, offered a stern warning, one that applies to the whole Nation: Without additional Federal support for State and local funding, States will be ``forced to make impossible decisions regarding funding critical public health, education, and more.'' Without additional State and local funding from Congress, our State's budget shortfall will make it overwhelmingly difficult to provide healthcare to everyone who needs it, to fund our local school systems, and to pay our first responders, and it would leave countless Nevadans in distress who rely on public programs. The CARES Act established a coronavirus relief fund to support States, Tribes, and large local governments. In Nevada, that funding has helped to provide support for Medicare providers, which has allowed continued healthcare for our seniors and treatment for those high-risk COVID-19 patients. It has provided for enhanced testing and contact tracing in our communities. It has provided for childcare programs that are used by essential workers. It has provided home-delivered meals, home healthcare, and support for families and their caregivers. It has provided PPE and critical supplies, like gloves and masks and sanitizers. Does any of this sound unnecessary to you? This crisis isn't over, and those needs are still here. I have spoken to mayors and county commissioners across Nevada, and they are worried. They must make it through to the other side of this crisis. They want to protect and they want to secure their communities. They are counting on us. They are counting on Congress to have their backs in this effort. Congress must ensure that support reaches all Americans in every kind of community. One of the CARES Act relief fund's shortcomings was that it provided no direct support to cities and localities with populations under 500,000. For a State like Nevada, that means, except for Las Vegas, every other city in the Silver State would be excluded from direct funding from the Federal Government. That is why, in April, Senator Cortez Masto and I joined Senator Heinrich in introducing the Coronavirus Community Relief Act--legislation that would provide $250 billion in new stabilization funds directly to cities and counties with populations under 500,000. We know State and local leaders are the ones best equipped to respond to their communities' unique needs, and they are desperate. They desperately need the resources to do this. Unfortunately, Leader McConnell has refused to allow the Senate to take up the Heroes Act-- legislation passed by the House that provides continued support for State, local, and Tribal governments, including those cities and counties with under 500,000 residents. It recognizes that the pandemic continues to damage our communities and that this recovery will take time. The Heroes Act would allow States to pay for frontline healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, and other workers, and would continue to provide those essential services to all of our residents. The House passed the Heroes Act over 80 days ago--80 days ago--while the majority leader's own proposed legislation, the HEALS Act, does absolutely nothing to address the critical issue of State and local funding. Without action, States across the Nation will face consequences that could have a devastating impact on countless lives. History will judge the way we treated each other during this pandemic. Each of us in the U.S. Senate is in a position to do something--just something. I implore my colleagues to consider the lives of their constituents, to really pay attention, to really hear what is happening in their communities and in communities across this Nation--in town after town, in city after city--and I want them to remember that we are all in this together. I yield the floor to the great senior Senator from the State of Nevada, Catherine Cortez Masto.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, this Nation faces a moment of crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has taken a serious and devastating toll on our country. Right now, in every corner of America, families are struggling to get by, and they are worried about what the future holds in store for them. Americans are worried about where their next paychecks will come from. They are worried about whether or not they will be able to keep their small businesses open. They are worried about how they will be able to pay their mortgages, their rent, or their utility bills, and they are worried about how they are going to feed their children. As I said before, this is a time of crisis, but it is a moment that we can overcome together. We are a nation that in the face of great challenges has responded with caring and compassionate leadership. COVID-19 is a major challenge--make no mistake about that--but we as a Congress can bring real and meaningful results to the American people. I am sad to say that the legislation introduced by Leader McConnell, the HEALS Act, does not do this. In fact, it does not even come close. This is a bill that slashes Federal unemployment assistance for people who are out of work not due to any fault of their own and because of a deadly pandemic and an unprecedented economic catastrophe. This is a bill that has no money for programs like SNAP to ensure that American children don't go hungry. This is a bill that provides no support to State and local governments so that they can continue to provide critical services during the pandemic. This is a bill that provides no support for the EIDL Program or EIDL Advance, which provide direct support to small businesses to pay their operating expenses. This is also a bill that doesn't even continue the eviction moratorium, putting countless Americans at risk of losing their homes as soon as this weekend when the rent comes due. This is unacceptable. In Nevada, our travel and tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, which has hurt our entire economy. In April, unemployment reached over 30 percent--30 percent. It is the highest in our Nation. Even now, months later, unemployment is still in the double digits--15 percent by the last count--which is more than four times our prepandemic level. Now, just as Nevadans feel that we can't take any more pain, this bill plans to slash unemployment relief? Amidst our unemployment crisis, State and local governments are also struggling. In Nevada and across our country, our public employees have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, fighting against the disease and working to ensure the safety and well-being of all Americans. With little revenue coming in and significant costs going out, our States, our cities, our towns, and our Tribes are now facing massive budget shortfalls that will require cuts to critical programs and which threaten the pay of our teachers, our firefighters, and our first responders. The HEALS Act--Senator McConnell's proposal--has zero funds for any of them. While the majority leader's party prides itself on helping business, our Nation's small businesses, too, are left behind in his legislation. Small businesses, the economic engines that keep our communities going, have been hammered by this pandemic. But the HEALS Act has zero--zero additional funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, which has benefited millions of small businesses nationwide, including tens of thousands of small businesses in Nevada. Senator Cornyn and I introduced bipartisan legislation last week that would not only provide $180 billion in funds to the EIDL and EIDL Advance Programs but will also lift the Small Business Administration's arbitrary caps on the loans and grants that all small businesses can receive. Real bipartisan solutions are possible, but our bipartisan proposal to help small businesses is not in Senator McConnell's bill either. Let's be clear. The HEALS Act is not a bipartisan solution, and it does not address all the needs of the American people. Just as a house cannot stand without support from a sturdy foundation, we cannot expect the American people to stand upon a bill that is the legislative equivalent of cheap drywall and a coat of paint. Our constituents, my constituents, need real support, a lifeline, not just window dressing. So I ask my colleagues in this body to rise to the challenge we face and provide that lifeline to the people of Nevada and to all of the American people. Let's help people keep their homes. Let's help families feed their children. Let's help small businesses keep their doors open. We must come together and develop timely, targeted, and thoughtful legislation to protect both the lives and livelihoods of the American people during this crisis. They deserve no less. Across the country right now, scientists and healthcare professionals are working around the clock, maximizing resources, developing innovative ways to protect the health of our Nation and save lives. As they work day in and day out, Congress needs to do the same. The House passed the Heroes Act over 2 months ago. It is long past time for the Senate to get to work. It is imperative that the Senate remain in session and that Senators remain in Washington, working tomorrow through the weekend until the Senate passes a true coronavirus relief bill. Working Americans don't get Fridays off, and neither should Congress. Although we may not agree on every aspect of how to address this crisis, my Democratic colleagues and I stand ready to work across the aisle to deliver relief to the American people. So I ask the majority leader, who controls our schedule--I ask him this: Don't we owe it to our constituents, to the American people, all Americans, to work through the weekend until we have an agreement? The essential workers on the frontlines of this battle aren't taking the weekend off to rest, and neither should we. I yield the floor.