Floor Statements

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

Daljit is a native of Burns. She is a sophomore at the University of Wyoming, where she studies accounting and economics. 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 Daljit 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 Maeve for her hard work as an intern in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Maeve is a native of Cheyenne, WY. She will soon attend Georgetown University, as a Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellow, in pursuit of a M.S. in foreign service. 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 Maeve 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 Isabelle for her hard work as an intern in my office in Cheyenne, WY. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Isabelle is a native of Cody. She is a junior at Michigan State University, where she studies international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy. 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 Isabelle 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 Cole for his hard work as an intern in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming.

Cole is a native of Yellowstone, WY. He attends Montana State University, where he studies business finance. 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 Cole 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 Saber 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.

Saber is a native of Gillette, WY. He recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor's in criminal justice and 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 Saber 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 Grace 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.

Grace is a native of Pine Bluffs, WY. She attends Baylor University, where she studies political science.

Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Jean-Luc 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.

Jean-Luc is a native of Thermopolis, WY. He attends the University of Wyoming, where he studies political science and international studies. 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 Jean-Luc 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, first, I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes each prior to the scheduled rollcall vote: Senator Hoeven, Senator Moran, and Senator Cornyn, following me.

Madam President, I rise today to speak about the need for strong American leadership. President Biden's weakness, seen on the world's stage, is dangerous. It is dangerous for our Nation, and it is dangerous for the world. It hurts our citizens, and it encourages aggression against our Nation and others.

Sadly, America doesn't have strong leadership right now from the President or the Vice President. Joe Biden is stumbling, bumbling, blundering into a disaster. It is not one night of forgetfulness on the debate stage; it is 3\1/2\ years of a pattern of failures.

We are living in the time of heartbreak at home and humiliation abroad. Look at the drugs, the death, the destruction coming from our southern border.

Under Democratic open border policies, there have been 10 million illegal immigrants who have invaded our Nation. Americans all across the country are in danger. Democrats' open borders allowed Venezuelan criminals to go to Houston, TX, to sexually abuse and murder a 12-year- old girl. Illegal immigrants' crime has taken the lives of many Americans across the country. They make headlines every day.

The open border allows deadly fentanyl to flood our Nation and poison our communities in all of our States, and certainly Wyoming has been one of the victims of this poisoning.

More than 300 terror suspects have come into America. That is 300 percent higher than what we saw under the strong policies of President Trump. And terrorists are roaming our Nation undetected.

Remember, border security isn't optional; it is an obligation, a commitment to the safety of our American people. It is a foundation of our safety. Without border security, there can be no national security.

Under Joe Biden, Americans are not safe at home, and, increasingly, the world is not safe either. President Biden's weakness has invited war; it has invited conflict; and it has invited chaos around the world.

He continues to appease Iran by letting Iran avoid sanctions. Iran is exporting almost 1.3 million barrels of oil to China each and every day. It uses the money from these oil sales to fund terrorism around the world.

President Biden made the misguided assumption that concessions to Iran would stop conflict. Instead, Biden's appeasement makes Iran more aggressive.

Meanwhile, Biden has proven to be a fair-weathered friend to our strong ally Israel. On American college campuses today, student protestors express hostility to the very existence of the Jewish State. Democrats in Washington have also grown more hostile to Israel. Senator Schumer stood on the floor--he demanded on this floor in March that Israel replace its Prime Minister. Senator Sanders called the very next month for America to stop sending aid to Israel.

The anti-Israel rift in the Democrat party is bad enough. What is more worrying is that President Biden, the leader of the free world, lacks the backbone to stand up against it. Rather than resist the pro- Hamas wing of his party, Biden has repeatedly bowed to them. He recently slapped a de facto arms embargo on Israel. The weapons he withheld would limit civilian casualties and help Israel free the hostages. Biden stopped that.

That includes 8 American hostages who spent the last 9 months, including their 4th of July, in captivity by Hamas. President Biden blocked these war-winning weapons anyway. He would rather appease a small group of pro-Hamas voters in Michigan than support our closest ally in the Middle East.

Playing politics is the core of Joe Biden's foreign policy. He recently claimed that no American servicemembers died on his watch. He told the world that. Well, that is false. It is wrong. It is a denial of what happened.

On January 11, 2024, two Navy SEALs were lost at sea during a mission to stop weapon shipments from Iran to Houthi terrorists. Less than 3 weeks

later, January 28, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by Iranian-backed militias. Then there is the disaster of Afghanistan. On August 26, 2021, ISIS terrorists killed 13 brave American servicemembers. They were the first American military casualties in Afghanistan in a year and a half.

Twenty-year-old LCpl Rylee McCollum of Jackson Hole, WY, was one of them. This was a young man who loved his country and left an impression on everyone he met. He was our home State wrestling champion. He had recently been married. He was about to become a father. Madam President, 1,300 people in Wyoming showed up to attend his funeral. It was outdoors in a tent, 37 degrees, lasted several hours, and no one left because Americans deserve better than a President who forgets the sacrifices of American heroes and forgives the aggression of America's adversaries.

Joe Biden's weakness and confusion are a vivid contrast to what past Presidents have done.

I think of President Ronald Reagan and his successful policy of peace through strength. For 8 years, President Reagan built a strong national defense, he restored America's confidence, and he confronted America's enemies. His approach incredibly ended the Cold War without firing a single shot.

Three decades later, President Trump adopted a similar policy--no more apologizing for America like President Obama had done. We had strong borders. We had a strong military. We had a strong economy. And we had strong American leadership. Our allies respected us. Our enemies feared us. We were safer. It is time for America to return to that approach.

The truth is that Joe Biden is a President who cannot defend his record and cannot defend this Nation. For the safety of our Nation, we need a lot less of Joe Biden's weakness and a lot more peace through strength. That is what we need to do. That is the way we get America back on track.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Wyoming. This important fraternal organization, also known as Wyoming Masons, will celebrate the occasion during their annual convention on August 12, 2024, in Casper, WY.

Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. Members share a belief in ``the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.'' With a shared commitment to lives of honor, integrity, and character, the men of Freemasonry work to better themselves, their communities, and the world.

The first known masonic meeting in Wyoming took place at Independence Rock on July 4, 1862. Independence Rock is located on the Oregon and Mormon trails in central Wyoming between the cities of Casper and Rawlins. Twenty masons from the camped Oregon wagon trains participated in a masonic meeting.

The Grand Lodge of Wyoming was established December 15, 1874, in Laramie City, territory of Wyoming. Four lodges with 211 members were represented. Edgar P. Snow was elected the first Grand Master. Today, Wyoming has 41 lodges with over 2100 members.

The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is a member of the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference. The lodge recognizes several Appendant and Concordant organizations which provide opportunities for family members to interact with Masonic relatives.

These organizations include Job's Daughters International, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite of Freemasonry, Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine, National Sojourners, Order of the Eastern Star, Ladies' Oriental Shrine, Daughters of the Nile, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Royal Order of Scotland.

The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is led by its 2023-2024 elected officers: Grand Master Thomas G. Needham, Jackson, WY; Deputy Grand Master Scott Kitchner, Rock Springs, WY; Senior Grand Warden Gregory K. Shiek, Sheridan, WY; Junior Grand Warden Ken Thorpe, Jr., Sheridan, WY; Grand Treasurer John F. Nunley III, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Secretary Beynon St. John, Lander, WY.

Those serving through appointments include Senior Grand Deacon E. Ray Leeman, Jr., Aladdin, WY; Junior Grand Deacon James K. Wamsley, Rock Springs, WY; Junior Grand Steward Bryan J. Compton, Jackson, WY; Junior Grand Steward Calvin E Van Zee, Laramie, WY; Grand Lecturer Weston G. Hubele, Mills, WY; Grand Chaplain Preston Goulette, Pinedale, WY; Grand Orator Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Grand Marshal Stephen H. Fowler, Evanston, WY; Grand Librarian Gary D. Skillern, Cheyenne, WY; Grand Historian Mark S. Young PGM, Gillette, WY; Grand Organist Tim Forbis, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Tyler David N. Lankford, Pinedale, WY.

