John Barrasso

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the town of Sinclair and the Sinclair Refinery in Sinclair, WY. The town of Sinclair is undeniably unique and filled with a rich history of rural industrialization. Located in Central Carbon County, Sinclair is home to 366 residents. Its residents are fortunate to live in the charming and quaint ``Oasis in the Desert.'' Frank Kistler, the head of Producers and Refiners Corporation--P&R Co.--came to Wyoming in 1922 to find an area suitable for a refinery location. He chose a site close to the town of Rawlins, along both lanes of the Lincoln Highway. The ground was broken for the refinery in October 1922. The town was not yet established, so corporation officials lived in Rawlins. Workers resided in ``Rag Town,'' rundown tents and shacks on the south side of the Union Pacific train tracks. March 13, 1923, marked the first day of operation for the Producers and Refiners Corporation Refinery. News about the refinery spread throughout the region, and business started to boom. The land adjacent to the refinery was bought by P&R Co. in 1922-1923 so it could be used as a townsite. The refinery post office began receiving letters using the initials P&R Co. This led to the name ``Parco'' for the new town. In 1924, Frank Kistler hired Fisher and Fisher, a Denver architectural firm, to design the style and layout of the town. The result was a Spanish colonial revival style, with a central plaza and fountain commemorating Frank Kistler. Most of the original buildings remain standing today, illuminating the town's rich history and development. With the town established, a community began to form. People flocked to the Parco Inn, a bustling 60-room hotel spanning an entire block. The Parco Inn housed a dry cleaner, bar, cafe, clothing stores, and a barber shop. It was the main attraction for the booming town and remains an important relic today. Low crude oil prices during the Great Depression caused Frank Kistler's firm to sell the Parco holdings in 1934. The firm was purchased by Consolidated Oil--later Sinclair. The name Parco was changed to Sinclair in 1942. In 1967, the Sinclair Refining Company sold the townsite and buildings to local residents. During World War II, the oil market improved due to increased demand. The war efforts comprised 24 percent of the Sinclair Corporation's total business. As the oil industry constantly shifted over the years, Sinclair continued to adapt and evolve. The refinery is a cornerstone for the people in Sinclair and surrounding communities. Sinclair believes ``if you take care of your people, your people will take care of you.'' The corporation focuses on job and community prosperity, which can be seen by their support to the residents of Sinclair and Rawlins, WY. In 2022, the HF Sinclair Corporation was formed when Sinclair joined HollyFrontier Corporation. The Sinclair refinery is one of two operated in Wyoming by HF Sinclair. Serving the greater Rocky Mountain region, the Sinclair Refinery runs a mix of Canadian and United States sweet and sour crudes. They process 94,000 barrels per day. The refinery site also contains a 10,000 barrels per day renewable diesel unit. This unit participates in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program pathways in California and British Columbia. The Sinclair Refinery has 475 employees and an average of 350 contractors. During ``turnarounds,'' there are over 3,000 contractors. Thank you to vice president and refinery manager Jim Ruble and his dedicated staff who keep this refinery in operation. The town of Sinclair is led by mayor Cullan Meeks, vice mayor Michelle Serres, clerk/treasurer Becky Slater, assistant treasurer Gina Helmetag, and council members Forest Ortiz, David Robinson, and Brennan Dunlap. On August 17, 2024, the town and refinery will celebrate this momentous occasion, They will commemorate their joint history with many festivities including a parade, lunch, a children's carnival, entertainment acts, and music bands. A fireworks display will close out the celebration. It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant milestone. I applaud the workers and citizens who have worked tirelessly to contribute to the success of this booming oil town and refinery. They should be proud to welcome this momentous accomplishment. Congratulations to the town of Sinclair and the Sinclair Refinery on their 100th anniversary.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, the Prime Minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu, just delivered a historic speech to Congress. This is the fourth time the Prime Minister has spoken to the U.S. Congress. That is more than the late Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill. Like Prime Minister Churchill, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke about a battle between freedom and evil. He shared with us welcome news, and that news is that freedom is winning. Israel is committed to bringing home the hostages, to protecting its citizens from the atrocities that occurred on the October 7 attack. Meanwhile, the Hamas terrorist network is under more pressure than ever. Half of its senior leadership is dead. Its military chief has likely been eliminated. Remember, Hamas is a terrorist group. It governs through fear and through violence. Hamas violently rejects the right of Israel to exist and the right of the Jewish people to live in Israel. Hamas hides behind civilians. It uses them as human shields. Hamas stores its military weapons designed to kill in hospitals, in schools, and in homes. It has stolen billions of dollars of humanitarian aid to build its terrorist tunnels all around the area of the Gaza Strip. This is the same tunnel network where, for 9 months and counting, 116 hostages, including 8 American hostages, have been held by Hamas terrorists. I stand firmly with Israel as Israel fights to finish the war and defeat Hamas. Sadly, supporting Israel has grown more divisive in this country than I have ever seen it before. Today, Democrats are abandoning our greatest ally in the Middle East. They are calling to put conditions on aid to Israel. The Biden-Harris administration has delayed the delivery of war-winning weapons. The Senate Democrat leader meddled in Israeli politics. He proclaimed in no uncertain terms on the floor of this very body that Prime Minister Netanyahu should step down. The senior Senator from Vermont went even further. Last month, he declared that Prime Minister Netanyahu is a ``war criminal.'' That accusation is disturbing, it is damaging, and it is dishonest. If that weren't bad enough, Vice President Harris skipped the Prime Minister's speech entirely. The Vice President typically presides over joint sessions of Congress. With her snub of Israel, Vice President Harris is leading the Democrats' Bibi boycott. Catering to the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party is not serious leadership--not at all. The Vice President now wants to be Commander in Chief of the United States of America. Yet she refuses to put politics aside and work with our indispensable ally. Her actions send a defeatist message--a defeatist message to our enemies and a defeatist message to our allies alike. This is a time when it is so critical for us to restore confidence in America. Here is what we need to do and how to do it: You do it with peace through strength, with strong, steady, and serious support for Israel and for Israel's right to exist. What is the approach of President Biden today? What is the approach of Vice President Harris? What is the approach of the Senate Democrats, Members of this body? Is it to continue to appease our adversaries and at the same time abandon our friends? This is a dangerous world. It is more dangerous under the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration. America cannot continue down the Democrats' path of war and weakness. Keeping America safe requires that America and Israel work together. We heard that today in the joint session of Congress. Republicans believe in Israel's mission to defeat Hamas. We understand fully what is at stake, and our support is firm. We must unite and bring back peace through strength. Now more than ever, the American people need to stand with Israel, and I am one of those people who will continue to stand with Israel. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Jean-Luc for his hard work as an intern in the Senate Republican Conference. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Jean-Luc is a native of Thermopolis, WY. He attends the University of Wyoming, where he studies political science and international studies. 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 Jean-Luc 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Davis for his hard work as an intern in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Davis is a native of Virginia. He attends Southern Methodist University, where he studies history. 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 Davis 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Isabelle for her hard work as an intern in my office in Cheyenne, WY. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Isabelle is a native of Cody. She is a junior at Michigan State University, where she studies international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy. 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 Isabelle 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Cole for his hard work as an intern in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I recognize his efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. Cole is a native of Yellowstone, WY. He attends Montana State University, where he studies business finance. 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 Cole 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Molly 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. Molly is a native of Virginia. She attends Vanderbilt University, where she studies law, history, and society. 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 Molly 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Saber 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. Saber is a native of Gillette, WY. He recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor's in criminal justice and political science. 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 Saber 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. Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Grace 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. Grace is a native of Pine Bluffs, WY. She attends Baylor University, where she studies political science.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to speak about the need for strong American leadership. President Biden's weakness, seen on the world's stage, is dangerous. It is dangerous for our Nation, and it is dangerous for the world. It hurts our citizens, and it encourages aggression against our Nation and others. Sadly, America doesn't have strong leadership right now from the President or the Vice President. Joe Biden is stumbling, bumbling, blundering into a disaster. It is not one night of forgetfulness on the debate stage; it is 3\1/2\ years of a pattern of failures. We are living in the time of heartbreak at home and humiliation abroad. Look at the drugs, the death, the destruction coming from our southern border. Under Democratic open border policies, there have been 10 million illegal immigrants who have invaded our Nation. Americans all across the country are in danger. Democrats' open borders allowed Venezuelan criminals to go to Houston, TX, to sexually abuse and murder a 12-year- old girl. Illegal immigrants' crime has taken the lives of many Americans across the country. They make headlines every day. The open border allows deadly fentanyl to flood our Nation and poison our communities in all of our States, and certainly Wyoming has been one of the victims of this poisoning. More than 300 terror suspects have come into America. That is 300 percent higher than what we saw under the strong policies of President Trump. And terrorists are roaming our Nation undetected. Remember, border security isn't optional; it is an obligation, a commitment to the safety of our American people. It is a foundation of our