Floor Statements

Madam President, pursuant to S. Res. 27, the Judiciary Committee being tied on the question of reporting, I move to discharge the Judiciary Committee from further consideration of Hernan D. Vera, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Pursuant to S. Res. 27, the Committee on the Judiciary being tied on the question of reporting, I move to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary from further consideration of Jessica G.L. Clarke, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, earlier this evening, Democratic and Republican negotiators finally released, after a lot of hard work, a bipartisan gun safety bill.

This bipartisan gun safety legislation is progress and will save lives. While it is not everything we want, this legislation is urgently needed. As the author of the Brady background checks bill, which passed in 1994, I am pleased that for the first time in nearly 30 years, Congress is back on the path to take meaningful action to address gun violence.

I will now take the first steps to move this lifesaving legislation on the Senate floor for a vote, with an initial procedural vote tonight. Following that, we will move to final passage as soon as possible. I expect the bill to pass the Senate by the week's end.

I want to commend all of my colleagues--so many who worked so hard on this bill--for their diligent and astute efforts to finalize this legislation. I want to particularly single out Senators Murphy, Sinema, Cornyn, and Tillis, who really led the charge to put this together.

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, it is my understanding the Senate has received a message from the House of Representatives to accompany S. 2938.

I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 2938, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to S. 2938 with an amendment.

I ask consent further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I have an amendment at the desk.

I ask consent further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I move to refer S. 2938 to the Committee on Environment and Public Works with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment.

I ask consent that further reading of the motion be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk.

I ask consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

I ask consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call for the cloture motion filed today, June 21, be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 685, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and 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 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22; 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 House message to accompany S. 2938.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it be adjourned forthwith--I like that word--under the previous order.

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

Madam President, today is a historic, long-awaited day for our Nation's veterans. In a few moments, the Senate is finally going to pass the PACT Act--the most significant expansion of healthcare benefits for our veterans in generations. It is officially called the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act because Heath Robinson was one of the many who succumbed to the poisons of toxins that he was exposed to fighting for America.

For too long, our Nation's veterans have faced an absurd indignity: They enlisted to serve our country, went abroad in good health, and came back, only to get sick from toxic exposure endured while in the line of duty.

As many as 3\1/2\ million veterans have been affected by burn pits since 9/11. Yet approximately 80 percent of all disability claims connected to burn pits have been rejected by the VA. So many of our veterans have been fought by the VA after they fought for us, as they try to get healthcare benefits. Many of them had to hire lawyers just to prove their illnesses and then do a complicated legal dance to show what everyone knew: that toxic exposure from burn pits caused all kinds of cancers and other diseases. That was so, so wrong. Indignity. The callousness of forcing veterans who got sick as they were fighting for us because of exposure to these toxins, to have to fight for years in the VA to get the benefits they deserved--well, that will soon be over, praise God.

To these American heroes who have carried on without the benefits they deserve, I have one thing to say: No more. Today, the Senate finally takes action to right this profound wrong.

The PACT Act will finally change outdated rules at the VA that have been in effect for far too long that prevent our veterans from getting the care they need to treat health complications caused by burn pits. It will expand eligibility for VA medical care to make sure veterans get the help they need.

There is even more good news in the PACT Act. It is not just about burn pits, as important as they are. The PACT Act will expand coverage of health issues exacerbated by Agent Orange, which, over the years, I have strongly pushed for in this Chamber.

I want to give deep thanks to Senators Tester and Moran, who worked for months to push this bill over the finish line. Their leadership on this issue has been extraordinary.

I want to thank my colleagues. This is another bipartisan action that is accomplishing something very significant, and I want to thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who supported the bill through its consideration.

Most importantly, I want to thank the many veterans, the veterans service organizations, advocates like Jon Stewart and John Feal, who never gave up on making this change happen. Because of their advocacy, our veterans will finally get the dignity and care they rightfully deserve.