District lecturers are Bret D. Steger, Pine Bluffs, WY; David G. Hammond, Laramie, WY; Stephen H. Fowler, Evanston, WY; Kraig A. Kobert, Jackson, WY; Toby Errickson, Lander, WY; Christopher G. Neubauer, Casper, WY; Jeffrey D. Thomas, Guernsey, WY; Jon C. Rowe, Gillette, WY; Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Eric R. Kay, Thermopolis, WY; and Bryan G. Baird, Cowley, WY.

Special appointees are Masonic Service Association Coordinator Shawn Covert, Bar Nunn, WY; Masonic Renewal Representative Weston Hubele, Mills, WY; George Washington Masonic National Memorial Representative Roy C. Kinsey, Jackson, WY; and Grand Lodge Webmaster R. Aaron Roybal, Cheyenne, WY.

It is an honor to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming. I send my best wishes to all Wyoming masons as you pave the way for future generations.

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lawrence Anderson Memorial Pie Social.

Named in honor of the event's founder, the Lawrence Anderson Memorial Pie Social serves as the unofficial kick-off for Laramie County and statewide candidates. The pie social is held biennially on the last Sunday in June in Pine Bluffs, WY.

The pie social started in 1984 when Lawrence recognized the need for community members to connect directly with those who seek to represent them. He developed this cornerstone event as a forum for fellowship with friends and neighbors. As the Pine Bluffs Post notes, folks from `` . . . Eastern Laramie County eagerly look forward to the premier social event of the campaign season.''

We all know the best way to celebrate our common goals is to share a meal. Lawrence took this principle to the next level, asking all who attend to bring a homemade pie. Lawrence was the kind of leader who used the lessons he learned growing up on his family's homestead to solve community issues. He was never afraid to do the work himself and was, as the Pine Bluffs Post notes, ``Known for years as one of the hardest workers in the Republican Party. Lawrence Anderson earned the nickname `Mayor of North Burns' which he held with pride.''

Lawrence, his late wife Joanne, and the entire Anderson family, leave a legacy of service to Eastern Laramie County. I served with Rodney Pete Anderson, when he represented Wyoming House District 10 in the legislature. Leonard Anderson, Lawrence's brother, served as the mayor of Pine Bluffs.

Although Lawrence left us in 2018, his quiet brand of leadership remains. We are all better for learning from his humble and patient spirit. He embodied the Wyoming Code of the West. From farming to serving on the boards for Community Action of Laramie County and Laramie County School District 2, Lawrence did what had to be done, was tough, but fair and always rode for the brand.

Lawrence leaves behind a large family. His children are Mark Anderson and wife Judy; Craig Anderson and wife Gail; and Sharon Anderson-- grandchildren are Jolie Sawyer; Kelly Janes and husband David; Brett Anderson and wife Lori; Ryan Anderson and wife Alli; Jeremy Anderson and wife Rachel; Robert Anderson; and Taya Anderson; along with numerous great-grandchildren.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of this iconic Wyoming event, I applaud the Laramie County community, this year's coordinator Mike Heath and the other leaders who have worked to continue this tradition. We are all fortunate to continue in the footsteps of Lawrence Anderson.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Hoeven, Barrasso, and Manchin be permitted to speak for 5 minutes each prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to support the three individuals nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: David Rosner, Lindsay See, and Judy Chang.

The Commission, or the FERC, is often called the most important Agency that people have never heard of. FERC regulates the interstate transmission of electricity and the interstate transportation of oil and natural gas. It ensures that the rates for electric power in the wholesale market are

``just and reasonable.'' It oversees electric reliability. It licenses interstate natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, and hydropower projects.

