Floor Statements

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week, I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the small business, Powell Valley Millwork of Clay City, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Twenty-seven years ago Jim Thornberry and his son Jimmy left the mining industry behind in search of a new venture. Shortly thereafter, Powell Valley Millwork was founded. The Thornberry's started their mill with the desire to harvest a tangible product within a sustainable industry, and that mission has stayed at the heart of their business throughout their decades of growth and success.

The talent and substance of Powell Valley Millwork draws directly from our State, with the mill focusing on only one species of lumber: poplar. As

the State tree of Kentucky, poplar is an abundant resource within Appalachia, which makes their location in rural Clay City a prime spot for their operation. Often referred to as ``the painter's wood,'' poplar is known for its clear grain, smooth milling, and paint-taking qualities. The versatile and fine nature of the wood allows Powell Valley Millwork to supply consumers with a wide variety of interior- trim products, such as stretcher bars, door and window jambs, stair parts, cabinetry components, primed finger-joint interior trim, and more. In creating all these products, the Powell Valley millworkers make sure nothing goes to waste. Poplar can be safely used as animal bedding which means the mill's offcuts, those that are not already being used to fuel the company's wood drying kilns, are turned into shavings. These shavings are then bagged and shipped out by the truck load to be sold in a wide variety of retail outlets.

This Powell County mill maintains their technology at a topnotch standard. In 2019 the owners invested in a new addition to the team: a sophisticated scanning rough mill line from Eagle Machinery & Supply, Inc. The new rough mill line is able to process 65,000 board feet of lumber in a single 8-hour shift with only six people required to operate it. The joint project between Powell and Eagle, both family companies, demonstrates that U.S. machinery manufacturers can successfully compete with Europeans in providing world-class technology to the North American wood processing industry.

The Thornberrys keep their eye on efficiency and progress, opening up ownership of the company to experts outside the family, including Brian Lambert, Powell Valley Mill's General manager, and Dale Budke, the mill's operations manager. As fellow owners of the company, these gentleman provide the expertise necessary for navigating the growing Kentucky lumber industry. In 2019 Powell Valley Millwork acquired the Metrie Poplar manufacturing facility in nearby Jeffersonville, KY. With a new 125,000-square-foot location only 12 miles from their original facility, the two locations utilize their natural synergies to support the needs of a diverse customer base across North America in full truck and railroad quantities.

Powell Valley Millwork is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Kentuckians. Drawing from our beautiful natural resources and employing over 200 local men and women, this business illustrates some of the best qualities Kentucky has to offer--fine craftsmanship and dedicated hard work. Powell Valley Millwork is a decades-old dream the Thornberrys had when they left the mining industry, a dream that has grown beyond what they had imagined. Small businesses like Powell Valley are the core of small towns across Kentucky, and like the poplars they use in their mill, their roots grow deep to help our communities flourish. Congratulations to the Thornberrys and the entire Powell Valley team. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak against the sanctioning of German and Russian businesses over the transport of natural gas between their countries.

Proponents of sanctions say: Sanction this, sanction that. The Department of the Treasury is currently administering dozens of sanctions programs designed to change the behavior of certain countries. Yet, no one seems to ask the important questions: Do sanctions promote peace and understanding, or do they escalate tension between nations? What behavior has China modified since the United States began sanctions? Has Russia changed

her behavior? Has Russia given back Crimea? Sanctions, although lacking in proof of effectiveness, are very popular with both parties.

Embargoes, sanctions' big brother, also garner bipartisan enthusiasm. The U.S. embargo of Cuba has now gone on for more than 60 years without any evidence of a change in regime or even a change in the regime's policy.

Embargoes are often described, especially by the embargoed country, as an act of war. Many historians say that the U.S.'s embargo of 1807 ultimately led to the War of 1812. President Jefferson's embargo was intended to punish France and England for their aggressions, but instead the embargo crippled American shipping exports. Exports declined by 75 percent.

Some historians also blame the U.S. embargo of Japan for the ensuing war. Roosevelt seized many of Japan's assets, and Japan lost access to much of its international trade and over 80 percent of its imported oil. Effectively, at least from the perspective of Japan, the embargo was an act of war.

Yet enthusiasts for embargoes and sanctions still clamor for more. Sanctionistas point to the international sanctions against Iran as the lever that brought about the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran. Perhaps, but an equally valid argument could be made that it was the extension of carrots rather than sticks that brought Iran to the table. It is funny how diplomacy seems to require give-and-take, not just take, take, take.

Our interaction with Iran should illuminate today's debate over sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline between Russia and Germany, but the shade of mercantilism is dimming the light of experience.

Opponents of the pipeline, not surprisingly, are largely from States that compete in the sale of natural gas. This is more about protectionism than it is national security. Reports are that the pipeline will cause a significant reduction in U.S. exports of liquid natural gas; hence the keen interest by people representing States that sell natural gas. This is not so much about national security; it is about protectionism.

Acknowledging that this debate is only superficially about national security and really more about provincial protectionism helps us better understand the dynamics.

History demonstrates that trade and interconnectedness between nations is a barrier to war. Engaging in mutually beneficial commerce, coupled with a potent military deterrence, is the combination that best promises peace.

Over the past decade, Congress and Presidents have heaped sanctions on Russia and China. When I have asked the State Department officials who come before our committee to reveal what behavioral changes have come about as a result of sanctions, I have often gotten blank stares.

Now, the sanctionistas want to sanction an already completed pipeline. Last year, they said that if we put sanctions on, we will stop them. Well, the Senate and the House overwhelmingly passed sanctions. We got sanctions, and they still completed the pipeline.

But what behavior are they now asking Russia to change? What specifically has Russia been asked to do? What Russian action is necessary for these sanctions to end?

I have asked the sponsor of this bill: The sanctions that you want to do to Russia, what behavior--what do you want from Russia? The response is that they don't want any behavioral changes from Russia. The word- for-word response from the sponsors of this bill is that they just want Russia not to ship oil to Germany. It is about trade. It is about trade that might compete with certain natural gas-producing States. It has nothing to do with national security.

If Nord Stream 2 sanctions were really about changing Russian behavior or deterring aggression in Ukraine, then NATO, including Germany, could threaten sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine. Now, that--the threat of sanctions, with Germany as an ally--might actually have deterring value.

In fact, last summer, the United States and Germany did just that. The United States and Germany announced an agreement in which they said jointly that any attempt to use energy as a weapon or commit further aggressive acts against Ukraine will be met with sanctions. This is Germany and the United States together. That has power. Our little pinprick sanctions saying ``We don't like you, and we are going to punish the companies that are involved'' will do nothing.

If we actually work with Germany, we have deterring value. Germany could turn off the spigot to the natural gas like that. If it is a valid threat from Germany with us, together, we might be able to deter Russia. But simply turning the gas pipeline off now and sanctioning it is like being a hostage taker and saying ``We don't want you to do this, and we have your hostage'' and then going ahead and shooting the hostage before you get what you want.

We should threaten sanctions. The threat of sanctions has power. Once you turn them on and you have no plan to turn them off, you have no leverage over Russia and you do nothing.

The commitment or the agreement between Germany and the United States--the agreement says, ``This commitment is designed to ensure Russia will not misuse any pipeline, including Nord Stream 2, to achieve aggressive political ends'' or they will be met with sanctions. This could be a deterrence.

The more countries that got together and said this--an international community of sanctions can have some effect. One-country sanctions, particularly against its ally, Germany, will have no effect.

The rush to impose sanctions now undermines the threat of sanctions to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine. When you put sanctions on now and you offer them nothing and no way to remove the sanctions, how are you deterring anything? In fact, you might well make them angry enough that they actually do act in response to the sanctions in the opposite of what you have intended.

As today's debate unfolds, I think you will find that sanctions against Nord Stream 2 are more about mercantilism and protectionism than national security.

Mr. President, during the early morning hours of December 11, 2021, Kentucky endured a series of tornadoes that proved to be the deadliest storms in the Commonwealth's history. There was damage throughout Southern Kentucky and beyond. Roofs were ripped off and trees snapped like twigs, but in this difficult time our community continues to come together and help one another. Immediately after, volunteers from all around Kentucky and even outside the Commonwealth showed up to help clean up the debris. Despite the devastation, I am reminded that the unbridled spirit of our Commonwealth shines its brightest during these times of adversity.

