Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of 80 percent of Americans, including millions of North Carolinians who are asking Congress to ensure that only Americans can vote in American elections.

The charge here, it is really that simple, but I find it ironic that we are once again debating an 80-20 issue because my Democrat colleagues refuse to accept the stance held by an overwhelming majority of their own constituents.

Staging political theater on such commonsense issues, it has really become routine for Democrats. Let's take, for example, a few things: keeping our borders wide open, opposing the deportation of dangerous criminals, defunding the police, backing radical gender ideology for children, and allowing biological men to compete in women's sports.

And, like clockwork, here we are again, but this time my colleagues across the aisle are refusing to keep our elections fair, transparent, and secure by requiring proof of citizenship to register and have voter ID at the polls. Over 70 percent of Democrats across our country-- Democrats--believe that voter ID should be required, but it seems that Senate Democrats couldn't care less.

And why is that? Because instead of accepting the will of the people that they represent, Senate Democrats have chosen to dig their heels in on their failed campaign as the party of open borders and illegal immigration.

By opposing the SAVE America Act, Senate Democrats are telling the American people, loud and clear, that they don't care about preserving the right to vote for American citizens because of their political agenda, which props up illegal immigrants over working-class Americans.

My Democrat colleagues should understand that it is a Federal offense for any noncitizen to vote in a Federal election. Providing proof of identification is a basic security measure, and everyone knows that.

When you board an airplane, you go to the doctor, you start a new job, or even if you get a library card, you are required to show proof of government identification.

In North Carolina, we require every voter to show a government ID before voting. Twenty-three other States already have this same voting law on their books, and nearly every European country has voter ID laws in place. And why? Because power in a democratic society is vested in the will of the people, and that fundamental right to self- determination must be protected at all cost.

I want to address a misleading claim that my Senate colleagues across the aisle continue over and over and over to repeat. Senate Democrats claim that the SAVE America Act would somehow disenfranchise millions of Americans, and that is just false.

This legislation does not target any American citizen eligible to vote; instead, it protects them. The SAVE America Act ensures that only U.S. citizens participate in Federal elections by requiring States to maintain accurate voter rolls and stopping noncitizens from voting. That is not disenfranchisement.

But, at its core, this bill is about restoring trust. The American people deserve to have confidence in our Federal elections, and they deserve peace of mind to know that their right as American citizens to determine the future of our country is not diluted by noncitizens meddling in our democratic process. The SAVE America Act puts the integrity of our Republic first again.

President Trump--he has been a steadfast champion of voter ID, and he has encouraged Congress to move this legislation forward because the state of our Nation depends upon protecting the power of the people, and I agree with the President. Ensuring that certainty in our Federal elections, it really shouldn't be controversial at all.

But every single time President Trump supports a policy, no matter how logical it is, Democrats draw a hard line in the sand and they oppose it. Common sense and deciding policy based on the merit of its principles seems right now to mean nothing to Senate Democrats because they refuse to come to the negotiating table to responsibly lay out their concerns and negotiate in good faith.

And when I travel to all 100 counties in North Carolina, I hear the same frustration. Americans see Congress stuck in gridlock with negotiation replaced by partisan stonewalling. I think the American people deserve better.

I am all for having passionate disagreements, you know, but a friendly debate, it is just as American as it gets. But discord should never be an excuse for obstruction, and partisan games are no substitute for responsible governance.

That is not what Americans sent us here to do. We must listen to the 80 percent of Americans calling on us to restore trust in our Federal elections by ensuring that only citizens can vote.

The American people, they didn't send us here to posture. They sent us here to legislate, and legislating requires setting aside partisanship, returning to common sense, and doing what is best for the country and not what is politically self-serving.

So I hope my colleagues across the aisle--that they will listen to the overwhelming majority of Americans, Republicans and Democrats, calling for action and vote to pass the SAVE America Act now.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, service, and long-awaited homecoming of Private Luther Leru ``Dusty'' Rhodes of Edneyville, Henderson County, NC, a U.S. marine who gave his life in defense of our Nation during World War II.

Luther Rhodes was born in Edneyville on March 22, 1924, and raised on his family's farm in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian Mountains alongside nine brothers and sisters.

