Floor Statements

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise today to discuss Senator Whitehouse's request for unanimous consent for the Senate to pass the Protecting Seniors' Data Act of 2025.

I agree with my colleague that Federal Agencies must take all necessary steps to safeguard the personally identifiable information entrusted to them by the people they serve.

Along these lines, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, SSA, who was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by Senate Republicans last month, has spent his career protecting personally identifiable information. He has also committed to doing the same as Commissioner of the SSA.

However, legislation is not needed to request a Government Accountability Office, GAO, audit on a specific topic of interest.

Additionally, the Comptroller General, who leads the GAO, testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this year that GAO is already conducting a review of DOGE's access to agency systems, including at the Social Security Administration.

During his testimony, the Comptroller General also stated that GAO will issue public reports to the Congress on its findings from these reviews.

For these reasons, I object.

I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the Hooker and Marks nominations.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Simpson, I recognize the careers and service of Mark Brown, Maria Mitchell-Williams, Michael Goriup, Jennifer Cate, Doug Pruitt, and Mark Jones, instrumental leaders for the Idaho Cleanup Project, ICP. With more than 140 combined years of experience, these individuals have been integral contributors to the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE, and the ICP.

With more than 40 years of experience in nuclear operations and environmental restoration, Mark C. Brown has made a lasting impact on the Nation's environmental cleanup mission. Since joining DOE in 1995, he has held several senior leadership positions, most recently serving as manager of the ICP, where he led critical efforts to safely treat, store, and dispose of radioactive and hazardous waste, remove legacy buried waste and oversee the removal of spent nuclear fuel and high- level waste from Idaho. His career reflects a deep commitment to safety, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship, demonstrated through his roles at both the Idaho Site and Office of River Protection. Prior to his civilian service, Mr. Brown served with distinction as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy.

Maria Mitchell-Williams provided outstanding leadership throughout her career, most recently as deputy manager for the ICP, where she oversaw the complex cleanup work at the Idaho National Laboratory, INL, Site. Previously, she served as assistant manager for business and acquisition management, applying more than 20 years of experience in contract oversight, budget management, and workforce planning, including administration of the $6.4 billion ICP End State contract. Her work encompassed leading high-impact efforts in contract management, project controls, budget, and workforce oversight, while also driving strategic coordination between the Office of Environmental Management and the Office of Nuclear Energy to ensure mission alignment and operational success. With a strong foundation in business, human resources, and level III certifications in acquisition and financial assistance, Ms. Mitchell-Williams' service has significantly advanced DOE's cleanup mission.

With more than 34 years of dedicated service to the DOE and nearly 40-plus years of experience in the nuclear field, Michael Goriup has been a vital leader in advancing the mission of the ICP. Since joining DOE Idaho in 1990, he has held key roles including program manager for the Idaho Nuclear Technology

and Engineering Center, INTEC, construction project manager, facility engineer at the Advanced Test Reactor Complex, and as a facility representative qualified across all INL facilities. In 2012, he was promoted to supervisor of the facility representatives team, where he led a group of facility representatives providing critical oversight of ICP operations, safety, and support activities. Under his leadership members of his staff were awarded four DOE Complex Facility Representative of the Year Awards. His Federal service was preceded by 9 years in the U.S. Navy, where he served in a nuclear submarine fleet as an electronics technician. Mr. Goriup's commitment to safety, technical excellence, and mission success has left a meaningful legacy at DOE Idaho.

Doug Pruitt, assistant manager for environment and waste programs at the ICP, has provided 20 years of environmental restoration and waste management, starting as a college intern, Mr. Pruitt completed his career as a senior manager with ICP. Mr. Pruitt has overseen critical cleanup efforts at the INL site, including the exhumation and disposal of transuranic waste, soil and groundwater remediation, and facility demolition. He has also played a key role in waste disposal systems, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, CERCLA, waste disposal cell and the evapotranspiration cap over waste disposal areas. Mr. Pruitt has been instrumental in leading procurement efforts for the past two ICP contracts and served as transition manager for the ICP end state contract.

Jennifer K. Cate, who concluded her notable Federal service as the acting assistant manager for business and acquisition management at the ICP, played a key role in overseeing the project cost and analysis and contract management teams, which provided essential services including budget formulation, financial management, and contracting for the $6.4 billion ICP end state indefinite delivery indefinite quantity, IDIQ, contract. With more than 30 years of contract management experience, she developed innovative business strategies and cost-effective solutions to support the successful execution of the ICP mission. Holding level III certifications in acquisition and financial assistance, her leadership and expertise were critical to the success of the project and the broader DOE mission.

Mark Jones served with dedication as the chief of staff for the ICP, bringing a strong background in project controls to the DOE. With 17 years of Federal civilian service and more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a major in the Air Force Reserve, he has provided consistent leadership, coordination, and support across a wide range of mission-critical functions. Mr. Jones played a key role in integrating project baseline planning and performance metrics that supported the safe and timely execution of environmental cleanup activities under the ICP end state contract. Mr. Jones' professionalism and commitment to the ICP mission have made him a valued leader and colleague throughout his career.

The careers of Mark Brown, Maria Mitchell-Williams, Mike Goriup, Doug Pruitt, Jennifer Cate, and Mark Jones reflect an unwavering dedication to public service, technical excellence, and mission success to the American people. Throughout their distinguished service, these individuals provided oversight and leadership on some of the most significant accomplishments at the ICP, including the completion of exhumation and retrieval of buried waste at the radioactive waste management complex, the startup of the integrated waste treatment unit, the successful transfer of spent nuclear fuel from wet to dry storage, and the awarding of multiple major contracts for managing the cleanup mission. Collectively, they were responsible for the management and disposition of high-level waste, transuranic waste, and spent nuclear fuel at the INL Site. They provided executive oversight of a $470 million annual budget, 52 Federal employees, and more than 1,900 contractor personnel. As they enter retirement, we honor their lasting contributions and thank them for their tireless efforts to advance the DOE's environmental cleanup mission and serve the people of Idaho and the Nation.

It is our great honor to congratulate these individuals on their accomplishments and thank them for the many years of service. We wish them the best of luck following their retirement from DOE and the Idaho Cleanup Project.

Madam President, reserving the right to object.

I would like to make some remarks. If my colleague is going to make some remarks, I would yield to her first.

I am reserving the right to object. I will object, and we can make our remarks after.

Madam President, I want to explain the reason for my objection.

This is another of many attempts that have been made to stop the efforts of President Trump and his Cabinet and the rest of the administration in downsizing our bloated bureaucracy and trying to bring a little bit of control to the amazing growth of our Federal Government without causing the damage that is always alleged that is being done.

From groundbreaking biomedical advancements through the NIH to critical healthcare coverage for America's most vulnerable patients, the Department of Health and Human Services oversees many of the Federal Government's most essential functions. But far too often, these programs fall short of their well-intended purpose.

Bureaucratic overreach has resulted in the loss of trust from many Americans. Waste, fraud, and abuse have contributed to excessive spending without meaningful improvements in outcomes, and that is driving our national debt now to $37 or $38 trillion.

Secretary Kennedy has committed to addressing these failures. He has made himself and his staff available to Congress and the American people to restore faith in our institutions. When issues have arisen, Secretary Kennedy has worked quickly to remedy the problem. In fact, in recent days, Secretary Kennedy has appeared before two Senate committees to have an open, transparent conversation about the Department's efforts.

Last week, the Senate Finance Committee moved to advance more nominees who will assist in the Department's management and communication with Congress.

Secretary Kennedy and his team deserve time to deliver on the promise of putting patients first, promoting transparency, and following the science.

For these reasons, I objected to the request.

Mr. President, with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, I congratulate Lupe Wissel, of Eagle, ID, on her outstanding career of advocacy for senior citizens and veterans.

Lupe is retiring from serving most recently for nearly 10 years as State director of AARP, Idaho. Prior to joining AARP, Lupe dedicated more than 14 years to working for the U.S. Senate. This includes her service of more than 10 years as staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and her prior service as staff director for the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. A proud alum of Boise State University, she was also appointed by former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne to serve as director for the Idaho Commission on Aging. And, previously, she devoted 21 years to serving as assistant regional manager/rehabilitation counselor III at the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. In all, Lupe has spent more than four decades in public service, advocating for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Lupe has used her immense experience to inform her tireless, measured, and well-informed advocacy for seniors. She has provided trusted counsel to our congressional delegation as we have worked on issues of importance to Idaho seniors. She helped administer AARP- hosted tele-townhalls, ensuring Idahoans across our great State had opportunities to voice their views on issues before Congress. Throughout, she has been kind, efficient, professional, effective, and sincere to her cause.

Lupe's service to others stretches beyond her employment; she has also

supported efforts in her communities and Idaho through service in leadership positions for various organizations. This includes service on boards and commissions for the Pacific Region National Rehabilitation Association, Idaho Hispanic Commission, Idaho State Independent Living Council, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Public Television, and Saint Alphonsus Health Systems.

When announcing the search for Lupe's replacement, AARP shared, ``During her tenure with AARP, Wissel guided the Idaho staff and a deep cadre of volunteers--who are committed to helping the 50+ live their best lives and thrive as they age. Wissel has also been instrumental in AARP's expansion of resources for veterans through increased access to information and services, and educational programs. She also led the development and delivery of AARP's community programs, advocacy and information for its more than 187,000 members in Idaho.''

As we honor Lupe for her remarkable work and wish her well in her next chapter, we also recognize she truly leaves big shoes to fill. Her leadership and impactful championing will be greatly missed, and we thank her for her strong backing of Idaho seniors and our country's veterans as she has shaped sound policy for Americans throughout her commendable career.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote scheduled to start at 11:30 start immediately.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 65, H.J. Res. 60.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask unanimous consent the rollcall vote begin immediately.

Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the confirmation of Mr. Frank Bisignano, who is nominated to be the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

The Social Security Administration has the significant responsibility of overseeing the Social Security Program, which provides monthly benefits to millions of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families. The Social Security Administration also oversees the Supplemental Security Income Program and issues Social Security numbers and cards, among other critical workloads.

I am confident that Mr. Bisignano has the experience needed to lead this important Agency. He has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in banks and financial institutions. He currently serves as the chairman of the board and the chief executive officer of Fiserv, Incorporated, a leader in payments and financial technology.

During his nomination hearing, Mr. Bisignano committed to improving customer service at the Social Security Administration, including by bringing down wait times for the Agency's national 800 number and for claims decisions; ensuring that individuals can interact with the Social Security Administration in the way they prefer, whether in person, by phone, or online; and improving the Social Security Administration's payment accuracy.

During Mr. Bisignano's nomination hearing, concerns were raised regarding his alleged connections to DOGE's work at the Social Security Administration. These allegations were raised in an anonymous letter dated March 24, 2025, the day before the nomination hearing.

The allegations focused on the frequency and details of communications between the nominee and Social Security Administration officials. Mr. Bisignano addressed these allegations during the hearing and responded in writing as part of the questions for the record. He has stated clearly that he does not currently have a role at the Social Security Administration and was not part of the decision-making process led by the Acting Commissioner, Lee Dudek, about Social Security operations, personnel, or management.

The Social Security Administration needs steady, Senate-confirmed leadership. Mr. Bisignano would bring his decades-long focus on customer service and operational excellence to the Social Security Administration.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm Mr. Bisignano to serve as the next Commissioner of Social Security.

Mr. President, briefly to respond, we worked very closely with our colleagues across the aisle to try to vet this anonymous letter and get the information necessary to evaluate it. We are still willing to look at it.

I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote begin immediately.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all time on H.J. Res. 75 be expired and the Senate vote on passage of H.J. Res. 75 at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the Democratic leader on Thursday, May 1; further, that the Senate execute the order of April 28 with respect to S.J. Res. 49, that all time be expired at 5:25 p.m. today, that the joint resolution be read a third time and the Senate vote on the passage of the joint resolution; finally, that if passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

For the information of all Senators, we will have two rollcall votes at 5:25 today, first on passage of S.J. Res. 49, followed immediately by the motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 31.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak in opposition to the resolution. Before I get into my prepared remarks, let me just make it clear. What we are doing here today is following a law, IEEPA, which gave authority to the President of the United States to declare an emergency and gave Congress the authority to reject that declaration of the emergency by a vote in Congress.

The President has declared that emergency under the authority of that law, and this resolution has been brought to reject the declaration of that emergency. That is what we are debating today, and that is what the vote in Congress is about.

I appreciate that many of us in this Chamber have heard from constituents concerned about the economic impact of the tariffs. All of us are watching this issue closely and working with the administration to find ways to minimize its impact on Americans.

We should also be working with the administration to address a shared objective: more opportunities for Americans in foreign markets and an end to discriminatory practices in foreign markets against Americans, against our farmers, and against our businesses.

The President's decision to pause the full reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, other than for China, was a prudent move in that respect. It helped mitigate the impact. It discouraged retaliation but also continued the serious negotiations by our trading partners to address longstanding trading barriers faced by Americans in foreign markets.

I don't believe there is anybody in Congress who would deny that for decades, nations around the globe have put unjustified tariffs on American producers, on American products. We should not undermine these negotiations by the President at this critical juncture. The administration has shared that serious negotiations are proceeding with 18 countries at a minimum now and with more to follow shortly.

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Trade Representative will meet with the Senate advisory group on negotiations and the Finance Committee to discuss these negotiations in detail. I encourage my colleagues to trust the President, at least until they have had the opportunity to hear from his trade team about their efforts.

As the White House recently argued in its statement of administrative policy, this resolution, if we passed it, would signal to U.S. trading partners that they can continue to discriminate against U.S. exports with impunity and would signal that the United States is not serious about addressing structural imbalances in the global economy and the conditions giving rise to the threat to U.S. national security and economy.

Disapproving this emergency will undercut the serious negotiations that are underway, which are also yielding results. For example, India has already suspended its digital services tax on U.S. companies. The President is a good negotiator, and he deserves more time and our support.

Ending these negotiations at their inception benefits only one actor: China. China will see its full reciprocal tariff limited immediately without offering any concessions to addressing longstanding, bipartisan grievances. Moreover, China will benefit because its trade negotiations will continue, while ours will sputter out.

For these reasons, I encourage my colleagues to vote in opposition to this resolution.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I have nine 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: