Marion Michael Rounds in the 119th Congress. AGOA EXTENSION ACT The PRESIDING OFFICER. Cloture having been invoked, the clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R.
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AGOA EXTENSION ACT
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Cloture having been invoked, the clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 6500) to extend duty-free treatment provided
with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa
under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend
customs user fees, and for other purposes.
Pending:
Thune (for Collins) amendment No. 6732, in the nature of a
substitute.
Thune amendment No. 6736 (to amendment No. 6732), to change
the enactment date.
Thune amendment No. 6737 (to amendment No. 6736), of a
perfecting nature.
Thune amendment No. 6738 (to the language proposed to be
stricken by amendment No. 6732), to change the enactment
date.
Thune amendment No. 6739 (to amendment No. 6738), of a
perfecting nature.
Thune motion to commit the bill to the Committee on
Appropriations, with instructions, Thune amendment No. 6740,
to change the enactment date.
Thune amendment No. 6741 (the instructions (amendment No.
6740) of the motion to commit), of a perfecting nature.
Thune amendment No. 6742 (to amendment No. 6741), of a
perfecting nature.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion to commit and the amendments pending thereto fall.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. McCormick). The Senator from South Dakota.
(The remarks of Mr. Rounds pertaining to the introduction of S. 5373 are printed in today's Record under “Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.”)
Mr. ROUNDS. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, just before I begin my remarks, I would associate myself with the remarks of my colleague from South Dakota pertaining to the Postal Service and their work in South Dakota. If there was a way to build an incredibly inefficient model, they have figured out how to do it. It needs to be fixed. I share his view, and we will work with him to insist and ensure that they make changes that improve the service that affects the constituents, the people that we represent and serve.
Republican Party Accomplishments
Mr. President, when this Congress began last year, we had a long to- do list. The American people had made their priorities clear. As I said from the start, this Republican majority was ready to deliver. Republicans were committed to strengthening our economic future, ending the Biden border crisis and making America safer and stronger in the years ahead.
a tax cut which meant more of their hard-earned money stayed in their pockets instead of going to the IRS. That was thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts. That was Republicans' top priority last year.
crisis caused by Democrats' reckless spending, and they were facing a massive tax hike, $2,500 for a typical family in my State if Congress had failed to act. But the Working Families Tax Cuts made sure that tax hike never came.
97 percent of taxpayers this past year. We implemented new tax cuts like no tax on tips or overtime, raised the child tax credit, gave seniors an additional $6,000 deduction, and provided America's small businesses and family farms and ranches with significant and permanent tax relief too.
pockets. We have been working to bring down costs, and one of the ways we are doing that is by lifting unnecessary and burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of things that Americans need.
and that has contributed to home ownership becoming more affordable for many Americans.
cost of household appliances and energy. We got rid of electrical vehicle mandates that were going to force Americans into pricey electric cars that they didn't want, and we have taken concrete action to drive down costs at the pharmacy counter as well.
discounts or rebates from their purchases at the pharmacy counter and their healthcare plans. We removed incentives for pharmacy benefit managers to promote higher priced medications at the expense of seniors. And we approved access to more affordable generic drugs. These are policies that change the math of families' budgets: more money in their pockets, lower costs for the things that they need. And beyond that, we have also taken actions to strengthen our economy for the long term.
country thanks, in part, to the Working Families Tax Cuts. Other provisions in that law make education pathways more affordable, strengthen our skilled workforce, and create opportunity for the future. The law also bolstered programs that America's farmers and ranchers depend on, and the Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in rural healthcare providers in all 50 States, putting those providers on a more secure path forward so that Americans in rural areas can continue to have access to quality, affordable healthcare close to home.
the Senate majority, and we didn't waste any time getting to work on that either. The first bill we passed was the Laken Riley Act, requiring that illegal immigrants who are arrested for certain crimes aren't put back on the streets.
has the tools it needs to go after fentanyl and fentanyl analogs that have taken too many—too many—American lives.
And then there is the border itself. President Trump took swift action to secure the border early last year, and in the Working Families Tax Cuts, we provided the resources necessary to hire more agents, finish the border wall, and keep the border secure permanently.
