Floor Statements

Mr. President, 4 years ago today, our Nation took the historic step when the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturned the so-called right to end a baby's life in America and returned the authority to regulate abortion to the people. Since then, the abortion industry has intensified its efforts to convince women that pregnancy is inherently dangerous and harmful to their health. While pregnancy can involve complications, those cases are the exception; they are not the rule. Yet these exceptions are often used to justify abortion at every stage of a pregnancy, including a growing number of at-home abortions, using mail-ordered mifepristone, without having direct physician oversight.

Here is the truth about chemical abortion: First of all, this regimen is not safer than Tylenol. A woman can experience anywhere from a month to 6 weeks of bleeding after taking the abortion pill regimen-- horrendous bleeding that is significantly heavier than usual. It is especially dangerous for women who are already anemic with low blood counts. Nearly one in nine women who take these drugs will suffer a serious adverse event, such as sepsis, hemorrhaging, infection, or emergency surgery, within 45 days of ingesting the pill.

Chemical abortion can also pose a serious threat to women's future fertility or even their lives when they are not screened through an in- person doctor visit for conditions like an ectopic pregnancy, and a woman who has a chemical abortion has a 300-percent increase in having a preterm birth in future pregnancies--a 300-percent increase.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act puts commonsense safety protections back into place by at least requiring an in-person doctor visit before being prescribed mifepristone, which is designed to abort a baby. This drug should never be administered through the mail, where abusers and traffickers can hide behind a computer anonymously.

While I cannot stress enough the importance of correcting misinformation about abortion drugs and reinstating the safety protections that the Biden administration recklessly removed, we also need to flip the abortion industry's entire script by highlighting something too often overlooked: the extraordinary benefits of pregnancy for women.

Pregnancy is nothing short of remarkable when you consider everything that must fall into place perfectly to conceive, sustain, and deliver a healthy child. While the process can feel overwhelming, women's bodies are uniquely equipped for this lifegiving role. The resilience and strength demonstrated through pregnancy and childbirth are incredible and empowering.

For example, pregnancy is often described as a marathon--and for good reason: A woman's cardiovascular strength expands when her pregnancy is carried to full term, and her risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke are significantly reduced later in life. From the long-term well-being that motherhood can inspire with a commitment to healthier habits to the protected effects of breastfeeding associated with the reduced risk of breast cancer, these changes offer life-sustaining gifts.

In fact, research suggests that women who have children later in life often experience greater longevity. Women's bodies were seemingly designed to break the limits and then keep going.

As we continue to build a life-affirming society in this Dobbs era, our ongoing challenge is to continue championing the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of pregnancy and of motherhood.

Mr. President, as if in legislative session, and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3697; further, 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, reserving the right to object. Mr. President, I object.

While my colleague's bill seemingly aims to assist expecting mothers with the burdensome cost of pregnancy and childbirth, I would like to point out that this legislative effort is not designed for success, and it has zero bipartisan support.

However, bipartisan support in this arena is possible, and I am so grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have worked with me on the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act. I introduced this effort last year with Senators Kaine, Gillibrand, and Hawley to insulate expecting parents from the high cost of pregnancy and childbirth by eliminating cost-sharing requirements for prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, or post-partum healthcare. Bringing a child into the world is costly enough without piling on cost-share fees that saddle many mothers and families with debt. The bill would take away some of the burden for childbearing generations.

My hope is that if we can relieve the financial stresses associated with pregnancy and childbirth, more families will be encouraged to embrace the beautiful gift and the responsibility that comes with parenthood.

Mr. President, I rise to call attention to a serious barrier in our healthcare system, one that

hinders too many Americans from accessing the medications and the treatments that they need. Across the country, patients and providers alike are increasingly frustrated by prior authorization requirements imposed by insurance companies. Too often, these requirements override the medical judgment of doctors who know their patients best.

I have had oncologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, and many other medical professionals visit my office to share their ongoing concerns and how prior authorizations are disrupting care. They are trained experts; yet their decisions are being second-guessed by insurers.

