What Jack Reed said, and what was done

“Mr. President, today, I am joined by Senators Van Hollen, Kim, Alsobrooks, and Blunt Rochester in introducing the Insider Trading Prohibition Act, a bill that will finally define the offense of insider trading.”

“State regulators agree too. For example, Maryland Commissioner of Securities Melanie Senter Lubin has stated on behalf of the North American Securities Administrators Association that ``defining the standards for insider trading liability by statute would add greater clarity and consistency to this important area of the law.'' This is precisely what my colleagues and I are doing in our bill.”

“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act with my colleague from Missouri, Mr. Hawley. Our bipartisan bill will address a growing safety concern facing the transit industry: protecting the bus operators who serve as the backbone of our Nation's public transportation system.”

“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Gordon S. Wood, esteemed scholar and historian whose notable works examined and guided our understanding of the ideals that birthed and gave rise to the early American Republic.”

“Today, these beliefs still sit at the very core of this great experiment in democracy. Sadly, Dr. Wood passed away on June 7 at the age of 92.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the U.S. military and its role as an apolitical institution. For 250 years, our military's most important source of strength has been the trust of the American people.”

“Coxswain Isbir and countless heroes like him are buried at Normandy, the sons and daughters of immigrants or immigrants themselves. Yet Secretary Hegseth stood above their graves and used the moment to deride the kind of people they were.”

“Mr. President, I offer amendment No. 5514, which would build and preserve 2.1 million homes nationwide. The Trump administration wants to give ICE and DHS another blank check--no reforms after the shootings of two Americans, no accountability for frittering away taxpayer money; just more money and no questions.”

“Mr. President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act and all budget resolution discipline that applies, I move to waive all points of order for the purposes of the pending measure.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Julie Leddy after an incredible 29 years of dedicated service as the executive director of the Coventry Housing Authority in Rhode Island.”

“Mr. President, we need to revitalize our Nation's defense and maritime industrial bases, and we need to develop the workforce to achieve this goal. Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs have the track record and capacity to support this effort.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Ken Ayars, an extraordinary public servant, who is retiring from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management after 39 years of service, including 28 years as the chief of the division of agriculture and forest environment.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to oppose a budget resolution my Republican colleagues have put before the U.S. Senate. The American people are worried because of the pure chaos let loose on them by President Trump and the Republican majority--whether it is tariffs, billionaire tax cuts, or a war of choice with Iran.”

“Mr. President today I am introducing the Southeast New England Program Authorization Act, along with Senators Whitehouse, Markey, and Warren. Our bill would formally authorize the EPA's Southeast New England Program, or SNEP, to ensure that it can continue to benefit the region for years to come.”

“Mr. President, first let me commend my colleague Senator Whitehouse for his excellent remarks that show all the dangers of the SAVE Act. And like my colleague, I rise today to speak out against the deceptively named SAVE America Act, a bill that would create new barriers for American citizens to exercise their most important right: the right to vote.”

“No, I will not yield. By the way, these mandates and requirements would be effective immediately, meaning they must be implemented for the 2026 election, which, I should point out, is already underway.”

“Now, in Texas, for example, to get a REAL ID, an applicant ``must provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.'' That is according to the instructions to form DL-53, which is the document the Texas Department of Public Safety uses to inform noncitizens of the documentation that they can use to get a REAL ID.”

“California model. Have they given up federalist principles? Well, it appears they have. Now, one could argue that if the Congress intervenes, then the constitutional requirement is met, but we have seen daily this administration ignore Congress, ignore the law, and ignore the Constitution.”

“Maricopa County, AZ, which is the State's largest metropolitan area. So why is the FBI investigating an election that occurred 6 years ago, and why is the FBI focusing on the biggest cities in the two States that swung the election against Trump?”

“Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness, EMPOWER, for Health Act with Senator Murkowski. Our bipartisan legislation would reauthorize funding for the title VII health professions programs to help strengthen the distribution, quality, and diversity of the health professions workforce so it is better prepared to meet the country's evolving and emerging health care needs.”

