Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations: All nominations placed on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

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

Madam 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:

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 481, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, December 4; 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, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Ramirez nomination postcloture and that all time be considered expired at 5:30 p.m.; finally, that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

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

Madam President, I will start by thanking my colleagues, especially Senator Murray, for organizing this effort and also for her life of being a passionate advocate for kids, especially as an early childhood educator.

And I will start in another way that is a little nontraditional and just be a proud dad. I have three adult children, and I am proud of them all for different reasons. But my middle son, I am proud of him because he is my only Phi Beta Kappa, and he also is an early childhood educator. He decided that working as a childcare provider is what he wants to do, and he has worked in both pre-K classroom settings and also individually for families.

I know how little he makes, 10 years out of college. I know how he loves to find some extra hours where he can make a little bit more. I was excited that he was excited, a few years ago, when he told me that he had picked up extra hours shoveling snow at the pre-K classroom. Because he lives in Minnesota, there is a lot of snow to be shoveled. So on nights or on weekends when there is snow, he is going to make a little bit more by being the snow shoveler, so that kids, parents, and teachers can come safely to school that day.

The stories that I hear traveling around Virginia are the same that my colleagues have shared, but I just want to share two, one from a parent and one from a provider.

Heather is in Fairfax City, in the most populous part of Virginia. Here is what she told us:

One of the reasons my family ended up homeless was because

we didn't have access to quality, affordable childcare for

our boys when they were little. They also lost access to

programs that would allow them to be school-ready.

When I was pregnant with our twins, I was hospitalized for

almost 12 weeks, and we couldn't afford childcare for our

boys, so my husband would drop them off at the hospital so

that he would be able to go to work.

Unfortunately, without access to child care and a hospital

being no place for kids to stay all day long, he ended up

losing his job, which in turn meant we lost money to provide

for ourselves. We had to go on SNAP to have food, and

eventually, he lost his business, and we became homeless. . .

. One of the biggest contributing factors was the lack of

access to affordable child care.

At the time there was not enough space in programs like

Head Start. Without access to affordable, quality child care,

families are hurting. The lack of access to this vital

service has forced families to not be able to go to work, go

to school, or even leave kids at home in compromising

positions just to be able to put food on the table.

I forgot to include that at this time, we were considered

middle class before all this; both my husband and I are

college educated. I was working at first, too, but also had

to leave my job because we couldn't afford the child care for

both of us to work. And my husband is an honorably discharged

combat veteran. I meant to add this to help demonstrate how

far-reaching this is and to break down myths about who this

affects.

Quickly, at the other end of my State in Appalachia, Kristi, the owner of a childcare center in Blacksburg:

Since the pandemic, we have had to decrease the number of

families that we were able to serve because we are having

such a difficult time with our staffing. Being able to pay

early childhood teachers has always been a significant

difficulty for us, but since the pandemic, it has [become]

tremendous. . . . I think what the Senate needs to understand

is that if this industry collapses, and I would say we are

very much on the verge of a major collapse, it is going to

have a detrimental impact on the workforce [and our economy].

That is why we have to act to restore the childcare funding that created breathing room for our providers and our families, and I stand together with my colleagues to do all we can to support President Biden's request that we have $16 billion in childcare funding at this most critical time.

With that, Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I first ask unanimous consent to use three easels rather than the two prescribed in Senate rules.

Mr. President, I am glad that I am rising after my colleague from Alaska because I am rising on behalf of a group of very special people and also in commemoration of three very special dates. The group of people are 364 nominations for military appointments who have been pending for months and months and months on the floor of the U.S. Senate; and I rise in their honor with the intention, in a few minutes, to begin offering unanimous consent motions so that they may finally be confirmed to the positions they have earned through their sacrifice in the uniform of this country.

I also rise to commemorate three special days: November 9, November 10, and November 11. November 9, today, is Military Day in Alabama, designated by Governor Kay Ivey about 10 days ago, recognizing the deep connection between Alabama and our Nation's military mission. Governor Ivey asked all who were veterans or in Active Duty to wear their uniforms today. She asked employers to encourage that to happen. And she said that this day--Thursday, November 9, 2023--in the State of Alabama should be a day where we commemorate our Active Duty and veterans.

When I saw that today had been designated Military Day in Alabama, I was interested in that, and I wondered whether that was the case in other States as well. It turns out, no, that it is not. I hope it might be a trend that other Governors pick up on in future years.

