David Vitter

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses are often on the front lines of partnering with local organizations and non-profits to fight for change in their communities. I am proud to announce District Donuts.Sliders.Brews. of New Orleans, LA, as Small Business of the Week. Opened on the iconic Magazine Street in October 2013, District Donuts .Sliders.Brews., District D.S.B., has quickly become a Garden District staple. This establishment is not an ordinary doughnut shop. One can expect to find an ever-changing variety of treats ranging in selection from peanut butter chocolate raspberry to spicy maple praline to whiskey ginger. In addition to over 100 doughnut options, District D.S.B. also offers a variety of made-to-order sliders. The only brews one will find at District D.S.B. consist of the coffee variety. One of District D.S.B.'s most popular beverages is their cold pressed coffee, which has been nitrogen brewed for nearly 30 hours. In addition to offering a diverse selection of doughnuts, sliders, and brews, District D.S.B. is also well-known for partnering with local community organizations and non-profits. Most recently, District D.S.B. embarked on a partnership with Crossroads NOLA--a nonprofit organization for the development of a citywide foster care and adoption initiative. Together, the two aim to educate and engage adults in the greater New Orleans community of Louisiana's foster care system through their campaign WeDon'tServeKids. The details of this innovative initiative touch at the heart of the Louisiana spirit. WeDon'tServeKids targets Louisianians' generosity, southern hospitality, love of food, and appreciation for tradition through the creation of their Streatcar food truck. On any given night, one can find District D.S.B's Streatcar catering weddings, receptions, parties, and events across the greater New Orleans area. One hundred percent of the profits from the Streatcar go to support Crossroads NOLA--aiding children in foster care and families across the State through a variety of services the organization offers. Congratulations again to District Donuts.Sliders.Brews. for being selected as Small Business of the Week. Thank you for your continued commitment to serving kids and families in your community--effectively improving the lives of young folks in Louisiana for generations to come.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, in order to pursue the American dream in today's regulatory climate, small businesses owners and entrepreneurs require a variety of administrative and support services. Often, they are able to offer a helping hand to each other, building important relationships and creating economic opportunity across the board. Small Business of the Week, Downs Enterprise of Bastrop, LA, is providing these crucial services to fellow small businesses, entrepreneurs, and veterans throughout northeast Louisiana. Troy Downs, founder of Downs Enterprise, LLC, has been assisting small business owners in northeast Louisiana for nearly 14 years. In 2001 Downs opened his namesake consulting business, focusing on managing, consulting, and developing local small businesses through financial, real estate, and logistical services. After nearly 10 years of success, Downs visited the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, LSBDC, at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, located in Monroe, LA, with a financial management and business development and expansion plan. Downs took advantage of all the LSBDC had to offer, attending every seminar and networking event available to him, even if not directly related to his business. Downs believed that just his being there would put him in a position to learn, and it worked--a sentiment that he now passes along to the businesses he consults. Through Downs Enterprise, LLC, Troy and his team have assisted in starting and managing over 25 successful businesses, created 50 jobs, and counseled over 100 individuals in the process of starting and maintaining a healthy business. After years of successfully guiding individuals through the hoops of starting and maintaining a business, Downs, a 25-year serviceman of the U.S. Army, saw the need for such a consulting service geared towards our Nation's brave servicemen and women. After experiencing the difficulties servicemen and women have in adjusting back to a civilian lifestyle, the Downs Foundation was born. Today, the Downs Foundation continues their original goal of assisting veterans in small business development, while also providing services in credit restoration, preparation for jobs, and counseling services. Down's work in northeast Louisiana has earned him the distinguished honor of being recognized as the 2015 Veteran Small Business Champion by Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Congratulations again to Downs Enterprise for being selected as Small Business of the Week. Thank you for your continued commitment not only to your community, but also to your fellow brothers and sisters of the military.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses often have the unique ability to pinpoint serious problems in their communities while working with local agencies and other small businesses to get things done. Sometimes these small businesses provide ground-breaking, innovative technological solutions to problems that have gone unsolved for decades. As we close out National Small Business Week, I am proud to recognize InnoGenomics Technologies of New Orleans, LA. as a Small Business of the Day for National Small Business Week. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, Dr. Sudhir Sinha, president and CEO of InnoGenomics Technologies, had the idea to develop a new DNA marker system to aid in identifying victims of natural disasters. Developed with the support of National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, grants, InnoGenomics Technologies' patented technology gives forensic scientists the ability to test the most challenging DNA submissions to solve crimes and save lives. Additionally, the InnoGenomics Technologies team is currently developing a new method to detect and monitor cancer--a liquid biopsy that can be conducted through a minimally invasive blood test. Combined, these two groundbreaking endeavors are advancing and revolutionizing healthcare and forensic investigations. Congratulations again to InnoGenomics Technologies for being selected as a Small Business of the Day for National Small Business Week. Thank you for your continued commitment to innovating DNA technologies to solve crimes and save lives right in the heart of Louisiana.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, just as important as it is to recognize our small businesses, it is often important to also recognize our small business success stories--especially those that make a substantial impact in their industries and in their communities. As a part of National Small Business Week, I am proud to recognize the Louisiana small business success story of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. In the early 1990s, Todd Graves was inspired to open a chicken finger restaurant. After the bank turned down the fresh-out-of-college graduate for a loan, Graves spent the next few years working various jobs to earn and save the money necessary to open Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge, LA. in 1996. In the years since, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has opened over 150 locations across the United States and has gained a fandom following. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers prides itself on their commitment to the absolute highest quality products and services--a model that has earned them numerous ``Best Places to Work'' awards from regions across the country. Never forgetting its small business roots, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers stays true to Louisiana and regularly gives back to the communities their establishments serve. Todd Graves and the entire Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers crew are an inspiring example of the hard work, courage, and dedication that go into running American small businesses. Congratulations again to Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers for being recognized as a small business success story during the 2015 National Small Business Week. Your commitment to giving back to your local communities and remembering your small business beginning is recognized and greatly appreciated.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, today I honor the career of one of Louisiana's heroes and most accomplished residents, retired Marine Corps Col. William P. Davis. Colonel Davis was born at Camp Pendleton, CA, the son of a career marine, and spent his youth following his father's military postings. He is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, and subsequently assigned as the supply, fiscal, and contracting officer for Landing Force Training Command Atlantic. In 1997, he was assigned to his first tour at the Marines Forces Reserve in New Orleans, LA. During that period, he was a parent volunteer for the Young Marines chapter in Slidell, LA, where he organized training events and tours to units and bases. In addition, he provided classes for the annual regimental encampment as well as at recruit training events. Colonel Davis was operations officer for Joint Task Force Civil Support, a military organization under the U.S. Northern Command at Fort Monroe, VA, where he led a team of technical experts in planning post-incident recovery from chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents. He supported planning for the 2006 Winter Olympics, 2006 Southeast Asian Games, and other exercises across the world. During Hurricane Katrina's aftermath in 2005, he worked with Federal, military, State, and local authorities in support of response operations. Colonel Davis returned to New Orleans in 2006, becoming assistant chief of Staff at Marine Forces Reserve. He led a staff of 80 people charged with overseeing construction, maintenance, and repairs of 187 reserve sites nationwide, including the construction of the 29-acre Marine Corps Support Facility in New Orleans. From 2011 until recently, Colonel Davis was the inaugural commandant of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy, a charter high school where all students are cadets of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Program and are focused on college preparation with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math. In his job as commandant, Colonel Davis has helped positively shape the lives of several hundred cadets from the region. After 4 years of operation, the academy has test results and student performance improvement ranked well above averages by more established schools. Beginning in 2016, Colonel Davis will leave Louisiana to become the next national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. Colonel Davis is an accomplished executive whose commitment to young people has always been fundamental during his career. He is highly regarded for strategic thinking, sound financial management, marketing expertise, and exceptional project management skills. He is a distinguished leader who will bring military expertise and business experience to the Young Marines. I am pleased to join with the Senate in honoring the career of retired Col. William P. Davis. We thank him for his service to our country and congratulate him as he begins the next chapter of his career.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses often set a high standard for quality and service across the United States. Commitment to reaching these high thresholds is most important in our agriculture and food industries. One small business that has continually held itself to the highest bar for quality and service is Haring Catfish, located in Wisner, LA--the Small Business of the Day for National Small Business Week. Louisiana is known for its fresh, high-quality, and delicious seafood. Opened in the early 1960s by Walter Carl ``Pete'' Haring, Sr., Haring Catfish has since grown to processing over 300,000 pounds of catfish per week. Haring Catfish's commitment to the highest quality catfish through healthy, high protein diets has elevated them to be one of the most-recognized catfish farms in the United States. Haring Catfish has received numerous distinguished awards, including the Louisiana Catfish Farmer of the Year Award, Catfish Farmers of America Award of Excellence, and the Small Business Person of the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Congratulations again to Haring Catfish for being selected as a Small Business of the Day for National Small Business Week. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing the high-quality and delicious catfish in Louisiana.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses have the unique opportunity to train skilled workers and create well-paying jobs for members of their communities, while also providing necessary services with quality customer service. These apprenticeship programs are becoming increasingly useful to add highly-skilled workers to the general workforce. In recognition of their contribution, this week's Small Business of the Week is Central Plumbing Co. of Baton Rouge, La. Founded in 1974 by the Payne family, Central Plumbing began serving the Baton Rouge area with one truck and a commitment to quality plumbing service. In the more than 40 years since, the Payne family has grown their business into a 40-employee operation, operating 20 trucks across the Southern Louisiana region. Today, fourth generation Master Plumber Jay Payne oversees operations of the business, continuing their commitment to providing the highest level service in residential and commercial plumbing. Central Plumbing's commitment to service does not stop with their customers. With generations of Paynes joining the family business, the company realized the need for an organized program to train the next generation of Master Plumbers. Central Plumbing apprenticeship program offers the opportunity to learn the trade through paid, hands-on training and support. Programs like this can often serve as an alternative for individuals who do not pursue higher education. Apprenticeship programs are beneficial opportunities to pave the way for folks to become experts in a highly specialized field and get paid accordingly, and also provide a certain amount of security for sustained future of the industry and the small businesses who administer them. Congratulations again to Small Business of the Week--Central Plumbing Co. Thank you for your decades of service and ongoing commitment to create good quality, high-paying jobs and to train the next generation of Louisianians to be Master Plumbers.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. I do not desire to speak.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Madam President, today, I recognize the Second Annual Louisiana Veterans Festival taking place on May 16, at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell, LA. The event is hosted by the East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, which constructs homes for low- income families in Louisiana, including veterans. The event offers an opportunity for families of military personnel and members of the community to celebrate and thank veterans for their service to our Nation. Habitat for Humanity's efforts are incredibly important, especially for our veterans. When we send our American citizens to war, we make a promise to protect them and a commitment to support them when they return home. Habitat for Humanity's work ensures that many will have a home when they return. Throughout America's history, our military has bravely defended our Nation--especially our beliefs and values--from the threat of tyranny and oppression. Our service men and women have defended us in all corners of the Earth, and they continue to defend us today. It is through the service and devotion of the military members and our veterans that our Nation has remained the strong America we know today. For their sacrifices, we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Through my work in the United States Congress, I have had the privilege of meeting with veterans throughout the State of Louisiana, from World War II veterans to recent veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am humbled by the stories of heroism and selflessness. May we never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. It is our responsibility to remember their courage, not only in ceremonies such as the Veterans Festival in Slidell, but also every day. Louisiana is blessed to have such a successful organization with so many dedicated workers and volunteers building a better future for our veterans and their families. We honor those who have served for us and have given so much, and I am pleased to recognize the Second Annual Louisiana Veterans Festival and the East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity for its role in building homes for veterans.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, many of our Nation's successful small businesses started as an idea that took root from big dreams and even bigger imaginations. This week's Small Business of the Week, Crowns 4 Kids of Madisonville, LA, is an excellent example of how our next generation of Louisianians are dreaming big and influencing the world around them. Earlier this year when Harlan Jackson Adams began painting acrylic pictures of crowns for his mother, Erica Adams, he had no idea how far his fun, quirky canvases would go. Word quickly spread across his mother's social media accounts that her talented son had found a new hobby. Friends and family began requesting crown paintings of their own, and within 2 weeks, young Harlan had over 200 orders to fill. Demand for Adam's simple, elegant crowns grew so much among friends and family that the young entrepreneur decided to share his success with kids in need. Erica was astonished when her 7-year-old proclaimed that he wanted to donate his profits to the cancer center at Children's Hospital New Orleans. Unaware that Harlan knew about or understood what cancer is, Erica was overwhelmingly proud of her son's humility and generosity when he explained that two kids he knew were battling cancer and he wanted to help. Harlan is now an honorary member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, a youth entrepreneurship organization, and plans to continue his charitable work. When our young folks take the initiative to help others in the capacity that young Harlan has, we owe them our utmost respect and recognition. It is my great honor to recognize Harlan Jackson Adams and Crowns 4 Kids as Small Business of the Week. Thank you for inspiring both kids and adults to dream big and give generously.