Floor Statements

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I rise today to join Senator Baldwin and Senator Blumenthal and all of my colleagues who are speaking in support of the Women's Health Protection Act. And I want to thank Senator Whitehouse for his eloquence just now in describing the real life and death consequences of the Dobbs decision.

I want to thank advocates from Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and other organizations who have been tirelessly pushing for this legislation and standing up and speaking out for reproductive freedom. The grave threat to the health and freedom of women all across our country makes clear that it is more important than ever for Senators, regardless of political parties, to come together and support this critical legislation. Nothing less than the freedom of American women and the future of our democracy itself depends on us doing so.

For more than two centuries, each successive generation of Americans has enjoyed more freedoms than the last. By extending the promise of our democracy to all Americans, our country has only become stronger. But the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade brought that story of progress to an abrupt halt, taking away a fundamental freedom from millions of women--a freedom that most have known for their entire lives.

Now, when women across the country raised the alarm following the Supreme Court's decision, there were those who suggested that we were overreacting. They suggested that life for most women would continue as it did before. Well, it has become very, very clear that those who espoused that view were wrong.

Since the Supreme Court's decision, legislatures across the country have passed abortion bans into law. Just last week, Wyoming's Legislature passed a new law which will ban abortion in all trimesters, in nearly all cases, and would threaten doctors who perform abortions with jail time. Other States have imposed even harsher criminal penalties. This has had a chilling effect on women's healthcare providers and countless women can no longer access reproductive care that they need.

Partisan politicians who believe women are incapable of making their own critical healthcare decisions have made clear that their ultimate goal is to ban abortion in all 50 States. In statehouses and here in Washington, these partisan politicians have demonstrated that they are not only committed to dismantling women's healthcare but that they do not believe that women have the capacity or conscience to make their own personal decisions.

Like many of you, in the last 10 months, I have heard from women at rallies, in letters, and in quiet conversations who are fearful of these attacks on reproductive freedom. The question before this Senate is whether or not we believe that we have an obligation to listen to their voices, whether or not our government should be accountable to the people, including women. What is at stake is the principle that American women are free and equal citizens in our democracy and that they should be able to chart their own futures. That is why I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting the Women's Health Protection Act, which would once again protect a woman's fundamental freedom in every part of the country.

We can't stand idly by as women across America have become second- class citizens. We should stand united in the belief that our daughters deserve the same freedoms as everyone else.

If we want to ensure that our country remains a place where the promise of our democracy belongs to all, where our daughters are free to make their own choices and reach their fullest potential, where we remain a government

by, of, and for the people, then we must listen to American women and support the Women's Health Protection Act.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 724, which is at the desk.

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, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 100, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 100 until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 9; 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; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Werfel nomination postcloture; further, that all postcloture time be considered expired at 11:30 a.m. and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination followed by confirmation of the Simmons nomination; further, that following disposition of the Simmons nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Kahn nomination and at 1:45 p.m. vote on confirmation of that nomination; 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 actions.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of Senator Sullivan.

Madam President, I am honored to recognize Dan Rath of Spofford as February's Granite Stater of the Month. For the past 22 years, Dan has led a team--the Frozen Sections--in Special Olympics New Hampshire's Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach.

Special Olympics New Hampshire works to foster inclusion for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities by enabling them to participate in sports. The yearly Penguin Plunge, where participants raise money and plunge in frigid Hampton Beach waters in early February, serves as a way to fundraise for Special Olympics New Hampshire's various programs. When Dan's wife showed him an ad to participate in the Penguin Plunge in 2001, he knew he had to sign up. Not only had Dan been a special education teacher for 4 years earlier in his career, but he also loved being in any type of body of water.

After fundraising and plunging the first winter on his own, Dan began recruiting friends and people who he met through his job at Cheshire Medical Center. The recovery room nurses came up with a saying--``If you ain't plunging, you're pledging''--since if Dan couldn't convince someone to sign up for the Penguin Plunge with him, he usually could persuade them to at least donate instead.

At 70 years old, Dan continues to lead an impressive group each year in taking the Penguin Plunge. This year, the 17 members of the Frozen Sections raised over $31,000 for Special Olympics NH. The highest fundraiser of the group was Becky May, who has been a Special Olympics athlete herself since the age of 5 and who raised more than $13,000 by driving across the State and knocking on doors to raise money.

The other members of this year's Frozen Sections were: Cindy Bunszel, Patrick Moynihan, Aaron St. Peter, Trevor Hunt, Trent Hunt, Stacy Taylor, Kelly Erunski, Downey Page, Sean Craig, Taylor Woodward, Steve Hart, Cherie Rowe, Michelle Leavitt, Priscilla Jones, and Larry Welkowitz.

