Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise today to acknowledge that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will soon lose a fine public servant to retirement. The National Weather Service's director, Dr. Louis Uccellini, is retiring at the end of this year. The National Weather Service--NWS--produces the weather forecasts and products that we rely on a daily basis. These predictions are critical for protecting lives and property around the country, and Dr. Uccellini has played a big part of this work for the last several decades. Before I mention any specific accomplishments, let me share a couple of numbers: 43 years of public service, 70 published scientific articles and chapters in books, and more than 4,500 employees working out of some 168 units or offices.

Dr. Uccellini--or Louis, as he urges people to call him--has been passionate about weather since he was a small child. A tremendous snowstorm caught his attention during his youth, and even now, he is still fascinated by winter weather, so much so that among the many offices, teams, and even organizations he founded is the Winter Weather desk at the Weather Prediction Center. Among his many scientific accomplishments, Dr. Uccellini co-wrote what has been deemed the most authoritative study on winter weather, appropriately called ``Northeast Snowstorms.''

There is no aspect of today's weather forecast that Dr. Uccellini didn't either pioneer, or improve, from models that focus on individual phenomena or areas, to the first ensemble models, to seasonal forecasting models and even space weather. Louis established unified workstations that let forecasters view and assimilate multiple data inputs, and he took an entire forecast division from analog to digital. His ability to look at and integrate multiple types of data inputs and computer systems is why we as a nation can look from a daily forecast to weekly to subseasonal to seasonal. He introduced and integrated ocean, wave, water, air quality, and space models with weather models and oversaw all nine of the NWS's National Centers for Environmental Prediction before being tapped to lead the entire National Weather Service.

Yet Louis is much more than a scientist. His leadership of NWS and pioneering cultural and organizational changes led the Federal contracting trade publication FCW to name him in 2020 as one of America's top 100 Government Executives, and he was selected to serve as a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow. The ability to lead and manage an organization is difficult even when administration is one's primary profession. It is a large secondary hat for a scientist to wear, and Louis wore it with aplomb, taking the National Weather Service to new heights of organization, service, and professionalism.

In 2013, Louis took the helm of the Weather Service. He improved the organization's financial management by creating a budget and organizational structure that mirrored the forecast process. All of NWS is now in alignment: the forecast process, budget portfolio and management structure, creating a stronger sense of mission, and delivering transparency both internally and externally. He truly righted the ship. He actually embraced external audits and advice from consultants and proactively circled back to review changes he was leading at NWS.

One event comes to mind when I think of what will define Uccellini's most lasting legacy. In April 2011, a dramatic and devastating tornado outbreak that struck our southern States killed 316 people even though the NWS had been warning partners and the community for days in advance. The tragic number of lives lost, despite multiple warnings, led Louis to lead the Weather Service into a new model for communication called Impact-based Decision Support Services, IDSS. The launch of IDSS was a sea change in NWS operations in which the forecast is not an end product but a starting point for forecasters to help emergency managers advise communities. By deepening Weather Service partnerships with emergency managers, IDSS has increased forecast effectiveness and saved lives. Louis led the NWS toward its goal of creating a Weather-Ready Nation, increasing community and individual readiness and resilience.

There are few public servants like Louis Uccellini. He has strengthened our Nation's research on and resilience to extreme weather events. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire, I thank Dr. Uccellini for his decades of excellent service to our Nation and wish him well in his retirement. He will be missed.

Mr. President, I rise today to salute John Dumais for his many years of dedicated service at the New Hampshire Grocers Association. John is retiring from his longtime role as president and CEO of a trade association that represents hundreds of retailers and suppliers and thousands of workers across the Granite State, and he leaves a legacy worthy of our praise and our gratitude.

John draws on a lifetime of experience and in-depth knowledge in his advocacy for the retail food industry. He grew up working in his family's grocery store in Franklin, NH--Surowiec's Market--and put aside a career track as a pharmacist to help run the shop when his father passed away in 1971. Three years later, he took a role with the New Hampshire Grocers Association. It was the start of an almost five- decade career in which John became one of the State's foremost authorities on the many issues that impact New Hampshire's chained grocery stores and independent retailers.

The Granite State is home to a growing number of retail food chains that offer their services in multiple locations. It boasts a number of independent, local corner stores and specialty shops that provide distinct services to their communities. It also has a number of food manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, and distributers that serve and support the State's many retailers. Each of these enterprises are represented by the New Hampshire Grocers Association, and each of them has found a knowledgeable resource and skilled advocate in John Dumais. John and his hard-working team tap into their wealth of experience to respond to present needs and anticipate future challenges in this crucial industry.

In addition to his influential role and many achievements with the New Hampshire Grocers Association, John is incredibly generous with his time in a number of other community and charitable organizations. He is a past chairman and current board member of the New Hampshire Food Bank, the chairman of an anti-litter and pro-recycling campaign--New Hampshire the Beautiful--and the past chairman of a scholarship organization, the Asparagus Club. He is also a donor-adviser to

the Mary M. Dumais Memorial Fund, an endowment fund named for his wife that assists women who face challenges entering or advancing in the workforce. John's enthusiasm and desire to tackle serious community issues reveal a deep understanding of the true value of service and reflect the profound sense of community that defines our State.

I have known John for decades. As State senator, Governor of New Hampshire, and now U.S. Senator, I have crossed paths with him at many meetings and events around the State, including just last month at a supply chain event in Manchester. I always welcome his perspective and advice on ways we can strengthen the retail food industry. His wisdom was especially vital in the past year and a half as the industry navigated the challenges of a global pandemic and Granite Staters counted on grocery stores to keep food on their tables. We relied on this essential workforce, just as these retailers relied on John for guidance through tough times.