The result is deeply concerning. Many patients are denied or delayed access to the medications and services that their physicians have prescribed because they know those treatments are effective based on their many years of medical education and clinical experience.

And the delays are not minor. Patients are often forced to wait days, weeks, or even months for critical care which, in many cases, will still be denied in the end. There are simply too many unnecessary hurdles standing between a patient, the doctor, and the care that they need.

I am a proud cosponsor of the Safe Step Act, which would allow patients to access appropriate treatments more quickly by bypassing dangerous or ineffective ``fail first'' prior authorization requirements.

I have also cosponsored the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, which would modernize and streamline prior authorization for Medicare Advantage patients. This timely access legislation would deliver realtime decisions for routinely approved treatments, increase transparency around CMS approvals and denials, and replace outdated paper-based systems with electronic prior authorization.

These are practical bipartisan solutions. In fact, 68 Senators have already joined me in support of this effort.

Despite this, the issue persists. We must act with urgency. Every day we delay is another day patients are left wanting for care, waiting for care that they need and deserve. I urge my colleagues and the administration to prioritize this issue and move swiftly to address it.

Every day we delay is another day that insurance companies will continue making decisions on behalf of medical professionals, which they have no business doing whatsoever.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, National Police Week serves as a solemn reminder of the courage and sacrifice shown by the men and women in law enforcement who lost their lives in service to others. This week, we set aside time to honor their memory and recognize the families, friends, and fellow officers who continue to carry their loss with strength and grace.

Behind every officer is a family that serves alongside them. They share in the sacrifices, the uncertainty, and the responsibility that comes with a life of public service. These officers are more than public servants. They are parents, neighbors, mentors, coaches, and leaders who play an essential role in the communities they call home. In my home State of Mississippi and across the country, we are so proud of these dedicated individuals who serve with integrity, professionalism, and honor.

This year, we honor the three Mississippi officers whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, three heroes who protected our communities and whose legacy will live on.

We remember: Joshua Brashears, a Jackson County Sheriff's deputy who died from injuries after his patrol vehicle struck several horses on a dark road in Stone County on October 17, 2025. He served in law enforcement for more than 21 years and is survived by two children and his parents.

We remember: Martin Shields, Jr., a Hinds County deputy who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call on February 23, 2025. After serving with the Jackson and Ridgeland Police Departments, he sadly only served with Hinds County Sheriff's Department for 9 months before his death. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

And we remember: Bryan Pippin, a Jackson police officer who passed away from COVID-19 complications. He served with the Jackson Police Department for nearly 20 years, often working parades in the motorcycle unit.

We honor the memory of these fallen officers and stand beside their families with enduring respect.

As we remember those we have lost, we also must continue supporting those who serve today. That means ensuring law enforcement has the tools, resources, and support needed to do their jobs safely and effectively, while also showing appreciation for their sacrifices.

To every officer serving our communities, know that we recognize your service and the sacrifices inherent with ensuring public safety. During National Police Week and every week throughout the year, let us stand together in gratitude for all who protect and serve.

May God bless our fallen officers, the families who miss them, all who wear the badge, and the United States of America.

Mr. President, every April, faithful Americans come together in prayer and thanksgiving to celebrate Faith Month. I embrace the unique opportunity that we have to recognize this time and acknowledge one of the foundational virtues of our great country. I also commend Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations for encouraging people to use this month to actively strengthen their faith.

A group of courageous Americans met in Philadelphia 250 years ago to sign a document declaring the birth of a new nation, one ``conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.'' Thus was born a nation that became the greatest force for prosperity, goodness, justice, and freedom that the world has ever known.

Those words were only made possible by a culture founded on faith. Generations before that clandestine meeting, the Pilgrims, fleeing religious persecution in their European homelands, sailed to the shores of Massachusetts. They undertook a perilous journey to an unknown world in pursuit of the right to freely worship God. Ever since, that right has been central at the heart of the American experience.

Our Founders understood that belief in God was key to the success of the new Nation. When tensions ran high at the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin proposed that the delegates begin each day with prayer, arguing that ``God governs in the affairs of men.'' John Adams believed that our Nation could not function without faith, famously writing that ``Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.'' Thomas Jefferson promoted and attended regular church services

here in the Capitol, recognizing that faith was a core part of the Republic.

The United States is the result of a people, a society, steeped in the tenets of the Christian faith. America as we know it would not exist otherwise. Only through Christianity can men be created equal in the image of their Creator. Only through ultimate allegiance to a God in Heaven can a people declare themselves free of the yoke of tyrannical, earthly governments. By accepting ``the Laws of Nature'' established by ``Nature's God,'' we can claim to have inalienable rights that are not granted by any legislative body.

On this, our 250th anniversary as a nation, we look back to our beginning, rooted in faith in God. By our continued steadfast trust in Him, we see how richly we have been blessed. Americans have reached heights no nation has ever dreamed of, from the wild Western frontier to the surface of the Moon, the eradication of slavery and the fight against communism, by the animating spirit of faith.

Yet millions around the world do not have the freedom to practice their faith that we do here. As we celebrate Faith Month in America, there are Christians in Nigeria, Syria, and Bangladesh having their churches burned, their businesses destroyed, and their families tortured or murdered simply for their belief in Jesus Christ. We can never take for granted the blessed freedom that we have as Americans.

Though the faithful here do not face that level of persecution, the erosion of faith's influence in our society is evident. The climbing rates of abortions, the declining numbers of marriages, confusion over sexual reality, normalization of assisted suicide, the loss of Christianity's moral foundations are sadly more apparent.

As we look forward to the next 250 years, we must remain diligent against efforts to further remove faith from the public square. Let us remain on guard against those who wish to restrict this most cherished right of freedom to worship, which has made America great.

This Faith Month, I join Concerned Women for America and millions of Americans to celebrate our shared Christian foundations. We thank God for the riches our Nation has enjoyed so far, for the blessing it is to live in a country that cherishes the right to worship freely. May we hold steadfast to our national motto, ``In God We Trust,'' and continue to look for guidance from Him who has made this Nation great.

Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the SAVE America Act.

The principle at the heart of this legislation could not be simpler. It is not confusing, and it could not be more important. American elections are for American citizens. The fact that we are even here debating this tells you everything you need to know about how far some in this great country have drifted from common sense.

I have been fighting for the integrity of our elections for a long time. As a senator in the Mississippi State Legislature, I voted multiple times on the record to establish voter ID requirements-- something Mississippi voters eventually approved as part of a citizen- led initiative.

Photo IDs have been required at the polls in Mississippi since 2014. And let me tell you something, the Civil Rights Division of the Obama Department of Justice reviewed Mississippi's voter ID law, deemed it lawful, and never took a single legal action against it--because it is lawful, it is fair, and it works.

Despite naysayers' argument that a photo ID requirement would place undue burdens on the elderly, the poor, and the minorities, it continues to work with voters able to show or acquire a legally recognized photo ID. Did voting rights in Mississippi collapse? No. Did democracy in my State end? No.

Mississippians vote, and our elections are decided by American citizens who have greater public confidence in the integrity of our electoral system. That is the issue before the U.S. Senate today.

For years now, we have heard Members of this body, pundits, and politicians lecture the American people about the very real threat posed by foreign interference in our elections, and they were right to be concerned. Foreign interference in American elections is a serious matter.

So let's talk about foreign interference. Foreign interference in our elections is more than misleading or false posts and news stories planted online or in the media by foreign adversaries. Foreign interference has another form. If you are a citizen of another country and you participate in an American election, you are interfering in that election on behalf of a foreign nation. It is as simple as that.

Right now, today, noncitizens are taking advantage of loopholes to register and vote in American elections without ever proving they are a legal citizen of this country--no documentation, no verification.

