Floor Statements

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, if you believe we should be able to detain and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes and you took Republicans at their word that the Laken Riley Act was necessary for us to do that, you need to know that is already Federal law. We can and do already detain and deport immigrants who commit serious crimes, and we are not about to change that.

But Republicans have been ignoring the policies we already have on the books to push for a bill that, in its current form, is more extreme, expensive, and broad than it first appears. I am very concerned that without serious amendments, this bill is rife with unintended consequences and powers that could be abused.

As written, it will drastically undermine civil liberties in this country. It will throw our immigration system into absolute chaos by undermining any President's authority to shape Federal policy. It will cost tens of billions of dollars. And here is the kicker. It will end up punishing legal immigrants and diverting resources from detaining true threats to public safety.

First off, let's talk about how extremely broad the language of this bill is. Under this bill, you don't have to be found guilty of a felony to be detained and deported. That is a huge attack on due process. All you need is to be arrested or charged, regardless of whether that is something as small as shoplifting a candy bar, regardless of whether it may become clear that you are innocent, regardless of whether this happened years or even decades ago, and even regardless of whether you are a child.

So let me just underscore that because it is important. This bill has no exemption for kids, no cutoff age, no process to keep it in line with our general child welfare laws. As written, this bill appears so broad that a child could be locked up and put on a plane without their parents. With such sweeping language, I am deeply concerned the Trump administration could abuse this law to deport Dreamers or our farmworkers or other essential workers who, again, may never be convicted of a crime.

And to be fair, it is not just Trump I am worried about because this bill is an open invitation for Republican State officials to dictate individual case outcomes regardless of ICE, derail national immigration policy, and even disrupt international relations.

Under this bill as written, any State attorney general could wreck major humanitarian relief pathways like temporary protected status for Venezuelan or Ukrainian nationals. They can seek court orders to deport individuals without signoff from ICE. And in some cases, they could sue to halt visas from entire countries.

That is a policy that, by its design, will end up punishing the people who are following the law to enter the United States legally. It could punish refugees who are fleeing violence. It could punish people who come here to engage in trade and in commerce that helps our economy grow. It could even punish American citizens if they are hoping to get a visa for their spouse.

With a Federal immigration system that is already too chaotic and complicated, just wait until any State AG can overrule ICE, undermine the President, and throw thousands of legal--legal--visa applications into limbo.

The bill also promises these lawsuits priority, which could be a huge burden on our courts. And if that weren't counterproductive enough, not only would this bill as written punish legal immigrants, it will also divert resources we need to detain genuine threats to our public safety. If ICE is required, as this bill says, to spend resources detaining nonviolent--not even convicted--shoplifting cases and the like, they will have their hands tied as resources are stretched thinner and thinner by an overwhelming number of minor cases, leaving them with fewer and fewer resources then to tackle the most serious cases.

That is especially concerning because DHS already does not have anywhere near the resources to implement this bill. ICE would need, actually, more than three times the current number of detention beds--a 265-percent increase--for this bill. It would need to execute 80 removal flights a week, almost double its current capacity, not to mention it would need to double ground transportation.

That all adds up to ICE needing to nearly double its staff, hiring over 18,000 additional people. And to give you a sense of how unrealistic that is, historically, DHS hasn't been able to onboard more than 1,000 people a year.

And to give you a sense of how expensive this is, ICE estimates it will need more than triple its budget in year one--really, closer to four times their current funding level. We are now talking up to $83 billion for this legislation over the first 3 years to implement it. That is more than the annual budget for the entire Department of Homeland Security. That is a lot of money to spend on a bill that is going to cause chaos, punish legal immigrants, and undermine due process in America, all while drawing resources away from true threats.

Make no mistake, there are serious challenges we have at our border. There is a serious need for sensible immigration reform. But being tough on immigration does not require us to forsake our bedrock principles like due process or our moral obligation to keep children safe. It does not require us to ignore our common sense and waste crucial resources.

So while I hope to work with my colleagues to improve this bill, as I try to improve every bill that I can, I have to say, we have a long road ahead to address my deep concerns with the way this bill threatens due process and the potential for it to be abused.

So I strongly urge my colleagues to demand a far more serious amendment process on this bill, but more than that, I urge them to demand a serious, bipartisan approach to tackling immigration in an effective, humane way, one that protects our country and upholds our values.

Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Mr. President, on a very different topic, I wanted a chance to talk today about one of the nominees that is coming before us because, when I was a very young girl, the polio vaccine was approved, and to this very day, I remember my mom saying: Thank goodness. We can now send our kids to school and not have to worry they will get sick, be paralyzed, or have to live in an iron lung or worse.

The relief was overwhelming. That is why the fear is so overwhelming now that Donald Trump wants RFK, Jr.--an outright, unapologetic, anti- vax conspiracy theorist--as our Nation's Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Now, I want to be clear. I will not be shy about making my concerns quite plain with the American people. That is part of our Senate's role to advise and consent to the President's nominees. It is our job to vet these nominees and put them through a rigorous process to determine if they are qualified to serve.

That is why I met with RFK, Jr., yesterday, so I could be direct with him about my concerns with his anti-vaccine record and so I could discuss the other challenges our Nation faces where HHS has a really crucial role. I do appreciate his time, and I appreciate the opportunity to look for areas of common ground. But as I have said already, I oppose his nomination because, regardless of any other views he holds, his long history of explicitly anti-vaccine activism is utterly disqualifying.

And I am not the only one who is worried. Even Trump's former FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, has said RFK, Jr.'s agenda ``will cost lives in this country.''

I mean, just imagine if RFK, Jr., was Secretary when COVID struck. We still might not have vaccines. After all, he called the COVID vaccine the ``deadliest vaccine ever made.''

This isn't a case where we can just look for areas of agreement or hope for the best--maybe drug costs or maybe healthy food. We are talking about a conspiracy theorist who is openly antagonistic to public health and who will have tremendous authority over Americans' lives and their healthcare.

It is not asking too much to have a Secretary of Health who believes in healthy food and believes in vaccines, especially when we are already backsliding on vaccines and seeing real and deadly consequences.

We eliminated measles in 2000, but last year we had 16 outbreaks. Whooping cough has spiked in the country and in my home State of Washington. Polio--even polio--is making a comeback. These are dangerous diseases, and RFK, Jr., would let them spread through our communities and schools like wildfire. And as any parent knows, when a bug goes around a school, it doesn't stop there; it comes home to Mom and Dad and baby brothers and sisters, who could be at serious risks.

So I am here this afternoon to talk some truth to the American people about the stakes here and lay out the facts for anyone who might not appreciate the serious threat posed by RFK, Jr.

Maybe you think: Well, he is not talking about vaccines like polio or measles, or: He is only asking questions. Except, know this: He founded a nonprofit entirely focused on attacking vaccines. RFK, Jr.'s nonprofit has made videos promoting falsehoods about vaccines and autism and sowing distrust in vaccines, especially among the Black community.

They tried to revoke the emergency authorization for kids' COVID vaccines. They sued against measles vaccine requirements, even amid measles outbreaks.

And it is not just RFK, Jr.'s nonprofit that should raise alarm here. He has said he doesn't know if the polio vaccine caused more deaths than it prevented.

Or another example: The HPV vaccine has led to a huge drop in cervical cancer. RFK, Jr., suggested it increases cancer risk.

And let's not get cute here with excuses like, well, he is just asking questions, because when he says we need to know vaccines are safe, he is ignoring the centuries of research we have already done on these vaccines. We do know they are safe.

What is more, he has not just been asking questions. These are statements I am going to give you that RFK, Jr., has made. These are in his own words. He has said:

I do believe that autism does come from vaccines.

He said:

They get the shot, that night they have a fever of 103,

they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone.

Again, he said the COVID vaccine was the ``deadliest vaccine ever made.''

These statements are not just false; they are irresponsible, and they are disqualifying. Given his track record, we cannot just hope that if RFK, Jr., finally gets power to undermine vaccines--a cause that he has, by the way, dedicated considerable time and money and effort to-- that he will just give that up. That is not believable, especially when we know the lawyer helping him put together a team has tried to have 14 different vaccines pulled from the market himself--including, by the way, the polio vaccine.

And if you are thinking, well, he can't really do anything about vaccines, you need to think again. If confirmed, RFK, Jr., would have tremendous power to undermine vaccines. He could influence FDA's approval of medicine and drugs. He could directly appoint people to CDC's vaccine board, which influences vaccine coverage and costs.

He said he will fire top researchers by the hundreds and pause infectious disease research for years--a threat far beyond vaccines, I would say.

And let's not downplay the fact that, as Secretary, he would have one of the biggest megaphones in the world to spread anti-vaccine misinformation.

Maybe you are someone who thinks: So what if we have more whooping cough, or: A lot of people had measles, but they lived. I realize some people probably think like that because they have never seen the reality of these terrible diseases because vaccines have been so effective.