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I will not be present to vote on the confirmation of Justin Walker, vote 123, to be a judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Were I present, I would vote nay.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the nomination of David Wright to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 5 more years. Amidst a global pandemic that has caused the greatest public health crisis in a century and the worst economic catastrophe since the Great Depression, we are spending our time in the United States voting on a nominee for the NRC who will likely take actions that put the lives and livelihoods of Nevadans at even further risk. David Wright has a long history of working to advance the failed and fiscally irresponsible proposal to dump our Nation's nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain site. In his previous work as chairman of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, he supported continuing licensing of Yucca Mountain. Additionally, in 2005 he founded the Yucca Mountain Task Force and criticized local opposition to the project, calling it ``myopic resistance.'' That is how he characterizes the people of Nevada fighting back against the injustice of having no say in whether or not we are to become the Nation's nuclear dumping ground. For these reasons, in August 2018, the State of Nevada filed a formal petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging now-Commissioner Wright's refusal to disqualify himself from participating in NRC Yucca Mountain licensing decisions. According to the State of Nevada at the time, Wright's participation in any licensing decisions would violate Nevada's constitutional right to unbiased decision makers at the NRC. Numerous studies have since shown that Yucca Mountain, only 90 miles from Las Vegas, is a physically unsuitable site that would threaten the health and safety of Nevadans and would take half a century to complete. Notably, Yucca Mountain is located above an aquifer in an area of moderate to high seismic activity and is subject to oxidizing and corrosive elements. In fact, just this week, only days before we have been asked to vote on this pro-Yucca nominee, two earthquakes--one of which was of 6.5 magnitude--struck Nevada less than 150 miles from Yucca Mountain and less than a dozen miles from one of the proposed transportation routes for shipping nuclear waste to Yucca. In addition to threatening the health and safety of Nevadans, transporting all of our Nation's nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain would threaten our national security, as the site is directly adjacent to the Nevada Test and Training Range, NTTR, the largest air and ground military training space in the contiguous United States. Establishing a nuclear waste repository in such close proximity to NTTR could therefore directly jeopardize the readiness of our Air Force. Most importantly, Nevadans have never consented to storing other States' waste at Yucca Mountain. With thousands of Nevadans dying of COVID-19 and jobless claims in the State at unprecedented levels, today, among the numerous actions this Senate could have chosen to take, we are voting on the confirmation of an individual who wants to add insult to injury by proceeding with an ill-advised plan for nuclear waste storage that ignores the voices of Nevadans. I will not stand for this. I, therefore, cast my vote against the nomination of David Wright to serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. Res. 527, a resolution I was proud to cosponsor, recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of crisis. I first want to thank my colleagues, Senator Cardin and Barrasso, for introducing this important legislation recognizing the brave men and women who have not only risked their lives in the United States as first responders, but went above and beyond to help combat the recent bushfires in Australia. In November 2019, Australia began to experience devastating bushfires that burned over 30,000,000 acres of land. During this time, more than 300 American firefighters mobilized to assist Australian efforts to suppress and contain the bushfire raging throughout the continent. This bipartisan resolution recognizes the efforts and bravery of Australian and American men and women who worked together to help those in danger and also specifically honors the three American firefighters who lost their lives fighting Australia's bushfires on January 23, 2020. In my home State of Nevada, several firefighters answered the call to assist with bushfire mitigation and suppression efforts. I want to take a moment to recognize them individually: Matthew James Petersen, Justin Cutler, Brian C. Holmes, Ian McQueary, Jacob Keogh, Juan Islas, Kevin Kelly, Joseph L. Miller, Dylan Rader, Timothy P. Roide, and Eric T. Tilden. Thank you to all of these brave Nevadans for your service and sacrifice.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, each week the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship recognizes one small business that exemplifies the hard work and perseverance of the American Dream and the American entrepreneur. The great State of Nevada is home to more than 250,000 small businesses of all types from mom-and-pop shop bakeries to world renowned cybersecurity firms. In fact, about 99 percent of all business in Nevada are small businesses. Nevada's small businesses are the driving force behind our State's rapidly growing economy and the engine that powers our communities. It is therefore my honor to recognize Nevada's Fallon Food Hub, a small business with a strong and deeprooted commitment to improving lives and a desire to give back to the community, for recently having been named the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. The Fallon Food Hub's mission is to educate the northern Nevada community about the benefits of eating seasonally in order to create a thriving and expanding local food scene, resulting in increased opportunities for producers and local businesses. Fallon Food Hub believes that through educational opportunities for the community about health and wellness, members of the community can gain a greater sense of cooperation and appreciation for the area producers, local farmers, and specialty food producers that serve the Silver State. Through increasing awareness of and appreciation of local farming and proper nutrition, people can learn a healthier lifestyle while also supporting local producers. The Fallon Food Hub conducts frequent surveys to get a sense of what the community is interested in learning, hosts monthly classes on the benefits of eating seasonal produce, and keeps the community informed through a monthly newspaper. The Fallon Food Hub provides an outlet for local farmers, ranchers, and value-added producers to sell their goods. I would also like to recognize the work that Fallon Food Hub does to advocate on behalf of local farmers. Through ongoing education for members and surrounding communities about farmers and the origins of local food, Fallon Food Hub is encouraging our community to connect with one another on a new level. They are an example of an outstanding business with deep love for our community and one of the many reasons why they were a clear choice for this recognition. Small businesses truly are the driving force for development and growth not just in Nevada, but across our entire Nation. Small businesses like Fallon Food Hub not only help our economy succeed, they also give back by uplifting our communities, inspiring others to open businesses of their own, improving people's health and well-being, and changing lives for the better. Again, I would like to recognize Fallon Food Hub and all the employees there for their contribution to Nevada and our Nation and congratulate them for being named the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee's Small Business of the Week. As a member of the committee, it was my honor to nominate this proud Nevada business for recognition and my continued privilege to represent them and all of Nevada's small businesses in the U.S. Senate.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I didn't come to the Senate expecting to sit as a juror in an impeachment trial. I have participated in this trial with an open mind, determined to evaluate the President's actions outside of any partisan lens, and with a focus on my constitutional obligations. I listened to the arguments, took detailed notes, asked questions, and heard both sides answer questions from my colleagues. After thorough consideration, based on the evidence presented, sadly, I find I have no choice but to vote to remove the President from office. The first Article of Impeachment charges the President with abuse of power, specifically alleging that the President used the powers of his public office to obtain an improper political benefit. I can now conclude the evidence shows that this is exactly what the President did when he withheld critically important security assistance from Ukraine in order to persuade the Ukrainian Government to investigate his political rival. I understand that foreign policy involves negotiations, leveraging advantages, and using all the powers at our disposal to advance U.S. national security goals. But this was different. The President sent his personal attorney, whose obligation is to protect the personal interests of the President, not the United States, to meet and negotiate with foreign government officials from Ukraine to get damaging information about the President's rivals, culminating in the July 25 phone call between the U.S. and Ukrainian Presidents, during which the President made clear his intent to withhold aid until a political favor was completed. In doing so, the President put U.S. national security and a key alliance against Russian aggression at risk, all so he could benefit politically from the potential fallout from an investigation into a possible opponent. While I would like to hear more from witnesses and see the documents the administration is withholding, the evidence presented is compelling and not in doubt. The President withheld military aid in order to coerce an ally to help him politically. This is no mere policy disagreement; this is about whether the President negotiates with foreign governments on behalf of the United States; or on his own behalf. No elected official, regardless of party, should use public office to advance his or her personal interests, particularly to the detriment of U.S. national security, and in the case of the President of the United States, such conduct is particularly dangerous. As elected officials, we have no more important responsibility than ensuring our national security, and that includes protecting the Nation from future threats. The President's conduct here sets a dangerous precedent that must not be repeated in the future and requires a firm response by the representatives of the people. After hearing evidence that the President heldup congressionally approved military assistance to an ally fighting Russia in order to exact concessions from Ukraine that benefited him personally, we cannot trust the President to place national security over his own interests. It is therefore with sadness that I conclude that the President must be removed from office under article I and I will vote to convict him of abuse of power. With respect to the second Article of Impeachment charging obstruction of Congress, the President's behavior suggests that he believes he is above the law. Certainly, there may be documents and testimony that are subject to executive privilege or are confidential for some other reason. But here, the President directed every agency, office, and employee in the executive branch not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives. As a Member of Congress, I take my oversight role seriously. It is how we ensure transparency in government, so the people of Nevada can know how their tax dollars are spent and whether their elected officials are acting legally, ethically, and in their best interests. The President's refusal to negotiate in good faith with the House investigators over documents and testimony and instead to impede any investigation into his official conduct can only be characterized as blatant obstruction. More importantly, it suggests that he will continue to operate outside the law, and if he believes he can ignore lawful subpoenas from Congress, it will be impossible to hold him accountable. For these reasons, I will vote to convict the President of obstruction of Congress, as delineated in article II. Impeachment is a grave constitutional remedy, not a partisan exercise. To fulfill my constitutional role as a juror, I asked myself how I would view the evidence if it were any President accused of this conduct. Based on the facts and arguments presented, I conclude that no President of the United States, regardless of party, can trade congressionally approved and legally mandated military assistance for personal political favors. No one is above the law, not this President or the next President. Having exercised my constitutional duty, I will continue what I have been doing over the course of this trial and have done since I first came to Congress, to look past partisanship and develop commonsense, bipartisan solutions that help hard-working families in Nevada and across the country.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chief Justice.

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chief Justice, I send a question to the desk.

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chief Justice.

Ms. ROSEN. I have a question I send to the desk for the House managers.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Nevadan, American, and member of the Greatest Generation, Carmella Wood, who passed away on January 26, 2020 at the age of 97 in Las Vegas, the city she called home in the Silver State since 2003. Carmella, like many others of her generation, answered her country's call during World War II, volunteering to serve in the fight against tyranny. When the U.S. Army would not take her because of her 4-foot 11-inch height, she joined the war effort, working in a factory on the east coast building Corsair Bombers. Carmella's dedication to serving her country is reflected in the fact that even though the factory she was assigned to was 20 miles from her home, she never missed a day, sometimes having to walk in the snow the rest of the way to work when the bus she rode on could not completely reach the factory. She and the women she worked with day in and day out kept our troops in the fight, and these women would eventually come to be collectively and affectionately known as Rosie the Riveters. Rosies like Carmella produced over 297,000 airplanes, 102,000 tanks, 88,000 warships, and countless other pieces of wartime equipment which helped American and Allied troops defeat enemy forces both in the European and Pacific Theaters, winning the war and bringing an end to the terror Nazi Germany and Japan had inflicted upon countless countries. After the war Carmella, like many other Rosies and members of the ``greatest generation'', returned to living their lives. They married, had kids of their own, and worked outside the home. However, Carmella never forgot her time as a Rosie. Over 20 years ago, she started attending national Rosie the Riveter Association reunions and other events where she was able to share her experiences and teach current generations about how these dedicated women kept America fighting in the war so their sacrifices and work are not forgotten or overlooked. Mr. President, please join me in honoring and remembering Carmella Wood, one of our legendary Rosie the Riveters of World War II, a true Nevadan and American patriot who answered her Nation's call to service, someone who reflects the high ideals of this country. Her spirit, perseverance, and dedication are an inspiration to all Americans, and she will be truly missed.