Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on Kash Patel, the American people expect competence from the President's Cabinet, not the unmitigated and continuing chaos we see every day. Over the weekend, more damning reports about FBI Director Kash Patel's disorderly, drunken, and deranged behavior came to light. The Atlantic's reporting only confirmed what Senate Democrats have said from the start: Kash Patel is not simply unqualified, he is a grave risk to the rule of law and to American national security. I have called on Acting Attorney General Blanche to preserve all records, all communications, and other evidence regarding Kash Patel's dangerous behavior before the Trump administration tries to brush it under the rug again. We are asking--we are calling on Acting Attorney General Blanche to preserve all records, communications, and other evidence regarding Kash Patel's dangerous behavior before the Trump administration tries to brush it under the rug. The Atlantic interviewed dozens of people who have observed Patel's erratic behavior, his excessive drinking. Apparently, Patel frequently misses key briefings and meetings because he is too hungover to attend. Patel's security detail often struggles to wake him up after his nights of partying and once even had to ask for breaching equipment because Patel was unresponsive behind a locked door. All of this is made even worse by the reports of Kash Patel's constant jet-setting on the taxpayers' dime, his illegal crusade against Trump's political enemies, and his purge of countless counterintelligence officers focused on Iran just days before Trump launched this reckless war. Americans deserve steady, sober leadership from their FBI Director, and they are not getting it--it seems--in any way. Kash Patel's job is to protect the American people and our Constitution, not to party on the job. Patel must resign immediately. Every day he remains in office subjects America to serious and unnecessary risks.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, Donald Trump continues to demonstrate that he has no plan to end his disastrous war of choice with Iran and no idea just how badly the American people are hurting because of him. Companies and airlines are charging Americans an Iran war surcharge. Mortgage rates are climbing. Gas is still over $4 a gallon. Over the weekend, Trump's Energy Secretary said that gas prices won't be normal until 2027. If you don't believe Chris Wright, believe Donald Trump. Trump said gas prices will be ``around the same'' or ``maybe a little bit higher''--his quote--by November--his words, not mine. Just the other day, Trump said that $4 for a gallon of gas is ``not very high''--that is what he said--and that ``everything's doing really well.'' Really, Mr. President, spoken like a man who doesn't have to fill up his own tank. Try telling the American people, who will spend an average of $740 more this year on gas because of this war, that ``everything's doing really well.'' And, unfortunately and sadly, there is no end in sight. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Iran fired on commercial ships over the weekend. The United States seized an Iranian vessel. According to Trump, JD Vance will be on his way to Pakistan soon. But it is unclear whether the Iranians will even agree to meet with him, let alone agree to open up the Strait. Mr. President, 51 days into this war, and Donald Trump still does not have an objective, strategy, or exit plan. The American people have questions. Congress must demand answers. Last week, Senate Republicans had their fourth opportunity to support our War Powers Resolution, and for the fourth time, Senate Republicans acquiesced to Donald Trump and gave this historic blunder their stamp of approval. Tomorrow, Senate Democrats will force a fifth vote on our War Powers Resolution. We will continue to force votes on our resolution every single week that Trump's war continues. The most important vote a Senator can take is whether to go to war. Senate Republicans cannot sit on the sidelines while our servicemembers are risking their lives on the frontlines. I don't know how Trump's war will end, but I do know that Trump's war cannot end soon enough.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, what does this majority choose to spend our time on instead? Any hour now, Republicans are expected to release a budget resolution that adds tens of billions of dollars to the national debt and pumps colossal sums into ICE and Border Patrol without any reforms, all while doing absolutely nothing to lower costs for hard-working Americans. We need to pause and examine how we got to this moment, because in a well-functioning Congress, the majority focuses on solving people's problems, not constantly cleaning up their own messes and shoveling tens of billions more into unaccountable rogue Agencies. Remember, last year, in Donald Trump's ``Big Ugly Betrayal,'' Republicans rammed through $75 billion for ICE and tens of billions more for Border Patrol, with virtually no guardrails, minimal training standards, and no real idea of what they were unleashing. Well, that led to disaster, as could have been predicted. In January, Federal immigration officers in Minneapolis murdered two American citizens in broad daylight, triggering a reckoning across the