Floor Statements

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize the remarkable life of Dr. David Wherry.

Born in Pawnee City, NE, he was the son of the former Nebraska Senator Kenneth S. Wherry, who served as the minority leader here in the U.S. Senate.

Dr. Wherry attended Doane College in Crete, NE, before enrolling at the U.S. Naval Academy.

He then chose to go into the medical profession.

Little did he know the major impact he would have in this field.

After graduating from George Washington University with his medical degree and completing his surgical training, he was commissioned as a Medical Corps officer in the U.S. Air Force.

He then moved overseas for his residency, taking a position as a surgical doctor at the 7559th USAF Hospital in Burtonwood, United Kingdom.

He spent more than 2 years there before returning to the United States to become a teacher at George Washington University and later also at Georgetown University.

After years of teaching, Dr. Wherry returned to Active Duty during Operation Desert Storm and retired in 1993 as a colonel.

Following his years of service to our country, he returned to teaching and academic research.

Dr. Wherry became renowned in the medical world as a leading innovator in minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the gallbladder.

In his research in this area, he published over 50 manuscripts, 3 book chapters, and produced 2 films.

Additionally, he helped found laparoscopic cholecystectomy courses for servicemembers and trained thousands of military surgeons.

I want to note that Dr. Wherry was one of the first doctors in the United States to perform colonoscopies, making him a leading expert in this procedure that is performed on so many Americans and is vital in helping to detect and catch diseases like colon cancer.

International work was important to him, and he was successful in helping bring humanitarian aid to hospitals in the Philippines.

He also collaborated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USUHS, and with the University of the Philippines/ Philippine General Hospital in bringing surgical residents to do scientific research at USUHS as well as arranged exchanges between medical students for training purposes.

He wanted to share and expand on his work by collaborating with others, so he helped found the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.

He was a member of the Societe Internationale de Chirurgie and International Biliary Association.

On top of all of these efforts, he continued to be a senior surgical consultant to the medical division of the U.S. Department of State.

His work and dedication to improving surgeries around the world and for our military men and women has been recognized by the State Department and the Department of Defense.

Both agencies presented him with their Meritorious Honor Award.

In addition to his place as a leader in the medical world, he was also a dedicated husband and father.

His wife, Azucena ``Ceny'' Wherry, was an RN whom he married in 1975.

His son, Kenneth D. Wherry, followed in his father's footsteps and joined the military to serve his country, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Dr. David Wherry represents the best of Nebraska.

He was a hard worker who was not afraid to put in long hours.

Because of his dedication to studying and advancing medicine, he changed the world for the better.

I join all Nebraskans in honoring Dr. Wherry's life and recognizing his faithful service to our Nation and his incredible contributions to medicine.

Mr. President, every Senator depends on their staff to provide them with information and advice on the issues. Every Senator knows the importance of having good staff who can respond to the questions and concerns their constituents may have in dealing with the Federal bureaucracy. And every Senator believes that their staff members are the most prepared, the most conscientious, and the most caring people in the U.S. Senate.

I know that my staff is. I have been fortunate with the people who have joined my team to work for the great State of Nebraska. I have been extremely fortunate that Joe Hack has been a member of Team Fischer since my very first day as a U.S. Senator.

Joe officially joined my team as my communications director on that first day. He was not new to the Senate; he had first arrived here as an 18-year-old intern. On our first day in 2013, he immediately got to work with his new boss in getting out press releases, reaching out to State and national media, and helping me continue my practice of writing a weekly column for media back home.

Joe never missed a beat. He helped guide me through the traditions and inner workings of the Senate and through the tunnels of the Russell Building.

After 2 years, Joe Hack became my chief of staff, the youngest chief in the Senate at that time. Joe set the tone I wanted for my office: Be professional, take your job seriously, be honest, get along with your colleagues, always respond to constituents, gather all the information we need on an issue and then get more, and work hard. Joe's closing to every email and every staff meeting was always, ``Work harder.'' And he set the example for all of these.

Joe was involved in every major piece of legislation we have accomplished, from passing the first-ever paid family leave law to the FAST Act, our Internet of Things work, broadband, infrastructure, and agriculture issues. He guided the Omaha VA clinic from inception to completion, and he will see the Lincoln VA clinic open and the Offutt Air Force Base runway completely rebuilt. He knew the importance of securing funding for Nebraska highway and water projects and for the continued growth of our university system. He was part of every success.

Joe knows Nebraska, and Nebraskans know Joe. He knew instinctively that the people of our State are why we do this work. We represent them. Joe has attended statehood dinners in our Capitol Rotunda, driven a combine in Grand Island, had meals at Ole's Big Game Bar, and gone to Husker tailgates and games. He loves browsing at Cabela's and a good meal at Rosita's. He knows which Nebraska hotels have the best gym, where every Runza drive-thru is located in the State, and where to find the best steaks. He has shared BBQ at our ranch with family, neighbors and the U.S. Secretary of Ag. He is also addicted to Colby Ridge popcorn balls. He buys them in bulk, and he doesn't share.

He has attended countless Nebraska breakfasts and constituent meetings in Washington. He has worked hard for the people of Nebraska.

Joe has traveled the vastness of our State, understanding its diversity and standing in awe while viewing our skies, sunrises and sunsets, our clouds, and the majesty of our night stars. He fell in love with ``The Good Life''. A New Jersey guy became a Nebraskan.

Joe has been by my side since my very first day in the Senate, and now, he is moving on to new opportunities. He has been a mentor to many, my trusted policy and political adviser, and a leader whose admonition to ``work harder'' became our office mantra. Joe has smoothed the waters and ruffled feathers.

Joe Hack is a friend. He is family. I wish him only the best as he meets new challenges and faces new adventures in his life.

Thank you, Joe.

Mr. President, I first met Andy Hoffman at a chili cook off in Butte, NE, in October of 2004. I was running for my first term in the Nebraska Legislature. I was walking from group to group, talking with the cooks and tasting their chili, when I came upon a young man in jean overalls. I introduced myself, and we ended up talking for over 30 minutes.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say he ``grilled'' me for over 30 minutes with a smile on his face. He was kind, and he later became a supporter and a dear friend.

We stayed in touch during my 8 years in the unicameral. Never one to keep strongly held opinions to himself, Andy would call me every now and then to tell me how he felt about bills in the legislature. When I decided to run for U.S. Senate, I asked him to serve as one of my county chairs.

Andy agreed, but a few weeks later, his son Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer. Jack was just 5 years old at the time.

Andy and his wife, Bri, had their lives turned upside down. But instead of giving up, they supported Jack every step of the way as he fought cancer. And they started the Team Jack Foundation in his honor, which helps fund pediatric brain cancer research and raise awareness about this terrible disease. Andy spent the years since Jack's diagnosis traveling the country and appearing on national television, where he spoke about how important this funding is for children like Jack.

Like most Nebraskans, Jack loves Husker football. In 2013, his favorite player, Rex Burkhead, invited him to join the team for their annual spring game. Jack won Best Moment at the ESPY Awards that year when he ran 69 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown and into the hearts of millions of people around the world. ``Sports Illustrated'' even made him one of their five nominees for Sportsman of the Year. Jack and Rex were kind enough to sign their jerseys for me, and I still have them hanging in my office today.

To recognize the Hoffman family's heroic efforts, I was pleased to work with the White House to arrange an Oval Office visit with President Obama for Jack and the Hoffmans. And at that same time, I led a U.S. Senate resolution making Jack's birthday, September 26, National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day.

Andy was relentless in bringing attention to this disease. Under Andy's leadership, Team Jack has raised over $8.4 million to help make sure no child has to go through what Jack has. He even published a book last year, ``Yards After Contact'', about Jack's fight.

Andy led a successful law practice with offices in Atkinson, O'Neill, and Central City. He was also a passionate runner, even qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2014. And he was especially fond of hunting, fishing, and spending all the time he could outdoors.

