Tommy Tuberville

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, I rise today to highlight some of the major victories that were included in the Senate's version of the NDAA--the military budget--that passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee almost 6 months ago. The Senate's version of this year's NDAA includes some excellent provisions, including a 4.5-percent pay raise for America's military servicemembers. This is a pay raise for the boots on the ground, not the top brass at the Pentagon. We secured powerful, new security initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. We secured provisions that advance our counter unmanned aircraft systems technologies. Among the Senate's NDAA victories, I also count my amendments, which will help focus the Pentagon on its stated mission of deterring war and ensuring our Nation's security. One of these amendments includes slashing all funding for the woke diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the DOD. Another amendment prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars for any costs associated with funding gender transition surgeries. We need a military that is 100-percent focused on protecting our country and enhancing our national security, not implementing a woke agenda. Our military is not a social experiment. It should be a lethal fighting force, feared by our enemies and made up of our best and brightest in this country, which is why I applaud the work of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member Wicker's leadership for putting together this excellent piece of legislation. The Senate's version of the NDAA received bipartisan support in committee, getting 22 of the 25 votes. You seldom see Republicans and Democrats come together like this. So I ask: Why has Senator Schumer not brought this to the floor for the past 6 months? Why has the Senator from New York put a stop to good-faith efforts on setting our military up for success in the future? If Senator Schumer really cared about our military, he would have brought the NDAA up for a vote almost 6 months ago, but instead, we have been prioritizing liberal judges for the final weeks he has left as majority leader. Senate Democrats are more interested in burning taxpayer dollars on an unwinnable war in Ukraine than passing our military's budget. Sadly, we have seen this time and time again: leadership that would rather cater to the woke administration than ensure our military is a lethal fighting force. But putting a woke agenda over our national security is nothing new to this administration. No institutions, not even our great military, are safe from being taken over by the Biden regime's radical woke policies. Immediately after taking the White House, President Biden began to weaponize the DOD, using it as another tool in the administration's arsenal to further its progressive agenda. One of the Biden administration's first moves was to mandate the divisive diversity, equity, and inclusion training at the DOD--picking up right where Barack Obama left off 4 years earlier. On day 1, the Biden administration announced that the military would begin conducting training to ``have knowledge of systemic and institutional racism and bias against underserved communities.'' This hateful ideology has no place in the United States, let alone the U.S. military. This is supposed to be the No. 1 fighting force in the world. It is dangerous and insulting to waste our troops' valuable time on political indoctrination such as this. We need a lethal killing machine to deter aggression from our adversaries. I want our military focused on protecting Americans and our national security in an increasingly dangerous world, not on all of these woke DEI initiatives. There is no place for it, and Americans want to fund the military to achieve this objective. That is what our taxpayers pay money for, which is why on November 5, nearly 77 million Americans joined me in taking a stand to say: Enough of this nonsense.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, the historic comeback victory for President Donald J. Trump earlier this month was one for the ages. His overwhelming victory sent a clear message to the ``uniparty'' here in Washington, DC, mainstream media, globalists, and elites that Americans are fed up with the agenda that was crammed down their throats the last 4 years. A majority of voters decided that the ``America First'' agenda championed by Donald Trump and JD Vance is the playbook for American greatness. As a part of that playbook, President Trump has already put together a strong--very strong--list of qualified Cabinet members. At Defense, he has tapped Pete Hegseth, a veteran who served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is Ivy League educated, businessman background--that is what we need in the Pentagon right now to restore order and our finances. At HHS, he has assigned Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has singlehandedly brought attention to the many public health crises facing Americans. He is Harvard-educated, has authored multiple books, and has a four- decade career in public health and environmental law. And as Attorney General, he has nominated Matt Gaetz, a qualified attorney who has served in Congress for nearly a decade. Matt Gaetz has been a warrior for the Constitution on the Judiciary Committee and has exposed the weaponization of the justice system of the DOJ. Ask yourself: Why are my Democratic colleagues, the media, and the establishment losing their minds over these highly qualified nominees? It is because of the dislike of President Trump, the ``America First'' agenda, and nearly 80 million Americans who voted to send him back to the White House. It is obvious. Panic has set in at the DOJ, the intelligence community, and the entire DC swamp. They are finding out-- as Barack Obama said--the elections have consequences. Americans have spoken. Not only did President Trump win the electoral college in a landslide, he also is the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote. In addition to sending President Trump back to the White House, Americans delivered a mandate to every single Senate Republican: They want President Trump's ``America First'' agenda, and they want it now. As a result, Senate Republicans should embrace this mandate and support every single one of President Trump's Cabinet picks. You would think this would be a no-brainer. Not one Democrat broke from their party in supporting Joe Biden's nominees in 2021--not one. However, over the last few days, I have heard some of my Senate Republican colleagues express concerns about who President Trump is picking for his team. I would expect this from my colleagues on the left, not on the right. What is surprising to me is that I am hearing grumblings from Republicans. My advice to them is to get on board or get out of the way. The American people have enthusiastically trusted President Trump and J.D. Vance with saving our great Republic. I am calling on my Senate Republican colleagues to listen to both the American people and the constituents in their States and support President Trump's vision for his Cabinet. Last time around, the Republican Senate took months to confirm President Trump's appointments, if not years. As a result, President Trump had to govern with one hand tied behind his back because some of his Cabinet members were never confirmed. That is completely unacceptable this time around. We need to help President Trump. We need to help him usher in a new golden age in America. Be a team player. It is time to move the ball down the field. You know, I spent many years as a head coach at several different football programs. Whenever an organization brings on a new coach, that coach brings in his whole new staff. It is the head coach's obligation to hire the personnel he needs to achieve his objectives for that certain program. The old staff, by and large, usually gets fired. It is not always fun, but that is reality. I had to do it several times. In the same way President Trump was just chosen to be America's head coach, he needs to be able to hire the assistant coaches he wants. In this case, it is his Cabinet and other important high-level personnel picks. President Trump has faced two assassination attempts, partisan lawfare from a corrupt administration, his first campaign