Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise today to honor, recognize, and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Smoky Valley Roller Mill in Lindsborg, KS.

On October 14, 1897, the Smoky Valley Roller Mill went up in flames, and while the communities' efforts to fight the fire saved the town, the mill was lost. One week later, Theodore Teichgraeber, owner of the mill, vowed to rebuild. By May of 1898, the mill was back in operation turning wheat into flour. The Smoky Valley Roller Mill would serve as a vital agricultural and commercial hub to Lindsborg and the surrounding region for over a half century, as the mill was in operation from 1898 to 1955 under the leadership of the Teichgraeber, Hagstrom, and Runbeck families.

Through the efforts of community members and the leadership of Malcom Esping, Mary Borg, and George Teserek in particular, the historic mill and original equipment were restored and preserved throughout the 1960s, `70s, and `80s. Through their hard work, Smoky Valley Roller Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The mill continues to be in good, working condition under the ownership of the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum and continues to serve as a historical treasure, cultural center, and landmark of the community. In fact, it is the only operable flour mill in the Midwest still using roller mills.

This year marks the 125th anniversary since Smoky Valley Roller Mill was rebuilt, and the city of Lindsborg will be celebrating the Mill's quasquicentennial anniversary at their annual Millfest on May 6, 2023.

I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 125th anniversary of the Smoky Valley Roller Mill, as well as celebrate all those who have contributed to the mill's 125 years of history and success.

Madam President, I rise today in support of the joint resolution for congressional disapproval striking down the President's revised definitions of waters of the United States.

As a fifth-generation farmer, I know how hard-working Kansas farmers work daily to protect our environment and conserve our precious resources. Farmers serve as our land's original and best stewards. We all want to leave this world cleaner, healthier, and safer than we found it.

Since coming to Congress, we have worked hard alongside our farmers and ranchers and rural landowners to ensure our waters become cleaner and healthier and, at the same time, protect our land and water from aggressive government overreach.

This includes working with the previous administration to roll back purposeless, ``one size fits all'' Federal WOTUS regulations that drive up the cost of doing business for Kansans and are detrimental to their ability to care for their crops and livestock.

As Kansas farmers, ranchers, businesses, and even municipalities know all too well, the Obama-era definition of WOTUS in 2015 dramatically expanded the Federal Government's reach with minimal improvements in water quality.

Today, this White House's reckless expansion of the WOTUS rule only adds more regulations, more redtape, and costs to everyday life in Kansas. This level of Federal overreach is harmful and ill-advised.

It is important to note that my colleagues and I requested the administration suspend the rulemaking until the Supreme Court completes its consideration of Sackett v. EPA. This would allow Congress to craft a lawful, predictable, and reasonable rule.

But this request has fallen on deaf ears. Moving forward with this rule is the administration's attempt to revive the Obama-era WOTUS rule, which was rightfully blocked in nearly half of the United States due to litigation in courts across the country.

Now, as the saying goes, history repeats itself, and a Federal judge recently blocked the implementation of the brandnew rule in Texas and Idaho.

Now, back home, my farmers are already bracing for the impact. In fact, I heard from one organization that said:

Farmers and ranchers should not have to hire a team of

lawyers and consultants to determine how we can farm our

land.

And I agree.

Kansan after Kansan I have met with on this issue has told me this administration didn't consider their input on the new WOTUS definition, further proof of the clear disconnect between DC bureaucrats and the hard-working farmers and ranchers who provide our Nation's food.

Agriculture, oil and gas, energy, the housing industry, road builders, bridge builders, construction workers, and municipalities have all voiced their disapproval of the rule and the costs of the negative impacts that its adoption will have on American industries and consumers.

It seems this administration only listens to radical environmentalists rather than the hard-working, pragmatic voices of the people who love the land which has been handed down from generation to generation, just like in my family--people who care every bit about the environment as any soul on Capitol Hill does. These are the same people who feed, fuel, and clothe America.

This rule is the Biden administration's attempt to federalize our waters

and take control of our private land and leave our producers with more questions than answers, more costs than gain.

In fact--get this--mitigation costs related to the current White House WOTUS may cost farmers and ranchers over $100,000 per acre. The value of this land itself might be $1,000, $2,000, maybe $5,000 an acre, but mitigation will cost us $100,000 per acre.

Let me ask a couple of simple questions: Should a dry creek that only has water run through it during a rain be a waters of the United States?

Should playas in western Kansas be a waters of the United States?

