Ted Budd

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, it has been 111 days since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel. Hamas massacred more than 1,200 civilians and abducted innocent men, women, and children from their homes and took them into Gaza. The hostages are being deprived of food, water, and medical care. They are being subjected to unbearable violence, sexual abuse, and psychological torture by Hamas terrorists. We know that six of the remaining hostages are Americans. One is a native of my home State North Carolina, Keith Siegel. Two of the Americans, Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Sagui Dekel-Chen, are critically injured. Each and every one of them must be released, and all levels of our government remain united in working to get them home. What Hamas has done is nothing short of evil. In this battle between the forces of good and evil, the United States must not only lead the forces of good, but we need to identify who stands with us and who does not. The State of Qatar hosts Hamas leaders in their capital of Doha. Now, Qatari officials have claimed that their hosting of Hamas terrorist leaders is necessary, so they say, because their country can be the conduit to negotiate a successful resolution to the crisis. In fact, subsequent U.S. administrations have endorsed this arrangement. But after 111 days, the American people are asking: What is taking so long? Qatar is hosting a brutal terrorist organization with American blood on their hands and American hostages in captivity. One has to consider the potential reality that Qatar might not have the leverage that they are so quick to boast about. And if Qatar is not able to effectuate the release of the hostages, then there is no further reason for these terrorists to remain in their country. This is personal for us Americans. I have met with families of the hostages as well as former hostages, like Keith Siegel's wife Aviva. I have heard their stories, and I look at their photos every day on my desk. Every day that these families have to live with the pain and uncertainty is unacceptable. To Qataris, I would say this: Our patience has run out. Time is up. Either pressure Hamas leaders to release the hostages now or expel them from your land. It is that simple. The United States of America will be watching. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I want to thank the Senator from West Virginia for holding this event to highlight one of the biggest issues facing working families today, and that is the cost of energy in America. Since President Biden took office, the overall price of energy has skyrocketed by almost 35 percent. And when you dig down into the numbers, individual sources of energy, the news doesn't get any better. Fuel oil is up nearly 50 percent; gas prices are up over 40 percent; natural gas is up over 27 percent. You know, in real terms, everyday Americans are spending an extra $111 per month to fuel their car and to heat their home. Businesses of all sizes are having to spend thousands of dollars more to produce goods and to move them around the country. So what is causing all of this? Well, if you ask President Biden, he trots out talking points blaming foreign conflicts for the rising prices. But, to be fair, turmoil in the Middle East and Russia certainly plays a part. But the real question is, Why is the United States so dependent on foreign nations in the first place? Why are we at the mercy of petty despots and dictators for the fuel that we need right here? It is because President Biden has orchestrated an all-out assault on American energy, starting on his first day in office. The Biden administration stopped construction of the Keystone Pipeline; they canceled all remaining oil and gas leases from the Trump administration in the Arctic Refuge; and they shut down energy exploration on Federal lands. Make no mistake, this is a crisis of President Biden's own making. In response, President Biden has grasped for a political solution to a policy problem. His administration began to tap the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Now the SPR is designed for times of war, national disaster, or a true national emergency. President Biden, on the other hand, has used it over and over again to bail himself out of the political consequences of his anti-energy crusade. The result? The SPR has declined by nearly 287 million barrels of crude oil since President Biden took office. Our Nation's emergency energy reserves are now at their lowest level since President Reagan's--President Reagan's--first term. Our country is no longer well-positioned to deal with the next crisis because this President is tilting at windmills and pursuing a radical Green New Deal agenda. For example, this President's EPA is mandating that 67 percent of new car sales in the United States in 2032 be electric. The only problem is, in 2023, only roughly 8 percent--8 percent--of new car sales were EVs. It is clear that the consumer demand is nowhere near sufficient to satisfy his big government mandate. Even so, if we are going to push such a drastic increase in electric vehicles, President Biden has to get serious about ways to produce enough reliable, affordable energy. He cannot continue to rely on our own emergency reserves to meet this supply. It is time for us to get back to an America-first energy plan: drill on our shores, refill our emergency reserves for a real crisis, and lower gas and electric prices for hard-working Americans. In order to be a strong nation, we have to be a self-sufficient nation and energy dominant. We know what to do. All we need is the right leadership to get it done. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to remember the life of Harold Lee Frank and to recognize his dedication to family, freedom, and service. Born in 1924 in Davidson County, NC, Harold Frank came of age during the Great Depression. When his country needed him, he answered the call to serve during the Second World War. Assigned to the U.S. Army's 90th Infantry Division, he landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944: D-day. After receiving a gunshot wound to his shoulder, he was captured by German troops on July 8, 1944, and held as a prisoner of war by the Nazis. As a prisoner, his wound was treated for infection by a fellow American medic POW, and the bullet was eventually removed on October 13, 1944. PFC Frank was actually allowed to keep the German bullet that was extracted from his shoulder. On July 5, 1945, he was released from prison and was found by an American Army unit. After the war, PFC Frank was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was also knighted by the French Ambassador to the United States and awarded the French Medal of Honor for his courage and for his valor. Once home, he married the love of his life: Reba Mae McDaniel Frank. They were married for 68 years, until her passing in 2016. Harold continued to give back to his community as a county commissioner and a special deputy sheriff. He also assisted in organizing the Cornatzer-Dulin Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout his life, Harold maintained a desire to serve, and he traveled as a motivational speaker at numerous military and veteran events. Friend, travel companion, and fellow U.S. Army veteran Mark Hager wrote a book about Harold titled ``The Last of the 357th Infantry.'' He would later produce a documentary titled ``From BAR to POW,'' highlighting his experiences as a POW. Harold returned to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-day in 2019. He visited the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, on an Honor Flight and was recognized by the Gary Sinise Foundation's Soaring Valor flight to visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA. Later in life, Harold would often be seen around his home in Davie County, my home--in Davie County, NC, visiting with friends at the Davie County Senior Center, Miller's Restaurant, or the Forks of the Yadkin and Davie County Museum. He was a fixture at area veterans events right up to his passing on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2023. Mr. President, please join me in a moment of silence for Mr. Harold Lee Frank, a man who embodied the ``greatest generation,'' and in recognition of a life well lived. (Moment of silence.) I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce on their 125th anniversary. While it has been operated under various names over the years, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber has roots that date back to 1899. Fayetteville is known nationally as a community that is not only home to the largest Active-Duty military base in the United States, but also thriving businesses. Chambers of commerce play a pivotal role in areas around workforce development, tourism promotion, connecting businessowners, and advocating for issues that are important to their members. As North Carolina's sixth largest city, many have taken notice of the success stories happening in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Since being named CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber back in March 2023, Nat Robertson has been a passionate force driving the area's economic competitiveness. He came into office with a bold agenda focused on membership growth, business advocacy, and a true passion for improving his community. That energy has helped the chamber grow at a rapid pace in its membership, community involvement, and events that bring together a diverse group of citizens within the community. I congratulate the Greater Fayetteville Chamber on their 125th anniversary. I have no doubt that this organization will continue to advocate and advance the interests of small businesses, nonprofits, and other industry members for decades to come.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce on their 80th anniversary. Since being established in 1944, the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce has been a staunch advocate for area businesses and the Marine Corps community at Camp Lejeune. Jacksonville is well-known for being the home of Camp Lejeune. Its community is also deeply entrenched in supporting small-business owners. Chambers of Commerce play a pivotal role in areas around workforce development, tourism promotion, connecting business owners, and advocating for issues that are important to their members. The Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber routinely performs all of these duties and has consistently gone the extra mile to help build new partnerships in the area. A strong chamber oftentimes requires a visionary and bold leader at the helm. Laurette Leagon has over 25 years as a chamber professional and is widely recognized in Southeastern North Carolina as an innovative thought leader. At her core, she has never forgotten what one of the most important functions of a chamber is: to do what is best for membership. Mr. President, I congratulate the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce on their 80th anniversary. I have no doubt that this organization will continue to advocate and advance the interests of small businesses, non-profits, and other industry members for decades to come.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Reserving the right to object. Mr. President, Mr. Keohane has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, which is the senior leadership role in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. This is the very office responsible for the Department of Defense's abortion travel policy. I have been very clear with the Pentagon since the day that I placed a hold on Mr. Keohane that I would be happy to release it if Secretary Austin would rescind this abhorrent policy. This policy has been politicized. It has politicized the military. It has harmed the institutional norms of our country. Beyond the clear violation of basic morality, Congress never authorized the Department to use taxpayer funds to facilitate elective abortions. Now for the Biden administration to begin such a policy and use taxpayer resources to aid in the taking of unborn life, it defies the will of Congress. And it violates the spirit--if not the letter--of the law. Now taxpayers--many of whom have deeply held religious and moral objections to abortions--they are on the hook to facilitate the very abortions that they fundamentally oppose. Worse yet, the Pentagon's stated reason for issuing the policy was that the Supreme Court Dobbs decision had ``readiness, recruiting, and retention implications.'' This is total nonsense. The Pentagon was, and is still able, to provide any data or evidence to support their claim. For the administration to cling to this policy is just wrong. At the end of the day, whether it was the hundreds of holds from my colleague from Alabama or my hold on Mr. Koehane, the reason to resolve and the power to resolve this situation, it begins and ends with the power of one man, and that is Secretary Lloyd Austin. With the stroke of a pen, Secretary Austin can fix this situation and end the impasse. It is time for him to do the right thing and to rescind the policy now. I object. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, in the past year, we have witnessed one aviation failure after another from the Biden administration. They began the year by nominating someone to head the Federal Aviation Administration who didn't seem to know the first thing about aviation. The administration's Secretary of Transportation has presided over a series of, shall we say, transportation challenges. From near-miss incidents to the first nationwide ground stop since 9/11, the Department doesn't seem to have a handle on its basic function, and that is looking out for the safety of the traveling public. Now Senate Democrats are blocking the FAA from being reauthorized right before the holidays. And the consequences of this lack of action, it could be really severe. The FAA would lose the ability to collect revenue and spend money from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. That would be disastrous, as the aviation trust fund is one of the few funds in Washington that actually runs a surplus each year. The Airport and Airway Trust Fund finances important safety improvements for airports across the country, and any lapse in authorization threatens to halt new and existing construction projects. The FAA would also lose the ability to hire new air traffic controllers at a time when key facilities are experiencing staffing shortages. Finally, a lapse in authorization could mean 10 percent of FAA's workforce will be furloughed on January 1. Simply put, families who are trying to visit their friends and loved ones for the holidays, they shouldn't have to endure more hoops, hurdles, and delays. America, we have the best aviation system in the world, and we can't let politics get in the way of that. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, as we enter the holidays this year and experience the typical sights and sounds of the season--perhaps, it is the annual trip to buy a Christmas tree, perhaps in western North Carolina, if you are from the region. For some, it is the solemn lighting of each candle on the menorah. Often, it is the joyous family gathering, the giving of gifts, and the making of life-long memories. But for the 130 hostages still being held by terrorists in Gaza, the holiday season is one of pain and isolation. For their families, this holiday season is filled with pain and uncertainty. This week, I met again with both some of the families of recently released hostages and the families of those who are still being held. Their heartache is something that no person should ever have to face. The heartache is something that no person should ever have to face. When you compare the joy of the holidays with the pain of this situation, you can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of both anger and sadness, but also a sense of resolve. What if they were my loved ones? What if they were yours? Each and every one of these families deserves for their loved ones to be released immediately and unconditionally. Rest assured, all levels of the U.S. Government are working with our allies and partners to get these hostages home and to get them home safely. But until that happens, there is still something that all of us can do. And you don't have to be an elected official to send prayers of comfort to these families. You don't have to be here on the Senate floor to speak out on their behalf and to call for their release. And you don't have to be politically active to commit yourself to not forget these men and women, especially during this season. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us: Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, and He will never leave you or forsake you. Mr. President, I want every one of these family members to know that our country is behind them and that we support them and that we are praying for them. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, reserving the right to object, I oppose S. 1819 because it is a solution in search of a problem. First and foremost, people have made their own firearms since before America's founding. This is not a new issue in need of emergency legislation. Second, firearms manufacturing is already very highly regulated. For example, the 1988 Undetectable Firearms Act made it unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess, transport, or receive a firearm that cannot be detected by a conventional metal detector. And even if someone violates this law using 3D technology, metal ammunition cartridges and the bullets themselves would still be detectible. Third, 3D printing of firearms is an extremely technical process that requires high-level technology and an extensive time commitment, not to mention an extreme financial cost. Simply put, 3D manufacturing of firearms would be an entirely ineffective way for a criminal to obtain a firearm. Fourth, this bill would be an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment speech rights of law-abiding hobbyists and firearms enthusiasts who simply want to share specifications about unique or antique firearms. At the end of the day, we don't have a device problem; we have got a people problem. And this bill represents another attempt by some to use fear and misunderstanding to layer more Federal regulations on an already highly regulated industry. If we share the goal of keeping our fellow citizens safe, a better approach would be to enforce the laws that are already on the books and to fully fund and support the police and reverse the soft-on-crime policies of Democrat-run cities. And that is how we ensure public safety. Madam President, I object.