Katie Britt

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, look, we stand ready. And I am disappointed that we were objected to being able to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which we just saw my colleague from Washington object to. The proposal that they are offering does this--our proposal today that we just put on the floor was $100 million for drug interdictions. The proposal they put on the floor today was zero. When you are looking at the proposal that they just objected to here on this floor, we have $2.5 million for the Center for Countering Human Trafficking at HSI. Their proposal that they put on the floor today, zero--zero. The proposal that we put on the floor that they just objected to has $2.1 million for increased inspections for ICE detention centers, and they just objected to it. The proposal that they put on the floor, zero--zero. The proposal that the Democrats just objected to, moving forward to fund--we just asked to fund TSA. We just asked to fund the Coast Guard. We just asked to fund Secret Service. We just asked to fund FEMA. We just asked to fund CBP, ICE, and our proposal had $7 million for investigations of child exploitations and forced labor at HSI. Mr. President, do you know how much was in the Democratic proposal that they put on the floor today? Zero. We are not going to turn our back on law enforcement. We are not going to turn our back on border security. We will not go backward, back to ``defund the police.'' We will not go backward to the failed border policies of the Biden administration. We are not doing it. Fentanyl and drug overdoses are down over 24 percent, year over year. We will not back away from that. What we will do--and we hope happens-- is that you will sit down with us to have a conversation on a pathway forward. But, in that interim, you cannot hold these people hostage. There are good people who are working hard at ports of entry and at HSI and all throughout the Department of Homeland Security that deserve a paycheck. Why are you playing politics with people's lives? Let's talk about a pathway forward. Let's talk about what we do. But grandstanding and political posturing are not the answer. I am disappointed that my Democratic colleagues just blocked funding for TSA. They just blocked funding for FEMA. Why? I do not know, but I am hopeful that they will come to the table so that we can find a pathway forward. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BRITT. Yes. Mr. President, while we wait on that bill number, I want to say this: Guys, don't change the rules of the game. I mean, the Senate is supposed to function in a meaningful way to do the work for the people that we serve. Coming out here and wanting to carve this or that without ever sitting down with your colleagues on the other side to talk about a pathway forward or even talk about this plan is disingenuous, and it is starting a new norm. I can already see, when you all are back in charge, the number of things that this side doesn't want to fund or talk about; and if this was the approach that we took, you would say we were breaking the Senate. So I ask you today to allow us to continue all of these people getting a paycheck--everyone in the Department. Everyone has to meet their bills. They have to make their payments. They have mortgages. They have childcare. They have wife's cancer treatment--all of these people do. So we are saying in good faith, let's pay all the members of the Department of Homeland Security while we find a pathway forward. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 156, H.R. 4553. I further ask that the Britt substitute amendment No. 4353 be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, we would like that opportunity to continue funding the Department of Homeland Security in its entirety while we have a conversation about the best pathway to move forward. So I have two asks of my Democratic colleagues. We said this last week. You agreed. Let's try it again. Let's sit down and figure out what is that pathway forward. We can't move the needle on anything without having a conversation. So let's do it, and let's fund this important Agency whose job it is to keep Americans safe. Look, they do really important work in every one of our States, whether it is Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, CBP, ICE, FEMA, and more. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to figure out a pathway forward. We have heard more from our Democratic colleagues today, on the floor, than we have heard in the last 48 days. The last offer went back over to Democrats 13 days ago--13 days ago. In that interim time period, we have asked to get together with Democrats, Republicans, and the White House to talk about what is a pathway forward. Not only have we not received anything back, we also have not had that opportunity. Look, the people who sent us here expect more. They expect us to have tough conversations. They expect us to figure out a pathway forward, and that is exactly what we are trying to do today. We want to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans are offering a 2-week continuing resolution to do just that. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of my bill, which is at the desk; that the bill be considered read three times and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. BRITT. With that, I object.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I think you have seen the leader lay out exactly what is happening here. We have political games being played by our Democratic colleagues, instead of putting the people of this Nation first. What we have just seen put forth by the Senator from Washington would effectively defund our law enforcement officers that are charged with keeping Americans safe. Look, we are not going back to the era of ``defund the police.'' We are not doing it. It would also defund our Border Patrol and our customs protection. Look, catching and interdicting fentanyl has to be a top priority. Under the Biden administration, that was the leading cause of death of people between the ages of 18 to 44. Under President Trump's leadership, fentanyl overdose deaths are down over 24 percent. We are not going to go backward. We are going to secure our border, we are going to enforce our laws, and we are going to stand with the people of this country. Interestingly, what the Senator from Washington has put forth actually undermines the people of her very State. Back in 2023, when the DHS bill passed out of committee, she had this to say: The Washington State economy depends on our ability to ensure goods and people can move through our ports and borders in an orderly and timely way. Our national security depends on the ability to do this while stopping threats like drug trafficking and fentanyl. This bill provides critical funding to stop the flow of fentanyl at its source--at our borders--and to protect communities in Washington State and across our country. But, today, she stands ready to defund the very people who make this happen. And take a look at what that would do, even in her home State. The land ports of entry are many. This is defunding the mission and often the paycheck of the agriculture specialists at the Danville Port of Entry, working to stop the spread of disease and pests impacting our food supply. What she is standing here to do today is going to defund the mission of the officers at the Nighthawk Port of Entry, inspecting vehicles and cargo. What she stands here to do today is going to defund the in-port specialists at the Pacific Highway Port of Entry. She says: Let's move forward without these people getting paychecks and their mission funded. And today we say: No way.

