Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Michael A. ``Mike'' Gordon on his induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors in the State of North Carolina.

Mike Gordon has spent his life in service to his community and our State. He served for 24 years in the North Carolina Army National Guard, retiring as a senior noncommissioned officer, where he demonstrated strong leadership, discipline, and a deep commitment to duty. Those same qualities carried into his civilian life, where he became a pillar of the Archer Lodge community.

In Johnston County, Mike has led in many capacities. He dedicated nearly two decades to the Archer Lodge Volunteer Fire Department, including 10 years as president, and also served as president of the Johnston County Firemen's Association. He went on to serve as mayor of Archer Lodge from 2009 to 2018, helping guide the town through a period of growth while preserving its strong sense of community. As the town's first administrator, he helped establish the structure and operations that continue to serve residents today.

Mike's commitment extends well beyond public office. He has spent more than 30 years volunteering with the Archer Lodge Community Center and played a key role in the creation of the Archer Lodge Water District, supporting critical infrastructure and public health in the community. He has also remained active in honoring veterans and supporting local families and is a longtime member of White Oak Baptist Church.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is reserved for individuals who have made a lasting and meaningful impact on North Carolina. Mike Gordon's lifetime of service reflects that standard in every respect. I congratulate Mike on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his continued service to Johnston County and the State of North Carolina.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 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 rise today to recognize Jim McCleskey upon his retirement as director of the North Carolina Washington Office. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. McCleskey has served the people of North Carolina with exceptional dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to public service, leaving an immeasurable impact on our State and Nation.

Jim McCleskey is a native North Carolinian who has built a career defined by professionalism, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to strengthening North Carolina's communities and economy. Over many years of service, he has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of countless citizens and advance opportunities for communities across our State.

Throughout his career, Mr. McCleskey cultivated strong relationships across North Carolina and throughout Washington, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, elected officials, community leaders, and constituents alike. His service has exemplified the highest standards of public service, and I am deeply grateful for the outstanding support and counsel he consistently provided to the staff in my offices on behalf of our State.

In addition to leading the North Carolina Washington Office, Mr. McCleskey served with distinction as North Carolina's Alternate Representative to the Appalachian Regional Commission, serving under five Governors and across multiple Presidential administrations. Throughout his tenure, he worked in a bipartisan manner to strengthen the Appalachian Regional Commission as an effective Federal-State partnership dedicated to improving economic opportunity and quality of life throughout Appalachia.

Among his 13 State peers, Mr. McCleskey is the longest serving alternate representative in the history of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Under his leadership and advocacy, the commission awarded more than $214 million in funding to support 722 projects across North Carolina improving infrastructure, workforce development, and business growth. He also coordinated the efforts of Appalachian Governors to advocate for robust Federal support for the commission and its mission.

Mr. McCleskey's leadership helped the Appalachian Regional Commission respond to some of the region's most pressing challenges, including substance use disorder, economic transition, and long-term recovery efforts following major natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene. His steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge have left a lasting mark on both North Carolina and the Appalachian Region.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Jim McCleskey for his extraordinary service to the people of North Carolina and the Nation. I wish him happiness, good health, and many rewarding days ahead--hopefully with a few fish on the end of his fly-fishing line.

Mr. 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3497 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 378, S. 71.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar 379, S. 3199.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; that the committee-reported title amendment be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions that are at the desk: S. Res. 723, S. Res. 724.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12; 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 the Warsh nomination postcloture; further, notwithstanding rule XXII, that the Senate vote on confirmation of the Warsh nomination at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow; also, that the Senate recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; further, if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session of the Senate, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; finally, if closure is invoked on Executive Calendar No. 727, all time during Tuesday's lunch recess count postcloture.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 723.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Michelle Brooks, the executive vice dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, on being named the recipient of the prestigious James R. Talton Jr. Leadership Award. The Talton Leadership Award was established to honor the legacy of the late James R. Talton, Jr., a titan of the North Carolina business community and a devoted servant of East Carolina University. This award is not merely a recognition of professional success; it is a testament to ``servant leadership,'' a philosophy defined by collaboration, empathy, trust, and the ethical use of authority.

