Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, while returning to Washington, DC, on September 12, my flight was temporarily grounded by inclement weather, delaying my return to Washington, DC. As a result, I was unable to attend the vote on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 986, Salvador Mendoza, Jr., of Washington, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. I would have voted yea on the confirmation had I been able to attend the vote.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I was unable to attend this afternoon's vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 986 Salvador Mendoza, Jr., of Washington, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. I would have voted yea on the motion had I been able attend.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 11:30 a.m. vote start now.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the retirement of Mr. Matthew E. McLogan, former vice president for university relations and secretary of the board of trustees at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Matt McLogan began his 35-year tenure at the university by serving as vice president beginning in September 1987. His extensive knowledge of government relations and leadership of GVSU's marketing and communications units, WGVU television, and radio furthered the success of GVSU. Matt has been instrumental in growing GVSU from an institution of fewer than 9,000 students to a regional force with approximately 22,000 students. He often worked behind the scenes developing and securing opportunities for students to improve their chances of success. In addition, he has worked relentlessly to establish a stronger west Michigan, including securing GVSU's place on the Medical Mile in downtown Grand Rapids and pushing key initiatives with State and congressional lawmakers. In 1981, he was appointed public service commissioner for the State of Michigan, serving 6 years in this role regulating the State's investor-owned electric, gas, telephone, and water utilities. He was also on the faculty of the annual National Association of Regulatory Studies Program at Michigan State University, from 1983-1987. In 1991, Matt was appointed by the Federal judiciary of the Western District of Michigan to the Civil Justice Advisory Committee. This committee was charged by Congress to develop new guidelines to speed the disposition of civil court proceedings. In 1992, he was appointed by Governor John Engler to the Utility Consumer Participation Board, which oversees the representation of residential customer interests before the Public Service Commission. In 1993, he became board chairman. In 1993, Governor Engler appointed Mr. McLogan as a special mediator in the Ameritech excess earnings case; the agreement stemming from the mediation was ratified by the Public Service Commissioner and led to the creation of a special fund to support educational distance learning projects. In 1996, he was appointed by the Governor to a 4-year term on the State Officers Compensation Commission, a public body that sets salary levels for Michigan's elected State officials; he became chairman in 1998. Mr. McLogan also serves on the Board of the West Michigan Botanical Garden (Frederik Meijer Gardens). Matthew E. McLogan holds a BA and MA degrees from Western Michigan University. He is a Michigan native, born in Flint in 1948. Matt is married to Jane L. Brierley, and both are the parents of three children: Katherine, born 1985; Molly, born 1988; and Timothy born 1992. It is my honor to recognize the profound impact and accomplishments Mr. Matt McLogan has made on Grand Valley State University and within the broader Michigan community over the last 42 years.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the class of 2022 graduates from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the 23 exemplary graduates from the State of Michigan. From plebes to firsties, and now second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, the class of 2022 has come through one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives to join ``The Long Gray Line.'' The class motto, ``For Many, Stand the Few,'' reflects the class of 2022's commitment and moral, mental, and physical strength necessary to graduate from West Point and serve as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army. I commend the graduates for their dedication to support and defend the American Constitution and uphold the ethical standards of the Army and United States of America. I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating, from Michigan, Kathryn LeWalk, Spencer Alexander, Cedrick Everaert, Nicholas Listermann, Sarah Guzzo, Teddy Prichard, Matthew Rushing, Alexander Denha, Ryan McAuliffe, Taylor Hayes Ufford, Samantha Fusik, Carter Macias, Megan E. Hutter, Nicholas McDonald, Grace Martin, Richard Russel III, Benjamin Pyle, Cole Chappell, Mirriam Tolston, Emily Leahy, Samantha Chinn, Michael Byrne, and Anamika Shresth. While their service to our Nation has just begun, I am confident these new officers will embody the values of ``Duty, Honor, Country.''

