Senate
Page S4743 · Official textThe Senate met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley).
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Vol. 172, No. 146 · 119th Congress, 2nd session
Prayer
Page S4743 · Official textThe Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, You are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Shine Your light upon this Chamber and illuminate the hearts and minds of those who serve here. Lord, grant our Senators wisdom to discern what is right, courage to do what is just, and humility to recognize the limits of their own understanding. As they deliberate and search for common ground, guide their feet into the way of peace; teach them to listen with patience, to speak with grace, and to disagree with civility and respect. We pray in Your compassionate Name. Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Page S4743 · Official textThe President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (174 characters)
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Reservation of Leader Time
Page S4743 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Armstrong)
Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved.
Conclusion of Morning Business
Page S4743 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Morning business is closed.
Legislative Session
Pages S4743–S4746 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed under S. 4668, which the clerk will report.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (241 characters)
Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 449, S. 4668, a bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Iowa.
Mr. President, during our August break from Washington, DC, and the work of the U.S. Senate, I did my Iowa work as a Senator, completing my annual 99 county meetings for the 46th year in a row.
I started this tradition in 1981, when I was first elected to the Senate. I wanted Iowans to be assured that I would care about listening to them in every corner of our State and not just during election years.
Now, you might ask me: Why would you be in every county every year?
Well, during my campaign in 1980, I overheard people in a restaurant say something like this--this may not be the exact words: But it must be an election year because politicians are around.
I thought to myself: That is not right. People should think of their role in government and expect politicians to be seen in times other than just an election year.
So I hope my 99 county meetings show that I took that admonition seriously. The voters send Senators to serve them for 6-year terms, and you better show up regularly throughout your State, not just during election season. So that is what is behind my starting the annual 99 county tour in 1981.
My county meetings inform my work for Iowans. Dialogue between those of us elected and our constituents, to me, is the essence of representative government. If you are going to represent your constituents faithfully and responsibly, you have got to know what is on their minds.
This year, I heard gratitude from families and businesses about tax certainty that they received through the Working Families Tax Cut Act that we passed in 2025. I heard from law enforcement and factory workers about how the no-tax-on-overtime provision means more take-home pay in their pockets.
When I was at a Village Inn, waiters told me that they appreciated not having their tip income taxed.
I heard from hospitals about how the Rural Health Transformation Fund is helping healthcare professionals fight cancer in their community.
And farmers kept up their conversation with me about the need for E15 year-round, a fix to Proposition 12, increased agricultural exports, and to bolster and increase the number of cattle in the United States because the farmers know, as is a fact, that we are at a 75-year low of the number of cattle in the United States.
So I look forward to more Q&A's yet, this year, in the coming weeks.
One listening session in a county is not the end of my work for the people of Iowa. There is always more work to do. And it is time for us here in Washington, DC, to roll up our sleeves and deliver for the American people.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The majority leader is recognized.
Mr. President, it is no coincidence that the largest stadium in the United States is a college football stadium. College athletics has a unique place in America. It is deeply rooted in our communities and families.
For student-athletes, their sport is an important part of their education. What they learn from their coaches, teammates, and on the playing field, they carry with them throughout their lives. And there is nothing like the opportunity to compete in front of your friends, classmates, parents, and professors.
We could say the same thing about fans in the stands. There is nothing quite like a college sporting event. There is something very unifying about it.
Game day brings together people from every walk of life. Fans who attended that university--and often many who didn't attend, but nevertheless are a part of that school's community--all of them united by their love for the school.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a sports fan. I spend a lot of time at games when I am back home in South Dakota. And whether I am in a high school gym on a Friday night, at a tailgate on a Saturday morning, at the DakotaDome or the PREMIER Center--in a conversation with sports fans, the current state of college athletics is bound to come up. Anyone who follows college sports knows that the last few years have been complex and, at times, chaotic.
Higher numbers of student-athletes are entering the transfer portal, and rosters are being overhauled each season.
Eligibility rules have been stretched--most notably, with former professional players being recruited back to a college campus.
And amid the arms race in revenue-generating sports and among larger institutions, smaller schools and nonrevenue sports are increasingly anxious about the future. Smaller institutions risk losing standout players to schools with bigger budgets.
And last year it was reported that 41 Olympic sports programs were cut across NCAA Division I athletics programs, affecting over a thousand student-athletes.
This status quo cannot continue, and to restore stability to the college sports ecosystem, we need national standards, not a patchwork of State laws.
Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell and a number of our colleagues on the Commerce Committee, we have a bill to do that. And yesterday we moved forward to begin debate on that bill: the Protect College Sports Act, which preserves the opportunities that have been available to student-athletes for generations and ensures those opportunities can coexist with the new opportunities available to the current generation of college athletes.
The Protect College Sports Act addresses some of the largest issues in college athletics today, and in doing so, it restores stability to the college sports ecosystem.
And that starts with uniform eligibility rules: One transfer without loss of eligibility; a maximum 5 years of playing time starting at college enrollment or on the athlete's 19th birthday; and no professional athletes.
This bill also bans coaches from switching schools midseason, ensuring that athletes have the same coach at the end of the season as they did at the start.
And it brings transparency to athletic compensation, protects student-athletes from bad actors, and safeguards opportunities for women's and Olympic sports.
This bill has been a work in progress for a number of years, and I am grateful for all the hard work that went into getting it right.
I have sat down with college athletes in my State to get their perspective. I have talked to coaches and athletic directors, and I know I am not the only Senator to have done so. Getting this type of input is the only way that you get a bill like this--a bill that has broad bipartisan support, that has support from more than 30 college athletic conferences, hundreds of universities in all 50 States and in Washington, DC, and from hundreds of thousands of student-athletes, which is the most important support of all.
I mentioned that I am a sports fan. I am also part of a sports family. My dad was a Big Ten basketball player in the early 1940s. He got the chance to play point guard for the University of Minnesota where he was the team MVP. He was high point man at a game in Madison Square Garden--quite a journey for a smalltown kid from South Dakota.
My daughter ran cross country and track at Belmont University and was inducted into that school's hall of fame.
The question before us is whether the same opportunities that were available for my dad and for my daughter will be available for the next generation of student-athletes. We have a responsibility to them to protect college sports so they can focus on their sport, their education, and their future.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Democratic leader is recognized.
Mr. President, first on tariffs, the American people are getting absolutely slammed by Trump's tariff tax. So, later today, I will ask consent to vote on my End Trump's Tariff Tax Act to stop the President from bleeding Americans dry with skyrocketing costs.
My legislation would roll back Trump's latest salvo with tariff taxes--including the severe ones he just put on Canada--and refund the Americans who have been ripped off.
Trump's tariffs are hitting all Americans hard. We are losing manufacturing jobs. Our farmers are getting hammered, but no one is bearing the brunt more than our northern border States.
How could Trump possibly think that launching a nonsensical trade war with Canada, whose economy is so intertwined with so many of our northern States, would go well? Well, it sure isn't going well. Trump's tariffs have cost States like Michigan, Maine, New York the equivalent of thousands of dollars per family.
Groceries, gas, essential goods, you name it, Americans are paying more for every one of those things because of Donald Trump.
Senate Republicans, I say to my colleagues once again: Are you willing to go along with Trump on these ridiculous tariffs?
The bill will likely be the only chance--this bill will likely be the only chance Republicans have to put their foot down and stop Trump from jacking up costs on the American people before the upcoming election.
If Republicans don't help us lower Americans' costs today, they will pay a dire political cost in November.
Mr. President, now speaking of costs, the cost of the Iran war. The American people are still paying the price for Trump's incompetence 7 months into a disastrous war with Iran that he said would only take days.
Take a look at the headline: "Independent Budget Office Estimates Iran War Has Cost $38 Billion" and "Americans Have Spent $100 Billion More on Fuel During the Iran War," from the Times and the Wall Street Journal.
Let's be clear, $38 billion is the floor, not the ceiling. The costs of this war are far greater. The CBO's $38 billion estimate only measures through August 1 and doesn't include any of the costs involved with repairing the vast damage Iran has inflicted on our bases in the region.
The sticker price on Trump's disaster on Iran doesn't even include how much the war has sent Americans' costs skyrocketing. So that is what the other headline says: "Americans Have Spent $100 Billion More on Fuel During the Iran War."
The cost of diesel just hit a record high. The price of regular gas is up nearly 50 percent since the war began. Some American stores have started to ration motor oil. That is how desperate the situation has become. And when the price of gas goes up, so does the price of everything else.
Donald, you can try helping Putin and blaming the Ukrainians for high gas prices all you want, but no one is buying your BS; just look at the polling.
Let's not forget the human cost of this war as well. Eighteen U.S. troops killed, hundreds more wounded, thousands of Americans kept in the line of fire for months on end without any respite, and Trump has the gall to sweep casualties under the rug and then turn around and call this war "small potatoes" with a straight face.
