mr. gardner: mr. president?

the presiding officer: the senator colorado. mr. gardner: is the senate in a quorum call? the presiding officer: it is novment. mr. gardner: thank you. mr. president, over the past several years, we have heard from our allies around the globe about the need for u.s. energy. the fact that the united states can produce abundant and affordable energy is the envy of the world, and allies from eastern europe to asia look at the united states as a place where they can achieve and get that abundant, affordable energy supply that they need to help grow their economy, so that our allies aren't dependent on countries in the middle east that aren't necessarily friendly to them for their energy supplies and energy sources whvment it comes to energy production, we know across this country that the shale revolution has created hundreds of thousands of jobs. in my state of -- in my home state of colorado alone it has created over 100,000 jobs. it's an incredible opportunity that we have to gain north american energy independence and security.

but we flows that we have an over- abundance of natural gas supplies right now. at the very same time that our allies are asking for american energy supplies, we have an abundance of american energy. in the rockies, especially the rockies, we have the potential for an asset to become stranded, an asset that we can produce a lot of but lack the markets to send it to. as energy developments occurred in the northeastern part of the united states, we have seen northeastern states are now able to get their energy resources, natural gas and others from right in their backyard instead of relying on the western united states. and so we have urged, those of us in the west, we have urged the construction of l.n.g. terminals in the gulf along the west coast so that we can export that natural gas through l.n.g. terminals to our allies who desperately need it. that not only gives our allies the energy that they desire but it also makes sure that we can continue producing energy in

colorado and the west and not result in a stranded product that can no longer go east but has an outlet to the west. because of this demand by our allies and because of the incredible success that we have had producing that energy, the jordan could he have -- jordan cove l.n.g. terminal has been proposed for instruction -- construction in oregon. i'm chairman of the east asia subcommittee on foreign relations. one of the key conversations with leaders, government leaders and business leaders in those nations is the conversation surrounding energy and they talk about what we can do to expedite and to increase energy exports from the united states. this senate has made great progress, this congress has made great progress when it comes to exporting energy. in fact, earlier this year we allowed for the export of crude oil for the first time since

jimmy carter made it impossible decades ago. but we also know that we've continued to work on l.n.g. exports expediting the perm -- anant process. it would have required permits to be approved in an expedited fashion. the energy bill did not get approved. it doesn't look like it's going to move at the end of this congress but i hope it will next year and i hope we'll get language expediting l.n.g. terminals. one of the most clear outrages of this administration's policies over the last year, eight years habits outright hostility -- habits outright hostility to energy development. unfortunately agencies in our government continue to reflect that hostility toward the development of energy resources. let's take a decision announced hours ago as it relates to

jordan cove. ferc denied the application of jordan cove to exports shutting down their pipeline preventing them to get the resources they need to en0 the facility to export to allies in asia. they claim that jordan cove hasn't demonstrated a mark, that they don't have enough of a market proven to approve the pipeline necessary to feed the terminal to export the l.n.g. jordan cove has substantial customer base in asia. they have proven it to ferc. this is nothing but the continuation of a denial back in march that ferc made to shut down exports of l.n.g., to shut down our ability to get energy out of the rockies and send it to our allies in the west. over the next several years luckily we will be asked to confirm a number of nominees from commissions and agencies across the government including ferc. it is my hope that this body as it looks to these nominations

and approvals will start asking difficult questions to those people filling these commissions about whether or not we are serious about energy production in the united states and whether we are serious about allowing states like colorado the ability to produce energy and export it to our allies around the globe. if people like ferc right now has its way, their answer is no, shut it down, keep it in the ground. that's extreme and an activist point of view and it's an outrage and denying the people of colorado economic opportunity. it's denying the people in the west economic opportunity. and it's letting the government decide what is right and wrong in the marketplace. ferc, this government shouldn't be in the business of picking winners and losers yet that's what it continues to do. jordan cove has tremendous bipartisan support. republicans and democrats alike who believe that facility is important to japan, that facility is important to opportunities in korea, that facility is important to our

allies throughout asia, throughout the west, and it is my hope that as this process moves forward we can get a deep, deep expression and understanding from ferc about why they continue to deny these jobs, deny these opportunities. the demand is there. the need is there. the economics are there. and we certainly need the jobs there in colorado with the approval of this pipeline and that facility at jordan cove. so, mr. president, i thank you for the time this afternoon -- this evening. and i certainly hope that we can at least make some progress over the next few years with people, agencies, people in agencies and people in commissions who believe in the american economy instead of the american bureaucracy. mr. president, i yield the floor.

