Catherine Cortez Masto

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Madam President, I rise today, along with my colleagues, because, as the President pro tempore has heard, we have a childcare crisis in this country. Families can't afford it; employers don't have the funds to subsidize it; and providers can't pay their workers. In my home State of Nevada, it can cost more to send your kids to childcare than it does to send them to college. It is just outrageous, and we have to do something about it. One of the many consequences of this crisis is that some parents who can't afford childcare have to stay home with their kids instead of reentering the workforce. I hear this all the time in Nevada. Nearly 39 percent of women with children younger than 5 years old have quit their jobs in the last 3 years. Over 90 percent of those women willingly decided to leave their jobs and stop earning an income, not because they were laid off or had their hours cut back but because they needed to stay home with their children because they lacked the resources for childcare in this country to afford it. It is hurting our families. It is hurting our children and our economy, quite frankly. We must expand access to childcare now. We took steps to lower childcare costs for families when we passed the American Rescue Plan. That funding has made a difference for families across the country. In Nevada, that means families of four that make up to $70,000 a year are getting help covering their childcare costs. It means all copays for childcare programs have been waived. It means that thousands of families across my State have been able to breathe easier knowing that they won't have to choose between groceries and their kids' tuitions. A perfect example is Christine McNally, who lives in Northern Nevada, in Reno. She works with these families every day at her two childcare centers in Northern Nevada. She told me about a single mom she works with who has three kids. Now, before the American Rescue Plan passed that lowered childcare costs, this mother was paying $120 per week in copays. That is $120 per week. Not having to cover the cost of these copays anymore has been huge for her and her family. It has helped alleviate so much financial pressure. Now she can pay her electric bills without having to worry about covering other costs, including childcare. The problem is, as we have heard from our colleagues, this legislation expired this year, and, unfortunately, we don't have all of our colleagues who want to continue to support this. What I am hearing from some really far-right Republicans is a refusal to work with us to extend this program, and that is going to be devastating for so many families across the country, including in Nevada, including Christine's families whom she works with. Thousands of them are going to see skyrocketing costs next year. Parents who have no one else to look after their children will face impossible choices, and many will choose to leave the workforce so that they can care for their kids themselves. Providers won't be able to continue to pay their staffs, forcing many to look for employment elsewhere, and childcare programs across the country will shut down. Families will have to stay on longer waiting lists for even more time to access the remaining programs. We just cannot let that happen. Childcare is critical for our families. This isn't a partisan issue; this is about helping working families across the country. This is what they want. This is what I hear in my State. This is what I hear across the country. We have to pass the Child Care Stabilization Act now to protect it and to protect our families. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Pete Goicoechea for a lifetime of service to Nevada and to congratulate him on his induction into the Nevada Cattlemen's Association Hall of Honor. Pete may have been born in Salt Lake City, UT, but he came into his own in Nevada--Eureka to be specific. After attending school in White Pine County and graduating from Eureka High School, he returned to Utah to get a degree from Utah State University and married his wife Gladys ``Glady'' Goicoechea in 1972. Pete's service to Nevada spans the better part of four decades, but before his public life, Pete's primary commitment was to take care of his family and their ranch in Diamond Valley. The family still owns the ranch--Pete runs it with his son, J.J.--and his children and grandchildren are still the center of Pete's life. Pete was a leader in Eureka from the beginning as a volunteer firefighter and director of the Eureka County High School Rodeo Club. In 1987, he ran for Eureka County Commissioner, a seat he won and held for 16 years, serving 14 years as chairman. In 2002, he was encouraged to run for the Nevada Legislature and won a seat in the State assembly, where he would serve for 12 years. He moved on to the Nevada State Senate, and when his current term ends, he will term out after serving for 24 years in the Nevada State Legislature. During his time as a State legislator, Pete was a powerful voice for rural Nevada and the unique needs of the communities and constituents he served. He has always employed a collaborative approach, working with people from all corners of the State and all walks of life towards common goals. Pete has remained committed to working across the aisle for the benefit of Nevadans. Pete filled many roles during his time in the State legislature, including that of chair of the senate committee on government affairs, member of the cowboy caucus, and of the senate committee on finance and governance. He was perhaps most well-known as a long-serving member of the natural resources committee and the public lands committee in every session that he served, utilizing his expertise and experience as a rancher. He has been a strong advocate for the agriculture and mining industries that are the lifeblood of Nevada's rural economies. His tireless dedication to working with his colleagues to address these issues has been lauded by all who have been fortunate enough to work with him. Congratulations to Pete Goicoechea on a lifetime of achievement and service. Nevadans across the State owe you their gratitude.