being spied on by the Obama administration, and baseless lies from the corporate media who tried their best--tried their best--to keep him out of the White House. The last thing he needs is obstruction from Senate Republicans. He is a large part of why we just won the Senate and a lot of these people got reelected. And 76 million Americans decisively chose President Trump and his ``America First'' agenda--76 million. This is a record for any Republican President in our Nation's history. Let that sink in. This is not because of any of us. This is because of President Trump, who is the most effective communicator and leader in modern history. It is because he is a successful businessman, not a career politician. But now, elected Republicans are expressing frustration with his Cabinet picks. Who do Republican Senators think they represent? They are representing the voters in their States. I remember when 20--that is right--20 Senate Republicans voted to confirm Merrick Garland for the top law enforcement spot 4 years ago for the Biden administration. That is their prerogative. As Attorney General, Merrick Garland turned the DOJ into a weapon--a weapon--against President Donald Trump, Republicans, and law-abiding U.S. citizens. The perversion of law that Merrick Garland embraced at the DOJ would make third-world banana republics blush. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who had no previous experience in the transportation sector, received 36--and I repeat--36 Republican votes. His qualifications for the job? His ``personal love of transportation.'' OK. Apparently, liking trains as a kid makes him qualified to be in the Cabinet. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in large part responsible for the blatant lies pushed in a letter written by 51 former intelligence officials right before the 2020 election, received 28 Republican votes in the Senate. Secretary of Education Cardona received 14 Republican votes. Secretary Cardona supported mandatory COVID vaccines for schoolchildren of all ages. He doesn't believe parents should have any say in their children's education; it is up to the teachers. He has also directed his department to destroy--and I will repeat--destroy title IX and allow men to compete in women's sports. In my opinion, that is a total disgrace. And he had 14 Republicans who voted for him here on this floor to confirm him. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, a Green New Deal and Medicare for All career politician, received several Republican Senators' votes. I could go on and on and on. But I am not going to do that. Many Senate Republicans had no issue voting to confirm the Democrat nominations. And that is their prerogative--even though many were unqualified, radical, and, in some cases, completely out of their minds. I am not going to get into that. Yet many Republicans have been quick to voice concerns about the competency and qualifications of some of President Trump's picks. It makes no sense. I have heard concerns about nominees' personal lives being a focus point. Need I remind my colleagues of Rachel Levine, a transgender woman, who is the Assistant Secretary of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. Multiple Republicans voted for her. And that is their prerogative. Or Tracy Stone-Manning, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, who was literally a member of an ecoterrorist organization that spiked trees with metal rods to harm lumberjacks when they cut into the tree with a chain saw. She was confirmed. Or Sam Brinton, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Nuclear Energy, who repeatedly stole women's luggage at airports while traveling on the taxpayers' dime. I didn't hear a peep from Democrats or the mainstream media about these disastrous picks. So let me ask my colleagues this: If Democrats won the Senate, the House, and the White House, do you think a single Democrat would be going against Kamala Harris nominations? Absolutely not. Senate Democrats would green-light every single one of Kamala Harris's Cabinet picks without giving it a second thought. That is their prerogative. Democrats, they get in line. That is what they do. They did it for Biden, and they would have done it for the Harris administration. And believe me, none of her Cabinet nominees or other high-level staff would be any more credentialed, qualified, or morally upright than President Biden's picks. To my Republican colleagues, remember that the media hates Donald Trump--I think we all admit that--and they will do anything to sink his nominees and stop his agenda. The media will do everything it can to keep America from getting back on track. The media doesn't care when extreme leftists get important roles in a Democrat administration. They don't care. The media doesn't care when establishment figures from either political party gets jobs. The media only whips into a frenzy when an ``America First'' candidate gets the nod. The media only pretends to care about qualifications, credentials, and character when their power is being threatened. So I encourage my Senate colleagues to listen to the media about as much as the American people did this election: not one bit. The mainstream media has been completely discredited after this election. Treat them as such. We need to trust that President Trump is picking the right people for the job. That is his job. We should defer to him on who he thinks is the best for each position. Of course, we should review his nominations, as the Senate always does. That is our job. But don't forget that the American people gave us a mandate--gave us a mandate. Don't lose sight of the moment and critical situation that our country is presently in. The American people don't want us infighting about nominees. We have a lot more to do than that. They want us focused, instead, on passing President Trump's agenda. If his nominees can't do the job down the road, along with President Trump, we will be addressing that. I promise you that. But until then, we need to support whomever President Trump wants on his team. Senate Republicans should be thanking President Trump for helping us take back the majority here on this floor in the Senate. We have a country to save. No more playing games. I, for one, am playing for keeps. I encourage my colleagues to think the same way. Every single one of President Trump's Cabinet nominees should be confirmed. No question. We must save the United States from a total collapse at the hands of the globalist-socialist Democrats who have run our country into the ground for the last 4 years. I have personally witnessed it right here on this floor. I yield the floor.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

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

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, yesterday, we celebrated Veterans Day. On this day, we honor the brave men and women who have valiantly served and sacrificed to protect us and secure our liberties, both in times of war and in times of peace. We are especially thankful to those veterans who were permanently injured as a result of their service. They sacrificed their safety to protect America. We are deeply grateful to these veterans. It is difficult for words alone to express how appreciative we are of America's veterans and their families. To the Gold Star families, your service to our country does not go unnoticed. America will never forget the sacrifices your families have made in service to this great Nation. I want to acknowledge your dedication to honoring the memory of your fallen family members, who paid the ultimate price. We are forever indebted to those who have worn the uniform in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. I hope all Americans can commit to serving our veterans with the same amount of devotion they had when fighting for our great Nation. This national holiday began 105 years ago when President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as ``Armistice Day.'' This marked the 1- year anniversary of the conclusion of World War I. In 1947, a World War II veteran named Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham, AL--my State--led a movement asking the Army Chief of Staff, then a general named Dwight D. Eisenhower, to expand Armistice Day to include all veterans, not just the ones from World War