John Barrasso

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Wolfe nomination.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to tell you, to tell the body, and to tell the country that Republicans are going to fully fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Border Patrol, and we are going to do it through the end of President Trump's term in the White House, all the way through--not just to the end of this year, this fiscal year, the calendar year--all the way to the end of the time that President Trump is in the White House. And we can do it without a single Democrat vote, and we are going to move forward without them. The Democrats want to defund law enforcement in America. It is disgraceful. It is shameful. But that is who that party has become. They want to end immigration enforcement in the United States. Republicans will never let that happen. Senator Schumer and the Democrats engineered this dangerous, reckless shutdown that we are currently living in. It is a shutdown of American security and American law enforcement. Now, they have done it for one reason: They would rather protect illegal immigrant criminals than protect law-abiding American citizens. For the last 2 months, Democrats have fought to turn America into what some would call a sanctuary country and what I would call a country that harbors and protects illegal immigrants. That is what they are trying to do. Those are their beliefs. They rally around the country to proclaim it. They voted to defund ICE, and they voted to defund Border Patrol--the very men and women who are hired to keep our Nation safe and secure. They tried to ban masks on ICE agents. That would allow the gangs of radical thugs who travel the streets at some of these rallies to threaten agents in their own homes, to terrorize their families. Those were the demands the Democrats made in the negotiations. They all have one thing in common: They make our Nation less safe. Clear and simple, they make America less safe. That is who the Democrats are, and that is why Republicans have rejected all of the things they have been demanding. Thanks to Republicans, immigration enforcement and border security will be fully funded, and they will be funded without conceding a single radical Democrat demand. Democrats have spent the last 2 months trying to handcuff ICE and Border Patrol agents. Republicans are going to make sure that ICE and Border Patrol are fully funded as long as President Trump is in the White House. So here is what comes next. I met with President Trump at the White House on Friday afternoon. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is chairman of the Budget Committee, and I met, sat, and visited with the President. We shared with him that Senate Republicans are not slowing down. We are united around a targeted, focused reconciliation bill, and we are moving immediately and quickly to fully fund and strengthen ICE and Border Patrol. We are going to do it with a simple majority right here in the U.S. Senate, and we are going to do it for the long term--no more hostage-taking by the radical Democrats. The safety and security of the American people are much too important for that. Senate Republicans intend to meet President Trump's June 1 deadline. The men and women of ICE and Border Patrol are American heroes. They protect our Nation from murderers, from drug traffickers, from rapists. They protect our Nation from repeat illegal immigrant criminals. These are the individuals who should not have been let into the country in the first place, but Joe Biden and the Democrats let 10 million illegal immigrants flood into our Nation during those 4 years. When Democrats obstruct this critical work, innocent Americans pay the price. Remember Sheridan Gorman. She was 18 years old, just 18 years old and a student in Chicago. Last month in Chicago, she was shot and killed in cold blood by an illegal immigrant criminal. Sheridan's killer entered our Nation in 2023. The Biden administration let him in. He was one of 10 million illegal immigrants allowed to enter the country. And, of course, Chicago's sanctuary city laws that they are proud of there shielded him from deportation. The city of Chicago and their mayor protected him. He turns out to be a murderer. And don't forget Richard Williams. He was that 83-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran. Last month, in New York City--the minority leader's hometown--he was shoved onto the subway tracks by an illegal immigrant criminal. He died of his injuries. His killer had a lengthy criminal record, but the sanctuary city laws of New York protected him. So he kept doing criminal deeds and acts against American people and their property. Sheridan Gorman deserved better. Richard Williams deserved better. Every American citizen and every American community deserve better than what the Democrats are trying to hoist upon all of us. This is what Republicans are fighting for. That is why we are here. From day one, President Trump and Republicans have fought alone to secure the border and to enforce the laws. Democrats responded with opposition, with obstruction, with extremism. Republicans will do what is necessary to fully fund our national security, and we will protect law-abiding citizens, not illegal immigrant criminals. The American people have long demanded secure borders and safe communities. President Trump and Republican leadership are going to continue to deliver. Senator Schumer and the Democrats may scream. They are not going to stop us. I yield the floor. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading.

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each; further, if Senator Duckworth or her designee makes a motion to discharge S.J. Res. 123, that the Senate vote on that motion at 2 p.m.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. Res. 669, which is at the desk.

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), and the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Schmitt). Mr. DURBIN: I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff), and the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) are necessarily absent. The yeas and the nays resulted--yeas 50, nays 44, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 75 Ex.]

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Tess Boehm for her hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Tess is originally from San Luis Obispo, CA. Tess attends the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service where she is pursuing a master's degree in national security and intelligence. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Tess for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Ramsay Myers for his hard work as an intern in my Casper office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Ramsay is from Casper, WY. Ramsay plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force in the fall of 2026. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Ramsay for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to ``Sunny'' Vakkalanka for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Sunny was born in Mount Clemens, MI, but currently calls Texas home. Sunny is currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in healthcare studies and a minor in political science. After graduation, Sunny plans on attending medical school. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made him an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of his work is reflected in his great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Sunny for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have him as part of our team. I know he will have continued success with all of his future endeavors. I wish him all my best on his journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Juliana Dinarte for her hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Juliana is a native of McLean, VA. She is currently a junior at the Madeira School in McLean. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. I want to thank Juliana for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today having heard the minority leader talk about the ongoing problem that the country is seeing before their very eyes, which is the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security caused by the Democrats. Republicans have continually come to the floor to vote to open the Department of Homeland Security, and working with the Democrats, there have been a number of proposals, one of which the Democrats actually agreed to the other day. And yet today, on the floor the Senate, the minority leader said: Oh, no, that is just ``poppycock.'' That was his word. The Democrats have continued to move the goalposts over all of this time when we were talking about the importance of funding the Department of Homeland Security--a Department that was set up after 9/ 11 to deal comprehensively with our Nation's security. There are issues of border security, cyber security, flight security. The TSA is part of that. This has gotten so bad. I saw on the news this morning that there are members of the Department of Homeland Security, who are not getting paid, who are working every day, and who are now donating their plasma--not donating it but giving it to get paid. That is what the Democrats--they talk about getting blood out of it. That is what the Democrats are doing. Blood is on their hands. We are seeing this today with the unfunding of the Department of Homeland Security. Americans are rising up to say to the Democrats: We care about these people that are working and not getting paid. My own Rotary Club in Casper, WY, came out today with an email to all the Rotarians. One of the members of the club has offered a matching donation of up to $2,000 for supplies and gift cards to be donated to TSA employees at the airport. Now, these people have been working without pay because of the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. It says: Please consider supporting the local TSA personnel and help secure the matching donation by donating supplies or gift cards. It goes on to say: Currently, there are approximately 40 TSA employees in Casper who are not being paid. The airport is collecting food and other supplies--dog food, cat food, toilet paper, et cetera-- because of what we are facing here and with an offer that we have made, and the Democrats are now saying, well, it is all ``poppycock.'' They don't seem to care. The employees cannot accept cash, cannot accept cash-equivalent cards like Visa gift cards. However, they can accept gas cards and gift cards to places like Walmart or Target, which give them the flexibility to purchase what they truly need. This is what we are seeing here in this Chamber with what the Democrats are doing because they do not want to fund the Department of Homeland Security that keeps our Nation safe. Well, there is now circulating, and that it is evident, that the Republicans have all seen, which is a Member of the Senate--a Democrat Member of the Senate--on television telling the Nation--this is a clip where a Member of the Senate says--this is a Democrat--the people we care most about, he says, are ``the undocumented.'' Not these people who are working every day--the people the Democrats care most about are the undocumented, the illegal immigrants, the people who are not citizens of this country but are here and have been unleashed into this country--10 million or more--during the Biden administration. And that is what we are talking about here today on the floor, and why we will be voting later today on the proposal that the Republicans have made that the Democrats agreed to 2 days ago. But now they have withdrawn their support because, as we hear from a Democrat spokesman and a Democrat Senator, the people that they care most about are not the citizens of the United States; they are the undocumented, the illegal immigrants who are here among us today. SAVE America Act Mr. President, I have also heard Senate Democrats on this floor say, when it comes to voting, they are open to the requirement of a photo ID. Senator Schumer said, just last week, that his Democrat caucus is not opposed to a photo ID when you show up to vote. We now have a pending amendment to the SAVE America Act to do just that. It is a straightforward amendment from Senator