Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. So, Madam President, the Senate gavels back into session with a lot that Congress must do, but with little time to act. In less than a week, the Federal Government will begin to shut down unless both sides--both sides--work together to extend funding. Meanwhile, the moral obligation from Congress to help the people of Ukraine and fortify our own national security grows heavier with each passing day, and it is imperative that we make real progress in the coming weeks toward our ultimate goal of finishing the appropriations process. These are just a few of the tasks facing Congress as winter turns to spring. The margin for error on any of these is razor thin; and, unfortunately, the temptation to choose chaos and disorder, instead of cooperation, will be strong for some here in the Capitol. By now, it is clear that when serious-minded Democrats and serious- minded Republicans engage each other with a desire to get things done, with a desire to get to ``yes,'' good things happen, even in divided government: We avoid shutdowns; we invest in the American people; we make our country stronger. The Senate ended the last work period with a powerful example of bipartisanship by a resounding 70 votes passing the national security supplemental. It wasn't easy to get it done. But now that we succeeded, it should serve as a model for both Chambers moving forward. Over the recess, negotiators in both Chambers continued the difficult work of the appropriations process. While we have made some good progress on a number of fronts, unfortunately, our House Republican colleagues are still struggling to figure themselves out. There is a lot of uncertainty over how the House will proceed in the coming days. So I ask all Senators to keep their schedules flexible. Now, Senate Democrats have been crystal clear: We want to avoid a government shutdown. We want to work with all our House counterparts to spare the American people the pain that a shutdown would bring. But for that to happen, Congressional leadership must resist the centrifugal pull of extremism emanating from the hard right. We must resist basing our choices on what people like Donald Trump want Congress to do. We need to remember our responsibility to the American people and do our jobs. Even a partial shutdown would mean chaos and pain for the American people. And let me just list a few examples of why that is true: A shutdown of the Agriculture Department would threaten higher food costs for all Americans, threaten critical services for farmers in rural communities--from homeownership programs to food banks--and delay access to critical programs just as spring is arriving. A shutdown of the Veterans Administration would close our veteran outreach offices and thereby freeze critical programs that support our Nation's heroes, those who risked their lives for us. A shutdown of the Housing Department would leave American families high and dry without key federal housing loan support, potentially causing rent and housing prices to spike. A shutdown of the Transportation Department would risk travel delays and traveler safety by freezing the hiring of air traffic controllers--as, Madam President, you well know. This is just the tip of the iceberg. A shutdown would also throw a wrench into our economic recovery and would raise costs just as inflation has returned closer to normal levels. It would make communities less safe. I am hopeful--hopeful--that pragmatic Republicans will engage in responsible governing by working with Democrats to avoid a shutdown this week. Senate Democrats want to do the right thing and keep the government open. I hope the House continues to work with us in good faith to make that happen. But time is short. Time is short.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 472.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 469.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 514.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, February 26, be waived.

Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to table amendment No. 1577.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, before I speak about the supplemental and our upcoming business, I am going to say a few words about Flight 3407, the tragic flight where over 50 people died in a cold winter's night in Buffalo. It is the 15th anniversary. I can't be in Buffalo with the families; so I am going to say a few words here first. Later this afternoon, at a memorial on Long Street in Clarence, NY, the families of Colgan Air Flight 3407 will mark 15 years since their loved ones tragically perished in a devastating plane crash. In the blink of an eye, every single passenger, every single crew member, and one New Yorker on the ground were killed on a freezing Thursday evening. It pains me that I can't be in Western New York today for their vigil, but I want to tell the families who have lost loved ones: I am with you in spirit and will always be by your side. Working with the families to strengthen America's aviation laws has been one of the most satisfying and inspirational things I have done in my entire time of Congress. I have laughed and cried with the Kausners, the Eckerts, and so many of these wonderful people more times than I can count. Today, from here on the Senate floor, I join with the families to remember those that we lost and to honor their legacy, which has changed the course of American history when it comes to the safety of our skies. The Scripture says, in moments of darkness, it is natural to turn inward, to curse the darkness, but that if you are able to light a candle instead, that is saintlike. These families are saintlike. They lost loved ones. The holes in their hearts exist every single day. But instead of turning inward to the darkness, they decided to light a candle and work diligently and persist and change the laws so it wouldn't happen to others in the future. For 15 years, instead of cursing the darkness, these families of Flight 3407 lit a candle. In their grief, the families came together. They organized and raised their voices. I was proud to be their champion in the Senate to help pass the most significant aviation law of the 21st century, in 2010. I was moved by the families from the beginning. We worked hand in hand after the crash to fix our aviation safety laws to make them the strongest in the world. When I became majority leader, I vowed to ensure these safety provisions the families fought for would not be rolled back. Because of these families, airlines across America are safer. Praise God, we have not had a single fatal crash of a major airline in America since 2009. These families helped establish the 1,500-hour training rule that pilots must follow. They helped create a pilot records database and new rules around pilot fatigue to help ensure that what happened on 3407 never happens again. These families' advocacy is just what the Founding Fathers envisioned: average citizens, with heartfelt convictions, persisting in getting it done. These families didn't have campaign contributions, deep pockets, or super-PACS. All they had was their convictions. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton would all be proud because these families made Congress listen. They made Congress act. They changed the law. Their efforts have undoubtedly saved lives. I want to thank so many of my colleagues, particularly Chair Cantwell and the head of the subcommittee, Senator Duckworth, for working with us to preserve this law. So, today, we honor these families and remember their loved ones. But we also acknowledge the fight is not done. The fight is one that will always continue. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill that protected the rules for the safety of pilots, crew, and passengers that the families pushed for--again, thanks to Chairman Cantwell for her leadership and Chair Duckworth for her leadership as well. We went through the text with a fine-tooth comb to make sure the safety rules were not touched, working hand in hand with the families, talking to them every week. I am glad we succeeded and look forward to moving on the FAA bill reauthorization as quickly as possible. It is vital the FAA reauthorization be passed by Congress. In conclusion on this issue, we will remember those who are lost. We also say thank you to all the families for lighting a candle, finding a better way--a safer way--for the future. Thank you, families, for your courage, your brilliance, and your grace. You changed the history of aviation, something very few can say.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to table amendment No. 1579.

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, it has been a long night, a long weekend, and a long few months. But a new day is here, and our efforts have been more than worth it. Today, we have witnessed one of the most historic and consequential bills to have ever passed the Senate. It has certainly been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate passed a bill that so greatly impacts not just our national security, not just the security of our allies, but the security of Western democracy. As I have said, if we want the world to remain a safe place for freedom, for democratic principles, for our future prosperity, then America must lead the way. And with this bill, the Senate declares that American leadership will not waiver, will not falter, will not fail. With this bill, the Senate keeps its word to Ukrainians in desperate need of supplies and ammunition, to innocent Palestinian civilians in need of relief, to Israelis in need of support, and to U.S. servicemembers on patrol in the Indo-Pacific, the Red Sea, and around the world. Today, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned America's resolve, and we make clear to others like China's President Xi not to test our determination. And we send a clear bipartisan message of resolve to our allies in NATO. With the strong bipartisan support we have here in the Senate with this vote, I believe that if Speaker Johnson brought this bill to the House floor, it will pass with the same strong bipartisan support. I thank all of my colleagues, Democratic and Republican alike, who supported this bill. Thank you to Senators Murray and Collins, Murphy, Sinema, Lankford. Thank you to Leader McConnell, and thank you to all the Senators and staffs, including my own great staff, who worked through Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's and even the Super Bowl to get this done. Finally, these past few months have been a great test for the U.S. Senate to see if we could escape the constant centrifugal pull of partisanship and summon the will to defend Western democracy when it mattered most. This morning, the Senate has resoundingly passed that test.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 468.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 470.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 455.

Mr. SCHUMER

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