Floor Statements

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the RECORDS on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for 15 minutes and Senator Blackburn for 15 minutes prior to the scheduled vote.

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the state of the war

between Israel and Hamas. Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will speak before a joint session of Congress. I hope he will propose a significant change in his approach to the war. I hope he will offer his resounding thanks to President Biden for his steadfast support of the defense of Israel. I hope he will thank this Democratically led Senate, the majority leader, and our Republican colleagues for our early support of the supplemental appropriations bill that provided billions of dollars to strengthen Israel's defenses and provide humanitarian support to Gaza.

It has been more than 9 months since Hamas carried out its horrific attack against the Israeli people. Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 men, women, and children, and took 250 hostages. Unspeakable acts of terror were committed on October 7, and they will never be forgotten.

In the wake of this attack, the United States has stood resolutely by Israel's side, providing billions of dollars of aid and intervening to shield Israel from attack by Iran and its proxies.

For more than 75 years, Israel has been one of our closest allies. Since its founding, Israel has relied on America's friendship, and we have been proud to give it. It is because of this friendship, not in spite of it, that we must insist the Israeli Government change course in its war against Hamas. Israel's leaders must refocus their efforts to peace, stability, and the core tenets of Israel's democracy.

Several months ago, I came to the Senate floor as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as a friend and longtime supporter of the Israeli people to say that the war had veered off course. I urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to learn from the United States' lessons in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I urged him to develop a realistic long- term plan for Gaza, including a framework for a two-state solution. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not just ignored the guidance of Israel's friends and allies, he has doubled down on his worst instincts and the dangerous ambitions of the most extreme elements of his coalition government.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Gaza is a tiny enclave, but it is home to more than 2 million people who have been living in a war zone for 9 months. Tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians have been killed. Nearly half a million Gazans are facing life-threatening food insecurity. Efforts to increase humanitarian assistance have fallen far short.

Mr. Netanyahu and his government have failed to develop an exit strategy for Gaza. They have no plan for a sustainable future for the Palestinians and no plan to establish security and rebuild Gaza's destroyed cities.

Even more alarming, Israel now faces the threat of a second front on its northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah--better trained and better armed than Hamas--continues to clash with the IDF, threatening all-out war. At the same time, violence in the West Bank could boil over at any moment, which could spark wider regional conflict.

As I said in March, I believe that good allies and good friends stand together, but great allies and great friends are willing to speak hard truths and hold each other to the highest standards, especially around the conduct of war.

With Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington this week, I am again compelled to say that the Israeli Government must change its path. There are three specific issues that the Israeli Government must address if it hopes to secure lasting peace. First, it must change its strategy in Gaza from a counterterrorism operation to a counterinsurgency campaign. Second, Israel must wrest control of its government back from the far-right extremists who have seized power. Third, Israeli leaders have to recognize that a two-state solution is the only viable path for peace and stability for the Israeli people.

To start, we have to acknowledge that Prime Minister Netanyahu lost his way in leading Israel's war against Hamas. He appears unwilling or unable to understand that his military strategy cannot destroy a group like Hamas. He continues to drive a costly, high-tempo counterterrorism campaign when he should be pursuing a counterinsurgency campaign.

The differences between these two strategies are important. A counterterrorism operation, like the one the IDF is carrying out, is about applying military power to crush terrorist fighters and prevent attacks.

Certainly, Israel has degraded much of Hamas's military power. U.S. analysts have judged that Hamas no longer has the capabilities to carry out another attack like October 7. But Hamas is not just a terrorist group; it is an ideology and a political organization with deep roots. Political ideologies like Hamas cannot be bombed into submission.

Instead, Mr. Netanyahu must shift to a counterinsurgency strategy. Counterinsurgency campaigns seek to address the root cause of the insurgency and strive to win the support of the local population, while building legitimacy for a responsible government. Israel's objective should be to weaken Hamas's support among Palestinians and ultimately isolate it from political and military lifelines.

But in times of trauma, every nation's first reaction is fear and anger. Much like Israel's horror on October 7, the United States experienced a deep national trauma on September 11, 2001. We, too, responded militarily, but it took us far too long to learn that a sustainable peace cannot be won solely on the battlefield. The best armies in the world cannot defeat a terrorist ideology.

Nine months into Israel's war against Hamas, it is clear that there is no way to wipe out the Hamas ideology through military might alone. This is not just my opinion. Current and former Israeli political and military leaders, including members of Mr. Netanyahu's own Cabinet, have warned that Israel's current strategy is not viable for long-term victory.