Andy passed away on March 1, at age 42, after his own hard-fought battle with glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive type of brain cancer. Our State lost a remarkable Nebraskan. His wife, Bri, and three children, Jack, Ava, and Reese, lost a loving husband and father, and Bruce and I lost a wonderful friend.

We are heartbroken that Andy is gone, but we take comfort in the fact that his legacy will live on through the incredible work of the Team Jack Foundation.

The world is a better place today because of Andy's life. At the end of the day, I think that is all that any of us can ask for.

I ask that you join me in honoring Andy's life. Please keep the Hoffman family in your prayers.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 944 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 2 minutes of debate equally divided.

Mr. President, my amendment would fix the proposed new formula that benefits New York at the expense of other States. The bill provides $30 billion for transit on top of the nearly $40 billion Congress already gave transit in the CARES Act and the December COVID bill.

I oppose the extreme funding, but my amendment at least fixes one troubling detail. The bill directs $26 billion in transit to urbanized areas but gives 30 percent of that to New York City, nearly double of what it would receive under the normal formula. By voting for this bill, my colleagues from States like Arizona, Georgia, and West Virginia would lose out on transit money to New York.

The bill also has $2.2 billion for FTA to allocate based on another new formula that just happens to reward the largest urban transit systems. My amendment would reinstate the regular formula. It will ensure transit money is at least distributed fairly instead of benefitting one or two cities, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. President, do I have time?

Could I ask unanimous consent for 15 more seconds, please?

New York would receive 30 percent more under this new formula compared to the 18 percent they have now. For example, Reno, NV, would lose $2 million, and other cities like that lose as well under this new formula.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I would thank my colleague from Texas for sharing the Texas letter with us again this year. It is always inspiring to hear those words, to remember the sacrifices that were made in Texas. It reminds us all of the sacrifices that are made daily across this country by people who love this country and stand for its unity.

Thank you, Mr. President, to my colleague from Texas.

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

Madam President, I come to the floor today to discuss the administration's decision to extend the New START treaty by 5 years.

Supporters hailed the move, with the New York Times reporting that the President's decision ``avoided a renewed arms race.'' Meanwhile, critics, who believed the question of extension had given the United States leverage to extract concessions from Russia, as well as China, described the move as a wasted opportunity and a giveaway to Putin.

As the last bilateral arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the debate over extending New START took on outsized importance, with parties on both sides seeing it as the vehicle to accomplish all of their goals. Now, with the extension decided, it comes with an opportunity to regain our perspective and consider

the way forward. This begins with a clearer understanding of what the New START treaty accomplishes and what it doesn't.

To begin with, the New START treaty is not a panacea, and extending the agreement does not prevent an arms race with just the stroke of a pen; nor is it an unfair agreement that locks in Russian advantages. It is simply an agreement between the United States and Russia to limit some but not all of the categories of nuclear arms. China is not a party to this agreement.

As critics have pointed out, the treaty's counting rules obscure the true number of deployed nuclear weapons, and it has not prevented Russia's buildup of other kinds of nuclear arms not covered by its limits. Some have described these as ``loopholes'' for Russia, but they are well-known limitations that also apply equally to both sides.

Since the treaty was signed, the United States has chosen not to invest in new nuclear weapons outside of the treaty's limits. Well, Russia has done the opposite, and they continue to expand their nuclear arsenal. I disagree with my colleagues who see that as a failure of the treaty. It is a failure in the Russian Government for continuing to build up its nuclear arsenal instead of matching our restraint and lowering those tensions.

But it would also be a failure on our part if we had assumed Russia would refrain from building these systems out of the goodness of their heart. Indeed, Russia's behavior since the New START treaty was signed reminds us that it continues to seek a competitive advantage, and in order to achieve its goals, it will go around the limits, as it has done with the New START treaty, or it will go straight through them, as it did with the INF Treaty.

