Deb Fischer

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, again, thank you to my colleague from Hawaii. Thank you for my colleagues here in the Senate for passing this unanimous consent tonight. I look forward to our two bills being signed by the President of the United States and having them in law in a few days. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, working with the rest of the Nebraska delegation, as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, I have introduced legislation supported by all parties. It transfers ownership of the land from the Federal Government to local officials, benefiting everyone involved. The residents and their local government officials support this bill. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee supported it, passing it earlier this year by a voice vote. The Bureau of Reclamation, which we worked with through this process, also supports my bill. Chairman Manchin himself has even withdrawn his original concern about this bill's impact on a larger land package. I am grateful to him for understanding how important this issue is to my State. I appreciate my colleagues for understanding the gravity of this situation. This bill will now be on its way to the President's desk. I want to thank Representative Adrian Smith and the entire Nebraska congressional delegation for their work over many years. It wouldn't have been possible without their collaboration and their support. But, most importantly, I want to thank the citizens at Swanson and Red Willow, as well as the other local leaders. The love these Nebraskans have for their communities and their determination to save them, that made all the difference. I also want to thank my colleague from Hawaii Senator Hirono for putting forward a bill that will help her constituents and her State as well. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the bills be considered read a third time and passed en bloc, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of the following bills, which were received from the House: H.R. 8413 and H.R. 8219.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. I am astounded by this once again. As I have said, the situation is dire. My constituents will lose their homes. The communities they have built for the last 50 years will be destroyed. I don't know of any other bill, in the 100 or 150 bills, that is on this kind of time crunch. My bill has to pass now. Yes, it is a priority. As the Senator from California, his bills are a priority as well for himself, his constituents. I respect that. But we are on a time crunch. This has to pass now or next week. Maybe we won't be home for Christmas because I plan to keep coming back here and get this done. We did our work; we did it the right way; and we did it on time. We have presented a solution that everyone--and I mean everyone--agrees with. It is so uncontroversial, it was voice-voted out of committee. Even the Senator from West Virginia who objected last night--he doesn't have any concerns with this legislation. Nebraskans' very homes and communities are now on the line in this final hour. They cannot wait. They should not have to pay the price for stalled negotiations. Saying there is going to be an agreement after working a year on an agreement, saying there is going to be an agreement on this 100- to 150-bill land package--come on. That isn't even realistic at this point in time. Going to work through the weekend. You know, I hope it comes together, but come on. These are noncontroversial bills. And using my constituents as political pawns instead of moving bills in normal order, which we all tout, is unacceptable. In fact, it is absurd. We better do better. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise again today to request passage of the Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs Land Conveyances Act. Over the past 50 years, the residents of the Swanson and Red Willow Reservoirs communities have built friendships, started supportive businesses, and enjoyed the recreation that Southwest Nebraska has to offer. Now, starting on February 1, in less than 2 months, these people will be forcibly removed from the reservoirs unless this bill passes. This is per a contract signed between local parties and the Bureau of Reclamation. I worked with the Nebraska delegation, the residents, the small businesses, the Bureau, as well as both Democrats and Republicans on the ENR Committee to draft a bill that would solve this issue. Senator Hirono and I are following regular order, but we have to use unanimous consent. Our bills passed the House. Our bills have passed out of the Senate ENR Committee. This is what we all say in here, what we all tell our constituents, that this has to happen: We need to follow regular order. We travel our States talking about regular order all the time. We say one side or the other is not following it. This is the way to do bills. This needs to happen. We need one subject bills, another demand of our constituents, instead of piling 150 bills that aren't in a package yet, trying to get them into a package. But I understand we will have an objection. Senator Hirono and I paired a Democrat bill with a Republican bill so that we can move forward and other Members can then move forward on noncontroversial bills for our people at home and for our people who support this. So as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of H.R. 8413 and 8219, which were received from the House. I further ask that the bills be considered read a third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, this really is outrageous. My legislation cannot wait. As I have said, it passed the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on