Floor Statements

I yield the floor.

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo).

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of the town of Fort Laramie, WY.

The town of Fort Laramie has a remarkable history, serving as a gateway to the American West. Located in southeastern Wyoming in Goshen County, Fort Laramie sits at the convergence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. This vibrant Western community is home to 215 residents.

The history of the area truly highlights Wyoming's Western heritage. In 1834, William Sublette and Robert Campbell established Fort William, a trading post for fur traders. As the settlement grew in popularity, it expanded and attracted other travelers, including emigrants, missionaries, and homesteaders.

From 1841 to 1890, the area served as an important military outpost. Renamed Fort Laramie by the U.S. Army, the post played a pivotal role during the Westward expansion. The fort served as an integral resource for settlers, traders, and the U.S. military throughout the Western Territories. As an important stop for people traveling to Oregon, Utah, and California, it was the largest and best known military posts on the Northern Plains, earning the nickname the ``Grand Old Post.''

In 1890, the Army decommissioned the fort and sold the land and buildings to local residents. In its absence, the settled town of Fort Laramie continued to grow. With homesteaders continuing to move into the area and the addition of a railroad extension from Cheyenne, Fort Laramie became a bustling community. It was officially incorporated in 1925.

While the town of Fort Laramie developed independently of the military fort, the community recognized the historical significance of the site and pushed for its preservation. The State of Wyoming bought the land from local residents and donated it back to the Federal Government in 1937.

Today, it is recognized as the Fort Laramie National Historic Site. National Park Service employees and volunteers keep the site open year- round for visitors. Through displays and tours, they document and explain the incredible history of people in the area from the years of early American Indian inhabitants through the military era. One of its largest events, the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, features costumed re-enactments, kids' activities, and artillery demonstrations.

Fort Laramie continues to be a small town with big character. Friends and neighbors pride themselves on caring for each other. Visitors are greeted with Wyoming hospitality while experiencing Main Street's authentic charm. The area also offers the opportunity to visit the Confluence Trail, the historic U.S. Army iron bridge where the Laramie and North Platte Rivers meet and Oregon Trail ruts.

Today, the Town of Fort Laramie is led by a distinguished group of officials, including:

Ryon Brown, Mayor

Alicia Tanner, Council Member

Chris Sachanandani, Council Member

Jason Curtsinger, Council Member

Jacob Ellis, Council Member

Tristica Short, Clerk

Wai Logan, Treasurer

Pete Howes, Volunteer Fire Department Chief

Michael Doan, Emergency Management Coordinator

Neal Stone, Municipal Judge

Michael Staiger, Chief of Police

On August 30, 2025, the town's officials, residents, and visitors will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The community festival will include a 5K walk/run, children's games and activities, as well as plenty of vendors in the heart of downtown. It is a fitting way to honor the town's impressive history while celebrating its bright future.

It is an honor to recognize this special anniversary. I applaud the community leaders and volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to celebrate Fort Laramie's rich Western heritage. What a terrific opportunity to share their town and centennial celebration with others. Congratulations to the town of Fort Laramie on its 100th anniversary.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I just heard the minority leader, once again, come to the U.S. Senate Chamber and cry wolf. This time, it is about Medicaid reform.

Let's be very clear: We need to strengthen Medicaid, and we did that in the bill that we just passed and was signed into law. The minority leader, once again, puts fear above the facts. He is upset. He is upset because Republicans are asking able-bodied adults to work if they want to receive taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits.

He also is upset because Republicans believe that illegal immigrants should not receive Medicaid benefits. Let me set the record straight. Medicaid is for the vulnerable. It was never meant to cover able- bodied, working-aged adults who refuse to work nor was it meant to cover illegal immigrants whom the Democrats continue to embrace. Today, there are over 1.2 million illegal immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits. Today, there are 4.8 million able-bodied, working-aged adults who refuse to work who are on Medicaid. That doesn't strengthen Medicaid. It strains it. It weakens it. It makes it harder for the people who need Medicaid whom Medicaid was designed for. It also wastes taxpayer dollars.

Work requirements are common sense. You know, they used to be bipartisan. Bill Clinton, from the Presiding Officer's home State, signed that into law in the 1990s. President Obama defended it in 2008. President Obama said: Work must be the centerpiece of any social policy. Democrats today don't believe that. They think Clinton was wrong, and they think Obama was wrong. They are for laziness, and they are for illegal immigrants.

The Democrats, today, are defending dependency rather than independency. That is what they are doing today. That is what Chuck Schumer did on the floor of the U.S. Senate this morning.

Republicans believe in a safety net--a safety net to help people reach their full potential, to get back up on their feet. We believe in hard work. We believe in work as part of somebody's identity, their dignity, their self-worth, how they view themselves as role models for their children. If you are healthy and you refuse to work, it is a choice you may want to make, but don't expect the taxpayers to pay for it. No child, no pregnant woman, or disabled person will lose coverage.

What the Democrats want to do is remove work requirements and continue to fund healthcare--Medicaid--for illegal immigrants. That is just not fair to everyone else.

Mr. President, I came to the floor to talk about a different topic, but in listening to the minority leader, I couldn't help myself but to talk about just how far to the left the Democrats have gone, and, oh, it is no surprise that they are at their lowest level ever in the polls. The front page of the Wall Street Journal this weekend shows Democrats at an alltime low in the history of polling in terms of the people who identify with the Democratic Party and who reject the Democratic Party. Only one in three accepts what the Democrats are preaching while 63 percent of the American people do not identify with that at all.

