[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S130-S140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AMENDING THE PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013--Motion to 
                           Proceed--Continued

  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Rosen). The Senator from Missouri.


                         Champions of Missouri

  Mr. SCHMITT. Madam President, I rise to bring this body's attention 
to 13 extraordinary Missourians who truly embody the best that our 
great State has to offer. They represent the inaugural class of my 
office's new Champions of Missouri Program, which seeks to identify and 
honor Missourians who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, 
selflessly served their community, and achieved great things.
  These 13 honorees span the State of Missouri--including St. Louis, 
Hermann, Kansas City, Wentzville, Sedalia, Springfield, Fulton, 
Memphis, Fredericktown, and the bootheel.

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  All of these honorees represent service, sacrifice, and success and 
make me proud to be a Missourian.
  The first Missourian I want to honor today is Detective Sergeant 
Mason Griffith, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in March 
of 2023. Sergeant Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup of the Hermann 
Police Department responded to a disturbance call at a local gas 
station. When a shootout occurred, Sergeant Griffith was shot and sadly 
killed.
  Sergeant Griffith served his community with distinction and truly had 
a servant's heart. In addition to serving the Hermann Police Department 
for 12 years, he was the chief of police in his hometown of Rosebud and 
a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in the Gasconade County Sheriff's Department.
  Many describe Sergeant Griffith as one of the most kind and helpful 
people you would ever come across. His wife Jennifer and son Carson and 
friends are up in the Senate Gallery here today, and it was my distinct 
pleasure to present the Congressional Record honoring Sergeant Griffith 
to her and him earlier today.
  While this is merely a small token of mine and Missouri's gratitude 
for your husband's service and sacrifice, it is my hope that his memory 
will continue in the hearts and minds of those touched by his life and 
his service. Thank you, Sergeant Griffith, for your unwavering 
commitment to safety in your community. You truly are a Champion of 
Missouri.
  Another honoree is Officer Adam Sullentrup, who was with Sergeant 
Mason Griffith on that fateful disturbance call in March of 2023. 
Officer Sullentrup was shot and critically injured in what ultimately 
would be a 20-hour standoff with the suspect.
  After spending 7 months in a Colorado rehab hospital to recover from 
his injuries, Officer Sullentrup was finally able to come home to his 
family right before Thanksgiving.
  His community in Washington, MO, lined the highways to welcome him 
back home, a true testament to his character and his unwavering service 
to keeping his fellow Missourians safe.
  My prayers are with him, his wife Michelle, and their entire family 
as he continues to recover. Thank you, Officer Sullentrup. You are 
truly a Champion of Missouri.
  Next up is Captain Philip Gregory of Fredericktown, MO. Captain 
Gregory proudly served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for over 
three decades, working to keep his community safe. Before joining the 
Missouri State Highway Patrol, Captain Gregory served as an EMT and a 
paramedic.
  In his law enforcement career, Captain Gregory has served as a zone 
supervisor, a criminal investigator, a corporal, a sergeant, a 
lieutenant, an assistant division director, and, finally, a captain. 
After 30 years of service and sacrifice, Captain Gregory retired in 
August of 2023.
  I wish him and his wife Tanya all the best in his hard-earned 
retirement. Thank you for your years of service to our great State, 
Captain Gregory. You are truly a champion for our great State.
  Nancy Baumgartner Hanson is a resident of Fulton, MO, and has done 
truly incredible work for individuals with disabilities. Nancy saw a 
need in her community when her daughter Shelby, a decorated Special 
Olympics athlete, graduated high school and needed a safe and 
supporting place to start her adult life.
  Nancy is leading the charge to put a WeBUILT in Fulton, which is a 
self-sustaining community development that provides a safe shelter for 
individuals with disabilities. It would be the first of its kind in 
Missouri.
  Additionally, Nancy has hosted iCan Bike in Fulton for nearly a 
decade, which teaches individuals with disabilities how to ride a bike, 
fostering independence and confidence.
  As the father of a son with disabilities, I know just how important 
these programs are in giving those living with disabilities more 
opportunities. Thank you, Nancy, for your great work that you have done 
to support those who sometimes need it most. You are truly a Champion 
of Missouri.
  John Meehan has had a storied career and has been a mainstay in 
Sedalia, MO, for decades. Throughout his career, John served as vice 
president of Third National Bank from 1982 to 2009; served as Pettis 
County presiding commissioner from 2011 to 2014; served on the board of 
directors for the United Way in Sedalia, Pettis County, from 2008 to 
2015; served as president of the board of directors for the Sedalia 
Area Chamber of Commerce from 2017 to 2018; and has served as council 
chairman of the Wesley United Methodist Church since 2016.
  John also is an active member in civic organizations in the area. He 
spent a majority of his career aiming to make his community a better 
place. Thank you, John, for your commitment to Sedalia. You are truly a 
Champion of Missouri.
  Next up, Kevin Jeffries and Justin Parrack were driving along the 
highway when they noticed a car veering off the road and into a median. 
The driver was having an untimely medical emergency. Kevin and Justin 
sprang into action, entering through the passenger door of the car, 
stopped the car, administered CPR, and ultimately saved the life of the 
driver.

  For their heroic actions, Kevin and Justin were both bestowed with 
the Honorary Trooper Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the 
State Highway Patrol.
  While Kevin and Justin both insist they aren't heroes, I think my 
fellow Missourians would agree with me that they are. Thank you, Kevin 
and Justin, for your swift thinking and decisive actions that saved a 
life. You are both truly Champions of Missouri.
  Adam and Melinda Hendrix lost their 23-year-old son Justin to a 
heroin overdose in 2017. In his honor, Adam and Melinda started Justin 
Delivers Hope, a charity that has done unbelievable work to combat 
opioid abuse and addiction in their hometown of Wentzville and in the 
broader St. Louis region.
  JDH has raised money for education efforts, distributed lifesaving 
Narcan to family members and friends of users, and has worked with 
local police departments to fund more canine units to fight drug-
related crime. Since its founding, JDH has funded 18 canine units to 
work in local police departments in St. Charles, and those units have 
helped officers confiscate nearly 300 pounds of illegal drugs in 2022.
  Thank you, Adam and Melinda, for honoring your son Justin by building 
a critical resource for those struggling with opioid abuse and 
addiction. You truly are Champions of Missouri.
  Hannah Montgomery is an inspiration to her community. Hannah has been 
in a motorized wheelchair since January of 2020 due to a neurological 
disorder caused by inflammation of her spinal cord, but she hasn't let 
that keep her down. Hannah has been involved in her local 4-H program 
since she was 6 years old and has a passion for showing her pigs.
  Hannah was recently selected as the Adair County SB40 Spotlight Award 
recipient for Kids Inclusion. Hannah's positive attitude, love for 
life, and perseverance in the face of adversity is something we can all 
learn from. Thank you, Hannah. You are truly a Champion of Missouri.
  Jim Chappell ran Chappell's Restaurant and Sports Museum from 1986 to 
2018, and Chappell's has become a Kansas City legend and so has Jim. 
For years and years, there was no better place to grab dinner, a beer, 
watch a Chiefs or Royals game than Chappell's. Jim's eclectic watering 
hole for the Kansas City sports diehards also featured a unique 
collection of rare sports memorabilia that Jim himself curated.
  Outside of the walls of Chappell's, Jim demonstrated a tremendous 
spirit of service across business, civic, and community organizations. 
Thank you, Jim, for building a memorable safe haven for Kansas City 
sports fans and for fostering a stronger, deeper community. You truly 
are a Champion of Missouri.
  The city of St. Louis recently welcomed its newest sports team, the 
St. Louis City Soccer Club. We had an extraordinary inaugural season in 
front of thousands and thousands of adoring fans. One City player, 
Miguel Perez, is an exemplary ambassador for St. Louis and the State of 
Missouri. Just 2 days after graduating from Pattonville High School, 
Miguel scored his first career MLS goal for St. Louis City. Hailing 
from St. Louis, Miguel has demonstrated an intense dedication to the 
sport that he loves and represents that playoff team with a lot of hard 
work and great work ethic. It is safe to assume we can expect great 
things from

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Miguel, and we are certainly happy to have him in St. Louis. Miguel, 
you are truly a Champion of Missouri.
  Last but not least, is Sheryl Lynnette Branch-Maxwell, affectionately 
known as Ms. Sherry. Ms. Sherry has dedicated her time and energy in 
empowering youth in Missouri's bootheel through education and 
mentorship. Ms. Sherry's work as a program educator at Lincoln 
University Cooperative Extension in Charleston, MO, has been pivotal in 
implemented programs focused on leadership, self-esteem, and anti-drug 
initiatives. Ms. Sherry has worked to improve the well-being and 
development of our youth in daycare facilities and Head Start centers. 
Thank you, Ms. Sherry, for spending your time and investing in the 
well-being of our State's children and young adults. You truly are a 
Champion of Missouri.
  These Missourians have dedicated their time, energy, and efforts to 
improving the lives of others in their communities, and for that they 
should be commended and honored.
  It is critical that we continue to honor ordinary Missourians who do 
extraordinary things. These 13 individuals represent the best of the 
``Show-Me'' State and truly exemplify what it means to be a Champion of 
Missouri.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.


