Floor Statements

Mr. President, in 1801, a small town nestled between Androscoggin Lake and River was incorporated and named after Leeds, England, the ancestral home of the first settlers Thomas and Roger Stinchfield. Today, it is an honor to join the people of Leeds, ME, in celebrating the 225th anniversary of a community that is a beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Leeds, initially part of the Littleborough Plantation, was settled as early as the 1780s, with fertile land and plentiful water nourishing the first families. As Leeds developed, so did agriculture and small- scale manufacturing that proved to be not only self-sufficient but also the backbone of its economy. By the mid-19th century, improved roads connected Leeds to other surrounding communities that made it a center for agriculture and, eventually, recreation. Today, Leeds' natural beauty has led to the rise of boating and fishing on Androscoggin Lake, turning quaint farmstands into a seasonal retreat in central Maine.

The proud history of Leeds is etched in stone atop Monument Hill, where the Civil War Peace Monument stands as a tribute to the town's extraordinary service. Erected by the distinguished Howard brothers in 1895, this monument honors the 161 local soldiers and sailors who served in the American Civil War, in which Leeds had the highest per capita enlistment of any town in Maine. Major General Oliver Otis Howard's leadership shaped the Nation's path toward emancipation, making his impact felt today at Howard University, which he founded. The Howard brothers' commitment to freedom spanned beyond the battlefield by bringing escaped slave George Washington ``Wash'' Kemp, who served in the Union Army alongside both Howard brothers, back to Leeds, making it his eventual home.

Another fascinating example of Leeds' dedication to public service can be seen in the Curtis Homestead Conservation Area. The 360-acre property that once served as the home of Maine Governor Kenneth M. Curtis features remnants of a farmhouse and barn built in the 1840s, offering visitors a glimpse into life in Leeds during the 19th century.

Maine is known as Vacationland, and Leeds is one reason why. With water for recreation, nature preserves for walking and hiking, and a rich history, there is always something to explore.

The celebration of Leeds' landmark anniversary is not merely about the passage of time; it is about resilience, service, and the enduring strength of community. We honor the people of Leeds who stood together in times of war, worked together to build a thriving town, and created a legacy that spans more than two centuries. Their effort and dedication ensure that Leeds has a bright future.

Mr. President, among the robust pines of western Maine, Carthage was founded on February 20, 1826. Today, it is an honor to join the people of Carthage, ME, in celebrating the 200th anniversary of a community that is a great place to live, work, and raise families.

Prior to the founding of Carthage, the land was used as hunting grounds by the Wabanaki people. The Wabanaki hunted white-tailed deer, moose, beavers, ducks, and grouse throughout the region.

In 1804, Mr. William Bowley moved onto the land, accompanied by his brother Oliver and father Gideon. The Bowley family built the first sawmill, called Bowley's Mills, on Webb River at the base of Lake Webb. Webb River drains to the Androscoggin River, making the location particularly appealing. The family went on to build a gristmill close by the following year. The land was considered formally settled in 1812 and then founded in 1826 with the fabled city of antiquity as its namesake.

By the 1880s, the town had grown to more than 500 residents and had farms, two sawmills, five schools, a gristmill and limestone quarry. Centuries later, the town retains the charm and rugged beauty that attracted the first settlers. The town's economy was originally dominated by forests and farms. Today, the town attracts outdoor enthusiasts from throughout Maine and beyond to Rocky Mountain Terrain Park and nearby Mt. Blue State Park.

Carthage is also home to Newman Cemetery, a reminder of the townspeople's service to the State and country. In this historic cemetery, lie the remains of founding families, as well as veterans of the Revolutionary War and Civil War.

Hiram Pitt Bennet was born in Carthage in 1826, the year of the town's founding. Bennet moved west to Colorado, where he was elected a territory Delegate to Congress. During his time in Congress, Bennet worked tirelessly to push for Colorado's statehood. The legacy of his advocacy and public service continue to live on as testament to the fine people of Carthage.

Carthage stands as a shining example of the thriving communities and pristine nature our great State of Maine has to offer. I congratulate the people of Carthage, ME, on this 200th anniversary and wish you all the best in the years to come.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act, which would help address workforce shortages in the accounting profession by recognizing accounting as a STEM education subject and adding accounting education programs as an allowable use of K through 12 Federal grant funding. I want to thank Senator Rosen for coleading this bill with me.

