Richard Shelby

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Jelena McWilliams to be the Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A native of the former Yugoslavia, Jelena earned her bachelor's degree and J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. From tough experiences that her family shared in Europe, Jelena understands the value hard work provides in a free market environment like ours. The FDIC plays an important role in ensuring consumer confidence in our Nation's banks. In addition to their work as the prudential regulator for State-chartered banks, the FDIC is also a key part of many interagency efforts to appropriately regulate financial institutions. Due to her vast experience, Jelena is beyond qualified for this esteemed position. To put it clearly, she has worked in all fields that interact with her new role. She is certainly no stranger to the Senate. During my time as chairman, Jelena served as chief counsel and deputy staff director of the Senate Banking Committee. Additionally, she was assistant chief counsel on the Senate Small Business Committee and has experience working for the Federal Reserve. Jelena also has private sector experience as an attorney in private practice. She also served as executive vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary for Fifth Third Bank. Opposition to her nomination is unfathomable. Ms. McWilliams was reported out of the Banking Committee by a voice vote in February. She understands all sides of the areas she will regulate with the highest level of sophistication. However, that has not prevented Members of this body from being unreasonable. Opposition has appeared due to the nature of the Senate today, not due to any question regarding Jelena's qualification for the job. Passage of her nomination builds on positive moment this week. With the passage of S. 2155, Congress has advanced appropriate scaling back of over-burdensome financial regulations. By confirming Jelena, the Senate has the opportunity to continue providing Main Street with commonsense regulatory relief. I am certain that Jelena is up for the challenge and confident that she will do an excellent job in this esteemed position.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to enter into a colloquy with Senator Leahy, Senator Isakson, and Senator Tester.

Mr. SHELBY. We rise today to speak about the VA MISSION Act, bipartisan legislation that would make much needed reforms to the VA Choice and VA Community Care programs. Among these reforms, the existing VA Choice program, funded as a mandatory program, will merge with a streamlined Medical Community Care program, funded with discretionary dollars. I commend my colleagues for a job well done. As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, however, I want to express my concern that this legislation authorizes significant discretionary spending for the VA without providing any way to pay for it under the spending caps imposed by the Budget Control Act, BCA. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this bill will cost $49 billion over the next 5 years--roughly $10 billion per year. Without relief from the caps plus an anticipated return to sequestration levels in 2020, this $49 billion could come at the expense of existing programs, including those at the VA. I am also concerned that the underlying bill only provides funding for the VA Choice program through May of 2019, with no funding plan for the new program which is expected to come online in fiscal year 2019. These problems are not insurmountable. They do, however, require funding above and beyond what was contemplated in both the caps deal and the BCA. Fortunately, there is existing law and ample precedent for adjusting spending caps to reflect changes resulting from a shift in mandatory spending to discretionary spending. I want to ask Senator Isakson and Senator Tester if it is also their understanding that this funding deficiency could imperil other VA funding and, if so, whether they will commit to assisting Senator Leahy and me in enacting a solution when the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill comes to the floor that will provide adequate resources for the programs authorized in this bill without doing harm to existing programs?

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Samuel Eason Balch of Birmingham, AL, who passed away peacefully at his home on April 14, 2018. He will be long remembered for his love of life and his ability to maintain a positive outlook despite any adversity that came his way. Mr. Balch's industrious spirit began showing at a young age. While attending high school, he tended to his family farm and worked at a local drugstore. Following graduation, Mr. Balch entered the University of Alabama School of Commerce, where he quickly became involved in the political scene and the campus social scene. After earning his bachelor of science in business, Eason enlisted in the U.S. Army. Mr. Balch began his military career by entering the Army Officers' Training Corps, OTC, exhibiting his dedicated work ethic from the start. He was quickly commissioned second lieutenant. After graduating from OTC, he was transferred to Fort Pickett, VA, where he was promoted to captain and shipped out to La Havre, France. Eason finished his time in the Army as a major. It will not be forgotten that Mr. Balch spent much of the first half of his life serving our great Nation, proving his honor and dedication to service. Following his years of service to the Army, Eason attended the University of Virginia School of Law. After receiving his law degree, he and his family moved to Birmingham where he joined the law firm Martin, Turner, and McWhorter, which is today known as Balch and Bingham. Mr. Balch played an integral role in developing and growing the firm and went on to become a highly respected, valued adviser for many young lawyers throughout Alabama. I, along with many others, considered Eason to be one of the top utility lawyers in the United States. Outside of his professional career, Mr. Balch held a national presence in the Public Utility Bar and served on the board of directors for the Alabama Power Company for over 20 years. He was also a devoted member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL, for 70 years. Eason and his lovely wife, Betsy, were good friends to my wife, Annette, and me for many years. I will always remember his ability to entertain any audience. Eason never met a stranger. I offer my deepest condolences to Eason's children and to all of his loved ones as they celebrate his life and mourn this great loss.

