Tammy Baldwin

Ms. BALDWIN

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues--Senator Kim, Senator Hirono, and Senator Markey--for participating in this debate today and for standing firm. As I said earlier, historically, the NDAA has embodied the idea that there is more that brings us together than separates us, that our servicemembers and national defense are not to be politicized, and that we put our country over party when the chips are on the table. Unfortunately this year, that was ignored, all to gut the rights of our servicemembers to get the healthcare that they need for their children. With that, I encourage a ``no'' vote on the NDAA. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I am disappointed that my Republican colleague has blocked the confirmations of these nominees. These nominees have been held up since last year, and it is time to end these delays and confirm these nominees. I yield the floor.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask that the scheduled vote occur immediately.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Mark Eskenazi's and Amanda Wood Laihow's nominations to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. I want to note for my colleagues that the Commission has not had a quorum since April of 2023 and, as a result, has been unable to decide cases for more than a year. Delays with the Commission's cases create significant risks to workers, and that is, in part, because, when an employer appeals a citation, they don't have to fix the alleged hazard until the Commission issues a final decision. Mr. Eskenazi is currently an Assistant General Counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and previously has held numerous positions at the National Labor Relations Board. This is Ms. Wood Laihow's second nomination to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. She was previously confirmed in January of 2020. Prior to her role on this Commission, she has served as the director of labor and employment policy for the National Association of Manufacturers and as deputy general counsel for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. I support this bipartisan pair of nominees that will allow the Commission to have a quorum, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 374 and 785; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; and that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Ms. BALDWIN

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

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, today I rise to honor the retirement of Rev.Dr. Carmen Porco following a 50-year career of dedicated service in Wisconsin communities. His tireless work advocating for access to housing and leading a multifront effort to fight poverty has touched thousands of lives across the State of Wisconsin. Reverend Dr. Porco grew up in a small town in West Virginia. In his youth, he saw his mother put some of her hard-earned money toward helping support those who lost their jobs in a steel mill layoff. Inspired by his mother's selflessness, Reverend Dr. Porco began his career of public service early in his life. At 19 years old, he moved to Milwaukee to intern for the Milwaukee Christian Center. His internship focused on conflict resolution between youth gangs but exposed him to the now historic marches calling for open housing legislation. Between 1967 and 1968, African-American teenagers lead by Father James Groppi marched for 200 nights throughout Milwaukee to advocate for fair housing. Reverend Dr. Porco joined those marches and in turn found a passion that shaped his entire career. Reverend Dr. Porco went on to develop and lead Housing Ministries of Wisconsin, which aims to move residents from public housing toward homeownership. Throughout his long and impressive career, Reverend Dr. Porco has fought to end poverty by supporting and uplifting the individuals affected by it. He helped improve the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with his revolutionary housing model. The model recognizes the importance of fighting poverty on multiple fronts by including opportunities for education and personal growth. Reverend Dr. Porco's housing model has since been implemented in over 800 units of section 8 housing across Wisconsin. One of the properties managed by Reverend Dr. Porco was Greentree- Teutonia Community Learning Center in Milwaukee. To the 700 people who call Greentree home, the center offers more than just shelter. Greentree also provides education, job training, and other support programs. Despite roadblocks, Greentree has been immensely successful thanks to the dedication of leaders like Reverend Dr. Porco. The success of his programs shows the power of Reverend Dr. Porco's wholistic approach to combatting poverty. Reverend Dr. Porco has been rightfully honored for his efforts on many levels. In 2006, he earned the prestigious Champions of Change award from the George W. Bush administration, acknowledging his extraordinary effort to end housing insecurity in Wisconsin communities. He also earned the 2020 Hometown Hero award from the Wisconsin State Assembly for his decades of advocacy and the 2017 Dane County Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, for upholding the values of the civil rights legend. In 2019, the nonprofit organization Center on Business and Poverty dedicated a faculty chair to his name, housed at the University of Oxford in England. Reverend Dr. Porco has been a leading voice in equitable housing solutions for over 50 years. He has advocated with a tireless compassion, determination, and intellect--never ceasing in his service of those in need. Today, as Reverend Dr. Porco moves into retirement, he leaves a legacy of service that will not be forgotten. I am proud to join others across Wisconsin in honoring his career and lifetime of service.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Byron Conway's nomination to serve as a judge for the district court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Senator Johnson and I have worked to set up the bipartisan Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission to provide us with recommendations for qualified candidates for open Federal judicial and U.S. attorney positions. This commission has identified and put forward highly qualified, experienced candidates such as Mr. Conway, and I am pleased to see the Senate moving forward with his nomination. As I shared with the Judiciary Committee, in addition to being an exceptional judicial candidate, Byron Conway is Wisconsin through and through. He was raised in Green Bay, WI, and attended Notre Dame Academy. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University before coming back home to earn his law degree from Marquette University Law School. After being admitted to the Wisconsin bar, Mr. Conway practiced in the Milwaukee area before moving to Green Bay to practice civil litigation. Mr. Conway has experience with a wide variety of cases, including misdemeanor and felony criminal matters, employment discrimination cases, and personal injury cases. I am certain that his prior litigation experience will serve him well as a judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Mr. Conway is a very active member of his local community, having served as president of the Brown County Bar Association, as the Brown County District Representative to the State Bar Board of Governors, and as the vice president of the board of directors for the Brain Center of Green Bay, which offers resources to individuals with cognitive deficits and neurological disorders. Byron Conway has both the experience and the temperament necessary to serve Wisconsin's Eastern District with fairness and impartiality. I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Chair Durbin; Ranking Member Graham; and the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for advancing Mr. Conway's nomination out of the committee with bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm Mr. Conway's nomination. I yield the floor.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, today I rise to recognize the Milwaukee NAACP on its 100th anniversary. It gives me great pleasure to honor this remarkable organization and to commemorate this historic milestone. The Milwaukee NAACP branch was established in 1924, which grew out of the national quest to eradicate the eruptions of anti-Black violence. For 100 years, the Milwaukee NAACP has stood at the forefront of the civil rights movement, unwavering in its efforts to achieve parity in politics, education, society, and the economy, while striving to eliminate racial prejudice. During the emergence of the NAACP, millions of African-Americans were migrating from the south to northern States like Wisconsin in search of greater opportunity and a better quality of life. The newcomers soon learned that they had not escaped racial discrimination in jobs, education, and housing. Throughout its early years, led by prominent middle-class African- American professionals, including Wilbur Halyard, Ardie Halyard, and James W. Dorsey, the Milwaukee NAACP was instrumental in battling the racial discrimination through political lobbying, legal intervention, and direct-action protest. Over the past century, the NAACP has achieved significant progress in empowering African-Americans to reach their greatest potential. By supporting initiatives to improve the lives of those who are often left behind, the NAACP has instigated substantial transformations in Wisconsin's largest city. Despite the NAACP's tireless efforts, the African-American community in Milwaukee continues to face daunting challenges. Factors such as wages, educational outcomes, economic conditions, neighborhood safety, and the opportunity to achieve the American dream are regretfully still influenced by a person's ZIP Code or the color of his or her skin. By working together, we can ensure that African-Americans and all community members are educated, employed, and empowered to succeed. The NAACP's persistent commitment to improvement fosters hope for the next generation of leaders in Milwaukee's communities of color. As we honor the Milwaukee NAACP's achievements and contemplate future challenges, I will be forever grateful for the branch's achievements over the past century, and I look forward to its continued success in the years to come.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support a woman's right to control her own body. Across the country, women have been stripped of the freedom to make their own decisions--decisions about their families, their health, and their futures. Judges and politicians have inserted themselves into exam rooms, telling doctors they cannot treat their patients, sometimes even if that treatment would save her life. In my home State of Wisconsin, women lived for 15 months under a criminal abortion ban that was passed in 1849, a law on the books from 1 year after our statehood and 70 years before a woman won the right to vote. And while there were no women in the room when the statute was crafted, 2 years ago, Wisconsin women woke up to find their healthcare decisions would be dictated by a law that predates the Civil War. They woke up to find out that they now had fewer rights than their mothers and their grandmothers. That day began 15 months of confusion and chaos and heartbreak for families across Wisconsin. We heard stories of women bleeding out from miscarriages, developing life-threatening infections, or being forced to carry unviable pregnancies until they could find an appointment out of State. For countless women, that meant driving hours, paying for lodging and childcare, and taking time off work just to make their own decisions about their own body. Patients from every one of Wisconsin's 72 counties traveled to Illinois just to access healthcare, some traveling over 500 miles. Prior to the Dobbs decision, only one in six Wisconsin abortion patients received out-of- State care. During our criminal abortion ban, that number skyrocketed to 9 out of 10 patients seeking care out of State. Those families were being forced to drive, on average, 103 minutes to exercise their right to control their own bodies and get the care they needed, nearly double the time that they drove to access care before Roe fell. And I am talking here about women who could afford the more than $1,000 in costs to access that care. We must also be aware of those who could not. For example, patients traveling from out of State had to fork up an average of $330 just for lodging. In 2023 alone, Illinois and Minnesota providers saw over 6,000 patients from Wisconsin. You heard me right. Six thousand Wisconsin women were forced to travel sometimes hundreds of miles just to access healthcare. And even though Wisconsin has restored access to abortion in three counties, Planned Parenthood of Illinois is still seeing three times as many patients from Wisconsin compared to before the Dobbs decision came down. The reality is that abortion care is still only available in 3 of our 72 counties. Exercising this fundamental freedom is out of reach for far too many in America. Twenty-two States across the country have abortion bans, and that means one in three women of reproductive age live in a State where they cannot get the healthcare they need because politicians are telling them that they know better. Well, women and families deserve better. That is why last year I introduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to give millions of women without access to care in their home States a lifeline. This bill would ease the tremendous financial burden Republican abortion bans have placed squarely on women who are trying to access critical care. Women are spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to pay for travel, lodging, meals, and childcare just to make their own healthcare decisions. These past 2 years we have heard shocking stories of women, often desperate for help, having nowhere to turn. Last week, we even heard the story of a woman who died because she was denied abortion care until it was too late. If my colleagues insist that this issue is a decision for the States and not for women, then I hope that they can at least recognize the tremendous hardship their