Floor Statements

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, one thing needs to be made really clear. We have all this talk about how we have an urgent crisis, and it can be totally fixed if we just accept the demand of my colleagues on the other side that we extend the temporary COVID tax healthcare premium enhancement that occurred during the COVID crisis.

This is what needs to be made clear: Insurance premiums are skyrocketing, not because of a temporary small COVID premium support passed during the COVID crisis. They are skyrocketing because our healthcare system is broken and needs to be fixed. And we have been asking to negotiate about this for years, and intensely over the last few months.

Let me give it some real specifics. This demand that my colleagues on the Democrat side are making, even if it were true that all of it was an impact--that letting it expire would be an impact on premium increases, which is not accurate--even if all of it were to be impacting premium increases, it is only 4 percent of the premium support. It is only 4 percent of the premium increases that are coming.

So we have the entire U.S. Government shut down because we won't concede to a demand that we spend another $100 to $350 billion in premium supports because the premium expansions are coming, resulting from a broken healthcare system that we can get no engagement on in negotiating.

Congress has a timely, bipartisan obligation to reopen the government. The proposal offered by my colleague on the other side of the aisle does not address that. The Senate has now voted 14 times--14 times--to end this shutdown.

My Democrat colleagues claim to be taking a stand to make healthcare more affordable. While we may disagree on the merits of those individual policies, everyone in this Chamber shares that goal. In fact, as a part of the clean CR that we have voted on 14 times to extend critical Medicare and Medicaid programs, we would have increased payments to rural hospitals, we would have provided access to telehealth services for our seniors, and we would have offered our seniors the option to receive hospital-level services in their homes.

But, no, not unless we agreed to spend $350 billion or $100 billion-- the current request is around $100 billion--not unless we agree to spend billions of dollars extending what were made temporary by my Democratic colleagues when they controlled the Senate.

They were made temporary because they were intended to get us through the economic difficulties of the COVID crisis. And, again, they relate to only 4 percent of the premium increase that is coming. And yet it is said that we can solve the entire premium increase problem today by just doing this. Not true.

Because Democrats will not join Republicans in reopening the government, these programs that I mentioned, just a moment ago, have lapsed. These programs have lapsed, disrupting care for millions of Americans.

Premiums are going up dramatically for all Americans, and not just those enrolled in Obamacare.

Despite the confusion that has been created here, the original ObamaCare subsidies don't expire. Let's make that very clear. The only thing expiring is temporary COVID-related enhancements that the Democrats themselves made temporary.

The Democrats are the ones who set the expiration date that we are debating today.

Even without extending these COVID enhancements, taxpayers will spend $1 trillion over the next 10 years subsidizing ObamaCare premiums. So let's not tell the American people that the American Government is going to stop subsidizing the failed ObamaCare premium system. Over $1 trillion is going to be spent subsidizing it. We need to address that problem. We cannot spend our way out of rising premiums.

If my colleagues want to have a conversation about reforms that truly

lower costs instead of masking the problems with a $100 to $350 billion taxpayer-funded patch, then Republicans are willing to have that conversation.

Leader Thune has made this point clear. In his own words, he said:

I am willing to sit down with the Democrats.

And I join him. I am also willing to sit down with the Democrats to discuss the growing unaffordability and unsustainability of ObamaCare. It is a system they created, but I am happy to hear them out.

I am still quoting Leader Thune:

Heck, I am even willing to give them a vote, which we have

offered and offered and offered. But there is one condition:

End the Schumer shutdown.

I will not negotiate under hostage conditions, nor will I

pay a ransom. Period.

That is the end of the quote from our leader, Leader Thune.

For these reasons, I object to my colleague's request.

I yield the floor.

Senator Welch, would you yield briefly to me?

Senator Welch, first of all, I appreciate your acknowledging that we do want to work together. I would hope that you would acknowledge that we are working together to try to find solutions.

This notion that the fact that we haven't had a hearing--it is because we haven't gotten to the point where we have legislation before us to have that hearing on.

But I just would like to make two points. No. 1, once again, open the government. No. 2, even if we agreed to your request today, all of those people you talk about who are going to get hit with premium increases are going to get hit with premium increases because this temporary COVID premium enhancement support was never intended to be and never was the foundation of what is driving--or did deal with the foundation of what is driving premium increases.

Everybody in America is going to get hit with a massive premium increase, and it is not going to be changed if we give an extension for that 4 percent that goes to this enhancement. It could be like maybe a tiny bit different in some ways and in some places, but I doubt it would make a dollar's difference in most cases.

Let's get the government open, and let's continue real negotiations to solve this problem. We mutually have talked. We mutually know that there are things we can work on to get this solved.

I am just asking my colleagues on the other side to quit trying to blame Republicans for the premium increases that are coming and say: Let's get the government open, and let's get together working to solve our healthcare crisis.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise in opposition to S. 3072, the No Coffee Tax Act.

The bill seeks to exempt from the President's IEEPA tariffs only a single commodity--coffee.

I agree with my colleagues that tariffs generally should be targeted as much as possible to avoid harm to Americans.

We also should consider more exemptions to address the harms arising from potential unintended consequences, including exemptions for unavailable natural resources. The administration agrees.

The very recent trade deals with Cambodia and Malaysia explicitly exempt coffee and some other mostly unavailable natural resources from the reciprocal tariffs. By all accounts, the administration is working to identify similar exemptions in other active trade negotiations. I strongly encourage the President to pursue productive courses of engagement with U.S. stakeholders in doing so.

Voting for one-off exemptions on the Senate floor in isolation of a larger negotiation strategy and broader stakeholder concerns, like S. 3072 asks us to do so now, does not facilitate a predictable process for our negotiators or for any broader segment of the stakeholder engagement.

Therefore, I object.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be permitted to speak prior to the scheduled rollcall votes: myself for 5 minutes and Senator Sullivan for 10 minutes.

And Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call in relation to the Dunlap nomination.

Mr. President, I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 88, which would terminate the trade deficit national emergency.

I agree with my colleagues that tariffs should be more targeted to avoid harm to Americans. I made precisely that point at a Finance Committee hearing in May.

We should consider more exemptions, whether for unavailable natural resources, capital equipment, or other key inputs.

It is equally important that enforcement guidance provides the clarity that U.S. companies need to comply with the tariffs and make critical business decisions.

Similarly, as the administration continues to negotiate with our trading partners, I appreciate that my colleagues, as well as our constituents, may be nervous about what comes next. However, at this juncture, this resolution is counterproductive to helping American families and businesses of all sizes.

It is no secret that, for decades, countries around the globe have raised tariff and nontariff barriers against Americans and against American businesses and have raised the cost for Americans and American businesses without response by the United States. President Trump is now responding and saying these countries need to take down their tariff and their nontariff barriers and deal with us in fair and free trade.

The President's negotiations are bearing fruit. President Trump already announced new trade deals. Just today, because of his negotiations, President Trump announced that China has agreed not to implement its rare earth export controls. China also agreed to address the flow of fentanyl and to purchase soybeans.

Other deals are, hopefully, forthcoming.

Consequently, S.J. Res. 88 is counterproductive to the progress already made by the President and the new gains he can still achieve in the ongoing trade negotiations.

On April 30, the Senate rejected this same resolution for these reasons, and I urge my colleagues to reject the resolution for these same reasons again today.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 77, which would terminate the fentanyl national emergency declared with respect to Canada.

I agree with my colleagues that tariffs should be more targeted to avoid harm to Americans. I made precisely that point at a hearing in the Finance Committee in May.

We should consider more exemptions, whether for unavailable natural resources, capital equipment, or other key inputs.

It is equally as important that enforcement guidance provides the clarity that U.S. companies need to comply with the tariffs and to make critical business decisions.

Similarly, as the administration continues to negotiate with our trading partners, I appreciate that my colleagues, as well as our constituents, may be nervous about what comes next. However, at this juncture, this resolution is counterproductive to helping American families and businesses of all sizes.

What my colleagues across the aisle have not discussed is the ubiquitous tariffs and nontariff trade barriers that our small businesses and large businesses alike face across this globe from countries that are not allowing fair trade to happen with the United States, and the cost of that is being borne by the American people-- small businesses and large businesses alike.

The President's historic trade negotiations recognize that this cannot continue, and nations across the globe need to reduce their tariff barriers and their nontariff trade barriers to American companies and American citizens.

The President's negotiations are bearing fruit. President Trump already announced new trade deals with major trading partners, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union. Other such announcements we expect to be forthcoming.

And I urge other trading partners of the United States to reach similar deals.

Consequently, S.J. Res. 77 is counterproductive to the progress already made by the President and to new gains he can still achieve in the ongoing negotiations with our trading partners. Let's truly get a balanced, fair playing field in trade.

On April 30, the Senate rejected the joint resolution of disapproval of IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs for the same reasons. I recommend we do the same thing today and reject this resolution.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 81, which would terminate the rule of law national emergency declared with respect to Brazil.

I agree with my colleagues that tariffs should be more targeted to avoid harm to Americans. I have made precisely that point at the Finance Committee meeting in May.

We should consider more exemptions, whether for unavailable natural resources, capital equipment, or other key inputs.

It is equally important that enforcement guidance provides the clarity U.S. companies need to comply with tariffs and make critical business decisions.

Similarly, as the administration continues to negotiate with our trading partners, I appreciate that my colleagues, as well as our constituents, may be nervous about what comes next. However, at this juncture, this resolution is counterproductive--counterproductive to helping American families and businesses of all sizes.

The President's historic trade negotiations are bearing fruit. President Trump already announced new deals--trade deals--with major trading partners, including, most recently, Cambodia and Malaysia. Other such announcements may still be forthcoming. I urge other trading partners to reach similar trading deals.

Consequently, S.J. Res. 81 is counterproductive to the progress already made by President Trump and to new gains that he can still achieve in the ongoing negotiations with our trading partners.

On April 30, the Senate rejected the joint resolution of disapproval on IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs for the same reasons. And for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I pay tribute to the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit, IMSARU, in Boise, as they mourn the unexpected loss of one of the unit's treasured K-9s, Stella Blue.

Stella Blue was an instrumental part of this team. She faithfully served her community with honor and dedication in her role as a live find search and rescue K-9 team member. She committed thousands of hours and countless miles in search of lost and missing people, bringing comfort, light, and hope to her team and to the people of Idaho.

Stella's life and the loss felt by her teammates is a reminder of the extraordinary dedication of the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit. These committed individuals voluntarily give incredible amounts of their time to not only helping their fellow Idahoans and others in distress, but also ensuring they and the K-9s entrusted to aid with their searches are

effectively trained. Stella Blue's handler, Brian Marinelli, a Boise teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, devoted innumerable hours to Stella Blue's training, while forging a bond cemented in trust. I also recognize the loss felt by the Marinelli family--Brian's wife Midori and their children Sara and Dante--as Stella Blue was a cherished member of their family in addition to her service to the people of Idaho.

As I extend my condolences to Brian Marinelli and the entire Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit, I also thank the team for its outstanding service. Stella Blue's days were too few but exceedingly well spent. And your remembrance of her as a trusted partner, teammate, and friend is a moving example of your devotion to those you search for and alongside. Thank you for your loyal and dedicated service.

Mr. President, in acknowledgement of National POW/MIA Recognition Day this September 19, 2025, I honor Idaho's and all of America's prisoners of war, POWs, and missing in action, MIA, as I extend my support and gratitude to their loved ones.

In February, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, DPAA, the Agency primarily responsible for recovering America's servicemembers, unveiled its 2025 National POW/MIA Recognition Day poster. Each year, the Agency creates a poster commemorating the lives of U.S. servicemembers still unaccounted for from past conflicts and showcasing the DPAA's commitment to bringing them home. This year's poster features the statement, ``Delivering on the nation's promise.''

Fittingly, this year's poster was designed by a Gold Star Daughter, Jeanie Jacobs Huffman who, unfortunately, knows deeply and personally the price military families pay for our freedoms. Jeanie Jacobs Huffman's father, Navy Commander Edward J. Jacobs, Jr., remains unaccounted for after contact was lost with the aircraft he was piloting in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam in 1967. At the unveiling of the poster, Jeanie shared, ``I always felt a huge void in my life not having my father. I believe that each of our missing is still seeking their way home and they expect that our nation's promise will be kept.''

To help meet our Nation's promise to America's servicemembers and support the efforts of those who work tirelessly for their return, I continue to press for the enactment of the Bring Our Heroes Home Act. This legislation would help eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovering America's POWs and MIA.

This POW/MIA Recognition Day, and every day, I remain deeply grateful for the committed individuals and groups, such as the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. of Pocatello, ID, and others across our country who keep an unwavering spotlight on the need to bring every American servicemember home. With a heavy but hopeful heart, I continue to pray for all those who await answers about lost servicemembers and thank America's servicemembers, veterans, and their families for their extraordinary commitment to our country.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, the proposal that is sought to be adopted by unanimous consent on the floor today-- which means bypassing the committee of jurisdiction so that the committee of jurisdiction doesn't have the opportunity to work on the bill--is framed in the discussion today as an effort to try to reduce drug pricing. There is no disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on whether we need to reduce the cost of drugs in the United States. Both parties are working to do it in their own way.

The battle here is over government price fixing. That is something that most of those on our side have resisted for a long time. That is something that is being pursued in the request in this legislation. The solution is not to have the government take over yet another part of our economy. The solution is to work on market-based solutions, like those we are working on.

But there is another part of this bill that is being proposed on the floor today that just makes it even doubly objectionable, and that is, this bill has a price tag. And to pay for it, there are provisions in this bill that deal with provisions that repeal provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill that helped to start reforming our entitlement system.

Over the past two decades, Medicaid spending has ballooned by over 200 percent, risking the program's financial sustainability for those who need it the most. This last July, Congress passed some commonsense Medicaid reforms--the first time any Congress of the

United States has ever sought to do some serious, meaningful entitlement reform, which is the real cause of the debt and the deficit that we face.

What we did there was to reduce wasteful and unnecessary spending and to remove disincentives to work.

One of those specific reforms required some able-bodied adults--and I mean able-bodied adults who are at least over 100 percent over the poverty level--to require able-bodied adults to pay a small copay, $35, if they seek medical care under Medicaid. Asking certain Medicaid beneficiaries who have the resources to be able to do it and who are able-bodied adults who are not disabled, who are not children, and who do not even have to care for children in their home--many of them--to pay a very small, minimal amount, not only reduces unnecessary healthcare utilization, but it removes a benefit clip that discourages them from earning higher wages and moving out of poverty.

These are those kinds of solutions I was talking about before that are based on work and markets and free economies, rather than on government price-fixing and government mandates. Unfortunately, the bill before us today eliminates this important reform and increases unnecessary spending by over $7 billion.

More concerning, the bill also repeals a bipartisan policy supported by over 30 patient-advocacy groups to spur investment in the lifesaving cures for patients with rare diseases.

This policy offers hope to the 95 percent of Americans living with a rare disease who lack an approved treatment. The Finance Committee has a deep history of bipartisan efforts to bolster patient access to care and to properly align market incentives to strengthen our Federal healthcare system. Today's bill falls short of those objectives, but I look forward to working with my colleagues on these types of issues and other priorities to achieve these goals. This bill should be reviewed by the Finance Committee, and I commit that we will continue to work on proper, meaningful entitlement reform and healthcare improvement across the United States.

For those reasons, I object.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we celebrate a significant milestone for the College of Southern Idaho, CSI. This year marks the college's 60th anniversary, a testament to its enduring commitment to education and community.

For six decades, the College of Southern Idaho has been a vital institution of higher education, serving the Magic Valley and beyond. It has provided affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to countless students, empowering them to build brighter futures. CSI's impact extends far beyond its campus; it is a key driver of our regional economy, supplying a skilled

workforce for our local industries, from agriculture to healthcare to technology.

From its humble beginnings, CSI has grown into a beacon of opportunity. The college's mission has always been about more than just academics; it is about providing pathways to success for people from all walks of life. Whether it is a high school student taking dual- credit courses, a veteran seeking to learn a new trade, or a parent returning to school to finish a degree, CSI meets the community where they are. This dedication to lifelong learning and workforce development is what makes it such a special place.

This anniversary is not just a moment to look back, but an opportunity to look forward with optimism. The College of Southern Idaho continues to innovate, adapting its programs to meet the evolving needs of our State and our Nation. We are confident CSI will continue to be an engine of progress, shaping the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals who will contribute to Idaho's bright future for the next 60 years and beyond.

We are incredibly proud of the students, faculty, and staff of CSI, both past and present. Their dedication has built an institution that fosters innovation, serves as a cultural hub, and strengthens the fabric of our communities. We send our heartfelt congratulations to the entire College of Southern Idaho family on this special occasion. May its next 60 years be as impactful and inspiring as the last.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Region IV Development, doing business as Frontier Community Resources, that has been utilizing the work of professional staff to help create thriving, vibrant southern Idaho communities.

Founded in 1975 in Twin Falls, the organization is rooted in supporting access to resources. It has evolved over the decades to become a comprehensive economic development organization providing small business loans, technical assistance, and community development services across southern Idaho. Frontier Community Resources works closely with city and county officials, small business owners, local organizations, and community leaders to provide collaborative economic development, empowering commendable support for Idaho communities, especially rural communities. Through the organization's technical assistance, it provides hands-on support for important community projects, including water and sewer improvements, fire station construction, and community planning and revitalization. Frontier supports local businesses in accessing capital and helps with community project administration, such as conducting meetings to receive public input and preparing funding applications.

The breadth of Frontier Community Resources' 25-person board of directors is indicative of its capacity to bring all aspects of economic development to the literal table to help rural communities succeed. Members of its board include representatives of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls County Commissions, municipal elected and appointed officials, and individuals representing the education community and diverse private and public organizations.

Frontier Community Resources has been instrumental in leveraging Federal and State resources to assist with projects, such as the construction of the Gooding County Emergency Medical Services Station, the Lincoln County Youth Center, city park improvement projects in Murtaugh and Heyburn, downtown revitalization projects in Fairfield and Jerome, the expansion of Burley's industrial wastewater system, improvements to the Senior Connection in Hailey, and much more. Frontier regularly holds community workshops to inform the public about available resources and administers a South-Central Idaho Brownfield Revitalization Program, providing funding for environmental assessment and contamination cleanup. Frontier also houses the Rural Economic Development Services, REDS, Program, linking rural communities to economic development resources.

This community asset has provided resources to support small, local businesses, such as Silver Creek Hotel in Bellevue, 2nd South Market in Twin Falls, and Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl. Frontier Community Resources has also deservedly been recognized for its work as a pillar of economic development in the region. For example, it is the recipient of three 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations for its involvement in community initiatives ranging from childcare to affordable housing.

We recognize the considerable challenges Idaho communities, especially rural communities, face when trying to access needed resources to maintain and grow. Navigating the web of requirements, regulations, and paperwork takes considerable time, assets, and a workforce that many rural communities simply do not have.

The assistance and know-how the team at Frontier Community Resources brings to Idaho's rural communities offers more than new opportunities but also hope and encouragement. As we celebrate Frontier Community Resources' 50 years of contributions to strengthening an essential part of our great State, we commend the community leaders and partners who have shaped southern Idaho over the past five decades.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous rollcall vote scheduled at 11 o'clock be started immediately.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII and as if in legislative session, it be in order for Senator Sanders to make motions to discharge S.J. Res. 41 and S.J. Res. 34, and if made, the Senate vote on the motions to discharge in the order listed at 9 p.m. today; further, that following the disposition of the motions to discharge the joint resolutions, the Senate vote

on the motions to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar Nos. 172 and 282 and that the mandatory quorum calls be waived; finally, that if cloture is invoked on any of the nominations individually, all postcloture time be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nominations at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, no earlier than Thursday, July 31, and if confirmed, 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, I also ask unanimous consent that all votes after the first vote tonight be strictly 10 minutes in length.

Mr. President, I object.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise in opposition to S. 2383, the Creating Access to Necessary American- Canadian Duty Adjustments Act, and S. 151, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act of 2025.

I agree with my colleagues, who will speak in just a moment, that tariffs should be more targeted to avoid harm to small businesses. I made precisely that point at a hearing in the Finance Committee in May.

Similarly, with less than 2 days to go to the August 1 reciprocal negotiation deadline, I appreciate that my colleagues, as well as our constituents, may be nervous about what comes next. However, at this juncture, these two bills are counterproductive to helping American families and businesses of all sizes.

The President's historic trade negotiations are bearing fruit. President Trump already announced new trade deals with major trading partners, including the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Union. I urge other trading partners to reach a deal by August 1. Consequently, S. 151 and S. 2383 are counterproductive to the progress that President Trump has achieved and is poised to continue achieving in ongoing negotiations with our trading partners.

On April 30, the Senate rejected the IEEPA disapproval resolution on reciprocal tariffs for the same reasons.

For these reasons, I again object.