Of the many heroes that emerged during this crisis were the people of Bowling Green Municipal Utilities who immediately responded to the destruction and worked collectively to restore electricity to countless homes. Bowling Green Municipal Utilities reported 24,000 of its 31,500 customers were initially without power and 52 transmission polls had been severely damaged. By the next morning half of these powerless homes had their electricity restored. This should have been time for the men and women of BGMU to enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Instead, they responded to the call of duty, working long shifts in the freezing cold. Because of their efforts, they were able to restore power to countless members of the community and provided relief to those most in need. We have a long road to recovery, but if we all display the perseverance our linemen and Kentuckians demonstrated, the Commonwealth will soon be back better than ever. I would like to personally thank people of Bowling Green Municipal Utilities for their continued service to all the impacted communities.

Mr. President, during the early morning hours of December 11, 2021, Kentucky endured a series of tornadoes that proved to be the deadliest storms in the Commonwealth's history. There was damage throughout Southern Kentucky and beyond. Roofs were ripped off and trees snapped like twigs, but in this difficult time our community continues to come together and help one another. Immediately after, volunteers from all around Kentucky and even outside the Commonwealth showed up to help clear the debris. Despite the devastation, I am reminded that the unbridled spirit of our Commonwealth shines its brightest during these times of adversity.

Of the many heroes that emerged during this crisis were the people of 5 Star Electric who immediately responded to the destruction. 5 Star Electric sent out 140 linemen to restore the electrical grid, and, after a second storm hit Christian County later in the month, sent multiple crews to Hopkinsville to provide assistance to the impacted communities.

This should have been time for the men and women of 5 Star Electric to enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Instead, they responded to the call of duty, working long shifts in the freezing cold. Because of their efforts, they were able to restore power to countless members of the community and provided relief to those most in need. We have a long road to recovery, but if we all display the perseverance our linemen and Kentuckians demonstrated, the Commonwealth will soon be back better than ever. I would like to personally thank the people of 5 Star Electric for their continued service to all the impacted communities.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week, I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, I am honored to recognize the Lenoxburg General Store of Foster, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

When Scott and Angela Horn took over the Lenoxburg General Store nearly 2 years ago, they inherited more than four walls stacked with merchandise. The illustrious history and culture of the store bring with it a tradition that the Horn's were determined to uphold and enhance. Founded by Sam Lenoxburg in 1938 during the height of the Great Depression, the General Store brought local farmers and tradesmen together for excellent meals and butchering services. It represented a gathering place for a rapidly expanding community and was the cornerstone of Bracken and Pendleton County. While large cities and towns had cinemas and famous diners to bring about this connection, it was Sam Lenoxburg's store that generated the communal culture in the tight-knit Kentucky town for generations.

Today, the Lenoxburg General Store continues to supply both general service and deli processing to its local clientele. The location remains a congregation hub, drawing folks from all over and the bordering counties to dine and shop with a traditional flair. Since the Horns took ownership, the store has branched into catering and offers delivery for local events across the community it serves. The location also hosts events of its own, including fish-fry contests and holiday celebrations. But most importantly, during this time, Angela and Scott have continued in their tradition of hiring within their community, serving as a boon to their local economy. This family-owned business has supported a community-first atmosphere in the store which attracts visitors and customers from surrounding counties.

Philanthropy and hospitality are crucial tenants to Kentucky's character, and the Horns exemplify these traits through their charitable work. Scott, the local game warden, has partnered with Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry to deliver more than 1,450 pounds of venison to more than 350 families in need. The Horns are also involved with national charities and use their business to contribute to the Bracken and Pendleton tourism committees, along with the counties' 4-H programs. Lenoxburg General Store was heavily involved in the preparation and execution of the Heritage Days in Augusta, the longest running event in the area. Scott and Angela are committed to serving their friends and neighbors and get involved whenever they can to improve the lives of those around them.

The Horns' dedicated approach to supporting the store's family-like atmosphere goes beyond their praised home-cooked specials. As business owners and operators, Scott and Angela go above and beyond for their community and demonstrate how small businesses serve as the backbone of towns across Kentucky.

