Senate
Page S4353 · Official textThe Senate met at 10 a.m., and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley).
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Vol. 172, No. 125 · 119th Congress, 2nd session
Prayer
Page S4353 · Official textThe PRESIDENT pro tempore
Today's opening prayer will be offered by Pastor Max Lucado, Pastor of the Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX.
The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of prayer. We ask that You receive our praise and heed our requests. We praise You for the abundant blessings of health, healing, and hope. We thank You for the grace that saves us and Your sovereign hand that protects us. On this day, I thank You specifically for the service of our dear friend Senator John Cornyn. You have blessed him with integrity, wisdom, and the heart of a servant. As he enters a new chapter, we request Your favor to be upon him and Sandy. Let those who serve You in this chamber do exactly that--serve You as they serve this country. Fill them with humility, discernment, and strength. May all of our lives bring You honor. And may we be found faithful when You return to take us home. In the name of the One who saves, we pray. Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Page S4353 · Official textThe President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (174 characters)
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.
Reservation of Leader Time
Page S4353 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy)
Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved.
Conclusion of Morning Business
Page S4353 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Morning business is closed.
EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION (Executive Session)
Page S4353 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the following resolution.
The clerk will report the executive resolution. The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (146 characters)
An executive resolution (S. Res. 817) authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Iowa.
Organ Transplant Program (Executive Session)
Page S4353 · Official textMr. President, in a bipartisan approach, about 5 years ago, we passed legislation to correct the wrongs in our organ transplant program.
So, in my two decades spent fighting for U.S. organ donation reforms, I have heard far too many stories of patients who have lost their lives due to the negligence and abuse of that transplant system.
Recently, I requested the Government Accountability Office--GAO for short--to study and to report back to me about the challenges and the opportunities to improve pediatric organ allocation and transplantation, and that is a particularly difficult operation for the people that are involved in distributing organs.
We have about 2,000 kids on a waiting list for organ transplants, and 25 percent of that 2,000 are under the age of 5.
Pediatric patients have limited time and opportunity to receive an organ transplant, as organ size is critical to successful transplantation.
And this is especially true for kids waiting for liver transplants. Sadly, 1 in 10 infants listed for liver transplants never get a second chance at life.
The organ procurement and transplantation system could do a better job of serving kids. We know that if a child can get an organ transplant in a timely manner, their chances of living a healthy, longer life increase.
I am hopeful that GAO's findings will inform better oversight of the current organ system, and I am also hopeful that these same GAO findings will inform data-driven policymaking to improve the system for children and their families.
I yield the floor.
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. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Recognition of the Majority Leader (Executive Session)
Page S4353 · Official textThe majority leader is recognized.
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Pages S4353–S4354 · Official textMr. President, next week, our top priority will be funding the government until the November election.
The American people have faced two--two--recordbreaking government shutdowns in the past 10 months. We need to ensure that they do not face a third. We owe the American people some certainty here. They should not have to be hoping and praying that on September 30, the government will get funded and that government services will continue.
I don't think I need to tell anybody in this body that government shutdowns serve no one--not Members of either party and, most of all, not the American people. Shutdowns strain our national security agencies. They threaten military, law enforcement, and civilian pay. They endanger nutrition benefits, farm programs, and a whole lot of other stuff. They are bad for our economy, and they snarl air travel. I could go on.
Shutdowns hit our country--they hit the American people--hard, and we owe it to the American people to ensure that they do not face another shutdown this fall. That is why Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Collins has been hard at work drafting a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to fund the government through the November elections. I appreciate everything she has done to make this happen--engaging with Members of both parties and working through the necessary anomalies from the Office of Management and Budget--and I intend to bring the CR to the floor for a vote next week.
Again, I would emphasize that the appropriators are working in good faith to produce a clean, bipartisan product that is free of poison pills, and I hope that will ensure a robust bipartisan vote next week so that the American people don't have to spend the next 2 months wondering if the Senate is going to do its job, because that is what this is--our job. Funding the government is our most basic responsibility as Members of Congress, and we owe it to the American people to get that job done and done now.
I urge all of my colleagues to support the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution and get our government funded.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Democrat Party (Executive Session)
Page S4354 · Official textMr. President, today's Democrat Party is being driven by extremists, and there is actually an extreme group that is driving the party further and further to the left. It is called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing, its radical candidates are winning, and its far-left vision is spreading. You may see it happening in Michigan this coming Tuesday with their primary election.
This organization has issued a manifesto. That is right--a manifesto. In a recent interview with FOX News, the cochair of the Democratic Socialists of America admitted that this manifesto is filled with policies and politics that are extreme. She admitted it. Let me say it again. The cochair of the Democratic Socialists of America admitted on national television that their manifesto is filled with extreme policies. She has now become the face of today's Democrat Party all across the country.
She was asked whether her organization wants to abolish the U.S. Senate.
She said, "True."
She was asked whether they want to replace the Presidency and the Supreme Court.
She said, "Yep."
She was asked whether they want to abolish ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
She said, "Absolutely."
She was asked whether they want to abolish borders and give amnesty to every illegal immigrant in America, including illegal immigrant criminals.
She said, "As a long-term plan, yep."
She was asked whether they want to defund our military.
She replied, "Absolutely."
She was asked whether they want to abolish prisons.
She said, "Yeah."
She was asked whether they want government control of private companies.
She said, "Yeah. Absolutely."
There you have it. Those are some of the policies of the liberal left.
Today's Democrat Party is being driven by its activist wing. These are people who are radical, extreme, dangerous, and scary. They have put it in writing--they include it in their manifesto--and they are admitting it out loud on television.
Here in the U.S. Senate, Democrat Senators are embracing these radical policies. They are campaigning and will be campaigning this weekend for extremists in their parties. One sitting Democrat Senator, whose desk is right over there, said, clearly, we are seeing "the future of the Democrat Party."
Their manifesto is being reflected in the votes of the Democrats on this floor of the U.S. Senate.
For 65 years, the National Defense Authorization Act has passed with bipartisan support in the Senate. This month, every single Democrat in this body voted to block funding for our military. Our servicemembers are paying the price, and they are paying the price because the Democrats have turned to the radical left. Even the New York Times admits Democrats have crossed a red line by blocking defense funding.
The same radical agenda that targets America also targets our closest ally, Israel. One of the leaders of this anti-Israel campaign is the current mayor of New York City. He has called for the arrest of Israel's Prime Minister. This is exactly what their radical manifesto demands. The liberal, extreme mayor of New York City wants to hand over the Prime Minister of Israel to an unaccountable group called the International Criminal Court. It is not a real court. It lacks legitimacy. It lacks credibility. In its 24 years of existence, it has never charged a single leader of Iran for Iran's atrocities against the world. Yet this group claims the right to arrest and punish America's men and women in uniform.
The United States is not a member of the so-called International Criminal Court nor is Israel.
The mayor of New York City is a loyalist of the United Nations, not the United States.
From the campaign trail to the cloakroom of Congress, the far left has revealed its radical beliefs. Democrats are determined to tear down our country and tear up the Constitution. They want to open the borders and control the economy. They want to weaken our military and abandon Israel.
These policies would be disastrous for our Nation. There is no part of America that they do not want to destroy.
The American people reject Democrats' radical policies. The American people demand and deserve better.
Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, for liberty, and for continued American greatness.
As long as there is a Constitution, Republicans will not abolish the Senate. No State will lose its equal voice without its consent, and we will not silence the voice of the people who we represent.
Republicans will not end immigration enforcement. Our priority is safety for law-abiding citizens, not illegal immigrant criminals. Republicans will never allow America to become a sanctuary country. Republicans will not abolish prisons. Republicans will not release criminals back into our communities.
Democrats' pro-crime policies are dangerous, and they are dangerous all across the country.
We have a Constitution, and that Constitution and secure borders and law and order and military strength and economic freedom--they are not optional. They are the foundation of a free society, one that Democrats want to tear down.
Without these fundamental foundations of a free society, there really is no safety, no security, no prosperity, and no self-government. Republicans and most Americans know that. Without them, there is no United States of America.
Let me end where I began. Today's Democrat Party is being driven by the radical left. They have a movement. They have a manifesto. And they mean to do great harm to our country. We cannot allow it to happen.
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. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Page S4354 · Official textThe Democratic leader is recognized.
Economy (Executive Session)
Pages S4354–S4355 · Official textMr. President, today, the disastrous Trump economy delivered another one-two gut punch to the American people: Growth is down. Costs are up.
The American people don't need government reports and economists to tell them how sluggish Trump's economy is or how high costs are. Americans see it at the gas pump. They see it at the grocery store. They see it whenever they pay the rent or for heating or for electricity.
Trump, on the other hand, has no clue just how deep in the dumps his economy is. He keeps calling higher costs a "hoax" and affordability a "made-up word."
In the meantime, Trump has done nothing but make matters worse with his reckless and irresponsible war, with his chaotic tariffs, and with his crusade against American energy and assault on healthcare.
And every day, while Trump's failed Presidency makes life harder for American families, where does he spend his time and energy? Enriching himself.
Democrats aren't going to let this one-two economic punch turn into a knockout blow. We are going to keep fighting to bring down Americans' costs and bring an end to Trump's failed agenda that is driving those costs up and up and up.
(The remarks of Mr. Schumer pertaining to the introduction of S. 5183 are printed in today's Record under "Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.")
War Powers Resolution (Executive Session)
Page S4355 · Official textFinally, on the Iran WPR, as Trump plays keyboard warrior on Truth Social in his war with Iran, our men and women in uniform are risking their lives on the frontlines.
This aimless war has been one of the greatest foreign policy catastrophes in American history, and Trump's mess only gets worse with every passing hour.
Trump said the war would last a week, but American servicemembers are still getting killed 5 months later, and the war seems to be expanding with Iran's latest attack in Egypt's territory.
Senate Republicans cannot sit on the sidelines as Trump's war escalates out of control. Later today, Democrats will advance another War Powers Resolution so we can get our troops out of danger and end this war once and for all.
Will Senate Republicans keep helping Trump dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole in Iran or will they finally show some backbone, grab a shovel, and help Trump get out of this hole?
Republicans, do your duty to our servicemembers, to the American people, and to your own conscience. Vote for our War Powers Resolution to end this disaster.
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. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Legislative Session
Page S4355 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services Relating to "Restoring Flexibility In...
Pages S4355–S4356 · Official textPROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO "RESTORING FLEXIBILITY IN THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF)"--Motion to Proceed
Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 533, S.J. Res. 199.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the joint resolution by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (312 characters)
Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 533, S.J. Res. 199, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)".
I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays are ordered.
The Senator from Washington.
Mr. President, while President Trump's top priorities are $1.5 trillion in war spending and a golden ballroom, those are not the priorities that American families are focused on. Everywhere I go, I hear from families about the crushing cost of childcare, so it is no surprise to me that 80 percent of voters say the high cost of childcare is a major problem. This is at the beating heart of our economy. If Mom and Dad don't have affordable, high-quality childcare, Mom and Dad can't go to work.
But while Trump has plunged us into an affordability crisis, a war that no one asked for, all while families are struggling to get by, he is hell-bent on making our country's childcare crisis even worse. Right now, Trump's HHS ended a 7-percent copayment cap on childcare costs for the very low-income families who already receive Federal childcare support. This is already a very modest Federal program that needs to be supersized in order to meet the needs of every child who needs it. Even with this program, many households are paying more than 20 percent of their household income on childcare costs.
When Democrats put forward this policy, we said no family who qualifies for this subsidy should pay more than 7 percent of their income for childcare. Trump tore that up.
We should be having a debate about how we increase childcare funding. How about, instead of a $1.5 trillion war budget, we make sure every working family in America can afford childcare. Well, Trump's tariffs already tax diapers, formula, and the car seat. Now he is coming for commonsense childcare policies, taking us in the wrong direction at a time when families need affordable childcare more than ever. If Trump had simply done nothing and left the 7-percent cap in place, some of these families would have ended up saving as much as $15,000 a year for their family.
This is really a slap in the face to moms and dads all over the country--and to childcare providers, who are already stretched thin to make their budgets work and keep their doors open and keep qualified employees in a field that has very high turnover.
The good news: Congress can now force Trump to reverse course on this--today, right now. Very soon, we are going to be voting on my resolution to overturn Trump's anti-childcare rule and bring back that 7 percent income cap. This shouldn't be controversial. You are either voting to lower childcare costs or to increase them.
Not too long ago, President Trump said openly that he believes--and I am going to quote him--we can't afford daycare; we have to pay for war.
We can afford childcare. Trump just wants to use our taxpayer dollars to fund war and tax cuts for billionaires. Trump says we can't afford childcare, but he is wrong.
The truth is, we can't afford to ignore childcare. I know that investment in childcare is an investment in our families and an investment in a stronger economy.
To my colleagues: If you vote to let this rule stand, own it. Go home and tell the parents in your State you voted to raise their childcare bill. You cannot call yourself pro-family while voting to make it more expensive to raise one. You just can't.
That is why I am calling on my colleagues to join me today and pass this resolution.
Every Senator is going to cast a vote today on a simple question: Should working parents pay more for childcare or less? Donald Trump wants them to pay more--more at the pump, more at the grocery store, and now more to drop the child off at daycare. Now the Senate will give its answers, and I promise you this: Parents are watching and parents remember.
To my colleagues: Vote for the moms. Vote for the dads. Vote for the kid in the back seat at the 7 a.m. dropoff. When childcare costs as much as the mortgage, whose side are you on?
So, again, I urge my colleagues to vote yes to lower childcare costs.
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. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from New York.
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN OR AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--Motion to Discharge
Pages S4356–S4357 · Official textDIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN OR AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--Motion to Discharge
Mr. President, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546(a) and in accordance with section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act, I move to discharge the Committee on Foreign Relations from further consideration of S.J. Res. 181.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (253 characters)
Motion to discharge from the Committee on Foreign Relations, S.J. Res. 181, a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays are ordered.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, I rise in support of my legislation to end President Trump's unauthorized, illegal war with Iran. This war will go down in history as one of the greatest strategic failures in modern American history.
It was launched without a clear plan, executed without a coherent strategy, and has become a costly, self-inflicted disaster for the American people. Every justification that we were given for this conflict has proven hollow.
We were told that Iran's nuclear program would be eliminated. Instead, Iran still holds nuclear material, and its leaders may be more determined than ever to build a weapon.
We were told that the Iranian regime would crumble; instead, it now holds new leverage of the world's energy supply in the Strait of Hormuz.
We were told this President would bring peace and lower prices; instead, he has given us war, pain, and higher prices.
New York families are struggling to afford groceries and keep up with the rent, and what is President Trump doing? Pouring billions of tax dollars into an open-ended war in Iran. This reckless war is driving up monthly bills and making everyday life harder for working families.
This administration demands billions for wars abroad, then claims we can't afford to improve our schools or repair our roads or lower the cost of healthcare for millions of Americans.
President Trump has made it clear that he doesn't factor in how Americans are doing financially, but the families I represent feel it every single day. Every time they fill the gas tank and watch the numbers climb, New Yorkers are being forced to pay a premium for this President's instability.
According to data from the Joint Economic Committee, the average family has to pay an additional $432 on gas alone since this war began. Statewide, that is an extra $2 billion at the pump. Let me repeat that. That is an extra $2 billion at the pump.
Nationwide, Americans have paid $60 billion more on gas. Every time I go home, I hear from constituents about their concerns: the cost of healthcare, the cost of gas, the cost to keep lights on, and put food on the table.
Those are the conversations happening in kitchens across America. That is what we should be focused on here in Washington, not dropping bombs around the world. And let us not forget there is a human cost to this war that no dollar figure could ever capture.
Our servicemembers did not volunteer to be pawns in a chaotic, unauthorized war with no plan and no end in sight. Eighteen American heroes have already paid the ultimate sacrifice. Eighteen families have been shattered.
Just last week, New York lost one of our own: SGT Angel Rampersad of Queens.
Sergeant Rampersad was a true patriot who begged her mother to let her enlist the moment she was old enough. She served this country courageously and honorably for more than 6 years before she was killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan.
Our servicemembers take one of the most dangerous jobs there is. In return, we owe them a sacred obligation. We do not send them into harm's way without a clear mission, defined objectives, and the support of the American people. The President's war with Iran is a betrayal of that obligation. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve more. They deserve better.
So I ask my colleagues: How many more servicemembers will we lose? How many more billions of dollars must families pay at the pump? How many more empty promises must be made from an out-of-control administration before this body finally acts?
Under the Constitution, we have the power to end this war today. Let's use it. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Lummis)
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the question is on the motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 199.
The yeas and nays have been previously ordered.
The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.
The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
The result was announced--yeas 47, nays 52, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (783 characters)
Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons 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 Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden
Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young
McConnell
The motion was rejected.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty)
The Democratic leader.
Mr. President, I will be brief.
Nearly half a year into Trump's ruinous war with Iran, the conflict is widening instead of winding down. More countries get dragged into the mix, more fronts open up, and more Americans get killed and injured.
The American people have made it clear: No one wants this war to go on.
A new poll, this morning, found only a fifth--a fifth--of the American people, including less than half of the Republicans, want the war to continue.
Are our Senate Republicans listening?
The country is clamoring for you to end this war and to bring our troops home--something you can do right now by voting for Senator Gillibrand's War Powers Resolution.
Is Trump so intimidating, so untouchable that Republicans will keep siding with him instead of the 80 percent of Americans calling for the fighting to end?
The biggest thing standing between our troops and home is a Republican Party that is too afraid to cross the President.
Congress can break this vicious cycle of escalation Trump started in Iran, and this War Powers Resolution is how we do it.
I urge--I plead--with my Republican colleagues to listen to the American people. Vote to end this war. We are going to keep forcing Republicans to vote until you do.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the question is on agreeing to the motion to discharge S.J. Res. 181.
The yeas and nays have been previously ordered.
The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
The result was announced--yeas 49, nays 50, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (783 characters)
Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden
Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fetterman Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young
McConnell
The motion was rejected.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
On this vote, the yeas are 49, the nays are 50. The motion is not agreed to.
The motion was rejected.
Executive Session
Page S4357 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate will resume executive session.
The Senator from Florida.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3101 (Executive Session)
Pages S4357–S4359 · Official textMr. President, I rise today to ask unanimous consent to pass the SAFE KIDS Act. I want to thank my colleagues who have joined me in this effort as cosponsors: Senators Lee, Blackburn, Banks, Sullivan, Ricketts, Lummis, Budd, Rounds, Kennedy, Moody, and Sheehy.
This bill is real simple. It is about protecting the integrity of American citizenship. It is also about our protecting children from exploitation and trafficking, and it is about closing a dangerous loophole that our foreign adversaries are using to undermine our national security right now.
To be an American citizen is one of the greatest privileges in the world. It is a sacred covenant between an individual and our Nation. It comes with rights, privileges, and immunities that people around the world would do anything to have. It also comes with the responsibility to protect and defend those liberties for future generations.
Right now, our Nation is vulnerable because foreign adversaries have found a backdoor around our immigration laws. Right now, citizens of foreign adversarial nations can have children born on American soil and as citizens through surrogacy. They actually never have to come into our country. Think about how insane this is.
Under the current system, a foreign adversary could arrange a surrogacy contract to have a child born in America and be given all the privileges of being counted as one of us. Then they can take that child back to their home country and raise that child under the influence of a regime that hates America. It is getting all the perks of American citizenship without any responsibility. It is taking a future voter and raising them in a country that wants to destroy our way of life. We can't let that happen.
Think about the Ayatollah in Iran. He could arrange a contract with an American surrogate. The child could get American citizenship at birth, be taken back to Iran, and be raised by a regime that chants "Death to America." Then, years later, that child could come back to the United States as an American citizen.
That is not some farfetched, science fiction scenario; it is exactly the kind of vulnerability our foreign adversaries look for. The Chinese Communist Party has already demonstrated that it will exploit every weakness in our laws and institutions to advance its interest. Recent reporting has exposed disturbing examples of wealthy Chinese nationals exploiting American surrogacy arrangements to father more than 100 children born in the United States.
We should be asking: What happens to these children? Who raises them? What are they taught. What country are they taught to love? And what happens when they are old enough to return to the United States? Could they attend our universities? Could they serve in our military? Could they receive security clearances? Could they run for President? These are real questions and a real vulnerability we face if we don't act today.
We should not be creating a pipeline through which foreign adversaries can exploit American citizenship, raise American citizens under hostile, foreign influence, and potentially bring them back into our country as Americans.
But this is about more than national security; it is about children. We have already seen the heartbreaking consequences when an international surrogacy arrangement goes wrong. I have seen it right here in my own State.
A recent dispute in St. Augustine, FL--it is hard to believe--involving a surrogate mother fighting for paternal rights demonstrates the devastating legal and emotional consequences when kids are treated like this. Kyla Simpson had triplets almost 2 years ago. Now she is fighting her way through court for custody of them because the Chinese national on the surrogacy contract didn't show up.
Let me make sure I tell you how this bill works, what it does and doesn't do. It doesn't ban surrogacy. It doesn't ban IVF. It doesn't take away women's rights. It doesn't interfere with Americans who use surrogacy or IVF to build their families. These are all separate debates. This bill is very narrow. It is focused on commercial surrogacy arrangements involving our country's most dangerous foreign enemies. This is about preventing hostile foreign regimes from exploiting legal loopholes to obtain American-born children.
My SAFE KIDS Act would do two simple things: It would invalidate commercial surrogacy contracts involving designated foreign adversaries, including China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Second, it would create a misdemeanor penalty for any broker who knowingly facilitates one of these prohibited arrangements. The way surrogacy works, there are groups that organize surrogacy contracts.
I cannot imagine why any Senator would oppose closing this loophole. Every Senator in this Chamber should be alarmed that this is currently possible under our laws. We should not wait for communist China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea to further exploit the vulnerability before we close it.
American citizenship cannot be bought. American children are not commodities. You do not need to be born here to be an American, but you do have to love what we have built. And we should never allow our foreign adversaries to turn our laws into weapons against the American people.
I urge my colleagues to support the SAFE KIDS Act.
Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 3101 and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration. Further, I ask that the bill be read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Illinois.
Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I have been in the House and the Senate for quite a while. I have written a lot of bills and amendments. I have read even more.
I am absolutely confounded by the language of this proposal, S. 3101, by my friend and colleague from Florida. There are so many issues bouncing around in this proposal of a serious nature that we would be foolish to do this by voice vote here immediately in the Senate. This deserves a real hearing, a real investigation, because it involves a lot of elements that affect many people personally, many families personally. We are talking about reproductive rights. We are talking about personal freedom.
I don't have a medical license. Some of my colleagues like to practice medicine on the floor of the Senate. I tend to listen to the experts on the subject. But I want to put this in perspective, if I can, for a moment.
At issue here is the issue of surrogacy. How do I explain that in a few words as a layman? It is basically a person who says: This may not be a fertilized fetus that I have been responsible for creating, but I am willing to allow my body to have this fetus during the gestational period until its birth.
That is the surrogacy involved in it.
Let's put this into perspective for a moment, if we can. How many live births are there in the United States each year? There are 3.6 million.
First, let's go in vitro fertilization because that is part of this conversation too. How many in vitro fertilization births are there out of the 3.6 million births in this country? There were 100,000--2.6 percent--in 2023 that were in vitro fertilization
Surrogacy. How many gestational surrogacy births in the United States are there each year? I would ask the Senator from Florida. He may know, but I will tell him. It is somewhere between 5- and 6,000. It is a fraction of a percentage.
Now, involved in this debate is the belief by some that we should allow no surrogacy. I am not one of those people.
Let me tell you a story of a family I know. Husband--father and mother decided they wanted to have a family. They went to great lengths through IVF so that she could become pregnant. It was a tragedy to them personally when they lost the baby late in the pregnancy. She was crushed.
Her sister, who is a medical doctor, said: It appears you have some problems with delivering a child. Let me suggest to you that if you go through IVF, I will be the surrogate mother and carry the baby for you and your husband.
They agreed. She went forward with it. And wouldn't you know, shortly afterward, the IVF worked for the original mother, and she became pregnant as well. So sisters were pregnant by the same father and mother in this situation. It was an act of kindness and courage on the part of her sister to help them out. If you saw them in the park today with their little boy and little girl, you wouldn't pick them out of a crowd, but through IVF and through surrogacy, they have a family that they dreamed of.
I think that is the right thing to do--legally and morally the right thing to do. Surrogacy has its place. It is an exceptional procedure. When there are 5- or 6,000 a year in America, it is certainly not one that really can be argued is part of any large conspiracy.
But there are actually--we have had hearings in the Judiciary Committee--there are actually Republicans who believe--listen to this; it sounds preposterous--they believe there is some kind of effort in a nation like China to have babies born in the United States and then bring them back to China and prepare them to come back to the United States someday to undermine our government or something. We have had hearings on that. When you ask them "How can you prove what you just said?" they have no evidence. But it is a conspiracy theory, and it is part of the calculation behind this amendment.
This bill is purportedly about protecting our national security from foreign adversaries and protecting children from exploitation and trafficking. If you want to introduce a bill to deal with trafficking or exploitation of children or others, count me in, but this bill goes so much further.
The Senator from Florida pointed out at one point a horrifying story of more than 20 children birthed by surrogate mothers. In one case, they were found abused and neglected in a home outside of Los Angeles.
I am not in favor of those abuses. I join him in stopping human trafficking. But this bill would not stop child abuse or trafficking. It would not prevent espionage by foreign adversaries. This bill will do nothing to prevent the situation that I just described in Los Angeles.
Instead of targeting bad actors, this bill would restrict who can access or enter into surrogacy contracts based solely on the nationality of the parties involved. This bill is not only grounded in an objection to birthright citizenship but in some sort of a weird, unusual, national security theory that goes behind this.
For the record, the Supreme Court has decided on birthright citizenship. And for the record, the 14th Amendment is as clear as can be: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States. The Supreme Court did not take long to agree with that, and I think that is part of the objection that is behind this amendment--the objection to that Supreme Court decision.
Instead of targeting bad actors, this bill would restrict who can access or enter into surrogacy contracts based solely on the nationality of the parties involved.
This bill voids all surrogacy agreements between a surrogate parent who is inside the United States at the time of the birth or who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and a prospective parent who is a national or resident of certain countries.
The bill criminalizes assisting with making or executing such a surrogacy agreement in any way.
The bill's plan would impact all surrogacy agreements with nationals from Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. It does not allow for consideration of how long these parties have been in the United States or the nature of the surrogacy agreement. For example, it would prevent an Iranian asylum seeker and her spouse from starting a family.
After the U.S. Supreme Court decision holding birthright citizenship as the law of the land, this bill reads like the latest MAGA conspiracy attempt to achieve what they were unable to achieve in the Supreme Court--ending birthright citizenship.
State lawmakers from Florida and Texas are using similar legislation to chip away at access to reproductive rights. There was a controversy, and you may remember it, as to whether or not in vitro fertilization is consistent with MAGA principles. They ultimately announced that it was, that IVF was fine, but that just shows you that they have run into a number of cases already where the principles do not bear out the reality of life in America.
Some are pushing to ban surrogacy altogether. The case I gave you is a good illustration in my mind of why we shouldn't do that.
They argue that the surrogacy agreement amounts to slavery and violated the 13th Amendment, a preposterous argument. Voiding and criminalizing surrogacy agreements with nationals from certain countries looks like the first step in a broader troubling plan to restrict surrogacy.
Countless couples, families, and individuals facing fertility challenges rely on access to surrogacy and other reproductive services to have children.
Most people seeking surrogacy in the United States are Americans. Some are foreign nationals who reside in the United States; others are foreigners who are turning to surrogacy in the United States because of limited access in their home countries.
I support thoughtful efforts to ensure that access to surrogacy in the United States is not exploited by those seeking to abuse our laws. This bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee on which I serve and am ranking member.
I would be happy to work with the Senator from Florida on the complex issues that he raises with the amendment. We won't agree on everything, but we certainly would agree when we talk about exploitation and human trafficking.
This bill does nothing to address those two issues, which are a major concern for me as well as the sponsor.
I hope we can work together to come up with something meaningful in the weeks ahead, and for that reason, I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The objection is heard.
The Senator from Florida.
Mr. President, so first off, I appreciate the comments from my colleague from Illinois. I look forward to working with him to try to solve this.
Let's remember what this is about. This is not about IVF. IVF has been a very positive experience for my family. It doesn't impact a surrogacy for an American citizen.
Actually, surrogacy has impacted my family and friends, so those are important opportunities for Americans to have children.
What this bill says, though, is if you are a national from people that want to destroy our way of life, you could be Xi in China, you could be Putin in Russia, you could be Kim Jong Un in North Korea, you could be the Ayatollah, you will not have the right to have a child in this country by surrogacy. They don't even have to show up in this country, and they could have a child. Why would they do that when they could do it in their own country? It doesn't make any sense to me.
So this is a problem. We need to resolve it. It has been a problem in this country. It has been a problem in my home State, and I look forward to working with my colleague from Illinois to solve it.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Colorado.
Colorado Wildfires (Executive Session)
Pages S4359–S4360 · Official textMr. President, June 27 was one of the worst days in recent Colorado history. As the Knowles fire rolled along the Colorado-Utah border, the Rifle Helitack team put on their uniforms and rushed toward danger. While battling the blaze, one firefighter was badly injured and four others--Nick Hutcherson, Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nathan Matthews--ultimately lost their lives.
There is bravery--and then there is wildland firefighting. The word "hero" gets used a lot. Nick, Emily, Sydney, and Nathan embodied that word.
They came from across the country to Colorado to form a unit united by one common mission: protecting lives, protecting property, and the landscapes we all cherish.
Their commitment to our public lands wasn't a hobby; it was their life's work. Together, they collectively spent decades fighting fires. And as dedicated as they were to their vocation, they were equally devoted to their friends and to their families, making this loss even more devastating.
Our hearts break for these firefighters and their families and all who loved them. These families deserve answers, and we need to understand what went wrong so we can prevent future tragedies.
That is why I am calling on the Department of the Interior to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into what happened, including whether the administration's recent shift to the Wildland Fire Service played any role in this event.
This isn't about playing politics or gotcha, trying to find blame. With wildfires still raging across Colorado, we can't afford to wait months and months to learn lessons that could save lives right now.
Colorado's firefighting community is close-knit. They are almost like an athletic team. The loss of one firefighter is felt by everyone. The loss of four is quite simply unimaginable. So we have to get to the bottom of what happened and do everything we can to make sure that we prevent a repeat tragedy.
As we do that, we are also mourning the loss of Nicholas Dale of British Columbia. Nicholas was a helicopter pilot who was tragically killed while battling a fire near Ouray in southwest Colorado. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as well.
Last month, I traveled to the Snyder fire command post, and there I met with some of Nick, Emily, Sydney, and Nate's fellow firefighters and heard some of their stories. It brought me back to my time as Governor, standing with crews after a terrible tragedy. The heartbreak never gets easier; it only gets worse over time.
And Colorado's wildfires keep getting worse too. In the 1990s, Colorado averaged 13 wildfires a year. By the 2020s, that number has climbed from 13 to 70 a year. And that is why I am here today--because we have a responsibility, all of us, regardless of politics, to prevent wildfires, to protect our communities, and to help people recover from disasters.
We know we are not going to stop every wildfire, but we also know that many of the worst wildfires could have been less destructive if we had taken certain commonsense steps sooner, both from a shorter and a longer term perspective.
First, we need to treat climate change like the emergency it is, and that is a long-term horizon but an important one. On a visit outside of Leadville earlier this year, one individual told our office that the annual snowpack averaged 240 inches. That is 20 feet. The thinnest snowpack in that equal period, that last 100 years--and, again, these are data collected every March for 100 years--the smallest, thinnest snowpack was 182 inches--not 240, which was the average--but 182 inches, roughly 15 feet. Two-hundred forty inches is 20 feet.
This winter, it was about 60 inches. That is 5 feet. So the average was 20 feet, the alltime low in 100 years was 15 feet, and suddenly this year it is 5 feet.
And this isn't an isolated incident. Colorado is facing its worst drought in 1,200 years, according to sediments from the Grand Canyon. Let me say that again because it is hard to believe. Colorado is facing its worst drought in 1,200 years. That means you have to go back to the 9th century to find drought conditions this bad in Colorado.
Lake Mead and Lake Powell, two of our biggest reservoirs in the West, have now fallen to their lowest levels on record. If the water in Lake Powell falls just another 33 feet, we will hit what they call the power pool, meaning that point where there won't be enough water to generate hydroelectric power.
Not every wildfire is caused by climate change, but scientists widely agree that climate change is making the problem far worse. Heat, drought, a moisture-starved atmosphere all increase wildfire risk, and each of these factors can be connected back to climate change.
Since joining the Senate, tackling wildfires and drought has been among my top priorities. That is why we passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included the largest climate investment in American history. We won $4 billion for the Colorado River Basin and $8 billion for western water infrastructure.
We have brought Senators from seven States together to form the Colorado River Caucus, a bipartisan caucus, to build consensus on how to use our shared resources, and we have introduced legislation that would help manage our forests better as well.
Overgrown woodlands are tinderboxes that let wildfires spread faster and farther, but too often government bureaucracy blocks the projects that we most need in order to reduce that risk before disaster strikes.
Together with Senators Alex Padilla, John Curtis, and Tim Sheehy, we introduced the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. The idea is simple: streamline forest management and speed up new technologies for wildfire prevention, detection, and response.
Our bill has passed through committee, and it is waiting for a full vote on the Senate floor. It shouldn't take another tragedy for the Senate to act. We need to pass Fix Our Forests now.
Solving our drought and our wildfire challenges requires cooperation across every level of government, but recently, that cooperation has been strained. Last year, the Trump administration froze over $150 million in already-obligated funding for 17 Colorado water and drought resiliency projects. At a time of unprecedented drought, that is quite simply unconscionable.
We refused to accept it, and we pushed the administration to release that money. So far, we have gotten roughly two-thirds of the funds released. We will not stop pushing until Colorado communities get every dollar they are entitled to.
Colorado is also home to one of the world's great scientific resources, the National Center for Atmosphere Research, which is in Boulder, CO. For years, NCAR has given weather, climate, and wildfire forecasts that firefighters and emergency managers rely on to fight disasters. And we are going to keep fighting for NCAR and for science.
And, finally, solving our wildfire problem and responding to disasters requires all of us to work together.
So I want to, for a moment, just speak directly to our President. Last summer, one of the largest wildfires in Colorado history tore through Rio Blanco County. President Trump should know this county well. Can't expect him to know every county, but this is a special county. They love him. They voted overwhelmingly to support him in 2024, but there are now a lot less campaign signs there than there were in 2024.
When Colorado filed a disaster declaration to help these same people rebuild and prevent future tragedies, the White House denied their request. These are people who did everything right their entire lives, only to lose it all in a natural disaster. They paid their taxes, believing that if the worst ever did happen, their government would be there for them.
I think President Trump broke that promise. Disasters should never be political, but this administration has politicized it. And if you are a Republican living in a blue State, you had better hope that disaster doesn't strike your community or, if you live in a red State and our next President happens to be a Democrat, you better hope this new Democratic President doesn't stick to these new rules created by President Trump.
The President has approved 80 percent of disaster requests from Republican Governors but only about 60 percent from Democratic Governors. That is not normal. To my knowledge, that has never happened before at that scale.
Under prior administrations, the approval rate was roughly the same no matter which way a State had voted. And that is the way it should be. That is the way it has to be in a democracy. Politics should never decide whether you can rebuild your house after a fire.
The Aspen Acres fire in south-central Colorado has already destroyed over 300 houses. Colorado is slowly getting that fire under control, thanks to the brave firefighters who are working day and night, addressing it.
It is the seventh-largest wildfire in State history, and we are grateful FEMA has authorized fire management assistance grants for that fire, as well as for the Gold Mountain fire and the Willow fire.
The Aspen Acres fire will likely require a major disaster declaration. If it does, we will push this administration with everything we have to make sure Colorado gets the resources it needs and deserves.
We are also fighting to take politics out of disaster relief. Congress needs to pass our bipartisan Disaster Declaration Transparency Act. It gives Congress the power to review disaster relief denials driven--or at least apparently driven--by politics because disaster relief should never be political.
In the meantime, it is important that every single Coloradan do their part to help reduce wildfire risks. They have got to follow local restrictions, practice campfire safety, and create defensible space around their property.
On a recent trip to Beulah--which was engulfed by the Aspen Acres fire--I saw firsthand the devastation that wildfires leave behind.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Will the Senator wrap up his comments, please.
Mr. President, block after block, all that remained was heavy smoke and heartbreak, charred chimneys, and maybe a hearth here and there.
Drought and wildfires aren't going away. Unless we act, they will only become more frequent, more destructive, and more expensive. That is why we need to work together on commonsense solutions to make everything we do safer.
That is why we are fighting here. That is what we are fighting for here in Washington, and I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort.
I yield the floor.
Vote on S. Res. 817 (Executive Session)
Page S4360 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The question is on adoption of the resolution.
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 bill clerk called the roll.
The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).
The result was announced--yeas 50, nays 47, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,073 characters)
Armstrong Banks Barrasso Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tuberville Wicker Young
Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons 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 Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden
Blackburn
McConnell
Tillis
The executive resolution (S. Res. 817) was agreed to.
(The executive resolution is printed in the Record of July 23, 2026, under "Submitted Resolutions.")
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Ernst). Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table.
Legislative Session
Page S4360 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senate will resume legislative session.
The Senator from Alaska.
AGOA EXTENSION ACT--Motion to Proceed
Pages S4360–S4365 · Official textMadam President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (251 characters)
Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes.
Madam President, I come to the floor today to congratulate my friend and former colleague in the Alaska State Legislature. This is an individual for whom I have great respect, Senator Lyman Hoffman.
Senator Hoffman is retiring after nearly four decades of service to Alaska. Few legislators leave behind legacies that are measured not only by their years of service but by the generations of lives they have improved. Senator Hoffman--the alltime longest serving member of the Alaska State Legislature--is one of those rare public servants.
Throughout his nearly 40 years in office, Lyman has dedicated himself to improving the lives of Alaskans, particularly those in our State's most remote and underserved communities. It has truly made a difference for them.
Everyone who has spent time in the capital city of Juneau knows exactly where the center of gravity has been. It has been with Lyman.
We have all come to appreciate and value his experience, his knowledge, and, really, the wisdom the man has. At first, you wouldn't expect it, as he comes across as kind of a quiet guy with a gruff, deep voice. It is true to say he is a man of not too many words, but he is also a man who knows just exactly the right thing to say and the right time to say it.
There have been many a legislator who have found themselves in some pretty tense budget negotiations in the senate finance committee. Senator Hoffman holds the gavel there. And in those settings, he can unnerve the most senior lawmaker just by sitting very quietly through an entire committee meeting before offering just a few choice words.
When Lyman does speak, everybody listens because, again, he has this remarkable--almost uncanny--ability to cut through the politics and just focus on what really matters. And that is Lyman. You aren't going to win a staring contest with him, but he can steer an entire negotiation with just a few carefully chosen words.
As the longtime cochair of the senate finance committee, Senator Hoffman has become one of our State's most influential leaders. Through administrations and periods of economic uncertainty, he has earned bipartisan respect for his careful stewardship of public resources, deep institutional knowledge, and the ability to build practical consensus.
And perhaps the accomplishment for which Senator Hoffman will be best remembered is Alaska's Power Cost Equalization Endowment. He worked, actually alongside, my father Gov. Frank Murkowski, and Lyman secured the long-term future of a program that helps make electricity more affordable in rural Alaska. Out in these regions, costs can be astonishingly high and can take up to half of a household's budget. But, today, PCE is a major success. Its endowment exceeds over a billion dollars, and it continues to serve families and schools and health clinics and businesses across rural Alaska.
Lyman is a little bit predictable, and I say that because I could always--always--count on Lyman Hoffman to ask me the hard questions. And I would give my annual address to the legislature, and Lyman would be sitting in the back of the chamber there. He would raise his hand, and he would say "What are you doing to make energy cheaper?" or "What are you doing to help rural Alaskans?"
And I always knew it was coming. I always knew it was coming because Lyman was consistent that way. He was practical and he was purposeful and his clear focus--"What are you doing to help rural Alaskans?" "What are you doing to help lower energy costs?"--that helped guide me here on my own in the Senate.
Because what Senator Hoffman understands is that energy policy is not just kilowatts and price per barrel; it is about whether families can afford to heat their homes, whether elders can stay warm in the wintertime, and whether communities have the opportunity to grow. And, again, this is where Lyman made his mark.
As a leading advocate for Alaska's statewide weatherization program, he helped secure more than $600 million to make homes more efficient for Alaskans. And, again, his work reflected a very simple belief: that every Alaskan, no matter where you live, deserves a safe, warm home.
From the days that we served in the State legislature to the present, Lyman Hoffman has represented not only his district--which covers Southwest Alaska and out in the Aleutians--but really he helped all rural Alaska with genuine distinction and giving them voice, giving them hope, and delivering real results.
And just as important as those results is the example Lyman has set as a public servant. He has demonstrated that lasting public policy is built through collaboration, rather than division. His influence extended far beyond the bills that he passed, shaping both the great State that he loves, the individuals who have served alongside him, and those that will follow him.
And as I speak to Senator Hoffman's impressive legacy, I also want to acknowledge that no public servant achieves these things alone. Behind every legislative session, every late-night budget negotiation, and every year devoted to serving Alaska, stood some key people--certainly his staff over the years, but always--always--Senator Hoffman's family. His wife Lillian was always there. His children Trina and Douglas--I know that the family made countless quiet, meaningful sacrifices to make all this work possible. So you too deserve to be recognized.
Alaska is stronger because Senator Lyman Hoffman chose to dedicate his life to others, and his work will continue to benefit our State for generations to come.
So congratulations, Lyman Hoffman--my friend Lyman. Thank you. At some point--at some point--the special legislative sessions will end, and you will be able to conclude this incredible chapter of service to our State. And when that day arrives and long into the future, Alaskans will remember you. We will celebrate you, and we will remain grateful for all that you have done.
I yield the floor.
And I thank the Senator from Wyoming for the opportunity to speak.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Wyoming.
I thank the Senator from Alaska for visiting about a local legislator. They are tremendously important to all of us.
Madam President, yesterday I addressed this Chamber because we are wasting time we do not have to get the digital asset market structure bill passed, the bill called the Clarity Act. It is a strong bipartisan path forward that we have, and it is the best way for us to give digital assets, especially in this country, the certainty they need and ensure the United States leads on digital asset innovation.
The way to do it is through bipartisan support of this bill. And, again, this is a very good bill, a bill created out of necessity because the status quo does not work.
My friend Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and I released the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act together in 2022 to give the U.S. industry the regulatory clarity it needs to thrive on U.S. soil, to give consumers the confidence they need to participate in our digital economy, and give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on illicit finance and hold bad actors accountable.
That 168-page bill would become the foundation for the Clarity Act. A year later, in 2023, we added 100 pages with stronger consumer protection provisions. Yet, we got feedback from colleagues that they wanted more. So, again, we listened.
Today, this bill that was under 300 pages is more than 600 pages. That is hundreds of pages built over 11 months of daily bipartisan negotiations in windowless rooms where colleagues from both parties shared their priorities, and we worked diligently to incorporate them.
Title I alone has 33 separate Democrat-driven edits. We added 23 new sections on illicit finance at Democrats' request. Democrats secured another 30 wins in the CFTC portion of the bill. Plus, we created the three entirely new titles they wanted. And that is all before we even get to ethics, where the President bent over backwards to get my Democrat colleagues to a "yes."
We have 100 clear examples of compromise, and yet for some this still isn't enough. Holding out for a perfect bill stopped being principled months ago. It has become an excuse not to legislate at all, and the people who pay for that excuse aren't in this room. They are the people we are about to talk about: the digital asset industry and the consumers who wish to participate with confidence in this digital economy, not to mention the future generations who will miss out because too many in this Chamber said: Not yet. I am not ready. I have got an election in November. Don't want to do it.
The status quo in this industry doesn't work. It is not working for the digital asset industry or law enforcement or consumers.
We have already watched exchanges collapse with no functioning bankruptcy framework built for this asset class. And we have already watched ordinary people stand in line for years waiting on bankruptcy courts to claw back pennies on the dollar of what they lost.
When Celsius and Voyager went bankrupt, customer deposits didn't stay customer deposits. They became assets in a bankruptcy pool, fought over by creditors who had never even heard of the people who actually owned those assets. More than 4 million Americans lost access to their own money in 2022 because we don't have the protections the Clarity Act puts in place, and thousands of them are still sorting through bankruptcy claims today.
That is what no regulation looks like. That is not a hypothetical or a talking point. That is real people suffering real losses, real years spent in bankruptcy court fighting for money that should never have been up for grabs in the first place.
Customers will, once again, be put in a nasty fight with Wall Street law firms that they have no hope to win.
If you believe in consumer protection, we must pass this bill to give consumers the protection in bankruptcy they deserve.
Not passing this bill means everyone in this Chamber will have to deservedly hang their heads the next time a crypto exchange collapses--because there will be a next time, absent regulation. No one in this Chamber gets to act surprised by that.
It already happened. And if we don't get our acts together, it is going to happen again to our constituents under the exact same broken rules while we all sit here debating whether a bill with over 100 Democratic wins is still somehow not good enough.
Another FTX is not a hypothetical we are guarding against; it is a guaranteed outcome of leaving this industry with no custody rules, no consumer protections, and no consequences when a platform fails people.
And, by the way, foreign adversaries aren't just waiting around for us to finish deliberating. They are moving money through the exact gaps this bill closes--right now, today--while we hold out for something more perfect than what is already sitting on the table.
To those who have already said they are a "no" vote, let me be clear: A "no" vote isn't a statement against President Trump because he has already given you what you asked for. It is a vote to keep American consumers inside a system we already know to be flawed on a theory that the fix wasn't good enough. It is a vote to drive American innovation, American jobs, and American oversight of this jurisdiction to Singapore or the UAE or whichever jurisdiction is happy to take what we are too foolish to accept.
That is the actual choice that faces us, not Republicans versus Democrats. It is fixed or flawed. It is America leading or America sidelined.
We have served up this win for you and set it in front of you--over 100 wins in the base bill, an ethics agreement no other President in American history has volunteered. And by someone who didn't even have to give an inch but did it because he believes that much in American innovation and what this asset class can bring for generations is worth protecting.
Take it. Take it. Stop finding reasons not to.
I know that if we fail here, this doesn't come back next year or the year after that. The realistic next change at market structure legislation is likely 2030, at the earliest. In the meantime, we will lose businesses to other countries. We lose investment and jobs and tax revenue to jurisdictions moving faster than we are. We inhibit law enforcement's ability to hold bad actors accountable, and we lose our seat at the table to shape how this industry grows. At the exact same moment, we have a chance to guide it responsibly.
We didn't get here by ceding the internet to Europe, and we cannot afford to cede digital assets the same way, especially now that we have already done the hard work--5\1/2\ years--putting this bill together.
The window to lead right now is wide open. The end zone is inches away. But that window will not stay open for a body that continues to respond to opportunity with: Not yet. I have got an election. I don't want to take a stand.
Opportunity waits for no one.
Let's cinch up. Let's punch the ball into the end zone and pass the CLARITY Act now.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Ohio.
Madam President, I am going to take us back 100 years to August 5, 1926. It was in the midst of the Roaring Twenties. Calvin Coolidge was the President. Babe Ruth was ruling professional baseball. There was no television. Horses and cars shared the streets together. Life expectancy was 57 years. The Great Depression was still off in the future.
On August 5, 1926, a remarkable person was born, and I want to recognize him today. He is a World War II veteran and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His name is SGT Wayne Franklin Phillips, and he is approaching an extraordinary milestone--his 100th birthday. Pretty amazing. We rise today to honor him, to reflect on his service and sacrifice as part of a generation that secured the freedoms that we enjoy today.
I grew up in rural Northwest Ohio, nearly in the same neighborhood as SGT Wayne Franklin Phillips, and I am always proud of the people of rural Northwest Ohio. SGT Wayne Phillips is from Henry County, where he was born and raised on a farm and became a farmer in an area outside a small town--Hamler, OH--alongside his three brothers and three sisters.
If you are ever in Hamler, OH, it is one of those places that are the heart of agriculture in Ohio. You can see to the horizon in all four directions, and I know the Presiding Officer from Iowa understands what I mean by that. It is just farmland as far as you can see.
He graduated from Hamler High School at the age of 17, and he joined the Army's 81st Readiness Division just months after receiving his high school diploma. Of course he did. That is what a lot of people his age did during that period of time.
During his military service, Sergeant Phillips was briefly involved in the Battle of the Bulge. I think all of us who study our history know that was one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the American forces in World War II and really was the final battle to defeat Hitler's Nazis.
Over the course of 41 days, hundreds of thousands of Allied troops fought to halt that Nazi offensive in Western Europe, and they were successful in winning the final battle that led to the end of World War II.
His service took him to Germany, the Philippines, and Japan. Following Japan's surrender, Sergeant Phillips quickly rose through the ranks and earned the rank of technician fourth grade, becoming the youngest man in charge of a motor pool servicing trucks and military equipment. As you might expect, farm boys from Ohio knew how to fix things, and SGT Wayne Phillips was one of those.
Like so many members of the "greatest generation," Sergeant Phillips helped defeat tyranny, liberate Europe, and preserve freedom for future generations. Because of the service and sacrifice of many Americans like him, our Nation and much of the world have enjoyed liberty and peace and prosperity for most of his life since then.
We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to our veterans and more than 400,000 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.
After being honorably discharged in 1946, Sergeant Phillips married his wife Eileen. Together, they raised three children: Wayne, Paul, and Martha. Today, he is also a proud grandfather, great-grandfather, as well as a devoted uncle.
His commitment to service did not end when he returned home. When service is in your DNA, you serve your country, you serve your family, and you move home and you serve your community, and that is exactly what he did. As a respected civic leader in Henry County, he served 16 years as a Henry County commissioner and 4 years on the Deshler Village Council.
Even as he approaches here in just a few days his 100th birthday--this may be the most amazing thing when I think about it--SGT Wayne Phillips continues to drive to work each day, at age 100, to the Phillips Oil Company, the family business that he founded and continues to operate alongside and with many members of his family. Pretty amazing. He is also a devout man of faith. He is an active member of the Deshler United Methodist Church and also a part of Deshler American Legion and the Maumee Valley Sportsman's Club.
Sadly, the number of our surviving World War II veterans grows smaller each year. I have celebrated 100th birthdays of several of them. I always love to hear their stories. You know, you put yourself in their position--17 years old and you just graduated from high school, and you decide you are going to go off and serve your country in a war. So many of that generation stepped up and did that. That is why, when we honor someone like Wayne Phillips, we honor him and many others who are part of the most consequential chapters in our Nation's history. It is our responsibility to ensure that their stories and their sacrifices are never forgotten.
I say this often: We should honor what we value. We should honor what we value. And I hope that every time any of us--and I give remarks about veterans and World War II and the sacrifices that many generations of Americans have made--that we honor that so that our children hear that service and sacrifice are valued, are important.
So on August 5, SGT Wayne Franklin Phillips will celebrate his 100th birthday. It is an honor for me to share his story with my colleagues today--a life defined by service, family, faith, community, and in support of our freedom. SGT Wayne Phillips is richly deserving of recognition as he reaches this remarkable milestone.
I thank my colleagues for allowing me to honor this extraordinary Ohioan, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to SGT Wayne Phillips on his 100th birthday.
Congratulations. We celebrate you and your service. God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from New Jersey.
Madam President, before I begin my formal remarks, I just want to stand here and give a formal apology to John Merlino. I have for years maligned him. I have disrespected, disregarded him. You know how I operate sometimes. And I just want to say he is a man of honor. I have taken him off my list, and now he is on the good list.
So just for anyone who wants to know, the U.S. senior Senator from New Jersey has praised John Merlino--perhaps for his first time because he is not a man that really generates a lot of praise usually.
So I just want you to know, before I go into my formal remarks for the day, that John Merlino--you the man.
Now, I would like for the record to separate a little bit so I can start some of my formal remarks after I have tried to redeem the soul of a friend and colleague.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Madam President, I really believe there is a reason why some of my Republican colleagues themselves have delayed the Blanche nomination, because this is actually no ordinary nomination. We haven't had a moment like this under Donald Trump where Republicans themselves have stopped the vote. Because this is not simply a vote about one man; it is a vote about whether the Department of Justice will remain independent of the President of the United States.
The Attorney General of the United States of America has one client--not a political party, not a President, not a wealthy donor, not a political movement. The Attorney General's client is the Constitution of the United States and the American people. That is the sacred obligation of that office. When they are sworn in, they do not swear an oath to the President, to Donald Trump; they swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.
Unfortunately, Todd Blanche has spent months in office demonstrating his allegiance not to our Constitution but to the President. Time and time again, he has shown that he is only capable of serving the interests of one client--Donald Trump. That is why this nomination should not simply be delayed; it should be rejected. The evidence is overwhelming.
Congress came together in a bipartisan way to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act because survivors deserved answers, they deserved justice, and the American people deserved transparency. Todd Blanche was responsible for carrying out that law. Instead, he delayed and delayed. He was stalling. And there was a release after the date and deadline prescribed by Congress that was so careless that sensitive information belonging to Epstein's survivors was exposed by the very Department that was supposed to protect them--their phone numbers, addresses, images, personal details.
Think about that. The survivors entrusted the Department of Justice with some of the most painful chapters of their lives. They deserved care. They deserved competence. They deserved honesty. They deserved an adherence to the law. Instead, they received delays, excuses, and a terrible, tragic breach of their privacy.
Then came the request of meeting with the survivors. For weeks, Mr. Blanche insisted he could not meet with them unless their attorneys were present. This was not true. A first-year law student knows that this is not true. His own Department's policies and Federal law make that clear.
When he finally did meet with them--the survivors--because a Republican Senator demanded that he do it, the survivors described the meeting as disappointing. They said they felt gaslit. They said they were skipped over. They said Mr. Blanche was condescending to the survivors of sexual assault.
Even then, when the survivors pleaded for continued investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein coconspirators, Mr. Blanche once again hid behind claims that the law prevented him from answering.
So we simply have to ask the question: Who is Todd Blanche serving here? Is he serving the survivors? No. Is he serving the interests of the Department of Justice? No. Is he serving the American people? No. But we know that he rushed to the Situation Room for high-level members of the Trump administration to strategize on how to protect the President.
It is another clear example that the person he is there to protect is Donald Trump.
(Mr. BUDD assumed the Chair.)
Last week, my Democratic colleagues held a Spotlight Forum to examine Mr. Blanche's record. We heard from a courageous Epstein survivor. We heard from ethics experts. We heard from one of Mr. Blanche's own former colleagues from the Southern District of New York. We heard from a former Justice official appointed under a Republican President--who served a Republican Senator, Senator Hatch, here in this body--who was then fired simply because he had done his job on investigations involving Robert Mueller and Jack Smith.
Different witnesses, different backgrounds, still one conclusion from every one of them: that Todd Blanche is unfit to lead the Department of Justice. And if there were any doubt, the events of recent days erased those doubts.
Mr. Blanche, in his tenure, helped negotiate a corrupt, extraordinary settlement between Donald Trump's Department of Justice and Donald Trump. We have heard from the Federal bench already that there was no controversy. Donald Trump can't be on both sides of a negotiation. That corrupt structure was exploiting the judiciary to create an environment in which there would be a settlement, and out of that settlement, we saw an unjust and untoward creation that outraged Americans all across the political spectrum. They created a slush fund.
Think about what this means: The lawyer who represented Donald Trump now oversees the Department of Justice and negotiates an agreement between Donald Trump and Donald Trump that is not merely an appearance of conflict, that is the definition of a conflict. It is precisely why the Department of Justice must be independent.
If you look at this slush fund agreement, within it, there are immunity provisions that, according to that agreement, are, to the former senior Federal prosecutor--he said that this agreement and the immunity provisions are "mind-boggling in scope." Donald Trump got a tax liability immunity that is extraordinary--mind-boggling in scope. The immunity provisions alone cover broad categories with no meaningful legal definition.
When asked about those undefined terms during his confirmation hearing, Mr. Blanche effectively acknowledged that they could encompass almost anything--anything. According to Blanche, he negotiated a deal that gave Donald Trump immunity that could cover almost any kind of tax fraud that Donald Trump or his family committed.
For Donald Trump, with his former lawyer at the head of the Justice Department, it seems like, for the President, justice has no rules, justice has no standards, justice has no limits.
When one man receives special rules unavailable to every other American, this is not justice; it is privilege. It is unjust privilege.
During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Blanche repeatedly promised that he would act independently. But independence is not something you promise; it is something you demonstrate. He has been in this position for months and has had the chance to show us not promises but actions, and at every important decision he has made, the same story comes out. Who was he serving? The Constitution or Donald Trump? The answer is unmistakable.
This vote we have in the Senate on this nominee--every Senator is going to have to eventually cast a vote, but history is going to record something much larger. It will record whether in this moment, the U.S. Senate defended the independence of American justice, the independence of the Justice Department, or did we surrender it.
Long after today's headlines are forgotten, long after today's politics have faded, one question will remain: When the independence of the Department of Justice was tested, where did we stand?
I know where I stand. I stand for a Department of Justice whose only client is the American people; a Department that follows the evidence, not politics; a Department that defends the Constitution, not a President.
No one--not even the President of the United States--is above the law. That principle has guided this great Republic for nearly 250 years. It is our responsibility to preserve it today. It is the oath that we took, the commitment that we made that we will serve the people and the ideals.
To vote for Blanche is to surrender those ideals upon the altar of someone who wants to be a false god, where his interests are superior over everyone else's. That is wrong.
History is watching. We should reject this nominee.
Mr. President, somewhere in America today, a father kissed his children goodbye before leaving to work, a mother boarded an airplane to attend her father's funeral, a husband drove to his construction job, a woman walked into an airport believing that they were following the law of our land. None of them expected to disappear into our immigration detention system. Yet this is happening all over our country.
Over the last several months, immigration enforcement has accelerated dramatically. In June alone, ICE arrested more than 43,000 people--the highest monthly total in years. People are being arrested outside of their homes, at airports, at workplaces, near schools, near our churches, across communities throughout our Nation. And many of them--most of them--are nonviolent, with no criminal record. Many of them have lived here for years--many, for decades. Many of them are raising American children. Some have American grandchildren, American spouses, and are an integral part of the community. Many of these folks are working jobs, paying taxes, following the legal process toward citizenship.
A woman traveling home to Texas for her father's funeral was detained at an airport while she was pursuing her asylum claim. Two other women, despite being married to American citizens and already in the legal process of obtaining permanent residency, were detained.
These are not people that are hiding from the law; these are people trying to follow it. Yet, instead of helping them complete that process, our government took them, locked them away from their families, from the Americans that love them, the communities that cherish them, the businesses and jobs that sustained those families.
Right now, today in America, roughly 70 percent of the people in immigration detention--often for-profit private companies--have never been convicted of a criminal offense--70 percent. This is not what Donald Trump promised--that he would go after the "worst of the worst." This is a dragnet.
These, unfortunately, are indiscriminate arrests, not the result of focused law enforcement. They are the consequence of arbitrary arrest quotas and no guiding principles of decency and support of a legal immigration system. It is taking people who are seeking to abide by our laws and throwing them in prisons for the profits of private companies, which also are big supporters and contributors to this President.
When numbers become more important than justice, innocent people become collateral damage. And this doesn't just harm immigrants in our country or violate our values of decency; it harms all Americans.
Too often, this debate is framed as though immigrants are taking from our country, that they are takers. Well, the facts tell a different story. According to the conservative Cato Institute, for more than two decades, immigrants have contributed more in taxes--way more in taxes--than they have received in any kind of government benefit, many of which they are ineligible for. Together, immigrants have generated a fiscal surplus measured in the trillions of dollars. Undocumented immigrants alone paid nearly $100 billion in Federal, State, and local taxes in a single year. They work. They build. They start businesses. They strengthen our economy. They contribute to Social Security and Medicare. They help build prosperity for all of America.
Yet this administration wants to punish many of the very people that are helping to strengthen it, violating the commitment to go after the dangerous people, to focus our taxpayer resources on getting criminals off of our street. But no, they are using our taxpayer money to go after people that have been in our country for years and decades, who are contributing to it and are working hard to abide by our immigration laws.
Nowhere is this contradiction more painful than what we are seeing right now with Haitian immigrants in our country. Earlier this year, the United Nations described Haiti as "one of the most complex crises in . . . recent history." Armed gangs control large sections of the country. Kidnappings are widespread. Sexual violence is used as a weapon. Thousands upon thousands have been killed. Natural disasters continue to deepen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Trump's own State Department gives Haiti its highest travel warning, level 4; in other words, do not travel to Haiti. Think about that. We tell American citizens "It is far too dangerous for you to go to Haiti," and then we tell Haitian families "We are sending you there." How can both possibly be true? How could a nation of decency take people with temporary protected status and send them to the very country our Nation warns us not to go to because of the violence and destitution? Have we no decency in our policies? If a country is far too dangerous for an American to step into, how can it be safe enough for families that are now being forced to go back there?
Temporary protected status exists for precisely this kind of moment. Congress created it. A Republican President signed it into law. It recognizes a simple yet profound moral truth: When extraordinary danger exists, Americans should not force human beings into it.
The values of our country, the values of our collective faiths, the values of the best of humanity are being violated here. We are a moral nation, but forcing people here on temporary protected status back into countries where there is such violence and destitution violates our morals, our values. It cheapens us all. It is wrong. Yet this administration has canceled temporary protected status for more than 330,000 Haitians.
Many have lived here for years and years. Many of them already have had American children in our country. Many of them have married Americans themselves. They have worked here. They have paid billions in taxes here. They built businesses here, served communities in some of the most humble jobs in our hospitals as assistants, helping the ill and the elderly.
There are thousands that I have come to know are in New Jersey, many whom I know personally. They are woven into the fabric of our communities, but now from a callous President they face deportation into one of the most dangerous places on Earth.
I ask my colleagues: Can we look these families in the eye and honestly say this reflects the best of who we are, this reflects the values of our faiths?
Most of us here in this body are Christians. Would Jesus send someone from our Nation into danger, rip them away from their communities? Is that what our faiths dictate? Is that what our ideals dictate?
Even some Republicans have been raising alarms. Members of the House voted to extend protections. The Republican Governor of Ohio called those deportations "a mistake" because this is not simply an immigration debate; it is a moral test.
America has always been strongest when our laws reflected both security and humanity. These are not conflicting ideals. In fact, they are interwoven.
When we violate our humanity, we violate our security. We can secure our borders, and we should. We can enforce our laws, and we must. But we can also distinguish between those who threaten America and those who have spent years here in our country strengthening it.
This is not weakness. The Haitians in our community--keeping them here amidst the crisis in Haiti--it is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is justice. It is morally right.
It is long past time that we, in Congress, modernize an immigration system that virtually everyone agrees is broken.
I can't tell you the conversations I have had with Republican colleagues of mine.
The late Lindsey Graham is a great example about how our immigration laws are so broken, it makes it hard for anyone who wants to follow the rules to be able to, in any timely way, become a citizen of our country.
The Cato Institute calls it more likely to win the lottery than it is to come into our country. This is one of the reasons why our population is declining.
We need laws that reflect our values, laws that are orderly, laws that keep us safe and secure, laws that protect the border, laws that affirm our values.
We can have all of that. Do not listen to the false choice of a President, who wants to send people back to a human version of hell, rip people from our communities all in the name of safety and security. That is a lie.
We must create laws that offer a realistic pathway for people who have lived, worked, contributed, paid taxes, invested their lives in this country for decades, especially those with American families and American children.
The question before us is so much larger than immigration; it is about whom we are becoming as a society when we turn our back on our neighbors being thrown in private detention facilities that are profiting off of their pain, who we are as a nation when we want to rip people away from their families and their children and send them to modern-day's hell, who we are as a nation when we take those people that are good enough to work in our hospitals to take care of our elderly, but then we want to turn our back on them and let them be dragged out of our country even though they have been here for years, followed our laws, and are working toward a pathway to citizenship.
Who are we if we continue down this road that creates false fears, that spreads lies about immigrants, that turns its very back on the fundamental precept to love your neighbor?
Well, I still believe in America. I still believe we are strong enough to create safety and security and to embrace those who love our Nation and serve her faithfully even though they are not citizens. I still believe in an America that is big enough and bold enough to protect its borders and love the stranger.
I still believe in a nation whose immigration laws can affirm our dignity and decency and not be an assault on it. I still believe in a nation that honors its faith traditions and knows that we have to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger, especially when they are fleeing persecution and hate and violence.
I believe in the highest ideals of our Nation. That is why we have laws like temporary protected status in the first place. It reflected the best of us. But I fear this administration is showing the worst of who we are. I honor Republican think tanks, the Republican Governors who all have the courage to stand up and say: This is wrong.
We need that kind of chorus of conviction here in the U.S. Senate. I ask my colleagues to not let this President so violate our collective values. This is not a right or left issue; it is a right or wrong issue.
I pray for our Nation. I pray that we live our ideals and don't just talk about them. I pray that we teach our children whom we are not by what we say but by what we do.
I pray that in this crisis, we do not allow a President to undermine decency and grace and send innocent people back to environments where they will face nightmares and violence.
We can be the America we say we are, but this Chamber must stand up.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The majority leader.
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 legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (671 characters)
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 motion to proceed to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purpose.
John Thune, Tim Sheehy, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, John
Hoeven, Mike Crapo, James Lankford, Kevin Cramer, Steve
Daines, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Tom Cotton, Roger
Marshall, Thom Tillis, John R. Curtis, Jon Husted, Pete
Ricketts, Cynthia M. Lummis.
Resolutions Submitted Today
Page S4365 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 821, S. Res. 822, S. Res. 823, S. Res. 824, and S. Res. 825.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolutions were agreed to.
The preambles were agreed to.
(The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under "Submitted Resolutions.")
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Pages S4365–S4367 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 878 through 880, Calendar Nos. 882 through 892, Calendar Nos. 894 through 898, Calendar No. 881, with the exception of Stephen P. Snelson; and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, with the exception of PN970-2 and PN1151, Omar Vargas; Army, with the exception of PN1015-2, Mark R. Berube and Mandi A. Samples; PN1017-2, Joel A. Arends and Michael D. Thompson; PN1061-2, Theresa M. Long; PN1065-2, Samuel A. Smith; PN1072-2, Philip T. Buckler; PN1104, Austin D. Roberts and John A. Goodwin; PN1105, Justin M. Smith; Navy, with the exception of PN835-2, PN925, PN990-2, Robert J. Moreno and Joshua Q. McCright; PN1029-2, Kelly Cruz; and Space Force; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:
Text printed in the Record (7,807 characters)
The following named officers for appointment in the United States Air Force to the
grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Col. Michael C. Alfaro Col. Geoffrey I. Church Col. Christopher G. Clark Col. Cory M. Damon Col. Denny R. Davies Col. Amy M. Glisson Col. Jonathan W. Graham Col. Timothy M. Helfrich Col. Mark McGill Col. Dennis L. Phillips Col. David M. Skalicky Col. Timothy J. Spaulding Col. Kenneth A. Stremmel Col. Brandon J. Tellez Col. Paul P. Townsend Col. George N. Vogel Col. David J. Wilson
The following named officer for appointment as Chief of Air Force Reserve and appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., sections 601 and 9038:
Maj. Gen. Paul R. Fast
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Brig. Gen. Peter M. Bonetti
The following named officers for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated under the title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Brig. Gen. Jon A. Eberlan Brig. Gen. David C. Epperson Brig. Gen. Lance R. French Brig. Gen. Jesse J. Friedel Brig. Gen. Richard A. Goodman Brig. Gen. Steven M. Gorski Brig. Gen. Glenn T. Harris Brig. Gen. Brian S. Laidlaw Brig. Gen. Jason E. Lindsey Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Nelson Brig. Gen. Nathan L. Owendoff Brig. Gen. Max E. Pearson Brig. Gen. William S. Rogers Brig. Gen. Travolis A. Simmons
The following named officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203:
Brig. Gen. Mary K. Haddad Brig. Gen. Frank R. Kincaid Brig. Gen. William A. Matney Brig. Gen. Kenneth J. Ostrat Brig. Gen. Mark D. Richey
The following named officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. Bradford R. Everman
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. James B. Bartholomees
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. Charles T. Lombardo
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Lt. Gen. James P. Isenhower, III
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Feltey
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Maj. Gen. John W. Lubas
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Lt. Gen. Brian S. Eifler
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 7435:
Col. Nicholas H. Gist
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601:
Rear Adm. Michael S. Wosje
The following named officers for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Rear Adm. (lh) Joshua C. Himes Rear Adm. (lh) Kurtis A. Mole
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Rear Adm. (lh) Thomas J. Dickinson Rear Adm. (lh) Todd S. Weeks
The following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Rear Adm. (lh) Kevin J. Brown
The following named officers for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Rear Adm. (lh) Thomas A. Donovan Rear Adm. (lh) Paul J. Lanzilotta Rear Adm. (lh) Donald W. Marks Rear Adm. (lh) Andrew T. Miller Rear Adm. (lh) Christopher A. Nash Rear Adm. (lh) Lincoln M. Reifsteck Rear Adm. (lh) Bradley N. Rosen Rear Adm. (lh) Thomas E. Shultz Rear Adm. (lh) Michael T. Spencer Rear Adm. (lh) David P. Walt
The following named officers for appointment in the United States Space Force to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624:
Brig. Gen. Matthew S. Cantore Brig. Gen. Brian A. Denaro Brig. Gen. Kristin L. Panzenhagen
PN1099 AIR FORCE nominations (42) beginning JEFFREY D. BALDRIDGE, and ending JOSHUA J. WENDELL, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1100 AIR FORCE nominations (15) beginning MICAH B. BAKER, and ending JOSEPH G. WRIGHT, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1101 AIR FORCE nominations (87) beginning MICHEAL P. ALLEN, and ending DENEAN V. ZOZO, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1102 AIR FORCE nominations (40) beginning JON R. ALEXANDER, and ending PETER H. YUSCKAT, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1149 AIR FORCE nominations (326) beginning JAREATHA N. ABDUL RAHEEM, and ending NING Y. ZHENG, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1150 AIR FORCE nominations (62) beginning BRYON G. ALGER, and ending JENNY H. YOO, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1151 AIR FORCE nominations (152) beginning AMANDA M. ADAMS, and ending DOMINIQUE I. ZULUAGA, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026, with the exception of Omar Vargas.
PN1152 AIR FORCE nominations (46) beginning ISAAC L. BACON, and ending WILLIAM B. WILSON, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1154 AIR FORCE nomination of Jennifer H. Hall, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1155 AIR FORCE nomination of Christina J. Lee, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1156 AIR FORCE nomination of Jenicia S. McFadden, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1157 AIR FORCE nomination of Anthony C. Clark, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1103 ARMY nominations (461) beginning BRYAN E. ABELL, and ending 1393647040, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1104 ARMY nominations (477) beginning JOSEPH K. ABEL, Jr., and ending 1402783164, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026, with the exception of Austin D. Roberts and John A. Goodwin.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On page S4366, July 30, 2026, third column, the following appears: Record of June 23, 2026, with the exception of Austin P. Roberts and John A. Goodwin PN1104 ARMY nominations (363)
The online Record has been corrected to read: Record of June 23, 2026, with the exception of Austin D. Roberts and John A. Goodwin PN1104 ARMY nominations (363)
========================= END NOTE =========================
Text printed in the Record (65 characters)
PN1105 ARMY nominations (363) beginning JAMIE E. ABEL, and ending
The PRESIDING OFFICER
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On page S4366, July 30, 2026, third column, the following appears: PN1104 ARMY nominations (363) beginning JAMIE E. ABEL, and ending
The online Record has been corrected to read: PN1105 ARMY nominations (363) beginning JAMIE E. ABEL, and ending
========================= END NOTE ========================= 1292411770, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026, with the exception of Justin M. Smith. PN1106 ARMY nominations (50) beginning CHRISTOPHER A. ARNETT, and ending 1363803810, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026. PN1158 ARMY nomination of Nicholas H. Orr, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. PN1159 ARMY nomination of Amanda B. Love, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. PN1160 ARMY nomination of Khalid R. Rodriguez, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. PN1161 ARMY nomination of William S. Mulkeen, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. PN1162 ARMY nomination of Craig B. Morehead, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
Text printed in the Record (5,604 characters)
PN1107 NAVY nominations (13) beginning JAYSON S. BELMES, and ending SHELDON C. WALLEN, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1108 NAVY nominations (11) beginning LUSHIDA BARBOSA, and ending JORGE VARGAS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1109 NAVY nominations (7) beginning RYAN J. ELLWOOD, and ending PRESTON T. TILUS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1110 NAVY nominations (7) beginning MATTHEW D. AKERS, and ending ALEXANDER D. WASHOFSKY, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1111 NAVY nominations (11) beginning JORGE L. BAUZO, and ending TODD W. WISH, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1112 NAVY nominations (8) beginning MICHAEL J. ATTERBERY, and ending TIMOTHY A. SHAW, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1113 NAVY nominations (32) beginning GREGORY N. ANDERSON, and ending SCOTT H. ZINN, II, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1114 NAVY nominations (23) beginning TROY M. BEIDERBECKE, and ending SEQUOIA M. YOUNGBLOOD, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1115 NAVY nominations (34) beginning ELIZABETH A. ARROW, and ending ROBERT E. WOODS, JR., which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1116 NAVY nomination of Benjamin J. Robinson, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1117 NAVY nominations (11) beginning GRANT R. GAGNON, and ending CLINTON J. SMITH, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1118 NAVY nominations (10) beginning BENJAMIN T. ANDERSON, and ending KARL F. SCHONBERG, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1119 NAVY nominations (18) beginning NICHOLAS P. CELONE, and ending ISMAEL TOUNKARA, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1120 NAVY nominations (11) beginning JEREMY M. BULLARD, and ending NIKLAS H. RUETER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1121 NAVY nominations (516) beginning DYLAN L. AAKER, and ending JONATHAN J. YAEDE, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1122 NAVY nominations (17) beginning KEVIN S. CARLSEN, and ending KEITH D. WILLIAMS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1123 NAVY nominations (40) beginning AARON M. ACKERMAN, and ending ALEXANDER J. WUNDERLICH, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1124 NAVY nominations (15) beginning CURTIS D.T. BOLEN, and ending CHRISTOPHER J. WRIGHT, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1125 NAVY nomination of Aldo Gutierrez, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1126 NAVY nomination of Dahlia M. Hassan, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026.
PN1163 NAVY nominations (25) beginning RAYMOND J. AHAUS, and ending THOMAS A. WILLIAMS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1164 NAVY nominations (33) beginning STEVEN W. ARNOLD, and ending KRISTIA M. WILTSHIRE, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1165 NAVY nominations (76) beginning DAKOTA J. ALLEN, and ending ROBERT T. YODER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1166 NAVY nominations (10) beginning MANOJ K. MALOO, and ending MATTHIAS C. SOMMER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1167 NAVY nomination of Laura H. Artabazon, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1168 NAVY nomination of Samir Shaikh, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1169 NAVY nominations (4) beginning CAROLINE R. TRIEPEL, and ending MATTHIAS C. SOMMER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1170 NAVY nominations (10) beginning ESTER E. COBB, and ending AIMEE K. WU, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1171 NAVY nomination of Joshua M. Markley, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN1172 NAVY nominations (6) begjnning ADEKUNLE O. AJAYI, and ending RYAN S. NOLAN, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
PN 1173 SPACE FORCE nomination of Jason H. Furman, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.
Executive Calendar
Page S4367 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nominations en bloc: All nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Foreign Service; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,962 characters)
*PN415 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (2) beginning Mary Smith, and ending Michael Francom, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 15, 2025.
*PN896 FOREIGN SERVICE nomination of Tuyvan Huu Nguyen, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 25, 2026.
*PN897-1 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (13) beginning Tifani Chanel Dyson, and ending Ryan Alan Werner, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 25, 2026.
*PN898 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (5) beginning Russell Duncan, and ending Jeromy McKim, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 25, 2026.
*PN899 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (7) beginning Amy Caldwell, and ending Robert Tuebner, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 25, 2026.
*PN1182 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (243) beginning Aziz Ahmed Ahang, and ending Charlie J. Franta, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 14, 2026.
*PN1183 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (96) beginning Andres Jaime Albarran, and ending Carson H. Wu, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 14, 2026.
*PN1184 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (129) beginning Megan Marie Alvarez, and ending Elizabeth Q. Younger, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 14, 2026.
*PN1185 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (54) beginning Ani M. Ahn, and ending Rebecca Young, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 14, 2026.
*PN1186 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (13) beginning John Armstrong, and ending Noah D. Ross, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 14, 2026.
Legislative Session
Pages S4367–S4368 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senate will now resume legislative session.
Tribute to Jayden Bender
Page S4368 · Official textMr. President, today I recognize Jayden Bender, an intern in my Aberdeen, SD, office, for all of the hard work she has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several months.
Jayden is a graduate of Britton-Hecla High School in Britton, SD. Currently, she is attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where she is majoring in legal studies with a minor in policial science. She is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of her internship experience.
I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Jayden for all of the fine work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come.
Tribute to Rear Admiral Eric H. Ver Hage
Page S4368 · Official textMr. President, I rise today to recognize a distinguished American, RDML Eric H. Ver Hage, U.S. Navy, a native of Mechanicsburg, PA, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 42 years of distinguished service to our Nation. On June 13, 1984, he reported from his home in Upper Allen Township to the Harrisburg Military Entrance Processing Station, beginning a career that took him from enlisted electronics technician to Naval Academy midshipman to surface warfare officer, and ultimately the Military Deputy and Deputy Assistant Secretary of War.
Over his career, Rear Admiral Ver Hage commanded USS CARR (FFG 52) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Divisions at Corona and Port Hueneme, led the multi-billion-dollar Aegis Ashore program to completion in Romania, and served as commander of the NAVSEA Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers and of the Navy Regional Maintenance Centers, where he directed a global workforce of roughly 10,000 and a $5 billion annual budget. He most recently served as Military Deputy and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International and Industry Engagement, strengthening our defense industrial base and international armaments cooperation.
Rear Admiral Ver Hage's retirement ceremony will be held tomorrow on July 31, 2026. He will officially be released from Active Duty on September 30, 2026, closing 42 years, 3 months, and 17 days of service to our Navy and our Nation. His four decades of service stand as a model of the dedication, integrity, and leadership our Nation depends upon, and he leaves the Navy stronger for having served. In recognition of his service, and in this milestone year of America's 250th anniversary, a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2026, in Rear Admiral Ver Hage's honor.
Tribute to Wayne Franklin Phillips
Page S4368 · Official textMr. President, today I would like to wish Mr. Wayne Franklin Phillips of Deshler, OH, a happy 100th birthday. Mr. Phillips was born on August 5, 1926, on a farm outside of Hamler with his three brothers and sisters. Mr. Phillips served our country bravely in WWII, eventually earning the rank of sergeant TEC 4. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Phillips married Eileen Rutter on January 1, 1950, and lived on Elm Street, where they raised their three children Wayne, Paul, and Martha. Mr. Phillips started the Phillips Oil Company in 1950, where he still drives to work every day along with his two sons, grandson, and nephew. Mr. Phillips is a faithful member of Deshler United Methodist Church and was politically engaged, serving as Henry County commissioner for 16 years and a Deshler City councilman for 4 years.
Recognizing the Montana Historical Society
Page S4368 · Official textMr. President, as we celebrate the 250th year of our country, it is my honor to recognize Molly Kruckenberg and the talented staff at the Montana Historical Society for their dedicated work to showcase Montana history at the state-of-the-art Montana Heritage Center in Helena, MT.
History is more than a subject taught in school; it is a practical guide for leadership and decision making. The successes and failures of the generations that came before us offer valuable lessons to those willing to understand them. I carry that perspective into public service every day, and it is why the Montana Heritage Center was a project our family was proud to support.
More than a decade in the making, the new Montana Heritage Center is an investment in preserving Montana's story and ensuring future generations understand the people, values, and events that shaped Montana. This world-class center reminds us that good policy is strengthened by historical perspective and an appreciation for the enduring principles that guide our Nation and Montana.
The opening of the Montana Heritage Center would not have been possible without Molly and her staff, and they deserve every recognition for their efforts.
Recognizing the Hindu Center of Charlotte
Page S4368 · Official textMr. President, I rise today to recognize the Hindu Center of Charlotte, which first opened in 1982. Since its founding, the Hindu Center of Charlotte has been an anchor of the local Hindu community and exemplifies the enduring values of faith, family, service, education, and civic engagement. Recently, I was glad to attend the grand inauguration of the center's new Vedic Mandir alongside community leaders, other elected officials, and thousands of devotees celebrating this historic milestone.
The grand inauguration of the new Vedic Mandir represents the continued growth of the Hindu community in Charlotte, as well as the deep cultural and social bonds that have been formed. It was an honor to attend the grand inauguration with so many other important community leaders and attendees, and I look forward to seeing the community continue to grow.
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Hindu Center of Charlotte for this historic milestone and wishing them continued growth and prosperity.
Messages from the President
Page S4368 · Official textMessages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Hanley, one of his secretaries.
Executive Messages Referred
Page S4368 · Official textAs 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.)