Mr. SHELBY

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

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

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I, too, would like to start by thanking my good friend, Senator Thad Cochran, for the tireless dedication and public service he has brought forth here throughout some 40-something years--45 years. As has been said, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives over 45 years ago, and he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978. As all of us know, Thad was a practicing attorney in Jackson, MS, and a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. He also studied abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where we visited one time. We have served together in the U.S. Senate for over 30 years. He has been an excellent colleague, and I have been honored to have worked with him. We represent neighboring States, Mississippi and Alabama, and we have both worked on some of the same priorities. But, mainly, he has served Mississippi with the utmost dignity and respect. He has an excellent staff. We are all grateful for their hard work, their help, and their coordination with all of us. As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he has been a remarkable negotiator. As the majority leader will tell you--he is one himself--we need those traits at this point in time. Thad has provided critical funding for various Mississippi priorities over the years. He hasn't forgotten where he is from. Right here, with a lot of help, he led the restoration of the gulf coast after Hurricane Katrina. As I have understood them, his major priorities have always been the defense of this Nation; education, as Senator Leahy talked about; agriculture, where he served as the chairman of the Ag Committee for a long time; rural issues, not only in Mississippi but all over America. Thad also spent many years serving on the Rules Committee, where I now chair. I believe history will reflect Thad Cochran's long legacy of strong leadership, and I, myself, believe that he has made an extraordinary impact here in the U.S. Senate. Thad, as we all know, is very courteous, well-mannered, and has a low-key demeanor most of the time. He is quiet, he is patient, and he has built seniority through power and perseverance. Some people say that Thad Cochran is the last true southern gentleman, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. Some people say that he represents the lost art of being nice; we all need to work on that. He always has been and will be a hero both here and back home in Mississippi. Thad, I wish you and your wonderful wife, Kay, well. I think all of us should strive to continue on the wise path that you have paved for us here in the Senate. I believe we are all grateful for his service to Mississippi and our Nation. We wish him God's speed.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to express my gratitude to Jeremy Weirich, who has served as clerk for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, or CJS, for his many years of distinguished public service. Jeremy has dedicated much of his career to public service. He first came to the Senate in 2006 as a detailee from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, where he was serving as an NOAA Corps officer. The CJS Subcommittee needed an expert on all things NOAA, and Jeremy was brought to our attention as someone knowledgeable, capable, and ready to take on the challenge. He did not disappoint. After his first stint at CJS, Jeremy returned to NOAA, but his knowledge and skills brought him back to the Senate in 2008. He initially worked on CJS for Senator Barbara Mikulski and then later as my subcommittee clerk. Jeremy is one of the few people on the Senate Appropriations Committee who has served as a clerk for both sides of the aisle. His honesty, integrity, and thoughtfulness have assisted in moving legislation through difficult situations. As can be witnessed by his dedicated work on behalf of both sides of the aisle, Jeremy is truly a consummate professional. His dealings with the members and staff in the Senate, both Republican and Democrat alike, are qualities that we all should strive to emulate. Jeremy's first love is the ocean, having served as the first executive officer of the Okeanos Explorer, as well as at NOAA. He carried that forward on CJS as he made sure that while we modernized our Nation's weather forecast system and took the first steps to make major capital investments in the NOAA fleet, we did so in a responsible manner. Jeremy helped ensure that our Nation's fisheries are managed responsibly and was always able to thread the needle in balancing the many differing interests. Jeremy's passion for exploration also helped guarantee that America has the vehicles and technology to further explore space with telescopes, satellites, and humans. He assisted in building the space launch system, but also kept an eye on the next generation of scientific exploration--everything from the James Webb Space Telescope to Mars rovers to Europa. Jeremy embraced the justice portion of the CJS portfolio by promoting public safety, overseeing the current home of the FBI's Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center, and being instrumental in implementing the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 21st century facilities plan. Most importantly, Jeremy approached his work with an essential appropriator's attitude: Let's get the job done. He was always ready to listen to members and their staffs, as well as experts from the agencies and outside communities. Every year, Jeremy worked tirelessly to craft a bill that garnered wide bipartisan support, and every year, he got the job done. As Jeremy leaves the Senate after a decade of hard work and dedicated public service, he leaves the Committee on Appropriations in a better place, with a long list of accomplishments that have bettered our Nation. He also leaves many colleagues that are sad to see him go. I want to thank Jeremy for his honorable service. I join the entire committee in wishing him continued success in his future endeavors and continued happiness in the years to come.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today, as my colleague from North Dakota has just done, to speak in support of Senate bill S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, many individuals overreacted to the role that smaller institutions played. In the rush to react, these institutions became overregulated. But since the drafting and enactment of Dodd-Frank nearly 10 years ago, Congress has looked for ways to lessen the damaging effects it has had on our financial system in America. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, thousands of pages of Federal mandates were imposed upon even the smallest of financial institutions. Community banks all across the country are the key source of lending and other financial services on Main Street throughout this Nation. I believe we should not, and must not, continue to require them to comply with the same regulations as our largest financial institutions that are, perhaps, subject to systemic risk. This bill before us today fixes that by offering a commonsense approach to ensure that our small and medium-sized financial institutions are no longer subject to excessive regulation that has choked the life from them in the country. Senate bill S. 2155 is a result of almost 10 years of negotiations among Members of both parties. This legislation was negotiated in good faith between Republicans and Democrats to find common ground. In a time when partisan politics have derailed many efforts, the bill before us moved through regular order out of the Banking Committee, where a lengthy and robust amendment debate occurred. Many of us in this body, including the Presiding Officer, have spent hours upon hours negotiating since the enactment of Dodd-Frank to get to this point today. This is a bipartisan bill. This is a good product. Time and again, I have advocated for conducting thorough cost-benefit analysis on financial regulations. I believe it is Congress's role, when tasked with oversight authority, to ensure that the costs of rules from Washington do not outweigh the benefits for consumers. However, even a simple examination of the activities of small and medium-sized banks shows that their practices provide no systemic risk to our financial system. Many Dodd-Frank regulations are inappropriate for these institutions in the country. This has become abundantly clear to most of us. As regulatory overreach progressed, community banks and, in turn, local economies began to fall on hard times. In the 115th Congress, I believe the dynamics have shifted. Beginning with our work to reform our Nation's tax system, the economy has been performing well. Unemployment has dropped; the total number of individuals returning to the workforce has increased. In the Senate, we now have a unique opportunity to unlock the chains of stagnation that have halted the growth of a lot of our small business. Community financial institutions provide more than 60 percent of small business loans in this country. Too often, it is easy to forget that the personalized touch of community banks has been what started the process for success of some of the most accomplished businesses in the United States of America. I believe we must pass this bill if we want that to continue--if we want to keep creating jobs in this country and opportunities for our people. In response to my friends from the other side of the aisle who oppose our efforts here, I have one simple message: The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act--the bill we have before the Senate now--is a thoughtful, bipartisan effort to correct and rightsize regulations that were hastily prepared. This product is designed to help Main Street, not Wall Street. This is a good bill. I hope my colleagues will join me and others in support of it. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a former staff member of mine, William D. Duhnke III, who dedicated over 20 years of his life's work to the Senate. Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Bill Duhnke served in the U.S. Navy as a naval officer and at the Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces. Bill received his juris doctorate from Catholic University and a bachelor of arts degree from his home State university, the University of Wisconsin. In 1995 Bill Duhnke joined my personal staff to handle defense, foreign relations, and judiciary policy. He quickly revealed his high work ethic and innate ability to thrive when tasked with the most challenging of assignments. After swiftly climbing the ladder in my office, Bill became my staff director and general counsel when I chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and later the Senate Banking Committee, where he was general counsel and staff director. He also served as my staff director when I was the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, when the Democrats were in control. As a former naval flight officer, Bill always brought a high level of respect and discipline to the workplace. Without hesitation, he was able to spearhead tasks and get things done. Not only was he a trusted adviser, but he was an esteemed manager across Capitol Hill, where he was duly respected. Bill is exceptionally smart and was always well versed on the issues at hand. I would be hard-pressed to recall a time when he was unprepared. I can't think of one. I am certain that Bill will continue to operate in this manner in his new role as Chairman of the Public Accounting Oversight Board. I have relied on Bill Duhnke's professional advice and leadership for 20 years, and I know he will be an asset as the Board works to improve audit quality and promote public trust in our securities area. I believe SEC Chairman Jay Clayton has made an excellent choice in selecting Bill Duhnke to chair the PCAOB. I have no doubt that Bill has stepped into his new leadership position with ease. His intellect and experience ensure his future success in this role, and I am confident that Bill will remain an outstanding leader as he continues on this new path in his career. It is my honor to offer my deep appreciation and gratitude to Bill Duhnke for his decades of hard work and dedication to the entire country. I am privileged to have had him on my staff for all of those years. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the legacy and heroic service of Mr. Earl Smith. An Alabama native and unsung American hero, Smith's willingness to put himself in harm's way saved an untold number of lives. More than 50 years ago, as a young officer in the U.S. Air Force, Smith was the on-call explosive ordnance disposal, EOD, technician at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred throughout his shift on the evening of January 23, 1961, when the 24-year-old Smith received an alarming phone call. He was informed that two Mark 39 hydrogen bombs had broken loose from a B-52 bomber and landed in a field just outside of Goldsboro. He was told the general location of the bombs, but other details were unknown. Upon arriving to the crash site, Smith and other EOD technicians found that one bomb had crashed at such a speed that it was buried underground, but the other was visible and appeared to be intact. Although the protocol was to alert the Atomic Energy Commission before inspecting the bomb, Smith's instinct was to act quickly. Dr. Ralph Lapp, a physicist involved in developing America's first nuclear bombs as part of the Manhattan Project, stated in his review of the Goldsboro incident that ``one simple, dynamo-technology low voltage switch stood between the United States and a major catastrophe.'' Smith graduated from the U.S. Navy's EOD school just 9 months prior to the incident. However, his training, combined with his immense bravery, allowed him and other EOD technicians to successfully disarm the bomb over several days of harrowing work. Experts estimate that, if detonated, the bombs were powerful enough to destroy everything within an 8.5 mile radius. When asked in a recent interview why the bomb did not go off, Smith replied, ``the Lord Jesus Christ only knows.'' Such incidents prove that the security we enjoy every day as Americans is because of courageous individuals like Earl Smith. Smith's willingness to risk his life, along with his ability to maintain the secrecy of this formerly classified event for half a century, serve as distinct and sobering reminders that there are American men and women serving tirelessly throughout the world to maintain the way of life we hold dear. It is my honor to offer my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Earl Smith and the countless others like him who diligently, and often thanklessly, work to provide safety and security to all Americans. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will join me in thanking them for their selfless service to this Nation.

Mr. SHELBY

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

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide on the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship victory against the University of Georgia Bulldogs. I join the University of Alabama, the Crimson Tide Faithful, and the entire State of Alabama--my State--in commending this team on its hard- fought win and for showing perseverance in the midst of adversity time and time again. This year, the Tide overcame a host of injuries and midseason struggles to reach this achievement. The team even had to overcome, as the Presiding Officer will recall, a 13-point deficit in the second half of the championship game in Atlanta, winning ultimately 26 to 23 in the first overtime in a college football playoff national championship game. What a game. Under Head Coach Nick Saban's leadership, the Crimson Tide fought to earn its fifth national title since 2009--demonstrating, I believe, nearly 10 years of dominance. This year's team, among other things, won various awards. Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is a safety, won the Bednarik Award for best defensive player in the Nation and the Thorpe Award for best defensive back in the Nation. He was also named Associated Press First Team All- American. Bradley Bozeman, an offensive lineman, was named AP Second Team All- American. Jonah Williams, an offensive lineman, was named AP Third Team All- American. Additionally, five players on the University of Alabama's football team were named First Team All-SEC. Head Coach Nick Saban has now won six college football national championships, equaling the record of former Alabama football Head Coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. The Crimson Tide coaching staff has helped produce high-caliber student athletes and gentlemen. This team has brought great pride to the University of Alabama, the loyal fans of the Crimson Tide, and to the entire State of Alabama. I would like to take a minute to thank Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban, Athletic Director Greg Byrne, President Stuart Bell, and Chancellor Ray Hayes for their leadership. Mr. President, at this time, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 375, submitted earlier today.

