Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise not in response to the Senator from Utah or to address the matter being raised by Senator Paul but to address the resolutions that were debated previously with respect to U.S. policy in the Middle East.

In 1982, as Israeli forces pursued the PLO deep into Lebanon, President Reagan was angered by what he viewed as excessive civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli bombardment of Beirut.

Concerned by the suffering of innocent civilians and its impact on American diplomacy, not only did President Reagan personally call Israeli Prime Minister Begin and demand a halt to the bombing--and the bombing reportedly stopped within hours--but the American President then blocked the provision of cluster munitions to Israel out of concern that their use by the IDF was killing too many innocent people.

President Reagan imposed conditions on the provision of U.S. arms, using leverage to influence the conduct of an ally. He took those steps to protect innocent life and to defend what he perceived to be America's interests. And Israel, faced by President Reagan's ultimatum, adjusted its policy to accommodate America's demands.

The United States remained Israel's closest ally, and the world kept turning.

This story is not a perfect mirror image for the agonizing situation we face today and have faced since the despicable Hamas attacks of October 7. Today, Israel faces a multifront assault by Iran and its proxies while the war in Gaza has devastated the territories and civilian population.

But I tell this story to remind my colleagues that in the pursuit of America's national interests, to use the leverage that comes with the provision of arms, as President Reagan did in 1982, is not just sometimes necessary, it is expected and appropriate. The United States is and will remain Israel's closest ally. Our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad.

But no foreign government is simply entitled as a matter of right to American weapons with no strings attached. No foreign government, no matter how close an ally, gets everything it wants whenever it wants, to use however it wants. It is entirely appropriate for the United States to insist that foreign powers use American weapons consistent with our interests, our values, and our laws.

And to insist otherwise weakens American foreign policy and undermines our ability to protect the interests of the American people. And to impose conditions on the provision of certain weapons to an ally when necessary is not a betrayal of that alliance. It is the pursuit of our national interests. Again, President Reagan understood that in 1982.

So let's apply the principle to the present moment. In November of last year, I addressed the Senate on the war in Gaza in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, affirming Israel's right to defend itself, to wage war against and defeat its enemies. And I affirmed, as I do again today, America's enduring support for our ally.

I also urged that Israel respect American requests to reduce unnecessary civilian casualties in Gaza, to provide safe passage for food and essential medical supplies, to clearly define Israeli objectives to present a credible plan for Gaza's future governance, and to prevent atrocities by Israeli extremists in the West Bank.

These requests of the Israeli political leadership have been made not just by me and many others in the Senate but repeatedly by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the President over the past year.

That Israel take these reasonable and necessary steps has been and remains in America's national interests. No one in this body or the American Government has suggested that Israel lay down its arms and be overrun or that Israel does not have a right and, indeed, an obligation to defeat its enemies and defend its people. Rather, the United States has insisted that Israel's conduct of the war respect our interests and our values--the interests and values of Israel's closest ally.

And yet, for the most part, this insistence has been ignored. The United States has been ignored, in part, because the Israeli Prime Minister is beholden to Cabinet Ministers in Mr. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, who insist there be no deviation from policies that are gratuitously brutal, even over American objections.

We should be disgusted by the spectacle of Israeli extremists running amuck in the West Bank, sometimes with the protection of Israeli security forces, shooting and maiming goat herders and olive farmers and burning and seizing their land.

And the American people are rightly horrified by the lack of sufficient concern for innocent Palestinian life that has left so many children unnecessarily dead in Gaza, without limbs, or riddled with shrapnel.

As I said on the floor last year, no one should be naive to the inherent risk to civilians that comes with warfare in a place like Gaza against an enemy like Hamas. Tragically, horribly, fighting terrorists in a dense urban environment makes civilian casualties inevitable. Yet the evidence that force has repeatedly been applied with reckless disregard for the innocent is too credible for us to ignore. We are talking about precious, innocent children and other innocent civilians who might otherwise be alive or without grievous wounds today.

These things aren't just horrific, they are inconsistent with America's national security interests. Yet we seem to have forgotten that we have the power to influence our ally's conduct and that we can do so without betraying our ally. It is often said that our efforts to influence close allies are best done in private and, where possible, done gently, and I agree. But in this case, that has not been sufficient nor have heartfelt public statements and harshly worded letters been effective.

So what would President Reagan do? Judging by his actions 40 years ago, I think he would judiciously use the power that comes with our provision of weapons in order to shape Israel's conduct.

Some have taken to the floor tonight to argue that holding up two or three arms sales today would have been an abandonment of our ally, leaving Israel naked and undefended in the face of Iranian aggression. That is nonsense.