Should ditches draining into a dry creek bed be a waters of the United States?

Should water trickling off the terraces my grandfathers built 50-some years ago to prevent soil erosion and the tall lush grassy waterway that is home to pheasants and quail and turkey and deer and rabbits-- should this be a waters of the United States?

Under President Biden's rule, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineer will attempt to answer these questions on a case-by-case basis, meaning that the answer and the cost might change every time. That is no way to do business.

In a time of economic uncertainty, this unpredictable, ambiguous rulemaking will amplify the efforts of inflation felt by ag producers and American consumers. No American industry would be safe from the impending rising costs, all while the Biden WOTUS rule fails to achieve the goal of improved water quality.

The regulated community spent the better part of the last decade trying to operate under several different definitions of ``waters of the United States.'' We cannot allow the Biden administration to take us backward yet again.

Farmers and other ag producers are the original stewards of the land, and we all have a special interest in protecting the quality of our Nation's waters. Consistent and clear guidelines and regulations are key to such protections. We cannot keep moving the proverbial goalpost.

The Biden administration's failure to understand the ramifications of this is alarming. As Members of Congress, we must ensure agricultural producers and other stakeholders have the regulatory certainty to take care of our Nation's land and water resources, the lands and waters that we love, the lands and waters that we are leaving to the next generation--to my children and to my grandchildren.

I, therefore, urge the support of the Joint Resolution for Congressional Disapproval, striking down this administration's revised definition of ``waters of the United States.''

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today in support of H.J. Res 7, a bill that will immediately terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declaration.

Over a year ago, this body voted to end the COVID national emergency declaration. Actually, it has been a year and 26 days ago. Then, it was just 5 months ago that this body voted for a second time to end the COVID national emergency with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 61 to 37. Today, we hope the third time is the charm, that the rumors are true that the President will finally sign this legislation and end this chapter of physical, mental, and financial strife seldom seen in our world's modern history.

Emergency powers are given to the executive branch so the Commander in Chief has the flexibility to quickly act in the event of a crisis. That declaration was appropriate in 2020, but now it is time for the proper constitutional checks and balances to be restored. It is time to end any and all authoritarian control and unilateral spending decisions without congressional consent.

Many, many Kansans have asked me, ``What's the holdup, why is the White House waiting to end this emergency declaration?'' Well, sadly, I have to tell them, because the emergency declaration has allowed the administration to justify increased spending and push harmful mandates.

Under this national emergency, we have seen a massive increase in government spending across the board. This spending over the past 2 years has resulted in the highest level of inflation Americans have encountered in 40 years. The gross Federal debt has increased by $3.7 trillion--$3.7 trillion--since this President took office, an increase of 12 percent. We sadly watched as interest rate hikes, combined with skyrocketing inflation, have raised the amount of debt many Americans hold and made almost everything cost more.

On top of all of this, the authority granted to the President by this emergency declaration has been the direct justification for the White House's efforts to cancel as much as $20,000 in debt for Federal student loan holders--a plan that would cost taxpayers an additional $400 billion.

We all understand what it means when politicians say: Never let a good crisis go to waste. But it doesn't stop there. With the national emergency in place, the administration also moved to mandate vaccines for private companies with 100 or more employees. If not halted by the courts, this massive Federal overreach would have forced millions of Americans to choose between the jab or their job.

Next, the White House tried to force healthcare workers, Federal employees, contractors, and even members of our military to receive the vaccine against their choice. Thankfully, these were also halted by the courts across the country.

These are the consequences of a 3-year emergency declaration. Take a good look at the decisions made under this prolonged, supersized government rule, and you will quickly understand why our Founding Fathers warned of this type of abuse of power when they authored the Constitution and made it a top priority to keep each branch of government in line with systems of checks and balances.

I come to the floor today hopefully for one last vote on terminating this declaration.

Is the emergency indeed over? Well, our President himself said as much in a September 2022 interview on CBS's ``60 Minutes.'' I quote the President's direct words: ``The pandemic is over.''

Enough is enough. It is time to end this chapter and let Americans get back to their own lives.

I ask my colleagues to join me again in a strong bipartisan fashion in sending this resolution to the President's desk to end the national emergency declaration for COVID-19 once and for all today.

I yield the floor.

Vote on H.J. Res. 7

The joint resolution was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 26, a resolution to overturn the recent law passed by the DC Council to revise the city's Criminal Code.

I was pleased to join Senator Hagerty as an original cosponsor of the Senate's version he introduced in February.

