Floor Statements

Mr. President, summer camp is a great memory for so many of us. You think about the good times we had, at the right moment in life, with a lot of friends, learning the basics of swimming, archery, target shooting, and other things, like camping out--memories you carry for a lifetime, wonderful memories, a rite of passage for many individuals and families, a family tradition passed on to younger siblings and, ultimately, to our own children and grandchildren.

There are so many images in our minds, over the last several days, as to the tragedy that occurred in Central Texas. I know I speak for millions of Americans when I say we are heartbroken over the flash floods that devastated Central Texas this past weekend.

Early Friday morning, while most were fast asleep, a foot of rain fell onto Texas Hill Country. This deluge floated to the Guadalupe River, causing it to rise by 26 feet in 45 minutes--26 feet in 45 minutes.

Near the Guadalupe, a girls sleep away camp, Camp Mystic, which had been there for 99 years, was all but destroyed by the floods. Already, that camp has confirmed that 27 of their campers and counselors died in that flood--27.

I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those campers and counselors.

Tragically, the flooding in Texas continues to take lives. More than 100 people have perished. That number is expected to grow, sadly, in the coming days.

In the midst of this disaster, I am heartened by the kindness and courage shown by the first responders and volunteers. Twenty separate agencies, at every level of government, have come together to help save lives. At Camp Mystic, the counselors, many of whom had just graduated from high school, risked their own lives to save younger campers. We will never forget that bravery.

This disaster has impacted people of both political faiths-- Republicans and Democrats--and Independents as well.

I want to say this, and I say this on reflection of my career in the House and the Senate: I have never, to my knowledge--never--voted against disaster assistance for people in other States than my home State of Illinois. There, but for the grace of God, go my people that I represent. And I would hope that the Senate and the House would stand together, Democrats and Republicans, and say we are going to be there for the victims of this disaster.

I pray that we find the missing loved ones and that we take the necessary steps to stop another tragedy like this from occurring.

Mr. President, this weekend, across the country, we observed our Nation's 249th Independence Day, a day intended to celebrate a government of, by, and for the people, in Lincoln's words. But this Independence Day was anything but a celebration in one respect, and that is because, this Fourth of July, the President and congressional Republicans decided to sign their so-called Big Beautiful Bill, and in so doing, they retreated from the values that our Founders etched in the Declaration, ``that all Men are created equal,'' not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Americans across this Nation overwhelmingly oppose this bill--and for good reason. You see, this bill signed by the President on the Fourth of July is the largest cut in healthcare and the largest cut in nutrition assistance in history, slashing more than $1 trillion from healthcare programs like Medicaid and $200 billion from the SNAP program.

Seventeen million Americans will lose their health insurance. Health insurance premiums will rise for another 20 million Americans. Three million people will have food taken off the table, including kids, seniors, and veterans.

I can't understand the celebration of the facts that I have just read.

I have heard misstatements. One misstatement was: Don't worry. The people we take off Medicaid will be the illegal immigrants.

They are not eligible for Medicaid, and they are certainly not in that calculation of 17 million Americans.

Why do we do these things? Why would any government do these things to so many innocent people?

In this case, very simply, it is to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations. The richest Americans will be seeing $400,000 more in tax cuts in their pockets every year because of this legislation. I don't know how their lifestyle--if you are a millionaire or something like that and you get a tax break of $400,000, what does that money do to change your life?

Well, I can tell you this: One thing that will change your life forever is to face a dramatic medical challenge in your family and not have health insurance to cover you. I have been there, and I have lived through that. It is something you never wish on anyone. And yet 17 million Americans, unfortunately, will lose their health insurance under this bill, the Big Beautiful Bill, signed by President Trump.

Despite a last-ditch effort--there was a failing attempt at buying votes and pretending to care about rural areas, like my area of Downstate Illinois--more than 300 rural hospitals and 500 nursing homes may be forced to close because of these cutbacks in Medicaid. That is because this Big Beautiful Bill cripples the Medicaid Program that keeps our rural hospitals and communities afloat. That includes HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, IL, where Medicaid pays for 53 percent of the hospitalization; St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, IL, where Medicaid pays for 42 percent of hospitalizations; and OSF St. Clare Hospital in Princeton, IL, where Medicaid covers 45 percent of the hospitalizations.

The administrators in these hospitals have warned us that this could be the breaking point. Many of these hospitals barely survive, barely keep their doors open. Now, all of these hospitals--already operating on the margins--may face impossible decisions to scale back services. For what? To pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country.

Aside from hospitals, there is also going to be a major consequence on American energy. I commend to my colleagues and those who are following this debate, in today's New York Times, an article by Thomas Friedman. He talks about the impact on energy from the decisions made by the signing of this bill.

This bill kills solar, wind, and EV tax credits enjoyed by companies and consumers alike, all but ceding the future of electricity to China and risking billions of dollars of investments in renewable energy-- ironically, mostly in Republican States.

While working families grapple with the consequences of these cuts, they are going to see the family home expenses increase by $1,000 a year. Utility bills are going up because of this bill--this bill signed by the President, the Big Beautiful Bill.

