Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and thank Air Force Lt. Col. Renette Hilton. Renette has been serving as a Department of Defense fellow in my office this year, and she has been an asset to the people of Arizona and the U.S. Congress.

Arizona is home to key parts of the U.S. Air Force working every day to keep our Nation safe and secure. Luke Air Force Base is home to the world's largest fighter wing, the 56th Fighter Wing, where they train on and operate the F-35 Lightning. The F-35 is America's preeminent fifth-generation fighter. Luke Air Force Base also trains pilots for our partner nations, strengthening or relationship with and the security of our allies. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is similarly critical to our national security. Davis-Monthan has a diverse mission that includes search and rescue, Air Force Southern Command, electronic warfare, and the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. Arizona also has one of the most capable Air National Guard units in the country. They organize the busiest aerial refueling operation and continue to innovate to stay on the cutting edge of Air Force capabilities.

In the year she has worked in my office, Renette has become an essential member of the team and a valued connection to the Air Force. She has worked with my policy team to host over 30 meetings with Arizona constituents on a range of topics related to the Nation's defense. She has assisted in making informed recommendations on confirmation votes, cosponsorships, and hearing preparations. She has helped us draft thoughtful and influential policy that I know will help the servicemembers and families of Arizona. Renette has been a steadfast protector of Arizona military missions and communities.

Moreover, Renette went above and beyond to adapt to dynamic staffing in my office. She led our defense team for several months, including coordinating with a legislative correspondent, policy aide, and our defense outreach team across three geographically dislocated offices. In this role, she planned, organized, and directed a staff delegation to multiple bases throughout Arizona and engaged with senior leaders in the military, as well as business, academic, and community stakeholders. She also successfully supported my requests to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

I am incredibly proud of the work accomplished by Lieutenant Colonel Hilton throughout this challenging year. She has set an outstanding example for others, and my team and I will miss her.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture vote on Executive Calendar No. 463, the nomination of Brian Nelson to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, and the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act, occur at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, Wednesday, November 17; that if cloture is invoked on the Nelson nomination, all postcloture time be considered expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination occur at a time to be determined by the majority leader following consultation with the Republican leader; and finally, that at 5 p.m. today, the Senate execute the previous order with respect to the Kanter nomination to be an Assistant Attorney General.

For the information of the Senate, in addition to the previously scheduled vote on confirmation of the Bonnie nomination at 2:30 p.m. today, there will be a vote on confirmation of the Kanter nomination at approximately 5:15 p.m., and tomorrow at approximately 10 a.m., there will be two rollcall votes. Those votes will be on cloture on the Nelson nomination and cloture on the motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote No. 433, on the confirmation of Karen McGlashen Williams, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote No. 434, on the confirmation of Patricia Tolliver Giles, of Virginia, to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Madam President, I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote No. 414, on the confirmation of Gustavo A. Gelpi, of Puerto Rico, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit.

Mr. President, Senator Mark Kelly and I have the distinct privilege of honoring the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca, AZ. On October 6, 2021, MG Anthony G. Hale, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, will officially recognize the 50-year anniversary of Fort Huachuca as the ``Home of Military Intelligence.'' This is a momentous occasion, and we congratulate all members of the Fort Huachuca community on their invaluable achievements.

Military intelligence has been critical to successful combat operations since the U.S. Army's inception in 1775. Tragic events in our Nation's 246-year history have continually underscored the importance of properly trained intelligence professionals, not only for combat operations, but in times of peace as well. The U.S. Army's first centralized peacetime intelligence school was established at Fort Holabird, MD, in 1955, but moved to Fort Huachuca in 1971 to better meet intelligence requirements. Fort Huachuca subsequently received the moniker of ``Home of Military Intelligence.''

Over the next 50 years, the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School would absorb several other intelligence training centers until it had responsibility for all military intelligence training. This includes initial military training and professional military education for all ranks and intelligence specialties, for both Active and Reserve components, civilians, and foreign students from allied countries.