patchwork of laws has created. The rights you have as an American should not depend upon what State you live in. If we cannot restore Roe this Congress, we should, at the very least, extend a lifeline to the millions of women who are unable to access care in their own communities. So as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 2152, the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I am disappointed with the objection and will agree with the Senator on one point, which is that this bill does not fund abortion. The Senator referred to democratically passed laws relating to this subject, and I just wanted to remind him once more what I said in my opening statement: In Wisconsin, women lived for 15 months under a criminal abortion ban that was passed in 1849--70 years before women had the right to vote, before the Civil War. Obviously women had no input in that democratically enacted law. But this bill simply breaks down a barrier that Americans are facing to access sometimes lifesaving care, a financial barrier, I might add, that Republicans put up when they inserted themselves into our exam rooms and into women's personal decisions. I hope my Republican colleagues understand that women take notice when you vote down bills that protect and defend their basic freedoms. They see who is fighting for their right to control their bodies, health, families, and future. I am proud to be standing here today on their behalf. This issue is not going away. We are going to keep fighting day in and day out because women want their rights and freedoms back. Some of my colleagues are claiming that this is merely a messaging bill. Well, send Americans the message that you support their decisions to make their own healthcare choices and pass this bill into law. I yield the floor.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Timothy Donohue for his accomplishments as a scientist over the past 40 years. I am honored to recognize this momentous milestone and Dr. Donohue's numerous contributions to science. Dr. Donohue began his path with a bachelors of life sciences from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1975, followed by a master's in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University in 1977, before receiving his Ph.D. in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University in 1980. In 1986, Dr. Donohue began as an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology. He rose to associate professor in 1991 and full professor in 1996. During this time, he has come to be an internationally recognized expert on bio- and genome-based conversion of renewable resources into valuable products. His research focuses on microbial metabolic and regulatory pathways, genomic and systems biology, and the strategies that microbes use to grow and generate chemicals and alternative fuels from renewable resources. Currently, Dr. Donohue serves as the director of the Wisconsin Energy Institute and is the Ira L. Baldwin Professor of Bacteriology and the UW Foundation's Fetzer-Bascom Professor. During his tenure, Dr. Donohue has earned countless achievements. He is the past president and secretary of the American Society of Microbiology, an honorary fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology, and recipient of the 2018 Promega Biotechnology research award given by the American Academy of Microbiology. He has also served on numerous Federal and international advisory panels and led federally funded graduate training programs. Since 2007, Dr. Donohue has also served as the principal investigator and director of the Great Lakes Bioenergy, a U.S. Department of Energy funded Bioenergy Research Center led by the University of Wisconsin- Madison. The center conducts pioneering research that develops sustainable biofuels and bioproducts made from crops with the goal of creating biofuels and bioproducts that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The center's renewable fuel and chemicals research has trained over 1,000 scientists and engineers, made advancements in over 250 patent applications and 100 licensed technologies, and provided the scientific underpinnings for five start- up companies. Dr. Donohue's continued work in this vital field and dedication to research and education will continue to make a positive impact for many years to come, and I am proud to recognize his lifelong commitment to the pursuit of science and discovery.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Jose A. Olivieri, an accomplished attorney, determined civic leader, and a pillar in the Hispanic community in Milwaukee, whose work left an indelible mark on the State of Wisconsin. Born in Santurce, PR, he moved to Waukesha, WI, to attend Carroll College, where he graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in political science. In 1981 he received his juris doctorate from Marquette University Law School and, the same year, joined Michael Best as an associate. Jose's career at Michael Best spanned 43 years of service in both the legal and academic profession. He was the firm's longest serving chair, leading the firm's higher education industry group and founding Michael Best's immigration law practice. His leadership roles also extended to the Milwaukee office managing partner and labor and employment relations chair and government and public policy group cochair roles. His work largely centered around counseling universities on a variety of issues and employment law issues and later taught law seminar at Marquette University and spoke on employment and immigration issues. Jose was also a founding member and past president of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association. He served on several additional boards over the years, including the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, the Mount Mary University Board of Trustees, past chair of Carroll University's Board of Trustees, and National Association of College and University Attorneys--NACUA. Beyond his work at Michael Best, Jose was deeply committed to strengthening his Milwaukee community. Jose was described as hard working, humble, and as the premier leader of the Wisconsin Hispanic Community by local leaders. He was passionate about education access and elderly care and spent his time advocating on behalf of those issues. For 40 years, he worked with the United Community Center in the Walkers Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, including serving as the chair of the board of directors to strengthen Milwaukee's near South Side neighborhoods. He also held positions on the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, United Way of Greater Milwaukee, Lutheran Social Services, and Froedtert Health System boards. Throughout his career, Jose received awards and recognitions that highlighted the work and dedication he demonstrated to his community. He was a recipient of the Notable Alumni Award by BizTimes Media, Future Milwaukee Community Service Award, Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance Special Service Award, the Todd Wehr Award from the Greater Milwaukee chapter of the national Society of fundraising executives, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's President's Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Award, the Posner Pro Bono Award, and named a Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders magazine. He was consistently included on the prestigious Best Lawyers list, including Lawyer of the Year twice. Jose's legacy is one of professional excellence and dedicated public service. Our Milwaukee community is better because of Jose, and he will be missed.