Susan Collins

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination of Stacey Neumann to serve as a U.S. district court judge for the District of Maine. I had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Neumann before her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in May. The committee has reported her nomination favorably with bipartisan support, and the Senate will be voting on her confirmation shortly. I have decided to support this nominee based on her extensive legal experience--including as a Federal prosecutor--her in-depth interview with me, and her hearing testimony and background check. I have concluded that she possesses the integrity, intellect, and impartiality to serve in this critical position. Ms. Neumann has served as a litigator at the law firm Murray Plumb & Murray in Portland, ME. She has been there since 2013 and handles criminal defense and civil litigation matters in State and Federal courts and agencies. Prior to this role, Ms. Neumann served in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine as an assistant U.S. attorney, where she represented the Federal Government in a variety of criminal proceedings. Notably, a group of former Federal prosecutors from the District of Maine signed a letter stating that, in their view, Ms. Neumann has ``distinguished herself by virtue of a keen legal mind, tireless work ethic, and balanced and measured professional demeanor.'' Earlier in her career, Ms. Neumann served as the law clerk to a justice of the Vermont Supreme Court as well as for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She graduated magna cum laude from both James Madison University and Cornell Law School. The American Bar Association has given Ms. Neumann its highest rating of unanimously ``well qualified.'' If confirmed by the Senate, she would be assigned to the U.S. district court seat in Bangor. Based on her experience and character, I believe that Stacey Neumann will faithfully uphold our Nation's laws and that she will serve the State of Maine and our Nation well. I urge the Senate to confirm this nominee.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn, that the Collins substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bill, prior to our proceeding with it, as amended.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 183, S. 134.

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

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am very pleased to yield at this time to the Senator from Massachusetts.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, August 7 marks the 95th birthday of Maine's Alan Baker, a truly remarkable journalist, community leader, and public servant. It will be a pleasure to join Alan's friends and family in celebrating a remarkable life of adventures, accomplishments, and lasting contributions. Alan's commitment to service began when he was growing up in Orrington, ME, during World War II. Spending more than 250 4-hour shifts in a tower above the town office to spot enemy aircraft targeting the vital Dow Army Airfield in nearby Bangor taught him the importance of individuals stepping forward in times of need. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1951, Alan launched a long and successful international career in publishing. He brought his work ethic, vision, and experience back to Maine in 1986 and joined the staff of the legendary Ellsworth American, one of the oldest newspapers in Maine. He purchased that newspaper 2 years later and later founded the Mount Desert Islander. Under his leadership, those two publications demonstrated the value of community newspapers by keeping readers informed and helping them to become involved citizens. Alan was recognized with many industry awards over the course of his career, including the National Newspaper Association's James O. Amos Award for outstanding achievements in community journalism. In addition to being named Maine Journalist of the Year, he is a member of the Maine Press Association Hall of Fame. Throughout his life, Alan led by example to encourage civic engagement. Following in his mother's footsteps, who served seven terms in the Maine State House, Alan ran for and won a seat as a citizen lawmaker in order to do his part and to better understand the legislative process. Despite his busy professional life, he has served his hometown on many community boards, from historic preservation to cemetery upkeep, and was named Orrington's Citizen of Year in 2017. The remote island communities of Downeast Maine are beautiful yet challenging places to live. One of Alan's most significant contributions has been his strong and generous support for the work of the Maine Seacoast Mission. Founded in 1905, the nondenominational, nonprofit organization began delivering a minister to isolated communities where there were no churches and books where there were no libraries via a sloop called Hope. Today, the Mission's motor vessel Sunbeam V carries on that work and also serves as a mobile health clinic, bringing medical services to four islands. In 2017, the Mission presented Alan with its Sunbeam Award for his steadfast commitment to the island and coastal communities of rural Maine. Alan Baker is an extraordinary journalist, a treasured friend, and a true asset to the State of Maine. May his birthday and the days to come be filled with joy.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, the incorporation of the town of Yarmouth, ME, on August 8, 1849, was but one significant moment for one of the oldest communities in New England. On this 175th anniversary, it is a pleasure to commemorate a long and fascinating history that exemplifies the determination, resiliency, and ingenuity that defines our State. For thousands of years, the area was the homeland of the Abenaki people, who thrived where the fast-flowing river they called Westcustogo meets the sea. In 1636, just 16 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, William Royall, a cooper in the employ of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Company, was provided a small land grant in the area. The farm he established gave birth to a new settlement on the frontier. Drawn by the abundant natural resources, the small village grew and became part of North Yarmouth, the eighth town incorporated by Massachusetts in the Province of Maine. The river, now called the Royal River in honor of the first settler, powered sawmills and grain mills, and the shorefront became a leading center of Colonial and early American shipbuilding. It is estimated that more than 300 vessels were launched by Yarmouth's shipyards during the Age of Sail. With its population exceeding 2,000 people, maritime-oriented Yarmouth separated from farming-oriented North Yarmouth on August 8, 1849, and became a separate town. Industrial activities expanded into tanneries, brickyards, ironworks, and paper-making. Today, Yarmouth is a vibrant community with arts and music centers, a lovely library, outstanding schools, and beautifully preserved historic buildings. The active Yarmouth Historical Society has one of the finest and most comprehensive collection in Maine and the annual Wellcome Prize essay and film competition encourages high school students to learn about their community's past. One of the town's most prominent and treasured artifacts on display at the Yarmouth History Center is the Flaming Arrow Weathervane that topped the ``Old Ledge'' Meeting House built in 1730. Yarmouth's 175th anniversary is a time to celebrate the people who pulled together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to those who came before, Yarmouth, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a bright future.