Mrs. BRITT. Thirteen.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, we would love to listen. That would be great because we passed a continuing resolution for 2 weeks, and to my knowledge, there were no conversations between elected Democrats and elected Republicans to try and find a pathway forward. Then, in the last 2 weeks, we have been asking to have those conversations, and we have been asking to listen because we believe that this is important. So I am calling on my Democratic colleagues to be a part of that, to be a part of the solution. I certainly know that we want to. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 156, H.R. 4553. I further ask that the Britt substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I would like a moment to respond to my colleague from Washington. Democrats claim they are no longer for open borders. Yet they are now proposing to actually defund border security. Their proposal completely defunds Customs and Border Protection, including Border Patrol. Year over year, fentanyl deaths are down 24 percent. When you take overdoses of drug and fentanyl, that is down 24 percent because of the good work of CBP. But you want to defund that. Why? During the Biden administration, we had a record high of overdoses. Do you know what the American people said? They said: No more, no more. We are sick of the failed Biden border policies. We expect the people who are elected to represent us to actually do that. And there are moms and dads that are sitting around their kitchen table with a child who would not be here but for the courageous acts of CBP. But Democrats, today, say they want to defund them. Additionally, Democrats claim they are no longer the party of ``defund the police.'' Yet, today, they actually came here and asked to defund our law enforcement officers--our law enforcement officers that do a multitude of things. They are asking to defund HSI today. I heard the minority leader give a few remarks earlier. I was glad to see him down here. And he talked about the need to protect children. I wish that the other side of the aisle had that level of conviction over the last 4 years of the Biden administration, when we lost over 500,000 kids to Joe Biden's failed border policies, on which this side of the aisle said: Nothing can be done with it unless we pass a law. There are no reforms that can stop this flow further. There are no reforms. They actually did away with a DNA policy to make sure those kids went to someone that they were related to. Do you know what you are defunding? You are defunding an Agency that found 145 of those lost children. I agree with my colleague from Washington that children should matter. When you think about what else HSI does, they go find child predators. HSI is responsible for capturing these men, and, today, you all decided that is not worth funding. We are no longer going to go after people who are child pornographers, child predators, sex traffickers, drug traffickers. The worst of the worst is who HSI has found and gotten rid of, but, today, the Democrats came and said: We are not going to fund it. You are defunding ERO personnel, who removed these trained national cartel members and violent criminals, and you are defunding CBP personnel. Look, it is very clear, through their actions today, that they are still the party of open borders. They are still the party of ``defund the police''--now, actually, more than ever. You can't get more radical than that. That was actually rejected at the ballot box last November. But we know this couldn't come at a more dangerous time. We know, when we saw what happened in Austin, that there was an increased level of threat to our interior. We know that, in December 2025, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center testified that the United States had admitted over 18,000 known or suspected terrorists as part of Biden's parole program. When you are looking at this--when you are looking at the CBP and the fact that, in fiscal year 2025, they got 4,800 known terrorists or terrorist suspects at the border and, in fiscal year 2026, 3,950, we have work to do. We want to work with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We want to find a pathway forward, but it takes actually having conversations and working together to be able to do that. This is completely moving us in the wrong direction. It would endanger the lives of our families and, ultimately, the safety of our Nation. Therefore, I object.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Dr. Marshall Schreeder, a distinguished physician, researcher, and community leader whose lifelong dedication to medicine has profoundly strengthened healthcare in the State of Alabama and beyond. A native of Atlanta, GA, Dr. Schreeder has practiced medicine in Huntsville since 1979, bringing with him an exceptional blend of engineering rigor, clinical excellence, and public health insight. He completed his undergraduate education in industrial and systems engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, an early foundation that would later shape his innovative approach to patient care and health systems. Dr. Schreeder earned both his masters of public health degree and his doctor of medicine from Tulane University, followed by an internship and residency in internal medicine at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. He then served our Nation as a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control, applying his expertise to population health and disease prevention. Dr. Schreeder continued his advanced