a voice vote. Last week, it passed the full House of Representatives unanimously. The bill is different from the rest of the package that my colleagues are negotiating. Nebraskans are watching this bill--they are watching my bill--because Nebraskans will be kicked off their land starting in February--2 months from now--if it is not signed into law. I have been working with the chair. I have been working with his team for over a year--over a year--on this legislation, incorporating feedback from them and continuously emphasizing the urgency with my legislation. None of my colleagues are objecting to policy in this bill. They know it is the right thing to do. In fact, my colleague objecting has already voted in favor of the bill in committee. Rather, objecting to this legislation is choosing to use these people, their homes, and these reservoirs and the small businesses as political leverage for unrelated matters. I have heard from over 1,000 constituents who are in support of this legislation. They know that it will chart a better path forward for that local community and the Federal Government. They did not ask to be used as political leverage. I hope my colleague will reconsider his objection. Otherwise, I will continue coming to this floor, day after day this week, asking for unanimous consent; although, I have been told by our cloakroom that there is no time available tomorrow for any action like this on the floor. It needs to happen now. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of H.R. 8413 and H.R. 8219, which were received from the House. I further ask that the bills be considered read the third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I come before you today to discuss a grave situation that is unfolding in the southwestern part of my State. Two Nebraska communities--one at Swanson Reservoir and the other at Red Willow--are at risk. Over the past 50 years, residents of these two communities have built friendships. They have started and supported businesses, and they have enjoyed the recreation that the local area offers. But in just 2 months, these Nebraskans will be forced to leave. They will be forced out of their homes over a disagreement between the Federal Government and local stakeholders on how the land should be managed. The good news is, there is a simple solution to this problem. In working with the rest of the Nebraska delegation as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, I have introduced legislation that benefits all parties. It transfers the ownership of this land from the Federal Government to local officials. I want to thank Congressman Adrian Smith, especially, for introducing companion legislation in the House. Once the counties control the land around these reservoirs, the residents of Red Willow and Swanson can work with local authorities to chart a better path forward--one that preserves the communities and one that also improves the recreation areas. Since I introduced this bill, I have heard from over 1,000 Nebraskans about how urgently they need this land transferred. I have received numerous letters of support from local communities and businesses. Everyone--everyone--involved supports this bill. The residents and their local government officials support this bill. Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle have offered no objection to this bill. The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed this bill on a voice vote. We also worked with the Bureau of Reclamation on this solution. Everyone--everyone--agrees that my bill offers the best future for the hundreds of Nebraskans who call these areas home. It is time to do what is right and to save these communities. I yield to the Senator from Hawaii.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today, I rise to pay tribute to an exceptional officer in the U.S. Air Force, Maj. Tiara Puro. Major Puro was competitively selected to represent the Department of the Air Force in the Department of Defense Legislative Fellows Program, where she has worked with my office over the past year. Though Major Puro is not originally from my State, she fits right in--a perfect example of what we call ``Nebraska nice.'' Each day, Major Puro is known to walk into each room in our office, greeting every member of our staff warmly. Generous with her time and expertise, she cheerfully answers questions about our national defense from interns and staff. Major Puro did spend time in my home State of Nebraska. She earned a degree in general studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, graduating in 2011. But it was before her time in Nebraska, back in her home State of Utah, that her experience with the military began. Major Puro enlisted in the Utah National Guard as a paralegal specialist while still in high school. Once a month, she drove to the armory in Vernal to train with the 1457th Engineer Battalion as part of the Delayed Entry Program. A week after graduating from high school, she shipped to basic combat training at Fort Jackson, SC. Major Puro's decision to serve our country in the military solidified that fateful day in September 2001. After the second plane collided with the south tower of the World Trade Center, she called her unit to ask what she could do to help. Major Puro was among the 4,500 Utah National Guard members who provided security for the Winter Olympic games in Utah a few months later. After earning her bachelor's degree in Nebraska, Major Puro commissioned in the Air Force as a personnel officer. Her first assignment was to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC, as the individual mobilization augmentee to the commander of the military personnel flight. This assignment trained