From an early age, Luther learned the values of hard work, devotion to family, responsibility to others, values that shaped the man that he would become and guided his decision to serve his country.

At just 17 years old, Luther was determined to enlist. After receiving his father's permission, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps on November 11, 1941--just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He completed recruit training at Parris Island and was assigned to L Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division at New River-- now Camp Lejeune--NC.

In late May 1942, Private Rhodes deployed to New Zealand and soon thereafter took part in the amphibious landings on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942--the first major American offensive of the war in the Pacific. His unit captured Henderson Field and then endured months of sustained, often brutal combat, including Bloody Ridge and battles along the Matanikau River.

During this period, Luther became known among his fellow Marines as the Kid and by the nickname ``Dusty.'' He was young and slight, with light blond hair and a boyish face, but he demonstrated courage and resolve beyond his years. He earned the respect of the men with whom he served.

On the night of October 7, 1942, during the Third Battle of the Matanikau, Japanese forces attempted to break through marine lines. In the darkness and confusion of that engagement, Luther Rhodes was killed in action. He was 18 years old.

His fellow marines recovered his body the following morning. One of them, Lawrence ``Hardrock'' Gerkin, who had taken Luther under his wing, was informed personally of the young marine's death. When Gerkin saw Luther's body wrapped in a poncho, he was overcome with grief. He ordered the men carrying him to handle him with care. Decades later, those who witnessed that moment still recalled how Luther's blond hair appeared alongside the battlefield.

But the chaos of the war and the movement of his remains afterward created lasting uncertainty. Luther's body was buried in a temporary Marine cemetery on Guadalcanal, but his remains were never returned home. In 1949, he was declared permanently nonrecoverable.

His parents wrote to the Marine Corps in 1946, pleading for information and expressing their hope that their son could one day be returned to the United States for his final resting place.

Their youngest son Marvin grew up never knowing his brother. Luther died when Marvin was just 6 months old. For decades, Marvin searched for answers. He submitted DNA. He attended briefings. He followed every lead that he could, and eventually he lost hope that his brother would ever be found.

Then, last year--in 2025--the phone rang. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency had identified Luther Rhodes from remains buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Advances in DNA technology had finally made it possible.

After 83 years, Luther was coming home.

For the people of Henderson County, that news meant something deep. It meant a son of the mountains who left home as a teenager to serve his country was finally coming back to the hills that raised him.

Next weekend, Luther Rhodes will be laid to rest at Edneyville United Methodist Church, near his parents and siblings, in the soil they prayed he would one day return to--back in the Appalachian Mountains, among his own people.

That identification came through persistence, careful research, and an unwavering commitment to the principle that no American servicemember should ever be forgotten. It came through the extraordinary work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. It came through the advocacy of the Hedrick-Rhodes VFW Post 5206 in Hendersonville. It came through the determination of family members and community leaders who refused to abandon the search.

To Marvin Rhodes and the entire Rhodes family, the people of North Carolina honor your brother. We honor your sacrifice, and we are grateful that Luther is finally coming home.

I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Private Luther Leru ``Dusty'' Rhodes, U.S. Marine Corps, and in reaffirming our commitment to never cease our efforts to account for those who remain missing in action.

May God bless the memory of Luther Rhodes, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam President, I rise today to commend the law enforcement officers of Graham County, NC, for their exceptional efforts in the completion of Operation Dirty Laundry. This 11-month undercover investigation successfully disrupted a large-scale criminal network in Appalachia. The operation unveiled a coordinated criminal enterprise involving drug trafficking and illegal gambling in Western North Carolina.

The investigation began with tips about unlawful activity tied to multiple businesses in and around Robbinsville, including 30 vape shops that were in the area.

The Graham County Sheriff's Office worked in conjunction with State and Federal partners to uncover some horrific evidence. On the scene, law enforcement discovered more than $200,000 in illicit cash that was seized, along with 130 pounds of dangerous scheduled substances-- including marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and hallucinogenic mushrooms--and 13 illegal gambling machines. Authorities are pursuing charges against more than 38 individuals connected to this criminal activity.

