Deb Fischer

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, it has been 15 days since congressional Democrats shut down the Federal Government. Let's call it what it is: It is the Schumer shutdown. In that period, we have voted eight times on a clean continuing resolution. It is straightforward. It is a short-term bill that funds government at current levels without adding any kind of partisan policies to it. This would give us, here in Congress, time to finish the full-year funding bills responsibly. Instead, Democrats pushed for over a trillion dollars in new spending to recklessly eliminate the $50 billion rural hospital stabilization fund. Why in the world would Democrats want to do that? Why would they want to eliminate this crucial fund for our Nation's rural hospitals? It is unthinkable. The fact is, the Democrats' so-called proposal to reopen the government is packed with unrelated items. This includes the COVID-era bonus payments, overseas climate resilience projects, and taxpayer- funded healthcare for noncitizens. That is not responsible governing, and it is not fair to American families. House Republicans passed and they sent to the Senate a clean CR. That means that it has no poison pills, no policy riders on it. Democrats rejected it eight times. It is now time, folks, for Senator Schumer and his caucus to drop this partisan wish list and do their jobs. Meanwhile, it was reported in Punchbowl News on October 9 that Chuck Schumer said: Every day gets better for us. And by ``us,'' he means the Democrat party. If the Democrats think it is better that our troops aren't paid and that it is better when people are worried about being furloughed, then that just shows their arrogance. That just shows that they are tone- deaf to the uncertainty and the stress people are feeling. That just shows Chuck Schumer is in his Schumer shutdown only for political theater. This shutdown is hurting people. Farmers are losing access to Federal support at a time when the ag economy is already strained. Construction projects that rely on Federal funding are stalling. Air traffic controllers and Federal employees face uncertainty about their paychecks. None of this--none of this--is necessary. Let's be clear. A short-term funding bill is not the place for sweeping policy changes. If this continues, deeper cuts to essential services may follow, and that is entirely preventable. Remember, the House sent us a clean CR, with no new policies included. It simply continues current funding until November 21. Then we will take up appropriations bills that have strong bipartisan support. And they have that because it was already negotiated within that Appropriations Committee and, as a member of that committee, we passed it out of the committee. I am deeply committed to that transparent process--one where Senators debate, amend, and vote on each bill individually before the end of the fiscal year. All we are asking is to reopen the government so that we can continue that funding process. Leader Thune promised that we would take appropriations bills up, here on the floor, and we have already passed three of them. Let's show the American people bipartisanship and transparency and continue this important work. So why are we here today and still shut down? Because the Democrats are more focused on appeasing the far left than funding the government. I believe they are caving to political pressure when they should be fulfilling their most basic duty: keeping the government open and operating for their constituents. Republicans' goal is simple: Reopen the government now, protect our military and families, and return to regular order. At the end of the day, Americans deserve a functioning government, not political theater. If just a handful of Senate Democrats join Republicans, we can end this shutdown. And I hope when we next vote to reopen the government, my Democrat colleagues will join us in doing the right thing. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I rise in opposition to this amendment because it would have a significant negative effect on our U.S. nuclear deterrence. In addition to the obvious stab at President Trump, the way the amendment is drafted would affect one of our military's most important programs: the Survivable Airborne Operations Center--otherwise known as the Doomsday Plane. This aircraft program is crucial to ensuring command and control for the President if we are attacked with nuclear weapons. It is an important part of our nuclear deterrent. The program purchased a Boeing 747 aircraft from Korean Air, and thus this program would be unable to spend appropriated money this year if this amendment passes. For those reasons, I urge a ``no'' vote. Vote on Amendment No. 3109

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for the two leaders to enter motions to reconsider without being on the prevailing side with respect to the cloture votes on the motion to proceed to S. 2882 and H.R. 5371; further, that mandatory quorum calls with respect to S. 2882, H.R. 5371, and the en bloc nominations provided for under the provisions of S. Res. 412 be waived.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, for all ag producers, the word ``tariff'' makes us nervous, but earlier this year, I took a step back to look at the bigger economic picture, and I became one of the first Members of Congress to support the administration's effort to level the playing field on trade. I have said many times that the administration deserves time to secure strong trade deals that benefit Americans; however, the reality is this: Farmers are targeted by other countries, like China. I have seen it firsthand back home in Nebraska. Producers of corn, soybeans, and other top commodities are under crushing pressure. Rising input costs and uncertainty have driven farm finances to levels reminiscent of the 1980s crisis, which bankrupted thousands and hollowed out our rural communities. Since 2020, seed costs have jumped 18 percent, fuel and oil are up 32 percent, fertilizer has spiked 37 percent, and interest expenses have surged an alarming 73 percent. Our soybean producers are projected to lose about $100 an acre this year. On top of that, storage costs for soybeans and corn have risen steeply. For everybody, this is crippling, and it is happening during one of the largest harvests in memory. Time is running out, and we need to turn this around. We need a strong and positive set of actions. Ensuring our farmers can weather tough economic times must be a national priority. It is clear that farm aid is needed at this time. Congress has taken some steps toward this goal. We passed $10 billion in farm aid last December, and we included a major boost for producers in July's reconciliation law. However, that