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise to urge my Democratic and Republican colleagues to stand with the majority of Americans who believe a woman should have the right to choose what is best for her and her family, health, and future. The bills we are advancing today are commonsense, straightforward measures that will ensure more women can access the safe reproductive care that they need and deserve. Our legislation will also ensure that doctors can do their jobs, get the training they need to keep their patients safe. For 2 years, millions of women across this country have lived without full reproductive rights, while many more live in fear that their rights and freedoms could be on the chopping block. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has jeopardized Americans' lives, health, and future fertility. The Dobbs decision also forced women and their doctors to navigate a complicated and ever-changing patchwork of laws that dictate Americans' rights based on their ZIP codes. For example, in my home State of Wisconsin, women were sent back to live under an 1849 criminal abortion ban. Judges and politicians were invited into the exam room, while lawyers told doctors how to do their jobs. And these dire impacts reached further than exam rooms; they reached into medical schools that are training our next generation of doctors. For our top-ranked medical schools, a post-Roe reality sowed chaos as students and their instructors wondered how future doctors in our State would have access to the full slate of training necessary to safely practice obstetrics and gynecology. The overturning of Roe put those medical schools' accreditations on the line. It opened the prospect that OB/GYNs might not be trained to provide sometimes lifesaving abortion care. No matter who you are, the idea that doctors could graduate without the proper training to do their jobs and save lives should scare all of us. We also saw prospective students who might otherwise be attracted to our top-tier research institutions reconsider starting their careers in Wisconsin. We saw a downtick of OB/GYN residents interested in coming to our State. And while it is disheartening to say, can you blame them? Why would you want to start a career in a State that restricts you from doing your job and prevents your patients from exercising their right to control their own bodies? That is why last year I introduced my Reproductive Health Care Training Act, commonsense legislation to support training for healthcare providers in abortion care, including for providers forced to travel out of State due to abortion restrictions. My bill with Senator Murray would help ease the burden of travel costs for eligible medical programs to expand and support education for students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians in States that allow comprehensive training in abortion care. Our legislation would also help ensure that medical programs accommodating an influx of students have the resources they need to provide training to students who must travel across State lines to complete their education. The reality of post-Roe America is that there are still countless places in the United States where medical students cannot access training in comprehensive reproductive care. The Reproductive Health Care Training Act will ensure future doctors can meet the needs of their patients and provide safe care, especially in States like Wisconsin that have abortion restrictions. Every woman, no matter where she lives, deserves access to comprehensive reproductive care. The Reproductive Health Care Training Act will ensure America's future doctors are able to provide the sometimes lifesaving care Americans deserve. So as in legislative session, and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 2024, the Reproductive Health Care Training Act, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. BALDWIN. Yet again my Republican colleagues have sent a clear message to women across America. They don't think women should have the right to control their bodies. This bill would have ensured more women could access the safe reproductive care that they need and deserve, including sometimes lifesaving abortion care. Instead, my colleagues have turned their back on the millions of women in States where abortion is restricted. They have turned their backs on millions of women who are increasingly struggling to find OB/ GYN care in their community. They have turned their back on OB/GYN residents and students who just want to learn how to care for their patients. Without access to training and comprehensive reproductive care for our doctors, more women in States like my own will live in healthcare deserts, without the care they need to stay healthy, start a family, and get screenings for cancer and other serious illnesses. My Reproductive Health Care Training Act would have ensured America's future doctors have the training they need to provide safe care, especially in States that have abortion restrictions. This fight is not over, and I am in it for as long as it takes to restore a woman's freedom to make her own decisions about her health, her family, and her future.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate A.O. Smith Corporation on the occasion of their 150th anniversary. In 1874, A.O. Smith began in Milwaukee, WI, as a small family business. Over the past century and a half, they have grown from their humble roots. They began by specializing in the fabrication of metal hardware specialties and have emerged today as an industry leading global water technology manufacturer producing residential and commercial water heaters, boilers, and water purification equipment. Today, they employ more than 12,000 people across the world and conduct business in over 60 countries. The company was instrumental in helping to usher in the automobile revolution, developing a new, lightweight steel car frame--a development that caught the interest of major car companies including Peerless, Cadillac, Packard, Oldsmobile, and Ford. Ford's initial order of 10,000 frames led A.O. Smith to develop the world's first mass production process for assembling frames, later introducing the world's first automated frame production line. This first fully automated frame assembly plant came to be known as the Mechanical Marvel due to the line's ability to make a frame every 8 seconds--10,000 frames a day. A.O. Smith was also a large component manufacturer that supplied parts to another early Wisconsin pioneering manufacturer, Harley-Davidson. A.O. Smith engineers discovered an improved method for welding, allowing for the