Jack Reed

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Finally, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. I yield the floor.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 44.

Mr. REED. I yield the floor.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. REED

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the scheduled vote occur immediately.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise, on behalf of myself and Senator Whitehouse, to congratulate Francis J. Flynn, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, on his upcoming retirement and to thank him for his nearly five decades of service to Rhode Island students, educators, and working families. Frank's kindness, expertise, and commitment to lifting up educators and the communities they serve have made him an indispensable resource for public servants at all levels of government across our State. A proud graduate of Rhode Island College, Frank started his career in Cranston as a special education teacher. He served at all levels from elementary school through high school and worked to ensure that students with special needs had the supports necessary to fully participate in academics and the school community. Frank's devotion to his students and the community put him on a leadership path where he could focus his advocacy in support of students and educators. The skills and values he developed as a special education teacher--a focus on inclusion and the ability to address people's unique needs--served him well as he assumed a leadership role in the Cranston Teachers' Alliance, where he served as president for 8 years. During that time, he worked with the district to establish new teacher mentoring programs, a professional development institute, and other reforms, looking for ways to collaborate on things that were, in his words, ``good for the kids and good for the district.'' In 2010, Frank was elected president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, where he continued his pragmatic approach to leadership, maintaining open lines of communication and looking for areas to collaborate. His steady leadership helped Rhode Island educators navigate the once-in-a-generation pandemic, moving to online and hybrid learning and providing the extra support that students needed to stay connected to their studies and their communities. Frank's leadership is widely recognized and valued across the labor movement. He has served on the executive committee of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Working Rhode Island, the Providence Central Labor Committee, and as a national vice president for the American Federation of Teachers. He was recently awarded the Dante F. Mollo Labor United Award from the United Way of Rhode Island. We thank him for his friendship and kindness over many years and for his great inspiration. Frank always demonstrated that, even during the most contentious times, you can find ways to work collaboratively. That is a lesson that resonates during these challenging times and an example that we should follow. We join countless other Rhode Islanders in wishing Frank a happy and healthy retirement in the company of his wife Sharon and their children and grandchildren. He has earned it.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to honor an extraordinary constituent, Joanne McGunagle, on her retirement as the chief executive officer of the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), which serves the communities of Cranston, Scituate, Foster, Warwick, and Coventry. As the leader of one of Rhode Island's largest anti-poverty nonprofit organizations, Joanne has embodied the spirit of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, mobilizing resources to address human needs while empowering the community to chart its own course to greater prosperity. Joanne demonstrated a passion for service from her earliest days as a sociology student at Rhode Island College. During her junior year, she participated in an internship as a summer camp counselor at the Thornton Center, and she found her calling. In 1979, as a newly minted graduate, she went to work for CCAP as the manager of its Fiskeville Center. With her strong commitment to the community and her prodigious organizational skills, Joanne quickly rose up the ranks at CCAP. By 1985, she was named chief executive officer. Under Joanne's leadership, CCAP expanded its reach and services to the community. Her approach to leadership was to involve the community, collaborate with partners, and streamline administrative costs in order to maximize resources available for direct services. When she took the reins, CCAP had a budget of just over $3 million and a staff of 60. Today, it has a budget of over $40 million and a team of 350 employees who serve over 40,000 people annually. The growth of CCAP under Joanne's leadership has resulted in partnerships to create affordable housing, expand childcare and preschool programs, establish new opportunity homes for pregnant and parenting teens, create the first parent/child center in Rhode Island, build a community youth center in partnership with the city of Cranston, develop a fully integrated family health model, and open several health centers. CCAP has done all of this while also providing workforce development, home heating and weatherization assistance, and a food bank for residents in need. Just as Joanne has left an indelible mark on CCAP and the communities it serves, CCAP has shaped her life. She carries out her work with joy and gratitude. In her words, ``CCAP has given me boundless gifts and rewards I never imagined. Professionally, with my team, we have created a system of care designed to provide services while focusing on poverty and the alleviation of it. Personally, I met my husband when creating housing at St. Matthew's Church with CCAP. All my life milestones have involved CCAP at some level. I could never begin to give back to CCAP what it has given me.'' As someone who shares Joanne's deep connection to the Cranston community, I have seen firsthand how her friendship and kindness has transformed lives. Her genuine empathy for those most in need is an inspiration, and her lifetime of action helping those experiencing poverty is an example that we should emulate. I join countless other Rhode Islanders in wishing Joanne a happy and healthy retirement, filled with new adventures, in the company of her husband Kenny and her daughters Maddie and Annie. She has earned it.