And it is happening all over this country: in Oregon, in Pennsylvania, Montana, Arkansas, Virginia, New Jersey, the District of Columbia--the list goes on. Illegal aliens can obtain a driver's license in 19 different States. And in many of those same States, that driver's license can be used to register to vote--no proof of citizenship required.

The American people are not naive. They see what is happening, and they have been asking us--demanding of us--that we do something about it, and they are right. It is happening, and it is past time to do something about it.

The SAVE America Act does something about it. It requires proof of citizenship to register and vote in Federal elections.

That is not radical. That is not voter suppression. That is a basic, commonsense safeguard that a big majority of Americans support because we all know that we all have to show a legal photo ID to do most anything in this country.

The bottom line is that every single vote cast by noncitizens dilutes the vote of a real law-abiding American citizen. That is not rhetoric; it is math.

We can debate a lot of things in this Chamber, but we should not be debating whether American elections should be decided by Americans. The answer is yes.

For a dozen years, Mississippi voters have produced photo IDs before they vote, and they do so with the knowledge that this simple act helps to ensure the integrity of their vote.

This is the same goal at the heart of the SAVE America Act. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Let's defend the ballot box and restore confidence in our elections.

The right to vote in this great Nation belongs to the citizens of this great Nation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I join my colleague Senator Roger Wicker to draw the attention of the American people to the widespread devastation caused by Winter Storm Fern. This powerful storm has affected millions of Americans across the country, but its effects were especially severe in the South, a region not typically equipped to manage prolonged snow, ice, sleet, and dangerous winter conditions.

This storm was particularly devastating in Mississippi, a State that simply lacks the infrastructure and equipment necessary to respond to a storm of this magnitude. We are just not prepared, and certainly don't know how to drive on the roads during this time.

Tragically, Winter Storm Fern has claimed the lives of at least 26 Mississippians as of February 2. Each loss is heartbreaking and comes with so many stories, as Senator Wicker reflected upon.

The breadth and severity of this disaster have left swaths of the Delta and north Mississippi with landscapes littered with shattered trees and downed power lines. Line crews in this bitter cold from Mississippi and other States are making steady progress in restoring power to nearly 200,000 families and businesses that lost power. While we applaud that progress, it may still take another week to fully connect everyone, especially in more rural counties that lack resources. Long-term recovery, of course, will take much longer than that.

I am grateful for the strong response from our State and Federal partners. More than 600 Mississippi National Guard soldiers are on extended deployment after performing critical missions, including road clearance, refueling operations, distribution of goods, and conducting welfare checks.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is assisting with welfare checks and emergency calls in Alcorn and Tippah Counties that were hit so hard.

Numerous State agencies are playing vital roles in the response, including the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Department of Transportation headed by Brad White, Mississippi State Department of Health, and Mississippi Forestry Commission. FEMA has also been on the ground, providing $3.75 million in rapid emergency funding from generators to tree removal and other urgent needs.

I want to also recognize the extraordinary contributions of volunteer organizations--we certainly feel better when we see them pull up-- including national groups like the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, and Christ In Action, as well as countless local organizations whose help has been invaluable to our State.

These accolades cannot overshadow the resiliency and kindness of individual Mississippians who are simply looking out for each other to overcome yet another natural disaster.

Still, the work is far from finished. I, along with fellow members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, strongly support Governor Reeves' request for a major disaster declaration, and we encourage President Trump to approve it swiftly.

I ask my colleagues and the American people to keep the people of my State and everyone harmed by Winter Storm Fern in your prayers.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, today, we are also voting on another important effort to protect pregnant moms: Senator Moody's Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This bill would empower young women in college by ensuring that they are supported throughout pregnancy to continue their higher education.

Earning a degree is just one of the many ways a mother can prepare herself to be a strong role model for her children, and any mother would tell you that few things are more motivating than learning that you are about to become one. We should remove every obstacle that stands in the way of that motivation, and the Pregnant Students' Rights Act aims to help clear the path to success.

