John Thune

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Madam President, Friday's announcement that the administration had reached an agreement to remove steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico was great news for American consumers, producers, and workers. Mexican and Canadian retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products have already been lifted. That is a big deal for American producers, especially for farmers and ranchers, who were hit the hardest by Mexico and Canada's retaliatory tariffs. Friday's agreement is also important because it removes a significant roadblock to passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. With the aluminum and steel tariff settlement and labor reforms recently adopted by the Mexican Government, two major Democratic objections to passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement have been addressed. Now it is time for the House Democratic leadership to indicate its willingness to take up the agreement in the near future. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement would boost almost every sector of the American economy, from automotive manufacturing, to digital services, to dairy farming. It would create 176,000 new jobs and increase wages for workers. It is time to take up this agreement. As I said, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free-trade agreement would be a boon for U.S. producers and U.S. workers. This is the kind of stuff we should be spending our time on in Washington--measures that grow our economy, increase opportunity, and improve life for the American people. That is what Republicans have been working on. Our policies have helped produce the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years and more jobs and higher wages for workers. Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle seem more interested in relitigating the 2016 election and accelerating their party's rapid move toward the radical fringe left. While I realize the Democrats are disappointed with the results of the 2016 Presidential election, it is time for them to accept the fact that they lost. It has been more than 2 years now, and Democrats are still more focused on opposing this President than on getting things done for the American people. When Democrats do get around to talking about legislation, too often, it is proposals from the radical fringe left, which is rapidly swallowing up the Democratic mainstream. Take the Green New Deal, the Democrats' plan for a government takeover of a large section of the economy in the name of clean energy. The estimated price tag for this government takeover is between $51 trillion and $93 trillion over 10 years. To put that number in perspective, $93 trillion is more money than the U.S. Government has spent in its entire history, and $93 trillion is more money than the 2017 gross domestic product of the entire world. How do Democrats plan to pay for this? Well, they don't actually have a plan. Their usual ``tax the rich'' solution won't work since taxing every wealthy American at a 100-percent rate wouldn't come anywhere close to paying for the Green New Deal. Should the Green New Deal ever come to pass, working Americans would face massive tax hikes for the privilege of having government dictate the design of their house and the type of their car. Then, of course, there is the Democrats' plan for a government takeover of the Nation's healthcare. Under so- called Medicare for All, the government would take away Americans' insurance choices and force everyone into a single one-size-fits-all, government-run plan and then tax Americans to pay for it. Thanks to policies like tax reform, American families are doing better than they have been doing in a long time. They have been taking home more money. They have access to better jobs and more opportunities, and they are enjoying better wages and benefits. To most people, it would seem logical to continue and build on the policies that have gotten us here, but not to Democrats. Democrats want to overturn the policies that have gotten us to this point. Instead of tax cuts, they want tax hikes so they can implement their socialist fantasies. Instead of less government interference in Americans' lives, they want more. They think the government should be directing your healthcare choices, your housing choices, your energy choices, and much more. It is unfortunate that the Democratic Party is being swallowed by its extreme left wing. Republicans are going to do everything we can to protect Americans from Democrats' socialist fantasies and to continue to expand the choices and the opportunities available to American families. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe) and the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Jonathan Miklos, an intern in my Rapid City, SD, office, for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several months. Jonathan is a graduate of Stevens High School in Rapid City, SD. Currently, he is attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he is double majoring in political science and history. He is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of his internship experience. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Jonathan for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Madam President, this week is National Police Week--a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of our Nation's police officers and to thank them for everything they do on our behalf. Yesterday, I spoke on the floor about Military Appreciation Month. Like members of the military, police officers are a special breed. They willingly rush into danger and put their lives on the line for the rest of us. That is not a natural human instinct, to rush into danger. Most of us are inclined to run away from danger. But police officers do the opposite. They not only stand their ground in the face of danger; they walk into the midst of it to protect the rest of us. A centerpiece of National Police Week is Peace Officers Memorial Day, which commemorates the sacrifices of all of those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Last year, more than 100 police officers were killed in the line of duty. It is a powerful reminder that being a police officer is a dangerous job. USA TODAY reports that 10 percent of police officers are assaulted every year--10 percent. Police officers never know what they are going to face when they respond to a call, but they go in anyway. Serving in law enforcement can take a toll. Police officers-- particularly those who specialize in investigating and responding to the worst crimes--have to see a lot of evil on a daily basis. It is yet another way they protect the rest of us. They face evil so that we don't have to. Yet, despite all they do, they don't line up to be thanked. The police officers I meet tend to minimize their contributions. ``I am just doing my job'' is a pretty frequent refrain. A lot of us don't interact with the police very frequently. We don't often see the work they do to keep our towns and our cities safe. But being in Congress has given me a chance to interact with police officers on a daily basis. The U.S. Capitol Building and the congressional office buildings, where I work, are protected by the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police. I see them every day, manning security checkpoints, directing traffic, standing on guard outside in the blazing Sun or the cold rain, responding to incidents, and protecting dignitaries and visitors. I know there is a lot they do that I don't see, too--the countless things that go into keeping the Capitol Complex and the thousands of people who work and visit here safe from threats. I was in the Longworth House Office Building on September 11, 2001, when the planes hit the Pentagon and the Twin Towers. Once it became clear that our Nation was, in fact, under attack, the entire Capitol Complex was evacuated. People were rushing, running out of the buildings. Do you know who wasn't running? The Capitol Police. They weren't going anywhere until they were sure that all of us had gotten out. Since I became whip, I have gotten to know a number of the outstanding plainclothes police officers who protect Members of leadership. It was two members of the Capitol Police security detail who stepped into the line of fire at the Republicans' baseball practice two summers ago and prevented a terrible day from becoming much worse. Many Members of Congress are safe today because of the actions of those two police officers. Here in the United States, we are blessed with a peace and a safety that is denied to many around the world. It is important to remember that one of the big reasons most of us are able to live free from fear is because of the countless police officers on duty around our country. They are there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ready to step between us and danger. We owe these dedicated men and women a very great debt. As we observe Police Week, I want to say thank you. Thank you to the police officers who serve across our country. Thank you to their families, who also sacrifice so that the rest of us can live in safety. A special thank-you to the Capitol Police and the police officers who keep the peace back home in South Dakota. May God bless each of you. I yield the floor.

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I want to join with my colleague, the senior Senator from Missouri, and congratulate the junior Senator from Missouri on some wonderful remarks. I came into the Congress with Senator Blunt from the House of Representatives over 20 years ago, which I guess makes us the old guys around here, but it warms my heart and gives me great hope for the future to see the caliber and the quality of people who are entering public life in the form of people like Senator Hawley. He is somebody who not only brings great intellect, great passion, and great conviction, but he is a principled leader who is here for the right reasons and profoundly wants to make a difference for the future of this country. In his remarks, he touched upon the genius of our Founders, and that is that average Americans--working men and women in this country--have an opportunity to make a difference with their voices and with their votes by entering the public arena and being a part of our democracy. That is really what this is all about. That is what our work should be about every day, is empowering them to do a better job in raising their families and serving their communities. I certainly look forward to continuing our work with the new Senator from Missouri and with the rest of our colleagues here as we embark upon that task. I hope we can be successful in restoring that vision our Founders had for what this country should be and in each day waking up and thinking about the fact that it is not about us; it is about what we do to secure a better and brighter future consistent with that brilliant past we have been so blessed by because of those who have come before and have been willing to enter public life and make a difference. So thank you and congratulations to Senator Hawley. It is a great honor to serve with you, and we look forward to working with you in the days and weeks and months ahead to serve the very people you talked about in your remarks.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy), the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Kennedy), and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds).

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy), the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Kennedy), and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds).

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

Mr. THUNE. Madam President, when Republicans took office at the beginning of the 115th Congress, we had one goal in mind, and that was to make life better for American families. We knew that American families were struggling. Recovery from the great recession was long and slow. Economic growth was sluggish. Wages were stagnant. Too many families were living paycheck to paycheck. American families needed relief, and Republicans were determined to give it to them. That is why we made getting our economy going again a priority. We knew that our economy needed to do a lot better if American families were going to start doing better. A strong economy is the key to getting Americans access to the jobs, wages, and opportunities they need to thrive. So we took action. We eliminated burdensome regulations that were acting as a drag on economic growth, and we passed a historic reform of our Tax Code to put more money in Americans' pockets and to get our economy going again. We cut tax rates and doubled the child tax credit, and in 2018 the average family of four saw a tax cut of more than $2,000. We lowered tax rates for businesses, expanded business owners' ability to invest in their operations and their workers and made American businesses more competitive in the global economy. We are seeing the results. Job creation is up. Wages are growing at the fastest pace in a decade. Personal income is up. Unemployment is at the lowest level in 50 years. Tax reform is delivering bigger paychecks, more opportunities, and a better quality of life for American workers. Tax reform might be our biggest achievement in the 115th Congress, but it is far from the only thing that we did to make life better for American families. We also enacted legislation to provide better education and training to American workers. We passed multibillion- dollar bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, which has devastated families and communities across the United States. We passed the longest extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program in the program's history. We passed legislation to provide hope to terminally ill patients by giving them access to experimental treatments. We passed bipartisan clean energy legislation. We passed a farm bill to support our Nation's farmers and ranchers, to protect our environment, and more. But there is more work to be done. Republicans are working right now to develop and pass legislation to continue to address the cost of living and to improve Americans' quality of life. We are committed to making tax relief permanent for American families. We are also committed to ensure that the economic progress we have made sticks around for the long term. We are working to open new markets for American goods and services so that American workers and businesses can thrive. One priority is passing the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, which would grow our economy and create 167,000 new jobs. Republicans are also committed to making healthcare more affordable. We want to give Americans more and more affordable insurance options. We are working on legislation to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and increase access to lower cost generics. We are focused on developing solutions that will bring greater clarity to healthcare costs and address so-called surprise billing. You should not go to an in-network hospital expecting to pay one thing and then get an unexpected enormous bill weeks later because it wasn't disclosed to you that the doctor you saw wasn't in your insurance network. Another challenge facing American families is the cost of education. Republicans are currently working on legislation to make it easier to apply for Federal student aid and to pay back student loans. We will also continue to support career and technical education, and we will work to further increase the usefulness of 529 savings plans to help families plan and meet educational expenses. One bright spot for family budgets over the past few years has been energy costs. Republican policies have helped to make energy more affordable, and we are committed to keeping American's energy bills reasonable by supporting responsible energy development. We are also committed to continuing our work to keep our air clean and our environment healthy. We currently have multiple bills in the pipeline to promote clean energy technologies with more to come. There are a lot of other Republican plans that I could talk about, everything from making it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans to ensuring that rural communities enjoy equal access to broadband services and the economic opportunities that they bring. One thing the American people can count on is that Republicans are working every day to improve Americans' quality of life. Our proposals may not always make it into the news. A lot of them do not have catchy names, like the Green New Deal, and they do not make pie-in-the-sky promises. But unlike the so-called Green New Deal, our plans are actually achievable, and they would actually make life better for American families. I am proud that more families are thriving today thanks to tax reform and to other Republican policies, and Republicans will continue to work every day to make sure that life continues to improve for the American people. I yield the floor.

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran).