Catherine Cortez Masto

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that privileges of the floor be granted to the following members of Senator Merkley's staff: Christina Suggs and Cheryl Anderson, during the pendency of today's session.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, we are now 2 years into a world without Roe v. Wade, a world in which daughters have fewer rights than their mothers and their grandmothers did at their age. In the 2 years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, nearly half the States in our country have banned--or effectively banned--access to abortion. Women in those States have extremely limited options for accessing essential healthcare. For many of these women, their only option for getting the reproductive care they need is going to another State. Last year alone, 171,000 Americans traveled across State lines to access an abortion. Pro-choice States like Nevada are welcoming these women with open arms and providing them with the essential healthcare their own States have outlawed. In the last 2 years, the number of women coming to Southern Nevada from out of State to get abortion care has doubled. But even though Nevada is a safe place for women who need healthcare, anti-choice politicians living outside my State are telling women: No, sorry, if you try to travel outside this State, we are going to prosecute anyone who helps you. Elected officials in States like Tennessee and Texas and Alabama are trying to punish women for leaving their State for reproductive care, as well as anyone who helps them, including their doctors or even their employers. Why? Because for these anti-choice politicians, this is about controlling women. That is why today I am calling for passage of my Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act. Our legislation reaffirms that women have a fundamental right to interstate travel and makes it crystal clear that States cannot prosecute women--or anyone who helps them--for going to another State to get the critical reproductive care that they need. The Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act would also empower the Attorney General and anyone impacted to sue the anti-choice politicians who have violated their rights and put theses barbaric restrictions in place. And it would protect healthcare providers in pro-choice States like mine--in Nevada--who help these women traveling from out of State. Now, I wrote this bill 2 years ago, after the fall of Roe v. Wade, because, like many women across the country, I could see that the anti- choice movement would never stop trying to dismantle women's rights. And we are seeing that play out before our very eyes. We are hearing it today on the floor. We see it in our States. Last month, Lauren Miller came here to Washington to testify in a Senate subcommittee hearing and tell her story. Lauren was a mother of one and was thrilled to find out that she was pregnant once again, this time with twins. She and her husband couldn't wait to grow their family. But at her 12-week ultrasound, Lauren learned the most devastating news: Half of one of her twins' brains was filled with fluid, and it was not going to survive. Lauren needed to abort this fetus to save the other viable twin and to protect her own life. The problem was that Lauren lived in Texas, where abortions are almost entirely banned. Lauren's doctors wouldn't even talk to her about having a lifesaving abortion because they were so afraid of Texas's intentionally confusing laws, and they did not want to be prosecuted for practicing medicine to help her. In her testimony, Lauren said: My pregnancy was not my own. It belonged to the State. Even after she ended up in the hospital at risk of organ damage to her kidneys and her brain, she still could not get the care that she needed. Lauren was forced to set aside several days and thousands of dollars while she was terribly ill so that she could fly to Colorado, just to access reproductive healthcare--just to access 21st century medicine. And if that wasn't enough of a burden, Lauren and her husband were terrified to travel out of State because of Texas's bounty laws. In Texas, private citizens can be paid by their government if they catch anyone who has helped someone access abortion care. Oklahoma has adopted a similar law. This is what happens when we give it to the States. This is what happened with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. When we are talking about States' rights, this is it. These laws mean people seeking abortions have to plan for their out-of-State travel as if they are doing something illegal. Lauren and her husband had conversations about whether they should leave their cell phones at home and only use cash so they couldn't be tracked--in this day and age, like they were criminals of some sort, all because Lauren was dying from an entirely preventable health issue that she couldn't get care for in her own State. When my colleagues and I first introduced the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act, anti-choice Republicans told us we were getting worked up over nothing. When we introduced and reintroduced it last year, anti-choice Republicans still told us we were overreaching. Anti-choice Republicans' main argument continues to be that it is just not necessary, that we are being hysterical, that we need to calm down. Lauren Miller and her husband weren't being hysterical. She and her healthy son are living proof that we need to protect a woman's right to travel across State lines for abortion care. My anti-choice colleagues can pretend this isn't happening right under their noses, but women across this country know the truth: Anti- choice politicians want to control women. They don't want women leaving the confines of their States with abortion bans, and they don't want us to have bodily autonomy. Well, I stand with the vast majority of Americans who believe that politicians have no say in a woman's healthcare decisions. Women like Lauren Miller deserve access to lifesaving care regardless of the State they live in. That is why we must pass the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act now. This is commonsense legislation to uphold a woman's constitutional right and freedom to interstate travel for healthcare. Mr. President, as if in legislative session and not withstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 2053, the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2023, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, 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. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, No. 1, let's be very clear: This legislation has nothing to do with shielding bad actors. And, No. 2, mifepristone is a safe and effective drug and has been for over 50 years. So for my colleagues who have been on this path to limit access to healthcare for women and to reproductive freedom rights, to claim and make this misinformation and these scare tactics, when they are not true, does not do right by women. Let me just say this. A majority of this country--including men, including Democrats, Republicans, nonpartisans--support the right of a woman to choose. That is what this is about: continuing to fight for those rights. A woman should have the freedom to access 21st century healthcare. Giving it to the States to make this decision is still giving it to elected officials to be in a room with women when they are making this decision. That is not the answer. But until we can overturn Dobbs, we need legislation that is going to protect women so they can access this 21st century medication when they need it and come to States like mine without the fear of being prosecuted, and the doctors need to be protected. That is what this is about, and it will always be about giving the freedom to women for their access to healthcare in this country. And I will tell you this. My colleagues and I will never stop fighting for this. It is too important for our children, our young girls, and their future. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

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

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep disappointment of what I just heard, unfortunately, from my Senate colleague from Nebraska, Senator Pete Ricketts, who blocked Senator Heinrich's and mine and Senator Collins' legislation--common sense-- that would save lives. And I am talking about S. 1909, which is the Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act, or what we are calling the BUMP Act. Now, it is shocking to me that my colleagues aren't willing to move forward on such an important issue. Bump stocks are deadly firearm accessories that turn semiautomatics guns into machineguns, which are illegal, allowing a shooter to fire multiple bullets per second. Now, my husband and I are gun owners. We don't need a bump stock. And I know any commonsense gun owner doesn't have a bump stock. What do you need it for? They are dangerous. They are incredibly deadly devices that have no place on our streets. And I will tell you what, I know firsthand the damage that bump stocks can do because, nearly 7 years ago, when I was a brandnew Senator and had just been elected, in 2017, Las Vegas, my hometown, experienced the deadliest mass shooting in American history because of bump stocks. On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in my hometown of Las Vegas. He had outfitted his weapons with bump stocks, allowing him to spray over 1,000 bullets into the crowd of concertgoers. And when I say ``sprayed,'' he was in a hotel room, knocked out the window--and it wasn't just a spray of bullets; it was raining down bullets on concertgoers below. It was intentional. In 10 minutes--10 minutes with that bump stock--he murdered 58 people. And 867 total people were wounded. Half of those people, 411, were wounded by gunshots, including 2 who later died as a result of their injuries. Think about that. Almost 470 people hit by bullets in under 10 minutes. Now, I want you to imagine the terror all of those families must have felt. Unfortunately, I don't have to imagine it because I experienced it. My niece was at that concert that night. And I know exactly where I was when I found out she was there; I know exactly where I was when I found out she was safe. And later on that evening, I went to the family reunification center and sat with those families who were waiting to hear from the coroner, who was in the back room, whether their loved one was in that back room. Now, I am thankful that my niece was not hit by one of those bullets. But too many were either killed or hit by bullets or suffered emotional distress because of it. I will never forget that night. I will never forget those families. It is heartbreaking. You could see their hopelessness in the room at the number of deaths and injuries being reported on TV as it continued to grow, waiting to hear. I have to explain this because too much happens here in Washington, DC, that we just think, Oh, this is a number, or, This happened in some other community. When I am talking about raining down bullets on concertgoers, think about this: As I talked to the doctors afterwards in the emergency rooms--the people that were injured, because it rained down, it came down on their heads. It came down on their body parts. It came down in devastating locations for people who actually survived that event but were wounded. Our hospitals were overrun. Nevadans, including me, we stood in line at blood banks for hours because there was such a need for blood in the hospitals for so many who had been injured. And as I have said, I talked to the doctors treating these injuries, and they described to me the scene that night was like a battlefield--a battlefield, the blood everywhere, the blood on the floor. The people who picked up bodies and took them to emergency rooms, they weren't literally ambulances that were picking these people up; these were concertgoers. These were people who grabbed people to save them, put them in their own vehicles, and took them to the closest hospital. That was what was happening that night because somebody had a bump stock, because somebody thought it was OK to outfit their guns with bump stocks so they could kill more people in rapid succession. Now, understanding this--because this happened October 2017. We had a new President at the time; President Trump was the President at the time. Former President Trump directed his administration to ban these bump stocks. And I tell you, President Trump came out to Las Vegas at that time. He saw. He heard. He banned the devices because he said: Legal weapons into illegal machine guns. That is what these bump stocks do: They turn ``legal weapons into illegal machine guns.'' Now, I believe the Supreme Court was wrong to overturn the Trump administration bump stock ban. But now that it has been struck down, it is on Congress to pass legislation to keep our community safe from these deadly devices. Now, the reason why we went through ATF and the Trump administration asked ATF was because that was the quickest way that we could do it administratively, the quickest way we could take action and keep people safe. Now, in the most recent decision, Justice Sam Alito said it himself in his concurring opinion in the case. He said it is within Congress's power to make this right. This is from his concurring opinion: The horrible shooting spree in Las Vegas in 2017 did not change the statutory text or its meaning. That event demonstrated that a semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock can have the same lethal effect as a machine gun. But an event that highlights the need to amend a law does not itself change the law's meaning. And Justice Alito went on to say: There is a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machine guns. Congress can amend the law--and perhaps would have done so already if ATF had stuck with its earlier interpretation. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act. So to my colleague from Nebraska, this is not a show vote. If you were here when I was here back then, we were trying to move as quickly as possible to get something done to save lives. First administratively, couldn't do it according to the Court now. I disagree with the Court; this is a machinegun. But the Court now has put it back, back really in our realm to do something about it. And I cannot imagine any one of my colleagues standing there saying they wouldn't want to do the right thing here to continue to save lives. I don't think they want to turn a blind eye to what happened in Las Vegas. I don't think they want to turn a blind eye to the 411 people that were shot at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, the 60 who were murdered by gunfire, and the thousands of families throughout our country whose lives have been tragically upended because of bump stocks. If we can't do something as Congress and come together in a bipartisan issue that not just Nevadans but people in this country understand, then that is disappointing and irresponsible, and it is negligent. It is negligent. So to my Republican colleagues, if you want to do something about this and you are not happy with the Bump Stock Act that Martin Heinrich just put forward, which I think addresses all of the issues, then let's figure out how we can get this done because it is our role now to do it. And we shouldn't stop working to right this wrong. I will tell you, I am going to keep pushing this bill to keep our communities safe. I am going to continue to work with anyone who wants to eradicate bump stocks from this country once and for all. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 735, which is at the desk.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4548 introduced earlier today.

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

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today because this Saturday marks the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA, as many know it. This policy has given hope to so many hard-working individuals who call America home. It has allowed children of immigrants who were brought here as kids to flourish, strengthen our economy, and remain in the only country they have ever really known. These are our children. When President Obama created DACA in 2012, it was a temporary solution focused on helping young people thrive. And with the establishment of DACA, we told them that if they stayed in school, they worked hard, and they contributed, we would help them stay here. That was a real promise that gave so much hope to thousands of amazing young people. Now, it has been 12 years, and DACA recipients have done what they promised to do. They have gone to college. They have become part of our workforce. They pay billions of dollars in taxes. And listen to this: 49 percent of the initial group of DACA recipients in 2012 are college educated. As of 2023, there are over 544,000 recipients in the United States. And 10,730 of them live in my home State of Nevada. But Dreamers aren't percentages and figures. They are people. I have had the honor of meeting many of them, and, let me tell you, these Nevadans make our State stronger. They are teachers. They are doctors, engineers, small business owners, and community leaders. And they have families. And they have spent the last 12 years holding up their end of the bargain, and it is past time for us to hold up ours. This has been especially urgent in recent years, when litigation challenging DACA and attacks on the program by former President Trump and his allies have caused turmoil for Dreamers in this country. By failing to pass legislation to permanently protect Dreamers and put them on a path to citizenship, we are failing to fulfill our promise to these individuals. We are leaving them behind. We know that their status in this country, their safety and stability in their homes could change soon because of lawsuits that are still making their way through the courts. Dreamers abide by our laws. They have worked hard for an education, and they contribute to their communities every single day. They have earned their place in our country and deserve the privilege, protection, and responsibility of citizenship. Now is the time to pass the Dream Act, to ensure that Dreamers can continue contributing to the only home they have ever known, without living in fear that their lives may be upended. But here is the deal. At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: My colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to step up, keep their word, and pass a permanent solution to Dreamers. Now, I wish I didn't have to stand here and give this speech. This is supposed to be a bipartisan issue that we can all get behind. The American people certainly feel that way. But we are running into the same issue over and