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I oppose S. 173 for a simple reason. It is unconstitutional in a number of ways. First, the bill infringes on the Second Amendment rights of law- abiding citizens by placing burdens on a citizens' right to keep and bear arms within a home. Second, this bill thrusts the Federal Government into an area that is reserved to the States, thus violating the principle of federalism. The laws in Connecticut and the laws in North Carolina should reflect the values and behaviors of those respective States. Simply put, a one- size-fits-all approach doesn't fit the needs of our constituents. Thirdly, Congress does not have the power under the commerce clause of the Constitution to pass the bill. A law-abiding gun owner with a firearm in their home doesn't qualify as interstate commerce, and the Federal Government has no right to infringe upon it. Fourth, this bill duplicates existing laws and practices that are in place at the State level. My colleague mentioned some of those. He mentioned State laws. For example, in North Carolina, we have criminal penalties for adults who improperly store a firearm in a way that allows a minor to obtain it and commit a crime. Finally, this bill would make it harder for law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves and their loved ones. At a time when our cities and our towns are plagued by waves of crime--often made worse by the soft-on-crime policies of Democrat politicians--it makes no sense for the Federal Government to make it illegal for homeowners to quickly defend themselves inside their own home. Just this year in North Carolina, in my own State alone, there have been at least 13 documented instances of defensive gun use in the home--defensive gun use. In these instances, North Carolina residents have used guns to defend themselves against home invasion, assaults, domestic violence, and residential burglars. No matter what somebody believes about the Second Amendment, we share the desire to protect our kids and to keep them safe. We all want our kids to be safe. That is why gun rights groups across the country have safety courses, online materials, and in-person training to teach citizens--both young and old--how to safely own, operate, and enjoy firearms. Now is not the time for more unconstitutional proposals that will not ultimately keep people safe. Therefore, I object.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, the forces of evil and instability are on the march around the globe. In the Middle East, Hamas massacred more than 1,200 Israelis and 33 Americans. Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, continues to finance, provide training for, and authorize attacks against U.S. forces in the region. In Europe, Russia continues its brutality against Ukraine and is fomenting conflict in the Balkans, further threatening peace and stability in Europe. Meanwhile, China is rapidly expanding its military, threatening our allies and partners, and stealing billions in Americans' intellectual property. All this chaos is the result of weakness from the Biden administration. Starting in Afghanistan, continuing to this day, this administration has put American weakness on full display. As we confront a dangerous global situation, we cannot ignore the fact that for America to be a strong nation, we must first be strong at home. Before we can help countries protect their borders thousands of miles away, we must first protect our own borders. The biggest threat to our national security right now is the wide- open southern border. For 3 years, the border has been in a state of crisis. We have grown familiar with these numbers, sadly, but they remain historic and staggering. Under President Biden, over 8 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border. Under President Biden, 279--I just heard my colleague speak, and she gave an even higher number, an accurate number perhaps, an even higher number than 279-- folks on the Terrorist Watchlist have illegally entered our Nation. Under President Biden, nearly 50,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized at the southern border. That is nearly enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States. Given the fact that we are only able to interdict 5 to 10 percent of the illegal drugs that cross, our country is being overwhelmed with drugs that can kill with just a 2- milligram dose. Under President Biden, there have been 1.8 million known--known-- ``got-aways,'' and that is not counting all of the unknown ``got- aways,'' including terrorists, human traffickers, and other bad actors. This crisis has got to be dealt with, and we have got to deal with it now. That is why Senate Republicans have offered the Biden White House a deal. Here it is: Include proven border policies in the House-passed H.R. 2 in the national security spending package, and you will have our support. It is a clear pathway, but, so far, this White House is more interested in playing politics and continuing to ignore the border crisis altogether. But you know who can't ignore it? The Border Patrol agents, who are under siege right now. In the times that I have been down there--multiple times--they have told me that, yes, we need a wall. We need border enforcement. We need funding. But what we really need--in their own words--is policy, policy changes that would empower them to stop the illegal flow of people, crime, drugs. You know who can't ignore this crisis? The sheriffs from all 100 North Carolina counties. Many of them have come up to me saying the same thing: Every single county in North Carolina is now a border county because of Joe Biden's policies. The bottom line here is that, in order to be a strong nation, we have to have strong borders, and, right now, we don't have that. So I am going to call on President Biden to change course, to work with us so that we can solve this crisis together. We know what to do. All we need is a President who takes this seriously and fulfills his oath to protect and defend this country. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, a month and a half ago, Hamas terrorists committed a horrific act of barbarism. More than 1,200 innocent Israelis and 33 Americans were murdered in coldblooded acts of evil. It was the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust and the deadliest foreign attack on Americans since 9/11. The Middle East is no stranger to violence, but the October 7 attack was particularly heinous: systematically hunting down and slaughtering young people at a concert; kidnapping elderly women out of their homes; beheading babies and burning them in ovens. The line between good and evil is as clear as it has ever been. For the remaining innocent hostages currently being illegally held in Gaza, the terrorists and the terror continue. While we are grateful for the release of some hostages over the weekend, our hearts remain with those still being held. This includes several Americans, including Keith Siegel, a native of my home State of North Carolina. So let me be as clear as I can: Hamas's continued holding of these innocent hostages is a violation of the law, and it represents a complete disrespect for the value of human life. Every single one of them must be released, and all levels of our government must remain united in working to get them home. In this clash between good and evil, the question that the United States should be asking is, Who can we count on to be on our side, and who stands on the side of the terrorists? This brings us to the state of Qatar. This is a nation that hosts Hamas's so-called political office, including Hamas leaders. From the safety of Doha, these terrorists gleefully watched and celebrated the attacks on October 7. Now, it is important to remember that Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, and it hosts U.S. military forces at Al Udeid Air Base--a strategically important location for our operations in the Middle East. Our two nations are friends, but sometimes friends must be honest with one another. You see, Qatar claims that they only host Hamas at the request of the U.S. Government and in coordination with Israel. There is some truth to this. Since October 7, Biden administration officials, such as CIA Director Burns, have beaten a path toward Doha, hoping that the Qatari Government's hosting of Hamas's senior leadership would provide a pathway toward ending the hostage crisis that Hamas initiated. I certainly agree that the U.S. Government, including both the administration and Congress, should be doing everything it can to bring the hostages home, including working through allies and partners, and, to be sure, Qatar's mediation with Hamas's leaders has helped free some hostages, but at what cost and to what end? In exchange for the release of innocent women and children who were kidnapped by Hamas, Israel was forced to exchange three Palestinian prisoners for every one innocent Israeli victim. Many, if not all, of these prisoners were arrested, charged, and sentenced for stabbings, attempted car bombings, and other heinous crimes as part of the campaign of terror. Some have already returned to the fight, donning the infamous Hamas headband and calling for the slaughter of more Jewish people. Every day that goes by without a resolution to the hostage crisis exposes Qatar's decision to host Hamas as both foolish and flawed. Earlier this month, I met with the Qatari Ambassador in my office. I told him in no uncertain terms that his government must pressure Hamas leaders living in Doha to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages. In the nearly 2 months after Hamas's horrific October 7 massacre, however, we need to recognize that Qatar's current approach, while yielding limited successes, is attempting to do something unacceptable, and that is to legitimize Hamas. Simply put, there is no future for Gaza or the Palestinians that includes Hamas. In the past 2 months, we have watched Hamas leaders use Qatar's hospitality to buy time--prolonging the war and the hostage crisis from the comfort of their luxury accommodations. While Palestinians suffer in Gaza because of the war that Hamas started, we have seen Hamas leaders push their genocidal agenda from Doha, including in multiple meetings with Iran's Foreign Minister and even in a visit to Moscow. If Qatar's leadership believes that any of this is consistent with what Washington has asked of them, it is not. So my message to the Qatari Government is very simple: Stop this now. You are hosting a brutal terrorist organization with American blood on its hands and who is holding American hostages. Your media organizations, starting with Al Jazeera, are regularly pushing out Hamas's propaganda that only further inflames tensions in the Middle East. Your leadership continues to speak out of both sides of its mouth--on one hand, committing to negotiate a resolution to the hostage crisis while, on the other, blaming Israel and absolving Hamas at every turn. We need to tell our friends in Doha loudly and clearly: Qatar is accepting a significant liability with its pro-Hamas policy. So we must end this myth that this policy is something that Washington wants and urge the Qatari Government to end this policy immediately. This is personal for Americans, and I have met with the families of hostages right here in Washington. I have heard their stories. I look at their photos every day on my desk. Every day that these families have to live with the pain and uncertainty is unacceptable. We must stand united and say: Not one more day. We must also start thinking about the day after because there will come a day when Israel will halt its military operations in Gaza because they will have achieved their stated goal of destroying Hamas. The remaining question will then be what to do with the Hamas leaders in Doha. My view is that they should be extradited to the United States so that these terrorists can face justice in a U.S. court of law for killing and kidnapping American citizens. I would hope that our friends in Qatar will not only be partners for peace and stability but will also be partners in ensuring that Hamas and its leaders are brought to justice for the despicable acts of terror they have committed. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 1243, and I ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for up to 3 minutes of debate equally divided prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, on his 47th day as President, Joe Biden signed an Executive order directing the head of every Federal Agency to submit a plan for their Agency to promote voter registration and voter participation. The problem is that the order also mandates that all Federal Agencies partner with approved third-party organizations to provide these services on Federal Agency property across the Nation. Determining which third-party organizations will be approved, by whom, and based on what criteria is missing from the order. In spite of congressional oversight attempts and Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, the Biden administration has refused to release copies of these Agency plans. The prospect of the Biden administration writing their own rules and using taxpayer money to partner with liberal ``get out the vote'' organizations is wildly inappropriate. As a matter of principle, I don't believe that the Federal Government should be using official taxpayer resources to advance partisan politics. Further, mandating that every Federal Agency engage in election engineering on the taxpayers' dime raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Simply put, this Executive order is further weaponization of the Federal Government's power to boost one side of the aisle over the another. My amendment would defund this ethically and legally dubious scheme and restore faith in our elections. I yield the floor.

