Floor Statements

Mr. President, the past 18 months have been trying for our Nation.

Thankfully, the vaccine has brought normalcy back to the lives of many Americans. In record time, thanks to the hard work of the Trump administration and scientists across our country, we developed a safe and effective vaccine to protect Americans against COVID-19.

These vaccines show us what can happen through cooperation, ingenuity, and hard work. And I am grateful for all those who helped us get here. I got the vaccine and encourage everyone to talk to their doctor and consider doing the same. That is what we all should do: give Americans all the information and data so that they have everything they need to make a good decision for their family.

That is exactly what I did when I was Governor of Florida in the face of life-threatening hurricanes. I made sure Florida families were well informed. I went out and made sure everyone knew exactly what to expect and how dangerous the storm could be, but I didn't issue mandates because that is not what governments should do.

When I was Governor of Florida, we had the Zika healthcare crisis, which impacted newborns. Rather than placing mandates on pregnant women or restricting their travel to areas with local transmission of Zika, we simply informed Floridians, worked to be as transparent as possible, and offered free Zika testing to all pregnant women in Florida.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration has gone in the complete opposite direction. The White House has tried to use the new OSHA guidance to create fear; push another round of trillions of dollars in reckless, wasteful spending; lock down our Nation; close our schools; and kill the economy that so many Americans have worked so hard to preserve and protect.

Americans are sick and tired of the government telling them what to do, and the American people are more than capable of making the right choices to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.

As families and businesses in Florida and across the U.S. continue to work hard to recover from COVID-19's devastation, travel is critical to getting our economy fully reopened. America's truckers, shippers, pilots, and deliverymen and -women play an important role in delivering the goods needed to keep our economy going. Everything from gas and groceries to packages from small businesses and department stores, they help keep this country running. They also haven't had the luxury of working from home. For 18 months, they have shown up to work. They have figured out how to be safe without the feds telling them what to do.

But the job-killing Biden White House is now considering requiring those engaged in interstate commerce or interstate travel be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination and a vaccine passport.

The Federal Government has no business imposing vaccine mandates on the American people and our hard-working businesses. This proposal reeks of a power grab and is another attempt by the Biden White House to control

Americans. The Biden administration wants to control Americans through fear and mandates so the Federal Government is touching every single part of your life.

I won't stand for it. Americans won't stand for it. They know that such an order is an overreach of power. Americans should be free to make choices they feel are in the best interests of their own health and the health of their loved ones, and the Federal Government has no business requiring travelers to turn over their personal medical information in order to make a delivery or to catch a flight.

I believe Floridians and Americans across this country know what decisions are best for them. They don't need the Biden administration controlling their lives.

The Supreme Court has already ruled that the Federal Government can't force people to purchase health insurance under the Commerce Clause. Why would President Biden think he could do so with a vaccine mandate?

In December, President Biden promised--promised--he would not require Americans to be vaccinated or require that they carry vaccine passports--promise by President Biden. The new OSHA order breaks that promise. It has been one lie after another with this President.

Today, I am introducing legislation which will prevent unconstitutional vaccine mandates for interstate commerce. I am thankful for Senators Johnson, Lummis, Marshall, and Lee cosponsoring this legislation and for Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who is introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

We are working to make sure that families across our country can travel freely and businesses can conduct interstate commerce without the ridiculous government bureaucracy created by vaccine passports.

This bill would prohibit the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and other Federal Agencies from requiring proof of vaccination or the use of a vaccine passport to engage in interstate commerce or travel.

It protects people like my dad, who used to drive a truck and would carry goods across State lines. It protects the rights of American citizens, as laid out in our Constitution.

President Biden is trying to upend our way of life and impose his view of health on every American--and I am here to say that I won't stand for it.

Now, I would like to yield to my friends Senator Johnson and Senator Lee, as they will talk about this same bill.

Mr. President, under no circumstances should the Federal Government attempt to mandate these vaccines and require proof of vaccination in order to conduct business.

Small business owners who are trying to restart their businesses, families trying to take vacations, and truckers who are getting back to work shouldn't have to choose between living their

lives and meeting President Biden's demands.

Mr. President, the past 18 months have been trying for our Nation.

Thankfully, the vaccine has brought normalcy back to the lives of many Americans. In record time, thanks to the hard work of the Trump administration and scientists across our country, we developed a safe and effective vaccine to protect Americans against COVID-19.

These vaccines show us what can happen through cooperation, ingenuity, and hard work. And I am grateful for all those who helped us get here. I got the vaccine and encourage everyone to talk to their doctor and consider doing the same. That is what we all should do: give Americans all the information and data so that they have everything they need to make a good decision for their family.

That is exactly what I did when I was Governor of Florida in the face of life-threatening hurricanes. I made sure Florida families were well informed. I went out and made sure everyone knew exactly what to expect and how dangerous the storm could be, but I didn't issue mandates because that is not what governments should do.

When I was Governor of Florida, we had the Zika healthcare crisis, which impacted newborns. Rather than placing mandates on pregnant women or restricting their travel to areas with local transmission of Zika, we simply informed Floridians, worked to be as transparent as possible, and offered free Zika testing to all pregnant women in Florida.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration has gone in the complete opposite direction. The White House has tried to use the new OSHA guidance to create fear; push another round of trillions of dollars in reckless, wasteful spending; lock down our Nation; close our schools; and kill the economy that so many Americans have worked so hard to preserve and protect.

Americans are sick and tired of the government telling them what to do, and the American people are more than capable of making the right choices to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.

As families and businesses in Florida and across the U.S. continue to work hard to recover from COVID-19's devastation, travel is critical to getting our economy fully reopened. America's truckers, shippers, pilots, and deliverymen and -women play an important role in delivering the goods needed to keep our economy going. Everything from gas and groceries to packages from small businesses and department stores, they help keep this country running. They also haven't had the luxury of working from home. For 18 months, they have shown up to work. They have figured out how to be safe without the feds telling them what to do.

But the job-killing Biden White House is now considering requiring those engaged in interstate commerce or interstate travel be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination and a vaccine passport.

The Federal Government has no business imposing vaccine mandates on the American people and our hard-working businesses. This proposal reeks of a power grab and is another attempt by the Biden White House to control

Americans. The Biden administration wants to control Americans through fear and mandates so the Federal Government is touching every single part of your life.

I won't stand for it. Americans won't stand for it. They know that such an order is an overreach of power. Americans should be free to make choices they feel are in the best interests of their own health and the health of their loved ones, and the Federal Government has no business requiring travelers to turn over their personal medical information in order to make a delivery or to catch a flight.

I believe Floridians and Americans across this country know what decisions are best for them. They don't need the Biden administration controlling their lives.

The Supreme Court has already ruled that the Federal Government can't force people to purchase health insurance under the Commerce Clause. Why would President Biden think he could do so with a vaccine mandate?

In December, President Biden promised--promised--he would not require Americans to be vaccinated or require that they carry vaccine passports--promise by President Biden. The new OSHA order breaks that promise. It has been one lie after another with this President.

Today, I am introducing legislation which will prevent unconstitutional vaccine mandates for interstate commerce. I am thankful for Senators Johnson, Lummis, Marshall, and Lee cosponsoring this legislation and for Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who is introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

We are working to make sure that families across our country can travel freely and businesses can conduct interstate commerce without the ridiculous government bureaucracy created by vaccine passports.

This bill would prohibit the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and other Federal Agencies from requiring proof of vaccination or the use of a vaccine passport to engage in interstate commerce or travel.

It protects people like my dad, who used to drive a truck and would carry goods across State lines. It protects the rights of American citizens, as laid out in our Constitution.

President Biden is trying to upend our way of life and impose his view of health on every American--and I am here to say that I won't stand for it.

Now, I would like to yield to my friends Senator Johnson and Senator Lee, as they will talk about this same bill.

