Monday, August 3, 2026

Vol. 172, No. 126 · 119th Congress, 2nd session

Senate

The Senate met at 3 p.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley).

Prayer

The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Almighty God, Father of mercy, light, and justice, we acknowledge that we are in Your hands. Lord, we ask for Your mercy upon this legislative body; let Your Holy Spirit guide them with wisdom, discernment, and courage. Prosper the work You have called them to do that their decisions may serve the welfare of all people. Strengthen them in times of difficulty, and keep them faithful in their responsibilities, inspiring them to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. May all that is done in this Chamber reflect Your wisdom, honor, and love. We pray in your righteous Name. Amen.

Pledge of Allegiance

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The President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:

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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

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The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Budd)

Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved.

Morning Business

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The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Senator from Iowa.

Government Funding

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Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Mr. President, I am here to show my support for the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Before I do that, I want to express my support for the proposed continuing resolution and thank Senator Collins for her leadership to make sure government doesn't shut down if that continuing resolution gets to the President. Now, I do prefer passing 12 appropriations bills. And while I do that, I can say at the same time, it is my opportunity to tell my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us and get the job done to avoid a government shutdown. Funding the Federal Government is a core responsibility of Congress. The fiscal year begins October 1 each year. If appropriations bills are not signed into law by September 30, lawmakers and the President must agree on the temporary spending resolution that is known as a continuing resolution. That resolution keeps the government open for business. If that fails, the unfunded parts of government shut down. Now, with increasing frequency, the minority party has used the threat or reality of a government shutdown to try and advance partisan political priorities. Over the past 10 years, we have seen five government shutdowns. Three of them--one a full shutdown, and two partial shutdowns--have occurred in just the past 9 months. Unfortunately, it looks like we could be headed for a fourth before the end of the year. History has repeatedly shown that shutting down the government is not only bad policy; it is bad politics. It has also shown not to be a great bargaining tool. By a bargaining tool, I mean there is some group of Senators or sometimes an individual Senator will say: We are going to shut the government down until I get some policy, that that individual wants or that group of people want. And you know what? Eventually, government opens up and the bargaining tool instrument has not served the purpose of the Members that shut down the government. It is a simple fact it costs taxpayers money to shut down the government and even more to reopen it. And in a time of fiscal crisis like we have now, you shouldn't be wasting that kind of money. A government shutdown reduces essential services to the American people, erodes the trust of the American people in their government, and limits the ability of Congress to conduct oversight over Federal Government operations. I believe Congress needs to stop governing from crisis to crisis, respect the appropriations process, and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities to fund the government. For that reason--and the reason I am here today is to talk about the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. That act is introduced by Senator Lankford and Senator Hassan. This bill would make government shutdowns a thing of the past by providing an automatic continuing resolution should Congress fail to complete its job of passing appropriations bills on time. Moreover, it would implement rules designed to enforce the commonsense principle that if Congress doesn't do its job, Congress doesn't go home. Congress needs to work through regular order to fund the government Agencies to avoid our "Groundhog Day" approach to spending each year. Americans deserve better. They should not be asked to pay a price for congressional dysfunction. It is past time that we put an end to the recurring political sideshow of government shutdowns, so that is why I say: Let's enact the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act by Senator Lankford and Senator Hassan. 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.

John Thune (R-SD)

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 Majority Leader

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The PRESIDING OFFICER

The majority leader is recognized.

Government Funding

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I am pleased to say that the text of the continuing resolution has been released. It is a strong, bipartisan piece of legislation, and I hope it will receive overwhelming support from both parties in the Senate. I am deeply grateful to Appropriations Chair Collins for her work to produce this legislation, in consultation with Members of both parties, and I also want to thank Senator Murray, vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, for her efforts to get this done. I look forward to passing this bill in the next few days.

Trump Administration

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, this week, we will move our fifth block of civilian nominees, which includes 74 well-qualified individuals. By the end of the week, we will have cleared 95 percent of the civilian nominees who are eligible for floor consideration--95 percent. At this same point in President Trump's first term, there were 155 unconfirmed nominees on the calendar. This year, that number is on track to be about 10. It is the best confirmation track record in a quarter century. As I said, we will have confirmed 95 percent of the civilian nominees available for confirmation, meaning that we are doing better at this point than we were during President Obama's first term, President Trump's first term, or President Biden's. It didn't always look like we would be able to achieve this. From the very beginning of his second term, Democrats met President Trump's nominees with a historic level of obstruction. And when I say historic, I do mean historic. Up until extremely recently, President Trump was the only President on record--the only President on record--not to have had any civilian nominees approved by unanimous consent or voice vote. That used to be the standard way of approving these nominations. During President George H. W. Bush's 4 years in office and President Clinton's first 4 years, both Presidents had 98 percent of their civilian nominees--98 percent--confirmed through unanimous consent or voice vote. President George W. Bush and President Obama both had 90 percent. And then we get to President Trump's first administration. Democrats introduced an unprecedented new level of partisanship into the historically bipartisan confirmation process, forcing time-consuming votes on civilian nominees who would once have gone by unanimous consent or by voice vote. But despite this--despite this new level of partisanship--both President Trump in his first term and President Biden had more than half of their nominees confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote. And then we get to President Trump's current administration. As I said, until recently, he had not had one single nominee confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote--zero. So the fact that we are standing here today with a civilian nominations calendar about to be essentially cleared is pretty impressive. But we have been on a mission to ensure that the President has his nominees in place so that he can do the job the American people elected him to do. That included taking action to restore the Senate tradition of en bloc confirmation of largely noncontroversial nominees. And, most of all, it included putting in the work--lots of work in committees, lots of work on the floor, and lots of votes--lots and lots of votes. That has paid off. We have confirmed 52 article III judges, 91 percent of the U.S. attorneys that have made it out of committee this Congress, 23 Cabinet members, and the list goes on. And we are going to continue to ensure that nominees are confirmed in a timely fashion and that the President is able to have his team in place. 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.

John Thune (R-SD)

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 910.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is on agreeing to the motion.

The motion was agreed to.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the nomination.

The senior assistant executive clerk read the nomination of Erica Schwartz, of Florida, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cloture Motion (Executive Session)

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

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We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 910, Erica Schwartz, of Florida, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. John Thune, Roger Marshall, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Jim Banks, Bill Cassidy, John Barrasso, John Boozman, Cynthia M. Lummis, Jon Husted, John Hoeven, John Cornyn, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, Kevin Cramer, Chuck Grassley, Ted Budd.

Legislative Session

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is on agreeing to the motion.

The motion was agreed to.

EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION (Executive Session)

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider the en bloc nominations listed in S. Res. 817.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is on agreeing to the motion.

The motion was agreed to.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 817, the nominations listed therein are pending en bloc.

CLOTURE MOTION (Executive Session)

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John Thune (R-SD)

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The cloture motion, having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

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We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate and the provisions of S. Res. 817 (119th Cong.), do hereby move to bring to a close debate on Executive Calendar Nos.: 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 739, 740, 746, 747, 748, 749, 757, 759, 761, 762, 764, 766, 781, 782, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 826, 832, 834, 835, 836, 837, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 899, 900, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909 en bloc. John Thune, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley, Tim Sheehy, John Barrasso, Mike Crapo, John Boozman, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Pete Ricketts, Tommy Tuberville, Alan Armstrong, Joni Ernst, Eric Schmitt, Bernie Moreno, Roger F. Wicker, Mike Rounds, John R. Curtis.

Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)

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The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Democratic leader is recognized.

Nomination of Todd Blanche (Executive Session)

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Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)

Mr. President, well, make no mistake, Todd Blanche has no intention of stopping Trump's corruption. He has spent his career enabling it. Instead of seeing Todd Blanche's so-called deal for the sham that it is, Senate Republicans are, once again, taking Trump's personal attorney at his word. All Blanche's deal does is accept the reality that Trump's MAGA slush fund is never getting through the courts. Blanche's so-called deal does nothing--nothing--to stop the IRS sweetheart deal that lets Trump and his family cheat their way out of tens of millions of dollars in taxes. Let me repeat that. Blanche is still perfectly fine with giving Trump a permission slip to commit tax fraud to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Is the Senate GOP willing to go along with Trump's tax fraud? Blanche certainly is. Senate Republicans keep pretending that Blanche made real concessions on the slush fund. The truth is he just gave up a fight he had already lost in court. And there is no guardrail preventing Trump and Blanche from using taxpayer dollars to give cash payouts to violent January 6 insurrectionists, MAGA billionaires, and the Trump family. Trump won't even hide his intention to resurrect his MAGA cash rewards program. Just last night, Trump said: "A lot of people like" the slush fund. Those were his words. He said it. He said it "would be a reimbursement for the pain that" January 6 insurrectionists "suffered." Where is the reimbursement for the economic pain Trump has inflicted on the American people with his rampant corruption and his disastrous agenda? No one wants this slush fund, other than Trump and his cronies. There has never been a more clear-cut case of self-dealing in American history. Trump sued himself, settled with himself, and then gave himself tax immunity for life and $2 billion to either pocket--in his own pocket--from the Federal Treasury or pass out to bad people, all at the taxpayers' expense. Senate Republicans, if you truly care about ending this corruption, then work with us to ban it by law. Don't put the architect of Trump's grifts in charge of the Department of Justice.

(The remarks of Mr. SCHUMER pertaining to the introduction of S. 5212 are printed in today's Record under "Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.")

Government Funding (Executive Session)

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Mr. President, finally, on the CR, Senate Democrats have been crystal clear: We want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown, and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that deliver for the American people. The CR released yesterday is a responsible pathway to do just that. The bill allows us to continue negotiating a budget that won't leave working families behind. I applaud Senator Murray for her tireless work and her success in preventing Trump's dangerous effort to politicize Federal grants from taking effect, as we fight to block it altogether. Throughout these negotiations, Senate Democrats are fighting for the American people. We will continue fighting for a budget that helps Americans get ahead and thwarts Trump's corrupt, costly, and chaotic agenda that is stretching Americans thin. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will call the roll.

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Dr. Anthony Fauci (Executive Session)

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Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

Mr. President, when I think about the issue of public health, I remember a time in my childhood when one of my friends didn't show up for school. I asked people: Where did she go? They shook their heads and said: Polio. When she finally returned, she couldn't walk without heavy leg braces. I will never forget the agony I saw in her eyes. Sadly, in my childhood, that story was common. For decades, a kid could go to school healthy and be paralyzed before the end of the day. But suddenly--suddenly--it all changed. Dr. Jonas Salk created the polio vaccine. Dr. Sabin came up with a form that didn't require a needle. By 1979, polio was eradicated in America. A disease that would strike fear in the hearts of everyone was a distant memory. I think there is a special place in history reserved for researchers and scientists like Dr. Salk and Dr. Sabin, who devoted their lives to saving others--people like Norman Borlaug, Edward Jenner, Madame Marie Curie, and Albert Calmette. There is another person whose name could be on that list as well--someone who has saved millions of lives, both in America and around the world, through his lifetime of public service. His name: Dr. Anthony Fauci. Dr. Fauci worked for the National Institutes of Health for 54 years, 38 of which he served as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He has advised seven Presidents, of both parties, and seen our Nation through countless public health crises--from SARS to avian flu, swine flu, Zika, Ebola, and on and on. Aside from his work against COVID-19, Dr. Fauci may be best known for his work on HIV/AIDS. Dr. Fauci's tireless efforts on HIV/AIDS, both domestically and worldwide, through the creation of PEPFAR--the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief--is the main reason why this horrible disease is no longer a death sentence. In recognition of his achievement, Dr. Fauci was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008, our Nation's highest civilian honor, by then-President George W. Bush. Dr. Fauci is an example of American excellence, a brilliant scientific mind, and yet the Republican Party has chosen to make this doctor who has saved countless lives a political target. Last week, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subpoenaed Dr. Fauci, in front of the Congress, for a hearing with the express goal of humiliating and vilifying him. For nearly 3 hours, my Republican colleagues berated, cursed, and insulted a man who has dedicated his life to protecting the health of American families. This behavior is below the dignity of the Senate. Put simply, it was an embarrassment. If my colleagues had genuine concern for America's public health, they would turn their attention instead to the destruction wrought by this administration's anti-science agenda. Listen to this rollcall. Measle cases are at a 35-year high in the United States of America. Whooping cough has resurged. Our response to the hantavirus and cyclospora outbreaks has been abysmal. And hundreds of thousands of people have died due to the administration's vaccine skepticism and public health cuts. If my Republican colleagues want to hold hearings, perhaps they should hold one on the impact of President Trump's cuts to NIH research funding, which has slowed research into heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's; or they can investigate how the FDA has lost 20 percent of its staff under this administration, deeply damaging food safety efforts. If they were truly concerned for America's health, they would hold hearings on the fact that ACA premiums are doubling for many families across the United States because of the Republicans' Big Beautiful Bill. These are the real health crises of the day--all entirely of this administration's own making. But my Republican Senate colleagues have chosen to ignore real life-and-death issues to relitigate COVID conspiracy theories--not in an effort to find out what might have gone wrong or how to prepare for the next pandemic, instead, to try and tear down a man who has devoted his entire life to lifting others up. Dr. Fauci deserves an apology for the way he was treated by my colleagues, and the American people deserve better than the pitiful display we saw in the Senate last Wednesday.

Healthcare (Executive Session)

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Now, Mr. President, across Illinois, families are opening up their mail and confronting a painful reality: Healthcare has become very difficult to afford. For millions of Americans who buy their own insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the problem became much worse this year after the Republicans on the other side of the aisle allowed enhanced premium tax credits to expire. These credits helped working families afford coverage, especially people that do not get health insurance through their employer, including small business owners, independent contractors, and farmers. The average monthly premium for people buying coverage on the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace increased 58 percent this year alone, and many Americans have been forced to switch to plans with higher deductibles just to keep their monthly premium within reach. Others have dropped health insurance altogether. ACA enrollment in my State dropped by 15 percent because premium costs pushed my constituents out. For farmers, this healthcare affordability crisis is particularly painful. Farming is not a 9-to-5 job with a benefits package. Many farmers are self-employed. At the same time, President Trump's war in Iran and reckless tariffs--a version of which he reinstated last week, after the Supreme Court struck down his last batch effort--are squeezing American farmers and farmers in Illinois. The cost of diesel fuel, fertilizer, and equipment have all skyrocketed. Now health insurance is added to the list. National Public Radio in Illinois recently told the story of Ben and Paula Sue Steffen, lifelong farmers in Nebraska. Last year, they paid $13,000 annually for health insurance after receiving support from ObamaCare, the ACA's enhanced premium tax credit. This year, after congressional Republicans refused to extend those tax credits, the Steffens can expect to pay $32,000 annually for coverage, more than double the $13,000 they paid last year. They moved to one of the cheapest plans available, which still carries a $7,200 deductible. It is not just the Steffens in Nebraska. I heard directly from farmers in Illinois, who report the same or similar health insurance price hikes. Ben is a farmer from McLean County. He is self-employed. He buys health insurance for himself and his family and their daughter. He told me his family is healthy but their health insurance now costs $1,458 each month. That is nearly $17,500 annually just in premiums. Ben told me:

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Health care is drowning me.

He went on:

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That's crushing me. Something has to change.

Think about it: A farmer working to support his family and feed this country is paying almost $17,500 a year just to keep his family insured. Yet, instead of lowering these costs, President Trump and congressional Republicans have spent the past year making the problem much worse. They allowed the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits to expire, despite repeated warnings about what it meant for families. And they slashed $1 trillion from the program called Medicaid. That is a program which is critically important. Think about this for a moment: Every other birth in my State of Illinois is paid for by Medicaid. Seventy percent of the men and women who are in nursing homes in my State are covered by Medicaid. And now the Republicans have proposed slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid in their so-called Big Beautiful Bill despite pleas from rural hospitals and others that these cuts could be devastating. Rural hospitals are the academic engines of many rural communities--the biggest employer, one of the most important businesses in town. They operate on razor-thin margins and serve the largest share of patients who are uninsured or covered through public programs. As more people lose coverage, rural hospitals and clinics face even greater pressure to cut services. I have seen it happen in downstate Illinois. Hospitals in some of the larger towns have announced that they are no longer going to provide OB/GYN services, as an example. For a farmer who may already live miles from the nearest hospital, losing that local hospital or local clinic or maternity ward or emergency department can literally be a matter of life or death. Instead of building grand ballrooms in the White House, outfitting new aircraft as Air Force One, and starting an unnecessary war with Iran, the President should be focused on what matters most to Americans: bringing down the cost of living. We should immediately restore the enhanced premium tax credits that made coverage affordable and protect Medicaid and the rural hospitals that communities depend on. We should also be working together to lower healthcare costs, not forcing farm families and other families like Ben's to shoulder thousands more in costs each year. Ben told me:

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Something has to change.

He is right. In less than 100 days, he will have his chance to speak as an American about the future and whether we can put up with what we have seen so far. Senate Democrats will keep fighting to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible for all, including farmers, rural communities, and working families across Illinois and America. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Britt)

The Senator from Washington.

Government Funding (Executive Session)

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Patty Murray (D-WA)

Madam President, we have our work cut out for us as we work to fund the government for the coming fiscal year. As costs for our families go up and up and up, the President wants a $1\1/2\ trillion war budget, and he wants to cut programs working people depend on to pay for it. No. No way. And as his disastrous war with Iran rages on, Trump is even asking for another $70 billion on top of that to bankroll the war. It is really hard to imagine more backward funding priorities, especially as so many families today are struggling and being hurt by the cuts to healthcare and food aid. Congress is not an ATM to fund Trump's disastrous wars abroad, so, as I have said many times, we need to rip up the President's budget and write a new one. I have been very clear from the start: We absolutely must prioritize helping families and lowering costs as we do that, and that means rejecting the President's astronomical defense request and instead delivering significantly more funding for our nondefense budget so we can invest in helping people here at home. It is clear that we will definitely need more time to get this done and reach bipartisan agreement on the funding levels, just as we have done in the Senate for the last 3 years, which then allows us to draft bipartisan bills for fiscal year 2027. So I am very glad we were able to craft a bipartisan CR to keep the government funded and to make sure we can avert a shutdown that no one wants, while giving us time to reach a bipartisan agreement on a top line in our funding bills. Two weeks ago, House Republicans sent us an incomplete CR with several major issues. It is critical that we address those issues in any CR, and that is exactly what we have done. Perhaps most important, we closed a loophole in the House Republican CR that would have allowed the Trump administration to transfer funding provided for other programs to Border Patrol. That was a nonstarter. Until Republicans finally agree to enact desperately needed reforms to ICE and Border Patrol, we cannot approve another cent for them. This new CR that we have written includes some really important extensions and language that House Republicans did not, and that includes extensions of authorizations for important health, veterans, and infrastructure programs and language to make sure that key housing programs and a program to help feed low-income seniors can continue serving Americans. This bill also rejects requests from President Trump for even more flexibility and funding for the Pentagon, including $1 billion for Trump-class battleships. My Democratic colleagues and I pushed very hard and secured an important provision to prevent the Office of Management and Budget from implementing its corrupt new grants rule, which would have required a Trump political appointee to sign off on every last Federal grant and empowered them to terminate any grant at any point for any reason. That disastrous rule would put politics above science when determining, for example, what cancer research grants to fund. I am going to keep working to kill that rule outright as our spending talks continue later this year. Unfortunately, Republicans would not take action in this bill to protect our constitutional power of the purse and prevent Russ Vought from attempting another illegal pocket rescission, nor would they agree to our efforts to extend critical advanced appropriations for infrastructure, which were provided by the bipartisan infrastructure law. That runs out on October 1. Make no mistake--we will keep fighting to get those priorities done in the negotiations in the fall. We do have a lot of work ahead, and this CR provides us a reasonable runway to get it done. So I hope this CR sets us up to roll up our sleeves and focus on getting to a bipartisan top line so we can then write good, bipartisan spending bills. For all of those reasons, I will be voting yes tonight to advance this bipartisan bill.