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

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, the world is still reeling from Hamas's brutal massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis and 33 Americans on October 7. Israel is completely justified in their response to the worst attack on their nation since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. Israel's ultimate goal is and it rightly should be the destruction of Hamas. The United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and support this goal with lethal aid and intelligence support. In the coming weeks, Congress will consider the President's request for emergency national security funding that is aimed at doing just that. Beyond debating the specifics of how much or what type of aid we send, I believe now is the time to rethink U.S. policy when it comes to the Hamas government and Gaza. Beginning with their founding charter, the ideology of Hamas is motivated by anti-Semitism and genocidal--that is right, genocidal-- intentions towards the Jewish people. In fact, the Hebrew word ``hamas'' means ``violence.'' Since Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2006, they have continued this violence and terrorism against Israel and their allies. Hamas employs murder, rape, torture, and unspeakable brutality against the Jewish people. Hamas even fires rockets indiscriminately towards Israeli civilians, many of which misfire and land, killing people in their own Gaza, innocent Palestinians. Make no mistake, the only word to describe Hamas is ``evil,'' and when they commit atrocities like those of October 7, we must not look away. One aspect of the October 7 attack that continues to this day is the plight of the more than 200 innocent people currently being held hostage in Gaza, including several Americans, including some from my own State of North Carolina. Last week, I met with some of these families here in Washington. They told me stories about their loved ones and gave me their photos. These families--their fear and their heartache are something that no American should ever have to face. Part of the President's funding package is so-called humanitarian aid in Gaza. Given that Gaza is governed by Hamas, I simply don't believe it is right to give a dime of taxpayer money to the very terrorists who are holding Americans hostage. When this funding package comes to the floor, I plan to offer several amendments to hold all humanitarian aid to Gaza until each and every American hostage is home and is safe. And we should go further. U.S. and other foreign humanitarian aid should no longer be used as a crutch for Hamas to hold on to power. The United States shouldn't be giving any money to Gaza until Hamas is no longer the de facto government. For the sake of innocent Israelis, innocent Palestinians, and for the future of peace in the Middle East, we must stop propping up such an evil regime with U.S. aid. It is my hope that the upcoming spending package includes more than just money, but that it demonstrates the strength and wisdom that this moment requires. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I rise today to express my total and complete support for the State of Israel. On October 7, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and despicable series of terrorist attacks inside of Israel. The level of barbarism that we witnessed was nothing short of evil incarnate with the mass slaughter of innocent civilians and unspeakable violence against women, children, and the elderly. It was the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust. These crimes against humanity were also visited upon our American citizens as well. At last count, 30 Americans were murdered by Hamas, and others are currently being held hostage. We pray for comfort for the families of those who were killed, and we continue to pray and work for the safe return of those who are unjustly being held by the terrorists. Compounding these atrocities are the reactions in some parts of the world and even here in our own land, like the sickening anti-Semitic protests in city streets and on university campuses. These vile demonstrations celebrated, they justified, and they endorsed this violence. Simply put, there can be no place in our country for anti- Semitic bigotry. But we have also seen some politicians--some who work in this very Capitol--express a cynical moral ambiguity, blithely declaring that both sides are at fault, explaining away the motives of the terrorists while preaching restraint from the nation that was attacked. So, to those who need a reminder, there is a stark difference between the two sides here. Israel is the Middle East's only democracy. They have been a force for stability in a region historically beset by chaos. They have been one of America's strongest friends in good times and in bad. When faced with attacks, they go out of their way to avoid civilian casualties, sometimes at the cost of their own Israeli lives. Israel is an unmistakable force for good. Then you have the terrorists of Hamas. Their founding charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Their largest benefactor, Iran, lends its materiel and financial support to this cause of their destruction each and every day. They intentionally target civilians-- they fire rockets into crowded markets--and they preach the sort of hate that triggered the Holocaust. Make no mistake, the only word to describe all of this is ``evil.'' And, unlike the Holocaust, we have seen this evil in realtime. We have seen it with our own eyes. Evil is surrounding a music festival full of innocent young people and systematically hunting them down and slaughtering them on the side of the road. That is evil. Evil is kidnapping elderly women out of their homes and threatening on the internet to murder them. And evil is beheading and burning babies in front of their mothers and fathers. The line between morality and depravity, right now, is as bright as it has ever been. As a country, we must not avoid the reality that this is good versus evil, because if we try to turn away from evil, if we try to deny that it is evil, or to beg for context to explain away the evil, then we do a disservice to our credibility, and we stain the soul of a nation. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel. We must provide them with everything that they need to secure the safety of their nation and eliminate the threat of terrorism. So I call on the Biden administration to project unequivocal strength to the forces of evil in our world. In this struggle between good and evil, America must lead the forces of good. And we must not fail. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, on October 7, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and barbaric series of terrorist attacks inside Israel. Over 1,400 children, women, and men were brutally murdered. Thirty-one Americans were killed, and dozens remain missing or held hostage. In the wake of such a despicable series of attacks, we must ensure that our taxpayer dollars are not being sent to aid these terrorist killers. Two years ago, one of our own State Department officials in the Biden administration acknowledged the possibility that aid to the Palestinians could find its way into Hamas's hands. That is unacceptable. That is why Senator Rick Scott's Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act is so critical right now. It simply states that no U.S. taxpayer dollars would be authorized to Gaza until the President certifies to us, to Congress, that there are measures in place to prevent any taxpayer dollars from benefiting terrorist organizations. At the end of the day, we should be standing shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel to give them everything that they need to destroy Hamas. I urge the Senate to pass this without delay. I thank my colleague from Florida for his leadership on this issue, and I yield to him.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Lutheridge Farm and celebrate its nearly six decades of success. In 1965, brothers Ted and Ben Luther purchased the land where they established the family-owned dairy operation today known as Lutheridge Farm. For many years, Ted, his wife Dot, Ben, and his wife Margaret worked diligently to grow the farm from a single cow to a herd of about 150 cattle. Word of their ranch began to spread, and in 1981, they were named the Farm Family of the Year by their soil and water conservation district. Due to their love of Jersey cows, the family became involved in the American Jersey Cattle Association, with Ted ultimately being presented its National Distinguished Service Award in 2006 after many years of service as its president and member of its board of directors. After Ted passed away in 2013, the cattle operation began to wind down. However, desiring to keep the family business alive, his children purchased Ben's shares of the farm to keep it running for a new generation. Richard Luther and his wife Robin, along with Leigh Anne Wetmore and her husband Mark, worked to continue the legacy of their father and uncle. Ted's grandson Steven Wetmore returned to the family farm to manage the operation with his wife Kira, where they were joined by his cousins Jonathan and Lauren Luther. This new generation of family farmers revived the ranch and diligently worked to expand the operation. In 2016, they began selling dairy to local, family-owned cheese manufacturers. Although the family has recently decided to downsize the operation due to rising costs, the family still provides fresh dairy to families across the region. Bottled milk, both white and chocolate, is delivered to local markets in Rowan, Iredell, Cabarrus, Davidson, and Davie Counties. Please join me in celebrating Lutheridge Farm's many years of success. Small businesses are the backbone of our Nation's economy, and it is family operations like Lutheridge Farm that enrich communities for years to come.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the members of the 2023 Rowan Little League 10u Softball team for their recent victory in the Southeast regional championship. After winning the North Carolina State Championship, the team was provided the opportunity to compete in the highest competition in the 10u system. Over the regional championship weekend in late July, coaches Brett and Jacqueline Mulkey and Greg Deal took the 12-member team to Clarksville, TN, where the Rowan team demonstrated the hard work and sportsmanship its members had developed throughout the entire season. The teamwork and dedication put in by Graci Cooper, Zoey Correll, Peyton Mulkey, Stella Drew Smith, Abby Miller, Harper Deal, Jaylee Nixon, Jenna Smith, Kristen Johnson, Jaklyn Cottone, Kallie Clawson, and Nelson Leonard bring pride to their entire Rowan County community. Please join me in congratulating the 2023 Rowan Little League 10u Softball All-Stars on their remarkable accomplishment and wishing them many future successes.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to remember the life and the legacy of Stuart Epperson, Sr., who passed away this week. Stu was a native of Winston-Salem, NC, and he was a giant in the world of Christian broadcasting. In 1972, he cofounded Salem Communications and then expanded it to include Christian radio stations across the country. He served on the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters Association, and he was named one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America by Time magazine in 2005. He dedicated his life to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, whether it be through the mediums of mass communication or in person or as a father to the fatherless in tough neighborhoods. He was a pioneer, an innovator. He was a dear friend to our family. We share our deepest condolences with his wife Nancy, his family, and his friends. He will be dearly missed. But because of his family's faithful Christian witness to our family, I personally look forward to seeing Big Stu again in Heaven.