medical training in Alabama, completing a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and has authored more than 30 peer- reviewed research papers and articles addressing viral hepatitis, liver cancer, and lung cancer. He is also certified by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy as a qualified bone marrow transplant physician, reflecting the depth and breadth of his clinical expertise. Throughout his career, Dr. Schreeder has been a respected leader within the medical profession. He has served as president of the Alabama Society of Clinical Oncology and as president of the Medical Staff of the Huntsville Hospital System. He currently serves as chairman of the cancer committee and as a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, mentoring future generations of physicians while advancing the standards of cancer care. As the founder and a key figure of Clearview Cancer Institute, Dr. Schreeder is widely credited with reengineering patient-centered oncology care, driving the institute's growth, and establishing high- quality community oncology services throughout north Alabama. His vision has ensured that patients can receive advanced, compassionate cancer care close to home. In 2014, he further demonstrated his collaborative leadership by cofounding the Southeast Lung Alliance, which has successfully coordinated lung cancer screening and care among community practices. Dr. Schreeder's commitment to the community extends well beyond clinical practice. In May 2006, he cofounded the Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health in north Alabama through support of innovative cancer research, education programs, and direct patient assistance. Since 2011, the foundation has contributed more than $5.1 million to the cancer community, and Dr. Schreeder continues to serve on its board of directors. In addition, he serves as medical director of research at Clearview Cancer Institute and has delivered numerous national and State presentations, contributing extensively to the medical literature. I am pleased to join my colleagues and the citizens of Alabama in expressing our deep appreciation to Dr. Marshall Schreeder for his extraordinary service, leadership, and compassion. His career exemplifies excellence in medicine, innovation in patient care, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of his community. Dr. Schreeder stands as an outstanding physician and an exemplary American.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I think that these children do matter, and I think the half a million unaccompanied kids that came across the border during the Biden-Harris administration matter too--many of them with phone numbers safety-pinned to them or written on their arm. The Biden-Harris administration got rid of the DNA policy to make sure that these kids were going to family members. These kids were lost; many of them still are. What we heard Tom Homan say today--today, the day we are voting to say: Can we continue this conversation? Can a TSA officer still get a paycheck while we talk?--is he said that there was a significant drawdown there in Minnesota. He said: Operations were successful and that 3,000 kids who had been lost had been found. Now, I remember coming down here and talking about that. I remember talking about these kids that had wandered across the border. But we deserve better. America deserves better. These kids deserve better. And this is really simple. Are we negotiating in good faith? If it takes you over 8 days to get us legislative text and we are able to turn that around in a couple of days, you have an announcement like you have today, it is clear that we are. And so why you are making people pay the price, like the TSA officer, to go without pay again is beyond me. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, look, I am going to say it one more time. We wanted more time. Democrats asked for 2 weeks. Our concern was that 2 weeks wasn't long enough. It took the Democrats a week to articulate what it is they wanted. They articulated it via press conference and via tweet, not by conversation. Let's be clear--not by conversation. Then it took them a number of more days, from Wednesday to Saturday, to come up with legislative text. We then did the same thing, working back and forward. Look, you have seen advancements made from the administration. We saw a big announcement made today by Tom Homan. There is no way that you can't say we are working in good faith. We want to continue this conversation, but yet you are penalizing a TSA agent. A TSA agent is going to go without a paycheck. Why? So that you can posture politically. I am over it. Everybody on that side of the aisle knows that ICE and CBP will continue to be funded. They are going to continue to enforce the law just as they should. Who is going to pay the price? It is the TSA agent. It is the person working at FEMA who already went 43 days without a paycheck, who is trying to figure out how to make things work. I have reports of TSA agents sleeping in their cars because they can't afford gas, selling plasma to make their bills. Guys, come on. We are asking to continue a conversation. When the Biden-Harris failed border policy allowed millions to come across our border unvetted, when there were American citizens who paid the price in that moment--like Jocelyn Nungaray, who was 12 years old and raped and left under a bridge; like Laken Riley, who fought for her life for 17 minutes before her head, her skull was bashed in--and we kept saying: We have got to do more to secure our border. And