Cynthia Lummis

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, article II, section 2, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives the President complete discretion to issue executive clemency. In Ex parte Garland in 1866, the Supreme Court even said that the President has ``unlimited powers in respect to pardons, extending to every offense under the law.'' Congress must be mindful of its proper role as part of our constitutional separation of powers. For those constitutional reasons alone, I cannot support this resolution. With respect to Binance in particular and the individual who was the subject of this pardon specifically, I continue to have concerns with their past activity that may have facilitated illicit finance. In October 2023, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and I wrote a letter to the Department of Justice urging that prosecutors take a close look at whether Binance was willfully blind to bad actors using their digital asset exchange for illicit purposes and whether Binance may have facilitated fundraising relating to the October 7 attacks on Israel. I continue to stand by my letter today. This is why I am working day and night on bipartisan digital asset market structure legislation which will ensure that commonsense illicit finance rules apply to digital asset exchanges and that bad actors that use digital assets are rooted out. There is a renewed sense of optimism and energy around market structure talks today, and I am hopeful that we will have legislation on the Senate floor before the end of this year. I want to make one final note, the hypocrisy that is patently obvious here. Where was the outrage from my colleagues when President Biden brazenly pardoned his own son for crimes he absolutely committed? And don't forget, President Biden repeatedly told the American people before an election that he would not use his constitutional pardon power to pardon his son. That hypocrisy is staggering. The American people delivered a decisive mandate for President Trump, and that includes his constitutional authority to issue pardons. Democrats need to accept the election results and stop their partisan theatrics every time this President exercises his legitimate powers. For these reasons, Mr. President, I object.

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I renew my objection as someone who was spied on by the Biden Justice Department--one of eight Senators to be spied on--in violation of the separation of powers. I respect the separation of powers. And in this case, the separation of powers protects the President of the United States' pardon power. We need to protect it as well. For those reasons, I further object.

Ms. LUMMIS

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

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader, following consultation with the Democratic leader, no later than Friday, October 31, it be in order to discharge the Committee on Finance of S.J. Res. 77 and S.J. Res. 81, individually, and when discharged, the Senate proceed to its consideration; further, that there be up to 6 hours for debate only on each joint resolution, with the time equally divided between the leaders or their designees; and that following the use or yielding back of that time, each joint resolution be considered read a third time and the Senate vote on the resolution.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I now ask for a second reading, and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 440 and S. Res. 441.

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of H.J. Res. 104; further, that all time on H.J. Res. 104 be expired at 11:20 a.m. tomorrow, the joint resolution be read a third time, and the Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution; finally, that notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motion with respect to Executive Calendar No. 459 ripen at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as our Nation gets closer to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is essential that we acknowledge those who are playing a crucial role in the planning of this monumental celebration and to thank those who have helped guide us to this point. I am certainly looking forward to it, as I have very fond memories of our 200th anniversary in 1976 and believe the celebration next year will be an incredible showcase of our Nation's history and a tremendous spectacle for all to remember. The list of those who have made contributions to our Nation over the past 250 years is practically endless, but today I wanted to take a moment to thank the Daughters of the American Revolution for the work they have done to preserve our history and to perpetuate the memory of the men and women who have fought and made contributions to achieve and maintain freedom. Since its founding more than 135 years ago, the efforts of DAR and its local chapters have devoted immeasurable time and resources to aid our military dating back to the Spanish-American War, with significant contributions made during both World War I and World War II. Today, local chapters across our Nation continue to serve our communities by promoting and fostering civic engagement and offering opportunities to both promote and preserve our collective history. This year, my hometown chapter in Cheyenne, WY, is going to be celebrating their 125th anniversary, and I couldn't be more proud of this achievement and the work they have done. Founded just 10 years after Wyoming statehood, the Cheyenne chapter has worked in conjunction with the national organization and been dedicated to historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Their work continues today. The Cheyenne chapter continues to remain active by supporting both those currently serving in our military and our many veterans in Wyoming. Their charitable efforts are felt in our local communities where they have made a positive impact and left a lasting impression. These include historic preservation awards, scholarships, and the recognition of local residents who have made positive contributions to their community through the spirit of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I want to congratulate the members of the Cheyenne Chapter on the momentous occasion of their 125th anniversary and thank them for all they do. I join everyone in Wyoming in saying how proud we are of them and look forward to the many wonderful things they have in store for next year's 250th anniversary celebration.

Ms. LUMMIS

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

Ms. LUMMIS

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

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Rick Berger and Brad Patout, members of Senator Wicker's committee staff, be granted full floor passes for the remainder of the consideration of Calendar No. 115, S. 2296, Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 101 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 188, and I make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 189, and I make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 190, and I make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 191, and I make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 193 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 194 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 195 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 287 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.

Ms. LUMMIS

Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in executive session, I ask consent to move to proceed to Executive Calendar No. 104 and make a point of order that the nomination was not properly reported.