This is no surprise given the Democrats' goal of raising taxes and making illegal immigration easier and continuing to recruit more illegal immigrants to this Nation by offering a lot of free things, which is what the Democrats want to continue to do, but that is not the reason I came to the floor today.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object.

For years, Democrats have ignored this issue. Now they can't stop talking about it. Maybe it is because Democrats are trying to distract from their extreme, unprecedented obstructions here in the U.S. Senate.

As of this morning, there were 147 qualified nominees awaiting confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Many were approved by committee with Democrat support. These aren't controversial nominees or individuals. They are patriotic Americans patiently waiting for their opportunity to serve their country. Some have quit their jobs; others have sold their assets. But this Democrat Trump derangement syndrome is holding them back.

So far this year, Democrats have allowed exactly zero--zero--nominees to be confirmed by voice vote. This is a drastic departure from the norms and traditions of the U.S. Senate. It is very different from how Republicans treated Democrat nominees when we were in the minority in 2021. Or maybe it is because Democrats don't want to talk about their dreadful poll numbers--the lowest in 35 years. It is front-page news.

Senate Republicans included a provision that addresses this very issue in the appropriations bill that Democrats are currently holding up. They are stopping the progress on the bill that addresses this. Either way you cut it, this exercise is a Democrat distraction; and therefore, I object.

Regular order.

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wyoming Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Conference.

On August 21, 2025, the Wyoming Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wyoming Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Conference. The conference is a premier educational event for first responders statewide.

In the 1970s, Wyoming lawmakers recognized the need to create a statewide system to standardize emergency medical services. The Wyoming EMS Office was established to provide critical training, support, and continuing education for first responders. It is also responsible for EMS licensing across the State.

The trauma conference came from humble beginnings. The first conference was hosted in a basement room. Throughout the years, the conference grew in size and popularity as a respected source of education and information.

Over the years, the Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Wyoming Emergency Medical Services Association have both hosted this valuable conference. Spanning 3 full days, the event will highlight new EMS practices and trauma care issues. With national and local speakers, activities, and vendors, it will provide eight different continuing education tracks for participants to pursue.

Aside from the incredible educational opportunities available, the conference creates a sense of community. Each year, the conference highlights the achievements of incredible healthcare professionals around the State. Top first responders are honored by their peers with awards for Lifetime Achievement, the Pete Vase Medic of the Year, Physician Medical Director of the Year, EMS Course Coordinator of the Year, along with the Bystander, Rising Star, and Achievement Awards.

The Wyoming Office of Emergency Medical Services is led by Manager Aaron Koehler, MS, EMT. He is joined by a dedicated team including:

Jay Ostby, License Officer, Reporting and Data Analyst

Susan Neugebauer, EMS Program Supervisor and EMS for

Children Program

Elaine Volin, BSN, RN, Trauma Program Manager

Jesse Chavez, EMS Records and Data Specialist

Derrick Krause, Administrative Assistant

Amanda Witherington, Administrative Assistant

The Wyoming Trauma and EMS conference plays an integral role in the excellence of Wyoming healthcare and emergency response. This conference allows participants opportunities to meet with others, learn new skills, and improve their abilities in the field.

Every attendee, including EMS clinicians, medical experts, first responders, agency administrators, and educators, is truly selfless and caring. They are drawn to making a tangible difference and have an incredible passion for saving lives. I applaud each and every one of them for their hard work and commitment.

It is an honor to celebrate this significant milestone. This conference provides tremendous opportunities for our State's medical professionals. Congratulations to the Office of Emergency Medical Services on the 50th anniversary of the Wyoming Trauma and

Emergency Medical Services Conference.

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

Madam President, Republicans came to the Senate with a clear mandate. That was 7 months ago. Our job as a majority was to get America back on track. We made that commitment, and we are following through on it. We are keeping that commitment. America is stronger; America is safer; and America is more prosperous than it was 7 months ago. Not since Ronald Reagan reversed the failures of Jimmy Carter have we seen such a dramatic turnaround.

Earlier this month, Republicans passed our comprehensive legislative agenda. President Trump calls it the One Big Beautiful Bill. It is now the law of the land. It delivers to the voters of this country what the voters sent Republicans here to do.

First, Republicans stopped a $4 trillion tax increase--the largest tax increase in American history. Every single Democrat in this Chamber voted to raise taxes by $4 trillion. Had Democrats succeeded, working families would have paid over $1,700 more in taxes just next year. Small businesses would have seen their taxes go up quite a bit. The families of farmers and ranchers would have paid a much higher death tax. On all of these things, Republicans stopped the Democrats. Instead, we delivered a working-class tax cut. We cut taxes on tips, taxes on Social Security, taxes on overtime. No taxes on tips puts about $1,300 back into the pockets of waiters, barbers, and bartenders. No taxes on overtime puts about $1,400 more back into the pockets of nurses, firefighters, and police officers. No taxes on Social Security puts more money into the pockets of seniors through a larger deduction.

Thanks to Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, Republicans modernized tax credits for childcare. It was the first update in 25 years. This helps make daycare more affordable for hard-working moms and dads. Moreover, Republicans expanded child tax credits. Parents receive $2,200 each year for each child. Well, that helps pay for rent, food, and school supplies.

Thanks to Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Republicans created a $1,000 savings account for every newborn American citizen. Now an American child born today could have tens of thousands of dollars waiting for them when they turn 18. This could be a downpayment on the American dream. If you wish to go to college, to own a home, or to start a business, all of these things are now much more realistic.