Accountants play a key role in today's economy. They serve as trusted advisers for companies large and small, assist in measuring business performance, help individuals and businesses file their taxes in an accurate and timely manner, assist government entities with their finances, and even investigate instances of financial fraud. Yet the United States is facing a shortage of accountants willing and able to fill these important economic roles. In Maine, for example, municipalities have struggled to find accountants to conduct their annual audits.

Recent trends suggest this shortage will continue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 124,000 job openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. At the same time, fewer students are pursuing accounting degrees than in prior years.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act seeks to improve the accounting pipeline by expanding K through 12 students' exposure to accounting programs. As with other areas of STEM education, this bill would qualify accounting instruction for Federal funds. This recognition aligns with the increasing need for accounting professionals to have high-level math and technology skills, including the ability to analyze big data, ensure data security, and manage cyber security risk.

In particular, this bill would allow States and school districts to use a portion of their Federal student support and academic enrichment grant funding to support accounting education, including accounting career awareness. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program was created as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act and aims to help States and school districts offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students. The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act would also allow school districts to use this flexible grant to strengthen their accounting curricula.

Businesses and individuals rely on accountants to help them develop and reach their financial goals. The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act would help address the shortage of accountants by promoting accounting education and improving the pipeline of future accountants. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act, which would help address workforce shortages in the accounting profession by recognizing accounting as a STEM education subject and adding accounting education programs as an allowable use of K through 12 Federal grant funding. I want to thank Senator Rosen for coleading this bill with me.

Accountants play a key role in today's economy. They serve as trusted advisers for companies large and small, assist in measuring business performance, help individuals and businesses file their taxes in an accurate and timely manner, assist government entities with their finances, and even investigate instances of financial fraud. Yet the United States is facing a shortage of accountants willing and able to fill these important economic roles. In Maine, for example, municipalities have struggled to find accountants to conduct their annual audits.

Recent trends suggest this shortage will continue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 124,000 job openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. At the same time, fewer students are pursuing accounting degrees than in prior years.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act seeks to improve the accounting pipeline by expanding K through 12 students' exposure to accounting programs. As with other areas of STEM education, this bill would qualify accounting instruction for Federal funds. This recognition aligns with the increasing need for accounting professionals to have high-level math and technology skills, including the ability to analyze big data, ensure data security, and manage cyber security risk.

In particular, this bill would allow States and school districts to use a portion of their Federal student support and academic enrichment grant funding to support accounting education, including accounting career awareness. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program was created as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act and aims to help States and school districts offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students. The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act would also allow school districts to use this flexible grant to strengthen their accounting curricula.

Businesses and individuals rely on accountants to help them develop and reach their financial goals. The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act would help address the shortage of accountants by promoting accounting education and improving the pipeline of future accountants. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, Members of Congress understand the needs of our constituents far better than any well-intentioned Federal employee located here in Washington.

The CDS projects provide funding for States, communities, and nonprofit organizations. The process is completely open and transparent. Senators who submit such requests are required to post their requests on their official websites, along with a certification that neither they nor their immediate family members have any financial interest in the items requested.

All of the fiscal year 2026 CDS requests submitted to the Appropriations Committee can be found in a searchable table that has been posted on the committee's website.

I urge our colleagues to defeat this amendment, and I move to table.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 4273 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the funding package that is before us. It includes full-year funding for the following bills: the Department of Defense; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; National Security; Department of Defense; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

Colleagues, when we pass this package and when it is signed into law on top of the previous packages, we will have funded 96 percent of all of government.

(Applause.)

Mr. President, the package also continues funding for the Department of Homeland Security for 2 weeks to allow us additional time to evaluate further changes in ICE procedures beyond those that we have already included in this bill.

Let me end by thanking our Appropriations Committee members for the tremendous efforts that they put into getting us to this wonderful achievement. These are fiscally responsible bills that reflect months of hard work and deliberation from Members from both parties and both sides of the Capitol.

Enacting this package will represent a major milestone and show that Congress can work together in a bipartisan manner to carry out our article I responsibilities and deliver real results for the people that we are honored to represent.

Again, my thanks to the leadership and to the committee members and, of course, to our great staff. I urge my colleagues to support this important package.

Vote on H.R. 7148

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call in relation to the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 302, H.R. 7148.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be permitted to complete my remarks before the vote begins.

Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to vote to end debate on the motion to proceed to the six-bill package of appropriations legislation sent to us by the House of Representatives. These are fiscally responsible funding bills that reflect months of hard work and deliberation and contributions from Members of both parties and on both sides of the Capitol.

I would like to take a few moments to highlight some of the key aspects of these bills.

Let's begin with the funding for the Department of Defense. This legislation provides U.S. military services with the funding needed to deter China and Russia, supports our servicemembers and their families, and strengthens the defense industrial base. It addresses major funding gaps across the board, such as in shipbuilding. The bill provides a critical downpayment toward an additional DDG-51, the workhorse of the U.S. surface fleet, and invests in additional Columbia- and Virginia- class submarines.

The bill also provides multiyear procurement authority for critical munitions production, a priority for the President. It funds drone and counterdrone technologies, which, as we have learned in both Ukraine and Israel, are increasingly changing the nature of the battlefield.

And it sustains security cooperation with close allies and partners whose growing defense capabilities are force multipliers for the United States and contribute to the deterrence of shared adversaries. This is especially true of our NATO allies who are increasingly increasing their own domestic levels of military investment at the push and encouragement of President Trump, and appropriately so.

Finally, the Defense bill invests in our most precious asset: the men and women of our Armed Forces. The bill fully funds the 3.8-percent pay raise for servicemembers and the additional pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers, showing our commitment to their readiness, well-being, and mission success.

The second bill is the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill. It used to be known as the State, Foreign Operations bill. It contains security assistance for key allies and partners, including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

The bill also supports important global health programs. It continues support for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, which has saved a remarkable 26 million lives since 2003, including the lives of 8 million babies born to HIV-infected mothers. It is difficult for me to contemplate another global health program-- and we have many good ones--that has had more of a positive impact than PEPFAR. In many ways, I think it was President George W. Bush's greatest legacy.

Turning to the Labor, HHS bill, this appropriations bill would prioritize funding to help make Americans healthier, and it robustly funds lifesaving biomedical research.

This has been a top priority of mine, and I know of many other Members as well, including the subcommittee chair, Shelley Moore Capito and her ranking member, Tammy Baldwin.

Funding for NIH is not decreased, as was proposed in the administration's budget. Rather, it is increased by $415 million, including increases of $100 million for Alzheimer's research and $10 million more for diabetes research, with a focus on type 1 diabetes.

This bill also makes critical investments in our Nation's children and families and invests in America's workforce. It includes funding for childcare programs to help low-income working families and for apprenticeship programs to help us reach the goal of 1 million new active apprentices.

The bill also includes more funding for low-income heating assistance, which is absolutely crucial for States like Maine and is an issue that I have worked for years on with my Democratic colleague Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill focuses on our most pressing transportation challenges, including modernizing our Nation's outdated air traffic system. And I give Secretary Duffy a great deal of credit for coming up with a workable, much needed plan in that area. It would also address the air traffic controller shortage and provides a pay raise there as well.

The bill invests in critical infrastructure, like our roads, bridges, ports, and rail.

At the same time, the appropriations will continue to fully fund existing rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households to ensure that seniors, the disabled individuals, and working families who currently receive such assistance are not put at risk of homelessness.

The Financial Services and General Government bill funds core government functions. It increases funding for taxpayer services at the IRS, reallocates resources to strengthen court security, and helps keep our Nation's Capital--Washington, DC--safe for both residents and visitors.

As the vice chair of the committee has mentioned, there has understandably been a great deal of attention focused on the Homeland Security portion of the package, given the events of the past week. The horrific shooting death of Alex Pretti must be thoroughly and impartially investigated, and President Trump has promised that it will be investigated both impartially and thoroughly.

The Homeland Security funding bill includes important provisions that we put in during the negotiations that would make such incidents less likely to occur. For example, it includes $20 million for body-worn cameras, which help to protect both law enforcement officials and those with whom they are interacting. It includes $2 million to ensure that training requirements include how to deescalate an encounter with protestors. Yet another important provision of the bill empowers the inspector general to review and investigate detention centers.

These are all critical reforms, but it does not mean that we cannot do more. But to do more, we need to get onto the bill so that we can make the critical decisions that are being negotiated by leadership in both the House and the Senate and the White House as to how we proceed. Do we split off the Homeland Security bill and pass the other five and put Homeland Security on a continuing resolution, which will, by the way, delay implementation of the three reforms that I just discussed? Or do we try to amend that part of the bill with the agreed-upon additional precautions and safeguards?

We can't do that if we don't get onto the package.

It is also worth noting that more than 80 percent of the funding in the Homeland Security bill is for non-immigration and border security functions. For example, 35 percent of the funding of the Homeland Security bill is for FEMA. And think about what FEMA has been doing on the ground, right now, due to the horrific storm that we have experienced.

It includes $35 billion for FEMA to help State and local governments prepare to respond to disasters, including funding for programs that help local law enforcement and our firefighters that are so important. It includes funding for the nonprofit security grant program that helps organizations like synagogues, churches, temples, and mosques protect themselves from terrorism.

Another important component of this bill supports our Coast Guard. Think of our Coast Guard personnel out in this terrible weather, being available to rescue our fishermen, our lobstermen, or others who are in trouble. The Coast Guard provides critical safety, security, and stewardship functions from Maine to the Caribbean, to the Arctic and a myriad of places in between.

The bill provides funding to secure our borders and to stop the flow of the illegal drugs, money, weapons, and people being trafficked into our country by cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It includes funding for TSA to help keep Americans safe while they travel, as well as funding for a 3.8-percent pay raise for air traffic controllers to help address the serious workforce shortage that also can affect air safety.

Mr. President, my hope is that we can come up with an agreement that allows us to proceed to this bill and to provide some additional safeguards. Those negotiations are underway right now. But if we don't get on to this package, we cannot change this package. I think that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to recognize and acknowledge that.

I want to end by noting the tremendous work of the full committee staff, my staff and Senator Murray's staff. I particularly want to acknowledge the hard work of Betsy McDonnell, who has worked night and day as the staff director. I want to thank our subcommittee chairs and ranking members and their staff, who have worked so diligently and are so dedicated.

I know the conversations are continuing even as we speak between the administration and Congress on how to complete action on the Homeland Security portion of this package. This morning's vote is about taking the first step--not the final step--to consider the package on the Senate floor. I urge my colleagues to support cloture on the motion to proceed to this vital appropriations package.

Cloture Motion

Mr. President, in 1826, 6 years after Maine became our Nation's 23rd State, a small fishing town was incorporated in downeast Maine. Cutler, named after Joseph Cutler, an early settler from Massachusetts, is a beacon of Maine's nationally renowned beauty and a stronghold for Maine's traditional lobstering sector. From its humble beginnings to a booming fishing industry, Cutler remains a great pearl of the State of Maine.

During the mid-19th century, Cutler Harbor fostered substantial growth in the town's fishing industry, lumber shipping, and small boat operations. Known as the Harbor of Refuge, it became a safe place for fisherman to ride out the vicious storms of the coast.

As the town grew, Cutler played an important role in the promotion of maritime safety and American national security. Since 1876, the Little River Lighthouse, with a formidable cast iron tower, has guided fishermen and has been integral to U.S. Coast Guard operations in the area. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its existence for generations to come.

In addition, for 65 years, the Cutler Naval Station, with one of the most powerful radio transmitters in the world, has provided critical communications for the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet, anywhere in the world, whether on the surface or submerged.

Cutler is home to Maine's spectacular Bold Coast. The Cutler Coast Public Reserved land boasts an abundance of scenic hiking trails, peatlands, secluded beaches, and wild ocean views, offering a stunning example of the beauty that defines the State of Maine. In addition, Cutler remains a hub of the Maine blueberry industry that produces almost 85 percent of the world's wild blueberries.

Cutler's spirit and historic connection to America's freedom continues today. Every Fourth of July, the townspeople honor the courage, sacrifice, and vision that won our Nation's independence. This year's observation will be especially meaningful with the addition of a fun-filled bicentennial celebration.

The Maine State motto is ``Dirigo,'' meaning ``I Lead.'' With the beacon from its Little River Lighthouse lighting the way, Cutler has a bright and hopeful future. I congratulate the people of Cutler, ME, on this 200th anniversary and wish them all the best in the years to come.

Mr. President, nestled among the rugged wilderness of the western Maine mountains, the town of Strong, ME, was incorporated on January 31, 1801. This 225th anniversary is a time to celebrate the spirit of determination and resiliency that still guides the community today.

Strong's incorporation was but one milestone on a long journey of progress. For thousands of years, the abundant forests and waters of the region were the hunting grounds of the Native American Tribes. The very first house that laid the foundation for a permanent community was built in 1780 by a Wabanki known as Pierpole. Drawn by the rich natural resources, other settlers followed, and at the dawn of the 19th century, the town was established by Massachusetts Governor Caleb Strong.