But these numbers are not just statistics; they represent safer neighborhoods, families shielded from the devastation of addiction, and young people steered away from the life-altering trap of dangerous drugs. For North Carolinians of Graham County, the completion of this operation brings a renewed hope and reassurance that local law enforcement is standing firm and holding criminals accountable that seek to exploit our communities.

I want to extend my gratitude to my good friend Graham County sheriff Brad Hoxit and to every other officer and deputy in his department who worked tirelessly and took on personal risk to keep their community safe.

Your courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment represent the very best of public service.

I applaud the continuing efforts of local law enforcement to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.

I am going to continue to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep North Carolina strong. As I have said before on the Senate floor, drug traffickers will find no refuge in Western North Carolina or anywhere in the Old North State.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, 1 year ago, Hurricane Helene brought devastating winds and recordbreaking rainfall to Western North Carolina. Families were displaced; homes were destroyed; and, tragically, lives were lost. Even in the face of devastation, North Carolinians showed remarkable strength, unity, and compassion.

Today, I rise to recognize Mr. Eddie Hunnell of Holly Springs, NC, who exemplified that spirit. On Friday, September 27, 2024, floodwaters surged through the North Fork New River in Grassy Creek, NC. Mr. Hunnell had made a 3\1/2\-hour trip to Western North Carolina to celebrate his son's wedding.

But what should have been a joyous occasion quickly turned into a crisis. As rising water carried trees, furniture, and other debris downstream, Mr. Hunnell spotted a 66-year-old Grassy Creek resident in distress, Ms. Leslie Worth. She was wearing a life jacket. She was standing in the second-story bedroom window of her home that had been knocked from its foundation.

Ms. Worth bravely jumped out of the window to save her own life. She plunged into the dangerous conditions and was swept up by the current. And without a moment's hesitation, Mr. Hunnell made the brave decision to attempt to rescue her. He steered a canoe through the flood, then, undeterred by the raging current, leapt into the water and swam to reach her. Through determination and resolve, he swam to her to safer ground, undoubtedly saving her life. This was nothing short of an act of extraordinary bravery and selflessness.

Once Ms. Worth was reunited with her husband, Mr. Hunnell welcomed the couple to join the family that evening at his son's rehearsal dinner. He knew they were without a home, without a meal, and without any warmth. He even went further by setting up a fund to help them rebuild their lives, and he was the very first to contribute.

In June, Mr. Hunnell was recognized for this extraordinary act of heroism as a recipient of the Carnegie Medal. This award honors civilians who risk death or serious physical injury, to an extraordinary degree, saving or attempting to save the lives of others. And I can think of no one more deserving than he.

The motto of the great State of North Carolina is ``Esse quam videri,'' which means ``to be rather than to seem.'' I firmly believe Mr. Hunnell has lived out our State's motto to the fullest. His actions remind us that in times of crisis, ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary deeds. I am grateful for his swift, lifesaving intervention during Hurricane Helene to save an innocent life.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his exemplary service. May his courage continue to be an inspiration for us all.

I yield the floor.

(Mrs. BRITT assumed the Chair.)

Mr. President, I rise today in remembrance of the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, a disaster of unprecedented magnitude that devastated North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains.

On the evening of September 26, 2024, this historic storm struck the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, putting the livelihoods of thousands of North Carolinians on hold, and shattering many communities.

As we approach this solemn anniversary, I want to reflect on the lives that Hurricane Helene took with her. One hundred eight lives were tragically lost in this disaster, leaving their families grieving. To this day, five individuals remain unaccounted for, leaving their loved ones without answers.

In their loss, we are reminded of the comfort and hope found in the 23rd Psalm:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

God has been with us in grief, and he is now with us in recovery.

But when I look back on this past year, what is most visible is not destruction; it is resilience: neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together, and the people of the Appalachian Mountains leaning on faith and hope and determination to carry us through the aftermath of the storm.

A year ago, when Helene first hit, there was no way in or out of the mountains. When I was able to get through, I was in contact with numerous local leaders who tried to describe what was happening on the ground. I saw the impact firsthand thanks to North Carolina agriculture commissioner Steve Troxler when we surveyed the devastation together in a forestry helicopter. Shortly thereafter, I made the first of many on- the-ground visits to the affected towns.