Major Puro in the organizational and interpersonal skills she has used throughout her career. From 2013 to 2015, she volunteered to serve on an extended Active- Duty tour in support of the Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) in the International Airmen Division. Over the years, Major Puro has deployed twice, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. These deployments added new dimensions to Major Puro's understanding of our military and its operations. In 2019, Major Puro was assigned as the operations officer for the 301st Force Support Squadron at the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in Texas. There, she contributed to a team that keeps the 301st Fighter Wing up and running. The team managed required paperwork, tracked the movement of the wing's members, and helped the 301st Logistics Readiness Squadron move resources. Prior to her selection for the Legislative Fellows Program, Major Puro served as the chief of the Active Guard Reserve Management Branch of the Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center at Buckley Space Force Base, CO. There, she oversaw management of the Active Guard Reserve Program, supporting strategic guidance and operational execution of 6,003 positions. Major Puro has spent years serving our Nation. And anyone who knows Major Puro knows her commitment runs in the family. All five of the Puro sisters serve in America's military, whether in the Air Force, Army, or Navy. Major Puro is the oldest of the five, and she has led each of her sisters in this direction. Major Puro even administered the oath of office to commission one of her sisters as an officer. The service-oriented siblings have become known as ``sisters in arms.'' Major Puro is an outstanding, experienced officer who has spent years serving our country with diligence and excellence. She is an officer of strong character, displaying kindness, integrity, and dedication wherever she goes. She has served our Nation well in the Air Force, and she has served Nebraska well as a legislative fellow in my office. On behalf of the State of Nebraska, the U.S. Senate, and a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing and commending Major Puro for her service. We wish Tiara all the best as she continues her journey in the U.S. Air Force.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, today, I rise to pay tribute to an exceptional officer in the U.S. Army, MAJ Bobby Brown. Major Brown, an Active-Duty adjutant general Officer, was competitively selected to serve as an Army congressional fellow for the fiscal year 2022. Hailing from Lincoln, NE, Major Brown was assigned to support our neighbors to the south, working with Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas. During his fellowship, he gained valuable insights into the workings of Congress and its relationship with the U.S. military, while also advising Senator Moran on defense and veterans' issues. His dedication and professionalism were evident in every task he undertook. Major Brown's journey from Nebraska to Washington, DC, is marked by a distinguished record of service. After earning his undergraduate degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University and commissioning as an infantry officer through the University of Nebraska at Lincoln ROTC program, he held various tactical and operational positions. These included roles in the 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Ranger Battalion, the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, and 7th Army Training Command. His early years of service honed his discipline, diligence, and dedication, shaping both his career and character. In the infantry, he served as an infantry rifle platoon leader and executive officer, roles that were foundational for his leadership skills. In 2016, Major Brown deployed to Afghanistan as the deputy chief of operations for the 2nd Ranger Battalion, deepening his understanding of America's military role abroad and his commitment to our national security. Transitioning to the Adjutant General's Corps in 2017, Major Brown excelled in human resources roles, serving as a battalion human resources officer in the 2nd Ranger Battalion and 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. His natural people skills and leadership potential led to his selection for two company commands--one for the headquarters and headquarters company for 7th Army Training Command and the other for U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, both located in Grafenwoehr, Germany. For the past 2 years, he has served in the Army's congressional budget liaison office, where he has played a crucial role in answering congressional requests for information, staffing engagements between Army senior leaders and Members of Congress, and leading congressional delegations abroad to conduct defense oversight. Any tribute to Major Brown would be incomplete without acknowledging the unwavering support of his wife Michelle and the joy brought by their 1-year-old son John Robert Brown. Michelle has stood by Major Brown at every step of his journey, providing love, care, and wisdom. Major Brown's lengthy and diverse career is filled with experiences that have enriched him both as an officer and a person. It is no surprise that he has received numerous awards and commendations, including the Ranger Tab. Nebraska is proud to call Major Brown one of its own, as he continues a treasured legacy of Nebraskans dedicated to protecting our State and our Nation. On behalf of the State of Nebraska, the U.S. Senate, and a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing and commending Major Brown for his service. We wish Bobby, Michelle, and John all the best as they continue their journey in the U.S. Army.