The Commanding General serves as the proponent for the Military Intelligence Branch and Chief of the Military Intelligence Corps and is responsible for recruitment, accession, and retention of the Army's entire military intelligence force, while developing concepts, doctrine, organizational designs, and materiel solutions. The Intelligence Center and School have gradually morphed into today's U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, notably becoming the place where military intelligence professionals are symbolically bound together as one unified organization. It continues to be, now more than ever, the home of military intelligence.

As the Army prepares for future contingencies, the work of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence is paramount. The center's military and civilian personnel work tirelessly to shape the future of Army intelligence while ensuring intelligence professionals are trained and equipped to protect our Nation. Fort Huachuca is postured to combat our adversaries in the domains of spectrum and space and continues to provide key contributions to the defense of the Nation.

Senator Kelly and I are immensely proud of the men and women at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca. They deserve our deepest gratitude for the contributions they have made to the U.S. Army and our Nation over the past 50 years. I know we both look forward to seeing what they accomplish over the next half-century.

Again, congratulations on this proud occasion.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yea on Roll Call Vote 387, on the Confirmation of Monica P. Medina to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yea on Roll Call Vote 389, on the Confirmation of Todd D. Robinson to be an Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Mr. President, I rise today as we approach a final Senate vote on historic legislation to invest in America's critical infrastructure, a bipartisan proposal that will make America stronger and safer, creating good-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunities across the country.

After months of negotiations, the Senate has now debated our bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for nearly 2 weeks in an open and legislative process. We considered 22 amendments from both sides of the aisle and voted to adopt many of those amendments. In the coming hours, the Senate will have the opportunity to approve legislation that meets the needs of everyday families, employers, and communities.

For decades, American infrastructure has been crumbling. For decades, American families have asked Congress for infrastructure investment. For decades, progress was blocked by partisan disagreements. Now, as the Senate prepares for a final vote, what will this historic legislation actually mean for the people we serve?

Our bill will mean better roads by investing a historic $110 billion to repair and upgrade our roadways, bridges, and other major transportation projects.

It will mean faster internet for people in more places by investing $65 billion to deploy high-speed broadband and help families afford internet service.

It will mean cleaner, more reliable water sources by making the strongest investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in U.S. history, including water storage and recycling and drought contingency plans throughout Western States like Arizona.

It will mean fewer power outages and stronger, more reliable electricity grids by investing $65 billion in power infrastructure.

It will mean better protections against wildfires by investing in fire suppression and recovery and the removal of hazardous fuels.

It will mean stronger water and sanitation systems and better broadband access in Tribal communities, as well as full funding for all currently authorized Indian water settlements. In Arizona, that includes the infrastructure for the Southern Arizona Indian water rights settlement with the Tohono O'odham Nation, completing the Gila River Indian Community water rights settlement, and funding the White Mountain Apache Tribe's water rights settlement.

Our legislation will mean safer, more convenient airports by investing $25 billion to repair and upgrade terminals, runways, taxiways, and air traffic control towers.

It will mean the strongest investment ever in American public transit by expanding transit networks, improving accessibility, and funding the Nation's transit repair backlog of thousands of buses, railcars, stations, and thousands of miles of track, signals, and power systems.

It will mean the largest investment in clean energy transmission and electric vehicle infrastructure in U.S. history, electrifying thousands of school and transit buses, boosting critical materials supply chains, and building out a national network of electric vehicle charging stations.

We achieve all of these goals without raising taxes on everyday Americans.

Strong, reliable infrastructure represents more than pipes and pavement; it represents the opportunities for Americans to visit loved ones, for new businesses to open and compete globally, for veterans to access telemedicine, and for children to learn in safe and effective ways. That is why our legislation has earned the support of such a wide cross section of Americans. From the U.S. Chamber of Congress to the AFL-CIO, from agricultural producers to clean energy leaders, from healthcare providers to transit advocates to local mayors, the list of experts and organizations that have endorsed our Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is long enough to take an entire speech just to list them all. But don't worry, I won't. Rarely does Federal legislation so directly address issues that matter to all our constituents, and rarer still does such historic legislation earn broad support in both parties.

