Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Ms. Erica Wheelan Heyse, who this June marks 25 years of extraordinary service to the Congressional Award Foundation, Congress's only charity and the highest honor available to America's youth.

Since joining the foundation in 2000 and now serving as National Director, Ms. Heyse has transformed a modest recognition program into a nationwide engine of opportunity. Under her stewardship, the Congressional Award is active in every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories, engaging tens of thousands of young people in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration.

Her impact is best captured in one remarkable figure: 7,528 young Americans have earned the gold medal since 2000 under her guidance, each one a story of commitment, growth, and civic engagement that echoes well beyond the medal ceremony.

Ms. Heyse's vision has always reached beyond accolades. She launched the STEM Stars Initiative, opening doors for girls and rural students to pursue science and technology careers; partnered with Intuit to create a free Financial Literacy Center, equipping medalists with essential money-management skills; and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifted statewide celebrations online so that no young person's achievement went unrecognized.

Colleagues and alumni alike describe Erica's signature qualities, humility, relentless optimism, and an unshakeable belief in every young person's potential. Whether guiding a first-time volunteer in rural Wyoming or briefing corporate and military partners on Capitol Hill, she exemplifies the servant-leadership we seek to cultivate in the next generation.

On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I ask that this tribute be entered into the Congressional Record so that future generations may know of Ms. Erica Wheelan Heyse's remarkable quarter-century of leadership. Her work has expanded opportunity, strengthened communities, and inspired a culture of service that will echo across our Nation for decades to come.

Mr. President, before I talk about digital assets, I want to take a moment to remember Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were tragically, senselessly murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum.

May their memory be a blessing for their families, their friends, their community, and their faith.

Let me be very clear. Anti-Semitism and this kind of hate-fueled violence have no place in our country, no place in the world.

I encourage you all to join me in keeping these families in your prayers in the coming weeks. I am proud to stand in support of Israel during this time.

GENIUS Act

Mr. President, now I will switch to the GENIUS Act.

The GENIUS Act is a watershed moment in how we approach digital finance while also preserving the institutions that have served our Nation for decades.

Digital assets are the future, and it is our responsibility to ensure the United States continues to lead the way. The uncomfortable reality is that our payment system is outdated. Many of our financial rails date back to the 1970s and 1980s, before the internet transformed how we live and work.

When a small business owner in Cheyenne uses a traditional payment system to send a payment to a supplier overseas, they face delays up to 10 days and 2 to 5 percent transaction fees. This isn't just inconvenient; it is a competitive disadvantage to American businesses.

But digital assets change all that. Stablecoins can complete these same transactions in seconds, at a fraction of the cost, 365 days out of the year. The GENIUS Act not only revolutionizes the way we do business but preserves critical financial institutions, and they need this opportunity.

For more than 150 years, our country has maintained both State- chartered and national banks. There are about 5,000 banks; 4,000 of them are chartered at the State level and only 1,000 at the Federal level. This system has been the engine for American economic growth, providing businesses of all sizes with diverse financial services tailored to local needs.

In Wyoming, we have seen firsthand how State-chartered banks serve the specific needs of ranchers, energy producers, and Main Street that might otherwise have been overlooked by larger institutions. We have also seen how the dual banking system permits States, as laboratories of democracy, to thoughtfully integrate new products and services into our banking system.

Wyoming and other States were the first to provide legal clarity for digital assets and show, in great detail, how they can thoughtfully be integrated into our payments and contracts. The GENIUS Act thoughtfully preserves the dual banking system by creating clear pathways for stablecoin issuance under both State and Federal oversight. The legislation also protects and builds upon Wyoming's regulatory framework for digital assets that both protects consumers and promotes responsible innovation.

This legislation, the GENIUS Act, is thoughtful, and it is a balanced approach America needs to maintain and grow our influence in financial advancement, and history will remember how we capitalize on or squander this moment.

American leadership in digital finance is a privilege. Let's ensure it stays in America and not Europe, not Singapore, not China. Let's lead in this innovation, this technology, this advantage to individuals and small communities. We need American values and American leadership to ensure prosperity in the next generation.

Let's get the GENIUS Act passed and secure America's financial future.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, not since President Ford has any President been denied at least some of his nominees unanimous consent for confirmation at this point in their Presidency. That is why I come to the floor today to advocate for one nominee who is sorely needed--her name is Jessica Kramer--to be Assistant Administrator in the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Jess, as we all know her given her time working on the EPW Committee, is solid and as sharp as they come. She previously served as an environmental prosecutor and defense attorney for the Wisconsin Department of Justice, as a government affairs specialist for drinking water and wastewater associations, and as deputy secretary for regulatory programs at Florida's Department of Environmental Protection. She also served in the EPA's Office of Water in the first Trump administration. Her impeccable qualifications are part of the reason she received a strong bipartisan vote out of the EPW Committee, a 15-to-4 vote, including by Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse. Her background check has been available for a week.

