Joni Ernst

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Swenson's Do it Best Hardware of Britt, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 1977, 21-year-old Jon Swenson purchased the then-named Kreitinger Hardware in downtown Britt. The store was renamed Swenson's Do it Best Hardware and has been family-owned and operated ever since. They offer both home and outdoor tools and supplies, including rental power tool equipment. They can also provide pipe cutting, key cutting, and window or screen repair services in the shop. Swenson's Do it Best Hardware has an ``online warehouse'' of over 67,000 items and is a one-stop shop for all home improvement needs. In 2022, Swenson's Do it Best Hardware celebrated their 45th anniversary. The team at Swenson's Do it Best Hardware is active in the Britt community. Jon Swenson has been a volunteer firefighter in the Britt Fire Department since 1978 and was named the fire chief in 2015. Additionally, and since 1974, Jon has filmed the football games at the West Hancock High School. Swenson's Do it Best Hardware has also been a sponsor of the high school's events and activities. In 2022, when RAGBRAI had a stop in Britt and Swenson's Do it Best Hardware's downtown storefront was used for photo opportunities for riders and tourists. They also provided a device charging station for the 2022 racers. They have also participated in Britt Chamber of Commerce events to support the local small business community. Swenson's Do it Best Hardware's commitment to providing quality tools, equipment rentals, and repair services in northern Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate Jon Swenson and the entire team at Swenson's Do it Best Hardware for their continued dedication to providing home improvement supplies to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize June as Iowa Beer Craft Month. This celebration honors our local craft breweries which contribute so much to the economy and culture of our State. Iowa's craft beer industry continues to grow and thrive, creating more than $1 billion in economic impact. Iowa Beer Craft Month offers beer lovers across the State a wonderful opportunity to responsibly explore the unique and amazing flavors and styles of our local breweries, while also supporting Iowa small businesses. I encourage all who can to raise a glass and toast to the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Iowa beer.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery of Boone, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery was founded by husband and wife duo Denny and Terri Van Hemert in 1983. The bakery's motto is, ``A Little Dutch in the Heart of Iowa,'' and the Van Hemert's have accomplished that. Operating as a full-line scratch bakery, Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery is famous for their Dutch letters, which are made by creating a light pastry shell and filling it with homemade almond paste. Although they craft a wide range of letters, they claim that the Dutch letter ``S'' is their most popular. They also offer other Dutch pastries on their menu including almond horns, Dutch windmills, and creme horns. In addition to Dutch pastries, they also have pies, muffins, donuts, cakes, and seasonal items on the menu. Another unique aspect of the bakery is that their menu is more than just pastries and sweets. They have goods for all occasions, including homemade bread, a breakfast and lunch menu, and a ``Koffie Haus'' with a wide range of caffeinated beverages. Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery has been recognized for their hard work. They have locations in Boone and Ames, IA, and were named by the Iowa State Daily in 2016 and 2017 as the student choice best bakery. They have even been recognized nationally, placing fifth in the Dawn Food's America's Sweetest Bakery competition in 2017. Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery's commitment to providing quality pastries in central Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate the Van Hemert family and the entire team at Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery for their continued dedication to providing Dutch sweets and treats to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, the current permitting process in the United States is as outdated as that seventies' shag carpet in your grandma's house. It is true. A lot has changed since that old ``rug,'' known as the National Environmental Policy Act, was installed in 1970. Today, the Democrats like to preach that America is ready for the green energy revolution, but the facts just don't line up. Case in point: More than 92 percent of energy projects currently backlogged in the permitting process are solar and wind projects. Just last week in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm promised that our DOD, Department of Defense, could make our entire military fleet electric vehicles by 2030--all of them electric by 2030, just a little under 7 years from now. I pressed her on how in the world our Pentagon could accomplish this in that short timeframe and, frankly, why it is a top priority for our Nation's military in the first place. Folks, right now, China--China--controls the EV supply chain. The communist regime produces about 75 percent of all lithium-ion batteries that power those electric vehicles. Over 70 percent of the world's cobalt mining occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, done by child labor. The remainder of the cobalt primarily comes from CCP-owned firms. To mine all of these minerals, China relies on slave labor. This is absolutely unacceptable. Increasing reliance on the Chinese Communist Party and supporting their malign actions is a nonstarter. In my exchange with Secretary Granholm in this Armed Services Committee meeting, she tried to tout the President's ``Invest in America'' agenda, saying: 150 battery companies have announced they are coming or expanding to the United States to do business. That does sound great, right? Well, these businesses are in for a real treat. The big hand of Washington, guided by the Biden administration, is ready and waiting to prevent these businesses from actually mining, procuring, and processing minerals needed for their batteries right here at home. The problem is, right now, on average, it takes 4\1/2\ years to simply get an environmental review for a project. When the permitting process takes longer than the actual building process, that should raise a red flag. Let's remove the redtape. The best strategy to confront our growing energy needs is to utilize the abundance of energy-producing natural resources that our country was blessed with and encourage alternative energy production methods. By increasing the use of renewables, like homegrown Iowa biofuel, and building on the advances in energy efficiency, we have the ability to pursue an energy strategy right here in America that creates jobs, lowers costs, and reduces our dependence upon our foreign adversaries like China. New clean energy projects bring economic benefits and jobs to rural areas, including my home State of Iowa. The Biden administration claims to ``build back better,'' but in today's reality, we simply can't build anything. It is time we pass commonsense permitting reform and get Washington bureaucrats out of the way. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Ramsey's Market of Lenox, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. The company was founded by Theo and Bonnie Ramsey in 2015 after learning that the local grocery store in Lenox was up for sale. As veterans of the U.S. Air Force, service is key for the Ramsey family, so the pair jumped at the opportunity to fill a critical community need. When a local grocery store goes out of business, residents sometimes have extensive drives just to buy the basic food items. Over the years, Ramsey's Market has been able to expand to include a food locker delivery service, an adjoining Ace Hardware store with a bar inside, and even a second location in Manning, IA. Another unique aspect of the store is live music. Theo and Bonnie met during their time in the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, where they both were singers. It is very normal for local musicians to perform in the grocery store while customers shop. The staff behind the deli counter, and even Bonnie can often be found singing to customers. Ramsey's Market has been recognized for their hard work, earning the Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award in 2018 for their unique shopping experience and their impact on the Lenox community. They have even been recognized for their success by America's Small Business Development Center, Iowa. In January 2022, I had the opportunity to visit the store and see the local impact the business has on Taylor County. Ramsey's Market's commitment to providing quality groceries in a fun environment is clear. I want to congratulate the Ramsey family, and the entire team at Ramsey's Market, for their continued dedication to finding a solution to the food deserts in Iowa and serving their community. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Simply Blooming of Traer, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Simply Blooming was founded in 2006 by Lisa Eikamp as a one-stop shop for all of your floral needs. Simply Blooming has flowers from all over the world in store. As an experienced floral designer, Eikamp is able to design and accessorize an arrangement for a variety of events and occasions. Simply Blooming's website boasts a broad portfolio of floral designs including prom corsages, wedding bouquets, and sympathy flowers. In addition to flowers, you can also find a variety of plants, home decor, stylish clothing, and even boots for sale. This year has been a momentous one for Simply Blooming. They opened a new location in Vinton on the exact day of their 17th anniversary of the flagship store opening in Traer. The second store is called Simply Blooming, Too, and has already become an integral part of the Vinton community. They had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the occasion, and an Elvis Presley impersonator even stopped by for the festivities. Part of what makes Simply Blooming special is their attention to customer service. They maintain active social media profiles updating customers on the arrangements they design, community events hosted at Simply Blooming, and information on all of their new products. Simply Blooming's commitment to providing flower arrangements for every occasion is clear. In 17 years, Ms. Eikamp has been able to provide quality customer service by treating her customers like family. I want to commend Lisa Eikamp and the entire team at Simply Blooming for their work. This business exemplifies the innovative spirit and leadership skills of the Iowa entrepreneur. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, today I honor an exemplary leader, liaison, and soldier. After a year of service in the U.S. Senate, MAJ Brian Focareto will continue his service to the Nation in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. On this occasion, I believe it fitting to recognize Major Focareto's distinguished service, leadership, and dedication to fostering the relationship between the U.S. Army and this Chamber. Over the past year, Major Focareto served in the Army Senate Liaison Division. He was invaluable in educating Senators and staff on Army priorities and policy initiatives. He also supported multiple congressional delegations within the United States and to many countries abroad. He became a trusted adviser and friend to many of us. Prior to his time on the Hill, Major Focareto served our Army in multiple operational assignments over the last 10 years. He commissioned out of the University of Dayton as an armor officer and began his career as a platoon leader, executive officer, and operations officer in the 101st Airborne Division. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following Maneuver Captains Career Course, Major Focareto served as a staff officer in the 2d Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where he planned and executed numerous multinational training exercises with NATO and partner nations across Europe. Major Focareto then commanded a reconnaissance troop and the regimental weapons troop in 2CR. Following troop command, Major Focareto completed a master of policy management from Georgetown University and served as a deputy legislative assistant for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, we thank Major Brian Focareto, his wife, and their children for their continued commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to this great Nation. We join our colleagues in wishing him future successes as he continues to serve our great Army and Nation.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, I would like to thank the Senator from Alabama for leading this effort. Iowa has a celebrated history of exceptional girls' sports programs. We recently saw the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team make it to the national championship after taking home their fifth Big Ten Tournament title just days after cheering on the high school girls competing in the State tournament. Last year, the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union proudly sanctioned girls wrestling, opening up new opportunities for girls to be part of a team and recognized for their achievements. Title IX not only makes these events possible; it guarantees an opportunity for our female athletes. Whether it is growing as a leader, winning a championship, or securing a scholarship to college, sports opens doors for young women. But right now, President Biden is working overtime to force institutions to allow biological males to share spaces with females and compete in women's sports. Doors that were opened over 50 years ago are being slammed in the faces of girls across the country because of the progressive left's gender ideology. Girls' locker rooms have now become a battleground for the Democratic Party, and parents continue to be iced out of the issue. Thankfully, last year, Governor Reynolds protected girls' sports across Iowa, from elementary school all the way up to the collegiate level. Here in the Senate, I am proud to join my friend from Alabama and our colleagues in supporting the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Under this legislation, any athletic program that receives Federal funds and permits a biological male to participate in competitions designated for women or girls would be in violation of Federal law. The House just passed this commonsense bill last week, and we should not waste any more time in passing it here in the Senate. Payton McNabb is a senior in high school. She loves volleyball but was severely injured last fall because a biological male spiked the ball into her face. Riley Gaines Barker, a 12-time NCAA All-American athlete, was forced to compete against a biological male, Lia Thomas, in the 200 freestyle. The two tied--they tied--for fifth place, with Thomas taking home the trophy. No kidding. Thomas took home the trophy. The NCAA told Riley it was necessary for photo purposes. Lia Thomas is a 6-foot-4-inch biological male who swam on the men's team at the University of Pennsylvania for 3 years before switching to the women's team for his final year. Thomas beat female 2020 Olympic silver medalists and American record holders to win an NCAA Division I title. Man, you might feel like a woman, but you aren't one. We must protect our young girls and make sure they aren't pushed off the podium. Title IX is the law of the land whether the far left likes it or not. The law was created to offer the same playing field to female athletes as their male counterparts, not to subject women to second place and the sidelines. In defense of our Iowa daughters and female athletes across the Nation, I am standing with Riley Gaines--who was recently attacked by radical activists on a college campus--and her message: Biological men should not be allowed to compete in women's sports. Our female athletes deserve fairness, safety, and the ability to win those top scholarships and titles, as title IX intended. No amount of harassment from the radical left will stop strong women from standing up for the truth and for what is right. If Senate Democrats pushing the so-called Equal Rights Amendment were really interested in equal rights for women, they would protect women's sports and spaces from biological men. Madam President, every time a girl steps onto the mat, onto the court, the field, or the track, she should know that she has every opportunity to compete and win. I am proud to work with my friend Senator Tuberville and my colleagues in fighting to pass the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. With that, I will yield the floor to Senator Tuberville.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Schumacher Elevator Company of Denver, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. The company was founded by William and Bertha Schumacher in 1936 under the name Wm. Schumacher & Sons. That same year, William built the Schumacher Machine Shop in Denver, IA. With his son Elmer, they designed, built, and installed a custom lift for feed bags for a chicken hatchery in Waverly, IA. In the beginning of the company's history, they sold and manufactured many different types of elevators including lifting platforms, dumbwaiters, and freight elevators. In 1966, Elmer's son Marvin ``Marv'' joined the company as president and began to include passenger elevators in their line of products. A fourth generation of Schumacher, Jeff, joined the company in 1993 as the CFO and vice president of sales and administration. Jeff now serves as the CEO, and his parents Marv and Helen serve as the president and vice president of administration, respectively. Today, the company has enjoyed immense success and currently employs over 250 highly trained individuals throughout the Midwest and strives to be a premier independent elevator company in the United States. Schumacher Elevator Company currently manufactures and sells hydraulic, traction, personal, and manlift elevators while also providing installation, maintenance, and testing services. They also make custom elevators for customers, and they have the expertise to install elevators for new construction projects, modernize old elevator systems, repair broken elevators, and do preventative maintenance. In addition to quality, Schumacher Elevator Company is fast. The team can create an elevator from raw materials to a finished product just in 1 week. Schumacher Elevator Company is a staple of the Denver community. They offer two scholarships for students at the Denver High School: One is for a student that goes into the healthcare industry, and the other is for a student that goes into a technology field of study. In addition to this, the Marvin and Helen Schumacher Family Fund engages in philanthropic efforts throughout Iowa. The company encourages their employees to give back to the community, as well. Last December, a group of employees made a generous donation to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank that provided 4,000 meals to Iowans in need. Schumacher Elevator Company's commitment to being trailblazers in the elevator industry is clear. In 87 years, the Schumacher family has been able to provide the highest quality elevators to satisfied clients globally. I want to congratulate the entire team at Schumacher Elevator Company and commend them for their dedication to excellence in their work both locally in Iowa and around the world. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Geothermal Eco Options, Inc., of Cresco, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. With over 60 years of construction experience, owners Larry Leliefeld and Frederic ``Reed'' Carlson provide a one-stop shop for geothermal heating and cooling. Geothermal Eco Options, Inc., was founded in 2011, serving Iowa and the surrounding States with drilling and installation of geothermal loops. Geothermal loops, a unique technology using the thermal temperature below the frost line to regulate temperature, can be used for year-round indoor climate control in buildings. The company boasts equipment and personnel that can provide drilling to even the most closely packed areas. Each project is different for the team. They offer different types of loop options including those that run vertical, horizontal in the ground, adjacent to a pond, or even retrofitting an existing geothermal loop to provide adequate heating and cooling. Due to the expertise of the Geothermal Eco Options team, a geothermal loop installed by the team can last decades and require little to no maintenance. Geothermal Eco Options is an established leader in the industry and has an impressive list of certified staff. They have both State and national certification for the drilling and installation of heat pump loops. Geothermal Eco Options, Inc.'s commitment to innovation and hard work is clear. In 12 years, Leliefeld and Carlson have been able to provide an innovative way to heat and cool commercial, residential, and new properties. Their years of experience in the construction industry has culminated in owning a thriving small business that has grown throughout the region. I want to commend Larry Leliefeld, Reed Carlson, and the entire team at Geothermal Eco Options, Inc., for their work. This business exemplifies the innovative spirit and leadership skills of the Iowa entrepreneur. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Dirt Road Candle Company of Atlantic, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. What started as a hobby for Michelle Myers has turned into a full- time business through passion, a quality product, and rural Iowa inspiration. In 2016, Myers and her husband Steve Myers bought a farm on a dirt road. The farm was a dream come true for them. At first, creating candles was Myers' hobby, but as demand for her candles increased, she began to make it her second job, which led to the creation of her small business. Soon after, Myers sold her candles on consignment at a local boutique and started selling her candles online. The growth has led Myers to hire six employees to join her at Dirt Road Candle Company. The vision statement of the company is ``happiness does have a smell.'' Each candle is named after different moments or ideas that are inspired by rural Iowa. Myers started giving her candles fun names when she discovered that her customers engage more with the meaning of candles. She has had candles named ``Call Your Mom,'' which was inspired by Myers' time at Iowa State University, candles named ``Iowa Nice'' or even ``Backyard Lilacs,'' which embodies the Iowa spring spirit. All of the candles are hand poured on the farm and are made with 100 percent USA-raised soy wax. Myers has even expanded her product line to include room sprays, car freshies, counter sprays, wall diffusers, wax melts, hand soap, and pet products. Dirt Road Candle Company continues to look out for the community. Candle proceeds have been donated to various charities. A couple of years ago, she had a county-fair inspired candle. Proceeds went to support a child to go to the county fair or to buy a child a chicken. She also had a candle called ``Love Your Neighbor,'' with profits supporting the 2019 Iowa flood victims. Further, Myers opens up her candle workshop twice a year to sell her products in person. On those days, she also invites other entrepreneurs to sell their products in her shop. Dirt Road Candle Company's commitment to its values has paid off. In 6 years, Myers and team have been able to grow from a hobby to a thriving small business that brings the joy of rural Iowa to many satisfied customers. Myers' farm life is her inspiration, and she has been able to use this muse to create a truly one of a kind Iowa experience from the comfort of your home. I want to commend Michelle Myers and the entire team at Dirt Road Candle Company for their continued dedication to spreading joy through their candles. This business exemplifies the perseverance and grit of the Iowa entrepreneur. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the Primrose Restaurant of Corning, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of April 3, 2023. As a proud Iowan, I believe that we are home to one of the best and most innovative culinary scenes in the world. A small business that truly exemplifies this is Primrose in Adams County. Located in the charming Great American Main Street district of Corning, IA, Primrose serves the nearly 1,500-person town and the surrounding area by providing quality food and excellent service to the region. Husband and wife duo, Joel Mahr and Jill Fulton, started Primrose in 2018 with the vision of offering world-class dining, with quality, farm-to-table ingredients, to the hard-working folks of southwest Iowa. Joel, who is an Omaha, NE, native, brought 18-years' worth of cooking experience as a chef, including 7 years as head chef, in his hometown. While in Omaha, Chef Mahr received the ``Cooking Light'' Neighborhood Chef Award in 2013 for his work in their restaurant scene. While Chef Mahr heads the kitchen, his wife handles the front of the restaurant and is the resident mixologist. The couple chose Corning as the home base for their restaurant due to her family connections in the area. Jill's family owns Fulton Family Farms, which is the supplier of fresh produce to Primrose. Fulton Family Farms is only a 20-minute drive from the restaurant and provides them with some of the best produce on the planet. Primrose also works with the Iowa Beef Council to ensure that they have the highest quality cuts of meat for their restaurant. A unique aspect about the restaurant's menu is that it rotates on a weekly basis, offering a variety of cocktails, wine, and beer that pair well with their gourmet dishes. They operate an active Facebook account that contains pictures of their mouthwatering dishes and updates folks looking for a bite to eat on their ever-changing menu. Primrose also offers in-store pickup services for a fine-dining experience at home, in addition to their indoor and outdoor seating. Since their 2018 opening, Primrose has accumulated quite the array of awards and magazine features. They are the winner of the Adams County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for 2018 and the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2020. Due to the vast popularity of Primrose, it has become a hotspot for travelers throughout the region, and the publication Midwest Living included it on their list of ``9 Restaurants Worth the Drive'' due to their sustained success in Adams County. Their contributions to the Iowa dining scene and their revitalization of the rustic storefront they occupy have been recognized at the State level as well, with the Iowa Economic Authority awarding the restaurant as the 2019 ``Superior Interior Rehabilitation'' winners as part of their ``Main Street Iowa Awards.'' In addition to major publications, various food and dining blogs list Primrose as a ``must-see'' restaurant due to their commitment to their ever-changing menu and farm-to-table experience. One of the many beautiful things about Iowa is our commitment to helping each other when times get tough. In 2020, when the world was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Primrose went above and beyond by providing their quality meals to local students who could no longer rely on school to provide their lunches. Owning a small business truly is the American dream, and the great State of Iowa is fortunate to have Primrose Restaurant call the Hawkeye State home. By taking the time to provide locally sourced ingredients, amazing service, and world-class dining in a small town, Primrose is a prime example of what makes small businesses great. I want to congratulate the entire team at Primrose Restaurant for their continued commitment to culinary excellence in their work. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, earlier this week, myself, Senator Cassidy, and Senator Cornyn, along with 35 of our Republican colleagues, introduced an effort to block President Biden's plan to transfer student loan debt onto the back of hard-working Americans. This includes ending the pause on student loan payments, which has been extended six times since the start of the pandemic. What might seem like a ``free pass'' in making payments on student loans is, actually, a scheme orchestrated by the Biden administration that could cost taxpayers an estimated $900 billion. Let's break it down: $400 billion to cancel student loan debt, $195 billion to pause loan payments and interest accrued during the pandemic, and $200 billion to implement President Biden's loan repayment rule. Folks, $900 billion is more than the Federal Government has ever spent on higher education in our Nation's history. To give you some additional perspective, this radical proposal costs--get this, folks-- three times more than what the government will spend on Pell grants in this decade--in this decade--a program designed to help our neediest students. This is not debt cancellation. It is socialism. President Biden is rewarding those who chose the path of higher education by strapping their debt onto the backs of those who did not. This is a personal issue to me. My brother chose to enter the workforce directly out of high school. My brother is a hard-working union laborer. My sister worked to put herself through community college. She received an associate's degree in Southwest Iowa. She works for a trucking company and farms. Their stories are similar to many Iowans across my home State. Why should countless Americans who made responsible, financial planning decisions be forced to take on the debts of others? Biden's plan is unfair and unaffordable. It is fanning the flames of inflation and is a driving factor in our growing Federal debt. Most importantly, this transfer of student loan debt does nothing to address and may actually be contributing to the real issue of rising costs to attend college. What message does this send to veterans who pursue higher education through the GI bill or medical professionals who joined the National Health Service Corps? I was able to cover a portion of my college tuition at Iowa State University through an ROTC scholarship. Joining the Army after graduation was a privilege and an honor. I made a commitment to my country, and, in return, they made a commitment to me to help me receive my college degree. President Biden's radical proposal invalidates many other successful loan forgiveness and repayment programs designed to incentivize participation in critical fields, including the military, public service, and medicine. Instead of putting a bandaid on the problem and passing the buck, we should be giving students and their families a clear picture up front about the true costs associated with their education. That is why I am working in a bipartisan way to ensure that students know, before they take out a loan, the estimated total interest amount based on their repayment plan. Folks, we have warned for years that the left is on the march toward socialism. Look no further than Biden's student debt transfer plan. I am proud to join my Republican colleagues in working to stop this scheme. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Legacy Manufacturing of Marion, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of March 27, 2023. When it came to everyday construction and household tools, the Weems family was unsatisfied with the current products on the market. In 1986, the family decided to take matters into their own hands and opened a small manufacturing company to develop products they considered to be lacking in the market. Through decades of dedication to crafting innovative products, the Weems family business has grown into Legacy Manufacturing, a company that makes high-quality, long- lasting tools and equipment for professional and consumer use. Legacy Manufacturing is a prime example of the two things that make America great: entrepreneurial spirit and family. For almost 40 years, Legacy Manufacturing has kept smart engineering, quality materials, and top-notch production standards at the forefront of their company. Starting off as a small manufacturer in eastern Iowa, Legacy Manufacturing has received national recognition for their uniquely designed innovative hose, which they named the ``Flexzilla.'' The Flexzilla is a staple in their product line and can be found across global markets. The Flexzilla is lighter and has a more durable outer cover than the traditional water hose. Additionally, the entire hose is drinking water safe, so kids on a hot Iowa summer day can enjoy a refreshing drink, and parents can rest easy knowing that the Flexzilla is made with this in mind. Legacy Manufacturing's commitment to quality products has paid off. The Flexzilla hose has consistently been ranked the best garden hose for years. Recently, it was ranked as one of the best garden hoses of 2023 by People Magazine and NBC News. Ultimately, it was ranked as the best garden hose overall for 2023 in an independent review by USA Today and was named one of the ``best of the best'' garden hoses by BestReviews LLC in 2022. The Weems family's leadership has been integral to revolutionizing the consumer experience and has emerged as a unique market leader for a wide range of tools. When a customer buys a product from Legacy Manufacturing, they can be assured that they are getting the best product on the market in terms of quality, innovation, and product safety. Legacy Manufacturing offers a wide range of professional grade service and maintenance equipment for the automotive, industrial, contractor, agricultural, and marine markets throughout North America. The motto of the company is ``taking the work out of work.'' This means that they make sure each of their products are made from quality materials and ensure that they are built to last. Legacy Manufacturing currently is home to six different brands: the Legacy brand, Flexzilla, ColorConnex, SmartFlex, Lock-n-Load, and Workforce. All of these brands have a different focus to diversify the product line and ensure that every customer is satisfied with their product. They have gone so far that they even created YouTube videos that demonstrate to consumers how each of their products work. For over 40 years, Legacy Manufacturing has been able to achieve success in eastern Iowa. In 2016, they completed their 133,000-square- foot facility in Marion, IA. In 2017, they were able to start a 200,000-square-foot expansion of their facilities in Marion, thanks to the Iowa Economic Development Authority--IEDA--grant program. The expansion adds to the growing reshoring movement in an effort to bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States. The expansion created 13 new jobs which brought the number of people employed by Legacy Manufacturing to about 75 employees. Overall, the company brings hope and prosperity to Iowa as more manufacturing jobs return to the United States. Not only has the company received wide acclaims by industry experts for their high-performing products, Legacy Manufacturing and the Weems family have been recognized for their commitment to employing Iowans and growing the local economy. I want to commend the Weems family and the entire team at Legacy Manufacturing for their commitment to innovation and for their perseverance in growing their manufacturing company in the United States. Congratulations, I look forward to your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the Jerald Sulky Company of Waterloo, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of March 13, 2023. The Jerald Sulky Company has been synonymous with excellence for over 125 years. Since 1898, the company has manufactured sulkies, vehicles similar to horse sleighs, leading the company to become world famous in the showring and on the racetrack. Today, Jerald Sulky Company is the last commercial manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in the world. The company began in Osage, IA, when Samuel E. Jerald, Sr., a top craftsman in the horse-drawn vehicle business, decided to build race sulkies. Shortly after, Samuel and his team relocated to Waterloo in 1901 and became known as one of the most innovative companies in the industry, utilizing the latest materials and pioneering new technology. In the early 1900s, there were over a dozen sulky manufacturers; however, the 1930s saw the introduction of the automobile, World War I, and the Great Depression. Innovations in technology, global war, and mass economic downturn took a toll on the sulky industry, and when the dust settled, Jerald Sulky Company was one of only two companies that were still in operation. During WWII, Jerald Sulky Company recognized the importance of aiding the country's war effort and began manufacturing field ambulances, also know as litter carriers, to hurry fallen soldiers off the battlefield. The company ensured that each field ambulance was crafted with care, to honor each injured soldier, knowing the journey on the field ambulance might be a soldier's last. The company achieved great success during the post-war boom due to the abundance of materials and an influx of horsemen eager for vehicles that were not available during the war; the company modernized many of their classical designs which are still in production today such as the Fine Harness Buggy and the Show Pleasure Cart. Hard times fell on the Jerald Sulky Company in 2014, forcing them to close. Fortunately, at this same time, Erik and Shelli Lee were looking to buy a show cart. They called up Jerald Sulky Company to inquire about purchasing a cart and ended up buying the whole company. Erik and Shelli turned the company around, and now, they ship sulkies domestically and internationally to customers all over the world, while still focusing on the excellence and integrity of their product. In a world that is growing increasingly automated, the Jerald Sulky Company is committed to handcrafting each of their horse carriages because, for them, it is not a product, it is an art. Their custom-made horse carriages take 6 to 10 weeks to create and are worked on by a staff of 12 artisans who, all combined, have over 200 years of experience in the craft. The carriages range from $1,500 to $15,000 due to the time and labor spent to make them. Furthermore, they source most of their materials locally. As they only want to use the best materials for their carriages and because there are not many producers that create the parts they want, the company's biggest challenge is combating supply chain issues. Even though their supply chain can be difficult to navigate and despite the fact there is not a large market for traditional horse carriages, the Jerald Sulky Company is not worried. They have a loyal customer base that maintains a constant demand for horse carriages. Today, the company, on average, builds 150 new carts each year, a vast improvement from 2014. Additionally, through expanding to more foreign markets, Jerald Sulky Company has continued to grow their customer base, proving that this 125-year-old company is resilient as ever. The Jerald Sulky Company's commitment to excellence also extends to their local community. In the chaotic days of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they did not hesitate in offering to use part of their warehouse as a temporary assembly operation to put together disposable face shields for hospital and clinic staff. More than 60 volunteers from the local community came together at the warehouse to assemble 10,000 shields. Additionally, this past year in March 2022 when tornados ravaged Iowa and destroyed two local horse barns, the Jerald Sulky Company raised awareness about the tragedy and rallied the local community to donate to a GoFundMe for each barn. Similar to when the company sprang to action during the First World War, Jerald Sulky Company continues to answer the call of their community. Through their drive for excellence, the Jerald Sulky Company has been referred to by some as the Rolls-Royce of the horse-drawn vehicle world. They have received numerous accolades throughout the years. Their sulkies have been on the cover of Sport Illustrated several times. Furthermore, the company's impact on the U.S. horse world has been so great that their sulky was featured on a U.S. postage stamp. In 1996, the company was inducted into the Iowa Harness Racing Hall of Fame. More recently, their sulkies have been featured in pop culture on the hit television series ``Duck Dynasty.'' Never compromising the integrity of their product or cutting any corners, the company has gone on to become a leader in the horse world and has achieved great success. I want to congratulate the entire team at the Jerald Sulky Company for their continued commitment to excellence in their work both locally in Iowa and throughout the world. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Big River Packaging of Clinton, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of March 13, 2023. In 2001, Bob Simpson found himself reflecting on the 350 jobs that were lost due to the recent closure of the large paper plant in Clinton. He saw the value of the experienced professionals in the area and wanted to see their talent stay in his community. He and John Huling cofounded Big River Packaging in 2005 with the big idea of utilizing the dedicated local talent to create high-quality boxes. After hiring Bob's son Kip Simpson as the first employee, they began to make their dream a reality. Through trial and error, they slowly grew their business until they eventually found a niche that truly ``takes the cake'': bakery boxes. Once they discovered the need for bakery boxes, they became dedicated to providing the best customer service to a unique clientele whose needs are often overlooked by large corporations. In the folding carton industry, small carton orders for specialty items are an underserved market. Many in the industry choose to focus on big-volume orders, but Big River Packaging, on the other hand, has a short-order/value-added market strategy. Big River Packaging aims to help local bakeries by providing them with customized boxes, in volumes that the ``big guy'' often ignores. To continue to serve these specialized accounts with excellence, the company has decided to forgo a physical storefront and instead run all their sales solely through their website. The company strives to provide quality customer service and do everything they can to foster long-term relationships with their clients. This dedication has been evident since the beginning or, in other words, since the fateful day John Huling stopped at his local bakery to pick up a dozen donuts. Years prior, cofounder John Huling went to a local bakery to pick up donuts. While he was there, he discovered that the bakery needed a special box to keep their cupcakes steady. At the time, the baker was using sheet-cake boxes to transport cupcakes, leaving the individual desserts totally unsecure inside the box and, as a result, ruining the meticulously painted frosting on the cupcakes. Big River Packaging came to the rescue and developed an insert grid with holes for the cupcakes to keep them steady and upright. Keeping that same knack for product innovation in mind, Big River Packaging continues to cater to the unique needs of any bakery. Currently, Big River Packaging offers a plethora of boxes and bags to fulfill every baker's packaging needs, including cocoa bomb packaging, cupcake boxes, and paper bread bags. Over the years, their reach has grown to over 120,000 customers, and they have even expanded to international markets. In addition to their unique approach to the packaging industry, it is the team's commitment to high-quality products and top-notch customer service that has led to the growth and success of Big River Packaging. When you chase a dream, you might be surprised where it takes you. Big River Packaging's commitment to the value of hard work has even allowed some of their boxes to end up on the silver screen. A 2019 episode of the hit television series Grey's Anatomy features one of Big River Packaging's boxes. Big River Packaging has also been recognized by the Iowa Small Business Administration in 2017 in celebration of National Manufacturing Day and National Manufacturing Week, and Bob Simpson was named the 2018 National Small Business Person of the Year. Clearly, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Huling proved to be a dynamic pair as the two have led Big River Packaging through impressive growth and innovation, all while receiving accolades from industry experts and beyond. I want to congratulate Mr. Simpson and Mr. Huling along with the entire team at Big River Packaging. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, about 20 million people a year visit our Nation's Capital, Washington, DC. They come to see our hallowed Capitol, DC's inspiring monuments and museums, and to experience the city's lively melting pot of cultures. As we have seen across many major cities in our country, bad policymaking has turned a once vibrant city into a scarcely recognizable shadow of its former self. The DC Council is throwing gas on the fire through its woke criminal policies, which will embolden criminals and victimize residents and visitors alike. We are seeing a staggering increase in crime. The stats speak for themselves. For example, today is day 67 of 2023--day 67--and already this year, there have been more than 1,200 carjackings--it sounds like 1,201 carjackings as of today--422 robberies, and a murder happening every 2 days--day 67, folks. These aren't just numbers. These crimes have victims, and those victims have families. The sad reality is that no one is off limits to criminals running rampant in our Capital. It is simply unsafe for everyone. Just last month, a 15-year-old tried to carjack an elderly woman on her way to chemotherapy. The victim, affectionately known as ``Grandma,'' said: Baby, you better shoot me, because you're not taking my car. Elsewhere, two children, ages 6 and 9, were shot while getting off a city bus--children who were just coming home from school. Again, the very evening DC's Mayor threatened to veto the council's ill-conceived crime bill, an 8-year-old was shot by a stray bullet. Despite the rise in crime and the chorus of opposition, the DC Council plowed forward with its lunacy. DC is seeing an explosion of carjackings, and what does their policy do? Reduce sentencing for carjackers. Similarly, murders are through the roof, and yet this new policy reduces penalties for murderers. As one commentator put it, ``serious crime is increasing in the District of Columbia. So the city council has decided to reduce sentences for those who commit serious crimes.'' These ideas are crazy, folks. Even DC's very liberal Mayor says so: This bill does not make us safer. The law was so reckless--so irresponsible--that only those congressional Democrats in the most extreme wing of the ``defund the police'' crowd defended the code change publicly. In fact, most Democrats did a complete 180 when the spotlight shined on their preferred criminal justice policies. The Mayor opposes the policy. The DC police chief opposes it. And, most importantly, DC residents oppose it. So why is the DC Council doing it, and why are the far-left Democrats in Congress supporting it? Look no further than the policy's advocates, who say it will ``advance racial justice in the criminal legal system.'' Folks, this is just one more of the woke nonsense which gave us ``defund the police.'' The DC Council is free to make their own policy, but we in Congress cannot sacrifice the safety and security of the residents and visitors to our Nation's Capital on the religious altar of the ultraprogressive social justice agenda. While it is foolish for radical, leftist Democrats on the DC Council to support this, it is not surprising. It is also unsurprising that 173 House Democrats support the policy. And, frankly, it is unsurprising that Biden quickly flip-flopped on his position when he realized the public and the press were not going along with this nonsense. That is right. When it became clear that this resolution was going to pass, President Biden reversed course. And now the DC Council has joined him in his flip-flop. I can only wonder: What changed? Was it the shootout a few short blocks from the Capitol? Or maybe it was the assault on a Member of Congress just 3 days after President Biden issued a formal statement supporting DC's law? Whatever the reason, his flip-flop is a welcome surprise to those of us with common sense. Welcome to the real world, Mr. President and DC Council. Perhaps the ``defund the police'' crowd has finally learned what everyone else has known for ages: Criminal penalties are not just suggestions; they protect the public. Folks, it is time to get serious about crime on our streets, and there is no better place to start than by blocking this reckless policy. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this resolution because, to paraphrase one of my House colleagues, ``this policy ain't it.'' So my thanks to Senator Hagerty for his leadership on this resolution. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize Jill's Homestead of Chariton, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of March 6, 2023. Jill's Homestead is an example of the American entrepreneurial spirit at its finest. Before starting her own business, Jill Godby had a longstanding passion for leather crafting, and she had a special knack for creating trendy leather earrings that she often wore herself. Over time, her hobby grew as friends and family wanted their own leather earrings. Prompted by the demand from her family and friends, in 2018 Jill started to list some of her earrings on Facebook; shortly thereafter, interest in her products took off, and her hobby turned into a side hustle. Given her products' popularity online, Jill started to sell her earrings at local farmer's markets and at any trade shows she could find. Eventually, her hobby-turned-side-hustle led her to quit her day job and turn her passion into a small business. However, Jill did not foresee the once-in-a-generation pandemic that was right around the corner. When disaster struck and businesses were forced to close, Jill refused to become discouraged. She doubled down on her products and ideas and worked long nights to grow the business. Today, that hard work has paid off; Jill has been able to scale up the company to employ a small, all-female, workshop crew. Furthermore, she now has her own workshop to make her leather goods on the town square in Chariton. In a world that emphasizes the mass production of goods, Jill's Homestead wants to craft products built to last a lifetime. They work to achieve this goal through using high-quality leather, experienced craftswomen, and an online shop to find customers that share their mutual values of sustainability, self-sufficiency, and natural living. Each member of her team of seven craftswomen are dedicated to creating the highest quality product possible. The business primarily sells their products online on their website created through the ecommerce platform Shopify. Additionally, they open their workshop once a month as they pride themselves on providing great customer service and thus want to form and maintain genuine connections with their customers in person. In fact, their commitment to customer relations is what initially grew the company, with Jill hosting weekly auctions on Wednesday nights of her products through Facebook Live. Jill's Homestead has grown from only selling earrings to now offering luxury handbags, accessories, and home goods inspired by the lifestyle of rural Iowa. As a small business, Jill's Homestead recognizes the need to give back to the Chariton community. They are part of the Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street which is committed to revitalizing the community through economic and cultural endeavors. Through the chamber, Jill's Homestead was able to give a significant donation to the Chariton Downtown Square Sidewalk Project in order to restore the historic town square. Additionally, the small business is very generous in offering their products to be used as prizes for fundraisers. Jill's Homestead donated close to 10 items for the Hops for Hospice raffle fundraiser; the money raised went to an assistance fund to provide hospice care for those who cannot cover the cost. Additionally, they recently contributed a number of their handbags for the Designer Bag Bingo night fundraiser, the proceeds of which benefit the volunteer services at Lucas County Health Center which provides free and low-cost services to the community. As a small business that will soon turn 6 years old, Jill's Homestead has been able to achieve massive success, despite extraordinary challenges. Even after she faced unprecedented challenges at the very start of her business, Jill refused to give up hope and shifted her business to online selling. Through perseverance and grit, Jill grew her business during an uncertain economy, and her hard work has more than paid off. Not only has Jill achieved impressive growth, her business has been featured on Iowa news segments, and Jill was invited to our Nation's Capital to tell her story and discuss the issues facing women business owners. Since the beginning of their operation, Jill's Homestead has been motivated to offer the highest quality leather goods to their customers and consistently serve them with ``Iowa Nice'' customer service. I want to congratulate Jill Godby and the entire team at Jill's Homestead and commend them for their continued commitment to excellence in their work both locally in Iowa and throughout the world. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize PSC Distribution of Iowa City, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of February 27, 2023. The story behind the origin of PSC Distribution is one of hard work and knowing an opportunity when you see one. Jim Nesmith was born and raised in Jasper County in the early 1900s. Wanting to give back to his community, he became the State senator for Jasper County in the 1940s. During this time, he also became a salesman for A.Y. McDonald, a wholesale distributor of plumbing pumps and waterworks based in Des Moines. Both of these jobs exposed him to greater Iowa, outside of his native Jasper County. Jim recognized that there was a great opportunity for growth in Iowa City with the expansion of the University of Iowa, so he decided to take a chance and open his own wholesale plumbing distributorship on May 1, 1951. For the past 70 years, PSC Distribution has been supplying eastern Iowa residents and businesses with the materials they need to excel in the plumbing industry. Currently under the fourth generation of family ownership, cousins Tom Balmer and Jennie Wunderlich, along with her husband Ben Wunderlich, continue to grow and guide the company with innovation and excellence. In 2010, the PSC plumbing showroom expanded and rebranded into a luxury showroom named Studio H2O which emphasizes quality customer service and building a relationship of trust with each customer. Today, PSC Distribution prides itself as a family owned and operated wholesale plumbing business services offering everything from heating controls and systems, air conditioning, geothermal systems, to water heaters, plumbing fittings, pipes, valves, and kitchen sinks. PSC Distribution has always prioritized giving back to their community and employees. They actively support the Ronald McDonald House, the Iowa City Community School District Foundation, Table to Table, the Optimist Service Club, the Rotary Club, and are recognized as one of the original investors in Iowa City Area Development. Additionally, many of its employees have worked there for more than 20 years, with some working there for more than 40 years. Regardless of an employee's tenure at the company, whether it brief or long, PSC Distribution celebrates different work anniversaries by posting a tribute on social media to an employee they appreciate. They also take the time to honor veteran customers and employees with tribute posts thanking them for their service. Furthermore, PSC Distribution hosts community events in their showroom such as pampering nights for women in the industry and builders' and electricians' events to forge a strong community and inspire others to join the industry. Through never compromising their commitment to being trustworthy, customer-focused, and growth-oriented, PSC Distribution has been able to thrive for decades. It has won a number of awards throughout the years, including the Roots Award in 2011, which was awarded by the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce to highlight their role as an anchor business of the Iowa City area for over 60 years and for exemplifying the importance of successful relationships between small businesses and the communities they serve. They also won the National Single-branch ICP Distributor of the Year in 2012, awarded by International Comfort Products, a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment. In 2022, Studio H2O was honored to be named the 2022 Showroom of the Year by Wholesaler Magazine, an industry magazine which reaches 100,000 professional engineers, distributors, and contractors. It gives me great joy to see this family business receive their rightful recognition from industry experts and from their community at large. I want to congratulate the entire team at PSC Distribution for their continued commitment to loyally serving the needs of Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, in my new position of ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I will have the honor of recognizing an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. It is my privilege to recognize Guthrie County Quality Meats of Guthrie Center, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of February 13, 2023. The hardship imposed on our Nation's small businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered for centuries. Under such times of duress, many business owners were forced to adapt their business model in order to survive. Guthrie County Quality Meats founders Brett Rowley and Grant Sheeder are examples of this adaptability, as they leaned upon their agricultural expertise and created GC Quality Meats on March 2, 2021, in the midst of the pandemic. By the time these partners put their heads together to open their business, Brett had extensive experience in the meat packing industry, as he grew up working in his father's packing plant in northwest Iowa. Grant, meanwhile, grew up in the Guthrie County dairy industry. Grant's family began milking cows in 1996, and a decade later, his parents built a milk-bottling facility where they bottled milk from 2006 to 2022. Both Grant and Brett watched their respective industries change during the pandemic, as consumers stayed away from grocery stores and other large-scale produce markets. Seeing this shift in the business landscape, the two men decided to pivot towards a home delivery service--and thus, Guthrie County Quality Meats was born. Guthrie County Quality Meats provides locally sourced meat including beef, pork, chicken, and lamb for retail and custom orders in Guthrie County and the surrounding area. From the business' inception, GC Quality Meats has continued to grow. They recently finalized construction on their new butchering facility in Guthrie Center. Since completing their butchering center, the facility has seen great demand and has been booked several weeks in advance. Clearly, Brett and Grant had the right idea when they decided to open Guthrie County's very own meat processor, as both men will acknowledge that it is a service the county had been needing for quite some time. In addition to their butchering facility, Guthrie County Quality Meats has added a retail site to their business. Inside their store, customers can find just about any meat and poultry sauce, spice, or seasoning they might need. Moreover, both Brett and Grant pay special mind to source all their meat locally and make sure that any product offered inside their retail space has strong Iowa ties. This includes locally baked pies, dried pasta, local honey, and salsa. In addition to the other Iowa products offered in store, ice cream from Grant's family's dairy, Sheeder Cloverleaf Dairy, is always readily available on their shelves. Even as they find new ways to grow and expand their meat processing venture, both Brett and Grant share the mission to ensure that Guthrie County Quality Meats operates as a family business. Needless to say, agriculture is a monumental part of Iowa's economy and way of life. It gives me great pleasure to see two gentlemen from different sides of the agricultural industry come together to collaborate on a solution for the meat processing needs of Guthrie County. Therefore, I want to commend Brett and Grant for their innovative vision and drive to overcome the supply chain challenges they faced when building their facilities, in order to bring their business dream to reality. Congratulations to Brett Rowley and Grant Sheeder and the entire team at Guthrie County Quality Meats. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, in my new position as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I have the honor of recognizing an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. It is my privilege to recognize Red Oak Fabrication of Red Oak, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week of January 30, 2023. As you will often see across our great State, small businesses and families go hand-in-hand in Iowa. Red Oak Fabrication of Montgomery County is no different. Red Oak Fabrication was founded in 1913 under the name Pike Machine Shop. A short decade later, management would decide to adopt the name that still stands today: Red Oak Fabrication. In 1928, Ted Fort began working at Red Oak as one of three employees. Through hard work and persistence, he purchased half interest in the company in 1944 and eventually purchased the remaining to own full interest in 1948. Watching their father's growing success within the business, it was not long before Ted's sons Bill and Jack, both veterans of World War II, decided to join the fold in 1946 and 1947 respectively. Bill was responsible for starting the outside sales of oxygen and welding supplies, while Jack joined the sales team. Ted's two sons proved to be great additions to the company, especially as the Fort family's involvement in Red Oak Manufacturing extended beyond the second generation. The third generation of the Fort family working at Red Oak Fabrication began in 1978 when Ted's grandson Jeff Fort started as a route truck driver. Jeff eventually took over the business in 1992 and made a big splash in 1993 when he purchased a plasma table, the company's first. Jeff's son, Jacob Fort, started in 2001 following his graduation from college, ushering in the fourth generation of Forts. Jacob got his start working in indoor and outdoor sales. Jacob left the company in 2005, but returned in 2014 and now handles business development and purchasing, leading the activities at the north location. Jordan Fort, another one of Jeff's sons, began working at Red Oak Fabrication as a freshman in high school in 2004. He worked at his family's business every summer until his sophomore year of college. He now handles the powder coating as well as purchasing. In 2022, Justin Fort joined the business working in operations following a decade of work in cutting equipment manufacturing and production welding equipment sales. You can find Red Oak Fabrication in three locations in Montgomery County, a north, south, and central location. The central location is where the company started and is where the machining centers, as well as a Carhartt store is located. The north facility provides powder coating, plate rolling, manual and robotic welding, while the south location has their plate processing equipment. Starting as a two truck operation, Red Oak Fabrication has grown to include three plasma tables, two laser tables, and one water jet table. Clearly, a strong sense of business acumen runs in the Fort family as Ted's children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren have continued on their forefather's long road of growth and innovation. I think we can all agree that small businesses are the backbone of America and families are the heart. It gives me great pleasure to see Ted Fort's hard work transcend generations to provide vital manufacturing services to my home county and statewide. Therefore, I want to commend the Fort family for their hard work and commitment to keeping Red Oak Fabrication a family business, even as they continue to grow their enterprise, and achieve the American dream. Congratulations to the Fort family and the entire team at Red Oak Fabrication. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Thank you, Vice Chair Capito. Wow. It is great to have another woman in leadership and leading these floor events now.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Madam President, I do want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Capito of West Virginia for her leadership in bringing Senate Republicans to the floor to talk about what is a very important issue to all of our constituents--the safety and the security of our great Nation. Joe Biden created a crisis that has now turned into a complete catastrophe--one a mere photo op at a cleaned-up site in Texas won't fix. In just 2 years, under President Biden, over 4 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border--151 who are on the terror watch list. To top that off, we know of at least 1.2 million individuals who evaded the authorities. Those are the individuals we call the ``got-aways.'' This border catastrophe is so much more than a flood of illegal immigrants hoping to jump the legal immigration line to get in the door. An open border is an invitation for mischief. It is a drug lord's dream. In my home State of Iowa, drug overdoses among young people have risen 120 percent in the last few years. According to the State's Division of Criminal Investigation, there were four times the amount of fentanyl pills disguised as prescription drugs in 2022 as compared to the previous year. We must act now to counter this deadly fentanyl epidemic. We, as lawmakers, should make the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death punishable by Federal felony murder charges. It is past time the consequences for intentionally inflicting an overdose fits the crime. The cartels producing and smuggling this deadly drug into the United States are also funneling a significant number of illegal firearms and weapons, leading to barbaric violence. Just last week in California, a family of six, including a 10-month-old baby girl, was killed in a drug cartel execution. Unfortunately, the suspects are still at large. Folks, this death and devastation cannot continue. In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to leading a bicameral delegation to the California-Mexico border. There, we plan to hear directly from Customs and Border Protection personnel about fentanyl and their ongoing drug interdictions. We will tour the port in San Diego--the epicenter for fentanyl trafficking into the United States--and get a firsthand look at the dangerous and critical work our Border Patrol agents are doing day in and day out. I anticipate a common theme in all of our conversations: the need to physically secure our border, something my colleagues on the other side of the aisle used to support. In 2007, then-Senator Joe Biden argued: No great country can say it's secure without being able to secure its borders. In 2010, Senator Chuck Schumer supported border security and agreed the border lacked ``the resources to fully combat the drug smugglers, gun runners, human traffickers, money launderers, and organized criminals that seek to do harm to innocent Americans along our border.'' Amen, folks. I agree with both of them. But where is that same attitude now, when the southern border has become immensely more dangerous, more permeable, and more lethal? At every single one of my townhalls, over the past 3 weeks, and in dozens of interviews with Iowa media, I was asked about the crisis at the southern border. So, to those on the left who say this is just a Republican stunt, I think you had better get out of the beltway and into Middle America, hear directly from the people you are supposed to serve, and you will quickly find out it is no stunt; it is reality. Iowa families want solutions. They want safety, and they want to curtail the ever-increasing access to deadly drugs for their children, and they are not alone. The American people want a solution. In fact, over a majority of Americans--73 percent, according to one Pew Research poll--say they believe we need to increase security along the U.S.- Mexico border. It is a great place to start, a place to find common ground. In fact, there are left over border materials from the Trump administration just lying out in the desert, materials that taxpayers have paid for that are just collecting dust. And get this: The Federal Government is actually paying--yes, they have hired contractors, and they spend our tax dollars to do this--to watch over those materials that are lying there in the desert. Without a secure border, we cannot have a larger conversation about reforming our immigration system. So maybe, just maybe, a good place to start is for this administration to allow States that want to complete the border barrier to do so, instead of taking them to court. Besides, doesn't Biden's Justice Department have enough on their hands right now? So I agree with the Senator from West Virginia that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, Thanksgiving is just a week away, and, of course, we will have turkey--or so we thought. In these difficult times as Americans, we all have a lot to be thankful for. I am so proud of my daughter Libby and grateful for my brandnew son- in-law Andrew. I am thankful for being selected by my fellow Iowans to have the privilege of representing each of them in the U.S. Senate. And I know I speak on behalf of all Iowans when I express the most heartfelt gratitude for every one of the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of our great Nation, risking everything to protect what we all hold dear. Thanksgiving is the day set aside for us to gather with family and friends to express our gratitude for all of our blessings with a grand feast. When most of us think of Thanksgiving trimmings, delicious sides like cranberry sauce--one of my favorites--sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and stuffing all come to mind. But this year, as a result of Bidenomics, Thanksgiving trimmings refer instead to the items being cut from the menu due to rising prices. With the cost of Thanksgiving dinner up 20 percent since last year, 9 out of 10 Americans are planning to eliminate at least one dish from their menu. Some are even skipping the turkey altogether and serving cheaper alternatives like pizza. Most are also planning to invite fewer guests, and one in four plans to pass on Thanksgiving dinner altogether to save money. Hard-working Americans shouldn't have to trim the guest list or side dishes from Thanksgiving dinner, but with the out-of-control inflation being caused by the Democrats' failed economic policies gobbling up our family budgets, that is exactly what is happening. So let's talk turkey. Turkey costs 21 percent more this Thanksgiving than last. As a matter of fact, the chairman of the Democrats' Congressional Campaign Committee said families struggling with these rising prices should eat Chef Boyardee. That is what he said. If that is the Democrats' solution, boy are we cooked. Chef Boyardee? No. Chef Boy-are-we-cooked. What did his constituents think of this idea? On election day, they canned him. Instead of Chef Boyardee, Washington needs to serve up some real solutions to cut the causes of climbing costs. Beginning on his very first day in office, President Biden made it a priority to turn off American-made energy. This has been a recipe for disaster, with energy prices increasing nearly 18 percent just this last year. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Democrats' so-called Inflation Reduction Act will even further increase the cost of natural gas, which will have a direct impact on food prices because natural gas is a key component for producing fertilizer, which is already costing our farmers two to four times more today than just 2 years ago. The Biden administration is also bringing out leftover land use rules from the Obama era that will impose costly and bureaucratic regulations on farmers that will also impact food costs. This certainly is no way to show gratitude towards those who grow the food we rely upon to feed our families on Thanksgiving and every other day. Folks, let's bring down costs by sticking a fork in these inflation- causing laws and burdensome regulations that the Democrats keep dishing out. Bidenomics is going to be the real turkey at this year's gathering, but I sure hope the bigger bite it is taking out of your budget doesn't put you in a ``fowl'' mood when we all have so many other things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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