Roger Marshall

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, certainly I agree on many of the points my colleague made, and certainly I am in favor of expanding association healthcare plans. The goal of that is more competition, and that is all we are trying to create. My colleague says this won't work, but transparency works in every other industry. I think it is well documented that our bill would save $1,000 per month. Here is the big fallacy in his argument. He is right that the insurance companies have negotiated these rates. So within one community, this insurance company has negotiated one rate with a surgery center, one rate with the hospital, one rate with an imaging center. So all I say is the patient deserves to see what that negotiated rate is, and then they can compare it. So it is like we agree, but he disagrees with the final step here: We want patients to know what that negotiated price is. A real example: Getting a hip replaced at a surgical hospital might cost $15,000 or $20,000, but at the hospital down the street, it might be $150,000. The same way with an x ray. Going to the hospital, you know, the x ray--the MRI might be $3,000 there but $300 down at the imaging center. So I agree that those prices have been negotiated, but I want to make sure it is in the hands of the consumers. Could you imagine driving down the street and gas stations--you didn't know how much the gas was going to be? Of course you wouldn't be able to make a good consumer choice. So that is all we are asking, is full transparency in healthcare just like in every other industry. I yield the floor.

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I certainly want to echo my gratitude to my colleague Senator Hickenlooper for his help with this bill and his staff and my staff and the HELP Committee staff as well, all of the work they have done on this bill--bill that will bring immediate relief to everybody across the country. Real examples: An MRI of your knee might be, in one place, $300, and in another one, it might be $3,000. A hip replacement in one facility might be $15,000 but $150,000 in another location. We are not making those numbers up; that is the discrepancy you are going to hear about. Look, patients deserve pricetags. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 522, S. 2355; further, that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, thanks for letting us come to the floor, and I do appreciate my colleague Senator Bill Cassidy being here with me today as well. Could you imagine you are in the market and you need a new car, you need a new truck, and you really need it badly--you don't have a way to get to and from work--so you get online and you look at the different models out there and be expected to make a purchase without knowing what the cost of that truck or that car was? Well, that is the way healthcare is right now. We expect consumers to have all the healthcare delivered to them, and months later they get a bill for it. We think that patients deserve pricetags just like consumers do in every other form of business. You think about the challenges of America today. Certainly the cost of living is upfront, and it is personal. And one of the big drivers of that cost is healthcare, health insurance. We have seen it go from 13 percent up to 18 percent of GDP. We have seen the cost of healthcare for a family go from maybe $500 a month a decade or two ago and now it is probably over $2,000 a month. So certainly the cost of healthcare, in so many ways, is driving inflation. This matters. It matters to the patients. It matters to the employers that are paying for the health insurance or a big portion of it. It matters to the Federal Government. If you are trying to balance the budget, if we could get the cost of healthcare under control, that would help us get toward a balanced budget. I mean, my goodness, it is a $7 trillion budget. Maybe $2 trillion, two-sevenths of our Federal budget, is on healthcare. So if there were more pricetags, it would help bring the cost of healthcare down; actually, about $1,000 a month. If patients had pricetags, it could bring down the cost of healthcare $1,000 a month. Our bill, as you may know, came out of committee 22 to 1, good bipartisan support. Our bill has real teeth to it as well. Our belief is just like in all forms of business, transparency helps consumers. And that is what we are asking here. We are not asking anything different than any other business. We want total transparency so patients can look at the different prices. A healthcare provider would have to give their cost upfront, not an estimate; a real price upfront as well. And, again, I just can't emphasize enough that this is bipartisan. It is ready to move, and that this is so important to the American consumer. I will stop there, and I will yield to my colleague from Louisiana.

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that myself, Senator Cassidy, and Senator Paul be permitted to speak prior to the scheduled recess.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to ask the Senate body to join me in the stopping of the funding of viral gain-of-function research. Viral gain-of-function research is what led, of course, to the COVID virus being developed and, of course, the COVID epidemic. I think it is important to pause and stop and think why this is still important--what is it now--5 or 6 years later. We all know we lost 1 million Americans to this COVID virus. Twenty million Americans still suffer from long COVID. Many, many Americans died alone--maybe at a nursing home, maybe in their own home. But they weren't allowed to have their own children, their spouses come visit them in those last moments of their life. We had tens of millions of students miss their senior year of high school, their senior year of college. Maybe it was the State track meet. Maybe it was the State softball team they had been working on their whole life. We have kids that still have learning disabilities or are lagging in their learning--specifically reading--not to mention their social interactions and their social development. This COVID virus left a huge physical, economic, and emotional scar on America. And that is why I am asking that we stop this viral gain-of-function research. I am so proud that the President, recently, has agreed to stop the funding. I have been calling for the stopping of this since 2021 as well. And I think it is important to realize how Anthony Fauci evaded the intentions of Congress and the rules from his own White House. Even President Obama asked him to stop doing viral gain-of-function research, but, of course, Anthony Fauci had more attorneys than Carter has pills, and they always found some loophole. Then, when they couldn't do it here, he offshored the funding of this. Make no mistake about it, the United States was funding viral gain- of-function research for decades. This was Anthony Fauci's baby. He thought that this was his ticket to a Nobel Prize. You know, whether you are a physician, like myself, or a mom or dad or a businessperson, a military officer, you always had to sit there and weigh the benefits and the risks of something like this. I mean, what the benefits are, I am not sure of. You know, maybe they said it was so that if some unknown organism appeared, that we would be able to develop a vaccine. But, of course, the downside was always the fear of risk of a virus they made in a laboratory, of it escaping. And, of course, why wouldn't there be? Multiple times in history, viruses, microorganisms have escaped from laboratories. It is practically impossible to control it. In 1978, a smallpox virus escaped from a lab in the United Kingdom. In 2007, foot-and-mouth virus accidently released from a United Kingdom lab. In 2014, the CDC had an anthrax issue. Again, in 2014, NIH-FDA, there were unsecured smallpox vials seen. These mice they were doing experiments on and infecting them with these monster viruses, from time to time, escaped. So it seems like we were set up for failure. And, again, despite scientist after scientist, President after President, warning Anthony Fauci to stop doing this research, he persisted and he persisted and he persisted, until finally COVID-19 was accidentally released from a lab in Wuhan, China. And the rest is history. And that is why I think it is so important that we stop the funding for this once and for all. Let's codify what the President has done here and make sure--at least until someone can come to this Congress and say: Look, we have a foolproof system for keeping this in control. But when you are making monster viruses, the worst-case scenario is probably some type of terrorism; that it would be so easy, once these are made, to be replicated and turned into a terrorist weapon--much more of a serious consequential threat to America than nuclear warheads are. Think about this: This virus alone has exponentially been more lethal than all the years of nuclear weapons. This bill does one simple thing: It stops Federal tax dollars from funding the kind of research that could turn a virus into a weapon--no more offshoring risks to avoid oversight, no more asking permission from the very Agencies that created the problem. Mr. President, that is why today, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 738 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, today we honor the life and legacy of Richard Allen ``Rick'' Ball of Great Bend, KS. Rick was a respected businessman, dedicated community leader, and devoted family man whose service left a lasting impact on those around him. For decades, Rick served the Great Bend community as a trusted certified public accountant and partner at Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball. He helped local businesses and organizations succeed through his sound advice and steady guidance. His leadership earned him recognition as the 2012 Great Bend Citizen of the Year and the 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Financial Services Champion of the Year. However, Rick's dedication extended well beyond his professional career. He gave generously of his time through the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and many other local organizations. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, and golfing, and he was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. Though he will be greatly missed, Rick's legacy lives on through his wife Lois, his children and grandchildren, and the many people whose lives he touched. His example will continue to inspire the Great Bend community for years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Richard Allen ``Rick'' Ball and in offering our prayers and sympathies to his family, friends, and the entire Great Bend community.