Michelle Brooks embodies these virtues in every facet of her distinguished career. Her journey is a quintessential story of dedication to the Greenville community and the people of North Carolina. A proud alumna of East Carolina University, where she earned her master of science in nursing, Michelle began her career at the most fundamental level of healthcare: as a bedside nurse.

Over a 30-year tenure at ECU Health, she ascended through the ranks to executive leadership, never losing the perspective of the frontline provider or the patient. This transition from bedside care to the boardroom is a masterclass in the ``continuous learning and development'' that the Talton Award seeks to honor.

In her current role as executive vice dean and legislative liaison, Michelle serves as a vital bridge between clinical excellence and public policy. Her work focusing on the healthcare workforce and the sustainability of rural medicine is critical to the future of our region. She is more than an administrator; she is a ``positive change agent'' who fosters the development of those around her, ensuring that the next generation of healthcare leaders is rooted in the same ethical professionalism she has demonstrated throughout her career.

Michelle's commitment to the Brody School of Medicine and the broader ECU community mirrors the dedication of James R. Talton, Jr., himself. Like Mr. Talton, she understands that true leadership is measured by the strength of the community one leaves behind. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Michelle Brooks for her three decades of service, her unwavering character, and her well-deserved receipt of the James R. Talton Jr. Leadership Award. She is a credit to East Carolina University and a beacon of leadership for the great State of North Carolina.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Richard Childress, a North Carolina native, NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner, and a leader whose impact reaches far beyond the racetrack.

From humble beginnings, Mr. Childress built Richard Childress Racing into one of the most respected organizations in motorsports, creating jobs for hundreds of North Carolinians and competing at the highest levels of the sport. He has led his teams to more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including 6 with the legendary Dale Earnhardt, and helped shape NASCAR into what it is today.

What stands out most about Richard Childress is how he has used that success to support others, especially those

who have served our country. He has made it a priority to show up for servicemembers and veterans in meaningful ways. He has visited troops at home and overseas, hosted monthly ``Coffee with Veterans'' gatherings at his race shop in Welcome, NC, and regularly opened his facilities to Active-Duty units for team-building and fellowship. These are not one-time gestures. They reflect a personal commitment to honoring those who serve. His efforts have been recognized with the Helping a Hero Lee Greenwood Patriot Award.

Mr. Childress has also used his platform to support American workers and communities. Through his businesses, including engine development, manufacturing, and agriculture, he has invested in North Carolina and created opportunities across multiple industries. He has been a consistent advocate for American agriculture and homegrown energy, supporting policies that benefit rural communities and strengthen domestic production.

Alongside his wife Judy, Mr. Childress cofounded the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, which has grown into a nationwide effort to improve how we prevent and treat serious injuries in children. It reflects his belief that success should be used to make a difference in the lives of others.

Mr. Childress' legacy is defined not only by his accomplishments in motorsports, but by his commitment to people, his support for veterans, and his investment in his home State of North Carolina. He has set an example that extends well beyond the track and into communities across our State and Nation.

Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of North Carolina State Representative Mike Clampitt, a dedicated public servant, firefighter, and strong advocate for the people of western North Carolina, who passed away on March 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Representative Clampitt devoted his life to serving others. Long before his time in elected office, he spent nearly three decades with the Charlotte Fire Department, rising to the rank of captain and responding to emergencies across the community. His career in public safety reflected a deep commitment to protecting lives and to putting others first, a calling he carried into public office.

In the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served multiple terms representing Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania Counties, Representative Clampitt was known as a tireless advocate for his constituents and for western North Carolina. He brought a practical, service-oriented approach to legislating, grounded in the real needs of the communities he represented.

That approach was especially evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, one of the most devastating natural disasters to impact our State. As communities in western North Carolina faced significant flooding and damage, Representative Clampitt was actively engaged in recovery efforts, working to support families and ensure western North Carolina received the resources it needed.

Even while battling a serious illness, Representative Clampitt continued to serve. He remained engaged in legislative work and continued advocating for his constituents. Those who knew Mike Clampitt remember a man of humility, kindness, and steady determination. Whether as a firefighter, legislator, or simply a neighbor, he lived a life defined by service and a commitment to his community.

On behalf of Susan, myself, and the people of North Carolina, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the communities he served.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to resume the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 311, H.R. 7147.

Mr. President, I have four 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: