James Risch

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor The Gangplank as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for March 2025. Newell and Carol Walker opened The Gangplank in 1970 in Idaho Falls. Originally named Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips, the restaurant was part of a national chain that ceased operation in the early 1980s. After an incident that knocked over the restaurant's marquee sign, the pair renamed the seafood joint to The Gangplank in 1982. When Newell decided to retire in 2002, he sold the businesses to Jeff and Sharlene Croney, who took over the restaurant with their then-teenage son Jason. Twenty-three years later, Jason is now co-owner of The Gangplank, bringing new ideas to the business and becoming an integral part of the restaurant's success. In 2022, Jeff and Jason purchased a mobile food truck to serve more southeast Idahoans during the summer months. The Croneys also have big plans to expand The Gangplank's operations in Pocatello, open a second Idaho Falls location, and launch an additional food truck for catering services. This family-owned business hopes a third generation of Croneys carry on The Gangplank legacy for another 55 years and beyond. The Gangplank has been an established and reputable name in the Idaho Falls community over the last half-century. The restaurant sponsors and donates to local fundraising and charity events, including Boy Scouts of America, Festival of Trees, and the Distinguished Young Women program. The Croneys also support and encourage staff to seek further education at all of Idaho's local colleges and universities. Congratulations to the Croneys and all of the employees at The Gangplank on their selection as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for March 2025. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise to object to this. Senator Sanders has brought us a resolution which very simply states that Russia must immediately and completely and unconditionally withdraw from the territory of Ukraine. This isn't even a law. It isn't even a bill. It is only a resolution. Now, there isn't anybody that disagrees with this. I certainly agree with the substance of this, but this is going to have absolutely zero effect of any kind. If my good friend Senator Sanders believes that Vladimir Putin is watching this show on TV and says, ``Huh, they passed a resolution saying I should get out of Ukraine; so I guess I will pack up and go,'' you are delusional if you think it is going to have any effect of any kind on Vladimir Putin. However, having said that, I don't think it is a secret to anyone that there are very delicate negotiations going on. There are four entities involved. Obviously, Ukraine is involved, the United States is involved, Russia is involved, and our European allies are involved. There is constant conversation going on. I think a lot of people were upset when they saw the exchange this weekend, understandably. But, look, what you are looking at is the tip of the iceberg. Everybody wants the same outcome and that is to have peace in Ukraine. There is one man on this planet--one man--that can make that happen, and that is Donald J. Trump. He promised he would do that in the election. He is making very significant strides in that regard. And to my good friend Senator Sanders, this is not helpful to the activities that are going on to try to get this resolved. You may think you know what is going on, but I can guarantee with absolute certainty, you do not know what is going on as far as the negotiations are concerned to get this over with. What you are looking at is the tip of the iceberg, and this is not going to be helpful to getting to the point that you want to get to, that I want to get to, that everyone wants to get to, and that is to get peace in Ukraine. On that basis, I object.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I respect my friend, but I vehemently disagree that this resolution is going to cause Vladimir Putin to end this war. My good friend says that Vladimir Putin could end this war. He does not have the ability to end this war. This war is going to end when there is an agreement by the four entities involved: Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and our European allies. When those four reach an agreement, there will be an end to this war. That can be done by Donald J. Trump. I guarantee you, Vladimir Putin does not have the ability to bring those four entities together to end this war. Again, this is not helpful. You don't know what the negotiations are that are going on, and this is going in the wrong direction, and that is the reason I object.

Mr. RISCH. Again, to my good friend Senator Sanders I would say that Putin does not have that ability. He simply does not have the ability. You talked about how he started this and how he could end it. He could have ended it shortly after he started it. He is in so deep in this, he cannot end it. It is going to take an agreement between the four entities to end it. That is how it is going to end.

Mr. RISCH. I don't--the answer to that is yes, but I don't want to do a quiz here.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, to my good friend from Illinois, I say I am going to object to this, and it is not because of the substance of the resolution. You correctly stated what the resolution states, but, again, I think you, along with myself and every Member of this body, want to see the fighting stop in Ukraine. That is a necessity. It has to happen. The things that are happening are going on right now. There are discussions going on right now. As I said to my good friend Senator Sanders, you may think you know what is going on on this because you watched what happened this weekend. I can tell you with absolute certainty that you do not know the discussions and what is happening as the train moves forward to try to resolve this. This isn't a resolution that is going to happen with a whole bunch of people getting involved and trying to lay out different things that they want to get to resolution. It is going to be complicated. It is going to be complex. Again, I come back to the fact that there is one person who is in the center of this that can make this happen, and that is Donald J. Trump. Our passing resolutions here is not helpful to the efforts that are trying to be done to resolve this. So as a result of that, I am going to object to it, and as a result of that, I do object.