A nurse recently shared online what whooping cough can do to a baby, what she has watched families go through herself. I will warn you: It was soul crushing. First, the baby can't stop coughing--not even to eat, not even to breathe.

Then come seizures and strokes, then a breathing tube and a ventilator, and finally a machine to take over failing heart and lung function, and then they die. That is horrific. That is whooping cough, and it is far from the only disease at risk of a comeback. We don't want that to happen here in this country or around the globe.

Let's talk about measles. It is one of the world's most contagious diseases. It is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. It lingers in the air for hours. You are contagious 4 days before you develop a rash and 4 days after. Now, before the vaccine, millions of people caught measles annually, meaning thousands were hospitalized, hundreds died, most of them young children.

But this is not just history. Do you want to know what RFK, Jr., would do as Secretary of Health? I want you to look at Samoa. Before Samoa had a measles outbreak, he was there--he was there propping up vaccine deniers and falsely blaming deaths on the measles vaccine. After Samoa had a tremendous measles outbreak with over 100 hospitalized and at least 83 dead, mostly kids, no apology from him, no admitting he was wrong. Instead, he doubled down and wrote to the Prime Minister suggesting vaccines were part of the problem.

That is who we want to put in charge of our Nation's healthcare? What do we think is going to happen? How many outright lies are we going to tolerate? How many deaths before we realize this nonsense is dangerous?

And, look, the vaccine lies just scratch the surface here. This is someone who won't accept that HIV causes AIDS. This is someone who thinks chemicals in the water might turn people gay; he said that. This is someone

who thinks 5G wireless is being used to ``control our behavior.''

This is not someone we in the U.S. Senate should be telling the American people to trust on healthcare. He is not someone we should be handing the levers of power.

For that matter, the same goes for some of Trump's other healthcare nominees who have ignored science and promoted false conspiracy theories. His nominee to lead the CRC is an anti-abortion extremist with zero public health experience--unless you count peddling the conspiracy theory that vaccines cause autism or promoting junk healthcare plans. Then you have Dr. Oz, who has been named to lead CMS--someone who is known for pushing quack treatments and debunked junk science, who will be shaping health coverage for millions despite clear conflicts of interest.

I cannot drive home enough to the U.S. Senate: This is not a game. These are not political roles without consequence. They have real power over whether Americans can get basic information and healthcare.

I want to end on this note, and it is important. Vaccines save lives. That is not a question. It is not a slogan. It is a fact. If you cannot accept that fact; if you cannot be honest with the American people about it; if, when parents look to you, worried about their newborn, wanting to do what is best for their baby, trusting your advice as a public health leader, if you cannot tell them the same truth that centuries of science and experience tell us, which is that vaccines are safe and effective and lifesaving, then you have absolutely no business leading the Department of Health and Human Services. None. That should not be up for debate.

A vaccine denier should not be our highest ranking healthcare official.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I will not use 15 minutes, but I do want to just let our colleagues know that I am very pleased that we are on the verge of passing long overdue relief desperately needed by communities that are recovering from disaster, as well as avoiding a damaging shutdown.

The only reason it took so long and this much chaos to get here is that House Republicans chose chaos and chose to follow the whims of the richest man in the world. Needless to say, that is not how this should work.

But I am glad that at the end of the day, we will avoid a shutdown and get disaster relief out to families and communities that are struggling after being hit by hurricanes and fires and floods and so much more.

I worked hard with Members on both sides of the aisle to finally get this aid across the line and to make sure we did so in a comprehensive way that meets the wide range of critical needs in the country, because it is painfully clear there are so many communities that are still reeling from hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, flooding, and more that really do need this support.

So, despite all the unnecessary chaos and delay, I am glad we are finally here, getting this done. This relief will make a critical difference for folks who have lost it all and are simply working to get their feet back underneath them.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing this package so we can get this over the line and avoid a needless shutdown as we head into the holidays.

Finally, one last important thing. I want to recognize my colleagues who helped pull this relief package together, especially my vice chair on Appropriations, Senator Collins, who has been a critical partner, and our House counterparts, Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Cole, who have pushed so hard to get this disaster relief done.

Of course, I want to thank all of our staff, especially Evan Schatz, our staff director, who worked so hard around the clock to pull together not just the disaster relief in this package but so many other critical funding packages and proposals over the last 2 years I have been chair of the Appropriations Committee. The work is never easy, and I am incredibly grateful to our entire team and to all of our colleagues who have been working so hard.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dabney Hegg, who retired from the Senate earlier this year after serving for more than 25 years, the last 14 of which were on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Through her time in the Senate, Dabney left her fingerprints on so much of the crucial legislation to strengthen our Nation's transportation infrastructure and help Americans keep a roof over their heads.

