Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, 15 months ago, I spoke here on the Senate floor to commemorate the victims of a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, MI. And just over 2 weeks ago, as a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University, our State lived through yet another nightmare. Another routine evening turned tragic. Another community was left scarred by unimaginable gun violence. And another three families will never see their children come home. Just after 8 p.m., on a crisp Monday evening, gunfire erupted at MSU's Berkey Hall. As the alerts poured in, students all across campus huddled in fear. Some blockaded their dorm rooms and turned off the lights. Others grabbed whatever objects were nearby in case they needed to fight back. Parents called their children to check in if they were safe and worried if it could be the last time that they spoke. Those near the gunman hid under tables and ran for their lives. One student said it sounded like a stampede as they tried to escape. In the end, three of their classmates did not make it. Three students who had their entire lives ahead of them were stripped of their futures in an instant. Arielle Anderson, a 19-year-old from Harper Woods, was a sophomore. She enjoyed roller skating, photography, and live concerts. A committed student, she was working to graduate early and embark on a career as a pediatrician. She had a fierce intellect and a deep love for her family, touching everyone in her life with a kind and gentle spirit. Alex Verner was 20 years old. She was a junior from Clawson and was studying to become a forensic scientist. She was a gifted student athlete in high school, excelling in softball and basketball and volleyball, and a dedicated member of her community. Friends and teachers describe her as a leader and a giver, someone who was always smiling. One of her peers remembered that she was ``the very best of us.'' Brian Fraser, the 20-year-old sophomore from Grosse Pointe had an infectious smile and a sense of humor that could brighten an entire room. As president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he demonstrated a commitment to service and to leadership. He had been studying business and economics, but his life was cut short. As a father and a fellow Spartan, my heart breaks for these gifted students, for their families and friends, and the time that was stolen from them. My heart breaks for those who survived who will carry the weight of this horrific memory for years to come. And while this scene unfolded, first responders and law enforcement officials bravely leaped into action. Dedicated doctors and nurses have worked around the clock to help the five students who were critically injured. But I am grateful to these men and women for their tireless work. At the same time, I know that the students and staff at MSU and in the broader East Lansing community will need time. They will need time to heal in the wake of this tragedy, but they shouldn't have to do that work alone. We can honor them by taking meaningful action, and we must do that now. Last year, Congress showed that commonsense reform is still possible with the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislation to address gun violence in nearly three decades. It invests in mental health resources, expands school safety measures, enhances background checks, and includes new guidelines to make sure we keep guns from getting into the wrong hands. While it is clear that this law did not go far enough, it has begun to make critical changes. We are already starting to see its benefits reach my State. Last week, Senator Stabenow and I welcomed $8 million in Federal funding to the Michigan State Police. This investment will help combat drug violence and enhance crisis intervention programs all across the State of Michigan. But there is so much more that we can and we must do. We must pass legislation to expand Federal background checks to all gun sales, a measure that I helped reintroduce in the Senate and one that is supported by the overwhelming majority of the American people. We could enact reasonable limits on high-capacity magazines and close dangerous loopholes. We can pass red flag laws while still respecting the rights of law-abiding, responsible gun owners. And we could invest in first responders, like those who so bravely answered the call at Michigan State. The choice is ours to make. We could honor these young adults by making change or we can play politics and let this cycle continue. But for Arielle, Alex, and Brian, and for the students and staff at Michigan State and for every family that has been torn apart by gun violence, we must choose to act. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 22, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management adopted subcommittee rules of procedure. Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 21, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight adopted subcommittee rules of procedure. Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 23, 2023, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations adopted subcommittee rules of procedure. Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of procedure of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time on the Chung nomination be considered expired; that at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Chung nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and finally, that the cloture motion with respect to the Mendez-Miro nomination ripen following the disposition of the Chung nomination.