How many times have we heard in recent months that bipartisanship isn't possible anymore?

We have been asked to accept a new standard by which important policy can only come together on a party line. And while Americans are more united than our politics would have you believe, we certainly face divisions. And, unfortunately, it is not commonplace--and by some, even expected--for elected leaders to feed those divisions on a daily basis with extreme and hyperbolic rhetoric, all-or-nothing policy demands, and toxic partisan attacks.

In Washington, palace intrigue and insider drama often steal the spotlight from important policy issues, but I promised Arizonans something different. I chose instead to follow the example of the late Senator John McCain, who, as the Arizona Republic recently recalled, refused to demonize the opposition party and worked to reach bipartisan agreements that tried to bring the country together.

This infrastructure effort is a perfect example of how I work to deliver results for Arizona. It is the easiest thing in the world for politicians to stay in their partisan corners, to line up on their respective sides of every partisan battle, and declare that bipartisanship is dead. But what is harder is getting out of our comfort zones and forming coalitions with unlikely allies that can achieve lasting results--lasting results--rather than temporary victories destined to be reversed, undermining the certainty that Americans depend on.

Ask just about any constituent in any of our States about our country's political divisions, and you will hear a desire from America's citizens for all of us to find ways to bridge our differences and work together to address the issues that actually matter to their daily lives.

Our bipartisan Senate group that negotiated this historic legislation and those we have partnered with to strengthen the bill throughout this process provide an example of how to achieve that goal.

In a demonstration of how the Senate was designed to work, the Senators in our group effectively represented the needs of the regions we represent: Senator Cassidy in the Deep South and the gulf coast; Senator Warner in the mid-Atlantic; Senator Manchin in Appalachia; and Senators Romney and Tester in the West. And with Senator Portman representing the Midwest, the northeast and Alaska--each with

unique infrastructure needs--were ably represented by Senators Shaheen, Collins, and Murkowski.

In what should not be a surprise to anyone, those women in our bipartisan group brought a no-drama work ethic, policy expertise, and a knowledge of our region's priorities that earned my designation of them as the ``Wonder Women.''

I sincerely thank my co-leader in partnering together on this effort, Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, whose knowledge on issues ranging on permitting requirements to the Federal budget is matched only by his steadfast commitment to delivering on this priority for our country.

I am just not sure how we or our teams will manage daily schedules without the endless meetings, calls and Zooms, negotiating the nuances of formula funding and CBO scores. Actually, just kidding; we will manage just fine.

Our bipartisan group eventually grew to include more than 20 Senators, including my fellow home State Senator from Arizona, Mark Kelly. And a significant portion of our legislation is made up of the surface transportation reauthorization, which was painstakingly assembled in serious bipartisan committee negotiations led by Senators Carper, Capito, Cantwell, Wicker, Brown, Toomey, and many others. Our proposal is a historic deal for communities across the country because of their hard work and expertise.

We have also worked very closely with U.S. House leaders and the Problem Solvers Caucus, whose support will be absolutely crucial as our legislation moves to the House. Through every step in these negotiations, President Biden and his team, as well as Majority Leader Schumer, stood firmly behind us, helping navigate the difficult challenges; and I am honored that we have also earned the support of Republican Leader Mitch McConnell as well.

I would like to especially thank my legislative director, Michael Brownlie, for his hard work; and my entire policy team, who worked incredibly tirelessly over countless hours; along with our other Senate staff and President Biden's team at the White House, to help turn our negotiated framework into this legislation.

And what we have here today is what it looks like when elected leaders set aside their differences, shut out the noise and distractions, and just focus on forging common ground around our shared values. And this is what it looks like for elected leaders to ignore the extreme rhetoric and the cheap political attacks and put energy instead into delivering lasting results that matter to everyday Americans. This is what it looks like when elected leaders take a step toward healing our country's divisions, rather than feeding those very divisions.