                       American Hostages in Gaza

  Ms. ERNST. Madam President, these are the faces of the six Americans 
who have been at the mercy of Iran-backed Hamas for over 100 days. They 
are brothers, sons, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. They range in 
age from 18 to 62.
  Their families have been sick with worry. They have been sick with 
fear day after day, not knowing whether their loved ones are even 
alive. As they cry out for answers and action, the families have yet 
once again returned to Congress, looking for hope and looking for 
leadership. These requests should not go unanswered.
  During Hamas's October 7 terrorist assault on Israel, I was in the 
Middle East leading a bicameral, bipartisan delegation to bring a 
message of peace and optimism for further normalization in the region. 
But Hamas shattered this dream for millions in the region and beyond.
  We woke up to the terrible news on October 7, knowing that the world 
was altered and plans had changed. The delegation unanimously agreed 
that we needed to go into Israel immediately, as the first group on the 
ground to stand with our ally in the face of this devastation.
  In Israel, we met with families in anguish after Hamas had taken our 
citizens--American citizens--hostage and had killed over 30 Americans 
in the initial assault.
  Since then, I have remained in constant contact with these hostage 
families. I heard their calls on behalf of their loved ones: Bring them 
home. Bring them home now.
  The response has only been words. Where is the action from this 
administration, and where is the outrage from our fellow Americans?
  Still, over 100 days later, many do not know the status of their 
loved ones. That is why I returned with the same delegation from 
October, plus one, to the region at the beginning of this year--to 
build upon our work and press for the release of our American hostages; 
to tell the families and the heads of state in the region that the safe 
return of hostages is our No. 1 priority.
  Back in Israel, we saw firsthand the impact of Hamas's brutality at 
kibbutz Nir Oz, a place that, pre-October 7, could have been described 
as an oasis in the desert, a gentle farming community of peace-loving 
people. We were guided through the wreckage by a gentleman who called 
this kibbutz home and whose own son is an American being held hostage. 
In this community of peace lovers, Hamas burned homes, they terrorized 
children, they killed the innocent, put bullets into bedrooms, and 
violated the very foundation of peace that the kibbutz stood for.
  Armed with heart-wrenching stories from each of the hostage families, 
our delegation traveled to Egypt, Qatar, and Bahrain. Our message was 
clear: Bring Americans home. This was the message I delivered to the 
senior leaders and hostage negotiators in each of those countries. It 
is a message backed by the entire bicameral, bipartisan delegation. We 
pressed our partners in the region to bring Hamas back to the 
negotiating table and release our citizens immediately.
  Still, we must do more. These hostage families deserve answers 
immediately, and it is clear they are desperately looking for action 
from President Biden and his team.
  Shockingly, we are witnessing the absolute wrong action from the 
Biden administration staff. As American hostages sit in Gaza in 
tunnels, captives of Hamas, some of the Biden administration staff are 
staging walkouts and demanding a ceasefire with Hamas. It is 
unbelievable that they are standing up for terrorists torturing our 
American brothers and sisters. Without a doubt, these staff members 
should be fired. Where is their outrage against Hamas? Where is the 
protest demanding that Hamas release their fellow citizens?
  In the face of the vacuum created by this administration, Congress 
has a role to play in bringing Americans home, and that is a role I 
have stepped into. And congressional pressure is working. Already, the 
world is witnessing some of the effects of this call to action. After 
meeting with leaders in Qatar, Qatari negotiators reportedly paved the 
way for Israel to send medicine to the hostages in Gaza for the first 
time since October 7.
  I am glad to see Qatar has responded to our calls to action; however, 
this is only a first and a very modest step. More action is required, 
and I will continue to fight to get Americans home immediately. After 
all, every day that Hamas holds Americans captive is a win for evil. 
That is why I will continue to hold our partners' feet to the fire to 
reunite these families.
  I encourage every Member in this body and every American to join me 
in pressuring Hamas to free our citizens. American lives are on the 
line. Folks, now is a time for choosing.
  As these hostage families call out for the strength of America to 
reunite them with their loved ones, there should be only one response: 
Bring our hostages home now.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas.


                      Honoring Deputy Justin Smith

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today with my friend and 
colleague, Senator Cotton, to recognize the service and the sacrifice 
of Stone County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Smith, who was fatally wounded 
in the line of duty on January 2, 2024.
  It takes a special person to wear a law enforcement officer's 
uniform. For Deputy Smith, being part of this select group of 
individuals called to serve and protect was a dream come true. He was a 
distinguished member of the law enforcement community for 24 years, 
honorably serving first as a corrections officer in Jackson and 
Independence Counties and then as a constable and deputy sheriff in 
Stone County, where he spent 14 years.
  Deputy Smith loved his job. He loved working for the good of his 
family, friends, and neighbors. He was so proud to be in a position to 
make a difference in the lives of the Arkansans and took advantage of 
that opportunity on countless occasions.
  Those who served alongside him recognized his compassion and the 
helpful influence he had on the youth he worked with--two marks of any 
special public servant. Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long described 
Deputy Smith as a team player who was always willing to go the extra 
mile. The sheriff said:

       There was never a time he was called to come in that he 
     didn't show up.

  By living his life dedicated to public service, he also instilled 
that passion in his family. His sons have taken up roles with a higher 
calling as well, one being a veteran, another currently serving in 
Active Duty in the Air Force, and another who followed directly in his 
father's footsteps by pursuing a career in law enforcement. They all 
benefited from the love of their dad, not only for them but for others, 
and the faithful way he went about showing it in every aspect of life.
  As Deputy Smith knew, we depend on law enforcement officers to keep 
us safe. His death is a tragic reminder of the risks these men and 
women face each day, and it prompts us to ensure

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we always offer the gratitude and respect they so richly deserve in 
exchange for the tremendous sacrifices that they make.
  I join all Arkansans as we mourn the death of this hero.
  I ask my colleagues to lift up Deputy Smith's wife Lori and his 
entire family, Stone County's law enforcement personnel, and all who 
loved him in prayer. We will forever remember him as the true hero he 
was.
  I yield to my colleague, Senator Cotton.
  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, today, I join Senator Boozman in 
mourning the death of Stone County Deputy Sheriff Justin Smith.
  On January 2, Deputy Smith was shot and killed in the line of duty 
while serving a warrant. With his passing, Arkansas has lost a selfless 
public servant, reflecting the very best in our State.
  Deputy Smith grew up in Arkansas, and he worked in law enforcement 
for 24 years--first as a corrections officer and then at the Stone 
County Sheriff's Department, where he worked for the past 14 years.
  Time and again, he went above and beyond the call of duty. Stone 
County Sheriff Brandon Long said of Deputy Smith:

       There was never a time he was called to come in that he 
     didn't show up. He was the type of person that when his shift 
     ended, if he needed to stay over, no questions asked.

  Deputy Smith was a gregarious and generous man who made friends and 
smiled easily. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his large 
family.
  Deputy Smith is survived by his wife Lori, 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-
law, 3 stepchildren, 4 siblings, and 14 grandchildren, along with many 
nieces, nephews, and cousins.
  Our prayers and the prayers of all Arkansans are with his family in 
this time of pain and mourning.
  One of his sons reflected:

       Perhaps the hardest part of all of this is that my dad only 
     exists in memories and photos, and that's all we'll have left 
     of him.

  Those heartbreaking words reflect the terrible danger that our men 
and women in blue and their families endure every single day. It is one 
of the many reasons our police deserve the lasting gratitude and 
support of their communities, States, and our Nation.
  That gratitude was on full display at Deputy Smith's funeral, where 
leaders from across the State attended, including Governor Sarah 
Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin. In fact, so many people 
wanted to honor Deputy Smith's life that the service had to be 
simulcast into a second church.
  On behalf of a grateful State, Senator Boozman and I want to thank 
Deputy Smith and his whole family for their service to Stone County and 
to Arkansas.
  God bless them, and God bless Arkansas.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Baldwin). The junior Senator from 
California.


                             Maiden Speech

  Ms. BUTLER. Madam President, before I begin my formal remarks, I 
would like to take a moment to acknowledge the delegation of California 
mayors who are here in the Gallery today.
  Madam President, I rise today with gratitude, honored to be a Member 
of this esteemed body. I rise having never imagined that this 
opportunity to serve would be a part of my journey. But I am grateful 
to so many who have helped it become true.
  I was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve the people of 
California after the passing of Senator Feinstein. No one could ever 
fill Senator Feinstein's shoes, but there are so many of us who stand 
on her shoulders. To both of them, I am grateful.

  I also know that my presence in these hallowed Halls is only made 
possible by Senator Carol Moseley Braun and now-Vice President Kamala 
Harris, both of whom were historic Members of this great Chamber. And 
to stand on their shoulders as the only Black woman in this Chamber 
today, I am eternally grateful.
  I appreciate the sacrifice and support of my friends and my family 
and the leadership of EMILYs List, who allowed me to turn their lives 
inside out and upside down to meet this moment in our Nation's story. 
To my partner, Neneki Lee, and my daughter, Nylah Grace, who are in the 
Gallery, I am especially grateful.
  Madam President, I know that I am the newest Senator to join this 
Chamber, and while I may be new to this title and to this institution, 
I am not new to the struggle and the work of justice. You see, I am the 
proud daughter of the South, born in Magnolia, MS, the youngest of 
three children. I am the granddaughter to Kary, a sharecropper from 
Louisiana, crippled at a young age by polio; the granddaughter to 
Lettie Ruth, a maid who had to take her children to the homes of the 
White families for whom she cleaned and children she cared for even as 
she worked to get her certificate as a nursing assistant.
  My grandparents were patriots who had to be urgent about the promise 
of America for their 11 children, the promise that if they worked hard 
and played by the rules, that their children would never have to see 
sharecropping as their destiny.
  My mother Sarah was number six. She had five in front and five 
behind. She was born in 1953, 1 year before the Brown v. Board of 
Education decision. Yet it would be 13 years before she and her 
classmates saw an integrated school or had any semblance of equal.
  As an adult, my mom made ends meet by working sometimes three jobs in 
the same day--working as a classroom assistant for mostly special needs 
children. She worked as a certified nursing assistant, just as her mom 
before her. She was a security officer, a cashier at a gas station. But 
her full-time job was unpaid. For more than a decade, she was the 
primary caregiver for my father Delos, who died after suffering six 
heart attacks, angioplasty, and receiving a heart transplant from an 
18-year-old who died in a motorcycle accident. My father passed when I 
was 15 years old.
  Colleagues, my mother, too, needed to be urgent about the future of 
her three children. She knew she had to be and do everything and 
anything she could to ensure that we had the opportunities to break 
beyond the barriers of poverty and to chase our dreams.
  I went on to be educated at the Jackson State University in Jackson, 
MS. I had professors who were lawyers and scholars and organizers in 
the civil rights movement, who were urgent about the young minds and 
lives they were there to educate, leaders like Dr. Mary Coleman, who 
chaired our political science department and at the same time was a 
part of the litigation team that sued the State of Mississippi for 
equal funding for its historically Black colleges; professors like Dr. 
Leslie-Burl McLemore, who taught in our lecture halls but also served 
as a model of leadership, becoming the president of our beloved 
university, the mayor of Jackson, MS, and today, at 83 years old, one 
of the first Black elected officials in his hometown of Walls, MS. They 
and others taught me the urgency of opportunity inherent in the promise 
of America, but they also were clear that the arc of our moral universe 
bends toward justice only when people keep our heart and our hands 
pushing it in that direction.
  My time with workers, their families, and other leaders at SEIU was 
also formative because we built coalitions to win--to win healthcare 
benefits for healthcare workers who had never been able to see a 
doctor. We built a coalition to win to raise the minimum wage in 
California to $15 an hour when the average Californian was spending 40 
percent of their disposable income on housing and on food. Together, we 
fought for environmental justice and to restore redemption and 
rehabilitation to our criminal justice system. We knew that we urgently 
needed to work to build the California that our children deserved.
  I was able to continue that work during my time at EMILYs List, 
supporting pro-choice women who advanced values that united their 
communities at every level of government. We were intent on creating 
that new generation of leaders.
  Madam President, today, I am clear that my time in the Senate can be 
no different, and I rise today urgent about the future of our Nation's 
children. I rise carrying the urgent hopes of my grandfather and my 
grandmother, the deferred dreams of my mother. I rise bearing witness 
to the urgent sense of action of my professors, who were determined to 
show that next generation of leaders that change is possible only when 
we choose to do it together.

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  There are those who believe that the greatest test of our democracy 
is coming this November. I would submit that it is already happening. 
It is happening in our high schools and on our college campuses around 
the country. That is where my sense of urgency really comes from today.
  My impatience emerges from listening to my own child, who, at my 
staff holiday celebration just last year, shared the story of her 
elementary school lockdown as if it were commonplace.
  My sense of urgency comes from the facts amplified by the American 
Psychological Association that 13 percent of high school girls had 
attempted suicide, while 30 percent had considered it. Those numbers 
rose to 20 percent for LGBTQ+ students. And amongst Black girls, the 
suicide rate rose 36\1/2\ percent.
  My impatience was formed on June 24, 2022, when millions of women and 
girls across the country, just like my little girl, came home less free 
than their mothers and grandmothers the morning of the final Dobbs 
decision.

  My urgency was affirmed this past weekend while I was home in 
California celebrating the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr.
  I had the opportunity to visit some of our State's best, brightest, 
and youngest minds. One of them is Jesus Francisco Estrada, Jr. He goes 
by ``Paco.''
  Paco is going to turn 22 years old a week from today. He is a first-
generation college student at Loyola Marymount University, and he is 
from South Central Los Angeles--he wanted me to make sure that I said 
between Green Meadows and Watts. His father is a member of UFCW Local 
770, and he was the primary income earner in their house when he was 
working full time for over 20 years at a meat-processing and meat-
cutting facility. Paco's mother was often too sick to work, as she 
suffered from a complex diabetes condition as well as having had a 
scare with cancer.
  Paco shared with me that, his entire childhood, he had grown up 
watching and knowing that his family was not going to be able to secure 
housing month to month. He knew this because he knew that his father 
was barely making ends meet and that sometimes they couldn't afford the 
rent. He saw the stress this added to his father's already grueling 
responsibilities.
  Then, 2 years ago, his younger sister had a psychotic episode that 
was later diagnosed as schizophrenia. As her condition progressed, she 
became violent in her behavior and once had to have the police come and 
take her away. As he had to be the translator for his Spanish-speaking 
parents about what was happening in his home that day, he said that he 
learned then, watching his sister be taken away, that police aren't 
equipped to deal with people with mental health disorders.
  The challenges and headwinds of Paco's life are enough to set anyone 
back. Instead, he has chosen to live and to lead forward.
  So my commitment to Paco, my urgency about the future of our 
children, my service to the people of California has to start with 
democracy and freedom, protecting and advancing its very ideals, 
determined to preserve it for those who must carry it forward. And I 
look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the Freedom to Vote 
Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
  Freedoms once thought to be protected by our Constitution for 
decades--like reproductive healthcare, abortion access, and equal 
opportunity--are being stripped away right in front of us. I am eager 
to get to work with my colleagues to pass legislation to restore these 
protections and do today what cannot be left as the unfinished business 
of generations to come.
  My commitment to generation now includes a focus on their mental 
health and well-being. I am impatient to work with my colleague Senator 
Padilla and others to improve access to mental health and eager to work 
with Senator Brown and Senator Scott to advance the FEND Act to stop 
the spread of fentanyl in our communities and the killing of our 
children.
  According to recent data gathered by the AFL-CIO, 80 percent of 
workers under 30 want to be in a union. I am urgently ready to stand 
with those workers and with my colleagues who are committed to taking 
on the corporations that would stand in their way.
  We must pass legislation like the PRO Act and the Home and Community-
Based Services Access Act to create the workforce necessary to provide 
the care in our communities, advancing economic opportunities for 
generation now, who will lead and work in the economy of the future. We 
must do all that we can to ensure the tools necessary to believe in the 
American dream again.
  In closing, Madam President, while I am urgent, I am also filled with 
abiding hope. Generation now may be cynical, but they are not sitting 
it out. Even as they have had to question whether government could 
truly work for them, even as they have seen dysfunctional and bitter 
politics, their advocacy on behalf of themselves and their future 
deserves its own recognition.
  The world watched as students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High 
School in Parkland, FL, organized the March for Our Lives rally, 
bringing together almost 2 million people across the country to demand 
that Congress act on gun safety legislation. That rally became one of 
the largest student-led protests since the Vietnam war.
  From the Women's March to the Black Lives Matter marches around the 
globe, the most racially and ethnically diverse generation of our time 
has shown up time and time again, demanding that we do better. Whether 
it is the movements for gun reform, environmental protection, racial 
justice, or your local barista's fight to join a union, young people 
are demonstrating their willingness to be the force, the energy, and 
the face of change.
  While this is true across the Nation, it is especially true in my 
home State of California, the State home to the largest number of Gen 
Zers in our country.
  One of them is Kamarie Brown, a 20-year-old student now at Spelman 
College, who discovered a passion for education equity. At just 17 
years old, she was the first Black female ever to be selected to the 
student seat on the Los Angeles County School Board, the second largest 
school district in our Nation.
  It is thanks to Kamarie's leadership that students in L.A. have 
access to greater resources that they need to thrive. She secured 
unanimous support for resolutions that leveraged district funding to 
improve the communities around her, beyond the walls of Crenshaw High 
School.