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, this motion is meant to delay or kill this bill. If adopted, it would harm the IRS's ability to carry out its duties by preventing the Agency from hiring new workers. Federal employees are returning to in-person work, but Agencies need flexibility that telework and remote work provide to compete with the private sector, retain qualified workers, and serve the American people effectively. Telework can also ensure Federal employees can continue to serve the people and stay safe if COVID variants or other public health threats disrupt in-person work. Remote and telework options allow the IRS to hire the workforce they need across the entire country so they can crack down on tax cheats and make sure big corporations are paying their fair share. I urge my colleagues to oppose this motion so we can pass this bill today. Order of Business Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following disposition of the Collins motion to commit, the following amendments be the next Republican amendments in order: Kennedy amendment No. 5387, and Rubio motion to commit.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, this motion is just another effort to delay or kill this incredibly important bill and would effectively remove the requirement for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in DC public schools. Vaccines have proven to be effective at preventing the spread of this harmful disease, and DC public schools now require FDA-approved COVID- 19 vaccines for eligible students, just like they do for measles and hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The requirement for DC public school students to be vaccinated against this virus was enacted by the District of Columbia's City Council, a body that was duly elected by 700,000 Americans living in our Nation's Capital. This motion would unnecessarily meddle with local, Washington, DC, government and delay or kill this vital bill we are here to pass today. I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure. Vote on Motion to Commit

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, communities all across the country are suffering from exposure to PFAS--commonly used chemicals that do not break down and have been linked to serious health problems. This amendment would strike a provision in the bill that would help DHS repair and upgrade its facilities to protect surrounding communities and frontline DHS personnel from these harmful chemicals. This amendment, instead, seeks to continue the past administration's efforts to fund and construct an ill-conceived border wall on the southern border. I agree that we need secure borders, but we need smart and cost- effective security measures, including technology and adequate personnel levels to meet our border security needs. We should be working together in a bipartisan manner to develop smart investments in border security. Let's secure our southern and northern borders instead of throwing taxpayer dollars to build a costly and ineffective wall. I urge my colleagues to vote no.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, shortly, I will ask unanimous consent on the nomination of Dimitri Kusnezov to be the Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security. The Department needs qualified and steady leadership to support its 240,000 employees and their critical missions to protect our homeland security and to keep Americans safe. The Directorate of Science and Technology plays a vital role in carrying out these responsibilities as the Department's research and development arm, conducting groundbreaking research to help our Nation identify vulnerabilities in our homeland security so that we can close existing gaps and increase our capacity to address both current and emerging threats. Dr. Kusnezov is more than qualified to lead these efforts. He most recently served as the Deputy Under Secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Technology at the Department of Energy, where he led the efforts to drive artificial intelligence innovation by incorporating it into their missions and operations, including through the creation of a new Artificial Intelligence Office. After more than a decade on the Yale faculty as a professor of theoretical physics, Dr. Kusnezov left academia to pursue public service at the Department of Energy and became a member of the Senior Executive Service. He served as a senior adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Chief Scientist for the National Nuclear Security Administration. Throughout the confirmation process, Dr. Kusnezov has demonstrated he possesses the technical and specialized expertise to serve in this role, and I urge my colleagues to confirm Dr. Kusnezov. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 727, Dimitri Kusnezov to be Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security; that the nomination be confirmed without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I renew my above request except that I ask unanimous consent that the vote occur at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican leader; that there be 10 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form on the nomination; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination and the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has reviewed the nomination of David P. Pekoske to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security. Seeing that this is Mr. Pekoske's nomination for a second consecutive term to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, the chairman and ranking member have reached a unanimous consent agreement to forgo a mark up for this nominee. In the 115th Congress, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs sought referral in June of 2017 for Mr. Pekoske's first nomination to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. The committee held a hearing for this nominee on June 11, 2017, and reported the nominee out of committee favorably on June 19, 2017. In the future, this committee is likely to seek referral on this nomination. This should be considered the standard procedure for future nominations to this role.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 418, S. Res. 394.

Mr. PETERS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the resolution be agreed to.

Mr. PETERS. I know of no further debate on the resolution, as amended.

Mr. PETERS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the preamble be agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the notice of proposed rulemaking from the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights be printed in the Record.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions introduced earlier today: S. Res. 720, S. Res. 721, S. Res. 722, and S. Res. 723.