The Chicago Tribune recently shared a story of Isaiah Rogers, a 61- year-old man who lives in the West Pullman neighborhood in Chicago. Several years ago, Isaiah was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. As a result of this diagnosis, he has not been able to return to his job, trimming trees, and has been working small side jobs. Medicaid pays for Isaiah's doctor visits and his insulin.

A single father without a high school degree, Isaiah is concerned that the bill's cuts and changes to Medicaid will result in his losing his health coverage. And if Isaiah loses Medicaid, he will no longer be able to afford his insulin and other medications. He may face a diabetic complication or coma or even suffer a stroke. What will that mean to his 12-year-old son?

It is unconscionable to think that the other party would pull the plug on lifesaving health coverage and deny food to our most needy children, but that is exactly what they voted for and celebrated on July 4.

As Republicans moved this megabill through Congress, Democrats did our best, in the minority, to push back. Over the course of 27 hours, Senate Democrats forced votes on many amendments to put Republicans on notice and show their constituents what their real positions are on issues. It was the longest vote-arama in the history of the Senate. It included putting Republicans on the record, voting against nursing home care, home healthcare, food assistance for children of veterans, protections for Medicaid, clean energy jobs--and the list goes on. And an expansion of the child tax credit, an idea that has proven successful--all that was sacrificed to give billionaires tax cuts instead.

In the end, three sensible Senate Republicans looked at this ugly betrayal of a bill and agreed they couldn't be part of the process. I commend them. But, sadly, three votes on the other side of the aisle wasn't enough. We needed one more.

And who swooped in to cast his vote--the decisive vote? Vice President Vance. He showed up at the last minute and cast a tie- breaking vote in the Senate to push the bill across the finish line.

A few short years ago, then-Vice President Harris broke a tie in this very Chamber to pass the largest climate investment bill in history and to lower prescription drug prices for millions of Americans--what a sharp contrast. This Vice President cast a deciding vote that will be painful for so many families across America, and he could have done so much more and so much better for the people of this Nation. That is the difference in priorities. In politics, it basically boils down to: Whose side are you on?

As the effects of this bill take shape and slither their way through our communities, our Republican colleagues will have to look their constituents in the eyes and explain their votes. They will have to explain to a farmer who now must drive an additional 50 miles to the nearest hospital why they had to shut the community hospital doors. They will have to explain to the grandmother at a nursing home why her care is being slimmed down or eliminated because of cutbacks to Medicaid. They will have to explain to the young mother preparing to have a baby why there is no longer a maternity ward in her county.

This bill flies in the face of American values that we celebrate on the Fourth of July and everything we stand for. The other party has a lot of explaining to do, and the American people are going to face the consequences.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich), the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Rosen), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock), are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich), the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Rosen), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, we are here today debating a clumsily assembled package--still a work in progress--that would rip away healthcare from 16 million American families, give tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires, and the largest corporations.

Think about that for a moment.

Republicans have decided that the best avenue to generate revenue that they can then give in tax breaks to wealthy people is to eliminate health insurance coverage for 16 million Americans. That is going to have a dramatic impact on their lives. If you have ever been a young father with a baby with a serious medical problem, and you had no health insurance, you will never forget it as long as you live. I know; I have been there.

The notion of losing your health insurance leaves you as vulnerable as possible in some of the most important moments of your life. The day we consider this provision to eliminate health insurance coverage for 16 million families is unimaginable and cruel.

Let's not act like there is a unified Republican front on this issue. Even some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't want to be here at this moment, jamming this unpopular bill through this Chamber under arbitrary deadlines.

One of my colleagues took a look at tax breaks. You will hear them say over and over again: If we don't act, the average family has to pay more in taxes. There is a way around that. If we limit any tax breaks in this bill in this effort to people making $400,000 a year or less-- $400,000 a year or less--it virtually eliminates two-thirds of the cost of this undertaking, and it means you don't have to take away the health insurance of 16 million families. So there are ways to do tax breaks which make sense.

Count this Democrat in with the Republicans for helping working families who are struggling to get by, and a lot of them are living paycheck to paycheck. The notion that we would say to them: We are going to take away your health insurance; we are going to raise the cost of health insurance for you, that is no answer to their problems.

Behind closed doors, my Republican colleagues continue to be consumed with infighting, bickering over the bill's substance, and for good reason.

We have a process here which is almost impossible to explain to an ordinary person of how we reach reconciliation. The Parliamentarian's office--she is sitting here--and God bless you for what you have been through the last several months and all your staff--have to make decisions on a daily basis, over and over again, as to whether or not provisions in this bill are eligible under the law that governs the U.S. Senate.

We are in the process of debating this on the Senate floor. I see our ranking member on the Budget Committee--the Senate Budget Committee-- the Senator from Oregon. We are in the process of still appealing to the Parliamentarian's office on provisions in the bill. This is truly a work in progress.