The Nation's Capital is a unique American city in that it was established through the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in order to host the Federal system of government established by our Founders, separate from the authority of any one single State. Founded in 1790, the city has grown immensely since its earliest years and, with a population of nearly 700,000, has become one of the largest cities in the region.

In addition to the residents of this city and those who commute daily from neighboring Maryland and Virginia, Washington, DC, hosts nearly 20 million visitors on an annual basis--one of the most visited cities in the United States--as Americans from all

50 States, including my home of Kansas, come to the seat of their government to meet with their elected officials and visit the National Mall, memorials, and museums their tax dollars go to maintaining every year.

Sadly, as the Capital City has expanded, so, too, has the influence of the far-left politicians who serve as members of the council. Similar to their Democratic counterparts in the White House, Congress, and other U.S. metro areas, the DC Council has gone full tilt in giving the keys of this city to its criminals and vagrants and in failing in their duty to protect its inhabitants and visitors.

This culture of lawlessness--the same that is on display at our southern border, where just yesterday we learned that two of the four Americans kidnapped by the Gulf Cartel were brutally murdered--is a product of cashless bail laws and efforts to defund the police.

In DC, these efforts have come in the form of major cuts to the city's police department. In 2020, the council implemented a $15 million cut to their own police force--$15 million. Since then, the number of sworn officers has decreased steadily year over year, and, predictably, crime has been running rampant ever since. In 2021, more than 200 homicides were committed. It was the first time homicides surpassed 200 since 2003. In 2022, DC topped its mark again, and the trend is continuing in 2023. Crime is up 25 percent from this time last year; murders are up 33 percent; sexual abuse crimes are up 120 percent; and motor vehicle thefts are up 108 percent.

Shockingly, despite these staggering numbers, the DC Council, over the objections of the city's police chief and chief prosecutor, moved in November of last year to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce maximum penalties for these very crimes.

Thankfully, the same Constitution that established the Capital City gave Congress authority over the District, and while I am a strong supporter of local control, Republicans in Congress have taken an important stand to not stand by and watch as the radical DC Council further inflames the crimewave engulfing our constituents' Capital City.

I myself am afraid for my own wife to walk from our apartment to the Capitol. I am afraid for my own staff to walk from working here to their own homes. This last Christmas, I gave every woman on my staff a special device to be able to defend herself should she be attacked. This is real. We see it every day in this city. We see the crime everywhere we go. This city is no longer safe. This city no longer belongs to the people. This city now belongs to the criminals.

I know the Democrats in the House did not get the memo from the President in time that he would sign our legislation into law--that of overturning the DC Council's overhaul--but I am glad our colleagues across the aisle here in the Senate will be joining him in passing this important bill in order to blunt the crime victimizing the residents and visitors of this city and the efforts of the DC Council to return the District of Columbia back to being the murder capital of America.

Unfortunately, we know this is just a politically motivated move to protect their electoral chances in 2024. Lawlessness runs deep in the Democratic Party, and no matter how they vote today, much more must be done to turn back the harm they have done to our inner cities and at our southern border.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and recognize Commander Cade Keenan of the Missouri Air National Guard.

Cade Keenan, of Great Bend, KS, was recently named commander of the 139th Operations Support Squadron, 139th Airlift Wing, of the Missouri Air National Guard in St. Joseph, MO. In this role, Commander Keenan will lead 46 full-time instructor pilots, navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters, and other support staff of the 139th Airlift Wing.

Commander Keenan has served our Nation faithfully, with his first deployment being to Uzbekistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as regularly deploying throughout southwest Asia between 2003 and 2020. An expert in infrared weapons and defense systems, he instructed crews from across the USAF, USMC, and 10 partner countries in combat tactics for the C-130, C-17, C-160, and C-235 aircraft. As a command pilot, Commander Keenan has 4,764 hours in military aircraft, with 852 of those hours being in combat.

Commander Keenan has earned a certificate in electo-optical and infrared applications from the Georgia Tech Research Institute, a master of business administration from Colorado State University, and a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Kansas State University. He has also graduated from the USAF Advanced Instrument and USAF Weapons schools. Commander Keenan's extensive experience, wide breadth of knowledge on U.S. Air Force operations, and his impressive academic achievements give me great confidence in his ability to lead the 139th Operations Support Squadron. He will certainly make his country, the State of Kansas, and his community proud.

