Floor Statements

Mr. President, last week, our Nation lost a revolutionary business leader, a committed philanthropist, an incredible Tennessean; his name, Fred Smith.

Like all great leaders, Fred had a vision for a better future, and he did everything possible to make it happen. That is why, in 1973, he founded FedEx with a simple yet bold idea: improve overnight delivery.

Today, we take instant shipping for granted in many ways. It is the engine of our global economy, but back then, it was not considered to be a practical or workable idea.

So it took Fred to make it happen. He pioneered innovations in transportation and logistics, and those pioneering innovations have defined the industry ever since. He truly led the way, and it was not easy. But with his commitment to excellence, he grew FedEx into a $53 billion company that employs half a million people, connects more than 220 countries and territories, and moves more than 17 million shipments each and every day.

Even with his global accomplishments, Fred never lost sight of home. He based his company in his hometown of Memphis, turning the city into a center for global logistics. And through his philanthropic support for education, community programs, arts, healthcare, and more, he always found ways to give back to his community and to make Memphis a better place.

In many ways, service truly defined his life. Before founding FedEx, Fred served for 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam. He was decorated with a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.

But for Fred, the greatest honor was serving alongside his troops as a company commander. In an interview last year, Fred recounted a time when the men in his company dug his foxhole for him so that he could get more rest.

They were as tired or more tired, but they took their

energy to take care of me. And it was one of the best things

that ever happened to me, because it told me they cared for

me, they appreciated my leadership.

We should all be grateful for Fred Smith and that he chose a life of leadership and service.

On behalf of all Tennesseans, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Fred's beloved wife Diane, his nine children, and his entire family.

Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 308, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent 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, every day, our Nation's ICE officers are putting their lives on the line to get criminal illegal aliens out of the communities, and I wanted to see firsthand what they were going through. So this past weekend, I joined a ride-along with ICE agents outside of Nashville.

Until you are actually on the ground, you do not appreciate the amount of work that goes into their operations. They are identifying the criminal illegal aliens. They are finding out where they are, and they are figuring out the safest way to surveil them and also to apprehend them.

And it is so much more than a full-time job. As I visited with the agents, what I found out is that nearly every one of them is working 75 and 80 hours a week, dealing with some of the worst criminals imaginable.

Now, when I joined the agents for the ride-along, they were targeting a criminal illegal alien who had been convicted of child sexual abuse. The agents could see a child on the individual's property, but they could not enter the home because they are not given a warrant. Instead, they have to wait until the criminal comes outside or is in a public space, and then they are able to apprehend him.

That is why it is so important that local law enforcement work with our ICE agents.

In Democrat cities with sanctuary policies, however, our Federal law enforcement is facing an uphill battle. Recently, amid violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, a mob surrounded ICE agents who had taken an illegal alien into custody. Amid the commotion, a group of men jumped out of a van and grabbed the suspect, helping him flee from the agents. According to recent reports, LAPD refused to send out an alert to track down the vehicle. They didn't want to run afoul of LA's sanctuary city policies.

What we also know is these ICE agents nationwide have seen a 500- percent increase in attacks against them.

Now, all of this should not be happening in our Nation's cities, which is why Congress should do everything that we can to support the ICE agents and work to make America safe again.

My CLEAR Act would ensure that State and local law enforcement officials have the explicit authority to assist the Federal Government in our immigration enforcement efforts, codifying the 287(g) program that is absolutely so critical to local law enforcement.

I also introduced legislation that would make it illegal to dox Federal immigration officials who are working to protect our communities.

Last month, Nashville's Democratic mayor did exactly that, handing information about Federal law enforcement agents on a silver platter to criminal gangs. Meanwhile, House Democratic

Leader Jeffries said ICE agents should be unmasked ``no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes.''

This appalling effort from Democrats comes at a time when, as I said, these agents are facing a 500-percent increase in assaults--500 percent.

Just last week, a criminal illegal alien in Minnesota used his car to drag an ICE officer 50 yards while that criminal was trying to evade arrest.

President Trump and Republicans understand that law enforcement deserves our unwavering support. That is why we are going to do what it takes to help them.

Mr. President, this weekend, the U.S. military did something absolutely incredible. With Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States of America wiped out Iran's nuclear program.

For years, the Islamic Republic has unleashed chaos across the Middle East with terrorism, murder, and violence. All the while, they worked to develop nuclear weapons while they were chanting ``Death to Israel'' and ``Death to America.''

Now, under President Trump's decisive leadership, that threat is eliminated, thanks to the bravery, valor, and unmatched capability of the U.S. military. It is hard not to be in awe when you read the details of the operation.

Departing from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, our servicemembers flew seven B-2 Spirit bombers for 18 hours to Iran's nuclear sites, dropped more than 400,000 pounds in bunker buster bombs, and returned home with zero casualties. At the same time, a U.S. submarine under U.S. Central Command launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at the regime's nuclear infrastructure. Supporting the operation were more than 125 aircraft, including dozens of aerial refueling tankers.

Make no mistake, we have the only military on the planet that could get this job done, and it is because our brave servicemembers are the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.

Every single American should be grateful for the men and women who carried out Operation Midnight Hammer. Because of their efforts, a cease-fire has already been reached between Israel and a much weaker Iran. This is what peace through strength looks like, and only the U.S. military, under President Trump's leadership, could accomplish this feat.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume 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 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 banking, housing, and urban affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct an executive session.

committee on environment and public works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on a nomination.

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 Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on a nomination.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on veterans' affairs

The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 4 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

special committee on aging

The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

select committee on intelligence

The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 3 p.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.

subcommittee on readiness and management support

The Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet in open session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 290.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 303 and S. Res. 304.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two

leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar No. 93, Kenneth Kies; finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand in recess under the previous order, following the remarks of my Democratic colleagues.