Today, illegal border crossings have slowed to a trickle. It has been like that for just about the entire Trump administration, an incredible feat considering how bad things were under President Biden. And thanks to our efforts, the resources are in place to ensure the border stays secure for the long term.
military. The Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in our military readiness. We complemented those efforts in last year's annual Defense bill which, among other things, made significant reforms to the way the Pentagon does business to ensure that tax dollars are being spent to maximum efficiency and effectiveness for our men and women in uniform. And this year's National Defense Authorization Act builds on those efforts as well.
We have been busy. The Senate has taken close to 900 votes since last January. We have been in Washington a lot more than in previous years.
of years. As I said, we made generational investments in border security, military readiness, and in rural healthcare. We approved the most significant tax relief bill in decades. We confirmed 21 Cabinet nominees faster than the last three incoming administrations. And we passed the first crypto bill ever. We approved a rescissions package that cut billions in Federal spending for the first time in literally three decades.
Our work continues. Earlier this afternoon, we passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, giving the President critical tools to bring peace to Ukraine. We also approved another slate of 74 Trump administration nominees, bringing our total to 590. And I expect to move forward on additional items very soon.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
Nomination of Todd Blanche
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, later today, I hope the Senate will vote to confirm the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General.
I support his nomination, and I urge my colleagues to vote for him. Mr. Blanche is nominated to one of the most important offices in our country, and he has shown that he is up to that task. His impressive background and the presentation at our hearing in the Judiciary Committee are proof that he has led the Justice Department with distinction and is well suited to continue doing that.
During his hearing, Mr. Blanche answered questions for more than 5 hours. His testimony reinforced what we already knew about his proven record as Acting Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Blanche is a tough, fair prosecutor, dedicated to the rule of law, and his leadership instills that same zeal throughout the entire Justice Department.
Mr. Blanche began his career clerking for two Federal judges, two Federal judges that were appointed by different political parties of the Presidency. He then spent nearly a decade as a Federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. During that time, Mr. Blanche handled a wide array of criminal matters, including narcotic trafficking and violent crimes.
Mr. Blanche eventually entered private practice, where he had a very successful career with many high-profile cases.
he is in right now, repeating again serving as Deputy Attorney General and now as Acting Attorney General.
Throughout his career, Mr. Blanche demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service and the fair administration of justice. At his hearing and many times since, I have detailed the successes of the Justice Department under Mr. Blanche's leadership. Indeed, the statistics prove that Americans are safer with Mr. Blanche at the helm.
So let's look at that picture. Under his leadership, fraud enforcement efforts have been ramped up; arrests of violent crimes and criminals engaged in child exploitation have increased; terrorist plots have been successfully thwarted; massive quantities of illegal firearms and harmful drugs, especially like fentanyl, have been seized.
1900, and crime trends throughout the country have declined. According to the Council of Criminal Justice's 2026 midyear report, the reported rates for homicide have dropped 51 percent from its peak 9 years ago; carjacking dropped 73 percent; residential burglaries down 56 percent; motor vehicle thefts down 51 percent.
because, according to this report, every single violent crime category and nearly all property crime categories have dropped below prepandemic levels, and that didn't happen by accident.
It happened, why? Because Mr. Blanche refocused the Justice Department on keeping Americans safe. That is the sort of impact we should want and should expect from the Justice Department and any Attorney General that heads that Department. And that is what Mr. Blanche has delivered.
We heard about it at Mr. Blanche's hearing. The committee heard a heart-wrenching testimony from an Angel Mom, Jennifer Bos. She told us about her daughter's tragic and gruesome death. She explained the importance of Mr. Blanche's focus on keeping Americans safe.
Ms. Bos stated:
I couldn't save my daughter, but with Todd Blanche as
Attorney General, he might save yours because next time it
could be your
child. It could be your family. It could be you.
received for Mr. Blanche's nomination. Three hundred Angel Moms wrote a letter thanking Mr. Blanche for prioritizing victims and focusing the Department's efforts on stopping illegal immigration, ending drug and human trafficking, and protecting America's communities from violent crime.
enforcement organizations that collectively represent hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers all across our country. They praise Mr. Blanche's focus on public safety, the rule of law, and his unwavering support for law enforcement professionals, the people that risk their lives daily to protect our families and our communities.
In total, the committee received more than 30 letters supporting Mr. Blanche's nomination. These include more than 100 former Justice Department attorneys, chiefs of staff, U.S. attorneys, and other senior officials. Mr. Blanche's nomination was also supported by multiple former Attorneys General, including John Ashcroft and Bill Barr. These former Attorneys General know what it takes to run the Justice Department.
committee, and the support he has received from across the country, I am convinced Mr. Blanche is the right choice to lead the Justice Department.
people. That is a vote the American people deserve, and that is a vote that I am proud to cast.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, this week, I had the honor of voting for Todd Blanche as he was coming out of the Judiciary Committee and advancing that nomination. Having worked with him over the past year or so, I think that there is no one better suited to serve President Trump's mission of enforcing the rule of law and one tier of justice for all Americans. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote to confirm him when this nomination comes to the floor.
communities are safe. That is one of the main issues they talk about, that need for public safety.
Mr. Blanche has played a big role in making that happen as the Deputy Attorney General and then as the Acting Attorney General. Since last year, homicides nationwide are down 18 percent. They are the lowest they have been since 1900. That is 126 years. Residential burglaries are down 13 percent. Robberies are down 17 percent. Carjackings are down 47 percent.
say: Well, how does that apply to my community? Let me show you what this has done in Memphis and what Mr. Blanche's leadership, working with Director Patel at the FBI, working with President Trump, and working with over 25 other Federal Agencies—what they have been able to accomplish in Memphis.
TN, was considered the most dangerous city per capita, and it was averaging a murder a day. It was considered to be more dangerous than Colombia, Mexico City, or even Baghdad.
making certain that Memphis is the safest city in the United States, and Mr. Blanche has been a key part of those efforts.
that was done nearly 1 year ago. It was put in place in September of last year. Here is what they have been able to do. By working together—your local, State, and Federal law enforcement—they have made over 11,000 arrests, 1,200 known gang members have been apprehended, and 183 missing children have been located. As of this week, 2,000 illegal firearms have been seized, taken off the streets.
General Blanche will be focused on rooting out fraud both in elections and government programs.
across the country to ensure that only American citizens are voting in American elections.
effort, and we should waste no time in getting that to the President's desk. We now know that there are more than 270,000 noncitizens on voter rolls across the country. If blue States won't clean them up, Congress must force them to clean up their rolls.
In one of his first actions as Acting Attorney General, Mr. Blanche also created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. This is something the American people have wanted to see. They don't want their tax dollars going into the pockets of fraudsters. As of April, the Department was investigating 8,000 fraud cases representing more than $1 trillion in stolen taxpayer funds. That is an astounding number: $1 trillion in stolen, misspent taxpayer funds.
To the American people, this is just common sense. You investigate fraud. You lock up criminals. You secure our elections. But our colleagues on the other side of the aisle oppose all of this. Earlier this year, they forced a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security to block funding to Federal law enforcement. They have called to “abolish ICE” and have slandered our officers as “secret police,” “slave patrols,” and “Nazis.”
they are practically encouraging voter fraud. Fourteen States— overwhelmingly blue—do not require any ID whatsoever to vote. Think about that. No ID. No ID to go to the polls and show that you are who you say you are and that you are allowed to cast that ballot. Many more refuse to work with DHS to compare their voter rolls with the SAVE database, which verifies a person's immigration status. Out of our States, 26 will use the DHS SAVE database to verify their voter rolls, and you have 24 that don't. So think about that and what that does to open the door for fraud.
government programs. California and Governor Newsom—well, government spending in California has surged from $209 billion a year to $350 billion a year. The State auditor has repeatedly flagged that billions of these expenditures are questionable payments. Yet what do the State Democrats do? They do nothing. Now, think about this. This is a Democrat State—a very blue State—with a Governor who is very much from the leftwing of that party. He has a State auditor—a State auditor, part of his administration—who is flagging questionable payments, and they don't do anything about it.