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

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

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor my good friend and colleague from Alabama, Senator Luther Strange, prior to his departure from the U.S. Senate. While Luther and I have worked closely together in the Senate, our friendship dates back nearly four decades. Over the years, I have had the privilege of not only getting to know Luther, but also getting to know his wife, Melissa, and his two sons, Luke and Keehn. Even before Luther was appointed to the U.S. Senate, he and I worked alongside each other throughout much of our careers. When Luther was sworn in to fill Attorney General Sessions' seat, I was pleased to have him just down the hall from my office. As soon as Luther was sworn into the Senate, he hit the ground running. His camaraderie, integrity, and great attitude did not go unnoticed. Another thing we all quickly observed about Luther in the Senate was his willingness to help in any situation. He was always the first to volunteer, whether the task be big or small. Luther is admired by Members on both sides of the aisle, which is rare in Washington. He has made a lot of friends in the Senate and has worked in a bipartisan fashion. In addition to his work ethic and great attitude, Luther was able to accomplish an incredible amount legislatively in a short period of time. His successes include his work on the final National Defense Authorization Act conference negotiations, securing three littoral combat ships, his help in achieving the 51 votes needed to pass a once- in-a-generation tax reform package, and helping repeal Obamacare. Luther's time in the Senate was cut too short. I would be remiss not to mention how much I, along with my Senate colleagues, have enjoyed his company. I thank Senator Strange for his time and service both to Alabama and our Nation here in the Senate. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors, and I look forward to continuing our close friendship. Thank you.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, today I wish to pay tribute to Steve Johnson who is retiring on December 22, 2017, from his position as the manager of the U.S. Senate Dining Room. Mr. Johnson is a well-respected member of the Senate family. For over two decades, Mr. Johnson has managed the Senate Dining Room with care, enthusiasm, poise, and the utmost hospitality. He understands the rich history and importance of this institution and has witnessed much of its tradition over the years, serving Supreme Court Justices, Vice Presidents, and many of my Senate colleagues. Starting in 1995, Mr. Johnson's leadership has kept the Senate Dining Room running smoothly and efficiently. Whether it is tallying receipts at the end of the day or providing specialized off-menu items to guests, everything Mr. Johnson does is done with the utmost attention to detail. Mr. Johnson treats everyone the same and always maintains a high level of professionalism. Mr. Johnson's work ethic and perseverance are visible throughout his personal life as well. In addition to his impressive tenure, he has completed 18 marathons while working in the Senate Dining Room, including the Boston Marathon a total of seven times. My colleagues and I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for Mr. Johnson's 22 years of service. His institutional knowledge and unparalleled courtesy are greatly appreciated and will be deeply missed. Please join me in wishing Mr. Johnson and his wife, Joanne, a long and healthy retirement.

Mr. SHELBY

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

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Horace Sellers Merrill of Micaville, AL, who passed away on February 17, 2017. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant who worked faithfully for the citizens of Alabama. He was committed to bettering his community and State through his public service and involvement in the community. Mr. Merrill began a career with the Dixie Mines Mica Mining Company in the late 1950s before entering Alabama politics. In 1964, he was elected circuit clerk of Cleburne County, a position he held for 12 years. Following his term as circuit clerk, Mr. Merrill was elected probate judge and chairman of the Cleburne County Commission, where he served for 6 years. Mr. Merrill will be remembered for his leadership in completing the Alabama welcome center and rest area on Interstate 20, as well as his efforts to utilize the Dyne Creek watershed to service the citizens of Cleburne County with a countywide water system. Outside of his professional career, Mr. Merrill was a very active member of his community. He served as president of the Lions Club, the Jaycees, and the local Athletics Boosters Club. In his earlier years, Mr. Merrill was an accomplished athlete. He lettered in both baseball and football and then attended Southern Union Junior College on an athletic scholarship. He later served as the announcer for Little League and junior high football games in Cleburne County and helped organize the first youth baseball program in Heflin. Additionally, Mr. Merrill was a longtime member in the Cleburne Baptist Association, serving as an officer and pastor of several churches. A member of Heflin Baptist Church for more than 50 years, Mr. Merrill served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, church training director, and sanctuary choir member. Horace's many accomplishments and contributions to the State of Alabama will long be remembered. He touched the lives of many over the years, and he will be greatly missed. I offer my deepest condolences to Horace's wife, Mary, and to all of their loved ones as they celebrate his life and mourn this great loss.

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 today in support of Kevin Newsom, formerly Alabama's solicitor general and currently the President's nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is someone whom the Presiding Officer knows well, having himself been the solicitor general for the State of Texas before he became a U.S. Senator. I believe Kevin Newsom to be an exceptional choice for this high honor. I have the utmost regard for his intellect and integrity. Kevin grew up in Birmingham, AL. He graduated first in his class from Samford University in Birmingham and went on to graduate with highest honors from Harvard Law School, as the Presiding Officer did. One month prior to Harvard Law School, Kevin married his wife Deborah. They went on to have two sons, Chapman and Marshall James, who are now 12 and 14 years old respectively. Kevin is no stranger to the courtroom. He began his legal career as a law clerk on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for Judge O'Scannlain, as well as U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter. He has argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2011 and again in 2014, Kevin was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules by Chief Justice John Roberts. This is a signal honor, as the Presiding Officer knows. He is one of only 3 private practitioners on the 10-person committee. Currently, Kevin serves as the chairman of his firm's appellate group and has been recognized by several national publications and organizations for his leadership in the legal field. As the former solicitor general of Alabama, Kevin has proved to be an exceptionally skilled attorney. He understands and respects the law, and I believe he will be an asset to our Nation's judicial system as a Federal judge on the Eleventh Circuit. Moreover, the American Bar Association unanimously gave Kevin a ``well qualified'' rating to serve on the Eleventh Circuit--the highest possible recommendation they are able to give. I am confident that Kevin Newsom will serve honorably and apply the law with impartiality and fairness, which I believe is required of all judges. I believe that President Trump has made the right decision in selecting Kevin Newsom to sit on the Eleventh Circuit. I am hopeful that later today my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will vote to confirm Kevin Newsom without any reservations. Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, today I wish to pay tribute to the work and 37-year career of Ms. Nancy E. DiCarlo on the occasion of her retirement from the Department of Defense. Since January 2007, Ms. DiCarlo has served as the Director for International Affairs for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. In this capacity, Ms. DiCarlo has played an important role in the successful initial fielding of our integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system, which currently protects our Nation, American troops deployed abroad, and our friends and allies from attack by ballistic missiles. Ms. DiCarlo's career has been marked by increasing responsibility across a number of departments and programs important to the national security of the United States. Beginning her career in the Department of the U.S. Navy, Ms. DiCarlo contributed to the cost, schedule, and performance of the Navy's F/A-18 international programs, undersea surveillance programs, electronic hardware programs, and logistics programs. Her performance caught the attention of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition, who selected Ms. DiCarlo to join the Navy acquisition team. In this role, she worked on a strategic implementation plan and performance measures across the Navy acquisition enterprise. Ms. DiCarlo went on to join the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency and lead both military and civilian staff in the management of Asian, European, NATO, and African security cooperation strategy, programs, and engagement. She was later selected for the Senior Executive Service and named as MDA's Director for International Affairs for MDA, where she diligently promoted U.S. national security goals and objectives. Her service has assisted the sale of U.S. missile defense assets which has strengthened the cooperation of our international partners, thereby expanding the capabilities and effectiveness of U.S. missile defenses. Additionally, Ms. DiCarlo's efforts have enhanced the U.S. partnership with the Government of Israel on missile defense programs. As the lead U.S. negotiator, she instituted codevelopment programs for the David's Sling Weapon System to defend Israel against long-range rockets and short-range ballistic missile threats and for the Upper Tier Interceptor Program as part of the Arrow Weapon System designed to defend Israel against longer-range ballistic missile threats. Ms. DiCarlo led negotiations with Israel on coproduction agreements for Iron Dome and David's Sling Weapon Systems. The American people rely upon civilian and uniformed Federal employees to protect and advance their interests. Our country has been fortunate to have had Ms. Nancy DiCarlo's dedication and contribution to our Nation's defense for nearly four decades. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join me in recognizing Ms. Nancy DiCarlo for her work and thanking all of the men and women of the Missile Defense Agency for their service to our Nation.