If you want to take the measure of any nation, look no further than the way it treats those who sacrificed everything in the line of duty. Today, the Senate is making sure we treat our heroes the way our heroes deserve to be treated--with dignity, with gratitude for everything they have done to protect our way of life. Gone are the days when veterans will have to struggle to prove and fight to get benefits they deserve.

I thank my colleagues for their work, and I urge all of us to vote yes on this long-overdue legislation.

Nomination of Steven M. Dettelbach

Madam President, now let me talk about something that just happened in the Judiciary Committee.

As we await the completion of the gun safety bill, there is another step the Senate will take today to protect our communities from gun violence. We can move to confirm Steven Dettelbach as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

I want to thank Senator Durbin and the Judiciary Committee for moving this nomination expeditiously.

Later today, I will move to discharge the nomination of Mr. Dettelbach from the Judiciary Committee after his nomination resulted in a tie vote. Based on his record and qualifications, Dettelbach unquestionably deserves bipartisan support, but either way, he is going to move forward.

The ATF has not had a permanent Director since 2015, so confirming Mr. Dettelbach is one of my top priorities before the end of June. We need a fully functional, fully staffed ATF in order for that Agency to fulfill its mission of keeping our communities safe from gun violence.

Obviously, the legislation we are talking about that is being negotiated is very important, but so is having a fully functioning ATF. It is critical we have a fully functioning, fully staffed ATF for the Agency to carry out its mission of protecting our communities from gun violence, and what they do is very, very important. Sometimes it is quiet. Sometimes it is not noticed. But their ability to deal with gun traffickers and so many others who poison our streets with illegal guns that take the lives of our children--the ATF is essential in stopping that, curtailing it, and having a strong, qualified nominee like Mr. Dettelbach will certainly help reduce the scourge of gun violence in this country, particularly because the ATF has not had anyone at the helm since 2015. So I am going to make sure his nomination moves as quickly and speedily through this Chamber as possible.

Gun Safety

Madam President, now on the other issue, the debate on gun safety, this week, the Senate is making progress on a subject that has frustrated this Chamber for decades: meaningful gun safety legislation.

Last night, I spoke with Senator Murphy on the latest round of bipartisan negotiations. Both sides met well into the evening and will be meeting again this afternoon. The work is not finished. No one will pretend that has been easy, but both parties are still working towards a final product. I urge both sides to keep going at it. This is so important to the American people. I am hopeful they will come to an agreement on bill text soon.

Once we have the language for a gun safety bill, I am prepared to make it the next legislative matter considered on the Senate floor. We want to move quickly and decisively to make sure we don't let this opportunity slip away.

Just a month ago, very few could have predicted that this Chamber would make as much progress as we have on a gun safety compromise. Given our recent history, it is hard to blame Americans who feel hopeless that change can happen on this issue. But that is why you never give up--never give up--even after facing so many disappointments. No matter how many times gridlock has taken hold in the past, survivors of gun violence, gun safety activists, people who have lost loved ones, children, have fought and fought and fought. They have visited our office every year, many times. Because of them, we are closer to making real progress than we have been in a long, long time.

The work is not done, but I remain hopeful that we are going to get it done, and I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for continuing their work towards a compromise.

January 6 Hearings

Madam President, now on the Big Lie, today, the House will continue its public hearings on the Capitol attack of January 6. I urge all Americans to tune in and listen to the strong case our House colleagues are presenting.

The dangers of the Big Lie transcend the Capitol attack. This week, many hard-right candidates, who deny the 2020 elections and have little faith in the fidelity of our elections, who may well move to undermine them, have won primaries and will be on the ballot in November.

If you want to know what our country could turn into if they win, look at what is happening right now in New Mexico. Right now, a county commissioner in that State is refusing to certify the results of his county's primary elections because of debunked conspiracy theories involving Dominion voting machines. The votes of over 7,000 people are now in jeopardy, and the State supreme court has been compelled to step in. This is the result of the Big Lie spread by Donald Trump. He cannot accept the fact that he lost. His ego is so huge and infantile that he is undermining American democracy, and too many, often out of fear of Trump and the primary voter acolytes that Trump has, go along with this.