Last month, the chief Israeli military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said:

Those who think they could make Hamas disappear are wrong.

Hamas is a political party. It is rooted in people's hearts.

It was because of this strategic failure that Benny Gantz, a former Israeli army general, Defense Minister, and member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, announced his resignation last month. He argued for months that Israel needed to fundamentally change its approach to the war, but Netanyahu could not be reasoned with.

I agree with Mr. Gantz on this issue. Prime Minister Netanyahu's conduct of the war has backfired strategically. Hamas wants to keep Israel in a state of perpetual war, and Netanyahu has fallen into that trap. His government must shift from a counterterrorism strategy to a counterinsurgency strategy.

Much of Mr. Netanyahu's intransigence may be attributed to the political allies he surrounds himself with. As a way to cling to power, Netanyahu has made common cause with far-right extremists who pursue their own agendas at the expense of Israel's security. These extremists have been elevated to some of the highest Cabinet positions of the government and have encouraged Netanyahu's most misguided policies, including his attempts at changes to the Israeli judicial system.

One of these figures is Itamar Ben-Gvir. As a convicted terrorist, Ben-Gvir was deemed too extreme to serve in the Israeli military. Nonetheless, in order to secure his coalition, Prime Minister Netanyahu placed Ben-Gvir in charge of the Ministry of National Security, which oversees the Israeli National Police.

Ben-Gvir has openly advanced his desire for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, including in Gaza. He has advocated for the settlement of Israelis in Gaza after the war and has organized a campaign to hand out assault rifles to Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

Importantly, Ben-Gvir has threatened to topple the governing coalition if his radical demands are not met. In particular, he has pressured Mr. Netanyahu to reject a hostage deal or cease-fire with Hamas that would include the release of Palestinian prisoners. Ben- Gvir's extreme agenda is eroding Israel's stability and adherence to the rule of law.

Another Cabinet Minister is Minister Smotrich, a notorious, radical settler activist with a troubling record. As Netanyahu's Minister of Finance and Adjunct Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Smotrich leverages his official

power to advance his agenda of annexing the West Bank for Jewish settlers and evicting Palestinians from the area. With Prime Minister Netanyahu's implicit support, Smotrich has steadily shifted control of administering the West Bank to his handpicked cronies in the Defense Ministry.

The Israeli activist group Peace Now has assessed that 2024 has been the ``peak year'' for Israeli land seizures in the West Bank.

As Finance Minister, Smotrich has abused his power by freezing distribution of Palestinian tax revenues as leverage to force the annexation of Jewish settlements. These tax revenues constitute almost all of the Palestinian Authority's budget, including its police and security personnel.

Earlier this month, Smotrich released some funding back to the Palestinian Authority in exchange for the authorization of five Israeli settlements that had been built illegally. This is extortion, plain and simple, and it has been condemned by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

I highlight these far-right Cabinet leaders because their extreme personal and political agendas are impacting the government's military decisions in Gaza, whether through threats or cajoling, Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and others have pushed the government into prosecuting the war and governing Israel the way they see fit.

In announcing his resignation last month, Mr. Gantz told the press that he had ``become exasperated with Netanyahu for agreeing on one thing in the wartime cabinet and then doing the opposite because of pressure from his far-right coalition partners.'' In his resignation speech, Gantz lamented that ``faithful, faithful strategic decisions are met with hesitation and procrastination due to political considerations. Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from progressing to real victory.''

These dynamics caused former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to publicly warn that ``[this war] appears to be the least successful war in history due to the strategic paralysis in the country's leadership.''

Prime Minister Netanyahu is beholden to the far right. He needs his rightwing partners to stay in his coalition, and in turn, they cannot abandon him because he is their best chance to accomplish the objectives of their nationalist agenda.

Until there is a change in the direction of Israel's leadership, the far right will continue to drive Israel's security and the war in Gaza into the ground.

The failings of the Netanyahu government are not just a matter of bad strategy or the Prime Minister's willingness to rely on radical political partners to stay in power, it is also his own opposition to a two-state solution. As has been clear for decades, Prime Minister Netanyahu is unwilling to recognize that a two-state solution is the only viable path to peace and security for Israel. He has been thwarting this option since his first term as Prime Minister in 1996.

One of Mr. Netanyahu's most reliable assets for preventing a two- state solution has been Hamas. As far back as 2012, Netanyahu told Israeli press that ``it was important to keep Hamas strong, as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.'' He knew that by empowering Hamas in Gaza, a two-state solution would never be possible. In fact, between 2012 and 2018 alone, Netanyahu allowed an estimated $1 billion to flow into Gaza, at least half of which reached Hamas.

