Floor Statements

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, let me take you back to November 2024. President Trump and his family were together in Florida, awaiting the election results after one of the most brutal campaigns in American history.

You know, 4 years earlier, President Trump had been forced to leave the White House after rampant voter fraud had resulted in Joe Biden being elected President.

In 2022, President Trump announced he would run again in 2024--much to the Democrats' dismay. The mainstream media went into full meltdown, claiming it was impossible for President Trump to return to the White House.

During Trump's campaign, he was shot live on television, arrested on made-up charges, and even had his home raided by the FBI, but he was still standing and was determined as ever to get back to the White House to finish what he had started.

Thankfully, 77 million people--Americans--agreed, helping President Trump win both the electoral college and the popular vote. Americans also gave Republicans control of the House and Senate to help President Trump accomplish his agenda.

This historic victory on November 5, 2024, wasn't just about President Trump, however; it was also a rejection of the Democrats' ridiculous open border policies that had allowed tens of millions of illegals to come into our country unvetted; it was a rejection of the sky-high inflation that made life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans; it was a rejection of woke policies, like men in women's sports and allowing doctors to perform life-ruining surgeries on children; and it was a rejection of the weaponization of the Federal Government to go after political opponents.

November 5, 2024, was one of the most consequential elections of my lifetime. It paved the way for Republicans in the House and the Senate to deliver historic tax cuts just last summer with popular policies like no tax on tips, Social Security, and overtime. We look forward to seeing all of those policies take effect this year, but we still have much, much work to do.

You know, there has been a lot of talk in the media about what Republicans need to focus on into the midterms later this year--a lot of talk. If you ask me, the No. 1 issue must be to secure our elections. If we don't deliver on this, we will lose our country to the woke globalists who hate our Constitution and want to destroy the greatest Nation on Earth.

It is far past time for my Republican colleagues in the Senate to stop worrying about getting reelected and pass one of the most critical pieces of legislation that we will see in our lifetimes--the SAVE America Act.

The SAVE America Act is most important. It requires voters to show a government ID to vote in Federal elections--what a thought. This is common sense.

By the way, 83 percent of all Americans support it according to a 2025 poll,

just a few weeks ago. There is bipartisan support for it: 99 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of Democrats across this country agree that a photo ID should be used in all of our elections. Interestingly, the support also transcends demographics among American citizens as 82 percent of Latino voters, 76 percent of Black voters, and 85 percent of White voters favor photo ID.

This really isn't complicated.

The SAVE America Act also requires proof of citizenship for an individual to register in one's State.

If you are here illegally, you should not be voting in our elections--period.

Lastly, the bill requires States to remove non-U.S. citizens from existing voter rolls. It makes sense.

These policies are not controversial. Yet the Democrat Party is throwing a tantrum. You should be asking yourself: Why is that? Why are they against voter ID, no mail-in ballots, no ballot harvesting and 1- day voting? Why is that? Is it because their illegal voting base will no longer be able to keep them in power once the legislation becomes law? Sure, it is.

Democrats claim that the SAVE America Act is voter suppression and that it is racist, but the American people are not falling for it. Don't believe the mainstream media's portrayal of this. The American people have already spoken. The SAVE America Act is supported by a huge majority of Americans, and they want it.

There are many things in our day-to-day lives that require us to show a government photo ID. Many things. Almost everything--purchasing alcohol, lottery tickets and tobacco products, boarding flights, renting a car, checking into hotels. If you want to open up a bank account or apply for credit, you must show a photo ID. Marriage license, the signing of legal documents, and many other benefit programs often require proof of identification as well, not to mention my Democrat colleagues in the Senate are supporting that ICE agents prove their identities while deporting criminals.

Let Federal law enforcement agents do their jobs, folks. Let them do their jobs.

The hypocrisy from the radical left knows no bounds. Ask yourself: Why is it easier to vote than it is to board a plane? It makes no sense.

Why are Republican politicians in Washington ignoring the mandate of 77 million American patriots? There are 77 million who voted to get this done.

Washington, DC, we have problems. It is where elected officials are completely out of touch, and they don't listen to the people they represent; they vote for themselves. And that has gotten us in trouble. They are more concerned about getting reelected than in actually doing what they promised to do on the campaign trail. It is easy to talk, but you need to follow up on what you ran on.

For years, Democrats have shouted from the rooftops that it is impossible for illegals to vote in our elections, but the proof is in the pudding.

In August 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that they found more than 1 million ineligible voters on the Texas voter rolls--1 million.

In October of 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States approved the State of Virginia to remove 1,600 ineligible voters from the voter rolls. Virginia had to be forced to do it.

Earlier this year, Oregon was forced to begin removing 800,000 inactive voters from the State registration rolls. Why did they have to be told to do that? It doesn't make any sense. This is not a coincidence. It is an intentional political strategy being orchestrated by the Democratic National Party.

Democrats, they have lost their traditional blue-collar and minority voter base. How do we know that? The majority have just voted for President Trump just a year ago. Because of that, the Democrats have now found themselves a new girlfriend. Who are they? Illegal immigrants. That is why the Democrat-controlled States refuse to work with the Department of Justice and have denied the Agency access to the voting rolls--denied the Federal Government: No, you can't see our voting rolls. What have you got to hide?

They would rather fall on their swords for criminal illegal aliens-- murderers, rapists, and terrorists--to get their votes than prioritize the safety of American citizens. Thanks to the Director of National Intelligence, Director Tulsi Gabbard, Americans are finally seeing evidence of the past fraudulent elections come to light.

Millions of Americans have thought for years that there was serious election interference in Fulton County, GA, during the 2020 Presidential election. Thanks to President Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard, the 2020 Presidential election ballots have been seized and will soon reveal the real truth to the American people.

The SAVE America Act must be our main priority this year, and that is saying a whole lot because we have got a lot of problems up here, but it has got to be our No. 1 priority. For instance, Washington, DC, has a serious spending problem. Yet we are more than $38 trillion in debt with nothing to show for it.

Or look at the fact that we are one of the sickest countries on Earth. Thank God for R.F.K., Jr., and Make America Healthy Again. We are working to address this problem, not to mention all the problems created by the Biden administration and their office for 4 years. But we can't even start addressing these problems until we pass the SAVE America Act. We have to do it.

Luckily, we still have time to get it to the finish line. One way we can do this is to get rid of the outdated 60-vote filibuster. The way it is used today has nothing to do with what it was originally intended for. Instead of the zombie filibuster, today it has become a tool of obstruction used to overturn the will of the American people. We don't work for the Senate. We work for the American people. The filibuster was set up to allow debate, and that should be happening right here, real debate on this floor. My Democratic colleagues need to come to the floor and explain to the American people why they want illegals to vote in elections. I would like to hear it. What is their reasoning?

President Trump ran on the commonsense policies of the SAVE America Act, and he won, also, the popular vote, by the way. It is time my Republican colleagues started acting like we were in the majority. We have the power. As Republicans, we currently have 53 seats in the Senate. Clearly, the American people are behind us and support the ``America First'' agenda. That is exactly why 77 million people voted in 2024, and we owe it to each and every one of them to get the job done instead of sitting up here looking at each other.

Passing legislation like the SAVE America Act is essential for the future of our country. We are not going to have another chance. We have no choice. We have got to get it done. If we do not pass this bill, we may never have a secure election in this country again. Never. That is a long time.

Democrats will work overtime to import as many illegals to this country as they can. They just showed they would do it for 4 years. We can't allow that to happen again.

We are seeing the Democrats' strategy play out in realtime in other countries as we speak. I have been saying this for years: All you have got to do is go to Europe. They are us 10 years from now. If we don't pass the SAVE America Act, it is gone. Their leaders are getting fired right and left. They have lost their moral values; they have lost their culture; and they have lost their country.

All of it started with mass migration, which they have allowed to completely destroy what they have had for centuries. The socialist- controlled Spanish Government recently imported 500,000 migrants and are in the process of granting residency. You have got to be kidding me.

Or look at Romania where the conservative pro ``Romania First'' candidate was cheated out of a victory in 2024 because of made-up claims that Russia interfered in their elections. Sounds familiar.

If we don't pass the SAVE America Act this year, what is happening in Europe won't just be overseas anymore. It is going to be right here in our backyard because many of the enemy are already inside the gates.

Politicians often warn about the crime or national security threats that illegals pose to this country, but this isn't just about American safety. It is also a serious financial problem.

Do you know that every year now we are having to pay for the illegals that

are in this country? It costs you and me and every taxpayer in this country $150 billion. What could we do with that money in our States, in our communities, in our neighborhoods? Folks, we have to take our country back. Our borders--we have to take it all back before it is too late.

We must get rid of the Dominion voting machines; stop mail-in voting; absentee ballots only in certain situations; stop ballot harvesting; and return to same-day-only voting.

In my State of Alabama, I get two questions: Are you going to close the border and are you going to have fair elections? I want my vote to count.

And that is the reason I am here today. If we don't secure our Federal elections, we will become a banana republic. It is right around the corner. The American people want it. The only question is, Do my colleagues in the Senate want to keep their tradition of the Senate or do they want to work for the American people? That is the reason we are here.

Are we just interested in protecting our own power? I hope not because it won't be here long if we don't. Let's do the right thing for the American taxpayers and pass the SAVE America Act. Our Nation and the future of our kids and grandkids depend on it. Think about it.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following interns in my office be granted floor privileges up until May 1, 2026: Brianne Pueschell, Robbie Reuse, and Susanna Jackson.

Mr. President, I often say, ``This country owes you one thing--and that's an opportunity.'' But it is up to you what you do with that opportunity. No one demonstrates making the most of this opportunity better than MGy Sgt Antonio Parker of Montgomery.

Antonio grew up in a small town with humble beginnings in southern Virginia. But his mother instilled in him the values of service and a good education. She practiced what she preached by tutoring those who couldn't read and serving at the local church. Anthonio promised her that he would get his own education. And in 1981--1 week after graduating high school--Antonio enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. What began as a way to pay for a college education and keep his promise to his mother led Antonio to 28 years of military service, including more than 10 deployments. During this time, he earned five degrees focusing on business and leadership.

Along the way, he also married his wife of over 30 years--Jean, a Montgomery native. In 1999, they welcomed their son Antwon into the world, who is continuing to follow in his family's footsteps as a two- time University of Alabama graduate and is now pursuing his medical degree in Nashville.

After retiring from the military in 2009, Antonio's focus shifted to empowering those around him in the Montgomery area. He has completed 59 marathons and loves to help others lead healthier lives. Throughout the years, he has planned multiple community health events, including his Fit-4-Life 5k, where all proceeds go toward education for those in need.

Antonio's life after the military hasn't been without its challenges. While training for his 60th marathon, Antonio received the life- altering diagnosis of stage IV cancer. But 5 years later, he is still with us and making the most of every day. He credits his

faith and family as the two most important anchors that have kept him here.

And he is still using his time and talents to help those not just in the River Region, but the entire State. Antonio frequently speaks to students across the Southeast, encouraging them to become leaders in their community. Antonio is also a friendly face to the elderly who need a helping hand, whether it be mowing their lawn or fixing something around their home. He also serves as a deacon at Maggie Street Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery.

It is no wonder that such an extraordinary person is nicknamed ``Superman'' by his colleague Officer Benjamin Duffy, who says that Antonio is ``truly an exceptional man, great patriot, and an even better Alabamian!'' It is my honor to recognize Antonio Parker as the February Veteran of the Month.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks prior to the scheduled recess.

Mr. President, for months, I have been raising the alarm over radical Islam infiltrating the greatest country on the face of the Earth, the United States of America.

Some Americans see what is happening in Europe, and they think, would that ever happen in our country? The reality is, yes. It is happening right now, right before our very eyes. The enemy is now inside the gates.

There are plenty of Muslims that come here, love this country, assimilate into American culture, and they have a duty to join in the fight and speak out against the mainstream media and elected officials who are empowering radical Islam to take a foothold in the United States of America.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York welcomed in the new year by declaring January as Muslim American Heritage Month. To red-blooded American patriots' dismay, Hochul directed State landmarks, including the iconic skyline of New York City, to be lit in the color Islamic green.

What makes the situation even worse is that One World Trade Center was also lit up in Islamic green, as you see here--the exact location where Islamic terrorists flew planes into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, killing thousands of innocent Americans. You know, this was a slap in the face of the families of the nearly 3,000 victims who were murdered and the thousands injured on that very, very tragic day.

I never thought I would see something like this in my lifetime. But for years, the radical left, the globalists, and the deep state have colluded to destroy this country and have found a way to flood our communities with third-world Muslims whose only goal is not to assimilate but to destroy the West and create a worldwide caliphate. If you don't understand what that looks like, just take a look at Europe.

Under Barack Obama and Joe Biden, our Federal Government imported millions of foreigners who hate America, enabling them to live on welfare and forcing American taxpayers to pay the bills.

New York City's recent mayoral election reveals how easily a Muslim communist can come to power in our Nation's most iconic city. You know, foreign-born, communist mayor Zohran Mamdani polled 62 percent of support from foreign-born voters in New York. They weren't born in the State of New York. They weren't born in our country. Sixty-two percent of them supported him. Only 30 percent of American-born voters voted for him.

Under Joe Biden, millions of illegal aliens, including terrorists, murders, and rapists, were planted there to completely destroy the freedom-loving voter base, all on purpose. As a result, a foreign-born, Muslim communist who hates the greatest Nation on Earth and wants to change it is now in power.

During his inaugural ceremony, commie Mamdani used two Qurans for his swearing-in ceremony, not the Bible. He used a book that advocates for the killing of all who don't believe in Islam or refuse to follow Islamic teachings. He was also sworn in at an abandoned subway--a subway station symbolizing what New York City will soon look like when freedom-loving Americans flee for their lives and Sharia law becomes the rule of law in the five boroughs in New York City.

New York City, the symbol of liberty and freedom in the new world, is now turning into the same oppressive hellhole freedom-loving immigrants have fled from for centuries. They have been running from it. But now we are changing into that same situation.

The deep state hasn't wasted any time in 2026 to accelerate its globalist agenda to destroy this country. And if we don't do something to stop this Islamic takeover of our country, we will soon be called the United Caliphate of America. That means Christians, Jews, and anyone else who doesn't convert to Islam will be prosecuted and persecuted. It will be acceptable for young girls and women to be raped, and Islamic terrorism and violence will become the norm.

Thankfully, President Trump and his administration are working day and night to save this country through mass deportation, revoking immigrant visas, and implementing travel bans on majority-Muslim countries that support the radical Islam crowds who chant ``Death to America.''

We continue to see more evidence come out of Muslim third world foreigners defrauding American people of their hard-earned tax dollars. Thanks to independent journalist Nick Shirley, more and more fraud from Somali immigrants in Minnesota who are pretending to use the money to feed children or help people with autism is being exposed every day now.

In a recent hearing in the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, testimony from a Minnesota State representative claimed that U.S. attorney Joe Thompson estimates that the total amount of criminal fraud to this point, after 5 years, has reached $9 billion. That is billion with a ``b.''

Minnesota's attorney general said this weekend on CNN in an interview that, you know, the fraud estimation is not a serious thing and that is just political theater.

That is expensive political theater.

A statement like that is not only an insult to many, many Minnesotans, but it is also a slap in the face to the hard-working taxpayers of this country. What is taking place in Minnesota is pure evil, and it is straight from the pit of Hell.

It is impressive to me that a 23-year-old independent journalist did more to serve the American people with investigative reporting than the so-called experts in the legacy media. Where are they?

The fake news is complicit with the radical Islamic takeover of the United States, and they are in on the scam on the American taxpayers.

Thanks to Nick Shirley's efforts, more fraud is being exposed in other States.

FOX News recently reported that Somalia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, now serving as President of the U.N. Security Council, is linked to an Ohio home healthcare agency that has previously been punished for its ties to massive fraud.

There are other reports surfacing about Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs running a healthcare company in Toledo, OH, who has a business partner that works for a Somali money transfer service which has been accused of financing Islamic terrorism.

You can't make this up. It goes on and on. So here is more. For months, a new publication in the State of Maine known as the Maine Wire reported on a similar event taking place in Lewiston, ME, also known today as Little Mogadishu. Gateway Community Services, founded by a Somalian refugee, received $28.8 million in MaineCare payments between 2019 and 2024--$28 million. Last year, a whistleblower came forward alleging that the organization systematically defrauded the

MaineCare Program for the last 5 years. Thanks to the hard work of the Trump administration, funding has stopped, and the organization is under severe investigation.

As more of this comes to light, a couple facts are becoming more and more apparent. No. 1, third world foreigners from predominantly Muslim countries are coming here and stealing American tax dollars while they spew anti-American rhetoric. No. 2, Democratic elected officials seem to be complicit in helping foreigners who hate this country steal from their own constituents, their own people who vote for them.

The enemies of our country are robbing American citizens in broad daylight, while the cost-of-living standards in our country skyrocket higher than they should be, and healthcare premiums go up year after year. That should make every single American's blood boil.

But Democrats have invited terrorists from countries that hate us. They steal our benefits. They enjoy our schools, overrun our hospitals, vote in our elections, and then steal our tax dollars and send them back to the country they came from, where they can fund terrorism.

Thankfully, we have a President who loves this country and is going to change it. President Trump and his administration are working around the clock to halt immigration and to stop fraudulent schemes that were allowed to take place under Joe Biden.

Patriotic Americans are thankful for the work of DHS and ICE and what they are doing to clean up our streets--at a cost. DHS and ICE agents have been targeted by radicals because they are enforcing the law--what a thought. And I will continue to support law enforcement until every single illegal is out of this country and comes here the right way.

If you are going to interfere in law enforcement's ability to do their jobs, folks, in any way, don't be surprised if you are arrested and thrown into jail--and you should be.

Thanks to investigative reporters like Nick Shirley and folks at the Maine Wire, we are slowly turning the tide on fraud and corruption. Deep state and the fake news media and third-world Islamists are eroding our country from within.

We need to wake up. American citizens need to recognize what is going on and say: Enough is enough.

As long as I am alive, I will fight to ensure that my granddaughter Rosie Grace can grow up in the same country that I and a lot of people had the chance to grow up in--the greatest country on the face of the Earth. And what I am telling people across this country and what should have happened in Europe years ago: Folks, wake up. They are here. The enemy is inside the gate. We are in bad trouble. And if we don't stop it, we will lose this country that has been built for 250 years.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object.

You know, January 6 was my first day on the job here in the U.S. Senate. Come to think of it, that was the first day of the year and the start of a huge disaster the next 4 years. I sat right over there. Again, it was my first time on the Senate floor.

One of the first things I heard from my Democratic colleagues, after we returned to the floor that same night, after being taken and hidden out for a few hours, was that this was the worst disaster and was even worse than Pearl Harbor. By the way, that was a real attack that killed 2,403 Americans.

And I thought at that time: Are you kidding me? What are we talking about here?

Then almost immediately afterwards, those same Democrats that said this about Pearl Harbor, they came after all of us Republicans and said this January 6 attack was racist. And, you know, I didn't understand that--being the first day here, I went, Wait a minute. I mean, I thought we are all in this together. They know dang well this wasn't a racist attack, but it was just something that they wanted to use, but they never miss an opportunity to paint somebody a racist, you know, when it comes to the Democrats.

So January 6 had nothing to do with racism. Let's be clear what happened that day. Democrats and the Deep State hate Donald Trump so much that they helped orchestrate a coup against our government. It has been looked at, vilified; and the information that we found today is just amazing. And it first started with the tampering of the 2020 Presidential election results to oust President Trump and to install a different type of government. As a result, great American patriots gathered in Washington to peacefully--peacefully--protest the illegal tampering of the election of 2020.

When the leader of the Democratic Party at that time, Nancy Pelosi, and the Deep State learned of Trump supporters coming to Washington, DC--which, by the way, was hundreds of thousands of people--they started and got an idea. Now, again, this has all been proven. They decided to infiltrate the crowd with antifa and intelligence community members who would stir up trouble. The FBI has confirmed that there were 274 FBI agents in plain clothes in the Capitol here that day.

Then they set up Capitol Police by failing and refusing President Trump's offer to bring in National Guard as backup. They turned it down.

I interact with Capitol Hill police here every day. They are brave men and women who work tirelessly to help keep us all safe. But they were set up to fail by the Democrats that day. And then, of course, Democrats placed all the blame on President Trump and the Republicans for everything that happened that day and afterwards. They had the majority.

Nancy Pelosi spearheaded the true insurrection that day. This has all been proven true, and she even admitted responsibility for the massive security failures of that day. But the Democrats' plan to destroy President Trump and his supporters, it didn't end on that January 6, 2021. For the next 4 years--next 4 years--Joe Biden and the Democrats did everything they could do--everything--to arrest, harass, bankrupt, deplatform, and kill President Trump--not to mention the hundreds of innocent patriotic Americans who sat behind bars for the past 5 years over this made up witch hunt. That is one of the most embarrassing things I have seen since I have been here.

Thankfully, most of them now have been released. You know, conveniently, the Biden DOJ neglected to investigate members of the intelligence community for their treasonous involvement in the events of January 6. That was very convenient. As a matter of fact, they never brought the guy in who was in charge of Capitol Hill police for an interview. They never wanted to talk to him. He was in charge of the Capitol Hill police--because he knew the truth.

Still today, Democrats are trying to rewrite the true events of that history. They keep mentioning all of these Capitol Police who supposedly died on January 6. Now, don't get me wrong. We have brave people that work in this building. But this was made up, and it continued to be made up. The only person who died on January 6 was Ashli Babbitt, an unarmed Air Force veteran who was shot that day in this building.

Recently, Senate Democrats attempted--think about this--attempted to strip Ashli Babbitt of her military funeral honors. Now, why would they do that? Ashli Babbitt was wrongfully killed on January 6, 2021. The Federal Government admitted it, and they paid money to her family as part of a legal settlement. Interesting. But Democrats, they don't care about the truth.

Today is a reminder that radical Democrats and the Deep State, they don't like our country the way we run it too much, and they will do whatever it takes to try to make the Republican Party and President Trump look bad. Unfortunately, for them, the American people aren't buying it. Mr. President, 77 million people came to the rescue of our country a year ago in November--77 million people. And that is why President Trump is back in the White House, and thank God he is.

So, no, we don't need a resolution condemning the attack on the Capitol on January 6. In fact, the only thing we should be doing is condemning Nancy Pelosi's role in setting up the government orchestration and orchestrated the hoax of January 6.

So before I object, I want to turn and yield the floor to my colleague from West Virginia.

For those reasons, I object.

Mr. President, the military will take you all over the world, but Sweet Home Alabama has a way of bringing people back. That is true for Mobile native Colonel Patrick Downing, who found his way back to the Bay after 36 years of military service.

The son of a World War II marine, Pat enlisted in the Army at just 17 years old. In 1961, he signed up to be a part of the Special Forces unit, where he would serve for the next three decades--including two tours in Vietnam. Before he left, Pat married his high school sweetheart, Patricia, in a chapel at Fort Bragg. Upon arriving, Pat and his team were met with a mortar attack and told their unit had a bounty on their heads just for being in the country. But Pat wasn't deterred from his mission.

He returned home briefly, where he and Patricia welcomed their first child Patti. Pat also completed Officer Candidate School during his time in between deployments at just 24 years old. Pat continued to show a determination for finishing what he started, earning his high school diploma and going on to complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. His final military role was as an adviser to the Army Reserves in Birmingham, AL.

After retiring in 1996, Pat and Patricia knew that it was time to bring their family back to the Yellowhammer State for good after 19 moves over the years. He then used his passion for education to give back to his hometown, working at the University of South Alabama for more than 20 years until his retirement in 2015. He directed one of South's satellite campuses for 15 years and wrapped up his time directing transportation for the main campus and the Springhill campus.

Pat hasn't slowed down in retirement. Now, he serves Alabama's veterans in a number of roles--including with American Legion Post 88, Veterans of Foreign Wars, South Alabama Council, USS Alabama Battleship Commission, and the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs. Of all the many ways Pat has served those around him, two experiences stick out the most: bringing over 1,000 World War II vets to DC through Honor Flight South Alabama and working to establish a State cemetery for veterans in Spanish Fort, AL.

He and his wife are proud grandparents to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. After traveling far and wide to protect our freedoms, I am glad Pat planted his roots down in Mobile.

It is my honor to recognize him as the January Veteran of the Month.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to honor the life of Ella Cook, one of the victims in last weekend's horrific attack that killed two and left more wounded at Brown University.

Ella was a 19-year-old female and a sophomore at Brown. Her life was taken far too soon in a disgusting act of violence that leaves all of us searching for answers.

You know, moments like this remind all of us how short life really is and how important it is to take advantage of every moment. Ella certainly took advantage of every moment she had with us here on Earth.

She grew up in Mountain Brook, AL--a suburb of Birmingham--with two loving parents, Anna and Richard, and two siblings, Hooker and Mary Hamner.

Ella loved to play piano, dance, and travel. She was studying French at Brown University. She also loved kids and spent much of her time babysitting and serving in Sunday school. She believed her highest calling was to be a mom one day.

But the most important thing to know about Ella is that she was a devout Christian. She was very involved in her church, the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, and was loved by everyone there.

In her obituary, it says:

Not only did her personal faith shine out like a bright

Christmas star, but she loved others as real people, not as

objects. Ella loved God with her whole heart and she loved

people--with her whole heart!

The reverend of Ella's church described her as ``an incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light'' who ``lifted up those around her.'' I can't think of a better legacy to leave behind than that.

She went off to college at Brown, where she was studying French, mathematics, economics, and was obviously very, very smart. She also was a patriot who loved this country, and she served as vice president of the College Republicans at Brown University. She was clearly a very courageous young lady, and I can't imagine that was an easy job on such a liberal campus as Brown. But Ella was resolute in her mission to speak the truth and to fight every day for Christian values that have made this country great.

The president of the College Republicans of America described Ella as being ``known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.''

You know, the true measure of a life is not found in its length but its impact. And in the stories shared and the grief that is being expressed, it is clear that Ella left a lasting imprint on the people she touched. Alabama misses Ella, and we join her family and friends in grieving her loss.

You know, it certainly seems like this might have been a targeted attack. We will not rest until the deranged psychopath who did this is brought to justice. But that being said, may God bless the Cook family and give them peace and comfort in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. And may we honor Ella by carrying forward the values she lived by. Though her life was taken far too soon, we know she is in Heaven now, and we will make sure that Ella's legacy of patriotism and faith lives on here on Earth.

May God bless the Cook family, and may God bless Ella Cook.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I came to the floor earlier this year to warn of the imminent threat that Islam poses to our great country. Unfortunately, that threat turned into reality just a few weeks ago when a deranged jihadist shot two of our National Guardsmen just steps from the White House. Just before Thanksgiving, SPC Sarah Backstrom and SSG Andrew Wolfe were on patrol near the White House when they were attacked by Biden-imported Afghan Islamists. A 29-year-old jihadist radically, viciously attacked them, killing Specialist Backstrom and leaving Staff Sergeant Wolfe in critical condition.

He is still fighting for his life today. Our prayers go out to him and his family.

So let's make it very clear. The Afghan terrorist attacked these two soldiers because that is what Islam teaches. The Quran says to kill all infidels. That means all people who don't believe in Islam.

So let's not mince words about this. Islamists want every single American, and especially Christian Americans, they want them dead.

In 2021, Joe Biden orchestrated the botched Afghan withdrawal, which was one of the most embarrassing days in our country's history. Thirteen American soldiers lost their lives as a direct result of the Biden disastrous, misinformed leadership, not to mention he empowered the Taliban, who came crawling out of the hills, to take back control of Afghanistan.

To make matters worse, Joe Biden then allowed more than 190,000--let me repeat that--190,000 unvetted Afghans into this country, no questions asked, not to mention the more than 7 billion in equipment that was left behind for the Taliban, which, by the way, now has been showing up all over the world after it has been sold.

These potential terrorists are now living amongst us, residing in our neighborhoods, going to our kids' schools, and mooching off our taxpayer benefits.

That withdrawal was an embarrassment and a stain on our country.

The 29-year-old, deranged terrorist who shot two National Guardsmen in DC was working with the CIA in Afghanistan and was part of an elite unit that was supposed to be helping fight our Nation's enemies. Clearly, this person was deranged and should never have been allowed to work with our intelligence Agencies or to come to the United States where he viciously attacked two American guardsmen while chanting ``Allahu Akbar.''

Make no mistake, this is part of the deep state's globalist agenda that aims to destroy this country through mass Islamic migration.

Where is the outrage from the people in this Chamber? I haven't heard it. If we don't do something to stop this Islamic takeover of our country, we will soon be called the ``United Caliphate of America.''

If the previous administration prioritized protecting American citizens instead of inviting terrorists to our country, Sarah Backstrom may still be alive today.

Thanks to President Trump, a travel ban has been placed on Afghans, along with people from 18 other Third World countries, including Somalia. And I have got a message to the immigrants from these Islamist countries: If you hate this country, refuse to go by our laws, and chant ``Death to America,'' it is time to go home.

There are a lot of good people that come from Middle Eastern countries and go by our laws and assimilate with our culture, but if you come here otherwise, it is time to go home.

The Trump administration is also prioritizing the deportation of Afghans who are already here illegally. You know, I am 100 percent behind President Trump's effort to get rid of all Islamists who hate our country, as I just previously said, take advantage of the system when they come here. Don't defraud our government. Don't come here to try to destroy us. Assimilate with the Americans in this country to make our country better. We should be welcoming immigrants who are willing to assimilate with our culture and to contribute to our society. That is what we want. Being in this country is a privilege, not a right. If you are an immigrant coming to this country, you need to leave your old way of life and the traditions behind and come here and work with us.

Unfortunately, many of the Islamists who are here are not doing that. They are doing whatever they can to turn our country into the Third World hell hole that they came from.

We are different. We want a great country, not a Third World country. These foreigners don't understand what this country stands for. This country owes you nothing but an opportunity to succeed. It doesn't owe you a handout.

Islamist immigrants come to this country with a sense of entitlement, and that is what this country is not about. We will give you a hand but not everything. They believe the American people owe them something, and we don't owe anybody anything. They take advantage of our system.

If this is your attitude, we don't want you here. We want you to help this country become better.

The Somali population in Minnesota, as we have been watching on the news for the last few days, is an example of a group that thinks they are entitled to take anything they want from the American people and force Americans to bow to their will.

Somali immigrants in Minnesota were recently caught stealing more than 1 billion and counting from American taxpayers--stealing. They pretended to use the money to feed children or help people with autism, but really they were stealing. They were stealing the money and sending it to terrorists in Somalia--all proven.

This is very evil, and it is straight from the pit of Hell. Terrorists are driving around in Toyota Land Cruisers in Somalia, bought and paid for by the American taxpayers.

FOX News recently reported that members of Minnesota's Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar's inner circle--people working for her--were personally profiting from this fraud. Omar held at least one event at one of the restaurants named in the massive fraud scheme. One of Congresswoman Omar's staffers has already been convicted for his role in the fraud. It runs very deep. All of this has taken place inside of Omar's congressional district, and she is doing everything she can to defend these Somali criminals.

These people were empowered by woke and clueless so-called Governor Tim Walz, whose government handed the funds to these Somalia criminals and turned a blind eye.

For example, one of the scams run by the Somalia nonprofit disguised itself as a housing assistance program. Sounds great. The initial budget for this program was $2.6 million. However, the annual budget quickly increased to over $100 million due to fake billing and fraud. Whose money is that? The American taxpayers'.

There were red flags all over the place. Tim Walz had every opportunity to see this, investigate, and stop this fraud and corruption. Instead, he looked the other way. That makes him complicit. He should go to jail for this. Anybody else would.

Now he is trying to deflect by calling those who are angry about the Somali fraud racist. Sure they do. That is the word they always use. This has nothing to do with racism. Some illegal immigrants stole more than $1 billion, and counting, from the American taxpayers--again, proven. That should make every single American's blood boil.

Democrats invite terrorists from all over the world into this country. They let them steal our benefits, enjoy our schools, overrun our hospitals, vote in our elections, and then steal our tax dollars to send back to their home countries to fund terrorism.

By the way, I have seen all of these woke Democrats, like Omar, calling Somalia a wonderful place. If it is such a wonderful place, why doesn't she move back? If Somalia is all that, why is the terrorist group al-Shabaab murdering civilians by the masses, and why is the capital of Somalia considered to be one of the most dangerous capitals in the world due to frequent terrorist bombings, targeted killings, and ambushes? That sounds like a place no one would ever want to visit or live.

Predictably, Somalis often flee their country, and woke Democrats welcomed these often-unvetted individuals with open arms to the United States through illegal programs. But they make no attempt to adapt to our way and our American lives. Instead, they try to turn whatever American city they are hiding out in into Somalia 2.0.

Thankfully, the Trump administration is working around the clock to reverse the evil open borders agenda that was allowed to thrive under Joe Biden's administration.

Look, despite what the woke media will tell you, President Trump is not anti-immigration. President Trump is incentivizing and welcoming immigrants into the country who are going to come here to contribute and assimilate and love our country like we do. That is what we are all about. If that is not you--if they don't want to do that--again, we don't want you here.

The Trump administration has worked tirelessly this year to arrest and deport millions of illegals brought into the country by the Biden administration. Patriotic Americans are thankful for the work of DHS and ICE and what they are doing to clean up our streets.

If we don't take this threat seriously, more terrorist attacks will take place, and more stories of third world Islamists defrauding our country and using our tax dollars to fund terrorism against the United States will become commonplace.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard released a report not long ago about the imminent threat of terrorism that is facing our country. It is here. The recent terrorist attack in DC may just be the beginning of Islamic plans to destroy this country. The 29-year-old psychopath who did this should be hung in the streets.

We need to send a message to every terrorist hiding out in this country just waiting to attack: We are not going to put up with this nonsense. You will be punished to the fullest extent of the law if you commit violence against American citizens.

It is time to wake up, and it is time for all Americans to speak up. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue; this is an American issue. That is why I raised hell when I heard that the Islamic Academy of Alabama was looking to build a bigger campus in Hoover, AL, just last week. I looked at their website. They openly admit that they teach the Quran. The Quran teaches that it is righteous to kill anyone who is not a Muslim. Think about that.

The media has called me a racist for calling this out. Radical Islam isn't a race; it is a political ideology, and it is a cult. No, I am not a racist, and I clearly--people back in Alabama agree with me. I was proud to see hundreds of Alabamians show up to protest at the zoning meeting where the building proposal was being considered.

I was asked about it, and I said the only place this Islamic Academy should be moving to is out of Alabama and out of our country. We don't want that talk. Come here and assimilate with our laws; go by our laws, nobody else's.

As a result, this Islamic school withdrew their proposal.

This is an example of what it is going to take to defeat this poisonous ideology. This is an example of what we do not want to deal with. It is going to take all of us red-blooded Americans coming together and saying enough is enough.

Europe has lost the war of immigration. It is no longer recognizable. For a lot of countries in Europe, mass immigration of Islamists has ruined their way of life. They turned a blind eye, like we are at the moment, and are going to have to fight in the streets to get their countries back.

It is coming. That is exactly what is going to happen in this country in a few short years if we don't act now to save our country and our way of life.

I achieved the highest honor of my life this year, receiving the title of ``grandfather'' to Rosie Grace, my first granddaughter. I want her to grow up in the same America that I had the opportunity and privilege to grow up in. If we don't stand up now, our grandchildren's future is going to be lost forever. We have to draw a line in the sand: You are either an American who loves this country or you are not.

It is the job of the DOJ, the DHS, and the FBI to arrest these people, these terrorists, these radical terrorists, and either put them in jail or send them home. Now is the time. We do not need to let the clock run out on us. Let's not be Europe. Next year may be too late.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, for months, our Democratic colleagues have been fearmongering about our healthcare system. They blamed everyone but themselves for the skyrocketing premiums Americans are dealing with today.

The truth is, Obamacare destroyed--absolutely destroyed--our healthcare system. It is completely unaffordable. As a result, American families are now paying the enormous price for Barack Obama and woke Democrats' ObamaCare system.

Sure, the idea of ObamaCare sounded great. Who doesn't love the idea of free healthcare? But those of us who live in reality or understand basic economics knew this was never, ever going to work, which is why not a single Republican voted for it in the Senate or the House, when it was voted on.

You see, Obamacare was always destined to fail. You can't pump millions of dollars into healthcare and not expect rampant fraud to take place. It is not possible. Nevertheless, woke Democrats rammed it through Congress, and it was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. It was the biggest overhaul of our healthcare system since Medicare and Medicaid, in 1965.

On paper, it sounded great--expand access, protect people with preexisting conditions, and make insurance cheaper for families without employer plans. But to no one's surprise, what started as a bold Democratic dream of affordable coverage for all turned into a bloated mess. In fact, the only winners of ObamaCare are the big insurance companies that are getting filthy rich on the taxpayers' money.

Meanwhile, Americans are spending thousands of dollars on premiums for coverage that often doesn't cover their needs. And Americans can thank nine of my current Democrat colleagues who voted yes on that final passage, in December 2009--Senators Murray, Cantwell, Wyden, Merkley, Schumer, Gillibrand, Coons, Durbin, Sanders, and Tammy Baldwin, who was in the House at the time. These Democrats jammed this through with not a single Republican vote, ignoring real concerns about how the system would limit competition, leading to lower standards of care; or how it would line the pockets of the big insurance companies while forcing hard-working Americans to pay high premiums; or how it would decrease transparency, leaving Americans to often leave the doctor's office not having a clue how much they owe when they leave; or how rural hospitals would be forced to close their doors, and doctors and nurses would be leaving the medical field because they couldn't make a living.

But they didn't care about any of this. They didn't care about any of it because they always knew we would wind up, today, in the position we are in, 15 years later. They knew costs would become unaffordable for Americans. They knew that, but they were just fine with that because their end goal is to have socialized medicine paid for by American taxpayers, which, by the way, has not worked anywhere in the world. They have terrible healthcare when they do that.

Obamacare was just the first step toward free healthcare for all--the first step. To start, ObamaCare created State and Federal Marketplaces where individuals could shop for coverage. These Marketplaces were intended to be online for health plans.

By the way, if you remember this, they spent about $10 billion and couldn't get the healthcare website going. But we wasted all this money. When they launched this, it just crashed. People couldn't use it for weeks, months. It cost us hundreds of millions of dollars daily. That was a foreshadowing of the disaster to come, if you just think about it.

On the Marketplace, health plans are sorted in different levels-- bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Each level shows how costs are split, with bronze being the most basic, and platinum being the best and higher coverage. The middle-of-the-road silver plan means that the insurer pays for 70 percent of your care--insurance companies. The enrollee pays the remaining 30 percent through deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Regardless of tier status, each plan covers what is called the central health benefits--things like hospital stays, maternity care, prescriptions, emergencies, and preventive services. That sounds comprehensive, doesn't it? But it came at a heavy, heavy price, driving up costs from day one.

This is where the Democrats' real problems started. They named this ridiculous bill the Affordable Care Act. So they couldn't have headlines on day one saying how prices were going up. What did they do? To address this affordability issue, Democrats came up with two big financial plans to supposedly help with affordability.

The first thing they did was create cost-sharing reductions, which were designed for lower income buyers who had the silver plan. Basically, CSRs allowed the government to help these silver plan enrollees pay out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copays. Shifting the bulk of the cost to whom? The American taxpayers.

By 2017, a court ruling stopped these ridiculous CSR payments. So insurance started raising silver plan prices to cover that gap that the court said you couldn't do. As a result, families saw their premiums jump 20 percent to 30 percent in some States.

And the second big Democrat idea was the premium tax credits, which was created for people earning about $15,000 a year, and it was capped at those making $60,000 a year. This program ballooned during the pandemic, when Democrats decided to expand these subsidies.

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan got rid of the $60,000 income cap, meaning higher income Americans could now qualify for the subsidies. This meant that many lower income Americans got zero-premium plans for the very first time. This caused enrollment in Obamacare to double in just 5 years--double--from 11 million people enrolled in 2020 to 24 million in 2023.

Here we go.

This was all thanks to fatter subsidies, slacker rules, and year- round special enrollment periods, which allowed people to sign up at any time, no questions asked.

These exchanges didn't lower costs. They just shifted the bill. To whom? To the American taxpayer. Premiums kept rising, thanks to price- gouging and decreased competition.

But the taxpayer-funded subsidies temporarily shielded enrollees from seeing how much costs were going up.

Take a family of four earning $80,000, for example. They might have paid $500 a month for coverage before Democrats expanded these subsidies--$500 a month. But now, they are paying zero for coverage while you, the American taxpayer, are stuck with paying the rest of the bill, just moving closer and closer to socialized medicine.

This is all thanks to the Democrats' broken subsidy system.

Guess who benefits the most. Not you. The Joint Economic Committee report revealed that insurers and brokers are getting rich off of these subsidies. For every $1 that is paid by the taxpayers, the families only get 34 cents of this $1. The other, where does it go? It goes to the insurance companies or it just disappears. I wonder where that goes?

That is not affordability. That is a straight-up scam that the American taxpayers are facing. Even worse, these loose rules turn the Marketplace into a fraud playground. Enhanced subsidies made plans free for people earning $15,000 to $23,000 a year. So, of course, people started fudging the numbers to qualify for free coverage. Brokers and scammers piled on, setting up systems claiming to enroll people for free coverage, while stealing money for themselves.

A Paragon Institute report estimated that there were 5 to 6.4 million cases of fraud, last year alone.

To catch some of the fraud, the Government Accountability Office tried their own scam. They created 44 false applicants. They made up Social Security numbers. They ran it through the system. Shockingly, 96 percent of the Government Accountability Office's fake applications got approved--100 percent-free healthcare.

It is hard to figure out how exactly these people are getting enrolled. Some are lying about their income. Some are double dipping with Medicaid. And some, likely, might not be citizens of this country.

Sound familiar?

All of this fraud is hard to stop and hard to wrap your mind around. But, unfortunately, the scam of ObamaCare is much bigger than fraudulent enrollees. That is because ObamaCare just didn't destroy our healthcare system. It also ``paid for'' itself by getting the government involved in student loans.

You heard me right.

We are going to pay this--ObamaCare is going to pay for it through student loans. Loans went from being managed and loaning borrowed money from the bank to the Federal Government loaning money to go to college--what a great idea. As a result, education is more expensive than ever.

Listen to this. Today, after 5 years, 45 million students across this country owe $2 trillion--embarrassing. We are screwing over our young people who are just starting out in life, all to prop up this broken ObamaCare system.

ObamaCare promised lower costs and better care, but 15 years in, it delivered just the opposite. ObamaCare premiums have nearly tripled since 2014, not to mention the outrageous bills you get after you leave the doctor.

Quality healthcare is gone. Hospitals all over the country have been forced to close. We are losing doctors and nurses, left and right, because these jobs don't pay what they used to. Because we don't have transparency in the system, bad actors are able to hide prices, insurers face no real competition, and the COVID subsidies allowed scammers to get rich off of fraudulent money that was intended for the most vulnerable.

So, no, this is not Republicans' fault, as you are hearing. Not a single Republican voted for this disaster called the Affordable Care Act. Democrats voted for it then, and Democrats are the ones who own this disaster today.

By the way, your premiums aren't going up 20 percent starting in January because of expiring COVID subsidies, like Democrats want you to believe. That is not happening. These credits are going up only 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent. The rest of the premiums are going up because insurance companies are charging more. So don't let them tell you the subsidies are because all of these premiums are going up. They are getting rich off the American taxpayers. That is what is happening.

The way I see it, there are three main problems with the healthcare system. The first problem, Democrats created a broken system that needs to be repaired, and we are going to do that. I am glad to see several of my Republican colleagues are working on this daily. I am hopeful any Republican plan will focus on the main issue--affordability. The only way to lower costs is through more competition and more transparency. We need more plans to give Americans more of a choice when it comes to insurance plans. This is the only way to drive costs down.

The second problem is that Democrats allowed 20 to 30 million illegals to come into this country under Joe Biden, many of whom came from Third World countries. Many of these people have never ever been to the doctor and have all sorts of health problems. These illegals are now overrunning our emergency rooms, and you, the American taxpayers, are paying for it. The next time you go to the ER, see how long it takes you to get in, and then blame the Democrats. The next time a hospital in your town closes, as has happened all over my State of Alabama, blame the Democrats.

The third problem is that we are horribly sick in this country. Americans are the unhealthiest we have ever been: 74 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. More than 76 percent of Americans have at least one chronic disease. Cancer rates are increasing among young people at an alarming rate. If we do not start getting healthier in this country by working out, eating healthier, and getting rid of processed foods and toxic ingredients, we are not going to make it.

Our healthcare system was not built to support so many unhealthy people. Fifty years ago, you didn't have any of this crap because Americans were more active and didn't have all of this processed food. We are overmedicated, overweight, and sicker than ever, and our healthcare system simply wasn't built to handle it.

Thank God that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is working around the clock to make America healthy again. We need it.

At the end of the day, the Republicans have control of the Senate, the House, and the White House. We have no excuse not to do something about this healthcare disaster. We need to come up with a plan that actually delivers for the American people. This is not a Republican or a Democrat problem. Every American is getting screwed over every day by this horrible healthcare system. The Republican Party is working to fix this. Let's grow a backbone and do what is right for the American people.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, the holidays are a great reminder of the joy that comes from giving of our time and talents. It is also a time to reflect on those like LTC Susan Shapiro of New Market, AL, who are willing to spend holidays away from loved ones so that we can celebrate in peace with ours.

Susan grew up in a military family. Her father was a master sergeant in the Air Force, and many of her four older siblings either served themselves or are military spouses. Susan decided to join herself in 1989 as a means to pay for her college. However, this decision led to more than two decades of service. While in basic training in California, Susan met her husband--and fellow Army veteran--Jeff. They later welcomed their son Trent.

Susan spent the next decade going back and forth serving in both Active Duty and in the Army Reserves. During a stint in Oklahoma, she helped in the recovery and investigation logistics from the tragic Oklahoma City bombing. Her work took her all over the country: California, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New York. But the traveling stopped in 1999 when her husband was located to Huntsville, and they knew they had found their home. Shortly upon this move, Susan was assigned an overseas deployment to Iraq.

But before fighting on the battlefield abroad, she had to defeat a battle here at home: breast cancer. And that she did. Just 3 years after defeating cancer, Susan deployed to the Middle East to serve with the Headquarters Company Command and fight in the war on terror. While she was overseas, she connected deeply with two other women--her ``battle buddies'' as she calls them--Tammy and Sabine. One of her fondest memories of her time in Iraq is when her team members coordinated a Cancer Walk with her entire command as her family members back in the States did a Cancer Walk of their own.

The bond Susan formed with her team, Tammy, and Sabine was truly unbreakable. After returning home from deployment, the three remained inseparable. Susan walked with them through their own personal battles with breast cancer and has taken Tammy's family as her own after Tammy sadly lost her fight with cancer.

Susan also played a key part in Redstone Arsenal's Missile Defense Agency until her retirement in 2013. She now spends most of her time with her friends and family and rescuing animals in need of a home.

As we enter into this holiday season, I am honored to recognize Susan Shapiro as the December Veteran of the Month.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session.

Madam President, I would like to think that my State of Alabama is the most patriotic in the country. We stand for the flag, and we honor those who have made freedom possible. That is why it is no surprise that the first-ever Veterans Day celebration was held in Birmingham, AL, in 1947. World War II veteran Raymond Weeks organized a parade to mark National Veterans Day and continued to do so every year until his death in 1985.

It is important to remember all who were willing to sacrifice to keep our country free. That is why every year I come to the Senate floor to recognize some of Alabama's tremendous heroes. Their service did not end when their time in the military did; they have selflessly contributed to their communities long after taking off their military uniforms.

Tribute to Roy Drinkard

Madam President, our State is home to nearly half a million veterans, including America's oldest living marine and World War II veteran, my friend Mr. Roy Drinkard of Cullman, AL.

After returning home from the war, Roy rolled up his sleeves to help recruit new businesses to Alabama as

part of the Flying Fifty. He founded Drinkard Chevrolet and later led Drinkard Development, helping shape Cullman into the thriving community it is today.

I was proud to be with Roy earlier this year as he celebrated his 105th birthday. He is still going strong, with no signs of slowing down. Roy remains involved in the First Baptist Church of Cullman and serves on the board of trustees for his alma mater, Troy University.

Tribute to Harvey Mathis

Madam President, Alabama is also home to Army MSG Harvey Mathis of Enterprise, AL. Harvey said that his legacy of military service can be traced all the way back to the Revolutionary War. He retired from the military in 2000 after almost 25 years of service.

Harvey then entered the police academy at the age of 22 so that he can continue to protect and serve as a law enforcement officer. He became a chief investigator, where he helped bring those committing crimes against children to justice.

Harvey also served as part of the Dale County Sheriff's Department and as police chief for the city of Daleville during his 15 years in law enforcement.

Alabama is grateful for those like Harvey who have answered the call to defend Americans against evil at home and abroad.

As we prepare to commemorate Veterans Day this weekend, I will remind us of the quote:

If you want to thank a soldier, be the kind of American

worth fighting for.

May we all live worthy of the sacrifices made for all of us.

To all the veterans and their families, we say thank you. May God bless you and continue to bless our great country.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following interns in my office be granted floor privileges until November 5, 2025: Grace Dykes and Sims Tosh.

Mr. President, the Bible tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We all know sometimes that is easier said than done. For PO1 John Logsdon of Enterprise, he embodies this every day.

John grew up in a military family; his grandfather was one of the many soldiers who bravely stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-day. Just 4 days after his high school graduation, he followed suit and enlisted in the U.S. Navy for 21 years. There, he used his mechanic experience to keep Navy equipment ready to go at all times. John played key role in training up soldiers who were preparing to head to the battlefront for both the Gulf War and War on Terror.

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, John moved his family to Enterprise for a stint at the local recruitment office. His wife Rena grew up in the region, and it didn't take John long to realize what a great area it was. After retiring in 2007, John knew he wanted to call the Wiregrass home for good.

For the last 18 years, John has supported the local military and veteran communities, most notably through his service as the military pastor at the Church on Boll Weevil Circle. After seeing how great the need is within the veteran community, John started a ministry called BRAVE to help meet the needs of veterans both in and outside of Alabama. He has helped homeless veterans find housing and supplied vehicles for multiple veteran families in need. John hosts monthly meetings for vets where they can receive peer support and counseling for free. John's efforts have also saved many veterans from taking their own lives.

Among all the incredible things he is doing through his ministry, John has also found time to serve the community in a variety of volunteer roles, including AMVETS chaplain for the State of Alabama and Post 7, operations officer for the Wiregrass Honor Flight, instructor for Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief, member of the Coffee County Emergency Response Team, and as both a firefighter and chaplain for the Battens Fire Department.

His peers speak highly of him as someone who anyone can count on in a time of need. It is an honor to recognize John Logsdon as the November Veteran of the Month.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to talk about two bills I recently introduced to shut down Sharia law in this country. I ruffled some feathers a few weeks ago when I came to the Senate floor to talk about what I believe is the greatest national security threat facing the United States of America: radical Islam and Sharia law.

The Democrats and the mainstream media, they have been coming after me ever since I started talking about this subject. But after spending 40 years coaching, I don't really care what people think about me. I love this country, and I want to save this country for our kids and our grandkids.

I was back in Alabama, and I heard from countless Alabamans who told me they are 100 percent behind what I am talking about. At the end of the day, I work for the great people of Alabama and the great people of this country, not the pearl-clutching media that is out there hammering me every day.

Speaking of Alabama, I am proud that the Yellowhammer State banned Sharia law a long time ago. For too long, people have been afraid to call out radical Islam for what it is because if you dare--if you dare to speak out--the left will come after you, your family, your reputation, and your job. They will try to ruin your life just because they disagree with you. That is how they play the game.

One of the radical left's go-to tactics is to accuse anyone--anyone-- who disagrees with them of being a racist, a bigot, or intolerant. They tried that with me, calling me an Islamophobe for calling out the evils of Islam. But there is only one problem with that strategy--one. Radical Islam isn't a race; it is an ideology. It is a choice, and I would argue it is a cult.

So, no, I am not an Islamophobe. If you want to peacefully practice your religion, that is fine with me. That is what our Constitution gives you the right to do. Our Constitution gives you that right, and that is why we have millions--millions--of Christians, Jews, Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, and peaceful Muslims, who worship freely

in this great country of ours called the United States of America.

But if you come here, you are expected to assimilate into our country and our values.

I recently saw a stat that absolutely shocked me. We have 42 million people in this country that are on food stamps--42 million. You would think these people are just Americans who have fallen on hard times, which is whom the program is for. But a disproportionate amount of these 42 million people are immigrants; 45 percent of Afghanistan immigrants are on food stamps; 42 of the Somalian immigrants are on food stamps; and 59 percent of all illegal aliens are collecting food stamps--59 percent.

So, clearly, these people are not coming here and assimilating into our American way of life by working hard and taking care of your family--what an idea. They are coming here to mooch off the American taxpayer. It is wrong, and we need to call it out.

But beyond the taxpayer concerns, this religion is also fundamentally incompatible with our Western values, so wake up America.

The Quran instructs Islamists to fight Jews and Christians, along with anyone else who doesn't believe in Allah. Simply put, radical Islam teaches that it is righteous to kill Christians. It is righteous. There is no peaceful coexistence with this type of people, none.

Just look at the Middle East and North Africa, where Christians and Jews are being slaughtered by the thousands.

Where is our media? Where are they at?

More than 7,000 Christians have been slaughtered by radical Muslims in Nigeria so far this year--7,000. That is 35 people that have been killed every day this year.

Where is the mainstream media? How come they are not talking about that?

Radical Islam demands complete obedience--complete, 100 percent--and will kill you if you dare to speak out against their beliefs and ideologies.

This isn't anything new. Muslims have been fighting to wipe out Christians and Jews for centuries. But now the problem isn't just confined to the faraway Middle East. It is happening right here in our backyard, in the 50 States.

We are already seeing cities in Michigan and Minnesota being taken over by Sharia law. In Dearborn, MI, a Christian pastor recently protested after a street was named after a radical Islamic terrorist. The pastor just complained about it. In response, the Muslim mayor of Dearborn told the pastor that he is no longer welcome in the town and will celebrate the day he leaves.

Think about that. A Christian pastor is being silenced here in America for objecting to a taxpayer-funded road being named after a terrorist.

We are losing.

Or take what has been happening in Minneapolis, MN, which has seen a massive influx of Somalians moving into their neighborhoods.

I recently saw a story that absolutely shocked me. More than 75 Somalians have been arrested in a massive scheme where they stole $300 million from an American taxpayer-funded child nutrition program--$300 million.

So these Somalian criminals came to Minneapolis, they took advantage of our free schools and our free healthcare, and then they stole $300 million from American taxpayers, right under our noses. Where is the media? Where is the outrage?

And where did this money go? Where do you think it went? You guessed it: It went back to Somalia.

It is disgusting, and these people should be deported, if not jailed for life.

In case you are still unclear about the dangers we are facing, here are a few reasons why Sharia law does not work in a Western society like the United States. In America, we value free speech. The U.S. Constitution gives us that right. The First Amendment is what makes this country, America, great. You are allowed to express your opinions publicly, without fear of the government arresting you or killing you.

But under Sharia law--under Sharia law--any criticism that goes against what Muhammad or the Quran says can be punishable by death.

Further, under the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment, equal rights for people of all faiths are protected. Western culture treats everyone equal, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Under Sharia Law, if you are not a Muslim, you are treated as the enemy. Radical Islam says you can discriminate against and even be violent toward non-Muslims. We see that happening now in Europe, where non-Muslims are being violently attacked every day, all over Europe. It is because Sharia law not only accepts but encourages this type of disgusting behavior.

Another major difference between Islam and our Western culture is the way we treat women. In the United States, marriage happens when a man and woman mutually decide that they want to get married and be with each other. But under Sharia law, older men are allowed to marry 6- year-old girls, which is unbelievable. Six years old--that is not marriage. In America, we call that pedophilia.

But that is just scraping the surface.

In Sharia Law, women are sold, raped, trafficked. It is no problem to them. That is their way of life.

Women are not allowed to get an education or have a job. They aren't even allowed to leave home without a man escorting them. And women are forced to wear burqas, which cover basically everything but their eyes.

Meanwhile, men are allowed to have multiple wives, marry children, and do not have to cover their heads.

It makes your blood boil, not to mention the horrible way that minorities are treated in countries that follow Sharia law. There is no tolerance in these countries. If you live in a country that practices Sharia law and are not Muslim, you are lucky if you aren't thrown in jail or killed. That is because Islam and Sharia law teach that you must hate non-Muslims and should wage jihad, which literally means holy war, against people who do not believe.

One thing I find particularly ironic is how the left turns a blind eye to the horrible ways LGBT people are treated in countries that follow Sharia law. In countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, gay people are often given the death penalty.

Does that sound like a peaceful, tolerant religion to you? Not me.

Unfortunately, this religion, which I think is closer to a cult, is rapidly growing in this country. Wake up, America.

Look no further than New York, where radical Islamist Zohran Mamdani is the frontrunner to become the next mayor. Mamdani has tried everything he can do to hide his radical Islamic beliefs, ever since he started campaigning. But he was recently seen in a photo with a coconspirator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Think about that. And they are getting ready to elect him mayor. The leading candidate for mayor of New York City is cozying up with an openly jihadist terrorist sympathizer. Where are we going?

If New Yorkers are stupid enough to elect a radical Islamist as their mayor, then they deserve what they get next. And it is coming.

I truly believe we are at a crossroads in this country. The time for political correctness is over, that is why I have introduced two bills in the Senate to end Sharia law in this country--end it.

The first one is the No Sharia Act, which makes it illegal to practice Sharia law when it conflicts with our constitution.

As I have repeatedly said, the radical Islam cult is the opposite of everything--I mean everything--that we stand for in America.

The second bill I introduced, the Preserving a Sharia Free America Act, prevents all foreign nationals who advocate for Sharia law from entering this country--no more. If you want to practice that, stay where you are at or go to one of the other 50 countries that practices this.

The Trump administration banned people from nearly 50 Muslim countries during the first administration. And thanks to Joe Biden's 4 years of open borders, we now have thousands--I mean thousands--of terrorists and their sympathizers who entered our country unchecked-- how stupid was that.

We have to shut off the spigot before it is too late. This is a major national security threat. Radical Islamists have proven, over and over again, that they

are willing to do whatever it takes to kill just one American citizen. And it isn't just happening overseas. It has been allowed to fester and is alive and well in our very own country, just waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

So now is the time to act, because if we don't, we are going to lose this country as we know it. Open your eyes, America. The values this country was built on cannot coexist with radical Islam. It doesn't work.

It is one, our Constitution, or the other. You can't mix it. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue. This is an American issue. Just look at Europe. We are headed down the same dark path as what Europe is going through now if we don't wake up.

We need to permanently shut down Sharia law in this country before it is too late. Wake up, America.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to once again talk about the outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year.

This weekend, my constituents back home in Alabama and across America will be forced to change their clocks. As a result, it will be dark in Washington, DC, at 5 p.m. next week. In the 5 years I have served here in the Senate, making daylight saving time permanent is the No. 1 issue that I hear about back home.

I am proud to have joined my colleague Rick Scott earlier this year in reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent on the Federal level. Unfortunately, it hasn't been brought to the floor for a vote. So here I am advocating once again to make the outdated practice of changing our clock a thing of the past.

For nearly 60 years, Americans have changed their clocks back and forth twice a year, but the roots of daylight saving time trace back much further. Daylight saving time was introduced during World War I and then reused again during World War II as a temporary way to help conserve fuel and energy. Following the ends of both wars, the decision to spring forward and fall back was returned to individual States. It wasn't until 1966 that the system of changing our clocks twice a year that we use now was made permanent.

Changing our clocks twice a year might have made sense in the 1960s, but it doesn't make sense anymore. The twice-a-year time change doesn't make sense today.

We know the devastating impact the disruption from so-called standard time has on Americans' health. Studies have suggested that disruption of sleep patterns due to time changes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and physical injury. Northwestern Medicine found that ``fall back'' and ``spring forward'' are connected to a 6-percent spike in fatal car accidents and a 24-percent higher risk of heart attacks. Think about that. Additionally, the long-term health effects linked to changing our clocks include weight gain, cluster headaches, and depression. You would think we would listen to all of that.

The bottom line is that shifting our clocks disrupts sleep patterns, and it has been proven time and time again to be harmful to our health.

Thanks to R.F.K., Jr.'s, great work at HHS, a lot of Americans are taking

their health more seriously by trying to eat healthier and to get more sleep. Switching the clock back and forth is the exact opposite of the Make America Healthy Again movement that R.F.K., Jr., has championed. It is bad for sleep, it is bad for nutrition, and it is bad for overall health.

For that reason, I push back and try to get this on the floor sooner rather than later.

I yield back to my colleague Rick Scott.