Floor Statements

Mr. President, I served on the Senate Judiciary Committee for over 20 years, including the last 4 as chairman.

During that time, I voted on thousands of judicial U.S. attorneys, U.S. marshals, and Justice Department nominees.

Every nominee who has gone through our committee--everyone--shares one thing in common, whether nominated by a Democrat or a Republican President, every single nominee has undergone an FBI background investigation--everyone.

President-elect Trump has the right to nominate his preferred candidates for Justice Department and judicial vacancies, but the Judiciary Committee plays a critical role in offering advice and consent on nominations, which includes receiving and reviewing the results of FBI background investigations.

After weeks of reports that President-elect Trump planned to bypass the FBI entirely, it was a relief to hear that the Trump transition team had finally signed an agreement this week to allow the FBI to conduct background investigations.

But I remain concerned about whether President-elect Trump will require all his appointees to undergo the process. Listen to what the New York Times reported:

Despite the signing of the agreement, it remains unclear

whether [the] Trump's team plans to send the names of all

officials requiring a security clearance or Senate

confirmation to the F.B.I. for vetting.

If President-elect Trump's nominees are not required to submit to the same FBI vetting procedure as previous nominees, it makes you wonder what they are hiding.

The practice of the FBI conducting background investigations is not a new idea. The nominations investigations of the President's nominees dates back 70 years to the Eisenhower administration, and it applies to every Senate-confirmed position, including more than 1,200 positions in the executive branch, 900 Federal judicial nominees, 93 U.S. attorney nominees, and 94 U.S. marshal nominees. Every single one is subject to an FBI investigation.

You might ask yourself, Why is it so important to vet all these nominees? Consider the views of Noah Bookbinder and Gregg Nunziata, former Democratic and Republican counsels on the Senate Judiciary Committee, who, on a bipartisan basis, reviewed hundreds of nominees' background investigations.

They wrote in the New York Times:

Without nominees being scrutinized by the F.B.I., the

danger is that neither lawmakers nor the public would know

whether they are trustworthy or have issues that compromise

their ability to do the job or [even] their loyalty to the

United States.

As Mr. Bookbinder and Nunziata noted in their op-ed:

A nomination was never scheduled for committee

consideration without the committee receiving an F.B.I.

background check, reviewing it and clearing the nomination to

move forward.

By design, positions that require Senate confirmation are of great importance. These individuals make critical decisions that protect America, our national security, and affect many thousands of American lives, including who is investigated, who is charged with a crime, and how the justice system operates.

It is absolutely critical that people nominated to these positions are upstanding citizens who can be trusted with sensitive life-or-death government information, people who will be immune to blackmail or foreign influence and are truly loyal to the United States.

President-elect Trump has reportedly considered using a private investigative firm to conduct these background investigations. That is unacceptable for one basic reason. First, when the nominees submit their paperwork to the FBI as a part of their background investigations, they are on notice that lying or concealing material facts is a felony--a felony. The same goes for individuals who agree to speak with the FBI about nominees' character and fitness. In comparison, there would be no penalties for misleading a private investigative firm.

Second, the FBI's resources in determining if a nominee poses a risk far outweigh any private firm's capabilities. Seasoned agents at the FBI field offices nationwide are deployed to pull records, interview individuals, and report their findings.

Finally, any private firm paid by the Trump transition team would have an unavoidable conflict of interest. They would have an incentive to clear the backgrounds of nominees so they would get more business from the transition team. By contrast, the only motive for FBI agents is honoring their oath to the Constitution.

It is the duty of President-elect Trump to pick nominees of his choosing. It is also the duty of the Senate, under the Constitution, to carefully examine the record of each nominee before this body. To fulfill this constitutional duty of advice and consent on nominations, the Judiciary Committee must continue to receive background investigations conducted by the FBI for every single nominee.

We owe the American people a transparent transition of power, but that is only possible if the incoming administration follows longstanding, established practices ensuring that the President's nominees can be trusted in a position of power.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Sarah Davenport to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.

Ms. Davenport's impressive career as a dedicated public servant for nearly two decades, combined with her Federal court experience, will make her an excellent addition to the Federal bench.

After earning her bachelor of music from New Mexico State University and her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law, Ms. Davenport began her legal career at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico, where she has spent the entirety of her career.

Ms. Davenport first served as a law clerk for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit. She then served as a special assistant U.S. attorney, where she prosecuted drug trafficking, immigration, and firearms offenses. In 2009, Ms. Davenport became an assistant U.S. attorney, primarily handling complex drug trafficking and money laundering investigations.

Since 2022, she has served as a supervisory assistant U.S. attorney, where she oversees prosecutors in her office who handle immigration, firearms, drug trafficking, white collar, and violent crime offenses.

Ms. Davenport has the strong support of her home State Senators, Mr. Heinrich and Mr. Lujan. In addition, Ms. Davenport was rated unanimously ``qualified'' by the American Bar Association.

I urge my colleagues to support Ms. Davenport's nomination.

I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Sinema) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Sinema) is necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla), and the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Sinema) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, in 2004, the city of Quincy, IL, elected a new mayor. In musing on how he intended to lead, he said: ``It's not about me. One person can't make everything happen. You've got to have a team.'' And while it may be true that great leaders need great teams supporting them, John Spring was the kind of leader, mayor, and community advocate you wanted leading your team. Today, it is with great sadness that I share the news of John's passing.

A native of Rock Island, IL, John graduated from Quincy College where he met his future wife Karen, who sadly passed away in 2021. They were married for 50 years. A theme that remained consistent throughout John's life was his dedication to serving his community. He first answered the call to service through teaching. John worked as a teacher in St. Louis and in the Quincy Public Schools, before he was hired at Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1976 as a biology teacher and assistant basketball and football coach.

His time at Quincy Notre Dame would provide him with one of his first leadership opportunities, when halfway through the school year, he was asked to put aside his teaching duties and serve as the school's first full-time director of development. He readily accepted the challenge. However, what John was not told when he was offered the job was that the school was in financial trouble, having borrowed more than $100,000 from a local bank to cover operation costs. For many, raising that sum of money would be an overwhelmingly daunting task. But believing in the importance of investing in quality educations for young people, John went to work. Soon after, the school's first fund drive--a way to raise money to cover the gap between the cost of running the school and the amount of tuition the school must charge--was born. It has since become a mainstay of Quincy Notre Dame's fundraising efforts.

Proving his leadership abilities and commitment to the school, John went on to become the executive director of the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation for 29 years. He loved the work. So, what might have compelled him to leave that role? A call to serve his community in another manner: as mayor. He first experienced Quincy's political scene as a member of the police and fire commission, and when then-mayor of Quincy Chuck Scholz decided in the fall of 2004 not to run for a fourth term, John once again answered the call to serve his community. His vision was simple: making life better for everyone in the community.

John served as Quincy's mayor for 8 years. He was a community favorite. During his tenure, he focused on updating transportation infrastructure and regional partnerships as a way to foster long-term economic growth. And, surprising to no one who knew John, he found success. During his tenure, he led successful efforts to expand Amtrak service to the city, upgrade Maine Street, and implement a multiyear infrastructure plan. And during the 2008 recession that saw many communities suffer, under John's leadership, Quincy opened new businesses, lowered taxes, and helped the county report the second-best employment record in the State.

His contributions to the community did not go unrecognized. In 2018, John was inducted into the Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame, and recently, he was selected as a 2024 delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Like every good elected official ought to be, John was an attentive listener, a caring community member, and a truly decent man. In all things John did, he led with compassion, humility, and grace. He was a visionary leader who truly represented the best of us. Time and time again, his community called him to serve. And time and time again, he answered the call faithfully. Until the end, John would send my staff and me community updates and ideas to improve the lives of the citizens of West Central Illinois.

Loretta and I send our deepest condolences to John's children-- Stacey, John, and Mike--and seven grandchildren as they cope with his tremendous loss. It was a privilege to call John a friend, and we will miss him dearly.

Mr. President, if you walk around the streets of Chicago and ask people about how they get to and from the city--or around it-- each day, I am sure many of them would tell you: Metra. Metra transports us to Cubs games--in fact, its busiest ridership day was November 4, 2016, during the Cubs World Series victory parade--and it makes sure we can get to work on time. Simply put, the people of Chicagoland depend on Metra rail to get from point A to point B safely and reliably. And this year marks 40 years of Metra's service to our city.