I. Seven years later, after becoming President, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed national Veterans Day into law, reflecting the wishes of that great Alabamian named Raymond Weeks. Alabama is proud of Mr. Weeks for that great donation. Alabama is also proud to be home to 400,000 veterans. We are thankful for these brave Alabamians and the more than 19 million U.S. veterans living across the world. We thank you for your dedication, the sacrifices you made, and the courage you displayed to ensure that America remains, as Abraham Lincoln said, the last, best hope on Earth. Today, I will recognize three Alabama veterans who honorably served in our Nation's military. With each of them, you will hear how their service to America did not end when their time in the military came to an end. They have continued to contribute to their communities long after taking off their uniforms. They continue to uplift and inspire others around them, including myself. I would like to honor their commitment by thanking them today. Sgt. Ricardo Jaramillo is one of these great veterans, from Harvest, AL. Ricardo joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1976 at the age of 18. He deployed around the world, where he helped maintain American drones and surface-to-air missiles. He later became an instructor at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, preparing the next generation to protect our national security. Ricardo retired from the military in 1999 after 23 years of service, but his commitment to what America stands for doesn't end there. Ricardo wanted to continue serving his fellow man. After committing his life to Christ, Ricardo became a missionary so that he could spread hope to those in need all around the world. Now Ricardo takes multiple trips a year to the mountain villages in Guatemala with his two granddaughters, Gloria and Judiana. He credits the training he received as a marine for preparing him to withstand the tough conditions that he experiences on his mission trips. Ricardo's lifelong dedication to serving others is an example to all of us. Thank you, Ricardo. I would also like to recognize SCPO Wayne Weeks of Geneva, AL. Wayne was motivated to join the U.S. Navy by his four uncles, who served in World War II. One of Wayne's uncles lost his life just 4 days after turning 21 years old during an Allied invasion of Italy. Wayne recalls attending his uncle's funeral as a small child and felt inspired to serve in the military as soon as he could. In 1953, at the age of 18, he courageously answered this calling and joined the Navy. Wayne traveled the oceans across the world, keeping our aircraft prepared for combat. He would serve until the end of the Vietnam war in 1975. Despite the domestic turmoil and protests around that time, Wayne looks back positively on his time in the military. Wayne's determination to see a difficult war through from the beginning to the end demonstrates his integrity to finish the job he started. Wayne embodies the American grit that is foundational to our military servicemembers who have kept our country safe and the torch of liberty burning bright. Alabama is proud of Wayne and his wonderful wife Helen. Thank you for your service, Wayne. Finally, the strength of our military is dependent on the next generation of warriors who believe in our country and are willing to defend it. No one demonstrates this next generation of courage better than PO2 Alex Vogt of Hoover, AL. Alex says he felt he had a duty as an American who had benefited from the many opportunities our country offers to give back by joining the military, so he enlisted as a nuclear mechanic in the U.S. Navy in 2016, deploying around the world to maintain our submarines. His final mission was decommissioning the USS Olympia submarine before he was discharged in 2021. When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Alex was quick to note the importance of using this day to show our gratitude for all veterans and their families. Alex and his wife Anna are now passing along this patriotic spirit to their twin boys, Charlie and Thomas. We want to thank you for your service, Alex. You are truly an inspiration to us all. These are just three Alabama veterans who sacrificed so much by serving our country. There are so many others who are also willing to give their lives for the great country that we have. I am reminded of my father, Charles Tuberville III, a World War II veteran. My father was one of the brave, young soldiers who landed and fought on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. My dad remains an inspiration for me to this day. I will never forget his service to our country. As President Reagan said, ``Veterans have given their best for all of us, and we must continue to do our best by them.'' By observing Veterans Day this year, I hope we are encouraged to continue giving veterans our best. When you see a man or woman in uniform, please--please--take the time and thank them for their service. Because of their service and sacrifice, America remains a great beacon of freedom for generations to come. May God bless our veterans and their families. I yield the floor.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, it is no secret that the COVID pandemic brought about a lot of unexpected challenges and, for some, even loss. But if you meet Cpl Patrick Jump of Robertsdale, you will hear about something positive that came from this dark time. Patrick enlisted in the Marines while in his senior year of high school. The son of a Vietnam veteran, Patrick knew what he was getting into when he signed up for the military. He remembers watching the Twin Towers fall while sitting in government class on September 11, 2001. But Patrick's desire to serve was unmoved. He served with ``Devil Dogs'' of First Battalion Sixth Marines, deploying to both Afghanistan and Iraq. After discharging from the military in 2006, Patrick missed the sense of community that came from being in the military. He reconnected and continued to rebuild these relationships as the years went by. When the COVID pandemic hit, he realized how great the need was to help veterans struggling with mental health. What began as a weekly virtual check-in with fellow soldiers, grew to a fulltime mission to help fellow veterans and their families. Patrick purchased a RV, traveling across 43 States before deciding to settle down in Baldwin County. Although not originally from Alabama, when Patrick discovered the region's patriotic spirit, he decided it was the perfect place to call home. He founded the Warrior Legacy Ranch to provide support to veterans struggling with their mental health. He has been a leader in fighting to prevent veteran suicides and expanding the sense of community for veterans--specifically those who served post-9/11. Patrick's efforts have not only helped veterans in Alabama, but all across the Nation. Alabama is grateful to have him on the frontlines of serving those who have honorably served us. It is my honor to recognize him as the November Veteran of the month.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I applaud my fellow Senator from Alabama on this very important legislation that we need to work not just for the State of Alabama but all over the country. Thank you very much.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the dire state of our American farm economy and our farmers. American farmers and producers are the backbone of our Nation's agricultural economy and food security. Despite their critical role in our lives to feed, clothe, and fuel not only the United States but the entire world, our farmers are struggling to survive, and that is an understatement. The current state of the agricultural economy is bleak and on the verge of collapse. We have problems all over the world. We have problems in our country. There is nothing more important--nothing more important--that we should be addressing than our food supply here in this country. Costs for farmers are rising. Commodity prices are falling. Our farmers cannot break even, much less make a profit. According to the USDA, net farm income this year is projected to decline 4.4 percent from 2023--decline. That is a disaster. This follows a shocking--listen to this--a shocking 19.5-percent decline in 2022. Not one business in this country can survive with this kind of decline, and our farmers and our farms are no different. This means producers' income has plummeted 23 percent in just 2 years--23 percent. These figures represent over $40 billion in lost revenue for America's hard-working producers. This is the largest 2- year decline ever in our farm income--ever in the history of this country. Right now, our row croppers, especially, are facing considerable financial hardship. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, row croppers had a $27.7 billion decline in cash receipts since last year. In Alabama, my State, our producers are yielding bumper crops of cotton, peanuts, corn, and soybeans; and yet they can't profit due to rising costs of production. Our catfish producers are in the same boat. Rising input costs and falling fish prices are threatening to put them out of business. A multitude of factors that producers have no control over are impacting their bottom lines, and I want to talk about one of them. This miraculous, this world-saving Inflation Reduction Act that we passed a few years ago was supposed to save our economy--supposed to save a lot of workers. Do you know what it has done to our farmers? It has almost put us out of business. The Inflation Reduction Act started a tax credit for imports and exports. Unfortunately, all the tax credits are going to people and countries and farmers from overseas, Brazil and China. It was supposed to go to our farmers. No, it is not going to do that. For some reason, this administration has given all the tax credits to the farmers from other countries, and our farmers are struggling. The Biden administration has control--has total control--over our farm economy, but you haven't heard a peep out of them--not one peep-- about our farmers. And this is a disastrous year coming up. And, right now, we are harvesting our crops, and they are bumper crops. The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies, as I just said, from the Biden-Harris administration. This includes the lack of domestic energy production, skyrocketing inflation, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, and endless-- endless--environmental hurdles. Let me say something about conservation and all the things that happen in our environment. There is nobody--and I mean nobody--on the face of the Earth that takes care and is more conscious of environmental problems than our farmers, because they make a living off our land. But we are putting so many regulations on them, we are closing our farms down and running them overseas. We are going to have a national security threat because all of our food is going to come from foreign countries. Farmers are experiencing rising costs of labor and increase in prices for feed, fertilizer, and pesticides. And I am not going to sugarcoat it: America's agricultural producers are facing a very tough road ahead. It is something nobody--the media, this building, the building on the other end, the House of Representatives, nobody is even talking about it. Folks, if we can't eat, if we don't have food to eat, we are done. Many farmers fear that their farm loans this year will not be renewed. They have to have farm loans to put a crop in the ground. They fear cash flows drying up and interest rates continuing to rise create an uncertain future for farming operations. Although Congress only has a few legislative days left to act, we must stop adding fuel to the Biden-Harris administrative fire. We have to quit adding fuel. We have to help the farmers. We need to pass the farm bill that helps our farmers. Democrats are in control of that. They have been in control of it for the last 8 years. A farm bill is for 5 years. Four years ago or 5 years ago, the farm bill was $870 billion for a 5-year period. It runs in a 5-year period. So this past year, we were supposed to be working on the farm bill. I am on the Ag Committee. We go by the control of the Democratic Party. Our Democratic chairwoman has decided we won't do a farm bill this year. We are just throwing farmers underneath the bus. They need help. You would think by looking at everything going on that my colleagues on the left would rather our food come from other countries--take over our farmland, control it, and do something else with it. Producers need a strong safety net. We have to have a safety net for our farmers. Considering no farmers' risks are the same, we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Remember, we have a farm bill that covers livestock, hogs, row croppers, forest, fish. There are a lot of things involved. Farmers across the country have fluctuating levels of risk, impacted by land and equipment costs, access to irrigation, and variable input requirements. Southern row croppers rely heavily-- heavily--upon title I commodity programs in the farm bill, particularly the Price Loss Program and the Agriculture Risk Program. Yet Midwest producers heavily utilize crop insurance. Where there may be an overlap across regions among these programs, we must fix the entire farm safety net, not just parts of it. Take the reference prices in commodity programs for example. Reference prices are how much the prices are in their commodity sales report. Our farmers are operating today on 2012 revenue prices--2012; 14 years later. The costs of production are 22 to 31 percent higher today than they were at that time, a decade ago, making current reference prices completely inadequate for our farmers. We don't have time to waste. Our farmers are facing an uphill battle to remain in business, and we are going to find out pretty quick--the American people going to the grocery store are going to find out pretty quick what it is to be hungry if we don't wake up and smell the roses. Even if a farm bill is passed today, producers wouldn't receive any commodity program support from this farm bill until 2026. Game, set, match, before 2026 for our farmers in this country. That is help our farmers need now to survive, not 2 years later. Senate Republicans stand ready to act on the solid bipartisan bill that the House Agriculture Committee passed earlier this year. Yet Senate Democrats and the Biden administration refuse--they refuse--to come to the table to find practical, bipartisan solutions to the many problems our farmers are facing today. Let's don't worry about our farmers. Let's worry about Ukraine. Let's worry about people overseas, the 800 bases we have around the world. Let's don't worry about eating. We can do without eating. That is what this administration is saying. This forces us to look to supplemental appropriations packages to help our producers if we are not going to do a farm bill, renew their farm loans, and help for next year's crops. If they don't get help this year, we are going to have huge problems. They won't be pocketing this money, if we come up with some money, to help the farmers get a loan; they will just be planting another crop. Without immediate action to assist producers, our Nation's agriculture industry may never ever make it back from the damage we are doing to them today. America has lost--listen to this--America has lost 150,000 farms and 25,000 farmers in our country over the last few years. What? Mr. President, 150,000 farms closed up. Why? They can't make a profit. You been on a farm for 100 years, you and your family, but you get to the point where you say, you know, I am not passing something down to our kids who really want to farm, but we are not going to put them in harm's way. We are going to sell. We are going to get out of the business, and we are going to let somebody else worry about it. Let's let the Federal Government worry about it. Well, we do such a good job here, we would do a great job raising our food. We can't afford any more losses to our farmers. Our farmers are hurting. They are hurting real bad. But have you heard anybody talk about it? No. You are going to hear a lot of people complaining about it, and there is going to be an uproar in the next few years when prices double and triple what they are today because we are not going to have food. It is going to come from Brazil. It is going to come from China. It is going to come from Vietnam. We are doing severe damage to the farmers across this country, and nobody cares. I will continue to be the voice of our southern agricultural producers in the Senate and ensure that we have a seat at table on this farm bill upcoming. But as I just said a while ago, if we do a farm bill today, we are going to lose at least half of our farmers in this country this year--this year--if they don't get some help. I yield the floor.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, therefore, I object.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, if my Democrat colleagues were honest, they would call this bill what it really is: the ``Elective Abortion Travel Slush Fund for All Act.'' This bill authorizes 350 million taxpayer dollars for radical abortion groups to facilitate elective abortions. And this money isn't limited to Americans. It would also give taxpayer money to noncitizens--illegal aliens--who are seeking abortions. This bill would use Federal funds to cover the cost of flights, food, hotels, and other expenses for any individual in the United States seeking abortion, paid for by the American taxpayers. It would even cover lost wages for those traveling to get abortion. Fifty million dollars of taxpayer money in this bill would go directly to groups like Planned Parenthood to pay for advertising, website development, increasing staff, and building maintenance and construction, all of which will go to encouraging--if not coercing-- women to get abortions, not to seek alternatives. Now, there is a major inconvenient fact that Senate Democrats are ignoring: The Hyde amendment is clear, no taxpayer funds may be used for abortion. My colleagues will say: Well, no, this money isn't paying for abortions. But let's be clear. This taxpayer money is being used for one purpose: to take the lives of unborn children. While the actual abortion procedures aren't covered by this bill, it covers every other cost associated with ensuring abortions happen. Democrats know the Hyde amendment prevents and prohibits Federal dollars funding abortions. It has been the law of the land for 48 years. It was democratically agreed to then, and it still stands today. Still, today, 60 percent of voters agree with the Hyde amendment--on both sides of the aisle--that taxpayer dollars should not be used for abortions. I am sure that percentage is even higher for illegals getting taxpayer money for abortions. But Democrats really don't care. Despite what they say, they will override American voters if democracy gets in the way of their latest leftwing pet project. Democrats know States have democratically decided what their laws on abortions are. Now they are trying to override the will of the people and the will of the States by using the Federal Government and millions of taxpayer dollars to achieve their goal. This is not only counter to the spirit of the Hyde amendment, it is contrary to the principles of federalism and the will of the American people. As I pointed out for months last year with a similar illegal abortion policy Secretary Lloyd Austin implemented at the Department of Defense, no Agency--no Agency--is above the law. I called out the VA for implementing another illegal abortion policy. This bill is just another page--another page--out of the Democrats' same extreme abortion playbook. This bill is a flimsy attempt to go around the law of the land. Gone are the days of the Democrats saying abortions should be safe, legal, and rare. Democrats today want dangerous, illegal, and limitless abortions at any cost--any cost--to the American taxpayers. So for that reason, Mr. President, I object.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, reserving the right to object, I rise today to join my colleagues in objecting to the fast-tracking of Biden-Harris's U.S. attorney nominations. This is a commitment we publicly made in June because of President Biden and Harris's unprecedented attacks on Donald Trump. It didn't have to be this way, but the Biden-Harris administration chose to target its political opponent in an election year. This is the direct result of the weaponization of a justice system they created. This administration has shown time and time again that it is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain power. Whether it is lawfare against President Trump or allowing illegals to vote in elections, this administration is hell-bent on election interference. If we don't return to the principles of our Constitution, we will be no better than Venezuela or communist China. As long as this administration remains weaponized against the will of the American people, my answer is no. This is why I am objecting to unanimous consent of these U.S. attorney nominees today. It is not my intent to attack these nominees individually; rather, it is my intent to use my right as a Senator to restore the faith in the rule of law in the United States of America. It won't end well if we continue down this path. I, for one, will never stop fighting against this weaponization of the Federal Government, I don't care who it is. By continuing to stand up for what is right, I believe Americans' faith in our institutions will be restored. I withhold my objection to allow the junior Senator from Tennessee to be recognized.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, our veterans embody the ideals of ``team'' and ``family'' that they learn in the military. For CSM Kevin Harkey, he shares this sense of family with those who need it most in his community. A Huntsville native, Kevin enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1990, at the beginning of the Gulf War. He started out as a mechanic, where he helped maintain our missile launchers. He later retrained as a nurse, serving as an EMT on the frontlines of the Iraq War. Kevin received numerous medals for his efficiency and devotion, including being named as the 101st Airborne Division's NCO of the Year in 1999. His passion for mentoring the next generation prompted him to draft a ``study guide'' for upcoming soldiers on the 30th anniversary of his enlistment. In the guide, he reminds NCOs to ``Lead from the front.'' Another principle he teaches is the importance of ``being present'' for those you are leading. It is no surprise that Kevin still demonstrates these leadership qualities, even since his retirement from the military. In his free time, you can find him mentoring students at local community centers with his Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He serves as a consistent role model for teenagers ages 10-17, many of whom come from single-parent homes. Additionally, Kevin is a proud father of three and grandfather of seven. Alabama is grateful for Kevin's investment in our next generation of leaders. It is my honor to recognize him as the August Veteran of the Month.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, there is no doubt that our veterans inspire us to see the very best of America. They remind us of the sacrifices made for our country to be the best in the world. And their patriotism is the reason why the American dream continues to exist for future generations. MSgt Jerry Wheat of Wetumpka is one such example of patriotism. Jerry joined the Air Force right after graduating high school in 1957, doing more than 40 combat missions during the Vietnam war. He flew more than 5,000 hours total during his three tours of service. Jerry was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his flying missions over enemy territory. After retiring out of Maxwell Air Force Base, Jerry and his wife decided to make the River Region their permanent home. But Jerry couldn't stay away from serving our military. He joined the Civil Air Patrol, where he worked for another 20 years at Maxwell, all while going back to college and becoming the first in his family to obtain a college degree. Despite facing multiple health challenges from exposure to Agent Orange, he doesn't hesitate to say he would do it all over again. His influence is evident in the impact it has had on his family, including his granddaughter, who nominated him for this recognition. Jerry's story reminds us of the high price paid for us to have the opportunity to achieve more than those who came before us. It is my honor to recognize him as the September Veteran of the Month.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, on October 23, 1983, terrorists killed 241 Americans, including 220 marines in Beirut, Lebanon. Last night, Israeli Defense Forces reportedly killed a top Hezbollah leader responsible for those American lives lost.

