[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5863-S5864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           August Work Period

  Madam President, on an entirely different matter, I would like to 
welcome everyone back from the August State work period. Hearing from 
the people we represent is what allows us to be effective here. So I 
know our colleagues will agree that the time we spent back home last 
month was particularly valuable.
  Unsurprisingly, the issues I heard about across Kentucky are familiar 
to millions of American families. In Daviess County, I heard about how 
small family farms are struggling to stay afloat amid rising costs.
  Of course, historic inflation hasn't just hit our Nation's growers 
and producers. From Pikeville to Hopkinsville, job creators and working 
families are bearing the brunt of the Biden-Harris administration's 
reckless spending.
  I also heard from Kentucky farmers who are waiting for Congress to 
act on the farm bill--legislation for which the Democratic majority has 
yet to secure a single minute of floor time.
  In my hometown of Louisville, I spoke with legislators about the 
regulatory costs that are crippling State leaders and Main Street 
alike. Today, navigating the maze of redtape from Washington nearly 
requires a black belt in bureaucratic politics.
  And, finally, I heard from Kentucky's brave servicemembers as we 
celebrated the first newly renovated barracks facility to open at Fort 
Campbell.
  I was proud to work with Army leaders to modernize 11 barracks that 
have stood untouched for nearly half a century. In just one year, we 
accomplished what would have taken close to a decade to finish.

  As I have said time and time again, rebuilding American hard power 
starts here at home in projects just like this, modernizing our 
capabilities, rebuilding the arsenal of democracy, and equipping 
America's servicemembers to keep us safe.

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