I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Commander Cade Keenan for his recent promotion, as well as thank him for his dedicated service to our Nation.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor, in my opinion, the Kansan of the year, Willie Fritz. Fritz is currently the head football coach at Tulane University in New Orleans, which saw unprecedented success this year, culminating in a thrilling victory over the University of Southern California in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

To give some background on Coach Fritz, he graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1978 and went on to be a dual sport athlete in basketball and football at Pittsburg State University for 4 years, both fantastic Kansas institutions. After multiple assistant coaching roles at various colleges--including Pittsburg State--Coach Fritz landed his first head coaching job at Central Missouri in 1997 and began his run of success as a head coach. He would stay at Central Missouri for 12 years and then went to coach at Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern before arriving at Tulane in 2016.

During his time at Tulane, his teams have played in three consecutive bowl

games from 2018-2020, winning two, but this season the program's success was historic for Tulane. Coach Fritz and the team made their mark first by winning Tulane's first-ever American Athletic Conference Championship after beating the University of Central Florida. The team then not only won the program's first Cotton Bowl, but did so in heroic fashion by coming from behind 28-14 at halftime and scoring 16 points in the final 5 minutes to beat USC and Heisman winner Caleb Williams by a final of 46-45. The team finished the season ranked No. 9 in both the coaches and AP polls at the end of the year. Following a 2-10 season in 2021 in which Tulane lost 17 players to season-ending injuries and were forced to play two of their home games on the road due to damage from Hurricane Ida, the 10-win increase marks the greatest turnaround in college football history.

The success for Tulane's football program didn't stop on the field though. This year alone, the team had 46 players receive Academic All- AAC honors and holds an 87 percent graduation rate. Both are true signs of the high standards that Coach Fritz certainly holds his team to.

For as much success as the team has had, I would be remiss not to mention a few of Coach Fritz's individual achievements. After the Cotton Bowl victory, Coach Fritz now has the most bowl appearances ever by a Tulane coach and now boasts a 236-119-1 career record. He was also awarded both the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation's 2022 Dodd Trophy and the George Munger College Coach of the year award. He is deserving of all these accolades and has also been recognized for his efforts on giving back and making a positive impact in the New Orleans community.

The only blemish on Coach Fritz's resume is that he had beat my alma mater, Kansas State, in Manhattan, KS, this season. Since he is a Kansan, I am willing to look past that one. I now ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Coach Fritz on an incredible season at Tulane. May he see continued success throughout his career.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and recognize the wonderful career of Amy Button Renz.

Like many, Amy began her career in Washington, DC, where she interned for both Senator Bob Dole and Representative Garner Shriver during the summer of 1974. After graduating from Kansas State University in the spring of 1976, Amy came back to DC, where she worked for Senator Roman Hruska until his retirement that December. Her time in public service was not over, as she moved back to Kansas to work for State Senator Ron Hein during the 1977 legislative session.

After her time in the Kansas Statehouse, Amy began her career with the Kansas State University Alumni Association in 1977. She would be named president and CEO of the alumni association in 1994, becoming the first female alumni director in the history of the Big Eight and later the Big 12 conference. Throughout her career, she has been crucial in the development of programming efforts, most notably as the lead fundraiser for the alumni center building campaign as well as serving as the chair of several search committees that have brought key administrator to Kansas State University. She has raised millions of dollars for student scholarships, and has always put the students of Kansas State University first.

Amy has been recognized for her servant leadership ceaselessly. In 2009 she received the Staley School of Leadership Mike Holen Outstanding Leadership Award, and in 2012 she was selected for the Directors Award by the K-State Marching Band. That same year, she was the recipient of the inaugural Amethyst Award, the University's highest award honoring those for their extraordinary contributions to K-State. Her influence extends past the university, as she was recognized with the Lyle Butler Distinguished Leadership Award from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce in 2020.

Amy is a third generation K-Stater, and has earned two degrees from the University, a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration. Her husband, Allen, is a K-Stater, as are her three children. Her last day at the Kansas State University Alumni Association will be on June 30th, 2023. Her leadership and devotion will certainly be missed, but always remembered.

I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Amy's outstanding career, as well as thank her for 45+ years of service to Kansas State University. Amy is a true inspiration to those around her, fighting ever fighting for a wildcat victory.

Mr. President, last Friday, during the annual March for Life, it was once again encouraging to see tens of thousands of young Americans travel to the National Mall to show their support for the most important human rights issue of our time: the right to life.