Mr. TUBERVILLE. These dangerous policies at the DOD have consequences for our military readiness and the world stage.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, when we think of coaches, we often think of athletic coaches. But our students also need dedicated academic coaches, like U.S. Army LTC Wayne Davenport of Trussville, AL. Wayne enlisted in the Army in 1985 after graduating from Huffman High School in Birmingham, AL. He served for 22 years, with tours in South America and Afghanistan as an officer in the 20th Special Forces Group. Because of his gift for building successful teams, Wayne was chosen to help redesign the special forces group following 9/11. His blueprint is still used to this day. After retiring from the military, Wayne's desire to serve took him into education. And for 15 years, he has been using his talents to help students find confidence and reach new heights as the JROTC instructor at Gadsden High School. His supervisor describes him as a ``Godsend.'' This is evidenced by both his success and the success of his students. Recently, Gadsden High's JROTC team became the first program in Alabama to place as one of the most elite 32 academic bowl teams out of more than 2,000 teams in the world. But, that is not all. Wayne also serves as the coach for Gadsden High's scholars bowl team, where he has led four teams to the national championship. He spends many early mornings and late nights preparing for these competitions without complaint. Additionally, Wayne is helping build a culture of academic excellence that begins long before students reach high school age. Now, he is training elementary teachers on how to begin preparing students at an early age so that Alabama's students can compete at all levels with other States. I join the city of Gadsden and the State of Alabama in expressing our deep gratitude for Wayne's dedication to helping educate and influence the next generation. It is my honor to recognize him as the July Veteran of the Month.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

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

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, this week marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, was one of the most significant events in human history. In those early morning hours, more than 24,000 soldiers and 1,200 aircraft conducted a massive and daring airborne assault behind enemy lines. This was done to isolate the coast and prevent the enemy from reinforcing its defenses. Then, at dawn, the largest amphibious assault ever conducted--160,000 U.S., British, and Canadian troops poured out of 6,900 ships and vessels to storm the beaches against a crushing enemy fire. Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword--the beaches' names are still famous today. The first days were not promising for the Allies, but slowly over the next several weeks, the Allies extended their tenuous foothold and amassed more and more forces, eventually numbering 2 million on the beaches of Normandy. After a German counterattack in early August failed, the breakout would begin. Paris would be liberated just weeks later, on August 25. Then, 5 days later, the enemy would withdraw back across the Seine into Germany--the end of Operation Overlord. Losses were severe. On June 6--D-Day--alone, the Allies suffered more than 10,000 casualties. At operation's end, that number would swell to nearly a quarter of a million, including more than 153,000 wounded and 72,000 killed or missing--more than were killed in the entire war in Vietnam. Most of D-Day's participants were young men in their teens and early twenties. Men with little or no combat experience and their whole lives in front of them landed on those beaches; men like my father, Charles Tuberville, a farmer from Arkansas, who was not yet 19. He was 18 years old when he landed at Utah Beach on that very day of June 6. I can't imagine what it must have been like to carry such an incredible burden at such a young age, to leave your family and loved ones, knowing you might not make it home. My dad would tell you it is because it was their duty. They loved their country, and their country needed them. They also understood that America and the freedoms we enjoy were worth fighting for. I think of those men today, and I can't help but worry for my sons' and this country's future. In the months leading up to this important 80th anniversary, we have been inundated with images from college campuses across our Nation. We have seen young people of similar age to the D-Day heroes protesting in support of terrorists, openly calling for the destruction of the society and freedoms that my dad and all these men paid for on D-Day with their blood. So how did we get here? How did we go from producing the type of men and women who are willing to die on the beaches for freedom and our Constitution--how did we get here?--to college students who are openly supporting groups that chant ``Death to America''? Sadly, our education system has failed the younger generation. Many of our major universities are more concerned with woke ideology than with quality education. They have no interest in teaching students the truth about our country and our founding principles. Many of our students are being taught to hate this country, to hate Americans, and the results speak for themselves. More and more, high school students today can tell you everything you want to know about the made-up ``gender spectrum.'' They can carry on a conversation about that. But, you know what, they struggle to read at grade level and do basic math. Our progressive education system, controlled by teachers unions, has made us rank 26th in the world in math--26th in the world in math--and 6th in reading. It is embarrassing. It is unforgivable. The teachers unions try to silence parents and cover for incompetence while our children are suffering. Merit is now ``problematic,'' as our Nation has been taken over by the neo- Marxist diversity, equity, and inclusion--or, as better known, called DEI--ideology. This woke teaching sows division by teaching our kids to resent each other. Think about that for a minute. Our young people are the greatest resource that we have, but we are failing them. I worked in the education system for 35 years, and I am embarrassed. I am appalled. All to appease a radical ideology that has taken over this country. As a result, the Army has had to lower its standards because many enlistees can't meet the minimum requirements. You heard that right. We have had to lower standards--our standards both mentally and physically. We could learn a lesson or two from those heroes, like my Dad, who bravely served and stormed the beaches 80 years ago Thursday. Those men and women were united in the belief that America was a country worth fighting for. So please join me, especially this Thursday, in honoring the brave heroes who risked and, in many cases, gave their lives for freedom and what we have today. May we never forget their sacrifices and honor them by making sure our children know the truth about our great country and what happened on the beaches of Normandy that day, June 6, 1944. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, this month, I am proud to recognize U.S. Army Sergeant Alvin Lynch of Muscle Shoals. Born in Hamilton, AL, Alvin was drafted for the Vietnam War at age 21. He was deployed as part of the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in some of the most intense combat operations in Vietnam. Alvin was wounded in action, and had multiple brushes with death. On one particular night, he decided to sleep on the small air mattress provided to him, instead of sleeping on the ground as he normally did. This decision to sleep on an air mattress would save his life. The mattress absorbed the blow of a piece of shrapnel from a nearby explosion, keeping it from hitting him instead. Another time, he escaped a battle in the jungle with a shoulder wound that left him in the hospital for 3 weeks. He was one of the few men in his platoon to survive the encounter. Alvin credits the prayers of his wife and local church members for bringing him home safely. He received several awards for his heroism, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. For more than 40 years, he has been providing heating and cooling services to The Shoals region. In 1981, he began working at C & H Cooling and Heating. He bought the business in 2006 with a friend and still runs it today. Alvin credits the military for teaching him discipline and how to deal with stressful situations that businessowners often experience. But the most important thing Alvin took away from his time in the military is his faith, and he does not shy away from sharing his testimony with others. Alvin is now actively involved in Grace Life Church in Muscle Shoals, where he serves as an elder. Alabama is thankful for Alvin, and it is my honor to recognize him as the June Veteran of the Month.