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I agree with my good friend from Illinois that this is amongst many, many facts that are going to be taken into consideration as the parties negotiate in what is going to be a very complex negotiation to get to the end point. There are going to be a lot of things that do need to be considered. The difficulty is that when this institution, the U.S. Senate, puts something out like this, it does have an effect on the parties that are sitting at the table. And you don't really get to a resolution by prodding on these kinds of things. You talk about what it takes to stop the fighting, not what it took to get into it, not the actions that were taken during the fighting. But if you want to stop the fighting, you have to talk about where we are and where we need to get to. This simply, I can assure you, Senator, is not helpful to those negotiations that are going on.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following press secretary be granted floor privileges until March 6, 2025: Allison Aprahamian.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I object.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the Driscoll and Greer nominations.

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote commence at this time.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), Woman's Century Club in Nampa, ID--a remarkable organization that has been at the forefront of community service and education since its inception in 1900. As the first service club established in Nampa, the Woman's Century Club has demonstrated commitment and dedication to enhancing the lives of Idahoans. Since joining the GFWC Idaho Federation of Women's Club, members have worked tirelessly to uplift their community. The club's motto, ``You find yourself when you lose yourself in the service of others,'' embodies their commitment to service and the betterment of society. The Women's Club has initiated and supported many notable projects, including the establishment of the Carnegie Library in 1908, the creation of the Rose Garden at Lakeview Park, and the organization of the local Red Cross Chapter. These impactful efforts have enriched the community and set a precedent for future generations of service. In 2023, the club made significant contributions to Idaho's local food banks, showcasing their commitment to alleviating hunger and supporting those in need. The club also recently made a 2-year commitment to support the Idaho Youth Ranch, an organization that provides resources like counseling, job training, and scholarships to Idaho teens facing trauma and challenging circumstances. The Woman's Century Club continues to inspire Idahoans through their annual Student Art and Poetry Contest, scholarships for high school seniors, support for local veterans, and programs focused on preventing domestic violence. As we celebrate this significant milestone, I am proud to recognize the members of the Woman's Century Club, both past and present, for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Their spirit of generosity and compassion has transformed the lives of countless Idahoans in Nampa and the greater Treasure Valley. Let us honor their legacy and continue to support the invaluable work they do to improve our community.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor the Stagecoach Inn as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for February 2025. The Stagecoach Inn was founded in 1959 by Willie Schrier, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and a trained horse jockey. Willie was a pioneer in the food and bar industry, priding himself on providing high-quality service and a great meal to every customer at the Stagecoach Inn. For over two decades, Willie successfully ran the business before passing it down to his fraternal twin daughters Mary and Marian Schrier in 1980. The sisters, alongside their cousin Nettie Allen, maintained the restaurant's reputation for exceptional food and hospitality. The sisters sold the establishment in 2009, and much to the dismay of many Treasure Valley residents, new management closed the businesses in 2011. Luckily, a group of loyal customers and former staff rallied to recruit Wanda Martinat, a longtime server at the Stagecoach, and customers Fred and Francie Oliver, to acquire the restaurant. The Olivers dedicated countless hours to updating the facilities while maintaining its beloved 1960s atmosphere. With their encouragement and partnership, the Stagecoach Inn reopened its doors in 2015, welcoming back many of its original staff. Wanda Martinat's story is one of perseverance and deep Idaho roots. Her parents' families endured the injustices of World War II when they were forcibly relocated to the Minidoka internment camp. Her mother was 13 at the time and her father, age 17, had joined the U.S. Army to avoid internment. After the war, her parents met in Caldwell and had seven children, Wanda being the middle child. Her parents passed down their values of resilience and hard work, which has shaped her approach to managing and co-owning the Stagecoach Inn. Today, the Stagecoach is thriving and remains a feature of Idaho's political and social fabric. Throughout its history, the restaurant has been known as a gathering place where business contracts were signed on drink coasters and political discussions that changed Idaho's legislative landscape occurred. Congratulations to the team at the Stagecoach Inn on their selection as the February 2025 Small Business of the Month. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Madam President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, first of all, to my good friend from Delaware, I know that he is aware that a number of the programs here have already received a waiver because the case was made for those programs, and that is appropriate. But, look, as I started to say at the beginning, this is about the debt of the United States. The fact that we are borrowing $1 trillion every hundred days--it can't go on. This institution, as long as I have been here, has been trying to do something about it. We have tried over and over and over again to make something happen. What do we do? We create a study group. The study group sits down, they talk for 2 years, they create a great big report, and nothing ever comes of it. This President is making things happen. One of the Agencies that a lot of us have had concerns about over the years is USAID and how the money was being spent. We are going to have a look at it. I have no doubt that when we are done with that, everyone is going to have a say, and at the end of the day, we will, as we do in a democracy, vote, and that will be the end of it. I yield the floor.

Mr. RISCH

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.