According to the Jerusalem Post, in a private meeting with members of the Likud Party in 2019, Netanyahu explained his rationale as this:

The money transfer is part of the strategy to divide the

Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. . . . In that way, we

will foil the establishment of a Palestinian state.

This open hostility to a two-state solution has only hardened in the aftermath of October 7. In February, Netanyahu bragged:

Everyone knows that I am the one who for decades blocked

the establishment of a Palestinian State that would endanger

our existence.

And in just the last week, he led the Knesset in passing resolution that rejects a two-state solution.

Mr. Netanyahu has never been shy about his desire to prevent a two- state solution. His record is now clear beyond a shadow of a doubt. We should not be surprised that he continues to stand in the way of peace.

With this troubling record laid out, I feel compelled again, as a friend of Israel, to say that Prime Minister Netanyahu has put Israel on a disastrous path. His leadership is eroding Israel's security, health, and democracy.

In March, I came to the floor to call for new leadership for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. I stand by that call. Ultimately, these are decisions for the Israelis and the Palestinian people.

But while Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to lead his nation, I urge him to return to the cease-fire framework he agreed to in May with the Biden administration. This plan includes a sensible and phased approach to bring the hostages home, increasing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and a realistic approach to day-to-day security and governance in Gaza.

Israel will not find the long-term security and peace it wants by indefinitely reoccupying the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Prime Minister, working with the United States and other regional allies and partners, must achieve a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. Now is not the time to risk opening a second, potentially more dangerous, confrontation with Hezbollah that could spill over into a larger regional war.

Further, Mr. Netanyahu should immediately disavow the far-right members of his Cabinet and stop their efforts to inflame violence in Gaza and the West Bank that is making a two-state solution all but impossible.

Finally, President Netanyahu must accept the legitimacy of a two- state solution, where the State of Israel and a demilitarized Palestinian State can exist side by side in peace and security. This plan is difficult and will require a buy-in from Israel, the Palestinian people, Arab neighbors, and the international community, but it is necessary and essential. The inability to embrace a two-state solution has profound consequences for the State of Israel, its security, its standing in the world, and its ability to remain a democracy.

As I prepare to join my colleagues in listening to Prime Minister Netanyahu's address tomorrow, I remain deeply skeptical of his leadership and willingness to change course, but I hope he will finally listen to his friends and allies who only want the best for Israel.

The United States is Israel's oldest friend. But as a friend, we must insist that Prime Minister Netanyahu fundamentally change the path he has put his country on. The eyes of the world and history are upon it.

With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a great gentleman, a dear friend, a colleague, and in many cases a battle buddy, Senator Jim Inhofe.

He was an extraordinary gentleman. And you can't say ``gentleman'' enough when it came to Jim Inhofe. He was a man of humility, of decency, and of kindness, and he touched everyone he met with those qualities.

He was also a man of deep principle. But what made him a great Senator--in fact, one of the best that served in this body--is that he was always looking for principled compromise. He was always trying to reach across the aisle and see if he could, working with others, find a way forward that would be better for the country. So I was terribly saddened when I learned yesterday of Jim's passing. He was a leader. He was a gentleman. He was all that we expect a Senator to be and much more.

I was honored to serve alongside Jim. For three decades, he served on the Armed Services Committee in both the House and the Senate. I had the privilege to serve with him as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. We were, in turn, both chairman and ranking member--both the senior Republican and the senior Democrat--on the committee for many years, and we produced nearly two dozen National Defense Authorization Acts. We traveled to combat zones and military posts around the world and worked to support our men and women in uniform. As I said before, there were many issues we disagreed upon, but we were able, in many, many--if not most--cases, to find a way forward.

One of the issues that I think is so compelling in Jim's life is that as a young man, he was in the Army, and he knew what it was like to serve and sacrifice and dedicate yourself to a cause beyond personal ambition and personal aggrandizement. He learned also something that was profound and reflected in all of his work on the committee--that the decisions we make here ultimately affect the lives of young Americans in uniform across the globe. He knew that. He understood that. So he was not sitting back here thinking about, well, how will this affect this company and that company? It was, are we doing the best for the young men and women who have dedicated themselves to this country and would sacrifice even their lives for this country? Are we doing as much as we can for the families that are serving with them? That profound sense of service that he incubated as a young Army soldier he carried through his Senate career.