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Abigail Clark, Addison Cole, Emma Blackmon, Jack Allison, Jaxon Dyer, John Gaston, Mary Douglass Evans, Owen Beaverstock, Preston McGee, and Virginia Anderson be granted floor privileges until August 2, 2024.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, our national anthem closes with the lines ``O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?'' Usually sung as a declaration, the song's author actually intended for this to be a question, because while we often take our freedom as a guarantee, it should never be taken for granted. President Ronald Reagan once said: Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again. Our freedom depends on men and women who are willing to defend it no matter what the cost. This coming weekend, we will observe Memorial Day. It started as Decoration Day for the 1860s. Congress made Memorial Day a national holiday in 1968. Many people would take this day as an opportunity to cook out, go to the lake, go to the pool, be around friends, but that is not the purpose of this day. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made for all of our freedom--those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the honorable families they leave behind. I think we can all agree our fallen heroes deserve to be remembered for more than one day a year. That is why I introduced the resolution to designate May as ``Fallen Heroes Memorial Month.'' I appreciate my friend Congressman Dan Bishop of North Carolina for introducing this resolution in the House. I hope our colleagues will join us in passing this resolution because there is no cause more deserving for our time and effort. Setting aside a month to recognize our fallen servicemembers and their families instead of one day is the least we all can do.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, for many of our heroes, the desire to serve began at an early age. That is the case of LCpl Thomas Rivers, Jr., of Hoover, AL. His parents and Thomas knew as a child that he wanted to be a marine, his lifelong dream. This desire only grew throughout his life, and he was motivated in everything that he did by this thought of becoming a marine. He struggled, at first, in high school until a military recruiter told him he would need a high school diploma to enlist. Low grades were never a problem after that conversation. This was evidenced in an English essay he wrote entitled ``Why I Want to Go Into the Marines.'' In the essay, he wrote in part: I don't think I would be afraid of combat and would be proud to fight for my country. He went on to say: I believe that joining the Marines would be a great experience for me because it will teach me to rely on God to make it through. Thomas joined the Marines as soon as he graduated from Briarwood Christian School in 2007. After completing training at Camp Lejeune, he deployed to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. His faith never wavered, despite the intense conditions of combat he was in almost daily. He and one of his friends, one night, began a Bible study while deployed, leaning on passages of the Bible for comfort. Corporal Rivers was killed by an IED explosion at the age of 22. His mother Charon spoke about how she never really got to know the fine young man she raised as he grew to be an adult. Between deployments, he was unable to spend much time at home. Despite the devastating loss, Charon and her husband Tom find comfort in their faith and the belief that lives were changed through their son's story. After Thomas's passing, Charon began a nonprofit that sent care packages to soldiers on the front lines of battle because she remembered how much Thomas loved receiving things from home. Through her efforts, she was able to send more than 5,000 care packages to soldiers overseas over an 8-year span. Charon's reminder to us is that, for families like hers, Memorial Day isn't a happy holiday or just another day at the pool or cooking out. It is a day to remember heroes like her son Thomas, who answered the call to serve and courageously laid down his life for ours. You know, President Franklin Roosevelt once said: Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. May we as Americans be a Nation that remembers the sacrifices made for the many freedoms that we all enjoy--not just on Memorial Day, but every day of the year. May we never forget those like Johnnie Laurie or Thomas Rivers who didn't allow freedom to die on their watch, and may we hold their families near to our hearts as we go into this Memorial Day weekend. I yield the floor.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize some of Alabama's fallen soldiers who have paid freedom's high cost and the families who still grieve their absence. You know, it is estimated that more than 81,000 American soldiers who gave their lives for our country remain unidentified--unidentified--since World War I. For nearly 80 years, this was the case for Alabama's own Mess Attendant First Class Johnnie Laurie of Bessemer, AL. Johnnie was very active at the Red Mountain Baptist Church teaching both Sunday school and Baptist young people's union classes. He graduated from Dunbar High School, where he competed in basketball and high jumping in track. In 1940, Johnnie joined the U.S. Navy and was later assigned to serve aboard the USS Oklahoma. He was aboard the ship on the fateful day of December 7, 1941, when our country was attacked by Japanese aircraft. Unfortunately, Johnnie was one of the 2,403 Americans who died at Pearl Harbor that day. He was awarded several medals posthumously, including a Purple Heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice. Out of the 429 crewmen aboard the ship, the Central Identification Laboratory was only able to identify 35 of the 429. This mystery seemed like it would never be solved. But in July 2019, Johnnie Laurie's remains were identified, and he was finally able to return to his home State of Alabama to receive a proper hero's welcome. He is now buried at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL. His brother Elmer, now 94 years old, continues to participate in memorial ceremonies to ensure the sacrifices of fallen heroes like his brother are never, ever forgotten.