Washington Wildfires (Executive Session)

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Madam President, I can't come to the Senate floor without acknowledging the heartbreaking devastation we are seeing in Spokane and across Eastern Washington. My heart is with everyone who is affected by these horrific fires, and please know I will keep doing all I can to make sure the Federal Government steps up. This short-term funding bill importantly includes flexibility for the Disaster Relief Fund so it can serve our communities in need during the CR. I am glad FEMA has so far approved the FMAG requests our local officials have made as they are fighting these wildfires. And last night, our Governor made a formal request to the President for an expedited emergency declaration. I am leading our entire congressional delegation, Democrats and Republicans, in urging the President to approve that request immediately. I do want to say how grateful I am to the fire crews and first responders who are working around the clock to save lives and property and how inspired I am by the way the Spokane community has come together to support those who have lost their homes or are under evacuation orders. I will have far more to say on this crisis, but let me close with this: As the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and a voice for Spokane here in the U.S. Senate, I will do everything in my power to make certain Eastern Washington gets every cent they need to fight these horrific fires and to rebuild and recover over the long term. 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.

Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Waiving Quorum Call (Executive Session)

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Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the cloture motion on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6500.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Cloture Motion

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The PRESIDING OFFICER

Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

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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 purposes. 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.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the mandatory quorum call under rule XXII has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the motion to proceed to 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, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.

The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.

John Barrasso (R-WY)

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from South Carolina (Ms. Graham), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) are necessarily absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 89, nays 4, as follows:

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Alsobrooks Armstrong Baldwin Banks Barrasso Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Cassidy Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Grassley Hagerty Hassan Hawley Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lankford Lee Lujan Lummis Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schiff Schmitt Schumer Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Smith Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Van Hollen Warner Warnock Whitehouse Wicker Wyden Young Kaine Paul Sanders Warren Blackburn Booker Graham Markey McConnell Slotkin Welch The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ricketts). On this vote, the yeas are 89, the nays are 4. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to. The motion was agreed to.

Legislative Session

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The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the motion to proceed.

The clerk read as follows:

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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.

Morning Business

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Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Tribute to Mark Eisele

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John Barrasso (R-WY)

Mr. President, at the 114th Wyoming State Fair, Senator Lummis and I will have the pleasure of introducing Mark Eisele as a 2026 inductee to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. Mark Eisele comes from a long line of Wyoming ranchers, dating back generations. However, Mark built his livestock operation on his own from the ground up. Mark has long been an iconic leader for Wyoming agriculture. His career led him to the historic King Ranch near Cheyenne. This is where he first worked as an employee before acquiring the historic ranch. Today, Mark and his wife Trudy, along with their three children, raise Red and Black Angus cow/calf pairs and retained yearlings through branded beef programs. The family also manages a custom haying operation and harvests alfalfa and native grass hay. Throughout his career, Mark has valued maintaining healthy rangelands. He has long believed that a healthy rangeland is the foundation of a successful cattle operation. Through Mark's leadership, the King Ranch has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit for over 20 years. Mark has led the King Ranch to embrace research and innovation through projects on livestock production, economic efficiency, flexible stocking strategies for erratic and variable precipitation, adaptive grazing management for poisonous plants, targeted grazing for invasive cheatgrass, soil carbon responses to grazing management, and habitat conservation. The Eisele family's stewardship efforts have earned widespread recognition. They received the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Award and the Leopold Conservation Award in 2015. More recently, the ranch received the 2023 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award. This was followed by the 2025 Chuck Jarecki Rancher Land Stewardship Award presented by the International Society for Range Management. Along with receiving many accolades, Mark has committed his career to serving the agriculture industry as an advocate. Mark has been a longtime member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and served as the president from 2011 to 2013. After years of committee work within the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Mark was elected president for the 2024 to 2025 term. He has become one of the Nation's leading voices for beef producers. Mark's dedication and service to Wyoming's agriculture industry makes him an outstanding choice for the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. It is a great honor to participate in Mark's induction. I congratulate Mark Eisele as a 2026 inductee into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Tribute to Ken Hamilton

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Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY)

Mr. President, the summer months--and August in particular--are always my favorite time of year. The Cowboy State shines all year, but August brings outdoor activities, family gatherings, and one of my favorite annual events: the Wyoming State Fair hosted in Douglas. For more than 120 years, the Wyoming State Fair has drawn together the best of Wyoming's country fairs into one grand celebration. It is where you will find rodeo, good food, carnival games, and the finest of Wyoming agriculture on display. As a lifelong rancher, the State fair has always held a special place in my heart. It is a place to welcome the next generation of ranchers and honor those who have shaped agriculture in our State. The high point of the fair is the induction ceremony for the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. Today, I have the distinct honor and privilege of recognizing Ken Hamilton as he joins this prestigious group. The Hall of Fame is synonymous with excellence--not only in one's profession, but also in their character. Ken personifies that standard, and his induction is richly deserved. Ken grew up on his family's ranch in the Big Horn Basin, raising sheep and cattle alongside his parents Merle and Eleanor and his brother Keith. He studied animal science at the University of Wyoming, then took his education abroad through the American Farm Bureau Federation's work exchange program, spending a year in Australia as a station hand and assistant overseer. Ken's passion of agriculture continued to grow. For 41 years, he devoted his life to Wyoming's agricultural industry and its future through his hard work, loyalty, and leadership with the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. He began his career as a research and field assistant, before serving as director of field services, administrative assistant, and ultimately executive vice President in 2004--a position he held for 20 years until his retirement. His influence reached far beyond the office. Ken used his knowledge and expertise to guide State and Federal agriculture policies to support local farmers and ranchers. During his time with the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, he served on numerous boards and committees. He was general manager of WFB, Inc; secretary for the Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company; and a member of the 2006 State of Wyoming Brand Task Force, the Western Region Air Partnership Dust Forum, the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee, the State of Wyoming Coal Bed Methane Working Group, American Farm Bureau Federation's General Counsel Advisory Committee, and the Legal Information and Networking Committee. Ken has spent his life advocating for Wyoming agriculture, on transportation, water rights, grazing policy, and wildfire response. His steadfast advocacy earned him the trust and respect of people across Wyoming. Just as important, he has mentored the next generation, passing along his knowledge and passion to those who will carry Wyoming agriculture forward. I could not be more pleased to see Ken inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame this year. He joins a distinguished group of men and women who have made extraordinary contributions to agriculture in our State. The legacy he has built is truly remarkable and serves as an example for others to follow. I tip my hat to him.