I think what they do know is troubling, and it should be. This bill would be a disaster for hospitals. The Senate Republican bill, unfortunately, is going to endanger hospitals all over the United States. But if you happen to live in a small town, rural area--and I

represent a lot of them in the State of Illinois--you are the most vulnerable. You are the target. When they cut back on Medicaid Programs, these are the hospitals that will close their doors.

What is the impact of a hospital closing its door in a downstate community in Illinois? Devastating. Hospitals are not only the center for emergency medical care, good doctors, nurses, and such, they are also a major economic force in smalltown America. Take away a hospital and then try to attract a new business to your community--good luck.

This Senate bill cripples one of the main ways the States fund their Medicaid Programs and keep hospitals afloat, especially rural and low- income areas. It is called the provider tax. Earlier this week, a Republican Senator--a Republican Senator--circulated a flyer to his fellow caucus Members so they are all on notice detailing just how much each State will lose in Medicaid provider tax funding under the proposal.

Let's take a look at my neck of the woods, the Midwest. Iowa would lose $4.1 billion; Missouri, $6.1 billion; Kentucky, $12 million; Louisiana would lose $20 billion; North Carolina, $38.9 billion.

Senator Tillis and I were in a conversation yesterday, and he used that very same figure. His analysis says if we go forward with this bill, it cuts Medicaid reimbursement in his home State of North Carolina by a whopping $38.9 billion.

This list of States and what they will lose was passed around by a Republican Senator to his own caucus. They know what they are up against here. If Republicans have their way and pass this bill, hospitals will be forced to shrink or eliminate services. In Decatur, IL, one of the hospitals facing a crunch time had to make a decision whether to keep their doors open. They did, but they eliminated OB-GYN delivering babies and all mental health and addiction counseling--two critical areas for the hospitals.

So this bill will force hospitals to shrink or eliminate services. Doctors and nurses will leave and, in some cases, the hospital will close. Imagine in a rural area or remote area, an extra 45 minutes, an extra hour in the car with somebody in the front seat you love very much who is in a desperate situation. As it stands today, half of the rural hospitals around the country already operate in the danger zone, and it is the same thing for children's hospitals. If you have one in your community you use--I do. These children's hospitals have warned us they can't keep their doors open if Medicaid is cut as dramatically as the Republicans want to cut it.

If Republicans have their way, we are going to see massive layoffs, fewer nurses, technicians, and doctors, along with decreasing quality of care.

The American Hospital Association has estimated how these cuts to Medicaid could impact not just jobs in red State hospitals but across the entire economy. Here is what they found. If the Republican provision goes through that cuts Medicaid reimbursement in order to provide tax breaks for wealthy people--Maine is an example of one State. They would lose 5,000 jobs; Kansas, 6,200 jobs; Iowa, 11,000 jobs; Missouri, 26,600 jobs. I have talked to the administrator of BJC in St. Louis, MO. The reason is, it is not just a Missouri hospital. They have facilities on the Illinois side of the river. In fact, one- third of their patients are from Illinois, and one-third of their patients, overall, use Medicaid to run their hospital. He has told me what is going to happen if the Republican measure goes through and cutbacks to these hospitals.

They came up with, incidentally, the rescue fund to solve the political problem. I want to check and make sure Senator Murray can back me up on this. Our overall cut in Medicaid now is about $1 trillion?

One trillion dollars, imagine. This is Washington we are talking: cutting Medicaid nationwide $1 trillion and the rescue plan for the small hospitals that are in danger--the ones that I talked about--$1 trillion cut. How big is the rescue plan? It is $25 billion. Do the math. It is a joke. It is a joke.

If Republican leaders think this is an adequate amount to alleviate pain, all of our Nation, through our hospitals, are going to feel like that is trying to put out a forest fire with a garden hose. This simply won't work.

I want to conclude by saying this. We passed the Affordable Care Act 15 years ago. Of all the things that I worked on in Congress, I think it had more positive impact to help the families across America than anything. We found a way to make health insurance more affordable for families 15 years ago. And to do it, we held hearings, 100 hearings on the Affordable Care Act--ObamaCare is what they called it--roundtables, walk-throughs. Two committees spent a combined 21 days holding markups so everyone could offer an amendment.

Do you know how many amendments were made to the ObamaCare program? Four hundred. There were 400 votes in committee and on the floor on amendments. One hundred forty-seven Republican amendments were included, though not a single Republican Senator ended up supporting ObamaCare when it was all over.

What do we have here with this measure, at the end of the day? That legislation, ObamaCare, allowed more than 40 million Americans to gain health insurance. Today, how many hearings have we had on the bill that is before us, this dramatic multitrillion-dollar bill? None. Zero. Not a single one. There are zero markups for Senators offering amendments. There were 400 amendments on ObamaCare--none on this one until it has come to the floor today with zero bipartisan input.

Our friends on the Republican side have said, basically, it is a big deal. Take it or leave it.

Should this bill become law, do you know what we will have done? Thrown 16 million Americans off health insurance and closed many vulnerable small hospitals--all to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. Maybe some of my Republican friends are OK with that. I don't think the American people are.

I am hoping that sanity and commonsense prevail. We need four. We need four Senators to step up and say: Stop this train. We have got to sit down and do our homework. We cannot expose the American families and the American economy and do this in the name of preserving tax breaks for the wealthiest people. Elon Musk seems to be doing OK in life, right? He is the wealthiest man in the world. Do you know what the tax break will be for Elon Musk on the bill that is before us on the floor? It will be $346,000--a lot of money. To him, he won't even notice it. They are giving him a tax break he won't notice and taking away health insurance from families who will be devastated--16 million around the country. It is an important choice, and we should make the right one.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I don't believe you can serve in the U.S. Senate without being, at least, an amateur student of history. You are overwhelmed in this Chamber, which is where the Senate has met since 1859, to reflect on all of the things that have occurred in the past, and you remember your own experience there as well. I certainly do.

This is my 29th year of service in the Senate, and I think back this evening to some of the things which I have witnessed and that still stick with me.

I can still see that door open and Ted Kennedy walk through it, summoned from his deathbed in Massachusetts to cast the deciding vote on the Affordable Care Act, ObamaCare. He wouldn't miss it, even if it meant he was going to die in the process.

I think of that door over there, when President Trump, in his first term, tried to, basically, eliminate the Affordable Care Act, and it was saved at the last minute, at 2 in the morning, when John McCain came through those doors, stood in the well right by that table through the Republican side, and cast his vote no. He couldn't raise his arm, it had been damaged so badly when he served as a prisoner of war during Vietnam, but you knew how decisive his gesture was. And he saved healthcare for millions of Americans.

There were other moments as well that I can reflect on, but the point I would like to get to is this: There was a speech a few minutes ago on the floor of the U.S. Senate which every Senator should have heard, particularly every Republican Senator.

The Senator from North Carolina gave a speech--Senator Tillis--and explained why he decided to vote against this Republican budget plan, this reconciliation bill. He explained it in a thoughtful and comprehensive and convincing way. But before he made his decision, he turned to Republicans in the State and Democrats and a neutral third party to analyze the bill. He concluded, after that careful study, that this measure, the changes in Medicaid and Medicare and other health programs, would be a disaster for the State of North Carolina.

He had made it clear before tonight that he was going to vote against this bill, and he made it clear this morning that he is preparing to retire from the Senate.

I felt his statement was compelling, and I am sorry that there weren't other Members on the Republican side, at least one beyond the Presiding Officer, present to hear it.

It is seldom that you hear a speech on the floor of the Senate that you know is so personal and so heartfelt and so meaningful as the statement made by Senator Tillis earlier. He made a decision, which will be widely reported, I am sure, and showed a level of political courage which is seldom seen in this Chamber.

He basically said in a positive way that the President was wrong in believing that this wouldn't hurt ordinary people. This Republican measure, which is before us tonight and tomorrow is going to hurt a lot of people.

We estimate that 16 million American families will lose their health insurance as a result of this measure that is on the floor today.

I have said it before, but I want to repeat it. If you have ever been the father of a new baby with a serious medical problem and you have no health insurance, you will never forget that moment as long as you live. I know. I have been there.

I went to the charity ward at Children's Hospital as a student of Georgetown Law School with my wife and baby. We waited in line to see which doctor would walk through the door and see my baby and save her life. You feel that you have let everyone down in the world at that point when you don't have health insurance when you need it so badly. It means so much to you.

This bill is designed to take health insurance away from 11 million families in America. Eleven million families in America in a period of time will not have peace of mind that they have access to the best care because they will have lost their health insurance.

What is it about Donald Trump taking away coverage of healthcare? Why has this become the trademark of the Donald Trump Republican Party? He did it in his first term. He tried to, but John McCain stopped him, and now he is trying to do it again.

The question is whether Senator Tillis and his Republican colleagues can muster enough courage to step up and find four Republican Senators who will say: No. No. I am not going there. I don't want it on my conscious or my record that I took health insurance away from so many American people.

Now, you may argue: Durbin you are a Democrat--and I am--and your arguments have to be tempered because you are so partisan, so political. Surely it isn't as bad as you just said it was.

Well, let me read something to you. It is from a group called the American Cancer Society. I am sure you have heard of it. This is their Cancer Action Network, and it is a letter to the Senate from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Here is what she says about the measure that is pending before us now that we are being asked to vote on. It is from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:

History will be made with this vote. Congress has one last

chance to stop this unprecedented attack on access to

healthcare for millions of Americans, including cancer

patients and survivors. Congress can say `no' to terminating

health coverage for nearly 11 million people who will have no

other affordable option available to them if this bill

passes.

Currently, 1 in 10 people with a history of cancer have

Medicaid coverage, including 1 in 3 kids who are newly

diagnosed with cancer. We know having quality health coverage

is one of the most significant factors in whether someone

survives a cancer diagnosis. Voting for this bill means

voting to rip the chance of survival away from real people.

She goes on to say:

Simply put, this bill will mean more Americans are living

sicker and dying sooner.

Then she said:

Lives are on the line.

So if you are skeptical about anything that I say because of my partisan background, I understand. But for goodness' sake, when the American Cancer Society--they have such a definitive statement made that this measure we are being asked to vote on is going to harm innocent people--men, women, and children. That is a fact.

I might add another short message we received from the Children's Hospital Association. Matthew Cook is their president and CEO, and here is what he says about this bill that is pending:

The new version of the budget reconciliation bill is a

crisis for children's health care, hospitals, and providers

nationwide, and we ask Congress to oppose it as an act of

support for America's children. The bill goes

much too far. . . . The bill amounts to fewer doctors and

nurses to see your child, longer wait times, and sicker

children. We know that the impacts of poor pediatric health

care reverberate for a lifetime.

That is from the Children's Hospital Association.

Neither of these organizations is a partisan organization, and they have confirmed what Senator Tillis said earlier on behalf of the State of North Carolina and what those of us on this side of the aisle have been saying all along.

Why would we risk the lives and well-being of so many children, so many American families? What is it about the trillion dollars which we will take out of the healthcare system in America that is so pressing, so demanding that we are willing to make these big risks? I will tell you what it is. It is the extension of tax breaks--tax breaks for the wealthiest people.

Oh, Durbin, you Democrats always talk about billionaires and millionaires. It can't be true.

Senator Angus King is here. He told me that he did an analysis of the actual tax breaks. If I remember correctly, if you do a cut-off of income at $400,000 a year and say anyone over that figure is not going to receive any tax break, you would reduce the cost of this tax program by 60 percent or more--60 percent or more.

So when we talk about tax breaks for the wealthiest people in America, that is exactly what this is about. I want to give tax breaks, if we can, to working families that struggle paycheck to paycheck. For goodness' sake, a $346,000 tax cut for Elon Musk, the richest man on Earth? What are we thinking?

I just want to make quick reference to two States that have an experience coming with this bill, which will be dramatic. One is Kansas. In Kansas, 360,000 individuals rely on Medicaid coverage. Fifty-six percent of them are children. But with this bill, 89,000 people in Kansas are going to lose their health insurance.

In Kansas, Medicaid covers one-third of births and 58 percent of nursing home residents. What happens when Medicaid does not pay enough money to the nursing home to keep your mother in good care or your father or someone in your family? What do you do next? Well, you exhaust the savings that are available to your family. If that isn't enough, what is next? I don't know.

When I grew up, as a kid, there was a spare bedroom in my grandparents' home for brothers and sisters who had no place else to go. I suppose that is going to happen to some families.

Already, 28 rural hospitals in Kansas are at immediate risk of cloture. To think that this measure will have no impact on those families and those communities is just plain wrong.

In the adjoining State of Missouri--I grew up across the river, the Mississippi River; I grew up in Illinois; I grew up across the river from St. Louis, MO--1.2 million individuals rely on Medicaid coverage. Fifty percent are children. With this bill, 250,000 people in Missouri are projected to lose their health insurance. Medicaid covers 40 percent of births in Missouri and 65 percent of nursing home residents.

Already, 10 rural hospitals in Missouri are at immediate risk of closure. Mr. President, you know as well as I do what happens in smalltown America, rural America, when they close the hospital. It is devastating--not just because you don't have access to quality healthcare but because you just lost a major economic engine for that community. Try to attract a new business to that town after the hospital closes. Watch what you run into. It is that devastating.

That is the reality of this approach. And why are we doing it? What is the national energy that calls on us to make this change? Tax breaks for the wealthiest people in the America. That is what is motivating the Republicans now.

I want to close and just say thank you to Senator Tillis. He has shown extraordinary courage. The question is whether others will join him, whether four Republican Senators will step up and say: Enough. I have heard enough. I have seen enough. I believe this is wrong.

There are ways we can help people who need a tax break rather than the wealthiest people that won't damage some of these families. Eleven million, 16 million--whatever the number turns out to be--will lose health insurance.

I hope that we come to our senses and do it soon. I hope what Senator Tillis said on the floor will inspire Members of his own caucus to listen carefully, to know that he speaks the truth and has taken great political risk to say it.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, when the Senate considers the reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, it is my intention to make the following motions to commit to the bill:

(1) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

Armed Services of the Senate with instructions to report the

same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on

which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and

(2) restore funding for the Congressionally Directed

Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense to an

amount equal to not less than five percent real growth

annually over the fiscal year 2024 level through fiscal year

2029.

(2) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

Armed Services of the Senate with instructions to report the

same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on

which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and

(2) insert after section 20011 a new section appropriating

not less than $300,000,000 for the Ukraine Security

Assistance Initiative by using cost savings associated with a

prohibition on the procurement, modification, restoration, or

maintenance of an aircraft previously owned by a foreign

government, an entity controlled by a foreign government, or

a representative of a foreign government for the purposes of

providing presidential airlift options.

(3) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

Finance of the Senate with instructions to report the same

back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which

the Senate is not in session, with changes that--

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and

(2) strike provisions that would reduce funding that

supports biomedical research into cancer, amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, congenital heart

defects, and other critical conditions.

(4) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

Finance of the Senate with instructions to report the same

back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which

the Senate is not in session, with changes that-

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee;

(2) would eliminate provisions that cut Medicaid payments

rural hospitals in Maine, Alaska, Missouri, Kansas, North

Carolina, Louisiana, or West Virginia need to stay open; and

(3) would ensure big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay

a fair share in taxes.

(5) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

the Judiciary of the Senate with instructions to report the

same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on

which the Senate is not in session, with changes that

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee;

(2) increase funding to ensure personnel at the Department

of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are

addressing the creation and distribution of child sexual

abuse material, the fentanyl crisis, violent crime, political

violence, and terrorism; and

(3) restrict the funds described in paragraph (2) from

being used for mass deportations.

(6) A motion to commit the bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on

the Judiciary of the Senate with instructions to report the

same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on

which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--

(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and

(2) ensure that grant programs that fund victim service

providers or provide support or compensation to victims of

crime remain accessible or uninterrupted, and that any such

programs subject to administrative funding freezes or

terminations are restored.

Mr. President, Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Senator Peter Welch of Vermont support the motion to commit bill H.R. 1 to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and eliminate provisions that would cut Medicaid payments to rural hospitals in Maine, Alaska, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina, Louisiana, or West Virginia and ensure big corporations and the ultrawealthy pay a fair share in taxes. Senator Lujan and Senator Welch know the existing challenges rural hospitals face and understand the profound harm that this Republican tax scheme will have on our Nation's rural hospitals. I hope my Senate Republican colleagues join us in standing up for the hospitals in their States that would suffer under this Republican legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, the late Jack Valenti, the once Special Assistant to LBJ turned longtime President of the Motion Picture Association, once said:

Every good speech contains six words: Let me tell you a

story.

I have taken Jack Valenti's advice to heart. I have often told stories that might otherwise have been ignored--stories of the most vulnerable members of our community, those who might not be able to obtain the services of communications agencies, white-shoe law firms, and high-profile lobbyists. For decades, I have been honored to

have one of the best storytellers on Capitol Hill helping me.

For more than 20 years, Molly Rowley, my director of speechwriting, has helped shaped some of my spoken words. Monday, June 30, will mark her final day on my staff.

Molly is not from Illinois. Her family hails from Missouri, and she is always happy to remind us and our colleagues that her Kansas City Chiefs are regular playoff contenders and repeat Super Bowl champions.

She began her career as a newspaper reporter, but she eventually found her way into public service, writing speeches from New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio, the late-Senator Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania, and Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

In 2005--20 years ago--Molly came to my office after working for Senator Daschle when he was the Democratic leader of the Senate. Before leaving Senator Daschle's office, Molly had written a compelling floor speech that caught my attention. I went over to Senator Daschle and asked if he had a staffer who helped him write that speech, and he mentioned Molly.

Fast-forward to 2005, when I was the brandnew whip of the Democratic caucus looking for staffers with leadership office experience. Molly was the perfect person to bring on board.

Speechwriting is part art and part science but really not either one. It is translating complex policy issues into a compelling narrative. That is not always an easy thing to do.

For Molly, her process starts with a simple question: How would this affect the average family in Illinois? She has a knack for turning arcane legislative text into poetry, and she often did so with little time and even less background.

If you were to strike up a conversation with Molly, it would not take long for you to notice her passion for language, creativity, and a deep pride in her Irish roots, like so many in my home State of Illinois.

She was able to add some special Irish charm to many of my speech materials over the years, from immigration events to Chicago's notable St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Molly's source material knew no bounds. She would artfully weave into my remarks quotes from our Nation's Founding Fathers; landmark speeches of Presidents like Illinois' very own Abraham Lincoln; civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the late-Congressman John Lewis; prose of the Irish literary giants James Joyce and William Butler Yeats; and even hit Broadway musicals like Lin-Manuel Miranda's ``Hamilton.''

She excelled at uncovering obscure facts about a small town or community and using it as a centerpiece to tie a speech together. Whether ribbon cuttings for local health clinics, naturalization ceremonies, commencement addresses, or Senate floor speeches, Molly did so much more than prepare remarks; she found the heart of the story.

Molly's interest and commitment to social justice and civil rights has been evident not only in her work but in the way she participated in life on Capitol Hill.

A lot of history has been made in these hallways, and Molly has made herself a part of it, whether chronicling the lying in honor of Rosa Parks, State of the Union speeches by President Obama, or being seated in the middle of the room for the Judiciary hearings for the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be a Justice of the Supreme Court.

I am grateful to have had Molly as a member of my team for all of these years and to help me tell these stories. I am confident she will use her gift of words to raise awareness of current events, not just in her community and country but globally.

But, first, she will take a well-deserved break and explore Europe with her mom before returning to spend time with her beloved four- legged roommate Liam.

I will miss Molly's wisdom, skill, and rhetorical flourishes.

I would like to close my remarks with her own words about leaving Capitol Hill. Molly wrote recently:

My favorite part of the Capitol has long been the soft dips

in the stairs where the hard marble has worn down by more

than a century and a half of footsteps.

Those indentations always remind me that we are part of a

great continuum.