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, over the past few months, we heard from both sides of the aisle about how American families need more support. We have heard discussions about the child tax credit, childcare costs, and dozens more issues that affect parents and their children. Earlier this year, Senator Vance summed up nicely what could be a mission statement for Republicans to use on this issue. He said: We want to provide more options so that people are raising families in a thriving and happy way in this country. Madam President, my colleagues and I are here today to talk about Republican solutions. And I want to talk specifically about one solution to the family leave problem that has not just Republican but also bipartisan support. Across America, only 27 percent of workers in the private sector have access to paid family leave. The other three-fourths have to choose between making ends meet and taking care of their families, whether that is welcoming a newborn or nursing an aging parent. That is not a choice that Americans should have to make. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have proposed a few ideas to solve this problem. Some of them advocate for a new nationwide government entitlement program, some advocate for a mandate that would force businesses to pay out of pocket for their employees' leave. Neither of those options is practical or politically realistic. Our Nation is already trillions of dollars in debt and a mandate, well, that would squash small businesses that simply don't have the resources to survive while paying an employee who is not at work. But there is a solution, a way to offer employees paid time off without creating a new mandatory program or forcing businesses to suffer huge losses. What I am talking about here are the mom-and-pop businesses especially, Main Street businesses that maybe they have one employee, two employees, maybe five. And we have a solution. There is a way to offer employees paid time off without creating a new mandatory program or forcing those small businesses to suffer losses. We can provide tax benefits to businesses that offer employees paid leave, which will, in turn, free up resources that businesses can use to pay the salaries of their workers on leave. This is a tried-and-true method. It works. I know because I have done it before. In 2017, Senator Angus King and I created the first nationwide paid family leave policy in the history of the United States. We created a tax credit for employers who voluntarily offer up to 12 weeks of paid leave to their employees, and President Trump signed it into law. But that tax credit is going to expire, and it is going to expire at the end of 2025. To ensure that businesses can keep offering paid leave, we need to make sure that we make that credit permanent as well as make it easier for businesses to qualify for it and to use it. So that is why Senator King and I have, again, introduced the Paid Family Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act. Our bill makes that credit permanent, and it also expands it. It supports additional options for financing paid leave, such as paid family leave insurance. It also allows employers to begin offering paid family medical leave to workers sooner after being hired. Our bill also includes a strategy for educating businesses and employees about the option to receive this credit so that more people know about it. It requires the Small Business Administration and the IRS to conduct targeted outreach and technical assistance for those who need it, which will raise awareness of the credit and expand the number of Americans who have paid leave. This is a Republican solution, and it is one that everyone can get on board with. It already has a track record of bipartisan support here in Congress, and we have the perfect opportunity to pass this tax credit yet again in the new year. As my colleagues on the Finance Committee begin working on tax policy for 2025 and onward, I would urge them to remember America's families; remember how much they need access to paid family leave and remember what they voted for this past November--an administration who will look out for parents and for kids. We have a solution for America's paid leave problem. It is just a matter of expanding it and enacting it. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, my home of Nebraska is home to an array of people, places, and pursuits. It is home to Husker football and the College World Series, our beautiful State capitol building in Lincoln, and our world-famous zoo in Omaha. Nebraska is home to plains and prairies and cities and small towns and to the breathtaking natural beauty of the Nebraska Sandhills. That unique beauty of the Nebraska Sandhills, where we raised our three sons, is where I began my travels last month during the August State work period. In total, I visited over 35 communities with over 100 stops, from Kimball to Blair and Red Cloud to Norfolk. One visit especially near and dear to me was the Valentine Community Schools. Years ago, I served on the Valentine School Board, where I saw these schools up close and advocated for their improvements. The Valentine Community Schools are still doing great, educating bright kids who will go on to lead our State. Farther west, I toured the Scottsbluff and Bridgeport schools. The Scottsbluff school system follows a career academy-focused curriculum, and I was impressed to see the creativity and innovation that educators are applying to that work. It is a testament to Nebraskans' dedication to progress in our local communities. Along with the schools and educators across the State, I visited healthcare