country. After the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, the American people wanted change. Democrats told our Republican colleagues we needed to work together to rein in ICE and Border Patrol and prevent this kind of violence from happening again. We put forth commonsense reforms modeled on guardrails law enforcement already follows in the States: no masked agents in unmarked vehicles, no bursting into people's homes without warrants, and body cameras for all agents. But after weeks of back and forth, it became painfully obvious that Republicans were not serious about reform. Instead of listening to the people, Senate Republicans listened to Donald Trump and Stephen Miller. Even when Democrats offered to narrow the reforms to a small, targeted set of proposals in exchange for funding, Republicans, afraid of Trump, afraid of Miller, said no. Leader Thune eventually brought a bill to the floor that would fund the rest of the Department of Homeland Security, while leaving ICE and Border Patrol aside, as negotiations on reform continued. Democrats unanimously supported this bill. It was something we had been pushing for weeks because we believed FEMA, the Coast Guard, CISA, TSA, and the other four Agencies of DHS must be able to serve the American people. But that agreement is now collecting dust in the House. Speaker Johnson and House Republicans refuse to move it. And that brings us to where we are today. It is Republicans who have chosen to keep FEMA, the Coast Guard, CISA, TSA, and all other DHS Agencies shut down. It is Republicans' own divisions and their own inability to govern that have led to the longest shutdown of an Agency in American history. Even now, instead of working with Democrats, Republicans want to waste even more time by going it alone through reconciliation. Any moment now, they are expected to release a budget resolution that would tee up more than $75 billion over 3 years for ICE and Border Patrol through reconciliation, while doing nothing--absolutely nothing--to lower costs for hard-working Americans. Let's be clear. What the Republicans are doing is not how a well- functioning Congress should be spending its time. We should be debating legislation to help people pay for groceries, afford the rent, and bring down electric bills. We should be focused on outrageous gas prices and on retiring Donald Trump's costly military endeavors. Instead, Republicans are preparing to spend precious time bogging the Senate down by partisan bickering. And at a moment when President Trump claims we cannot afford Medicare or daycare, Republicans somehow think that we can give ICE and Border Patrol a blank check. Isn't that amazing? People are suffering because they can't pay for their healthcare needs, and, instead, the Republicans want to send more money to ICE and Border Patrol. One thing is clear--one thing is very clear: Americans cannot afford the cost of Republicans' continued chaos.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, finally, on Haiti, after spreading hateful, bigoted lies on the campaign trail, Trump continues to target the Haitian community as President. Despite ongoing violence--gang violence--civil instability, terrible medical infrastructure, and poor food access in Haiti, Trump directed Kristi Noem to strip Haitian immigrants of their TPS--their temporary protected status--disregarding the process Congress set into law. Last week, a bipartisan majority in the House--bipartisan--passed legislation on a discharge petition to extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants. In New York, home of the largest Haitian-American community in the Nation, we cherish our Haitian neighbors and value the many contributions they have made to America. I will do everything I can to protect the Haitian community. There are many Haitians in New York and beyond who anxiously await word on whether they will be forced to return to the dangerous circumstances they fled in Haiti. That is why I will rule XIV this bill, so that the Senate can give this issue the consideration that it deserves without delay. I urge Leader Thune to put this legislation on the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, well, today Trump is in Las Vegas trying to sell the American people on his tax policies and convince them that everything is going just dandy, but the reality for American families is that thanks to these deleterious policies people are hurting worse than before. Working families are hurting worse than before, middle- class families are hurting worse than before; overall, because of Trump's policies, people are hurting. Here is the truth in Las Vegas. Here is the truth. If you are a hotel or casino owner in Las Vegas, if you are a multimillionaire, Donald Trump's tax policies have been very good to you; but if you are a hotel staffer, a waiter, a janitor, a DoorDash delivery driver, the tax policies don't come close to undoing the economic damage he has done to you. Again, if you are a hotel owner, a casino owner in Las Vegas, if you are a multimillionaire, Trump's tax policies have been very, very good to you; but if you are a hotel staffer, a waiter, a janitor, a DoorDash delivery driver, Trump's tax policies don't come close to undoing the economic damage Trump has done to you and your family. And there are three major