I look forward to standing with my pro-life colleagues to send a clear message to expectant mothers across the country: We support you at every stage of life, and you are deeply admired for your drive to become the best role models for your children.

I yield the floor.

March for Life

Last week, tens of thousands of Americans of all ages, from across the country, gathered in our Nation's Capital to march for the most vulnerable among us: preborn children. I am so proud to live in a country with such a strong and resilient pro-life movement. While we have experienced many ups and downs in the cause for life, one thing has never changed: We have never given up.

The fact that the March for Life has endured for 53 years speaks volumes about our Nation's heart and soul. Deep down, we know that protecting those who cannot defend themselves is the foundation for every meaningful cause in today's society. That conviction is why so many of my pro-life colleagues step forward to lead legislative efforts to protect vulnerable preborn babies and their mothers.

Today, I am reintroducing one of those efforts. The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would protect vulnerable women and their preborn children from the real dangers of chemical abortions.

The chemical abortion regimen is falsely advertised to be safer than Tylenol. Tragically, many women have learned otherwise. Nearly 11 percent experience serious or life-threatening complications such as sepsis, hemorrhage, infection, and emergency surgery within 45 days of ingesting the pills.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would restore commonsense safety protections, including requiring an in-person doctor visit before mifepristone is prescribed. This drug should never be administered through the mail, where abusers and traffickers can exploit others.

Until these safety protections are restored, I want to speak directly to any woman who is considering taking the abortion bill: Please reconsider.

I thank my colleagues--30 pro-life Senators--who are joining me in reintroducing the SAVE Moms and Babies Act. It is so important. Until these safety protections are restored, this is so important.

Last week, tens of thousands of Americans of all ages, from across the country, gathered in our Nation's Capital to march for the most vulnerable among us: preborn children. I am so proud to live in a country with such a strong and resilient pro-life movement. While we have experienced many ups and downs in the cause for life, one thing has never changed: We have never given up.

The fact that the March for Life has endured for 53 years speaks volumes about our Nation's heart and soul. Deep down, we know that protecting those who cannot defend themselves is the foundation for every meaningful cause in today's society. That conviction is why so many of my pro-life colleagues step forward to lead legislative efforts to protect vulnerable preborn babies and their mothers.

Today, I am reintroducing one of those efforts. The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would protect vulnerable women and their preborn children from the real dangers of chemical abortions.

The chemical abortion regimen is falsely advertised to be safer than Tylenol. Tragically, many women have learned otherwise. Nearly 11 percent experience serious or life-threatening complications such as sepsis, hemorrhage, infection, and emergency surgery within 45 days of ingesting the pills.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act would restore commonsense safety protections, including requiring an in-person doctor visit before mifepristone is prescribed. This drug should never be administered through the mail, where abusers and traffickers can exploit others.

Until these safety protections are restored, I want to speak directly to any woman who is considering taking the abortion bill: Please reconsider.

I thank my colleagues--30 pro-life Senators--who are joining me in reintroducing the SAVE Moms and Babies Act. It is so important. Until these safety protections are restored, this is so important.

Mr. President, I rise to call attention to a critical safety issue that affects every American who travels our roads and highways.

Across the country, we are seeing a disturbing rise in deadly accidents involving large commercial trucks driven by individuals who should have never been behind the wheel to begin with, often foreign nationals in the country illegally who exploited weaknesses in our commercial driver's license or CDL system.

We have seen the video of the horrific crash in Florida where an undocumented immigrant driving an 18-wheeler made an illegal U-turn on the interstate, killing three Americans who should be with us here today.

In mid-October, a semi-truck driver in California, in the United States illegally, with an immigration detainer notice, was accused of being intoxicated when he slammed into multiple vehicles, killing three people and injuring several more.

Sadly, incidents like this are becoming far too common, and we must ask why. The answer lies in failed policies.