On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in thanking John Dumais for his years of service and advocacy and wishing him all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. President, I also originally planned to come to the floor this afternoon to ask unanimous consent to support the nomination of Mark Gitenstein to be U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.

Mark is a qualified candidate to represent the United States with our most important trade and security relationship. He has already served our Nation as U.S. Ambassador to Romania. He is deeply familiar with the geostrategic needs of our Central and European allies, and he has spent over 25 years working on energy issues. This experience is going to be critically important in responding to Russia's weaponization of gas flows to Europe.

As the United States confronts the challenges around the world, we need to convey our firm commitment to our partners and our alliances.

Now, unfortunately, I am not going to be able to move forward with this unanimous consent request because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle can't seem to muster anyone to come down and object to my unanimous consent request.

It is hard for me to understand why they have an objection to Mr. Gitenstein when they are not even willing to come to object, and we know they are here.

His confirmation would be important to advance our bilateral conversations on shared national security interests, such as this week's dialogue between the United States and the EU on China. But for these conversations to make meaningful progress in addressing our national security interests, we need our diplomats and State Department officials at the table.

I had the privilege of leading a bipartisan delegation to the Halifax Security Forum 2 weeks ago. We had three Republicans and three Democrats.

One of the things we heard from our allies was that there was a real impact by having a lack of ambassadorial confirmations in countries, particularly in our ally countries. In the absence of U.S. representation, they are really questioning our commitment to our bilateral relationship.

In addition to Mr. Gitenstein, there are over 50 other State Department nominees waiting confirmation on the floor.

Now, if our colleagues on the other side of the aisle really shared the concerns about Russia and China's growing malign influence in the world that threatens the values we have fought so hard to advance, they would lift those holds without delay. They would understand that it is important for our national security to have Ambassadors in these critical posts around the world.

I am deeply disappointed that our Republican colleagues have opposed the confirmation of Mr. Gitenstein's appointment to the European Union, and I find it strange that at a time when we should be swiftly confirming our Ambassadors so that we can engage with our allies and address challenges like China and Russia, that what we are hearing from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle is they want to hamstring our national security and play into the hands of our adversaries.

Now, I understand that some of my Republican colleagues have decided to hold up dozens of ambassadorial nominees because of this administration's handling of Nord Stream 2. I don't think I need to remind anybody that I have long been opposed to Nord Stream 2. But this opposition is precisely the reason that we should be appointing an ambassador to the European Union because without an ambassador, we have been absent in critical conversations on sanctions, on trade, on security, and on energy. And without an ambassador, we are limited in our ability to push for further sanctions to address Russian aggression, especially with our European allies.

Without an ambassador, we can't effectively engage our allies. We are actively playing into Putin's hands by creating opportunities to sow division and discord within the transatlantic community.

Partisan politics should end at the water's edge, as it has for decades in the United States. I urge those few Republicans on the other side of the aisle who are holding things up to stop this needless obstruction.

The U.S. is stronger and safer when our diplomatic corps--those individuals who support Americans and U.S. foreign policy around the world--are supported by capable, Senate-vetted, and confirmed Ambassadors.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, just to respond to Senator Cotton--and I know that he shares my view about Nord Stream 2. But I think, sadly, at this point we are in a position where, by refusing to allow our diplomats to be in place, we no longer have an ability to negotiate.

And, in fact, the gas has not started running in Nord Stream 2; the certification of that pipeline has been delayed; and we have a new administration in Germany that we have heard a number of members of that administration express serious reservations about Nord Stream 2.

So I am not sure that right now--given the need for transatlantic unity, the need for us to be able to work with our European allies on whatever Russia might do on Ukraine--is the best time for us to send a signal that we don't really care what the administration is doing on this issue and we don't really care what the Germans say about it, all we care about is making a point on Nord Stream 2, when what we really need to be doing is working together with our European allies because what Putin wants more than anything else is to sow dissension between the United States and our European allies. And, by this action, he is doing exactly that.

Mr. President, I just have to take real umbrage at your suggestion, Senator Cotton.

I am the one who Vladimir Putin refused a visa to get into Russia because of my opposition to Russia and to what Putin was doing. He didn't deny you a visa to get into the country. So don't talk to me about how I have not been tough enough on Russia because that dog won't hunt.

The fact is, during the Trump administration, he spent 4 years before he would sanction Nord Stream 2. Finally, right before he left office, he put sanctions on.

The only reason the western companies that were working on Nord Stream 2 stopped their work is because of the threat of sanctions, not because Trump did anything to enforce those sanctions.

So there is plenty of blame to go around, and it doesn't help for you or me or anybody else to start throwing personal insults over what is going on around Nord Stream 2.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my Defense fellow, Ashley Carline, and Pearson fellow, Megan Tetrick, be given floor privileges for the remainder of the 117th Congress.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 437, Julianne Smith, of Michigan, to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all without intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I would also like to speak to Julie Smith and her qualifications to be Ambassador to NATO.

Julie is, really, very well qualified to represent the United States within our biggest and most significant security alliance. Her 25-year career has focused on transatlantic relations and security. She has served the country as Deputy National Security Advisor and Acting National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Biden.

In 2012, she was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Exceptional Public Service. She has worked at some of the country's most esteemed think tanks that address European issues.

As the U.S. confronts challenges around the world, we need to convey our firm commitment to our allies and our alliances. For this reason, it is absolutely critical that we put Julie Smith in place as Ambassador to NATO as soon as possible.

