Floor Statements

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Donald Wayne Engel as Montanan of the Month.

Donald Wayne Engel is a resident of Libby, MT. Engel was born on May 2, 1922, and joined the Air Force after high school. Early in his military career, Don was sent to Europe to fight against Germany in World War II and served as a member of a U.S. bomber team stationed near England.

Don was a fearless fighter and experienced times where his fighter plane was hit, but was never struck down. In 1945, Don was appointed to the rank of second lieutenant. Following his service, Don attended college to earn his degree to become an electrical engineer. The Air Force then assigned him to work with air ballistics and missile bases throughout the United States. He retired in August of 1969 with the rank of major.

Outside of Don's military career, he was married to Mervyn Engel and raised two children Patricia and James Engel. When Don wasn't on duty or with his family, he enjoyed hiking, fishing, and camping in the Rocky Mountains. Don was an avid lover of the outdoors and the mountains, so much that once he retired, he moved onto a piece of land outside of Noxon, MT, where he would juice his own apples and chop his own firewood.

Don now lives in Libby, MT, and will celebrate his 104th birthday on May 2.

It is my distinct honor to recognize Donald Wayne Engel as Montanan of the Month. Not only is Don an incredible example of a true military patriot, but a true Montanan at heart, and we commend him for his hard work and dedication to service to his country that will be remembered and inspire many.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Steve and Gayle Mason as Montanans of the Month.

Steve and Gayle Mason are residents of Somers, MT. Steve is a U.S. military veteran, and his dedication to country and community has continued long after the end of his military service.

Northwest Montana is home to a large, active veteran community, and nearly 6,000 veterans live in Kalispell alone. The Masons have dedicated a tremendous amount of their time and resources to give back to veterans in need by gathering donations and distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies.

It is my distinct honor to recognize Steve and Gayle Mason as Montanans of the Month. Their hard work, dedication to the veteran community, and their selfless service to Montanans will be remembered and inspire many.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Norma Ashby, a Montana broadcasting legend.

Ashby is one of Montana's most iconic broadcasters and a community champion. A fourth-generation Montanan raised on a ranch near Winston, Norma began her journalism career in high school and obtained her journalism degree from the University of Montana.

Following her graduation, Norma Ashby was a broadcaster at KRTV in Great Falls from 1962-1988. She was a hostess and producer of the award-winning ``Today in Montana'' show, interviewing more than 26,000 guests. Ashby also produced 21 television documentaries and co-produced ``The Great Falls Story: A Tribute to 125 Years'' in 2009. She received a multitude of awards and honors, including TV Broadcaster of the Year in 1985, the Most Influential Woman in Great Falls, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Montana. She was also recognized as an honorary member of the Blackfeet Tribe. In 2010, Ashby was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Norma Ashby has served as a primary voice and leader in communities across Montana, and her legacy will continue for generations to come.

It is my distinct honor to recognize Norma Ashby for her lifelong dedication to her decades of work in journalism, history, and the arts, and for helping preserve our State's heritage for future generations.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Fred Wacker of Miles City, MT.

Agriculture is Montana's No. 1 economic driver, and the hard work of farmers and ranchers in the Treasure State puts food on table for families across Montana and the Nation. Fred Wacker, a third generation Montana rancher, has dedicated his life to this cause.

For 30 years, Fred has operated Cross Four Ranch in Custer and Rosebud Counties as a cow, yearling, and finished cattle operation. His family helps support the ranch and specializes in all natural cattle. Fred's steak also helped lift China's 14-year ban on American beef. I hand-delivered several steaks made from Cross Four Ranch beef to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on a trip to China in 2017, and shortly after, the ban was lifted. Several years later, Fred and I stood side by side at the White House as President Trump signed a historic deal with Japan to decrease tariffs on U.S. beef, thanks to Fred's advocacy on the issue. Not only has Fred's operation made a difference in Montana, it has made an international impact by helping expand market access for American farmers across the globe.

In addition to managing his ranch, Fred advocated on behalf of Montana ranchers through the Montana Stockgrowers Association and served his community on the Custer County Water and Sewer District Board, the Custer County Planning Board, and as president of the Miles City Kiwanis.

Fred Wacker has devoted his life to helping Montana agriculture thrive, and the country is better thanks to Fred's hard work. It is my distinct honor to recognize Fred Wacker as this month's awardee for America's 250 Montana Innovators Series for his dedication to his community and Montana. Folks like Fred Wacker help make Montana the Last Best Place.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Katie Verderber, Jack Berry, and Michael Kneeland as Montanans of the Month.

These three Montanans represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Paralympics and have shown outstanding dedication to their respective sports. They are some of the finest that the Treasure State has to offer.

Katie Verderber, a native of Valier, MT, competed on the wheelchair curling team for Team USA. Verderber received her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana and was a Judge Advocate General, JAG, in the U.S. Army. She was deployed in Afghanistan in 2019, where she suffered a spinal injury and medically retired. She returned home to Montana and took up wheelchair curling in 2024 and the following year was named to the U.S. Paralympic Team for the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Jack Berry, a native from Missoula, MT, is a Para Nordic skier for Team USA. Berry's Paralympic journey began at 10 years old, following a life-altering diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. During his cancer treatment recovery, Berry found inspiration from Paralympic Nordic skier Dan Cnossen, and made a breakthrough on the international stage in 2024 and 2025.

Michael Kneeland, a native of Bozeman, MT, competed on both the Para Nordic ski team and the Para biathlon ski team for Team USA. Kneeland received his undergraduate degree from Montana State University and began skiing at age 17, attributing Bozeman's outdoor culture and proximity to mountain terrain to his love for the sport. Kneeland entered the international stage in 2024 in Italy and later competed for Team USA at the Milano Cortina Games.

It is my distinct honor to recognize Katie Verderber, Jack Berry, and Michael Kneeland as Montanans of the Month for their hard work, dedication to their country and teams, and their representation of Montana on the highest level of competition in the world, the Paralympic Games.

Mr. President, there are some issues we consider so logical and so obviously rooted in common sense that I have got to believe the American people are sitting at home and wondering why Congress is even having this debate. And such is the case with the bill the U.S. Senate is considering this week, the SAVE America Act.

Let me be clear. The bill before us today requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote, and it requires photo ID in order to vote in a Federal election.

If you come to my office here in Washington, DC, you will see fairly quickly I am an avid outdoorsman. There are a lot of hunting and fishing pictures on the walls that say a lot about the great State of Montana.

As many know, Montana has some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country, even the world: hunting, fishing, backpacking, you name it.

I remember growing up in Montana. My grandpa and my dad had a fly rod in my hand when I was still a little boy before fly fishing was cool even, back in the early seventies. And I remember fly fishing before Brad Pitt discovered it with Robert Redford and made the movie ``A River Runs Through It.'' If you want to fish in Montana, if you want to fly fish, if you want to get a tag to hunt, you want to shoot a mule deer or an elk or a white tail, you know what you need to get a tag? to get a fishing license? You have got to produce a valid ID. To go fishing, you need a license. And to get a license, you need a valid ID.

Now, nobody has a problem with this when it comes to America's great outdoors. So why does the left protest so hard against ID requirements to vote?

It is an explicit law that only American citizens can vote, and all Americans have an ID or the ability to easily obtain one.

The right to vote and participate in democracy is a core principle of this great country. It is what gives us our freedom. It is what gives us a voice. But when election integrity is compromised, our institutions suffer, and the people don't trust the outcome of elections or their government anymore.

And that is why 95 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of Democrats support having voter ID. It is truly that bipartisan. I am not sure there is a more bipartisan issue right now facing us in Washington.

People want to restore trust in their elections and their government. So why is this so hard?

I will tell you why it is so hard. Our friends on the other side of the aisle are captive to their radical base. I grew up as the grandson of a Democrat in Montana. My dad was a Democrat growing up. But this is a different kind of Democrat today. The radical base is steering the party that we debate with across the aisle here in Washington.

Remember under Joe Biden's border catastrophe, at least 10 million-- and that is a conservative number--10 million illegal aliens poured into the country unchecked. And in many States, these illegal aliens are eligible for driver's licenses, which makes it easier to illegally register to vote.

And that is why you need to have proof of citizenship. That is why the SAVE America Act is so important. Requiring a photo ID is basic. It is common sense. It is not controversial. It is time to get this done.

I am very grateful to my colleague Senator Mike Lee of Utah and my colleague Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri who have been fighting so hard to get this bill across the finish line.

I urge the rest of our colleagues to get on board, support the SAVE America Act, stand up for election integrity, and vote for the SAVE America Act.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph, and Katie Verderber as Montanans of the Month.

These three Montanans representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics have shown exemplary dedication to their sports. They are some of the best that the Treasure State has to offer.

Jake Sanderson, a native of Whitefish, MT, is a defensemen on Team USA's men's hockey team. Growing up, Sanderson competed for the Glacier Avalanche of the Glacier Hockey Association alongside his brothers. In 2026, he was named to Team USA's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sanderson helped Team USA go 6-0 at the Milan Cortina games and win its first Olympic gold medal since the ``Miracle on Ice'' in 1980.

Konnor Ralph is an American freestyle skier from Helena, MT. Ralph represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the slopestyle and big air events. Ralph placed ninth overall in slopestyle and fifth overall in men's big air.

Katie Verderber is scheduled to compete at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games for Team USA's wheelchair curling squad. Raised in Valier, MT, Verderber received her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana.

It is my distinct honor to recognize Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph, and Katie Verderber as Montanans of the Month for their hard work, dedication to their country and teams, and their representation of Montana on the international playing field.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize the Stillwater and East Boulder Platinum Palladium Mines in Stillwater and Sweet Grass Counties, MT.

Montana's mining industry is critically important to not only our State, but our country. Hard rock mining provides over 18,000 good- paying jobs in Montana and adds nearly $430 million to the State's economy. Additionally, Montana is home to the only primary producer of platinum and palladium in America: the Stillwater and East Boulder Mines.

Platinum-group metals, including palladium, are critically important metals for automobile production, medical and electronic devices, as well as the defense industry, and are primarily mined in Montana, Russia, and South Africa. Several years ago, Russian palladium dumping drove down the price and caused the mines to lay off nearly 700 employees. Not only was this devasting to the Montana communities, it forced America to become more reliant on foreign imported palladium.

However, the mine and the hard-working Montanans persisted. Each day, miners and refiners came to work and continued to produce this important metal for the country. Montanans are united to supporting our miners and combating illegal Russian dumping. Thankfully, due to the hard work of many folks, we have seen actions to turn the tide and support the longevity of the mines.

Today, we recognize the Stillwater and East Boulder Mines, their employees, and all miners in the State for their perseverance and hard work. Mining is a critical industry and miners work long days in dangerous conditions. On behalf of Montana, we thank you for your contributions to our State.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize the Montana National Guard Military and Family Readiness Group as Montanans of the Month.

For over a century, the Montana National Guard has stood strong in its commitment to serving both State and Nation. The Montana National Guard Military and Family Readiness Program also provides this group of soldiers and airmen with support and specialized programming as they grapple with the unique challenges and sacrifices they and their families face in order to serve our State and Nation.

Today, we recognize them for what they provide to our Montana families: their steadfast care to family wellness. Family programs provided by the Montana National Guard helps families become more resilient so they can thrive by equipping them with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Recently, the Montana Military and Family Readiness Programs, MFRP, received national recognition, finishing tied for first overall in the Nation for fiscal year 2025, according to National Guard Bureau evaluations. Under a rigorous grading system, Montana ranked second in Personnel and fifth in Program Execution, making Montana the only State in the Nation to place in the top five in both categories in the last 2 years.

Josh Jopling, Montana Guard Family Programs director, shared: ``What inspires us every day is seeing the direct impact our programs have on families. Supporting them means strengthening the entire Montana National Guard. Our team is honored to serve these families and help ensure our soldiers and airmen can focus on the mission, knowing their loved ones are cared for.''

Their efforts big and small make a tremendous impact on this esteemed group of servicemen and women, and their contributions will help Montanan's everywhere.

It is my distinct honor to recognize the Montana Military and Family Readiness Program for its steadfast dedication and care for the families of those who sacrifice to protect our great State and Nation.

Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Lieutenant Kirby Dempster of the Fergus County Sheriff's Office in Lewistown, MT, as Montanan of the Month.

For more than 8 and a half years, Lieutenant Dempster has served the people of Fergus County with courage, compassion, and integrity. As a supervising officer, he leads both detention and patrol operations and oversees important department initiatives, including cyber-crime prevention efforts focused on protecting children, human-trafficking investigations, and a drone program.