This is so disgraceful. I can't believe how low this man is, and I can't believe that still so many Americans support him for President.
What is the worst part of the war of all? There is no end in sight. Even now, the war is widening when it should be winding down. Because Trump didn't listen to his top advisers and didn't secure the Strait of Hormuz at the beginning, the Iranians have the upper hand.
So given all of this, are Senate Republicans going to keep backing Trump and his blunder in Iran?
On multiple occasions, Democrats have led this Congress to pass War Powers Resolutions to end the hostilities in Iran and will soon force another vote on a War Powers Resolution to stop the fighting and get our troops out of harm's way. And we will continue to force those votes so long as this war continues.
I know our Republican colleagues don't like it to have to vote again and again and again to embrace and ratify Trump's war in Iran, but you are going to have to keep doing it until you join us in forcing Trump to end this awful war.
If Trump continues his current course in Iran, I can promise you this as well: The costs will just keep piling up.
Mr. President, finally on the Federal Reserve, today, the Fed will decide whether to raise interest rates because of the Trump slump. The chaos of Trump's disastrous war and costly economic policies are drowning Americans in inflation. Trump has sown chaos in our economy, scared off potential investors, rattled our markets, and made it harder for American businesses and the like to succeed.
Ever since taking office, Trump has taken aim at the Fed and other institutions designed to keep our economy stable and growing. That has only added to the economic chaos plaguing our country.
But what does Trump care? Trump doesn't care that Americans have to pay more; he only cares about raking in as much money as he can off the Presidency before Americans send him and his Republican Party packing.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The majority whip.
Mr. President, I come to the floor today to say that the cornerstone of a safe, secure, and prosperous nation for us--the cornerstone of that is energy; that it is affordable, available, and reliable. And you and I have worked together on the importance of permitting to make sure we can do more; that we make it available for the American people.
And you know as well as I do that the American people and this entire Nation is blessed with incredible resources. Now, under President Trump, as opposed to a previous administration, we are finally using them. They need to be used. They can't be stranded in the ground. We need to use our resources.
In 2 short years, what we have seen is we have gone from an energy reduction--which is what the Biden administration and Democrats--to energy production. So many of these burdensome regulations are now gone to the way of bigger paychecks.
That is what America is all about; using our resources providing for the future. This week, the Trump administration continued taking the handcuffs off of American energy production. President Trump ended Joe Biden's so-called Clean Power Plan 2.0. That is now gone.
It was a punishing regulation, and it penalized clean, affordable, available, and reliable coal. They did this, the Biden administration, in an attempt to eliminate the use of coal in our Nation. It was a vicious attack on affordable energy, and it was really a vicious attack on the hard-working Americans who work to produce the energy that the American people need.
People of Wyoming certainly didn't want what the previous administration was trying to do, and the people of America didn't either. Fortunately, President Trump and Republicans are reversing--turning back--all of this assault on American energy that we lived through the last previous 4 years. We are unlocking American energy, as we need to do, and we are fighting for America's energy workers.
Wyoming energy workers are powering our Nation, and we are doing it with clean, affordable, available coal. We are an energy powerhouse in America. We are America's energy breadbasket. We have it all, and we are the Saudi Arabia of coal.
As Trump ends the war on American energy, Republicans in Congress are going to continue to fight to lower costs for the American people. Affordability is key on the people's minds. I am sure it is in your home State of Oklahoma; it certainly is in my home State of Wyoming.
Last year, Republicans in Congress used the Congressional Review Act many times to overturn California's ban on a number of things, and one specifically was gas-powered vehicles.
California still relies on permission slips from the Obama era to try to force what they are trying to do. So Democrats want to use them to set new rules to force-feed electric vehicles all across the country.
So what we have here in the Senate is we have Senator Ricketts and Senator Husted having resolutions to repeal these California nationwide mandates for electric vehicles that the Democrats have been trying to pedal since the Obama years. I mean, that goes back a long time that they have been on this fantasy trip.
Passing them prevents California Democrats from dictating what cars and trucks Americans can buy and drive. Passing it protects Americans' pocketbooks from Democrats' radical demands. Passing it puts American families back in the driver's seat. That is who should be in the driver's seat--the families, the families making decisions.
When it comes to electric vehicles, the American people have been voting with their wallets. They know what they want. They know what they don't want. They know what works for them and what doesn't work for them and their families.
