Floor Statements

Madam President, I am honored to recognize Kimberly ``Kym'' Lozada of Manchester as September's Granite Stater of the Month. After her husband passed away, Kym felt a drive to find ways to support her community--and now, through her barbershop, Get Faded, Kym offers free haircuts and other events to support adults and kids alike.

Kym, a mother of six, opened Get Faded in February 2023. When her husband passed away 6 months later, she wanted to find a way to help other single parents who might be struggling with the busy back-to- school season. She started an annual event with free haircuts for local students, and this year, the shop also gave out 150 backpacks filled with school supplies. The business has also hosted trunk-or-treat for kids on Halloween. Get Faded prioritizes ensuring that all children feel comfortable; it is a certified sensory-safe barbershop, where the barbers are trained to give haircuts to children with autism or sensory processing sensitivities that can make it difficult to experience a traditional haircut. Overall, Kym makes Get Faded a place where every child can feel supported--and, of course, get the haircut they want to feel stylish and confident.

In addition, like many Granite State families, the Lozada family has experienced the effects of the fentanyl crisis. Kym's late husband dealt with addiction, and she is open about his experience in the hopes that she can inspire others to get treatment. In Kym's words, ``I will keep telling my story in the hope that it can save someone's life.'' Get Faded recently hosted free haircut events for adults at Hope for NH Recovery, a center that offers peer-based support for those dealing with addiction, and at AmeriHealth Caritas, an organization that works to bring healthcare to communities throughout the State.

Kym's dedication to helping those in need is a true example of the Granite State spirit of pitching in to help our fellow citizens. Her family's experience is one that is not unique in our State, but her perseverance and commitment to helping Granite Staters in her own way can inspire all of us.

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 the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 829, which is at the desk.

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 the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 196, S. 1871.

Mr. President, I further ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn; that the Peters substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and 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 understand that there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading.

In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 19; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, 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 to resume consideration of the Jenkins nomination; further, that the cloture motion with respect to the Jenkins nomination ripen at 1:45 p.m.; 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 action.

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 am honored to recognize Bayard Tracy of Spofford as August's Granite Stater of the Month. For almost 20 years, Bayard has volunteered with the Spofford Lake Association, helping to ensure that the community can use the lake for generations to come.

Shortly after he moved to Spofford in 2006, Bayard got involved with the Spofford Lake Association, first by helping with water testing and then with obtaining grants and conducting studies to understand and improve the lake's water quality. The studies showed that stormwater runoff is the largest source of phosphorus and other pollutants entering the lake--and this can create an unsafe environment for fish and wildlife. Using the information from the studies, Bayard and his fellow association volunteers worked with the State, the town of Chesterfield, and property owners to develop a multiyear water management plan to improve Spofford Lake's water quality. As part of this plan, the town's select board established a watershed committee and created a wastewater management ordinance for the lake district. Additionally, they created a fund to help protect the lake in case of an invasive species infestation. All of these efforts will help make safe swimming, boating, and fishing on the lake.

Bayard has also led efforts to raise awareness among Spofford residents about the importance of protecting Spofford Lake and to increase the role of the community in the stewardship of the lake. Understanding that everyone needs to have a stake in maintaining the water quality of the lake so that people can continue to enjoy it for years to come, Bayard has encouraged individual landowners to take steps to stop erosion and runoff from their property--which can lead to increased pollution in the lake--and has worked to inform the community about other steps that individuals can take in order to keep the lake clean.

Bayard's commitment to protecting Spofford Lake by volunteering directly at the lake and by increasing community involvement in lake conservation efforts is a great example of the Granite State spirit of environmental stewardship and civic engagement. I am honored to name him August's Granite Stater of the Month.

Thank you very much, Chairman Wyden.

Madam President, I rise to join my colleagues in urging Members from both parties to come together and pass the bipartisan Wyden-Smith package to lower taxes for working families and for small businesses.

And I want to add my thanks to my colleague from Colorado for his remarks because this really is about making sure that our families and small businesses can get ahead and stay ahead.

As you know, earlier this year, Members from both parties in the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan package to cut taxes. Like any legislative compromise, it may not have included everything that people wanted, but it included commonsense provisions that a majority of Americans agree on. And as my colleague from Colorado and the chairman have just said, it has provisions that not only the majority of Americans agree on, but a significant, really large, outsized majority of the U.S. House of Representatives agreed on.

This bipartisan package to cut taxes includes provisions that would help keep our economy on the cutting edge by fully restoring critical research and development--R&D--deductions. This provision would give American creators and entrepreneurs the resources that they need to outcompete countries like China and help ensure that our country and our economy is second to none. I have been working on a bipartisan basis to pass this provision and have heard from small businesses in New Hampshire about the really tough financial decisions that they are making now that the full R&D deduction has expired.

Not only would this tax cut package help us build a more innovative economy, it also helps make our economy work better for everyone through a bipartisan expansion of the child tax credit. We know that families are still struggling with the burdens of high costs. Expanding the child tax credit is a commonsense, practical way to put more money back into the pockets of hard-working families.

And this child tax credit provision would have helped families who have the most children, the families who, because of their higher number of children, have the most costs. There is a reason that a majority of Americans support these proposals. It is because they are good ideas that will make a difference in people's lives.

But despite what our constituents are telling us in support of this legislation, despite the good-faith bipartisan discussions that we have had, and despite the fact that the House was able to come together to overwhelmingly pass this bill, we still don't have an agreement on how to advance the bipartisan tax cut package this week. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have seemingly allowed partisan politics to interfere with good-faith efforts to find a path forward.

Despite this setback, I am going to continue to work across party lines to pass the provisions of this bipartisan tax cut package. And I urge my colleagues to reconsider and come together to pass this legislation when it comes to a vote tomorrow.

I understand that for some of my colleagues, this bipartisan tax cut package doesn't have everything that they might want, but we would be ill-advised to miss this window.

We have the opportunity to lower taxes for the American people now. Hard-working families struggling to keep up with high costs, they aren't asking to expand the child tax credit a couple of years down the line. They want tax cuts so that they can keep more money in their pockets now.

If we are serious about outcompeting China, we can't afford to simply hope that we pass legislation restoring the R&D tax credit in the future. No, we need to give American innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs the support that they need now. For many small businesses, even waiting another year will be too late, because, ultimately, the American people aren't asking for perfect legislation, nor do they care if an idea is red or blue. They care about results, and they don't want politics to get in the way of a good idea.

So I urge my colleagues to come together and support this bipartisan tax cut package that will strengthen our economy, support our entrepreneurs, deliver for American families, and demonstrate that we can accomplish great things when we work together.

Thank you, Madam President.

Madam President, I am honored to recognize Samuel ``Sam'' Demeritt of Nottingham as July's Granite Stater of the Month. For 60 years, Sam has been a dedicated volunteer with numerous New Hampshire organizations to advance responsible stewardship of the outdoors.

Service is at the center of everything that Sam does in his life. As a young adult, he answered our country's call and entered the Army, completing his service in 1964. Like many veterans, his commitment to finding ways to serve his fellow Americans did not end there. That same year, Sam joined his father in volunteering for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. He has now volunteered with Fish and Game for 60 years and doesn't plan to stop anytime soon; he is always looking for new ways to give back to Granite Staters who share his passion for our beautiful outdoors. In his work with Fish and Game, Sam teaches the mandatory hunter safety and ethics education course for Granite Staters who

are seeking a hunting license. He is a champion of our New Hampshire values of responsible stewardship and respecting our wildlife.

Sam is also deeply involved in environmental preservation in his community. In addition to his long history of volunteering with the Fish and Game Department, Sam serves as chair of the Nottingham Conservation Commission and on the board of the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation. Granite Staters know that the natural splendor of our State is not maintained on its own, and through the volunteer efforts of Sam and others like him, Granite Staters will be able to enjoy New Hampshire's woods, rivers, and mountains for years to come.

Sam's decades of volunteering for Fish and Game, the Nottingham Conservation Commission, and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation exemplify the New Hampshire spirit of respecting and honoring our beautiful natural resources. Through his life's work, he has reminded us that it is nothing less than a privilege to call beautiful New Hampshire our home. For his commitment to our environment, our State, and our country, I am honored to name him July's Granite Stater of the Month.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary educator and champion for our democracy--Exeter, NH's Kevin Fleming, who is retiring from Winnacunnet High School after 45 years of teaching.

Kevin is the kind of teacher everyone wishes that they had when they were a student. Year after year, class after class, Kevin gave each student the care and attention that they needed and helped push them to reach their full

potential. He saw clearly the promise and talents in each student, recognizing gifts that they often did not fully realize they possessed. This was perhaps best exemplified through his years of coaching his school's Granite State Challenge, a televised academic competition between New Hampshire students. Not only did he prepare his students for success in the competition, he also helped build their confidence in their ability to take on hard challenges.

As a social studies teacher, he was committed to giving his students a hands-on education and encouraging them to take seriously their responsibilities as citizens. In New Hampshire, we prize our commitment to civic engagement, embodied in both our citizen legislature and our first in the Nation Presidential primary. A true Granite Stater, Kevin regularly invited elected leaders and political candidates to visit Winnacunnet High School and talk to his students as part of their civic education. I have had the privilege of meeting many of Kevin's students over the years and was honored to speak at their graduation in 2017.