He always insisted on speaking to the junior NCOs and junior servicemembers. You know, up here we all get briefings from generals saying ``Here is the situation, sir,'' but he wanted to get down and talk to privates and specialists and seamen and airmen and say: What is going on? How are things going? Is this working from your perspective?

Again, adding to the quality of his service was his sensitivity. He truly understood the people who serve in uniform in the United States, and he made sure to support those troops. He sponsored critical legislation to improve their lives, whether by overhauling barracks or creating new benefits for military families. He and I worked together on countless efforts to provide better pay and healthcare and equipment to our service men and women.

This Nation and our military are stronger today because of Jim Inhofe and safer today because of Jim Inhofe.

He had a way of looking ahead. I remember when I was serving as the ranking member with John McCain and we were thinking about what would face us in the future, and Jim was there with us, talking about the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, how we have to begin to put more resources in the Pacific, and then, before the invasion of Ukraine, the European Deterrence Initiative. I mean, we have to be able to be flexible and to counter the thrust of a potential outbreak of war. We were positioned in Europe to help the Ukrainians because of Jim Inhofe's work over many, many years.

I am especially proud that the Armed Service Committee voted to name the fiscal year 2023 Defense bill the ``James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act.'' It was a fitting tribute and honor.

Again, he was an extraordinary leader with legislative skills, the capacity for hard work, always placing the troops and his fellow Oklahomans first. He never forgot about Oklahoma. He

never forgot about their needs. He was in there fighting every step of the way.

I am very, very grateful for the kindness he extended to me. He was just an amazing gentleman. I think I speak for the Senate Armed Services Committee and I think I speak for all of the Senate: We will miss him dearly.

I want to express my deepest sympathies to Kay, his wife, and his wonderful family. He would admit without any reservation that he was able to do his job because of the love and support of Kay and his family. They were there with him every step of the way. In their moment of sorrow and sadness, I offer my sincerest condolences.

May we all strive for the wisdom, courage, and humility that Senator Jim Inhofe imparted upon this great Nation and this Senate.

I also want to salute my colleagues today--Senator Lankford, who is carrying on that tradition of integrity and decency, as are Senator Thune, Senator Cornyn--and to thank them for letting me say a few words about my friend Jim Inhofe.

With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the service and achievements of an esteemed and valued member of our Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Leonard ``Butch'' Dollaga, who will retire from the U.S. Navy on October 1, 2024, after 34 years in uniform. His long and distinguished service to our Nation reflects an unwavering devotion to duty and a great love of our country.

Rear Admiral Dollaga grew up next to the shipyards in Honolulu, HI, and his hometown of Vallejo, CA. He earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990 and upon graduation entered the fleet as a submarine officer. After serving as a division officer aboard USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), an engineer officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740), and executive officer aboard USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), Rear Admiral Dollaga commanded USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in Pearl Harbor, HI. He also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron 12 in Groton, CT.

Ashore, Rear Admiral Dollaga's service reflected the same rigors he faced at sea. He served in a number of important roles, including admissions officer at the U.S. Naval Academy, technical assistant to the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, nuclear officer program manager and submarine officer community manager on the staff of the Chief of Naval Personnel, instructor for the Submarine Command Course, Chief of the Joint Staff's Program and Budget Analysis Division, and Director of the Navy Appropriations Matters Congressional Liaison Office.

His flag assignments included serving as commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center in Groton, CT, and most recently as commander of Submarine Group SEVEN/Task Force 54/Task Force 74, where he led undersea operations in both the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility.

Over the past 2 years, Admiral Dollaga has served as the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs. As the principal representative of the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations to the Senate and House of Representatives, he has provided invaluable support to Members and congressional staff. Rear Admiral Dollaga understands the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between senior Navy leadership and the Hill. He ensured, to the best of his abilities, that

there were no surprises, and he never shied away from tough conversations.

Rear Admiral Dollaga provided exemplary vision, strategy, and direction in executing numerous hearings, briefings, and engagements with Congress on the strategic direction and challenging issues facing the Department of the Navy. As he brings this chapter of his life to a close, I want to personally thank him and ask that we honor him today for his more than three decades of leadership and service.

Submariners endure deployments that take them away from their family and the luxury of frequent communication with their loved ones. For this reason, I also want to recognize the service and sacrifice of Rear Admiral Dollaga's family: his wife Lani, his daughters Sarah and Malia, and his son Kyle. Without their support and sacrifice over these past 34 years, his service would not have been possible. They have been an integral part of his journey and deserve our Nation's gratitude. I know my Senate colleagues will join me in congratulating Rear Admiral Dollaga on an outstanding career and in wishing him and his family all the best as they embark on a new chapter together.

Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to a remarkable team upon their retirement from the Department of the Army. The combined service of Mrs. Margaret ``Peggy'' Bass Baines and Mr. Antonio Rodolfo Baines spans an astounding 80 years, a testament to their unwavering commitment to our Nation.

Each beginning their careers in the 1980s, Peggy and Antonio ultimately completed 20 years of Active military duty in the U.S. Army. Both then transitioned seamlessly into civilian roles within the Department of the Army and continued to serve with dedication. Remarkably, they each added two more decades of devoted service to the Army and the Nation.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Margaret Baines exemplified excellence during her tenure as both a signal corps officer and a judge advocate. Her service was marked by integrity, legal acumen, and a steadfast commitment to the Army's mission. Following her retirement from Active Duty, Peggy continued her invaluable contributions as the deputy legal advisor (Counsel) within the Army Office of the Inspector General. Subsequently, she assumed the role of Associate Deputy General Counsel for Ethics in the office of the Army General Counsel, further enhancing the legal framework that underpins the Army's operations. Peggy ensured Army leaders received thoughtful and purpose-built legal advice that facilitated effective management of critical Army programs and decisions.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Antonio Baines left an indelible mark on the Army. As an Active-Duty signal corps officer and force management expert, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical expertise. Upon transitioning to civil service, Antonio directly contributed to congressional support for critical Army modernization priorities during his 20 years with the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison. As the Army's senior liaison for intelligence, modernization, and equipping, he played a pivotal role advising senior Army leaders and shaping legislative outcomes that directly impacted Army programs. Antonio's

mentorship of military officers assigned to the Army's Congressional Liaison Office not only improved the Army's ability to interact effectively with Congress, but also solidified his legacy within the Department of Defense's congressional liaison community.

It is also important to note and thank those who supported Mrs. and Mr. Baines throughout their careers, all of whom can be justifiably proud of the accomplishments of these two. This includes Peggy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alden and Doris Bass of Fort Wayne, IN, and Antonio's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Yolanda Baines of Jonesboro, GA. Additionally, Courtney Baines of Charlotte, NC, and Joshua Baines of Cambridge, MA, stand as living testaments to their parents' legacy. I honor the commitment and service of Peggy and Antonio, and I wish them the peaceful and joyful retirement they have earned. Well done.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor Ms. Sandra E. Latta, who is retiring from the Department of the Navy after more than 35 years of faithful civilian service to our Nation, culminating as the Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs for Strategy and Assessment, Office of Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of the Navy.

Ms. Latta's contributions to the Department of the Navy have been numerous. Her responsibilities include directing the Department's legislative strategy and directly supporting the President's budget submission and subsequent congressional action on the annual National Defense Authorization Act. As one of two deputies in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and the only civilian to serve in that capacity, Ms. Latta established and executed the overall legislative direction for the Department of the Navy. During her tenure, Ms. Latta provided expert congressional advice to six Secretaries of the Navy and seven Chiefs of Naval Operations as they met with congressional leaders and staff to advance the priorities of the Department of the Navy.

Ms. Latta began her Washington career on the staff of U.S. Representative Bill Hefner of North Carolina, who was a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. During her 14-year tenure with Representative Hefner, Ms. Latta advised the Congressman on a range of policy issues and for 8 of those years served as his press secretary. Prior to her tenure with the Department of the Navy, Ms. Latta worked for 5 years in the private sector, where she established and led a team that advised the Navy on congressional activities affecting defense policy and budgets. She then brought her significant experience and leadership to the Department of the Navy in 2003, to serve as the first civilian Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs.

Ms. Latta is a native of Mocksville, NC. She received a B.A. in political science from North Carolina State University and currently serves on the advisory council for the School of Public and International Affairs.

Throughout her career, Ms. Latta's leadership and performance has been recognized by numerous awards including the Department of the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Award and the Department of Defense's Spirit of Service Award.

I am proud to recognize Ms. Latta, and I thank her and her family for her honorable service to our nation. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Sandra Latta ``fair winds and following seas'' as she concludes a distinguished career of public service.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the RECORDS on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I rise to express my support for Ms. Melissa Dalton's nomination to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Ms. Dalton is an exceptionally qualified leader with a long and distinguished career in service to the United States. She has more than two decades of experience in defense and intelligence policy, including an extensive background in Department of Defense strategy, policy, operations, processes, and workforce issues. Ms. Dalton currently serves as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs and served previously by performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities.