  It is young leaders like Kamarie, who don't sit on their hands and 
stand idle as the world passes them by. It is the stories of Generation 
Now, who believe that their lives can add up to something more that 
truly inspires them.
  As I take my seat, I offer again the clarion call that was shared 
with this body and the world almost 3 years ago to the day. On January 
20, 2021, Amanda Gorman, the youngest person ever to serve as the 
inaugural poet, said this:

       [W]e are far from polished, far from pristine, but that 
     doesn't mean that we are striving to forge a union that is 
     perfect. We are striving to form a union with purpose, to 
     compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, 
     characters and conditions of man. And so we lift our gazes 
     not to what stands between us but what stands before us. We 
     close the divide because we know, to put our futures first, 
     we must first put our differences aside.

  If our children are our future, let us be urgent about the promise of 
America. It must be that we put our future first because their lives 
are depending on us today.
  I yield the floor.
  (Applause.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.


                          Climate Legislation

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I rise today in light of the news that 
John Kerry, America's climate czar, will soon be leaving his post. Mr. 
Kerry's exit presents, I think, us with an opportunity to 
comprehensively reexamine the Biden administration's record on energy 
and the environment.
  For 3 years now while Mr. Kerry has been there, we have had energy 
regulation after energy regulation, climate mandate after climate 
mandate; and President Biden has clearly and unapologetically put the 
American people last.
  His Cabinet Secretaries and unelected staff members from the State 
Department to the EPA, from

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the White House to the U.S. Department of Transportation, have followed 
his lead. They have pushed an unworkable, untenable agenda meant to 
appease the global climate community and environmental activists alike.
  The problem is that these goals and proposals are completely detached 
from reality. Well, let's just start with Mr. Kerry's recent comments:

       There shouldn't be any more coal-fired power plants 
     permitted anywhere in the world.

  Followed by him signing an international pledge to do just that.
  Well, that is a big statement for someone in his position, yet he has 
outlined no plan to replace this baseload energy source that is 
critical to our Nation and, really, critical around the world, 
especially in these winter months on days like we see today and this 
past week where we have had record freezing--and below-freezing--
temperatures.
  He makes comments like this but does not acknowledge that States like 
mine--West Virginia--or States like Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, and 
Colorado all rely heavily on coal-fired power plants for our 
electricity.
  Acknowledging this reality would not be wise for Mr. Kerry because 
decimating the entire electric grid of dozens of States across the 
country and the thousands--tens of thousands of jobs that go with it 
would not be a good look for the administration.
  So they never quite get to the next point of what would happen if we 
actually followed what he is saying. But not to fear, the EPA has Mr. 
Kerry's back when it comes to threatening America's energy grid with 
policies that are just not based in reality.
  Despite the Supreme Court knocking down the Obama administration's 
previous attempt to close down coal- and gas-fired power plants in West 
Virginia v. EPA, the Biden administration has doubled down on this 
reckless policy. The Clean Power Plan 2.0 is, again, designed to 
prematurely force the retirement of these power plants and require the 
use of technologies that are not nearly ready for prime time.
  Unfortunately for the American people, by the time the courts catch 
up, as they did before, a lot of the damage is done. Jobs are lost, the 
electric grid is undetermined and undermined, and the lives of entire 
communities are disrupted. Believe me, I know this firsthand. We lived 
through this in West Virginia during the Obama administration, and I 
would not wish it on any other parts of this country.
  But the Biden administration is not stopping there. In a mind-
boggling display of irony, the EPA is simultaneously pushing a rapid 
transition to electric vehicles. What do you have to use for that? That 
would be more electricity.
  So let's look at what happened this week. In Iowa, we saw how cold it 
was during the caucuses, below zero everywhere. Many Americans faced a 
cold snap this week across the country, but owners of EVs were stuck 
because, No. 1, the EVs couldn't hold a charge in the cold weather and, 
No. 2, they found they couldn't even charge them at the charging 
stations.
  A rapid and unreasonable transition to these vehicles--and I am not 
anti-electric vehicle at all--with serious reliability concerns would 
also increase electricity demand as the Agency works to shut down 
reliable baseload energy sources of power. It makes no sense.
  And, again, ignoring reality, the Biden administration just carries 
on. More recently, the EPA announced a tax on energy companies through 
a methane fee, using the Democrats' really disastrous Inflation 
Reduction Act to target and penalize American energy producers. And, 
currently, a complex set of cases is winding through the courts on the 
topic of the EPA's so-called good neighbor air regulation.
  This policy would take away the authority of 23 States, mine 
included, to determine how best to regulate ozone and reduce emissions 
in their own borders, which is what the Clean Air Act calls for, an 
alarming consolidation of power for Washington bureaucrats.
  The EPA's approach ignores the cooperative Federalism framework of 
the Clean Air Act and deprives the States of their rights to regulate 
first. Our States know our States better than the Federal Government. 
Twelve States have already been successful in convincing courts that 
this program has serious legal challenges and issues, and that the 
courts have issued stays of the rule.

  And this was all followed then by the EPA's disastrous Waters of the 
U.S., better known in these Halls as WOTUS, which illegally expanded 
the jurisdiction of the Federal Government at the expense of American 
farmers, builders, and private landowners.
  Unsurprisingly, this was roundly rejected by the Supreme Court--
including a 9-to-0 agreement that the scope of the proposal went way 
too far.
  Yet even as the highest Court in the land sends clear warning signals 
that President Biden's energy and environmental overreach is illegal, 
those down the street at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue just don't seem to 
care.
  We have seen the resounding theme of Federal overreach, not just at 
Departments and Agencies but also directly from the White House.
  As the administration is touting investments being made in our 
Nation's infrastructure, a bill that I roundly and soundly supported 
and also helped to create, the White House Council on Environmental 
Quality--better known as CEQ--has actually proposed making it harder to 
build and complete these projects.
  So on the one hand, we are going to create a huge program for 
infrastructure; on the other hand, we are going to restrict how you 
build, when you build, how much it costs to build, and if you can build 
at all. They have championed burdensome permitting rules and redtape 
regulations, none of which--none of which--were agreed to by this 
Congress. And the White House Office of Management and Budget--better 
known as OMB--published a governmentwide mandate on Agencies to 
consider its flawed ``social cost of greenhouse gases'' metrics.
  Well, I have asked for transparency here because I want to know how 
these numbers are developed and used, and I have gotten no substantive 
answers in response. It is crickets over there when I ask these 
questions. All we have received are broad public pronouncements that 
these numbers are to be used by Departments and Agencies when 
purchasing any goods or services in this time of high inflation and 
supply cost issues and when reviewing any proposed energy or 
infrastructure projects as they see fit.
  Again, the irony is astounding for those of us looking at this from a 
realistic point of view. The same White House boasting about 
infrastructure investments--I am going to repeat--and growth is 
simultaneously hamstringing itself with climate mandates and memos that 
will impact millions of workers, families, and employers across this 
country, with all of the details hidden out of the sight of the 
American people.
  After 3 years, there is a clear message President Biden and Mr. Kerry 
need to hear, regulations meant to signal climate action that don't 
follow the law and aren't based in reality are not the answer.
  There is a better way--one that will unite us and actually make our 
Nation and world healthier and stronger. I have said so many times that 
our energy and environmental policies do not have to be at odds. So 
instead of targeting natural gas production, which was the major reason 
America reduced its emissions in the last 20 years, we should continue 
to support it. Doing so will boost our American energy, make for a 
cleaner environment, a better environment, and help our allies abroad, 
all at the same time.
  We can also support the future expansion of nuclear energy, which 
holds great promise. It is emissions free. It is a linchpin of 
America's energy grid by enacting these policies that will drive 
development here on our shores and help us grow.
  And we could move ahead with permits for carbon capture, use, and 
storage, in States who want to harness innovative technologies like 
mine, create jobs, and protect the environment at the same time and use 
natural gas, coal, as long as we can, because it is abundant in this 
country.
  There is room for all of that, if we would just stop the hyperbole 
and the alarmism that is so often encountered when discussing this 
issue. When I and so many Americans hear somebody say ``shut it all 
down'' comments from the ``climate czar'' that are then mirrored

