John Thune

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 234 and S. Res. 235.

Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc. The resolutions were agreed to. The preambles were agreed to. (The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 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, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 66, S. 1582, the GENIUS Act, postcloture; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; and that all time during recess, adjournment, and leader remarks count postcloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1582.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 66, S. 1582.

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk for the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 66, S. 1582.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 125.

Mr. THUNE

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, it is Police Week this week--the yearly observance recognizing the service and sacrifice of our Nation's law enforcement officers. They are a special breed, the men and women who safeguard our communities. I am a dad and a grandfather, and I think every parent knows that feeling when they place that baby in your arms for the first time, that knowledge that you would do anything to protect this person. But the incredible thing about police officers is that they have that protective instinct for all of us. They don't just volunteer to step between their loved ones and danger; they volunteer to step between any of us and danger--not because they know us but simply because we are human beings and need to be protected. It is a natural human instinct to run from danger, but police officers go out to meet it, and they go out to meet it not knowing what the day will bring--like the police officer in Sioux Falls, SD, who was shot earlier this year while pursuing a suspect with multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest; or like Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorock of South Dakota, who was killed in the line of duty in February of last year and who is honored in this year's Police Week resolution. Chief Deputy Prorock was killed after reportedly being deliberately struck by a car driven by a fleeing suspect being pursued by Madison Police. He was not a member of the Madison Police, but he heard the call for assistance on the radio and went out to help. He knew that he was placing himself in danger and knew that he could be risking his life, but he went anyway. And as I said last year, that is the heroism of Chief Deputy Prorock and all of the men and women across our country who serve in our Nation's police forces and who, when they hear a call for help, go out and answer it. This is Police Week, and every day I am grateful for the men and women of our Nation's law enforcement community and particularly grateful for all of our South Dakota officers who work tirelessly to safeguard our communities--safeguard our communities and build them up--because police officers do more than fight crime and stand between us and danger. They are an active and supportive presence in our communities, whether leading safety classes, building relationships with local youth, or helping a stranded driver or a family in need. I am also profoundly grateful for the service of the U.S. Capitol Police, who are on the frontlines here in Washington, DC, every day. There is no getting away from the fact that there are dangers associated with working in the Capitol, and I am tremendously grateful for the men and women who keep us safe, whether they are protecting dignitaries, standing guard on the Capitol steps, or responding to threats. Finally, as we recognize the service and sacrifice of our Nation's police officers, we should recognize the service and sacrifice of their families as well. It is not always easy to have a police officer for a husband or a wife, a mom or a dad. The hours can be long and irregular. The job is a heavy one, and there is always the knowledge at the back of your mind that your mom or dad or your husband or wife is out there confronting danger and that there is always a chance he or she might not make it home. So as we thank our Nation's police officers, we also want to make sure to thank their families, who also serve. To all of our Nation's law enforcement officers, thank you. Thank you for serving our communities, for putting your lives on the line every day. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. God bless you all. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I begin my remarks today, I want to say a word about our former colleague Christopher ``Kit'' Bond, who passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Kit Bond dedicated his life to serving the people of Missouri. After serving as State auditor, he became Missouri's youngest Governor at the age of 33. Missourians sent him to the U.S. Senate in 1986, and he served here for 24 years. His interests were many, from literacy and housing to trade with Southeast Asia. And those of us who knew him remember his kindness, his great care for people, and his love for this institution. Today, I remember Kit for his life and for his service, and my prayers are with his wife Linda and his son Sam.

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Michael nomination.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Ueland nomination be waived.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Donahue nomination be waived.

Mr. THUNE

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

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I have the privilege of recognizing my friend Karl Bailey, who will soon retire from the Architect of the Capitol after 23 years of Federal service as the supervisory health and fitness specialist in the Senate Members' fitness facility. Karl began working in the Senate Members' fitness facility in March 2002 after 20 years as head athletic trainer at the Catholic University of America. Karl is the first health and fitness specialist hired by the Architect of the Capitol, working specifically in the Members' gym, designing workout routines for Senators. Karl is also the first NATA BOC certified athletic trainer to work in the legislative branch, specifically with Senators. Karl has not only made an impact on Senators' health and well-being at the gym, but also the facility itself. In 2003, Karl lent his expertise to the floor design and purchase of strength and aerobic exercise equipment during a renovation of the Members' gym. Karl has overseen subsequent improvements to the Members' gym during his tenure. Karl has been supported by his wife Susan, son Matthew, and daughter Rachel, who served as a Senate page in 2010. The Baileys will continue to reside in Glenn Dale, MD, while awaiting new adventures in retirement. As Karl embarks on a well-earned retirement, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for his friendship over the years. It has been a pleasure working with you, Karl, and I pray that God blesses you and your family in the days ahead.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I have 11 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: committee on commerce, science. and transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., to conduct a business meeting. committee on commerce, science, and transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on energy and natural resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a business meeting. committee on environment and public works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations. committee on finance The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on health, education, labor, and pensions The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on indian affairs The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on the judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on small business and entrepreneurship The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. special committee on aging The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing. select committee on intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:50 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 68, S. 260.

Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding the adoption of S. Res. 178, the Cornyn amendment to the preamble which is at the desk be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate and that the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to make appropriate changes to reflect adoption of the amendment.

Mr. THUNE

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 30, S. 195.

Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.