Floor Statements

Madam President, I am honored to recognize Deborah Cross of Manchester as July's Granite Stater of the Month. After surviving stage 4 cancer, Deborah used her artistic talents to create photo journals to help other cancer patients process their emotions and find resilience.

After recovering from endometrial cancer in 2014 and living cancer- free for almost 4 years, Deborah received awful news from her doctor. Her cancer had come back. While Deborah was devastated by the news, she also found solace in a creative outlet that would also help others.

Deborah began creating booklets with strikingly edited photos of nature in New Hampshire, for example, images of seagulls and ocean sunsets around the New England coast. Below the photos are blank lines where cancer patients can journal. Deborah hopes that the photos can evoke deeper emotions that patients might be struggling with in a time of intense personal hardship. In addition, some of the proceeds from the sales go to the North of Boston Cancer Resource.

Deborah exemplifies the Granite State spirit of giving back to others and bringing people together even during challenging times. She took an immensely difficult experience--battling with stage 4 cancer--and found her way through it by creating art that would touch others. I commend her for her work and know that her story will inspire others to make a difference in their communities.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Pete Gagne of Conway as June's Granite Stater of the Month. Pete is the owner of the Saco River Tubing Center, and this summer, he is spearheading the second Paddle for a Cause campaign to raise money for and lift up local Mount Washington Valley organizations.

Every Wednesday during the 11-week campaign, a portion of every tube, kayak, and rental sale from that day is donated to that week's chosen nonprofit. This year's organizations work on issues such as nature conservation, food insecurity, affordable housing, and service dogs for people with disabilities. Visitors can also pay extra to bring their dogs with them on river expeditions, with all proceeds going to the Conway Area Humane Society. Last year, Saco River Tubing donated over $3,500.

The Paddle for a Cause program provides much-needed funds to local organizations that are a vital part of the Mount Washington Valley community and helps Granite Staters and tourists alike learn more about all that the vibrant Mount Washington Valley community has to offer.

In addition to fundraising and raising awareness about local organizations, the campaign has an educational component on nature conservation. This is especially important in New Hampshire, since the Granite State is home to many beautiful natural treasures. During every trip on the river, Saco River Tubing employees speak to guests about respecting wildlife and minimizing any negative impact to the ecosystems while on the water. This is particularly important given the influx in visitors that started when Granite Staters and tourists alike were looking for more outdoor activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pete's Paddle for a Cause not only gives back to the community through fundraising, but also educates people on taking care of our natural resources. Pete exemplifies the Granite State spirit of dedication to community, and I commend him for bringing people together to support critical causes. I know that his initiative will have lasting, positive effects for the Mount Washington Valley and the entire State.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the incredible life and legacy of Julie Beckett, a champion for individuals who experience disabilities and for their families.

In 1978, Julie's daughter Katie was born, and 4 months later, Katie contracted a brain infection that left her paralyzed and on a ventilator. After 2 years of living in a hospital, Katie's family had reached the limit on their health insurance policy and applied for support through Medicaid but were told that Medicaid would not cover at-home care.

Julie and her husband, Mark, knew they did not want their daughter growing up in a hospital, especially when she could receive the care that she needed at home while also being with her loved ones.

Faced with uncertainty and with Federal officials who would not make an exception, Julie reached out to her Congressman. Julie noted that making this exception for her daughter would not only be good for her family but also that keeping her at home rather than at a hospital would cost the government far less money.

Julie's advocacy worked. Because she made the choice to speak up and share her story, Congress passed and President Reagan signed into law an exception to Medicaid rules that enabled Julie's family and many others to care for their loved ones at home.

Julie's work has had a profound impact on not just her own family but countless others, including my own. My son Ben experiences severe physical disabilities, and because of Julie's advocacy, he could grow up at home and with family. And because he was able to live at home, Ben had the opportunity to go to school, to learn, and make friends in our community.

The terrible reality is that before Julie, many children grew up in hospitals or in institutionalized care, instead of surrounded by the love and care of their families, siblings, and neighbors.

But my family's story is not unique. In the decades since, what is now known as the Katie Beckett waiver has changed hundreds of thousands of lives. More than half a million children have received these waivers and have been able to live, grow, and thrive at home.

Julie's story is an example of how one person can make a true difference in our democracy. And even after her successful work in securing this significant exception for Medicaid, Julie kept fighting for children who experienced disabilities. She helped lead a charge to expand coverage and fought against attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And critically, she worked with families throughout the country to show them how they could be advocates as well.

Julie passed away last month, but her legacy will live on in the lives that she has changed and the advocacy that she helped to inspire. I am profoundly grateful for her work, and I join with people across the country in committing to carrying on her legacy of fighting to fully include people with disabilities in every facet of American life.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican leader, and notwithstanding rule XXII, it be in order for Senator Paul or his designee to make a motion to proceed to Calendar No. 397, S. Con. Res. 41 on Wednesday, June 15, 2022; further, if the motion to proceed is agreed to, the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 388, H.R. 3967, postcloture, and that upon disposition of the Calendar No. 388, H.R. 3967, the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 397, S. Con. Res. 41.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, 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. 925, Alan M. Leventhal, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark; 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 on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 261, S. 1787.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Lee amendment which is at the desk be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third timed and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 370, S. 407.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, 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. 672, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and 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 the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 673, which was submitted earlier today.

I further ask that the resolution be agreed to 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15; 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 upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 388, H.R. 3967; further, that all time during adjournment, recess, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture, and that all time be considered expired at 11:45 a.m.; further, that at 5:15 p.m. the Senate execute the orders with respect to the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 397, S. Con. Res. 41, and the Leventhal nomination, in the order listed.

For information of Senators, there will be two votes at 11:45 a.m. and two votes at 5:15 p.m.

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, 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, I ask unanimous consent that following leader remarks tomorrow, June 8, all postcloture time on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3967 be expired and that if the motion to proceed is agreed to, that following reporting of the measure, Senator Tester or his designee be recognized to offer substitute amendment No. 5051; further, that after Senator Schumer yields the floor following Senator Tester's offering of his amendment and any remarks he may make, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 670, Lisa Gomez, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor, and that at 11:30 a.m. the Senate vote on the confirmation of the Gomez and Morrison nominations in the order listed.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 662, submitted earlier today.

I know of no further debate on the resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that 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.