[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LEGISLATION BEFORE THE SENATE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the continuing resolution was filed in 
the House yesterday. As we wait for the House to take the next step, I 
encourage all Members to continue reviewing the legislative text, which 
has been available for some time.
  The Water Resources Development Act legislation has been filed in the 
House as well. This is bipartisan legislation that will strengthen our 
Nation's infrastructure and commerce while investing in the safety and 
reliability of our drinking water. As colleagues know, it includes, let 
me repeat, aid for families in Flint.
  As we wait for final passage in the House, I encourage Senators to 
keep doing our part to ensure that we can bring WRDA and its assistance 
for Flint over the finish line as soon as possible.
  On another matter, I am pleased the 21st Century Cures Act bill will 
pass this afternoon with significant support from both sides of the 
aisle. This medical innovation bill will help foster solutions when it 
comes to heartbreaking illnesses such as Alzheimer's, opioid addiction, 
mental health disorders, and cancer--heartbreaking illnesses that 
affect our families, friends, and constituents. This is one of the most 
meaningful bills we will pass this year, and it would not have been 
possible without the hard work of colleagues such as Chairman 
Alexander, Senators Cornyn, Hatch and Cassidy, and of course along with 
Ranking Member Murray.
  Let us also again recognize Vice President Biden for his work on the 
Cancer Moonshot initiatives, which have fittingly been renamed for Beau 
Biden in this legislation. I will have more to say about the Vice 
President when he joins us again this afternoon, but for now I look 
forward to passing the 21st Century Cures Act today.
  On another matter, we will have another important vote this 
afternoon. It is a vote to move forward on the national defense 
authorization conference report.
  We all know the world the next administration will inherit is a 
difficult and dangerous one. There are many threats. There are numerous 
national security challenges, and there is much to be done to better 
prepare our military and the next administration to deal with them. 
That is what this bipartisan national defense legislation aims to do. 
It will help strengthen our military posture. It will send clear 
messages to both our allies and our adversaries, and it will provide 
more of the tools our servicemembers need to be successful. It makes 
clear that we must also pass the continuing resolution that includes 
funding for the war against ISIL and for our forces in Afghanistan.
  We have already seen the consequences of failing to take the 
necessary steps to confront our national security challenges. It is 
another reason we need to move forward and pass this defense 
legislation so we can take forward-looking steps now to help take on 
these challenges and support our men and women in uniform.

                          ____________________