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, today I wish to mark the retirement of VADM James D. Syring from the U.S. Navy following more than three decades of military service to this great Nation. In his last post, he served as the Director of the United States Missile Defense Agency, MDA. As Director, Admiral Syring made enormous contributions to the successful development and fielding of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, BMDS, in order to protect our Nation, American troops deployed abroad, our allies, and our international partners. Beginning as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Navy recognized his potential early on and designated him an engineering duty officer, where he served in various assignments. Upon selection to flag rank in 2010, Admiral Syring served as the program executive officer for Integrated Warfare Systems, where he managed integrated weapons systems for ships, submarines, carriers, and aircraft within the Fleet and Joint Force. His intellect, work ethic, and ability to deliver complex weapons systems resulted in his being nominated and confirmed as the ninth Director of MDA in November 2012, the first naval officer to assume the directorship of this multibillion-dollar Agency. He oversaw MDA's worldwide mission to develop and deliver to the warfighter a capability to defend the United States against ballistic missile attacks. He has done an outstanding job. During his time at MDA, the Agency and the Department of Defense made significant progress in addressing current and emerging ballistic missile threats of all ranges. The progress made is even more remarkable considering the budget cuts sustained during that time. In response to the growing North Korean ICBM threat, Admiral Syring implemented a program to expand the capacity of homeland missile defenses. His leadership brought acquisition rigor to the critical Ground-based Midcourse Defense--GMD--Program and laid the foundation for the Agency to implement ground system modernization, a robust ground-based interceptor--GBI--Stockpile Reliability Program, as well as the Redesigned Kill Vehicle Program. Under Admiral Syring's steady hand, the Agency successfully fielded a new data terminal at Fort Drum, NY, providing the warfighter the capability to improve communication with homeland defense interceptors. He also oversaw a strategy to improve the overall sensor and discrimination capability of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. With the Long Range Discrimination Radar--LRDR--Program, MDA will deploy an improved persistent midcourse BMDS discrimination capability to enhance the Pacific architecture. The program today is within cost and is on schedule to deliver an initial capability to the warfighter in 2020. Those most familiar with major defense acquisition programs know that this is no small accomplishment. Overall, Admiral Syring's advocacy for additional interceptor capacity, improved GBI reliability, a redesigned kill vehicle, and LRDR resulted in a fielded system that meets the threat today and is well- positioned to be expanded upon for future challenges. Admiral Syring was also responsible for major BMDS asset deployments around the globe. He strengthened regional defenses by continuing deliveries of terminal high altitude area defense--THAAD--interceptors and Standard Missile-3--SM-3--Block IBs for use on Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships and at Aegis Ashore sites. He took steps to ensure that the United States remained committed to the planned European phased adaptive approach--EPAA--deployments. He oversaw the delivery of the Aegis Ashore system in Romania in support of EPAA Phase 2, which was accepted for operations by the warfighter in May 2016. In addition, under his leadership, construction of the Aegis Ashore site in Poland commenced to improve European NATO defenses against medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. He kept the Agency on track to deliver by the end of 2018 the initial SM-3 Block IIA missiles developed in cooperation with Japan to support EPAA Phase 3. Additionally, Admiral Syring supported successful negotiations between the United States and the Republic of Korea, ROK, on the deployment of a THAAD battery to the ROK, shoring up defenses against the growing threat from North Korean ballistic missiles. In order to deal with future missile threats, Admiral Syring pursued an advanced technology program with the goal of reducing the cost of engaging increasing and complex ballistic missile threats. Finally, Admiral Syring successfully initiated the development of an experimental space sensor layer for the BMDS, a new, low-cost program called Space-based Kill Assessment, SKA. The program will increase the performance of the BMDS by collecting data on missile intercepts, a critical capability of which the significance cannot be overstated. Our Nation has long hoped and, indeed, expected that we will always be able to recruit and retain capable individuals with a strong sense of patriotism, who will spend their careers ensuring that our country is safe in peacetime and capable in time of war. The contributions that VADM James D. Syring made to the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy, and the national security of the United States of America over his career have again shown our Nation's hopes are not too great to be met. As he retires after more than three decades of military service, I wish him and his family well, and I hope he has a deep appreciation of his legacy to this Nation and of the gratitude of his fellow citizens.

Mr. SHELBY

Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to inform all Senators that on Friday, May 19, 2017, the Committee on Rules and Administration adopted amendments to the U.S. Senate Travel Regulations and corresponding changes to the committee and administrative office staff regulations, which are published as part of the travel regulations. All amendments are effective immediately. I ask unanimous consent that a summary of these modifications and the text of the amended regulations be printed in the Record.