our Democratic colleagues said: That takes legislation. It can't be done. Well, we know that is not true because all we needed was a new President, who secured our border and helps to make our country safe. Look, I believe we are a nation of immigrants. We are also a nation of laws, and the lawlessness has to stop. But even in the midst of all of that, with fentanyl overdoses at an all-time high, we didn't shut the Department down, not one time. And, today, Democrats are choosing to shut the Department down. We have exchanged text. That is what you do in a negotiation. You work to find a pathway forward. There was an announcement today that shows we are operating in good faith. I don't know why people who have nothing to do with this are going to have to pay the price for us continuing to work to find a pathway forward. It would be different if we had thrown up our hands and said: Nah, we are not going to send you anything back. We want this to work. We believe in our laws. We believe in enforcing them. And we believe in the men and women who do that. And so this is an unfortunate day. It is a sad day. It is, certainly, not one that had to happen. I want to be very clear: All we are asking for is 2 weeks to continue this conversation, to figure out how to make this work, and to do what is right for all American citizens. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I rise today to pass this legislation by unanimous consent and offer a 2-week continuing resolution so that we can assure the DHS is fully funded while we continue to negotiate. Two weeks ago, we agreed to extend funding while we talked and tried to find a pathway forward. However, the timeline we knew was going to be short. It took the Democrats until Saturday evening to actually produce legislative text. Within the next four days, we were able to exchange dialogue and text again. You can take a look at what we have seen from the President and his outreach, what you have seen from the Secretary of Homeland Security and the deployment of body cameras across the country, and what we have heard from Tom Homan today. We are working in good faith to find a pathway forward. What we are asking is, let us continue to do that. We are asking today for the exact same thing that we had 2 weeks ago: Extend this funding for 2 more weeks so that, as we talk, as we negotiate, TSA agents don't miss a paycheck; so that FEMA workers who are helping to get out disaster relief to people who have been ravaged across this country, and particularly in the South, just in the last 2 weeks--we lost over 60 individuals to the deadly winter storms. There are people who need help, and the people who are working to provide that help for them, they deserve a paycheck. When we are looking at CBP and ICE continuing to do their work, look at what is happening across the country. It is important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement officers, allowing them to make sure that they keep themselves safe and the communities at large. There are very important jobs that they have, like HSI agents that go after child pornographers and drug traffickers, that make sure that Americans are safe. HSI has done tremendous work and must continue to be funded. You look at the Secret Service. The list goes on and on and on. The Secret Service continues to protect not only America's leaders, but it makes sure that when we have events like the World Cup and the Olympics, Americans and those that are living here are safe and secure. It is clear that we are operating in good faith. We are working to find a pathway forward, and the fact that people, these employees-- people who have stepped up to serve their country--are not going to receive a paycheck, to me, is just totally, completely unacceptable. Look, we don't have to go down another government shutdown pathway, and that is exactly what this is. By not allowing us time to continue these conversations and shutting the government down, real people will pay the price. These same workers, these same agents who went without a paycheck for 43 days because of the failure of the Democrats to come to the table then--it is exactly what we are seeing now. It is a choice. It is entirely up to Senate Democrats. We stand here today to say: We are operating in good faith. We have continued to move the ball forward. Let's keep talking. Let's keep working. Let's do a 2- week extension. Don't let anyone miss a paycheck. Let's make sure that we keep Americans safe, coast to coast. I hope they will make the right choice, but that is entirely up to them. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 156, H.R. 4553. And I further ask that the Britt substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. BRITT

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

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 12; 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 notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 315, H.J. Res. 142, and the Senate vote on passage at 12 noon; further, that upon disposition of the joint resolution, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 311, H.R. 7147, and that there be 30 minutes of debate, equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture following the use or yielding back of that time.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the order of January 24, 1901, the traditional reading of Washington's Farewell Address take place on Monday, February 23, 2026, following the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we begin the rollcall vote immediately.