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I stand here today in opposition to the nomination of Lawrence VanDyke to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Nevada, and I stand here today because I think we can all agree--no matter where you are from--that Federal judges in our States should come from our communities, and they should reflect our communities. It is unfortunate to see this Chamber disregard Nevada's voice and move forward with Mr. VanDyke's nomination. The State of Nevada has numerous qualified lawyers and judges who have done good work and have good reputations in our communities, who are nonpartisan, and who would make excellent additions to the Ninth Circuit. But the White House didn't nominate any of these qualified individuals for the Ninth Circuit. Instead, the President nominated Lawrence VanDyke, a man who wasn't born in Nevada, didn't grow up in Nevada, didn't go to school in Nevada, and doesn't live in Nevada now. He hasn't even set foot in Nevada for over a year. This administration has nominated someone to serve on the Nevada seat of the Ninth Circuit who--and let me be clear--is not a Nevadan. Mr. VanDyke is, however, a Washington, DC, lawyer and failed political candidate from Montana who was nominated to further his and this administration's extreme political views. His nomination is being imposed on the people of Nevada, despite the many qualified individuals in our own State--individuals who are respected on both sides of the aisle. As if Mr. VanDyke's lack of any meaningful connection to the State of Nevada wasn't enough, Mr. VanDyke is not even qualified to hold this post, according to the American Bar Association. In reviewing this nominee and speaking with dozens upon dozens of his former colleagues, the ABA found Mr. VanDyke specifically ``not qualified'' to serve in this role. The ABA has made that finding for only 3 percent of President Trump's judicial nominees, and Mr. VanDyke is the first in a small group whose nomination will move forward without--let me repeat: without--the support of either Senator representing the State where he will sit on the bench if confirmed. That we would allow someone who is not qualified to hold a lifetime position in such a critically important role is, frankly, absurd, and it is something no Senator should support, no matter the party of the President who nominated them. The ABA's report found Mr. VanDyke to be lacking in knowledge of day- to-day practice, including procedural rules. The report found Mr. VanDyke to be lacking humility and an open mind, and the ABA's report found Mr. VanDyke to be lacking a commitment to the truth. In order to see how the ABA came to this conclusion, one only needs to look at Mr. VanDyke's record of pursuing an ideological agenda instead of working for the people and defending the law. In his past role as attorney general of Montana, he filed many politically driven briefs, including one asking the Supreme Court to strike down Roe v. Wade altogether, a view that is out of step with the views of Nevadans. He even signed the State onto one brief without reading it, by his own admission. Mr. VanDyke has also made controversial and appalling statements about LGBTQ Americans, writing this: ``[There is] ample reason for concern that same-sex marriage will hurt families, and consequentially children and society.'' Mr. VanDyke was given every opportunity to disavow this statement and repeatedly declined to do so. Allowing Mr. VanDyke to serve on the Ninth Circuit would put at risk the rights of thousands of LGBTQ Americans to employment, healthcare, housing, and basic equal treatment in what is often the court of last resort. Surely you must agree, no matter who is President or who controls the Senate, you would want qualified judges with connections to the State who will be fair to your constituents and not use cases to advance their personal ideological agenda. I oppose the nomination of Mr. VanDyke, and if it is withdrawn or voted down, I will be ready at a moment's notice to work with this White House in finding a fair, qualified, and nonpartisan nominee from Nevada. The people of my home State and yours deserve nothing less. I yield the floor.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, today it is my honor to pay tribute to Edward Hall, an incredible 96-year-old Nevadan, whose story began when he answered the call to defend his country. Eighty years ago, in 1939, at the age of 16, Ed lied about his age to enlist in the Army Air Corps and began his military service to our great Nation. On December 7, 1941, at just 18 years old, he found himself stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii, working in the mess hall cleaning up and preparing for the day when he and his fellow troops heard an explosion. This was the beginning of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and Ed, like many of the men on Hickam Field, stopped what he was doing to respond to this attack on the American Base. Without hesitation, Ed put his life on the line, joining in to rescue his fellow servicemembers injured in the ongoing attack. Along with an Army officer, Ed commandeered a truck and began driving around the flight line picking up the injured to move them to the base hospital in spite of coming into direct fire from Japanese aircraft. Upon returning from his third round of picking up the injured, Ed's truck was strafed by a Japanese Zero fighter and taken out of action, but Ed kept at it, as he knew helping the injured was his priority. As the bodies of the dead and injured continued to mount, Ed grabbed a .45-caliber pistol off one of his fallen comrades in order to have the means to defend himself from the attack as enemy planes buzzed the skies above him. He would go on to keep that pistol for the remainder of the war. As the attack on Pearl Harbor ended, the recovery of the base began as Ed and other survivors began dealing with the aftermath of the attack and preparing for our formal entry into World War II in the Pacific theater. Ed kept going, as many of the members of that ``greatest generation'' did throughout World War II, embodying the American spirit of tenacity when faced with the greatest adversity, the spirit that eventually led to our success in defeating tyranny and enabling freedom across the world at the end of the Great War in 1945. Mr. President, to Edward Hall, I join citizens across Nevada and the Nation in sending our sincere gratitude to him for his service to the United States. It is heroes like Ed whose service has kept our communities, States, Nation, and world safe. His service during World War II, and the life he has led since are an incredible testament to resilience, and we are forever grateful.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to bring attention to a critical and often hidden issue facing our Nation. Each year, nearly 18,000 foster children across our country age out of the system with no permanent place to call home. Right now, over 125,000 foster children are eligible for adoption and waiting for their forever family. Over 1,600 of those children live in Nevada. Every single child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family. November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the many ways that families are created, including through adoption. There are children in our communities, waiting to belong, to be loved, and to be a part of what so many of us take for granted. Sitting down to a meal with a parent, knowing you have a family member in the audience at a school event or knowing that someone is, indeed, waiting up to make sure you get home safe and by curfew. The very idea that someone cares enough to make sure homework is done, and to listen when your day doesn't go so well does immeasurable good for children. Our Nation's foster children are in a situation that is no fault of their own. Most are there due to severe neglect or abuse. They have experienced trauma. They have been suddenly taken away from all they know, bringing few possessions, stored in a garbage bag, with them as they move from home to home. The goal is always to reunite foster children with their biological families if it can be done safely, but unfortunately, that isn't always an option. For the children who remain in our foster system, we can and must do better. Absolutely no child is unadoptable. By working together, we can achieve a future where every child in our Nation knows without a doubt they belong and they have a family. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about adoption to visit www.adoptuskids.org or reach out to local community organizations to find out more about how to get involved with mentoring or supporting foster children in other ways. As I hear from constituents about the work they do to help raise awareness and improve outcomes for foster youth, I am so encouraged. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to create a brighter future for our most vulnerable children.

