Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 70th anniversary of the Wyoming Mining Association.

On June 3, 2026, the Wyoming Mining Association will celebrate its 70th anniversary. The annual convention is at the CAM-PLEX in Gillette, WY. This milestone highlights the WMA's role as the unified voice of the State's mining industry. Even prior to statehood, mining was essential to Wyoming's economy. The great seal of the State of Wyoming prominently features a miner in recognition of the industry's lasting significance.

In April of 1956, representatives from 12 Wyoming mining companies, with the help of future Wyoming Governor Ed Herschler, gathered to establish the Wyoming State Mining Association. The group set up its headquarters in Riverton. The new organization kept members informed about mining issues and promoted the industry's importance to the State. From its inception, the Wyoming Mining Association has highlighted the importance of industry partners. It has relied on geologists, engineers, and local stakeholders to advance mining in the State and region. Eventually, the WMA offices were relocated to the State capitol in Cheyenne, where they remain today.

Wyoming's mineral resources are essential to our State and Nation. We produce almost 12 times more energy than we consume. Nationally, we are second in net energy exports. Wyoming is America's energy breadbasket. The WMA is the dedicated voice for the coal, bentonite, trona, uranium, and rare earths minerals industries.

In addition to advocating for the industry, the Wyoming Mining Association provides on-the-ground education for legislators, students, teachers, and environmental leaders. The association represents dozens of mining companies, along with more than 100 associate companies that provide equipment and services across the sector.

The association consistently advocates for commonsense policies and regulations that strengthen the industry. It strives to educate and inform people about the importance of mining. This includes highlighting the national value of mineral production and the economic impact on our State. Under WMA's leadership, Wyoming mines make health and safety for their employees and the public a top priority. Our mines are regularly recognized as some of the safest in the Nation.

Over the last seven decades, the WMA has prospered under strong, effective leadership. Executive directors include Russell ``Russ'' Beamer (1956-1972), William ``Bill'' Budd (1972-1986), John ``Jack'' Ratchye (1986-1991), Marion Loomis (1991-2014), Jonathan Downing (2014- 2016), and my former military representative Travis Deti (2016- present.) Since 1956, the Wyoming Mining Association has shared the mining story and highlighted its crucial role in our State.

Today, the WMA is led by:

Travis Deti, Executive Director

Pat Joyce, Assistant Director

Heidi Peterson, Office Manager and Event Planner

Todd Druse, President (Black Hills Bentonite)

Neil Malicoat, Vice President (Sisecam)

Scott Schierman, Secretary & Treasurer (Uranium Energy

Corporation)

Casey Felmlee, Board Member (Peabody Energy)

Trish Driver, Board Member (Core Natural Resources)

Darrin Munoz, Board Member (Navajo Transitional Energy

Company)

Christian Palich, Board Member (Eagle Specialty Materials)

Cole Anderson, Board Member (Wyodak Resources)

Bernard Bonifas, Board Member (Energy Fuels)

Kimberly Lytton, Board Member (Bentonite Performance

Minerals)

Don Crank, Board Member (Kemmerer Operations)

Paul Bonifas, Board Member (Rare Element Resources)

Randy Quig, Board Member (Wyoming Machinery)

As the Wyoming Mining Association celebrates 70 years of service, we honor the miners, engineers, equipment operators, geologists, and their families who work to meet the energy needs of

our Nation. Through WMA's innovation and leadership, this industry--and the hard-working men and women who support it--remain key to Wyoming's success.

It is an honor to celebrate this significant milestone. Mineral development and energy production are essential to America's strength, security, and success. The Wyoming Mining Association remains committed to this important mission. It will continue to advocate for responsible development, a strong workforce, and Wyoming's role as a global leader in energy and mineral production.

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

Mr. President, I have a simple message for the dedicated men and women of ICE and Border Patrol: Help is on the way.

You spent the last 5 months guarding our borders and protecting our communities. You were defunded by the Democrats. You were demonized by members of the media. Your homes and your families were threatened by radicals.

Courageously, you carried out your mission. And you do it with patriotism, professionalism, and resolve. Your commitment makes America safer. Republicans are fighting to send you the support you need, as you continue to do your duty.

For the first time in 4 years, the United States now has a secure border. Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, 10 million illegal immigrants flooded into our country. Democrats' catch-and-release policies turned every State into a border State.

Today, under Republicans, catch-and-release has been replaced with detain-and-deport. Zero illegal immigrants have entered our Nation in the past year. Hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals are being removed each and every week.

In just 2 weeks last month, officers in Houston arrested 277 illegal immigrant criminals--criminals who had been convicted of a total of 751 offenses. This isn't an innocent group of people. It is convicted murders. It is child abusers. It is drug dealers. It is violent gang members.

This is just in one city--Houston, TX.

Let me state the obvious: Illegal immigrant criminals do not make our communities or our country safer. They make our communities more dangerous.

Republicans want the law to be upheld. We want to continue to remove illegal immigrant criminals from our communities.

And President Trump has made significant progress making communities safer. Republicans will protect this progress and keep it going into the future.

That is what this week is all about here in the U.S. Senate. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to fully fund the men and women of immigration enforcement. It is called the Secure America Act.

The Secure America Act fully funds Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. It fully funds U.S. Border Patrol. It funds them for not 1 year, not 2 years, but 3 full years. It guarantees full funding for ICE and Border Patrol for the entire Presidency of President Trump.

This is an urgent priority.

Since January, Democrats have blocked critical funding for ICE. They have blocked critical funding for Border Patrol. Democrats continue to try to defund law enforcement in America at this very moment. Democrats don't respect law enforcement. They will not honor their sacrifice, and Democrats refuse to fund them.

Today's Democratic Party is more interested in protecting illegal immigrant criminals than it is in protecting law-abiding American citizens. Today's Democratic Party belongs to the radicals who want to abolish ICE and return to open borders. Democrats are willing to sacrifice the safety and security of the American people to illegal immigrant criminals.

That is why Republicans will fully fund law enforcement without a single Democrat vote. Republicans will pass the Secure America Act. This is a choice between safe communities and open borders. This is about protecting America's law-abiding citizens.

Mr. President, on a separate note, in January of 1997, a determined daughter of northern Maine cast her first vote in the U.S. Senate. It was a humble start, and it has grown into one of the most remarkable records in Senate history--an unbroken streak of conservative votes that continues to this very day.

For nearly 30 years, nothing--and I mean nothing--has stopped Senator Susan Collins from coming to this floor and casting her vote on behalf of the good people of Maine. Senator Collins now stands on the threshold of a significant milestone: 10,000 consecutive votes in the U.S. Senate. She hasn't missed a single vote in her entire Senate career--not one. This is a remarkable accomplishment.

Of course, if you ask Susan, she will tell you that it wasn't about chasing a record; it was about reflecting the values of Maine.

Susan votes with confidence, with courage, and with conviction. This is her commitment to her constituents. She works as hard for them as they do for their families. Her dedication is incredible.

As the Senate majority whip, it is my job to count the votes. No matter the topic, I can count on this: Susan will be here. She will vote with intelligence and integrity, and she will be doing it for the people of Maine.

Congratulations to Susan Collins on this historic achievement.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody).

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 1473 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Rounds substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 345, S. 3023.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn; that the Blackburn substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of S. 4460 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 745 and S. Res. 746.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

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