to democracy.eou live now to theake u.s. capitol where the senate is about to in following the juneteenth federal day lawmakers are expected to vote on the nomination of representative to the african union. consider the nomination of a u.s. court of appeals judge for the 7th circuit. live coverage ofn2. will lead the senate in prayer. ... lain: let us pray. shepherd of slumbers nor sleeps we seek that can only be found i lord lift us above earth's strident noises until we hear your still s voice in our being. give the members of thisod wisdom to permitneeds to drive them to you.

provide them with the wisdom to heal common ground and to transform dark yesterday yesterdays into bri tomorrows. may your presence break down every wall and bring a spirit of unity. lord lead into a future where justice will roll downe waters and righteousness like mighty stream. we pray in yourous name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to for which it stands, one nation under god, with liberty

and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., june 20, 2024. to the senate: under the isions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable laphonza butler, a senator from the state of california, to perform the duties signed: patty murray, president pro tempore. the presidin time is reserved. morning business is the senate will proceed to executiveume theconsideration of the following nomination. the clerk: maldonadoednancy l. maldonado to be united atisesfor the seventh circuit.

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president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. schumer: now,monday america will mark a dark annivers maga supreme court overturned unleashing a crisis of reproductive roe was overturned will be remembered as one of the darks for women's rights in modern history. two yearslater, america looks almost unrecognizable when it comerights. millions and millions of women across america have fewer freedoms today than their mothers and grandmothers did. least 20 states have passed total or near-total bans on

reproductive shameful. this week i move to place the freedom for women act on the legislative calendar so we can be ready t bill soon. i thank senator murray for leading t senator on our side of the aisle for cosponsoring it with me. protecting freedom of choice i not a show vote. it's a show us who you are vote. and the american people certainly want to know who their elected truly are, and are entitled to know where they stachoice. that's why all prepared votes on choice and contraceptions and americans want to know where their representatives stand on such an important issue. americans didn't elect us to sweep these issues under the rug, eve if some senators think they're difficult. by voting on these billsmen's health care we are moving the issue fo it's important for members to be forced to take a position. that's the only way we'll make progress. of course some would want to sweep it under the rug. th. that's because they don't want

to vote on it. they don't want blocking something the majority of their constituents demand. we all know these issues are very very personal to so many people. we all know that the other side is trying tohide. we are not letting them hide and we are notbecause that is the only way we will move this issueforward. by being public by showing where people having as our system has been designed to work it was founded, their constituents putting on them to do the right thing. as i've made abundantly clear over the past couple years, democrats are always ready to work wit on legislation legislation. but when we can democrats aren't going to shy away from issues americansabout, and protecting reproductive freedoms is among the most important issues in the minds of the american people. again, let me repeat voting on reproductive freedom is a show us who you are vote and all month longrepublicans have shown everyone just how out of touch they have

becomemainstream. hopefully, votes like this force ver a period of time. in the last republicans have shown that for all their attempts to moderate on reproductive care when it comes time to vote they extremism over the wishes and desires of the american people senate republicans blocked federal protections for maga extremism over the american people. when senate republicans ivf, they chose maga extremism over the american people. when donald trump continues to this brag about working with senate republicans to confirm three supreme court justices to eliminate roe, he is choosing extremism over the american people. make no hard-right attacks on women are not done. first it contraception, then ivf. what's effects? -- what's next? if they get their chance, they'llh for their ultimate goal of a national abortion ban. that is why votinion protecting access to contraception and ivf is so that's why affirming a woman'shoose

is so important, and that's why ack against republican attacks on reproductive care and never s protections of roe are the law of the land. and on a sad note but in some ways happy because he was great man, on tuesday, the world of baseball said goodbye to one of its greatest athletes and its greatestum of the greatest to ever play the game willie mays. he died at palo alto at the age of 93. many call him the greatest five-tool player in the history of baseball. that sells i laughably short. what he meant to the game, to new york and to america can ecorded with statistics. he was a living embodiment of americatself born in the segregated south served in the army from new york to san francisco, by nang america's pastime at a time when black players were just beginning to ascend into the major leagues. he'd play stick ballit the

kids on the streets of harlem gety admirers at the red rooster, and woofer the nicest -- one of the nicest coolest, and magnetic americans to a rarity in anyone. there it was in willie ys.)[ up mickey mantle was my guy. i was a yankee fan. we were on the receiving end of willie mays' awesome powers. i was too young to remember the51 but i knew it was passed down from the older kids on the st willie mays was an incredible competitor as well as someo at the same time. of the many thingst you can be great and kind at once. week new york and america says thank you, thank you, thank you to one of the greatest ever and i doubt we'll ever see none anyone lik willie mays ever again. i yield the floor. i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk

will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. baldwin.

mr. mcconnell: madam president. the presiding officer: the republican leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: last week a u.s. company annou an agreement to begin exporting natural gas to ukraine for the first time. that's certainly good news for front lines of russian an. for our allies across eastern

europe. and for the workers and producers behind some of america's most and reliable energy. exporting american abundance is a win-win propo and it's one that closest trading partners in europe have increasingly as an opportunity to off their reliance on russian but setting aside last week's good news the biden administration istill chronically confused about the role that affordable and energy can play as a geopoliticaltool the source of american leadership andf our own economy. in pledge issued two years ago, president biden committed to help reduce europe reliance on russian energy

and increase global energy then a few lines later, he to the unenforceable virtue signals of the paris climate deal. sometimes it seems dissonance is the most powerful source in the universe. remember the president who continues to insist he's serious about helping allies resists the predations of putin's russia is the same president who made stunning energy development -- stuntingca development a day-one priority. he's the same one who decided not to int a chance before russia's escalation in ukraine, to european reliance on russian gas with the 2 pipeline.

and of course same president who earlier this year oishld de facto -- issued a de facto ban on new for lng export infrastructure that would make it harpeder f producers to re -- make it harder for american demand for reliable all ten tiffs to russian or -- alternatives to russian or iranian energy. as i've discussed at length ssia's escalation in ukraine prompted some of ourlosest european allies to finally start investing seriously in their defenses. opportunity to rethink their dangerous on russian energy. back in february one german state-owned energy provider was in the process of switching from buying russian gas to buying american gas instead. but t stifled by the administration's decision to activist

base instead ofnforcing america's last week brought good news. but here's the rub. this new commitment to ukraine relies in part o of a new lng export that is stuck in the biden administration's regulatory and even as already permitting infrastructure comes online producers who want to create new american jobs and expand their capacity to meet foreign demand are since2016 american lng has been a remarkable success story. it had driven our economy to become3 n exporter and just last year even in the sh administration's war on energy the united states was the world's largest lng exporter. but this year russia has

overtaken the u.s. in g exports to the european market. it m do with a ban one of our former democrat colleagues landrieu described as quote, throwing a match in a bale of hay. we might describe a tremendous missed opportunity. but that would underseal the predictably disastrous consequences. in the face of a dangerous administration's obsession with perormative climate policy is taking meaning levers of ameri for three and a half years the biden administration has worked are he lentlessly suffocate american energy production both and offshore. and when senate republicans offered amendments to restore some modicum to permitting and releasing new energy development, every administration and voted no. the first and longest suffering

victims of washington democrats' war on american energy are the american people. historic inflation has already made a car or filling up the tank more more expensive watch. but his administration wants to compound the pain with regulations that would put entire sectors of our economy in an even more serious back in march the biden administration fin rule on vehicle emissions that would give manuftrucks and commercial vehicles until 2032 of their new stock into zero emission vehicles. in the case of the biggest long-haul tractor-trailers, this would effectively mean replacing a quarter of vehicles withles that

are not yet on the road. take an expert to imagine the sort of shock waves across america. our economy simply cannot function without reliable large vehicles to get products to and women who make a living driving them. we're talking about a rule that would on delivery costs and shelfnd a penalty that would hit hardest for afford it. unsurprisingly this zeal for red tape extends beyond heavy duty vehicles passenger car, suv, and pickup truck. years if the administration had its way, two vehicles manufactured for american be electric vehicles. now, consumers have already made it abundantly clear they don't want washington bureaucrats telling them what car to drive. and major engines our economy

have joined together to take the bidendministration to court over all of this folks in my home state of kentucky are following this recently with a car dealer from his livelihood he doesn't mince any words. here's what he hade in court fightingagency. i just want to sell and service the cars that my customers ong as i can see, myt vehicles that our government requires them to buy. they don't want vehicles that are not affordable can't reliably recharged, and can't be depended upon to make the richmond to lexington on a below zero in january. he also said the h civics classes that i dearly loved did not prepare me for a

country where executive action and career bureaucrats can create law and regulations that will put me out of business.bo top that. american workers and job eep up with persistent persistentprices. and all the biden administration seems to as consolation is more red tape. esident. the presiding officer: the majority whip. mr. durbin: madam president, i ask tte the order of june 4, 2024 with the sullivan nomination that the confirmation vote occur at 11:40 a.m. i ask unanimous hout objection. president, i'd like to submit for unanimous consent request an article that in the "chicago

tribune" a year ago 2023objection. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. durbin: thank you, madam president. madam prt, liberal arts lawyer. i'm not a doctor and i'm researcher. so when i get into these fields i want to say the very carefully, not to misstate what is clearly. but this was an amazing articles entitled device uses microbub barrier to treat glioblastoma in humans. it's a story of northwestern medicine scientist adam report results of first i clinical trial using a skull and plantable uun the blood brain barrier and repeatedly0+ large critical regions of the human brain. to try to translate this into simple words, the blood brain barrier is something i don't understand. when two beers and drink them we can feel it alcohol has permeated the blood