Executive and Other Communications
Pages S4368–S4369 · Official textThe following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated:
Text printed in the Record (926 characters)
EC-4264. A communication from the Acting Director for Legislative Affairs, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report entitled "State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Annual Report: Fiscal Year 2023"; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-4265. A communication from the Deputy General Counsel, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Rescinding Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs" (RIN1870-AA25) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on July 29, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-4266.A communication from the Deputy General Counsel, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education,
=========================== NOTE =========================== On page S4368, July 30, 2026, third column, the following appears: A communication from the Deputy General Counsel, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health and Human Services, The online Record has been corrected to read: A communication from the Deputy General Counsel, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, ========================= END NOTE =========================
Text printed in the Record (938 characters)
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
"Rescinding Portions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Title VI Regulations to Align with the Statutory Text and Conform to Executive Order 14281" (RIN1870-AA20) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on July 29, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-4267. A communication from the General Counsel, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Loan Performance Categories and Financial Reporting" (RIN3052-AD63) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on July 29, 2026; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-4268. A communication from the Chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's 2025 Annual Report to Congress; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Executive Reports of Committee
Page S4369 · Official textThe following executive reports of nominations were submitted:
Text printed in the Record (355 characters)
By Mr. CASSIDY for the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
*Erica Schwartz, of Florida, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
*Sean Kaufman, of Georgia, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services.
*Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor.
*Nomination was reported with recommendation that it be confirmed subject to the nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
Introduction of Bills and Joint Resolutions
Pages S4369–S4370 · Official textThe following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:
Text printed in the Record (10,159 characters)
By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. Cassidy):
S. 5173. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat tax penalties as assessable in the same manner as taxes, to provide notice requirements for certain penalties, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. SHEEHY (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
S. 5174. A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require a school food authority to make publicly available any waiver of the Buy American requirement, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Coons, Mr.
Armstrong, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Rosen, and Mr.
Ricketts):
S. 5175. A bill to amend the Arms Export Control Act to address third party transfers of certain defense articles for Ukraine, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. HICKENLOOPER (for himself and Mr. Cassidy):
S. 5176. A bill to establish a pilot program to address critical workforce integration and national security imperatives; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. LUJAN (for himself and Mr. Heinrich):
S. 5177. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include two counties in New Mexico in a certain Veterans Integrated Service Network; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
By Mr. SCOTT of Florida:
S. 5178. A bill to amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the "Regulatory Flexibility Act" ), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
By Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. Justice, Mrs.
Britt, Mr. Budd, Mr. Risch, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Lummis,
Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Daines, and
Mr. Sheehy):
S. 5179. A bill to clarify that for purposes of Federal nondiscrimination requirements applicable to education programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance, discrimination prohibited under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is based on the biological reality of sex; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself, Mr. Welch, Mr. Marshall,
Mr. King, Mr. Tillis, and Mrs. Shaheen):
S. 5180. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure stability for provider payments under the Medicare program; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. CURTIS (for himself and Mr. Kelly):
S. 5181. A bill to require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program relating to the digitization of county roads and the creation of publicly accessible road datasets, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. SCHIFF (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Wyden, and
Mr. Booker):
S. 5182. A bill to establish a Federal working group for recycled plastic content traceability, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Kim, Mr. Merkley, and
Mr. Padilla):
S. 5183. A bill to establish the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Welch, and Mr. Wyden):
S. 5184. A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a summer meal delivery vehicle pilot program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Wyden,
Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith,
Mr. Markey, Mr. Lee, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Paul, Mr.
Murphy, and Ms. Baldwin):
S. 5185. A bill to provide for auditing of the Pentagon; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Van Hollen,
Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Reed, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Booker, and
Mrs. Gillibrand):
S. 5186. A bill to eliminate asset limits employed by certain federally funded means-tested public assistance programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Young):
S. 5187. A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to strengthen the domestic science and engineering workforce through partnerships among institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, other Federal science agencies, and industry to support accelerated doctoral programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
By Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Ms. Rosen):
S. 5188. A bill to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to establish requirements for unified boxing organizations and to further enhance the well-being of professional boxers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs.
Gillibrand, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Van
Hollen, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Warren, Ms. Rosen, Ms.
Slotkin, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Markey, Mr. Kim, Mr.
Wyden, Mr. Booker, Mr. Fetterman, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr.
Kelly, Mr. Schiff, and Ms. Baldwin):
S. 5189. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, to codify and clarify gender neutral standards for members of certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr.
Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Hirono, Mr.
King, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, Mr.
Murphy, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Peters, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Sanders, Mrs. Shaheen, and Ms. Warren):
S. 5190. A bill to prohibit forced arbitration in work disputes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. LEE (for himself and Mr. Scott of Florida):
S. 5191. A bill to provide for the acquisition of United States citizenship for certain individuals who were internationally adopted, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself and Mr. Moran):
S. 5192. A bill to assist trafficking survivors who lack government issued identification in accessing air travel, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Lujan,
and Mrs. Capito):
S. 5193. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to expand the capacity to improve health outcomes and increase access to specialized care; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Cramer, and Mr.
Boozman):
S. 5194. A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve the maintenance, alteration, and construction of United States courthouses, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schiff,
and Ms. Warren):
S. 5195. A bill to establish a Green New Deal for public schools; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. LUJAN:
S. 5196. A bill to prohibit the Department of Justice from granting immunity to the President, Vice President, or family members, trusts, parents, sisters, related companies, or affiliates of the President or Vice President, for certain crimes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
By Mr. CURTIS (for himself and Mr. Kelly):
S. 5197. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for a State-
sponsored nonimmigrant pilot program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. Coons):
S. 5198. A bill to amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to reauthorize the regional innovation program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. HEINRICH:
S. 5199. A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over the interconnection of large loads to the transmission system, to provide for standards and procedures for the interconnection of large loads, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
By Mr. FETTERMAN (for himself, Mr. McCormick, and Mr.
Wyden):
S. 5200. A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include spotted lanternfly control research and development as a high-priority research and extension initiative, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Ms.
Alsobrooks, Mr. Booker, Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mr.
Fetterman, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr.
Murphy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Padilla, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr.
Whitehouse, and Mr. Van Hollen):
S. 5201. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect more victims of domestic violence by preventing their abusers from possessing or receiving firearms, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. Lankford, Ms. Lummis, Mr.
Cruz, Mr. Daines, Mr. Tuberville, and Mrs.
Blackburn):
S. 5202. A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds for gender transition for minors; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. McCORMICK (for himself and Ms. Duckworth):
S. 5203. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify rules relating to certain exempt facility bonds; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn):
S. 5204. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt individual account plans from certain prohibited transaction rules; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. MARKEY:
S. 5205. A bill to promote democracy, defend human rights, and impose accountability on the Government of Turkey for systemic political repression, censorship, transnational repression, and violations of international law; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Merkley, and
Mr. Paul):
S. 5206. A bill to repeal the joint resolution entitled "A joint resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East"; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions
Page S4370 · Official textThe following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
Text printed in the Record (2,984 characters)
By Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. Sheehy, and Mr.
McCormick):
S. Res. 819. A resolution condemning the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its ongoing human rights abuses, including its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. King):
S. Res. 820. A resolution designating August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Collins,
Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Ernst,
Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Lankford, Ms. Hirono, Mrs.
Fischer, Mr. Lujan, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Markey, Mr.
Wicker, and Mr. Peters):
S. Res. 821. A resolution designating July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day"; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Hirono,
Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Kim, Mr. Wyden, and Mr.
Booker):
S. Res. 822. A resolution designating July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month"; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. King, Ms.
Hirono, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Smith, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Van
Hollen, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Schiff, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr.
Fetterman, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Welch, Mr. Booker, Mr.
Bennet, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Justice, Mr. Rounds, Mr.
Grassley, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Tillis):
S. Res. 823. A resolution designating the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week"; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Cruz, Mr.
Marshall, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Scott of
Florida, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Coons, Mr. Warnock, Mr.
Hoeven, Mr. Justice, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Rosen, Mr.
Fetterman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kim, Mr. Scott of South
Carolina, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms.
Duckworth, Mrs. Moody, Mr. Ossoff, and Mr. Rounds):
S. Res. 824. A resolution designating August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children's Day"; considered and agreed to.
By Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself and Mr. Wicker):
S. Res. 825. A resolution commending Mississippi Christian University for 200 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen):
S. Res. 826. A resolution honoring the contributions of small manufacturers of firearms to the economy, culture, and recreational heritage of the United States and recognizing the month of August 2026 as "National Shooting Sports Month"; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. RISCH:
S. Res. 827. A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) and commending its work establishing industry standards that ensure the safe interoperability of firearms and ammunition; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Additional Cosponsors
Pages S4370–S4371 · Official textAt the request of Mr. Bennet, the names of the Senator from New York (Mr. Schumer) and the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) were added as cosponsors of S. 734, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African American astronaut candidate in the United States. At the request of Mr. Markey, the name of the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1227, a bill to require the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to review and simplify the processes, procedures, forms, and communications for family caregivers to assist individuals in establishing eligibility for, enrolling in, and maintaining and utilizing coverage and benefits under the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs respectively, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the names of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) and the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet) 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. At the request of Mr. Kelly, the name of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1541, a bill to support the national defense and economic security of the United States by supporting vessels, ports, and shipyards of the United States and the U.S. maritime workforce. At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1663, a bill to prohibit commercial sexual orientation conversion therapy, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Baldwin, the name of the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1677, a bill to provide health insurance benefits for outpatient and inpatient items and services related to the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital anomaly or birth defect. At the request of Mrs. Britt, the name of the Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Ricketts) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2544, a bill to permit State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds to use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud, and to clarify that Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Banks, the name of the Senator from South Carolina (Ms. Graham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2955, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish Federal penalties for the knowing and intentional administration of any abortion-inducing drug to a woman without her informed consent, if the abortion-inducing drug has been shipped or transported in interstate commerce, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Scott of Florida, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3101, a bill to prevent citizens of foreign adversarial nations from entering into or enforcing surrogacy contracts in the United States. At the request of Mr. Banks, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3138, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in the medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Reed) 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. At the request of Mr. Booker, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4225, a bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish doula services to veterans. At the request of Mr. Wyden, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4330, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to revise the treatment of partnership interests received in connection with the performance of services, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Sanders, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4413, a bill to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand coverage under the Act, to increase protections for whistleblowers, to increase penalties for high gravity violations, to adjust penalties for inflation, to provide rights for victims or their family members, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Ernst, the name of the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4505, a bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4604, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify certain percentage depletion rules with respect to oil and gas wells. At the request of Mr. Reed, the names of the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski) and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) were added as cosponsors of S. 4611, a bill to provide for alignment of the Job Corps with the defense industrial base, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4696, a bill to establish an express cause of action for violations of the right to record, observe, or peacefully protest law enforcement activities, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Smith) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4879, a bill to ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schatz, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Kim) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4926, a bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide grants for State firearms dealer licensing programs, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Warren, the names of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Blumenthal) and the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth) were added as cosponsors of S. 4986, a bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under the Medicaid program for services provided by doulas, midwives, and lactation support providers, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Rosen, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5145, a bill to clarify the use of certain existing grants under the Clean Air Act to purchase air sensors, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Duckworth, the name of the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5171, a bill to require a study of AI-enabled toys and development of a joint action plan regarding the marketing and sale of AI-enabled toys. At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) was added as a cosponsor of S. Con. Res. 18, a concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 816, a resolution honoring 35 years of independence for the countries of Central Asia and recognizing the importance of the United States growing relationship with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) was added as a cosponsor of amendment No. 6717 intended to be proposed to H.R. 5334, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes.
Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
Pages S4371–S4390 · Official textThe bill I am introducing today with my colleagues Senators Padilla, Merkley, and Kim is designed to stop Trump's "Art of the Steal." The first goal of our bill is to get the American people their money back. The bill will create, for the first time, a private right of action that allows Americans, including State attorneys general representing the public, to sue to recover the money Trump and his family have taken from them. Now, the False Claims Act already allows citizens to file lawsuits against people who defraud the government and share part of the civil penalty if they win. So it only makes sense that we are expanding that ability so citizens can sue people who use government influence to defraud the public. If Donald Trump or one of his lackeys, sons, cronies uses government influence to steal from you, you deserve your day in court. The second goal of our bill is to stop this corruption from happening again. Instead of draining the swamp, Trump blew our anti-corruption institutions to smithereens. He installed MAGA loyalists at the Office of Government Ethics and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, watchdogs whose whole mission is to stop the same type of corruption Trump is now committing. Trump also neutered the Federal Elections Commission, which Congress created to stop the corruption Watergate exposed. My bill would establish a new, independent Anti-Corruption Bureau that brings all the guardrails Trump has weakened under one roof. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is a sum greater than its parts. The Bureau would have subpoena power to give it real investigative strength, meaningful enforcement authority, and the ability to disgorge ill-gotten gains. We want to create a one-stop shop to catch the corruption and make them pay up, an Agency with real teeth and real independence. It will be led by seven Senate-confirmed Commissioners--three Republicans, three Democrats, and one Independent. Trump won't be able to commandeer the Bureau because our bill explicitly outlaws trying to weaponize it, with fines and jail time for people who try. Congress can't defund the Bureau because our bill establishes a self-sustaining funding source for the Agency, much like the Fed. And the President can't dismantle the Bureau by purging its members, since our bill requires a panel of judges to appoint temporary replacements so the Bureau always has a quorum. The bill is just common sense--a basic, straightforward way to make sure all facets of government serve the people and no one else. Americans are demanding we go back to a government they can actually trust. This legislation tells them that we hear them and that we are going to fight for them with the strongest measures we have ever proposed. 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:
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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 "Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act" .
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. Sec. 3. Findings and purpose. Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 101. Findings and purpose. Sec. 102. Definitions. Sec. 103. Civil liability for corruption-related violations. Sec. 104. Private right of action. Sec. 105. Award to plaintiffs. Sec. 106. Severability.
Sec. 201. Establishment of Bureau. Sec. 202. Membership. Sec. 203. Terms of service. Sec. 204. Chair; Vice Chair. Sec. 205. Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel. Sec. 206. Removal; notice to Congress.
Sec. 301. Powers and duties of the Bureau. Sec. 302. Transfer of functions. Sec. 303. Personnel.
TITLE IV--APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU Sec. 401. Assignment of judges to division to appoint temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Sec. 501. Freedom From Influence Fund. Sec. 502. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 503. References. Sec. 504. Regulations. Sec. 505. Technical and conforming amendments.
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SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) A Federal Government free from corruption is essential to maintaining public trust.
(2) Political corruption is fundamentally at odds with the commitment to democratic self-government outlined in the Constitution of the United States. The purpose of the Constitution is to create a Government in which all powers derive, in the words of James Madison, "from the great body of the people." The Federalist No. 39 (James Madison). Corruption frustrates this purpose by privileging the monetary interests of a private elite over the democratically expressed will of the people.
(3) The Framers of the Constitution of the United States recognized that corruption poses an existential threat to self-government. George Mason, an influential participant in the Constitutional Convention, told his fellow delegates that, "if we do not provide against corruption, our government will soon be at an end." Notes of Robert Yates (June 23, 1787), in 1 The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, at 391, 392 (Max Farrand ed., rev. ed. 1966) (1937). Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 68, explained that, in the writing of the Constitution, "nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption."
(4) To protect the democracy principle of the Constitution of the United States from this threat, the founding charter of the United States is rife with anti-corruption measures. In the article "The Anti-Corruption Principle", Professor Zephyr Teachout identifies 23 distinct constitutional provisions aimed at preventing corruption. 94 Cornell L. Rev. 341, 354 (2009). Most prominently, the Constitution of the United States forbids, pursuant to clause 8 of section 9 of article I, Federal officials, including the President, from receiving gifts "of any kind" from a foreign power without congressional consent and provides, pursuant to section 4 of article II, that the President should be removed from office in cases of "bribery".
(5) In defiance of these provisions, the Trump administration has been marked by widespread corruption, disregard for basic ethical standards, and repeated efforts to weaken or take control of independent watchdog agencies to protect the President, the allies of the President, and the financial interests of the President from accountability.
(6) President Trump and the family and close supporters of President Trump have leveraged the Government for personal profit at the expense of the people of the United States.
(7) When public officials use governmental power to enrich themselves, their families, and major donors--through self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and preferential treatment--those public officials violate their oath to the Constitution of the United States, defy the democratically expressed will of the people, distort markets, increase costs and financial risks for families in the United States, undermine fair competition for honest businesses, and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
(8) Systemic corruption and pay-to-play practices in the executive branch function as a hidden tax on families in the United States by driving up the prices those families pay for essentials while channeling public resources and policy favors toward special interests rather than the broader public interest.
(9) The Constitution of the United States empowers Congress, as the branch of Government with the most direct relationship to the people, to enact laws providing for strong anti-corruption enforcement and truly independent investigative mechanisms, as these measures are essential to defending democracy and protecting the economic well-being of families in the United States.
(10) After the Watergate scandal, Congress exercised these powers to create a system of independent watchdog agencies, including the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Office of Special Counsel, to prevent abuses of power, oversee money in politics, and restore trust in Federal institutions. Today, these agencies are failing to fulfill the missions of those agencies because the agencies have been systematically weakened, particularly during the Trump administration.
(11) Fifty years after Watergate, the Federal Election Commission--the leading reform agency created during that era--has been deliberately weakened, stalled by gridlock, and influenced by the very interests the Commission is meant to regulate. This includes the appointment of commissioners
opposed to the mission of the Commission, the removal of the Chair of the Commission, and efforts to prevent the Commission from maintaining a quorum.
(12) As a result, there is little meaningful enforcement of Federal campaign finance laws, allowing Trump, affiliated political committees, and others to violate or push the limits of the law without consequence.
(13) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, now codified as chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, established the Office of Government Ethics to prevent conflicts of interest and uphold public trust. The Trump administration, however, weakened this office by removing a Senate-confirmed Director mid-term, attacking inspectors general, and signaling that ethics officials risk retaliation for doing their jobs.
(14) These actions are part of a broader strategy to treat ethics rules as optional, reduce financial disclosure to a formality, and allow the President, the inner circle of the President, and family members of the President to benefit from public office without meaningful oversight.
(15) The Office of Special Counsel, which is responsible for protecting the merit-based civil service, enforcing the Hatch Act (codified as subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code) and safeguarding whistleblowers, has also been destabilized. This includes the removal of a Senate-confirmed Special Counsel and the installation of interim leadership that pursued politically driven investigations, discouraging the reporting of wrongdoing.
(16) Across these agencies, a consistent pattern has emerged: identify the watchdog, target the leadership of the watchdog, shape appointments for political ends, and erode the independence of the watchdog until the watchdog can no longer effectively detect, prevent, or punish misconduct.
(17) These actions have accelerated the decline in public confidence in ethical Government and accountability and have put the foundation of democratic governance at risk.
(18) The Supreme Court of the United States has held that Congress retains the power to create independent agencies, but that these agencies must be both independent in fact and appearance (see Trump v. Cook, No. 25A312, slip op. at 14 (U.S. June 29, 2026)), with functions that are "essentially of an investigative and informative nature" (Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, 137 (1976)), consistent with the holdings of the Supreme Court regarding Congress establishing new independent agencies (see Trump v. Slaughter, No. 25-332, slip op. at 27 (U.S. June 29, 2026) (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. 1, 137-138)).
(19) Congress therefore finds it necessary to rebuild and strengthen these institutions ensuring the institutions are truly independent, in fact and appearance, protected from similar abuses in the future, capable of enforcing the law in practice and providing essential transparency into the Government of the United States, and not easily undermined by any single President or political party.
(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are the following:
(1) To restore and strengthen the ability of the Federal Government to prevent, detect, and address corruption, conflicts of interest, abuses of power, and serious violations of campaign finance, ethics, and civil service laws.
(2) To facilitate recovering for the people of the United States the money that has been pilfered through corruption.
(3) To rebuild and update the post-Watergate oversight system so that Federal anti-corruption laws are enforced as Congress intended, and that no administration--including the Trump administration--can turn public service into personal gain and easily weaken or take control of that system.
(4) To rebuild public trust in the Federal Government by making clear that no one, regardless of position, is above the law--and that the institutions responsible for enforcing the law are strong enough to do so, even in the face of determined efforts, such as those by Trump, to undermine them.
(5) To close gaps in the law that have emerged over the past 5 decades and update the post-Watergate framework to address modern challenges, ensuring that future Presidents and administrations cannot repeat the pattern seen during the Trump administration of weakening or taking control of independent oversight agencies.
(6) To create an independent establishment that is both independent in fact and appearance, with functions that are essentially of an investigative and informative nature, consistent with the holdings of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding Congress establishing new independent agencies.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Bureau.--The term "Bureau" means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201.
(2) Chair.--The term "Chair" means the member of the Bureau designated as the Chair of the Bureau pursuant to section 204(a).
(3) Fund.--The term "Fund" means the Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 501(a).
(4) Panel.--The term "Panel" means the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel established under section 205(a).
(5) Vice chair.--The term "Vice Chair" means the member of the Bureau elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Bureau pursuant to section 204(b)(1).
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) President Trump has earned not less than $2,000,000,000 since returning to the White House in 2025 according to a recent financial disclosure--a stunning sum for a sitting president. The New Yorker estimates that Donald Trump and the immediate family of Donald Trump have made more than $4,000,000,000 exploiting the presidency.
(2) These gains are from various, and extremely lucrative, cryptocurrency ventures, timely stock trades, overseas deals, and business and media ventures intractably linked to the presidential role of Trump.
(3) The Trump administration cut a billion-dollar mining deal with Kazakhstan to open one of the largest untapped reserves in the world of tungsten--a critical metal used in semiconductor manufacturing. The United States Government set aside $1,600,000,000 to fund and finance the project. The sons of Donald Trump have a stake in the deal.
(4) The sons of Donald Trump have also profited heavily from investing in a huge portfolio of defense technology start-ups that are benefitting from Pentagon contracts. According to the Washington Post, more than a dozen firms have reportedly generated "at least $3.2 billion in direct government business since the sons invested and an additional $3.1 billion in future contract options".
(5) The Trump family has more than $1,000,000,000 in this crypto fund that is tied to foreign governments. The largest business partner in World Liberty Financial is a fund backed by the United Arab Emirates, whose purchase of a 49 percent stake in the company funneled $187,000,000 to the Trump family.
(6) Elon Musk, the first trillionaire in the world, backed Trump and Republicans with over $250,000,000 in election spending. Less than a month into the new administration, companies owned by Musk were already benefitting from the support of those companies for Trump. The New York Times reported that "Government investigations into Mr.
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Musk's companies are stalling amid President Trump's firings and Biden administration resignations." Trump bestowed unprecedented, and likely unlawful, authority to Musk to run a so-called Department of Government Ethics (commonly known as "DOGE"), where Musk diverted billions in taxpayer funds to benefit the personal financial interests of Musk while cutting Federal jobs, programs, and essential public services. At the same time, Mr. Musk continued to oversee a vast private business empire that depends heavily on Government funding and has been tasked with handling the conflicts of interest of Musk.
(7) Peter Thiel, a Republican megadonor, Vice President J.D. Vance ally, and founder of Palantir, has raked in billions in Government contracts since donating millions to the campaigns of Trump and the allies of Trump. Since the inauguration of Trump, Palantir has been awarded more than $1,300,000,000 in Federal contracts, and Anduril, the defense tech company heavily backed by Founders Fund, which was founded by Thiel, signed a 10-year contract with the United States Army potentially worth up to $20,000,000,000.
(8) These acts of corruption have come at the expense of the people of the United States--investors and consumers defrauded, taxpayers fleeced by paying for no-bid contracts, and victims unable to recover money they are owed because of corrupt pardons, among other direct costs to the public in the United States.
(9) When Government officials exploit those positions to benefit themselves, their relatives, or powerful donors--through self-interested deals, undisclosed conflicts, or favoritism--those officials warp market incentives, raise costs and risks for everyday individuals in the United States, disadvantage law-abiding businesses, and weaken public trust in democratic governance.
(10) The money pilfered to line the pockets of the wealthy and the well-connected belongs to the people of the United States. Private litigation can be a tool to recuperate what has been stolen--these funds should be clawed back and returned to the people of the United States.
(b) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this title to strengthen enforcement against corruption-related violations by authorizing private persons, including attorneys general of States, to bring civil actions in the name of the United States and to share in recoveries obtained through those actions.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Adult child.--The term "adult child" means a child who has attained 18 years of age.
(2) Covered person.--The term "covered person" means--
(A) the President, the Vice President, the spouse or adult child of the President or Vice President, or the spouse of an adult child of the President or Vice President;
(B) any individual serving in a position specified in section 5312 of title 5, United States Code, including any individual serving in that position in an acting capacity;
(C) any individual working in the Executive Office of the President who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code;
(D) any individual serving as a special Government employee, as defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code;
(E) any Assistant Attorney General and any individual working in the Department of Justice who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code;
(F) the Director of Central Intelligence, the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue;
(G) the chairman and treasurer of the principal campaign committee seeking the election or reelection of the President, and any officer of that committee exercising authority at the national level, during the incumbency of the President;
(H) any contractor, as defined in section 7101 of title 41, United States Code; and
(I) any individual who held an office or position described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (H) for 1 year after leaving the office or position.
(3) Covered violation.--The term "covered violation" means a violation of section 103(a).
(4) Personal enrichment.--The term "personal enrichment" means any money or other thing of value inuring to the benefit of a covered person.
SEC. 103. CIVIL LIABILITY FOR CORRUPTION-RELATED VIOLATIONS.
(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any covered person to, in connection with the receipt, use, or control of public funds, property, or authority, engage in any conduct that, directly or indirectly, corruptly uses the office or position of the covered person to obtain personal enrichment for the covered person, or demands, seeks, receives, accepts, or agrees to receive or accept any thing of value to further such corrupt purpose, in an aggregate amount, whether monetary or otherwise, in excess of $50,000.
(b) Penalty.--Any covered person who commits a covered violation shall be liable to the United States Government for--
(1) a civil penalty of not less than $50,000 for each covered violation, which shall be adjusted in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note);
(2) disgorgement of the personal enrichment derived from the covered violation, together with prejudgment interest; and
(3) three times the amount of damages that the United States Government sustains as a result of the covered violation.
(c) Separate Violations.--For purposes of subsection (b)(1), each transaction or course of conduct through which a covered person obtains personal enrichment constitutes a separate covered violation.
SEC. 104. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.
(a) In General.--
(1) Action.--A person, including an attorney general of a State acting as parens patriae, may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States for a covered violation for the person and for the United States Government, and the action shall be brought in the name of the United States Government.
(2) Voluntary dismissal.--An action brought under paragraph (1) may be voluntarily dismissed only if the court and the Chair give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting.
(b) Initial Procedure.--
(1) Notice.--A copy of the complaint and written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information the person possesses shall be served on the Government pursuant to rule 4(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(2) Protection of complaint.--The complaint shall be filed in camera, shall remain under seal for not fewer than 60 days, and shall not be served on the defendant until the court so orders.
(3) Intervention.--The Government may elect to intervene in an action brought under subsection (a)(1) and proceed with the action within 60 days after the Government receives both the complaint and the material evidence and information.
(c) Response to Complaint.--
(1) Extension of seal.--
(A) In general.--The Government may, for good cause shown, move the court for extensions of the time during which the complaint remains under seal under subsection (b)(2).
(B) Affidavits and submissions.--Any motion under subparagraph (A) may be supported by affidavits or other submissions in camera.
(2) Response.--The defendant shall not be required to respond to any complaint filed under this section until 20 days after the complaint is unsealed and served upon the defendant pursuant to rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(d) Conduct of Action.--Before the expiration of the 60-day period or any extensions obtained under subsection (c), the Government shall--
(1) proceed with the action, in which case--
(A) the action shall be conducted by the Government; and
(B) the person bringing the action under subsection (a)(1) shall have the right to continue as a party to the action; or
(2) notify the court that the Government declines to take over the action, in which case the person bringing the action under subsection (a)(1) shall have the right to conduct the action.
(e) No Further Intervention or Action Permitted.--When a person brings an action under this section, no person other than the Government may intervene or bring a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.
(f) Equitable Relief.--In an action for a covered violation under this section, the court may--
(1) impose a constructive trust upon, or order an accounting of, any property traceable to any personal enrichment derived from a covered violation;
(2) rescind, or declare void, any contract, lease, license, or other transaction procured by means of a covered violation, on such terms as the court determines equitable to protect the interests of any third party that acted in good faith; and
(3) order such other equitable relief as the court determines appropriate to prevent the retention of any benefit of a covered violation.
(g) Statute of Limitations.--
(1) In general.--A civil action under this section may not be brought more than 10 years after the date on which the covered violation is committed.
(2) Applicable conduct.--A civil action under this section may be brought for a covered violation that occurred on or before the date of enactment of this Act, including a covered violation that occurred on or after January 20, 2025, provided that the civil action shall be required to meet the statute of limitations under paragraph (1).
(h) Frivolous Claims.--If the Government does not proceed with the action and the defendant prevails, the court may award the defendant its reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses against the person bringing the action upon a finding that the claim was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, and brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
(i) Definition of Government.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term "Government" means the Bureau, acting through the general counsel of the Bureau.
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, an election, motion, or consent by the Bureau shall constitute the election, motion, or consent of the United States Government.
SEC. 105. AWARD TO PLAINTIFFS.
(a) Government Proceeds With Action.--If the Government proceeds with an action brought by a person under section 104, the court shall award the person not less than 15 percent and not more than 25 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action.
(b) Cases in Which Government Does Not Proceed.--If the Government does not proceed with an action brought by a person under section 104, the court shall award the person not less than 25 percent and not more than 30 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action.
(c) Fees, Expenses, and Costs.--The court shall award the reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs of the person bringing the action under section 104, which shall be paid out of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action prior to any distribution to the United States Government.
(d) Definition of Government.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term "Government" means the Bureau, acting through the general counsel of the Bureau.
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, an election, motion, or consent by the Bureau shall constitute the election, motion, or consent of the United States Government.
SEC. 106. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this title, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this title, and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected by the invalidation.
SEC. 201.
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ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU.
There is established in the executive branch the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which shall be an independent establishment (as defined in section 104 of title 5, United States Code).
SEC. 202. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Composition.--The Bureau shall be composed of 7 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Initial Appointment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the members of the Bureau first taking office after the date of enactment of this Act shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Failure to nominate.--If the President fails to submit a nomination of an individual for appointment to the Bureau before the date required under paragraph (1), the division of the court specified in section 50 of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint an appropriate individual to fill that vacancy in the same manner as provided for temporary members of the Bureau under section 203(f) of this title.
(c) Joint Referral.--
(1) In general.--The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall have joint jurisdiction over any nomination of an individual nominated by the President to be a member of the Bureau.
(2) Report of nominations.--If one committee votes to order reported a nomination
described in paragraph (1), the other committee shall report the nomination not later than 30 calendar days thereafter or be automatically discharged.
(d) Political Balance.--
(1) In general.--Not more than 3 members of the Bureau may be affiliated with the same political party.
(2) Treatment.--For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual shall be deemed affiliated with a political party if the individual was affiliated, including as a registered voter, employee, consultant, or officer, with the political party or any of the candidates or elected public officials of the political party at any time during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the individual is nominated to be a member of the Bureau.
(e) Independent Member.--Not fewer than 1 member of the Bureau shall be unaffiliated with any political party during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the individual is nominated to be a member of the Bureau.
(f) Qualifications.--In appointing members of the Bureau under subsection (a), the President shall select individuals who have demonstrated--
(1) expertise in election law, Government ethics, criminal law, administrative law, whistleblower protection, or other relevant disciplines relating to public integrity and anti-corruption enforcement; and
(2) records of integrity, impartiality, and good judgment.
(g) Prohibition on Outside Business, Vocation, or Employment.--Members of the Bureau shall not--
(1) engage in any other business, vocation, or employment; or
(2) hold any other concurrent position within the Federal Government.
(h) Quorum.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a quorum of the Bureau shall consist of 3 members.
(2) Requirement.--The Bureau may not take any action if more than \1/2\ of the members of the Bureau in attendance are affiliated with the same political party due to any vacancy.
SEC. 203. TERMS OF SERVICE.
(a) Term.--Each member of the Bureau shall be appointed for a single term of 6 years, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c).
(b) Initial Staggering.--The terms of office of the members of the Bureau first taking office after the date of enactment of this Act shall expire, as designated by the President at the time of the appointment of the members, as follows:
(1) Two such terms shall expire at the end of 2 years.
(2) Two such terms shall expire at the end of 4 years.
(3) Three such terms shall expire at the end of 6 years.
(c) Reappointment.--A member of the Bureau appointed to an initial term of fewer than 6 years may be reappointed to 1 additional term of 6 years.
(d) Vacancies.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
(e) Limitation on Service After Expiration of Term.--A member of the Bureau may continue to serve on the Bureau after the expiration of the term of the member for an additional period, but only until the earlier of--
(1) the date on which a successor for the member has taken office as a member of the Bureau; or
(2) the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the last day of the term of the member.
(f) Appointment of Temporary Members.--
(1) Appointment.--For any period in which there is a vacancy on the Bureau, the division of the court specified in section 50 of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint an appropriate individual to fill the vacancy not later than 14 days after the date on which the vacancy first occurs, consistent with the requirements under section 202, except that the individual shall be required to be a retired justice or judge of the United States.
(2) Powers and privileges.--
(A) In general.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to the same powers and privileges as those members of the Bureau appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(B) Powers and privileges of the chair.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of Chair under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to the same powers and privileges as the Chair under section 204(d).
(3) Termination.--The temporary term of any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (1) shall end on the date on which the successor of the member has taken office as a member of the Bureau consistent with the requirements under section 202.
(g) Compensation.--Members of the Bureau shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code.
(h) Recusal.--A member of the Bureau shall recuse himself or herself from consideration of, or participation in, any matter pending before the Bureau that would constitute a conflict of interest.
SEC. 204. CHAIR; VICE CHAIR.
(a) Appointment of Chair.--
(1) Initial appointment.--Of the members of the Bureau first appointed to serve, one such member (as designated by the President at the time the President submits nominations to the Senate) shall serve as Chair of the Bureau.
(2) Subsequent appointments.--Any individual who is appointed to succeed the member who serves as Chair (as well as any individual who is appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of Chair) shall serve as Chair.
(b) Selection of Vice Chair.--
(1) In general.--The Bureau shall select, by majority vote of its members, one of its members to serve as Vice Chair.
(2) Absence or disability of the chair.--The Vice Chair shall act as Chair in the absence or disability of the Chair.
(c) Requirement Relating to Independence of Vice Chair.--If the Chair is affiliated with a political party, the Vice Chair shall be required to be a member of the Bureau who is not affiliated with any political party.
(d) Powers Assigned to Chair.--
(1) Administrative powers.--The Chair--
(A) shall be the chief administrative officer of the Bureau;
(B) shall have the authority to administer the Bureau and the staff of the Bureau; and
(C) in consultation with the other members of the Bureau, shall have the authority to--
(i) in accordance with section 203, appoint and remove the staff and the staff director of the Bureau;
(ii) request the assistance (including personnel and facilities) of any other agency or department of the United States, whose heads shall make such assistance available to the Bureau with or without reimbursement; and
(iii) prepare and establish the budget of the Bureau and make budget requests to the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress.
(2) Other powers.--The Chair shall have the power to--
(A) appoint and remove the general counsel of the Bureau with the concurrence of not fewer than 2 other members of the Bureau;
(B) require by special or general orders, any person to submit, under oath, such written reports and answers to questions as the Chair may prescribe;
(C) administer oaths or affirmations;
(D) require by subpoena, signed by the Chair, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all documentary evidence relating to the execution of the duties of the Bureau;
(E) in any proceeding or investigation, order testimony to be taken by deposition before any person who is designated by the Chair, and shall have the power to administer oaths and, in such instances, to compel testimony and the production of evidence in the same manner as authorized under subparagraph (D); and
(F) pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in like circumstances in the courts of the United States.
SEC. 205. BLUE RIBBON ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel to recommend individuals for appointment to the Bureau.
(b) Convening.--
(1) In general.--On or before the date that is 90 days before the regularly scheduled expiration of the term of a member of the Bureau, or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the membership of the Bureau prior to the expiration of a term, as applicable, the President shall promptly convene the Panel to propose nominees for membership on the Bureau.
(2) Special requirement to convene following enactment.--Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall convene the Panel to propose nominees for membership on the Bureau for each member of the Bureau.
(c) Membership of the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel.--
(1) Composition.--The Panel shall be composed of 11 members appointed by the President, in consultation with--
(A) the majority leader of the Senate; and
(B) the minority leader of the Senate.
(2) Political balance.--Members of the Panel shall include individuals representing each major political party and individuals who are not affiliated with any political party, and may include distinguished scholars, retired members of the Federal judiciary, former law enforcement officials, or individuals having experience with and knowledge of election and anti-corruption laws, except that the President may not select any individual to serve on the Panel who holds any public office at the time of selection.
(3) Diversity.--In selecting members of the Panel, the President shall make reasonable efforts to encourage racial, ethnic, and gender diversity on the Panel.
(d) Duties.--The Panel shall--
(1) identify and evaluate individuals qualified to serve as members of the Bureau;
(2) submit to the President a list of recommended individuals for each vacancy on the Bureau, anticipated vacancy on the Bureau, or initial appointment to the Bureau; and
(3) submit a report describing the qualifications of each recommended individual for appointment to the Bureau.
(e) Timing.--The Panel shall submit recommendations to the President for appointment to the Bureau not later than 90 days after the date on which the Panel is convened.
(f) Public Disclosure.--The recommendations and report submitted under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d), respectively, shall be made public upon transmittal to the President.
(g) Presidential Nominations.--If the President submits to the Senate a nomination of an individual not included in the recommendations of the Panel submitted under subsection (d)(2), the President shall, at the time of such submission to the Senate, provide a written explanation of the reasons for the nomination.
SEC. 206.
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REMOVAL; NOTICE TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 5 days after removing a member of the Bureau from such position, the President shall submit to the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives a written statement of the reasons for removal of the member.
(b) Hearings.--
(1) In general.--If the President fails to timely submit a statement under subsection (a), or if the statement does not set forth specific, detailed reasons for removal of the member of the Bureau, the committees described in subsection (a) shall conduct joint oversight hearings on the removal of the member of the Bureau for which a statement was required not later than 60 days after the missed submission deadline.
(2) Witnesses.--Any member of the Bureau for which a statement was required under subsection (a) but was not timely or appropriately submitted shall appear as a witness during a joint hearing under paragraph (1).
SEC. 301. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BUREAU.
(a) In General.--The Bureau shall--
(1) administer, seek to obtain compliance with, enforce, and formulate policy with respect to Federal laws relating to--
(A) campaign finance;
(B) ethics in Government;
(C) conflicts of interest;
(D) financial disclosure by Government officers and employees; and
(E) whistleblower protection;
(2) have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to civil enforcement of--
(A) this Act and any regulation promulgated under this Act;
(B) the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.);
(C) chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(D) subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code; and
(E) chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(3) recover proceeds from corrupt activities carried out in violation of the Federal laws described in paragraph (1) for victims of such activities and taxpayers in the United States through use of existing Federal authorities.
(b) Powers Assigned to Bureau.--The Bureau shall have the power to--
(1) initiate (through civil actions for injunctive, declaratory, or other appropriate relief), defend or appeal (including a proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari) any civil action in the name of the Bureau to enforce the provisions of this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, through the general counsel of the Bureau;
(2) render advisory opinions with respect to the provisions of law described in subsection (a)(2);
(3) develop such prescribed forms and to make, amend, and repeal such rules, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code;
(4) conduct investigations and hearings expeditiously, to encourage voluntary compliance with, to impose appropriate civil penalties under, and to report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities of, as applicable, this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(5) transmit to the President and Congress not later than June 1 of each year a report that--
(A) states in detail the activities of the Bureau in carrying out the duties of the Bureau under this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) includes any recommendations for any legislative or other action the Bureau considers appropriate.
(c) Permitting Bureau to Exercise Other Powers of Chair.--With respect to any investigation, action, or proceeding, the Bureau, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members who are serving at the time, may exercise any of the powers of the Chair described in 204(d).
(d) Staff-initiated Actions.--
(1) Procedures.--The Bureau shall establish procedures under which career, nonpartisan staff of the Bureau may determine whether there is reason to believe a violation of Federal law described in subsection (a)(1) has occurred.
(2) Initiation of investigation.--Upon such a determination by career, nonpartisan staff of the Bureau that a violation of Federal law described in subsection (a)(1) has occurred, staff of the Bureau may initiate an investigation of the violation unless, within a reasonable period established by regulation, a majority of the members of the Bureau votes to prohibit the investigation.
(3) Ethics and whistleblower protections.--The Bureau shall establish comparable procedures to those established under paragraphs (1) and (2) for investigation into matters relating to ethics and whistleblower protections.