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

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I rise today in objection to the amendment from the Senator from Vermont. I would say the most dangerous thing that we have seen is the Biden administration letting countless numbers of individuals illegally enter our country. I think if you were to ask Laken Riley's mother or Jocelyn Nungary's, what they would say is we need more immigration enforcement. Our laws should actually be followed. And so the fact that this amendment would actually defund ICE and then also would send taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants for Medicaid, which I am pretty sure everybody over here has said they are not for, I think today will be a day of reckoning, and we will see actually exactly where you all stand. I yield the floor. Vote on Amendment No. 4290

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the scheduled rollcall vote begin immediately.

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate life. Last week, our Nation's Capital saw thousands who traveled here to march in the 53rd annual March for Life. My team was proud to host many Alabamians who were here and thank them for their dedication to the life movement. The theme--``Life is a Gift''--reminded me about how valuable our advocacy is in protecting our most vulnerable and supporting families. You see, for me, second to the salvation provided to me through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, being a wife and a mom is the most important thing in my life. You can't quite explain it. There is something about being a parent: the first cry, the first step, then being able to help them navigate big decisions. And while it is so crucial and having a strong father and strong families helps us have strong individuals, there is something special about being a momma--feeling that first kick; realizing that you have a human, made in God's image, that you are humbled to get to help bring into this world. That is something that I hope for every woman, and it is a reason that I am so dedicated to making sure that we protect women and children along that journey. Supporting moms is important because, as beautiful a blessing that it is, there are times it can be challenging. So making sure women have the support in prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development ages, and supporting families along the way are critically important to making sure that every child is able to live their American dream. That is why I was so proud to introduce the MOMS Act and continue to look for ways to build consensus around it and actually get it across the finish line. It stands for ``More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed.'' I think we have to remember how valuable life is, both inside and outside of the womb. We have to do everything that we can to create a culture of life, to make sure that the most vulnerable among us are fought for, and that we provide a voice to the voiceless. As we look for that culture of life and the values that allow us to achieve that, I would hope that we could stand together today in strengthening families and be able to reflect the very best of who we are as a country. So as we continue to bring attention to this--not just today but every day throughout the year--let's all be able to coalesce on how important life is. I certainly know what an impact it has had on me. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I join my colleagues from Rhode Island in coming today to honor the victims at Brown University, for those who lost their lives and those who are fighting for theirs right now in a hospital room. We lift up their families in prayer. We ask for privacy and peace as they grieve the unimaginable. Just over the last 24, 36 hours, I have been inundated with text messages and calls specifically talking about what an incredible young woman Ella Cook was. She was everything that is great about our State-- bold, courageous, convicted, thoughtful, kind. She made her mark at Mountain Brook High School. She was making her mark at Brown University. The calls that I have gotten have been not just from Alabama but literally from people across the country who encountered her. While her life was cut way too short--and I cannot imagine the pain and grief that her parents are feeling right now and her little brother and her little sister and her extended family--it is clear that she made an impact, that her time on Earth was such a positive force for good that the ripple of her life will be felt for generations to come. As we lift their families up in prayer--the Brown community, people across this country that are grieving--I hope to echo my colleague's statement that we can all do that together. I yield the floor to the senior Senator from Rhode Island for a moment of silence.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, today I rise with a heavy heart in honor of longtime Capitol Hill staffer and friend Kevin McDonald. He began his career as an intern and worked his way up to the top political strategist in the office of the President pro tempore of the Senate, Senator Patrick Leahy, with whom he spent 30 years serving alongside. This alone speaks volumes to Kevin's professional character, his loyalty, dedication, and his selflessness. His former colleague Ann Berry, who served as deputy chief of staff to Senator Leahy before her appointment as Secretary of the Senate, had this to say about Kevin: I have always viewed public service as an honor, and Kevin McDonald represented the best in being a public servant. Whoever he was helping, he wanted them to have the best experience. Whether it was pulling together a meeting of Senators or showing the latest crop of interns the ropes. For over 30 years, he set our boss-- She said-- Senator Patrick Leahy up for success. He advised and handled logistics to keep the Senator and the Senate running smoothly. Kevin loved assisting guests from Vermont and around the country [to] experience the majesty of the U.S. Senate by organizing tours, helping them attend special events, and [always] offering [expertise that made] DC a truly special place [for everyone to visit.] Kevin set an incredible example for all public servants with the positive impact he had on the lives of countless people, including me. Like former Secretary Ann Berry, many of us were fortunate to call Kevin a friend. We didn't just work with him, we got to know him on a personal level. I worked closely with Kevin when I served as chief of staff to