the presiding officer: the senator from nevada. mr. heller: mr. president, thank you. as we approach the end of this congress, i rise today to discuss not only what we've accomplished in this chamber but also specifically what we have accomplished for the state of nevada. i'm especially proud of the many of my priorities having been able to move forward to help nevadans survive from veterans to health care to infrastructure. these accomplishments prove that this majority was prepared to work and produce lasting results. and i look forward to advancing even more priorities that benefit nevada in the 115th congress. as a member of the senate veterans' affairs committee, i've been proud to advocate on behalf nevada's brave heroes. my focus has always been on issues impacting nevada veterans most. give you some examples: guaranteeing veterans have access to care. ensuring that they receive care quickly.

working to hire more v.a. doctors. providing health care for rural veterans and addressing that disability claims backlog that we have been working on for years. and in this congress there's been a lot of progress. as a cochair of the senate v.a. backlog working group i've been holding the v.a.'s feet to the fire on the disabilities claims about backlog. the v.a. has adopted many of the working group's policy recommendations, and this pressure has helped reduce backlogs from 4,05,000 claims in 2014 to 92,000 today. although clearly there's much room for improvement nevada veterans are far better off smith a claim to our nevada regional office today than they were two years ago. nevada was once the worst in the nation. worst in the nation, and now it is in the top 25% for prrches.

-- performance. another issue is v.a. doctor shortages. it's hard for v.a. to recruit and retain medical professionals, and that impacts how quickly our veterans can get their care. i've asked the government accountability office to examine the v.a.'s current policies for recruitment and retention and report back to me on what improvements can be made. i look forward to receiving that report next year and enacting to ensure we address this issue which affects urban areas like los angeles and our rural areas like win maw ca. i'm also proud that the v.a. finally opened brand-new v.a. clinic in perup. while there have been many positive steps forward for nevada's veteran community, clearly there's more to accomplish in the next congress. in fact, i'm working to pass legislation through the senate right now that would bring greater accountability to the

v.a. by reporting each year on bonuses awarded to critical positions like v.a. hospital directors. we still have a 20% disability claims backlog and a growing appeals backlog. the v.a. choice program must be revisited in 2017 for reauthorization and improvements. the v.a. still struggles to fire employees who are poorly performing. rural veterans still struggle to find dockets who serve in their area. these are priorities for nevada veterans that i'm committed to advancing every day that i'm here in the united states senate. i'm also particularly proud of the work we've done here in the 114th congress on infrastructure. those efforts yielded major results for the state of nevada. last year we enacted the first long-term highway bill in nearly a decade called the fixing americans surface transportation act, or better known as the fast act. this five-year bill provides

states with resources and the tools to advance high-priority projects such as the new interstate 1 1 connecting phoenix to las vegas. also the carson city freeway and the widening of the los angeles busiest freeway, interstate 15 in las vegas. the bill also included my top infrastructure priorities. the expansion of interstate 11 to northern nevada nevada. i've been working for years to improve mobility from las vegas to reno. surface transportation projects like these spur economic development opportunities. it reduces congestion and increases safety. the recipe for creating short-term jobs and long-term economic growth. in july the federal aviation administration extension safety and security act was enacted into law. this important legislation i am-

implemented reforms that made u.s. air travel safer and essential to tourist designations. again tonight we will debate yet another important infrastructure bill, the water infrastructure improvement for the nation act. included in this package is a bill i sponsored that have been working on with my nevada and california colleagues for nearly a decade. the lake tahoe restoration act. this initiative will reduce wildfire threats, jump-start transportation and infrastructure projects, combat invasive species at lake tahoe and ensuring the jewel of the sierras is preserved for generations to come. it also includes a provision i crafted with senator heinrich that improves the water security of rural western communities. i hope my colleagues will agree to quickly take up and pass this important legislation for my state sending it to the president's desk before the end of the year. with a new majority in the