safety. Without border security, there can be no national security. Under Joe Biden, Americans are not safe at home, and, increasingly, the world is not safe either. President Biden's weakness has invited war; it has invited conflict; and it has invited chaos around the world. He continues to appease Iran by letting Iran avoid sanctions. Iran is exporting almost 1.3 million barrels of oil to China each and every day. It uses the money from these oil sales to fund terrorism around the world. President Biden made the misguided assumption that concessions to Iran would stop conflict. Instead, Biden's appeasement makes Iran more aggressive. Meanwhile, Biden has proven to be a fair-weathered friend to our strong ally Israel. On American college campuses today, student protestors express hostility to the very existence of the Jewish State. Democrats in Washington have also grown more hostile to Israel. Senator Schumer stood on the floor--he demanded on this floor in March that Israel replace its Prime Minister. Senator Sanders called the very next month for America to stop sending aid to Israel. The anti-Israel rift in the Democrat party is bad enough. What is more worrying is that President Biden, the leader of the free world, lacks the backbone to stand up against it. Rather than resist the pro- Hamas wing of his party, Biden has repeatedly bowed to them. He recently slapped a de facto arms embargo on Israel. The weapons he withheld would limit civilian casualties and help Israel free the hostages. Biden stopped that. That includes 8 American hostages who spent the last 9 months, including their 4th of July, in captivity by Hamas. President Biden blocked these war-winning weapons anyway. He would rather appease a small group of pro-Hamas voters in Michigan than support our closest ally in the Middle East. Playing politics is the core of Joe Biden's foreign policy. He recently claimed that no American servicemembers died on his watch. He told the world that. Well, that is false. It is wrong. It is a denial of what happened. On January 11, 2024, two Navy SEALs were lost at sea during a mission to stop weapon shipments from Iran to Houthi terrorists. Less than 3 weeks later, January 28, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by Iranian-backed militias. Then there is the disaster of Afghanistan. On August 26, 2021, ISIS terrorists killed 13 brave American servicemembers. They were the first American military casualties in Afghanistan in a year and a half. Twenty-year-old LCpl Rylee McCollum of Jackson Hole, WY, was one of them. This was a young man who loved his country and left an impression on everyone he met. He was our home State wrestling champion. He had recently been married. He was about to become a father. Madam President, 1,300 people in Wyoming showed up to attend his funeral. It was outdoors in a tent, 37 degrees, lasted several hours, and no one left because Americans deserve better than a President who forgets the sacrifices of American heroes and forgives the aggression of America's adversaries. Joe Biden's weakness and confusion are a vivid contrast to what past Presidents have done. I think of President Ronald Reagan and his successful policy of peace through strength. For 8 years, President Reagan built a strong national defense, he restored America's confidence, and he confronted America's enemies. His approach incredibly ended the Cold War without firing a single shot. Three decades later, President Trump adopted a similar policy--no more apologizing for America like President Obama had done. We had strong borders. We had a strong military. We had a strong economy. And we had strong American leadership. Our allies respected us. Our enemies feared us. We were safer. It is time for America to return to that approach. The truth is that Joe Biden is a President who cannot defend his record and cannot defend this Nation. For the safety of our Nation, we need a lot less of Joe Biden's weakness and a lot more peace through strength. That is what we need to do. That is the way we get America back on track. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, first, I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes each prior to the scheduled rollcall vote: Senator Hoeven, Senator Moran, and Senator Cornyn, following me.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Wyoming. This important fraternal organization, also known as Wyoming Masons, will celebrate the occasion during their annual convention on August 12, 2024, in Casper, WY. Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. Members share a belief in ``the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.'' With a shared commitment to lives of honor, integrity, and character, the men of Freemasonry work to better themselves, their communities, and the world. The first known masonic meeting in Wyoming took place at Independence Rock on July 4, 1862. Independence Rock is located on the Oregon and Mormon trails in central Wyoming between the cities of Casper and Rawlins. Twenty masons from the camped Oregon wagon trains participated in a masonic meeting. The Grand Lodge of Wyoming was established December 15, 1874, in Laramie City, territory of Wyoming. Four lodges with 211 members were represented. Edgar P. Snow was elected the first Grand Master. Today, Wyoming has 41 lodges with over 2100 members. The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is a member of the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference. The lodge recognizes several Appendant and Concordant organizations which provide opportunities for family members to interact with Masonic relatives. These organizations include Job's Daughters International, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite of Freemasonry, Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine, National Sojourners, Order of the Eastern Star, Ladies' Oriental Shrine, Daughters of the Nile, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Royal Order of Scotland. The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is led by its 2023-2024 elected officers: Grand Master Thomas G. Needham, Jackson, WY; Deputy Grand Master