reasons Donald Trump's ``Big Ugly Bill'' has turned out to be a giant scam for most Americans. First, Republicans promised their ``Big Ugly Bill'' would mean tax refunds of more than a thousand dollars. That promise was false. The average refund is less than one-third of what the Republicans promised. Second, whatever benefit families may have gotten has already been devoured by Trump's policies that have led to higher gas prices, higher grocery prices, higher electric costs. For example, the average tax cut is maybe an extra $350. But thanks to Donald Trump's war in Iran alone, Americans will pay an extra $740 this year just to fill up their tanks. Just like that, your tax break is gone, America. And that doesn't include the increase to healthcare costs, grocery costs, housing costs, electricity costs, and so much more. So the tax cut is more than undone by the rise in costs, the rise in costs that Americans feel just about across the board, so many of them, because of Donald Trump's policies. Third, Donald Trump's ``Big Ugly Bill'' is overwhelmingly skewed to benefit the rich. This is an old Republican trick: Give most of the tax breaks to the very wealthy, let a little bit trickle down to middle- class people and call it a middle-class tax break. It is a tax break for the rich. While the average American might see a small tax increase, the ultrarich will see their taxes cut by more than a trillion dollars over the next decade. Republicans, if you wanted to make the tax cut a middle-class tax cut, put all of the money into the middle class, not a nickel to billionaire-millionaire tax cuts. The largest corporations will see a $65 billion tax cut in just 1 year alone. Multimillionaires are getting a tax cut worth more than $300,000 a year. The vast majority of these tax breaks go to the very wealthy and the big corporations. To label this package of tax breaks a middle-class tax cut is just as close to lying as it comes. And for those of you who live in Las Vegas, don't forget, Trump's disastrous tariff policies and foreign policies are greatly cutting down on tourism in the United States and will greatly cut down on tourism to Las Vegas and Nevada, particularly this summer, the lifeblood of the Las Vegas and Nevada economies. And then when you add in the soaring costs of jet fuel that will raise airline tickets, that will be far more damage to the Nevada economy and Nevada families than any gain from Trump's tax policies. So, yes, if you are a multimillionaire or giant corporation, Trump's policies are really helping you. With Trump's policies, the owners of Las Vegas big hotels will do far better than the staff, the custodians, the drivers, or the servers. If you have to work for a living, Donald Trump's tax breaks, coupled with his other policies, are turning out to be a giant failure for you, putting your family in an economic hole. Department of Homeland Security Mr. President, on Department of Homeland Security, well, all this week the Republican leader has come to the floor to try and pin his party's failure to fund the Department of Homeland Security on Democrats. He did it again today. He said we--Democrats--``shut down the appropriations process,'' and that ``Republicans have been forced to do this the hard way.'' Let's be very clear about all of this. DHS has been shut down now for over 60 days for one reason and one reason only: Republicans have been so paralyzed by their own dysfunction that they cannot govern. Republican leaders in the House and the Senate are busy fighting with each other, and that is what has caused this paralysis. Remember, it was Thune's bill that we passed in the Senate at the end of the last work period, not a Democratic bill. It was Thune's bill. Thune put the bill on the floor to fund every single Agency within DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol, and it passed unanimously. It was Thune's bill; Democrats agreed and voted yes. In fact, Democrats agreed twice. It was Speaker Johnson, cowed by radical rightwing Republicans in the House, who stood in the way--not Democrats. If Johnson would have put the bill on the floor, which he was afraid to do, it would have passed. So if the majority leader wants to put an end to this Department of Homeland Security shutdown, he should start talking to Speaker Johnson in the House instead of pointing fingers at us. That is why DHS remains shut down, even though every single Democrat stands ready to fund agencies like TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, and CISA and at a moment's notice. But this is not the path Republicans want to take. They do not seem interested in reaching a compromise to rein in ICE with exceedingly simple guardrails. We were clear from the start about what kind of reforms the American people want, and Republicans have never moved, never budged. Republicans seem so sickened, in fact, by the idea of basic reforms to ICE that they would rather take up weeks of the Senate's time, ramming through a party-line reconciliation package without a shred of the reforms that Americans demand, commonsense reforms that police departments in every part of the country obey: no masks, warrants when you break into someone's home, cooperating with local authorities. That is right, instead of passing legislation to lower gas prices, lower grocery prices, lower