over again. How many times have I stood right here on the Senate floor and told stories about the Dreamers I know in my State? And how many times have I called for the Dream Act to pass and pushed to give Dreamers the certainty that they deserve? I want to be honest with the Dreamers in my State and around the country. The reason we haven't passed that legislation in the Senate yet is because we need bipartisan support. And some Senate Republicans have said over and over that we need to fix DACA and protect Dreamers. So where are they now? They are turning their backs on people who are depending on them, because the reality is that far-right extremists are only interested in Dreamers when they can use them as political pawns. First--I remember this--some of my Republican colleagues said they needed to pair a solution for Dreamers with border security. I remember this because we had a real proposal to support border security and protect Dreamers in 2018. And then President Trump said: If you bring me that bipartisan bill, I will sign it into law. And what did he do? He didn't sign it. He changed his mind. And then my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said: Wait. Here is what we will do. If you work on border security--if you work on that first and you make some policy changes, then we are willing--then we are willing--to help Dreamers, and we will focus on that afterward. So just this year--we remember--we had a bipartisan legislation to secure our border that was actually endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council, and the immigration attorneys said it was a great first step. But what happened? Again, former President Trump requested that Senate Republicans tank the bill. And why? So that he could campaign on the chaos and not give a win to this Congress or this current administration. Well, I will tell you what. Like the Dreamers in my home State and across this country, I am frustrated. I am angry that politics are causing so many Dreamers across the country to put their lives on hold. It is unacceptable. That is not what this Congress--that is not what working with the White House--should be. We should be solving problems in this country, not using people and their families as political pawns. The time for stalling is over. It is time for my Republican colleagues to uphold their end of this deal and protect Dreamers, because while they tie themselves in knots and play all these political games, hundreds of thousands of lives are hanging in the balance. These aren't just statistics here in Washington. They are real people in our States, in our communities, with families, contributing to our economy and an essential part of our workforce. Enough is enough. Let's come together on this and work out a solution that is going to help Dreamers and continue to benefit this country. In 12 years--in 12 years--it is the least we can do for a generation of people who have given everything they have to the United States. I, for one, won't stop trying. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following my remarks.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 17; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Oler nomination; further, that the cloture motions filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memories of two incredible Nevadans who tragically passed away earlier this year. One is John Squire Drendel, and the other is Tom Rodriguez. These two men were dear friends of mine and fierce advocates for our communities in Nevada, and they will be sorely missed. So I would like to talk a little bit about them to all of you and to those who are listening as well. John Squire Drendel, whom you see right here--I want to celebrate the life of this good friend, not just to me but to so many throughout Nevada, whose 100th birthday I recognized right here in the Senate, just a few months ago. John dedicated his life to serving his fellow Nevadans and being a voice for those who had none, and, for 70 years, he shaped Nevada's legal community. On August 4, 1923, John was born in Carson Valley, NV, a beautiful rural community just south of Carson City. In the midst of the Great Depression, John left home to work on a nearby ranch and complete his studies at Douglas County High School. During his first semester at the University of Notre Dame, in the fall of 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor altered the trajectory of his life. John served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and as a commander of a landing craft tank in Pacific Islands. In 1945, when John was on leave from his Navy training, he came here to Washington, DC, where he met none other than President Harry Truman, as you see right here--you see him on the left--two inspiring men who spent their lives giving back to the community. And following the end of World War II, John took advantage of the education benefits provided in the GI bill to complete his undergraduate education, and he attended law school at the University of Colorado. After obtaining his law degree, John returned home to Nevada with his wife Marilyn to raise their four children and work as a Nevada highway patrolman. In 1950, John passed the Nevada bar exam and later partnered with William O. Bradley to form Bradley & Drendel, a premier personal injury firm in Northern Nevada. And, in 1957, in order to make their services more accessible to their clients, the two selected a converted garage in Reno, NV, to serve as their firm's office. Now, by 1970, John had solidified his reputation by representing a diesel mechanic from Ely, NV, who suffered from a debilitating injury while at work. John won the highest verdict awarded to a single plaintiff in the United States at that point in time, providing financial security for the mechanic and his family. And, today, his firm--that firm, Bradley & Drendel--continues to serve our community in Northern Nevada, and, currently, John's son Thomas is of counsel to the firm. Now, you have to know that John was deeply respected by so many in Nevada--by his peers in Nevada's legal community, as a founding member and former president of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and the Washoe County Bar Association. John was honored with countless accolades throughout the duration of his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, in the year 2001. John strived for excellence throughout his career. His professional accomplishments are surpassed only by the wonderful family and community that he built in the Silver State. He is survived by his children, Mary, John, and Thomas; their grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew, Anne, Clara, Nathaniel, Mary, and Matthew; and their four great-grandchildren. I am honored to recognize his incredible life on the Senate floor today. He was a dear friend and an incredible advocate for so many in Nevada, and I know not only will I, but many will miss him. And I am honored to be able to recognize him today with all of you.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I am thrilled to be joining Senators Markey, Hirono, Duckworth, and all of my colleagues today in support of the Right to Contraception Act. This month marks the second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which upended a woman's right to choose and paved the way for former President Trump and anti-choice politicians to further erode women's rights in this country. We knew these anti-choice Republicans wouldn't stop attacking reproductive rights after Roe fell. We knew they would keep trying to diminish our freedom to make decisions about our own bodies, including the right to attain and use birth control. You don't have to take my word for it. Look at what is happening in States across the country, as you heard from my colleagues. Even though the right to birth control has strong bipartisan support, anti-choice lawmakers are passing bills left and right to chip away at access to contraception. And listen to the leader of the Republican Party. Just 2 weeks ago, former President Trump said he was open to restricting women's right to contraception if he wins another term. For the anti-choice right, this is about controlling women. On the other hand, my fellow pro-choice colleagues and I believe in reproductive freedom. We are working every day to protect access to birth control and other basic forms of women's healthcare, and we are making real progress here. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved Opill, the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill. Once it was approved, Senators Murray, Hirono, and I, along with others, pushed the manufacturers to make sure that Opill is widely accessible without a prescription. It is now available online and in stores across the country. We are not alone in this fight. The Biden-Harris administration has worked hard to expand access to contraception and make it more affordable for American women. We have made important progress, and we have seen that the anti-choice movement won't stop coming after our reproductive rights. That is why we have to pass the Right to Contraception Act and protect access to birth control in every State across our country. We know that, despite dishonest efforts from anti-choice politicians to label it as dangerous, birth control is an essential part of healthcare. And for me, contraception was about my healthcare, as it is for millions of women in America. I will tell you what, to my female colleagues here, if a man were able to give birth, we would have universal healthcare by now. But we don't because they don't feel it; they don't see it. So they disregard it, and they disregard the impact to women and the essential care that we need when it comes to our bodily health. That is why this legislation is so important. It would protect the fundamental right to access essential healthcare. It would empower women in Nevada and across the country to make decisions about their own lives on their own terms. And it would make it clear to anti-choice candidates, like Donald Trump and his anti-choice followers, that messing with the right to contraception is not on the table. My colleagues here and I will never stop fighting to reinstate the rights anti-choice politicians have stripped away from millions of women, and we will fiercely--fiercely--defend the rights women still have, including access to birth control. That is why we are here today. I get asked quite often: What are you doing about it? This is it. There is a role for Congress to play, and we are doing it. But there is a role for everyone who cares about this issue--no matter your station in life--to do something about it, to advocate, to be a part of a solution or policy change in your State or in your local community. There is a role for everybody and a responsibility. This is about women's rights. This is about women's freedoms in this country, and that is worth fighting for. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I am here today to honor the life of Kurt Englehart, my senior adviser, a beloved Nevadan, friend, and family member who touched so many lives. We lost Kurt very suddenly in April, and his loss is felt deeply by everyone in our office, some of whom are in the Galleries today, in the communities he impacted, and individuals he met throughout the State of Nevada, including--and I so appreciate my colleague Senator Rosen being here and her staff as well. You could tell how beloved he was by the sheer volume of people who came to his funeral in Reno. Last month, there were Tribal leaders, law enforcement, farmers, ranchers, labor leaders, former coworkers, and Senate staffers, childhood friends and Nevadans from across the State who showed up to pay their respects. Kurt touched so many lives, and he was able to make even strangers feel as though he was a close friend. Here is a picture of him, a photo of him, right here. There was always a smile on his face. For the past 8 years, Kurt was an essential part of my team. He liked to call it Team CCM, not only because of his intimate knowledge of every community in northern Nevada, but because he had this contagious warmth that drew everyone in. You couldn't dislike Kurt if you tried. He had this way of attacking life that brought so much positivity and joy to both my campaign and my Senate offices. I got to personally experience Kurt's zest for life on our many tours around rural Nevada. Every August, I travel through the rural counties in my State, and every August, Kurt was with me. That was when I got to know him the best. On the road, in the middle of the desert, I learned so much about Kurt's passions--about what inspired him to be so active in the community to the things that he enjoyed doing when he wasn't at the office. One of the favorite things to talk about for Kurt was his deep enthusiasm for video games. Kurt loved his gaming community, and they all loved him. One of his friends who played World of Warcraft with him reminisced about how Kurt, in the game, played a healer, which meant he took care of the other players. His friend said: I would later learn that this was how he was in the real world. And that is exactly true. That is exactly how Kurt was in the real world, always making people feel at ease and extending a helping hand to those who needed it. In my Senate office, Kurt was a casework champion, addressing constituents' needs head on and working closely with Nevadans whose issues required special care and attention. Throughout his time in my office, Kurt worked on 638 cases. He was known by the Nevadans he worked with as a fierce advocate who knew how to get the job done for them. One casework story Kurt was particularly proud of--and I was as well--happened in 2019. Kurt reached out to a veteran named John, who was considering ending his own life because he couldn't afford his medical bills. John had been kicked off his insurance the day he experienced a massive health issue, leaving him with hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay out-of-pocket. Kurt found out about this when he talked with John. He worked with John's insurance company to make sure that they retroactively paid every penny of John's bill. Kurt actually saved John's life, and he was lucky to have Kurt as an advocate for him. That is just one example of Kurt's dedication to helping Nevadans in need. Whether he was working with the IRS to get people their tax refunds, advocating for the protection of sacred Tribal monuments, or resolving health benefit issues, Kurt gave each individual case his all. The Nevadans Kurt helped described him as going above and beyond to find solutions. Kurt made people feel heard, taking on the issues of complete strangers as if they were his own. And after the fact, he followed up with them to make sure they had everything they needed because that is who Kurt was. Public service came so naturally to him. He believed in the power of good government; that our democracy is truly for the people; that our work here in the Senate can change people's lives for the better, even if it is one person at a time. Kurt's determination to do the most good for the people of Nevada made him a giant all across the State and especially in our rural communities. Everyone from Reno to Elko, to our Tribal communities either knew Kurt personally or they knew of him. He drove from county to county talking with families, businessowners, farmers, ranchers, miners, Tribal leaders, and law enforcement about how our office could work with them and deliver for them. Democrats, Republicans, Independents--it did not matter--they all trusted Kurt to do the right thing by them, and he always did. Kurt was originally from Ohio, but he advocated for Nevadans so well that he truly became a Nevadan. He was the type of down-to-earth guy who could win over even those who staunchly disagreed with him. He showed up to every meeting fully prepared and well-informed, no matter the topic, and he was ready to have a productive conversation with anyone. And once Kurt made those connections, he maintained them. He got to know people on a deeper level and kept them in mind for future events he knew would interest them because he cared. He was so loved by his colleagues in all of our offices. My staff have described him as someone who ``charted his own path'' and ``always found a way.'' He was known for being a straight shooter whom everyone could depend upon to tell them exactly what he was thinking, even if it meant--and sometimes it did from Kurt--hearing the hard truth. When the work got intense--as it often does in Senate offices--Kurt would help his coworkers find the levity, even if he was just as frustrated as everyone else. If you knew anything about Kurt, you knew he loved his family above all else. His pride and joy was his son Ender. They shared a special bond in so many ways, particularly one, because like his father, Ender is a master video gamer as well as being an outstanding young man. Kurt cherished his family, and he talked about them endlessly: his mother Luann; his brother Matt; his girlfriend Siya; and Ender's mother Shaila. And he talked about Ender. I got a chance to know Ender growing from a young boy to a young teen. And I will tell you, Kurt's proudest moments were with his son, always wanting him to have every opportunity to take chances but not to be afraid to lean in and take those risks. The good, the bad, all of the above, his main goal was to ensure that his son Ender had every opportunity in life. Our office mourns this devastating loss, but we know Kurt will always be with us. This is actually Kurt on one of our coal trains in Ely, NV. It is one of the many examples of how Kurt spent his time getting around Nevada and talking to everyone who lived there. He lives on in the stories of the countless Nevadans he helped, and he lives on in the actions of those he inspired with his unwavering passion. And he lives on in the hearts of those of us who knew him the best. He will be dearly missed. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, today I rise to recognize the anniversary of a critical victim service provider in southern Nevada, Signs of HOPE. For 50 years, Signs of HOPE has provided essential resources and support to survivors of sexual exploitation and violence throughout the region. In 1974, Signs of HOPE was founded in Las Vegas under the name of Community Action Against Rape by Florence McClure and Sandra Petta. Ms. McClure originally operated the nonprofit out of her home with the goal of helping individuals impacted by sexual violence and trafficking to recover and heal. With this guiding purpose, Signs of HOPE has remained committed to ending sexual violence in the Las Vegas Valley for the last five decades. Signs of HOPE provides survivors and their loved ones with long-term advocates who assist them in managing and navigating every step of their recovery. The advocates also support victims with holistic, professional counseling resources. The organization also has made strides to eradicate human trafficking with their Resources and Integration for Survivor Empowerment-- R.I.S.E.--program. The R.I.S.E. program delivers crucial victim- centered services including assistance obtaining medical care, counseling, court accompaniment, relocation and safety planning, job training, coordination with law enforcement and legal assistance, and much more. Outside of their victim services, Signs of HOPE offers training and awareness programs to educate and empower the community to end sexual violence. Their work focuses on changing the behaviors and stigmas associated with sexual violence and trafficking throughout Clark County. Recently, under the leadership of CEO Kimberly Small, Signs of HOPE has partnered with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to assist victims when Las Vegas hosted the Super Bowl and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. With their 24/7 crisis hotlines and the R.I.S.E. program, Signs of HOPE identified human trafficking victims and is continuing to provide them with intensive services. The staff, volunteers, and partners of Signs of HOPE have worked tirelessly to serve southern Nevada. Without their dedication, many survivors would go unheard and unaided. I am proud of the work that Signs of HOPE has done for the past 50 years, and I look forward to their continued efforts and service for generations to come/ survivors.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, first of all, I want to start off by thanking my colleague Senator Duckworth for not only sharing her story of her wonderful family and beautiful two daughters--I have seen myself what an incredible mother they have, and they are fantastic girls. I also have to thank her for bringing forward this important legislation. Women across the country use IVF to start their own families. You are hearing that not only from Senator Duckworth. I have heard it from so many people in Nevada and really across the country. They make that choice in consultation with their partners, their families, and their doctors, not a government official--not a government official. There is no logical reason to deny women that right, and yet, after Roe v. Wade fell, we could see from a mile away that IVF was in danger. Senator Duckworth was one of the first to come forward in recognizing that, and that is why her legislation is so important. Why? Because attacking IVF was yet another chance for anti-choice Republicans to erode women's rights in this country. They have introduced a Federal abortion ban that would supersede State laws. They have stacked the courts with anti-choice judges. They have limited funding to women's healthcare, and they have repeatedly ignored the very science behind reproductive healthcare in order to push their agenda. We knew this was coming. In fact, we tried to do something about it a year ago. After Roe was overturned, not only did Senator Duckworth come to the floor with her legislation, but we have introduced numerous legislation on this floor to protect women's rights. And every single time, unfortunately, one of our Republican colleagues comes forward to object, without any explanation, but continuing to really erode women's rights in this country. And I have to say, these extreme GOP colleagues of ours claim to be pro-life. They claim to champion family planning. But, really, when it comes down to it, they don't support it. You just have to be in our communities and listen to the women and their families, and you understand that. The difference this time around is that the Alabama Supreme Court is actually calling their bluff. The threat to IVF is no longer this hypothetical. In response to the ruling--and I believe it is an extreme ruling from this judge. But in response to this ruling, clinics--some clinics in Alabama--have halted IVF procedures. They have halted them. I have seen heartbreaking stories of Alabama families who are being forced to put their dreams of starting a family on hold, and I am here to tell you: It will not stop with Alabama. The consequences of this ruling are that not only will it close some of those clinics in Alabama that we have heard about, but it will have a chilling impact nationally. It is one thing to have the legislation that bans it outright, but the chilling impact is another barrier. And you don't have to be from a State like Nevada. It is a pro-choice State. Listen, if you are threatening women, if you are threatening their families, if you are threatening doctors who want to help these women, that has a chilling effect even in Nevada--even in Nevada. These extreme GOP politicians are seeing this, quite frankly, and I am watching them, and they are suddenly stuck. They have to decide whether to agree with this judge's anti-choice decision or to concede that women should be allowed this basic right to choose if, when, and how to become a parent. Suddenly, they have to decide just how far they are willing to go in their crusade to control women. Having a child through IVF is a wonderful thing. It is not a crime, and it should not be punished. Our anti-choice Republican colleagues, they know this. Yet they have once again refused to do the right thing for American families by supporting protections for accessing IVF. And let me just finally say that their hypocrisy is on full display, and America is watching. You don't have to believe me. Just listen to the American public. Across this country, a majority--a majority--and I don't care if it is women I hear from. It is their loved ones. It is men. I don't care what party you are. I don't care if you are Democrat, Republican, nonpartisan. A majority of Americans want women to have this right to choose. They want them to have this ability. They believe in having families. They believe in IVF. They believe in women's reproductive rights. And, most importantly, what some of our Republican colleagues are doing is inhibiting and limiting women's access to 21st century healthcare. That is what this is about. Why should we deny women the right to access 21st century healthcare if it is going to save their lives, if it is going to help them have