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, in 1774, just 2 years before America declared its independence, a small village on the Maine coast incorporated and took the name of Lord George Edgcumbe, a British naval hero and political leader who was known as a devoted friend of the Colonies. Today, it is a pleasure to join the people of Edgecomb, ME, in celebrating the 250th anniversary of a community that is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. Edgecomb has a rich history. For thousands of years, the land where the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers meet the sea was the hunting and fishing grounds of the Abenaki. Originally called Freetown due to the pro bono success of a Boston lawyer in defeating baseless deed challenges by land speculators, the early settlers farmed the fertile soil and put those rivers to work powering mills for grain and lumber. That early prosperity was invested in schools and churches to make a true community. As the town grew, so did the range of industries to include brick- making, canning, tanneries, and shipyards. In addition to valuable granite, mica, and quartz, the land was found to contain rich deposits of the highest quality feldspar, used in the manufacture of fine china. Today, Edgecomb and the neighboring communities are home to ceramic artists whose work is prized by collectors around the world. Edgecomb is home to many outstanding examples of New England architecture with several listings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the revered Edgecomb Community Church. One of the most fascinating buildings is the so-called Marie Antoinette House. In 1793, according to legend, a local sea captain named Stephen Clough planned to rescue the doomed queen and take her the stately house on the Sheepscot River that he had outfitted with the finest French decor. Tragically, she was arrested before Captain Clough could put his daring plan into action. Perhaps the building with the greatest historical significance is Fort Edgecomb, an octagonal blockhouse built in 1808 and 1809 to protect shipyards during a time of ongoing tension with Great Britain. Crucial to the defense of New England during the War of 1812 and the Civil War, the fort is now a popular state park. Edgecomb's historic connection to America's freedom continues today. Last year, the town, along with neighboring communities, launched a new tradition by decorating streets and roadways with more than 250 banners paying tribute to the region's veterans. Maine is known as Vacationland, and Edgecomb perfectly fits that picture. With beautiful rivers for kayaking and canoeing, several nature preserves for hiking and wildlife-watching, along with great food and shopping, there is always something to do. The energy and planning going into the town's yearlong 250th anniversary celebration demonstrates the pride the townspeople have in their town. Edgecomb's 250th anniversary is a time to celebrate the people who pulled together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to those who came before, Edgecomb, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a bright future.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, on Saturday, July 20, the people of Vanceboro, ME, will gather for a daylong celebration of their town's 150th birthday. It is with pleasure that I recognize this landmark anniversary of a small town with a fascinating history. Located at the headwaters of the St. Croix River that forms the international border between Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, the story of the region begins with the Passamaquoddy Nation, who have made the river and the Chiputenticook Lakes Chain their home for thousands of years. The reverence the People of the Dawn have for the natural beauty of the area continue to define the town today. Drawn by the abundant forests and fast-moving waters of the St. Croix, the first European settlers harvested timber and established sawmills, followed by a leather tannery and a spool and clothespin factory. The community they built represents the best of smalltown Maine, where friends and neighbors know and care for one another, and everyone pitches in to help in times of need. The namesake of the town, William Vance, is a remarkable figure in Maine history. Known as Old Vance, he fought for freedom in the American Revolution. During the War of 1812, he installed his own personal cannon on his riverfront property, which he called Mount Defiance, to deter any British incursion. When Maine was preparing for statehood in 1819, he served on the commission that wrote the Maine Constitution, and when our star was added to the American Flag a year later, Old Vance served in our first State legislature. Vanceboro's location on the St. Croix River and the international border has led to some events of historical significance. Selected as the border crossing for the European and North American Railway in the 1860s, President Ulysses S. Grant and Lord Lisgar, Governor General of Canada, opened the rail line through Vanceboro with a ceremony at the border on October 19, 1871. The town's Civil War veterans manned the cannons that welcomed their general on what is still remembered as ``Vanceboro's Greatest Day.'' The rail line remained an important shipping route, and on February 2, 1915, the international railway bridge was bombed by a German Army reservist in an unsuccessful attempt to sabotage routes for troops and war materials that he suspected might be coming across then-neutral U.S. territory to fight the Germans. On April 21, 1917, just 2 weeks after our Nation entered the war, a British delegation led by Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, met with American military and diplomatic leaders at the Vanceboro train station to discuss the path forward to victory. In addition to the town's 150th birthday, July 20 will also mark the re-opening of the Vanceboro Historical Society. The Society is a remarkable community initiative to tell the story of the region through artifact collections, guest speakers, and educational programs. Vanceboro's 150th year is a time to honor the great people of the community who have made the town such a welcoming place to call home. It is a pleasure to offer my congratulations and best wishes on this special day.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. President, in a 2012 interview with a national agriculture magazine, Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, was asked what he would like to be the legacy of his long and productive career. His answer was this: ``that I was able to make a difference in the Maine potato industry and was able to lead the industry in a positive direction.'' Today, as Don retires after 27 years with the board, I am delighted to join his many friends and colleagues in offering my fellow Aroostook County native our thanks for a job well done and our congratulations for a legacy well secured. Don truly learned the potato industry from the ground up, beginning as a grower with a 250-acre farm. With a degree in agricultural resource economics from the University of Maine, he worked in rural economic development at the local and regional level for 13 years. Armed with that knowledge and experience, Don joined the Maine Potato Board in 1997 as assistant executive director and was promoted to the top position just 5 years later. Strengthening a vital industry made up of hundreds of growers that employs more than 6,000 hard-working men and women while generating annual sales topping a half-billion dollars is no easy task, but Don has met every challenge. He has been a driving force for many agricultural projects, including the construction of a potato research facility, infrastructure development for two processing plants, funding to support the State of Maine seed production facility, and expansion into new markets. Working with growers and University of Maine and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers, Don championed the development of the Caribou Russet, a new disease- and drought-resistant variety designed to thrive in a warming climate. In the decades that I have worked with Don, I have known no stronger supporter of Maine potato growers. When Washington bureaucrats tried to restrict the use of potatoes in the school breakfast and lunch programs, Don provided the data to prove how nutritious the potato is. When the agricultural research lab at the University of Maine in Orono was threatened with closure, Don helped lead the effort to keep it open. And this year, when Washington tried to reclassify the potato as a grain rather than a vegetable, Don worked with me to block that absurd change. Don Flannery's leadership has earned the respect and admiration of growers and processors throughout Maine and across the country. His commitment to economic growth has made a positive and lasting difference for the industry and for rural communities. I thank him for his many accomplishments and wish him all the best in the years to come.