“Mr. President, today, I am pleased to introduce the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 with Senators Tim Scott, Tina Smith, and James Lankford. Our bipartisan bill will reauthorize the C.W.”

“Mr. President, service is a core American value. We take inspiration from those who have answered the call to serve, whether in defense of our Nation abroad or in strengthening our communities at home.”

“Mr. President, 23 years ago this month, President George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq. The speed, power, and sophistication of the American military campaign was astounding.”

“We are debating Iraq today, but will we apply this preemptive doctrine to Iran or North Korea tomorrow? How do we prevent others from adopting this same strategy if we have enshrined it as the centerpiece of our policy?”

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Foreign Stablecoin Transparency Act. This important legislation would close a loophole in the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins, or GENIUS, Act by extending a provision that requires large U.S. stablecoin issuers to undergo a full financial statement audit to also cover large foreign stablecoin issuers that offer and sell their products to U.S. investors.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Vice Admiral Nancy Hann upon her retirement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after nearly 30 years of distinguished service to our Nation.”

“Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Predatory Lending Elimination Act along with many of my colleagues. This important legislation would extend the bipartisan Military Lending Act, MLA, protections for Active-Duty servicemembers and their families to all Americans by imposing a nationwide 36 percent cap on the annual percentage rate, APR, for most extensions of consumer credit.”

“Mr. President, among the many challenges to improving educational outcomes for students and recruiting and retaining educators for our public schools is the condition of school facilities. A 2020 Government Accountability Office, GAO, report found that over half, 54 percent, of school districts nationwide need to update or replace multiple systems in their schools, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, HVAC, or plumbing.”

“Mr. President, today, I am reintroducing the Affordable Housing and Homeownership Protection Act with Senators Smith, Blumenthal, Klobuchar, Baldwin, Whitehouse, Kim, Gallego, Murphy, and Slotkin. Our bill would provide approximately $50 billion over a decade to help build and preserve 2.9 million units of affordable housing and is fully paid for through a new tax that disincentives institutional investors from purchasing large numbers of single-family homes.”

“Federal housing programs serve nearly 300,000 fewer households today than they did 20 years ago, while only approximately 25 percent of eligible households can get housing aid. The Affordable Housing and Homeownership Protection Act would address the outsize role institutional investors have in the housing market while also addressing the need for more housing units.”

“Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Preserving Homes and Communities Act with Senators Smith, Wyden, Merkley, and Schumer. This legislation would reform Federal Housing Administration, FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac note sale programs to protect homeowners from foreclosure and keep properties in the hands of families and local civic institutions.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Raymond Neirinckx after an incredible 43-year career, including the past 26 years as coordinator of the Rhode Island Housing Resource Commission.”

“Mr. President, last week, this body advanced a War Powers Resolution to rein in President Trump's unauthorized military actions in Venezuela. This week, we will vote on final passage.”

“Congress exists to provide oversight and scrutiny of the executive branch, not to cheer from the sidelines. I commend our servicemen for their performance last weekend, but I am deeply concerned about the Trump administration's lack of serious planning for the next phase.”

“Mr. President, today I am joined by Senators Van Hollen, Blumenthal, and Gillibrand, in introducing the Buy Now, Pay Later Protection Act. This bill will extend key consumer protections for traditional credit cards to ``buy now, pay later,'' BNPL, loans.”

“S. 3569. A bill to establish a Federal multi-agency task force to combat illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. S. 3569 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.”

“Mr. President, I was absent for rollcall vote No. 439, the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 273, David Wright, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Charles ``Charlie'' Kelley, executive director of the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, RISLA, on his upcoming retirement and to thank him for his 34 years of service to students, families, and educators across Rhode Island and the U.S.”

“Madam President, we are about to consider the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. I rise to express my support for this legislation, and I am very pleased that we will, I think very shortly, be voting on final passage of this bill.”

“Mr. President, I am here with Senator Whitehouse and Senator Britt from Alabama to recognize the victims of a terrible, heartbreaking mass shooting that took place at Brown University in Providence over the weekend.”

“Mr. President, the clock is ticking. In a matter of days, 24 million Americans will see their health insurance premiums double or triple. Since August and even earlier, Democrats have been imploring Republicans to do the right thing and extend the healthcare tax credits that will make health insurance affordable.”

“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act, along with Senator Murkowski of Alaska. Our bipartisan bill would reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, BRIC Program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and protect it against elimination in the future.”

“Mr. President, literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. Yet, the long-term trend in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, NAEP, shows continued declines in reading scores with record-low percentages of students reporting regularly reading for fun outside of school.”

“Moreover, school libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students and that align with their first amendment rights. Too many students are subject to ill-conceived book bans.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to address a matter of grave concern regarding the Trump administration's military operations in South and Central America and specifically the September 2 strike on a suspected drug vessel that has now been the subject of deeply troubling press reporting.”

“Mr. President, over the past 2 months, President Trump has ordered 16 airstrikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 65 people. His administration boasts that they are targeting drug-trafficking organizations.”

“The United Nations has stated that these strikes ``violate international human rights law'' and find ``no justification in international law.'' Legal experts across the political spectrum have been nearly unanimous in denouncing these operations as unlawful.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for this resolution, and, indeed, the full series of tariff resolutions my colleagues Senators Kaine and Wyden and others have put forth.”

“I was hopeful that President Trump would come to his senses before Congress and the courts act, but he has not, and that is why we are on the floor.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to discuss a matter that transcends party lines and goes to the very heart of what makes America's military the most trusted institution in our country.”

“Mr. President, today, I am joined by Senator Tillis in introducing the bipartisan Corporate Governance Fairness Act to ensure investors can continue to rely with confidence on the advice of proxy advisory firms by requiring the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, to regulate all major proxy advisory firms under the Investment Advisers Act.”

“Thank you very much. First, let me say that you are demonstrating incredible courage and conscience today and last evening as you stand here and point out the grave situation this country faces.”

“DOGE, it has been my observation, has pilfered information from every major Federal organization, and the Social Security Administration's former employees have indicated they have taken the most critical files that have detailed information on every American.”

“You have seen firsthand what is happening in Portland. It is outrageous. The situation has been completely distorted by the President to suggest that there is major civil upheaval.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to COL Johnny Brooks--a distinguished officer, a devoted servant of our Nation, and a remarkable friend and family man. Johnny served the Army and our country with great distinction.”

“Johnny Brooks was a selfless and inspiring person. He dedicated his life to leading and serving others, and his was a life well-lived. He will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him and to serve alongside him.”

“Mr. President, millions of Americans are starting to get notices that their monthly health insurance premiums will be going up by $100 or much more because President Trump and congressional Republicans are letting critical health insurance tax credits expire.”

“Mr. President, first, I would like to commend Chairman Wicker whose leadership was absolutely essential to reaching this moment. He, too, is a veteran. He, too, understands the needs of our men and women in uniform, and he also recognizes and has contributed significantly with his floor staff, which has set a new standard for acquisitions.”

“Mr. President, I oppose the Paul amendment. This amendment would remove one of the primary tools used by the Federal Reserve to implement monetary policy. The Fed used these tools that have been indicated on the floor with great effectiveness to contain the damage in financial crises in 2008 and 2020.”

“Madam President, Senator Marshall's amendment would prohibit any flag other than the U.S. flag from being flown outside or in publicly accessible areas of military installations, public buildings in the United States, American Embassies and consulates, and public areas of congressional office buildings, including hallways.”

“Mr. President, I rise to deliver two statements on the two resolutions that are before us. First let me comment upon the proposal S.J. Res. 71, led by my colleagues Senator Kaine and Heinrich, to overturn President Trump's sham energy emergency.”

“Rhode Island received nearly $50 million under this program to help thousands of Rhode Island households install and utilize solar energy while supporting hundreds of good-paying jobs in the State.”