Ms. ROSEN

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

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to this administration's nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security. I stand here today opposed not only to Mr. Wolf's nomination but also to the way in which this administration is circumventing the constitutional requirement of advice and consent to make Mr. Wolf the head of the third largest Department in the Federal Government. By the President's own admission, Mr. Wolf is slated to immediately be appointed to serve indefinitely in the position of Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. Thus, our votes tonight and tomorrow are effectively to confirm Chad Wolf to be Acting Secretary of the entire Department of Homeland Security, despite limited vetting, no committee vote, and no confirmation hearing for this position. But this is about more than just an egregious attempt to bypass the Senate's role of advice and consent for Cabinet nominees. Rather, this evening's vote will advance a nominee who played an integral role in this administration's cruel family separation policy, and tonight's vote is about the refusal of this administration to address its treatment of detained children. That is why I was so disappointed to see cloture filed on Chad Wolf's nomination. I placed a hold on Mr. Wolf's nomination to be Under Secretary as a result of the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the southern border, which began and grew during Mr. Wolf's tenure as chief of staff to DHS Secretary Nielsen. Between July 2017 and June 2018, while Mr. Wolf held the position of chief of staff, 2,800 migrant children were separated from their parents and held in DHS custody under this administration's cruel, so- called ``zero tolerance'' immigration policy. Even today, we don't know the extent of the damage. Just last week, reports identified 1,500 more children who were separated from their parents during that time. We do, however, know from emails that Chad Wolf played a leading role in developing, suggesting, and implementing this inhumane policy. When I asked him if he had helped to develop the administration's family separation policy, he said: ``No, ma'am.'' When I asked him if he had concerns with the policy of indefinitely separating children from their parents, Mr. Wolf said: ``My job wasn't to determine if it was the right or wrong policy.'' When I asked him how he became aware of the policy, he stated that he learned about it in April of 2018. Emails now show that Mr. Wolf had been participating in meetings discussing family separation as far back as December of 2017. The emails showed that Mr. Wolf provided then- Secretary Nielsen a list of 16 options to limit immigration, one of which was to separate families. Even before these emails came to light, I found Mr. Wolf's failure to take responsibility for his direct involvement in the administration's cruel family separation policy to be both misleading and disingenuous, which is why I voted against his nomination in committee. I also placed a hold on both Mr. Wolf's nomination and that of DHS CFO nominee Troy Edgar until the inhumane and substandard conditions for children at CBP processing and detention facilities improved significantly. Reports from journalists, attorneys, and advocates detailed ongoing horrific conditions, making it clear that DHS was not taking the actions needed to care for and treat migrant children at the southern border. I witnessed these conditions firsthand. When I toured detention facilities at the border earlier this year, what I saw was entirely consistent with the news and DHS inspector general reports about the horrific and inhumane conditions there: children freezing, scared, and unsure of what would happen to them next. The children didn't know if they would ever see their parents again. Even the parents didn't know when their next meal would be, when their next shower would be, and how long they would be there. The anxiety and despair was palpable. Amidst this crisis at the border, I placed a hold on Mr. Wolf. My requests of the Department were simple--that every child under the care of the United States of America be treated humanely. I requested that DHS hire more pediatricians for CBP facilities, that they bring on child welfare professionals to care for and provide services to the children in CBP custody, and that they increase NGO access to CBP facilities. Regarding these specific requests, DHS has not adequately addressed the concerns. This is why I maintain my hold on Mr. Wolf's nomination and why my hold on Mr. Edgar will remain until these conditions improve. With this in mind, we cannot allow a nominee like Mr. Wolf to move forward, especially when we know he is going to be moved right up to Acting Secretary, a position where the President can keep him indefinitely without a confirmation hearing and without the advice and consent of the Senate. It is an end run around our constitutional role, one of the most important checks we have on the executive branch. It is also not the process we should accept for filling a Cabinet-level position in the third largest Department in the Federal Government, one charged with the critical job of protecting our homeland. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote against cloture on Mr. Wolf's nomination tonight and against his confirmation tomorrow, and I pledge to work with all of you and the administration to identify nominees to lead the Department whom we can all support. I yield the floor.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today with great pride to recognize a group of national heroes as they have embarked on their Honor Flight from Nevada to Washington, DC. Nevada is home to over 225,000 veterans, and I am glad that we are able to honor 41 of these brave individuals today. These courageous men and women served in our military and sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values. Today's honor flight includes individuals who served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. As we welcome them to the Nation's Capital, let us remember that these men and women put their lives on the line to answer our country's call to duty, and let us strive to emulate the greatness that they have so selflessly displayed. I would like to begin with honoring individuals who served in the United States Army. Mr. Glenn Christman, 93, who served in the Army from 1944-1960, spanning World War II and Korea. He was a soldier in the Special Forces, as well as a paratrooper, and attained the highest enlisted rank of sergeant major. He was shot nine times throughout his service and was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Mr. Vincent Cimino, 86, who served in the Army from 1953-1955 during the Korean war. He was a soldier stationed in Germany as a clerk typist, responsible for making dog tags for his battalion. Mr. Donald Davis, 85, who served in the Army from 1954-1956 during the Korean war. He was a soldier in the Quartermaster Corps. Mr. Alfred Fiel, 90, who served in the Army during the Korean war. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, and served as a supply clerk for the military police. Mr. Ronald Fortmeyer, 87, who served in the Army during the Korean war from 1952-1954. He was a private first c1ass serving as an infantry soldier on the 38th parallel. Mr. Charles Nola, 82, who served during the Korean and Cold wars. He was a soldier stationed in Germany, as well as in the U.S. working as a senior movement specialist. Mr. William Sanchanko, 92, who served in the Army during World War II. He was stationed in Manila, Philippines, serving as a military policeman. Mr. Michael Stem, 82, who served in the Army from 1961-1968 during the Vietnam war. He was a chief warrant officer 2, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. The second group of individuals I would like to honor today are those that served in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Jerome ``Jerry'' Gardberg, 82, served 32 years as a marine, a career that spanned both the Vietnam and Cold wars, as a communications officer. Mr. John Jesse, 83, who served in the Marines from 1954-1962, working in helicopter warfare development, and rising to the rank of sergeant before separating from the Marine Corps. The third group of individuals I would like to honor today are those that served in the United States Navy. Mr. Anthony Barbaro, 85, who served during the Korean war and was stationed in the United States, Philippines, and Japan. He was a crew chief aboard the USS Boxer. Mr. Eugene ``Frenchy'' Bousquet, 84, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars and spent 22 years in the Navy as an electrician and instructor. Mr. Kenneth Knudson, 81, who served during the Vietnam war as part of a Navy career that spanned from 1960-1980. He was a line and naval security group officer, and attained the rank of lieutenant commander. Mr. Gerald May, 86, who served from 1951-1955 during the Korean war. Seaman First Class David Miller, 92, who served during World War II aboard the USS Breton. Fireman Second Class Daniel Nall, 93, who served during World War II from 1944-1945 as a motor machinist mate. Mr. Larry ``Nick'' Nicolai, 82, who was stationed in the South Pacific during the Korean war as an electrician's mate aboard the USS Prestige and the USS Mattaponi. Seaman Abraham Sabori, 86, who served from 1951-1954 during the Korean war. Mr. Donald Van De Steeg, 96, who served during World War II from 1943-1946 in the 7th Fleet under Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid. Torpedoman First Class Marvin Wear, 84, who served during both the Korean and Vietnam wars aboard destroyers and submarines as part of a Navy career that spanned from 1952-1972. Petty Officer First Class Patricia Whitlock, who served in Desert Storm during a career that spanned from 1978-1996 in which she worked as a mess specialist career counselor, and metal craftsmith. The fourth group of individuals I would like to honor today are those that served in the United States Air Force. Colonel Mack Boone, 90, who served 25 years of intermittent service of Reserve and Active Duty from 1949-1989. He was a B-26 Navigator, commander of Class A Unit,and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. Ms. Anne Bousquet, 84, who served during the Korean war from 1953-1957. She worked in communications at the Pentagon and in England. Mr. Donald Furlong, 85, who served during the Vietnam war as part of a 22-year career from 1953-1975. He was stationed in North Africa and England as an aircraft maintenance crew chief on the Recon Bomber 47. Mr. Skip Gruber, 81, who served during the Vietnam war in the Air Force and Army working as an aircraft electronics repairman. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Mr. Min Hiu Hen, 79, who served during the Vietnam war in the Air Force and Army as a transportation officer and pilot. He was shot down on his 318th combat mission and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. Senior Airman Robert Kundel, 75, who served during the Vietnam war from 1963-1967 refueling aircraft. Private First Class Luis Maldonado, 92, who served during World War II in both the Army and Air Force, his career spanning from 1946-1949. He worked in the hangar storage department and guarded prisoners waiting to be repatriated. Airman First Class Ralph Reggans, 84, who served during the Korean war in the Army and Air Force from 1950-1960 as a combat engineer. Senior Master Sergeant Fredrick Marshall Stilt Sr., 93, who served during the second World War, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars in both the Army and Air Force as a casualty} reporting assistant. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for his service during the Tripoli Evacuation of 1967. Master Sergeant Fredrick Marshall Stilt Jr., 72, who served during the Vietnam war in the Army and Air Force. During his 20-year career, he worked in radio communications. Mr. Lloyd Tatro, 87, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. During his career that spanned from 1950-1970, he worked in radar support directing B-52 bombers to their targets. Mr. Rollie Tatro, 85, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. During his career that spanned from 1952-1975, he worked as a baker and supervisor. Mr. William ``Bing'' Tatro, 83, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, he was a navigator technician on B-52 bombers for 13 years. Major Francis Walls, 89, who served during the Korean, Vietnam, and Cold wars as part of a military career that spanned from 1948-1973. He worked in aircraft maintenance and was awarded the Bronze Star. Senior Master Sergeant Richard Wellington, 84, who served from 1954-1974 as an electrician, including during the Vietnam war, in both the Navy and Air Force. Mr. Clifford ``Yank'' Wiltse, who served during the Korean war from 1952-1956. He worked in the Strategic Air Command and the Military Transport Service. Finally, I would like to honor Mr. Bernard Pachter, 92, who served in the Coast Guard from 1945-1948. With his service starting towards the end of World War II in the Pacific, he was a working medic in Guam, lwo Jima, and Ulithi, and earned the rank of hospital corpsman second class. Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to all of these men and women, and it is my distinct privilege to honor their service today and welcome them to the Nation's Capital.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to join my friend and colleague Senator Cortez Masto in opposing the nomination of Lawrence VanDyke to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Nevada. Our Federal courts make decisions every day that affect consumers, immigrants, small businesses, not to mention our right to equal treatment, education, and healthcare. As such, our Federal judges must be serious, fairminded, and nonpartisan. We want women and men on the Federal bench who will look at the facts of a case, apply the law, and work hard to reach a just result regardless of who the parties are in front of them. The Federal bench must reflect our country in all its diversity of experience and background. Even though the Constitution gives the President the power to nominate Federal judges, it also requires the advice and consent of the Senate, and historically the President consults with home state Senators when there is a vacancy. As the representatives to our States, we are better equipped to identify qualified lawyers and judges to serve on the Federal bench who have done good work and who have good reputations in our home communities. We have numerous qualified, nonpartisan individuals working in the Nevada legal community who would make excellent additions to the Ninth Circuit. There are a number of amazing Nevada lawyers whom Senator Cortez Masto and I would have gladly considered supporting for a seat on this prestigious court. We have litigators, magistrate judges, law professors, prosecutors, public defenders, and existing district court judges with stellar reputations from the State, lawyers and judges from Nevada. They know our State, and they have respected nonpartisan records. But the White House didn't nominate any of these individuals for the Ninth Circuit. Instead, the President nominated Lawrence VanDyke, a Washington, DC, lawyer. He wasn't born in Nevada. He didn't grow up in Nevada. He didn't go to school in Nevada. He doesn't live in Nevada now. Mr. VanDyke, a Montana native who ran for office there and also worked in Texas, came to Nevada for a job a few years ago, in 2015. When the person he worked for lost a political race in 2018, Mr. VanDyke quickly sold the house he briefly owned in Nevada and moved to Virginia to work in Washington, DC, and as of last week, by his own admission, he hasn't even been back to Nevada since then. He is a DC lawyer and a failed political candidate from Montana who shares this White House's extreme political views. They are imposing him on Nevada despite the fact that we have so many qualified people in our own State who enjoy broad support across the political spectrum. Nevada has a vibrant community, and we take pride in knowing each other, respecting each