Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the notice of proposed rulemaking from the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 418, S. Res. 394.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the resolution be agreed to.

I know of no further debate on the resolution, as amended.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the preamble be agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions introduced earlier today: S. Res. 720, S. Res. 721, S. Res. 722, and S. Res. 723.

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.

The resolutions (S. Res. 720, S. Res. 721, S. Res. 722, and S. Res. 723) were agreed to.

The preambles were agreed to.

(The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 27; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 4346; further, that following disposition of the House message to accompany H.R. 4346, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message to accompany S. 3373.

For the information of the Senate, there will be two rollcall votes in relation to the CHIPS and Science legislation at approximately 11:30 a.m. and a cloture vote at approximately 4:30 p.m. in relation to the PACT Act.

Madam 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 rise today to honor a highly regarded business leader, mentor, and community leader from Flint, MI: Mr. Willie Eldrage Artis, founder and owner of Genesee Packaging, who passed away on June 2, 2022, at the age of 88. Mr. Artis made an immeasurable impact as a partner to the automotive industry, on the Flint community, and the State of Michigan over the past 40 years. It is a privilege and a sorrow both to recognize him here today and celebrate his lifework and many achievements.

Born in 1934, Willie spent the first 18 years of his life living with his parents in Memphis, TN, amid the height of the South's Jim Crow Era. Though difficult, these years instilled in Willie an unfailing work ethic and the ability to stand up for himself and his rights, even in the most difficult of circumstances. After leaving for Chicago, Willie began working on the manufacturing floor of the Triangle Container Corrugated Company, learning the ins-and-outs of the packaging business from the ground up. He brought this knowledge with him when he moved to Flint in 1964 and began working for Flint Boxmakers. In just 2 years, he was promoted to manufacturing manager.

In 1979, Willie and a fellow colleague of color took advantage of the recently issued minority business programs administered by General Motors to leverage their years of expertise and open Genesee Packaging. Since its formation, Genesee Packaging has been a place of opportunity for the community to gain employment and increased access to economic achievement for customers and employees alike.

His energetic service to the Flint community and State of Michigan included his membership with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Genesys Health Systems, the Flint Public Library, and the Flint Business and Development Council. In 1989, he was appointed to serve on Governor James Blanchard's entrepreneurial business commission, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2005 received special recognition from Governor Jennifer Granholm for his many contributions to the State of Michigan. Additional recognition for his work in minority business development and civil rights came from then President Bill Clinton, the U.S. Senate, the Michigan House of Representatives, the State of Michigan, and the city of Flint.

In October of 2019, Willie published his memoir in a book titled ``From Jim Crow to CEO: The Willie E. Artis Story,'' where he shared his lessons from life and business as one of America's most honored industrialists. His story embodies that of the American dream, rising up from poverty through determination and hard work, embracing entrepreneurship and becoming a sought-after partner by top corporations and even the White House during the Obama administration.

I cannot understate the impact that Mr. Artis has had on the city of Flint and State of Michigan. A pillar of strength and leadership throughout the community and the embodiment of generosity to those who knew him personally, Willie will no doubt be missed, but his legacy will endure. I ask you to join me--and Willie's beloved wife Veronica, their children, and their grandchildren--in recognizing and celebrating his life and numerous accomplishments. I hope that each of us can find some comfort in the precious moments and memories that were shared with him.

Mr. President, for far too long, Americans have grappled with the epidemic of gun violence that has taken lives and shattered families and communities in my home State of Michigan as well as all across the country.

These shootings and attacks not only cause unimaginable pain and grief for victims and their families but terrorize entire communities, who must cope with the lasting effects of unspeakable tragedy in their schools, in their theaters, houses of worship, and other public places.

There is no one easy solution to address this matter, but Americans deserve to feel safe where they live, where they work and learn and shop and pray; and these senseless acts of violence occur far too often.

From the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre of young students and school staff, to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tree of Life synagogue shootings that killed Americans simply practicing their faith, to the deadly and hateful and heinous attacks at Pulse nightclub and a grocery store in Buffalo, gun violence has left no corner of our country untouched.

In Michigan, sadly, we know all too well the terror and the devastation caused by gun violence. Late last year, in Oxford, MI, a horrific shooting unfolded at Oxford High School. In a matter of just mere minutes, a routine school day at Oxford High turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak when a gunman--a 15-year-old classmate--opened fire inside the school, taking four young lives and wounding seven other people. That attack forever changed the lives of the students, the teachers, staff, and shattered the assumption that schools are a safe haven.

Oxford High School students and the entire community have been resilient, but as they continued to process the shooting and to work to heal from it, those emotional wounds again reopened for many when they watched yet another horrific scene play out at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, where 19 young students and 2 teachers were murdered.

Schools are supposed to be a safe haven. Parents and family members should not live in fear that their children or their loved ones who are at work won't return home at the end of that school day. And while there is no single solution to end the gun violence epidemic, for far too long, partisan gridlock has prevented Congress from advancing commonsense legislation that can save lives.

For decades, politics have stood in the way of progress, and that is despite 90 percent of the American people--including a majority of Republican voters--supporting commonsense steps like expanding background checks. In today's partisan environment, it is tough to get consensus, but that just shows how much support there is to getting something done.

This should not be a partisan issue. We know that many responsible gun owners across our country support gun safety legislation. I am a gun owner. I enjoy hunting, as do so many in Michigan, and I know that we can pass measures to improve public safety while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

After nearly three decades without major progress, we are on the verge--on the verge--of a significant breakthrough as we consider the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This legislation will take important steps to address gun violence, improve school safety, and increase mental health resources.

There is no question that this legislation could have included additional measures that are overwhelmingly supported by a majority of the American people, but this is still a significant step forward. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This bill will help protect our children, our schools, and our communities.

And by passing this bill, we can make progress right now. Right now, with this legislation, we can strengthen background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21 and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who simply should not have them. This includes providing critical support for red flag laws at the State level to ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals who a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or to others.

And right now, we can offer protections to victims of domestic violence by adding convicted abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. And right now, we can crack down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements.

Right now, we can increase funding for school safety to institute safety measures in and around schools and support school violence prevention efforts. Right now, we can improve access to essential mental health care resources, which school safety advocates and violence prevention professionals agree is the key--the key--to providing an early opportunity for intervention--by investing in school-based health services to support those impacted by traumatic events.

I am grateful to my colleague Senator Stabenow, who has led the charge to ensure that legislation include proven, effective initiatives that will strengthen mental health services, and I urge my colleagues to work together to pass this legislation and encourage the House of Representatives to quickly--to quickly--do the same and send it to the President to be signed into law.

But know this: The bottom line is that our work to save lives and protect public safety must not end here. We must continue to come together and address this very real threat that is hurting communities all across our country. When we face difficult challenges and crises here in our country, we persevere because we ultimately come together as one. Let's channel this spirit and come together for every American before the next school, the next family, and the next community is shattered.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I also rise to speak about the need to pass the Women's Health Protection Act. Certainly, the Senator from Maryland outlined a very strong argument as to why this fundamental protection, this fundamental right, needs to be protected.

We know right now that we may see the Supreme Court come out with a decision to basically end Roe v. Wade and, in the process, end a fundamental right that women in this country have had available to them for 50 years.

We can hear all the arguments--and my colleagues will present an awful lot of arguments tonight and tomorrow--as to why we need to pass this act, but for me, this is personal, a personal experience that I had, and it is an experience that, unfortunately, many, many families have had. The fact is, as I have shared this story, I have been really overwhelmed by people reaching out to me and saying that they, too, have a very similar story and how my talking about it brought out their willingness to share their experience as well. In addition to that, they understand how important it is that we protect Roe v. Wade and we protect the right for women to make critical decisions for themselves, along with their doctor, and not have politics interfere with those decisions.

My story involves my first wife. When we were married, she was pregnant with a child whom we very much wanted. We were looking forward to having a second child. In the fourth month, towards the end of the fourth month, her water broke--clearly a very dangerous situation.

She went to go see her physician. Her physician examined her and said: With this water breaking, the amniotic fluid has now left the uterus. There is no way a baby can survive in this situation.

They examined her. There was a very faint heartbeat.

He said: There is a faint heartbeat here, but there is no way this baby can survive.

He said: What I think will happen is you are going to have a miscarriage. So

go home tonight, and you will have a miscarriage, and come in and see me tomorrow.

Well, you can imagine the anguish, the horrible evening, and the despair that she was in and I was in. It was a long, long night.

The next morning, nothing happened. She went back to the physician-- we went back to the physician. He examined her again and said: I am really surprised. I don't know why you didn't miscarry because it is clear that there is no way this baby can survive in this situation. The amniotic fluid is gone; the cushion is gone.

He said: I don't think I can do anything because there is still a faint heartbeat here. I don't know why there is still a faint heartbeat. So go home again tonight. I think tonight is going to be the night you have a miscarriage.

We went back again. It didn't happen--another horrible night-- horrible. The mental anguish is intense, and families who have gone through this know exactly what I am talking about.