facilities and the doctors and nurses and medical professionals who keep them going. When I toured CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, NB, I heard about their incredible life flight capabilities. Rural Americans--well, they often live hours away from the nearest hospital, and in emergencies, that can be deadly. Good Samaritan is responding to those risks by life-flighting patients all across Nebraska and even into South Dakota at times. While in Central Nebraska, I visited Kearney Police Department and the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department. These two departments share a really unique setup in the same building where they can collaborate and use a larger range of resources. By linking together Kearney and Buffalo County law enforcement, they are more efficient, and they do an excellent job in protecting their communities. The August work period every year brings me fresh motivation and gratitude. I saw the ways that Federal legislation is creating real change in my home State. I saw progress all across Nebraska--in education, in healthcare, in law enforcement, in manufacturing, in agriculture, in economic development, and countless other sectors. Most of all, I saw Nebraskans in their local communities dedicating their lives and dedicating their careers to investing in the people around them. Those are the people whom I represent here in the U.S. Senate. And just as they are dedicated to investing in Nebraska, I am dedicated to advocating for Nebraskans. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, today, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Becton, Dickinson and Company's Columbus, NE, branch. Just after World War II, BD established its first facility outside of its New Jersey headquarters in Columbus. Columbus offered a new frontier for BD to geographically diversify its manufacturing operations. Over the decades, Columbus has grown into a cornerstone of BD's global operations, boasting 2,100 employees today.

Mrs. FISCHER. From modest beginnings to its rise as a world-class medical technology manufacturer, BD's trajectory has mirrored Columbus's own dynamic evolution. We celebrate this 75-year journey of a storied past, thriving present, and a healthier future.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, reserving the right to object, the AI Transparency in Elections Act echoes the Honest Ads Act and the DISCLOSE Act. Those bills failed to become law because they created new Federal burdens on the foundational right of Americans to free speech. Adding a new definition of AI to these partisan bills does not resolve these concerns. I would welcome a thoughtful policy proposal to address the actual concerns posed by AI-generated deepfakes. Instead, my colleagues are attempting to recycle an already failed proposal, and, therefore, I object.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Thank you. Madam President, like many of my colleagues, I am concerned about artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes in the context of political speech and election administration. But the Protect Elections From Deceptive AI Act is not a solution to this problem. The bill recycles provisions from the partisan For the People Act. It is overly broad, and it would prohibit the distribution of political ads that include AI-generated audio or visuals, including commonly used image and video editing programs. It greatly expands the regulation of protected speech and uses vague terms that will inevitably chill that speech. This bill does not balance First Amendment rights with the evolving challenges that we have with the digital age; and, therefore, Madam President, I object.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, reserving the right to object, could I have the Senator please clarify which bill she called up.

Mrs. FISCHER. 2770?

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, as election season approaches, our political discourse has been heated, to say the least. From an assassination attempt a couple of weeks ago to destructive protests across Washington last week, the friction within America is undeniable. My colleagues and I are here today to discuss one of the things Americans do agree on: defending our Nation. We all see the tension simmering around Taiwan and South Korea and the tension exploding in Israel and Ukraine. And we see the threats China and Russia pose to our Nation. These threats are decades in the making. And while they sound far away--they are, after all, around the other side of the world--the close connections between the security of the world's democracies and the economies of the world mean that these developments impact our everyday lives. America should have woken up and gotten ahead years ago, but, at the very least, we must wake up now. The most critical job we have in the U.S. Senate is providing for our national security, and we do that through our National Defense Authorization Act. We passed the NDAA out of the Senate Armed Services Committee last month with bipartisan approval. It includes provisions that will benefit our servicemembers and that will bolster our national defense. I supported a pay raise for members of our military and secured funding for several Nebraska military construction projects. This year's NDAA also included important provisions to address issues within the munitions industrial base, contributing to thousands of good-paying jobs throughout the country while providing for our national security. The bill incorporated elements of my Restoring American Deterrence Act to foster a skilled nuclear manufacturing and vocational trade workforce. We heard about the importance of that need at our SASC hearing