energy costs, Republicans want to hijack the Senate and spend weeks on reconciliation to ram through billions more for ICE with zero reforms. So while I have great respect for the Republican leader, the plain facts are these: Democrats are not the ones dragging this shutdown on; Republicans are. And, again, I say this to Leader Thune: Republicans could open DHS today, all they have to do is start listening to the American people and stop obeying Donald Trump and the MAGA radical right. Iran Mr. President, on Iran, there is an old saying that says ``success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan.'' The Republicans who voted against our War Powers Resolution yesterday, they may try and dodge responsibility for Trump's failed war, but they have joint custody over this debate. And certainly the war is a debacle. After 48 days of destruction, carnage, and soaring costs here in America and around the world, Trump has no idea how to end this war, just as he had no plan when he started it. All this war has gotten us is a more radical Iranian regime with greater nuclear ambitions, a closed Strait of Hormuz, skyrocketing gas costs, and the ire of the world. Is anyone surprised that only one in four Americans think that ``Operation Epic Failure'' has been worth it? That is what we call it, Operation Epic Failure. Trump isn't practicing the ``Art of the Deal''; Trump is practicing the ``Art of Defeat'', and he seems all too good at it. Republicans are kidding themselves if they think they can distance themselves from Trump's Iran blunder by sitting on the sidelines. When it comes to war and peace--the most important decision a legislator can make--Republicans in the Senate and the House have an obligation to take a stand, but they are putting their heads in the sand. They haven't even had one hearing on this war. This is a war that has gone on close to 50 days, creating huge problems for our economy, huge problems for our national security, and not one hearing? What are you afraid of? Republicans have had four opportunities to support our War Powers Resolution, to finally reassert Congress' constitutional authority, and each time they have said no. But the debate is not over. Next week, Republicans will have to answer the question again: Do you want endless war with Iran, yes or no? Senate Democrats will bring our War Powers Resolution to the floor for a vote next week and every week that Trump's war continues. Republican silence is a stamp of approval. Republican silence is a stamp of approval, saying they will support, acquiesce, and go along with this disaster. I thank Senator Duckworth for introducing this resolution and arguing for it so eloquently as only she can. And I want to thank Senator Kaine for keeping this pressing issue on the top of the mind for the Senate and for the Nation. The same goes for Senator Booker and so many in our caucus who have participated in this debate. Tribute to Assistant Chief Sean P. Gallagher Finally, on Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher, I want to join the rest of the Senate today in saying thank you and goodbye to one of the most beloved members of the Capitol Police, Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher. He retires today after 25 incredible years. He joined the Department in April of 2001 and has been a part of keeping the Capitol Complex safe during some of the most consequential moments in our Nation's history, from national crises, to Presidential inaugurations, to papal visits, and so much more. After January 6, he led the establishment of the Department's peer support program, and helped create the Howard C. Liebengood Center for Wellness to support officer well-being. We thank Assistant Chief Gallagher for 25 years of service to the U.S. Capitol Police, to Congress, and to our Nation. We say goodbye and thank you on your retirement. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, yesterday an Ipsos poll found that fewer than one in four Americans think Trump's war in Iran has been worthwhile. And who can blame them? Every metric indicates that Donald Trump's handling of Operation Epic Fury has been an epic failure. Donald Trump promised this war would be won in a matter of days or weeks. It is now day 47. And let's take stock of the 47 days into this historic blunder. Thirteen U.S. servicemembers have been killed. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured across the region. The Strait of Hormuz is not only closed, it has become an Iranian cash cow. And Iran's control of the strait is greater today than before when Trump started the war. Iran's nuclear ambitions have only grown, and the Iranian regime is even more radical than before the war. Americans, meanwhile, are shelling out more than $4 for a gallon of gas, on average. Now Donald Trump says that gas prices ``could be the same'' or ``a little higher'' by November. Those are his words. Trump says gas prices ``could be the same'' or ``a little higher'' by November. Unbelievable. Trump's No. 1 promise entering the White House was to bring inflation down, and now he is admitting his own war could drive gas prices up for much of the rest of the year. When Donald Trump admits his own war will drive gas prices up through November, you know there is trouble coming down the road for American motorists. Donald