Today, we also recognize him for something deeper: his resilience during one of life's toughest battles. Following a difficult cancer diagnosis, Lieutenant Dempster was confronted with a new fight. However, he and his loved ones did not face it alone. His fellow officers, first responders, and the entire Lewistown community stepped forward without hesitation. Fundraisers were launched, donations poured in, and neighbors showed up to support the Dempster family.

This remarkable outpouring of support reflects what Lieutenant Dempster has built in his community over his many years of service. He is known as a strong leader, a mentor, a dedicated public servant, and above all, a devoted family man.

Lieutenant Dempster's commitment to protecting his community, his leadership in the face of hardship, and the community's support in return embodies the very best of Montana values. His story reminds us of what service truly means and how Montanans stand together when it matters most.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing Brigadier General (Ret.) Dale Stovall of Missoula as Montanan of the Month for his extraordinary courage, lifetime of military service, and heroic actions that saved the lives of his fellow airmen during the Vietnam war. Earlier this year, Ret. General Stovall traveled to Washington, DC, where he received well-deserved recognition from President Trump for the daring rescues that he carried out decades ago in Vietnam. His story is one of unwavering bravery, humility, and dedication to his country.

During his service as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, then- Captain Stovall flew some of the most dangerous missions of the war, going deep into hostile territory under heavy enemy fire to rescue downed American airmen. One of his most legendary missions was the rescue of fellow airman Roger Locker, a mission so dangerous that Stovall recalled the sky filled with explosions as he maneuvered his helicopter through relentless enemy attacks. Despite the danger, Stovall pressed on. His extraordinary flying skill and refusal to give up saved Locker's life and many others.

Over the course of a single combat tour, he completed 12 rescues behind enemy lines. On each one, he risked his own life so that another American could go home to their family. For these acts of heroism, General Stovall received the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Silver Stars, making him one of the most highly decorated Air Force Academy graduates in history.

But in true Montana fashion, General Stovall is always quick to shift the spotlight away from himself. He reminds us that rescue missions are a team effort of pilots, crew members, and rescuers united under the Jolly Green motto: ``That Others May Live.''

After Vietnam, Stovall continued to serve our Nation with distinction, ultimately retiring as a brigadier general after 31 years in uniform. His commitment to service, courage under fire, and lifelong dedication to his fellow servicemembers make him a hero of the Vietnam era.

General Stovall, you make Montana proud. Your legacy of valor, humility, and service will inspire Montanans for years to come. It is my honor to recognize you as Montanan of the Month.

Mr. President, I am here to make some comments about my friend Bill Mercer, whom we are actually going to vote on here on the floor in a minute, but I wanted to set the record straight on something. I am tired of the lies being spread around.

There is a lie about what is happening here in Washington, and the lie is this: Republicans control the Presidency, the House, and the Senate, so it is on the Republicans for shutting it down. That is a lie. It takes 60 votes to get something done here in the U.S. Senate. We are looking for five Democrats to join us.

It is already bipartisan. Three Democrats have joined us. If five more join the Republicans, we have done this 11 times in voting for this clean CR, which Democrats have done repeatedly under Joe Biden's watch. If five Democrats join us, we will open the government back up. But just wanted to set that straight at home. Yes, Republicans have majority control of the Senate, but it takes 60 votes to get an outcome here in Washington. We have 53 Republicans, if five Democrats join us, we will get this done.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of my friend Mr. Bill Mercer and his nomination to serve as the next judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

President Trump made an excellent choice when he picked Bill. I was thrilled to see him quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and now, today, the U.S. Senate will vote in the next hour or so on his final confirmation. And I urge my colleagues to join Senator Sheehy and I in supporting his nomination.

Bill is a lifelong Montanan. He was born in Billings. We have known each other for a long time; in fact, we went to rival high schools, and we actually competed against each other in speech and debate. He was a Billings West Golden Bear, and I was a Bozeman Hawk. This is what makes America great. Two kids from Montana dreamed big, they worked hard, and now we have the opportunity to serve the State we love together.

Bill received his undergraduate degree from the University of Montana. He later went on to receive a master of public administration from Harvard and his law degree from George Mason University. Bill served his State and country in various roles over the past three decades. In Montana, he served as U.S. attorney for the District of Montana from 2001 to 2009. He represented Billings in the Montana House of Representatives for the past 7 years. Bill also worked at the U.S. Department of Justice where he served as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and Acting Associate Attorney General during the George W. Bush administration.