The question on the floor today was not whether to shut off military support for Israel. The resolutions we debated accounted for less than 5 percent of American arms that will likely flow to Israel over the next 3 years, and most of the shipments debated will not even arrive until 2026 or 2027. Bipartisan American support for Israel's nonnegotiable right to exist and to defend itself is rock solid.

Had these resolutions passed, however, perhaps Israeli politicians would have received the necessary message that has so far been disregarded, which is, yes, defend yourself; yes, defeat your enemies, but have mercy for the innocent, retrain your own extremists, and respect the interests of the United States.

The realization that every shipment is not simply available on an unlimited basis with no strings attached might have resulted in changes to Israeli policy that would reduce civilian suffering and support America's regional and global interests as he believed it would when President Reagan used American power in 1982.

I remain steadfastly committed to the United States-Israel alliance. And I also believe we must be willing to say no, even to our closest friends, when we believe it is in America's national interest.

I yield the floor.

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

Madam President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5284, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act, introduced earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise today to commend Teka Jenkins, executive director of Columbia County Community Connections, for her service to the community.

Mrs. Jenkins has dedicated herself to the well-being and upliftment of the people of Columbia County. Her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to community service have made a profound impact on countless lives. For 19 years, Columbia County Community Connections has been providing afterschool programs and opportunities for youth to become engaged, productive citizens of Columbia County.

Mrs. Jenkins' dedication to youth empowerment has been particularly noteworthy. She has worked diligently to create safe and nurturing environments where young people can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Her passion for education and mentorship has inspired many and has helped shape the future leaders of our community.

As a Georgia U.S. Senator, I recognize and commend Teka Jenkins for her outstanding contributions to Columbia County, for her tireless efforts on behalf of our community, and for her enduring commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

Madam President, I rise to commend a public servant whose service helps keep children and families safe in Brooks County and southwest Georgia.

Natalie Singletary serves as executive director of Brooks County Family Connection, one of Georgia Family Connection's local partners working toward better outcomes for our children, families, and communities. Brooks County Family Connection

works to develop programs to support school readiness, improve literacy, and decrease youth substance use.

As executive director, Mrs. Singletary has initiated and led several important local programs, including Heaven's Sleigh, a Christmas giveaway where more than 1,070 children received toys, food, and books last year; the Mercer University Health Reporter System in Brooks and Cook Counties to decrease health inequities for rural families; and the Feeding and Reading project through the recently completed Community Transformation Grant from Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning, which helped collect and distribute food and supplies to those in need.

Mrs. Singletary also leads the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, which funds efforts to prevent youth substance abuse.

As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend Natalie Singletary for her service as executive director of Brooks County Family Connection and for her work to help our kids learn, grow, and thrive.

Madam President, I rise to commend Dr. Amy Stevens, Ed.D., for her remarkable contributions to the State of Georgia, the United States of America, and for her unwavering dedication to honoring the service of our veterans.

A native of Augusta, ME, who now lives in Marietta, GA, Dr. Stevens is the founder of the Facebook social network group ``Georgia Military Women,'' which has over 5,000 members. Georgia Military Women helps provide a unique insight to the issues faced by women in the military, highlights the often-overlooked sacrifices and achievements of these brave individuals, and has helped countless women get the benefits they have earned.

Dr. Stevens earned her undergraduate degree from Lynchburg Baptist College and master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the Citadel. She also earned her doctorate from Argosy University in counseling psychology.

Dr. Stevens served on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy from 1979-1990, including multiple temporary duty assignments (TDY) to Korea from her duty station in Yokosuka from 1981-1983. She has been Navy-wide Officer Recruiter of the Year, a boot camp division officer, and her final duty station was director of education and training for Navy Telecommunications Headquarters.

After Dr. Stevens' military service, she worked for the U.S. Department of Labor. Retiring in 2004, she later became a licensed professional counselor, opening a small private practice and also served as the director of psychological health with the Georgia National Guard from 2009-2012. She currently serves as a military family life consultant with Department of Defense contractors, and as a professional volunteer, she is a disaster mental health manager for the American Red Cross with 25 years of deployment experience.

Dr. Stevens' dedication and work has earned her numerous accolades. In 2021, she received the Nikki J. Randal Servant Leadership Award from the State of Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus. She was also the recipient of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Distinguished Citizen Medal; two awards of the Navy Commendation Medal; the Korea Defense Service Medal; the National Defense Medal; and various others.

As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend Dr. Amy Stevens for her extraordinary career and contributions to our State and our Nation, and I thank her for her service.

Madam President, I rise to commend and celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, widely known as ``The Church with Helping Hands.''