There is no reason her nomination should be delayed any longer. President Trump deserves to have his qualified people at his side, and the American people deserve to have their votes mean something.

Therefore, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 89, Jessica Kramer to be an Assistant Administrator of the EPA; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, it is my understanding that her background check is available and has been available for a week. I would ask the Senator from Rhode Island to check with the EPW Committee, where her background check should be available.

One way Americans lose trust in government is when their expectations for that government, as expressed through their votes, are not met. You know, we often talk about how elections have consequences.

I will say that I supported many of President Biden's nominees despite disagreeing with them vehemently. Unfortunately, my friends across the aisle are abusing our constitutional role of advice and consent in unfairly denying the American people the change they just voted for last November.

There is plenty of divisiveness in our Nation right now, but rallying behind someone as qualified and supported by so many Republican and Democratic Senators as Jessica Kramer should be something this body could do.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I have nine requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 3 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on armed services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.

committee on finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a business meeting.

committee on foreign relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

select committee on intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 2:50 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.

subcommittee on disaster management, district of columbia, and census

The Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

subcommittee on strategic forces

The Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 4:45 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 220, S. Res. 221, S. Res. 222, and S. Res. 223.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14; 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, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Calendar No. 84, Katharine MacGregor, postcloture; further, notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:30 a.m.,

the Senate vote on confirmation of the MacGregor nomination, and if cloture is invoked on Calendar No. 42, Michael Rigas, all postcloture time be expired at 2:15 p.m. and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination; and if cloture is invoked on Calendar No. 72, Emil Michael, all postcloture time be expired at 5:30 p.m.; finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks and ask that Senator Hagerty have 7 minutes to complete his remarks before the vote.

Mr. President, I rise today because the United States is behind when it comes to digital assets.

American digital asset innovation has faced a challenging environment, with talent, investment, and development often relocating to more welcoming international jurisdictions like Singapore, Switzerland, and the UAE. These countries have created clear frameworks, specifically designed to attract blockchain ventures while the United States has generally maintained a less defined regulatory landscape that has inadvertently encouraged this exodus of opportunity and expertise.

This week, we have the opportunity to start to change that, and we must grab the reins and ensure that all Americans are able to take charge of their financial futures.

The last White House blocked us, but now we have a President who not only sees the immeasurable value digital assets have but is willing to firmly secure America's leadership in this space.

Before he even took office, President Trump announced he had tapped David Sacks to serve as the White House AI and Crypto Czar, ensuring we maintain America's competitive edge, and issued a blitz of Executive actions targeting heavy-handed SEC tactics slowing down progress.

Under President Trump, we have seen a significant shift in the executive branch's attitude toward digital assets. It is night and day what we experienced under the Biden administration. President Trump's promise to make America the digital asset capital of the world wasn't just lip service; it was a strategic vision--recognizing that dollar- backed stablecoins represent a critical opportunity to extend American financial influence in an increasingly digital world--and a call to action. Decades from now, students will read about the foresight of the President and the 119th Congress in moving this issue to the forefront.

I want to make clear that this is not a partisan issue. I have spent years--years--working with Senator Gillibrand of New York to ensure that we have crafted a bipartisan proposal that can get across the finish line--a lot of late nights, early morning phone calls, thousands of hours of our staffs going back and forth on policy.

I want to thank Senator Gillibrand and her team for all their hard work, for working with my team in good faith, and for always pushing to make this legislation stronger.

We have incorporated feedback from both Democrats and Republicans-- many, many, many, many Democrat amendments. We have been working for days--recently, days--to bring this bill to the floor and to satisfy our colleagues across the aisle. I truly appreciate everyone who has engaged on this issue. We have the opportunity now to be in the driver's seat and install commonsense regulations that are tailor-made for American-based digital asset companies. The digital future is something to embrace. We are witnessing the dawn of a modern 21st century economy that can benefit all Americans through technical innovation.

This Congress, I joined with Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee to cosponsor his Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, or the GENIUS Act--legislation which provides robust consumer protections without sacrificing innovation. And now, thanks to Leader Thune's leadership, the hard work of Senator Hagerty, Chairman Scott, Senator Gillibrand, and our shared commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in this space, we can begin the bipartisan proposal and move it one step closer to becoming law.

At its core, the GENIUS Act protects consumers through mandatory 100- percent reserve backing with U.S. dollars and short-term Treasurys, the monthly public disclosure of reserve composition, and strict prohibitions against misleading marketing.

Put simply, this isn't just another bill. It is a comprehensive framework, ensuring America leads the next generation of financial technology in stablecoins.

Just minutes ago, an American was elected Pope. His name will be Leo XIV--an American leading one of the strongest religious organizations in the world. We should also be leading in financial innovation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today, President Trump completes the first 100 days of his return to the White House, and it has been nothing short of transformational.

Under President Trump and Vice President Vance's leadership, we are witnessing the rapid implementation of campaign promises that are already reshaping America's policy landscape. When I go home to Wyoming each weekend, people approach me everywhere, from restaurants to the feed store, eager to discuss the positive changes happening in Washington. The overwhelming sentiment is enthusiasm for what President Trump is accomplishing for everyday Americans.

For example, on day one, President Trump restored the dignity of men and women as biologically distinct sexes. It is hard to believe he had to do that, but, indeed, he did. One of the administration's first major actions was signing an Executive order directing Federal Agencies to recognize biological sex in athletic competition.

The left spent the past 4 years gaslighting Americans and making the failed argument that biological males should now be competing in women's sports in the name of fairness. Within a few weeks of taking office, President Trump tackled this issue and made it clear that this administration won't support the left's attack on female athletes. I believe this is the women's rights issue of our time, and I am grateful for President Trump's leadership.

For some people my age, we spent so many years trying to exercise our rights under title IX and other rights to recognize women's rights, only to have them swept under the rug and disregarded by the left, requiring that women not only compete against men but have them in their locker rooms in what were uncomfortable and, in some times, unsafe circumstances. President Trump recognized this and, thankfully, has put that issue to rest for a while.

President Trump is also delivering on his promise to unleash American energy dominance. A few weeks ago, I joined President Trump and some of my colleagues at the White House for his signing of an Executive order that starts to reverse the Biden and Obama administrations' anti-coal agenda. For energy States like Wyoming, the official lifting of the unconstitutional coal moratorium represents a significant economic opportunity for western States.

By removing unnecessary restrictions on energy extraction, the administration has signaled its commitment to blue collar jobs, cheaper energy for American families, and a new era of energy dominance.

Joe Biden and his administration didn't care about the impact their regulations have on working-class people. The Trump administration does care, and they are continuing to take action that will help Americans and our amazing energy communities.

Wyoming exports 12 times more energy than it consumes; and much of that is in the form of hydrocarbons. And each and every year, for years after the Clean Air Act passed, we were producing more energy and producing cleaner air. These things can happen simultaneously. And it is because of Yankee ingenuity and it is because we know how to do things better all the time, we don't have to accept the status quo when it comes to energy dominance.

But there were certain people in the Biden administration that forced something called environmental justice, an absolutely trumped-up, dreamed-up idea that we can't have clean energy

and abundant energy at the same time. That is a totally wrong-headed approach to what has always been a great American tradition of ingenuity and entrepreneurs who can take a problem and solve it.

There is such a thing as clean air that can be produced from coal and natural gas, in particular, and I am proud that my State is part of that. I am proud that President Trump recognizes it and that he has taken steps to restore our statutory ability to produce both clean air and abundant hydrocarbon energy simultaneously.

Perhaps the most dramatic turnaround has been at the southern border. Where the Biden administration created chaos, President Trump has restored order--through multiple Executive actions, signing the Laken Riley Act, ending catch-and-release, re-implementing ``Remain in Mexico,'' and more. We have seen border encounters plummet from nearly 380,000 in February and March last year to just 22,000, plus a few, during the same period this year.

The people of Wyoming are grateful to have a President who cares about securing our border and deporting those who are not here legally, especially those from gangs that are causing unsafe communities, horrible crimes perpetuated on the American people--all unnecessarily, if we only followed the laws that were in existence and the statutes that were in existence all along, those laws that President Biden ignored and that President Trump is following and implementing.

For decades, America's leaders have failed our country when it comes to fiscal responsibility, and we in this very Chamber are partly responsible for that. Our $36 trillion national debt represents a real and present threat to America's future.

We all know it is unsustainable. And yet, after COVID, we never went back to pre-COVID spending levels. We have kept spending at post-COVID highs, even though the moneys spent during the COVID years is no longer necessary in our now more growing and robust post-COVID economy.

Most taxpayers don't realize their hard-earned dollars primarily service this massive debt through interest payments rather than funding national defense and essential services. That is why I strongly support President Trump's creation of the Department of Government Efficiency-- DOGE. It was done through a provision in ObamaCare and its subsequent ability to gain efficiencies through efforts that computers can assist us with.

And nobody knows better how to do it than the people who have voluntarily participated through their expertise and ability to identify waste, fraud, and abuse, using the Department of Government Efficiency and their remarkable skills with computers to ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse.

Elon Musk and the DOGE team have already identified a huge number of wasteful programs and abusive expenditures that don't benefit American families. All of us should be proud, in both parties, that the rhetoric that we have used over the years that we are going to pay for things by ferreting out waste, fraud, and abuse and then after elected, don't even try to find waste, fraud, and abuse, has finally come to an end.

Elon Musk and his team have found true waste, fraud, and abuse in government and is identifying it so Cabinet Secretaries can deal with it in their respective Agencies. That is exactly the kind of fiscal discipline that we value in Wyoming--that we all should value as Americans.

After years of the Biden administration's unbridled hostility toward digital assets and cryptocurrency, President Trump is fulfilling his promise to lead the most pro-digital asset administration in history. I could not be more proud. We know that we are moving into a digital future, a digital economy. It is something we should embrace. It is something we can include in a new, modern 21st century economy.

It is not something to fear. But it is something that cries for consumer protections, and our incredible ability that we have as Agencies to disclose matters that should be disclosed to investors and to allow innovation where it makes our ability to do business internationally, faster, cheaper, and more responsible. Through the ledgers, the blockchain's incredible ability to send money all over the world fast and inexpensively helps regular, everyday Americans avoid the tremendous friction that is in the banking system that costs taxpayers money and costs taxpayers time and allows us to do business all over the world in a much less expensive and a robust way.

What a blessing to have an administration that sees the future in this way, that understands the innovation that is at our fingertips and that we can use to go forward in a true 21st-century digital economy.

I am particularly pleased with President Trump's support of my strategic Bitcoin reserve initiative, which will address our national debt while securing America's position as the global leader in financial innovation.

As Bitcoin comes into more usage, its use makes the whole system more secure, more robust, and more capable of serving our needs all over the world. We should be the global leader with this fantastic, new, ledger- based asset that is in a digital format that is going to be transformative of the everyday economy and puts the everyday American-- in fact, the everyday worker all over the world--in control of their own money. What a wonderful blessing for hard-working people all over the world to have this great, new technology and to have America lead the way in implementing this wonderful, wonderful innovation.

Here in the Senate, we have confirmed 54 of President Trump's Cabinet and sub-Cabinet nominees. It has required some long hours--many in the middle of the night, much to our consternation. But our work is far from complete.

The Democrats' agenda threatens to impose crushing tax increases on hard-working Wyoming families and our local small businesses. If the tax cuts that were implemented under President Trump's first administration are allowed to expire, it will create the largest tax increase in history at a time when businesses need the innovation that allows our economy to grow. That can come through a robust, fair tax system. This is something that I look forward to assisting my colleagues in this body to implement in a permanent form and using our current standard practices.

Following years of punishing inflation under the Biden administration, our communities and working families cannot shoulder any additional financial strain, and keeping our Tax Code as is and making it permanent is yet another way of implementing advantages for local working economies.

It also just delights me that President Trump identified just real working Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, who are living paycheck to paycheck, and tried to identify ways to tax-advantage their lives--for example, no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security, no tax on overtime hours. These are things for regular, everyday, working people.

Some people allege that President Trump is trying to help his billionaire buddies. I am not seeing that at all. I am seeing a President who really gets the everyday working American and wants to make sure that as they live paycheck to paycheck and try to plan for their families, there is some relief in store for them with regard to his proposals for taxes.

These first 100 days of President Trump's return to office represent just the opening chapter of America's golden era. Already, his administration has made remarkable progress in securing our southern border, revitalizing American energy independence, cutting wasteful government spending, supporting innovative digital asset policies, and restoring America's rightful leadership position globally.

We know even today that as countries are renegotiating their trade policies and tariff policies with us, there is a newfound desire to find a level playing field, parity, and reciprocal trade agreements that allow for some of our products to go into their economies in ways that acknowledge that the United States has been globally at a trade disadvantage and to try to repair some of those long practices where the United States was participating in free trade and other countries were not. It is time to make it all fair trade. I applaud President Trump's desires to do that hopefully soon so we can get some of the turmoil associated with these important changes to our economy behind

us and restore stability in our economy and our everyday lives.

I anticipate the next 100 days will bring equally significant achievements, and I feel deeply privileged to work alongside this administration and this President.

I served 14 years in the Wyoming Legislature, all with Democrat Governors. I have served 12 years in the Congress, all with Democrat Presidents. This is the first time in my entire life that I have legislatively served with a President of my own party. It is refreshing, it is delightful, and it is even, on occasion, fun.

I feel so privileged to be here with a Republican President who is delivering meaningful results to the people of Wyoming and our great Nation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 423 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Moran substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, 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 Armed Services Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 160, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Sheehy amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, that at 11:30 a.m., the Senate proceed to executive session and execute the order of April 8 with respect to the Atkins and Huckabee nominations and the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Atkins nomination, and if cloture is invoked, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Huckabee nomination; further, that at 2 p.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Hoekstra, Johnson, and Cabrera nominations in the order listed; further, that at 7 p.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Atkins nomination; and following disposition of the Atkins nomination, Senator Cruz be recognized to make a motion to proceed to Calendar No. 17, H.J. Res. 20; finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.