Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: Calendar No. 595, S. 3123; Calendar No. 644, S. 5125; Calendar No. 306, S. 2018; Calendar No. 649, H.R. 5443; Calendar No. 304, S. 961; and Calendar No. 613, S. 4209.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments, where applicable, be considered and agreed to; that the bills be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Madam President, I rise today to pass important legislation in the State of Wyoming. This bill has only to do with Wyoming and no other State. It is H.R. 3415, the Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act.

It allows the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to transfer the ownership of the facility to stakeholders in my home State of Wyoming. The Pilot Butte power plant is owned by the Federal Government, but it has not been in service since 2008. It closed when it became too costly to operate. So it has been sitting idle there in Wyoming in a small area of 2\1/2\ acres for the past 15 years. It is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and they are planning to demolish it.

To be clear, we are talking about a mothballed hydroelectric structure. We are talking about 2 acres of Bureau of Reclamation land. This is essentially 1\1/2\ football fields in size. That is how small of a footprint this is.

Well, the Midvale Irrigation District in Pavillion, WY, reached out to the Wyoming congressional delegation--all three members of the delegation--saying that they were willing to take ownership of this power plant that has been sitting idle for 15 years and ready to be demolished. Midvale Irrigation proposed this transfer as a solution to provide energy to local users. The local people right there came to us. They said that they will make the needed repairs to bring this power station back into operation.

If enacted, the bill will enable the facility to be revived after years and years of neglect and sitting idle. Communities in my home State of Wyoming will once again be able to get electricity from this local source of hydropower. This transfer is the only option to save the facility for future use. Without this bill, the Bureau of Reclamation plans to demolish the facility. As a result, it is going to cost the American taxpayers over $7 million to destroy this property.

This bill that I have introduced, sponsored by the entire Wyoming delegation, is a win-win. The American people will no longer own a mothballed facility that is going to cost $7 million to demolish, and the people of Wyoming will be able to put the hydropower plant back into use.

Now, there has been a lot of conversation about the consultations and discussions that I have had with community members and stakeholders. I have met directly with both the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapahoe Tribes regarding this specific bill and the hydropower plant. Since February--February of this year--my office has been actively engaged in discussions with all parties involved. This summer, my staff visited the facility and met with all of the stakeholders.

Everyone wants to see the facility operating again, and I am confident that the people of Wyoming will properly manage this facility in a way that benefits everyone in the local community.

The House of Representatives passed this legislation unanimously back in February. It has the support of the entire Wyoming delegation.

So, Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3415, which was received from the House; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, this 2\1/2\ acre piece of land is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation--not owned by the Tribe, not owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. It is a title transfer to create an energy source for local stakeholders. This is all about my home State of Wyoming. We are talking 2\1/2\ acres.

I understand the Senator from Minnesota is making this objection on her behalf as well as the behalf of the Senator from New Mexico. Let me assure the Senators from Minnesota and New Mexico that I will be vigilant and watching out for bills that impact at least 2\1/2\ acres in their home States. For example, the Senator from New Mexico, right now, has a bill, Cerro de la Olla, and it was reported favorably out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Madam President, that bill established 12,000 acres--not 2\1/2\ acres--12,000 acres of wilderness in New Mexico. This bill in my home State--not New Mexico, not Minnesota--Bureau of Reclamation land is 2\1/2\ acres.

As I said, I will be vigilant and watching out for bills that impact at least 2\1/2\ acres in their home States. And I consider their bills now dead until the Pilot Butte issue is resolved.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, could I clarify for the Chair, Calendar No. 304 was misread as 301. It is 304, which is S. 961.

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

Madam President, the new Senate Republican majority begins on January 3, 2025. So our day one starts in 3 weeks. Republicans are going to enter the next Congress with a long ``fix it'' list on behalf of the American people. And at the top of the list is an agenda to lower costs and to restore American energy dominance.

Prices today, we know, are 20 percent higher than they were 4 years ago, and, just this morning, we learned, once again, that prices have gone up in November. And we know the culprits, the problem behind the high prices: wasteful Washington spending. And we have seen a lot of it the last 4 years. The other reason, of course, is the Democrats throttling American energy production.

Republicans are going to fix the fiscal insanity of the last 4 years. We will put Americans--not Washington bureaucrats--back into the driver's seat.

We are going to start by repealing the Biden car bribe. This is something that President Trump strongly supports, and he is supporting what we are promoting. He has asked for it. He has campaigned on it. Eliminating this car bribe by the Biden administration--it is one of the most wasteful policies we have seen from this administration over the last 4 years. It is the Democrats' $7,500 subsidy for people buying electric vehicles. It was included in their reckless tax-and-spend legislation. It received zero--zero--Republican votes, not a one.