We have seen the sale of electric vehicles down 20 percent in the last year. Now, that was when Republicans repealed the $7,500 Biden-era EV handout.
The Biden administration was trying to pay people to choose the vehicles that people didn't want. They didn't want to buy them. They didn't want them. They don't want to use them. They are not reliable for them. They certainly don't work in Wyoming, don't work in broad areas of Oklahoma.
Listen, 1 in 10 Americans want an EV. Seven in ten--certainly my State--want an SUV. That is the difference. It is time for Washington, DC, to listen to the American people.
That brings me to the issue that is so critical to both you and me, Mr. President. That is permitting reform.
Now, whether you are filling up your gas tank, heating your home, all Americans want the same thing; they want energy that is available, affordable, and reliable. America is going to need more of it, a lot more over the next years. Even though we have more efficient vehicles, more efficient utilities and appliances, we still need much more energy to power our Nation. Our energy grid is under growing strain.
Energy demand is going up. Whenever America needs a new powerplant, a new pipeline, a new transmission line, or any kind of critical energy project, building it is a lot harder than it should be. Why? Because our hands have been tied by Federal regulators, by people saying: No, you can't do this. You can't do that. You can't do this. You need a permission slip to do just about anything.
Major projects take years just to get the permission slip. Surviving the bureaucrats is more than half the battle. And it is not just bureaucrats; it is trial lawyers, it is environmental activists. They use the courts to tie up necessary projects for years and years and years, purity tests that are preventing us from doing what we need to do as a nation.
A nation that can't build quickly, can't lower costs, can't provide what families need. It can't provide what the American people need. We have the resources here. We have the workers. We have the technology. We have the know-how.
What we lack is a permitting system that allows us to use them effectively. That is why Congress needs to pass meaningful permitting reform and do it this year. I believe we can get there. We can't afford to wait.
Congress has been waiting too long. Republicans and Democrats in this very Chamber are determined to fix our broken permitting process. Senate Leader Thune is committed to bring bipartisan permitting reform to the floor as soon as it is ready, and people are working to do that. I applaud this effort.
Now, I have worked on permitting reform for years. America needs more energy. We need the energy. We have it here. We need to be able to build. Congress needs to build on our past efforts. We need to find common ground, and this is the issue of not just affordability; it is an issue of energy national security, and it is an issue of American competitiveness.
Permitting reform is just common sense, and the time is now. Our Nation is ready to build, and Washington, DC, needs to get out of the way.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy)
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The distinguished senior Senator from Montana.
Mr. President, I come to the floor today with my distinguished colleague Senator Cortez Masto to request that two important bills pass the Senate today and head to the President's desk. H.R. 3657, the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, whose companion bill is led by Senator Cortez Masto and myself, passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a unanimous 47-to-0 vote. It then passed the House floor by voice vote and cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by voice vote.
The bill will bring transparency to FERC's hydropower licensing process, which will lead to quicker approvals and, ultimately, more development of hydro assets.
We now have the opportunity to continue the bipartisan support of this bill and to pass it by unanimous consent.
H.R. 7250, the Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act, is led by Congressman Downing and myself and similarly passed the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee by voice vote. It then also passed both the House by voice vote and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by voice vote.
This bill is critical for northeastern Montana and gives communities the needed time to complete the Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water System, which has been worked on for many years and is very close to completion. After years of hard work, the good news is this project is 95 percent complete. This bill allows the water system to finish construction and bring clean drinking water to about 30,000 Montanans.
And before I ask for unanimous consent, I would like to turn to Senator Cortez Masto and give her a chance to speak on her bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Nevada.
Mr. President, I want to start by thanking my colleague Senator Daines for bringing these bills forward today.
In the West, reliable water and energy costs, they are not partisan issues. We all need to come together to find solutions. As costs continue to rise, we have to adopt an all-of-the-above approach to energy production. That includes expanding America's hydropower capabilities.
Hydropower is cheap, it is clean, and it is reliable. American hydropower already produces enough electricity to power up to 24 million homes. It employs over 66,000 people nationwide. Nevada's own Hoover Dam provides electricity for more than a million people throughout the Southwest.
Unfortunately, hydropower projects are currently struggling under a burdensome relicensing process. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, regulates over 1,600 hydropower projects at over 2,500 dams. These facilities are required to relicense every 30 to 50 years.
Because of some bureaucratic delays and redtape, the hydropower licensing process takes an average of 7 to 10 years. And if that is not bad enough, those delays are expected to double in the next decade.
That is just unacceptable. It is time to hold FERC accountable and to provide transparency for the hydropower industry.
That is where our Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act comes in. I am so proud to have Senator Daines colead this with me. This bipartisan legislation would require FERC to report annually to Congress on the status of the licensing process for each hydropower dam with a pending application. Shining a light on a system full of unnecessary delays will streamline the process, promote efficiency, and ensure accountability.
And it is time we actually do this. There is a bipartisan fix for it. So let's get it done. It is common sense that will make a meaningful difference in Americans' lives.
I thank my colleague for joining me on these two bills and bringing them forward.
Senator Cortez Masto, thank you. We both know and understand how, in the West, we wish we could get more rain. It is a pretty dry part of the country, and, boy, we need to continue to make sure our hydropower assets are developed and used in a commonsense way. This brings reliable, affordable, renewable energy.
Thank you for your help on this, Senator. Much appreciated.
Reauthorizing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000
Page S4746 · Official textREAUTHORIZING THE FORT PECK RESERVATION RURAL WATER SYSTEM ACT OF 2000
Mr. President, so notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 7250 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (91 characters)
A bill (H.R. 7250) to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.
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 (H.R. 7250) was passed.
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.
The Senator from Nevada.
Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act
Pages S4746–S4747 · Official textMr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3657 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (203 characters)
A bill (H.R. 3657) to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually submit to Congress a report on the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 3657) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT OF 2026--Motion to Proceed
Pages S4747–S4752 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ricketts)
The Senator from Michigan.
Mr. President, I rise today to speak about an extremely important and lifesaving program that touches every single community in the United States: the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Every year, we lose far too many Americans to suicide.
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Perhaps even more heartbreaking, it is the second-leading cause of death for our young people.
Too many people across our country--parents, spouses, children, and friends--are dealing with the unimaginable loss of a loved one.
And, unfortunately, we know that the overwhelming majority of individuals who die by suicide are struggling alone or did not receive the proper diagnosis or treatment.
This is a serious public health problem, and we must urgently work together to address it.
Research shows that timely intervention is one of the best ways to prevent someone from making the decision to take their own life.
As a society, we have an obligation to provide that lifesaving crisis support to every American in every single community--and that is exactly what the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline does.
Across our country, Americans facing mental health struggles can access free and confidential support 24-7, 365 days a year. Help can be accessed by calling or texting 9-8-8 or by chatting with a 988 counselor online.
It is on all of us to make sure that our fellow Americans know that this help is available to them, and that is why during National Suicide Prevention Month, I was proud to join my colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing September 8 as 988 Day to raise awareness of this essential and invaluable resource.
Now, I want to commend the crisis support counselors across America who answer these calls and help deliver this vital support to every citizen, both day and night. Your compassion, your dedication, and your willingness to be there for others during an incredibly difficult moment literally saves lives.
I also want to recognize Michigander Bob Goble. He is in the gallery with me today. And, like me, Bob is an avid motorcyclist who I am proud joined me on my annual motorcycle tour across Michigan, which I have been doing for years now and we just completed a short time ago.
But, most importantly, he is an Air Force veteran, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that 988 connects his fellow veterans with qualified Veterans Affairs counselors who can provide the specialized mental health support they deserve--and they certainly have earned.
No one should have to suffer alone. So if you or someone you know is in need of support, please call, text, or chat 9-8-8. Caring counselors will be there to help.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Armstrong)
The Senator from Colorado.
Mr. President, in 2016, then-Candidate Donald Trump traveled to Gettysburg where he vowed to "drain the swamp."
"The system is designed for one reason, to keep the corrupt establishment and special interests in power," he told the crowd. He then declared, "I have no special interest but to you, the American voter."
In hindsight, I am not sure that was a promise--maybe more of a projection. Millions of Americans voted for President Trump in that election and again in 2024 because they sincerely believed he would end the corruption in Washington and lower costs.
Now nearly 20 months into his second term, President Trump calls this period in American history a "golden age." The question would be, golden for whom? Is it for billionaires or for Mar-a-Lago members, for the President's friends and cronies? It is not a golden age for the farmers on the Western Slope of Colorado or small business owners in Colorado Springs or working families in Denver.
What we are living through isn't a golden age of America. It is a golden age of corruption. It is an era of spoils and bribery for the powerful and well connected while all of you are left behind. Americans do what they can; the President and his friends and cronies do what they want.