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, it is great to hear my Democratic colleague come out against what is happening at the border. It is a disaster, and it is a national security threat. Three weeks ago, two illegal immigrants attempted to break into the Marine base at Quantico in Virginia. Both individuals are Jordanian nationals who were apprehended by Customs and Border Protection at the southern border and released into the United States. One of them was allegedly on the Terrorist Watchlist. Now, how did we get here? How did we get to the point where two people who entered the country illegally and were not screened or vetted tried to drive a truck onto a military base? Let me say that again: These people are not being screened or vetted. We have no idea who these people are. But here is what we do know about the people who have invaded our country: 25,000 Chinese nationals have entered our country since October 1, 2023; 184,000 Haitians have entered under Joe Biden's mass parole program; along with 101,000 Venezuelans, 91,000 Cubans, and 75,000 Nicaraguans. And this doesn't count the 76,000 Afghans who came here after Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. As I have repeatedly said, I have no problem with legal immigration, nor do my Republican colleagues. America is the land of freedom and opportunity. If people want to come here legally, we will welcome them; but we cannot--we cannot--have terrorists crossing our borders unverified. Ask the FBI. Beyond the safety concerns, we simply cannot afford to support the 11 million illegal immigrants who have illegally crossed our borders in the past 3\1/2\ years. I don't know if Joe Biden missed the memo, but, folks, we are dead broke--dead broke--yet we are shelling out hundreds of billions of dollars to support these 11 million illegal immigrants, and this does not count the millions of what we call ``got-aways.'' Obviously, if they can come across and not be apprehended, why in the world would they go somewhere and run from the Border Patrol? It is because they are criminals. A recent report from the House Committee on Homeland Security estimated the southern border surge is costing the American taxpayers about $450 billion a year. You got that right. It is costing the American taxpayers $450 billion a year. After 10 years, we are looking at a $5 trillion bill. In terms of actual benefits, it is estimated that illegals receive $42 billion in welfare annually, $68 billion in education, and $7 billion in healthcare. We are spending hundreds of billions of dollars to support all of these people. The American taxpayers simply cannot afford it. So why are Joe Biden and the globalist Democrats allowing this to happen? Why is this going on? It is simply because Democrats care more about keeping power than they do about safety and protecting the American taxpayer and the American citizen. A New York Congressman confirmed this. She said that she welcomes illegal immigration because it helps with redistricting. The President and his progressive left Democratic Party know that the more people they can get into this country, the longer they will stay in power--by increasing the population in the blue districts. It is a simple fact. But enough is enough. Too many American lives have been lost due to the blatant disregard of U.S. law by the Biden administration. It is time elected officials fulfilled their obligation and the oath of office, starting with protecting the country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. This bill, the Border Act of 2024 that Schumer is forcing us to vote on, is basically an absolute joke. By the way, President Trump has never told me--and I talk to him weekly. He has never said one word about the border. I don't know where my colleague from Georgia got this information, but it is false. If he had told anybody, he would have told me. This bill, the Border Act of 2024, doesn't even have the word ``security'' in the title. That is because this bill will only make the crisis at the southern border worse. It is a border invasion bill; it is not a border bill. It is a border giveaway paid for by the American taxpayers in the trillions of dollars. It also weakens the power of the President by suggesting the President close the border only when Customs and Border Protection has apprehended 4,000 illegal immigrants a day. Yes, you heard that--a day. So we are going to pass a bill that is going to allow 4,000 people to come here a day. That is insane. The last time I checked, the Commander in Chief already has full authority to secure the border. There is nothing new about that. That is supposed to be a basic requirement of his job: to protect the American citizens; to protect our borders; to protect our country. The bill also includes zero funding for the border wall--zero, and it codifies dangerous catch-and-release policies. So how did we get here? How is a border bill crafted that does nothing to secure the border? Republican leadership put together this bill. They pushed things without telling the rest of the caucus and said: At the end of the day, this is the bill that we have come up with--and we rejected it. Most of us didn't even know what was in the bill even at almost the time of the vote. The bill is just another public relations stunt from globalist Democrats pretending to care about the border during an election year. We need to get serious about the national security disaster created by open borders--serious. If we don't believe that, we need to ask our allies over in Europe who have pretty much had their countries destroyed by immigration. The American people don't want another messaging exercise. They want to feel safe in their neighborhoods. They pay our bills. They deserve it. We are here for them. Over the last 3 years, Americans have watched in disbelief as Joe Biden has intentionally erased our borders and invited millions of illegal immigrants to invade our country. My bill, the Border Safety and Security Act, would shut down our borders until the Department of Homeland Security regains operational control because, as we speak, the border is being overrun. That means the border would be completely closed until DHS is able to track exactly who is coming into the country by either detaining them or setting up a program similar to ``Remain in Mexico.'' It is that simple. If Democrats are serious about securing the border, they will support the Border Safety and Security Act. Madam President, as in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 696 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Well, there you have it. The American people have their answer. Democrats don't care about securing the border. They never have, and they never will. They pretend to. They continue to choose open borders--more crime, more fentanyl overdoses, more human trafficking, and more American deaths. Democrats will say Republicans tanked the bill that would have secured the border. You just heard that. This is a blatant lie. This bill, crafted by Democrats, would have done absolutely nothing to strengthen the border--not one thing. In fact, it would have made things worse. It would codify the problems that we have had the last 3\1/2\ years. My Republican colleagues have offered real solutions for the last month to fix the problem. We have a huge problem. Somebody needs to recognize that. But my Democratic colleagues have voted against and objected to every single thing that we have brought up. Don't buy into this lie. I yield the floor.

Mr. TUBERVILLE

Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, Chesca Barnett of Brierfield went to the U.S. Air Force Academy at age 17, thinking that she would one day become an astronaut. Little did she know that her time in the military would take her on a completely different career path. Due to some medical setbacks, Chesca was told she wouldn't be able to go to flight school, as she had originally planned. She recalls feeling devastated at having to give up on a dream she'd had since she was 6 years old. This setback led her to discover an unexpected passion that would allow her to help those who need it most. A military career coach encouraged Chesca to become a pharmacy tech. She found that she loved the work. After 8 years in the military, Chesca began studying to become a pharmacist. She chose to specialize in pediatrics because she believes our children deserve the best care available. And for the last 20 years, she has been serving as a pharmacist at Children's of Alabama. She also helps at Cooper Green Mercy Help Services. A colleague at Children's said that Chesca is ``an excellent pediatric pharmacist with a strong focus on patient safety and a team player who willingly shifts her schedule or comes in for extra shifts to ensure patients are taken care of.'' Chesca feels she has a ``duty'' to serve, which she attributes to her time in the military. But her impact spans far beyond the medical field. Chesca also teaches courses at Jefferson State Community College and Samford University. There, she helps students who are facing personal challenges, reminding them that if she overcame her struggles, they can, too. Chesca is also a proud mom of four. We are thankful for Chesca's devotion to helping Alabamians in need. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who is facing a difficult circumstance. It is my honor to recognize her as the May Veteran of the Month.