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, just 2 years ago, we were a land of open borders, crime was surging across the country, and fraud was rampant. But today, the borders are secure; crime, murder rates--a 100-year low; and fraudsters are going to jail. That is why today I am rising to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. For years, Washington accepted fraud as the cost of doing business. The government wrote the checks, the fraudsters cashed them, and hard- working Americans were left to foot the bill. Those same hard-working Americans knew intuitively that was driving up their cost of living. But those days are coming to an end. Under President Trump, we have seen historic momentum to root out waste, fraud, and abuse across the Federal Government. For the first time in a long time, Washington is shining a flashlight on the billions of taxpayer dollars disappearing through fraud, improper payments, and outright criminal activity. Now Congress has the responsibility to finish the job. The American people are asking a simple question: If Washington knows where the fraud is, why aren't we stopping it? And they are right to ask. Today, an estimated $1.4 billion is stolen from taxpayers every single day. That is money that should be strengthening our military, supporting our veterans, protecting Medicare and Social Security, or reducing the debt we are leaving to our children and our grandchildren. Instead, it is ending up in the hands of organized fraud rings, scam artists, and criminals who have learned exactly where the holes in our Federal Government are. We are already seeing what happens when the Federal Government makes fraud enforcement a priority. In one of the largest healthcare fraud takedowns in our Nation's history, Federal prosecutors charged hundreds of defendants accused of submitting more than $6 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other taxpayer-funded health programs. And the best part? People are finally going to jail. Investigators uncovered transnational criminal organizations, fraudulent medical equipment schemes, and providers accused of billing the government for services that were never provided. These weren't bookkeeping mistakes; they were sophisticated efforts to steal billions from the American taxpayer. The truth is simple: Fraudsters follow the money, and for too long, Washington has rolled out the welcome mat. This legislation finally starts closing that door. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion--that is $240 billion--by preventing fraud before it happens, recovering stolen taxpayer dollars, and ensuring criminals are held accountable. It doesn't just respond to fraud after the fact; it helps stop it before another billion dollars walks out the door. One piece of this package that I am proud to see included is my WALZ Act--W-A-L-Z, the WALZ Act--named after, you guessed it, a certain Governor who allowed fraud to run rampant in his State. The idea behind it is about as simple as it gets: Don't pay first and ask questions later. Kansas families don't do business that way. Small businesses don't do business that way. If you are remodeling your kitchen, you don't hand the contractor every penny before a single cabinet is installed. If you are hiring someone to fix your roof, you don't write the check before the work is finished. You pay after the job is done. Yet that is exactly the opposite of how Washington has too often operated. For years, the Federal Government has pushed billions of dollars out the door up front with little accountability and then acted surprised when criminals disappeared with the money. My WALZ Act simply says: Federal payments should be made as reimbursements after--after--the services have actually been provided. That one simple reform closes one of the biggest loopholes that have allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to be stolen before they ever get the chance to disappear. But this package doesn't stop there. It claws back unused COVID funds, strengthens Treasury's fraud detection systems, extends the statute of limitations so pandemic fraudsters can't simply run out the clock. It protects our veterans from scammers. It combats emerging AI- generated fraud and gives law enforcement stronger tools to hold criminals accountable. Taken together, these reforms represent one of the strongest anti-fraud packages Congress has considered in years. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle spent years responding to every problem the same way: throwing more money at it. We believe the first question should be: Where is the fraud? Where is the waste? Where is the abuse? And how do we stop it before asking taxpayers for another dime? This administration has created real momentum for the first time in years. We are not just talking about fraud, we are finding it, prosecuting it, and putting criminals on notice that stealing from the American taxpayer has consequences. People are already being held accountable, and more need to be. Congress should build on that momentum by giving law enforcement and Federal Agencies the tools they need to keep fraudsters out of our programs and behind bars where they belong. So let's not waste this opportunity. Let's make these reforms permanent. Let's close the loopholes once and for all. Let's protect the taxpayers who fund the government. Let's send a clear message that the era of easy money for fraudsters is over. I urge every one of our colleagues to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. I yield the floor.

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

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, the postcloture time with respect to Executive Calendar No. 765 be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, tomorrow; finally, that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. MARSHALL

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

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Bourbon County Deputy Sheriff Silas Taylor and Bourbon County Dispatcher Stacy Wood for their extraordinary actions in saving the life of a woman stranded in rising floodwaters on April 2, 2026. On that day, a woman was trapped inside her vehicle after it was caught in high water along a flooded roadway. Unable to escape and with the cold water rising to her head, she faced a life-threatening situation. Throughout the ordeal, Dispatcher Wood remained on the phone with the victim, providing reassurance and critical assistance as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, Deputy Taylor immediately assessed the danger and, without hesitation, entered the floodwaters to rescue the stranded woman. Acting alone and swimming against the water's current, he pulled her from the vehicle and brought her to safety. His quick actions and courage saved her life. This rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and selflessness displayed by first responders every day. Dispatcher Wood's calm professionalism and Deputy Taylor's decisive actions exemplify the highest standards of public service. As a former marine and member of a family with deep roots in Bourbon County law enforcement, Deputy Taylor continues a proud tradition of service to others. I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Deputy Taylor and Dispatcher Wood as they receive the Life Saving Award. Their bravery and unwavering commitment to duty reflect the very best of Bourbon County and the State of Kansas.