money is not going to reach any farmers until next fall, and producers need to have relief right now. But here is the challenge: We also need lasting, long-term solutions that help provide stability and real opportunity for ag producers. That is why one of the fastest ways we can deliver results is by unlocking year-round access to E15--a clean, American-made biofuel. Permanent nationwide access would increase corn demand by 2.5 billion bushels a year. It would lower gas prices for families, and it would drive new revenue into rural communities. President Trump's day one order to promote E15 through his national energy emergency declaration--that was a strong start, but temporary fixes don't cut it. That is why I reintroduced my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act earlier this year. When I first introduced this bill nearly a decade ago, it felt like an uphill climb. Well, today, momentum is finally on our side. We have strong bipartisan support. We have new industry partners, including members of the oil and refining sector, who are at the table. This is a key piece of Republicans' plan to lower energy costs, to strengthen American production, and to give consumers more choices at the pump. Trade--well, that is the other half of the equation. Former President Biden's lack of a clear trade agenda left America with a $49 billion trade deficit, undercutting farmers in Nebraska and all across this country. President Trump, you can help reverse that deficit by holding China accountable and ensuring American-grown soybeans have access to global markets--a lifeline for farmers facing losses this harvest season. President Trump has already made progress on this trade front. Take beef. Australia has sold nearly $29 billion worth of beef to U.S. consumers, while American ranchers have been locked out of their market. Do you know how much beef--American beef--Australia bought? Zero. Now we need the same kind of breakthrough by opening up the market for soybeans and corn and every other American crop. At the end of the day, farmers and ranchers want programs that work, and we want markets to sell our products. Simply put: We just want a fair shot. By securing strong trade deals and building new markets through year- round E15, we can revitalize the farm economy, we can bolster U.S. energy security, and we can ensure that America's producers can keep feeding and fueling this Nation for generations to come. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Miran nomination and, if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, we are living in a time of growing global unrest. China is accelerating its military buildup in the Indo- Pacific. While I remain hopeful that President Trump can help broker peace between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, Russia's brutal war against Ukraine grinds on. That is why it is more important than ever that we invest in our servicemembers, protect defense spectrum, drive innovation, and strengthen our missile defense systems. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am proud to report that this year's National Defense Authorization Act meets this moment. It includes key provisions I secured to modernize our nuclear deterrent and strengthen our national defense. As chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I fought to upgrade the National Nuclear Security Administration's infrastructure. The bill establishes an annual independent assessment of NNSA's progress toward modernization goals, ensuring our nuclear deterrent remains both effective and up to date. It requires the deployment of at least 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles across no fewer than 450 launch facilities, maintaining a force structure capable of deterring any nuclear-capable adversary. It authorizes more than $4 billion for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program, and it requires that it be fielded no later than September 30, 2033. It accelerates the sea-launched nuclear cruise missile program. And it expands experimentation and prototyping authority to all combatant commands, including U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in my home State of Nebraska. This is exactly the kind of strategic deterrence that makes our adversaries think twice and say: Not today. This year's NDAA also safeguards critical defense spectrum. Some in Washington have suggested that the Pentagon is sitting on spectrum bands that could be better used for commercial wireless. That portrayal is both inaccurate, and it is dangerous. The reality is these frequencies are not idle. They are the backbone of America's missile defense and intelligence systems. And we should not be allowing Federal Agencies to sell critical communication channels needed to carry out the Trump administration's priorities, including the Golden Dome missile defense shield. That is why this year's defense bill prohibits any modifications to defense systems in these spectrums bands unless top Pentagon leaders themselves deem it absolutely necessary. Earlier this summer, I led the effort to secure--for the first time in law--a carve-out that prevents the Federal Communications Commission from auctioning or reallocating these bands for the next decade. The NDAA provision is consistent with these protections, ensuring that we strike the right balance: unleashing America's wireless innovation, while never compromising our national security. We are also preparing for the threats that we cannot yet see. I secured provisions to assess the readiness of the National Disaster Medical System, to modernize our roadmaps for cloud migration and artificial intelligence, and to ensure that our intelligence community has the meteorological and environmental services that it needs. But all of these priorities mean little without investing in the brave men and women who carry them out. That is why I fought to authorize $19 million above the President's budget request to help recover and identify the remains of our fallen servicemembers from past wars and conflicts. The U.S. military leaves no one behind. And through this bill, we are directing the Pentagon to explore whether local communities can play a more active role in helping develop the Department's healthcare facilities, similar to my CHIP IN for Veterans Act. This is the very least we can do for the troops and the families who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we hold dear. Beyond the details, we must keep sight of the bigger picture. Our adversaries--nations that hate America--well, they are sharing weapons and resources and a common goal. They want to weaken American power and dismantle our influence across the globe. The character of war has evolved rapidly. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, hypersonic weapons, next-generation aircraft, and space-based capabilities, they are all reshaping the battlefield. At the same time, we live in a political environment that is too often partisan and divided. Yet on this issue, I believe most of my colleagues agree that we must confront these threats head-on, and that means rebuilding the arsenal of democracy. To do so, we need serious reform at the Pentagon. This year's NDAA delivers: modernizing the budget process, cutting redtape, improving efficiency, and unleashing innovation. This is not partisan. This is not political. This is necessity. Our servicemembers must have the resources they need to carry out their missions and return home to their loved ones. This bill strengthens our military, and it sends a very clear message: America is prepared to meet the moment. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it without delay.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I recently returned from an official trip to the Indo-Pacific, where I visited U.S. military installations in Hawaii and Guam and met with leaders in Palau, the Philippines, and Taiwan. That trip underscored a simple reality: We are living in a time of global unrest, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific is vital to the security of both the United States and our partners. On the final leg of the trip, I met with Taiwanese officials and saw firsthand how we can strengthen U.S. posture and deepen collaboration in the region. I was also struck by the warmth, hospitality, and the resilience of the Taiwanese people. For decades, our partnership with Taiwan has been anchored in democracy, in freedom, and in economic opportunity. Today, it is equally defined by innovation and resilience. A stronger Taiwan means a stronger United States and vice versa. That is why both our Nations must continue working deliberately and decisively to deepen cooperation. The payoff is clear: greater prosperity for our people and greater stability for the world. Taiwan has made remarkable progress in bolstering its self-defense in recent years. We should seize every opportunity to build on that momentum. At the same time, we must recognize the challenge before us. The Chinese Communist Party continues to threaten, pressure, and attempt to isolate Taiwan. These actions are unacceptable. The people of Taiwan have earned their place as a respected and indispensable part of the global economy. Here in the Senate, we understand the gravity of the challenge. The world is more dangerous today than at any point since World War II, and this moment--this moment--demands seriousness and resolve. Taiwan is the test case for U.S. credibility in upholding a free and open rules- based order. If Taiwan were to fall under coercion, the consequences would reverberate far beyond the Taiwan Strait, shaking the confidence of our allies and emboldening adversaries worldwide. That is why integrated deterrence is essential. The world is safer when America leads. And it is not just Taiwan that feels pressure from China; the Philippines, one of America's treaty allies, is locked in a contentious territorial dispute with China. Beijing wrongly claims islands and shoals that have been internationally recognized as belonging to the Philippines. Yet Manila is standing its ground with remarkable courage despite relentless Chinese pressure, and that deserves our deepest commendation. Our alliance with the Philippines is rooted in shared sacrifice. During World War II, U.S. and Filipino prisoners of war endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March, and, together, we fought to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation. General MacArthur's famous return symbolized the unbreakable bond between our peoples. That history of fighting shoulder to shoulder lives on today in our mutual defense treaty, in Exercise Balikatan, the largest annual exercise that we conduct together. ``Balikatan'' means shoulder to shoulder, and that is exactly how we continue to stand. Just as the Philippines is a vital ally, so, too, is Palau, a uniquely valued partner. As a Compact of Free Association state, our relationship with Palau goes beyond a traditional alliance. It is both economic and military. Palauan citizens can live, work, and study in the United States, while U.S. forces have access to Palauan territory under the ironclad guarantee of American defense. That partnership, it is strengthened by the fact that Palau has continued to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, even under enormous pressure from Beijing. Palau is a small nation by land mass and by population, but its exclusive economic zone is vast, and its courage to stand up to one of the world's largest bullies should not be underestimated. And Palau is breathtakingly beautiful, truly one of the most stunning places on Earth. When President Whipps visited Washington, he gave me a book filled with page after page of Palau's incredible landscapes. But beneath that beauty, lies real strategic importance. Palau reminds us that size is not what determines strength; conviction is. Guam, home to over 150,000 U.S. citizens, is central to our Indo- Pacific posture. Together, with partners like the Philippines, Palau, and Taiwan, we are building a network of deterrence--deterrence that keeps the peace and safeguards freedoms. It is clear that Taiwan's defense is not Taiwan's problem alone. Any conflict in the region would have devastating, worldwide consequences. It would likely halt Taiwan's advanced semiconductor production, which our electronics, automotive, and healthcare industries rely on. Economically, a conflict would disrupt global trade routes, potentially triggering a global financial crisis. And it would escalate regional military tensions, risk broader conflict, and cyber attacks. A strong American presence in the region lowers the odds of conflict and reassures our allies that they will never face these threats in isolation. All of this is why we need wise investment from both Washington and Taipei. It requires strengthening our deterrence networks and ensuring that our forces are ready for the threats of tomorrow. I am proud that the Senate Armed Services Committee has made this a top priority and that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 reflects that commitment. I look forward to voting for this must-pass legislation on the Senate floor and to vote on it very soon. That partnership between the United States and Taiwan is built on shared values and common purpose. It advances the security, prosperity, and freedom of our peoples. If we continue to invest in deterrence, I am confident that partnership will endure for generations. I yield the floor.

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today, the U.S. Senate will vote on my resolution to overturn the EPA's waiver for California's Advanced Clean Trucks. First of all, I would like to thank my friend and colleague Chairman Capito for her strong leadership and work on this very important issue. This heavyhanded regulation imposes unrealistic emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines. This government mandate handed down to vehicle manufacturers demands that they sell zero-emission trucks at an increased rate from 2024 to 2035. We aren't under any illusions as to what this means. We know that the goal is to effectively end the sale of internal combustion engines. Now, I am not here today to disparage electric vehicles, and I am certainly not here to discourage the manufacturing and the purchasing of EVs either. What I am concerned about is the Federal Government dictating which cars and which trucks are acceptable and which are not. If Americans want to drive an electric or a hybrid car, that is fine. However, the government--the government--should not pick winners and losers in the vehicle marketplace. I believe in the power of America's free markets, and I believe we should allow the markets to determine the viability of clean trucks. Here is the truth: This California waiver and subsequent regulation is simply not based in reality, and it will have real-world consequences on us. By requiring truckers to meet California's standards, even while working outside of the State, operator costs increase, fleet upgrades would be impacted, and interstate commerce would be disrupted. And American consumers would bear the brunt of increased costs. Hard-working families are already dealing with the high cost of everyday goods and services, and they cannot afford this regulation. Let me be clear. This action is necessary to stop one State from dictating emission policies for the entire country. Prior to this waiver being granted, California's own Air Resources Board readily admitted this action would extend beyond its own State borders, and several States have already followed suit. I would also like to address the eligibility of Congress disapproving rules. A few weeks ago, I questioned the Government Accountability Office Comptroller during an Appropriations subcommittee hearing. The Comptroller explicitly stated that GAO's role is just an advisory one and that it is up to us--it is up to Congress--to determine what constitutes a rule. Again, let me be clear. We are reclaiming our congressional authority under the Congressional Review Act. I will be proud for this body to vote on and pass my resolution, which is a commonsense step to keep government overreach at bay, protect consumers, and support America's free markets. With the passage of the House version of this resolution and with the passage of the Senate's version today, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, last week, my bill, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act, or the FACT Act, cleared the Commerce Committee unanimously. Now it will come before us here on the Senate floor for a vote. I stand before you today because the threat our foreign adversaries pose is not a distant concern. It is real; it is relentless; and it is constantly evolving. We cannot afford to wait and deal with the consequences. The cost of inaction is too great. Congress must anticipate the threats, and we must work together to curb the malign influence of foreign adversaries like communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. For too long now, we have allowed foreign adversarial governments to secure a silent foothold in our telecommunications infrastructure. Take, for example, Huawei. Huawei, a Chinese-owned telecommunications giant, is one of the leading producers of cell phone network equipment. This equipment spans across our country and finds its home in most of our cellular devices. Over a decade ago, our intelligence Agencies began noticing a peculiar pattern of Huawei equipment on cell towers across my home State of Nebraska as well as nearby Colorado and Montana. That Chinese gear was clustered near sensitive military assets, including Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base and our nuclear missile silos. Then, just 4 years ago, U.S. intelligence officials sounded the alarm. Their investigations found that Huawei could secretly access mobile phone networks around the world through backdoors, unbeknownst to carriers. And perhaps even more concerning, Huawei has had this capability for more than a decade. And Huawei's ownership is bankrolled by billions of dollars from the Chinese Government. What government freely hands over that kind of money without expecting something in return? Despite being based in China and having deep connections to the Chinese Communist Party, as confirmed by U.S. intelligence communities, the company continues to refuse to acknowledge the Chinese Government's influence. However, in 2020, under President Trump's administration, the Federal Communications Commission designated Huawei as a national security threat, and it banned the sale of its telecommunications equipment here in our country. This past December, Congress also secured the remaining funding to enable smaller rural communications companies to rip that risky Chinese-made equipment out of their networks. In 2022, the Justice Department charged two Chinese intelligence officers with an unsettling crime: attempting to obstruct a Federal investigation into Huawei by stealing sensitive case material from a U.S. District Attorney's Office. Colleagues, I pose to you this question: Why would the Chinese Government go to such lengths to interfere in a case involving a so- called private company in which they have no stake? Well, they wouldn't. While recent actions to curtail Huawei equipment and those from other high-risk Chinese firms are steps in the right direction, they don't go far enough. We must have far greater transparency about which companies holding Federal communication licenses and authorizations also have influential ties to foreign adversarial governments, and we must look deeper at who has this access and how many more companies like Huawei are out there. Companies like Huawei must be stopped. We can no longer permit authoritarian regimes like China to infiltrate our networks and lurk in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. It is not enough to brace ourselves for the aftermath of disaster. We must root out the threat before it has time to fester. The reality is this: Our foreign adversaries have stakes in numerous companies operating freely and legally within the United States. Yet, in many cases, the public remains unaware which companies are owned, wholly or partially, by these adversaries. That is why, today, I call upon the Senate to pass my FACT Act, which takes a much needed step to strengthen our visibility into our telecommunications market to weed out that access that we have seen from these malicious adversaries because the first step--the first step--in defending our national security is understanding the threat. My bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to publicly identify these companies, the ones that have that FCC license or authorization, that are owned by foreign adversarial governments. Under the FACT Act, companies with foreign ties will no longer be able to operate in secrecy, and they will no longer be able to conceal their financial backers or obscure their true loyalties. Huawei should serve as a warning. China is on the offensive to undermine the security of America's communications. An attack on our networks is a direct attack on the United States, and it is not one that we should tolerate. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I move to proceed to H.J. Res. 61.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I understand the Senate has received H.J. Res. 61 from the House.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, across America, 1.3 million people live in nursing homes. Many of us have parents, grandparents, or other loved ones who rely on these homes for care and community in their golden years. We understand just how vital nursing homes are--whether it is in urban, suburban, or rural areas--to help seniors in our country thrive. But, unfortunately, a Federal rule that is still in place from the Biden era is putting many of America's nursing homes in jeopardy, especially those in our rural communities. Last year, under President Biden, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule that placed strict, unrealistic regulations on nursing homes. The rule requires a registered nurse to be present 24/7 in these homes and requires 3\1/2\ daily hours of dedicated nursing care for each resident. If this rule is not stopped, the regulations will be imposed on every nursing home in America over the next few years. It does sound nice to be able to have a nurse on hand in nursing homes every moment of the day or night, but that is not the reality. The reality is that these homes are already facing historic staffing shortages. Across the country, nursing homes lost more than 200,000 workers from February 2020 to December 2022. These shortages have already caused many nursing homes to close down. Since 2015, 44 nursing homes and 35 assisted living facilities have shut their doors in my State--in Nebraska--alone. These closures deprived Nebraskans of over 3,000 beds. They hurt seniors who wanted to stay in their home community to be close to their family, to be close to their friends. This CMS rule will worsen this crisis. According to the Agency itself, 75 percent of America's nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with this regulation. Under the Biden administration's rule, nursing homes now have to scramble so that they can find staff in the midst of these really overwhelming shortages. If they fail, they have to shut their doors; they have to deprive seniors of care and housing. That is why, today, I reintroduced legislation to stop this Biden-era rule in its tracks. My Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act will prevent the rule's misguided requirements from going into full effect. It will also establish an advisory panel on the nursing home workforce, representing various stakeholders, including members from rural and underserved areas. This will ensure that the government hears voices outside the big cities--those big cities on the coasts--when it comes to our nursing homes. Nursing homes are few and far between in rural areas of our country. If one facility closes, the next closest one could be many miles or even many hours away. Just one closure could be detrimental to seniors in some of our communities. But if our nursing homes stay open, seniors won't have to face that upheaval of finding a new place to live, of moving, of leaving their home communities, leaving their loved ones, leaving their friends, and having that upheaval in their final years. They won't have to leave their family. They won't have to leave loved ones. They won't have to experience the loneliness, the uncertainty, the depression that can come along with moving to an unfamiliar place. My bill advocates for these seniors, for their care, and for their families. It fights for our rural communities and for our nursing homes in my State of Nebraska and across this country. I will keep pushing for this legislation until the President signs it into law so that we can protect our seniors from a rule that would only harm them, harm their families, and harm their caretakers.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, across America, 1.3 million people live in nursing homes. Many of us have parents, grandparents, or other loved ones who rely on these homes for care and community in their golden years. We understand just how vital nursing homes are--whether it is in urban, suburban, or rural areas--to help seniors in our country thrive. But, unfortunately, a Federal rule that is still in place from the Biden era is putting many of America's nursing homes in jeopardy, especially those in our rural communities. Last year, under President Biden, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule that placed strict, unrealistic regulations on nursing homes. The rule requires a registered nurse to be present 24/7 in these homes and requires 3\1/2\ daily hours of dedicated nursing care for each resident. If this rule is not stopped, the regulations will be imposed on every nursing home in America over the next few years. It does sound nice to be able to have a nurse on hand in nursing homes every moment of the day or night, but that is not the reality. The reality is that these homes are already facing historic staffing shortages. Across the country, nursing homes lost more than 200,000 workers from February 2020 to December 2022. These shortages have already caused many nursing homes to close down. Since 2015, 44 nursing homes and 35 assisted living facilities have shut their doors in my State--in Nebraska--alone. These closures deprived Nebraskans of over 3,000 beds. They hurt seniors who wanted to stay in their home community to be close to their family, to be close to their friends. This CMS rule will worsen this crisis. According to the Agency itself, 75 percent of America's nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with this regulation. Under the Biden administration's rule, nursing homes now have to scramble so that they can find staff in the midst of these really overwhelming shortages. If they fail, they have to shut their doors; they have to deprive seniors of care and housing. That is why, today, I reintroduced legislation to stop this Biden-era rule in its tracks. My Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act will prevent the rule's misguided requirements from going into full effect. It will also establish an advisory panel on the nursing home workforce, representing various stakeholders, including members from rural and underserved areas. This will ensure that the government hears voices outside the big cities--those big cities on the coasts--when it comes to our nursing homes. Nursing homes are few and far between in rural areas of our country. If one facility closes, the next closest one could be many miles or even many hours away. Just one closure could be detrimental to seniors in some of our communities. But if our nursing homes stay open, seniors won't have to face that upheaval of finding a new place to live, of moving, of leaving their home communities, leaving their loved ones, leaving their friends, and having that upheaval in their final years. They won't have to leave their family. They won't have to leave loved ones. They won't have to experience the loneliness, the uncertainty, the depression that can come along with moving to an unfamiliar place. My bill advocates for these seniors, for their care, and for their families. It fights for our rural communities and for our nursing homes in my State of Nebraska and across this country. I will keep pushing for this legislation until the President signs it into law so that we can protect our seniors from a rule that would only harm them, harm their families, and harm their caretakers.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, in America, our news cycle is often fraught with controversy and dispute. From watching the news or scrolling through social media, it might seem like there are very, very few issues that Americans can agree on. It may be true that we disagree on some big issues--important issues--but behind the headlines and the social media posts, there are many things that Americans agree on, and one of those is paid family and medical leave. The Pew Research Center found that the vast majority of Americans support paid parental leave--up to 82 percent. That is really a broad consensus. And 85 percent of Americans say people should receive paid leave to deal with their own serious health conditions, and 67 percent say they should receive leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. We rarely see Americans nowadays so united on other issues, but it is for good reason that Republicans and Democrats come together on paid family leave. The reality is that Americans shouldn't have to choose between their paychecks and caring for their families. That is why I spearheaded our Nation's first-ever Federal family leave policy in 2017 with Senator Angus King. As part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we passed a paid family and medical leave tax credit that encourages businesses to offer leave to their employees. Employers are able to receive the tax credit if they voluntarily offer up to 12 weeks of paid leave. Our credit increases access to paid leave without penalizing small businesses with limited resources, like a government entitlement program or a mandate from the government would. Almost 8 years later, this tax credit is about to expire, and Congress is set to work on another tax package. So now is the perfect time to pass my bill with Senator King to make our tax credit permanent and also to improve it. Yesterday, we introduced the PFML Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act. Representative Feenstra is leading the introduction of companion legislation in the House. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill supports additional options for financing paid leave, such as paid family leave insurance. It also allows employers to begin offering paid leave to workers sooner after being hired. The legislation includes a strategy for educating employers and employees about the option to receive this credit, and it requires the Small Business Administration and the IRS to provide targeted outreach and assistance to those who need it. That will raise awareness of the credit, and it will expand the number of Americans who have paid leave. Passing this bill in our upcoming tax package will deliver on the promises Republicans made to the American people this past November. We promised to make families' lives better, more prosperous, more affordable. More access to family leave will contribute to that goal. Our tax credit is tried and true, one with a bipartisan track record of success. It is the paid family leave solution that will do the most good with the smallest pricetag. So I urge my colleagues to join me in pushing for this legislation's inclusion in this year's tax package. This is how we expand paid family and medical leave for employees across this entire country. This is how we deliver for the American people. I am determined to get this done, and I hope my colleagues will join me. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, 480. That is the number of days since terror shook the Middle East. It has been 480 days since Hamas's unprovoked attack; 480 days since Hamas brought brutal terror on Israel and the citizens of more than 30 countries; 480 days since American family members and friends were kidnapped. Last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his former defense minister. The illegitimate court--which acts as prosecutor, jury, and judge-- brought politically motivated charges for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Since when did self-defense in the face of terrorist attacks and atrocities become a war crime? The ICC has forgotten too quickly who started this war, who turned a music festival into a graveyard, who attacked unprovoked, bringing devastating carnage on defenseless victims. The ICC has forgotten the seven Americans still in Gaza, our fellow country men and women. They have forgotten the remains of the innocent Hamas victims that Hamas keeps--the hostages even in death. They have forgotten the corpses in the streets, the babies and the soldiers beheaded, the people burned alive in their cars. They have forgotten the doors riddled with bullet holes, the ground stained with blood, the smell of decaying flesh. The ICC has forgotten the hell Hamas inflicted on Israel and many other nations. And, instead, it vilifies a nation seeking justice and the chance to live in peace. This is not surprising. From the beginning, the United States has rejected this body. From President Clinton to President Trump, every President-- Democratic and Republican--has never recognized the ICC's jurisdiction over our Nation. In fact, no President has even submitted the Rome Statute establishing the ICC to the Senate for advice and consent. We have never ratified it. And why? Because entrusting an international governing body with authority over U.S. citizens risks undermining the very freedoms and sovereignty that define this Nation. The ICC has repeatedly sought to impose its authority over the United States and over our allies. And now, it has alleged that Israel has committed war crimes. Meanwhile, the tribunal conveniently turns a blind eye to atrocities in China, hiding behind the excuse of nonmembership, despite the fact that neither the United States nor Israel are members. The hypocrisy of the ICC is breathtaking. Well, enough is enough. Earlier this month, the House passed the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act on a bipartisan basis. I am deeply--deeply--disappointed that my Democratic colleagues who voted against moving forward on this legislation did that here in the U.S. Senate. I sincerely hope that they reconsider. Our sovereignty is non- negotiable. Allowing the ICC to operate unchecked and without consequence grants them authority where they should have none. Worse, it sets a standard that encourages repetition. We have a responsibility to protect the sovereignty of our Nation and our allies. This moment demands courage, and it demands conviction. And we must rise to meet it. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I now call on Rabbi Ari Berman, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, and Rev. Frank Mann to provide prayers of benediction. Rabbi BERMAN: Let us pray. Almighty God, your profit Jeremiah walked the streets of Jerusalem and blessed its inhabitants with: (English translation of statement made in Hebrew as follows:) Blessed is the one who trusts in God. Thousands of years later, this great Nation, which adopted these words as its motto, ``In God We Trust,'' stands at a moment of historic opportunity. Americans are searching for meaning. Our merciful Father, help us rise to meet this moment. Bless President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance with the strength and courage to choose the right and the good. Unite us around our foundational Biblical values of life and liberty, of service and sacrifice, and especially of faith and morality, which George Washington called the indispensable supports of American prosperity. Guide our schools and college campuses, which have been experiencing such unrest, to inspire the next generation, to pair progress with purpose, knowledge with wisdom, and truth with virtue. Hear the cry of the hostages, both American and Israeli, whose pain our President so acutely feels. We are so thankful for the three young women who yesterday returned home and pray that the next 4 years brings peace to Israel and throughout the Middle East. Almighty God, grant all Americans the opportunity to realize our shared dream of a life filled with peace and plenty, health and happiness, compassion and contribution. Stir within us the confidence to rise to this moment, for while we trust in God, God's trust is in us, the American people. America is called to greatness, to be a beacon of light and a mover of history. May our Nation merit the fulfillments of Jeremiah's blessing, that like a tree planted by water, we shall not cease to bear fruit. May all of humanity experience Your love and Your blessing. May it be Thy will and let us say amen. Pastor SEWELL. Let us pray for our 47th President. Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that You gave our 45th and now our 47th President a millimeter miracle. We are grateful that You are the one that have called him for such a time as this; that America would begin to dream again. We pray that we would fulfill the true meaning of our creed that ``We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.'' We pray that You use our President; that we would live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we are so grateful today that You will use our 47th President so we would ``sing with new meaning `My country `tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!' '' And because America is called to be a great nation, we believe that You will make this come true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous [hilltops] of California! But, God, we are asking You not only that, ``Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill [in] Mississippi''--from every State, every city, every village, and every hamlet. And when we let freedom ring, we will be able to speed up that day, where all of your children, Black men and White men, Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentile, will be able to sing in the meaning of that old Negro spiritual: Free at last, free at last. Thank you, God Almighty, we are free at last. If you believe where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, come on, put your hands together and give your great God great glory. (Applause.) Reverend MANN. Almighty and Eternal God, we gather here today in reverence, joined in our shared hopes and dreams for our beloved Nation. In this sacred moment of the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, we turn our hearts to You, seeking Your divine assistance and abundant blessings upon this pivotal moment in history. We come before You with profound gratitude for the many gifts You have bestowed upon our land. Thank You for the freedoms we cherish, for the strength of our communities, and for the resilience of our spirit. As our President and Vice President embrace their newly appointed roles, we humbly implore that Your everlasting love and wisdom will envelope them. Grant them the clarity of mind to navigate the challenges that lie ahead and the compassion to serve all citizens with fairness and integrity. May their hearts be filled with a giving spirit and sincere understanding for those whom they represent. May they be beacons of hope in times of uncertainty and prophetic voices in defending the dignity of all created life. We pray for a spirit of collaboration to flourish in our government and across our Nation, fostering an environment where dialogue and heartfelt listening will prevail over division or discord. May each decision made by our President and Vice President reflect the values of justice and peace. As we embark on this new chapter, we also seek Your comfort, O God, for those who feel lost or disheartened. In this time of transition, may Your light shine upon them, reaffirming their belief in a brighter tomorrow. May we all strive to lift one another, supporting our fellow citizens with kindness and empathy, recognizing that together, we can overcome any adversity. Grant us the strength to endure, the courage to face our fears, and the clarity to see the light that remains, even when clouds of uncertainty may gather. Inspire our new leaders to be champions for the vulnerable and advocates for those whose voices are often silenced. May they pursue policies that promote the well-being of all, seeking to build bridges that will foster unity and belonging. As we stand witness to this inauguration, we hold fast to the faith, to our faith, and the goodness of each of us and the possibility of change. We trust that with Your guidance, O God, our Nation can move forward to a future filled with promise, prosperity, and understanding. And, finally, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the beloved parents of President Trump. Without Mary and Fred Trump, this day would never be the miracle that has just begun. From their place in Heaven, may they shield their son from all harm by their loving protection and give him the strength to guide our Nation along the path that will make America great again. Let us go forth now with these words of President Trump's emblazoned on our hearts: As long as we have pride in our beliefs, courage in our convictions, and faith in our God, then we will not fail. We stand tall. We stand proud because we are Americans. And Americans kneel to God and to God alone. Amen. (Applause.) MUC EDWARDS. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for our national anthem. (Performance of the national anthem by Christopher Macchio, the Naval Academy Glee Club, the Armed Forces Chorus, and the United States Marine Band.) (The inaugural ceremony was concluded at 12:58 p.m.)

Mrs. FISCHER. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and pleasure to introduce to you the 45th and the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. (Applause.)

Mrs. FISCHER. Good afternoon. Endurance through the years is the ultimate test. To persevere through time is the truest measure of an idea, an institution, and a nation. Our Founders wrote the Constitution so that America could withstand all the twists and turns of time. They wrote it to guide us and to preserve forever our right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But as much as the truths and principles enshrined in our Constitution remain the same, our democracy promises the American people the power to change, to chart their own destiny. That is the beauty. That is the importance of democracy. It allows the endurance, the permanence of a nation through change. It allows nations, like our United States, both to avoid the obstacles and to seize the opportunities God has placed before us, all while staying true to our founding principles. Today is our country's 60th inauguration ceremony. Like all the others before it, it is a celebration of our right to set our uniquely American course. The past several years have been trying at times for many, many Americans and also for the nations of the free world that we humbly strive to lead. In November, Americans chose again to steer this Nation toward greatness--the secure, safe, and prosperous future that our Founders envisioned for all of us. And today, we celebrate not only their decision to do so but also the simple right and wisdom of a free people to make their own choice so that their Nation might endure. And now, allow me to welcome Archbishop Timothy Doland and Reverend Franklin Graham, who will deliver our invocation. Please rise. Archbishop DOLAND. Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the Earth. Let us pray. Remembering General George Washington on his knees at Valley Forge, recalling Abraham Lincoln at his second inaugural: ``with malice toward none, with charity for all, with the firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right,'' remembering General George Patton's instructions to his soldiers as they began the Battle of the Bulge eight decades ago, pray. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night. Pray by day. Observing the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, who warned, without God, our efforts turn to ashes. We, blessed citizens of this one Nation under God, humbled by our claim that in God we trust, gather, indeed, this inauguration day to pray for our President Donald J. Trump, his family, his advisers, his Cabinet, his aspirations, his Vice President, for the large blessings upon Joseph Biden, for our men and women in uniform, for each other whose hopes are stoked this new year, this inauguration day. We cannot err in relying upon that prayer from the Bible upon which our President will soon place his hand in oath. As we make our own the supplications of King Solomon for wisdom, as he began his governance, God of our fathers, in Your wisdom, You set man to govern Your creatures, to govern in holiness and justice, to render justice with integrity, give our leader wisdom, for he is Your servant, aware of his own weakness and brevity of life. If wisdom, which comes not from You be not with him, he shall be held in no esteem. Send wisdom from Heaven that she may be with him, that he may know Your designs. Please, God, bless America. Please, mentor every flaw. You are the God in whom we trust who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Reverend GRAHAM. Mr. President, in the last 4 years, there were times, I am sure, you thought it was pretty dark. But look what God has done. We praise Him and give Him glory. (Applause.) Let us pray. Our Father and our God, Thou has said blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord. As the Prophet Daniel prayed: ``Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. For wisdom and might are his. He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings. He raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.'' Our Father, today, as President Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office once again, we come to say thank you, O Lord, our God. Father, when Donald Trump's enemies thought he was down and out, You and You alone, saved his life and raised him up with strength and power by Your mighty hand. We pray for President Trump; that You will watch over, protect, guide, direct him. Give him Your wisdom from Your throne on high. We ask that You would bless him and that our Nation would be blessed through him. We also ask that You would bless and protect Melania, his First Lady. We thank You for the beauty, the warmth, and grace that she shows not only to this Nation but to the whole world. We thank You for Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha and their young family. May he be a strength to President Trump, to stand beside him, to hold up his arms like Aaron held up the arms of Moses in the midst of battle. The Prophet Samuel reminded the people it was You that brought them up from the land of Egypt. And he said, now stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord. So, Father, we take this moment to stand still, to remember the great things that You have done for this Nation. Thank you for the protection, the bounty, the freedoms that we so enjoy. We remember to keep our eyes fixed on You. And may our hearts be inclined to Your voice. We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on You. We ask for Your help. We pray all of this in the name of the king of kings, the lords of lords, Your son, my Savior, and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Christopher Macchio performed ``O, America'' accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus.) MUC EDWARDS. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Associate Justice Kavanaugh to administer the Vice Presidential oath of office. The Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, BRETT KAVANAUGH, administered to the Vice President-elect the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution, which he repeated as follows: I, James David Vance, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Associate Justice KAVANAUGH. Congratulations, Mr. Vice President. (Applause.) MUC EDWARDS. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chief Justice Roberts to administer the Presidential oath of office. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, JOHN G. ROBERTS, JR., administered to the President-elect the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution, which he repeated, as follows: I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God. The Chief Justice. Congratulations, Mr. President. (Applause.) (United States Marine Band performs ``Battle Hymn of the Republic.'') (Applause.)