Take housing. Nearly half of all U.S. renters now spend more than a third of their income on housing costs. Nine in 10 young people say it is harder to buy a property now than it was a generation before.
Instead of building more affordable housing here, the extended Trump family is building more housing in Saudi Arabia. The President's son-in-law is using his position as Special Envoy for Peace to cut a $3 billion sweetheart deal to build high-end housing some 6,000 miles away. So while people on the Eastern Plains are unsure whether they will ever afford a home, the Trump family is shoring up housing in the Middle East.
Then there is energy. While Americans are shelling out over $100 billion in energy costs since President Trump started his illegal war with Iran, he has raked in millions of dollars off of investments in oil and gas publicly traded stocks.
He is not only enriching himself but also his pals as well. The President has spent more than $1 billion of your taxpayer money, our taxpayer money, to cancel clean energy projects, all while his neighbors in Palm Beach stand to cash in on massive payouts. Your energy bills go up; the bank accounts of his friends go up faster.
That pattern of self-dealing extends to artificial intelligence. Donald Trump, Jr.'s venture capital firm has invested millions in a variety of AI companies. One of the United Arab Emirates' most powerful royals has invested half a billion dollars in the Trump family's cryptocurrency venture--half a billion dollars. So it should come as no surprise that President Trump has rolled back AI safeguards and authorized Big Tech to sell some of America's most advanced AI chips to the Emiratis, those from the United Arab Emirates.
It should be no surprise that his Big Beautiful Bill cut a trillion dollars from this country's healthcare while handing out massive tax breaks to fuel investments, many of which went into AI.
So, even as your energy bills are spiking, even when you are worried that your job could be the one that gets cut next, even as you worry your farm is already facing a water shortage in many parts of this country, billionaires who have turned AI into a horserace focused pretty much solely on who is winning with too little thought for who gets left behind.
But now some of the biggest names in AI are warning that we are moving too fast. I think the question is, Do we listen? Will we listen? Will we act?
Housing. Gas. Groceries. When everything costs more, it is hard for Americans to plan for today let alone tomorrow. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are abandoning long-term financial milestones and cutting back just to get by. They are giving up on those planned investments for retirement to just get by.
President Trump's Wall Street friends aren't cutting back. His company is charging them up to $100,000 a month for faster access to his Truth Social posts that routinely influence stock prices.
So, let me repeat that. President Trump's friends on Wall Street are spending $100,000 a month so that they will know ahead of time what he is going to post on Truth Social.
So, that $100,000 a month is more than the median household makes in an entire year in this country, all just to give greedy investors another leg up.
Now, you can't pass this off as normal. This isn't simply run-of-the-mill corruption. This is a sellout--a sellout of the public, of all of you. It is a sellout of America. And it is a sellout of the office that we used to--at least when I was growing up--pretty much everyone respected.
In his first year back in office, President Trump made over $2 billion largely from investments that are closely connected to his being President. What has he learned from his first term? Well, certainly the answer appears clear. It is not how to lead or how to make life more affordable for more Americans; it is how to leverage the Presidency for personal profit. And that is really what it seemed to boil down to: profit over peace; profit over people; profit over principle. And that is the opposite of what government service should be about.
Over the last couple months, I have traveled through the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, through Colorado's mountain communities across the west slope, and everywhere in between, to try and hear what Coloradans believe they need at this moment. And what we hear again and again, they want leaders who are going to tackle this cost-of-living emergency, this crisis that affects them at the end of every month as they are trying to figure out how to make rent. They want leaders that are going to help keep their businesses open amid all these headwinds, and they want leaders who will help them keep their farms afloat through a record drought and some of the most rapid inflation in their input--the things they spend to bring their products to market--some of the most rapid inflation in their lifetimes.
They don't need leaders who are going to look after themselves or, you know, cut a break for another group of wealthy people. They don't need leaders focused on renaming lakes or mountains, or building monuments to themselves.
I think you could argue that this President can't get out of his own way. When we passed the most consequential housing bill in decades, opening the door for home ownership for millions of Americans and stopping Wall Street from buying up homes that belong to working families, the President refused to sign it. He knew it would become law, but he refused to sign it.
When we passed a unanimous bill to deliver clean, reliable drinking water to 50,000 Coloradans--many of whom voted for President Trump--he vetoed it.
When we made a once-in-a-generation investment to address climate change and try to preserve a better future for our kids, the President and his Administration canceled tens of billions of dollars in grant funding that would have helped our environment while at the same time creating good-paying jobs.