production of a wide range of steel products. This included the pressure vessel for oil refining and large diameter steel pipe, important components in the oil and natural gas industries. One of the company's most important and enduring innovations was the process of fusing glass to steel. By perfecting this process, the company developed a range of new products, including glass-lined beer kegs, glass-lined brewery tanks, and glass-lined residential water heaters. Glass-lined water heaters rapidly became an industry standard that endures today and led to A.O. Smith's growth as a global leader in water heating products. These products now include industry leading models that are consistently among the most efficient in the market according to the ENERGY STAR program. In recent years, A.O. Smith has emerged as an industry leader in developing technologies that address drinking water quality challenges. A cofounding member of the Water Council, A.O. Smith has helped ensure Milwaukee's place as a global water technology hub, while supporting economic development in Wisconsin. The Water Council helped bring about the creation of the Global Water Center, which houses water-related business accelerators and research facilities where engineers conduct controlled testing on water purification products sold around the world. Bringing together their work has helped transform Milwaukee into a world hub for water research, education, and economic development. I am proud to recognize A.O. Smith as an industry leader, and I share my best wishes with the company and their employees for their continued success.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the life and exceptional career of Michael Lovell, president of Marquette University, who died on June 9, 2024 at the age of 57. Mr. Lovell's passing has deeply impacted not only the Marquette University community, but also the entire State of Wisconsin. Mr. Lovell was born in 1967, and from a young age, he excelled in academics. Lovell earned a bachelor of science, master of science, and PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. However, his commitment to science did not end there. Lovell authored over 100 articles in engineering journals, contributed to 12 book chapters, and collaborated on a book titled ``Tribology for Scientists and Engineers.'' As a researcher, he spearheaded investigations securing nearly $30 million in research grants from various sources, including foundations, corporations, and government entities like the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Education. His work yielded multiple technological advancements, resulting in the acquisition of 7 patents and 14 provisional patents. In recognition of his contributions, Lovell was formally inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. In 2008, Mr. Lovell arrived in Milwaukee to serve as the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lovell went on to serve as the interim chancellor of UWM and then secured the permanent position in 2011. Just a few years later, in 2014, Lovell was presented with the opportunity to take on the role of Marquette's president. He stated, ``It became clear to me I was called to Milwaukee six years ago to become Marquette's president. It was never really my plan, but I'm just glad I decided to follow it.'' Michael Lovell's decade-long stewardship of Marquette University exemplified a profound commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community development, all rooted in the Jesuit values that guided his leadership. His tenure as Marquette's first lay president marked a transformative era for the institution, characterized by tireless dedication to its mission and the well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. Beyond the confines of academia, Michael Lovell's influence extended into the fabric of Milwaukee itself. His collaborative spirit and vision for partnership brought together diverse stakeholders to address pressing societal challenges and drive economic growth in our communities. From his instrumental role in establishing the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute, to his advocacy for initiatives tackling issues like poverty and psychological trauma, Lovell's legacy as a catalyst for positive change will endure for generations to come. Yet, amidst his professional achievements, Michael Lovell's personal journey stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and unwavering courage. His brave battle against cancer, fought with remarkable strength and dignity, serves as an inspiration to all who knew him. Even in the face of adversity, he remained steadfast in his commitment to serving others, leaving an indelible mark on those whose lives he touched. As we mourn the loss of Michael Lovell, let us also celebrate his enduring legacy and the profound impact he made on Marquette University, the city of Milwaukee, and beyond. May his memory serve as a guiding light for all who strive to follow in his footsteps, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, compassion, and the common good.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise to recognize the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, which will break ground in Madison this year on Juneteenth National Independence Day. I wish also to acknowledge the many community leaders who have worked tirelessly to make the Center a reality. The Center for Black Excellence and Culture was founded by Reverend Doctor Alex Gee who has been a fierce advocate for Madison's African- American community for more than 30 years. The Center will unite and uplift Madison's African-American community by providing a space for entrepreneurial exploration, cultural engagement, and celebration. Rev. Dr. Gee and his board of directors have joined with other community leaders to raise over $28 million for the project. Now that they have reached their goal, they will begin construction on June 19, 2024. The decision to break ground on Juneteenth was an intentional and powerful one. The new Black inspired and designed building will sit on 3.5 acres of land and will include many commercial spaces, including an art gallery and theatre space. Rev. Dr. Gee has convened a powerhouse team of Black leaders and hundreds of diverse Black voices to shape the Center. These leaders will support thousands of students through mentorship and professional development and teach students about African-American history and culture to inspire and advance the Black community in Madison and beyond. The Center will also include a space dedicated to Rev. Dr. Gee's mother, Ms. Verline Gee, who served the Madison community for decades as a mentor, poet, social worker, and faith leader. Ms. Gee's story is one of strength and perseverance. She was born in Mississippi and worked alongside her parents as a migrant farmer in her youth. As a child she moved to the Midwest eventually making her way to Madison. Throughout her life, Ms. Gee was always passionate about education. She was one of the inaugural students to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Black Studies Program. The Center for Black Excellence and Culture will honor the memory of Ms. Gee and all other African-American community members who have contributed so much to Madison. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, but it also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to dismantle deep-rooted systems of racial injustice. While strides have been made, the African-American community continues to face significant systemic injustices. Across Wisconsin, African-American families are five times more likely than White families to experience poverty and 61 percent of all African-American households in Dane County live near or below the poverty line. The presence of these injustices makes the Center for Black Excellence all the more critical. True freedom requires liberty and equity for all. The Center for Black Excellence and Culture will contribute to this mission and serve as a model for other cities to follow. As the Center for Black Excellence breaks ground this Juneteenth, I honor the accomplishments of Rev. Dr. Gee, the Center's board of directors, the memory of Ms. Verline Gee and all the community leaders, past and present, who made the Center a reality.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise today in support of securing our border and taking action to fix our broken immigration system. Let's back up for a minute. Fixing our broken immigration system and securing our border has evaded Congress for decades. We have poured many hours and much ink into trying to solve the very real issues that we have, and we have come close. I was proud to advance the bipartisan Gang of 8 immigration reform that would have tightened border security, provided pathways to citizenship for those already here, and expanded work visas. I, along with many in this Chamber, also voted for a bipartisan bill that would have given a path to citizenship for the 1.8 million Dreamers who came to our country as children. We nearly passed the Common Sense Plan, a bill that would have invested $25 billion in border security and also provided a pathway to citizenship for our Dreamers. All of these efforts--every single one of them--died at the hands of congressional Republicans. Recently, Democrats and Republicans came to the table, yet again, to find a path forward on border security and fixes to our immigration system. Together, my colleagues from both parties worked hard to find a bipartisan compromise, and they did. The result was a strong measure, even endorsed by the largest Border Patrol union, that curbs the flow of fentanyl from coming across our border, expedites our asylum process, and boosts border security. Then, many Republicans walked away again, apparently deciding that it was better politics not to secure our border. And what hits closest to home for me and every family who has watched a loved one pass away from fentanyl poisoning or an overdose is that we have a real chance to disrupt the flow of these dangerous drugs into our communities. In the 2-year period from 2021 to 2022, over 2,800 Wisconsinites died of an opioid-related overdose. In just 2 years, thousands of Wisconsin families lost a loved one and gained an empty seat at the dinner table. I have heard from countless parents devastated by losing their child. One mother, Michelle, got a call one November morning in 2021 notifying her that her son Cade, a freshman at UW-Milwaukee, had passed away. The night before, Cade had gone out with friends in his dorm. He took one pill that he thought was Percocet. It turned out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Michelle told me earlier this year that Cade ``had his entire life ahead of him. He was home from college the weekend before he died talking about changing his major to psychology and how he wanted to travel the world. He deserved to learn from his mistake, not die from it. He didn't overdose from taking one pill. He was poisoned.'' That is the stark reality of fentanyl: One pill can kill. In 2020, over 85 percent of opioid deaths in Wisconsin were connected to a synthetic or manufactured opioid like fentanyl. We can and we must do more to stop illicit drugs from coming into our communities. We have that chance in front of us right now. We are bringing this bill back up because this is what the American people are demanding. While Wisconsin is not on the southern border, we are impacted by the flow of fentanyl coming across that border, and Wisconsinites want action. This bipartisan border compromise is that action. This legislation will invest in 100 new cutting-edge inspection machines that help detect fentanyl at our ports of entry. This bill would also strengthen border security with more than 2,400 new Customs and Border Protection officers at our southwest border and give the President new authority to shut down the border when the system is overwhelmed. Not only would this compromise combat the fentanyl crisis, but this also gives us the opportunity to take on an immigration system that has been broken for decades. If passed, this bill would invest in asylum officers and immigration judges to expedite the process. We would also send more resources to help communities across this country struggling to provide critical services to newcomers and expedite work permits for people who are in this country and qualify so that newcomers can provide for their families and help us meet workforce demands for Wisconsin businesses and farms. With communities across Wisconsin and the country receiving migrants, this bill would deliver the necessary resources so that our local boots on the ground can effectively welcome those legally entering this country and not stress their often-stretched budgets. Many Republicans walked away from this deal that they negotiated more than 100 days ago because some would rather make this a campaign issue. Well, I, for one, would prefer to make a difference. Our constituents expect--frankly, they demand--that we come here and work in good faith and find compromise where possible. Our colleagues found a compromise on immigration reform and securing our border. Is it perfect? No. Would it have been a huge step in the right direction? Yes. I, nor anyone else, got everything that they wanted. This bill is a compromise, and there is more work to do. Even if we pass this bill, we must remain committed to fixing our immigration system, including creating a clear path to citizenship for immigrants already here, especially our Dreamers. But in this instance, we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We cannot allow politics to win out over progress. We cannot allow the same old Washington games to stop us from saving lives. Right now, we have a chance to take a step in the right direction, a chance to do the right thing for moms like Michelle and every parent who has lost a child to fentanyl. Let's do something together right now to secure our border, stop the flow of fentanyl, fix our broken immigration system, and make a real difference for Americans. I yield the floor.