brain barrier. bufr in ordinary course of events it is in fact a the brain. the doctor is finding a way to get beyond that barrier and it's for the treatment of what is known as glioblastoma brain cancer. we know t well on a personal basis here in the united states senate. john mccain to glioblastoma ted to glioblastoma one of our staffers tim mitchell to glioblastoma and hunter biden's brother, beau biden died fromglioblastoma. why? i'm going to try to say this in simple words and i hope misstate it. buzz when you discover the tumor, the first rea remove the tumor. and so you'll the people i've just mentioned, th the tumor is removed but unfortunately the chemotherap that is common to stop cancerous tumors from can'trgg be used because

of the blood brain barrier. this barrier stops the application of the medicineesearchers are finding a way to get beyond that barrier to the brain of those suffering from that i mentioned earlier because the follow-up was so difficult because of this barrier. that's as far as i can go in layman's terms explaining the situation. but the reason i raise thatecause it's timely. the reason it's tim the doctor who is heading up this research as northwestern university is a mexican immigrant t he's been here almost ten years. he has a team of nine other doctors. they're all doing this research critical nih research as northwestern and i'm proud of the fact that air' doing it -- they'r and doing it successfully. the point i want to make is the discus in the united states often is a discussion about hate that immigrants are somehow a threat to thi gone so far as to say they poison the blood of

america. now, those sorts of bigoted, hateful statements have been used throughout history to condemn immigrants but we have to be honest withels. go to your favorite hospital wherever it may be take a of physicians and surgeons that are going to treat yo pray to god they're successful. notice how many names immigrants to this country. they probably are. and we should boa p fact that this nation of immigrants invites people to bring their talents to the united states and to succeed. dr. sonebeng to the united states from mexico is certainly welcome. i want him to stay and be successful and his team as well. we need his talent as others will throughout our nation's make a difference in the lives of a lot of indivi he's going to open up immigration in the united states ande to live in this country and be part of its future i say as long as they go through background check and we kw that they're making a positive contribution paying their taxes and following the ome here in the united states. i say this with some mother was an

immigrant to this country. herhe state of illinois. and that i think is an indication of what can happen to the sons and daughters of immigrants given a chance. about. madam president, it's been more since i decided to introduce a bill called the dream this bipartisan legislation provides a pathway to immigrants who were brought to the united states as people who are known now as dreamers grew up with our kids pledged allegiance to the only flag that they've ever known, and in poll and poll shows thet majority of americans believe they deserve a chance. they didn't make their family's dehere. their family made the decision. and they grew up support on a bipartisan basis giving dream become american citizens. i'm sorry they were notpresident's proposal but in one aspect they were. time after time the dream act has earned bipartisan support in congress only to be bloed by republicans. without congressional action every day, d lkear of their lives being uprooted by

deportation.sonabend is not a dreamer. don' equating that situation. but he is an immigrant. the point i'm trying to make is immigrants can make valuable contributions to our lives. when iam act, i introduced the bill and there was a battle me and/or run hatch -- and/or rin -- and orin hatch. he was a republican from utah and o believed the dream act was his first idea. i thought it was mine but thyme was republican and i said senator hatch, you be the lead. itlhatch-durbin bill. over time he decided he didn't like the idea any further and dropped his sponsorship of the legislation but i continued pressing forward with it. lucky for me there was a former republican senator from indiana richard lugar, an extraordinarily good man. i asked him to appeal to president barack obama because they were to use the president's executive authority to help ater -- 12 years ago, president obama answered lugar and myself establishing the deferred action for

childhood arrivals program, better known as daca. daca is a fm of the dream act. it has protected more deportation. many have gone on to serve our nation a doctors, and first responders. president biden faces a similar to president biden-- president obama's, he tried to fix the broken immigration system but republicans haveeffort. most of us believed that we had an opportunity for a breakthrough a effort with senator lankford on the republican side leading the two republicans, senators -- pardo two democrats, murphy and sinema to make this a bipartisan effort. they had a bipartisan border curity bill that was coming before congress. at the very last minute when this measure was about to be in and said stop stop you're doing right now. i would rather have the issue to

debate inovember than have you solve it and give biden any e end of his statement, former president trump did, you can blame me. i am blaming him. a bipartisan effort to stop the border crisis when the b to the floor, the vast majority of republicans oppose request. he said blame it on me. i made it clear he does not want ammigration challenges before the election. he has demonized immigrants saying and this is a despicable quote that they are, quote, poisoning our country. he has said he will every immigrant in our country, including dreamers. president biden has no choice but to use his authorityo improve our broken immigration system. i led a group of 19 senate democrat asking president bid to protect immigrants with deep roots in our countryng dreamers and the spouses of u.s.

citizens. this week the president took action to protect immigrants who have been paying taxes contributing to all of our communities. the president is helping americans noncitizen spouses keep their families together by allowing them to apply for lawful permanent residence, what they eligible for without leaving the count. he is allowing immigrants and who hav received a degree to more quickly visas, i commend president biden for taking these steps, but ultimately only congress can fix the immigration system in republican colleagues who may criticize the president, instead i urge you to work with democrats to pass immigration reform legislation. madam president, i just want to conclude this part of statement by saying this issue means so much to me. it was over introduced the dream act, as i mentioned earlier. i've comeoung people and i've come to try to help them over and overome success on the floor where we would pass an measure

and the house would not take it out, but despite that they would soldier on every day fear of deportation to be in america. they have proven themselve again. i often think when you consider the hundreds of t have been helped by the dream act, by daca and other few cases have been where they have disappointed us publicly. the law of averages says there will your heart out there, calls themselves a dreamer, but by and large they are a major group of people who never have given up president biden has -- some of parentsn opportunity to live in america with their of deportation. that is what this country should be all about. on a separate topic. later today senate wilote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination judge nancy l. maldonado to be judge o tt of appeals of the seventh circuit. she willet to the

seventh circuit. she graduated from and columbia law school she clerked for an esteemed jurist. rubin castille when nancy maldonado's name was mentioned, i called judge and asked if she was ready to move to the circuit court did. following her clerkship, judge maldonado spent 20 years at a law firm defending fraud matters. she tried many cases to verdict, judgment or final resolution. in addition she wasoke county state attorney to serve as a special investigating fraud are. from 2019 to attorney general to monitor two matters and special assistant attorney general to seth fraud. she was confirmed on a ot to the u.s. district court to the northern district of

despite some of the things said incorrectly on theancy maldonado has presided over -- 1,000 cases, ruled on thousands of motion approximately 300 substantive decisions as a district judge. she has never been reversed by a review in court. she is carefully solving cases in a way that they were treated fairly. if confirmed, she will first hispanic judge to ser the court. she received a unanimous rating of well qualified from the american bar association. the suggestion thahe does not carry a load work hard in the court is j fair. she has shown over and over again she has a integrity, professional competence and temperament. judge maldonado has a broad legal community from law enforcement, labor unions and as well as national education association. i urge my colleagues to -- to

support her nomination and i yield the floor. mr. durbin: madam president, i suggest thecer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. baldwin.

:k quorum call:

mr. thune: mr. president. the presiding officer: the republican whip. mr. thune: a quorum call? the presiding officer: the senate is in a quorum call. consent the quorum call be lifted. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. thune: mr. president, summer is an exciting time of the year for many americans -- a time adventure, relaxation and quality time with friendsly. but like seemingly everything else summer activities are moree the biden economy. the cost of gas for trip is up 45% since president

food for a summer cookout costs 10% more than last year. and fees for summer camp are giving parents sticker shock. even just the house cool has climbed 8% since last $700. of course mr. president, this is a sampling of what americans have been going throughthree-plus years. last week's inflation report all too well -- inflation is overall, prices are up more than 20% since president biden took office. the cost of groceries is up 21%. energy costs are up car repairs and maintenance are up and the list goes on. all told it costs family $13,000 more per years to maintain the standard of living that when president bidenoffice.

$13,000 more just to buy the exact same things you were buying ago. as one mother of three told we're spending way more to get the same amount of food that we were getting before, end quote. mr. president, thelation rate has been elevated for 38 months. understandably many people are at the end of their rope. americans into their savings. they've taken out record levels of debt. and a shocking report came out than -- recently saying more than a quarter of inflation. skipped meals because of mr. president, the cost of dealing with inflation is add to americans' financial pain. to fight inflation, the federal to keep interest rates high which affects s' variety of ways. many americans turn to credit rashinging up -- racking up record debts higher interest rates, in part the result of the fed's actions, are making credit card bills harder to pay down.

the same isrue payments. americans looking to own their own home arein one housing expert calls, and i quote, the mostng home-buying market we've ever seen end the average monthly mortgage a staggering the result of a combination of age rates and higher home prices. and if you do own a home a recent report found the cost of keeping and maintaining it up 26% since 2020 $1,500 per month. mr. president, it's to be this way. three years ago, president biden and democrats forced through a reckless and partisan spending spree under the guise of pandemic relief. theen warned that spending so much risked setting off an inflation crisihat we had seen in decades. yet they chose those warnings and push through $1llt spending. inflation almost immediate surging

as a result. it is the textbook definition of inflation -- too many dollars chasing too few goods. and then instead of learning a lesson they forward with even more reckless spending plans. the democrats' $3.5 trillion build back get off the ground but they've the debt with their so-called inflation reduction act, whose true cost continues to grow. the student loan for schemes the president put in place come with a price tag in the hun billions of dollars dollars, and it's clear iug term, there will be a lot more lavish spending on the president's proposed tax hikesre the expiring tax 2017, republicans delivered tax reform that lowered rates across and allowed families to keep more of their hard tax cuts are set to expire next year. and the president, president

biden, seems willing happen. that would mean a $1,600 tax hike for a typical family in 2026, on top o top of years of economic pain from bidenomics and inflation. let's hope the american people ind out what that would feel like. to be another expensive s biden economy, and if president biden and democrats have their way there could be many more to come. mr. presield the floor. mr. wicker: me presiding officer: the senator from mississippi. mr. wicker: for the first time in 24 years, this week russian dictator the north korean ctator kim jung un in pyongyang.

