Floor Statements

Madam President, I am honored to recognize Flo Dapice of Hopkinton as May's Granite Stater of the Month. At just 16 years old, Flo is working to improve environmental sustainability at her school and in her town by leading her school's Environmental Action Club efforts and by serving in local government positions.

Flo's long-time interest in sustainability made her a perfect fit for the Environmental Action Club at her high school. She led the club in applying for grants from the New Hampshire Energy Education Project and the Hopkinton Public Schools Foundation. The club was awarded more than $11,000, which allowed it to start a compost program at their school for lunch food waste. The club has evaluated the program and already found a decrease in how much compostable waste is ending up in the trash from last year to this year. Now, Flo and her fellow club members are continuing to work to strengthen the program and, in turn, lead to less food waste at the school.

The next project that Flo and the club are planning is a transition to using metal silverware in the school's cafeteria, instead of disposable plastic utensils. They have already purchased the silverware through more grant funding and are recruiting students to help wash the extra dishes. Flo is also planning to continue her involvement with the New Hampshire Energy Education Project, which works with students and teachers to build a deeper understanding of energy and climate; she recently helped lead a middle school summit with the program.

In addition to sustainability efforts at school, Flo has sought out additional opportunities for public service so that she can make more of a difference. She became interested in local government in middle school during the Covid-19 pandemic, and she now serves as one of two student representatives on the Hopkinton School Board and as a member of Hopkinton's Energy Steering Committee. Her service on the school board strengthened her efforts to apply for grants for her school's compost program, and on both the School Board and the Energy Committee, she has pushed for more ways to reduce carbon emissions.

Flo's dedication to serving her community through combating climate change is a great example of the Granite State spirit of working to make a difference, no matter your age. Her passion for bettering her school and her town is why I am honored to recognize her as Granite Stater of the Month.

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

Mr. President, 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 when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22; 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 proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Martinez nomination, postcloture; further, that if cloture has been invoked on the Coggins nomination, all time be considered expired at 3:15 p.m.; further, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday'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 following the remarks of Senators Lankford and Sanders.

Madam President, I have 10 requests, for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the majority and minority Leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the

Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on energy and natural resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on foreign relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on health, education, labor, and pensions

The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

permanent subcommittee on investigations

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

subcommittee on international trade, customs, and global

competitiveness

The Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness of the Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

subcommittee on strategic forces

The Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Madam President, I rise today to add my voice to that of my colleague's, Senator Shaheen, in supporting the confirmation of Seth Aframe of Hopkinton, NH, to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for

the First Circuit. As you have heard from Senator Shaheen, Mr. Aframe would be a valuable addition to the First Circuit bench.

Granite Staters know Mr. Aframe as someone who brings thoughtful judgment and a commitment to fairness to whatever work he is undertaking. He has demonstrated this unwavering commitment to fairness, to justice time and again in his work at the U.S. Attorney's Office, including when he argued cases before the First Circuit.

He exemplified those same values in his work on the LASER Docket, which is a drug court that helps people struggling with addiction to get the treatment that they need--an issue that is particularly important to the people of New Hampshire who have been hit hard by the fentanyl crisis.

His excellence on the job goes hand in hand with the commitment to his community. Even in the midst of his demanding legal career, he continues to find time to give back to his community. He has served both as a member of his local school board and as president of his synagogue, Temple Beth Jacob. Mr. Aframe has also been dedicated to raising up our next generation of advocates and judges. He taught at the University of New Hampshire's law school for 15 years, where he has regularly given his time to serve as a judge at student mock trials.

Mr. Aframe's commitment to the law as well as to his community extends far beyond the confines of his office or work schedule and reflects the values of someone who understands that the commitment to equal justice so essential to our democracy must be highlighted and revered at every level and in every corner of our society.

Throughout the nomination process, members of New Hampshire's legal community have also voiced their strong support for Mr. Aframe's confirmation. Four previous U.S. Attorneys for the District of New Hampshire--appointed by Presidents from both parties--wrote a letter, stating:

Each of us regards Mr. Aframe as a distinguished and

persuasive appellate advocate who has successfully

represented the government and earned a well-deserved

reputation for excellence.

It is not only Mr. Aframe's fellow prosecutors who have confidence in his abilities; New Hampshire defense attorneys, including public defenders, also trust and support Mr. Aframe.

Charles J. Keefe, in a letter on behalf of New Hampshire defense attorneys, wrote:

In what is often a difficult role as a prosecutor, he

epitomizes open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from

bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law.

Mr. Aframe also has the backing of many New Hampshire law enforcement officers, including one letter that highlighted:

We have observed, firsthand, Seth's professionalism and

unmatched abilities as a Federal prosecutor. His honesty,

straightforward demeanor, and overall compassion for people

have distinguished him in that role.

I will add that at Friday's New Hampshire Police Memorial Day ceremony, there was more than one member of law enforcement who approached me and said that Seth Aframe is the right person for this job.

It speaks to Mr. Aframe's capabilities and character that he has received such enthusiastic support from both sides of the courtroom-- from the legal community and law enforcement alike.

Mr. Aframe receives such widespread support because people from across our legal system see in him someone who is skilled and thoughtful in equal measure; who is always looking for more ways to serve his community and his country; who serves in every role without fear or favor; who needs to be confirmed so that he can continue his lifetime of service--next on the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 575 and 606; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.

Madam President, I have 11 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 668, 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 Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 2181 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 3126 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 668 until 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 2; 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 the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 211, H.R. 3935 postcloture; further, that all time be considered expired at 1:45 p.m.

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 Kate Mikol of Bedford as April's Granite Stater of the Month. She and her siblings founded Fueled by Kids, a nonprofit that provides snacks and meals to Manchester-area students, after they learned that many kids their age can't get reliable meals over the weekend. Now 18, Kate serves as the general manager of the organization.

Kate and her siblings started Fueled by Kids after learning about families struggling with homelessness in Manchester. After speaking to a social worker, they learned that one of the biggest ways to help these families is to provide food assistance. They learned that food insecurity can cause immense stress for children and can make it difficult for them to focus on schoolwork. Kate and her siblings were surprised to hear that some students don't even want to go home for the weekend because they don't have breakfast and lunch like they have at school. After learning how widespread food insecurity is, they started assembling bags packed with healthy, kid-friendly foods to give to students at a local school.

Fueled by Kids has now provided these bags and other food assistance to kids for the past 8 years. As general manager of Fueled by Kids, Kate helps organize volunteers, speaks with social workers and principals, and helps spread the word about the organization. She is also very involved with the organization's summer programs to help bridge the gap between school years, when students may lose access to the daily breakfasts and lunches that they have during the school year. Kate also started a club at her high school to help get more students involved; over time, the organization has grown--now serving 21 public schools in the Manchester area. This year, the organization has already given out more than 1,000 bags.

Kate's dedication to helping children in need is truly admirable. The work that she and her siblings have undertaken by starting and operating Fueled by Kids reflects the Granite State spirit of stepping up for one another--consistently and over time--at its best. I am honored to name her Granite Stater of the Month.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 350, S. 4072.