mr. van hollen: mr. president, let me thank my colleague from connecticut for his words in support of the equal rights amendment and for his fight for justice. and let me also thank my colleague, my maryland partner and friend, senator cardin, for teaming up with senator murkowski to push for passage of this legislation year after year. it's long overdue that we take this up and that we pass it in the united states senate. if you look at our history during the darkest of times and against the longest of odds, americans from all backgrounds have stood together to insist that america live up to its promise. the promise of equality, the promise of equal rights for all. in fact, if you think about the story of america, it really is the story of the struggle to make good on that fundamental promise, to ensure that every individual receives equal dignity. we talk about how we're endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights and that's true. they're not more rights for men. not supposed to be more righ

mr. van this kind of line of defense for hollen? >> many acts of violence across the years. -- as well as the civil service. sort of saying, it's performative, or hazing, or just kind of a rowdy fraternity. -- senator sullivan, that is not the movement that they are part of. and we passed we can -- members of the recognize the proud boys committee and the senate, as part of the foreign service a long trajectory of families act, which is designed militant right, to help us and white continue to retain power style groups going all the way back to the 19 80s. and -- and these finds diplomatic corps in groups have the world. we a very clear mission of are in an trying to interfere with or overthrow the implementation process united states government and attack its -- institutions and its people. and just asking for your assurance today that we will so, continue to i think it is disingenuous to say the those least. but this bigger question about parts in progress why now? why are -- that we'd we ripe for this be able to kind of attract a

mr. van hollen: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. mr. hollen: i call up amendment number 85 as provided under the previous order and i ask that it be reported by number. the presiding officer: we are in a quorum. mr. van hollen: mr. president, i ask that the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. van hollen: i call up amendment number 85 as provided under the prees order and i ask that it be reported by number. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: the senator from maryland, mr. van hollen for himself and ms. murkowski, proposes amendment 85. mr. van hollen: our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day, charging into danger whenever duty calls. that's why we have a duty to back them up, not just in words, but also in deeds, by provided them with the resources and facilities they need and deserve. the underlying bill today extends critical programs to provide training, equipment, and personnel, and i commend the chairman of the committee and the full committee for their a