this rare trip was a sign of a new reality, and it amounts to bad news for the for our alliance and the forces of freedom around world. an axis of aggressors emerge and this visit b kim jong-un is just the latest sign. our adversaries -- russia north korea, china, the ayatollahs in iranether to create a world less free less peaceful prosperous for the american people. every member of the senate knows this. and we have an opportunity to respond, and there is a glimmer of good news mr. president.week the senate armed services committee of which i am a member voted to move the national defense authorizat forward. we wrote the bill specifically danger.

our support for passage of the ndaa is a sign we agree o reese one thing -- on at least one thing, ready to stand up to this axis of group, who are assisting each other as they never have and we don't have timewaste. the armed services committee has put that conviction into practice. senators from both sides of the aisle additional $25 billion to the legislation, of this legislation. $25 billion, the munitions and systems w confront this axis and to prevent peace and prevent war. putin putin's visit to kim jong-un was more than just a sign a defense between north korea and russia agreeing to helplitarily. this new packet istr but it should come as no surprise. it is only the their growing partnership.

for two years, north korea russia with millions of artillery shells and missiles for putin's illegal warga a ukraine. in exchange moscow has pyongyang avoid the scteld back the north korean omrussian-north korean partnership is just one aspect of the growingf aggressors. china has supported russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of china has sent weapons components and geospacial intelligence to vladimir putin. in moscow has sold all to an has supplied -- ir world, has supplied hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of deadly drones for putin's terror campaignst ukrainian citizens. russia has returned the favor sending tehran advanced air defense missiles and jets.f these countries --

russia north korea and communist china hamas' hateful and illegal attack on israel and they've supported the houthis' reckless campaign against international commerce. time andagain, my colleagues and i have been calling attention evil alliance. we in the united states should ex the one that took place in ago, china hosted the first state officials, first time ever that hosted a state visit of officials. just last month, vladimir putin met withse president xi jinping. this is not accident. these instances are notted, mr. president. at these meetings handshakes will turn into hardware. you can be sure of that. our adversaries will continue to each

other, further destabilizing the free world. and as the world is changing united states. we must return to whatbest what has been proven to work best. we must increase our military capabi is why i'm so thankful to m basis for what they have done in the national defense authorization act in committee. in may of this released a detailed plan make sure that we return to of support for our entitled it the 21st century peace through strength document and it contains proposals for every and every domain of warfare. a number of elements in the report are particularly the budding north and china's nuclear breakout. in conversations with allies and partners conversations about how to meet the threats we

share. with our alliesjapan, and australia -- we nuclear burden sharing agreements. it's for them to step forward and join us in nuclearsharing. just as former japanan minister the late shinzo abe suggested in 2022. we should redeploying american nuclear weapons where they past to that region to keep north korea and china in check.the senate armed services committee has taken a our nuclear shortfalls in the pacific. mr. as a result of a panel of that this congress authorized signed legislation for, and which has over the past several years, and which reported to us not a bipartisan basis but a basis. our action in thelects that unanimous recommendation

experts. in that regard we authorized the continued development of the sea-launched nuclear cruise e. this will help us rise to the challenge posted by our versaries' tactical nuclear weapons. the committee has also budget increase on exactly the kinds of wpo will be most helpful as we seek to deter our adversaries, to deter our adversaries from making a fatal mistake, so we can continue the peace. those steps are tailored to the pacific, but the goals match theall theme of this year's national defense authorization act. as we did under the administration of ronald can achieve peace through strengfth through strength. that's the way reagan did it and he did it with aih aemoctic democratic house for of those years.

we can contain the risin axis of aggressors but we can do so only if once inn ain a generation investment. this is not a luxury not a thrill for our military to be sdierped by some of them -- desired by som them. it's an absolute necessity. listen to the witnesses that have before us in open sessions o committee. and almost to a man and a woman, they havhe most dangerous dense we have had in if not generations. this -- these are the ppl to for information and leadership. is the nonclassified testimony. those of us who see all of the see further need for this as i said earlier, mr. president, my senate armedmittee colleagues agree we recognize the danger and we've taken the first last week we did agree the defense top-line increase of $25

billion. and frankly, experts who've d tell you we really needed twice as much but this isut of the committee. the top-line increase is a downpaent on the defense investment that's necessary to keep americans safe. it would help reverse the downsizing of our navy help reverse the downsizing of our air force, and would bring the next generat weapons to the field faster. it includes $5.5 billion to accelerate production of key counterdrone gear. the $1 billion in spaceucial for 21st century warfare ident, you know this and every member of the senate this. the next war, if we cannot avoid it will beght in space. and it will be fought with rs oceans and in addition to

ground. we are in pro ourselves with the resources to meet that kind of new that we've never seen in the history of $6 billion in military construction and barracks training ranges and military tu raise for those americans, those brave young americans, those brave young and men who are willing to forward and say i'm going to take an oath to serve my country during dangerous times. so mr. president, putin's visit to north korea is just another no time to waste. the has already started solidifying as i poi needs to bring the ndaa to the floor for a vote. soon. delays only american strength and embolden adversaries. again, i commend my colleagues on the a services committee, and i call on our leadership to this essential legislation

forward now so that we appropriators know what we actually need. thank you very much mr. president. and i yield the floor. p

the presiding officer: the senator from iowa. ms. ernst: mr. president, i riss body that 42 days ago, it confirmed that martin a

toxic workplace culture at the fdic yesterday collecting a taxpayer-funded salary. on his in office president biden said and i quote, i'm not joking when i say this. if you're ever working with me and i hear you treat another with disrespect i promise you i will fire you on the spot. end quote.at begs the question did the president forget his pledge or is he just ignoring it? well president biden, it'se or shut up gruenberg's fdic employees stalked one another. they sentkers unwanted sexual photos ofms lewd and downright sexistbelittle intimidate and sexualize their female coworkers.

as the fdic's own handpicked investigators stated quote, for far too many employees and too long the fdic hasrovide a workplace safe from discrimination and other interpersonal misconduct. fdic needs to clean up the raunchy 90's frathouse gruenberg has fester and there's no better place to than at the gruenberg has proven judgment and temperament to lead the fdic. how can someone who can't reck late the behavior of the trusted to regulate the banking industry? he ca proven.ic reports say gruenberg personally lookedt comes to sexism

harassment and racial discrimination. investigators determined gruenberg himself had a reputation of quote, temper and interacting with staff in a demeaning andate way. end quote. they also was either unable or unwilling failures. except when the writing was on the wall. i am aware gruenberg has agreed to resign but onlyfter the senate confirms a replacement. by hisadmission, gruenberg must resign not tomorrow week but today. but we all know why to just quit today fdic chairmanship becomes vacant the vice chair who is currently a republican assumes the chairmanship.

nominated someone to look forward to reviewing her record and her it will take significant time for her to go through the confirmation process and face a vote here in the senate. let us be crystal clear a what's happening. president biden i letting a dirt bag run the fdic f knows how long because he cares more abo politics than protected women in the workplace. mr. president, right thing when no one is looking. at turbulent time the fdic deserves a leader who integrity and gruenberg's conduct doesnbill. simply put, the time has come to turn the page gruenberg. president biden should put his money where his mouth is and fire him. but since biden doesn't seem to remember his own pledge it the responsibility

of the senate to remind him of it. and for that reason as if in i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to of s. resolution 742 which is at ask that the resolution be agreed to the preamble be agreed to and that the motions to reconsider be considered made laid upon the table if action or debate. the presiding officer: is there objection? the senator michigan. ms. stabenow: reserving the right to object mr. president. first, i want to agr my friend from iowa there's no question we need a new fdic chair. we don't need a bunch of on the president or using this for political purposes. we need a new fdic chair. and the good news is t president has already sent the senate a nomination a new chair. first of all, this resolution going to do anything to improve the culture of the fdic. won't. the reality is the banking and

housing committee is quickly to consider and report outhe nomination. additionally i should just note the resolution has some inaccuracies that misrepresent the findings of the third-party report. but the most important thing is should be focused on providing new implement the recommendations of the begin the much-needed overhaul of the fdic. i could not agree more. we need to work together the potshots and partisanship aside. it's not about attacking president. it's about getting this person out of their to be able to havein. that's what's happening. that person has beee banking and housing committee arehat's where we need to be focused. anything else is just wasting time. so with that i object.presiding officer: the objection is heard. ms. ernst: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from iowa. well mr. president, the of the fdic do des a fly-by-night.

it is too important. we are talking about an agency that for decades has been plagued by some of the most toxi working conditions that any of us have ever seen. we know that president joe biden has nominated commissioner to replace a succumbbag. we know that. -- acumbag. we know that. but it doesn't mean her nomination shodn't b scrutinized. so we do hope that we can put some time and consideration into but, i would say that getting rid of martin gruenberg today would state to the employees of the fdic that the presidekes these allegations seriously and that ht to prevent sexual harassment and hopefully stage for future leaders within the those employees do not feel that they have been heard. and by allowing martin gruenberg to continue in the position is just furthering furthering the

way they feel and they very little at this time. sexual haren has no place in this workplace or any workplace. the president needs to send a the fdic that it will not be tolerated. thank you, mr. president.

