We have had a lot of complaints. We have two major areas in Oklahoma--Muskogee and Oklahoma City--and we had felt it was mostly because of leadership.

I cannot imagine anyone would be opposed to.

I encourage swift passage of this important legislation.

There is no better group to give this contracting authority to than the regional VA directors who know firsthand the issues their medical facilities face.

We will make sure that we give the right treatment to our veterans.

Mr. President, this is a little out of character. Confession is good for the soul. One of my very favorite--maybe my most favorite--of spectator sports is, of all things, girls' softball. Now, a lot of people don't even know anything about…

Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Gardner). The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Congratulating the University of Oklahoma Women's Softball Team on Winning the 2017 Women's…

I would like to commend them for their heroic and professional response in protecting the Members of Congress and others that day.

This concludes the open session of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee hearing regarding fiscal year 2018 funding for the Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police.

The women and men of the U.S. Capitol Police work tirelessly to ensure that the Congress is able to securely conduct its legislative responsibilities without disruption.

If you don't sell us LNG, then the Russians can turn the valve on and off and they control a large part of Europe.

What price should Russia pay for this type of interference?

Mr. President, as we begin the markup--that is what we are going to be starting on right away. We have already had an initial meeting with the Senate Armed Services Committee on the National Defense Authorization Act. I want to express my…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for as much time as I may consume. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 396 and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 396 Resolved, That at any time after adoption of this…

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday the Rules Committee met and reported a rule for consideration of a very important measure. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2842, Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act. {time} 1230 The…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by agreeing with my good friend on many of the points that he made. I was particularly struck by the point he made about the low participation rate in the…