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School and the important place this school occupies in our great State's history. The Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School exists because parents wanted to provide their children with the best education possible and help them take pride in their heritage. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe came together in 1973 to create their own school, founded on the principle of self-determination, to better oversee their children's instruction, and preserve their culture. And the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School has continued that legacy ever since. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe is located in the Railroad Valley of central Nevada near the Big Warm Spring, one of the largest geothermal hot springs in the State. Taking their children's education into their own hands, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe formed an education committee, which became the Duckwater Shoshone School Board, on July 26, 1973. The parents and community of the Duckwater Shoshone were committed to their children receiving every opportunity, no matter who they were or where they lived and worked hard to establish their own school. This commitment is reflected in a statement hanging on the main hallway of the school: ``The mission of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School is to provide a learning environment that promotes individual student success and develops lifelong learners.'' On November 26, 1973, the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School opened its doors. The school remains a centerpiece of the Tribe's efforts to support its families and stands as a testament to the value the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe places on supporting future generations. On the wall of the school, there hangs an accounting of the school's formation written in longhand by former Duckwater chairman Paul Walker, and it reads in part: ``What is hard to convey is the determination and work of a whole rural Indian Community to see that their children receive a better education than they obtained and to witness a general betterment of our people.'' I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School for 50 years of service to the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe and surrounding communities and the important role the school plays in educating children and preserving traditions.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Cookie Bible, an extraordinary Nevadan who touched the lives of countless women and families in her adopted State. She passed peacefully in Reno, NV, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the age of 77. LaVerne Jo ``Cookie'' McManus was born in San Francisco; on July 30, 1945, and grew up under her grandmother's care to become widely known as a strong advocate for women's health. Cookie was a fourth-generation San Franciscan; however, she was proud to be a ``true blue'' Nevadan. She fell in love with the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe where she met and married into the family of U.S. Senator Alan Bible and was a resident of Zephyr Cove ever since. Her neighbors affectionately called her ``Mayor of the Cove.'' Following graduation from Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor of science in nursing in 1971, Cookie became a certified Nurses Association of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Nurse Practitioner in OB/GYN in 1980. She rose to State and national prominence, serving on the Nevada Board of Nursing, as well as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in leadership positions. In 2003, she received the Exceptional Leadership Award from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, where she chaired the nurse practice, education, and regulatory and nominating committees. Cookie was the lead nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte region for nearly 20 years. She served as an adjunct faculty member for Orvis School of Nursing and held contracts with both the State of Nevada and Washoe County Health Department. She was in private women's healthcare practice from 2004-2017. She was also a founding member of Douglas County Council for Abused Women and the Nevada Women's Fund. In addition, Cookie dedicated much of her life to Girl Scouts--12 years as a girl and 56 years as a Girl Scout adult. She was a past president of the Sierra Nevada region of Girl Scouts of America. She continued to buy cartons of Girl Scout cookies to share with charities and dinner guests. Seeing patients from ages 14 to 80-plus years old was her professional passion, in addition to teaching and training at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College and lecturing before various groups. With a second home in Boulder City, Cookie was a dedicated women's care provider for Volunteers in Medicine in southern Nevada. Cookie was a member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church for more than 30 years, serving in leadership positions, as well as greeting guests and parishioners in the historic lakeside church on the grounds of Camp Galilee at Glenbrook, Lake Tahoe. A world traveler, Cookie enjoyed great adventures from China to Italy to the Galapagos Islands. But she loved Nevada best. She was happiest hiking on trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her dog Zephyr, spending time on the beach, and gathering her family and friends for barbecues in her backyard. At every opportunity, Cookie demonstrated her strong commitment to the women of Nevada. I know that her work, advocacy, and dedication to women's health will not be forgotten. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Cookie for her significant impact in Nevada. I celebrate Cookie's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Arlan D. Melendez, Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. Arlan Melendez, who has been Chair of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony for over 30 years--one of the longest-serving Tribal Chairs in the country--is no stranger to public service. He has spent his life devoted to causes bigger than himself. His service to his country, his State, and his people deserves to be recognized. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Chairman Melendez in advancing Tribal priorities, and his leadership and partnership will be missed. Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Chairman Melendez began his career of service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. After serving his country, Chairman Melendez took up leadership positions within his Tribal community. First elected to the Tribal Council in 1987, Melendez served as treasurer and vice-chairman before being elected Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in 1991. Under Chairman Melendez's leadership, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has partnered with the State of Nevada, Washoe County, the cities of Reno and Sparks, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expand the Colony's total land base to over 2,000 acres. In his over 30 years as Tribal Chairman, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has thrived and proven to be an economic force in Northern Nevada. Additionally, Chairman Melendez has served on the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, including as president, helping to support the 28 Tribal communities in Nevada. Chairman Melendez's work has spread far beyond the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Nevada. In 2005, he was appointed to a 6-year term on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. There, he worked to further the Commission's mission to champion the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement of Federal civil rights laws. Chairman Melendez has also been active in the National Congress of American Indians--NCAI--an organization dedicated to serving the broad interests of Tribal governments and communities across this country. At NCAI, he served as the western region vice president and chaired the taxation subcommittee. Chairman Melendez has distinguished himself as a member of the Leadership Council for the Center for Indian County Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where he contributes to strategies for building stronger Indian Country economies. Chairman Melendez also served on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory Committee advocating for better access to healthcare for Tribal communities and played an important role supporting Indian Country through the pandemic. Additionally, the Chairman has received awards for his lifetime of achievements from the Native American Finance Officers Association and the National Indian Health Service. As Chairman Melendez retires, it is important that we call attention to his distinguished career of public service. The communities that he touched in Nevada and around the country are better for his leadership, hard work, and dedication.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the incredible talent and achievements of Las Vegas High School's Mariachi Joya. One of the top ensembles in one of the largest mariachi programs in the United States, Mariachi Joya brings music, joy, community, and culture to southern Nevada. I am proud to host them in our Nation's Capital in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Launching in 2018, Mariachi Joya is one of the newest mariachi programs in Clark County, but that hasn't prevented these talented students from becoming a premier ensemble. Over 250 students at Las Vegas High School participate in the school's mariachi program, and many audition for Mariachi Joya, which takes 20 young artists each year. These students, playing the guitarron, violins, and trumpets, have quickly made Mariachi Joya the top ensemble group representing the school. Mariachi Joya's skyrocketing fame has taken them around Las Vegas and throughout the country. The students perform locally at homecoming assemblies, sports games, Mexican Independence Day celebrations, and even at national conferences in Las Vegas. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, Mariachi Joya came to Washington, DC, to perform for the Mexican Embassy. The group made their State proud when they performed virtually at President Joe Biden's 2021 inauguration. Despite not being able to meet in-person during the pandemic, Mariachi Joya continued to rehearse and perform together. They recorded and produced an album virtually, ``Joya,'' which has nine tracks, including one original song. Director Stephen Blanco leads Mariachi Joya and is wholeheartedly dedicated to his students. Mr. Blanco moved from Michigan to Nevada in order to start Las Vegas High School's mariachi program. He has developed an incredible program and was a semifinalist for the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award. Mariachi Joya highlights the vibrant Latino history and culture in southern Nevada. It brings the Latino community together as it spreads the beauty of its music. Most importantly, it has an impact on the students who participate. It is giving kids a support system, turning them into model students, and it boasts an impressive 100 percent graduation rate. I am so honored to recognize this incredible program, its brilliant students, and its contributions to the Latino community. I look forward to seeing Mariachi Joya continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, like so many this morning, I rise to mourn the loss of a true champion in the U.S. Senate. Dianne was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people that I had the pleasure to know. When I first got to the Senate--and I have heard some of my colleagues this morning talk about as new Senators--she was so gracious. As a new Senator, she would invite me to dinner with colleagues, and she was such a lady and so professional and so elegant. Every time you went to dinner with Dianne, you can be guaranteed that she would have a little set of flowers for you at your place at the restaurant. And then she would have a little parting gift for you, whether it was a little coin purse or something to show just truly who she was. And I heard this morning from my colleagues, similarly, the stories of Dianne's kindness and her respect for others. She was a fighter her whole life, leading on so many important issues. In the coming days and weeks and months and years, as people around the world really honor Dianne's memory, many will speak to her leadership--and rightfully so--on women's rights and foreign affairs. But I want to take the time to highlight a place where Dianne did so much. And most people don't know, unless you are a part of Team Tahoe, Dianne loved Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a beautiful, pristine Alpine lake that both Nevada and California share. In 1997, Dianne and then- Senator Harry Reid got together and passed legislation to protect this pristine lake. And since that time, once a year, Dianne has been instrumental in bringing people around the lake together to address the needs for Lake Tahoe. That was all Dianne. So when I first got to the Senate in 1997, one of the first things we talked about, she pulled me aside and said: We are going to have the Tahoe Summit this year. I hope you are there, and I hope you will be there always to support Tahoe. And I said: Dianne, I grew up around this lake. The first time I was there was when I was 18 years old. My mother grew up around this lake. We love Lake Tahoe in Nevada, and you can guarantee that I will always be there for it. And if you sat and talked to Dianne, the first thing you will hear her talk about in Lake Tahoe are her memories--her memories of riding her bike as a young girl around the lake. Her memories of times when she was there with her family, having the opportunity to enjoy incredible Lake Tahoe. So I couldn't pass this day without recognizing, of course, all the incredible things Dianne has done; but what most people don't know, unless you are a part of Nevada and California, is the hard work that she has done around this lake for the people who live there, for the people who cherish this lake, for the tourists that come here every single day. And it is not just the work that she has done here in the Senate. This was 2017. This was the first opportunity that I had as a young Senator to join Dianne. And as you can see, Dianne was hosting it that summer, the Lake Tahoe Summit. But Dianne had this ability not only to have this summit once a year to talk about how we protect this lake, but she brought together incredible stakeholders and experts around the lake--people who live there, people who worked in our State--to address not just the quality of the lake and the pristineness to protect it, but everything else around it from the transportation side to the wildfires that were happening to the environment. And she had a luncheon, a regular luncheon after the Tahoe Summit to talk about how we continue that work together. And because of Dianne's prestige, she had the ability to bring incredible speakers to the Tahoe Summit once a year. First, President Clinton; then one time, President Obama; and just recently, we had our former Speaker, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi speaking. We had one of our incredible Senators, chairwoman of Energy and Natural Resources at the time, Lisa Murkowski. It was about how we work across party lines to really focus on protecting, for everyone who wants to enjoy this, Lake Tahoe. She was a true champion, and she will be missed. On behalf of Team Tahoe, which is what she coined it--Dianne never took credit for anything she did around this lake. Even though people wanted to recognize her and show that support, she never took the credit. She said: This is about a team. This is Team Tahoe. This is what we do together. This is how we work together. This is the legacy of her work in the U.S. Senate, carried forward right here in Lake Tahoe. So, to Dianne, to her family--her incredible family--and to everyone on Team Tahoe, we will miss Dianne Feinstein. She will always be a part of the work we do. Her legacy will live on not just around Tahoe but in so many other areas as we have talked about today. I am going to miss her. I am going to miss the opportunity to sit with her at lunch and talk about what we still need to do to fight to protect this incredible, pristine lake. Thank you, Dianne, for your service. With that, I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to display this poster on the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize an anniversary. Typically, people think of anniversaries as a happy time. Unfortunately, this is one of those anniversaries that we in Las Vegas and Nevada and many across this country and around the world look at as one of the worst tragedies that we have experienced in this country. Six years ago, my hometown of Las Vegas experienced the worst mass shooting in modern American history. One gunman took the lives of 58 people that night; 2 more died later from their injuries; and thousands of families will never be the same. On October 1, 2017, at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, tens of thousands of people were listening to music; they were dancing; and they were enjoying the festivities. That was until the gunfire started. In a matter of minutes, the gunman fired over 1,000 bullets into the crowd, leaving 58 dead and hundreds wounded. Two more concertgoers died from their injuries in the aftermath. The shock, the horror, the pain all come flooding back even now. I will never forget sitting with families at the reunification center in Las Vegas that day after, praying that, along with the families, they would hear good news for their lost loved ones. But not all of them did. Too many lives were taken that night and far too soon. If not for the heroes of that day who put their lives on the line to save others, even more lives would have been lost. One of those heroes was Erick Silva. Erick was from Las Vegas. He attended Las Vegas High School--by the way, the same high school that my parents attended--and after he graduated, he planned to become a police officer. In August 2017, he celebrated his 21st birthday. He would never celebrate another. Less than 2 months later, on October 1, Erick was working as a security guard at the festival. When the gunfire started, Erick ran into the crowd. He did