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which is included in the bill we are considering today. I have co-led this bill with Senator Peters and fellow Congressional Fire Caucus cochairs, Senators Murkowski, Tester, and Carper. The Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration and critical FEMA fire prevention programs through September 30, 2028. The current authorization for appropriations for all three of these entities expired on September 30, 2023, and the AFG and SAFER programs are set to sunset on September 30 of this year, absent action from Congress. This bill before us will extend authorizations for all three entities until September 30, 2028, and impose a new sunset clause of September 30, 2030, for AFG and SAFER. This legislation, which passed the Senate on April 20, 2023, by an overwhelming vote of 95-2, has been pending in the House. I am pleased we will soon vote on the motion to concur with the House bill as amended and finally reauthorize these critical programs. Firefighters across Maine and the country courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line to serve their towns and cities. Recognizing this, in 2000 and 2003, I helped create FEMA's firefighter grant programs as part of a bipartisan effort to ensure firefighters have the adequate staffing, equipment, and training to do their important jobs as effectively and safely as possible. The Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize three important firefighting and emergency services programs: the U.S. Fire Administration, which provides training and data to State and local departments, as well as education and awareness for the public; the Assistance for Firefighters Grant program, known as AFG, which helps equip and train firefighters and emergency personnel who work to keep us safe; and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, known as SAFER, which helps local fire departments recruit, hire, and retain additional firefighters. Fire chiefs across Maine tell me about the importance of these programs in helping their local fire departments keep their communities safe. Since October 2020, fire departments across Maine received just under $12 million from the AFG and SAFER grant programs. These critical investments in local, rural fire departments supported replacements of decades old fire engines, obsolete self-contained breathing apparatuses, hiring of additional firefighters, and allowed fire departments to provide free health screenings to firefighters. In 2023, an AFG grant enabled the town of Allagash in rural Aroostook County, ME, to replace its nearly 50-year old GMC firetruck with a newer model with double the water pumping capacity. To put this into perspective, the town was operating a firetruck built the same year the Vietnam war ended, to respond to fires in its 134-square-mile response area--or as the Allagash fire chief put it, an area roughly equal to the size of Atlanta. In Portland, ME, an AFG grant enabled Portland Fire Department's marine division to cover the cost of lung cancer screenings for its firefighters. If it hadn't been for these screenings, doctors may not have detected a precancerous spot on Lieutenant Dave Crowley's lung until it was too late. These examples underscore how important these grant programs are for fire departments across the Nation to safely provide lifesaving services and keep our communities safe. Failure to reauthorize these programs would have devastating impacts to the safety of Americans across the country. I urge my colleagues to support this bill's swift passage.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, on July 19, 1774, a small band of rugged and courageous pioneers established a settlement in the Maine wilderness between the Medomak and Saint George rivers. They cleared the land, built cabins, endured hunger and cold, and, with backbreaking work, created a community. Today, it is a pleasure to join the people of Union, ME, in celebrating the 250th anniversary of a community that is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. Although part of a land grant made by the Plymouth Council in 1629, the territory remained unsettled for more than a century due to conflicting claims of jurisdiction by the English and French. When the hostilities ended, Dr. John Taylor of Massachusetts bought the land and led the settlement party. Originally called Taylor Town, it was renamed Sterlingtown in honor of a Revolutionary War hero and finally incorporated as Union to commemorate our new Nation. Among the many illustrious natives of Union is John Langdon Sibley, scholar, author, and librarian of Harvard University. His history of his beloved hometown from its origin to 1850 is remarkable for its thoroughness, insight, and wit. ``By competent judges,'' he wrote, ``the soil of Union is considered as good as that of . . . the best farming towns in the State.'' The scenery provided by lush vegetation, hills, valleys, rivers, and streams ``affords a rich enjoyment to people of taste and admirers of nature.'' Although Mr. Sibley allows that the assertion from a neighboring town that ``people never die in Union'' is an exaggeration, he posits that the uncommonly pure water, brisk air circulation over the varied terrain, the vigorous agricultural work, and generally good habits are why inhabitants ``wear the hue of health'' and why visitors often remark ``that there was more female beauty in Union than in any other town in the county or State.'' The work ethic of the townspeople and water power from the fast- moving rivers soon made Union a center of industry, with foundries, sawmills, grain mills, and factories manufacturing products ranging from carriages and farm equipment to footwear and musical instruments. Thousands of artifacts from those early days are preserved at the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, with a special section devoted to Dr. Augustin Thompson, the Union-born Civil War hero, physician, and inventor of Moxie, the patent nerve medicine that is now the official soft drink of the State of Maine. Union cherishes its history. Next to the museum stands the Hodge School, the thoroughly restored one-room schoolhouse that served the town from 1864 to 1954. Established more than 150 years ago, the Union Fair celebrates the town's agricultural traditions. Laid out in 1790, the picturesque Union Common is the oldest public town common in Maine, with memorials to patriots and a bandstand listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The people of Union are rightfully proud of their town and have worked together to plan an exciting and fun-filled 3-day sestercentennial celebration beginning July 19. Among events will be the opening of a time capsule from the bicentennial celebration in 1974. In addition to John Langdon Sibley's book, the story of Union was told in the popular 1940 historical novel ``Come Spring'' by Ben Ames Williams. Republished in 2000 by the Union Historical Society, the novel imagines the struggles and triumphs of the real-life Robbins family during the first years of the settlement's--and our Nation's-- existence. In the preface to his novel, the author writes that Union ``is a small Maine town founded by ordinary people in the ordinary way, by carving a community out of the forest and putting the land to work. The people in this book were not individually as important as George Washington, the town was not as important as New York, but people like them made this country, and towns like this were and are the soil in which our country's roots are grounded.'' Union's 250th anniversary is not merely about the passing of time. It is about human accomplishment. We celebrate the people who, for longer than America has been a nation, have pulled together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to those who came before, Union, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a bright future.