Mr. PETERS

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. Today, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs adopted committee rules of procedure. Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, I ask unanimous consent to have a copy of the rules of procedure of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs printed in the Congressional Record.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. PETERS. In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, February 13; 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; further, that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Mendez-Miro nomination.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. 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, shortly, I will ask unanimous consent to confirm Richard L. Revesz to be the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, or OIRA, within the Office of Management and Budget. While OIRA is a small, relatively unknown office in the Federal Government, it manages Federal rules and regulations that have very real impacts on Americans' daily lives. The decisions OIRA makes can affect everything from repairing roads and bridges to funding K-12 schools and protecting our air and drinking water. Mr. Revesz is a nationally recognized expert in environmental and regulatory policy and is well qualified to lead OIRA. He currently serves as the AnBryce professor of law and dean emeritus at the New York University School of Law, and his scholarship has focused on regulatory policy, modernizing the regulatory process, improving cost- benefit analysis, and ensuring greater transparency and participation in the rulemaking process. As Administrator, Mr. Revesz will be responsible for ensuring the Office provides transparency into regulatory decisions and promoting public participation in the rulemaking process. Mr. Revesz received bipartisan support in committee and has the support of former OIRA Administrators who served under Presidents of both parties. I urge my colleagues to join me in confirming Mr. Revesz to this important role today.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on confirmation of the Rumbaugh nomination at 12:15 p.m. today; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; finally, that following the vote, the Senate recess until 2:15 p.m.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, for the information of Senators, in addition to the 12:15 p.m. vote, we expect a rollcall vote on going to the omnibus message at approximately 2:30 p.m. today. I yield the floor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 1194, Robert Harley Shriver III, of Virginia, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management; 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 on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise today to honor a public servant who has made a significant impact protecting the health of Michiganders and people across the country from environmental hazards and related health concerns. Dr. Patrick Breysse will be retiring from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--CDC--and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry--ATSDR--after serving 36 years both in government and as a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. Dr. Breysse's expertise in environmental exposure assessment and epidemiology has resulted in preventing disease, saving lives, and improving the health of communities. Dr. Breysse joined CDC in December 2014 to lead the Agency's efforts to investigate the relationship between environmental factors and health. Under Dr. Breysse, CDC and ATSDR took significant steps to address lead exposure, improve safe drinking water, reduce exposure to hazardous substances, and play a critical role in CDC's emergency preparedness and response to natural disasters. His recent priorities include addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances--PFAS-- contamination in drinking water and the health effects of poor air quality, extreme heat, flooding, and other weather-related hazards. He also led the public health response to the Flint water crisis in my home State of Michigan and remains focused on preventing lead exposures from public drinking water and working to make our environments lead- free. Dr. Breysse has worked closely with State, local, Territorial, and Tribal partners and been a true advocate for the health of our communities. Dr. Breysse has also been a leader in bringing attention to the health concerns related to PFAS chemicals, testifying before Congress, briefing staff and Members, and initiating a ground-breaking health study at ATSDR to fill research gaps and examine the relationship between these chemicals and human health. He led the charge to better understand the contamination of PFAS in our water supply and the numerous potentially associated health effects. His vision and foresight helped lead to changes in standards, improvements in guidance for health professionals, and attention to this issue across the Nation. Dr. Breysse is leaving behind a rich legacy of improving the quality of science and practice related to environmental health within CDC and ATSDR. I am thankful for Dr. Pat Breysse and his commitment to the health of our communities and for the countless public servants like him who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I certainly fully appreciate Senator Hagerty's interest in protecting the First Amendment and ensuring that legitimate speech is not unduly or unfairly restricted. I am also committed to holding big tech companies accountable. I held a series of bipartisan oversight hearings on social media this Congress, including bringing top executives in to testify and to answer tough questions. The legislation, though, we are discussing today has not been considered by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. I certainly look forward to working with my colleague to explore these issues more fully, but given this bill has not been marked up by the committee, I object.