Scott Kitchner, Rock Springs, WY; Senior Grand Warden Gregory K. Shiek, Sheridan, WY; Junior Grand Warden Ken Thorpe, Jr., Sheridan, WY; Grand Treasurer John F. Nunley III, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Secretary Beynon St. John, Lander, WY. Those serving through appointments include Senior Grand Deacon E. Ray Leeman, Jr., Aladdin, WY; Junior Grand Deacon James K. Wamsley, Rock Springs, WY; Junior Grand Steward Bryan J. Compton, Jackson, WY; Junior Grand Steward Calvin E Van Zee, Laramie, WY; Grand Lecturer Weston G. Hubele, Mills, WY; Grand Chaplain Preston Goulette, Pinedale, WY; Grand Orator Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Grand Marshal Stephen H. Fowler, Evanston, WY; Grand Librarian Gary D. Skillern, Cheyenne, WY; Grand Historian Mark S. Young PGM, Gillette, WY; Grand Organist Tim Forbis, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Tyler David N. Lankford, Pinedale, WY. District lecturers are Bret D. Steger, Pine Bluffs, WY; David G. Hammond, Laramie, WY; Stephen H. Fowler, Evanston, WY; Kraig A. Kobert, Jackson, WY; Toby Errickson, Lander, WY; Christopher G. Neubauer, Casper, WY; Jeffrey D. Thomas, Guernsey, WY; Jon C. Rowe, Gillette, WY; Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Eric R. Kay, Thermopolis, WY; and Bryan G. Baird, Cowley, WY. Special appointees are Masonic Service Association Coordinator Shawn Covert, Bar Nunn, WY; Masonic Renewal Representative Weston Hubele, Mills, WY; George Washington Masonic National Memorial Representative Roy C. Kinsey, Jackson, WY; and Grand Lodge Webmaster R. Aaron Roybal, Cheyenne, WY. It is an honor to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming. I send my best wishes to all Wyoming masons as you pave the way for future generations.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lawrence Anderson Memorial Pie Social. Named in honor of the event's founder, the Lawrence Anderson Memorial Pie Social serves as the unofficial kick-off for Laramie County and statewide candidates. The pie social is held biennially on the last Sunday in June in Pine Bluffs, WY. The pie social started in 1984 when Lawrence recognized the need for community members to connect directly with those who seek to represent them. He developed this cornerstone event as a forum for fellowship with friends and neighbors. As the Pine Bluffs Post notes, folks from `` . . . Eastern Laramie County eagerly look forward to the premier social event of the campaign season.'' We all know the best way to celebrate our common goals is to share a meal. Lawrence took this principle to the next level, asking all who attend to bring a homemade pie. Lawrence was the kind of leader who used the lessons he learned growing up on his family's homestead to solve community issues. He was never afraid to do the work himself and was, as the Pine Bluffs Post notes, ``Known for years as one of the hardest workers in the Republican Party. Lawrence Anderson earned the nickname `Mayor of North Burns' which he held with pride.'' Lawrence, his late wife Joanne, and the entire Anderson family, leave a legacy of service to Eastern Laramie County. I served with Rodney Pete Anderson, when he represented Wyoming House District 10 in the legislature. Leonard Anderson, Lawrence's brother, served as the mayor of Pine Bluffs. Although Lawrence left us in 2018, his quiet brand of leadership remains. We are all better for learning from his humble and patient spirit. He embodied the Wyoming Code of the West. From farming to serving on the boards for Community Action of Laramie County and Laramie County School District 2, Lawrence did what had to be done, was tough, but fair and always rode for the brand. Lawrence leaves behind a large family. His children are Mark Anderson and wife Judy; Craig Anderson and wife Gail; and Sharon Anderson-- grandchildren are Jolie Sawyer; Kelly Janes and husband David; Brett Anderson and wife Lori; Ryan Anderson and wife Alli; Jeremy Anderson and wife Rachel; Robert Anderson; and Taya Anderson; along with numerous great-grandchildren. In honor of the 40th anniversary of this iconic Wyoming event, I applaud the Laramie County community, this year's coordinator Mike Heath and the other leaders who have worked to continue this tradition. We are all fortunate to continue in the footsteps of Lawrence Anderson.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the following detailee from my committee be granted floor privileges until the end of the 118th Congress: It is James Bartholomew.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to support the three individuals nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: David Rosner, Lindsay See, and Judy Chang. The Commission, or the FERC, is often called the most important Agency that people have never heard of. FERC regulates the interstate transmission of electricity and the interstate transportation of oil and natural gas. It ensures that the rates for electric power in the wholesale market are ``just and reasonable.'' It oversees electric reliability. It licenses interstate natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, and hydropower projects. By one estimate, the Commission regulates activities that account for 7 percent of our Nation's economy. For that reason, we must fulfill our responsibility to maintain a quorum on the Commission. In 2015 and 2016, President Obama refused to fill the vacancies left by two Republican Commissioners. Then in January of 2017, the outgoing Chairman of FERC resigned as well. The departure left the Commission without a quorum. It then took 7 full months to restore the quorum at FERC. During that time, too many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes, and aid our allies abroad were reluctantly put on hold. We can't let that happen again. Too much is at stake for American workers, for our energy security, and for our Nation's economy. That is why I am glad the Senate is acting on these three nominations this very week. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all of the items all of the time, all of them are well qualified. I am especially supportive of Ms. Lindsay See. From a young age, she has distinguished herself as a person of exemplary discipline, drive, and determination. She graduated summa cum laude from Patrick Henry College. She then graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she served as the executive editor of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, she clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Ms. See is an outstanding appellate lawyer. She has spent the last 7 years as solicitor general of West Virginia. During that time, she has overseen civil and criminal appeals in both State and Federal courts. Ms. See has fought tirelessly for affordable and reliable energy for American families. She has argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In one of those cases, she not only advocated on behalf of West Virginia, she also advocated on behalf of other States, including my home State of Wyoming. And she won. Ms. See has a long track record of giving a voice to people who are impacted by Federal actions. In fact, my concern for farmers and other landowners is a principal reason why I do support Ms. See. During the Energy and Natural Resource Committee's hearing on the nomination, Ms. See was asked if she would ``exercise extreme care'' when considering applications for electric transmission lines. Of course she said yes. She went on to explain that she would faithfully adhere to and apply the law. When she received written questions, she again committed to follow the law. Ms. See wrote: My time as West Virginia's Solicitor General has given me a profound respect for the ways federal policies affect people across the country. She added: I've seen how federal rules and permitting actions can threaten people's livelihoods and local economies. Ms. See went on to say: Sensitivity to how federal actions affect States and local communities is essential when making policy decisions. She said: I would consider a proposal's consequences for local landowners . . . important to the public interest analysis. If confirmed, Ms. See will bring an impressive experience list, working with complex statutes, to the Commission. She will also help the Commission understand how its decisions impact farmers and other landowners. I firmly believe that if we fail to confirm Ms. See, farmers and landowners will be worse off. For that reason, I encourage all Senators to vote in favor of Ms. See. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Hoeven, Barrasso, and Manchin be permitted to speak for 5 minutes each prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I come to the floor today to continue this discussion of the crisis at our southern border. When Joe Biden walked into the White House, the southern border was secure. Tragically, for our country, he then signed 94 Executive orders in his first 100 days. He rolled out the welcome mat, and millions and millions of illegal immigrants flooded into our Nation. The Democrats in Congress joined him. They joined the President. They worked with him. They aggressively rolled back Republican-led policies that had worked to keep our country safe. Our southern border is now a pipeline for illegal crossings. Since Joe Biden took office, almost 10 million illegal immigrants have invaded America. The Democrats' uncontrolled illegal immigration strains our tax dollars; it undermines the safety of our citizens; and it endangers our communities. Hard-working American taxpayers are now paying. They are paying for housing; they are paying for healthcare; they are paying for government handouts--all for illegal immigrants. According to one study, the Democratic border crisis costs States and cities close to $450 billion each and every year. The heaviest costs of this crisis are borne by families, by communities, and by local law enforcement. Day after day, lives are cut short or changed forever. Just 2 weeks ago, in Florida, an 11-year-old girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a 20-year-old illegal immigrant brought into this country under the catch-and-release program of President Biden. He is here because of this dangerous program. The local sheriff in Florida had this to say: The Federal Government is victimizing the people who live in this country by letting these people in. To my Democratic colleagues, I would say: You voted for open borders. I would ask you, What if this were your daughter or what if this were your granddaughter who had been kidnapped by an illegal immigrant brought in by catch-and-release--a 20-year-old here. Terrible. Frightening. Fortunately, this young girl's mother was able to identify the situation, and she ran desperately to get that daughter who had been kidnapped. We are here fighting to secure the border to make our communities safer. Democrats in this body have done nothing to secure the border. They have done nothing to stop the flood of illegal immigrants. The record by the Democrats in this body is appalling, and let me start with H.R. 2. H.R. 2 is, of course, the House bill. It is called the Secure the Border Act of 2023. It is the strongest border security bill in our history. It completes the wall because walls work. It surges new technology to the border. It hires more Border Patrol agents and gives them a bonus. It ends catch-and-release, and it reinstates the successful plan of ``Remain in Mexico.'' If signed into law, H.R. 2 would stop the flood of illegal immigrants. Now, the House of Representatives passed this bill, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, on May 11 of 2023. Well, that was over a year ago. The Senate majority leader refuses to bring this House-passed bill to the floor, and he has been blocking the bill for over a year. Of course, it is not just blocking the Secure the Border Act that is the problem. Democrats will not vote for real border security measures. For 3 years now, open border Democrats--each and every one of them-- have rejected solutions aimed at fixing the border crisis not once, not twice but in 22 different recorded votes. Democrats banded together to say no to finishing the wall, no to ending catch-and-release, and no to restoring the ``Remain in Mexico'' policy. They blocked the Laken Riley