It is happening in too many States. It is a real danger to our democracy. In Nevada, for instance, secretary of state candidate Jim Marchant has said that if he had been in office in 2020, he wouldn't have certified Joe Biden's victory.

That is dangerous stuff. Do my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who go along with this realize that? This undermines the democracy, sacred to all of us--Democrat, Republican, Independent.

America needs to be watching what is happening in States like New Mexico and Nevada because if we are not careful, it will be a preview of greater horrors to come. It is not a partisan argument; it is simply about democracy versus authoritarianism. Many of the things said by some of these officeholders were said by people who then led their country to authoritarian regimes.

It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent; democracy is at risk if we elevate individuals who don't believe in the sanctity of elections.

I urge the American people, regardless of party, to reject these radicals in November because our democracy is literally--literally--on the line.

Ocean Shipping Reform Act

Madam President, finally, on the ocean shipping bill, today is an important day. President Biden will sign the Ocean Shipping Reform Act into law.

Shipping reform is exactly the kind of bill that can make a difference to the American people. It fights inflation. It relieves our supply chains. It will help small businesses and consumers alike.

Our ports need help. The cost of sending a container across the Pacific Ocean is up 1,000 percent. Who pays that? The consumer and the American exporter. Our ports need help. Our supply chains need relief. With today's signing, we can now say help is on the way.

I thank President Biden for signing this bill quickly. I thank my colleagues, Senators Klobuchar, Thune, and Cantwell, for their leadership in the Senate. I thank Speaker Pelosi and my House colleagues for approving the bill earlier this week.

I would say to our friends in the media: No, this has been bipartisan. There hasn't been conflict, but it is important. Please pay some attention to it. Things are getting done to deal with the scourge of inflation.

I yield the floor.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

Mr. President, this is the greatest advance in veterans' healthcare in decades. It wouldn't have happened without Jerry Moran and the amazing work of Chairman Jon Tester who persisted through so many different turns and twists and difficulties. Every veteran in America, every American, should give tremendous thanks to Senator Tester and Senator Moran.

I yield the floor and urge a vote.

Vote on H.R. 3967

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, as we await completion of the gun safety bill, today, the Senate is taking another important step to protect communities from gun violence, moving forward with the nomination of Steven Dettelbach, to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In a few moments, I will move to discharge Mr. Dettelbach's nomination from the Judiciary Committee. After that, I am going to make sure his nomination moves through this Chamber rapidly.

The bipartisan gun safety legislation currently being negotiated is crucially important but so is having a fully staffed ATF. And my colleagues, listen to this: We haven't had a Director of ATF since 2015. Gun violence is ripping through the Nation, killing so many, and we still don't have a Director of ATF. That is just outrageous, at a time when we need one more than ever.

At a time when Americans are sick and tired of our country's gun violence epidemic, we should be sprinting--sprinting--to confirm someone whose job would be precisely to keep Americans safe from gun violence, and that is exactly what the new ATF Director will do.

The ATF may not always capture the spotlight, but it is vital in stopping gun trafficking, in preventing illegal possession of firearms, and making sure our kids can't get their hands on dangerous weapons.

It is still so confounding to realize we haven't had somebody there because people have blocked it since 2015. An organization as important as the ATF absolutely needs to have a Senate-confirmed Director in place, and though we haven't had one in 7 years, we are going to change that very, very soon.

Having a strong, qualified nomination like Dettelbach will certainly help reduce the scourge of gun violence in the country.

So, once again, after I move to discharge Mr. Dettelbach, I am going to make sure his nomination moves rapidly through this Chamber. We need to fill this vacancy that has been blocked by the other side far too often.

Now, pursuant to S. Res. 27, the Committee on the Judiciary being tied on the question of reporting, I move to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary from further consideration of Steven M. Dettelbach, of Ohio, to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I yield back all time on the motion to discharge.

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

Mr. President, we continue a productive week here on the Senate floor.