Jon Husted of Ohio. It simply requires a photo ID when Americans show up to vote. Democrats blocked this very bill on this floor last week. Then they offered a counterproposal, a nationwide ban--a ban--on photo ID requirements. I mean, it is the exact opposite of what the American people want. I mean, it is hard to believe, but that is what they said. They wanted to ban photo ID. Democrats did this even though 32 States currently require photo ID. So I guess they want to rip it out of all the States that already have it. Mr. President, 21 Democrat Senators on that side of the aisle in this very Chamber represent States where voter ID is the law of the land. They live by it. They vote under it. They were even elected under it. Why do Democrats believe that voter ID is fine for their home States but not for our Nation? We are going to give every single Democrat in this Chamber the chance to go on the record on that very topic. They are going to have the opportunity to show the American people where they stand on commonsense requirements for photo ID. The vote is a clear yes or no for Democrat Senators. It doesn't touch voter rolls. It doesn't touch mail-in voting. It is a clean up-or-down vote on whether voters should be required to show a photo ID in order to vote. The bill offers a clear, broad definition of photo IDs. Voters can use a driver's license. They can use State ID. They can use a U.S. passport. They can use a military ID. They can use a Tribal ID. Those are identifications Americans carry with them every single day. They use it to cash a check, to board a plane, to buy a beer. People use it every day. It is just common sense. Asking for a photo ID at the ballot box is common sense and a common practice in States all across the country. As I said earlier, 36 States require or request an ID to vote. Of these 36 States, 32 require a photo ID. That is most of the country. And yes, that includes Democrat States. Of course, we know that there are many large and liberal States that lack voter ID laws--sanctuary States like California, New York, Oregon, Illinois--and they don't protect the voter rolls. So, once again, we are seeing Democrats angling for illegal immigrants to have an impact on our elections. Why is that? As I said earlier, the people we care most about, the undocumented. He said, the illegal immigrants who are here among our Nation. That is who the Democrats will tell you they care most about, not law-abiding citizens but illegal immigrants. Democrats allowed 10 million illegal immigrants. They flooded in the country. The lesson is clear. We cannot allow illegal immigrants to undermine and erode the integrity of our elections. That is why we are in this shutdown right now because of the Democrats' preference of illegal immigrants over American citizens and the safety and security of our Nation. But adding photo ID requirements would be a significant step toward restoring confidence in elections in all 50 States. So I want to thank Senator Jon Husted of Ohio. Senator Husted knows exactly about administering elections, and he knows it better than any Member of this body. He spent 8 years as Ohio's secretary of state. His job was to run fair, safe, and secure elections; and he succeeded at it. He knows how to do it. He knows what works. And he succeeded in one of the most closely watched battleground States in our Nation. His amendment makes it easy to vote, harder to cheat, and it does so nationwide. A clean, simple photo ID amendment leaves Democrats with no excuses. They can't claim photo ID is too hard. They can't claim it is too confusing. They can't claim it is too burdensome. The question before the Senate is, Will Democrats take a reasonable and responsible step toward what most Americans consider common sense? I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis) would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, the Senate will soon confirm Colin McDonald to be the Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement. Now, this is an entirely new position, a new division inside the Department of Justice. It reflects President Trump's forceful actions to root out waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. I met with Mr. McDonald in my office a few weeks ago, and he is the right person to lead this effort. His track record as a prosecutor in California, as well as Hawaii, as well as the Department of Justice, is exceptional. He has successfully taken down drug traffickers, human smugglers, and corrupt officials. He has proven to be especially experienced in investigating and prosecuting fraud. Mr. McDonald is a noble public servant, and I strongly support his nomination. He is going to be a dedicated fighter of fraud. America needs a fighter of fraud on the job immediately. And let me remind you why we are here doing this in the first place. It is because in cities and States across the country, criminals are stealing staggering sums of money from hard-working American taxpayers. The American people are being robbed, and they know it. They see waste. They see fraud. They see abuse. They see corruption. And people are sick and tired of it. Americans are fed up with welfare criminals and the elected officials who tolerate them. Democrats in the big cities and liberal States look the other way, and the criminals know it. Remember the fraudulent daycare center in Minnesota? No children were actually enrolled. It was a front. It was set up to syphon money from the Federal Treasury. State officials in Minnesota looked the other way, and criminals became more and more emboldened. Democrats are complicit in turning the U.S. Treasury into an automated teller machine. The Treasury has become an ATM for crooks, for criminals, and for corruption. The fraud epidemic in Minnesota happened when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were in the White House. The current Governor Tim Walz is still in office today. And recall he was Kamala Harris' Vice Presidential nominee in the 2024 Presidential election. Fraud spread like wildfire on their watch. In one particular