other, and most importantly, putting partisan politics aside when it comes to working together for the betterment of our State. So if someone is a good judge or lawyer, if they are honest and they have a good reputation professionally, if they are civil in court and have a respectful demeanor, you will usually hear the same things about that person from everyone. These are the types of people who should be Federal judges: people who treat everyone fairly and with respect, who are smart, who are fair, and who follow the facts to get a just result. After reviewing Mr. VanDyke's record and meeting with him privately and watching his testimony before the Judiciary Committee yesterday, I have arrived at the determination that Mr. VanDyke does not fit that mold. Mr. VanDyke spent a lot of time in our meeting talking about how the role of a Federal judge is simply to apply the law and not to try to change it. His record clearly shows otherwise. How do we know this? Because before coming to Nevada, Mr. VanDyke worked for the Montana attorney general. Many of his emails from that time are public. They show he used that government office, where his job was to defend the laws of Montana--instead, what he chose to do is advance his own personal ideological agenda, even when it was against his State's interests. At least in one instance, he signed the State of Montana onto a brief without even bothering to read it. Among the briefs Mr. VanDyke signed in his home State of Montana during his tenure as solicitor general was one asking the Supreme Court to strike down Roe v. Wade and all of the reproductive cases that followed Roe. When it comes to a woman's right to make her decisions about her own body, Mr. VanDyke's views and actions are far outside the mainstream, and they are far out of step with the views of the people of Nevada. I am also concerned about the comments Mr. VanDyke has made about LGBTQ Americans. In 2004, Mr. VanDyke wrote that there is ``ample reason for concern that same-sex marriage will hurt families, and consequentially children and society.'' The LGBTQ community is at a critical point in its fight for equality. This term, the Supreme Court is considering whether employers in the United States can fire an individual merely for being gay or transgender. When the next case on LGBTQ rights comes up for judicial consideration, it could come before Lawrence VanDyke. If that isn't enough, here is one more thing to consider. The American Bar Association has, by a substantial majority, rated Mr. VanDyke as unqualified. For a lifetime appointment, we should always strive for a candidate who is very qualified. No, they gave us Lawrence VanDyke, who was rated ``not qualified.'' Why did the ABA make this determination? Well, I will let the ABA's words speak for themselves. Based on interviews with 60 individuals who have worked with Mr. VanDyke over the years, including more than 40 lawyers and over a dozen judges, this is what the ABA said. Mr. VanDyke's past work is offset by the assessments of interviewees that Mr. VanDyke is . . . lazy, an ideologue, and lacking in knowledge of the day-to-day practice including procedural rules. There was a theme that the nominee lacks humility, has an ``entitlement'' temperament, does not have an open mind, and does not always have a commitment to being candid and truthful. Surely you agree, no matter who is in the White House or who controls the Senate, you would want the Federal judges in your States to come from and reflect your communities. You would want to trust these judges to be fair to your constituents and not use cases to advance their own ideological agenda, and you would want your judges to be, at a minimum, qualified to serve on the bench. I oppose the nomination of Mr. VanDyke, and if it is withdrawn or voted down, I will be ready that day to work with this White House on finding nominees from Nevada who are qualified and fair and nonpartisan. The people of my home State of Nevada, particularly today, on Nevada Day, deserve nothing less. I yield the floor.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Madam President, today I would like to honor the life and legacy of Franklyn G. Verley III, a radio host and community leader who passed away in Las Vegas, NV, in late September at the age of 59. Franklyn Verley will be remembered as the host of the ``Like it is Radio'' show on Las Vegas' Power 88.1 for the past 16 years, where he made the most of his role to highlight social, race, and economic issues that impact the Las Vegas community every day. Franklyn was born and raised in New York, NY, where his parents immersed him in Black culture and the value of his roots and cultural history. While living in New York, he was a lead sales representative for the School and College Department for the New York Times. Once he relocated to Las Vegas in the mid-2000s, Franklyn began his radio career, joining the team at KCEP Power 88.1, where he hosted the ``Like it is Radio Show.'' As a host and executive producer, he brought on a wide range of guests, such as Senator Harry Reid, Armstrong Williams, and Angela Bassett. His show covered topics that ranged from political, judicial, and social issues that affected the Black community he advocated for on a daily basis. He also became a recipient of many awards, being inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2019 and receiving the Fountain of Hope Community Activism Award and the NAACP Legacy Builder Award. Franklyn will be dearly missed by family members, friends, and the hundreds of people whose lives he touched every day through his advocacy and knowledge. I extend our sincerest condolences to Franklyn's wife and the entire extended community where he made a positive impact. His legacy lives on in each of us.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, on October 1, 2017, the city of Las Vegas experienced a tragedy on an unprecedented scale--a tragedy that has left our community deeply scarred and our city forever changed. It was a warm October night. Tens of thousands of people were gathering in town for a music festival. They were there to have fun, to dance, and to be joyous, but that joy was cut short by violence and terror when a lone gunman began to open fire. In the 10 minutes that the shooting lasted, over 1,100 rounds were fired. I repeat: 1,100 rounds. There were 58 innocent people murdered and 422 injured. Next week marks the second anniversary of that horrific evening--the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Sons, daughters, parents, friends, and neighborhoods--each one of them were loved, and they were all taken from us far too soon. Countless others were injured in the chaotic frenzy that followed the gunfire. Many will never live the same life they once knew. Several victims from that night never received the care they needed, including members of the Nevada's immigrant community, who were too scared--too scared--to seek care for risk of deportation. The 1 October shooting forever altered the lives of countless families in Las Vegas and countless families across this country. Many are still grieving and will suffer through pain that no family, no friend, no spouse, or no child should ever have to face, and that empty seat at every Thanksgiving and every holiday table will never be filled. Numerous survivors are still working through the effects of this incredible trauma. Put simply, this massacre shook our community to its very core. Let me be clear when I tell you today that we were not and we will not be shattered. The bright lights of Las Vegas will continue to shine through the darkness of that day. We are resilient, and we will always be Vegas Strong. I stand here today to honor the memory of 58 victims who lost their lives and the hundreds more who were injured and are still fighting to recover. I am here to say that they will never be forgotten. We will be there to stand side by side with them as they continue to overcome the challenges and trauma brought on by the shooting. We must also remember that in the face of terror, there were people who made the selfless choice to run toward the gunfire and to help. They were our brave first responders who risked their lives to offer aid. They were everyday citizens who allowed others to escape in their cars. They were law enforcement officers, firefighters, physicians, and cabdrivers. Every member of our community that could came out to help. All of them are heroes, and all of them must be remembered. Heroes continue to come forward in the days, weeks, months, and even years now following the shooting, lining up to donate blood, giving financial aid to help support those who were injured and the families of those who were murdered, helping to reunite friends and families in the aftermath, and, to this day, providing counseling and the much- needed support to those who are still suffering from the trauma of that horrific night. Our city provided legal, financial, and mental health services to those who were affected by the violence that night, including the formation of the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center. In the days immediately following the shooting, community members and local businesses formed what is now known as the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, a memorial to those whose lives were lost. Visitors planted 58 trees--one for each victim--and painted rocks and ornaments with words of encouragement and words of strength. Family members decorated trees of their loved ones. Following the shooting, Nevada also took action, passing a series of gun safety measures to prevent this kind of tragedy from occurring again. Two years have passed. I wish I could say that Congress has followed Nevada's lead, that we have come together as a nation in healing, put partisanship aside, and passed commonsense gun safety legislation to protect the lives of Americans. But, sadly, this is not the case. Each day and each year that Congress fails to pass commonsense gun violence prevention measures is another day and another year that we fail to honor the 58 who lost their lives on 1 October and the countless lives that have been lost to gun violence. This type of tragedy happens all too often in our country. This past year, there were 337 mass shootings. That is nearly one a day for an entire year. So far in 2019, we have already experienced over 300 mass shootings. This is unacceptable. We must work to prevent these weapons from ending up in the wrong hands, and we owe it to the countless Americans who have lost their lives, who were injured and forever scarred, to find a solution, not just for those who lost their lives in Las Vegas but for those in countless other American cities. In the days following the terrible tragedies in Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton, I visited the heroes of the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center. They have been working nonstop for 2 years helping our community to heal. As I learned of their efforts not only to help victims and survivors but also to extend a hand to help communities like ours in their greatest time of need, I was reminded by them of just how resilient we are as a people, as a community, and as a country. We owe it to these heroes to no longer accept inaction. We must all continue to stand up, to speak out, and to refuse to allow these kinds of tragedies because they should never define us. No American--no American--should ever have to think twice about going to church, the movies, or a concert on a warm October night, and no parent--no mother--should have a bulletproof backpack on their back-to- school shopping list. As Members of Congress, we were elected to solve problems and to keep our country safe. When it comes to gun violence, we are failing. We are failing spectacularly on both counts, but we don't have to. We can take action. We can take reasonable steps to reduce gun violence. We can put a stop to the carnage that is happening across our country, and we can do this while still respecting the Second Amendment. What is happening is not normal, but it is also not inevitable. Sharing our thoughts and prayers shouldn't be the only action we ever take. Let's put our differences aside and make mass shootings a thing of the past, not a daily expectation for our future. It has been over 200 days since H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, passed the House of Representatives. I am a proud cosponsor of the Senate's companion legislation, S. 42. The legislation is ready to go. The legislation will close loopholes and require background checks for all commercial gun sales, including those made at gun shows and on the internet. In memory of the 58 Americans who lost their lives on 1 October and those who have lost their lives before and after, I call on my colleagues to act and to take up this legislation for an immediate vote. It is past time. It is past time that we come together and find solutions. It is past time because if we don't act, then, the inevitable will continue to be our daily reality. We can prevent mass shootings in this country, but ``can'' is not possible without the word ``courage.'' I implore this body to have the courage so that no other family has to endure this kind of tragedy, this kind of trauma, and this kind of sorrow. Thank you. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. ROSEN. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. ROSEN

Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, each week the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship recognizes one small business that exemplifies the hard work and perseverance of the American Dream and the American entrepreneur. The great State of Nevada is home to more than 250,000 small businesses of all types, from mom-and-pop shop bakeries to world renowned cyber security firms. Nevada's small businesses are the driving force behind our State's rapidly growing economy and the engine that powers our communities. It is therefore my honor to recognize Nevada's Expertise Cosmetology Institute, a small business with a strong and deep-rooted commitment to improving lives and a desire to give back to the community, for recently having been named the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. Small businesses, especially minority-owned small businesses, are breaking down barriers in every corner of Nevada. Expertise Cosmetology Institute is the first African-American-owned school of cosmetology in Nevada and helps many of their students receive degrees in cosmetology, hair design, nail technology, aesthetics, and barbering. Expertise Cosmetology Institute equips its students with the knowledge to thrive in the barbering and salon industry and ensures graduates have the skills necessary to succeed post-graduation. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of State regulations, training on the latest trends, and most importantly, how to manage a small business of their own. Expertise Cosmetology offers financial aid to those students who qualify so no student with the desire to succeed in this industry is left behind. I would also like to recognize Mrs. Gwen Braimoh who, in addition to managing Expertise Cosmetology, also runs the Expertise New Path program in Nevada. The Expertise New Path program helps women earn their cosmetology license while incarcerated at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center in North Las Vegas, NV. Mrs. Braimoh's passion for helping the less fortunate and those who wish to build a better life for themselves is changing lives and improving our communities across the State of Nevada. Small businesses truly are the driving force for development and growth not just in Nevada but across our entire Nation. Small businesses like Gwen's not only help our economy succeed, they also give back by uplifting our communities, inspiring others to open businesses of their own and changing lives for the better. Again, I would like to recognize Mrs. Gwen Braimoh and all the employees at Expertise Cosmetology Institute for their contribution to Nevada and our Nation and congratulate them for being named the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee's Small Business of the Week.