Mr. PETERS. 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 (S. Res. 720, S. Res. 721, S. Res. 722, and S. Res. 723) were agreed to. The preambles were agreed to. (The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. For the information of the Senate, there will be two rollcall votes in relation to the CHIPS and Science legislation at approximately 11:30 a.m. and a cloture vote at approximately 4:30 p.m. in relation to the PACT Act.

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 27; 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, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 4346; further, that following disposition of the House message to accompany H.R. 4346, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message to accompany S. 3373.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the service, accomplishments, and retirement of Michigan native GEN Joseph M. Martin. Joe will pass on the mantle of leadership after 36 years of service and completes his highly decorated career as the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Joe is a proud son of Michigan. Born and raised in Royal Oak and Dearborn, his family is deeply rooted in the area, with strong ties to the Ford Motor Company. Joe's grandfather, Leonard Martin, worked there for 43 years. Joe's father, Leonard Martin Jr., worked there for 42 years. It was from his father and grandfather that General Martin learned the Michigan values of honesty, hard work, and service to his community. And it is these values that General Martin has carried with him throughout his 36 years in the U.S. Army. As a child, Joe attended Henry Ford Elementary and Woodworth Junior High. Before high school, the Martin family moved to the west side of Dearborn, where Joe attended Clare Bryant Junior High and Dearborn High before college. And although Joe's family has a tradition steeped in naval aviation, Joe took a different path and chose to attend West Point and join the Army. General Martin graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as an armor officer. Throughout the next 30 years, General Martin would serve in support of America's most significant large-scale operations and fight in some of the Army's most storied divisions. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander for Operation Inherent Resolve. Among other assignments, Joe served with the 1st Armored Division, the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Operational Test Command, and served as the commanding general of the National Training Center and the commander of the 1st Infantry Division. Following his command of the Big Red One, General Martin was appointed as the Director of Army Staff and later confirmed as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. Joe credits his success to his wife, Leann; and the Martins have two children, Joey and Kylie. To General Martin and to his family: On behalf of a grateful Nation, thank you for your incredible service and sacrifice over the last three-and-a-half decades. We are glad to welcome you back to your home State of Michigan as you begin your next chapter.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a highly regarded business leader, mentor, and community leader from Flint, MI: Mr. Willie Eldrage Artis, founder and owner of Genesee Packaging, who passed away on June 2, 2022, at the age of 88. Mr. Artis made an immeasurable impact as a partner to the automotive industry, on the Flint community, and the State of Michigan over the past 40 years. It is a privilege and a sorrow both to recognize him here today and celebrate his lifework and many achievements. Born in 1934, Willie spent the first 18 years of his life living with his parents in Memphis, TN, amid the height of the South's Jim Crow Era. Though difficult, these years instilled in Willie an unfailing work ethic and the ability to stand up for himself and his rights, even in the most difficult of circumstances. After leaving for Chicago, Willie began working on the manufacturing floor of the Triangle Container Corrugated Company, learning the ins-and-outs of the packaging business from the ground up. He brought this knowledge with him when he moved to Flint in 1964 and began working for Flint Boxmakers. In just 2 years, he was promoted to manufacturing manager. In 1979, Willie and a fellow colleague of color took advantage of the recently issued minority business programs administered by General Motors to leverage their years of expertise and open Genesee Packaging. Since its formation, Genesee Packaging has been a place of opportunity for the community to gain employment and increased access to economic achievement for customers and employees alike. His energetic service to the Flint community and State of Michigan included his membership with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Genesys Health Systems, the Flint Public Library, and the Flint Business and Development Council. In 1989, he was appointed to serve on Governor James Blanchard's entrepreneurial business commission, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2005 received special recognition from Governor Jennifer Granholm for his many contributions to the State of Michigan. Additional recognition for his work in minority business development and civil rights came from then President Bill Clinton, the U.S. Senate, the Michigan House of Representatives, the State of Michigan, and the city of Flint. In October of 2019, Willie published his memoir in a book titled ``From Jim Crow to CEO: The Willie E. Artis Story,'' where he shared his lessons from life and business as one of America's most honored industrialists. His story embodies that of the American dream, rising up from poverty through determination and hard work, embracing entrepreneurship and becoming a sought-after partner by top corporations and even the White House during the Obama administration. I cannot understate the impact that Mr. Artis has had on the city of Flint and State of Michigan. A pillar of strength and leadership throughout the community and the embodiment of generosity to those who knew him personally, Willie will no doubt be missed, but his legacy will endure. I ask you to join me--and Willie's beloved wife Veronica, their children, and their grandchildren--in recognizing and celebrating his life and numerous accomplishments. I hope that each of us can find some comfort in the precious moments and memories that were shared with him.