Act. Meanwhile, they have embraced policies that have tried to smooth the flow of illegal immigrants when people all across America are saying: Stop this flood. This includes sending illegal immigrants cash payments paid with taxpayer dollars. The Democrats continue to fund sanctuary cities. For 3 years, my Democratic colleagues have seemed to welcome the crisis at our southern border. They now want to run away from their record, and we know why. It is because election day is less than 6 months away, and they can read the polls. Democrats can run, but they cannot hide. The majority leader recently said that the situation at the border is unacceptable. I am not sure he actually believes that. After all, one of his first comments after the 2022 election was that he endorsed amnesty for illegal immigrants. The majority leader said at the time that opening our country to illegal immigrants is ``the only way we are going to have a great future in America.'' It is ``the only way.'' That is what the majority leader said. It is ``the only way we are going to have a great future in America''--amnesty for illegal immigrants. The Democrats have no desire to secure the border. Every single Democrat in this Capitol is responsible for the drugs, the deaths, and the destruction brought on by the invasion of our Nation by illegal immigrants. This is a cycle of suffering that Senate Republicans are determined to stop. This week, I introduced a bill called the Build the Wall Act. We know that the border wall works. My proposal finishes the wall. It pays for it by clawing back unused COVID funding. This wall is absolutely vital to our Nation's security. You know, once upon a time, Senator Schumer actually supported a border wall. Many of his Democratic colleagues supported a border wall. When Joe Biden was then-Senator Joe Biden--and I served with him in this body--he actually voted for a border wall. They have all flip- flopped, and we know why--politics, plain and simple. To my Democratic colleagues, I say this: You are responsible for innocent Americans being victimized by illegal immigrants in communities all across the Nation. If Democrats are serious about securing the border, they should start by voting for a policy that actually works and is paid for. That is the reason to vote for the bill I have introduced, the Build the Wall Act. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume legislative session and proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4392, which is at the desk.

Mr. BARRASSO. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, let me be very, very brief in just pointing out that this bill calls for using unspent COVID money, specifically as a result of the COVID pandemic that hit our Nation, money sent to be spent for that. It does seem to me and to probably just about every American that we are way beyond that period of time, and money designated for that purpose has not yet been spent. It should be readily available for a project like this. I would also note that my friend and colleague who is on the floor was, along with President Biden and Senator Schumer, one of those who did vote on September 29, 2006, for a bill, at the time, that was called the Secure Fence Act of 2006. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, let me just defer to my colleague from Utah for a few short moments.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation. On June 7, 2024, the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation will celebrate its 40th anniversary. The celebration will be held in conjunction with its summer convention at the Little America Hotel and Conference Center in Cheyenne, WY. The foundation is dedicated to preserving Wyoming's bighorn sheep herds and their habitats, to conservation education, and to hunter's rights. The 1960s saw a drastic decline in bighorn sheep populations and their habitats throughout the country. This prompted the formation of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep in 1974. It is now known as the Wild Sheep Foundation. The foundation aimed to restore and manage sheep herds and their ranges. In 1983, Dave Steger, Ron Ball, Alex Wolfer, John Suda, and Terry Reach established the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation. The Wyoming foundation sought the same goals as the national group, but solely within the borders of the State. Wyoming's rugged mountains and western plains are home to 15 bighorn sheep herds. With over 5,900 wild sheep, Wyoming is a mecca for bighorn sheep. The Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation plays a critical role in maintaining the health and vitality of each herd and the habitat in which they thrive. Conservation efforts to preserve these herds includes bighorn sheep reintroduction, recreational trail closure, and prescribed burns. The re-establishment of the Ferris-Seminoe herd near Rawlins proves to be one of the most successful transplant efforts for bighorn sheep in Wyoming. The low population prompted the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish, to capture and transplant bighorn sheep from the Whiskey Mountain and Devil Canyon herds to augment and re-establish the Ferris- Seminoe herd. Those continued efforts help the herd thrive and reach population objectives set forth by the Wyoming Game and Fish. Similar to the Ferris-Seminoe herd, the Sweetwater Rocks herd was completely decimated by 1907 and again in 1980. Recently, the foundation established the Sweetwater Rocks Initiative to reintroduce sheep into the region. The foundation is collaborating with the Wyoming Game and Fish and local ranchers to ``put wild sheep back on the mountain.'' The snowcapped peaks and rocky mountains in northwestern Wyoming are home to the Teton Range herd. The herd nearly died out in the 19th and 20th centuries due to over harvest, disease, habitat depletion, and disturbance of their migration routes. The foundation's mitigation efforts include working with the Wyoming Game and Fish and Grand Teton National Park to close recreation areas in important bighorn sheep habitats and to collar the sheep to track survival patterns. The survival and growth of the herds, the vitality of the habitat, and the endless dedication of every member are a testimony to the importance of the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation. The foundation partnered with the Wyoming Big Game License Coalition to establish five Governor's Bighorn Sheep hunting tags. This collaboration helps fund conservation projects for bighorn sheep and ensure hunting remains an integral part of Wyoming's heritage. Since the partnership began in 2003, bighorn sheep tags have raised over $5 million for conservation. In 2015, one of Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation's lifetime members Gary Butler approached the foundation to establish a permanent bighorn sheep conservation fund. The plan was to ensure long-term projects were sustainable into the future. Due to the popularity of this fund, it has already exceeded the original goals. As of 2022, the fund generated more than $400,000 and awarded 11 lifetime memberships to youth. Gary's dedication to bighorn sheep is a testament to the caliber of this organization and to each member's unwavering devotion to the long-term survival of Wyoming's wild sheep. The Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation is an incredible asset for conservation efforts in Wyoming. No project is too small. Each of the foundation's members bears a resolute commitment to the strength of the herd and the habitat, all while maintaining the values of hunting. The Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation is led by: Katie Cheesbrough, Executive Director Dean DiJenno, Deputy Director Zach McDermott, President Scott Butler, Vice President Bralli Clifford, Treasurer Bruce Perryman, Secretary John W. Harris, Board Director Kurt Eisenach, Past President Sam Lockwood, Board Director Scott Smith, Board Director Jimmy Owens, Board Director Matt Hoobler, Board Director Greg Pope, Board Director It is an honor to rise in recognition of this significant milestone for the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation. The impact and opportunities the foundation has created for bighorn sheep, hunters, and youth leaves an astonishing mark on the outlook of bighorn sheep in Wyoming. Congratulations to the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation on their 40th anniversary.

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I come to the floor today to speak about the economy. Joe Biden is clearly the President of high prices. People all across the country, all 50 States, are well aware that this is going to be Joe Biden's enduring legacy. Prices spiked again in April. The statistics are out. Prices have been rising again and again and again. Price increases have been now above 3 percent for the last 37 months. This is the longest period in history of high prices since the late 1980s. President Biden continues to repeat a falsehood--you could call it a lie--because he has said time and again that inflation was 9 percent when he came into office. This is pure confusion on his part. Even the liberal fact checkers--people at CNN, people at the Washington Post-- have said what President Biden is saying about inflation is flatout false; it is wrong. In January of 2021, the day that the President--current President Biden--took the oath of office, the inflation rate in America was 1.4 percent. Today, prices are almost 20 percent higher than they were the day he took the oath of office. The burden of Bidenomics on the American public is crushing; it is compounding; and, of course, it is cumulative. It continues to add on every single day. But Democrats in this Chamber and around the country deny this economic reality. Certainly, the Democrat in the White House denies this economic reality. And President Biden proved that he was completely disconnected from the suffering American families. Earlier this month, he said Americans have ``the money to spend.'' I am not sure whom he is talking to, but that is not the case across America, and it is not the case of my home State of Wyoming. Democrats are completely out of touch with the economy because they are out of touch with American voters, the citizens of this country. Rising prices have plagued Americans for the last 3 years. Everyday life costs more and more and more. Under Joe Biden, Americans are squeezed; they are stressed; and they are struggling to get by. More than half of Americans will tell you that the economic conditions that they see day in and day out are poor--poor--for them personally. More than 80 percent of Americans say that high prices are their No. 1 concern. That is what Americans are suffering from today. President Biden's policies are not the cure for inflation in our economic anxieties. Joe Biden and the Democrats' policies are the cause of our economic struggles. Joe Biden and the Democrats in this Chamber and in the House of Representatives at a time when Nancy Pelosi was Speaker approved more than $3 trillion--$3 trillion--in wasteful Washington spending. The President added more than $1 trillion additionally on stifling and punishing economic regulations. He launched a war on American energy, hiked energy costs for families, gas prices went up, electricity prices went up. Because of failed Bidenomics, Americans are paying over $12,000 more a year--this year--than they did the year that he came into office just to buy the same things that they could buy the day he came into the White House. It is over $1,000 a month. That is what the American people are seeing today. A $100 cart of groceries in 2019, the cost now for that same cart of groceries--not very full--is $137. A gallon of gas in 2021 was $2.38. Today, in many of the battleground States--Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania--it is approaching $4 a gallon. Now, of course, high prices aren't the only problem. Interest rates are at the highest level in 23 years. High interest rates are a bitter fruit of Bidenomics. People are suffering when they have to take out a loan. This is causing significant affordability crises all across the country and in all age groups. Under these failed policies of the Biden administration, younger people--younger Americans--are being demoralized. They are delaying life's biggest moments. Homeownership is slipping clearly out of the reach of most young married couples and young people trying to start a family. Young Americans are facing the costliest housing market ever. Borrowing costs have soared. When Biden took office, they were 2.7 percent. Today, they are over 7 percent. Home prices today are nearly six times higher than the average household income. That is a record ratio--six times higher than the average household income. Other costs--utility costs, insurance costs--all costs are climbing, and they are all caused by the amount of spending we have had under this administration. Younger Americans are having trouble buying a car. The price of car loans has gone way up as well as the price of automobiles themselves. Younger Americans are also forced to rely on credit cards more and more. They are developing mounting debt, which is going to continue to saddle them in their future. Young Americans will tell that you they are overextended and they are distressed and they are begging for relief. Today's high prices and high interest rates are going to create tomorrow's troubles. Now, President Biden has failed to protect the American dream. We now have an entire generation of young Americans who can't afford to buy a home, can't afford to start a business, can't afford to begin a family, and certainly can't afford to begin to grow any savings that they may have. Americans are absolutely fed up with big-spending, high-price Democrats. People are financially exhausted by Joe Biden's high prices. People are ready to move beyond Bidenomics and beyond Joe Biden. It is time for a change. Senate Republicans are ready to put America back on track. We are fighting to lower costs. That is what we are hearing every weekend at home: Get down the prices of things that are up under Joe Biden; stop the wasteful Washington spending; and please unleash American energy. That is the solution to the problems facing America today. This is how we can help make life more affordable for all Americans. I yield the floor.

Mr. BARRASSO

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

Mr. BARRASSO

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today during Police Week to pay tribute to Sergeant Nevada Krinkee. Here he is. He was a member of the police force in Sheridan, WY. He was a beloved officer in Sheridan. He was well-known for his selflessness. His colleagues will tell you he always put others first. His death in February of this year, in the line of duty, was absolutely tragic, and it shook our State. Sergeant Krinkee was the first officer in Wyoming, since 1997--the first one this century--to die by homicide in the line of duty. It is actually the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Sheridan Police Department. Sergeant Krinkee made the ultimate sacrifice for the community he loved and the community that he swore to protect. He was only 33 years old. In March, I attended his funeral in Sheridan, WY. It was so large they had to move it to the community college--the great auditorium there, the field house. What was moving was the outpouring of folks from all around the community, as well as the State, as well as the country. They were there to honor Sergeant Krinkee but were also there to support his wife Karla and their young daughter Bella. More than 1,800 people attended in the community of Sheridan, WY. They flooded in from across Wyoming and from across the country. Many of them who were there to mourn his death and honor his family had never actually met Sergeant Krinkee. It was the largest single event in Sheridan, WY in 40 years. It was 40 years ago that Queen Elizabeth visited Wyoming and had a similarly sized turnout. Law enforcement officers traveled from every corner of our State. They came from tiny towns. They also came from big cities across the West. All came to pay their respects to the man and to their brother in uniform. As police cars escorted the family to the memorial service, citizens of Sheridan, WY, lined the streets of the community--four deep--waving American flags. It was absolutely beautiful to behold. One of the newspaper reporters asked a man from Wyoming, who drove over 100 miles to be there, why he came that far to attend the funeral. After all, this was somebody he had never met. He had never heard of Sergeant Krinkee before he had been killed. He responded: I stand for those who have stood for us, and I will until the day I die. Well, that says a lot about the people of Wyoming through and through. One of the greatest blessings of our great Nation is the men and women of law enforcement. Police officers have one of the most dangerous and demanding jobs in our Nation, and they do it with confidence and with compassion. Today, officers need to deal with dangerous criminals, and they often do it in the face of continuous criticism. It is alarming. Police officers across the country are coming under attack from criminals and the soft-on-crime politicians who coddle them. Sadly, more police officers have been killed or injured by gun violence in the line of duty in 2023 than ever before. Politicians who support criminals rather than police and demonize and defund the police hold responsibility. The police, as a result, have been demoralized and endangered. We also see crime--violent crime--right now in America at a record high. Compared to 2019, murders are up 17 percent, and aggravated assaults are up 8 percent. Let me be clear: Defunding the police has made our communities less safe. For police officers, it has turned the badges on their sleeves sometimes into targets on their backs. Law enforcement officers love their communities. They love them enough to give their lives to protect those communities. These are incredible men and women. To me, each one is a hero, and we are grateful for each and every one of them. They wear the badge. They protect our communities despite all the risks. To me, it is the definition of selflessness. To the men and women of law enforcement, you are everyday heroes, and you are among us every day. I yield the floor.