I am really very pleased that those who had a hold on her nomination have finally lifted those holds. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long because, as we look at what is happening in Eastern Europe in particular, and as we look at the migrants who are being used by Belarus--and I assume that Vladimir Putin is behind this, as well, to send those migrants to the Polish border as a way to distract from what is happening in Eastern Europe--clearly, the more equipped NATO is to help deal with those challenges, the better.

If we are going to participate with NATO, we need to have an Ambassador on the ground. It should have happened several months ago, when she was nominated. So I am very pleased that she is going to be able to assume her ambassadorship very soon. As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I look forward to working with her in her new role.

But this should serve as a wake-up call to those people in this Chamber who continue to have holds on critical nominees who are important to this country's national security. As I talk to U.S. allies, it is clear that the delay in sending Ambassadors to posts around the world is having a real impact on our relations with our partners; and in the absence of U.S. representation, they are questioning our commitment to our bilateral relationships.

Now, I would like to think that my colleagues who have put these holds on our nominees aren't doing it in an effort to undermine America's security and to undermine this administration in protecting the United States, but, clearly, that is the impact of what they are doing.

I have heard from a lot of my colleagues over the last months about U.S. standing in the world after our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Yet, as they are blocking administration nominees who would work with our allies, who would engage in our shared priorities and values, who would listen to concerns, and who could work together, they are just exacerbating any issues that may exist.

I don't know why they are doing this, but, right now, there are 58 other State Department nominees who are awaiting confirmation on the floor. Every day that passes that we have no Ambassadors in place in countries around the world, our national security is compromised, and I have got a very close-to-home example.

Earlier today, I met with Diane Foley, the mother of James Foley, who was the first American killed by ISIS, and she has done yeoman's work with her foundation to try to help the families of hostages who are being held in countries around the world. She was talking about what we could do to help those families and to do everything to try and help them get their loved ones back--to free the hostages who are being wrongly held around the world.

Well, one of the things we talked about is the fact that, in many of those countries, we don't have Ambassadors because we have holds on those folks who are so important to help those families and to help address American interests in those countries. So what our colleagues are doing by holding up these nominees is undermining the national security of the United States. By grinding to a halt our State Department nominees, a small group of my Republican colleagues has allowed partisan brinkmanship to pervade a critical aspect of our national security.

You know, there was a very important principle established after World War II about partisan politics ending at the water's edge. It is unfortunate that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not continuing to support that principle.

We are stronger and safer when our diplomatic corps--those individuals who support Americans and U.S. foreign policy around the world--are supported by capable, Senate-vetted, and Senate-confirmed Ambassadors.

So I hope we will see in the coming weeks a willingness of those few people--it is only two or three people on the other side of the aisle who have held people up--to release those holds in the best interests of America and of our security.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to discuss what are, sadly, the harmful impacts of ongoing partisan obstruction in the Senate.

Earlier today, at the Small Business Committee, our colleague, Senator Cardin, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, held a business meeting--I think about the fifth one--to try to advance the nomination of Mr. Dilawar Syed to be the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

As we know, the Small Business Administration is a very important Agency under the best of circumstances. It does great work, but during this pandemic, for the past year, it has become absolutely indispensable as we tried to address the continuing economic impact of COVID on our small businesses.

In order for it to operate effectively, in order for us to hold the Agency accountable for administering the small business relief programs that Congress has designed to pass, we have an obligation to ensure that the Small Business Administration has a fully functioning and Senate-confirmed leadership team.

Unfortunately, as Senator Cardin and others witnessed just a few hours ago, Republicans, again, on the Small Business Committee--all of the Republicans on the Small Business Committee--have orchestrated a complete blockade of Mr. Syed's nomination, preventing it from even coming to the floor of the Senate for debate and consideration.

And what is so confusing, Mr. President, is that there doesn't seem to be a reason to the Republicans' objections to Mr. Syed. It keeps changing. No one has raised any questions about Mr. Syed's competence or his experience or his suitability to serve as Deputy SBA Administrator.

In fact, several months ago, we tried to advance the nominee in our first effort in a business meeting by a voice vote, and several Republican Members of the Small Business Committee who are now participating in this obstruction voted yes at that time, including the ranking member.

Now it appears that this boycott is part of a pattern by just a handful of Members who simply want to stop any action that would allow the Biden administration to have a full complement of Senate-confirmed officials at critical Federal Agencies so they can then carry out their work as directed by Congress.

Unfortunately, I would also note that this partisan brinkmanship and obstruction doesn't end with domestic and economic matters. I want to point out, again, the dangerously slow confirmation process of our State Department nominees and ambassadors. Again, we have a few Republican Members of the Senate who are not just threatening our economic recovery and the health of our small businesses; they are threatening our national security by slowing the process to schedule nomination hearings for qualified nominees and by placing holds on their confirmation because of their own personal political issues.

I appreciate that some of those issues are very important. Nord Stream 2, I support, but holding these ambassadors, holding these State Department officials is not going to change what happens with Nord Stream 2. All it is going to do is make the United States less effective and less secure in the world.

Today, only 30 Ambassadors have been confirmed by the Senate. This administration had to wait over 200 days--200 days--for its first Ambassador to be confirmed, compared to only 62 days for the previous administration.

For the first 300 days of the previous administration, 55 State Department nominees were confirmed by the Senate. In the first 300 days of Biden's Presidency, the Senate has confirmed one-quarter of that number.

Actions speak louder than words. If our colleagues care about our national security, they would match deeds with words and swiftly confirm the 59 State Department nominees who are awaiting confirmation on the Senate floor.