The second day that I want to acknowledge is tomorrow, November 10, which is the Marine Corps' 248th birthday. I offer this one with a little bit of parental pride because my oldest son was a marine infantry commander who is now a marine reservist.

The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, when, at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, there was enacted the creation of this corps of marines. And almost immediately, the effort began to recruit marines to fulfill the Continental Congress's mandate. And the recruitment began at a tavern, Tun Tavern, which is still commemorated in Philadelphia.

And then the final day is Veterans Day, which is set for November 11 every year. We commemorate it, when it is on a weekend, on the nearest weekday. So Veterans Day this year is going to be celebrated tomorrow, November 10.

Veterans Day has an amazing history as well. World War I hostilities ended on the eleventh hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. And so, a year later, Congress, President Wilson, acted to declare that November 11 would henceforth be a day to recognize the heroism of World War I veterans. It was originally Armistice Day.

Armistice Day then began to be celebrated as Armistice Day beginning in--it was first commemorated in 1921 with the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In 1954, by now, Armistice Day had been extended to celebrate all veterans of all wars, and the name of it was changed by Congress under President Eisenhower to Veterans Day.

And so we stand here today, on November 9, Military Day in Alabama. Tomorrow will be the Marine Corps' 248th birthday. And we will commemorate tomorrow and Saturday Veterans Day all across this country.

I said I was standing on behalf not only of three special days but also hundreds of special people. My colleague and Armed Services colleague Senator Tuberville of Alabama has, as is his right as a Senator, imposed a blockade on consideration in the normal course of business, pursuant to Senate practice, the confirmation of now 364 high-ranking military officials who have come through the Armed Services Committee.

Senator Tuberville did not object to them coming through the committee, but he has placed a hold on these nominees on account of his disagreement with a Department of Defense policy that provides leave and travel authorities for military servicemembers and their families who must travel to seek noncovered reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, in vitro fertilization services, and others.

As of today, according to the Pentagon, 364 individuals are being held in this way. Huge numbers of these individuals are either in Virginia awaiting confirmation for new positions, in other States awaiting confirmation for positions that would move them to Virginia, or have had some of their military service in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I haven't done the math, but I would venture to suggest that this affects Virginians and future Virginians more than it might any other State.

And, to be plain, none of these 364 have anything to do with or any responsibility over the policy with which my colleague from Alabama finds significant disagreement.

My colleague and I disagree on the policy. That is the norm on the Senate floor. My colleague has had his opportunity to convince Armed Services Committee members that the policy is wrong and has failed to do so, and he has had the opportunity to bring it forward on the Senate floor and has failed to do so.

But these individuals are in a limbo that is very painful to them, and it is my hope that because my Senate colleague did not object to them when they were before the Armed Services Committee, he might see fit--on Military Day in Alabama and on the eve of commemorating the Marine Corps' 248th birthday and Veterans Day--to finally allow them to serve in the positions that they have earned.

And so, with that, Mr. President, I would like to quickly read a letter that we recently received from the American Legion, also timed around Veterans Day, and then move into an effort to seek by unanimous consent the confirmation of all 364 nominees pending before this body.

To begin--from the American Legion--this was a letter that came to us yesterday, no doubt timed because of the pendency of Veterans Day.

Dear Senate leadership: On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-

paying members, The American Legion respectfully requests

your timely attention to the hundreds of U.S. military

vacancies awaiting confirmation. Your leadership and the

resolve of your conferences to come together and end this

blockade is vital to American national security and to

preserving the lives of our men and women in uniform. Failure

to find a bipartisan solution to the continued political

chess risks the lives of our servicemembers and the safety of

our nation.

Since 1919, The American Legion has emphasized the

importance of a strong national defense. A well-funded, well-

equipped, and well-trained military plays a vital role in

safeguarding the principles our nation holds dear. As U.S.

troops are targeted in the Middle East and global tensions

are on the rise, it is imperative leadership vacancies within

our military are filled now! Our allies and adversaries are

watching closely; inaction risks innumerable consequences.

The personal toll of confirmation purgatory extends far

beyond uniformed candidates with uncertain promotions. U.S.

servicemembers may pay the ultimate price if the perception

of chaos continues to create opportunity for our adversaries.

As we've seen in the past month alone, the Pentagon has

reported more than 38 attacks against U.S. troops in the

Middle East. While politicians continue to play games and use

our servicemembers as pawns, their lives remain in harm's way

and could be left paying the ultimate price.

