Richard Shelby

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of my friend Marlin Moore of Tuscaloosa, AL, who passed away on May 25, 2016. He will be long remembered as an accomplished businessman and a civic leader. A native of Tuscaloosa, Marlin attended Tuscaloosa High School and then went on to become a student at the University of Alabama's School of Commerce. Following graduation, he joined the firm of Pritchett- Moore, Inc., where he worked under its founders, Marlin Moore, Sr., and Harry H. Pritchett. Marlin eventually became president and then chairman of Pritchett- Moore. Not only did he develop 43 subdivisions during his time with Pritchett-Moore, but he was involved with the Realtors Association both on the State and national level. Marlin served two terms as president of the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, president of the Alabama Association of Realtors, and served as a board member of the National Association of Realtors for 11 years. For his contributions to the real estate community, he received the Alabama Realtor of the Year Award and was named a member of the Home Builders Association of Tuscaloosa Hall of Fame. In addition to his interest and work in real estate, Marlin was also a founder of Security Bank, where he served as its chairman. He served as a board member of First National Bank and AmSouth Bank, and he served two terms on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. In addition to his professional contributions to west Alabama, Marlin worked with several philanthropic organizations such as the United Way of West Alabama, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Exchange Club, the Boy Scout Council, the West Alabama Community Foundation, and the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide Track Program. In 2008, he was inducted into the Pillars of West Alabama for his dedicated efforts and service to the area. The city of Tuscaloosa and the State of Alabama was fortunate to have a great businessman and civic leader like Marlin Moore, and he will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Laine, and their children as they celebrate his life and mourn his loss.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Senator Lee's amendment that would prevent the implementation of HUD's affirmatively furthering fair housing regulation. Contrary to statements that have been made, the Senator's amendment does nothing to change fair housing laws or to prevent the enforcement thereof. What the Lee amendment does is to prevent the implementation of a rule that would give HUD Federal control over local planning decisions. Supporters of this program have argued that it is intended to protect communities from fair housing lawsuits. It is quite the contrary. This rule, if allowed to be implemented, will actually lay the predicate for endless litigation against every community in our respective States that are required to participate. This should be unacceptable to every Member of this body. Supporting Senator Lee's amendment is the only option before us to prevent centralized Federal control of local planning decisions. In my judgment, the Collins-Reed amendment does nothing to restrain the full implementation of HUD's program. I urge my colleagues to support the Lee amendment.

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, we should all be aware that the Collins- Reed amendment provides no protections to local communities on their local planning rules because it merely prohibits an activity that the rule does not contemplate. Even the sponsor of this amendment acknowledged earlier today that the amendment prohibited an activity that she believed would not occur. Make no mistake that the so-called affirmatively furthering fair housing rule will likely heavily influence local zoning decisions. However, it does so indirectly, not through direct action as in the Collins-Reed amendment. HUD advertises this fact on its own Web site, where it details how communities will have to submit for approval an assessment of fair housing and that these communities will ``use the fair housing goals and priorities established in their [assessment] to inform the investments and other decisions made in their local planning processes.'' In other words, HUD does not intend to direct any specific zoning requirements. It does, however, intend to significantly influence local zoning decisions by withholding approval of local plans until they meet HUD's central planning goals. This amendment is not sufficient on its own. I believe the only way to prevent HUD from intruding into local community planning exactly as they openly state they intend to do is to support the Lee amendment. I believe the Collins-Reed amendment is not alternative to Senator Lee's amendment, it is, at best, complementary to the Lee amendment, and that is something we will have to vote on in just a few minutes. I thank the Presiding Officer.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. It would also project energy savings and inflated borrowers' income for debt-to-income valuation. I think it would be dangerous for FHA loans. We don't need it. FHA already has an FHA energy-efficient program, and according to HUD, FHA's energy-efficient program helps families save money on their utility bills by enabling them to finance energy-efficient improvements with their FHA insurance mortgage.

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, this amendment offered by my friend from Georgia sounds good, but let's examine it for a little while. This amendment is opposed by the scholars of the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, the American Action Forum, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. As we all know, the mortgage underwriting process is about evaluating a borrower's ability to afford a mortgage, and history tells us that if we play around with it, it does not end well when we forget this. This amendment would weaken FHA's underwriting standards, leading to greater safety and perhaps soundness concerns for FHA's portfolio, which received a $1.7 billion bailout in 2013. It would require that appraisals be inflated to account for the value of energy efficiency upgrades as determined by HUD.