Under previous Democratic administrations, safety enforcement was weakened, loopholes were opened, and fraudulent CDL issuance went unchecked. Under the Obama administration, inspectors were directed to issue citations rather than take unsafe commercial vehicle drivers completely off the road--a policy decision that has resulted in loss of life.

Meanwhile, open border policies of prior administrations would have allowed illegal immigrants to enter the United States freely which, combined with lax Federal oversight, has let some States issue CDLs without proper language or competency testing.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration audit prompted by President Trump found that multiple States issued nondomiciled CDLs improperly to unqualified, often foreign drivers, even in some instances allowing them to keep licenses after their legal status expired.

In the Florida case, the FMCSA investigation revealed that the driver had failed the English language proficiency test, answering only 2 out of the 12 verbal questions correctly. Yet multiple States still allowed him to hold a valid CDL and operate a commercial vehicle on our roads.

The ongoing FMCSA audit revealed systemic violations by many States-- including California, Washington, and New Mexico--that simply fail to follow Federal laws and regulations as they issue CDLs, which has resulted in greater threats to public safety.

After Secretary Duffy's criticism about California's lack of policy enforcement and threat to revoke Federal funding, California announced the revocation of 17,000 CDLs that were given to immigrants without valid visas. This means California has been allowing thousands of unqualified drivers to

operate throughout the country. I thank this administration and Secretary Duffy for taking action to hold States accountable for their mistakes.

While some States look the other way, my home State of Mississippi has tried to rein in this abuse in the trucking industry. Mississippi has taken decisive action and, in just the last 3 months alone, has identified 85 illegal drivers and referred them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The State of Mississippi does not issue nondomiciled licenses and strictly enforces English language proficiency testing to keep our roads safe. My State is doing its part, but States cannot do this alone. The Federal Government must close these loopholes and enforce the law.

As chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, I successfully included language in the fiscal year 2026 bill and report that builds upon the President's Executive order to strengthen English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers.

I am also a proud cosponsor of Senator Marshall's Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act to ensure all applicants for CDLs must pass the English proficiency test in English and not in any other language.

This commonsense measure would help guarantee that all truckdrivers can read traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement, and understand directions clearly and safely.

In addition, I cosponsored Senator Moody's Safer Truckers Act, which restricts the issuance of CDLs to only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals who are authorized for employment by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services.

These are commonsense reforms to restore integrity, accountability, and safety to our highways. At the same time, I commend the Trump administration for taking action on this front, particularly Secretary Noem and law enforcement officials who recently carried out Operation Midway Blitz.

This enforcement action led to the arrest of 223 illegal aliens, 146 of whom were truckdrivers. And just a few weeks ago, ICE announced the arrest of a man from Uzbekistan with a Pennsylvania CDL who was allowed in our country by the Biden administration even though he was wanted by the Government of Uzbekistan because of his links to a terrorist organization.

Needless to say, seeing ICE and State law enforcement come together to make America's roads safer is a step in the right direction. Republicans in the Senate and this administration remain committed to protecting American lives and keeping our roads safe. One key to do that is to ensure CDL holders are here legally and are proficient in the English language and can actually read road signs.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to highlight a growing crisis that threatens our farmers, rural communities, food security, and our national economy. I am concerned that as American agriculture and rural communities face very hard times, many Americans are unaware of the stakes ahead.

Here is the bottom line. American agriculture is in serious trouble, and Congress must act now with short-term assistance.

That is not hyperbole. I continue to hear from producers in Mississippi and across the country that the numbers don't add up and the outlook is grim. Without immediate action, we risk losing not only farms but also the rural communities and the food security they provide. This is no longer a warning; it is an emergency.

Over the past three crop years, rising input costs for seed, fertilizer, fuel, labor, and more have collided with falling commodity prices and high interest rates. Even with strong crop yields this year, many farmers are facing losing between $100 and $400 per acre. For a 2,000-acre farm, that is a financial hit in the hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars in losses. Farm bankruptcies have already surpassed last year's total, and if we do not step in, that trend will accelerate.

