Ted Budd

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I have five requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. In my capacity as the Senator from North Carolina, I ask consent that notwithstanding the order of July 1, 2025, I be permitted to address the Senate to propound an order.

Mr. BUDD. In my capacity as the Senator from North Carolina, I ask that the order of Tuesday, July 1, with respect to the Senate's reconvening be modified so that the Senate be in session on Monday, July 7, at 10:15 a.m. for a pro forma session only with no business to be conducted; and that the existing order for the Senate to reconvene on Monday, July 7, now occur on Tuesday, July, 8, with all other aspects of that order remaining in place.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. I further ask that all members of the Republican caucus have signing authority through Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I rise to recognize and commend the outstanding efforts of our law enforcement community in western North Carolina for their role in the success of Operation Uptown Funk. Now, that is a pretty creative name, but it is a very serious issue. It was a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Appalachia. This coordinated operation has involved law enforcement agencies from Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina as well as Greenville and Spartanburg Counties in South Carolina, and it has been supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This is nothing short of a strong testament to the commitment of our law enforcement officers to put the welfare of our communities first. Over the course of this investigation, authorities confiscated more than $175,000 in illicit funds, 20 firearms, and 30 pounds of illegal drugs, including substantial quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. More than 30 individuals from Henderson County have been arrested and are being held accountable for their role in this dangerous drug network. These results are not just statistics. They represent lives saved, overdoses prevented, and neighborhoods that can breathe easier knowing that they are a lot safer. In a region still working to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, dismantling this trafficking ring has brought a renewed sense of hope and security for Western North Carolinians. On behalf of the people of North Carolina, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Sheriff Lowell Griffin of Henderson County, Sheriff Quentin Miller of Buncombe County, Sheriff Bill Wilke of Haywood County, and Sheriff Chuck Owenby of Transylvania County. I also want to thank the dedicated men and women within their departments--especially the Henderson County Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement Unit, or DICE--for their service. Their courage has protected countless families and made it clear to drug traffickers they will find no refuge in the mountains of our beautiful Western North Carolina. It is my honor to represent a State whose law enforcement professionals lead with tremendous integrity and commitment to our citizens. I will continue working in the U.S. Senate to ensure that they have the tools, resources, and support they need to keep our communities safe. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