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

Mr. President, recently, the American people have witnessed something that is truly disturbing to them. While President Trump is making America safe by getting criminal illegal aliens off the streets, what they have seen is some on the left are trying to stop the removal of criminal illegal aliens.

This is an issue where about 90 percent of the American people agree they do not want gangs--Tren de Aragua, MS-13--violent gangs--criminals that have committed rape, murder, child sexual abuse, drug traffickers, sex traffickers. They don't want them in their communities.

But when you look at L.A., what you are seeing is that ICE apprehended illegal aliens with these appalling criminal histories. And these are not just charges that have been filed, they are actual convictions that these people have had. I will say this, L.A. and all these other communities where you have removed these criminal illegal aliens, the streets are going to be safer, communities are going to be safer. Yet you have some pro-illegal leftists in California who have lined up to actually condemn the arrests.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called them reckless and cruel, and the L.A. mayor, Mayor Bass, claimed that arresting criminals actually sows terror--her words. Representative Maxine Waters said President Trump is targeting--her words--the ``most vulnerable people.''

These statements are truly at odds with reality, and they make absolutely no sense. How does it sow terror when you are actually apprehending the criminals and taking them off the streets? But when you look at reality and then look at these statements, you see that-- whether it is Governor Newsom or Mayor Bass--they did nothing as these violent rioters took over L.A. County streets to protest lawful arrests.

Following the operations, thousands of far-left activists set vehicles on fire; they looted businesses, many owned by those that had immigrated to our country; they shot fireworks at police officers; they blocked off freeways; they burned American flags; and they unleashed chaos across the city. According to Democrats, these riots were, in their word, ``peaceful.''

Anyone else could see that the violence that was transpiring was out of control. Even L.A.'s police chief said that his troops were overwhelmed. That is why President Trump deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to L.A. to help restore law and order.

Instead of saying thank you to the President for this much needed support as the officers were ``overwhelmed,'' Democrats started attacking him. In fact, Governor Newsom is suing the Trump administration to remove National Guardsmen from L.A. Once again, the Democrats are siding with criminals over law-abiding citizens.

The images you see of barricaded streets, burning vehicles, looted store fronts, that is what the leftists want. We saw this in 2020, and we saw then that you had elected officials standing on the side of criminals. They are on the side of violent rioters, lawlessness, and chaos.

The American people are tired of crime. They have had enough. As I said earlier, they do not want violent gangs--MS-13 or Tren de Aragua-- in their neighborhoods. They want them apprehended, and they want them deported. It is a big reason voters returned President Trump to the Oval Office, and he is going to do everything he can to bring this violence in these cities to an end.

In the Senate, Republicans are working hard to make certain that not only the President but also the administration have the tools that they need to get the job done. My CLEAR Act would ensure that State and local law enforcement officials have the explicit

authority to assist the Federal Government in our immigration enforcement efforts by codifying the 287(g) Program that is so critical. This would enable law enforcement entities just to move forward with that. They wouldn't have to apply for the program.

This month, I also introduced legislation that is backed by the White House that would establish a Deportation Shot Clock. This would require the Federal Government to deport an illegal alien within 15 days of removal proceedings being commenced. This would empower the Trump administration to expedite deportations and ensure that we are getting criminals off our streets faster than ever before.

While Democrats and the leftists out in L.A. are siding with criminals, President Trump and the Republicans here are doing everything we can to help make America safe again.

Mr. President, in recent weeks, new reports have confirmed what the American people had witnessed for 4 years--that President Biden was in serious decline while in office and struggled to fulfill his duties as President of the United States.

To cover all of this up, a close group of close aides and family members, including Hunter Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, reportedly made decisions on behalf of the former President while shielding him from the public eye. Even President Biden's Cabinet Secretaries struggled to reach him, and I am quoting one Secretary here:

There was clearly a deliberate strategy by the White House

to have him meet with as few people as [possible].

That is according to a Cabinet Secretary.

Another one said that the President could only ``give you 4 to 6 good hours a day.'' Everybody knows that you cannot work 4 hours a day and be out of Washington, DC, 40 percent of the time and be the leader of the free world. That is impossible.

While members of the Biden administration are finally speaking out, for years, many of my fellow Tennesseans and I have watched as we saw then-President Biden appear to be unfit to serve in the most demanding and powerful position in the world--and, yes, we have been concerned. Yet, when we raised the alarm, Democrats and the media called us conspiracy theorists and dismissed video evidence of President Biden's decline as ``cheap fakes.''

The latest reports confirm that Democrats and the media covered up the former President's decline, but they also point to a much bigger issue: Who was making decisions in the White House while President Biden was tucked in and asleep?

Over 4 years, the Biden administration enacted thousands of new regulations that are costing the American people $1.8 trillion a year. Who made those decisions?

He appointed 235 far-left judges to the Federal bench. Many had never been a judge. They had no judicial experience. They had never clerked for a judge. They were activists.

He abused the President's pardon power to protect Biden's family members and to free violent criminals. Yes, of those last-day pardons, it appears he signed only one. That was the one for Hunter Biden.

Because most of these actions were signed with the auto pen, Biden may not have been aware of these actions. That would mean that for 4 years, a small group of insiders was making decisions in the President's name. It was a direct attack on our Nation's constitutional order. Every single American deserves to know who was running this country while he was in office.

That is why earlier today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a Biden coverup and heard from constitutional scholars who outlined the legal implications of having a President who was absent from his job. This is just the first step in uncovering the truth, and we are going to continue to push for transparency and get to the bottom of the issue to ensure something like this never happens again.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume 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 now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 293 and S. Res. 294.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 15, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 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.