Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 1108, to extend the Federal Communications Commission's authority to auction spectrum.

Congress has never let the FCC's spectrum auction authority lapse before, and we can't do it now. As I noted in my earlier comments, spectrum is critical to our modern communications system--something that, actually, Senator Rounds has spoken so eloquently to--so we have to keep it going. We need an FCC and an NTIA that respect all Federal incumbent uses of spectrum, especially those uses that protect our national security. Again, I acknowledge the comments of Senator Rounds.

As we consider the reauthorization of the FCC's auction authority, it is important to recognize we are entering a really new era in the United States' spectrum strategy. This new strategy has to be comprehensive to ensure our remaining spectrum is put to its highest and best use, and we must ensure we don't impact or interfere with our national security as we try to get further benefits from the civilian sector for spectrum utilization.

H.R. 1108's 2-month extension would allow for the further development of this comprehensive approach. As I mentioned earlier, folks are really working on that, and we don't want to take the pressure off. We want to keep the pedal to the metal and see if they can reach an agreement.

Importantly, H.R. 1108's 2-month extension does not slow down or otherwise limit the Department of Defense's study of the lower 3 gigahertz band under the bipartisan infrastructure law. I just want to reiterate that. The DOD can continue with its study. It will remain on track to complete its study by September 30.

This extension also doesn't change the requirement that any reallocation decisions for the band must wait until after the DOD finishes its study. So there is consensus here that we have to make certain the DOD's national security equities are front and center.

What this extension would do is to ensure that the critical work of our Agencies and wireless ecosystem does continue undisrupted.

Maintaining the FCC's auction authority will allow Congress to work quickly toward developing forward-thinking spectrum policy that both protects our national security and encourages the development of new technologies.

It is very important, especially now that time is of the essence, for us to develop our own spectrum strategy and stay ahead of our competitors. So every month that we stall on a comprehensive spectrum bill is more time for our rivals to get ahead of us.

For all of those reasons, I am asking my colleagues to support H.R. 1108's 2-month extension of the FCC's auction authority as my colleagues and I work toward a comprehensive spectrum legislation package to ensure that the United States continues to lead in spectrum innovation and policy.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1108, which was received from the House and is at the desk; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, just to remark, here is the dilemma we have. Much of what the Senator from South Dakota is saying I agree with, but we have two things that are relevant on a very practical level.

One is the pressure that continues to be brought to bear on the negotiators with the 60-day extension to get a final agreement, which would solve the problems that all of us face and are of concern to the Senator from South Dakota.

The second is a political one. It has been conveyed to us very clearly that the House will not take up anything beyond the 60-day extension. We may think they are wrong, but they have the authority to reject an extension beyond the 60 days. That would result in a lapse in spectrum authority, which would be devastating to all of us and all of the goals we are striving to achieve.

So that is the practical question we face.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, the January 26, 2023, issue of ``Roll Call'' included an interview with David Carle, who is retiring from the Senate after 45 years as a congressional press secretary, the last 26 years as Senator Leahy's communications director. I want to pay tribute to David, who long remained out of the limelight but who played an indispensable role, day in and day out, translating the often arcane business of the Congress into concise, coherent prose for Vermonters and countless others in this country and around the world.

As the interview notes, David arrived at Senator Leahy's office after serving for 12 years in a similar capacity for Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, whom David admired greatly. In fact, when Senator Leahy retired on January 3, David was the longest serving press secretary in U.S. Senate history. That is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to his devotion to his work, to the Congress, and to the country.

An outstanding writer and editor, David was always attuned to the interests of Vermonters and the political sensitivities of controversial issues and votes. He not only brought an inherent talent for communicating in plain-spoken and compelling language, but underlying everything he wrote was a deep commitment to defending the principles this country stands for, particularly the First Amendment.

David was also a mentor to aspiring communications staff, who under his tutelage learned the nuts and bolts of interfacing with traditional and social media outlets. Several of them have gone on to become communications directors for other Members of Congress.

The people of Vermont owe David their thanks, as do all of us in the Congress who have benefited from his unflinching example of professionalism, dedication, and integrity.

I ask unanimous consent that the Roll Call interview with David Carle be printed in the Record.

Madam Speaker, as many of my colleagues know, I have worked for years to protect patient access to pharmacies across this nation. It is the intent of the United States House that this legislation, and in particular, Section 1860D-14C(c). MANUFACTURER DISCOUNT PROGRAM shall operate in the same manner as the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program found under 42 USC 1395w-114a. CMS shall implement this provision to operate in the same manner with respect to a pharmacy. In that way, this section shall not result in any reduction in pharmacy reimbursement or require or permit price concessions or other remuneration from the pharmacy. We will convey this intent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as they develop the rules that will govern this discount program. I will continue to look for additional ways to help patients and to preserve and protect our pharmacies that are so essential to communities across Vermont and our country.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Rollcall No. 378. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on Roll Call No. 378.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on rollcall No. 165. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 165.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding work and enduring impact of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee, VT. I would also like to congratulate them as they celebrate their 50 Year Anniversary. Since their opening in October of 1972, VINS has served as a pillar of the community, educating Vermonters

on the beautiful wildlife in our state and what we can do to conserve it. The organization and its staff have shown a remarkable commitment to research, conservation and education.