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of one of Rhode Island's great champions for working people, J. Michael Downey, president of Rhode Island Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Mike was known as a family man, an organizer, a tough negotiator, and a fierce protector of his members' wages, working conditions, and benefits. He was a loving husband to his wife of nearly 50 years, Claudette, a devoted father to his three children, and a doting grandfather to his nine grandchildren. He was also a beloved brother to his brothers and sisters in the union movement. Mike came from a family of union organizers. His father was the president of Local 28, the Plumber's Union and executive director of the Allied Building Trades. His grandfather was president of the Bricklayer's Union, Local 1. Mike was a master plumber and practiced his trade at the University of Rhode Island for 27 years, during which he also served as the president of Local 528. He later brought his expertise to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, where he served as the chief plumbing investigator. In 2005, Mike was first elected president of Council 94, and he was re- elected five times. He also served on the executive board of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and the Institute of Labor Studies. Under his leadership, Council 94 increased member participation, expanded and enhanced its political activities, and prioritized organizing, adding new locals. Just days before his passing, Mike helped negotiate a new 3-year contract with the State that boosted wages and enhanced benefits. The contract was overwhelmingly approved by the rank-and-file members--a final addition to his long list of accomplishments as a union leader. Mike was known for his kindness and compassion. He is remembered for his special passion for supporting the lowest paid members of the union. He believed in the dignity of work and creating pathways for all workers to advance. He embodied the spirit of solidarity. We will miss him and will strive to live by his example.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise today to congratulate George Nee, president of the AFL-CIO of Rhode Island, on his upcoming retirement and to thank him for his years of service and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of working people. For George, organized labor serves as the ``People's Lobbyist,'' ensuring that the concerns of working people are given due consideration when critical decisions are made. In his retirement letter, he wrote that ``organized labor has a right and a responsibility to exercise our voice when and where decisions are made at every level of government. These decisions impact the quality of life and economy of our state, and we must be there.'' His leadership--tenacious but pragmatic and always with decency and integrity--has contributed to the vibrancy of the union movement in Rhode Island, making it one of the States with the highest percentage of union workers in the Nation. From the beginning, George acted on the belief that working people have a right to have a voice, no matter if they are working in the fields, on the factory floors, in offices, in healthcare facilities, in schools, or on construction sites. As a young man, he left the comfort of Boston College to earn $5 dollars per week, plus room and board, to join farmworkers in organizing successful grape and lettuce boycotts. He was inspired by Cesar Chavez, and joined him on a pilgrimage across the farmlands of California, serving as his personal bodyguard. Rhode Island called him back. In 1976, he organized jewelry workers, clerical workers, and healthcare workers and founded SEIU Local 76, where he served as president until he joined the Rhode Island AFL-CIO in 1983 as a staff representative. George quickly rose through the ranks at the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. By 1985, he was elected secretary- treasurer and, in 2009, president--a role that he will step down from on October 11. George's strong moral compass and steady leadership has been a beacon for public servants and community leaders across the State. He has been a mentor and a trusted adviser to me and to so many others who share his goals of a just and prosperous Nation where workers' rights are always protected. In a 2018 interview with Rhode Island Public Radio's Scott MacKay, George said: ``We have a solemn obligation to the people who came before us to fight back and protect these rights for future generations.'' As he begins his next chapter, George can rest assured that he fulfilled that solemn promise and has equipped a new generation for the battles and the challenges ahead. Rhode Island is a stronger State, and we are a better Nation because of George Nee's leadership. I thank him and his wonderful family, especially his beloved wife Ann, for their great friendship and kindness over many years and for their great inspiration. George always reminded us, by his actions, that hard work for a just cause was the greatest and most satisfying contribution that we can make. I wish George a happy and healthy retirement. He has earned it.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, today I rise to recognize the 100th birthday of Ambassador J. William Middendorf. Ambassador Middendorf is an extraordinary Rhode Islander and an extraordinary American. Last Sunday, we had a chance to celebrate his birthday at his home in Little Compton, RI, and he was as sharp and insightful as ever. Today, along with Senator Whitehouse, I would like to take a moment to honor his impressive career in service to our country. Ambassador Middendorf, now a resident of Little Compton, RI, was born in Baltimore, MD on September 22, 1924. As a young man, he attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. In 1945, as World War II raged in Europe, Ambassador Middendorf interrupted his education to serve in the Navy as an engineering officer and navigator aboard the landing craft support ship USS LCS-53. After the war, Ambassador Middendorf continued his education and graduated from Holy Cross with a bachelor of naval science. He later attended Harvard College, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree, and in 1954, he earned an M.B.A from New York University's Stern School of Business. Ambassador Middendorf then became an investment banker. Eventually, as a cofounder of the prominent Wall Street firm Middendorf, Colgate and Company, he began to involve himself in politics. He took on important roles within the national Republican Party, including as treasurer of the Republican National Committee from 1965 to 1969. Eventually, Ambassador Middendorf left his investment firm and began his long career in public service. In 1969, President Nixon appointed him to be U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, where he represented our Nation with distinction. In 1974, he returned to the U.S. to serve first as Under Secretary of the Navy, and then as the 62nd Secretary of the Navy, a position he held until 1977. As Secretary of the Navy he pushed for the development of four new Navy programs, particularly the Ohio-class submarine program. He also led the way on developing and fielding the AEGIS missile system, Trident missile program, CH-53E heavy-lift helicopter, and the F/A-18 Hornet attack aircraft. The introduction of these programs resulted in major improvements for the Navy and remain key national defense assets to this day. The Navy's growth under Ambassador Middendorf's leadership is in large part thanks to his relationships in Congress and reputation as a respected leader. After serving as Secretary of the Navy, Ambassador Middendorf returned to the private sector. He served as the president and chief executive officer of Financial General Bankshares, which eventually became First American Bank. After the 1980 