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to commemorate this special occasion--the renaming of JDRF to Breakthrough T1D--and the leadership that this organization continues to provide in its advocacy for children and adults living with type 1 diabetes. I am proud to have worked with Breakthrough T1D since my very first year in the Senate in 1997. They are a foundation with a singular focus: to improve the lives of every person affected by type 1 diabetes--T1D--by supporting research for treatments, cures, and ultimately a way to prevent the disease. They are the premier global organization focused on T1D research at every life stage--from stopping or slowing the progression of T1D in the newly diagnosed, reversing it in those who have lived with it for years, avoiding or reversing complications of T1D, and preventing the disease in at risk populations and in future generations. Today's rebranding from JDRF--the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation--to Breakthrough T1D represents where we are in the world of T1D. It never has been just an affliction for the young. Anyone, at any age, can be diagnosed with T1D. Using the term ``juvenile'' no longer accurately reflects the organization and its mission. And ``breakthrough'' may speak for itself. The organization is not only at the forefront of supporting research breakthroughs for T1D, but also is breaking through the barriers to improve T1D patients' lives. Both these significant attributes are now rightly reflected in the organization's name. Breakthrough T1D will continue to focus on the ultimate goal we all share: that no one suffers from T1D. And we must not stop until that goal is reached. But that goal will only be achieved through more research. That is why I am proud to continue my work with Senator Shaheen supporting the reauthorization and funding of the Special Diabetes Program--SDP. The SDP has funded the creation of unique, innovative, and collaborative research consortia and clinical trials networks focused on the prevention, treatment, and cure of T1D for more than 25 years. SDP has enabled the National Institutes of Health to expand T1D research beyond what is possible with annual appropriations and to conduct clinical trials that likely would not be done by the private sector. SDP has been a key component of many significant breakthroughs in T1D research, and I want to highlight two. First, the artificial pancreas. The SDP has supported key research that helped develop several glucose management technologies, including the artificial pancreas. The artificial pancreas is a life-changing advance for many with T1D because it automates insulin delivery in response to a person's blood glucose level, replacing fingerstick tests and individual insulin shots. Funding from the SDP over the past decade has revolutionized the field and increased the number of commercially available, FDA-approved artificial pancreas devices from zero to seven. Today, there are even devices available to children as young as 2. Second, we finally have the first FDA-approved treatment to slow the progression of T1D. The critical research underpinning this treatment came from a clinical trial funded by the SDP. This treatment has now brought forward a new era of T1D clinical management by delaying onset of the disease by at least 3 years--and potentially more. That is 3 years without having to take insulin, do fingerstick tests, or deal with potential complications from the disease. While the SDP has led to countless other breakthroughs in treatment for people living with T1D, these two examples highlight the importance of the program, the success of the program, and why it needs to expand and continue until no one suffers from type 1 diabetes. As we continue to strive toward a world where no one is afflicted by T1D, we also need to face today's reality where many Americans who need lifesaving insulin cannot afford it. The rising cost of insulin presents a barrier to care for a number of Americans living with T1D. Out-of-pocket costs increase with list prices, and for people without insurance, the costs are too often untenable. That is why I am proud to work with this organization on a bill to limit out-of-pocket costs for insulin for those with T1D, address structural issues in the insulin market, and create policies to foster more competition. I will continue to work with Breakthrough T1D to ensure insulin affordability for all. Please join me in commemorating today's exciting rebranding from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D. This organization has been a catalyst in the field of T1D research and a champion on issues of importance to this community. I am certain that Breakthrough T1D will continue breaking through the barriers toward a world where no one is afflicted with type 1 diabetes.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, before the Maine Legislature adjourned for the year on May 10, Republican, Democrat, and Independent lawmakers joined together to pass a resolution honoring retiring Representative Sawin Millett, Jr., for his ``dedication, expertise, and judgment'' in service to our State, followed by a long and robust standing ovation. I know people throughout Maine are grateful for the many accomplishments of this great leader and my good friend. Sawin's nine nonconsecutive terms representing Maine House District 81 began in 1968 and only scratches the surface of his remarkable resume. In his hometown of Waterford and throughout Oxford County, he has contributed as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant school superintendent, farmer, and town manager. At the State level, Sawin has worked with eight Maine Governors in the legislature and as the first executive director of the Maine School Management Association. He has served in five administrations under Republican, Democrat, and Independent Governors as commissioner of education, associate commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services, legislative director, and commissioner of administrative and financial services. I had the pleasure of serving with Sawin in the cabinet of Governor John McKernan in the 1980s and early 1990s and watched him weigh issues and decide policy questions with the wisdom and deliberation for which he is so widely respected. He is also the hardest working leader I know. For 2 years in the early 2000s, I was fortunate to have him on my team as a State office director. In both the legislative and executive branches, Sawin is known for his absolute mastery of budgetary issues. His command of the complexities of State government finances has steered Maine through many challenging times, and his integrity and openness have earned him admirers across the political spectrum. At 86 years of age, Sawin is retiring from the legislature, but not from public service. In addition to spending more time with his family on his beloved farm, he is running for Oxford County Commissioner in the November elections. Continuing his dedication to public service, this is the one level of government in which he has not yet served. Regardless of the role he has taken on, Sawin has always been a problem-solver, a leader who strives to bring opposing sides together in a spirit of compromise and respect to reach common ground. He is a Maine treasure, a true gentleman, and I wish my friend all the best in the next phase of his inspiring life.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today with my colleague Senator Tim Kaine, would make important updates to the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, to help workers meet the digital skills demands of today's jobs. A key goal of WIOA is to help Americans overcome barriers to obtaining high-quality jobs and careers. The law requires State and local service providers to offer adult education and skills development programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among American workers. This Investing in Digital Skills Act would allow information literacy and digital skills to be included among the skills development programs within these adult education programs. Our legislation would help prepare individuals for the evolving demands of the digital economy, enhancing their employability and skill sets in a technologically advanced job market. Recent research conducted in partnership between National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, yet more than 30 percent of workers lack even foundational digital abilities. The research also found huge financial incentives for this upskilling: Jobs that require at least one digital skill earn 23 percent more than a job requiring none. This issue is important to Mainers. Lisa Robertson, the director of York Adult Education, wrote to me, saying, ``Your bill would address a significant gap in current workforce development initiatives by recognizing the importance of digital skills training for adult learners. In today's rapidly