outrageous scheme, criminals falsified diagnoses of autism. They bribed parents with thousands of dollars of government money to use their children's names on falsified documents. The records show that many parents actively negotiated to be paid even higher rates for the bribes. The parents who were in on the scams even threatened to move their children to competing fraudulent providers unless they received even more money--and these were children without autism; they didn't need treatment. Let me show you how bad this was. In 2018, the Minnesota Medicaid Program, which was designed to help children with autism, spent a grand total of $6 million. That was in the year 2018. Five years later, due to massive criminal fraud and as elected officials looked the other way, the pricetag ballooned from $6 million to $193 million. Evidence of fraud doesn't get much clearer than that. Of course, Minnesota isn't the only liberal State with substantial fraud. There is also widespread fraud in California's Medicaid Programs. CBS News just last week reported that over a third of hospice providers in Los Angeles ``trigger multiple red flags for fraud.'' These are people who are supposed to be taking care of people in their final days of life--people with cancer and debilitating diseases. There are multiple red flags for fraud, and California officials look the other way. A vote for Mr. McDonald is a vote to attack this fraud epidemic head- on. It is a vote to prosecute criminals, and it is a vote to protect hard-working American taxpayers. I want to congratulate Mr. McDonald on his nomination. We need him on the job immediately, and I look forward to voting for his confirmation. Department of Homeland Security Mr. President, on a separate matter, for 5 weeks now, TSA agents have not gotten paid. Most continue to show up for work anyway. These TSA agents are struggling. They need to provide for their families. But as a result of the Democrats' shutdown, some TSA agents are calling in sick or are seeking new employment. On Sunday, 2 days ago, nearly 3,500 TSA agents were absent from work. More than 400 have quit. They have done that since the shutdown of February 13. It is worse when you look city by city. In Atlanta, GA, 42 percent of the TSA agents didn't show up for work on Sunday. In Houston, 40 percent were absent. In New York City and Philadelphia, one in four TSA agents was absent. This is the reason we see the very long lines at the airports. Immediately funding the Department of Homeland Security is the only way to end the shutdown. We need to make sure it is funded. The Democrat shutdown is dangerous and disgraceful, but once again, Democrats are proving on this very floor that they care more about illegal immigrant criminals than they do the safety and security of the American people. I yield the floor. Nomination of Colin McDonald

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley) and the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville).

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Uinta Board of Cooperative Educational Services #1, or Uinta BOCES. On April 11, 2026, Uinta BOCES will celebrate its 40th anniversary during its annual fundraiser held at the historic Roundhouse in Evanston, WY. This year's theme, ``Neon Nights and Silver Highlights,'' encourages guests to reflect on the history of this remarkable organization. Since 1986, Uinta BOCES has supported individuals in learning, growing, and succeeding by offering a wide range of educational and community resources. The roots of the BOCES program originated from the Community Organization for Resources in Education, or the CORE Group, formed in 1981. The energy boom of the 1980s spiked Evanston's population growth. The CORE Group recognized a need to accommodate the educational needs of the growing community. As the community grew, so did the services the CORE Group provided. In 1984, it formed the Lifelong Learning Center through a partnership with Western Wyoming Community College and Uinta County School District #1. In 1986, the CORE Group officially changed its name to the Uinta Board of Cooperative Educational Services #1, the BOCES we know today. Uinta BOCES #1 is an invaluable educational and workforce development resource for residents across Uinta County and the region. The organization works to expand access to education, workforce training, and community enrichment opportunities. BOCES programs expand access to higher education. In partnership with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, BOCES offers the BOOST program. The program provides young adults with free high school equivalency education, as well as employment and life skills training. Students also have on-site access to Western Wyoming Community College staff, who help with advising, registration, financial aid, and other needs. The college provides dual and concurrent enrollment options to local high school students. This commitment to opening educational pathways ensures students have opportunities to advance their education close to home. Uinta BOCES #1 also plays a critical role in workforce and career training. The College and Career Readiness Center offers a wide range of industry safety and professional certification courses. These courses include OSHA safety training, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation--CPR--and certified nursing assistant healthcare training. The center also administers licensing and trade certification tests. Through these efforts, Uinta BOCES staff create enriched learning environments that meet the evolving needs of the community's workforce and work to bridge the education gap. The BOCES organization also serves as a community hub for lifelong learning. Adults can enroll in classes ranging from arts and crafts to social skills, and ongoing technical education. BOCES also administers the school district's K-8 afterschool program during the school year, as well as Evanston's popular summer day camps. In addition, the Evanston Innovation WyrkShop is a free makerspace where people of all ages and skill levels can