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a distinguished North Carolinian and a dear friend, High Point University President Dr. Nido Qubein. Dr. Qubein immigrated to the United States from the Middle East when he was 17 years old. He came to our country to pursue his education and attend college. Needless to say, his academic achievements were impressive, and they were an early indication of the success he would build in North Carolina. He received his associate's degree in business from Mount Olive College, a bachelor's degree in human relations from High Point University, and a master's in business education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My family and I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Qubein and his family and his wife Mariana for decades. We have been inspired by their dedication to education and their service to others. During his career in business, philanthropy, and education, Dr. Qubein has been widely recognized for his work. He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Horatio Alger Association for Distinguished Americans designation, the Daughters of the American Revolution Americanism Award, and has been inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame. But of all of his accomplishments, what he has been able to achieve for his hometown of High Point, NC, is perhaps his most indelible legacy. In 2005, High Point University trustees asked him to become its seventh President. Dr. Qubein decided to scale back his business career and to accept their offer to lead his alma mater. That decision launched a huge golden age. What has happened under Dr. Qubein's tenure is nothing short of a complete transformation of High Point University. Enrollment at the school has more than quadrupled--now over 6,000. Nearly every year, HPU has topped itself, increasing the number of students in each year's class. In 2005, HPU had three specialized academic schools. Today, there are 13, including dental, law, and engineering. In 2005, the university had 108 full-time faculty. Today, they have 500. In 2005, the university's endowment was just over $45 million. Today, it has quadrupled to $180 million. The size of the campus has skyrocketed by over 400 percent to 520 acres. Under Dr. Qubein's leadership, the university established a full-time, pro bono physical therapy clinic, as well as new schools for business, communications, law, natural sciences, health sciences, nursing, a school of pharmacy, a conservatory, and so much more. All of this growth has led to this amazing fact: The percentage of graduates who either begin a career or enroll in graduate school within 180 days of earning their degree is 99 percent. That outcome is 14 percent higher than the national average. The success is all the more exceptional because High Point University is an institution led by the values of its president. HPU is a God, family, and country institution. They welcome students of all backgrounds, but the values of faith in God and patriotism are at the core of what defines High Point University. They lead, and they lead with purpose. Simply put, Dr. Qubein has transformed High Point University from a small, little-known southern college into a nationally known and respected institution that now draws students from all 50 States and more than 50 countries around the world. So on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Nido Qubein for everything he has done for the city of High Point and the university that bears its name and for setting the standard for what it means to be an extraordinary American citizen. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, reserving the right to object, I object to S. 1297 for a simple reason: It would make it easier for unborn life to be ended. Last year's Dobbs decision brought renewed hope to Americans who believe in the sanctity of each and every life, including life in the womb. After 49 years, a new culture of life has begun to take hold across our country. But this bill would actually take us backwards. This bill would allow abortion on demand in pro-life States so long as the patient is from another State. This bill would expose doctors and nurses who work in religious organizations, clinics, and hospitals--it would expose them to costly lawsuits if they stand by their deeply held beliefs. This bill would violate the spirit of bipartisan Hyde protections by providing 80 million taxpayer dollars to the abortion industry. I was elected to save as many unborn lives as possible, and this bill puts more unborn lives in danger; therefore, I object.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, over the last several years, much has been made about the digital divide that exists here in America. The more digital the economy becomes, the bigger the divide between big cities and small towns. As someone who still lives on a family farm in Davie County in North Carolina, I have always made it a priority to stand up for North Carolinians who don't have the advantage of large population centers. Rural Americans across our State and our Nation shouldn't have their economic opportunities diminished because of their ZIP Code. One of the biggest challenges we face in bridging the digital divide is politicalization. An example of this is the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment--or BEAD--Program. This program provides ``over $42 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs'' across the country, but once the Biden administration got a hold of this funding, they began funneling it toward their liberal wish list instead of toward commonsense broadband deployment. Another example is the Biden administration's Notice of Funding Opportunity, which gives favorable treatment to government-owned networks over private ones, and they load up that funding with climate mandates that drive up costs for these communities. This is fundamentally the wrong approach. At the end of the day, what rural Americans are looking for is pretty straightforward: They want the highest quality internet for the most affordable price as quickly as possible. This is not the time or place for social agendas or for partisan distractions. We have to keep our eye on bridging the digital divide so that rural Americans have a fair shot at opportunities where they can achieve their God-given potential. This is just one more way we can build a strong nation. I yield the floor.