The American Legion urges both conferences to come together

to end the inaction holding our armed forces hostage. Your

leadership is vital to protect our servicemembers, national

security and our country.

For God and country, Daniel J. Seehafer, National

Commander, American Legion.

With that, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Calendar No. 46, Col. Leigh A. Swanson to brigadier general; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 47, MG Sean A. Gainey to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 48, MG Heidi J. Hoyle to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 49, BG Laurence S. Linton to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 50, BG Stacy M. Babcock to be major general and COL Peggy R. McManus to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 51, Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 52, MG Robert M. Collins to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 82, the following individuals nominated to be brigadier general: Col. David J. Berkland, Col. Amy S. Bumgarner, Col. Ivory D. Carter, Col. Raja J. Chari, Col. Jason E. Corrothers, Col. John B. Creel, Col. Nicholas B. Evans, Col. Bridget V. Gigliotti, Col. Christopher B. Hammond, Col. Leslie F. Hauck III, Col. Kurt C. Helphinstine, Col. Abraham L. Jackson, Col. Benjamin R. Jonsson, Col. Joy M. Kaczor, Col. Christopher J. Leonard, Col. Christopher E. Menuey, Col. David S. Miller, Col. Jeffrey A. Philips, Col. Erik N. Quigley, Col. Michael S. Rowe, Col. Derek M. Salmi, Col. Kayle M. Stevens, Col. Jose E. Sumangil, Col. Terence G. Taylor, Col. Jason D. Voorheis, Col. Michael O. Walters, and Col. Adrienne L. Williams.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 83, Col. Corey A. Simmons to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 84, Rear Admiral George M. Wickoff to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 85, Rear Admiral Frederick W. Kacher to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 86, the following group of individuals who have been nominated to be brigadier general: Col. Sean M. Carpenter, Col. Mary K. Haddad, Col. James L. Hartle, Col. Aaron J. Heick, Col. Joseph D. Janik, Col. Michael T. McGinley, Col. Kevin J. Merrill, Col. Tara E. Nolan, Col. Roderick C. Owens, Col. Mark D. Richey, and Col. Norman B. Shaw, Jr.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 87, the following couple of individuals nominated to be brigadier general: Col. Kristin A. Hillery and Col. Michelle L. Wagner.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 88, the following group of individuals nominated to be major general: Brig. Gen. Elizabeth E. Arledge, Brig. Gen. Robert M. Blake, Brig. Gen. Vanessa J. Dornhoefer, Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Freeman, Brig. Gen. David P. Garfield, Brig. Gen. Mitchell A. Hanson, Brig. Gen. Jody A. Merritt, Brig. Gen. Adrian K. White, Brig. Gen. William W. Whittenberger, Jr., and Brig. Gen. Christopher F. Yancy.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 90, Rear Admiral Shoshana S. Chatfield to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 91, Col. William F. Wilkerson to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 92, Col. Evelyn E. Laptook to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 93, Brigadier General Ronald R. Ragin--R-A-G-I-N--to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 94, the following group of individuals nominated to be brigadier general: COL Brandon C. Anderson, COL Beth A. Behn, COL Matthew W. Braman, COL Kenneth J. Burgess, COL Thomas E. Burke, COL Chad C. Chalfont, COL Kendall J. Clarke, COL Patrick M. Costello, COL Rory A. Crooks, COL Troy M. Denomy, COL Sara E. Dudley, COL Joseph E. Escandon, COL Alric L. Francis, COL George C. Hackler, COL William C. Hannan, Jr., COL Peter G. Hart, COL Gregory L. Holden, COL Paul D. Howard, COL James G. Kent, COL Curtis W. King, COL John P. Lloyd, COL Shannon M. Lucas, COL Landis C. Maddox, COL Kareem P. Montague, COL John B. Mountford, COL David C. Phillips, COL Kenneth N. Reed, COL John W. Sannes, COL Andrew O. Saslav, COL Charlone E. Stallworth, COL Jennifer S. Walkawicz, COL Camilla A. White, COL Scott D. Wilkinson, COL Jeremy S. Wilson, COL Scott C. Woodward, COL Joseph W. Wortham II, and COL David J. Zinn.