senator ricketts and i are going to begin. as they say in casablanca, a beautiful relationship over the next two years. we are looking forward, of course, to working with some of the copper and capito as well. we are looking forward to partnering with them and they're extremely helpful staff. over the course of the next two, years there will be many important issues that we will be asked to consider. we welcome our witnesses. we appreciate your willingness to appear today. so today is going to be the first senate hearing ever held on the environmental impacts of crypto mining. they may be mining digital assets, but their activities have real world consequences. this is an emergency aunt and urgent issue. congress needs to be proactive and reactive in tackling it. the market size of the global crypto mining industry was estimated at two billion dollars in 2022, more than one third of which is in the united states. that industry is forecast to nearly quadrupled over the next ten years. which means it's threats to our environment

ricketts: thank you very much. i rise today humbled and honored to stand in this chamber to represent the people of the great state of nebraska. the first time i walked into this chamber, i got chills. this chamber represents the hopes and dreams and aspirations of the american people. it represents the shared values we've had for nearly two and a half centuries. it represents just now exceptional our republic, how exceptional america is. today it is all too easy to take for granted just how exceptional our great nation is. our founders threw off the tyranny of a king with an idea. it was a really radical idea that our rights come to us directly from god, not from a king. and that governments were instituted to protect those rights. it was a brand-new idea. that our rights are ours, that they are endowments from god. not the consent from some government. even today, after 246 years, our founding principles are just as true. these values, like the rule of law, checks and balances, federalism, they're critical to our

. >> senator ricketts, thank you for joining us. senator sullivan, it point. >> ms. fox i want to start with the chart here. this committee room, this is a chart of life expectancy in america and in alaska, particular for the last 25 years, from 1980-2014. use with a blue and dark blue is, , that's life expectancy gog up a lot. actually yellow, orange red actually life expectancy has decreased. that's really sad in america. mostly that is been due to the opioid epidemic that's killed so many americans. but my state, particularly in the real regions, the north slope, interior, the island chain, has had the largest life expectancy increases of any place in the country in the past 25 years. up to 13 years in many of our rural areas. that's a great indicator of policy success. why do you think that happened? >> because speedy hard question but 1980-2014. what else happened in alaska during that time? i'll just answer. we had very big human resource development, oil and gas, mining. so when i get upset about these issues, when federal agencies try to shut down resource de

senator duckworth, scott and ricketts. who each bring valuable and varied experience. senator duckworth demonstrated a long-standing commitment to advancing u.s. national security and values through military service in position on the armed services committee. it's a pleasure to be joined by senator scott, who serves also as a ranking member of the banking committee, which is where he is now. of which i sit on as well. senator ricketts has served as governor of nebraska, look forward to working with all of our new colleagues. on china and other critical issues, the united states faces around the world. and we warmly welcome them to the committee. inside the barbed wires, fences of china's concentration camps, guards force uyghur detecting is to sing patriotic songs, praising xi jinping. to drown out screams from torture, rape and forced sterilizations. show them, quote, absolutely no mercy. president xi said in a secret speech that was leaked to the new york times. for many years, chinese leaders focus was directed inward. that is no longer the case. as we saw with the

senator ricketts who served as governor of nebraska. we look forward to working with all of our new colleagues on china and other critical issues the united states faces around the world. we warmly welcome them to the committee. inside the barbed wires of china's concentration camps, guards force uyghur detainees to sing patriotic songs praising xi jinping to down out screams from torture, rape, and forced sterilizations. show them, quote, absolutely no mercy xi said in a secret speech which was leaked to the new york times. from many years, chinese leaders focus was attracted inward. but that is no longer the case, as we saw with the recent spy balloon passing over the united states. a blatant violation of our sovereignty by a country that claims to be a responsible actor. either this was a huge mistake that some entity within the chinese government or it was a test of our resolve by xi. if it was, he got a clear answer. weather was there is this cancellation a blanket's visit to baylor beijing, or the degree recovered from the atlanti

eliminate the need for logging because the heating value is 3 times higher than conventional water. ricketts on has lower carbon dioxide emissions. pizzeria is i using them in the are of them because of the good burning properties and hefty been amo, once a hammer has nothing but good things to say. and so money feet are, they are magnificent on your order. the smell lovely and also provide very good. he tree bon shanna kandrique. the success story is affecting locations well beyond tonisha in the south of france. esteem treme has been powered by a thing, can be fees olive brick. ah, and how about you? if you are also doing your best, tell us about it, visit our website center. so tweak hash tag during your bid. we share your stories somehow because course line stretches far more than 3000 kilometers and the waters around it a home to an abundance of marine life, including hundreds of shock species. now these practices are often vilified and feared, but they roll in the ocean ecosystems down recognized as extremely important step africa has been a trail blazer in shock conservation. so let's

i think senator ricketts is going to take the gavel. thank you for >> thank you witt -- thank y. >> thank you very much. since senator kelly just got here, i'm going to go ahead and ask my questions. weust had a republican go. if youant to go i can let y go first. >> allight. good morning. still got a couple minutes. thank you for being here. last congress i've worked with senator wish to introduce the water infrastructure modernization act which would divide dedicated epa funding for smart water and wastewater technologies like pipeline leak detection systems and sensors and smart water meters. we are hoping to reintroduce the legislation again and see progress made on the legislation during this congress. for both of you, can you speak to how your systems use smart watetechnologies to reduce water loss and improve system efficiencies and how would additional federal resources such as through the water infrastructure modernization act help water and wastewater systems further deploy these technologies? >> i will gladly take that questi

recipients will lose $98 per month and some households like ricketts' could lose much.of poverty, lowering child poverty by 14% according to the urban institute. inflation on much more than food continues to strain americans. >> we're going from $131 to $238. doilk know how that happens. i'm feeling anxiety about what cuts i'm making and where. i'm sure i'll be going to the food bank. >> roughly three-quarters of food banks report that ending benefits is already driving up demand as donations drop and food costs surge. >> are you worried about keeping one demands? >> we are worried about keeping up with demand. >> reporter: lisa scales heads the greater pittsburgh community food bank which was $2 million over budget in the second half of last year before the s.n.a.p. cuts. >> we're expecting to see a dramatic increase in the number of people we serve each month. >> like jodie sprinkle, a single mom waiting to find out how much her s.n.a.p. benefits will drop. >> it's going to hurt. that's one thing it. ooh is going to hurt. >> reporter: in some states these nonprofits m

pete ricketts joining us from nebraska.k and then treasury secretary yellen says the fdic, not the taxpayers, will foot the bill for the failure of silicon valley bank, buts guess who contributes to the insurance fund? ultimately, taxpayers. we're on it next. ♪ ♪ this isn't just freight. these aren't just shipments. they're promises. promises of all shapes and sizes. each, with a time and a place they've been promised to be. a promise is everything to old dominion, because it means everything to you. what if there was a community of like minded people ready to support you when you need it most? christian health care ministries is an organization with over 40 years of trusted care who understands the importance of family. a group that sees you for who you are, regardless of your health history, offering values based affordable health care cost solutions. learn more today at yourchm.org about health care that puts you in control. (vo) sail through the heart of historic cities and unforgettable scenery with viking. unpack once

well, thank you and i'm going to run and do my vote and i think that senator ricketts is going to take the gavel. thank you. >> thank you very much. all right. so since senator kelly just got here, i'm going to go ahead and ask my questions, if that's okay. we just had a republican go. if you want to go, i can let you go first. >> i'm ready if you're okay with that, senator. >> then i will let you go. >> all right. so good morning. still got a couple of minutes. good morning, everybody, thank you for being here. mr. hayman and mr. sigmund, last congress i worked with senator reisch for the modernization act providing epa funding for smart water and technologies. like pipeline leak detection systems and sensors and smart water meters and hoping to reintroduce this again and see progress made during this congress. so for both of you, can you both speak to how your systems use smart water technologies to reduce water loss and improve system efficiencies, and how would additional federal resources, such as through the water infrastructure modern nation act help water and waste water system

that the senate recess following the ricketts vote until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. further, at 29:30 p.m., the senate -- at-to-2:30 p.m., the senate vote in relation to the cruz amendment and sullivan amendment. and the senate vote on relation to scott of florida amendment and hawley amendment number 40. all previous provisions in relation to the amendment votes remain in effect with two minutes for debate equally divided prior to each vote. the presiding officer: is there objection? hearing none, so ordered. mr. whitehouse: if there is to further to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned following the remarks of senators cassidy, sullivan, rubio and brown. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: without objection. the senator from louisiana. mr. cassidy: as ranking member of the committee that oversees the nomination, i thought it was important to express some concerns that have only grown his her previous nomination. deputy secretary su is currently overseeing the development of anti-worker resolutions dism

colleagues -- senators thune from south dakota, senator wicker from mississippi, senators fischer and ricketts from nebraska, and senator britt from alabama will join me for a series of tours and meetings in the rio grande valley starting this evening. we'll receive a tour of the border from some of the dedicated law enforcement officials who protected -- who protect it. we'll get a look at one of the border processing centers and learn about the challenges they're facing due to the sheer volume of miggens agrees crossing -- volume of migrants crossing the border every day. one reason for this increase is not because of poverty or credit violence in communities in central america, it's because of what the border patrol calls a pull factor. that you can come to america's doorstep and make your way into the united states and live the rest of the your life because there are no consequences to coming to the united states outside of a legal, orderly, human process. that's why we're seeing this unprecedented border crisis; as a result of those policies and that perception, which is reality. we'll ta

as you can see, senators thune, wicker, fischer, britt, and ricketts, joined me for for for a series of tours and meetings in the rio grande value i will this followed a bipartisan visit that we made to el paso and yuma just a few weeks ago. so far i've been happy to host, along with senator cruz, about ten separate delegations to the border. each of those senators saw a beautiful and vibrant region, overwhelmed by the burden it's been handed by the federal government. since president biden took office, border communities and our entire state, for that matter, has been forced to carry the massive weight of a humanitarian and security crisis. border communities are left with no choice but to provide food, clothing, and shelter, medical care, and transportation for tens of thousands of migrants each week. and they're forced to use their local tax dollars towards costs that really should be borne by the federal government. and, of course, they're left to wonder how this crisis is impacting the safety of their communities. during conversations last week, law enforcement officers shared t

. >> senator ricketts. second round i think. >> fst time with this panel. we had administrator fox earlier talking about pfas. i'm going to give you all a question for t entire panel. wh types of tools would be helpful to address impts of water infrastructure -- i am concerned about rural communities when it comes to pfas and wt are some of the tools you have seen thaare going to be helpful as we go through this rulemaking to make sure communities can apply? whichever one wants to start first. >> with pf i think a couple of things. it is important understand what are we looking at. do we understand what the numbers are? we are receiving a lot of new data on pfas so it is important we work closely with scientists and engineers to see what does that really mean. the other part of it is anything we do with pfas is going to be additional cost, additional burden to the ratepayer. this going to be imperative we receive some funding to assist us in making sure we are not putting it upon the ratepayer a bird and they cannot carry or additional bills they would have

one of the earliest kind of pioneers, not ricketts, fought for a scottish parliament in 1911.lution settlement actually on a greater scale than the one that was eventually delivered in 1999. so you know, a huge pioneer, i guess a scottish. let's go . obviously stopping let's go. obviously stopping well short of independence. but he did make a very valuable contribution. i think to scottish political life . was scottish political life. was there any evidence a scottish mp there any evidence a scottish mp the star he would become . the star he would become. absolutely i mean this period he was mp from i said from 1908 to 1922. you know it really the emergence of churchill as a kind of national political figure it was his big breaks in cabinet. you know he was first lord of the admiralty. he had a bit of a difficulty, obviously, with with the dardanelles and gallipoli , the dardanelles and gallipoli, but he a huge national but he was a huge national figure and he really cut his teeth in dundee during lots of pubuc teeth in dundee during lots of public speaking, huge kind of event

one of the earliest kind of pioneers, not ricketts, fought for a scottish parliament in 1911.devolution settlement actually on a greater scale than the one that was eventually delivered in 1999. so you know, a huge pioneer, i guess a scottish. let's go . obviously stopping let's go. obviously stopping well short of independence. but he did make a very valuable contribution. i think to scottish political life . was scottish political life. was there any evidence a scottish mp there any evidence a scottish mp the star he would become . the star he would become. absolutely i mean this period he was mp from i said from 1908 to 1922. you know it really the emergence of churchill as a kind of national political figure it was his big breaks in cabinet. you know he was first lord of the admiralty. he had a bit of a difficulty, obviously, with with the dardanelles and gallipoli , the dardanelles and gallipoli, but he a huge national but he was a huge national figure and he really cut his teeth in dundee during lots of pubuc teeth in dundee during lots of public speaking, huge kind of e

ricketts: my colleagues and i are here to raise again the ongoing crisis at the southern border.his is incredibly important to my constituents and should be important to the united states senate. when i visited the border as a governor and again as a senator, every state is a border state. it's not just me saying that. that's because states across the country, including my own state of nebraska, are dealing with the consequences of this administration failing to secure our border. this crisis is a threat to all americans for many reasons. americans are being killed today because of what's going on at the border. the leading cause of death of americans age 18 to 45 in 20 and 21 was fentanyl overdose. a majority of those drugs are coming to this country from overseas. griffith was a 24-year-old single mom that died in nebraska. she died of a fentanyl overdose. she was out with friends and took a pill she thought was percocet. it was laced with fentanyl. and that's what killed her. terran's youngest daughter was only six months old when this happened. now her two daughters are going

