granule_id,date,congress,session,volume,issue,title,chamber,granule_class,sub_granule_class,page_start,page_end,speakers,bills,citation,full_text CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgD622,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Senate,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDSCHAMBER,D622,D623,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3266""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4779""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4787""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4784""}]",172 Cong. Rec. D622,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D622-D623] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Monday, June 15, 2026 [[Page D622]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2773-S2798 Measures Introduced: Nine bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 4779-4787, and S. Res. 770. Page S2784 Measures Reported: S. 3266, to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 119-126) S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. (S. Rept. No. 119-127) Page S2784 Measures Passed: National Naloxone Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 770, designating June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day. Page S2784 Appointments: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 110-315, announced the appointment of the following individual to be a member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity: Jeffrey Scott Stroup of Oklahoma. Page S2792 Steel Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Michelle Steel, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Pages S2779-80 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Page S2780 Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action: Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. Page S2779 Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination. Pages S2779-80 Holding Nomination--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the nomination of George Holding, of North Carolina, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Page S2780 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition of the nomination of Michelle Steel, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Page S2780 Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Senate took the following action: Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legislative Session. Page S2780 Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination. Page S2780 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: By 48 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 172), Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Page S2779 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: James Andrew Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Page S2798 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S2781 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S2781 Executive Communications: Pages S2781-84 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2784-86 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2786-92 [[Page D623]] Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--172) Page S2779 Adjournment: Senate convened at 3 p.m. and adjourned at 7:44 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2798.)" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgD623,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDSCMEETINGS,D623,D623,,,172 Cong. Rec. D623,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Page D623] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) No committee meetings were held." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgD624,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Daily Digest/CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDAHEAD,D624,D625,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1133""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1146""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1542""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1547""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1782""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1954""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2252""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2339""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2578""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2658""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3014""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3018""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3050""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3172""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3676""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3733""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3799""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3900""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3984""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4009""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4109""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4259""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4392""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4443""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4472""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4570""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4577""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4591""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4600""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4610""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4665""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4668""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4680""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4708""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4709""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4723""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4726""}]",172 Cong. Rec. D624,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D624-D625] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of June 16 through June 19, 2026 Senate Chamber On Tuesday, Senate will be in a period of morning business. Votes are expected during Tuesday's session of the Senate. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Armed Services: June 16, Subcommittee on Airland, to hold hearings to examine Army force modernization in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program, 4:15 p.m., SR-222. Committee on the Budget: June 16, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: June 18, business meeting to consider S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and a promotion list in the Coast Guard, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: June 17, business meeting to consider S. 1547, to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. June 17, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: June 17, business meeting to consider S. 4726, to promote efforts to bring about stability and security in Sudan, S. 3984, to authorize a 2-year extension of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, S. 4570, to incentivize, streamline, and sustain United States foreign government partner procurement of United States-origin cyber and digital technologies, S. 4259, to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region, S. 3018, to permit visiting dignitaries and service members from Taiwan to display the flag of the Republic of China, S. 2578, to support United States investment opportunities, to strengthen bilateral collaboration in addressing criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon, S. 2252, to require United States foreign assistance commodities to be made available for their intended purposes before they expire, S. 3050, to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, to modify requirements under that Act relating to exemptions, S. 4610, to promote the development and use of geothermal resources in the Pacific, S. 3172, to repeal certain Acts that impose sanctions upon Syria, S. 3676, to require a sports diplomacy strategy to strategically leverage the major sporting events being hosted in the United States during the next decade to enhance United States soft power, diplomatic relationships, and global leadership, S. 4708, to improve the security of the Arctic, S. 4009, to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to forced organ harvesting within the People's Republic of China, S. 1542, to support the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, to safeguard their distinct identity, S. 3900, to promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran, S. 4709, to amend the Arms Export Control Act to modify a limitation relating to exports and transfers of defense articles and services under the AUKUS partnership, S. 4392, to promote United States and allied energy and mineral security, S. 4600, to require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy, S. 4577, to reassess the United States-Tanzania bilateral relationship, S. 4443, to increase cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to strengthen energy security and defense capabilities, S. 4723, to establish a program to provide assistance to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean to prosecute Chinese organized criminal groups and Chinese government-linked organizations engaged in criminal activity, S. 4680, to authorize the Secretary of State to extend limited consular appointments to eight years, with an additional two-year extension for needs of the Foreign Service, S. 4665, to require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress for countering Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America, S. 3733, to amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to authorize certain public libraries to collect and retain a fee for the execution of a passport application, 10 a.m., S-116, Capitol. June 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs) and to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation, Brendan Hanrahan, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs), Rudolph Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to Belize, Kari Lake, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to Jamaica, and Michael Vance, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research), all of the Department of State, 10:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: June 16, Subcommittee on Education and the American Family, to hold hearings to examine the future of K-12 education in the age of artificial intelligence, 2 p.m., SD-430. [[Page D625]] June 17, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 1782, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of mental or physical disability in cases of organ transplants, S. 3799, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start Initiative, S. 4109, to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, S. 2339, to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009, S. 4472, to amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, S. 2658, to require sponsors of drug applications and holders of approved applications to provide certain submissions and communications to the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, S. 3014, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to citizen petitions, and S. 1954, to improve the requirements for making a determination of interchangeability of a biological product and its reference product, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: June 17, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Bradford Pentony Wilson, of New Jersey, to be Archivist of the United States, Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Brian Cavanaugh, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security, David Cummins, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, Cameron Hamilton, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice, Charles Baldis, of Virginia, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, James Woodruff, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board, Jeffrey Brodsky, William Gallo, Anthony Lomangino, and Robert Steffens, of Florida, each to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service, and Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, 9 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: June 18, business meeting to consider S. 1133, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, S. 1146, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, S. 4591, to protect intellectual property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals, and the nominations of Benjamin M. Flowers, of Ohio, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Matthew A. Schwartz, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, Michael J. Hendershot, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, Jeffrey T. Kuntz, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Arthur Roberts Jones, and John George Edward Marck, both to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice, and Sean Costello, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, 10:15 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: June 17, to hold hearings to examine 250 years of Main Street, focusing on retail to research, 2:30 p.m., SR-428A. Select Committee on Intelligence: June 16, to receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters, 3 p.m., SH-219. June 17, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence, 2 p.m., SD-G50. June 18, Full Committee, closed business meeting to consider pending business items, 9:30 a.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: June 17, to hold hearings to examine China's toll on older Americans' health, finances, and security, 3:30 p.m., SH-216. House Committees No hearings are scheduled." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgD625,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Next Meeting of the SENATE + Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + Other End Matter,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDENDMATTER,D625,D626,,,172 Cong. Rec. D625,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D625-D626] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] The CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087-390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through the U.S. Government Publishing Office, at www.govinfo.gov, free of charge to the user. The information is updated online each day the Congressional Record is published. For more information, contact the GPO Customer Contact Center, U.S. Government Publishing Office. Phone 202-512-1800, or 866-512-1800 (toll-free). E-Mail, contactcenter@gpo.gov. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or phone orders to 866-512-1800 (toll-free), 202-512-1800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202-512-2104. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D626]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 16 Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Votes are expected during Tuesday's session of the Senate. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, June 18 House Chamber Program for Thursday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10 a.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Babin, Brian, Tex., E573, E579 Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E579 Correa, J. Luis, Calif., E576 Hamadeh, Abraham J., Ariz., E577 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E578 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E578 McGarvey, Morgan, Ky., E578 Meeks, Gregory W., N.Y., E579 Mrvan, Frank J., Ind., E577 Perry, Scott, Pa., E576 Pou, Nellie, N.J., E577 Rogers, Harold, Ky., E578 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E577 Walberg, Tim, Mich., E573" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgE579-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS,SENATE,EXTENSIONS,ESENATECOMMITTEE,E579,E581,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""4""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""4""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1133""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1146""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1542""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1547""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1782""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1954""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2252""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2339""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2578""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2658""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3014""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3018""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3050""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3172""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3676""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3733""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3799""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3900""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3984""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4009""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4109""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4259""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4392""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4443""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4472""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4570""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4577""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4591""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4600""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4610""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4665""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4668""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4680""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4708""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4709""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4723""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4726""}]",172 Cong. Rec. E579,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E579-E581] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate of February 4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled and any cancellations or changes in the meetings as they occur. [[Page E580]] As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week. Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026 may be found in the Daily Digest of today's Record. MEETINGS SCHEDULED JUNE 17 9 a.m. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Bradford Pentony Wilson, of New Jersey, to be Archivist of the United States, Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Brian Cavanaugh, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security, David Cummins, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, Cameron Hamilton, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice, Charles Baldis, of Virginia, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, James Woodruff, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board, Jeffrey Brodsky, William Gallo, Anthony Lomangino, and Robert Steffens, of Florida, each to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service, and Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. SD-342 9:30 a.m. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Business meeting to consider S. 1547, to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. SD-366 10 a.m. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources To hold hearings to examine the state of the U.S. Territories. SD-366 Committee on Foreign Relations Business meeting to consider S. 4726, to promote efforts to bring about stability and security in Sudan, S. 3984, to authorize a 2-year extension of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, S. 4570, to incentivize, streamline, and sustain United States foreign government partner procurement of United States-origin cyber and digital technologies, S. 4259, to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in the Indo- Pacific Region, S. 3018, to permit visiting dignitaries and service members from Taiwan to display the flag of the Republic of China, S. 2578, to support United States investment opportunities, to strengthen bilateral collaboration in addressing criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon, S. 2252, to require United States foreign assistance commodities to be made available for their intended purposes before they expire, S. 3050, to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, to modify requirements under that Act relating to exemptions, S. 4610, to promote the development and use of geothermal resources in the Pacific, S. 3172, to repeal certain Acts that impose sanctions upon Syria, S. 3676, to require a sports diplomacy strategy to strategically leverage the major sporting events being hosted in the United States during the next decade to enhance United States soft power, diplomatic relationships, and global leadership, S. 4708, to improve the security of the Arctic, S. 4009, to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to forced organ harvesting within the People's Republic of China, S. 1542, to support the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, to safeguard their distinct identity, S. 3900, to promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran, S. 4709, to amend the Arms Export Control Act to modify a limitation relating to exports and transfers of defense articles and services under the AUKUS partnership, S. 4392, to promote United States and allied energy and mineral security, S. 4600, to require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy, S. 4577, to reassess the United States-Tanzania bilateral relationship, S. 4443, to increase cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to strengthen energy security and defense capabilities, S. 4723, to establish a program to provide assistance to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean to prosecute Chinese organized criminal groups and Chinese government-linked organizations engaged in criminal activity, S. 4680, to authorize the Secretary of State to extend limited consular appointments to eight years, with an additional two-year extension for needs of the Foreign Service, S. 4665, to require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress for countering Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America, S. 3733, to amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to authorize certain public libraries to collect and retain a fee for the execution of a passport application. S-116 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Business meeting to consider S. 1782, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of mental or physical disability in cases of organ transplants, S. 3799, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start Initiative, S. 4109, to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, S. 2339, to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009, S. 4472, to amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, S. 2658, to require sponsors of drug applications and holders of approved applications to provide certain submissions and communications to the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, S. 3014, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to citizen petitions, and S. 1954, to improve the requirements for making a determination of interchangeability of a biological product and its reference product. SD-430 2 p.m. Select Committee on Intelligence To hold hearings to examine Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence. SD-G50 2:30 p.m. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship To hold hearings to examine 250 years of Main Street, focusing on retail to research. SR-428A 3:30 p.m. Special Committee on Aging To hold hearings to examine China's toll on older Americans' health, finances, and security. SH-216 JUNE 18 9:30 a.m. Select Committee on Intelligence Closed business meeting to consider pending business items. SH-219 10 a.m. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Business meeting to consider S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and a promotion list in the Coast Guard. SR-253 10:15 a.m. Committee on the Judiciary Business meeting to consider S. 1133, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, S. 1146, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, S. 4591, to protect intellectual property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals, and the nominations of Benjamin M. Flowers, of Ohio, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Matthew A. Schwartz, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, Michael J. Hendershot, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, Jeffrey T. Kuntz, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Arthur Roberts Jones, and John George Edward Marck, both to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice, and Sean Costello, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. SH-216 10:30 a.m. Committee on Foreign Relations To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs) and to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation, Brendan Hanrahan, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs), Rudolph Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to Belize, Kari Lake, of Arizona, [[Page E581]] to be Ambassador to Jamaica, and Michael Vance, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research), all of the Department of State. SD-419 JUNE 23 4:15 p.m. Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland To hold hearings to examine an update on the F-35 aircraft program; to be immediately followed by a closed session in SVC-217. SR-222" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 172 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026 No. 100" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,PRAYER,SENATE,SENATE,PRAYER,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Mighty God, today, bless our Senators. Let Your Word be a lamp for their feet and a light for their path so they do not walk in darkness or in haste. Lord, shape their desires to match Your purposes. Where they are anxious, bring peace. Where they are weak, bring strength. Where they are uncertain, bring clarity. Grant them wisdom that is not merely human insight but discernment that comes from above. Guard them from pride that blinds and pressure that distorts. Help them to seek truth over convenience, justice over comfort, and peace over war. We pray in Your precious Name. Amen. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,SENATE,SENATE,PLEDGE,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Budd). Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-5,2026-06-15,119,2,,,MORNING BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,SMBUSINESS,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MORNING BUSINESS The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Senator from Iowa. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-6,2026-06-15,119,2,,,UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2773,S2773,"[{""name"": ""Chuck Grassley"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has been in force for 6 years. It is scheduled for review-- and renewal, I hope--now, and that process is going on. I have been here two or three times this year to discuss the importance of continuing the Mexico-Canada agreement with the United States. This week, delegates from Mexico will be meeting with U.S. trade officials to discuss leveling the playing field in agriculture under the USMCA. I would like to discuss some specific issues that affect the country nationally but that also affect my State of Iowa. In July of last year, the United States ended the Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico. In direct response, the Mexican Government launched an investigation into the American pork industry. That is what affects my State of Iowa. Not only has the ending of the suspension agreement led to a tit for tat between the United States and Mexico, but it has opened the door to the issue of seasonality of fresh produce. The effects of this issue stretch way and far beyond the southernmost regions of the United States--even up to my State of Iowa, where covered produce growers have been negatively impacted by the end of the tomato agreement. While the USMCA meetings on agriculture take place, I hope that our U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer and others on his team take into consideration all the produce growers across the United States and especially the potential impact of Mexico's investigation of the U.S. pork industry. This is particularly important for my State of Iowa, as my State is the top producing State in the entire country, and Mexico is the No. 1 export market for American pork, with over $22 billion in exports last year alone. These issues must be resolved quickly for farmers who rely on this important market. The USMCA has been an important trade agreement for Iowa agriculture. While there are areas for improvement, I urge the Trump administration to quickly advance trilateral conversations on renewing it. And I think it should be renewed. It is a big deal for all three countries, and it is a particularly big deal for American agriculture. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-7,2026-06-15,119,2,,,RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773-8,2026-06-15,119,2,,,NOMINATION OF WALTER CLAYTON,SENATE,SENATE,SNOMINATIONS,S2773,S2774,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2773-S2774] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NOMINATION OF WALTER CLAYTON Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, on Thursday President Trump nominated Jay Clayton the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to be the Director of National Intelligence. He has an impressive resume with experience in both the public sector and the private sector, and he has the kind of skill set necessary for managing issues as complex and varied as those faced by the Director of National Intelligence. For some perspective from the other side of the aisle, the Democratic vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee noted on Thursday, and I quote: I have known and respected Jay Clayton for many years and believe he is a capable public servant. [[Page S2774]] Republicans here in the Senate have built a record of acting quickly on the President's nominees, and we are going to do the same with Mr. Clayton. The Senate Intelligence Committee has already announced that it will hold a hearing on Mr. Clayton's nomination this week. Once he is approved by the committee, it is my intention to bring his nomination to the floor very quickly, and I hope we will have bipartisan support for making that happen. While we didn't know exactly when it would arrive, we knew a nomination like Mr. Clayton's was coming. How? Because the President made it very clear that his choice of Bill Pulte for Acting Director of National Intelligence was a temporary pick. Despite this, Democrats decided to hold section 702 of FISA hostage over Mr. Pulte's temporary, short-term appointment. Thanks to their decision, as of Friday, this program authorization has lapsed. What does that mean? It means the Nation is currently operating without the full capacity of its most critical intelligence-gathering tool. Let that sink in for just a minute. Thanks to Democrats' actions, the Nation is currently operating without the full capacity of its most critical intelligence-gathering tool all over a short-term, temporary Presidential appointment. You certainly don't have to take my word for it on the importance of the 702 program to the security of our Nation. Let me just read a few quotes from my Democratic colleagues last time we were in danger of having the program authorization lapse. This was from the Democrat leader: [T]his very important tool for ensuring our national security is going to lapse, and that would be unacceptable. From the senior Democrat from Delaware, and I quote again: This program is critical to the security of our nation, and we could not permit it to lapse. From the senior Democrat from New Mexico, and I quote again: As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I've learned the vital role that FISA's Section 702 authority plays in bolstering our nation's ability to effectively fight terrorism, disrupt foreign cyberattacks, impede drug trafficking, and protect U.S. troops. For our national security and the safety of the American people, it is simply too important of a tool to let it expire. Well, just last week the Democrat vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee called section 702, and I quote again: [O]ne of the most important intelligence tools [that] we have. And yet despite all this, despite my Democrat colleagues' clear awareness and acknowledgment of the importance of this program, they voted to let the authorization for this program lapse. And what the consequences of that will be, we cannot fully predict. We do know information secured through this program has been repeatedly used to help protect our Nation and American lives from a range of threats from fentanyl to cyber attacks to terrorism. And that information from this program is used on a near daily basis by those entrusted with the defense of our country. The Democrat vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee has himself referred to the suspension of FISA--and I quote again--``a high-risk proposition.'' So while we can't know the consequences of Democrats' decision to allow section 702 authorization to lapse, we do know it is almost certainly putting our Nation at greater risk. And I hope and pray that my Democrat colleagues will rethink their decision to take this program hostage and to restore this key safeguard of our country's security. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2773,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S2773,S2773,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2773,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2773] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S2773]] Senate The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2774,2026-06-15,119,2,,,DACA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2774,S2775,"[{""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2774,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2774-S2775] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DACA Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I just left a rally across the street. There are probably 200 young people there. And it was a rally because today is the 14th anniversary of the creation of something called DACA. The story behind it is worth repeating. It was more than 21 years ago that I introduced a bill called the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act said if you were a child--infant, toddler, young child--brought to this country by your parents, you ought to deserve a chance--you deserve a chance--to aspire to become a citizen in the United States. But it is a path that you have to fight and walk down personally. I introduced the DREAM Act. I have called for it on the floor of the Senate several times over the last 20 years. I have gotten a majority vote, but I never could hit that magic number of 60 at the right moment. There came a time when a new Senator came to this Chamber to join me in Illinois with an unusual name: Barack Obama. He was my colleague, my junior Senator, and he was a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, which I just described to you. The time came, in 2008, when he was elected President of the United States. I had hoped, with his leadership and help, we could finally pass the DREAM Act. But fate didn't give us that opportunity. There came a time when I realized I had to appeal to him personally to help us with these young people, so that they wouldn't be deported, and he did. I wrote a letter with Richard Lugar, a Republican Senator from Indiana, to President Obama. Then, on a bipartisan basis, we asked him to do something by Executive order to protect these young children from being deported. He created DACA, and the DACA Program was very straightforward. By Executive order, if you were one of those people brought to the United States as a child and you were living in this country and had no strikes against you--anything serious--you ought to deserve a chance to work without fear of deportation. That is what DACA is. It allows the individuals who qualify to work in this country without fear of being deported. President Obama signed that Executive order 14 years ago today. Mr. President, 835,000 individuals are protected by DACA, protected from deportation and arrest--835,000. Who are they? Teachers, nurses, caregivers. They do a myriad of jobs, but they do them all proud to be a part of America. And every 2 years, they have to be examined again to continue with DACA. Every 2 years, they have to pay a $600 filing fee to go through a background check--a criminal background check--to make sure they are no danger to anyone. They have to pass that every 2 years. Now, what has happened under President Trump is the worst. What they have done is to shut off this renewal of DACA status for these thousands of people as they become due. It means that many of them are now being deported by Trump--by President Trump--and his administration. I have heard his speeches so many times I can repeat sections of it. He said he was going to go after the undocumented immigrants in America. He was going after the rapists, the murderers, the terrorists, the criminally insane, and those who prey on our children. Well, that doesn't apply to DACA at all. Each of these individuals has gone through a thorough background check--a criminal background check--and they don't have anything like that in their background. If something terrible should occur involving them, I would be the first to say they have to be forced out of this country and leave. But for those who were brought here as children, who really want to be part of our future, this is their only chance. So I left the rally across the street, in the shadow of the Capitol, with hundreds of DACA recipients who are asking for protection to continue, which they believe that they are entitled to under the law. The courts--the Federal courts--have ordered this administration to start renewing DACA applications. The administration ignores them and doesn't do it. That, to me, is wrong--just plain wrong. When you think that these kids grew up in America, went to their classroom every day and pledged allegiance to [[Page S2775]] that flag, believing they were part of this great Nation, you must believe, as I do, that they deserve a chance to prove it. Many of them are doing it to this day. So there will be several of my colleagues joining me on the floor a little later this afternoon to talk about DACA. But this is an important program for over 800,000 individuals who are critically important to America's future, and I hope that we can find a way in our hearts to realize they are not the worst of the worst. In many cases, they are the best of the best. All they are asking for is a chance to be part of America's future. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2775-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,NOMINATION OF JUSTIN D. SMITH,SENATE,SENATE,SNOMINATIONS,S2775,S2776,"[{""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2775,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2775-S2776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NOMINATION OF JUSTIN D. SMITH Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on a separate issue, the Senate will soon vote on the confirmation of one of the President's personal attorneys to the Federal appellate court. If it sounds familiar, it is because we have seen it before. Last summer, the Senate confirmed another of the President's personal attorneys, Emil Bove, to be on the Third Circuit. It was previously unheard of for a President to do anything like this, but those rules are out the window. That is why the President nominated Todd Blanche, who represented him in cases that were filed against him, to serve as the next Attorney General. And that is why President Trump nominated Justin Smith, who is currently representing him in civil cases brought by E. Jean Carroll. Ms. Carroll is one of dozens of women who have come forward to credibly accuse the President--credibly accuse the President--of sexual assault. In Ms. Carroll's lawsuits, juries found President Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Ms. Carroll nearly $90 million in damages. And that is being appealed. But this conflict of interest raises serious questions. These are lifetime appointments to Federal judgeships--lifetime appointments which have to be given to people who have been carefully scrutinized. We have not done that when it comes to Mr. Smith. We can do better. Mr. Smith has filed numerous briefs and motions in which he has challenged the verdicts against the President. While all litigants deserve a zealous advocate, Mr. Smith repeatedly attacked Ms. Carroll-- a sexual assault survivor--in court filings. Mr. Smith baselessly dismissed Ms. Carroll's allegations as ``facially implausible'' and `` politically motivated.'' He also falsely claimed that her allegations are a story that precisely matches the plotline from an episode of one of admittedly her favorite TV shows, `Law & Order'.'' In addition to these lawsuits, Mr. Smith assisted in President Trump's defense in defense in Trump v. United States, the Presidential immunity case. But even apart from Mr. Smith's personal representations of the President, his record shows he is too ideological and too extreme for the Federal bench. Mr. Smith was an election denier long before he was hired by President Trump. While working in the Missouri Attorney General's Office, he joined the baseless effort to challenge the results of the 2020 election. When asked about this, he told the Judiciary Committee he was ``proud to add [his] name'' to that effort, once again demonstrating his loyalty to President Trump over the rule of law. During his legal career, in both government service and private practice, Mr. Smith has repeatedly worked to restrict abortion rights and the rights of LGBTQ Americans. His personal commentary on those subjects shows that his efforts reflect not only his legal positions but also his personal beliefs. In a blog post, Mr. Smith wrote: The Republican Party must have positions painted in bold colors on the critical issues that face this country. Abortion is murder. Gay marriage is sin.'' He added: On these core principles of our party, there must be no equivocation. When asked whether he still holds these beliefs about abortion and same-sex marriage, Mr. Smith refused to condemn them. Those words are unbefitting of a [[Page S2776]] judge and reveal a level of bias and partisanship that is unacceptable in a judicial nominee. Mr. Smith also has extensive rightwing political affiliations and ties to dark money entities. He has volunteered on dozens of Republican campaigns and participated in numerous events sponsored by conservative groups. He has also served as a board member of several Republican- aligned organizations, including super PAC and entities affiliated with Leonard Leo. Mr. Smith's record makes his extreme ideology and partisanship clear. It is equally clear that President Trump believes Mr. Smith will continue to place the interests of the President ahead of the interest of justice and the rule of law if he is confirmed. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing his nomination. I yield the floor. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2775,2026-06-15,119,2,,,IRAN,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2775,S2775,"[{""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2775,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2775] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IRAN Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on a separate topic, over the weekend, we learned that the United States and Iran had reached a preliminary deal to end the current conflict. While I am glad that we might be seeing an end to the hostilities, I am deeply concerned about what might be in that agreement. What was announced was only an end to the fighting, Iran's stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. blockade--moves that return us to the status quo before the President's invasion of Iran, over 100 days ago. In fact, after months of being promised an imminent deal by President Trump, the current loose framework stunningly avoids critical issues related to Iran's nuclear program. Don't you remember that was the reason he gave for invading this country? And from what was being reported, the terms and the sanctions relief sound very similar to an agreement which was reached by President Obama and the Iranian people, before the election of Donald Trump--the JCPOA. Let me be clear. Iran and its proxies and its nuclear program are all threats to the United States and its allies. But did we really start a war to return to the same deal President Trump abandoned during his first term as President? Is that it? Now, I have heard my colleagues lament the Obama-era deal was weak and ineffective, compared to what President Trump has negotiated. Let's be clear on the key points from that Obama agreement. It severely restricted Iran's enrichment capabilities, notably extending nuclear weapon breakout time. It also included some of the most intrusive inspections ever agreed to--international inspections of Iran during the Obama administration. In fact, I hosted the IAEA Director General a number of times in my office. I sat across from him and asked him point-blank: Are there any doors locked? Are there any doors blocked that you can't get into to find out what is going on? He said: No. Every time we identify anything like that, they open the doors. Inspections, though difficult, were working. The deal included the backing of the P5+1 nations under President Obama. He didn't go it alone, as President Trump did in his invasion of Iran. The nations that joined in supporting the JCPOA of President Obama included, of all things, Russia and China. Today, we stand alone in our negotiations with Iran. The Obama agreement included specific wording, which said: Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons. I was watching one of the television shows yesterday. One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle obviously missed this point. He said there was no guarantee in terms of nuclear weapons in Iran. Well, there was never a guarantee, but there was a pledge and a promise--an enforceable one--and enforceable inspections. It sounds to me, under the best case scenario, in which all enriched uranium--the most dangerous of which was developed under Trump, after he withdrew from the JCPOA--is removed from Iran, we are simply moving toward the same type of agreement all over again, at a cost of billions of dollars to the American taxpayer. I sure hope my Republican colleagues, who so loudly objected to the JCPOA, will scrutinize Trump's deal with the same zeal and that we have just that opportunity, because we passed a measure, back during the early Obama negotiations, called the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. Several Senators joined in that effort and won. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia still serves in this body. This was bipartisan legislation, passed overwhelmingly in 2015, which will apply to any new agreement with Iran. The law requires the administration to submit to Congress, within 5 days, any agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, after which the Foreign Relations Committees will hold hearings. And then Congress can vote to approve or disapprove the deal. So I look forward to a close look at what the final deal looks like. And if, as predicted, it is similar to what Trump abandoned, we have to ask ourselves whether this war was really worth the American lives and the cost in American servicemembers. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2776-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,IRAN,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2776,S2776,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2776,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IRAN Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, Senate Democrats have been unwavering in calling for an immediate end to Trump's war with Iran, and we will continue to do so until his blunder is well and truly over. For more than 100 days, I have come to this floor to denounce Trump's reckless and dangerous Iran war and demand its end. Now, it has been nearly 24 hours since Trump announced there was a potential deal with Iran, and we still don't know the details. We have been told dozens of times that this war is over, and dozens of times we have been disappointed. There have been divergent statements from a variety of people in the administration. In these high-stakes negotiations, the devil is in the details. But Trump hasn't even revealed the text of his ``understanding'' with Iran. The American people need to know exactly what is in the deal. Trump must brief Congress and the public on the details of his understanding with Iran immediately and end this war once and for all. Instead, Americans still have more questions than answers: Will our troops remain in harm's way? How does Trump plan to achieve any of the stated goals of his reckless war? What is the plan for the proposed ``60 days of negotiations''? There are still many unknowns about Trump's negotiations with Iran, but we know this for certain: We are worse off than before Trump began this foolish war of choice. The Iranian regime is more radical than before Trump began his war. Iran has more control over the Strait of Hormuz today than before the war began. Gasoline prices are still dramatically higher than before the war and will remain so for a long time. Americans are scratching their heads wondering what we have accomplished in Iran. Make no mistake, the longer this war drags on, the worse all of this will get. The biggest question Americans had at the beginning of this war was, What would Donald Trump get out of it and at what cost? But Trump answered that question: Thus far, nothing and at an enormous cost. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2776-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,FISA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2776,S2776,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2776,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] FISA Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, now on Pulte and FISA and the SAVE Act, Senate Democrats have made it clear that however long Trump wants Bill Pulte to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence is too long. Every minute Pulte spends as DNI is a minute he could spend undermining our national security and politicizing our intelligence community. No one wants his eyes or hands on this document, given his recklessness, his attack-dog stance whenever it comes to Trump. The 18 U.S. intelligence Agencies are simply too important to entrust to someone as inexperienced, as blindly loyal to Trump, and as blind to facts as Bill Pulte, and that is not what we need in a DNI. Trump's absurd demand to tie his radical SAVE Act--restricting Americans' voting rights--to FISA is also deeply reckless and demonstrates his true motives. The SAVE Act is perhaps the most vicious piece of anti-voting rights legislation Trump has ever come up with and it will not pass and it will not save FISA, Donald Trump. Once again, Trump proves he has no problem undermining America's national security if he thinks it will help him politically. (The remarks of Mr. SCHUMER pertaining to the introduction of S. 4781 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'') ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2776-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,NOMINATION OF JUSTIN D. SMITH,SENATE,SENATE,SNOMINATIONS,S2776,S2776,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2776,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NOMINATION OF JUSTIN D. SMITH Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, Trump's Eighth Circuit nominee, with his nomination of Justin Smith to the Eighth Circuit Court, Donald Trump continues--continues--to stack our courts with judges whose only qualification is their complete loyalty to him and his extreme far- right agenda. Smith checks all of Trump's boxes. Smith currently serves as Trump's lead counsel in his case against E. Jean Caroll, who received $90 million after jurors found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming her. Smith also helped prepare Trump's lead counsel for the Supreme Court case to grant the President absolute immunity to break the law. A longtime Republican operative, Smith once wrote in 2007 that ``abortion is murder, gay marriage is a sin . . . and on these principles of our party, there must be no equivocation.'' In keeping with Trump's efforts to undermine America's elections, Smith also supported efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. Trump's nomination of Smith to the Eighth Circuit is part of his effort to undermine the rights of American people and to turn our justice system into a rubberstamp for his egregious crimes. I strongly urge a ``no'' vote from my colleagues. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2776-5,2026-06-15,119,2,,,IRAN,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2776,S2779,"[{""name"": ""Lisa Murkowski"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Adam B. Schiff"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Rand Paul"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2776,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2776-S2779] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IRAN Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, like so many of us here in the Senate and really across the country, I think we have all been watching the news this weekend to see whether or not we would have an announcement from the Trump administration on a possible agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon, among other objectives. I think the news this morning was promising, and we are all waiting to see what the contours of that agreement will be. We can debate the way the administration started this war, but I certainly stand here today genuinely wishing the administration all the best in ending this on favorable terms. It would clearly be good for the region and it would be good for the world if the Iranian regime stops funding terror and permanently abandons its nuclear ambitious. I think we can all agree to that. Yes, while there appears to be a final agreement, we haven't seen it yet. We want to have a good deal from the U.S. perspective. We are going to learn more this week. As we do that, I hope that things will begin to reopen and that we will be able to stave off what has been rapidly approaching in our energy markets, and that is what I want to speak to more directly today. We know the basics here. All across the country, people and businesses are just paying a lot more for fuel. We have seen the prices go down a little bit today--that is good news--but the fact of the matter is, we have all felt the impact from rising prices. The price of oil went up substantially during the war, and so did the price of gasoline, the price of diesel, of kerosene, of avgas, and other fuels as well. That is taking a toll. It is simply more expensive to drive, and it is more expensive to fly and to buy groceries. According to one estimate, the average American household has paid nearly $400 more for fuel since the start of the conflict. As tough as that all is--and it has been. It has been very hard for many families. But it has also been somewhat tempered. For the past couple months, we have been emptying ships with fuel that had already transited the Strait of Hormuz. Some regional flows have been rerouted to bypasses. That has been good in terms of getting product out there. Some producers-- [[Page S2777]] particularly here in the United States--have clearly stepped up their production, and we have seen how that has been able to soften things. China has reduced its imports, and refiners have adjusted their runs. So there has been a lot that has been going on in really trying to work to soften this impact. We have also tapped into commercial stocks and our emergency reserves through the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We have benefited from some sound policies that this country has put in place. It was not too many years ago that I was very proud to be able to lead the effort to lift the ban on crude oil exports, which, as we have seen, has greatly stabilized the markets here. So far, we have avoided the energy crisis that many thought inevitable after so much global supply went offline, but I don't think we are out of the woods yet. Global oil inventories are now dangerously low, and many in the industry are sounding the alarm, and they are telling us things like: We are running out of runway here; that we have depleted our buffers and our shock absorbers; that inventories have declined to levels not seen for 40-plus years. And once no cushion is left, it is just really hard--it is hard to keep those prices down when you don't have the absorber here. I hope we are going to be able to avoid that, absolutely, because the consequences could be catastrophic in some places. As a Senator from Alaska, I am keenly aware that even if most of the country is able to avoid the worst, there are some who won't be able to escape it. In fact, some are already living through it, and they are living in my home State right now in communities like Ambler and Galena and Mountain Village. What they are seeing is the impact of these rising prices that unfortunately are high now, but it is really hard for them to see relief in sight. Even if the Strait of Hormuz fully opens this week, even if regional production and shipping come back much faster than projected, these Alaskans in these communities and around my State will continue to face the repercussions of this war and will for months to come. It is them that I want to draw attention to because, quite honestly, they need some help. They need and deserve help from every level of government-- starting in Alaska and primarily from the State of Alaska but extending to some reasonable actions we can take here. Let me explain. How is the war in Iran impacting towns and villages more than 6,000 miles away in Alaska so much more so than in other places? Because I am hearing from all my colleagues that everyone is feeling the impact in their communities. So why am I standing here today to say that our situation is just a little bit harder, a little bit more challenging now, and why will those impacts continue even after the war is over? So we can't have a discussion about Alaskan communities without putting it in context of the whole. Alaska is big. We all know Alaska is big--one-fifth the size of the United States of America. If you stretched Alaska over the lower 48 States, we would stretch from Florida all the way to these Aleutian Islands, all the way out to California, practically from the Canadian border going south. It is big, and in the midst of all this big geography, we have some 200 isolated communities around the State--20 percent of our total population--that are not connected by a road system. So all these that you are seeing here, all around the outline and the perimeter of the State, all the way up to the North Slope--all that-- not connected by road, right? And down here in the section of the State where I grew up, this is all island, so nobody is connected by a road there. So you have the panhandle and the Aleutians and all of your coastline here that is not connected by road. And so they are supplied by way of boats and planes to bring in the goods, to bring in food, the medical supplies, their mail, and their fuel, the fuel that they rely on. So many of these particularly small coastal communities, they are diesel-powered generation. So they rely on diesel to be able to keep their lights on. And sometimes they are offset by a little bit of wind, maybe a little bit of solar, but for the most part many of those communities are diesel-powered, so they rely on this as their fuel supply. So how do you get your fuel? It is not like you can just call up the fuel barge any time of year--because once you get around here, you run into ice-choked waters all the way up to the top, rivers frozen over. And so in order to deliver the fuel, you have to wait until the ice has moved out, the ice has moved out of the area, melted. And so this is the time of year. It is hotter than dickens here in Washington, DC, but back home the ice has really just left a matter of weeks ago to allow for these fuel barges to get up into this region to start resupplying these communities. So effectively what happens is, for most of these coastal communities and our river communities--the Kuskokwim coming up here and the Yukon coming up here is going all the way into Canada. For many of those communities, they get their fuel by the barges that come in here. They lighter on and take them up into smaller barges all the way up to rivers. So it may be July before they get the fuel, but it has really just started now, in June, where you see the first fuel delivered. The second delivery is going to come typically in September before freezeup. And sometimes, in many of the river communities, it is just fuel delivery once a year because the water in the rivers may be low enough that you are not able to make it up all the way. So it is expensive, right, if you have to haul all this. And I don't have my other map, but, you know, the State of Alaska is sitting right up here. We have to go through Canada. We have to go through the Gulf of Alaska, around through the Aleutians, to get all the way up. Transportation costs are high. So fuel was expensive even in these communities before the war. So if you think $4 a gallon in Denver is bad, try $9 a gallon in Dillingham. Four dollars a gallon is bad in New Hampshire, but up here in Nuiqsut, it is about $14 a gallon. And these are prices that I had my interns check just last week. So these are the current prices. These are the current prices before we have had the spring barges coming in. So think about what is happening in these communities. And in the hubs, like down here in Bethel or here in Nome or up in Kotzebue, the fuel barges--the spring barges--are arriving. And so the fuel prices that I just mentioned--$9 a gallon in Dillingham or $14 in Nuiqsut-- those prices are going to go up. We are looking at estimates of perhaps 50 percent or more. So this is sticker shock. It is tough enough to see the increase with those spring barge prices coming on, but then, keep in mind, this is not just a blip. This is not just a temporary increase. These prices are going to last for months because that is the only way they can buy their fuel. They buy it in bulk. So these shipments have to last them either for the rest of the summer, through September; or, again, for some, it has to last them through the end of the year. So what happens is they are locked into the fuel prices that they have paid in just the past month, 6 weeks, 2 months. They had to lock in at these high prices. So the hubs are facing strains, but costs are going to be even higher for the communities that are upriver or inland from them. And not every situation is going to be the same, but you are probably going to have to add another couple of dollars per gallon for most of those folks that are inland. In the King Salmon area, right around down in here, you have got a small road that connects you to Naknek. I will be going there in a couple weeks. You can get groceries at the AC store, but it is a 15-mile drive each way and fuel is running about $9.11 per gallon. So you think about it; you don't just run off to the stores to go get some milk. It is not a cheap commute. In Hooper Bay--here--where fuel costs almost $10 a gallon, residents are now paying $550 to fill up their fuel tanks. That is going to translate to more than $1,000 a month this winter. And, again, even if the oil prices continue to fall, as we have seen just from the news this weekend--again, that is good, but my fear is that these communities that we are seeing and I am talking about are not going to be able to benefit from it because, again, they had to buy when the prices were high, and they are locked in now. So time just didn't work in their favor. [[Page S2778]] It takes about 3 months from the time of refinery order to deliver in upriver villages. So they couldn't just sit back and say: Well, we are just going to wait and see how this all plays out and hope for lower prices--because, if they do that, they risk not getting any fuel at all as we get closer to winter, the sea ice returning, and you are locked out. Then the only solution is flying fuel in 50-gallon barrels at a time. That is expensive. So it is hard right now. And we seek to avoid the worst of the worst, but for some communities this has just been a really hard time. These are small communities. Some don't have the working capital to pay 50 percent more for their fuel. Again, so some are actually waiting and risking bad outcomes this winter because, again, they just might not be in a position to be able to buy their fuel. Rural Alaska has faced an affordability crisis for some time. So when it suddenly intensifies like this, I don't even know--I don't even know what we would call it. But I can tell you this much. If you live in one of these rural towns and villages, you are wondering: How am I going to make it? How am I going to make it? Because this is the time of year where you need to be able to put--you need to fuel up your skiff to go upriver to go fishing so you can feed your family--because what you can get in the store was expensive before and is now more expensive. You need to be able to go out hunting for caribou, and so you need to be able to fill up your four-wheeler. But, again, these are challenges that we have faced. And it is not only about food security. You are trying to figure out where else can I cut back because we have got to have the fuel in order to make it through the winter. None of these places are easy places to live--and particularly in the winter. I got a letter just today--in fact, just a couple of hours ago--from one of the leaders from the AVCP region, and she starts off by saying ``It is not too often that I am scared, but today I am.'' And she speaks to the challenge of higher fuel costs, the concerns that they have with regards to accessing salmon and just being able to provide for their families. And I talk a lot about the rural communities because their situation is just so challenged right now, but it is not just in rural Alaska that we are seeing the concerns. Every Alaskan is feeling it. In Fairbanks, in the interior, where I went to high school, the local utility has, just last month, announced a new fuel surcharge for customers. It is averaging almost $50--$45.74 a month. Again, that is an add-on to already high utility bills. These are the issues that emerge when your home State's ability to responsibly produce its resources has been choked off for decades, resulting in a pipeline system that is one-quarter full, less instate refinery capacity that you would otherwise have, and less space in the budget to build out new energy systems. So my final point today is these folks, these Alaskans, are going to need some help. As I said, most of that should come from the State of Alaska because, in fairness, our budget has benefited from the war. Our State's treasury has been helped because of the higher prices of oil. And I do commend our State legislature. They have already passed legislation to provide a $200 energy rebate to each Alaskan. They have doubled the cap on a bulk fuel revolving loan program. They appropriated more funding to it. They have made an allocation to school districts to purchase fuel. And they have brought back some community assistance programs. So I am pleased with some of the direction that they have taken. We are waiting for the Governor to sign those measures. But I think there is a possibility that our State legislature could do more in a future special session. Here at the Federal level, I think we will have an opportunity to complement their actions, to help those hurt most dramatically, most immediately, by higher fuel costs. We can do things within some of the existing programs that we have. We can provide full funding and emergency contingency funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP. We can also appropriate funding for USDA's High Energy Cost Grants Program. The Denali Commission in Alaska administers this. We can look at a new mechanism to provide temporary assistance to those who are grappling with perhaps some of the heaviest of burdens. And we can help, and I want to underscore that. So as this Chamber considers an Iran supplemental to replenish missiles, interceptors, radars, drones, and the infrastructure that we have lost, I would hope that some of these options might be on the table because, for some of our fellow Americans--especially those in rural Alaska--the impacts of this war won't end when a peace agreement is signed; it is going to continue long after, making life even more challenging. So I share this with colleagues in an effort to explain some of what we face in a place that many feel is far away and very remote. But I would also suggest that we all have rural places in our States. We all have those communities that are challenged right now. So how we are there for them as they face these matters within their own families, to be there for them, is why we are here. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California. DACA Mr. SCHIFF. Madam President, today marks the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known across the country as DACA. As a Senator from California--home to thousands of Dreamers and DACA recipients--I stand here to acknowledge the enormous impact of DACA, a program that has provided more than 800,000 young people a shot at the American dream--a chance to form families, buy a home, attend college, achieve a career, and pursue their dreams--and a chance to feel safe in the only place they have ever called home. Today, we also reflect on the road ahead as we seek to achieve a permanent solution for Dreamers--a pathway to citizenship. Most Dreamers arrived in the United States as children and have grown up in the United States and spent the vast majority of their lives here. DACA recipients--one of every four of whom lives in California-- are part of the fabric of our communities and essential to our economy. They are interwoven in the very fabric of our society. They are our doctors, our teachers, our nurses, and our engineers. They are our neighbors and contribute nearly $17 billion to the U.S. economy annually. They are our family and friends. They want to be our fellow citizens. Despite the relief this program has provided in the past, hundreds of thousands of Dreamers and DACA recipients live day to day facing an oppressive uncertainty. They have faced that for years, living from one court case to the next, one Presidential whim to the next. With each passing anniversary, we are reminded how fragile this lifeline has turned out to be. Because of this administration's draconian immigration policies, thousands of Dreamers and many others are living in a constant state of fear of deportation. Since the program was created, Republicans have tried to strip DACA recipients of their protections, repeatedly attacking the program in the courts, failing to support comprehensive immigration reform, refusing DACA recipients a pathway to citizenship, and creating significant delays in their ability to renew their status and work authorizations. Right now, many DACA recipients are being forced out of their status and losing their jobs through no fault of their own. Under this administration, 261 recipients have been detained--261 DACA recipients detained--and dozens have been deported. In March, I met with Maria, a DACA recipient from Sacramento. Maria was wrongly detained and deported just 24 hours after what she thought would be a routine immigration appointment. She has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. Yet, even with her DACA protections, she was deported and separated from her daughter, causing enormous pain and fear. She is now back in the United States after a judge ruled her deportation unlawful, but this never should have happened in the first place. Every month, I receive alarming letters from constituents concerned that their DACA status is going to be taken away and they will be separated from their family and friends. [[Page S2779]] Elidio, a DACA recipient from the Bay area, wrote in a letter to me: I was recently diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, and I was inquiring if you can help out with an inquiry on the timetable of the process. My work authorization is set to expire soon, and with it, the prospects of losing my health insurance, which I deeply rely on. His life, his very life, depends on the renewal of his DACA application. Another of my constituents, Ravina from the Inland Empire, wrote to express frustrations and deep concerns with ongoing renewal delays, which have already negatively impacted them. They came to this country as a 1-year-old. Now they are a civil engineer, living what they called ``a dream come true'' and contributing to California's vital infrastructure and transportation sectors. But that dream has always carried with it the threat of expiration due to processing delays and the uncertainty of the program. Ravina's work permit lapsed due to deliberate delays on the part of this administration, and they are now on mandatory leave and at risk of losing their job entirely. They want to work. They want a stable future. They want, as with all DACA recipients, certainty--certainty that from one day to another, they will not be forced to leave this country, their home. Another of my constituents, Marco from the Southern California area, also wrote to me, worried about the future. He works for a local health department while going to school to obtain a degree in microbiology. Since he doesn't qualify for Federal student aid, he is paying everything out of pocket, working while a student to get by. Without his work authorization, he could lose his job and ultimately be forced to drop out of college. These stories are real. Their constant worry is real. These Dreamers just want a permanent fix and a pathway forward. My constituent services team is working diligently to assist DACA recipients with their applications, but we need something more permanent. We need to provide Dreamers a pathway to citizenship in this country and ensure that they and their families are not living in limbo, that they have the certainty they need to achieve the American dream. Just recently, Congress voted to give ICE and CBP a budget so astronomical that it rivals the military budget of many industrialized countries--all in the service of a draconian immigration enforcement agenda that is anything but American. And this comes at a time when, instead of addressing our Nation's challenges, American taxpayers are being forced to give even more to ICE and Border Patrol agents--more money to fuel a cruel immigration policy and raids that are separating families; more money for an out-of-control Federal police force without a modicum of accountability, including agents that have killed American citizens in cold blood, in broad daylight, on video, for exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech. These agents have broken into homes. They have refused to show their faces or their badges and have ripped children from their parents. If we can afford $70 billion more for these agents, why can't we afford a clear path for Dreamers? Why can't we afford to process work applications in a timely way? But of course we can if there is the will to do it. This administration could start fixing the delays that DACA recipients are facing. This won't just help families across the country; it will also help stabilize the workforce and boost our economy. But Congress itself needs to act as well because we failed at every turn to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, and it is within our power to do so. President Trump once said that he himself believed Dreamers needed protection. He once said: I'd love to be able to do something for them. . . . [T]hey should feel safe, but I'd like to be able to do something. That was then. I guess we are living in a very different kind of now. Nevertheless, this body should act. Members on both sides of the aisle should recommit today to work together to find a pathway to preserve, codify, and extend the DACA Program and provide all Dreamers a real pathway to citizenship. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kentucky. Mr. PAUL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the previously scheduled rollcall vote commence immediately. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2776,2026-06-15,119,2,,,RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2776,S2776,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2776,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Britt). The Democratic leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2779-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Vote on Smith Nomination (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECSESSION,S2779,S2779,"[{""name"": ""Rand Paul"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2779,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2779] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Vote on Smith Nomination The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Smith nomination? Mr. PAUL. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk called the roll. Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from Maine (Mr. King), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) are necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 48, nays 43, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 172 Ex.] YEAS--48 Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Crapo Cruz Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--43 Alsobrooks Baldwin Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim Klobuchar Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden NOT VOTING--9 Bennet Cramer Curtis King Lujan Lummis McConnell Sanders Warnock The nomination was confirmed. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ricketts). Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's actions. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2779-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S2779,S2779,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2779,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2779] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2779-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2779,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2779,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2779-S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 760. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Michelle Steel, [[Page S2780]] of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2779,2026-06-15,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2779,S2779,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2779,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2779] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. The senior assistant bill clerk read the nomination of Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Cloture Motion (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SCLOTURE,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 760, Michelle Steel, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea. John Thune, Ted Budd, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Katie Boyd Britt, Thom Tillis, Roger Marshall, Rick Scott of Florida, Bernie Moreno, Mike Rounds, John Boozman, Joni Ernst, Jon A. Husted, Marsha Blackburn, Steve Daines, Shelley Moore Capito, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Pete Ricketts. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 763. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of George Holding, of North Carolina, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-5,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Cloture Motion (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SCLOTURE,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Cloture Motion Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 763, George Holding, of North Carolina, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. John Thune, Ted Budd, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Katie Boyd Britt, Thom Tillis, Roger Marshall, Rick Scott of Florida, Bernie Moreno, Mike Rounds, John Boozman, Joni Ernst, Jon Husted, Marsha Blackburn, Steve Daines, Shelley Moore Capito, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Pete Ricketts. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-6,2026-06-15,119,2,,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780-7,2026-06-15,119,2,,,RECOGNIZING THE TRIANGLE X RANCH CENTENNIAL,SENATE,SENATE,RECOGNIZING,S2780,S2781,"[{""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2780-S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING THE TRIANGLE X RANCH CENTENNIAL Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of the Triangle X Ranch. Located at the base of the Grand Teton Mountains in Moose, the Triangle X Ranch is a fully operational guest ranch. This Western icon has introduced thousands of visitors to Wyoming over the past ten decades. Triangle X Ranch's centennial aligns with America's 250th anniversary. It took the same tenacity and bravery that America's founders demonstrated to forge a life out of the harsh Western frontier. These two milestones align in a way that allows us to honor the independence and hard work required to craft a life on a new frontier. On June 20, 2026, Triangle X Ranch will celebrate its 100th anniversary as a successful ranching operation, serving five generations of the Turner family. Purchased on July 6, 1926, by John and Maytie Turner, the ranch has a storied history steeped in beauty and overcoming challenges. That summer, John and Maytie packed up their lives in Morgan, UT, moving to the valley with their sons John C. and Burt. By the fall of 1926, they welcomed their first official guests: a group of big game hunters. While game was abundant and the land was well suited for cattle, early life on the ranch presented its own challenges. Situated 26 miles out of town, the commute to Jackson was always long, and winter made it treacherous. Since the valley roads went unplowed, the family had no choice but to become fiercely self-sufficient. For most of the winter, they were confined to the ranch. The infrequent trips to town required a covered horse-drawn sleigh, heated by a small wood stove. Without electricity on the ranch, the Turners relied on wood stoves to heat just two rooms of the main house. During the winter months, the family cut ice chunks from nearby beaver ponds and stored them in piles of sawdust for the summer. In the late 1920s, the Turners sold the ranch property to John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s Snake River Land Company. The family negotiated the right to continue operating the Triangle X Ranch as a working dude ranch. In 1950, Congress expanded the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, fully incorporating the Triangle X Ranch property and making it an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service. The ranch remains the last dude ranch within any National Park. Today, the Triangle X Ranch is a top destination for visitors from around the world. As a premier dude ranch, it offers guests the opportunity to experience the cowboy lifestyle and immerse themselves in the beauty of the Jackson Hole Valley. Much like its early days, guests can take a horseback ride, hike, hunt, fish, or raft down the Snake River. In addition to hosting guests, it also offers outfitting and guide services, pack trips, and big game hunts. Folks from around the world make the trip to Triangle X ranch to experience firsthand their own Western adventure and experience the grandeur Grand Teton National Park has to offer. Triangle X Ranch's commitment to conservation is impressive. For generations, the ranch has been a leader in land stewardship efforts and wildlife management. Their guiding principle of caring for the land has also fostered conservation leaders. John F. Turner served the State of Wyoming first in the State house and then the State senate from 1970-1989. John went on to serve as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and then as the Assistant Secretary for the State of Oceans and International Environmental Affairs within the U.S. Department of State. He was instrumental in expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System and ensuring protection for millions of acres after seeing the benefits of quality management on the Triangle X Ranch. Each member of the Turner family has been instrumental in preserving the Western legacy of the Triangle X Ranch. Their hard work and dedication have preserved the beauty and resilience of the ranch. The family successfully bridges the gap between the values of a working ranch and the luxury experience of a western dude ranch. Over the years, members of the family have dedicated their lives to the ranch, including: John S. and Maytie Turner John C. and Louise Turner Bert Turner Harold and Berniece Turner John F. and Mary Kay Turner Donald and Anne Turner Matt Turner John Turner Robert Turner John Tote Turner Kathyrn Turner Mark Turner Lucas Turner Elizabeth Turner From humble beginnings to a legacy as one of the most iconic ranches of the West, Triangle X Ranch has preserved [[Page S2781]] the true spirit of Wyoming cowboy culture. For generations, the ranch has embodied the cowboy code. Its deep family ties, incredible location and dedication to excellence have solidified its status as an icon of the American West. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Triangle X Ranch, I urge my colleagues to take part in celebrating the legacy of this iconic symbol of Wyoming and America. I applaud the Turner family who, for generations, has worked every day to ensure the ranch remains a leading Western destination. I join the Triangle X Ranch staff, friends, and family in celebrating this momentous anniversary. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2780,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Cloture Motion (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SCLOTURE,S2780,S2780,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2780,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Cloture Motion Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT,SENATE,SENATE,MSGPRESIDENT,S2781,S2781,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Hanley, one of his secretaries. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED,SENATE,SENATE,SMSGEXEC,S2781,S2781,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED As in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry nominations which were referred to the appropriate committees. (The messages received today are printed at the end of the Senate proceedings.) ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR,SENATE,SENATE,SMEASUREDCAL,S2781,S2781,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""3922""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR The following bill was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and placed on the calendar: H.R. 3922. An act to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781-5,2026-06-15,119,2,,,ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED,SENATE,SENATE,ENROLLEDPRESENTED,S2781,S2781,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1003""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ENROLLED BILL PRESENTED The Secretary of the Senate reported that on June 15, 2026, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bill: S. 1003. An act to require the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order providing that a shark attack is an event for which a wireless emergency alert may be transmitted, and for other purposes. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781-6,2026-06-15,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS,SENATE,SENATE,EXECUTIVECOMM,S2781,S2784,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2781-S2784] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with [[Page S2782]] accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-3789. A communication from the Chief, Office of Labor- Management Standards, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Minor Child Definition for Form LM-30 Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report'' (RIN1245-AA16) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-3790. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-318, ``2607 Connecticut Avenue NW and 4111 Kansas Avenue NW Timeline Extension and Tax Forgiveness Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3791. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-320, ``Place-Based Substance Use Disorder Outreach Amendment Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3792. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-321, ``Special Election in the Office of Delegate Amendment Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3793. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-322, ``The Jewels Way Designation Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3794. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-323, ``Lenora Baker Way Designation Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3795. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-324, ``Closing of a Portion of a Public Alley and Establishment of a Building Restriction Line in Square 2319, S.O. 22-02364, Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3796. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-325, ``Transfer and Recordation Tax Appeals Amendment Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3797. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-326, ``Roland `Fatty' Taylor Way Designation Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3798. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-327, ``Library E-Book Licensing Fairness Amendment Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3799. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-328, ``Charlie McCormick Way Designation Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3800. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-329, ``Ralph J. Bunche Way Designation Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3801. A communication from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on D.C. Act 26-341, ``One Front Door Amendment Act of 2026''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3802. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, the Air Force's proposed letter(s) of offer and acceptance to the Government of the Republic of Korea for defense articles and services estimated to cost $292 million (RSAT Case 26- 72); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-3803. A communication from the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's 2026 Annual Report; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3804. A communication from the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's 2026 Annual Report; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3805. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``2026 Report to Congress Annual Update: Identification of Quality Measurement Priorities and Associated Funding for the Consensus-Based Entity and Other Entities''; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3806. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General and a Management Report for the period from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3807. A communication from the Administrator of the General Services Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Administrator's Semiannual Management Report to Congress for the period from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3808. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa and Citizenship Services Fee Changes'' (RIN1400-AG13) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-3809. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of Defense, transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the second session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-3810. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of Defense, transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the second session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-3811. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of Defense, transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the second session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. EC-3812. A communication from the President of the United States to the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, transmitting, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, a report relative to military action taken on June 9, 2026, against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-3813. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of Defense, transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the second session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-3814. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class E Airspace Over Honesdale, Pennsylvania'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0901)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3815. A communication from the Director, Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Acceptability of ASME OM-2 Code, Component Testing Requirements at Nuclear Facilities'' received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-3816. A communication from the Director, Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fee Schedules, Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026'' (RIN3150-AL12) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-3817. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes; Amendment 39-23332'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0739)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3818. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes; Amendment 39-23331'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0378)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3819. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Regional Airplanes; Amendment 39- 23335'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2278)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3820. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23339'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2552)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. [[Page S2783]] EC-3821. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23336'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-1323)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3822. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23338'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0009)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3823. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes; Amendment 39-23334'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-1324)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3824. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters; Amendment 39-23330'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2556)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3825. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters; Amendment 39-23326'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0017)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3826. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes; Amendment 39-23328'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0737)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3827. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters; Amendment 39-23329'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026- 0730)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3828. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Standard Instrument Procedures and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments; Amendment No. 4218'' ((RIN2120-AA65) (Docket No. 31664)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3829. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Standard Instrument Approach Procedures and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments; Amendment No. 4217'' ((RIN2120-AA65) (Docket No. 31663)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3830. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes; Amendment 39-23325'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-5404)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3831. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes; Amendment 39-23333'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-3877)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3832. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23327'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-3871)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3833. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23324'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-23324)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3834. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class C Airspace and Class E Airspace; Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2026- 4532)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3835. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace and Revoke Class E Airspace; Fort Knox, Kentucky'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2026-3074)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3836. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Establishment of Class E Airspace; Winnie, Texas'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA- 2025-1238)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3837. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modification of Class E Airspace; Nenana Municipal Airport, Nenana, Alaska'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2026-1131)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3838. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled '' Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Ceiba, Puerto Rico'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2025-4674)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3839. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Establishment, Modification, and Revocation of Class E Airspace; Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, Palm Springs, California'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2244)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3840. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Requirement, New Aircraft Production; Correction Amendment'' ((RIN2120-AL92) (Docket No. FAA-2023- 2270)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3841. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, California'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2026- 0027)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3842. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters; Amendment 39-23344'' ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0736)) [[Page S2784]] received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3843. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a Helicopters; Amendment 39-23343'' ((RIN2120- AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0025)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3844. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity'' (NG-AWM-25-002) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3845. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity'' (NG-AWP-25-002) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3846. A communication from the Attorney Adviser, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees'' (RIN2130-AC87) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 28, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3847. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of Jet Routes J-70 and J-94 and Amendment of Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airways V-30, V-55, V-84, V-170, and V-274 and Revocation of jet Routes J-547 and J-548 in the Vicinity of Pullman, Michigan'' ((RIN2120-AA66) (Docket No. FAA-2025- 5244)) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3848. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NACE SP0502'' (RIN2137-AG37) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3849. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM A333/A333M'' (RIN2137-AG29) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3850. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pipeline Safety: Interpretation Request Procedures'' (RIN2137-AG40) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3851. A communication from the Attorney Advisor, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs'' (RIN2105-AF28) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on May 26, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3852. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting legislative proposals that support the President's fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. EC-3853. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of Defense, transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the second session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2781,2026-06-15,119,2,,,REMEMBERING MICHAEL JOHNSON,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2781,S2781,"[{""name"": ""Tammy Baldwin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2781,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REMEMBERING MICHAEL JOHNSON Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Michael Johnson, a respected community leader, a dedicated advocate for young people, and a champion for opportunity throughout Wisconsin. Mr. Johnson's leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to service transformed countless lives and helped build a stronger future for children and families across Dane County. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Madison community, Dane County, the State of Wisconsin, and to all those fortunate enough to know him. Mr. Johnson was raised in Chicago, where he developed an early understanding of the challenges facing many young people and families. Those experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for others. He believed deeply that every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of circumstance, and he dedicated his career to making that belief a reality. Before coming to Wisconsin, Mr. Johnson worked with youth-serving organizations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. In 2010, he became president and chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. Over the next 16 years, he transformed the organization into one of the region's most impactful nonprofit institutions. Under his leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs expanded its reach, strengthened partnerships throughout the community, and increased its capacity to serve young people and their families. Mr. Johnson understood that helping young people succeed required more than afterschool programs alone. He championed initiatives focused on education, workforce development, mentorship, and career readiness. Through partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations, Mr. Johnson helped create opportunities for students to pursue higher education, develop professional skills, and prepare for successful futures. Thousands of young people benefited from programs and services made possible through his vision and determination. Among Mr. Johnson's most significant accomplishments was his vision for the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Recognizing both the growing demand for skilled trades workers and the need to create pathways to economic mobility for young people, he led the effort to develop a first-of-its-kind workforce training center in Dane County. Through years of planning, partnership-building, and fundraising, Mr. Johnson transformed an ambitious idea into reality. Today, the center provides hands-on training, industry certifications, and career preparation in high-demand skilled trades, creating opportunities for young people to build family-sustaining careers while helping address workforce shortages throughout the region. Mr. Johnson viewed the center not simply as a building, but as an investment in the future of Wisconsin's youth and a model for how communities can expand opportunity through innovation and collaboration. Mr. Johnson also understood the importance of ensuring that young people see themselves reflected in the history and institutions around them. He played a leading role in the effort to establish the Vel Phillips Memorial Statue on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Through his leadership and fundraising efforts, supporters from across Wisconsin came together to create a lasting tribute to Vel Phillips, a pioneering civil rights leader, jurist, and public servant whose groundbreaking achievements opened doors for generations of Wisconsinites. The unveiling of the statue marked a historic milestone for the State of Wisconsin and reflected Mr. Johnson's belief that honoring the accomplishments of trailblazing leaders can inspire future generations to pursue lives of service and leadership. Mr. Johnson's impact extended far beyond the Boys & Girls Clubs. He became one of Madison's most trusted civic leaders and strongest advocates for building a more inclusive community. He brought together leaders from education, business, government, and nonprofit organizations to address challenges facing local families. Whether working to expand educational opportunities, strengthen neighborhoods, or create pathways to economic success, Mr. Johnson had a unique ability to unite people around a common purpose. Those who knew Mr. Johnson often spoke of his gift for connecting with others. He believed in meeting people where they were and helping them realize their potential. He served as a mentor to countless young people and emerging leaders, offering encouragement, guidance, and support. His leadership was grounded in the belief that meaningful change comes from investing in people and empowering them to succeed. While Mr. Johnson received many honors throughout his career, his greatest achievement was the lasting impact he made on the lives of others. The students who graduated, the families who found support, and the community leaders he inspired all stand as a testament to his life's work. His legacy can be seen throughout Dane County in the opportunities he helped create and the futures he helped shape. Mr. Johnson was also a devoted husband, father, and family man. He carried the same compassion, integrity, and commitment into his personal life that he demonstrated in his professional career. His family, friends, colleagues, and community will remember him not only for what he accomplished, but for the kindness, optimism, and generosity he shared with others. Mr. Johnson devoted his life to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. His leadership helped countless young people imagine a brighter future and gave them the tools to pursue it. As we honor his life and mourn his passing, we celebrate a legacy of service that will continue to inspire generations to come. I am proud to join communities across Wisconsin in recognizing Michael Johnson's extraordinary contributions and the enduring legacy of his life's work. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2784-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SINTROBILLS,S2784,S2784,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4779""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4780""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4782""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4783""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4784""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4785""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4786""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4787""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2784,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2784] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Ms. MURKOWSKI: S. 4779. A bill to support nutrition, farmers, the seafood industry, agricultural research, wood energy and innovation, and indigenous self-determination, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. By Ms. MURKOWSKI: S. 4780. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude micro-grants for food security from gross income; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Reed, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Coons, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Warren, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kim, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms. Alsobrooks): S. 4781. A bill to expand the mission of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and focus on building export- related domestic critical industries that produce goods and services that support employment in the United States and strengthen global competitiveness, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Mr. Scott of Florida): S. 4782. A bill to establish a Federal Government priority goal, Scams Steering Committee, Scams Action Plan, and website to promote scams information and prevention, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. Budd, and Mrs. Moody): S. 4783. A bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide relief for members of the uniformed services who homeschool their dependent children, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Mr. WICKER: S. 4784. An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; from the Committee on Armed Services; placed on the calendar. By Ms. SMITH (for herself and Mr. Hoeven): S. 4785. A bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with Tribal organizations to carry out the food distribution program on Indian reservations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs. By Mr. BOOKER: S. 4786. A bill to authorize sitting Governors to conduct health and safety oversight inspections of immigration detention facilities located within their states, and to establish a reporting mechanism to Congress on conditions found therein; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Scott of Florida): S. 4787. A bill to expedite resolution of certain administrative proceedings at the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2784-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SSUBMISSION,S2784,S2784,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2784,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2784] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated: By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Mr. Markey, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Risch, Mr. King, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Moody, Mr. Justice, and Ms. Cortez Masto): S. Res. 770. A resolution designating June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day; considered and agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2784-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS,SENATE,SENATE,SCOSPONSORS,S2784,S2786,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SCONRES"", ""number"": ""6""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SCONRES"", ""number"": ""6""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""775""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""775""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""775""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""844""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""844""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""925""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""925""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1237""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1237""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1406""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1406""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1459""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1459""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1532""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1532""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1705""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1705""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1806""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1806""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1829""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1829""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2195""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2195""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2674""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2674""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2903""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2903""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3065""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3065""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3257""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3257""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3267""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3267""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3524""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3524""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3653""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3653""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3900""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3900""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3940""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3940""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3958""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3958""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4081""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4081""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4367""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4367""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4384""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4384""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4395""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4395""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4427""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4427""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4443""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4443""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4472""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4472""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4522""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4522""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4533""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4533""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4586""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4586""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4588""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4588""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4641""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4641""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4769""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4769""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4771""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4771""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2784,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2784-S2786] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS S. 775 At the request of Mr. Graham, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a [[Page S2785]] cosponsor of S. 775, a bill to amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption. S. 844 At the request of Mr. Hawley, the name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto) was added as a cosponsor of S. 844, a bill to accelerate workplace time-to-contract under the National Labor Relations Act. S. 925 At the request of Mrs. Capito, the names of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) were added as cosponsors of S. 925, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for working family caregivers. S. 1237 At the request of Ms. Smith, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1237, a bill to establish the New Producer Economic Security Program within the Farm Service Agency Office of Outreach and Education. S. 1406 At the request of Mr. Cassidy, the name of the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1406, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the payment method for oxygen and oxygen related equipment, supplies, and services, to increase beneficiary access to oxygen and oxygen related equipment, supplies, and services, and for other purposes. S. 1459 At the request of Mr. Cassidy, the names of the Senator from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) were added as cosponsors of S. 1459, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the historic rehabilitation tax credit, and for other purposes. S. 1532 At the request of Mr. Crapo, the names of the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell) and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Blumenthal) were added as cosponsors of S. 1532, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the railroad track maintenance credit. S. 1705 At the request of Mr. Cotton, the name of the Senator from New York (Mr. Schumer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1705, a bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to issue standards with respect to chip security mechanisms for integrated circuit products, and for other purposes. S. 1806 At the request of Mr. Ricketts, the name of the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1806, a bill to terminate unused authorities of the Securities and Exchange Commission that were established pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. S. 1829 At the request of Mr. Hawley, the names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton) and the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) were added as cosponsors of S. 1829, a bill to combat the sexual exploitation of children by supporting victims and promoting accountability and transparency by the tech industry. S. 2195 At the request of Ms. Baldwin, the name of the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2195, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the brave women who served in World War II as members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. S. 2674 At the request of Mr. Young, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2674, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to conduct or support capacity-building programs for foreign security forces to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes. S. 2903 At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2903, a bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol, and for other purposes. S. 3065 At the request of Mrs. Hyde-Smith, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3065, a bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to strengthen country of origin and method of production labeling for fish. S. 3257 At the request of Mr. Hoeven, the names of the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy) and the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) were added as cosponsors of S. 3257, a bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes. S. 3267 At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3267, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of blood-based dementia screening tests. S. 3524 At the request of Mr. McCormick, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3524, a bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements for grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, and for other purposes. S. 3653 At the request of Mrs. Blackburn, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3653, a bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out efforts to inform veterans of their rights with regards to the receipt of health care, benefits, and services furnished under provisions of law administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes. S. 3900 At the request of Mr. McCormick, the name of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Blumenthal) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3900, a bill to promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran, and for other purposes. S. 3940 At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Rosen) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3940, a bill to amend the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to testify before Congress, and for other purposes. S. 3958 At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the name of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3958, a bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to transition Puerto Rico to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes. S. 4081 At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4081, a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to ensure that certain caregiving employees are no longer exempted from overtime and minimum wage protections. S. 4367 At the request of Mr. Justice, the name of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4367, a bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the definition of food. S. 4384 At the request of Mr. Marshall, the names of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) and the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford) were added as cosponsors of S. 4384, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain reforms under the Medicare Advantage program, and for other purposes. S. 4395 At the request of Mr. McCormick, the names of the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) and the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Rosen) were added as cosponsors of S. 4395, a bill to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, and for other purposes. [[Page S2786]] S. 4427 At the request of Mr. Cassidy, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4427, a bill to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a proposed standard with respect to heat injury and illness prevention, and for other purposes. S. 4443 At the request of Mr. Booker, the names of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Banks) and the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) were added as cosponsors of S. 4443, a bill to increase cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to strengthen energy security and defense capabilities, and for other purposes. S. 4472 At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the names of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins), the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar), the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) and the Senator from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) were added as cosponsors of S. 4472, a bill to amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes. S. 4522 At the request of Mr. Murphy, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4522, a bill to prohibit vulture investors from investing in youth sports, and for other purposes. S. 4533 At the request of Mr. Graham, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4533, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include the Coast Guard in the requirement to buy certain articles from American sources. S. 4586 At the request of Mr. Scott of Florida, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4586, a bill to require a review of the national security risk posed by communications equipment and services produced or provided by certain entities, and for other purposes. S. 4588 At the request of Mr. Wyden, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4588, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the excise tax for the repurchase of corporate stock by large oil and gas companies. S. 4641 At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mrs. Britt) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4641, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3- day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare. S. 4744 At the request of Mr. Moran, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4744, a bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. S. 4769 At the request of Mr. Scott of Florida, the name of the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Budd) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4769, a bill to double the civil penalties for aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States without authorization, aliens subject to a final order of removal who fail or refuse to depart from the United States, and employers that knowingly hire aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States. S. 4771 At the request of Mr. Scott of Florida, the name of the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Budd) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4771, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to collect a fee for credible fear interviews, and for other purposes. S. CON. RES. 6 At the request of Mr. Crapo, the names of the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott) and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) were added as cosponsors of S. Con. Res. 6, a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically provided and continue to provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the United States. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2784,2026-06-15,119,2,,,REPORTS OF COMMITTEES,SENATE,SENATE,SCOMMREPORT,S2784,S2784,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3266""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4784""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2784,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2784] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REPORTS OF COMMITTEES The following reports of committees were submitted: By Mr. CRUZ, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute: S. 3266. A bill to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Rept. No. 119-126). By Mr. WICKER, from the Committee on Armed Services, without amendment: S. 4784. An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 119-127). ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2786-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,Introductory Statement on S. 4781,SENATE,SENATE,SSTATEMENTSIND,S2786,S2791,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2786,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2786-S2791] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Reed, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Coons, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Warren, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kim, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms. Alsobrooks): S. 4781. A bill to expand the mission of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and focus on building export-related domestic critical industries that produce goods and services that support employment in the United States and strengthen global competitiveness, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the Make More in America Act--if we have learned anything from the past few years, it is that the American people will pay the price when wars, pandemics, and other shocks disrupt America's supply chains. Today, I led Senate Democrats in introducing the Make More in America Act, which will invest in American manufacturing to create jobs, lower costs, strengthen our national security, and build a more resilient economy. The Make More in America Act is going to help us face the challenges that China and other countries present, and we should move it as quickly as we can. If the United States is going to continue to outcompete China, we need to make sure that the technologies that will define the 21st- century economy are made in American factories by American workers. The U.S. Export-Import Bank has long helped American businesses stay competitive, and our bill will empower the Ex-Im Bank to provide even more support to building here at home the industries critical to our economy and our national security. From COVID-19 to Trump's disastrous war with Iran, to China weaponizing our reliance on them for certain products, America cannot afford to depend on the unreliable when the security and prosperity of our people are at stake. Our bill would rebuild American manufacturing, strengthen our supply chains to lower costs, and give us an edge over the Chinese Communist Party, all of which--all of which--should be bipartisan priorities. For the good of the country, we can and must make progress on these issues as we reauthorize the Export-Import Bank this year. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 4781 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Make More in America Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Purposes. Sec. 4. Modification of powers and functions. Sec. 5. Make More in America Program. Sec. 6. Modification of aggregate loan, guarantee, and insurance authority. Sec. 7. Modification of default rate and lending cap. Sec. 8. Investment Committee. Sec. 9. Interagency coordination. Sec. 10. Limitation on eligibility for support. Sec. 11. Modification of Program on China and Transformational Exports. Sec. 12. Increase in goal for export of goods and services related to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and energy storage. Sec. 13. Employment authority. Sec. 14. Expansion of guarantee coverage. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) The People's Republic of China poses a significant competitive threat to the United States, accounting, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, for 35 percent of manufacturing volume globally and 29 percent of [[Page S2787]] value-add (as opposed to 12 percent of volume and 16 percent of value-add for the United States). The People's Republic of China continues to gain ground in higher value-add technologies that were traditionally United States strengths. (2) The People's Republic of China's increased competitiveness can be traced to multiple sources, including coordinated initiatives such as Made in China 2025, which channeled resources toward manufacturing in higher value-add industries. However, the People's Republic of China also, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, leads in research and development in 66 of 74 areas. (3) Taken together, the two trends described in paragraphs (1) and (2) suggest that the People's Republic of China's lead in exports will grow, not shrink, unless serious action is taken by the United States to strengthen its domestic innovation and industrial investment. (4) This is especially true for critical industries of the future, such as next-generation automotives and drones, industrial automation, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, quantum technology, and fusion energy, unless the United States takes steps to support technology development in those markets. Many of those markets are, or could be, vital export opportunities with meaningful economic, national security, and job creation implications for the United States. (5) The United States also faces supply chain vulnerabilities in critical inputs for those industries of the future, including energy, semiconductors and associated technologies like circuit boards, critical minerals, batteries, and other technology components. (6) Capital-intensive industries with long production cycles, such as shipbuilding, chemical processing, and nuclear energy systems, face particularly acute financing challenges during the commercialization phase and the scaling of domestic production. Similarly, drone manufacturing and advanced robotics require coordinated investments in both production capacity and workforce training that private markets struggle to provide. The result is that countries with patient public capital, particularly the People's Republic of China, have captured dominant market positions in sectors where United States innovation initially led. (7) If the United States does not respond, manufacturers in the People's Republic of China will continue gaining global market share in critical technologies at the expense of United States companies and the United States stands to lose critical industries that provide jobs, create production capacity, and serve essential national security goals. (8) As such, Federal policy should focus on ensuring that technologies that are invented and developed in the United States are commercialized and produced in the United States, along with the products and services those technologies create. That will require a whole-of-government effort dedicated to revitalizing the ``innovation and industrial infrastructure'' of the United States. (9) While this is a multi-faceted issue that the Export- Import Bank of the United States (in this section referred to as the ``Bank'') cannot solve alone, the Bank can play a much more strategic role than the Bank is playing as of the date of the enactment of this Act by supporting the development phase of future technologies in areas that are underfunded by existing private sector tools. (10) The Bank has an opportunity to create the export markets of tomorrow by helping to fund the development, commercialization, and production of critical technologies in the United States, which will expand the long-term export base of the United States by increasing the overall competitive edge of the United States, and in doing so, support employment in the United States. (11) There exists an opportunity to enhance the Bank's strategic planning capabilities and deepen the Bank's focus on catalytic and scale-up financing. Such a repositioning would support technologies with substantial domestic manufacturing footprints in industries that represent not only strategic national security and competitiveness priorities but also significant employment opportunities across manufacturing communities in the United States. (12) Congress has already directed the Bank to undertake efforts in that direction, such as through the Program on China and Transformational Exports established under section 2(l) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(l)), which explicitly requires 20 percent of the Bank's funds to be invested in certain areas deemed highly strategic, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, semiconductors, quantum technology, and fusion energy, among other industries. A logical next step would be to expand that program to broaden its aperture and importance within the Bank, while reaffirming the Bank's mission to support export-related transactions that directly support United States jobs. (13) In 2022, the Bank's Board of Directors with a unanimous vote launched the Make More in America Initiative to support ``export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects'', extending some of the Bank's existing demand- driven, export-contingent financing programs to a more domestic focus to help revitalize United States manufacturing, directly support United States jobs, improve the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and level the playing field for United States companies competing in overseas markets. (14) There is an opportunity for the Bank to play a convening role in developing a cohesive investment roadmap for the Bank's own mandate, informed by input from across the Federal Government, including the industrial investment efforts of other Federal agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and the Small Business Administration. SEC. 3. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to ensure that advanced technologies critical to economic growth and national security are developed, commercialized, and produced in, and exported by, the United States and allies and partners of the United States, rather than adversaries of the United States; (2) to address capital market failures in sectors where United States production capacity and innovation is in the national interest; (3) to coordinate the resources of the Federal Government-- (A) to promote domestic technology invention, development, commercialization, production, and exportation; (B) to support the unmet capital needs of manufacturing companies of all sizes to grow domestically; (C) to encourage workforce training to support the growth and resilience of domestic manufacturing; (D) to accelerate permitting related to domestic manufacturing projects; and (E) to improve access to physical infrastructure, such as energy and logistics, for the growth of domestic manufacturing; and (4) to promote the creation of good jobs in communities across the United States, along with the benefits of advanced industry development on local development. SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. Section 2(a) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``to facilitate exports of'' and inserting ``to facilitate the development, commercialization, and production in the United States, and the export of''; and (B) by inserting after the third sentence the following: ``The Bank shall provide loans, guarantees, grants, cooperative agreements, offtake agreements, price insurance and other insurance facilities, and other instruments through other transaction authority under paragraph (4)(A) to accelerate the development, commercialization, and production of technologies that are critical to the national security, innovation, and economic growth of the United States and direct employment of United States workers, including technologies that emerge from federally funded research.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Additional Powers.--In addition to the powers and authorities set forth in paragraph (1), the Bank may-- ``(A) to the extent authorized by law, enter into such agreements, including contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, offtake agreements, price insurance and other insurance facilities, and other instruments, and may enter into other transactions, including providing subordinated capital, to facilitate investments and the provision of financial assistance on such terms as the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors consider appropriate; ``(B) make advance payments under agreements and other transactions authorized under subparagraph (A) without regard to section 3324 of title 31, United States Code; ``(C) procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; ``(D) notwithstanding section 3104 of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of other law relating to the appointment, number, classification, or compensation of employees, make appointments of scientific, engineering, and professional personnel, and fix the basic pay of such personnel at a rate to be determined by the President of the Bank at rates not in excess of the highest total annual compensation payable at the rate determined under section 104 of title 3, United States Code; ``(E) with the consent of another Federal agency, enter into an agreement with that Federal agency to use, with or without reimbursement, any service, equipment, personnel, or facility of that Federal agency; and ``(F) establish such rules, regulations, and procedures as the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors consider appropriate and that are consistent with other statutes.''. SEC. 5. MAKE MORE IN AMERICA PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Section 2 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) Make More in America Program.-- ``(1) Establishment.-- ``(A) In general.--The Bank shall establish the Make More in America Program (in this subsection referred to as the `Program'), under which the Bank shall provide support, by providing financing and entering into other agreements and transactions authorized under paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (a), for export-related manufacturing [[Page S2788]] projects in the United States, in support of manufacturing companies of all sizes, including startups, in priority industries described in paragraph (2), industries described in paragraph (3), and suppliers that enable those industries, all of which directly support employment in the United States. ``(B) Future exports.--The Bank may provide support under the Program to support future exports by an applicant for such support, even if the applicant does not produce goods for export at the time the support is awarded. ``(2) Priority focus areas.--Under the Program, the Bank shall advance export-related manufacturing in the following industries: ``(A) Strategic industries for which there is evidence of subsidies or production support by other countries that-- ``(i) has resulted in overreliance or created foreign chokepoints for United States supply chains; or ``(ii) otherwise presents a persistent risk to United States supply chains. ``(B) Strategic industries critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States, including, at a minimum, industries described in paragraph (3). ``(C) Emerging industries that-- ``(i) are critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States; and ``(ii) have not reached commercial scale and therefore are unable to receive sufficient private capital funding for demonstration scale operations, equipment purchasing, commercialization, or sustained manufacturing for export. ``(3) Industries of interest.--The industries described in this paragraph are industries, and components thereof, critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States, which may include the following: ``(A) The transformational export areas under the Program on China and Transformational Exports specified in subsection (l)(1)(B). ``(B) Critical minerals (as defined in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a))). ``(C) Shipbuilding and ship repair. ``(D) Cyber-physical systems and mechatronics, including robotics. ``(E) Aerospace and aviation, including unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) and the components and subsystems thereof, including propulsion systems. ``(F) Transport systems. ``(G) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including for the purposes of electric generation, consistent with the restrictions on the National Science Foundation under section 15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1874). ``(H) Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies. ``(I) Critical sensing technologies. ``(J) Such other industries as the Bank, with the approval of the Board of Directors, considers appropriate. ``(4) Requirements for projects.--An applicant seeking support from the Bank under paragraph (1) with respect to a project is required-- ``(A) to demonstrate that the project-- ``(i) aligns with the goals of the investment roadmap developed under section 3(n)(3); ``(ii) has a credible pathway to financial sustainability and, as appropriate, provides reasonable assurance of repayment; and ``(iii) supports employment in the United States directly related to the project; and ``(B) to submit documentation on the number of jobs in the United States that the applicant estimates will be created, and the quality of those jobs, if the support for the project is approved; and ``(C) to make commitments to investing in-- ``(i) workers and communities associated with the project, including through training and education benefits paid by the applicant, wrap around services that support workforce reliability, and commitments secured from regional educational and training entities, including joint labor- management organizations, and institutions of higher education to provide workforce training, including apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'); and ``(ii) the quality of jobs associated with the project, as determined based on higher wage levels than the local median wage, incentive programs (which may include employee ownership plans and profit sharing arrangements), benefits, and worker protections. ``(5) Preferential terms for certain projects.-- ``(A) In general.--The Bank may provide support under paragraph (1) on more favorable terms or in a larger amount for a project-- ``(i) that is located in or directly benefits an economically distressed region; or ``(ii) if more than 70 percent of the jobs created by the project are expected to pay more than 110 percent of the mean pay for the county in which the project is located. ``(B) Economically distressed region defined.--In this paragraph, the term `economically distressed region' means a region-- ``(i) described in-- ``(I) section 301 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161); ``(II) section 29(j)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722b(j)(1)); or ``(III) section 6702(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code; or ``(ii) that meets the definition of `persistent poverty county' in section 736 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 4503). ``(6) Use of funds.-- ``(A) Authorized uses.--A project that receives support under paragraph (1) may use the support for any purpose that-- ``(i) is reasonably related to development, commercialization, or domestic production in industries described in paragraph (3), including support for workforce development by means of direct training, support for building or expanding a facility, or for related site development; or ``(ii) the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors determines to be consistent with the objectives of the Program. ``(B) Prohibited uses.--Support provided under paragraph (1) may not be used-- ``(i) to repay debts incurred by the person receiving the support before the disbursement of the support; ``(ii) to make distributions, dividends, or other payments to shareholders or equity holders of the person; or ``(iii) to fund the acquisition of another entity unrelated to the project. ``(7) Target dates; clawback for failure to meet.-- ``(A) Target dates.--For each award of financing or financial assistance provided under paragraph (1) with respect to a project, the President of the Bank shall, before distributing the award, determine target dates by which a project shall commence and complete. ``(B) Progressive recovery for delays.-- ``(i) In general.--If a project does not commence and complete by the target dates established under subparagraph (A), the President of the Bank shall progressively recover up to the full amount of the award provided under paragraph (1) with respect to the project. ``(ii) Clawback provisions.--The President of the Bank and the Board of Directors shall-- ``(I) include, in each agreement providing for an award made under paragraph (1), clawback provisions to govern recovery under clause (i); and ``(II) notify the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to those provisions. ``(C) Waiver.--In the case of a project that receives financing or financial assistance under paragraph (1) and experiences delays, the President of the Bank may waive elements of the clawback provisions incorporated into the agreement providing for the award-- ``(i) after making a formal determination that circumstances beyond the ability of the person that received the award to foresee or control are responsible for delays; and ``(ii) not less than 15 days after notifying the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives of the intention of the President of the Bank to issue the waiver. ``(8) Workforce protections.--An applicant seeking support from the Bank under paragraph (1) with respect to a project and that has 100 or more employees shall make a good-faith certification that-- ``(A) the applicant will not abrogate existing collective bargaining agreements for-- ``(i) the duration of the project; or ``(ii) the term of the support and 2 years after the termination of the support; and ``(B) the applicant will remain neutral in any union organizing effort for the term of the support. ``(9) Monitoring of job creation and job quality.--The Bank shall develop a process for-- ``(A) verifying that the estimates made under paragraph (4)(B) are reasonable when made; ``(B) monitoring the creation and sustainment of jobs through the portfolio of projects for which financing or financial assistance is provided under paragraph (1) over time, including estimated downstream and supply chain employment effects and measures of job quality, such as median wages, incentive programs and benefits for workers, and labor representation; ``(C) monitoring compliance with the prevailing wage requirements under paragraph (12), in coordination with the Department of Labor; and ``(D) reporting, not less frequently than annually, to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the aggregate employment impact of the portfolio described in subparagraph (B). ``(10) Support goal.--It shall be a goal of the Bank to ensure that not less than 30 percent of the applicable amount (as defined in section 6(a)(2)) in each fiscal year is made available for financing or financial assistance under this subsection. ``(11) Approval of certain transactions by board.--The approval of the Board is required for financing or financial assistance [[Page S2789]] in excess of $50,000,000 to be provided to a project under this subsection. ``(12) Prevailing wage protections; clawback for failure to comply.-- ``(A) In general.--All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction, alteration, or repair work carried out, in whole or in part, with financing or financial assistance from the Bank under this subsection shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. ``(B) Authority.--With respect to the labor standards specified in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code. ``(C) Progressive recovery for failure to comply.-- ``(i) In general.--If a project does not comply with subparagraph (A), the President of the Bank shall progressively recover up to the full amount of the award provided under paragraph (1) with respect to the project. ``(ii) Clawback provisions.--The President of the Bank and the Board of Directors shall-- ``(I) include, in each agreement providing for an award made under paragraph (1), clawback provisions to govern recovery under clause (i); and ``(II) notify the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to those provisions. ``(13) Waiver of repayment assurance.--In the case of loans provided under this subsection, the Board may waive the requirement for reasonable assurance of repayment under subsection (b)(1)(B) if amounts are appropriated to provide financing for purposes that are inconsistent with such requirement. ``(14) Guarantee coverage for participating lenders.-- ``(A) In general.--In providing a loan guarantee under this subsection, the Bank shall provide a 100 percent guarantee to an acceptable commercial bank or community lender-- ``(i) for up to 90 percent of the value of the loan, in the case of a loan for a small or medium-sized exporter; or ``(ii) for up to 80 percent of the value of the loan in any case not described in clause (i). ``(B) Delegated authority program.-- ``(i) In general.--Under the Program, the Bank shall develop a delegated authority program under which the Bank provides 100 percent guarantee coverage for up to $50,000,000 per loan made by a commercial bank or community lender to a small or medium-sized exporter. ``(ii) Standards.--The Bank, in consultation with private lenders, shall develop set of lending standards that offer a sufficient likelihood of repayment for purposes of the delegated authority program required by clause (i). ``(C) Small or medium-sized exporter defined.--In this paragraph, the term `small or medium-sized exporter' means an exporter with annual sales of $1,000,000,000 or less.''. (b) Inclusion in Annual Report.--Section 8 of the Export- Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) Report on Make More in America Program.--The Bank shall include in its annual report to Congress under subsection (a)-- ``(1) a list of all projects supported under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m); ``(2) a description of the geographic distribution of those projects; ``(3) an analysis of the financial performance of those projects; ``(4) an estimate of the number and quality of jobs in the United States created through those projects; ``(5) an estimate of the private capital mobilized by those projects, in aggregate and by project; ``(6) a description of the strategic production capacity created through those projects, including production volumes, supply chain positions secured, and import dependencies reduced; and ``(7) the ratio of private capital mobilized to public financing provided under the Program.''. SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF AGGREGATE LOAN, GUARANTEE, AND INSURANCE AUTHORITY. Section 6(a)(2) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635e(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows: ``(2) Applicable amount defined.--In this subsection, the term `applicable amount', for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033, means $205,000,000,000.''. SEC. 7. MODIFICATION OF DEFAULT RATE AND LENDING CAP. (a) In General.--Section 6(a)(3) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635e(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows: ``(3) Freezing of lending cap if default rate exceeds certain limitations.-- ``(A) Traditional export credit portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the traditional export credit portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to-- ``(i) oil and gas transactions is 2 percent or more for that quarter; or ``(ii) all transactions in that portfolio other than oil and gas transactions is 4 percent or more for that quarter. ``(B) Make more in america program portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the Make More in America Program portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to that portfolio is 10 percent or more for that quarter. ``(C) China and transformational exports program portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to that portfolio is 10 percent or more for that quarter. ``(D) Termination of freeze.-- ``(i) Traditional export credit portfolio.--A freeze under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to-- ``(I) in the case of a freeze under clause (i) of that paragraph, oil and gas transactions is less than 2 percent for that quarter; or ``(II) in the case of a freeze under clause (ii) of that paragraph, all transactions in the traditional export credit portfolio other than oil and gas transactions is less than 4 percent for that quarter. ``(ii) Make more in america program portfolio.--A freeze under paragraph (1)(B) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to the Make More in America Program portfolio is less than 10 percent. ``(iii) China and transformational exports portfolio.--A freeze under paragraph (1)(C) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to the China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio is less than 10 percent. ``(iv) Contingencies.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), a freeze under any such subparagraph shall terminate if-- ``(I) the Secretary of Commerce determines that the continued operation of the Bank is in the national security or economic interests of the United States and notifies Congress not later than 30 days after making that determination; or ``(II) the Secretary of the Treasury determines that a financial crisis exists that requires the Bank to provide liquidity or risk enhancements to protect United States exports and notifies Congress not later than 30 days after making that determination.''. (b) Calculating of Default Rates by Portfolio.--Section 8(g)(1) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)(1)) is amended to read as follows: ``(1) Monitoring of default rates.-- ``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Bank shall calculate the rate at which the entities to which the Bank has provided short-, medium-, or long-term financing are in default on a payment obligation under the financing, by dividing-- ``(i) the total amount of the required payments that are overdue and are expected to become net losses after using the Bank's reserves from collected interest and fees, by ``(ii) the applicable amount (as defined in section 6(a)(2)). ``(B) Accounting and default rates by portfolio.--The Bank shall maintain separate accounting of, and calculate a separate default rate under subparagraph (A) for-- ``(i) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) (in this Act referred to as the `Make More in America Program portfolio'); ``(ii) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) (in this Act referred to as the `China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio'); and ``(iii) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under authorities other than the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) or the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) (in this Act referred to as the `traditional export credit portfolio'). ``(C) Separate risk reporting.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank shall report separately on the default rate, risk exposure, and portfolio performance of the traditional export credit portfolio and the Make More in America Program portfolio.''. (c) Exclusion of Transactions Relating to Make More In America and China and Transformational Exports Programs.-- Section 8(g) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)), as amended by subsection (b), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(7) Exclusion of transactions relating to make more in america and china and transformational exports programs.--For the purposes of this subsection, if financing provided under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) or the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) results in a default rate calculated under paragraph (1) exceeding an applicable limitation under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 6(a)(3), the [[Page S2790]] Bank may, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, exclude such financing from the calculation of the default rate.''. (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8(g) of the Export- Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is further amended-- (1) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by striking ``exceeds 2 percent'' and inserting ``exceeds a limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; (B) by striking ``be at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equal or exceed that limitation''; and (C) by striking ``less than 2 percent'' and inserting ``less than that limitation''; (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``less than 2 percent'' and inserting ``less than the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; (3) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``is at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equals or exceeds applicable limitation''; (B) by striking ``the default rate'' and inserting ``a default rate''; (C) by striking ``is at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equals or exceeds the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; and (4) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)-- (A) by striking ``the default rate'' and inserting ``a default rate''; and (B) by striking ``remains above 2 percent'' and inserting ``continues to equal or exceed the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''. SEC. 8. INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(n) Investment Committee.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a management committee to be known as the `Investment Committee'. ``(2) Membership.--The Investment Committee shall be composed of-- ``(A) the President of the Bank, who shall serve as chairperson; ``(B) the Board of Directors; ``(C) a representative of the Department of the Treasury, designated by the Secretary of the Treasury; ``(D) a representative of the Department of Commerce, designated by the Secretary of Commerce; ``(E) a representative of the Department of Energy, designated by the Secretary of Energy; ``(F) a representative of the Department of Defense, designated by the Secretary of Defense; ``(G) a representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, designated by the United States Trade Representative; ``(H) a representative of the Small Business Administration, designated by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration; ``(I) a representative of the Department of Agriculture, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture; ``(J) a representative of the Department of Health and Human Services, designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; ``(K) a representative of the Department of Labor; ``(L) a representative of the Department of Transportation; ``(M) three Members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, each for a 2-year term; and ``(N) three Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each for a 2-year term. ``(3) Investment roadmap.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee shall be responsible for-- ``(i) developing a 10-year investment roadmap for-- ``(I) identified technology areas and industry priorities for public sector investment; and ``(II) identified missions of national interest to focus public sector investment and coordination across sectors to improve the lives of the people of the United States through greater capacity in innovation, production, deployment, lower costs, and problem-solving; and ``(ii) obtaining the approval of the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy with respect to the investment roadmap. ``(B) Use of roadmap.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) may inform the Bank and other agencies represented on the investment committee with respect to investment strategies that are consistent with their missions and policies. ``(C) Consideration of models.--In developing the investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A), the Investment Committee shall be informed by other technology roadmaps (such as the National Security Strategy and the Critical Technology Areas of the Department of Defense) and supply chain risk analyses. ``(D) Updates.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) shall be updated not less frequently than once every 4 years. ``(E) Public availability.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) and each update under subparagraph (C) shall be made available to the public. ``(4) Advisory committees.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee shall establish advisory committees for each technology area of interest or mission of national interest identified in the investment roadmap required by paragraph (3). ``(B) Role.--An advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) with respect to a technology area of interest or mission of national interest shall be responsible for providing to the Investment Committee critical inputs into overarching goals, milestones, and focus areas in the technology area of interest. ``(C) Membership.--An advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) shall include representatives from other Federal agencies, State governments, industry, labor organizations, research institutions, and other entities.''. SEC. 9. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. Section 13 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635i-7) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``cooperation on export financing programs'' and inserting ``interagency cooperation''; (2) by striking ``The Bank'' and inserting the following: ``(a) Cooperation on Export Financing and Financial Assistance Programs.--The Bank''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(b) Interagency Working Group.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established an interagency working group. ``(2) Duties.--The working group established by paragraph (1) shall be responsible for-- ``(A) providing guidance to the Bank on priority advanced manufacturing and critical technology industries; ``(B) ensuring coordination across Federal programs for financing and supporting advanced manufacturing and critical technology development in service of strategic economic competitiveness imperatives, including efforts to align performance metrics and to ensure timely review of applications and deployment of capital; ``(C) aligning the work of the working group with the activities of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee established under section 2312 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4727); and ``(D) conducting briefings required by paragraph (6). ``(3) Co-chairpersons.--The President of the Bank and the Director of the National Economic Council shall serve as co- chairpersons of the working group established by paragraph (1). ``(4) Domain-specific working groups.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee established under section 3(n) shall establish domain-specific working groups corresponding to the technology areas identified in the investment roadmap required by section 3(n)(3). Such domains may include biotechnology (including biomanufacturing), next-generation energy (including fusion energy), advanced computing, robotics, and critical minerals. ``(B) Missions of national interest.--One of the domain- specific working groups established under subparagraph (A) shall be established to identify missions of national interest to focus public sector investment and coordination across sectors to improve the lives of the people of the United States through greater capacity in innovation, production, deployment, lower costs, and problem-solving. ``(C) Composition.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the Investment Committee shall determine the membership of each domain-specific working group established under subparagraph (A), drawing from relevant Federal agencies, including the agencies described in paragraph (5), and from such other entities as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(D) Standing membership.--Each domain-specific working group established under subparagraph (A) shall include representatives of the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of State. ``(5) Technical input.--In carrying out the duties described in paragraph (2), the working group established by paragraph (1) and domain-specific working groups established under paragraph (4) shall seek technical input from relevant Federal agencies and entities, and other partners, including-- ``(A) Federal investment entities, including the Office of Strategic Capital of the Department of Defense, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Loan Programs Office of the Department of Energy, and Federal agencies to which authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) have been delegated; ``(B) Federal research and innovation agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, and the Small Business Innovation Research program, with a focus on agencies conducting aligned federally funded research with support from the Federal Government, including from the Bank, to translate research into new startups and to scale companies in the United States; ``(C) mission agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Small Business Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; ``(D) State governments, to coordinate with respect to, and align, where possible, [[Page S2791]] with, State investment to strengthen domestic industrial capacity in critical industries, including federally funded initiatives like the State Small Business Credit Initiative; and ``(E) such other agencies and entities as the Bank or the Investment Committee considers appropriate. ``(6) Annual briefings.--Not less frequently than annually, the working group established by paragraph (1) shall brief the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, and the Executive Office of the President with respect to, for the year preceding the briefing-- ``(A) requests for financial assistance considered by the Bank; ``(B) agreements made under this Act; ``(C) opportunities for and consideration of policy changes to improve coordination across Federal programs with the goal of ensuring the success of investments facilitated by financing or financial assistance under this Act; and ``(D) challenges identified by applicants for financial assistance across Federal programs. ``(c) Coordination With Respect to Technology Development.--The Bank shall convene meetings with other agencies to coordinate with respect to enhancing capacity for critical technology development in the United States.''. SEC. 10. LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPPORT. Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a), as amended by section 9, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(p) Limitations on Eligibility for Support.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other Act, a covered entity is not eligible for financing or other support under this Act. ``(2) Definitions.--In this section: ``(A) Covered entity.-- ``(i) In general.--The term `covered entity' means an entity in which a covered individual directly or indirectly holds a significant interest. ``(ii) Aggregation of securities.--For purposes of determining whether an entity is a covered entity for purposes of clause (i), if securities of the entity are owned, controlled, or held by 2 or more covered individuals who are related as described in subparagraph (B), such securities shall be aggregated. ``(B) Covered individual.--The term `covered individual' means-- ``(i) the President; ``(ii) the Vice President; ``(iii) a Member of Congress; ``(iv) an individual appointed to a position in an agency (as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code) for which appointment is required to be made by the President; ``(v) a special Government employee, as defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code, associated with the Executive Office of the President; ``(vi) a member of the Investment Committee established under subsection (n); and ``(vii) the spouse, child, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of an individual described in any of clauses (i) through (vi). ``(C) De minimis interest.--The term `de minimis interest' means an equity interest in an entity that-- ``(i) does not exceed the threshold specified in section 2640.202(a)(2) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); ``(ii) is purchased and owned as part of an Excepted Investment Fund or a mutual fund; or ``(iii) is purchased and owned as part of a widely diversified employee benefit plan or a pension established and maintained by a Federal, State, or local government. ``(D) Equity interest.--The term `equity interest' means-- ``(i) a share in an entity, without regard to whether the share is-- ``(I) transferable; or ``(II) classified as stock or anything similar; ``(ii) a capital or profit interest in a limited liability company or partnership; and ``(iii) a warrant or right (other than a right to convert) to purchase, sell, or subscribe to a share or interest described in clause (i) or (ii), respectively. ``(E) Excepted investment fund.--The term `Excepted Investment Fund' means a widely-held investment fund described in section 13104(f)(8) of title 5, United States Code. ``(F) Significant interest.--The term `significant interest', with respect to an entity, means owning, controlling, or holding any equity interest, other than a de minimis interest, in the entity.''. SEC. 11. MODIFICATION OF PROGRAM ON CHINA AND TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPORTS. Section 2(l)(1) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(l)(1)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``or by a covered country'' and inserting ``, the Russian Federation, or a covered country''; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or by a covered country'' and inserting ``, the Russian Federation, or a covered country''; and (3) in subparagraph (B)-- (A) in clause (v), by striking ``computing'' and inserting ``technologies''; and (B) in clause (vi), by inserting ``nuclear energy,'' after ``Renewable energy,''. SEC. 12. INCREASE IN GOAL FOR EXPORT OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND ENERGY STORAGE. Section 2(b)(1)(K) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(b)(1)(K)) is amended by striking ``5 percent'' and inserting ``10 percent''. SEC. 13. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY. (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a), as amended by section 10, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(q) Employment Authority.--The Board may compensate not more than 150 employees of the Bank without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 or subchapter III or VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.''. (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 117 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-429; 12 U.S.C. 635a note) is repealed. SEC. 14. EXPANSION OF GUARANTEE COVERAGE. Section 2(c)(3)(B) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(c)(3)(B)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``For the guarantee program provided for in this subsection,'' and inserting the following: ``(i) In general.--For a guarantee program described in clause (ii),''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(ii) Programs described.--A guarantee program described in this clause is-- ``(I) a guarantee program provided for in this subsection; ``(II) the Make More in America Program established under subsection (m); and ``(III) subject to clause (iii), the Working Capital Guarantee Program. ``(iii) Limitation on working capital guarantee program.-- Under the Working Capital Guarantee Program, the Bank may not provide 100 percent coverage of an amount of principal that exceeds $50,000,000.''. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2786,2026-06-15,119,2,,,STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SSTATEMENTS,S2786,S2791,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4781""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2786,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2786-S2791] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Reed, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Coons, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Warren, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kim, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms. Alsobrooks): S. 4781. A bill to expand the mission of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and focus on building export-related domestic critical industries that produce goods and services that support employment in the United States and strengthen global competitiveness, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the Make More in America Act--if we have learned anything from the past few years, it is that the American people will pay the price when wars, pandemics, and other shocks disrupt America's supply chains. Today, I led Senate Democrats in introducing the Make More in America Act, which will invest in American manufacturing to create jobs, lower costs, strengthen our national security, and build a more resilient economy. The Make More in America Act is going to help us face the challenges that China and other countries present, and we should move it as quickly as we can. If the United States is going to continue to outcompete China, we need to make sure that the technologies that will define the 21st- century economy are made in American factories by American workers. The U.S. Export-Import Bank has long helped American businesses stay competitive, and our bill will empower the Ex-Im Bank to provide even more support to building here at home the industries critical to our economy and our national security. From COVID-19 to Trump's disastrous war with Iran, to China weaponizing our reliance on them for certain products, America cannot afford to depend on the unreliable when the security and prosperity of our people are at stake. Our bill would rebuild American manufacturing, strengthen our supply chains to lower costs, and give us an edge over the Chinese Communist Party, all of which--all of which--should be bipartisan priorities. For the good of the country, we can and must make progress on these issues as we reauthorize the Export-Import Bank this year. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 4781 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Make More in America Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Purposes. Sec. 4. Modification of powers and functions. Sec. 5. Make More in America Program. Sec. 6. Modification of aggregate loan, guarantee, and insurance authority. Sec. 7. Modification of default rate and lending cap. Sec. 8. Investment Committee. Sec. 9. Interagency coordination. Sec. 10. Limitation on eligibility for support. Sec. 11. Modification of Program on China and Transformational Exports. Sec. 12. Increase in goal for export of goods and services related to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and energy storage. Sec. 13. Employment authority. Sec. 14. Expansion of guarantee coverage. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) The People's Republic of China poses a significant competitive threat to the United States, accounting, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, for 35 percent of manufacturing volume globally and 29 percent of [[Page S2787]] value-add (as opposed to 12 percent of volume and 16 percent of value-add for the United States). The People's Republic of China continues to gain ground in higher value-add technologies that were traditionally United States strengths. (2) The People's Republic of China's increased competitiveness can be traced to multiple sources, including coordinated initiatives such as Made in China 2025, which channeled resources toward manufacturing in higher value-add industries. However, the People's Republic of China also, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, leads in research and development in 66 of 74 areas. (3) Taken together, the two trends described in paragraphs (1) and (2) suggest that the People's Republic of China's lead in exports will grow, not shrink, unless serious action is taken by the United States to strengthen its domestic innovation and industrial investment. (4) This is especially true for critical industries of the future, such as next-generation automotives and drones, industrial automation, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, quantum technology, and fusion energy, unless the United States takes steps to support technology development in those markets. Many of those markets are, or could be, vital export opportunities with meaningful economic, national security, and job creation implications for the United States. (5) The United States also faces supply chain vulnerabilities in critical inputs for those industries of the future, including energy, semiconductors and associated technologies like circuit boards, critical minerals, batteries, and other technology components. (6) Capital-intensive industries with long production cycles, such as shipbuilding, chemical processing, and nuclear energy systems, face particularly acute financing challenges during the commercialization phase and the scaling of domestic production. Similarly, drone manufacturing and advanced robotics require coordinated investments in both production capacity and workforce training that private markets struggle to provide. The result is that countries with patient public capital, particularly the People's Republic of China, have captured dominant market positions in sectors where United States innovation initially led. (7) If the United States does not respond, manufacturers in the People's Republic of China will continue gaining global market share in critical technologies at the expense of United States companies and the United States stands to lose critical industries that provide jobs, create production capacity, and serve essential national security goals. (8) As such, Federal policy should focus on ensuring that technologies that are invented and developed in the United States are commercialized and produced in the United States, along with the products and services those technologies create. That will require a whole-of-government effort dedicated to revitalizing the ``innovation and industrial infrastructure'' of the United States. (9) While this is a multi-faceted issue that the Export- Import Bank of the United States (in this section referred to as the ``Bank'') cannot solve alone, the Bank can play a much more strategic role than the Bank is playing as of the date of the enactment of this Act by supporting the development phase of future technologies in areas that are underfunded by existing private sector tools. (10) The Bank has an opportunity to create the export markets of tomorrow by helping to fund the development, commercialization, and production of critical technologies in the United States, which will expand the long-term export base of the United States by increasing the overall competitive edge of the United States, and in doing so, support employment in the United States. (11) There exists an opportunity to enhance the Bank's strategic planning capabilities and deepen the Bank's focus on catalytic and scale-up financing. Such a repositioning would support technologies with substantial domestic manufacturing footprints in industries that represent not only strategic national security and competitiveness priorities but also significant employment opportunities across manufacturing communities in the United States. (12) Congress has already directed the Bank to undertake efforts in that direction, such as through the Program on China and Transformational Exports established under section 2(l) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(l)), which explicitly requires 20 percent of the Bank's funds to be invested in certain areas deemed highly strategic, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, semiconductors, quantum technology, and fusion energy, among other industries. A logical next step would be to expand that program to broaden its aperture and importance within the Bank, while reaffirming the Bank's mission to support export-related transactions that directly support United States jobs. (13) In 2022, the Bank's Board of Directors with a unanimous vote launched the Make More in America Initiative to support ``export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects'', extending some of the Bank's existing demand- driven, export-contingent financing programs to a more domestic focus to help revitalize United States manufacturing, directly support United States jobs, improve the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and level the playing field for United States companies competing in overseas markets. (14) There is an opportunity for the Bank to play a convening role in developing a cohesive investment roadmap for the Bank's own mandate, informed by input from across the Federal Government, including the industrial investment efforts of other Federal agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and the Small Business Administration. SEC. 3. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to ensure that advanced technologies critical to economic growth and national security are developed, commercialized, and produced in, and exported by, the United States and allies and partners of the United States, rather than adversaries of the United States; (2) to address capital market failures in sectors where United States production capacity and innovation is in the national interest; (3) to coordinate the resources of the Federal Government-- (A) to promote domestic technology invention, development, commercialization, production, and exportation; (B) to support the unmet capital needs of manufacturing companies of all sizes to grow domestically; (C) to encourage workforce training to support the growth and resilience of domestic manufacturing; (D) to accelerate permitting related to domestic manufacturing projects; and (E) to improve access to physical infrastructure, such as energy and logistics, for the growth of domestic manufacturing; and (4) to promote the creation of good jobs in communities across the United States, along with the benefits of advanced industry development on local development. SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. Section 2(a) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``to facilitate exports of'' and inserting ``to facilitate the development, commercialization, and production in the United States, and the export of''; and (B) by inserting after the third sentence the following: ``The Bank shall provide loans, guarantees, grants, cooperative agreements, offtake agreements, price insurance and other insurance facilities, and other instruments through other transaction authority under paragraph (4)(A) to accelerate the development, commercialization, and production of technologies that are critical to the national security, innovation, and economic growth of the United States and direct employment of United States workers, including technologies that emerge from federally funded research.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Additional Powers.--In addition to the powers and authorities set forth in paragraph (1), the Bank may-- ``(A) to the extent authorized by law, enter into such agreements, including contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, offtake agreements, price insurance and other insurance facilities, and other instruments, and may enter into other transactions, including providing subordinated capital, to facilitate investments and the provision of financial assistance on such terms as the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors consider appropriate; ``(B) make advance payments under agreements and other transactions authorized under subparagraph (A) without regard to section 3324 of title 31, United States Code; ``(C) procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; ``(D) notwithstanding section 3104 of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of other law relating to the appointment, number, classification, or compensation of employees, make appointments of scientific, engineering, and professional personnel, and fix the basic pay of such personnel at a rate to be determined by the President of the Bank at rates not in excess of the highest total annual compensation payable at the rate determined under section 104 of title 3, United States Code; ``(E) with the consent of another Federal agency, enter into an agreement with that Federal agency to use, with or without reimbursement, any service, equipment, personnel, or facility of that Federal agency; and ``(F) establish such rules, regulations, and procedures as the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors consider appropriate and that are consistent with other statutes.''. SEC. 5. MAKE MORE IN AMERICA PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Section 2 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) Make More in America Program.-- ``(1) Establishment.-- ``(A) In general.--The Bank shall establish the Make More in America Program (in this subsection referred to as the `Program'), under which the Bank shall provide support, by providing financing and entering into other agreements and transactions authorized under paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (a), for export-related manufacturing [[Page S2788]] projects in the United States, in support of manufacturing companies of all sizes, including startups, in priority industries described in paragraph (2), industries described in paragraph (3), and suppliers that enable those industries, all of which directly support employment in the United States. ``(B) Future exports.--The Bank may provide support under the Program to support future exports by an applicant for such support, even if the applicant does not produce goods for export at the time the support is awarded. ``(2) Priority focus areas.--Under the Program, the Bank shall advance export-related manufacturing in the following industries: ``(A) Strategic industries for which there is evidence of subsidies or production support by other countries that-- ``(i) has resulted in overreliance or created foreign chokepoints for United States supply chains; or ``(ii) otherwise presents a persistent risk to United States supply chains. ``(B) Strategic industries critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States, including, at a minimum, industries described in paragraph (3). ``(C) Emerging industries that-- ``(i) are critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States; and ``(ii) have not reached commercial scale and therefore are unable to receive sufficient private capital funding for demonstration scale operations, equipment purchasing, commercialization, or sustained manufacturing for export. ``(3) Industries of interest.--The industries described in this paragraph are industries, and components thereof, critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States, which may include the following: ``(A) The transformational export areas under the Program on China and Transformational Exports specified in subsection (l)(1)(B). ``(B) Critical minerals (as defined in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a))). ``(C) Shipbuilding and ship repair. ``(D) Cyber-physical systems and mechatronics, including robotics. ``(E) Aerospace and aviation, including unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) and the components and subsystems thereof, including propulsion systems. ``(F) Transport systems. ``(G) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including for the purposes of electric generation, consistent with the restrictions on the National Science Foundation under section 15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1874). ``(H) Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies. ``(I) Critical sensing technologies. ``(J) Such other industries as the Bank, with the approval of the Board of Directors, considers appropriate. ``(4) Requirements for projects.--An applicant seeking support from the Bank under paragraph (1) with respect to a project is required-- ``(A) to demonstrate that the project-- ``(i) aligns with the goals of the investment roadmap developed under section 3(n)(3); ``(ii) has a credible pathway to financial sustainability and, as appropriate, provides reasonable assurance of repayment; and ``(iii) supports employment in the United States directly related to the project; and ``(B) to submit documentation on the number of jobs in the United States that the applicant estimates will be created, and the quality of those jobs, if the support for the project is approved; and ``(C) to make commitments to investing in-- ``(i) workers and communities associated with the project, including through training and education benefits paid by the applicant, wrap around services that support workforce reliability, and commitments secured from regional educational and training entities, including joint labor- management organizations, and institutions of higher education to provide workforce training, including apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'); and ``(ii) the quality of jobs associated with the project, as determined based on higher wage levels than the local median wage, incentive programs (which may include employee ownership plans and profit sharing arrangements), benefits, and worker protections. ``(5) Preferential terms for certain projects.-- ``(A) In general.--The Bank may provide support under paragraph (1) on more favorable terms or in a larger amount for a project-- ``(i) that is located in or directly benefits an economically distressed region; or ``(ii) if more than 70 percent of the jobs created by the project are expected to pay more than 110 percent of the mean pay for the county in which the project is located. ``(B) Economically distressed region defined.--In this paragraph, the term `economically distressed region' means a region-- ``(i) described in-- ``(I) section 301 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161); ``(II) section 29(j)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722b(j)(1)); or ``(III) section 6702(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code; or ``(ii) that meets the definition of `persistent poverty county' in section 736 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 4503). ``(6) Use of funds.-- ``(A) Authorized uses.--A project that receives support under paragraph (1) may use the support for any purpose that-- ``(i) is reasonably related to development, commercialization, or domestic production in industries described in paragraph (3), including support for workforce development by means of direct training, support for building or expanding a facility, or for related site development; or ``(ii) the President of the Bank and the Board of Directors determines to be consistent with the objectives of the Program. ``(B) Prohibited uses.--Support provided under paragraph (1) may not be used-- ``(i) to repay debts incurred by the person receiving the support before the disbursement of the support; ``(ii) to make distributions, dividends, or other payments to shareholders or equity holders of the person; or ``(iii) to fund the acquisition of another entity unrelated to the project. ``(7) Target dates; clawback for failure to meet.-- ``(A) Target dates.--For each award of financing or financial assistance provided under paragraph (1) with respect to a project, the President of the Bank shall, before distributing the award, determine target dates by which a project shall commence and complete. ``(B) Progressive recovery for delays.-- ``(i) In general.--If a project does not commence and complete by the target dates established under subparagraph (A), the President of the Bank shall progressively recover up to the full amount of the award provided under paragraph (1) with respect to the project. ``(ii) Clawback provisions.--The President of the Bank and the Board of Directors shall-- ``(I) include, in each agreement providing for an award made under paragraph (1), clawback provisions to govern recovery under clause (i); and ``(II) notify the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to those provisions. ``(C) Waiver.--In the case of a project that receives financing or financial assistance under paragraph (1) and experiences delays, the President of the Bank may waive elements of the clawback provisions incorporated into the agreement providing for the award-- ``(i) after making a formal determination that circumstances beyond the ability of the person that received the award to foresee or control are responsible for delays; and ``(ii) not less than 15 days after notifying the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives of the intention of the President of the Bank to issue the waiver. ``(8) Workforce protections.--An applicant seeking support from the Bank under paragraph (1) with respect to a project and that has 100 or more employees shall make a good-faith certification that-- ``(A) the applicant will not abrogate existing collective bargaining agreements for-- ``(i) the duration of the project; or ``(ii) the term of the support and 2 years after the termination of the support; and ``(B) the applicant will remain neutral in any union organizing effort for the term of the support. ``(9) Monitoring of job creation and job quality.--The Bank shall develop a process for-- ``(A) verifying that the estimates made under paragraph (4)(B) are reasonable when made; ``(B) monitoring the creation and sustainment of jobs through the portfolio of projects for which financing or financial assistance is provided under paragraph (1) over time, including estimated downstream and supply chain employment effects and measures of job quality, such as median wages, incentive programs and benefits for workers, and labor representation; ``(C) monitoring compliance with the prevailing wage requirements under paragraph (12), in coordination with the Department of Labor; and ``(D) reporting, not less frequently than annually, to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the aggregate employment impact of the portfolio described in subparagraph (B). ``(10) Support goal.--It shall be a goal of the Bank to ensure that not less than 30 percent of the applicable amount (as defined in section 6(a)(2)) in each fiscal year is made available for financing or financial assistance under this subsection. ``(11) Approval of certain transactions by board.--The approval of the Board is required for financing or financial assistance [[Page S2789]] in excess of $50,000,000 to be provided to a project under this subsection. ``(12) Prevailing wage protections; clawback for failure to comply.-- ``(A) In general.--All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction, alteration, or repair work carried out, in whole or in part, with financing or financial assistance from the Bank under this subsection shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. ``(B) Authority.--With respect to the labor standards specified in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code. ``(C) Progressive recovery for failure to comply.-- ``(i) In general.--If a project does not comply with subparagraph (A), the President of the Bank shall progressively recover up to the full amount of the award provided under paragraph (1) with respect to the project. ``(ii) Clawback provisions.--The President of the Bank and the Board of Directors shall-- ``(I) include, in each agreement providing for an award made under paragraph (1), clawback provisions to govern recovery under clause (i); and ``(II) notify the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to those provisions. ``(13) Waiver of repayment assurance.--In the case of loans provided under this subsection, the Board may waive the requirement for reasonable assurance of repayment under subsection (b)(1)(B) if amounts are appropriated to provide financing for purposes that are inconsistent with such requirement. ``(14) Guarantee coverage for participating lenders.-- ``(A) In general.--In providing a loan guarantee under this subsection, the Bank shall provide a 100 percent guarantee to an acceptable commercial bank or community lender-- ``(i) for up to 90 percent of the value of the loan, in the case of a loan for a small or medium-sized exporter; or ``(ii) for up to 80 percent of the value of the loan in any case not described in clause (i). ``(B) Delegated authority program.-- ``(i) In general.--Under the Program, the Bank shall develop a delegated authority program under which the Bank provides 100 percent guarantee coverage for up to $50,000,000 per loan made by a commercial bank or community lender to a small or medium-sized exporter. ``(ii) Standards.--The Bank, in consultation with private lenders, shall develop set of lending standards that offer a sufficient likelihood of repayment for purposes of the delegated authority program required by clause (i). ``(C) Small or medium-sized exporter defined.--In this paragraph, the term `small or medium-sized exporter' means an exporter with annual sales of $1,000,000,000 or less.''. (b) Inclusion in Annual Report.--Section 8 of the Export- Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) Report on Make More in America Program.--The Bank shall include in its annual report to Congress under subsection (a)-- ``(1) a list of all projects supported under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m); ``(2) a description of the geographic distribution of those projects; ``(3) an analysis of the financial performance of those projects; ``(4) an estimate of the number and quality of jobs in the United States created through those projects; ``(5) an estimate of the private capital mobilized by those projects, in aggregate and by project; ``(6) a description of the strategic production capacity created through those projects, including production volumes, supply chain positions secured, and import dependencies reduced; and ``(7) the ratio of private capital mobilized to public financing provided under the Program.''. SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF AGGREGATE LOAN, GUARANTEE, AND INSURANCE AUTHORITY. Section 6(a)(2) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635e(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows: ``(2) Applicable amount defined.--In this subsection, the term `applicable amount', for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033, means $205,000,000,000.''. SEC. 7. MODIFICATION OF DEFAULT RATE AND LENDING CAP. (a) In General.--Section 6(a)(3) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635e(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows: ``(3) Freezing of lending cap if default rate exceeds certain limitations.-- ``(A) Traditional export credit portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the traditional export credit portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to-- ``(i) oil and gas transactions is 2 percent or more for that quarter; or ``(ii) all transactions in that portfolio other than oil and gas transactions is 4 percent or more for that quarter. ``(B) Make more in america program portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the Make More in America Program portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to that portfolio is 10 percent or more for that quarter. ``(C) China and transformational exports program portfolio.--The Bank may not exceed the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance in the China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio (as defined in section 8(g)(1)(B)) outstanding on the last day of a quarter if the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to that portfolio is 10 percent or more for that quarter. ``(D) Termination of freeze.-- ``(i) Traditional export credit portfolio.--A freeze under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to-- ``(I) in the case of a freeze under clause (i) of that paragraph, oil and gas transactions is less than 2 percent for that quarter; or ``(II) in the case of a freeze under clause (ii) of that paragraph, all transactions in the traditional export credit portfolio other than oil and gas transactions is less than 4 percent for that quarter. ``(ii) Make more in america program portfolio.--A freeze under paragraph (1)(B) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to the Make More in America Program portfolio is less than 10 percent. ``(iii) China and transformational exports portfolio.--A freeze under paragraph (1)(C) shall remain in effect until the rate calculated under section 8(g)(1) with respect to the China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio is less than 10 percent. ``(iv) Contingencies.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), a freeze under any such subparagraph shall terminate if-- ``(I) the Secretary of Commerce determines that the continued operation of the Bank is in the national security or economic interests of the United States and notifies Congress not later than 30 days after making that determination; or ``(II) the Secretary of the Treasury determines that a financial crisis exists that requires the Bank to provide liquidity or risk enhancements to protect United States exports and notifies Congress not later than 30 days after making that determination.''. (b) Calculating of Default Rates by Portfolio.--Section 8(g)(1) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)(1)) is amended to read as follows: ``(1) Monitoring of default rates.-- ``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Bank shall calculate the rate at which the entities to which the Bank has provided short-, medium-, or long-term financing are in default on a payment obligation under the financing, by dividing-- ``(i) the total amount of the required payments that are overdue and are expected to become net losses after using the Bank's reserves from collected interest and fees, by ``(ii) the applicable amount (as defined in section 6(a)(2)). ``(B) Accounting and default rates by portfolio.--The Bank shall maintain separate accounting of, and calculate a separate default rate under subparagraph (A) for-- ``(i) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) (in this Act referred to as the `Make More in America Program portfolio'); ``(ii) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) (in this Act referred to as the `China and Transformational Exports Program portfolio'); and ``(iii) all loans, guarantees, and insurance provided under authorities other than the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) or the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) (in this Act referred to as the `traditional export credit portfolio'). ``(C) Separate risk reporting.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank shall report separately on the default rate, risk exposure, and portfolio performance of the traditional export credit portfolio and the Make More in America Program portfolio.''. (c) Exclusion of Transactions Relating to Make More In America and China and Transformational Exports Programs.-- Section 8(g) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)), as amended by subsection (b), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(7) Exclusion of transactions relating to make more in america and china and transformational exports programs.--For the purposes of this subsection, if financing provided under the Make More in America Program pursuant to section 2(m) or the China and Transformational Exports Program pursuant to section 2(l) results in a default rate calculated under paragraph (1) exceeding an applicable limitation under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 6(a)(3), the [[Page S2790]] Bank may, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, exclude such financing from the calculation of the default rate.''. (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8(g) of the Export- Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635g(g)), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is further amended-- (1) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by striking ``exceeds 2 percent'' and inserting ``exceeds a limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; (B) by striking ``be at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equal or exceed that limitation''; and (C) by striking ``less than 2 percent'' and inserting ``less than that limitation''; (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``less than 2 percent'' and inserting ``less than the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; (3) in paragraph (5)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``is at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equals or exceeds applicable limitation''; (B) by striking ``the default rate'' and inserting ``a default rate''; (C) by striking ``is at least 2 percent'' and inserting ``equals or exceeds the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''; and (4) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)-- (A) by striking ``the default rate'' and inserting ``a default rate''; and (B) by striking ``remains above 2 percent'' and inserting ``continues to equal or exceed the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 6(a)(3)''. SEC. 8. INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(n) Investment Committee.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a management committee to be known as the `Investment Committee'. ``(2) Membership.--The Investment Committee shall be composed of-- ``(A) the President of the Bank, who shall serve as chairperson; ``(B) the Board of Directors; ``(C) a representative of the Department of the Treasury, designated by the Secretary of the Treasury; ``(D) a representative of the Department of Commerce, designated by the Secretary of Commerce; ``(E) a representative of the Department of Energy, designated by the Secretary of Energy; ``(F) a representative of the Department of Defense, designated by the Secretary of Defense; ``(G) a representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, designated by the United States Trade Representative; ``(H) a representative of the Small Business Administration, designated by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration; ``(I) a representative of the Department of Agriculture, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture; ``(J) a representative of the Department of Health and Human Services, designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; ``(K) a representative of the Department of Labor; ``(L) a representative of the Department of Transportation; ``(M) three Members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, each for a 2-year term; and ``(N) three Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each for a 2-year term. ``(3) Investment roadmap.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee shall be responsible for-- ``(i) developing a 10-year investment roadmap for-- ``(I) identified technology areas and industry priorities for public sector investment; and ``(II) identified missions of national interest to focus public sector investment and coordination across sectors to improve the lives of the people of the United States through greater capacity in innovation, production, deployment, lower costs, and problem-solving; and ``(ii) obtaining the approval of the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy with respect to the investment roadmap. ``(B) Use of roadmap.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) may inform the Bank and other agencies represented on the investment committee with respect to investment strategies that are consistent with their missions and policies. ``(C) Consideration of models.--In developing the investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A), the Investment Committee shall be informed by other technology roadmaps (such as the National Security Strategy and the Critical Technology Areas of the Department of Defense) and supply chain risk analyses. ``(D) Updates.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) shall be updated not less frequently than once every 4 years. ``(E) Public availability.--The investment roadmap required by subparagraph (A) and each update under subparagraph (C) shall be made available to the public. ``(4) Advisory committees.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee shall establish advisory committees for each technology area of interest or mission of national interest identified in the investment roadmap required by paragraph (3). ``(B) Role.--An advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) with respect to a technology area of interest or mission of national interest shall be responsible for providing to the Investment Committee critical inputs into overarching goals, milestones, and focus areas in the technology area of interest. ``(C) Membership.--An advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) shall include representatives from other Federal agencies, State governments, industry, labor organizations, research institutions, and other entities.''. SEC. 9. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. Section 13 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635i-7) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``cooperation on export financing programs'' and inserting ``interagency cooperation''; (2) by striking ``The Bank'' and inserting the following: ``(a) Cooperation on Export Financing and Financial Assistance Programs.--The Bank''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(b) Interagency Working Group.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established an interagency working group. ``(2) Duties.--The working group established by paragraph (1) shall be responsible for-- ``(A) providing guidance to the Bank on priority advanced manufacturing and critical technology industries; ``(B) ensuring coordination across Federal programs for financing and supporting advanced manufacturing and critical technology development in service of strategic economic competitiveness imperatives, including efforts to align performance metrics and to ensure timely review of applications and deployment of capital; ``(C) aligning the work of the working group with the activities of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee established under section 2312 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4727); and ``(D) conducting briefings required by paragraph (6). ``(3) Co-chairpersons.--The President of the Bank and the Director of the National Economic Council shall serve as co- chairpersons of the working group established by paragraph (1). ``(4) Domain-specific working groups.-- ``(A) In general.--The Investment Committee established under section 3(n) shall establish domain-specific working groups corresponding to the technology areas identified in the investment roadmap required by section 3(n)(3). Such domains may include biotechnology (including biomanufacturing), next-generation energy (including fusion energy), advanced computing, robotics, and critical minerals. ``(B) Missions of national interest.--One of the domain- specific working groups established under subparagraph (A) shall be established to identify missions of national interest to focus public sector investment and coordination across sectors to improve the lives of the people of the United States through greater capacity in innovation, production, deployment, lower costs, and problem-solving. ``(C) Composition.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the Investment Committee shall determine the membership of each domain-specific working group established under subparagraph (A), drawing from relevant Federal agencies, including the agencies described in paragraph (5), and from such other entities as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(D) Standing membership.--Each domain-specific working group established under subparagraph (A) shall include representatives of the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of State. ``(5) Technical input.--In carrying out the duties described in paragraph (2), the working group established by paragraph (1) and domain-specific working groups established under paragraph (4) shall seek technical input from relevant Federal agencies and entities, and other partners, including-- ``(A) Federal investment entities, including the Office of Strategic Capital of the Department of Defense, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Loan Programs Office of the Department of Energy, and Federal agencies to which authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) have been delegated; ``(B) Federal research and innovation agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, and the Small Business Innovation Research program, with a focus on agencies conducting aligned federally funded research with support from the Federal Government, including from the Bank, to translate research into new startups and to scale companies in the United States; ``(C) mission agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Small Business Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; ``(D) State governments, to coordinate with respect to, and align, where possible, [[Page S2791]] with, State investment to strengthen domestic industrial capacity in critical industries, including federally funded initiatives like the State Small Business Credit Initiative; and ``(E) such other agencies and entities as the Bank or the Investment Committee considers appropriate. ``(6) Annual briefings.--Not less frequently than annually, the working group established by paragraph (1) shall brief the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, and the Executive Office of the President with respect to, for the year preceding the briefing-- ``(A) requests for financial assistance considered by the Bank; ``(B) agreements made under this Act; ``(C) opportunities for and consideration of policy changes to improve coordination across Federal programs with the goal of ensuring the success of investments facilitated by financing or financial assistance under this Act; and ``(D) challenges identified by applicants for financial assistance across Federal programs. ``(c) Coordination With Respect to Technology Development.--The Bank shall convene meetings with other agencies to coordinate with respect to enhancing capacity for critical technology development in the United States.''. SEC. 10. LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPPORT. Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a), as amended by section 9, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(p) Limitations on Eligibility for Support.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other Act, a covered entity is not eligible for financing or other support under this Act. ``(2) Definitions.--In this section: ``(A) Covered entity.-- ``(i) In general.--The term `covered entity' means an entity in which a covered individual directly or indirectly holds a significant interest. ``(ii) Aggregation of securities.--For purposes of determining whether an entity is a covered entity for purposes of clause (i), if securities of the entity are owned, controlled, or held by 2 or more covered individuals who are related as described in subparagraph (B), such securities shall be aggregated. ``(B) Covered individual.--The term `covered individual' means-- ``(i) the President; ``(ii) the Vice President; ``(iii) a Member of Congress; ``(iv) an individual appointed to a position in an agency (as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code) for which appointment is required to be made by the President; ``(v) a special Government employee, as defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code, associated with the Executive Office of the President; ``(vi) a member of the Investment Committee established under subsection (n); and ``(vii) the spouse, child, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of an individual described in any of clauses (i) through (vi). ``(C) De minimis interest.--The term `de minimis interest' means an equity interest in an entity that-- ``(i) does not exceed the threshold specified in section 2640.202(a)(2) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); ``(ii) is purchased and owned as part of an Excepted Investment Fund or a mutual fund; or ``(iii) is purchased and owned as part of a widely diversified employee benefit plan or a pension established and maintained by a Federal, State, or local government. ``(D) Equity interest.--The term `equity interest' means-- ``(i) a share in an entity, without regard to whether the share is-- ``(I) transferable; or ``(II) classified as stock or anything similar; ``(ii) a capital or profit interest in a limited liability company or partnership; and ``(iii) a warrant or right (other than a right to convert) to purchase, sell, or subscribe to a share or interest described in clause (i) or (ii), respectively. ``(E) Excepted investment fund.--The term `Excepted Investment Fund' means a widely-held investment fund described in section 13104(f)(8) of title 5, United States Code. ``(F) Significant interest.--The term `significant interest', with respect to an entity, means owning, controlling, or holding any equity interest, other than a de minimis interest, in the entity.''. SEC. 11. MODIFICATION OF PROGRAM ON CHINA AND TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPORTS. Section 2(l)(1) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(l)(1)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``or by a covered country'' and inserting ``, the Russian Federation, or a covered country''; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or by a covered country'' and inserting ``, the Russian Federation, or a covered country''; and (3) in subparagraph (B)-- (A) in clause (v), by striking ``computing'' and inserting ``technologies''; and (B) in clause (vi), by inserting ``nuclear energy,'' after ``Renewable energy,''. SEC. 12. INCREASE IN GOAL FOR EXPORT OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND ENERGY STORAGE. Section 2(b)(1)(K) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(b)(1)(K)) is amended by striking ``5 percent'' and inserting ``10 percent''. SEC. 13. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITY. (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635a), as amended by section 10, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(q) Employment Authority.--The Board may compensate not more than 150 employees of the Bank without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 or subchapter III or VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.''. (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 117 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-429; 12 U.S.C. 635a note) is repealed. SEC. 14. EXPANSION OF GUARANTEE COVERAGE. Section 2(c)(3)(B) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 U.S.C. 635(c)(3)(B)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``For the guarantee program provided for in this subsection,'' and inserting the following: ``(i) In general.--For a guarantee program described in clause (ii),''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(ii) Programs described.--A guarantee program described in this clause is-- ``(I) a guarantee program provided for in this subsection; ``(II) the Make More in America Program established under subsection (m); and ``(III) subject to clause (iii), the Working Capital Guarantee Program. ``(iii) Limitation on working capital guarantee program.-- Under the Working Capital Guarantee Program, the Bank may not provide 100 percent coverage of an amount of principal that exceeds $50,000,000.''. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2791,2026-06-15,119,2,,,"SENATE RESOLUTION 770--DESIGNATING JUNE 6, 2026, AS NATIONAL NALOXONE AWARENESS DAY",SENATE,SENATE,SRESOLUTION,S2791,S2792,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2791,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2791-S2792] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 770--DESIGNATING JUNE 6, 2026, AS NATIONAL NALOXONE AWARENESS DAY Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Mr. Markey, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Risch, Mr. King, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Moody, Mr. Justice, and Ms. Cortez Masto) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 770 Whereas opioid overdoses continue to devastate communities across the United States, leading to a significant loss of life and widespread societal impact; Whereas opioid overdoses during the 12 months preceding November of 2025 claimed a reported 43,810 lives in the United States; Whereas fatal overdoses are often witnessed by a bystander; Whereas, in 2025 alone, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than 369,000,000 potentially deadly doses of fentanyl, enough to kill every individual in the United States; Whereas, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl-related poisonings are a leading cause of death for individuals in the United States between 18 and 44 years of age; Whereas naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives when administered promptly by rapidly reversing the effects of opioids; Whereas naloxone plays a vital role in preventing long-term brain damage and reducing the risk of fatality associated with opioid overdoses; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes naloxone as an important tool in preventing opioid overdose deaths; Whereas it is imperative to educate individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and first responders about-- (1) the benefits of naloxone, including the potential naloxone has to reduce opioid-related fatalities; and (2) how to safely administer naloxone; Whereas it is imperative to identify current or potential barriers for individuals, organizations, and Federal, State, and local governments to obtain and distribute naloxone; Whereas increasing access to naloxone can improve the chances of recovery for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder and support a future free from the grip of opioid use disorder; Whereas the Food and Drug Administration acted to authorize the over-the-counter sale of 10 milligram doses of naloxone alongside extending the shelf life of newly manufactured naloxone 4 milligram nasal spray products from 3 to 4 years in 2024; and Whereas recognizing National Naloxone Awareness Day will contribute to the ongoing efforts to educate the public, reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder, and promote access to lifesaving naloxone: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- [[Page S2792]] (1) designates June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day; (2) recognizes the life-saving benefits of naloxone in reversing opioid overdoses and preventing unnecessary deaths; (3) acknowledges that increased access to naloxone empowers individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and first responders to intervene in emergency situations and provide immediate assistance to those experiencing an opioid overdose; (4) recognizes that National Naloxone Awareness Day serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the importance of recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and equipping themselves with naloxone to save lives; (5) encourages Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private and nonprofit organizations, to support increased naloxone access, education, and distribution efforts; and (6) calls upon Federal agencies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and all others engaged in the National Drug Control Strategy to continue supporting public awareness of naloxone, and overdose and poisoning prevention. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2792-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,NATIONAL NALOXONE AWARENESS DAY,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2792,S2792,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""770""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2792,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2792] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NATIONAL NALOXONE AWARENESS DAY Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 770, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 770) designating June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 770) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2792-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,"ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026",SENATE,SENATE,SORDERFOR,S2792,S2792,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2792,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2792] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. tomorrow for the weekly conference meetings. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2792-4,2026-06-15,119,2,,,ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT,SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S2792,S2793,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2792,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2792-S2793] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of my Democratic colleagues. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The minority whip. DACA Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I want to reflect on the 14th anniversary--it is the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known as DACA. After years of congressional inaction, in 2010, I wrote a letter to my former Senate colleague President Barack Obama, cosigned by my late Republican colleague Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, asking President Obama to stop the deportation of Dreamers. Who are the Dreamers? They are kids who came to the United States with their parents. They were infants, toddlers, young boys and girls, maybe even teenagers. But they didn't make the family decision. They got in a car and headed north. They grew up in the United States, never knowing that they were undocumented and didn't have the proper legal identification. When everybody stood up in the classroom and pledged allegiance to that flag, they joined in. That was their flag, for their country and their future. And somehow, a little later in life, around their teenage, adolescent years, one of their parents sat down and said: I have got to tell you the grim reality. You are not legally in the United States. You are undocumented. No matter how hard you studied, how many times you pledged allegiance to that flag, you don't legally belong here. As a consequence, I introduced a bill called the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act basically said: If you keep your nose clean, if you work hard, if you pursue the path the right way--now that you are here--we are not going to hold it against you that you were sitting in the back seat when your mom and dad drove up here. We are going to give you a chance for your future to prove that you are of value to the United States. That was the DREAM Act. I tried to pass it on the floor of the Senate many times. Often, I would get a majority vote, but the requirement on the floor would be 60 votes, and I would fall just short of it. So it was about 14 or 15 years ago that I wrote this letter, cosigned by Senator Richard Lugar, to President Barack Obama. When he was in the Senate, he sat over here. He was a cosponsor of the DREAM Act. So I knew that I had a pretty good audience, sending him this letter. I asked him if there is anything, as President of the United States of America, he can do to protect these young people from being deported. It took a while. It took months. There was some fierce negotiations even within his administration. But 14 years ago today, he came up with the DACA Program. The DACA Program is fairly simple and straightforward. If you want to stay in the United States and legally work and also pay your taxes, if you want to make sure that you are not going to be deported, you come to the government every 2 years, and you pay a filing fee of $600. They process you and do an extensive criminal background check. If you pass that check, you can work here for 2 years and then do it all over again. If something happens in the intervening 2 years, where you have broken the law with a serious crime, you are gone. It is just that simple. No more DACA protection, nothing. So how many young people stepped up? I was surprised. I expected some, but I didn't expect the overwhelming turnout. It was in August of that year that we held a meeting at the Navy Pier in Chicago. Congressman Luis Gutierrez and I had thought, well, we will bring in some volunteer immigration attorneys. We will bring in the notary publics that may be needed. And we will let these young people-- by and large, young people--sign up for the DACA Program. We were expecting about 500; 20,000 came--20,000. They stood in line, starting at midnight, and snaked around the Navy Pier--parents bringing their kids in to finally have a chance to have peace of mind that their son or daughter had a future in the United States. How many all together across the Nation signed up? Mr. President, 835,000--835,000. They came forward. They received the protection of DACA. And now who are they, and where are they? They are teaching their kids in the classroom at school. They are the nurses that answered the buzzer when your spouse was in the hospital. They are engineers, small business owners, caregivers. They are taking care of your mom and dad in that nursing home tonight--DACA. These young people grew up in America, alongside our own kids. This is the only place they ever called home. DACA recipients--with peace of mind that they could go to work--started families, with 37 percent having U.S. [[Page S2793]] citizen children. And 935,000 U.S. citizens live with DACA holders. This program, created because of a letter that Senator Lugar and I sent to President Obama, has reached out and touched the lives of millions of young Americans. DACA recipients pay their taxes. They contribute nearly $16 billion a year to the U.S. economy. Let me highlight the story of one of these DACA recipients so that you come to know at least one person who has benefited from DACA. I have come to the floor of the Senate many times to tell these stories of Dreamers. This is No. 152. Her name is Diana Perez. She was born in Mexico City. Diana was brought to this country when she was 7 years old. She grew up in one of the best cities in the world, as far as I am concerned, a city which has a pretty good baseball team too. That is, of course, the city of Chicago in my home State of Illinois--two pretty good baseball teams. I better be careful. Before Diana obtained DACA, her academic advisor laid out the barriers she would face, questioning how she would support herself and how she would be able to afford her education. For young people like Diana, this is a hill to climb and a responsibility that they have to face that many kids don't ever face. She was a determined person. She wasn't going to let anybody discourage her from her goals in life. She cleaned houses. She served coffee to pay her tuition and cover the cost of books. She was so passionate about her education and it being the key to her success, she confronted every barrier head-on. Ultimately, Diana graduated with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in media and communications from Northeastern Illinois University. She is a proud Golden Eagle of that great school. Her experiences in college and graduate school inspired her to fight for the rights of others and combat discrimination. Diana now serves as the community engagement director for the city of Chicago's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which is chaired by Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward. Since joining the committee, Diana has collaborated with community partners, nonprofits, and government officials, and she has advocated on behalf of the people of Chicago. I met Diana here in the Capitol in April. She and her colleagues with the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation traveled to Washington, DC. Diana explained to me that DACA changed her life. It provided her with the opportunity to pursue the career that she is so passionate about. Her goal is to work in the Federal Government someday. And wouldn't we all be lucky to have her represent us? Despite multiple court challenges, DACA still survives. And the Trump administration is under court order to resume processing DACA renewals and work permit applications. When they couldn't just stop the program, they tried--in the President's first term, they tried to find some way to slow it down with a challenge in court. They lost in court. The judge ordered them to proceed with DACA as written, but they refused to do so. We know that President Trump attempted to eliminate DACA in his first term. Now his administration is stripping away many of the Dreamers of their lawful presence and deporting them from the country they grew up in. How does that work? They show up to renew their DACA status, protecting them from deportation and allowing them to work and pay taxes, and someone is waiting at the front door. They say: Before you sign up, we are going to detain you, question you, and deport you. That is a fact. The data tells the story. In Illinois alone, my office is working on 92 DACA constituent cases as of May of this year. This month, that number has climbed to 145--a 50 percent increase. The Trump administration is gaming the system, not giving people like Diana the opportunity that they are entitled to, to show up, pay their fee, go through a background check, and have 2 more years of protection. The slow-walking of renewals has resulted in many Dreamers-- individuals who are following every rule--to lose their DACA protection, lose their jobs, and risk deportation through no fault of their own. Additionally, the Justice Department's Board of Immigration Appeals, which has been totally politicized by this administration, recently issued a controversial decision, holding that DACA would no longer necessarily protect Dreamers from deportation. When President Obama created DACA 14 years ago, some Dreamers and their families expressed concern. I heard them. I saw them at the Navy Pier. Why would we possibly give all our personal information about our family to protect our daughter under DACA if that information could be used against our family in later years and deport people in our family? Why should we cooperate? Why should we come out of the shadows? Well, many of us said to them: Just follow the law. The law is established by this executive order. Do what you are supposed to do. Pay your $600 fee every 2 years. Go through your criminal background check. Make sure you show up in time to renew your DACA protection. Do those things, and you will be following the law. You will be fine. We were wrong. The information, which these families turned over for DACA applications, is now being used to seek them out, detain them, arrest them, and deport them. What a heartbreak. After years of waiting, I think it is long overdue for Congress to honor the Dreamers' patience and persistence, act on our own promises, and provide them with a pathway to citizenship. Only Congress can give Dreamers the stability they crave and deserve. The time to pass the DREAM Act is now. To the Dreamers watching, I say: I am not going to give up on you. Don't give up on me, and don't give up on this Congress. We can do the right thing. I am going to continue to fight for the Dreamers and continue to fight for DACA. In the face of this administration's actions, Congress must finally act to protect these young people who know no other home than here. This is a matter of simple American fairness and justice. If you could meet Diana--or the thousands of others who take advantage of DACA to give back to this country--you can understand why this is the right thing to do. I don't believe that we should knowingly accept any dangerous person who wants to come into this country, nor should we allow any dangerous person to continue to stay in this country if they have committed a serious crime or are threatening. They are gone. But for those who were brought here as kids, as children, who became part of America--because they fell in love with this country, like we all do--and just want a chance to be a part of its future, this is not too much to ask. You can be tough on border enforcement. You can be tough on crimes committed by those who are not here legally. I will join in that effort. But in the meantime, have a heart for those who are really trying their best to make a life in America and make this country a better place. The DACA recipients are just those people. They deserve our help. I yield the floor. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2792,2026-06-15,119,2,,,APPOINTMENT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2792,S2792,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2792,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2792] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] APPOINTMENT The Presiding Officer. The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 110-315, announces the appointment of the following individual to be a member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity: Jeffrey Scott Stroup of Oklahoma. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2793,2026-06-15,119,2,,,DACA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2793,S2795,"[{""name"": ""Amy Klobuchar"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2793,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2793-S2795] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DACA Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I thank Senator Durbin for his leadership in fighting for Dreamers. We will also be joined by the Senator from Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto, who has done the same. Senator Durbin, when your DREAM Act finally becomes law--and it will--it will be because of your enduring commitment for all of these years. Fourteen years ago, the Obama administration acted to protect Dreamers. Since 2012, the DACA action of the Obama administration has helped roughly 835,000 people have legal protection. For most Dreamers, the United States is the only home they have ever known, that they ever remember, and they live as part of their communities in all ways, just like everyone else, except for the certainty of permanent citizenship. In Minnesota, we are proud to be home to nearly 4,000 DACA recipients who have already passed background checks, paid fees, and met educational [[Page S2794]] requirements so they can stay in the United States and continue to pay taxes and contribute to our communities. Dreamers serve in our military. They keep us safe as police officers in our State. They are teachers and nurses. They run small businesses that power our economy. In my State, one DACA recipient is a medical assembler helping build lifesaving devices that reduce the risk of stroke. Another Dreamer came to this country when she was just 3 years old. A few years ago, she got her phlebotomy certification from the Mayo Clinic. Now she is providing critical care to patients as a medical technician, all while serving as her family's primary breadwinner. Another Dreamer is a driver for special needs kids and a mom of five kids, including two with urgent medical needs. Another Dreamer was just 10 years old when she came to Minnesota from Mexico. She applied for DACA in 2012--just days after USCIS began accepting applications. She earned her degree and has worked with residents in nursing schools and elementary school children. As she said, she ``finds purpose in helping others.'' Minnesota is better because of our Dreamers, and thousands like them across our State continue to believe in the promise of this Nation and work every day to contribute to it. Since its establishment, DACA recipients have contributed an estimated $150 billion to the U.S. economy in spending power and $40 billion in combined Federal, payroll, State, and local taxes. In the past, President Trump has talked about working with Senators of both parties to protect Dreamers who were brought here as children. In December 2024, he said: We have to do something about the Dreamers. The last time Donald Trump was President, we actually had a bipartisan bill led by Senator Rounds--I was part of it--that would have invested in border security while providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. In the end, President Trump opposed the bill. More recently, the Trump administration has dramatically delayed DACA processing. My office has heard from Minnesotans who are filing renewals up to 150 days--months--in advance, as recommended by the Federal Government, by USCIS, and they are still losing their protections solely due to delayed processing and the chaos. It is not due to the fact that they have jobs, that they work as nurses, that they are in the military, that they work in public safety--no, nothing about them. Nothing about their backgrounds. Nothing about their jobs that we need them to perform badly in our economy. It is solely because the Trump administration can't get its act together or is messing around with them. Well, when they mess around with them--with those over 800,000 people who are contributing to the United States, with all those people who are part of our economy--they mess around with us; they mess around with our country. The Trump Justice Department, in an immigration court decision, further undermined protections by holding that DACA status does not protect people from removal procedures. During Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, we saw not only multiple, multiple hundreds of constitutional violations but also DHS tearing people who have followed the rules from their loved ones. In January in Minnesota, ICE arrested Jorge Cordoba Hernandez at 4:30 a.m. without a warrant when he was on his way to work for a manufacturer in Eden Prairie, MN. By 10 p.m., he was on a plane to a detention facility in New Mexico, and he was held without bond. Jorge was brought to the United States when he was 8 years old and has been in DACA for 13 years--passed the test; did everything right. When arrested, he had applied to extend his DACA, like so many of my other constituents who have been on DACA for years and are working. Well, he had applied to extend his DACA, and he was scheduled for a biometrics appointment. He is married to an American citizen and has four children--two of whom have disabilities. He has no criminal record. While he awaits his DACA renewal--and by the way, here is a guy, as I said, that was on his way to work, where he is working in a good job, paying taxes. He is married to an American citizen and has four kids-- two with disabilities. Just simply waiting for the Trump administration to do the paperwork. He gets arrested and sent to New Mexico. While he awaits his renewal--now released--which is delayed because of the backlog at DHS, he is only out of detention because a Trump- appointed Federal judge did his job and granted his habeas petition. He is not out of detention because the Trump administration realized that it had made a mistake. He is not out of detention because he never should have been put there in the first place by them. He is out of detention because someone applied the law, and that happened to be a Trump-appointed judge who knew better than the President that appointed him that you follow the rules in America, that you follow the law. It is not just Dreamers and their families and neighbors who will suffer from terminating DACA; it is also our economy. If DACA was ended, it is estimated we would lose roughly 440,000 workers, including 37,000 healthcare professionals. Are you kidding me? When we have such a shortage of people working in healthcare and working in our nursing homes--such a shortage. So you are going to take away people who are legally working because simply you just want to make some political point or you don't want to get the paperwork done? We will lose 17,000 STEM professionals, 17,000 educators. The loss of this talent would cost the U.S. economy an estimated $648 billion. We cannot afford to shut out the world's talent or drive away those who call our country home, because immigrants are truly a major economic driver across our country. Almost half of America's Fortune 500 companies were started by people born in other countries or their kids, and 30 percent of our country's--the United States of America-- Nobel laureates were born abroad. It is time, as Senator Durbin has made clear, for the USCIS to expeditiously process all applications for deferred action for childhood arrivals and provide protections for Dreamers. We are just weeks away from celebrating America's 250th birthday, when a nation was born out of the dream for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--a nation born of immigrants, people like my grandpa, who came in through Ellis Island, and they had a limit on Swiss immigrants, and then he somehow found his way through Canada but then stayed there for about a week and then made his way through Michigan and into Wisconsin. When, during World War II, finally they made everyone register--even though he was married to an American citizen, my grandma, who was also an immigrant--that is when they discovered he had kind of come in twice. They had his hearing, and they looked at him--hard-working guy with two kids, married to a U.S. citizen--and they said: That is fine. And they gave him his citizenship. That is not what this administration is doing. This administration is looking at hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people that they are just holding up--not just holding up their dream; holding up our dreams for anyone who wants to send their mom to a nursing home, to find out if they have enough staff, or to go into an emergency room in the middle of the night and figure out if there is staff there. No. Passing the DREAM Act is the right thing to do, but making sure that in this very moment, we treat these people with the respect they deserve and get these forms processed and make sure they can continue working as functioning members of our economy is most important for now. Immigrant families, including Dreamers, don't diminish America. They define America. They strengthen America. They are America. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). The Senator from Nevada. [[Page S2795]] ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2795,2026-06-15,119,2,,,DACA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2795,S2796,"[{""name"": ""Catherine Cortez Masto"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2795,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2795-S2796] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DACA Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I am joining my colleagues on the Senate floor because today marks the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program that we all commonly know as DACA. When it was created by President Obama back in 2012, the purpose of this program was to protect people who came to the United States as children. But President Obama made clear that legislation was also needed. He knew that Congress needed to pass legislation to give Dreamers a path to citizenship, along with DACA. There was bipartisan support for it, but unfortunately, since that time, petty politics keep getting in the way. It is having real life consequences on the country, on families, on individuals, and on businesses. Because we are unable to work in a bipartisan way just to put Dreamers and their families on a pathway to citizenship, we are here to talk about a program, DACA. It is important for us to keep in mind why we strive not only to continue this program but to fight for these families. DACA has become a lifeline for hard-working, inspiring young people who have only ever known this country as their home. And make no mistake, DACA is not given out freely. You just heard my colleague from Minnesota talk about this. DACA recipients, these applicants, undergo intense background checks, and every 2 years, they have to renew their status and go through another scrutinizing background check. For the past 14 years, DACA has worked as intended. It has allowed thousands of young people to obtain work permits, and critical protections from deportations are associated with this program because these kids have only known this country and play by the rules and follow the law and just want to go to school and be a part of our workforce and raise their families here. They want an education. They want to build their careers and their lives in the United States. The DACA Program has been an overwhelming benefit to our country. Ninety-nine percent of the DACA recipients who started the program in 2012 completed high school and got their diplomas--almost every single one. That is the kind of dedication you find in Dreamers. Additionally, more than 90 percent of DACA recipients over the age of 25 are participating in our workforce, they are building families, they are working hard, and they are paying more than $2 billion in State and local taxes. And they love this country. They feel as American as every Member of this Chamber. Yet, over the past 14 years, they have endured attack after attack and been made into pawns by too many politicians. Even still, through it all, I have to tell you, they are thriving, and they are building an American dream. And that is all they are asking from us, is to allow them to continue to do so. But, right now, our country is breaking its promise to them. Now, like my colleague Dick Durbin, the senior Senator from Illinois, who has done an incredible job fighting for our Dreamers and their families--I watch him as he comes to the floor. I have watched him as he has talked about Dreamers and their families and the fight. And I think it is important we keep our voices loud and proud about who they are in our communities. I, too, have stood here on the Senate floor, multiple times now, over the course of the last several months, to talk about this. This administration is intentionally delaying DACA renewals so DACA recipients go unprotected. Let me just say that one more time. I get these calls into my office. I know the DACA recipients and Dreamers in my State. I hear from them all the time. This administration is intentionally delaying DACA renewals so DACA recipients go unprotected. How do I know that? Because DACA recipients have told me. In my State, they have been applying months ahead of their 2-year deadline-- months ahead of that 2-year deadline--but for many, that is still not enough time before their status expires. This expiration and this delay of approving their application, it is all part of this administration's plan to attack and undermine immigration and these DACA recipients. Now, I want to be clear about something: We all agree that we need strong border security and that criminals need to face justice. Listen, I spent my career doing just that. There is no question about it. But instead of focusing on the ``worst of the worst,'' like President Trump promised to do, he and Stephen Miller are directing Federal immigration enforcement to go after DACA recipients--mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers--with absolutely no criminal record. Why? Because they had the audacity to be brought here as children, because they have only ever known this country as their home. Why, instead of going after actual criminals, is this administration focused on young men and women who are woven into the fabric of their communities? I think I know why. It is because DACA recipients look a little different or sound a little different from what the Trump administration has decided are real Americans and what they should sound like and look like. It is because DACA recipients' shining successes prove that immigrants are actually a benefit to the United States, not a detriment, as this administration would have you believe. The actions of this administration to delay DACA renewals are about as un-American as you can get. I have been hearing and sharing stories of DACA recipients who have struggled with these delays, but I don't think people really understand the toll this is taking on thousands of families across the country. When someone's DACA status expires, they lose their work permit. Some workers are placed on leave until their status gets renewed, but some permanently lose their jobs. That means a source of income a family relies on is now gone. That is why they apply for the renewal months in advance, so they can continue to go to their job, so they can continue to pay taxes, be a part of our community, pay rent. And they believe in that community. If they had U.S. citizen children, critical support for them now is gone because of the delays by this administration. If they had employer-sponsored healthcare, now that is gone too. And if they didn't, then healthcare is even harder to afford for them because they lost their work permit. And the only thing they did was have the audacity to apply for renewal months in advance. It is now more difficult for them to take care of disabled, elderly, or sick relatives, not to mention that there is the constant threat of being sent away from their family to a country they have never known hanging over their heads. That is all piled on top of the enormously high costs of groceries, gas, electricity, and healthcare that all Americans are experiencing under this administration. So imagine being a DACA recipient who has lived your whole life in this country, except for a few years, when you were a baby. For over a decade, your government has told you that if you play by the rules and you contribute, you will be able to work and be protected from deportation. So you go to school, you get a job, you play by the rules, you follow the law, you meet someone, you settle down, and you start a family, like any American would do. And then your government--the same one you support with your hard-earned tax dollars--turns on you. You know, I don't know about all of you, but that is just unacceptable to me. DACA recipients are not the only ones being punished. These delays are hurting our businesses and our communities as well. I can't stress that enough. This administration thinks they are going after these individuals, and they want to deport them. But it is not individual DACA recipients and their families that are suffering. It is our businesses and our communities as well. A police chief in California was here in Washington, last month, to talk to us about how delays in DACA renewals are hurting his police department. One of his officers was recently unable to work for a while, while he waited for his renewal application to process. Local law enforcement is already [[Page S2796]] stretched thin. So you should know this. Now, this administration is even making it worse. Small businesses, retailers, construction companies, they are all losing their employees they depend on. How do I know? Because I hear from my small businesses in Nevada about this very issue. Approximately 37,000 healthcare workers are DACA recipients. Now, if they can't go to their job, what do you think that does to our healthcare industry, which is already stretched because of the policies of this administration? Hurting DACA recipients is hurting our country. It is more important than ever that we recognize the fact that, in light of the upcoming celebrations for America's 250th birthday, we have to recognize our contributions and our service to the members in our country who are a big part of it. Our 250th anniversary is a critical reminder that our great Nation only exists because of immigrants. We all have a story. We all have it--every single one of us. I do. My grandfather came from Chihuahua, Mexico. He came into the United States, served in our military, and became a U.S. citizen. I have a great-grandfather who came to Ellis Island from Italy. He ended up in Kansas City, MO, of all places, raising his family, where my mother was born. We all have this story. That is what makes this country so great. That is why people come here. And it should be that, yes, if you want to come to a country and you want to follow the rules--you want to follow the rules--you want to follow the law, work hard, you should be able to come here and get ahead. That is the country I know and love, and to lose sight of that is to spit on everything our country stands for. The Declaration of Independence was written because immigrants and sons of immigrants, daughters of immigrants, grandsons, granddaughters of immigrants came together to escape tyranny and live their lives freely. Every time I walk on the floor of the Senate, I think about my grandfather and my great-grandfather coming to this country. If they would have ever thought that one day they would have a granddaughter or a great-granddaughter that would walk on the floor of the U.S. Senate representing this country, it is beyond what they could have ever dreamed for. But they hoped. They had hoped for a life better for their children and grandchildren. And DACA recipients are asking for the same freedoms and opportunities that our Founding Fathers envisioned for this country 250 years ago. And I will say: It is time we stand with them. It is time we do right and we recognize the importance of those words in our Constitution, what our Founding Fathers stood for, how we stood on shoulders of others to get here. And those shoulders were immigrants. We don't pull up the ladder behind us, but we make sure everybody has an opportunity to be a part of this beautiful country. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2796,2026-06-15,119,2,,,DACA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2796,S2797,"[{""name"": ""Richard Blumenthal"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2796,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2796-S2797] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DACA Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I am honored to join my colleagues this afternoon in celebrating the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals, or DACA, Program and its absolutely historic impact on our country, but also to mourn and to express outrage at the all-out assault launched against this program by the Trump administration. The point of it, once again, seems to be cruelty--purposeful, relentless cruelty--which we have seen in the implementation of immigration practices in so many different ways by this administration. Just this morning--literally, this morning--I participated in the announcement of a lawsuit against the government by a woman who was seized from her car taking her children to school, a year ago, leaving her children unattended in the car, shackled, sent to a detention center, and then summarily deported without even a shred of due process. And she is suing the U.S. Government because she is still in Mexico, separated from her two young children--at the time, 13 and 8 years old--as well as her husband. She was on a screen today from Mexico--heartbreaking--as her two children listened to her in the Yale Law School conference room where the lawsuit was announced. This kind of cruelty should have no place in our great country. I don't recognize the America that separates a mother from her children without any reason. She has no criminal record. She has been in this country for 15 years. Her two children are American citizens because they were born here. Cruelty and stupidity. DACA, since its creation 14 years ago, has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people--people who came to this country as infants or young children--and it has given them the opportunity to work, to contribute; to educate, to support their families; to contribute to this great country. There are nurses, doctors, and engineers. They strengthen America. DACA has strengthened America. In Connecticut alone, numerous DACA recipients actively contribute to our economy and enrich our communities. And yet despite the enormous, obvious, indisputable benefits of this program, the Trump administration has declared war on DACA. Again, the point seems to be cruelty. The administration has slow- walked DACA renewals. They have purposely allowed Dreamers' work authorizations to expire through no fault of their own--cruelty and stupidity because they are harming the employers who depend on those DACA workers and the skills that they bring to jobs every day. The Department of Education has investigated five universities that offer financial help to DACA recipients. What purpose does it serve to punish universities for developing talent that will then serve our country? In the latest affront to legal protections, the Board of Immigration Appeals has ruled that DACA status alone will not shield Dreamers from deportation, despite the fact that DACA is a mechanism of deferred action. I mentioned the title in the first sentence of my remarks here-- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program--because the point is action is deferred. And now the administration is defying the law and common sense in this policy of stupidity and cruelty. As a result of these illegal policy changes, DACA recipients have not only lost their sense of safety and security but, in some cases, their freedom--and their place in this country. It is the only place they call home. English is the only language many of them speak. And we are depriving them of that sense of home and security and safety. I will just give you one example: Jose, of Connecticut. He is a DACA recipient. He came to Connecticut from Mexico when he was young. Thanks to DACA, he was able to put himself through college while working full time, and he built a successful career at a Fortune 500 company. He has worked there for 12 years. And now, because of the Trump administration's efforts to delay renewal requests at USCIS, Jose's DACA status and his work permit have not been renewed. No fault of his own. Jose lost the job. He lost that job that he held for 12 years, and today he is struggling to pay his bills. He faces eviction. What purpose does it serve to drive him into financial peril and even bankruptcy, to deprive his employer of his skills, to, in effect, make him homeless? President Trump's treatment of DACA recipients is the latest failure of his promise that his immigration efforts would focus on the worst of the worst. Americans like the idea of deporting dangerous criminals, people who have been convicted of crimes--not Nancy Martinez, who was separated from her children as she took them to work in her car, having committed no crime; not Jose, who is the opposite of the worst of the worst, a productive member of our society, doing good work at a good corporation over 12 years. These DACA recipients like Jose are far from the worst of the worst. They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends. They are some of the best--not the worst--of us. We are not talking here about securing our borders. We are not talking about deporting dangerous criminals. We are talking about rolling back and [[Page S2797]] reversing progress that has been made on behalf of young people who are here through no choice of their own; they were brought here, and they call America home because it is their home. I call on the Trump administration to resume prompt review of renewal applications and halt unlawful detention and deportation of DACA recipients. I am under no illusions that my calling on it to do so is going to automatically have an effect on this cruel and stupid set of policies and practices, but I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will heed this peril, this danger to America, and that they will come together with us and say on a bipartisan basis: An assault on DACA makes no sense for America. It is not the America that we recognize. And as we approach our 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to reflect on who we are and, equally important, whom we aspire to be. Whom do we want to be? That has always been America. It isn't only about what America has done or who we are today. America is an idea, an aspiration, and a future. DACA recipients embody the values that we celebrate as America: hard work, resilience, a commitment to our country and to building a better America. Let's provide Dreamers with the respect and dignity and future they have earned. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2797,2026-06-15,119,2,,,DACA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2797,S2798,"[{""name"": ""Alex Padilla"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2797,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2797-S2798] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DACA Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I am honored to join my colleagues here today, and I appreciate Senator Durbin's leadership in bringing us all together because today is truly an important day for hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children across America. It was 14 years ago today that President Obama took action to memorialize an important truth: that young people who were brought to the United States as young children through no choice of their own--who have grown up in our communities, who have attended our local schools, many graduating at the top of their class from high school as valedictorians and who know no other home but the United States--that they deserve an opportunity to continue to be part of this country, free of the fear of being deported for a decision they had no say in. Fourteen years ago, the U.S. Government made that promise: that if they came forward, passed a background check, and followed the rules, did everything that we asked of them, that they could stay here and pursue their dreams in the only country that they have ever known. And hundreds of thousands of brave young people did exactly that. Now, to be clear, DACA was never intended to be a permanent solution. It was meant to be a temporary stopgap until Congress took action by passing the Dream Act or, ideally, modernizing our immigration system as a whole. Yet here we are, 14 years later, still having the same debate about these young people and their future because while the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients kept their promise--they did their part--Congress has repeatedly failed to do ours. And now these individuals, who were young children back then when this program began, are now adults with careers and families of their own. They are even more deeply ingrained in our communities and our country than they were 14 years ago. There are over 530,000 people enrolled in DACA today--somewhere between 140,000 or 150,000 of them in my home State of California alone. Listen to this. The average DACA recipient is 33 years old now. The average DACA recipient has lived in the United States for 27 years. They are not recent arrivals. They are our friends and neighbors, our family members, our loved ones. They have grown up to be teachers and nurses, caregivers, lawyers, small business owners. We would call them model citizens if we would allow them to become citizens, but they are model, nonetheless. Eighty-seven percent of them are gainfully employed. Collectively, they contribute $17 billion to the American economy. That ought to be celebrated, not shunned for political purposes. About 1 in 3 are married, and roughly 240,000 U.S. citizen children live with at least 1 parent who is a DACA recipient. They are among the people being targeted now by an administration claiming to be only going after the worst of the worst. Not only are they being swept up in the administration's mass deportation campaign, but many are now facing extraordinary, monthslong delays when trying to renew their DACA and work authorization--delays that are having real impacts, with real consequences, as this administration seemingly tries to undermine this program. And on this anniversary of the DACA Program, I want to share a couple of stories of DACA recipients in my home State. Twenty-five-year-old Maria Fernanda Hernandez has been a DACA recipient since she was 15 years old. Thanks to DACA, Maria was able to attend college, earn a bachelor's degree in psychology, and find a full-time job as a project manager at a market research company. But Maria recently had to take a leave from her job, as many others, because even though she submitted her application on time back in January, it still hasn't even been reviewed by USCIS nearly 6 months later. In the months she has been forced to wait, Maria's DACA and the work permit that went along with it expired. If that wasn't bad enough, her father has been battling a number of health issues over the last year. He spent months in the hospital and, at one point, had to have his legs amputated. I mention this because Maria was doing as much as she possibly could to help support her parents financially during all of this. But now, with her renewal stuck in limbo, Maria can no longer work or help her parents at a time when they need her the most. Teresa is another DACA recipient who came to this country as a very young child. Teresa worked hard, got a good education, and built an impressive career not just as a nurse but as an award-winning nurse at one of Los Angeles County's largest hospitals. And like Maria and so many others, Teresa filed her renewal application on time. Yet months later, despite repeated outreach to USCIS, she still hasn't received any updates. And because of those delays, Teresa's work authorization has expired, and she is facing the possibility of losing the career she worked so hard to build because she is not able to provide her employer the necessary documents to keep working. That is what these cruel delays have caused. Jose Morales Perez is 32 years old. He has lived in Los Angeles most of his life, ever since coming from Tijuana as a young child. He attended local schools, eventually graduating from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles and later attending Glendale Community College. Jose has built a life here. He has worked a steady job. He started a family. He helps care for his mother, whose diabetes complications have left her unable to walk. Jose was up for a promotion at work earlier this year, and instead of celebrating that promotion, he lost his job when his DACA expired while waiting for the administration to process his renewal application. And now his family is struggling to make ends meet, to the point where they are now pawning family heirlooms just for a little bit more cash to continue to scrape by. Maria, Teresa, Jose--these and thousands of others just like them are the people that we are talking about when we discuss and debate DACA, people who followed the rules and did everything that we asked of them. The only choice that they ever made was to trust the U.S. Government when the government made them the promise that, if they came forward, they would not be punished for doing the right thing. That promise is being broken today by the Trump administration. These men and women that I am talking about--not just the three that I mentioned--all of them deserve better. They deserve certainty. They and all Dreamers like them deserve the opportunity to continue contributing to their communities and to our country. They deserve the chance to become full-fledged members of this country--their country, our country--the only country that they have ever known, that they have given so much of their talent and so much of their leadership to each and every day. [[Page S2798]] Colleagues, 14 years after the creation of DACA, it is past time that we finally do what is right by the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients and Dreamers who have already proven their commitment to this country. They kept their promise, and now it is time for Congress to keep ours. It is finally time to pass the Dream Act. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, the Republican leader said that we could continue in session so long as there were Democrats to speak. To my knowledge, there are no additional Democrats. I want to thank you and the staff and the pages for this extra time this evening. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2798-2,2026-06-15,119,2,,,NOMINATIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SNOMINATIONS,S2798,S2798,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2798,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2798] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NOMINATIONS Executive nominations received by the Senate: THE JUDICIARY JAMES ANDREW CROWELL IV, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS, VICE KATHRYN A. OBERLY, RETIRED. STUART GORDON NASH, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS, VICE LOREN L. ALIKHAN. MATTHEW R. BYRNE, OF OHIO, TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, VICE MICHAEL H. WATSON, RETIRED. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2798-3,2026-06-15,119,2,,,CONFIRMATION,SENATE,SENATE,SCONFIRMATIONS,S2798,S2798,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2798,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2798] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONFIRMATION Executive nomination confirmed by the Senate June 15, 2026: THE JUDICIARY JUSTIN D. SMITH, OF MISSOURI, TO BE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT." CREC-2026-06-15-pt1-PgS2798,2026-06-15,119,2,,,ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW,SENATE,SENATE,ADJOURNMENT,S2798,S2798,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2798,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2798] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow. Thereupon, the Senate, at 7:44 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgD617,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Senate,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDSCHAMBER,D617,D618,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""162""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""567""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""766""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""769""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1377""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2033""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4748""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4778""}]",172 Cong. Rec. D617,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D617-D618] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Thursday, June 11, 2026 [[Page D617]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2741-S2772 Measures Introduced: Thirty-one bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 4748-4778, and S. Res. 766-769. Pages S2756-57 Measures Passed: Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act: Senate passed S. 2033, to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S2747-48 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of S. 1377, to ensure the maintenance of a herd of horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the bill was then passed. Pages S2747-48 First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 567, to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Rhode Island Regiment, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S2770 Thune (for Whitehouse) Amendment No. 5820, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S2768-69 Recruiting Families Using Data Act: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of S. 162, to amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S2770-71 Thune (for Grassley) Amendment No. 5821, to change effective dates. Page S2769 Smith Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Pages S2751-55 During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action: By 47 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 171), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the nomination. Page S2751 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding Rule XXII, the post-cloture time with respect to the nomination be expired and Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 15, 2026. Page S2755 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: By 49 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. EX. 170), Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State. Pages S2745, S2771 Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination: Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence. Page S2771 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Walter Clayton, of New York, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for the term of four years, which was sent to the Senate on January 13, 2026. Page S2772 Messages from the House: Pages S2755-56 Measures Referred: Page S2756 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S2742, S2756 Executive Communications: Page S2756 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2757-59 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2759-68 Additional Statements: Page S2755 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2768-69 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S2769-70 [[Page D618]] Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--171) Pages S2745, S2751 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 4:43 p.m., until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2771.)" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgD618,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDSCMEETINGS,D618,D618,,,172 Cong. Rec. D618,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Page D618] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) AI AND THE AMERICAN DREAM Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine AI and the American dream, focusing on promoting innovation, affordability and American dominance, after receiving testimony from Mike Flynn, Information Technology Industry Council, David Feith, Hudson Institute, and Will Rinehart, American Enterprise Institute, all of Washington, DC; and Sarah Myers West, AI Now Institute, New York, New York." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgD619-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Daily Digest/Next Meeting of the SENATE + Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + Other End Matter,SENATE,DAILYDIGEST,DDENDMATTER,D619,D620,,,172 Cong. Rec. D619,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D619-D620] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] The CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087-390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through the U.S. Government Publishing Office, at www.govinfo.gov, free of charge to the user. The information is updated online each day the Congressional Record is published. For more information, contact the GPO Customer Contact Center, U.S. Government Publishing Office. Phone 202-512-1800, or 866-512-1800 (toll-free). E-Mail, contactcenter@gpo.gov. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or phone orders to 866-512-1800 (toll-free), 202-512-1800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202-512-2104. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D620]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 3 p.m., Monday, June 15 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 5:30 p.m.), Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination of Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 15 House Chamber Program for Monday: House will meet in Pro Forma session at 10:30 a.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Aguilar, Pete, Calif., E567 Amo, Gabe, R.I., E568 Carter, Earl L. ``Buddy'', Ga., E569 Case, Ed, Hawaii, E570 Estes, Ron, Kans., E566 Ezell, Mike, Miss., E568 Fitzpatrick, Brian K., Pa., E569 Gray, Adam, Calif., E567 McDonald Rivet, Kristen, Mich., E567 Morelle, Joseph D., N.Y., E565, E566, E568, E570, E571 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E566 Rulli, Michael A., Ohio, E567 Walberg, Tim, Mich., E571 Walkinshaw, James R., Va., E565, E565, E566, E567, E567, E568, E569, E569, E570, E571 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E565, E571" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS-FrontMatter-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,FRONTMATTER,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] S E N A T E Vol. 172 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 No. 99" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,PRAYER,SENATE,SENATE,PRAYER,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Sovereign God, thank You that Your mercies endure forever. Show us Your ways. Teach us Your paths as You lead us with Your truth. Guard our hearts from fear and confusion when the road ahead is unclear. Give us patience when we want quick answers and faith when we cannot see the outcome. Lord, strengthen our Senators. May they trust in You when circumstances feel unstable as You remind them that You are steady, even when they are not. Order their steps according to Your will. Close every door that is not from You and give them wisdom to recognize the doors You have opened. We pray in Your amazing Name. Amen. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,SENATE,SENATE,PLEDGE,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-4,2026-06-11,119,2,,,RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy). Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-5,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MORNING BUSINESS,SENATE,SENATE,SMBUSINESS,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MORNING BUSINESS The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The President pro tempore. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-6,2026-06-11,119,2,,,TRIBUTE TO DANIEL UMEMEZIE,SENATE,SENATE,TRIBUTETO,S2741,S2741,"[{""name"": ""Chuck Grassley"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO DANIEL UMEMEZIE Mr. GRASSLEY. I want to honor a young Iowan, so I am here to recognize Daniel Umemezie, who was recently named the 10th National Youth Poet Laureate. Daniel is a recent graduate of Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, IA. That is 10 miles from my farm. Daniel is already a master of poetry. Last year, he was named Iowa's Student Poet Ambassador. This year, he was named the 10th National Youth Poet Laureate. This makes him the first Iowan to receive this prestigious award in poetry. Daniel's poetry uses his childhood growing up in Nigeria as inspiration for his work. I want to congratulate Daniel on this achievement. Daniel, you are making the State of Iowa proud. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741-7,2026-06-11,119,2,,,IOWA,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2741,S2742,"[{""name"": ""Chuck Grassley"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2741-S2742] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IOWA Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on another matter, as I hold my 99 county meetings, I always hear from the farmers about the ag economy, and it is a top concern for all Iowans, of course, because Iowa is the No. 1 State in the Nation for food production. Yesterday, I welcomed the opportunity to discuss what is on the minds of family farmers with Agriculture Secretary Rollins as she appeared for her annual oversight appearance before the Senate Agriculture Committee. And it happens that I believe that the Madam Secretary is a great advocate for the family farmers, and I appreciate how she is handling the Office of the Agriculture Secretary. Now, back home in Iowa, I hear Congress could do more to help the farmers. For instance, I hear about year-round E15. Now, that is good for the consumers because it would reduce gas prices 20 to 40 cents, but it is also good because our major crop in Iowa--corn--is where ethanol is manufactured from. And then I also hear from the agriculture community about we need to deal with the problem of the State of California having what is called Proposition 12, and that prohibits Iowa pork that isn't raised just exactly the way California says it is raised. It can't be sold in the State of California, and that ought to irritate Members of Congress because 1 of the 18 powers of Congress under the Constitution in article I is the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. So we have 1 State out of 50--California--saying that you can't sell pork in their State--and California is about 15 percent of the consumer market in the United States--if it isn't raised just exactly the way the law of California says it should be raised. So the farmers of Iowa are telling me: Get rid of Proposition 12. Now, basics of a strong society is feeding your people. And the tax bill that the President signed last July 4, called the Working Families Tax Cut, was a good start to strengthening farm programs because we strengthened the farm safety net by raising support prices for corn to $4.10 and soybeans to $10 a bushel. But that isn't enough to help farmers that are underwater, not making a profit. So there is more work that needs to be done. So here, in somewhat of a repetitive statement, it is time for the Senate to pass a 5-year farm bill. The last one was 2018. Inflation affecting agriculture demands that there be some changes in the 2018 farm bill and that we pass E15 by law and not rely on Presidential waivers anymore and that we pass Proposition 12 legislation to get rid of the bad environment in California for selling our product there-- pork--because Iowa is the No. 1 pork producer in the Nation. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. [[Page S2742]] Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2741,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Senate,SENATE,SENATE,CALLTOORDER,S2741,S2741,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2741,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page S2741]] Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley). ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2742-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MEASURE PLACED ON THE CALENDAR--S. 4744,SENATE,SENATE,SMEASUREDCAL,S2742,S2742,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2742,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2742] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MEASURE PLACED ON THE CALENDAR--S. 4744 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk due for a second reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the second time. The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 4744) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. THUNE. In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2742-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,NATIONAL SECURITY,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2742,S2742,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2742,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2742] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] NATIONAL SECURITY Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, last week, Senate Republicans passed legislation to fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next 3 years. On Tuesday, House Republicans passed the legislation, and, yesterday, the President signed the bill into law. I am proud that we got this done, of course. Republicans are deeply committed to ensuring a safe country and safe communities, and border security and immigration enforcement are key parts of that. No country--no country--can be secure if bad actors can make their way freely across the borders or criminal illegal immigrants are able to operate freely within our neighborhoods. So, as I said, I am proud that we got this done, but I also have to ask: How did we get here? How did we get to the point where one party has completely abdicated any responsibility for our Nation's security? It is not just this bill. Democrats have been playing fast and loose with our national security all year. Their two recordbreaking shutdowns strained our Nation's critical national security Agencies, particularly Agencies at the Department of Homeland Security, which was shut down for a staggering 119 days, all told, this fiscal year. The TSA, responsible for the security of our Nation's airports, has seen a flood of resignations, thanks to Democrats' decision to make these critical workers go without pay for quite literally months. And then there is border security and immigration enforcement. Democrats absolutely refused to provide so much as a dollar--a dollar-- to fund the agents who provide security at our Nation's borders and remove criminal illegal immigrants from America's streets. I can't make that point enough. If Democrats had their way, there would be zero--zero--physical presence at our Nation's borders and zero agents to remove criminal illegal immigrants who do make their way into our country. It is a breathtaking--breathtaking--level of irresponsibility. I am still not done because I haven't yet talked about FISA. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is our Nation's most critical intelligence-gathering tool. Policymakers across the Federal Government from both parties rely on section 702 information on a near daily basis. And we were well on our way to reauthorizing it, with Democrat and Republican lawmakers here in the Senate working on an agreement. And then, as has happened more than once this year, Democrats backed out. Now, this critical tool is set to go dark on Friday, and what the consequences of that will be we cannot predict. It is striking how weak Democrats' ostensible reasons have been for all of these actions. They are blocking a critical national security tool because they don't like the President's temporary, short-term pick for Acting DNI. They shut down the Federal Government twice and refused to fund border security and immigration enforcement because they couldn't take yes for an answer. Ultimately, Democrats have made it clear this year that, for them, it is always politics over policy. And if our economy suffers, if our national security suffers because of Democrats' decision to shut down the government or refusal to fund border security, well, Democrats are apparently just fine with that. Polls tend to show that Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to crime and national security. I think Democrats are making it very clear why that is. The fact that Republicans had to act alone to fund security at our Nation's borders is all the evidence you need to know to show that Democrats are fundamentally unserious about their national security responsibilities. Republicans, of course, will continue to do everything we can to keep our country and our communities secure. It is too bad the same cannot be said of Senate Democrats. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2742-4,2026-06-11,119,2,,,RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2742,S2742,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2742,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2742] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2742-5,2026-06-11,119,2,,,INFLATION,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2742,S2743,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2742,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2742-S2743] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INFLATION Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, well, it may genuinely be impossible for Trump to be more out of touch with the American people than he already is. After Trumpflation reached a record high yesterday, Donald Trump said: The numbers are great . . . I love the inflation. That is what he said. Those are his words. The numbers are great . . . I love the inflation. That is when inflation hit a record high, long-time high of 4.2 percent. Look at this guy. How out of touch is he? Donald Trump, the American people hate the inflation. They are shouting it from the rooftops every day: Bring costs down. And Donald Trump says ``I love the inflation.'' What is wrong with him? How out of touch is he? It is sickening, and you can't even make this stuff up. Americans are losing their homes. Parents are working multiple jobs just to feed their kids. Workers are walking to their jobs because they can't afford to fill up their tanks, but Donald Trump has the audacity to say ``I love the inflation.'' In fact, I was told that a veteran in New York one night had to choose between feeding his child and feeding his service dog. Isn't that--doesn't that make you sad? What we are seeing from Trump isn't just benign neglect or blind indifference. Trump is actively rooting for the financial demise of the American people when he says ``I love the inflation.'' What is Trump thinking? Did Trump lose a bet where he had to say the most asinine, tone-deaf thing imaginable on national television? Trump has torched the American economy with his tariffs, with his disastrous war in Iran, and with his unprecedented cuts to healthcare and other vital services. Now most arsonists flee the scene of the crime; Donald Trump calls a press conference. The only thing Donald Trump loves more than inflation is the corruption. As Americans live through a financial nightmare, Donald Trump is living out his billionaire dreams: golden ballrooms, lavish gifts from foreign countries, sweetheart deals for his family business, taxpayer- funded cash payouts for him and his cronies through the slush fund. Apparently, Senate Republicans love the inflation too, helping Trump every step of the way as he drives up costs and lines his pockets. You would think [[Page S2743]] given how out of touch Trump is, given how he talks about loving inflation while the American people are suffering, that some of our Republican colleagues would have the guts to cross the aisle and join us in fighting this inflation. But instead, silence, fear, knees knocking because they are afraid of Trump. Well, we will see how much Trump and the GOP love inflation come November. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2742,2026-06-11,119,2,,,RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2742,S2742,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2742,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2742] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2743-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,WILLIAM PULTE,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2743,S2743,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2743,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2743] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] WILLIAM PULTE Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on Bill Pulte. The whole job of the Director of National Intelligence is to keep America safe, but Trump's decision to appoint Bill Pulte--someone with absolutely zero relevant experience--is going to put Americans in danger. Let me repeat, America. With Pulte in charge, we are in danger. This job is so sensitive, we need real leadership in the intelligence community, not a national security novice sent to undermine the work of intelligence professionals. That is what Pulte is expert in. Trump has an enemy, he goes after them, even if the facts don't merit it. Look what he did to my attorney general in New York Letitia James, and with so many others, including Cook at the Federal Reserve. He is just a hit man in a certain sense, a financial sense. And it is outrageous. He has no fidelity to fact. He is just a yes-man to Trump. Trump says: Go after one of my enemies--and Pulte does. No one in their right mind would trust Bill Pulte, a person nicknamed ``Little Trump'' by his administration colleagues to speak truth to power, to conduct objective analysis, to resist efforts to politicize the intelligence community. In a job where facts are so important and the President knowing the real facts is so important, to have this man who has no fidelity to facts in this job, again, is very dangerous for the American people. Trump and Republicans need to put an adult in the room. Bill Pulte is not the man for the job, and my Republican colleagues know it. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2743-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,IRAN,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2743,S2743,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2743,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2743] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IRAN Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on Iran, for weeks, Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, and Marco Rubio have insisted their disastrous war in Iran is over. How stupid do they think the American people are? This morning, Trump said he plans to take Kharg Island, which could even mean putting American boots on the ground. It doesn't take a military genius to see that Trump's fiasco of a war with Iran never ended, not with American helicopters being shot down, not when American bases are being attacked and American troops are coming under fire. Saying this war is over is an insult--an insult--to the brave American servicemen who are risking their lives every day to fight it. The only thing more absurd than the Trump administration's lies about the Iran war is that Republicans accept them at face value and just go along--too many, too many of them. For months, Democrats have urged Republicans to support our War Powers Resolution to end this war for real. And for months, Republicans have failed to do so. Americans have made it clear they don't want this war. They don't want the high costs, gasoline and fertilizer and everything else that comes with it. And Trump has made it clear he is incapable of cleaning up this mess. You just have to listen to his statements over a period of a few days, and they completely contradict each other. Typical of Trump. He doesn't care if he says one thing one day and says the total opposite thing the next day. The American people know he is lying to them. He doesn't care. Trump is incapable given his way, his lack of concern for facts, his only concern being his own ego. He is incapable of ending the war, incapable of cleaning up his own mess. Republicans need to stop buying the BS, show some spine, and help us bring our servicemembers home. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The majority whip. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2743-4,2026-06-11,119,2,,,ENERGY,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2743,S2744,"[{""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2743,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2743-S2744] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ENERGY Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, 12 years ago, Barack Obama drew a target on the back of American energy producers and, specifically, coal. Coal mines were under attack by the Obama administration, and his deliberate goal was to kill clean, affordable coal--the most available, reliable, secure source of energy we have in this Nation. He tried to do it by shutting down coal mines all across the Nation and do it by shutting down coal powerplants that use that coal. And one of the targets that he painted on the back was that of the Dave Johnston Power Plant in Converse County, WY. Now, the Dave Johnston Power Plant uses Wyoming coal. Our coal is some of the cleanest, most affordable, most available, most reliable coal in the world. It is low-sulfur coal. People around the world want to use Wyoming coal in coal-fired powerplants. It supports hundreds of good-paying jobs. It delivers affordable, available, reliable energy all across the Rocky Mountain West. Obama wanted to take a sledgehammer to coal powerplants and, specifically, to the Dave Johnston Power Plant in Wyoming, and it was scheduled to close at the end of 2027. Now, fortunately, the Trump administration has reversed the Democrats' harmful, heavyhanded regulations. The Dave Johnston Plant will keep its doors open. The jobs will be protected. The power it produces will continue to keep the lights on for families across the West. This is the difference between Democrats and Republicans. We just heard the minority leader come to the floor and talk about costs. Well, let me tell you, Democrats love [[Page S2744]] high energy costs because they don't want people to use fossil fuels. They think the higher the energy cost, the fewer fossil fuels will be used. And that is their worshipping of the climate god that they have continued to worship. That is where we are today. Democrats want coal to remain in the ground. They want to treat coal as something to be punished, taxed, regulated, eliminated. Here is the difference. Republicans understand national security begins with energy security. When Joe Biden was President, he told his EPA--his Environmental Protection Agency--to prioritize climate over energy that is affordable, available, and reliable, used by the American people. President Trump and Republicans see it differently. We put American families and American workers first. Coal is a key economic driver in Wyoming. Wyoming produces nearly half of the coal in the United States. Wyoming truly is America's energy breadbasket. In Wyoming, the royalties, the taxes from mining their coal pays for education for every child in the State. Coal mining provides jobs for Wyoming workers. These are good-paying, high-tech jobs. When powerplants know that they will stay open, when they have that commitment, as they do now from President Trump, our coal producers can plan, can invest, and can produce. President Trump's actions are going to bring down costs for American families. And it is not just Americans who want Wyoming coal. Our allies overseas, especially in Asia, want it. Last week, President Trump made a historic announcement. He announced a $75 million investment to support building the West Gateway Terminal Project in Oakland, CA. This facility will expand America's ability to export coal. It is also going to support good mining jobs. Wyoming's Governor, Mark Gordon, joined President Trump in the Oval Office for the announcement. Governor Gordon told the President about his recent trips to Japan and Taiwan. Japan and Taiwan want American coal. They need it to keep their lights on, and they need it to power their own economies. We have needed a new port and a facility like this on the west coast for a long, long time. One was supposed to be built 13 years ago, and the location was Oakland, CA. What happened? Well, environmental extremists protested. They blocked the project. They sued. A decade of lawsuits followed. This is no surprise to the Presiding Officer. You have seen these sorts of things. The case went all the way to California's Supreme Court, and, finally, the court ruled with the people that want to develop the port. We need it. It is legal, now approved by the court. So the new West Gateway Terminal has now been approved and is ready to move forward. With support from President Trump and the Trump administration, Wyoming coal will soon reach hungry Asian markets. This is what unleashing American energy really looks like. Clean Wyoming coal is the best in the world, and now it is going to continue to help power the world. Democrats talk like coal lives only in the past. They are wrong. Coal is the lifeblood of an affordable, prosperous future. Demand for energy continues to grow. We need more energy, not less, and Wyoming coal is there to deliver. And I am grateful that President Trump is doing what he is doing. Wyoming's energy workers and our coal communities now have the certainty that they need to do what they do best, and that is to power the country with coal--coal that is affordable, available, reliable--a secure source of energy for a long, long time to come. With the President's historic announcement, last week, the President continues to put American workers, American families, and American energy dominance first. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2743,2026-06-11,119,2,,,STOCK BUYBACK ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2743,S2743,"[{""name"": ""Charles E. Schumer"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2743,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2743] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] STOCK BUYBACK ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on stock buybacks, you know costs are skyrocketing, but corporations are making massive profits. And instead of using the profits to create jobs and invest in growth, corporations too often buy back their own stock to increase its value and reward executives. I am introducing legislation today with Senators Wyden and Warren to rein in the stock buybacks that corporate executives use to line their own pockets to the detriment of the American people. Americans need more jobs and higher wages right now, not more privileges for millionaires and billionaires. Our bill would quadruple the tax big corporations pay on these stock buybacks, which will both push companies to invest in their workers in the future and allow us to invest more in lowering costs and helping working families get ahead, with some of the money we could use when you collect that 4 percent on stock buybacks. While Trump and Senate Republicans don't have any plan to lower Americans' costs--in fact, their policies are doing the opposite-- Democrats continue to fight back against corporate giveaways and push for solutions to help the American people deal with skyrocketing costs in Trump's economy. Let's not forget, if you are the CEO of a company and you are often measured by your stock price, buybacks raise that stock price. The damn shame of it all is those buybacks don't create a single new job or an investment in workers or an investment in equipment to increase productivity and produce more. No. They simply raise the stock price, which benefits corporate executives and shareholders but not the American public. So we ought to, at the very minimum, raise the tax which was put on at 1 percent to now 4 percent. And in addition, it will bring in revenues to the Federal Government, hopefully, that we can use to help lower costs for the American people. That is certainly what we would do. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2744,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MEDICAID,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2744,S2745,"[{""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2744,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2744-S2745] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MEDICAID Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, if you or a loved one is diagnosed with a life-altering medical condition, the last thing you want to face is a mountain of government paperwork in order to get your care. But when Republicans in Congress passed their One Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump's budget--that is what they call it--last year, they placed themselves in the middle of whether or not you get treatment. In that law, the Republicans created a requirement for all Medicaid recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 to either work 80 hours a month or verify they are too sick to do so in order to maintain Medicaid coverage. At first glance, that might just sound like a reasonable requirement. The reality is, the plan drowns eligible patients in paperwork, requiring those who are poor and sick to navigate a maze of government redtape to see a doctor. To qualify for Medicaid, you need to have low or no income or perhaps have a disability. Now the Republicans want to put a paperwork requirement on this to prove that you can't work 80 hours a month. Last week, the Trump administration took a look at this and decided to make a bad situation even worse. They announced the rules to implement these work requirements. The administration decided that documenting that you have a serious condition like cancer or Alzheimer's is not enough to avoid work requirements. Instead, they are further requiring patients to verify that these conditions actually impede your ability to work. In case it is not obvious, a 64-year-old cancer patient, traveling 30 miles each direction every week to undergo chemotherapy, might not have the ability to show up to their shift, waiting tables. Under Republicans' work requirements, one misstep by a patient, provider, or State employee could mean the difference between having health coverage or not. Is this a burden? What if we suggested that you file your income tax returns not only on April 15 but on October 15 as well--twice a year--to make sure we catch up with you? Is that a burden? Of course, it is. Have Republicans in Congress really deemed you unworthy of getting cancer treatment because a signature was missing on one of the dozens of pages in the forms you had to submit to prove that you are unable to work? In addition to creating this work requirement, Republicans in Congress also refused to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits in their Big Beautiful Bill--tax breaks for wealthy people but no benefits for those trying to pay their health insurance premiums. Twenty-four million Americans rely on these tax credits to afford their health insurance, but they expired at the end of last year. Without them, insurance premiums have doubled or tripled for many families, the same families that are struggling to buy groceries, to pay their utility bills, to make sure that they have enough money for rent or mortgage. And how about the cost of gasoline while we are at it? We have decided these folks need to have an additional expense of health insurance premiums, according to my Republican colleagues. Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune newspaper reported that more than 92,000 people living in my State have lost or dropped their health insurance this year due to the skyrocketing premiums and the Republican policy change eliminating tax benefits to help people pay for their health insurance. Illinois is no outlier. Millions of Americans nationwide lost their insurance coverage because the Republican decision to change the policy priced them out of care. Listen to one of the stories. Sharon Dunham, from Grand Rapids, MI, told the Wall Street Journal that she beat cancer twice and has multiple health challenges, but she had to drop her insurance altogether--drop her insurance altogether-- this year when her monthly premiums increased by $300. With inflation, which the President embraced yesterday and said that he [[Page S2745]] dearly loves--add that to the health insurance premiums, she just couldn't hack it. Sharon plans to go without insurance until she turns 65. She prays that she will last long enough to reach the Medicare eligibility age. In the meantime, she is terrified that her cancer might return and knows that without health insurance, ``I can't do anything if it shows up.'' Think about that for a minute. A vote here on the Senate floor has put this lady in a situation where she is battling cancer without health insurance. Countless other families are making similar heartbreaking decisions like Sharon. Without health insurance, they are just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy. Republicans' Big Beautiful Bill doesn't stop just at that point. It also enacted the most severe cut to the SNAP program in history. From July 2025 to February 2026, more than 3\1/2\ million people have lost access to the program that actually puts groceries on their table. One SNAP recipient, Presley Nassise, told the Public Broadcasting System that his benefits went from $200 to zero after the Republican cuts, after which he could only afford 1\1/2\ meals a day. Go to your local food bank and ask them what is going on. They are being deluged and swamped by people who are struggling to make ends meet, struggling to pay for groceries. And folks with limited income need a helping hand. I have been there. I have seen those food banks. And thank goodness for the people who open them, the churches and the volunteers that keep them open. It is no wonder that more Americans are going without the food that they need now in 2026 than during the peak of COVID-19. As the Big Beautiful Bill's provisions take effect, Republicans can no longer hide behind the statement that they have only tried to target waste, fraud, and abuse. Americans are waking up to the reality that Republicans abandoned working families so they could provide tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country. While Republicans are content to act like nothing is wrong, Democrats are continuing to fight to restore these programs. It may not be popular in some circles to speak out for the poor and low-income people in this country, but I think we have an obligation to do so. If these people are trying to get by--struggling to get health insurance, to put food on their table, to be able to go to the kind of healthcare that keeps them alive--we have got to speak up for them. I don't believe these are cheaters and chiselers and frauds. These are people who are trying to get by. And putting additional paperwork requirements on them--making it more and more difficult--making someone who has Alzheimer's file papers regularly with the government to prove they can't go to work, for goodness' sake, what has this Nation come to? We can do better than that. I yield the floor. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2745-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Vote on Dahl Nomination (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECSESSION,S2745,S2745,"[{""name"": ""John R. Curtis"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2745,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2745] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Vote on Dahl Nomination The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Dahl nomination? Mr. CURTIS. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham) and the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty) would have voted ``yea.'' Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet) and the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) are necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 49, nays 44, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 170 Ex.] YEAS--49 Armstrong Banks Barrasso Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Grassley Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McConnell McCormick Moody Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--44 Alsobrooks Baldwin Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden NOT VOTING--7 Bennet Blackburn Coons Graham Hagerty Moran Tillis The nomination was confirmed. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2745-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Remembering Melissa and Mark Hortman (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECSESSION,S2745,S2747,"[{""name"": ""Amy Klobuchar"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Tina Smith"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Hoeven"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2745,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2745-S2747] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Remembering Melissa and Mark Hortman Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague from Minnesota Senator Smith on a somber anniversary week for our State and for our country. One year ago, a horrific act of political violence took two Minnesotans from us who represented the best of our State, the best of us, Minnesota State Representative and our former Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her dear husband Mark Hortman. This is them with their kids, with Colin and Sophie who have been true to their memories since that date, grieving through the entire time, but always holding up their parents' memories. That same night, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot. Despite taking nine bullets, as his wife Yvette took eight, John has courageously returned to the State senate with a tireless dedication to improving the lives of Minnesotans. Melissa and Mark left behind a State in mourning, but their two incredible children Colin and Sophie rose through their grief and best captured their parents' legacy as they said: The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else. And that is exactly what Minnesotans have done. Thousands lined up to pay their respects to the Hortmans at the State capitol where Melissa was the first woman in Minnesota to lie in state. People planted trees to honor Melissa's efforts to strengthen urban and rural forests. Donations poured in to Helping Paws the service dog nonprofit where the Hortmans volunteered and where their beloved Gilbert, who was also shot that night, was trained. The organization established the Hortman Heroes Fund to train service dogs to help first responders and veterans with PTSD. Their dog Gilbert was actually going to be part of that program. And they trained their dog, but in the end, it was decided their dog was just too friendly to be part of the program in the end, and Melissa and Mark were happy to have him back. And he died with them that weekend. [[Page S2746]] Minnesota stood up in their names, for Gilbert, for their family, and mostly for Melissa and Mark, and we remember them. Our State has lost a lot this year. Just weeks after we lost Melissa and Mark, we were once again shaken to our core by a deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and then the winter with 3,000 Federal Agents and the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Our State has been at the center of America's heartbreak, but we have also been at the center of its courage and its hope. No one exemplified our State's courage and hope more than Melissa. I wish everyone in this Chamber knew Melissa. We treasured her in Minnesota. She is the epitome of what you want in a public servant, the epitome of someone who stood up for her neighbors. I first got to know her when we were both running for office around the same time, both with little kids, me for the county attorney's office, her for State legislature. We went door to door together, and even back then it seemed like she knew every story and every family in her district. She left a lasting impact on each of us, and over her 20 years in the Minnesota State House, she left a lasting impact on our State. As minority leader and then speaker, Melissa always guided her caucus with conviction and a sense of humor. She was always there to support her colleagues, but she also wasn't afraid to call out the all-male card game taking place when they should have been on the floor debating. And after being chosen by her colleagues to be their speaker, the first thing she did for the State house was to get rid of the speaker's mute button because Melissa always listened to her colleagues, and she said at the time: I have a gavel . . . and a gavel is good enough for me. And with that gavel, Melissa became one of the most consequential and arguably the best speakers in the history of our State. Because of Melissa, all Minnesota students get a school lunch so hunger doesn't stop them from learning and reaching their potential. Because of Melissa, Minnesota voters can cast a ballot that works best for them, whether that is early voting, mail-in voting, or same- day registration. Because of Melissa, women in Minnesota can access reproductive care and continue to make their own decisions about their futures. And because of Melissa, who created the Minnesota Community Solar Program, which now bears her name, our State is a leader in clean energy and protecting the environment. She was a generational leader. She led with integrity and courage. She consistently reached across the aisle to make life better for Minnesotans. And her husband Mark, he was compassionate, smart, kind. I met so many people who worked with him in his workplace over the years and loved him just as much as the legislators loved Melissa. As we remember Melissa and Mark, we must also continue to address the significant increase in threats and acts of political violence we have seen across the country against people of both parties. I want to extend my gratitude to the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who responded that night and who have continued to be there for our State. It was Melissa, who once said that ``in politics, often the easiest thing for anyone to do is run to a microphone, sharpen their dagger, and see who has the best press conference. But what's excruciatingly difficult in all this high emotion is to get people to the table,'' she said, ``and to slog through the work that has to happen.'' She was right then, and her words hold true today. Each of us has a responsibility to bring more people to the table and to take on the hard work. Melissa and Mark met as volunteers, working to help kids in their community, and their dedication to serving others never wavered. In her wallet, in her purse, after she died, they found a prayer that she always carried, by St. Francis of Assisi. It said this. It said: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. May we all be instruments of peace just like Melissa. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota. Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague Senator Klobuchar, who knew and loved and worked closely with Melissa for so many years. I know that this is a personal moment for her, to think about the loss that we experience every day not having Melissa with us but also just being able to capture who she was as a person. And this really is a somber day for us. It is almost exactly a year since Melissa and Mark were assassinated at their home, along with the loss of their dog Gilbert, the same night that John and Yvette Hoffman were also shot and, thank God, survived. You probably can relate to this because I know every party and every State has a big party dinner, and it was kind of incredible for us because Melissa and Mark were shot in the wee hours after our big party dinner. And so we had all been together just hours before we lost them. And it was a horrifying act of targeted political violence that shocked our State and also transfixed the Nation as law enforcement searched for the perpetrator of this horror. And we collectively searched for meaning in these senseless acts. And it is 1 year later, and in most ways this loss still feels so fresh to all of us. This solemn anniversary, I know, will probably bring a fresh wave of opinions and think pieces trying to answer the questions of what Melissa's death means and where we go from here, what this says about the state of American politics or what it might reveal about our frayed democracy. And I have to tell you, honestly, that I don't have answers to those weighty questions, but what I know is that, today, I want to remember my friend Melissa and how she really exemplified what it should mean to be in public service, to be a public servant. I love that Amy read that quote from St. Francis because that was all about the value of being a servant in the cause of helping people's lives be better. Melissa was born in Fridley, MN, which is a suburb of the Twin Cities. She was gifted. She was smart. She excelled because she worked really hard, not because anything was ever handed to her. And she really pretty much thought that any job that was worth doing was worth doing right. And that is the mantra that she carried with her, whether it was her first job making burritos to her last job leading Minnesota's House through a dramatic and consequential legislative session. She felt a deep responsibility to put her talents to work in the cause of service. And, you know, it is interesting. She started in public service as an intern in this very body. We have interns here on the floor today. So think about that, where this woman's life took her. She was an intern for Senator Al Gore and then Senator John Kerry and then she decided to go to law school. And there she served the cause of justice in the State courts and as a prosecutor where she fought against housing discrimination, and she won those cases. And then she decided to get involved in local politics. After volunteering on campaigns, she decided to run herself. And she actually ran for office twice before winning. So she was tenacious. She was not afraid to persevere, even when she faced some headwinds because she really believed that she had something to offer, yes, but that she also had a responsibility to help. Melissa and I got to know each other well when I was chief of staff to the Governor of Minnesota and she was coming into leadership in the State house. And, you know, we all know well in this body that writing and passing legislation is an incredibly rewarding activity, but it also can be tiresome and frustrating, and it takes a really long time. It is inconvenient, and it can be pretty annoying too. So when you are in those moments--as Senator Klobuchar was saying-- and you are trying to hash it out and work it out and get people to the table, you need somebody like Melissa there because she knows how to get the job done. She would always be ready with a fresh idea about, like, what is it going to take to deliver a result here. And she also was really funny. She was quick with a quip and a funny joke [[Page S2747]] to keep the process moving and to keep people focused on taking what they were doing seriously without taking themselves too seriously. I can tell you from personal experience that she also was pretty fun if you wanted to get together after all that work for a margarita. As a legislator and eventually as speaker of the Minnesota House, Melissa approached her work in this way: by leading with compassion and respect, always staying in touch with our shared humanity. And, of course, she was unafraid to demand the same respect in return, both for herself and for others. She was a woman leader, a leader who was a woman in a time when, sometimes even to this day, women are sort of not paid as much attention to as they deserve. And Amy was referring to this. Once on the house floor, Melissa called out a group of male legislators who were playing cards in a back room rather than paying attention to women legislators that were speaking on the floor about how a criminal justice bill was going to impact their communities. And so Melissa called them out. And, I mean, they were pretty pissed. They were unaccustomed to being confronted by their rude behavior, and they actually demanded an apology. And Melissa's response was characteristically honest and simple. She said, ``I'm really tired of watching women of color, in particular, being ignored. So [I will not apologize].'' And this became kind of a thing. The next day, all over the Minnesota State Capitol, people were wearing T-shirts that said, ``I will not apologize.'' It was quite--it was quite a moment. Melissa stood up for others. She spoke truth to power, and she insisted that we treat each other with dignity and respect because public service should be--you know, even in a climate like we are in today, public service is serious business, unlike some of the nonserious activities that we see every day here in Washington. So here is Melissa's true legacy: Millions of Minnesotans are better off because Melissa Hortman did the work that she did. They have healthier drinking water because Melissa secured the funding that will eliminate lead water service lines in Minnesota. Minnesotan schoolchildren will be able to focus on their learning. They won't be hungry because Melissa helped pass free breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota families with their kids in school. Starting this year, Minnesotans will have access to paid leave. Every Minnesotan will have access to paid medical and family leave to care for their new babies, to take care of a loved one who might be ill because Melissa never gave up on that project and believed that that should be something that everybody has. One year after her death, I still can't quite believe that she is gone. We had our big party dinner just last Friday night, and I kept looking around and wondering--forgetting that she wasn't there. And I know this summer, this fall, when I am out door-knocking, that I and a lot of people will be thinking about how she was always out there, doing the organizing of politics. But, today, I am really focused on what Melissa and Mark meant to me and to all of us who had the privilege to know them. And my heart is with their family and their friends and especially their children Sophie and Colin. I know that they are comforted by the fact that so many people loved Mark and Melissa so much. And I think that we would all do well to follow the advice of their children Sophie and Colin. And when they were asked so many times in the days after Melissa and Mark were killed, what people could do to help, this is what they told us. They said: If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following: Plant a tree. Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail. Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do. Tell your loved one a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it. Bake something--bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone. Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something [new]. Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace. That is a good inspiration for all of us every single day. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Banks). The Senator from Minnesota. Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2745,2026-06-11,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2745,S2745,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2745,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2745] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. The legislative clerk read the nomination of Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2747,2026-06-11,119,2,,,THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK WILD HORSES PROTECTION ACT,SENATE,SENATE,ALLOTHER,S2747,S2751,"[{""name"": ""John Hoeven"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Ruben Gallego"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Tom Cotton"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Ron Wyden"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Bernie Moreno"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Richard J. Durbin"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1377""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1377""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2033""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4740""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2747,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2747-S2751] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK WILD HORSES PROTECTION ACT ______ CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to ask unanimous consent to pass two bills--S. 1377, my Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act and Senator Gallego's Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act. I want to thank my colleague for joining me here today and for his work on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the passage of these bills today. In the case of my bill, for generations, horses have been a living, breathing part of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Their presence in the Badlands predates the establishment of the park itself and traces back to the region's early ranching heritage. Today, the horses remain one of the park's most recognizable and beloved features, enjoyed by more than 700,000 visitors annually when they come to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. But the horses are much more than just a visitor attraction; they are an important part of the historic landscape that reflects what Theodore Roosevelt himself experienced during his time in the Dakota Territory. His years in the Badlands helped shape his character, and they inspired the conservation ethic that would later define his Presidency. He was a rancher, so he was on horseback all of the time. He really credits North Dakota in that experience for rounding out his strength and vitality, which are some of the attributes that he needed to go on and be elected President. As a result, the horses of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park have become an enduring symbol of that legacy. Yet, despite their importance, there have been repeated efforts to remove them from the park, including as recently as in 2022. Each and every time, those efforts are met with overwhelming public opposition not just from people in North Dakota but from people across the country who recognize the contributions the horses make to the park's incredible and colorful history. That is why we have introduced this legislation. S. 1377 provides a balanced, commonsense, and durable solution. It ensures the National Park Service will continue to manage a healthy horse herd while providing permanent protection for an important part of the park's identity. Specifically, the bill directs the National Park Service to maintain a herd of not fewer than 150 horses--a population level consistent with the need for responsible management of a genetically diverse herd. I greatly appreciate my colleague from Virginia Senator Kaine for joining me in introducing and sponsoring this legislation. Senator Kaine understands firsthand the important role of the wild ponies of the Chincoteague and Assateague Islands on Federal lands in his own State. I also appreciate the support from the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service and their willingness to provide certainty for the future of horses in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This bill is about ensuring that future generations can experience the same landscape that helped shape one of our Nation's greatest conservation leaders. By passing this bill, we can ensure the future of wild horses at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I would also like to thank Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and the Energy Committee's staff for their work in helping us advance this important legislation. [[Page S2748]] I am also pleased to work with Senator Gallego to pass his Cross- Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act today, and I appreciate his partnership. Therefore, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of S. 1377 and that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: Calendar No. 430, S. 2033, and S. 1377. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bills by title. The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2033) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land. A bill (S. 1377) to ensure the maintenance of a herd of horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the committee was discharged of the relevant bill (S. 1377), and the Senate proceeded to consider the bills en bloc, (S. 2033) which had been reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act''. SEC. 2. STUDY ON WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACROSS LAND OWNERSHIP BOUNDARIES. (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on-- (1) the existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation from being completed across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land; (2) whether changes to any program, rule, or authority identified pursuant to paragraph (1) would allow Federal land management agencies (as defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Fire Administration, States, local governments, and Tribal governments increased capacity or access to funding to mitigate wildfires; and (3) the activities carried out pursuant to subsection (e) of section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6513), including-- (A) how to improve the efficacy of such activities with respect to mitigating wildfire; and (B) whether the enactment of such subsection has increased the access of Federal land management agencies and States to funding to mitigate wildfires. (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains-- (1) the results of the study required under subsection (a); and (2) recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation between Federal land management agencies and State, local, and Tribal governments. Mr. HOEVEN. I further ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute amendment to S. 2033 be agreed to; that the bills, as amended, where amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, all en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there an objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to. The bill (S. 2033), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. The bill (S. 1377) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S. 1377 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act''. SEC. 2. MAINTENANCE OF HORSES IN THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK. Section 5 of the Act of April 25, 1947 (61 Stat. 54, chapter 41; 16 U.S.C. 245), is amended-- (1) by striking the section designation and all that follows through ``The Administration'' and inserting the following: ``SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION, PROTECTION, AND DEVELOPMENT. ``(a) In General.--The administration''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(b) Maintenance of Horses.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this subsection as the `Secretary') shall maintain a genetically diverse herd of horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (referred to in this subsection as the `Park'), with a population of not fewer than 150 horses. ``(2) Management plan.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall develop a plan to provide for the management of horses in the Park. ``(B) Requirements.--The plan developed under subparagraph (A) shall provide for the cost-effective management of the horses in the Park while ensuring that natural resources within the Park are not adversely impacted. ``(3) Removal.--The Secretary shall not remove, or assist in or permit the removal of, any horses from Federal land within the boundaries of the Park-- ``(A) unless the removal is carried out as part of a plan to maintain a genetically diverse herd of horses; or ``(B) except-- ``(i) in the case of emergency; or ``(ii) to protect public health and safety. ``(4) Monitoring and assessment.--The Secretary shall annually monitor, assess, and make available to the public findings regarding the population, structure, and health of the horses in the Park.''. Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, with that, again, I want to thank my colleague Senator Gallego and turn to him for his comments. I yield the floor. Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. President, I rise today to mark an important step in the fight against wildfires with the passage of my Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act. Like many Western States, my home State of Arizona is a patchwork of Federal, State, Tribal, and private lands. The fires do not stop at property lines. That is why we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to reducing wildfires and improving wildfire mitigation across land ownerships no matter who owns that land. When fires move faster than governments can coordinate, the fire has the advantage. The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act takes a practical step to fixing that. The bill supports the kind of collaboration between Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners that we know works. By studying and identifying the gaps in current Federal rules that present coordination between land ownership boundaries, we can bolster our firefighting efforts. This couldn't be more timely. The West is getting hotter and dryer every year. In Arizona, we watched more than 200,000 acres burn across the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Kaibab National Forest. The Dragon Bravo fire, one of the largest in Arizona's history, devastated iconic landscapes and the local businesses that depend on them. In the face of these conditions, it is vital we have the research and coordination tools to ensure effective wildfire management. At the same time, funding for the Forest Service's State, Tribal, and private forestry program is at risk. That is the funding that enables exactly the kind of cross-boundary collaboration this bill is designed to work with. Congress needs to send a signal that we know this work matters, and we have the chance to do so today. As we approach peak wildfire season, I have heard from people on the ground that cross-boundary collaboration is a top priority to keep our fire season from growing more dangerous and more expensive, and they are right. The cost of inaction in lives and lands and dollars keeps climbing. So thank you, Senator Hoeven, and his team for helping me lead this effort. Today we take a very important step in that direction. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas. Unanimous Consent Requests Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, also known as FISA, is a critical national security tool. Well over half of every item in the President's daily brief is derived from section 702. It has stopped terrorist attacks. It has stopped the flow of deadly drugs into our country. It has protected our troops overseas. It has allowed us to rescue troops overseas. [[Page S2749]] Regrettably, the Democrats, led by the two minority leaders, are going to allow this critical authority to expire tomorrow night. Again, this program, which has been on the books for almost 20 years, is one of the most important intelligence tools that we have. And why are they going to let it expire? I guess the minority leader is mad about who Donald Trump chose to run an intelligence Agency on an acting basis--an Agency that, by the way, has very little to do with section 702. To the extent it does, legislation I proposed with Senator Warner and other leaders in this Senate would impose more guardrails on that Agency. And, by the way, if the law expires tomorrow night, all the guardrails on that, and every other Agency, expire as well. So even though we haven't been able to pass the legislation that Senator Grassley and I coauthored with Senator Warner and others, the responsible next step is to have a short-term extension of this legislation, especially as we begin welcoming literally millions of foreigners to this country for the World Cup and for the America 250 celebrations right around the corner. If we don't extend it for at least a few weeks while we continue to try to work on our differences, the consequences could be severe. The consequences, to be frank, could be fatal. Americans should not have to face that risk because of partisan game playing by the minority leader of the Senate and the House. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask for unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the bill at the desk. I further ask 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there an objection? The Senator from Oregon. Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, reserving the right to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon. Mr. WYDEN. Reserving the right to object is particularly relevant here, because I am sure my colleague is aware that the bill--the 3-week bill--was just defeated in the House on a strong, bipartisan vote this morning. The House is not back until the 23rd. So my understanding is you can't do anything. Bipartisan majorities in both the House and the Senate have now rejected what I consider to be the surveillance status quo. I believe there just have been too many abuses of Americans' rights across multiple administrations, and Members of Congress are now standing up and saying: No more. The only viable path forward is one that leads to real reforms. The Congress has already punted on section 702 twice this year. Every day that 702 is in effect without reforms is a day that Americans' rights are under threat. I believe Americans deserve new guardrails. If Congress is going to extend these authorities--and that is what we are talking about--those guardrails are essential. And, at a minimum, Americans deserve transparency about how these surveillance powers have been abused. For those reasons, Mr. President, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. The Senator from Arkansas. Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, let me try to respond to that fog of misunderstanding and misleading statements. Section 702 does not surveil Americans. It is, to put it simply, about foreigners in foreign countries: so, say, an IRGC leader in Iran talking to one of his operatives in Lebanon; or a Russian in Moscow talking to a Russian in Mexico--all of whom are usually up to no good. The government is not permitted to use section 702 to target Americans, either here or in other countries. It is called section 702 because, as is usually the case, laws have other sections to them--like title I has sections of the law that govern any targeting of an American--and those sections require a probable cause warrant, which is the Senator from Oregon's great crusade. So-called reverse targeting of Americans, using section 702, is prohibited. Requiring a probable cause warrant for this information is akin to requiring a police officer to get a new warrant every time he goes into the evidence room to review lawfully collected evidence. Now, for all the talk about transparency and oversight and privacy protections, I would point out that the legislation I have introduced has more than a dozen additional measures to include, for instance, criminal penalties for any abuse, to include more congressional involvement in the FISA Court's processes, more reporting to the committees on which the Senator from Oregon sits--just like the law we passed 2 years ago had many additional transparency measures and privacy protections. And, as I pointed out, if this law is allowed to expire tomorrow night, so do all of those transparency measures and all those privacy protections. So it is regrettable that we have reached this point, Mr. President. I just hope that the American people don't pay the consequences for the Democrats' reckless intransigence. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon. Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, again, like yesterday, I am making what I believe is a real offer now. I am offering, again, to extend section 702 of FISA for 5 weeks and give the public more facts about how these surveillance powers have been abused. Defenders of the status quo seem to think that there is already enough transparency around government surveillance. So let me be very specific about what the bill that I am now proposing would do. It would require more public disclosure about violations of our surveillance laws, including section 702. It would require more public disclosure about warrantless searches targeting politicians, journalists, and religious leaders. This particular category of searches more than tripled in 2025, and the FBI has refused to explain why. It would require more public disclosure about warrantless surveillance of Americans outside of FISA, which the public knows virtually nothing about. And it would require the executive branch to redact and release a March 2026 FISA Court ruling that found serious violations affecting Americans' rights. The executive branch is already required to release this ruling eventually. The chairman and the vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, in fact, asked them to release it by May 15. But, unfortunately, they just brushed off the chairman and the vice chairman's request. Mr. President, so as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4740; 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there an objection? The Senator from Arkansas. Mr. COTTON. You bet there is, Mr. President. Mr. President, all of these ideas are totally unworkable and also beside the point. The Senator from Oregon has never voted for section 702. He is an implacable, ideological opponent of this law. These measures, too, are for what--a 5-week extension that he would then extend permanently? That doesn't sound like a very reasonable offer to me. But almost every one of them is designed to make this program unworkable and to expose Americans to grave risk. There are already, again, dozens of transparency measures and privacy protections in place under a law passed, just 2 years ago, by a Democratic Senate, signed by a Democratic President. The legislation that Senator Grassley and I drafted with another Democratic Senator, the vice chairman of my committee--the Intelligence Committee--has nearly two dozen more. It is never enough for the Senator from Oregon. So perhaps the minority leaders of the Senate and the House will eventually come to their senses and vote to support legislation that key leaders in their party have drafted to protect this country. But it will never be enough for the Senator from Oregon. [[Page S2750]] So I, of course, object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. The Senator from Oregon. Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, just very briefly on this last point, the proposals I made yesterday and the proposals I made today are longer than anything else on offer--5 weeks--and I think that is the relevant fact. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas. Mr. COTTON. A 5-week extension for permanent, radical unworkable reforms. That is a farce. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader. Unanimous Consent Request Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, what the Senator from Arkansas and chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee just said is absolutely accurate: The Senator from Oregon has consistently tried to kill this program and has never believed in it, has never voted for it. And it is a program that makes Americans more safe. That is a proven fact. You ask any intelligence expert, any military planner in this country, the intelligence derived from the 702 program is something that has saved American lives in theaters of conflict, preventing terrorist attacks, preventing drug runners from getting drugs into this country. Mr. President, 90 percent--90 percent--of the fentanyl disruptions coming into this country were stopped because of this program. This is a program that saves American lives. And I have to ask the question. I mean, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why the Democrats continue to support policies that make this country less safe. TSA agents, I think, this year have worked without pay for almost as much time as they have worked with pay because Democrats have wanted to shut the government down, shut TSA down. More recently, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two Agencies that are critical to keeping this country safe--they don't want to provide a single dollar--zero--zero dollars for ICE and CBP, making this country less safe. And so what did we have to do? We had to use reconciliation to do something that ought to be a no-brainer around here: protecting the American people, keeping our borders secure, protecting people in our communities in this country from criminal illegal aliens. I just don't understand this. And now this, blocking something that was negotiated on a bipartisan, bicameral basis, House and Senate--the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, his Democrat counterpart; the same thing on the House side--with reforms, a lot of reforms. Something was negotiated in a bipartisan way to get a bill on the floor that we could use to extend this program and continue to keep Americans safe. The ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee made some public statements earlier today, and one was that having this shutdown is ``obviously a high risk proposition.'' That is a quote. He went on to say that he believes it is ``dangerous''--``dangerous''--for section 702 to lapse. And what this is all about is a temporary acting position at DNI. So Democrats have decided to block a vote against something that many in the past have supported, that is keeping this country safe, because they don't like the person that President Trump is putting into a temporary acting role. These aren't linked. This is a program that works, and it works effectively to keep Americans safe. And the reforms that have been proposed, the legislation that has been agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate, ought to be able to pass the U.S. Senate. Mr. President, 100 percent of the President's intelligence priorities are informed by the 702 collection--100 percent. I am just really--I don't get it. I just don't get it. So what I am going to do is suggest, because this acting temporary person doesn't even get into the acting temporary position until a week from tomorrow, June 19, I am going to suggest that we do at least a 1- week extension to keep the lights on at this Agency, at a time when we are hosting the World Cup. We have got 250th anniversary celebrations going on around this country. This is a time of risk for the American people, and Democrats here in the Senate said: Well, sorry. We don't like this guy in the acting temporary position, and so we are going to shut the lights off on this program and put at risk the American people. It is an untenable, irresponsible position. But since he doesn't take that position until a week from Friday, I think we ought to at least extend this program through a week from Friday and allow for some more time for people to figure out the long- term solution, if there is one. So, Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I am going to ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the bill at the desk. I will further ask that that bill be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Oregon. Mr. WYDEN. Reserving the right to object. Mr. President, as the majority leader knows, the bill that came up in the House had a strong bipartisan vote this morning. It was not something that one party simply tried to jam something through on the other; it was a strong bipartisan vote. It was defeated. The House is gone until the 23rd, so they can't do anything. Now, with respect to a couple of the details made by the majority leader, I have already indicated that on offer is my proposal, which is longer than anything that has come up in the last day. It is a real offer. By the way, it is not changing any surveillance powers at all. All my proposal does is offer some transparency, and I think transparency information is relevant when there has been evidence of Americans being spied on, and I think that is why it is important. So for those reasons, Mr. President, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. Mr. THUNE. Let me just, again, say for the record, because the Senator from Oregon's proposal is designed to kill the bill--and there was a vote in the House. And I want to say there were 190 Republicans in the House who voted for a 3-week extension. And there would have been a lot of Democrats if they hadn't been told by their leadership, like they have been told here, not to vote for an extension. This is an extension. This is an extension of current law. We have a proposal that has been negotiated by both sides that would be a longer term extension. So if you are rejecting the 3-week extension, what I am suggesting here, and what you just objected to, because my understanding is-- correct me if I am wrong--that the reason all the Democrats went south on this, in both the Senate and the House, was because of the nomination of a gentleman named Bill Pulte to be the acting temporary Director of the Office of National Intelligence. If that is true and if he doesn't take office until a week from Friday, what objection could there possibly be--possibly be--to extending this program's authority until at least next Friday, so that we don't have a period where this program lapses, this program goes dark, at a time when there are literally hundreds of thousands of people coming into this country for the World Cup. A 1-week extension, that is all we are saying. And the Democrats are going to object to that. So, again, I will simply say this is, on its face, an irresponsible position that makes America and Americans less safe. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio. Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I will make my remarks very, very brief. For those watching on TV, wondering what their government did this week, what you just witnessed on the floor of the U.S. Senate is one Democrat, at least, who is willing to have his position stated. The other ones are hiding because they know what they did today was so wrong. At the end of the day, the most important job we have is to protect the American people. And because of Democrat political posturing, they made this country less safe. [[Page S2751]] And I hope and pray to God that nothing happens in this country where an American is killed or something happens to this Nation as a result of what we just witnessed here today. This is another low point in the history of the U.S. Senate. Waiving Quorum Call Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Smith nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. MORENO. I ask unanimous consent for the previously scheduled rollcall vote to commence. Cloture Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state. The legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 742, Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. John Thune, Tim Sheehy, Pete Ricketts, Mike Rounds, John Barrasso, Ted Budd, Jim Banks, Rick Scott of Florida, Todd Young, David McCormick, Shelley Moore Capito, Jon Husted, John Boozman, Mike Crapo, Katie Boyd Britt, Eric Schmitt, John R. Curtis. The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the nomination of Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk called the roll. Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty) would have voted ``yea.'' Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Rosen), and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) are necessarily absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 47, nays 43, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 171 Ex.] YEAS--47 Armstrong Banks Barrasso Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Grassley Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McConnell McCormick Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--43 Alsobrooks Baldwin Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden NOT VOTING--10 Bennet Blackburn Coons Graham Hagerty Moody Moran Rosen Shaheen Tillis The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). On this vote the yeas are 47, the nays are 43, and the motion is agreed to. The motion was agreed to. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2751-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Chicago Bears (Executive Calendar),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2751,S2753,"[{""name"": ""Jim Banks"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2751,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2751-S2753] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Chicago Bears Mr. BANKS. Mr. President, before we leave town for the week, I wanted to comment, share some really good news for the great State of Indiana. You might have seen the news late last week, but last Friday, June 5, the Chicago Bears board announced that they voted to officially advance the process of building a new stadium not in downtown Chicago but rather in Hammond, IN. I am a lifelong Indianapolis Colts fan, but today I want to talk about the Chicago Bears. The No. 1 question that I have received over the last week is, Will the Chicago bears change their name to the Indiana Bears? And I have been assured that that will not be the case. They will remain the Chicago Bears, but their board, as I mentioned, voted to start this process to build their stadium in Hammond, IN. Hammond is a part of, in Indiana, what we call ``The Region''-- Northwest Indiana, Lake County. Communities like Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond are blue-collar, working-class communities, rich from those steel-producing jobs that have been in that part of my State for generations, that have employed so many Hoosiers. This is big news for Indiana. It is a shot in the arm for a part of my State that can really use it. And a lot of people are going to benefit from the development that will occur around this new site that is just 18 miles to the east of where the Chicago Bears are currently located, Soldier Field in downtown Chicago. It is only about a half-an- hour drive from the current site to where this new site will be in the community in Hammond. And the reason I want to come and talk about this today is this isn't just about sports. This is about the tale of two cities, the tale of two States--a State with leadership, vision; a State that is open for business; and a State that is bankrupt, literally a State that has gone bankrupt with failed leadership, with blue-State policies that we have seen around the country, in other States like California. But Illinois, they take the cake in Illinois for liberal, leftwing policies. And there is a lot--a lot--to unpack here about why the Chicago Bears--this iconic, over 100-year iconic football team and their ownership--made this decision to come to my State and abandon the policies of Illinois and the city, the once-great big city, great city of Chicago, that they are fleeing from. I just want to suggest to you today that when it comes to States like Illinois--a liberal State, a high-tax State, an anti-family State, an anti-business State--it is a State that is destroying itself inside out. And then talk about a Republican, low-tax, pro-family, pro- business State like my State is thriving, and this great news just goes to prove it. Now, I wanted to point out a few statistics that I have recently become aware of. According to CNBC data from last year, Indiana is the second-best State in the country when it comes to cost of living; Illinois, 34. Indiana is ranked, according to CNBC--the same data--the best State in the country when it comes to the cost of doing business. We are open for business in Indiana. Illinois ranks among the worst States in the country for doing business. Indiana, the ninth best State in the country for businesses--period-- and that number keeps getting better for our State because we passed right-to-work laws. We have reduced our property taxes, income taxes, the tax burden in our State. And by the way, in Indiana, we actually pass balanced budgets at our State legislature every 2 years. Illinois is a bankrupt State. They have so much debt in their State that the taxpayers are holding the bag for it. So when it comes to cost of living and the cost of doing business, Indiana is a far better environment for families and businesses than Illinois. But you also have to look at crime statistics because this tells a big part [[Page S2752]] of the story too. According to FBI data, Illinois has one of the highest statewide homicide and robbery rates in the entire country. In fact, the robbery rate in Illinois is 152 percent worse than it is in the State of Indiana. And I submit to you that is because Chicago and Illinois are truly on the frontlines of the ``defund the police'' mantra of the Democratic Party today. The soft-on-crime policies of blue States and leadership coming out of Illinois and Chicago tells a far different story than my State, Indiana, where we are focused on law and order. We support our police officers. We back the blue in Indiana. There is a big difference when it comes to crime statistics coming out of both States too. I also want to talk about job statistics because I think this is important as well. It helps tell the story about why the Chicago Bears made this historic announcement last week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indiana's unemployment rate right now is 3.2 percent. Illinois? Over 5 percent, 5.1 percent unemployment rate. That is nearly 60 percent higher unemployment in Illinois than it is in Indiana. Then you talk about--you talk about tax rates, as I mentioned a little bit ago. The property tax rates in Illinois are nearly twice as high as they are in Indiana. Individual income tax rates--this is the same deal--almost twice as high in Illinois as what they are in Indiana. And you are starting to see a bigger picture here. Why did the Chicago Bears make this incredible announcement to come to Indiana? Lower taxes, better for families, lower crime statistics, just 30 minutes to the east than what they deal with in Chicago. The Presiding Officer and I know that people vote with their feet. In this case, an entire football team is voting with their cleats. The whole program is just moving 18 miles away into a State that works with better leadership in Indiana. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, 40,000 residents left Illinois for other States in 2025. Meanwhile, more people have moved to Indiana than have left Indiana. That is another huge difference. And also, according to the same organization, the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois ranked No. 2 in the country for the most business losses of any State in the country. I mean, this is a massive, giant, big sucking sound coming out of Illinois and Chicago--businesses that are taking their jobs, folding up their tents and their businesses, and moving to States like Indiana that are open to business, while Illinois pushes them out the door. Illinois has lost at least 218 businesses--big and small--to other States since 2023. I mean, this is another testament to what the difference is between our States. But then the last issue I want to talk about is what Illinois has done to make themselves--not just Chicago but the whole State of Illinois--the whole State of Illinois has designated itself as a statewide sanctuary jurisdiction, not a sanctuary city but the whole State of Illinois is a sanctuary State for illegal immigrants. And just since January 20 of this year, according to the Department of Homeland Security, 1,768 criminal illegal aliens have been released in the State of Illinois--just over the last several months since January 20. Compare that with my State, where my Governor, one of his very first acts as Governor last year, was to sign an executive order. And he told the Indiana State Police that in Indiana, the State police and all State agencies will assist President Trump and the Federal efforts for mass deportation to get violent illegal criminals out of Indiana, get them off of our streets. That is the type of leadership that America is looking to and the opposite of the type of failed leadership that you see coming out of Illinois. I wanted to read just a couple of statements from leaders in my State about this historic announcement because it is such a big deal for us, the Chicago Bears moving to Indiana. Gov. Mike Braun said: Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great State! We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the `85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our State and the Bears organization for decades to come. An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven't seen before. Governor Braun went on to say: Thank you to Speaker Huston, the legislature, and Mayor McDermott for their partnership. I also want to thank the entire Bears organization for their partnership in making this move a reality. Welcome to Indiana! The speaker of the house in Indiana, my friend Todd Huston, who represents a State house district on the north side of Indianapolis and Hamilton County--Speaker Todd Huston was pivotal in the efforts at the State legislature to round up the incentive package to lure the Chicago Bears during the last session. He deserves a lot of credit for making this happen through his leadership. Speaker Todd Huston said: I am thrilled the Bears ownership voted to develop a world- class stadium facility in Hammond. This will be a transformative project for Northwest Indiana, benefitting the entire state. The Bears have been transparent and terrific partners throughout the process. Local elected leadership in Northwest Indiana and their constituents have been tremendous partners in making this happen. This is a fantastic win for Indiana, and I thank Governor Brawn and his leadership team. The Bears join a long line of companies and residents choosing Indiana to invest, grow, and pursue opportunity, and I look forward to many more making that choice. Mayor Tom McDermott is actually a Democrat--a Democrat mayor of Hammond, IN. That shows the bipartisan nature of the leadership in my State that made this historic announcement possible. Mayor Tom McDermott, the mayor of Hammond, said: The Chicago Bears chose Hammond, IN, because they see what I have said for years: Hammond is a successful city of opportunity and possibility, an excellent choice for such a significant investment. The city of Hammond and the entirety of Northwest Indiana will benefit from this transformative investment. I am proud to have partnered with our state leaders to secure this win; I'm grateful to Gov. Mike Braun, Speaker Todd Huston, Sen Ryan Mishler and our local legislators who pushed this deal over the goal line! I want to compare this a little bit. I mean, you heard from the Republican Governor, the Republican speaker of the house, the Democrat. Those are quotes from the Democrat mayor of Hammond and the other two. By the way, the Illinois Legislature, before they left their State capitol last week, completely fumbled an opportunity to provide some kind of package to keep the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Their pattern of failed leadership was on full display as they left their statehouse last week. And it was after that that the Chicago Bears organization, leadership, ownership made this historic investment. As you can imagine, a lot of embarrassment for the leaders in Illinois with this big announcement. In fact, Gov. JB Pritzker, this is what his office had to say--the opposite of what the Indiana leader had to say. This is what Governor Pritzker and his office had to say last week after this announcement was made. According to Governor Pritzker's office: The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last 6 years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress. He is blaming the Chicago Bears for his own lack of leadership. I mean, this is embarrassing for a guy who fancies himself as a potential Presidential candidate in 2028, and his biggest legacy--for JB Pritzker--is that he lost the Chicago Bears to Indiana. I mean, how embarrassing for a politician to have to live up to that? Meanwhile, though, this is what Governor Pritzker had to say about illegal immigration. Get this. Governor Pritzker said: I am going to do everything that I can to protect our undocumented immigrants. So you see what is going on here. Governor Pritzker is far more focused on protecting illegal immigrants in his State than he ever was on providing any type of leadership whatsoever to keep the Chicago Bears in Chicago or in Illinois. I mean, you see the type of failed leadership in Illinois that the successful leadership of Indiana has seized upon. Then you hear from the socialist mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson. He had this to say. He said: [[Page S2753]] Over the last several years, the Bears have stated their intentions in multiple jurisdictions, today's announcement is not surprising. Again, the mayor of Chicago is blaming others for his own lack of leadership. Yet the mayor of Chicago also had this to say: Law enforcement is a sickness. This is a man who just doesn't have his priorities straight. He is anti-police. He is one of the ``defund the police'' Democrats from a city that has high violent crime rates, and he is mad that the Chicago Bears are saying: We are leaving Chicago and Illinois because there is a better deal to be had in the great State of Indiana, 30 minutes away from where we are currently located. You see the type of failed leadership in Illinois and the type of successful leadership in my State of Indiana. I want to just finish my thoughts with this because I think this sums it up. Another great Hoosier, Pat McAfee, sums this up quite well as we talk about what Indiana means and the type of leadership that we have in Indiana and how we have seized upon this incredible, historic opportunity and why the Chicago Bears have said ``enough is enough'' of the failed leadership and the high-tax, anti-family, anti-police, ``defund the police,'' leftwing policies of Illinois. Pat McAfee sums this up quite well. He said: Indiana has always been open for business. . . . They pieced this Bears' deal together so fast. That is the type of great leadership that all of America is looking to. For the first time in my life, I say: Go Bears! I can't wait to drive an hour and a half up U.S. 30, from where I live, to go cheer on the Chicago Bears when this stadium is built in a few years in Hammond, IN. I think there are going to be a lot more Chicago Bears fans out there when this stadium is built. There are going to be a lot of Hoosiers who are going to go to this new stadium and a lot of people from Illinois who are going to be coming over the State line and seeing even more of the very best of what Indiana has to offer. So this is good news for Indiana and bad news for Chicago and Illinois, but when you hear statistics like that, you cannot blame the Chicago Bears organization for making the decision they did. With that, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Budd). The Senator from California." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2751,2026-06-11,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE CALENDAR,SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2751,S2751,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2751,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2751] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Indiana." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2753,2026-06-11,119,2,,,June 12 Anniversary (Executive Calendar),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2753,S2755,"[{""name"": ""Alex Padilla"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Jim Banks"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2753,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2753-S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] June 12 Anniversary Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, 1 year ago tomorrow, you may recall that I was in the Federal building in West Los Angeles, on business, awaiting a scheduled briefing, when I was physically forced out of a press conference. I was forced to the ground and handcuffed--not because I had broken any laws, mind you, but for the simple fact that I tried to ask a question of then-Homeland Security Secretary Noem. I was in that building--I was in that office--in my capacity as a U.S. Senator for a scheduled briefing with the four-star general in charge of U.S. Northern Command because I was seeking answers and had been seeking answers not just for days but for weeks and months on what had become an unprecedented, unlawful, cruel immigration enforcement campaign that Donald Trump had unleashed on Los Angeles. You will remember the visuals of masked ICE agents not identifying themselves and of CBP officers who were armed as if they were heading into war, indiscriminately stopping people, sweeping up immigrants-- undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants, even some U.S. citizens. But they didn't care because they were going after anyone who looked like an immigrant. They were knocking down doors to homes without having signed judicial warrants. They were breaking the windows of cars and dragging people out of their vehicles. They were raiding worksites, the parking lots of home improvement stores, even public parks where kids and families were playing. This was all happening in a matter of days in Los Angeles. It seemed like the administration was just doing one thing after another to escalate tensions. The President not only federalized and deployed National Guard troops into Los Angeles to assist with this ``mission,'' but at one point, Active-Duty marines were sent into Los Angeles, but it was not for public safety reasons, as this was done against the wishes of the Governor, against the wishes of the mayor, and against the wishes of the police chief and the sheriff. So, yes, I wanted answers--answers that weren't coming from the Department of Homeland Security here in the Senate during formal committee hearings and answers that weren't coming in response to formal inquiries that we had made as Senators or in response to letters that had been submitted by me and by several of my colleagues. Instead, as I was in the Federal building awaiting a briefing and was told my briefing was delayed because the general was in a press conference with the Secretary of Homeland Security, I thought: Well, let me try to go in and listen. Maybe I will hear some of the information that I had been trying so hard to get. So I was escorted by a National Guard member and an FBI agent to the press conference, where I stood to the side quietly and just listened. I heard not for the first time and not even for the first time that day that Secretary Noem shared with the public that the mission of this operation was to ``liberate'' Los Angeles from its duly-elected leaders. At that moment, I was compelled to speak up because that is not enforcing the law; that is an abuse of the U.S. military and of Federal law enforcement--a reflection of the desires of a wannabe dictator. As you have seen from the video, before I could even get a question out, they did their best to try to silence me. They were sending a message. This wasn't just about me. They were trying to make clear to anybody in Los Angeles and anybody throughout California and anybody throughout the country what can happen if you dare disagree with this administration, because they don't like being questioned. That is for sure. They think they are above the law. They think the rule of law does not apply to them. The good news is that is not what the American people believe. As one point of evidence, 2 days after that Homeland Security press conference experience, there was the first of the No Kings days that we have seen in the United States this last year--millions of people taking to the streets in their communities and cities across the country to declare ``No Kings.'' Instead of being scared into silence, they did not feel intimidated; they stepped up, and they spoke out. The American people have continued to speak out for our rights ever since. Across the country, Americans have been looking out for their friends, for their neighbors, for their coworkers, and for their communities. They have been documenting a lot of the abuses that they have seen in an effort to hold not just Federal agents but the Federal Government accountable. They have been speaking up for our rights through organizing and protesting--and not just in locations where raids and apprehensions and arrests have been taking place. We now see mobilizations around detention facilities, where we have heard reports of brutal, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions. Just a couple of weeks ago, my colleague from New Jersey Senator Kim was out there with protesters. Again, he was the victim of cruelty, unnecessary physical abuse against a Member of the Senate. No American should have to experienced that. What we have also seen at this time, again, is not just the mobilization of the American people, the voice of the American people, but we have seen the impact on the President's approval ratings and on his polling. In this administration, I grant you, by the numbers, the President enjoyed strong approval ratings when it came to immigration, generally speaking. Flash-forward to today, and poll after poll shows that he is at historically low approval ratings both overall but especially when it comes to the cruelty of his immigration agenda. It turns out that when Americans witness the President's policies not as he campaigned on--remember, he talked about going after the worst of the worst, but what we have seen in practice is anything but. So when we see the reality of what Donald Trump is doing, Americans don't approve. They don't approve of troops being deployed into American cities. They don't approve of Federal agents making indiscriminate stops, arrests, detentions, or even deportations. They [[Page S2754]] don't approve of families being torn apart, of people being assaulted or pepper-sprayed and arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights. They don't approve of indiscriminate profiling of people based on their skin color. It is shameful that there is now a term--the ``Kavanaugh stops.'' A Supreme Court Justice sanctioned stops based on one's appearance, accent, occupation. You don't enforce the law by violating the law. That is racial profiling, plain and simple. And, of course, the American people have been horrified when they see U.S. citizens--including Alex Pretti and Renee Good--shot and killed in broad daylight by Federal agents for exercising their First Amendment rights. This country has recoiled from this cruelty because this is not who we are as a country. We are better than this. And, sadly, we know this administration pays close attention to their polling numbers, so they know public opinion has turned. Instead of rectifying, instead of being smarter on this, more responsible on this, they are simply just changing tactics. And what was once happening in plain sight is now intentionally being played out in areas that are a lot less visible--certainly not visible to the public. We have learned recently, for instance, that immigration courts are scheduling massive mega master hearings is what they are calling them. Instead of a judge processing maybe 15 cases at a time--that is a significant workload--now they are hearing 100 or more. Oh, and by the way, there is also a lot fewer judges hearing these cases because the administration has fired more than 100 judges. You combine fewer judges with less access to counsel by people who have a right to counsel, it comes down to the denial of true due process. That is their recipe for ramming through and ramping up deportations. They are also trying to shut down legal immigration altogether. Let me repeat that. They are trying to shut down legal immigration by making it harder to seek asylum or even apply for a green card when you are eligible. They are increasingly targeting DACA recipients. With over 260 that have been swept up this last year and at least 86 of them deported from the only home they have ever known. Even worse--again, adding to the cruelty--this administration is also running out the clock on renewing their DACA protections to the point where the protections expire and they become not just unemployable but far more susceptible to deportation. But nothing exemplifies this administration's ongoing cruelty more than the conditions at detention centers like the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in my home State of California; the Dilley Detention Center in Texas filled with children; and, of course, Delaney Hall in New Jersey that has been in the news of late. We are constantly hearing reports about how overcrowded and unsanitary these facilities are. We are hearing about detainees given food that is infested with mold or maggots, inadequate access to clean drinking water, and how many are being denied medical care, including critical medical care. The damage this administration is doing is incalculable. We do know that conditions in these facilities have contributed to the deaths of 51 detainees since the start of the second Trump administration--19 of them just in this year alone. Again, most of these people do not have a criminal record. I have got to point that out because, again, for all the talk by President Trump, by the White House, by DHS, by a lot of our Republican colleagues about going after the ``worst of the worst.'' If this administration was only targeting the dangerous, violent criminals that they so often talk about, there would be no debate. There would be no discussion because there would be no disagreements. But the fact of the matter is the vast majority of the people that have been detained, that have been arrested, that have been deported, do not have violent criminal convictions. And to the cruelty of the kicking down the door of your home, the terror of the broken car window and being dragged out, the pain of somebody being detained for days or weeks or months with challenging contact with family or lawyers, the conditions in these detention facilities--the vast majority of people that have been subject to this are not dangerous, violent criminals. Many may be undocumented, but they are otherwise hard-working, tax-paying, family-raising contributors to communities and our economy. Last year was the deadliest year for people in ICE detention, and this year we are on track to surpass even that record. And now on top of that, we learned just yesterday that this administration has detained 500 babies and toddlers who are now in ICE custody. That is right, 500 babies and toddlers locked up in these ICE facilities. Are they the ``worst of the worst''? No. Are they the transnational gang leaders? Really? Babies and toddlers. Look, all immigrants are human beings and deserve to be treated like it. They deserve better than what this administration is doing, which is why it is important for Americans to keep speaking out, exposing these abuses. Because exposing these abuses is part of our responsibility; stopping them is the other responsibility. The American people deserve a better vision and a better plan for immigration than what this administration is delivering. The American people deserve and expect a plan that is rooted not in fear, but one that is rooted both in security and dignity, a plan that doesn't strive to just be tough on immigration for the sake of being tough, but one that is smarter on immigration policy and how we administer it. We can secure our borders, but let's do it in a way that is secure and orderly and humane, while ensuring pathways to seek safety for those who need it. That has been the tradition of our country. We can and must modernize our legal immigration system to keep up with global competition while protecting American workers. Those two objectives are not mutually exclusive; they do go hand in hand. We must ensure the law affords due process and keeps families together. We must provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, for farm workers, and other long-term residents of the United States. You know, I am not naive enough to suggest that all this is easily done, but we have to keep trying because the status quo confronting us today is clearly not working. Before we can even begin the work of modernizing our immigration system, we have to confront the abuses that are happening right before us. Again, it is not one or the other; we have to strive to do both. The need for stronger oversight of ICE and CBP--which had been allowed to get away with far too much for too long--is undeniable. The need to ensure independent scrutiny of detention centers and these awful conditions is undeniable. But, again, DHS is putting up roadblocks even for Members of Congress to conduct our oversight responsibility in these Federal facilities. We need stronger protections for the civil liberties and the constitutional rights that define us as Americans, beginning with the First Amendment. And should the American people vote Democrats into the majority next election, Democrats will wield every tool in our power to achieve these reforms. But the most important thing that we can do as Americans in the meantime is to never stop speaking up in the face of cruelty and injustice. Again, 1 year ago tomorrow, I was handcuffed for trying to ask a question. Not a day goes by that I don't see somebody here in Washington, in California, or many places in between, that they don't come up to me--complete strangers--acknowledging what happened and how it hurt them. I thank them for sharing. I thank them for caring. And I remind them: Don't just remember that I was put to the ground and handcuffed, remember what happened immediately after. I got back up, and I spoke out. And I have continued to speak out, not because I am particularly brave, not because I am particularly determined, but because the people expect and deserve answers and they deserve leaders who, like them, refuse to be intimidated into silence. A lot of the television cameras have moved on from what is happening in communities. The headlines have faded [[Page S2755]] because there is no shortage of challenges that this country is confronting from the threats of wars abroad, an unauthorized war the President has dragged us into, economic pain; right? We talked a lot about the cost of groceries, the cost of housing, the cost of healthcare, the cost of utilities that working families are struggling with. But the need for oversight on the Department of Homeland Security-- and ICE and CBP especially--is absolutely there. The need for accountability remains. The need to defend due process and civil liberties and basic human dignity has not faded away. One year ago, this administration tried to send a message, again, not just to me, to the country. And for the past year, I am so proud that the American people have been sending a message right back to the President. And as long as I have the privilege of serving in this Chamber, I will continue to do the same. I will continue to stand by the American people and to keep asking questions and demanding answers. We have a lot of work to do. Let's keep going. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader." CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,SENATE,SENATE,SLEGISLATIVE,S2755,S2755,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,RECOGNIZING SENATOR LUMMIS' SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE,SENATE,SENATE,RECOGNIZING,S2755,S2755,"[{""name"": ""Cynthia M. Lummis"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING SENATOR LUMMIS' SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the outstanding group of dedicated Americans whose work is often unseen but whose impact will be felt by generations. As my time in this Chamber draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the responsibilities I have been privileged to carry on behalf of the people of Wyoming. Among them, few have felt more consequential or more personal than nominating young men and women across Wyoming to our Nation's service academies. Institutions like West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy do not simply train officers; they forge the character of those who will one day defend the freedoms we hold so dear. To have a hand, however small, in sending Wyoming's sons and daughters through those gates has been one of the true honors of this office. For years, I have relied on the help of Dr. Joe McGinley, Dr. Joe Schaffer, Val Rodekohr, Senator Tara Nethercott, Representative Tom Lubnau, Rt. Col. Tucker Fagan, and Ziggy Polinauskas to help select and prepare young people from every corner of our State to serve in America's armed forces. The work of governing is often loud. Debates are televised, and our votes are recorded, but some of the most meaningful work done in service to this country happens quietly, in conference rooms and community centers by people like my nominations committee who will never see the spotlight. They may not earn widespread recognition, but history will feel the work they do in the careers of the leaders this committee has helped shape, in the units they will lead, and in the country they will serve. I will be forever grateful for my committee's counsel, their expertise, and their unwavering commitment to Wyoming and our Nation's future. They are truly a part of what makes Wyoming so special, and I could not be prouder to have worked alongside them. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-4,2026-06-11,119,2,,,TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP JOHN C. WESTER,SENATE,SENATE,SADDITIONAL,S2755,S2755,"[{""name"": ""Ben Ray Lujan"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP JOHN C. WESTER Mr. LUJAN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate and extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Most Reverend Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, NM, to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, along with his upcoming retirement. Archbishop Wester has provided 50 years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church, which has been a blessing to countless parishioners, families, and communities across New Mexico and beyond. Archbishop Wester was ordained as a priest on May 15, 1976. From Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of San Francisco in 1998, to Bishop of Salt Lake City in 2007, to then being installed as the 12th Archbishop of Santa Fe in 2015 at our beautiful and historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Archbishop Wester's legacy is one of hope, kindness, and equity. Since his installation in 2015, he has been a beacon of support for vulnerable children and families. He has stood up for the poor and marginalized communities, supported humane immigration policies, and promoted peace. Archbishop Wester has reminded us about the importance of pursuing the ``common good'' in our communities. As a devout Catholic myself, seeing Archbishop Wester's excellency has truly been a blessing. His leadership and presence at St. Francis of Assisi will be truly missed. Through our shared commitment to serving others and strengthening communities alongside so many local initiatives, I have come to greatly appreciate his compassion, humility, and dedication. I am grateful for voices like Archbishop Wester's, and I applaud his devotion not only to the Catholic Church, but also to the people of New Mexico. As we celebrate this important milestone, I proudly stand before my distinguished colleagues to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Most Reverend Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe and extend my heartfelt congratulations to this remarkable milestone. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-5,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT,SENATE,SENATE,MSGPRESIDENT,S2755,S2755,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Hanley, one of his secretaries. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-6,2026-06-11,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED,SENATE,SENATE,SMSGEXEC,S2755,S2755,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED As in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate messages from the President of the United States submitting a nomination which was referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence and a withdrawal. (The messages received today are printed at the end of the Senate proceedings.) ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755-7,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE,SENATE,SENATE,SMSGHOUSE,S2755,S2756,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HCONRES"", ""number"": ""109""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7892""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""8312""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""8340""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""8464""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""8467""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2755-S2756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE At 11:51 a.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 7892. An act to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. H.R. 8312. An act to establish fraud prevention and program integrity functions and data sharing authorities within the Department of Treasury and a permanent governmentwide Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery, and for other purposes. H.R. 8340. An act to modify the government financial management plan, and for other purposes. H.R. 8464. An act to amend title 31, United States Code, to authorize pausing and segmenting payments, and for other purposes. H.R. 8467. An act to reform the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to ensure executive agencies focus on fraud prevention, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House has agreed to the following concurrent resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: [[Page S2756]] H. Con. Res. 109. Concurrent resolution allowing Emancipation Hall to be used for a ceremony to dedicate the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2755,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Order of Business (Executive Calendar),SENATE,SENATE,SEXECCAL,S2755,S2755,"[{""name"": ""John Thune"", ""role"": ""speaking""}, {""name"": ""Alex Padilla"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]",,172 Cong. Rec. S2755,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2755] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Order of Business Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, the postcloture time with respect to Executive Calendar No. 742 be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15; finally, that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2756-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR,SENATE,SENATE,SMEASUREDCAL,S2756,S2756,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2756,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR The following bill was read the second time, and placed on the calendar: S. 4744. A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2756-3,2026-06-11,119,2,,,EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS,SENATE,SENATE,EXECUTIVECOMM,S2756,S2756,,,172 Cong. Rec. S2756,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-3781. A communication from the Senior Counsel, Legal Division, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Statement of Ability to Repay and Immigration Status'' received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-3782. A communication from the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Practices Before the Department of Interior'' (RIN1094-AA57) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. EC-3783. A communication from the Section Chief, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Employee Plans Annual Revenue Procedure for Determination Letters, Private Letter Rulings, and User Fees'' (Rev. Proc. 2026-4) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3784. A communication from the Section Chief, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Notice of Intent to Issue Regulations Under Section 4960'' (Rev. Proc. 2026-36) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3785. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model'' (CMS- 5056-N) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3786. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medicaid Program; Delayed Implementation of Certain Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model'' (CMS-5056-N2) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3787. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Community Services Programs'' (RIN0970-AD41) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-3788. A communication from the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Rescinding Portions of Department of the Interior Title VI Regulations to Conform More Closely With the Statutory Text and to Implement Executive Order 14281'' (RIN1093-AA30) received during in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2756-4,2026-06-11,119,2,,,INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SINTROBILLS,S2756,S2757,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4748""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4749""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4750""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4751""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4752""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4753""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4754""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4755""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4756""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4757""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4758""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4759""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4760""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4761""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4762""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4763""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4764""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4765""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4766""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4767""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4768""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4769""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4770""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4771""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4772""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4773""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4774""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4775""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4776""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4777""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4778""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2756,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2756-S2757] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Ms. BALDWIN: S. 4748. A bill to establish the Foreign Investment Review Authority to determine whether foreign countries that have made investment commitments to the United States have complied with those commitments, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Mr. Wyden): S. 4749. A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to create a Federal cause of action to address jawboning, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. BUDD (for himself and Mr. Bennet): S. 4750. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the application of the advanced manufacturing investment credit with respect to semiconductor manufacturing facilities located in outer space; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen): S. 4751. A bill to prevent, treat, and cure tuberculosis globally; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. DAINES (for himself and Ms. Cortez Masto): S. 4752. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. LEE: S. 4753. A bill to repeal the requirements of the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 with respect to dredging and dredged material; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. KING: S. 4754. A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide for 3 primary care visits and 3 behavioral health care visits without application of any cost-sharing requirement; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. LEE: S. 4755. A bill to require the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to propose a new nationwide permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for dredging projects, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. By Mr. LEE: S. 4756. A bill to permit the use of NATO and major non- NATO ally dredge ships in the United States; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Booker): S. 4757. A bill to establish a Federal standard in order to improve the Nation's resilience to current and future flood risk; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. LEE: S. 4758. A bill to eliminate certain requirements with respect to dredging and dredged material, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina): S. 4759. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize de novo review of innocent spouse relief by the Tax Court and other courts; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. COTTON: S. 4760. A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes; to the Select Committee on Intelligence. By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself and Ms. Hassan): S. 4761. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the authority of the Tax Court to order relief from a judgment or order; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Ms. Lummis): S. 4762. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on threats to the United States posed by the use of generative artificial intelligence for terrorism, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Van Hollen, and Ms. Warren): S. 4763. A bill to establish an independent Children's Commission and position of Commissioner, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. COTTON: S. 4764. A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes; to the Select Committee on Intelligence. By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Ms. Lummis): S. 4765. A bill to provide for certain energy development, permitting reforms, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. [[Page S2757]] By Mr. CORNYN: S. 4766. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to evaluate the safety, quality, and qualification pathways of printable energetic feedstocks for controlled additive manufacturing applications; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself and Ms. Blunt Rochester): S. 4767. A bill to extend the authorization of the African American Civil Rights Network; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. CORNYN: S. 4768. A bill to provide for a requirement for networked autonomous kinetic capability against small unmanned aircraft systems; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Sheehy): S. 4769. A bill to double the civil penalties for aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States without authorization, aliens subject to a final order of removal who fail or refuse to depart from the United States, and employers that knowingly hire aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. YOUNG (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Kim, and Mr. Rounds): S. 4770. A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a centralized resource for access to data to facilitate biological research through enabling advanced computational methods such as artificial intelligence, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. SCOTT of Florida: S. 4771. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to collect a fee for credible fear interviews, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. MERKLEY: S. 4772. A bill to prohibit States and local governments from prohibiting or limiting the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, or expansion of a renewable energy service based on the type or source of energy to be delivered, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. WYDEN: S. 4773. A bill to provide rental vouchers for the homeless, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Welch): S. 4774. A bill to prohibit the distribution of false AI- generated election media, to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prohibit the removal of names from voting rolls using unverified voter challenge databases, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Rules and Administration. By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Budd, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Daines, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Justice, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Risch, Mr. Sheehy, Mr. Ricketts, and Mr. Graham): S. 4775. A bill to amend the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to clarify liability protections for firearms and associated manufacturers and retailers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KIM (for himself, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Reed, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Booker, Mr. Markey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Durbin): S. 4776. A bill to repeal certain impediments to the administration of the firearms laws; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BANKS: S. 4777. A bill to establish the Blast Overpressure Task Force of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. HEINRICH (for himself and Mr. Coons): S. 4778. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to create evidence-based student success programs designed to increase participation, retention, and completion rates of high-need students; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2756,2026-06-11,119,2,,,MEASURES REFERRED,SENATE,SENATE,SREFERRED,S2756,S2756,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""7892""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""HR"", ""number"": ""8340""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2756,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MEASURES REFERRED The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 7892. An act to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. H.R. 8340. An act to modify the governmentwide financial management plan, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2757-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS,SENATE,SENATE,SCOSPONSORS,S2757,S2759,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SJRES"", ""number"": ""196""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SJRES"", ""number"": ""196""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""639""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""639""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""639""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""870""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""870""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1289""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1289""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1410""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1410""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1454""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1454""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1805""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1805""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1874""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""1874""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2195""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2195""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2356""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2356""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2451""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2451""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2459""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2459""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2828""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""2828""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3267""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3267""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3741""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3741""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3843""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3843""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3855""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3855""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3940""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3940""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3981""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""3981""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4269""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4269""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4368""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4368""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4419""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4419""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4429""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4429""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4437""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4437""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4446""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4446""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4573""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4573""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4638""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4638""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4650""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4650""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4651""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4651""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4652""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4652""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4654""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4654""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4660""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4660""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4661""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4661""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4677""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4677""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4744""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2757,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2757-S2759] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS S. 639 At the request of Mrs. Britt, the names of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) and the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford) were added as cosponsors of S. 639, a bill to allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes. S. 870 At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Smith) was added as a cosponsor of S. 870, a bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enhance the longevity, dignity, empowerment, and respect of older individuals who are Native Americans, and for other purposes. S. 1289 At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the names of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla), the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) and the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) were added as cosponsors of S. 1289, a bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and to support programs at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. S. 1410 At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) was withdrawn as a cosponsor of S. 1410, a bill to provide for health coverage with no cost-sharing for additional breast screenings for certain individuals at greater risk for breast cancer. At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1410, supra. S. 1454 At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the names of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) and the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Smith) were added as cosponsors of S. 1454, a bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for greater protection of roosters, and for other purposes. S. 1805 At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1805, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to satisfy the documentation requirement under the Medicare program for coverage of certain shoes for individuals with diabetes. S. 1874 At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1874, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain nursing workforce development programs, and for other purposes. S. 2195 At the request of Ms. Baldwin, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2195, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the brave women who served in World War II as members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. S. 2356 At the request of Mr. Barrasso, the name of the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2356, a bill to expand psychological mental and behavioral [[Page S2758]] health services to Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries by permitting reimbursement of psychological services provided by certain supervised psychology trainees, and facilitating the reimbursement of those services. S. 2451 At the request of Mr. Markey, the name of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2451, a bill to ensure that paraprofessionals and education support staff are paid a living wage. S. 2459 At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Kaine) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2459, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers to contribute to ABLE accounts in lieu of retirement plan contributions. S. 2828 At the request of Mrs. Fischer, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2828, a bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to reauthorize and update the Act, and for other purposes. S. 3267 At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3267, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of blood-based dementia screening tests. S. 3741 At the request of Mr. Cotton, the names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) and the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) were added as cosponsors of S. 3741, a bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations to improve nucleic acid synthesis security, and for other purposes. S. 3843 At the request of Mrs. Moody, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3843, a bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to conduct research and development on frost or cold weather insurance, and for other purposes. S. 3855 At the request of Mr. Budd, the names of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Justice) and the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody) were added as cosponsors of S. 3855, a bill to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes. S. 3940 At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Maine (Mr. King) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3940, a bill to amend the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to testify before Congress, and for other purposes. S. 3981 At the request of Mr. Van Hollen, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3981, a bill to amend the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022 to extend the sunset, to require a determination with respect to the imposition of sanctions on certain persons of Burma, and for other purposes. S. 4269 At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4269, a bill to repeal certain student loan provisions, and for other purposes. S. 4368 At the request of Mr. Padilla, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4368, a bill to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and for other purposes. S. 4419 At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4419, a bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to require only foreign entities to report beneficial ownership information, and for other purposes. S. 4429 At the request of Mr. Moreno, the names of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Sheehy) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) were added as cosponsors of S. 4429, a bill to prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into interstate commerce in the United States of connected vehicles and related software and hardware associated with foreign adversaries. S. 4437 At the request of Mr. Durbin, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4437, a bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish additional requirements for dealers, and for other purposes. S. 4446 At the request of Mrs. Moody, the names of the Senator from Iowa (Mr. Grassley) and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) were added as cosponsors of S. 4446, a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the importation of illicit pill press machines with the intent to counterfeit substances, and for other purposes. S. 4573 At the request of Mr. Peters, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4573, a bill to designate the Great Lakes Commission as a Regional Great Lakes Partnership, and for other purposes. S. 4638 At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4638, a bill to remove administrative barriers to participation of Indian tribes in Federal child welfare programs, and increase Federal funding for tribal child welfare programs, and for other purposes. S. 4650 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4650, a bill to amend the Plant Protection Act to improve plant pest and disease preparedness for specialty crops. S. 4651 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4651, a bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to increase access to Federal crop insurance for specialty crops. S. 4652 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4652, a bill to amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to reauthorize the specialty crop research initiative and establish a specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development program, and for other purposes. S. 4654 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4654, a bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to expand agricultural market access, and for other purposes. S. 4660 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4660, a bill to provide appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to producers of specialty crops. S. 4661 At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4661, a bill to amend the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide permanent disaster assistance for specialty crops, and for other purposes. S. 4677 At the request of Mr. Cruz, the name of the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4677, a bill to provide a prohibition on certain reductions to MQ-9 aircraft units, and for other purposes. S. 4744 At the request of Mr. Boozman, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4744, a bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. At the request of Mr. Cramer, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4744, supra. [[Page S2759]] S.J. RES. 196 At the request of Mr. Merkley, the names of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) and the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) were added as cosponsors of S.J. Res. 196, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ``Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations''. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2757,2026-06-11,119,2,,,SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SSUBMISSION,S2757,S2757,,"[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""766""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""767""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""768""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""SRES"", ""number"": ""769""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2757,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2757] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated: By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Gallego, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. King, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden): S. Res. 766. A resolution acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. WELCH (for himself and Mr. Cramer): S. Res. 767. A resolution celebrating the historic significance of the 2026 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup and welcoming the international community to North America for the first tournament hosted by 3 nations; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. HICKENLOOPER (for himself and Mr. Bennet): S. Res. 768. A resolution commemorating the anniversary of the antisemitic attack on participants in the Run for Their Lives walk in Boulder, Colorado on June 1, 2025; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Mrs. Moody): S. Res. 769. A resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the heinous attack at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2759-2,2026-06-11,119,2,,,Introductory Statement on S. 4765,SENATE,SENATE,SSTATEMENTSIND,S2759,S2766,"[{""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4765""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2759,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2759-S2766] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Ms. Lummis): S. 4765. A bill to provide for certain energy development, permitting reforms, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record. as follows: S. 4765 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Let America Build Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--OIL AND GAS LEASING AND PERMITTING Subtitle A--Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Sec. 1101. Onshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 1102. Offshore oil and gas leasing. Subtitle B--Permitting of Federal Oil and Gas Minerals Sec. 1201. Cooperative federalism in oil and gas permitting on available Federal land. Sec. 1202. Permitting compliance on non-Federal land. Sec. 1203. State and Tribal authority for hydraulic fracturing regulation. Subtitle C--Liquefied Natural Gas Exports Sec. 1301. Action on applications to export liquefied natural gas. Sec. 1302. Small scale LNG access. TITLE II--MINERAL LEASING AND PERMITTING Sec. 2001. Land use plan criteria under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sec. 2002. Congressional approval of withdrawals under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sec. 2003. Prohibition of the establishment of new categories of Federal land designations by the heads of Federal land management agencies. Sec. 2004. Coal leases on Federal land. Sec. 2005. Modification to definitions of critical material and critical mineral and critical mineral designation criteria. Sec. 2006. Permitting process improvements. TITLE III--FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Sec. 3001. Federal authorizations under the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3002. Federal authorizations under section 216 of the Federal Power Act. Sec. 3003. Promoting interagency coordination for review of natural gas projects. Sec. 3004. Tolling order reform for the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3005. Tolling order reform for the Federal Power Act. Sec. 3006. De novo review of civil penalties under the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3007. Judicial review. TITLE I--OIL AND GAS LEASING AND PERMITTING Subtitle A--Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing SEC. 1101. ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. (a) Mineral Leasing Act Reforms.-- (1) Protested lease sales.--Section 17(b)(1)(A) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting after the seventh sentence the following: ``The Secretary of the Interior shall resolve any protest to a lease sale within 60 days following such payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of the Interior denies a protest to a lease sale, any lease subject to the protest shall not be subject to further environmental review by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).''. (2) Effect of litigation.--Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(r) Effect of Litigation.-- ``(1) In general.--A civil action relating to an environmental review under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the `National Historic Preservation Act'), or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a lease sale conducted under this section shall not-- ``(A) affect the validity of a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action; or ``(B) except as provided in paragraph (3)(B), cause a delay in the timelines established under subsection (p)(2) for the consideration of an application for permit to drill with respect to a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action. ``(2) Remand; processing of applications for permit to drill.--If, in a civil action described in paragraph (1), the environmental review for a lease sale is found by the applicable court to violate the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- ``(A) notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), the applicable court shall not set aside the lease sale and vacate the leases issued pursuant to the sale but instead remand the matter to the Secretary of the Interior to resolve the violation; and ``(B) the Secretary of the Interior shall continue to process all applicable applications for permit to drill pursuant to subsection (p)(2). ``(3) Notice.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which a civil action described in paragraph (1) is filed, the Secretary of the Interior shall notify the holder of any lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action of the filing of the civil action. ``(B) Timeline.--Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of a notice under subparagraph (A), the leaseholder may file with the Secretary of the Interior a request to pause the timeline under subsection (e)(1) with respect to the term of the lease during any period in which the civil action is pending.''. (3) Lease cancellation.--Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) (as amended by paragraph (2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(s) Lease Cancellation.--A lease issued under this section shall be considered to be valid and not subject to cancellation by the Secretary of the Interior for any reason, except for-- ``(1) the express written agreement to the cancellation by the lessee; or ``(2) a determination by the Secretary of the Interior that cancellation is appropriate in accordance with section 3108.30 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection), subject to the limitation that a lease may not be determined to be improperly issued under that section based on a finding by a Federal court that the environmental review for the lease sale pursuant to which the lease was issued was in violation of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the `National Historic Preservation Act'), or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).''. (4) Limitations for filing oil and gas contests.--Section 42 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226-2) is amended by striking the section designation and all that follows through the period at the end of the second sentence, and inserting the following: ``SEC. 42. LIMITATIONS FOR FILING OIL AND GAS CONTESTS. ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), no action contesting a decision of the Secretary involving any oil and gas lease sale, individual lease, or individual permit shall be maintained unless the action is commenced or taken by not later than 60 days after the date on which the final decision of the Secretary relating to the action was made. ``(b) Jurisdiction.--An action contesting a decision of the Secretary may only be commenced-- ``(1) for an individual lease or permit, in the district court of the United States for the district in which the property, or some part thereof, is located; and ``(2) for a lease sale, in a district court of the United States in the State in which the sale occurred. ``(c) Removal.--A defendant or defendant intervenor in an action challenging a lease sale, lease, or permit in multiple States may remove the action to the district court of the United States for the district in which the property is located pursuant to section 1441(c) of title 28, United States Code.''. SEC. 1102. OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. (a) Lease or Permit Cancellation.-- (1) In general.--Section 5(a)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1334(a)(2)) is amended-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``any lease or permit--'' and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``any lease or permit-- ``(A) that the lease or permit shall be considered to be valid and not subject to cancellation by the Secretary for any reason, except for-- ``(i) the express written agreement to the cancellation by the lessee or permittee; or [[Page S2760]] ``(ii) a determination by the Secretary that cancellation is appropriate (including cancellation under subsection (c), section 8(o), section 11(c)(1), and subsections (h)(2)(C) and (j) of section 25), in accordance with the regulations prescribed under this section, subject to the limitation that a lease or permit may not be cancelled by the Secretary based on a finding by a Federal court that the environmental review for the lease sale pursuant to which the lease was issued was in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and''; and (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B). (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Section 11(c)(1) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1340(c)(1)) is amended-- (i) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``result in any condition described in section 5(a)(2)(A)(i) of this Act'' and inserting ``probably cause serious harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), to property, to any mineral (in areas leased or not leased), to the national security or defense, or to the marine, coastal, or human environment''; and (ii) in the fifth sentence-- (I) by striking ``, subject to section 5(a)(2)(B) of this Act,''; and (II) by striking ``section 5(a)(2)(C) (i) or (ii) of this Act'' and inserting ``section 5(a)(2)(B)''. (B) Section 25(h)(2)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1351(h)(2)(C)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking ``section 5(a)(2)(C) of this Act'' and inserting ``section 5(a)(2)(B)''. (b) Effect of Litigation.--Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(q) Effect of Litigation.-- ``(1) In general.--A civil action relating to an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a lease sale conducted under this section shall not-- ``(A) affect the validity of a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action; or ``(B) except as provided in paragraph (3)(B), cause a delay in the timelines for the consideration of an application for permit to drill with respect to a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action. ``(2) Remand; processing of applications for permit to drill.--If, in a civil action described in paragraph (1), the environmental review for a lease sale is found by the applicable court to violate the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- ``(A) notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), the applicable court shall not set aside the lease sale and vacate the leases issued pursuant to the sale but instead remand the matter to the Secretary to resolve the violation; and ``(B) the Secretary shall continue to process all applicable applications for permit to drill in accordance with this Act. ``(3) Notice.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which a civil action described in paragraph (1) is filed, the Secretary shall notify the holder of any lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action of the filing of the civil action. ``(B) Timeline.--Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of a notice under subparagraph (A), the leaseholder may file with the Secretary a request to pause the timeline with respect to the term of the lease during any period in which the civil action is pending.''. Subtitle B--Permitting of Federal Oil and Gas Minerals SEC. 1201. COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN OIL AND GAS PERMITTING ON AVAILABLE FEDERAL LAND. (a) In General.--The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating section 44 as section 46; and (2) by inserting after section 43 the following: ``SEC. 44. COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN OIL AND GAS PERMITTING ON AVAILABLE FEDERAL LAND. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) APD.--The term `APD' means a permit-- ``(A) that grants authority to drill for oil and gas; and ``(B) for which an application has been received that includes-- ``(i) a drilling plan; and ``(ii) evidence of bond coverage. ``(2) Available federal land.--The term `available Federal land' means any Federal land that-- ``(A) is located within the boundaries of a State; ``(B) is not held by the United States in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe; ``(C) is not a unit of the National Park System; ``(D) is not a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, other than a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System for which oil and gas drilling is allowed under law; ``(E) is not a congressionally approved wilderness area under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and ``(F) has been identified as land available for lease, or has been leased, for the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas-- ``(i) by the Bureau of Land Management under-- ``(I) a resource management plan under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or ``(II) an integrated activity plan with respect to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska; or ``(ii) by the Forest Service under a National Forest management plan under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.). ``(3) Drilling plan.--The term `drilling plan' means a plan described in section 3162.3-1(e) of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior. ``(5) State applicant.--The term `State applicant' means a State that submits an application under subsection (c). ``(6) State program.--The term `State program' means a program in a State under which the State may-- ``(A) issue APDs, approve drilling plans, approve sundry notices, approve suspensions of operations or production, or grant rights-of-way on available Federal land; and ``(B) impose sanctions for violations of State laws, regulations, or any condition of an issued APD or approved drilling plan, as applicable. ``(7) Sundry notice.--The term `sundry notice' means a written request submitted pursuant to section 3173.10 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). ``(8) Suspension of operations or production.--The term `suspension of operations or production' means a suspension of operations or production described in section 17 or section 39. ``(b) Authorizations.-- ``(1) In general.--On receipt of an application under subsection (c), the Secretary may delegate to a State exclusive authority-- ``(A) to issue an APD on available Federal land; ``(B) to approve drilling plans on available Federal land; ``(C) to approve sundry notices relating to work performed on available Federal land; ``(D) to approve suspensions of operations or production; and ``(E) to grant rights-of-way in accordance with paragraph (3). ``(2) Inspection and enforcement.--On request of a State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1), the authority delegated may include the authority to inspect and enforce an APD, drilling plan, or right-of-way, as applicable. ``(3) Rights-of-way.--The authority to grant a right-of-way delegated to a State under paragraph (1)(E) shall be the authority of the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761) and section 28 of this Act, to grant, issue, or renew rights-of-way over, upon, under, or through available Federal land. ``(4) Effect of federal environmental reviews.--A State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1) shall continue processing applications for an APD, applications for approval of a drilling plan, applications for approval of a sundry notice, and applications to grant a right-of-way, regardless of whether the Federal Government is carrying out any review related to the APD, drilling plan, sundry notice, or right-of-way under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). ``(5) Effect of state enforcement action.--If a State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1) imposes a sanction for violating a condition of an issued APD or approved drilling plan, the Secretary may not issue a penalty for the same violation under section 109 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1719). ``(c) State Application Process.-- ``(1) Submission of application.--A State seeking a delegation of authority under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of subsection (b)(1) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a description of the State program that the State proposes to administer under State law. ``(2) Deadline for approval or disapproval.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which an application under paragraph (1) is received, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the application. ``(3) Requirements for approval.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve an application received under paragraph (1) only if the Secretary determines that-- ``(i) the State applicant would be at least as effective as the Secretary in issuing APDs, approving drilling plans, approving sundry notices, approving suspensions of operations or production, or granting rights-of-way, as applicable; ``(ii) the State program of the State applicant-- ``(I) complies with this Act; and ``(II) provides for the termination or modification of an issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or [[Page S2761]] granted right-of-way, as applicable, for cause, including for-- ``(aa) the violation of any condition of the issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or granted right-of- way; ``(bb) obtaining the issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or granted right-of-way by misrepresentation; or ``(cc) failure to fully disclose in the application all relevant facts; ``(iii) the State applicant has sufficient administrative and technical personnel and sufficient funding to carry out the State program; and ``(iv) approval of the application would not result in decreased royalty payments owed to the United States under section 35(a). ``(B) Memoranda of understanding.--With respect to a State applicant seeking authority under subsection (b)(2) to inspect and enforce APDs, drilling plans, or rights-of-way, as applicable, before approving the application of the State applicant, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State applicant under paragraph (6) that describes the Federal and State responsibilities with respect to the inspection and enforcement. ``(C) Public notice.--Before approving an application received under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- ``(i) provide public notice of the application; ``(ii) solicit public comment for the application; and ``(iii) hold a public hearing for the application in the State. ``(4) Disapproval.--If the Secretary disapproves an application submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the State applicant written notification of-- ``(A) the reasons for the disapproval, including any information, data, or analysis on which the disapproval is based; and ``(B) any revisions or modifications necessary to obtain approval. ``(5) Resubmittal of application.--A State may resubmit an application under paragraph (1) at any time. ``(6) State memoranda of understanding.--Before a State submits an application under paragraph (1), the Secretary, on request of the State, may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State regarding the proposed State program-- ``(A) to describe the Federal and State responsibilities for oil and gas regulations; ``(B) to provide technical assistance; and ``(C) to share best management practices. ``(d) Administrative Fees for APDs.-- ``(1) In general.--A State for which authority has been delegated under subsection (b)(1)(A) may collect a fee for each application for an APD that is submitted to the State. ``(2) No collection of fee by secretary.--The Secretary may not collect a fee from the applicant or from the State for an application for an APD that is submitted to a State for which authority has been delegated under subsection (b)(1)(A). ``(3) Use.--A State shall use 100 percent of the fees collected under this subsection for the administration of the approved State program of the State. ``(e) Voluntary Termination of Authority.-- ``(1) In general.--After providing written notice to the Secretary, a State may voluntarily terminate any authority delegated to the State under subsection (b)(1) on expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary receives the written notice. ``(2) Resumption by secretary.--On termination of the authority delegated to a State under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall resume any activities for which authority was delegated to the State under subsection (b)(1). ``(f) Appeal of Denial of Application.--If a State for which the Secretary has delegated authority under subsection (b)(1) denies an application submitted under subsection (c)(1), the applicant may appeal the decision to the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Department of the Interior. ``(g) Federal Administration of State Program.-- ``(1) Notification.--If the Secretary has reason to believe that a State is not administering or enforcing an approved State program, the Secretary shall notify the relevant State regulatory authority of any possible deficiencies. ``(2) State response.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which a State receives notification of a possible deficiency under paragraph (1), the State shall-- ``(A) take appropriate action to correct the possible deficiency; and ``(B) notify the Secretary of the action in writing. ``(3) Determination.-- ``(A) In general.--On expiration of the 30-day period described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall issue public notice of any determination of the Secretary that-- ``(i) a violation of all or any part of an approved State program has resulted from a failure of the State to administer or enforce the approved State program of the State; or ``(ii) the State has not demonstrated the capability and intent of the State to administer or enforce the State program of the State. ``(B) Appeal.--A State may appeal the determination of the Secretary under subparagraph (A) in the applicable district court of the United States. ``(C) Resumption by secretary pending appeal.--The Secretary may not resume activities under paragraph (4) if an appeal under subparagraph (B) is pending. ``(4) Resumption by secretary.--Except as provided in paragraph (3)(C), if the Secretary has made a determination under paragraph (3)(A), the Secretary shall resume any activities for which authority was delegated to the State during the period-- ``(A) beginning on the date on which the Secretary issues the public notice under paragraph (3)(A); and ``(B) ending on the date on which the Secretary determines that the State may administer or enforce, as applicable, the approved State program of the State. ``(5) Standing.--A State with an approved regulatory program shall have standing to sue the Secretary for any action taken under this subsection.''. (b) Existing Authorities.--Section 390(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``Action by the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''; (2) by striking ``with respect to any of the activities described in subsection (b) shall be subject to a rebuttable presumption that the use of'' and inserting ``shall apply''; and (3) by striking ``would apply if the activity'' and inserting ``for each action described in subsection (b) if the action''. SEC. 1202. PERMITTING COMPLIANCE ON NON-FEDERAL LAND. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or subpart 3162 of part 3160 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), but subject to any applicable State or Tribal requirements and subsection (c), the Secretary of the Interior shall not require a permit to drill for an oil and gas lease under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) for an action occurring within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit if-- (1) the Federal Government-- (A) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and (B) does not own or lease the surface estate within the area directly impacted by the action; (2) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease; or (3) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease. (b) Notification.--For each State permit to drill or drilling plan that would impact or extract oil and gas owned by the Federal Government-- (1) each lessee of Federal minerals in the unit, or designee of a lessee, shall-- (A) notify the Secretary of the Interior of the submission of a State application for a permit to drill or drilling plan on submission of the application; and (B) provide a copy of the application described in subparagraph (A) to the Secretary of the Interior not later than 5 days after the date on which the permit or plan is submitted; (2) each lessee, designee of a lessee, or applicable State shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of the approved State permit to drill or drilling plan not later than 45 days after the date on which the permit or plan is approved; and (3) each lessee or designee of a lessee shall provide, prior to commencing drilling operations, agreements authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to enter non- Federal land, as necessary, for inspection and enforcement of the terms of the Federal lease. (c) Nonapplicability to Indian Lands.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to Indian lands (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1702)). (d) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects-- (1) other authorities of the Secretary of the Interior under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or (2) the amount of royalties due to the Federal Government from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit. (e) Authority on Non-Federal Land.--Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(g)) is amended-- (1) by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through ``Secretary of the Interior, or'' in the first sentence and inserting the following: ``(g)(1) The Secretary of the Interior, or''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(2)(A) In the case of an oil and gas lease under this Act on land described in subparagraph (B) located within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit, nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior-- ``(i) to require a bond to protect non-Federal land; ``(ii) to enter non-Federal land without the consent of the applicable landowner; ``(iii) to impose mitigation requirements; or ``(iv) to require approval for surface reclamation. [[Page S2762]] ``(B) Land referred to in subparagraph (A) is-- ``(i) land with respect to which the Federal Government-- ``(I) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and ``(II) does not own or lease the surface estate within the area directly impacted by the action; ``(ii) non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate on which the applicable well is located, but some portion of the wellbore enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease; or ``(iii) non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate on which the well is located, but some portion of the wellbore traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease.''. SEC. 1203. STATE AND TRIBAL AUTHORITY FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING REGULATION. The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 44 (as added by section 1201(a)(2)) the following: ``SEC. 45. STATE AND TRIBAL AUTHORITY FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING REGULATION. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Hydraulic fracturing.--The term `hydraulic fracturing' means the process of creating small cracks or fractures in underground geological formations for well stimulation purposes of bringing hydrocarbons into the wellbore and to the surface for capture. ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior. ``(b) Enforcement of Federal Regulations.--The Secretary shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or under any land in any State that has regulations, guidance, or permit requirements for that activity. ``(c) State Authority.--The Secretary shall defer to State regulations, guidance, and permit requirements for all activities regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on Federal land. ``(d) Transparency of State Regulations.-- ``(1) In general.--Each State shall submit to the Bureau of Land Management a copy of the regulations of the State that apply to hydraulic fracturing operations on Federal land, including the regulations that require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. ``(2) Availability.--The Secretary shall make available to the public on the website of the Secretary the regulations submitted under paragraph (1). ``(e) Tribal Authority on Trust Land.--The Secretary shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement with respect to hydraulic fracturing on any land held in trust or restricted status for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, except with the express consent of the beneficiary on whose behalf the land is held in trust or restricted status.''. Subtitle C--Liquefied Natural Gas Exports SEC. 1301. ACTION ON APPLICATIONS TO EXPORT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered application.--The term ``covered application'' means an application submitted with respect to a covered facility for an authorization to export natural gas under section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(a)). (2) Covered facility.--The term ``covered facility'' means a liquefied natural gas export facility for which a proposal to site, construct, expand, or operate is required to be approved by-- (A) the Secretary; and (B)(i) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; or (ii) the Maritime Administration. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy. (b) Decision Deadline.--The Secretary shall issue a final decision on a covered application not later than 45 days after the later of-- (1) the date on which each review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of the covered facility that is the subject of the covered application is concluded in accordance with subsection (c); and (2) the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Conclusion of Review.--For purposes of subsection (b), a review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall be concluded on the date on which the lead agency, as applicable-- (1) publishes a notice of availability of the final environmental impact statement, for a covered facility requiring an environmental impact statement; (2) publishes a notice of availability of the environmental assessment and associated finding of no significant impact, for a covered facility for which an environmental assessment has been prepared; or (3) determines that the covered application is eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the implementing regulations of that Act. (d) Untimely Final Decision.-- (1) In general.--If the Secretary fails to issue a final decision under subsection (b) by the applicable date required under that subsection, the covered application shall be considered approved, and the environmental review issued by the lead agency under subsection (c) shall be considered sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (2) Final agency action.--A determination under paragraph (1) shall be considered to be a final agency action. (e) Judicial Review.-- (1) In general.--Except for review in the Supreme Court of the United States, the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which a covered facility is, or will be, located pursuant to a covered application shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for the review of an order issued by the Secretary with respect to the covered application. (2) Expedited review.--The applicable United States Court of Appeals shall-- (A) set any civil action brought under this subsection for expedited review; and (B) set the action on the docket as soon as practicable after the filing date of the initial pleading. (3) Transfer of existing actions.--In the case of a covered application for which a petition for review has been filed as of the date of enactment of this Act, the petition shall be-- (A) on a motion by the applicant, transferred to the court of appeals of the United States in which the covered facility that is the subject of the covered application is, or will be, located; and (B) adjudicated in accordance with this subsection. SEC. 1302. SMALL SCALE LNG ACCESS. Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: ``(c) Expedited Application and Approval Process.-- ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a), the following actions shall be considered to be consistent with the public interest, and applications for each of the following actions shall be granted without modification or delay: ``(A) The importation of natural gas referred to in subsection (b). ``(B) The exportation of natural gas in a volume of not more than 51,750,000,000 cubic feet per year, subject to the last sentence of subsection (a). ``(C) The exportation of natural gas to a nation with which there is in effect a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas. ``(2) Exclusion.--Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any nation subject to sanctions imposed by the United States.''. TITLE II--MINERAL LEASING AND PERMITTING SEC. 2001. LAND USE PLAN CRITERIA UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976. Section 202(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: ``(9)(A) review a mineral resource assessment applicable to the public lands covered by the land use plan that was completed during the 10-year period ending on the effective date of the land use plan; and ``(B) in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Defense, determine the significance of the minerals located within the public lands to energy security, national security, and economic security, in accordance with subparagraph (A); and''. SEC. 2002. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF WITHDRAWALS UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976. Section 204(c)(1) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714(c)(1)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ``no later than its effective date'' and all that follows through ``approve the withdrawal'' and inserting ``not later than 90 days before the effective date of the withdrawal and the withdrawal shall terminate and become ineffective if Congress has not enacted a joint resolution approving the withdrawal prior to the effective date of the withdrawal''. SEC. 2003. PROHIBITION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CATEGORIES OF FEDERAL LAND DESIGNATIONS BY THE HEADS OF FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. The head of a Federal land management agency may not establish a new category of Federal land designations that is not otherwise expressly authorized by Federal statute. SEC. 2004. COAL LEASES ON FEDERAL LAND. (a) Environmental Requirements for New Coal Leases.--The environmental assessment prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled ``Lifting the Pause on the Issuance of New Federal Coal Leases for Thermal (Steam) Coal'' (DOI-BLM- WO-WO2100-2019-0001-EA) is deemed to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for purposes of the issuance of new coal leases on Federal land. (b) Offering of Leases; Acceptance of Bids.--Section 2(a)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 201(a)(1)) is amended-- [[Page S2763]] (1) in the first sentence-- (A) by striking ``he finds'' and inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior finds''; and (B) by striking ``he shall, in his discretion, upon the request of any qualified applicant or on his own motion, from time to time, offer'' and inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior, not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the request of any qualified applicant, or on the motion of the Secretary of the Interior not fewer than 4 times each calendar year, shall offer''; and (2) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``No bid shall be accepted which is less than the fair market value, as determined by the Secretary,'' and inserting ``No bid shall be accepted that is less than the fair market value, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior by the date that is 45 days after the date of receipt of the bid,''. SEC. 2005. MODIFICATION TO DEFINITIONS OF CRITICAL MATERIAL AND CRITICAL MINERAL AND CRITICAL MINERAL DESIGNATION CRITERIA. (a) Definitions of Critical Material and Critical Mineral.-- (1) Definition of critical material.--Section 7002(a)(2)(A) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(2)(A)) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``non-fuel''. (2) Definition of critical mineral.--Section 7002(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``fuel minerals'' and inserting ``oil, oil shale, coal (excluding metallurgical coal), or natural gas''. (b) Modification to Critical Mineral Designation Criteria.--Section 7002(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(4)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``significant projected domestic production decline,'' after ``abrupt demand growth,''. SEC. 2006. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Byproduct.--The term ``byproduct'' has the meaning given the term in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)). (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (3) Mineral.--The term ``mineral'' means any mineral subject to sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the ``Mining Law of 1872'') (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), and minerals located on lands acquired by the United States (as defined in section 2 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351)). (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (5) State.--The term ``State'' means-- (A) a State; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) Guam; (E) American Samoa; (F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and (G) the United States Virgin Islands. (b) Minerals Supply Chain and Reliability.--Section 40206 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``critical minerals'' and inserting ``minerals''; (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Lead agency.--The term `lead agency' means the Federal agency with primary responsibility for issuing a mineral exploration or mine permit or lease for a mineral project. ``(2) Mineral.--The term `mineral' has the meaning given the term in section 2006(a) of the Let America Build Act of 2026. ``(3) Mineral exploration or mine permit.--The term `mineral exploration or mine permit' means-- ``(A) an authorization of the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service, as applicable, for exploration for minerals that require analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); ``(B) a plan of operations for a mineral project approved by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service; or ``(C) any other Federal permit or authorization for a mineral project. ``(4) Mineral project.--The term `mineral project' means a project that-- ``(A) is located on-- ``(i) a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim for any mineral; ``(ii) lands open to mineral entry; or ``(iii) a Federal mineral lease; and ``(B) is for the purposes of exploring for or producing minerals.''; (3) in subsection (b), by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``critical mineral production on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; and (ii) by striking ``practicable, shall complete the'' and inserting ``practicable, and in accordance with subsection (h), shall complete those''; (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``critical mineral- related activities on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; (C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end; (D) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``(10) deferring to and relying on baseline data, analyses, and reviews performed by State agencies with jurisdiction over the environmental or reclamation permits for the proposed mineral project.''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; and (B) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``mineral-related activities on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; (6) in subsection (e), by striking ``critical''; (7) in subsection (f), by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; (8) in subsection (g), by striking ``critical''; and (9) by adding at the end the following: ``(h) Other Requirements.-- ``(1) Memorandum of agreement.--To maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal permitting and review processes described in subsection (c), the lead agency in the Federal permitting and review processes of a mineral project shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with a project applicant on request by the applicant to carry out the activities described in that subsection. ``(2) Consultation.--A lead agency described in paragraph (1) shall carry out that paragraph in consultation with-- ``(A) any other Federal agency involved in the applicable Federal permitting and review processes; and ``(B) on request of the project applicant, an affected State government, local government, Indian Tribe, or other entity that the lead agency determines appropriate. ``(3) Timelines and schedules.-- ``(A) Deadlines.--Any timeline or schedule established under subsection (c)(1) relating to a review under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall require that the review process not exceed-- ``(i) 1 year for an environmental assessment; and ``(ii) 2 years for an environmental impact statement. ``(B) Extension.--A project applicant may enter into 1 or more agreements with a lead agency to extend 1 or more of the deadlines described in subparagraph (A) by not more than 6 months. ``(C) Adjustment of timelines.--At the request of a project applicant, the lead agency and any other entity that is a signatory to a memorandum of agreement under paragraph (1) may, by unanimous agreement, adjust-- ``(i) any deadlines described in subparagraph (A); and ``(ii) any deadlines extended under subparagraph (B). ``(D) Deadline for issuance of authorizations.--For a proposed agency action with a timeline or schedule established under subsection (c)(1) and a review process established in accordance with subparagraph (A), the record of decision prepared for the proposed agency action and all authorizations required under any other Federal law with respect to the proposed agency action shall be issued not later than 90 days after the date on which the applicable environmental impact statement or environmental assessment is published in the Federal Register. ``(4) Document prepared by project applicant.--The lead agency with respect to a mineral project may adopt an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment prepared by or for a project applicant with respect to the mineral project if that document fulfills the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). ``(5) Effect on pending applications.--On a written request by a project applicant, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any application for a mineral exploration or mine permit or mineral lease that was submitted before the date of enactment of the Let America Build Act of 2026.''. (c) Federal Register Process Improvement.--Section 7002(f) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(f)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``critical'' in each place it appears; and (2) by striking paragraph (4). (d) Designation of Mining as a Covered Sector for Federal Permitting Improvement Purposes.--Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting ``minerals production,'' before ``or any other sector''. (e) Mineral Exploration Activities With Limited Surface Disturbance.-- (1) Definition of secretary concerned.--In this subsection, the term ``Secretary concerned'' means-- (A) the Secretary, with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land of the National Forest System. (2) Notice.--An operator may submit to the Secretary concerned a notice requesting to carry out mineral exploration activities other than casual use, which shall include a description of the mineral exploration activities and subsequent reclamation activities intended to be carried out. (3) Approval.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 15 calendar days after receiving a notice under paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned shall allow the activities described in the notice to proceed if-- (A) the surface disturbance on Federal land will not exceed 25 acres; (B) the Secretary concerned determines that the notice is complete; and [[Page S2764]] (C) financial assurance is provided. (f) Hardrock Mining Mill Sites.-- (1) Multiple mill sites.--Section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Additional Mill Sites.-- ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection: ``(A) Mill site.--The term `mill site' means a location of public land that is reasonably necessary for waste rock or tailings disposal or other operations reasonably incident to mineral development on, or production from land included in a plan of operations. ``(B) Operations; operator.--The terms `operations' and `operator' have the meanings given those terms in section 3809.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection). ``(C) Plan of operations.--The term `plan of operations' means a plan of operations that an operator must submit and the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, must approve before an operator may begin operations, in accordance with, as applicable-- ``(i) subpart 3809 of part 3800 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations establishing application and approval requirements); and ``(ii) part 228 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations establishing application and approval requirements). ``(D) Public land.--The term `public land' means land owned by the United States that is open to location under sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), including-- ``(i) land that is mineral-in-character (as defined in section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection)); ``(ii) nonmineral land (as defined in section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection)); and ``(iii) land where the mineral character has not been determined. ``(2) Use of public land.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), where public land is needed by the proprietor of a lode or placer claim for operations in connection with any lode or placer claim within the proposed plan of operations, the proprietor may-- ``(A) locate and include within the plan of operations as many mill site claims under this subsection as are reasonably necessary for its operations; and ``(B) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations. ``(3) Mill sites convey no mineral rights.--A mill site under this subsection does not convey mineral rights to the locator. ``(4) Size of mill sites.--A location of a single mill site under this subsection shall not exceed 5 acres. ``(5) Mill site and lode or placer claims on same tracts of public land.--A mill site may be located under this subsection on a tract of public land on which the claimant or operator maintains a previously located lode or placer claim. ``(6) Effect on mining claims.--The location of a mill site under this subsection shall not affect the validity of any lode or placer claim, or any rights associated with such a claim. ``(7) Patenting.--A mill site under this subsection shall not be eligible for patenting. ``(8) Savings provisions.--Nothing in this subsection-- ``(A) diminishes any right (including a right of entry, use, or occupancy) of a claimant; ``(B) creates or increases any right (including a right of exploration, entry, use, or occupancy) of a claimant on land that is not open to location under the general mining laws; ``(C) modifies any provision of law or any prior administrative action withdrawing land from location or entry; ``(D) limits the right of the Federal Government to regulate mining and mining-related activities (including requiring claim validity examinations to establish the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit) in areas withdrawn from mining, including under-- ``(i) the general mining laws; ``(ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); ``(iii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); ``(iv) subchapter III of chapter 1007 of title 54, United States Code; ``(v) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); ``(vi) division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `National Historic Preservation Act'); or ``(vii) section 4 of the Act of July 23, 1955 (commonly known as the `Surface Resources Act of 1955') (69 Stat. 368, chapter 375; 30 U.S.C. 612); ``(E) restores any right (including a right of entry, use, or occupancy, or right to conduct operations) of a claimant that-- ``(i) existed prior to the date on which the land was closed to, or withdrawn from, location under the general mining laws; and ``(ii) that has been extinguished by such closure or withdrawal; or ``(F) modifies section 404 of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42; 138 Stat. 284).''. (2) Abandoned hardrock mine fund.-- (A) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a separate account, to be known as the ``Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund'' (referred to in this paragraph as the ``Fund''). (B) Source of deposits.--Any amounts collected by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the claim maintenance fee under section 10101(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f(a)(1)) on mill sites located under subsection (c) of section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) shall be deposited into the Fund. (C) Use.--The Secretary of the Interior may make expenditures from amounts available in the Fund, without further appropriations, only to carry out section 40704 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1245). (D) Allocation of funds.--Amounts made available under subparagraph (C)-- (i) shall be allocated in accordance with paragraph (1) of section 40704(e) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1245(e)); and (ii) may be transferred in accordance with paragraph (2) of that section. (3) Clerical amendments.--Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f) is amended-- (A) by striking ``the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28- 28e)'' each place it appears and inserting ``sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)''; (B) in subsection (a)-- (i) in paragraph (1)-- (I) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under subparagraph (A)''; and (II) in the first sentence, by striking ``The holder of'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and (ii) in paragraph (2)-- (I) in the second sentence-- (aa) by striking ``the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e)'' and inserting ``sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)''; and (bb) by striking ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under subparagraph (A)''; and (II) in the first sentence, by striking ``The holder of'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and (C) in subsection (b)-- (i) in the second sentence, by striking ``The location fee'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Fee.--The location fee''; and (ii) in the first sentence, by striking ``The claim main tenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--The claim maintenance fee''. (g) Limitation on Judicial Review.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a lead agency (as defined in section 40206(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607(a))) for a mining project shall be barred unless it is filed not later than 60 days after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, or approval is final in accordance with the law under which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is allowed. (2) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection-- (A) establishes a right to judicial review; or (B) places any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of a permit, license, or approval. (h) Remand.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no approval of a mineral exploration or mine permit (as defined in section 40206(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607(a))) shall be vacated or otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless the applicable court concludes that-- (1) allowing the proposed action will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm; and (2) there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law. TITLE III--FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION SEC. 3001. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 15 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) In this section,'' and inserting the following: ``(a) Definition of Federal Authorization.--In this section,''; (2) in subsection (e)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``In any proceeding'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Proceedings.--In any proceeding''; and (B) by striking ``(e) Hearings under this act'' and inserting the following: ``(e) Hearings and Proceedings.-- ``(1) Hearings.--Hearings under this Act''; (3) in subsection (f)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``No informality'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Informalities.--No informality''; and (B) by striking ``(f) All hearings,'' and inserting the following: ``(f) Governing Rules.-- ``(1) In general.--All hearings,''; and (4) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: ``(g) Additional Requirements.-- [[Page S2765]] ``(1) Definition of effects.--In conducting a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) relating to any Federal authorization (or to any other decision relating to the issuance of an order or certificate, or the approval or denial of an application, under section 3 or 7), the Commission shall consider the term `effects', as used in that Act with respect to impacts and effects, to mean physical changes to the human environment as a result of a proposed action or alternative action to be carried out by a Federal agency that-- ``(A) are reasonably foreseeable, not speculative, and not remote in time or geographically remote; ``(B) have a reasonably close causal relationship that is not the product of a lengthy causal chain to the proposed action or alternative action, respectively, as determined by the Commission; ``(C) the Commission has the ability to prevent and that would not occur absent the proposed action or alternative action; and ``(D) do not constitute potential effects from emissions upstream or downstream of the facility that is the subject of the application under section 3 or 7. ``(2) Requirement.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), a `but for' causal relationship is insufficient to establish a reasonably close causal relationship. ``(3) Alternatives.--In conducting a review described in paragraph (1), any alternatives required to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by the Commission shall-- ``(A) meet the purpose and need for the proposed action; ``(B) where applicable, meet the goals of the applicant; and ``(C) be within the authority of the Federal agency to control. ``(4) No use of social cost metrics.--In conducting a review described in paragraph (1), the Commission shall not consider or apply any metric that purports to estimate the monetized damages or benefits associated with incremental increases or decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.''. SEC. 3002. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER SECTION 216 OF THE FEDERAL POWER ACT. Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(h)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(B) The term'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Inclusions.--In this subsection, the term''; and (B) by striking ``(1) In this subsection'' and all that follows through ``The term'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: ``(1) Definition of federal authorization.-- ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the term''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(10) Additional requirements.-- ``(A) Definition of effects.--In conducting a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) relating to any Federal authorization (or to any other decision relating to the issuance of a Federal authorization, or the approval or denial of an application, under this section), the Commission shall consider the term `effects', as used in that Act with respect to impacts and effects, to mean physical changes to the human environment as a result of a proposed action or alternative action to be carried out by a Federal agency that-- ``(i) are reasonably foreseeable, not speculative, and not remote in time or geographically remote; ``(ii) have a reasonably close causal relationship that is not the product of a lengthy causal chain to the proposed action or alternative action, respectively, as determined by the Commission; ``(iii) the Commission has the ability to prevent and that would not occur absent the proposed action or alternative action; and ``(iv) do not constitute potential effects from emissions upstream or downstream of the facility that is the subject of the application under this section. ``(B) Requirement.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), a `but for' causal relationship is insufficient to establish a reasonably close causal relationship. ``(C) Alternatives.--In conducting a review described in subparagraph (A), any alternatives required to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by the Commission shall-- ``(i) meet the purpose and need for the proposed action; ``(ii) where applicable, meet the goals of the applicant; and ``(iii) be within the authority of the Federal agency to control. ``(D) No use of social cost metrics.--In conducting a review described in subparagraph (A), the Commission shall not consider or apply any metric that purports to estimate the monetized damages or benefits associated with incremental increases or decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.''. SEC. 3003. PROMOTING INTERAGENCY COORDINATION FOR REVIEW OF NATURAL GAS PROJECTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2) Environmental review.--The term ``environmental review'' means the process of preparing, for a proposed agency action in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- (A) an environmental impact statement; (B) an environmental assessment; (C) a categorical exclusion; (D) a finding of no significant impact; and (E) a record of decision. (3) Federal authorization.--The term ``Federal authorization'' has the meaning given that term in section 15(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(a)). (4) Project-related environmental review.--The term ``project-related environmental review'' means any environmental review required to be conducted with respect to the issuance of an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f). (b) Commission Responsibilities.--In acting as the lead agency under section 15(b)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(b)(1)) for the purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall, in accordance with this section and other applicable Federal law-- (1) be the only lead agency; (2) coordinate as early as practicable with each agency designated as a participating agency under subsection (d)(3) to ensure that the Commission develops information in conducting its project-related environmental review that is usable by the participating agency in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization for which the agency is responsible; and (3) take such actions as are necessary and proper to facilitate the expeditious resolution of its project-related environmental review. (c) Deference to Commission.--In making a decision with respect to a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), each agency shall give deference, to the maximum extent authorized by law, to the scope of the project-related environmental review that the Commission determines to be appropriate. (d) Participating Agencies.-- (1) Identification.--The Commission shall identify, not later than 30 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), any Federal or State agency, local government, or Indian Tribe that may issue a Federal authorization or is required by Federal law to consult with the Commission in conjunction with the issuance of a Federal authorization required for such authorization or certificate. (2) Invitation.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall invite any agency identified under paragraph (1) to participate in the review process for the applicable Federal authorization. (B) Deadline.--An invitation issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish a deadline by which a response to the invitation shall be submitted to the Commission, which may be extended by the Commission for good cause. (3) Designation as participating agencies.--Not later than 60 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall designate an agency identified under paragraph (1) as a participating agency with respect to that application unless the agency informs the Commission, in writing, by the deadline established pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), that the agency-- (A) has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the applicable Federal authorization; (B) has no special expertise or information relevant to any project-related environmental review; or (C) does not intend to submit comments for the record for the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission. (4) Effect of non-designation.-- (A) Effect on agency.--Any agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) may not request or conduct an environmental review that is supplemental to the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission, unless the agency-- (i) demonstrates that such review is legally necessary for the agency to carry out responsibilities in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization; and [[Page S2766]] (ii) requires information that could not have been obtained during the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission. (B) Comments; record.--The Commission shall not, with respect to an agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f)-- (i) consider any comments or other information submitted by such agency for the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission; or (ii) include any such comments or other information in the record for such project-related environmental review. (e) Schedule.-- (1) Deadline for federal authorizations.--A deadline for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) set by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)) shall be not later than 90 days after the Commission completes its project-related environmental review, unless an applicable schedule is otherwise established by Federal law. (2) Concurrent reviews.--Each Federal and State agency-- (A) that may consider an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) shall formulate and implement a plan for administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure completion of Federal authorizations in compliance with schedules established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); and (B) in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), shall-- (i) formulate and implement a plan to enable the agency to comply with the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); (ii) carry out the obligations of that agency under applicable law concurrently, and in conjunction with, the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission, and in compliance with that schedule, unless the agency notifies the Commission in writing that doing so would impair the ability of the agency to conduct needed analysis or otherwise carry out such obligations; (iii) transmit to the Commission a statement-- (I) acknowledging receipt of the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); and (II) setting forth the plan formulated under clause (i); (iv) not later than 30 days after the agency receives such application for a Federal authorization, transmit to the applicant a notice-- (I) indicating whether such application is ready for processing; and (II) if such application is not ready for processing, that includes a comprehensive description of the information needed for the agency to determine that the application is ready for processing; (v) determine that such application for a Federal authorization is ready for processing for purposes of clause (iv) if such application is sufficiently complete for the purposes of commencing consideration, regardless of whether supplemental information is necessary to enable the agency to complete the consideration required by law with respect to such application; and (vi) not less often than once every 90 days, transmit to the Commission a report describing the progress made in considering such application for a Federal authorization. (3) Failure to meet deadline.--If a Federal or State agency, including the Commission, fails to meet a deadline for a Federal authorization set forth in the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)), not later than 5 days after such deadline, the head of the relevant Federal agency (including, in the case of a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority) shall notify Congress and the Commission of such failure and set forth a recommended implementation plan to ensure completion of the action to which such deadline applied. (f) Consideration of Applications for Federal Authorization.-- (1) Issue identification and resolution.-- (A) Identification.--Federal and State agencies that may consider an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization shall identify, as early as possible, any issues of concern that may delay or prevent an agency from working with the Commission to resolve such issues and granting the Federal authorization. (B) Issue resolution.--The Commission may forward any issue of concern identified under subparagraph (A) to the heads of the relevant agencies (including, in the case of an issue of concern that is a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority, if applicable) for resolution. (2) Remote surveys.-- (A) In general.--If a Federal or State agency considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization requires the person applying for the Federal authorization to submit data, the agency shall consider any such data gathered by aerial or other remote means that the person submits. (B) Conditional approval.--The agency may grant a conditional approval for a Federal authorization based on data gathered by aerial or remote means, conditioned on the verification of such data by subsequent onsite inspection. (3) Application processing.--The Commission, and Federal and State agencies, may allow a person applying for a Federal authorization to fund a third-party contractor to assist in reviewing the application for the Federal authorization. (g) Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency.-- (1) In general.--For an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) that requires multiple Federal authorizations, the Commission, with input from any Federal or State agency considering an aspect of the application, shall track and make available to the public on the website of the Commission information related to the actions required to complete the Federal authorizations. (2) Inclusions.--The information described in paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)). (B) A list of all the actions required by each applicable agency to complete permitting, reviews, and other actions necessary to obtain a final decision on the application. (C) The expected completion date for each action described in subparagraph (B). (D) A point of contact at the agency responsible for each action described in subparagraph (B). (E) In the event that an action is still pending as of the expected date of completion, a brief explanation of the reasons for the delay. (h) Pipeline Security.