Unfortunately, the holdup is not only on the floor of the Senate but also in the Foreign Relations Committee. Eleven nominees in committee are awaiting business meetings, and 21 haven't even been able to have a hearing to advocate for themselves and their qualifications.

What is worse from my perspective, the nominations that are being affected by this obstruction are disproportionately women. In a Foreign Service where men still outnumber women and where we are trying to become a more diverse State Department, it is critical that we confirm these qualified women.

Amid increased Russian aggression toward our Ukrainian allies, it is particularly important that we confirm without delay the nominee to be Ambassador to NATO, Julie Smith.

How can we advocate for American interests abroad, how can we represent American citizens abroad, how can we support our economic interests if we don't have people in place who can do that?

When we look at the increasing global threats to the United States, operating with a depleted diplomatic corps jeopardizes our national security. It jeopardizes U.S. interests and the safety of Americans at home and abroad. The political games that are being played by a few Members of this body are risking very serious consequences.

I see my colleague from Ohio, who is the cochair of the Ukrainian Caucus, has come in. Perhaps he would work with me to try to get Julie Smith, our Ambassador to NATO, confirmed so that we have somebody there who can help as we are looking at the crises that are happening in Eastern Europe. I know we can work together in a rational, bipartisan way to address our country's basic needs because we have just seen it. We saw it with the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was just signed this week. Confirming Presidential nominees is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the Senate. It is the heart of article II in the Constitution.

What we have seen to date is no substantive objection to the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be Deputy SBA Administrator or to the nominations to fill numerous critical national security and foreign policy positions. This is obstruction for obstruction's sake, and it has very real consequences for our country, for our small businesses, and for our national security and foreign policy. I hope that we will be able to work together on both sides of the aisle to address those nominees, who must be confirmed if we are to represent American interests at home and abroad.

Again, I want to thank Chairman Cardin for his hard work as head of the Small Business Committee and for the work that he has done on the Foreign Relations Committee as we have tried to address those people who need to be confirmed. Obviously, he has worked very closely with Senator Menendez, the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. These are two committees that I have the honor of serving on, and they have historically operated on a very bipartisan, very collaborative basis. That is why it is so disheartening to see the breakdown that is occurring.

I hope that our colleagues will have a change of heart, that we will be able to move forward, and that we will be able to work together. I look forward to doing everything I can to make that happen.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I have 14 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the fiscal year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, CJS, Appropriations Act. As chair of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, I developed this bill in partnership with my vice chairman, the Senator from Kansas, Jerry Moran. In order to draft this bill, the CJS Subcommittee held substantive hearings, considered 2,084 individual and group requests from 88 Senators, and worked in a bipartisan way to meet the needs of the Nation and our individual States.

The end result is legislation that provides $79.7 billion to invest in important priorities for New Hampshire and the Nation, including funding for key Federal programs that respond to the substance use disorder crisis, help domestic and sexual violence survivors, invest in law enforcement programs, and assist Granite Staters in recovering from the far-reaching consequences of the pandemic.

I am particularly pleased that the bill delivers the greatest funding ever

to Violence Against Women Act programs, as well as substantial funding to help communities and first responders address substance misuse and the climate crisis. But we can't limit our action to the immediate problems of today; we also need an eye towards the future. That is why this bill also invests in American competitiveness on the global stage--ensuring our workforce is poised to lead in scientific innovation and space exploration in the years to come. These priorities are all essential to the success of families and communities across New Hampshire and our Nation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the administration to see this bill signed into law.

I would like to highlight a few specific items included in this legislation.

Highest, funding level ever for Violence Against Women Act Programs. Once again, this subcommittee has provided increases to law enforcement and grant programs that fight gun violence and violent crime. For the fifth year in a row during my tenure on this subcommittee, the CJS bill provides the highest funding level ever for Violence Against Women Act programs, totaling $760 million for the Office on Violence Against Women, OVW. This is a 48-percent increase from last year's funding level and will support training officials to improve services for victims, rape prevention programs, college campus violence prevention programs, domestic violence hotlines and women's shelters, and transitional housing support services. Funding is provided for several new initiatives, including a restorative justice program, a National Deaf Services Line, and special assistant U.S. attorneys to address violence against women in Indian Country.

Critical funding for Department of Justice anti-opioid grants. To combat the substance use disorder epidemic, the bill provides $615 million to help communities and first responders respond to substance crises, including opioid addiction and drug trafficking. This is $73.5 million higher than the fiscal year 2021 funding level and includes $447 million for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, CARA, grants. These grants support programs like drug, mental health and veteran treatment courts and substance use disorder treatment programs administered by State and local correctional facilities.

Bolstered funding to support victims of violent crimes and bolstered legal services. This year, we have heard from Crime Victims Fund, CVF, State administrators and victim service providers about the impacts of lower CVF funding. That is why we provided $2.65 billion of spending from the fund this year--$635 million more than last year. This fund provides direct assistance and programs to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. But I remain concerned that receipts into the fund will not be able to sustain this needed level of spending. That is why the passage of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act earlier this year was so important.

The bill also provides $515 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the country with counsel on family law, domestic violence, housing and financial fraud.

Support for law enforcement and to enhance police-community relations. Department of Justice law enforcement agencies are funded in the bill $23.8 billion--$1.1 billion more than last year. This increased funding will allow the hiring of additional agents, deputy marshals, intelligence analysts, and other personnel to help keep our communities safe. There is also $640 million for the Byrne-JAG Program, which helps law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire and across the country, strengthens the criminal justice system, and bolsters services for victims of crime. Within Byrne-JAG, $416 million will go to support State and local criminal justice systems, an increase of $56 million more than last year. Additionally, $248 million is allocated for community oriented policing services, COPS, hiring, an increase of $11 million from the fiscal year 2021 level. This program supports State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies' ability to hire, preserve, and/or rehire law enforcement officers and increases community policing efforts.