Mr. SHELBY. I ask unanimous consent for 1 additional minute.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I commend Airbus and its employees at the Mobile Aeroplex facility on the completion of their first aircraft, the Airbus A321. This great achievement was years in the making, and I am delighted that Mobile is home to the first A321 built in the United States. Aviation manufacturing is extremely valuable to the State of Alabama's economy. Airbus plays a significant role in this sector, which brings welcomed job creation and economic growth to south Alabama and across the State. Airbus's presence in Alabama also underscores the fact that our great State is open for business, leading the Nation in both cutting-edge technology and workforce. It is my great honor to congratulate Airbus and all of those who played a role in the making of this momentous occasion. I look forward to many more accomplishments by Airbus's Mobile facility and additional aircraft that will be proudly made in Alabama.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, today I wish to honor the life of my friend Hilliard Fletcher of Tuscaloosa, AL, who passed away on March 13, 2016. He will be remembered as a skilled businessman, a devoted public servant, and a man who deeply cared about the city of Tuscaloosa. A native of Mobile, Hilliard graduated from the University of Alabama in 1957. He went on to serve our country as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 14 years in the Reserves, retiring with the rank of major. Hilliard was the president of Duckworth-Morris Insurance Company and also served with distinction four terms as finance and waterworks commissioner on the Tuscaloosa City Commission. During those 16 years, he played an instrumental role in the creation of the mayor-council model of municipal government that we know today. He was also influential in the efforts that led to Congress passing the Lake Tuscaloosa Protection Act, which prevented the Federal Government from installing a hydroelectric powerplant on Lake Tuscaloosa's dam in 1970. In addition to his many years of service to the city of Tuscaloosa, Hilliard was a true leader in his community--serving on numerous boards and working with various charitable and business organizations. He served on the board of directors of First Alabama Bank, was the president of the United Way of West Alabama, and was president and director of the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa. He also served as a board member and officer of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, was a member of the board of directors and membership chairman of the YMCA of Tuscaloosa, and was the Chairman of the Heart Fund Drive. Hilliard was on the DCH Foundation Board, was director of the Alabama League of Municipalities, and was a deacon of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. Hilliard's many accomplishments, as well as his contributions to the city of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama, will not be soon forgotten. Tuscaloosa named the city's wastewater treatment plant after him in 1998. The Community Foundation of West Alabama named him a ``Pillar of West Alabama'' in 2010 for his dedicated efforts and service to the area. The city of Tuscaloosa and the State of Alabama were fortunate to have a leader and a great man like Hilliard Fletcher, and he will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Betty; his daughter, Beth Lubin; and his sons, Douglas and Curtis, as they celebrate his many life accomplishments and mourn this great loss.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. I object.

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I object.

Mr. SHELBY. I object.

Mr. SHELBY. I object.

Mr. SHELBY. I object.