Today, the Senate will take another step closer to passing the largest veterans' healthcare bill in decades, the Honoring our PACT Act. In a few moments, the Senate will vote to adopt the substitute amendment and then immediately vote on cloture on the bill, bringing us to the brink of passing this long-sought piece of legislation.

Frankly, the Senate should come to an agreement to finish the PACT Act work A-S-A-P. We should pass this bill as soon as we can and finally tell our veterans that the long wait for their well-earned benefits is over.

Let me say it again.

There is no reason not to finish the PACT Act A-S-A-P. Our Nation's veterans have waited long enough for this bill. Since 9/11, nearly 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to toxic burn pits in the line of duty. Scores of Americans went off to serve our country in perfect health only to come back home and get sick from toxic exposure, and when many of these veterans applied to the VA for healthcare benefits, they oftentimes discovered that they didn't qualify.

It is a confounding indignity for our Nation's heroes to sacrifice everything for our country only to come home, get sick, and discover that the VA ain't there for them--they have to fend for themselves.

What kind of message does it send to future veterans when we can't guarantee they will get the healthcare benefits they rightfully deserve and when the VA will not deal with injuries that occurred on the battlefield because of toxic burn pits and other issues? With the PACT Act, we have a chance to answer that question with a resounding yes.

Question: Well, if I enlist, am I going to really be taken care of when my service is complete?

We are going to have a chance to answer that question with a resounding yes. Yes, we will take care of you. Yes, we will make sure you can live healthy and dignified lives. Yes, we will keep our promise to protect our veterans just as they have sacrificed everything for us.

No great nation can dare afford to turn its back on the multitudes who have served our country. No veterans

should ever have to carry the burden of treating complications from toxic exposure all by themselves, and we can change that simply with a vote on this bill.

Let us pass the PACT Act with all due haste. We have a moral obligation in the Chamber to get this done.

Nominations

Now, Mr. President, on the nominations front, we are moving ahead with confirming President Biden's critical and well-qualified nominees.

Later today, we will vote on the confirmation of Alan Leventhal to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.

Later this week, once we conclude the PACT Act, we will also move forward on the nomination of Mary Boyle for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, whose confirmation would give that Agency a Democratic majority.

We will also soon vote to confirm another historic judicial nominee, Ana Isabel de Alba, to serve as a district judge for the Eastern District of California. Judge de Alba will be the first ever Latina to serve as a Federal judge in California's Eastern District, joining the more than 65 qualified judicial nominees that this majority has confirmed under President Biden.

I am proud of the historic progress this Senate Democratic majority has made in confirming well-qualified and diverse nominees to the executive branch, to independent boards, and to the Federal bench, and we are going to keep going.

Gun Legislation

Mr. President, on gun safety, Democrats and Republicans continue negotiations over the legislative text for the first major gun safety bill to pass the Senate in 30 years.

Just a few weeks ago, such an effort would have seemed unimaginable. If there were any issue that encapsulates the gridlock of the past few decades, gun safety would be near the very top of the list. For too long, Americans have gotten used to a frustrating pattern--tragedy strikes; families grieve; but gridlock in the Senate ensues.

Perhaps this time--hopefully, this time--it will be different. Many in this Chamber are working, right now, in the hopes that it will be different. We are not over the finish line yet, but there is a real hunger to finally accomplish what has escaped the Senate for far too long: passing meaningful gun safety reform.

Again, not too long ago, this debate would have been hard to have fathomed, but despite the long odds, we gave negotiators space to do their work. I am glad we did because we now have the best chance in decades to act on gun violence. I spoke to both Senators Murphy and Cornyn this morning. They are eager to get the text completed. There will be meetings all day long in the hopes that we can get the text done so we can put it on the floor as soon as possible and get it passed. If we can prevent even one death from gun violence in the future, our efforts at this moment will have been worth it.