ms. stabenow: mr. president.presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: i would ask that the scheduled vote occ the presiding officer: without objection. under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the following nomination, the clerk: nomination, department of state. stephanie sanders sullivan of maryland to be representative of the united states of america to the african union.g officer: the question is on the nomination.

ms. stabenow: i ask for the yeas and naiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote: the clerk: ms. baldwin.mr. barrasso. mr. bennet. mrs. blackburn. mr. blumenthal. mr. booker. mr. boozman. mr. braun. mrs. britt. mr. brown. ms. butler. ms. cantwell. mrs. cap mr. carper. mr. casey. mr. cassidy. ms. collins. mr. coons. mr. cornyn. ms. cortez masto. mr. cotton. mr. cramer. mr. crapo. mr. cr mr. daines. ms. duckworth. mr. durbin. ms. ernst. mr. fetterman.

mrs. fischer. cleric cleric mrs. fischer. the clerk: mrs.. mrs. gillibrand.

the clerk: mr. graham. mr. grassley. mr. hagerty. ms. hassan.

the clerk: ms. hassan. mr. hawley. mrri. hickenlooper. ms. hirono. mr. hoeven. mrs. hyde-smith. mr. kaine. mr. kelly. mr. kennedy. mr. king. ms. klobuchar. mr. lankford. mr. lujan. ms. lummis. mr. markey.

mr. marshall. mr. mcconnell. ez. mr. merkley. mr. moran. mr. mullin. ms. murkowski. mr. murphy. mrs. murray. mr. ossoff. mr. paul. mr. peters. mr. ricketts. mr. risch. mr. romney. ms. rosen. mr. rounds. mr. rubio. mr. sanders. mr. schatz. mr. schmitt. mr. schumer. mr. scott of florida. mr. scott of south carolina. mrs. shaheen. ms. sinema. ms. smith. ms. stabenow. mr. tester. mr. thune. mr. tillis. mr. van hollen. mr. vance.mr. warnock. ms. warren. mr. welch. mr. whitehouse. mr. wicker. mr. wyden. mr. young.

vote:

fó"d

the clerk: senators voting in the affirmative -- gillibrand hirono kelly, lujan, padilla, peters smith,

stabenow. ms. ernst voted in the . ms. hassan, aye. mr. markey, aye. the clerk: mr. brown, aye.

the clerk: mrs. fischer, no.sñ

the clerk: mr. booker, aye. ms. baldwin, aye. mr. heinrich, aye.

the clerk: mr.wyden, aye. the clerk: mr. grassley, no.

mr. tester, aye. casey, aye. 1(

the clerk: mr. mr. blumenthal, aye.

vote: the clerk: mrs. shaheen aye. mr. king, aye. mr. van mr. rounds, no. the clerk: mrs. capito,

the clerk: mr. kaine, aye. the clerk: mr. merkley, aye.

the clerk: mr. cotton, no.

the clerk: ms. butler, aye. mr. durbin, aye.s-

the clerk: ms. cantwell, aye.

the clerk: mr. whitehouse, aye. the clerk: mr.

the clerk: mr. bennet,.

the clerk: mr. wicker, no. the clerk: mr. carper aye. mr. murphy, aye.

vote:

clerk: mr. lankford, no.

the clerk: mr. welch, aye. mr. scott of south caroli mr.ossoff, aye.

the clerk: mrs. blackburn, no.

mr. young, no. the clerk: mr. kennedy, no.o7 the clerk: mr. warner, aye. mr. coons, aye.

the clerk: mr. hoeven, no.

the clerk: mr. lee, no. mr. cornyn, no.

the clerk: mr. reed, aye. mr. schmitt, no. mr. cardin, aye.

the clerk: mr. thune, no.

the clerk: mr. paul, no.("9g

the clerk: mr. mcconnell, no. mr. am.

the clerk: mr. vote:

ib

the clerk: mr. schumer, aye.

the clerk: ms. warren, aye.

the clerk: ms. klobuchar, aye.

officer: on this vote the yeas are 45, the nays are 26, and the nomination is confirmed. mr. cardin: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from mr. cardin: i ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider with respect toion be considered made and laid upon the table and the president be immediately notified of the senate's actions. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cardin: mr. president, today, on world refugee day, i'm here to honor the tens of millions of worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes day was first held in june of 50th anniversary of the a light on the needs and rights of refugees while giving voice

to their aspirations. at that timen 2001, the number of forcibly persons globally was close to 20 today, that number stands at 120 million people. according to the staggering figure the highest in recorded that 1.5% of the e forced to flee their homes lt of persecution, conflict violence or natural disasters, like drought, failures or famine. in the past ten years, the number of forcibly displaced persons has more than doubled as new c arisen and long-standing crises have gone the impacts of climate change food insecurity and poverty. of this 120 millionhere are more than 31 million refugees who have crossed international to seek safety in another country. who are not safe from prosecution in their

ownorigin. there are more thanaced persons, the majority of whom are women and children, forced from still within the country's borders. in every region of the world we see people pushed from their homes. in where the brutal and altogether avoidable conflict beid support forces and sudan armed forces has forced more than nine million people to flee their homes. ceasefire and sustainable peace agreement, these numbers will only continue to grow. in ukraine, where putin's illegal full-scale invasion has pushed nearly ten million ukrainians including more than six million refugees. in gahe approximately 75% of the population 1.7 million people, has been displaced and displaced since last october. and in haiti, w uprooted more than 360,000 people in the past year. even as crises fade from t headlines, the impact to

people's lives do not. 14 million displaced sirians, representing over half the country's population. to the estimated 6.5 million afghan refugees around the world. to the more tn 6 million venezuelan refugees. the long tail of conflict and crisis has left millions displace year after year. behind every number is a story, of a l uprighted -- uprooted. but there's the story courage, resilience and hope for a brighter future, the hope of a child to receive an education, the hope of a to someday become a doctor the hope of a family caught in the war to return to their homes and lhievin i in brighter future requires urgent sustained support from the united states and the international unity. massive cuts proposed by house colleagues to the migration refugee assistance accounts for our back and imperil the lives of those most at risk.

i will be introducing, along with 21 of my senate colleagues a resolution reaffirming the importance of g the safe -- the safety he well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the united states and around the upholding the united states' long history of welcoming people from have been oppressed and persecuted. our uons program, established in 1980, remains a lifesaving pillar for resettling the most vulnerable refugees. it means further tapping into the deep generosity ofamericans, as demonstrated by the united states government's welcome corps, to which private set zens are supporting -- citizens are supporting newly arrived refugees themselves. it means supporting host communities, particularly in low andcountries, where 75% of all refugees are advocating for refugee inclusion. it means continuing u.s. leadership at the state department usaid and ngo partners and responding to displaceme with

humanitarian assistance and assuring protection for forcibly at risk of gender-based violence huma human rights abuses. it meansth the international community to resolve conflicts, address climate change that is destroying lands and livelihoods, and to h human rights abusers accountable so that people can return their homes. andaking these steps, we not onlyif vulnerable people around the world, we will also and strengthen u.s. national security. so mr. pres day, let us all join together to mitigate the causes that have forced refugees to leave their homes and help these individuals who are dispced to have an opportunity for a peaceful future. i yield:ú the floor. mr. lankford: mr. president. the presiding officer: the

senator from oklahoma. la is a difference between a refugee that is fully vetted that america has welcomed historically and s and we will. we've worked for do be able to honor refugees and to be able toppening around the world. that same standard for refugees where an individual is@ identified their family is vetted they go through a process, both through the u.n and the united states to be able to identify how to be able to help that same definition for refugee is also used as a definition asylee. it's the same definition butatic difference between the two. the refugee has fully vetted. we know who they are. we know the situation. we know thes gone through. and our nation like multiple other nations around the world, engages to see what we can do to help thaty in trauma. that's who we are as americans and will continue to be. the challenge is when we have thousands of people cross our southern border requesting asylum asylum who we don't know who they are,

vetted that begin to take advantage of american generosity and it becomes a challenge for us to be able to filter who really qualifies as a refugee asylee as they're krausing theborder and who is -- as they're crossing the border and who i advantage of our system. that's been a challenge for us for years, but it dramatically accelerated in the last three years. this year we'll 2.5 million people cross our southern border the vast majority w asylum and they'll be released into the united statesng sometimes eight to ten years in advance, make their case that they qualify. engineer the meantime, won't know who they are. they've not been vetted. we don't have information for those individuals. last week, the picked up eight individuals with direct isis that were in our two years had crossed our southern border had blended with the rest of the folks who requested asylum requested asylum, then di country. thankfully our fbi was able to pick up that these eight individuals were in los angeles,

new york and philadelphia carry out acts of violence in our country. we're gra the fbi to be able to do that. but why aren'te individuals at the border? we're not evaluating criminal history, even in the country they're coming from. how do i that? i know that because i work with dhs and i'm fully aware their process is. we fingerprint individuals and see if they are terror watch list that is we know them we've been international internationally, or if they're on the interpol international criminal list. but if they're on country, we don't know that. last week victor antonio martinez was picked up in my state of tulsa, oklahoma sitting in a sports bar tulsa where he from maryland after murderinghel morin, a mother of five.led to maryland because he'd carried out acts of violence in los angeles, in a

violent home invasion in los geles. so he carried out an act of violence in los angeles, went to maryland murdered a mom there, then was headed to tulsa. was about to happy in tulsa? oh by the way, did i ment el salvador because he had murdered someone in so he fled el salvador came to our southern border requested asylum came into the united states attacked a family in los angeles, murdere a mom in maryland and then was arrested in my state oftulsa. please don't tell my folks in tulsa there's nothing to about on illegal immigration, this is all going -- going fine at the border. we don't believe violent multiperson murderer was spree inand my state was next before was picked up and arrested. now extradiaryland for the crime there. in new york, earlier this raul cost row mt.a-- raul castro ho plovers.

