Congressional Record
U
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U
M
E
P
L
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R
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United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
118
th
CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
.
H5041
Vol. 169 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023 No. 175
House of Representatives
The House met at 11 a.m. and was
called to order by the Speaker pro tem-
pore (Mr. M
C
H
ENRY
).
f
PRAYER
The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret
Grun Kibben, offered the following
prayer:
God our creator, our redeemer, and
our sustainer, as we return again this
week to these Chambers, we are keenly
aware that we need also return to You.
It is hard not to think that You have
cast us off, rejecting us and our feeble
attempts to lead ourselves. You no
doubt are angry with us, but we pray
You will restore us.
You have shaken the earth around us
and torn it open. The wounds of our
warring madness are painfully evident
in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, and too
many other fractured places across the
globe. Only You can heal the breaches
of decency and democracy.
You have shown us hardship. You
have allowed us to endure desperate
and dire moments. You have made us
drink the wine of confusion. You have
let us get drunk on the fruit of our own
orchard.
You alone can save us from the un-
certainty that surrounds us. You alone
can guide us through the disorder of
these days. You alone can shed light in
the darkness that seeks to overcome
our spirits.
We pray then that You would redeem
us, lead us, and enrich us in Your
mercy. In Your sovereign name we
pray.
Amen.
f
THE JOURNAL
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Chair has examined the Journal of the
last day’s proceedings and announces
to the House the approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1 of rule I, the
Journal stands approved.
f
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
T
HANEDAR
) come forward and lead the
House in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. THANEDAR led the Pledge of Al-
legiance as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America, and to the Repub-
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
f
RECESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair
declares the House in recess subject to
the call of the Chair.
Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 2 min-
utes a.m.), the House stood in recess.
f
b 1843
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House
was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. M
C
H
ENRY
) at 6 o’clock
and 43 minutes p.m.
f
HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore,
I ask unanimous consent that when the
House adjourns today, it adjourn to
meet at noon tomorrow.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
f
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore,
I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accord-
ingly (at 6 o’clock and 43 minutes
p.m.), under its previous order, the
House adjourned until tomorrow,
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at noon.
h
EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL
Reports concerning the foreign currencies and U.S. dollars utilized for Official Foreign Travel during the third quarter
of 2023, pursuant to Public Law 95–384, are as follows:
REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, DELEGATION TO JAPAN, EXPENDED BETWEEN SEPT. 6 AND 14, 2023
Name of Member or employee
Date
Country
Per diem
1
Transportation Other purposes Total
Arrival Departure
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Hon. Kevin McCarthy ............................................... 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.43 .................... 10,605.25 .................... .................... .................... 11,922.68
Machalagn Carr ....................................................... 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.43 .................... 4,886.55 .................... .................... .................... 6,203.98
Natalie Joyce ............................................................ 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.43 .................... 7,077.55 .................... .................... .................... 8,394.98
Allen Souza .............................................................. 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.43 .................... 4,851.55 .................... .................... .................... 6,168.98
VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:43 Oct 25, 2023 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 8634 E:\CR\FM\A24OC7.000 H24OCPT1
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
® Pdnted on recycled papfil
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH5042 October 24, 2023
REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, DELEGATION TO JAPAN, EXPENDED BETWEEN SEPT. 6 AND 14, 2023—Continued
Name of Member or employee
Date
Country
Per diem
1
Transportation Other purposes Total
Arrival Departure
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Mark Bednar ............................................................ 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.42 .................... 4,886.55 .................... .................... .................... 6,203.97
James Gillespie ........................................................ 9 /6 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,317.42 .................... 1,735.25 .................... .................... .................... 3,052.67
Meghan McCann ...................................................... 9 /3 9 /14 Japan .................................................... .................... 2,305.50 .................... 4,886.55 .................... .................... .................... 7,192.05
Kate Knudson Wolters ............................................. 9 /4 9 /10 Japan .................................................... .................... 1,976.14 .................... 4,753.40 .................... .................... .................... 6,729.54
Committee total ......................................... ............. ................. ............................................................... .................... 12,186.20 .................... 43,682.65 .................... .................... .................... 55,868.85
1
Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
2
If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. PATRICK T. McHENRY, Oct. 10, 2023.
REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON ETHICS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPT. 30, 2023
Name of Member or employee
Date
Country
Per diem
1
Transportation Other purposes Total
Arrival Departure
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. ◊
1
Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
2
If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. MICHAEL GUEST, Oct. 13, 2023.
REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN JULY 1 AND
SEPT. 30, 2023
Name of Member or employee
Date
Country
Per diem
1
Transportation Other purposes Total
Arrival Departure
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
Foreign
currency
U.S. dollar
equivalent
or U.S.
currency
2
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. ◊
1
Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
2
If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. FRANK LUCAS, Oct. 12, 2023.
h
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 2 of rule XII, public
bills and resolutions of the following
titles were introduced and severally re-
ferred, as follows:
By Mr. OBERNOLTE (for himself and
Ms. D
EL
B
ENE
):
H.R. 6020. A bill to amend the Public
Health Service Act to eliminate consider-
ation of the income of organ recipients in
providing reimbursement of expenses to do-
nating individuals, and for other purposes.
By Mr. BEYER:
H.R. 6021. A bill to prohibit the transpor-
tation, sale, and purchase of donkeys or don-
key hides for the purpose of producing ejiao,
to prohibit the transportation, sale, and pur-
chase of products containing ejiao, and for
other purposes.
By Mr. BURLISON (for himself and Mr.
L
ATTA
):
H.R. 6022. A bill to direct the Secretary of
Homeland Security to exempt from CFATS
regulations certain propane tanks, and for
other purposes.
By Mr. CARBAJAL (for himself and
Mr. B
ACON
):
H.R. 6023. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to provide for the retroactive
payment of benefits for veterans with cov-
ered mental health conditions based on mili-
tary sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
By Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania (for her-
self and Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
):
H.R. 6024. A bill to amend the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
to extend the increased transfer authority
for a certain study on per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in
drinking water, and for other purposes.
By Mrs. DINGELL (for herself and Mr.
M
C
G
OVERN
):
H.R. 6025. A bill to amend the State De-
partment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to
eliminate the repatriation loan program, and
for other purposes.
By Mr. FOSTER:
H.R. 6026. A bill to amend section 262 of the
Museum and Library Services Act to author-
ize the Director of the Institute of Museum
and Library Services to award grants to in-
stitutions of higher education for courses
that use only publicly available digital re-
sources for required reading assignments,
and for other purposes.
By Mr. LOUDERMILK (for himself and
Mr. D
AVID
S
COTT
of Georgia):
H.R. 6027. A bill to amend the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the definition
of a facility.
By Ms. MACE (for herself, Mr. M
C
C
LIN
-
TOCK
, Mr. P
HILLIPS
, Mr. T
RONE
, and
Mr. G
AETZ
):
H.R. 6028. A bill to amend the Controlled
Substances Act regarding marihuana, and
for other purposes.
By Mr. PANETTA (for himself, Ms.
T
OKUDA
, Ms. C
ROCKETT
, Ms. B
LUNT
R
OCHESTER
, Ms. N
ORTON
, Ms. M
OORE
of Wisconsin, and Mr. S
OTO
):
H.R. 6029. A bill to provide Medicaid assist-
ance to individuals and families affected by
a disaster or emergency, and for other pur-
poses.
By Mr. PHILLIPS (for himself, Ms.
B
ROWNLEY
, Mr. C
ASTEN
, Ms. L
OIS
F
RANKEL
of Florida, Ms. K
APTUR
, Mr.
N
EGUSE
, Mr. S
OTO
, Ms. T
ITUS
, and
Mr. V
EASEY
):
H.R. 6030. A bill to amend title XVIII of the
Social Security Act to provide an option for
first responders age 50 to 64 who are sepa-
rated from service due to retirement or dis-
ability to buy into Medicare.
By Ms. SA
´
NCHEZ (for herself, Mr.
P
OCAN
, Mr. P
ANETTA
, Ms. S
TRICK
-
LAND
, Ms. W
ILLIAMS
of Georgia, Ms.
G
ARCIA
of Texas, Ms. N
ORTON
, Mr.
T
AKANO
, Ms. D
AVIDS
of Kansas, Mr.
C
OSTA
, Ms. W
ILD
, Mr. G
OMEZ
, Ms.
J
AYAPAL
, Mr. E
VANS
, Mr. E
SPAILLAT
,
Ms. S
EWELL
, Mr. D
OGGETT
, Mrs. R
A
-
MIREZ
, Ms. C
RAIG
, Mr. L
YNCH
, Mr.
J
OHNSON
of Georgia, Ms. S
TEVENS
,
Ms. B
ONAMICI
, Mrs. M
C
B
ATH
, Mr.
V
ARGAS
, Mr. P
ETERS
, Ms. S
ALINAS
,
Mr. C
LEAVER
, Ms. M
OORE
of Wis-
consin, Mr. T
RONE
, Ms. E
SCOBAR
, Mr.
M
C
G
OVERN
, Mr. Q
UIGLEY
, Mr. R
UIZ
,
Mr. T
HANEDAR
, Mr. B
OWMAN
, Mr.
T
ORRES
of New York, Mr. C
ASTEN
,
Mrs. C
HERFILUS
-M
C
C
ORMICK
, Mr. K
IM
of New Jersey, Ms. B
USH
, Mr.
M
OULTON
, Mr. S
WALWELL
, Ms. K
AP
-
TUR
, Mrs. W
ATSON
C
OLEMAN
, Ms.
S
CHAKOWSKY
, Ms. S
PANBERGER
, Mr.
M
ULLIN
, Ms. L
OFGREN
, Mr. B
ISHOP
of
Georgia, Mr. D
AVIS
of North Caro-
lina, Mr. C
ARTWRIGHT
, Ms.
B
ROWNLEY
, Mrs. B
EATTY
, Ms.
P
ETTERSEN
, Ms. C
ROCKETT
, Mr. S
OTO
,
Mr. L
EVIN
, Ms. C
ARAVEO
, Mr. S
CHIFF
,
Ms. C
HU
, Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
, Ms.
S
CHRIER
, Mr. N
ADLER
, Mr. C
ARBAJAL
,
Mrs. F
LETCHER
, Ms. L
EE
of Pennsyl-
vania, Ms. K
ELLY
of Illinois, Ms.
S
LOTKIN
, Mr. V
EASEY
, Ms. J
ACOBS
,
Ms. S
CANLON
, Mr. C
ASTRO
of Texas,
Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
, Mr. F
OSTER
, Ms. L
OIS
F
RANKEL
of Florida, Mr. B
LU
-
MENAUER
, Mr. G
RIJALVA
, Ms.
B
ARRAGA
´
N
, Mr. R
UPPERSBERGER
, and
Mr. C
A
´
RDENAS
):
H.R. 6031. A bill to address and take action
to prevent bullying and harassment of stu-
dents.
By Ms. SCHRIER (for herself and Mrs.
C
HAVEZ
-D
E
R
EMER
):
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5043 October 24, 2023
H.R. 6032. A bill to amend Public Law 88-
657 to require greater transparency in the
consideration of projects for the Forest Serv-
ice Legacy Road and Trail Remediation Pro-
gram, and for other purposes.
By Mrs. STEEL (for herself, Mr.
G
OMEZ
, Mr. C
ISCOMANI
, Mr.
E
SPAILLAT
, Mr. C
A
´
RDENAS
, Ms. D
E
L
A
C
RUZ
, Mrs. K
IM
of California, Mr.
C
UELLAR
, Ms. C
HU
, Mr. P
ANETTA
, Mr.
V
ALADAO
, Mr. V
ARGAS
, Mr. C
ARBAJAL
,
Ms. L
EE
of Nevada, and Ms. S
EWELL
):
H.R. 6033. A bill to require the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to establish a
task force to improve access to health care
information technology for non-English
speakers.
By Mrs. SYKES:
H.R. 6034. A bill to criminalize stalking
using an unauthorized geotracking device,
modify the 10-year marriage rule relating to
spouse’s and surviving spouse’s insurance
benefits in cases of domestic violence, ensure
that healthcare providers can assist sur-
vivors of domestic violence, provide addi-
tional housing protections for survivors of
domestic violence, and for other purposes.
By Mrs. SYKES:
H.R. 6035. A bill to criminalize stalking
using an unauthorized geotracking device.
By Mr. THANEDAR:
H.R. 6036. A bill to require GAO to conduct
annual assessments to determine the extent
to which TSA’s passenger security screening
practices comply with TSA non-discrimina-
tion policies to identify any needed actions
to improve compliance, and for other pur-
poses.
By Ms. TOKUDA (for herself and Mr.
C
ASE
):
H.R. 6037. A bill to direct the Adminis-
trator of the Small Business Administration
to establish the Emergency Micro-enterprise
Recovery Grant Pilot Program, and for other
purposes.
By Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (for
herself, Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
, and Mr.
D
E
S
AULNIER
):
H.R. 6038. A bill to amend the Public
Health Service Act to provide for a Reducing
Youth Use of E-Cigarettes Initiative.
By Ms. WATERS (for herself, Mr. D
AVIS
of Illinois, Ms. D
E
L
AURO
, Ms. G
ARCIA
of Texas, Ms. L
EE
of California, Mr.
M
FUME
, Ms. S
CHAKOWSKY
, Mr.
T
AKANO
, and Ms. V
ELA
´
ZQUEZ
):
H.R. 6039. A bill to provide that chapter 1
of title 9 of the United States Code, relating
to the enforcement of arbitration agree-
ments, shall not apply to enrollment agree-
ments made between students and certain in-
stitutions of higher education, and to pro-
hibit limitations on the ability of students
to pursue claims against certain institutions
of higher education.
By Mr. BANKS (for himself, Mr. D
UN
-
CAN
, Mr. M
OOLENAAR
, Mr. L
A
M
ALFA
,
Mr. H
IGGINS
of Louisiana, Mr. C
LYDE
,
Mr. B
UCSHON
, Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois,
Mr. P
OSEY
, Mr. H
ARRIS
, Mr. G
UEST
,
Mr. B
IGGS
, Mr. F
LEISCHMANN
, Mr.
M
OONEY
, Mr. M
C
C
ORMICK
, Mr. W
EBER
of Texas, Mr. L
UETKEMEYER
, Mr.
M
ANN
, Mr. W
ENSTRUP
, Mr. C
LINE
, and
Mr. A
DERHOLT
):
H. Con. Res. 74. Concurrent resolution ex-
pressing support for the Geneva Consensus
Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health
and Strengthening the Family and urging
that the United States rejoin this historic
declaration.
By Ms. BALINT:
H. Res. 805. A resolution expressing support
for the designation of the week of October 24,
2023, to October 31, 2023, as ‘‘BatWeek’’.
By Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER (for her-
self and Ms. L
ETLOW
):
H. Res. 806. A resolution expressing support
for the recognition of October 2023, as
‘‘World Menopause Awareness Month’’ and
expressing the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives regarding global awareness and
access to care during the menopausal transi-
tion and post-menopause.
By Ms. GREENE of Georgia (for her-
self, Mr. C
ARTER
of Texas, Mr. C
OL
-
LINS
, Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois, Mr.
W
EBER
of Texas, and Mr. V
AN
D
REW
):
H. Res. 807. A resolution censuring Rep-
resentative Rashida Tlaib for antisemitic ac-
tivity, sympathizing with terrorist organiza-
tions, and leading an insurrection at the
United States Capitol Complex.
By Mr. PENCE (for himself, Mr. B
OST
,
Mr. M
C
C
ORMICK
, Mr. M
OULTON
, Mr.
C
ARBAJAL
, Mr. G
ALLEGO
, Mr. M
UR
-
PHY
, Mr. G
OLDEN
of Maine, Mr. M
IL
-
LER
of Ohio, Mr. G
ALLAGHER
, and Mr.
W
ITTMAN
):
H. Res. 808. A resolution recognizing the
40th anniversary of the terrorist attack on
the United States Marine Corps barracks in
Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.
By Mr. WEBER of Texas:
H. Res. 809. A resolution recognizing Rett
Reef off the coast of San Leon, Texas, in Gal-
veston Bay, and all those associated with
bringing the project to fruition.
f
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND
SINGLE SUBJECT STATEMENTS
Pursuant to clause 7(c)(1) of rule XII
and Section 3(c) of H. Res. 5 the fol-
lowing statements are submitted re-
garding (1) the specific powers granted
to Congress in the Constitution to
enact the accompanying bill or joint
resolution and (2) the single subject of
the bill or joint resolution.
By Mr. OBERNOLTE:
H.R. 6020.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
Access to assistance for organ donations
By Mr. BEYER:
H.R. 6021.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
section 1 article 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
Animal protection
By Mr. BURLISON:
H.R. 6022.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section VIII of the United States
Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
The bill relates to homeland security, spe-
cifically exeptions made under the Chemical
Facility Anti-Terrorist Standards program.
By Mr. CARBAJAL:
H.R. 6023.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
The constitutional authority of Congress
to enact this legislation is provided by Arti-
cle I, section 8 of the United States Constitu-
tion which provides Congress with the power
to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and
Excises in order to provide for the general
Welfare of the United States.
The single subject of this legislation is:
The bill subject is veteran benefits related
to military sexual trauma.
By Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania:
H.R. 6024.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
PFAS
By Mrs. DINGELL:
H.R. 6025.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
The Constitutional authority of Congress
to enact this legislation is provided by Arti-
cle I, Section 8 of the United States Con-
stitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend the State Department Basic Au-
thorities Act of 1956 to eliminate the repatri-
ation loan program, and for other purposes.
By Mr. FOSTER:
H.R. 6026.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
This bill is enacted pursuant to the power
granted to Congress under Article I, Section
8 of the United States Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
The single subject of this legislation is
education.
By Mr. LOUDERMILK:
H.R. 6027.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To provide the definition of a ‘facility’ of
an exchange under 15 U.S.C. 78c(a).
By Ms. MACE:
H.R. 6028.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, § 8.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend the Controlled Substances Act
Regarding Marihuana, and For other Pur-
poses
By Mr. PANETTA:
H.R. 6029.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Sectino 8, Clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
Medicaid policy during presidential major
disaster declarations and public health emer-
gencies
By Mr. PHILLIPS:
H.R. 6030.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, Con-
gress has the power to make all Laws which
shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all
other Powers vested by this Constitution in
the Government of the United States, or in
any Department or Officer thereof.
The single subject of this legislation is:
The Expanding Health Care Options to
First Responders Act aims to provide an in-
surance option through the Medicare pro-
gram for first responders age 50 to 64 who are
separated from service due to retirement or
disability.
By Ms. SA
´
NCHEZ:
H.R. 6031.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Clause 1 of Section 8 of Article I of the
Constitution, to ‘‘provide for the common
Defence and general Welfare of the United
States.’’
The single subject of this legislation is:
Education
By Ms. SCHRIER:
H.R. 6032.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1 of the United States Constitu-
tion.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Forestry
By Mrs. STEEL:
H.R. 6033.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH5044 October 24, 2023
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
Health Care
By Mrs. SYKES:
H.R. 6034.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 2 of the United
States Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
This legislation provides additional protec-
tions for survivors of domestic violence.
By Mrs. SYKES:
H.R. 6035.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United
States Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
This legislation codifies the unauthorized
use of a geotracking device as stalking under
criminal code.
By Mr. THANEDAR:
H.R. 6036.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Section 8 Article 1 of the United States
Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
This legislation will require GAO to con-
duct annual assessments to determine the
extent to which TSA’s passenger security
screening practices comply with TSA non-
discrimination policies to identify any need-
ed actions to improve compliance, and for
other purposes.
By Ms. TOKUDA:
H.R. 6037.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the
United States Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Directing the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration to establish the
Emergency Micro-enterprise Recovery Grant
Pilot Program.
By Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ:
H.R. 6038.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
To address tobacco use
By Ms. WATERS:
H.R. 6039.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Education.
f
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors
were added to public bills and resolu-
tions, as follows:
H.R. 16: Ms. B
LUNT
R
OCHESTER
.
H.R. 51: Ms. S
HERRILL
.
H.R. 79: Mr. T
IMMONS
.
H.R. 225: Mr. B
ERGMAN
.
H.R. 309: Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
, Ms. L
EE
of Cali-
fornia, and Ms. P
INGREE
.
H.R. 329: Mr. M
OORE
of Utah.
H.R. 522: Mr. O
BERNOLTE
and Mr. T
HOMPSON
of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 533: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 537: Ms. D
AVIDS
of Kansas.
H.R. 542: Mr. C
ARL
.
H.R. 625: Mr. C
ASAR
.
H.R. 717: Ms. S
ALINAS
.
H.R. 770: Mr. M
ENENDEZ
and Mr. M
OULTON
.
H.R. 798: Mr. M
C
G
OVERN
.
H.R. 807: Ms. S
EWELL
, Ms. V
ELA
´
ZQUEZ
, and
Mr. E
SPAILLAT
.
H.R. 895: Ms. H
AGEMAN
.
H.R. 906: Ms. C
ASTOR
of Florida and Mr.
B
ERGMAN
.
H.R. 945: Mr. M
C
G
OVERN
.
H.R. 987: Mr. T
IMMONS
.
H.R. 995: Mr. W
EBER
of Texas.
H.R. 1015: Mr. G
ALLAGHER
and Mr. V
AN
D
REW
.
H.R. 1042: Mr. C
URTIS
.
H.R. 1091: Mr. E
SPAILLAT
.
H.R. 1117: Ms. S
EWELL
.
H.R. 1190: Mr. G
OLDEN
of Maine.
H.R. 1222: Ms. C
HU
.
H.R. 1247: Mr. S
CHNEIDER
.
H.R. 1298: Mr. N
ORCROSS
.
H.R. 1386: Mr. G
RIJALVA
.
H.R. 1447: Mr. C
ASAR
.
H.R. 1477: Mr. T
RONE
, Mr. K
IM
of New Jer-
sey, and Mr. N
UNN
of Iowa.
H.R. 1488: Mr. R
YAN
, Ms. C
ARAVEO
, and Mr.
D
AVIS
of North Carolina.
H.R. 1499: Mr. H
IMES
.
H.R. 1517: Ms. H
OYLE
of Oregon.
H.R. 1638: Ms. S
EWELL
and Mr. T
HANEDAR
.
H.R. 1698: Mr. V
ALADAO
and Ms. D
EAN
of
Pennsylvania.
H.R. 1709: Mr. R
ESCHENTHALER
.
H.R. 1740: Mr. K
EAN
of New Jersey.
H.R. 1765: Mr. L
YNCH
.
H.R. 1774: Ms. P
EREZ
, Mr. V
ASQUEZ
, and Mr.
O
BERNOLTE
.
H.R. 1788: Ms. D
EAN
of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 1801: Mr. K
IM
of New Jersey.
H.R. 1826: Mr. R
UPPERSBERGER
, Mr. C
ROW
,
Mr. B
ANKS
, Mrs. F
OUSHEE
, and Ms.
H
OULAHAN
.
H.R. 1833: Mr. D
ELUZIO
.
H.R. 1840: Mr. L
EVIN
.
H.R. 2370: Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
and Mr.
Q
UIGLEY
.
H.R. 2414: Mr. L
ARSEN
of Washington.
H.R. 2418: Mr. G
OLDMAN
of New York.
H.R. 2431: Mr. P
ANETTA
and Mr. B
EYER
.
H.R. 2439: Mrs. B
EATTY
.
H.R. 2534: Mr. Q
UIGLEY
.
H.R. 2583: Mr. G
RIJALVA
.
H.R. 2584: Mr. R
YAN
, Mr. T
RONE
, Mrs.
F
LETCHER
, Mr. P
ETERS
, and Mr. C
ROW
.
H.R. 2673: Mr. R
UTHERFORD
, Mrs. T
RAHAN
,
Mr. V
AN
O
RDEN
, Ms. L
EE
of Pennsylvania,
Mr. V
ALADAO
, Mr. G
ALLEGO
, Mr. S
TAUBER
,
Mr. H
IGGINS
of New York, Mr. O
WENS
, and
Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
.
H.R. 2700: Mr. T
IMMONS
.
H.R. 2708: Mr. A
GUILAR
, Mr. G
ROTHMAN
, and
Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois.
H.R. 2723: Ms. L
EGER
F
ERNANDEZ
.
H.R. 2732: Mr. C
AREY
.
H.R. 2742: Mr. M
EUSER
and Mr. P
OSEY
.
H.R. 2753: Ms. J
AYAPAL
.
H.R. 2760: Ms. W
ASSERMAN
S
CHULTZ
.
H.R. 2766: Ms. S
TEVENS
.
H.R. 2778: Mr. B
RECHEEN
.
H.R. 2779: Mr. B
RECHEEN
.
H.R. 2818: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 2825: Mr. R
UIZ
, Mr. T
HOMPSON
of Mis-
sissippi, and Mr. T
RONE
.
H.R. 2830: Mr. G
ROTHMAN
.
H.R. 2891: Ms. B
LUNT
R
OCHESTER
, Mr.
H
ARDER
of California, Ms. B
ALINT
, Mr. C
ROW
,
Ms. S
CHRIER
, and Mr. K
ILDEE
.
H.R. 2941: Ms. C
ARAVEO
and Mr. P
APPAS
.
H.R. 2965: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 2966: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H.R. 2987: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 2992: Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
, Mr.
M
ENENDEZ
, and Mr. D
ELUZIO
.
H.R. 3032: Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
.
H.R. 3139: Mr. B
OST
.
H.R. 3179: Mr. B
OST
.
H.R. 3183: Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
and Ms.
B
UDZINSKI
.
H.R. 3204: Mr. R
OBERT
G
ARCIA
of California,
Mr. P
AYNE
, Mr. L
YNCH
, Ms. V
ELA
´
ZQUEZ
, Mr.
M
ENENDEZ
, Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
, Mr.
Q
UIGLEY
, and Ms. S
LOTKIN
.
H.R. 3220: Ms. C
HU
.
H.R. 3331: Mr. G
ARBARINO
and Ms. C
RAIG
.
H.R. 3380: Mr. M
OLINARO
.
H.R. 3433: Mr. J
ACKSON
of North Carolina.
H.R. 3443: Mr. C
LEAVER
.
H.R. 3455: Mr. D
UNN
of Florida.
H.R. 3474: Ms. L
EE
of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 3475: Ms. M
ATSUI
.
H.R. 3492: Mr. R
ESCHENTHALER
and Mr.
C
OLLINS
.
H.R. 3523: Mr. M
AGAZINER
.
H.R. 3541: Mrs. H
ARSHBARGER
and Mr.
M
ULLIN
.
H.R. 3546: Mr. D
ONALDS
.
H.R. 3547: Mr. C
ASTEN
.
H.R. 3592: Mr. L
ARSEN
of Washington.
H.R. 3599: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
, Mr. P
HILLIPS
,
Mr. P
APPAS
, and Ms. S
LOTKIN
.
H.R. 3610: Mr. C
ARSON
and Mr. L
ARSEN
of
Washington.
H.R. 3624: Mrs. C
HAVEZ
-D
E
R
EMER
and Mr.
R
UTHERFORD
.
H.R. 3650: Ms. S
CHRIER
.
H.R. 3682: Ms. T
OKUDA
.
H.R. 3686: Ms. J
ACKSON
L
EE
, Mr. K
ILEY
, and
Mr. N
UNN
of Iowa.
H.R. 3709: Mr. N
ICKEL
.
H.R. 3713: Mr. T
HOMPSON
of California, Mr.
M
ENENDEZ
, and Mr. C
ARTER
of Louisiana.
H.R. 3774: Mr. N
EWHOUSE
, Mr. B
AIRD
, Ms.
S
TRICKLAND
, and Mr. C
OSTA
.
H.R. 3817: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 3850: Mr. D
ELUZIO
.
H.R. 3851: Ms. H
OULAHAN
.
H.R. 3855: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 3867: Mr. S
ARBANES
.
H.R. 3957: Ms. C
ARAVEO
and Mr. M
C
G
OVERN
.
H.R. 4035: Mrs. H
ARSHBARGER
.
H.R. 4051: Mr. P
APPAS
and Mr. W
EBSTER
of
Florida.
H.R. 4052: Mr. M
AGAZINER
.
H.R. 4117: Mr. M
ENENDEZ
.
H.R. 4132: Mr. T
HOMPSON
of Pennsylvania
and Mr. C
URTIS
.
H.R. 4150: Ms. T
LAIB
.
H.R. 4172: Mr. C
ARTER
of Louisiana.
H.R. 4175: Mr. D
OGGETT
and Mr. A
MODEI
.
H.R. 4189: Mr. M
ANN
, Mr. N
UNN
of Iowa, Ms.
L
EE
of Florida, and Mr. L
EVIN
.
H.R. 4263: Ms. J
ACOBS
.
H.R. 4274: Mr. M
AGAZINER
.
H.R. 4315: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
and Mr. C
ROW
.
H.R. 4335: Ms. B
UDZINSKI
and Mr.
H
ORSFORD
.
H.R. 4340: Mr. M
AGAZINER
.
H.R. 4343: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 4362: Mr. F
INSTAD
and Ms. P
INGREE
.
H.R. 4375: Mr. C
ARTER
of Louisiana.
H.R. 4389: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 4422: Mrs. T
RAHAN
, Ms. S
CHOLTEN
, Mr.
P
ASCRELL
, Mr. F
ROST
, Mrs. F
LETCHER
, Mr.
K
IM
of New Jersey, and Mrs. F
OUSHEE
.
H.R. 4426: Mr. L
EVIN
and Ms. T
OKUDA
.
H.R. 4438: Mr. L
A
L
OTA
and Ms. M
ATSUI
.
H.R. 4515: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 4541: Mr. M
ENENDEZ
.
H.R. 4571: Mr. C
ISCOMANI
and Mr. K
ILMER
.
H.R. 4576: Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
.
H.R. 4587: Mr. W
EBSTER
of Florida.
H.R. 4637: Mr. L
YNCH
, Ms. K
ELLY
of Illinois,
Mr. N
EGUSE
, Mr. R
ASKIN
, and Ms. J
ACKSON
L
EE
.
H.R. 4758: Mr. J
OYCE
of Pennsylvania, Ms.
M
ALLIOTAKIS
, Mr. V
ALADAO
, Ms. P
INGREE
,
Mrs. C
HERFILUS
-M
C
C
ORMICK
, Mr. C
OHEN
, Mr.
D’E
SPOSITO
, and Mr. R
UPPERSBERGER
.
H.R. 4770: Mr. T
RONE
.
H.R. 4844: Mr. M
ENENDEZ
.
H.R. 4856: Ms. S
CHRIER
.
H.R. 4867: Mr. C
UELLAR
.
H.R. 4889: Ms. W
ATERS
.
H.R. 4907: Mr. G
OLDMAN
of New York.
H.R. 4924: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 4993: Mr. W
EBSTER
of Florida.
H.R. 4995: Ms. C
ROCKETT
.
H.R. 5008: Mr. T
AKANO
.
H.R. 5009: Mr. M
OYLAN
.
H.R. 5022: Mr. C
ASAR
.
H.R. 5067: Mr. M
OORE
of Alabama, Mr. G
OOD
of Virginia, Mr. S
TRONG
, and Mrs. M
ILLER
-
M
EEKS
.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5045 October 24, 2023
H.R. 5097: Mr. D
E
S
AULNIER
and Ms. S
CHA
-
KOWSKY
.
H.R. 5131: Mr. W
ILLIAMS
of New York.
H.R. 5133: Mr. R
ASKIN
.
H.R. 5141: Ms. L
OFGREN
.
H.R. 5266: Ms. C
ARAVEO
, Mr. C
ISCOMANI
, Mr.
T
ONY
G
ONZALES
of Texas, Mr. J
OHNSON
of
Ohio, Mr. C
ARBAJAL
, Mr. G
ARBARINO
, and Ms.
M
ALLIOTAKIS
.
H.R. 5281: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H.R. 5290: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5291: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5292: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5293: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5294: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5295: Mrs. T
RAHAN
.
H.R. 5312: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
and Mr. C
ARTER
of Louisiana.
H.R. 5319: Mr. B
ANKS
.
H.R. 5332: Ms. J
AYAPAL
and Mr. P
ETERS
.
H.R. 5399: Ms. M
ENG
and Mr.
R
ESCHENTHALER
.
H.R. 5435: Mr. N
ICKEL
.
H.R. 5449: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 5455: Mr. B
OST
.
H.R. 5526: Mr. J
OYCE
of Pennsylvania.
H.R. 5535: Ms. H
AGEMAN
.
H.R. 5540: Ms. C
ARAVEO
.
H.R. 5573: Ms. K
USTER
and Ms. C
HU
.
H.R. 5585: Mr. D’E
SPOSITO
.
H.R. 5610: Mr. H
UFFMAN
, Ms. B
ONAMICI
, and
Mrs. W
ATSON
C
OLEMAN
.
H.R. 5646: Ms. W
ASSERMAN
S
CHULTZ
.
H.R. 5683: Mrs. F
LETCHER
.
H.R. 5707: Mr. P
ASCRELL
and Mr.
F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 5718: Mr. D
ONALDS
.
H.R. 5735: Mr. C
ASAR
.
H.R. 5756: Mr. S
WALWELL
.
H.R. 5758: Ms. N
ORTON
and Mr. P
OCAN
.
H.R. 5796: Mr. M
ANN
and Mr. T
HOMPSON
of
Pennsylvania.
H.R. 5867: Mr. S
COTT
Franklin of Florida.
H.R. 5895: Ms. B
ONAMICI
.
H.R. 5907: Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
and Mr. G
OLD
-
MAN
of New York.
H.R. 5912: Mr. S
TEUBE
.
H.R. 5921: Mr. L
A
L
OTA
.
H.R. 5928: Mr. G
ARAMENDI
and Mr.
S
ORENSEN
.
H.R. 5931: Ms. P
LASKETT
.
H.R. 5933: Mr. J
AMES
, Mr. B
URLISON
, Mr.
A
LLEN
, and Mr. N
ORMAN
.
H.R. 5938: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H.R. 5959: Mr. B
ABIN
.
H.R. 5976: Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
, Ms. T
ITUS
,
Ms. T
OKUDA
, and Ms. H
OULAHAN
.
H.R. 5979: Mr. R
UTHERFORD
.
H.R. 5984: Mr. D
AVIS
of North Carolina.
H.R. 5987: Mr. T
RONE
.
H.R. 5988: Mr. G
OMEZ
, Ms. P
LASKETT
, Mr.
K
ILDEE
, Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
, Ms. Van
Duyne, and Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 5989: Ms. S
EWELL
, Mr. C
ROW
, and Mr.
D
AVIS
of North Carolina.
H.R. 5990: Mr. D
AVIS
of North Carolina.
H.R. 5995: Mr. C
ASTRO
of Texas and Mr.
C
ASAR
.
H.R. 6000: Mr. M
EUSER
, Mrs. H
OUCHIN
, Mr.
S
TEUBE
, Mr. W
EBER
of Texas, and Ms. D
E
L
A
C
RUZ
.
H.R. 6014: Mr. I
VEY
and Mr. J
OHNSON
of
Georgia.
H.R. 6017: Mr. C
ALVERT
.
H.J. Res. 88: Mr. F
LOOD
.
H. Con. Res. 10: Mrs. C
AMMACK
.
H. Res. 108: Mrs. F
LETCHER
.
H. Res. 149: Mr. Q
UIGLEY
, Mr. C
ASTEN
, and
Ms. W
ILLIAMS
of Georgia.
H. Res. 389: Mr. C
ONNOLLY
, Mr. C
ARTER
of
Louisiana, and Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H. Res. 527: Mr. A
RMSTRONG
.
H. Res. 627: Mr. L
ATTA
, Mr. O
WENS
, and Mr.
D’E
SPOSITO
.
H. Res. 668: Ms. P
EREZ
and Mr. D’E
SPOSITO
.
H. Res. 703: Mr. B
LUMENAUER
.
H. Res. 735: Mr. G
OLDMAN
of New York.
H. Res. 762: Ms. S
A
´
NCHEZ
, Mr. G
ARCI
´
A
of Il-
linois, Ms. B
ARRAGA
´
N
, Mr. C
OSTA
, and Mr.
T
HANEDAR
.
H. Res. 774: Mr. G
ROTHMAN
and Mr.
W
ALBERG
.
H. Res. 793: Mr. W
ILLIAMS
of New York, Mr.
P
HILLIPS
, Mr. D
AVIS
of North Carolina, Mr.
O
BERNOLTE
, and Mr. J
ACKSON
of North Caro-
lina.
H. Res. 794: Mr. M
OLINARO
.
H. Res. 797: Mr. C
ARTER
of Georgia, Mrs.
M
ILLER
-M
EEKS
, and Mr. L
A
L
OTA
.
H. Res. 798: Mrs. H
INSON
.
H. Res. 803: Mr. D’E
SPOSITO
, Mr. C
ALVERT
,
and Mr. B
ACON
.
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Congressional Record
U
N
U
M
E
P
L
U
R
I
B
U
S
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
118
th
CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
.
S5125
Vol. 169 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023 No. 175
Senate
The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was
called to order by the Honorable R
APH
-
AEL
G. W
ARNOCK
, a Senator from the
State of Georgia.
f
PRAYER
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of-
fered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Eternal God, who soars on the wings
of the wind, we cry to You, and You
hear us. You rescue us from life’s deep
waters, restoring us when we feel pow-
erless.
Continue to show Yourself faithful as
our lawmakers seek to accomplish
your purposes. Lord, be a shield for
them as they place their trust in You.
When they lose their courage, continue
to be the God of their salvation. When
they cry to You for help, answer their
request. When they feel the pains of de-
spair, fill them with Your hope, peace,
and love. May they always remember
that You will never forsake them.
We pray in Your precious Name.
Amen.
f
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Presiding Officer led the Pledge
of Allegiance, as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America, and to the Repub-
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
f
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
clerk will please read a communication
to the Senate from the President pro
tempore (Mrs. M
URRAY
).
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read the following letter:
U.S. S
ENATE
,
P
RESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
,
Washington, DC, October 24, 2023.
To the Senate:
Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3,
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby
appoint the Honorable R
APHAEL
G. W
ARNOCK
,
a Senator from the State of Georgia, to per-
form the duties of the Chair.
P
ATTY
M
URRAY
,
President pro tempore.
Mr. WARNOCK thereupon assumed
the Chair as Acting President pro tem-
pore.
f
RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Under the previous order, the
leadership time is reserved.
f
CONCLUSION OF MORNING
BUSINESS
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Morning business is closed.
f
EXECUTIVE SESSION
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Under the previous order, the
Senate will proceed to executive ses-
sion to resume consideration of the fol-
lowing nomination, which the clerk
will report.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read the nomination of Michael G.
Whitaker, of Vermont, to be Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration for the term of five years.
RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The Democratic leader is recog-
nized.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, last
week, President Biden addressed the
Nation from the Oval Office to affirm
that America will stand with her
friends and allies in the face of authori-
tarians like China, Russia, and Iran,
who seek to annihilate democracy.
The future of democracy around the
world faces the greatest threat since
the end of the Cold War. At this pivotal
moment in history, America is once
again called upon to rise to the occa-
sion and to lead the way.
President Biden has now sent Con-
gress a supplemental funding request
with aid for our ally and partner Israel,
aid for our friends in Ukraine, and
funding to outcompete the Chinese
Government and secure our southern
border from threats like fentanyl. We
must pass this supplemental as soon as
we can with bipartisan support for a
simple and important reason: It will
make the world safer for the United
States, for our allies, and for our demo-
cratic values.
In Europe, Vladimir Putin continues
his onslaught against the Ukrainian
people, and it is foolish to think he will
stop there. In the Middle East, Hamas’s
brutal terrorism murdered the most
Jewish people in a single day since the
Holocaust and threatens our strongest
ally in the Middle East. Democrats and
Republicans alike know that if Putin,
Hamas, or other adversaries succeed, it
would endanger Americans around the
world.
Now that Congress has received the
President’s request, I will make it a
top priority for the Senate to act
quickly, decisively, and most impor-
tantly, with strong bipartisan convic-
tion.
Bipartisanship must lead the way as
we take up the President’s supple-
mental request.
To my Republican colleagues, let’s
work together to ensure that this proc-
ess remains bipartisan, because only
things that win support from both sides
will make it to the President’s desk.
Democrats and Republicans agree we
must stand with Israel. So let’s pass
this supplemental, with humanitarian
aid to help civilians in Gaza and else-
where, as soon as we can.
Democrats and Republicans also
agree we must stand with Ukraine.
After all, over 70 Members voted for
Ukraine funding last month in our CR.
So let’s pass this supplemental as soon
as we can.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5126 October 24, 2023
And both sides want to outcompete
the Chinese Government, secure our
border from threats like fentanyl, and
provide humanitarian aid to minimize
civilian casualties in both Israel and
Gaza.
All of these priorities are bipartisan.
All of these provisions are included in
the President’s request. So let’s get to
work in the coming weeks to pass this
supplemental package quickly and
with strong bipartisan support.
With the House of Representatives in
paralysis, the Senate will not wait to
act. We will step into the breach and
make sure the business of legislating
continues. And if we act with enough
bipartisan conviction, I believe it
would go a long way to pushing the
House to getting its act together and
following suit.
The world will watch very closely
what actions we take in Congress over
the next couple weeks. We must send
an unmistakable message to the coun-
try, to our allies, and to our adver-
saries that America will always spring
to the defense of our allies in their
hour of need. That is why we must pass
this supplemental as soon as we can.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Mr. President, now, on appropria-
tions, Democrat and Republican appro-
priators continue making progress on
an agreement to move forward on three
bipartisan funding bills here on the
floor. We worked all last week to clear
the objections from some of our Repub-
lican colleagues, and we kept talking
over the weekend in good faith.
We are not there yet, but it is my
hope we can reach an agreement to
begin voting on amendments very soon,
in all likelihood by tomorrow morning.
But, again, we need a little more time
to keep working.
Here in the Senate, unlike the chaos
of the House, most Members on both
sides want to see bipartisanship be-
cause we know that is the only way
things move forward in divided govern-
ment. A clean Senate appropriations
process, without poison pills or dila-
tory tactics, is one of the best ways we
can show our desire for bipartisanship
is serious, and I am optimistic we are
nearly, nearly there.
I thank the Senate appropriators,
Chairman M
URRAY
, Vice Chair C
OLLINS
,
and all the other Members, on both
sides, for bringing us close to an agree-
ment. I hope to see one very soon.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Mr. President, now, on our second AI
Insight Forum, later this afternoon the
Senate will hold our second bipartisan
AI Insight Forum, focusing on our
North Star for AI: innovation. Our
forum begins at 3 today in the Kennedy
Caucus Room, and I encourage my col-
leagues from both sides of the aisle to
attend.
We had a strong bipartisan turnout
for our inaugural AI Insight Forum,
and I hope we will see the same today.
It is important to show how bipartisan
and how seriously we are taking AI
here in the Senate.
Today’s AI Insight Forum includes
some of the Nation’s leading voices in
labor, academia, business, tech, civil
rights, and others, coming together to
hold an unvarnished, candid, and ur-
gent debate on AI. The topic today will
be how Congress and the private sector
can foster innovation. We will talk
about the need for transformative in-
novation—the types of AI systems that
will create new vistas, unlock new
cures, improve education, protect na-
tional security, preserve the global
food supply, and more. But we will also
talk about the need for sustainable in-
novation—innovations that can solve
the deep challenges of AI, like increas-
ing transparency and security, and re-
ducing bias and risk. And this means
supporting effective guardrails, be-
cause everyone agreed at our last
forum, from one end of the spectrum to
the other, that if the Federal Govern-
ment doesn’t impose some guardrails,
there will be none, and the whole in-
vention of AI could come tumbling
down.
We need to prioritize both trans-
formative and sustainable innovation.
We must find a balance between inno-
vation and guardrails, without going
too far in one direction and hurting the
other.
And I want to thank my colleagues
in our bipartisan AI little gang—Sen-
ators R
OUND
, H
EINRICH
, and Y
OUNG
—for
helping to organize and run today’s AI
Insight Forum.
Again, for the information of Sen-
ators, our forum begins at 3 p.m. today
in the Kennedy Caucus Room. I hope to
see you all there.
TECH HUBS
Mr. President, now, on tech hubs,
yesterday was a really exciting day,
thanks to two words: ‘‘tech hubs.’’ I
spent the day traveling across Upstate
New York, sharing the great news that
the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse and
the Binghamton region just won pres-
tigious tech hub designation that I cre-
ated in our CHIPS and Science Act.
This announcement means one thing:
More good-paying, long-lasting jobs are
coming to Upstate New York, an area
that has seen so many companies leave
over the last three or four decades.
Yesterday’s tech hubs celebration
was something I have been working
hard toward for a very long time. When
I was writing the tech hubs program
with Senator Y
OUNG
into our bipar-
tisan Endless Frontiers Act, and then
into the CHIPS and Science Act, I had
Upstate New York in mind, and, now,
thanks to this new designation, com-
munities and cities across Upstate New
York are facing an awakening. The re-
gion is now primed to become a global
hub for workforce training, innovation,
and semiconductor manufacturing.
But it is not just Upstate New York
that is affected. It is a metaphor for
the whole country. There are 2 tech
hubs in New York and 30 others around
the country, from coast to coast, in red
States and blue States. And when I
talked about tech hubs for cities like
Rochester and Buffalo and Syracuse
and Binghamton, my colleague and
friend on the Republican side, T
ODD
Y
OUNG
, was talking about tech hubs in
his State of Indiana, in places like In-
dianapolis, South Bend, and Fort
Wayne.
The whole idea is this. The tech in-
dustry has gravitated to a few large
cities—my own city of New York,
which has greatly benefitted, San
Francisco, Boston, Austin, and Los An-
geles—but there is a load of talent in
the rest of the country. It is just that
no one paid attention to these places.
That is the idea of tech hubs.
There were 400 applications for tech
hubs across the country in the Depart-
ment of Commerce, and I salute Sec-
retary Raimondo, who was very careful
in picking the places where it could ac-
tually work, and that is why there are
30.
So this is a great thing, and it will
spread. It will take advantage of the
talent that already exists in the com-
panies and universities and individuals
and schools—in the heartland of the
country, not just on the coasts—and
give them a real chance to take part
and create tens of thousands—mil-
lions—of good-paying jobs in every part
of the country.
So I was really proud of the tech
hubs proposal, and it is going to con-
tinue. We are going to put more fund-
ing into it. We are going to do every-
thing we can to help tech hubs grow
and help America grow and stay No. 1
in the world, because when we invest in
science and high-end manufacturing
and research, everybody—everybody—
benefits.
So this is good news in red States
and in blue States. Secretary
Raimondo didn’t look around and just
say, ‘‘Oh, we can only do blue States,’’
like Donald Trump might have done.
She has put them in all the places that
there can be new help.
So let’s look at the contrast here,
folks. While the House Republicans
struggle to even select a Speaker, these
tech hub announcements show that
President Biden and Democrats are de-
livering, putting tens of thousands of
people to work in good-paying jobs,
opening new plants and factories, and
securing American leadership in the
technologies of tomorrow.
Not in a very long time has the con-
trast between the parties been as glar-
ing as today. When Democrats lead the
way, Americans see more jobs, more
manufacturing, lower costs. When Re-
publicans are in charge—rightwing Re-
publicans, not all of them, but the
rightwing seem to be running the show
of these MAGA Republicans—it leads
to paralysis, chaos, and extremism.
No matter how the GOP impasse in
the House is resolved, we will not
change our focus as Democrats. We will
create more jobs, work to lower costs,
and do it on a bipartisan basis wher-
ever we can.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5127 October 24, 2023
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. M
C
CONNELL. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Without objection, it is so or-
dered.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
The Republican leader is recognized.
BORDER SECURITY
Mr. M
C
CONNELL. Mr. President,
over the weekend, the southern border
crisis set a sobering new record. In the
past year, CBP conducted more border
apprehensions than in any year on
record. Officials reported more than 2.4
million apprehensions since last Octo-
ber, and this number doesn’t even
count the illegal entries that actually
evaded authorities.
Most alarmingly, this news isn’t ac-
tually new. Last year was the third
straight year we set an all-time record
for border apprehensions. In other
words, every year that President Biden
has been in charge of border security,
his administration hasn’t simply
failed; it has failed to a historic and
catastrophic degree.
America has had functionally open
borders for years. Along with millions
of illegal aliens, we have allowed Chi-
nese fentanyl and other lethal drugs to
literally pour into our country and kill
thousands of Americans every year.
So the Democrats’ border crisis isn’t
new. What is new is their supposed de-
sire to finally do something about it.
Now that blue State mayors and Gov-
ernors are starting to feel the con-
sequences of this catastrophic policy
failure, the Biden administration says
it now wants to take action. Of course,
the administration mostly just wants
to throw money at the problem and at
its friends in local government. Appar-
ently, the preferred response to a bor-
der crisis is a blue State bailout.
Meanwhile, a particularly dangerous
consequence of the President’s border
crisis is making history of its own. In
the past year, southern border appre-
hensions of individuals on the terror
watchlist broke an alltime record, the
record that was just set the year be-
fore.
Even President Biden’s Department
of Homeland Security has admitted in
its 2024 ‘‘Homeland Threat Assess-
ment’’ that ‘‘record encounters of mi-
grants arriving from a growing number
of countries have complicated border
and immigration security.’’
The American people have watched
the Biden administration spend their
way into plenty of problems, but they
haven’t managed to spend their way
out of a single one yet.
Our country deserves real law en-
forcement and real borders. Border se-
curity is national security. And on that
front, the Senate has a lot of work to
do.
ISRAEL
Mr. President, on a related matter, in
the coming days and weeks, the Senate
will work urgently to address several
major, related threats to the American
people, to our allies, and our interests
at home and abroad.
After Russia’s escalation against
Ukraine last year, the savage Iran-
backed terrorist attacks on Israel, once
again, reminded the civilized world of
the persistent evil that demands our
attention and our action.
The United States must stand with
our ally Israel for as long as it takes to
restore its security, and we have a re-
sponsibility not to look away from the
brutality and inhumanity the terror-
ists inflicted on innocent Israeli men,
women, and children.
Unfortunately, our own Western
media haven’t made that task any easi-
er. Some of the most disturbing first-
hand accounts reported the savages re-
sponsible for the October 7 attacks had
beheaded Israeli infants and committed
other unspeakable atrocities. Some in
the press leapt to express skepticism
and even discredit the reports of eye-
witnesses. But these sickening ac-
counts were proven to be true.
In an especially reckless example,
America’s ‘‘paper of record’’ took the
word of Gaza’s terrorist overlords and
actually announced to the world that
an apparent explosion at a hospital had
been an Israeli strike that killed hun-
dreds of people.
We know now it was the terrorists
themselves whose rockets struck the
Palestinian civilian target. But as the
saying goes, this dangerous lie had
traveled around the world before truth
had literally laced up its shoes.
Perhaps the corporate media organi-
zations that have spent years warning
about disinformation should exercise a
bit more caution with the claims of a
terrorist organization that uses civil-
ians as human shields.
So let us get a few things straight.
There is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
People are suffering. But the blame for
their suffering belongs solely to the
terrorists who divert humanitarian and
economic assistance and build terror
tunnels and rocket launchers instead.
And the solution is not to use the same
corrupted mechanisms to allow Hamas
to further exploit this crisis of its own
making.
The Israeli Government’s stated in-
tention is to destroy Hamas’s capacity
to wage war and end the stranglehold
of Gaza.
And the West has every reason to ex-
pect that Israel will hold itself—as it
always does—to the highest standards
of humane conduct. But make no mis-
take, war is hell. This will be a dif-
ficult, bloody, and costly fight. And we
know Hamas’s propaganda machine
will do everything possible to exploit
every inadvertent civilian casualty.
There can be no moral equivalence
between terrorism and self-defense.
The President must give Israel the
time and space it needs to achieve its
military objectives in Gaza. America
should assist Israel with any intel-
ligence, planning, and resources their
military requires. This includes coordi-
nating closely with Israel to ensure
new channels for international human-
itarian assistance and prevent Hamas
from again expropriating it.
Hamas is Israel’s primary focus, but
it is clear that Iran’s Hezbollah proxies
in Syria and Lebanon are toeing up to
the line.
Israel has responded quickly and de-
cisively to repeated attacks from Leb-
anon in recent weeks, and the United
States and other Israeli partners
should make clear that Hezbollah and
Iran will face devastating consequences
if they escalate the situation.
Unfortunately, terrorists have also
escalated their attacks on American
forces in the region. Reports indicate
multiple attacks in recent days in Iraq
and in Syria. As one U.S. official put
it, there are ‘‘red lights flashing every-
where.’’
Deterrence has failed, and the United
States must restore it before Iran-
backed terrorists kill Americans. We
must strike back hard at anyone who
targets U.S. personnel.
More broadly, it is time for President
Biden to close the book on his failed
Iran policy. It is past time to work
with Republicans to craft a bipartisan
Iran strategy that will actually outlive
this administration, unite America’s
allies, and counter the full range of
threats Iran poses to the region and to
the world. This has to include con-
fronting Iran’s role as the world’s most
active state sponsor of terror. We ig-
nore this growing threat at our own
peril.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, I
ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. B
UT
-
LER
). Without objection, it is so or-
dered.
NOMINATION OF MICHAEL G
.
WHITAKER
Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, a
quick note about the business pending
before the Senate: leadership at the
FAA, the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion.
It has been more than 18 months
since the FAA last had a Senate-con-
firmed leader, and in that time, we
have seen an alarming number of close
calls on runways and operational chal-
lenges, including the outage of the crit-
ical Notice to Air Missions system.
Compounding these issues is a shortage
of air traffic controllers that has led to
flight delays and cancelations.
The FAA urgently needs a permanent
leader to address these concurrent
challenges and guarantee the safety of
travelers. Michael Whitaker is that
leader, and I am glad that the Senate is
going to confirm him over the next day
or so.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Madam President, next, I would like
to turn to a different topic.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5128 October 24, 2023
Seeing is believing, we often say. But
that is not really true anymore be-
cause, thanks to artificial intelligence,
we are increasingly encountering fake
images, doctored videos, and manipu-
lated audio. Whether we are watching
TV, answering the phone, or scrolling
through our social media feeds, it has
become harder and harder to trust our
own eyes and our own ears. The bound-
aries of reality are becoming blurrier
every day.
We have always consumed informa-
tion under the assumption that what
we are seeing and hearing is coming
from the source that it says it is from
and that a human has created it. It is
such a basic notion that it is left un-
said and taken for granted. But right
now, that assumption is under threat.
Deception is not new. Fraud is not
new. Misinformation is not new. These
are age-old problems, of course. What
is new, though, is how quickly and eas-
ily someone can deceive or defraud and
do it on a staggering scale. With power-
ful generative AI tools at their finger-
tips, all con artists need are just a few
minutes to spin up a scam or a lie: doc-
tored images falsely claiming that
there was an explosion at the Pen-
tagon, fake advertisements using the
likenesses of celebrities like Tom
Hanks to peddle products, phone calls
that replicate the voices of family
members purporting to be kidnapped
and needing money, manipulated audio
clips of elected officials saying things
they did not say.
These are just some of the examples
of misuse we have already seen. It is
not a parade of horribles about the fu-
ture of AI; these are things that al-
ready happened.
We are only scratching the surface of
what is possible with AI, and because
the possibilities are so vast—much of it
yet to be discovered—it is easy to feel
overwhelmed by it all, to think it is so
complex, you don’t even know where to
start. But we do know where to start.
This issue of distinguishing whether
content is made by a human or made
by a machine actually has a very
straightforward solution. Content
made by AI should be clearly labeled as
such so that people know what they are
looking at. That is exactly what the bi-
partisan AI Labeling Act that Senator
K
ENNEDY
and I introduced calls for. It
puts the onus where it belongs: on the
companies and not the consumers—
very straightforward—because people
shouldn’t have to double- and triple-
check or parse through thick lines of
code to find out whether something
was made by AI. It should be right
there in the open, clearly marked with
a label.
Labels will help people to be in-
formed. They will also help companies
using AI build trust in their content.
We have a crisis of trust in our infor-
mation sources, in large part due to po-
larization and misinformation. But if
the current situation seems bad with-
out guardrails, the coming onslaught
of AI-generated content will make the
problem much, much worse. Misin-
formation will multiply. Scams will
skyrocket. Labels are an important
antidote to these problems in the age
of AI.
Whether we are ready or not, AI is
here, and in the not too distant future,
it will reshape virtually every facet of
our lives—how we work, how our kids
learn in school, how we get healthcare,
to name a few. So to wait to take ac-
tion or, worse, to do nothing at all is
not a good option. We have seen that
movie before with foreign interference
in our elections, with medical misin-
formation that claims so many lives,
and with data breaches that left Amer-
icans exposed and vulnerable.
This moment requires us to get seri-
ous about legislating proactively, not
belatedly reacting to the latest innova-
tion. Yes, Congress has a lot more to
learn about AI, both its opportunities
and threats. Yes, there is no simple an-
swer or single solution for a very, very
complex challenge and set of opportu-
nities. But there is one thing we know
to be true right now: People deserve to
know if the content they are encoun-
tering was made by a human or not.
This isn’t a radical, new idea; it is com-
mon sense.
There is a long road ahead for regu-
lating AI in the policymaking space,
but that should not prevent us from
doing this good and sensible thing as
soon as we can.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to
call the roll.
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
ORDER OF PROCEDURE
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
ask unanimous consent that at a time
to be determined by the majority lead-
er in consultation with the Republican
leader, the Senate resume consider-
ation of Calendar No. 198, H.R. 4366;
that during the consideration of Cal-
endar No. 198, H.R. 4366, Murray-Collins
substitute amendment No. 1092 be con-
sidered an Appropriations Committee
amendment for the purposes of rule
XVI, with no other rule XVI points of
order waived by this agreement; that
H.R. 4366, H.R. 4368, as reported by the
House of Representatives on June 27,
2023, and H.R. 4820, as reported in the
House of Representatives on July 24,
2023, serve as the basis for defense of
germaneness under rule XVI for any
floor amendments and that it be in
order for floor amendments to amend
the substitute in more than one place;
further, that the only amendments in
order to the Murray-Collins substitute
amendment No. 1092 be the following
amendments, if offered, and that at a
time to be determined by the majority
leader in consultation with the Repub-
lican leader, the Senate vote on the
amendments: Moran, No. 1250; Daines,
No. 1185; Sullivan, No. 1216; Sullivan,
No. 1221; Peters-Cornyn, No. 1283;
Rosen, No. 1117; Schatz, No. 1120; Book-
er-Tuberville, No. 1175; Tillis-Welch,
No. 1264; Reed, No. 1202; Britt, No. 1270;
Kelly-Tillis, No. 1116; Hirono-Moran,
No. 1113; Warnock-Cornyn, No. 1351;
Smith-Ricketts, No. 1134; Rosen-Crapo,
No. 1220; Cardin, No. 1277; Padilla, No.
1140; Shaheen, No. 1131; Klobuchar-
Moran, No. 1203; Kelly, No. 1133;
Padilla, No. 1139; Ossoff-Braun, No.
1255; Merkley-Crapo, No. 1352; Ernst,
No. 1177; Stabenow, No. 1115; Vance,
No. 1210; Rubio, No. 1237; Kennedy, No.
1354; Braun, No. 1182; Hawley, No. 1200;
Cruz, No. 1296; Blackburn, No. 1349;
Budd, No. 1243; Cramer, No. 1241; Paul,
No. 1217; Paul, No. 1347; Cruz, No. 1249;
Lankford, No. 1232; and Lee, No. 1121;
further, that 60 affirmative votes be re-
quired for the adoption of the following
amendments: Cramer, No. 1241; Paul,
No. 1217; Paul, No. 1347; Cruz, No. 1249;
Lankford, No. 1232; and Lee, No. 1121;
further, that upon disposition of the
amendments listed above, the Senate
vote on adoption of substitute amend-
ment No. 1092, as amended, if amended,
with a 60 affirmative vote threshold re-
quired for adoption; that the bill, as
amended, if amended, be read a third
time and the Senate vote on passage of
the bill, as amended, if amended, with
a 60 vote affirmative threshold required
for passage; finally, that upon disposi-
tion of the bill, the Committee on Ap-
propriations be discharged from further
consideration and the Senate proceed
to the immediate consideration of H.R.
662, the Scott-Rubio substitute amend-
ment at the desk be considered and
agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read
a third time, and the Senate vote on
passage of the bill, as amended, with a
60 affirmative vote threshold required
for passage, without intervening action
or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
APPROPRIATIONS
Madam President, we are now mov-
ing forward after many weeks delay on
the omnibus—no, not the omnibus but
the three appropriations bills—Agri-
culture, MILCON and T–HUD—as one
package, as one minibus.
We have pledged as Democrats to try
and go through regular order. It has
been a long and arduous process. As
you can see, there are 46 amendments
here and, in fact, even though there
was a pledge there would be no poison
pills, there were many poison pills that
were offered by the other side. How-
ever, instead of just saying, ‘‘Well, we
didn’t have an agreement; let the bill
go down the drain,’’ we want to get this
bill done. It is important to move the
appropriations bills. We worked long
and hard. It took a while to work
through the vagaries and negotiations
on many poison pill amendments that,
in my judgment, shouldn’t have been
offered to begin with. But here we are;
we are moving forward.
I want to thank Appropriations Chair
M
URRAY
. She has done an amazing,
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amazing job here. I want to thank
Leader C
OLLINS
and thank all of our
colleagues for working this out. Under
the old days, regular order would have
been a lot different than it is today. We
are still moving forward, and I am glad
for it.
I yield to the distinguished and hard-
working chair of the Appropriations
Committee, Senator M
URRAY
.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from Washington.
Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President,
after many discussions with Members
on both sides of the aisle about ensur-
ing a robust amendment process and a
final vote on this strong bipartisan
package of appropriations bills, I am
pleased to say we have reached an
agreement to finally get voting on the
amendments and passage of this mini-
bus.
I want to thank everyone who has
worked with me and the senior Senator
from Maine so we can get this process
moving again to show the American
people this place can actually work.
This is so important, especially right
now because over the last few weeks,
the American people have seen a lot of
chaos and dysfunction in Congress. It
has come at a time when the world
needs to see U.S. leadership is still
strong because it is not just the Amer-
ican people who are watching Congress
right now. Our allies are watching. Our
adversaries are watching. We need to
show them that we are still able to
work together and solve problems and
respond effectively to the pressing
challenges of this moment. And this is
an important opportunity to do just
that.
By passing this package, we can con-
tinue moving on our appropriations
process and we can show that, by work-
ing together in a bipartisan way, you
can actually get things done in a di-
vided Congress. And that is important
because there is a lot we absolutely
have to get done. There is this first
package of appropriations bills. There
is the rest of our appropriations bills
and the pressing need to address all
sorts of urgent priorities, including
supplemental funding to support our
allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan;
to deliver additional disaster relief; ad-
dress the worsening childcare crisis;
and more. Getting all of this done is
going to require us to put aside our dif-
ferences and work together.
By passing this minibus, we can show
that Congress is still capable of doing
that, because this spending package is
a prime example of what it looks like
when Democrats and Republicans come
together and focus on solving problems
and helping people. It follows the bi-
partisan debt limit deal. It includes
input from members across the country
and across the political spectrum. And
the bills in this package passed the Ap-
propriations Committee unanimously.
In other words, this is a serious bi-
partisan legislation that can be signed
into law; and it provides crucial re-
sources to care for our veterans, to
fund military construction, to keep our
food supply safe, to support our farm-
ers, keep our travelers safe, invest in
infrastructure, and a lot more.
We should pass this bill, show we can
still focus on solutions, find common
ground, and help people, like we were
all sent here to do. And we can get our
appropriations process back on track
and continue our return to regular
order, which, I know, so many Senators
across the aisle and on this side have
asked for.
To every one of my colleagues who
has said we need to move away from
massive end-of-year omnibuses, I
agree. This is your chance to avoid one.
If we don’t get this passed, we are giv-
ing up a crucial opportunity to make
sure the Senate has its voice heard on
our Nation’s spending priorities and
make sure we don’t find ourselves at
the end of the year, once again, staring
down another omnibus.
Madam President, just a few weeks
ago, we were on the brink of a com-
pletely unnecessary government shut-
down before cooler heads prevailed.
The lesson from the near-shutdown
should be clear: Letting the loudest
voices on the far right push for dam-
aging cuts, extreme partisan policies,
is a road to disaster. Bipartisanship is
the only way to get the job done in a
divided government.
Now, we need to remember the les-
sons as we continue working to pass
our full appropriations bills; support
our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and the
Indo-Pacific region; shore up our dis-
aster relief funds; and address the
childcare crisis; and more. So let’s send
a message that Congress can actually
work and that we can actually work
together. Let’s get things on track so
we can avoid an omnibus and address
the urgent challenges we face.
The American people are watching.
The world is watching. And let’s be
clear: Our adversaries are cheering for
dysfunction. Let’s show them unity.
Let’s show them the strength of our de-
mocracy. Let’s get this done and then
let’s work together and get absolutely
vital aid to our allies.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from Texas.
BORDER SECURITY
Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, as
we all know by now, last Friday, Presi-
dent Biden submitted an emergency
funding request to Congress. As we all
expected, it calls for funding to support
Israel as it defends itself against the
terrorist organization known as
Hamas, a proxy for Iran. It also asks
for funding for Ukraine, which con-
tinues its heroic defense against a Rus-
sian invasion. It requests funding to
strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific
to help our friends and allies combat
increasingly aggressive threats from
China.
And, notably, President Biden has
also called for emergency funding to
help address the crisis at the southern
border. At face value, this shouldn’t be
surprising. After all, the Biden border
crisis has been raging for nearly 3
years; and, somehow, it continues to
get worse every day.
Last month, Customs and Border
Protection logged nearly 270,000—
270,000—migrant crossings at the south-
ern border, making it the busiest
month on record. In total, nearly 2.5
million migrants have entered the
United States since last fiscal year—or
during the last fiscal year. That is an-
other record.
We don’t have the resources or the
personnel to deal with this influx in
what we all should hope would be an ef-
ficient, fair, and humane way. And that
needs to change.
First of all, we need to wrest immi-
gration out of the hands of the cartels
who care nothing about the people who
smuggle individuals into the United
States for money—a lot of money. It is
a very profitable business. And, also,
there are affiliated cartels that are
smuggling the drugs into the United
States that killed 108,000 Americans
last year alone. That is also the source
of a lot of money for these criminal or-
ganizations, again, who care nothing
about the life or welfare of individuals,
either the migrants or people in the
United States. That is what happens
when you outsource immigration con-
trols to criminal organizations as the
Biden administration has done.
The President’s funding request does
include a few items that are definitely
needed, starting with additional Border
Patrol agents. Personnel shortages
have impacted all of our missions at
the border, including those that have
nothing to do with migration. More
Border Patrol agents would help fill
the gaps and alleviate the strain on
frontline law enforcement; but this
change is meaningless unless we ad-
dress the polygraph examination,
which is a major barrier for hiring.
Just to be clear, the policy on pass-
ing a polygraph varies so much from
Agency to Agency. But currently, the
policy employed by the Border Patrol
has basically made it impossible to fill
the quota of Border Patrol agents that
we seek to hire.
The administration has also asked
for 375 new immigration judge teams.
There is no doubt that our immigra-
tion courts are drowning under a rap-
idly growing case backlog. In 2020, be-
fore President Biden took office, there
were just under 1.3 million cases pend-
ing in the immigration courts. But
thanks to the administration’s current
policies, the backlog has now doubled
to 2.6 million cases. Simply adding
more judges will be an exercise in futil-
ity unless we also address the pull fac-
tors or the policies that are causing
the backlog to grow at such an alarm-
ing pace.
I am reminded of something the
former Chief of the Border Patrol said
amidst another migration surge. In the
summer of 2019, border crossings were
on the rise; although, they pale in com-
parison to what we are seeing now.
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Then-Chief Carla Provost testified be-
fore the Senate Judiciary Committee
and talked about what it would take to
fix the situation. She said:
We cannot address this crisis by shifting
more resources. It’s like holding a bucket
under a faucet. It doesn’t matter how many
buckets [you have if you don’t turn the
water off].
The President’s request for emer-
gency funding is a bucket, a relatively
small one. But it does nothing to stop
the flow. The only way to do that is by
deterrence, and the only way to
achieve deterrence is by delivering con-
sequences for entering the country ille-
gally. We need to send a message to the
people who have no legitimate reason
to remain in the United States that if
they come, they will not be able to
stay.
President Biden does not seem to un-
derstand that. And in his emergency
funding request, he asks Congress to
provide for noncustodial housing for
migrants and expedited removal pro-
ceedings.
This is the process that allows law
enforcement to quickly remove mi-
grants who have no legitimate reason
to remain in the United States. I am
talking about expedited removal now,
the idea that we would release mi-
grants who are on the verge of being
deported is patently absurd and just
shows the chaos and confusion and the
lack of any logical coherence in the
Biden border policy.
Anyone who believes that these indi-
viduals would come back for their re-
moval hearing is living in an alternate
reality. This would constitute yet an-
other massive pull factor attracting
people to make that journey to the
border. President Biden also called on
Congress to expand the so-called lawful
pathways his administration created.
But to be clear, there is nothing lawful
about these pathways.
The administration, once again, has
usurped Congress’s authority in parol-
ing entire classes of migrants into the
United States. ‘‘Parole’’ is a technical
term. It basically means to release
them, even if they are not claiming
asylum, which the Biden administra-
tion continues to do on a massive
scale—simply release people into the
United States.
This is, unsurprisingly, a violation of
the Immigration and Nationality Act,
and any effort to expand these so-
called pathways is a nonstarter in Con-
gress. We will not legitimatize these
unauthorized programs and provide an
even bigger incentive for migrants to
make the dangerous journey to the
border.
We need to discourage people who
have no legitimate claim to come to
the United States this way, not bolster
an incentive package. In my view,
there are two broad goals that need to
be met in order to address this crisis in
a meaningful way: First, we need to
end catch-and-release. So far, the ad-
ministration has sent a message to
people around the world that if you
enter the United States illegally, there
is a good chance you will be able to
stay, which, in turn, only encourages
more people to come—just show up at
the border, say the magic words, and
then disappear into the great American
heartland. We need to revise this mes-
sage and make it clear that only those
with a legitimate claim can remain in
the United States. Ending catch-and-
release is the most effective way to do
that.
No. 2, the administration must re-
move people who have been determined
to have no legal right to enter or re-
main in the United States. The Biden
administration has proven it does not
take this responsibility seriously.
In 2021, arrests and deportation by
ICE, known as Immigration and Cus-
toms Enforcement, reached an alltime
low. So not only are more people com-
ing into the country than we have ever
seen before, but fewer people are going
out who have no legitimate basis to
stay here.
In 2021, the Agency carried out fewer
than 60,000 deportations that year, the
lowest number on record by a long
shot. The following year, the number of
deportations increased slightly but not
nearly enough to make an impact and
certainly not enough to discourage
people from continuing to come ille-
gally to enter the United States.
Apprehensions are at record highs;
deportations are at historic lows; and
it is clear that this is all part of some-
body’s plan. Despite having every tool
at its disposal, the administration is
trying to move a mountain with a tea-
spoon. It is doing just enough to make
some people think they are doing
something meaningful without having
any real impact.
While I am glad President Biden
seems to have awakened to the fact
that the status quo at the border is
unsustainable, his emergency funding
request shows he is still absolutely dis-
interested in solving this crisis. He has
proven, once again, that he doesn’t
care about deterring illegal immigra-
tion; he doesn’t care about delivering
consequences to individuals who break
our laws; and he doesn’t care about
solving this crisis. He merely wants to
‘‘manage’’ the flow, not stop it.
This is not a serious proposal. Some
of the proposed spending is actually
harmful, and the positive aspects are
just window dressing. The President
needs to get serious about the border,
and what he sent us is not serious. One
thing is certain, the Senate will not
rubberstamp his paltry border request.
You can be certain of that.
This emergency funding bill will ab-
solutely include more funding to ad-
dress the border crisis, but this is
about more than funding; it is about
the appropriate policies. We need real
changes that produce real con-
sequences, real ways to turn off the
flow of illegal immigration and con-
tinuing to enrich the criminal organi-
zations that smuggle people and drugs
across our border.
Later this week, I am eager to talk
with some of the true experts on the
border crisis about the current chal-
lenges they are facing. Senator C
RUZ
and I are leading another visit to the
Rio Grande Valley, and I am glad that
Senator R
ICKETTS
, Senator L
EE
, and
Senator B
ARRASSO
will join us. We are
going to spend some time talking to
the Border Patrol agents who actually
work on the ground as well as the Cus-
toms officers who deal with the con-
sequences of the administration’s
failed policies day in and day out.
We will tour the border to see how
virtually anyone—from vulnerable mi-
grant children to dangerous drug cartel
members, to people on the Terrorist
Watchlist—are able to enter the United
States. And we will hear from State of-
ficials, local law enforcement, and
landowners about the broader impact
of the border crisis in communities
across our State.
It is going to be 2 busy and inform-
ative days, and, as always, I am grate-
ful to the men and women who take
the time to meet with us who are doing
the hard job. It would be nice if they
knew that this administration had
their back, but they are demoralized,
despite the fact that they continue to
do their job, day in and day out, be-
cause they realize that the Biden bor-
der policies are designed to fail.
Their insight, however, is invaluable
to my work here in the Senate, and
there couldn’t be a more important
time to hear from the frontline experts
who know about this crisis and how to
solve it better than anyone else.
I especially commend my colleagues
from Wyoming, Utah, and Nebraska for
taking the time to make this impor-
tant trip and their willingness to hear
from Senator C
RUZ
and my constitu-
ents on the frontlines of this issue.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
H
ICKENLOOPER
). The Senator from
Washington.
NOMINATION OF MICHAEL G
.
WHITAKER
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I
rise today in support of the nomination
of Michael Whitaker to be the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration. Last week, the Com-
merce Committee unanimously ad-
vanced Mr. Whitaker to the Senate
floor, and this resounding bipartisan
approval is in addition to the broad
support that Mr. Whitaker has received
from the private sector. He has the
support of the aviation workforce, pi-
lots, flight attendants, machinists, air
traffic controllers, and safety special-
ists at the FAA.
Aviation safety advocates like the
737 MAX crash families have called Mr.
Whitaker a ‘‘strong leader’’ for the
FAA with the ‘‘ability [to] restore pub-
lic trust and confidence in its oversight
and safety standards.’’
The conclusion is clear, Mr. Whitaker
is the right person to lead the FAA.
And America’s chief aviation regulator
has a critical mission: protect the safe-
ty of the flying public.
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Each day, 44,000 FAA employees over-
see the safety of 25,000 daily commer-
cial flights, 2.5 million travelers, and
over 5,500 airports.
These Agencies set the safety stand-
ards for aerospace manufacturing, and
safety starts at the top with the Ad-
ministrator. America’s safety system
is under stress, given the changes to
FAA and the innovation that we are
seeing in new technology. We have
challenges in the post-pandemic re-
bound of air travel and making sure
that we have a workforce.
And the FAA’s workforce, I know
that Mr. Whitaker, in his confirmation
hearing, committed to making this a
No. 1 priority: build a strong safety
culture, attract new talent, and keep
pace with technology transformation.
Mr. Whitaker must build an organi-
zation that meets the challenges of in-
corporating new users and technologies
like drones and advanced air mobility,
electric propulsion, commercial space,
and just the continued growth of the
busy aviation aerospace around the
globe.
Among the most pressing problems is
addressing air traffic controller hiring
and training, and Mr. Whitaker has
stated this will also be a top priority.
Finally, the FAA must be among the
global leaders in aviation safety. Mr.
Whitaker must work internationally at
the International Civil Aviation Orga-
nization, ICAO, and through bilateral
partnerships to lift the baseline for
aviation safety regulation throughout
the world.
This work of rebuilding leadership
starts here at the FAA, and he is com-
mitted to implementing the critical
safety reforms that were part of the
Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Ac-
countability Act. These are strong
challenges, but no doubt this Adminis-
trator can meet those challenges and
live up to these commitments.