It is an attempt by the Democrats to bribe the American people to go along with their unpopular climate fantasy. It is a welfare check for wealthy elites and for green corporations. It is a giveaway to communist China, which controls key parts of the EV supply chain.

We were initially told by the Joint Committee on Taxation that these subsidies would cost about $14 billion. Well, the pricetag has continued to tick up since then. Today, there have been some revised estimates, and they have ballooned to projected costs of way over $300 billion. That is right, over $300 billion. And that is for vehicles that most Americans don't want, can't afford, and don't work for them or their families.

The auto dealers in Wyoming tell me it takes much, much longer to try to sell these things compared to the traditional gas-powered vehicles. They say they can't even sell them at a loss, and they are stockpiling them on the lots.

Less than 10 percent of the new car sales in America last year were EVs. The sale figures have been abysmal. EVs lost market share. It is hard to believe. They actually lost market share in 2024.

So you have these carmakers from around the country who are hemorrhaging cash. They are losing tons of money. And we have autoworkers who have lost their jobs.

The CEO of Ford says his company is projected to lose $5 billion this year on their EV market. Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, is also in the ditch. In August, it announced plans to lay off thousands of autoworkers at its plants in Michigan. Yet, last week, it won a $7.54 billion loan--a loan, an additional loan--from the Biden administration, over $7.5 billion for something that is failing.

Joe Biden is leaving the White House the same way he led it: by doubling down on failure.

America now has fewer manufacturing jobs today than it did last year. And do you want to know the dirtiest secret of Democrats in terms of the Biden car bribe? It sends taxpayer money to communist China. But the original law was clear. It said, if your EV was made with Chinese batteries or used their critical minerals, it would then be ineligible--not eligible--for taxpayer-funded subsidies. Chinese batteries, Chinese components can't get any of the subsidy benefits.

Senator Manchin actually wrote that provision into that bill. Republicans still voted against the entire bill. We thought it was a waste of taxpayer dollars. Joe Biden signed it, and then EV sales stalled out.

So what did the Democrats do? They double-dealed. They could have made it easier to mine more critical minerals in America, to use our own supply chain. But, no, President Biden decided to overrule the China ban.

The Department of the Treasury came out with lax rules on sourcing materials, meaning that communist China will benefit from American tax dollars. It also means that American workers will pay a higher price for a policy and for vehicles they don't want.

We need to go back to a consumer-driven, free-enterprise system. This is the United States of America. We should never be dependent on dictators and despots, like those that we have in communist China.

Electric vehicles make sense for some people, but they are not an option for all people. Consumers have legitimate anxiety about the range of these vehicles, about costly repairs, and about extremely expensive insurance, because, often, a minor ding on one of these electric vehicles, with damage done, well, they call it a total and complete loss of the vehicle, not something that can be repaired. That is why the insurance is much higher on electric vehicle than traditional vehicles.

And, frankly, if EVs were better options, then government wouldn't need to bribe Americans all across the country to buy them or to bribe businesses to build them.

Electric vehicles are a luxury item. They are toys with severe limitations. They are not must-have means of transportation. Taxpayers shouldn't be forced to pay for the cost of luxury vehicles. It is wrong for taxpayers, tax dollars, and for working American families to subsidize the car purchases of the wealthy elites.

The American people have proven that they refuse to be force-fed these electric vehicles. They can't be pushed into buying, can't be bribed into buying them. ``No, thank you,'' said the American consumer.

But that is exactly what the Democrats have been trying to do--to ban traditional vehicles and to bribe people to buy electric vehicles. Democrats want to pick what you can drive. They want to punish everyone who doesn't want to do it--all as a result of their smug, moral superiority.

Well, I have a message for my colleagues. It is the same message that Americans sent in November. When taxpayers and voters went to the polls, they said: Government--big government, Democrat government--does not know better than we the people. Senate Democrats don't know better than we the people. We the people have a right to decide what is best for us, what is best for our families.

The incoming Trump administration and the Republican Senate majority will get rid of the Biden car bribe and the Biden car ban. We are going to embrace free enterprise and fiscal responsibility. We will lower prices for the American families and restore America's energy independence and dominance.

We are going to strengthen our manufacturing. We are going to bring back good-paying jobs. We are going to put Americans back in the driver's seat.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I spent Thanksgiving in the Middle East with 400 members of our Wyoming National Guard. These heroes come from, actually, 40 different hometowns all across the Cowboy State-- small towns, our larger towns, east, west, north, south. I spend every Thanksgiving with deployed Wyoming troops. I go to thank them--to thank them for all they are doing to keep all of us safe and free.

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving surrounded by their loved ones.

These soldiers spent Thanksgiving not with family and neighbors but in the neighborhood of America's enemies.

