Floor Statements

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 40.

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, there is not much in our lives that doesn't depend in some way on agriculture: the food on our table, the gas in our car, the cotton in our shirts. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our country. I am grateful for the men and women who rise before the dawn for a hard day's work on farms and ranches across America.

Agriculture is a difficult way of life. It is filled with uncertainty. Storms, drought, or an early freeze can wipe out entire crops or herds, sometimes in an instant. There is market volatility, processing and transportation challenges, and the list goes on.

The last few years have been especially challenging for America's farmers and ranchers. They face declining commodity prices, higher input costs, and higher interest rates, not to mention the natural disasters that have struck many parts of the country.

Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently told the Agriculture Committee that ``in 2025, farmers will plant one of the most expensive crops ever.'' Many commodity producers are bracing for the prospect of serious financial losses this year.

These challenges are real. That is why last December Congress approved relief funding for agriculture producers hit by economic headwinds as well as those affected by natural disasters. Secretary Rollins committed to getting these funds out the door quickly during her confirmation hearing. Last week, USDA announced that farmers could now apply for direct payments from the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program through their local farm service agency, and additional assistance for those affected by natural disasters will be available soon.

Programs like the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program are designed to help farmers weather the current storm, but let's be clear: They are only temporary measures, and they are no substitute for an updated farm bill that provides the resources that farmers and ranchers need to face current conditions.

When I became majority leader, I made it clear that a full and updated farm bill would be a priority for the new Republican majority. Secretary Rollins has been clear that this is a priority for the Trump administration as well. I appreciate the work that the Agriculture Committee is doing under Chairman Boozman to respond to the needs of farmers and ranchers.

During my time in Congress, I have had a role in crafting four farm bills. This will be my fifth. It is a difficult task at any time, and it is harder when the situation is as dire as it is today. But Senate Republicans remain committed to finishing this important work and delivering a farm bill that ensures farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to face today's challenges and tomorrow's as well. I hope that our Democrat colleagues will join us in working productively to deliver this important legislation.

Farmers and ranchers need certainty so they can plan for the future, and providing that certainty is a priority of mine. I have introduced a number of bills that I will work to see incorporated into the farm bill, including the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act and the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act, among others.

Strengthening the farm safety net is an important priority of mine, as is a stable biofuels policy, including year-round access to E15 and timely and meaningful updates to the renewable volume obligations that matter to ethanol producers in America's heartland.

I continue to advocate for eliminating the death tax once and for all so that no farmer or rancher has to worry about whether the family farm or ranch will be able to stay in the family after they pass.

Life on a farm or ranch isn't easy, and I am grateful to all of our farmers and ranchers, including in my home State of South Dakota, for the remarkable job they do day in and day out feeding not only our country but the world.

We have a responsibility to the men and women who work hard every day to deliver food, fuel, and fiber for America and the world. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to deliver the updated legislation that farmers and ranchers need.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

I move to proceed to Calendar No. 27, H.J. Res. 25.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader, following consultation with the Democrat leader, no earlier than Tuesday, April 1, S.J. Res. 37 be discharged from the Committee on Finance and the Senate proceed to its consideration; further, that there be 6 hours for debate only, with the time equally divided between the leaders or their designees, on the joint resolution; and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the joint resolution be read a third time and the Senate vote on the joint resolution.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions which are at the desk: S. Res. 140, S. Res. 141, S. Res. 142.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 120.

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.

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 when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 27; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; and notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate proceed to legislative session and resume consideration of Calendar No. 34, S.J. Res. 18; and that at 11:20 a.m., the Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution; further, that following disposition of the joint resolution, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar No. 43, Paul Lawrence, and the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture; and if cloture is invoked, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 2 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

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 that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, from the day he took office, President Trump made it clear that he would not hesitate to take action to deter our enemies and protect our Nation, and that is exactly what he has been doing, both here at home and abroad.

Needless to say, 4 years of recordbreaking illegal immigration at our southern border, under President Biden, left a gaping hole in our national security. The chaos that raged at our southern border was an invitation to terrorists and criminals, and law enforcement was stretched thin trying to deal with the flood of illegal immigration.

During his campaign, President Trump made it very clear that putting an end to our border crisis was going to be at the top of his agenda, and he has been delivering on that promise.

In just 2 months, his bold action to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws has led to a precipitous drop in illegal crossings at the southern border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded just 11,709 encounters--apprehensions between ports of entry, plus inadmissible aliens--at our southern border for the month of February-- 11,709.

Just to put that number into perspective, in February 2024, with President Biden, Customs and Border Protection recorded 189,913 encounters at our southern border--189,913 to 11,709, a 93-percent drop.

President Trump and his administration have made incredible progress, and our Nation is more secure because of their efforts.