Floor Statements

Madam President, we are living in the twilight of Roe v. Wade and the incredibly important protections for Americans that flow from it. For almost 50 years, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution safeguarded women's access to critical reproductive healthcare, including abortion, and rightly so. Most American women have never lived without the ability to control their bodies, their health, and their families' economic well-being.

As we learned last week from a draft opinion, the Supreme Court is poised to strip away these fundamental freedoms from women around the United States by overturning its own precedents. This would be one of the very few times in American history when the Court has taken away rights rather than expanding them. If this draft stands, young women today will have fewer choices than their mothers and grandmothers had.

The Senate has an opportunity to pass Federal law to protect the right to choose across this country. I urge my colleagues to take and pass this legislation and do what a large majority of Nevadans and Americans want: to let women make their own decisions.

Here is what could happen if the Supreme Court draft becomes law. If the Supreme Court overturns longstanding precedent in June, the right to choose will immediately cease to exist in about 18 States, and others will act quickly to pass new bans on critical care. And within months, restrictions on reproductive choice will be in place in approximately half of the States, meaning that around the world, half of the women around the country, half of the women of child-bearing age will not be able to get critical care where they live.

The women who have the money and the time will travel to States like mine that have legal protections for reproductive healthcare. In Nevada, we are already seeing women traveling from Texas, where an extreme law offers a $10,000 reward to vigilantes targeting anyone who ``aids and abets'' abortions.

If Roe falls, it would automatically trigger abortion bans in neighboring Idaho and Utah as well. We will see women traveling from Nevada to those States too.

But the vast majority of women seeking reproductive care won't even have the option to travel for care. We know what happens to these women. The research shows that when people cannot get essential reproductive care, their physical, their emotional, and their economic health suffers, as does the health of their families. They can face life-threatening pregnancy complications and long-term health impacts.

This Court decision will strip away women's power to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. That means women will not have the same control over their lives and bodies as men do, and that is just wrong.

Nevadans understand something fundamental about the right to choose. The fact is that you can never know what circumstances another person faces until you walk in their shoes. That is why most Nevadans want to preserve women's freedom to decide what healthcare they receive. They know it is not right to impose their own beliefs on others when Americans have such divergent religious views, economic and family circumstances, and medical histories.

This is why family planning is so important. We have seen it again and again over the years. Far-right, extreme Republican lawmakers want to target the entire spectrum of reproductive healthcare and family planning services.

The laws they are proposing in States like Louisiana and Tennessee would keep women who want to become pregnant from getting fertility treatments. They could stop women who are raped from getting the morning-after pill to prevent a potential pregnancy. These laws could block access to contraception for women who have painful menstrual cycles or other health conditions or who simply don't want to have a child.

It seems that these effects on women don't matter to many on the far right, including Mitch McConnell, who is already discussing a nationwide abortion ban that could threaten even Nevada's legal protections.

That is why my colleagues and I are standing up for legislation that will codify women's reproductive freedoms into Federal law. The Women's Health Protection Act will preserve the right to choose nationally and ensure that women have access to critical care.

If we want our daughters to grow up with the same freedoms we have had for 50 years, we have to act now. We need to stand up for women in America and trust them to make their own decisions about their health, their families, and their lives.

I believe in American women, and that is why this fight for us is now.

I yield the floor.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, on February 3 of this year, at 4 in the morning, outside of Reno, callers told police that there was a car on fire on the shoulder of the interstate. Inside, officers found the body of a 23-year-old woman named Anna Marie Scott. She had been murdered by an unknown assailant.

This is Anna--as you can see, a beautiful, beautiful young girl. She was a beloved daughter and a sister and a devoted mother of two young children. She was also a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. And she joins a long and tragic list of Native women who have gone missing or been murdered, leaving families desperately waiting for answers.

Families like Anna's will tell you one of the worst things about a tragedy like this is that they never had a chance to say goodbye to their loved one. Another is knowing that decade after decade, the United States has not done enough to protect Native women, leaving families all over Indian Country searching for answers.

A National Institutes of Justice study found that an unbelievable 84 percent of Native women experience violence in their lifetimes, along with 81 percent of men. It also reported that Native women are almost twice as likely as White women to have been the target of violence in the past year. These numbers confirm what Native communities have known for years: Native people are vulnerable, and they can be taken from their families at any time.

In 2020, I secured passage of two bipartisan bills with Senator Murkowski, who we all know is a tireless advocate for Native communities, to finally create a national strategy to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked Indigenous women and girls. The Not Invisible Act instructs the Bureau of Indian Affairs to coordinate Federal efforts to address the epidemic of violence in Native American communities.

It also mandates a commission made up of Tribal, State, and local law enforcement, service providers, representatives of Federal Agencies, Tribal leaders, and survivors and family members.

The other piece of legislation, Savanna's Act, which we passed, requires the creation of guidelines for law enforcement on how best to keep Native women safe, and it improves reporting of violent crimes against Native people and strengthens vital access to Federal crime databases.

These two laws create powerful tools that will help curb violence against Native people. But they cannot fulfill that mission if they are not implemented by the executive branch. And to date, the administration has missed too many deadlines mandated by statute for putting the legislation into effect. That is why this week, I sent a letter, with Senators Tester and Murkowski, to the administration urging them to implement key provisions of our bipartisan bills.

Now, I am thrilled to share that, today, Secretary Haaland announced the members of the Not Invisible Commission, which now can begin its work. This is excellent news, and I appreciate this and other important steps the administration has taken to address the problem.

But there is still more we need to be doing to implement the policies Congress has passed that will make a difference on the ground for so many families. That includes issuing Federal

guidelines to help local law enforcement with best practices to protect Native communities and implementing the data collection needed to address the crisis. The work must continue because families continue to wait.

Just as I call on this administration to do more, I am committed to doing more myself. My office is working to reintroduce legislation that I cosponsored with Senators Udall, Tester, and Murkowski last Congress to improve coordination and data-sharing between Tribal and Federal law enforcement.

My congressional colleagues and I have, this year, once again introduced a resolution recognizing May 5 as a day of awareness for the crisis of missing and murdered Native women and girls. But let's be clear: A day of awareness is for those who don't know about the problem. Indigenous families in Nevada and across the country are only too conscious of the risks their sisters, brothers, cousins, and children face. And they are looking to Congress and to this administration for concrete progress in the long way for justice.

I will keep fighting for that justice and for Anna. But I am here to say to our Congress and administration, let's not have any more Annas. Let's do the right thing for these families and individuals.

Mr. President, today I recognize Robert ``Bob'' Edgar Rose, who passed away on February 14, 2022. Bob served as Nevada's 26th Lieutenant Governor and as chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his invaluable contributions to the State of Nevada.

Bob grew up in Livingston, NJ. After law school, Bob moved to Nevada to clerk for the Nevada Supreme Court. He then went on to practice law in Reno before serving as chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party and as Washoe County district attorney. In 1974, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. During his decades of service to the State of Nevada, Bob made a difference in every role in which he served.

As Lieutenant Governor, Bob worked to safeguard the rights of all Nevadans. He strongly advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment to ensure equality under the law for women. Despite political backlash at the time, Bob cast the deciding vote to send the amendment to the Nevada Assembly in 1977. Although Nevada did not ratify the amendment until 2017, Bob was recognized for his early leadership in this fight for equality. This important vote may have cost him the chance to be Governor, but Bob believed in doing what was right. Following Bob's term as Lieutenant Governor, Governor Richard Bryan appointed him to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas.

In 1988, Bob achieved his lifelong dream of winning a seat on the Nevada Supreme Court. During his 18 years on the bench, he led efforts to modernize and improve Nevada's judicial system. Bob helped establish the Nevada Judicial Assessment Commission and the Jury Improvement Commission. Additionally, he pushed the court to mandate a statewide seminar on standardized practices for domestic violence cases. Nevada became the first State in the country to require such judicial training. In recognition of his many accomplishments and contributions, the Nevada Supreme Court awarded Bob the first Legacy of Justice Award in 2009.

At every opportunity, Bob demonstrated his strong commitment to justice. I know that his courage, integrity, and dedication to the rule of law will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with Bob's wife, Jolene, and with his family and friends during this time of loss.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4119, introduced earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank COL Katherine ``Kat'' Miller for her years of service to the people of Nevada. She leaves behind a powerful legacy of public service and dedication to our military and Nevada's veterans.

Kat Miller grew up in Reno, NV, and after graduating from Reno High School embarked on a 34-year career in the Army and Nevada National Guard. Among her many contributions to our Nation's Armed Forces are her service on four continents and deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Kat was something of a trailblazer serving in multiple leadership positions and commanding thousands of staff as a military police brigade commander in the U.S. and Afghanistan and as the commander of the Department of Defense's largest correctional organization. After retirement from the Army, she taught at the University of Maryland and the University of Nevada, Reno before becoming the director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services-- NDVS--in 2013.

Nevada has benefited immensely from Kat's directorship of the NDVS. Under her watch, the NDVS made huge strides for our State's veterans. Notably, NDVS assisted the Governor and Nevada mayors in their efforts to reduce suicide among veterans and their families, created nine programs to support unique or at-risk veteran populations, trained hundreds of healthcare providers in understanding how dementia and the aging process affect the care of veterans, and created a program to help employers recruit and retain veterans.

Kat also successfully led the NDVS in applying for over $70 million in Federal grants for veterans' programs, including for nursing home creation and improvements, cemetery expansions, disabled veterans sports programs, rural transportation initiatives, and telehealth equipment. Under Kat's directorship, the NDVS received five national awards for these innovative veterans support programs: the Nevada Veterans Advocate Program, the Nevada Veterans Legislative Program, the ``Ask a VSO'' Program, Operation Mission Ready, and the Patriot Employer Program. Furthermore, last year, Kat was appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee to help identify barriers to access to healthcare in rural areas and recommend solutions to the Veterans Affairs secretary.

The list of Kat's achievements and contributions to the State of Nevada and the U.S. Army goes on and on. I have no doubt that Kat's legacy of service will continue to leave a powerful impact on the lives of many veterans in Nevada for years to come. She has my deep thanks.

Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a distinguished lawyer, educator, and loving husband, father, and grandfather, Ralph Bennie ``Ben'' Graham, Jr. Ben passed away on February 3, 2022. He leaves behind a powerful legacy of public service and dedication to Nevada's criminal justice system and legal community.

A Washington State native, Ben moved to Las Vegas in 1977 and worked as a prosecutor at the Clark County District Attorney's Office. After 31 years, Ben retired as chief deputy district attorney. Throughout this time, Ben also represented the Nevada District Attorneys' Association, the Nevada Supreme Court, and the Administrative Office of the Courts in the Nevada Legislature. In these roles, he lobbied to improve Nevada's criminal laws and the State's judicial system. Outside the courtroom, Ben taught courses on criminal justice at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law and the Community College of Southern Nevada, providing invaluable lessons for our Nation's next generation of lawyers.

Throughout his career, Ben placed a great focus on the well-being of members of Nevada's legal community. In 1986, he cofounded Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, LCL, a confidential program dedicated to helping members of the Nevada bar recover from substance abuse issues. In large part due to Ben's mentorship, countless attorneys were able to obtain the assistance they needed to heal and move forward in their legal careers. Ben received numerous awards in recognition of his service with the program.

Nevada has benefited immensely from Ben's commitment to the legal profession and community. Earlier this year, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak recognized Ben's contributions to the State by proclaiming February 17, 2022, as ``a day in honor of Ben Graham.'' Many in the Nevada Legislature remember Ben for his kindness and generosity, as exemplified through his famous chocolate chip cookies, which he annually gifted to colleagues and friends. Whether it was through his baking skills or charitable efforts, Ben improved the lives of those who knew him in the Silver State.

I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Ben for his significant impact in Nevada. I celebrate Ben's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Elana; his children; grandchildren; and his family and friends during this difficult time.

Mr. President, I ask that the Senate proceed to executive session and vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 684, the nomination of Cristina Silva, under the previous order.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, this week, the Senate considers two outstanding nominees to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. They have my full support and the support of Senator Rosen, and I urge the Senate to confirm them.

Nevada's Federal bench has had vacancies since 2016 and 2018, so the need is urgent. Senator Rosen and I have carefully reviewed the records of the President's nominees, Judge Cristina Silva and Professor Anne Traum, in cooperation with the bipartisan judicial commissions in our State.

Both of these women have the skill, the dedication, and knowledge of the law to serve Nevadans and the Nation as district court judges. Judge Cristina Silva held leadership positions at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, where she became the first woman and Latina to serve as chief of the criminal division and worked on the investigation into the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas.

Since 2019, she has been a judge on the Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas. Nevada has benefited immensely from Judge Silva's public service, and I am confident she will continue that service on the Federal bench.

Professor Anne Traum has served as an attorney for civil courts in the U.S. Attorney's Office, as an assistant Federal public defender, and as a practitioner who has argued more than 30 cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

She currently teaches at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law, where she directs the law school's appellate clinic in working on cases before the Ninth Circuit and the Nevada Supreme Court.

Professor Traum's record, as both a practitioner and as an academic, will make her a strong addition to the U.S. District Court.

These two nominees have received the support of many in Nevada's legal community, including former Republican Governor Brian Sandoval, a former Federal judge himself. They have demonstrated their commitment to justice, the law, and to their community.

They represent the best of Nevada, and I will vote for them enthusiastically, and I ask and call on my colleagues to do the same.

I yield the floor.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 794, 795, 796, and 797; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc, without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 193, S. 120.

I further ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute be withdrawn; that the substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 551, submitted earlier today.

I know of no further debate on the resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that the preamble be agreed to and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m. on Monday, March 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed

to Calendar No. 282, H.R. 4521, America COMPETES Act; further, that the cloture motion filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m.