The whole time, this is taxpayer money. It is not government money. It is taxpayer money that is being sent to the government so that the government will be a good steward of that money and use that money for programs that are going to benefit the constituents, the citizens, the taxpayers, but instead, they are letting it go out the door to fraudsters.
stolen through Medicaid fraud. In New York, Chinese criminal groups have stolen millions more through fraudulent Medicaid billing.
See, we know this is happening. Auditors have found it. It has been pointed out to the State officials, and they won't do anything about it. So as a taxpayer, if you are in California, New York, or Minnesota, what does this tell you? It tells you that your elected officials do not give a rippin' flip about you and your hard-earned money that is going into these coffers. And then what are they doing? They are wasting it away.
Our national debt is approaching $40 trillion—unbelievable—and the American people expect their elected representatives to be good stewards of those dollars. Instead, the Democrats are embracing the failures of socialism.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani unveiled a $127 billion budget while proposing billions in new taxes. New
Yorkers could see more than half of their income taken in taxes. Yet I have laid out for you how much of that money is being wasted—wasted— going into fraud.
The mayor is pretty clear about his intentions. In a speech to the Young Democratic Socialists of America, he said that his “end goal” is “seizing the means of production.” Well, how about that? He wants to go use eminent domain. He wants to take away your ability to live out your American dream because if you have some form or means of production, he is going to take it away and say: Hey, wait a minute. That great idea you have, that great machine you built, this factory that you have, this restaurant that you own, it is no longer yours. It is the government's. It is the government's.
That is what you call communism. It is not yours. You don't own it. It is the government's. Then the government is going to turn around and tell you what you have to do in order to exercise that means of production while they are the ones that benefit and not you. You are the cog in the wheel. You owe it all to them.
How I define my politics is a redistribution of resources.
Well, how about that? Socialism. Communism. Taking from those who are producing and giving to those that refuse to produce, because we have all got to be the same. That is the way the Democrat socialists view it. You are working hard. Take it away from you and give it to people that are going to go sit on their rear and do nothing. That is what they believe. They are proud of it. They think that is a great thing. It is astounding.
denouncing socialism in all its forms and opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. Well, guess what. One would think that if you are a Member of the U.S. House and you have taken an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, you would say: You better believe I am against socialism. You better believe I am going to support our citizens.
But do you know what? There were 98 Democrats—98—that voted against that.
So it leaves you to ask: How in the world could this happen? That final vote tally, 98 jumped the shark and voted against that. You had 2 that voted present and 27 that took a walk and didn't vote at all. Are they so afraid of the far left wing of their party that they can't go exercise their responsibility to cast a vote? Astounding.
Party. They are more comfortable standing up for socialist, communist ideas—touting those, caving to the leftwing, caving to the leftist media, going for likes and thumbs-up and reposts on social media, following the crowd and not being a leader.
It is just amazing to me. And as I have talked with Tennesseans—and I had a lady in Tennessee sum it up pretty well. She is somebody who has been a Democrat, but, no, she doesn't identify with them anymore. She considers them to be pro-crime, pro-fraud, and pro-socialism.
Now, how is that for a bumper sticker? That is what the Democrat Party is supporting right now. They are pro-crime, they are pro-fraud, and they are pro-socialism.
Now, the good thing is, Americans are rejecting this agenda. And what we have seen since 2020, on net, more than 3.6 million people have fled these big, deep-blue States of New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. You have to say: Why?
Tennessee. They consider themselves to be refugees. They got out because they just don't want to live that way, being governed by people who are so far left that they are pro-crime, pro-fraud, pro-socialism, pro-communism, and being in areas that are cheering on those policies.
So I would encourage people to think through what is happening. I would encourage them to stand with the rule of law. And I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote aye for Todd Blanche as we vote to confirm him as the Nation's Attorney General. He understands the importance of the rule of law, enforcing the rule of law, and abiding by equal justice for all.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Kansas.
Russia Sanctions
Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today—this afternoon—the Senate took a really important step to strengthen our national security and pay a final tribute to our colleague Lindsey Graham, the Senator from South Carolina. This step has been a long time coming.
But by an overwhelming passage of the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, the Senate sent a clear message to our adversaries: There will be consequences for those who finance terrorism and those who wage an unprovoked war.
economic pressures on Russia and on Iran, making clear that the United States will not reward aggression. This legislation builds upon those efforts by giving the President stronger tools to ensure these sanctions remain effective and much more difficult to evade.
crude oil, this proposal aims to address a vital component of the war many have overlooked: Russia's vulnerability lies not only on the battlefield but also on its dependence on energy revenue.
oil and natural gas around the world, we allow Putin to continue unhindered in building advanced weaponry, paying Russian soldiers, and prolonging the conflict.
generate revenue. By increasing economic pressures now, we make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its war efforts.
that. Following years of work between Congress, the administration, and our allies, this proposal would finally strike at the financial engine driving Russia's war machine without increasing the global price of oil.
This proposal also recognizes an important reality: Sanctioning Russia alone is no longer enough. Importantly, the bill would extend and strengthen sanctions authorities related to Iran, recognizing the growing partnership between Moscow and Tehran. Russia and Iran are no longer acting independently. Iranian drones have terrorized Ukrainian cities. Russia has deepened its military cooperation with Tehran while providing political and strategic support to the Iranian regime. Both governments seek to undermine American interests, threaten our allies, and weaken international order that has helped preserve peace for generations.
Ukraine or change Iran's behavior, but it will make both regimes pay a far higher price for choosing aggression over peace.
The Senate has now done its part. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk. This bill must be swiftly signed into law and implemented in order to hold Russia and those supporting its unjust and unjustifiable war accountable.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
SAVE America Act
Mrs. MOODY. Mr. President, I rise today to urge this esteemed body into action.
and that many of my colleagues are looking forward to being back in our homes to meet with our constituents. But here is the thing: I know many of us agree that our business is far from done. The work the American people entrusted to us has not concluded. We have not done what we need to do. We cannot leave Washington until we act
securing our elections so that we remain a government of Americans— free Americans—by Americans, for Americans. I am here today to make sure that happens.
our elections, and it is our responsibility—every single one of us no matter what side of the aisle we sit on—to protect the United States of America and everything that it was built on. To do that, we have to ensure that only Americans and legitimate voters participate in American elections.
in self-representative government, and we are still guided by those enduring words that followed “We the People.” And while the challenges we face today may seem more modern, certainly more complex, and more immediate than those confronting the Founders, the principles they laid out remain steadfast—the guarantees to our people. “We the people” agreed we would live among one another, create, enforce, and uphold our laws. To do that, we created a strong Republic that depended on “we the people” being engaged in our elections to select our Representatives—the Representatives of the people—to serve our interests.
grounded in a simple, commonsense—indeed, foundational—principle that only American citizens should vote in American elections.
have this debate with anybody in this Chamber. I am one of the newest Senators. I just got to Washington last year on behalf of the great, free State of Florida. I fought like heck to protect that State during challenges this Nation had never faced before, and we did it. We are now one of the most successful States, and we are one of the States with the most secure elections. You had better be darned sure I am going to do that here as a U.S. Senator on behalf of all Americans. It shouldn't be controversial. It is not complicated. It is a basic safeguard of our Republic that ensures our government remains truly of, by, and for the American people.
fiercely protecting our elections. Framers like Alexander Hamilton knew that our laws and our system should reflect the will of the American people and no one else. Americans must be able to trust that their elections are not corrupted or skewed or nullified by noncitizens voting or ineligible persons voting.
Questions about election integrity are not new. They were recognized and debated by the Founders themselves. During the Constitutional Convention, one member expressed concern that States may make false returns of their elections. States, today, give licenses to those here illegally and then register them to vote. A lot of that paperwork happens at the same time.
of this country. It is our responsibility to do that on behalf of our constituents back home. In fact, I think it is the responsibility of this Chamber to put it up for a vote so they can see who is standing up for them back home. That is the only way we can ensure the people have confidence in the system and in the legitimacy of our results of elections.
This is about more than one bill. Look at any of the election integrity measures that are coming up. I am proud to have been an original sponsor of the SAVE America Act, but voter ID and voter integrity bills—all of these are important. I have also sponsored a bill called Ballots by Election Day to make sure we can get prompt results so people trust these elections. It is about preserving the integrity of our Republic. It is about ensuring that our government remains accountable to the people. It is about protecting a system—a government—that has endured for 250 years.
