Floor Statements

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 3, S. Res. 520.

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

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

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 136, H.R. 4016.

Mr. President, before I begin, I want to profess my profound sorrow for National Guard member SPC Sarah Beckstrom. Sarah was one of two National Guard members shot in a targeted attack here in Washington, DC, on the day before Thanksgiving. The other Guard member, SSgt Andrew Wolfe, is hospitalized in grave condition. My prayers are with him and his family, as well as the family of Specialist Beckstrom.

Sarah Beckstrom was just 20 years old. Andrew Wolfe is just 24. They are both at an age when many are quite naturally figuring out their path in life. But Sarah and Andrew chose early, and they chose service--service up to and including the sacrifice of their lives for their country and their fellow citizens. It is a remarkable thing, and may we never forget how much we owe men and women like Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom.

Again, my prayers are with the family of Specialist Beckstrom, and I am praying for Staff Sergeant Wolfe's full and swift recovery.

Mr. President, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. More than 80 million

Americans traveled for the holiday last week. And while most of them packed up the car and hit the road, about 6 million Americans boarded planes to spend the holidays with relatives and friends across the country. I am sure all of them were breathing a sigh of relief that the government shutdown was over and air traffic control had resumed normal operations before their trips.

The impact on air travel was one of the most visible aspects of the chaos that ensued during the Democrats' 43-day shutdown. Flights were snarled throughout the shutdown, but it got progressively worse as the shutdown dragged on. By the time Democrats' shutdown entered its second month, the FAA was forced to order cutbacks in air traffic as a matter of safety, and more would have been required if we hadn't been able to finally reopen the government when we did.

I am relieved that air traffic was able to get back to normal levels before the holiday travel surged. I am grateful to the thousands of air traffic controllers who were on duty during the shutdown without pay and who work hard every day to keep planes moving quickly and safely. They have an important job, and I know that every controller shares a commitment to putting safety first, whether it is a normal day, the middle of a snowstorm, or a government shutdown.

Even before the shutdown, our air traffic control system was facing challenges, and modernization efforts had been a priority for both the Trump administration and for Congress this year. Before the holiday, the Commerce Committee's Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing that examined operations during the shutdown, as well as the challenges that existed prior to the shutdown and that still exist today. I appreciate Chairman Moran's attention to these important issues. I am grateful that my colleagues are taking the time to delve into the challenges facing air traffic control.

At least our Republican colleagues are taking the time. The lead Democrat on that panel called the hearing ``political theater,'' and the Democrats' witness for the Aviation Subcommittee talked only about--get this--ObamaCare. That is right--ObamaCare. A hearing to examine air traffic safety and air traffic control, and that was the only witness the Democrats asked to come and testify.

I am hoping that this was a one-time political stunt and not an indication of the attitude Democrats are going to take going forward, because we have a lot more work to do on this issue. Republicans remain focused on improving air travel and safety, and that hearing was just one part of our continued efforts.

Earlier this year, Republicans took a major step forward in air traffic modernization with the One Big Beautiful Bill, which made a significant investment in technology improvements for the air traffic system. The systems being used in air traffic control towers today are in desperate need of an update. This funding will help to deploy state- of-the-art technology to towers across America.

One example of the need for modernization is what happened at the Newark airport--one of the busiest airports in the country--earlier this year. In April and May, Newark experienced equipment outages that led to major flight delays and significant disruptions in air travel. The Trump administration moved quickly to address these issues and bring Newark back to full strength, but the underlying issue is aging technology across the air traffic control system--issues that are only exacerbated when adverse conditions strike, such as severe weather or the recent government shutdown.

The investment from the One Big Beautiful Bill will go a long way toward solving the underlying technology problems and will strengthen the entire system.

Another challenge is the shortage of air traffic controllers. We are almost 4,000 controllers short of full strength, which means that controllers at a number of airports need to work longer hours and more shifts to keep the system going. Addressing the shortfall has been a priority for the Trump administration, which has devoted attention to hiring and training additional controllers.

I appreciate that the administration managed to keep hiring and training operations going throughout the shutdown, which lessened the potential long-term consequences for America's skies.

Republicans and Democrats here in Congress are focused, too, on supporting hiring and training efforts, and this year's transportation funding bill, which I hope to take up in the near future, supports sustained hiring and training to add 2,500 new controllers next year.

Upgrading outdated technology and adding new air traffic controllers will make a big difference for the traveling public and for supply chains that rely on air cargo, and it will help deliver a more modern air traffic system, capable of providing more efficient and safer skies for all Americans.

Things won't be fixed overnight, but thanks to the Trump administration and our continued efforts in Congress, we are making progress toward a state-of-the-art air traffic control system for America.

I am glad that the system is back at full strength after the shutdown, and we are working to make it stronger every day.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, all postcloture time be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the Bragdon nomination at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow; further, that the cloture motion with respect to the Freeman nomination ripen following disposition of the Bragdon nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Freeman nomination, the Senate vote on the nomination at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session of the Senate, 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, I send an executive resolution to the desk for consideration of certain nominations en bloc and ask for its immediate consideration.

In order to place the executive resolution on the calendar, I object to my own request.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 474.

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

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 474, Matthew E. Orso, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.

John Thune, John Barrasso, Jon A. Husted, John R. Curtis,

Tom Cotton, Bernie Moreno, John Boozman, Chuck

Grassley, James Lankford, John Cornyn, Cindy Hyde-

Smith, Markwayne Mullin, Kevin Cramer, Pete Ricketts,

Katie Boyd Britt, Tim Sheehy, Jim Banks.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 475.

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