So Russia's nuclear capabilities continue to expand, as does China's buildup of nuclear arms. That New START hasn't prevented these from occurring reflects the fact that the New START treaty simply does not account for the full spectrum of nuclear challenges, and thus, with the agreement to extend the treaty in place, serious threats still remain that really demand our attention.

The growth of both Russia's and China's arsenals must be addressed. Some have called for the Biden administration to immediately pursue talks to this end.

While hurrying to convene another diplomatic summit may have a reassuring appearance to some, diplomacy is not an end unto itself. It is a means to an end.

It is important to remember that negotiating limits on Russia's tactical weapons and bringing China into the arms control process have long been U.S. diplomatic objectives. Indeed, the Obama-Biden administration sought these goals, as did the Trump administration, which deserves credit for elevating them to the highest levels. However, the consistent refusal of both Russia and China to engage in serious talks demonstrates that neither nation feels sufficient incentive to negotiate. New attempts at negotiations without addressing this wouldn't achieve a different result.

In truth, what is needed isn't another conference in a European capital; it is a serious effort here at home to create incentives for both Russia and China to halt their nuclear buildups and to have them choose a different path.

Congress and the administration should work together to strengthen the hands of our negotiators. To that end, we can start by rejecting calls being made by some advocates to cut our nuclear forces unilaterally or allow them to age into obsolescence by delaying their much needed modernization. These calls are not new; however, our senior military leaders have consistently advised against such courses of action, and the past two administrations have rejected them as well. They should be rejected again.

As most in this Chamber know, our nuclear forces have aged far beyond their designed lifetime. After delaying and deferring the modernization of our nuclear forces for decades, we are now at an inflection point. As Admiral Richard, the current STRATCOM commander, testified last year, ``Many of the modernization and sustainment efforts necessary to ensure the deterrent's viability have zero schedule margin and are late-to-need.''

His point is clear. Further delay will result in capabilities aging- out with no replacements available. Our nuclear deterrent would literally wither on the vine. This would have a number of disastrous consequences for our security at a time when nuclear threats are growing, and it would also dramatically undermine future diplomatic efforts to negotiate limits with Russia and China on their arsenals. After all, why would either nation agree to new rounds of arms reductions if they knew that the United States was cutting its forces anyway, regardless of whether they agreed to do likewise?

We must keep this in mind when we hear calls to dismantle the triad or cancel our modernization programs. Doing so would make our country less safe by cutting the forces needed to deter aggression, and it would make the world less safe by ensuring that the United States is never in a position again to push for real reductions to Russian and Chinese nuclear forces.

Instead of reducing incentives for Russia and China to negotiate, Congress and the administration should work together to strengthen them and set the conditions for successful diplomatic efforts in the future.

Thank you, Madam President.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize the 70th anniversary of KRVN, a longtime Nebraska radio station.

KRVN was founded in 1951 to bring the news to Nebraska's rural communities, and they have remained committed to that mission throughout their existence.

From the very beginning, Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have depended on their straightforward approach to the stories that matter most, and their outstanding reporting continues to be a crucial part of our agriculture industry's success.

As everyone who has listened to KRVN knows, they have achieved 70 years of success because they put their audience first. That is no accident--KRVN is one of the only radio stations in the country that is owned by a cooperative of farmers and ranchers.

As a cattle rancher myself, my family, friends, and neighbors have listened to their daily livestock reports for decades, and I always enjoy stopping by their studios when I am in Lexington, NE.

As a lifelong Nebraskan, I am immensely proud of all they have done for our State.

I congratulate them on reaching this historic milestone. Here is to 70 more years.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, today I want to recognize my deputy communications director, Chanse Jones, who is leav1ng my office in early July after more than 4 years of service to the State of Nebraska and to me.

Although he is a Mississippian by birth, Chanse has become an adopted son of Nebraska. He started with me in Washington as a press assistant in 2015. I quickly learned he was someone with a big personality, big ideas, and a lot of creativity, so I promoted him to the role of deputy press secretary. He worked hard, and it wasn't long before he became my press secretary and then my deputy communications director.

As the years went by, Chanse came to love and be loved by so many communities across the State of Nebraska. He joined me for many road trips all across the Good Life. These trips took us from Omaha to Scottsbluff, to my ranch outside of Valentine, to the northeast part of the state, and many places between--the stories he could tell about our ``adventures.''

During these journeys, Chanse endeared himself to Nebraskans with his charming nature. He is a delight, and he made friends just about everywhere he went. While on the road, he also captured Nebraska's beauty in many ways, including through wonderful photographs that I will forever cherish.

When carrying out his job responsibilities whether in Nebraska or in Washington, Chanse always brought a sense of fun to every task. He has been a dear friend to me and a fierce protector. He is also an original ``Friend of Fred'' and godparent of my goldendoodle, Fred Fischer. In fact, he helped us find Fred and was with us when we rescued him a few years ago.

The three of us, Fred, my husband Bruce, and I, are certainly going to miss Chanse's company.

I want to thank Chanse for his friendship and his service to the people of Nebraska over the years. I wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career, and I am excited to see what life has in store for him.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak on the fiscal year 2020 Defense authorization bill. I want to begin by thanking the chairman and the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee for their leadership and for their hard work in crafting this bill and managing it on the floor.

The bill before us today is the worthy successor to last year's John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. Like its immediate predecessor, this bill's overarching objective is to reorient the Department of Defense toward the great power competition that our Nation faces today.

Overall, the bill supports a total of $750 billion in defense spending, which includes $642 billion for the Department of Defense's base budget, $23 billion for the Department of Energy's defense activities, and another $76 billion for overseas contingency operations. This meets the level of spending requested by the President and provides the Department of Defense with real growth above the rate of the inflation in recognition of increasing threats our Nation faces.

The bill also supports the All-Volunteer Force, providing a 3.1- percent pay raise for our men and women in uniform. It meets the President's request with respect to end strength for an Active-Duty force of 1,339,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

I serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which has jurisdiction over nuclear forces, missile defense, and national security space programs, and the U.S. Strategic Command, to which Nebraska is home.

I am fond of quoting the statement of former President Obama's Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, that ``Nuclear deterrence is the bedrock of our security and the highest priority mission of the Department of Defense.''

That was true in 2016 when he said it, and it is even truer today as Russia and China continue to expand their nuclear arsenals and deterring great power conflict becomes the central focus of our military.

With this changing security environment in mind, this bill fully funds the nuclear mission of the men and women of USSTRATCOM, including the sustainment of our nuclear forces, as well as the modernization of our triad, our nuclear command and control systems, and the Department of Energy's nuclear complex.

This legislation builds upon last year's support for the supplemental systems announced in the President's Nuclear Posture Review by authorizing funds for the deployment of low-yield ballistic missile warhead. Numerous senior military leaders have testified that this is what is necessary to address gaps in our current deterrence posture.

The fiscal year 2020 Senate NDAA also supports the Navy's ongoing study of restoring a sea-launched cruise missile capability in order to further enhance deterrence and also to reassure allies.

Moreover, the legislation includes a requirement for the administration to submit a report assessing four major categories of nuclear arms that are currently not captured by the New START Treaty. As many of my colleagues are aware, the administration

has announced its intent to pursue a more comprehensive approach to arms control beyond the traditional bilateral limitations of land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and our heavy bombers.

The administration's logic is simple: Threats are shifting. As Russia invests in new and novel nuclear systems that are not captured by the New START Treaty and China's arsenal expands, a new approach is needed that accounts for these new dynamics. In support of this effort, this provision would require that the administration provide a comprehensive assessment of these factors.

Additionally, the Strategic Forces Subcommittee authorized resources for a number of key unfunded priorities for our warfighters. This includes an additional $113 million for the development of the next generation of GPS receivers to ensure the U.S. military continues to have access to resilient position, navigation, and timing capabilities, and an additional $108 million for the Missile Defense Agency to continue the development of space-based sensors to track advanced threats, including hypersonic weapons. Finally, it fully authorized critical bilateral US-Israel cooperative missile defense programs.

