Floor Statements

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, 15 months ago, I spoke here on the Senate floor to commemorate the victims of a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, MI. And just over 2 weeks ago, as a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University, our State lived through yet another nightmare. Another routine evening turned tragic. Another community was left scarred by unimaginable gun violence. And another three families will never see their children come home.

Just after 8 p.m., on a crisp Monday evening, gunfire erupted at MSU's Berkey Hall. As the alerts poured in, students all across campus huddled in fear. Some blockaded their dorm rooms and turned off the lights. Others grabbed whatever objects were nearby in case they needed to fight back. Parents called their children to check in if they were safe and worried if it could be the last time that they spoke. Those near the gunman hid under tables and ran for their lives. One student said it sounded like a stampede as they tried to escape.

In the end, three of their classmates did not make it. Three students who had their entire lives ahead of them were stripped of their futures in an instant.

Arielle Anderson, a 19-year-old from Harper Woods, was a sophomore. She enjoyed roller skating, photography, and live concerts. A committed student, she was working to graduate early and embark on a career as a pediatrician. She had a fierce intellect and a deep love for her family, touching everyone in her life with a kind and gentle spirit.

Alex Verner was 20 years old. She was a junior from Clawson and was studying to become a forensic scientist. She was a gifted student athlete in high school, excelling in softball and basketball and volleyball, and a dedicated member of her community. Friends and teachers describe her as a leader and a giver, someone who was always smiling. One of her peers remembered that she was ``the very best of us.''

Brian Fraser, the 20-year-old sophomore from Grosse Pointe had an infectious smile and a sense of humor that could brighten an entire room. As president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he demonstrated a commitment to service and to leadership. He had been studying business and economics, but his life was cut short.

As a father and a fellow Spartan, my heart breaks for these gifted students, for their families and friends, and the time that was stolen from them. My heart breaks for those who survived who will carry the weight of this horrific memory for years to come.

And while this scene unfolded, first responders and law enforcement officials bravely leaped into action. Dedicated doctors and nurses have worked around the clock to help the five students who were critically injured. But I am grateful to these men and women for their tireless work.

At the same time, I know that the students and staff at MSU and in the broader East Lansing community will need time. They will need time to heal in the wake of this tragedy, but they shouldn't have to do that work alone. We can honor them by taking meaningful action, and we must do that now.

Last year, Congress showed that commonsense reform is still possible with the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislation to address gun violence in nearly three decades. It invests in mental health resources, expands school safety measures, enhances background checks, and includes new guidelines to make sure we keep guns from getting into the wrong hands.

While it is clear that this law did not go far enough, it has begun to make critical changes. We are already starting to see its benefits reach my State. Last week, Senator Stabenow and I welcomed $8 million in Federal funding to the Michigan State Police. This investment will help combat drug violence and enhance crisis intervention programs all across the State of Michigan.

But there is so much more that we can and we must do. We must pass legislation to expand Federal background checks to all gun sales, a measure that I helped reintroduce in the Senate and one that is supported by the overwhelming majority of the American people. We could enact reasonable limits on high-capacity magazines and close dangerous loopholes. We can pass red flag laws while still respecting the rights of law-abiding, responsible gun owners. And we could invest in first responders, like those who so bravely answered the call at Michigan State.

The choice is ours to make. We could honor these young adults by making change or we can play politics and let this cycle continue. But for Arielle, Alex, and Brian, and for the students and staff at Michigan State and for every family that has been torn apart by gun violence, we must choose to act.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 21, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight adopted subcommittee rules of procedure.

Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight.

Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each

committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 22, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management adopted subcommittee rules of procedure.

Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.

Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 23, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations adopted subcommittee rules of procedure.

Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time on the Chung nomination be considered expired; that at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Chung nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and finally, that the cloture motion with respect to the Mendez-Miro nomination ripen following the disposition of the Chung nomination.

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

Mr. President, rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. Today, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs adopted committee rules of procedure.

Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, I ask unanimous consent to have a copy of the rules of procedure of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs printed in the Congressional Record.

Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk due for a second reading.

In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding.

Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, February 13; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Mendez-Miro nomination.

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

Madam President, I rise today to honor a public servant who has made a significant impact protecting the health of Michiganders and people across the country from environmental hazards and related health concerns. Dr. Patrick Breysse will be retiring from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--CDC--and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry--ATSDR--after serving 36 years both in government and as a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. Dr. Breysse's expertise in environmental exposure assessment and epidemiology has resulted in preventing disease, saving lives, and improving the health of communities.

Dr. Breysse joined CDC in December 2014 to lead the Agency's efforts to investigate the relationship between environmental factors and health. Under Dr. Breysse, CDC and ATSDR took significant steps to address lead exposure, improve safe drinking water, reduce exposure to hazardous substances, and play a critical role in CDC's emergency preparedness and response to natural disasters. His recent priorities include addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances--PFAS-- contamination in drinking water and the health effects of poor air quality, extreme heat, flooding, and other weather-related hazards. He also led the public health response to the Flint water crisis in my home State of Michigan and remains focused on preventing lead exposures from public drinking water and working to make our environments lead- free. Dr. Breysse has worked closely with State, local, Territorial, and Tribal partners and been a true advocate for the health of our communities.

Dr. Breysse has also been a leader in bringing attention to the health concerns related to PFAS chemicals, testifying before Congress, briefing staff and Members, and initiating a ground-breaking health study at ATSDR to fill research gaps and examine the relationship between these chemicals and human health. He led the charge to better understand the contamination of PFAS in our water supply and the numerous potentially associated health effects. His vision and foresight helped lead to changes in standards, improvements in guidance for health professionals, and attention to this issue across the Nation.

Dr. Breysse is leaving behind a rich legacy of improving the quality of science and practice related to environmental health within CDC and ATSDR. I am thankful for Dr. Pat Breysse and his commitment to the health of our communities and for the countless public servants like him who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I certainly fully appreciate Senator Hagerty's interest in protecting the First Amendment and ensuring that legitimate speech is not unduly or unfairly restricted. I am also committed to holding big tech companies accountable. I held a series of bipartisan oversight hearings on social media this Congress, including bringing top executives in to testify and to answer tough questions.

The legislation, though, we are discussing today has not been considered by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. I certainly look forward to working with my colleague to explore these issues more fully, but given this bill has not been marked up by the committee, I object.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.