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to honor Guadalupe Martinez, executive director of United Migrant Opportunity Services--UMOS--on his retirement. Over the last 55 years, Guadalupe Martinez has been a tireless advocate who has grown a multistate organization with programs to provide education, improve employment and housing for migrant workers and underserved populations. Mr. Martinez was born in 1945 in Corpus Christi, TX, to migrant parents and was one of 10 children. Throughout his life, his family migrated around the Midwest, working as fruit and vegetable harvesters, before settling in Oklahoma. As a young boy, his job was to haul baskets to the workers. Martinez also served as the translator for his family, taking care of essential household duties. Eventually, his family bought a farm in Stevens Point, WI. In 1969, Martinez saw a help wanted ad for UMOS. He applied, and on May 5, 1969, Martinez started as a community outreach worker in Door County, WI. He later enrolled in classes at UW-Milwaukee, became a teacher, and eventually rose to the position of director of education for UMOS. Then, in 1974, he became the CEO and president of UMOS. Martinez helped broaden the scope of UMOS by providing direct program services that focused on workforce development, social services, and child development. Through his leadership, UMOS has grown into the largest Hispanic-managed nonprofit in the State of Wisconsin and into one of the largest in the Nation. Martinez also founded the Latina Resource Center, which offers advocacy and supportive services to increase the safety and empower victims of domestic violence. As a young man, Martinez organized and marched side-by-side with Cesar Chavez during the Grape Boycott of the 1970s, and in 1993, Martinez served as a pallbearer for Cesar Chavez for his ``final march.'' Mr. Martinez has served as chairman of the National Farmworker Alliance, MAFO, and, most recently served as chair of the Wisconsin Council on Migrant Labor. He has also served on the board of Farmworker Justice, Wisconsin Farmworkers Coalition, and National Council of La Raza. Mr. Martinez is truly a Wisconsin trailblazer, consistently fighting for equality throughout his 55-year career. He has been a tireless advocate since the 1960s, and I am pleased to join others in recognizing Guadalupe Martinez's success and contributions to the people of our State and our Nation. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I am going to start where my vice chair left off by thanking and appreciating our incredible staff for the hard work and the long hours that they contributed to this product. Then I want to join my vice chair in appreciating the heroic work of Patty Murray, our committee chair, and Susan Collins, our committee vice chair, for their leadership in ushering all 12 appropriations bills to the finish line. I also want to thank Senator Capito for her approach and cooperation on the Labor-HHS-Education bill this year. We started the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process nearly a year ago, including marking up 12 appropriations bills in an overwhelmingly bipartisan process last summer. The Labor-HHS-Education bill was reported out of committee 26 to 2, and I am very proud of that. The goal then was to produce bills free of extreme and partisan policies that could pass the House, pass the Senate, and be signed by the President, and that is what we are here to finish today. The Labor-HHS-Education bill that is included in this package addresses some of our country's most pressing issues. It invests in our workers, our families, and our economy--from substance use and mental health programs to childcare, to biomedical research, to education programs and workforce training. This bill delivers for the American people. This year, we received 9,185 programmatic appropriations requests from Senators for important programs throughout this bill. To Senators who might claim they didn't have a say in what is included in this bill, our doors have been open since the process began last year. We have tried to reflect the priorities of every Senator who has engaged in the appropriations process. Balancing the many competing priorities throughout the Labor-HHS-Education bill is difficult in any year, but this year was especially challenging because it includes less overall funding than it did last year. Consequently, this isn't the bill I would have written alone, but it honors the terms of the debt limit deal that was agreed upon last spring. The Labor-HHS-Education bill included in this package is very much of a compromise, but despite the challenges we faced over many months in writing this bill, I am really proud of our finished product. It rejects proposals included in the House Labor-HHS-Education bill to completely eliminate critical programs. We saved programs such as those that are working to end HIV, ensured initiatives that increase access to contraceptives stay alive and well, and we kept programs in place that deliver support for moms and babies. It rejected devastating cuts found in the House bill that would have gutted funding for educators and schools, gutted funding for biomedical research, gutted funding for Head Start, and gutted funding for Federal financial aid for college students and public health programs. So we rejected those devastating cuts. It also rejects dozens of extreme policy riders that would have restricted reproductive healthcare and women's freedom to control their own bodies as well as attacks on the LGBTQ community and workers' rights. In doing so, this Labor-HHS-Education bill protects the vast majority of investments made in the last 2 years and, in some cases, builds upon them. This bill addresses some of the most pressing needs that I hear about when I am traveling in my home State of Wisconsin. In Wisconsin right now, families are paying 20 percent of their income on childcare, on average, and that is for those who can afford and access it. Over half of Wisconsin is in what we call a childcare desert, meaning that, for every open childcare slot available in their communities, there are three or more children who need it. I hear from families and businesses and educators about our dire need to invest in childcare, and I am proud to have done just that in this bill. This bill includes an increase of $1 billion for childcare and Head Start, building on our major gains in the past 2 years. And I want to recognize our full committee chair, Patty Murray, for making this such a high priority. Look, I know that more needs to be done to fix our childcare system so that it works for families, providers, and our economy, but this is progress. This will help kids get the strong start that they deserve, get parents back into the workforce, and help our businesses get the talent that they need. I am also proud that we are investing in our future generations' health. To cure the diseases that plague our families and communities, we successfully boosted lifesaving and life-changing biomedical research by $300 million. We are doubling down on Alzheimer's disease research because we need to find new treatments, preventions, and, ultimately, a cure. As cancer continues to devastate families of all stripes, I am proud to report that we have increased cancer research funding by $120 million. As we work to address the mental health crisis in our communities, we also increased funding for mental health research. One issue near and dear to my heart is the issue of opioid use disorder. My mother struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers throughout her life. Sadly, my mother's story is all too common, and the opioid epidemic knows no bounds--geographic or ideological. But in recent years, this crisis has taken to new heights with the increased prevalence of synthetic drugs like fentanyl. While our country grapples with deadly poisonings and overdoses from fentanyl, this bill protects investments in substance use programs. As an increasing number of individuals, especially youth, are seeking crisis care, it includes an $18 million increase for the 9- 8-8 suicide prevention hotline that I was so proud to help create. With more than 100,000 individuals on the organ transplant waiting list, this bill invests in modernizing the Organ Network and Transplantation Network to better serve those families and give those families more hope. Accessing healthcare in our rural communities is often a challenge. I know we are acutely experiencing this in the western part of Wisconsin right now, and our bill includes targeted increases to rural health to help turn the tides. Last but certainly not least, our legislation invests in our future. It protects funding for foundational K through 12 and postsecondary education programs that support students and educators. It increases funding for career and technical education while maintaining investments in workforce development programs to help prepare workers for good-paying jobs in in-demand careers. This will help people find careers that provide a stable, middle-class life and help grow our economy. I wish we could have done more. I am disappointed that this bill isn't able to increase funding for family planning or include larger increases to any number of programs that truly meet the needs of families and communities, but given the hand that we were dealt, I am proud of the investments that we were able to make and protect in this bill. Nearly 6 months into the fiscal year and nearly a year after we started this appropriations process by soliciting input from every Member of the Senate, it is past time for us to get serious. This bill does that, and I look forward to supporting its passage today.

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

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, over the last several days and weeks, I have heard a lot of discussion from some of my colleagues here in the Senate and in the House of Representatives about what they consider to be inappropriate congressionally directed spending projects. The majority of those projects appear to be objectionable simply because the organization involved provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. First, let me say that all of the CDS projects identified in the Labor-HHS-Education bill were in the Senate bill that was reported out of the Appropriations Committee last summer by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26 to 2. Second, and more importantly, I am deeply concerned about why these projects are being singled out. They are being singled out and discriminated against because they serve a particular group of Americans, a group of Americans whom every single one of us in this Chamber represents. We all have gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender constituents, and just like any other group of constituents, they are deserving of getting healthcare, mental health care, affordable housing, and a little help to lead a successful life. However, the bullying campaign against organizations that help people who are just living their true, authentic lives is just wrong. For example, one project singled out provides services for LGBTQ seniors as part of a housing project. The project is to help low-income seniors age in place. The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes multiple CDS projects that help our seniors get the care and housing they need as they age, but this is the only one that has been on a list as being somehow objectionable. Another is a federally qualified community health center--basically, one of our community health centers that provides services for individuals struggling with substance use disorder. That organization has noticed an increased need among members of the LGBTQ community and noted in their CDS request that that is a population that they serve and who needs service. For this, the CDS project was again, by some of my colleagues, identified as somehow controversial. In fact, several of the projects that have been identified as problematic are to provide mental health services to people in the LGBTQ community, including LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ kids are just like any other kids. They have stressors in life. They face depression, anxiety, and other challenges, and they need help navigating it. Some of this criticism has been blatant misinformation, including one in my own home State. An organization in Wisconsin has, for a long period of time, helped kids who experience homelessness get help to get back on their feet with employment help, mental health and counseling, with finding housing, and more. I was proud to secure funding for a very specific and narrow program of theirs that provides mental health support and counseling for kids experiencing homelessness. This would be for all kids. In fact, the organization does such great work that it has received Federal funding for years, including under the Trump administration, but since the organization has a program--which will get exactly zero dollars of this Federal funding--to help LGBTQ kids, it was ruthlessly attacked and smeared. These attacks do not live in a vacuum, and they have real-world consequences. When this body says to LGBTQ community members that they are not worthy of our help, what kind of message do you think that sends? Also, considering that we agree that the country is facing a mental health crisis, why would we be barring resources from helping a certain group of people, particularly a group that is acutely feeling the mental health crisis? A recent survey of LGBTQ youth revealed that nearly half--nearly half--of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in this past year. Nearly one in four LGBTQ youth attempted suicide, and nearly three in four reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, but almost 60 percent of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to access it. These statistics are all young people--someone's child, sibling, neighbor, student, or classmate--and maybe one or more will occupy these seats, working collaboratively with colleagues to serve their States and their country. I hope we can pause to consider that when we single out a group of Americans, it has a real impact. Our work and our words here matter, and I hope we can rise above the bullying and can, as we have for months, work across the aisle to deliver for all of our constituents. I yield the floor.