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

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, the naming of naval ships is a long and proud naval tradition that goes back to America's first frigates commissioned by Congress. Then, as now, the naming of a ship is not just a top-down affair. It demands the input and consideration of the journey men and women who constructed her, as well as her prospective crew and captain, right down to the lowest ranking sailor. Those individuals are known in naval tradition as plank owners, and that title brings with it an honor that they were the first to sail aboard a ship that will serve our country for generations. That is an honor that transcends political partisanship and differences of opinion, and it belongs to the sailors. It is no secret that the last administration took a top-down approach to the naming of our newest class of USNS oilers. In doing so, they broke with important naval customs and traditions and robbed the USNS plank owners of the chance to name these vessels after what mattered most to them. It is true that civilian leaders in Congress and the White House have always had a say in ship naming as well. George Washington selected the names of our first six frigates, but he did so from a list provided by the plank owners--the ships' crews and captains. Navy tradition, like the name of a ship, lives in the hearts and minds of every sailor, and these traditions are vital to preserving the morale and fighting spirit of our forces. Resetting the stage is not a political issue. It is bringing things back in line with naval custom and tradition. It will allow the Secretary of the Navy to consider the input of new ship plank owners so that he can name this class of ships after the things that matter most to America's sailors. For these reasons, I object.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Greensboro Police Officer Michael T. Horan. Officer Horan served our Nation in uniform for 18 years as an Active Reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard and joined the Greensboro Police Department in 2017, where he served on the department's violent crime reduction team, crimes against persons unit, patrol districts two and four, special events team, and as a rapid deployment and active shooter instructor. Officer Horan was known by his colleagues for always being willing to mentor the younger officers in his department and, oftentimes, took the rookies under his wing. For Officer Horan, the call of duty had no boundaries, and in 2019, he received a lifesaving award for rescuing a father and son from rip currents while on vacation with his family in Emerald Isle, NC. On Monday morning, December 23, 2024--just 2 days before Christmas-- the Greensboro Police Department received a report about a suspect with a handgun inside a grocery store on Lawndale Drive. Like he always did, Officer Horan responded to the call. When he arrived on the scene, he encountered the suspect who, without warning, pulled out his weapon and took Officer Horan's life in an instant. This year, on January 9, members of Officer Horan's family, as well as many members of the public, gathered inside Greensboro's Westover Church to say their final goodbyes. The service concluded with a 21-gun salute to memorialize Officer Horan's last watch. Michael was devoted to his family and his community. Throughout his career, he was always committed to public safety. He will forever be remembered as a leader who put his city's most vulnerable first, and may his commitment to selfless service be an example to us all. Now, I ask that you join me in a moment of silence to honor the memory of Greensboro Police Officer Michael T. Horan.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, on March 19, 1925, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce held its first annual meeting. For 100 years, the chamber has played a vital role in the growth and development of Rowan County, serving over 800 members and representing 60,000 employees. Rowan County has a strong history of entrepreneurship and innovation, serving as the birthplace of some of North Carolina's most iconic businesses. In 1917, during a nationwide sugar shortage, the popular cherry soda Cheerwine was first crafted here. By the 1920s, it has become a favorite soft drink across the region, cementing its place as a symbol of Southern culture for over a century now. Likewise, in 1957, a modest local grocery store called Food Town opened its doors in Rowan County. Just a few decades later, it rebranded as Food Lion, and now is a household name with over 1,100 stores across 10 States, serving millions of families across the Southeast. Since its founding, the Rowan Chamber has been a driving force behind the county's economic growth and business success. As a hub for collaboration, the chamber brings together businesses and community leaders, harnessing their collective expertise to tackle local challenges and advance economic development throughout the region. From the beginning, the Rowan Chamber has been at the forefront of prioritizing community development. In their first annual report, in 1925, the chamber celebrated its efforts that brought Catawba College to Salisbury, promoted a new creamery for farmers to produce dairy products, and advocated for better roads. In more recent accomplishments, the chamber has been at the forefront of business advocacy, workforce and leadership development, and funding for transportation and education. The Rowan Chamber has also successfully advocated for infrastructure projects that have led to increased economic development across the county. The Yadkin River Bridge Project, I-85 four-lane expansion, the Old Beatty Ford Road exit, the Rowan County Airport expansion, and the development of the Paul E. Fisher Gateway Building are just some of the accomplishments that have been made possible by the chamber's concentrated efforts. As a small business owner, myself, and a member of the Senate Commerce and Small Business Committees, I appreciate the efforts of President Elaine Spalding, the board of directors, and everyone at the Rowan Chamber of Commerce for their work to support business leaders and keep North Carolina an attractive place to live and work.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to memorialize a servant leader of the great State of North Carolina. Mayor Karen Alexander of Salisbury went to her heavenly home far too soon on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the age of 73 years young. Her colleagues and I will remember her as a loving, caring, and kind leader, always putting the needs of her city and the people she served above herself. She lived her life by the teachings of the Apostle Paul to Timothy: ``And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,'' 2 Timothy 2:24-25. As an architect by trade, she founded her firm in 1989, where she led numerous renovation and design projects across the city. She was first elected to the city council in 2013. Not long after, she began serving as the mayor of Salisbury from 2015 to 2017 and later returned to the office in 2019. And she served as the president and board member of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Her initiatives as mayor brought new life to Salisbury's historic downtown area, improved public safety, and made life better for the city's residents. Throughout her career in public service, she was known for building consensus with class and grace. Her relationships with her colleagues are described as being genuinely invested in the success of others. Her loving family will remember her as nurturing and supportive. As her daughter-in-law, Christy Mason Almazan, shared, ``Karen had a way of making you feel like the very center of her attention. Her love was immense, and her presence was radiant.'' The motto for the State of North Carolina is ``Esse Quam Videri,'' Latin for ``to be rather than to seem.'' I believe that Mayor Karen Alexander of Salisbury truly lived up to that standard and set the bar even higher. Now, I ask that you join me in a moment of silence to honor the memory of Mayor Karen Alexander, a great North Carolinian who dedicated her life to public service.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 40, S. 216.