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jim Colbert, a legendary golfer and proud Kansan whose remarkable career has inspired countless fans and athletes across Kansas and our Nation. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Colbert came to Kansas State University in 1961 on a football scholarship. After injuries ended his football career, he turned his focus to golf, beginning a journey that would define the rest of his life. As a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats, Colbert quickly established himself as one of the Nation's top collegiate golfers, finishing runner-up at the 1964 NCAA Championship and the Big Eight Championship that same year. After turning professional in 1965, Colbert built an extraordinary career on the PGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Over the course of his professional career, he earned 28 combined victories, including 8 PGA Tour wins and 20 Champions Tour titles, placing him among the winningest players in senior tour history. His accomplishments included victories at the Texas Open, Colonial National Invitational, and the 1993 Ford Senior Players Championship. He was also named PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. Beyond his success on the course, Colbert became one of the most recognizable personalities in golf. Known for his trademark bucket hat and competitive spirit, he also made significant contributions as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and ambassador for the game. He worked as a golf analyst for ESPN and later founded a successful golf course management company that owned and operated courses across the country. Perhaps nowhere is Colbert's legacy more visible than in Manhattan, KS, where he helped develop Colbert Hills Golf Course, now regarded as one of the premier public golf courses in Kansas and home to Kansas State's golf programs. His dedication to the university and the Manhattan community reflected the deep pride he carried for Kansas throughout his life. Despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, Colbert returned to competitive golf and captured another tournament victory in 1998, earning the PGA TOUR Champions Comeback Player of the Year Award. His determination and resilience inspired many both within and beyond the golf community. Above all, Colbert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements in professional golf, but also for his generosity, perseverance, and contributions to Kansas State athletics. I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jim Colbert and in expressing our gratitude for the lasting impact he made on the game of golf and the people of Kansas.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I would like to rise and talk about the STOP Act, Safeguarding The Overall Protection of Minors--Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors, the STOP Act. Now, I wish we didn't have to introduce this bill. You know, as I pointed out earlier, I got to deliver over 5,000 babies. I just took care of countless adolescent girls, young women as well. So this is a group of patients that I think I understand pretty well and the challenges in their lives. And I certainly understand what irreversible medical interventions do when applied too early, without the maturity for this young lady to understand the consequences. In many cases, the parents don't understand the consequences, and in other cases, the parents may not even know this is going on. Now, across this country, minors are being placed on pathways toward puberty blockers. So it keeps a boy from becoming a man. It keeps a girl from becoming a woman. And we will leave it that simple. There are medications out there that delay puberty, and, by the way, they have significant consequences and complications as well. Others are given cross-sex hormones, and, again, these are irreversible. Once a woman starts growing a beard, even though she stops a hormone, chances are that beard is going to continue. If it has caused her to have male baldness, that is probably likely to never return to normal as well. And, of course, these surgeries are irreversible. They are permanent. They are painful. They cause chronic scar tissue and chronic pain, and, of course, it means they are infertile for the rest of their lives. Can you imagine letting a 13-, 14-year-old boy or girl decide that they will never have children again? Well, so how big of a problem is this? Why are Republicans concerned about it? Well, under extreme pressure, 14,000 minors--14,000 minors-- have been manipulated into undergoing life-altering sex-change procedures that leave them, as I said earlier, maimed, sterilized, and psychologically damaged. And my heart pours out to these young men and women. I can't imagine the challenges they go through. And we want to get them the help and the support that they need as well. But these irreversible surgeries and medications are not the answer. Instead they are going to complicate the situation. Look, you know, this practice of transgender surgeries and medications--it is not medicine; it is not caution. In fact, these actions are not medical care. They are child abuse. Think about it. Think about it. Who can argue with me that this isn't child abuse? And, sadly, I think when the history books are written, hundreds of years from now, this may be the darkest chapter in the history of medicine. Our STOP Act--again, the Safeguarding The Overall Protection of Minors Act--simply restores a basic standard. Children should not undergo irreversible procedures they cannot fully comprehend and can't undo. It holds providers accountable and ensures there are real consequences when that line is crossed. This is about giving children the time, the love, and the compassion they deserve before decisions are made that last a lifetime. And if I could, I would like to give a big shoutout to those organizations that have bravely stepped forward to support us: the Students for Life of America, the American Principles Project, and the Religious Liberty Commission. And I know there are others. So thank you for that support. Thank you for caring about children and young adults. So we owe them that protection. We owe our youngsters, our young adults this protection. And I urge our colleagues to support our STOP Act. I yield the floor.