Mr. SHELBY. I object.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, the tragic murders that occurred in California yesterday are unthinkable and by all standards horrific. My thoughts and prayers today go out to all of the victims, their families, and the entire community. Today I would also like to take a moment to thank the brave first responders there who selflessly and honorably risked their own lives in order to protect the lives of others. Following the tragic events of yesterday, President Obama unsurprisingly called to limit the Second Amendment rights of the American people through stricter gun control. I believe this is yet another example of the President using tragic events to push his political agenda. Infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is not the answer to curbing violent crime in America. Restrictive gun control measures only prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves because criminal criminals, by definition, refuse to follow the law. In addition to President Obama's misguided calls for gun control, he recently issued an Executive order to remove unarmed military surplus vehicles that were obtained through the section 1033 program from local law enforcement. These vehicles have been valuable to local law enforcement officials in my home State of Alabama, specifically in Calhoun County. They were also used by the local law enforcement people seeking to protect those in harm's way yesterday in California. I have called on the President to reverse the dangerous decision he made in which he abuses the authority of his office, I believe, by making unilateral decisions through executive fiat. During this time of increased uncertainty at home and abroad, I believe the American people are looking to us for certainty that we will do everything in our power to keep them safe. Unfortunately, I believe President Obama has once again chosen to attack and weaken law enforcement and law-abiding citizens instead of focusing on fighting against criminals and radical Islamic terrorists. Let me be clear here today. The President's calls to increase gun control and remove equipment from law enforcement used to keep us safe only undermines the safety and security of the American people. We simply cannot and must not continue to let this administration infringe upon our constitutional rights and put law-abiding Americans in harm's way. I hope we will continue to fight for our constitutional rights here. I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the current World Boxing Council, WBC, World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Leshun Wilder. Mr. Wilder is a native of Tuscaloosa, AL. He graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School in 2004, and he attended Shelton State Community College. From there, he focused on forging a career in boxing. Mr. Wilder began his boxing career in 2005, and he has achieved outstanding success as both an amateur and professional boxer. In 2007, Wilder upset the favorites to win the National Golden Gloves and the U.S. championships. Wilder was awarded the bronze medal in boxing at the 2008 Olympics. In 2012, he won the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight boxing title. In January of this year, Wilder became the first American heavyweight champion in 9 years after his win over Bermane Stiverne. Since then, Wilder has successfully defended his WBC title twice, most recently in September. Deontay Wilder has made a proactive effort to give back to the State of Alabama by hosting his first two title defenses in Birmingham, AL. He has also been a champion of charitable causes such as the fight against spina bifida. Mr. Wilder is an incredible athlete and an inspiration to many. I am honored to recognize his great talent and success, and I am proud to call him a fellow Alabamian.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a distinguished and outstanding business leader, Mr. Jay S. Fishman, as he steps down as chief executive officer of The Travelers Companies on December 1, 2015. I met Jay during my first term as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Jay reached out to the committee in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. After handling claims and helping people rebuild their homes and businesses, Jay was interested in shaping public policy for how this country handles natural catastrophes. He proposed many innovative and thoughtful ideas on how to protect policyholders and taxpayers from what he called ``the next big one.'' I then watched as Jay deftly managed his company during the financial crisis, not merely weathering the storm, but thriving while many of his competitors were seeking help from the government in the form of taxpayer bailouts. Jay never asked what the government could do to help Travelers; he always asked how Travelers could help us to develop better public policy based on the expertise that he and his colleagues could provide. Jay will continue to serve Travelers as executive chairman as he contends with the challenges that come with the diagnosis of ALS. He has handled the diagnosis with great dignity and a steadfast resolve to engage, which will surprise no one who knows him. I know he will work relentlessly to promote research that will extend and eventually save lives of people who are stricken with this terrible disease. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this exceptional man, a man who passionately engaged in business and public policy, who has led a truly remarkable career and left an indelible impact on those people who were lucky enough to work for him and with him during his long career.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, the terrorist attacks that rocked the city of Paris and the entire world on Friday, I believe we all agree, were horrific and unthinkable. The people of France stood by our side after the horrendous events of September 11, 2001, and the American people will stand by them during this tragic time. Cowardly and barbaric acts of violence against innocent civilians absolutely should not be tolerated anywhere in our society, and we must take any and all steps available to prevent a similar attack from occurring right here in the United States. Early reports from the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday indicate that the refugee programs in Europe allowed at least one of the attackers to enter France. In light of these reports, the United States should take notice. We are now faced with an opportunity to make a commonsense, responsible decision that would put Americans at ease and put an end to the risk of radical Islamic terrorists infiltrating our Nation through the refugee resettlement program. I believe we simply cannot trust this administration to put in place the rigorous vetting system needed to ensure that the refugees who enter our Nation will not be future threats to our people in our own homeland. It is, without a doubt, in the best interest of the American people and our national security to immediately halt any plans to allow Syrian refugees to resettle in the United States. We know we live in an increasingly dangerous world, and I believe the Obama administration's lack of leadership on foreign policy has exacerbated the problem. We cannot continue to let President Obama's ill-conceived policies put Americans at risk. This administration is either asleep or out of touch with the danger lurking in the world. I ask the American people today: What is it going to take to wake up this administration? Will it take another horrific attack on our own soil and our own people? I believe it is more than time to put an end to relocating Syrian refugees in our country, and that is why I will work tirelessly with my colleagues in the Senate to reverse President Obama's extremely dangerous position that threatens the American people and our homeland. I yield the floor.