Senator Richard Shelby. As the top ranking appropriators in Congress for several years--and while they certainly did not see eye to eye on most every policy-related issue--Senators Shelby and Leahy, alongside their wives Annette and Marcelle, enjoyed a close personal relationship, a relationship and tradition that Senator Welch and I are committed to upholding. Their teams benefited tremendously from their friendship as well. Kevin and I had the privilege of joining Senators Shelby and Leahy on many congressional delegation trips around the world. I will forever cherish my time with Kevin as we learned a great deal from our bosses on those trips and in this Chamber. His friendship meant the world to me and all who knew him, including Toni-Marie Higgins, chief of staff to Senator John Boozman. She said this of Kevin: [He] was one of the best colleagues I've [ever] had the privilege of serving with in the Senate. . . . Whether we were part of a [congressional delegation] or attending events in DC, he brought energy, joy, and kindness to every single moment. . . . His presence made every experience more meaningful--and a lot more fun. I couldn't agree more. He truly radiated light and kindness, and we were all better because of it. Although Kevin touched many lives--some in this Chamber, some outside in Vermont and across the country--Kevin was, first and foremost, an integral part of Team Leahy. I know his decades of service meant the world to Senator Leahy and his wife Marcelle, who had this to say about Kevin: Kevin McDonald was more than a senior advisor and scheduler. He was like a member of our family and our whole family felt that way. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who loved Kevin: Brian, Tom, his nephews, Declan and Griffin. While many Members of Congress receive their day in the Sun for their devotion to our great Nation, staffers can often be overlooked, and their tremendous contributions cannot be undervalued. This institution, the State of Vermont, and the country are better for the service of Kevin. And there are few more deserving to be recognized than he. So I am honored to stand here today on the Senate floor and remember his life and legacy. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, passing a clean CR this week is important for two reasons. First, passing the CR, of course, will avert a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown. No reasonable Member on either side, Democrat or Republican, wants a government shutdown. Now, those aren't my words. Those are actually Senator Schumer's words from just over a year ago. I rise today because, once again in this Congress, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to put politics ahead of the American people. You see, just a few weeks ago, we finally unpacked the logjam that they had created on President Trump's nominees. They decided that, instead of working for the American people and allowing this body to do its job, they were going to engage in unprecedented obstruction, allowing for every single person that came to this floor-- insisting that they had a cloture vote, 134 out of 135 nominees-- something that had historically never been done. At the rate we were going, up until Republicans finally took action to remove Democrat obstruction, President Trump, at the end of his term--at the end of his term--would have had about 800 nominees confirmed out of the 1,200 that he actually gets to select during his administration. I didn't say at the end of this year. I didn't say at the end of this Congress. That would have been just over 400. At the end of his term, he would have only had just over two-thirds of the people that he needed to make his administration work. That is what they wanted to do. That is what they were insistent upon. Look, the American people spoke on November 5. They heard from both sides. It was probably one of the more fruitful debates. Knowing what Vice President Harris would bring to the table--seeing that she said: I would do nothing different than Joe Biden has done--and then knowing what President Trump did his first term and what he was promising to do yet again, the American people made a very clear choice. But yet, instead of allowing this body to focus, this body to work, this body to function, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have continued to play politics. And guess what. We are over it. And that is what we are seeing happen here today. Make no mistake, what we want to do is pass a clean CR. Now, this means we have, obviously, come to the end of our time of government funding. We have 12 appropriations bills that we need to get across the finish line. Getting them across the finish line is important to fund the government. And, look, we are on our path--a path greater than that, that was set by my colleagues when they were in charge, just over a year ago--to actually make great strides toward that. So what Republicans are asking that we do is that we continue these conversations, that we continue the work that we are doing. You see, for the first time since 2018, we actually passed three appropriations bills out of this Chamber before the August State work period. We have been working diligently with our counterparts in the House to get those ready for final passage. What we are asking them to do today is to let us keep working, to let us keep doing our job for the American people. But they are consistently choosing politics over the very people they serve. This Chamber is barreling toward a government shutdown and--make no mistake about it--there is no one to blame but the Democrats. Instead of saying yes, let's keep working, they decided to say: You know what? For 7 weeks of keeping working toward the goal of bringing these bills to the floor and actually passing them, getting them across the finish line, when we have engaged in record obstruction on other items, we are going to ask you for $1.5 trillion--trillion--in new spending, for 7 weeks. So they have essentially asked--you heard that right--for not a billion with a ``b'' but a trillion with a ``t'' for 7 weeks of spending, under a Biden budget, as we extend that while we work to put ourselves under a Trump budget moving forward. It is seriously partisan and unfortunate for the American people. Their plan also asked for some other things that are deeply unserious: to allow illegal aliens to receive taxpayer-funded benefits--that is what they are asking in exchange--to send a half a billion dollars to media that functions more as propaganda than it does as an actual news outlet. And they want to eliminate the $50 billion of investment that Republicans pledged and made to rural healthcare. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Here is the reality. Voters rejected all of that on November 5. The America-last spending of Democrats is something that the people of this country said we don't want any more of. President Trump and Republicans were elected to change that in historic fashion. But time and time again, it appears that the people pushing for a shutdown, the people on the other side of the aisle, are not living in reality and are caring more about pandering to the far left than they are about actually delivering results to the American people. And that is sad. Look, this isn't an impasse where we said ``let's work on these things'' and we have made no progress. We have made significant progress, and we are committed to continuing to do that, given the opportunity. Meanwhile, the Republicans have put forth a clean CR. It funds the government for 7 weeks. It puts forth no new partisan spending. And, importantly, it allows for us to have more time to get back to a semblance of regular order and pass bipartisan appropriations bills. Enacting these appropriations bills needs to be one of our top priorities, because while the Republican-led CR is the best option for right now, it is my belief that we cannot continue to kick the can down the road. Every time we do that, it costs the American taxpayers more. It is time for us to get in this room right here and do the work of the American people. A long-term continuing resolution would keep spending at Biden levels, and the American people neither voted for this nor could they afford it. We have an obligation to ensure the Senate gets back to doing its job. We must return to transparency, to accountability, and to regular order. The last several months, it was blocking President Trump's nominees. Now, it is holding the government hostage with a wish list of demands. Republicans are here to work for the American people, and, look, we are going to continue to do so. It is my hope that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are committed to doing the same thing. Make no mistake, if the government shuts down, if Federal workers go without a paycheck, if things go awry, that would be the Democrats' burden to bear. It is not like there hasn't been progress. It is not like there is no plan. We have made progress on these bills. Our leader, Leader John Thune, has promised to continue to put these bills on the floor. It is past time that Democrats get serious and decide if they want to govern or if they just want to follow their leader. I hope that they choose actually doing the work of the American people and not making them pay the price for a Schumer shutdown. Decisions need to be made in this very Chamber tonight, and I hope that our colleagues on the other side make the right one. Let us continue to work for the American people. Let us do the job that we have already started on and are committed to finishing. And let us get this Senate back functioning for the very people that we serve.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Arlene Mitchell, a tireless servant and philanthropist for the people of Alabama. Mrs. Mitchell, who grew up just over the Alabama border in Atlanta, GA, quickly made Mobile home with her husband Mr. Mayer ``Bubba'' Mitchell, a native Mobilian. The Mitchell family's decades of dedication have paid dividends and strengthened Mobile for generations to come. Notably, Mrs. Mitchell represented Mobile County on the Board of Trustees for the University of South Alabama--USA--a seat previously held by her beloved husband. In 2022, Mrs. Mitchell made history when she was elected as the first female chair pro tem of the board of the university. Her trailblazing commitment and heart for service proved critical to the university, increasing enrollment growth, spurring record fundraising, and advancing many crucial USA programs. Her oversight of the construction of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine Building, renovation and expansion of the USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Pediatric Emergency Center, and the establishment of the Arlene Mitchell Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, among countless other initiatives, have been transformational to the university, its community, and the region. Equally important, Mrs. Mitchell and the entire Mitchell family were instrumental in establishing the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, the region's only academic cancer treatment and research center. This visionary investment has brought world-class, groundbreaking research and hope to patients and families across Alabama and the entire gulf coast. Throughout the years, Mrs. Mitchell has generously donated to lifesaving initiatives at USA, including the Pediatric Emergency Center project, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit renovation, and the da Vinci surgical system acquisition at USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital. Mrs. Mitchell has not only generously given her resources, but her time and compassion, spending countless hours rocking precious babies in the NICU. Mrs. Mitchell's service to the Mobile community extends far beyond her work on the board. Her impact can be felt across the gulf coast region, whether through her support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama, the Exploreum Science Center, or the Senior Citizens Services of Mobile. She has been recognized as Mobilian of the Year, the first woman to receive this honor, the Distinguished Friend of Education by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and alongside her husband, has been honored by the United Way of Southwest Alabama for their lifetime of philanthropy. This year, Mrs. Mitchell was conferred the honorary title of chair pro tempore emerita of the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees. And while her biggest accomplishment of all, is her life with Mayer, her 4 children and their spouses, 8 grandchildren and their spouses, and 19 great-grandchildren, I couldn't be more honored to celebrate her legacy of leadership, selflessness, and generosity. I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. Senate to please join me in extending our heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Mitchell for her extraordinary contributions to higher education, healthcare, and the well-being of countless Alabamians. May her example be a guiding light to us all.