The critical resources this bill provides will be appreciated by our strategic partners and our men and women in uniform around the globe, as well as those in each and every State here at home.

I am honored to represent the men and women of Offutt Air Force Base, the 55th Wing, and the Nebraska National Guard, and I am proud to say that this legislation authorizes several critical investments that not only support our uniformed men and women in Nebraska; it better enables them to fulfill their roles in defending this Nation.

By passing the fiscal year 2020 NDAA, we keep the ``fighting 55th'' Wing flying. The bill authorizes full funding for the Air Force budget request to support the C-135 family of aircraft. It supports significant upgrades to the capabilities of the RC-135 Rivet Joint, the continued conversion of KC-135 tankers to WC-135R nuclear detection aircraft, and enables the ongoing OC-135 Open Skies recapitalization.

Just as critically, the bill helps the Air Force to evolve its ISR capability and move toward a more survivable, networked environment, with manned, unmanned, and sensors all acting as key components to give battlefield commanders the best information possible. To achieve this, the bill includes two amendments I authored that will direct the Air Force to examine the integration and dissemination of data from surveillance platforms like the RC-135 to the warfighter.

While the bill authorizes these important new investments, it also provides funding to address ongoing disaster recovery efforts, which are essential to restoring military installations that were affected by the recent flooding in Nebraska. Rebuilding Offutt Air Force Base and the Nebraska National Guard's Camp Ashland are top priorities, and I am happy to report that the bill authorizes millions of dollars in funding to aid in the continued process of cleanup, design, and construction for the facilities that were destroyed.

Because I believe Nebraska's bases are a core component of the Nation's defense, I was also proud to offer two amendments that further support the process of rebuilding. These measures increase the cap on minor military construction for recovery at bases impacted by recent disasters and encourage the military services to work quickly to rebuild Offutt Air Force Base and Camp Ashland.

I strongly urge all of my colleagues to work together to support this disaster recovery effort. Many key military installations have been affected across several States, and the work to rebuild these bases must be a collaborative effort. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to do this together.

For 58 years, the NDAA has been the subject of a bipartisan consensus in Congress. Despite other disagreements that may arise and the significant debates we face, this bill has long been a unifying subject of agreement on Capitol Hill. There is good reason for that, and a record that spans a half century does not happen by accident. The fact is that no matter what other issues arise, an area where we must forge agreement is in supporting our servicemembers and enabling the defense of the Nation.

This year, we had a productive markup, with substantive debate on the issues in this bill. The process worked the way it was intended, and we emerged with a strong bipartisan consensus on the bill before us. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation so that we can continue our tradition of authorizing full funding for the military and ensure that this legislation is signed into law on time.

In that same spirit, it is essential that we take the next step and work to secure a budget agreement that not only supports a robust top line for national defense, but that we do so swiftly to give the Department of Defense the predictable funding they need to plan and budget for the coming year.

Passing NDAA is only half of the job. Yes, we must authorize full funding for our military, but if we are truly committed to our military men and women, we must also vote on the defense appropriations bill to fund what we do here this week on NDAA. As we continue to debate the fiscal year 2020 NDAA, we should all remember the reason we have this debate every year. One of the primary responsibilities of Congress is to provide for the common defense. That responsibility is written in the Constitution, and it is an oath each of us swore to uphold. I am reminded of that oath frequently when I am back home in Nebraska. Each time I shake hands with a Nebraskan in uniform or meet a family member with a loved one overseas, I think about the responsibility we have and the debt we owe the ones who serve.

Over the years, countless sons and daughters of the heartland have answered that call to service. They are regular men and women from every background and every walk of life, united by their desire to safeguard their homeland and protect the cause of freedom. Yes, they are regular men and women, but they are also exceptional Americans, and their spirit and their sacrifice are examples that we should remember every day.

I hope we can come together in the spirit of service and work together to swiftly pass the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Madam President, I rise today to discuss what is happening at our southern border, and I call upon my colleagues in Congress to act quickly to address this humanitarian crisis.

Last month, terrifying reports surfaced of an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who traveled with an 8-year-old boy across the U.S.-Mexico border near Arizona. When Border Patrol agents apprehended him, the man claimed that the boy was his son, but the agents learned 4 days later that he wasn't.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, Homeland Security investigations reported that the man claimed that ``he had looked for a child in Guatemala to cross the United States-Mexico international border with as he was told that it was easier to get into the United States with a child.'' The illegal immigrant allegedly paid the boy about $130 to ``rent the child'' and an additional $130 for a fake birth certificate.

Tragically, this is a story we are hearing more and more about as the border crisis rages on. Homeland Security investigators are working to understand the extent of troubling cases on our border, where adults are using children who have no family relation in order for them to become eligible for release after they are apprehended. The practice has been occurring frequently enough that the Department of Homeland Security now refers to it as ``child recycling rings.''

Smugglers and cartels are well aware of legal loopholes that incentivize these criminals to manipulate vulnerable populations. Our current legal framework makes it easier to turn a profit by smuggling individuals with young children.

DHS has recorded nearly 4,800 migrants in 2019 who have falsely identified themselves as family units.

Recently, we received the welcome news that the Trump administration reached a deal with Mexico to ensure better immigration enforcement at the border. This agreement was an important step in the right direction at a time when our Nation needs it most. Both countries have declared a shared

goal of upholding the rule of law on both sides of the border. I am grateful for the President's hard work to secure our border, to keep this country safe, and to continue our trade with a key partner.

This deal is a critical step forward, and it is taking place not a moment too soon. Illegal border crossings at the southern border have reached staggering rates this past spring. Last March alone, there were more than 103,000 apprehensions, and in April there were another 109,000. In May apprehensions at points of entry reached over 144,000. That is a 32-percent increase over the month of April. We have had over 100,000 apprehensions on the border each month for 3 months in a row. Sustained numbers like these haven't been witnessed in over 12 years.

The question remains: What concrete steps are we taking as a nation to stop this?

Our Border Patrol agents, who are working as hard as they possibly can, cannot keep up with the record surge of people coming into our country without authorization. Our ability to provide the care and attention for detained individuals is at a breaking point.

As we know, this includes tens of thousands of innocent children. Acting Secretary McAleenan recently testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee where he noted that in the last 40 days alone, DHS has taken into custody 60,000 children. He also testified last month that border officials saw a record day of over 5,800 border crossings in a single 24-hour period. This comes in addition to the largest single group ever apprehended at our border--1,036 people.

Facilities along the border haven't just reached full capacity. They are overflowing. On June 10, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that they had fewer than 700 beds available to place 1,900 unaccompanied children who had already been processed by Customs and Border Protection. This is forcing HHS to place children with sponsors at higher rates than the program has experienced in its history. It also increases pressure to find space for the influx of children within CBP facilities, which were not built for this purpose in any way.

HHS desperately needs additional funding to expand its bed capacity so that they can keep pace with the increasing numbers of unaccompanied children. At this rate, HHS may not have the necessary funding to continue their care programs beyond the month of June.

The situation is clear. Congress needs to act, and we need to act right now. Chairman Shelby recently announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote soon on a $4.5 billion package. Over $3 billion would be directed to help resolve the humanitarian crisis by increasing the care for unaccompanied children and expanding those shelter facilities. The remaining $1 billion would fortify our security missions.

To the ears of the American people, this may sound like an overdue, commonsense relief effort, and that is because it is. Unfortunately, our Democratic friends have prioritized their starring role in the political theater over our country's emergency at the southern border.

Over 6 weeks ago, the administration sent an urgent plea to Congress asking for more money to secure our border and improve the conditions for tens of thousands of children. It is unacceptable that Democrats in the House and right here in the Senate are playing politics at a time when our Nation needs stability.

In the coming weeks, Senate Republicans will be waiting at the table to work toward bipartisan solutions to address the crisis at the border and provide the funding that is desperately needed. I hope that my Democratic colleagues will meet us there.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I rise to continue my tribute to Nebraska's heroes and the current generation of men and women who have given their lives while defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a powerful story to tell. I will reflect today upon the life of LCpl Brent Zoucha of the Marine Corps.

Brent was born in Central City, NE, but he grew up in nearby Clarks, which is a small town of about 350 residents. While growing up, Rita, Brent's mother, described him as having a great smile and always goofing around. Brent was the youngest of four. He had two older brothers, Dominic and Dyrek, and an older sister, Sherri.

As the youngest of the bunch, Brent had to learn to adapt in the household. This would require him to wake up early to ensure he would have hot water when he got ready for the day. He was also known for acquiring his brother Dyrek's clothes as they were similar in size and only a few years apart.

Brent loved sports cars--a passion that pushed him to work at the local gas and oil shop at the age of 14. Because he was an easygoing youngster, Brent got along with all of his siblings extremely well. He loved sports and followed many professional teams, especially the New York Yankees and the Green Bay Packers. He had a very large baseball card collection and a special interest in the legendary Babe Ruth.

While living in Clarks, Brent developed his athletic ability and participated in basketball and track and field. His 6-foot-5-inch frame made him a perfect fit for both basketball and the high jump, and he was excellent at both. Rita, Brent's mother, fondly remembers the day that Brent came home while holding the rim and parts of the backboard to the basketball hoop at the school. He told her he had dunked the basketball so hard that he had broken the entire hoop. While Rita was worried about paying for a replacement, all Brent could do was laugh and smirk at his great athletic achievement.

Like many small town Nebraskan boys, Brent also spent much of his time hunting and fishing. He also had a strong bond with his animals and even trained one of his chickens to fly onto his shoulder on command. During high school, when Brent wasn't working at Pollard Propane & Oil, he could be found hanging out with his friends on the weekend or with Meghan Hammond, his long-time girlfriend.

While in high school, his older brother Dyrek enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and Brent was inspired by his service to serve our country. Shortly after graduating from High Plains Community High School in May of 2005, Brent enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. The extreme discipline that his brother and other marines routinely displayed greatly interested him. He graduated from the Marine Corps Depot at San Diego in September of 2005.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Twentynine Palms, CA, which was the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Coincidentally, he was assigned to the exact unit his older brother Cpl Dyrek Zoucha was in. Shortly after arriving at Twentynine Palms, he and his brother found out they would both soon be deployed to Al Anbar Province in Iraq.

This particular area of Iraq saw the majority of its fighting and counterinsurgency from 2004 until 2007. So Brent arrived in the heat of battle. Initially, fighting between insurgents and the marines in this area involved heavy urban warfare. However, the strategy evolved to focus on ambushing soldiers and Iraqi security forces.

While he was on deployment, Rita would send Brent care packages and talk on the phone with him when she could. She remembers talking on the phone with him in early June and sending him a care package of fig cookies and the game of Monopoly for a reminder of his hometown comfort, but this was the last conversation they would have and the last care package Rita would send to Brent. While conducting a combat mission on June 9, 2006, Brent and four other marines came across an IED. Tragically, Brent and the four other marines lost their lives due to the wounds they sustained.

The entire Central Nebraska community was in complete shock upon learning of Brent's death. Services were held on June 21, 2006, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Clarks, and the funeral took place at the Calvary Cemetery. American flags and Patriot Guard Riders lined the streets from the church to the cemetery. Rita later received condolence letters from all over the United States, including from President George W. Bush, then-Senator Hagel, Governor Schwarzenegger, and numerous fellow soldiers and marines. Rita continues to honor those who have served by working at the local VFW.

If you visit Clarks today, you will see Brent Zoucha Memorial Lane, which has been dedicated in his honor. Rita will always cherish Brent as the ideal son who loved his life and everyone around him. I am honored to tell his story.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.