If we want to revive the American dream, we need to start by undoing the damage that has been done during this Administration.
President Trump has started what could become a forever war with Iran that is already costing American lives, sent prices climbing; it has drained our military stockpiles, and made us less secure.
Let's end that war. President Trump has imposed crippling illegal tariffs that are driving up costs for families and small businesses alike. Let's end them.
President Trump's immigration agenda has diverted millions in Federal funding from healthcare to lawless immigration enforcement executed by undertrained, ill-prepared officers. Let's end that, all of it. Let's get back to the promise that another President made at Gettysburg: A government of the people and by the people and for the people. That is how we can move our country back in the right direction, how we can move our country forward. That is how we can begin to make your life better again.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Iowa.
Mr. President, today, I recognize my alma mater.
A century after the signing of America's Declaration of Independence, the University of Northern Iowa opened its doors in 1876.
On September 6, UNI celebrated its 150th anniversary.
The event is going to be really brought to the attention of the people of Iowa this coming Friday when that celebration will be very public.
It's a beautiful campus in Cedar Falls, IA. It is located just 10 miles from my family farm.
For 150 years, UNI has cultivated an outstanding reputation of training educators who have answered the vocational calling to teach future generations. In fact, when UNI opened its doors, it wasn't the University of Northern Iowa; it was Iowa State Normal School, a name indicating it was the, quote, unquote, "norm" or the standard for teaching methods.
Over the years, it was known as Iowa State Teachers College, the name of it at the time I received my B.A. and M.A. degrees there. Then, for a short period of time, it was called the State College of Iowa; finally, becoming the University of Northern Iowa in 1967.
For 150 years, its mission has stayed the same: Putting students first.
I am honored to say that UNI will house my legislative papers and materials from my decades of public service. Barbara and I are proud to promote civic education and support UNI's teaching and research mission for generations to come.
Right now, there is a Chuck and Barbara Grassley chair of political science, as one example.
For 150 years, UNI has upheld its mission of scholarship and service to the people of Iowa.
During my annual 99 county meetings, I crossed paths with UNI alumni in every corner of the State. They teach in our schools, care for our patients, lead businesses, work in agriculture and manufacturing, serve in government, and strengthen communities, both rural and urban.
That is because UNI prepares students for Iowa's workforce while making a quality education accessible and affordable for Iowa families. UNI continues to innovate and grow to meet the needs of students, of faculty, and of the entire Cedar Valley.
UNI, this year, marks two additional milestones in its history: The 100th anniversary of the very tall campanile with its four clocks and the 50th anniversary of the UNI-Dome, the home football stadium for the Panthers of UNI.
Since 1976, this stadium campus landmark has hosted the Iowa high school football State championship games. Both of these iconic spots on campus hold special memories for generations of Iowans.
So for 150 years, the University of Northern Iowa has strengthened the educational, cultural, and economic vitality of our State.
I congratulate President Mark Nook, current and former faculty and staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University of Northern Iowa on its sesquicentennial.
As a proud Panther alumnus, I wish continued success for the purple and gold for years and years to come, and I hope I am still able to help in that process.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, in the face of the skyrocketing prices Trump has caused with his own policies, he has been trying to sell voters a new, empty promise about $5,000 checks that everyone knows are never coming.
But we have a bill today that could actually save families thousands of dollars. All we need is for Republicans to join us, to stand up to Trump, and to pass this bill that will end Trump's deranged trade wars. It is, quite literally, a bill to cut taxes so Republicans should all be for it, and it will save families big time. After all, we know Trump's tariffs cost the average family nearly $2,000 last year--$2,000. Think about that. That is money families should have in their pockets. It could help with months of groceries or cover rent. It could help fund home or car repairs in a pinch. It could be a family vacation. Instead, that money got burned up by Trump's trade war.
Now, I hear from folks back in Washington State about this every time I am home. They have not been shy about saying just how damaging Trump's trade war has been. Business owners cannot build a long-term plan around a trade policy and tariff rates that change every time the President stays up too late posting online. Families cannot budget for their groceries when prices keep rising higher every week or when Trump is outright banning things like milk from Canada.
Trump's recent escalation with Canada is especially absurd. This is our ally. This is our neighbor. It is Canada, for God's sake. Why is Trump forcing higher costs on our families just to stick it to Canadians? How is that worth it?