Remembering Richard Allen "Rick" Ball

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Roger Marshall (R-KS)

Mr. President, today we honor the life and legacy of Richard Allen "Rick" Ball of Great Bend, KS. Rick was a respected businessman, dedicated community leader, and devoted family man whose service left a lasting impact on those around him. For decades, Rick served the Great Bend community as a trusted certified public accountant and partner at Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball. He helped local businesses and organizations succeed through his sound advice and steady guidance. His leadership earned him recognition as the 2012 Great Bend Citizen of the Year and the 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Financial Services Champion of the Year. However, Rick's dedication extended well beyond his professional career. He gave generously of his time through the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and many other local organizations. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, and golfing, and he was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. Though he will be greatly missed, Rick's legacy lives on through his wife Lois, his children and grandchildren, and the many people whose lives he touched. His example will continue to inspire the Great Bend community for years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Richard Allen "Rick" Ball and in offering our prayers and sympathies to his family, friends, and the entire Great Bend community.

Tribute to David Bedford

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Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

Mr. President, when it comes to the military, there is no such thing as working 9 to 5. You are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer David Bedford of Wilmer, he still has this mentality about serving others. A Mobile County native, David learned about military service from his father, who was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. In 1969, David followed his father's lead and enlisted to train as an Army pilot. After completing his training at Fort Rucker, David deployed to Vietnam in 1971, where he flew Huey helicopters more than 1,500 hours for resupply and transportation missions. He describes his most satisfying missions as those where he brought mail to troops on the frontlines, a small way to help put a smile on their faces during a very dark time. David attributes his safe return home to the many prayers of his wife, mother, family, and friends. He had a special gift waiting for him when he came back to Alabama: a baby girl who was born while he was deployed overseas. David and his wife Theresa had two more daughters and raised their family in Mobile County while he finished his degree at the University of South Alabama. After graduating, David began working in the county school system, eventually becoming a counselor and helping students navigate life's challenges. David saw his job as more than just a 9 to 5, but as a way to invest in the lives of his students and help prepare them for the real world. Both David and Theresa have found a multitude of ways to partner together and serve the surrounding community. Through their involvement in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program--otherwise known as RSVP--they frequently volunteer at community events and help seniors in the area prosper. David and Theresa are also members of the Christian Motorcycles Association, where they use their love of motorcycles to share their faith with other veterans. He also is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, supporting Gold Star families and reminding them that they are not alone. David's generosity of his time has truly made a difference that spans far beyond our State. It is my honor to recognize David Bedford as the August Veteran of the Month.

Measures Read the First Time

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The following bill was read the first time:

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S. 5221. A bill to prohibit the purchase, sale, or exchange of nonpublic information, and for other purposes.

Executive and Other Communications

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The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated:

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EC-4269. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Lebanon that was declared in Executive Order 13441 of August 1, 2007; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-4270. A communication from the Chief Regulatory Officer, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Affirmative Asylum Referrals Without Interview" (RIN1615-AD18) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on July 29, 2026; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-4271. A communication from the Section Chief, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Relief for foreign participating member associations of FIFA from having to file a Form 990 for years in which their only US source income is related to participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup" (Rev. Proc. 2026-28) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on July 30, 2026; to the Committee on Finance.

Reports of Committees

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The following reports of committees were submitted:

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By Ms. MURKOWSKI, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, without amendment: S. 2098. A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 119-131). H.R. 3620. An act to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 119-132).

Introduction of Bills and Joint Resolutions

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The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:

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By Mrs. CAPITO (for herself and Mr. Welch): S. 5207. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to maintain the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. SHEEHY: S. 5208. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide concealed carry privileges to qualified special operators; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mrs. BRITT (for herself and Mr. Tuberville): S. 5209. A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to limit bonuses to the Postmaster General, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. KENNEDY: S. 5210. A bill to allow Members of Congress to display works of art that are currently held in storage; to the Committee on Rules and Administration. By Mr. ROUNDS (for himself and Ms. Duckworth): S. 5211. A bill to require the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit a strategy for cyber cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Schiff): S. 5212. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to reform executive clemency; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KING (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Scott of Florida): S. 5213. A bill to support programs for mosquito-borne and other vector-borne disease surveillance and control; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. TILLIS (for himself and Mr. Coons): S. 5214. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to punish criminal offenses targeting law enforcement officers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, and Ms. Rosen): S. 5215. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and enhance certain tax credits for electric vehicles, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Ms. ALSOBROOKS (for herself and Mrs. Gillibrand): S. 5216. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for qualified accessible housing expenses, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Van Hollen, and Ms. Alsobrooks): S. 5217. A bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 to extend the availability of identity protection coverage to individuals whose personally identifiable information was compromised during recent data breaches at Federal agencies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. MORAN: S. 5218. A bill to amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing and enhancing farming and ranching opportunities for veterans; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. By Mr. BLUMENTHAL: S. 5219. A bill to improve end-of-life care; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, and Ms. Rosen): S. 5220. A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the battery processing and manufacturing program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Peters): S. 5221. A bill to prohibit the purchase, sale, or exchange of nonpublic information, and for other purposes; read the first time. By Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Hirono, and Ms. Rosen): S. 5222. A bill to establish the Cleaner Transportation at Recreational Areas to Improve our Landmarks and Sites (Cleaner TRAILS) Initiative to facilitate the installation of zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure on National Forest System land, National Park System land, and certain related land, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. WARNER: S. 5223. A bill to prohibit the purchase or sale of securities while aware of nonpublic information contained in certain social media accounts controlled by Government officials, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. SCHIFF (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse): S.J. Res. 204. A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration relating to "Rescinding the Definition of `Harm' Under the Endangered Species Act"; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Additional Cosponsors