Mr. MARSHALL

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

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, moms.gov, M-O-M-S.gov--moms.gov--I want to congratulate the White House on giving folks out there a one-stop shop. It is for folks that are expecting. It is for couples that are pregnant. And it is especially, I think, for people that want to become pregnant. It is to talk about what to expect when expecting, to talk about folic acid and the importance of prenatal vitamins before you conceive. But a very special area, of my concern, from the moms.gov is to talk about infertility. My colleagues know that I had the honor, in rural Kansas, of delivering a baby most every day for 25 years and had a pretty active infertility clinic as well. In fact, 1 out of 10 couples are infertile. And though I enjoyed every baby I delivered, it was certainly a special joy to help couples through years of infertility and send them home with a baby. So that is why I am so very proud to stand with this administration, which I believe is the most pro-family administration in our lifetime. As I pointed out, the White House launched moms.gov, a one-stop resource for expecting and new mothers: pregnancy care, nutrition, fertility support, childcare--all in one place. You know, it is a simple idea with a big impact. I got on it yesterday just to see what resources were available and trying to hook up expecting moms or folks that are already pregnant with the local easiest clinic to access. But one of the things I was really excited to see on there was Trump RX. Trump RX is so important to the infertile couples because the biggest barrier to infertility treatment, of course, are the very expensive medications--couples spending thousands of dollars each month on these medications, typically, to help them ovulate. Now, Trump RX has already helped 20,000 patients--nearly 20,000 patients--and they have saved almost $15 million on these fertility medications. A new employer fertility benefit will also reach an estimated 750,000 Americans a year. That is 20 percent of all births. So hats off to the administration for Trump RX and helping us treat infertility. What else have they done? In the Rural Health Transformation Fund, they have invested another $50 billion, and, again, with all Republican--Republican-only--votes. That fund is available to help improve many health issues, but, especially, there are opportunities to improve maternal health in rural America, as well, just like the ones where I served and was the only OB for many, many years in the middle of some 50,000 patients. Of course, we just celebrated Mother's Day this past weekend, and I can't help but emphasize that strong families are the foundation of America and one of the pillars that this country is founded upon. So I would ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us and cosponsor our legislation expanding fertility coverage and to continue to support rural maternal health funding. And let's make sure having a family in America is never out of reach because of cost. Hopeful moms and dads are counting on us. Now, let's get that done.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sylvan Grove, KS, a historic occasion that coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Around 1868, the first migrant settlers arrived in the area of Sylvan Grove's original townsite. Five years later, the community's first post office was established approximately 1 and a half miles south of present-day Sylvan Grove. A water-powered grist mill along the Saline River initially attracted farmers and settlers to the community. When the mill was destroyed by a flood in 1886, the town's future became uncertain. However, renewed hope arrived just 1 year later with the construction of a new railroad, sparking a population boom. By the early 1900s, Sylvan Grove developed into an established township. Several businesses and homes emerged north of the new railroad depot, laying the foundation for the community that stands today. Telephone and electric service were introduced, residents gained access to running water, and Sylvan Grove High School graduated its first class. Like many rural towns, Sylvan Grove endured the hardships of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and devastating grasshopper infestations during the 1930s. Closely tied to the agriculture industry, Sylvan Grove's fortunes have long risen and fallen alongside those of its farmers and ranchers. Yet through every challenge, the community stands strong, embodying the resilient spirit of America's heartland. On Saturday, May 23, Sylvan Grove will commemorate its 150th anniversary with a full day of community events. The celebration will feature a parade, food and vendor booths, children's activities, and agricultural displays highlighting the town's heritage. A reenactment of the 1894 attempted bank robbery will serve as the centerpiece, bringing to life one of the community's most memorable historical events. I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sylvan Grove, KS, on 150 years of history, alongside the 250th anniversary of our Nation.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Bright Minds Academy of Hays, KS, in celebration of National Small Business Week and to commend its nomination as the 2026 Kansas Rural Small Business of the Year. Since 1963, National Small Business Week has highlighted the essential role of small businesses in driving economic growth and creating jobs in communities across our Nation. Every year, the U.S. Small Business Administration honors businesses that exemplify innovation, resilience, and a commitment to service. Founded by Nick and Andrea Felder, Bright Minds Academy has become a trusted provider of early childhood education for families in Hays. As parents themselves, they were inspired to open a childcare center to support children's learning and serve the needs of working families in their community. From its beginnings as a single childcare center, Bright Minds Academy now spans multiple locations across Hays, a reflection of its steady leadership. Today, it employs approximately 100 staff and is licensed to care for over 300 children. Bright Minds Academy is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for infants and young children. Their mission to provide high-quality care and education ensures that Kansas children have a strong foundation for success in the future. I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Bright Minds Academy for its service to Kansas families and communities and in congratulating Nick and Andrea Felder on this well-deserved honor.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Honorable Eric F. Melgren of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on the occasion of his assumption of senior status. Raised on a cattle and wheat farm in southwest Kansas, Judge Melgren was the first in his family to pursue a college education. He attended Wichita State University, where he distinguished himself as student body president. He later earned his law degree from Washburn University School of Law, contributing to the Law Review during his time there. Judge Melgren began his legal career clerking for Judge Frank Theis, a role that would ultimately come full circle when he returned to serve in the same chambers from the bench. He later spent 15 years with Foulston & Siefkin, Kansas' largest law firm, where he specialized in tax and business matters. In 2002, he was called to public service as U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, a position he held until his appointment to the Federal judiciary by President George W. Bush in 2008. Following Senate confirmation, Judge Melgren took his seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, where he has served with distinction ever since. Judge Melgren's service has extended beyond the courtroom through civic and professional leadership, including roles with the United Way of the Plains, the Wichita State University Alumni Association, Leadership Wichita, and other organizations. He also serves as the Tenth Circuit representative on the Judicial Conference's Defender Services Committee. I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Judge Melgren for his service to Kansas and the United States and in wishing him continued success in the next chapter of his judicial career.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city of Pittsburg, KS, a remarkable milestone that coincides with the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Originally named New Pittsburgh, the city was founded in 1876 along a railroad line connecting Joplin, MO, to Girard, KS. It quickly became a bustling industrial hub for coal mining, brick and tile manufacturing, and zinc smelting. Pittsburg continued to grow as its population increased, drawing people from around the country and across the world. Pittsburg is the proud home to historic institutions and enduring industries that have shaped its identity. The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Company, established in 1885, is among the Nation's oldest continually running coal companies. Meanwhile, Pittsburg State University, founded in 1903, continues to educate Kansans and prepare them for success. As the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, downtown Pittsburg is adorned with ``150'' and ``250'' banners, marking its important role in the great American story. To commemorate the occasion, the local community has organized a series of events to bring residents together and celebrate Pittsburg's legacy. The anniversary reflects the dedication of citizens, businesses, and local leaders who preserve Pittsburg's past while building a stronger future. As Pittsburg celebrates its sesquicentennial, I invite all Americans to visit and experience its rich history firsthand. I now ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Pittsburg, KS, on its 150th anniversary and in celebrating Pittsburg alongside America's 250th birthday.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. I object.

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, my colleague from Nevada asks this floor to fund the TSA. She and her colleagues have voted against TSA funding at least five--if not six-- times over the past several weeks. Republicans have voted to fund the TSA and to fund all of DHS. So this just seems a bit hypocritical, I guess. As I think about the situation here, I would ask my colleague: Why did it take Democrats 30 days to come to the table and discuss this issue with Republicans--30 days? Then we started negotiations. There were some talks on Thursday and Friday between the leaders of both parties. Then, over the weekend, Democrats refused to continue those discussions. Why? Was it because they wanted to go home? Well, look, we all wanted to go home. TSA officers would like to have a paycheck as well. So it is not lost on me. How in the world can we sit here and have you ask us to fund the TSA when Republicans have consistently voted to fund the DHS? This is now the 37th day of the shutdown. Remember, the DHS was formed out of the ashes of September 11, when we took 22 Agencies and brought them together--maybe there was some information missed that wasn't shared on September 11--so that maybe that day never happens again. So why would we start breaking up these Agencies now and break up their funding, since we are a stronger, more secure country when we fund all of DHS, not just a part of it? Again, Republicans have voted to fund the TSA at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks, and Democrats have voted at least 6 times not to fund the TSA. Therefore, I ask that the Senator modify her request so that the Senate may proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 156, H.R. 4553. I further ask that the substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, it has been a long weekend up here. We have a lot of balls in the air. We have DHS funding. We have the SAVE Act and a war going on in the Middle East. All these are demanding our attention simultaneously. I would like to shed a little light here. What makes this job generally challenging isn't the workload. I worked much harder as an obstetrician delivering a baby most every day, at least every other night if not every night of the every week. It is when you are trying to have serious policy conversations up here and you are up against misinformation, moving goalposts, and arguments that seem completely detached from the facts on the ground. The frustration can be exhausting. But today, I decided to start with the easy stuff. Let's talk about Iran. First of all, I want to mourn the loss of the 13 soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and let their Gold Star families know that we are grateful for the price their loved ones paid and that we will be there for them as they go through their mourning. I want to praise the military, let them know I stand beside them, that our family stands beside them. My dad served. My brother served. I served. My son is serving. We support our military, and we salute the incredible job they are doing. Now, as we all know, President Trump had four basic goals when the war started. Don't let the legacy media confuse you. The four basic goals are basically to end Iran's ability to have missiles and navy nukes and destroy Iran's ability to fund an armed terrorist. I would say we are 90 percent there. I am not on the Intelligence Committee. I don't have the inside numbers. But it looks like to me we are 90 percent there. Now, I warn folks that the last 10 percent may be as hard as the first 90 percent. But they are doing an incredible job, and we want to do everything we can to make them successful so that we are safe for decades to come.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Utah for his great leadership on this. Last night, we had a moment of clarity in this Chamber. Senate Democrats were given the simplest possible test--a clean, standalone vote on voter ID, with nothing attached, with nothing complicated, and just one question: Do you believe only American citizens with a valid ID should decide American elections? With nowhere to hide, they voted it down. In doing so, they told every American exactly where they stand. Now, I understand their concerns about the provisions in the SAVE Act as to the proof of citizenship and stronger guardrails around absentee ballots, and those deserve honest debate; but there is simply no excuse for rejecting basic voter identification when 70 percent of Democrats-- their own voters, the people who sent them here--support it. There are 70 percent of Democrats who support voter ID. This vote was very clarifying; it was unmasking. I want everyone who is at home tonight enjoying March Madness to think about your situation personally for a moment. You know what it is like to vote. You leave work. You go and vote. You stand in line. You fill out your ballot. You drive home. You are late for dinner. You did everything right. But on the way home, you think to yourself: Oh, my gosh. Somewhere out there, someone with no legal right to vote canceled my vote. My vote is gone--neutralized like it never happened. Now, that should make every American angry regardless of your party. I think it is important to stop and think why--why people are concerned about this--and what we are actually dealing with here. There are 50 million noncitizens living in this country. There are 50 million noncitizens living in this country--some are legal; some are illegal--out of 330 million. We have four States that are automatically registering people to vote when they interact with government services. Let me say that again. Four States are automatically registering people to vote--regardless of their citizenship--when they interact with government services. We have no reliable national system to verify citizenship at the ballot box. That is not fearmongering. That is just the truth. Maybe that is why 80 percent of Americans support voter ID. We can't get 80 percent of Americans to agree on whether a hamburger is better than chicken or if peanut butter is better than jelly, but 80 percent of Americans support voter ID. It is just common sense. Like I said earlier, 70 percent of Democrats agree with them as well. Now, as I sat and listened to the arguments on the floor last night, we saw Democrats dodging and weaving like Muhammad Ali at the Thrilla in Manila, never once addressing voter ID itself. It was amazing to sit here and watch them squirm and refuse to answer the question at hand: Do they support voter ID or not? So I had to pause, and we have plenty of time to think this weekend and ask a fundamental question. One of those questions we didn't get to talk about much in med school, but the question I ask myself is: What actually sustains a Republic? What are we really fighting for? Well, I think, No. 1, at the top of this is safe and secure elections. These are not a Republican issue, and they are not a conservative talking point. They are the beating heart of democracy itself. So, last night, I sat down and penciled out what I believe are at least seven of the sacred pillars that uphold our entire system of self-government. If I could, I would like to walk through them because, when any one of these pillars is weakened, the whole temple of liberty trembles. First and foremost are free and fair elections. The sacred cornerstone of our Republic are safe, secure, honest elections defended by integrity, universal suffrage, the secret ballot, and the peaceful transfer of power. This is the voice of the people itself. Without it, democracy does not stumble; it dies. Next is the rule of law, the unyielding bedrock of equality under justice. No person, no party, no elite stands above the law. Lose a single pillar and every other freedom collapses. Next is the separation of powers with checks and balances. We see that every day up here, the masterful architecture of liberty itself, forged by genius, to chain ambition and prevent any single branch from devouring our freedoms. Next is an independent and impartial judiciary, the fearless bulwark of due process and constitutional fidelity, the final guardian of justice protecting the weak, the innocent, and the Constitution against the storms of fleeting majorities. Next is the protection of fundamental rights and civil liberties, including free speech, a free press, assembly, association, and religion. These are sacred, God-given, and must burn undimmed forever. Next is the sanctity of private property, the moral and economic foundation of human dignity. Finally, political pluralism, transparency, accountability, and active citizenship participation. Election integrity is not just one of these pillars. It is the foundation beneath all of them. Every debate in this Chamber, every vote, every piece of legislation, all of it rests on the assumption that the people in these seats were put here legitimately by the voters of their States. I cannot get past the simple fact in this country that we have collectively decided you need a photo ID to board a plane. Remember, trust but verify. I walk up to the plane, and they all know I am Senator Roger Marshall, but they make me verify who I am. When you check into a hotel, when you buy certain medications, when you open a bank account, when you pick up a prescription, when you apply for government benefits, you have to show an ID. But with your vote--the single most important thing you do as a citizen--we are told that asking for an ID is somehow voter oppression, which certainly has not been proven to be true in the multiple States that already have voter ID. Again, it doesn't make sense, and the American people know it doesn't make sense. That is why 80 percent of them support voter ID. I am willing to come to the table. There are parts of this bill that we can work