He has been actively engaged in his community, serving in five nonprofit boards of directors in Montana.

Bill has been a member of the Montana Bar for 32 years. He has appeared at State and Federal court in Montana and as lead counsel in numerous cases.

He has represented clients in appellate courts, which resulted in oral arguments in 15 cases in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the DC Circuit, and the Montana Supreme Court.

Bill has been recognized by his peers in the legal community for outstanding track records, being rated among the best lawyers in Montana for environmental and commercial litigation.

Throughout his extensive legal career and years of public service, Bill has represented Montana's interests very well. He is committed to the rule of law and the original interpretation of the Constitution.

He understands Montana's laws and issues. His experience as a widely respected and effective member of the Montana House has helped him understand the needs of our State, our families, and our communities.

I believe his time serving in Helena has given him an important perspective on the law and the importance of judicial impartiality. Federal judges play a critical role in our government. It is important that we pick servant leaders who are committed to our Founding ideals and to protecting the role of the judiciary.

These are lifetime appointments. He will have a lasting impact on both Montana and the Nation.

I have no hesitation when I say Bill is the top choice to serve as Montana's next Federal judge. I have seen his commitment to our State firsthand, and his time at the Department of Justice, as U.S. attorney, and as a State legislator prepared him well. There is not a better pick to serve the State of Montana.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting favorably for Bill's confirmation.

I look forward to seeing the profound influence Bill will have in Montana and the Nation as he steps into this new role.

Thank you.

Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of recognizing the Montana Army National Guard, MTARNG, aviation crews as Montanans of the Month for their extraordinary courage and dedication during a series of lifesaving rescue missions across our State.

In the rugged backcountry of Montana, where steep cliffs, high altitudes, and unpredictable weather can turn a simple hike into a life-threatening situation, these guardsmen stand ready, day or night, to answer the call. Their professionalism and heroism exemplify the very best of our citizen soldiers.

On August 9, 2025, the Helena-based aviation team responded to a rescue near Zortman after a person fell over a cliff and suffered serious injuries. With limited visibility from wildfire smoke and nightfall plus the added challenge of a sheer rockface and heavy timber, the crew conducted a highly technical nighttime rescue. Thanks to their precision and teamwork, the injured individual was safely hoisted and flown to Billings for medical care.

Recognized Crew: CPT Otis Smith (Pilot-in-Command), CW3 Tom

Kinyon (Co-Pilot), SGT Ian Montgomery (Crew Chief), SSG

Anthony Wright (Crew Chief), and SGT Randy Scales (Flight

Paramedic).

Only a week later, on August 17, 2025, another MTARNG aircrew from Billings sprang into action when three hypothermic hikers became stranded in the Beartooth Mountains. With ground rescue teams unable to reach the group safely, the MTARNG crew braved freezing temperatures and rough terrain to extract the hikers and deliver them to Columbus for emergency treatment.

Recognized Crew: CW3 Zach Lundgren (Pilot-in-Command), CW2

Cameron Olson (Co-Pilot), SGT Justin Asher (Crew Chief), SPC

Patrick Northrup (Flight Paramedic), and Rob Gersbach from

the Billings Fire Department (Flight Paramedic).

Their month of service didn't end there. Between August 24-26, 2025, MTARNG crews from both Billings and Helena joined a multi-agency search for a missing 71-year-old hiker in the Beartooth Mountains. After the hiker was located by an Air Force helicopter from Malmstrom Air Force Base, the MTARNG team from Helena performed a high-altitude hoist rescue, successfully recovering both the hiker and the Air Force flight doctor who had stayed with him overnight in the mountains. Their teamwork and coordination with the Air Force and local responders ensured a safe end to a dangerous mission.

Recognized Crew: CW3 Brett Normandeau (Pilot-in-Command),

CW3 Pat Rickar (Co-Pilot), SPC Sydney Stephenson (Crew

Chief), and SPC Zach Blank (Crew Chief).

Each of these operations demanded split-second decision-making, advanced flight skill, and immense courage. Even through flying in wildfire smoke, over jagged terrain, or in the dead of night, these crews embody the Montana spirit of bravery, selflessness, and a steadfast commitment to saving lives.

To the men and women of the Montana Army National Guard aviation teams: Thank you for your service to our State and your unwavering dedication to the people of Montana. Your courage in the face of danger makes us proud to call you fellow Montanans.