evolving job market, proficiency in digital literacy is no longer just a valuable asset; it is essential for individuals to succeed. . . .'' I appreciate Lisa's insights about today's workforce needs. By modernizing WIOA with new tools to teach digital skills, the Investing in Digital Skills Act would help Americans maintain their competitive edge in workforce. I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing today with my colleague Senator Tim Kaine, would make important updates to the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, to help workers meet the digital skills demands of today's jobs. A key goal of WIOA is to help Americans overcome barriers to obtaining high-quality jobs and careers. The law requires State and local service providers to offer adult education and skills development programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among American workers. This Investing in Digital Skills Act would allow information literacy and digital skills to be included among the skills development programs within these adult education programs. Our legislation would help prepare individuals for the evolving demands of the digital economy, enhancing their employability and skill sets in a technologically advanced job market. Recent research conducted in partnership between National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, yet more than 30 percent of workers lack even foundational digital abilities. The research also found huge financial incentives for this upskilling: Jobs that require at least one digital skill earn 23 percent more than a job requiring none. This issue is important to Mainers. Lisa Robertson, the director of York Adult Education, wrote to me, saying, ``Your bill would address a significant gap in current workforce development initiatives by recognizing the importance of digital skills training for adult learners. In today's rapidly evolving job market, proficiency in digital literacy is no longer just a valuable asset; it is essential for individuals to succeed. . . .'' I appreciate Lisa's insights about today's workforce needs. By modernizing WIOA with new tools to teach digital skills, the Investing in Digital Skills Act would help Americans maintain their competitive edge in workforce. I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise to introduce a bill with my colleague, Senator King, that will help the hard-working loggers across this country affected by severe storms and natural disasters. In Maine alone, logging has a roughly $582 million annual economic impact and is the backbone of the forest products economy. In Maine and in many places across the country, the logging industry has felt the effects of severe weather events and warmer than normal winters. This past winter, Maine experienced many storms, including two December and January that were designated Federal disasters. These storms were detrimental to many industries but especially logging, as the winter months are usually the best months for loggers to harvest timber when the frozen ground makes access easier. The rainstorms saturated the ground, and the mud made it much more difficult to operate and transport heavy logging equipment without disturbing the soil underneath. These storms also closed bridges and roads on vital trucking routes, hindering the movement of equipment and employees to logging sites. For example, the December 18 storm washed out a bridge on a vital trucking route that forced an 80-mile detour for wood being distributed to both northern and southern markets. According to the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, this December wind and rainstorm in Maine resulted in more than $2.5 million in losses. Despite these documented losses, there is currently no Federal program to assist loggers who have been affected by federally declared disasters. That is why I am introducing the Logger Economic Assistance and Relief Act, which would authorize income replacement for logging contractors equal to 10 percent of eligible gross lost revenue from the previous calendar year. Funds received under this program can only be used for operating expenses. Our legislation is modeled off of the successful Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program, which I created during the COVID pandemic to provide much needed aid to our timber harvesters. I am grateful for the Professional Logging Council of the Northeast and the American Logging Council's support of our legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join in this effort to support one of our country's core economic drivers.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise to introduce a bill with my colleague, Senator King, that will help the hard-working loggers across this country affected by severe storms and natural disasters. In Maine alone, logging has a roughly $582 million annual economic impact and is the backbone of the forest products economy. In Maine and in many places across the country, the logging industry has felt the effects of severe weather events and warmer than normal winters. This past winter, Maine experienced many storms, including two December and January that were designated Federal disasters. These storms were detrimental to many industries but especially logging, as the winter months are usually the best months for loggers to harvest timber when the frozen ground makes access easier. The rainstorms saturated the ground, and the mud made it much more difficult to operate and transport heavy logging equipment without disturbing the soil underneath. These storms also closed bridges and roads on vital trucking routes, hindering the movement of equipment and employees to logging sites. For example, the December 18 storm washed out a bridge on a vital trucking route that forced an 80-mile detour for wood being distributed to both northern and southern markets. According to the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, this December wind and rainstorm in Maine resulted in more than $2.5 million in losses. Despite these documented losses, there is currently no Federal program to assist loggers who have been affected by federally declared disasters. That is why I am introducing the Logger Economic Assistance and Relief Act, which would authorize income replacement for logging contractors equal to 10 percent of eligible gross lost revenue from the previous calendar year. Funds received under this program can only be used for operating expenses. Our legislation is modeled off of the successful Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program, which I created during the COVID pandemic to provide much needed aid to our timber harvesters. I am grateful for the Professional Logging Council of the Northeast and the American Logging Council's support of our legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join in this effort to support one of our country's core economic drivers.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, 150 years ago, in 1874, one of Maine's most iconic businesses launched its first venture. Although it began as a small sardine cannery operation in the corner of northeast Maine, Wyman's has thrived through 150 years of business and is now Maine's preeminent purveyor of wild blueberries, as well as the top selling brand of frozen fruit in the United States. Each year, Wyman's harvests and freezes tens of millions of pounds of Maine blueberries. In addition to owning over 30,000 acres of land in Maine, Wyman's partners with hundreds of Maine blueberry farms to process their products and export them around the country and around the globe. Four generations later, Wyman's continues to be a leader in cultivating the wild blueberry for which Maine is famous, providing economic vitality for the Downeast region and high-quality jobs across the State. Wyman's is also at the cutting edge of agricultural research. Recently, the business has partnered with the University of Maine to study how harsh weather patterns such as early frosts and droughts impact growth, gaining valuable insights into what can be done to boost productivity for all in the industry. While Wyman's is certainly a generational affair for the Wyman family, it is wonderful to see how the business has also become generational for so many within the community. More than a third of Wyman's employees have tenures lasting over a decade, and many families continue to return to work at the blueberry harvest over several generations. Wyman's deep roots and work in the field of agricultural sustainability show that the company continues to live up to its values of enhancing health. I am very proud to join them in celebrating their 150 years of operation.