Bernie Moreno

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. To my colleague from Oregon, who I don't really know well, let me say this. As somebody that actually came to this country from a foreign land legally, I find it decently insulting that you would paint a picture of immigrants coming here to be dependent on the government. Let me just tell you, the exact opposite is true. But that is actually the playbook of the Democratic Party--smearing with racist undertones immigrants, thinking that the only reason we would ever come to America is to be dependent on government. Let me just be clear to the Americans out there who want to understand what is actually happening in DC, because I have only been here 13 months. My colleague has been here for 30 years. When you have been here for 30 years in Washington, DC, you think it is perfectly normal for government to provide aid to those in need and then have those people send that money overseas. To them, that is normal. And in terms of your comment, to my colleague from Oregon, that we are shipping jobs overseas or incentivizing companies to send jobs overseas, welcome to the Republican Party's position on tariffs. I am happy to see, finally, that we have a Democrat who is willing to embrace tariffs, because we are sick and tired of seeing our jobs shipped overseas. So I am disappointed that we couldn't agree on a basic premise, that U.S. taxpayer dollars intended to help our citizens should stay within our shores. That should highlight why, yesterday, the Democrat Members of both Houses could not stand up when President Trump asked a simple question: Is it the first duty of an elected official to defend and protect American citizens? And you were there, Mr. President. Not a single Democrat could stand up. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORENO. I will remind the Senator: I in no way disparaged your family. I didn't even mention your family. What I did mention is that you made the point that we are harming immigrants who come here who might be dependent on social safety net programs and sending that money back overseas. And I came here from another country--not my parents. I came here. I wasn't born in this country. I came here to seek the American dream, and I am honored every day to be here--although, on a day like today, not so much, because it is grossly disappointing that the Democrat Party that I once knew, a party of the working class, is not willing to make a very simple statement: When we help American citizens, we expect that money to stay in this country. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I 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. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I have six 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:

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 613, S. Res. 614, and S. Res. 615.

Mr. MORENO. 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. The resolutions were agreed to. The preambles were agreed to. (The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 602.

Mr. MORENO. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; that the Klobuchar amendment to the preamble at the desk be agreed to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Calendar No. 651, Ryan McCormack, and notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motion ripen at 11:45 a.m., and if cloture is invoked, the Senate vote on confirmation at 1:45 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I rise today with deep personal gratitude and profound admiration to honor a legendary American, Roger S. Penske. This past Friday, February 20, marked his 89th birthday. Born in Shaker Heights, OH, Roger Penske has made America better and has touched the lives of millions of Americans in an extraordinarily positive way. As we celebrate this occasion, we also mark the 60th anniversary of Team Penske, the racing dynasty he founded at the age of 29 in February of 1966. Team Penske has defined excellence, innovation, and triumph in motor sports, unlike any other racing program in U.S. history. Roger's journey is truly inspiring. At the age of 21, he became a champion driver, capturing the SCCA national title. He competed in Formula 1. He competed in NASCAR, and, as I just mentioned, he competed in the SCCA. In 1961, he was named the Sports Illustrated Driver of the Year. His success on the track earned him the enduring nickname of ``The Captain'' for his unmatched strategic mind and competitive fire. After an incredible racing career, he turned his attention to building Team Penske into one of the most successful teams in the history of any professional sport. The results are truly staggering. Let's go through them: a Formula 1 victory, three Daytona 500 wins, a record-setting 20 Indianapolis 500 victories. You can see that photograph here--20 times won the Indianapolis 500. By the way, it is incredible to win it once; to win it 20 times is unheard of. Forty-eight national championships, over 700 pole positions, more than 650 major wins across INDYCAR, NASCAR, and IMSA, along with other racing series--this includes victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia's legendary Bathurst 1000 race. More than 100 drivers have raced for Team Penske over the course of six decades, includes legends such as Mark Donohue, Rick Mears, Rusty Wallace, and Al Unser. Just recently, Roger bought and revitalized the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the single largest 1-day sporting event on the planet, the Indy 500. This acquisition assured this iconic venue's future for generations of fans. And those are just Roger Penske's accomplishments on the racetrack. He leads Penske Corporation, a global powerhouse in transportation, logistics, and retail automotive, employing tens of thousands of Americans, with operations in every single State. Penske Automotive Group is the largest automobile dealership owner on Earth, selling more new vehicles in more places than any other single organization. It also owns the single largest automobile dealership on the planet, Longo Toyota, which sells almost 20,000 new vehicles in a single location per year. In 2019, Roger's extraordinary contributions earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor, given to only 674 Americans in our entire history. This award celebrated not just his dominance in racing and industry but his embodiment of American entrepreneurship, patriotism, and excellence-- qualities that continue to shine brightly. And, fittingly, Roger's legacy ties directly into our Nation's upcoming milestone. As part of America's 250th anniversary this year, he is spearheading the Freedom 250 DC Grand Prix, a groundbreaking INDYCAR street race around the National Mall and our iconic monuments on August 21 to 23. This historic, first ever motor race in our Nation's Capital will showcase the majesty of this great city, honor our independence, and highlight the innovation and pride of American motor sports. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose life has been dedicated to speed, strategy, and service to this great country. Roger Penske is more than a racer, more than a businessman, more than a philanthropist supporting education, veterans, and communities in Ohio and beyond. He is the best of what America represents: grit, integrity, and an unyielding belief in doing things the right way. My own connection to Roger Penske goes back two decades. I bought my first automobile dealership from him, a pivotal moment in my life. That taught me firsthand the values that underpin the Penske way: Effort equals results. I have gotten to know Roger Penske, I have gotten to know his family, I have gotten to know his company, and I have gotten to know his team. They are utterly amazing, and his attention to detail is impossible to capture with words. It is why George Costanza, in a memorable Seinfeld episode, was declared as ``most definitely not Penske material.'' But in fairness to George Costanza, that is a high bar that many of us would find hard to achieve. As the U.S. Senator from Ohio, his birthplace, and someone whose path was forever changed by him, I am honored to salute Roger Penske on his 89th birthday and the 60th anniversary of Team Penske. Thank you, Captain, for your friendship, for your inspiration, and for showing all of us what it means to win with class and with heart. Happy birthday, Roger. Here is to many more victories on and off the track. I yield the floor.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. The great Senator from Iowa.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call in relation to the Lea nomination.

Mr. MORENO

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

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3; and 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 proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar No. 610, David Fowlkes; further, notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:30 a.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Fowlkes nomination; and if cloture is invoked on Executive Calendar No. 611, Nicholas Ganjei, the Senate vote on confirmation at 2:15 p.m., and the Senate recess following the cloture vote on the Ganjei nomination until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; finally, and if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the rollcall vote on the cloture of the Fowlkes nomination, remarks of Senator Kennedy, and resuming of legislative session.

Mr. MORENO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote commence immediately.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call in relation to the Fowlkes nomination.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. 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.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 570.

Mr. MORENO. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 241; that the nomination be confirmed; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13; 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 the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 299, H.R. 6938, postcloture; further, that the Senate recess from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; that notwithstanding rule XXII, it be in order for Senator Warner or his designee to make a motion to proceed to Calendar No. 293, S.J. Res. 84, and if Senator Warner or his designee has made a motion to proceed, the Senate vote on the motion to proceed at 2:15 p.m.; finally, that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 299, H.R. 6938.

Mr. MORENO

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

Mr. MORENO

Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote commence immediately.