Dabney first joined the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2010 under Chair Inouye, on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. I had the great fortune of seeing her work up close for several years, first as the then chair of T-HUD, and the past 2 years as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. In 2015, Dabney was named clerk of the subcommittee. She served as clerk under Senators Reed and Schatz, and we all can attest that she was an invaluable member of the team.

At a time when our Nation is grappling with an affordable housing shortage, aging infrastructure, and growing pressures from climate change, the investments we make in housing, transportation, and more have huge implications for our Nation's future. Dabney worked tirelessly to help the Senate make critical investments to address homelessness and the housing crunch, ensure communities have reliable roads, rails, and bridges, keep planes flying safely overhead, and maintain the infrastructure we need to stay strong and keep people safe.

Among her many accomplishments, Dabney helped negotiate the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, multiple COVID relief and disaster recovery bills, and every single T-HUD appropriations bill since fiscal year 2011. She was a champion of improving everyday Americans' lives by fighting for Amtrak funding and improving rail safety, championing the needs of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy so it can educate the next generation of mariners safely, always pushing to help individuals experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic violence, and supporting our long-term disaster recovery efforts. For Dabney, the annual appropriations bill was an opportunity to do something good, move the ball forward inch by inch and year by year. In her last appropriations bill for FY 2024, under the direction of Senator Brian Schatz, who is chair of both T-HUD and Indian Affairs, Dabney helped to successfully secure a record $1.3 billion for Native American and Alaskan Native housing programs, a 32-percent increase from the previous year.

Throughout her years on the subcommittee, she was a tireless champion for public transit, supporting and shepherding projects along in every corner of the country, including many critical transit projects in Washington State. The progress we made on those issues is part of an incredible legacy she has written into our Nation's laws through her work.

We all owe Dabney a debt of gratitude for working through many long nights and weekends and completing many hard negotiations in service of our Nation. As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I depended on Dabney's wisdom and counsel, and it is clear to all that her expertise, dedication, and ability to work across the aisle to make progress have made our country stronger. She is deeply missed.

On behalf of all the past committee leadership--and all the Senators and staff--who have worked with Dabney over the years and who know firsthand just how impactful her work and counsel have been, I would like to thank you, Dabney, for your service. You are missed, and we wish you all the best for what lies ahead. Thank you.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Ellen Murray, who retired earlier this year after serving many, many years on the Senate Appropriations Committee across two different periods and who has left her fingerprints on so much of the crucial legislation to support our communities, help families grow and thrive, open doors of opportunity for students and workers, as well as strengthen our economy and the financial well-being of working people across the country, who are the backbone of our economy.

In 1999, Ellen Murray joined the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and became the clerk of the subcommittee in 2000. In 2017, Ellen returned to the committee, after serving in the administration of President Obama, and was named clerk of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. Across the two subcommittees, she served under Senators Harkin, Coons, and Van Hollen, and we all can attest that she was an invaluable member of both teams.

Through global challenges and economic tumult--including a historic pandemic that posed a serious threat to our Nation's economy and to families' futures--Ellen was at the center of crucial work to secure critical investments that help our government and our economy keep running smoothly and help families stay healthy and safe. She has worked tirelessly to make sure we are meeting the needs of families on the ground and providing the resources our government needs to do the work for the American people, protect consumers and workers, enforce laws, advance lifesaving medical research, and keep our economy and our communities secure, growing and thriving--and make life a little easier for families to look after their kids, look after their health, and make ends meet.

Among her many accomplishments, Ellen helped negotiate countless appropriations bills, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the CARES Act, and was a fierce advocate for good government. The progress we made on these issues is part of an incredible legacy she has written into our Nation's health, education, labor, and financial laws through her work. Ellen cared deeply about her work and the people around her. She advocated for her issues, but perhaps most importantly, she advocated for her team. She has left behind a legacy of mentorship and a community of appropriations staff who are that much better because of her influence.

We all owe Ellen a debt of gratitude for working through many long nights and weekends and for completing many hard negotiations in service of our Nation. As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I depended on Ellen's wisdom and counsel, and it is clear to all that her expertise, dedication, and ability to work across the aisle to make progress have made our country stronger. She will be deeply missed.

On behalf of all the past committee leadership--and all the Senators and staff--who have worked with Ellen over the years and who know firsthand just how impactful her counsel has been, I would like to thank you, Ellen, for your service. You are missed, and we wish you all the best for what lies ahead. Thank you.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dianne Nellor, who is retiring after serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee for nearly 22 years and who has left her fingerprints on so much of the crucial legislation to support our farmers, strengthen our food supply, and keep our families healthy.

Dianne Nellor first joined the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2003 under Chair Stevens, on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. In 2018, Dianne was named clerk of the subcommittee. She has served as clerk of the subcommittee under Senators Merkley, Baldwin, and Heinrich--and we all can attest that she has been an invaluable member of the team.

At a time of immense global change and in an era where climate change has put intense focus on issues like food supply chains, crop resilience, keeping small farms afloat, and putting food on the table, the investments we make in our agriculture and in our families have huge implications for our Nation's future. Dianne has worked tirelessly to help the Senate solve problems, address these challenges, and ensure Congress makes critical strategic investments in FDA, our farmers, and our families.

Among her many accomplishments, Dianne helped negotiate 18 annual appropriations bills and 3 full-year continuing resolutions, drafted at least 17 supplemental bills, and has remained a tireless advocate for international food aid and child nutrition programs. The progress we made on these issues is part of an incredible legacy she has written into our Nation's laws through her work. Dianne has also been a mentor to staff and an advocate for many issues that are important to Senators and their communities back home.

We all owe Dianne a debt of gratitude for working through many long nights and completing many hard negotiations in service of our Nation. As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I have leaned on Dianne's wisdom and counsel, and it is clear to all that her expertise, dedication, and ability to work across the aisle to make progress have made our country stronger. She will be deeply missed.

On behalf of all the past committee leadership--and all the Senators and staff--who have worked with Dianne over the years and who know firsthand just how impactful her counsel has been, I would like to thank you, Dianne, for your service. You will be missed, and we wish you all the best for what lies ahead. Thank you.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize Kate Kaufer, who is retiring after serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee for 20 years and who has left her fingerprints on so much of the crucial legislation to keep our country safe and improve the lives of our servicemembers and their families.

Kate Kaufer first started on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in December 2004 when Senator Stevens was chair and served under Chairs Inouye, Cochran, Durbin, Shelby, and Tester. Colleagues from each era can attest she has always been an invaluable member of the team--so valuable in fact, that, in March 2022, she was asked to take over as clerk of the subcommittee.

Through times of immense global change, instability, and uncertainty, when the investments we make in our military have had huge implications--not just for families today and not just for our own country, but for the world--Kate Kaufer has worked tirelessly to help the Senate solve problems, address threats, and ensure Congress makes critical strategic investments in our servicemembers and our national security.

It is impossible to sum up two decades of Kate's leadership and smart analysis on the subcommittee. When Kate started in the Senate, individual appropriations bill were routinely debated and passed on the Senate floor. More recently, much of that work is done off the Senate floor, and she has remained steadfast in her loyalty to the deliberative processes of this body and tirelessly advocating for the well-being of our troops and the security of this country.

Over her 20 years of service, Kate handled almost every single appropriations account and military service. Those include several classified accomplishments for which there is no public record. But publicly, from firsthand experience, I can say that she was instrumental in providing for our men and

women in uniform and their families, protecting our national security workforce, and preserving the national security investments over the last several years.

We all owe Kate Kaufer a debt of gratitude for working through many long nights and hard negotiations in service of our Nation. As Appropriations chair this Congress, I have leaned on Kate's expertise and counsel; and it is clear to all that her expertise, dedication, and ability to work across the aisle to make progress have made our country stronger. She will be deeply missed.

On behalf of all the past chairs--and all the Senators and staff--who have worked with Kate over the years and who know firsthand just how important her counsel has been, I would like to thank you, Kate, for your service. You will be missed, and we wish you all the best for what lies ahead. Thank you.

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 as they mark their 80th anniversary. For eight decades, this organization has been a cornerstone of labor in my home State of Washington and an essential partner in our Nation's progress.

In 1944, during a critical time in our history, the U.A. chartered Local 598 to support the national security mission at the Hanford site in southeastern Washington. Local 598 members were not merely workers; they were heroes who played a vital role in constructing the infrastructure that safeguarded our country during World War II and the Cold War. In recent decades, Local 598 members have been an integral part of the Hanford cleanup mission. Their efforts exemplify the labor movement's spirit of resilience and commitment to community and environmental health. This is not just about history; it is about the ongoing journey toward a safer future for all.

Local 598's impact extends far beyond the Hanford site. Their skilled tradespeople have shaped numerous sectors--from energy infrastructure and fish hatcheries to schools, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities. Through robust training programs and apprenticeships, Local 598 has continually invested in the next generation of skilled craftspeople, ensuring that our workforce is equipped to meet contemporary challenges. Their commitment

to worker safety has established industry standards that other organizations strive to emulate, all while advocating tirelessly for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. The legacy of Local 598 demonstrates that when workers unite, their advocacy benefits not only themselves and their families, but also their broader community.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Local 598 for 80 years of unwavering service and commitment to excellence. I look forward to continuing to work alongside them to advance labor rights, safety standards, and the dignity of work in our great Nation.

Mr. President, earlier this year, we passed a bipartisan national security supplemental that included crucial economic aid to Ukraine, which was structured as a forgivable loan. The Senate vote was overwhelming and bipartisan--79 to 18. That is because there is wide understanding on both sides of this aisle that support for Ukraine is an investment in our own national security interests, and that includes the economic support in that package, because while weapons are important, the costs of war are not just measured in arms, and the burdens are not only borne by the military.

There are day-to-day government functions that must continue to support the war effort and for the sake of the very families and communities Ukraine is fighting for, and that includes work to defend and repair critical infrastructure, roads, bridges, energy, water; work to fight off cyber attacks and corruption, which threaten to weaken critical functions of government; work to support the energy and agricultural sectors that are crucial to Ukraine's economic stability, not to mention the global food supply. And there is work to make sure first responders can keep doing their jobs; mental health and support services can reach veterans, internally displaced families, and others in need; and teachers and schools can keep supporting kids, which are the future of every country.

These investments are crucial to Ukraine's future and its resistance of Putin's invasion, and given how important those investments are, it is worth noting that these dollars came with three layers of oversight and audits to make sure they are being used as intended.

But the vote today is a test of whether we truly understand what is at stake here, not just for Ukraine but for America's strength as a global leader. It is a test of how closely we stand by our allies in their times of need.

Our adversaries are watching for us to fail. They are hoping to tell everyone: Watch out before you accept any help from the United States. They are hoping allies start doubting our promises. They are hoping other countries start second-guessing whether to build stronger ties with America. They are hoping we weaken our position in the world and weaken Ukraine in the process.

We cannot let that happen. I urge my colleagues to send a message: American leadership is strong, and our support for our allies is unwavering. And it is in our own national security interest.

I urge all of them to join me in opposing this joint resolution of disapproval.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I yield back all the Democratic time.

I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Russell cloture nomination.

Mr. President, I was very proud to recommend Judge Rebecca Pennell to serve as a U.S. district court judge in the Eastern District of Washington, and I was honored to introduce her at her confirmation hearing, where she demonstrated her extensive legal knowledge and deep commitment to making sure equal justice is there for all who come to her courtroom. I am thrilled to rise today to strongly urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for her confirmation.

I want to emphasize--especially for my colleagues across the aisle-- that, just like the other nine Federal judges we have confirmed at my recommendation, Judge Pennell has been vetted and endorsed by my State's nonpartisan judicial merit selection committee. This is a committee that is made up of both Democratic and Republican legal experts.

A review of Judge Pennell's record and the many letters of recommendation that came with her nomination make it easy to see why the committee put her name forward. In letter after letter, people from different perspectives--prosecutors, law enforcement officials, judges, and many others--described Judge Pennell with the same high praise: fair, insightful, professional, prepared. In other words, she is a qualified and deserving pick to entrust with upholding our Nation's laws and protecting our citizens' rights.

I am especially pleased to say that Judge Pennell's roots in Washington State run as deep as her impressive legal knowledge. She grew up in Richland, where her father worked at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. She attended the University of Washington, returned from Stanford Law to clerk for District Court Judge Whaley in Spokane, and has been an active and respected member of our State's legal community ever since.

It is important that we have a court system that delivers justice for everyone, not just the powerful and well connected. We have to make sure every person has their rights protected and no person is above the law. That requires a judge who carefully reviews each case on its merits, shows a deep understanding of the law and respect for everyone who appears before them, and appreciates how their decisions will affect the lives of people across Washington State. Some of the best and brightest legal minds in Washington State have made clear they think Judge Pennell is exactly that kind of judge. And having viewed her record, I completely agree and strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm her.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.