Mr. President, under no circumstances should the Federal Government attempt to mandate these vaccines and require proof of vaccination in order to conduct business.

Small business owners who are trying to restart their businesses, families trying to take vacations, and truckers who are getting back to work shouldn't have to choose between living their

lives and meeting President Biden's demands.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, currently, America's debt is barreling toward $30 trillion. This $30 trillion is hard to imagine. So think about it this way: That is more than $233,000 of debt for every American family.

On July 31, the suspension on the Federal debt limit expired, and now the Democrats in Congress, who continue to pursue a purely partisan, reckless tax-and-spending spree, are pushing this as a decision point with only two options: to vote to suspend the debt limit or increase it with no reforms to control excess Federal spending. They want us to write the government a blank check to spend more money that we don't have. The Republicans have been clear: We will not do it.

Now, my Democratic colleagues will say that the debt ceiling shouldn't be a partisan issue, and I completely agree,

but what we have seen from the Democrats this year has been purely partisan even by Washington's broken standards.

First, they passed a nearly $2 trillion so-called COVID bill that spent less than 10 percent of its funding on actually fighting COVID, without any Republican votes, and now they are pushing forward a $5.5 trillion reckless tax-and-spending spree--again, without a single Republican vote. This insane Democratic spending means we are on the dangerous path of reaching $45 trillion in Federal debt by 2031. That is not my number. That is what the Democrats' own bill says. The Democrats' own projections have their reckless spending taking the U.S. debt to $45 trillion in the next 10 years.

There are major consequences to this financial irresponsibility. Like any borrower, the Federal Government pays interest on its debt. When you rack up nearly $30 trillion in debt, that means hundreds of billions of dollars in interest. Who pays for it? The taxpayers. Right now, even with interest rates at historic lows, the U.S. Government is already spending nearly $345 billion yearly on interest. Instead of funding important infrastructure, defense, or the environment, nearly $345 billion in hard-earned tax dollars is just paying interest which provides zero return for American families. Just imagine how much that will grow when the U.S. reaches $45 trillion in debt. And when interest rates return to normal levels, things will get even worse.

Let's look at this.

Right now, about 11 percent of what we are going to collect this year will go to pay the interest. There is no return for taxpayers on this interest. Let's look at what is going to happen by 2031, and this is the Democrats' budget: 23 percent of total Federal receipts will go toward paying the interest. Now, that is assuming that interest rates stay low. Why would we believe that interest rates are going to stay low? Let's just look. We are having unbelievable inflation right now. When inflation goes up, interest rates typically follow. Assuming we have low interest rates stay low, like the Democrats do, we could be spending over $1 trillion on just interest by 2031. Imagine, if interest rates return to historical averages, our payments will be astronomical. The Federal Government brings in less than $4 trillion in revenues. So we will be spending roughly a quarter of all tax revenue on interest that does nothing--nothing--for taxpayers.

How can Congress justify that?

It is clear: Democratic spending has caused this massive Democratic debt, and it is time for liberals in Washington to own the debt crisis they have created.

Republicans have been clear: We won't stand for it. We won't vote to bail out the Democrats' out-of-control spending. We won't cut radical liberals in Congress more blank checks to bury our country in more debt, to drive up America's interest expense, and to fuel an already raging inflation crisis, hurting families across my State and across this country.

Just last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index was up 5.3 percent in 1 year--from August to August, 5.3 percent. Year-over-year comparisons show that inflation has gone up each month of Biden's Presidency. Government doesn't feel the Biden inflation, but everyday Americans do.

I am hearing from families all across my State--a father of three in Jacksonville, a mother of four in Wauchula--and small businesses in Miami. Another family in Kissimmee told us about how hard it is to keep food on the table because everything is getting so expensive. They are having trouble keeping their car because of the cost of maintenance and gas. Of course, without a car, they won't have a way to get to work and provide for their family.

It is heartbreaking to hear these stories. I can relate to this. I grew up in a poor family. My mom would take in ironing for extra money. She would give us exact change to go to the grocery store, and if the price of something went up, we just simply couldn't get it.