Mr. BUDD. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

Mr. BUDD. I know of no further debate on the bill.

Mr. BUDD. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 67, S. 97.

Mr. BUDD. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 237 and S. Res. 238.

Mr. BUDD. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, that the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of MeckDec Day. On May 20, 1775, exactly 250 years ago, the citizens of Mecklenburg County took a bold and unprecedented step by adopting the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This historic document, believed to be the first declaration of its kind, signaled the beginning of America's quest for independence from the oppressive rule of the British Crown. In the wake of the Battle of Concord, a committee of concerned citizens gathered and declared that Mecklenburg County's ties to Great Britain were hereby dissolved. Their courage laid the groundwork for the fight for liberty that would shape our Nation's future. North Carolina honors this pivotal moment in our history by featuring the date of the Mecklenburg Declaration--May 20, 1775--prominently on our State flag, alongside another key milestone: April 12, 1776, the date of the Halifax Resolves. The Halifax Resolves, adopted by the North Carolina Provincial Congress, marked the first official action by an American Colony calling for independence from the British Crown. This bold resolution laid the groundwork for the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress less than 3 months later, solidifying North Carolina's leadership in the fight for American liberty. On May 22, 2025, the Charlotte Museum of History in Mecklenburg County, NC, will officially celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, issued in Charlotte, NC, on May 20, 1775, reads as follows: Resolved--That whosoever directly or indirectly abets or in any way, form or manner, countenances the invasion of our rights, as attempted by the Parliament of Great Britain, is an enemy to his country, to America, and the rights of man. Resolved--That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg County do hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us with the mother county and absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British crown, abjuring all political connection with a nation that has wantonly trampled on our rights and liberties and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of Americans at Lexington. Resolved--That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people, that we are and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self-governing people under the power of God and the general Congress; to the maintenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co- operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor. Resolved--That we do hereby ordain and adopt as rules of conduct all and each of our former laws, and the crown of Great Britain cannot be considered hereafter as holding any rights, privileges, or immunities amongst us. Resolved--That all officers, both civil and military in this county, be entitled to exercise the same powers and authorities as heretofore; that every member of this delegation shall henceforth be a civil officer, and exercise the powers of a justice of the peace, issue process, hear and determine controversies according to law, preserve peace, union and harmony in the county, and use every exertion to spread the love of liberty and of country, until a more general and better organized system of government be established. Resolved--That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by express to the President of the Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia, to be laid before that body. Signers were: Abraham Alexander, Chairman, John McKnitt Alexander, Secretary, Ephraim Brevard, Hezekiah J. Balch, John Phifer, James Harris, William Kennon, John Foard, Richard Barry, Henry Downs, Ezra Alexander, William Graham, John Queary, Hezekiah Alexander, Adam Alexander, Charles Alexander, Zaccheus Wilson, Waightstill Avery, Benjamin Patton, Matthew McClure, Neill Morrison, Robert Erwin, John Flenniken, David Reese, John Davidson, Richard Harris, Thomas Polk, and Duncan Ochiltree. I invite you to join me in commemorating the 250th anniversary of a defining moment in our Nation's path to independence.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 66, S. 1582, the GENIUS Act, postcloture, and that all time on the motion to proceed expire at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I have seven requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on armed services The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to receive testimony in open and closed session. committee on finance The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10 a.m., to consider a nomination. committee on foreign relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on homeland security and governmental affairs The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a business meeting and hearing. committee on the judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing. select committee on intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing. subcommittee on strategic forces The Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:45 p.m., to receive testimony in open session.

Mr. BUDD

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

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 231, S. Res. 232, and S. Res. 233.

Mr. BUDD. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.