How do we ensure only citizens vote? The answer is so simple: voter ID.
It makes sense. You need a valid ID to do so many things—from driving, buying alcohol, checking into a hotel. You even need one to get an unlimited pasta pass from Olive Garden. Some have suggested, in communist Mamdani's city-run grocery store, you have to show an ID to get groceries. But we are not OK with needing an ID to vote?
American people to provide an ID to vote—the highest privilege of being a citizen. It is a joke. We have to be able to trust our elections are legitimate, and that is something the vast majority of Americans agrees on.
The people have been clear. It does not matter which party they are registered with. The majority in every party agrees we should have to show ID for elections. According to the Pew Research Center, 83 percent of Americans support voter ID laws—83 percent. The very groups that Democrats claim would be harmed by this measure support voter ID. It is not a fringe idea. It is a broadly supported, commonsense safeguard.
of New Jersey where thousands of noncitizens were registered to vote through the State's motor vehicle system. It is further proof as to why the SAVE America Act is needed. Under no circumstances should that have been able to have occurred.
Trust in our government is already at a near-record low. The Pew Research Center reports only 17 percent of Americans now say that they trust Washington to do what is right just about always or most of the time. If we leave without passing or voting on voter integrity, it will prove them right. When trust erodes our entire system, our Republic is weakened because, once confidence in our elections is lost, it will be incredibly difficult to restore.
The SAVE America Act helps reinforce trust in our elections. It also stands for preserving the integrity of our Republic—for protecting this system that so many have sacrificed to protect over the 250 years of the United States of America.
Constitutional Convention that we have a Republic if we can keep it. I am here today to say we must keep it, and it is all of our responsibility to stand up and fight to keep it.
debate. I came to Washington to get things done, and I came to Washington to make a difference. I need my colleagues to join me in being committed to pushing through and getting a vote and taking an action on securing our elections. The people in our States—the people we serve, our bosses back home—want this. They are demanding that we get this done. So let's get this done and save America.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine.
Government Funding
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, later tonight, my colleagues will be asked to pass the continuing resolution before us to prevent a government shutdown. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft this stopgap funding measure. The continuing resolution that we produced is bipartisan and is supported by the administration. After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us.
This continuing resolution is straightforward. It continues current government funding levels until December 11, with limited anomalies aimed at avoiding disruptions in crucial government activities and programs. For example, our legislation includes necessary adjustments for programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—better known as the WIC Program—to address program costs and participation levels. It allows the USDA loan programs to operate uninterrupted for our Nation's farmers. It gives the Department of Housing and Urban Development the resources it needs to maintain housing assistance for thousands of families, and we all know how absolutely critical that is.
construction delays for several classes of U.S. Navy vessels, including the DDG-51s. It
would help Federal law enforcement handle and plan for national security events. The resolution allows the administration immediate access to the full funding amounts for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and for the Forest Service and Department of the Interior's wildfire suppression efforts. We have only to look at the news to know just how critical those efforts and programs are.
Budget from implementing a proposed rule regarding Federal financial assistance—from taking effect for the coming months. I advocated for significant changes to the proposed rule in a July 6 letter to the Agency, citing its potential to politicize the grant-making process and harm small, rural communities; our university, college, and nonprofit laboratories; our hospitals; our families; and biomedical research in general.
vast majority of them against the changes that are proposed. I don't think that in the time I have been privileged to serve in the Senate, I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments.
work on bipartisan appropriations bills. Last cycle, we were successful in getting 11 out of the 12 bills passed and signed into law. I hope we can do that this time as well, and the additional time the continuing resolution will give us should help bring that about. It is so important that Congress not abrogate its power of the purse—our constitutional responsibility.
toward averting a damaging shutdown that could harm vital programs and throw the lives of Federal workers into disarray. We saw what happened in the shutdowns that occurred during the last cycle that were both unwarranted and unfair to so many of our Federal employees, particularly those who are forced to work without knowing when they would be paid. We cannot allow that to happen again.
of 91 to 6, with 1 person voting “present,” to move forward with this legislation. I urge another “aye” vote tonight so that we can keep our government open and working for the American people.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.