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 96, rear admiral (lower half) for the following two individuals: CAPT Walter D. Brafford and CAPT Robert J. Hawkins.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 97, the following group of individuals nominated to be rear admiral (lower half): CAPT Amy N. Bauernschmidt, CAPT Michael B. Devore, CAPT Thomas A. Donovan, CAPT Frederic C. Goldhammer, CAPT Ian L. Johnson, CAPT Neil A. Koprowski, CAPT Paul J. Lanzilotta, CAPT Joshua Lasky, CAPT Donald W. Marks, CAPT Craig T. Mattingly, CAPT Andrew T. Miller, CAPT Lincoln M. Reifsteck, CAPT Frank A. Rhodes IV, CAPT Thomas E. Shultz, CAPT Todd E. Whalen, and CAPT Forrest O. Young.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 98, to be rear admiral (lower half): CAPT Brian J. Anderson and CAPT Julie M. Treanor.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 99, two individuals nominated to be rear admiral: Rear Admiral (lh) Casey J. Moton and Rear Admiral (lh) Stephen R. Tedford.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 100, Rear Admiral (lh) Rick Freedman to be rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 101, Rear Admiral (lh) Kenneth W. Epps to be rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 102, the following group of individuals nominated to be rear admiral: Rear Admiral (lh) Stephen D. Barnett, Rear Admiral (lh) Michael W. Baze, Rear Admiral (lh) Richard T. Brophy, Jr., Rear Admiral (lh) Joseph F. Cahill III, Rear Admiral (lh) Brian L. Davies, Rear Admiral (lh) Michael P. Donnelly, Rear Admiral (lh) Daniel P. Martin, Rear Admiral (lh) Richard E. Seif, Jr., Rear Admiral (lh) Paul C. Spedero, Jr., Rear Admiral (lh) Derek A. Trinque, Rear Admiral (lh) Dennis Velez, Rear Admiral (lh) Darryl L. Walker, and Rear Admiral (lh) Jeromy B. Williams.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 103, CAPT Frank G. Schlereth III to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 104, the following pair of individuals to be nominated to be rear admiral (lower half): CAPT Joshua C. Himes and CAPT Kurtis A. Mole.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to the following individuals on Executive Calendar No. 105 to be rear admiral (lower half): CAPT Thomas J. Dickinson, CAPT Kevin R. Smith, CAPT Todd S. Weeks, CAPT Dianna Wolfson.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 106 to be major general: Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Harrell, Brig. Gen. Jeannine M. Ryder.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 107, Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, Jr., to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 110, these individuals as a group nominated to be major general: Brig. Gen. Curtis R. Bass, Brig. Gen. Kenyon K. Bell, Brig. Gen. Charles D. Bolton, Brig. Gen. Larry R. Broadwell, Jr., Brig. Gen. Scott A. Cain, Brig. Gen. Sean M. Choquette, Brig. Gen. Roy W. Collins, Brig. Gen. John R. Edwards, Brig. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, Brig. Gen. Justin R. Hoffman, Brig. Gen. Stacy J. Huser, Brig. Gen. Matteo G. Martemucci, Brig. Gen. David A. Mineau, Brig. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Brig. Gen. Ty W. Neuman, Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Niemi, Brig. Gen. Brandon D. Parker, Brig. Gen. Michael T. Rawls, Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, Brig. Gen. David G. Shoemaker, Brig. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss, Brig. Gen. Claude K. Tudor, Jr., Brig. Gen. Dale R. White.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 111, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 112, Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Masiello to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, before returning to Calendar No. 113, I want to respond briefly to my colleague from Alabama.

His position on abortion and reproductive rights is well known, but his claim that the Pentagon policy is unlawful is incorrect. In fact, there has been a policy in place since the Reagan administration that impacts directly upon the policy in the Pentagon.

The Senator from Alabama is correct that, except for limited exceptions, Federal funds may not be used to pay for abortions. That is true. We commonly call it the Hyde amendment, and I am a Hyde amendment supporter.

But, in the 1980s, the Reagan administration was confronted with an issue: What if women in prison--in the Bureau of Prisons--become pregnant and want to terminate a pregnancy? Could Federal funds be used to allow that pregnancy to be terminated?

The Reagan administration's Solicitor General analyzed the situation and said that the Hyde amendment would prohibit funding to procure the abortion, but Federal funds could be used to enable a prisoner to travel to medical care where she could make the choice to terminate a pregnancy.

Later administrations grappled with the same question with respect to Peace Corps volunteers. If a Peace Corps volunteer in a country that does not have reproductive rights access gets pregnant and wants to terminate a pregnancy in a way that is lawful in the United States but not where she is deployed, would the Hyde amendment allow Federal funds to be used?

And consistent with the Reagan administration's ruling, Federal policy has been that Federal funds can be used to enable this Peace Corps volunteer to travel, but the payment for the abortion itself would have to be done privately.

When the Dobbs decision was handed down by the Supreme Court in the summer of 2022, you suddenly had a whole variety of States eliminate a right that women had been able to count on for half a century--that in the early phases of pregnancy, they could terminate a pregnancy without intrusion by the State.

I have a kid in the military. He didn't get to decide where he went. The women who are in the U.S. military don't get to choose where they are deployed, and so now, huge numbers of women who serve this country are deployed either in nations or in States within the United States where they are no longer able to make their own reproductive choices because of where they are deployed--possibly against their will. We want people to be deployed where the military thinks it is best for them to go. We don't want soldiers to have a veto over where they should go. They should go where the mission demands.

But in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, the Pentagon grappled with the same question that Republican and Democratic administrations had grappled with respect to women in Federal prisons and Peace Corps volunteers: Should you be able to travel to seek medical care, including terminating a pregnancy, in a way that is lawful in the State where you go and could that be paid by the Pentagon?

And with that consistent policy in place under Democratic and Republican administrations, the Biden administration said we should treat our servicewomen no worse than prisoners; we should treat our women servicemembers no worse than Peace Corps volunteers.

Federal funds, pursuant to the Hyde amendment, cannot be used to pay for an abortion. But if for decades we have allowed Federal prisoners and Peace Corps volunteers to travel and have the Federal government pay so that they can make a decision that is theirs to make on their own dime, we will treat servicewomen no worse.

It is a policy that is not unlawful. It is a policy that is completely consistent with the way the U.S. Government or Democratic and Republican administrations have treated similarly situated women since the 1980s.

Furthermore, the Senator has indicated that the only option a minority Member has is to place a hold on nominees. To the contrary, not a single one of these individuals has had anything to do with the policy that my colleague doesn't like. Why take it out on them? There is another avenue: Convince your colleagues that you are right.

The Senator and I are on the Armed Services Committee. In June, we marked up the National Defense Authorization Act, and we sat around the table. And it is a slight-majority Democratic committee by one member.

And Senator Tuberville offered the amendment saying: Hey, the Pentagon is wrong. We should rescind the Pentagon policy.

And he didn't get the votes. He was not able to persuade his colleagues that he was right.

In the Armed Services Committee, I make amendments all the time that I am not able to persuade my colleagues to go along with me on. I have been on the committee for 11 years now. I bet I have offered dozens and dozens of amendments. I have a pretty good batting average, maybe like a Ted Williams batting average--like .400, not 1.000.

I lose amendments all the time, never once--never once--have I lost an amendment, been unable to convince my colleagues that I am right, and then said I am going to take it out on brave men and women wearing the uniform of this country, who had nothing to do with the policy that makes me upset. Instead, I try harder. I come to the floor and make an amendment to see if I can convince my colleagues here.

Senator Tuberville had an opportunity, when we considered the Defense bill on the floor, to offer the amendment, to change the Pentagon policy, and yet he failed to do so. We offered him the opportunity. He failed to take it. Why? Because he was going to lose on the floor even worse--even worse.

There are ways to handle a policy disagreement. Persuade your colleagues you are right or persuade your colleagues in some middle ground, but don't punish these individuals whose names I am taking time to read because each one of them has served this country bravely, in most instances for decades, with multiple deployments, with Purple Hearts, with Silver Stars, with service in combat zones.

The Senator understands this. His father was a decorated World War II veteran who received a Purple Heart. I will be at the grave of my father-in-law tomorrow, a World War II submariner who is buried at Christ Church, on the Northern Neck of Virginia, to put a flag on his grave. He was buried less than a year ago.

I will give my dad a call this weekend, an Army veteran who served immediately after the Korean war in the U.S. Army. I will think about my son, now a Marine reservist. I will think about my chief military LA, a Marine veteran. They don't deserve this punishment.