(e) Meetings.--The Bureau shall meet--
(1) not less frequently than once each month; and
(2) at the call of any member of the Bureau.
(f) Rules for Conduct of Activities; Judicial Notice of Seal; Principal Office.--The Bureau shall--
(1) prepare written rules for the conduct of the activities of the Bureau;
(2) have an official seal that shall be judicially noticed; and
(3) have its principal office in or near the District of Columbia (but may meet or exercise any of the powers of the Bureau anywhere in the United States).
(g) Restrictions on Ex Parte Communications.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall promulgate regulations relating to limitations on ex parte communications by members and employees of the Bureau.
(h) Prohibition on Executive Branch Influence Over Bureau Activities.--
(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any applicable person to--
(A) exercise any power or carry out any duty of the Bureau under this Act on the basis of political or partisan animus; or
(B) request that any member or employee of the Bureau, directly or indirectly, exercise any power or carry out any duty of the Bureau under this Act on the basis of political or partisan animus.
(2) Reporting requirement.--Any member of the Bureau who receives any request prohibited under paragraph (1)(B) shall report the receipt of such request to the Chair.
(3) Penalty.--Any person who willfully violates paragraph (1) or fails to report under paragraph (2) shall be punished upon conviction by a fine in any amount not exceeding $50,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.
(4) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term "applicable person" means--
(A) the President, the Vice President, any employee of the executive office of the President, and any employee of the executive office of the Vice President; and
(B) any individual serving in a position specified in section 5312 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Private Right of Action.--
(1) In general.--Any person, including an attorney general of a State acting as parens patriae, aggrieved by an order of the Bureau dismissing a complaint or other referral for Bureau action filed by such party under any provision of law described in subsection (a)(2), or by a failure of the Bureau to act on such complaint or other referral during the 120-day period beginning on the date the complaint is filed, may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(2) Procedure.--Any petition under paragraph (1) shall be filed, in the case of a dismissal of a complaint or other referral for Bureau action by the Bureau, within 60 days after the date of the dismissal.
(3) Orders by the court.--In any proceeding under this subsection the court may declare that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary to law, and may direct the Bureau to conform with such declaration within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original complaint.
(4) Attorneys' fees.--In a civil action under this subsection, the court may allow the prevailing party (other than the Bureau) reasonable attorneys' fees, including litigation expenses, and costs.
(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supplant the provisions of section 309(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8)).
(j) Campaign Finance Powers and Duties.--
(1) Standard for initiating investigations and determining whether violations have occurred.--
(A) Revision of standards.--Section 309(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
"(2)(A) The general counsel, upon receiving a complaint filed with the Bureau under paragraph (1) or upon the basis of information ascertained by the Bureau in the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, shall make a determination as to whether or not there is reason to believe
that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and as to whether or not the Bureau should either initiate an investigation of the matter or that the complaint should be dismissed. The general counsel shall promptly provide notification to the Bureau of such determination and the reasons therefore, together with any written response submitted under paragraph (1) by the person alleged to have committed the violation. Upon the expiration of the 30-day period that begins on the date the general counsel provides such notification, the determination of the general counsel shall take effect, unless during such 30-day period the Bureau, by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time, overrules the determination of the general counsel. If the determination by the general counsel that the Bureau should investigate the matter takes effect, or if the determination by the general counsel that the complaint should be dismissed is overruled as provided under the previous sentence, the general counsel shall initiate an investigation of the matter on behalf of the Bureau.
"(B) If the Bureau initiates an investigation pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Bureau, through the Chair, shall notify the subject of the investigation of the alleged violation. Such notification shall set forth the factual basis for such alleged violation. The Bureau shall make an investigation of such alleged violation, which may include a field investigation or audit, in accordance with the provisions of this section. The general counsel shall provide notification to the Bureau of any intent to issue a subpoena or conduct any other form of discovery pursuant to the investigation.
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Upon the expiration of the 15-day period that begins on the date the general counsel provides such notification, the general counsel may issue the subpoena or conduct the discovery, unless during such 15-day period the Bureau, by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time, prohibits the general counsel from issuing the subpoena or conducting the discovery.
"(3)(A) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2), the general counsel shall promptly submit to the Bureau the recommendation of the general counsel that the Bureau find either that there is probable cause or that there is not probable cause to believe that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall include with the recommendation a brief stating the position of the general counsel on the legal and factual issues of the case.
"(B) At the time the general counsel submits to the Bureau the recommendation under subparagraph (A), the general counsel shall simultaneously notify the respondent of such recommendation and the reasons therefore, shall provide the respondent with an opportunity to submit a brief within 30 days stating the position of the respondent on the legal and factual issues of the case and replying to the brief of the general counsel. The general counsel and shall promptly submit such brief to the Bureau upon receipt.
"(C) Not later than 30 days after the general counsel submits the recommendation to the Bureau under subparagraph (A) (or, if the respondent submits a brief under subparagraph (B), not later than 30 days after the general counsel submits the respondent's brief to the Bureau under such subparagraph), the Bureau shall approve or disapprove the recommendation by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time.".
(B) Conforming amendment relating to initial response to filing of complaint.--Section 309(a)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(1)) is amended--
(i) in the third sentence, by striking "the Commission" and inserting "the general counsel"; and
(ii) by amending the fourth sentence to read as follows: "Not later than 15 days after receiving notice from the general counsel under the previous sentence, the person may provide the general counsel with a written response that no action should be taken against such person on the basis of the complaint.".
(2) Revision of standard for review of dismissal of complaints.--
(A) In general.--Section 309(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
"(8)(A)(i) Any party aggrieved by an order of the Bureau dismissing a complaint filed by such party after finding either no reason to believe a violation has occurred or no probable cause a violation has occurred may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Any petition under this subparagraph shall be filed within 60 days after the date on which the party received notice of the dismissal of the complaint.
"(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall determine by de novo review whether the dismissal by the Bureau of the complaint is contrary to law. In any matter in which the penalty for the alleged violation is greater than $50,000, the court should disregard any claim or defense by the Bureau of prosecutorial discretion as a basis for dismissing the complaint.
"(B)(i) Any party who has filed a complaint with the Bureau and who is aggrieved by a failure of the Bureau, within 1 year after the filing of the complaint, to either dismiss the complaint or to find reason to believe a violation has occurred or is about to occur, may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
"(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall treat the failure to act on the complaint as a dismissal of the complaint, and shall determine by de novo review whether the failure by the Bureau to act on the complaint is contrary to law.
"(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph, the court may declare that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary to law, and may direct the Bureau to conform with such declaration within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original complaint.".
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall apply--
(i) in the case of complaints that are dismissed by the Bureau, with respect to complaints that are dismissed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(ii) in the case of complaints upon which the Bureau failed to act, with respect to complaints that were filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(k) Government Ethics Powers and Duties.--
(1) Enforcement powers.--Chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in section 13104(f)(6)(C), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau" each place the term appears;
(B) in section 13106--
(i) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in subsection (b)--
(I) in the subsection heading, by striking "Attorney General" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(II) by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics,"; and
(III) by striking "the Attorney General" each place that terms appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in section 13107(c)(2), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) in section 13145(a), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Definitions.--
(A) In general.--Section 13121 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "Establishment" and inserting "Definitions; establishment";
(ii) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Definitions.--In this subchapter:
"(1) Agency; executive agency.--The terms `agency' and `executive agency' shall include the Executive Office of the President.
"(2) Agency head; head of agency.--The terms `agency head' and `head of an agency' shall include the President or the President's designee.
"(3) Bureau.--The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.
"(4) Officer or employee.--The term `officer or employee' shall include any individual occupying a position, providing any official services, or acting in an advisory capacity, in the White House or the Executive Office of the President.";
(iii) by striking subsection (b);
(iv) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b); and
(v) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
(I) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau" each place the term appears.
(B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the item relating to section 13121, by striking "Establishment" and inserting "Definitions; establishment".
(3) Overall direction.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
"(a) In General.--The Bureau--
"(1) shall provide overall direction of executive branch policies related to ethics and preventing conflicts of interest on the part of officers and employees of any Executive agency, as defined in section 105 of this title; and
"(2) shall have the authority to--
"(A) conduct investigations into alleged violations of executive branch policies described in paragraph (1), either in response to a complaint filed with the Bureau or sua sponte;
"(B) issue administrative fines to individuals for violations of executive branch policies described in paragraph (1);
"(C) order individuals to take corrective action, including disgorgement, divestiture, and recusal, as the Bureau determines necessary to enforce the executive branch policies described in paragraph (1); and
"(D) bring civil actions in an appropriate district court to enforce fines and orders described in subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively.".
(4) Responsibilities of the bureau.--Section 13122(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking "developing, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Office of Personnel Management, rules and regulations to be promulgated by the President or the Director" and inserting "developing and promulgating rules and regulations";
(C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
"(2) providing mandatory education and training programs for designated agency ethics officials, which may be delegated to each agency or the White House Counsel as determined appropriate by the Bureau;";
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking "problems" and inserting "issues";
(E) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by striking "issued by the President or the Director"; and
(ii) by striking "problems" and inserting "issues";
(F) in paragraph (7)--
(i) by striking ", when requested,"; and
(ii) by striking "conflict of interest problems" and inserting "conflicts of interest, as well as other ethics issues,";
(G) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking "ordering" and inserting "receiving allegations of violations of this Act or regulations of the Bureau and, when necessary, investigating an allegation to determine whether a violation occurred, and ordering";
(ii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) by inserting ", and recommending appropriate disciplinary action" before the semicolon at the end;
(H) in paragraph (10), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(I) in paragraph (12)--
(i) by striking "evaluating, with the assistance of" and inserting "promulgating, with input from";
(ii) by striking "the need for";
(iii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iv) by striking "conflict of interest and ethical problems" and inserting "conflict of interest and ethics issues";
(J) in paragraph (13)--
(i) by striking "with the Attorney General" and inserting "with the inspectors general and the Attorney General";
(ii) by striking "violations of the conflict of interest laws" and inserting "conflict of interest issues and allegations of violations of ethics laws and regulations and this Act"; and
(iii) by striking ", as required by section 535 of title 28";
(K) in paragraph (14), by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon;
(L) in paragraph (15)--
(i) by striking ", in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management,";
(ii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(M) by adding at the end the following:
"(16) directing and providing final approval, when determined appropriate by the Bureau, for designated agency ethics officials regarding the resolution of conflicts of interest as well as any other ethics issues under the purview of this Act in individual cases; and
"(17) reviewing and approving, when determined appropriate by the Bureau, any recusals, exemptions, or waivers from the conflicts of interest and ethics laws, rules, and regulations and making approved recusals, exemptions, and waivers made publicly available by the relevant agency available in a central location on the official website of the Bureau.".
(5) Written procedures.--Section 13122(d) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking "The Director shall, by the exercise of any authority otherwise available to the Director under this subchapter," and inserting "The Bureau
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shall";
(ii) by striking "the agency is"; and
(iii) by inserting ", or written documentation of recusals, waivers, or ethics authorizations relating to," after "filed by"; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking "the Director" and inserting "the Bureau".
(6) Corrective actions.--Section 13122(f) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking "of such agency"; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting "and determine that a violation of this Act has occurred and issue appropriate administrative or legal remedies as prescribed in paragraph (2)" before the period at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau";
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(bb) in subclause (I), by inserting "to the President or the President's designee if the matter involves employees of the Executive Office of the President or" after "may recommend"; and
(cc) in subclause (II)--
(AA) by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau";
(BB) by inserting "President or" after "determines that the"; and
(CC) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting "; and";
(III) in clause (iii)--
(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(bb) in subclause (II)--
(AA) by striking "notify, in writing," and inserting "advise the President or order";
(BB) by inserting "to take appropriate disciplinary action including reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal against the officer or employee (provided, however, that any order issued by the Bureau shall not affect an employee's right to appeal a disciplinary action under applicable law, regulation, collective bargaining agreement, or contractual provision)." after "employee's agency"; and
(CC) by striking "of the officer's or employee's noncompliance, except that, if the officer or employee involved is the agency head, the notification shall instead be submitted to the President; and"; and
(IV) by striking clause (iv);
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i)--
(aa) in the clause heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(bb) by striking "Director's" and inserting "Bureau's";
(cc) by striking "subparagraph (A)(iii) or (iv)" and inserting "subparagraph (A)";
(dd) by striking "the Director" and inserting "the Bureau";
(ee) by inserting "(I) In general.--" before "In order to"; and
(ff) by adding at the end the following:
"(II) Production of information.--The Bureau may--
"(aa) secure directly from any agency information necessary to enable the Bureau to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Bureau, the head of such agency shall furnish that information to the Chair of the Bureau; and
"(bb) require by subpoena the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data in any medium and documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this Act, which subpoena, in the case of refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by order of any appropriate United States district court.";
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) in subclause (I)--
(AA) by striking "Subject to clause (iv) of this subparagraph, before" and inserting "Before"; and
(BB) by striking "subparagraphs (A)(iii) or (iv)" and inserting "subparagraph (A)(iii)"; and
(bb) in subclause (II), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(III) in clause (iii), by striking "Subject to clause (iv) of this subparagraph, before" and inserting "Before";
(C) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking "(iv),"; and
(E) in paragraph (5), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(7) Definitions.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(g) Prior Approval, Comment, or Review.--The Chair of the Bureau shall not be required to obtain the prior approval, comment, or review of any officer or agency of the United States, including the Office of Management and Budget, before submitting to Congress, or any committee or subcommittee thereof, any information, reports, recommendations, testimony, or comments, if such submissions include a statement indicating that the views expressed therein are those of the Director and do not necessarily represent the views of the President.".
(l) Agency Ethics Officials Powers and Duties.--Section 13123 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Designated Agency Ethics Officials.--
"(1) In general.--All designated agency ethics officials and alternate designated agency ethics officials shall register with the Bureau as well as with the appointing authority of the official.
"(2) Provision of ethics education and training.--The Bureau shall provide ethics education and training to all designated agency ethics officials and alternate designated agency ethics officials in a time and manner determined appropriate by the Bureau.
"(3) Required attendance at ethics education and training.--Each designated agency ethics official and each alternate designated agency ethics official shall biannually attend ethics education and training, as provided by the Bureau under paragraph (2).
"(d) Required Documentation.--Each designated agency ethics official, including the designated agency ethics official for the Executive Office of the President--
"(1) shall provide to the Bureau, in writing, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable format, all approvals, authorizations, certifications, compliance reviews, determinations, directed divestitures, public financial disclosure reports, notices of deficiency in compliance, records related to the
approval or acceptance of gifts, recusals, regulatory or statutory advisory opinions, waivers, including waivers under section 207 or 208 of title 18, and any other records designated by the Bureau, unless disclosure is prohibited by law;
"(2) shall, for all information described in paragraph (1) that is permitted to be disclosed to the public under law, make the information available to the public by publishing the information on the website of the Bureau, providing a link to download an electronic copy of the information, or providing printed paper copies of such information to the public; and
"(3) may charge a reasonable fee for the cost of providing paper copies of the information pursuant to paragraph (2).
"(e) Public Availability.--
"(1) In general.--For all information that is provided by an agency to the Bureau under subsection (d)(1), the Bureau shall make the information available to the public in a searchable, sortable, downloadable format by publishing the information on the website of the Bureau or providing a link to download an electronic copy of the information.
"(2) Reasonable fee.--The Bureau may, upon request, provide printed paper copies of the information published under paragraph (1) and charge a reasonable fee for the cost of printing such copies.".
SEC. 302. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.
(a) Transfer.--
(1) Federal election commission.--There are transferred to the Office of Campaign Finance of the Bureau established under section 203(b) all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Federal Election Commission.
(2) Office of government ethics.--There are transferred to the Office of Government Ethics of the Bureau established under section 203(c) all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Office of Government Ethics.
(3) Office of special counsel.--There are transferred to the Bureau all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Office of Special Counsel.
(b) General Authority.--In carrying out any function transferred by subsection (a)--
(1) the Bureau, or any member or employee of the Bureau, may exercise any authority available by law with respect to that function to the official or agency from which that function is transferred; and
(2) the actions of the Bureau, or any member or employee of the Bureau, in exercising the authority described in paragraph (1), shall have the same force and effect as when exercised by that official or agency.
(c) Continuity.--All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, agreements, grants, contracts, recognitions of labor organizations, certificates, licenses, registrations, privileges, and other administrative actions--
(1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective by any agency or office whose functions are transferred under subsection (a); and
(2) that are in effect on the effective date of this Act, shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with Federal law.
(d) Pending Proceedings.--This Act shall not affect any proceeding or application pending on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 303.
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PERSONNEL.
(a) Staff Director, General Counsel and Other Staff.--
(1) Staff director.--The Bureau shall appoint a staff director who shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) General counsel.--In accordance with section 204(d)(2)(A), the Chair shall appoint a general counsel who shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Senior staff.--The Bureau may appoint and fix the pay of staff designated as senior staff, such as a deputy staff director, who may be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Other staff.--In addition to the staff director, general counsel, and senior staff, the Bureau may appoint and fix the pay of such other staff as the Bureau considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Bureau, except that no such staff may be compensated at an annual rate exceeding the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule.
(b) Office of Campaign Finance.--There is established within the Bureau an Office of Campaign Finance.
(c) Office of Government Ethics.--There is established within the Bureau an Office of Government Ethics.
(d) Transfer of Employees.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Employees transferred.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, all employees of the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Office of Special Counsel shall be transferred to the Bureau.
(B) Employees not transferred.--The following individuals shall not be transferred to the Bureau:
(i) Any individual serving as a Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission.
(ii) Any individual serving as the Director, or acting Director, of the Office of Government Ethics.
(iii) Any individual serving as the Special Counsel or acting Special Counsel.
(2) Employee status and functions.--
(A) Status.--Each employee transferred under this subsection shall be placed in a position at the Bureau with the same status and tenure as the transferred employee held on the day before the date on which the employee was transferred.
(B) Functions.--To the extent practicable, each employee transferred under this subsection shall be placed in a position at the Bureau responsible for the same functions and duties as the transferred employee had on the day before the date on which the employee was transferred, in accordance with the expertise and preferences of the transferred employee.
(3) Pay.--
(A) Protection.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), each employee transferred under this subsection shall, during the 4-year period beginning on the date on which the employee is transferred, receive pay at a rate that is not less than the basic rate of pay (including any geographic differential) that the employee received during the pay period immediately preceding the date on which the employee is transferred.
(ii) Limitation.--Notwithstanding clause (i), if an employee was receiving a higher rate of basic pay on a temporary basis (because of a temporary assignment, temporary promotion, or other temporary action) immediately before the date on which the employee is transferred under this subsection--
(I) the Bureau may reduce the rate of basic pay of the employee on the date on which the rate would have been reduced but for the transfer; and
(II) the protected rate for the remainder of the 4-year period described in clause (i) shall be the reduced rate that would have applied, but for the transfer.
(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) shall not limit the right of the Bureau to reduce the rate of basic pay of an employee transferred under this subsection--
(i) for cause or for unacceptable performance; or
(ii) with the consent of the employee.
(C) Protection only while employed.--Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to an employee transferred under this subsection only while that employee remains employed by the Bureau.
(D) Pay increases permitted.--Subparagraph (A) shall not limit the authority of the Bureau to increase the pay of an employee transferred under this subsection.
(e) Prohibition on Changes to Mission.--No officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the head of any agency, other than the Chair may substantially or significantly reduce the authorities, responsibilities, or functions of the Bureau or the capability of the Bureau to perform those authorities, responsibilities, or functions, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
(f) Coverage Under Inspector General Act of 1978 for Conducting Audits and Investigations.--
(1) In general.--Section 415(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau," after "Election Assistance Commission,".
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 180 days after the date on which Members are first appointed to the Bureau under section 202.
(3) Role of inspector general of bureau.--In addition to the duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of the Bureau under section 404 of title 5, United States Code, the Inspector General of the Bureau shall provide policy direction for, and conduct, supervise, and coordinate, audits and investigations into any allegation that any exercise of the powers and duties of the Bureau under section 301(b) was motivated by political or partisan animus.
TITLE IV--APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU
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SEC. 401. ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES TO DIVISION TO APPOINT
TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION
BUREAU.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"Sec. 50. Assignment of judges to division to appoint
temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau
"(a) In General.--
"(1) Assignment of judges.--Beginning with the 2-year period commencing on the date of the enactment of this section, 3 judges shall be assigned for each successive 2-year period to a division of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to be the division of the court for the purpose of--
"(A) appointing temporary members of the Anti-Corruption Bureau under section 203(f) the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act; and
"(B) if the President fails to appoint any initial member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau under section 202(b)(1) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act, appointing a temporary member to fill that vacancy.
"(2) Clerk.--The Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall serve as the clerk of such division of the court and shall provide such services as are needed by such division of the court.
"(b) Other Judicial Assignments.--Except as provided under subsection (e), assignment to such division of the court shall not be a bar to other judicial assignments during the term of such division.
"(c) Designation and Assignment.--
"(1) In general.--The Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shall designate and assign 3 circuit court judges, 1 of whom shall be a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to such division of the court.
"(2) Restriction on certain senior and retired judges.--Not more than 1 judge or senior or retired judge or justice may be named to such division from a particular court.
"(d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in such division of the court shall be filled only for the remainder of the 2-year period in which such vacancy occurs and in the same manner as initial assignments to such division were made.".
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"50. Assignment of judges to division to appoint temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.".
SEC. 501. FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the "Freedom From Influence Fund".
(b) Sense of the Senate Regarding Funding.--It is the sense of the Senate that the Fund should consist of--
(1) assessments against certain fines, penalties, and settlements as a result of--
(A) corporate malfeasance; and
(B) violations of the provisions of law described in section 301(a)(2); and
(2) interest on, and proceeds from, the sale or redemption of any obligations held by the Freedom From Influence Fund, of which the Chair shall invest such portion as is not, in the judgment of the Chair, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. For such purpose, such obligations may be acquired--
(A) on original issue at the issue price, or
(B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price.
SEC. 502. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau from the Fund such sums as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Bureau for fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 503. REFERENCES.
Any reference in any law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, or the Office of Special Counsel shall be deemed to refer to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
SEC. 504. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall promulgate such rules and regulations as the Bureau considers necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties of the Bureau under this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
SEC. 505. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998.--Section 620(b)(4)(B)) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7657(b)(4)(B)) is amended by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(b) Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act.--Section 133(d)(3)(D) of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 40122 note) is amended by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(c) Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.--
(1) Responsibilities of federal communications commission.--Section 201(b) of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30104 note) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Regulations by fec.--Section 214(c) of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30116 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Maintenance of website of election reports.--Section 502 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30112 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking "Federal Election Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(d) Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949.--Section 12(g) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3512(g)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(e) Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.--Section 8104 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (10 U.S.C. 2241 note) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(f) Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007.--Section 21078(a) of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (52 U.S.C. 30146(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(g) Department of the Interior Volunteer Recruitment Act of 2005.--Section 3(d)(3) of the Department of the Interior Volunteer Recruitment Act of 2005 (43 U.S.C. 1475b(d)(3)) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(h) Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.--
(1) Suicide by employees.--Section 105 of the Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Training for supervisors.--Section 106 of the Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 2301 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(i) Federal Deposit Insurance Act.--Section 12(f) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1822(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking "that Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "that Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(j) Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (9)(B)(iii), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau";
(B) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
"(10) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.";
(C) in paragraph (14), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(D) in paragraph (15), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(2) Organization of political committees.--Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30102(g)) is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "with the Commission" and inserting "with the Bureau".
(3) Registration of political committees.--Section 303(d)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30103(d)(2)) is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(4) Reports.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended--
(A) by striking "The Commission" and inserting "The Bureau";
(B) by striking "the Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "the Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (h), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(5) Reports on convention financing.--Section 305 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30105) is amended, in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking "the Commission" and inserting "the Bureau".
(6) Authorities.--The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by striking section 306 (52 U.S.C. 30106) and inserting the following:
"Sec. 306. (a) The Bureau shall--
"(1) administer, seek to obtain compliance with, and formulate policy with respect to, this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and
"(2) have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the civil enforcement of such provisions.
"(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, restrict or diminish any investigatory, informational, oversight, supervisory, or disciplinary authority or function of the Congress or any committee of the Congress with respect to elections for Federal office.".
(7) Powers of the bureau.--Section 307 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30107) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(8) Advisory opinions.--Section 308 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30108) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(9) Enforcement.--Section 309 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109), as amended by section 301 of this Act, is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(10) Judicial review.--Section 310 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30110) is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(11) Administrative provisions.--Section 311 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
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30111) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(12) Statement filed with state officers.--Section 312 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30113) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(13) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 314 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30115) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(14) Limitations on contributions and expenditures.--Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(15) Modification of certain limits for house candidates in response to personal fund expenditures of opponents.--Section 315A(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30117(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(F)(i), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(16) Soft money of political parties.--Section 323(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30125(b)(2)(A)) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(k) Financial Stability Act of 2010.--Section 152(g) of the Financial Stability Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5342(g)) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(l) FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017.--Section 110(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 2303 note) is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(m) GENIUS Act.--Section 4(i)(2) of the GENIUS Act (12 U.S.C. 5903(i)(2)) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(n) Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
(1) Sale of property to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements.--Section 1043(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting " Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Employees.--Section 7471(a)(8)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Presidential election campaign fund.--
(A) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 95 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the item relating to section 9005, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) in the item relating to section 9010, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(B) Definitions.--Section 9002 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
"(3) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act."; and
(iii) in paragraph (11), in the flush matter following subparagraph (C), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(C) Condition for eligibility for payments.--Section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(D) Entitlement of eligible candidates to payments.--Section 9004(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(E) Certification by bureau.--Section 9005 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(F) Payments to eligible candidates.--Section 9006 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(G) Examinations and audits.--Section 9007 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(H) Payments for presidential nominating conventions.--Section 9008 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(I) Reports to congress; regulations.--Section 9009 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(J) Participation by bureau in judicial proceedings.--Section 9010 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(K) Judicial review.--Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(L) Criminal penalties.--Section 9012 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(4) Presidential primary matching payment account.--
(A) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 96 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the item relating to section 9036, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) in the item relating to section 9040, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(B) Definitions.--Section 9032 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
"(3) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.".
(C) Eligibility for payments.--Section 9033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(D) Certification by bureau.--Section 9036 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(E) Payments to eligible candidates.--Section 9037(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(F) Examinations and audits; repayments.--Section 9038 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(G) Reports to congress; regulations.--Section 9039 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(H) Participation by bureau in judicial proceedings.--Section 9040 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(I) Judicial review.--Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(J) Criminal penalties.--Section 9042(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(o) Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.--Section 6(a)(9)(C) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1605(a)(9)(C)) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(p) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.--Section 1097(b)(2)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (5 U.S.C. 7503 note) is amended by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(q) National Security Act of 1947.--Section 102A of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024) is amended--
(1) in subsection (t), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (x)(4), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(r) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 6(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505(a)(1)) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Election Assistance Commission".
(s) Presidential Transition Act of 1963.--Section 4 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note; Public Law 88-277) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(3)(A), by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics," and inserting "the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau,"; and
(2) in subsection (e)(3)(C), by striking "the Office of Government Ethics," and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau,".
(t) Public Law 103-424.--
(1) Implementation.--Section 12 of the Act entitled "An Act to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes", approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1214 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Annual survey of individuals seeking assistance.--Section 13 of the Act entitled "An Act to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes", approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(u) Public Law 107-276.--Section 4 of Public Law 107-276 (26 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(v) Small Business Act.--Section 9(o)(12) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(12)) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(w) STOCK Act.--
(1) Prohibition of the use of nonpublic information for private profit.--Section 9(a)(1) of the STOCK Act (Public Law 112-105; 126 Stat. 297) is amended by striking "The Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Electronic filing and online public availability of financial disclosure forms of certain executive branch officials.--Section 11(b) of the STOCK Act (5 U.S.C. 13107 note) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the flush text following subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in paragraph (6), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(x) Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act.--Section 3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C.
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20102(c)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission, the" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau, the"; and
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(y) William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.--Section 548(c)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (38 U.S.C. 5906 note) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(z) Chapter 4 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Appointments.--Section 403(d)(1)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in clause (i)(II)(aa), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Council of the inspectors general on integrity and efficiency.--Section 424 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (E), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics." and inserting "The Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau."; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (F) and redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively;
(B) in subsection (c)(5)(B), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics or the designee of the Director." and inserting "The Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the designee of the Chair.";
(ii) in paragraph (5)(A)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(bb) by striking "designated by the Special Counsel" and inserting "designated by the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (7)--
(I) in subparagraph (D), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (E)(ii)--
(aa) by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(bb) by striking "or the Special Counsel" and inserting "or the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iv) in paragraph (9)(B), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(v) in paragraph (12)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(II) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
"(A) Covered individual defined.--In this paragraph, the term `covered individual' means a member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau."; and
(III) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(aa) by striking "against the Special Counsel or the Deputy Special Counsel" and inserting "against a covered individual"; and
(bb) by striking "designated by the Special Counsel" and inserting "designated by the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(aa) Chapter 5 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 552(a)(4)(F) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking "The Special Counsel" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "his findings and recommendations" and inserting "the findings and recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in the third sentence, by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in clause (ii)(I), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(3) in clause (iii), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(bb) Chapter 11 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1103(a)(5) of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(cc) Chapter 12 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the item relating to subchapter II, by striking "OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU";
(B) in the item relating to section 1212, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in the item relating to section 1216, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Powers and functions of the merit systems protection board.--Section 1204 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)(1)(B)(i), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)(1)(C), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Establishment.--Section 1211 of title 5, United States Code, is repealed.
(4) Powers and functions.--Section 1212 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) by striking "The Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(5) Provisions relating to disclosures of violations of law, gross mismanagement, and certain other matters.--Section 1213 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(6) Investigation of prohibited personnel practices; corrective action.--Section 1214 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) by striking "The Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(7) Disciplinary action.--Section 1215 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (a)(1), in the flush text following subparagraph (C), by striking "the Special Counsel's determination" and inserting "the determination of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(8) Other matters within jurisdiction.--Section 1216 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(9) Transmittal of information to congress.--Section 1217 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) by striking "the Special Counsel's views" and inserting "the views of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) by striking "the Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(10) Annual report.--Section 1218 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(F) in paragraph (5), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(G) in paragraph (7), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(H) in paragraph (8), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(I) in paragraph (12), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(J) in paragraph (13), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(11) Public information.--Section 1219 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(12) Individual right of action in certain reprisal cases.--Section 1221 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)(3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(dd) Chapter 13 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1303 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ee) Chapter 15 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1504 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ff) Chapter 23 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Prohibited personnel practices.--Section 2302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (8)(B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (9)(C), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (13)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c)(2)(C)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in clause (iii)(I), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Prohibited personnel practices in the federal bureau of investigation.--Section 2303(a)(1)(G) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(gg) Chapter 31 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 3132(a)(1)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(hh) Chapter 43 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 4302(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ii) Chapter 53 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to "Director of the Office of Government Ethics."; and
(2) by striking the item relating to "Special Counsel of the
Text printed in the Record (11,997 characters)
Office of Special Counsel.".
(jj) Chapter 63 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 6329b of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(6)(D), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in subsection (e), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(3) in subsection (g), in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(kk) Chapter 71 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 7121(g)(4)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ll) Chapter 73 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Post-employment notification.--Section 7302(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Political activity authorized; prohibitions.--Section 7323(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking "the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)--
(i) in subclause (I), by striking "the Federal Election Commission or"; and
(ii) in subclause (IX), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel;" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau;".
(3) Gifts to federal employees.--Section 7353(d)(1)(D) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(mm) Chapter 75 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 7515(b)(1) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(nn) Chapter 131 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the item relating to subchapter II, by striking "OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU".
(2) Definitions.--Section 13101(18)(D) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Administration of provisions.--Section 13102(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(4) Persons required to file.--Section 13103 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (f)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (5)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "the Director determines" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau determines"; and
(iii) in paragraph (7), by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "each member and employee of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (h), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(5) Filing of reports.--Section 13105 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "With Director of Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "by the President, Vice President, and Independent Counsel"; and
(ii) by striking "with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in the second sentence, by striking "The Director" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "filed in the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "filed in the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(D) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "With Federal Election Commission" and inserting "by Candidates for President and Vice President"; and
(ii) by striking "with the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(E) in subsection (k)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(F) in subsection (l)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (5)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Director determines" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau determines"; and
(iii) in paragraph (7), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Each member or employee of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(6) Review of reports.--Section 13108 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iv) in paragraph (6), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(7) Notice of actions taken to comply with ethics agreements.--Section 13111(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(8) Authority and function.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, as amended by section 301 of this Act, is amended--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(9) Administrative provisions.--Section 13123 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(iv) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "to the Director" and inserting "to the Bureau";
(II) by striking "which the Director" and inserting "that the Bureau"; and
(III) by striking "Director's duties" and inserting "duties of the Bureau"; and
(v) in the flush text following paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics responsibilities" and inserting "responsibilities of the Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(III) by striking "such Office" and inserting "the Bureau".
(10) Rules and regulations.--Section 13124 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(11) Reports to congress.--Section 13126 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1),
(i) by striking "by the Director" and inserting "by the Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "the Director's functions" and inserting "the functions of the Bureau"; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(12) Administration relating to outside earned income and employment.--Section 13142 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "and administered" and inserting "administered".
(oo) Table of Chapters for Title 5, United States Code.--The table of chapters for part II of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the item relating to chapter 12, by striking "OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU".
(pp) Chapter 80 of Title 10, United States Code.--Section 1566(i)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(qq) Chapter 11 of Title 18, United States Code.--
(1) Restrictions on former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches.--Section 207 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(2)(C), in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Director determines" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau determines";
(B) in subsection (h)(1)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" each places that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "the Director shall" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau shall";
(C) in subsection (j)--
(i) in paragraph (5), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (7)(B)(i), by striking "Federal Election Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) in subsection (k)--
(i) in paragraph (3), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (5)(B)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "with the Director" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Acts affecting a personal financial interest.--Section 208 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (d)(2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(rr) Chapter 40 of Title 28, United States Code.--Section 594(j)(5) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ss) Chapter 13 of Title 31, United States Code.--Section 1353 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A)
Text printed in the Record (7,063 characters)
in the first sentence, by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking "The Director shall" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau shall".
(tt) Chapter 5 of Title 36, United States Code.--Section 510(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(uu) Chapter 3 of Title 38, United States Code.--Section 323(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(vv) Chapter 7 of Title 38, United States Code.--
(1) Employees: removal, demotion, or suspension based on performance or misconduct.--Section 714 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)(1)--
(i) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "approval of the Special Counsel" and inserting "approval of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking "the Special Counsel (established by section 1211 of title 5)" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Special Counsel provides" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau provides".
(2) Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions relating to whistleblower complaints.--Section 731 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Training regarding whistleblower disclosures.--Section 733(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ww) Chapter 43 of Title 38, United States Code.--
(1) Enforcement of rights with respect to federal executive agencies.--Section 4324 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel established by section 1211 of title 5" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau" ; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Noncompliance of federal officials with deadlines; inapplicability of statutes of limitations.--Section 4327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau" .
(3) Regulations.--Section 4331(b)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(4) Reports.--Section 4332 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel referred to in section 4324(a)(1)" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking "Special Counsel pursuant" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau pursuant"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (10), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Special counsel" and inserting "Anti-corruption bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(xx) Chapter 23 of Title 41, United States Code.--Section 2303(c) of title 41, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(yy) Chapter 35 of Title 44, United States Code.--Section 3502(1) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(zz) Chapter 1 of Title 49, United States Code.--Section 106(t) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in clause (vi), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in paragraph (8)(C)(iv), by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(aaa) Chapter 401 of Title 49, United States Code.--Section 40122(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Boozman):
S. 5194. A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve the maintenance, alteration, and construction of United States courthouses, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. DURBIN. 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:
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 "Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act of 2026".
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR TRANSFER OF CERTAIN JUDICIAL BRANCH
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR.
(a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 604 the following:
"Sec. 604A.
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Pilot program for transfer of jurisdiction,
custody, and control of certain judicial branch
accommodations to the Director; authority of the Director
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services.
"(2) Alter.--The term `alter' includes--
"(A) preliminary planning, engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, and economic investigations and studies, conducting surveys, preparing designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, and procedures, and other similar actions necessary for the alteration of any space or facility; and
"(B) repairing, remodeling, improving, extending, or making any other change in any space or facility.
"(3) Covered judicial district.--The term `covered judicial district' means a judicial district in which the Director has identified real property under subsection (b).
"(4) Covered property.--The term `covered property' means--
"(A) any real property owned or leased by the United States, and any lease of real property made on behalf of the United States, that--
"(i) is located in a covered judicial district;
"(ii) contains court accommodations; and
"(iii) for which jurisdiction, custody, and control is transferred to the Director under subsection (i); and
"(B) the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building.
"(5) Construct.--The term `construct' includes preliminary planning, engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, and economic investigations and studies, conducting surveys, preparing designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, and procedures, and any other similar action necessary for the construction of any space or facility.
"(6) Court accommodation.--The term `court accommodation' includes--
"(A) the chambers and courtrooms of the Judiciary (other than the Supreme Court of the United States); and
"(B) accommodations for all court-related functions and for probation offices, pretrial service offices, Federal Public Defender Organizations, the United States Sentencing Commission, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, and any other administrative or clerical personnel associated with the Judiciary.
"(7) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
"(8) Facility; building.--The terms `facility' or `building' mean any building or other structure, including its grounds, approaches, appurtenances, and parking spaces, or any part thereof.
"(9) Federal agency; property.--The terms `Federal agency' and `property' have the meanings given the terms `federal agency' and `property', respectively, in section 102 of title 40.
"(10) Public building.--The term `public building' has the meaning given the term in section 3301(a) of title 40.
"(11) Space.--The term `space' means any interest, whether fee simple or otherwise, in real property, including land, buildings, structures, or parts thereof.
"(12) Space and facilities fund.--The term `Space and Facilities Fund' means the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund established under subsection (l)(1)(A).
"(b) Identification of Judicial Districts for Pilot Program.--The Director shall identify real property that is owned or leased by the Federal Government and that contains court accommodations in not more
than 10 judicial districts for which jurisdiction, custody, and control shall be transferred to the Director in accordance with this section.
"(c) Authority of Director.--The Director is authorized to establish a Judiciary Buildings Service under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to--
"(1) acquire, by purchase, condemnation, donation, exchange, transfer, or otherwise, any space or facility located in a covered judicial district that the Director determines to be necessary for the provision of court accommodations;
"(2) manage and operate any space or facility described in paragraph (1);
"(3) alter any space or facility that is acquired under the authority of this section as the Director determines is necessary for the provision of court accommodations;
"(4) acquire and exercise any option for the acquisition or lease of any land, or an interest in land, that is located in a covered judicial district as the Director determines is necessary for the provision of court accommodations;
"(5) construct such facilities in a covered judicial district as the Director determines is necessary for the provision of court accommodations;
"(6) lease, or acquire and exercise any option for the acquisition of a lease, any space or facility located in a covered judicial district as the Director deems necessary for the provision of court accommodations and manage that lease;
"(7) outlease space located in a covered property;
"(8) contract for utility services for covered properties;
"(9) secure covered properties in coordination with the United States Marshals Service and the Federal Protective Service;
"(10) for covered properties, provide by contract or otherwise for the provision of amenities, such as childcare, cafeterias, physical fitness centers, credit unions, and others, to serve tenants and, if appropriate, the public;
"(11) pay rent and make repairs, alterations, and improvements under the terms of a lease for court accommodations in a covered property entered into by, or transferred to, the Director;
"(12) pay ground rent for buildings located in a covered judicial district that are owned by the Federal Government or occupied by Federal agencies, and pay rent in advance for leased property if required by law or if the Director determines that advance payment is in the interest of the Judiciary; and
"(13) perform such other duties as necessary to implement this section.
"(d) Delegation of Authority.--The Director may delegate any authority authorized by this section. The Director may authorize successive redelegation of authority as permitted by this section.
"(e) Architectural, Engineering, and Construction Services.--The Director is authorized to employ, by contract or otherwise, the services of architectural, engineering, and construction firms, corporations, or individuals, to the extent the Director may require such services for any space or facility authorized to be constructed or altered under this section.
"(f) Operation and Maintenance.--The Director is authorized to employ, by contract or otherwise, the services of corporations, firms, or individuals for the operation and maintenance of any building under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director, to the extent the Director may require such services.
"(g) Construction.--
"(1) Replacement of existing buildings.--If the Director considers it to be in the best interest of the Judiciary to construct a new space or facility to take the place of an existing space or facility in a covered property, the Director may demolish the existing building and use the site on which it is located for the site of the proposed space or facility. If the Director believes that it is more advantageous to construct the space or facility on a different site in the same city, town, or other municipality, the Director may exchange the building and site, or the site, for another site, or may transfer the building and site.
"(2) Exchange or transfer of sites.--If the Director determines that a site in a covered judicial district acquired for the construction of a space or facility is not suitable for that purpose, the Director may--
"(A) exchange the site for another site in the covered judicial district; or
"(B) declare the site to be excess and transfer the site to the Administrator.
"(3) Construction or alteration by contract or otherwise.--The Administrator may carry out a construction or alteration authorized by this section by contract if the Director considers it to be most advantageous to the Government.
"(h) Leasing.--
"(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a lease agreement under this section shall be on terms the Director considers to be in the best interest of the judicial branch and necessary for the accommodation of the Judiciary.
"(2) Limitations.--
"(A) Term.--A lease agreement under this section may not bind the Government for more than 20 years.
"(B) Obligation.--The obligation of amounts for a lease under this section is limited to the current fiscal year for which payments are due, without regard to section 1341(a)(1)(B) of title 31.
"(i) Transfer of Court Accommodations.--
"(1) In general.--The Administrator shall not transfer, dispose of, or close any court accommodation located in a covered judicial district without obtaining the prior consent of the Director.
"(2) Transfer.--
"(A) In general.--Upon request of the Director, and consistent with the implementation provisions under section 5 of the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act of 2026, the Administrator shall transfer to the Director the jurisdiction, custody, and control of any requested real property owned or leased by the United States, and any lease of real property made on behalf of the United States, that is located in a covered judicial district, is occupied by the judicial branch, and is critical to the constitutional mission of the Judiciary.
"(B) Terms.--With respect to any transfer under subparagraph (A)--
"(i) the transfer shall be nonreimbursable; and
"(ii) after completion of the transfer, the Director shall be responsible for performing all building functions for the applicable real property and to pay the costs of performing such building functions instead of paying rent for that space to the Administrator.
"(j) Request for Space or Services to Be Provided by the Administrator.--
"(1) In general.--The Director may request that the Administrator provide, acquire, or maintain in a covered judicial district such court accommodations as may be required by the Judiciary.
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Upon such a request of the Director, the Administrator shall provide and maintain such court accommodations.
"(2) Multitenant facilities.--If court accommodations are provided under this subsection by the Administrator in a multitenant facility, the Administrator shall give priority to providing court accommodations in contiguous space.
"(3) Alterations.--Consistent with regulatory requirements and leasing responsibilities of the General Services Administration, the Administrator shall endeavor to provide such reasonable alterations to court accommodations provided under this subsection as shall be requested and financed by the Director.
"(4) Transfer.--The Director may transfer jurisdiction, custody, and control or leasehold interest of any space or facility acquired by the Director to the Administrator for the provision or maintenance of court accommodations.
"(5) Disposal.--The Director may identify and transfer to the Administrator for disposal, pursuant to section 542 of title 40, any real property under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director, as the Director determines necessary.
"(6) Funding requests.--The Administrator shall--
"(A) provide the Director, on a nonreimbursable basis, information requested by the Director that assists the Director in the development of funding requests by the Director, including information regarding prospectus-level repair and alteration projects; and
"(B) with respect to a project for which the Director does not request funds, request funds in accordance with otherwise applicable law.
"(7) Operation and management.--For real property for which jurisdiction, custody, and control is transferred to the Director under this section, the Administrator shall provide secure access to systems, databases, and information used to operate and manage the real property, including building automation and control systems, real property inventories and data, personal property inventories and data, work order management systems, document archives, drawings, studies, and contracting files.
"(k) Approval of Proposed Projects by Congress.--
"(1) Resolutions required before appropriations may be made.--
"(A) Construction, purchase, and acquisition.--No appropriation shall be used to construct, purchase, or acquire any space or facility located in a covered judicial district that is to be used as a court accommodation and which involves a total expenditure in excess of $10,000,000, adjusted annually for inflation, if such construction, purchase, or acquisition has not been approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
"(B) Alteration.--No appropriation shall be used to alter any space or facility, or part thereof, that is located in a covered judicial district and which is under lease by the Director if the cost of such alteration would exceed $5,000,000, adjusted annually for inflation, unless such alteration has been approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
"(C) Transmission to congress of prospectus.--For the purpose of securing consideration for such approval, the Director shall transmit to the Congress a prospectus of the proposed construction, purchase, acquisition, or alteration, including the items set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection that are relevant to the proposal.
"(2) Lease resolutions required before appropriations may be made.--
"(A) In general.--No appropriation shall be used to lease any space or facility for a permanent court accommodation that is located in a covered judicial district and which involves an average annual expenditure in excess of $10,000,000, adjusted annually for inflation, if such lease has not been approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
"(B) Transmission to congress of prospectus and statement.--For the purpose of securing consideration for such approval, the Director shall transmit to the Congress--
"(i) a prospectus of the proposed space or facility including the items set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection that are relevant to the proposal; and
"(ii) a written statement by the Director setting forth the reasons why leasing such space or facility is necessary to meet requirements which cannot be met in public buildings.
"(3) Transmission to congress of prospectus of proposed project.--To secure consideration for the approval referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, the Director shall transmit to Congress a prospectus of the proposed space or facility, including--
"(A) a brief description of the space or facility to be constructed, altered, purchased, or acquired or the space to be leased;
"(B) the location of the space or facility to be leased and an estimate of the maximum cost to the Federal Government of the facility to be constructed, altered, purchased, or acquired, or the space to be leased;
"(C) a comprehensive plan for providing space for all officers and employees of the judicial branch in the locality of the proposed facility or the space to be leased, having due regard for suitable space which may continue to be available in existing Federal Government-owned or occupied buildings, especially those buildings that enhance the architectural, historical, social, cultural, and economic environment of the locality;
"(D) with respect to any project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of any facility, a statement by the Director that suitable alternative space already owned or leased by the Federal Government in proximity to the location chosen for such court accommodation is not available and that suitable rental space is not available at a price commensurate with that to be afforded through the proposed action;
"(E) a statement of rents and other housing costs currently being paid by the Federal Government for Federal agencies to be housed in the facility to be constructed, altered, or acquired, or the space to be leased;
"(F) with respect to any prospectus for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of any facility or space to be leased, an estimate of the future energy performance of the facility or space and a specific description of the use of energy efficient and renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic systems, in carrying out the project;
"(G) a statement of how the proposed project is consistent with the standards and criteria developed under section 11(b) of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-287; 130 Stat. 1468);
"(H) information on any space occupied by the judicial branch in the geographical area of the proposed facility, including uses, any proposed consolidations, and, if not proposed to be consolidated, a justification for such determination; and
"(I) a statement by the Director of whether the facility needs of the judicial branch for the proposed space to be leased were formerly met by a Federally-owned building, including any building identified for disposal or sale.
"(4) Increase of estimated maximum cost.--The estimated maximum cost of any project approved under this subsection as set forth in any prospectus may be increased by an amount equal to any percentage increase, as determined by the Director, in construction or alteration costs from the date the prospectus is transmitted to Congress. The increase authorized by this paragraph may not exceed 10 percent of the estimated maximum cost. The Director shall notify, in writing, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of any increase of more than 5 percent of an estimated maximum cost or of any increase or decrease in the scope or size of a project of 5 or more percent. Such notification shall include an explanation regarding any such increase or decrease. The scope or size of a project shall not increase or decrease by more than 10 percent unless an amended prospectus is submitted and approved pursuant to this section.
"(5) Rescissions of approval.--If an appropriation is not made within 1 year after the date a project for construction, purchase, alteration, or acquisition is approved under paragraph (1), the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate or the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives by resolution may rescind its approval before an appropriation is made.
"(6) Emergency leases by the director.--The Director may enter into emergency leases during any period declared by the President to require emergency leasing authority. An emergency lease may not be for more than 180 days without approval of a prospectus for the lease in accordance with paragraph (2).
"(7) Minimum performance requirements for leased space.--With respect to space to be leased, the Director shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, minimum performance requirements requiring energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
"(8) Dollar amount adjustment.--The Director annually may adjust any dollar amount referred to in this section to reflect a percentage increase or decrease in construction costs during the prior calendar year, as determined by the composite index of construction costs of the Department of Commerce. Any adjustment shall be expeditiously reported to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
"(9) Notification requirement.--For each project approved under this subsection, the Director shall notify, in writing, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of any project milestones that are accomplished, including--
"(A) the solicitation and award of design and construction services;
"(B) the completion of any actions required for the project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
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4321 et seq.);
"(C) any ceremonies for the beginning or completion of the project;
"(D) a naming ceremony for the project; and
"(E) the completion of the project.
"(10) Expiration of committee resolutions.--Unless a lease is awarded or a construction, purchase, alteration, repair, design, or acquisition project is initiated on or before the date that is 5 years after the resolution of approval is adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), as applicable, the resolutions shall be deemed expired.
"(l) Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund.--
"(1) Fund.--
"(A) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the `Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund'.
"(B) Deposits.--There shall be deposited in the Space and Facilities Fund the following:
"(i) Amounts appropriated to the Judiciary in annual appropriations Acts that are available for the activities described in paragraph (3), in such amounts as determined by the Director.
"(ii) Advances or reimbursements from any entity in the judicial branch for the activities and services described in paragraph (3).
"(iii) Advances and reimbursements obtained pursuant to subsection (m) of this section and section 6506(a) of title 40.
"(iv) Such other funds as Congress may appropriate to the Space and Facilities Fund from time to time, including funds appropriated for projects approved pursuant to subsection (k).
"(C) Availability.--Amounts deposited in the Space and Facilities Fund shall be available until expended for the purposes set forth in this subsection.
"(2) Transfer of deposits.--The Director--
"(A) may transfer not more than $1,000,000 in a fiscal year from the Space and Facilities Fund into the fund or account from which the funds were originally appropriated; and
"(B) if, not later than 15 days before the date of the transfer, the Director provides notice to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, may transfer more than $1,000,000 in a fiscal year from the Space and Facilities Fund into the fund or account from which the funds were originally appropriated.
"(3) Use of the space and facilities fund.--The Space and Facilities Fund shall be available for the acquisition, alteration, construction, and management of space and facilities and related activities, including--
"(A) the acquisition of space and facilities for court accommodations in a covered judicial district;
"(B) the lease of space or facilities for court accommodations in a covered judicial district;
"(C) the construction or alteration of facilities under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director;
"(D) the maintenance of space under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director;
"(E) the management, overhead costs, and information technology requirements associated with the acquisition, construction, lease, maintenance, or management of space under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director; and
"(F) the provision of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
"(4) Reimbursement of the general services administration.--Amounts deposited into the Space and Facilities Fund shall also be available for rent and reimbursement to the General Services Administration for court accommodations provided, altered, or maintained by the General Services Administration.
"(5) Plan for meeting space and facilities management needs.--The Director shall--
"(A) develop and annually revise, with the approval of the Judicial Conference of the
United States, a long-range plan for meeting the space and facilities management needs of the activities funded under this subsection; and
"(B) submit each plan under subparagraph (A) to--
"(i) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
"(ii) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
"(6) Quarterly reporting.--Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the first fiscal quarter in which the transfer of jurisdiction, custody, and control of any real property or lease takes place under this section, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on expenditure activity of the Judiciary Buildings Service for the fiscal quarter that includes--
"(A) any amounts deposited in the Space and Facilities Fund during the fiscal quarter and cumulatively during the most recent fiscal year;
"(B) any amounts obligated from the Space and Facilities Fund during the fiscal quarter and cumulatively during the most recent fiscal year, including amounts used for--
"(i) rent and reimbursements to the General Services Administration under subsection (l)(4);
"(ii) operating costs for facilities transferred to the Director under subsection (i);
"(iii) leasing costs for leases executed or assumed by the Director;
"(iv) management and administrative costs resulting from the execution of authority under this section; and
"(v) capital costs for facilities transferred to the Director under subsection (i); and
"(C) a list of each capital expenditure project for which the total expenditure or cost exceeded the applicable threshold under subsection (k)(1), including--
"(i) a description of the project, including milestones reached during the fiscal quarter;
"(ii) the total cost estimate of the project, including an explanation of any diversion from a previously reported estimate;
"(iii) the expected date of completion, including an explanation of any delay from previous reporting; and
"(iv) obligations for the project--
"(I) during the fiscal quarter; "(II) cumulatively during the most recent fiscal year; and "(III) cumulatively overall.
"(m) Use of Space and Facilities.--
"(1) Excess space.--The Director is authorized to make available excess space in all facilities under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director to entities not in the judicial branch on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, as determined appropriate by the Director.
"(2) Federal agencies.--
"(A) In general.--The Director is authorized to charge Federal agencies, and Federal agencies are authorized to pay, by advance or reimbursement, a reasonable rate for administering the space and other improvements (including the cost of operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, security, administrative overhead, and structural, mechanical, and domestic care) furnished to Federal agencies.
"(B) Amount.--Charges under subparagraph (A) shall cover the full cost incurred by the Director for the furnishing of such space or other improvements including a charge for the depreciation and future capital upgrades and replacements.
"(3) Outleased space.--The Director is authorized to charge a reasonable rate for outleased space, with the amount to be determined by the Director and the entity.
"(n) Reimbursement of Administrator.--The Director shall pay rent and reimburse the Administrator for court accommodations provided or maintained by the General Services Administration at rates to be negotiated with the Director, but in no case shall such rates exceed the actual costs incurred by the General Services Administration for the provision of the court accommodation.
"(o) Audit Requirements.--
"(1) In general.--The Director shall audit the vouchers and transactions of the Space and Facilities Fund annually.
"(2) Requirements.--An audit described in paragraph (1) shall be performed by an independent certified public accounting firm.
"(3) Submission to congress.--Not later than 30 days after the results of an audit described in paragraph (1) are issued, the Director shall submit to Congress a report regarding the audit.
"(4) Access for federal agencies.--Upon request by a Federal agency occupying space within a property under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Director, the Director shall provide access to the audit reports described in paragraph (1) relating to the property.
"(p) Federal Regulatory Requirements.--If the Director acquires, constructs, leases, alters, or maintains any court accommodations, whether by contract or otherwise, the Director shall comply with statutory and regulatory provisions which are applicable to all public buildings or which otherwise are applicable to all Federal agencies, including the judicial branch.
"(q) Judicial Conference of the United States Supervision and Direction.--The Director shall administer all authorities under this section under the supervision and direction of the Judicial Conference of the United States.".
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 41 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 604 the following:
"604A. Pilot program for transfer of jurisdiction, custody, and control of certain judicial branch accommodations to the Director; authority of the Director.".
SEC. 3. THURGOOD MARSHALL FEDERAL JUDICIARY BUILDING.
(a) In General.--Chapter 65 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 6501--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Definition" and inserting "Definitions";
(B) by striking "this chapter, the term" and inserting the following: "this chapter--
"(1) the term";
(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
"(2) the term `Director' means the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts or the designee of the Director, except that when there is a vacancy in the office of the Director, the Acting Director or, in the absence of the Acting Director, the Deputy Director shall be deemed to be the Director for purposes of this chapter until the vacancy is filled.";
(2) in section 6502--
(A) by striking subsection (b)(2) and inserting the following:
"(2) Building.--Title to the Building and other improvements constructed on Squares 721 and 722 remains in the Federal Government."; and
(B) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
"(g) Accounting System.--The Director shall maintain an accounting system for operation and maintenance of the Building and other improvements which will allow accurate projections of the dates and cost of major repairs, improvements, reconstructions, and replacements of the Building and improvements and other capital expenditures on the Building and improvements.";
(3) by striking sections 6503 and 6504;
(4) by redesignating section 6505 as section 6503;
(5) in section 6503, as so redesignated--
(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
"(a) Transfer of Jurisdiction.--
"(1) In general.--Effective on the date that is 181 days after the date of enactment of the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act of 2026, the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building shall be transferred to the Director.
"(2) Terms.--The transfer under paragraph (1) shall be nonreimbursable.
"(3) Responsibility.--After completion of the transfer under paragraph (1), the Director shall be responsible for performing all building functions relating to the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building and to pay the costs thereof."; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
"(3) Reimbursement.--The Director shall transfer from the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund established under section 604A(l) of title 28 amounts necessary to reimburse the United States Capitol Police for expenses incurred in providing exterior security under this subsection.
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The Capitol Police may accept amounts the Director transfers under this paragraph. Those amounts shall be credited to the appropriation account charged by the Capitol Police in carrying out security duties.";
(6) by redesignating section 6506 as section 6504;
(7) in section 6504, as so redesignated, by striking subsections (a) through (f), and inserting the following:
"(a) Priority.--
"(1) Judicial branch.--Subject to this section, the Director may make available to the judicial branch of the Federal Government all space in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building and other improvements constructed under this chapter.
"(2) Other federal governmental entities.--The Director may make available, on a reimbursable basis, to Federal Government entities which are not part of the judicial branch, and which are not staff of Members of Congress or congressional committees, any space in the Building and other improvements that the Director decides are not needed by the judicial branch.
"(3) Other persons.--If any space remains, the Director may sublease it to any person, pursuant to subsection (d).
"(b) Space for Judicial Branch and Other Federal Governmental Entities.--Space made available under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) is subject to--
"(1) terms and conditions necessary to carry out the objectives of this chapter; and
"(2) reimbursement at an appropriate rental rate established by the Director based on square foot of occupiable space plus an amount necessary to pay each year for the cost of administering the Building and other improvements (including the cost of operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, security, administrative overhead, and structural, mechanical, and domestic care) that is attributable to the space, with the amount to be determined by the Director and, in the case of any Federal Governmental entity not a part of the judicial branch, the entity.
"(c) Space for Judicial Branch.--
"(1) In general.--The Director may assign space made available to the judicial branch under subsection (a)(1) among offices of the judicial branch as the Director considers appropriate.
"(2) Vacating occupied space.--When the Chief Justice notifies the Director that the judicial branch requires additional space in the Building and other improvements, the Director shall accommodate those requirements within 90 days after the date of the notification, except that if the space was made available to the Administrator of General Services, it shall be vacated expeditiously by not later than a date the Chief Justice and the Director agree on.
"(3) Unoccupied space.--The Chief Justice has the right of first refusal to use unoccupied space in the Building to meet the needs of the judicial branch.
"(d) Outleased Space.--
"(1) Rental rate.--Space outleased by the Director under subsection (a)(3) is subject to reimbursement at a reasonable rate, with the amount to be determined by the Director and the entity.
"(2) Collection of rent.--The Director shall collect, and lessees are authorized to pay, rent for space outleased under paragraph (3) of subsection (a).
"(e) Deposit of Rent and Reimbursements.--Amounts received under subsection (a)(3) (including lease payments and reimbursements) shall be deposited into the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund established under section 604A(l) of title 28."; and
(8) by striking section 6507.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 6501 and inserting the following:
"6501. Definitions."; and (2) by striking the items relating to sections 6503 through 6507 and inserting the following:
"6503. Structural and mechanical care and security. "6504. Allocation of space.".
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 3101 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking "All public buildings" and inserting "Except as provided under section 604A of title 28 or chapter 65 of this title, all public buildings.".
(b) Duties of the Director.--Section 604(a) of title 28, United States Code is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by inserting "and vouchers and accounts relating to the Judiciary Buildings Service" before the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (24), by striking "and" at the end;
(3) by redesignating paragraph (25) as paragraph (26); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (24) the following:
"(25) Oversee and manage the Judiciary Buildings Service in accordance with section 604A; and".
SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTATION OF ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term "Administration" means the General Services Administration;
(2) the term "Administrator" means the Administrator of General Services;
(3) the term "court accommodation" has the meaning given that term in section 604A(a) of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act; and
(4) the term "Director" means the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(b) Implementation in General.--To ensure the orderly transition of buildings from the Administration to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Director is authorized to withhold from funds appropriated for the payment of rent to the Administration by the Director such sums as are necessary to implement the Judiciary Buildings Service.
(c) Initial Transfer of Properties.--
(1) In general.--On and after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director may request that the Administrator transfer from the Administration to the Director jurisdiction, custody, and control of any real property or lease housing court accommodations in a judicial district identified under section 604A(b) of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act.
(2) Transfer.--Not later than 90 days after a request by the Director to transfer jurisdiction, custody, and control of any real property or lease under paragraph (1), or such other date as is agreed to by the Director and the Administrator, the Administrator shall transfer the property or lease to the Director.
(3) Information.--For any real property or lease being transferred to the Director, the Administrator shall provide to the Director essential information required for the transfer of building management, including detailed operating costs, shell costs, budget projections, planned and ongoing projects, condition assessments, drawings, operational procedures, warranties, rental rates for each tenant, occupancy data, agreements, and ongoing contracts.
(d) Report and Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report--
(1) discussing the implementation and execution of real property authority for the real property and leases transferred under section 604A of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act, including--
(A) the number of leases signed;
(B) the number of leases terminated;
(C) the total number of leased spaces;
(D) the amount of square footage leased:
(E) the amount of square footage occupied;
(F) the amount of vacant leased space;
(G) the number of buildings owned;
(H) top customers by square feet and annual rent;
(I) completed new construction, major repair, and alteration projects; and
(J) financial indicators that measure and analyze space utilization, operating costs per square foot, cost-avoidance due to building disposals and lease termination, and, to the extent that the Administrator provides relevant building data to the Director, deferred maintenance liabilities; and
(2) providing information regarding a plan and proposed timeline for the orderly transfer of properties or leases in addition to the real property and leases transferred under section 604A of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act.
SEC. 6. GAO REPORT ON THE JUDICIARY BUILDINGS SERVICE.
(a) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a review of the actions taken by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (in this section referred to as the "Director") under this Act and the amendments made by this Act; and
(2) submit to Congress a report on the review conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include a description of--
(A) the operation, procurement, and contracting processes of the Judiciary Buildings Service;
(B) contracts awarded by the Judiciary Buildings Service;
(C) any instances of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement by the Judiciary Buildings Service; and
(D) the vouchers, transactions, and use of the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund established under 604A(l)(1)(A) of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Access.--For real property for which jurisdiction, custody, and control is transferred to the Director under this Act and the amendments made by this Act, the Director shall, upon the request of the Comptroller General of the United States, provide secure access to systems, databases, and information used to operate and manage the real property, including building automation and control systems, real property inventories and data, personal property inventories and data, work order management systems, document archives, drawings, studies, and contracting files.
SEC. 7. SUNSET.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term "Administrator" means the Administrator of General Services; and
(2) the term "Director" means the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(b) Sunset of Transfer Authority of Director.--The authority of the Director under section 604A of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act, to request the transfer of jurisdiction, custody, and control of real property and leases from the Administrator shall cease to have effect on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Orderly Transfer of Assets Back to GSA.--
(1) In general.--On the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director and the Administrator shall begin an orderly transfer back to the Administrator of the real property and leases previously transferred to the Director under the authority described in subsection (b).
(2) Sunset of remaining authority of director.--On the date on which the Administrator certifies to Congress that all the real property and leases described in paragraph (1) have been transferred back to the Administrator, the remaining authority of the Director under this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall cease to have effect.
(d) Repeal.--Effective on the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act, this Act is repealed, and each provision of law amended by this Act is amended to read as it read on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that, if the Judiciary proves to be successful in managing real property and leases for which jurisdiction, custody, and control are transferred under section 604A of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act, the extension of real property authority over additional facilities housing the Judiciary should be considered to ensure that the administration of justice is not negatively impacted by deficient facilities.
SEC. 9.
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SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or the application of any such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such provision or amendment to
any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
______
By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn):
S. 5204. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt individual account plans from certain prohibited transaction rules; to the Committee on Finance.
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:
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 "Simplifying Modern Access to Retirement Tools for Savings Act of 2026" or the "SMART Savings Act of 2026".
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FROM PROHIBITED TRANSACTION RULES.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 4975(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
"(1) Plan.--For purposes of this section, the term `plan' means a trust described in section 401(a) which forms a part of a plan, or a plan described in section 403(a), which trust or plan is exempt from tax under section 501(a).".
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 4975(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(A) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (3).
(2) Section 4975(f)(8)(E) of such Code is amended by striking clause (ii) and by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii).
(c) Preservation of Self-dealing Prohibitions.--Section 408(e)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
"(A) In general.--
"(i) Self-dealing.--If, during any taxable year of the individual for whose benefit any individual retirement account is established, that individual or the individual's beneficiary deals with the income or assets of a plan in the individual's own interest or for the individual's own account or receives consideration for the individual's own personal account from any party dealing with the plan in connection with a transaction involving the income or assets of the plan, other than the receipt of any relationship benefits, such account ceases to be an individual retirement account as of the first day of such taxable year. For purposes of this paragraph--
"(I) the individual for whose benefit any account was established is treated as the creator of such account,
"(II) the separate account for any individual within an individual retirement account maintained by an employer or association of employees is treated as a separate individual retirement account, and
"(III) each individual retirement plan of the individual shall be treated as a separate contract.
"(ii) Relationship benefits.--For purposes of clause (i), the term `relationship benefits' means reduced cost or no-cost products or services or enhanced or improved products or services or other benefits received by a person pursuant to an arrangement in which the account value of, or the fees incurred for services provided to, an individual retirement account are taken into account for purposes of determining eligibility to receive such benefit.".
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to transactions occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Introductory Statement on S. 5183
Pages S4371–S4385 · Official textThe bill I am introducing today with my colleagues Senators Padilla, Merkley, and Kim is designed to stop Trump's "Art of the Steal." The first goal of our bill is to get the American people their money back. The bill will create, for the first time, a private right of action that allows Americans, including State attorneys general representing the public, to sue to recover the money Trump and his family have taken from them. Now, the False Claims Act already allows citizens to file lawsuits against people who defraud the government and share part of the civil penalty if they win. So it only makes sense that we are expanding that ability so citizens can sue people who use government influence to defraud the public. If Donald Trump or one of his lackeys, sons, cronies uses government influence to steal from you, you deserve your day in court. The second goal of our bill is to stop this corruption from happening again. Instead of draining the swamp, Trump blew our anti-corruption institutions to smithereens. He installed MAGA loyalists at the Office of Government Ethics and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, watchdogs whose whole mission is to stop the same type of corruption Trump is now committing. Trump also neutered the Federal Elections Commission, which Congress created to stop the corruption Watergate exposed. My bill would establish a new, independent Anti-Corruption Bureau that brings all the guardrails Trump has weakened under one roof. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is a sum greater than its parts. The Bureau would have subpoena power to give it real investigative strength, meaningful enforcement authority, and the ability to disgorge ill-gotten gains. We want to create a one-stop shop to catch the corruption and make them pay up, an Agency with real teeth and real independence. It will be led by seven Senate-confirmed Commissioners--three Republicans, three Democrats, and one Independent. Trump won't be able to commandeer the Bureau because our bill explicitly outlaws trying to weaponize it, with fines and jail time for people who try. Congress can't defund the Bureau because our bill establishes a self-sustaining funding source for the Agency, much like the Fed. And the President can't dismantle the Bureau by purging its members, since our bill requires a panel of judges to appoint temporary replacements so the Bureau always has a quorum. The bill is just common sense--a basic, straightforward way to make sure all facets of government serve the people and no one else. Americans are demanding we go back to a government they can actually trust. This legislation tells them that we hear them and that we are going to fight for them with the strongest measures we have ever proposed. 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:
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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 "Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act" .
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. Sec. 3. Findings and purpose. Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 101. Findings and purpose. Sec. 102. Definitions. Sec. 103. Civil liability for corruption-related violations. Sec. 104. Private right of action. Sec. 105. Award to plaintiffs. Sec. 106. Severability.
Sec. 201. Establishment of Bureau. Sec. 202. Membership. Sec. 203. Terms of service. Sec. 204. Chair; Vice Chair. Sec. 205. Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel. Sec. 206. Removal; notice to Congress.
Sec. 301. Powers and duties of the Bureau. Sec. 302. Transfer of functions. Sec. 303. Personnel.
TITLE IV--APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU Sec. 401. Assignment of judges to division to appoint temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Sec. 501. Freedom From Influence Fund. Sec. 502. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 503. References. Sec. 504. Regulations. Sec. 505. Technical and conforming amendments.
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SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) A Federal Government free from corruption is essential to maintaining public trust.
(2) Political corruption is fundamentally at odds with the commitment to democratic self-government outlined in the Constitution of the United States. The purpose of the Constitution is to create a Government in which all powers derive, in the words of James Madison, "from the great body of the people." The Federalist No. 39 (James Madison). Corruption frustrates this purpose by privileging the monetary interests of a private elite over the democratically expressed will of the people.
(3) The Framers of the Constitution of the United States recognized that corruption poses an existential threat to self-government. George Mason, an influential participant in the Constitutional Convention, told his fellow delegates that, "if we do not provide against corruption, our government will soon be at an end." Notes of Robert Yates (June 23, 1787), in 1 The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, at 391, 392 (Max Farrand ed., rev. ed. 1966) (1937). Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 68, explained that, in the writing of the Constitution, "nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption."
(4) To protect the democracy principle of the Constitution of the United States from this threat, the founding charter of the United States is rife with anti-corruption measures. In the article "The Anti-Corruption Principle", Professor Zephyr Teachout identifies 23 distinct constitutional provisions aimed at preventing corruption. 94 Cornell L. Rev. 341, 354 (2009). Most prominently, the Constitution of the United States forbids, pursuant to clause 8 of section 9 of article I, Federal officials, including the President, from receiving gifts "of any kind" from a foreign power without congressional consent and provides, pursuant to section 4 of article II, that the President should be removed from office in cases of "bribery".
(5) In defiance of these provisions, the Trump administration has been marked by widespread corruption, disregard for basic ethical standards, and repeated efforts to weaken or take control of independent watchdog agencies to protect the President, the allies of the President, and the financial interests of the President from accountability.
(6) President Trump and the family and close supporters of President Trump have leveraged the Government for personal profit at the expense of the people of the United States.
(7) When public officials use governmental power to enrich themselves, their families, and major donors--through self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and preferential treatment--those public officials violate their oath to the Constitution of the United States, defy the democratically expressed will of the people, distort markets, increase costs and financial risks for families in the United States, undermine fair competition for honest businesses, and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
(8) Systemic corruption and pay-to-play practices in the executive branch function as a hidden tax on families in the United States by driving up the prices those families pay for essentials while channeling public resources and policy favors toward special interests rather than the broader public interest.
(9) The Constitution of the United States empowers Congress, as the branch of Government with the most direct relationship to the people, to enact laws providing for strong anti-corruption enforcement and truly independent investigative mechanisms, as these measures are essential to defending democracy and protecting the economic well-being of families in the United States.
(10) After the Watergate scandal, Congress exercised these powers to create a system of independent watchdog agencies, including the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Office of Special Counsel, to prevent abuses of power, oversee money in politics, and restore trust in Federal institutions. Today, these agencies are failing to fulfill the missions of those agencies because the agencies have been systematically weakened, particularly during the Trump administration.
(11) Fifty years after Watergate, the Federal Election Commission--the leading reform agency created during that era--has been deliberately weakened, stalled by gridlock, and influenced by the very interests the Commission is meant to regulate. This includes the appointment of commissioners
opposed to the mission of the Commission, the removal of the Chair of the Commission, and efforts to prevent the Commission from maintaining a quorum.
(12) As a result, there is little meaningful enforcement of Federal campaign finance laws, allowing Trump, affiliated political committees, and others to violate or push the limits of the law without consequence.
(13) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, now codified as chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, established the Office of Government Ethics to prevent conflicts of interest and uphold public trust. The Trump administration, however, weakened this office by removing a Senate-confirmed Director mid-term, attacking inspectors general, and signaling that ethics officials risk retaliation for doing their jobs.
(14) These actions are part of a broader strategy to treat ethics rules as optional, reduce financial disclosure to a formality, and allow the President, the inner circle of the President, and family members of the President to benefit from public office without meaningful oversight.
(15) The Office of Special Counsel, which is responsible for protecting the merit-based civil service, enforcing the Hatch Act (codified as subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code) and safeguarding whistleblowers, has also been destabilized. This includes the removal of a Senate-confirmed Special Counsel and the installation of interim leadership that pursued politically driven investigations, discouraging the reporting of wrongdoing.
(16) Across these agencies, a consistent pattern has emerged: identify the watchdog, target the leadership of the watchdog, shape appointments for political ends, and erode the independence of the watchdog until the watchdog can no longer effectively detect, prevent, or punish misconduct.
(17) These actions have accelerated the decline in public confidence in ethical Government and accountability and have put the foundation of democratic governance at risk.
(18) The Supreme Court of the United States has held that Congress retains the power to create independent agencies, but that these agencies must be both independent in fact and appearance (see Trump v. Cook, No. 25A312, slip op. at 14 (U.S. June 29, 2026)), with functions that are "essentially of an investigative and informative nature" (Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, 137 (1976)), consistent with the holdings of the Supreme Court regarding Congress establishing new independent agencies (see Trump v. Slaughter, No. 25-332, slip op. at 27 (U.S. June 29, 2026) (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. 1, 137-138)).
(19) Congress therefore finds it necessary to rebuild and strengthen these institutions ensuring the institutions are truly independent, in fact and appearance, protected from similar abuses in the future, capable of enforcing the law in practice and providing essential transparency into the Government of the United States, and not easily undermined by any single President or political party.
(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are the following:
(1) To restore and strengthen the ability of the Federal Government to prevent, detect, and address corruption, conflicts of interest, abuses of power, and serious violations of campaign finance, ethics, and civil service laws.
(2) To facilitate recovering for the people of the United States the money that has been pilfered through corruption.
(3) To rebuild and update the post-Watergate oversight system so that Federal anti-corruption laws are enforced as Congress intended, and that no administration--including the Trump administration--can turn public service into personal gain and easily weaken or take control of that system.
(4) To rebuild public trust in the Federal Government by making clear that no one, regardless of position, is above the law--and that the institutions responsible for enforcing the law are strong enough to do so, even in the face of determined efforts, such as those by Trump, to undermine them.
(5) To close gaps in the law that have emerged over the past 5 decades and update the post-Watergate framework to address modern challenges, ensuring that future Presidents and administrations cannot repeat the pattern seen during the Trump administration of weakening or taking control of independent oversight agencies.
(6) To create an independent establishment that is both independent in fact and appearance, with functions that are essentially of an investigative and informative nature, consistent with the holdings of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding Congress establishing new independent agencies.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Bureau.--The term "Bureau" means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201.
(2) Chair.--The term "Chair" means the member of the Bureau designated as the Chair of the Bureau pursuant to section 204(a).
(3) Fund.--The term "Fund" means the Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 501(a).
(4) Panel.--The term "Panel" means the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel established under section 205(a).
(5) Vice chair.--The term "Vice Chair" means the member of the Bureau elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Bureau pursuant to section 204(b)(1).
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) President Trump has earned not less than $2,000,000,000 since returning to the White House in 2025 according to a recent financial disclosure--a stunning sum for a sitting president. The New Yorker estimates that Donald Trump and the immediate family of Donald Trump have made more than $4,000,000,000 exploiting the presidency.
(2) These gains are from various, and extremely lucrative, cryptocurrency ventures, timely stock trades, overseas deals, and business and media ventures intractably linked to the presidential role of Trump.
(3) The Trump administration cut a billion-dollar mining deal with Kazakhstan to open one of the largest untapped reserves in the world of tungsten--a critical metal used in semiconductor manufacturing. The United States Government set aside $1,600,000,000 to fund and finance the project. The sons of Donald Trump have a stake in the deal.
(4) The sons of Donald Trump have also profited heavily from investing in a huge portfolio of defense technology start-ups that are benefitting from Pentagon contracts. According to the Washington Post, more than a dozen firms have reportedly generated "at least $3.2 billion in direct government business since the sons invested and an additional $3.1 billion in future contract options".
(5) The Trump family has more than $1,000,000,000 in this crypto fund that is tied to foreign governments. The largest business partner in World Liberty Financial is a fund backed by the United Arab Emirates, whose purchase of a 49 percent stake in the company funneled $187,000,000 to the Trump family.
(6) Elon Musk, the first trillionaire in the world, backed Trump and Republicans with over $250,000,000 in election spending. Less than a month into the new administration, companies owned by Musk were already benefitting from the support of those companies for Trump. The New York Times reported that "Government investigations into Mr.
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Musk's companies are stalling amid President Trump's firings and Biden administration resignations." Trump bestowed unprecedented, and likely unlawful, authority to Musk to run a so-called Department of Government Ethics (commonly known as "DOGE"), where Musk diverted billions in taxpayer funds to benefit the personal financial interests of Musk while cutting Federal jobs, programs, and essential public services. At the same time, Mr. Musk continued to oversee a vast private business empire that depends heavily on Government funding and has been tasked with handling the conflicts of interest of Musk.
(7) Peter Thiel, a Republican megadonor, Vice President J.D. Vance ally, and founder of Palantir, has raked in billions in Government contracts since donating millions to the campaigns of Trump and the allies of Trump. Since the inauguration of Trump, Palantir has been awarded more than $1,300,000,000 in Federal contracts, and Anduril, the defense tech company heavily backed by Founders Fund, which was founded by Thiel, signed a 10-year contract with the United States Army potentially worth up to $20,000,000,000.
(8) These acts of corruption have come at the expense of the people of the United States--investors and consumers defrauded, taxpayers fleeced by paying for no-bid contracts, and victims unable to recover money they are owed because of corrupt pardons, among other direct costs to the public in the United States.
(9) When Government officials exploit those positions to benefit themselves, their relatives, or powerful donors--through self-interested deals, undisclosed conflicts, or favoritism--those officials warp market incentives, raise costs and risks for everyday individuals in the United States, disadvantage law-abiding businesses, and weaken public trust in democratic governance.
(10) The money pilfered to line the pockets of the wealthy and the well-connected belongs to the people of the United States. Private litigation can be a tool to recuperate what has been stolen--these funds should be clawed back and returned to the people of the United States.
(b) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this title to strengthen enforcement against corruption-related violations by authorizing private persons, including attorneys general of States, to bring civil actions in the name of the United States and to share in recoveries obtained through those actions.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Adult child.--The term "adult child" means a child who has attained 18 years of age.
(2) Covered person.--The term "covered person" means--
(A) the President, the Vice President, the spouse or adult child of the President or Vice President, or the spouse of an adult child of the President or Vice President;
(B) any individual serving in a position specified in section 5312 of title 5, United States Code, including any individual serving in that position in an acting capacity;
(C) any individual working in the Executive Office of the President who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code;
(D) any individual serving as a special Government employee, as defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code;
(E) any Assistant Attorney General and any individual working in the Department of Justice who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code;
(F) the Director of Central Intelligence, the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue;
(G) the chairman and treasurer of the principal campaign committee seeking the election or reelection of the President, and any officer of that committee exercising authority at the national level, during the incumbency of the President;
(H) any contractor, as defined in section 7101 of title 41, United States Code; and
(I) any individual who held an office or position described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (H) for 1 year after leaving the office or position.
(3) Covered violation.--The term "covered violation" means a violation of section 103(a).
(4) Personal enrichment.--The term "personal enrichment" means any money or other thing of value inuring to the benefit of a covered person.
SEC. 103. CIVIL LIABILITY FOR CORRUPTION-RELATED VIOLATIONS.
(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any covered person to, in connection with the receipt, use, or control of public funds, property, or authority, engage in any conduct that, directly or indirectly, corruptly uses the office or position of the covered person to obtain personal enrichment for the covered person, or demands, seeks, receives, accepts, or agrees to receive or accept any thing of value to further such corrupt purpose, in an aggregate amount, whether monetary or otherwise, in excess of $50,000.
(b) Penalty.--Any covered person who commits a covered violation shall be liable to the United States Government for--
(1) a civil penalty of not less than $50,000 for each covered violation, which shall be adjusted in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note);
(2) disgorgement of the personal enrichment derived from the covered violation, together with prejudgment interest; and
(3) three times the amount of damages that the United States Government sustains as a result of the covered violation.
(c) Separate Violations.--For purposes of subsection (b)(1), each transaction or course of conduct through which a covered person obtains personal enrichment constitutes a separate covered violation.
SEC. 104. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.
(a) In General.--
(1) Action.--A person, including an attorney general of a State acting as parens patriae, may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States for a covered violation for the person and for the United States Government, and the action shall be brought in the name of the United States Government.
(2) Voluntary dismissal.--An action brought under paragraph (1) may be voluntarily dismissed only if the court and the Chair give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting.
(b) Initial Procedure.--
(1) Notice.--A copy of the complaint and written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information the person possesses shall be served on the Government pursuant to rule 4(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(2) Protection of complaint.--The complaint shall be filed in camera, shall remain under seal for not fewer than 60 days, and shall not be served on the defendant until the court so orders.
(3) Intervention.--The Government may elect to intervene in an action brought under subsection (a)(1) and proceed with the action within 60 days after the Government receives both the complaint and the material evidence and information.
(c) Response to Complaint.--
(1) Extension of seal.--
(A) In general.--The Government may, for good cause shown, move the court for extensions of the time during which the complaint remains under seal under subsection (b)(2).