Chicago has a rich history when it comes to rail. A century ago, Chicago was the envy of cities across the country, with the largest public transportation system in the world. But by the late 1960s, the system was failing. To put the system back on track, in 1974, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) created the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). After a decade of reorganizing, restructuring, and reimagining what commuter rail could look like and who should be in charge of operating it, in 1985, Metropolitan Rail--or Metra--was born.

Since then, Metra has grown into a remarkable operation. With 243 stations on 11 rail lines, Metra is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the country and the largest outside of New York City. Not only do I represent a State that has long been the railroad center of the country, but working railroads is a tradition in my family. I grew up in East St. Louis, IL, and both of my parents worked for the New York Central Railroad. My two brothers and I also worked for that same railroad. Because of this, I care deeply about making rail travel as good as it can be for Illinoisans. And Metra continues to deliver. It emerged from the pandemic with steadily improving customer satisfaction that hit 92 percent in 2022. Then, in 2023, Metra opened the year by securing its largest ever Federal grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Mega Program: $117 million to rebuild 11 bridges along its Union Pacific North Line. And by the end of last year, Metra had seen the largest ridership increase of any transit agency in the Chicago region--a 37 percent increase--providing more than 32 million rides.

But Metra does more than just transport people; it responds to the needs of our city. Look no further than their All Stations Accessibility, or ``ASAP'' Program, an effort for which Metra was awarded more than one Federal grant to make its stations, trains, and platforms more accessible. While the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities and requires newly constructed buildings to be fully accessible, several legacy stations in Chicago remain inaccessible. Metra's ASAP initiative aims to make all stations accessible by 2038. Additionally, Metra ensures accessibility as it concerns affordability. In 1984, a one-way ticket to the farthest station cost $5.80. Today, you can travel to the same stations for just $6.75, which would cost $17.50 if that 1984 price kept up with inflation.

Metra also has made a substantial commitment to sustainability. As the climate crisis impacts our planet, sustainable transportation has been an increasing sector of interest. Metra knows this, and they will be among the first in the Nation to operate zero-emission train sets. These train sets will allow Metra to retire some of its oldest, most polluting diesel locomotives and reduce their carbon emissions, making Chicago's transportation cleaner and more reflective of the city's value of sustainability.

A final example that demonstrates Metra's commitment to Chicago is

their proposal to reconstruct and improve the 59th-60th / University of Chicago Station stop. These improvements are crucial because they will support anticipated ridership increases to the Obama Presidential Library, making the space more accessible to Chicagoans and visitors.

For so many Illinoisans, Metra is essential to getting around the Chicagoland area in an affordable and accessible way. Metra is public transportation that is just about as good as it comes. I join people across the Chicagoland area in thanking Metra for its 40 years of service to our city. Here is to many more years of safe, efficient, and dependable service.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Rebecca Schatz, a member of Senator Butler's staff, be granted floor privileges for the duration of the day.

Tom Carper. Mr. President, it was late on a Friday afternoon in the 1990s

when a staffer handed a letter to Delaware's then-Governor Tom Carper. The letter from a girl named Melissa read: ``I am writing to the governors of all 50 states to ask the same question: What is the secret to happiness?''

``Dear Melissa,'' the Governor replied, ``serve others. Sincerely, Tom.'' That was it. For then-Governor, now-Senator Tom Carper, that simple selfless bit of advice--``serve others''--could sum up his entire political career and his life. He is moderate, bipartisan, and relentless.

As chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Tom Carper helped lead the fight to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant investment ever--ever--to tackle the climate crisis. The law also helped lower healthcare costs and energy costs and strengthen America's energy security--what a combination.

Tom Carper was a key author of the largest long-term infrastructure investment in the history of the United States, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

As the last Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Senate--think about that for a moment: the last Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Senate--Senator Tom Carper was a key force in passing many laws, including the Agent Orange Act of 2009; the PACT Act, to provide healthcare for veterans sick by exposure to burn pits and other toxic hazards; and a measure I authored with him that allows the VA to provide modest compensation for family members serving as caregivers for severely injured veterans.