In 1914, Piney Grove Church was organized and founded in a three-room house at 101 Bell Street in northeast Atlanta. A small band of worshipers first met on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Its distinct, initial location was nestled alongside great historical churches such as Wheat Street Baptist Church, Big Bethel A.M.E, and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In 1917, 3 years after Greater Piney Grove's founding, the Fourth Ward community suffered one of the worst devastations the city had ever seen, the Great Fire of Atlanta. Thousands of Fourth Ward residents' homes and personal property were destroyed, including some members of this newly formed church. Piney Grove joined other churches and communities in helping to aid those dislocated by the fire.

In 1939, the church moved from 101 Bell Street to 101 Boulevard, providing a larger facility, more stability among the congregation, and better resources with which to aid the membership and the surrounding community.

In 1956, Piney Grove called its fourth pastor, the Rev. Frank Jones, whose tenure as pastor was the longest tenure of any of the pastors of Piney Grove and who changed the name of Piney Grove Church to its current name, the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, to envision the church as greater in all aspects of ministry and community services.

After Reverend Jones passed away in September 1989, Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., was named senior pastor. Under Reverend Dr. Flippin, Sr.'s leadership, the church has inaugurated a family life center, a 1500-seat worship center, a community resource center, and the Grove's Gardens at East Lake Senior Living Community.

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church formally celebrated its 110th anniversary.

As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend and congratulate Reverend Dr. Flippin, Sr., First Lady Sylvia T. Flippin, Rev. Dr. Richard C. Flippin, the deacons, administrative staff and ministry leaders, and the entire community of ``The Grove'' on this historic milestone.

Madam President, I rise to celebrate and commemorate the 100th anniversary of Booker T. Washington High School, a historic institution in the heart of Atlanta, GA, that has fostered excellence in education and empowered generations of students over the last century.

Established in September 1924 as the first public high school for African-American students in the State of Georgia, Booker T. Washington High School has played a crucial role in advancing educational opportunities for young men and women in our State.

Throughout its 100 years, Booker T. Washington High School has produced a distinguished roster of alumni who have gone on to make profound contributions in fields ranging from civil rights and public service to arts, science, and business. Among its most notable graduates is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose leadership in the civil rights movement changed the course of our Nation's history.

The school's commitment to academic rigor and social responsibility is reflected in its programs, which have inspired students to become lifelong learners and community leaders. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, we recognize the efforts of the faculty, staff, and administrators who have nurtured a rich legacy of scholarship and service.

I join local leaders in celebrating Booker T. Washington High School for its 100 years of excellence and its unwavering commitment to educational equity and empowerment.

Madam President, I rise today to commend Mr. Jack Stone, a distinguished veteran and pillar of the Tifton community, whose lifelong dedication to service and our State are an inspiration to all Georgians.

Drafted into the Korean war in 1950, Mr. Stone bravely served and displayed exceptional courage and leadership. After his Active-Duty service, he then served an additional 7 years in the Army Reserves.

Mr. Stone was a leader in working to establish Tifton's Veterans Memorial Park over three decades ago, which has since renamed in his honor as Jack Stone Veterans Park. The park now also features a monument with the names of more than 80 men and women from Tifton who were killed in action serving our country.

Through his tireless efforts, Mr. Stone not only helped secured funding for the park, but also served as its volunteer curator, ensuring that it remains a place of reverence and reflection for generations to come. He was also instrumental in opening Tifton's Veterans Museum in 2019 and helped secure a U.S. Veterans Administration clinic in Tifton to better serve the area's veterans.

Mr. Stone has been actively involved in various other community organizations, including the Downtown Tifton Merchants Association and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the Tifton community.

As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I recognize, commend, and express my gratitude to Mr. Jack Stone for his service to our Nation, his contributions to the Tifton community, and his commitment to honoring our veterans.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3019.

I further ask 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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, how did it come to pass that in a nation whose founding document guarantees due

process and civil rights and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, a Federal prison in Dublin, CA, would become so notorious for the endemic sexual abuse of female inmates by prison staff that it would be known as the rape club--rape club--sexual assault and abuse of Federal inmates by the warden, by the chaplain.

Senator Johnson of Wisconsin and I led a bipartisan investigation of sexual assault in Federal prisons. We found that in two-thirds--two- thirds--of Federal prisons that housed female inmates, inmates had been sexually assaulted by members of prison staff.

We found that at the U.S. penitentiary in Atlanta, in my home State of Georgia, for nearly a decade, unchecked corruption and civil rights abuses had been ongoing with the knowledge of the leadership of the Bureau of Prisons, and no effective action had been taken to address them. Pretrial detainees sleeping in paper pajamas were denied access to counsel, denied access to hygiene products, denied access to fresh air--pretrial, presumptively innocent Federal detainees.