I am confident that Mr. Whitaker’s
abilities will make sure that this legis-
lation is fully implemented.
In addition, yesterday, the President
of the United States and the Secretary
of Commerce announced a series of
tech hubs in response to the legislation
that we passed, the CHIPS and Science
Act. I know the Presiding Officer, I
think, is pretty happy about that be-
cause I think one of those tech hubs
was in his State. And certainly there
was one in Washington that is really
about the next generation of advanced
materials in aviation.
The designation made possible by
CHIPS and Science is to think about
lab-to-market testbeds on thermo-
plastic composite fabrication equip-
ment and help the United States stay
in a leadership position in the next
generation of aerospace workforce.
The United States leads in ideas, but
we don’t always lead in the implemen-
tation of the innovation, particularly
at a time where now everyone, in an
internet age, is reading about our inno-
vations and trying to implement the
same things.
The tech hub idea can leverage a lot
of ideas across the United States and
help translate the science faster into
real application and real competitive-
ness for our Nation and grow jobs and
help grow actually rising incomes in
various parts of our country as well.
The tech hub, in this instance, in the
aerospace ecosystem where we have
millions of people employed nationally
and we have leading institutions that
are doing aviation research—we need
to show that innovation can move be-
yond just where we are today on com-
posites but on next-generation research
that then gets translated to the work-
force and the skilling of the workforce.
This means creating more patents,
translating discoveries, and keeping
U.S. manufacturing competitive. I
know that many of my colleagues here
in the Senate were very pleased to hear
this announcement by the President
and the Secretary of Commerce.
With over 30 years of diverse experi-
ence in these issues, like aviation, Mr.
Whitaker will be able to help, I think,
in this next-generation aviation tech-
nology: thermoplastics.
This is also important for our space
companies that want to get into a
more rapid production of thermoplastic
piece part production, and I think this
kind of R&D alliance will help for the
future.
So I thank our colleagues for the
time today. I hope they will support
Mr. Whitaker. I hope that we will move
quickly on this nomination, and I hope
that it will give us a chance to have an
FAA Administrator who will also help
us move quickly to resolve the FAA
authorization issues and get that au-
thorization before both bodies before
the end of the year.
Thank you.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from Minnesota.
NOMINATION OF JESSICA LOOMAN
Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise
today in support of Jessica Looman to
be Administrator for the Wage and
Hour Division at the Department of
Labor. And I want my Senate col-
leagues to know a little bit about Jes-
sica, whom I have had the opportunity
to know well and to work with since
2011.
Jessica is from St. Paul, MN. She has
worked as an attorney and advocate, as
a labor leader heading the Minnesota
building trades, as a public sector lead-
er, and as a lifelong champion for
workers. And in all her roles, Jessica
has earned the reputation for being
thoughtful and innovative and fair. She
is respected for her skill leading large,
complex organizations and getting re-
sults and working productively with di-
verse groups of people to find good so-
lutions and common ground.
Before I was Minnesota’s Senator and
Lieutenant Governor, I served as chief
of staff for the Governor of Minnesota,
Mark Dayton. And when we needed a
leader who was trusted both by busi-
ness and by labor to be a leader at Min-
nesota’s Department of Labor and In-
dustry, we selected Jessica, who served
both as assistant commissioner and
also as deputy commissioner. And Jes-
sica impressed me and everyone with
her leadership, her competence, and
her commitment to fairly and dili-
gently enforcing the law.
She led Minnesota’s efforts to ensure
safe, fair, and healthy workplaces and
labor standards. And she led our effort
to expand apprenticeships. Jessica was
respected by business and labor alike
for her commitment to establishing
reasonable, effective workplace rules
and regulations.
A couple of years later, when we
needed a strong leader to take on Min-
nesota’s Department of Commerce, Jes-
sica was our first pick. In that role, she
again showed her skill as an executive
leader, leading successful statewide
initiatives and growing Minnesota’s
clean energy jobs. So I have no doubt
that Jessica will be a fair and prag-
matic Administrator for the Wage and
Hour Division, which is responsible for
enforcing some of our Nation’s most
important laws governing minimum
wage and overtime pay and child labor
standards.
As Administrator, Jessica will have
direct impact protecting the interest of
hard-working Americans, like the wait-
ress whose boss is stealing her tips, or
the building trades’ carpenter or la-
borer who has the right to earn the pre-
vailing wage on Federal projects so
that they can support their families, or
the worker who isn’t being paid for the
overtime hours that they have worked.
Ms. Looman’s values are rooted in fair-
ness and the promise that all work has
dignity and should be respected.
One of the things that I have learned
in my time in public service is that, if
you understand both sides of an argu-
ment and you really listen, you can
usually find a solution that works. Jes-
sica exemplifies this approach. In all of
the years that I have worked closely
with her, she always approaches issues
with that keen desire to understand
what both sides need and what they
want and then to find a solution that
both sides can agree is fair.
And let us be honest, sometimes reg-
ulations can seem subjective and hard
to understand. And Jessica gets this,
and so she is always looking for a path
that is reasonable, that protects peo-
ple’s rights, and that follows the law
but that is reasonable. I think that this
is why she is respected both by employ-
ers and by labor, first in Minnesota and
now at the U.S. Department of Labor,
and it is why she will make a strong,
respected, and trusted Administrator
of the Wage and Hour Division.
I urge my colleagues to support her
confirmation. Her reputation as a re-
spected, effective leader has been built
over years of hard work, fighting for
working people, and she has a track
record of successfully building coali-
tions and consensus, even when there
are real and difficult challenges to
bridge.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5132 October 24, 2023
RECESS
Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask
unanimous consent that the Senate re-
cess until 2:15 p.m.
There being no objection, the Senate,
at 12:23 p.m., recessed until 2:15 p.m.
and reassembled when called to order
by the Presiding Officer (Mr. L
UJA
´
N
).
f
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued
CLOTURE MOTION
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant
to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the
Senate the pending cloture motion,
which the clerk will state.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read as follows:
C
LOTURE
M
OTION
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
nation of Executive Calendar No. 364, Mi-
chael G. Whitaker, of Vermont, to be Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion for the term of five years.
Charles E. Schumer, Maria Cantwell,
Christopher A. Coons, John W.
Hickenlooper, Sherrod Brown, Richard
Blumenthal, Tim Kaine, Sheldon
Whitehouse, Martin Heinrich, Chris-
topher Murphy, Alex Padilla, Gary C.
Peters, Chris Van Hollen, Brian Schatz,
Jeanne Shaheen, Patty Murray, Cath-
erine Cortez Masto.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan-
imous consent, the mandatory quorum
call has been waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the
Senate that debate on the nomination
of Michael G. Whitaker, of Vermont, to
be Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration for the term of
five years, shall be brought to a close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory
under the rule.
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
Senator from California (Mr. P
ADILLA
)
is necessarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators
are necessarily absent: the Senator
from Idaho (Mr. C
RAPO
), the Senator
from North Dakota (Mr. H
OEVEN
), the
Senator from Utah (Mr. R
OMNEY
), the
Senator from Florida (Mr. S
COTT
), and
the Senator from South Carolina (Mr.
S
COTT
).
Further, if present and voting: the
Senator from North Dakota (Mr.
H
OEVEN
) would have voted ‘‘yea’’ and
the Senator from Florida (Mr. S
COTT
)
would have voted ‘‘yea.’’
The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 94,
nays 0, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 262 Ex.]
YEAS—94
Baldwin
Barrasso
Bennet
Blackburn
Blumenthal
Booker
Boozman
Braun
Britt
Brown
Budd
Butler
Cantwell
Capito
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Cassidy
Collins
Coons
Cornyn
Cortez Masto
Cotton
Cramer
Cruz
Daines
Duckworth
Durbin
Ernst
Fetterman
Fischer
Gillibrand
Graham
Grassley
Hagerty
Hassan
Hawley
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Hirono
Hyde-Smith
Johnson
Kaine
Kelly
Kennedy
King
Klobuchar
Lankford
Lee
Luja
´
n
Lummis
Manchin
Markey
Marshall
McConnell
Menendez
Merkley
Moran
Mullin
Murkowski
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Paul
Peters
Reed
Ricketts
Risch
Rosen
Rounds
Rubio
Sanders
Schatz
Schmitt
Schumer
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Thune
Tillis
Tuberville
Van Hollen
Vance
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Welch
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
Young
NOT VOTING—6
Crapo
Hoeven
Padilla
Romney
Scott (FL)
Scott (SC)
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
W
ELCH
). On this vote, the yeas are 94,
the nays are 0.
The motion is agreed to.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma-
jority whip.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask
unanimous consent that all postcloture
time be considered expired at 5 p.m.
today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DURBIN. For information of the
Senate, Members should expect two
rollcall votes starting at 5 p.m.
ISRAEL
Mr. President, much has been said
and written about the horrific Hamas
terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
The wanton slaughter of more than a
thousand Israelis and an estimated 200
hostages still being held is hard to
fathom. One fact tells the grim story.
More Jews died on this day than any
time since the Holocaust. It was not
just another bad day in the Middle
East. It was a premeditated slaughter
of historic proportion.
The crisis that has followed has
touched many in my home State of Illi-
nois who have family in Israel. On Fri-
day, I was relieved to learn of the re-
lease of Natalie and Judith Raanan
from Evanston who were being held as
hostages by Hamas in Gaza. Another
two women, thankfully, were released
yesterday. Now the Hamas terrorists
must release the remaining hostages
captured on October 7. I pray every mo-
ment for their safe return.
Throughout my career in Congress, I
have supported U.S. assistance to help
Israel defend itself from those bent on
its destruction. I am not naive. I know
the creation of the nation of Israel was
controversial in its time. It still is to
many today. Yet it struck me that the
people of that region deserve an oppor-
tunity to live in peace, to find one ref-
uge in the world they can count on.
And I have always supported Israel be-
cause of that.
I will strongly support the Presi-
dent’s proposed supplemental request
to help Israel, Ukraine, and other ur-
gent humanitarian needs.
The Hamas attack, which had noth-
ing to do with solving the problems be-
tween the Jewish people and the Pal-
estinians, was really not advancing a
two-state solution or even seeking
long-term peace. It was a reminder
that there are still those in the region
who refuse to accept Israel’s right to
exist—literally, their right to exist—
and will take any actions to destroy it.
But in acknowledging Israel’s under-
standable rage and pain, I believe
President Biden gave wise counsel to
learn from America’s mistakes made
after the similarly traumatic attacks
on 9/11. I remember that day. I was in
this building, just outside the Cham-
ber, 9/11/2001. I couldn’t imagine what
had happened to our Nation as we were
evacuating the Capitol to stand out on
the lawn and pray another airplane was
not directed toward the Capitol or the
White House.
It changed America in some ways for
the better. We were united. We were de-
termined. We were really in focus with
one another to try to make this a safe
country for our kids and grandkids.
And it divided us as well. We made
some decisions which were thoughtful,
wise, and stood the test of history and
some that did not.
Hamas, just like al-Qaida in those
days, must be destroyed. But Israel
should be wary of the kind of overreach
we found after 9/11. You do not want an
ill-thought occupation of Gaza to be-
come your Fallujah. You do not want
to dehumanize the innocents on the pe-
riphery who are not your enemy and
will have to be your neighbors in the
future.
Hamas is a terrorist organization
that has a long and cynical history of
hiding its military essence among and
around innocent civilians. They dare
their enemies to attack, only to realize
the collateral damage is going to be
devastating. It makes any effort to
root them out and rescue hostages ex-
traordinarily difficult.
Let us be clear, the Palestinian peo-
ple are not Hamas. As a democracy,
Israel must follow the rules of war and
not target civilians or conduct dis-
proportionate or indiscriminate at-
tacks. We are already seeing a dis-
tressing humanitarian crisis building
in Gaza, which has the potential to be-
come worse.
As such, I joined several Senate col-
leagues in calling for the U.S. humani-
tarian assistance to the Palestinian
people, a move President Biden made
last week. The suffering of the Pal-
estinians cannot be ignored. Tom
Freidman said it even better last week
when he said:
Hamas has not only taken [Israel] hostage;
it has taken [Gaza civilians] hostage as well.
The passions and pain from these
events are not limited to the Middle
East. They are manifesting in all of our
Nation, even in my State of Illinois.
Ten days ago, a 6-year-old Palestinian-
American, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was
murdered in a suburb of Chicago in a
mindless, heartbreaking act. Almost
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every hour of every day, there has been
a photograph of this beautiful little
boy in a ‘‘Happy Birthday’’ hat stand-
ing, smiling, looking at the camera. It
is hard to imagine he answered his
door, and simply because he was a Pal-
estinian descendant, he was attacked
by a crazed man who killed him and
then attempted to kill his mother. I
was glad President Biden mentioned
Wadea last week in an address to the
Nation. I have that family in my
thoughts and prayers as they grieve for
the little boy and the mother who con-
tinues to recover. There have also been
fears of a bomb threat at a synagogue
outside of Chicago. A weekend protest
in Skokie ended in shots fired.
President Biden was eloquent when
he reminded us such hate must stop
and we are all Americans. I have my
differences with George W. Bush, but I
think one of the most profound things
he said or did after 9/11 was to an-
nounce publicly that he did not believe
those who believed in the Muslim faith
were wrong at the heart. He believed
that it was a religion of peace that
some were trying to corrupt. Those
statements were so critical at the time
when hatred could line up at just any
moment. Anti-Semitism,
Islamophobia, and anti-Arab hate have
no place in America or anywhere in the
world.
During my time in Congress, I have
been an advocate of a two-state solu-
tion, one that provides safe and secure
nations for both the Israeli and Pales-
tinian people. There have been at-
tempts at peace and two states offered
some hope—Israeli peace with Egypt
and Jordan, and the Oslo Accords.
Some leaders, such as former Israeli
Prime Minister Rabin and Egyptian
President Sadat paid with their lives
pursuing peace. But for too long, spoil-
ers on both sides undermined a peace-
ful two-state solution. They pursued
narrow, selfish political goals, too
often determined to stay in power
above all else. Settlements have ex-
panded, as have continued eruptions of
violence.
Regional powers have claimed to care
about but only paid lip service to the
Palestinian people. The Palestinian au-
thority has been mired in corruption
and a lack of new leadership for more
than two decades, too often at the very
expense of the Palestinian people.
I know it will be hard, but I hope out
of the ashes of pain of this crisis, there
will be a renewed focus on a two-state
solution. Out of the devastating Yom
Kippur war came the unimaginable at
the time—a historic peace treaty be-
tween Egypt and Israel that still en-
dures. With the right leaders on both
sides, it can be done.
We here in the United States have a
responsibility for a renewed push to-
wards finding a solution that allows
Israel and Palestinian children to, once
and for all, live together safely and
peacefully.
I yield the floor.
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, 10
days ago, the family of Omer Neutra lit
23 candles on his birthday cake. But
unlike previous birthdays, the candles
kept burning because Omer wasn’t
there to blow them out.
Omer is one of the more than 200 peo-
ple in Israel who were taken hostage by
Hamas. The grandson of Holocaust sur-
vivors, he is an avid athlete and loves
the New York Knicks.
He deferred his acceptance to Bing-
hamton University to spend a gap year
in Israel before he joined the IDF. On
the day of the attack, he was working
as a tank commander defending the
Gaza border. He was last seen being
forcibly removed at the hands of
Hamas terrorists.
Since Omer’s abduction, my office
has been working with his family. We
are doing everything we can to secure
his safe release and the release of all
the Americans who are still unac-
counted for in Israel. I am grateful
that the two American hostages re-
leased on Friday are doing well, but
there are still several American citi-
zens, many of whom may be injured or
unwell, who remain in captivity. We
must not stop fighting until all of
them are safe.
On Thursday, I met with the family
of 3-year-old Abigail Mor Edan. Her
family told me the harrowing story of
her and her two siblings. Abigail’s
brother Michael and her sister Amalia
locked themselves in a closet while
their mother was slaughtered in their
home. Abigail was with her father who
was shot while holding on to her. His
body was later found, but Abigail is
still missing.
I also met with the family of Keith
and Aviva Siegel, grandparents who
were kidnapped from kibbutz Kfar Aza.
Keith is an American citizen and was
seen being abducted with his wife.
The family of Itay Chen has been in
contact with my office too. Itay is a 19-
year-old who was born in New York
City and is now serving in the IDF. He
was supposed to return home to his
family in just a few days to celebrate
his brother’s bar mitzvah.
Another hostage, named Sagui
Dekel-Chen, is a U.S. citizen who was
last seen fighting off the terrorists. His
pregnant wife and two young daughters
survived while hiding in their family’s
safe room.
I have also heard from the family of
Judy Weinstein, who was born in New
York State. She and her husband Gad
were on a walk when the air raid sirens
blared. The couple hid face down in a
field as hundreds of rockets rained
overhead. Judy called an ambulance
because she and her husband had been
shot, but the ambulance was unable to
reach them, and the couple is now
missing.
None of these people—these innocent
people—deserve to be abandoned. They
are Americans. We must fight for them
as if they were our own sons, our own
daughters, our own grandmothers and
grandfathers. These people are our
family, our lifeblood, our heart and
soul.
My commitment to these families is
that we will not give up on them. We
will go to the ends of the Earth to
bring their loved ones home. And my
message to the terrorists is: We will
not give in. Your darkness and your
evil will not destroy us.
We will keep our hope alive and rally
around these families. We will light our
loved ones’ candles and never blow
them out.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
proceeded to call the roll.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent to speak for up
to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled
rollcall vote.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President,
last week, the Biden administration
proposed a spending package that in-
cluded funding meant for humanitarian
relief—$3.5 billion for migration and
refugee assistance in Ukraine, Israel,
and Gaza; $5.7 billion for the U.S. Agen-
cy for International Development. The
Biden administration says that our
money will pay for ‘‘life-saving human-
itarian programming in Israel and
areas impacted by the situation in the
West Bank and Gaza.’’
We have two problems to address.
First, the U.S. Government is scared to
call the terrorist attack a terrorist at-
tack. Second, this is just one more em-
barrassing example of the Biden ad-
ministration’s two-faced approach to
the people of Israel.
I have spoken at length about the
money pipeline between Iran and
Hamas, but there is a similar pipeline
that appears to be running between
Hamas and the U.S. taxpayer. Every
dollar we send that is earmarked for
Gaza or the West Bank is another dol-
lar Hamas can put into their pocket.
Last week, I spoke about the U.N.
Relief and Works Agency and how this
false humanitarian mission has been
corrupted by Hamas and terrorist sym-
pathizers. This has been confirmed by
multiple NGOs, the media, Joe Biden’s
own advisers, and whoever published
and then deleted this post from the
UNRWA Twitter account.
Hamas stole those supplies and
UNRWA covered it up. Remember, this
is a U.N. body that pulls 93 percent of
its funding from global government. In
2021 alone, UNRWA took $338 million
from the United States, $118 million
from the European Commission, and
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5134 October 24, 2023
hundreds of millions of dollars from in-
dividual European nations.
Since 2021, Biden has sent UNRWA a
billion dollars. A billion dollars.
USAID funds more than $21 billion
worth of UN programming, and they
sent millions of dollars to UNRWA.
And now the President is ready to send
them billions more. If the American
people knew what their tax dollars
were actually being used for, they
would be outraged. And I believe it is
time for them to know.
We know that Hamas steals UNRWA
money and supplies and stores their
weapons in UNRWA facilities. We also
know that they fill those facilities
with human shields. But something
that hasn’t gotten nearly enough at-
tention is how our tax dollars are
radicalizing the next generation of
Hamas extremists.
UN Watch published a report in
March exposing UNRWA-affiliated
schools for what they are: indoctrina-
tion centers. Bear in mind, this is UN
Watch that published this report and
exposed the U.N. Relief and Works
Agency for Palestinian refugees for
what they were doing. One employee
shared an Instagram post calling a
teenage Palestine Islamic Jihad fighter
who was killed in a shootout a ‘‘little
cub who fights like a thousand lions.’’
That was an employee of the U.N. Re-
lief and Works Agency who shared that
Instagram post calling a teenage
Jihadi fighter a ‘‘little cub who fights
like a thousand lions.’’
A teacher posted a picture of Hitler
with the caption:
Hitler, are you sleeping? Wake up, honey,
there are still some people you need to burn.
UN Watch also found official cur-
riculum from last year celebrating
Dalal Mughrabi. In 1978, she led a band
of PLO terrorists in a massacre that
left 38 Israeli civilians dead. Thirteen
of her victims were children. Another
piece of propaganda written for ninth
graders described the firebombing of a
U.S. bus as a ‘‘barbecue party.’’ One
UNRWA teacher assigned seventh
grade boys anti-Semitic poetry that
urged the students to expel Israelis
‘‘with blood and flesh’’ from Palestine.
All of this was subsidized by the Amer-
ican taxpayer.
Hamas is responsible for the October
7 massacre in Israel. But anyone who
believes that Hamas is a solo actor is
willfully ignorant. They have support.
And right now, Biden’s foreign policy is
providing much of that support, not
only through the money pipeline but
through his absolute refusal to keep
Iran in check. This isn’t just a U.S.
problem. It is a worldwide problem
that we will not solve until the money
stops flowing and Hamas is eradicated.
Fortunately, at least when it comes
to UNRWA, accountability is built in.
Global governments provide that fund-
ing, which means we can take it away.
The United States needs to step up and
lead.
I have introduced legislation to halt
that funding until Iran is expelled from
the U.N. and investigated for viola-
tions. We have to get this job done. Our
legislation would accomplish two
goals. It will destroy that pipeline of
taxpayer dollars from the United
States to Hamas and disrupt the Biden
administration’s policy of appeasement
toward Iran.
Everything President Biden has done
has made this world more dangerous.
But nothing has had more immediate
and catastrophic consequences for our
allies than his refusal to treat the Ira-
nian regime like the dangerous adver-
sary that it actually is. He sent Robert
Malley, Ariane Tabatabai, and other
Iranian assets to renegotiate the failed
nuclear deal. Administration officials
allowed Ms. Tabatabai’s security clear-
ance to stand even after it became
clear she was operating under the ad-
vice of Iranian officials. He agreed to
hand over a $6 billion ransom payment
and then insisted that the world’s most
prolific state sponsor of terror would
dedicate every penny to humanitarian
aid.
And in the hours following the worst
massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,
he insisted that there was no connec-
tion between Iran and Hamas and their
terrorist acts. Never mind that a week
later, Hamas leadership met with the
Iranian foreign minister in Qatar.
Biden’s foreign policy is fatally
flawed; that has become evident. And if
we don’t force him to reverse course,
he will further endanger the American
people and our allies and our safety
and security.
I yield the floor.
VOTE ON WHITAKER NOMINATION
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. M
AR
-
KEY
). The question is, Will the Senate
advise and consent to the Whitaker
nomination?
Mrs. BLACKBURN. I ask for the yeas
and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient sec-
ond.
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
Senator from California (Mr. P
ADILLA
)
is necessarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
necessarily absent: the Senator from
South Carolina (Mr. S
COTT
).
The result was announced—yeas 98,
nays 0, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 263 Ex.]
YEAS—98
Baldwin
Barrasso
Bennet
Blackburn
Blumenthal
Booker
Boozman
Braun
Britt
Brown
Budd
Butler
Cantwell
Capito
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Cassidy
Collins
Coons
Cornyn
Cortez Masto
Cotton
Cramer
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Duckworth
Durbin
Ernst
Fetterman
Fischer
Gillibrand
Graham
Grassley
Hagerty
Hassan
Hawley
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Hirono
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Johnson
Kaine
Kelly
Kennedy
King
Klobuchar
Lankford
Lee
Luja
´
n
Lummis
Manchin
Markey
Marshall
McConnell
Menendez
Merkley
Moran
Mullin
Murkowski
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Paul
Peters
Reed
Ricketts
Risch
Romney
Rosen
Rounds
Rubio
Sanders
Schatz
Schmitt
Schumer
Scott (FL)
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Thune
Tillis
Tuberville
Van Hollen
Vance
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Welch
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
Young
NOT VOTING—2
Padilla Scott (SC)
The nomination was confirmed.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Under the previous order, the mo-
tion to reconsider is considered made
and laid upon the table, and the Presi-
dent will be immediately notified of
the Senate’s action.
f
CLOTURE MOTION
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair
lays before the Senate the pending clo-
ture motion, which the clerk will state.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
C
LOTURE
M
OTION
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
nation of Executive Calendar No. 116, Jessica
Looman, of Minnesota, to be Administrator
of the Wage and Hour Division, Department
of Labor.
Charles E. Schumer, Bernard Sanders,
Christopher Murphy, Mazie K. Hirono,
Tammy Baldwin, Margaret Wood Has-
san, Richard J. Durbin, John W.
Hickenlooper, Tina Smith, Sheldon
Whitehouse, Catherine Cortez Masto,
Brian Schatz, Gary C. Peters, Jacky
Rosen, Alex Padilla, Michael F. Ben-
net, Jeff Merkley.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. By unanimous consent, the man-
datory quorum called has been waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the
Senate that debate on the nomination
Jessica Looman, of Minnesota, to be
Administrator of the Wage and Hour
Division, Department of Labor, shall be
brought to a close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory
under the rule.
The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
Senator from California (Mr. P
ADILLA
)
is necessarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is
necessarily absent: the Senator from
South Carolina (Mr. S
COTT
).
The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 51,
nays 47, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 264 Ex.]
YEAS—51
Baldwin
Bennet
Blumenthal
Booker
Brown
Butler
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Coons
Cortez Masto
Duckworth
Durbin
Fetterman
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Hirono
Kaine
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5135 October 24, 2023
Kelly
King
Klobuchar
Luja
´
n
Manchin
Markey
Menendez
Merkley
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Peters
Reed
Rosen
Sanders
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Van Hollen
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Welch
Whitehouse
Wyden
NAYS—47
Barrasso
Blackburn
Boozman
Braun
Britt
Budd
Capito
Cassidy
Collins
Cornyn
Cotton
Cramer
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Ernst
Fischer
Graham
Grassley
Hagerty
Hawley
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Johnson
Kennedy
Lankford
Lee
Lummis
Marshall
McConnell
Moran
Mullin
Murkowski
Paul
Ricketts
Risch
Romney
Rounds
Rubio
Schmitt
Scott (FL)
Thune
Tillis
Tuberville
Vance
Wicker
Young
NOT VOTING—2
Padilla Scott (SC)
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The yeas are 51, nays 47.
The motion is agreed to.
f
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The clerk will report the nomina-
tion.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read the nomination of Jessica
Looman, of Minnesota, to be Adminis-
trator of the Wage and Hour Division,
Department of Labor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
pore. The Senator from Rhode Island.
BUDGETARY REVISIONS
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President,
H.R. 5860 was the continuing resolution
signed into law on September 30. It
narrowly averted an extremist-led gov-
ernment shutdown.
That act included $16 billion in dis-
aster relief for States like Florida,
Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ha-
waii, Louisiana, and others that suf-
fered tremendous losses from extreme
weather events exacerbated by fossil
fuel emissions causing climate change.
It also provided funding for the thou-
sands of firefighters who protect our
communities from the ravages of
wildfires.
Because that was designated as emer-
gency funding, the Budget Committee
chairman—i.e., me—is authorized to in-
crease the Appropriations Committee’s
top line by the same amount. With this
adjustment, the emergency funding
will not supplant nondefense discre-
tionary funding—which includes impor-
tant investments for climate mitiga-
tion, environmental protection, infra-
structure, education, job training, na-
tional parks and forests, and law en-
forcement—that is subject to the fiscal
year 2024 discretionary spending limits.
That funding was designated as emer-
gency funding pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985. Section 314(a) of the Congres-
sional Budget Act allows the chairman
of the committee to revise the alloca-
tions, aggregates, and levels consistent
with the amount of emergency funding.
Today, I am making that adjustment.
In addition, section 121(c) of the Fis-
cal Responsibility Act of 2023 contained
a reserve fund to allow the Budget
chairman to revise budget aggregates
and committee allocations and to ad-
just the pay-as-you-go ledger for legis-
lation that would not increase the def-
icit over the period of fiscal years 2024
to 2033. The authorizing portion of H.R.
5860, division B, meets the conditions
of that reserve fund. Over the 10-year
period, division B reduces deficits by $2
million. As such, I am revising the
budget aggregates, committee alloca-
tions, and pay-as-you-go ledger to ac-
commodate H.R. 5860.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
sent that the accompanying tables
which provide details about the adjust-
ment be printed in the R
ECORD
.
There being no objection, the text of
the bill was ordered to be printed in
the R
ECORD
, as follows:
REVISIONS TO BUDGET AGGREGATES—BUDGET
AUTHORITY AND OUTLAYS
(Pursuant to Section 121(c) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and
Section 314(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974)
[$ in billions]
2024
Current Spending Aggregates:
Budget Authority ............................................................... 4,940.424
Outlays .............................................................................. 5,080.282
Adjustment:
Budget Authority ............................................................... 16.642
Outlays .............................................................................. 1.219
Revised Aggregates:
Budget Authority ............................................................... 4,957.066
Outlays .............................................................................. 5,081.501
REVISIONS TO THE ALLOCATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
(Pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974)
[$ in billions]
Current
Allocation
Adjustments
Revised
Allocation
Revised Security Budget Au-
thority ................................... 894.349 0.000 894.349
Revised Nonsecurity Budget
Authority ............................... 757.849 16.000 773.849
General Purpose Outlays .......... 1,837.212 0.962 1,838.174
Note: The adjustments are emergency-designated funding in the jurisdic-
tion of the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee.
REVISIONS TO ALLOCATIONS TO SENATE COMMITTEES
(Pursuant to Section 121(c) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023)
[$ in billions]
2024 2024–2028 2024–2033
Finance:
Budget Authority ............. 3,449.522 19,587.982 46,205.916
Outlays ............................ 3,458.376 19,589.956 46,199.103
Adjustments:
Budget Authority ............. 0.020 ¥0.623 ¥0.623
Outlays ............................ 0.020 ¥0.183 ¥0.623
Revised Allocation:
Budget Authority ............. 3,449.542 19,587.359 46,205.293
Outlays ............................ 3,458.396 19,589.773 46,198.480
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions:
Budget Authority ............. 59.175 254.652 504.747
Outlays ............................ 85.410 295.186 521.242
Adjustments:
Budget Authority ............. 0.622 0.622 0.622
Outlays ............................ 0.237 0.621 0.621
Revised Allocation:
Budget Authority ............. 59.797 255.274 505.369
Outlays ............................ 85.647 295.807 521.863
Note: The adjustments represent the direct spending effects of Title III of
Division B of H.R. 5860. Subtitle B is in the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions. Subtitles D and E are in the juris-
diction of the Committee on Finance.
PAY-AS-YOU-GO SCORECARD FOR THE SENATE
(Pursuant to Section 121(c) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023)
[$ in billions]
Balances
Current Balances:
Fiscal Year 2024 ............................................................... 0
Fiscal Years 2024–2028 ................................................... 0
Fiscal Years 2024–2033 ................................................... 0
Revisions:
Fiscal Year 2024 ............................................................... 0.257
Fiscal Years 2024–2028 ................................................... 0.438
Fiscal Years 2024–2033 ................................................... ¥0.002
Revised Balances:
Fiscal Year 2024 ............................................................... 0.257
Fiscal Years 2024–2028 ................................................... 0.438
Fiscal Years 2024–2033 ................................................... ¥0.002
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
H
ICKENLOOPER
). The Senator from
Rhode Island.
f
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the Sen-
ate proceed to legislative session for a
period of morning business, with Sen-
ators permitted to speak therein for up
to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
f
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, section
36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act
requires that Congress receive prior no-
tification of certain proposed arms
sales as defined by that statute. Upon
such notification, the Congress has 30
calendar days during which the sale
may be reviewed. The provision stipu-
lates that, in the Senate, the notifica-
tion of proposed sales shall be sent to
the chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee.
In keeping with the committee’s in-
tention to see that relevant informa-
tion is available to the full Senate, I
ask unanimous consent to have printed
in the R
ECORD
the notifications which
have been received. If the cover letter
references a classified annex, then such
annex is available to all Senators in
the office of the Foreign Relations
Committee, room SD–423.
There being no objection, the mate-
rial was ordered to be printed in the
R
ECORD
, as follows:
D
EFENSE
S
ECURITY
C
OOPERATION
A
GENCY
,
Washington, DC.
Hon. B
ENJAMIN
L. C
ARDIN
,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
D
EAR
M
R
. C
HAIRMAN
: Pursuant to the re-
porting requirements of Section 36(b)(5)(C) of
the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as
amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No.
23–0P. This notification relates to enhance-
ments or upgrades from the level of sensi-
tivity of technology or capability described
in the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 18–
19 of June 26, 2018.
Sincerely,
J
AMES
A. H
URSCH
,
Director.
Enclosure.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5136 October 24, 2023
TRANSMITTAL NO
.
23
–
0P
Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensi-
tivity of Technology or Capability (Sec.
36(b)(5)(C), AECA)
(i) Purchaser: Government of Spain.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.:
18–19; Date: June 26, 2018; Implementing
Agency: Navy.
(iii) Description: On June 26, 2018, Congress
was notified by Congressional certification
transmittal number 18–19, of the possible
sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Ex-
port Control Act, of five (5) AEGIS Weapons
Systems (AWS) MK7, six (6) shipsets Digital
Signal Processing, five (5) shipsets AWS
Computing Infrastructure MARK 1 MOD 0,
five (5) shipsets Operational Readiness Test
Systems (ORTS), five (5) shipsets MK 99 MOD
14 Fire Control System, five (5) shipsets MK
41 Baseline VII Vertical Launching Systems
(VLS), two (2) All-Up-Round MK 54 Mod 0
lightweight torpedoes, twenty (20) Standard
Missile 2 (SM–2) Block IIIB missiles and MK
13 canisters with AN/DKT–71 warhead com-
patible telemeter. Also included was one (1)
S4 AWS computer program, five (5) shipsets
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Com-
munications (SATCOM), five (5) shipsets AN/
SRQ–4 radio terminal sets, five (5) shipsets
ordnance handling equipment, five (5)
shipsets Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing
Modules (SAASMI), five (5) shipsets aviation
handling and support equipment, five (5)
shipsets AN/SLQ–24E Torpedo counter-
measures systems, five (5) shipsets LM04
Thru-Hull XBT Launcher and test canisters,
one (1) shipset MK 36 MOD 6 Decoy Launch-
ing System, five (5) shipsets Link Level
COMSEC (LLC) 7M for LINK 22, five (5)
shipsets Maintenance Assist Module (MAM)
cabinets, five (5) shipsets technical docu-
mentation, five (5) shipsets installation sup-
port material, special purpose test equip-
ment, system engineering, technical serv-
ices, on-site vendor assistance, spare parts,
systems training, foreign liaison office and
staging services necessary to support ship
construction and delivery, spare and repair
parts, tools and test equipment, support
equipment, repair and return support, per-
sonnel training and training equipment, pub-
lications and technical documentation, U.S.
Government and contractor engineering and
logistics support services, and other related
elements of logistic and program support.
The estimated total cost was $860.4 million.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted
$324.4 million of this total.
On June 15, 2020, Congress was notified by
Congressional certification transmittal num-
ber 20–0G of an additional MDE sale of thirty
(30) All-Up-Round MK 54 Lightweight Tor-
pedoes (LWT). The following non-MDE items
were also included: MK 54 LWT expendables;
MK 54 turnaround kits; MK 54 containers;
one (1) MK–695 Torpedo Systems Test Set
(TSTS); support equipment including fire
control modification platforms and spare
parts; torpedo spare parts; training; publica-
tions; software; U.S. Government and con-
tractor engineering, technical, and logistics
support services and other related elements
of logistics and program support. The addi-
tion of these items resulted in a net increase
in MDE cost of $45 million, resulting in a re-
vised MDE cost of $369.4 million. The total
estimated case value increased to $940.4 mil-
lion.
On June 8, 2022, Congress was notified by
Congressional certification transmittal num-
ber 22–0G of the MDE replacement of the pre-
viously notified two (2) All Up Round MK 54
Mod 0 LWTs with two (2) Exercise MK 54 Mod
0 LWTs. Also included was additional Engi-
neering Technical Assistance for redesign of
Radar Signal Processing Group configura-
tion and updates to International Aegis Fire
Control Loop design; shipsets of SAASM
units and associated spares; COMSEC equip-
ment for use between test sites; and removal
of one (1) shipset MK 36 Mod 6 Decoy
Launching System. The MDE total value re-
mained $369.4 million; however, the non-MDE
estimated value increased from $571 million
to $810.6 million. The total estimated case
value increased to $1.18 billion.
On February 27, 2023, Congress was notified
by Congressional certification transmittal
number 22–0W of the MDE inclusion of up to
an additional sixty-two (62) SM–2 Block IIIB
missiles in tactical and telemetered configu-
rations. Also included were MK 13 canisters;
spare parts and associated containers; per-
sonal training and training equipment; pub-
lications and technical data; U.S. Govern-
ment and contractor technical assistance;
and other related elements of logistics and
program support. The addition of these items
resulted in a net increase in MDE value of
$260 million, resulting in a revised MDE
value of $629.4 million. The non-MDE esti-
mated value increased from $810.6 million to
$850.6 million. The total estimated case value
increased by $300 million to $1.48 billion.
This transmittal notifies: 1) the MDE in-
clusion of an additional one hundred-ten
(110) MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedoes
(LWT) in the form of conversion kits for the
Spanish Navy’s MK 46 LWTs; and 2) the re-
placement of the previously notified addi-
tional up to sixty-two (62) SM–2 Block IIIB
missiles with up to sixty-two (62) SM–2 Block
IIIC missiles. Also included are MK 54 LWT
expendables; MK 54 turnaround kits; MK 54
containers; torpedo spare parts; training; lo-
gistics support services; air launch acces-
sories; and unclassified and classified publi-
cations. The estimated total value of the
new items is $181 million. The value of the
new MDE items constitutes $75 million of
this total, resulting in a revised MDE value
of $704.4 million. The estimated non-MDE
value will increase by $106 million to $956.6
million. The total estimated case value will
increase by $181 million to $1.661 billion.