--In considering an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall consult with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration regarding the compliance of the applicant with security guidance and best practice recommendations of the Transportation Security Administration regarding pipeline infrastructure security, pipeline cybersecurity, pipeline personnel security, and other pipeline security measures. SEC. 3004. TOLLING ORDER REFORM FOR THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 19(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717r(a)) is amended, in the fourth sentence, by striking ``thirty'' and inserting ``60''. SEC. 3005. TOLLING ORDER REFORM FOR THE FEDERAL POWER ACT. Section 313(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 825l(a)) is amended, in the fourth sentence, by striking ``thirty'' and inserting ``60''. SEC. 3006. DE NOVO REVIEW OF CIVIL PENALTIES UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 22(b) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717t-1(b)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, in accordance with the same provisions as are applicable under section 31(d) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 823b(d)) in the case of civil penalties assessed under that section of that Act (16 U.S.C. 823b)''. SEC. 3007. JUDICIAL REVIEW. Section 19(d)(3) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717r(d)(3)) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting ``, is not supported by clear and convincing evidence,'' after ``such permit''. ____________________" CREC-2026-06-11-pt1-PgS2759,2026-06-11,119,2,,,STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS,SENATE,SENATE,SSTATEMENTS,S2759,S2766,"[{""name"": ""John Barrasso"", ""role"": ""speaking""}]","[{""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4765""}, {""congress"": ""119"", ""type"": ""S"", ""number"": ""4765""}]",172 Cong. Rec. S2759,"Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2759-S2766] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS ______ By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Ms. Lummis): S. 4765. A bill to provide for certain energy development, permitting reforms, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record. as follows: S. 4765 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Let America Build Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--OIL AND GAS LEASING AND PERMITTING Subtitle A--Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Sec. 1101. Onshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 1102. Offshore oil and gas leasing. Subtitle B--Permitting of Federal Oil and Gas Minerals Sec. 1201. Cooperative federalism in oil and gas permitting on available Federal land. Sec. 1202. Permitting compliance on non-Federal land. Sec. 1203. State and Tribal authority for hydraulic fracturing regulation. Subtitle C--Liquefied Natural Gas Exports Sec. 1301. Action on applications to export liquefied natural gas. Sec. 1302. Small scale LNG access. TITLE II--MINERAL LEASING AND PERMITTING Sec. 2001. Land use plan criteria under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sec. 2002. Congressional approval of withdrawals under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sec. 2003. Prohibition of the establishment of new categories of Federal land designations by the heads of Federal land management agencies. Sec. 2004. Coal leases on Federal land. Sec. 2005. Modification to definitions of critical material and critical mineral and critical mineral designation criteria. Sec. 2006. Permitting process improvements. TITLE III--FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Sec. 3001. Federal authorizations under the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3002. Federal authorizations under section 216 of the Federal Power Act. Sec. 3003. Promoting interagency coordination for review of natural gas projects. Sec. 3004. Tolling order reform for the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3005. Tolling order reform for the Federal Power Act. Sec. 3006. De novo review of civil penalties under the Natural Gas Act. Sec. 3007. Judicial review. TITLE I--OIL AND GAS LEASING AND PERMITTING Subtitle A--Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing SEC. 1101. ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. (a) Mineral Leasing Act Reforms.-- (1) Protested lease sales.--Section 17(b)(1)(A) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting after the seventh sentence the following: ``The Secretary of the Interior shall resolve any protest to a lease sale within 60 days following such payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of the Interior denies a protest to a lease sale, any lease subject to the protest shall not be subject to further environmental review by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).''. (2) Effect of litigation.--Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(r) Effect of Litigation.-- ``(1) In general.--A civil action relating to an environmental review under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the `National Historic Preservation Act'), or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a lease sale conducted under this section shall not-- ``(A) affect the validity of a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action; or ``(B) except as provided in paragraph (3)(B), cause a delay in the timelines established under subsection (p)(2) for the consideration of an application for permit to drill with respect to a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action. ``(2) Remand; processing of applications for permit to drill.--If, in a civil action described in paragraph (1), the environmental review for a lease sale is found by the applicable court to violate the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- ``(A) notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), the applicable court shall not set aside the lease sale and vacate the leases issued pursuant to the sale but instead remand the matter to the Secretary of the Interior to resolve the violation; and ``(B) the Secretary of the Interior shall continue to process all applicable applications for permit to drill pursuant to subsection (p)(2). ``(3) Notice.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which a civil action described in paragraph (1) is filed, the Secretary of the Interior shall notify the holder of any lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action of the filing of the civil action. ``(B) Timeline.--Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of a notice under subparagraph (A), the leaseholder may file with the Secretary of the Interior a request to pause the timeline under subsection (e)(1) with respect to the term of the lease during any period in which the civil action is pending.''. (3) Lease cancellation.--Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) (as amended by paragraph (2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(s) Lease Cancellation.--A lease issued under this section shall be considered to be valid and not subject to cancellation by the Secretary of the Interior for any reason, except for-- ``(1) the express written agreement to the cancellation by the lessee; or ``(2) a determination by the Secretary of the Interior that cancellation is appropriate in accordance with section 3108.30 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection), subject to the limitation that a lease may not be determined to be improperly issued under that section based on a finding by a Federal court that the environmental review for the lease sale pursuant to which the lease was issued was in violation of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the `National Historic Preservation Act'), or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).''. (4) Limitations for filing oil and gas contests.--Section 42 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226-2) is amended by striking the section designation and all that follows through the period at the end of the second sentence, and inserting the following: ``SEC. 42. LIMITATIONS FOR FILING OIL AND GAS CONTESTS. ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), no action contesting a decision of the Secretary involving any oil and gas lease sale, individual lease, or individual permit shall be maintained unless the action is commenced or taken by not later than 60 days after the date on which the final decision of the Secretary relating to the action was made. ``(b) Jurisdiction.--An action contesting a decision of the Secretary may only be commenced-- ``(1) for an individual lease or permit, in the district court of the United States for the district in which the property, or some part thereof, is located; and ``(2) for a lease sale, in a district court of the United States in the State in which the sale occurred. ``(c) Removal.--A defendant or defendant intervenor in an action challenging a lease sale, lease, or permit in multiple States may remove the action to the district court of the United States for the district in which the property is located pursuant to section 1441(c) of title 28, United States Code.''. SEC. 1102. OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING. (a) Lease or Permit Cancellation.-- (1) In general.--Section 5(a)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1334(a)(2)) is amended-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``any lease or permit--'' and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``any lease or permit-- ``(A) that the lease or permit shall be considered to be valid and not subject to cancellation by the Secretary for any reason, except for-- ``(i) the express written agreement to the cancellation by the lessee or permittee; or [[Page S2760]] ``(ii) a determination by the Secretary that cancellation is appropriate (including cancellation under subsection (c), section 8(o), section 11(c)(1), and subsections (h)(2)(C) and (j) of section 25), in accordance with the regulations prescribed under this section, subject to the limitation that a lease or permit may not be cancelled by the Secretary based on a finding by a Federal court that the environmental review for the lease sale pursuant to which the lease was issued was in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and''; and (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B). (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Section 11(c)(1) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1340(c)(1)) is amended-- (i) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``result in any condition described in section 5(a)(2)(A)(i) of this Act'' and inserting ``probably cause serious harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), to property, to any mineral (in areas leased or not leased), to the national security or defense, or to the marine, coastal, or human environment''; and (ii) in the fifth sentence-- (I) by striking ``, subject to section 5(a)(2)(B) of this Act,''; and (II) by striking ``section 5(a)(2)(C) (i) or (ii) of this Act'' and inserting ``section 5(a)(2)(B)''. (B) Section 25(h)(2)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1351(h)(2)(C)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking ``section 5(a)(2)(C) of this Act'' and inserting ``section 5(a)(2)(B)''. (b) Effect of Litigation.--Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(q) Effect of Litigation.-- ``(1) In general.--A civil action relating to an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a lease sale conducted under this section shall not-- ``(A) affect the validity of a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action; or ``(B) except as provided in paragraph (3)(B), cause a delay in the timelines for the consideration of an application for permit to drill with respect to a lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action. ``(2) Remand; processing of applications for permit to drill.--If, in a civil action described in paragraph (1), the environmental review for a lease sale is found by the applicable court to violate the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- ``(A) notwithstanding chapter 5 or 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Administrative Procedure Act'), the applicable court shall not set aside the lease sale and vacate the leases issued pursuant to the sale but instead remand the matter to the Secretary to resolve the violation; and ``(B) the Secretary shall continue to process all applicable applications for permit to drill in accordance with this Act. ``(3) Notice.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which a civil action described in paragraph (1) is filed, the Secretary shall notify the holder of any lease issued under the lease sale that is the subject of the civil action of the filing of the civil action. ``(B) Timeline.--Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of a notice under subparagraph (A), the leaseholder may file with the Secretary a request to pause the timeline with respect to the term of the lease during any period in which the civil action is pending.''. Subtitle B--Permitting of Federal Oil and Gas Minerals SEC. 1201. COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN OIL AND GAS PERMITTING ON AVAILABLE FEDERAL LAND. (a) In General.--The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating section 44 as section 46; and (2) by inserting after section 43 the following: ``SEC. 44. COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN OIL AND GAS PERMITTING ON AVAILABLE FEDERAL LAND. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) APD.--The term `APD' means a permit-- ``(A) that grants authority to drill for oil and gas; and ``(B) for which an application has been received that includes-- ``(i) a drilling plan; and ``(ii) evidence of bond coverage. ``(2) Available federal land.--The term `available Federal land' means any Federal land that-- ``(A) is located within the boundaries of a State; ``(B) is not held by the United States in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe; ``(C) is not a unit of the National Park System; ``(D) is not a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, other than a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System for which oil and gas drilling is allowed under law; ``(E) is not a congressionally approved wilderness area under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and ``(F) has been identified as land available for lease, or has been leased, for the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas-- ``(i) by the Bureau of Land Management under-- ``(I) a resource management plan under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or ``(II) an integrated activity plan with respect to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska; or ``(ii) by the Forest Service under a National Forest management plan under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.). ``(3) Drilling plan.--The term `drilling plan' means a plan described in section 3162.3-1(e) of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior. ``(5) State applicant.--The term `State applicant' means a State that submits an application under subsection (c). ``(6) State program.--The term `State program' means a program in a State under which the State may-- ``(A) issue APDs, approve drilling plans, approve sundry notices, approve suspensions of operations or production, or grant rights-of-way on available Federal land; and ``(B) impose sanctions for violations of State laws, regulations, or any condition of an issued APD or approved drilling plan, as applicable. ``(7) Sundry notice.--The term `sundry notice' means a written request submitted pursuant to section 3173.10 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). ``(8) Suspension of operations or production.--The term `suspension of operations or production' means a suspension of operations or production described in section 17 or section 39. ``(b) Authorizations.-- ``(1) In general.--On receipt of an application under subsection (c), the Secretary may delegate to a State exclusive authority-- ``(A) to issue an APD on available Federal land; ``(B) to approve drilling plans on available Federal land; ``(C) to approve sundry notices relating to work performed on available Federal land; ``(D) to approve suspensions of operations or production; and ``(E) to grant rights-of-way in accordance with paragraph (3). ``(2) Inspection and enforcement.--On request of a State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1), the authority delegated may include the authority to inspect and enforce an APD, drilling plan, or right-of-way, as applicable. ``(3) Rights-of-way.--The authority to grant a right-of-way delegated to a State under paragraph (1)(E) shall be the authority of the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761) and section 28 of this Act, to grant, issue, or renew rights-of-way over, upon, under, or through available Federal land. ``(4) Effect of federal environmental reviews.--A State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1) shall continue processing applications for an APD, applications for approval of a drilling plan, applications for approval of a sundry notice, and applications to grant a right-of-way, regardless of whether the Federal Government is carrying out any review related to the APD, drilling plan, sundry notice, or right-of-way under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). ``(5) Effect of state enforcement action.--If a State for which authority is delegated under paragraph (1) imposes a sanction for violating a condition of an issued APD or approved drilling plan, the Secretary may not issue a penalty for the same violation under section 109 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1719). ``(c) State Application Process.-- ``(1) Submission of application.--A State seeking a delegation of authority under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of subsection (b)(1) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a description of the State program that the State proposes to administer under State law. ``(2) Deadline for approval or disapproval.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which an application under paragraph (1) is received, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the application. ``(3) Requirements for approval.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve an application received under paragraph (1) only if the Secretary determines that-- ``(i) the State applicant would be at least as effective as the Secretary in issuing APDs, approving drilling plans, approving sundry notices, approving suspensions of operations or production, or granting rights-of-way, as applicable; ``(ii) the State program of the State applicant-- ``(I) complies with this Act; and ``(II) provides for the termination or modification of an issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or [[Page S2761]] granted right-of-way, as applicable, for cause, including for-- ``(aa) the violation of any condition of the issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or granted right-of- way; ``(bb) obtaining the issued APD, approved drilling plan, approved sundry notice, approved suspension of operations or production, or granted right-of-way by misrepresentation; or ``(cc) failure to fully disclose in the application all relevant facts; ``(iii) the State applicant has sufficient administrative and technical personnel and sufficient funding to carry out the State program; and ``(iv) approval of the application would not result in decreased royalty payments owed to the United States under section 35(a). ``(B) Memoranda of understanding.--With respect to a State applicant seeking authority under subsection (b)(2) to inspect and enforce APDs, drilling plans, or rights-of-way, as applicable, before approving the application of the State applicant, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State applicant under paragraph (6) that describes the Federal and State responsibilities with respect to the inspection and enforcement. ``(C) Public notice.--Before approving an application received under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- ``(i) provide public notice of the application; ``(ii) solicit public comment for the application; and ``(iii) hold a public hearing for the application in the State. ``(4) Disapproval.--If the Secretary disapproves an application submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the State applicant written notification of-- ``(A) the reasons for the disapproval, including any information, data, or analysis on which the disapproval is based; and ``(B) any revisions or modifications necessary to obtain approval. ``(5) Resubmittal of application.--A State may resubmit an application under paragraph (1) at any time. ``(6) State memoranda of understanding.--Before a State submits an application under paragraph (1), the Secretary, on request of the State, may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State regarding the proposed State program-- ``(A) to describe the Federal and State responsibilities for oil and gas regulations; ``(B) to provide technical assistance; and ``(C) to share best management practices. ``(d) Administrative Fees for APDs.-- ``(1) In general.--A State for which authority has been delegated under subsection (b)(1)(A) may collect a fee for each application for an APD that is submitted to the State. ``(2) No collection of fee by secretary.--The Secretary may not collect a fee from the applicant or from the State for an application for an APD that is submitted to a State for which authority has been delegated under subsection (b)(1)(A). ``(3) Use.--A State shall use 100 percent of the fees collected under this subsection for the administration of the approved State program of the State. ``(e) Voluntary Termination of Authority.-- ``(1) In general.--After providing written notice to the Secretary, a State may voluntarily terminate any authority delegated to the State under subsection (b)(1) on expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary receives the written notice. ``(2) Resumption by secretary.--On termination of the authority delegated to a State under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall resume any activities for which authority was delegated to the State under subsection (b)(1). ``(f) Appeal of Denial of Application.--If a State for which the Secretary has delegated authority under subsection (b)(1) denies an application submitted under subsection (c)(1), the applicant may appeal the decision to the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Department of the Interior. ``(g) Federal Administration of State Program.-- ``(1) Notification.--If the Secretary has reason to believe that a State is not administering or enforcing an approved State program, the Secretary shall notify the relevant State regulatory authority of any possible deficiencies. ``(2) State response.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which a State receives notification of a possible deficiency under paragraph (1), the State shall-- ``(A) take appropriate action to correct the possible deficiency; and ``(B) notify the Secretary of the action in writing. ``(3) Determination.-- ``(A) In general.--On expiration of the 30-day period described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall issue public notice of any determination of the Secretary that-- ``(i) a violation of all or any part of an approved State program has resulted from a failure of the State to administer or enforce the approved State program of the State; or ``(ii) the State has not demonstrated the capability and intent of the State to administer or enforce the State program of the State. ``(B) Appeal.--A State may appeal the determination of the Secretary under subparagraph (A) in the applicable district court of the United States. ``(C) Resumption by secretary pending appeal.--The Secretary may not resume activities under paragraph (4) if an appeal under subparagraph (B) is pending. ``(4) Resumption by secretary.--Except as provided in paragraph (3)(C), if the Secretary has made a determination under paragraph (3)(A), the Secretary shall resume any activities for which authority was delegated to the State during the period-- ``(A) beginning on the date on which the Secretary issues the public notice under paragraph (3)(A); and ``(B) ending on the date on which the Secretary determines that the State may administer or enforce, as applicable, the approved State program of the State. ``(5) Standing.--A State with an approved regulatory program shall have standing to sue the Secretary for any action taken under this subsection.''. (b) Existing Authorities.--Section 390(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``Action by the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''; (2) by striking ``with respect to any of the activities described in subsection (b) shall be subject to a rebuttable presumption that the use of'' and inserting ``shall apply''; and (3) by striking ``would apply if the activity'' and inserting ``for each action described in subsection (b) if the action''. SEC. 1202. PERMITTING COMPLIANCE ON NON-FEDERAL LAND. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or subpart 3162 of part 3160 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), but subject to any applicable State or Tribal requirements and subsection (c), the Secretary of the Interior shall not require a permit to drill for an oil and gas lease under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) for an action occurring within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit if-- (1) the Federal Government-- (A) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and (B) does not own or lease the surface estate within the area directly impacted by the action; (2) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease; or (3) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease. (b) Notification.--For each State permit to drill or drilling plan that would impact or extract oil and gas owned by the Federal Government-- (1) each lessee of Federal minerals in the unit, or designee of a lessee, shall-- (A) notify the Secretary of the Interior of the submission of a State application for a permit to drill or drilling plan on submission of the application; and (B) provide a copy of the application described in subparagraph (A) to the Secretary of the Interior not later than 5 days after the date on which the permit or plan is submitted; (2) each lessee, designee of a lessee, or applicable State shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of the approved State permit to drill or drilling plan not later than 45 days after the date on which the permit or plan is approved; and (3) each lessee or designee of a lessee shall provide, prior to commencing drilling operations, agreements authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to enter non- Federal land, as necessary, for inspection and enforcement of the terms of the Federal lease. (c) Nonapplicability to Indian Lands.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to Indian lands (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1702)). (d) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects-- (1) other authorities of the Secretary of the Interior under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or (2) the amount of royalties due to the Federal Government from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit. (e) Authority on Non-Federal Land.--Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(g)) is amended-- (1) by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through ``Secretary of the Interior, or'' in the first sentence and inserting the following: ``(g)(1) The Secretary of the Interior, or''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(2)(A) In the case of an oil and gas lease under this Act on land described in subparagraph (B) located within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit, nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior-- ``(i) to require a bond to protect non-Federal land; ``(ii) to enter non-Federal land without the consent of the applicable landowner; ``(iii) to impose mitigation requirements; or ``(iv) to require approval for surface reclamation. [[Page S2762]] ``(B) Land referred to in subparagraph (A) is-- ``(i) land with respect to which the Federal Government-- ``(I) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and ``(II) does not own or lease the surface estate within the area directly impacted by the action; ``(ii) non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate on which the applicable well is located, but some portion of the wellbore enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease; or ``(iii) non-Federal land overlying a non-Federal mineral estate on which the well is located, but some portion of the wellbore traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate subject to the lease.''. SEC. 1203. STATE AND TRIBAL AUTHORITY FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING REGULATION. The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 44 (as added by section 1201(a)(2)) the following: ``SEC. 45. STATE AND TRIBAL AUTHORITY FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING REGULATION. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Hydraulic fracturing.--The term `hydraulic fracturing' means the process of creating small cracks or fractures in underground geological formations for well stimulation purposes of bringing hydrocarbons into the wellbore and to the surface for capture. ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior. ``(b) Enforcement of Federal Regulations.--The Secretary shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or under any land in any State that has regulations, guidance, or permit requirements for that activity. ``(c) State Authority.--The Secretary shall defer to State regulations, guidance, and permit requirements for all activities regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on Federal land. ``(d) Transparency of State Regulations.-- ``(1) In general.--Each State shall submit to the Bureau of Land Management a copy of the regulations of the State that apply to hydraulic fracturing operations on Federal land, including the regulations that require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. ``(2) Availability.--The Secretary shall make available to the public on the website of the Secretary the regulations submitted under paragraph (1). ``(e) Tribal Authority on Trust Land.--The Secretary shall not enforce any Federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement with respect to hydraulic fracturing on any land held in trust or restricted status for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, except with the express consent of the beneficiary on whose behalf the land is held in trust or restricted status.''. Subtitle C--Liquefied Natural Gas Exports SEC. 1301. ACTION ON APPLICATIONS TO EXPORT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered application.--The term ``covered application'' means an application submitted with respect to a covered facility for an authorization to export natural gas under section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(a)). (2) Covered facility.--The term ``covered facility'' means a liquefied natural gas export facility for which a proposal to site, construct, expand, or operate is required to be approved by-- (A) the Secretary; and (B)(i) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; or (ii) the Maritime Administration. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy. (b) Decision Deadline.--The Secretary shall issue a final decision on a covered application not later than 45 days after the later of-- (1) the date on which each review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of the covered facility that is the subject of the covered application is concluded in accordance with subsection (c); and (2) the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Conclusion of Review.--For purposes of subsection (b), a review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall be concluded on the date on which the lead agency, as applicable-- (1) publishes a notice of availability of the final environmental impact statement, for a covered facility requiring an environmental impact statement; (2) publishes a notice of availability of the environmental assessment and associated finding of no significant impact, for a covered facility for which an environmental assessment has been prepared; or (3) determines that the covered application is eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the implementing regulations of that Act. (d) Untimely Final Decision.-- (1) In general.--If the Secretary fails to issue a final decision under subsection (b) by the applicable date required under that subsection, the covered application shall be considered approved, and the environmental review issued by the lead agency under subsection (c) shall be considered sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (2) Final agency action.--A determination under paragraph (1) shall be considered to be a final agency action. (e) Judicial Review.-- (1) In general.--Except for review in the Supreme Court of the United States, the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which a covered facility is, or will be, located pursuant to a covered application shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for the review of an order issued by the Secretary with respect to the covered application. (2) Expedited review.--The applicable United States Court of Appeals shall-- (A) set any civil action brought under this subsection for expedited review; and (B) set the action on the docket as soon as practicable after the filing date of the initial pleading. (3) Transfer of existing actions.--In the case of a covered application for which a petition for review has been filed as of the date of enactment of this Act, the petition shall be-- (A) on a motion by the applicant, transferred to the court of appeals of the United States in which the covered facility that is the subject of the covered application is, or will be, located; and (B) adjudicated in accordance with this subsection. SEC. 1302. SMALL SCALE LNG ACCESS. Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: ``(c) Expedited Application and Approval Process.-- ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a), the following actions shall be considered to be consistent with the public interest, and applications for each of the following actions shall be granted without modification or delay: ``(A) The importation of natural gas referred to in subsection (b). ``(B) The exportation of natural gas in a volume of not more than 51,750,000,000 cubic feet per year, subject to the last sentence of subsection (a). ``(C) The exportation of natural gas to a nation with which there is in effect a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas. ``(2) Exclusion.--Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any nation subject to sanctions imposed by the United States.''. TITLE II--MINERAL LEASING AND PERMITTING SEC. 2001. LAND USE PLAN CRITERIA UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976. Section 202(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: ``(9)(A) review a mineral resource assessment applicable to the public lands covered by the land use plan that was completed during the 10-year period ending on the effective date of the land use plan; and ``(B) in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Defense, determine the significance of the minerals located within the public lands to energy security, national security, and economic security, in accordance with subparagraph (A); and''. SEC. 2002. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF WITHDRAWALS UNDER THE FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976. Section 204(c)(1) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714(c)(1)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ``no later than its effective date'' and all that follows through ``approve the withdrawal'' and inserting ``not later than 90 days before the effective date of the withdrawal and the withdrawal shall terminate and become ineffective if Congress has not enacted a joint resolution approving the withdrawal prior to the effective date of the withdrawal''. SEC. 2003. PROHIBITION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CATEGORIES OF FEDERAL LAND DESIGNATIONS BY THE HEADS OF FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. The head of a Federal land management agency may not establish a new category of Federal land designations that is not otherwise expressly authorized by Federal statute. SEC. 2004. COAL LEASES ON FEDERAL LAND. (a) Environmental Requirements for New Coal Leases.--The environmental assessment prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled ``Lifting the Pause on the Issuance of New Federal Coal Leases for Thermal (Steam) Coal'' (DOI-BLM- WO-WO2100-2019-0001-EA) is deemed to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for purposes of the issuance of new coal leases on Federal land. (b) Offering of Leases; Acceptance of Bids.--Section 2(a)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 201(a)(1)) is amended-- [[Page S2763]] (1) in the first sentence-- (A) by striking ``he finds'' and inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior finds''; and (B) by striking ``he shall, in his discretion, upon the request of any qualified applicant or on his own motion, from time to time, offer'' and inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior, not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the request of any qualified applicant, or on the motion of the Secretary of the Interior not fewer than 4 times each calendar year, shall offer''; and (2) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``No bid shall be accepted which is less than the fair market value, as determined by the Secretary,'' and inserting ``No bid shall be accepted that is less than the fair market value, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior by the date that is 45 days after the date of receipt of the bid,''. SEC. 2005. MODIFICATION TO DEFINITIONS OF CRITICAL MATERIAL AND CRITICAL MINERAL AND CRITICAL MINERAL DESIGNATION CRITERIA. (a) Definitions of Critical Material and Critical Mineral.-- (1) Definition of critical material.--Section 7002(a)(2)(A) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(2)(A)) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``non-fuel''. (2) Definition of critical mineral.--Section 7002(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``fuel minerals'' and inserting ``oil, oil shale, coal (excluding metallurgical coal), or natural gas''. (b) Modification to Critical Mineral Designation Criteria.--Section 7002(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(4)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``significant projected domestic production decline,'' after ``abrupt demand growth,''. SEC. 2006. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Byproduct.--The term ``byproduct'' has the meaning given the term in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)). (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (3) Mineral.--The term ``mineral'' means any mineral subject to sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the ``Mining Law of 1872'') (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), and minerals located on lands acquired by the United States (as defined in section 2 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351)). (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (5) State.--The term ``State'' means-- (A) a State; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) Guam; (E) American Samoa; (F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and (G) the United States Virgin Islands. (b) Minerals Supply Chain and Reliability.--Section 40206 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``critical minerals'' and inserting ``minerals''; (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Lead agency.--The term `lead agency' means the Federal agency with primary responsibility for issuing a mineral exploration or mine permit or lease for a mineral project. ``(2) Mineral.--The term `mineral' has the meaning given the term in section 2006(a) of the Let America Build Act of 2026. ``(3) Mineral exploration or mine permit.--The term `mineral exploration or mine permit' means-- ``(A) an authorization of the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service, as applicable, for exploration for minerals that require analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); ``(B) a plan of operations for a mineral project approved by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service; or ``(C) any other Federal permit or authorization for a mineral project. ``(4) Mineral project.--The term `mineral project' means a project that-- ``(A) is located on-- ``(i) a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim for any mineral; ``(ii) lands open to mineral entry; or ``(iii) a Federal mineral lease; and ``(B) is for the purposes of exploring for or producing minerals.''; (3) in subsection (b), by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``critical mineral production on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; and (ii) by striking ``practicable, shall complete the'' and inserting ``practicable, and in accordance with subsection (h), shall complete those''; (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``critical mineral- related activities on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; (C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end; (D) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``(10) deferring to and relying on baseline data, analyses, and reviews performed by State agencies with jurisdiction over the environmental or reclamation permits for the proposed mineral project.''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; and (B) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``mineral-related activities on Federal land'' and inserting ``mineral projects''; (6) in subsection (e), by striking ``critical''; (7) in subsection (f), by striking ``critical'' each place it appears; (8) in subsection (g), by striking ``critical''; and (9) by adding at the end the following: ``(h) Other Requirements.-- ``(1) Memorandum of agreement.--To maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal permitting and review processes described in subsection (c), the lead agency in the Federal permitting and review processes of a mineral project shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with a project applicant on request by the applicant to carry out the activities described in that subsection. ``(2) Consultation.--A lead agency described in paragraph (1) shall carry out that paragraph in consultation with-- ``(A) any other Federal agency involved in the applicable Federal permitting and review processes; and ``(B) on request of the project applicant, an affected State government, local government, Indian Tribe, or other entity that the lead agency determines appropriate. ``(3) Timelines and schedules.-- ``(A) Deadlines.--Any timeline or schedule established under subsection (c)(1) relating to a review under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall require that the review process not exceed-- ``(i) 1 year for an environmental assessment; and ``(ii) 2 years for an environmental impact statement. ``(B) Extension.--A project applicant may enter into 1 or more agreements with a lead agency to extend 1 or more of the deadlines described in subparagraph (A) by not more than 6 months. ``(C) Adjustment of timelines.--At the request of a project applicant, the lead agency and any other entity that is a signatory to a memorandum of agreement under paragraph (1) may, by unanimous agreement, adjust-- ``(i) any deadlines described in subparagraph (A); and ``(ii) any deadlines extended under subparagraph (B). ``(D) Deadline for issuance of authorizations.--For a proposed agency action with a timeline or schedule established under subsection (c)(1) and a review process established in accordance with subparagraph (A), the record of decision prepared for the proposed agency action and all authorizations required under any other Federal law with respect to the proposed agency action shall be issued not later than 90 days after the date on which the applicable environmental impact statement or environmental assessment is published in the Federal Register. ``(4) Document prepared by project applicant.--The lead agency with respect to a mineral project may adopt an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment prepared by or for a project applicant with respect to the mineral project if that document fulfills the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). ``(5) Effect on pending applications.--On a written request by a project applicant, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any application for a mineral exploration or mine permit or mineral lease that was submitted before the date of enactment of the Let America Build Act of 2026.''. (c) Federal Register Process Improvement.--Section 7002(f) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(f)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``critical'' in each place it appears; and (2) by striking paragraph (4). (d) Designation of Mining as a Covered Sector for Federal Permitting Improvement Purposes.--Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting ``minerals production,'' before ``or any other sector''. (e) Mineral Exploration Activities With Limited Surface Disturbance.-- (1) Definition of secretary concerned.--In this subsection, the term ``Secretary concerned'' means-- (A) the Secretary, with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land of the National Forest System. (2) Notice.--An operator may submit to the Secretary concerned a notice requesting to carry out mineral exploration activities other than casual use, which shall include a description of the mineral exploration activities and subsequent reclamation activities intended to be carried out. (3) Approval.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 15 calendar days after receiving a notice under paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned shall allow the activities described in the notice to proceed if-- (A) the surface disturbance on Federal land will not exceed 25 acres; (B) the Secretary concerned determines that the notice is complete; and [[Page S2764]] (C) financial assurance is provided. (f) Hardrock Mining Mill Sites.-- (1) Multiple mill sites.--Section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Additional Mill Sites.-- ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection: ``(A) Mill site.--The term `mill site' means a location of public land that is reasonably necessary for waste rock or tailings disposal or other operations reasonably incident to mineral development on, or production from land included in a plan of operations. ``(B) Operations; operator.--The terms `operations' and `operator' have the meanings given those terms in section 3809.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection). ``(C) Plan of operations.--The term `plan of operations' means a plan of operations that an operator must submit and the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, must approve before an operator may begin operations, in accordance with, as applicable-- ``(i) subpart 3809 of part 3800 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations establishing application and approval requirements); and ``(ii) part 228 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations establishing application and approval requirements). ``(D) Public land.--The term `public land' means land owned by the United States that is open to location under sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), including-- ``(i) land that is mineral-in-character (as defined in section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection)); ``(ii) nonmineral land (as defined in section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection)); and ``(iii) land where the mineral character has not been determined. ``(2) Use of public land.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), where public land is needed by the proprietor of a lode or placer claim for operations in connection with any lode or placer claim within the proposed plan of operations, the proprietor may-- ``(A) locate and include within the plan of operations as many mill site claims under this subsection as are reasonably necessary for its operations; and ``(B) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations. ``(3) Mill sites convey no mineral rights.--A mill site under this subsection does not convey mineral rights to the locator. ``(4) Size of mill sites.--A location of a single mill site under this subsection shall not exceed 5 acres. ``(5) Mill site and lode or placer claims on same tracts of public land.--A mill site may be located under this subsection on a tract of public land on which the claimant or operator maintains a previously located lode or placer claim. ``(6) Effect on mining claims.--The location of a mill site under this subsection shall not affect the validity of any lode or placer claim, or any rights associated with such a claim. ``(7) Patenting.--A mill site under this subsection shall not be eligible for patenting. ``(8) Savings provisions.--Nothing in this subsection-- ``(A) diminishes any right (including a right of entry, use, or occupancy) of a claimant; ``(B) creates or increases any right (including a right of exploration, entry, use, or occupancy) of a claimant on land that is not open to location under the general mining laws; ``(C) modifies any provision of law or any prior administrative action withdrawing land from location or entry; ``(D) limits the right of the Federal Government to regulate mining and mining-related activities (including requiring claim validity examinations to establish the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit) in areas withdrawn from mining, including under-- ``(i) the general mining laws; ``(ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); ``(iii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); ``(iv) subchapter III of chapter 1007 of title 54, United States Code; ``(v) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); ``(vi) division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `National Historic Preservation Act'); or ``(vii) section 4 of the Act of July 23, 1955 (commonly known as the `Surface Resources Act of 1955') (69 Stat. 368, chapter 375; 30 U.S.C. 612); ``(E) restores any right (including a right of entry, use, or occupancy, or right to conduct operations) of a claimant that-- ``(i) existed prior to the date on which the land was closed to, or withdrawn from, location under the general mining laws; and ``(ii) that has been extinguished by such closure or withdrawal; or ``(F) modifies section 404 of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42; 138 Stat. 284).''. (2) Abandoned hardrock mine fund.-- (A) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a separate account, to be known as the ``Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund'' (referred to in this paragraph as the ``Fund''). (B) Source of deposits.--Any amounts collected by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the claim maintenance fee under section 10101(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f(a)(1)) on mill sites located under subsection (c) of section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) shall be deposited into the Fund. (C) Use.--The Secretary of the Interior may make expenditures from amounts available in the Fund, without further appropriations, only to carry out section 40704 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1245). (D) Allocation of funds.--Amounts made available under subparagraph (C)-- (i) shall be allocated in accordance with paragraph (1) of section 40704(e) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1245(e)); and (ii) may be transferred in accordance with paragraph (2) of that section. (3) Clerical amendments.--Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f) is amended-- (A) by striking ``the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28- 28e)'' each place it appears and inserting ``sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)''; (B) in subsection (a)-- (i) in paragraph (1)-- (I) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under subparagraph (A)''; and (II) in the first sentence, by striking ``The holder of'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and (ii) in paragraph (2)-- (I) in the second sentence-- (aa) by striking ``the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e)'' and inserting ``sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)''; and (bb) by striking ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under subparagraph (A)''; and (II) in the first sentence, by striking ``The holder of'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and (C) in subsection (b)-- (i) in the second sentence, by striking ``The location fee'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Fee.--The location fee''; and (ii) in the first sentence, by striking ``The claim main tenance fee'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--The claim maintenance fee''. (g) Limitation on Judicial Review.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a lead agency (as defined in section 40206(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607(a))) for a mining project shall be barred unless it is filed not later than 60 days after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, or approval is final in accordance with the law under which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is allowed. (2) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection-- (A) establishes a right to judicial review; or (B) places any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of a permit, license, or approval. (h) Remand.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no approval of a mineral exploration or mine permit (as defined in section 40206(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1607(a))) shall be vacated or otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless the applicable court concludes that-- (1) allowing the proposed action will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm; and (2) there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law. TITLE III--FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION SEC. 3001. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 15 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) In this section,'' and inserting the following: ``(a) Definition of Federal Authorization.--In this section,''; (2) in subsection (e)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``In any proceeding'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Proceedings.--In any proceeding''; and (B) by striking ``(e) Hearings under this act'' and inserting the following: ``(e) Hearings and Proceedings.-- ``(1) Hearings.--Hearings under this Act''; (3) in subsection (f)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``No informality'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Informalities.--No informality''; and (B) by striking ``(f) All hearings,'' and inserting the following: ``(f) Governing Rules.-- ``(1) In general.--All hearings,''; and (4) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: ``(g) Additional Requirements.-- [[Page S2765]] ``(1) Definition of effects.--In conducting a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) relating to any Federal authorization (or to any other decision relating to the issuance of an order or certificate, or the approval or denial of an application, under section 3 or 7), the Commission shall consider the term `effects', as used in that Act with respect to impacts and effects, to mean physical changes to the human environment as a result of a proposed action or alternative action to be carried out by a Federal agency that-- ``(A) are reasonably foreseeable, not speculative, and not remote in time or geographically remote; ``(B) have a reasonably close causal relationship that is not the product of a lengthy causal chain to the proposed action or alternative action, respectively, as determined by the Commission; ``(C) the Commission has the ability to prevent and that would not occur absent the proposed action or alternative action; and ``(D) do not constitute potential effects from emissions upstream or downstream of the facility that is the subject of the application under section 3 or 7. ``(2) Requirement.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), a `but for' causal relationship is insufficient to establish a reasonably close causal relationship. ``(3) Alternatives.--In conducting a review described in paragraph (1), any alternatives required to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by the Commission shall-- ``(A) meet the purpose and need for the proposed action; ``(B) where applicable, meet the goals of the applicant; and ``(C) be within the authority of the Federal agency to control. ``(4) No use of social cost metrics.--In conducting a review described in paragraph (1), the Commission shall not consider or apply any metric that purports to estimate the monetized damages or benefits associated with incremental increases or decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.''. SEC. 3002. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS UNDER SECTION 216 OF THE FEDERAL POWER ACT. Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(h)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(B) The term'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Inclusions.--In this subsection, the term''; and (B) by striking ``(1) In this subsection'' and all that follows through ``The term'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: ``(1) Definition of federal authorization.-- ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the term''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(10) Additional requirements.-- ``(A) Definition of effects.--In conducting a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) relating to any Federal authorization (or to any other decision relating to the issuance of a Federal authorization, or the approval or denial of an application, under this section), the Commission shall consider the term `effects', as used in that Act with respect to impacts and effects, to mean physical changes to the human environment as a result of a proposed action or alternative action to be carried out by a Federal agency that-- ``(i) are reasonably foreseeable, not speculative, and not remote in time or geographically remote; ``(ii) have a reasonably close causal relationship that is not the product of a lengthy causal chain to the proposed action or alternative action, respectively, as determined by the Commission; ``(iii) the Commission has the ability to prevent and that would not occur absent the proposed action or alternative action; and ``(iv) do not constitute potential effects from emissions upstream or downstream of the facility that is the subject of the application under this section. ``(B) Requirement.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), a `but for' causal relationship is insufficient to establish a reasonably close causal relationship. ``(C) Alternatives.--In conducting a review described in subparagraph (A), any alternatives required to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by the Commission shall-- ``(i) meet the purpose and need for the proposed action; ``(ii) where applicable, meet the goals of the applicant; and ``(iii) be within the authority of the Federal agency to control. ``(D) No use of social cost metrics.--In conducting a review described in subparagraph (A), the Commission shall not consider or apply any metric that purports to estimate the monetized damages or benefits associated with incremental increases or decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.''. SEC. 3003. PROMOTING INTERAGENCY COORDINATION FOR REVIEW OF NATURAL GAS PROJECTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2) Environmental review.--The term ``environmental review'' means the process of preparing, for a proposed agency action in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)-- (A) an environmental impact statement; (B) an environmental assessment; (C) a categorical exclusion; (D) a finding of no significant impact; and (E) a record of decision. (3) Federal authorization.--The term ``Federal authorization'' has the meaning given that term in section 15(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(a)). (4) Project-related environmental review.--The term ``project-related environmental review'' means any environmental review required to be conducted with respect to the issuance of an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f). (b) Commission Responsibilities.--In acting as the lead agency under section 15(b)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(b)(1)) for the purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall, in accordance with this section and other applicable Federal law-- (1) be the only lead agency; (2) coordinate as early as practicable with each agency designated as a participating agency under subsection (d)(3) to ensure that the Commission develops information in conducting its project-related environmental review that is usable by the participating agency in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization for which the agency is responsible; and (3) take such actions as are necessary and proper to facilitate the expeditious resolution of its project-related environmental review. (c) Deference to Commission.--In making a decision with respect to a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), each agency shall give deference, to the maximum extent authorized by law, to the scope of the project-related environmental review that the Commission determines to be appropriate. (d) Participating Agencies.-- (1) Identification.--The Commission shall identify, not later than 30 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), any Federal or State agency, local government, or Indian Tribe that may issue a Federal authorization or is required by Federal law to consult with the Commission in conjunction with the issuance of a Federal authorization required for such authorization or certificate. (2) Invitation.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall invite any agency identified under paragraph (1) to participate in the review process for the applicable Federal authorization. (B) Deadline.--An invitation issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish a deadline by which a response to the invitation shall be submitted to the Commission, which may be extended by the Commission for good cause. (3) Designation as participating agencies.--Not later than 60 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall designate an agency identified under paragraph (1) as a participating agency with respect to that application unless the agency informs the Commission, in writing, by the deadline established pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), that the agency-- (A) has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the applicable Federal authorization; (B) has no special expertise or information relevant to any project-related environmental review; or (C) does not intend to submit comments for the record for the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission. (4) Effect of non-designation.-- (A) Effect on agency.--Any agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) may not request or conduct an environmental review that is supplemental to the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission, unless the agency-- (i) demonstrates that such review is legally necessary for the agency to carry out responsibilities in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization; and [[Page S2766]] (ii) requires information that could not have been obtained during the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission. (B) Comments; record.--The Commission shall not, with respect to an agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f)-- (i) consider any comments or other information submitted by such agency for the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission; or (ii) include any such comments or other information in the record for such project-related environmental review. (e) Schedule.-- (1) Deadline for federal authorizations.--A deadline for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) set by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)) shall be not later than 90 days after the Commission completes its project-related environmental review, unless an applicable schedule is otherwise established by Federal law. (2) Concurrent reviews.--Each Federal and State agency-- (A) that may consider an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) shall formulate and implement a plan for administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure completion of Federal authorizations in compliance with schedules established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); and (B) in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), shall-- (i) formulate and implement a plan to enable the agency to comply with the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); (ii) carry out the obligations of that agency under applicable law concurrently, and in conjunction with, the project-related environmental review conducted by the Commission, and in compliance with that schedule, unless the agency notifies the Commission in writing that doing so would impair the ability of the agency to conduct needed analysis or otherwise carry out such obligations; (iii) transmit to the Commission a statement-- (I) acknowledging receipt of the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)); and (II) setting forth the plan formulated under clause (i); (iv) not later than 30 days after the agency receives such application for a Federal authorization, transmit to the applicant a notice-- (I) indicating whether such application is ready for processing; and (II) if such application is not ready for processing, that includes a comprehensive description of the information needed for the agency to determine that the application is ready for processing; (v) determine that such application for a Federal authorization is ready for processing for purposes of clause (iv) if such application is sufficiently complete for the purposes of commencing consideration, regardless of whether supplemental information is necessary to enable the agency to complete the consideration required by law with respect to such application; and (vi) not less often than once every 90 days, transmit to the Commission a report describing the progress made in considering such application for a Federal authorization. (3) Failure to meet deadline.--If a Federal or State agency, including the Commission, fails to meet a deadline for a Federal authorization set forth in the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)), not later than 5 days after such deadline, the head of the relevant Federal agency (including, in the case of a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority) shall notify Congress and the Commission of such failure and set forth a recommended implementation plan to ensure completion of the action to which such deadline applied. (f) Consideration of Applications for Federal Authorization.-- (1) Issue identification and resolution.-- (A) Identification.--Federal and State agencies that may consider an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization shall identify, as early as possible, any issues of concern that may delay or prevent an agency from working with the Commission to resolve such issues and granting the Federal authorization. (B) Issue resolution.--The Commission may forward any issue of concern identified under subparagraph (A) to the heads of the relevant agencies (including, in the case of an issue of concern that is a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority, if applicable) for resolution. (2) Remote surveys.-- (A) In general.--If a Federal or State agency considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization requires the person applying for the Federal authorization to submit data, the agency shall consider any such data gathered by aerial or other remote means that the person submits. (B) Conditional approval.--The agency may grant a conditional approval for a Federal authorization based on data gathered by aerial or remote means, conditioned on the verification of such data by subsequent onsite inspection. (3) Application processing.--The Commission, and Federal and State agencies, may allow a person applying for a Federal authorization to fund a third-party contractor to assist in reviewing the application for the Federal authorization. (g) Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency.-- (1) In general.--For an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f) that requires multiple Federal authorizations, the Commission, with input from any Federal or State agency considering an aspect of the application, shall track and make available to the public on the website of the Commission information related to the actions required to complete the Federal authorizations. (2) Inclusions.--The information described in paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717n(c)(1)). (B) A list of all the actions required by each applicable agency to complete permitting, reviews, and other actions necessary to obtain a final decision on the application. (C) The expected completion date for each action described in subparagraph (B). (D) A point of contact at the agency responsible for each action described in subparagraph (B). (E) In the event that an action is still pending as of the expected date of completion, a brief explanation of the reasons for the delay. (h) Pipeline Security.--In considering an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 717f), the Commission shall consult with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration regarding the compliance of the applicant with security guidance and best practice recommendations of the Transportation Security Administration regarding pipeline infrastructure security, pipeline cybersecurity, pipeline personnel security, and other pipeline security measures. SEC. 3004. TOLLING ORDER REFORM FOR THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 19(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717r(a)) is amended, in the fourth sentence, by striking ``thirty'' and inserting ``60''. SEC. 3005. TOLLING ORDER REFORM FOR THE FEDERAL POWER ACT. Section 313(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 825l(a)) is amended, in the fourth sentence, by striking ``thirty'' and inserting ``60''. SEC. 3006. DE NOVO REVIEW OF CIVIL PENALTIES UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT. Section 22(b) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717t-1(b)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, in accordance with the same provisions as are applicable under section 31(d) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 823b(d)) in the case of civil penalties assessed under that section of that Act (16 U.S.C. 823b)''. SEC. 3007. JUDICIAL REVIEW. Section 19(d)(3) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717r(d)(3)) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting ``, is not supported by clear and convincing evidence,'' after ``such permit''. ____________________"