What I quickly saw was the tremendous work being done by Samaritan's Purse and Baptists on Mission, along with many other faith- and community-based organizations and nonprofits that stepped up to help. Companies like Lowe's, Walmart, AT&T, Verizon, and many more stepped up significantly in contributing funds and resources to support rebuilding efforts.

I spoke to local heroes--our first responders--some of whom had not been home in days and were left unsure of the status of their own homes and families. In Fairview, two landslides claimed the lives of 11 members of the Craig family, and they had lived on that land for over a century. I embraced residents as they wept--shaken by their unimaginable loss--as they were left to navigate the uncertainty of just how to move forward. But what struck me the most was the willingness of ordinary people to step up with extraordinary courage and put themselves at risk to save a life.

In Spruce Pine, Eddie Hunnell jumped into rushing waters to save a stranger whose home was being washed away.

Junior Singleton--75 years old from Avery County--woke up to water in his basement that was rising quickly. As neighbors gathered at his home on high ground, he recognized someone was missing. He waded through the floodwaters to get his neighbors out of their home and safely to higher ground.

Medics in Mitchell County, during the shelter-in-place order, responded to a teen boy experiencing a seizure. They had to cut their way through downed trees to reach the boy's home and deliver lifesaving care.

In Yancey County, Mountain Heritage High School students are partnering with Rebuilding Hollers to build tiny homes for Hurricane Helene survivors. Their work restores not just shelter but the hope that people can begin to rebuild their lives.

In Madison County, the catastrophic flooding in Hot Springs--home to just 520 people--gave rise to the Rebuild Hot Springs Area organization. Together, this small town and its neighbors have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help families return home and businesses to reopen. Though challenges remain, on May 2, the town officially reopened its doors to welcome visitors once again.

In Henderson County, chief Steve Freeman led Bat Cave's volunteer fire department through Helene by urging evacuations, coordinating rescues, and conducting welfare checks for weeks without any power. He expanded his crew, patrolled the rivers daily, and built a spirit of unity, helping neighbors endure and rebuild together.

In Chimney Rock, which was one of the hardest hit towns, manager Stephen Duncan and mayor Peter O'Leary are charting a path forward. With nonprofits like Spokes of Hope, the Great Needs Trust, and Amish partners from Pennsylvania, the community is rebuilding Main Street with reclaimed wood and donated supplies, restoring not only buildings but a sense of hope.

Large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are now back open. The parkway serves as a lifeline to the travel and tourism industry in Western North Carolina, and it is the foundation of the small business economy. Work is ongoing on the most damaged sections of the parkway, and those stretches are slated to reopen next year.

Now, while we have seen some successes as folks work to return to normal, there is still a lot of work to do to make sure Western North Carolina is stronger than it was before those fateful days. As we shifted from response to recovery, communities spent millions of dollars of their own to clean up and rebuild with the promise of Federal reimbursement. They have been met with unnecessary bureaucratic gridlock as the Federal Government reviews grant applications and slow- pay funds.

I have talked to local officials about how the slow pace of reimbursements was putting a strain on their general budgets that are still reeling from the economic impacts of lost tourism and businesses that never reopened. I have continued to fight to make sure our communities have the support that they need from their Federal Government to get these critical reimbursement checks signed and out the door for the people of Western North Carolina.

As we approach the 1-year anniversary of the most expensive and deadly natural disaster in North Carolina's history, we have much work still to do. The backlog is too long. There are still tarps on homes. Roads and bridges remain unbuilt. Needs are great, and help is just too slow. But we are finally starting to reduce the backlog of projects awaiting Federal reimbursement. President Trump and I know that the needs are still urgent, and we are working together to get Western North Carolinians the help that they need.

We couldn't have come this far without the local leaders who have shouldered the weight of the crisis and guided their communities toward recovery. I want to thank all of the county commissioners and mayors, county and town managers, and local emergency management directors in all of the impacted counties who have stood on the frontlines of this disaster, never once faltering in their commitment to serve.

To the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, churches, and volunteers who answered the call in our darkest hours, thank you. Your courage saved lives, and your sacrifice gave us strength.