The Armed Services Committee held a nomination hearing for Ms. Dalton 4 months ago, on January 23, and it is critical that we approve her nomination now.

If confirmed, Ms. Dalton will face a number of pressing challenges for the Air Force. The service has operated at a high tempo for the past two decades, supporting around-the-clock operations in the Middle East and around the world. This mission has strained Air Force personnel and aged the combat aircraft fleet more quickly than anticipated. This high ``op-tempo'' also challenged Air Force leaders to adequately invest in modernization efforts. With China posing new, unprecedented challenges to our airpower in the Indo-Pacific and with emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons and uncrewed aerial systems, or UAS, creating new threats around the world, the Air Force must adapt quickly to stay ahead.

In particular, the Air Force must continue to strengthen and improve its acquisition system. In order to field new capabilities to match the speed of technological change, the next Under Secretary will need to take steps to ensure that the Air Force has a secure and reliable industrial base and a trained and qualified workforce. At her confirmation hearing, Ms. Dalton pledged her immediate, unwavering attention to these issues. This was an important commitment and one that I support.

If confirmed, Ms. Dalton will help lead the Air Force at a critical moment as we continue our long-term strategic competition with China and Russia. This will require thoughtful, resolute leadership with a deep understanding of the issues. Throughout her career, Ms. Dalton has developed and implemented just these sorts of leading-edge defense policies, and she reemphasized her commitment to them during her confirmation hearing.

Ms. Dalton is an outstanding nominee to serve as Under Secretary of the

Air Force, and I am proud to support her nomination.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes and confirm this great leader.

With that, 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 ask for the yeas and nays on the pending nomination.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Record on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to a great leader and exceptional officer of the U.S. Army, COL Deborah ``Debbie'' J. McDonald, as she retires after nearly 40 years of service to the Army and our Nation.

A proud Rhode Islander, Debbie grew up in Newport and graduated from Rogers High School. Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1985, Colonel McDonald commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. She served in a variety of field assignments, including Fort Sill, OK; Fort Devens, MA; Fort Campbell, KY; and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Notably, as the commander of the 104th Medium Truck Company, she deployed as a separate company in support of Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Her company provided long-haul transportation, primarily hauling water, ammunition, and food in support of XVIII Airborne Corps operations in theater.

In addition to her bachelor of science degree from West Point, Colonel McDonald holds a master's degree in information management from Oklahoma City University and a doctorate in education from the University of Florida. Her military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Master Fitness Course, the Combined Arms Staff Services School, the Army Inspector General Course, the Army Operations Research and Systems Analysis Course, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

For the past 15 years, Colonel McDonald served as the director of admissions for the U.S. Military Academy. In this capacity, she ensured West Point identified, recruited, and appointed capable and accomplished individuals. Colonel McDonald challenged her team and every element of the Army that supported her mission to seek new and better ways to inspire scholars, leaders, and athletes to choose West Point. Her tireless efforts to building a corps of cadets that mirrors the geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of the Nation has resulted in the most talented classes in the academy's 221-year history. Embracing her role in supporting the mission of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point ``to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets,'' Colonel McDonald has had a profound impact on a generation of future Army leaders.

She used all her skills and experience to modernize the admissions process: improving the experience for candidates and their families; creating a convenient online application process; and saving the academy millions of dollars in printing and mailing costs. Recognizing the broader requirements of the Army, Debbie improved the relationship between West Point and the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which ultimately enhanced Cadet Command's scholarship pool and helped the U.S. Army to meet its annual goal of assessing 6,000 to 7,000 second lieutenants into the force.

Married to her West Point classmate, LTC Kenneth ``Kenny'' W. McDonald, U.S. Army, Retired, Debbie is also the proud mother of MAJ Anna Mendoza, U.S. Army, and CPT Joshua McDonald, U.S. Army. On behalf of the Senate and the United States of America, I thank Colonel McDonald, her husband Kenny, their daughter and son, and their entire family for their commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to our Nation. I join my colleagues in wishing her a long and joyful retirement. Well done.

Mr. President, this amendment would strike funding to help Women & Infants Hospital, in Providence, RI, build a new midwifery unit in order to help ensure babies can safely enter the world and that their moms can have a safe and positive childbirth experience.

Some Members are insinuating that this is about abortion. No funds will be used for abortions. In fact, these funds will truly have a clear and direct benefit for arriving babies and moms.

And I would urge defeat of the amendment.

I yield my remaining time to Senator Whitehouse.