he -- at two police officers. he earlier this month in texas an illegal immigrant arrested when he broke into a private business and committed a large robbery there. in florida, a swat team got into a shootout with an illegal alien, who a police officer. just a few months washington state, an illegal was driving,n state police officers police officer. the war cass going 107 -- the car was going 107 miles an he was under the influence the marijuana at the time. not everyone who crosses carries out acts of criminal act afloat. i'm fullyactivity. i'm fully aware of that. all i'm asking is a simple checking criminal history at the border for the coming across the border? and the answer is no. for the eight people picked up last week thater isis terrorist connected those eight are individuals that were listed as special interestns.

they're eight of the 53,000 special interes entered our country this year across think that number is big, last year the number was 70,000 special interest aliens were released into our country, last year. these are individuals that this declared at the border a potential national security risk. yet, instead of detaining the vast majority have been released on their ownhe country somewhere. this body willing to work with anyone on either side o the aisle to be able to solve this issue. between now and the election we're going to have another million and a half people illegally cross into our en the end of the year. we've had ten in the last three and a half years. ten million. if we don't stop that are coming in to find work to connect with families and folks also coming in to commit criminal acts.

they'rng from poverty. they're fleeing from the law in their own country. and they're carrying out acts of violence in and web we can't -- when we can't tell the difference between the two, why are we defaulting to open rather than defaulting to closed? ng the people in my state that guy sitting next to you at the sports bar, we didn't know if he was a criminal not, so we just let him in we didn't know if he'd com in his own countries, so we just let him in? why are we doing thoday on our southern border? and what are we goingo stop it? i'm going to continue to come to this floor t not getting better. the executive action that the president took two weeks ago to declare they're going to put new limits in everybody here should check the facts on it. we have the same number ofay that we had four weeks ago before that executive action went intoe. that executive action hasn't changed the the way

they're counting the numbers.ng in the count the people who come to a port of entry who are not legally present. they're now not being included so the smaller but look at the asterisk and the fine is now no longer being counted in the publicly the numbers haven't changed. the way they're changed. this week the president announced a new amnesty program fo folks here in the country. that is now his 95th executive action announcing to the world that if you get across our border you can it's inviting people to be able to come into our countryy. that's the wrong message to the world. and it's ato address. and w wait around until it gets better on it mr. president, i'd like to do a second speech and put it in a separate portion of the the presiding officer: without objection. mr. lankford: thank 2you.

mr. president, i was first the house of representatives 2010. i had all, none. i was a votnd pastor someone who loved our country and felt called to this task. so when i raen for election -- ran for election we figured everything we could throughiod trying to figure out what to do and what to do next. i was elected in 2010 by the folks in central oklahoma to represent the in the house of representatives. and in november i came orientation and i started doing interviews to try to figure out who we're going to be -- were going to be staff fery green member of congress that was walking in. there was a group ofet with over a couple of days to be able to intervie name was michelle altman. she already workedth worked for my predecessor mary great job there. she worked as a staff assistant. that the person answering the phone, the entry level position into the office.

she graduated from college and determined that she wanted to be able to serve our country. so she came to washington, d.c. worked for a eastbound in of congress shet time at all, and landed her first job on the to work. michelle that i had as a brand new house member in 2010 is now leaving my staff chief of staff. literally worked her way through the office from answering the phones att desk to all the way to being the top leadership position on my team. as supervising individuals on my team sheervise all of them because she's done just about every task in to be able to work and to engage with people to be able to mentor and help others in the o better at what they do. it's a gift to every young staff member that comes in to be able to have somebody that knows what they're about and has a passion for my state o knows half the people in my

state of four she gets to interact people on the phone, tracks what's happening back on the news. though she l up here, she stays in close contact with what's actually happening in my state of oklahoma. has loved the state of oklahoma and served in ways that never know. and the tasks that she's taken on for n serving alongside me. tenaciously competitive. she is person that plays golf and wants to be able to win. she's an avid horseback rider and loves to be able to get on he she's going to escape from the craziness of it's going to be somewhere. and she's also quite a shot with a shotgun as well. get together on our staff retreats we will often do shooting. when we get out there, we'll do a competition among all of ourte both from in state and washington, d.c. all compete for t shots, it's often -- ends up michelle and i end upn final round and i'm not embarrassed to tell you that in the final rounds she's beaten me before in trap

and skeet tenaciously competitive but also incredibly gra loves to -- agree glarious. shees to study policy and engage in the conversation. alot be able to note that she knows politics better than i do and she's a how things actually move and has done a great job. she knows the lyric to every song but don't ask her to quote a single movie. she can't tell you. in factmong all of our staff, there -- this ongoing dialogue about different quotes from the movie princess our staff for a couple of months and she had a blank stair long enough that one of us looked at and said you've never seen this have you? she had t she had never seen the movie princess bride. i a copy old school dvd, and handed it toy chief of staff is to watch the princess bride this weekendn the movie. she now understands all the jokes among the staff on the movie, the princess bride. she has been through cou number of vote-a-rama ss, s.

she was here during the affordable care act conversation deba fiscal cliffs debt ceiling, endle=e night votes where all they could do is watch us here they were back in the office trying to be able to track everything i'm gratful to have a -- grateful to have ahief of staff that has worked so hard so remarkably for the state of oklahoma and has been a person that's been able to be beside me years now. she's leaving. she's starting a consulting firm. her skills will still be used to be able to at hand. i know michelle's faith. she'll be a person that will continue to walk with god and follow god's leadership in the days ahead as she follows what she sense is a calling to be able to but i've been grateful to be able to have the time andstate of oklahoma is grateful to michelle altman what she h the sake of our state and nation. with that i yield the floor.

a senator: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from texas. mr. cornyn: mr. president, i on the senate judiciary committee my entire time i senate and as the presiding officer knows, one of the responsibilities of the judiciary committee is to v to vote on a president's judicial office. these are unique jobs because they last literally a lifetime. so it's very very importantat we vet these nomineesnd the case of texas, senator cruz and i have appointed a group of the best lawyers in the state of texas on someing weal judicial evaluation committee to help us screen the people who want to serve on the federal bench. so we're then in a position to enter a conversation with the

white house, whether it's a republican or a about whether or not we will vote for and support for the federal judiciary. there is slip which is senate judiciary committee where if a home sta senator does not return a blue slip on somebody that the president's nominated, the committee will not process that nominee. so the judiciary committee has and one i think consistent with the responsibilities of considering these lifetime tenured and for 13 years i was a judge myself on the state court bench in texas, so i have some strong views about the qualities that make for a good judge. a good judge is not a policymaker wearing a blackcaor election or at least federal judges do not. and watching very closely president biden's judicialure that they meet at least the

minimum standard to serve on the federal bench. but, mr. president, i have to say president biden's unqualified judicial nominees ar of them but some of them stand out. and continues to face big problems in thisrlier this week the senate was expected to vote on judge muho was nominated to serve on the u.s. district court for the district of oregon. he ways set to -- was set to receive a votesday but senator schumer pulled that down. he's the one who sets the schedule in the senate. he pulled thase he obviously did not have the votes to confirm this nominee. they were expected to that vote to today because perhaps there would be enough senator ss wouldn't be absent the day after the juneteenth holiday that it would outcome and he would likely be

confirmed. then it be nominee was so controversial, that even a poor attendance day would not lead to his confirmation. all i have to say to that is thank goodness. our colleagues have delayed judge kasubhai's confirmation vote again. and i hope this will mark the end of the road for thisnominee. given everything we know about the judge, it's clear thait for a lifetime appointment to the federal job in government he would be serve as a federal judge. when nominees appear before the judiciary committee, of course they're asked about their ju philosophy they're asked about their ideology their world how they would operate if confirmed. this is basic when judge kasubhai kasubhai we don't have to wonder how he would function as a judge because he has a long record on the bench as a u.s. magistrate. and he also previously served as a circuit court j oregon.

he's been on the bench since 2007 so he has an extensive record that we canf predicting how he will behave how he w duties if confirmed on the federal bench. and that's exactly what we evaluated in the judiciary committee. but we quickly spotted a number of red flags. one of critical qualities for a judge isty. good judges are like good referees. they don'tsides. they don't play favorites. and they don't make essentially a result oriented process. in other words, they start as a blank slate, consider the law in evidence and then make a decision. not the other way around. judges should makeisions based solely on the law and the evidence presented in a courtroom.'s pretty basic stuff. nothing more, nothing less.ent years, though we've seen a disturbing trend of that is entirely appropriate if you're an representative because the voters get to vote

on you. but if you're a lifetime tenured judge, to basically usurp the role of theitical branchs and to make policy yourself is an abuse of that power. and that happens when judges inject theirs and biases in their decision-making process.ecord of doing that. his career he's repeatedly shown that he has an agenda. and i question his ability to give litigants a shake. that's the most basic responsibility of a judge. if you're someone let's say charged with a crime orbe civil litigant or maybe of a number of different types of cases, you want to be ableo walk knowing that the judge has notainst you. and so when the judge, for w# example, requires all the people in his courtroom to announce their preferred pronounces pronouns as part of the process, you begin to actually be fair and

treat everybody the same. look we live diverse country, and some people find that sort of question appropris final. everybody is entitled to their own beliefs. i believe it is appropriate for a federal judge, who will effectively require this sort of proclamation by ordinary litigants or chill anyon religious or other objection from pronoun. imagine the same protoco question. what if a judge told the parties that they had to declare their religious affiliation before the judge would hear the case. imagine lawyers, litigants and witnesses being told to annoue before an entire courtroom if they identify as a christian, muslim jewis person, an religious. radio that be condemned as religious discrimination? our court system is and should blind

to who you are, where you come from how rich or who you represent.evitled to a fair shake no matterth under our constitution. so in order for that to their personal beliefs and apply the law as written. judge kasubhai has proven thatnot and will not do that. i'm afraid the judge's courtroom policies won't end there. clearly his own is infiltrated his ability to make rational decisions based on the evidence. consider this -- few years ago, judge kasubhai saidet aside conventional ideas of proof when we're dealing with the interpersonal work of diversity, and inclusion. now, the standard of proof and what things that you learn about in law school that's single case. but now for the judge to say, we

need to set aside those conventional ideas proof when we're dealing with equity diitrs inclusion sends a very troubling signal. what i take that to mean facts the law, and the applicable legal standard to eliminate go the to get the results he wants. he latty equity and inclusion as the, quote, heart soul of the court system. i would argue that the soul of our court system is pursuit of justicetment under the law. not purhsuit of diversity for its own sake. more terrifying to a litigant than to walk into a the judge has already put his fingers on the scale of justice, a judge with an agenda. of course judges are duty bound by their oath to operate fear or favor. they must base their decisions on the law, the evidence the

facts before them, period. kasubhai's history on the bench, i have no confiden t he has a record of judicial activism. he's made it abundantly clear he's willing to set aside the facts a the law when considering some cases. he's that he values his own ideology more than he does his commitment to the rule of law. or the evidence that's presented in court. and he's he can't prevent his personal views that his decisions as a judge. so mr. president judge kasubhai is not qualified for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. i know this, and i believe mymocratic colleagues know this too. which is why this vote had to be re of times because senator schumer who sets the wonders whether or not even enough democrats will vote get him confirmed. the fact that democratic leadersh among their own members says everything you need to know about this nominee.

the american people no matter where they live deserve to have fair and unbiased jhe bench, and they certainly deserve better than this nominee. i believe the majority of senators oppose this hope this marks the end of the road for mr. uli -- for this unqualified nominee. mr. president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from montana. mr. tester: i appreciate the recognition, mr. president. mr. president, i rise today for -- to talk about an issue that is a disaster. earlier this week we saw a diversion project that takes water fromainage and puts it in the milk ri literally blow up. and that siphon that blew up had been around for over a hundred years. it's critical. it is critical for northern montana. the project is near a town called babb, of water to flood the

surrounding area leading to extensive damage to local businesses in thata and will damage irrigation opportunities for 120,000 acres. now, what do i say damage? they won't have any water to irrigate provides water to four mwater systems and two tribes. it is a vital sorbsurce of water for central montana's water users and to so many farmers that feed the world. timing of this cannot be worse, literally hundreds of farmers and ranchers who are currently on that project to irrigate their crops.y of the situation, i immediately called on the biden administration to work to ensure communities' irrigators had the resources they need to fix this problem, including the productject in the that's what the administration can do. also has an

opportunity, ansten obligation to -- and actually on obligation to do our job. congress can pass the for the belknap indian community water right settlement actment a icor piece of legislation that addresses a wage range of issues -- wide range of issues. when settlement the for the community recognized how important the canal is to all the w in northern central montana. because the leadership and division from tribal leaders like president stiff arm and now the st. marie canal project was included and if this pott settlement act passes a, we can rehabilitate e canal. what exploded earlier this week. the bipartisan bill passed the

senate earlier this congress this fort belknap agreement. it was stripped from the prinal version. for nearly a year the house has failed to act to provide at montana they need. these folks need to foed the feed the world. there are also businesses that will go broke without water. now is the time to move forward. the siphon failures thatrred are a reminder that we must invest in infrastructure to prot so today the senate hopefully will once again pass this critical compact. this time it is a stand alone bill not part of the ndaa and i want to be clear -- the house bill. the house needs to put aside politics and pass this bill. farmers' operations that have been generationahi livelihoods are

on the line. water for municipalities are on the line. this is no time -- no time -- to play politics. the siphon that we saw earlier this week have left montana families reeling. congress can do its job. the senate will do its job. it's time for to act responsibly, too. so let's so we can repair the milk river project and give the water the certainty and predictability that they need to survive. so as if in legislative session i would ask unanimous consent that the committee on indian affairs be discharged from further consideration of s. 1987 to its immediate consideration. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 1987 a bill the settlement of the water rights claims of the fort benchmark being nap indian community and for other purposes. the presiding officer: without objection, the committee is

discharged. the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. tester: i'd ask unanimous consent tester-daines substitute amendment at the desk be agreed to the b amended and considered read a third time. the presiding officer: without objection.further debate phon the bill, as amended. the presiding officer: in ifs to further -- if there is to further debate question is on passage of the bill, as amended. all those in favor, say aye. those o. the ayes appear to have it.o have it. the bill, as amended has passed. mr. tester: i'd ask that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. tester: thank you, mr. president. nor senator mr. president.officer: the senator from nebraska. mrs. fischer: thank you, mr. president. mr. president, the winnebago land transfer act brings a simple issue of fairness to t senate floor. i introduced this bill with my colleagues after hearing from

members of the about the trials they have faced over decades.ly imposed by other own government that's why ourent must resolve them. in the 's the government forcibly removed the tribe from their homeland. they settled in a new 1865. the winnebago indian reservaome state of nebraska. the government promised that land to the winnebago tribe, and they promised it forever. but they did not keep that promise. in 1970, the united states army corps ofin condemned 1,600 acres of the for a proposed recreation project, never even started. the land seizure launched over half a century of legal battlesn the winnebago tribe and the united states government. battles that never brought this matter to a just resolution.

but america is defined the ideals of justice and equity. our government was established to protect these ideals and that is what we will do by passing the winnebago land transfer act. our leg will restore the tribe's rightful land transferringning tracts of land back from the ited sta corps. the house of representatives passed this legislation this year and that is the version we are voting on today. they passed it because, like i said it's a simple issue of fairness, one that all of us no matter our political party, can get behind. i am hopeful that today the senate will follow suit that we will uphold those ideals of justicef quality. -- and of equality. i'm hopeful that return the land to its rightful owner -- the

winnebago tribe. so mr. president, as if this legislative session i ask unanimous consent thahe senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar n 411, h.r. 1240. the presidin the clerk: calendar number 1240 an act to transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain federal lands from the army corps of engineers and so forth d for other purposes. the presiding officer: without objection, we will now proceed to the measure. mrs. fischer: i ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. fischer: i know of no further debate on the is no further debate the question is on passage of theose in favor say aye. opposed will say nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the bill is passed. mrs. fischer: mr. nsent that the motion to reconsider be considered made laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection.

mrs. fischer: thank you, mr. yield the floor. mr. president, i would suggest the of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. baldwin.

earlier today at least 20 states total or in freedom . thislace reproductive freedom on the legislative count so we can be ready to move the bill soon. i think senator murray for meeting this bill. it's not ahowboat it's a noticeably you are quote. they are entitled to know where they stand. we prepared interceptive ivf. americans want to know the representatives stand on an important issue.

some senators think they are difficult. voting on women's care we are forward because it's important for members to be forced to take a position in the only way to make progress. their blocking something majo the sojourns demand. we all knowvery personal. we are not lhem hide. we are not letting them hide his it's the onlye this forward. show where people stand. that the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: witho mr. schumer: i move to proceed to legislaticer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor s all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. motion is agreed to. mr. schumer: i move to proceed

to executive session to consi the question is on the motion all those in favor say aye. opposed will say nay. the ayes appear to have it the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the clep nomination. the clerk: nomination defense itboard, patricia lee of south carolina to be a member of theoard for a term expiring october 18 cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will repo. the clerk:re motion we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of to bring to a close the debate on the nomination o 380, patricia lee of south carolina to be auclear facility safety board for a term expiring october 2027. signed by 18 senators. the presiding officer: i ask consent the reading of the waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to legisn. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the motion is agreed to. mr. schumer: i move to proceed

536. the presiding officer: the question is on the opposed nay. the ayes producer to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the clerk will repor nomination. the clerk: nomination the judiciary. robin mithinia to be a judge of the united states court of federal claims. mr. schumer: i send a to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report.motion we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions ofove to prose bring to a close the debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 536, robin michelle meriweather of inia to be a judge of the united states court of federal claims for a term of 1 years, signed by 17 senators. mr. schumer: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to legislative session. thinpres is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all nay. the ayes appear to have it. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to executive session to consider 512. the presiding officer: the question is on themotion.

all in favor say yea. the motion to to. the clerk: nomination theciary, charles j. willoughby of california to be an of the lg district of columbia. motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: cloture we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the stany move to bring to a close the debate on the nominat executive p calendar number 512, crles j. wi columbia to be an associate judge of the superior court of the dis of 15 years, signed by 18 senators.schumer: -- be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i of a quorum.

mr. kennedy: mr. president, i ask that call vote begin immediately. the presiding officer: is there objection. the clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. the clerk: cloture motion we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close the debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 597, nancy l. maldonado of illinois to be united states ccu the seventh circuit signed by 17 senators. the presiding officer: by

unanimcol has been waived. the question is is it the sense debate on the nomination of nancy l. maldoonad united states circuit judge for the seventh circuit shall be brought yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. the clerk will call the roll. vote: aldwin. mr. barrasso. mr. bennet. mrs. blackburn. mr. blumenthal. mr. booker. mrs. britt. mr. brown. mr. budd.ntwell. mrs. capito. mr. cardin. mr. carper. mr. casey. mr. cassidy. ms. collins. mr. coons. mr. cornyn. ms. cortez masto. mr. cotton. mr. cramer. mr. crapo. mr. cruz. mr. daines. ms. duckworth. mr. durbin. ms. ernst. mr. fetterman. mrs. fischer. mrs. gillibrand. mr. graham. mr. grassley. ms. hassan. mr. hawley. mr. heinrich. ms. hirono. mr. hoeven. mrs. hyde-smith. mr. johnson. mr. kaine. mr. kelly. mr. kennedy.m@

the clerk: mr. king ms. klobuchar. mr. lankford. mr. lujan. ms. lummis. mr. manchin. mr. mcconnell.o! the clerk: mr. mendendez. mr. merkley.. ms. murkowski. mr. murphy. mr. ossoff. mr. padilla. mr. peters.

the clerk: mr. reed.62 mr. ricketts. mr. risch. mr. romney. ms. rosen. mr. rounds.

mr. rubio. mr. sanders. mr. schatz.

is the clerk: mr. schmitt. mr south carolina shaheen. sinema. -- mrs. shaheen. ms. smith. ms. stabenow. mr. sullivan. mr. te. thune. mr. tillis.

mr. tuberville. mr. van hollen. mr. vance. mr. warner.

mr. warnock. ms. warren. mr. welch. mr. whitehouse. mr. wicker. mr. wyden. mr. young. the clerk: senators voting in the affi--baldwin, casey,

coons, durbin kaine, king lujan, peters schatz schumer, ee smith, warner warren welch, and senators voting in the negative -- blackburn, capito cassidy, collins, cotton ernst, grassley kennedy, mcconnell, mullin, rounds and schmitt. mr. mr. brown, aye.

the clerk: mr. ms. hirono, aye.

mr. cornyn, no. ms. cortez masto, aye. the clerk: mr. cruz, no. mr. lee, no. mr. thune, no.

the clerk: mr. lankford, n the clerk: padilla, aye. mrs.gillibrand, aye. mr. whitehouse, aye. mr. murphy, aye. mrs.fischer, no.

the clerk: mr. mr. merkley, aye.

the clerk: mr. wicker, no. mr. van hollen, aye. mr.ye.

the clerk: mr. tester, aye.

mr. hickenlooper, aye. mr. boozman, no. the clerk: ms. butler, aye.

the clerk: mr. paul, n ms. stabenow, aye. m=) vote:

the clerk: ms. klobuchar, aye. ms. rosen, aye. ax the clerk: mr. young, no.

south carolina, no.

the clerk: ms. ckwo mr. bennet, aye. sqñg the clerk: mr. hoeven, no.

the clerk: ms. lummis, no. t

the clerk: mr. carper, aye.

the clerk: mr. blumenthal, aye.

vote: the clerk: mr. hawley no.sirege

quoting her here, need to harden our homes, but we need to harden our financial institutions our banks and our surance companies in order to make them really large climate for sure coming their way. when she talks about really large climate shocks that are for sure coming their way that means they'reur way. because just like 2008 if this goes down, everyone suffers. at this point we have for far too long. we have let the fossil fuel industryuct action on climate change.

now with financial warnings in the trillions the deloitte report said quoting he global economy needs to execute a rapid, sequenced energy and industrial transition, end quote. well, i promised in my last "time to w speech that i'd discuss how best to execute so let me turn to that. i'll begin by being a knowledging that democrats -- by acknowledging that democrats took the first serious legislative step on climate in 2022. with the inflation reduction act, the ira. the ira was modeled to reduce around 40% by 2030 compared to a 2005 baseline which is great. but we need to reduce emissions not by 40% 50% by 2030.

get to net zero emissions by 2050 if we're going to 1.5 degrees celsius. even if we do that the climate havoc we're already seeing are will get worse. the climate havoc we're already ut 1.2 degrees celsiuo we need to find a pathway to climate safety? and how do we do it globally knowing that the u.s. only now accounts for about 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions? well for years now my time and i -- my team and i have been in constant communication witheconomists and other climate modelsers who specialize inpredicting the effect of various emissions-lux policies. -- emissions railroad reduction policies. studies after study, expert after expert have said the same economiwide carbon price will drive the deepest emissions

reduction, which makes sense. the cost of a harms under economic principles should be r price of a product.s a subsidy.s on the fattest subsidy in human history now clocked at over $700 billion a year in the u.s. alone. put a price on pollution and markets emerge to reduce emissions in the most er by fuel type new measures or -- efficiency measures orenting or capturing emissions. here is anxa that works. this graph from 2021,or passage of the ira, examines trajectories in a variety o scenarios.

the green line here at the top is business as usual then, which is no new emissions reducing had virtually no effect. drop down to this orange line it's a package of clean energy tax credits, very similar to what was ultimately included in e, those tax credits result in substantial though insufficient, emissionctions through 2030, which is here. and -- then they gray line is a clean electricity standard incentivized cleaner electricity generation and dirtier power generation. it does slightly better than the tax credits but wanes in efficacy after 2030. the yellow line just below it is credits plus that clean electricity bit better but

it's still prettyt 2030. then you have thisline which represents a ve modest carbon fee, starting at around $1 ton of emissions and remaining relatively low for the first and then ramping up in out years$80 per ton. this mod unleaded gasoline. yet e it drives dramatically deeper emissions reductions particularly after 2030. 2040 it almost doubles the emissions of the other two policies lowest line this dark blue line represents doing it all all. and the anchor is that modest carbon price which is far moret

driving emissions reductions than all other here is another. this one was done this year after the ira was passed and it reaches conclusions. this top yellow line which doesn't come close targets, represents what would happen if as our republican friends have threatened, the ira were repealed and epa finalized emissions rules for power plants and trucks were struck town or rescinded. emissions very down due largely to continued deployment of wind and solarh are now the cheapest forms of energy and t different states decarbonization policies. this to our targets around 2040 represents a inflation reduction act stays but the epa

rules are voi or rescinded. again, we don't hit our targets fo2030 until 40 a very dangerous decade to next line the red line is essentially our new business as usual. it's the ira and the epa rules remaining in force, and there we hit our targets around 2037 still off by seven years. this light green and light blue line respectiv add a clean electricity standardt in delays hitting our 2030t2035. purpleish line here adds carbon pricing similar to the one i justh repeal of the nonpower sector credits in the ira. so even with repealome of

the ira clean energy tax credits, modest carbon fee results in that are the best in class so 2030 targets as early a 2033. and the dark green line that just adds the carbon price. it nearly hits2030 target very and it drives by 2040on metric tons over the emissions reductions expected from the ira and epa's now let me show you one more chart. this one here was from brookings. one here is from the institute. together with the "washington po potsdam institute looked at over 1,200 -- 1,200 climate policy scenarios that have been run in recent years. they found that

of 1,200 narios that experts have run, there are only left. only 11 left t us to hit our egree celsius target. and of those 11 ery one requires a price onarbon pollution. so the upshot of all o simply cannot continue allowing polluters to pollutent to find a pathway to climatether pathways without a carbon price dawdling and our indolenceresse from the fossil fuel industry to do nothing. point, as you can see, almost all of tovershoot. so to get back safe climate levels you absolutely are going to carbon capture technology and direct capture to be

specific because you have to clawback and he is -- excess emissions. at this point it's not enough a carbon price gives carbon capture aoposition, so it will dramatically encourage technology. here's the other huge advantage of a carbon price. we can export it via carbon borderadjustment. the european union has its carbon border adjustment mechanism c cbam carbon border mechanism, cbam and it's about to be joined by the u.k. as well and they will ass a carbon tariff on imported goods to the and the u.k. less carbon will pay a lower carbon levy. more carbon will pay a higher levy. and that levy

global incentive for clean manufacturing. wherever products are made for export to e.u. and u.k. markets. if we joined in if the united states of america joined in and implemented a similar policy herehome the downward pressure on globalse emissions, which currently represent roughly of global emissions, would be even more powerful. a carbon border adjustment would be a win for cleaner american manufacturing. on average, the c is about three times more carbon intensive than the u.s. so if a domestically produced good paid a $1levy the equivalent good imported from china would pay $3 carbon levy which wouldp to reshore to the u.s. steel, aluminum and kel cal production and -- and chemical and all the well paying manufacturing jobs they fossil fuel

industry complains such a policy would harm same consumers they gouge, but when it comes to remedy andat consumers. well a, these companies already maked absorb the tariffs for their customers. and, b, we can spend tariff revenues in ways that consumers. for inst revenues earned from polluters to consumers asdividends, as chairman cantwell has proposed for consu they please. indeed i've got a bill that would one of the big lies of the fossil fuel industry is to pretend the costs their pollution foists on the american public don't exist. in fact americans are already for the polluters' pollution and for their obstruction climate action. we pay in higher home and a premiums now exploding through florida, gh hi dproes -- grocery bills, higher lumber prices higher prices for goodsangled in

climate-related supply chain snarls. americans already paying the climate pollution price. it's justumb one that does nothing to reduce the burden of harm from pollutersamericans. a carbon price would send a correct price signal into markets. it would reward innovators and innovation. it wou fundamentally unfair situation of an i the cost of its pollution on to ordinary americans americans. and, as these various graphs all actually work at providing a climate safety. opportunits are coming. next year a large swath of the trump tax cut disproportionately skewed towards large corporations the very wealthy will expire and good ce opportunity to make the tax code more fair inequality and to use polluters to reinstate, for instance the

child tax credit to do good things taxing polluters could also help to improve the position. and another reconciliation bill possible if voters take climate risks seriouslyflunkys in charge of their government.arbon pricing makes sense from all angles. it is the single-most effective policy ateducing carbon pollution and heading off the massive, looming tens of tril that we see coming from climate change. as dr.said that are for sure coming our way. it provides a tool tackle global emissions that will also spur domestic manufacturing and jobs. it raises real revenue to help americans shoulder the burden we carry of decades of fossil fuel industry pollution and obstruction. and it could even help reduc deficit.