election, Ambassador Middendorf led the CIA transition team for President Reagan's incoming administration. President Reagan then nominated him to be U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States in 1981. He served in this position until accepting an appointment as U.S. Representative to the European Community, now known as the European Union. In retirement, Ambassador Middendorf has remained a person of tremendous intellect and achievement and has become a prolific writer. Ambassador Middendorf continues to share his strong and insightful opinions as a frequent contributor to the ``Providence Journal.'' While we don't always agree, his columns always make for a lively and interesting read. He has also written several books, and his newest title, ``On My 100-Year Watch: Tyrants and Patriots,'' is set to be released later this year. Following the tradition of naming naval destroyers after U.S. naval leaders and heroes, the future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer--DDG-138--will be named USS J. William Middendorf. Once commissioned, the USS J. William Middendorf will join U.S. naval forces in protecting our country for years to come. And today, I am proud to rise in recognition of Ambassador J. William Middendorf, an exceptional Rhode Islander and American, and wish him a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise today on behalf of my colleague Senator Whitehouse and myself, to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Community College of Rhode Island--CCRI--which opened its doors on September 24, 1964. Over the last six decades, CCRI has grown into New England's largest public, 2-year degree granting college, expanding educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders. From its modest beginning in Providence with just 325 students, CCRI opened its Knight Campus in 1972 to nearly 3,000 students, after Royal Webster Knight gifted 80 acres of his estate in Warwick to the college. CCRI has grown to nearly 20,000 enrolled students each year and now has four campuses across Rhode Island, including an education center and online classes, ensuring that residents throughout the State have access to educational and career development opportunities. Students have more than 20 academic departments to choose from--from the arts, to science and mathematics, to business, and more--all at an affordable price. In 2017, the Rhode Island Promise Program was launched, making CCRI tuition-free to recent high school graduates seeking opportunities. But CCRI also understands that education is a lifelong journey, and it is never too late to learn something new. The adult education team at CCRI offers a wide range of classes to prepare adults to join the workforce, including GED classes, English language studies, and corporate language training. By working in close collaboration with industry and business leaders, CCRI ensures students are meeting workforce needs in the Ocean State. Just last year, CCRI was selected by the Biden administration as one of just 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers, working with the Department of Energy to expand clean energy workforce training opportunities, for in-demand, high-quality jobs. CCRI is a pillar of hope for the community, consistently rising to the challenge of meeting the educational and workforce needs of the present and the future. In the last 20 years alone, CCRI has guided students and employers through the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic and earned the designation as a Hispanic-serving Institution, reflecting its commitment to meeting emerging community needs. Its campuses also serve as community hubs, connecting residents to vital services and activities, job preparation workshops, free flu and COVID shots, and more. This is all thanks to the dedicated faculty and staff, who work tirelessly to carry out the mission of the college every day. CCRI is a bedrock institution to the State of Rhode Island, and we are so proud of the hard-working people who have changed the lives of so many individuals over the last 60 years. Along with Senator Whitehouse, I would like to congratulate the entire CCRI community on this important milestone.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I rise to offer remarks on behalf of my colleague Senator Whitehouse and myself in recognition of the 140th anniversary of the U.S. Naval War College, which was established on October 6, 1884, in Newport, RI. For the past 14 decades, it has played a critical role in shaping the leadership of our Armed Forces. While the Naval War College's mission has grown over the years, it remains a place of cutting-edge scholarship, helping to strengthen maritime security cooperation, support combat readiness, and develop the future of the Navy. The Naval War College is a center for research and academic excellence. It provides an advanced course of study for both military officers and civilians and has served as the home of some of our military's most important strategic developments. Students and faculty work closely with the Navy Warfare Development Command and the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group in analyzing national security issues and developing innovative solutions. In addition, the Naval War College has pioneered war-gaming to support combat readiness since its founding and continues to evolve with the modern world offering over 50 events per year to include scenarios beyond the maritime domain such as space, cyber, and humanitarian disaster relief. The oldest institution of its kind, the Naval War College has played an important role in the education and professional development of some of our country's most accomplished and impactful military officers and civilian leaders. Since the Naval War College's founding in 1884 by Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, more than 50,000 students have earned advanced degrees. Most have gone on to have impressive military careers, leading U.S. servicemembers around the globe and serving at the highest echelons of military and civilian leadership. Esteemed graduates include the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, the current Secretary of the Navy; General Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the Army; former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and many others from every branch of our Armed Forces. Throughout its 140-year history, the Naval War College has been a forward-looking institution and has consistently worked to break the mold of traditional military strategy and thinking. As the Naval War College celebrates this impressive milestone, Senator Whitehouse and I know that the faculty, staff, and students will continue this tradition of excellence and innovation. We are proud of the talented men and women who have made the Naval War College the strong and well-respected institution it is today. Along with Senator Whitehouse, I would like to congratulate the entire Naval War College community on this important milestone.