I commend Dan, the Frozen Sections, and all Penguin Plunge participants in our State for submerging themselves in the frigid winter waters of Hampton Beach year after year in order to raise money for Special Olympics New Hampshire. Their hard work helps Granite State children and adults with intellectual disabilities to experience the joy and empowerment that comes with participating in a sport. Their commitment to making an impact in their communities is inspiring and a hallmark of the Granite State spirit, and I thank them for making New Hampshire a more inclusive place.

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

Mr. President, I request consent for the scheduled vote to start immediately.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Harold ``Harry'' Armstrong of Canaan and John Bayliss of Hanover as December's Granite Staters of the Month. For decades, Harry has led a successful effort to collect used medical equipment and deliver it to those in need in the Upper Valley area and beyond.

Harry helped start the Health Closet, with members of the Canaan Lions Club, more than 40 years ago. The group collected used medical equipment, such as manual and electric wheelchairs, walkers, lift chairs, crutches, canes, and bath stools from the area's visiting nurses, nonprofits, hospitals, and individuals. They would then keep the equipment in storage until they found someone who needed it.

When Harry was hospitalized 2 years ago and had to have his foot amputated, he worried that Health Closet's mission would cease to be fulfilled. That is when Harry's friend and Lebanon Upper Valley Lions Club member John Bayliss stepped up to help run the initiative.

Through their work, the duo profoundly touches people's lives by giving them the medical equipment that they desperately need to go about their lives and continue to be a part of their community. From doing DIY fix-ups of medical equipment in Harry's and John's garages, to lugging large medical machinery in their pickup trucks, their dedication to helping others, willingness to take the initiative, and generosity is a shining example of the Granite State spirit.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Kaylee Richard of Manchester and Samantha Grenier of Goffstown as January's Granite Staters of the Month. This high school student duo organized a career fair targeted toward young women in the Manchester School District in order to empower the next generation of women leaders.

Kaylee and Samantha became friends at age 8 at a summer camp operated by Girls at Work, an organization that hosts programs to build confidence and strength in girls. In high school, they stayed involved with the organization as mentors, and so when they were faced with a challenge, they were prepared to take it on.

When Kaylee and Sam attended a career fair in 2022, they noticed that it was geared heavily towards men and that they and other young women were struggling in the environment. In response, the pair approached their Girls at Work mentor, Elaine Hamel, to help them organize their own career fair targeted toward young women.

In coordination with Girls at Work, the Manchester School District, and the Gear Up program, they organized a job fair with 16 local employers such as NH Fish and Game, the Manchester Police Force, and Trader Joe's. The 150 or so female sophomores and juniors from Memorial, West, and Central learned from women professionals from a variety of careers.

I admire Kaylee and Samantha for taking the initiative to make a difference in their community and empower women to explore their career options. It is important that young Granite State women were able to see themselves in the women professionals they talked to and envision their career paths accordingly. Their courage in tackling the issue and making New Hampshire a more inclusive place is emblematic of the Granite State spirit, and I wish them luck as they organize a second women-only career fair this spring.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Robert ``Bobby'' Silverstein, who was a champion for people who experience disabilities and who made an incredible impact throughout his career.

During his time working for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Bobby held a number of leadership roles where he helped develop legislation to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. This includes serving as staff director and chief counsel for the Subcommittee on Disability Policy on what is now known as the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. During his tenure, Bobby worked to build bipartisan consensus and helped negotiate critical pieces of bipartisan legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act--ADA.

Bobby made a profound impact on countless families across the country, including my own. My son Ben experiences physical disabilities and because advocates like Bobby worked to pass critical legislation like the ADA, Ben had the opportunity to go to school, to learn, and make friends in our community.

But my family's story is not unique. Across the country, in the more than three decades since the ADA was signed into law, people who experience disabilities have been more fully included in their communities and have received the support that they need to thrive at home, in school, at work, and in all aspects of their lives.

As we mark Bobby's legacy, we also recognize that we have more work to do to build on his incredible efforts. And we must follow his example of working to build consensus and make a difference for the American people.

While Bobby passed away in November, the impact that he has made in the lives of millions of people will live on in our democracy. I am profoundly grateful for the work he has done and will continue working to honor his legacy and ensure that Americans who experience disabilities are fully included in every aspect of our society.

I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 1103, Jay Curtis Shambaugh, of Maryland, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury; that there be 10 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form on the nomination; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination; that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.