To the people of Western North Carolina--those who have borne the brunt of this disaster--it is because of your resilience that homes are being rebuilt for families to continue making memories; that students are returning to classrooms and are determined to keep learning; and that small business owners are reopening their doors against all odds.

It is your unyielding spirit that has inspired all of us throughout North Carolina and across the Nation. I will continue to speak up for you in the U.S. Senate and know that your loss will never be forgotten.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I have five requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, September 8, and that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of Calendar No. 291, Edward Artau, and at 5:30 p.m., the Senate execute the order of Wednesday, September 3, with respect to the Artau nomination.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

In my capacity as the Senator from North Carolina, I ask consent that notwithstanding the order of July 1, 2025, I be permitted to address the Senate to propound an order.

In my capacity as the Senator from North Carolina, I ask that the order of Tuesday, July 1, with respect to the Senate's reconvening be modified so that the Senate be in session on Monday, July 7, at 10:15 a.m. for a pro forma session only with no business to be conducted; and that the existing order for the Senate to reconvene on Monday, July 7, now occur on Tuesday, July, 8, with all other aspects of that order remaining in place.

I further ask that all members of the Republican caucus have signing authority through Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Madam President, I rise to recognize and commend the outstanding efforts of our law enforcement community in western North Carolina for their role in the success of Operation Uptown Funk. Now, that is a pretty creative name, but it is a very serious issue. It was a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Appalachia.

This coordinated operation has involved law enforcement agencies from Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina as well as Greenville and Spartanburg Counties in South Carolina, and it has been supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This is nothing short of a strong testament to the commitment of our law enforcement officers to put the welfare of our communities first.

Over the course of this investigation, authorities confiscated more than $175,000 in illicit funds, 20 firearms, and 30 pounds of illegal drugs, including substantial quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. More than 30 individuals from Henderson County have been arrested and are being held accountable for their role in this dangerous drug network.

These results are not just statistics. They represent lives saved, overdoses prevented, and neighborhoods that can breathe easier knowing that they are a lot safer.

In a region still working to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, dismantling this trafficking ring has brought a renewed sense of hope and security for Western North Carolinians.

On behalf of the people of North Carolina, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Sheriff Lowell Griffin of Henderson County, Sheriff Quentin Miller of Buncombe County, Sheriff Bill Wilke of Haywood County, and Sheriff Chuck Owenby of Transylvania County. I also want to thank the dedicated men and women within their departments--especially the Henderson County Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement Unit, or DICE--for their service. Their courage has protected countless families and made it clear to drug traffickers they will find no refuge in the mountains of our beautiful Western North Carolina.

It is my honor to represent a State whose law enforcement professionals lead with tremendous integrity and commitment to our citizens. I will continue working in the U.S. Senate to ensure that they have the tools, resources, and support they need to keep our communities safe.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, the naming of

naval ships is a long and proud naval tradition that goes back to America's first frigates commissioned by Congress. Then, as now, the naming of a ship is not just a top-down affair. It demands the input and consideration of the journey men and women who constructed her, as well as her prospective crew and captain, right down to the lowest ranking sailor.

Those individuals are known in naval tradition as plank owners, and that title brings with it an honor that they were the first to sail aboard a ship that will serve our country for generations. That is an honor that transcends political partisanship and differences of opinion, and it belongs to the sailors.

It is no secret that the last administration took a top-down approach to the naming of our newest class of USNS oilers. In doing so, they broke with important naval customs and traditions and robbed the USNS plank owners of the chance to name these vessels after what mattered most to them.

It is true that civilian leaders in Congress and the White House have always had a say in ship naming as well. George Washington selected the names of our first six frigates, but he did so from a list provided by the plank owners--the ships' crews and captains.

Navy tradition, like the name of a ship, lives in the hearts and minds of every sailor, and these traditions are vital to preserving the morale and fighting spirit of our forces. Resetting the stage is not a political issue. It is bringing things back in line with naval custom and tradition. It will allow the Secretary of the Navy to consider the input of new ship plank owners so that he can name this class of ships after the things that matter most to America's sailors.

For these reasons, I object.