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, today, I am joining Senator Capito to introduce the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2024 in order to improve access to needed therapies for children. Children are not just small adults. Drugs affect their developing bodies differently, so new treatments need to be studied carefully to ensure that they are appropriately prescribed and that dosages are properly adjusted. Additionally, drugs that are designed to treat a specific condition in adults may have enormous benefits in treating completely different illnesses in kids, but research is needed to unlock these potentially lifesaving possibilities. Unfortunately, drug development still leaves children behind. The legislation we are introducing today would help speed therapies to children who need them by making needed changes to the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act BPCA, and the Pediatric Research Equity Act, PREA--two laws that encourage and require the study of drugs in children. Data resulting from BPCA and PREA studies are added to drug labels to give parents and providers essential information on the safety and efficacy of drugs used in children. I was proud to have helped author these laws when I was a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. While we have made tremendous progress in advancing treatments for children because of these laws, there are gaps. For example, there is a loophole in PREA that exempts drug companies from pediatric study requirements when the treatment would only be used for a rare pediatric condition. There are close to 7,000 rare diseases without appropriate treatments, and the vast majority of these diseases affect children as well as adults. But in developing new drugs also known as orphan drugs to treat rare diseases, pharmaceutical developers focus their research on adult patients only since they are not required study their impact on children. And since the majority of new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA are orphan drugs, this means that the majority of newly approved drugs have not been studied for their impacts on kids. This leaves doctors, parents, and sick kids in the dark about the best possible treatments. Our bill closes this loophole to require studies for children so that they, too, can benefit from new and innovative treatments for rare diseases. In addition to this change, the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would invest in pediatric studies of older, off-patent drugs. The FDA incentives and requirements under BPCA and PREA work for many newer drugs but unfortunately cannot help encourage studies of older drugs. For this reason, in 2002, Congress authorized a program which funds the National Institutes of Health to conduct studies of off-patent drugs used in children that would never be completed otherwise. Drug studies are expensive, and costs have only increased since then, but the program has been flat-funded at $25 million since it was created more than 20 years ago. Our legislation would increase the authorization for the BPCA NIH program to ensure we have better data about older drugs to treat diseases in children. Lastly, the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would give FDA the authority it needs to ensure that legally required pediatric studies are completed in a timely manner. Due dates for studies required by PREA are typically deferred by FDA until after the approval of the drug for adults, but, FDA has no effective enforcement tools to ensure that these studies are completed on time--or at all. I am pleased to be working with my colleague Senator Capito on pediatric health issues. We have worked closely for many years on pediatric cancer, first authoring the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research, STAR Act in 2015. That bill was signed into law in 2018, and we worked to fully fund the law every year since. I look forward to working with her as well as the sponsors of the House companion legislation, Representatives Anna Eshoo and Michael McCaul to move the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act forward, to give children and their families more options for treatments.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam President, today, I am joining Senator Capito to introduce the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2024 in order to improve access to needed therapies for children. Children are not just small adults. Drugs affect their developing bodies differently, so new treatments need to be studied carefully to ensure that they are appropriately prescribed and that dosages are properly adjusted. Additionally, drugs that are designed to treat a specific condition in adults may have enormous benefits in treating completely different illnesses in kids, but research is needed to unlock these potentially lifesaving possibilities. Unfortunately, drug development still leaves children behind. The legislation we are introducing today would help speed therapies to children who need them by making needed changes to the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act BPCA, and the Pediatric Research Equity Act, PREA--two laws that encourage and require the study of drugs in children. Data resulting from BPCA and PREA studies are added to drug labels to give parents and providers essential information on the safety and efficacy of drugs used in children. I was proud to have helped author these laws when I was a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. While we have made tremendous progress in advancing treatments for children because of these laws, there are gaps. For example, there is a loophole in PREA that exempts drug companies from pediatric study requirements when the treatment would only be used for a rare pediatric condition. There are close to 7,000 rare diseases without appropriate treatments, and the vast majority of these diseases affect children as well as adults. But in developing new drugs also known as orphan drugs to treat rare diseases, pharmaceutical developers focus their research on adult patients only since they are not required study their impact on children. And since the majority of new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA are orphan drugs, this means that the majority of newly approved drugs have not been studied for their impacts on kids. This leaves doctors, parents, and sick kids in the dark about the best possible treatments. Our bill closes this loophole to require studies for children so that they, too, can benefit from new and innovative treatments for rare diseases. In addition to this change, the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would invest in pediatric studies of older, off-patent drugs. The FDA incentives and requirements under BPCA and PREA work for many newer drugs but unfortunately cannot help encourage studies of older drugs. For this reason, in 2002, Congress authorized a program which funds the National Institutes of Health to conduct studies of off-patent drugs used in children that would never be completed otherwise. Drug studies are expensive, and costs have only increased since then, but the program has been flat-funded at $25 million since it was created more than 20 years ago. Our legislation would increase the authorization for the