(iv) Significance: The inclusion of this
MDE represents an increase in capability
over what was previously notified. The pro-
posed amendment will support Spain’s Anti-
Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability by pro-
viding 50 MK 54 Conversion Kits for use with
surface ships and 60 Conversion Kits for use
on helicopters.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will
support the foreign policy and national secu-
rity of the United States by improving the
security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organi-
zation (NATO) Ally, which is an important
force for political stability and economic
progress in Europe. It is vital to the U.S. na-
tional interest to assist Spain in developing
and maintaining a strong and ready self-de-
fense capability.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
The SM–2 Block IIIC Active Missile maxi-
mizes existing SM–6 Block 1 active and SM–
2 semi-active missile technology to deliver a
low cost, medium range dual mode active/
semi-active missile. Improvements to the
Guidance Section. communications plate and
steering control section are planned to ad-
dress obsolescence.
The Sensitivity of Technology Statement
contained in the original notification applies
to additional items reported here.
The highest level of classification of de-
fense articles, components, and services in-
cluded in this potential sale is SECRET.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress:
October 19, 2023.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
OFFICE LEGAL OPINION NO. B–
335488
Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I ask unan-
imous consent that the attached legal
opinion of the Government Account-
ability Office, no. B–335488, titled ‘‘U.S.
Department of Transportation—Appli-
cability of the Congressional Review
Act to Notice of Funding Opportunity
for the Department of Transportation’s
FY 2023–2024 Multimodal Project Dis-
cretionary Grant Opportunity,’’ issued
on October 18, 2023, be printed in the
C
ONGRESSIONAL
R
ECORD
.
There being no objection, the mate-
rial was ordered to be printed in the
R
ECORD
, as follows:
D
ECISION
Matter of: U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation—Applicability of the Congres-
sional Review Act to Notice of Funding
Opportunity for the Department of
Transportation’s FY 2023–2024
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant
Opportunity
File: B–335488
Date: October 18, 2023
DIGEST
On June 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) published a document
titled Notice of Funding Opportunity for the
Department of Transportation’s FY 2023–2024
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Op-
portunity (MPDG) (Multimodal NOFO). DOT
did not submit a report pursuant to the Con-
gressional Review Act (CRA) to Congress or
the Comptroller General on the Multimodal
NOFO.
CRA incorporates the Administrative Pro-
cedure Act’s definition of a rule and requires
that before a rule can take effect, an agency
must submit the rule to both the House of
Representatives and the Senate, as well as to
the Comptroller General. The Multimodal
NOFO announced the availability of DOT
funding for three discretionary grant pro-
grams: the Nationally Significant
Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects
program, the National Infrastructure Project
Assistance program, and the Rural Surface
Transportation program. DOT’s stated pur-
pose in the Multimodal NOFO was to fund
surface transportation infrastructure
projects meeting the criteria of these pro-
grams and aligning with DOT goals. We con-
clude that the Multimodal NOFO meets
CRA’s definition of a rule and no CRA excep-
tion applies. Therefore, the Multimodal
NOFO is subject to CRA’s submission re-
quirement.
DECISION
On June 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) published a document
titled Notice of Funding Opportunity for the
Department of Transportation’s FY 2023–2024
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Op-
portunity (MPDG) (Multimodal NOFO),
available at https://www.transportation.gov/
qrants/multimodal-project-discretionary-
grant-notice-fundinq-opportunity (last vis-
ited Sept. 19, 2023). We received a request for
a decision as to whether the Multimodal
NOFO is a rule for purposes of the Congres-
sional Review Act (CRA). Letter from Sen-
ator Ted Cruz to the Comptroller General
(July 27, 2023). As discussed below, we con-
clude that the Multimodal NOFO is a rule
subject to CRA’s submission requirement.
Our practice when rendering decisions is to
contact the relevant agencies to obtain their
legal views on the subject of the request.
GAO, Procedures and Practices for Legal De-
cisions and Opinions, GAO–06–1064SP (Wash-
ington, D.C.: Sept. 2006), available at https://
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5137 October 24, 2023
www.gao.gov/products/qao-06-1064sp. Accord-
ingly, we reached out to DOT to obtain the
agency’s legal views. Letter from Assistant
General Counsel, GAO, to Acting General
Counsel, DOT (Aug. 2, 2023). We received
DOT’s response on August 31, 2023. Letter
from Acting General Counsel, DOT, to As-
sistant General Counsel, GAO (Aug. 31, 2023)
(Response Letter).
BACKGROUND
The Multimodal NOFO
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (IIJA), Pub. L. No. 117–58, 135 Stat. 429
(Nov. 15, 2021), provided DOT with funding
for three grant programs—the Nationally
Significant Multimodal Freight and High-
way Projects grants program, the Rural Sur-
face Transportation grant program, and the
National Infrastructure Project Assistance
grants program. Id. §§ 11110 (Nationally Sig-
nificant Multimodal Freight and Highway
Projects), 11132 (Rural Surface Transpor-
tation Grant Program); id. § 21201 (National
Infrastructure Project Assistance); see also
Multimodal NOFO, at 5. A general purpose of
these grant programs, consistent with the
overall purpose of the IIJA, is to promote
‘‘Federal-aid highways, highway safety pro-
grams, and transit programs,’’ IIJA, pre-
amble.
1
Id. §§ 11110, 11132, 21201. The IIJA au-
thorized appropriations for these three pro-
grams through FY 2026. Multimodal NOFO,
at 5.
In the Multimodal NOFO, in order to
‘‘streamline the process for applicants’’ for
the FY 2023–2024 grant period, DOT ‘‘com-
bined [its] solicitations’’ for all three of the
above-referenced grant programs. Id. at 5.
The Multimodal NOFO ‘‘encouraged [appli-
cants] to apply for multiple programs’’ and
indicated that DOT would automatically
consider applicants for each program ‘‘unless
they opt[ed] out of a specific program.’’ Id.
at 6. As the Multimodal NOFO explained, the
three grant programs have ‘‘slightly dif-
ferent’’ eligibility criteria, but applicants
generally may include states or groups of
states, metropolitan planning organizations,
units of local government, political subdivi-
sions of states or local governments, and
tribal governments or groups of tribal gov-
ernments. Id. at 10. The Multimodal NOFO
outlined the precise eligibility and selection
criteria for each program, as well as the
types of projects eligible to receive DOT
funding under each one, Id. at 10, 15. Overall,
DOT stated that its purposes were to fund
‘‘surface transportation infrastructure
projects . . . with significant national or re-
gional impact’’ and ‘‘to improve and expand
the surface transportation infrastructure in
rural areas.’’ Id. at 1. DOT further stated
that it sought to award projects that ‘‘align
with the [National Roadway Safety Strat-
egy]’’, ‘‘reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
. . . address climate change impacts’’, ‘‘ad-
dress environmental justice’’, ‘‘address eq-
uity and barriers to opportunity’’, and ‘‘sup-
port the creation of good-paying jobs’’,
among other things. Id. at 6–7.
As compared with a similar notice of fund-
ing opportunity that DOT issued in FY 2022
for these grant programs, the Multimodal
NOFO used changed ‘‘criteria’’ to evaluate
applicants and make award decisions in cer-
tain respects. Id. at 8.
2
For example, the
Multimodal NOFO ‘‘revised how [Outcome
Area] criteria will be rated’’ and indicated
that Rural Program applicants requesting
less than $25 million need only address a sub-
set of these criteria. Id. The Multimodal
NOFO also indicated that ‘‘[f]or the first
time’’ DOT would be using ‘‘a Cost Estimate
Review team’’ to ‘‘evaluate in greater detail
the cost estimates for any project requesting
$1 billion or more in funding.’’ Id. Finally,
the Multimodal NOFO stated that the ‘‘list
of counties qualifying as Areas of Persistent
Poverty’’ had been updated in accordance
with new census data, and that the defini-
tion of ‘‘Historically Disadvantaged Commu-
nities’’ had been updated ‘‘in accordance
with the [White House’s] Climate & Eco-
nomic Justice Screening Tool’’, developed
‘‘as part of the Justice40 initiative.’’ Id. The
Multimodal NOFO indicated that applicants
planning to ‘‘reapply using materials pre-
pared for prior competitions’’ should ensure
they are ‘‘up to date’’ with DOT’s revised cri-
teria. Id. at 8–9.
The Multimodal NOFO provided an appli-
cation deadline of August 21, 2023, and indi-
cated that DOT would award ‘‘approximately
$5.45–5.575 billion’’ to the current ‘‘round’’ of
applicants ‘‘from FY 2023 and FY 2024 fund-
ing.’’ Id. at 2
The Congressional Review Act
CRA, enacted in 1996 to strengthen con-
gressional oversight of agency rulemaking,
requires federal agencies to submit a report
on each new rule to both houses of Congress
and to the Comptroller General for review
before a rule can take effect. 5 U.S.C. § 801
(a)(1)(A).
3
The report must contain a copy of
the rule, ‘‘a concise general statement relat-
ing to the rule,’’ and the rule’s proposed ef-
fective date. Id. CRA allows Congress to re-
view and disapprove federal agency rules for
a period of 60 days using special procedures.
See 5 U.S.C. § 802. If a resolution of dis-
approval is enacted, then the new rule has no
force or effect. 5 U.S.C. § 801(b)(1).
CRA adopts the definition of rule under the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5
U.S.C. § 551 (4), which states that a rule is
‘‘the whole or a part of an agency statement
of general or particular applicability and fu-
ture effect designed to implement, interpret,
or prescribe law or policy or describing the
organization, procedure, or practice require-
ments of an agency.’’ 5 U.S.C. § 804(3). CRA
excludes three categories of rules from cov-
erage: (1) rules of particular applicability; (2)
rules relating to agency management or per-
sonnel; and (3) rules of agency organization,
procedure, or practice that do not substan-
tially affect the rights or obligations of non-
agency parties. Id.
DOT did not submit a CRA report to Con-
gress or the Comptroller General on the
Multimodal NOFO. In its response to us,
DOT asserted that CRA is inapplicable to the
Multimodal NOFO because the Multimodal
NOFO is an ‘‘exempt procedural rule’’ and
‘‘not a final agency action.’’ Response Letter
at 5–6.
DISCUSSION
An agency action is subject to CRA if it
meets the APA’s definition of a rule and no
CRA exception applies. Because the
Multimodal NOFO meets the APA’s defini-
tion of a rule, and because no CRA exception
applies, the Multimodal NOFO is subject to
CRA’s submission requirement.
The Multimodal NOFO meets the APA def-
inition of a rule. It is an agency statement,
as it is an official document issued by DOT
and posted on the agency’s website.
Multimodal NOFO; see also B–334146, June 5,
2023 (finding that a document issued by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
posted on USDA website qualified as agency
statement); B–331560, Apr. 16, 2020. Second,
the Multimodal NOFO has future effect, as
its provisions apply to, and announce cri-
teria for, grantprogram applications sub-
mitted after its issuance and before future
deadlines. Multimodal NOFO, at 2; see also
B–334146 (finding that a USDA notice of fund-
ing opportunity document had future effect);
B–333732, July 28, 2022 (finding that a USDA
publication had future effect because it de-
fined criteria for determining future finan-
cial assistance benefits). Finally, the
Multimodal NOFO prescribes or implements
law or policy and describes agency proce-
dures, as it defines the procedures by which
eligible entities may apply for three grant
programs, describes the process by which
DOT will evaluate these applications, and
specifies the level of funding that applicants
may receive. Multimodal NOFO, at 1–15; B–
334146 (finding that a USDA notice of funding
opportunity implemented law or policy and
described agency procedures when it
‘‘establish[ed] a new grant program’’ with
‘‘eligibility requirements’’, ‘‘criteria used to
select proposals’’, and ‘‘funding level [s]’’);
see also B–333732 (finding that USDA’s an-
nouncement of a payment-in-kind program
for sugar was a rule because it established
application procedures, payment limits, and
sanctions for future noncompliance with pro-
gram requirements).
Additionally, none of CRA’s exceptions
apply:
First, the Multimodal NOFO is not a rule
of particular applicability. Rules of par-
ticular applicability are those addressed to
specific, identified entities that address ac-
tions that may or may not be taken by those
entities, in light of the facts and cir-
cumstances specific to those entities. B–
334995, July 6, 2023; B–334411, June 5, 2023; B–
334146; B–334221, Feb. 9, 2023. The Multimodal
NOFO applies broadly to states or groups of
states, metropolitan planning organizations,
units of local government, political subdivi-
sions of states or local governments, and
tribal governments or groups of tribal gov-
ernments, among other entities. Multimodal
NOFO, at 10. Thus, it has general, not par-
ticular, applicability. See B–334146 (USDA
notice of funding opportunity had general
applicability because it was addressed to
‘‘local and state governments, small and
large businesses, and nonprofit entities.’’);
see also B–334221; B–330843, Oct. 22, 2019.
Second, the Multimodal NOFO is not a rule
relating to agency management or per-
sonnel. ‘‘A rule falls within the CRA excep-
tion for rules relating to agency manage-
ment or personnel if it relates to purely in-
ternal agency matters, with no effect on
non-agency parties.’’ B–334411; B–334146; B–
334221. Here, the Multimodal NOFO relates
primarily to non-agency parties. As ex-
plained above, it specifies the means by
which a wide variety of non-agency parties
may apply for funding pursuant to three
DOT grant programs, as well as specifying
the selection criteria and funding levels for
those programs for FY 2023–2024. Multimodal
NOFO, at 1–15. Thus, it does not relate to
agency management or personnel. B–334146
(finding that USDA notice of funding oppor-
tunities that ‘‘establish[ed] a grant program
for a wide array of non-federal entities’’ did
not relate to agency management).
Third, and finally, the Multimodal NOFO
has a substantial impact on the rights and
obligations of non-agency parties. GAO has
previously found that notice of funding op-
portunity documents associated with agency
grant programs can have a substantial im-
pact on non-agency parties. Most recently,
we found that a USDA notice of funding op-
portunity document substantially affected
the rights and obligations of non-agency par-
ties by implementing a new grant program
for nonfederal entities and establishing the
program’s eligibility requirements, selection
criteria, and funding ranges. B–334146. As we
explained, a notice that ‘‘determine[s]
whether and in what amount [non-agency]
entit[ies] may receive funding . . . substan-
tially affects the rights or obligations of
those non-agency parties.’’ Id. Similarly, we
have found that agency rules amending or
clarifying the requirements of financial as-
sistance programs for non-agency parties
substantially affected those parties’’ rights
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5138 October 24, 2023
and obligations. In B–333732, for instance, we
concluded that USDA’s 2021 Thrifty Food
Plan substantially affected non-agency par-
ties because it increased the maximum ben-
efit allotments for qualifying families under
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Pro-
gram (SNAP).
Here, by reference to the above cases, the
Multimodal NOFO has substantial effects on
the rights and obligations of non-agency par-
ties. While the Multimodal NOFO does not,
itself, establish a new grant program like the
USDA notice in B–334146, it defines the FY
2023–2024 eligibility requirements, selection
criteria, and funding ranges for three exist-
ing DOT grant programs. Multimodal NOFO,
at 4–5. Each of these programs offers poten-
tial DOT funding to a wide range of non-
agency parties, as discussed above, which
makes DOT’s actions in the Multimodal
NOFO comparable to USDA’s actions in B–
334146 and B–333732. In the present case, as in
B–334146 and B–333732, the agency’s actions
‘‘determine[d] whether and in what amount
[a non-agency] entity may receive funding’’,
which ?substantially affects the rights or ob-
ligations of those non-agency parties.’’ B–
334146.
In its response to us, DOT asserts that the
Multimodal NOFO is an ‘‘exempt procedural
rule.’’ DOT relies upon four prior GAO deci-
sions: B–330190, Dec. 19, 2018, B–329926, Sept.
10, 2018, B–329916, May 17, 2018, and B–292045,
May 19, 2003. Response Letter, at 5.
4
Each of
these decisions is distinguishable, however,
because they involved changes to
agencies’’internal conduct with only indirect
and insubstantial effects on the rights and
obligations of non-agency parties. See B–
330190 (finding CRA inapplicable to agency
memorandum that ‘‘outline[d] the agency’s
internal procedure for addressing violations
of 8 U.S.C. 51325(a)’’); B–329926 (finding CRA
inapplicable to agency manual governing
‘‘the use of evidence from the Internet’’ by
agency officials during adjudicatory pro-
ceedings); B–329916 (finding CRA inapplicable
to Internal Revenue Service action that
‘‘shifts the timing of a step in the agency’s
process’’ for reviewing tax returns); B–292045
(finding CRA inapplicable to a Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) memorandum an-
nouncing a change in VA’s procedures for
disposal of real property because it
‘‘relat[ed] to agency management’’ and did
not ‘‘affect any party’s right or obligation’’).
None of these actions was directed at non-
agency parties or concerned, like the
Multimodal NOFO and the agency actions in
B–334146 and B–333732, with specifying the
terms and conditions for non-agency parties
to apply to receive federal funds. B–330190; B–
329926; B–329916; B–292045.
Relatedly, DOT relies on Batterton v. Mar-
shall, 648 F.2d 694 (D.C. Cir. 1980) to distin-
guish ‘‘legislative’’ from ‘‘procedural’’ rules
and urge that rules ‘‘may alter the manner
in which the parties present themselves or
their viewpoints to the agency’’ without af-
fecting rights or interests. Response Letter,
at 4 (citation omitted). However, Batterton
concerned the distinction between ‘‘legisla-
tive’’ and other rules for purposes of apply-
ing APA notice-and-comment requirements.
See Batterton, 648 F. 2d at 707. As the legisla-
tive history of CRA makes clear, a rule may
be nonlegislative and exempt from APA no-
tice-and-comment requirements while still
being subject to CRA’s submission require-
ments. A principal sponsor of the CRA legis-
lation stated that:
Although agency interpretive rules, gen-
eral statements of policy, guideline docu-
ments, and agency policy and procedure
manuals may not be subject to the notice
and comment provisions of section 553(c) of
title 5, United States Code, these types of
documents are covered under the congres-
sional review [CRA] provisions of the new
chapter 8 of title 5.
142 Cong. Rec. H3005 (daily ed. Mar 28, 1996)
(Statement of Rep. McIntosh); see also B–
331171, Dec. 17, 2020 (‘‘The sponsors of CRA
intended the definition of rule to be as broad
as possible to ensure congressional review of
agency action.’’). Here, as discussed above,
the Multimodal NOFO does more than just
alter the manner in which certain parties
present themselves to DOT, it determines
whether and in what amount non-agency en-
tities may receive funding from the federal
government.
DOT also asserts that the Multimodal
NOFO’s ‘‘requirements for eligible appli-
cants, cost sharing requirements, eligible
project types, and eligible project costs’’ did
not originate with the Multimodal NOFO but
come directly from the ‘‘detailed statutory
authorit[ies]’’ governing DOT’s grant pro-
grams. Response Letter, at 4. In other words,
according to DOT, ‘‘any rights and obliga-
tions’’ at issue in this matter ‘‘are prescribed
by existing laws,’’ not by the Multimodal
NOFO. Id. We acknowledge that the statutes
governing DOT’s grant programs are detailed
in many respects and establish eligibility
and other criteria outlined in the
Multimodal NOFO. However, it is not the
case that the Multimodal NOFO did nothing
more than echo terms and conditions already
set forth in DOT’s program statutes. Those
statutes left DOT with clear discretion and
gap-filling authority in many respects. For
example, the statute governing the National
Infrastructure Project Assistance program
states that applications shall be submitted
‘‘at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as [DOT] deter-
mines to be appropriate.’’ 49 U.S.C. § 6701 (c).
It also instructs DOT to ‘‘determin[e]’’
whether a given project applying for grant
funds ‘‘is in need of significant Federal fund-
ing’’ and ‘‘will be cost-effective,’’ among
other things. Id § 6701 (f). In the Multimodal
NOFO, DOT exercised its discretion to elabo-
rate upon these statutory terms by defining
the ‘‘time’’ and ‘‘manner’’ in which applica-
tions must be submitted and specifying de-
tailed ‘‘information’’ requirements, See, e.g.,
Multimodal NOFO, at 1–3 (stating deadlines
and ‘‘anticipated’’ funding amounts not set
forth in DOT’s program statutes). With re-
spect to the issue of whether projects will be
‘‘cost-effective,’’ for example, the
Multimodal NOFO outlines a ‘‘recommended
approach for the completion and submission
of a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) narrative
and calculation file,’’ as well as encouraging
applicants to ‘‘review DOT’s detailed guid-
ance’’ cited in the Multimodal NOFO. Id. at
42. By providing detailed instructions in this
and other respects, the Multimodal NOFO af-
fected ‘‘whether and in what amount [non-
agency] entit[ies] may receive funding’’,
which, once again, ‘‘substantially affects
the[ir] rights or obligations.’’ B–334146.
Finally, DOT asserts that the Multimodal
NOFO is ‘‘not a final agency action’’ and is
‘‘exempt’’ from CRA because no applicant is
‘‘obligated to apply for’’ or ‘‘entitled to
receive’’the advertised funding, and because
DOT has yet to make the ‘‘final project se-
lections’’ that may result in grant awards.
Response Letter, at 6 (citation omitted).
However, DOT did not distinguish the fund-
ing notice in B–334146, which, like the
Multimodal NOFO, was discretionary and
left final award decisions contingent upon
further action by USDA. See, e.g.. USDA,
Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commod-
ities, USDA-NRCS-COMM–22–NOF00001 139,
available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/
view-opportunity.html?oppld=337878 (last vis-
ited Sept. 19, 2023) (outlining an opportunity
for ‘‘[d]iscretionary’’ grants). A grant notice
need not announce mandatory funding or
make final award decisions in order to have
a substantial effect on the rights and obliga-
tions of non-agency parties. B–334146. Rather,
as we have explained, an agency action may
be ‘‘non-binding’’ and contemplate ‘‘further
action’’ without therefore becoming ‘‘eligi-
ble for CRA’s procedural exception.’’ B–
334032.2, Apr. 5, 2023 (‘‘CRA’s requirements
are applicable to general statements of pol-
icy that lack legally binding effects.’’) (cita-
tion omitted). Here, DOT’s announcement of
criteria that ‘‘determine[d] whether and in
what amount [a non-agency] entity may re-
ceive funding’’ is sufficient to make the
Multimodal NOFO ineligible for that excep-
tion. See B–334146.
CONCLUSION
The Multimodal NOFO is a rule under CRA
because it meets the APA’s definition of a
rule and no CRA exception applies. There-
fore, the Multimodal NOFO is subject to
CRA’s requirement that it be submitted to
Congress before it can take effect.
(Signed) Edda Emmanuelli Perez, General
Counsel.
ENDNOTES
1. Under the general rubric of improving
highways, highway-safety, and transit pro-
grams, each program focuses on particular
types of improvement projects, in line with
their titles and corresponding IIJA provi-
sions. Two of these programs—the Rural
Surface Transportation grant program and
the National infrastructure Project Assist-
ance grants program—originated with the
LLJA. LLJA §§ 11110, 11132; id § 21201.
2. DOT previously announced and awarded
funding for the FY 2022–2023 period via a pub-
lication titled Notice of Funding Oppor-
tunity for the Department of Transpor-
tation’s Project Discretionary Grant Oppor-
tunity, 87 Fed., Reg. 17108 (Mar. 25, 2022).
3. Alternatively, an agency can find for
good cause that notice and public procedure
are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest, and the rule will then
take effect at a time the agency determines.
5 U.S.C. § 808(2).
4. Additionally, DOT urges that the
Multimodal NOFO is distinguishable from
the grant notices in B–33416 because USDA in
that case exercised ‘‘general statutory au-
thority’’ to ‘‘accomplish certain enumerated
statutory ends.’’ Response Letter, at 5. How-
ever, GAO’s determination that the notice of
funding opportunities at issue in B–334146 did
not qualify for the CRA’s third exception
was based on the effects of USDA’s actions
on non-agency parties, as discussed above,
not on the general or specific nature of
USDA’s statutory authority.
f
COMMEMORATING THE CHRIS-
TENING OF THE USCGC ‘‘ARGUS’’
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President,
this week marks a monumental occa-
sion in enhancing our national security
when Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s
Nelson Shipyard in Panama City, FL,
officially christens and launches the
U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cut-
ter Argus (WMSM–915). The first in its
class, the Argus is paving the way of
replacing an aging fleet of cutters and
improving the capabilities needed to
respond to an array of national secu-
rity threats across a dynamic maritime
domain.
Businesses like Eastern Shipbuilding
Group and their many skilled workers
and suppliers, are the backbone of our
economy as they continue to create op-
portunities for the people of Florida
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5139 October 24, 2023
and expand the national security capa-
bilities of our country. The official
christening and launch will be cele-
brated on October 27, 2023. We, mem-
bers of the U.S. Senate, recognize the
ongoing service of Eastern Ship-
building Group to provide our military
with capable, war-ready ships and
thank the U.S. Coast Guard for ensur-
ing the safety and well-being of Ameri-
cans across the Nation.
f
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
REMEMBERING COOKIE BIBLE
∑ Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President,
today I rise to recognize the life and
legacy of Cookie Bible, an extraor-
dinary Nevadan who touched the lives
of countless women and families in her
adopted State. She passed peacefully in
Reno, NV, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at
the age of 77.
LaVerne Jo ‘‘Cookie’’ McManus was
born in San Francisco; on July 30, 1945,
and grew up under her grandmother’s
care to become widely known as a
strong advocate for women’s health.
Cookie was a fourth-generation San
Franciscan; however, she was proud to
be a ‘‘true blue’’ Nevadan. She fell in
love with the Nevada side of Lake
Tahoe where she met and married into
the family of U.S. Senator Alan Bible
and was a resident of Zephyr Cove ever
since. Her neighbors affectionately
called her ‘‘Mayor of the Cove.’’
Following graduation from Orvis
School of Nursing at the University of
Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor of
science in nursing in 1971, Cookie be-
came a certified Nurses Association of
The American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists Nurse Practitioner
in OB/GYN in 1980. She rose to State
and national prominence, serving on
the Nevada Board of Nursing, as well as
the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing in leadership positions.
In 2003, she received the Exceptional
Leadership Award from the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing,
where she chaired the nurse practice,
education, and regulatory and nomi-
nating committees.
Cookie was the lead nurse practi-
tioner with Planned Parenthood Mar
Monte region for nearly 20 years. She
served as an adjunct faculty member
for Orvis School of Nursing and held
contracts with both the State of Ne-
vada and Washoe County Health De-
partment. She was in private women’s
healthcare practice from 2004–2017. She
was also a founding member of Douglas
County Council for Abused Women and
the Nevada Women’s Fund.
In addition, Cookie dedicated much
of her life to Girl Scouts—12 years as a
girl and 56 years as a Girl Scout adult.
She was a past president of the Sierra
Nevada region of Girl Scouts of Amer-
ica. She continued to buy cartons of
Girl Scout cookies to share with char-
ities and dinner guests.
Seeing patients from ages 14 to 80-
plus years old was her professional pas-
sion, in addition to teaching and train-
ing at the University of Nevada, Reno,
and Truckee Meadows Community Col-
lege and lecturing before various
groups. With a second home in Boulder
City, Cookie was a dedicated women’s
care provider for Volunteers in Medi-
cine in southern Nevada.
Cookie was a member of St. John in
the Wilderness Episcopal Church for
more than 30 years, serving in leader-
ship positions, as well as greeting
guests and parishioners in the historic
lakeside church on the grounds of
Camp Galilee at Glenbrook, Lake
Tahoe.
A world traveler, Cookie enjoyed
great adventures from China to Italy
to the Galapagos Islands. But she loved
Nevada best. She was happiest hiking
on trails in the Sierra Nevada Moun-
tains with her dog Zephyr, spending
time on the beach, and gathering her
family and friends for barbecues in her
backyard.
At every opportunity, Cookie dem-
onstrated her strong commitment to
the women of Nevada. I know that her
work, advocacy, and dedication to
women’s health will not be forgotten. I
ask my colleagues to join me in re-
membering Cookie for her significant
impact in Nevada. I celebrate Cookie’s
legacy, and I extend my deepest condo-
lences to her family and friends.∑
f
TRIBUTE TO SHERM ANDERSON
∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I
have the distinct honor of recognizing
Sherm Anderson of Powell County for
his long-standing dedication to Mon-
tana’s timber industry, carrying out
his family’s entrepreneurial spirit in
his hometown of Deer Lodge and for
selflessly serving the greater Powell
County community. His perseverance
in his personal and professional life
helps the State of Montana maintain
its vital wood products industry.
Sherm’s dedication to healthy Mon-
tana forests first began when he was a
teenager driving a logging truck. Years
later, he and his wife Bonnie went on
to form the Sun Mountain Lumber for-
est products company, which employs
hundreds of people and serves as the
Treasure State’s largest lumber mill
and North America’s largest finger
joint plant. Sun Mountain Lumber
plays a vital role in the Deer Lodge
Valley economy and continues to have
an impact across the State. Earlier
this year, Sherm purchased R-Y Tim-
ber, a Livingston, MT, sawmill, that
was shuttered following a devastating
fire—and saved even more logging jobs.
Montanans are lucky to have this for-
est products powerhouse right in our
backyard.
When it comes to Sherm’s accom-
plished work history, he served in the
Montana State Legislature, branched
out into real estate and construction,
operates a fitness center, contributes
to a local auto museum, maintains his
own 1,200-acre ranch, and most re-
cently invested in the town’s old hos-
pital complex in order to renovate it
into workforce housing. As Sherm con-
tinues to weather the volatility of the
timber industry, he understands that
collaboration is critical to keeping im-
portant wood product jobs viable and
also ensuring our forest lands remain
healthy for generations to come. It is
clear Sherm understands the impor-
tance in working with folks from all
backgrounds to make southwestern
Montana a better place to live and
work.
It is my distinct honor to recognize
Sherm Anderson for his passion to pre-
serve our shared Montana way of life.
The Anderson family has created a
multigenerational legacy that pro-
motes fruitful forest steward-
ship.‘‘Montana Proud!’’∑
f
RECOGNIZING SECRET SERENITY
SALON AND SPA
∑ Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as rank-
ing member of the Senate Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneur-
ship, each week I recognize an out-
standing Iowa small business that ex-
emplifies the American entrepreneurial
spirit. This week, it is my privilege to
recognize Secret Serenity Salon and
Spa of Harlan, IA, as the Senate Small
Business of the Week during National
Women’s Small Business Month.
Founded by Tami Kloewer in 2007, Se-
cret Serenity Salon and Spa is a full-
service salon serving customers in
western Iowa communities. Secret Se-
renity Salon and Spa offers hair, nail,
and skin care services, as well as a spa
and retail store in their shop. Secret
Serenity Salon and Spa started with
Tami as the only employee but has
grown to now employ 21 full- and part-
time employees. In addition to their
in-store services, their retail store of-
fers a variety of beauty care products
for all types of skin and hair needs. In
2023, Secret Serenity Salon and Spa
celebrated its 16th business anniver-
sary.
In addition to providing beauty serv-
ices, Secret Serenity Salon and Spa is
also actively involved in the Harlan
community. In February 2022, Secret
Serenity Salon and Spa participated in
a Women’s Health Night event hosted
by Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.
The event provided local women with
routine health screenings while Secret
Serenity Salon and Spa offered free
chair massages to participants. The
team has also supported philanthropies
to help the local schools, retirement
centers, and hospital. Secret Serenity
Salon and Spa is a member of the
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and has hosted the cham-
ber’s annual Holiday Open House.
Owner Tami Kloewer is also involved in
the Iowa community. In 2020, Tami
Kloewer was nominated to serve on the
Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and
Sciences by Gov. Kim Reynolds and
served on the board until 2023.
Secret Serenity Salon and Spa’s com-
mitment to providing beauty care in
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5140 October 24, 2023
Harlan, IA, is clear. I want to con-
gratulate Tami Kloewer and the entire
team at Secret Serenity Salon and Spa
for their continued dedication to pro-
viding beauty care to Iowans. I look
forward to seeing their continued
growth and success in Iowa.∑
f
REMEMBERING FLORINE MARK
∑ Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise
today to recognize the passing of my
dear friend Florine Mark, an icon and
trailblazer in Michigan and the inter-
national business community.
A role model, entrepreneur, and busi-
nesswoman, Florine established the
first Michigan Weight Watchers fran-
chise in 1966, holding her first meeting
in a school auditorium. Over the next
50 years, Florine grew her portfolio, ac-
quiring franchises in 13 States, Canada,
and Mexico, to become the largest
franchise holder of Weight Watchers
International, employing over 4,200
people.
Behind Florine’s drive for success
was a deeply held desire to uplift and
inspire others to see and act upon the
best in themselves. From her early
childhood, growing up in a family with
very limited means, Florine’s bubbie
instilled in her the importance of giv-
ing back to others. She often spent
Sundays with her grandmother, raising
funds for Jewish charities and was an
active member of her congregation at
Adat Shalom Synagogue.
Florine’s signature saying, ‘‘love,
love, love,’’ not only reflected her love
of family, but also her commitment to
improving the lives of others. Florine
shared her time and expertise to count-
less community organizations through-
out Michigan, including Children’s
Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Institute
for Children, Business Leaders of
Michigan, Detroit Regional Chamber,
Henry Ford Health System, University
of Michigan Cardiovascular Center,
Women of Tomorrow, and several oth-
ers. She was an active board member of
the Michigan Fitness Foundation; the
Governor’s Council on Physical Fit-
ness, Health, and Sports; the Gov-
ernor’s Economic Council Advisory
Board; and was on the board of trustees
of the Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan since 1992.
As a strong advocate for women’s
professional development and leader-
ship roles in business, Florine sat on
the Women’s Leadership Board at Har-
vard University’s John F. Kennedy
School of Government. She also served
a 3-year term on the Detroit branch of
the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago,
was on the Michigan Committee sup-
porting the Smithsonian American
Women’s History Museum, and on the
board of directors for English Gardens.
A well-known motivational speaker,
she hosted ‘‘Today’s Takeaway with
Florine Mark,’’ during which she inter-
viewed celebrity guests and everyday
individuals about physical and mental
health, relationships, and other self-
care topics. Through her ‘‘Ask Florine’’
and ‘‘Remarkable Women’’ segments
on local broadcasts, she sought to up-
lift women leaders while raising self-
esteem by providing an avenue for ad-
vice, support, and dialogue.
Florine’s leadership earned her sev-
eral awards throughout her career, in-
cluding the 2003 ‘‘Entrepreneurial Vi-
sionary Award’’ from the Women’s
Business Center in Washington, DC.
She was also recognized among the 100
Most Influential Women in Detroit by
Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine, was
the recipient of the William Davidson
Lifetime Achievement Award, and was
the first woman to receive the Neal
Shine Award for Exemplary Regional
Leadership. She received honorary de-
grees from Eastern Michigan Univer-
sity, Central Michigan University,
Oakland University, Walsh College,
Wayne State University, and Lawrence
Technological University. Five of these
were honorary doctorates. And just
earlier this month, Florine received
the Women Who Make a Difference
award from the International Women’s
Forum for her accomplishments and
contributions to her community and
the world.
Through a lifetime of efforts big and
small, Florine cemented a legacy as an
icon in Michigan, across the country,
and around the world. She willingly
and selflessly made time for her com-
munity, her friends, and especially for
her family whom she cherished more
than anything. I personally know how
deeply proud Florine was of her seven
children and her many grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
I am proud to honor the life and leg-
acy of my friend, Florine Mark. I ask
that we offer our sympathies to her
family and thank them for sharing
Florine with us all. She will be sorely
missed.∑
f
TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WHALEY
∑ Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I
would like to honor the life and service
of a distinguished Montanan and Viet-
nam veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Rob-
ert Whaley.
Bob is a native son of the Treasure
State and graduated from Missoula
County High in 1954. He had a success-
ful college football career at Carroll
College, where he also served as presi-
dent of the student body council. After
graduating from Carroll, Bob answered
the call to serve and enlisted in the
U.S. Marine Corps for Aviation Office
Candidate School. He shortly commis-
sioned as a second lieutenant and spent
the next 18 months at Pensacola flight
school training in Florida, flying both
fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters.
In April 1962, Bob was a member of
the first Marine aircraft unit to serve
in South Vietnam. Soon after arriving
in Vietnam, he also participated in the
Vietnam war’s first night medevac mis-
sion. Throughout his first two tours of
Vietnam, Bob flew medevac heli-
copters, where he rescued wounded
American troops. While flying a Huey
gunship to support transport heli-
copters in 1965, Bob’s aircraft was shot
down. He and the rest of his crew mi-
raculously survived the crash, but they
sustained serious injuries and were
evacuated stateside to recover. After
recovering, he began training replace-
ment pilots at Camp Pendleton and
eventually returned to Vietnam in 1968,
3 weeks after marrying his wife,
LaWana. There, he got back in the
Huey and flew hundreds of recon and
rescue missions. When Bob finally re-
turned to the U.S. from Vietnam for
the last time in 1969, he had logged
more than 800 missions and earned 40
Air Medals, two Distinguished Flying
Crosses, a Bronze Star, and a Purple
Heart. He continued his service in the
Marine Corps for another decade and
eventually retired in 1979 as a lieuten-
ant colonel and the executive officer of
Marine Air Group 39 at Camp Pen-
dleton.
After retiring, Bob returned to his
native Missoula and began working as
a financial adviser. Eventually, he re-
tired for good so he and LaWana could
enjoy the mountains outside of Mis-
soula. Sadly, LaWana passed last De-
cember, after 54 years of marriage.
Today, it is my honor to commemo-
rate Bob’s incredible service to our
country. On behalf of myself and a
grateful nation, I commend Lieutenant
Colonel Whaley, and extend our deepest
appreciation to him and his family. His
exemplary service in the Marines is
what makes our country the greatest
in the world and Montana the Last
Best Place. He is a true patriot who
has made Montana proud, and we owe
him a deep debt of gratitude.∑
f
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT
Messages from the President of the
United States were communicated to
the Senate by Ms. Kelly, one of his sec-
retaries.
f
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED
In executive session the Presiding Of-
ficer laid before the Senate messages
from the President of the United
States submitting sundry nominations
and two withdrawals which were re-
ferred to the appropriate committees.