The genesis of VINS can be traced back to David Laughlin, who spearheaded a study of the Ottauquechee River in central Vermont. The river was found to be badly polluted by waste and runoff. Joining Dr. Laughlin's efforts were his wife Sally Laughlin, Rick Farrar, and June McKnight. The group's efforts ultimately led to the first water quality litigation in the state of Vermont. The group built on the momentum from the victorious river cleanup, remaining vigilant in their commitment to preserving the river's future. Their brainstorming culminated into the idea to establish an environmental organization aimed at educating young children. Thus, came the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in 1972.

Since its founding, VINS' mission has stressed education as a critical tool in changing perspectives and maintaining a healthy environment. Early on, Sally Laughlin led the charge to establish a bird-banding project with the help of her experienced colleague, Rick Farrar. The bird banding program, educational activities, and the river clean-up, established VINS as a critical Vermont institution.

Today, VINS is defined by its environmental and education focus at the VINS Nature Center, with 35 exhibit and education raptors utilized in daily live education programs from a trained educator's hand; the Forest Canopy Walk and Outdoor Classroom; the ADA trail network; VINS School Programs, which reach 3,400 students and 600 teachers each year; the Adventure Playscape; and the Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation. The rehabilitation center treats injured birds found throughout the state with the eventual goal of releasing them back into the wild. The center treated a record of 1,098 birds last year alone. Those birds which cannot be released safely are kept at VINS' Nature Center as ``ambassadors'' for their species to help educate curious visitors.

As Executive Director Charles Rattigan takes VINS into its next 50 years, the institute remains a sought-after destination for visitors and residents of Vermont and the Upper Valley. This year alone, over 69,000 visitors passed through its gates to learn about raptors, native species and the environments in which they live. Curious people of all ages learned how to actively care for our natural world, helping to fulfill VINS' crucial mission of motivating individuals and communities to care for their environment. I want to recognize VINS for its passionate commitment to education, research and avian wildlife rehabilitation. VINS continues to be an influential steward of the natural world, in Vermont and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Roll Call 281. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye'' on Roll Call 281.

Mr. Speaker, we ask our veterans to serve, young men and

women who sign up, serve in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and they are going knowing that they are representing us, and they will take on the challenges and the dangers of combat. They do that willingly.

But why is it that we create an extra hazard within our control by creating these burn pits and assign men and women to be breathing that toxic air? It is not right. This legislation, Honoring our PACT Act, finally acknowledges that that was wrong and that we have a duty to every one of those veterans.

In Vermont--and I know, Mr. Speaker, it is in your State as well; you have been a leader on this--there has been tragedy with cancers to young men and women, fathers, moms.

In our State, Pat Cram and June Heston both lost their wonderful husbands, Sergeant Major Michael Cram and Brigadier General Michael Heston, to cancer. Those women have started a movement in Vermont that has supported this legislation that finally is going to do for these veterans what we did for the Vietnam veterans with Agent Orange and establish a presumption that this was combat related. It is overdue, and it is necessary.

So I thank all of the men and women on both sides of the aisle who are standing up to acknowledge that our obligation is to take care of the warrior and his or her family after they have served us so well.

This is overdue legislation. Let's pass it by unanimous consent.

Mr. Speaker, the Postal Service is a mess. Today, we are about to take up a reform proposal that is long overdue.

Mail delivery in rural Vermont is critical for all our rural communities. For our seniors who rely on getting their checks and getting their prescriptions, and for Vermont businesses, from local papers that provide news in our country stores, it is crucial.

Mismanagement, underfunding, labor shortages have really created a crisis. Last January, my office received eight complaints. This January, it was 69 complaints. And some Vermonters are going over a week without getting any mail delivery. Our folks are going paycheck to paycheck and not getting their paycheck.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will finally get the United States Postal Service on track for our rural communities and all Americans. It is overdue, and that is why I hope all of us will support passage today.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Roll Call No. 401. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on Roll Call No. 401.

Madam Speaker, Vermonters have done their full measure of service throughout our history, and that is true in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two of our great soldiers, Sergeant Major Michael Cram and Brigadier General Michael Heston, both died of cancers that we believe were related to their exposures to burn pits.

Their wonderful widows, Pat Cram and June Heston, have been so vigilant and energetic in putting a focus on the devastation of these burn pits and played a major role in encouraging the VA to, A, get a registry; B, the Defense Department to stop exposing people to burn pits; and then, C, to have us presume that those who have been exposed to burn pits and developed a disease as a result of that are entitled to VA benefits. We must get this done.

Mr. Speaker, the question before this Congress will be whether we do our duty and raise the debt ceiling. The question of the debt ceiling is not about authorizing new spending. It is about paying our bills, and it is no different than if a family decided it was sick of paying the mortgage and stiffed the bank. Enormous collateral damage occurs to our economy and to our reputation.