“Mr. President, I would like to move to the topic before the Senate with respect to the War Powers resolution regarding Caribbean military operations. I rise to express my deep concern about the Trump administration's ongoing military operations in the Caribbean and to voice my strong support for the War Powers Resolution introduced by Senators Schiff, Kaine, Wyden, and Sanders.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the New England Council, which was founded in September 1925 when the six Governors of New England gathered with business leaders in Poland Spring, ME, to better collaborate across our region's shared and intimately intertwined economic interests.”

“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act along with Senator Grassley. Our bipartisan bill will help securities regulators better protect investors and demand greater accountability from market players.”

“SEC's ability to levy tough penalties against repeat offenders. Our constituents deserve a strong regulator that has the necessary tools to go after fraudsters and pursue the difficult cases arising from our increasingly complex financial markets.”

“Mr. President, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act, which I am reintroducing today with Senator Grassley, will bring needed transparency to the disciplinary proceedings the PCAOB has brought against auditors and audit firms.”

“Mr. President, I want to welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, DC. Since 1991, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has served as the 270th spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity, the world's second largest Christian denomination with 300 million Orthodox Christians living across the globe, including many in Rhode Island.”

“Mr. President, I rise in opposition to President Trump's nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Governor of the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve is among the most important economic institutions in the world, let alone the United States.”

“Republican whom Trump first appointed, calling him a loser, stupid, corrupt, and incompetent, simply because he won't do exactly what President Trump wants. And traditional firewalls will not work for this nominee.”

“Mr. President, last week, President Trump gave two orders to the U.S. military that were astonishing even by this administration's standards. First, he ordered the Department of Defense to be renamed the Department of War, a political theater exercise designed to sound tough while distracting from the real issues facing the Nation.”

“Constitution, and keep the peace. Reverting to the old name would not make us safer. It would send exactly the wrong message to the world at a time when tensions are already dangerously high.”

“Mr. President, I rise to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The Armed Services Committee approved this bill in July by a wide bipartisan vote of 26 to 1.”

“Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague Senator Whitehouse to pay tribute to a legendary Rhode Islander, Judge Frank T. Caprio, whose limitless compassion while serving as the chief judge of the Municipal Court of Providence made him a beloved figure not only in Rhode Island but around the world.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to carefully consider their vote on the nomination of Mr. Matthew Lohmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.”

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Strengthening Local Food Access Act with my colleague from West Virginia, Mr. Justice. Our bipartisan bill would create a grant program for State and Tribal governments to procure local foods for distribution to nearby hunger relief and school meal programs.”

“Mr. President, I rise to oppose this partisan rescissions bill because it represents a complete surrender of Congress's power of the purse--one of the singular responsibilities under the U.S.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to carefully consider their vote on the nomination of Mr. Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.”

“Madam President, Medicaid is a lifeline for seniors. More than 7 million seniors get care through Medicaid and in two in three nursing homes, residents pay for that care with Medicaid.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to oppose this partisan reconciliation bill. Republicans have named it the One Big Beautiful Bill, but you would only lose that kind of title if you were trying to hide something.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to discuss S. 1582, the GENIUS Act. I believe that this legislation as it is currently drafted is fundamentally flawed. It exposes taxpayers, consumers, and the financial system to unacceptable risk, and it creates venues for criminals, terrorists, and rogue governments to finance their illicit activities.”

“Mr. President, I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 297, the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 111, Brett Shumate, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General.”

“The GENIUS Act buys into the belief that the billionaires running the industry know what they are doing and that the marriage of complex financial products and complex technology simply can't fail.”

“Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague and friend in Kansas for his partnership in recognizing the Army as the coleaders of the Army Caucus here in the U.S.”

“Madam President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to carefully consider their vote for the nomination of Mr. Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.”

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Ending Taxpayer Support for Big Egg Producers Act. This legislation would help ensure that Federal funding intended to fight the avian flu outbreak is used responsibly to eradicate the disease and lower the cost of eggs, and does not go to large or highly profitable companies.”

“One company, Cal-Maine Foods, recently announced in an SEC filing that it is spending up to $500 million to buy back shares for the benefit of the founder's family.”