Gun safety is near and dear to my heart. As the Acting President pro tempore knows, three decades ago, I was a proud author of the Brady Bill in Congress, which won the support of many Republicans and even law enforcement. Back then, I argued we had to get something done because the American people were sick and tired of the insanity and inaction of gun violence as much as they are today. After years of trying, we succeeded back then, but it wasn't on the first try. Yet we enacted a bill that, very likely, saved tens of thousands of lives. There are many, many people--thousands or tens of thousands in all likelihood--walking the streets today because we passed the Brady Law.

Today, the American people are similarly sick and tired of the insanity of the gun violence happening every day across the country. Just thinking about all of the shootings we have suffered over the years is exhausting and debilitating: Columbine, Virginia, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Las Vegas, Orlando, El Paso, Charleston, Atlanta, Buffalo, Uvalde. The list keeps going on and growing. The American people have had enough. They want us to move forward.

If the Senate can come up with a bill that embraces the bipartisan framework, we are going to save lives. I promise that, once the text is done, I will put it on the floor as soon as possible, so I encourage my colleagues to keep working. As I mentioned, our Senators on both sides of the aisle will be working diligently all day to try and come up with the final text as soon as possible. We don't know the next time we will have a chance to make meaningful progress on gun violence, so we have every reason in the world to get to yes.

Elections

Mr. President, on the elections of last night and election deniers, a year and a half after the 2020 election, Donald Trump's Big Lie is alive and well, unfortunately.

Last night, hard-right candidates who believe the last Presidential election was stolen--it is so incorrect, with no factual basis. But these people with these beliefs were elevated into the general election. Many of these candidates are running in critical swing States and running for offices that will have outsized influence in managing future elections.

The example of Nevada's secretary of state race is especially bone chilling. Jim Marchant--a far-right radical, who openly believes that the 2020 election results were illegitimate, who believes the Big Lie-- is now running to be the top elections official in Nevada. Mr. Marchant is someone who openly thinks Donald Trump should be the President right now, and if he wins in November, he will be Nevada's most important election official and would pose a direct threat--a direct threat--to the democratic process in that State.

He must be rejected by the people of every political persuasion. It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent, a liberal or a conservative or a moderate. Democracy is at risk if we elevate individuals who don't believe in the sanctity of elections. That is the road to authoritarianism, to dictatorship. This isn't a partisan argument. Undermining democracy endangers all of us-- Democrats, Republicans, Independents. If the proponents of the Big Lie are elected to office, they pose a direct threat to our democratic way of life.

The January 6 hearings have made it abundantly clear that even Donald Trump's inner circle knew the Big Lie was utter garbage, so it is nothing short of horrifying to see that radicals who profess the Big Lie are gaining strength across the country.

I urge the American people to reject the credo of lies pushed by Donald Trump and his cronies and, whatever your party, to vote this November for men and women who will safeguard our democracy and preserve the sanctity of our elections. Without it, our country could be on the road to ruin.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, as we speak, the U.S. Senate is working on something not seen since the time we passed the Brady bill I authored nearly three decades ago: a bipartisan effort to draft meaningful gun safety legislation.

For decades, the rhythms of the gun debate in Congress have followed a dispiriting pattern: a mass shooting takes place somewhere in America, innocent people are slaughtered, families grieve and demand action, but gridlock takes over, and nothing--nothing--gets done. This was the cycle of inaction after Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, Orlando, Charleston, Parkland, El Paso, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and so many others. But after Uvalde and Buffalo, perhaps--perhaps--this time could be different.

To many Senators on both sides, this debate certainly feels different. With Sunday's announcement of a bipartisan framework for gun legislation, we are further down the road to gun safety reform than we have been in a long time.

I spoke with Senators Cornyn and Murphy this morning, and they updated me on their progress. They are working with the urgency the situation demands, and they are hopeful the legislative text can be finalized in the coming days.

I have assured my colleagues that once we get legislative text to a gun safety bill, I will move to hold a vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible.

I hope that in the very near future, Democrats and Republicans can take the real momentum of the past few weeks and translate it into something that has escaped this Chamber for decades: voting on and passing long-sought gun safety reform.

It is a rare opportunity for the Senate. So in order to reach our goal, we have to keep working with the same urgency and good faith that has carried us this far.