This year, we celebrate the 50th year that the March for Life has taken place, marking a significant, multigenerational milestone for this celebration of the sanctity of life. The fact that this event is now in its 50th year is a testament to the truth and justice of our mission.

I thank and congratulate everyone who kept this movement alive for the past five decades, and I especially want to thank all the brave pro-life Americans who made their voices heard as part of the March for Life.

For half a century now, Americans have brought their voices to Washington to halt the mass elective abortions of perhaps a million unborn American lives every year in our Nation.

Abortion is not a political issue to me; it is a human rights issue. And this is not a political battle we fight but, rather, the tip of the spear in a spiritual battle for the heart and soul of this Nation.

This year's momentous March for Life truly was a celebration, as our Nation's Supreme Court has finally freed us from the undemocratic, pro- abortion decision forced on the American people in 1973. My prayer is that our God will heal the emotional and physical wounds that were ripped open across this Nation by this ruling.

As we celebrate this victory for life, all of us should pause and thank God for giving us a majority of Supreme Court Justices who had the courage to overturn Roe v. Wade. This Supreme Court, by an overwhelming 6-to-3 ruling, defied the left's mob-style intimidation tactics, and in too many extreme cases, they overcame even the vile threats on their lives as well as on their families' safety and privacy.

The Court's majority stuck to constitutional principles and cast aside the pro-abortion status quo even in the face of threats by the current Senate majority party and its current majority leader. The way our Justices stood up to the opposition represents true leadership and the very best of America.

Let us commend our Republican Senate leader and the Senators who fought for the lives of the unborn, who, when we had control of the White House and the Senate, had the courage, the fortitude, the willpower, and the know-how to shepherd three principled Justices through the confirmation process and ascend to the highest Court in the land.

This tremendous lifegiving decision also would not have happened without Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and her team, who championed their State's pro-life law. They forever etched their place in history.

The rights and lives of millions of American human beings are now protected as a result of the Dobbs decision.

As an obstetrician, I had the honor and privilege to deliver over 5,000 babies, and I want all those who stood tall in the March for Life last Friday to know that, just like I fought for those babies in the delivery room, I am going to continue the fight beside you to protect the sanctity of life and to show our Nation that Congress values these precious lives as well.

At the Federal level, we, of course, have much more work to do on this issue. We must continue to ensure taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions so millions of Americans are not forced to violate our own beliefs.

We must combat this administration's effort to remove conscience protections for medical professionals--doctors, nurses, ultrasound techs, and so many others--who object to participating in abortion.

Perhaps most urgently, we must reimplement safety restrictions on the abortion pill. This unprecedented mass distribution of this pill by mail and over the counter that this administration is pushing will lead to thousands of women using it incorrectly, causing medical emergencies, possibly deaths and fetal malformations. If you don't believe this can happen, I just encourage you to spend some time in our emergency rooms, where I and many other doctors treat numerous women suffering complications from the abortion pill. Most of these patients are completely unaware of the potential side effects. Many are misdiagnosed or perhaps victims of just a horrible guess at the gestational age of the unborn baby.

But I think it is also important that we as a party and Congress also work to further support legislation to provide resources to moms and babies in need. This help would include more access to long-term nutritional, educational, economic, and social support, as well as healthcare. We must find more compassionate and effective ways to better encourage pregnant women who are contemplating abortion to choose life instead. We need to open the doors to pregnancy crisis centers for assistance throughout and, very importantly, after the pregnancy. Despite violent attacks, acts of vandalism, and harmful misinformation directed at these centers, they continue to provide

critically needed services to women all across this country.

I am also committed to dispelling the left's malicious lies about ectopic pregnancies in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. As someone who understands the science and practiced obstetrics for over 25 years and, frankly, treated hundreds of women with ectopic pregnancies, I want to state that I agree with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We always have and always will support the treatment of women suffering from the always-life-threatening condition of an ectopic pregnancy. The radical activists, who wildly claim ectopic pregnancies will be left untreated because of this Court decision, are simply misinformed and dangerously practice fearmongering tactics. For a physician to not treat ectopic pregnancies would be, No. 1, unethical, as well as, No. 2, below the standard of care for every community in America.

Let me close by saying once again, thanks to all of you, the tens of thousands of Americans who participated in the 50th March for Life, for courageously and tirelessly fighting for life. Each and every one of you is my encouragement. You give me the strength and hope to wake up every day and join my fellow pro-life Senators and millions of pro-life Americans to fight to protect the sanctity of life. Your being here, praying together, marching side by side, arm to arm, you strengthen my resolve, and you can count on me to tirelessly fight to defend and secure the right to life for all human beings.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, certainly the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and I agree on so many goals when it comes to American energy. We both believe in American energy independence. We believe in affordable clean energy. We agree that we want to leave this world cleaner, healthier, and safer than we found it. But unfortunately I oppose his amendment and ask my colleagues to oppose it as well.