families? What is wrong with that at the end of the day? So I have to thank Senator Duckworth. And it is unfortunate that we had an objection to her legislation that is so needed, unfortunately, in this day and age, but it is. That is where we are today: fighting for women's rights, fighting across this country. And, finally, my only other question to my colleagues is: I trust women to make this decision. Why don't they? I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Reserving my right to object, Republicans had a chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Reserving my right to object. Republicans had a chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, reserving my right to object, MAGA Republicans had their chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the life of Harvey James Munford, an exemplary Nevadan that served his State as an educator and coach for 36 years and as an elected State assemblyman for over a decade. Mr. Munford peacefully passed away at the age of 83 on October 26, 2023, at his Las Vegas, NV, home. Mr. Munford led a remarkable life with many professional and personal achievements. As the first African American to attend Montana State University Billings, Mr. Munford showed exceptional courage while paving the way for other African Americans to follow in his footsteps. Mr. Munford attended college on a basketball scholarship, but he never neglected his studies and earned a bachelor's degree in biology and physical education. He went on to earn a master's degree in political science and guidance and counseling, also at MSU Billings. In 1994, Mr. Munford was honored with an induction into the MSU Billings Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Munford's athletic talent extended far beyond college, as he played professional basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers and was drafted for professional football by the Los Angeles Rams. However, Mr. Munford's passion for education caused him to relocate to Las Vegas, where he served as an educator for the Clark County School District, College of Southern Nevada, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During his decades-long career in the Clark County School District, Mr. Munford had the opportunity to accompany over 200 students to Washington, DC, to explore the Nation's Capital and experience firsthand how the Federal Government works. After officially retiring as an educator, Mr. Munford became a public servant and was an elected State assemblyman for Clark County District 6, where he served from 2004 to 2016. During his time as a legislator, Mr. Munford was a passionate civil rights and education advocate. He helped pass numerous bills, including multicultural education and the passage of Juneteenth as an official holiday in the State of Nevada. It is evident Mr. Munford's work in the State assembly was guided by his desire to have a positive lasting impact on the lives of all Nevadans. Beyond Mr. Munford's extensive professional achievements, he was a dedicated family man. Mr. Munford was married to his wife Viviana for 29 years and had five children and stepchildren, in addition to 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Munford was also a talented organist and equine trainer, and he enjoyed watching old Western movies, historical documentaries, and sports. Mr. Munford was a husband, father, grandfather, educator, civil servant, civil rights activist, athlete, and Nevadan. Mr. Munford left a positive lasting impact on the lives of many Nevadans, and I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Mr. Munford for his significant impact in the State. I celebrate Mr. Munford's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and the important place this institution occupies in our great State. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada serves the northern Nevada region through a network of over 150 organizations dedicated to helping families in need. In their 40 years, they have grown from a small pantry serving their community, to a large regional leader in the fight against food insecurity. In 2022, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provided over 19 million meals. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a proud member of the Feeding America network, which includes more than 200 food banks nationwide. Their collaborative and innovative solutions to addressing food insecurity in northern Nevada are vital to the health of communities across our State. The Food Bank delivers tens of millions of nutritious meals to families annually. Every month, they serve over 140,000 people through their support of an extensive network of community pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and specialized programs for children and seniors. As we see record-setting numbers of families in need of food assistance, the Food Bank continues to play a vital role in serving our great State. Food insecurity affects our entire community. Food insecure children can struggle to achieve their potential in school, and seniors are too often faced with having to choose between medical care and putting food on the table. Among the Food Bank of Northern Nevada's clients, 58 percent are over age 50, and another 37 percent are under age 18. We recognize the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for continuing to innovate with their prescription pantry program, connecting families with Federal nutrition programs like SNAP and bringing healthy fruits and vegetables to families and seniors in the neighborhoods where they live. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada could not tackle the important task of working to end hunger without the support of countless Nevadans. Volunteers are at the heart of the organization from those who donate and sort food at the distribution center, to the many businesses and individuals whose donations ensure there is always food available to those who need it. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for 40 years of tireless commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of our community and helping working families live healthy lives. I know the Food Bank of Northern Nevada will continue to advocate for families and deliver nutritious food to many throughout northern Nevada.