[[Page S136]]

in actual regulations from the Federal Government, it just is not 
helpful. And I believe that history will show and has shown that it 
only hurts us.
  So as Mr. Kerry exits the administration, let's take stock of the 
path the Biden administration has taken us down. And it is clear we 
must reverse course; we must leave behind the unworkable proposals and 
job-killing overreach and work together to allow realistic solutions to 
thrive right here in America.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The junior Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I want to thank the Senator from West 
Virginia for holding this event to highlight one of the biggest issues 
facing working families today, and that is the cost of energy in 
America.
  Since President Biden took office, the overall price of energy has 
skyrocketed by almost 35 percent. And when you dig down into the 
numbers, individual sources of energy, the news doesn't get any better. 
Fuel oil is up nearly 50 percent; gas prices are up over 40 percent; 
natural gas is up over 27 percent.
  You know, in real terms, everyday Americans are spending an extra 
$111 per month to fuel their car and to heat their home. Businesses of 
all sizes are having to spend thousands of dollars more to produce 
goods and to move them around the country.
  So what is causing all of this? Well, if you ask President Biden, he 
trots out talking points blaming foreign conflicts for the rising 
prices. But, to be fair, turmoil in the Middle East and Russia 
certainly plays a part. But the real question is, Why is the United 
States so dependent on foreign nations in the first place? Why are we 
at the mercy of petty despots and dictators for the fuel that we need 
right here?
  It is because President Biden has orchestrated an all-out assault on 
American energy, starting on his first day in office. The Biden 
administration stopped construction of the Keystone Pipeline; they 
canceled all remaining oil and gas leases from the Trump administration 
in the Arctic Refuge; and they shut down energy exploration on Federal 
lands. Make no mistake, this is a crisis of President Biden's own 
making.
  In response, President Biden has grasped for a political solution to 
a policy problem. His administration began to tap the U.S. Strategic 
Petroleum Reserve. Now the SPR is designed for times of war, national 
disaster, or a true national emergency. President Biden, on the other 
hand, has used it over and over again to bail himself out of the 
political consequences of his anti-energy crusade.
  The result? The SPR has declined by nearly 287 million barrels of 
crude oil since President Biden took office. Our Nation's emergency 
energy reserves are now at their lowest level since President 
Reagan's--President Reagan's--first term.
  Our country is no longer well-positioned to deal with the next crisis 
because this President is tilting at windmills and pursuing a radical 
Green New Deal agenda. For example, this President's EPA is mandating 
that 67 percent of new car sales in the United States in 2032 be 
electric. The only problem is, in 2023, only roughly 8 percent--8 
percent--of new car sales were EVs. It is clear that the consumer 
demand is nowhere near sufficient to satisfy his big government 
mandate.
  Even so, if we are going to push such a drastic increase in electric 
vehicles, President Biden has to get serious about ways to produce 
enough reliable, affordable energy. He cannot continue to rely on our 
own emergency reserves to meet this supply. It is time for us to get 
back to an America-first energy plan: drill on our shores, refill our 
emergency reserves for a real crisis, and lower gas and electric prices 
for hard-working Americans.
  In order to be a strong nation, we have to be a self-sufficient 
nation and energy dominant. We know what to do. All we need is the 
right leadership to get it done.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Butler). The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, last week the Biden administration 
announced over half a billion dollars in subsidies for electric 
vehicle, or EV, charging stations. That half billion follows 2 billion 
more that has already been handed out to States, despite the fact that 
only 4 percent of Americans own EVs.
  This is a common trend for this administration: forcing untested, 
expensive solutions onto the American people in the name of climate 
change.
  But according to the Wall Street Journal, only two federally funded 
EV charging stations have been built since Biden became President, even 
though billions of taxpayer dollars are subsidizing those projects.
  And Americans remain hesitant to drive these expensive cars. Last 
year, 84 percent of Americans said they are not considering buying one. 
The EV malfunctions that have happened over the past few days of this 
winter weather that we have been having across my part of the country 
only serve to confirm their choices.
  The administration's plan for massive adoption of EVs over the next 8 
years is a pipedream. But there are realistic, practical reforms we can 
make that would benefit the environment without limiting freedom or 
harming our economy. One of them is approving the sale of gasoline 
blends with 15 percent ethanol, or E15.
  My legislation, the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Choice Act, 
would cut redtape and remove roadblocks to the sale of E15.
  Today, California is the only State that hasn't approved the sale of 
this partially renewable fuel, an unusual stance for a State that 
styles itself as a leader in protecting the environment.
  Should California join the other 49 States in approving E15, that 
nationwide approval would benefit our environment, our economy, and our 
energy independence.
  Emissions from ethanol are 46 percent lower than from traditional 
gasoline. One study found that corn ethanol contributed to a reduction 
of 500 million tons in emissions between 2005 and 2019.
  Studies show that if all the gas in California had been E15 in 2022, 
there would have been a 450 million-gallon reduction in petroleum 
consumption. That switch, it would have resulted in greenhouse gas 
savings of 2.2 billion metric tons, and that is in California alone. 
These environmental benefits would increase exponentially if E15 were 
used more across this country.
  Not only do higher ethanol blends of gasoline emit less greenhouse 
gases, but the corn used in its production soaks up massive amounts of 
additional CO2. This is a doubly positive effect that should 
please even the most skeptical of our environmental friends.
  It has been proven by NASA--by the scientists at NASA with data that 
they have gathered from their satellites--that during the summer, the 
Corn Belt in the United States of America has more photosynthetic 
activity than even the Amazon rainforest.
  Family farmers in the Corn Belt are helping our climate by producing 
cleaner fuel, and they don't have to own an EV to do it.
  Unlike EV subsidies, E15 is a sensible way to advance environmental 
goals that do not weigh down our economy. This fuel does not require 
taxpayer money. It is cheap enough to be market driven. The average 
price of E15 during the 2022 summer driving season was 16 cents less 
per gallon than regular gas. In an age of record inflation, that makes 
a big difference.
  It benefits retailers that can profit off of E15, and it benefits 
millions of American drivers who can switch to a more affordable fuel. 
Access to E15 will free retailers and consumers from a dependence on 
energy that is produced abroad. Instead, we will be relying on 
producers here at home.
  This is the way that we can unleash American energy, prioritize our 
domestic production, and take advantage of the wonderful natural 
resources that we have.
  California's approval would make E15 a nationwide fuel option, and my 
bill eliminates Federal regulatory roadblocks to the year-round 
nationwide sale of E15, a lower cost, lower carbon fuel.
  Congress and President Biden must come together to pass legislation 
that will truly advance an ``all of the above'' approach to energy, one 
that uses many resources that we produce right here in America.
  E15, the approval of that is a win. It is a win for family farmers 
who produce ethanol; it is a win for consumers at the gas pump; and it 
is a win

[[Page S137]]

for our environment, which makes it a win also for American energy 
security.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. RICKETTS. Madam President, over the last week, my home State of 
Nebraska has been hit by bitter winter storms. We have had subzero 
temperatures, snow, and high winds that have closed many roads across 
the State of Nebraska.
  As always, in times like these, Nebraskans step up to help. I want to 
thank all of our first responders, whether they were snowplow drivers, 
law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, other emergency personnel--all the 
folks who demonstrated their grit and service this last week to be able 
to help people out. And I especially want to thank Nebraska State 
Patrol for the over 1,400 drivers they assisted during this crippling 
winter weather.
  Hospitals saw a number of frostbite injuries. Our farmers and 
ranchers continued to work to ensure our food supply here at home.
  I want to thank my Federal delegation as well and will work with them 
to provide any support that is needed. I appreciate that Governor Jim 
Pillen declared a state of emergency and will also assist with any 
Federal assistance that may be needed for this emergency. As we recover 
from these storms, I stand ready to work with my colleagues.
  It is also an opportunity for us to be able to think about how 
government can do better. Many times a storm like this will create 
situations where we need to tease out what we should do better for the 
next time. However, in this case, one of the lessons has become clear 
right away.
  As we all know, the EPA has a mandate that they want all new cars and 
trucks sold by the year 2032--I shouldn't say all; two-thirds of all 
cars and trucks sold by the year 2032--to be electric vehicles. This 
weekend we saw why this is just a dumb idea. These EV mandates are 
burdensome and do not work in places like the upper Midwest, where we 
can see these bitter cold temperatures. We saw that EVs don't work well 
when the temperature drops so precipitously. It turns out they are just 
not reliable when the weather turns this cold.
  FOX 32 in Chicago has a story which I am going to quote from here. 
They reported that ``public charging stations have turned into car 
graveyards over the past couple of days.''
  The story goes on to describe ``dozens of [EV] owners trying 
desperately to power up their cars at the . . . supercharging station 
in Oak Brook. It was a scene mirrored with long lines and abandoned 
cars at scores of other charging stations around the Chicago area.''
  Also in the story there was a driver who referred to all these 
stalled electric vehicles as ``dead robots.''
  ``Car graveyards'' and ``dead robots''--is that the future we want? I 
don't think so.
  And this happened in Chicago, where there are a lot of EV charging 
stations. What about my home State of Nebraska, where we don't have as 
many?
  President Biden's own Department of Energy map shows no EV chargers 
on a 244-mile stretch of highway from Broken Bow to Scotts Bluff. There 
is not a charging station within 65 miles of Mullen, NE. Many rural 
communities are more than an hour's drive away from a charging station 
in towns like Hyannis, Cody, Merriman, Kilgore, and Thedford.
  Nebraska is the ``Beef State.'' I can guarantee you that electric 
trucks are not practical when you are hauling livestock. One cannot 
afford just to pull over and start charging for 2 hours or even longer 
when the temperature is below zero--cattle cannot tolerate it.
  And the thing about not being able to charge at all--imagine EV 
ambulances that break down trying to get to a rural hospital or EV 
buses breaking down trying to connect people to their jobs.
  These are very real considerations in States like mine. Nebraskans 
tell me over and over again: The east coast Washington bureaucrats have 
no idea what their policies will do in the Midwest of the United 
States.
  Guess what. They are right because, as it turns out, EVs don't work 
in cold weather.
  These bureaucrats on the east coast have no idea of the implications 
of what their policies are to people in the Midwest. These major winter 
storms are a reminder that, right now, EV's don't have the performance 
or the reliance or the range in cold weather to be able to work in the 
Midwest.
  Imposing an EV mandate on Midwestern States like Nebraska is foolish, 
unworkable, and it is wrong. I urge President Biden to reconsider this 
terrible policy. Until he does, I will continue to fight here in the 
U.S. Senate with every tool at my disposal.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I am pleased to join my colleague from 
Nebraska and others in discussing the importance of continuing to 
develop our energy resources here in North Dakota. We have the most 
abundant energy resources in the world, and we need to use all of them 
to develop and continue to build an ``all of the above'' energy policy.
  Much of the Nation continues to experience very cold temperatures--in 
some cases, really record cold temperatures. In my State of North 
Dakota, coal typically provides 35 to 40 percent of the 24/7 baseload 
power generation to not only our State but to other States in the 
region. We supply both the MISO and the SPP power pools with energy for 
our region that they can count on 24/7--baseload energy. In the coldest 
times or in the hottest times--at peak energy times--they know that 
those baseload powerplants are going to be there to keep the lights on, 
to keep the heat going, and to provide whatever other power needs are 
called for. That is 24/7 baseload power provided all the time.
  Also, not only is it 24/7 energy when needed and at peak times, but 
according to the Energy Information Office, in their October 23 report, 
North Dakotans paid the lowest electricity prices in the country--the 
lowest in the country. Let's compare that, for example, to California. 
California paid four times as much for electricity during the same time 
period.
  My colleague from Nebraska just talked about electric vehicles. Well, 
you need charging stations for those electric vehicles. Where is that 
electricity going to come from? Particularly, where is it going to come 
from at times when you have peak power needs? You still need that 
electricity for all of these different purposes.
  We have to recognize that, even as we develop new technologies and do 
all of these things that people want, we have got to have that baseload 
power coming from somewhere. We simply can't take our baseload energy--
our coal-fired electric--for granted, and our other sources have to be 
there. Again, we continue to develop new technologies and continue to 
press for the best possible environmental stewardship, but we have got 
to recognize that we need more energy and that we have got to continue 
to use all of our resources to generate that energy.
  Access to affordable and reliable energy is not only a quality-of-
life issue but, obviously, a public safety issue, and we have seen that 
with these record cold temperatures. That includes keeping our homes 
warm and our businesses running. It includes keeping the lights on for 
our critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, police, fire 
departments, and many, many other public services that we depend on 
every single day.
  But the reality is our electric grid only works when there is 
sufficient power generation available to meet demand in realtime. You 
can't not have that energy when you need it and expect the grid to keep 
working, and of course those vital needs to be met.
  In its ``2023 Long-Term Reliability Assessment,'' the North American 
Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, as it is commonly referred 
to, is warning that our grid--our power grid--continues to face higher 
risks of blackouts and brownouts because of planned powerplant 
retirements alongside rising electricity demand.
  Again, think about this. Whether it is electric vehicles, whether it 
is your computer or data processor, whatever it may be, we can continue 
to develop all of these new things--these new technologies and all of 
these things we want to do--but you have got to have the power to run 
them. When you go into the house and flip on that switch, where is that 
electricity coming from? People take it for granted, but if we

[[Page S138]]

don't have the baseload out there, you can't take it for granted 
because it won't happen.
  FERC's Commissioners emphasized these concerns in testimony before 
our Senate Energy Committee last year, of which I am a member, and that 
included Commissioner Christie, who noted:

       The United States is heading for a reliability crisis.

  Once again, Commissioner Christie--one of the FERC Commissioners--
said specifically in front of our Energy Committee that the United 
States is heading for a reliability crisis because of the lack of 
baseload generation. We need to take this seriously. It is a national 
security issue.
  Despite these warnings, the Biden administration's Green New Deal 
approach and regulations continue to accelerate the problem. This 
includes the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 and an unworkable MATS 
standard--new rules that seek to drive up the cost of operations for 
our powerplants. Of course, at some point, those powerplants are no 
longer economical, and that forces them to shut down.
  In addition to its powerplant regulations, the EPA is proposing a new 
methane regulation, including, in just this past week, a new tax on 
methane. That was authorized by the IRA legislation. Again, it is a tax 
that is not only going to reduce supply but that will drive up costs on 
consumers. Somebody has to pay for that. It gets passed down the line, 
and consumers pay for it. That means higher electricity costs--not only 
less electricity, less energy but higher costs to consumers.
  The Interior Department continues to restrict access to our taxpayer-
owned energy reserves, which also drives up the cost of energy 
production because we produce energy on Federal lands as well as on 
private lands. Producing less energy here at home means higher costs, 
but it also makes us dependent on sources of energy from other parts of 
the world--in many cases, parts of the world that are unstable and have 
environmental standards that are vastly inferior to our own here in 
this country.
  Once again, we have got to find ways to make American energy 
production less expensive and more reliable. That means producing the 
energy here at home. That means having an environment that encourages 
energy development, not more regulation and more taxes which make it 
harder to produce energy and drive up costs. That means energy from all 
sources--right?--meaning tradition and renewable--all sources with the 
latest technology.