“Mr. President, critical programs for Americans from all walks of life are under threat right now: Medicare and Medicaid. The Trump administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are working to pass partisan legislation that would make massive cuts to Medicaid.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Richard Armitage, one of the finest statesmen of his, or any, generation of American national security leaders. Few American leaders have served their Nation more thoroughly--from combat overseas as a young officer, to the heights of diplomacy on the world stage.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Andrew Schiff, an extraordinary community leader, who after 17 years of service, will retire from his role as chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Rhode Island's Senate President Dominick Ruggerio of North Providence, RI, who passed away on April 21, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.”

“Mr. President, on a different topic, I note that the Senate this week has started debate on the GENIUS Act. This bill establishes a regulatory framework for so-called stablecoins, which are representations of dollars recorded on a blockchain.”

“Mr. President, I rise to address President Trump's dangerous and inappropriate use of the U.S. military to carry out his immigration enforcement campaign. Before I discuss the Trump administration's spending nearly half a billion dollars and sending tens of thousands of troops, ships, combat vehicles, and aircraft away from their real missions, I want to make clear that border security is a priority.”

“I am also concerned about the Trump administration's dubious creation of ``National Defense Areas'' along the southern border in the last several weeks. These National Defense Areas, first designated in New Mexico and later expanded into Texas, were created when the Department of the Interior transferred land, including the Roosevelt Reservation--a 60-foot-wide strip along the border--to the Department of Defense.”

“Mr. President, I am proud to join Senators Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Merkley, Baldwin, Warren, Van Hollen, and Sanders in introducing the Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act. Our legislation would finally fully close a loophole that allows publicly traded corporations to deduct the cost of multimillion-dollar bonuses from their corporate tax bills.”

“Mr. President, I rise to discuss my concern about the chaos that is roiling the Department of Defense. Sunday will mark the 100th day of Pete Hegseth serving as Secretary of Defense.”

“Mr. President, I rise today alongside my colleagues to speak out against the attack on a fundamental right of every American citizen: the right to vote. I want to thank Senator Padilla for leading this important effort.”

“Mr. President, if you look clearly at the facts as they are today, by any measure, Donald Trump's first 100 days have been disastrous--not a success--for regular Americans and our Constitution.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Noel Simpson, senior director of the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA), on his upcoming retirement and thank him for his more than three decades of service dedicated to Rhode Island students, families, and educators.”

“Mr. President, I rise to discuss the nomination of Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I am glad that we will soon be voting on this nominee.”

“Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act with the Senator from Tennessee, Mr. Hagerty. This bipartisan legislation restricts the use of so-called mortgage ``trigger leads'' and gives prospective home buyers control over their personal credit information.”

“Mr. President, we have a longstanding adult literacy crisis that affects the quality of life for individuals and families and holds our economy back, and the latest international assessments show that it is only getting worse.”

“Mr. President, well, we are back here again with another variation of the Trump plan and the Republican plan to do further damage to our economy and to the working men and women of this country.”

“First, thank you for continuing to highlight the harm that is being done by the Trump administration and that it is inflicting on working Americans: flouting the law, withholding Federal funds, illegally shuttering Federal Agencies, ruining longstanding alliances, increasing prices and taxes on American consumers.”

“President Trump and the Secretary of HHS, Secretary Kennedy, are, as I indicated and made you aware, firing a host of people today, but the critical staff functions will be undercut--for example, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which focuses on worker safety.”

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Rhode Island Fishermen's Fairness Act along with my colleague Senator Whitehouse. I am also pleased that my colleagues Representative Magaziner and Representative Amo will be introducing a companion measure in the House of Representatives.”

“Mr. President, I believe that Americans are ready and willing to answer the call to serve and come together to meet the challenges that we face at the local, national, and international level.”

“Mr. President, as we all know too well, rates of suicide have risen to epidemic levels in the United States, with suicide now the 10th leading cause of death in the country.”

“Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Helping More Families Save Act with Senator Britt. This bipartisan legislation would help more families in HUD-assisted housing build savings and improve their financial security by creating a pilot program for Family Self- Sufficiency, FSS, universal escrow accounts.”

“Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator Collins and Senators Van Hollen, Cortez Masto, Smith, and Klobuchar in introducing legislation that would permanently reauthorize the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Council or USICH.”

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act with Senator Lummis. Our bipartisan bill would help more families purchase an affordable home and maintain our housing supply by strengthening the Federal Housing Administration, FHA, Title I Loan Program.”

“Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to this resolution disapproving of the CFPB's rule defining larger participants of a market for general-use digital consumer payment applications, which will make consumers more susceptible to fraud.”

“Mr. President, on day one, President Trump lit the fuse on Elon Musk's plan to hollow out the Federal Government by changing the name of an obscure technical office within the White House, the U.S.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a very painful milestone. This week marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Over the past 3 years, the world has witnessed the incredible bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian people as they have stood up to Russia's unspeakable brutality and destruction.”

“Any shrewd negotiator should recognize that Russia is on the ropes. Now is not the time to appease Putin. This is a time to exert maximum pressure to bring him to the negotiating table hat in hand.”

“Mr. President, as we celebrate Public Schools Week, Senate Republicans are preparing to confirm Linda McMahon, another of President Trump's billionaire patrons, as Secretary of Education, and I oppose such nomination.”

“During her confirmation hearing, Mrs. McMahon demonstrated little knowledge of public education or the basic programs and functions of the Department of Education. Clearly, the choice of this nominee is not based on merit.”

“Mr. President, my key topic this morning is to speak about the tremendous value that NOAA--the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--provides the American people. Over the past few weeks, we have heard alarming reports that the Trump administration wants to make good on its Project 2025 promise to ``break up and downsize'' and privatize portions of NOAA, including the National Weather Service.”

“NOAA works to protect our fishing industry and bring American seafood to kitchen tables around the world, supporting 1.7 million fishing jobs, a quarter of a trillion dollars in seafood industry sales, and $117 billion in value-added impacts.”

“Mr. President, initially, I want to make a very brief comment on the legislation my colleagues Senator Heinrich and Senator Kaine are advancing and which will be voted on later this afternoon.”

“Mr. President, today, I am joining Senator Capito to introduce the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2025 in order to improve access to needed therapies for children.”

“Mr. President, the rhetoric of Donald Trump and Republicans on the budget is all over the map. Here is what is important to know. Republicans want $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, primarily for the richest Americans, paid for with sharp cuts in programs that help average Americans and the most vulnerable in our society.”

“Government. President Trump did that. So this is not about getting rid of waste or anything else. Again, it is finding trillions of dollars to give away to rich Americans.”

“Mr. President, the other day, President Donald Trump said: Medicare, Medicaid--none of that stuff is going to be touched. If that statement had any truth behind it, then my colleagues on the other side of the aisle should be voting for this amendment, which calls for a point of order against any legislation that cuts Medicaid or Medicare.”

“Heroically withstanding barbaric attacks and unspeakable violence by Russia. The Ukrainians have achieved hard-won victories and have refused to bend to Putin's demands, but they require continued U.S. support to sustain their progress.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues, and particularly Senator Baldwin, in expressing my strong opposition to the Republican budget resolution and deep concern over the future of the Medicaid program.”

“Madam President, I rise to oppose the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence. In its first few days in office, the Trump administration has been remarkably cavalier and incompetent in its handling of our national security affairs--shutting off foreign aid; threatening Panama, Greenland, and Canada; calling for the mass deportation of Palestinians from Gaza.”

“Mr. President, I rise today with grave concerns about the nomination of Russell Vought to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or as it is more popularly known, OMB.”

“Even now, the administration appears to be holding funds, for example, to fix an interstate bridge in Rhode Island that closed due to a catastrophic engineering fault that was detected.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to carefully consider their vote on the nomination of Mr. Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. The Senate is now in the process of voting on many members of President Trump's new Cabinet, who will determine policies that will affect the lives of every American.”

“Mr. President, first, I want to commend Senator Shaheen for a typically thoughtful and compelling speech concerning the proposed nomination of Mr. Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.”