The bill provides $283 million for State and local law enforcement assistance and COPS Office grant programs to support programs that improve police-community relations. This is an 84-percent increase from last year's funding levels and will support programs on deescalation, implicit bias, crisis intervention, and training to respond to situations where individuals are mentally ill or disabled.

Increased funding for the Economic Development Administration and trade. The bill provides $10.7 billion for the Department of Commerce, of which $395 million is for the Economic Development Administration, EDA, which awards infrastructure and planning grants to communities around the country. This level is an increase of $49 million above the prior year. It is estimated this funding will generate $3.5 billion in local and private investment and support more than 30,000 American jobs this year. EDA has recently awarded grants to Granite State communities for a wide variety of projects ranging from flood control infrastructure in Plymouth to economic development projects in the Monadnock region. The EDA funding also includes $5 million to assist communities recovering from biomass plant closures.

The bill includes $1.5 million for the Bureau of Economic Analysis to continue the annual assessment of the economic value of the outdoor recreation industry--a key sector supporting local economies across New Hampshire. This report, which was created as a result of the enactment of my bipartisan legislation, the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act, provides a comprehensive assessment of the role that outdoor recreation plays in supporting jobs and economic growth, allowing policymakers to craft legislation to further support the sector. The bill also provides $584 million for the International Trade Administration, ITA, which promotes American exports, supports small and medium-sized businesses, and ensures fair trade practices on the global stage. This marks a $43 million increase above fiscal year 2021.

Investments in science and to advance U.S. space exploration, The National Science Foundation, NSF, is funded at $9.49 billion--$1 billion higher than last year's level. This funding will support U.S. competitiveness in key areas like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and climate science, as well as help build an innovative workforce fueled by a diverse pipeline of scientists and engineers. The bill supports the creation of a new technology directorate, similar to what the Senate endorsed in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, to ensure that research is translated into the technologies and products that will drive economic growth for the next several decades. There is also $1.49 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, to invest in STEM programs that improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers and strengthen domestic supply chains, which is a 35-percent increase above fiscal year 2021.

The bill also provides $3 million for NIST to continue research into the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, n firefighter personal protective equipment--marking a $1 million increase from last year's funding. This research is a key component of my legislation, the Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters Act, which was signed into law last year and will help to address concerns regarding firefighters' occupational exposure to PFAS chemicals.

To support America's continued leadership in space, NASA is funded at $24.8 billion. This is $1.5 billion higher than the fiscal year 2021 level and will support climate research, space missions, and the launch of the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. The bill also includes funding to support the International Space Station and returning humans to the Moon. Additionally, within the $7.9 billion for NASA Science, $825.7 million is for NASA Heliophysics, an increase of $74.7 million above the fiscal year 2021 level. The University of New Hampshire is a leading heliophysics research institution, with instruments on 16 of 22 operating heliophysics missions.

Support for ocean research and conservation efforts and weather satellites. The bill provides $730 million to

support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, research, including critical research to combat the climate crisis, marking a 19-percent increase from 2021. This funding will help coastal communities in New Hampshire and across the Nation bolster their resilience to changing climate, as well as support ocean health and research. In addition, the bill invests in successful job-creating programs, sustainable economic development, and environmental restoration. The bill provides full funding to cover the full cost of at-sea monitoring in the New England groundfish fishery and an increase of $14 million for research and conservation efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, including $10 million to help defray costs paid by the lobster fishing industry to protect right whales. The bill includes $6.5 million specifically targeted for research related to key New England seafood species, including to study the effects of climate change.

Finally, there is $405 million to continue construction of polar weather satellites, which help forecast weather to protect property and economic security for families in New Hampshire and across Nation. One- third of U.S. GDP is affected by climate and weather--from farmers in the North Country trying to protect livestock and crops to climate disasters costing billions of dollars of damage.

Mr. President, these are just a few of the highlights of the fiscal year 2022 CJS bill. While I wish we could consider this bill under regular order, have a conference with the House, and enact it into law, I know the reality is that to finish the work on all 12 appropriations bills by the time the continuing resolution runs out, we will likely be negotiating an omnibus. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to come to agreement with us soon on how to allocate funding among the bills so the Appropriations Committee can get to work. I look forward to working with Senator Moran and our House colleagues to craft a final CJS bill that will assist crime victims, invest in scientific research, and spur innovation in our communities--critical needs that we all support.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the fiscal year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, CJS, Appropriations Act. As chair of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, I developed this bill in partnership with my vice chairman, the Senator from Kansas, Jerry Moran. In order to draft this bill, the CJS Subcommittee held substantive hearings, considered 2,084 individual and group requests from 88 Senators, and worked in a bipartisan way to meet the needs of the Nation and our individual States.

The end result is legislation that provides $79.7 billion to invest in important priorities for New Hampshire and the Nation, including funding for key Federal programs that respond to the substance use disorder crisis, help domestic and sexual violence survivors, invest in law enforcement programs, and assist Granite Staters in recovering from the far-reaching consequences of the pandemic.

I am particularly pleased that the bill delivers the greatest funding ever

to Violence Against Women Act programs, as well as substantial funding to help communities and first responders address substance misuse and the climate crisis. But we can't limit our action to the immediate problems of today; we also need an eye towards the future. That is why this bill also invests in American competitiveness on the global stage--ensuring our workforce is poised to lead in scientific innovation and space exploration in the years to come. These priorities are all essential to the success of families and communities across New Hampshire and our Nation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the administration to see this bill signed into law.