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise to urge my colleagues to strongly support the national security supplemental appropriations package before us. This important legislation, which was approved overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives, reflects, in many ways, the bipartisan bill that Chair Murray and I negotiated and the Senate passed in February by a vote of 70 to 29. This bill would strengthen our military's readiness, rebuild our defense industrial base, and assist our partners and allies at a volatile and dangerous time in world history. The national security package before us totals $95 billion. Now, 71 percent of that funding--$67 billion--is defense funding. It will be used to continue vital U.S. military support to Europe and the Middle East, where our partners and allies are under attack by authoritarian regimes, rogue states, terrorists, and other extremists. It will expand and modernize U.S. defense production capacity. It will replenish our own stockpiles with updated, more capable weapons and equipment. And it will strengthen the U.S. submarine industrial base. In the past few months, I have received briefings from two combatant Commanders--General Kurilla of the U.S. Central Command and Admiral Aquilino of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Each of them has told me that this is the most dangerous global environment that they have seen. One said in 40 years; the other said in 50 years. The point is, the threats that the United States faces from an aggressive Iran and its proxies, an imperialistic Russia, and a hegemonic China are interconnected. How we respond to one affects how the other will operate. They require a strong response. The package before us provides the resources to address each of those threats. Let me take just a few moments to highlight some of the bill's key components. With regard to Iran and its proxies, earlier this month, as we are all painfully aware, Iran attacked Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles. Thanks to the U.S. Navy's heroic response in assisting Israel, as well as the great coordination and response from our allies and partners, fewer than 1 percent of Iran's weapons reached their targets in Israel. In all, more than 80 incoming drones and at least 6 missiles were intercepted by American forces, including the crews of two destroyers, I am proud to say, that were built in Bath, ME--the USS Carney and the USS Arleigh Burke. But let us make no mistake about what was going on with this attack. Iran fully intended to kill as many Israelis as possible and to cause horrific damage. It was only the skill, the bravery, and the precision of Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia that prevented that from happening. This national security package includes $2.4 billion to support the ongoing U.S. Central Command operations in the Middle East, such as those that I have just mentioned, but, also, to keep open vital shipping lanes and to protect commercial ships from all over the world from attack as they are transiting. It also includes $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling air defense systems, which have proven to be so critical to Israel's self-defense, as well as $1.2 billion for Iron Beam, a promising new air defense capability. This legislation would also provide vital assistance to Ukrainians battling a brutal, unprovoked Russian invasion. And I know how strongly the Presiding Officer feels about this issue, as do I. It includes $15.4 billion to help Ukraine purchase American-made weapons to use in its defense and $11.3 billion to support our servicemembers in Poland and Germany who are helping our allies equip and train Ukrainian forces. But let me underscore an important point. It is not our troops who are dying on the Ukrainian battlefield. It is the Ukrainians who are bravely defending their country. If, however, Putin is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, he will continue to pursue his goal of re-creating the former Soviet Union. He has made no bones about that. He has said that repeatedly. In my judgment, he would likely seize Moldova next; again, invade Georgia, as he did in 2008; continue to menace the Baltic nations; and threaten Poland. And then, our troops would be involved in a much wider European war because Putin would be ultimately attacking our native NATO allies. The funding in this package aims to prevent such an outcome by supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Putin's aggression. And let me debunk a myth that I keep hearing over and over again, and that is that the Europeans somehow are not doing their part in helping to equip Ukraine. That is just inaccurate. I have a chart that I used a few months ago, when the supplemental was on the floor, that ranked our European allies. Well, today, the United States would be even further down on this list, which measures security assistance to Ukraine as a percentage of GDP of that nation. Today, we rank 16th on that list. In other words, 15 other countries--Estonia, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom--are all spending more of their GDP to help Ukraine than we are. I think that is such an important point, and yet we hear, over and over again, by those who are opposed to assistance that the Europeans are not doing their part. They are clearly doing their part. With regard to the Indo-Pacific, this package would help deter a menacing China, whose navy now exceeds the size of ours. And in the budget that the President just sent up, that would only grow worse, since the President is requesting the lowest number of new ships in 15 years. And we cannot allow that to happen. This legislative package also includes $1.9 billion to replenish U.S. military inventories transferred under Taiwan Presidential drawdown authority, as authorized by last year's National Defense Authorization Act. This is the fastest way for DoD to get Taiwan the weapons it needs to strengthen its own defense. The bill also includes $2 billion to provide Indo-Pacific allies and partners with American defense equipment and training, as well as $542 million for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's top unfunded requirements. The package includes humanitarian assistance to address global needs, such as in Sudan and Gaza. It prohibits, however, funding from being provided to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, known as UNRWA, which employed several terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. Finally, I want to note that this bill includes the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which I am proud to be a cosponsor of. This bill would help disrupt the flow of fentanyl into the United States, including by requiring the President to sanction criminal organizations and drug cartels involved in trafficking fentanyl and its precursors. We are losing too many of our family friends, coworkers, and neighbors to this scourge, and we must be more aggressive in combating it. And I thank my colleague Senator Tim Scott for his leadership on this piece of the package. I once again call on my colleagues to recognize the perilous times in which we are living and to vote for this essential national security legislation. We must pass it without further delay. Our adversaries are watching. With our vote on this package, let us send them a strong message. Terrorists will not succeed in wiping Israel off the map. Authoritarian states will not be allowed to invade their free, independent, and democratic neighbors without consequences. And this Congress, despite its divisions, will come together to ensure that the United States and its military have what they need to stand tall, firm, and beside our allies.