  So, again, if we are going to continue to develop all of these 
wonderful new things that we want to utilize, we are going to have to 
have the energy to make sure that we can power them. We are going to 
have to have the energy to make sure that, on the coldest day, we are 
comfortable in our homes for our families and all of those we care 
about.
  In my State of North Dakota, we have over 700 years of coal supply 
alone, and we are developing the latest, greatest technology to produce 
that coal and are doing it so that we have baseload electricity, 
dependable low cost, and the best environmental stewardship. We 
continue to do that. America leads the world in this kind of 
innovation. Let's empower that. Let's empower that. It is, again, all 
about our country producing electricity here at home so that we are 
truly not only energy independent but energy dominant.
  In fact, developing resources like natural gas and LNG helps our 
allies so they are not depending on countries like Russia or countries 
that are adversarial to us and our allies but rather that are working 
together--America and our allies--on important things like energy 
development. We can do that, and that is the kind of thing that we 
should be doing.
  A little over a decade ago, we cracked the code on the shale 
production. In places like the Bakken in my State of North Dakota and 
at the Permian in Texas, we have produced incredible amounts of energy 
as a result. Again, that is not only important in terms of our economy, 
it makes sure that we don't have to get energy from places like OPEC. 
We all know the incredible problems that that has created for us 
through the years when we can't produce that energy at home and have to 
look at players like OPEC.
  The fact remains that coal, oil, and natural gas remain vital to our 
economic interests and to our national security because these resources 
are reliable and energy-dense compared, in many cases, to renewable 
energy, which only provides energy part of the time.
  What do you do when you need energy and the Sun isn't shining and you 
are only dependent on solar energy? What do you do when you need 
energy, and you are relying on wind power, and the wind isn't blowing? 
We have got to have this baseload electricity.
  Again, this is common sense. This is about having an energy policy 
that truly empowers this country to produce more energy; to do it with 
the best environmental stewardship; to make it reliable, dependable, 
affordable; to make sure it is there 24/7, every day--on the coldest 
day, on the hottest day--for whatever those growing needs are. Let's 
make sure we have that energy here at home. Let's not just be energy 
independent but energy dominant. We can do that in this country, and we 
need to do it in this country.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.


                       Women's Right to Know Act

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam President, this Friday is going to mark the 
beginning of the 51st annual March for Life, and we have got thousands 
of Americans and, indeed, hundreds of Tennesseans who are coming to our 
Nation's Capital to celebrate life, to talk about how to defend life, 
and to uphold the sanctity of life.
  This is the second March for Life since the Supreme Court overturned 
Roe v. Wade. We know, with the Dobbs decision, it really sent the 
authority back to the States and to the people, and that is where it 
does belong. Across the Nation, we have seen States step up and take 
responsibility for the rules and regulations around abortion practices.
  Now, one of these areas they have looked at is informed consent laws. 
This would require abortion providers to inform expectant mothers of 
all the medical risks to the mother and to the child because of this 
abortion procedure. What we know is that informed consent is a very 
important part of medical ethics.
  According to the AMA's medical ethics code, this is what it says:

       Patients have the right to receive information and ask 
     questions about treatments so that they can make well-
     considered decisions about care.

  But not all States have informed consent laws, and there are abortion 
providers who withhold this information, which prevents these expectant 
mothers from understanding all of the risks that they face. A 
nationwide safeguard regarding informed consent is something that is 
long overdue.
  So this week, I introduced the Women's Right to Know Act, which would 
set reasonable medical requirements for physicians to meet and protect 
the life of the mother and the child before the abortion can be 
performed. So they would have to meet these standards and give this 
information to the patients.
  Now, the providers would be required to explain all of the medical 
risks associated with the abortion procedure, explain the probable 
gestational age and development features of the unborn child at the 
time the abortion is to be performed, and to present this information 
at least 24 hours in advance of an abortion procedure.
  We think that this is essential legislation that will really do so 
much to raise the safety standards and protect the health of vulnerable 
women, and it will help to save lives.


                              Immigration

  Madam President, last week, House Republicans launched their 
impeachment proceedings against Secretary Ali Mayorkas for a simple 
reason: The Secretary of Homeland Security does not believe in securing 
the homeland. We know that he has failed to carry out his duties, and 
we know it because of the numbers.
  Over 8\1/2\ million illegal immigrants have come into this country on 
his watch. That includes 1.7 million or thereabouts of what are called 
known ``got-aways.'' These are people who can be seen on surveillance, 
but Border Patrol cannot get to them.
  There are also tens of thousands of pounds of fentanyl that have been 
trafficked into this country, and once it is

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across that border, it ends up in your towns, in your communities. 
This, we know, is happening.
  In addition, there are hundreds of individuals on the Terror 
Watchlist who have been apprehended at the southern border, including 
30 since the start of fiscal 2024.
  In addition to this, there are thousands of individuals from 
countries of interest. We wonder why they are choosing to come to the 
country, but we do know many of them are young men. They are not coming 
with a family; they come separately.
  These numbers alone would give reason for why the Secretary should be 
removed from office. His job is to secure the homeland. Obviously, with 
these numbers, with the concerns that come with these numbers, the 
homeland is not secure.
  Ultimately, you have to look at the harm that this administration is 
inflicting on our country with its open border policies because those 
harms go way beyond the stats I have given you today.
  These policies of this administration, of this Secretary, are failing 
this country. They are upending the rule of law, which is foundational 
to this democratic Republic. It is foundational.
  At every opportunity, what is astounding to me is this administration 
continues to look for ways to make illegal legal. We have seen this 
action with Executive orders. We have seen this with Agency rules and 
regulations. We see it at the border as they try to find new ways--
maybe it is using their app. Maybe it is letting you know that they are 
coming. But what they are trying to do is say: Discard the rule of law. 
We are going to give you a new way to come here. And by the way, we are 
doing everything we can to make illegal legal.
  Does that make any sense at all? Of course not.
  Under President Biden and this administration, illegally entering the 
country is something that they say: Well, we don't consider that to be 
a crime.
  Now, if you or I, Madam President, were in Mexico and said ``Oh, the 
border crossing is backed up. We are just going to walk across the Rio 
Grande. We are going to just walk on back into the country because it 
is faster. We don't want to drive to the border crossing. We are here, 
there is the river, and we are just going to skip on over there,'' do 
you know what? We would be apprehended. And where would we be taken? We 
would be taken to jail. We would face prosecution. Think about that. 
Why is it that we would do that? Because it is illegal.
  But to those who are trying to enter our country illegally--and by 
the way, it is not just from Central America. Border Patrol tells us we 
have had people from about 170 countries over the last year come to 
that southern border. And who is in charge of all of this? It is the 
cartels that work on the Mexico side of the border. They are big, 
global businesses, and they are bringing people from that many 
different countries to our southern border. They are bringing thousands 
of pounds of fentanyl. By the way, who creates the chemicals for 
fentanyl? China. They are in cahoots on this.
  But it is so disappointing to me that at every opportunity, this 
administration is trying to make illegal legal. In doing that, what 
they are doing is putting lawbreakers ahead of law-abiding Americans.
  Secretary Mayorkas last week admitted that 85 percent of the illegal 
immigrants who are apprehended at our border are released into the 
country--85 percent. These are people who are not being sent before a 
judge for an asylum hearing. These are individuals who are being given 
a notice to appear, and then they are waved on into the country. Then 
they are given a phone, they are given food, and they are given a plane 
ticket to wherever they want to go. And who pays for this? Who is 
footing the bill on this? We know who is paying for this. It is the 
hard-working taxpayer. They are bearing the cost for this.