I would like to highlight a few specific items included in this legislation.

Highest, funding level ever for Violence Against Women Act Programs. Once again, this subcommittee has provided increases to law enforcement and grant programs that fight gun violence and violent crime. For the fifth year in a row during my tenure on this subcommittee, the CJS bill provides the highest funding level ever for Violence Against Women Act programs, totaling $760 million for the Office on Violence Against Women, OVW. This is a 48-percent increase from last year's funding level and will support training officials to improve services for victims, rape prevention programs, college campus violence prevention programs, domestic violence hotlines and women's shelters, and transitional housing support services. Funding is provided for several new initiatives, including a restorative justice program, a National Deaf Services Line, and special assistant U.S. attorneys to address violence against women in Indian Country.

Critical funding for Department of Justice anti-opioid grants. To combat the substance use disorder epidemic, the bill provides $615 million to help communities and first responders respond to substance crises, including opioid addiction and drug trafficking. This is $73.5 million higher than the fiscal year 2021 funding level and includes $447 million for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, CARA, grants. These grants support programs like drug, mental health and veteran treatment courts and substance use disorder treatment programs administered by State and local correctional facilities.

Bolstered funding to support victims of violent crimes and bolstered legal services. This year, we have heard from Crime Victims Fund, CVF, State administrators and victim service providers about the impacts of lower CVF funding. That is why we provided $2.65 billion of spending from the fund this year--$635 million more than last year. This fund provides direct assistance and programs to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. But I remain concerned that receipts into the fund will not be able to sustain this needed level of spending. That is why the passage of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act earlier this year was so important.

The bill also provides $515 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the country with counsel on family law, domestic violence, housing and financial fraud.

Support for law enforcement and to enhance police-community relations. Department of Justice law enforcement agencies are funded in the bill $23.8 billion--$1.1 billion more than last year. This increased funding will allow the hiring of additional agents, deputy marshals, intelligence analysts, and other personnel to help keep our communities safe. There is also $640 million for the Byrne-JAG Program, which helps law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire and across the country, strengthens the criminal justice system, and bolsters services for victims of crime. Within Byrne-JAG, $416 million will go to support State and local criminal justice systems, an increase of $56 million more than last year. Additionally, $248 million is allocated for community oriented policing services, COPS, hiring, an increase of $11 million from the fiscal year 2021 level. This program supports State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies' ability to hire, preserve, and/or rehire law enforcement officers and increases community policing efforts.

The bill provides $283 million for State and local law enforcement assistance and COPS Office grant programs to support programs that improve police-community relations. This is an 84-percent increase from last year's funding levels and will support programs on deescalation, implicit bias, crisis intervention, and training to respond to situations where individuals are mentally ill or disabled.

Increased funding for the Economic Development Administration and trade. The bill provides $10.7 billion for the Department of Commerce, of which $395 million is for the Economic Development Administration, EDA, which awards infrastructure and planning grants to communities around the country. This level is an increase of $49 million above the prior year. It is estimated this funding will generate $3.5 billion in local and private investment and support more than 30,000 American jobs this year. EDA has recently awarded grants to Granite State communities for a wide variety of projects ranging from flood control infrastructure in Plymouth to economic development projects in the Monadnock region. The EDA funding also includes $5 million to assist communities recovering from biomass plant closures.

The bill includes $1.5 million for the Bureau of Economic Analysis to continue the annual assessment of the economic value of the outdoor recreation industry--a key sector supporting local economies across New Hampshire. This report, which was created as a result of the enactment of my bipartisan legislation, the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act, provides a comprehensive assessment of the role that outdoor recreation plays in supporting jobs and economic growth, allowing policymakers to craft legislation to further support the sector. The bill also provides $584 million for the International Trade Administration, ITA, which promotes American exports, supports small and medium-sized businesses, and ensures fair trade practices on the global stage. This marks a $43 million increase above fiscal year 2021.

Investments in science and to advance U.S. space exploration, The National Science Foundation, NSF, is funded at $9.49 billion--$1 billion higher than last year's level. This funding will support U.S. competitiveness in key areas like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and climate science, as well as help build an innovative workforce fueled by a diverse pipeline of scientists and engineers. The bill supports the creation of a new technology directorate, similar to what the Senate endorsed in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, to ensure that research is translated into the technologies and products that will drive economic growth for the next several decades. There is also $1.49 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, to invest in STEM programs that improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers and strengthen domestic supply chains, which is a 35-percent increase above fiscal year 2021.

The bill also provides $3 million for NIST to continue research into the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, n firefighter personal protective equipment--marking a $1 million increase from last year's funding. This research is a key component of my legislation, the Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters Act, which was signed into law last year and will help to address concerns regarding firefighters' occupational exposure to PFAS chemicals.

To support America's continued leadership in space, NASA is funded at $24.8 billion. This is $1.5 billion higher than the fiscal year 2021 level and will support climate research, space missions, and the launch of the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. The bill also includes funding to support the International Space Station and returning humans to the Moon. Additionally, within the $7.9 billion for NASA Science, $825.7 million is for NASA Heliophysics, an increase of $74.7 million above the fiscal year 2021 level. The University of New Hampshire is a leading heliophysics research institution, with instruments on 16 of 22 operating heliophysics missions.

Support for ocean research and conservation efforts and weather satellites. The bill provides $730 million to

support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, research, including critical research to combat the climate crisis, marking a 19-percent increase from 2021. This funding will help coastal communities in New Hampshire and across the Nation bolster their resilience to changing climate, as well as support ocean health and research. In addition, the bill invests in successful job-creating programs, sustainable economic development, and environmental restoration. The bill provides full funding to cover the full cost of at-sea monitoring in the New England groundfish fishery and an increase of $14 million for research and conservation efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, including $10 million to help defray costs paid by the lobster fishing industry to protect right whales. The bill includes $6.5 million specifically targeted for research related to key New England seafood species, including to study the effects of climate change.

Finally, there is $405 million to continue construction of polar weather satellites, which help forecast weather to protect property and economic security for families in New Hampshire and across Nation. One- third of U.S. GDP is affected by climate and weather--from farmers in the North Country trying to protect livestock and crops to climate disasters costing billions of dollars of damage.

Mr. President, these are just a few of the highlights of the fiscal year 2022 CJS bill. While I wish we could consider this bill under regular order, have a conference with the House, and enact it into law, I know the reality is that to finish the work on all 12 appropriations bills by the time the continuing resolution runs out, we will likely be negotiating an omnibus. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to come to agreement with us soon on how to allocate funding among the bills so the Appropriations Committee can get to work. I look forward to working with Senator Moran and our House colleagues to craft a final CJS bill that will assist crime victims, invest in scientific research, and spur innovation in our communities--critical needs that we all support.

Mr. President, I think the Senator from Ohio is mistaken. In fact, this would--the Afghan refugees who are coming here are going to be properly vetted.

In a September 2 letter led by Senator Cotton, he said that ``[o]ur immediate priority is the safety and well-being of American citizens, permanent residents, and allies who were left behind in Afghanistan.''

But it seems that that concern for our allies only extends so far for Senator Cotton and this amendment. As our Afghan allies are being brought into the United States on humanitarian parole, he wants to limit their ability to settle into a new life.

We need to vote no on this amendment.

Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of Christopher Cartwright, who passed away in May 2021, at age 52. Chris was a dedicated civil servant with a brilliant mind, a vast well of patience, and boundless compassion. He spent most of his 30-year career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and served most recently as the Director of NOAA's Budget Office.

Chris created an environment of trust and collegiality everywhere he went. He was unflappable in navigating the budget and appropriations process and always applied a calm and thoughtful approach to achieving NOAA's mission. Through it all, Chris was unfailingly kind and humble. His gentle leadership inspired his team and those around him to be better people, leaders, and public servants.

Chris was a proud graduate of Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where last year he had the honor of leading the graduating class in recitation of the Athenian Oath. True to the oath he held so dear, Chris ``strived unceasingly to quicken the public sense of civic duty.'' We are grateful for his service.

I appreciate my colleague from Texas being willing to turn over the floor so that I can give my remarks.

Mr. President, I am here today to discuss my concerns about the ongoing partisan obstruction in the Senate. First, as everyone here knows, September 30 is the end of the current fiscal year, and without action by the Senate on a continuing resolution--the mechanism to continue to fund the government--our government is going to shut down at midnight on the 1st.

So what happens if we don't pass that continuing resolution and the government shuts down? Well, critical operations will shutter. We have seen this picture before. Our national parks will close. We can tell our government researchers, including Nobel Prize-winning scientists, to leave their labs, and we would be doing this in the middle of the greatest health crisis of our lifetime.

A government shutdown also means that we ask essential Federal workers to work without pay. FBI agents, Border Patrol agents, TSA workers, weather forecasters, and others would be forced to continue their essential work, and they would be doing it for IOUs. We would promise them we would pay them, but there is no guarantee.

Now, it is puzzling to me because other countries don't do this to themselves. Government shutdowns put America behind. Look at the government shutdown that we had that went from December 2018 to January 2019, the longest government shutdown in our history. While our space scientists were at home, China landed the first rover on the dark side of the Moon--something that we had not done.

The continuing resolution before us also includes resources that will help Americans whose homes were flooded, homes were destroyed by raging wildfires or by hurricanes, including Hurricane Irma. They deserve our help, not more political infighting or partisan bickering.

We also owe it to our Afghan allies, who put their lives on the line to assist U.S. soldiers, to pass this bill. It contains critical assistance to help them resettle after facing imminent danger from the Taliban.

So from emergency housing assistance to resources for health screenings, job training, and other essential services, we can't let our allies down. We have already let some of them down because we weren't able to get everyone out of Afghanistan, and we are still working on that. But to then say ``You are on your own'' despite years of helping the United States? That is just patently unfair.

Secondly, as we are discussing the continuing resolution and keeping the government open, one of the things that our colleagues, our Republican colleagues, have said is that they are not going to increase the debt limit. I think we in Congress have a solemn obligation to protect the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Treasury Secretary Yellen has told Congress that the Treasury will exhaust extraordinary measures that they have been using to pay our Nation's bills sometime next month. And let's be clear. The prospect of the first-ever default on our Nation's debt obligations would be disastrous for our economy at a time when we can least afford it.

Raising the debt ceiling is not about whether or not we should spend more money or incur more debt; raising the debt ceiling is about paying the bills we already owe, the bills that come due from the previous administration.

Minority Leader McConnell himself has voted to increase or suspend the debt limit 32 times. And when President Trump was in office, Democrats in this Chamber--and I was one of them--supported raising the debt ceiling three times because we understand that it is grossly irresponsible for us to renege on obligations that our government has already incurred.

As a former Governor, one of the worst fears I had as New Hampshire went through challenging times during a recession, during a court- ordered change in how we funded our schools, was that the State would have its bond rating lowered. That would mean we would have to pay more on money owed. It would have an impact on everyone in New Hampshire. This is sort of the equivalent of having the bond rating lowered for New Hampshire, only 100 times, 1,000 times over. No; this is that on steroids.

Now, because we have a Democratic President, Republicans are saying they won't lift a finger to prevent this catastrophic outcome for our economy, for our currency, for the full faith and credit of the United States of America. This is not a game. The stability of our economy and the financial security of working Americans are at stake, and we have an obligation to pass legislation that has been sent to us by the House to keep our government open and to raise the debt limit. This isn't just about the United States; this has implications for our entire global financial system.

Sadly, Mr. President, the partisan brinkmanship and obstruction doesn't end with domestic and economic matters. I am also very concerned about the dangerously slow confirmation process of our State Department nominees and Ambassadors. What we have seen is a few Members of this body who are threatening our national security by slowing the process to schedule nomination hearings for qualified nominees, preventing votes on those State Department nominees who have

been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Today, only two Ambassadors have been confirmed by the Senate. This administration has had to wait over 200 days for its first Ambassador to be confirmed, compared to only 62 days for the previous administration. For the first 300 days of the previous administration, 55 State Department nominees were confirmed by the Senate, and now, as we approach the first 300 days of the Biden Presidency, this Senate has only confirmed 14 appointees.

Now, I agree with my colleague from Texas about the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. I think we need to sanction it. But I am not willing to shut down the government, to allow the actions of this government to grind to a halt because I am concerned about that issue.

If Senators are concerned about our national security, they would match deeds with words and confirm career State Department nominees who have been waiting for months. When we look at the increasing global threats to the United States, operating with a depleted diplomatic corps jeopardizes our national security, U.S. interests, and the safety of Americans at home and abroad.

These political games are really risking serious consequences. It must stop. I know we can work together in a rational, bipartisan way to address the country's needs. I have seen it. I believe my colleagues who are holding things up love this country, but I am concerned that their actions don't show that they love the country.

There is no excuse for delaying or hindering the basic functions this legislative body is constituted to perform, and I urge all of our colleagues to join us, to get to work. Let's get this done. Maybe, if we do that, we can address some of the other concerns that we have that we ought to be able to work together and compromise to get done. That is what I am going to continue to try to do, Mr. President.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

I had intended to come to the floor earlier today with Senator Grassley so that we could talk about our legislation that we are introducing this week, that would build upon our efforts to protect the survivors of sexual assault in the criminal justice system.

Unfortunately, I got delayed, but Senator Grassley was here on the floor. I want to recognize all of his efforts to address this critical issue, and appreciate, again, his willingness to work with me.

The effort to extend rights for sexual assault survivors across the country is critically important, and I am hopeful that when the bill that we introduced gets to the floor, that all of our colleagues will join us in passing this bipartisan legislation.

I first became involved in the precursor to this legislation in 2015, when a young woman named Amanda Nguyen of the Rise organization contacted my office. She had been traveling from office to office here in the Senate, trying to find somebody to listen to her story.

Amanda is a survivor of sexual assault, and she is a fierce advocate for change in the way our criminal justice system treats survivors. When she detailed her harrowing story of sexual assault and subsequent interactions with the criminal justice system, it was very clear something had to change.

Amanda described a system that further traumatized survivors and provided scarce protection of their rights. Evidence of assaults was being destroyed without survivors even knowing about it, and survivors were forced to periodically follow up with law enforcement to preserve evidence of their assaults.

The broken process that survivors were forced to endure resulted in a system where they were often revictimized. This system forced survivors to confront the trauma of reliving their attacks each time they sought to preserve evidence or gather information about their cases.

Working with Amanda, I introduced the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act to ensure survivors were guaranteed basic rights while pursuing justice. The legislation created the first legally recognized set of rights for survivors to enforce in a court of law.

I am so grateful that Senator Grassley worked on this effort with me, and he included the legislation in the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act so that it could be signed into law.

The legislation that we passed back in 2015-2016 provided survivors with greater protections in Federal cases with a focus on notice, access, and the preservation of sexual assault evidence collection kits.

By creating this set of court-enforceable rights at the Federal level, Congress established a model for all States to adopt similar legislation to protect the rights of survivors. And that has happened in many States, including in my home State of New Hampshire. States have adopted legislation to guarantee survivors certain basic rights in the criminal justice system.

Unfortunately, we have a lot of other States that have not followed suit and don't have legislation that protects survivors. That is why the bill that Senator Grassley and I came to the floor today to discuss is just so important.

The Survivors' Bill of Rights in the States Act would establish a grant program accessible to States that have in place a law which guarantees the rights contained in the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act. States could then use the funds to implement survivor rights, preserve sexual assault evidence collection kits, reduce the backlog of kits, and provide support for victim services.

Now is the time to pass this legislation. The risk of sexual assault and domestic violence has increased during this coronavirus pandemic. We can look at any of the statistics and they show us that

We need to ensure that States provide the same level of protection for these survivors as they receive at the Federal level. No survivor should be compelled to bear the indignity of petitioning law enforcement merely to ensure that they are given a fair shake in the criminal justice process.

It is my hope that this legislation will lead to an increase in States passing bills that protect survivors' rights. Let's again show survivors that Congress is behind them and that we will stand up for their rights. Let's pass the Survivors' Bill of Rights in the States Act.

Again, I want to thank Senator Grassley for all of his efforts. I hope together, with the support of other sponsors in this body, that we can get this bill across the finish line.