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I opposed Majority Leader Schumer's constitutional points of order because I have concerns about the precedents they set for future impeachments. Once a majority of the House of Representatives votes to adopt Articles of Impeachment, the Senate should fulfill its constitutional role to ``try all impeachments.'' Simply ending an impeachment proceeding without any consideration of the substance of the allegations--as the Senate Democratic majority did today--sets a terrible precedent that could be exploited in the future. Today, not only did the Senate fail to perform its constitutional duty, but it also set an additional precedent that something as serious as a felony is not a high crime or misdemeanor under the Constitution. That is why I voted against both points of order. Let me make clear that my votes today do not reflect my views on the merits of this matter, which I would only consider after a presentation of the evidence at trial. I believe the Senate will come to regret today's votes to shirk our constitutional responsibility and inappropriately short-circuit the constitutional process for considering Articles of Impeachment adopted by the House of Representatives.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, in April of 1924, Nelson Watts and Ralph Colwell combined forces and syllables from their last names and opened the WaCo Diner in Eastport, ME. One hundred years later, the WaCo is still going strong as the oldest diner in the State of Maine, proudly serving great food and friendship in America's easternmost city. The WaCo began life as a lunch wagon converted from a traveling photographer's studio. With Eastport hosting more than a dozen sardine factories, a deepwater seaport, and visitors arriving by sea and rail to enjoy the very best of Maine's rocky coast, the new establishment thrived, the wheels were removed, and the wagon was boxed in to make a permanent structure. Under a succession of owners over the years, the WaCo has expanded from a narrow lunch counter to a lovely restaurant with a spacious dining room. From the outdoor deck overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay, patrons enjoy beautiful views of Canada's Campobello Island and a passing parade of marine activity, from cargo vessels, cruise ships, and fishing boats to whales, porpoises, and seals. The current owners, Mike Del Papa and Matt Boyle, bought the WaCo in 2022, after Mike's dad Bob retired at the age of 83 after many years of operating and growing the business. Mike and Matt both brought restaurant operations, general business, and customer service experiences with them, and have invested significant money, time and energy into the equipment and facilities to enhance the atmosphere and efficiency, while continuing to offer amazing meals and a great customer experience, led by server Tammy McPhail, a 20-plus-year veteran, and chef Steve Sonner. In addition to providing good jobs year-round, the WaCo brings back summer staff each tourism season. The WaCo is a mainstay, not only in Eastport but also throughout the Downeast region, welcoming locals and visitors alike. Among the many themed evenings featuring special creations, a local favorite is the ``Dry Fish Dinner--prepared Robert Patterson's Way,'' a tribute to the late, beloved owner/chef of the New Friendly Restaurant in the neighboring town of Perry. The WaCo is dedicated to supporting other Maine businesses. When possible, they source seafood locally. All draft beers are from Maine breweries, and potato chips are from Maine's Fox Family in Mapleton. Several recipes utilize Raye's Mustard, made in Eastport at the last remaining traditional stone-ground mustard in North America, while others use Wyman's wild Maine blueberries, harvested from the barrens of the surrounding countryside. In addition to dedication to excellence, the WaCo carries on another great tradition of our State's small business community: giving back. Last year, the WaCo served a free Thanksgiving dinner to more than 150 people from the Downeast community and, at Christmastime, a free pancake breakfast with Santa for children. Through charitable events in 2023, the WaCo and its customers raised more than $5,000 to support Sarah's House of Maine, a cancer hospitality house near the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer, saving rural patients and their families hours of travel for treatments. The WaCo Diner in Eastport is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit and community pride that define the State of Maine. I congratulate the entire WaCo team on this landmark anniversary and wish them much success in the years to come.

Ms. COLLINS

Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today in support of the final six government funding bills before us. These bipartisan, bicameral bills are the result of many months of hard work by the Appropriations Committees in both the Senate and the House. Let me start by thanking Chair Murray for her tremendous leadership and hard work throughout the entire appropriations process. She has really made a difference. Since Chair Murray and I took the helm of the committee over a year ago, we have been committed to an appropriations process that provided Senators with a voice in funding decisions through robust committee proceedings. Toward that end, we held more than 50 public hearings and briefings. We televised our committee markups for the first time ever. The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up and advanced all 12 bills individually for the first time in 5 years, and we did so with overwhelming bipartisan support. Every single bill--each and every one of them--was subject to robust debate and amendments. Many of them passed unanimously, I am pleased to say, and others with only one dissenting vote. This final package on the Senate floor today includes the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills for the Department of Defense; State and Foreign Operations; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Legislative Branch; and Homeland Security. We are not punting through yet another continuing resolution, nor is this an omnibus; rather, it is a package of six individual bills that fund critical programs, important Agencies, and essential Departments through the end of this fiscal year. Now, Madam President, I would have preferred that more of these bills would have been brought across the Senate floor, but no one can say that they were not available for scrutiny since we reported the last of them from committee way back in July. In addition to my thanks for Chair Murray, I want to thank the ranking Republican members on each of the subcommittees reflected in the package today--Senators Graham, Hagerty, Capito, Fischer, and Britt--for their outstanding efforts in assembling this package. I also want to acknowledge the contributions of their Democratic chairs. This legislation is truly a national security bill. Seventy percent of the funding in this package is for our national defense, including investments that strengthen our military readiness and industrial base, provide pay and benefit increases for our brave servicemembers, and support our closest allies. This legislation also supports America's working families while providing funding to better secure our borders and combat the transnational criminal organizations that are flooding our communities with fentanyl. As part of the effort to address the crisis at the border--and it is a crisis--this package includes funding for additional detention beds and more Border Patrol agents and port-of-entry officers. Those are longstanding Republican priorities--priorities that are shared by many Democrats as well. As the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I want to take a few moments to highlight the bill in this package on which Chair Tester and I worked extremely closely. The bill avoids a devastating yearlong CR that every single service chief told us would be a disaster for the Department of Defense. It meets the complex threats that are facing our country. Madam President, to say that things have changed since the fiscal year 2024 budget request was first presented last spring would be a drastic understatement. Putin refuses to end his war in Ukraine. Hamas conducted its heinous, brutal attack on Israel on October 7. Iran continues to fan the flame of violence and terrorism throughout the Middle East, including against American forces. China's military budget and armed forces continue to grow unabated. But you don't have to take my word for it. In the past few weeks, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, GEN Eric Kurilla, has described this as the most dangerous security