For sure, the bipartisan framework is far from perfect, but if passed, it will unquestionably save lives and would be the most significant action on guns that the Senate has taken in nearly

three decades. If passed, it would enhance background checks for those under 21. It will help States with their red flag laws, preventing shootings before they happen. It will make it harder for domestic abusers to acquire a weapon by closing the boyfriend loophole.

Significantly, this framework also calls for new punishment for gun traffickers. We all know one of the biggest weaknesses in our country's gun laws as they are today is that anyone can buy a gun in one State and then simply smuggle it into another. We could begin to fight against that with stiffer penalties on gun trafficking.

Of course, this framework will help lower crime and reduce gun violence in our neighborhoods by increasing funding for mental health as well. And even on its own, funding for mental health with great increases in mental health problems that we see after COVID is very much needed.

Taken together, the policies outlined by the bipartisan framework would be an important first step to saving lives. It would lay the foundation for a more sensible approach to gun safety in the future. It certainly is not everything Democrats want, but if we can save even one life--one life--our efforts will have been worth it.

I hope that very soon the Senate can break the cycle of violence, grieving, and gridlock that has held firm for far too long. This is the best chance we have had in years to finally tell the American people that, yes, after the horrifying tragedies of Uvalde and Buffalo, this time--this time--will be different.

We have more work to do so I urge my colleagues not to let this precious opportunity slip away.

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

Madam President, yesterday, Democratic and Republican negotiators announced an agreement on a framework for bipartisan gun safety legislation, bringing the Senate one step closer to finally-- finally--responding to the plague of gun violence that afflicts our Nation and terrorizes our children.

For the first time in a long time, the Senate has a path forward on legislation that will save lives, reduce gun violence, and keep our communities safe.

Make no mistake about it, we have a lot of work left to do before we actually pass a bill, but yesterday's announcement was a positive and necessary step in the right direction.

Now comes the important work of turning this framework into legislation and legislative language that can pass Congress and be signed by the President. We must continue working with the urgency that this moment demands because, if we can save even one life from gun violence, it will well be worth it.

Once the text of this agreement is finalized, and I hope it will be as soon as possible, I will put this bill on the floor, quickly, so the Senate can move quickly to make gun safety reform a reality.

As I said, I will put this bill on the floor as soon as possible once the text of the final agreement is finalized so the Senate can act quickly to make gun safety reform a reality. So I urge my colleagues to continue working with the same good faith and urgency that has brought us to this point.

Certainly, yesterday's agreement does not have everything Democrats wanted, but it nevertheless represents the most significant reform to gun safety laws that we have seen in decades. If enacted, this legislation will make it harder for mass shooters to access assault rifles by enhancing background checks for those under 21. It will prevent tragedies before they happen by helping States with their red flag laws. It will prevent gun violence at home by closing the so- called boyfriend loophole and establish new penalties for gun traffickers. It will make our neighborhoods safer by investing in mental health and community violence intervention programs. The lion's share of gun violence happens outside the national spotlight, and these intervention programs are some of the most effective ways to reduce crime and make our communities safer.

Altogether, this framework is a good and necessary first step towards changing the reality of gun violence in America. It will lay the foundation for future action. Most importantly, this legislation will go a long way toward saving lives.

I want to thank Senators Murphy, Sinema, Cornyn, and Tillis for working assiduously on this framework.

Senator Murphy asked me for space to let the negotiators do their work, and I was glad to give it to them because we knew that any chance of getting something real done on gun safety was worth the effort.

I also want to thank my colleagues who were part of the bipartisan guns working group, including Senators Blumenthal, Manchin, Coons, Heinrich, and others.

I want to thank all the advocates, families, and volunteers who lost loved ones, who shared their stories, who marched to make a change. Without the advocates, the families, and the volunteers who lost loved ones, this bill wouldn't have happened because year after year after shooting after shooting, they didn't give up. They persisted, and it helped bring us to this important moment.