(B) Affidavits and submissions.--Any motion under subparagraph (A) may be supported by affidavits or other submissions in camera.
(2) Response.--The defendant shall not be required to respond to any complaint filed under this section until 20 days after the complaint is unsealed and served upon the defendant pursuant to rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(d) Conduct of Action.--Before the expiration of the 60-day period or any extensions obtained under subsection (c), the Government shall--
(1) proceed with the action, in which case--
(A) the action shall be conducted by the Government; and
(B) the person bringing the action under subsection (a)(1) shall have the right to continue as a party to the action; or
(2) notify the court that the Government declines to take over the action, in which case the person bringing the action under subsection (a)(1) shall have the right to conduct the action.
(e) No Further Intervention or Action Permitted.--When a person brings an action under this section, no person other than the Government may intervene or bring a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.
(f) Equitable Relief.--In an action for a covered violation under this section, the court may--
(1) impose a constructive trust upon, or order an accounting of, any property traceable to any personal enrichment derived from a covered violation;
(2) rescind, or declare void, any contract, lease, license, or other transaction procured by means of a covered violation, on such terms as the court determines equitable to protect the interests of any third party that acted in good faith; and
(3) order such other equitable relief as the court determines appropriate to prevent the retention of any benefit of a covered violation.
(g) Statute of Limitations.--
(1) In general.--A civil action under this section may not be brought more than 10 years after the date on which the covered violation is committed.
(2) Applicable conduct.--A civil action under this section may be brought for a covered violation that occurred on or before the date of enactment of this Act, including a covered violation that occurred on or after January 20, 2025, provided that the civil action shall be required to meet the statute of limitations under paragraph (1).
(h) Frivolous Claims.--If the Government does not proceed with the action and the defendant prevails, the court may award the defendant its reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses against the person bringing the action upon a finding that the claim was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, and brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
(i) Definition of Government.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term "Government" means the Bureau, acting through the general counsel of the Bureau.
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, an election, motion, or consent by the Bureau shall constitute the election, motion, or consent of the United States Government.
SEC. 105. AWARD TO PLAINTIFFS.
(a) Government Proceeds With Action.--If the Government proceeds with an action brought by a person under section 104, the court shall award the person not less than 15 percent and not more than 25 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action.
(b) Cases in Which Government Does Not Proceed.--If the Government does not proceed with an action brought by a person under section 104, the court shall award the person not less than 25 percent and not more than 30 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action.
(c) Fees, Expenses, and Costs.--The court shall award the reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs of the person bringing the action under section 104, which shall be paid out of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the action prior to any distribution to the United States Government.
(d) Definition of Government.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term "Government" means the Bureau, acting through the general counsel of the Bureau.
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, an election, motion, or consent by the Bureau shall constitute the election, motion, or consent of the United States Government.
SEC. 106. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this title, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this title, and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected by the invalidation.
SEC. 201.
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ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU.
There is established in the executive branch the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which shall be an independent establishment (as defined in section 104 of title 5, United States Code).
SEC. 202. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Composition.--The Bureau shall be composed of 7 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Initial Appointment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the members of the Bureau first taking office after the date of enactment of this Act shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Failure to nominate.--If the President fails to submit a nomination of an individual for appointment to the Bureau before the date required under paragraph (1), the division of the court specified in section 50 of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint an appropriate individual to fill that vacancy in the same manner as provided for temporary members of the Bureau under section 203(f) of this title.
(c) Joint Referral.--
(1) In general.--The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall have joint jurisdiction over any nomination of an individual nominated by the President to be a member of the Bureau.
(2) Report of nominations.--If one committee votes to order reported a nomination
described in paragraph (1), the other committee shall report the nomination not later than 30 calendar days thereafter or be automatically discharged.
(d) Political Balance.--
(1) In general.--Not more than 3 members of the Bureau may be affiliated with the same political party.
(2) Treatment.--For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual shall be deemed affiliated with a political party if the individual was affiliated, including as a registered voter, employee, consultant, or officer, with the political party or any of the candidates or elected public officials of the political party at any time during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the individual is nominated to be a member of the Bureau.
(e) Independent Member.--Not fewer than 1 member of the Bureau shall be unaffiliated with any political party during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the individual is nominated to be a member of the Bureau.
(f) Qualifications.--In appointing members of the Bureau under subsection (a), the President shall select individuals who have demonstrated--
(1) expertise in election law, Government ethics, criminal law, administrative law, whistleblower protection, or other relevant disciplines relating to public integrity and anti-corruption enforcement; and
(2) records of integrity, impartiality, and good judgment.
(g) Prohibition on Outside Business, Vocation, or Employment.--Members of the Bureau shall not--
(1) engage in any other business, vocation, or employment; or
(2) hold any other concurrent position within the Federal Government.
(h) Quorum.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a quorum of the Bureau shall consist of 3 members.
(2) Requirement.--The Bureau may not take any action if more than \1/2\ of the members of the Bureau in attendance are affiliated with the same political party due to any vacancy.
SEC. 203. TERMS OF SERVICE.
(a) Term.--Each member of the Bureau shall be appointed for a single term of 6 years, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c).
(b) Initial Staggering.--The terms of office of the members of the Bureau first taking office after the date of enactment of this Act shall expire, as designated by the President at the time of the appointment of the members, as follows:
(1) Two such terms shall expire at the end of 2 years.
(2) Two such terms shall expire at the end of 4 years.
(3) Three such terms shall expire at the end of 6 years.
(c) Reappointment.--A member of the Bureau appointed to an initial term of fewer than 6 years may be reappointed to 1 additional term of 6 years.
(d) Vacancies.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
(e) Limitation on Service After Expiration of Term.--A member of the Bureau may continue to serve on the Bureau after the expiration of the term of the member for an additional period, but only until the earlier of--
(1) the date on which a successor for the member has taken office as a member of the Bureau; or
(2) the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the last day of the term of the member.
(f) Appointment of Temporary Members.--
(1) Appointment.--For any period in which there is a vacancy on the Bureau, the division of the court specified in section 50 of title 28, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint an appropriate individual to fill the vacancy not later than 14 days after the date on which the vacancy first occurs, consistent with the requirements under section 202, except that the individual shall be required to be a retired justice or judge of the United States.
(2) Powers and privileges.--
(A) In general.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to the same powers and privileges as those members of the Bureau appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(B) Powers and privileges of the chair.--Any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of Chair under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to the same powers and privileges as the Chair under section 204(d).
(3) Termination.--The temporary term of any member of the Bureau appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (1) shall end on the date on which the successor of the member has taken office as a member of the Bureau consistent with the requirements under section 202.
(g) Compensation.--Members of the Bureau shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code.
(h) Recusal.--A member of the Bureau shall recuse himself or herself from consideration of, or participation in, any matter pending before the Bureau that would constitute a conflict of interest.
SEC. 204. CHAIR; VICE CHAIR.
(a) Appointment of Chair.--
(1) Initial appointment.--Of the members of the Bureau first appointed to serve, one such member (as designated by the President at the time the President submits nominations to the Senate) shall serve as Chair of the Bureau.
(2) Subsequent appointments.--Any individual who is appointed to succeed the member who serves as Chair (as well as any individual who is appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of Chair) shall serve as Chair.
(b) Selection of Vice Chair.--
(1) In general.--The Bureau shall select, by majority vote of its members, one of its members to serve as Vice Chair.
(2) Absence or disability of the chair.--The Vice Chair shall act as Chair in the absence or disability of the Chair.
(c) Requirement Relating to Independence of Vice Chair.--If the Chair is affiliated with a political party, the Vice Chair shall be required to be a member of the Bureau who is not affiliated with any political party.
(d) Powers Assigned to Chair.--
(1) Administrative powers.--The Chair--
(A) shall be the chief administrative officer of the Bureau;
(B) shall have the authority to administer the Bureau and the staff of the Bureau; and
(C) in consultation with the other members of the Bureau, shall have the authority to--
(i) in accordance with section 203, appoint and remove the staff and the staff director of the Bureau;
(ii) request the assistance (including personnel and facilities) of any other agency or department of the United States, whose heads shall make such assistance available to the Bureau with or without reimbursement; and
(iii) prepare and establish the budget of the Bureau and make budget requests to the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress.
(2) Other powers.--The Chair shall have the power to--
(A) appoint and remove the general counsel of the Bureau with the concurrence of not fewer than 2 other members of the Bureau;
(B) require by special or general orders, any person to submit, under oath, such written reports and answers to questions as the Chair may prescribe;
(C) administer oaths or affirmations;
(D) require by subpoena, signed by the Chair, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all documentary evidence relating to the execution of the duties of the Bureau;
(E) in any proceeding or investigation, order testimony to be taken by deposition before any person who is designated by the Chair, and shall have the power to administer oaths and, in such instances, to compel testimony and the production of evidence in the same manner as authorized under subparagraph (D); and
(F) pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in like circumstances in the courts of the United States.
SEC. 205. BLUE RIBBON ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel to recommend individuals for appointment to the Bureau.
(b) Convening.--
(1) In general.--On or before the date that is 90 days before the regularly scheduled expiration of the term of a member of the Bureau, or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the membership of the Bureau prior to the expiration of a term, as applicable, the President shall promptly convene the Panel to propose nominees for membership on the Bureau.
(2) Special requirement to convene following enactment.--Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall convene the Panel to propose nominees for membership on the Bureau for each member of the Bureau.
(c) Membership of the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel.--
(1) Composition.--The Panel shall be composed of 11 members appointed by the President, in consultation with--
(A) the majority leader of the Senate; and
(B) the minority leader of the Senate.
(2) Political balance.--Members of the Panel shall include individuals representing each major political party and individuals who are not affiliated with any political party, and may include distinguished scholars, retired members of the Federal judiciary, former law enforcement officials, or individuals having experience with and knowledge of election and anti-corruption laws, except that the President may not select any individual to serve on the Panel who holds any public office at the time of selection.
(3) Diversity.--In selecting members of the Panel, the President shall make reasonable efforts to encourage racial, ethnic, and gender diversity on the Panel.
(d) Duties.--The Panel shall--
(1) identify and evaluate individuals qualified to serve as members of the Bureau;
(2) submit to the President a list of recommended individuals for each vacancy on the Bureau, anticipated vacancy on the Bureau, or initial appointment to the Bureau; and
(3) submit a report describing the qualifications of each recommended individual for appointment to the Bureau.
(e) Timing.--The Panel shall submit recommendations to the President for appointment to the Bureau not later than 90 days after the date on which the Panel is convened.
(f) Public Disclosure.--The recommendations and report submitted under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d), respectively, shall be made public upon transmittal to the President.
(g) Presidential Nominations.--If the President submits to the Senate a nomination of an individual not included in the recommendations of the Panel submitted under subsection (d)(2), the President shall, at the time of such submission to the Senate, provide a written explanation of the reasons for the nomination.
SEC. 206.
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REMOVAL; NOTICE TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 5 days after removing a member of the Bureau from such position, the President shall submit to the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives a written statement of the reasons for removal of the member.
(b) Hearings.--
(1) In general.--If the President fails to timely submit a statement under subsection (a), or if the statement does not set forth specific, detailed reasons for removal of the member of the Bureau, the committees described in subsection (a) shall conduct joint oversight hearings on the removal of the member of the Bureau for which a statement was required not later than 60 days after the missed submission deadline.
(2) Witnesses.--Any member of the Bureau for which a statement was required under subsection (a) but was not timely or appropriately submitted shall appear as a witness during a joint hearing under paragraph (1).
SEC. 301. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BUREAU.
(a) In General.--The Bureau shall--
(1) administer, seek to obtain compliance with, enforce, and formulate policy with respect to Federal laws relating to--
(A) campaign finance;
(B) ethics in Government;
(C) conflicts of interest;
(D) financial disclosure by Government officers and employees; and
(E) whistleblower protection;
(2) have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to civil enforcement of--
(A) this Act and any regulation promulgated under this Act;
(B) the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.);
(C) chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(D) subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code; and
(E) chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(3) recover proceeds from corrupt activities carried out in violation of the Federal laws described in paragraph (1) for victims of such activities and taxpayers in the United States through use of existing Federal authorities.
(b) Powers Assigned to Bureau.--The Bureau shall have the power to--
(1) initiate (through civil actions for injunctive, declaratory, or other appropriate relief), defend or appeal (including a proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari) any civil action in the name of the Bureau to enforce the provisions of this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, through the general counsel of the Bureau;
(2) render advisory opinions with respect to the provisions of law described in subsection (a)(2);
(3) develop such prescribed forms and to make, amend, and repeal such rules, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code;
(4) conduct investigations and hearings expeditiously, to encourage voluntary compliance with, to impose appropriate civil penalties under, and to report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities of, as applicable, this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(5) transmit to the President and Congress not later than June 1 of each year a report that--
(A) states in detail the activities of the Bureau in carrying out the duties of the Bureau under this Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) includes any recommendations for any legislative or other action the Bureau considers appropriate.
(c) Permitting Bureau to Exercise Other Powers of Chair.--With respect to any investigation, action, or proceeding, the Bureau, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members who are serving at the time, may exercise any of the powers of the Chair described in 204(d).
(d) Staff-initiated Actions.--
(1) Procedures.--The Bureau shall establish procedures under which career, nonpartisan staff of the Bureau may determine whether there is reason to believe a violation of Federal law described in subsection (a)(1) has occurred.
(2) Initiation of investigation.--Upon such a determination by career, nonpartisan staff of the Bureau that a violation of Federal law described in subsection (a)(1) has occurred, staff of the Bureau may initiate an investigation of the violation unless, within a reasonable period established by regulation, a majority of the members of the Bureau votes to prohibit the investigation.
(3) Ethics and whistleblower protections.--The Bureau shall establish comparable procedures to those established under paragraphs (1) and (2) for investigation into matters relating to ethics and whistleblower protections.
(e) Meetings.--The Bureau shall meet--
(1) not less frequently than once each month; and
(2) at the call of any member of the Bureau.
(f) Rules for Conduct of Activities; Judicial Notice of Seal; Principal Office.--The Bureau shall--
(1) prepare written rules for the conduct of the activities of the Bureau;
(2) have an official seal that shall be judicially noticed; and
(3) have its principal office in or near the District of Columbia (but may meet or exercise any of the powers of the Bureau anywhere in the United States).
(g) Restrictions on Ex Parte Communications.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall promulgate regulations relating to limitations on ex parte communications by members and employees of the Bureau.
(h) Prohibition on Executive Branch Influence Over Bureau Activities.--
(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any applicable person to--
(A) exercise any power or carry out any duty of the Bureau under this Act on the basis of political or partisan animus; or
(B) request that any member or employee of the Bureau, directly or indirectly, exercise any power or carry out any duty of the Bureau under this Act on the basis of political or partisan animus.
(2) Reporting requirement.--Any member of the Bureau who receives any request prohibited under paragraph (1)(B) shall report the receipt of such request to the Chair.
(3) Penalty.--Any person who willfully violates paragraph (1) or fails to report under paragraph (2) shall be punished upon conviction by a fine in any amount not exceeding $50,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.
(4) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term "applicable person" means--
(A) the President, the Vice President, any employee of the executive office of the President, and any employee of the executive office of the Vice President; and
(B) any individual serving in a position specified in section 5312 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Private Right of Action.--
(1) In general.--Any person, including an attorney general of a State acting as parens patriae, aggrieved by an order of the Bureau dismissing a complaint or other referral for Bureau action filed by such party under any provision of law described in subsection (a)(2), or by a failure of the Bureau to act on such complaint or other referral during the 120-day period beginning on the date the complaint is filed, may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(2) Procedure.--Any petition under paragraph (1) shall be filed, in the case of a dismissal of a complaint or other referral for Bureau action by the Bureau, within 60 days after the date of the dismissal.
(3) Orders by the court.--In any proceeding under this subsection the court may declare that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary to law, and may direct the Bureau to conform with such declaration within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original complaint.
(4) Attorneys' fees.--In a civil action under this subsection, the court may allow the prevailing party (other than the Bureau) reasonable attorneys' fees, including litigation expenses, and costs.
(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supplant the provisions of section 309(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8)).
(j) Campaign Finance Powers and Duties.--
(1) Standard for initiating investigations and determining whether violations have occurred.--
(A) Revision of standards.--Section 309(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
"(2)(A) The general counsel, upon receiving a complaint filed with the Bureau under paragraph (1) or upon the basis of information ascertained by the Bureau in the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, shall make a determination as to whether or not there is reason to believe
that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and as to whether or not the Bureau should either initiate an investigation of the matter or that the complaint should be dismissed. The general counsel shall promptly provide notification to the Bureau of such determination and the reasons therefore, together with any written response submitted under paragraph (1) by the person alleged to have committed the violation. Upon the expiration of the 30-day period that begins on the date the general counsel provides such notification, the determination of the general counsel shall take effect, unless during such 30-day period the Bureau, by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time, overrules the determination of the general counsel. If the determination by the general counsel that the Bureau should investigate the matter takes effect, or if the determination by the general counsel that the complaint should be dismissed is overruled as provided under the previous sentence, the general counsel shall initiate an investigation of the matter on behalf of the Bureau.
"(B) If the Bureau initiates an investigation pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Bureau, through the Chair, shall notify the subject of the investigation of the alleged violation. Such notification shall set forth the factual basis for such alleged violation. The Bureau shall make an investigation of such alleged violation, which may include a field investigation or audit, in accordance with the provisions of this section. The general counsel shall provide notification to the Bureau of any intent to issue a subpoena or conduct any other form of discovery pursuant to the investigation.
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Upon the expiration of the 15-day period that begins on the date the general counsel provides such notification, the general counsel may issue the subpoena or conduct the discovery, unless during such 15-day period the Bureau, by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time, prohibits the general counsel from issuing the subpoena or conducting the discovery.
"(3)(A) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2), the general counsel shall promptly submit to the Bureau the recommendation of the general counsel that the Bureau find either that there is probable cause or that there is not probable cause to believe that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall include with the recommendation a brief stating the position of the general counsel on the legal and factual issues of the case.
"(B) At the time the general counsel submits to the Bureau the recommendation under subparagraph (A), the general counsel shall simultaneously notify the respondent of such recommendation and the reasons therefore, shall provide the respondent with an opportunity to submit a brief within 30 days stating the position of the respondent on the legal and factual issues of the case and replying to the brief of the general counsel. The general counsel and shall promptly submit such brief to the Bureau upon receipt.
"(C) Not later than 30 days after the general counsel submits the recommendation to the Bureau under subparagraph (A) (or, if the respondent submits a brief under subparagraph (B), not later than 30 days after the general counsel submits the respondent's brief to the Bureau under such subparagraph), the Bureau shall approve or disapprove the recommendation by vote of a majority of the members of the Bureau who are serving at the time.".
(B) Conforming amendment relating to initial response to filing of complaint.--Section 309(a)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(1)) is amended--
(i) in the third sentence, by striking "the Commission" and inserting "the general counsel"; and
(ii) by amending the fourth sentence to read as follows: "Not later than 15 days after receiving notice from the general counsel under the previous sentence, the person may provide the general counsel with a written response that no action should be taken against such person on the basis of the complaint.".
(2) Revision of standard for review of dismissal of complaints.--
(A) In general.--Section 309(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
"(8)(A)(i) Any party aggrieved by an order of the Bureau dismissing a complaint filed by such party after finding either no reason to believe a violation has occurred or no probable cause a violation has occurred may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Any petition under this subparagraph shall be filed within 60 days after the date on which the party received notice of the dismissal of the complaint.
"(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall determine by de novo review whether the dismissal by the Bureau of the complaint is contrary to law. In any matter in which the penalty for the alleged violation is greater than $50,000, the court should disregard any claim or defense by the Bureau of prosecutorial discretion as a basis for dismissing the complaint.
"(B)(i) Any party who has filed a complaint with the Bureau and who is aggrieved by a failure of the Bureau, within 1 year after the filing of the complaint, to either dismiss the complaint or to find reason to believe a violation has occurred or is about to occur, may file a petition with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
"(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall treat the failure to act on the complaint as a dismissal of the complaint, and shall determine by de novo review whether the failure by the Bureau to act on the complaint is contrary to law.
"(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph, the court may declare that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary to law, and may direct the Bureau to conform with such declaration within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original complaint.".
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall apply--
(i) in the case of complaints that are dismissed by the Bureau, with respect to complaints that are dismissed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(ii) in the case of complaints upon which the Bureau failed to act, with respect to complaints that were filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(k) Government Ethics Powers and Duties.--
(1) Enforcement powers.--Chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in section 13104(f)(6)(C), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau" each place the term appears;
(B) in section 13106--
(i) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in subsection (b)--
(I) in the subsection heading, by striking "Attorney General" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(II) by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics,"; and
(III) by striking "the Attorney General" each place that terms appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in section 13107(c)(2), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) in section 13145(a), by striking "The Attorney General" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Definitions.--
(A) In general.--Section 13121 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "Establishment" and inserting "Definitions; establishment";
(ii) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Definitions.--In this subchapter:
"(1) Agency; executive agency.--The terms `agency' and `executive agency' shall include the Executive Office of the President.
"(2) Agency head; head of agency.--The terms `agency head' and `head of an agency' shall include the President or the President's designee.
"(3) Bureau.--The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.
"(4) Officer or employee.--The term `officer or employee' shall include any individual occupying a position, providing any official services, or acting in an advisory capacity, in the White House or the Executive Office of the President.";
(iii) by striking subsection (b);
(iv) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b); and
(v) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
(I) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau" each place the term appears.
(B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the item relating to section 13121, by striking "Establishment" and inserting "Definitions; establishment".
(3) Overall direction.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
"(a) In General.--The Bureau--
"(1) shall provide overall direction of executive branch policies related to ethics and preventing conflicts of interest on the part of officers and employees of any Executive agency, as defined in section 105 of this title; and
"(2) shall have the authority to--
"(A) conduct investigations into alleged violations of executive branch policies described in paragraph (1), either in response to a complaint filed with the Bureau or sua sponte;
"(B) issue administrative fines to individuals for violations of executive branch policies described in paragraph (1);
"(C) order individuals to take corrective action, including disgorgement, divestiture, and recusal, as the Bureau determines necessary to enforce the executive branch policies described in paragraph (1); and
"(D) bring civil actions in an appropriate district court to enforce fines and orders described in subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively.".
(4) Responsibilities of the bureau.--Section 13122(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking "developing, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Office of Personnel Management, rules and regulations to be promulgated by the President or the Director" and inserting "developing and promulgating rules and regulations";
(C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
"(2) providing mandatory education and training programs for designated agency ethics officials, which may be delegated to each agency or the White House Counsel as determined appropriate by the Bureau;";
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking "problems" and inserting "issues";
(E) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by striking "issued by the President or the Director"; and
(ii) by striking "problems" and inserting "issues";
(F) in paragraph (7)--
(i) by striking ", when requested,"; and
(ii) by striking "conflict of interest problems" and inserting "conflicts of interest, as well as other ethics issues,";
(G) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking "ordering" and inserting "receiving allegations of violations of this Act or regulations of the Bureau and, when necessary, investigating an allegation to determine whether a violation occurred, and ordering";
(ii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) by inserting ", and recommending appropriate disciplinary action" before the semicolon at the end;
(H) in paragraph (10), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(I) in paragraph (12)--
(i) by striking "evaluating, with the assistance of" and inserting "promulgating, with input from";
(ii) by striking "the need for";
(iii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iv) by striking "conflict of interest and ethical problems" and inserting "conflict of interest and ethics issues";
(J) in paragraph (13)--
(i) by striking "with the Attorney General" and inserting "with the inspectors general and the Attorney General";
(ii) by striking "violations of the conflict of interest laws" and inserting "conflict of interest issues and allegations of violations of ethics laws and regulations and this Act"; and
(iii) by striking ", as required by section 535 of title 28";
(K) in paragraph (14), by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon;
(L) in paragraph (15)--
(i) by striking ", in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management,";
(ii) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(M) by adding at the end the following:
"(16) directing and providing final approval, when determined appropriate by the Bureau, for designated agency ethics officials regarding the resolution of conflicts of interest as well as any other ethics issues under the purview of this Act in individual cases; and
"(17) reviewing and approving, when determined appropriate by the Bureau, any recusals, exemptions, or waivers from the conflicts of interest and ethics laws, rules, and regulations and making approved recusals, exemptions, and waivers made publicly available by the relevant agency available in a central location on the official website of the Bureau.".
(5) Written procedures.--Section 13122(d) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking "The Director shall, by the exercise of any authority otherwise available to the Director under this subchapter," and inserting "The Bureau
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shall";
(ii) by striking "the agency is"; and
(iii) by inserting ", or written documentation of recusals, waivers, or ethics authorizations relating to," after "filed by"; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking "the Director" and inserting "the Bureau".
(6) Corrective actions.--Section 13122(f) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking "of such agency"; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting "and determine that a violation of this Act has occurred and issue appropriate administrative or legal remedies as prescribed in paragraph (2)" before the period at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau";
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(bb) in subclause (I), by inserting "to the President or the President's designee if the matter involves employees of the Executive Office of the President or" after "may recommend"; and
(cc) in subclause (II)--
(AA) by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau";
(BB) by inserting "President or" after "determines that the"; and
(CC) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting "; and";
(III) in clause (iii)--
(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(bb) in subclause (II)--
(AA) by striking "notify, in writing," and inserting "advise the President or order";
(BB) by inserting "to take appropriate disciplinary action including reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal against the officer or employee (provided, however, that any order issued by the Bureau shall not affect an employee's right to appeal a disciplinary action under applicable law, regulation, collective bargaining agreement, or contractual provision)." after "employee's agency"; and
(CC) by striking "of the officer's or employee's noncompliance, except that, if the officer or employee involved is the agency head, the notification shall instead be submitted to the President; and"; and
(IV) by striking clause (iv);
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i)--
(aa) in the clause heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(bb) by striking "Director's" and inserting "Bureau's";
(cc) by striking "subparagraph (A)(iii) or (iv)" and inserting "subparagraph (A)";
(dd) by striking "the Director" and inserting "the Bureau";
(ee) by inserting "(I) In general.--" before "In order to"; and
(ff) by adding at the end the following:
"(II) Production of information.--The Bureau may--
"(aa) secure directly from any agency information necessary to enable the Bureau to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Bureau, the head of such agency shall furnish that information to the Chair of the Bureau; and
"(bb) require by subpoena the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data in any medium and documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this Act, which subpoena, in the case of refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by order of any appropriate United States district court.";
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) in subclause (I)--
(AA) by striking "Subject to clause (iv) of this subparagraph, before" and inserting "Before"; and
(BB) by striking "subparagraphs (A)(iii) or (iv)" and inserting "subparagraph (A)(iii)"; and
(bb) in subclause (II), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(III) in clause (iii), by striking "Subject to clause (iv) of this subparagraph, before" and inserting "Before";
(C) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking "(iv),"; and
(E) in paragraph (5), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(7) Definitions.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(g) Prior Approval, Comment, or Review.--The Chair of the Bureau shall not be required to obtain the prior approval, comment, or review of any officer or agency of the United States, including the Office of Management and Budget, before submitting to Congress, or any committee or subcommittee thereof, any information, reports, recommendations, testimony, or comments, if such submissions include a statement indicating that the views expressed therein are those of the Director and do not necessarily represent the views of the President.".
(l) Agency Ethics Officials Powers and Duties.--Section 13123 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Designated Agency Ethics Officials.--
"(1) In general.--All designated agency ethics officials and alternate designated agency ethics officials shall register with the Bureau as well as with the appointing authority of the official.
"(2) Provision of ethics education and training.--The Bureau shall provide ethics education and training to all designated agency ethics officials and alternate designated agency ethics officials in a time and manner determined appropriate by the Bureau.
"(3) Required attendance at ethics education and training.--Each designated agency ethics official and each alternate designated agency ethics official shall biannually attend ethics education and training, as provided by the Bureau under paragraph (2).
"(d) Required Documentation.--Each designated agency ethics official, including the designated agency ethics official for the Executive Office of the President--
"(1) shall provide to the Bureau, in writing, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable format, all approvals, authorizations, certifications, compliance reviews, determinations, directed divestitures, public financial disclosure reports, notices of deficiency in compliance, records related to the
approval or acceptance of gifts, recusals, regulatory or statutory advisory opinions, waivers, including waivers under section 207 or 208 of title 18, and any other records designated by the Bureau, unless disclosure is prohibited by law;
"(2) shall, for all information described in paragraph (1) that is permitted to be disclosed to the public under law, make the information available to the public by publishing the information on the website of the Bureau, providing a link to download an electronic copy of the information, or providing printed paper copies of such information to the public; and
"(3) may charge a reasonable fee for the cost of providing paper copies of the information pursuant to paragraph (2).
"(e) Public Availability.--
"(1) In general.--For all information that is provided by an agency to the Bureau under subsection (d)(1), the Bureau shall make the information available to the public in a searchable, sortable, downloadable format by publishing the information on the website of the Bureau or providing a link to download an electronic copy of the information.
"(2) Reasonable fee.--The Bureau may, upon request, provide printed paper copies of the information published under paragraph (1) and charge a reasonable fee for the cost of printing such copies.".
SEC. 302. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.
(a) Transfer.--
(1) Federal election commission.--There are transferred to the Office of Campaign Finance of the Bureau established under section 203(b) all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Federal Election Commission.
(2) Office of government ethics.--There are transferred to the Office of Government Ethics of the Bureau established under section 203(c) all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Office of Government Ethics.
(3) Office of special counsel.--There are transferred to the Bureau all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, of the Office of Special Counsel.
(b) General Authority.--In carrying out any function transferred by subsection (a)--
(1) the Bureau, or any member or employee of the Bureau, may exercise any authority available by law with respect to that function to the official or agency from which that function is transferred; and
(2) the actions of the Bureau, or any member or employee of the Bureau, in exercising the authority described in paragraph (1), shall have the same force and effect as when exercised by that official or agency.
(c) Continuity.--All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, agreements, grants, contracts, recognitions of labor organizations, certificates, licenses, registrations, privileges, and other administrative actions--
(1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective by any agency or office whose functions are transferred under subsection (a); and
(2) that are in effect on the effective date of this Act, shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with Federal law.
(d) Pending Proceedings.--This Act shall not affect any proceeding or application pending on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 303.
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PERSONNEL.
(a) Staff Director, General Counsel and Other Staff.--
(1) Staff director.--The Bureau shall appoint a staff director who shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) General counsel.--In accordance with section 204(d)(2)(A), the Chair shall appoint a general counsel who shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Senior staff.--The Bureau may appoint and fix the pay of staff designated as senior staff, such as a deputy staff director, who may be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Other staff.--In addition to the staff director, general counsel, and senior staff, the Bureau may appoint and fix the pay of such other staff as the Bureau considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Bureau, except that no such staff may be compensated at an annual rate exceeding the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule.
(b) Office of Campaign Finance.--There is established within the Bureau an Office of Campaign Finance.
(c) Office of Government Ethics.--There is established within the Bureau an Office of Government Ethics.
(d) Transfer of Employees.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Employees transferred.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, all employees of the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Office of Special Counsel shall be transferred to the Bureau.
(B) Employees not transferred.--The following individuals shall not be transferred to the Bureau:
(i) Any individual serving as a Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission.
(ii) Any individual serving as the Director, or acting Director, of the Office of Government Ethics.
(iii) Any individual serving as the Special Counsel or acting Special Counsel.
(2) Employee status and functions.--
(A) Status.--Each employee transferred under this subsection shall be placed in a position at the Bureau with the same status and tenure as the transferred employee held on the day before the date on which the employee was transferred.
(B) Functions.--To the extent practicable, each employee transferred under this subsection shall be placed in a position at the Bureau responsible for the same functions and duties as the transferred employee had on the day before the date on which the employee was transferred, in accordance with the expertise and preferences of the transferred employee.
(3) Pay.--
(A) Protection.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), each employee transferred under this subsection shall, during the 4-year period beginning on the date on which the employee is transferred, receive pay at a rate that is not less than the basic rate of pay (including any geographic differential) that the employee received during the pay period immediately preceding the date on which the employee is transferred.
(ii) Limitation.--Notwithstanding clause (i), if an employee was receiving a higher rate of basic pay on a temporary basis (because of a temporary assignment, temporary promotion, or other temporary action) immediately before the date on which the employee is transferred under this subsection--
(I) the Bureau may reduce the rate of basic pay of the employee on the date on which the rate would have been reduced but for the transfer; and
(II) the protected rate for the remainder of the 4-year period described in clause (i) shall be the reduced rate that would have applied, but for the transfer.
(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) shall not limit the right of the Bureau to reduce the rate of basic pay of an employee transferred under this subsection--
(i) for cause or for unacceptable performance; or
(ii) with the consent of the employee.
(C) Protection only while employed.--Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to an employee transferred under this subsection only while that employee remains employed by the Bureau.
(D) Pay increases permitted.--Subparagraph (A) shall not limit the authority of the Bureau to increase the pay of an employee transferred under this subsection.
(e) Prohibition on Changes to Mission.--No officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the head of any agency, other than the Chair may substantially or significantly reduce the authorities, responsibilities, or functions of the Bureau or the capability of the Bureau to perform those authorities, responsibilities, or functions, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
(f) Coverage Under Inspector General Act of 1978 for Conducting Audits and Investigations.--
(1) In general.--Section 415(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau," after "Election Assistance Commission,".
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 180 days after the date on which Members are first appointed to the Bureau under section 202.
(3) Role of inspector general of bureau.--In addition to the duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of the Bureau under section 404 of title 5, United States Code, the Inspector General of the Bureau shall provide policy direction for, and conduct, supervise, and coordinate, audits and investigations into any allegation that any exercise of the powers and duties of the Bureau under section 301(b) was motivated by political or partisan animus.
TITLE IV--APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU
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SEC. 401. ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES TO DIVISION TO APPOINT
TEMPORARY MEMBERS TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION
BUREAU.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"Sec. 50. Assignment of judges to division to appoint
temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau
"(a) In General.--
"(1) Assignment of judges.--Beginning with the 2-year period commencing on the date of the enactment of this section, 3 judges shall be assigned for each successive 2-year period to a division of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to be the division of the court for the purpose of--
"(A) appointing temporary members of the Anti-Corruption Bureau under section 203(f) the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act; and
"(B) if the President fails to appoint any initial member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau under section 202(b)(1) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act, appointing a temporary member to fill that vacancy.
"(2) Clerk.--The Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall serve as the clerk of such division of the court and shall provide such services as are needed by such division of the court.
"(b) Other Judicial Assignments.--Except as provided under subsection (e), assignment to such division of the court shall not be a bar to other judicial assignments during the term of such division.
"(c) Designation and Assignment.--
"(1) In general.--The Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shall designate and assign 3 circuit court judges, 1 of whom shall be a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to such division of the court.
"(2) Restriction on certain senior and retired judges.--Not more than 1 judge or senior or retired judge or justice may be named to such division from a particular court.
"(d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in such division of the court shall be filled only for the remainder of the 2-year period in which such vacancy occurs and in the same manner as initial assignments to such division were made.".
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"50. Assignment of judges to division to appoint temporary members to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.".
SEC. 501. FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the "Freedom From Influence Fund".
(b) Sense of the Senate Regarding Funding.--It is the sense of the Senate that the Fund should consist of--
(1) assessments against certain fines, penalties, and settlements as a result of--
(A) corporate malfeasance; and
(B) violations of the provisions of law described in section 301(a)(2); and
(2) interest on, and proceeds from, the sale or redemption of any obligations held by the Freedom From Influence Fund, of which the Chair shall invest such portion as is not, in the judgment of the Chair, required to meet current withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. For such purpose, such obligations may be acquired--
(A) on original issue at the issue price, or
(B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price.
SEC. 502. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau from the Fund such sums as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Bureau for fiscal year 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 503. REFERENCES.
Any reference in any law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, or the Office of Special Counsel shall be deemed to refer to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
SEC. 504. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall promulgate such rules and regulations as the Bureau considers necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties of the Bureau under this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
SEC. 505. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998.--Section 620(b)(4)(B)) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7657(b)(4)(B)) is amended by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(b) Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act.--Section 133(d)(3)(D) of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 40122 note) is amended by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(c) Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.--
(1) Responsibilities of federal communications commission.--Section 201(b) of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30104 note) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Regulations by fec.--Section 214(c) of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30116 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Maintenance of website of election reports.--Section 502 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30112 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking "Federal Election Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(d) Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949.--Section 12(g) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3512(g)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(e) Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.--Section 8104 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (10 U.S.C. 2241 note) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(f) Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007.--Section 21078(a) of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (52 U.S.C. 30146(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(g) Department of the Interior Volunteer Recruitment Act of 2005.--Section 3(d)(3) of the Department of the Interior Volunteer Recruitment Act of 2005 (43 U.S.C. 1475b(d)(3)) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(h) Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.--
(1) Suicide by employees.--Section 105 of the Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Training for supervisors.--Section 106 of the Doctor Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 2301 note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(i) Federal Deposit Insurance Act.--Section 12(f) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1822(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking "that Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "that Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(j) Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (9)(B)(iii), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau";
(B) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
"(10) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.";
(C) in paragraph (14), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(D) in paragraph (15), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(2) Organization of political committees.--Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30102(g)) is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "with the Commission" and inserting "with the Bureau".
(3) Registration of political committees.--Section 303(d)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30103(d)(2)) is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(4) Reports.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended--
(A) by striking "The Commission" and inserting "The Bureau";
(B) by striking "the Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "the Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (h), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(5) Reports on convention financing.--Section 305 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30105) is amended, in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking "the Commission" and inserting "the Bureau".
(6) Authorities.--The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by striking section 306 (52 U.S.C. 30106) and inserting the following:
"Sec. 306. (a) The Bureau shall--
"(1) administer, seek to obtain compliance with, and formulate policy with respect to, this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and
"(2) have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the civil enforcement of such provisions.
"(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, restrict or diminish any investigatory, informational, oversight, supervisory, or disciplinary authority or function of the Congress or any committee of the Congress with respect to elections for Federal office.".
(7) Powers of the bureau.--Section 307 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30107) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(8) Advisory opinions.--Section 308 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30108) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(9) Enforcement.--Section 309 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109), as amended by section 301 of this Act, is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(10) Judicial review.--Section 310 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30110) is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(11) Administrative provisions.--Section 311 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
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30111) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(12) Statement filed with state officers.--Section 312 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30113) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(13) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 314 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30115) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(14) Limitations on contributions and expenditures.--Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116) is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(15) Modification of certain limits for house candidates in response to personal fund expenditures of opponents.--Section 315A(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30117(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(F)(i), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(16) Soft money of political parties.--Section 323(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30125(b)(2)(A)) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(k) Financial Stability Act of 2010.--Section 152(g) of the Financial Stability Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5342(g)) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(l) FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017.--Section 110(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 (5 U.S.C. 2303 note) is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(m) GENIUS Act.--Section 4(i)(2) of the GENIUS Act (12 U.S.C. 5903(i)(2)) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(n) Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
(1) Sale of property to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements.--Section 1043(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting " Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Employees.--Section 7471(a)(8)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Presidential election campaign fund.--
(A) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 95 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the item relating to section 9005, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) in the item relating to section 9010, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(B) Definitions.--Section 9002 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
"(3) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act."; and
(iii) in paragraph (11), in the flush matter following subparagraph (C), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(C) Condition for eligibility for payments.--Section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(D) Entitlement of eligible candidates to payments.--Section 9004(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(E) Certification by bureau.--Section 9005 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(F) Payments to eligible candidates.--Section 9006 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(G) Examinations and audits.--Section 9007 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(H) Payments for presidential nominating conventions.--Section 9008 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(I) Reports to congress; regulations.--Section 9009 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(J) Participation by bureau in judicial proceedings.--Section 9010 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(K) Judicial review.--Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(L) Criminal penalties.--Section 9012 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(4) Presidential primary matching payment account.--
(A) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 96 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the item relating to section 9036, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) in the item relating to section 9040, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau".
(B) Definitions.--Section 9032 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
"(3) The term `Bureau' means the Anti-Corruption Bureau established under section 201 of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act.".
(C) Eligibility for payments.--Section 9033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(D) Certification by bureau.--Section 9036 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(E) Payments to eligible candidates.--Section 9037(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(F) Examinations and audits; repayments.--Section 9038 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(G) Reports to congress; regulations.--Section 9039 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(H) Participation by bureau in judicial proceedings.--Section 9040 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "commission" and inserting "bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(I) Judicial review.--Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking "Commission" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(J) Criminal penalties.--Section 9042(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau".
(o) Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.--Section 6(a)(9)(C) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1605(a)(9)(C)) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(p) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.--Section 1097(b)(2)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (5 U.S.C. 7503 note) is amended by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(q) National Security Act of 1947.--Section 102A of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024) is amended--
(1) in subsection (t), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (x)(4), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(r) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 6(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505(a)(1)) is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Election Assistance Commission".
(s) Presidential Transition Act of 1963.--Section 4 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note; Public Law 88-277) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(3)(A), by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics," and inserting "the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau,"; and
(2) in subsection (e)(3)(C), by striking "the Office of Government Ethics," and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau,".
(t) Public Law 103-424.--
(1) Implementation.--Section 12 of the Act entitled "An Act to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes", approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1214 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Annual survey of individuals seeking assistance.--Section 13 of the Act entitled "An Act to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes", approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(u) Public Law 107-276.--Section 4 of Public Law 107-276 (26 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(v) Small Business Act.--Section 9(o)(12) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(12)) is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(w) STOCK Act.--
(1) Prohibition of the use of nonpublic information for private profit.--Section 9(a)(1) of the STOCK Act (Public Law 112-105; 126 Stat. 297) is amended by striking "The Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Electronic filing and online public availability of financial disclosure forms of certain executive branch officials.--Section 11(b) of the STOCK Act (5 U.S.C. 13107 note) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the flush text following subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in paragraph (6), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(x) Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act.--Section 3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C.
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20102(c)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Commission, the" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau, the"; and
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(y) William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.--Section 548(c)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (38 U.S.C. 5906 note) is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(z) Chapter 4 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Appointments.--Section 403(d)(1)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in clause (i)(II)(aa), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Council of the inspectors general on integrity and efficiency.--Section 424 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (E), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics." and inserting "The Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau."; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (F) and redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively;
(B) in subsection (c)(5)(B), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics or the designee of the Director." and inserting "The Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the designee of the Chair.";
(ii) in paragraph (5)(A)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(bb) by striking "designated by the Special Counsel" and inserting "designated by the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (7)--
(I) in subparagraph (D), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (E)(ii)--
(aa) by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(bb) by striking "or the Special Counsel" and inserting "or the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iv) in paragraph (9)(B), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(v) in paragraph (12)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(II) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
"(A) Covered individual defined.--In this paragraph, the term `covered individual' means a member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau."; and
(III) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(aa) by striking "against the Special Counsel or the Deputy Special Counsel" and inserting "against a covered individual"; and
(bb) by striking "designated by the Special Counsel" and inserting "designated by the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(aa) Chapter 5 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 552(a)(4)(F) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking "The Special Counsel" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "his findings and recommendations" and inserting "the findings and recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in the third sentence, by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in clause (ii)(I), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(3) in clause (iii), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(bb) Chapter 11 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1103(a)(5) of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(cc) Chapter 12 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the item relating to subchapter II, by striking "OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU";
(B) in the item relating to section 1212, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in the item relating to section 1216, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Powers and functions of the merit systems protection board.--Section 1204 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)(1)(B)(i), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)(1)(C), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Establishment.--Section 1211 of title 5, United States Code, is repealed.
(4) Powers and functions.--Section 1212 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) by striking "The Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(5) Provisions relating to disclosures of violations of law, gross mismanagement, and certain other matters.--Section 1213 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(6) Investigation of prohibited personnel practices; corrective action.--Section 1214 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) by striking "The Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(7) Disciplinary action.--Section 1215 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking "the Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (a)(1), in the flush text following subparagraph (C), by striking "the Special Counsel's determination" and inserting "the determination of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(8) Other matters within jurisdiction.--Section 1216 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(9) Transmittal of information to congress.--Section 1217 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) by striking "the Special Counsel's views" and inserting "the views of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) by striking "the Office" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(10) Annual report.--Section 1218 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(F) in paragraph (5), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(G) in paragraph (7), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(H) in paragraph (8), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(I) in paragraph (12), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(J) in paragraph (13), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(11) Public information.--Section 1219 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(12) Individual right of action in certain reprisal cases.--Section 1221 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)(3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(dd) Chapter 13 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1303 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ee) Chapter 15 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 1504 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ff) Chapter 23 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Prohibited personnel practices.--Section 2302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (8)(B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (9)(C), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (13)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c)(2)(C)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in clause (iii)(I), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Prohibited personnel practices in the federal bureau of investigation.--Section 2303(a)(1)(G) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(gg) Chapter 31 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 3132(a)(1)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(hh) Chapter 43 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 4302(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ii) Chapter 53 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to "Director of the Office of Government Ethics."; and
(2) by striking the item relating to "Special Counsel of the
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Office of Special Counsel.".
(jj) Chapter 63 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 6329b of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(6)(D), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(2) in subsection (e), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(3) in subsection (g), in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(kk) Chapter 71 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 7121(g)(4)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ll) Chapter 73 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Post-employment notification.--Section 7302(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Political activity authorized; prohibitions.--Section 7323(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking "the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)--
(i) in subclause (I), by striking "the Federal Election Commission or"; and
(ii) in subclause (IX), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel;" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau;".
(3) Gifts to federal employees.--Section 7353(d)(1)(D) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(mm) Chapter 75 of Title 5, United States Code.--Section 7515(b)(1) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(nn) Chapter 131 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the item relating to subchapter II, by striking "OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU".
(2) Definitions.--Section 13101(18)(D) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Administration of provisions.--Section 13102(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(4) Persons required to file.--Section 13103 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (f)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (5)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "the Director determines" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau determines"; and
(iii) in paragraph (7), by striking "the Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "each member and employee of the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (h), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(5) Filing of reports.--Section 13105 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "With Director of Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "by the President, Vice President, and Independent Counsel"; and
(ii) by striking "with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in the second sentence, by striking "The Director" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "filed in the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "filed in the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(D) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "With Federal Election Commission" and inserting "by Candidates for President and Vice President"; and
(ii) by striking "with the Federal Election Commission" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(E) in subsection (k)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(F) in subsection (l)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (5)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Director determines" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau determines"; and
(iii) in paragraph (7), by striking "The Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Each member or employee of the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(6) Review of reports.--Section 13108 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iv) in paragraph (6), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(7) Notice of actions taken to comply with ethics agreements.--Section 13111(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(8) Authority and function.--Section 13122 of title 5, United States Code, as amended by section 301 of this Act, is amended--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(9) Administrative provisions.--Section 13123 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Director" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(iii) in paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(iv) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "to the Director" and inserting "to the Bureau";
(II) by striking "which the Director" and inserting "that the Bureau"; and
(III) by striking "Director's duties" and inserting "duties of the Bureau"; and
(v) in the flush text following paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "Director" each place that term appears and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics responsibilities" and inserting "responsibilities of the Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(II) by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Bureau"; and
(III) by striking "such Office" and inserting "the Bureau".
(10) Rules and regulations.--Section 13124 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(11) Reports to congress.--Section 13126 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau";
(B) in paragraph (1),
(i) by striking "by the Director" and inserting "by the Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "the Director's functions" and inserting "the functions of the Bureau"; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "Director" and inserting "Bureau".
(12) Administration relating to outside earned income and employment.--Section 13142 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "and administered" and inserting "administered".
(oo) Table of Chapters for Title 5, United States Code.--The table of chapters for part II of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the item relating to chapter 12, by striking "OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL" and inserting "ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU".
(pp) Chapter 80 of Title 10, United States Code.--Section 1566(i)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(qq) Chapter 11 of Title 18, United States Code.--
(1) Restrictions on former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches.--Section 207 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(2)(C), in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "Director determines" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau determines";
(B) in subsection (h)(1)--
(i) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" each places that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in the first sentence, by striking "the Director shall" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau shall";
(C) in subsection (j)--
(i) in paragraph (5), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (7)(B)(i), by striking "Federal Election Commission" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(D) in subsection (k)--
(i) in paragraph (3), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (5)(B)--
(I) by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "with the Director" and inserting "with the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Acts affecting a personal financial interest.--Section 208 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (d)(2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(rr) Chapter 40 of Title 28, United States Code.--Section 594(j)(5) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ss) Chapter 13 of Title 31, United States Code.--Section 1353 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A)
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in the first sentence, by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking "The Director shall" and inserting "The Anti-Corruption Bureau shall".
(tt) Chapter 5 of Title 36, United States Code.--Section 510(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(uu) Chapter 3 of Title 38, United States Code.--Section 323(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(vv) Chapter 7 of Title 38, United States Code.--
(1) Employees: removal, demotion, or suspension based on performance or misconduct.--Section 714 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)(1)--
(i) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) by striking "approval of the Special Counsel" and inserting "approval of the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (f)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking "the Special Counsel (established by section 1211 of title 5)" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Special Counsel provides" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau provides".
(2) Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions relating to whistleblower complaints.--Section 731 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in subsection (c)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(3) Training regarding whistleblower disclosures.--Section 733(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Special Counsel" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(ww) Chapter 43 of Title 38, United States Code.--
(1) Enforcement of rights with respect to federal executive agencies.--Section 4324 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "the Office of Special Counsel established by section 1211 of title 5" and inserting "the Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(II) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (3), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau" ; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(2) Noncompliance of federal officials with deadlines; inapplicability of statutes of limitations.--Section 4327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau" .
(3) Regulations.--Section 4331(b)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(4) Reports.--Section 4332 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Special Counsel referred to in section 4324(a)(1)" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking "Special Counsel pursuant" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau pursuant"; and
(II) by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (10), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau";
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking "Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Special counsel" and inserting "Anti-corruption bureau"; and
(II) by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking "Special Counsel" each place that term appears and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(xx) Chapter 23 of Title 41, United States Code.--Section 2303(c) of title 41, United States Code, is amended by striking "Director of the Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(yy) Chapter 35 of Title 44, United States Code.--Section 3502(1) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking "Federal Election Commission" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(zz) Chapter 1 of Title 49, United States Code.--Section 106(t) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(B) in clause (vi), by striking "Office of Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau"; and
(2) in paragraph (8)(C)(iv), by striking "Office of the Special Counsel" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
(aaa) Chapter 401 of Title 49, United States Code.--Section 40122(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking "Office of Government Ethics" and inserting "Anti-Corruption Bureau".
Senate Resolution 819--Condemning the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Its Ongoing Human Rights Abuses, Including Its Use of Politically Motivated Espionage Claims to Justify...
Page S4390 · Official textMrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. Sheehy, and Mr. McCormick) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
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Whereas the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged in a longstanding pattern of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, forced confessions, censorship, and politically motivated prosecutions;
Whereas the Iranian regime has repeatedly targeted dissidents, journalists, women, students, religious minorities, labor activists, and human rights defenders for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights;
Whereas Iranian authorities have increasingly relied on vague national security charges, including allegations of espionage, "enmity against God", and "corruption on earth", to silence political opposition and punish peaceful dissent;
Whereas individuals accused of espionage in the Islamic Republic of Iran are often denied due process, deprived of access to independent legal counsel, subjected to torture or coercion, and convicted in proceedings that fail to meet basic standards of fairness;
Whereas the Iranian regime has used executions as a tool of fear and political repression, including against individuals accused of espionage or collaboration with foreign governments;
Whereas the misuse of espionage claims by the Islamic Republic of Iran allows the regime to label political opponents, protesters, and dissidents as national security threats in order to justify imprisonment, abuse, and execution;
Whereas the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to persecute religious minorities, including Christians, Baha'is, Sunni Muslims, Jews, and others, solely because of their faith;
Whereas women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran continue to face systematic discrimination, violence, and punishment for peacefully advocating for their basic rights;
Whereas the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran have repeatedly demonstrated their desire for freedom, justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity despite violent repression by the regime;
Whereas the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, acting primarily through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard-Quds Force, recruits, organizes, trains, finances, and directs terrorist organizations and proxy groups targeting United States and allied personnel throughout the Middle East;
Whereas the Department of Defense assesses that militias backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force are responsible for the deaths of at least 603 members of the Armed Forces of the United States, constituting almost 20 percent of the deaths of United States citizens during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas, on January 28, 2024, a militia backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran conducted a drone operation against Tower 22 in Jordan, killing 3 members of the Armed Forces of the United States and injuring at least 47 other individuals;
Whereas Houthi elements in Yemen employ missiles and unmanned aerial systems sourced from Iran against the United States Navy, targets in allied territories, commercial vessels, and international shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, threatening regional stability and freedom of navigation; and
Whereas it is in the national security and moral interest of the United States to stand with the Iranian people and hold the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights abuses: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its widespread and systematic violations of internationally recognized human rights;
(2) condemns the use by the Iranian regime of politically motivated espionage allegations, vague national security charges, and coerced confessions to imprison and execute political opponents, protesters, and peaceful dissidents;
(3) calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately halt executions carried out on politically motivated or unsupported national security charges, including alleged espionage offenses;
(4) demands that Iranian authorities provide all detainees with due process, access to independent legal counsel, fair and transparent judicial proceedings, and protection from torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment;
(5) urges the immediate release of all individuals imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their freedoms of expression, religion, assembly, or association;
(6) supports the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom, democracy, religious liberty, human rights, and the rule of law;
(7) encourages the President, the Secretary of State, and United States allies to continue holding Iranian officials accountable through targeted sanctions, international investigations, and other lawful measures; and
(8) affirms that the United States should continue exposing the misuse of espionage claims and national security charges as tools of political repression by the Iranian regime.
Senate Resolution 820--Designating August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day"
Pages S4390–S4391 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 820--DESIGNATING AUGUST 7, 2026, AS "NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY" Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. King) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
Text printed in the Record (4,715 characters)
Whereas August 7, 2026, will mark the 237th anniversary of the signing by George Washington of the Act entitled "An Act for the establishment and support of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers", approved August 7, 1789 (commonly known as the "Lighthouse Act of 1789") (1 Stat. 53, chapter 9), an Act of the first Congress that established the enduring commitment of the Federal Government to maritime safety and represented the first public works legislation of the United States;
Whereas this landmark legislation emerged at a time when the United States
was barely a decade removed from independence, demonstrating that the founders understood the critical link between navigational safety, commerce, and the survival of the young republic;
Whereas, from the Atlantic shores to the Great Lakes and from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific frontier, the system of lighthouses and light stations of the United States has guided countless vessels through treacherous waters, enabling the expansion of trade and the growth of coastal communities that shaped the story of the United States;
Whereas these sentinel towers, standing at the intersection of land and sea, have long symbolized safety, vigilance, and faithfulness to all who venture upon the waters, and the dedicated individuals who tended their lights, often in isolation and at great personal risk, embody the finest traditions of service to others;
Whereas lighthouse keeping was rarely a solitary endeavor but rather a family calling, with wives, children, and extended kin sharing the demanding work of maintaining the light, tending the grounds, and standing watch through long nights and fierce storms, a tradition that made light stations not merely places of employment but homes where generations learned the meaning of duty and sacrifice;
Whereas among those who served were countless women, including widows who assumed keeper duties after the death of a husband, daughters who grew up tending the light alongside their fathers, and women appointed in their own right to positions that were among the first Federal non-clerical jobs open to women;
Whereas the automation of lighthouses in the United States ended the era of manned light stations and exposed these historic structures to the threats of neglect and vandalism and the ravages of time and the elements;
Whereas chapter 3051 of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as the "National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000" (Public Law 106-355; 114 Stat. 1385)), established an effective process administered by the General Services Administration, the National Park Service, and the United States Coast Guard for transferring lighthouses to qualified stewardship groups, ensuring that these irreplaceable landmarks remain in public hands for future generations;
Whereas numerous national, regional, and local organizations have worked tirelessly to restore and preserve lighthouses in the United States, educate the public about their history, and ensure that these beacons continue to illuminate the maritime heritage of the United States;
Whereas, through the development of cultural tourism, preserved lighthouses contribute meaningfully to the economies of coastal communities across the United States, drawing visitors who come to experience the beauty and history of these iconic structures;
Whereas 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, known as the United States Semiquincentennial, a moment of national reflection that calls upon the people of the United States to honor the full breadth of the heritage of the United States, including the lighthouses and keepers who have guided its maritime history; and
Whereas, despite significant progress, many lighthouses across the country remain threatened by erosion, neglect, and deterioration, underscoring the need for continued public awareness and support: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day";
(2) encourages lighthouse grounds to be opened to the general public to the extent feasible;
(3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe National Lighthouse Day with ceremonies and activities that celebrate the maritime heritage of the United States, including visiting historic lighthouse sites, supporting preservation efforts, and becoming involved with organizations dedicated to lighthouse education and historic landmark preservation; and
(4) reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to supporting the preservation and restoration of historic lighthouses as enduring monuments to the maritime history of the United States and the individuals who kept their lights burning.
Senate Resolution 821--Designating July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day"
Page S4391 · Official textMr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Collins, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Lankford, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Lujan, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Markey, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas, in 1777, before the passage of the Bill of Rights, 10 sailors and marines blew the whistle on fraud and misconduct that was harmful to the United States;
Whereas the Founding Fathers unanimously supported the whistleblowers in words and deeds, including by releasing government records and providing monetary assistance for the reasonable legal expenses necessary to prevent retaliation against the whistleblowers;
Whereas, on July 30, 1778, in demonstration of their full support for whistleblowers, the members of the Continental Congress unanimously passed the first whistleblower legislation in the United States that read: "Resolved, That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other the inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge" (legislation of July 30, 1778, reprinted in Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, ed. Worthington C. Ford et al. (Washington, DC, 1904-37), 11:732);
Whereas whistleblowers risk their careers, jobs, and reputations by reporting waste, fraud, and abuse to the proper authorities;
Whereas, in providing the proper authorities with lawful disclosures, whistleblowers save the taxpayers of the United States billions of dollars each year and serve the public interest by ensuring that the United States remains an ethical and safe place; and
Whereas it is the public policy of the United States to encourage, in accordance with Federal law (including the Constitution of the United States, rules, and regulations) and consistent with the protection of classified information (including sources and methods of detection of classified information), honest and good faith reporting of misconduct, fraud, misdemeanors, and other crimes to the appropriate authority at the earliest time possible: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day"; and
(2) ensures that the Federal Government implements the intent of the Founding Fathers, as reflected in the legislation passed on July 30, 1778 (relating to whistleblowers), by encouraging each executive agency to recognize National Whistleblower Appreciation Day by--
(A) informing employees, contractors working on behalf of the taxpayers of the United States, and members of the public about the legal right of a United States citizen to "blow the whistle" to the appropriate authority by honest and good faith reporting of misconduct, fraud, misdemeanors, or other crimes; and
(B) acknowledging the contributions of whistleblowers to combating waste, fraud, abuse, and violations of laws and regulations of the United States.
Senate Resolution 822--Designating July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month"
Pages S4391–S4392 · Official textMr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Kim, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Booker) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas cut flower and foliage growers in the United States are hard-working, dedicated individuals who bring beauty, economic stimulus, and pride to their communities and the United States;
Whereas the people of the United States have a long history of using flowers and foliage grown in the United States to bring beauty to important events and express affection for loved ones;
Whereas consumers spend more than $70,000,000,000 each year on floral products, including cut flowers, garden plants, bedding, and indoor plants;
Whereas, each year, an increasing number of households in the United States purchase fresh cut flowers and foliage from more than 18,000 florists and floral establishments;
Whereas the annual per capita spending on floral products by consumers in the United States is more than $260;
Whereas the people of the United States increasingly want to support domestically produced food and agricultural products and would prefer to buy locally grown flowers and foliage whenever possible, yet the majority of domestic consumers do not know where the flowers and foliage they purchase are grown;
Whereas, in response to increased demand, the "American Grown Flowers" logo was created in July 2014 to educate and empower consumers to purchase flowers and foliage from domestic producers;
Whereas millions of stems of domestically grown flowers and foliage are now labeled as "American Grown Flowers";
Whereas domestic flower and foliage farmers produce thousands of varieties of flowers and foliage across the United States, such as peonies in Alaska, Gerbera daisies in California, lupines in Maine, tulips in Washington, lilies in Oregon, larkspur in Texas, leatherleaf in Florida, and orchids in Hawaii;
Whereas the flower and foliage varieties with the highest production in the United States are roses, sunflowers, tulips, lilies, peonies, leatherleaf, eucalyptus, magnolia, leucadendron, and pittosporum;
Whereas people in every State have access to domestically grown flowers and foliage,
yet only 15 percent of flowers and foliage sold in the United States is domestically grown;
Whereas the domestic cut flower and foliage industry--
(1) creates a substantial economic impact daily; and
(2) supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs in the United States;
Whereas most domestic cut flowers and foliage are sold in the United States within 24 to 48 hours after harvest and last longer than flowers shipped longer distances;
Whereas flowers and foliage grown domestically enhance the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate weddings and births and honor those who have passed;
Whereas flower and foliage giving has been a holiday tradition in the United States for generations;
Whereas flowers and foliage speak to the beauty of motherhood on Mother's Day and to the spirit of love on Valentine's Day;
Whereas flowers and foliage help commemorate the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and
Whereas the Senate encourages the cultivation of flowers and foliage in the United States by domestic flower and foliage farmers: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month";
(2) recognizes that purchasing flowers and foliage grown in the United States supports the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States;
(3) recognizes that growing flowers and foliage in the United States is a vital part of the agricultural industry of the United States;
(4) recognizes that cultivating flowers and foliage domestically enhances the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate holidays and special occasions; and
(5) urges all people of the United States to proactively showcase flowers and foliage grown in the United States in order to show support for--
(A) the flower and foliage farmers, processors, and distributors in the United States; and
(B) the agricultural industry of the United States overall.
Senate Resolution 823--Designating the Week of August 2 Through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week"
Page S4392 · Official textMr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. King, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Smith, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Van Hollen, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Welch, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Justice, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Tillis) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas farmers markets accounted for $1,700,000,000 in income for farmers of the United States in 2020, demonstrating the crucial role of farmers markets in local economies;
Whereas, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers markets in the United States rose from 1,755 in 1994 to 8,771 in 2019, an average growth of nearly 7 percent per year;
Whereas farmers markets serve as significant educational sites and as bridges between urban and rural communities, contributing to a better public understanding of farming and ranching;
Whereas the adoption of more sustainable farming practices is closely associated with farmer-to-consumer interactions facilitated by farmers markets;
Whereas farmers markets and direct marketing farmers help improve the health and wellness of low-income people in the United States who receive Federal nutrition benefits; and
Whereas National Farmers Market Week is a time to recognize the unique and indispensable role farmers markets play in supporting food access, bolstering local economies, promoting healthy communities, and fostering sustainable farming: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week"; and
(2) recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together and in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in the United States, from farmers and food producers to consumers.
Senate Resolution 824--Designating August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children's Day"
Page S4392 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 824--DESIGNATING AUGUST 1, 2026, AS "GOLD STAR CHILDREN'S DAY" Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Coons, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Justice, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Fetterman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kim, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. Moody, Mr. Ossoff, and Mr. Rounds) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas the recognition of Gold Star Families in the United States dates back to World War I, when the families of fallen members of the Armed Forces displayed a service flag with a gold star in the window of their homes;
Whereas, in 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law legislation declaring Gold Star Mother's Day, now known as "Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day", a national observance honoring the mothers of fallen members of the Armed Forces annually on the last Sunday of September;
Whereas, since 2010, the Senate has honored Gold Star Spouses by resolution annually on April 5, recognizing the unique sacrifices made by spouses of fallen members of the Armed Forces;
Whereas many thousands of children of military families have lost parents who served in the Armed Forces and also deserve national recognition for the burden and legacy they carry; and
Whereas, since 2021, the Senate has honored Gold Star Children by resolution annually on August 1, recognizing the debt of gratitude owed to children of fallen members of the Armed Forces by the people of the United States as part of the debt owed to the members of the Armed Forces who sacrificed all in protecting the freedom of the United States and the people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children's Day";
(2) honors the sacrifices and hardships of the children of fallen members of the Armed Forces; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe Gold Star Children's Day in support of children of the fallen members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Senate Resolution 825--Commending Mississippi Christian University for 200 Years of Service to the State of Mississippi and the United States
Pages S4392–S4393 · Official text200 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND THE UNITED STATES Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself and Mr. Wicker) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas, on January 24, 1826, the Mississippi Legislature passed, and Governor David Holmes signed into law, an Act establishing Hampstead Academy in Hinds County, Mississippi, making what is now Mississippi Christian University the oldest institution of higher learning in Mississippi;
Whereas, in 1827, Hampstead Academy changed its name to "Mississippi Academy," and, in 1830, the institution became "Mississippi College," offering degrees in arts, sciences, and languages;
Whereas, in 1831, Mississippi College became the first coeducational institution of higher learning in the United States to grant degrees to women, bestowing diplomas upon Alice Robinson and Catherine Hall;
Whereas, in 1850, Mississippi College became affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, making it the second-oldest Baptist college in the United States;
Whereas, in 1921, the Mississippi College athletic teams became known as the Choctaws, paying homage to the Native American heritage of the region;
Whereas the formal graduate program of Mississippi College was established in 1950, followed by the addition of the School of Nursing in 1969 and the School of Law in 1975;
Whereas, in 2003, the Mississippi College Foundation was established to strengthen ongoing giving, which supports the vision of Mississippi College and recognizes its academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ;
Whereas, in 2005, the Tribal Council of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians passed a resolution supporting the continued use of the name "Choctaw" and related symbols by Mississippi College;
Whereas, in 2011, Mississippi College launched the first physician assistant program in the State of Mississippi and awarded its first educational leadership doctorate;
Whereas, in 2019, the Mississippi College Honors College was established and the Edward McMillan Center for Education Abroad was launched;
Whereas, in 2022, the Leland Speed Scholarship program, named in honor of longtime benefactor Leland Speed, was established, offering scholarships for eligible Mississippi students and leading to a record-breaking class of more than 1,000 new students in the fall of 2023;
Whereas, in 2023, the Gore Arts Complex, named in honor of renowned artist Dr. Samuel Gore, was dedicated and became home to the art programs of Mississippi College and the Institute for Southern Storytelling, representing the latest chapter in a legacy of
excellence in art programs and of commitment to faith at Mississippi College;
Whereas, in 2026, Mississippi College celebrates its bicentennial anniversary;
Whereas, on June 1, 2026, Mississippi College was renamed "Mississippi Christian University," reflecting its longstanding commitment to the State of Mississippi, its Christian mission, and its comprehensive educational offerings;
Whereas, today, Mississippi Christian University remains dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, fostering scholarship, creative activity, and professional development among its faculty, staff, and students;
Whereas, today, Mississippi Christian University student-athletes compete in 17 sports in the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference, including men's baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball;
Whereas, today, Mississippi Christian University continues to make a significant economic impact in central Mississippi as one of the largest employers in Clinton, Mississippi;
Whereas, throughout Mississippi Christian University history, its alumni, including 4 Mississippi governors and numerous public officials at the State and local levels, have made and continue to make an immeasurable difference in their communities through their professions, public service, and vocational ministry; and
Whereas, throughout its history, Mississippi Christian University has contributed significantly to the educational, civic, and spiritual life of the State of Mississippi and the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends Mississippi Christian University on the occasion of its bicentennial for 200 years of distinguished service to the State of Mississippi and the United States;
(2) recognizes Mississippi Christian University for its faith-based academic, community, and athletic excellence; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) the President of Mississippi Christian University, Dr. Blake Thompson; and
(B) the Interim Provost of Mississippi Christian University, Dr. Stephanie Busbea.
Senate Resolution 826--Honoring the Contributions of Small Manufacturers of Firearms to the Economy, Culture, and Recreational Heritage of the United States and Recognizing the Month of August 2026...
Page S4393 · Official textMr. RISCH (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Text printed in the Record (1,982 characters)
Whereas locally owned and operated small businesses that manufacture handguns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and accessories (referred to in this preamble as "small manufacturers of firearms") are the backbone of the shooting sports community and a critical part of the manufacturing of the United States;
Whereas small manufacturers of firearms of the United States serve as anchors in rural and small-town communities across the United States, preserving the craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and innovation of the United States;
Whereas small manufacturers of firearms contribute significantly to the national economy and local economies, forming an essential part of a broader industry that supports 380,000 jobs and generates more than $91,000,000,000 in annual economic output;
Whereas small manufacturers of firearms are essential conduits for the exercise of Second Amendment rights by individuals in the United States and provide products, training, and community engagement to sportsmen in the United States;
Whereas shooting sports, including target shooting, hunting, and competitive marksmanship, are time-honored traditions in the United States and are enjoyed by millions of law-abiding citizens;
Whereas shooting sports promote safe and responsible firearm handling, outdoor stewardship, and civic engagement through local clubs, ranges, and competitions; and
Whereas small manufacturers of firearms in the United States play an indispensable role in preserving those recreational traditions: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) celebrates the role of small businesses that manufacture firearms in supporting domestic manufacturing and economic opportunity in communities across the United States;
(2) supports policies that strengthen the ability of small businesses to innovate, grow, and preserve the recreational shooting traditions of the United States; and
(3) recognizes the month of August 2026 as "National Shooting Sports Month".
Senate Resolution 827--Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Creation of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (Saami) and Commending Its Work Establishing Industry...
Page S4393 · Official textMr. RISCH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
Text printed in the Record (2,961 characters)
Whereas, in 1926, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (referred to in this preamble as "SAAMI") was founded at the request of the Federal Government to create and publish industry standards for safety, interchangeability, and reliability of American firearms, coordinate technical data, and promote safe and responsible firearms use;
Whereas the mission of SAAMI is to create and promulgate technical, performance, interchangeability, and safety standards for firearms, ammunition, suppressors, and components, and to be the preeminent global resource for the safe and responsible manufacturing, transportation, storage, and use of these products;
Whereas, for a century, SAAMI has coordinated with industry, the military, and domestic and international government bodies to create and maintain consistent safety standards;
Whereas, in addition to working with industry and governments, SAAMI has collaborated with domestic and international standards bodies like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Commission Internationale Permanente (CIP), to promote international safety and interchangeability of firearm components and ammunition;
Whereas, in addition to creating industry standards for safety, SAAMI contributes to conservation efforts by funding game research surveys conducted by Aldo Leopold, who is considered to be the father of modern wildlife management;
Whereas the strategic goals of SAAMI seek to--
(1) continue its long history of promoting safety by creating and maintaining standards, educating and sharing expertise with policy makers, and improving the forum to analyze current standards;
(2) address new challenges related to technological advancements and industry trends; and
(3) maintain its standing as the technical experts in the field of firearms and ammunition; and
Whereas 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of SAAMI and its century-long work towards the promotion of public safety, technological advancement, and the provision of standards to help guide the firearms and ammunition industry: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc.;
(2) commends the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute, Inc. for a century of leadership in establishing standards that ensure the safe interoperability of firearms and ammunition;
(3) acknowledges the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute, Inc.'s vital role in promoting public safety, scientific rigor, and responsible industry practices;
(4) encourages continued collaboration among industry, government, and scientific organizations to advance safety and innovation in sporting arms and ammunition; and
(5) honors all those who have contributed to the mission of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute, Inc.'s over the past century.
Text of Amendments
Pages S4394–S4398 · Official textSA 6720. Mr. WARNOCK (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (287 characters)
In section 113, insert after subsection (g) the following:
(h) Termination.--A rate of duty imposed under this section with respect to a good imported from a country described in subsection (c) shall terminate immediately if the country is no longer described in subsection (c).
______
SA 6721. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (8,995 characters)
At the end, add the following:
TITLE III--REPO FOR UKRAINIANS IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026" or the "REPO Implementation Act of 2026".
SEC. 302. RECOGNITION OF PORTO DECLARATION OF ORGANIZATION
FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE.
Section 101(a) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(10) Every member of the European Union, including Belgium, and all but one member of the G7, are also participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"(11) On July 3, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted unanimously in plenary session the Porto Declaration, which `[c]alls on OSCE participating States to unlock the full value of an estimated U.S. $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen across the region by repurposing the underlying principal, in sizeable increments and on a regular and timely schedule, for Ukraine until the Russian Federation ends its aggression and agrees to compensate Ukraine for damages directly resulting from the war'.".
SEC. 303. TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
Section 104(b)(2) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking "Vesting" and inserting "Status of assets";
(2) by striking "For funds confiscated" and inserting the following:
"(A) Vesting of confiscated funds.--For funds confiscated"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) Transfer of funds not confiscated.--For the purpose of placing Russian aggressor state sovereign assets into an interest-bearing account, the President may transfer such funds into the Ukraine Support Fund without confiscating such funds.".
SEC. 304. INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "of any funds" and inserting the following: "of--
"(A) any funds";
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) any amounts that may be credited to the account under paragraph (3)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Investment of amounts.--
"(A) Investment of amounts.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the account established under paragraph (1) as is not required to meet current withdrawals in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
"(B) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the account established under paragraph (1) shall be credited to and form a part of the account.".
(b) Implementation.--The President shall ensure that funds in the Ukraine Support Fund established under section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act are invested as required by paragraph (3) of that section, as added by subsection (a), by not later than the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 305. QUARTERLY OBLIGATION OF FUNDS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT
FUND TO BENEFIT UKRAINE.
(a) In General.--Section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Quarterly obligations.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than every 90 days while funds remain in the Ukraine Support Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend, from the Fund, an amount that is not less than $250,000,000 (except as provided by subparagraph (B)) for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.
"(B) Final amounts in fund.--When less than $250,000,000 remains in the Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend the remaining amount for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.".
(b) Implementation.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that the first obligation of amounts pursuant to paragraph (4) of section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, as added by subsection (a), occurs not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on which Russian sovereign assets are deposited in the Ukraine Support Fund.
SEC. 306. ENGAGEMENT WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 109. ENGAGEMENT WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
"(a) Reports Required.--
"(1) Covered country report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(2) Report on non-covered countries.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the foreign countries that are not covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(3) Form.--The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
"(b) Sense of Congress on Engagement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, should commence a robust, sustained, diplomatic effort to persuade the government of each covered country to begin
repurposing, on a quarterly basis, an amount that is not less than 5 percent of the Russian sovereign assets located in that country for the benefit of Ukraine.
"(c) Covered Country Defined.--In this section, the term `covered country' means Australia and any country that is a member of the G7 or the European Union, other than the United States.".
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 108 the following:
"Sec. 109. Engagement with foreign countries.".
SEC. 307. MODIFICATION OF JUDICIAL REVIEW PROVISION.
Section 104(k) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by striking "this section" each place it appears and inserting "this division".
SEC. 308. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in section 2(2), by striking "paragraph (7)" and inserting "paragraph (6)";
(2) in section 101(a)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking "deplore[d]" and inserting "[d]eplore[d]"; and
(B) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "a resolution" and inserting "Resolution ES-11/5";
(3) in section 102(6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(4) in section 103(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(j)" and inserting "section 104(l)";
(5) in section 104--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "section 501.603(b)(ii)" and inserting "section 501.603(b)(1)(ii)";
(B) in subsection (d)(2), by striking "accounts" and inserting "account"; and
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking "Funds" and inserting "funds"; and
(6) in section 105--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(c)" and inserting "section 104(d)";
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "section 104(f)" and inserting "section 104(g)"; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking "subsection (c)(2)" and inserting "subsection (c)".
______
SA 6722. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (47 characters)
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
TITLE __--SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF ASSETS OF RUSSIAN KLEPTOCRATS
Text printed in the Record (5,107 characters)
SEC. __01. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "Deterring Adversary Ill-Gotten Gains Act".
SEC. __02. PROCEDURES FOR FORFEITURE OF ASSETS OF RUSSIAN
KLEPTOCRATS.
(a) Nonjudicial Forfeiture.--Property subject to forfeiture under title 18, United States Code, may be forfeited through nonjudicial civil forfeiture under section 609 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1609), without regard to limitation under section 607(a)(1) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 1607(a)(1)), if the Attorney General, or a designee, makes the certification described in subsection (b) with respect to the property.
(b) Certification.--After seizure of property and prior to forfeiture of the property under subsection (a), the Attorney General, or a designee, shall certify that, upon forfeiture, the property will be covered forfeited property (as defined in section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 5200), as amended by this title).
SEC. __03. EXPANSION OF FORFEITED PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO
REMEDIATE HARMS TO UKRAINE FROM RUSSIAN
AGGRESSION.
(a) In General.--Section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 5200) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking "which property belonged" and all that follows and inserting the following: "which property--
"(A) belonged to, was possessed by, or was controlled by a person the property or interests in property of which were blocked pursuant to any license, order, regulation, or prohibition imposed by the United States under the authority provided by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or any other provision of law, with respect to--
"(i) the Russian Federation; or
"(ii) actions or policies that undermine the democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine or threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine;
"(B) was involved in an act in violation of or a conspiracy or scheme to violate--
"(i) any license, order, regulation, or prohibition described in subparagraph (A); or
"(ii) any restriction on the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of items imposed by the United States under the Export Administration Regulations, or any restriction on the export, reexport, or retransfer of defense articles under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to--
"(I) the Russian Federation, Belarus, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or the so-called `Donetsk People's Republic' or `Luhansk People's Republic' regions of Ukraine;
"(II) any person in any such country or region on a restricted parties list; or
"(III) any person located in any other country that has been added to a restricted parties list in connection with the malign conduct of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including the annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in March 2014 and the invasion beginning in February 2022 of Ukraine, as substantially enabled by Belarus; or
"(C) was involved in any related conspiracy, scheme, or other Federal offense arising from the actions of, or doing business with or acting on behalf of, the Russian Federation, Belarus, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or the so-called `Donetsk People's Republic' or `Luhansk People's Republic' regions of Ukraine."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) The term `Export Administration Regulations' has the meaning given that term in section 1742 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801).
"(4) The term `restricted parties list' means any of the following lists maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security:
"(A) The Entity List set forth in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.
"(B) The Denied Persons List maintained pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) of the Export Administration Regulations.
"(C) The Unverified List set forth in Supplement No. 6 to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.".
(b) Extension of Authority.--Section 1708(d) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, is amended by striking "May 1, 2025" and inserting "the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Deterring Adversary Ill-Gotten Gains Act".
SEC. __04. RULEMAKING.
The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations to carry out this title without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. __05. TERMINATION.
(a) In General.--The provisions of this title shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Savings Provision.--The termination of this title under subsection (a) shall not--
(1) terminate the applicability of the procedures under this title to any property seized prior to the date of the termination under subsection (a); or
(2) moot any legal action taken or pending legal proceeding not finally concluded or determined on that date.
______
SA 6723. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (9,025 characters)
At the end of division A of the amendment, add the following:
TITLE III--REPO FOR UKRAINIANS IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026" or the "REPO Implementation Act of 2026".
SEC. 302. RECOGNITION OF PORTO DECLARATION OF ORGANIZATION
FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE.
Section 101(a) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(10) Every member of the European Union, including Belgium, and all but one member of the G7, are also participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"(11) On July 3, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted unanimously in plenary session the Porto Declaration, which `[c]alls on OSCE participating States to unlock the full value of an estimated U.S. $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen across the region by repurposing the underlying principal, in sizeable increments and on a regular and timely schedule, for Ukraine until the Russian Federation ends its aggression and agrees to compensate Ukraine for damages directly resulting from the war'.".
SEC. 303. TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
Section 104(b)(2) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking "Vesting" and inserting "Status of assets";
(2) by striking "For funds confiscated" and inserting the following:
"(A) Vesting of confiscated funds.--For funds confiscated"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) Transfer of funds not confiscated.--For the purpose of placing Russian aggressor state sovereign assets into an interest-bearing account, the President may transfer such funds into the Ukraine Support Fund without confiscating such funds.".
SEC. 304. INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "of any funds" and inserting the following: "of--
"(A) any funds";
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) any amounts that may be credited to the account under paragraph (3)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Investment of amounts.--
"(A) Investment of amounts.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the account established under paragraph (1) as is not required to meet current withdrawals in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
"(B) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the account established under paragraph (1) shall be credited to and form a part of the account.".
(b) Implementation.--The President shall ensure that funds in the Ukraine Support Fund established under section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act are invested as required by paragraph (3) of that section, as added by subsection (a), by not later than the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 305. QUARTERLY OBLIGATION OF FUNDS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT
FUND TO BENEFIT UKRAINE.
(a) In General.--Section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Quarterly obligations.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than every 90 days while funds remain in the Ukraine Support Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend, from the Fund, an amount that is not less than $250,000,000 (except as provided by subparagraph (B)) for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.
"(B) Final amounts in fund.--When less than $250,000,000 remains in the Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend the remaining amount for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.".
(b) Implementation.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that the first obligation of amounts pursuant to paragraph (4) of section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, as added by subsection (a), occurs not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on which Russian sovereign assets are deposited in the Ukraine Support Fund.
SEC. 306. ENGAGEMENT WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 109. ENGAGEMENT WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
"(a) Reports Required.--
"(1) Covered country report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(2) Report on non-covered countries.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the foreign countries that are not covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(3) Form.--The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
"(b) Sense of Congress on Engagement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, should commence a robust, sustained, diplomatic effort to persuade the government of each covered country to begin repurposing, on a quarterly basis, an amount that is not less than 5 percent of the Russian sovereign assets located in that country for the benefit of Ukraine.