Kevin even brought to his class leaders from across the country, including some of my own colleagues in the Senate, as well as candidates running in New Hampshire's Presidential primary, including President Clinton, President Bush, and Secretary Clinton. These visits from candidates running for offices up and down the ballot gave Kevin's students a remarkable view into public office, unlike any most students receive.

Kevin has also always practiced what he teaches, so his influence goes well beyond the classroom. Aspiring public officials across New Hampshire know that Kevin has deep and lasting experience as a volunteer and that he has valuable advice and counsel to provide, insights that often stem from the questions and concerns he hears from his students. His role as informal adviser is particularly appreciated because he counsels with a light touch, appreciation for the very human challenge represented by any grassroots effort, and a great sense of humor.

Kevin's experience and commitment has also made him a champion for public education in New Hampshire and for encouraging more people to become involved in the democratic process. Particularly in debates around education, Granite Staters respect Kevin's voice and his passion, whether or not they always agree with him. They know--as I know--that he cares deeply about our democracy and is willing to do the hard work of keeping it strong.

Our democracy depends, in part, on people like Kevin--citizens who are willing to work for something bigger than themselves. Kevin and others like him know that citizenship can't be a passive exercise; they understand that our democracy is not sustained on its own and depends on each of us getting involved, speaking out, becoming better informed, and working to expand our country's promise to more Americans. Beyond that, our democracy depends not only on us, but on future generations assuming the mantle of leadership so that they can safeguard our freedoms for years to come. By educating 45 years' worth of students and instilling in them the importance of civic engagement, Kevin has helped raise future citizen leaders. In short, Kevin Fleming has made our democracy stronger.

For touching the lives of students for nearly half a century, for pushing young people to reach their full potential, and for doing the hard, essential work of keeping our democracy strong, I am honored to recognize Kevin Fleming for everything that he has done, and I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Our State and our country are better places because he chose to teach, both in the classroom and by example.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Mike Folan of Alton as June's Granite Stater of the Month. Mike is honoring the memory of New Hampshire servicemembers through his volunteer efforts at the Wright Museum of World War II in Wolfeboro and through his work as a high school teacher inspiring the next generation to learn about the remarkable sacrifices that Granite Staters who lost their lives on D-Day made. His dedication to these efforts is particularly important now, as we have just marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

During World War II, Mike's father and uncle served in the Navy and the Army, and he grew up hearing from veterans who lived in his neighborhood about what they experienced during the war. Learning about their heroism inspired Mike to study the war and work to honor the legacy of these servicemembers.

At the Wright Museum and at Prospect Mountain High School, Mike has helped Granite Staters of all ages learn more about World War II and its ongoing significance today. As a docent at the Wright Museum for more than 25 years, he helps welcome visitors and answer any questions they may have about World War II or the exhibits. Mike has brought what he has learned at the museum to his work at Prospect Mountain High School, where he has taught social studies for 18 years. Mike first learned at the museum that when servicemembers were killed overseas, they were often buried immediately without much, if any, knowledge of their background or personal history. During the postwar process, a series of documents--called an individual deceased personnel file--was created for each servicemember. Mike ordered the individual deceased personnel files of 10 Granite Staters, including four who died on D- Day, and gathered 10 students at Prospect Mountain High School who were interested in independently researching the lives of the servicemembers. The students reconstructed the lives of the Granite Staters and honored their memories on the 80th anniversary of D-Day in a presentation at the Wright Museum.

As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I am particularly grateful for Mike's mission to honor the legacy of those who served and keep their memories alive. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and some of his students earlier this month, after I returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation trip to Normandy to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day. It was inspiring to hear the students' enthusiasm for their projects and what they learned about the war during their studies. The students discussed the connection that they felt to the men whom they studied and were particularly interested to hear that, on our delegation trip, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and I were able to pay our respects at the grave of Private First Class Raymond Cole, one of the men whom the students studied. It was clear from my conversation with the students that Mike's leadership in creating this research project sparked even deeper appreciation for everything that servicemembers did to win World War II and save the world from Hitler.

Mike's commitment to honoring the lives of Granite Staters who fought for freedom in World War II exemplifies the Granite State spirit of recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those who serve. His dedication to keeping history alive and inspiring new generations to do the same is why I am honored to recognize him as Granite Stater of the Month.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize a Granite Stater whose leadership and innovations have helped make higher education more affordable and accessible to people around the world, Southern New Hampshire University president Paul LeBlanc.

After 20 years of leadership, Paul has now moved on from SNHU, but his legacy of modernizing higher education and making it more accessible will endure far beyond his tenure as president. Under his leadership, SNHU transformed from a small regional school to the largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the country, growing from 2,500 students to more than 225,000.

As an immigrant and a first-generation college graduate himself, Paul knew as well as anyone that, too often, college is out of reach for many people. Many students have the talent, the drive, and the ambition that is required for college, but simply lack the means. As Paul often says, ``Talent is distributed equally throughout the

world, but opportunity is not.'' From the very beginning of his career, Paul knew that in a country like ours, where we believe that our democracy's promise belongs to everyone, we have to do better to expand opportunity to more students.

With this challenge in mind, Paul helped revolutionize the modern classroom through innovative online and hybrid programs, giving more students the tools that they need to embark on exciting new careers. SNHU has not only opened doors of opportunity for Granite Staters and other Americans, but for students all across the world. Under his leadership, SNHU even began offering courses to students living in refugee camps or who have been displaced. During my time as Governor and now as Senator, I have had the privilege to work with Paul in his mission to make education more accessible. I have seen firsthand his vision and ability, traits that have made him one of the most respected voices in higher education. His creativity is boundless, and his care for his students is at the center of all that he does. Through his pioneering spirit, he is always trying to find ways to give more students the chance to gain an education, learn more about our world, and build better lives.

When taking measure of his achievements, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of statistics--the number of students who earned a degree under his tenure, the number of countries that have students enrolled at SNHU, the honors and recognitions won by SNHU, and more. But behind these statistics are people whose lives have been made better, in part, thanks to Paul and SNHU. Across the country--and indeed, the world-- there are people who were able to follow their dream to start their own business, become a nurse, serve as a teacher, and build a better life for themselves and their family because of Paul LeBlanc and SNHU. By modernizing higher education and making it more accessible, Paul and SNHU have helped give hope to countless learners of all ages, helping them understand that higher education is a dream that can belong to them, too. In so doing, Paul has not only helped strengthen higher education in America; he has helped expand our democracy's promise to more Americans.

For his innovative work in revolutionizing higher education, for his commitment to tearing down barriers and expanding opportunity, and for the countless lives he has helped transform, I am honored to recognize Paul LeBlanc and to thank him for his incredible service to New Hampshire and our country. I have no doubt that, with the same pioneering spirit that defined his tenure as president, Paul will continue to find ways to give more people a chance to pursue higher education and follow their highest aspirations. Paul represents the Granite State's--and our Nation's--spirit at its very best.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Sergeant Sherry Vestal as she begins her retirement after over 20 years of service as a New Hampshire State Trooper.

A New Hampshire native, Sherry taught English at the New Hampton School before joining the New Hampshire State Police in November 2003, spending 10 years protecting and serving the North Country. In 2013, Sherry joined the small team tasked with protecting the Governor of New Hampshire, a role in which she remained until her retirement.

During my time as Governor, Sherry usually worked the evening shift, often dropping me off at home after my family--and a good portion of the rest of the State--was asleep. There is a special bond between leaders and members of their protection teams, and this is particularly true in New Hampshire, where the team for most of my time in office was only two people. I saw firsthand how Sherry could defuse tense situations with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of composure. And over the course of our many long hours together, I also saw how Sherry kept not only my safety in mind, but the safety of everyone around her.

While Sherry's primary duty as a member of the Governor's detail was the Governor's safety, Sherry was still a New Hampshire State Trooper; and if I wasn't in the car with her, she would routinely stop the car when there was an emergency to respond to. And because, in New Hampshire, State troopers can be spread pretty thin, sometimes she would need to stop for an emergency even if I was in the car with her. In fact, once while we were returning from a commencement ceremony at White Mountains Community College in Berlin, we passed a motorist who had struck a moose. Sherry asked my permission to turn around, and while waiting for additional help, she called for assistance for the motorist, helped provide first-aid to--thankfully--minor wounds, and searched for the injured moose while also managing a growing number of passersby and onlookers. No matter the situation, Sherry was laser focused on protecting the safety not only of the Governor, but of every Granite Stater.

Sherry's dedication to public service is not surprising for anyone who knows her. It is what has come to define her entire career--taking on tough challenges to keep Granite Staters safe. Sherry first became a State trooper when it was less common to see women serving in law enforcement. After a decade of patrolling the North Country alone in a police cruiser, she traveled up and down the Granite State for 11 years on the executive protection detail. In each of these roles, she not only met every challenge head on, but she raised the standards while doing it.

New Hampshire is safer thanks to Sergeant Sherry Vestal's service to our State. On behalf of all Granite Staters, I offer her our sincere gratitude and a congratulations on her retirement.

I ask for the yeas and nays.