Trump is learning the hard way that ending a war is a lot harder than beginning one. He would rather pick a fight with the Pope online than reckon with what is truly on the line right now: the lives of American servicemembers and the livelihood of American working families. And throughout all this miasma, all this mess, this horrible war, where are the Senate Republicans? Months into this war, still no hearings, no testimony, no clarity on how it will end. Don't the Republicans, when we are in war, don't they know their responsibility? I don't care if they are the same party. Don't they know they have a responsibility to get the facts out and let the American people know what is going on here? Because Trump isn't giving people any idea, but he still keeps changing his mind and his goals in the war, none of which he has achieved. So where are Senate Republicans? The American people have a right to ask. Enough is enough. Trump may not understand how damaging his war has been to the American people. Republicans may be hiding from having hearings or asking questions, but Senate Democrats who know how damaging the war has been are asking a whole lot of questions. That is why we will force a vote on another War Powers Resolution. This is the fourth since the war began. I thank Senator Tammy Duckworth for her work on this week's resolution. I thank Senators Kaine and Booker and other Members of our caucus for their continuing leadership on this crucial issue. Republicans have voted against this resolution three times now. But as the war drags on for 47 days with no end in sight, they should join us on this resolution and end the war once and for all--and all the troubles it is bringing to Americans once and for all. It is 47 days already, where are you? If the Republicans vote no again, we will continue to force votes on these resolutions every week until either this war ends or the Republicans get the courage to stand up to Donald Trump.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on tax day, not a single American would say that tax day is their favorite date on the calendar. Republicans, however, seem to think today will mark an inflection point in their political fortunes. Evidently, they haven't been paying much attention. When Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, they promised Americans that their tax refunds would grow by a thousand dollars, on average. Well, the results are in, and the massive tax relief Republicans promised has turned out to be a dud. Refunds, on average, have changed only by a third, about $350, and Americans need every penny they can get, but a couple of hundred dollars doesn't go very far on a tax break when the average American family will pay an extra $2,000 on tariff taxes and $740 this year to fill up their tank. That is right. Donald Trump's war in Iran alone has wiped out any tax refund Americans will see this year. Let me say that again: Donald Trump's war in Iran alone has wiped out any extra tax refund Americans will see this year, and that is not including all the increases they are paying because of tariffs and higher electric bills and what they are doing to healthcare. No wonder only one in four Americans believe the One Big Beautiful Bill is helpful, only one in four. That means there are some Republicans who don't like it. Seven in ten Americans, meanwhile, say they are still paying too much in taxes. Seven in ten Americans say they are paying too much in taxes while the ultrawealthy aren't paying their fair share. And they are right. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill has been a dud for working families, but millionaires got a $300,000 tax cut. Big corporations got a tax cut of $65 billion. Republicans want to call their bill a working- and middle-class tax cut, but truth be told, it should be called a massive giveaway to the ultra-ultrawealthy. The lion's share of the benefits go to those at the very top, while inflation and Trump's war has eviscerated any shred of benefit felt by the rest of Americans. That is not tax relief. That is not tax relief. That is a brazen betrayal of working Americans. If Republicans think that rebranding their toxic bill will make Americans forget the economic pit that Trump and the Republicans pushed them into, they will be sorely mistaken.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, fiscal years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), and in accordance with section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act, I move to discharge the Committee on Foreign Relations from further consideration of S.J. Res. 123, to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, I want to thank my colleagues--my colleague from Illinois, who has done such a good job and knows all about what our veterans go through in the horrors of war; my colleague Tim Kaine, who has been so involved in this issue of War Powers Resolutions for decades--or a decade--and so many others of us who are introducing resolutions on this issue. Now, Republicans have voted against this resolution three times now. But as the war drags on for 47 days, with no end in sight, they should join us today on this resolution to end this war once and for all. With gas costs costing over $4 a gallon, with inflation climbing, with mortgage rates going up, the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forego another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trump's disastrous war, at long last. Congress cannot simply sit on the sidelines while our brave servicemembers are risking their lives on the frontlines. The stakes are too high, and the risks are too great for Republicans to stay silent. I urge my Republican colleagues to listen to the majority of Americans who are calling for an end to Trump's wanton war of choice. We still don't know the goals. We still don't know the costs. We still don't know the length of time. There are so many unanswered questions on the most important issue that this Senate can face, which is whether to go to war, and then total silence from the other side--not a single hearing, not a single discussion on this. Well, I am going to tell my Republican colleagues: They are not going to be able to escape continuing to vote on this. Until our Republican colleagues join us, we will continue forcing a vote on our War Powers Resolution, week after week after week. This is an American issue, not a partisan one. This is one of the worst forays America has ever made, with so much damage that is going to be lasting. And so I urge my colleagues to do what they know is the right thing and join us in voting for Senator Duckworth's resolution. I yield the floor. Vote on Motion to Discharge

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on the Fed, this morning, once again, Donald Trump escalated his attacks on the independence of the Federal Reserve. In an interview on Fox Business, the President renewed his threats against Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying that if Powell doesn't leave, he will fire him. There are no legitimate grounds for the President to remove the Chair of the Federal Reserve for simply doing his job. Trump's threats against the Fed does nothing but rattle markets, undermine confidence, inject more chaos into the financial system, and then raise rates. Doesn't Trump understand something rudimentary? When there is uncertainty about the Fed's path, rates go up. Trump, are you hearing that? The more you screw around with the Fed, the higher rates will be, and you want lower rates. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what he is talking about. He doesn't understand the economy, the Fed, or interest rates. To every American who is struggling with high prices, if you want mortgage rates to come down or if you are worried about the economy getting worse, the President's attacks on the Fed should alarm you. And meddling with the Fed will certainly drive up interest rates because the markets hate uncertainty. We know what is going on. Donald Trump--typical--is angry that his own policies have driven up prices and killed jobs. But instead of owning up to his mistakes, he continues to look for a scapegoat, someone else to blame. That is all he does. He screws things up and then blames somebody else. Doesn't he realize that is not going to solve the problem? That is not going to solve the problem. Blame Donald Trump. That is not going to do it. It may make you feel better for a minute or two, but it sure doesn't solve the problem. And it doesn't solve the American people's firm, strong disagreement with what you are doing. Trump wants to fire Powell because he won't lower interest rates, but Trump's Treasury Secretary said yesterday that the Fed shouldn't lower interest rates because of the chaos of the Iran war. What is going on in this administration? Trump says one thing. His Treasury Secretary says another. Senate Republicans have an obligation to push back when Donald Trump threatens the independence of the Federal Reserve. And so long as these bogus investigations and intimidation tactics continue, the nomination of Kevin Warsh should not--should not--move forward.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, just days ago, Donald Trump declared his war in Iran a ``total and complete victory. 100 percent. No question about it.'' Again, Donald Trump saying about his war: A total and complete victory. 100 percent. No question about it. But for the American people, for our troops, for our allies, for our economy, there is nothing but questions about it. In fact, to a majority of Americans, it is a total disaster. In just about every way, things are worse today than they were before Trump started his war of choice. The Strait of Hormuz? Worse, closed and unstable. The Iranian regime? Worse, more entrenched and more radical. Gas prices? Worse, over $4 a gallon. Iran's nuclear ambitions? Worse. They are still intact. And America's standing in the world? Worse, as the Europeans and our Asian and Middle Eastern allies and so many others are very exasperated with Donald Trump and this country right now. So Strait of Hormuz? Worse. Iranian regime change? Worse. Gas prices? Worse. Iran's nuclear ambitions? Worse. American credibility? Worse. Everything--everything--has been made worse by Donald Trump's war of choice. Donald Trump promised ``total and complete victory.'' Instead, he delivered total and complete chaos. That is not victory; that is failure. Donald Trump hasn't even clearly articulated what victory would look like, let alone achieved it. Instead, he has lurched from one reckless idea to the next, with no strategy, no endgame, no coalition of allies, and the consequences, unfortunately, are piling up. Russia's oil revenues are surging, buoyed by Donald Trump's decision to ease pressure and destabilize global markets. An adversary that is fueling the war in Ukraine is now benefiting from this chaos. And at home, Americans are paying a very high price. Inflation is rising again, driven, in part, by the spike in energy costs. So Americans are paying the price there. Mortgage rates are climbing. Consumer confidence has hit record lows. Donald Trump is leading our troops into a literal minefield abroad and leading American families into an economic minefield here at home. So let's call Trump's Iran policy for what it is, not Operation Epic Fury, ``Operation Epic Failure.'' ``Operation Epic Failure'' is a much more appropriate name for Trump's war of choice. And 45 days into this war, Congress has been sidelined because our Republican colleagues refuse to take a strong stand against this war and duck it completely because they are afraid of Trump. No hearings, no oversight--no serious oversight--no accountability, not one. I say to my Republican friends: This is not how democracy conducts a war. That is not what the Constitution allows. So if Republicans refuse to do their job, Senate Democrats will force the issue. Under the War Powers Act, we will bring a resolution to the floor this week, led by Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran who understands the true cost of war far more than Donald Trump ever has. And we will not stop there. If Republicans block it, we will vote again and again and again, every single week, until ``Operation Epic Failure'' ends or Congress does its job and authorizes it--which I know it won't, given how bad this war is--because our troops deserve a mission, not a mess. They deserve a strategy, not chaos. And they deserve leaders who understand that sending Americans into harm's way is the most serious decision a nation can make. Our Republican colleagues face a simple choice: Stand with Americans or stand with Trump's failed war. Stand with our troops or keep them in harm's way without a plan. Stand with the American people or keep asking them to pay more for gas, more for groceries, and more for a war that has made everything worse. We will keep forcing that choice. We will keep forcing that choice, my Republican colleagues. You won't be able to keep ducking it. I would like to thank Senator Kaine for his tremendous leadership on this issue. I would like to thank Senator Booker and the Members of our caucus for working with me to ensure we have these votes week after week, unrelenting, until Republicans are ready to stand up, listen to the pleas of Americans, and do their job.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, over the last 2 weeks, Americans were aghast watching two disasters unfold simultaneously: one abroad, one right here in this Chamber. Abroad, Donald Trump is escalating his ill- conceived Iranian incursion, threatening to wipe out an entire civilization, driving up gas prices with no plans and no end in sight. And right here at home, congressional Republicans are keeping the Department of Homeland Security shut down because they cannot govern themselves, let alone govern this country. Why? Because Stephen Miller won't let them. Stephen Miller, an unelected ideologue, is calling the shots on immigration policy in this country, not Congress, not Senators, not the Appropriations Committee-- Stephen Miller. Here is the bottom line: Stephen Miller and Donald Trump refuse to accept commonsense, bipartisan reforms to ICE and Border Patrol. Republicans would rather keep DHS shuttered than cross the man who has made cruelty the centerpiece of this administration's immigration agenda. Republicans are rejecting bipartisan reforms--reforms rooted in transparency and oversight and rule of law--because they refuse to cross the one man whose agenda is built on cruelty. So let's be clear: What have Republicans chosen? What have Republicans chosen? Not a clean funding bill with commonsense reforms, not bipartisan solutions. They have chosen--the Republicans have chosen chaos. They are dragging the Senate through a painful, arduous, and partisan reconciliation process, not because it is the best path but because it is the only way they can avoid accountability for how ICE and Border Patrol operate. They would rather walk the plank politically, vote after vote, amendment after amendment, than show a shred of independence from Stephen Miller. That is not leadership. That is not governing. That is dysfunction, plain and simple. And to make matters worse, they can't even agree among themselves on how to do it. On the SAVE Act, Republicans continue to push forward on their effort to pass the SAVE Act. While Republicans claim it is a voter ID bill, the insidious truth is, it is a subterfuge for a voter suppression law that would disenfranchise millions of Americans. The SAVE Act purges millions of Americans from voter rolls. The SAVE Act kills online mail-in voter registration. The SAVE Act rejects common IDs to register, forces Americans to register in person, and punishes married women. The SAVE Act does all of that. This isn't about protecting elections. That is a lot of bull. Republicans are going all out to pass the SAVE Act because they are afraid they will not win the midterms and are trying to cheat to get ahead. If Republicans can't win over the voters, they just don't get to write American voters out of the system. Instead of reversing course on their unpopular agenda, the Republican answer to their political problems is to make it harder for people to vote. Senate Democrats will continue to fight this SAVE Act with everything we have.