Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, it should never take a tragedy of a mass shooting for the Senate to pass commonsense gun safety legislation. Thankfully, today, we have a chance to make our community safer if Republicans don't stand in the way. This afternoon, my colleague Senator Heinrich will come to the floor and seek passage of a Federal ban on bump stocks. I applaud this effort. I applaud his bill. I am proud to support and speak on behalf of it. We must act because a few days ago, the MAGA Supreme Court struck once again saying the Federal Government has no power to ban the sale of bump stocks. The MAGA Court's decision is an utter disgrace that will endanger our communities, endanger law enforcement, and make it easier for mass shooters to unleash carnage. Last week's decision is another warning sign that this MAGA Court is going off the deep end, aligning with the most extreme elements of the hard right. Bump stocks are truly dangerous devices. They allow people to use rifles essentially as machine guns, which the national Firearms Act banned in the 1930s. Even Donald Trump banned bump stocks shortly after the deadliest shooting in U.S. history, when a shooter in Vegas used bump stocks to fire over 1,000 rounds in 10 minutes. And we know the tragic results of 60 people dead and hundreds and hundreds injured. Donald Trump is no friend of gun safety, but there was such huge pressure after we saw the carnage that bump stocks created that even he introduced a resolution to ban them. What today's bill does is return things to the status quo set by Donald Trump, saying bump stocks are dangerous and should be prohibited. Senate Republicans, by and large, supported Trump's ban on bump stocks back then, so they should support this bill today. But, sadly, some of our colleagues on the other side are making it clear they will ignore the immense worry most Americans have about gun violence, and they will block today's bill. Some on the other side say this bill is political theater; that it does nothing; that it is a stunt. Go tell the families of those who lost loved ones that this is a stunt. Go tell the many who have recovered from injuries that this is a stunt. Are my Republican colleagues serious? Do they really think banning bump stocks is some kind of stunt? Again, they should tell that to the people of Nevada who have dead relatives because of bump stocks. Whenever Republicans use the cliche ``show vote'' argument, that is their way of saying they don't want to engage the issue on the merits. Remember what happened 2 years ago on the Senate floor: Democrats and Republicans worked together to pass bipartisan gun safety legislation-- something almost nobody thought possible. I am very proud that both sides persevered because we passed that bill, and it has done a lot of good for this country already. Today, we have a chance to add to the success of 2 years ago by passing a simple measure that restores the Trump-era prohibition on bump stocks. I implore--I implore--my Republican colleagues not to stand in the way of today's bill because if we can pass it today, we will be one step closer to ensuring that a tragedy like what happened in Las Vegas never happens again. But if Republicans get in the way today, if they decide to side with the gun lobby instead of parents and teachers and law enforcement, they are asking for another tragedy to strike sooner or later.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on the fire bill, on a happier note, I am proud to say the Senate will send to the President's desk bipartisan legislation to support our brave firefighters in New York, on Long Island, and across the country. Our firefighters are heroes, whether it is New York's bravest at the FDNY or the smaller volunteer departments protecting suburban communities in Long Island and in Westchester or protecting rural communities throughout Upstate New York. Our firefighters represent the best of our community. They rush to danger every day to protect us, putting all else aside to help those in need. Now it is time for the Senate to be there for our firefighters. The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes a series of important grants that help keep our fire departments up to speed with Federal dollars. I was proud to help create these grants years back, and I have long supported this legislation to protect our firefighters so they have the support they need. The Federal funding in these grants goes directly to making sure that they have the lifesaving equipment and personnel they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. When it comes to protecting firefighters, we should spare no expense, and this legislation shows our firefighters that we have their backs as they rush to danger, as they risk their lives for our safety. This is especially true in smaller, more rural areas and in more suburban areas where there is often not enough revenue to afford more resources. Our volunteer firefighters are brave. They volunteer. They don't get paid. But they need the best equipment just like all the other firefighters, and this grant makes sure that that happens in many places. So this bipartisan legislation will ensure that our firefighters can continue working to keep their communities safe--in the larger cities where there are paid fire departments and in suburban and rural America where there are volunteer fire departments. It unites both of them in this legislation. I look forward to voting yes and sending this bill to the President's desk today.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on immigration, 12 years ago this week, President Obama announced the creation of DACA, one of the most important programs in our country's history on immigration. It changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people for the better, people who came to this country when they were very little and who, for all intents and purposes, knew America as their only home. Today, President Biden is announcing the most significant relief program for immigrants since DACA, expanding protection for hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. They are not documented, but they are married to a U.S. citizen. I applaud President Biden for today's truly significant announcement. It is going to help keep hundreds of thousands of families together. That is what it does: bring families together, keep them together. And it will provide peace of mind and dignity and, most of all, opportunity to contribute so that these people can contribute to this country even more. The announcement will help make our economy stronger, as these spouses will be eligible for work permits at a time when there is a shortage of workers in so many different professions and give them a long-term path to stability. The announcement is an affirmation of what America is truly about at its core: a land built by immigrants; a land of opportunity for people who want to contribute to this country, who know that our way of life is the best way if you work hard to get ahead and provide a better life for your children. The vast majority of those who will benefit from today's announcement have been in this country for decades--an average of 23 years they have been here--but in a state of limbo, according to the White House. To them, America is home. America is where they have built families. America is where they gained skills, worked hard, contributed to our economy, earned a living, and had children who will often go on and do better things than they. That is the American dream. That is the American story. And that has been true for generation after generation, until a MAGA group of Republicans decided that they were anti-immigrant. Let's not forget, President Reagan, President H. W. Bush, and President George W. Bush were all pro-immigration until this 180-degree reversal by the Republican Party to be anti-immigrant, which hurts America. Of course, we need to secure our borders--of course. No one denies that. But to just bash immigrants is bad for America, bad for America. Fighting for Dreamers and pushing for comprehensive immigration reform is one of the issues that has burned strongest inside me since I joined the Senate. I was proud of leading the Gang of 8--bipartisan-- with John McCain over 10 years ago to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. I think it got 68 or 69 votes before House Republicans killed the bill--House Republicans poisoned by the thinking of the MAGA Republicans in their midst. I celebrate today's announcement. But Congress must do its part. Republicans must stop getting in the way of meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform and getting in the way of border security. They wouldn't even support our tough border bill, put together with bipartisan efforts. We are going to keep working until we get the job done, both in securing the border and in making America welcome to many immigrants who will work hard and become American citizens eventually. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on MAGA extremism in terms of abortion, yesterday, I took the first procedural step to place on the legislative calendar the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, sponsored by Senator Murray and myself and cosponsored by every woman Senator on our side of the aisle. This measure affirms a woman's fundamental right to choose and calls for enshrining the protections of Roe into law, as most Americans say they want. I will work with my colleagues to bring it to the floor as soon as possible. As we approach the 2-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, this month could have been a month when the Senate came together to protect Americans' reproductive freedoms. This could have been a month when both sides came together to pass commonsense legislation protecting reproductive care like contraception and IVF. This could have been a month when we put to rest the worries of the millions of women across America enduring attacks on their reproductive freedoms in the aftermath of Roe. But instead, June has been a dismal month for MAGA Republicans and their attacks on women, families, and reproductive rights. In the last 2 weeks, Senate Republicans have shown that, for all their attempts to sound moderate on reproductive care, when it comes time to vote, they choose MAGA extremism over the wishes and desires of the American people. When Republicans blocked Federal protections for contraception a few weeks ago, they chose MAGA extremism over the American people. When Republicans blocked Federal protections for IVF a few days ago, they chose MAGA extremism over the American people. And when Donald Trump continues, to this day, to brag about working with Senate Republicans to confirm three hard-right Supreme Court Justices to eliminate Roe, that is choosing MAGA extremism over the American people. Republicans cannot run away from a basic truth. That is why, when we return, our bill to make sure that Congress ensures the right to choose, the right to an abortion, will be before the Senate for a vote. Republicans cannot run away from a basic truth: Their record on women's healthcare is outright abysmal; it is shameful; and it is dangerously out of step with the views of most Americans.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I announce that the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin), the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), and the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Sinema), are necessarily absent.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motion with respect to the Kasubhai nomination be withdrawn.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and the Chair execute the order of June 13, 2024; further, I ask unanimous consent that the order be modified so that the time until 5:45 p.m. be for debate, equally divided, with all other provisions of the previous order remaining in effect.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to S. 870.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, let me thank Senator Peters, Senator Whitehouse, and so many others for their great work on this. Today, the Senate does a great thing for our firefighters in New York and across America by passing the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act. The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes several expiring funding programs that help firefighters with the basics, from staffing to equipment, to training, and more. I was very proud to help create these programs a long time ago with Senator Chris Dodd, but they would have expired in a few months had we not acted today. Today's bill keeps our firefighters whole. This helps two kinds of firefighters. It helps our paid firefighters in larger cities by giving the ability of those communities to hire more firefighters, but it also particularly helps our volunteer firefighters. These are people who volunteer, who rush to danger in suburban and rural communities. They are particularly strong on Long Island, which I represent. Yet they can't afford and their communities can't afford the equipment that is so desperately needed. They are rushing to danger, risking their lives. They ought to have the best equipment, and these grants allow that to happen. It is so important to our volunteer firefighters in New York, particularly on Long Island, and for our paid departments in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and across New York State. The ability to get more firefighters to help them so they are not overstretched and help communities pay for them is so important. I am also glad that today's bill includes the ADVANCE Act, which secures America's leadership in the next generation of clean, safe, and affordable nuclear energy. Chairman Carper, Ranking Member Capito, and Sheldon Whitehouse, who sponsored the legislation, have done a great job. It is going to support job growth, clean energy, and American leadership, while preserving the NRC's fundamental mission of safety. This is a great bill. I am sorry it took so long. The House dithered after we passed it. But now our firefighters, both paid and volunteer, can breathe a sigh of relief. This is going to happen very, very soon, and it will go to the White House and be signed into law. I yield the floor. Vote on Motion to Concur

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:52 p.m., recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer (Mr. Booker).

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 671 through 699 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have seven requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Maldonado nomination; further, that the cloture motion with respect to the Maldonado nomination ripen at 1:45 p.m.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam 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. SCHUMER. Madam President, a few moments ago, I took the first procedural step to place on the legislative calendar the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, sponsored by Senator Murray and myself and cosponsored by all the women Senators on our side. This measure affirms a woman's fundamental right to choose and calls for enshrining the protections of Roe v. Wade into law, as most Americans say they want. I thank Senator Murray and all of my colleagues who cosponsored the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, and I will work to bring it to the floor. We are only halfway through June, but it has already been a dismal month for MAGA Republicans and their attacks on reproductive freedoms. In the last 2 weeks, Senate Republicans have shown that, for all their attempts to sound moderate on reproductive freedom, when it comes time to vote, they are falling in line with MAGA extremists. This month, Senate Republicans have already blocked legislation protecting commonsense reproductive care, like contraception and IVF, as the Acting President pro tempore knows well. House Republicans, meanwhile, voted overwhelmingly on Friday to pass the Defense funding bill, with hard-right poison pills restricting access to reproductive care for our servicemembers. And Donald Trump, while speaking to Republicans on Capitol Hill last week, once again attacked the decision of Roe and said abortion should be left to the States, even if States pass terrible restrictions on women's freedoms, as is happening all over the country. Republicans cannot escape a simple reality: Their record on women's healthcare is dangerously out of step with the views of most Americans. Poll after poll affirms that a majority of Americans disapproved of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe. So I will say it again: So many Senate Republicans and so many House Republicans will try to talk like moderates on reproductive freedoms, but their own record is irrefutably against them. And when it comes time to vote, they vote against women and reproductive freedoms over and over again. The American people know that when it comes to protecting their fundamental freedoms, actions speak louder than words. Republicans can't claim to be pro-contraception but then block Federal protections for contraception. But that is just what they did a few weeks ago. Republicans can't also claim to be pro-family but then block Federal protections for IVF. But, once again, that is just what they did a few days ago. Remember, Donald Trump, to this day, continues to brag about his role in eliminating Roe, aided by Republicans in this Chamber who voted to confirm not one, not two, but three hard-right Supreme Court Justices with the goal of overturning Roe. Make no mistake. The MAGA extremists aren't done. If they get the chance, they will push for their ultimate goal of a national abortion ban. Many Republicans say a national abortion ban is plain old fearmongering. But, remember, these same Republicans weren't even able to stand up to the MAGA right long enough to support a simple IVF bill. Do we really trust them to resist the MAGA right when it pushes a national abortion ban? Of course, not. With November fast approaching, Republicans continue to show the American people where they really are: with MAGA extremists and not with the majority of America. That is what Republican Senators and House Members are doing.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 597.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, now on bump stocks, last Friday, the MAGA Supreme Court struck once again, saying the Federal Government cannot prohibit the use of bump stocks--the accessory responsible for the deadliest shooting in American history. Nearly 7 years ago, a lone shooter fired over 1,000 rounds in just 10 minutes upon a crowd of concertgoers in Las Vegas. Sixty innocent people were murdered; another 850 were injured. This was all possible because the shooter modified his rifles to function, essentially, as machine guns. The ATF under the Trump administration--under the Trump administration--banned the use of these accessories shortly after the Las Vegas shooting. Yet on Friday, the MAGA Court reached the incredible conclusion that weapons modified to act like machine guns, to fire bullets at almost the same rate as machine guns, and in which, in Judge Alito's own admission, do not show ``any material difference'' with machine guns are somehow not machine guns, which have been banned for a very long time, since the 1930s. Friday's ruling is yet another warning that this MAGA Court is going off the deep end, aligning itself more and more with the most extreme elements of the hard right. They have struck down freedom of choice, environmental protections, affirmative action, fair redistricting, gun safety, and more. The MAGA Supreme Court is now even further to the right of Donald Trump, who is very hard right himself. So this week, the Senate will step in to try and fix the chaos the MAGA Court just unleashed. As soon as tomorrow, Democrats will seek passage of a Federal ban on bump stocks. I urge my Republican colleagues not to block Senator Heinrich when he comes to the floor. He is the author of the bill banning bump stocks and leading the charge to get it passed quickly. Passing a bill banning bump stocks should be the work of 5 minutes. Most Americans support this step. Poll after poll show that a majority of people, including Independents, support restrictions on AR-15-style rifles, which is what bump stocks are designed to emulate. I understand that the issue of gun safety provokes intense disagreement in Congress, but shouldn't we all agree that preventing another tragedy like Las Vegas is just plain common sense and a good thing? Banning bump stocks would go a long way to making it harder for murderers to carry out large shootings. So I hope our Republican colleagues join us. Two years ago this month, Democrats and Republicans showed America that even something as controversial as gun safety can get passed when both sides are willing to work in good faith. I was very proud, as majority leader, and so proud of Members like Senator Murphy and Senator Sinema who worked hard on passing this legislation. Democrats are ready to pass gun safety once again, as soon as tomorrow. The question is, Will Republicans join us? Will Republicans join us to prevent another tragedy like Las Vegas and vote to ban deadly bump stocks? Republicans were supportive of banning bump stocks when the Trump administration took this step, so they should support it tomorrow. Will Republicans stand up to the gun lobby and side with parents and teachers and law enforcement who worry about violence striking their communities without warning? Will Senate Republicans resist the pull of MAGA extremism and embrace bipartisanship so once again we can keep people safe? I hope the answer is yes. I hope we can repeat the success of 2 years ago when we passed the first major gun safety bill in 30 years since I led the passage of the Brady bill in Congress. I was a Congressman then. We have a long way to go to cure America's disease of gun violence. Today, you don't need to show people the statistics. Americans know violence is disgustingly unacceptable. They can feel it in their bones. They are worried about where they go. They go into public spaces and instinctively look for exits. Sometimes just a loud noise can frighten people in public. And now this MAGA Court has undone the ban on bump stocks that will make it easier for deranged individuals to turn their weapons into near machine guns. If my Republican colleagues want to do the right thing for the country, the answer is very simple: Join us--every one of you--to ban bump stocks so that we never see the kind of carnage we saw in Las Vegas NV, ever, ever again. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.