I am afraid this amendment will do more harm than good. It will give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission--FERC, as it is known--the power to socialize the cost of new high-voltage transmission lines. That is right--a huge shift of power will go from the States to the Federal Government.

Unelected bureaucrats would have the authority to make electric customers in mostly red States pay to deliver expensive and intermittent energy that fits the green energy dreams of blue States and in many cases causes rural America to pay for urban America's electricity. It would even give Federal regulators the authority to make residents of inland States pay for transmission lines that connect offshore wind farms to coastal States, such as California, New Jersey, and New York. It would allow these same regulators to make our residents pay for these transmission lines even if power on those lines would not serve them.

While this transportation of wind and solar electricity fits their social agenda, let me remind everyone that the

cost of transporting this electricity is approximately 10 times more than transporting enough clean natural gas to produce an equivalent amount of electricity. We need not only clean energy, we need affordable energy.

This is why Republican attorneys general from across the Nation and the nonpartisan National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners strongly oppose this amendment. These expert public officials pleaded with us not to go down this road in September. They remain opposed to Senator Manchin's latest draft.

In a December 12, 2022, letter, the attorneys general state that they ``write to again express strong opposition to the renewed attempt to make sweeping changes to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's authority.'' They go on to say that the Manchin amendment ``guts states' traditional authority over energy and land use policies.''

Let me say that again. They go on to say that the Manchin amendment ``guts states' traditional authority over energy and land use policies.''

They tell us that the amendment does little, if anything, to address the concerns they raised in September. In their December letter, the public utility commissioners say Senator Manchin's legislation ``eliminates the last vestiges of states' electric transmission sitting jurisdiction.'' This is simply bad policy.

Another issue is the damage the amendment would do to the efforts to develop hydrogen as an energy source. It would choke hydrogen pipelines under a mountain of regulation.

The final text of this amendment only saw the light of day just a week ago. The amendment has not been the subject of any debate in committee. We have had no hearings, no witnesses, and no markups. Changing the complex Federal Power Act and Natural Gas Act during a lameduck session without any opportunity for meaningful public input is a recipe for disaster. This is no way to make changes to complex laws.

Finally, Senator Manchin's amendment does nothing to address the problem of never-ending environmental litigation. We both represent proud energy States: West Virginia, a great coal State; Kansas, oil, gas, wind, solar. But it seems like there is never an end to the environmental litigation challenges we have. Nuisance lawsuits block energy projects from moving forward, driving up the cost to consumers. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.

I look forward to working with my colleague and with the chairman this next Congress through regular order to enact changes to laws that will actually speed energy projects of all kinds.

We must enable Federal permits for energy projects to be more durable. We must ensure that Federal permitting is evenhanded. We must rein in the endless and often federally funded litigation that is killing projects. Senator Manchin's amendment addresses none of these problems.

The Senate should reject this amendment. We should work together under regular order. We should enact real and effective permitting reform in the next Congress.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 150th birthday of our home, Great Bend, KS.

Anticipating the westward expansion of the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad, D.N. Heiser and E.J. Dodge made the first settlement in the Great Bend Township in 1871. The railroad reached the township in July of 1872, and Great Bend was soon incorporated as the permanent county seat for Barton County, named after the great bend of the Arkansas River--pronounced Ar-Kansas--that the town sits on. Later, this great bend on the river became the crossing point for settlers and supply wagons traversing the Santa Fe Trail. Great Bend would go on to be a premier shipping point for cattle, as well as a center of regional trade and commerce for western Kansas. The oil and gas industry arrived in Great Bend soon after, with the county bringing in more than $30 million annually from the petroleum industry by 1930. From its beginnings, Great Bend has been pivotal in the development of Kansas's economy, and today, our agriculture and oil help feed and fuel the world.

I had the privilege of raising my family in Great Bend and delivering some 5,000 babies in the community. Thanks to investments of hard work, innovation, and determination, as well as great pride in our schools, Great Bend continues to serve as an economic driver for central Kansas. The city of Great Bend plays such a vital role in telling the story of Kansas, so it is my honor to celebrate the city's 150th birthday.

I would like to thank and honor everyone living in Great Bend and our predecessors for the pride they have in our city and especially thank everyone who helped organize the sesquicentennial celebration.

I now ask my colleagues to join the residents of Great Bend in celebrating the city's 150th birthday and recognize them all for their contributions to the city's 150 years of history.

I am humbled and proud to call Great Bend home.

Madam President, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 63, a resolution to terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. It has now been more than 2\1/2\ years since this first issued proclamation declaring the National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease Outbreak, and it has been extended twice already by President Biden since the initial declaration--most recently, February of this year.

It is with this national emergency declaration, in tandem with other additional emergency powers, currently invoked by the President, which this administration is manipulating to supersize government powers. And now, it is obvious they need these powers to continue their spending spree to enact their radical partisan agenda and grow government dependency through further expansion of the welfare state.

Today marks the third time many of us have come to the floor to terminate the emergency declaration. In March, we brought an identical resolution to this floor under the expedited procedure contained in that National Emergency Act that passed this body 48 to 7. That is right, this body passed this same resolution 8 months ago. Since then, even more evidence shows the emergency phase of this pandemic has come and gone.

The number of new patients admitted to hospitals with confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains near lows since the start of the pandemic, and the same is true of emergency department visits. Let me point out that the percent of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 visiting emergency rooms represents less than 2 percent of ER visits nationwide.

And just last week, the World Health Organization announced COVID- related deaths have dropped 90 percent globally compared to February of this year--again, shortly before our March vote the Senate took to terminate this same national emergency declaration. Again, this body passed the same resolution 8 months ago, and the clinical situation on the ground has only improved.

Listen, the decrease in hospital cases and deaths can be contributed to the fact that an estimated 95 percent of Americans, ages 16 and older, had developed identifiable COVID antibodies, and that is according to the CDC. This includes individuals who have gained immunity through natural infection, as well as those who have received the vaccine. More than 646 million doses have been administered and 227 million Americans are fully vaccinated, nearly 70 percent of the population.

Vaccines are so widely available for those that wish to receive inoculation that millions of doses are going unused. Between December 2020 and mid-May of 2022, the U.S. wasted 82 million doses. Additionally, we have a growing roster of antiviral drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and treatment protocols that are helping vulnerable populations avoid life-threatening complications.

Don't take it from me. Take it from President Biden. Just 2 months ago, the President stated the coronavirus pandemic was over in a ``60 Minutes'' interview. That is right. Two months ago, the same person who wants to continue to use this so-called emergency said it was over. And, no, I can't make any sense of it.

So despite all the advances we have made in our fight against this virus and the victorious declaration by our chief executive, this administration insists the national emergency declaration remain in place.

And to add insult to our intellect, just last week, the White House failed to alert States of any intent to lift the public health emergency, another emergency power being used to greatly expand government powers over American lives and validate their continued expansion of government spending and programs.

Everyone should remember, it was this government-imposed state of emergency that justified their continued lockdowns of small businesses and schools. It was this government-imposed state of emergency that justified their mask and vaccine mandates, including a military vaccine mandate that has resulted in the removal of more than 8,000 Active Duty troops since the Defense Secretary issued the requirement in August 2021--8,000 Active Duty troops dismissed because of this mandate.

Today, our businesses and children suffer the consequences. Too many businesses are now shuttered, and our youth struggle with low academic performances and stunning record numbers of mental health issues.

And lest we forget, it was this government-imposed state of emergency that justified President Biden and congressional Democrats' spending binge, increasing the total government spending by more than $9 trillion since February of 2021 and lighting the fire for record inflation.

And most recently, it was the national emergency declaration that the President used as justification to extend the payment pause and cancel up to $10,000 in outstanding federally held student loan balances and even a more generous $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

Well, thankfully, a Federal judge in Texas ruled last week that the loan forgiveness plan was unlawful and must be vacated, stating that the program was ``one of the largest exercises of legislative power without congressional authority in the history of the United States.''

I want to say this again. This was not me, not a politician, not a conservative blog. This came from a Federal judge. Listen again to what he said. This is ``one of the largest exercises of legislative power without congressional authority in the history of the United States.''

So while the law being cited by the President does not authorize him to grant the unfair relief that would have cost the Federal Government and taxpayers more than $400 billion, his actions show this White House is more than willing and able to use this emergency declaration to advance as many of their inflationary giveaways as possible.

Folks, where and when does this power grab stop? Congress must take the responsible action of reining in this massive expansion of government and restore Americans' fundamental right by terminating the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. As for the elements of the pandemic response that are working and needed, let's codify them into law. Let's work with the White House and with their friends across the aisle and exercise our article I powers and do so through the legislative process.

I encourage all my colleagues to join me and, once again, support our resolution to terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declaration.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. John R. Cyr, the inaugural recipient of the NCRPC's Lifetime Public Service Award.

The North Central Regional Planning Commission--NCRPC--was formed in 1972 following the establishment of planning and development districts through executive order of the Governor of Kansas. The NCRPC serves 12 rural counties in Kansas, with the mission of advancing rural Kansas through comprehensive planning and development services. In 1980, the U.S. Economic Development Administration designated the NCRPC as an Economic Development District--EDD--which established the commission as the regional leader in economic and community development.

In 2022, the NCRPC established its Lifetime Public Service Award, to be presented to John R. Cyr on November 10, 2022. Mr. Cyr has not only been instrumental in the founding and growth of the NCRPC, but has been a leader in regional planning, economic development, and rural community revitalization. Henceforth, this award will be presented annually to distinguished north central Kansans who most exemplify the lifetime commitment to strengthening our rural communities.

The establishment of this prestigious award, and the recognition of Mr. Cyr as its inaugural recipient will serve not just as an ongoing tribute to those that have given so much to better their communities but also as an inspiration to people of all ages to public service and strengthening our rural communities.

I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. John R. Cyr for a lifetime of public service, as well as honoring his work to advance rural communities in Kansas.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and recognize Ms. Julie Scott of Sedgwick, KS.

Julie is one of nine principals receiving the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership for 2022. She is the principal of R.L. Wright Elementary School and is to be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

During her 4 years as principal of R.L. Wright, Ms. Scott has made it her mission to make the school a safe learning environment for all students, where everyone feels a sense of community. Through her outstanding leadership, the school has launched several programs to help achieve these goals.

To promote early learning, she created the school's full-day Cardinal Kids Pre-K Program. Ms. Scott also launched Cardinal Connect, an afterschool program for students, and Cardinal Boost, a tutoring program focusing on improving students' reading and math skills. Julie values the opinions of her students and works to incorporate them into bettering the school. To help accomplish this, she introduced the principal advisory team, which brings fourth, fifth, and sixth graders together to provide their input on school improvements.

Ms. Scott also led the creation of the school's family activity building. This program encourages a strong community by bringing students from different grade levels together for monthly bonding activities. Each group is led by an R.L. Wright faculty member, providing students with a consistent adult contact throughout their time in elementary school. Julie also introduced a ``community build day'' when the school received new playground equipment. Members of the Sedgwick community came together to help with the installation of the equipment.

She also strives to make the best environment possible for others at the school. Julie introduced R.L. Wright's Morning Community, where the entire school comes together to say the Pledge of Allegiance and listen to daily announcements. Julie formed collaborative teams with the introduction of Professional Learning Community times. These collaborations are designed to build team spirit and connection with the community. She launched a learning community for paraprofessionals, providing them with additional training and support in monthly meetings.

Julie's passion for her students and the additions she's brought to R.L. Wright are a shining example for educators everywhere. She is more than deserving of this award. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the wonderful impact Ms. Julie Scott has had on the Sedgwick community and to honor her for her dedication to serving the students of R.L. Wright Elementary School.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and recognize the Kansas 4-H all-star meat judging team.

The Kansas 4-H all-star team won the national championship at the 2022 4-H meat judging contest championship. The exceptional work ethic and dedication of the Kansas 4-H all-star team led to the first ever national title for a Kansas team since the contest started in 1970.

To be selected for the all-star team, students must have excellent evaluation, as well as strong decision-making skills and outstanding oral communication. This team of Kansans have dedicated significant amounts of time to studying and preparing for the championship, working with their coaches and studying independently leading up to the contest.

The team placed first in several categories, including retail cut judging, retail cut identification, oral reasons, and overall judging. They also placed second in pork judging and beef judging. Their efforts are a great illustration of the dedication and hard work seen across the Kansas agriculture community.

A strong agricultural industry is not only important to the State of Kansas, but also to our country. That is why it is so encouraging to see young people throughout Kansas that are so committed to advancing the agricultural industry and proudly representing the next generation of Kansas farmers.

I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Kansas 4-H all- star meat judging team for their exceptional work and their efforts in bringing the first meat judging national title to the great State of Kansas.