In the face of this hardship felt by so many families in Florida and across this great Nation, President Biden and Democrats here in Congress have zero interest in reducing the national debt and cutting their insane spending. Democrats have shown a heartless disregard for the struggles so many families in Florida and across America are dealing with right now.

It is time we bring accountability to Federal spending. Unlike our Democratic colleagues, Republicans have a solution-focused approach to fixing America's debt crisis. We know that the Federal Government can and must pursue practical measures to make it easy and relatively painless to cut spending. We can start that right now.

Earlier this year, I introduced the Federal Debt Emergency Control Act, which prevents Washington from mindlessly spending by requiring that two-thirds of the Senate vote to increase the debt before approving any bill with deficit spending, terminating any unobligated funding from the stimulus bills and sending it back to the Treasury General Fund for deficit reduction, and fast-tracking any bill reducing the debt by at least 5 percent over 10 years.

Today, I am joining my friend Senator Pat Toomey to reintroduce the Full Faith and Credit Act. This bill ensures that the U.S. Government does not default on its debt while also prioritizing certain payments to our seniors, military, and veterans.

It is commonsense policy like this that will move the United States forward and out of the massive debt crisis we are clearly already in. I welcome all fiscally responsible colleagues to join me to say: We don't accept the status quo. We won't watch in silence as Democrats try to spend us into oblivion. We can get spending under control.

While I was Governor of Florida, we paid down one-third of State debt by living within our means, all while cutting taxes. We can do it here. We have to start acting responsibly, and the time to do that is now.

Politicians in Washington want you to think this is so complicated. They want you to think that dysfunction is inevitable. That is a lie. It is a lie that a broken system and failed politicians up here have been telling you for decades, and it is time for that to end.

Getting America back on track is simple. It starts with passing commonsense reforms that rein in reckless spending, stop Congress from getting paid when it shuts down the government, and force Congress to stay in session until it passes a balanced budget. We keep our Nation on the right financial path by making sure Congress is constantly held accountable for its spending of taxpayer money. It is taxpayer money, every dollar of it.

It is time to stand up for those on fixed incomes and, of course, families whose income can't keep up with inflation. It is time to stand up for our grandkids, whose futures are being mortgaged by out-of- control Washington spending.

This isn't political. It is good government, and it is common sense. The longer we ignore the debt problem, the worse it will become not just for us but for future generations.

A debt crisis is here today. It will be American families who feel the effects of their government's lack of fiscal responsibility through inflation, higher costs, and rising taxes. That is not the America anyone wants. American families deserve better. Through smart legislation and responsible choices, we can be truly accountable to the American people and bring some stability back to the Federal Government's bank account.

Madam President, I call up amendment No. 3383 and ask that it be reported by number.

Madam President, earlier this year, we saw Hamas rockets rain down on Israel for 11 straight days. Children, like 5-year-old Ido Avigal, died in these attacks.

Following these attacks on Israel, President Biden's State Department said it couldn't guarantee that funding wouldn't go to Hamas. That is unacceptable.

We have seen horrible anti-Israel sentiment permeate the Halls of Congress. But we cannot, and I will not, accept the ignorance of some of my colleagues to the evil and devastation Hamas terrorists bring to Israel.

My amendment will ensure that any money authorized to the territory of Gaza will not end up in the hands of Hamas terrorists and allows for further sanctions against these terrorist groups.

This amendment is a commonsense way to protect American tax dollars, stand with our great ally Israel, and to continue our fight against the evils of Hamas terrorism.

I hope all of my colleagues will vote for this amendment.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders and community members who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night.

Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful to Chesed Shel Emes for immediately rushing in to respond following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy.

I would also like to thank Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, who serves as director of Chesed Shel Emes, and all of those who worked selflessly to support our Jewish community and provide comfort during this time of need.