The ripple effect is real. In small towns across America, family farms are the economic engine. When farms thrive, so do local grocery stores, schools, equipment dealers, banks, and churches. When farms fail, the community fails with them. Jobs disappear. Families leave. Main Street goes silent.

We have seen this before. In the 1980s, a generation of farmers was nearly wiped out by high interest rates, collapsing markets, and inadequate safety nets. Today's producers are starting to feel those same pressures. Bankers, economists, and lenders are sounding the alarm again.

While we may differ on policy, we must agree on the urgent need to act while we still have time to do that. The significant updates we secured in the reconciliation process this summer will strengthen the farm safety net, and I am proud of that progress. But those changes won't take effect until next fall. That is too late for many farmers already on the brink. We need short-term assistance now to help producers survive the coming crop year.

Let me be crystal clear: Farmers do not want a handout; they want a fair shot.

Food security is national security. We cannot afford to lose a generation of American farmers or become dependent on foreign countries to feed and clothe us. That is a risk that we cannot take.

Over the long term, we know American agriculture will be stronger if we secure fairer trade deals and build stable markets at home and abroad.

Our competitors--China, Argentina, Brazil, and others--are moving aggressively. I believe that if we don't act quickly, we will lose vital export opportunities and long-term stability for our producers.

In this world of global competition, we must revive American-grown cotton to be the center of our supply chains, providing reliable markets for our producers and bolstering industries that depend on cotton.

I introduced the Buying American Cotton Act to help us get there by incentivizing U.S. retailers to produce, purchase, and manufacture American cotton here at home. This legislation would help secure a resilient, self-reliant, and prosperous cotton industry for the future by reinforcing our supply chain--from farm to textile, to market--and by reducing our reliance on cotton produced under forced labor practices and environmental destruction.

I call on this body to consider this legislation as we seek long-term solutions to the problems that beset American farmers today.

I am encouraged by the bipartisan work underway to complete a 5-year reauthorization of the farm bill, which is long overdue.

Last winter, we secured farm support funding, which was a lifeline for many of our farmers this crop year, but the crisis hasn't passed. Farmers are still facing impossible choices about whether they can afford to plant next year or even to stay in business at all. I fully support ongoing work to provide additional Federal bridge funding before the end of the year to ensure more of our family farms can stay in business.

We all represent different sectors of American agriculture, but the crisis does not discriminate. It spans commodities, regions, and party lines. What matters now is that we come together with urgency and with purpose.

Our farmers are counting on us. It is time for Congress to meet the moment before it is too late.

Mr. President, as our Nation and its allies mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day that formally ended World War II, it is with profound respect that I call attention to U.S. Marine Corps Corporal William ``Billy'' Byrd of Richland, MS, an American hero whose bravery at Iwo Jima exemplifies the highest ideals of American valor.

As a young rifleman in one of World War II's fiercest battles, Billy Byrd showed remarkable courage and resilience. Landing among the first waves on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, 18-year-old Billy and his fellow marines faced a determined enemy in what was expected to be a short campaign. Instead, it became a grueling 36-day struggle, marked by staggering losses.

Despite the overwhelming odds and the constant threat of death, Billy and his fellow marines fought with unwavering courage, inching forward under fire. The capture of Mount Suribachi, immortalized in the iconic photograph of the flag raising, became a lasting symbol of hope amid the carnage.

Even after enduring the horrors of Iwo Jima and the loss of many comrades, Billy answered the call again, volunteering for service in the Korean war. His commitment speaks volumes about his character and devotion to our country.

Marine Corps veteran Billy Byrd, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on September 17, stands as a living testament to the strength, courage, and selflessness of the American fighting spirit. He represents the best of Mississippi and the best of America.

Like so many families in our great country, Billy's service was borne out of a fierce sense of patriotism. His father served in the Army in WWI, and all five Byrd brothers served in the military.