The human rights crisis behind bars in the United States is a stain on America's conscience.

We just passed the most significant Federal prison reform legislation in many years, and now it is on the way to the desk of the President of the United States. I am grateful to my colleague Senator Braun of Indiana for joining me in offering and introducing the Federal Prison Oversight Act, which has now been passed by the Senate and the House.

This is landmark prison reform legislation. It will require the inspector general of the Department of Justice to undertake ongoing and regular inspections of every single Federal prison in the United States.

It will establish an independent ombudsman at the Department of Justice to investigate the health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated people and staff.

It will also create a secure hotline and an online forum for family members, friends, and representatives of incarcerated Americans to submit complaints and inquiries.

It will require the IG to report the findings from its routine inspections of Federal prisons and recommendations to Congress and to the public and require the Bureau of Prisons to respond to all inspection reports within 60 days with a corrective action plan.

We were able to pass this legislation because we worked together, Senator Johnson and I, leading multiple bipartisan investigations of human rights abuses and corruption in the Federal prison system and Senator Braun and I forming the Prison Policy Working Group to develop bipartisan solutions like this one.

I am grateful to my colleague from Georgia in the U.S. House, Representative McBath, for her tireless efforts to shepherd this bill to passage in the U.S. House, and today, we passed it on the floor of the Senate. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues.

Let the leadership of the Bureau of Prisons know that the U.S. Congress will no longer tolerate the wanton and ongoing and widespread abuse of those who are in their custody.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise to commend Dr. Valerie Montgomery

Rice for her commitment to fighting for equity in healthcare and for 10 years of service as president of Morehouse School of Medicine.

Born and raised in Georgia, Dr. Montgomery Rice holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Montgomery Rice is the sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the first woman to lead the freestanding medical institution.

She was named to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and received the 2017 Horatio Alger Award. For three consecutive years, 2016-2018, the Georgia Trend Magazine selected Dr. Montgomery Rice as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians.

As Dr. Montgomery Rice celebrates 10 years of service and leadership as President of Morehouse School of Medicine, as Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend her for her commitment to expanding and diversifying the healthcare workforce and improving healthcare outcomes for all.

Mr. President, I rise to commend Jim Wallace for his decades of journalism and service to the people of southwest Georgia.

Born and raised in north Georgia, Mr. Wallace attended Towers High School and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a degree in broadcast journalism.

In November 1976, Mr. Wallace joined WALB News 10 in the news and sports departments; and he has worked there ever since, keeping southwest Georgia families informed and holding the powerful accountable.

Throughout his nearly 50-year journalism career, Mr. Wallace has worked as a weekend sports anchor and reporter, sports director, and evening news anchor.

Mr. Wallace has won numerous accolades, including twice being named the Georgia AP Sports Reporter of the Year award, Georgia AP Sportscaster of the Year, Georgia AP Sports Photographer of Year, and winning multiple UPI Sportscasting Awards.

Outside of the newsroom, Mr. Wallace is also a Sunday School teacher and youth volunteer at First United Methodist Church, and he and his wife Tracy have two children Jake and Shelly.

As Mr. Jim Wallace leaves WALB News 10 for a well-deserved retirement, as Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend and congratulate him on his incredible career and wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, an organization that has been at the forefront of fostering excellence in broadcasting throughout our great State of Georgia.

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters was founded in Savannah, GA, in July 1934, becoming the first ever trade association to represent the interests of over-the-air radio and TV licensees.

Since its founding, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters has played a pivotal role in advocating for the interests and rights of broadcasters, ensuring that the people of Georgia receive high-quality news, information, and entertainment.

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters is currently led by Bob Houghton, who has served as its president since 2012 and has worked in the media industry for decades. Its executive board includes media executives and leaders from all across the State of Georgia, from Atlanta and Savannah, to Gainesville and Columbus.

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters has been instrumental in advancing the professional development of its members through comprehensive training programs, workshops, and seminars. They have been a strong advocate for technological advancements in broadcasting, ensuring that Georgia remains at the cutting edge of industry innovations.

From the early days of radio to the digital age of television and online streaming, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters have guided its members through the ever-evolving landscape of media and communication, helping ensure they can deliver quality, reliable news to keep communities informed, safe, and connected, oftentimes as the first to deliver vital information during emergencies.

As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend the Georgia Association of Broadcasters on its 90th anniversary and thank them and their members for their work to keep the public informed.

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

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