not run away. He ran into the crowd to help, boosting concert-goers over barricades so they could exit the rain of bullets that was coming down. And in that effort to save lives, Erick lost his. He gave his life while saving others. I remember speaking with Erick's mother, Angelica, at his funeral. Of course, her whole world had been turned upside down, but she knew that her son had died a hero. Erick would have been 27 this year, and, every year, Angelica celebrates her son's birthday with friends and family to remember Erick's life and honor his memory. His mother is making sure that her son and his heroism are never forgotten, and I can promise you we will never forget. We will never forget Erick and the 59 others who lost their lives to senseless gun violence that night and in this country. We will never forget all of those people who put other people's lives, really, over their own that day. We will never forget the hundreds of concert-goers who are still dealing with those injuries and the thousands who are still coping with the trauma from the terror they witnessed that night. We will never forget the first responders, the healthcare workers, and the everyday Nevadans who dropped everything to help save lives in the aftermath because, even in our darkest hour, we are Vegas Strong; we are resilient; and together we will work to make sure this kind of tragedy never happens again. In Nevada, we have taken action to do that by passing comprehensive background checks and red flag laws as well as banning the bump stocks used in the Route 91 shooting. Now, that is at the State level. We can do more. We can do that for the country as a whole if Congress is willing to work together. We can pass our bipartisan bill to outlaw bump stocks that turn guns into high-capacity killing machines. These devices aren't used for recreation. They are only used to commit mass violence. Let's get rid of them. In working together in Congress, we can pass comprehensive background checks to make sure the criminals can't exploit loopholes to buy dangerous weapons. The vast majority of Americans supports this. I am proud of the work that we have done to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year. That was historic legislation to curb gun violence and fund mental health programs. We did that working together across the aisle. So we can and we must do more. We owe it to Erick, to his family, to the families of the fallen, and to Americans across the country. So let's come together in a bipartisan way and put action behind those words ``never forget.'' Until we do, we are at risk of history repeating itself. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the legacy of McAvoy Layne. Mr. Layne has dedicated 35 years of his life to promoting art and literature to audiences across Nevada. After more than 4,000 performances as one of the premier Mark Twain impersonators, Mr. Layne will share his legendary charm with audiences for one last time at Piper's Opera House, in historic Virginia City, NV, on September 30, 2023. As a lifelong Nevadan, I always appreciate our State's history and those who tell and preserve it. Samuel Langhorne Clemens became Mark Twain while residing in Nevada between the years 1861 and 1864. It was in this 3-year span that Mark Twain's career set off, writing for ``Territorial Enterprise'' in Virginia City and inspiring the novel ``Roughing It,'' which helped introduce Nevada to the world. McAvoy Layne moved to Tahoe's North Shore 40 years ago when he was offered a job at Diamond Peak Ski Resort. He has lived there ever since, and it was there he discovered his calling to impersonate and educate people about one of America's best-known authors, Mark Twain. Mr. Layne began his career as a Twain impersonator at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City, NV, performing two shows a day, 6 days a week in the summer of 1988. Over the years, he specialized in school programs, visiting schools across the United States, Europe, and Russia. He would sometimes visit 10 schools a week, performing for students of all ages. Countless Nevadans can recall stories of Mr. Layne visiting their school as Mark Twain. Highlights of Mr. Layne's career include winning the Nevada Award for Excellence in School and Library Service, playing the ghost of Samuel Clemens in the Biography Channel's episode on Mark Twain, and participating in the Discovery Channel's Cronkite Award-winning documentary, ``Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'' Mr. Layne is not just an actor but a writer, educator, storyteller, and a Nevada icon. September 30 will mark the end of an era as he takes the stage one last time in the place where it all began. It is important to ensure future generations understand Nevada's history, and I would like to thank Mr. Layne for his service in educating us about the legendary Samuel Clemens.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the centennial celebration of the Historic Westside School in Las Vegas, NV. This school holds a special place in the history of Las Vegas and is a symbol of resilience, education, and strength in this community. The Historic Westside School's story began in 1923 when it opened its doors as the Las Vegas Grammar School No. 1, consisting of just two rooms. Over the years, this unassuming structure played a significant role in the history of Las Vegas, particularly in the city's Black community. Initially established to serve local Paiute children, the school's purpose evolved as the Black American population in Las Vegas grew substantially. With the opening of the Gunnery Range, known today as Nellis Air Force Base, and the construction of the Hoover Dam, the population of Las Vegas expanded dramatically. During this period, the school primarily educated Black children, reflecting the changing demographics of the city. It is important to acknowledge the discrimination and persecution the Black community suffered during this era. In a stark reminder of the racial prejudice that stained our Nation, the city of Las Vegas forced Black families to move to the Westside and refused to allow the renewal of Black-owned business licenses unless they relocated. Despite this, the Westside School became a symbol of hope and perseverance for the Black community as it provided education and opportunity. As the city of Las Vegas eventually moved towards desegregation, the school was closed. However, in 1979, the significance of the Historic Westside School was formally recognized when it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This designation highlighted the school's historical importance and its role in shaping the local community and preserving the heritage of the Westside of Las Vegas. In 2015, the city of Las Vegas, with the assistance of Federal funds, embarked on a commendable effort to restore this historic landmark. Today, the Historic Westside School has been transformed into a vibrant community center, home to KCEP-FM and the Economic Opportunity Board, and a hub for various charitable foundations. It is a testament to the resilience of our community and the commitment to preserving our history. As we celebrate the centennial of the Historic Westside School, let us reflect on the enduring legacy of this institution and its importance in shaping the history of Las Vegas. It serves as a reminder of the progress we have made in the fight for equality and the importance of preserving our history, no matter how challenging the chapters may be. I commend the city of Las Vegas and the Historic Westside School Alumni Association for their dedication to preserving the memory of this historic school and for organizing the centennial celebration. It truly is an opportunity for our community to come together, learn from our past, and work toward a brighter future where equality and opportunity are accessible to all.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, there are over 578,000 Nevadans across my State enrolled in Medicare, and their hard-earned Medicare benefits provide coverage for their healthcare expenses. The problem is, when I travel around my State and I speak to Senators, the No. 1 thing that I hear about is how difficult it is to afford the prescription drugs that they need. Let me give you an example. Sue Bird and her husband Tom, they live in rural Nevada in Fernley, NV. Tom has diabetes; and even though they are both on Medicare, covering all their healthcare expenses costs them nearly $1,000 a month. That can be a crushing amount for two retirees on a fixed income. The stress of Tom's diabetes alone affects his blood sugar, but add in the worry over the price of their medication, their dental and vision and other healthcare costs, and it becomes almost too much to handle for them. So why are Tom and Sue's medications so expensive? I will tell you why, and you have heard it from my colleagues over and over this afternoon: Because, year after year, Big Pharma has decided that they need to jack up prescription drug prices. All the while, their executives are raking in millions of dollars in profits. These pharmaceutical companies are driving higher prices. They are forcing millions of older Americans to pay more in premiums and out-of- pocket costs. Our seniors made this country what it is today. Tom is a fourth- generation Nevadan. We really have a duty to ensure quality affordable healthcare for people like Tom and Sue and seniors across the country when they retire. That is exactly what Democrats did when we passed the Inflation Reduction Act. We capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for people with Medicare. We made vaccines free to seniors, and we are holding drug companies accountable for raising the prices faster than the rate of inflation. Now you are hearing, in a major victory that has been decades in the making, that we finally gave Medicare the green light to negotiate lower prescription drug prices directly with Big Pharma. This is going to make a huge difference for Nevadans and for Americans across the country. The Biden administration just selected the first 10 drugs for price negotiations under Medicare Part D. These are widely used medications. About 10 million people with Medicare take one or more of these drugs each year to treat serious conditions like diabetes, heart failure, blood clots, and cancer, and they are extremely expensive. Medicare enrollees taking any of these 10 medications paid a total of $3.4 billion out of pocket in 2022. For his diabetes, Tom Bird takes Jardiance, one of 10 drugs on the list. This month, he paid about $466 for it. Now, these 10 drugs cost Medicare over $50 billion last year alone. That is outrageous. Think about where that money is going. Think about where it is going. How much money is enough for these Big Pharma companies? But do you know what? The fact that Democrats fought to ensure that Medicare can negotiate directly with drug companies is going to change all that. It will give seniors a fair deal. It will lower healthcare costs, and it will also cut back on Federal spending by $25 billion. That is $25 billion that we are saving taxpayers across the country. And this is just the beginning. Each year, more medications will be added to the negotiation list, allowing Medicare to keep bringing down prescription drug costs and saving more taxpayer dollars. And I will tell you what, our seniors across this country, like Tom and Sue, who helped build our country and make it what it is today, will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. This is all thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which continues to benefit Nevadans and Americans across the country. I am proud of the work that we all did when we passed this legislation. I am proud of the Biden-Harris administration for not only supporting the passage of it and working to get this done but also the implementation. I can tell you that I know my colleagues and I are going to make sure and keep working to ensure that seniors across this country, whether they are in Nevada or across this country, see lower healthcare costs, because every senior should be able to retire with dignity. They have worked for it. They have worked hard to make that happen, and we should at least make sure that we are lowering those costs to help them. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 100th birthday of my dear friend John Squire Drendel. John dedicated his life to advocating on behalf of his clients and serving the people of Nevada. For 70 years, John shaped Nevada's legal community, and I am proud to join his family and friends in celebrating this significant milestone. 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 the Pacific Islands of Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Following the end of World War II, John took advantage of the education benefits provided in the G.I. Bill to complete his undergraduate education and attend 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. 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. 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 U.S. at that point in time, providing financial security for the mechanic and his family. This firm continues to serve the community with a third generation of attorneys. Currently, John's son Thomas is of counsel to the firm. John is deeply respected by his peers and remains active 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 has been honored with countless accolades throughout the duration of his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association in 2001. The list of John's contributions to the legal community and Nevada are never-ending. John strived for excellence throughout his career and has proven himself a great Nevadan. His professional accomplishments are surpassed only by the wonderful family and community he has built in the Silver State. I know John is happy to be spending his retirement with his children Mary, John, Ann, and Thomas; their grandchildren Sarah, Andrew, Anne, Clara, Nathaniel, Mary, and Matthew; and their four great-grandchildren. I am incredibly pleased to honor this momentous event in his life and wish him joy in the years to come.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, this Saturday marks 1 year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade at the urging of extremist politicians upending 50 years of precedent protecting women's right to healthcare. In the year since that decision, half the States in our country have banned or effectively banned access to abortion. Women in those States have extremely limited options for getting the healthcare they need. Those who can afford to travel have no choice but to go to other States to receive critical reproductive care. That is what happened to Lauren Hall. She and her husband were excited that she was pregnant for the first time. But then she learned that her fetus was developing without a skull--a condition that meant it wouldn't survive. This condition also increased Lauren's risk of hemorrhaging. Her doctors at home in Texas refused to help her terminate the pregnancy, so she had to travel to Seattle, where she was finally able to get the abortion care that she needed. She is currently suing the State of Texas for refusing to give her potentially lifesaving medical care. We knew that after the Dobbs decision, stories like Lauren's would only happen more often and millions of women would lose the healthcare they need. Even before Roe fell, healthcare organizations in Nevada were prepared for an influx of women from out of State who needed abortion services. Justice Brett Kavanaugh recognized this too. In his concurring opinion, he indicated that women who have to leave their home State to get the care they need would be protected by the constitutional right to interstate travel. But we could see from miles away in Nevada that the far right would never stop plotting to roll back women's rights even further. In the last year alone, we have seen extremist Republicans try to stop women in our military from getting the healthcare they need. They have come after safe and effective birth control, and they have even supported a Federal abortion ban to outlaw reproductive care in all 50 States. And now we are seeing far-right extremists actively work to bar women from seeking care in States outside their own. Let's be clear: This is about controlling women. The far right doesn't trust women to make their own healthcare decisions, so they think those decisions should be made by politicians instead. Well, I don't know about some of my colleagues across the aisle, but I don't think elected officials should be telling women what to do with their bodies, and neither do the vast majority of Nevadans. We are a proud pro-choice State. Back in 1990, Nevadans overwhelmingly voted to codify a woman's right to choose. And, today, over two-thirds of Nevadans believe that a woman's healthcare decisions are between her and her doctor, and that is across all parties-- Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. But even though Nevada is a safe place for women who need healthcare, far-right Republicans living outside my State are telling women: Oh, no, sorry. We are making it illegal for you to go there. This April, Idaho became the first State to make it a criminal offense for someone to help an individual traveling out of State to seek an abortion. And elected officials in States like Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri 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. This is why my colleagues and I are reintroducing the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act. One year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, we need this bill more than ever. Our legislation reaffirms that women have a fundamental right to interstate travel and makes 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. We are talking about upholding a constitutional right to allow women to travel outside their home State. Now, why do some of my anti-choice colleagues want to restrict women from moving freely between States? The answer is simple: They don't trust women to have control over their own bodies. Well, I do. And I am going to keep doing everything in my power to protect women, not just in Nevada but in every State across the country. We must pass the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act. So, Mr. President, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 2053 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, 