senate we're able to make good on a number of promises to the american people on the health care front. first and foremoat was being able to send an obamacare repeal bill to the president's desk within the first year of our new majority of the one of my top priorities in our obamacare appeal efforts was to repeal the excise tax on employee health benefits. in nevada, 1.3 million workers whose employer sponsored plan will be hit by the cadillac tax. i have knew the devastating impact this tax would have on nevadans but i also knew that in order to get anything done we meet in a bipartisan effort. my friend, senator heinrich from new mexico and i teamed up to successfully include a delay of the cadillac tax and the omnibus bill at the end of last year. rest assured i will continue to fight for full repeal in the next congress. this week we were able to pass the 21st century cures act

which has a two year process to work in a bipartisan way to advance medical research and clear out government red tape at the food and drugs administration. i was pleased two of my bills that focus on mental health and protecting seniors health care benefits were included in this health care package. first my bill bring postpartum depression out of the shadows act was included in the mental health title of the bill. after working with mental health health care providers in my home state i learned that nevada yafo screening to provide effective care of new mothers struggling with postpartum depression. i worked with senator gillibrand and senator alexander on this important piece of legislation which builds upon existing state and local efforts by providing targeted federal grants to assist states in developing programs to better screen and treat maternal depression.

another bill we were able to pass is part of the cures act with my collection, -- legislation. this legislation requires more transparency of the medicare advantage and prescription drug benefits enjoyed by seniors throughout the state. it will also ensure that these benefits continue to provide meaningful coverage to seniors and will help us protect important health care benefits for current and few tour retires. more than 30% of nevada seniors enjoy the medicare advantage benefits and enrollment continues to grow in my state. successfully passing a number of health care bills will surely set the tone early next year when a united republican government finally repeals obamacare. i'm optimistic with a willing partner in the white house we can build on these successes and i plan on using my role in the

senate transportation bill and the senate veterans' affairs committee to tackle the challenges facing nevadans across the state. i know that we'll do everything in our power to protect our constituents' access to care as we transition out of obamacare and into a new era of a 21st century care system that works for patients. i know we'll honor our veterans by approving -- improving the quality of care and benefits that they have earned and whiche will invest in roads, water, and air and telecommunications and other pressing domestic infrastructure needs and i look forward to working with my colleagues in the united states senate on these important priorities in the coming year. thank you, mr. president. i yield the floor. i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.

quorum call:

quorum call:

the presiding officer: the senator from yam. mr. shelby: i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. the senator from alabama. mr. shelby: mr. president, i'll take a few minutes here. i rise to call up for consideration h.r. 3394, the captive act.

i've long advocated for the senate to pass the captive act which passed the house by unanimous consent in july. in 2003 a group of department of defense contractors were on a counter narcotics mission in colombia when their plane crash-landed. these americans were captured by members of the revolutionary armed forces of colombia that we know as farc, which is a violent guerrilla group heavily involved in drug trafficking. my fellow alabaman, thomas janice the pilot of the plane lost his life at the hands of the terrorist on february 13, 2003. the three other americans aboard the flight were kidnapped, held hostage and tortured for more than five years until they were finally rescued by the colombia military. these heroes are now seeking justice for themselves and their families against those who have

carried out unthinkable acts of violence. the captive act, mr. president, is simple. it would make it easier for all u.s. victims of terrorism to recover court awarded damages. i believe that the family of tom janice and all the victims of terror deserve nothing less than for the senate to swiftly pass the captive act and i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting that. now i would like to ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of h.r. 3394 which was received from the house. i further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider, motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. brown: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. brown: madam president, reserving the right to object, i share senator shelby and other

colleagues, senator shelby's and other colleagues' strong desire to ensure that this small group of americans who suffered such violence at the hands of farc, that this small group is compensated for their ordeal. earlier this week at the behest of senator nelson and others, i met with some of those former hostages. i heard their suffering firsthand. i read about it, i've talked to them. i can't imagine what they went through. while the victims have already received a portion of the compensation awarded them by federal courts around $16 million so far, but out of a total of $318 million awarded, they still have a long way to go. the administration, including the treasury department, which oversees our efforts to combat narcotics trafficking that is having such a devastating impact on our country and others around the world have expressed serious concerns that the captive act would undermine our