Portman (UC), Reid (UC), Rubio, Coons, Carper

Morning Business

Senator Portman: (6:32 PM)

  • Spoke on the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act.
    • "They continue to tell me that there is a hold and it's an anonymous hold. I hope it's not for political purposes. That would, of course, be an incredible disservice to these first responders. If they think that these task force members should come home from saving lives and have to pay for expensive injuries or health problems acquired in their service, we should have a conversation about that. If they think they shouldn't have a job waiting for them when they get back, we should have a conversation about that, but frankly in my view I don't think that's the issue. I can't imagine on the substance anybody objects to this."
  • Unanimous consent –
    • The Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2971, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act.
    • The committee-reported amendment be agreed to.
    • The Senate pass S. 2971, as amended.
    • (Senator Reid objects)

 

Senator Reid: (6:40 PM)

  • Spoke on the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act.
    • "My friend from Ohio talks about common sense. Common sense dictates to me that the Republicans who run the Senate have months to turn their attention to bills like this. They also have months to do something else. After almost 200 days, we have been waiting, waiting for the Republicans to have a hearing with Merrick Garland. The Supreme Court is at a standstill. Nothing's being done. A new term and they basically are afraid to take cases of controversy. Why? Because it's 4-4. So common sense dictates to me that we should address the vacancy of the Supreme Court caused by the death of Justice Scalia."
  • Unanimous consent –
    • Senator Portman modify his request as follows:
    • Following a vote on the confirmation of the nomination of Merrick Garland to be a justice of the United States Supreme Court, that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2971, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act.
    • (Senator Portman objects on behalf of Senator McConnell)

 

Senator Rubio: (6:47 PM)

  • Spoke on the Zika virus.
    • "Help is finally on the way in the form of a $1.1 billion anti-Zika package which was part of this larger law, this larger bill that passed today to keep government open beyond September 30. Included in the law that passed today is $15 million that's specifically targeted for states with local transmissions. And the only state so far that's had local transmissions is my home state of Florida. So today $15 million is on its way to hopefully Florida if we can get this done in the House to help with the fight against Zika. It also includes $60 million specifically for territories like Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has the highest number of infected American citizens with Zika. So today is good news for Puerto Rico. This took far too long, but I'm glad we're finally here. This anti-Zika package rightfully prioritizes Americans in Florida and in Puerto Rico and I'm encouraged that after months of working on this, my calls for action have finally been answered and that real assistance from the federal government is finally on its way."

 

Senator Coons: (6:55 PM)

  • Spoke on the death of a constituent, Betty Dewhurst Russell.
    • "I rise today to speak in honor of a friend and a fellow congregate, Betty Dewhurst Russell, someone who I've known for a long time and someone I knew as a member of my home church, First and Central Presbyterian in Wilmington, Delaware. Earlier today, Betty passed away. I'm so honored to have an opportunity here on the floor of the Senate to briefly recognize her for her remarkable service to the United States and for her great and soaring spirit. Betty was a young Midwestern girl when she ventured to St. Louis, Missouri in 1940 to begin her schooling as a nurse. Upon graduation, she volunteered for service in the United States Army."
  • Spoke on the death of two Delaware firefighters, Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes.
    • "It is with a heavy heart that Senator Carper and I come to the floor this evening to honor Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes, two brave Wilmington firefighters whose lost their lives this past Saturday night. In any state, any community, the loss of a firefighter or police officer is devastating. But in our small state of neighbors, a close-knit state with an even closer-knit first responder community, a community that includes families and multiple generations, it is especially hard. To those who knew Chris and Jerry, it must be little comfort now that we're here on the floor of the United States Senate to pay tribute to their lives, but in the next few minutes, we hope to capture just a fraction of the light that they brought to their families and to our community with their love and their service."

 

Senator Carper: (7:14 PM)

  • Spoke on the death of two Delaware firefighters, Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes.
    • "I'm going to talk about Jerry as Senator Coons has shared with us some wonderful words about Lieutenant Chris Leach. On Saturday, Jerry Fickes, a 13-year veteran of the Wilmington Fire Department, rushed into a burning home along with his colleague, Chris, and others, when a member of the team believed to be Chris became trapped in the blaze. They were told, I understand from those who were present at the fire, that when the Wilmington Fire Department showed up they were led to believe there were people inside the house, the house was on fire and they needed to be saved. Once inside the building, I think they went into the basement but the floor above them apparently gave way and their lives were lost in that fire."