yesterday, when members received the report from the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. I am hopeful that the full Senate will recognize the bipartisan importance of passing the NDAA, just as we did on the Armed Services Committee. But before we can do that, Majority Leader Schumer must prioritize bringing the NDAA up for a vote. Just as these threats impact our everyday lives, so also does our response or lack thereof. This is a matter of urgency. Our defense is not something we can deal with in 5 years, in 10 years. It is something that we must address now, and we had better get started. If we fail to ensure that we can produce munitions at scale, we will run out of missiles within weeks of a conflict. If we fail to field and equip a modernized Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, or Space Force, one day Xi will think: Maybe we can win. Preventing that day will prevent a conflict that would touch the life of every American citizen in ways this country hasn't seen since the Second World War. The majority leader should have reflected that by bringing the NDAA to the floor before the August State work period, and now he needs to bring it to the floor as soon as possible. But instead of doing our most important constitutional job, we have been seeing political show votes on the floor of the U.S. Senate. America's safety--America's safety--is a bipartisan responsibility, a bipartisan duty that requires bipartisan commitment. Let's show Americans that despite all the fights and disagreements, we can unite in the Senate around the most important issues; we can prioritize our security; and we can and we must pass this year's NDAA.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that myself and Senator Tuberville be permitted to speak for up to 7 minutes, Senator Cardin for up to 10 minutes, and Senator Tillis for up to 2 minutes prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, my colleagues and I are here today to honor the life of our former colleague, Senator Jim Inhofe. Jim was a longtime legislator, a public servant, and a conservative champion. He was many things to many people. To me, Jim was a dear friend. Jim and I are both from the heartland, so we shared a similar world view as well as a commitment to similar people--the humble, hard- working Americans from the center of this country. Jim was fierce in his convictions. Jim was serious in his work. He was also kind-spirited, with a deep compassion for others. But perhaps more than all of these things, Jim was a visionary who used his positions in public life to build a better future for his State and for this country. He recognized the profound importance of public infrastructure investment. From highways, to airports, to levees and much more, Jim's legacy can be felt all across America's heartland. Jim and I worked together on the Senate's Armed Services Committee. A veteran himself and an avid pilot, Jim was a fighter for the members of our military. All of our Senate colleagues knew that if Jim was leading an international trip to visit with servicemembers across the globe or to meet with America's allies that that trip would be all business. We would sleep on the plane, and we would be in a different country every single day. I remember that, on one trip, we were forced to slow down a little bit when we lost a plane engine. You heard that right. We lost a plane engine, so we needed to stay in a country an extra day while the repairs were going to be made. That didn't mean we had a vacation. What Jim did is he found ways that he could be relentlessly efficient with all of our time, and his energy and his motivation to do the people's work was infectious. Near the end of his Senate career, Jim served as the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee. He was one of the first Members of the Senate to recognize how seriously the world had shifted since the Cold War and how desperately we needed to rebuild our military in response to that. He had a very clear view of the global threats that America faces, both present and future, and he led accordingly. Jim respected the design of the Senate as a place where every State's needs should be considered. He valued cooperation, he valued collaboration, and he wanted our annual Defense bill to reflect the concerns of all of the committee members. He was resolute in his views and fierce in their defense, but he was always kind and caring. He built strong friendships with all of his colleagues, and despite many disagreements, he would have these relationships, so much so that a close Democrat colleague once described him as a brother to her. Of course, you cannot speak of Jim without speaking of his family. Anyone who knew him knew how much he loved his wife Kay. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. The only thing that convinced him to leave decades of public service to the people of Oklahoma was his desire to care for his wife. My heart goes out to Kay and to his three surviving children, Molly, Jimmy, and Katy. May God comfort them in their sorrow, and may Jim's long life of love and service be a balm to their grief. America knew Jim. America will remember him as a principled man, deeply committed to his values. The people of Oklahoma knew exactly who he was, and that is why they reelected him to the U.S. Senate five times. His legacy will live on as a friend, as a husband and father, as a veteran, as an Oklahoman, as a U.S. Senator, and as a very good man. I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be allowed to complete their remarks prior to the scheduled rollcall votes: myself, Senator Lankford, and Senator Rounds.

Mrs. FISCHER

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