  With these hundreds of thousands of migrants crossing into our 
country each month--by the way, last month, 302,000 people. Think about 
the cities in your State. How many of them have more than 300,000 
residents in that city? This is the number coming across that border.
  What we have seen is that States are taking this matter into their 
own hands, States like Arizona and Texas that have constructed their 
own barriers across the southern border. What has the Biden 
administration done to them? Instead of saying ``Thank you for helping 
us carry out this duty to protect illegal entry into our country. Thank 
you for the assistance''--no, no. That is not what they have done. They 
are suing the States. They are suing them for trying to protect their 
property. This makes no sense.
  Let's think about this. There is immigration law in this country. 
There is a way to come into this country. There is a way to ask for 
asylum. It is not to go pay a cartel and have them bring you across our 
border and enter the country illegally. So these States are saying: We 
are going to protect our sovereignty. By the way, we have ranchers and 
farmers who live here on the border. We are going to allow barriers to 
go up so that it helps to protect their private property.
  This administration says: If you do that, we will sue you.
  Under this administration, border agents are not putting up fences 
and razor wire. They are actually out there cutting the razor wire 
because this administration is telling them that is what they have to 
do. They don't want to do it, but they are being told they have to do 
it.
  That is how far this administration is going to make illegal legal. 
They are saying to law-abiding citizens: You can't protect your ranch. 
You can't protect your farm. They are saying to Texas and Arizona: You 
can't put up containers. You can't put up razor wire. You cannot 
protect your State. We are going to make you sit by and watch as we 
violate Federal law.
  Whoever would have thought--whoever would have thought--that you 
would have an administration going in here and finding ways to violate 
Federal law, but that is exactly what they are doing, and they are 
doing it every day.
  Once the migrants have illegally come into the country, the 
administration doesn't just resettle them; they use taxpayer dollars to 
even pay for their healthcare. I have already mentioned they get a 
phone, food, clothing, and a plane ticket to wherever they want to go.
  In fiscal year 2022, taxpayers shouldered the cost for $94.3 million 
of medical expenses for these migrants. In fiscal year 2021, 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement healthcare budgeted more than $74 
million for the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist with outside 
referrals and medical claims processing. Think about this. The VA--the 
VA--is subsidizing healthcare for illegal immigrants. So while the VA 
is helping to treat migrants, more than 1 million veterans are waiting 
for staff to process their claims. Can you see the problem here?
  We are talking about healthcare for our Nation's veterans, people who 
have raised their hands and have sworn an oath and have worn the 
uniform, men and women who have protected this Nation, and we have 
said: When you do this, we will provide your healthcare. But oh, no. 
Look at what is happening. Those who are illegally entering the country 
are being put in front of our Nation's veterans. And right now, we are 
seeing this backlog grow. There had been a quarter of a million claims 
about this time last year, and then it went to 400,000, and now we are 
at a million--a million. But those who have illegally come, they are 
put at the head of the line, and our veterans are at the back. Do you 
think that is fair? Is there anyone in this Chamber who thinks that is 
fair and that is right?
  On top of this, we learn now that New York City--again, led by 
Democrats--in New York City, what are they doing? They are shutting 
down high schools, and they are sending kids home for remote learning. 
We tried that during COVID, right? It didn't work out very well, did 
it? But kids in New York are being forced to go home so that their 
school can be used as a shelter.
  You know, it might be more appropriate if New York City took some of 
those Federal buildings where the workers are not showing up for work 
and used those for temporary housing. But allowing these facilities to 
be used and kids to be sent home and placed on remote learning--it is 
so inappropriate, and it is wrong. But at every step, my

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Democratic colleagues have supported this administration's disastrous 
open border policies.
  And for more than 7 months, they have refused to bring H.R. 2 to this 
floor for a vote. H.R. 2 is the House Republicans' Secure the Border 
Act. It would help end this crisis. In fact, since the House passed 
H.R. 2 and sent it over here to the Senate, the Senate Judiciary 
Committee has held 83 hearings--83 hearings and meetings since that 
bill was passed. H.R. 2 has never been brought up for 1 minute of 
discussion in this Chamber. It just shows you: Open border is this 
administration's policy. This is what they want.
  Now, I think that it is very telling what the Democrats are for on 
this. Their inaction on what is a crucial issue and, indeed, the No. 1 
issue with the American people reveals a lot about their priorities.
  But I would have to ask my Democratic colleagues: Why is it that you 
are for illegal immigration? Why is it that you are working so hard to 
make illegal legal? What is it about circumventing the rule of law that 
you think is the right thing to do? Do you want to circumvent the rule 
of law and throw away all immigration policy? Or is it just you want to 
allow illegal entry into this country?
  I will tell you what, Madam President: We need to know who is coming 
in this country and why they are coming. I would yield time on this 
floor to any Democrat who wanted to come and explain why you are 
working so hard to make illegal legal. I would like to hear that 
explanation because it seems, every time we turn around, you are 
looking for some way to codify illegal entry into this country.
  How about abiding by the rule of law, because when you circumvent the 
rule of law, what do you do? You devalue our citizenship. What about 
the thousands of people who are working legally toward citizenship, who 
are spending money, who are spending time? Have any of you spent time 
going to a naturalization ceremony, a citizenship ceremony? Have you 
heard these stories of how hard people work, how they want to be a U.S. 
citizen?
  But, oh, no. What some of you want to do is devalue that. You want to 
say: Let's make it OK for people to just waltz across the Rio Grande, 
walk in here, and enter this country illegally outside of the rule of 
law, wait 10 years to get an asylum hearing.
  What is right about that? And you know the answer: Nothing is right. 
Nothing is right. And it is amazing to me. Give me an explanation of 
why you think you should preference people who illegally come in this 
country before our Nation's veterans and hard-working taxpayers. Why do 
you do that? Why do you think that that is OK?
  I will tell you what right now: Tennesseans don't think that is OK. 
They don't think having a million people on the VA backlog for services 
is OK while you are spending millions of dollars for healthcare for 
veterans for processing claims. They don't think that sending outside 
referrals for them when veterans can't get into community care--this is 
not right.
  I can't imagine an explanation from one of my Democratic colleagues 
that would say: I think that is what we ought to do. We ought to just 
say: Illegal immigrants, we are going to take care of you first, and 
everybody else to the back of the line.
  But, in essence, that is what your actions are showing that you 
support. Your actions and inactions are showing that you think making 
illegal legal, that that is a really good thing.
  And the other thing I don't get about all of this: Each and every one 
of you know you do not come to that southern border on your own; you 
have paid a cartel. People pay the cartels.
  And then, Border Patrol will show you the bands and bracelets that 
are put on people. What it shows is the cartel and what this person 
needs to do to work out their fee, because not everybody can pay the 
$5,000 or $10,000 to the cartel to illegally come in this country and 
then have the U.S. taxpayer finish the job for them once they get to 
the U.S. border because they get their asylum claim, their notice to 
appear, their phone, their food, their clothes, their plane tickets, 
and their healthcare.
  But they have a band on them, a tracking device, and that is what 
tells the cartel and their job. It may be going to a gang. It may be 
going to a work crew. It may be selling drugs--fentanyl--and pushing 
that into our communities. It may be that these people are part of a 
human trafficking ring, they are going to be put into human trafficking 
and sex trafficking.
  So to my Democratic colleagues: Do you think this is compassionate? 
How do you say this defines compassion? It is beyond me. You all know 
that this is modern-day slavery. And if you haven't seen these bands, I 
think there are some of us that would show you these bands that people 
have to wear, will show you the Department of Homeland Security stats 
that shows that just a few years ago, human trafficking was a $500-
million-a-year business. Today, DHS tells us it is a $150-billion-a-
year profit center. That is right: $150 billion a year.
  Let me tell you something. These women and children that are being 
sex trafficked, they are being mentally, physically, emotionally, 
sexually, and drug abused as they make these journeys. You all know 
that. But why would you say an open border is a compassionate policy? 
It is not.
  This is a humanitarian crisis. This is a crisis where people are 
having their lives ruined. They are sold a bill of goods by a cartel 
who is incentivized because the cartel says: Biden said come on, border 
is open. The policy is an open border.
  You know, it is imperative that we stand with the rule of law. I have 
got a couple of pieces of legislation that I filed hoping that they 
will help. One is the CONTAINER Act that would allow States to protect 
their portion of that southern border, give them the ability. They have 
got that right. If the Federal Government falls down on their job, they 
have got the right to protect their citizens, and they want to do that.
  The other is No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act. This is 
something that I have done along with Senator Tuberville to stop the 
administration's Department of Veterans Affairs from providing 
taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal aliens or engaging in claims 
processing for anyone unlawfully present in the United States.
  It is time that we secure this southern border and that we end this 
illegal entry into this country.
  I yield the floor.
  (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO assumed the Chair.)
  (Mr. OSSOFF assumed the Chair.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Hassan). The majority leader.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I know of no further debate on the 
motion to proceed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is 
on agreeing to the motion.
  The motion was agreed to.

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