What James C. Justice said, and what was done

“Mr. President, I rise to acknowledge Col. William Bryan Annie, who is retiring on July 1, 2026, after more than 30 years of military service to our country and the great State of West Virginia.”

“Colonel Annie received extensive decorations for his service: a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal with five oakleaf clusters, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals, a Combat Action Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal with six service stars, the NATO Medal with a service star.”

“Mr. President, June 23. You know, it is a beautiful sunny day in a lot of places in this country right now. And June 23 is usually that in West Virginia, but I can tell you all that 10 years ago--10 years ago today--June 23 turned into one really, really tough period in my great State.”

“How about that, guys? Now we are rolling. So at the end of the day, I could go through this wonderful speech that I had, but really and truly, we are there.”

“Madam President, if I violated the rule, it is because I am new to the game, and I don't know all the rules. But I want to thank them for their service in every way.”

“Could I have that grit? Could I have that love for this unbelievable country and my comrades that are right with me? I don't know. It takes something that not many have, and we should honor them beyond belief.”

“Mr. President, I reserve my right to object. I would like to start by just saying a few comments, and that is just this: I think about my good friend, my colleague from the great State of Alabama.”

“President Trump really well. I have seen Eric Trump underneath my vehicle changing the tire on my vehicle so far back in the woods that you can't imagine how far away we were.”

“Mr. President, well, I don't come to you very often, but I come to you, when I come, with important stuff. You know, I am not a politician.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, my bill has gone through all the steps. The great Senator who is here speaking--his bill has not gone through the steps, and it being held up is surely not my fault, and of everything in the world, it is not these great recipients' fault.”

“Mr. President, I would tell everyone just this--all those up in the Galleries, everybody--I am probably going to need your prayers to get through this, because we have had something happen in the small but great State of West Virginia that absolutely is tragic beyond belief.”

“Sarah and Andrew wanted to be guardsmen. Absolutely they are unbelievable. I have been right in the middle of the flood. And my family happens to own the Greenbrier Hotel, and it is a little place in West Virginia.”

“Mr. President, well, to this great Senate body and to all of you, I will speak from my heart. I won't have hardly any notes, but I will speak from my heart about something that I think is absolutely key to Emerald City, and that is all about energy.”

“Now, let me go one step further, and let me just say just this: Let's just say we awaken to an opportunity of AI, data centers, whatever it may be, industry, manufacturing, whatever it may be.”

“Mr. President, I can clearly tell you that it is a real honor to be addressing you, addressing my address on the Senate floor. Also, it is a real honor from the standpoint of being the new kid on the block.”