Joni Ernst

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair 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 honor Lake City Veterinary Service of Calhoun County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 1974, Lake City Veterinary Service was established by Dr. Paul Armbrecht, a dedicated swine veterinarian whose lifelong commitment to supporting independent livestock producers has shaped the practice. After graduating from Iowa State University and serving in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, Dr. Armbrecht and his wife planted their roots in Lake City. For more than 40 years, Dr. Armbrecht has served as the Calhoun County Expo veterinarian, providing guidance to independent pork producers, as well as diagnosing and troubleshooting farm operations, and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians. He has also contributed his expertise to swine disease eradication campaigns and to committees focused on foreign animal disease preparedness, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to the health and success of Iowa's livestock industry. In 2015, after his associates retired, Dr. Armbrecht became the sole owner and continued to practice in nearby Rockwell City. Today, as an independent practitioner, Dr. Armbrecht focuses primarily on veterinary farm visits and livestock auction markets and says he is having ``more fun than ever.'' As Dr. Armbrecht puts it, his greatest honor is ``the privilege to serve independent livestock producers,'' including now the third generation of families he has worked with since the 1970s. Dr. Armbrecht's commitment to service extends far beyond his veterinary work. He is a loyal member of the Iowa Farm Bureau, an elder at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, a volunteer with the Capri City Theater Restoration and Rockwell City Sweet Corn Daze, and a proud supporter of local youth and education. Throughout his career, Dr. Armbrecht's exceptional service has been recognized with numerous honors. Most recently, Dr. Armbrecht was named as the Rockwell City Citizen of the Year for 2025. In 2010, he was named a ``Master of Pork Production'' by the National Hog Farmer magazine. His family has been recognized by Iowa State University with the 2004 Family of the Year Award, and he has been recognized by the Iowa Farm Bureau with awards such as Iowa's Favorite Veterinarian, the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, and the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. Through his dedication to Iowa agriculture, Dr. Armbrecht represents the best of the heartland's small business owners. For over 50 years, Dr. Armbrecht and Lake City Veterinary Service have faithfully served independent livestock producers across Iowa while exemplifying the values of hard work, community service, and integrity. What began as a veteran pursuing his passion has grown into one of the most trusted practices within Iowa's agricultural community. It is my honor to recognize Lake City Veterinary Service and Dr. Paul Armbrecht for his outstanding work and dedication to the Calhoun County community. I look forward to his continued success and wish him the very best in the years ahead.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as I visit with farmers, traveling river to river across Iowa, I hear all too often about the crushing weight of healthcare costs on farm families. The ``Unaffordable Care Act's'' one-size-fits-none model ignored the realities of self-employment, seasonal cash flow, and the absence of large corporate employers in farm country. Spouses, who are often a family farm's bookkeeper, mechanic, veterinarian--many, many jobs all rolled into one--have been forced to take off-farm jobs solely to latch on to employer-sponsored coverage. This is what has happened in my own farm family. My brother and my sister are both type 1 diabetics. Both of them have had to find jobs off of the farm for employer-sponsored healthcare. That means 40 to 60 hours a week away from the very enterprise they are trying to preserve for the next generation. Democrats in Congress branded ObamaCare as a chance to bend the cost curve downward. It turns out the only thing it is bending downward are the bottom lines of farmers across Iowa. And the numbers don't lie. Farmers and small businesses are subsidizing a broken system that doesn't serve them. Rural America needs solutions that don't force spouses to find off- farm work or forgo health insurance altogether. Premiums are climbing for individuals and small businesses alike thanks to the ``Unaffordable Care Act's'' mountain of mandates, and now what we are seeing in this DC bubble is that Democrats want to hand out another $35 billion next year straight to the insurance companies, with zero guardrails on fraud or income. In other words, Democrats refuse to reopen the government because they want more welfare for the wealthy. It is clear ObamaCare has failed to deliver on its promises. I remember President Obama saying way back in the day that ObamaCare would drive down the cost of insurance for every family by $2,500 a year. If that were true, we wouldn't be in this situation today. ObamaCare has failed to deliver on its promises. The answer isn't pouring more taxpayer cash into a broken system, throwing good money after bad. What we need to do is fix what is broken. President Trump is already working to bring down costs. Instead of extending failed ObamaCare and preserving fraud, we can end the waste, return billions of dollars to the taxpayers, and let folks choose from quality options. This is one way we can put patients first. Government Funding Mr. President, so a number of my colleagues have addressed the shutdown situation as well, and I am going to veer off on another topic of those Federal employees, those air traffic controllers, and, for heaven's sake, our military members that are struggling under this shutdown. Now, many of our military families already rely on SNAP to provide food for their families. We have 1,900 Iowa Army National Guardsmen that are serving across the Middle East today. They are deployed. They have left their civilian employment only to go into a deployed situation where they don't know if or when they will get their next paycheck. Their families in Iowa are struggling right now. They are out there serving for all of us. My daughter is also a soldier in the Army. And at the beginning of the government shutdown, she had the really awful position of having to sit down with her soldiers and counsel them on where they could go to find loans to help their families during the government shutdown. Many of the employees here have had to do the exact same thing. What does it take to get through this government shutdown? It is a simple ``yes'' vote from our friends across the aisle. They have shut the government down. We have provided opportunity time and time again to open the Federal Government, to pay our Federal Government workers, to make sure our skies are safe, to make sure our military members are paid, to make sure SNAP benefits are getting to every family, every family that struggles with food insecurity. All it takes is a ``yes'' vote. We have told the Democrats we are willing to sit down and negotiate on the ACA, the ``Unaffordable Care Act,'' and other opportunities. We will do that when we open the Federal Government. Democrats are not fighting to lower premiums. They are fighting to raise the profits for health insurance companies. Democrats are terrified of the truth about their temporary COVID credits. It is welfare for the wealthy and corporate welfare rolled all into one. Democrats are demanding that Republicans vote to make their handout scheme permanent. Their plan is to line the pockets of health insurers with half a trillion dollars in taxpayer-funded subsidies. Thanks to Democrats, insurers are pocketing record profits, fueled by taxpayer subsidies. Extending the Biden COVID credits would cost our taxpayers half a trillion dollars. Democrats shut down the government to protect ObamaCare subsidies that send $40 billion to insurance companies--not to the families that need it. So let's be very clear, this argument is not about helping the American families that need better options for healthcare insurance; it is about sending large wads of money to health insurers. Let's come together and figure this out, folks. We are the U.S. Senate. We are the U.S. Government. This never would have been allowed to happen when I was serving in the U.S. military. You come up with a course of action; you decide on the best course of action; and you follow through in that mission. We expect our servicemembers to do this every single day. They are at the behest of the U.S. Federal Government. We need to open up the Federal Government and ensure they are paid. Let's take care of their families. Let's take care of the food-insecure folks, not just in Iowa but all across the Nation. Let's make sure farmers are able to make their farm payments this fall. All it takes is a simple yes from our Democratic friends. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to begin the next vote.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair 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 honor Iron Horse Aviation of Jasper County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week for National Veterans Small Business Week. Founded in October 2016, Iron Horse Aviation of Newton, IA, is a veteran-owned aviation company built on faith, service, and dedication to excellence. Established by husband and wife Colt and Emily Zesch, Iron Horse Aviation provides a wide range of aerial services, including pipeline and powerline patrol, frost control and drying, firefighting support, construction assistance, aerial photography, airborne tactical operations, and cattle mustering--just to name a few. With its four employees, this small but powerful team continues to advance Iowa's aviation and agricultural sectors. Colt, a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division at Fort Bragg and fifth-generation farmer, brings decades of experience in military, security, and operational leadership. Having completed 22 deployments to the Middle East, Colt embodies the precision, discipline, and commitment that define Iron Horse Aviation. His attention to detail