Mr. SHELBY

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

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon in strong opposition to the 2-year budget agreement before the Senate. This so-called budget deal was negotiated at the last minute. It is now being rushed through Congress with inadequate time for proper scrutiny. While the devil is typically in the details when Congress negotiates these eleventh-hour deals, the flaws in this agreement are evident from merely taking a glance at what is in it. This budget agreement would increase the current Budget Control Act spending caps, which we enacted in 2011 in an effort to restrain Washington spending, by approximately $80 billion or more over the next 2 years. On top of raising the caps by $80 billion or more, this deal also adds $32 billion in additional spending totals. That is $112 billion in new spending over the next 2 years--yes, $112 billion in new spending over the next 2 years. Not only would this agreement allow for increased spending, it would also raise the debt ceiling through March of 2017--yes, through March of 2017--where we can borrow more money, adding an estimated $1.5 trillion of borrowing. President Obama has continually called for more government spending and a blank check, to raise our Nation's debt limit with no corresponding reforms or spending cuts. The deal before us today represents a victory for President Obama and his liberal allies, not for the American people. As long as Washington continues to spend far beyond its means and remain on the same unsustainable track, our economy will suffer. While I believe we should safeguard the full faith and credit of the United States, I also believe we should do so in a manner that puts our Nation on a more responsible fiscal path. We cannot--I repeat, we cannot continue to raise the debt limit without taking responsible steps to tackle the underlying problems facing our Nation: wasteful government spending. Taking on more debt to facilitate more government spending is not the answer and is simply unacceptable. Hard-working Americans in Alabama and across the country are looking for Washington to have serious conversations about how to tackle our country's $18 trillion debt that is growing. Instead, this deal before us continues the never-ending cycle of bad policies that grow our bloated government, impede job growth, and perpetuate a stagnant economic recovery. I believe our constituents deserve better than a last-minute, flawed budget deal that not only exacerbates our debt crisis, but it adds more and more to our children's debt. There is absolutely no excuse for continuing to increase our Nation's debt. Americans are frustrated that Congress continues to push policies that empower Washington instead of the people of this great country. This deal is more of the same. Borrow more, spend more, be accountable less and less. That is why I adamantly oppose this budget deal and will continue to fight for a smaller, more effective government that puts the American people first. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SHELBY

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

Mr. SHELBY. What is the pending business?

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to the amendment, which is a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. In my opinion, after evaluating this issue during a series of hearings in the Senate banking committee, there is no compelling case to reauthorize the bank. After years of efforts to reform the Export-Import Bank, it has become clear to me that its problems are beyond repair and that the Bank's expiration is in the best interest of American taxpayers. Nearly 99 percent of all American exports--over $2 trillion--are financed without the Export-Import Bank's help, which demonstrates that the subsidies are more about corporate welfare than advancing our economy. I believe the Export-Import Bank has outlived its usefulness and should be allowed to expire. At this point, I move to table the Kirk amendment No. 1986 and ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Sid McDonald of Arab, AL, who passed away on May 15, 2015. He will be remembered as a skilled businessman who was committed to bettering his community and State through public service. Sid was born in Springfield, AL. He earned a degree from the School of Commerce and Business at the University of Alabama in 1961. However, his time at the University of Alabama goes well beyond his days as a student. He was a member of the University of Alabama board of trustees from 1992 to 2008, and served as the pro tempore of the board from 1999 to 2002. Sid began his career in public service when he was named to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in 1970, the year that it was created. He had a passion for education and was instrumental in establishing the Arab City School system where he became the first board chairman. Sid served the people of Marshall County in the Alabama House of Representatives for two terms and also served in the Alabama Senate from 1975 to 1979. He later served as Alabama's finance director under Governor Fob James from 1980 to 1982. After graduating from the University of Alabama, Sid began his successful business career. He became president of Brindlee Mountain Telephone Company, which he managed until it was sold in 2000. In 1983, he founded DeltaCom, a statewide long-distance telephone company, serving as its chairman until it was sold in 1996. He was one of the first outside members of the board of directors of Intergraph Corporation from 1997 until 2006. Most recently, he led the start-up of CBX Holding, LLC (Cold Box), an Arab producer and marketer of temperature controlled cargo containers. In addition to his many business adventures, he was very active in commercial and residential real estate development. Sid's accomplishments and contributions to the State of Alabama have not gone unnoticed. He was elected in 2001 to the Alabama Academy of Honor's One Hundred Living Alabamians and was elected to the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2010. The University of Alabama also dedicated a facility on campus in his honor, Sid McDonald Hall. I offer my deepest condolences to Sid's wife Jane Plunkett McDonald, and to all of their loved ones as they celebrate his many life accomplishments and mourn this great loss.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Huntsville Utilities, a public utility located in Huntsville, AL. Huntsville Utilities is owned by the city of Huntsville and provides water, gas, and electricity to Madison County and parts of Marshall County. Huntsville Utilities serves a total of 49,786 gas customers, 90,665 water customers, and 174,959 electric customers. In total, Huntsville Utilities meets the utility needs of more than 300,000 customers in North Alabama. Moreover, Huntsville Utilities has more than 600 employees throughout the service area. Water, gas, and electricity are of vital importance to families and businesses in our communities. I am honored to commemorate Huntsville Utilities for 75 years of providing this important service to the Huntsville area.