Chesed Shel Emes did everything possible to make sure that search, rescue, and recovery efforts upheld Jewish law. Chesed Shel Emes worked tirelessly and relentlessly, offering resources, support, and comfort to the survivors and community in Surfside and to make sure that the needs of the Jewish community were met. This work was critical in helping to bring comfort to families who lost relatives, giving them faith that their loved ones were being cared for appropriately and respectfully.

The pain these families are experiencing is unimaginable, and Chesed Shel Emes was there every step of the way to make ensure the Jewish community's beliefs and faith were honored. They exemplify true loving kindness in both words and actions.

Chesed Shel Emes provided strength amidst tragedy. The community leaned on them to advocate for their needs and to be their voice. They helped every person who turned to them. They worked diligently, sensitively, and efficiently to help mourners cope with the unknown and provide assistance and guidance. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank the FL-1 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force--FL-TF1-- for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

FL-TF1 is one of 28 Federal search and rescue task forces overseen by FEMA, and its capabilities include search and rescue, emergency care, engineering expertise, and logistics. When they are not being dispatched to countries in crisis, many of them work for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as local firefighters.

FL-TF1 has responded to some of the world's most notable disasters, including earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and plane crashes, among others. They responded once before in their own community, when Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992. Their expertise and range of skills has made them invaluable in disasters and well-known internationally. These brave men and women dropped everything to selflessly assist in Surfside, a particular challenge since the tragedy affected their own community, and some had missing friends or loved ones.

FL-TF1 worked nonstop and with heavy hearts following the collapse in Surfside to provide comfort and closure for the families. They worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left the pile only when they absolutely had to. They braved conditions the likes of which we could never imagine.

I also want to thank FL-TF1 dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. We cannot thank these brave men and women of the FL-TF1 enough. They are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of an unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones.

We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want thank all of Florida's first responders who responded when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They immediately answered the call to serve, and firefighters, law enforcement officers, search and rescue crews, emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, and others from across the State of Florida came rushing in to try to save lives. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

Some of these responders lost family in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Rescue crews worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They conducted their searches with enormous care and diligence and closely worked with faith leaders to make sure that rescue and recovery efforts were done with the respect. They left their families and faced dangerous and life-threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes.

We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank Florida's brave law enforcement community for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty and came rushing in to save lives. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

Florida's law enforcement officers were on site within minutes of the collapse, and their rapid response saved lives. These brave men and women worked around the clock to support search and rescue efforts and provide protection and comfort to the entire Surfside community. They worked tirelessly, and they never gave up hope.

I would also like to thank the law enforcement chaplains who did everything they could to support the needs of those responding to the collapse and

all of the families that were impacted by this tragedy. The chaplains were a source of comfort and ensured that the emotional and religious needs of families and first responders were met.

The chaplains were instrumental in making sure families were constantly updated and that all of their questions were answered in both a timely and efficient manner, to the greatest extent possible. They provided as much transparency and kindness as they could during this unimaginable tragedy. We cannot thank them enough.

Law enforcement teams worked to recover personal property and religious artifacts and followed careful collection protocols. They worked around the clock to ensure all recovered personal property and family heirlooms were treated with the utmost respect and with great consideration for faith traditions when recovering items of religious significance. So many came together, as one, in the relentless pursuit to save lives. We honor the precious lives lost and pay homage to loved ones and all those that have suffered immensely.

Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep Floridians, and this was no exception. We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank all eight of Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams from Miami-Dade County, the city of Miami, Hillsborough County, Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Southwest Florida, North Florida, and North Central Florida for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to assist in search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams are deployed to aid communities following a natural or manmade disaster, and all eight deployed to Surfside to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Nearly 370 urban search and rescue members worked on-site, making this the largest nonhurricane deployment in Florida's history.

Some of these responders lost family in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Rescue crews worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left their families and faced dangerous and life-threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes.

I also want to thank Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Florida's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones.

We can never thank them and their families enough for their

bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of

this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside

community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones

of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve

the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders and community members who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night.

Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. Hatzalah is a volunteer emergency medical service organization serving Jewish communities around the world. We are incredibly grateful to Hatzalah of South Florida for immediately rushing in to try to save lives following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy.