We do our best while we are here to protect our beloved

democracy and then we move on, hoping and trusting that those

who come after us will also safeguard this priceless gift.

Molly, on your watch, you kept this gift safe. I am glad to be part of your career on Capitol Hill and a recipient of so much good work. I wish you the best.

Mr. President, we know that our men and women in uniform are vital public servants. They shoulder an immense responsibility when protecting and safeguarding our communities. Each morning, when our officers put on that uniform and badge, they head into the line of duty not knowing what the day may bring. They may be called on to run toward danger. Or they may be put in harm's way. But despite the knowledge of this looming risk, our officers selflessly show up in service to others day in and day out, driven by a sense of mission larger than themselves.

So I am confident I speak for all of us in this Chamber when I say a how incredibly grateful we are to our police officers for their service. This is also why it is especially painful and tragic when one of our officers is lost in the line of duty. And it is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I speak about the passing of one of Chicago's own, Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera.

Officer Rivera was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, June 5 of this year. She was just 36 years old--her whole life still ahead of her--and leaves behind her 10-year-old daughter Bella. Officer Rivera was a 4-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, but called the city ``home'' for much longer. The youngest of three sisters, she was raised in Humboldt Park by her loving and proud Puerto Rican parents Yolanda Rivera and Eduardo Miguel Rivera.

Those who were fortunate to know Officer Rivera described her as a passionately protective spirit who loved boldly--a trait she no doubt inherited from her beloved mother, with whom she credited as her greatest motivation and inspiration in life. Her father, too, shaped her immensely. A preacher, he imparted to Officer Rivera not just a deep love of God, but a profound sense of duty and devotion to family.

At 18, Officer Rivera initially planned to join the Army, but soon felt a strong calling to serve her community as a police officer--and serve she did. While she served and juggled the demands of motherhood, she also pursued a separate goal. Her dream was to become a forensic investigator, a dream she actively pursued. Because of the values she lived for, it should come as no surprise that, within the precinct, Officer Rivera earned the nickname ``Mama 2''--one of two mother figures on the team. And for Officer Rivera, family was family--blood or not. She had a loving heart and touched countless lives.

Officer Rivera's funeral was held earlier this week, and hundreds of her fellow officers, friends, and family came out to pay their respects--because that is the kind of person she was. That was the impact she left.

And while she held many titles in life--daughter, officer, and ``Mama 2''--none were more important to Officer Rivera than the one she cherished most: ``Bella's mom.'' Her daughter Bella was her biggest priority in her life, and she poured all of herself into being her mom. In doing so, she gave Bella those same values her parents gifted her-- values I am confident Bella will carry with her as she continues through life. And so I want to close with a story about Bella.

This story was originally shared at the service for Officer Rivera earlier this week where she was laid to rest; it is worth recounting.

On the night of her mother's tragic passing, Bella looked Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling in the eye and asked him one simple question: ``Was my mom a good police officer?'' Officer Snelling responded, ``Your mom was an exemplary police officer . . . She was magnificent because, what I've often said about being an exemplary police officer, you first have to be an exemplary human being.''

To Bella, I would like to say: Your mother wasn't just a good police officer. She was a great one. And she wasn't just a good mother. She was an exceptional one. To lose your mother at that age must be an incredible pain. But, Bella, while painful, I hope you find comfort in her memory. Find comfort in remembering her kind smile and warm embrace. And find comfort knowing that, while she may be gone, she lives on through you--her sweet Bella--as you continue your own journey through this great ride called life.

My wife Loretta and I send our deepest condolences to Officer Rivera's family, including her mother Yolanda; her sisters Jacqueline and Yasmin; and her stepfather Roderick--along with Bella.

May God watch over you and wipe your tears during this difficult time, and may he continue to guide you today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, the Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have successfully challenged several controversial Judiciary provisions from the Republican so-called One Big Beautiful Bill. One example: The Republicans included a provision that would have limited the ability of individuals to challenge the Trump administration's Executive actions by potentially putting them on the hook for millions of dollars when they try to defend their constitutional rights and go to court. Fortunately, the Senate Parliamentarian struck this provision.

Now, I am proud of what we accomplished in eliminating some harmful provisions, but there are still a lot of problems with the Big Beautiful Bill. The more we learn about this bill, the worse it looks. Perhaps that is why there is a hurry to get this done before the Fourth of July and people can take a close look at the details. I cannot stand idly by as my Senate Republican colleagues try to steamroll this bill through Congress because the President wants to do something before the Fourth of July.

We all know the provisions relative to healthcare and what they mean. The version that came over from the House of Representatives would have stricken health insurance coverage for 16 million families in America. What a wonderful idea. What are the Republicans thinking? There must be some real emergency reason to take health insurance coverage away from 16 million families. Well, it turns out the reason is to give a tax break to the wealthiest people in America.

Oh, you Democrats; you always say that. It just can't be true.

Listen, it is true. If you take people making $400,000 a year, the tax breaks that are being given by the Republicans--60 percent of them go to people making more than $400,000 a year; and at the highest levels of income, the Elon Musk part of the world, $346,000 a year in tax breaks.