environment in 50 years. On the other side of the world, the Commander of the U.S. Indo- Pacific Command told Chairman Tester and me earlier this week that this is the most dangerous time he has seen in his 40-year career, citing cooperation between Russia and China as a key and growing concern. In addition, just last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Chief of Naval Operations wrote to the majority and minority leaders describing the harm to the readiness of our Navy and Marine Corps unless we quickly pass a full-year Defense appropriations bill. This needs to be done before a large part--about two-thirds--of our government would otherwise shut down at midnight tonight. We must not let that occur. To meet these challenges, our bill includes nearly $824.5 billion for the U.S. military. It fully funds the 5.2-percent pay raise for servicemembers--the largest pay raise in more than 20 years. It includes a critical $123 million increase for bonuses for our new recruits and junior enlisted soldiers. The bill also doubles the number of children who will have access to full-day prekindergarten in DOD schools--an important priority for Senator Murray and for me. I also want to salute the work Representative Ken Calvert did in this whole area of improving benefits and pay for our junior enlisted soldiers. As the Chinese navy rapidly expands to more than 400 ships over the next 2 years, our legislation includes $33.7 billion for Navy shipbuilding and downpayments for both an additional DDG-51 destroyer and an amphibious ship--the largest shipbuilding budget ever provided. Indeed, our legislation supports a Navy fleet that is six ships larger than the President's woefully inadequate request. The Defense bill also includes more than $2.2 billion for our uniformed military leaders' highest priorities that were not included in the administration's request. But, as the Presiding Officer knows, we get a list of unfunded priorities from our service chiefs. Our bill includes $273 million for long-range radars and sensors to close the awareness gaps identified by General VanHerck when he was Commander of Northern Command. It includes $50 million for the INDOPACOM Commander to accelerate his top priority targeting capability and $200 million to accelerate the development of the E-7 radar aircraft that was a top priority for the Air Force. To strengthen deterrence against China, our legislation keeps the modernization of the nuclear triad on track. It funds the transition from ``just-in-time'' to a ``just-in-case'' stockpile of munitions by authorizing and funding, for the first time ever, six multiyear procurement contracts for missiles and munitions. Surely, that has been one of the lessons that we have learned from Ukraine: how important it is that we have modernized an adequate stockpile. And $6.5 billion is also included to maximize this year's production of Patriot air defense missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, and six other long-range precision strike missile programs. Finally, in the area of defense, this bill also includes $500 million for Iron Dome and David's Sling and Arrow--the cooperative missile defense programs that are consistent with the 10-year memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and our close ally Israel. This will provide much needed assistance to Israel in its fight against terrorism. In addition to having a strong national defense, another priority of mine is biomedical research. And this bill will continue the progress that we are making in increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health. It increases funding for NIH by $300 million, including $120 million in an increase for the National Cancer Institute and $100 million more for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research. I would note that it also increases funding for mental health, which is so important--an area that has been neglected somewhat in the past. Another cause of mine, as the cochair with Senator Jeanne Shaheen of the Diabetes Caucus, has been to increase the funding for diabetes research. And we have done so in this bill. We also pay attention to the problems with opioids and have included an increase in the funding for the Help to End Addiction Long-Term initiative, known as the HEAL initiative. Palliative care research also receives an increase. That is so important as our population ages. And that is an area--long-term care--that we still need to do an awful lot of work on in this country. I hope that this will start us on our path to that end. Again, there has been so much work done on this package of bills. And I want to thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, the leaders in the House, as well on the appropriations subcommittees and full committee. And I also want to thank our Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle and our House leaders for their extensive work on these bills. Members throughout the Senate have contributed to prioritizing funding and identifying how funding should be prioritized. And I want to note for my Republican colleagues that the legacy riders that we have traditionally included, such as the Hyde amendment, are included in this bill. Finally, I want to thank our extraordinary staff. They have worked nonstop throughout this past year but particularly this past month, without getting sleep, without seeing their families--just working night and day. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this final fiscal year 2024 appropriations package and complete our fundamental job of funding our government.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I very much appreciate the comments of the Senator from Nebraska. I agree with him that UNRWA cannot be the conduit for humanitarian aid. It is clear that it has been infiltrated by Hamas, and indeed Israeli intelligence indicates that specific employees--employees--of UNRWA were involved in the brutal atrocities of October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel. In addition, it is estimated that many other employees of UNRWA are sympathetic to Hamas or affiliated with Hamas. So American tax dollars should not be going through an organization that has been involved--some of its employees--in a terrorist attack, one of the worst terrorist attacks we have seen, a terrorist attack that resulted in the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust. How could we possibly allow American tax dollars to be used by this organization? Now, this is not to say there should not be aid. There are differing views on that issue. But we know there are other organizations within the U.N.--there is the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees organization. There is UNICEF. There is the World Food organization. There are many other organizations. For me, Mr. President, what was most compelling is when I learned that Hamas had a major communications and command control center underneath UNRWA's headquarters, and there were additional Hamas organizations that had locations in the tunnels underneath UNRWA's schools. Now, tell me, how could UNRWA possibly not have known this was occurring? How could they not have seen the tunnels being built, the air-conditioners being brought in, the computers being installed, their electric rate going way up? It is just not conceivable that UNRWA was unaware of all of this. As my friend from Nebraska has mentioned, we know that far too many of the schools UNRWA is running in Gaza teach hatred in their textbooks--teach hatred not only of Israel but of Jews in general. It is totally unacceptable that American tax dollars would go to this organization. There are alternatives. That is why, in the supplemental appropriations bill, which I know the Presiding Officer feels so deeply about, as do I--in that bill, we defunded UNRWA and we said that dollars from previous appropriations could not be used by UNRWA. In the bill that is incorporated and before us today--the State, Foreign Ops bill, which is part of the six-bill package--we also defund UNRWA, and we extended it beyond the end of this fiscal year. We extended it to March of 2025 to ensure there wasn't a gap and give us time. I do pledge to my colleague from Nebraska to continue to work on this issue about which I feel so strongly. I will continue to work with him, and I very much appreciate the opportunity to engage in this colloquy.