BPCA NIH program to ensure we have better data about older drugs to treat diseases in children. Lastly, the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would give FDA the authority it needs to ensure that legally required pediatric studies are completed in a timely manner. Due dates for studies required by PREA are typically deferred by FDA until after the approval of the drug for adults, but, FDA has no effective enforcement tools to ensure that these studies are completed on time--or at all. I am pleased to be working with my colleague Senator Capito on pediatric health issues. We have worked closely for many years on pediatric cancer, first authoring the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research, STAR Act in 2015. That bill was signed into law in 2018, and we worked to fully fund the law every year since. I look forward to working with her as well as the sponsors of the House companion legislation, Representatives Anna Eshoo and Michael McCaul to move the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act forward, to give children and their families more options for treatments.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the RECORDS on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for 15 minutes and Senator Blackburn for 15 minutes prior to the scheduled vote.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the state of the war between Israel and Hamas. Tomorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will speak before a joint session of Congress. I hope he will propose a significant change in his approach to the war. I hope he will offer his resounding thanks to President Biden for his steadfast support of the defense of Israel. I hope he will thank this Democratically led Senate, the majority leader, and our Republican colleagues for our early support of the supplemental appropriations bill that provided billions of dollars to strengthen Israel's defenses and provide humanitarian support to Gaza. It has been more than 9 months since Hamas carried out its horrific attack against the Israeli people. Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 men, women, and children, and took 250 hostages. Unspeakable acts of terror were committed on October 7, and they will never be forgotten. In the wake of this attack, the United States has stood resolutely by Israel's side, providing billions of dollars of aid and intervening to shield Israel from attack by Iran and its proxies. For more than 75 years, Israel has been one of our closest allies. Since its founding, Israel has relied on America's friendship, and we have been proud to give it. It is because of this friendship, not in spite of it, that we must insist the Israeli Government change course in its war against Hamas. Israel's leaders must refocus their efforts to peace, stability, and the core tenets of Israel's democracy. Several months ago, I came to the Senate floor as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as a friend and longtime supporter of the Israeli people to say that the war had veered off course. I urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to learn from the United States' lessons in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I urged him to develop a realistic long- term plan for Gaza, including a framework for a two-state solution. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not just ignored the guidance of Israel's friends and allies, he has doubled down on his worst instincts and the dangerous ambitions of the most extreme elements of his coalition government. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Gaza is a tiny enclave, but it is home to more than 2 million people who have been living in a war zone for 9 months. Tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians have been killed. Nearly half a million Gazans are facing life-threatening food insecurity. Efforts to increase humanitarian assistance have fallen far short. Mr. Netanyahu and his government have failed to develop an exit strategy for Gaza. They have no plan for a sustainable future for the Palestinians and no plan to establish security and rebuild Gaza's destroyed cities. Even more alarming, Israel now faces the threat of a second front on its northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah--better trained and better armed than Hamas--continues to clash with the IDF, threatening all-out war. At the same time, violence in the West Bank could boil over at any moment, which could spark wider regional conflict. As I said in March, I believe that good allies and good friends stand together, but great allies and great friends are willing to speak hard truths and hold each other to the highest standards, especially around the conduct of war. With Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington this week, I am again compelled to say that the Israeli Government must change its path. There are three specific issues that the Israeli Government must address if it hopes to secure lasting peace. First, it must change its strategy in Gaza from a counterterrorism operation to a counterinsurgency campaign. Second, Israel must wrest control of its government back from the far-right extremists who have seized power. Third, Israeli leaders have to recognize that a two-state solution is the only viable path for peace and stability for the Israeli people. To start, we have to acknowledge that Prime Minister Netanyahu lost his way in leading Israel's war against Hamas. He appears unwilling or unable to understand that his military strategy cannot destroy a group like Hamas. He continues to drive a costly, high-tempo counterterrorism campaign when he should be pursuing a counterinsurgency campaign. The differences between these two strategies are important. A counterterrorism operation, like the one the IDF is carrying out, is about applying military power to crush terrorist fighters and prevent attacks. Certainly, Israel has degraded much of Hamas's military power. U.S. analysts have judged that Hamas no longer has the capabilities to carry out another attack like October 7. But Hamas is not just a terrorist group; it is an ideology and a political organization with deep roots. Political ideologies like Hamas cannot be bombed into submission. Instead, Mr. Netanyahu must shift to a counterinsurgency strategy. Counterinsurgency campaigns seek to address the root cause of the insurgency and strive to win the support of the local population, while building legitimacy for a responsible government. Israel's objective should be to weaken Hamas's support among Palestinians and ultimately isolate it from political and military lifelines. But in times of trauma, every nation's first reaction is fear and anger. Much like Israel's horror on October 7, the United States experienced a deep national trauma on September 11, 2001. We, too, responded militarily, but it took us far too long to learn that a sustainable peace cannot be won solely on the battlefield. The best armies in the world cannot defeat a terrorist ideology. Nine months into Israel's war against Hamas, it is clear that there is no way to wipe out the Hamas ideology through military might alone. This is not just my opinion. Current and former Israeli political and military leaders, including members of Mr. Netanyahu's own Cabinet, have warned that Israel's current strategy is not viable for long-term victory. Last month, the chief Israeli military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said: Those who think they could make Hamas disappear are wrong. Hamas is a political party. It is rooted in people's hearts. It was because of this strategic failure that Benny Gantz, a former Israeli army general, Defense Minister, and member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, announced his resignation last month. He argued for months that Israel needed to fundamentally change its approach to the war, but Netanyahu could not be reasoned with. I agree with Mr. Gantz on this issue. Prime Minister Netanyahu's conduct of the war has backfired strategically. Hamas wants to keep Israel in a state of perpetual war, and Netanyahu has fallen into that trap. His government must shift from a counterterrorism strategy to a counterinsurgency strategy. Much of Mr. Netanyahu's intransigence may be attributed to the political allies he surrounds himself with. As a way to cling to power, Netanyahu has made common cause with far-right extremists who pursue their own agendas at the expense of Israel's security. These extremists have been elevated to some of the highest Cabinet positions of the government and have encouraged Netanyahu's most misguided policies, including his attempts at changes to the Israeli judicial system. One of these figures is Itamar Ben-Gvir. As a convicted terrorist, Ben-Gvir was deemed too extreme to serve in the Israeli military. Nonetheless, in order to secure his coalition, Prime Minister Netanyahu placed Ben-Gvir in charge of the Ministry of National Security, which oversees the Israeli National Police. Ben-Gvir has openly advanced his desire for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, including in Gaza. He has advocated for the settlement of Israelis in Gaza after the war and has organized a campaign to hand out assault rifles to Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Importantly, Ben-Gvir has threatened to topple the governing coalition if his radical demands are not met. In particular, he has pressured Mr. Netanyahu to reject a hostage deal or cease-fire with Hamas that would include the release of Palestinian prisoners. Ben- Gvir's extreme agenda is eroding Israel's stability and adherence to the rule of law. Another Cabinet Minister is Minister Smotrich, a notorious, radical settler activist with a troubling record. As Netanyahu's Minister of Finance and Adjunct Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Smotrich leverages his official power to advance his agenda of annexing the West Bank for Jewish settlers and evicting Palestinians from the area. With Prime Minister Netanyahu's implicit support, Smotrich has steadily shifted control of administering the West Bank to his handpicked cronies in the Defense Ministry. The Israeli activist group Peace Now has assessed that 2024 has been the ``peak year'' for Israeli land seizures in the West Bank. As Finance Minister, Smotrich has abused his power by freezing distribution of Palestinian tax revenues as leverage to force the annexation of Jewish settlements. These tax revenues constitute almost all of the Palestinian Authority's budget, including its police and security personnel. Earlier this month, Smotrich released some funding back to the Palestinian Authority in exchange for the authorization of five Israeli settlements that had been built illegally. This is extortion, plain and simple, and it has been condemned by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. I highlight these far-right Cabinet leaders because their extreme personal and political agendas are impacting the government's military decisions in Gaza, whether through threats or cajoling, Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and others have pushed the government into prosecuting the war and governing Israel the way they see fit. In announcing his resignation last month, Mr. Gantz told the press that he had ``become exasperated with Netanyahu for agreeing on one thing in the wartime cabinet and then doing the opposite because of pressure from his far-right coalition partners.'' In his resignation speech, Gantz lamented that ``faithful, faithful strategic decisions are met with hesitation and procrastination due to political considerations. Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from progressing to real victory.'' These dynamics caused former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to publicly warn that ``[this war] appears to be the least successful war in history due to the strategic paralysis in the country's leadership.'' Prime Minister Netanyahu is beholden to the far right. He needs his rightwing partners to stay in his coalition, and in turn, they cannot abandon him because he is their best chance to accomplish the objectives of their nationalist agenda. Until there is a change in the direction of Israel's leadership, the far right will continue to drive Israel's security and the war in Gaza into the ground. The failings of the Netanyahu government are not just a matter of bad strategy or the Prime Minister's willingness to rely on radical political partners to stay in power, it is also his own opposition to a two-state solution. As has been clear for decades, Prime Minister Netanyahu is unwilling to recognize that a two-state solution is the only viable path to peace and security for Israel. He has been thwarting this option since his first term as Prime Minister in 1996. One of Mr. Netanyahu's most reliable assets for preventing a two- state solution has been Hamas. As far back as 2012, Netanyahu told Israeli press that ``it was important to keep Hamas strong, as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.'' He knew that by empowering Hamas in Gaza, a two-state solution would never be possible. In fact, between 2012 and 2018 alone, Netanyahu allowed an estimated $1 billion to flow into Gaza, at least half of which reached Hamas. According to the Jerusalem Post, in a private meeting with members of the Likud Party in 2019, Netanyahu explained his rationale as this: The money transfer is part of the strategy to divide the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. . . . In that way, we will foil the establishment of a Palestinian state. This open hostility to a two-state solution has only hardened in the aftermath of October 7. In February, Netanyahu bragged: Everyone knows that I am the one who for decades blocked the establishment of a Palestinian State that would endanger our existence. And in just the last week, he led the Knesset in passing resolution that rejects a two-state solution. Mr. Netanyahu has never been shy about his desire to prevent a two- state solution. His record is now clear beyond a shadow of a doubt. We should not be surprised that he continues to stand in the way of peace. With this troubling record laid out, I feel compelled again, as a friend of Israel, to say that Prime Minister Netanyahu has put Israel on a disastrous path. His leadership is eroding Israel's security, health, and democracy. In March, I came to the floor to call for new leadership for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. I stand by that call. Ultimately, these are decisions for the Israelis and the Palestinian people. But while Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to lead his nation, I urge him to return to the cease-fire framework he agreed to in May with the Biden administration. This plan includes a sensible and phased approach to bring the hostages home, increasing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and a realistic approach to day-to-day security and governance in Gaza. Israel will not find the long-term security and peace it wants by indefinitely reoccupying the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Prime Minister, working with the United States and other regional allies and partners, must achieve a diplomatic solution on the Israeli-Lebanon border. Now is not the time to risk opening a second, potentially more dangerous, confrontation with Hezbollah that could spill over into a larger regional war. Further, Mr. Netanyahu should immediately disavow the far-right members of his Cabinet and stop their efforts to inflame violence in Gaza and the West Bank that is making a two-state solution all but impossible. Finally, President Netanyahu must accept the legitimacy of a two- state solution, where the State of Israel and a demilitarized Palestinian State can exist side by side in peace and security. This plan is difficult and will require a buy-in from Israel, the Palestinian people, Arab neighbors, and the international community, but it is necessary and essential. The inability to embrace a two-state solution has profound consequences for the State of Israel, its security, its standing in the world, and its ability to remain a democracy. As I prepare to join my colleagues in listening to Prime Minister Netanyahu's address tomorrow, I remain deeply skeptical of his leadership and willingness to change course, but I hope he will finally listen to his friends and allies who only want the best for Israel. The United States is Israel's oldest friend. But as a friend, we must insist that Prime Minister Netanyahu fundamentally change the path he has put his country on. The eyes of the world and history are upon it. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. REED

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

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a great gentleman, a dear friend, a colleague, and in many cases a battle buddy, Senator Jim Inhofe. He was an extraordinary gentleman. And you can't say ``gentleman'' enough when it came to Jim Inhofe. He was a man of humility, of decency, and of kindness, and he touched everyone he met with those qualities. He was also a man of deep principle. But what made him a great Senator--in fact, one of the best that served in this body--is that he was always looking for principled compromise. He was always trying to reach across the aisle and see if he could, working with others, find a way forward that would be better for the country. So I was terribly saddened when I learned yesterday of Jim's passing. He was a leader. He was a gentleman. He was all that we expect a Senator to be and much more. I was honored to serve alongside Jim. For three decades, he served on the Armed Services Committee in both the House and the Senate. I had the privilege to serve with him as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. We were, in turn, both chairman and ranking member--both the senior Republican and the senior Democrat--on the committee for many years, and we produced nearly two dozen National Defense Authorization Acts. We traveled to combat zones and military posts around the world and worked to support our men and women in uniform. As I said before, there were many issues we disagreed upon, but we were able, in many, many--if not most--cases, to find a way forward. One of the issues that I think is so compelling in Jim's life is that as a young man, he was in the Army, and he knew what it was like to serve and sacrifice and dedicate yourself to a cause beyond personal ambition and personal aggrandizement. He learned also something that was profound and reflected in all of his work on the committee--that the decisions we make here ultimately affect the lives of young Americans in uniform across the globe. He knew that. He understood that. So he was not sitting back here thinking about, well, how will this affect this company and that company? It was, are we doing the best for the young men and women who have dedicated themselves to this country and would sacrifice even their lives for this country? Are we doing as much as we can for the families that are serving with them? That profound sense of service that he incubated as a young Army soldier he carried through his Senate career. He always insisted on speaking to the junior NCOs and junior servicemembers. You know, up here we all get briefings from generals saying ``Here is the situation, sir,'' but he wanted to get down and talk to privates and specialists and seamen and airmen and say: What is going on? How are things going? Is this working from your perspective? Again, adding to the quality of his service was his sensitivity. He truly understood the people who serve in uniform in the United States, and he made sure to support those troops. He sponsored critical legislation to improve their lives, whether by overhauling barracks or creating new benefits for military families. He and I worked together on countless efforts to provide better pay and healthcare and equipment to our service men and women. This Nation and our military are stronger today because of Jim Inhofe and safer today because of Jim Inhofe. He had a way of looking ahead. I remember when I was serving as the ranking member with John McCain and we were thinking about what would face us in the future, and Jim was there with us, talking about the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, how we have to begin to put more resources in the Pacific, and then, before the invasion of Ukraine, the European Deterrence Initiative. I mean, we have to be able to be flexible and to counter the thrust of a potential outbreak of war. We were positioned in Europe to help the Ukrainians because of Jim Inhofe's work over many, many years. I am especially proud that the Armed Service Committee voted to name the fiscal year 2023 Defense bill the ``James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act.'' It was a fitting tribute and honor. Again, he was an extraordinary leader with legislative skills, the capacity for hard work, always placing the troops and his fellow Oklahomans first. He never forgot about Oklahoma. He never forgot about their needs. He was in there fighting every step of the way. I am very, very grateful for the kindness he extended to me. He was just an amazing gentleman. I think I speak for the Senate Armed Services Committee and I think I speak for all of the Senate: We will miss him dearly. I want to express my deepest sympathies to Kay, his wife, and his wonderful family. He would admit without any reservation