(The messages received today are
printed at the end of the Senate
proceedings.)
f
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
REPORT ON THE CONTINUATION
OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY
THAT WAS ORIGINALLY DE-
CLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER
13413 OF OCTOBER 27, 2006, WITH
RESPECT TO THE SITUATION IN
OR IN RELATION TO THE DEMO-
CRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE
CONGO—PM 26
The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be-
fore the Senate the following message
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---
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5141 October 24, 2023
from the President of the United
States, together with an accompanying
report; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs:
To the Congress of the United States:
Section 202(d) of the National Emer-
gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides
for the automatic termination of a na-
tional emergency unless, within 90
days prior to the anniversary date of
its declaration, the President publishes
in the Federal Register and transmits to
the Congress a notice stating that the
emergency is to continue in effect be-
yond the anniversary date. In accord-
ance with this provision, I have sent to
the Federal Register for publication the
enclosed notice stating that the na-
tional emergency with respect to the
situation in or in relation to the Demo-
cratic Republic of the Congo declared
in Executive Order 13413 of October 27,
2006, as amended by Executive Order
13671 of July 8, 2014, is to continue in
effect beyond October 27, 2023.
The situation in or in relation to the
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
which has been marked by widespread
violence and atrocities that continue
to threaten regional stability, con-
tinues to pose an unusual and extraor-
dinary threat to the foreign policy of
the United States. Therefore, I have de-
termined that it is necessary to con-
tinue the national emergency declared
in Executive Order 13413, as amended
by Executive Order 13671, with respect
to the situation in or in relation to the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
J
OSEPH
R. B
IDEN
, Jr.
T
HE
W
HITE
H
OUSE
, October 24, 2023.
f
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER
COMMUNICATIONS
The following communications were
laid before the Senate, together with
accompanying papers, reports, and doc-
uments, and were referred as indicated:
EC–2562. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Russian River Estu-
ary Management Activities’’ (RIN0648–BK97)
received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 17, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2563. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to the Hampton Roads
Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project in Norfolk,
Virginia’’ (RIN0648–BK21) received in the Of-
fice of the President of the Senate on April
17, 2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2564. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Ma-
rine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activi-
ties; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
Ice Roads and Ice Trails Construction and
Maintenance Activities on Alaska’s North
Slope’’ (RIN0648–BJ24) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on April 17,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2565. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Take of Marine
Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities;
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
Seabird Research Activities in Central Cali-
fornia’’ (RIN0648–BJ47) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on April 17,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2566. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Construc-
tion at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery,
Maine’’ (RIN0648–BL78) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on April 17,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2567. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Southwest Fisheries
Science Center Fisheries Research’’
(RIN0648–BJ71) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 17, 2023; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC–2568. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Ma-
rine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activi-
ties; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
Lighthouse Repair and Tour Operations at
Northwest Seal Rock, California’’ (RIN0648–
BJ87) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on April 17, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2569. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Southeast Fisheries
Science Center Fisheries Research’’
(RIN0648–BG44) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 17, 2023; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC–2570. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Ma-
rine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activi-
ties; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project
in Cook Inlet’’ (RIN0648–BH44) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on
April 17, 2023; to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2571. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Ma-
rine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activi-
ties; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
U.S. Navy Construction at Naval Station
Newport in Newport, Rhode Island’’
(RIN0648–BK69) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on April 17, 2023; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC–2572. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Ma-
rine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activi-
ties; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to
Northeast Fisheries Science Center Fisheries
and Ecosystem Research’’ (RIN0648–BK39) re-
ceived in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 17, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2573. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Navy Train-
ing and Testing Activities in the Point Mugu
Sea Range Study Area’’ (RIN0648–BK07) re-
ceived in the Office of the President of the
Senate on April 17, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2574. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Navy Train-
ing Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Study
Area’’ (RIN0648–BK46) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on April 17,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2575. A communication from the Biolo-
gist of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Marine Mammals
Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking
Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy
Construction of the Pier 3 Replacement
Project at Naval Station Norfolk’’ (RIN0648–
BL81) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on July 27, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2576. A communication from the Direc-
tor of National Marine Sanctuaries, National
Marine Fisheries Service, Department of
Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Designation of
Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine
Sanctuary; Delay of Effectiveness’’ (RIN0648–
BG01) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 4, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2577. A communication from the Ma-
rine Resources Management Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Taking and Im-
porting Marine Mammals; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Navy Train-
ing and Testing Activities in the Mariana Is-
lands Training and Testing (MITT) Study
Area’’ (RIN0648–BJ00) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on October 4,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2578. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Northeast
Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 23’’
(RIN0648–BK17) received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 10, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5142 October 24, 2023
EC–2579. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Ex-
clusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amend-
ment 124 to the BSAI FMP for Groundfish
and Amendment 112 to the GOA FMP for
Groundfish To Revise IFQ Program Regula-
tions’’ (RIN0648–BL54) received during ad-
journment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on October 10, 2023;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC–2580. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Atlantic Spiny
Dogfish Fishery; 2022 Specifications and Trip
Limit Adjustment’’ (RIN0648–BL15) received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Of-
fice of the President of the Senate on Octo-
ber 10, 2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2581. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Car-
ibbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reel Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico;
Catch Limits for Red Grouper’’ (RIN0648–
BL22) received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the
Senate on October 10, 2023; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2582. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘International Fish-
eries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fishing Re-
strictions for Tropical Tuna and Silky Shark
in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2022 and Be-
yond’’ (RIN0648–BK84) received during ad-
journment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on October 10, 2023;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC–2583. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Pacific Halibut Fish-
eries; Catch Sharing Plan’’ (RIN0648–BL14)
received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate
on October 10, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2584. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘International Fish-
eries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2022–2024 Com-
mercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific
Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean’’
(RIN0648–BK82) received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 10, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2585. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern
United States; Amendment 23 to the Mack-
erel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Manage-
ment Plan’’ (RIN0648–BL75) received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on October 10,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2586. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Car-
ibbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Fishery Management Plans of Puerto Rico,
St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John;
Spiny Lobster Management Measures’’
(RIN0648–BK71) received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 10, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2587. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Car-
ibbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the
Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Frame-
work Amendment 12’’ (RIN0648–BM37) re-
ceived during adjournment of the Senate in
the Office of the President of the Senate on
October 10, 2023; to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2588. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Pacific Halibut Fish-
eries; Catch Sharing Plan; 2022 Annual Man-
agement Measures’’ (RIN0648–BL18) received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Of-
fice of the President of the Senate on Octo-
ber 10, 2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2589. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Takes of Marine
Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities;
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the
Ocean Wind 1 Project Offshore of New Jer-
sey’’ (RIN0648–BL36) received during adjourn-
ment of the Senate in the Office of the Presi-
dent of the Senate on October 10, 2023; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC–2590. A communication from the Acting
Branch Chief of Regulatory Services, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Magnuson-Ste-
vens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West
Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fish-
ery; Non-trawl Logbook’’ (RIN0648–BK81) re-
ceived in the Office of the President of the
Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2591. A communication from the Super-
visory Fisheries Regulations Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries Off
West Coast States; Pacific Halibut Fisheries;
Permitting and Management Regulations for
Area 2A Pacific Halibut Fisheries’’ (RIN0648–
BK93) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2592. A communication from the Super-
visory Fisheries Regulations Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlan-
tic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
Atlantic; Amendment 50’’ (RIN0648–BL46) re-
ceived in the Office of the President of the
Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2593. A communication from the Super-
visory Fisheries Regulations Specialist, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Magnuson-Ste-
vens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West
Coast States; Pacific Whiting Utilization in
the At-Sea Sectors’’ (RIN0648–BL41) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate
on October 16, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2594. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Atlantic Highly Mi-
gratory Species; Atlantic Tunas General Cat-
egory Restricted-Fishing Days’’ (RIN0648–
BK99) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2595. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Mid-Atlantic
Golden Tilefish Fishery; Framework Adjust-
ment 7 to Tilefish Fishery Management
Plan’’ (RIN0648–BL55) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on October 16,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2596. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern
United States; Northeast Multispecies Fish-
ery; Framework Adjustment 63’’ (RIN0648–
BL12) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation.
EC–2597. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Amendment 20
to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
Fishery Management Plan’’ (RIN0648–BI18)
received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on October 16, 2023; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2598. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Car-
ibbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reel Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;
Amendment 53’’ (RIN0648–BK77) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on
October 16, 2023; to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2599. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Ex-
clusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area’’ (RIN0648–XD264) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate
on October 16, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2600. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Atlantic Highly Mi-
gratory Species; Consistency Modifications
and Corrections’’ (RIN0648–BK44) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on
October 16, 2023; to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5143 October 24, 2023
EC–2601. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern
United States; Framework Adjustment 17 to
the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
Bass Fishery Management Plan, and Frame-
work Adjustment 6 to the Bluefish Fishery
Management Plan’’ (RIN0648–BL65) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate
on October 16, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2602. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the Car-
ibbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2023
Red Snapper Private Angling Component
Closure in Federal Waters Off Texas’’
(RIN0648–XD216) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on October 16, 2023;
to the Committee on Commerce , Science,
and Transportation.
EC–2603. A communication from the Fish-
eries Regulations Specialist, National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service, Department of Com-
merce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re-
port of a rule entitled ‘‘Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Summer Floun-
der Fishery; Quota Transfer From NC to
MA’’ (RIN0648–XD368) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on October 16,
2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC–2604. A communication from the Man-
agement and Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend-
ment of United States Area Navigation
(RNAV) Route Q–445; Eastern United States’’
((RIN2120–AA66) (Docket No. FAA–2023–1295))
received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate
on October 12, 2023; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2605. A communication from the Pro-
gram Analyst, Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Telecommuni-
cations Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech
Services for Individuals with Hearing and
Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices
of the Video Relay Service Program, Report
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking’’ ((FCC 23–78) (CG Docket No.
03–123) (CG Docket No. 10–51)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on Oc-
tober 2, 2023; to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation.
EC–2606. A communication from the Chief
of Staff, Media Bureau, Federal Communica-
tions Commission, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Amend-
ment of Part 73 of the Commission’s Rules to
Update Television and Class A Television
Broadcast Station Rules, and Rules Applica-
ble to All Broadcast Stations’’ ((FCC 23–72)
(MB Docket No. 22–227)) received in the Of-
fice of the President of the Senate on Octo-
ber 2, 2023; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
f
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
The following bills and joint resolu-
tions were introduced, read the first
and second times by unanimous con-
sent, and referred as indicated:
By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself
and Mrs. B
LACKBURN
):
S. 3104. A bill to establish Joint Operations
Centers along the southern border of the
United States, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs.
By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. B
ALD
-
WIN
, Mr. B
ENNET
, Mr. B
LUMENTHAL
,
Mr. B
OOKER
, Mr. B
ROWN
, Ms. B
UTLER
,
Ms. C
ANTWELL
, Mr. C
ARDIN
, Mr. C
AR
-
PER
, Mr. C
OONS
, Ms. C
ORTEZ
M
ASTO
,
Ms. D
UCKWORTH
, Mr. D
URBIN
, Mr.
F
ETTERMAN
, Mr. H
EINRICH
, Mr.
H
ICKENLOOPER
, Ms. H
IRONO
, Mr.
K
AINE
, Ms. K
LOBUCHAR
, Mr. L
UJAN
,
Mr. M
ARKEY
, Mr. M
ERKLEY
, Mr. M
UR
-
PHY
, Mrs. M
URRAY
, Mr. P
ADILLA
, Mr.
P
ETERS
, Mr. R
EED
, Mr. S
ANDERS
, Mrs.
S
HAHEEN
, Ms. S
MITH
, Ms. S
TABENOW
,
Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Mr. W
ARNER
, Ms.
W
ARREN
, Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
, Mr.
W
YDEN
, and Ms. S
INEMA
):
S. 3105. A bill to address and take action to
prevent bullying and harassment of students;
to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. CASSIDY:
S. 3106. A bill to reauthorize certain pro-
grams under the Substance Use-Disorder
Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery
and Treatment for Patients and Commu-
nities Act, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr.
B
LUMENTHAL
, Mr. B
OOKER
, Mr.
F
ETTERMAN
, Ms. H
IRONO
, Mr. M
AR
-
KEY
, Mr. R
EED
, Ms. W
ARREN
, and Mr.
W
HITEHOUSE
):
S. 3107. A bill to provide that chapter 1 of
title 9 of the United States Code, relating to
the enforcement of arbitration agreements,
shall not apply to enrollment agreements
made between students and certain institu-
tions of higher education, and to prohibit
limitations on the ability of students to pur-
sue claims against certain institutions of
higher education; to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself,
Mr. M
ARKEY
, Mr. W
YDEN
, Mr. B
ROWN
,
Mr. R
EED
, Ms. B
ALDWIN
, Mr. C
ASEY
,
Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
, and Mr. V
AN
H
OL
-
LEN
):
S. 3108. A bill to amend the Public Health
Service Act to provide for a Reducing Youth
Use of E–Cigarettes Initiative; to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mrs.
C
APITO
, Ms. S
INEMA
, Ms. C
OLLINS
, Mr.
C
ASEY
, and Mr. T
ILLIS
):
S. 3109. A bill to require the Administrator
of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv-
ices and the Commissioner of Social Secu-
rity to review and simplify the processes,
procedures, forms, and communications for
family caregivers to assist individuals in es-
tablishing eligibility for, enrolling in, and
maintaining and utilizing coverage and bene-
fits under the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and
Social Security programs respectively, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi-
nance.
By Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr.
M
ERKLEY
):
S. 3110. A bill to support United States pol-
icy toward Taiwan; to the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
By Mr. CRAMER (for Mr.PADILLA (for
himself, Mr. C
RAMER
, Mr. B
ENNET
,
Mr. B
OOZMAN
, Mr. D
AINES
, Mrs.
G
ILLIBRAND
, Ms. M
URKOWSKI
, Mr.
R
ICKETTS
, Ms. S
TABENOW
, Mr. T
ILLIS
,
Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
, Mr. W
YDEN
, and Mr.
P
ETERS
)):
S. 3111. A bill to amend the National Dam
Safety Program Act to reauthorize and im-
prove that Act, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
By Mr. RICKETTS (for himself and Mr.
T
ILLIS
):
S. 3112. A bill to require the Commissioner
of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to
annually review and update CBP policies and
manuals to ensure uniform inspection prac-
tices along the United States border; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs.
By Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mr.
B
LUMENTHAL
, and Mr. F
ETTERMAN
):
S. 3113. A bill to amend title XVIII of the
Social Security Act to provide an option for
first responders age 50 to 64 who are sepa-
rated from service due to retirement or dis-
ability to buy into Medicare; to the Com-
mittee on Finance.
By Mr. LANKFORD (for himself and
Mr. K
AINE
):
S. 3114. A bill to develop and deploy fire-
wall circumvention tools for the people of
Hong Kong after the People’s Republic of
China violated its agreement under the Joint
Declaration, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr.
P
ADILLA
):
S. 3115. A bill to amend the National Quan-
tum Initiative Act to require the Secretary
of Energy to conduct research on how quan-
tum information science, technology, and
engineering can enhance the resilience and
security of the electric grid, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources.
By Mr. LUJA
´
N (for himself and Mr.
R
ISCH
):
S. 3116. A bill to amend Public Law 88–657
to require greater transparency in the con-
sideration of projects for the Forest Service
Legacy Road and Trail Remediation Pro-
gram, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry.
By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. S
ULLIVAN
,
Mr. B
ARRASSO
, and Ms. L
UMMIS
):
S. 3117. A bill to amend the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 to au-
thorize the sale of certain Federal land to
States and units of local government to ad-
dress housing shortages, and for other pur-
poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources.
By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr.
M
ERKLEY
, Ms. D
UCKWORTH
, Ms.
S
MITH
, Mr. B
LUMENTHAL
, Mr. R
EED
,
Ms. B
ALDWIN
, Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
, Mr.
S
ANDERS
, Ms. W
ARREN
, Ms. S
TABE
-
NOW
, Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
, Mr. B
OOKER
,
Mr. W
ELCH
, Mr. K
AINE
, Ms. K
LO
-
BUCHAR
, Mr. F
ETTERMAN
, Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Mr. M
ARKEY
, Mr. H
EINRICH
,
and Mr. W
YDEN
):
S. 3118. A bill to provide for an emergency
increase in Federal funding to State Med-
icaid programs for expenditures on home and
community-based services; to the Committee
on Finance.
By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. B
UDD
, Ms.
L
UMMIS
, and Mr. R
UBIO
):
S. 3119. A bill to prohibit the Federal Com-
munications Commission from reclassifying
broadband Internet access service as a tele-
communications service and from imposing
certain regulations on providers of such serv-
ice; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr.
B
LUMENTHAL
, Mr. W
ELCH
, Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
, Ms. W
AR
-
REN
, Mr. B
ROWN
, Mr. S
ANDERS
, Mr.
F
ETTERMAN
, Mr. S
CHATZ
, and Ms.
D
UCKWORTH
):
S. 3120. A bill to provide Medicaid assist-
ance to individuals and families affected by
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5144 October 24, 2023
a disaster or emergency, and for other pur-
poses; to the Committee on Finance.
f
SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND
SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The following concurrent resolutions
and Senate resolutions were read, and
referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
By Ms. ERNST (for herself and Mr.
G
RASSLEY
):
S. Res. 423. A resolution recognizing the
University of Iowa women’s basketball
team’s historic ‘‘Crossover at Kinnick’’ game
and the importance of women’s sports; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
By Ms. BALDWIN:
S. Res. 424. A resolution expressing the
sense of the Senate that the United States
Government engage the Government of India
to seek a swift end to the persecution of, and
violence against, religious minorities and
human rights defenders in India and a rever-
sal of government policies that discriminate
against Muslims and Christians on the basis
of their respective faiths; to the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. C
OR
-
NYN
, and Mr. B
RAUN
):
S. Res. 425. A resolution expressing the
support of the Senate for the designation of
‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’ and deep appre-
ciation for the role of public radio music sta-
tions in serving listeners, musicians, and
hundreds of communities in the United
States; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr. H
EIN
-
RICH
, Mr. T
HUNE
, Mr. C
RAMER
, Mr.
M
ARSHALL
, Mr. M
ORAN
, Ms. B
ALDWIN
,
Mr. B
ENNET
, Ms. K
LOBUCHAR
, Mr.
T
ESTER
, Mr. M
ARKEY
, Ms. L
UMMIS
,
Mr. B
OOZMAN
, Ms. S
MITH
, Mr. L
UJA
´
N
,
Mr. C
OONS
, Mr. S
CHUMER
, Mr. W
HITE
-
HOUSE
, Mr. B
RAUN
, Mr. S
COTT
of Flor-
ida, and Ms. W
ARREN
):
S. Res. 426. A resolution designating No-
vember 4, 2023, as ‘‘National Bison Day’’;
considered and agreed to.
By Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mrs.
H
YDE
-S
MITH
, Mr. H
AWLEY
, Mr.
L
ANKFORD
, Mr. R
UBIO
, and Mr. S
COTT
of Florida):
S. Con. Res. 22. A concurrent resolution ex-
pressing support for the Geneva Consensus
Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health
and Strengthening the Family and urging
that the United States rejoin this historic
declaration; to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
f
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
S
.
45
At the request of Mr. C
ARDIN
, the
name of the Senator from Louisiana
(Mr. C
ASSIDY
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 45, a bill to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify re-
porting requirements, promote tax
compliance, and reduce tip reporting
compliance burdens in the beauty serv-
ice industry.
S
.
134
At the request of Ms. C
OLLINS
, the
name of the Senator from Missouri
(Mr. H
AWLEY
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 134, a bill to require an annual
budget estimate for the initiatives of
the National Institutes of Health pur-
suant to reports and recommendations
made under the National Alzheimer’s
Project Act.
S
.
141
At the request of Mr. M
ORAN
, the
name of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
) was added as a
cosponsor of S. 141, a bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to improve
certain programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs for home and commu-
nity based services for veterans, and
for other purposes.
S
.
276
At the request of Mr. S
COTT
of Flor-
ida, the name of the Senator from Ne-
braska (Mr. R
ICKETTS
) was added as a
cosponsor of S. 276, a bill to require the
Inspector General of the Department of
Homeland Security to investigate the
vetting and processing of illegal aliens
apprehended along the southwest bor-
der and to ensure that all laws are
being upheld.
S
.
431
At the request of Mr. R
ISCH
, the
name of the Senator from West Vir-
ginia (Mrs. C
APITO
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 431, a bill to withhold
United States contributions to the
United Nations Relief and Works Agen-
cy for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East (UNRWA), and for other purposes.
S
.
563
At the request of Mr. T
ESTER
, the
name of the Senator from Massachu-
setts (Mr. M
ARKEY
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 563, a bill to amend the
Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the au-
thority of the Secretary of the Interior
to take land into trust for Indian
Tribes, and for other purposes.
S
.
610
At the request of Ms. S
INEMA
, the
name of the Senator from Maine (Ms.
C
OLLINS
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
610, a bill to amend the Federal Credit
Union Act to modify the frequency of
board of directors meetings, and for
other purposes.
S
.
685
At the request of Mr. L
EE
, the name
of the Senator from Nebraska (Mr.
R
ICKETTS
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 685, a bill to close loopholes in the
immigration laws that serve as incen-
tives to aliens to attempt to enter the
United States unlawfully, and for other
purposes.
S
.
735
At the request of Mr. R
EED
, the name
of the Senator from Minnesota (Ms.
S
MITH
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
735, a bill to strengthen the United
States Interagency Council on Home-
lessness.
S
.
805
At the request of Mr. B
ROWN
, the
name of the Senator from Michigan
(Ms. S
TABENOW
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 805, a bill to amend the Tariff
Act of 1930 to increase civil penalties
for, and improve enforcement with re-
spect to, customs fraud, and for other
purposes.
S
.
894
At the request of Mr. C
ORNYN
, the
name of the Senator from North Caro-
lina (Mr. T
ILLIS
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 894, a bill to require the
Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices to collect and disseminate infor-
mation on concussion and traumatic
brain injury among public safety offi-
cers.
S
.
907
At the request of Mr. K
ING
, the name
of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs.
B
LACKBURN
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 907, a bill to amend the Federal
Meat Inspection Act to exempt from
inspection the slaughter of animals and
the preparation of carcasses conducted
at a custom slaughter facility, and for
other purposes.
S
.
954
At the request of Mr. W
ARNOCK
, the
names of the Senator from Indiana
(Mr. B
RAUN
) and the Senator from Ne-
vada (Ms. R
OSEN
) were added as cospon-
sors of S. 954, a bill to provide for ap-
propriate cost-sharing for insulin prod-
ucts covered under private health
plans, and to establish a program to
support health care providers and phar-
macies in providing discounted insulin
products to uninsured individuals.
S
.
976
At the request of Mr. Y
OUNG
, the
names of the Senator from West Vir-
ginia (Mr. M
ANCHIN
) and the Senator
from North Carolina (Mr. T
ILLIS
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 976, a bill to
establish and expand child care pro-
grams for parents who work nontradi-
tional hours, and for other purposes.
S
.
1300
At the request of Mr. C
ARDIN
, the
names of the Senator from New Jersey
(Mr. B
OOKER
), the Senator from Cali-
fornia (Mr. P
ADILLA
) and the Senator
from New Mexico (Mr. L
UJA
´
N
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 1300, a bill to
require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in recognition of the late
Prime Minister Golda Meir and the
75th anniversary of the United States-
Israel relationship.
At the request of Mr. C
RUZ
, the name
of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. C
RAPO
)
was added as a cosponsor of S. 1300,
supra.
S
.
1400
At the request of Mr. B
RAUN
, the
name of the Senator from New York
(Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 1400, a bill to amend the
Food Security Act of 1985 to modify the
delivery of technical assistance, and
for other purposes.
S
.
1467
At the request of Mr. C
ARDIN
, the
name of the Senator from Alaska (Ms.
M
URKOWSKI
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 1467, a bill to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refund-
able tax credit against income tax for
the purchase of qualified access tech-
nology for the blind.
S
.
1631
At the request of Mr. P
ETERS
, the
name of the Senator from West Vir-
ginia (Mr. M
ANCHIN
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 1631, a bill to enhance the
authority granted to the Department
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5145 October 24, 2023
of Homeland Security and Department
of Justice with respect to unmanned
aircraft systems and unmanned air-
craft, and for other purposes.
S
.
1800
At the request of Ms. M
URKOWSKI
, the
name of the Senator from Minnesota
(Ms. S
MITH
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 1800, a bill to amend the Public
Health Service Act to reauthorize and
extend the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders Prevention and Services pro-
gram, and for other purposes.
S
.
1829
At the request of Mr. R
UBIO
, the
names of the Senator from North Caro-
lina (Mr. B
UDD
) and the Senator from
Tennessee (Mrs. B
LACKBURN
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 1829, a bill to
impose sanctions with respect to per-
sons engaged in the import of petro-
leum from the Islamic Republic of
Iran, and for other purposes.
S
.
1842
At the request of Mr. M
ARSHALL
, the
name of the Senator from Kentucky
(Mr. P
AUL
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 1842, a bill to amend the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with re-
spect to the regulation of zootechnical
animal food substances.
S
.
1906
At the request of Mr. B
RAUN
, the
name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr.
W
ARNOCK
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 1906, a bill to amend the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to estab-
lish a time-limited provisional ap-
proval pathway, subject to specific ob-
ligations, for certain drugs and biologi-
cal products, and for other purposes.
S
.
2039
At the request of Ms. S
MITH
, the
name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms.
S
INEMA
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
2039, a bill to amend the Employee Re-
tirement Income Security Act of 1974
to require a group health plan (or
health insurance coverage offered in
connection with such a plan) to provide
for cost-sharing for oral anticancer
drugs on terms no less favorable than
the cost-sharing provided for
anticancer medications administered
by a health care provider.
S
.
2258
At the request of Mr. B
ENNET
, the
name of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
) was added as a
cosponsor of S. 2258, a bill to amend the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to per-
mit supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits to be used to pur-
chase additional types of food items.
S
.
2372
At the request of Mr. G
RASSLEY
, the
name of the Senator from Rhode Island
(Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 2372, a bill to amend title
XIX of the Social Security Act to
streamline enrollment under the Med-
icaid program of certain providers
across State lines, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
2444
At the request of Mrs. F
ISCHER
, the
names of the Senator from Michigan
(Mr. P
ETERS
), the Senator from Ne-
braska (Mr. R
ICKETTS
) and the Senator
from New Mexico (Mr. L
UJA
´
N
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 2444, a bill to
establish an interactive online dash-
board to improve public access to in-
formation about grant funding related
to mental health and substance use dis-
order programs.
S
.
2555
At the request of Mr. B
LUMENTHAL
,
the names of the Senator from Mary-
land (Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
) and the Senator
from Vermont (Mr. S
ANDERS
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 2555, a bill to
amend the Animal Welfare Act to ex-
pand and improve the enforcement ca-
pabilities of the Attorney General, and
for other purposes.
S
.
2581
At the request of Mr. C
RAPO
, the
names of the Senator from Arizona
(Ms. S
INEMA
), the Senator from Mis-
souri (Mr. H
AWLEY
), the Senator from
Vermont (Mr. S
ANDERS
) and the Sen-
ator from Minnesota (Ms. K
LOBUCHAR
)
were added as cosponsors of S. 2581, a
bill to extend the Secure Rural Schools
and Community Self-Determination
Act of 2000.
S
.
2671
At the request of Mr. D
AINES
, the
name of the Senator from Iowa (Ms.
E
RNST
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
2671, a bill to prohibit the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration from issuing a
rule or promulgating a regulation re-
quiring certain vehicles to be equipped
with speed limiting devices, and for
other purposes.
S
.
2700
At the request of Mr. S
ULLIVAN
, the
name of the Senator from Tennessee
(Mr. H
AGERTY
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 2700, a bill to amend the In-
vestment Advisers Act of 1940 to re-
quire investment advisers for passively
managed funds to arrange for pass-
through voting of proxies for certain
securities, and for other purposes.
S
.
2713
At the request of Mr. C
ASEY
, the
name of the Senator from Connecticut
(Mr. B
LUMENTHAL
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 2713, a bill to amend the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983
to make commodities available for the
Emergency Food Assistance Program,
and for other purposes.
S
.
2757
At the request of Mr. T
ESTER
, the
name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr.
D
URBIN
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
2757, a bill to limit the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs from modifying the
rate of payment or reimbursement for
transportation of veterans or other in-
dividuals via special modes of transpor-
tation under the laws administered by
the Secretary, and for other purposes.
S
.
2824
At the request of Mr. C
RUZ
, the name
of the Senator from Nebraska (Mr.
R
ICKETTS
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 2824, a bill to secure the borders of
the United States, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
2825
At the request of Mr. C
ORNYN
, the
names of the Senator from Alabama
(Mrs. B
RITT
) and the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 2825, a bill to
award a Congressional Gold Medal to
the United States Army Dustoff crews
of the Vietnam War, collectively, in
recognition of their extraordinary her-
oism and life-saving actions in Viet-
nam.
S
.
2839
At the request of Mr. B
RAUN
, the
name of the Senator from New York
(Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 2839, a bill to clarify the
maximum hiring target for new air
traffic controllers, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
2878
At the request of Mr. B
UDD
, the name
of the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr.
L
ANKFORD
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 2878, a bill to amend the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 to exclude cer-
tain activities from hours worked, and
for other purposes.
S
.
2992
At the request of Mr. C
ASSIDY
, the
name of the Senator from Iowa (Mr.
G
RASSLEY
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 2992, a bill to require the establish-
ment of a joint task force to identify
and eliminate barriers to agriculture
exports of the United States.
S
.
3064
At the request of Mrs. B
LACKBURN
,
the name of the Senator from Idaho
(Mr. C
RAPO
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3064, a bill to limit funding to the
United Nations until the Islamic Re-
public of Iran has been expelled and in-
vestigated for violations of the Geno-
cide Convention, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
3065
At the request of Ms. H
IRONO
, the
name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. W
ELCH
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3065, a bill to provide counsel for
unaccompanied children, and for other
purposes.
S
.
3068
At the request of Mr. B
RAUN
, the
names of the Senator from Minnesota
(Ms. S
MITH
) and the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 3068, a bill to
require each enterprise to include on
the Uniform Residential Loan Applica-
tion a disclaimer to increase awareness
of the direct and guaranteed home loan
programs of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, and for other purposes.
S
.
3078
At the request of Mr. B
UDD
, his name
was added as a cosponsor of S. 3078, a
bill to amend the Higher Education Act
of 1965 to prohibit institutions of high-
er education that authorize Anti-Se-
mitic events on campus from partici-
pating in the student loan and grant
programs under title IV of such Act.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5146 October 24, 2023
S
.
3094
At the request of Mr. C
RAPO
, the
name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr.
M
ORAN
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
3094, a bill to prohibit the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection
Agency from finalizing, implementing,
or enforcing a proposed rule with re-
spect to emissions from vehicles, and
for other purposes.
S
.
3097
At the request of Mr. W
ELCH
, the
name of the Senator from New Jersey
(Mr. B
OOKER
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3097, a bill to require the Sec-
retary of Agriculture to provide sup-
port for organic dairy producers and
processors, and for other purposes.
S
.
3103
At the request of Mr. M
ERKLEY
, the
name of the Senator from Maryland
(Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 3103, a bill to amend the
Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit
the inclusion of medical debt on a con-
sumer report, and for other purposes.
S
.
RES
.
20
At the request of Mr. C
ARDIN
, the
name of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. C
ASEY
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. Res. 20, a resolution con-
demning the coup that took place on
February 1, 2021, in Burma and the Bur-
mese military’s detention of civilian
leaders, calling for an immediate and
unconditional release of all those de-
tained, promoting accountability and
justice for those killed by the Burmese
military, and calling for those elected
to serve in parliament to resume their
duties without impediment, and for
other purposes.
S
.
RES
.
333
At the request of Mr. D
URBIN
, the
names of the Senator from Indiana
(Mr. B
RAUN
), the Senator from Mis-
sissippi (Mr. W
ICKER
), the Senator from
Maine (Ms. C
OLLINS
) and the Senator
from Oregon (Mr. M
ERKLEY
) were added
as cosponsors of S. Res. 333, a resolu-
tion designating 2024 as the Year of De-
mocracy as a time to reflect on the
contributions of the system of Govern-
ment of the United States to a more
free and stable world.
S
.
RES
.
385
At the request of Mr. R
ISCH
, the
names of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
) and the Sen-
ator from Hawaii (Mr. S
CHATZ
) were
added as cosponsors of S. Res. 385, a
resolution calling for the immediate
release of Evan Gershkovich, a United
States citizen and journalist, who was
wrongfully detained by the Govern-
ment of the Russian Federation in
March 2023.
S
.
RES
.
408
At the request of Ms. R
OSEN
, the
names of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. C
ASEY
), the Senator from
Michigan (Mr. P
ETERS
), the Senator
from North Dakota (Mr. H
OEVEN
) and
the Senator from Tennessee (Mr.
H
AGERTY
) were added as cosponsors of
S. Res. 408, a resolution condemning
Hamas for its premeditated, coordi-
nated, and brutal terrorist attacks on
Israel and demanding that Hamas im-
mediately release all hostages and re-
turn them to safety, and for other pur-
poses.
AMENDMENT NO
.
1113
At the request of Ms. H
IRONO
, the
name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms.
C
ORTEZ
M
ASTO
) was added as a cospon-
sor of amendment No. 1113 intended to
be proposed to H.R. 4366, a bill making
appropriations for military construc-
tion, the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2024, and for
other purposes.
AMENDMENT NO
.
1134
At the request of Ms. S
MITH
, the
names of the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania (Mr. F
ETTERMAN
), the Senator
from Alabama (Mrs. B
RITT
) and the
Senator from Ohio (Mr. B
ROWN
) were
added as cosponsors of amendment No.
1134 intended to be proposed to H.R.
4366, a bill making appropriations for
military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agen-
cies for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
AMENDMENT NO
.
1250
At the request of Mr. M
ORAN
, the
names of the Senator from New Mexico
(Mr. H
EINRICH
), the Senator from Or-
egon (Mr. W
YDEN
) and the Senator
from Nevada (Ms. R
OSEN
) were added as
cosponsors of amendment No. 1250 in-
tended to be proposed to H.R. 4366, a
bill making appropriations for military
construction, the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending September 30,
2024, and for other purposes.
AMENDMENT NO
.
1351
At the request of Mr. W
ARNOCK
, the
name of the Senator from Delaware
(Mr. C
ARPER
) was added as a cosponsor
of amendment No. 1351 intended to be
proposed to H.R. 4366, a bill making ap-
propriations for military construction,
the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2024, and for
other purposes.
f
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED
BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr.
B
LUMENTHAL
, Mr. B
OOKER
, Mr.
F
ETTERMAN
, Ms. H
IRONO
, Mr.
M
ARKEY
, Mr. R
EED
, Ms. W
AR
-
REN
, and Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
):
S. 3107. A bill to provide that chapter
1 of title 9 of the United States Code,
relating to the enforcement of arbitra-
tion agreements, shall not apply to en-
rollment agreements made between
students and certain institutions of
higher education, and to prohibit limi-
tations on the ability of students to
pursue claims against certain institu-
tions of higher education; to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask
unanimous consent that the text of the
bill be printed in the R
ECORD
.
There being no objection, the text of
the bill was ordered to be printed in
the R
ECORD
, as follows:
S. 3107
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Court Legal
Access and Student Support Act of 2023’’ or
the ‘‘CLASS Act of 2023’’.
SEC. 2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 1 OF
TITLE 9, UNITED STATES CODE, TO
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENTS MADE
BETWEEN STUDENTS AND CERTAIN
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDU-
CATION.
(a) I
N
G
ENERAL
.—Chapter 1 of title 9 of the
United States Code (relating to the enforce-
ment of arbitration agreements) shall not
apply to an enrollment agreement made be-
tween a student and an institution of higher
education.
(b) D
EFINITIONS
.—In this section:
(1) E
NROLLMENT AGREEMENT
.—The term
‘‘enrollment agreement’’ means any contract
or agreement between a student and an insti-
tution of higher education under which the
student makes a financial commitment to
the institution in exchange for enrollment in
a program of study at the institution.
(2) I
NSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
.—The
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has
the meaning given such term in section 102
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1002).
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON LIMITATIONS ON ABIL-
ITY OF STUDENTS TO PURSUE
CLAIMS AGAINST CERTAIN INSTITU-
TIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following:
‘‘(30) The institution will not require any
student to agree to, and will not enforce, any
limitation or restriction (including a limita-
tion or restriction on any available choice of
applicable law, a jury trial, or venue) on the
ability of a student to pursue a claim, indi-
vidually or with others, against an institu-
tion in court.’’.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by
this Act shall take effect 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act.
f
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
SENATE RESOLUTION 423—RECOG-
NIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF
IOWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TEAM’S HISTORIC ‘‘CROSSOVER
AT KINNICK’’ GAME AND THE IM-
PORTANCE OF WOMEN’S SPORTS
Ms. ERNST (for herself and Mr.
G
RASSLEY
) submitted the following res-
olution; which was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation:
S. R
ES
. 423
Whereas, at the Crossover at Kinnick
event, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes com-
peted against the DePaul University Blue
Devils in a charity basketball game to ben-
efit the University of Iowa Stead Family
Children’s Hospital;
Whereas the Crossover at Kinnick event
set a National Collegiate Athletic Associa-
tion (referred to in this resolution as the
‘‘NCAA’’) women’s basketball attendance
record with 55,646 fans filling University of
Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa;
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---
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5147 October 24, 2023
Whereas the previous attendance record
was set at the 2002 national championship
game between the University of Connecticut
and the University of Oklahoma, attended by
29,619 fans;
Whereas the Crossover at Kinnick event
was the first ever NCAA women’s basketball
game to be played outdoors in a football sta-
dium;
Whereas women athletes at the collegiate
level are important role models for young
athletes, particularly women and girls, by
serving as examples of what can be achieved
by pursuing one’s dreams through participa-
tion in athletics;
Whereas participation in sports helps fos-
ter confidence, self-discipline, leadership,
and teamwork in young girls;
Whereas the achievements of the Iowa
women’s basketball program are an inspira-
tion for Iowans and women athletes every-
where; and
Whereas Iowans and University of Iowa
alumni across the country are proud of the
history made at the Crossover at Kinnick
event: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) congratulates the University of Iowa
women’s basketball players, coaches, and
support staff in setting the NCAA women’s
basketball attendance record at the Cross-
over at Kinnick event;
(2) recognizes and celebrates the impact of
this record-setting event on young women
athletes across the country; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary
of the Senate send 1 copy of this resolution
to the following individuals:
(A) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
(B) University of Iowa President Barbara
Wilson.