Hatzalah of South Florida had a steady presence in Surfside, helping with the search, rescue, and recovery operation. They offered resources, support, and comfort to the survivors, families of the victims, and the entire community in Surfside. They provided medical services to evacuees, families of missing persons, and personnel involved in the search and rescue operations. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night.

Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy, and immediately following the collapse, Israel mobilized resources and personnel to help in the response. We are incredibly grateful to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for deploying the joint Israel Defense Forces--IDF--and Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation to Surfside following the collapse. I want to thank commander of IDF's National Rescue Unit in the Home Front Command, Colonel Golan Vach, for leading the search and rescue delegation and Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister, Nachman Shai, who helped to make sure the needs of the Surfside community were addressed. I am eternally grateful for their hard work and quick response to this terrible tragedy.

I also want to thank Israel's Consul General, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, and his team, who were on site working tirelessly to address the needs of the community and who worked alongside first responders and rescue crews to respond to the collapse.

Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command operates search and rescue missions in Israel and around the world, aiding in rescue and recovery efforts for disasters. Using building information modeling tools and technologies and careful measurements taken on site, the Home Front Command was able to generate 3D digital models of the building before and after its collapse. This, combined with information gathered from surviving family members and friends, produced highly accurate information to help the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Their efforts gave search teams from across the United States and around the world the most accurate and up-to-date information on where they should target their search efforts.

Israel responds immediately to emergencies around the world, and our gratitude is immense. Israel is a partner in every sense of the word. Their presence was greatly appreciated by the people of Surfside, the State of Florida, and the entire Nation. The Israeli rescue team demonstrated once again the kindness and strength that Israel provides. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to help local, State, Federal, and

international counterparts with rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met. We can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination.

The Israeli delegation succeeded in alleviating suffering and demonstrated what the Jewish state can mean to people thousands of miles away during the worst moment of their lives. The tragedy in Surfside shows the strength of the connection between American Jews and the Jewish state and that Israel is a great ally and friend to the United States. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders who responded to horrific tragedy in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night.

We are incredibly grateful to Mexico for sending its search and rescue specialists to aid in the response, including the ``Go Team'' of Cadena International, a Jewish nonprofit which has responded to more than 1,000 natural disasters and humanitarian crises since 2005. The Mexico-based team worked tirelessly in Surfside with search, rescue, and recovery efforts. We cannot thank them enough for their willingness to risk their lives for others in this incredibly dangerous work. They are heroes. Their commitment and willingness to serve will never be forgotten.

In the face of tremendous loss, the Cadena International team heeded the call to action, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank the out-of-State Urban Search and Rescue--USAR--teams from Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and emergency specialists from California for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

More than 440 USAR members from New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana were on the ground in Surfside to help supplement the search and rescue efforts. Florida is grateful for the outpouring of support from our fellow Americans. We are grateful for the task force teams that came from all over the country, traveling thousands of miles to work alongside local, State, Federal, and international counterparts in the relentless search for survivors. Their presence and efforts brought great comfort to the community and helped provide closure to the families of the victims.

Rescue crews worked tirelessly following the collapse, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left the pile only when they absolutely had to. They left their families back home and put it all on the line for the Surfside community. They braved conditions that the likes of us couldn't ever imagine.

I also want to thank the search and rescue dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue and recovery efforts. We cannot thank these brave men, women, and canine units enough. They are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones.

We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for swiftly heeding the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded within minutes of the collapse, and their rapid response saved lives. They worked around the clock, and they were tireless in their pursuit to try and find survivors. These first responders braved extremely dangerous conditions to find those missing and to bring comfort and closure to the families of the victims.

Many of these responders had friends or family lost in the collapse; yet they still answered the call. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue never quit, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left their families and faced dangerous and life- threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of these Florida heroes.

Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones.

I also want to thank the search and rescue dogs that helped this mission, along with the therapy dogs from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, who worked in shifts to provide relief and comfort to the victims and to their loved ones.

We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.