We went the next day, and, again, he examined her. He said: I can't understand this, but this is going on. I am really worried that there is going to be an infection here. There isn't the protection there. You could go into septic shock. Your health is definitely endangered here. The baby can't survive. Without the amniotic fluid, the cushion, the baby could lose its limbs.

There were horrible, horrible, nightmarish kinds of thoughts in our minds.

He said: I am going to go to the hospital, and I am going to say, even though there is a faint heartbeat, this is a medical necessity, that we have to do a D&C abortion here to protect your health and potentially your life if we don't take care of this. So I will go to the hospital. Go home, and I will call you and let you know when I can bring you in.

Well, he called. I will never forget the voicemail that was left. He said: I am really sorry to say this. I went to the hospital board. I explained the medical necessity here, what you are going through, how we have to take care of this because it could clearly be a serious situation if you go into septic shock.

And the board said: No. As long as there is a faint heartbeat, you can't perform the procedure.

Then he said: There is no reason for this decision from the hospital board. It is not based on sound medicine. It is not based on medical practice. It is not based on what is best for your health. This is based on politics. Plain and simple, this is politics.

He goes: I am ashamed that this happened, and I am embarrassed I have to call you and tell you I can't do it because the hospital will not grant me privileges to do it.

He said: My advice to you is find a doctor now, immediately, that can take care of this procedure.

Well, you can imagine how scary that is, how frightening that is; and who do we call in that situation? We were fortunate in the fact that we had a friend who was a hospital administrator at another hospital. He got us in to see the gynecologist, OB-GYN at the hospital to examine her. We went there.

He examined her and said: Oh, my gosh, I have to do this procedure now. There is no more time. This is getting incredibly dangerous. We have to do the D&C abortion.

He said: You are about to go--the infection is starting. It is going to get worse. If I don't do this quickly, you are going to lose your uterus. If we don't deal with it quickly, you could very well lose your life with the infection that could occur here.

He immediately performed the procedure.

Just think of that. One, if we didn't have the opportunity to see another doctor who was able to perform it and understood the severity of it, my wife at the time, former wife, could have easily lost a uterus, could have had significant health impacts, and could have lost her life.

It just kept ringing in my mind what that doctor said: This is about politics. This is not about good medical practice. This is not about caring about someone's health and caring about their life; it was about politics. And that is why we have to protect Roe v. Wade.

We have to protect the right for women to control their bodies, to control their reproductive health. It cannot be a decision made by politicians here in this body or other places. This is a real situation that families face. As I mentioned, there was an outpouring of folks who have come to me who had similar situations.

I think about Michigan right now. Michigan has a law on the books that was written in 1931 that says all abortion is prohibited in our State. It doesn't matter whether or not it involves the health of the mother, it doesn't matter if it is the life of the mother, it doesn't matter if a woman is the victim of rape or incest--it is just simply not allowed. I think that is unconscionable. That is what will happen. It is a real-life situation that could happen if the Court decides to go forward and reverse Roe v. Wade. Situations like what my former wife went through and families all across America would not be able to have that kind of option.

If you think about the no exception for rape or incest, you will have a 17-year-old girl in Michigan who is raped. She will have no options. I know a majority of people in the United States believe that is unacceptable. I know a majority of people in the United States believe that women have the right to make these most personal, these most intimate decisions themselves, with the advice of their physician or whoever else that they want to consult.

This is not about politics. This is not about the opinions of folks who think that they know better. Let's preserve the right of women to do what they think is best.

That is why we have to pass the Women's Health Protection Act and why I would urge all my colleagues to search their heart and listen to the stories that people will tell them and understand that the right thing to do is to protect reproductive freedoms and rights in America.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize the 200th Anniversary of Clay Township, MI. Forming the southernmost portion of St. Clair County, Clay Township is endowed with natural beauty, fertile farmland, and a rich tradition of entrepreneurship dating back to the fur trade between French explorers and the indigenous people, also known as the Anishinaabe.

Long before Michigan was incorporated as a U.S. Territory and western expansion encouraged migration to the area we know now as St. Clair County, the region was home to the Anishinaabe peoples. Members of the Odawa, Pattawami, and Ojibwe Tribes and more made their homes alongside the Otisi-Keta, and Otisi-Keta-Sippi waters, now known respectively as Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River. The nutrient-dense farmland, abundant natural resources, and easy access to trade routes provided by the many waterways endowed the Anishinaabe with a rich culture and community that would eventually attract the notice of French explorers arriving in the area. In fact, it was these early French explorers who would christen the Otisi-Keta as ``Lac-Sainte-Claire'' after discovering the crystal-clear waters on the day of the Festival of Sainte Claire. In time, the lake, tributary, and surrounding land became known as St. Clair, the modern appellation we see today. Although French explorers began to depart from the territory following the Seven Years War, the legacy of trade and industry established with the Anishinaabe laid the foundation for the development of Clay Township as a hub of local commerce.

Among the first settlers of Clay Township were Angus MacDonald and John Martin, who founded the city of Pointe du Chene--now known as Algonac--in 1805. MacDonald and Martin chose to settle the city at the head of the St. Clair flats, which had been the previous site of trade between the Anishinaabe and the French. Algonac quickly developed into the principal settlement in the area and is now recognized as one of the oldest cities in Michigan. Clay Township would be officially organized 17 years later in 1822. With this recognition, Clay Township became one of the four original townships that comprised the entirety of St. Clair County.

Today, Clay Township is comprised of 82.3 square miles of land and water. Bounded on three sides by water and divided into several islands by branches of the St. Clair River, it is known as a center for local water recreation and is home to over 9,000 residents. The freshwater delta formed by the St. Clair River and waters of Harsens Island is the only major river delta in the Great Lakes Basin and the largest freshwater delta in North America. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources manages two sites on Harsens Island, supporting pedestrians, cyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts wanting to admire the wildlife and waters of the region. The Algonac State Park is comprised of 1,550 acres and provides sanctuary to rare habitats and 22 threatened, endangered, or special-concern species of plants, birds, and butterflies. With its rich history and lush natural resources, Clay Township is recognized as one of the best places to live in the State of Michigan.

Clay Township has been an integral part of the State of Michigan and our great Nation for over 200 years. As a Michigander and passionate advocate for all of Michigan's waters, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this significant milestone for the township, as well as its residents, elected officials, and businesses. I wish Clay Township continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of U.A. Sprinklerfitters Local No. 704 of metro Detroit. Functioning under different names and charters over the past century, the Local has supported the employment of its members, while simultaneously bargaining for higher wages and better benefits.

In May of 1907, Sprinklerfitting tradesmen in the Detroit area came together in their first effort to organize. They were rewarded for their efforts with a charter by the United Association of Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Steamfitters of the U.S. and Canada--U.A.--as Local No. 358. Initial optimism quickly dimmed, as the Local faced opposition from surrounding contactors and companies. Disbanding and reorganizing twice, the Local reemerged as Local No. 669 in 1915 and was granted a new charter by the U.A. It would operate under this charter for another 32 years.

Within its first 7 years of formation, leaders from Local No. 669 had successfully argued for 2 consecutive years of wage increases and the addition of a local U.A. auxiliary office location to better serve the craftsmen of the region. This sense of unity was in no small part responsible for helping the local weather the economic devastation of America's Great Depression, which stifled progress across the country's economy for nearly a decade. Membership in Local No.669 protected the wages and working conditions of sprinklerfitters in Detroit throughout the economic crisis.

Passage of the New Deal legislation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt provided work opportunities in the form of public projects, supporting the sprinklerfitters of Local No. 669. In 1941, as the United States formally announced their entrance into the Second World War, factories in Detroit quickly pivoted to join the efforts turning the city into the ``biggest war boomtown of them all.'' Among the projects undertaken by Local No. 669 in this time was the outfitting of the Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti. In 1947, Local No. 669 once again reorganized, taking on the charter of Local No. 704 with jurisdiction over sprinklerfitting work in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties, with nearby Washtenaw joining a decade later. Local No. 704 continued to enjoy positive growth throughout the 1950s and 1960s, increasing their number of journeymen and apprentices, along with increased benefits and wages.

This progress would begin to falter as the local headed into the 1970s and companies began moving factories to ``right to work states,'' decreasing one of their core contract bases. Despite the auto flight, members of Local No. 704 remained well employed and worked on a variety of local projects, including the Pontiac Silverdome and Detroit's Joe Louis Arena and Renaissance Center. Although they faced low employment in the first half of the decade, by the end of the 1980s, Local No. 704 had helped build, along with many other projects, the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant, the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building, the Chrysler World Head Quarters and Technological Center, the Palace of Auburn Hills and would close out the decade with a newly negotiated contract with the National Fire and Sprinkler Association, formerly known as the

Mr. President, while returning with Senate colleagues from a delegation trip to Europe to further strengthen the trans- Atlantic alliance in the context of Vladimir Putin's war against the Ukrainian people, our plane was grounded by mechanical failure. As a result, I was unable to attend vote No. 135 on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 808, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

I would have voted yea on the motion to invoke cloture had I been able to attend the vote.

While returning with Senate colleagues from a delegation trip to Europe to further strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance in the context of Vladimir Putin's war against the Ukrainian people, our plane was grounded by mechanical failure. As a result, I was unable to attend today's vote on No. 136 on confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 808, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

I would have voted yea on the confirmation had I been able to attend the vote.

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

Madam President, I rise in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and look forward to proudly voting for her confirmation.

There are few constitutional duties more important in my role as a U.S. Senator than providing the advice and consent on judicial nominations, and this is especially true for the Supreme Court.

As we consider Judge Jackson's nomination before this body, we are on the cusp of a historic, barrier-breaking moment and on the verge of confirming the first African-American woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

This is not only a significant milestone, but a moment to recognize Judge Jackson, who is one of our Nation's brightest legal minds and an incredibly impressive nominee.

Before I talk about Judge Jackson's exceptional experience, her qualifications, and support from all across the legal spectrum, I think it is important to reflect on the critical importance of our Nation's highest Court.

Without question, Supreme Court rulings have a direct and a consequential impact on the lives of Michiganders and all Americans. Issues before the Court include healthcare, women's reproductive rights, workers' rights, environmental protections, voting rights, and many life-or-death decisions that shape the law of the land.

Simply put, the Supreme Court is often the last line of defense for everyday Americans and an important guardian of the Constitution itself.

There is no question that a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is a tremendous responsibility, and we must have qualified, committed Justices who will exercise judicial independence--follow the facts--and apply law and precedent fairly and impartially, without regard for their own personal views, partisanship, or politics.

It is clear that on every single measure, Judge Jackson has the credentials, the qualities, the work ethic, and character needed to serve on the Supreme Court. And she will not only bring diversity but a unique life perspective and passion for the law that she developed at a very young age.

Judge Jackson's interest in the law actually started as a preschooler, sitting next to her father while he studied cases for law school, while she worked on her coloring book.

Despite being ambitious and a star student, growing up, Judge Jackson faced resistance. When Judge Jackson told her high school guidance counselor that she was interested in attending Harvard University, the counselor told her that maybe she should set her sights lower than that.

Judge Jackson was not going to be deterred, and she credits her high school debate coach for introducing her to several colleges. And then she went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard as an undergraduate and cum laude from Harvard Law School.

This was the beginning of Judge Jackson's distinguished legal career. She clerked for three Federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Breyer, worked in private practice at prestigious law firms, and has served on the Federal bench on both the district court and the court of appeals, a position she was confirmed to just last year by bipartisan support by this very Senate.

Judge Jackson's experience has also been shaped by representing everyday Americans and hearing their cases. She will be the first Justice who previously served as a Federal public defender, and the only Justice who has served as a member of the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission. She will also bring considerable criminal law experience to the Court.

Her breadth of experience, her record, and temperament were on full display during her Senate judiciary confirmation hearing. Over the course of 24 hours and more than 600 questions, Judge Jackson not only demonstrated why she is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court but also why she was unflappable, even when she faced outrageous-- absolutely outrageous--false attacks on her record during the committee hearings.

During this process, Judge Jackson has not only earned bipartisan support for her confirmation but has the backing of diverse voices, including from the American Bar Association, which unanimously gave her its highest rating of ``well qualified.''

Lawyers across the political spectrum, civil rights organization, law enforcement groups, and chambers of commerce have all offered not just support but glowing support for her nomination.

Former George H. W. Bush's appointed Fourth Circuit Judge Michael Luttig called Judge Jackson ``eminently qualified'' and ``as highly credentialed and experienced in the law as any nominee in history.''

Two dozen conservative and former Republican-appointed officials said:

We are united in our view that she is exceptionally well-

qualified, given her breadth of experience, her demonstrated

ability, and personal attributes of intellect and character.

We think that her confirmation on a consensus basis would

strengthen the court and the nation in important ways.

And the International Association of Chiefs of Police said:

During her time as judge, she has displayed her dedication

to ensuring that our communities are safe and that the

interest[s] of justice are served. [We believe that] Judge

Jackson's years of experience have shown [that] she has the

temperament and qualifications to serve as the next Associate

Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

After my one-on-one meeting with Judge Jackson last week, I was convinced that she is extraordinarily qualified and prepared to serve on the Supreme Court, particularly at this challenging moment.

This is, without question, a challenging time, not only for the Supreme

Court but also for our democracy, and it is clear that Judge Jackson has the extensive experience and qualifications and temperament and impartiality and fidelity to the law that will undoubtedly serve our Nation exceptionally well.

I am proud to support Judge Jackson as our next Supreme Court Justice, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in making history.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Congressional Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Congressional Record.