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At the request of Mr. Kaine, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) was added as a cosponsor of S. 986, a bill to address and take action to prevent bullying and harassment of students. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from South Carolina (Ms. Graham) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1032, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1245, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the names of the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) and the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) 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. Tillis, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1308, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1538, a bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to expand and improve the enforcement capabilities of the Attorney General, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Baldwin, the name of the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) 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 Mr. Whitehouse, the name of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1814, a bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for a code of conduct for justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1906, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the regulation of zootechnical animal food substances. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1907, a bill to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for a consistent definition for plant biostimulants. At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3131, a bill to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall of the names of the lost crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans killed on June 3, 1969. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3637, a bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to reauthorize the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Hyde-Smith, the names of the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott) and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) were added as cosponsors of S. 3697, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the approval of new abortion drugs, to prohibit investigational use exemptions for abortion drugs, and to impose additional regulatory requirements with respect to previously approved abortion drugs, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3799, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start Initiative. At the request of Mr. King, the name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3938, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize representatives of veterans service organizations to participate in presentations to promote certain benefits available to veterans during preseparation counseling under the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4379, a bill to require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit a report on efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to violate the religious freedoms of the people of Ukraine, to require the President to impose all applicable sanctions with respect to foreign persons determined to have engaged in such efforts, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. McCormick, the names of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines) and the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) were added as cosponsors of S. 4395, a bill to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Moreno, the name of the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. Hassan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4429, a bill to prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into interstate commerce in the United States of connected vehicles and related software and hardware associated with foreign adversaries. At the request of Mr. McCormick, the name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Moreno) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4469, a bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to modify provisions relating to event contracts, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Lee, the name of the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4931, a bill to amend the Clean Air Act to preserve consumer vehicle choice, protect the electric grid, and impose limits on regulations under that Act, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Kim) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5033, a bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to create a right of public access to certain records relating to the courts of the United States, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Kim) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5036, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit officers and employees of the judiciary from engaging in official acts affecting personal financial interests. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5048, a bill to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize the hydropower licensing process, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Murray, the name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5190, a bill to prohibit forced arbitration in work disputes, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Fetterman, the name of the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of 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. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the names of the Senator from Massachusetts (Ms. Warren), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) were added as cosponsors of 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. At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) was added as a cosponsor of amendment No. 5970 intended to be proposed to S. 4784, an original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.

Text of Amendments

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SA 6729. Mr. GALLEGO (for himself and Mr. Grassley) 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:

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At the end of title II of division A of the amendment, add the following: SEC. 204. MODIFICATIONS TO CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. (a) Expansion of Sanctions Subject to Review.--Section 216(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9511(a)(2)(B)(i)) is amended-- (1) in subclause (II), by striking "; or" and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subclause (III), by striking "; and" and inserting "; or"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(IV) any Executive order addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation).". (b) Review of Energy-related Actions.--Section 216(a)(2) of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9511(a)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A)-- (A) in clause (ii), by striking "; or" and inserting a semicolon; (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(iv) an action, including a licensing action, taken during the period described in subparagraph (C) relating to the application of sanctions described in subparagraph (B) with respect to crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or other energy products of Russian Federation origin."; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(C) Period for review for energy-related actions.--The period described in this subparagraph is the period-- "(i) beginning on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph; and "(ii) ending on the date on which the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence, certifies to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership that the Government of the Russian Federation has ended its war in Ukraine and credibly committed to a just peace settlement that includes compensating Ukraine for war damages.". (c) Exception to Take Action During Initial Congressional Review Period.--Section 216(b)(3) of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9511(b)(3)) is amended-- (1) by striking "unless a joint resolution" and inserting the following: "unless-- "(A) a joint resolution"; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(B) the action relates to crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or other energy products of Russian Federation origin to be used-- "(i) for the preservation of the health or safety of the crew of an energy transport vessel; "(ii) for emergency repairs or environmental mitigation or protection activities relating to an energy transport vessel; or "(iii) to address an urgent need to mitigate an economic impact in a foreign jurisdiction other than the Russian Federation.". ______

SA 6730. Mr. SCHIFF 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:

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At the end of section 102 of the amendment, add the following: (f) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report that includes-- (1) an identification of persons that, since January 1, 2026, have purchased crude oil or petroleum products originating from the Russian Federation that were produced or provided, directly or indirectly, by a person subject to sanctions; and (2) an identification of financial institutions, traders, intermediaries, entities, and other persons that, since January 1, 2026, facilitated the purchase or transport of crude oil or petroleum products originating from the Russian Federation that were produced or provided, directly or indirectly, by a person subject to sanctions. ______

SA 6731. Mr. SCHIFF 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:

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At the end of section 115, add the following: (c) Prohibition on Waivers for Countries Assisting Lethal Operations by Iran Against United States Facilities or Personnel.-- (1) In general.--The President may not issue a waiver under subsection (a) with respect to the application of a sanction to a foreign person based in a country included in the report of the Director of National Intelligence required by paragraph (2)(B). (2) Identification of countries.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall identify each country that has, on or after February 28, 2026, provided weapons, other lethal assistance, or intelligence designed to enable the Islamic Republic of Iran to conduct lethal operations against United States facilities or personnel. (B) Reports required.--If the Director identifies a country under subparagraph (A) as having provided weapons, assistance, or intelligence described in that subparagraph, the Director shall submit to the President and Congress a report on the identification of that country.

Text of Senate Amendment 6729

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Text of Senate Amendment 6730

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Text of Senate Amendment 6731

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Measure Read the First Time--S. 5221

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Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (S. 5221) to prohibit the purchase, sale, or exchange of nonpublic information, and for other purposes.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Objection is heard. The bill will receive its second reading on the next legislative day.

Youth Poisoning Protection Act

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Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 132, S. 289.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (S. 289) to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite to individuals, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

I ask that the bill be considered read a third time.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

I know of no further debate on the bill.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

If there is no further debate on the bill, the bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill pass? The bill (S. 289) was passed 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 "Youth Poisoning Protection Act". SEC. 2. BANNING OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF SODIUM NITRITE. (a) In General.--Any consumer product containing a high concentration of sodium nitrite shall be considered to be a banned hazardous product under section 8 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2057). (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to-- (1) prohibit any commercial or industrial purpose in which high concentration sodium nitrite is not customarily produced or distributed for sale to, or use or consumption by, or enjoyment of, a consumer; and (2) apply to high concentration sodium nitrite that meets the definition of a "drug", "device", or "cosmetic" (as such terms are defined in sections 201(g), (h), and (i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(g), (h), and (i))), or "food" (as defined in section 201(f) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 321(f))), including poultry and poultry products (as such terms are defined in sections 4(e) and (f) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453(e)and (f))), meat and meat food products (as such terms are defined in section 1(j) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601(j))), and eggs and egg products (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1033)). (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section: (1) Consumer product.--The term "consumer product" has the meaning given that term under section 3(a)(5) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5)). (2) High concentration of sodium nitrite.--The term "high concentration of sodium nitrite" means a concentration of 10 or more percent by weight of sodium nitrite. (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026