Congratulations to Scott, Angela, and the entire Lenoxburg General Store team. I wish them the best of luck, and I look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Reserving the right to object, the Hyde Amendment was passed in 1976. This amendment prohibits Federal funds from going directly to pay for abortion. For 40-some-odd years, this has had some effect on trying to prevent money directly going from the taxpayer to fund abortion.

The reason for this amendment was that many people have profound religious beliefs that their money, their taxpayer dollars, shouldn't go to kill the unborn. This is a big deal, the Hyde Amendment.

Right now, currently, appropriations for the last 40 years have always had Hyde Amendment protections. But now we discover, under duress, the Small Business Administration admits that $100 million has been given to Planned Parenthood without Hyde protections.

So this $100 million, which is essentially about one-third of what they get every year from the Federal Government, has no Hyde prescriptions, no Hyde restrictions, and this money can go directly to those performing abortions. So the abortionist that does thousands of abortions each year is getting money directly from the Federal Government to pay his or her salary. This is a first in 40 years, and it is not a small matter.

This is an extraordinary thing that the Federal Government, for the first time in 40-some-odd years, is directly paying for abortions. This shouldn't happen.

This is worth a debate, and we only discovered this because of holding up a nominee to try to get information. The Small Business Administration has steadfastly hidden this information, tried not to reveal it and is slowly, little by little, giving some, which they gave yesterday a little bit more, but they have been resisting and resisting and resisting.

The Small Business Administration originally ruled that Planned Parenthood was a big business--an extraordinarily big business, a business with 16,000 people. Planned Parenthood themselves calls them ``affiliates.'' They count their income all together. They pool their income and put out documents saying this is how much we have all together.

Thirty-eight of these Planned Parenthoods were sent a notice saying: You have illegally obtained this money. You are not a small business, and you should return it.

Supposedly, these entities then protested and appealed the process.

The Small Business Administration, after months and months and months, still refuses to reveal the appeals process or what the complaints were. We have not gotten those documents, although we asked repeatedly for these documents.

This nomination does directly have to do with this because, whoever is in charge of PPP, you would want someone to be an honest broker who says: By golly, this looks suspicious. How come this information is not being revealed to Congress? How come Congress is not allowed to see this?

The Small Business Administration will say it is confidential. That does not apply to Congress's oversight. That might apply to releasing it to the public, but that doesn't apply to Congress's oversight of the Small Business Administration.

This is an extraordinary thing that has happened--$100 million given directly to pay for people to do abortions. It is outside the scope and contrary to the scope of the Hyde Amendment, and it is something worth having a significant and prolonged and protracted battle until all the documents are revealed.

Madam President, I object.

Mr. President.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I have consistently opposed spending outside of the budget unless it is offset by spending cuts elsewhere. It is not only an opinion I hold, it is actually the law. It is called pay as you go.

We passed the law many years ago--more than a decade ago--to try to balance our books by having people come forward with things that sound good, want to spend it but not offset it by spending cuts elsewhere.

There is no question that the United States has been a very good ally of Israel. Over time, probably funds exceeding $80 to $100 billion have been expended to Israel over the last four decades. Just on missile defense, the United States has given Israel $7 billion: $1.6 billion for Iron Dome, $2 billion for David's Sling, and $3.7 billion for Arrow. In fact, the NDAA that just passed this week gives them another $100 million for this.

I am not disputing whether or not the extra billion dollars would help them. I will vote for the extra billion dollars, and that is what I will propose today. But it should be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.

There is a $3 billion fund that is left over from money we were giving to the Afghan national government. There is no Afghan national government. There is a bunch of hoodlums, the Taliban, who have taken over.

I asked Secretary Blinken: Can you assure me you are not going to give these funds to the Taliban?

He says: It depends on how they behave.

So it isn't so certain that this money is not going to go to the Taliban. The current law may say future money goes, but this old money, and we don't want it going to the Taliban. We think it should be better spent.

It is money that can be reclaimed. Why wouldn't it be a good thing to take money that might go to our enemy and actually give it to our ally? It makes perfect sense. Why would we be so obstinate that we are unwilling to take a pay-for? It is a pay-for that is sitting there waiting for us to use.