we've got no time left to waste,congress you can be sure that i will do everything in my power sure that we finally embrace the winng policy that we should have implemented decades ago, when we were first warned about the costs and dangers n pollution. it is well past time to make fossil fuel for the harms they cause and it is well ptzast time wake up. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from washington. ms. cantwell: madam president, i thank my colleague from rhode island for his dedication and perseverance on these important issues and also mentioning the dividend concept because obviously to be kept whole here and to make a trons formation transformation that they too want to make. i thank him for his leadership. i come to the floor to call attention to the high prices americans are paying for their

prescription medication and the urgent need to pass pharmacy benefit management transparency act that i have cosponsored with from iowa senator grassley. at the beginning of this deca on prescription drugs than any other country in therage of $1,432 per year. so six out ofry ten adults are currently taking at least one prescription drug more than a quarter of us take four or more prescriptions. so when drug priceup it really does stretch the family budget csavings, and it puts us into health those prescriptions. about one in four residents in my state, state of washington have either rationed orpped taking prescription drugs because of costs. families should not have to make e. one of the factors the price of prescription drugs are pharmacy benefit managers and their

profit business model that is causing pharmacies great harm. they have a stake in just about every partf the drug distribution chain and have an effect on the medication. ir insurance plans, they decidel be for prescription pharmacies will distributed. pbm's do handle or distribute the drugs, but they snip off the profit from the drug manufacturers all the way up to acy counter. that is because the pbme pharmacy benefit middlemen think of theelves like the insurance company that is it setting the price is extremely consolidated giving consumers no choice in which t use. just three pbm's control 80% of

the market. can you imagine 80% of the market? but just three of thesef the market. and effectively they have unchecked power on their ability to distort the market and engage in unfair and abusive practices. so what are senator grassley and myself trying to do? we're trying to unfair practices. not only is the market con consolidated coed worrisome, the insurers and large pharmacies so this gives them the opportunity to increase their profits by steering patients to pharmacies they own and then lowering thebursement rate to competing pharmacies. americans are feeli they are seeing that they have higher drug costs and they pbm's are thrfng they are profitable last year optium rx raked in

money, contributing about 20% of the total revenue. p pbm's have benefited themselves at the expense of patients and certainly, madam president, at the expense of independent happy to try to help the pharmacies in t integration but not the independent pharmacies if you will trying to put them out of business. pbm's enrich everyturn. we cannot be fooled when the pbm claims to reduce the of drugs by sayingre rebates in exchange for fabl an insurance company they probably ow so frustrated in the past it's like our organization for example, king county someone will say negotiate a drug benefit and we'll give you a discount but then theyds of

the discount. these rebates are part of the manipulative scheme to devalue it from the market in a market that is free of this kind of manipulation or competition, you have drugmakers they would be settinghe formulary cost they would help drive down by having competition. but we know the market isn't the least expensive version of a drug is the least dispensed. that's right. you can tell how a market is a great functioning mark pecause is too high and there is supply people more supply in the market. if the least expensive drug dispensed, that means that somebody is trying to costs high. this happens because pbm's control which is marketed and they get a bigger cut, higher copays and more expensive drugs are on the list. incentivizes the

drugmakers to inflate the costs. who pays for the cost? the american consumes-- consumers. therericing or clawbacks. spread pricing is when a pbm reimburses a pharmacy one amount for filling a prescription and then charges theealt plan a higher price and keeps the difference. that t how they make money. they say oh, this is the they then charge the plan a higher amount. this creates one, neither the pharmacy nor the plan knows what the other paid or was charged so both parties lack the data on what a true price for the drug is. second, this practice allows pbm's to skreez more money out squeeze more money out of the supply chain. they have direct and indirect -- indirect fees or what i call dri

fees which have generic effect rates. independent pharmacy in seattle, they actually had to close, madam president, because the psaid that they were owed -- this independent was owed $5 reimbursements in a single year from these pbm's. number and said this is how much you owe us. so not surprising that independent pharmacies can't stay open with these kind of tactics. justhe last 18 months, 83 pharma washington have closed. this has contributed to a creation of fact fortune magazine j this particular problem in the state of washington. there are now 86 pounce in my -- towns in my state that are more than ten miles from the nearest pharmacy. that means roughly 450,000

people in my state live in an area w have to drive ten miles just to go to a pharmacy. and now rank sixth among all states for poor pharmacies. according to the washington state pharmacy association, there are no more 24-hour pharmacies left in the city of seattle. so madam president, i'm very erned about the number of independent and community pharmacy closu state. i'm also concerned about how middlemen and their unfair business practices is have contributed t closures. some i ask anyone discovered dhees schemes or -- these schemes or done something about it? they shield it by saying that their data they have is proprietary information, we must have laws on the books toe that illegal, schemes don't have such a con traited they can't operate in the dark while americans scription drugs rise

year after year. that is why senat introduced the pharmacy benefit manager transrey acthe harmful practices, increase the transparency and increase the accountability fort managers. the pharmacy benefit manager transparency cracks down on unfair and abusive schemes such as reimbursement claws, it mandates that transparency for these pbm's submit a report about these activities so we c how they are basically moving other products are on the formulary placements which is howese schemes operated. it is important to have this help from the federal trade commission. it is their job to stop these practices, it is their job to hold pbm's accountable for manipulation of practices and give more insight into this marketplace.

we cannot this legislation passed. my bill has come out of the commerce committee with good bipartisan support and it has bicameral support as well. so we must keep the momentum going. the senate will b this benefit manager transparency act to the senate floor when we return. americans are hurting and so are pharmacists, our are places where information about ourigh standard. i would hate to see americans in such a concentrated market that all of our prescription drugs are bought online from oneg that somehow is our delivery system. i think a key part of our delivery system. pharmacies communities, and we shouldn't concentrated players manipulating the prices of drugs and putting pharmacies out of business and rising these --racing these unbelievable prices on our consumers.

so i thank the president and i ask that i hope our colleagues will consider getting this legislation in front the senate when we return. ms. cantwell: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from washington. 1 ms. cantwell: i ask that senators be p for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. consent ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent that the committee on the judiciary be discharged from further consideration of s. 3960 and the senate proceed to its immediate consideration. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 3960, to amend title 35, united states code, to provide good faith exception to the imposition of fines for false assertions and certifications, and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is therebjection to proceeding to the measure? without objection. the senated. ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent that the bi to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

the presiding officer: witht ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the consideration of s. res. 747, submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. res. 747, recognizing the importance of pollinators to tem health and agriculture in the united states by the presiding officer: is there objection? the senate will proceed. ms. cantwell: mr. president, i ask una con set the resolution be agreed and the motion to reconsider be considered laid upon the table with no intervening action oresiding officer: without objection. ms. cantwell: i ask appointment at the desk appear separately in the record as if made by t. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. cantwell: i have two 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. ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming ent of the senate, the president of the senate, the pro tempore and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments co boards, conferences, or

interparliamentary conferences concurrent action of the two houses, or by order of the senate. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. so ordered. ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent that the senars from virginia and the senators from maryland be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions from june 20, 2024. the presiding officer: without objection. owe so ordered. ms. cantwell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn to then convene for pro forma usiness being conducted on the following dates and times -- with business being conducted, i shou say, madam president, on the following dates and times -- no sorry, business being conducted on the following dates and times -- friday, june 21, at 6:30 a.m.25, at 11:30 a.m. tuesday, july 2, at 12:00 noon. friday, july 5, at 9:00 a.m.

further, that whhe senate adjourns on friday, july 5, it d adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on monday, july 8.mond prayer and pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to da, the mo expired, the time for the two r in the day, and morning business be closed. following the conclusion of morning business, the senate proceed to executive session to resume considef moldonado nomination pour further, that the cloture motions filed during today's -- that are the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid u president be immediately notifiedon. further, the motions ripen on tuesday, july 9. the presiding officer: is there without objection, so ordered. ms. cantwell: if there is no further busin3 ess before the senate i ask that it stand adjourned under the previousiding officer: the senate stands adjourned u

c-span.org. on thursdayíg june 272 into the scene and resulted debate live on

p is off as they try to earn your votes out election. coverage begins. eastern. following the debate he was he's been in get your reaction. cnn presidentialat live thursday june 279:00 p.m. eastern c-span2 c-span or only a c-span the org localoc different

legacy to democracy. >> mark warner report security challenges facing the u.s. government by the christian science literature. this is about one hour.4=