Page S4412 · Official text

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 347, S. 3977.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (S. 3977) to amend title 11, United States Code, to modify certain bankruptcy eligibility requirements, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

I now ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 3977) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed 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 "Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026". SEC. 2. DEBT LIMIT MODIFICATIONS. (a) Modification to the Small Business Bankruptcy Debt Limit.--Section 1182(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: "(1) Debtor.--The term `debtor'-- "(A) subject to subparagraph (B), means a person engaged in commercial or business activities (including any affiliate of such person that is also a debtor under this title and excluding a person whose primary activity is the business of owning single asset real estate) that has aggregate noncontingent liquidated secured and unsecured debts as of the date of the filing of the petition or the date of the order for relief in an amount not more than $7,500,000 (excluding debts owed to 1 or more affiliates or insiders) not less than 50 percent of which arose from the commercial or business activities of the debtor; and "(B) does not include-- "(i) any member of a group of affiliated debtors under this title that has aggregate noncontingent liquidated secured and unsecured debts in an amount greater than $7,500,000 (excluding debt owed to 1 or more affiliates or insiders); "(ii) any debtor that is a corporation subject to the reporting requirements under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m, 78o(d)); or "(iii) any debtor that is an affiliate of a corporation described in clause (ii).". (b) Modification to the Consumer Bankruptcy Debt Limit.--Section 109 of title 11, United States Code is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: "(e) Only an individual with regular income that owes, on the date of the filing of the petition, noncontingent, liquidated debts that aggregate less than $2,750,000 or an individual with regular income and such individual's spouse, except a stockbroker or a commodity broker, that owe, on the date of the filing of the petition, noncontingent, liquidated debts that aggregate less than $2,750,000 may be a debtor under chapter 13 of this title.". SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any case that is commenced under title 11, United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Pages S4412–S4414 · Official text

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 422, S. 2666.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (S. 2666) to direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a taskforce on unlawful robocalls, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows:

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Foreign Robocall Elimination Act". SEC. 2. INTERAGENCY TASKFORCE ON UNLAWFUL ROBOCALLS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term "Commission" means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Consortium.--The term "Consortium" means the consortium described in section 13(d) of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (Public Law 116-105). (3) Federal agency.--The term "Federal agency" has the meaning given the term "agency" in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (4) Taskforce.--The term "taskforce" means the taskforce on unlawful robocalls established under subsection (b). (5) Unlawful robocall.--The term "unlawful robocall" means a telephone call made in violation of subsection (b) or (e) of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227). (b) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, after consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General, shall establish a taskforce on unlawful robocalls. (c) Membership.-- (1) In general.--The taskforce shall be composed of the following members: (A)(i) A representative of each Federal agency that the Chairman of the Commission, in consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General, considers appropriate. (ii) With respect to each Federal agency considered under clause (i) to be appropriate, the Chairman of the Commission shall appoint a representative of that Federal agency to the taskforce based on the recommendations of the head of that Federal agency. (B) Seven representatives of private sector entities, to be appointed as described in paragraph (2)-- (i) 3 of whom shall be representatives from private sector entities with expertise in combating unlawful robocalls, including-- (I) voice service providers; (II) analytics providers; (III) technologists; and (IV) technology experts; (ii) 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Consortium; (iii) 1 of whom shall be a representative of a marketing business that communicates with consumers by telephone as part of the normal course of business of that marketing business; (iv) 1 of whom shall be a representative of a business or nonprofit organization that communicates with consumers by telephone for non-marketing purposes on a regular basis; and (v) 1 of whom shall be a representative of an organization that advocates on behalf of customers and who has relevant experience and expertise in combating unlawful robocalls. (2) Appointment of representatives of private sector entities.-- (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, the members of the taskforce described in paragraph (1)(B) shall be jointly appointed by the Chairman of the Commission, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Attorney General. (B) Inability to reach agreement.-- (i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), if the Chairman of the Commission, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Attorney General cannot reach agreement regarding an appointment described in subparagraph (A), as determined by the Chairman of the Commission, the Chairman of the Commission shall make that appointment. (ii) Notice of appointments.--Not later than 48 hours before appointing a member to the taskforce under clause (i), the Chairman of the Commission shall provide notice of the proposed appointment to the commissioners of the Commission. (iii) Request for vote.--If, after receiving notice under clause (ii) of a proposed appointment under clause (i), a commissioner of the Commission requests that the proposed appointment be subject to a vote of the Commission, the Chairman of the Commission may not make that appointment unless a majority of the commissioners of the Commission vote to approve the appointment. (d) Report.-- (1) In general.--The taskforce shall prepare a report on unlawful robocalls, which shall contain recommendations and advice for Federal agencies with jurisdiction relevant to combating unlawful robocalls, and for Congress, regarding the most effective ways to combat unlawful robocalls made into the United States from outside the United States. (2) Matters to be studied.--In preparing the report required under paragraph (1), the taskforce shall-- (A) compare the estimated number of suspected unlawful robocalls made within the United States with the estimated number of unlawful robocalls made into the United States from outside the United States; (B) determine which foreign countries serve as the foreign points of departure for the highest volume of unlawful robocalls made into the United States; (C) determine the magnitude of financial loss and the number of instances of stolen identity that occur within the United States each year as a result of unlawful robocalls made from outside the United States; (D) examine methods for encouraging the adoption of caller identification authentication technology in foreign countries; (E) examine and provide information on options for how countries can collaborate on solutions to authenticate and verify international calls, including relevant analytics relating to unlawful robocalls and technical options that can be used with respect to that authentication and verification; (F) examine how better implementation of technical solutions, such as traceback and caller identification authentication technology in foreign originating countries, would improve coordination between the United States and foreign countries in combating unlawful robocalls; (G) determine whether-- (i) the technical standards commonly known as "STIR/ SHAKEN" adequately provide call authentication for unlawful robocalls from foreign originating providers or foreign intermediate providers through gateway providers in the United States; and (ii) it would be desirable to encourage other countries to adopt the standards described in clause (i); (H) examine ways to provide incentives to foreign countries to cooperate with law enforcement efforts in the United States to combat unlawful robocalls; (I) examine whether any Federal agency, or any other organization, that combats unlawful robocalls needs additional resources in order to more effectively combat unlawful robocalls made into the United States from outside the United States; (J) specifically consider whether the ability of the Attorney General to conduct enforcement activities with respect to unlawful robocalls would be increased through the establishment of an office within the Department of Justice dedicated to those enforcement activities; (K) examine how increased criminal penalties based on the volume of unlawful robocalls could help prevent unlawful robocalls made into the United States; (L) examine how many enforcement activities the Attorney General has undertaken in the year preceding the date on which the preparation of the report begins, including in response to referrals made by the Commission; (M) specifically determine how the Attorney General has pursued forfeiture amounts in enforcement activities with respect to unlawful robocalls; (N) seek input, as appropriate, from technologists and private sector innovators to find solutions for combating unlawful robocalls; (O) identify a list of best practices regarding the identification and blocking of unlawful robocalls that telephone service providers and providers of technology solutions can voluntarily implement to improve the effectiveness of mitigating unlawful robocalls made into the United States from outside the United States; (P) evaluate whether requiring periodic public disclosure, in whole or in part, of the results of trace backs conducted by the Consortium would impact the integrity and effectiveness of the trace back process of the Consortium, including by-- (i) revealing investigative methods; (ii) allowing consumers and businesses to avoid providers with a track record of making unlawful robocalls; (iii) exposing proprietary, competitively sensitive, or confidential information of legitimate providers or entities; (iv) strengthening accountability and deterrence; (v) enabling the initiators of unlawful robocalls to evade detection, adapt tactics, or exploit system vulnerabilities; (vi) improving the efforts of voice service providers to block calls that are determined to be unwanted based on reasonable analytics; (vii) impeding cooperation with future law enforcement investigations or future consumer protection efforts; or (viii) ensuring fairness in the reporting of trace back information; and (Q) examine mechanisms for improving compliance with the requirements imposed pursuant to sections 6 and 7 of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (47 U.S.C. 227b-1, 227 note). (3) Report to congress.--Not later than 360 days after the date on which the taskforce is established under subsection (b), the taskforce shall submit to Congress the report prepared under this subsection. (e) Use of Funds.--Notwithstanding section 1346 of title 31, United States Code, funds made available by this or any other Act to the Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, or the Department of Justice may be used by the applicable Federal agency for coordination with, participation in, or recommendations involving the taskforce, as required under this section. (f) Termination.--The taskforce shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the date on which the taskforce submits to Congress the report prepared under subsection (d), as required under paragraph (3) of that subsection. SEC. 3. FCC NOTICE PROVISION. Section 13(d)(2) of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (Public Law 116-105) is amended by striking "annually" and inserting "once every 3 years". SEC. 4. REGISTERED CONSORTIUM CONDUCTING PRIVATE-LED EFFORTS TO TRACE BACK THE ORIGIN OF SUSPECTED UNLAWFUL ROBOCALLS. (a) Immunity for Receiving, Sharing, and Publishing Trace Back Information.--Section 13(d) of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (Public Law 116-105; 133 Stat. 3287) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(3) Immunity for receiving, sharing, and publishing trace back information.-- "(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `covered information'-- "(i) means information regarding suspected-- "(I) fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful robocalls; "(II) illegally spoofed calls; and "(III) other illegal calls; and "(ii) includes-- "(I) call detail records of calls described in clause (i); "(II) the names of, and other identifying information concerning, the voice service providers that originated, carried, routed, and transmitted calls described in clause (i); and "(III) information about the entities that made calls described in clause (i), including any contact information of individuals that such an entity provided to the voice service provider that originated the call. "(B) Trace back immunity.--No cause of action shall lie or be maintained in any court against the registered consortium for receiving, sharing, or publishing covered information or information derived from covered information.". (b) Publication of List of Voice Service Providers.--Section 13(e) of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (Public Law 116-105; 133 Stat.