that he was able to do his job because of the love and support of Kay and his family. They were there with him every step of the way. In their moment of sorrow and sadness, I offer my sincerest condolences. May we all strive for the wisdom, courage, and humility that Senator Jim Inhofe imparted upon this great Nation and this Senate. I also want to salute my colleagues today--Senator Lankford, who is carrying on that tradition of integrity and decency, as are Senator Thune, Senator Cornyn--and to thank them for letting me say a few words about my friend Jim Inhofe. With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the service and achievements of an esteemed and valued member of our Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Leonard ``Butch'' Dollaga, who will retire from the U.S. Navy on October 1, 2024, after 34 years in uniform. His long and distinguished service to our Nation reflects an unwavering devotion to duty and a great love of our country. Rear Admiral Dollaga grew up next to the shipyards in Honolulu, HI, and his hometown of Vallejo, CA. He earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990 and upon graduation entered the fleet as a submarine officer. After serving as a division officer aboard USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), an engineer officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740), and executive officer aboard USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), Rear Admiral Dollaga commanded USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in Pearl Harbor, HI. He also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron 12 in Groton, CT. Ashore, Rear Admiral Dollaga's service reflected the same rigors he faced at sea. He served in a number of important roles, including admissions officer at the U.S. Naval Academy, technical assistant to the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, nuclear officer program manager and submarine officer community manager on the staff of the Chief of Naval Personnel, instructor for the Submarine Command Course, Chief of the Joint Staff's Program and Budget Analysis Division, and Director of the Navy Appropriations Matters Congressional Liaison Office. His flag assignments included serving as commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center in Groton, CT, and most recently as commander of Submarine Group SEVEN/Task Force 54/Task Force 74, where he led undersea operations in both the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility. Over the past 2 years, Admiral Dollaga has served as the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs. As the principal representative of the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations to the Senate and House of Representatives, he has provided invaluable support to Members and congressional staff. Rear Admiral Dollaga understands the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between senior Navy leadership and the Hill. He ensured, to the best of his abilities, that there were no surprises, and he never shied away from tough conversations. Rear Admiral Dollaga provided exemplary vision, strategy, and direction in executing numerous hearings, briefings, and engagements with Congress on the strategic direction and challenging issues facing the Department of the Navy. As he brings this chapter of his life to a close, I want to personally thank him and ask that we honor him today for his more than three decades of leadership and service. Submariners endure deployments that take them away from their family and the luxury of frequent communication with their loved ones. For this reason, I also want to recognize the service and sacrifice of Rear Admiral Dollaga's family: his wife Lani, his daughters Sarah and Malia, and his son Kyle. Without their support and sacrifice over these past 34 years, his service would not have been possible. They have been an integral part of his journey and deserve our Nation's gratitude. I know my Senate colleagues will join me in congratulating Rear Admiral Dollaga on an outstanding career and in wishing him and his family all the best as they embark on a new chapter together.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to a remarkable team upon their retirement from the Department of the Army. The combined service of Mrs. Margaret ``Peggy'' Bass Baines and Mr. Antonio Rodolfo Baines spans an astounding 80 years, a testament to their unwavering commitment to our Nation. Each beginning their careers in the 1980s, Peggy and Antonio ultimately completed 20 years of Active military duty in the U.S. Army. Both then transitioned seamlessly into civilian roles within the Department of the Army and continued to serve with dedication. Remarkably, they each added two more decades of devoted service to the Army and the Nation. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Margaret Baines exemplified excellence during her tenure as both a signal corps officer and a judge advocate. Her service was marked by integrity, legal acumen, and a steadfast commitment to the Army's mission. Following her retirement from Active Duty, Peggy continued her invaluable contributions as the deputy legal advisor (Counsel) within the Army Office of the Inspector General. Subsequently, she assumed the role of Associate Deputy General Counsel for Ethics in the office of the Army General Counsel, further enhancing the legal framework that underpins the Army's operations. Peggy ensured Army leaders received thoughtful and purpose-built legal advice that facilitated effective management of critical Army programs and decisions. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Antonio Baines left an indelible mark on the Army. As an Active-Duty signal corps officer and force management expert, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical expertise. Upon transitioning to civil service, Antonio directly contributed to congressional support for critical Army modernization priorities during his 20 years with the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison. As the Army's senior liaison for intelligence, modernization, and equipping, he played a pivotal role advising senior Army leaders and shaping legislative outcomes that directly impacted Army programs. Antonio's mentorship of military officers assigned to the Army's Congressional Liaison Office not only improved the Army's ability to interact effectively with Congress, but also solidified his legacy within the Department of Defense's congressional liaison community. It is also important to note and thank those who supported Mrs. and Mr. Baines throughout their careers, all of whom can be justifiably proud of the accomplishments of these two. This includes Peggy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alden and Doris Bass of Fort Wayne, IN, and Antonio's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Yolanda Baines of Jonesboro, GA. Additionally, Courtney Baines of Charlotte, NC, and Joshua Baines of Cambridge, MA, stand as living testaments to their parents' legacy. I honor the commitment and service of Peggy and Antonio, and I wish them the peaceful and joyful retirement they have earned. Well done.