mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. i have eight requests for committees to meet during today's session of the senate. they have the approval of the majority and minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. mr. president, about a year ago, the american people voted for fundamental change in this country. last week, republicans in the senate continued to deliver. we passed a plan to give americans substantial tax relief. this legislation is exactly what people were asking for last november, and it's exactly what this country needs now. because of this republican plan, people will be able to keep a lot more of their hard-earned money. they're going to be able to find that their taxes are going to be simpler and fairer. they're going to see our economy getting stronger and healthier. that's good news for our country, and it's certainly good news for the american people. this legislation was an important promise that republicans made and it's a promise that republicans have ke

mr. barrasso: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from wyoming. mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. i come to the floor today to talk about the tax relief, tax reduction legislation that the conference committee is currently working on. to me, mr. president, and to all americans, this is a very important piece of legislation. i think it's going to get even better as the house and the senate work to hammer out their differences, to help lower the tax rates for american values. you look at this legislation, there are so many policies that will help to make america's economy grow. families across the country will get a tax break. it's what they need. it's what they have been looking for for a long, long time. main street businesses will also get a tax break. when people get a raise like that, they invest in their families and they invest in their communities. they create jobs, wages go up. the economy grows, and our nation gets stronger. you don't have to take my word for it, mr. president. respected mainstream economists are saying exactly the same t

mr. barrasso: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from wyoming. thank you, mr. president. i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. barrasso: mr. president, i come to the floor today, the senate is facing one of its most important votes in years. the tax relief legislation that we will be voting on i believe will be great for america, the american people, and to a lot for the country. it's been a long process, there's been a lot of discussion, and this has been years of preparation waiting for today's vote. the finance committee has held over 70 hearings on the subject over the last six years. when we debated it on the floor, we had about 285 amendments offered to this legislation. there's been a lot of changes over the past few weeks to include as many good ideas as possible. after all of that, it is understandable that there may be some confusion about what the legislation does. so i want to speak today about various ways tha

mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. mr. president, the environmental protection agency needs strong and experienced leadership. that's why i come to the floor today to speak in support of president trump's nomination of susan parker bodine to serve in the office of compliance at the e.p.a. her expertise and her experience make her an exceptional pick to lead this office at the agency. she has extensive environmental policy knowledge from years working as an attorney, staffer on capitol hill and leadership at the e.p.a. from 2016 to 2009 during -- from 2006 to 2009 she served in solid waste and emergency response. she served as the staff director on the house committee on transportation and infrastructure subcommittee on water resources and the environment. most recently susan served as my chief counsel at the senate environment and public works committee. that's why i know susan is committed to finding commonsense ways to protect america's land, air, and water. in this new role she will work to help communities and small bu