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 120th anniversary of the Royal Oak Women's Club. For over 120 years, the Royal Oak Women's Club--ROWC--members have come together for the purpose of society and service within the Royal Oak community. On the evening of November 8, 1902, 14 local Royal Oak women gathered together in the parlor of Mrs. Frances Lathrup Martin, for the purpose of creating a study club. It was Mrs. Martin herself that became the first president of the newly formed club. At the time of its founding, the club's mission included the expansion of opportunities for local women, pursuit of issues such as pediatric health and safety, and the promotion of general well-being within the Royal Oak community. Over the years, as the ROWC expanded its presence in the area by joining larger regional organizations such as the General Federation of Women's Clubs--GFWC--the Michigan Federation of Women's Clubs--GFWC MI--Detroit Federation of Women's Clubs, and the Oakland County Federation of Women's Clubs. The club also transformed to become increasingly civic-minded, with efforts including local advocacy campaigns that resulted in better safety and sanitary equipment within Royal Oak's local public schools. One-hundred and twenty years later the club has continued to expand and evolve, and now boasts a membership of over 120 persons, who dedicate their time toward the pursuit of community projects that promote good citizenship, civism, and quality education. The ROWC continues to hold a place of high esteem and local importance to the city, with many community groups and organizations using group's clubhouse as a location to hold meetings and events. The clubhouse itself holds significance, for both club and community. The structure, purchased by the ROWC in the 1920s, was even then one of the oldest buildings in the city. Originally a Baptist church constructed in 1839, the building has been relocated and restored as necessary for its preservation and continued use, but continues to exhibit many original features. Upkeep of this structure, which was designated in 1979 as a Michigan Registered Historical Site, 1999 a Royal Oak Historic District, and is known today as the city's oldest building, remains among the club member's highest charges. The Royal Oak Women's club continues to make a difference today through their philanthropic efforts, as well as by providing the women of Royal Oak with a space they may gather, exchange ideas and knowledge, and pursue the ``high ideals'' envisioned by the club's original members. Their efforts to support the community continue as well; the club provides financial support to the neonatal unit at Beaumont Hospital, the Royal Oak Library, Haven of Oakland County, the Boys and Girls Club for Southeast Michigan, and the South Oakland Shelter to name just a few of their initiatives. Members of the ROWC also volunteer their time to support the annual Royal Oak Community Awards banquet, the community service luncheon, and the annual Salvation Army Toy Luncheon, in addition to supporting the all-night graduation parties for the three local high schools. The Royal Oak Women's Club has been an integral part of the Royal Oak community and the overall community of southeast Michigan for more than 120 years. As a Michigander and a resident of Oakland County, I am honored to ask my colleagues in joining me in celebrating this significant milestone for the Royal Oak Women's Club, its members, and the entire city of Royal Oak. I wish the Royal Oak Women's Club continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services located in the heart of Dearborn, MI. Created in 1971 out of a storefront on the impoverished south end of Dearborn, ACCESS has been engaging and building a community to empower individuals, families, and community members ever since. What began with a modest, volunteer-run effort to support the growing immigrant population has blossomed into the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the United States. ACCESS has been integral in assisting the growing Arab population as they adapt to life in the United States. By uplifting and advocating for real and meaningful change, they have become committed to safeguarding the engagement of Arab Americans throughout Michigan. Fittingly, the mission of ACCESS is ``To empower communities to improve their health and their economic, social, and cultural well- being.'' Spread throughout metro Detroit, ACCESS has 10 locations that provide more than 120 different programs/services to the community; they provide educational opportunities for youth including the Arab American Youth Leadership course, in which they support and foster the identity of the Arab American youth, as well as their 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide academic support during the school year and enrichment in the summer. Children are exposed to topics that focus on their identity and culture, as well as help build their advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement skills through youth empowerment to encourage community involvement. In addition to youth services, ACCESS also offers a large variety of services to adults, especially recent immigrants. ACCESS provides subsidized immigration services to the community, as well as many free services addressing the community's basic needs, such as tax assistance, legal services, and assistance with public benefits programs. They also provide life skills training to settling families via their Center for Working Families, including financial coaching, workforce development, and skill-building. Most profoundly, ACCESS provides affordable healthcare through two community health and research centers--a fully integrated community health ``one-stop service center'' that is comprised of medical, public health and research programs, as well as mental and behavioral health programs. While mainly focused on direct assistance to individuals, ACCESS also works to preserve the Arab American history and cultural identity through national programs such as the National Network for Arab American Communities, the Center for Arab American Philanthropy, and most notably, the Arab American National Museum, founded in 2005; the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute and is the Nation's only cultural institution devoted solely to document, preserve, and present the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. ACCESS has impacted countless lives throughout the course of 50 years. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing ACCESS for their tireless advocacy and support of the Arab American community, both in Michigan and nationwide. I wish ACCESS continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Record.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam 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 motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 1043, Arianna J. Freeman, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. I would have voted yea on the confirmation had I been able to attend the vote.