What is so dangerous about what is starting to happen in this Congress is that one side is embracing tactics, shutting down government, defaulting on our debt, that have the likelihood of collateral damage to our reputation, our economy, to our jobs and our prosperity. These tactics, shutting down government, defaulting on paying our bills, much of which have been run up by the Trump administration, must be renounced.

Raise the debt ceiling. Pay our bills. Do our duty.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor my friend Paul Costello, who has served since 2000 as Executive Director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), part of the National Rural Development Partnership established by Congress. Although Paul is retiring from VCRD, his legacy will continue in the projects and initiatives that he has inspired in rural communities across Vermont.

Throughout his years as Executive Director, Paul has established himself as a respected neutral facilitator of community conversations. Paul has a unique ability to unite diverse viewpoints and lead people to consensus, action and success. He is dedicated to the ideals of democracy and to the promotion of social and economic opportunity for all Vermonters. He is a patriotic enthusiast for civic engagement, energizing all who venture into his orbit.

Among his many activities, Paul coordinates the annual VCRD Governor's Rural Summit to build federal and state cross-agency action plans. Each year he facilitates multiple community visits with teams of state, federal, non-profit and private leaders to help rural communities evaluate and prioritize opportunities, develop action plans, connect to resources and rally to action.

Over the past twenty years, Paul has produced and facilitated numerous Vermont Policy Councils and Community Development efforts including the Vermont Forest Products Council, the Vermont Agriculture Viability Council, the Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation, the Vermont Council on Planning, the Vermont Rural Energy Council, the VT Creative Communities Program, the Council on the Future of Vermont, the Vermont Working Landscape Council, the Vermont Working Landscape Partnership, and the Vermont Working Lands Coalition, the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project and Vermont Digital Economy Project, the Vermont Higher Education Food Systems Council, and the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council. Most recently, Paul has chaired the Governor's Covid-19 Local Support and Community Action Team.

A native Vermonter, Paul obtained his B.A. and M.A. at the University of Vermont and earned a PhD in intellectual history at McGill University in Montreal. He has devoted a substantial part of his career to the cultivation of Vermont civic institutions, and the state is a better place because of it. I wish him a productive and fulfilling retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor my friend Stephen Klein, who is retiring from his job as Chief Fiscal Officer to the Vermont State Legislature. Stephen joined the staff of the Vermont Legislature in 1992 as a Fiscal Analyst and, in

1993, was appointed Chief Fiscal Officer. The nonpartisan Joint Fiscal Office provides fiscal analysis, budget evaluation, performance oversight and fiscal policy support for the Appropriations, Finance, Ways & Means and Tax Committees and for the Vermont Legislature as a whole. In his capacity as Chief Fiscal Officer, Stephen has directed the budget and tax staff for the Vermont House and Senate for the past 28 years.

With rapid fire speech, Stephen has educated generations of Vermont legislators on the complexities of the Vermont budget process. As President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate, I had the pleasure of working with Stephen to craft budgets for the State of Vermont and, like many before and after me, marveled at his intricate knowledge of Vermont state government, tax policy, the budget, and the economy. Stephen has gained the trust of legislators through his facility with his subject matter and his generous willingness to explain it.

Stephen's contributions have extended beyond Vermont. He served as president of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices in 1998 to 1999 and was a member of National Conference of State Legislatures' Executive Committee from 2002 to 2005. From 2009 to 2017, Stephen served on the Advisory Board of the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, providing advice on research content and direction to policy makers in the New England region. From 2014 to 2017 Stephen served on the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Committee.

In 2013, Stephen was the recipient of the Steven D. Gold Award, given annually by the National Tax Association, the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The 2013 award was presented by the NCSL. The award honors professionals who have made significant contributions to state and local fiscal policy.

In addition to his professional commitments, Stephen has volunteered tirelessly in his community, serving on the board of the local food cooperative in Montpelier, as Treasurer of the Green Mountain Club, and as Treasurer for the local synagogue. Stephen also serves as a guest lecturer at the Vermont Law School.

Mr. Klein attended the University of California, Berkeley; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Northeastern University School of Law. He served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and Honduras in the early 1970s.

Stephen's friendly demeanor, sage observations and ubiquitous presence have made him a well-known and welcome fixture under the Golden Dome. He will be greatly missed. I wish him all the best in his retirement and look forward to seeing him out on Vermont's hiking trails.

Mr. Speaker, the most solemn decision a country can make is to send its sons and daughters to war. The most solemn responsibility Congress has is to make that decision. Yet, Congress has delegated that authority too often and too long to the executive.

It resulted from an AUMF vote, Authorization for Use of Military Force, for a lie-based war in Iraq, resulting in the loss of life of over 4,500 of our fellow citizens, 200,000 Iraqis killed, and destruction and instability in the Middle East.

That authorization will be repealed by a vote of Congress, and I will vote to repeal that authorization and restore to the Congress its responsibility to make that solemn decision about whether and when we send our sons and daughters to defend us abroad.