Our enemies today are much more dangerous, aggressive, menacing, and powerful than they were just 4 years ago. For the past 4 years, Americans have seen the current administration surrender, squander, and sell out our Nation's strategic advantages.

This administration stopped enforcing sanctions on Iranian oil sales that allowed Iran to sell discounted oil to China. Iran got richer and more menacing as a result of all the money they got, and China got more powerful by being able to buy cheap energy.

Well, the Wyoming soldiers that I had a chance to visit, they are strong, they are tough, and they are brave. The thing that is so interesting, though, is I believe they are being failed by a Congress that hasn't done its job. It is incumbent upon Congress to make sure that all of these soldiers, each and every one of them, is fully equipped to protect our freedoms.

The Senate should have passed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act months ago. It increases troop pay, modernizes our military. It also refocuses our forces on specific military hard power, instead of this politically correct woke policy that the military has been working under for the past several years.

Right now, high prices are crushing military families. Prices are 20 percent higher right now than they were 4 years ago. And, as a result, one in seven servicemembers today--today--relies on food stamps or food banks just to support their families. This, of course, has a direct impact on our problems in terms of trying to recruit more and more members into our military. The pay raise means that a stronger military and a stronger America will be there on the world stage.

Now, as for military modernization, we need to overcome 4 years of weakness. The current administration has failed to keep us safe. It allowed 10 million illegal immigrants to cross over our southern border. It allowed a Chinese spy balloon to fly across America. It led a deadly and disastrous retreat from Afghanistan. And it slashed away America's hard power.

Under the Democrats, America became a nation in retreat. Well, the National Defense Authorization Act reverses that. It equips our military. It equips them to meet the challenges of a dangerous world. So why hasn't the Senate--this body right here that is here today in session--why hasn't it yet passed the National Defense Authorization Act? Well, the problem isn't the product; it is the process.

In the final weeks of their majority, the Democrats in the Senate have prioritized voting to confirm radical judges rather than protecting our Nation's security. As one Democrat Senator said last month, Democrats are ``hell-bent,'' he said, on getting liberal judges confirmed.

Why can't Democrats show that same level of passion for supporting our troops? Democrats' dithering and delaying--it is downright dangerous. It sends a terrible message that America's deterrence isn't credible.

And as a result of the November elections, that is about to change. The Senate is going to change. The American people voted for change. They voted to return to a nation that is safe and strong.

In less than 60 days, America will once again have a President and a Senate majority that prioritizes making America safe and strong again.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I join my colleagues in rising to congratulate Senator Manchin on his highly successful and impactful career representing his home State of West Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

We know he served for 14 years. Over the last 4 years, he and I served together, and he served with great distinction as the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I had the honor, during those years, to work side by side with him as the ranking member of that committee, and I would just like to say that Senator Manchin has been a terrific partner to work with.

On issue after issue, Joe Manchin has demonstrated a resolute commitment to bipartisanship. During his Senate career, he has honored the most defining and sacred traditions of this very body. Under his leadership, we have enacted important legislation, bipartisan in nature, that will make America and our allies stronger in not just the years but in decades to come.

Working together, we enacted the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, legislation to rebuild America's nuclear fuel supply chain. We renewed the compacts for free association to ensure that America does not cede ground to China in the Indo-Pacific, and we enacted a ban on the imports of Russian uranium to choke off the funds that Putin has used for his war machine. And, in July--this very July--under his leadership, we did what very few people thought was possible: We actually advanced permitting reform legislation with broad bipartisan support, passing the committee 15 to 4.

None of this would have happened without Joe Manchin's patience, his persistence, and his perseverance. So I want to express my personal gratitude to Joe Manchin and his entire family. I want to thank him for working with Republicans. I want to thank him for his steadfast support of the filibuster. And I want to thank him for putting the American people and this U.S. Senate ahead of any personal or party interests.

I know I speak for many--and it was an astounding number of people and Senators on the Senate floor for his farewell address--when I say we are indebted to him, and we are going to miss him. He did important work in this body. He passed impactful legislation, and he leaves us with important lessons for the future.

We will miss you. We wish you the very, very best.

(Applause.)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 909, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Olivia for her hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Olivia is a native of Virginia. She is currently a junior at Madeira School in McLean, VA. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Olivia for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with

all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.

Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Robert for his hard work as an intern in the Senate Republican Conference. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Robert is a native of Utah. He recently graduated from Southern Utah University with a master's in public administration. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Robert for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Dustin for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Dustin is a native of South Carolina. He recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's in political science. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Dustin for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Zeta for her hard work as an intern in Casper, Wyoming. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Zeta is a native of Casper. She attends Casper College, where she is studying to obtain her Associates of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months.

I want to thank Zeta for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.