[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 197 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S7810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Tax Reform Bill

  Mr. President, on one final matter, last week, the Senate passed a 
critical tax reform bill to jump-start the American economy by putting 
more money into the pockets of hard-working families and small 
businesses, creating more jobs and economic opportunity, and taking 
steps to ensure that jobs and business stay right here in America.
  This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we are meeting the 
challenge.
  Soon, the House and Senate will meet in conference to produce a final 
bill so that we can send it to the President's desk. Then the American 
people can begin to enjoy the relief.
  I want to take a few minutes to thank a number of people who were key 
to getting us to this point. First, President Trump and Vice President 
Pence, who fought for the promise they made to the American people to 
cut their taxes. Their tenacity, commitment to the effort, and 
engagement with the Senate were invaluable. I look forward to working 
with them on the many other priorities we plan to deliver for our 
country. The President and Vice President are great allies, and we will 
accomplish much, working together.
  I also want to acknowledge the efforts of Secretary Mnuchin, Director 
Cohn, General Kelly, Marc Short, and many others at the White House who 
worked with us on this effort.
  Speaker Ryan, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brady, and our 
friends over in the House have done great work, as well, and we are 
looking forward to getting a final bill to the President's desk soon.
  To my leadership team, who provide good counsel and good humor even 
in the most trying of times, thank you--most especially to the majority 
whip, John Cornyn, who is not only a valued colleague but a trusted 
friend. John and his whip team, led by Monica Popp, helped navigate 
many challenges along the way. There is no doubt we wouldn't have made 
it this far without them.
  The chairman of the Finance Committee, Orrin Hatch. His many years of 
service in the Senate have brought the expertise and steady hand we 
needed to get this bill written, out of committee, and on to the floor. 
Not only is Orrin an expert at legislating, but he also is a trusted 
friend, and I thank him for his many years of work to get us to this 
point.
  The chairman of the Budget Committee, Mike Enzi. There are few people 
around here who understand this complicated process better than 
Chairman Enzi, and we are grateful to him as well.
  The chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Lisa 
Murkowski. This is an important moment for Alaska and for American 
energy security.
  To the committee staffs: Finance, led by Jay Khosla; Energy and 
Natural Resources, led by Brian Hughes; Budget, led by Betsy McDonnell; 
and, of course, the Senate's dean of the tax counsels, Mark Prater--
thank you.
  There are a number of other Members who have been critical to the 
process. Senators Thune, Portman, Toomey, and Scott took on the 
yeoman's work in the Finance Committee as we worked to unite our 
conference on a bill that everyone could support. I will never forget 
the time and energy they have put into this effort, and I can't thank 
them enough. My staff calls them the ``core four'' of tax reform.
  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Senate 
Parliamentarians, who worked long hours and weekends with Republicans 
and Democrats alike to apply the rules of the Senate in a fair and 
unbiased manner.
  The floor staff, doorkeepers, those working for the Sergeant at Arms, 
Secretary of the Senate, and Architect of the Capitol--those behind the 
scenes who provide essential support for the Senate whenever we are in 
session. You are the reason this institution functions so well. In 
light of the challenges before us, we appreciate your commitment and 
your service.
  To the members of the United States Capitol Police, who stand 
constant guard and protect the Members, staff, and the millions of 
visitors who travel here, we are always grateful for your service.
  We all know that without our teams on the floor and in the cloakroom, 
this place simply wouldn't run the way it should. Secretary for the 
majority, Laura Dove, Robert Duncan, and the whole cloakroom team are 
invaluable to the work we do each and every day. I would like to thank 
them for the hours they put in, no matter what the issue of the day may 
become.
  Finally, to my own team--first to Sharon Soderstrom, who leads my 
staff with focus and commitment to success. I am lucky to have her by 
my side every day. She makes each of us better by not letting us forget 
why we are here; that is, to do the right thing for the American 
people. We have seen a lot of debates together over the last 10 years, 
and her counsel is always steady and straightforward. She truly is the 
best of the best.

  Don Stewart. Stew keeps us all on our toes but always with a smile. 
The communications team of Robert Steurer, Antonia Ferrier, David Popp, 
Stephanie Penn, Kevin Grout, and many more helps communicate in a 
challenging news environment every single day, and I am so thankful for 
their efforts.
  Hazen Marshall, who has been in the trenches on this every day since 
we started our work on this bill. Hazen may be the most likeable guy in 
the Senate but with a backbone of steel.
  Jane Lee, my budget lead, smart, cheerful, and determined. To my 
leader office policy team that gets to work with the committees as well 
as folks outside the Senate to help keep everyone informed, field 
questions, and address concerns, I want to thank them all. Scott Raab, 
Terry Van Doren, and Erica Suares each played a role in this, and I 
want to thank them. Phil Maxson and my personal office staff, including 
Katelyn Conner and Liz Strimer, who each day help my whole team keep 
Kentucky in the forefront of anything we are working on, I can't thank 
them all enough.
  To many others in both my State operation, especially Terry Carmack, 
and my leader office team, while I can't name everyone by name, know my 
appreciation goes to each of you as well. Of course, Stef Muchow, my 
director of operations, keeps everything running, is always working, 
and I can't imagine this success without her.
  Finally, to the man who has been the steady hand in the tax reform 
effort in my office, Brendan Dunn. His leadership and counsel over the 
last several months has been absolutely unparalleled. Brendan, many 
days, worked around the clock to hear from our Members on what they 
were hearing from our constituents and helped us get to passage of this 
incredibly significant piece of legislation. He worked with the 
committees to draft language, rework ideas, present thoughts, and 
prioritize Member feedback. I couldn't be more proud of Brendan and the 
work he has done.
  Brendan, you have my deep gratitude and admiration for how you have 
helped manage this critical bill. It is an honor to call you a 
colleague and also a friend.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.