Tom Carper has also encouraged a generation of young people to enter public service and run for office. Next month, one of those people, one of those public servants who got her start as an intern in a congressional office that Tom Carper handled, will take his place in this body. Lisa Blunt Rochester will be the first woman and the first person of color Delawareans have ever sent to the U.S. Senate.

Thanks, Tom, for showing her and countless others the importance and dignity of public service.

Mr. President, the Biden-Harris administration will go down in history as arguably the most productive and consequential administration in the last 75 years. They couldn't have done it without a good partnership in Congress.

Today, I want to thank five Democratic Senators who played key roles in the historic achievements of this Congress and many others. They include chairs of four committees and one subcommittee, and they will all be leaving when they finish up their work this month.

I have more words of thanks for other departing colleagues and will deliver those soon.

Collectively, these five Senators have given nearly 135 years of service to the U.S. Senate. They represent not only a good deal of this body's institutional memory but a large share of its heart and its conscience as well.

Senator Ben Cardin. He has served for 58 years in State and Federal office. Through it all, Ben Cardin has been a pillar of decency, modesty, civility, and good-faith bipartisanship.

As a longtime member and now chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin has worked to place America's most fundamental values, including human rights, at the center of our foreign policy.

In 2009, I traveled with Ben Cardin to Bosnia, Lithuania, and Belarus. Together, we saw the tremendous esteem in which he is held globally. He is a true statesman.

In 2012, working with Senator John McCain, Ben Cardin authored perhaps his most important achievement--the Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. In 2016, Congress expanded the reach of that accountability by passing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Following America's lead, more than two dozen other nations have since passed their own Magnitsky sanctions laws.

Recently, the Netherlands honored Senator Ben Cardin for his leadership with its Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance. In accepting that honor, Ben said:

We need to keep hope alive that with patience and

persistence, we can create a world that is safe and peaceful

and prosperous.

Ben Cardin's work in this Senate shows us how we can create just such a world.

Joe Manchin. As chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee since 2021, Senator Joe Manchin has been a decisive force on America's energy and environment agenda. He was a key player in passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Independent analyses project that law will reduce U.S. carbon emissions by 40 percent by the year 2030 compared with 2005--if we give it a chance to work.

Joe Manchin was elected to the Senate in 2010 to fill the legendary vacancy created by the death of Robert C. Byrd. While he arrived here following the footsteps of a legend, he leaves behind some pretty big footprints himself.

Debbie Stabenow. In the year 2000, Senator Debbie Stabenow became the first woman ever elected to the Senate from the State of Michigan, but, as she says, it doesn't matter if you are first unless there is a second and a third.

Her leadership and example have undoubtedly persuaded more women to run for and win public office, including in the Senate. America is better for it even if we still have a long way to go.

As a longtime member and now chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, she wrote much of the bipartisan 2014 farm bill and coauthored the 2018 farm bill. There is no other Senator on the floor of this body who has the competence, skill, and track record of Debbie Stabenow in the field of agriculture, forestry, and nutrition. She is simply the expert and has taught herself an arcane body of law to a degree that most of us just don't even comprehend.

Eight months ago, she unveiled the foundation for a strong, new farm bill containing hundreds of bipartisan provisions. More than ever before, these farm bills that Debbie has helped to write meet the needs of farmers in rural communities, while also protecting low-income seniors, moms with kids, and people with disabilities in need of affordable groceries.

In addition, Senator Stabenow has been a leader in protecting one of our greatest natural resources--and I know this one as well--the Great Lakes, including her pivotal role last year in advancing the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a project with a long name but with a simple purpose: stop the invasion of the carp into the Great Lakes, which could be devastating to the future of those great bodies of water.

I know her Oldsmobile dealer father would be proud of the way she fought to save the U.S. auto industry when others were ready to give up on it. Debbie never gave up on the auto industry. She became our most forceful champion of that provision.

I am sorry that Debbie, just a few days ago, lost her mother, who was an extraordinary woman herself. But her mother, I am sure, was deeply proud of the time that Debbie spent her entire career prodding government to work for everyone, not just those who are well-connected.

I am proud to call Debbie my friend and colleague.