out. I am not asking anyone to take it or leave it, but, first, answer the premise of this entire debate. We don't get anywhere if you don't recognize the importance of voter ID. So here is the question: Do you believe only American citizens should decide American elections? I am going to say it again: Do you believe only American citizens should decide American elections? Because until we get a straight answer to that, nothing else matters. What gives us the best chance right now is getting 10 Democrats to come across the aisle and do the right thing. Again, if 70 percent of their own voters support voter ID, you would think 10 Senate Democrats would do the same thing; that somewhere in that caucus are 10 Senators who are willing to listen to the people who sent them here. If we could get just 10 of them to stand with us--to stand with their own constituents--on this one thing, then let's keep talking. Let's work out the rest together. So I am going to say it a third time and a fourth time. I have no regrets in saying it again. Last night, Senate Democrats voted against voter ID. Now, I have only heard two Democrats ever publicly--on this floor or anywhere--say they support voter ID, only 2 of the 47 Senate Democrats. The national media needs to ask the rest of them directly on camera: Why don't you support voter ID? And when they dodge and deflect, that answer should be put out for the rest of America to see. The American people deserve to know their vote counts. They deserve to know that the person casting the ballot next to them has every right to be there. They deserve a system they can trust. We are going to keep fighting because the American people deserve better than the answer we got last night. I yield to the Senator from Utah.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to say I support the SAVE America Act. And, yes, even if that means ending the only barely more than 100-year-old filibuster, the silent filibuster, I am still in favor of the SAVE America Act. As we just voted to get on this bill, the Senate now begins a long and necessary process to advance the SAVE America Act. It is a straightforward bill that provides proof of citizenship to register to vote in our Federal elections, along with voter ID, and validating mail-in ballots. The purpose of this bill is about one simple thing: making sure only duly registered American citizens cast ballots in American elections. It is about making sure our elections are secure. Now, this shouldn't be controversial. Voter ID is supported by the vast majority of Americans--Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike. Polls show that even around 70 percent of Democrats believe voter ID is common sense and essential for fair elections. It is something most of us do every day. Show an ID to board a plane, to open a bank account, to buy alcohol, to get a hotel room, to purchase some prescriptions. Why should voting, the most sacred act in a Republic, be the only place where we don't ask for basic proof that you are eligible, that you are who you say you are? Yet here we are, instead of passing this with overwhelming bipartisan support, maybe even by unanimous consent, we are forced into a drawn- out battle because no one on the other side will join us. I thought a lot about this. You know what the real question should be? The real question that America should be asking their Senator: Why won't just 10 Democrat Senators cross the aisle and support simple voter ID? We shouldn't be having to have filibustering debates or a thousand other rabbit holes we are about to go down. I would challenge those who, as Mark Twain once said, those who ``buy ink by the barrel,'' to ask my colleagues across the aisle: Why won't you support voter ID? Now, my colleagues across the aisle, they are clever. They won't answer that question. They won't answer the simple question: Do you support voter ID? They won't commit to that one issue. Instead, they are going to pivot, and they will tell you what other part of the bill they don't like. They will want to dive into Parliamentarian procedures and Senate lore and traditions, but they won't answer that one simple question: Do you support voter ID, just like 70 percent of your Democrat supporters do? And if we can start there, if we start there that we both agree that we need voter ID, agreeing on that one issue, then maybe we could piece together a compromise on the rest of the bill. But when you reject even something as simple as voter ID, we should continue to ask them: Why won't you stand with the American people who want secure elections? Why won't you stand up and listen to the over 60 percent of Americans who are concerned about the integrity of our elections? Now, we all know that noncitizens aren't supposed to vote. It is already illegal. But without proof of citizenship at registration, we have no real safeguard. I could even hear President Reagan now, if he were here, talking to the American people: Trust but verify. And that is what we want to do. That is what the SAVE America Act is all about. It fixes all these challenges. It requires documents like a passport, a birth certificate with ID, documents millions of Americans already have or can easily obtain. It protects our elections without disenfranchising a single eligible citizen. Now, oh, by the way, to my colleagues across the aisle, if you have a concern or a better way to make our elections more secure and more fair let's move forward, and if that encourages and empowers every legal citizen the opportunity to vote, then I am with you. Let's work together to make our elections safe and secure. This isn't, to me at least, about politics; it is about principles. It is about fighting for the American people who deserve elections they can trust. It is about making sure that my vote counts and isn't canceled by an illegal vote. Our Republic depends on it. When the people lose faith that their vote counts and only citizens decide our future, we risk everything our Founders built. I will wrap up by saying: I urge my colleagues across the aisle, listen to your constituents, listen to the 70 percent of Democrats who support voter ID. Come across the aisle. Let us pass the SAVE America Act quickly and get back to the people's business. The American people are watching. They want secure elections. They want us to protect this Republic. Let's show them we can still work together on something so basic and so important. I yield the floor.

Mr. MARSHALL

Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, every day the Democrats refuse to fund DHS, they choose politics over the safety and security of our Nation.