The rich soil supported prosperous farms and the fast-moving Sandy River powered lumber and grain mills. In the years that followed, Strong became a rural industrial powerhouse, including footwear, furniture, textiles, and Maine's first cheese factory. By the mid-20th century, the Forster Manufacturing Company was the world's largest maker of toothpicks, producing some 20 million per day.

The townspeople used their prosperity to built what has been called ``the prettiest village in Maine,'' with handsome homes, churches, and schools. Education remains a center of community life, with the high- performing Strong Elementary School being named a National Blue Ribbon School.

From the American Revolution to our time, Strong has always been a town of patriots, with a veterans memorial paying tribute to those who defend freedom. Among the most illustrious veterans is Lt. James Porter. After graduating from West Point in 1869, he served with the 7th Cavalry in the Reconstruction Era South under George Armstrong Custer and distinguished himself by his courage during the mission the eradicate the Ku Klux Klan. In 1876, he was among the 268 members of the legendary regiment who fell at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

In recent years, the townspeople have worked together to dedicate the Lance Corporal Scott B. Paul Memorial Park in honor of the young marine who fell

in 1992 during the Gulf War. A section of the beautiful park, the Sgt. Richard Parker Memorial Wing, pays tribute to a local hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.

Every summer, the town celebrates it history and community spirit with Pierpole Days, a festival of parades, food, music, and family fun. The 2026 festival will surely be a memorable celebration of the people who for more than two centuries have pulled together, cared for one another, and built a community. I congratulate the town of Strong, ME, on this landmark anniversary.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the previously scheduled rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 300, S. 3627, now occur at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, January 27.

Madam President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to adjourn until 3:07 p.m. today.

Madam President, I understand that there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading en bloc.

In order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceedings en bloc.

Madam President, this is a very important week in the Senate for many reasons. We will be voting on whether to proceed to the final six-bill package of appropriations bills sent to us by the House of Representatives. This package includes the following full-year funding bills for the Department of Defense, Financial Services, and General Government; Homeland Security; Labor, Health, and Human

Services, and Education; National Security; Department of State and Related Programs; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

Madam President, as a valued and important member of the Appropriations Committee, you know well that these are fiscally responsible bills that reflect many months of hard work and deliberation from Members from both parties and from both sides of the Capitol. They reflect input from nearly every Senator. Our subcommittees received more than 31,000--31,000--requests from Senators for these six bills alone.

Over the last months, our subcommittees have worked through all of these requests and done a great deal of important work. They have also worked hard on a bipartisan basis with their House counterparts to reconcile House and Senate priorities for these bills, as well as those of the administration. This was not an easy task.

In developing the final fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, the House and Senate committees worked from a top line that is less than what Congress would spend under a continuing resolution. Priorities were realigned. Difficult decisions were made. This process resulted in successful bipartisan votes in the House of Representatives to approve these six bills.

Now, it is the Senate's turn to show that we can work together in a bipartisan manner to finish the job. It is so important that we do so because looming is a government shutdown--another harmful, unnecessary, and disastrous government shutdown--if we do not complete our work. Now, there are so many important provisions in these bills that need to become law, I am not going to go through them at this time, but I will later in this week.

Let me say that the tragic death of Alex Pretti has refocused attention on the Homeland Security bill, and I recognize that and share the concerns. I do want to point out to my colleagues that there are many safeguards that have been put in this bill that I would encourage them to review and that the vast majority of the funding in this bill-- more than 80 percent--is for nonimmigration and nonborder security functions.

It includes, for example, funding for FEMA. We have just gone through a horrific storm that has caused a lot of damage, and FEMA is very important. It includes funding for TSA. Those of us who travel back and forth to our home States every weekend are well aware of the work of TSA in keeping us safe. It includes funding for cyber security and physical infrastructure protection. And important to the States of the Presiding Officer and the State of Maine, it includes funding for the U.S. Coast Guard.

So I know that there will be many more speeches and discussions of all of the bills that are included in this package, but let me just say that I hope we can come together in a constructive way to get this done and to ensure that we do not lurch into a dangerous and detrimental government shutdown. So that is my goal, and I look forward to working with our colleagues this week to accomplish that objective.

As I said, I will have more to say on each of the bills as the week progresses.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the morning hour be deemed expired.