The anniversary of the formal end of the Second World War is a touching reminder of the hard-fought peace secured by brave Americans like Billy Byrd. And the legacy of their sacrifice endures in the freedoms that we enjoy today.

So it is more than appropriate that fellow veterans, family, friends, and others will celebrate Billy Byrd's 100th birthday on September 17 and honor his extraordinary life and service. While his beloved wife Louise is no longer with us, Billy's daughter Kristen will be there to help spread his story, which reminds us of the true cost of freedom and the lasting debt we owe to all who serve.

On behalf of the people of Mississippi, my Senate colleagues, and the entire Nation, I join in wishing Mr. Byrd a very happy 100th birthday. May his legacy continue to inspire generations with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication.

Let us all strive to live lives worthy of the sacrifices he and so many others made to protect our freedom.

Mr. President, I know of no further debate.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, it is a profound honor to pay tribute to the late U.S. Air Force Colonel Carlyle Smith ``Smitty'' Harris of Tupelo, Mississippi, an American hero who spent 8 years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam.

A courageous Air Force pilot who was shot down behind enemy lines, he displayed remarkable bravery and heroism enduring torture, solitary confinement, and abuse in the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton.''

Colonel Harris' strength and determination left an indelible mark on American history. Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris enlisted in the Air Force in January 1951 and earned his pilot wings in 1953. After years of advanced pilot training and as a flight instructor, he was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in 1964.

On April 4, 1965, while flying the F-105 fighter-bomber over North Vietnam, his plane was shot down behind enemy lines. He was captured immediately and forced to march to the nearest village, surrounded by angry and armed captors. He had no idea what horrors awaited him in the infamous Hoa Lo prison, better known to most Americans by its nickname: the ``Hanoi Hilton.''

As the sixth American pilot captured in the air war over North Vietnam, Colonel Harris joined the ranks of hundreds of other American prisoners of war, including future Senator John McCain and Medal of Honor recipient George ``Bud'' Day, who would suffer years of brutal captivity. While imprisoned, Colonel Harris displayed profound ingenuity and resilience. He recalled the Tap Code--an old World War II-era method of communication by tapping on water pipes--and teaching it to his fellow POWs. The Tap Code became a vital lifeline for the POWs, allowing them to maintain contact, boost morale, and resist their North Vietnamese captors' efforts to isolate them. Colonel Harris is credited with helping to save hundreds of lives by preserving the prisoners' sanity and fostering a sense of unity amid brutal conditions. His sacrifice, endurance, and leadership exemplify the highest ideals of service and heroism.

Equally inspiring is the strength and faith of his wife Louise Lambert Harris, who gave birth to their third child just 42 days after her husband's capture. Through all the years of uncertainty and separation, Louise remained a steadfast source of hope, not only for her own family but for other POW families as well. Her encouragement and support served as a beacon for others enduring similar hardship.

Colonel Harris was finally released from captivity on February 12, 1973, and retired from the Air Force in 1979. For his bravery and service over the course of his military career, he earned numerous decorations, including two Silver Stars, three Legion of Merits, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars for valor, two Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, and two Commendation Medals.

After his release from captivity and meeting his 8-year-old son for the first time and reuniting with his two daughters who were now young ladies, Harris and Louise vowed never to waste another day. They faithfully kept that vow, constantly living life to the fullest and cherishing their lives together. Following his service, this son of Mississippi earned degrees in law and banking. He became a community leader and an advocate for veterans and youth. In 2019, he wrote the bestselling book, ``Tap Code, The Epic Survival Tale of a Vietnam POW and the Secret Code That Changed Everything.''

Colonel Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris, a man of deep faith, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Tupelo, MS. He was a true Mississippi hero whose courageous service helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.

I join everyone from around the Nation who honor Smitty Harris' extraordinary life, his legacy of resilience, and his contributions to our Nation. I also express my deepest condolences to Louise, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

May Colonel Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris' story continue to inspire future generations to serve with honor, courage, and compassion.