Cindy Hyde-Smith

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute to Mr. Jack Winstead who, for years, has shown an overwhelming dedication to serving the Friends of Mississippi Veterans nonprofit as a member and former board president. I have had the honor of knowing Mr. Winstead and seeing firsthand the valuable impact his service has on communities throughout Mississippi. Jack has gone above and beyond the average citizen in honoring our Mississippi veterans, and I have the highest admiration for his work. Jack's commitment to service and being a positive influence in his community has a significant track record that started long before his appointment as board president of Friends of Mississippi Veterans. A native of Neshoba County, MS, Mr. Winstead received his undergraduate degree in agriculture from Mississippi State University. In addition to being the owner and operator of a purebred beef cattle farm for more than 20 years, he was the past chairman of Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, vice-chairman of the board of trustees of East Central Community College, and president of Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts. He also served 37 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, which benefited from Mr. Winstead's profound knowledge on soil and water conservation. Today, Jack is a consultant to the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and is a board member for multiple organizations. As a Mississippi Air National Guard veteran, Jack has worked tirelessly to advocate for and help other veterans in Mississippi. He was instrumental in the 2007 founding of the Friends of Mississippi Veterans, which set an initial goal of establishing a veterans cemetery. Thanks to their leadership and hard work, our brave soldiers can now be laid to rest in two beautiful, State-operated veterans memorial cemeteries in Newton and Kilmichael. Mr. Winstead's work to not only ensure our veterans have a respectful final resting place but also to see to it that their families have a hallowed place to honor their loved ones is truly laudable. The Friends of Mississippi Veterans has become a crucial voice and support organization for the veterans in my State, particularly those residing in four veterans' nursing homes, where it offers assistance for construction and improvements and helps cover expenses related to the veterans cemeteries. It also actively promotes the Wreaths Across America national program. Mr. Winstead has time and time again stepped up as a leader in his community. He has shown true commitment and passion for everything he does, and for that, he has earned numerous special recognitions. In 2007, Jack was named to the Southeastern Association of Conservation Districts' Hall of Fame. In 2008, Jack was recognized as Newton County Citizen of the Year, and he was named East Central Community College's Alumnus of the Year the following year. In conclusion, I am so grateful for Mr. Jack Winstead's years of service to Mississippi and for being able to consider him a dear friend. I applaud him for his many accomplishments and commitment to our veterans, and I commend him for the positive impact that is felt throughout Mississippi thanks to his influence.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to tell you the story of one of my constituents named Hannah. When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, Hannah chose life for her baby with the help of a pregnancy center. Despite coming from a long line of single mothers and from a family background plagued with alcoholism, drugs, and dysfunction, Hannah was able to overcome her circumstances and create a better life for herself and her daughter. At 18 years old, Hannah learned she was pregnant. Her child's father drained her savings and spent it on drug abuse. Disgusted, alone, and hopeless just weeks into her pregnancy, Hannah went to her local pregnancy center, Women's Resource Center in Gulfport, MS, where she began to receive weekly parenting classes. In November 2014, Hannah gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Ava, a name which means ``life.'' As a single mother, bringing a child into her circumstances was not easy, and Hannah struggled to overcome severe postpartum depression in the early months after the birth of her daughter. When she turned 21, Hannah got a job at a casino--an answer to her prayers. This job gave her a sense of pride and independence. When Ava turned 3, Hannah met Nuno, the love of her life, and together they welcomed another daughter, Maisy. After Hannah and Nuno got married in 2020, Nuno legally adopted Ava before she started kindergarten, stepping in to be the father she never had before. This year, Hannah felt God's call and now works as a volunteer at the same Women's Resource Center in Gulfport, MS, that helped her as a client nearly a decade ago. There, she uses her life experiences to give hope and help to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Hannah writes: With God, we don't have to be victims of our circumstances; we can be victors who will rise up from anything. Hannah's story is part of the untold story of the pro-life movement that goes on at many other pregnancy centers in Mississippi and across the Nation. Last week, the good works conducted by pregnancy centers and maternity homes were recognized by the tens of thousands of pro-life Americans who came to Washington, DC, last Friday for the 51st annual March for Life. They marched not only for the protection of every unborn child from the moment of conception but also to support mothers. This year's March for Life theme--``With Every Woman, For Every Child''--highlighted the fact that no woman should ever feel alone in her pregnancy journey. The life-affirming impact of pregnancy centers is considerable and growing following the Dobbs decision that allowed lifesaving laws to take effect in States across America. In addition to having loved ones and communities to lean on, every woman should know of the lifesaving work of pregnancy centers and maternity homes across the country. A new Charlotte Lozier Institute study found that 2,750 pregnancy centers provided more than 16 million client sessions and over $358 million in free, life-affirming goods and services in 2022. These included free sonograms, pregnancy tests, diapers, parenting classes, pregnancy counseling, adoption referrals, and other compassionate support and resources. Despite what the radical, pro-abortion left wants us to believe, the pro-life movement is also a pro-women movement with a long history of empowering women during pregnancy and after. I believe Congress must build on that history by promoting policies that support pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and strong families so that more pregnant women will have the support they need as they embark on a beautiful and sacred chapter of their lives. Every human life is a priceless gift, but the costs and challenges for new parents are very real. We need to start putting our money where our mouth is. To that end, I, along with Congresswoman Carol Miller of West Virginia in the House, introduced the Pregnancy Center Support Act. This legislation would create a first-ever Federal tax credit for pregnancy centers. It would reimburse 50 percent of up to $10,000 in donations to these centers. This would empower pregnancy centers with much needed resources to meet the growing demands of supporting women and families in a post-Roe America. My legislation would build on the work of my State of Mississippi. In May 2020, a month before the Dobbs decision, the Mississippi Legislature enacted a groundbreaking State tax credit for donations for pregnancy centers. Mississippi currently spends $10 million each year on its credit, and I am glad to see that other States are also considering similar credits to provide life-affirming support to pregnant women in need in their States. At this very moment when pregnancy centers are needed the most, they have come under unprecedented attacks, including vandalism and firebombing. According to Catholic Vote, there have been over 88 violent attacks on pregnancy centers and pro-life groups documented since the leak of the Dobbs decision in 2022. Pregnancy centers have also come under attack from pro-abortion politicians, Big Tech, and state attorneys general, which have sought to fine, censor, or regulate them out of existence. In particular, I am deeply concerned by the Biden administration's recently proposed rules targeting pregnancy centers, aiming to strip away millions of dollars through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF, Program that now supports these centers in several States. We must fight back against this. Alongside Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, I have introduced the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act. This bill would block the administration's proposed action and protect pregnancy centers that are serving countless women from discrimination. The Democrats' attacks on pregnancy centers are disgraceful, and we must do more to support their lifesaving work. The pro-life movement believes that every life counts--every mother, every father, and every child--and that is why we strive for an end to abortion. We must also support families and come alongside pregnant women in need. To all the Americans who marched for life last week and to women like Hannah, who has chosen life and now works at a pregnancy center to help others choose life, thank you for standing with every woman and for every child. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to once again call attention to the crisis at our southern border--the very crisis the Biden administration refuses to acknowledge and in not doing so, fails the American people. It is a simple fact: There is no national security without border security; and everyone knows our border is anything but secure. We have the numbers to back it up. For starters, more than 8.2 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Biden took office. To kick off fiscal year 2024, there were over 240,000 illegal immigrant encounters in October, the highest monthly total ever recorded. This comes after a record-setting fiscal year 2023, which saw more than 2.4 million encounters. Of the 2.4 million, at least 169 individuals are on the Terror Watchlist. But what is really frightening is that these numbers only reflect the known encounters and doesn't even include all of those who evaded law enforcement--the ``got-aways.'' Border officials estimate that there were 1.7 million ``got-aways,'' any number of which could be on the Terror Watchlist living in our country with who knows what intentions. Even with all of this information available, the administration continues to break all the wrong records. In the last several weeks, daily records have been smashed time and again with known daily encounters ranging from 10,000 to 12,000. For context, President Obama's DHS Secretary said that 1,000 a day ``overwhelms the system.'' We have heard from officials such as FBI Director Wray expressing his concern regarding the ability of terrorist organizations to exploit any port of entry, including our southwestern border. Warnings such as these should not be ignored, and yet it appears this administration will continue to do exactly that. But encounters are only part of the ongoing crisis. In October, over 1,300 pounds of fentanyl and over 9,500 pounds of meth were seized--and that is only what was seized. Estimates show that this is only 5 to 10 percent of the illicit drugs coming across the border. These drugs continue to run rampant in our communities at a devastating cost, including in my rural State of Mississippi. The CDC says overdose deaths are up from last year, meaning more and more families and communities are being broken apart by the circulation of dangerous drug smugglers across the border. And even worse than the drugs being smuggled across the border are the humans the cartels are smuggling. I have spoken before about my trip to the border--the one earlier this year--and the horrific stories of girls, 12- to 16-years old, being smuggled against their will, has stayed with me. The human trafficking industry has grown in the last several years to a $13 billion industry. And this will only continue to grow if the border continues to be an access point for traffickers. I do not blame the brave men and women working to do their best to help patrol the border. I blame solely--all of this--on the Biden administration and Democrats for their unwillingness to work in a serious manner to help secure the border and keep criminals and drugs out of our communities. Border Patrol agents are not given the resources they need to stop the never-ending onslaught of migrants, drugs, and traffickers. Even the border security's provision in the President's emergency supplemental request amount is just more money to process illegal immigrants with no real policy or enforcement reforms. I am hearing from law enforcement back home in Mississippi and how the crisis is affecting my State. As many have said, today, every State is a border State because of this crisis. On January 18, 2023, a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper made a routine traffic stop. In the vehicle was an illegal immigrant driving without a license and an additional three illegal adult males and one 7-year-old migrant child. After Homeland Security Investigations was contacted, the driver attempted to flee on foot and was captured. The HSI determined the child was not related to anyone in the vehicle. Charges are pending on the driver and HSI is attempting to identify the child and reunite him with family. In another incident on October 9, 2023, a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper identified another illegal immigrant driving on I-10 in Jackson County with no ID. A passenger, also an illegal immigrant, revealed that they were on their way to Houston, TX, to pick up another man, a woman, and three or four children. After a legal search of the vehicle, items consistent with human trafficking were discovered. A Border Patrol agent was notified, and, turns out, the driver was a repeat offender, illegally reentering the United States after deportation. If I am hearing from law enforcement in my State, I know that my colleagues are too. I applaud the efforts of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the U.S. Border Patrol for taking action, but the fact remains that if the resources were already at the border, this would have never happened. Senate Republicans have shown Americans time and time again that we are ready to take steps to stop the growing threat at the southern border. Unfortunately, our Democratic colleagues will not take action with us, appearing afraid to anger their radical base. Giving our Border Patrol agents the means to do their job is not radical. Fortifying our border by ending catch-and-release, closing asylum loopholes, finishing the wall, and supporting law enforcement officers is key to our national security. And we owe our citizens no less. I, along with my Republican colleagues, will continue to work toward solutions; and I invite Senate Democrats and the administration to join us so we can finally secure our borders and keep the American people safe and alleviate the Biden-caused humanitarian crisis at the border. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of Intercessors for America--IFA--a ministry that has faithfully served believers by encouraging effective prayer and fasting for the Church, our Nation, and our elected leaders, including those of us elected to Congress. At the time of IFA's founding, the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam war, pervasive drug use, and the Supreme Court's tragic decision to legalize abortion on demand in Roe v. Wade had shaken the moral foundations of our Nation. In the 50 years since, IFA's ministry has been important in rebuilding a society that once again respects the Judeo-Christian principles and moral values that lie at the heart of America. The founding leaders of IFA, including Derek Prince and John Beckett, began their first activities at a large dining table where John Talcott and his wife Roselyn wrote a prayer letter, which was mailed to a group of like-minded people who recognized the need for God to intervene to heal our Nation. Over the past 50 years, IFA has grown from these beginnings to inform, connect, and mobilize intercessors across America, in churches and communities nationwide, to pray for our Nation and our leaders. In its work, IFA follows the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-3: ``I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.'' Nowhere could this impact of the power of prayer, including the prayers of many IFA intercessors, be better seen than the Supreme Court's historic decision in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn the moral stain of Roe v. Wade. This moment was a testament to God's faithfulness, and underscores the importance of the work we have ahead of us to rebuild a culture where God's gift of life is respected and cherished. It is an honor to recognize Intercessors for America and to celebrate its 50-year anniversary, in gratitude for its work, through prayer and intercession for public officials, to restore our moral values, protect the right to life and the family, and to bring about a renewal of faith, so that God may continue to bless our Nation.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute to Mr. Jack Rutland, Jr., of Lincoln County, MS, who for more than 10 years has shown an inspiring dedication to sharing the stories and memories of armed service veterans in Mississippi. By conducting radio interviews with veterans, their experiences can be appreciated by citizens all across Mississippi. Mr. Rutland has shown that his appreciation and respect for the men and women who have served in our armed forces goes beyond that of an average citizen, and America needs more people like Jack. Jack Rutland, Jr., was born on May 20, 1948, in Birmingham, AL, while his father was stationed at an Air Force base there. His father, Jack Rutland, Sr., enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps prior to World War II, and he served during the war for 3 years in countries like England, North Africa, and Italy. During his World War II service, the senior Mr. Rutland earned five battle stars. Upon the completion of the war, he remained in the Air Force for over 20 years. Once he retired, the family returned to Lawrence County, MS. From experiencing his father's patriotic dedication to our Nation, Jack grew up with a sincere reverence for the veterans who served to defend the United States of America. In 2003, the Military Memorial Museum in Brookhaven, MS, opened to inform the public of local veterans and the town's service history through artifacts, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia. The museum is operated completely by volunteers, one of them being Jack Rutland, Jr. On the 10-year anniversary of the Military Memorial Museum's opening, Jack interviewed four veterans. His interviews were captivating and respectfully executed, leading the public to want more. Today, Jack has conducted more than 50 interviews with veterans, some as recently as a few weeks ago. These interviews can be heartbreaking, like the story of World War II veteran Mr. Howard Britt who had to leave his beloved lieutenant in the field after he had been wounded. While in enemy territory, there was no time to wait. A story from Mr. Don Hemphill was similarly moving, detailing his arrival on the beaches of Normandy on the evening of D-day and seeing the wreckage of equipment left behind, as well as American soldiers who had not made it. The scene was so harrowing that Mr. Hemphill still could not talk about it when he was interviewed. In addition to these poignant interviews were inspirational recollections, like Mr. Hoyte Case who saw the iconic flag raised on Iwo Jima atop Mount Suribachi from his ship as he left the battle. Mr. Herbert Savell recounted his long journey home from the Pacific following the end of the war, traveling by cattle car to return to his small hometown in the Mississippi Delta. Walking down the aisle of the church and sitting in the pew beside his mother was how he returned. Each interview shows another side of the tragedies and triumphs faced by veterans. The work that Jack has done is necessary to help younger generations understand the commitments and sacrifices made by our Nation's veterans. Preserving the oral histories of those who served helps us better understand the challenging circumstances they underwent and the emotional impacts they experienced during that time. These veterans had immense influence on our country from their brave and selfless duty of protecting our Nation's values and freedoms. Through the diligent work of Jack Rutland, Jr., we can learn a bit more about the Nation we are today from those who served in the armed forces for us. My life has truly been enhanced by knowing Jack and his wife Shirley, who reside in my corner of the world. They have an outstanding family that includes their daughter Jamie, son-in-law Joshua Grosshans, and three grandchildren: Avery Rose, Jack Seton, and Alice Faye. In conclusion, I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Jack Rutland, Jr., for dedicating his time to serving those who have served our country. I commend him for his accomplishments, and I hope his story and the veterans' stories he brings to light will inspire future generations.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I am honored to pay tribute to the memory of a true American hero, Jacklyn ``Jack'' Harrell Lucas. Jack, a long-time resident of Mississippi, and the youngest marine to ever receive the Medal of Honor, left an indelible mark on American history. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Jack jumped between two live grenades to shield three of his fellow marines from the explosion. This act of heroism caused him significant injuries. Even after his time in the military, Jack continued to inspire generations through his commitment to veterans' causes and his advocacy for those who suffered in service to their country. Jack Lucas took his final salute on June 5, 2008, in Hattiesburg, MS, leaving behind his wife, their five children, and a legacy of patriotism and service to this Nation. On October 7, 2023, the Navy will commission its first Arleigh Burke Flight III guided-missile destroyer. DDG-125 will bear the name of this distinguished son of Mississippi, Jack. H. Lucas. The USS Jack H. Lucas was built at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS, further highlighting Mississippi's commitment to the defense of the United States. Jack's heroism will continue to inspire generations of Americans for years to come. As we reflect upon the life of Jack H. Lucas, let us honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to upholding the principles for which he so bravely fought.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate is beginning consideration of the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills. Let me begin my remarks by thanking Chairman Murray and Vice Chairman Collins for their strong leadership in advancing these bills through committee and now to the Senate floor. This returns to regular order, which is long overdue and is a testament to what we can accomplish through a committed bipartisanship. I also want to thank Senator Schatz, the chairman of the T-HUD Subcommittee. He has been a delight to work with and has been very, very pleasant to go through this and help me. The fiscal year 2024 Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill is a bipartisan and fiscally responsible bill that has passed unanimously--a 29-to-0 vote in July-- by the full Appropriations Committee. There are a few important aspects of the bill that I would like to highlight. First, I want to stress that this bipartisan bill incorporates input and requests from more than 80 Senators from both sides of the aisle. The bill provides adequate resources for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer the many important programs and activities under their jurisdictions. These programs protect public health and safety, promote economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for all Americans. The bill includes $28.5 billion for DOT and $73 billion for HUD, as well as funding for small independent Agencies like the Federal Maritime Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board. With this bill, we are continuing to foster and grow the safest and most reliable transportation system in the world. The bill makes key investments in our transportation infrastructure, including $800 million for the popular RAISE Grant Program, and nearly $1.2 billion for the important bridge repair and rehabilitation program. We also fully fund critical aviation needs, such as funding for 1,800 new air traffic controllers and for modernizing our legacy airspace systems. The popular Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program is funded at $500 million, and Amtrak is funded at $2.5 billion, which will continue to provide upgrades and service to rural communities, as well as the Northeast corridor. In addition to transportation programs, this bill maintains existing rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households. This includes working families, seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Additional investments are made to support ending veteran and youth homelessness, as well as to develop more permanent supportive housing. Ending cycles of dependency requires promoting self-sufficiency and financial literacy tools, and I am pleased that the bill includes $198 billion for HUD's self-sufficiency programs. Finally, the bill continues to fund the CDBG Program at $3.3 billion, which continues to be one of the most requested programs in this bill by Members from both parties to help State and local governments across the country promote economic development and job creation. In closing, given the wide array of projects and activities funded by this bill, the subcommittee received a substantial amount of Member requests and has worked to try to address as many Member priorities as possible. The fiscal year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill is worthy of consideration and passage by the full Senate. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the investments in this bill to support families and communities across this country, as well as the Military Construction, VA, and Agriculture bills that make up this minibus. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

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

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life of a legendary native of Mississippi whose music is synonymous with the spirit of summertime and enjoying life: Jimmy Buffett. Born in Pascagoula, MS, Jimmy Buffett's journey began in the heart of the South. His music touches the heart of those well beyond Mississippi or the South, but there is no denying Jimmy's music embodies the very essence of the South, with its warm hospitality, vibrant culture, and distinctive charm. Jimmy's early years were filled with the sights and sounds of Mississippi. The Sun shining over the Gulf of Mexico and many other beautiful experiences of the South would later inspire some of his most beloved songs. But it was Jimmy's great appetite for adventure that ultimately propelled him to worldwide fame. He embarked on a journey that would take him to the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, and beyond those changes in latitudes. Amid more than 40 musical tours throughout his career, he churned his talents into a diverse business empire and charitable works. As we reflect on the legacy of this son of a son of a sailor, we cannot help but be inspired by Jimmy Buffett's unyielding commitment to following his dreams and embracing life. His songs transport us to sandy beaches, where the stresses of life fade away. He reminds us that sometimes we all need to kick back, relax, and take a moment to savor the simple pleasures of life. As Jimmy would put it, ``it's 5 o'clock somewhere.'' In honoring Jimmy Buffett, we celebrate the man who, through his music, brought us with him on many of his adventures around the Sun, from the Pascagoula Run to the shores of paradise, and we are all better for it. I have so much gratitude for the joy, laughter, and the inspiration that Jimmy Buffett brought into so many Americans' lives. His music is a timeless reminder that no matter where we come from, we can all find a bit of paradise within ourselves, and, come Monday, it will be all right. Jimmy Buffett is a true southern storyteller who was generous enough to share his piece of paradise with the world. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--USACE--for 150 years of exceptional service to the people of Mississippi and our Nation. Founded in 1873 when Captain William Henry Harrison Benyaurd created a USACE office in Monroe, LA, the Vicksburg District now covers 68,000 square miles in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana; nine major river basins; 278 miles of the Mississippi River; and 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. In 1884, the first permanent Vicksburg office was formed by Captain Eric Bergland. Vicksburg National Military Park was largely constructed by the Vicksburg District in the early 1900s. In response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and as directed by the Flood Control Act of 1928, the Vicksburg District designed and implemented an extensive flood control program, commonly referred to as the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries--MR&T--project, which continues to serve the people of Mississippi to this day. The benefits the Vicksburg District brings to Mississippians and the Nation are hard to quantify, but should not be taken for granted. The average annual benefits of the MR&T project alone are valued at $1.46 billion, but the positive impacts associated with the many watersheds, ports, locks and dams, reservoirs, and flood control structures the district manages go far beyond any dollar amount. The Vicksburg District continues to boast some of the brightest engineering minds in the world as it designs, constructs, and maintains premier civil works projects. In addition to fulfilling its mission of flood control, it also excels in its other mission areas, including navigation, hydro-power, recreation, water supply, emergency operations, and environmental restoration. I am grateful for its important work to protect the people, economy, and natural resources of Mississippi, and I look forward seeing what the Vicksburg District accomplishes in the future.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, this bill presents a solution in search of a problem. Unfortunately, it appears that the intent of this legislation is to treat abortion as healthcare, to prevent pro-life entities from sponsoring ads designed to help provide women and girls with trustworthy support during pregnancy, and to make it harder for States to enforce their own laws protecting life and the most vulnerable. When it comes to ensuring patient privacy and healthcare, I believe there are bipartisan solutions to be found that we can all agree on. One-sided efforts to promote abortion are not the way for us to find common ground on this issue. I would also like to point out that this bill has not received a hearing or markup in the Commerce Committee, which would be a great opportunity to have. I would like to turn now to recognize that this Saturday will mark the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. I am incredibly proud that this victory for the pro-life movement, reversing the moral stain of Roe v. Wade, came out of my State of Mississippi. I am amazed and grateful that in God's sovereign plan, a law introduced by my friend, Mississippi State Representative Becky Currie, ultimately achieved what I and so many have prayed for, for 50 years now, to restore the sanctity of life. My friend, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, our State's solicitor general, Scott Stewart, and the many others in the AG's office worked tirelessly to represent our State's direct challenge to Roe. After a draft of the Dobbs majority opinion was shamefully leaked, the conservative Justices resisted disgraceful intimidation tactics and threats to their own lives. They stayed true to their judicial oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution. The Supreme Court recognized correctly in Dobbs that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and that Roe was ``egregiously wrong and on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided.'' While the Dobbs decision did not end abortion in America, it took a monumental step in returning the issue back into the hands of the people and their elected representatives. Today, as a result, 14 States are protecting unborn children through all 9 months of pregnancy. Several others now protect babies at the point where they have a heartbeat, at 6 weeks, and still others at 12 weeks. One recent study found that there were more than 24,000 unborn children saved from abortion in the first 9 months since Dobbs. That is 24,000 miracles, because that is what a child is--a miracle. But it is not just the States that can protect life after Dobbs. We in Congress also have a responsibility to protect life and stop the Democrats' extreme pro-abortion agenda. It saddens me deeply that Democrats in Congress continue to advocate for appalling legislation that would impose legalized abortion on demand up until to the moment of birth across all 50 States. Their legislation is even more radical than Roe was and would eliminate even the most modest pro-life protections, like parental involvement laws and bans on sex-selective abortions. Democrats cannot name a single limit on abortion they support--not one. The American people, however, reject this extreme position. A new Tarrance Group poll this month found that three-fourths of voters oppose allowing abortions through all 9 months of pregnancy and support at least some limits to abortion. More Americans continue to reject abortion when they learn more about the child in the womb--when they can hear the child's heartbeat, when they can see them suck their thumbs and yawn in an ultrasound, and when they learn that they can feel pain. Despite this, the Biden administration's FDA and Department of Justice continue to allow the abortion industry to obstruct the will of pro-life States by illegally flooding the mail with do-it-yourself abortion pills, turning post offices into abortion centers. These actions not only endanger women's lives and their health, but they violate longstanding Federal laws that clearly prohibit the mailing of abortion drugs. Finally, we also must advance policies to support pregnant mothers in choosing life. In particular, we need to support the work of pregnancy centers. More than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country provide critical medical and material support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies to choose life rather than abortion. This is the promise of the Declaration of Independence: that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the inalienable right to life. Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, 1 year ago this week, we can finally begin the hard work to make good on the promise for unborn Americans too. Finally, I object.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Narendra Modi, the esteemed Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Next week, we will be honored to have him address a joint meeting of Congress underscoring the significance of the relationship between the United States and India. The bond between India and the United States is not just an alliance, it is a strategic and global partnership. Our two nations' relationship is built on the strong foundation of shared values--democracy, freedom, and respect for the rule of law. India and the United States have long recognized the power of collaboration and fostering peace, prosperity, and global stability. United States-India diplomatic relations have only grown since India gained its independence 75 years ago. In the face of global challenges ranging from education to energy to agriculture and health, Prime Minister Modi has worked with the United States to address these issues, and continues to work toward solutions that benefit not just our countries but the entire world. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington, DC, is an occasion to celebrate that progress and to reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen this vital partnership. I have had the opportunity to learn more about this partnership from Dr. Kulkarni, who is the Indian Consulate General in Atlanta, and a friend of mine. And she is also a friend of my State director, Umesh Sanjanwala. So Prime Minister Modi's visit is an opportunity to deepen our collaboration in areas such as trade, defense, technology, and healthcare, which will shape the future trajectory of our nations. I encourage my colleagues to join me in extending a warm welcome to the Prime Minister as he visits our great Nation. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr. Wade Litton of Greenwood, MS, for his service and contributions to the State of Mississippi while serving as the 87th president of Delta Council. Organized in 1935, Delta Council plays an important role in uniting agricultural, business, and economic development leadership to solve problems and promote greater opportunities in the Mississippi Delta region, which encompasses 19 counties in northwest Mississippi. Mr. Litton has worked tirelessly this year to advance the priorities of Delta Council, including healthcare, farm policy, economic development, flood control, and education. He is also the third generation of his family to serve as president of Delta Council. Mr. Litton is the chief executive officer of Wade, Inc., a fourth- generation company that operates 14 John Deere dealerships in the Mississippi Delta. As a businessman, Mr. Litton and his company are at the forefront of evolving farm technology tools that enable producers to become more efficient and productive. Mr. Litton's priorities in leading Delta Council have been to continue the work of the organization and to build stronger relationships with the people of the Delta to help improve the economy and quality of life for all citizens. He is deeply involved in industrial and community development, including the Delta Strong regional economic development association. Mr. Litton assumed the role of Delta Council president during unprecedented times characterized by rising inflation, rural healthcare disruptions, the after effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, and a multitude of other challenges. Wade Litton has been a steady and calm leader over this past year and has contributed his vast knowledge and service to many critical issues during his tenure as president. Outside of his time spent running his business and serving Delta Council, Mr. Litton contributes his time to many other important organizations. He serves as a commissioner for Greenwood Utilities, a member of the Young Presidents' Organization, and is involved with the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, the Greenwood United Way, the Boys and Girls Club of Leflore County, the Agribusiness Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and the Greenwood Rotary Club. He is also a youth soccer and baseball coach. Mr. Litton, his wife Meagan, and his three children Kennan, Robert, and Elizabeth are members of the First Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder. It is my pleasure to join the citizens of the great State of Mississippi in expressing our appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Wade Litton and in sharing these good wishes with his family. His years of service and leadership have undoubtedly contributed to the overall success of this highly respected 88-year-old organization, Delta Council.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, this week our Nation commemorates the 2023 National Police Week and honors the brave men and women of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. As a nation, we will pay tribute to those who have given their lives to protect our communities and join in mourning their loss with their families and loved ones. As we recognize National Police Week and remember these fallen officers, we must acknowledge the critical role that law enforcement officers play in keeping our communities safe. They leave their homes and families every day not knowing if they will return. The amount of courage, dedication, and passion that demands cannot be overstated. It is important to remember, too, that their families also demonstrate exceptional courage, as they support their loved ones knowing the circumstances are sometimes life and death. My State of Mississippi is blessed with amazing law enforcement. These men and women in blue are not only hometown heroes, but also are an integral part of our communities. Every loss of an officer is deeply felt by all. I would like to specifically remember and honor the nine fallen officers from Mississippi whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year. These officers died heroes in service to their communities, and we will forever be grateful for their sacrifice. We remember: Steven Michael Robin and Branden Paul Estorffe of the Bay St. Louis Police Department, who were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check, and Marzell Jerome Brooks of the Brookhaven Police Department, who passed from COVID-19 during the commission of his job duties. We remember: Myiesha Breanna Stewart of the Greenville Police Department, who was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit of a suspect who fled the scene after a shooting; Lee Dan Vance, Jr., of the Hinds County Sheriff's Office who died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among employees and inmates; and Robert Edward Moak, Sr., of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, who was killed by a suspect who he had testified against in court. We remember: Kennis Winston Croom of the Meridian Police Department, who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call, and Jeffrey Ray Turney of the Pontotoc Police Department, who succumbed to COVID-19 after contracting the illness during the commission of his job duties. Lastly, we remember Johnny Raymond Patterson of the Verona Police Department, who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic. To honor their memory, we must put our words into actions by ensuring our officers have the resources and tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. It is critical they have adequate support for training, equipment, and technology, as well as policies that prioritize officer safety and well-being. For my part, I will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement professionals and provide support where possible and do all I can to honor the legacy of those lost in the line of duty. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring these brave officers in Mississippi and across the Nation during National Police Week and throughout the year. It is my prayer that their families and loved ones find comfort in knowing that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Jimmy Stringer, a dedicated member of my personal staff who left my office recently to return to my home State of Mississippi. Jimmy merits commendation for his contributions and dedicated service throughout his role in public service, as well as a member of my personal office staff. A native of Madison, MS, Jimmy earned his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University. Jimmy's humble beginnings in the U.S. Government started as an intern for the late Senator Cochran, my predecessor. Following that, Jimmy's career turned to the Pentagon, where he supported the Air Force in its day-to-day operations. His outstanding service there earned him the Secretary of the Air Force Technical and Analytical Support Top Performer Award. After 2 years at the Pentagon, Jimmy decided to focus his service closer to home, accepting an opportunity to serve as military legislative assistant in the office of Congressman Gregg Harper of Mississippi. Jimmy's service in the House of Representatives led him to the U.S. Senate, where he became the military legislative assistant for my office, where he excelled and eventually earned the additional title and responsibilities of deputy legislative director. Jimmy's contributions throughout his tenure in public service have been truly invaluable to the legislative and administrative functions of my office, and his insightful input will be missed. I, along with the rest of my office, have benefited from Jimmy's knowledge, experience, and leadership. Anyone who has had the opportunity to meet and visit with Jimmy would agree he is a hard-working, courteous, and intelligent young man. Jimmy's strong sense of responsibility, good judgment, and a pleasant demeanor set him apart as a leader in our office and proved time and time again to be an asset for the people of Mississippi. In fact, Jimmy has always put Mississippi first. No matter the situation or how high the stakes, the needs of the State came first. While many have been caught up in the demands of Washington, DC, politics, Jimmy's focus has always remained hundreds of miles south of the beltway. Mississippians knew if they had a problem, Jimmy Stringer would help them find a solution. Mississippi and our Nation have been well-served by the diligence, dedication, and commitment to excellence Jimmy Stringer provided on a daily basis. He has put forth his best efforts to reflect credit on our military, the House of Representatives, my State, and the U.S. Senate. I will miss Jimmy's astute counsel. He has my appreciation and gratitude for the notable job he has done throughout his time here in Washington, especially within my office. I wish Jimmy, his wonderful wife Frances, and beautiful daughter Price God's continued blessings and all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, Americans across the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations continue to celebrate April as Faith Month. I commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith. The United States of America was born of the unanimous Declaration that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' ``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people of faith, which is why religious freedom is known as America's first freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and also supports America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith. America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the importance of faith in our Nation's founding. From our first President to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President George Washington recognized ``it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.'' Preserving our religious freedom, which strengthens our country's appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith, requires eternal diligence. Sadly, attacks on religious liberty and people of faith are growing, with some religious charities forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs as somehow incompatible with our democracy. Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement by helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. Their presence in my State of Mississippi following devastating and fatal tornadoes in March has been a blessing to those trying to rebuild their lives. Their service demonstrates why these organizations should be celebrated, not maligned, for their contributions to improve life. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious heritage is to our credit and should be encouraged. This Faith Month, I join millions of Americans in honoring the right to practice our faith freely and openly, with public displays and celebrations, including prayer and expressions of thanksgiving. In this manner, we reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty principles of our founding.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to also express my disappointment in the fiscal year 2024 budget submitted to Congress by President Biden. As a fiscal conservative, I have serious concerns about the direction this budget proposes to take our country. It fails to address the real needs of our Nation and instead doubles down on failed policies. Americans continue to suffer from the worst inflation since the Carter administration--inflation set off by President Biden's reckless tax-and-spend agenda. Consumer prices have risen 15 percent since Biden took office. These are real numbers. People in my home State of Mississippi and across this country continue to see their hard-earned savings dwindle and their paychecks stretched thin by higher prices for everything from groceries to gasoline and basic utilities. After 2 years of trudging through this economy, Americans truly need help. However, President Biden's budget will do anything but help. The President's $7 trillion budget for 2024 will result in massive spending increases that will further exacerbate our already significant debt and deficit problems. Remember, reckless spending is the major reason prices took off in the first place. We simply cannot afford to spend at this level and continue passing on the burden of our current and growing debt to future generations. What is more, this proposal includes $4.7 trillion in new or increased taxes--the largest tax hike since the 1960s. These tax hikes would stifle economic growth, discourage investment, and ultimately harm the very people the President's budget is supposed to help. The President is asking Congress to hike the individual Federal income tax rate up from 37 percent to 39.6 percent, not including the surtaxes with that. This proposal would push tax increases on even more hard-working Americans. Make no mistake, this proposal does not ``tax the rich,'' as my colleagues across the aisle love to say; it raises taxes on middle-class Americans. The President's proposed tax increases may raise revenue in the short term to support his big spending, Big Government schemes, but they amount to distraction and to only gimmicks. There is little chance these massive tax increases will see the light of day, but even if they did, the Biden tax hikes would not address the underlying issues of our ballooning national debt. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the Federal Government will spend over $10 trillion on interest alone in the next 10 years. Think about that for a moment--$10 trillion on interest payments alone. Unbelievable. As we pay more and more on debt interest payments, there will be less available to use on critical and important priorities like Senator Hoeven mentioned: national defense, infrastructure, healthcare, or education. I recently reintroduced a constitutional balanced-budget amendment because I am very concerned about the future of this great Nation. In contrast, President Biden's 2024 budget plan sends a clear signal that he and his administration are not serious about controlling the national debt or even reducing annual deficit spending. He may talk about it, but this budget says otherwise. It is our responsibility as elected officials of the American people to strengthen our Nation, not to leave it saddled with unsustainable debt that puts everything at risk, including entitlement programs that hard-working Americans have paid into their entire lives. President Biden's budget is a disappointment and falls short in addressing serious challenges, such as getting our fiscal house in order, securing the border, unleashing American energy, and so much more. We all know the President's budget was received dead on arrival, but it signals the starting point to the annual budget process. It is my hope that wiser minds on both sides of the aisle will prevail as Congress embarks on the 2024 budget and appropriations process. Americans are already pinching pennies, taking on debt, and struggling to pay their bills, and they deserve much, much more. They deserve relief, and our Nation needs relief in the form of tried-and- true just pure fiscal responsibility. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to express my support also for the resolution of disapproval of the new soft-on-crime law approved by the District of Columbia City Council. The resolution represents my chance to say: Enough is enough. Today, Americans feel increasingly unsafe. It is not hard to understand why, since it has become impossible to disregard or dismiss the unraveling of law and order across the country over the past few years. Whether it is the lack of law enforcement on the border, anti-police rhetoric, or weakened punishments for the violent crimes, Americans know the shift away from law and order, right and wrong, is tearing all the fabric of their communities. Crime is at a 25-year high across the entire country. Unfortunately, my home State of Mississippi is not immune from this trend. Our capital, Jackson, has recorded more than 100 homicides for 3 consecutive years. It is the same song, different verse in our Nation's very own Capital, where overall crime is up 25 percent since last year. In fact, Washington, DC's murder rate is 34 percent higher today than this time last year. Auto thefts are up 110 percent in this city. What has the response been from the Democratic leadership? Well, it certainly has not made public safety a priority. There is a good reason the Senate is considering a resolution of disapproval against the DC Council's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. With DC's growing record of lawlessness, the city council voted to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce penalties for crimes like robbery, carjacking, home invasion, burglary, and more. These are violent crimes that leave victims traumatized, injured, or worse--dead. So why is the instinct to protect the criminal--to signal that the penalties for violating the law are being eased? This law will put residents, constituents, tourists, Federal workers, and elected officials directly in harm's way. Rather than holding them accountable for their own actions, the DC Council would prefer to let these violent criminals go back to the streets and commit the same violent crimes. Is it any wonder Washington, DC, has a police recruitment and retention problem? At the same time, those responsible for enforcing our justice system seem more interested in carrying out ``justice'' based on politics. The Biden administration's Justice Department, for example, appears to be laser-focused on parents at local school board meetings, pro-life Americans exercising their right to protest, and spying on Catholic Americans, while taking a nothing-to-see-here approach to threats of violence against sitting Justices at the Supreme Court or attacks on pregnancy centers. If things continue this way, Americans will start to wonder if their safety and protection is determined by their political affiliation. Mr. President, public safety should not be a political issue. It is not virtue signaling to lessen punishments for violent criminals; it is just dangerous. It is not progressive to pretend the breakdown in border security and subsequent flood of fentanyl aren't contributing to the surges in the crime and death; it is nonsensical. Americans who live in the greatest Nation in the world at the very least deserve to feel safe. We deserve to live in a country of law and order. Yes, it is time to say ``enough is enough'' to the radical policies embraced by the Democratic Party that have only resulted in more crime, more fear and more tragedies. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, in less than a week, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union Address to the Nation. In the buildup to that speech, we are already seeing the President and his administration spinning a tale about just how wonderful things are in this country, particularly after they took power and racked up more than $3 trillion more in spending. Unfortunately, those tall tales do not reflect the reality for the people in my home State of Mississippi or across the Nation. In the 2 years since President Biden took office, we have seen his administration fail the American people time and time again. Inflation was 1.4 percent in January of 2021, but the policies the President has forced on this Nation since then have made daily living unaffordable for families. Today, a strong majority of Americans--more than 70 percent--believe that the country is on the wrong track, and it is easy to understand why. Too many workers and families now live paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep the lights on, put food on the table, get gas in their cars, and stock up on everyday essentials that they have to have. President Biden's inflationary runaway spending is a root cause of the skyrocketed prices we are paying for all goods and services. Not a single industry is spared the cost of this inflation. Since Joe Biden took office, higher prices have cost families an additional $10,000, and there seems to be no end in sight. Prices have gone up across the board to 13.5 percent, and grocery costs have jumped 18.6 percent. Just look at the price of essential staples: Chicken breast prices have gone up by 33 percent, and ground beef, whole milk, and bread have gone up by 21 percent. Unlike President Biden, I actually have to take a trip to the grocery store to feed my family. I do all of my own shopping, and I see firsthand how these price increases affect the people of Mississippi. In the checkout line, I have watched a mother forced to put something back on the shelf after realizing that she can't afford everything in her cart. I have seen a retired husband grabbing only the barest necessities for the week. Up and down the aisle, as I push my buggy, the conversation is constant on ``Can you believe how much the price of groceries has increased and how expensive it is?'' It breaks my heart to see the individuals in my community and the Nation struggling to get by. It shouldn't be this way, but in Joe Biden's America, you are forced to weigh priorities on buying groceries, prescription medicine, or putting gas in your car. When it comes to energy prices, the hardship continues for many Americans. This pain is 100 percent self-inflicted by the Biden administration's stubborn refusal to maximize American energy production. According to census data, about 22 percent of American households could not pay their energy bill last year. When families were actually able to pay, they had to sacrifice other necessities, such as groceries, their medicine, or their gasoline. This winter isn't bringing any relief either. Compared to last winter, the average household will spend upwards of 28 percent more to heat their home with natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. Electricity rates are also expected to continue to rise due to lower domestic supply of liquefied natural gas as well as labor shortages and the cost of materials. But this should come as no surprise since the attack on American energy began on day one of the Biden Presidency. In fact, this administration's regulatory overreach also contributes to rising costs across our economy. Despite record-high prices, Joe Biden wants to further regulate the agriculture industry. The Food Safety and Inspection Service, for instance, is studying line speeds of poultry plants with the ultimate goal of just slowing them down, which will affect costs and supplies in the grocery stores. In addition, the EPA recently unveiled its new waters of the United States rule, which will further hamper the ability of farmers to grow food because the Federal Government will have the ability to regulate ditches and low spots on private land. It is a basic fact that it is expensive to comply with overly burdensome regulations. The Biden administration's desire to overregulate everything makes it seem as if the President wants Americans to struggle to afford food. Madam President, the American people are smart, and they understand when things aren't going well. The rosy stories the White House will barrage us with before the State of the Union Address won't change the fact that the American dream seems further from attainable for hard-working families because we just cannot afford Joe Biden. My colleagues and I want to get our economy back on track to relieve the financial stress that families are experiencing. We must stop the irresponsible government spending, unleash American energy production, cut regulations, and embrace pro-growth commonsense policies. The American people deserve that. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I started the new year by joining Senator Blackburn of Tennessee and our new colleague Senator Britt of Alabama on a recent tour of the Del Rio Border Sector in Texas. We traveled to the border to gain more firsthand knowledge of the ongoing mass migration of illegal immigrants into our Nation, to hear from Border Patrol agents about how they are handling this crisis, and to, perhaps more powerfully, hear from young women and girls who are victims of President Biden's careless border and immigration policies. We learned more how States are taking action to protect their citizens and their borders when the administration won't. Few States are affected more than Texas, which instituted Operation Lone Star in March of 2021 to counter illegal immigration and drug trafficking. We looked on as a family led by a coyote crossed the Rio Grande in dangerously cold waters and witnessed the family's struggle to help their grandmother wade through rushing waters to enter our Nation illegally. She made it safely across, but, sadly, that is not always the case for many people, including children who have drowned making the same trek under the misguided belief that our borders are open. We visited a massive migrant processing center where illegal immigrants were taken upon arrival. An astonishing fact about this processing center is that it costs U.S. taxpayers $16 million a month to operate, and that is just one of five on the southern border. Let me say that again. It is costing American taxpayers $16 million per month to process illegal immigrants at just one of these five centers. What was especially gut-wrenching to me was hearing directly from human trafficking victims. We heard from one young lady who was trafficked from the age of 12 to the age of 16. She told a story I will never forget, and there are thousands of stories just like hers. Yes, we learned about the true severity of the crisis. We learned how Border Patrol agents simply cannot carry out their jobs. We learned how States are forced to use up resources on border security and migrants-- resources meant for U.S. citizens. We learned how ranchers and U.S. property owners are being overwhelmed and in constant fear of being robbed and assaulted by smugglers. We learned how all of this affects our entire Nation--not just the unbelievable pricetag, but in the incidences of human trafficking across the country and tens of thousands of overdose deaths linked to fentanyl smuggled across our border. And, heartbreakingly, we learned of the wickedness of the cartels. They are thriving, thanks to President Biden's apathetic attitude toward his own country's border. This should not be a political debate. People and children are dying in an attempt to enter our country illegally. Drug cartels are taking control of not just the border towns on the Mexican side of the border but on the American side too. Human trafficking is now a $13 billion industry. How did we get here? Why do they come? Well, because our President basically invited them. Immediately after President Biden was sworn in, he started dismantling vital policies like ``Remain in Mexico'' and restarted catch-and-release, halted construction on the border, and, essentially, set up a big neon sign on the southwest border that read ``Vacant.'' The rest is history: 4.5 million border apprehensions with an estimated 1.5 million undetected got-aways, a staggering increase in the number of women and children who are being subject to assault and domestic violence, fentanyl flowing into our communities and skyrocketing deaths. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to go and listen to Border Patrol agents. Hear the stories of the cartel victims. See for yourself the heartbreaking scenarios the greatest country in the world is allowing to unfold. I learned much from my visit to the border, but perhaps the worst thing I learned is this: The Biden administration is not lacking any resources or authority to address this crisis. No, it can support our Border Patrol and border States. It can secure our border. It can save children from dying and drowning in the Rio Grande or 14-year-old girls from being sold. But it won't, either through incompetence or, worse, by design. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

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

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, this past Friday, tens of thousands of pro-life Americans came to Washington, DC, to march for the 50th consecutive year to be a voice for the voiceless. They marched because the pro-life movement did not end with the overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer. They marched because the end of Roe v. Wade represents a new beginning. Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Mississippi's Dobbs case, for the first time in 50 years, the fate of the lives of millions of unborn children now rests not in the hands of unelected Federal judges but in the American people and their elected representatives. I am grateful for the more than a dozen States that have answered the call, including my State of Mississippi, where babies in the womb are now legally protected even at their earliest and most vulnerable stages. But the fight for life also continues here in our Nation's Capital and here in the U.S. Senate. That is why it makes sense that, this year, the March for Life's route ended not at the U.S. Supreme Court, as in years past, but here in Congress. As the chairman of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, I am committed to fight for compassionate legislation to protect unborn children and their mothers. We will be a firewall against the radical abortion agenda of Senate Democrats and hold the Biden administration accountable for its reckless and illegal pro-abortion policies. The contrast could not be clearer. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would guarantee the same basic medical care to babies who are born alive after an attempted abortion as would be given to any other baby born in any other circumstance. I am appalled that 210 House Democrats voted against this humane legislation. Apparently, even infanticide is no longer a bridge too far. In addition, this month, the Biden administration's FDA rubberstamped the reckless distribution of chemical abortion drugs by mail and telemedicine, as well as retail pharmacies, without ever seeing a doctor in person. This decision turns retail pharmacies and post offices into abortion clinics. The FDA's action provides no safeguards to screen by ultrasound for dangerous ectopic pregnancies and abandons pregnant women to suffering life-threatening complications alone. These can include severe bleeding, infection, potential surgical intervention, and even death. The FDA's promotion of dangerous do-it-yourself abortions is not only unsafe, it is illegal. Specifically, the decision violates longstanding Federal criminal laws that clearly prohibit the mailing of abortion drugs. This decision puts the profits and political agenda of the abortion industry over the science and clear evidence that abortion drugs present grave dangers to pregnant mothers and certainly their unborn babies. Later this week, I will introduce the SAVE Moms and Babies Act to reverse the FDA's reckless and illegal action and, at minimum, restore the basic health and safety requirement for these dangerous abortion drugs, which should never have been approved. The issue of abortion gets to the heart about what it means to be human. Who counts as one of us? Why can brutally killing a baby before birth be justified simply because the baby is inconvenient, imperfect, unwanted, unplanned, or dependent on her mother? Rather than answer these questions about the humanity of the child in the womb--the child sucking her thumb, the child whose heart is beating, and the child whose sonogram pictures are cherished as proof of life--the abortion industry wants you to look away from the baby. Over the past year, we have witnessed millions of dollars of political advertisement spent to promote lies and fearmongering about the pro-life movement and pro-life laws and that try to pit unborn children against their own mothers. As a mother, a woman, and a Senator, I know we must refute these lies, because each unborn child is not a threat but a blessing, a unique and unrepeatable individual created in the image of God. In addition, the pro-life movement cares for both pregnant moms and their unborn babies. More than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country provide critical medical and material support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Several of my colleagues have already introduced commonsense measures to support pregnant moms and families, including through pregnancy centers. As we move on from this year's March for Life and into a post-Roe era, we will never rest and we will never stop fighting until every unborn child is protected under our laws from the lethal violence of abortion. I yield the floor.

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I object.