And, Mr. President, I ask that it now be in order to make the same request with Calendar No. 113. I believe Calendar No. 112 has been disposed of already. So if I could ask, with respect to Calendar No. 113, Rear Admiral James P. Downey to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 130, MG John W. Brennan, Jr., to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 131, VADM Karl O. Thomas to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 132, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 133, Brig. Gen. Derin S. Durham to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 134, the following three individuals to be brigadier general: COL Brandi B. Peasley, COL John D. Rhodes, and COL Earl C. Sparks IV.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 135, BG William Green, Jr., to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 136, MG Mark T. Simerly to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 138, VADM Craig A. Clapperton to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 139, Col. Brian R. Moore to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 180, VADM Daniel W. Dwyer to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 182, Rear Admiral (lh) Darin K. Via to be rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with what appears to be a redundant appointment Calendar No. 183, Rear Admiral (lh) Darin K. Via to be rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 184, Lt. Gen. Scott L. Pleus to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 185, Brig. Gen. Dale R. White to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 186, Maj. Gen. David A. Harris, Jr., to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 187, Maj. Gen. David R. Iverson to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 188, Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 189, Maj. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 190, MG David M. Hodne to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 191, MG Roger B. Turner, Jr., to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 192, Rear Admiral Yvette M. Davids to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 193, Rear Admiral Brendan R. McLane to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 194, Rear Admiral John E. Gumbleton to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 195, Rear Admiral Christopher S. Gray to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 196, VADM Charles B. Cooper II to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 197, Rear Admiral James E. Pitts to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 198, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 199, Maj. Gen. Linda S. Hurry to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 200, BG Miguel A. Mendez to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 201, COL Marlene K. Markotan to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 202, VADM William J. Houston to be admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 203, Col. David M. Castaneda to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 204, Rear Admiral Robert M. Gaucher to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 205, Rear Admiral Douglas G. Perry to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 224, MG Karl H. Gingrich to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request for Calendar No. 225: Rear Admiral (lh) Kenneth R. Blackmon, Rear Admiral (lh) Marc S. Lederer, and Rear Admiral (lh) Robert C. Nowakowski to be rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to the following group of individuals on Calendar No. 226, nominated to be rear admiral (lower half):

CAPT Jeffrey A. Jurgemeyer, CAPT Richard S. Lofgren, CAPT Michael S. Mattis, CAPT Richard W. Meyer, CAPT Bryon T. Smith, CAPT Michael R. Vanpoots.

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 227, CAPT John E. Byington to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 228, CAPT John A. Robinson, III, to be rear admiral (lower half).

Is the next item, Calendar No. 229? Then I ask the same request that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 229, CAPT David E. Ludwa to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 230, CAPT Peter K. Muschinske to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 231 CAPT Marc F. Williams to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 232, LTG Andrew M. Rohling to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 233, MG John B. Richardson, IV, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 234, VADM Jeffrey W. Hughes to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 236, Lt. Gen. Gregory M. Guillot to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request for Calendar No. 237, Maj. Gen. Heath A. Collins, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 238, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Kruse, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 239, Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 240, Lt. Gen. Donna D. Shipton to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 241, MG Anthony R. Hale to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 242, LTG Laura A. Potter to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 243, MG William J. Hartman to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 244, LTG John S. Kolasheski to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 245, COL Matthew N. Gebhard to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 246, COL Katherine M. Braun to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 248, Maj. Gen. Leonard F. Anderson, IV, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 262, Lt. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 283, two individuals nominated to the rank of major general: BG Mary V. Krueger and BG Anthony L. McQueen.

Mr. President, I ask that the same request be made with respect to Calendar No. 284, COL Jack J. Stumme to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 285, COL James F. Porter to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 286, BG Beth A. Salisbury to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 287, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Lutton to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 288, LTG James J. Mingus to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 289, MG Thomas L. James to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 290, MG Charles D. Costanza to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 291, Maj. Gen. James H. Adams, III, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 292, Lt Gen Michael A. Guetlein to be general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 293, Lt Gen Philip A. Garrant to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to the following three individuals on Calendar No. 294 nominated to the rank of major general: Brig Gen Donald J. Cothern, Brig Gen Troy L. Endicott, and Brig Gen Timothy A. Sejba.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 295, Maj Gen Shawn N. Bratton to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 296, Maj Gen Shawn N. Bratton to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 325, BG Laura L. Clellan to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 326, COL John B. Hinson to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 327, CAPT Michael T. Spencer to be rear admiral (lower half).

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 328, Lt Gen Stephen N. Whiting, to the rank of general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 330, BG Lisa J. Hou to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 331, the following two individuals nominated to the rank of major general: BG Jackie A. Huber and BG Warner A. Ross, II.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 332, the following group of individuals being nominated to the rank of brigadier general: COL Paul W. Dahlen; COL Hubert L. Davidson, Jr.; COL Shawn M. Fuellenbach; COL Eric L. Gagnon; COL Joy L. Grimes; COL John C. Kinton;

COL Scott J. Lewis; COL Jason A. Salsgiver; COL Darin D. Schuster; and COL Geoffrey G. Vallee.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 335, VADM James W. Kilby to the rank of admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 336, two individuals to the rank of brigadier general: Col. Matthew S. Allen and Col. Lawrence T. Sullivan.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 337, Col. Trent C. Davis to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 338, Lt. Gen. James C. Slife to the rank of general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 339, Maj. Gen. Sean M. Farrell and Calendar No. 340 Maj. Gen. Adrian L. Spain to the rank of lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 342, BG Mary V. Krueger to the rank of lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 343, MG Stephen G. Smith to the rank of lieutenant general.

I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 344, COL Renea V. Dorvall to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 345, COL Robert S. Crockem, Jr., to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 346, COL Clifford R. Gunst to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 347, Rear Admiral (lh) Heidi K. Berg to the rank of rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 348, Rear Admiral Jeffrey T. Jablon to the rank of vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 349, Rear Admiral Blake L. Converse to be vice admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 350, Rear Admiral (lh) Michael A. Brookes to the rank of rear admiral.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 351, Maj Gen David N. Miller, Jr., to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 382, COL Paul T. Sellars, to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 383, COL Michael C. Henderson, to the rank of brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 384, a group of individuals nominated to the rank of major general: BG Richard T. Appelhans; BG James B. Bartholomees; BG Jacqueline D. Brown; BG Lance G. Curtis; BG Michelle K. Donahue; BG Thomas M. Feltey; BG Lawrence G. Ferguson; BG Andrew C. Gainey; BG David W. Gardner; BG Gavin J. Gardner; BG Clair A. Gill; BG Garrick M. Harmon; BG Richard A. Harrison; BG Joseph E. Hilbert; BG Daryl O. Hood; BG Charles T. Lombardo; BG Douglas S. Lowrey; BG Steven M. Marks; BG Mark C. Quander; BG John T. Reim, Jr.; BG Lori L. Robinson; BG Monte L. Rone; BG William A. Ryan, III; BG Eric P. Shirley; BG David F. Stewart; BG Curtis D. Taylor; BG Brandon R. Tegtmeier; BG Colin P. Tuley; BG John W. Weidner; BG James P. Work; BG Richard L. Zellmann.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 385, these two individuals nominated to the rank of brigadier general: COL Kristina J. Green and COL Colin J. Morrow.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 386, COL Anthony B. Poole, to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 387, the following group of individuals nominated to the rank of major general: BG James A. Benson; BG Karen A. Berry; BG Bobby L. Christine; BG Jeffrey L. Copeland; BG Daniel A. Degelow; BG Joseph A. Dinonno; BG Terry L. Grisham; BG David L. Hall; BG Charles D. Hausman; BG Cindy H. Haygood; BG Stephen F. Logan; BG Corwin J. Lusk; BG Jesse M. Morehouse; BG Stephen E. Schemenauer; BG Isabel R. Smith; BG Craig W. Strong; and BG Katherine E. White.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 388, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Regan, Jr., to be major general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 389, Col. Harold W. Linnean, III, to be brigadier general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 390, LTG Douglas A. Sims, II, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 391, MG David T. Isaacson, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar No. 392, Maj Gen Douglas A. Schiess, to be lieutenant general.

Mr. President, I believe I have now offered UC requests for all 364 service men and women whose nominations have been pending on this floor many months. They have waited patiently after serving their country courageously, and I am sure there are some in the Chamber wondering why bother to take the floor for a couple of hours when the outcome of this was pretty well known in advance.

On the evening before Veterans Day, on the evening before the Marine Corps' 248th birthday, and on the day that the State of Alabama is celebrating its ties to the military, I wanted to offer these unanimous consent requests so that I could have a chance to say the name of each individual as a way of letting them know that there are many in this body who will not forget about them until they are confirmed.

With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

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 to recognize the Librarian of Virginia, Dr. Sandra Gioia Treadway, upon her retirement after 45 remarkable years of service to the Library of Virginia. Dr. Treadway has served as the Librarian of Virginia for the past 16 years and was deputy librarian 11 years before that. She joined the library in 1978 as an associate editor of publications and served in various positions before being named the State librarian in 2007. In this esteemed role, Dr. Treadway was the steward for the most comprehensive collection of materials on Virginia

government, history, and culture available anywhere.

Dr. Treadway, with nearly 15 years of teaching experience, has always had a public servant's heart. Her dedication to education and the dissemination of knowledge has been a defining feature of her career. Through her extensive teaching background, she has enriched countless students' lives and fostered a deep understanding of the value of learning and libraries. Dr. Treadway has received numerous awards and distinctions, such as Virginia Tech's Teaching Excellence Award and the Filby Award for Genealogic Librarianship, in acknowledgement of her unwavering dedication to the educational process and her commitment to research.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Treadway has exhibited a profound commitment to preserving Virginia's rich cultural heritage and promoting access to knowledge for all. Her visionary leadership played a pivotal role in digitizing many rare manuscripts, historic maps, and government records dating back to the early Colonial period, ensuring their preservation for future generations. As part of her work in the library, Dr. Treadway oversaw a statewide records management program, worked with State agencies and localities to establish retention requirements for official records, offered records management training, and monitored compliance with the Virginia Public Records Act.

Her team is known for its innovative focus on helping make history accessible. I have personal experience with this, as correspondence and emails from me and my staff during my time as Governor of Virginia were made available digitally through a groundbreaking and massive undertaking in digital records preservation and access.

She is also a respected historian and has authored and co-edited several important historical projects from the history of the Library of Virginia, which is among the State's oldest agencies to a history of the Woman's Club in Richmond. She has undertaken particular efforts to tell a more inclusive history of the Commonwealth, including the State's commission to design and install a women's monument on Capitol Square. She has served as a steady and trusted hand at the helm of the library, guided by a passion for helping individuals unlock and understand their history through use of the collections. Her abiding passion stems from a belief that the most inspiring stories come from illuminating the voices and experiences of the everyday people whose lives are preserved in a variety of government records and private papers the library holds.

As she embarks on a well-deserved retirement, Dr. Sandy Treadway leaves a legacy of tireless public service, innovation, and a profound love for Virginia's history. In a time where divisiveness can be alarmingly normal, she garners deep respect and admiration from elected and appointed officials of all parties, and she has been a model for leading with grace and kindness. Her service has not only enriched the Commonwealth's cultural heritage but also set a high standard for future leaders in the field to aspire to. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for her years of dedicated service and wish her a retirement filled with fulfillment and new adventures.

Madam President, in all 50 States, young Americans who wish to serve their country send in applications for the high honor of recommendation to a military service academy by their U.S. Representative or either of their U.S. Senators. However, because the District of Columbia is not a State and has no Senators, young people from DC have only a third as many opportunities to be nominated for these academies as Americans from the 50 States have.

This simple bill would ensure that DC gets the same number of academy nominations as States do for the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. This bill originated with DC's distinguished Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and I am proud to join her with a Senate companion ahead of Veterans Day later this week.

Reviewing service academy applications is one of my most fulfilling duties in the Senate. I cannot help but be optimistic about our country's future when I see so many talented, dedicated, and patriotic young people seeking to pursue careers serving their country in uniform. Any young American should have an equal chance to be nominated for this honor, whether they come from the District of Columbia or any of the 50 States. This bill allows them that chance.

Madam President, in all 50 States, young Americans who wish to serve their country send in applications for the high honor of recommendation to a military service academy by their U.S. Representative or either of their U.S. Senators. However, because the District of Columbia is not a State and has no Senators, young people from DC have only a third as many opportunities to be nominated for these academies as Americans from the 50 States have.

This simple bill would ensure that DC gets the same number of academy nominations as States do for the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. This bill originated with DC's distinguished Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and I am proud to join her with a Senate companion ahead of Veterans Day later this week.

Reviewing service academy applications is one of my most fulfilling duties in the Senate. I cannot help but be optimistic about our country's future when I see so many talented, dedicated, and patriotic young people seeking to pursue careers serving their country in uniform. Any young American should have an equal chance to be nominated for this honor, whether they come from the District of Columbia or any of the 50 States. This bill allows them that chance.

Madam 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:

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10 a.m., to conduct a subcommittee hearing.

committee on energy and natural resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10 a.m., to conduct an executive business meeting.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that my legislative fellows Kristen Farrell and Walker Swain be granted floor privileges for the duration of their fellowships with my office.