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, for far too long, Americans have grappled with the epidemic of gun violence that has taken lives and shattered families and communities in my home State of Michigan as well as all across the country. These shootings and attacks not only cause unimaginable pain and grief for victims and their families but terrorize entire communities, who must cope with the lasting effects of unspeakable tragedy in their schools, in their theaters, houses of worship, and other public places. There is no one easy solution to address this matter, but Americans deserve to feel safe where they live, where they work and learn and shop and pray; and these senseless acts of violence occur far too often. From the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre of young students and school staff, to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tree of Life synagogue shootings that killed Americans simply practicing their faith, to the deadly and hateful and heinous attacks at Pulse nightclub and a grocery store in Buffalo, gun violence has left no corner of our country untouched. In Michigan, sadly, we know all too well the terror and the devastation caused by gun violence. Late last year, in Oxford, MI, a horrific shooting unfolded at Oxford High School. In a matter of just mere minutes, a routine school day at Oxford High turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak when a gunman--a 15-year-old classmate--opened fire inside the school, taking four young lives and wounding seven other people. That attack forever changed the lives of the students, the teachers, staff, and shattered the assumption that schools are a safe haven. Oxford High School students and the entire community have been resilient, but as they continued to process the shooting and to work to heal from it, those emotional wounds again reopened for many when they watched yet another horrific scene play out at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, where 19 young students and 2 teachers were murdered. Schools are supposed to be a safe haven. Parents and family members should not live in fear that their children or their loved ones who are at work won't return home at the end of that school day. And while there is no single solution to end the gun violence epidemic, for far too long, partisan gridlock has prevented Congress from advancing commonsense legislation that can save lives. For decades, politics have stood in the way of progress, and that is despite 90 percent of the American people--including a majority of Republican voters--supporting commonsense steps like expanding background checks. In today's partisan environment, it is tough to get consensus, but that just shows how much support there is to getting something done. This should not be a partisan issue. We know that many responsible gun owners across our country support gun safety legislation. I am a gun owner. I enjoy hunting, as do so many in Michigan, and I know that we can pass measures to improve public safety while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. After nearly three decades without major progress, we are on the verge--on the verge--of a significant breakthrough as we consider the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This legislation will take important steps to address gun violence, improve school safety, and increase mental health resources. There is no question that this legislation could have included additional measures that are overwhelmingly supported by a majority of the American people, but this is still a significant step forward. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This bill will help protect our children, our schools, and our communities. And by passing this bill, we can make progress right now. Right now, with this legislation, we can strengthen background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21 and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who simply should not have them. This includes providing critical support for red flag laws at the State level to ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals who a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or to others. And right now, we can offer protections to victims of domestic violence by adding convicted abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. And right now, we can crack down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements. Right now, we can increase funding for school safety to institute safety measures in and around schools and support school violence prevention efforts. Right now, we can improve access to essential mental health care resources, which school safety advocates and violence prevention professionals agree is the key--the key--to providing an early opportunity for intervention--by investing in school-based health services to support those impacted by traumatic events. I am grateful to my colleague Senator Stabenow, who has led the charge to ensure that legislation include proven, effective initiatives that will strengthen mental health services, and I urge my colleagues to work together to pass this legislation and encourage the House of Representatives to quickly--to quickly--do the same and send it to the President to be signed into law. But know this: The bottom line is that our work to save lives and protect public safety must not end here. We must continue to come together and address this very real threat that is hurting communities all across our country. When we face difficult challenges and crises here in our country, we persevere because we ultimately come together as one. Let's channel this spirit and come together for every American before the next school, the next family, and the next community is shattered. I yield the floor.