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, as was already pointed out, the Constitution does protect the right to travel in this country, and there is no doubt that the Supreme Court has made that precedent clear. But constitutional rights don't enforce themselves. And my colleagues on the far right only cloak themselves in the Constitution when it suits them, and right now, it really doesn't suit them. That is why far-right Republicans in State legislatures across the country are working on and passing laws specifically focused on restricting a woman's right to travel for reproductive healthcare--something I noticed my colleague from Utah seemed to ignore--Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, or some of those States. At the end of the day, let me just touch on this idea that somehow this legislation is focusing on trafficking of individuals for sexual exploitation. Now, again, this is a perfect example of some of the far- right Republicans--when they really can't argue the facts and the law of something, then they just make things up or they throw inflammatory arguments out there to try to scare individuals. But let me just make this clear. As a former attorney general who worked and continues to work on human trafficking issues that address the sexual exploitation of adults and minors, this is not trafficking. And I would say to my colleague in Utah, who knows better, that sexual exploitation of individuals that this country needs to address, along with many other countries--and we have passed laws to protect individuals--this is not it. What I do know is, instead of addressing the true issue before us, which is, why can't women be free to travel from a State that has restricted their right to abortion to my State, where we have chosen to allow them to get the healthcare they need, the essential healthcare-- it is always fascinating to me that I hear, on the far right, my colleagues say it is always about States' rights; it is about States' rights; this is a States' rights issue. Dobbs basically said in its decision this is a States' rights issue, but then, when it doesn't suit what they care about, the far right says: Well, forget those States' rights. Only listen to what we as elected officials determine you should have. Ignore what Nevada has done. Ignore the Democrats, the Republicans, the Independents, the men and the women in Nevada who chose to codify the right of a woman to choose and seek essential healthcare. Ignore that completely. That is what this legislation is about. It is about trusting women and giving them the ability to come to a State like Nevada to seek essential healthcare for their reproductive rights. Again, I constantly hear this emotional argument about--and my colleague from Utah, whom I respect, but he said this--the left somehow has an obsession with abortion. It is outrageous, outrageous, inflammatory talk. What we do have an obsession with is freedom and that every American in this country, whether you are a man or a woman, should have that freedom, and it shouldn't be taken away from you by elected officials who think they know better about your healthcare than you do, who think that they can restrict in their State your access to healthcare, that they can jeopardize your healthcare and your decisions about your family and your future because they think they know better. Mr. President, I just think it is outrageous that one simple thing that we cannot agree to in this Congress in a bipartisan way is that women should have that fundamental freedom to travel for their healthcare needs without being restricted, without being called names, without being fearful, and we should be protecting those doctors and the healthcare decisions to do that. I will say one final thing. We have worked hard in this country to evolve so that all our medical care is some of the best. We are fighting right now to make sure that we have access to technology, that we have access to medical care. We do the research. We do the development. We have the medical care of the 21st century. What my far-right Republicans are telling women across this country is, you can't access that medical care for the 21st century. Do you know why? Because we think that we should hold you back to the 19th century. We want to politicize this, and we want to take away your rights, and so we are going to take you back to the 19th century. It is outrageous--outrageous that we have to be here in this day and age. Over 50 years of Roe v. Wade and not one issue that we can see impeded anybody's rights here, for women across this country and this fundamental freedom about reproductive rights. So I am disappointed, but I will tell you what, Mr. President, this is an issue you are going to see all of us, one after another, continue to fight. This is an essential fight for women in this country and their rights and their freedom to choose--the freedom to choose and not have somebody else dictate what they should or shouldn't do with their bodies; not to have somebody else dictate, based on whatever their religion is or their rights, that they know better than somebody living in an issue that is so personal to them, that they can be dictated to in this day and age. I yield the floor.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination, Calendar No. 75; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

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

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. 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. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 253 submitted earlier today.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent that 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

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 15; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Choudhury nomination postcloture and that all time be considered expired at 11:15 a.m.; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture vote on the Rikelman nomination occur at 1:45 p.m. and that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Lee.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 43, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.