. >> thank, you senator ricketts. first, let me say that i bring greetings from your sister, laura, who's been a longtime friend of mine back in illinois. and to your question, we are still in in the cleanup of the derailment. and that is our primary focus. we need to clean up the site, get the contaminated waste out of there, and then focus on the longer term remediation. there will be an after action report. we will be able to drill in on what lessons we have learned how to do better. but right now, we need to clean up the site as safely and quickly as possible. and ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place to protect human health and the environment. >> all right, thank you, miss shore. i will ask you basically the same questions. so, i am sure you agree that americans should have timely information when there's a catastrophe like this, right? >> yes, sir. it's an emotional issue. and it was a devastating derailment for the folks of east palestine. that's one of the reasons why we set up our family assistan

yeah now, lord ricketts, former ambassador , had observed that if ambassador, had observed that if visitn. but what this done to this attempt to have a rapprochement . france, of course we saw sunak visiting the elysee palace with , macron and trying to rebuild relations and we assume that king charles was was hoping that the soft power of diplomacy help that process . and i mean, it is that process. and i mean, it is really it's sad for franco—british relations. i don't think it's a setback because the king has said he will come and he can. what the french is it? king charles chose france as the first country to come to when his overseas visitors came . this was an visitors came. this was an immense honour that the french, in spite of the fact that they cut off their king's head , cut off their king's head, obsessed with the royal family they are complete fanatics about this, about the king. they used be completely in love with the queen. so the fact that he's had to cancel this trip his first overseas trip as a king, a symbol likely been seen as incredibly humiliating for macron . and,

a ricketts mr. ricketts: some may wonder why the congress has a say in the d.c. criminal code. mr. ricketts: and the reason goes back to the founding documents for our country. d.c.'s very existence is in our constitution which calls for the district to be the seat for the government of the united states. while d.c. is a place where people live and work, it belongs to the entire nation. citizens from all across this country come here. students, for example, to learn about american history. in fact, i was meeting with students earlier today. citizens come here to interact with their elected officials. we're here today because the d.c. city council is trying to make this district, this constitutionally mandate seat of government a less safe place to be able to come and live, work and conduct business. in rewriting the d.c. criminal code, d.c. is trying to make things such as first-degree murder, carjackings, robberies, home invasions, car car jackings reduced for all of to those cri. for the first time in a couple of decades, d.c. has seen two years of 200 or more homicides. last yea

ricketts: it is less than 10 words. it asks that the president check in with our allies in the middle east, iraq, saudi arabia, israel, uae, and let them know what we are dwog with this amendment -- doing with this amendment. i green new agree we should nott hang out there for 20 years. in my trip to the middle east last month, what i heard from our allies is it looks like we're withdrawing from the middle east. it emboldens iran, china and our allies in the middle east to hedge their bets from america and start maybe bringing in the chinese as part of their security arrangements, and i think that's bad for our country and i think we can all agree we do not want china to be leading a world order here. the united states is the best for providing peace and prosperity. this amendment asks the administration to check in with our allies and check in with congress and 30 days after congress, the aumf would expire. i ask that everyone consider that and with that, i yield back. mr. kaine: mr. president. the presiding officer: t

scott 13, ricketts 30, cruz 9, hawley 40, johnson 11.t if offered, the senate vote in relation to the amendments at a time to be determined by the majority leader following consultation with the republican leader on tuesday, march 28. and that 60 affirmative votes be required for the adoption of these amendments without intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: so, mr. president -- the presiding officer: so ordered. mr. schumer: before i finish the rest of the business, i want to explain to everyone what happened. a few moments ago we entered into an agreement that puts the senate on a path to repeal the iraq aumf's by early next week. by filing cloture today, we set up a vote for this coming monday. if cloture is invoked, we will hold votes on additional amendments before final passage. this has been a good process here on the floor. i was asked by several of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to have a reasonable amendment process, and then we could move the bill forward. i think we