Three billion dollars is supposed to be given to the Afghan national government. It no longer exists. Let's take a billion of that, let's give it for Iron Dome; let's give $2 billion back to the Treasury. It sounds like a win-win-win all around.

Why can't we, for once in our lives, spend money on something good and take away money from something where we shouldn't be spending it? This money was never intended to go to anything but the Afghan national government. They don't exist anymore. We should reclaim that money, spend a billion on the Iron Dome, and put $2 billion back in the Treasury. It might be the first time in decades that we actually did something fiscally responsible around here. But that is a problem. I don't understand why we can't do it.

So I would--rather than just give another billion dollars out of the Treasury that actually makes us weaker, makes us more in debt, let's offset it by taking money that is in a fund for an entity that no longer exists.

So, Mr. President, I, therefore, ask the Senator to modify his request so that instead of his proposal, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 140, H.R. 5323; further, that the only amendment in order be my substitute amendment, which is at the desk. I further ask that there be 2 hours of debate, equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; and that upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Paul substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time, and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President.

Reserving the right to object, I think it is very important that the American people know and those who support Israel know that we can get this done today. We can get a billion dollars additional, in addition to the $100 million, in addition to the $7 billion we have already given to Israel, in addition to the $80 to $100 billion we have given to them over the decades--we can do an extra billion today. All I am asking is that it is paid for.

The objections coming from Democrats is that they are unwilling to pay for the Iron Dome spending so, in reality, the funding won't happen today because of Democrat opposition to Iron Dome being paid for. It can happen right now. All you got to do is agree to take money from a defunct fund to a defunct entity. Three billion dollars is in a fund to an entity that no longer exists. The Afghan national government no longer exists. This is such an easy pay-for. This one is dangling low fruit that we can pay for. You can get exactly what we want to do, that is a billion dollars extra, in addition to the money we already have given Israel for Iron Dome, but pay for it. That is a responsible way. So I object.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have the attached issuance of the Government Accountability Office's Decision B-33501 printed in the Congressional Record.

Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an

outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business, Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q of Bowling Green, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Kaye and Phil Huffer purchased Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q in 1999. Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q's founder, Ned ``Smokey'' Nickerson, began serving up his signature Monroe County-style barbecue in 1969 when he established the restaurant. To prepare this southern Kentucky staple, the meat is prepared with no spices before being smoked over hickory wood. The hickory-smoked meat has a distinct flavor and is served with a vinegar- based sauce. Before his family bought the business, Phil regularly made the 100-mile round trip from Bowling Green to his hometown to purchase Monroe County-style barbecue. Noticing the absence of this particular style of barbecue in Warren County, Kaye and Phil decided to run a barbecue restaurant. They bought Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q, welcoming their first customers in March 1999.

More than 20 years later, Kaye and Phil continue to serve up some of the best barbecue in Bowling Green. Folks drive from all over the Commonwealth to enjoy their delicious cuisine and family-friendly hospitality. Kaye and Phil's care and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q's restaurant and catering business. Even the charcoal is made on site, using hickory wood from local sawmills. Their son Scott has also joined his parents in dedicating himself to the restaurant's continued success.

Together, Kaye and Phil seek to give back to their community in any way possible. Through Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q, Kaye and Phil regularly support community organizations, including Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY. When their son, Matthew, was born preterm, they turned to the Children's Hospital for support. Now, Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q is a longtime supporter of the hospital, supporting their mission to continue helping children overcome health challenges.

Over the years, Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q's unique cuisine has been profiled by local and national media. It is currently rated as TripAdvisor's No. 1 Quick Bites in Bowling Green, and Grubwire named it the best restaurant in Bowling Green in 2019. Additionally, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association honored Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q as the 2018 Pork Restaurant of the Year. For more than a decade, locals have voted Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q as ``Best of Bowling Green'' in BG Daily News's annual readers' choice awards. The restaurant was also featured in the Food Network's ``Feasting on Asphalt'' series hosted by Alton Brown.

Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q is a remarkable example of how hard work and ingenuity can turn a dream into reality. Small businesses like Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q form the heart of towns across Kentucky and regularly step up to support their communities. Congratulations to Phil, Kaye, and the entire Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q team. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Mr. President, I move to discharge S.J. Res. 31 from the Foreign Relations Committee.

Mr. President, the most common cause of famine and starvation is war. Saudi Arabia's air and naval blockade of Yemen has led to thousands and thousands of deaths in Yemen from lack of food and medicine. The United States should end all arms sales to the Saudis until they end their blockade of Yemen.

President Biden said he would change the Trump policy of supporting Saudi's war in Yemen, but it is not all that apparent that policy has changed.

Today, we challenge the Biden administration's sale of $650 million worth of arms, including air-to-air missiles in Yemen.

Just 2 months ago, the Biden administration approved $500 million worth of arms, including maintenance for attack helicopters that are used in Yemen.

Some want to differentiate offensive weapons from defensive weapons, but, really, even defensive weapons can be used to allow a country to absorb attacks in order to continue their offensive operations.

The real question is not an artificial designation of weapons as offensive or defensive but whether Congress is serious about using the leverage of arms sales or withholding arms sales to end the blockade in Yemen.

That the Biden administration continues to reward Saudi Arabia with weapons seems to indicate that President Biden is not really serious about withholding arms sale to end the war in Yemen.

Indeed, if this administration were serious about ending the Saudi blockade, they could do one thing, and this thing would end the war tomorrow, would end the blockade tomorrow. The Saudis, I think, would immediately stop the blockade if this administration would stop sending spare parts and stop fixing the planes.

Bruce Reidel of Brookings writes that ``the Saudi air force would be grounded in short order'' if we quit sending them spare parts, quit repairing their aircraft. We could stop this war if we really had the will to do it.

All America should be appalled at the humanitarian disaster caused by the Saudi blockade of Yemen. For years now, ships that would otherwise carry food, fuel, and medicine are turned away by the Saudi-led coalition, depriving the Yemeni people of the necessities to sustain civilization.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries on the planet. They have to import their food. The blockade is killing their children.

Saudi Arabia's intervention in the Yemeni civil war is a chilling example of the cruelty of warfare by starvation. According to the United Nations, in Yemen 5 million people are one step away from succumbing to famine and disease, and 10 million more are right behind them.

We can start the process of ending this crisis by enacting this resolution of disapproval.

The children of Yemen who survive Saudi's barbaric blockade will inevitably tell their sons and daughters of the horrors of their youth, and those sons and daughters will tell their sons and daughters. Through oral tradition, a thousand generation of Yemenis will know of the Crown Prince's ruthlessness, and they will also know that it was the Americans who sold the weapons to wage this murderous campaign.

The reports from Yemen are literally a nightmare. The Washington Post reported recently of a 3-year-old boy who cannot walk or speak, who weighs 10 pounds--a 3-year-old boy who weighs 10 pounds. The images are grotesque. His face is ``skeletal.'' His arms and legs are as ``thin as twigs.'' He weighs 10 pounds. His father says that he sometimes goes days without any food.

And we are complicit. We are arming the Saudis and allowing this to happen. Offensive, defensive--they shouldn't get any of our weapons. We should stop selling them any weapons until they stop starving the country of Yemen.

The New York Times tells the story of a mother who, after 3 days of failing to get a ride, carried her 8-month-old while walking 2 hours to reach medics to treat her child's acute malnutrition. But even after a week of treatment with enriched formula, the boy still lay motionless on his hospital bed.

Tens of thousands of children have already died from disease and malnutrition from this war, and we should not be complicit. We should not be aiding the Saudis.

International aid agencies, which also have to fight the Saudi blockade to provide assistance, put it this way:

The people of Yemen are not starving. They are being

starved.

The Saudi's siege of Yemen is made possible because of American weaponry. The arsenal provided by the United States includes billions of dollars' worth of military aircraft and thousands of air-to-ground munitions.

Only weeks ago, the Biden administration approved a new $650 million sale of 280 advanced medium air-to-air missiles and 596 missile launchers. As painful as it is to admit, the United States is an accessory to this Saudi savagery.

President Biden says the latest sale is merely to help defend Saudi territorial integrity, but the Commander in Chief's words do not match Saudi actions. According to William Hartung, the director of the Arms and Security Program for the Center for International Policy, ``the air blockade is enforced by a threat to shoot down any aircraft, military or civilian, that enters Yemeni air space. . . . The provision of air- to-air missiles gives further credibility to this threat, dissuading any government or aid group from bringing in crucial medicines or flying patients in and out of Yemen.

These weapons are not purely defensive. They are used as a threat to any aircraft that brings aid into Yemen, and they are part of the blockade. They are part of the problem, and it is our leverage.

These weapons belong to the American people. They may be made by private companies, but they are owned by the American people because we commission these weapons, and we should not give them to countries that are starving children and committing, essentially, genocide in Yemen.

In other words, no weapon is exclusively defensive, and continuing arms sales means continued death and destruction in Yemen.

We must end America's complicity in Saudi Arabia's war on the Yemeni people. If you believe in humanitarianism, if you believe America is a force for good that serves as a model for other nations to emulate, if you believe that the crushing of the Yemeni people must be stopped, then you must vote for this resolution of disapproval.

We have a chance to tell the Crown Prince that American arms sales will end until he gives up his starvation campaign. We can end the Saudi blockade and bring relief to the long-suffering people of Yemen.

Should we fail to seize this opportunity, history will not let us forget that America, the last best hope for humanity, failed to protect defenseless civilians from the cruelty of a criminal regime.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Anthony Charletta, an intern in my office, be granted floor privileges until December 17, 2021.

Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Imogene's Alterations of Bowling Green, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Located on Nutwood Street, Imogene's Alterations has served Bowling Green, KY, for over 20 years. Imogene Garmon, a longtime Bowling Green resident, embarked on her first career in the grocery sector. After 33 years working at the Kroger meat counter, she was ready for a new challenge. A self-taught seamstress, Imogene began selling fabric and doing minor alterations after leaving Kroger. Seeing a business opportunity, Imogene went on to establish a fabric shop. She thrived as a small business owner, serving the greater Bowling Green community. Word spread quickly of Imogene's talent as a seamstress. Request for alterations poured in, including everything from everyday clothing to suits and ball gowns. To meet the demand, Imogene decided to focus solely on alterations. She established Imogene's Alterations, providing full-time alterations for men and women's clothing.

Today, Imogene's Alterations continues providing alterations for all types of events and special occasions. This woman-owned business has grown along with the area, moving into its current location at Nutwood Street about 20 years ago. Customers are welcomed by name and treated like family. At 88 years old, Imogene continues to be involved in every aspect of her business. From operating the store to sewing alterations, her care and attention to detail are evident in her work. Her strong sense of family has built a tight-knit, supportive team.

Like many entrepreneurs, Imogene established a successful business while building community. As a mother, grandmother, and aunt, Imogene raised and continues to mentor generations of her family. Remarkably, Imogene founded Imogene's Alterations in her 60s. It took innovation and courage to pursue her goal, switching from the grocery industry which she knew well, to the tailoring sector.

Imogene's Alterations is a remarkable example of the resilience and adaptability of locally owned small businesses. Small businesses like Imogene's Alterations form the heart of cities and towns across Kentucky. Congratulations to Imogene and the entire team at Imogene's Alterations. I wish them the best of luck, and I look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Kentuckian, Lisa Pisterman, from the Schnitzelburg community of Louisville, KY. You may not know this unique neighborhood that dates back to 1866. But you are all familiar with historic communities that helped form the fabric of your own hometown or metropolitan area, and you have witnessed many of them struggle to preserve their unique heritage while remaining relevant in a modern economy.

To that end, Lisa Pisterman served as president of the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council during a very challenging period when the council had struggled to move forward. With Lisa at the helm, a new sense of unity and purpose has emerged, and great things are happening.

In addition to her leadership on the council, Lisa has served as one of the local historians, allowing natives of the community and newcomers alike to reflect on its history and envision what is to come.

Lisa is the author of ``Louisville's Germantown & Schnitzelburg'' and is currently working with other individuals to build the Germantown Schnitzelburg History Museum where visitors can study this community's contributions to our great Commonwealth.

As her friends and neighbors recognize Lisa this month as Schnitzelburg's No. 1 Citizen, I want to personally thank her for all she has done and continues to do for her community and to wish her great success in the future.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Day and Day Feed Mill, a family-owned small business in Columbia, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

In 1954, Garland Day established Day and Day Feed Mill in Columbia, KY. Garland decided to meet the need for a local feed mill providing dairy and beef cattle feeds and supplies. A family-run business from the start, Garland's sons, Allen and Bobby, took over Day and Day Feed Mill in the early 1960s. Continuing the family legacy, Garland's grandsons, Anthony and Gary Day, along with their cousin Ray Brock, stepped up to lead the business in the 1990s. Together, they rebuilt and expanded the business in 2009, building their new location on the same spot as the original Day and Day Feed Mill.

Today, Day and Day Feed Mill continues to thrive as a farm supply store and feed retailer. The family-owned business celebrated its 67th anniversary in 2021 and is led by the third and fourth generation of Days. The full-service farm and ranch supply store plays a critical role in Adair County, providing everything from agro-chemicals and seeds to fishing and hunting supplies. Additionally, the store supports local Kentucky small businesses, selling hand-crafted goods and gifts. The Days' strong sense of family has built a tight-knit, supportive team, with some families employed there for generations.

Like many small businesses, the Day family has consistently invested in and served their community. They regularly participate in local and regional events, ranging from agricultural fairs to hosting an annual customer appreciation event. Day and Day Feed Mill's outstanding service and high-quality products have consistently earned them recognition from industry groups and community members alike. They were recognized as Business of the Year by the Adair County Cattlemen's Association in 2012 and Outstanding Agriculturist of the Year in 2018 by the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce. For several years, Day and Day Feed Mill has consistently earned the Adair County Community Voice Readers' Choice Award in several categories, including Best Agriculture Store, Best Sporting Goods/Hunting Store, and Best Customer Service. Over the past year, Day and Day Feed Mills adapted to the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic and continued supporting local farmers as they kept the country fed.

Day and Day Feed Mill is a remarkable example of the critical role that small, family-oriented agricultural businesses play in rural communities. Small businesses, like Day and Day Feed Mill, form the heart of towns across Kentucky and play a critical role in Kentucky's agricultural industry. Congratulations to Anthony, Gary, Ray, and the entire team at Day and Day Feed Mill. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Reed Family Floral of Virgie, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

In January 2020, Evan Sykes founded Reed Family Floral. Evan, who grew up in Pike County, was inspired by his family's legacy of entrepreneurship. From 1981 to 2003, his great-aunt and great- grandmother owned and operated a flower shop called Reed Floral. After graduating from Shelby Valley High School and earning an AA from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Evan decided to honor that legacy and establish his own floral business. Starting with $500, he began making and selling wreaths. The business grew rapidly, enabling Evan to purchase a small building to house his operation. When Reed Family Floral expanded again, Evan had the perfect location in mind. In August 2021, Evan moved his business into the same building that had housed his family's flower shop decades earlier.

Today, Reed Family Floral has become a local favorite. As the owner and sole full-time employee, Evan handles every aspect of the business, from accounting and marketing, to floral design and delivery. He prepares flower arrangements for any occasion, including weddings, school functions, and funerals. Evan's floral arrangements are in demand year-round, especially around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Notably, Evan balanced his entrepreneurship and education. While running a full-time business, he is pursuing a BA in accounting at Morehead State University. As a nonessential business, Reed Family Floral was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns. Evan rose to the challenge, working with other small businesses to source supplies and adapting his contactless delivery options.

Like many small business owners, Evan is active in his community. Locally, Reed Family Floral has sponsored the Pikeville High School tennis team and the Shelby Valley High School cheer team. They provide arrangements for school events, and participate in local fairs. From day one, Reed Family Floral has valued customer service and high- quality products. Recently, they were recognized by local news outlet Mountaintop Media as one of the best flower shops in the area.

Reed Family Floral is a remarkable example of the critical role small businesses play in every aspect of building community. Small businesses like Reed Family Floral form the heart of towns across Kentucky, regularly stepping up to support their communities. Congratulations to Evan and the entire team at Reed Family Floral. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.