And with those shared values in mind, I urge my colleagues in both parties to support the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and help show the world that our democracy still works and that we still lead the world in innovation and competitiveness, and that Americans can be confident that their government is working for all of us and is indeed worthy of all of us.

Madam President.

Reserving the right to object. As my esteemed colleague from Tennessee is aware, and as we are all aware, the Senate operates under unanimous consent, reserving the right and the prerogative of any one Senator to object to moving forward when consent is not present.

Now, as the Senator from Tennessee made clear yesterday in his remarks on the floor, he has declined to provide unanimous consent for a time agreement moving forward in this postcloture time period. I am sure it will then come as no surprise to him that there are Senators on both sides of the aisle who object to unanimous consent on one or more of the amendments listed in his proposed list today. I am sure that he offers the same level of respect to those Senators, in denying their unanimous consent, as has been offered to him as well.

Now, I am proud to report that, throughout this bipartisan process, we have produced, over the course of a number of months, a piece of legislation drafted entirely by the independent and bipartisan Members who have worked together over this number of months. We have introduced the legislation, and we have had robust debate and, I am proud to say, the consideration of 22 amendments on this bipartisan bill. It has been an open and welcoming process.

As we are currently in the postcloture debate time, again, as I have mentioned, it requires unanimous consent to both move forward with all of the amendments or any of the amendments as well as a time agreement. And, as we have seen today, we do not have unanimous consent on either a time agreement or on moving forward on amendments, and, therefore, I propose that we continue moving forward under regular order.

And, with that, I object.

Madam President, reserving the right to object, I first would like to associate myself with the comments just uttered by the senior Senator from Iowa. I think many of us are frustrated that we have been sitting around together for quite some time without moving forward. But, as I remarked earlier today, the U.S. Senate is a body that requires the unanimous consent of every single Senator, and each Senator has the right to withhold his objection or consent to any process moving forward.

Over the last day and a half, we have seen a lack of willingness to collaborate, to come together to find unanimous consent to move forward on both the consideration of a number of amendments, including those offered today, and a time agreement. It is not because there weren't many people who were willing to do so. In fact, most of the Members of this body were interested in finding such an agreement. But it is the right of each and every Senator and the privilege of each and every Senator to withhold that consent if he so chooses, and that is the situation we find ourselves in today.

So, Madam President and others, I would recommend that just in 1 hour, we will see this postcloture time expire, and we will move forward under regular order to finish consideration of this broad bipartisan piece of legislation. And I do want to take a moment to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the 22 Democrats and Republicans who worked together over the last several months with their colleagues on both sides of aisle to consider a historic 22 amendments to this

legislation to ensure that a broad and bipartisan discussion was held, and I look forward to a swift and positive resolution by passing this legislation.

With that, I object.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw Carper amendment No. 2633.

Mr. President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and any other applicable budget points of order for purposes of the pending amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise in support of the majority leader's comments, and I want to commend my colleagues for the work we have done together in a bipartisan fashion over the last 4 days, considering and clearing 22 amendments as a body together in the Senate.

And while we were unable to agree on additional amendments today, I do also look forward to us reconvening together on Saturday and proceeding under regular order to finish what will be a historic piece of legislation both in its bipartisan nature and in the impact it will have on our country.

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 proceed to legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, it is my honor and privilege this evening to join with my fellow 9 Senators of the G-10 who have been working together for months now, along with an additional 12 colleagues, who together--the 22 of us Senators--have worked long and hard with each other and with the White House to introduce this evening the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

We know that this has been a long and sometimes difficult process, but we are proud this evening to announce this legislation, and we look forward, very much, to working with our colleagues in a collaborative and open way over the coming days to work

through this historic investment in infrastructure in our country and to come to agreement in the U.S. Senate to move forward with this historic piece of legislation.

Now, I know that many of my colleagues will talk about some of the virtues of the legislation and the great things that it will do for the States that we all are proud to represent, the States that all of us Senators represent across this country. But what I would like to direct my brief remarks to this evening are not the details of this legislative text--though they are significant, and I think they are very meaningful and will have an impact on the daily lives of Americans. What I would like to speak about is the very process.

I know it has been difficult, and I know it has been long, and what I am proud to say is that is what our forefathers intended when they created a system of government that required Republicans and Democrats to come together in a coequal branch of government and work with each other and with the administration to find legislation and solutions that meet the needs of our country, individuals, and families, companies, communities. It is difficult; it is time consuming; and it is exactly what our country insisted and demands of us every single day: to take the time to work with each other to find common ground, to compromise, and to be willing to work with each other--to give a little, to get a little--in order to achieve what is right and what is best for the American people.

I think the process we are embarking on this evening, as we soon will join together with our colleagues of both political parties, representing every State across the country, is an important one, and it sends a message to the individuals across this country and, indeed, to individuals across this world that the U.S. Government can work. It is difficult; it is time consuming; it can be hard; but this very process of finding bipartisan compromise and working together to overcome obstacles to achieve the objectives that the American people are depending upon us to do is the very heart and the very core of why each of us serves in this government, and I, for one--in addition to being tired, I, for one, am incredibly proud of this process. It is why I ran for office, and I believe it is why we have all run for office: to work together to overcome differences, to find solutions, and to make a difference in the lives of the American people.

As we will see in the coming days, as we hear from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, offering amendments and adjustments to this legislation, and, ultimately, I believe, passing this legislation out of the Senate, with a strong bipartisan record, we will continue to once again demonstrate to our country and to the world that we can, indeed, do our jobs; that we can legislate; that we can work together; and that we can put aside our own political differences for the greater good of our country.

I thank the Presiding Officer.

I ask that all remaining time be yielded back.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote 215, On the Motion to Table, Motion to Table Rubio Amdt. No. 1802.

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote 216, on the amendment, Crapo-Wyden Amdt. No. 1562 as modified.

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote 217, on the Motion for Attendance, Motion to Instruct the Sergeant at Arms to Request the Attendance of Absentee Senators.

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present would have voted yes on rollcall vote 218, on Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Motion to Proceed to H.R. 3233.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Dr. Eugene ``Gene'' Morgan Hughes, a recognized leader in higher education at the local, State, and national level.

Dr. Hughes was selected by the Arizona Board of Regents as the 12th president of Northern Arizona University, NAU, in 1979. During his tenure, he established NAU's Center for Excellence in Education, the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and the Southwest Center for Forestry Science Complex. Dr. Hughes launched field sites on the campuses of Arizona's community colleges, including NAU-Yuma, and initiated NAU-net, the first courses in the State offered via television to off-campus sites. He also expanded the New Momentum program to engage Native American Tribes and forged relationships with higher education institutions in China. Under his leadership, NAU's total enrollment rose from 12,000 to 18,800 students.

Dr. Hughes retired from NAU in 1993 and received the titles of president emeritus and professor emeritus of mathematics. He served as president of Wichita State University, WSU, from 1993 until 1999, retiring as president emeritus. He later led Eastern Kentucky University, EKU, as its interim president in 2001 before retiring to Flagstaff, AZ.

Dr. Hughes was chairman of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and president of the Arizona Board of Education. He was selected as Flagstaff Citizen of the Year in 1988 and Outstanding Kansas Citizen of the Year in 1998. He also received the Arizona Board of Regents Medal. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management building at NAU was named for him in 1997, and WSU dedicated the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex in 1999. Dr. Hughes received honorary doctoral degrees from NAU in 1997 and EKU in 2011.

In retirement, Dr. Hughes remained active in the community, including as a member of the National Advisory Board of the NAU School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, chair of Amtrak's National Customer Advisory Committee, and co-president of the Flagstaff Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was also president of the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Dr. Hughes was a kind, intelligent, and diplomatic man who listened patiently, cared deeply, sought compromise, and treated everyone with dignity. All who interacted with him felt seen, heard, and appreciated. His wit, wisdom, and warm smile will be greatly missed, but his legacy endures in the memories of all he touched. Please join me in honoring Gene Hughes, a visionary in higher education.