For decades, families across the country have seen the same dismal pattern play out whenever a mass shooting strikes the Nation--tragedy followed by inaction. From Columbine to Virginia Tech, to Sandy Hook, to Las Vegas, to Parkland, to Buffalo, to Uvalde, and to so many others, gridlock has prevented Congress from bringing solace to families in grief.

But no matter how many shootings have traumatized this Nation, these families have never given up in their hope of making change happen. Rather than curse the darkness, these families have responded to tragedy by lighting candles. They have shared their stories, they have marched for change, and they have done everything in their power to make sure no other parent, spouse, or sibling has to suffer the pain they have felt and live with every day.

The same is true for all the advocates, and there are so many groups who have worked on gun safety. Many members of these groups are survivors of gun violence. I have a person on my staff who is a survivor of Aurora. They all worked tirelessly for years to enact commonsense gun safety laws.

Despite decades of frustrating gridlock, I hope that yesterday's announcement brings some sense of accomplishment to these grieving families and to all of those who have marched and protested and written letters and tweeted because it is thanks to them we are at the threshold of progress.

Nearly 30 years ago, I was the author of the Brady background checks bill, and that was the last time Congress took meaningful action to address gun violence. It was a different era back then, but the lesson of that experience remains relevant today: The right law can decrease gun deaths. I believe that there are tens of thousands of people alive today because the Brady law was passed in 1994. They don't know who they are, we don't know who they are, but it is virtually certain that that law saved thousands and thousands of lives.

I urge my colleagues to think of all the lives we can now save by turning this framework into law. Americans have waited long enough for us to take action. Too many lives--too many--have been already lost. Too many families--too many--have been left grieving.

While we can't undo the tragedies of the past, we can act now to make them less likely in the future. If this framework is enacted into law, it will do precisely that, and I urge all of us to continue working to pass gun safety legislation soon.

Honoring our PACT Act of 2021

Madam President, now on the PACT Act, as negotiations continue off the floor on gun safety reform, today, the Senate will move forward with the most significant expansion of veteran healthcare benefits in decades--in decades. In a few hours, the Senate will vote on cloture on the substitute amendment for the PACT Act, which Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran have been working on for months. It is my hope that we can finally pass this legislation in the next few days, well before the week is out.

The changes outlined by the PACT Act are long overdue. It would make sure any veteran suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty could get the VA benefits they deserve. It would end the indignity that too many veterans face right now of carrying the burden of toxic exposure on their own and being forced to jump through hoop after hoop after hoop by the VA before they can get any benefits, and many of them never get them. As many as 3\1/2\ million veterans could benefit from the reforms brought about by this bill.

I urge my colleagues to keep working so we can push this bill over the finish line A-S-A-P because both sides want it, our veterans deserve it, and the veterans service organizations--the VSOs--have been telling Congress for years that change is needed at the VA. So before the week is out, the Senate should do its job and pass this bill.

Shipping Reform

Madam President, now on the shipping bill, a few months ago, the Senate unanimously passed legislation to fight inflation by fixing unfair shipping practices that are clogging our ports and straining our supply chains. Tonight, the House will finally act on that bill and send it to the President's desk.

Inflation is the greatest frustration America has right now, and backlogs at our ports are one of the biggest drivers of price hikes that we will address through this bill.

By now, we have all seen pictures of scores of ships lining up in ports from Las Vegas to Savannah, to Seattle, to New York and New Jersey. These backlogs have not only caused great harm for American exporters trying to send their products out into the world, they have also skyrocketed the price of goods coming into this country. The backlogs create a brutal double whammy that ultimately leaves American families paying the price.

I applaud Speaker Pelosi and all of my House colleagues for taking action on this shipping reform bill, and I want to thank my colleagues here in the Senate--Senators Klobuchar and Thune, the authors of the legislation; Chairwoman Cantwell, who shepherded it through; and others for their leadership when this bill was before the Senate.

By reforming unfair shipping practices, Congress is taking a much needed step to lowering costs, clearing our ports, and relieving supply chains. I thank all of my colleagues for a job well done.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 969.