and passion for flight ensures that every client's mission is handled with safety and professionalism. Emily plays a vital role in building relationships and shaping the company's community-centered mission. The business' guiding principle, ``Built on a Rock,'' reflects their belief that trust, integrity, and faith form the foundation of every successful partnership. At Iron Horse Aviation, clients are treated like family, and every project is an opportunity to strengthen bonds and serve others. Since opening its hangar doors, Iron Horse Aviation has maintained steady growth and built a reputation for dependability and innovation in aerial services. Through the nonprofit Iron Horse Guardians Foundation, Colt and Emily Zesch maintain a ready helicopter fleet and expert crew dedicated to lifesaving missions. This includes everything from delivering supplies and conducting search-and-rescue operations to providing humanitarian support and reconnaissance for ground crews. Whether responding to natural disasters or supporting local emergency efforts, Iron Horse Guardians stand ready to serve with the same precision, discipline, and compassion that define the company's core values. Iron Horse Aviation is a proud member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and continues to represent the values of hard work, service, and faith that define Iowa's small business community. The team is committed to combating human trafficking, especially by participating in events across the country to support prevention and advocacy efforts. Iron Horse Aviation exemplifies the spirit of American entrepreneurship, rising from dedication, grounded in purpose, and working toward a stronger future for their clients and community alike. It is my honor to recognize Colt and Emily Zesch and the entire Iron Horse Aviation team for their outstanding work and dedication to their community. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to use a prop during my remarks.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, legend has it that all the halls of the Capitol are haunted by a demon cat. If you look closely, paw prints left behind by this stray spirit can be spotted outside the entrance of the Old Supreme Court Chamber. From poltergeists to apparitions of Abraham Lincoln and other dead Presidents, Washington has a long history of ghost stories. The city itself was transformed into a ghost town when government workers disappeared from their desks as a result of President Biden's lax telework policies. For years, most Agency headquarters were left with just a skeleton crew. Even after the bureaucrats were called back to work by President Trump, before being furloughed by the government shutdown, the buildings remained largely empty. Thousands of other government buildings are completely vacant. Thousands are uninhabited by a single soul in Washington, DC. Deserted and left in a state of disrepair for years, many properties have been condemned to a fate worse than death. One was described as a ``roach-infested mold dungeon.'' Bugs were spotted crawling out of faucets and creeping across the floors of another. While some have been described as cold, gray eyesores, others are literally deathtraps. The drinking water in many sat stagnant for so long that it turned into a deadly potion of toxic metals and biohazards. Renovations and upgrades to make the horrifying offices habitable again would cost the taxpayers--and prepare, unfortunately, for a jump scare--$370 billion. Yes, folks, that is billion with a ``b.'' I just don't know what possesses Washington to hold on to decaying properties. Meanwhile, around the country, other old haunts are returning from beyond the grave. But there is no reason to fear this zombie apocalypse. It is that time of year when boarded-up businesses come back to life as Spirit Halloween stores. It is almost spooky how fast these Halloween stores pop up, transforming the remains of abandoned buildings into a billion-dollar business. Spirit Halloween's successful body-snatching business model scares up a great idea for reviving the government's graveyard of lifeless real estate. Let's sell off these haunted houses to businesses that can breathe new life into them. That trick would be a real treat for the taxpayers because it would both reduce costs and bring in billions of dollars from monstrous sales. It is an idea only a zombie wouldn't like since it is such a no-brainer. My DISPOSAL Act would fast-track the sale of unused, unneeded, and underutilized government properties. Congress should embrace the Halloween spirit by passing this bill and let the unfurling of Spirit Halloween banners begin. Many of the properties that would be put on the market by my bill are in prime locations, so potential buyers should be prepared to act quickly before these once-in-a-lifetime sales vanish like a ghost. The real monster this bill is designed to slay, however, is one that has been lurking around Washington for way too long: our national debt, which now exceeds $38 trillion. That amount should scare us all into taking action.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to use a prop during my remarks.

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, legend has it that all the halls of the Capitol are haunted by a demon cat. If you look closely, paw prints left behind by this stray spirit can be spotted outside the entrance of the Old Supreme Court Chamber. From poltergeists to apparitions of Abraham Lincoln and other dead Presidents, Washington has a long history of ghost stories. The city itself was transformed into a ghost town when government workers disappeared from their desks as a result of President Biden's lax telework policies. For years, most Agency headquarters were left with just a skeleton crew. Even after the bureaucrats were called back to work by President Trump, before being furloughed by the government shutdown, the buildings remained largely empty. Thousands of other government buildings are completely vacant. Thousands are uninhabited by a single soul in Washington, DC. Deserted and left in a state of disrepair for years, many properties have been condemned to a fate worse than death. One was described as a ``roach-infested mold dungeon.'' Bugs were spotted crawling out of faucets and creeping across the floors of another. While some have been described as cold, gray eyesores, others are literally deathtraps. The drinking water in many sat stagnant for so long that it turned into a deadly potion of toxic metals and biohazards. Renovations and upgrades to make the horrifying offices habitable again would cost the taxpayers--and prepare, unfortunately, for a jump scare--$370 billion. Yes, folks, that is billion with a ``b.'' I just don't know what possesses Washington to hold on to decaying properties. Meanwhile, around the country, other old haunts are returning from beyond the grave. But there is no reason to fear this zombie apocalypse. It is that time of year when boarded-up businesses come back to life as Spirit Halloween stores. It is almost spooky how fast these Halloween stores pop up, transforming the remains of abandoned buildings into a billion-dollar business. Spirit Halloween's successful body-snatching business model scares up a great idea for reviving the government's graveyard of lifeless real estate. Let's sell off these haunted houses to businesses that can breathe new life into them. That trick would be a real treat for the taxpayers because it would both reduce costs and bring in billions of dollars from monstrous sales. It is an idea only a zombie wouldn't like since it is such a no-brainer. My DISPOSAL Act would fast-track the sale of unused, unneeded, and underutilized government properties. Congress should embrace the Halloween spirit by passing this bill and let the unfurling of Spirit Halloween banners begin. Many of the properties that would be put on the market by my bill are in prime locations, so potential buyers should be prepared to act quickly before these once-in-a-lifetime sales vanish like a ghost. The real monster this bill is designed to slay, however, is one that has been lurking around Washington for way too long: our national debt, which now exceeds $38 trillion. That amount should scare us all into taking action.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair 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 honor Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering of Polk County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 2011 by Todd Freeland, Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering grew out of a small family farm operation that began back in 2003. What started as an idea has grown into a thriving precision manufacturing company built on innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Co-owned by Todd Freeland, Matthew Sawhill, and Brandon Dahms, the business provides computer numerical controlled, CNC, machined and milled parts, which are precision-engineered components created by computer-controlled tools that shape raw materials into exact dimensions and designs. By leveraging advanced machining technology and automation systems, Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering produces components that meet demanding specifications for clients across agriculture, industrial supply, food, transportation, and the construction industries. Their flexible and collaborative approach allows them to take on both large-scale operations and specialized projects, bringing complex ideas to life with exceptional accuracy and care. Over the years, they have earned a strong reputation for combining craftsmanship with modern technology, ensuring that every part meets the highest industry standards. At the heart of Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering is a simple yet powerful philosophy: ``Precision meets people meets passion.'' With a team of 14 dedicated employees, the company takes pride in its close customer relationships and its efforts to build Iowa's future workforce. Through partnerships with local community colleges, the business introduces students to advanced manufacturing, helping them gain the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in a rapidly changing industry. These collaborations strengthen both local communities and the State's manufacturing sector, ensuring continued innovation and opportunity. Their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has fueled over a decade of steady growth and earned them deep respect within the industry. Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in precision engineering, helping fuel progress in industries that keep Iowa and the Nation moving forward. Through hard work and vision, Todd, Matthew, and Brandon have built more than a successful business; they have created a legacy that inspires others in the manufacturing industry. It is my honor to recognize Todd Freeland, Matthew Sawhill, Brandon Dahms, and the entire Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering team for their entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding work, and dedication to their community. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, it is day 23 of the Schumer shutdown, making this the second longest shutdown in modern history. While Senator Schumer says ``every day gets better'' for Democrats, the stunt is taking a real toll on Americans. Closing the government may be a game for Washington politicians, but it is not fun for the folks in Iowa who work hard and expect Congress to do the same. A social service provider in Sioux City is facing challenges providing shelter for the homeless because the Social Security Administration is closed. The wife of a civilian employee at the Rock Island Arsenal worries that if he doesn't get paid, the family may have to dip into their daughter's college funds to make ends meet. Another frustrated constituent in Council Bluffs says: We have families here living paycheck to paycheck. They cannot afford food, much less healthcare. An employee of the Farm Service Agency in Taylor County, which is a neighboring county to my county, Montgomery, in rural southwest Iowa, says the shutdown is putting a strain on beginning farmers as well as the elderly producers in her community. And the closure of USDA service centers is financially impacting farmers, which will have ripple effects on everyone for months to come. Thousands of families in Iowa are already facing the real possibility of not being able to put food on the table. Recipients of SNAP will not receive benefits next month, and WIC-- Women, Infants, and Children--support for mothers and babies will also run out very soon. And Iowans aren't alone in this. If Democrats do not allow the government to reopen, half of our States will run out of money to provide SNAP benefits in November. That means millions of children across the country will have food taken away from them by the Schumer shutdown. This is a particularly cruel way to make a political point, especially at Thanksgiving time. So most folks here in this body really understand that there are a lot of families that mean a lot to me, not only my families in Iowa but then also all of our military families across the United States. So my daughter and my son-in-law serve on Active-Duty Army. My daughter and I talk just about every day, either by FaceTime or by phone, and the shutdown is really impacting her younger soldiers. So every day my daughter and I go through those discussions of where will the soldiers find food. Her discussion with me today centered around a talk she had with their military chaplain yesterday. She was typing up a letter so that her soldiers could receive gift cards before Thanksgiving from the chaplain's funds. But unfortunately, the chaplain said: I don't even know that we will have funds so that we can give the gift cards for the families because of the shutdown. One of the military units has actually started its own internal food bank so that soldiers can go to that food bank and get food for their families. Anyone that has served in the military or knows someone that serves in the military understands that already our military men and women, many of them qualify for SNAP even though they are employed by the military. These are families that are currently serving every single day with the inability to get paid. Now, thankfully, the President was able to scratch together dollars from the Department of Defense to pay them their first check, but this is a long-term problem we are facing now. And the President won't be able to keep doing that. So we have all of our Federal employees, our military men and women that are not getting paid. They can't literally put food on the table. One of my daughter's soldiers has had to drop out of college. This NCO works full-time during the day and tries to do better by going to college at night. And she can't afford to pay the tuition now that is required, and there are no appropriated funds to move forward with her college. And so she had to pull her enrollment yesterday. So we are impacting families in all of our home States. We are impacting the men and women that are defending our Nation. This standoff is a fight for survival. But what I am doing here, I am fighting for the folks who are continuing to work hard every single day without a paycheck or going without the help they need just simply to get by. But the Democrats are fighting for their own political survival. We witnessed here on this very floor earlier today the majority of Democrats vote no on paying these essential workers in the Federal Government. Air traffic controllers, our military men and women, the Capitol policemen that protect this complex, the staff that we see here sitting today. They voted no. One Democrat Senator candidly confided to The Hill newspaper that if Democrats vote to reopen the government, ``people are going to get hammered'' by their liberal base. Another admits there are enough Democrats who would vote to reopen the government ``if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine.'' Apparently, the socialist uprising within the Democrat party is turning into a modern-day French revolution, folks. And playing the role of Marie Antoinette proclaiming, ``Let them eat cake,'' is Senator Schumer. The truth is, Democrats are literally--I mean literally--taking food out of the mouths of babes to save themselves from their own unhinged voters, instead of bending to the loudmouthed, liberal lunatics and socialist sociopaths who make up their base. Democrats should listen to their colleague Senator Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Senator Fetterman called the shutdown ``bad political theater,'' adding that ``there are no winners here. It's not getting better every day here. People are going to start to get really hungry.'' He is absolutely right, folks, and the Democrats know it is causing pain. In fact, that is the whole point of this exercise. Congresswoman Katherine Clark, the second in line, the second in line in the House Democratic leadership, said the quiet part out loud, stating: ``Families are going to suffer because of the shutdown.'' She calls that suffering ``leverage.'' Leverage. The American people and their suffering babies are leverage. Using the suffering of the very people we were elected to serve as political leverage is just plain sick. Perhaps Republicans need to start using our own leverage: the Senate schedule. If Chuck Schumer cancels Thanksgiving for millions of families across America who can't feed their children, the holidays should be canceled for the Senate as well. We should all be prepared to stay here until we reopen the government so no child will go to bed hungry because of Schumer's shutdown shenanigans. This is a serious job, folks. We need to take it seriously. We need to act seriously. And we need to ensure the shutdown ends. I yield the floor.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I have four requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 110, S. 259.

Ms. ERNST. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.

Ms. ERNST. I know of no further debate on the bill.

Ms. ERNST. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 35, S. 99.

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

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2316.

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

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, October 27; 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 the Senate be in a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; finally, at 5:30 p.m., the Senate execute the orders with respect to the Taibleson and Lewis nominations.

Ms. ERNST

Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, 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 Senators Welch and Whitehouse.