[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5809-S5810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Pensions

  Mr. President, for decades, millions of Americans labored in 
construction and mining and truck driving and other industries with the 
promise of a secure retirement when they reached old age through their 
pension. But through no fault of their own, forces like a financial 
crisis, a dwindling labor force, and inaction on the part of the 
Federal Government, their pension plans are now at risk of becoming 
insolvent within a decade. This is an immediate problem. It is going to 
destroy the security of millions of retirees--people who worked all 
their lives. They put a little bit of money away that they could have 
spent when they needed it, but they put it in for their retirement 
hoping that the day they retire they wouldn't become rich, but at least 
they could live decently. Now that may be vanished--vanished. Congress 
has the power to stop this problem dead in its tracks. Just 2 months 
ago, the House passed the Butch Lewis Act, which would provide 
immediate relief to ``critical and declining'' pension plans so we can 
keep our promise to our workers. Leader McConnell and Senate 
Republicans, once again, inexplicably, have refused to take action on 
this bipartisan legislation. Senate Republicans blocked us from even 
debating it last night. So in a short time, I will join my colleagues, 
including Senators Brown, Stabenow, Manchin, Murray, and Wyden to 
demand that Leader McConnell allow us a vote on legislation to protect 
these millions of workers and secure the retirements they have earned.

  President Trump often claims to be looking out for the American 
worker, but his policies set them further and further adrift. This one 
is notorious. Retirement, a decent retirement, is part of the American 
dream and part of the American way. Here is a chance for President 
Trump to actually defend American workers instead of hurting them.
  If President Trump is truly the champion of the American worker, he 
will prevail on our Republican colleagues to start working with 
Democrats to make sure--make sure--we protect the pensions that 
millions of families rely on for their security and have paid for.
  I yield the floor.

[[Page S5810]]

  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Blackburn). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.