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, well, today, Senate Republicans are once again wasting time on voter suppression instead of paying TSA. Republicans have an amendment on the Senate floor dressed up as what they call commonsense voter ID, but let's be very clear what this amendment is: It is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and it is a giant coverup to cover up what their bill really does, which is dramatic voter suppression, kicking 20 million or more people off the rolls without their knowledge or consent. The point here is not at all about voter ID. In fact, 99 percent of the SAVE Act doesn't talk about voter ID. Most of their bill is kicking people off the voter rolls and making reregistering, once you are kicked off, a bureaucratic nightmare, an almost impossibility for many people. And, once again, the public saw the SAVE Act for what it really is--a voter suppression bill. And once that happened, Republicans had to do something. So they cobbled together this amendment as a coverup. It was never in the original bill, and now they pretend it is reasonable policy on voter ID. But let's get to the facts. The amendment Republicans are pushing today would impose the single strictest voter ID law in America-- stricter than Texas, stricter than Florida, stricter than any State in the country. Republicans are calling this amendment common sense. But if it is so common sense, why is it stricter than what every single red State already offers? Many States already have rules in place for voter ID, and every State has some method to verify the identity of voters. Republicans pretend like States don't have backup verification systems, backups to those backups, and redundancies in place to ensure that our elections are safe and secure, but we do. And it is why voter fraud--this whole bill is hidden, covered up because they say they need to stop voter fraud. There isn't any to mention at all. That is how absurd this is. The Heritage Foundation, a rightwing conservative organization, studied voter fraud and found only 77 cases of noncitizen voting in 24 years. And we are going to upend our whole system of how people register to vote for that because of those 77 cases in 24 years? Just 0.04 percent of voter verification cases are returned as noncitizens. Now you see what the Republicans are doing. It is what Trump said. They want to determine who should vote. Trump wants people--Noem said this as well that the only people who should vote are people who agree with them. It is disgraceful, disgusting. This radical amendment would toss out every single voter ID requirement in all 50 States for Federal elections and put in an overly restrictive, one- size-fits-all approach except only a handful of IDs. Let's talk about vote-by-mail. Under this ridiculous amendment--this amendment--voters who choose to vote by mail, which is about one in three Americans, guess what they would have to do? They would have to add a photocopy of their ID with their ballot. So the election officials would open up the envelope and could see how you voted. The sacred secrecy of our ballots would be undone by this amendment. It is ridiculous. Again, anyone who voted by mail would have to put a voter ID inside the envelope, and the board of elections would have to open it up and see how you voted. It is incredible. It would also leave people susceptible to identity theft. It would violate basic privacy. So let's be clear. Most people wouldn't like the idea of having to stick a copy of their photo ID with their ballot in the mail. This requirement is another Trojan horse for trying to weaken and kill vote-by-mail altogether. Democrats are supportive of commonsense voter ID standards. Just look at the Freedom to Vote Act, which had the full support of the Democratic caucus. It set flexible, comprehensive standards based on West Virginia's then-law for voter ID requirements. Their amendment--this amendment--is not about security; it is about exclusion. It is not about security; it is about exclusion. The SAVE Act is not about protecting our elections; it is about suppressing the vote. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, in the wake of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Senate Democrats were clear: no blank check for a lawless ICE and Border Patrol. This long-overdue agreement funds TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA, strengthens security at the border and the ports of entry, and keeps Americans safe. This could have been accomplished weeks ago if Republicans hadn't stood in the way. Democrats held firm in our opposition that Donald Trump's rogue and deadly militia should not get more funding without serious reforms, and we will continue to fight for those reforms. I am very proud of our Democratic caucus. Throughout it all, Senate Democrats stood united--no wavering, no backing down. We held the line. I yield the floor.