Mrs. BRITT

Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Annette Nevin Shelby of Tuscaloosa, AL. The daughter of Gladys Price and Edwin Claude Nevin, Dr. Shelby was born on January 22, 1939, in Kinston, AL. Dr. Shelby graduated as an honors graduate of Kinston High School and attended Alabama College, now the University of Montevallo, for 2 years before transferring to the University of Alabama. While earning her bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in speech, she excelled in several organizations on campus, including Delta Delta Delta sorority and Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha National Debate Society. Her commitments were honored through inductions into Mortar Board, a women's service organization, and into Phi Beta Kappa, a national scholastic honor society. Dr. Shelby's dedication to higher education did not end in Tuscaloosa; rather, her personal and professional careers were just beginning. She earned a Ph.D. degree at Louisiana State University, received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and received an honorary litterarum humanorum doctoris degree from the University of South Alabama. The daughter of two educators, Dr. Shelby followed in their footsteps through a lifelong commitment to educating the next generation. Notably, Dr. Shelby's 20-year instruction at Georgetown University in management, corporate, and crisis communication led to national acclaim and earned her tenure and a promotion to professor. She was the first woman in the business school to achieve this distinction and was named professor emerita upon her retirement. Dr. Shelby's love for travel rivaled her husband's, retired U.S. Senator Richard Craig Shelby. She served as a director of Georgetown's program in comparative business at Oxford, taught graduate and undergraduate students at the Helsinki School of Economics, and lectured at the University of Leipzig. She also taught on the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea program, where she spent time in 11 countries. Throughout her life, Dr. Shelby sought to invest in the lives of students and in universities and schools. At Alabama, she served as the vice president of the women's division of the women's alumni association, where she spearheaded the restoration of Woods Hall, the first structure built on campus following the Civil War. She later served on the president's cabinet and the president's advisory board, as well as the Women of the Capstone. A true lover of the arts, she also served as president of the Alabama Speech and Theatre Association, where she promoted theatre programing for high schools. Her national leadership was solidified in 2019 when she was appointed to the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts to serve as a representative for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As two of the most generous, dedicated Alabama trailblazers, Dr. and Senator Shelby have continued to make remarkable contributions that will no doubt strengthen our State for many years to come. In 2023, Dr. and Senator Shelby established the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership at the University of Alabama. The program endeavors to educate future leaders through civic engagement, research, and public policy. Most recently, Spring Hill College broke ground on the Annette N. Shelby Health and Science Innovation Center. This state- of-the-art facility will not only expand Spring Hill's current nursing and pre-med programs, but also launch new programs. Dr. Shelby died on July 23, 2025, at her home in Tuscaloosa. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Senator Shelby; two sons Richard Craig Shelby, Jr., and Claude Nevin Shelby (Lisa); two grandchildren Anna Elizabeth Shelby and William Nevin Shelby; and brother Edward Haskell Nevin. On behalf of Dr. Shelby's friends, family, and students, I am deeply proud to recognize her extraordinary life. Dr. Shelby's quiet strength, keen intellect and discernment, and elegant poise all contribute to her legacy as one of Alabama's most influential figures. Her status is cemented not just in the buildings and programs across the State that bear her name, but for the tremendous, indelible impact she made on all who were fortunate to know her. Alabama and our Nation are undeniably stronger because of her extraordinary life of service.