By one estimate, the Commission regulates activities that account for 7 percent of our Nation's economy. For that reason, we must fulfill our responsibility to maintain a quorum on the Commission.

In 2015 and 2016, President Obama refused to fill the vacancies left by two Republican Commissioners. Then in January of 2017, the outgoing Chairman of FERC resigned as well. The departure left the Commission without a quorum.

It then took 7 full months to restore the quorum at FERC. During that time, too many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes, and aid our allies abroad were reluctantly put on hold.

We can't let that happen again. Too much is at stake for American workers, for our energy security, and for our Nation's economy. That is why I am glad the Senate is acting on these three nominations this very week. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all of the items all of the time, all of them are well qualified.

I am especially supportive of Ms. Lindsay See. From a young age, she has distinguished herself as a person of exemplary discipline, drive, and determination. She graduated summa cum laude from Patrick Henry College. She then graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she served as the executive editor of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, she clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

Ms. See is an outstanding appellate lawyer. She has spent the last 7 years as solicitor general of West Virginia. During that time, she has overseen civil and criminal appeals in both State and Federal courts. Ms. See has fought tirelessly for affordable and reliable energy for American families. She has argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In one of those cases, she not only advocated on behalf of West Virginia, she also advocated on behalf of other States, including my home State of Wyoming. And she won.

Ms. See has a long track record of giving a voice to people who are impacted by Federal actions. In fact, my concern for farmers and other landowners is a principal reason why I do support Ms. See.

During the Energy and Natural Resource Committee's hearing on the nomination, Ms. See was asked if she would ``exercise extreme care'' when considering applications for electric transmission lines. Of course she said yes. She went on to explain that she would faithfully adhere to and apply the law.

When she received written questions, she again committed to follow the law. Ms. See wrote:

My time as West Virginia's Solicitor General has given me a

profound respect for the ways federal policies affect people

across the country.

She added:

I've seen how federal rules and permitting actions can

threaten people's livelihoods and local economies.

Ms. See went on to say:

Sensitivity to how federal actions affect States and local

communities is essential when making policy decisions.

She said:

I would consider a proposal's consequences for local

landowners . . . important to the public interest analysis.

If confirmed, Ms. See will bring an impressive experience list, working with complex statutes, to the Commission. She will also help the Commission understand how its decisions impact farmers and other landowners.

I firmly believe that if we fail to confirm Ms. See, farmers and landowners will be worse off. For that reason, I encourage all Senators to vote in favor of Ms. See.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the following detailee from my committee be granted floor privileges until the end of the 118th Congress: It is James Bartholomew.

Madam President, let me just defer to my colleague from Utah for a few short moments.

Madam President, I come to the floor today to continue this discussion of the crisis at our southern border.

When Joe Biden walked into the White House, the southern border was secure. Tragically, for our country, he then signed 94 Executive orders in his first 100 days. He rolled out the welcome mat, and millions and millions of illegal immigrants flooded into our Nation. The Democrats in Congress joined him. They joined the President. They worked with him. They aggressively rolled back Republican-led policies that had worked to keep our country safe. Our southern border is now a pipeline for illegal crossings. Since Joe Biden took office, almost 10 million illegal immigrants have invaded America.

The Democrats' uncontrolled illegal immigration strains our tax dollars; it undermines the safety of our citizens; and it endangers our communities. Hard-working American taxpayers are now paying. They are paying for housing; they are paying for healthcare; they are paying for government handouts--all for illegal immigrants. According to one study, the Democratic border crisis costs States and cities close to $450 billion each and every year.

The heaviest costs of this crisis are borne by families, by communities, and by local law enforcement. Day after day, lives are cut short or changed forever. Just 2 weeks ago, in Florida, an 11-year-old girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a 20-year-old illegal immigrant brought into this country under the catch-and-release program of President Biden. He is here because of this dangerous program.

The local sheriff in Florida had this to say:

The Federal Government is victimizing the people who live

in this country by letting these people in.

To my Democratic colleagues, I would say: You voted for open borders. I would ask you, What if this were your daughter or what if this were your granddaughter who had been kidnapped by an illegal immigrant brought in by catch-and-release--a 20-year-old here. Terrible. Frightening.

Fortunately, this young girl's mother was able to identify the situation, and she ran desperately to get that daughter who had been kidnapped.

We are here fighting to secure the border to make our communities safer. Democrats in this body have done nothing to secure the border. They have done nothing to stop the flood of illegal immigrants. The record by the Democrats in this body is appalling, and let me start with H.R. 2.

H.R. 2 is, of course, the House bill. It is called the Secure the Border Act of 2023. It is the strongest border security bill in our history. It completes the wall because walls work. It surges new technology to the border. It hires more Border Patrol agents and gives them a bonus. It ends catch-and-release, and it reinstates the successful plan of ``Remain in Mexico.'' If signed into law, H.R. 2 would stop the flood of illegal immigrants.

Now, the House of Representatives passed this bill, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, on May 11 of 2023. Well, that was over a year ago. The Senate majority leader refuses to bring this House-passed bill to the floor, and he has been blocking the bill for over a year.

Of course, it is not just blocking the Secure the Border Act that is the problem. Democrats will not vote for real border security measures. For 3 years now, open border Democrats--each and every one of them-- have rejected solutions aimed at fixing the border crisis not once, not twice but in 22 different recorded votes. Democrats banded together to say no to finishing the wall, no to ending catch-and-release, and no to restoring the ``Remain in Mexico'' policy. They blocked the Laken Riley Act.

Meanwhile, they have embraced policies that have tried to smooth the flow of illegal immigrants when people all across America are saying: Stop this flood. This includes sending illegal immigrants cash payments paid with taxpayer dollars. The Democrats continue to fund sanctuary cities. For 3 years, my Democratic colleagues have seemed to welcome the crisis at our southern border. They now want to run away from their record, and we know why. It is because election day is less than 6 months away, and they can read the polls. Democrats can run, but they cannot hide.

The majority leader recently said that the situation at the border is unacceptable. I am not sure he actually believes that. After all, one of his first comments after the 2022 election was that he endorsed amnesty for illegal immigrants. The majority leader said at the time that opening our country to illegal immigrants is ``the only way we are going to have a great future in America.'' It is ``the only way.'' That is what the majority leader said. It is ``the only way we are going to have a great future in America''--amnesty for illegal immigrants.

The Democrats have no desire to secure the border. Every single Democrat

in this Capitol is responsible for the drugs, the deaths, and the destruction brought on by the invasion of our Nation by illegal immigrants.

This is a cycle of suffering that Senate Republicans are determined to stop. This week, I introduced a bill called the Build the Wall Act. We know that the border wall works. My proposal finishes the wall. It pays for it by clawing back unused COVID funding. This wall is absolutely vital to our Nation's security.

You know, once upon a time, Senator Schumer actually supported a border wall. Many of his Democratic colleagues supported a border wall. When Joe Biden was then-Senator Joe Biden--and I served with him in this body--he actually voted for a border wall. They have all flip- flopped, and we know why--politics, plain and simple.

To my Democratic colleagues, I say this: You are responsible for innocent Americans being victimized by illegal immigrants in communities all across the Nation. If Democrats are serious about securing the border, they should start by voting for a policy that actually works and is paid for. That is the reason to vote for the bill I have introduced, the Build the Wall Act.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume legislative session and proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4392, which is at the desk.

Madam President, let me be very, very brief in just pointing out that this bill calls for using unspent COVID money, specifically as a result of the COVID pandemic that hit our Nation, money sent to be spent for that. It does seem to me and to probably just about every American that we are way beyond that period of time, and money designated for that purpose has not yet been spent. It should be readily available for a project like this.

I would also note that my friend and colleague who is on the floor was, along with President Biden and Senator Schumer, one of those who did vote on September 29, 2006, for a bill, at the time, that was called the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

I yield the floor.

I yield the floor.