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, this is not being blocked by Senator Cotton. Everybody knows that. Senator Cotton made it clear that he would happily agree to get amendments up for a vote. This has been a determined, choreographed effort to close the door during an open amendment process and to demand leverage so that every amendment has to be worked out. Do you know what ``worked out'' means? That means they get a veto and we don't get a vote. That is unreasonable, and that is the exact opposite of an open amendment process. I am not being blocked by Senator Cotton. I know that. Everybody knows that. We are being blocked by the managers of this bill. I think it is highly regrettable. As I said, if the end game here is to work out amendments to Senator Cardin's or anyone else's satisfaction, and they get a veto, they can stop their work on that right now because I am objecting, and I will object. I want a vote. I thank the Presiding Officer.

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I have an amendment to the Iran sanctions bill which is pending. This is amendment No. 1186. I come to the floor to attempt to modify my own amendment simply by taking out section 2 of the amendment. I have given this proposed modification of my own amendment to all of the managers of the bill, majority and minority. They have had it for several hours, and I have discussed it with the managers. All I am seeking is to be able to modify the language of my own amendment, which is already pending. With that in mind, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 1191, the Iran sanctions bill, that I be allowed to modify my amendment No. 1186 with the changes that are at the desk.

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, my request is not going to interfere with anything. That is a bunch of bull. My request is that I be allowed to modify the language of my own amendment which is pending, and it is not going to interfere with any other amendment. Let's be upfront about what is going on here. It is not an open amendment process. We have been talking about this bill for 2 weeks. We have had two votes on amendments. They are not even talking about amendment votes. What Senator Cardin is describing is negotiating the language and changing the language of certain amendments so it is agreeable to everyone, including him. That is not an open amendment process. Those are not votes. That is not voting up or down. That is not giving everyone their say and their ability to have votes. That is blocking the gate, blocking the door, and returning to the practices of the Harry Reid Senate and then holding everybody hostage and demanding the language you want, Senator Cardin wants, everybody wants, in order for that amendment to even possibly be considered. That is as far from an open amendment process as you can get. If that is what they are discussing, they might as well stop now because I will object. I want a vote on my amendment. I want votes on other significant amendments. If this is just a game to come to some unanimous consent agreement, some managers' package which they bless, they can stop those discussions right now because I will object. Again, Mr. President, I think it is reasonable that a Senator get to modify his own amendment. I think that is a pretty minimal request. I will repeat it. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 1191, that I be allowed to modify amendment No. 1186 with the changes that are at the desk.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, Saturday, May 2, 2015, marks the fifth annual Louisiana Lemonade Day during which thousands of children across the Pelican State will start their own small business--a lemonade stand. This free, statewide program is dedicated to teaching children how to start, own, and operate their own business, and in the last 5 years, Lemonade Day has provided more than 50,000 children across Louisiana with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. On Lemonade Day, thousands of children will open their own lemonade stands and learn the crucial lessons of salesmanship, competition, and marketing. They will be introduced to crucial business skills, like supply and demand, critical thinking and problem solving, and civic responsibility. Lemonade Day encourages young entrepreneurs to save one-third of their profits, share one-third of their profits, and spend one-third of their profits. They are even urged to open a youth savings account. These simple, yet important lessons will shape future generations of business leaders, and hopefully, instill some good money-managing practices that will help them later in life. The secret to America's success lies within the innovation and creativity of American entrepreneurs. Urging our Nation's youth to develop their big ideas is critical for securing the future of our country's economic stability. On its fifth anniversary, I would like to recognize Louisiana's Lemonade Day and the role it plays in fostering entrepreneurial spirits in the lives of our Nation's youths.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I send this second-degree amendment to the desk, Vitter amendment No. 1186, as modified, to be a second-degree amendment to Corker amendment No. 1179, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. VITTER. In that case, I call for regular order with respect to the Corker amendment.

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I can, quite frankly, share the Senator from Florida's frustration, and I urge us to fully debate and begin voting on important amendments to this bill. I am all for any productive, orderly process, but I want it to be productive, to be inclusive, and to get going. I share the frustration that has been expressed on the floor that that is not quite happening right now. In light of that, I want to be assured of moving forward and getting a vote on a very important amendment for me. I send a second-degree amendment to the desk, Vitter amendment No. 1186, as modified. I ask that it be a second-degree amendment to Corker amendment No. 1179 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I have a parliamentary inquiry: What is the pending business?

Mr. VITTER. I would be happy to explain the substance of the amendment. This is about verification, obviously a really crucial part of this debate. Many of us who have concerns about the President's proposed agreement do not think we have adequate means to verify any agreement in the context and the structure he has proposed. So, clearly, those verification issues are very, very important. This amendment tries to address those in a substantive and significant and meaningful way. What the amendment does is actually specifically lists documented reports from groups such as the IAEA, the U.S. Defense Science Board Task Force, and others, which have highlighted specific verification problems. The amendment would require the President to report in a very detailed, specific way on those documented verification problems and make certifications regarding making progress on and solving those verification problems. Again, I think this is absolutely necessary because I believe the present deal, as it is being put together, does not have adequate verification capability. This would help fill that hole. I am not sure it would completely fill that gap, quite frankly, but this is a good- faith attempt to address those very real issues by, again, delineating specific documented verification problems and requiring the President and his administration to address them, to report on that, and to make certifications regarding how they are addressing those specific documented verification problems. I urge strong support of this good-faith amendment. This would dramatically, in my opinion, improve this agreement by helping address those verification concerns. I believe they are very legitimate concerns shared by many people on both sides of the aisle. I urge strong consideration and, ultimately, approval of this verification enhancement. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of S. 984, the Steve Gleason Act, to help thousands of victims of ALS and other related diseases all across the United States. This bipartisan, straightforward bill would give immediate relief to those folks with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, who are facing significant problems accessing necessary medical equipment as a result of three recent changes in Medicare that prohibit access on every level. It is important to note that this wasn't a problem until the administration governing Medicare made it a problem a few months ago. They affirmatively changed policy, changed rules, and created these significant access problems. We are talking about devices that are critical for patients who have lost their ability to speak, to communicate directly with friends, families, doctors, to call 911 in case of emergency, to write letters to loved ones. These devices allow these patients to speak and communicate in light of their loss of voice and other functions. This issue was first brought before Congress last year when thousands of patients, patient advocates, and device manufacturers brought to our attention the devastating consequences of this new Medicare policy. Patients were actually having their devices taken away. Many were not allowed to own their devices or were not permitted to unlock their devices in order to use all of the technological functions, all of which continue to be problems and to prevent patients from leading much more independent lives. As a result, Members on both sides of the aisle wrote a letter with more than 220 Members advocating on behalf of this patient population to reverse the Medicare administration decision. The Senate has that same opportunity for bipartisanship today, to support this legislation on a strong bipartisan basis. In that spirit, I thank Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota and Senator King of Maine, who have been completely supportive and aggressive in getting this bill to the finish line. They understand the importance of putting patients first and fixing this extremely misguided and harmful Medicare regulation that has had a truly devastating impact on the lives of ALS patients, as well as stroke victims and other folks facing significant paralysis. On Tuesday evening, before the Senate overwhelmingly passed a permanent doc fix, the Senator from Oregon and I reached an agreement that he would run the hotline on this legislation, the Steve Gleason Act, and pass this bill for our constituents. That is what we are working on today, and that is what I absolutely hope to complete today to get this necessary, important, bipartisan language across the finish line. Of course, the ALS Association, a national network group, is completely supportive. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a letter dated January 27, 2015, on this topic from the ALS Association.

Mr. VITTER. The association has reached out to members all across the country and put in very concrete terms what this means to their members. I wish to give one brief but very moving and significant example. It happens to be a woman from Oregon, the State of the ranking member of the committee. She was diagnosed with ALS in January 2014. Her disease, unfortunately, has progressed rapidly. She is now close to fully paralyzed and has very limited use of her arms and hands, requiring loved ones to be with her at all times. Her respiratory system is also affected. She is struggling with the life- or-death decision of whether to have a tracheotomy procedure and go to mechanical ventilation or to enroll in hospice and essentially prepare to die. Her preference is to continue living, as she still enjoys life. One important factor in the decision for her is that being able to communicate is a tremendous concern. While she still has some vocal ability to speak and to be understood currently, she knows that going on the vent will be the end of her spoken voice and her ability to vocalize, and she is very worried that if she decides to go on a vent and prolong her life, she may lose the ability to communicate with the outside world because of the changes in Medicare policy that prevent her from accessing email and Internet via this technology we are talking about. She is also very concerned that Medicare will deny coverage for the eye-tracking technology she will need in order to use the SGD--this significant technology we are talking about. So, bottom line, she is worried that if she decides to continue living using mechanical ventilation, she will face the prospect of being locked up and having no means to communicate to help direct her care. Because of the limitations of SGD coverage, she may actually choose dying over living, because of that factor. It doesn't get more direct than that. It doesn't get more stark than that as to why we need to give these patients access to important communication technology through the Steve Gleason Act and why we need to act today, why we cannot delay this any longer. Of course, Steve Gleason, for whom this act is named, is a superb advocate for the ALS community. He is the former New Orleans Saints player who famously blocked a punt in the Saints' first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. After that tremendous feat and his NFL career, Steve was diagnosed with ALS. Just as he gave the city of New Orleans hope to rebuild after the devastating storm, through his organization Team Gleason, he gives the ALS community and their families hope with his ``No White Flags'' message. Steve was my guest at the State of the Union speech this past January, and during his visit to Washington, we met with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell, and started to gain huge momentum for the Steve Gleason Act. This bill again reinstates long-standing Medicare policy--Medicare policy that was solid and true to these patients until recently--to offer immediate relief for patients experiencing incredible difficulty accessing this important technology and equipment. The act expands access to advancements in technology in a fiscally responsible way. Michelle Gleason, Steve's wife, summed up the story of ALS patients and their loved ones this way: What causes me the most pain is the loss of his voice. I love hearing his voice. I want him to talk to me, and to our son Rivers. This disease takes his body; to take his voice just seems unfair. We can offer a voice. It may not be the same voice but a voice for these struggling patients. This was their lifeline. This was due them until recently, and now it is not because of this Medicare change. I urge all of my colleagues to come together around this piece of bipartisan legislation. Let's pass this today and give a voice--a real voice, a meaningful voice--to these struggling victims. Mr. President, this will become law because we have assurances from House leadership that they are eager to bring the bill to the House floor. They are eager to finish this important work to change the lives of patients across the country by giving them back their voice. So I urge us to come together to do this today, to not delay, to not wait longer, and to reinstate the voice for ALS patients struggling in this way all around the country. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Madam President, I understand there are five bills at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. VITTER. Madam President, in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceeding en bloc.

Mr. VITTER

Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 20, 2015, at 3 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``2020 Census: Challenges Facing the Bureau for a Modern, Cost-Effective Survey.''