I have to say, I have met Mr. Musk. I don't know him very well, but I don't think he will miss it if $346,000 in tax breaks don't come his way. But I do think 16 million families will miss health insurance coverage. I know I would.

In 2021, when I was chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the Parliamentarian ruled against our efforts--Democratic efforts--to include immigration policy in a reconciliation bill even though the budget impact was more than $100 billion. At the time, the Parliamentarian wrote:

The reasons that people risk their lives to come to this

country . . . cannot be measured in Federal dollars.

That is still true.

Despite this precedent, Republicans' Judiciary title in the Big Beautiful Bill is a wish list of policy changes to help carry out mass deportations of immigrants who have lived in our country for years and pose no threat to our safety.

Let's get down to the bottom line here. If someone is living in this country, seeking citizenship, and they are dangerous, they commit a serious crime, as far as I am concerned, they are gone; they have forfeited any right to consider staying in this country or acquiring citizenship. But there are so many others who came to this country and overstayed a student visa, overstayed a tourist visa, and they are technically in violation of the law. What have they done with their lives? Look around, America. They are everywhere. They are working in your hospitals. They are working in your hotels. They are working in your restaurants. They are living next door to you, and they are going to church with you and your kids. These are people who are making America a stronger nation, and to brand them as criminals or rapists or terrorists without any proof whatsoever is just plain wrong. It is a shame that we have reached this point.

Don't take my word for it. Listen to what White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said: Wow. It is amazing what this bill, the Big Beautiful Bill, accomplishes--the full border agenda, the full immigration agenda.

These policies of mass deportation of immigrants are cruel and mean, and they go beyond any question of public safety.

This bill would impose exorbitant fees that would make it impossible for vulnerable immigrants to access humanitarian relief in the United States. This includes a $1,000 fee on asylum and a $5,000 bond for parents seeking to be reunited with their child. The fees also place barriers on due process: a $900 fee for an appeal in an immigration court. These fees are not just unconscionable, they are unfair.

The Republican reconciliation bill increases State and local law enforcement grants funding. That sounds good, doesn't it? Well, you are wrong. This provision specifically prohibits using grant funds for community violence intervention and prevention programs, which are proven, evidence-informed strategies to reduce violence.

We have a gun violence epidemic in America. Currently, guns are the No. 1 cause of death for American children and teens. Let me repeat that. In America, guns are the No. 1 cause of death for American children and teens. Not auto accidents, not cancer--guns.

We need to support and strengthen community violence intervention and prevention programs. I have seen them, and I have seen them work in the city of Chicago and all around the State of Illinois to stop violent incidents before they happen. And we need to connect people with treatment and tools that decrease the risk of future violence.

But instead of supporting valuable public safety measures, the Republican Big Beautiful Bill removes taxes and regulations on certain rifles, shotguns, and gun silencers. That is just what we need in America, isn't it--cheaper guns.

Combating this epidemic takes ingenuity and funding, not the reversal of lifesaving gun violence prevention policies. But Republicans' reckless reconciliation bill will jeopardize the progress that has been made in our communities.

To make matters worse, Senator Cruz of Texas has added a provision that would leave the U.S. AI--artificial intelligence--industry an unregulated Wild West. This provision would give

States the choice between regulating AI or accepting Federal funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. This means States would have to choose between freezing all regulations on artificial intelligence for the next decade or giving up specific Federal funding.

In addition to preventing new State regulations, it would make many of the laws already passed by States unenforceable regarding issues of AI, such as political deepfakes, face recognition, and algorithmic discrimination.

We are currently living with the results of our failure to regulate Big Tech when it came to social media. Let's not make the same mistake when it comes to AI.

This provision by Senator Cruz will allow Big Tech and bad actors to prey on the lack of regulations in the AI space and develop deceptive, biased, and potentially dangerous tools that hurt ordinary Americans and diminish trust in technology.

Senator Cruz claims the provisions would only affect a State's eligibility to receive a part of the $500 million Federal investment, but as my Democratic colleagues Senator Cantwell and Markey have pointed out, there is also a stipulation in the provision that would hold $42 billion in essential broadband program funding hostage. This would force States to choose between protecting consumers from AI- related harm or expanding critical broadband.

Senator Cruz's provision provides greater harm to the American people than good. And listen, it says that this will be for 10 years. I would like to say that I am confident the Federal Government would respond within 10 years, but there is still no guarantee.

I promise to support any amendment that will remove the AI pause provision from this bill, and I hope my Republican colleagues will do the same.

So now is the real test for my Senate Republican colleagues. Will they stand with President Trump and provide tax breaks for multimillionaires and billionaires or will they stand with their hard- working constituents and reject this betrayal?

What is more important, a tax break for Elon Musk or the health insurance of 16 million in America? What is more important, a tax break for the wealthiest people in America or your rural hospital?

I think people know that when it comes to the quality of life, the hospital is more important, and health insurance is critical.

I hope, for the sake of our country, four Republican Senators will have the courage to step up and choose their constituents over special interest groups.

I yield the floor.

I announce that the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) are necessarily absent.