Floor Statements

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today in support of our friend David Perdue's nomination to be Ambassador to China. This is certainly one of the most important nominations and appointments that will come across this floor, and the President is to be commended for picking David Perdue for this position.

China, as we all know, is the largest, the most significant, probably the longest lasting foreign policy challenge that the United States of America has, and it is going to continue to be for some time.

Today, we have seen, over the last recent decades, China move from a third-world country to a near peer to the United States. Their economy is growing rapidly, and they have done it the old fashion way: They have stolen every good idea that we have and used it to their own devices, which has brought them to the challenging position they are in for the United States. And they are a very different country than the United States is.

The world, I think, is very quickly developing into a bipolar position, where, on the one hand, you have democracies and semi- democracies like the United States, made of up of free people, of capitalism, of free markets, of entrepreneurs, and of people who very much value human rights and value the individual way, ahead of the state. On the other hand, you have countries like China that are communist. They are socialists. They are not free market or capitalist motivated. And they have no regards for human rights. The best example of that is the genocide that they commit against the Uighur Muslims in China, and the world pretty much looks the other way while they do human rights abuses that are way over the top.

So, Senator Perdue--David--you have your work cut out for you. This is going to be a challenge as we go forward, particularly over the next 4 years.

In addition to that, China has done everything it can to infiltrate the United States. Most people in America have no understanding about the tremendous amount and the millions of dollars that the Chinese Government pumps into our colleges and universities here in the United States. I myself and others have long been trying to put a stop to this. No foreign government can come into our political system and use money to influence our political system, and yet a foreign government like China can go into our colleges and universities and pump in millions of dollars and use the influence of that money to influence the colleges and universities. We don't allow this in our political system because we don't want foreign influence in our political system, nor should we allow this kind of influence in the institutions that make up the education system for future Americans.

We need to put a stop to this, and all of us, I hope, will be glad to partner with our friend David Perdue as he confronts these issues from Beijing.

In this administration and in his first term, President Trump demonstrated that he will be tough on China. He has to be.

We need a strong leader like David Perdue at the front of our fight with the Chinese Government to execute on President Trump's vision, and I hope my colleagues will join me today in supporting Mr. Perdue to be Ambassador to China.

Mr. President, I would ask unanimous consent that we commence the vote on the nomination.

Mr. President, on a more credible note, I hope, I am here to speak on two noms that we have coming up. There is going to be a vote on confirmation of Thomas Barrack to be Ambassador for Turkiye and a vote on Tilman Fertitta for the nomination to be Ambassador for Italy.

I want to speak first to the nomination of Thomas Barrack for Ambassador to Turkiye. As you know--as everyone knows--Turkiye is a critical U.S. and NATO ally. I use that word ally judiciously. They have been the recalcitrant ally, from time to time, lately and have been difficult. Nonetheless, we have gotten through those things, but it has been far from lockstep with America in supporting our mutual interests.

While Turkiye hosts NATO and American forces and has supported efforts toward peace in Ukraine, it has troubling--troubling--ties to Russia and Hamas. Turkiye also has a difficult track record on human rights and has repressed dissent both in and outside of its borders.

Mr. Barrack is the right man to tackle this challenging post. He will help President Trump and Secretary Rubio protect national security interests from the many threats we face. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the confirmation of Thomas Barrack.

Next, I want to move to the nomination of Tillman Fertitta for Ambassador to Italy.

Italy remains a close ally, an important partner in Europe, and is a special place for a lot of Americans. While there are deep cultural ties, there remain a number of areas where significant improvement is needed.

On trade, U.S. producers have a hard time getting access to the Italian market, in part because of EU regulations--certainly, not the fault of Italy. But, nonetheless, the difficulty is there. There are also domestic industries that find creative barriers to keep U.S. products out.

In the security space, Italy remains below NATO's 2 percent spending requirement. This is really hard to understand, based on both the challenges Putin has created for European security but also due to the substantial security threats Italy faces from the Mediterranean and from North Africa.

I am confident that Mr. Fertitta will help address these issues and ensure the U.S.-Italian relationship only continues to grow stronger.

I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination. I know this nomination vote is going to be a bipartisan vote, and there are certainly Democrats that feel very strongly about Mr. Fertitta for good reason. He is a good man. He deserves the vote. I hope everyone will join us in voting for this confirmation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Fertitta nomination.

I ask unanimous consent that we move immediately to the vote on the two nominations.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 160th anniversary of the Joyce Ranch in Owyhee County, ID--an extraordinary milestone in the history of Gem State agriculture and a testament to the enduring strength of family.

Officially known as Joyce Livestock Company, Joyce Ranch proudly holds the title of Idaho's oldest family-owned ranch. Established by Matthew Joyce in 1865, the Joyce Ranch has flourished over five generations. For the Joyces, hard work, resilience, and family are not just a shared priority, but the key to success. Today, it comprises approximately 11,000 acres of deeded land and an additional 120,000 acres for grazing.

Joyce Ranch has been passed down by the same family since inception, a rarity in our rapidly changing world and a truly remarkable achievement. The legacy of Matthew Joyce and Idaho's rich agricultural history was carried on by his daughter Maggie Joyce Nettleton and her son Hubert, who played a pivotal role in maintaining the ranch through both challenges and triumphs.

As we celebrate this significant achievement, it is essential to recognize the commitment and sacrifices ranchers and their families make to keep operations like Joyce Ranch thriving. Hubert followed family tradition by passing the family ranch to his son Paul Nettleton. The current management of Joyce Ranch, Paul and his son Chad, represent the next generation--bringing with them fresh perspectives and modern approaches, while honoring the traditions that have defined their ranch for more than a century.

The Joyce family's stewardship of the land demonstrates their profound commitment to properly managing the resources for the future while meeting the demands of our agricultural landscape. The evolution of ranching reflects the broader changes in our society, as today's ranchers must embrace technology and data-driven methods to succeed. This adaptability is crucial for the longevity of family-owned ranching operations like Joyce Ranch.

I am honored to recognize the hard work and dedication that has sustained Joyce Ranch for 160 years and made it a cherished feature of the Owyhee County community. Their legacy, which symbolizes the spirit of Western ranching and our deep agricultural heritage, is truly remarkable.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor Schumacker's Jewelry as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for April 2025.

Founded in 1947 by Herman and Eva Schumacker, Schumacker's Jewelry has been a cherished part of St. Maries for decades. Herman grew up in Moscow and farmed near Genesee before attending Bradley University. There, he received a degree in horology--the study of time and the art of measuring it--which proved useful in repairing and restoring timepieces and jewelry for the residents of North Idaho.

Herman created a neighborhood shop committed to making every customer feel at home with personalized services that ensure each jewelry buying experience is special. After 31 years, Herman sold Schumacker's Jewelry to his son Richard but continued to work part-time until his passing in 2004. Richard and his wife Lana ran the store for the next 20 years. Today, the Schumacker Jewelry legacy is carried on by Richard and his daughter Carrie Schumacker Scott.

For 78 years, this third-generation family business has been a staple in north Idaho. The Schumackers are an integral part of the St. Maries community, consistently supporting local charities and volunteering for various causes.

Congratulations to the Schumackers and all the employees at Schumacker's Jewelry on their selection as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for April 2025. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.