work together to create and explore new ideas. Uinta BOCES #1 is a proven resource for ongoing education and workforce development. Community members in Evanston understand the immense value of BOCES services. This local support is a testament to the hundreds of students who have benefited from these services. Uinta BOCES works closely with the Uinta BOCES #1 Foundation to promote its educational mission. The foundation provides vital support through fundraising, scholarships, and community partnerships. Every dollar raised stays in Uinta County. Proceeds from this year's fundraising gala will support and expand programming. It takes a team of well-equipped leaders to provide these tailored community services. The Uinta BOCES #1 administration leadership includes: Sheila McGuire, Executive Director Mardi Woodward, CFO & Human Resources Director Dan Wheeler, Uinta BOCES Board Chair Jim Jessen, Uinta BOCES Board Vice Chair Brian Woodward, Uinta BOCES Board Clerk Regina Clark, Uinta BOCES Board Treasurer Dave Bennett, Uinta BOCES Board Member The Uinta BOCES #1 Foundation leadership team includes: Sheila McGuire, President Ron Wild, Vice President Joy Bell, Secretary & Treasurer It is an honor to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Uinta BOCES #1. Through its commitment to education, workforce development, and community involvement, Uinta BOCES is an exceptional and lasting community asset that deserves to be celebrated every day. As a true cornerstone of opportunity, Uinta BOCES #1 removes educational barriers and empowers residents to pursue new personal and professional pathways.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, the Senate will soon confirm Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to be our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The sooner he is on the job, the safer, the stronger, and the more secure America will be. Markwayne is a servant leader in the truest sense. His hometown is Westville, OK, a population of only 1,300 people. He is the youngest of seven children. When he was 20 years old, he stepped up to save his dad's plumbing company. He turned it into one of the largest in the State of Oklahoma. Markwayne is a father, a fighter, a Christian, and someone that others have known they can count on. He has served in both the House and the Senate of the United States. I am fortunate to have worked closely with Markwayne on a day-to-day basis because he is a trusted Member of our whip team. Markwayne is tough. He is hard-working. He works with others to solve problems. You always know where he stands. That is the way Markwayne Mullin is. On the whip team, he has played a critical role in passing the largest investment in American security in 40 years. He has been consistent in his commitment to enforce our laws and to strengthen our border. Once confirmed, he is going to bring the same focus and urgency and consistency to lead that Department of Homeland Security. At his confirmation hearing, Markwayne laid out a clear vision. He said: My goal is for people to understand we're out there, we're protecting them, and we're working [with] them. That is exactly what he should do, and it is what he will do. The Department of Homeland Security exists to protect the American people from danger. From counterterrorism to disaster relief to border security, that Department protects our communities from terrorists, from illegal drugs, and from cyber attacks. Markwayne understands fully the full weight of that critical mission. Markwayne also understands the importance of trust. He has made it clear that he will be open, communicative, cooperative, and committed to working with others to get the job done. Even Senate Democrats have said they like Markwayne--they may have disagreed with him politically, but they acknowledge his stellar character. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii said this month: I like him personally. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware says Markwayne is ``well liked.'' Senator Peter Welch of Vermont served with Senator Mullin here in the Senate as well as in the House, and he said of Markwayne: He's respected, he's honest, and he's competent. At the confirmation hearing, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona said Markwayne is ``upstanding'' and qualified. That kind of respect speaks to Markwayne's character. As the Senate considers Markwayne's nomination, we cannot ignore the situation facing the Department of Homeland Security today, right now, this very moment because, right now, the Department of Homeland Security is shut down. Senate Democrats shut it down by withholding its funding. That is the cruel fact. It is the undeniable fact. The fact is, Senate Democrats have voted five times to block full funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Many employees are working without pay. Others have been furloughed. Families are struggling to meet basic needs. TSA agents are quitting. They are calling in sick in rising numbers. And as a result, wait times at major airports are rising as well. We have seen terrorist attacks in New York, Virginia, Michigan, and Texas. Pro-Iran cyber hackers successfully attacked a major medical company in Michigan. The situation remains dangerous today. The warning lights are flashing red. And Democrats would rather pander to protect illegal immigrant criminals than pay to protect American people. Markwayne Mullin is ready to lead. He is ready to serve with seriousness and character, and he is going to be a leader who makes our country safer, stronger, and more secure. He will secure our borders. He will fight terrorism. He will protect our cyber space. He will safeguard our communities. And he will support the individuals who keep our country safe. Today, this Senate will confirm Markwayne Mullin. Then the Senate must fully fund the Department of Homeland Security because the safety and security of the American people depend upon it. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin) and the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville).