Lisa Blunt Rochester

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, let me begin by thanking Senator Ed Markey for your leadership, for your compassion, for your brilliance on this issue, as well as the great Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who we are proud to have in the room today. You know, the State of Massachusetts is such a powerful State for freedom, justice, and liberty. You embody the ideals that we were sent here to fight for. And so I too am disappointed in our colleague's objection. I think what we proposed here that Congresswoman Pressley was able to pass in the House on a bipartisan--she got it done. She was doing what we need to get done here in the Senate. And what we wanted to do was clear and simple. We wanted a bill that would extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants. Why is that so important? TPS is a designation the Department of Homeland Security can give to a foreign country to indicate that it is unsafe for its citizens to return home. Home. They weren't fleeing here because they don't want to be home; it was unsafe. And there are many reasons that a country could receive this designation: Ongoing conflicts like a civil war or gang violence, a natural disaster like a hurricane or an earthquake, or temporary conditions like civil unrest. Unfortunately, at this time, Haiti meets all three requirements. Yet, the Trump administration, with the help of a Supreme Court decision, as well as colleagues here, has decided to terminate TPS status for Haiti. This policy decision is driven by cruelty and xenophobia, and it has real consequences. The decision to uproot your entire life and start again in a different country isn't something someone takes lightly. The reality for many Haitians is this: decades of corrupt governance was ended by a political assassination 5 years ago. The country has been in political turmoil ever since. Daily life is characterized by civil unrest, violence, and kidnappings by armed gangs. On top of that, hurricanes and earthquakes have left the country with limited access to healthcare, food, and public services. There are real, tangible reasons that 350,000 Haitians have fled to the United States for pursuit of a better life: real reasons, reasons that your own families could not withstand. In my home State of Delaware, this is deeply personal. Delaware is called the ``State of Neighbors,'' and over 5,000 of those neighbors are Haitian immigrants with TPS status. And at this moment, they are scared. They are terrified that they will lose their status and be unable to work and, ultimately, deported back to Haiti. Families are worried that they won't be able to make ends meet or, worse, be forcibly deported from a country they have grown to call home. These are real people with a real stake in the decisions that we make here in this body, people like Marie, who came to Delaware with her family when she was 12. Her memories of growing up are full of Sundays spent at church, going to mass in the morning, spending the day with her family at the pastor's house, and then going back to afternoon service. Now an adult, Marie became one of the very first Haitian Realtors in our State, where she helps families buy their first homes, establish roots, and get one step closer to the American dream. Or people like Anne--she received a deportation letter last April. Everyone in her family received the letter, including her 1-year-old niece--her 1-year-old niece. Anne and her family fled to Delaware after a gang war broke out in Haiti following the assassination of the President in 2021. Receiving deportation letters left them depressed and scared. They were sent into a tailspin and faced a devastating choice: Do you stay here illegally? They don't want to do that. Do you stay here illegally? Do you try to figure it out and go back to a country with danger and chaos with a small child or do you flee? As I said before, Delaware is a State of neighbors, and we are losing neighbors. Anne and her entire family have fled. Now, if the moral imperative doesn't convince you, I will try the economic. Hundreds of thousands of Haitian TPS recipients are in our workforce. These are good, hard-working people. They work in healthcare, in agriculture. They are small business owners, Realtors, pastors, and more. They are necessary contributors to our economy. They provide over $800 million in taxes every year and generate over $5.9 billion for our economy. The loss of the Haitian TPS workforce would impact and cause harm to multiple industries, from the ag sector to education, to healthcare, including nursing homes, hospitals, and senior centers. My office has already heard reports from private employers who are being forced to let these employees go, whose authorizations are tied to TPS. Today, we had a chance to set things right. We had a chance to extend these protections to our Haitian neighbors. We had a chance to do the right thing. But I am here to tell you, yes, elections have consequences, and people are watching. And we are not giving up. Thank you to all of the individuals who are supporting these families. Thank you to our staffs who are receiving the phone calls. Thank you to the pastors who are praying. Thank you to all who are fighting for our neighbors. As I said, we won't give up. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement as State Librarian of Delaware and director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. Throughout her 40-year tenure at the Delaware Department of State, Dr. Norman has remained an unwavering public servant dedicated to improving Delaware's libraries for all Delawareans. Her visionary leadership has transformed Delaware's library system, and her legacy will benefit generations of Delawareans for years to come. Throughout her career, Dr. Norman served under five different administrations. For each Governor, Dr. Norman has been a trusted voice for the advancement of literacy and lifelong learning. Under her leadership, the Delaware Library Catalog was established and expanded to all Delaware public libraries, academic libraries, and many school libraries, allowing over 4 million books and other materials to be shared statewide. Dr. Norman has been a leading voice in addressing our State's literacy challenges, serving as founder and co-chair of the Delaware Literacy Alliance alongside Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. In 2020, Dr. Norman oversaw the statewide launch of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which provides free books to all Delaware children from birth to age 5. I am proud to have partnered with Dr. Norman to secure Federal funding and expand the division of libraries' teleservices kiosk program, which connects Delawareans in rural and underserved communities to healthcare, employment assistance, and legal services. During my years in the House of Representatives and now the Senate, I always appreciated the opportunity to meet with Dr. Norman to discuss Delaware's library funding needs, statewide literacy initiatives, and the many ways our libraries strengthen communities across the State. Dr. Norman's contributions have been recognized with many awards and accolades across her career, including her appointment by President Biden to the National Museum and Library Services Board and her induction into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. Dr. Norman's leadership has resulted in the expansion of more than two dozen libraries across the State and the delivery of state-of-the-art services through robust technology infrastructure. She has truly transformed Delaware's libraries into community hubs for Delawareans to gather, learn, and receive necessary services. I wish Dr. Norman the best of luck in her retirement. Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware in congratulating Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement and for an outstanding life of public service.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, on June 17, 2026, I missed the following vote, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 179, on the motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee S. Res. 616. On June 18, 2026, I missed the following vote, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 180, on the cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6644 with an amendment. On June 18, 2026, I missed the following vote, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 181, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 763, George Holding, to be U.S. Director of the European Bank for Construction and Development.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate mayor Bill West on his retirement as mayor of Georgetown, DE. During his 12 years as mayor, Bill has remained an unwavering advocate for economic progress and pragmatic problem-solving. The progress made by Mayor West will continue to benefit Georgetown and Sussex County for generations to come. A native son of Sussex County, Mayor Bill West served his community in both law enforcement and elected leadership during his 47 years as a Georgetown resident. Throughout his career, Bill has championed public safety, including during his 4 years with the Georgetown Police Department and 25 years with the Delaware State Police. First elected to municipal leadership in 2012, Mayor West initially served one term as a member of the Georgetown Town Council before his election as mayor of Georgetown in 2014. A problem-solver and creative thinker, Mayor West's political leadership has resulted in the establishment of numerous economic development projects and community facilities that continue to improve the lives of Georgetown residents every day. Outside of his political leadership, Bill is a cornerstone of his community. His leadership has been recognized throughout Sussex County and the State of Delaware, notably through his service as president of the Sussex County Association of Towns and as vice president of the Delaware League of Local Governments. Bill's leadership also supports his fellow law enforcement officers and their families through his participation in the Delaware State Troopers Association and his service on the board of the Delaware State Police Credit Union. I am personally grateful to Mayor West for his guidance on the issues facing Georgetown and its residents. Whether through visits to small businesses in downtown Georgetown or welcoming me to the Richard Allen Gala, Bill has been a trusted friend and adviser throughout our long relationship. I wish him the best in his retirement and remain confident that he will continue to serve his community for many years to come. Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Georgetown, DE, in congratulating Bill West on his retirement as mayor and for an outstanding life of public service.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize and congratulate the Delaware Community Foundation, DCF, on 40 years of extraordinary service to the State of Delaware through its enduring commitment to philanthropy, community investment, and collaborative leadership. Over the last four decades, DCF has brought together individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to strengthen communities and find solutions that work for all Delawareans. Delaware Community Foundation was established in 1986 with Jack Quindlen, then-treasurer of the DuPont Corporation, serving as its first board chair. Just a few years later, in 1989, Governor Mike Castle endorsed the Delaware Community Foundation, and the State appropriated $2 million to support nonprofit organizations through the DCF ``as an investment in the charitable future of Delaware.'' Since its founding, the Delaware Community Foundation has celebrated many milestones in service to our community. In 1992, the DCF exceeded $1 million in grants to nonprofits for the first time. The following year, it elected the first female chair, making another important step forward in its leadership. In 1997, the community services building opened in Wilmington, providing affordable office space for the nonprofits in the region. The DCF worked diligently on this project to bring that vision to reality and remains headquartered there today. In 2002, the Delaware Community Foundation expanded its reach in the State and established its first southern Delaware office in Georgetown. In the mid-2000s, the DCF recognized the importance of cultivating future leaders in philanthropy and established the Next Gen North and Next Gen South young professionals groups. Together, these groups have contributed more than $500,000 to their communities up and down the State of Delaware while also inspiring a new generation of civic engagement and philanthropic leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware Community Foundation once again showed its unwavering commitment to the State and raised $5 million in just a few months. It was one of the first organizations in the country to begin granting funds to nonprofits and communities facing unprecedented challenges. Today, the Delaware Community Foundation continues to be a thriving philanthropic organization, providing necessary grant funding, as well as technical assistance and support, to nearly 200 nonprofits in the State that have established funds at the DCF. This year alone, the DCF will grant more than $25 million to the Delaware community, and by the end of 2026, it is on track to deliver a record-breaking $1 million in scholarships to allow students across Delaware to further their academic careers without the burden of excessive student debt. At a time where philanthropy is more critical than ever to ensuring our local communities can grow and thrive, the DCF is working tirelessly to help organizations meet the moment. In the spring of 2025, the DCF opened the Meet the Moment grant program, a $545,000 grant program, offering grants of up to $20,000 to support a variety of needs for nonprofits. Over 175 organizations applied, with requests totaling above $3.3 million, signaling the dire need for philanthropic support in this moment. The Delaware Community Foundation has provided more than $1 million in grants and programming to date through the Meet the Moment program to help organizations grow and work in an ever- changing philanthropic landscape. Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware in honoring the outstanding work of the Delaware Community Foundation in celebration of its 40th anniversary. I extend my deepest gratitude to the DCF and know that its steadfast leadership will continue to be reflected in all they do for the State of Delaware for years to come.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 389, S.J. Res. 133.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Tariffs, a war, and a golden ballroom. We are in the middle of an economic crisis in America, but instead of working with us to help bring down costs, this administration weakened the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, gutting protections and making it harder for Americans to afford daily life. The unemployment rate is 4.3 percent and rising. Our housing market is in turmoil. Bottom line: Americans are struggling to get jobs, rent apartments, and secure mortgages. And the last thing they need to deal with is inaccurate background screening reports. This is especially true for those seeking a fresh start. My resolution would address that. Now, we have all been there where you have submitted your paperwork, you sit for an interview, you provide references, and you are just waiting for the background check. This should be a breeze, right? Well, for many Americans it is not that easy--especially for our returning citizens. That is why red States and blue States across the country have recognized the need to address a portion of this problem passing clean- slate legislation to give people a fair shot and a fresh start. The Biden CFPB issued guidance to crack down on inaccurate background screening reports, but the Trump administration withdrew this guidance stating it was too onerous. You know what is onerous? Jumping through hoops to prove your background check was wrong while hoping to get an apartment that you applied for is still available. Or fighting with the credit bureau to prove you have a clean record to keep your job--that is onerous. It has been proven that protecting consumers from error-filled background checks can be done. Equifax--one of the big three credit bureaus--recognized the importance and continued to handle customer complaints, despite the Trump administration's rescission of the rule.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. The Federal Government should do the same, and I urge my colleagues to join us because nobody deserves to lose their job or their home because of false or outdated information. I yield the floor. Vote on Motion to Proceed

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former Delaware State Senator Nancy W. Cook, who passed away on March 23, 2026, at the age of 89. While she will be remembered for her extraordinary leadership in public office, Nancy was, above all, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, trusted friend, and a steadfast pillar of her community. My thoughts are with her son Tom, daughter-in-law Beth, and all who knew and loved her. Cook was a legendary and trailblazing figure in Delaware politics. Born in Philadelphia, she grew up in New Castle County, where she became a proud graduate of William Penn High School. Soon after attending the University of Delaware, Senator Cook moved to Kent County and began her life of public service working in legislative hall in Delaware's capital city of Dover. Following the tragic passing of her beloved husband Allen in 1974, Nancy carried forward his legacy by stepping into his seat, representing Senate District 15 and the town of Kenton in the Delaware State Senate. Over the next 36 years, Senator Cook served as a powerful force for effective and thoughtful leadership. She rose through the ranks to serve as senate majority whip, chairwoman of the senate highways and transportation committee, and the longest serving cochair of the joint finance committee. Her tenure was defined by a deep commitment to responsible economic development including strengthening the State's finances, cutting taxes, and championing long-term infrastructure projects that continue to benefit the State today. Beyond the legislature, Senator Cook was deeply committed to preserving Delaware's rich history while shaping its future. She served on the Delaware Heritage Commission's Delaware Oral History Project and the Riverfront Development Corporation and was a champion for the preservation and restoration of Delaware's historic landmarks, including legislative hall itself. Nancy Cook was a mentor for generations of Delaware public servants. I am personally grateful for her support and thoughtful guidance during some of the most challenging times in my own life. As the first Democratic and longest serving woman in the Delaware Senate, her legacy lives on through her decades of public service and through the countless lives she influenced, including my own. I will deeply miss her steadfast leadership, her thoughtful counsel, her quick wit, and her compassion for all Delawareans. Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware in honoring the outstanding life, service, and legacy of Nancy W. Cook.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today not only as a Senator but as an American and as a descendant of enslaved men and women like those who built this Chamber and fought hard for the right to vote. I rise today with a deep concern that we are balancing on a knife's edge and that if the SAVE America Act becomes law, we will undercut one of the most fundamental things that make America America--the right to vote. We are literally in the midst of elections right now, and it is my understanding that this bill would actually take effect immediately. We have Americans who are concerned about the cost of living, everything from their rent now to their energy costs. We are in the midst of war. And we know as a country we have the most safe and secure elections in the world. So to my colleagues, I ask the question: What are you saving us from--being able to participate in our democracy? We have been down this road before. Behind me is a copy of a document that my sister Thea found when researching our family roots. We turned this into a scarf that I carried with me on the day that I was sworn in at the U.S. House of Representatives, in 2017, because it was a historic moment, and I wanted to carry history with me. And, again, I carried it with me when I was sworn into this august body--the U.S. Senate. This document is a window into our Nation's and my family's history. It captures the moment when my great, great, great grandfather--a formerly enslaved man--gained the right to vote. He couldn't read or write; so he signed his ``Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath'' with an ``x.'' I have been reflecting on this document and how it relates to the moment that we are in as a nation--how it is a physical manifestation of our democracy's ability to expand and contract, how we can bring people together, and how we can separate them. It is a part of the American experiment. Yet 159 years after my great, great, great grandfather signed this document and gained his right to vote, and 61 years after President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, protecting that fundamental right and expanding it for Black women, we in the Senate are debating the possibility of placing burdens and barriers on voting for millions of Americans--a contraction of our democracy. We are just a few months from marking our Nation's 250th year, months away from acknowledging how far we have come as a country, but it is my belief that our democracy is under attack, that there is a coordinated effort to undermine voting rights in America from right here in Congress to the Judiciary, to the Executive. Let's start with the reason that we are here today--the SAVE America Act. This bill is as dangerous as it is unethical. It is a thinly veiled attempt to make it harder for some--some--Americans to participate in our democracy. So here is what it does: It enables this administration to supercharge their voter roll purges by forcing States to share their voter lists with the Federal Government. It would end proven and safe voter registration systems, including online and mail registration. It would impose new costs on Americans who want to vote, creating a modern-day poll tax. It would undermine voting by mail, and it would criminalize election workers, and more. Our distinguished minority leader called this bill Jim Crow 2.0. I am calling it Jim Crow 2.No. Here it is by the numbers: 146 million, 165, 69, and 4.5. So 146 million is the number of Americans who don't have passports at this moment. So unless they can prove their citizenship with their birth certificate or social security card, those millions of Americans will not be able to vote. And 165 is the base price for getting a brandnew passport. If you have a passport and it is expiring, it will cost you $130 to renew. So if you can't find your birth certificate or social security card, there is now a pricetag on your access to the ballot. And 69 million is the number of women who have changed their names. Not only will they have to provide proof of citizenship, but under this bill, they also would have to bring their marriage certificate to a voting booth, or maybe a signed affidavit from a judge proving their name change. Four and a half--4.5 hours is the average amount of time a rural voter would have to drive round trip to prove they are a citizen and ensure that they can vote in the next election. My colleagues will have you believe that we don't believe IDs are important. That is not the case. It is just not true. Many States are already--across the country, we have to use our IDs to vote. I took my driver's license with me when I voted recently in a local election. That is not the point of this bill. The point of this bill is trying to solve a problem that is not there, and in doing so, it moves the goalposts for people who want to vote. It will squeeze people out of the democratic process by finding ways to cost you money and cost you time if you want to vote. Bottom line: If this bill passes, a driver's license, REAL ID, travel ID, college IDs for students, or military IDs will no longer be enough. If this bill passes, you would have to mail in a photocopy of your proof of citizenship with your ballot, making it exponentially harder for Americans to vote by mail, not to mention undermining privacy. If you are married, if you are in a rural community, if you are a student on a college campus, if you are a person with a disability, if you are a senior, or if you have changed your name at any point in your life, like so many of us have, including myself--I was married, I was divorced, and I was widowed--this bill won't save you. It will hurt you. But this is just one aspect of the current attack on voting rights. The second comes from across the street, where the Supreme Court has been chipping and chipping and chipping away at voting rights. The systematic weakening of our voter protections started decades ago when the Supreme Court undermined the preclearance provisions of the Voting Rights Act, the VRA. Preclearance required jurisdictions with a historical record of racial discrimination in voting to clear any changes to their voting laws with the Federal Government. This was a backstop that protected access to the ballot box for many voters of color. Once it was struck down, some States began to take advantage, passing restricted voting ID laws, restricting voter registration timeframes, reducing early voting, and more. In 2021, the Supreme Court made it harder to prove racially discriminatory voting practices under the VRA. And later this year, they will hear a case that would make it even harder for minority communities to sue States for discriminatory congressional maps. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the threat to our democracy that comes from the executive branch. Let me start from the beginning. Since January of 2025, the Trump administration has used DOGE to steal our personal information and data. They pulled information from the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. Why? Maybe to track the American people. Now the administration has turned their attention toward establishing an unsanctioned, nationwide voter database. They also raided a Georgia voting center under false pretenses, undermined access to mail-in ballots by changing the rules around how mail is postmarked, and sued and threatened States like Minnesota over access to their voter files--all of this from a President that wants to ``take over the voting'' so that the GOP ``will never lose a race for 50 years.'' This is a coordinated and un-American campaign against the very core of who we are as a nation. It is not something that I say lightly, but it is something that I believe must be said, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of our country. In those 250 years, we have seen our democracy expand and contract multiple times. Our democracy expanded when my great, great, great grandfather signed his name with that ``x'' and gained the right to vote. His descendant now stands in the Senate, a living reminder that our democracy has the ability to grow and change. But our democracy has contracted too, and we need to learn from that past if we are going to prevent further contraction in the future. I fear we are on the cusp of falling into a trap our ancestors sprung 100 years ago. You see, my great, great, great grandfather earned the right to vote in Georgia with his signature. But it is unlikely that he was able to really exercise that newly won right for very long because, from 1877 to 1901, while some Americans were enjoying the Gilded Age, Black Americans were living through a period known as the Great Nadir. If apex is the highest, then nadir is the lowest--voter suppression, political violence--things that you see and feel even now. Many of the rights enumerated in the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments-- including the right to vote--were being eroded, washed away by partisan gerrymandering, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, Jim Crow laws, and even Supreme Court decisions. For decades, civil rights leaders fought, not just to achieve new rights but to reinstate the ones lost. Our democracy has expanded and contracted. The first Black Senator, Hiram Revels, was elected to Congress in 1870, and then Blanche Bruce. But it was 86 years between those two Senators and 1967, when we had the next Black Senator--86 years. Right now, there are five of us, and this is the first time in our history where there are two Black women at the same time. If the SAVE America Act passes, we are on the verge of another contraction. The parallels with the Great Nadir are as stark as they are many. Once again, laws are being proposed to strip us of the access to the ballot box. Once again, the Supreme Court is postured to send us backward, rather than protecting the path forward. And once again, voting rights are under attack by the Federal Government. I look around this room, and I know that we have a choice to make: whether we will allow partisan divides to enable the backsliding of our democracy, or if we are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder to protect the bedrock of our Nation--the right to vote. So what can we do? First, we must block the SAVE America Act from advancing any further. As Senators, we have a responsibility to call it as we see it and to conduct oversight and expose executive overreach. And that is what this bill is--executive overreach that would undermine our right to vote across this country. As Democratic Senators, we plan to stand in its path, and I hope that some of my Republican colleagues will join us. And to all of those watching at home, I want you to know there is strength in numbers; that your power lies in being educated and informed and organized and mobilizing. And in this moment, I stand here and say no to Jim Crow 2.0. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Thank you, Senator Murphy. I want to start off as the ranking member on the U.S. Coast Guard Subcommittee, and I stand here today, first of all, to acknowledge your leadership and to acknowledge the fact that it is surprising, I think, to most Americans that when we can get agreement on 90 percent of something, we don't act on that 90 percent. We have an opportunity right now. And, again, as ranking member of the Coast Guard Subcommittee, we know that the Coast Guard keeps our Nation safe in times of peace, but also in times of war. Even wars that weren't brought to Congress or that have no strategy or exit strategy, they do their job. From protecting our ports, to helping our communities with search and rescue operations--the Coast Guard is critical to our Nation's national security and safety. They patrol over 4.5 million square miles of ocean. They protect over 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline. They secure over 26,000 miles of commercial waterways and ensure the safety of over 360 ports, 3,700 marine terminals, and 25,000 miles of navigable channels. The men and women of the Coast Guard of the United States dedicate their lives to protecting the largest system of ports, waterways, and coastal seas in the world. And right now--right now--over 42,000 Active-Duty servicemembers are uncertain about whether they will receive their next paycheck, and nearly 10,000 civilians who support their critical work are going without pay right now. Their next paychecks should actually be hitting their accounts in a couple of days, which is why what we do here today is so vital. I had the privilege of visiting the Sector Delaware Bay last summer, and I met the coasties stationed there, and I got to hear firsthand how deeply connected they are to our mission, to our safety, to our economy, and our national security. And it helped clarify how immensely important that we must take care of the coasties at home so that they can serve our country with confidence at sea. Again, right now, we are neglecting our duty. Politics aside, the Coast Guard has a job to do, and we have an opportunity to do something about it. Our colleagues asked us for more weeks. We got 2 weeks in the beginning. We are now weeks and weeks and weeks from those 2 weeks. The best way that we can support our Coast Guard men and women is to pay them. And while we, as Democrats, fight to address a broken Agency that we know of as ICE, we have to recognize and pay our Coast Guard's men and women. So, Senator Murphy, do you agree that our colleagues across the aisle should join us in paying our Coast Guard men and women without delay?

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate New Castle County Councilman Penrose Hollins for receiving the Order of the First State, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of Delaware. Throughout his over 35 years of service representing District 4 of the New Castle County Council, Councilman Hollins has served the people of Wilmington, DE, with wisdom, intellect, grace, and deep moral clarity. A tireless champion for justice and opportunity, Councilman Hollins is a trailblazer for racial equality as the first African-American to serve as president pro tempore of the New Castle County Council. Throughout his time as a councilman, he has remained a central figure advocating for housing opportunities, including leading the establishment of the New Castle County Council Housing Committee. Widely known as a voice of reason and for his collaborative leadership, he has remained resolute in his march toward a healthier and safer New Castle County. Councilman Hollins is a pillar of his local community. He has dedicated his time and leadership to local organizations, including the Wilmington Hope Commission, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, and the Wilmington NAACP. A former Wilmington City councilman, he also served as the chair of the First District Democratic City Committee. Councilman Hollins has been a cornerstone of local political leadership for decades. Professionally, he enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a research technician at the DuPont Experimental Station. As a founding member of Canaan Baptist Church, current member of St. Paul's Baptist Church, and through attendance at Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church, he has remained committed to his faith and guided by a spirit of charity and service. A Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army, Councilman Hollins served his country honorably during two tours as a medic in Korea. He is a distinguished alumnus of Delaware Technical Community College and a member of the college's Hall of Fame. Councilman Hollins has been repeatedly recognized by the people of Delaware as the recipient of numerous community and civic awards, including Delaware State University's Outstanding Black Delawarean, the NAACP's Life Membership Appreciation Award, and Delaware State Education Association's Outstanding Achievements in Human and Civil Rights Award. Councilman Hollins' profound, lasting impact on the State of Delaware and its people exemplifies the spirit of the Order of the First State. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Councilman Hollins on receiving Delaware's highest civilian honor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today in disbelief of where we are as a country. I will tell you, in listening to the speeches that came before me--such powerful words--I thought to myself, What can I actually contribute to this moment? As a matter of fact, when my colleagues said that they were going to schedule this floor bloc, I never thought about what I would say; I just said yes. And in my mind, there are a few things I do want to say. First, I want to start off by thanking my sister Senators, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith, as well as former colleague Representative Ilhan Omar, for your strength and leadership in such a trying time. Secondly, I want to acknowledge the people of Minnesota who have been through so, so much. I recall years ago, going to Minnesota myself for the memorial service for George Floyd and being with the community to have conversations about community policing, and then witnessing the tragedy of Melissa Hortman, and so much that has happened in that State. And so, to the people of Minnesota, I want to say thank you for showing us strength, resilience, what it truly means to be your sister's keeper, your brother's keeper, and to show up for your neighbors. You are truly inspirational. I guess what has been on my heart is the history of this country. We will be celebrating Black History Month, and at a time where history is trying to be replaced--erased--I think it is important to think back on the things that we have been through. And what it took to make it through those times were not necessarily our eloquent speeches, but it was that everyday people did something. And so, right now, the words that are ringing through my head are that they had their time; this is our time. We didn't ask for it, but we are prepared for it whether we know it or not. And the three words that stick in my head right now is: Now we must. It is our time. It is our time to stand up for our brothers and sisters across this country. When the administration first signaled their goals to do these kinds of interventions across the country, it was to arrest violent criminals. That is what I heard. But in reality, when you see a mother of three shot, when you see an ICU nurse who works for the Veterans' Administration shot and killed, when you see children and families and pastors and priests and people across the country--not just in Minnesota--concerned to even walk in their own neighborhoods, maybe because of their color or their accent, that is not the way it is supposed to be. So that means each and every one of us has to do what we can in this moment to prevent this lawless chaos that is happening on our streets. I will say that what we are trying to put forward as Democrats, again, is just common sense, practical--actually safety measures to keep our country safe. And so as we think about the fact that right now there are armed cars roving, people in masks that we don't even know who they are--they should be identified. People shouldn't have to worry about carrying their papers with them. When we think about the process, people shouldn't be knocking on your doors and pulling you outside of your house--you don't even get a chance to put on your clothes, and they don't have a criminal warrant. They should be following the same rules as our State and local police officers follow in our States. Because what we are hearing is their efforts right now are making it even more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs and keep us safe. And so there are, in this moment, things that each of us can do, and I hope that our Republican colleagues will join us. I hope they will join us in making sure that not only do we continue to have public safety that includes the public and our law enforcement, but that we reform an Agency that has received over $75 billion as a slush fund. We want to make sure that money is targeted, that people are trained, and that they are doing what is right and that they are doing at least what our State and local police officers do. And, again, I want to end by just saying that I didn't come to give a big formal speech. I came to say that each and every one of us in this moment can do our part. Our Senators--again, thank you so much to Amy, thank you so much to Tina for your strength and for your example. Again, I encourage our Republican colleagues to join us as we reform and change that Agency, meaning ICE and DHS. But more importantly, I think what is at the core of all of this is that we still have a democracy when it is all said and done. And so my call, again, is for each of us to just do your part, to stay strong. And I will not be voting for this package if we do not pull out DHS and have those reforms that we spoke of. And I, again, want to just say: It is our turn. Now we must. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life of Corporal Grade One Matthew ``Ty'' Snook. Corporal Grade One Snook was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2025, in a senseless act of violence. He had taken an overtime shift at a Wilmington DMV, when a shooter approached him from a blind angle and fired. Corporal Grade One Snook's final act was one of bravery. In the words of his wife Lauren, ``He chose duty, he chose responsibility, and he chose to stand where others could be protected.'' Corporal Grade One Snook was a dedicated law enforcement officer. He loved to serve as a mentor and field trainer, and he was committed to ensuring the next generation of troopers were equipped with the knowledge and skillset to keep our community safe. But most importantly, Ty was a father, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend. Born and raised in Delaware, Ty was a loyal neighbor, an authentic friend, and a courageous member of the First State community. Last week, he should have been on a vacation with his family. Instead, his family and friends were joined by hundreds of law enforcement officers, local, State, and Federal officials and broader community members to mourn his life. His is a legacy of love and putting others before self, a legacy that will live on in the officers he trained, in his wife Lauren, in his daughter Letty, in his friends and family, in every life he touched. To the Snook family, know we all grieve with you over this tremendous loss and that we will join you in remembering Ty for the compassionate and courageous man he was.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, on January 5, 2026, I missed rollcall vote No. 1 on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 70, Keith Bass of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense due to a personal matter. Had I been present, I would have voted no.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today is January 6, 2026. We are 6 days into what will surely be a defining year for our Nation. We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. We will hold midterm elections. Americans will determine the control of Congress. But while there is much to look forward to on this cold winter night, I find myself transported back 5 years ago to January 6, 2021. Over the last 5 years, a lot has been shared about the events of that day. It has been distorted, romanticized, even downplayed. But as they say in the play ``Hamilton,'' ``It matters who lives, who dies, who tells your story.'' For me, a lot has changed since 2021. Five years ago, I didn't carry the title I proudly carry today. No, not Senator, although, I am proud. It is grandmother. Today, I rise here on the Senate floor to tell my story, not just for the history books but for my granddaughter Lennox and all of the young people of this country. It is a story of sorrow, fear, and loss, love, hate, and betrayal. But it is also a story of redemption, bravery, and resilience. On January 6, I was a Member of the House of Representatives. Joe Biden had just been elected. Kamala Harris was just about to become the first woman and first person of color to serve as our Vice President. I was ready to watch history. Because we were in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, only a few Members of the States contesting the election results could be on the House floor. The rest of us were able to sign up for 1-hour shifts in the House Gallery. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember that night choosing what outfit to wear. I remember taking two pairs of boots with me to work. I ended up wearing the more comfortable ones, not knowing I would soon be running, ducking, and crawling on my hands and knees for safety. I remember signing up for the first shift to watch from the Gallery. There was never a second shift. Not long into the proceedings, I saw the leadership and my colleagues whisked off the House floor. An announcement was made that the Capitol had been breached. I sat stunned. And as they were taken to safety, I realized they forgot about us trapped up in the Gallery. We could hear the sounds of yelling and banging on the Chamber doors. We ducked for cover and were instructed to get the gas masks out from under our seats--gas masks that we didn't even know existed, that we did not know how to open or use. And I remember my friend, former Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida grabbing my arm and locking eyes with me and saying: Lisa, there is only one who can get us out of this. And I began to pray. People say that right before you die, your life flashes right before your eyes. In that moment, I saw history flash before mine. I saw the peaks and valleys of our American story. I saw slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow. I saw a Trail of Tears, women locking arms marching for the right to vote, two World Wars, 9/11, the murder of George Floyd, and a global pandemic. I saw the history of our Nation and the path that we had traveled to get us to this moment, and I prayed. I recalled a piece of Scripture that tells us ``all things work together for the good,'' even the bad, because despite the violence, despite the trauma, despite how close we were to losing our democracy, brave men and women stood up to protect this institution, and we will never ever, ever forget them. We, the Congress, came back in the wee hours of the morning to do our jobs, to certify the results of a free and fair election. It was a moment of redemption. And redemption is part of what makes America America because whenever we falter, there are ``shoulders to the till'' who push us forward, who remind us of the values upon which our Nation was founded so that we can ``come back stronger.'' I find myself thinking about those foundational values a lot these days, and a specific phrase from the preamble has risen above the rest, that we are to ``secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.'' The Founders used the common phrasing of the time where churches spoke of bestowing blessings of knowledge or faith. We, the United States, would bestow the ``Blessings of Liberty'' and not just for ourselves but for our posterity for future generations, for our children and our children's children, for my granddaughter Lennox. But ``securing the Blessings of Liberty'' isn't just a promise, it is a call to action because while liberty is a blessing, it requires work to maintain, work that we have strayed away from many times in our history. Five years after January 6, we are faltering once again. From efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and the EPA to the weaponization of the Department of Justice, to active efforts to strip birthright citizenship, the Federal Government is losing its ability to protect many of the blessings of liberties we have come to expect as Americans. But this isn't new. We have seen this before. In the late 1800s, formerly enslaved people gained new rights--many Americans did. The 13, 14, 15 Amendments enumerated these rights. But without enforcement, they became no more than ink on paper. I believe we are repeating history. There are some more focused on tearing down than building up. But here is the thing, you can tear down the East Wing of the White House, you can put your name on buildings, or try to tear down this very Capitol Building itself like was done 5 years ago, but our democracy is built on more than just bricks and marble. Ours is a democracy built on the values of liberty and justice for all, on the premise of freedom, on the ideals of equality and independence, and on our pioneering spirit of innovation. Ours is a story of redemption. This very room that I am standing in is a testament to our system of governance, a room built by enslaved people where Lennox's grandmother now has the privilege to serve as a duly elected Senator. When our democracy expands, when it breathes, we inch closer to those divinely inspired ideals of our founding documents and to truly securing the ``Blessings of Liberty.'' This is the story of America I want to pass on to my granddaughter, a story of courage and bright hope for a democracy that endures. But again progress isn't inevitable. It is a choice, and it requires effort. In 2025, we let the aisle between our parties stretch to a chasm, but it is a new year and it is a new day and we must come together to choose progress to move forward to protect our democracy and patch the holes in our Republic, punctured by the few to spite the many. As I close, I stand here today as a Senator with gratitude to those who protected us and even gave their lives on that day. And I stand here as Lennox's grandmother with words of wisdom from the late, great Justice Thurgood Marshall, who said: This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. To our posterity, to Lennox, to the pages in this room, to the interns in our office, to the young people inspired to save the world that work on our staff, and to each and every young person in this Nation, I would add two more words to Justice Marshall's quote. This democracy is yours. Make it ``your own'' because this democracy belongs to you too. So make it your own. Protect it like we did on January 6 and pass it on. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I had the honor of serving with Senator Marshall in the House. We were classmates. We came in together in 2016. It is kind of ironic to think back to that time because as a freshman, I watched my colleagues try to repeal and replace and repeal and replace and repeal and replace. Just last week, Senator Marshall and I introduced the PBM Disclosure Act together, a bill regarding PBM transparency. We worked on some important things, but at this moment I can think of nothing more important than addressing our Nation's healthcare crisis. Unfortunately, I cannot support what is being proposed here today. Now, we all agree that our healthcare system needs improvement. The Democrats have put forward proposals to do just that. As a matter of fact, Senator Wyden, who is sitting on the floor right here, today, has put forward a proposal--a bill--that deals with the issue of fraud. And as he said, he would love his Republican colleagues to join him in that effort. This bill claims to actually attack fraud. It also claims to fix the premium crisis. But, in reality, it would kick millions of Americans off their ACA healthcare coverage. Premiums would go up for over 10 million people by an average of $1,000. And to top it all off, this bill adds new abortion restrictions. It is yet another harmful proposal from Republicans, while the clock is ticking for the American people. Almost a dozen proposals have been offered by Republicans in the Senate and the House, in just the last few weeks. That is tantamount to throwing spaghetti up on a wall to see what sticks. For months, we have asked Republicans to come to the table. During the shutdown, they said they couldn't talk to us about healthcare. Yet they were still holding hearings on a whole host of things. They spent 6 months before that, in the beginning of the year, passing tax cuts for billionaires. Apparently, that wasn't the time to talk to us either. The very first bill I sponsored--I cosponsored--as a U.S. Senator, back in January, was the Healthcare Affordability Act, which would have permanently extended the ACA tax credits. Now, it is December, almost a year later. As I already said, we have received almost a dozen plans from Republicans, and they are still coming in. As a matter of fact, I think one came in last night. Let us help you help your constituents. Democrats are offering the cleanest, easiest, simplest way to deal with the immediate healthcare crisis, the immediate healthcare cliff that Americans are facing, and it gives us time to improve our healthcare system. It would even give us the chance to review the thousands of plans and concepts of plans that my colleagues are putting forward. This bill is too little, too late. And for that reason, I respectfully object.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Welch be recognized to speak up to 10 minutes following my remarks for up to 5 minutes prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, we are 12 days away from the deadline for Americans to get healthcare coverage starting January 1-- 12 days. Time is running out for us in Congress to act. Ultimately, we can all agree on one thing: Healthcare in America is unaffordable for families, for farmers, and for small businesses alike. This morning, the HELP Committee held a hearing called Making Health Care Affordable Again: Healing a Broken System. Many ideas were shared. But walking out of that hearing room only heightened my sense of urgency. You see, just 2 weeks ago, Senator Coons and Representative McBride and I met with the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and the high cost of healthcare took up three quarters of the meeting. Like many Senators here, my office has received phone calls and emails about how devastating a lapse in ACA tax credits would be for our constituents. James from Selbyville, DE, reached out this morning to tell me his story. He said: My family's ACA premium will increase 110 percent without the continuation of the enhanced premium subsidy. One hundred ten percent. Let's break this down. The average income for a family of four in Sussex County, DE, is $78,000 a year. With a 110-percent increase, their premium could jump from $241 a month to $507 a month. That is a monthly increase of $266. That is more than the current premium cost. The increase cost works out to an additional $3,192 a year. How are families supposed to afford this? How is James supposed to keep his family healthy and pay the rent, utilities, groceries? Costs are already high and through the roof for all of these things. It is time we approach the healthcare crisis with the urgency our constituents deserve, which is why tomorrow I will be introducing a new bill, the Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability Act. Here are five ways that this bill will help people like James: First, it would extend the ACA tax credits for 3 years, which would prevent health insurance premiums from spiking; second, it would make it easier for working people who want coverage to enroll by cutting redtape because we all have enough on our plates, and no one needs more paperwork to fill out; third, it would force insurance companies to be transparent about enrollment opportunities so that no one falls through the cracks; fourth, it would protect consumers from surprise premium bills; and fifth, it would lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers by reversing the harmful Trump administration regulations that increase premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing back in June. Senator Wyden and I are introducing this bill because it is time for Congress to stand up for people like James and his family because no one should have to choose between rent and healthcare, between groceries and a checkup, between keeping the lights on or paying for chemo. It is long overdue we address the health crisis and lower costs for everyday Americans. We have 12 days--12 days--to ensure that people get their healthcare coverage. We have no time to waste, and I urge my colleagues to consider my bill. The clock is ticking. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam President, I actually have written notes here. I came prepared to talk about the importance of the ACA tax credits, and as I sat here, I prayed: What do I even say in this moment? There is a Scripture that says: Choose ye this day. Today, we have an opportunity to make a choice. We have an opportunity to do something that is so plain and so simple. There is a book in the Bible called the Book of Habakkuk. A lot of people don't even know it. It is like three chapters. In it, it says: We always hear, how long? Not long? No, in it, it says long. It says pain. It says corruption. It says suffering. But what it does say is, make a plan and make it plain. So what we come today to say is we have something that is plain and simple and will lift up America. And that is the opportunity to vote, open the government, and restore people's healthcare. It is that plain. It is that simple. We are not saying you are better than us and we are better than you. We are saying link them together on behalf of the American people. It is a sad day in America when people have to choose between their healthcare and housing or their healthcare and food. We are not in a pandemic. There are no wars on our shores. This should not be a hard time for us. We are not without resources in this country. So, today, as many people are being priced out of the American dream, I ask my colleagues: Come to the table. Work with us. I am so proud to be one of the freshman class--one of the most diverse classes in the history of this Chamber--with Elissa Slotkin, with Ruben Gallego, with Adam Schiff, with Andy Kim, and my sister Senator Angela Alsobrooks. Five of the six of us came from the House of Representatives. And so for us, it is almost like we have a foot in both worlds. And for us, this proposal is an opportunity to not only pass something here but to pass something in the House that becomes a law and that gets something for the American people. We also have relationships and have been in conversations with our former House Republican colleagues who also want to get something done. And so, today, again, off script, but in my heart, we are standing here for the American people saying we can end this today. And we are saying to the President of the United States--I hope you can hear us. We are saying to the President of the United States that you said it yourself after Tuesday's election, this is hurting Republicans. Well, you know what? It is also hurting all of America. And so we hope that you will engage in something that is simple and clear. Open the government and make sure we restore people's tax credits together. Again, how long? Long if we choose to be. But we have a choice in this moment. And so we hope that you will come to the table. Let's make a deal. I yield the floor.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize and welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, DC. Born Demetrios Arhondonis in 1940 on the island of Imvros, now known as Gokreada, Turkiye, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was elected in October 1991 as the 270th Archbishop of the 2,000-year-old Orthodox Church. As Ecumenical Patriarch, he is the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity worldwide, with over 300 million adherents and a history tracing back to the early Christian communities of Roman antiquity. Patriarch Bartholomew has been a strong advocate for religious freedom, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship. He has been received by multiple Presidents of the United States and Secretaries of State, and in 1997, Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal, one of our Nation's highest honors. Last September, Patriarch Bartholomew returned to Washington to receive the very prestigious Templeton Prize, awarded in New York City, joining the company of past recipients such as Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama. The Templeton Prize recognizes his outstanding leadership in promoting human dignity and fostering dialogue between faith and science. The people of Delaware, including our incredibly vibrant Greek Orthodox community, are honored to welcome the Patriarch Bartholomew to the U.S. Capitol. I invite my colleagues to join me in welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Yes, I am.

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Will the Senator from Oregon yield for a question?

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. First let me say thank you, Senator Merkley, for your tenacity, your energy, your compassion, and your love for this country. I mean, really, that is what this is about. That is why you have been standing on this floor for over 20 hours, and I want to say thank you on behalf of the American people. And I want to say, Mr. President, we are now 21 days into this Republican shutdown and well over 200 days into the Trump administration. Costs for housing are up, food prices are up, energy costs have gone up, and we are about to see our healthcare costs skyrocket for millions of Americans--all while the President pushes this country to the literal brink of a constitutional crisis. So let's recap. The Department of Defense is trying to censor the press. This administration is offering deals to universities to teach Trump priorities, taking away independence and academic freedom. They tried to push dissenters off airwaves. But this is America. And Senator Merkley--you and I know--here, the people have the power, and the power of the people matters. Here, the voices of our communities hold weight, and that is why I stand with you as you ring the alarms. The people are standing up, they are speaking out, and they are saying: Enough is enough. What does that look like? It looks like journalists, from MSNBC to FOX News, handing in their DOD press badges, choosing to stand up for their First Amendment rights rather than bowing to the whims of the Secretary of Defense. It means universities are refusing to play ball, declining the offer. It means Americans use the power of their purses to say you will not silence someone like Jimmy Kimmel and he was reinstated. But it doesn't stop there. It is an unprecedented move by Federal judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans alike that are speaking out on an impending judicial crisis over the Supreme Court's emergency orders. State governments are joining compacts to protect access to public health for citizens as this administration rips away access to vaccines. Airports across America are refusing to play this administration's propaganda videos. And perhaps most importantly, millions of Americans from across our country have made their voices known and heard. Seven million Americans did what I think was truly a part of the American spirit by using their voices in a peaceful way, assembling, doing it in a way that was both joyful but also patriotic--and demanding that we in Congress also stand up. So we are standing up for our communities. And thank you again, Senator Merkley, for doing so. And we are fighting for families across America who are about to see their healthcare coverage go up or maybe even be eliminated. In this moment, we don't need a King. The people need a President for all of the people--not a $20 billion bailout for Argentina, not a new White House gold ballroom when people can't even afford to pay their rent or to buy a home on their own--and not a Justice Department bailout--all while November 1 is fast approaching and tens of millions of Americans face this healthcare crisis: rising cost or a total elimination of their healthcare or medical debt. Costs are already high--and now this. It is time to do the right thing and to take a stand. And with the President poised to leave town, we ask that he stay and pull together the partners--the House, which has been out of session. And I came from the House. I don't think I ever saw anything like this where they literally have been missing in action for weeks. As a matter of fact, for our August break, they left in July. This is unprecedented, and we need them back at the table. They need to do the work. And so my question to you, Senator Merkley: In light of what the President wants to spend money on and what the American people need, does the President have his priorities straight? Are his priorities right on behalf of the American people?