(C) University of Iowa Interim Athletic Di-
rector Beth Goetz.
(D) University of Iowa Women’s Basketball
Coach Lisa Bluder.
f
SENATE RESOLUTION 424—EX-
PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE
SENATE THAT THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT ENGAGE
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO
SEEK A SWIFT END TO THE PER-
SECUTION OF, AND VIOLENCE
AGAINST, RELIGIOUS MINORI-
TIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS DE-
FENDERS IN INDIA AND A RE-
VERSAL OF GOVERNMENT POLI-
CIES THAT DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST MUSLIMS AND CHRIS-
TIANS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE FAITHS
Ms. BALDWIN submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions:
S. R
ES
. 424
Whereas religious freedom is a core human
right and a right recognized by international
law and treaties;
Whereas religious freedom is—
(1) a necessary component of United States
foreign policy and our Nation’s commitment
to defending democracy and freedom glob-
ally; and
(2) a vital element of national security,
which is critical to ensuring a more peaceful,
prosperous, and stable world;
Whereas India is the world’s most populous
democracy, which has long, unique, and im-
portant relationship with the United States
in promoting common values and upholding
regional stability;
Whereas the strong relationship between
the United States and India is fundamentally
premised on both countries’—
(1) cherished common values of liberty,
freedom, justice, and equality before law;
and
(2) opposition to every type of discrimina-
tion;
Whereas, during a visit to India in July
2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken
stated, ‘‘[W]e view Indian democracy as a
force for good in defense of a free and open
Indo-Pacific [and] a free and open world’’;
Whereas the existence of a truly free and
open Indo-Pacific is conditional on the pro-
tection of the freedoms and rights of all ci-
vilians;
Whereas, on June 2, 2022, while releasing
the Department of State’s 2021 Report on
International Religious Freedom, Secretary
Blinken commented, ‘‘[I]n India, the world’s
largest democracy and home to a great di-
versity of faiths, we’ve seen rising attacks
on people and places of worship’’;
Whereas, less than 1 year after becoming
India’s Prime Minister in 2014, Narendra
Modi promised, ‘‘My government will ensure
that there is complete freedom of faith and
that everyone has the undeniable right to re-
tain or adopt the religion of his or her choice
without coercion or undue influence’’;
Whereas India has historically been a
strong and pluralistic democracy, being the
birthplace of several of the world’s great re-
ligions, including Hinduism, Buddhism,
Sikhism, and Jainism;
Whereas India’s 1,300,000,000 people include
Hindus, who are the majority at 80 percent,
200,000,000 Muslims, which constitute the
world’s third largest Muslim population,
40,000,000 Christians, and millions of Sikhs,
Jains, Baha’is, Jews, Zoroastrians, and peo-
ple of innumerable animist and indigenous
faiths;
Whereas the preamble to the Constitution
of India states, in part, ‘‘We, the people of
India, having solemnly resolved to con-
stitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist,
Secular, Democratic Republic, and to secure
to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic
and political; Liberty of thought, expression,
belief, faith and worship. . .’’;
Whereas article 14 of the Constitution of
India states, ‘‘The State shall not deny to
any person equality before the law or the
equal protection of the laws within the terri-
tory of India.’’;
Whereas article 25 of the Constitution of
India states, in part, ‘‘[a]ll persons are equal-
ly entitled to freedom of conscience and the
right freely to profess, practice and propa-
gate religion.’’;
Whereas violence against India’s religious
minorities, especially Muslims and Chris-
tians, has escalated in the last decade;
Whereas such violence against religious
minorities has included—
(1) public lynchings by vigilante groups;
(2) the disruption of prayer services at, and
the vandalizing and demolition of, mosques
and churches;
(3) the demolition of homes and businesses
of Muslims without due process by state au-
thorities in retaliation for protesting for
their constitutional rights; and
(4) arrests of Muslim men for marrying
Hindu women in the name of the false theory
of ‘‘Love Jihad’’;
Whereas India’s federal government and
various state governments have failed to
prosecute the culprits and bring justice to
the victims, which has been noted in the 2021
Department of State Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices and the 2021 Depart-
ment of State Report on International Reli-
gious Freedom;
Whereas in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the United
States Commission on International Reli-
gious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that
the Department of State designate India as a
country of particular concern for ‘‘engaging
in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and
egregious religious freedom violations, as de-
fined by the International Religious Free-
dom Act (IRFA)’’;
Whereas India has failed to act against
partisan leaders from the Hindu religious
community for repeatedly calling for a geno-
cide of India’s Muslims, such as Pooja
Shakun Pandey, a leader of Hindu
Mahasabha, who stated, in December 2021, in
the holy Hindu city of Haridwar in Uttar
Pradesh, ‘‘If 100 of us are ready to kill
2,000,000 [Muslims], then we will win and
make India a Hindu nation’’;
Whereas the Indian state of Karnataka
has, without cause, banned Muslim female
students from wearing the hijab in schools
and colleges, which violates their funda-
mental rights guaranteed under article 14 of
the Constitution of India;
Whereas in August 2019, Jammu and Kash-
mir, the only Indian state with a majority
Muslim population—
(1) was deprived of its special autonomy
without ensuring consultation or any par-
ticipation of the people living in Jammu and
Kashmir; and
(2) was split into 2 federally governed
union territories;
Whereas, in December 2019, the Indian Par-
liament passed the Citizenship (Amendment)
Act, 2019 (referred to in this resolution as the
‘‘CAA’’), which allows expedited citizenship
for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees,
and Christians from Afghanistan, Ban-
gladesh or Pakistan, but excludes Muslims,
which imposes a religious basis to the be-
stowal of citizenship for the first time;
Whereas Indian police have wrongfully ar-
rested hundreds of people throughout India,
most of them Muslims, merely for protesting
against the enactment of the CAA over con-
cerns that this law would be used in conjunc-
tion with a nationwide head count to deny
citizenship to Muslims, a concern that has
been repeatedly expressed by the USCIRF;
Whereas the Indian police arrested promi-
nent Muslim activists on charges of carrying
out violence against Muslims in Delhi coin-
ciding with a visit by then President Donald
Trump to the Indian capital, but failed to
act against violent mobs that actually car-
ried out the anti-Muslim violence as docu-
mented by the Delhi Minorities Commission
of the Government of National Capital Terri-
tory of Delhi and Amnesty International
India;
Whereas, during the widespread protests
against the CAA and the National Register
for Citizens (referred to in this resolution as
the ‘‘NRC’’) the police, instead of stopping
the violence against the protesters, some-
times joined crowds shouting Hindu nation-
alist slogans and fired indiscriminately on
peaceful protestors, which killed many of
them;
Whereas USCIRF has recommended that
the ‘‘United States Government should con-
sider sanctions against Minister of Home Af-
fairs Amit Shah and other principal leader-
ship’’ for the passage of the CAA;
Whereas a headcount for the NRC held in
Assam state in 2019 determined that 1,900,000
of the state’s 31,000,000 residents do not have
sufficient documents proving that they or
their parents lived in Assam from before
1971, and they are now likely to be stripped
of their citizenship by quasi-judicial bodies
known as Foreigners Tribunals;
Whereas approximately 500,000 of these
1,900,000 undocumented people are Muslims
and thousands of them have been uprooted
from their homes, where they have lived for
generations, and sent to detention centers;
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5148 October 24, 2023
Whereas, according to Human Rights
Watch, government operatives in states
ruled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
Bharatiya Janata Party have resorted to
summary punishments by demolishing Mus-
lim homes and businesses without legal au-
thorization;
Whereas, according to Federation of Indian
American Christian Organizations, India’s
40,000,000 Christians are increasingly tar-
geted by police and vigilante mobs through-
out India, leading to a steep rise in incidents
of violence against Christians, with 1,198 in-
cidents recorded in 2022, which represents a
staggering increase from the 761 such inci-
dents reported in 2021;
Whereas International Christian Concern,
a United States-based nongovernmental or-
ganization, has reported that anti-blasphemy
and anti-forced conversion laws, which effec-
tively criminalize minority religious beliefs
and freedom of conscience, are becoming in-
creasingly common throughout India and
have led to numerous cases of violence
against religious minorities;
Whereas a culture of impunity for radical
Hindu nationalists has led to an unprece-
dented level of violence against Christian,
Muslims, and other vulnerable religious mi-
norities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the security challenges faced
by the Government of India and the con-
tinuing threat of state-supported cross-bor-
der terrorism;
(2) encourages the Government of India to
amend the discriminatory laws and execu-
tive orders based on the love, jihad con-
spiracy theory, including the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act, 2019, by treating Muslims
the same as other religious groups, and the
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act;
(3) urges the Government of India—
(A) to end the discriminatory and undemo-
cratic NRC and return citizenship to the es-
timated 1,900,000 people who declared non-
citizens in a wholly dubious manner;
(B) to immediately release individuals un-
necessarily detained in detention centers,
protect the right to health of such individ-
uals, and ensure access to healthcare and
safe, sanitary conditions for anyone who re-
mains detained;
(C) to immediately release any unjustly
detained human rights defenders, journal-
ists, and other critics, many of whom have
been held in custody for longer than 1 year
without being charge with a crime;
(D) to establish accountability for the bru-
tal police violence against the anti-CAA pro-
testers by prosecuting the policemen and
others in the chain of command who are
found to be complicit in such violence;
(E) to repeal the anti-conversion and anti-
blasphemy laws that are widely misused
against religious minorities, especially
Christians;
(F) to repeal the hijab ban in Karnataka
and allow thousands of Muslim girls and
women to attend classes, as students or
teachers, while wearing the hijab;
(G) to end the demolition of homes, busi-
nesses, and places of worship belonging to
Muslims and Christians; and
(H) to allow unrestricted access to Jammu
and Kashmir by independent human rights
observers and international press; and
(4) calls on the Government of India to re-
peal the colonial-era sedition law (section
124 of the Indian Penal Code) that is used to
stifle dissent and debate and has been used
against individuals who express their opposi-
tion to the CAA.
SENATE RESOLUTION 425—EX-
PRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE
SENATE FOR THE DESIGNATION
OF ‘‘PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC DAY’’
AND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC RADIO
MUSIC STATIONS IN SERVING
LISTENERS, MUSICIANS, AND
HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES IN
THE UNITED STATES
Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. C
ORNYN
,
and Mr. B
RAUN
) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was consid-
ered and agreed to:
S. R
ES
. 425
Whereas more than 25,000,000 listeners in
the United States tune in weekly to local
noncommercial radio stations to discover,
learn about, and enjoy music selections, art-
ists, and genres that are, in many cases,
available only on public radio;
Whereas approximately 697 public radio
music stations serve rural and urban com-
munities in all 50 States, the District of Co-
lumbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam;
Whereas local public radio music stations
celebrate a broad collection of sounds and
styles, including jazz, blues, classical, Amer-
icana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, and
other genres;
Whereas 95 percent of over-the-air broad-
casts of classical music in the United States
come from local public radio stations;
Whereas local, noncommercial, not-for-
profit, public radio music stations develop
local artists and audiences, sustain music
and performers, and educate and enrich their
audiences and communities;
Whereas local public radio music stations
are locally staffed and programmed, are con-
nected to the unique culture of their commu-
nity, and share core values of music dis-
covery, curation, preservation, and perform-
ance with their audiences;
Whereas knowledgeable local hosts, live
announcers, and expert curation on public
radio music stations have a proven track
record of—
(1) helping audiences discover new and
emerging homegrown musicians; and
(2) providing deep explorations into the
history and cultural impact of music;
Whereas public radio music stations—
(1) tailor their content and programming
to reflect regional tastes and talent;
(2) make music more accessible through
local performances, studio sessions, artist
interviews, and music journalism; and
(3) broadcast news and information about
the local music industry;
Whereas public radio music stations con-
nect musicians and artists with local audi-
ences through an expanding range of plat-
forms, including free over-the-air broadcasts,
podcasts, videos, digital, and on-stage;
Whereas the emphasis of public radio on
music presentation adds to the journey of
lifelong music enjoyment;
Whereas public radio music stations serve
as cultural hubs in their communities by
providing a place for listeners to come to-
gether for the shared enjoyment of music
and to support the local music economy;
Whereas local public radio stations partner
with schools, hospitals, and other commu-
nity organizations to promote broad access
to music for the public;
Whereas the values and collective commit-
ment of public radio music stations to com-
munity service, education, and cultural sup-
port separate these nonprofit, noncommer-
cial radio stations from other music pro-
viders; and
Whereas, October 25, 2023, would be an ap-
propriate day to designate as ‘‘Public Radio
Music Day’’: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘Public
Radio Music Day’’; and
(2) expresses its deep appreciation for the
role of public radio music stations in serving
listeners, musicians, and hundreds of com-
munities in the United States.
f
SENATE RESOLUTION 426—DESIG-
NATING NOVEMBER 4, 2023, AS
‘‘NATIONAL BISON DAY’’
Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr. H
EIN
-
RICH
, Mr. T
HUNE
, Mr. C
RAMER
, Mr.
M
ARSHALL
, Mr. M
ORAN
, Ms. B
ALDWIN
,
Mr. B
ENNET
, Ms. K
LOBUCHAR
, Mr.
T
ESTER
, Mr. M
ARKEY
, Ms. L
UMMIS
, Mr.
B
OOZMAN
, Ms. S
MITH
, Mr. L
UJA
´
N
, Mr.
C
OONS
, Mr. S
CHUMER
, Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
,
Mr. B
RAUN
, Mr. S
COTT
of Florida, and
Ms. W
ARREN
) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. R
ES
. 426
Whereas, on May 9, 2016, the North Amer-
ican bison was adopted as the national mam-
mal of the United States;
Whereas bison are considered a historical
and cultural symbol of the United States;
Whereas bison are integrally linked with
the economic and spiritual lives of many In-
dian Tribes through trade and sacred cere-
monies;
Whereas there are approximately 82 Indian
Tribes participating in the InterTribal Buf-
falo Council, which is a Tribal organization
incorporated pursuant to section 17 of the
Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the
‘‘Indian Reorganization Act’’) (48 Stat. 988,
chapter 576; 25 U.S.C. 5124);
Whereas numerous members of Indian
Tribes are involved in bison restoration on
Tribal land;
Whereas members of Indian Tribes have a
combined herd of almost 25,000 bison on more
than 1,000,000 acres of Tribal land in 22
States;
Whereas bison play an important role in
the health of the wildlife, landscapes, and
grasslands of the United States;
Whereas bison hold significant economic
value for private producers and Tribal and
rural communities;
Whereas, as of 2017, the Department of Ag-
riculture estimates that 182,780 head of bison
were under the stewardship of private pro-
ducers, creating jobs and contributing to the
food security of the United States by pro-
viding a sustainable and healthy meat
source;
Whereas a bison has been depicted on the
official seal of the Department of the Inte-
rior since 1912;
Whereas the Department of the Interior
has launched the Bison Conservation Initia-
tive, a 10-year cooperative initiative to co-
ordinate the conservation and restoration of
wild American bison;
Whereas a bison is portrayed on 2 State
flags;
Whereas the bison has been adopted by 3
States as the official mammal or animal of
those States;
Whereas the buffalo nickel played an im-
portant role in modernizing the currency of
the United States;
Whereas several sports teams and busi-
nesses have the bison as a mascot, which
highlights the iconic and cultural signifi-
cance of bison in the United States;
Whereas Indigenous communities and a
group of ranchers helped save bison from ex-
tinction in the late 1800s by gathering the re-
maining bison of the diminished herds;
Whereas, on December 8, 1905, William
Hornaday, Theodore Roosevelt, and others
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5149 October 24, 2023
formed the American Bison Society in re-
sponse to the near extinction of bison in the
United States;
Whereas, on October 11, 1907, the American
Bison Society sent 15 captive-bred bison
from the New York Zoological Park, now
known as the ‘‘Bronx Zoo’’, to the first big
game refuge in the United States, now
known as the ‘‘Wichita Mountains Wildlife
Refuge’’;
Whereas, in 2005, the American Bison Soci-
ety was reestablished, bringing together
bison ranchers, Native American leaders and
bison herd managers, Federal and State
agencies, conservation organizations, artists
and writers, young people, and natural and
social scientists from the United States,
Canada, and Mexico to create a vision for the
North American bison in the 21st century;
Whereas there are bison herds in national
wildlife refuges, national parks, and national
forests, and on other Federal land;
Whereas there are bison in State-managed
herds across 11 States;
Whereas private, public, and Tribal bison
leaders are working together to continue
bison restoration throughout North Amer-
ica;
Whereas there is a growing effort to cele-
brate and officially recognize the historical,
cultural, and economic significance of the
North American bison to the heritage of the
United States; and
Whereas members of Indian Tribes, bison
producers, conservationists, sportsmen, edu-
cators, and other public and private partners
have celebrated the annual National Bison
Day since 2012 and are committed to con-
tinuing this tradition annually on the first
Saturday of November: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates November 4, 2023, the first
Saturday of November, as ‘‘National Bison
Day’’; and
(2) encourages the people of the United
States to observe the day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
f
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU-
TION 22—EXPRESSING SUPPORT
FOR THE GENEVA CONSENSUS
DECLARATION ON PROMOTING
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND
STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY
AND URGING THAT THE UNITED
STATES REJOIN THIS HISTORIC
DECLARATION
Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mrs. H
YDE
-
S
MITH
, Mr. H
AWLEY
, Mr. L
ANKFORD
, Mr.
R
UBIO
, and Mr. S
COTT
of Florida) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations:
S. C
ON
. R
ES
. 22
Whereas the United States strongly sup-
ports women reaching the highest attainable
outcomes for health, life, dignity, and well-
being throughout their lives;
Whereas the historic coalition that issued
the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Pro-
moting Women’s Health and Strengthening
the Family (in this preamble referred to as
the ‘‘Geneva Consensus Declaration’’) was
formed by a diverse group of countries com-
mitted to charting a more positive path to
advance the health of women, protect the
family as foundational to any healthy soci-
ety, affirm the value of life in all stages of
development, and uphold the sovereign right
of countries to make their own laws to ad-
vance those core values, without external
pressure;
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
was signed on October 22, 2020, by 32 coun-
tries from every region of the world, rep-
resenting more than 1,600,000,000 people,
which committed to working together on the
core pillars enshrined in the Declaration,
and 36 countries are now part of this coali-
tion;
Whereas, although President Joseph R.
Biden removed the United States as a signa-
tory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration,
at least temporarily, longstanding Federal
laws that prohibit the United States from
conducting or funding abortions, abortion
lobbying, or coercive family planning in for-
eign countries remain in effect;
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
reaffirms that ‘‘all are equal before the law’’
and ‘‘human rights of women are an inalien-
able, integral, and indivisible part of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms’’;
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
reaffirms the inherent ‘‘dignity and worth of
the human person’’ and that ‘‘every human
being has the inherent right to life’’;
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
reaffirms that ‘‘there is no international
right to abortion, nor any international obli-
gation on the part of States to finance or fa-
cilitate abortion’’;
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
reaffirms that ‘‘the family is the natural and
fundamental group unit of society and is en-
titled to protection by society and the
State’’; and
Whereas the Geneva Consensus Declaration
coalition strengthens the collective voice of
the signatory countries to prevent any coun-
try from being intimidated, isolated, or
muted on the core values expressed in the
Declaration: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep-
resentatives concurring), That Congress—
(1) affirms the commitments to protect life
and the family made in the Geneva Con-
sensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s
Health and Strengthening the Family (in
this resolution referred to as the ‘‘Geneva
Consensus Declaration’’) and applauds the
signatory countries for their dedication to
advancing women’s health, protecting life at
every stage while affirming that there is no
international right to abortion, and uphold-
ing the importance of the family as
foundational to society;
(2) declares that the principles affirming
life and the family recognized by the Geneva
Consensus Declaration remain universally
valid;
(3) welcomes opportunities to strengthen
support for the Geneva Consensus Declara-
tion;
(4) will defend the sovereignty of every
country to adopt national policies that pro-
mote women’s health, protect the right to
life, and strengthen the family, as enshrined
in the Geneva Consensus Declaration;
(5) will conduct oversight of the United
States executive branch to ensure that the
United States does not conduct or fund abor-
tions, abortion lobbying, or coercive family
planning in foreign countries, consistent
with longstanding Federal law;
(6) urges the signatory countries to the Ge-
neva Consensus Declaration to defend the
universal principles affirming life and the
family expressed in the Declaration;
(7) calls on President Joseph R. Biden to
once again add the United States as a signa-
tory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration;
and
(8) calls on all subsequent Presidents to
continue support of the Geneva Consensus
Declaration.
f
AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND
PROPOSED
SA 1355. Mr. CARPER submitted an amend-
ment intended to be proposed to amendment
SA 1092 proposed by Mrs. M
URRAY
(for herself
and Ms. C
OLLINS
) to the bill H.R. 4366, mak-
ing appropriations for military construction,
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and re-
lated agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 30, 2024, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table.
SA 1356. Mr. KAINE submitted an amend-
ment intended to be proposed to amendment
SA 1092 proposed by Mrs. M
URRAY
(for herself
and Ms. C
OLLINS
) to the bill H.R. 4366, supra;
which was ordered to lie on the table.
f
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 1355. Mr. CARPER submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 1092 proposed by Mrs.
M
URRAY
(for herself and Ms. C
OLLINS
)
to the bill H.R. 4366, making appropria-
tions for military construction, the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and re-
lated agencies for the fiscal year end-
ing September 30, 2024, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on
the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in division C, in-
sert the following:
S
EC
. lll. None of the funds made avail-
able by this Act may be used to withhold ap-
proval of a surface transportation project of
a State or metropolitan planning organiza-
tion for failing to meet a target as described
in the proposed rulemaking entitled ‘‘Na-
tional Performance Management Measures;
Assessing Performance of the National High-
way System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Measure’’ (87 Fed. Reg. 42401 (July 15, 2022))
(or a successor rulemaking).
SA 1356. Mr. KAINE submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 1092 proposed by Mrs.
M
URRAY
(for herself and Ms. C
OLLINS
)
to the bill H.R. 4366, making appropria-
tions for military construction, the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and re-
lated agencies for the fiscal year end-
ing September 30, 2024, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on
the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in title VII of di-
vision B, insert the following:
S
EC
. lll. (a) Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’)
shall publish a written enforcement plan de-
scribing how the Secretary will remove from
the market any disposable flavored ENDS
product—
(1) for which no premarket tobacco appli-
cation was submitted to the Secretary pur-
suant to section 910(b) of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 387j(b)) on
or before September 9, 2020; or
(2) that is the subject of a denial of a pre-
market tobacco application pursuant to sec-
tion 910(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 387j(c)), unless such
denial is otherwise stayed by the Secretary
or through court order.
(b) The plan under paragraph (1) shall in-
clude, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) Detailed guidance to wholesalers, dis-
tributors, and retailers on how to identify
any disposable flavored ENDS product de-
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection
(a).
(2) Clearly defined and detailed enforce-
ment strategies, including directed commu-
nications regarding a detailed escalating
penalty structure, designed to deter manu-
facturers and wholesalers of disposable fla-
vored ENDS products from manufacturing,
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---
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5150 October 24, 2023
selling, offering to sell, distributing, or im-
porting for sale or distribution within the
United States any disposable flavored ENDS
product described in paragraph (1) or (2) of
subsection (a).
(3) Detailed plans on how the Secretary
will prioritize enforcement actions directed
against manufacturers and wholesalers that
manufacture, package, sell, offer to sell, dis-
tribute, or import for sale or distribution
within the United States any disposable fla-
vored ENDS product described in paragraph
(1) or (2) of subsection (a).
(4) A plan for how the Secretary will co-
ordinate with the Attorney General, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, and the Sec-
retary of the Treasury to develop and imple-
ment a strategy to prevent or intercept the
importation, smuggling, or trafficking of
any disposable flavored ENDS product de-
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection
(a).
(5) Detailed plans on how and when the
Secretary will implement stronger enforce-
ment procedures and other activities, and as
advisable amend existing procedures and ac-
tivities, to more quickly remove from the
market any disposable flavored ENDS prod-
uct described in paragraph (1) or (2) of sub-
section (a).
(c) The Secretary shall, not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act,
publish and maintain on the website of the
Food and Drug Administration, the enforce-
ment plan specified in subsection (a) and
shall provide a copy of such enforcement
plan to the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate, the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives, and
the Government Accountability Office.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term
‘‘flavored ENDS product’’—
(1) means any non-combustible product
that employs a heating element, power
source, electronic circuit, or other elec-
tronic, chemical, or mechanical means, re-
gardless of shape or size, to produce vapor
from nicotine in a solution, where the solu-
tion contains a constituent, additive, or in-
gredient, an artificial or natural flavor
(other than tobacco) or an herb or spice, that
is a characterizing flavor;
(2) includes any electronic cigarette, elec-
tronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic
pipe, or similar product or device, and in-
cludes a consumable nicotine liquid or solu-
tion suitable for use in a flavored ENDS
product, whether sold with the product or
separately; and
(3) does not include any product regulated
as a drug or device under chapter V of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 351 et seq.).
(e) Beginning 120 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit a report on a quarterly basis to the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate, the
Committee on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives, and the Government Ac-
countability Office, and post such report on
the website of the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, listing each enforcement action
taken in relation to any disposable flavored
ENDS product in the marketplace that is de-
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection
(a). Such report shall be categorized by man-
ufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer and shall
include the date on which each enforcement
action was initiated, the status of such ac-
tion, and whether such disposable flavored
ENDS products are continuing to be sold or
distributed despite the enforcement action.
(f) Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit a report to the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate, the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Government Accountability
Office providing specific recommendations
on how to revise or enhance current statu-
tory and regulatory enforcement authorities
to ensure the expeditious removal from the
market of any disposable flavored ENDS
product described in paragraph (1) or (2) of
subsection (a).
f
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO
MEET
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam Presi-
dent, I have four requests for commit-
tees to meet during today’s session of
the Senate. They have the approval of
the Majority and Minority Leaders.
Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph
5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen-
ate, the following committees are au-
thorized to meet during today’s session
of the Senate:
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
,
SCIENCE
,
AND
TRANSPORTATION
The Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation is author-
ized to meet during the session of the
Senate on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at
10 a.m., to conduct a subcommittee
hearing.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Committee on Foreign Relations
is authorized to meet during the ses-
sion of the Senate on Tuesday, October
24, 2023, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hear-
ing.
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
The Committee on the Judiciary is
authorized to meet during the session
of the Senate on Tuesday, October 24,
2023, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
The Select Committee on Intel-
ligence is authorized to meet during
the session of the Senate on Tuesday,
October 24, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct
a closed briefing.
f
PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD ACT
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent the Senate pro-
ceed to the immediate consideration of
Calendar No. 68, S. 1170.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read as follows:
A bill (S. 1170) to reauthorize and update
the Project Safe Childhood program, and for
other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate
proceeded to consider the bill, which
had been reported from the Committee
on the Judiciary, with an amendment
to strike all after the enacting clause
and insert in lieu thereof the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Project Safe
Childhood Act’’.
SEC. 2. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD MODERNIZA-
TION.
Section 143 of the Adam Walsh Child Protec-
tion and Safety Act of 2006 (34 U.S.C. 20942) is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 143. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD.
‘‘(a) D
EFINITIONS
.—In this section:
‘‘(1) C
HILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL
.—The
term ‘child sexual abuse material’ has the mean-
ing given the term ‘child pornography’ in sec-
tion 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘(2) C
HILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OFFENSE
.—
The term ‘child sexual exploitation offense’
means—
‘‘(A)(i) an offense involving a minor under
section 1591 or chapter 117 of title 18, United
States Code;
‘‘(ii) an offense under subsection (a), (b), or
(c) of section 2251 of title 18, United States Code;
‘‘(iii) an offense under section 2251A or
2252A(g) of title 18, United States Code; or
‘‘(iv) any attempt or conspiracy to commit an
offense described in clause (i) or (ii); or
‘‘(B) an offense involving a minor under a
State or Tribal statute that is similar to a provi-
sion described in subparagraph (A).
‘‘(3) C
IRCLE OF TRUST OFFENDER
.—The term
‘circle of trust offender’ means an offender who
is related to, or in a position of trust, authority,
or supervisory control with respect to, a child.
‘‘(4) C
OMPUTER
.—The term ‘computer’ has the
meaning given the term in section 1030 of title
18, United States Code.
‘‘(5) C
ONTACT SEXUAL OFFENSE
.—The term
‘contact sexual offense’ means—
‘‘(A) an offense involving a minor under
chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code, or
any attempt or conspiracy to commit such an of-
fense; or
‘‘(B) an offense involving a minor under a
State or Tribal statute that is similar to a provi-
sion described in subparagraph (A).
‘‘(6) D
UAL OFFENDER
.—The term ‘dual of-
fender’ means—
‘‘(A) a person who commits—
‘‘(i) a technology-facilitated child sexual ex-
ploitation offense or an offense involving child
sexual abuse material; and
‘‘(ii) a contact sexual offense; and
‘‘(B) without regard to whether the offenses
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph
(A)—
‘‘(i) are committed as part of the same course
of conduct; or
‘‘(ii) involve the same victim.
‘‘(7) F
ACILITATOR
.—The term ‘facilitator’
means an individual who facilitates the commis-
sion by another individual of—
‘‘(A) a technology-facilitated child sexual ex-
ploitation offense or an offense involving child
sexual abuse material; or
‘‘(B) a contact sexual offense.
‘‘(8) ICAC
AFFILIATE PARTNER
.—The term
‘ICAC affiliate partner’ means a law enforce-
ment agency that has entered into a formal op-
erating agreement with the ICAC Task Force
Program.
‘‘(9) ICAC
TASK FORCE
.—The term ‘ICAC task
force’ means a task force that is part of the
ICAC Task Force Program.
‘‘(10) ICAC
TASK FORCE PROGRAM
.—The term
‘ICAC Task Force Program’ means the National
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Program established under section 102 of the
PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C.
21112).
‘‘(11) O
FFENSE INVOLVING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
MATERIAL
.—The term ‘offense involving child
sexual abuse material’ means—
‘‘(A) an offense under section 2251(d), section
2252, or paragraphs (1) through (6) of section
2252A(a) of title 18, United States Code, or any
attempt or conspiracy to commit such an of-
fense; or
‘‘(B) an offense under a State or Tribal stat-
ute that is similar to a provision described in
subparagraph (A).
‘‘(12) S
ERIOUS OFFENDER
.—The term ‘serious
offender’ means—
‘‘(A) an offender who has committed a contact
sexual offense or child sexual exploitation of-
fense;
‘‘(B) a dual offender, circle of trust offender,
or facilitator; or
‘‘(C) an offender with a prior conviction for a
contact sexual offense, a child sexual exploi-
tation offense, or an offense involving child sex-
ual abuse material.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5151 October 24, 2023
‘‘(13) S
TATE
.—The term ‘State’ means a State
of the United States, the District of Columbia,
and any commonwealth, territory, or possession
of the United States.
‘‘(14) T
ECHNOLOGY
-
FACILITATED
.—The term
‘technology-facilitated’, with respect to an of-
fense, means an offense that is committed
through the use of a computer, even if the use
of a computer is not an element of the offense.
‘‘(b) E
STABLISHMENT OF
P
ROGRAM
.—The At-
torney General shall create and maintain a na-
tionwide initiative to align Federal, State, and
local entities to combat the growing epidemic of
online child sexual exploitation and abuse, to be
known as the ‘Project Safe Childhood program’,
in accordance with this section.
‘‘(c) B
EST
P
RACTICES
.—The Attorney General,
in coordination with the Child Exploitation and
Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division of
the Department of Justice and the Office of Ju-
venile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of
the Department of Justice, and in consultation
with training and technical assistance providers
under the ICAC Task Force Program who are
funded by the Attorney General and with ap-
propriate nongovernmental organizations,
shall—
‘‘(1) develop best practices to adopt a balanced
approach to the investigation of suspect leads
involving contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, and offenses involving
child sexual abuse material, and the prosecution
of those offenses, prioritizing when feasible the
identification of a child victim or a serious of-
fender, which approach shall incorporate the
use of—
‘‘(A) proactively generated leads, including
leads generated by current and emerging tech-
nology;
‘‘(B) in-district investigative referrals; and
‘‘(C) CyberTipline reports from the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children;
‘‘(2) develop best practices to be used by each
United States Attorney and ICAC task force to
assess the likelihood that an individual could be
a serious offender or that a child victim may be
identified;
‘‘(3) develop and implement a tracking and
communication system for Federal, State, and
local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s
offices to report successful cases of victim identi-
fication and child rescue to the Department of
Justice and the public; and
‘‘(4) encourage the submission of all lawfully
seized visual depictions to the Child Victim
Identification Program of the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children.
‘‘(d) I
MPLEMENTATION
.—Except as authorized
under subsection (e), funds authorized under
this section may only be used for the following
4 purposes:
‘‘(1) Integrated Federal, State, and local ef-
forts to investigate and prosecute contact sexual
offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and
offenses involving child sexual abuse material,
including—
‘‘(A) the partnership by each United States
Attorney with each Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force within the district of such
attorney;
‘‘(B) training of Federal, State, and local law
enforcement officers and prosecutors through—
‘‘(i) programs facilitated by the ICAC Task
Force Program;
‘‘(ii) ICAC training programs supported by the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Pre-
vention of the Department of Justice;
‘‘(iii) programs facilitated by appropriate non-
governmental organizations with subject matter
expertise, technical skill, or technological tools
to assist in the identification of and response to
serious offenders, contact sexual offenses, child
sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involv-
ing child sexual abuse material; and
‘‘(iv) any other program that provides train-
ing—
‘‘(I) on the investigation and identification of
serious offenders or victims of contact sexual of-
fenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or of-
fenses involving child sexual abuse material; or
‘‘(II) that specifically addresses the use of ex-
isting and emerging technologies to commit or
facilitate contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child
sexual abuse material;
‘‘(C) the development by each United States
Attorney of a district-specific strategic plan to
coordinate with State and local law enforcement
agencies and prosecutor’s offices, including
ICAC task forces and their ICAC affiliate part-
ners, on the investigation of suspect leads in-
volving serious offenders, contact sexual of-
fenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and
offenses involving child sexual abuse material,
and the prosecution of those offenders and of-
fenses, which plan—
‘‘(i) shall include—
‘‘(I) the use of the best practices developed
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c);
‘‘(II) the development of plans and protocols
to target and rapidly investigate cases involving
potential serious offenders or the identification
and rescue of a victim of a contact sexual of-
fense, a child sexual exploitation offense, or an
offense involving child sexual abuse material;
‘‘(III) the use of training and technical assist-
ance programs to incorporate victim-centered,
trauma-informed practices in cases involving
victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, and offenses involving
child sexual abuse material, which may include
the use of child protective services, children’s
advocacy centers, victim support specialists, or
other supportive services;
‘‘(IV) the development of plans to track, re-
port, and clearly communicate successful cases
of victim identification and child rescue to the
Department of Justice and the public;
‘‘(V) an analysis of the investigative and fo-
rensic capacity of law enforcement agencies and
prosecutor’s offices within the district, and
goals for improving capacity and effectiveness;
‘‘(VI) a written policy describing the criteria
for referrals for prosecution from Federal, State,
or local law enforcement agencies, particularly
when the investigation may involve a potential
serious offender or the identification or rescue
of a child victim;
‘‘(VII) plans and budgets for training of rel-
evant personnel on contact sexual offenses,
child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses
involving child sexual abuse material;
‘‘(VIII) plans for coordination and coopera-
tion with State, local, and Tribal law enforce-
ment agencies and prosecutorial offices; and
‘‘(IX) evidence-based programs that educate
the public about and increase awareness of such
offenses; and
‘‘(ii) shall be developed in consultation, as ap-
propriate, with—
‘‘(I) the local ICAC task force;
‘‘(II) the United States Marshals Service Sex
Offender Targeting Center;
‘‘(III) training and technical assistance pro-
viders under the ICAC Task Force Program who
are funded by the Attorney General;
‘‘(IV) nongovernmental organizations with
subject matter expertise, technical skill, or tech-
nological tools to assist in the identification of
and response to contact sexual offenses, child
sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involv-
ing child sexual abuse material;
‘‘(V) any relevant component of Homeland Se-
curity Investigations;
‘‘(VI) any relevant component of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation;
‘‘(VII) the Office of Juvenile Justice and De-
linquency Prevention of the Department of Jus-
tice;
‘‘(VIII) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity
Section of the Criminal Division of the Depart-
ment of Justice;
‘‘(IX) the United States Postal Inspection
Service;
‘‘(X) the United States Secret Service; and
‘‘(XI) each military criminal investigation or-
ganization of the Department of Defense; and
‘‘(D) a quadrennial assessment by each United
States Attorney of the investigations within the
district of such attorney of contact sexual of-
fenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and
offenses involving child sexual abuse material—
‘‘(i) with consideration of—
‘‘(I) the variety of sources for leads;
‘‘(II) the proportion of work involving
proactive or undercover law enforcement inves-
tigations;
‘‘(III) the number of serious offenders identi-
fied and prosecuted; and
‘‘(IV) the number of children identified or res-
cued; and
‘‘(ii) information from which may be used by
the United States Attorney, as appropriate, to
revise the plan described in subparagraph (C).
‘‘(2) Major case coordination by the Depart-
ment of Justice (or other Federal agencies as ap-
propriate), including specific cooperation, as ap-
propriate, with—
‘‘(A) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity
Section of the Criminal Division of the Depart-
ment of Justice;
‘‘(B) any relevant component of Homeland Se-
curity Investigations;
‘‘(C) any relevant component of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation;
‘‘(D) the ICAC task forces and ICAC affiliate
partners;
‘‘(E) the United States Marshals Service, in-
cluding the Sex Offender Targeting Center;
‘‘(F) the United States Postal Inspection Serv-
ice;
‘‘(G) the United States Secret Service;
‘‘(H) each Military Criminal Investigation Or-
ganization of the Department of Defense; and
‘‘(I) any task forces established in connection
with the Project Safe Childhood program set
forth under subsection (b).
‘‘(3) Increased Federal involvement in, and
commitment to, the prevention and prosecution
of technology-facilitated child sexual exploi-
tation offenses or offenses involving child sexual
abuse material by—
‘‘(A) using technology to identify victims and
serious offenders;
‘‘(B) developing processes and tools to identify
victims and offenders; and
‘‘(C) taking measures to improve information
sharing among Federal law enforcement agen-
cies, including for the purposes of implementing
the plans and protocols described in paragraph
(1)(C)(i)(II) to identify and rescue—
‘‘(i) victims of contact sexual offenses, child
sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses in-
volving child sexual abuse material; or
‘‘(ii) victims of serious offenders.
‘‘(4) The establishment, development, and im-
plementation of a nationally coordinated ‘Safer
Internet Day’ every year developed in collabora-
tion with the Department of Education, na-
tional and local internet safety organizations,
parent organizations, social media companies,
and schools to provide—
‘‘(A) national public awareness and evidence-
based educational programs about the threats
posed by circle of trust offenders and the threat
of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploi-
tation offenses, or offenses involving child sex-
ual abuse material, and the use of technology to
facilitate those offenses;
‘‘(B) information to parents and children
about how to avoid or prevent technology-facili-
tated child sexual exploitation offenses; and
‘‘(C) information about how to report possible
technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation
offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse
material through—
‘‘(i) the National Center for Missing and Ex-
ploited Children;
‘‘(ii) the ICAC Task Force Program; and
‘‘(iii) any other program that—
‘‘(I) raises national awareness about the
threat of technology-facilitated child sexual ex-
ploitation offenses or offenses involving child
sexual abuse material; and
‘‘(II) provides information to parents and chil-
dren seeking to report possible violations of
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES5152 October 24, 2023
technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation
offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse
material.
‘‘(e) E
XPANSION OF
P
ROJECT
S
AFE
C
HILD
-
HOOD
.—Notwithstanding subsection (d), funds
authorized under this section may be also be
used for the following purposes:
‘‘(1) The addition of not less than 20 Assistant
United States Attorneys at the Department of
Justice, relative to the number of such positions
as of the day before the date of enactment of the
Project Safe Childhood Act, who shall be—
‘‘(A) dedicated to the prosecution of cases in
connection with the Project Safe Childhood pro-
gram set forth under subsection (b); and
‘‘(B) responsible for assisting and coordi-
nating the plans and protocols of each district
under subsection (d)(1)(C)(i)(II).
‘‘(2) Such other additional and related pur-
poses as the Attorney General determines appro-
priate.
‘‘(f) A
UTHORIZATION OF
A
PPROPRIATIONS
.—
‘‘(1) I
N GENERAL
.—For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be ap-
propriated—
‘‘(A) for the activities described under para-
graphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (d),
$28,550,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through
2028;
‘‘(B) for the activities described under sub-
section (d)(4), $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2023 through 2028; and
‘‘(C) for the activities described under sub-
section (e), $29,100,000 for each of fiscal years
2023 through 2028.
‘‘(2) S
UPPLEMENT
,
NOT SUPPLANT
.—Amounts
made available to State and local agencies, pro-
grams, and services under this section shall sup-
plement, and not supplant, other Federal, State,
or local funds made available for those agencies,
programs, and services.’’.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous
consent that the committee-reported
amendment be considered and agreed
to.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
The committee-reported amendment
in the nature of a substitute was
agreed to.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask that the
bill, as amended, be considered read a
third time.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed
for a third reading and was read the
third time.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I know of no fur-
ther debate on the bill, as amended.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there
is no further debate, the question is,
Shall the bill pass?
The bill (S. 1170), as amended, was
passed.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous
consent that the motion to reconsider
be considered made and laid upon the
table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
f
WORLD FOOD DAY
EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF THE
SENATE FOR THE DESIGNATION
OF PUBLIC RADIO MUSIC DAY
f
NATIONAL BISON DAY
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary be discharged
from further consideration of S. Res.
397 and the Senate proceed to the en
bloc consideration of the following
Senate resolutions: S. Res. 397, World
Food Day; S. Res. 425, Public Radio
Music Day; and S. Res. 426, National
Bison Day.
There being no objection, the com-
mittee was discharged, and the Senate
proceeded to consider the resolutions
en bloc.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I
ask unanimous consent that the reso-
lutions be agreed to, the preambles be
agreed to, and the motions to recon-
sider be considered made and laid upon
the table with no intervening action or
debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 397) was
agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble,
was printed in the R
ECORD
of October 4,
2023, under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’)
The resolutions (S. Res. 425 and S.
Res. 426) were agreed to.
The preambles were agreed to.
(The resolutions, with their pre-
ambles, are printed in today’s R
ECORD
under ‘‘Submitted Resolutions.’’)
f
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 25, 2023
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I
now ask unanimous consent that when
the Senate completes its business
today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m.
on Wednesday, October 25; that fol-
lowing the prayer and pledge, the Jour-
nal of proceedings be approved to date,
the morning hour be deemed expired,
the time for the two leaders be re-
served for their use later in the day,
and morning business be closed; that
upon the conclusion of morning busi-
ness, notwithstanding rule XXII, the
Senate resume consideration of Cal-
endar No. 198, H.R. 4366, as provided
under the order of October 24; further,
that at 11:30 a.m., the Senate proceed
to executive session to resume consid-
eration of the Looman nomination and
that all postcloture time be considered
expired; that upon disposition of the
Looman nomination, the Senate re-
sume legislative session; finally, that if
the nomination is confirmed during
Wednesday’s session, the motion to re-
consider be considered made and laid
upon the table and the President be im-
mediately notified of the Senate’s ac-
tions.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. For the informa-
tion of the Senate, Senators should ex-
pect rollcall votes in relation to
amendments to the minibus during
Wednesday’s session.
f
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M.
TOMORROW
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, if
there is no further business to come be-
fore the Senate, I ask that it stand ad-
journed under the previous order.
There being no objection, the Senate,
at 6:59 p.m., adjourned until Wednes-
day, October 25, 2023, at 10 a.m.
f
NOMINATIONS
Executive nominations received by
the Senate:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
KAMALA SHIRIN LAKHDHIR, OF CONNECTICUT, A CA-
REER MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE,
CLASS OF MINISTER–COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF INDO-
NESIA.
UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION
CLARIA HORN BOOM, OF KENTUCKY, TO BE A MEMBER
OF THE UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION FOR
A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 31, 2029. (REAPPOINTMENT)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CLINTON J. FUCHS, OF MARYLAND, TO BE UNITED
STATES MARSHAL FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
FOR THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE JOHNNY LEWIS
HUGHES, TERM EXPIRED.
UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION
JOHN GLEESON, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A MEMBER OF
THE UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION FOR A
TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 31, 2029. (REAPPOINTMENT)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
JOHNNY C. GOGO, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE UNITED
STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF GUAM AND
CONCURRENTLY UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE
DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS FOR
THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE ALICIA ANNE GARRIDO
LIMTIACO, TERM EXPIRED.
THE JUDICIARY
SARA E. HILL, OF OKLAHOMA, TO BE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
OKLAHOMA, VICE CLAIRE V. EAGAN, RETIRED.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DAVID L. LEMMON II, OF WEST VIRGINIA, TO BE UNITED
STATES MARSHAL FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
WEST VIRGINIA FOR THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE
MICHAEL T. BAYLOUS, TERM EXPIRED.
JOSHUA S. LEVY, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE UNITED
STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHU-
SETTS FOR THE TERM OF FOUR YEARS, VICE RACHAEL S.
ROLLINS, RESIGNED.
THE JUDICIARY
JOHN DAVID RUSSELL, OF OKLAHOMA, TO BE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT
OF OKLAHOMA, VICE JOHN E. DOWDELL, RETIRED.
IN THE ARMY
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT
TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
To be colonel
SAMUEL J. NIRENBERG
IN THE COAST GUARD
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT
IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE IN-
DICATED UNDER TITLE 14 U.S.C., SECTION 2121(E):
To be commander
MARK R. ALLEN
VICTOR M. ALMODOVAR
RAPHAEL S. ANDERSON
SAMUEL G. ANDRIESSEN
JOSEPH P. ANTHONY
SHANNON M. ANTHONY
CHARLES M. ARENA
JOELLEN M. ARONS
BRANDON J. ATEN
ANDREW D. BACON
JACOB D. BALDASSINI
STEVEN J. BARRY
BEAU C. BELANGER
BRETT F. BELANGER
SHEHU BELLO
KELLY C. BERRY
ANNE E. BESSER
BRENDAN A. BLAIN
BROCK A. BLAISDELL
TREVOR A. BLOUNT
STEVEN C. BLUM
JOHN P. BOTTI III
RUDY H. BOWIS
COLIN M. BOYLE
DANIEL J. BRAHAN
NICOLE E. BREDARIOL
CHRISTOPHER A. BREUER
ERICA M. BREWTON
CHRISTOPHER M. BRIGGS
SALOMEE G. BRIGGS
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---
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5153 October 24, 2023
JEROME BROWN
KELLEY M. BROWN
PATRICK J. BROWN
ROBERT J. BROWN
JOSEPH P. BURGESS
PATRICK M. BURNETT
KRISTINA I. BUTLER
KRISTEN M. BYERS
KEVIN P. CARMICHAEL
THEODORE L. CETRULO
JUSTIN D. CHURCH
BRADFORD E. CLARK
RYAN H. CLARK
DANIEL P. CLOONAN
MICHAEL J. COLLET
MICHAEL P. COMERFORD
TABITHA C. CONNELL
LINDSAY N. COOK
IAN A. CULVER
KYLE C. CUTTIE
ANDREW J. CZARNIAK
DANIEL A. DELGADO
AARON J. DORRIAN
KEITH J. ENDRES
CHARLES R. ENGLAND
JASON A. ERICKSON
BRETT D. ETTINGER
DAVID A. EVANS
KARIN N. EVELYN
MATTHEW E. EYLER
KATHLEEN L. FALLON
JUSTIN C. FELLERS
JOHN A. FERREIRA
ERIN E. FILLMORE
LAURA M. FITZPATRICK
JOHN M. FORSTER
LAURA B. H. FOSTER
JAMES E. FOTHERGILL
MORGAN M. FOWLER
KENNETH J. FRANKLIN, JR.
RACHEL A. FRANKLIN
MICHAEL I. FREEMAN
ADRIANA J. GAENZLE
DAVID J. GARDEN
ROBERT S. GAY
MICHAEL W. GIBSON
LAUREN M. GILLIKIN
ELIZABETH A. GILLIS
SEAN C. GLAVAN
RYAN A. GOMEZ
SONHA A. GOMEZ
SAMANTHA J. GORDON
TONY L. GREGG
STEVEN M. GREY
MICHAEL J. HAAS
DANIEL P. HALSIG
AMANDA L. HARRIS
NICHOLAS R. HARTMANN
DAVID H. HERNDON
MARLON L. HERON
JENNIFER L. HERTZLER
KEELY J. HIGBIE
KEVIN J. HIGGINS
SHAKA W. HILL
JAMES M. HODGES
CHRISTINE T. IGISOMAR
EUNICE A. JAMES
SARAH M. JANARO
HARRY B. JEFFRIES
GREGORY S. JOHNSON
JASON J. JOLL
PHILIP A. JONES
TIMOTHY M. JONES
MATTHEW R. KAHLEY
ANDREW P. KAUFFMAN
TYLER E. KELLEY
LESLIE M. KENNEDY
MOLLY E. KEYSER
BRYAN M. KILCOIN
GARIN A. KIRKPATRICK
RYAN A. KOROKNAY
HAYLEY L. KOVAL
BENJAMIN J. KREBS
LAURA L. LADD
CHRISTOPHER M. LAFRAMBOISE
MATTHEW R. LAM
MICHAEL C. LANGELIER
JAN J. LEAGUE
BRENDAN H. LEAHY
TERENCE O. LEAHY
CHANEL L. LEE
ROBERT S. LIST
BENJAMIN M. LITTS
JEREMY D. MAGINOT
JEFFREY M. MATEJKA
ZEPHYR R. MAYS
ROBERT E. MCCABE
BRETT F. MCCALL
JEREMY T. MCCALL
CHRISTOPHER J. MCKAY
MARTIN J. MCKENNA
BRENT M. MELLEN
MEGAN K. MERVAR
ABIGAIL S. MILLER
ADAM D. MILLER
BRIAN L. MILLER
DANIEL E. MILLER
RONALD A. MILLER
DELOISE L. MOORE
ADAM T. MOSLEY
RYAN W. MOWBRAY
NIKEA L. NATTEAL
JASON D. NGUYEN
BRYANA K. NICHOLAS
LIEZL A. NICHOLAS
NICHOLAS A. NOYES
DANIEL F. OBRIEN III
CHRISTOPHER M. OCONNOR
CHRISTOPHER M. O’MEARA
GREGORY J. OSTROV
JACOB T. PAARLBERG
CHRISTOPHER K. PACE
DANIEL M. PARKER
SHANNON J. PEIFER
MATTHEW D. PEKOSKE
MICHAEL M. PERSUN
CORINNE PLUMMER
PATRICK T. PLUMMER
MATTHEW D. POORE
PATRICK R. POWERS
JEFFREY M. PREBECK
SHANNON M. PRICE
SARAH M. PULLIAM
GREGORY G. QUILLEN
CHRISTOPHER P. RABALAIS
JONATHAN T. REBUCK
JOSEPH E. REITMEYER
CHARLES J. RESSEL
NATHANAEL J. RHODES
KYLE T. RICHTER
CALEB C. ROBARDS
ZACHARY B. ROBERTSON
LEONEL ROBLES, JR.
CHRISTOPHER A. ROGERS
LUIS M. RUCK
ELIZABETH A. RUNCO
MATTHEW H. SALDIVAR
RICHARD W. SANZO
DARIN W. SCHNEIDER
BRANDON S. SCHUMANN
GUSTAV J. SEYLERSCHMIDT
NATHAN A. SHAKESPEARE
GEORGE W. SHEPHERD
ERIN L. SLYCORD
JACK B. SMITH
KEVIN L. ST.CIN
ALEX J. STACHEL
DANIEL E. STEPLER
DAVID M. STERN
RACHEL A. STRYKER
AMANDA M. STYLES
KYLE M. SWEET
STACY J. TEIXEIRA
NKOSI R. THOMAS
JONATHAN D. TICE
MEGAN C. TRIVETT
ELIZABETH A. TUFTS
ERIC C. TURNER
KATHERINE M. USTLER
DANIEL VELEZ
SCOTT T. VERHAGE
MICHELLE K. VILLAFANE
WILLIAM S. WALLEN
JOSEPH K. WALTON
BRYAN D. WATTS
GREGORY C. WAUGH
MORGAN I. WAY
JAMES F. WHITE
CHARLES M. WHITESEL
ZACHARY M. WIEST
SHEA G. WINTERBERGER
JAMES B. ZORN
f
CONFIRMATION
Executive nomination confirmed by
the Senate October 24, 2023:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL G. WHITAKER, OF VERMONT, TO BE ADMINIS-
TRATOR OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
FOR THE TERM OF FIVE YEARS.
f
WITHDRAWALS
Executive Message transmitted by
the President to the Senate on October
24, 2023 withdrawing from further Sen-
ate consideration the following nomi-
nations:
NANCY ANDERSON SPEIGHT, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE
A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AU-
THORITY FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1,
2024, VICE ERNEST W. DUBESTER, TERM EXPIRED, WHICH
WAS SENT TO THE SENATE ON JUNE 12, 2023.
NANCY ANDERSON SPEIGHT, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE
A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AU-
THORITY FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS EXPIRING JULY 1,
2029, (REAPPOINTMENT), WHICH WAS SENT TO THE SEN-
ATE ON JUNE 12, 2023.
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EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1005 October 24, 2023
RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS
GAUCHER DISEASE AWARENESS
MONTH
HON. CHRISTOPHER R. DeLUZIO
OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. D
E
LUZIO. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today to recognize that October is
Gaucher Disease Awareness Month and spot-
light the national patient advocacy organiza-
tion, the Gaucher Community Alliance.
Gaucher Disease is an ultra-rare genetic dis-
order that affects approximately 6,000 people
in the United States. Gaucher Disease is the
most common genetic disorder for persons of
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. This disorder re-
sults from a build-up of fat laden Gaucher
cells in organs such as the spleen and liver or
in the bone marrow. As a result of this build
up, the organs of people with Gaucher Dis-
ease can become enlarged, impeding their
ability to function. If the bone tissue and bone
marrow become affected, patients’ bones will
become weaker, making them more prone to
fractures and ultimately could lead to bone
death.
There are different forms of Gaucher Dis-
ease. Gaucher Type I accounts for 95% of pa-
tients in the United States. Patients with this
specific type, experience spleen and liver en-
largement including low blood counts and
issues with the clotting process and various
problems with their bones. The FDA has ap-
proved two types of treatments for Gaucher
Type I, including enzyme replacement thera-
pies (ERT) or oral substrate reduction thera-
pies (SRT).
Gaucher Type 2 is rarer than Type I and is
typically fatal within the first two years of life
because of the severe neurological abnormali-
ties associated with this type. Patients with
Gaucher Type 2 suffer from poor develop-
ment, seizures, jerking movements, poor abil-
ity to suck and swallow, as well as an en-
larged liver and spleen. GCA hopes that a cur-
rent clinical trial taking place to combat this
terrible disorder that claims the lives of young,
will show success.
Gaucher Type 3 is the most common Type
worldwide and its severity falls between that of
Type 1 and Type 2. Patients with Gaucher
Type 3 suffer from a mix of symptoms from
the first two types including seizures, skeletal
irregularities, eye movement disorders, cog-
nitive issues, poor coordination, an enlarged
liver and spleen, respiratory problems, and
various blood disorders such as anemia. It is
important to note that patients can be charac-
terized as having a blend of the types and not
within a single category.
The Gaucher Community Alliance is the na-
tional nonprofit organization for the patient
community, based in Western Pennsylvania.
Two passionate Gaucher patient advocates
founded GCA—Aviva Rosenberg of Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania and Cyndi Frank of
Sonoma, California. The mission of GCA is to
support patients with Gaucher Disease and
their families through peer-to-peer support and
education, advocacy, patient and family re-
sources and networking. GCA collaborates
with industry partners to encourage clinical
trials for additional treatments and therapies;
access to Patient Assistance Programs for
Gaucher patients; and promote newborn
screening for Gaucher Disease and other
lysosomal storage disorders. GCA also hosts
patient meetings around the country.
The Gaucher Community Alliance is working
hard to improve the quality of life of those di-
agnosed with Gaucher Disease. I would like to
salute the community during Gaucher Aware-
ness Month.
f
HONORING DICK COOK
HON. JASON SMITH
OF MISSOURI
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker Pro
Tempore, I rise today to honor Dick Cook of
Crystal City, Missouri, a legend in high school
sports who is being inducted into the Missouri
Sports Hall of Fame.
For 49 years, Mr. Cook coached at the high
school level—34 of those years at Crystal
City. Most of the time, he coached track and
field, leading his 1984 and 1989 girls’ teams to
state championships in Class 2. During his
time as coach, Crystal City earned 16 state
championships by individuals and relay teams
in track.
In the 1970s, he started the Jefferson Coun-
ty Jets Track Club, an AAU program that pro-
duced athletes who competed in the Big 8
Conference with one reaching the Olympics.
He began his career in Poplar Bluff and
coached a season at Herculaneum as well.
But he spent most of his career in his home-
town of Crystal City where he graduated high
school in 1956 and graduated from the Univer-
sity of Missouri in 1960.
No one could be prouder of his achieve-
ments than his wife Mary Ellen, his son Rich-
ard, and daughters Mary Beth, Jill, and Amy
Jo. I congratulate Coach Cook on his induc-
tion into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame this
year and I am pleased to share his accom-
plishments today before the United States
House of Representatives.
f
CONGRATULATING MARK
PELLETIER ON BEING NAMED
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE
YEAR
HON. CHRIS PAPPAS
OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today in recognition of Mark Pelletier, a
New Hampshire resident who was recently
named the 2023 Young Professional of the
Year by the Cooperative Credit Union Asso-
ciation. The Cooperative Credit Union Asso-
ciation annual awards recognize individuals
across Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Is-
land, and New Hampshire that make the extra
effort to empower their coworkers, company,
and community. As the Young Professional of
the Year, Mark has been recognized for his
experience, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic
at St. Mary’s Bank in Manchester.
A senior data analyst lead for St. Mary’s,
Mark was nominated by the credit union’s
leadership team and employees because of
his inclusive leadership style, his skills in de-
vising data-driven solutions, and his extensive
volunteer record. For the past two years, Mark
has served as Chairperson of St. Mary’s
Young Professionals Group. In this role, Mark
has taken to guiding, influencing, and sup-
porting other young professionals. Mark’s time
as leader of this Group is a testament to his
talent and passion for promoting young busi-
ness leaders across New Hampshire.
Outside of the office, Mark has committed
himself to addressing the needs of his com-
munity. In his free time, Mark volunteers with
organizations such as Families in Transition
and Habitat for Humanity. Dedicated to em-
powering young leaders and committed to
supporting the local community, Mark has en-
riched the lives of all those around him.
I look forward to seeing all that Mark ac-
complishes in the years to come, and I am
confident that he will continue to serve as a
guide for all those looking to make a dif-
ference at their workplace and in their commu-
nity. On behalf of the constituents of New
Hampshire’s First Congressional District, I ap-
plaud Mark for his commendable leadership
and wish him continued success in his future
endeavors.
f
NORTHWEST DOUGLAS COUNTY
CHAMBER & ECONOMIC DEVEL-
OPMENT CORPORATION—‘‘WOMEN
WHO SOAR’’
HON. KEN BUCK
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, it is
my honor today to recognize the accomplish-
ments of three outstanding women. Ashley
Ferris, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack and Alice
Jackson who will be honored by the Northwest
Douglas County Chamber & Economic Devel-
opment Corporation as ‘‘Women Who Soar.’’
Ashley Ferris, a law enforcement officer, left
an indelible mark in Denver from 2018 to
2023. Even before her tenure as a dedicated
law enforcement officer, her background as a
United States Army Intelligence Analyst and
project manager showcased her remarkable
skills.
Ashley’s heroic efforts were exemplified dur-
ing the critical incident on December 27, 2021,
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where she confronted and took down the
Lakewood, CO mass shooter, despite sus-
taining injuries herself. This act of bravery
earned her accolades, including the Law En-
forcement Officer of the Year 2022 by the Na-
tional Police Hall of Fame and the Valor
Award. Her unwavering determination and re-
silience, even in the face of adversity, make
her an inspiration.
Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, a celebrated
cookbook author and Emmy Award-winning
creator and chef, blends her Texan roots into
culinary masterpieces. Drawing inspiration
from her grandmother’s Mexican traditions and
her mother’s home-style dishes, she crafts de-
lectable creations showcased on
MuyBuenoBlog.com. Besides her blog, Yvette,
based in Colorado, is a sought-after brand
ambassador and recipe developer, engaging
her audience on social media.
Alice Jackson is a trailblazer in the energy
sector, shining as Xcel Energy’s Senior Vice
President of System Strategy and Chief Plan-
ning Officer. Her leadership in this male-domi-
nated field has been transformative. With a
decade of contributions, Alice has redefined
the standards of excellence in executive lead-
ership. Her success story is not just inspiring
but a testament to her resilience, making her
an inspiration for aspiring professionals in the
industry.
From saving lives during a mass shooting to
Emmy winning inspiration, this year’s recipi-
ents have made a lasting impact on those
around them and in our community. It is lead-
ers like these women who will allow us to
achieve a more prosperous and inclusive fu-
ture and I congratulate them all on being rec-
ognized as ‘‘Women Who Soar.’’
f
TRIBUTE TO OPTUS BANK
HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished
South Carolina bank for its unwavering com-
mitment to advancing minority-owned busi-
nesses. Optus Bank of Columbia, South Caro-
lina was recently awarded the Minority Busi-
ness Development Agency (MBDA) 2023 Rob-
ert J. Brown Minority Business Enterprise of
the Year Award. Their steadfast support of
businesses in distressed areas has uplifted
communities and the lives of many.
To recognize the important role of entre-
preneurs and institutions in advancing minor-
ity-owned businesses, the Minority Business
Development Agency at the United States De-
partment of Commerce established Minority
Enterprise Development Week in 1983. Since
then, the Department of Commerce has com-
menced numerous awards to celebrate the
outstanding achievements of minority entre-
preneurs. The Robert J. Brown Minority Busi-
ness Enterprise Award recognizes companies
that have exceeded industry standards and
achieved phenomenal financial success while
showing a commitment to social responsibility
and strong community involvement. The award
is among the highest levels of recognition that
a U.S. minority business enterprise can re-
ceive from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Optus Bank was selected because of its
commitment to closing the racial wealth gap,
exacerbated by systemic disparities in the fi-
nancial industry. Following in the footsteps of
Victory Savings Bank, the first Black-owned
bank in South Carolina, Optus is committed to
providing access to capital to individuals and
businesses excluded from the banking system.
By turning deposits from community members
into loans that serve local businesses, Optus
provides funding for enterprises that may not
be approved for traditional loans. Their unique
community driven mission has allowed them to
achieve great success while helping scores of
minority-owned enterprises succeed in South
Carolina.
Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask that you
and our colleagues join me in celebrating
Optus Bank and their unwavering commitment
to serving communities and people in need.
Their actions should serve as an example to
other organizations dedicated to positively im-
pacting the communities they operate in.
South Carolina is more prosperous because of
the efforts of Optus Bank and I wish them
continued success.
f
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF
ROBERT H. LIPP
HON. BRIAN HIGGINS
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker Pro
Tempore, today I am honored to recognize the
life of a quintessential West Side of Buffalo
resident, Robert Lipp. Often referred to as
‘‘The Mayor of Fifteenth Street,’’ Robert left an
indelible mark on a community that will be
mourning his loss for a long time to come.
Born in 1965, Robert graduated from
Maryvale High School in Cheektowaga, and
Bryant & Stratton College in Buffalo, where he
obtained a degree in Electronic Technology. A
longtime employee with the New York State
Thruway Authority, an on-the-job accident
meant that Robert entered retirement earlier
than he had planned. Instead of approaching
this situation with negativity, Robert began to
dive into some of his passions. As a man that
understood the value of community and neigh-
borhoods, he would plant flowers each year
for Buffalo’s annual Garden Walk. Robert did
not simply hope that someone would take
steps to beautify the West Side of Buffalo; he
did it. Whether it result from confrontation of
absentee landlords or fixing the electrical
issues of his neighbors, there was no limit to
the level of love that Robert displayed for the
City of Buffalo.
Of course, Robert enjoyed many other ac-
tivities, as well. He loved to camp, go to con-
certs and weddings, and (in typical Buffalo
fashion) watch his beloved Bills and Sabres.
He spent time with his many dogs, sought to
make each year’s Garden Walk better than
the last, and served as a dedicated member of
the Democratic Committee.
Survived by his husband, Bobby Graber,
and countless loving family members, Robert’s
sudden passing will undoubtedly be difficult to
endure. Nevertheless, to all of those who
knew and loved Robert, his legacy will remain.
Robert served as a model citizen in so many
ways, and our community will forever be a
better place because of him.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF
MRS. CINDY CASTELLO
HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK
OF GEORGIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker Pro Tem-
pore, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Cindy
Castello for the vital role she has played in the
development of Cherokee County, Georgia as
a stronghold of conservative values.
Cindy and her husband, Pete, have been
friends of my family for many years. We have
witnessed her character and dedication to our
shared cause in all of her numerous roles as
a community servant. As a dedicated leader,
Cindy has been instrumental in recruiting and
developing many community activists to be-
come public servants and run for public office.
She has utilized her extensive network of rela-
tionships and years of experience within the
Georgia Republican Party, the 11th Congres-
sional District, and the Cherokee County Re-
publican Party to lay a foundation which will
impact Cherokee County for years to come.
She has devoted countless hours volun-
teering her time, talents, and energy to serve
eleven years on the Zoning Board of Appeals;
and, during her eighteen years of service on
the Tax Equalization Board, she played a vital
role for Cherokee County in steering the future
of the county by applying commonsense con-
servative values.
In her thirty-three years of dedicated service
on the Cherokee County Board of Elections,
Cindy has helped to set a standard of excel-
lence, and helped develop the Board into one
of Georgia’s finest and most innovative enti-
ties.
She has provided invaluable support and
has been instrumental in the development of
the Cherokee County Republican Party for the
past forty years. She exemplifies the very best
of public service and is truly an inspiration to
so many. It is abundantly fitting and proper
that Cindy’s dedication to the cause of faith,
family, and freedom be appropriately recog-
nized in the U.S. House of Representatives.
On behalf of the citizens of Cherokee Coun-
ty, Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, and
myself and my family, I offer my sincere ap-
preciation to Mrs. Cindy Castello for her dec-
ades of faithful public service to our commu-
nity.
f
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY
OF SAMANTHA WOLL
HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN
OF MICHIGAN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr, Speaker Pro Tempore, it
is with profound grief that I pay tribute to the
life of a passionate advocate, a dedicated
former Congressional staff member, an orga-
nizer, and a true believer in interfaith dialogue,
Samantha Woll. Sam had a brilliant mind, a
generous spirit, and was a true light in the
community. While we do not yet know the cir-
cumstances of her death, we do know how
she lived, so today I ask that we remember
the profound impact she had on her commu-
nity, our state, and the Nation in her short time
on this earth.
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Sam worked for me from nearly the moment
I became a Congresswoman—helping us set
up the Lansing office in 2019 and helping to
lead it for my full first term as Team Slotkin’s
Deputy District Director. Like everyone who
met her, I was immediately struck by her kind-
ness, her sharp mind, and her ever-present
smile. Though she was young, Sam came to
our team already well-established, having
worked for multiple members of the state leg-
islature, as well as many different causes
close to her heart. She would go on to work
for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
and State Senator Stephanie Chang, among
others.
I was also struck by her profound faith; not
just her personal faith in Judaism, but her pro-
found faith in humanity. Sam dedicated her
time on my staff, and truly her entire life, to
building understanding and bridges between
people, and bringing light in the face of dark-
ness. She helped establish our first interfaith
roundtable and continued that work when she
left our office, serving as president of the
Isaac Agree Synagogue in Detroit where she
was known for her outreach and dialogue with
her Muslim and Christian neighbors. As the
Detroit Jewish News noted in naming her one
of the ‘‘36 Under 36’’ influential young people
in the Jewish community, ‘‘By extending her
hand and creating space for connection be-
tween Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified
the values of healing the world.’’ She also
played a vital role in the revitalization of De-
troit, including the renovation and reopening of
her historic synagogue just a few months ago.
It is deeply painful that we have lost someone
so dedicated to healing, and connecting so
many people, no matter their background, to
such a destructive act.
Sam’s senseless death has left a hole not
just in our hearts but in the fabric of our com-
munity. She was a beacon of light and I ask
that as we grieve her loss, we recommit our-
selves to the principles by which she lived.
Sam firmly believed in the power of govern-
ment to do good: to lift people out of poverty,
to give a voice to the voiceless, and to bring
justice and equality to all. She was deeply
committed to the idea that what united us as
Americans and Michiganders was much more
important than the ways some try to divide us.
I send my deepest condolences to all who
knew and loved her. May her memory be a
blessing forever in our hearts.
f
RECOGNIZING CARLA SCRUGGS’
32+ YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE
CITY OF SALINE
HON. DEBBIE DINGELL
OF MICHIGAN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today to recognize Carla Scruggs, the Di-
rector of Parks and Recreation for the City of
Saline, on the occasion of her retirement. Her
contributions to the health and wellness of the
Saline community over the last three decades
are worthy of commendation.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI, Carla
graduated from Pioneer High School before
attending Central Michigan University, where
she spent four years on the softball team.
After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees, she set out on a career in public
service throughout Southeastern Michigan. In
1988, Carla began at the City of Hazel Park
as a graduate intern specializing in senior pro-
gramming and youth and adult sports. She
then went to Novi, where she took on the po-
sition of Recreation Coordinator for the city’s
Parks and Recreation Department. In 1991,
Carla was brought on as the Director of Parks
and Recreation for the City of Saline, where
she has been serving ever since.
Carla’s tenure at the head of the Saline
Parks and Recreation Department has seen
countless improvements to Saline’s green
spaces. These include, but are certainly not
limited to, the Recreate Our Mill Pond Park
play structure, multiple dog parks, and the cre-
ation of Salt Springs Park. As well as being
the Director, Carla also acts as the Staff Liai-
son to the Parks Commission and the Youth
Council. She has been an active member for
the Michigan Recreation and Parks Associa-
tion for the entirety of her tenure and is cur-
rently the Chair of their Awards Committee. In
her free time, Carla volunteers every year for
the Punt Pass & Kick State Competition,
Saline’s DARE golf outing, the PPSA golf out-
ing, and the University of Michigan Softball
Academy to raise awareness for breast can-
cer.
Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask my col-
leagues to join me today in celebrating the
32+ years of public service that Carla Scruggs
has been kind enough to dedicate her life to.
She has given our children spaces to play, our
dogs spaces to run, and altogether has made
Saline a warmer and more welcoming place to
live. Though we are sad to see her go, the
families of Saline will be feeling her positive
influence for decades to come. I thank Carla.
f
ALL VETERANS HONOR GUARD
HON. KEN BUCK
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise
today to honor the All Veterans Honor Guard,
who provide the final Military Honors at Fort
Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. Only
those who have served in the U.S. Armed
Forces are permitted to provide such services
but in 1993, the U.S. Military ceased to per-
form these final rites for deceased veterans.
That’s why approximately 100 Colorado vet-
erans formed the All Veterans Honor Guard in
1994 to carry on this sacred duty for their late
comrades in arms. Aside from a small stipend
from the state of Colorado, the organization
receives no additional funding or compensa-
tion to maintain and repair the World War II-
era weapons or to purchase uniforms for their
volunteers.
During their first year, the All Veterans
Honor Guard provided Military Honors for 63
veterans at Ft. Logan National Cemetery—and
since 1994, they have stood as the Honor
Guard for over 23,400 military funerals; with
Chief Master Sergeant Retired Morris Smith
serving as the backbone for over two dec-
ades. But as time has gone on, the number of
requests for their services has grown as our
aging veterans pass away. The number of vol-
unteers, however, has diminished. In 2021,
the All Veterans Honor Guard had less than
80 veteran volunteers, who provided the final
honors for 1,554 veterans.
Despite these challenges, the Honor Guard
remains as dedicated to serving their late
brothers and sisters in their afterlife as they
were in serving alongside them in life. That is
why, Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, on behalf of
the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, it is
a distinct privilege to recognize and com-
memorate the tireless efforts of the All Vet-
erans Honor Guard over the past 29 years.
Our country is blessed to have such heroes
who care enough to honor their comrades as
they are laid to rest.
f
COMMEMORATING COOK COUNTY
BOARD’S ‘‘MEDICAL DEBT RE-
LIEF INITIATIVE’’
HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker Pro
Tempore, I wish to recognize the trans-
formative ‘‘Medical Debt Relief Initiative’’ in
Cook County, Illinois which has successfully
abolished $281,338,840 of medical debt for
Cook County residents. I applaud the tireless
efforts of Cook County Board President Toni
Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board to
provide much needed relief to 158,541 resi-
dents. This innovative program, in partnership
with the national nonprofit ‘‘RIP Medical Debt,’’
reallocated $12 million in American Rescue
Plan Act funds to provide invaluable relief to
Cook County families, many of whom are liv-
ing paycheck to paycheck.
Medical debt continues to be a crisis in our
country. According to ‘‘RIP Medical Debt,’’
every day, 1 in 2 Americans must choose be-
tween paying medical bills and covering their
basic needs. This is unacceptable. Thanks to
the Inflation Reduction Act, more Americans
have health insurance coverage now than
ever before, but despite these historic strides,
costs remain a barrier to accessing high-qual-
ity healthcare. Low and moderate-income
American households continue to accrue med-
ical debt and continue to be harmed by its fi-
nancial and mental effects.
During a time of rising costs, Congress must
do its part to assist working families. We must
seek bipartisan solutions to reform our
healthcare system because no one should be
punished for becoming sick or receiving med-
ical care. While we seek bipartisan policy solu-
tions, partnerships across all levels of govern-
ment should continue to facilitate medical debt
relief. This relief, such as the ‘‘Medical Debt
Relief Initiative’’ in Cook County, Illinois, has
the power to give economic mobility to work-
ing families and boost our economy. Mr.
Speaker Pro Tempore, I extend immense grat-
itude to the Cook County Board, under the di-
rection of Cook County President Toni
Preckwinkle, for being a model for other juris-
dictions across the country. I continue to seek
opportunities to advance commonsense mod-
els like this one to address the medical debt
crisis.
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RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISH-
MENTS OF 100 YEARS OF THE
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF
UPSTATE NEW YORK
HON. BRIAN HIGGINS
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker Pro
Tempore, today I am honored to recognize the
Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York
as they celebrate a century of dedicated serv-
ice to our community. Headquartered in Am-
herst, NY, this organization, and their staff
have undoubtedly had a lasting impact on
countless constituents in Western New York.
Founded in 1923, the reach and growth of
this chapter of the Better Business Bureau is
nothing short of impressive. The eighth largest
Better Business Bureau, it serves 6 million
people across 48 counties in New York State.
Due to their unwavering enthusiasm, BBB of
Upstate New York closes 15,000 complaints
annually while posting over 10,000 reviews.
Throughout their long history, millions of serv-
ice-oriented tasks have been completed in the
name of consumer education and standards
enforcement. Their mission is simple: provide
consumers with resources to not only avoid
dishonest business practices but offer rem-
edies for those who have been wronged. Very
importantly, all levels of government rely on
BBB of Upstate New York to front-end this
education of consumers. Federal, state, and
local law enforcement have also been able to
begin investigations (and ultimately prosecu-
tions) of bad faith actors in our local market-
place. That type of responsibility is only given
because the Better Business Bureau of Up-
state New York has proven to be an honest
broker for consumers.
Trust is at the very core of business, and it
is only due to organizations like the Better
Business Bureau of Upstate New York that
consumers can approach matters with con-
fidence. I applaud their century of work to bet-
ter our community, and I wish them continued
expansion and prosperity in aiding the men
and women of our community.
f
RECOGNIZING DR. FRED LUTHER
HAYNES
HON. DAVID G. VALADAO
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today to honor the life of Dr. Fred Luther
Haynes, who passed away on September 2,
2023, and to thank him for his more than 40
years of dedicated service to the Bakersfield
City School District. Dr. Haynes was born in
Clarksville, Oklahoma to Harvey Haynes and
Mable Haynes-Harvey. He was the eldest of
five sons. At an early age, his mother instilled
in him the value of education, which inspired
him to become an educator. He attended col-
lege at Langston University in Oklahoma,
where he received his bachelor of science de-
gree in education. Dr. Haynes pursued his
post-graduate studies at Fisk University in
Tennessee, where he obtained his master’s
degree in education. Over the course of his
career, he earned additional credentials and
teaching certificates at the California State
University of Fresno and Bakersfield, Florida
Agricultural and Mechanical University, and
Dillard University. In 1977, Dr. Haynes at-
tended Brigham Young University, where he
received a doctorate in education.
In 1951, Dr. Haynes married Marcy Alice
Williams in Tulsa, where they would start their
family of eight children. Ten years later, he
moved his family to Bakersfield, California,
where he began his extensive teaching career
in the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD).
Dr. Haynes was first a teacher at Colonel
Baker School before becoming the school’s
Assistant Principal. He later moved to the dis-
trict office, where he worked as a Resource
Teacher and became BCSD’s first African
American district-wide supervisor. During his
time as supervisor, Dr. Haynes was focused
on parental involvement, even creating the
Parent Involvement and Community Relation
Division to strengthen the relationship between
students, parents, and teachers at BCSD. For
26 years, Dr. Haynes served as Principal
across multiple BCSD elementary schools and
at Emerson Jr. High School. Throughout his
tenure as Principal, Dr. Haynes was dedicated
to the achievement of all students and was in-
strumental in district-wide changes that sup-
ported underrepresented students.
In 1996, the Dr. Fred Haynes Award was
established to honor the leadership, strength,
and courage displayed by Dr. Haynes over the
course of his career. Each year, the award is
given to male students in the district who ex-
hibit the qualities of Dr. Haynes in their aca-
demic pursuits. In 2016, Dr. Haynes was in-
ducted into the BCSD’s Hall of Fame, to honor
him for his 40 years of exceptional service to
the district. After his retirement, Dr. Haynes
became a Board Member for BCSD, a position
he held until 2020. As a member of the board,
he continued to advocate for the well-being
and success of students in the district.
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Haynes was
passionate about the lives of members of the
community. He was the author of African
American Women Trailblazer, which cele-
brates the sacrifices and achievements of Afri-
can American women in Kern County. He re-
ceived several awards to honor his service, in-
cluding awards from the NAACP, Boy Scouts
of America, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Frater-
nity.
Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask all my col-
leagues in the House of Representatives to
join me in honoring the incredible life of Dr.
Fred Luther Haynes. Dr. Haynes’ lifetime of
service as an educator in the Central Valley
will be felt for generations to come.
f
RECOGNIZING SHAKOPEE
BREWHALL AS ONE OF AMER-
ICA’S TOP SMALL BUSINESSES
HON. ANGIE CRAIG
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today to congratulate Shakopee
Brewhall—Taproom & Coffeehouse as the
Midwest regional finalist for the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce’s America’s Top Small Business
Award.
Shakopee Brewhall was selected as one of
seven finalists out of a total of over 15,000
small business applicants for the annual Top
Small Business Award. At its inception in
2018, the brewhall operated modestly with a
nine-member team, opening its doors for just
41 hours across five days each week. During
that time, the team focused on brewing and,
as demand grew, distributing its unique beers.
Today, they employ 27 workers, with over half
of the original staff still remaining on the team
and have grown their customer base and ex-
panded their offerings to include morning cof-
fee and espresso over 86 hours every week.
I’m grateful for co-founders, Ryan Lindquist
and Damon Schuler’s role in the revitalization
of downtown Shakopee by turning their his-
toric space into Scott County’s first taproom
and coffeehouse. Their leadership of the
brewhall showcased necessary innovation
when pivoting to distribution during the pan-
demic and working with other local small busi-
nesses. I’ve also appreciated their ‘‘Share
More Than A Beer Day,’’ which creates
awareness and financial support for partnering
organizations and has led to more than
$50,000 in donations to local non-profits.
It was a special honor to join Shakopee
Brewhall’s Caitlin Drayna at the Chamber’s
Awards Gala on October 19th. It is my privi-
lege to represent Shakopee Brewhall in Con-
gress and I look forward to sharing a beer to-
gether soon.
f
RECOGNIZING THE 32ND ANNIVER-
SARY OF PARIS PEACE AGREE-
MENT
HON. LORI TRAHAN
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I
rise today in recognition of the 32nd Anniver-
sary of the Paris Peace Agreement that ended
the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. As the Chair
of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus and
the Representative of a district with one of the
highest populations of Cambodian-Americans,
I rise to honor the anniversary of the peace
agreement and call on the United States to do
everything possible to help Cambodia realize
its full democratic potential.
This historic agreement ended a horrible
war that stretched over three decades and
caused the deaths of countless soldiers and
civilians. One of the promises outlined in the
accord was for free and fair elections. Unfortu-
nately, that aspiration was never realized, and
the current state of Cambodia’s government
personifies the challenges that remain to
achieving a truly democratic nation.
For thirty-eight years, Cambodia was ruled
with an iron grip by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The democratic promise of free and fair elec-
tions was shattered by his weaponization of
government power. Over the years, Hun Sen
took steps to eliminate his opposition, ban
independent media outlets, and jail peaceful
protesters. In depriving the Cambodian people
of their human rights, Hun Sen moved Cam-
bodia closer to an authoritarian state and
robbed them of the representative government
promised in their Constitution and the Paris
Peace Agreement.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1009 October 24, 2023
Earlier this year, Cambodia held a sham
election that made a mockery of the demo-
cratic process. The prearranged result saw a
landslide victory for Hun Sen who in turn an-
nounced an immediate transfer of power to his
son, Hun Manet. Let me be clear, these most
recent elections violated the Cambodian Con-
stitution, a document that Hun Sen helped
draft and signed three decades ago, and his
unprecedented decision to unilaterally transfer
power to his son indicates Cambodia will be
subject to authoritarian rule for another gen-
eration.
As we recognize the 32nd anniversary of
the Paris Peace Agreement, the Congres-
sional Cambodia Caucus stands firmly against
the rising tide of authoritarianism in Cambodia.
We will not stand idly by while Hun Manet
picks up where his father left off. Instead, we
will continue to use every tool at our disposal
to push for a free, democratic Cambodia. I am
a proud co-lead of the Cambodian Democracy
and Human Rights Act (H.R. 4659), legislation
that promotes free and fair elections, democ-
racy, political freedoms, and human rights in
Cambodia by applying sanctions on Cam-
bodian officials who denigrate those rights. I
look forward to working with my colleagues in
the Cambodian Caucus to pass this bill and
with the Biden Administration to ensure that
these sanctions are imposed effectively.
Passing the Cambodian Democracy and
Human Rights Act will help ensure that the
principles of the Paris Peace Agreement are
upheld and that Cambodians can move closer
to achieving the self-determination and dignity
they deserve.
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D1070
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Daily Digest
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S5125–S5153
Measures Introduced: Seventeen bills and five reso-
lutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3104–3120, S.
Res. 423–426, and S. Con. Res. 22.
Pages S5143–44
Measures Passed:
Project Safe Childhood Act: Senate passed S.
1170, to reauthorize and update the Project Safe
Childhood program, after agreeing to the committee
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S5150–52
World Food Day: Committee on the Judiciary was
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 397,
designating October 16, 2023, and October 16,
2024, as ‘‘World Food Day’’, and the resolution was
then agreed to.
Page S5152
Public Radio Music Day: Senate agreed to S.
Res. 425, expressing the support of the Senate for
the designation of ‘‘Public Radio Music Day’’ and
deep appreciation for the role of public radio music
stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds
of communities in the United States.
Page S5152
National Bison Day: Senate agreed to S. Res.
426, designating November 4, 2023, as ‘‘National
Bison Day’’.
Page S5152
Appropriations—Agreement: A unanimous-con-
sent agreement was reached providing that at a time
to be determined by the Majority Leader in consulta-
tion with the Republican Leader, Senate resume con-
sideration of H.R. 4366, making appropriations for
military construction, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year end-
ing September 30, 2024; that during consideration
of the bill, Murray/Collins Amendment No. 1092 be
considered an Appropriations Committee amendment
for purposes of Rule XVI, with no other Rule XVI
points of order waived by this agreement; that H.R.
4366, H.R. 4368, making appropriations for Agri-
culture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Admin-
istration, and Related Agencies programs for the fis-
cal year ending September 30, 2024, as reported in
the House of Representatives on June 27, 2023, and
H.R. 4820, making appropriations for the Depart-
ments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2024, as reported in the
House of Representatives on July 24, 2023, serve as
the basis for defense of germaneness under Rule XVI
for any floor amendments, and that it be in order for
floor amendments to amend the substitute in more
than one place; that the only amendments in order
to Murray/Collins Amendment No. 1092 be the fol-
lowing amendments, if offered; and that at a time
to be determined by the Majority Leader in consulta-
tion with the Republican Leader, Senate vote on or
in relation to the amendments: Moran Amendment
No. 1250; Daines Amendment No. 1185; Sullivan
Amendment No. 1216; Sullivan Amendment No.
1221; Peters/Cornyn Amendment No. 1283; Rosen
Amendment No. 1117; Schatz Amendment No.
1120; Booker/Tuberville Amendment No. 1175;
Tillis/Welch Amendment No. 1264; Reed Amend-
ment No. 1202; Britt Amendment No. 1270; Kelly/
Tillis Amendment No. 1116; Hirono/Moran Amend-
ment No. 1113; Warnock/Cornyn Amendment No.
1351; Smith/Ricketts Amendment No. 1134; Rosen/
Crapo Amendment No. 1220; Cardin Amendment
No. 1277; Padilla Amendment No. 1140; Shaheen
Amendment No. 1131; Klobuchar/Moran Amend-
ment No. 1203; Kelly Amendment No. 1133;
Padilla Amendment No. 1139; Ossoff/Braun
Amendment No. 1255; Merkley/Crapo Amendment
No. 1352; Ernst Amendment No. 1177; Stabenow
Amendment No. 1115; Vance Amendment No.
1210; Rubio Amendment No. 1237; Kennedy
Amendment No. 1354; Braun Amendment No.
1182; Hawley Amendment No. 1200; Cruz Amend-
ment No. 1296; Blackburn Amendment No. 1349;
Budd Amendment No. 1243; Cramer Amendment
No. 1241; Paul Amendment No. 1217; Paul
Amendment No. 1347; Cruz Amendment No. 1249;
Lankford Amendment No. 1232; and Lee Amend-
ment No. 1121; that 60 affirmative votes be re-
quired for adoption of the following amendments:
Cramer Amendment No. 1241; Paul Amendment
No. 1217; Paul Amendment No. 1347; Cruz
Amendment No. 1249; Lankford Amendment No.
1232; and Lee Amendment No. 1121; that upon
disposition of the amendments listed above, Senate
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1071 October 24, 2023
vote on adoption of Murray/Collins Amendment No.
1092, as amended, if amended, with a 60 affirmative
vote threshold required for adoption, and Senate vote
on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended, with
a 60 vote affirmative threshold required for passage;
and that upon disposition of the bill, the Committee
on Appropriations be discharged from further con-
sideration, and Senate proceed to the immediate con-
sideration of H.R. 662, to amend the Disaster Relief
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 to improve
disaster relief funding for agricultural producers, the
Scott (FL)/Rubio substitute amendment at the desk
be considered and agreed to, and Senate vote on pas-
sage of the bill, as amended, with a 60 affirmative
vote threshold required for passage, without inter-
vening action or debate. Page S5128
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro-
viding that at approximately 10 a.m., on Wednes-
day, October 25, 2023, notwithstanding Rule XXII,
Senate resume consideration of H.R. 4366, as pro-
vided under the order of Tuesday, October 24, 2023;
that at 11:30 a.m., Senate continue consideration of
the nomination of Jessica Looman, of Minnesota, to
be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division,
Department of Labor, post-cloture, and that all post-
cloture time be considered expired; that upon dis-
position of the nomination of Jessica Looman, Senate
resume legislative session. Page S5152
Message from the President: Senate received the
following message from the President of the United
States:
Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the
continuation of the national emergency that was
originally declared in Executive Order 13413 of Oc-
tober 27, 2006, with respect to the situation in or
in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
which was referred to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM–26) Pages S5140–41
Looman Nomination: Senate resumed consider-
ation of the nomination of Jessica Looman, of Min-
nesota, to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour
Division, Department of Labor. Page S5135
During consideration of this nomination today,
Senate also took the following action:
By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 264), Senate
agreed to the motion to close further debate on the
nomination. Pages S5134–35
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol-
lowing nomination:
By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. EX.
263), Michael G. Whitaker, of Vermont, to be Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
for the term of five years.
Pages S5125–34
During consideration of this nomination today,
Senate also took the following action:
By a unanimous vote of 94 yeas (Vote No. EX.
262), Senate agreed to the motion to close further
debate on the nomination.
Page S5132
Nominations Received: Senate received the fol-
lowing nominations:
Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, of Connecticut, to be
Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia.
Claria Horn Boom, of Kentucky, to be a Member
of the United States Sentencing Commission for a
term expiring October 31, 2029.
Clinton J. Fuchs, of Maryland, to be United States
Marshal for the District of Maryland for the term of
four years.
John Gleeson, of New York, to be a Member of
the United States Sentencing Commission for a term
expiring October 31, 2029.
Johnny C. Gogo, of California, to be United States
Attorney for the District of Guam and concurrently
United States Attorney for the District of the North-
ern Mariana Islands for the term of four years.
Sara E. Hill, of Oklahoma, to be United States
District Judge for the Northern District of Okla-
homa.
David L. Lemmon II, of West Virginia, to be
United States Marshal for the Southern District of
West Virginia for the term of four years.
Joshua S. Levy, of Massachusetts, to be United
States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts for
the term of four years.
John David Russell, of Oklahoma, to be United
States District Judge for the Northern District of
Oklahoma.
Routine lists in the Army and Coast Guard.
Pages S5152–53
Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notifica-
tion of withdrawal of the following nominations:
Nancy Anderson Speight, of Pennsylvania, to be a
Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for
a term of five years expiring July 1, 2024, which
was sent to the Senate on June 12, 2023.
Nancy Anderson Speight, of Pennsylvania, to be a
Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for
a term of five years expiring July 1, 2029, which
was sent to the Senate on June 12, 2023. Page S5153
Executive Communications: Pages S5141–43
Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5144–46
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S5146–49
Additional Statements: Pages S5139–40
Amendments Submitted: Pages S5149–50
Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S5150
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today.
(Total—264) Pages S5132, S5134–35
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Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad-
journed at 6:59 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday,
October 25, 2023. (For Senate’s program, see the re-
marks of the Acting Majority Leader in today’s
Record on page S5152.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
ROBOCALLS
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Sub-
committee on Communications, Media, and
Broadband concluded a hearing to examine pro-
tecting Americans from robocalls, after receiving tes-
timony from Margot Freeman Saunders, National
Consumer Law Center, on behalf of the Consumer
Federation of America, Megan L. Brown, Wiley Rein
LLP, on behalf of the U.S. Chamber Institute for
Legal Reform, and Joshua M. Bercu, USTelecom—
The Broadband Association Industry Traceback
Group, all of Washington, D.C.; and Michael Ru-
dolph, YouMail, Inc., Los Angeles, California.
SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded
a hearing to examine instability in the Sahel and
West Africa, focusing on implications for United
States policy, after receiving testimony from Molly
Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs: Committee announced the following sub-
committee assignments for the 118th Congress:
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations: Senators
Blumenthal (Chair), Carper, Hassan, Ossoff, Butler,
Johnson, Scott (FL), Hawley, and Marshall.
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Over-
sight: Senators Hassan (Chair), Sinema, Rosen, Ossoff,
Romney, Lankford, and Scott (FL).
Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border
Management: Senators Sinema (Chair), Carper,
Blumenthal, Butler, Lankford, Johnson, and Rom-
ney.
Senators Peters and Paul are ex-officio members of each
subcommittee.
COMPETITION AND CONSUMER RIGHTS IN
HOUSING MARKETS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Competi-
tion Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights con-
cluded a hearing to examine competition and con-
sumer rights in housing markets, after receiving tes-
timony from Diane Yentel, National Low Income
Housing Coalition, Vanessa Brown Calder, Cato In-
stitute, Luis E. Quintero, Johns Hopkins University
Carey Business School, and E.J. Antoni, The Herit-
age Foundation, all of Washington, D.C.; and Mau-
rice E. Stucke, University of Tennessee College of
Law, Knoxville.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in
closed session to receive a briefing on certain intel-
ligence matters from officials of the intelligence
community.
THE PRECURSOR PIPELINE
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics
Control: Caucus concluded a hearing to examine the
precursor pipeline, focusing on techniques that drug
cartels use to procure and finance precursor chemi-
cals that are used to manufacture illicit synthetic
drugs, and actions the Federal government can take
to address this issue, after receiving testimony from
Margaret Nardi, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforce-
ment Affairs; William F. Kimbell, Chief of Oper-
ations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Depart-
ment of Justice; and Ricardo Mayoral, Deputy As-
sistant Director, International Operations, Homeland
Security Investigations, Department of Homeland
Security.
h
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 pub-
lic bills, H.R. 6020–6039; and 6 resolutions, H.
Con. Res. 70; and H. Res. 805–809, were intro-
duced.
Pages H5042–43
Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5044–45
Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.
Recess: The House recessed at 11:02 a.m. and re-
convened at 6:43 p.m.
Page H5041
Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that
when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet
at 12 noon tomorrow, October 25th.
Page H5041
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1073 October 24, 2023
Quorum Calls—Votes: There were no Yea and Nay
votes, and there were no Recorded votes. There were
no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 11 a.m. and ad-
journed at 6:43 p.m.
Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on
Energy, Climate, and Grid Security began a markup
on legislation on the Advanced Reactor Fee Reduc-
tion Act; legislation on the Advanced Nuclear Reac-
tor Prize Act; legislation on the Nuclear for
Brownfields Site Preparation Act; legislation on the
Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness
Act; legislation on the NRC Mission Alignment
Act; legislation on the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency
Act; legislation on the Advanced Nuclear Deploy-
ment Act; legislation on the Modernize Nuclear Re-
actor Environmental Reviews Act; legislation on the
Advancing Nuclear Regulatory Oversight Act; H.R.
995, the ‘‘Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and
Cooperation Act’’; H.R. 5718, the ‘‘Nuclear Fuel Se-
curity Act of 2023’’; H.R. 4528, the ‘‘Strengthening
the NRC Workforce Act of 2023’’; H.R. 4167, the
‘‘Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Sup-
ply Chain Act’’; legislation on the Hands Off Our
Home Appliances Act; legislation on the GRID Act;
legislation on the Affordable HOMES Act; and H.R.
4045, the ‘‘Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act’’.
OVERSIGHT OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Sub-
committee on Government Operations and the Fed-
eral Workforce; and Subcommittee on Health Care
and Financial Services held a joint hearing entitled
‘‘Oversight of the Internal Revenue Service’’. Testi-
mony was heard from Daniel Werfel, Commissioner,
Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treas-
ury; and Jessica Lucas-Judy, Director, Strategic
Issues, Government Accountability Office.
MEASURING POVERTY: HOW THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO REDRAW
THE POVERTY LINE AND ROB RESOURCES
FROM RURAL AMERICA
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on
Work and Welfare held a hearing entitled ‘‘Meas-
uring Poverty: How the Biden Administration Plans
to Redraw the Poverty Line and Rob Resources from
Rural America’’. Testimony was heard from David
Hansen, Director of Educational Opportunities and
Investments, Perry County Job and Family Services,
Ohio; and public witnesses.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
f
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 25, 2023
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine
how climate change threatens supply chains, 10 a.m.,
SD–608.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee
on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, to hold hearings
to examine S. 175, to codify certain public land orders
relating to the revocation of certain withdrawals of public
land in the State of Alaska, S. 297, to amend the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize
certain construction activities on public lands, S. 1348, to
redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in
the State of Wyoming, S. 1719, to amend the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to establish emergency
fireshed management areas, S. 1764, to improve Federal
activities relating to wildfires, S. 1889, to provide for the
recognition of certain Alaska Native communities and the
settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act, S. 2132, to require the Secretary
of Agriculture to establish a pilot program for the estab-
lishment and use of a pre-fire-suppression stand density
index, S. 2151, to amend the Southwest Forest Health
and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2004 to require the estab-
lishment of an additional Institute under that Act, S.
2581, to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Commu-
nity Self-Determination Act of 2000, S. 2615, to amend
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that
Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land
in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of
Municipal Corporations, S. 2855, to modernize and
streamline the permitting process for broadband infra-
structure on Federal land, S. 2867, to address the forest
health crisis on the National Forest System and public
lands, S. 2991, to improve revegetation and carbon se-
questration activities in the United States, S. 3033, to
withdraw certain Federal land in the Pecos Watershed
area of the State of New Mexico from mineral entry, S.
3036, to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey
to the State of Utah certain Federal land under the ad-
ministrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment within the boundaries of Camp Williams, Utah, S.
3044, to redesignate the Mount Evans Wilderness as the
‘‘Mount Blue Sky Wilderness’’, S. 3045, to provide for
the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain
Federal land in the State of California, S. 3046, to make
permanent the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Na-
tional Forest marina fees, H.R. 3324, to extend the au-
thority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal
year 2029, S. 3062, to provide for the removal of small-
diameter trees in fire hazard areas, and S. 3079, to estab-
lish a policy regarding appraisal and valuation services for
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real property for a transaction over which the Secretary of
the Interior has jurisdiction, 2:30 p.m., SD–366.
Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine paid
leave, focusing on policy, practice, and impact on the
workforce, 10 a.m., SD–215.
Committee on Foreign Relations: business meeting to con-
sider the nomination of Jacob J. Lew, of New York, to
be Ambassador to the State of Israel, Department of
State, and other pending nominations, 10 a.m., S–116,
Capitol.
Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Co-
operation, to hold hearings to examine the Department of
State’s strategy for security in the Black Sea region, 2:30
p.m., SD–419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: busi-
ness meeting to consider the nominations of Monica M.
Bertagnolli, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Na-
tional Institutes of Health, Department of Health and
Human Services, Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of
Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, Erika L. McEntarfer, of the
District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Labor Statis-
tics, Department of Labor, Amanda Wood Laihow, of
Maine, to be a Member of Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission, and other pending calendar
business, 10 a.m., SD–430.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
business meeting to consider S. 2685, to make data and
internal guidance on excess personal property publicly
available, S. 2866, to improve the customer experience of
the Federal Government, ensure that Federal services are
simple, seamless, and secure, S. 3029, to amend title 5,
United States Code, to increase death gratuities and fu-
neral allowances for Federal employees, S. 2150, to estab-
lish an Interagency Council on Service to promote and
strengthen opportunities for military service, national
service, and public service for all people of the United
States, S. 2087, to reauthorize the Congressional Award
Act, S. 2414, to require agencies with working dog pro-
grams to implement the recommendations of the Govern-
ment Accountability Office relating to the health and
welfare of working dogs, S. 1258, to require the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget to submit to
Congress an annual report on projects that are over budg-
et and behind schedule, S. 3071, to amend section 324
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to incentivize States, Indian Tribes, and
Territories to close disaster recovery projects by author-
izing the use of excess funds for management costs for
other disaster recovery projects, and S. 3067, to require
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to conduct an evaluation and submit to Congress
a report on ways to reduce the complexity of the cost ef-
fectiveness requirements for hazard mitigation assistance,
10:30 a.m., SD–562.
Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine
implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the
Inflation Reduction Act in native communities, 2 p.m.,
SD–628.
Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine
ensuring the safety and well-being of unaccompanied
children, 10 a.m., SD–G50.
Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, to hold
hearings to examine the human rights of foster children,
2:30 p.m., SD–226.
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: to hold hearings to exam-
ine VA accountability and transparency, focusing on qual-
ity care and benefits for veterans, 3:30 p.m., SR–418.
Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed brief-
ing on certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH–219.
House
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Seapower
and Projection Forces, hearing entitled ‘‘The Submarine
Industrial Base and its Ability to Support the AUKUS
Framework’’, 2:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on En-
ergy, Climate, and Grid Security, continue markup on
legislation on the Advanced Reactor Fee Reduction Act;
legislation on the Advanced Nuclear Reactor Prize Act;
legislation on the Nuclear for Brownfields Site Prepara-
tion Act; legislation on the Strengthening American Nu-
clear Competitiveness Act; legislation on the NRC Mis-
sion Alignment Act; legislation on the Nuclear Licensing
Efficiency Act; legislation on the Advanced Nuclear De-
ployment Act; legislation on the Modernize Nuclear Re-
actor Environmental Reviews Act; legislation on the Ad-
vancing Nuclear Regulatory Oversight Act; H.R. 995,
the ‘‘Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation
Act’’; H.R. 5718, the ‘‘Nuclear Fuel Security Act of
2023’’; H.R. 4528, the ‘‘Strengthening the NRC Work-
force Act of 2023’’; H.R. 4167, the ‘‘Protecting Amer-
ica’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act’’; legis-
lation on the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act; leg-
islation on the GRID Act; legislation on the Affordable
HOMES Act; and H.R. 4045, the ‘‘Hydropower Clean
Energy Future Act’’, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ‘‘Supporting
Access to Long-Term Services and Supports: An Examina-
tion of the Impacts of Proposed Regulations on Work-
force and Access to Care’’, 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Digital
Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion, hearing enti-
tled ‘‘Modernizing Financial Services Through Innovation
and Competition’’, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance,
and International Financial Institutions, hearing entitled
‘‘How America and Its Allies Can Stop Hamas,
Hezbollah, and Iran from Evading Sanctions and Financ-
ing Terror’’, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Western
Hemisphere, hearing entitled ‘‘The U.S.- Honduras Bilat-
eral Relationship: Analyzing the Socialist Government of
President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya’’, 2 p.m., 2200 Ray-
burn.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability, hear-
ing entitled ‘‘The Global Engagement Center: Helping or
Hurting U.S. Foreign Policy’’, 2 p.m., HVC–210.
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Committee on Homeland Security, Full Committee, hearing
entitled ‘‘An Examination of the Iranian Regime’s Threats
to Homeland Security’’, 9 a.m., 310 Cannon.
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Pro-
tection, hearing entitled ‘‘Evaluating Federal Cybersecu-
rity Governance’’, 2 p.m., 310 Cannon.
Committee on Natural Resources, Full Committee, markup
on H.R. 1792, the ‘‘South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of
2023’’; H.R. 2560, the ‘‘Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act
of 2023’’; H.R. 3415, the ‘‘Pilot Butte Power Plant Con-
veyance Act’’; H.R. 4587, the ‘‘Red Snapper Act’’; H.R.
4770, the ‘‘Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Eco-
system Enhancement Act of 2023’’; H.R. 5009, the
‘‘WILD Act’’; H.R. 5283, the ‘‘Protecting our Commu-
nities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023’’;
and H.R. 5616, the ‘‘BRIDGE Production Act of 2023’’,
10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, hear-
ing on H.R. 1449, the ‘‘CLEAN Act’’; H.R. 2855, the
‘‘Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2023’’; legislation on the
Right of Way Application Transparency and Account-
ability Act; and legislation on the Restoring American
Energy Dominance Act, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, hear-
ing on H.R. 520, to amend the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals
shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally
propagated animals; H.R. 2990, the ‘‘National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and
Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2023’’; H.R.
5103, the ‘‘FISHES Act’’; H.R. 5504, to require the Di-
rector of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to withdraw
proposed rules relating to the Endangered Species Act of
1973, and for other purposes; H.R. 5509, the ‘‘Electronic
Permitting Modernization Act’’; H.R. 5874, the ‘‘TAAP
Act’’; and legislation to prohibit the implementation of
certain documents until the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries of the National Marine Fisheries Service issues
documents relating to the Rice’s whale, 2:15 p.m., 1334
Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Subcommittee
on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs,
hearing entitled ‘‘Faith Under Fire: An Examination of
Global Religious Persecution’’, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy,
and Regulatory Affairs, hearing entitled ‘‘The Power of
Apprenticeships: Faster, Better Paths to Prosperous Jobs
and Less Waste in Higher Education’’, 2 p.m., 2154 Ray-
burn.
Committee on Ways and Means, Full Committee, hearing
entitled ‘‘Educational Freedom and Opportunity for
American Families, Students, and Workers’’, 10 a.m.,
1100 Longworth.
Joint Meeting
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold
hearings to examine Hamas’ hostages, Putin’s prisoners,
and freeing international captives, 10 a.m., 1334, Long-
worth Building.
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD
Week of October 25 through October 27, 2023
Senate Chamber
On Wednesday, Senate will resume consideration of
H.R. 4366, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. At 11:30
a.m., Senate will continue consideration of the nomi-
nation of Jessica Looman, of Minnesota, to be Ad-
ministrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Depart-
ment of Labor, post-cloture, and vote on confirma-
tion thereon. Following disposition of the nomina-
tion of Jessica Looman, Senate will continue consid-
eration of H.R. 4366, with addition roll call votes
expected.
During the balance of the week, Senate may con-
sider any cleared legislative and executive business.
Senate Committees
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Octo-
ber 26, to hold hearings to examine combating the net-
works of illicit finance and terrorism, 10 a.m., SD–538.
Committee on the Budget: October 25, to hold hearings
to examine how climate change threatens supply chains,
10 a.m., SD–608.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: October 25,
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, to
hold hearings to examine S. 175, to codify certain public
land orders relating to the revocation of certain with-
drawals of public land in the State of Alaska, S. 297, to
amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 to authorize certain construction activities on public
lands, S. 1348, to redesignate land within certain wilder-
ness study areas in the State of Wyoming, S. 1719, to
amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to es-
tablish emergency fireshed management areas, S. 1764, to
improve Federal activities relating to wildfires, S. 1889,
to provide for the recognition of certain Alaska Native
communities and the settlement of certain claims under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, S. 2132, to re-
quire the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a pilot pro-
gram for the establishment and use of a pre-fire-suppres-
sion stand density index, S. 2151, to amend the South-
west Forest Health and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2004
to require the establishment of an additional Institute
under that Act, S. 2581, to extend the Secure Rural
Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000,
S. 2615, to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be re-
quired to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for
the establishment of Municipal Corporations, S. 2855, to
modernize and streamline the permitting process for
broadband infrastructure on Federal land, S. 2867, to ad-
dress the forest health crisis on the National Forest Sys-
tem and public lands, S. 2991, to improve revegetation
and carbon sequestration activities in the United States,
S. 3033, to withdraw certain Federal land in the Pecos
Watershed area of the State of New Mexico from mineral
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entry, S. 3036, to require the Secretary of the Interior to
convey to the State of Utah certain Federal land under
the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land
Management within the boundaries of Camp Williams,
Utah, S. 3044, to redesignate the Mount Evans Wilder-
ness as the ‘‘Mount Blue Sky Wilderness’’, S. 3045, to
provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over
certain Federal land in the State of California, S. 3046,
to make permanent the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity
National Forest marina fees, H.R. 3324, to extend the
authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through
fiscal year 2029, S. 3062, to provide for the removal of
small-diameter trees in fire hazard areas, and S. 3079, to
establish a policy regarding appraisal and valuation serv-
ices for real property for a transaction over which the Sec-
retary of the Interior has jurisdiction, 2:30 p.m., SD–366.
October 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to ex-
amine Federal offshore energy strategy and policies, 9:30
a.m., SD–366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works: October 26,
Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management,
Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight, to hold
hearings to examine evaluating alternative materials for
single-use plastics, 10 a.m., SD–406.
Committee on Finance: October 25, to hold hearings to
examine paid leave, focusing on policy, practice, and im-
pact on the workforce, 10 a.m., SD–215.
Committee on Foreign Relations: October 25, business
meeting to consider the nomination of Jacob J. Lew, of
New York, to be Ambassador to the State of Israel, De-
partment of State, and other pending nominations, 10
a.m., S–116, Capitol.
October 25, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Se-
curity Cooperation, to hold hearings to examine the De-
partment of State’s strategy for security in the Black Sea
region, 2:30 p.m., SD–419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Oc-
tober 25, business meeting to consider the nominations
of Monica M. Bertagnolli, of Massachusetts, to be Direc-
tor of the National Institutes of Health, Department of
Health and Human Services, Charlotte A. Burrows, of the
District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Em-
ployment Opportunity Commission, Erika L. McEntarfer,
of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Labor
Statistics, Department of Labor, Amanda Wood Laihow,
of Maine, to be a Member of Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission, and other pending calendar
business, 10 a.m., SD–430.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
October 25, business meeting to consider S. 2685, to
make data and internal guidance on excess personal prop-
erty publicly available, S. 2866, to improve the customer
experience of the Federal Government, ensure that Federal
services are simple, seamless, and secure, S. 3029, to
amend title 5, United States Code, to increase death gra-
tuities and funeral allowances for Federal employees, S.
2150, to establish an Interagency Council on Service to
promote and strengthen opportunities for military service,
national service, and public service for all people of the
United States, S. 2087, to reauthorize the Congressional
Award Act, S. 2414, to require agencies with working
dog programs to implement the recommendations of the
Government Accountability Office relating to the health
and welfare of working dogs, S. 1258, to require the Di-
rector of the Office of Management and Budget to submit
to Congress an annual report on projects that are over
budget and behind schedule, S. 3071, to amend section
324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act to incentivize States, Indian Tribes,
and Territories to close disaster recovery projects by au-
thorizing the use of excess funds for management costs
for other disaster recovery projects, and S. 3067, to re-
quire the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency to conduct an evaluation and submit to
Congress a report on ways to reduce the complexity of
the cost effectiveness requirements for hazard mitigation
assistance, 10:30 a.m., SD–562.
Committee on Indian Affairs: October 25, to hold hear-
ings to examine implementing the Bipartisan Infrastruc-
ture Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in native com-
munities, 2 p.m., SD–628.
Committee on the Judiciary: October 25, to hold hearings
to examine ensuring the safety and well-being of unac-
companied children, 10 a.m., SD–G50.
October 25, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the
Law, to hold hearings to examine the human rights of
foster children, 2:30 p.m., SD–226.
October 26, Full Committee, business meeting to con-
sider subcommittee assignments, and the nominations of
Mustafa Taher Kasubhai, to be United States District
Judge for the District of Oregon, John A. Kazen, to be
United States District Judge for the Southern District of
Texas, Eumi K. Lee, to be United States District Judge
for the Northern District of California, Shanlyn A.S.
Park, and Micah W.J. Smith, both to be a United States
District Judge for the District of Hawaii, and Jamel Sem-
per, to be United States District Judge for the District
of New Jersey, 10 a.m., SH–216.
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: October 25, to hold hear-
ings to examine VA accountability and transparency, fo-
cusing on quality care and benefits for veterans, 3:30
p.m., SR–418.
Select Committee on Intelligence: October 25, to receive a
closed briefing on certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m.,
SH–219.
Special Committee on Aging: October 26, to hold hearings
to examine access to therapies for people with rare, pro-
gressive, and serious diseases, 10 a.m., SD–106.
House Committees
Committee on Financial Services, October 26, Sub-
committee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing enti-
tled ‘‘Moving the Money: Understanding the Iranian Re-
gime’s Access to Money Around the World and How
They Use It to Support Terrorism’’, 9 a.m., 2128 Ray-
burn.
Committee on Ways and Means, October 26, Sub-
committee on Social Security, hearing entitled ‘‘One Mil-
lion Claims and Growing: Improving Social Security’s
Disability Adjudication Process’’, 9 a.m., 2020 Rayburn.
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Joint Meeting
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: October
25, to hold hearings to examine Hamas’ hostages, Putin’s
prisoners, and freeing international captives, 10 a.m.,
1334 Longworth Building.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST
Congressional Record
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D1078 October 24, 2023
Next Meeting of the SENATE
10 a.m., Wednesday, October 25
Senate Chamber
Program for Wednesday: Senate will resume consider-
ation of H.R. 4366, Military Construction, Veterans Af-
fairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. At 11:30
a.m., Senate will continue consideration of the nomina-
tion of Jessica Looman, of Minnesota, to be Administrator
of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor,
post-cloture, and vote on confirmation thereon. Following
disposition of the nomination of Jessica Looman, Senate
will continue consideration of H.R. 4366, with addition
roll call votes expected.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
12 noon, Wednesday, October 25
House Chamber
Program for Wednesday: To be announced.
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Buck, Ken, Colo., E1005, E1007
Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1006
Craig, Angie, Minn., E1008
Deluzio, Christopher R., Pa., E1005
Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E1007
Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1006, E1008
Krishnamoorthi, Raja, Ill., E1007
Loudermilk, Barry, Ga., E1006
Pappas, Chris, N.H., E1005
Slotkin, Elissa, Mich., E1006
Smith, Jason, Mo., E1005
Trahan, Lori, Mass., E1008
Valadao, David G., Calif., E1008
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