"(c) Covered Country Defined.--In this section, the term `covered country' means Australia and any country that is a member of the G7 or the European Union, other than the United States.".
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 108 the following:
"Sec. 109. Engagement with foreign countries.".
SEC. 307. MODIFICATION OF JUDICIAL REVIEW PROVISION.
Section 104(k) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by striking "this section" each place it appears and inserting "this division".
SEC. 308. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in section 2(2), by striking "paragraph (7)" and inserting "paragraph (6)";
(2) in section 101(a)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking "deplore[d]" and inserting "[d]eplore[d]"; and
(B) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "a resolution" and inserting "Resolution ES-11/5";
(3) in section 102(6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(4) in section 103(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(j)" and inserting "section 104(l)";
(5) in section 104--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "section 501.603(b)(ii)" and inserting "section 501.603(b)(1)(ii)";
(B) in subsection (d)(2), by striking "accounts" and inserting "account"; and
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking "Funds" and inserting "funds"; and
(6) in section 105--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(c)" and inserting "section 104(d)";
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "section 104(f)" and inserting "section 104(g)"; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking "subsection (c)(2)" and inserting "subsection (c)".
______
SA 6724. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,449 characters)
In section 113, insert after subsection (f) the following:
(g) Process for Imposition of Duties.--
(1) Establishment of committee.--Before imposing any duties under this section, the United States Trade Representative shall establish a committee, modeled off the Section 301 Committee established under section 2002.3 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, to conduct investigations under paragraph (2)(B).
(2) Consultations and investigations.--Before the imposition of a duty under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to goods imported from a country, or the modification or adjustment of the rate of such a duty under subsection (b)--
(A) the Trade Representative shall consult with the government of the country; and
(B) the committee established under paragraph (1) shall conduct an investigation into whether the country meets the criteria for the imposition of such a duty.
(3) Elements of investigations.--In conducting an investigation under paragraph (2)(B) with respect to a country, the committee established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) hold a public hearing; and
(B) determine and publish a list of the key goods imported into the United States from the country that includes an assessment, for each such good, of whether--
(i) the good can be obtained from other sources without paying duties; and
(ii) industries and consumers in the United States are likely to experience shortages of or price increases for the good.
SA 6725. Mr. HUSTED submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill 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, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (855 characters)
At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:
SEC. __. BRIEFING AND SUMMARY ADDRESSING HIGH-PRESSURE, HIGH-
TEMPERATURE SYNTHETIC DIAMOND AND CUBIC BORON
NITRIDE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall provide a briefing and written summary to the congressional defense committees addressing--
(1) whether high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride should be--
(A) designated as strategic and critical materials for stockpile purposes; and
(B) addressed in the next biennial stockpile requirements report of the Department of Defense submitted to Congress; and
(2) the extent and sufficiency of existing domestic production capability, including surge and reactivation potential, relative to identified shortfalls.
______
SA 6726. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (331 characters)
At the end of title II, add the following:
SEC. 204. REPEAL OF WAIVER AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS OF
PROTECTING EUROPE'S ENERGY SECURITY ACT OF
2019.
Section 7503 of the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019 (title LXXV of Public Law 116-92; 22 U.S.C. 9526 note) is amended by striking subsections (f) and (h).
______
SA 6727. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (6,123 characters)
Insert after section 113 the following:
SEC. 113A. DURATION OF DUTIES AND CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.
(a) Duration of Duties.--
(1) In general.--Duties imposed under section 112 or 113 shall--
(A) apply for the 30-day period following the initial imposition of those duties; and
(B) remain in effect only if a joint resolution of approval under subsection (c) is enacted prior to the end of that 30-day period and not less frequently than every 60 days thereafter.
(2) Initial implementation of duties.--For purposes of paragraph (1), modification or termination of duties imposed under section 112 or 113 does not serve to restart the 30-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A) with respect to the modified duties or any subsequent similar duties imposed under either such section.
(b) Notification.--
(1) In general.--When the President imposes duties under section 112 or 113, the President shall submit to both Houses of Congress on the same day a notification of the imposition of those duties.
(2) Congressional calendar.--If, when a notification under paragraph (1) is submitted, the Congress has adjourned sine die or has adjourned for any period, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, if they deem it advisable (or if petitioned by not less than 30 percent of the membership of their respective Houses) shall jointly request the President to convene Congress in order that it may consider the notification and take appropriate action pursuant to this section.
(c) Joint Resolution of Approval.--
(1) Joint resolution of approval defined.--In this subsection, the term "joint resolution of approval" means a joint resolution of either House of Congress the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is the following: "Congress approves of the duties imposed under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 for which notification was submitted to Congress on ____." with the blank space being filled with the date of the notification.
(2) Referral.--A joint resolution of approval shall be referred to the committees in each House of Congress with jurisdiction.
(3) Discharge.--In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution of approval has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution) at the end of 3 calendar days after the referral, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar.
(4) Consideration.--
(A) In general.--In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution of approval is referred has reported, or when a committee is discharged (under paragraph (3)) from further consideration of the joint resolution, it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of.
(B) Debate.--In the Senate, debate on a joint resolution of approval, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.
(C) Final passage.--In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution of approval, and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(D) Appeals.--Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution of approval shall be decided without debate.
(5) Resolution from other house.--If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of approval of that House, that House receives from the other House a joint resolution of approval, the following procedures shall apply:
(A) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.
(B) With respect to a joint resolution of approval of the House receiving the joint resolution--
(i) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but
(ii) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.
(6) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This section is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution of approval, and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
(d) Effect of Invalidity on Other Provisions.--Notwithstanding section 202, if this section or any part of this section is held to be invalid, this section, section 112, and section 113 shall be invalid.
______
SA 6728. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (5,612 characters)
In section 113, strike subsections (c) through (i) and insert the following:
(c) Country Described.--A country described in this subsection is a foreign country that--
(1)(A) knowingly made new purchases of crude oil or natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation on a date that is on or after 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) was among the 5 largest importers, by total volume, of crude oil or natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation during the most recent 12-month period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(2) was among the top 5 countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion during the most recent 12-month period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, as determined by the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Energy.
(d) Exception.--A duty shall not be imposed under this section with respect to goods imported from a country described in subsection (c)(1) for the importation by that country of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation if--
(1) that country's total imports of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation during the 12-month period described in
subsection (c)(1)(B) were less than 15 percent of the total annual exports of natural gas from the Russian Federation during that period; and
(2) that country has taken significant steps to reduce its imports of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation.
(e) Subsequent Determinations.--Not later than 180 days after the initial imposition of duties under subsection (a), and every 180 days thereafter, the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Energy, shall--
(1) determine, based on the most recent 12-month period preceding the determination, the countries that are--
(A) the 5 largest importers of crude oil, by total volume, originating in the Russian Federation;
(B) the 5 largest importers of natural gas, by total volume, originating in the Russian Federation; and
(C) the top 5 countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion; and
(2) impose duties pursuant to subsection (a) with respect to goods imported from those countries.
(f) Duty Rate in Addition to Other Duties, Fees, Taxes, Exactions, or Charges.--A rate of duty imposed under this section with respect to a good imported from a country described in subsection (c) shall be in addition to any other duty, fee, tax, exaction, or charge applicable with respect to the good, including any duty imposed under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), section 122, 201, or 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2132, 2251, and 2411), or section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862).
(g) Methodology, Documentation, and Reports.--
(1) Reports required.--Not later than 10 days before imposing a duty under subsection (a) or (e), or modifying or adjusting the rate of such a duty under subsection (b), the President or the United States Trade Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a written justification for the duty that--
(A) provides a substantive rationale for the determination of the rate of duty imposed under subsection (a) or (e) or the modification or adjustment made pursuant to subsection (b), as the case may be; and
(B) details the methodology used to determine that the country subject to the duty is a country described in subsection (c).
(2) Determinations of imports of crude oil and natural gas.--For the purposes of determining whether a country is an importer of crude oil or natural gas described in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) crude oil is the substance described in Harmonized System code 2709; and
(B) natural gas is the substance described in Harmonized System code 2711.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding section 115, nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the imposition of duties with respect to goods imported from any country not expressly described in subsection (c) or the Russian Federation.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term "appropriate congressional committees" means--
(A) the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives.
(2) Countries facilitating russian oil sanctions evasion.--The term "countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion" means countries the governments (or entities supported by such governments) of which are knowingly engaging in transactions, activities, or services that circumvent, or assist any third party to circumvent, any sanction related to oil that originated in the Russian Federation, by--
(A) providing significant financial or other support for the purchase, loading, or shipment of oil that originated in the Russian Federation and is subject to sanctions; or
(B) engaging in any transaction, activity, or service related to a shadow fleet vessel that transported, is transporting, or is attempting to transport oil that originated in the Russian Federation and is subject to sanctions.
(3) Natural gas.--Except as provided by subsection (g)(2), the term "natural gas" means natural gas, whether unmixed or any mixture of natural and artificial gas, including liquefied natural gas.
Text of Senate Amendment 6720
Page S4394 · Official textSA 6720. Mr. WARNOCK (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (279 characters)
In section 113, insert after subsection (g) the following:
(h) Termination.--A rate of duty imposed under this section with respect to a good imported from a country described in subsection (c) shall terminate immediately if the country is no longer described in subsection (c).
Text of Senate Amendment 6721
Pages S4394–S4395 · Official textSA 6721. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (8,987 characters)
At the end, add the following:
TITLE III--REPO FOR UKRAINIANS IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026" or the "REPO Implementation Act of 2026".
SEC. 302. RECOGNITION OF PORTO DECLARATION OF ORGANIZATION
FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE.
Section 101(a) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(10) Every member of the European Union, including Belgium, and all but one member of the G7, are also participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"(11) On July 3, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted unanimously in plenary session the Porto Declaration, which `[c]alls on OSCE participating States to unlock the full value of an estimated U.S. $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen across the region by repurposing the underlying principal, in sizeable increments and on a regular and timely schedule, for Ukraine until the Russian Federation ends its aggression and agrees to compensate Ukraine for damages directly resulting from the war'.".
SEC. 303. TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
Section 104(b)(2) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking "Vesting" and inserting "Status of assets";
(2) by striking "For funds confiscated" and inserting the following:
"(A) Vesting of confiscated funds.--For funds confiscated"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) Transfer of funds not confiscated.--For the purpose of placing Russian aggressor state sovereign assets into an interest-bearing account, the President may transfer such funds into the Ukraine Support Fund without confiscating such funds.".
SEC. 304. INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "of any funds" and inserting the following: "of--
"(A) any funds";
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) any amounts that may be credited to the account under paragraph (3)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Investment of amounts.--
"(A) Investment of amounts.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the account established under paragraph (1) as is not required to meet current withdrawals in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
"(B) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the account established under paragraph (1) shall be credited to and form a part of the account.".
(b) Implementation.--The President shall ensure that funds in the Ukraine Support Fund established under section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act are invested as required by paragraph (3) of that section, as added by subsection (a), by not later than the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 305. QUARTERLY OBLIGATION OF FUNDS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT
FUND TO BENEFIT UKRAINE.
(a) In General.--Section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Quarterly obligations.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than every 90 days while funds remain in the Ukraine Support Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend, from the Fund, an amount that is not less than $250,000,000 (except as provided by subparagraph (B)) for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.
"(B) Final amounts in fund.--When less than $250,000,000 remains in the Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend the remaining amount for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.".
(b) Implementation.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that the first obligation of amounts pursuant to paragraph (4) of section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, as added by subsection (a), occurs not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on which Russian sovereign assets are deposited in the Ukraine Support Fund.
SEC. 306. ENGAGEMENT WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 109. ENGAGEMENT WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
"(a) Reports Required.--
"(1) Covered country report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(2) Report on non-covered countries.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the foreign countries that are not covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(3) Form.--The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
"(b) Sense of Congress on Engagement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, should commence a robust, sustained, diplomatic effort to persuade the government of each covered country to begin
repurposing, on a quarterly basis, an amount that is not less than 5 percent of the Russian sovereign assets located in that country for the benefit of Ukraine.
"(c) Covered Country Defined.--In this section, the term `covered country' means Australia and any country that is a member of the G7 or the European Union, other than the United States.".
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 108 the following:
"Sec. 109. Engagement with foreign countries.".
SEC. 307. MODIFICATION OF JUDICIAL REVIEW PROVISION.
Section 104(k) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by striking "this section" each place it appears and inserting "this division".
SEC. 308. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in section 2(2), by striking "paragraph (7)" and inserting "paragraph (6)";
(2) in section 101(a)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking "deplore[d]" and inserting "[d]eplore[d]"; and
(B) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "a resolution" and inserting "Resolution ES-11/5";
(3) in section 102(6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(4) in section 103(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(j)" and inserting "section 104(l)";
(5) in section 104--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "section 501.603(b)(ii)" and inserting "section 501.603(b)(1)(ii)";
(B) in subsection (d)(2), by striking "accounts" and inserting "account"; and
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking "Funds" and inserting "funds"; and
(6) in section 105--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(c)" and inserting "section 104(d)";
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "section 104(f)" and inserting "section 104(g)"; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking "subsection (c)(2)" and inserting "subsection (c)".
Text of Senate Amendment 6722
Page S4395 · Official textSA 6722. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (47 characters)
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
TITLE __--SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF ASSETS OF RUSSIAN KLEPTOCRATS
Text printed in the Record (5,099 characters)
SEC. __01. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "Deterring Adversary Ill-Gotten Gains Act".
SEC. __02. PROCEDURES FOR FORFEITURE OF ASSETS OF RUSSIAN
KLEPTOCRATS.
(a) Nonjudicial Forfeiture.--Property subject to forfeiture under title 18, United States Code, may be forfeited through nonjudicial civil forfeiture under section 609 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1609), without regard to limitation under section 607(a)(1) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 1607(a)(1)), if the Attorney General, or a designee, makes the certification described in subsection (b) with respect to the property.
(b) Certification.--After seizure of property and prior to forfeiture of the property under subsection (a), the Attorney General, or a designee, shall certify that, upon forfeiture, the property will be covered forfeited property (as defined in section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 5200), as amended by this title).
SEC. __03. EXPANSION OF FORFEITED PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO
REMEDIATE HARMS TO UKRAINE FROM RUSSIAN
AGGRESSION.
(a) In General.--Section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 5200) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking "which property belonged" and all that follows and inserting the following: "which property--
"(A) belonged to, was possessed by, or was controlled by a person the property or interests in property of which were blocked pursuant to any license, order, regulation, or prohibition imposed by the United States under the authority provided by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or any other provision of law, with respect to--
"(i) the Russian Federation; or
"(ii) actions or policies that undermine the democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine or threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine;
"(B) was involved in an act in violation of or a conspiracy or scheme to violate--
"(i) any license, order, regulation, or prohibition described in subparagraph (A); or
"(ii) any restriction on the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of items imposed by the United States under the Export Administration Regulations, or any restriction on the export, reexport, or retransfer of defense articles under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to--
"(I) the Russian Federation, Belarus, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or the so-called `Donetsk People's Republic' or `Luhansk People's Republic' regions of Ukraine;
"(II) any person in any such country or region on a restricted parties list; or
"(III) any person located in any other country that has been added to a restricted parties list in connection with the malign conduct of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including the annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in March 2014 and the invasion beginning in February 2022 of Ukraine, as substantially enabled by Belarus; or
"(C) was involved in any related conspiracy, scheme, or other Federal offense arising from the actions of, or doing business with or acting on behalf of, the Russian Federation, Belarus, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or the so-called `Donetsk People's Republic' or `Luhansk People's Republic' regions of Ukraine."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) The term `Export Administration Regulations' has the meaning given that term in section 1742 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801).
"(4) The term `restricted parties list' means any of the following lists maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security:
"(A) The Entity List set forth in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.
"(B) The Denied Persons List maintained pursuant to section 764.3(a)(2) of the Export Administration Regulations.
"(C) The Unverified List set forth in Supplement No. 6 to part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.".
(b) Extension of Authority.--Section 1708(d) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, is amended by striking "May 1, 2025" and inserting "the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Deterring Adversary Ill-Gotten Gains Act".
SEC. __04. RULEMAKING.
The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations to carry out this title without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. __05. TERMINATION.
(a) In General.--The provisions of this title shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Savings Provision.--The termination of this title under subsection (a) shall not--
(1) terminate the applicability of the procedures under this title to any property seized prior to the date of the termination under subsection (a); or
(2) moot any legal action taken or pending legal proceeding not finally concluded or determined on that date.
Text of Senate Amendment 6723
Pages S4395–S4396 · Official textSA 6723. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (9,017 characters)
At the end of division A of the amendment, add the following:
TITLE III--REPO FOR UKRAINIANS IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026" or the "REPO Implementation Act of 2026".
SEC. 302. RECOGNITION OF PORTO DECLARATION OF ORGANIZATION
FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE.
Section 101(a) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(10) Every member of the European Union, including Belgium, and all but one member of the G7, are also participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"(11) On July 3, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted unanimously in plenary session the Porto Declaration, which `[c]alls on OSCE participating States to unlock the full value of an estimated U.S. $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen across the region by repurposing the underlying principal, in sizeable increments and on a regular and timely schedule, for Ukraine until the Russian Federation ends its aggression and agrees to compensate Ukraine for damages directly resulting from the war'.".
SEC. 303. TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
Section 104(b)(2) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking "Vesting" and inserting "Status of assets";
(2) by striking "For funds confiscated" and inserting the following:
"(A) Vesting of confiscated funds.--For funds confiscated"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) Transfer of funds not confiscated.--For the purpose of placing Russian aggressor state sovereign assets into an interest-bearing account, the President may transfer such funds into the Ukraine Support Fund without confiscating such funds.".
SEC. 304. INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "of any funds" and inserting the following: "of--
"(A) any funds";
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) any amounts that may be credited to the account under paragraph (3)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Investment of amounts.--
"(A) Investment of amounts.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the account established under paragraph (1) as is not required to meet current withdrawals in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
"(B) Interest and proceeds.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the account established under paragraph (1) shall be credited to and form a part of the account.".
(b) Implementation.--The President shall ensure that funds in the Ukraine Support Fund established under section 104(d) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act are invested as required by paragraph (3) of that section, as added by subsection (a), by not later than the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 305. QUARTERLY OBLIGATION OF FUNDS IN UKRAINE SUPPORT
FUND TO BENEFIT UKRAINE.
(a) In General.--Section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Quarterly obligations.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than every 90 days while funds remain in the Ukraine Support Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend, from the Fund, an amount that is not less than $250,000,000 (except as provided by subparagraph (B)) for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.
"(B) Final amounts in fund.--When less than $250,000,000 remains in the Fund, the Secretary of State may obligate and expend the remaining amount for the purpose of providing assistance to Ukraine under this subsection.".
(b) Implementation.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that the first obligation of amounts pursuant to paragraph (4) of section 104(f) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, as added by subsection (a), occurs not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on which Russian sovereign assets are deposited in the Ukraine Support Fund.
SEC. 306. ENGAGEMENT WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 109. ENGAGEMENT WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
"(a) Reports Required.--
"(1) Covered country report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(2) Report on non-covered countries.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report specifying--
"(A) the foreign countries that are not covered countries in which Russian sovereign assets are located;
"(B) the amount of such assets in each such country; and
"(C) a description of such assets, including--
"(i) whether or not such assets are frozen, blocked, or immobilized; and
"(ii) whether or not such assets are accruing interest.
"(3) Form.--The reports required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
"(b) Sense of Congress on Engagement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2026, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, should commence a robust, sustained, diplomatic effort to persuade the government of each covered country to begin repurposing, on a quarterly basis, an amount that is not less than 5 percent of the Russian sovereign assets located in that country for the benefit of Ukraine.
"(c) Covered Country Defined.--In this section, the term `covered country' means Australia and any country that is a member of the G7 or the European Union, other than the United States.".
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 108 the following:
"Sec. 109. Engagement with foreign countries.".
SEC. 307. MODIFICATION OF JUDICIAL REVIEW PROVISION.
Section 104(k) of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended by striking "this section" each place it appears and inserting "this division".
SEC. 308. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (division F of Public Law 118-50; 22 U.S.C. 9521 note) is amended--
(1) in section 2(2), by striking "paragraph (7)" and inserting "paragraph (6)";
(2) in section 101(a)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking "deplore[d]" and inserting "[d]eplore[d]"; and
(B) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "a resolution" and inserting "Resolution ES-11/5";
(3) in section 102(6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(4) in section 103(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(j)" and inserting "section 104(l)";
(5) in section 104--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking "section 501.603(b)(ii)" and inserting "section 501.603(b)(1)(ii)";
(B) in subsection (d)(2), by striking "accounts" and inserting "account"; and
(C) in subsection (f)(1), by striking "Funds" and inserting "funds"; and
(6) in section 105--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "section 104(c)" and inserting "section 104(d)";
(B) in subsection (b), by striking "section 104(f)" and inserting "section 104(g)"; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking "subsection (c)(2)" and inserting "subsection (c)".
Text of Senate Amendment 6724
Pages S4396–S4397 · Official textSA 6724. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,449 characters)
In section 113, insert after subsection (f) the following:
(g) Process for Imposition of Duties.--
(1) Establishment of committee.--Before imposing any duties under this section, the United States Trade Representative shall establish a committee, modeled off the Section 301 Committee established under section 2002.3 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, to conduct investigations under paragraph (2)(B).
(2) Consultations and investigations.--Before the imposition of a duty under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to goods imported from a country, or the modification or adjustment of the rate of such a duty under subsection (b)--
(A) the Trade Representative shall consult with the government of the country; and
(B) the committee established under paragraph (1) shall conduct an investigation into whether the country meets the criteria for the imposition of such a duty.
(3) Elements of investigations.--In conducting an investigation under paragraph (2)(B) with respect to a country, the committee established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) hold a public hearing; and
(B) determine and publish a list of the key goods imported into the United States from the country that includes an assessment, for each such good, of whether--
(i) the good can be obtained from other sources without paying duties; and
(ii) industries and consumers in the United States are likely to experience shortages of or price increases for the good.
Text of Senate Amendment 6725
Page S4397 · Official textSA 6725. Mr. HUSTED submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill 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, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (847 characters)
At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:
SEC. __. BRIEFING AND SUMMARY ADDRESSING HIGH-PRESSURE, HIGH-
TEMPERATURE SYNTHETIC DIAMOND AND CUBIC BORON
NITRIDE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall provide a briefing and written summary to the congressional defense committees addressing--
(1) whether high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride should be--
(A) designated as strategic and critical materials for stockpile purposes; and
(B) addressed in the next biennial stockpile requirements report of the Department of Defense submitted to Congress; and
(2) the extent and sufficiency of existing domestic production capability, including surge and reactivation potential, relative to identified shortfalls.
Text of Senate Amendment 6726
Page S4397 · Official textSA 6726. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (323 characters)
At the end of title II, add the following:
SEC. 204. REPEAL OF WAIVER AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS OF
PROTECTING EUROPE'S ENERGY SECURITY ACT OF
2019.
Section 7503 of the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019 (title LXXV of Public Law 116-92; 22 U.S.C. 9526 note) is amended by striking subsections (f) and (h).
Text of Senate Amendment 6727
Page S4397 · Official textSA 6727. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (6,115 characters)
Insert after section 113 the following:
SEC. 113A. DURATION OF DUTIES AND CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.
(a) Duration of Duties.--
(1) In general.--Duties imposed under section 112 or 113 shall--
(A) apply for the 30-day period following the initial imposition of those duties; and
(B) remain in effect only if a joint resolution of approval under subsection (c) is enacted prior to the end of that 30-day period and not less frequently than every 60 days thereafter.
(2) Initial implementation of duties.--For purposes of paragraph (1), modification or termination of duties imposed under section 112 or 113 does not serve to restart the 30-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A) with respect to the modified duties or any subsequent similar duties imposed under either such section.
(b) Notification.--
(1) In general.--When the President imposes duties under section 112 or 113, the President shall submit to both Houses of Congress on the same day a notification of the imposition of those duties.
(2) Congressional calendar.--If, when a notification under paragraph (1) is submitted, the Congress has adjourned sine die or has adjourned for any period, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, if they deem it advisable (or if petitioned by not less than 30 percent of the membership of their respective Houses) shall jointly request the President to convene Congress in order that it may consider the notification and take appropriate action pursuant to this section.
(c) Joint Resolution of Approval.--
(1) Joint resolution of approval defined.--In this subsection, the term "joint resolution of approval" means a joint resolution of either House of Congress the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is the following: "Congress approves of the duties imposed under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 for which notification was submitted to Congress on ____." with the blank space being filled with the date of the notification.
(2) Referral.--A joint resolution of approval shall be referred to the committees in each House of Congress with jurisdiction.
(3) Discharge.--In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution of approval has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution) at the end of 3 calendar days after the referral, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar.
(4) Consideration.--
(A) In general.--In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution of approval is referred has reported, or when a committee is discharged (under paragraph (3)) from further consideration of the joint resolution, it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of.
(B) Debate.--In the Senate, debate on a joint resolution of approval, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.
(C) Final passage.--In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution of approval, and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(D) Appeals.--Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution of approval shall be decided without debate.
(5) Resolution from other house.--If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of approval of that House, that House receives from the other House a joint resolution of approval, the following procedures shall apply:
(A) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.
(B) With respect to a joint resolution of approval of the House receiving the joint resolution--
(i) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but
(ii) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.
(6) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This section is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution of approval, and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
(d) Effect of Invalidity on Other Provisions.--Notwithstanding section 202, if this section or any part of this section is held to be invalid, this section, section 112, and section 113 shall be invalid.
Text of Senate Amendment 6728
Pages S4397–S4398 · Official textSA 6728. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711 submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (5,612 characters)
In section 113, strike subsections (c) through (i) and insert the following:
(c) Country Described.--A country described in this subsection is a foreign country that--
(1)(A) knowingly made new purchases of crude oil or natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation on a date that is on or after 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) was among the 5 largest importers, by total volume, of crude oil or natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation during the most recent 12-month period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(2) was among the top 5 countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion during the most recent 12-month period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, as determined by the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Energy.
(d) Exception.--A duty shall not be imposed under this section with respect to goods imported from a country described in subsection (c)(1) for the importation by that country of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation if--
(1) that country's total imports of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation during the 12-month period described in
subsection (c)(1)(B) were less than 15 percent of the total annual exports of natural gas from the Russian Federation during that period; and
(2) that country has taken significant steps to reduce its imports of natural gas that originated in the Russian Federation.
(e) Subsequent Determinations.--Not later than 180 days after the initial imposition of duties under subsection (a), and every 180 days thereafter, the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Energy, shall--
(1) determine, based on the most recent 12-month period preceding the determination, the countries that are--
(A) the 5 largest importers of crude oil, by total volume, originating in the Russian Federation;
(B) the 5 largest importers of natural gas, by total volume, originating in the Russian Federation; and
(C) the top 5 countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion; and
(2) impose duties pursuant to subsection (a) with respect to goods imported from those countries.
(f) Duty Rate in Addition to Other Duties, Fees, Taxes, Exactions, or Charges.--A rate of duty imposed under this section with respect to a good imported from a country described in subsection (c) shall be in addition to any other duty, fee, tax, exaction, or charge applicable with respect to the good, including any duty imposed under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), section 122, 201, or 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2132, 2251, and 2411), or section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862).
(g) Methodology, Documentation, and Reports.--
(1) Reports required.--Not later than 10 days before imposing a duty under subsection (a) or (e), or modifying or adjusting the rate of such a duty under subsection (b), the President or the United States Trade Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a written justification for the duty that--
(A) provides a substantive rationale for the determination of the rate of duty imposed under subsection (a) or (e) or the modification or adjustment made pursuant to subsection (b), as the case may be; and
(B) details the methodology used to determine that the country subject to the duty is a country described in subsection (c).
(2) Determinations of imports of crude oil and natural gas.--For the purposes of determining whether a country is an importer of crude oil or natural gas described in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) crude oil is the substance described in Harmonized System code 2709; and
(B) natural gas is the substance described in Harmonized System code 2711.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding section 115, nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the imposition of duties with respect to goods imported from any country not expressly described in subsection (c) or the Russian Federation.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term "appropriate congressional committees" means--
(A) the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives.
(2) Countries facilitating russian oil sanctions evasion.--The term "countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion" means countries the governments (or entities supported by such governments) of which are knowingly engaging in transactions, activities, or services that circumvent, or assist any third party to circumvent, any sanction related to oil that originated in the Russian Federation, by--
(A) providing significant financial or other support for the purchase, loading, or shipment of oil that originated in the Russian Federation and is subject to sanctions; or
(B) engaging in any transaction, activity, or service related to a shadow fleet vessel that transported, is transporting, or is attempting to transport oil that originated in the Russian Federation and is subject to sanctions.
(3) Natural gas.--Except as provided by subsection (g)(2), the term "natural gas" means natural gas, whether unmixed or any mixture of natural and artificial gas, including liquefied natural gas.
Authority for Committees to Meet
Page S4398 · Official textMr. President, I have four requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.
Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., to conduct a subcommittee hearing.
The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.
The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.
The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 9:45 a.m.
Orders for Monday, August 3, 2026
Page S4398 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, August 3; 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 notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, ripen at 5:30 p.m.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Adjournment Until Monday, August 3, 2026, at 3 P.m.
Page S4398 · Official textMr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:50 p.m., adjourned until Monday, August 3, 2026, at 3 p.m.
Nominations
Pages S4398–S4399 · Official textExecutive nominations received by the Senate:
Text printed in the Record (6,656 characters)
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. CHARLES S. CORCORAN (RETIRED)
THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211:
COL. MICHAEL L. SEEK THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
LT. GEN. EDMOND M. BROWN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
LT. GEN. FRANCISCO J. LOZANO THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. CHRISTOPHER R. NORRIE
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF OF NAVY RESERVE AND APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 8083 AND 12203:
REAR ADM. (LH) JOHN D. SACCOMANDO
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. ROBERT J. HUTT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. CHRISTOPHER S. POVAK
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
JUSTIN M. TUBIOLO THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531:
PARK ILMOON THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531:
JOHN-MICHAEL M. MCGAUGH THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
JAMES H. HAYES III THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
AARON J. LIPPY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 531 AND 716:
MENGYUAN QIU THE FOLLOWING NAMED AIR NATIONAL GUARD OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12212.
JEFFREY L. DOWNING TUCKER R. M. HAMILTON ALEXEI KAMBALOV DARRIN B. LETSINGER
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
JOSHUA M. MCFADDEN THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
JEREMY T. MCGARRY
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
CURTIS A. WILLIAMSON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
JASON A. WAHL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
GABRIELLE M. DEBBINS
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
TIMOTHY R. SEGGEL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
ANTHONY P. DESOMMA THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
KEYAIRA C. S. SEALES THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUALS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531:
RENAN AMADOR ANNETTE J. DEUTSCHER SARA C. REYNOLDS SOPHIA T. A. TRAN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
ERIKA L. LUDOLPH THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
AARON B. MIDDLETON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
DENNIS M. DATUIN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
DAVID M. FERGUSON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
JONATHAN C. ALTY II THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
LAWRENCE W. STOULIG III THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
CAMERON A. INGRAM THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
JOSHUA C. KING THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
GREGORY B. BARTLETT THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
JACOB G. COMPTON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
BRYAN P. JENNINGS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
DANIEL R. SCHUERMAN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 531 AND 716:
TYLER J. GALE THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUALS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531:
BHANI K. CHAWLA KONDAL LINDSEY L. VONCANNON THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR NAVY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531:
MOHAMMAD A. AWAD
Confirmations
Pages S4399–S4400 · Official textExecutive nominations confirmed by the Senate July 30, 2026:
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THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
COL. MICHAEL C. ALFARO COL. GEOFFREY I. CHURCH COL. CHRISTOPHER G. CLARK COL. CORY M. DAMON COL. DENNY R. DAVIES COL. AMY M. GLISSON COL. JONATHAN W. GRAHAM COL. TIMOTHY M. HELFRICH COL. MARK MCGILL COL. DENNIS L. PHILLIPS COL. DAVID M. SKALICKY COL. TIMOTHY J. SPAULDING COL. KENNETH A. STREMMEL COL. BRANDON J. TELLEZ COL. PAUL P. TOWNSEND COL. GEORGE N. VOGEL COL. DAVID J. WILSON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF OF AIR FORCE RESERVE AND APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 601 AND 9038:
MAJ. GEN. PAUL R. FAST THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
BRIG. GEN. PETER M. BONETTI THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
BRIG. GEN. JON A. EBERLAN BRIG. GEN. DAVID C. EPPERSON BRIG. GEN. LANCE R. FRENCH BRIG. GEN. JESSE J. FRIEDEL BRIG. GEN. RICHARD A. GOODMAN BRIG. GEN. STEVEN M. GORSKI BRIG. GEN. GLENN T. HARRIS BRIG. GEN. BRIAN S. LAIDLAW BRIG. GEN. JASON E. LINDSEY BRIG. GEN. JEFFREY W. NELSON BRIG. GEN. NATHAN L. OWENDOFF BRIG. GEN. MAX E. PEARSON BRIG. GEN. WILLIAM S. ROGERS BRIG. GEN. TRAVOLIS A. SIMMONS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
BRIG. GEN. MARY K. HADDAD BRIG. GEN. FRANK R. KINCAID BRIG. GEN. WILLIAM A. MATNEY BRIG. GEN. KENNETH J. OSTRAT BRIG. GEN. MARK D. RICHEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. BRADFORD R. EVERMAN
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. JAMES B. BARTHOLOMEES THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. CHARLES T. LOMBARDO THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
LT. GEN. JAMES P. ISENHOWER III THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. CLAIR A. GILL THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. THOMAS M. FELTEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
MAJ. GEN. JOHN W. LUBAS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
LT. GEN. BRIAN S. EIFLER
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 7435:
COL. NICHOLAS H. GIST
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601:
REAR ADM. MICHAEL S. WOSJE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
REAR ADM. (LH) JOSHUA C. HIMES REAR ADM. (LH) KURTIS A. MOLE THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
REAR ADM. (LH) THOMAS J. DICKINSON REAR ADM. (LH) TODD S. WEEKS THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
REAR ADM. (LH) KEVIN J. BROWN THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
REAR ADM. (LH) THOMAS A. DONOVAN REAR ADM. (LH) PAUL J. LANZILOTTA REAR ADM. (LH) DONALD W. MARKS REAR ADM. (LH) ANDREW T. MILLER REAR ADM. (LH) CHRISTOPHER A. NASH REAR ADM. (LH) LINCOLN M. REIFSTECK REAR ADM. (LH) BRADLEY N. ROSEN REAR ADM. (LH) THOMAS E. SHULTZ REAR ADM. (LH) MICHAEL T. SPENCER REAR ADM. (LH) DAVID P. WALT
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
BRIG. GEN. MATTHEW S. CANTORE BRIG. GEN. BRIAN A. DENARO BRIG. GEN. KRISTIN L. PANZENHAGEN
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JEFFREY D. BALDRIDGE AND ENDING WITH JOSHUA J. WENDELL, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MICAH B. BAKER AND ENDING WITH JOSEPH G. WRIGHT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MICHEAL P. ALLEN AND ENDING WITH DENEAN V. ZOZO, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JON R. ALEXANDER AND ENDING WITH PETER H. YUSCKAT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JAREATHA N. ABDUL RAHEEM AND ENDING WITH NING Y. ZHENG, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH BRYON G. ALGER AND ENDING WITH JENNY H. YOO, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AMANDA M. ADAMS AND ENDING WITH DOMINIQUE I. ZULUAGA, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026. (minus 1 nominee: Omar Vargas)
AIR FORCE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ISAAC L. BACON AND ENDING WITH WILLIAM B. WILSON, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
AIR FORCE NOMINATION OF JENNIFER H. HALL, TO BE COLONEL.
AIR FORCE NOMINATION OF CHRISTINA J. LEE, TO BE COLONEL.
AIR FORCE NOMINATION OF JENICIA S. MCFADDEN, TO BE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.
AIR FORCE NOMINATION OF ANTHONY C. CLARK, TO BE MAJOR.
ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH BRYAN E. ABELL AND ENDING WITH 1393647040, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JOSEPH K. ABEL, JR. AND ENDING WITH 1402783164, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026. (minus 2 nominees: Austin D. Roberts; John A. Goodwin)
ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JAMIE E. ABEL AND ENDING WITH 1292411770, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026. (minus 1 nominee: Justin M. Smith)
ARMY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH CHRISTOPHER A. ARNETT AND ENDING WITH 1363803810, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
ARMY NOMINATION OF NICHOLAS H. ORR, TO BE COLONEL.
ARMY NOMINATION OF AMANDA B. LOVE, TO BE COLONEL.
ARMY NOMINATION OF KHALID R. RODRIGUEZ, TO BE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.
ARMY NOMINATION OF WILLIAM S. MULKEEN, TO BE MAJOR.
ARMY NOMINATION OF CRAIG B. MOREHEAD, TO BE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JAYSON S. BELMES AND ENDING WITH SHELDON C. WALLEN, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH LUSLAIDA BARBOSA AND ENDING WITH JORGE VARGAS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH RYAN J. ELLWOOD AND ENDING WITH PRESTON T. TILUS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MATTHEW D. AKERS AND ENDING WITH ALEXANDER D. WASHOFSKY, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JORGE L. BAUZO AND ENDING WITH TODD W. WISH, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MICHAEL J. ATTERBERY AND ENDING WITH TIMOTHY A. SHAW, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH GREGORY N. ANDERSON AND ENDING WITH SCOTT H. ZINN II, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH TROY M. BEIDERBECKE AND ENDING WITH SEQUOIA M. YOUNGBLOOD, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ELIZABETH A. ARROW AND ENDING WITH ROBERT E. WOODS, JR., WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATION OF BENJAMIN J. ROBINSON, TO BE COMMANDER.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH GRANT R. GAGNON AND ENDING WITH CLINTON J. SMITH, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH BENJAMIN T. ANDERSON AND ENDING WITH KARL F. SCHONBERG, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH NICHOLAS P. CELONE AND ENDING WITH ISMAEL TOUNKARA, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JEREMY M. BULLARD AND ENDING WITH NIKLAS H. RUETER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH DYLAN L. AAKER AND ENDING WITH JONATHAN J. YAEDE, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH KEVIN S. CARLSEN AND ENDING WITH KEITH D. WILLIAMS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AARON M. ACKERMAN AND ENDING WITH ALEXANDER J. WUNDERLICH, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH CURTIS D. T. BOLEN AND ENDING WITH CHRISTOPHER J. WRIGHT, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JUNE 23, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATION OF ALDO GUTIERREZ, TO BE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
NAVY NOMINATION OF DAHLIA M. HASSAN, TO BE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH RAYMOND J. AHAUS AND ENDING WITH THOMAS A. WILLIAMS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH STEVEN W. ARNOLD AND ENDING WITH KRISTIA M. WILTSHIRE, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH DAKOTA J.
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ALLEN AND ENDING WITH ROBERT T. YODER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MANOJ K. MALOO AND ENDING WITH MATTHIAS C. SOMMER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATION OF LAURA H. ARTABAZON, TO BE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
NAVY NOMINATION OF SAMIR SHAIKH, TO BE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH CAROLINE R. TRIEPEL AND ENDING WITH MATTHIAS C. SOMMER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ESTER E. COBB AND ENDING WITH AIMEE K. WU, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
NAVY NOMINATION OF JOSHUA M. MARKLEY, TO BE CAPTAIN.
NAVY NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ADEKUNLE O. AJAYI AND ENDING WITH RYAN S. NOLAN, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 13, 2026.
SPACE FORCE NOMINATION OF JASON H. FURMAN, TO BE MAJOR.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MARY SMITH AND ENDING WITH MICHAEL FRANCOM, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 15, 2025.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATION OF TUYVAN HUU NGUYEN.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH TIFANI CHANEL DYSON AND ENDING WITH RYAN ALAN WERNER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON MARCH 25, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH RUSSELL DUNCAN AND ENDING WITH JEROMY MCKIM, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON MARCH 25, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AMY CALDWELL AND ENDING WITH ROBERT TUEBNER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON MARCH 25, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH AZIZ AHMED AHANG AND ENDING WITH CHARLIE J. FRANTA, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 14, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ANDRES JAIME ALBARRAN AND ENDING WITH CARSON H. WU, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 14, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MEGAN MARIE ALVAREZ AND ENDING WITH ELIZABETH Q. YOUNGER, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 14, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ANI M. AHN AND ENDING WITH REBECCA YOUNG, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 14, 2026.
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH JOHN ARMSTRONG AND ENDING WITH NOAH D. ROSS, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON JULY 14, 2026.