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3287) is amended to read as follows: "(e) List of Voice Service Providers.-- "(1) Publication of list.--The Commission, or the registered consortium in consultation with the Commission, may publish a list of voice service providers based on-- "(A) information obtained by the consortium about voice service providers that refuse to participate in private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls; and "(B) other information the Commission or the consortium may collect about voice service providers that are found to originate or transmit substantial amounts of unlawful robocalls. "(2) Enforcement.--The Commission may take enforcement action based on the information described in paragraph (1).". SEC. 5. ROBOCALL MITIGATION DATABASE. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commission.--The term "Commission" means the Federal Communications Commission. (2) Robocall mitigation database.--The term "Robocall Mitigation Database" has the meaning given the term in section 64.6300 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (3) Unlawful robocall.--The term "unlawful robocall" has the meaning given the term in section 2(a). (b) Bond Requirement.-- (1) In general.--The Commission shall issue rules to require that, subject to the other provisions of this section, before a provider may file a certification to the Robocall Mitigation Database, the provider shall post a bond in an amount that is not more than $100,000, if the Commission determines that posting such a bond is necessary to preserve the integrity of the Robocall Mitigation Database. (2) Excepted providers.-- (A) In general.--In issuing rules under paragraph (1), the Commission shall establish criteria to exempt a provider from the requirement to post a bond described in that paragraph if that requirement, as applied to the provider, is not necessary to deter unlawful robocall activity. (B) Considerations.--In establishing criteria under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall require consideration of whether a provider-- (i) is registered with the Commission under section 64.1195 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation) and makes contributions under section 254(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(d)); (ii) holds a certificate of authority, license, or registration with a State public utility commission; (iii) is an issuer, the securities of which are listed on a national securities exchange; and (iv) otherwise presents indicia of being a bona fide, established communications service provider, such that requiring the provider to post a bond under paragraph (1) would impose unnecessary burdens without materially improving enforcement of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227). (c) Implementation.--In implementing this section, the Commission shall-- (1) require the posting of a bond under subsection (b)(1) from providers that do not demonstrate-- (A) legitimate, ongoing operations; (B) regulatory oversight sufficient to ensure accountability; or (C) the ability to pay fines or forfeitures imposed by the Commission or other governmental enforcement authorities with respect to violations of Federal or State laws or regulations; (2) establish categorical exemptions for identifiable classes of legitimate providers that satisfy the criteria established under subsection (b)(2); and (3) minimize administrative and financial burdens on compliant, established, and regulated providers while ensuring effective enforcement of section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227). Mr. MORAN. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to. The bill (S. 2666), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Orders for Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Page S4414 · Official text

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4; 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, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 6500 postcloture; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. tomorrow for the weekly conference meetings and that all time during recess, adjournment, leader remarks, and morning business count postcloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6500.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Adjournment Until 10 A.m. Tomorrow

Page S4414 · Official text

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. 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 6:46 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10 a.m.