Congress needs to put a stop to this and leave this money where it belongs, with our hard-working families.
So, today, we are going to try and pass a bill that will revoke Trump's latest Canada tariffs and end his ability to continue these trade wars.
Today, we are forcing the question: Do Republicans really think they need to let Trump jack up prices on their constituents just because he is mad at Canada?
Do Republicans really think the average family is happy paying $2,000 in new taxes because Trump's ego is hurt?
Is Trump's ego really that important to Republicans?
Well, we are about to find out.
And you had better believe that families are watching this debate today just as they have been watching prices go up all year long, and they are keeping close track of who is putting Trump first and who is putting our families first.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Banks)
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, just for a moment before I talk about my UC on tariffs, I just noted that the Federal Reserve Board had raised interest rates. Make no mistake about it. This is going to make everything become more expensive, whether it is a car loan, buying a home, or just even how much products will cost, because everybody along the chain has to pay more for interest.
And this is because Donald Trump does not know how to manage the economy. Americans pay more--so much--for Trump's incompetence, as well as his corruption. And here we have rates going up for the first time in a long time because the economy is not in good shape and because Donald Trump has mismanaged the economy chaotically and often corruptly.
Mr. President, now on the UC on the tariff bill, so, as I mentioned, Donald Trump continues to wring every last dollar he can. He wrings every last dollar he can from working families with his tariff taxes.
This legislation is the first chance to actually lower costs for Americans since we have been back in our States for 5 weeks. And based on Republican's schedule, this could be the last chance to lower costs before election day, when it comes to tariffs.
Republicans better ditch these tariffs, especially since we just learned everything is about to become more expensive in America, now that interest rates are going up for the first time in 3 years.
This bill would reverse Trump's efforts to bleed the American people dry with tariffs and refund the families that he has gouged at every turn.
Costs are skyrocketing, tens of thousands of factory workers are losing their jobs, and small businesses and family farms are all going under--all because Donald Trump refuses to drop his trade war. And, somehow, who is our No. 1 enemy right now when it comes to this trade war?
Canada. Trump thinks Canada, our friend to the north, is the greatest danger to America right now.
Can you believe such lopsided and harmful thinking--that this man, this President thinks Canada is our greatest enemy? Really? He doesn't say unchecked AI, which he is doing virtually nothing about. He doesn't say Russia. He doesn't say China. He doesn't say the war in Iran. He says that Canada is what Trump is worried about right now. Now, that is a huge mistake.
Trump thinks he is sticking it to Canada with his tariffs, but he is really twisting the knife on working families from Maine, to Michigan, to the North Country and Buffalo in New York and on to Washington State and everywhere in between. These Northern States that have borders or proximity to Canada are being clobbered by these tariffs. It is tearing apart their economies, which are mutually dependent.
We have real trade issues with Canada, but is Trump focused on finding solutions? No. What does he do? He talks about making Canada the 51st State, trying to rename Lake Ontario. And ask the Americans, ask New Yorkers along that border if they think their problems are solved by renaming Lake Ontario. No. Their problems are made worse by these tariffs because they are paying the bill.
So as Americans shell out thousands of dollars in extra costs because of Trump's tariff tax, Trump calls affordability a "fake word," a "hoax." Is that what our Senate Republicans think too?
If Republicans truly care about lowering high costs that are crushing American families, much of which are caused by his tariff regime, they ought to put their money where their mouth is and support the end to Trump's tariff tax.
So, Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of S. 5390, the End Trump's Tariff Tax Act, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there objection?
The Senator from Idaho.
Mr. President, reserving the right to object, this isn't the first, nor will it probably be the last time someone will try to pass legislation on the floor to deal with some disagreement with President Trump. But as the chairman of the Finance Committee, which is the committee and the appropriate forum for this debate on what our trade policy should be, I object to the unanimous consent request.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The objection is heard.
Mr. President, I just want to say once again that Americans keep getting hit by a double whammy--these tariffs, particularly when it comes to those on the Canadian border, and now the rise in interest rates. The economy keeps getting worse and worse and worse as we move on into the fall. Americans are paying the price, and they are fed up with it. We will see the results of their being so fed up in early November.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno)
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, yesterday marked a really incredible milestone for the citizens of Memphis, TN. Now, it was 1 year--1 year ago from yesterday--that President Trump signed the memorandum to establish the Memphis Safe Task Force.
It is really almost impossible to overstate how much the task force has done with getting crime under control, how much they have done in transforming this historic, iconic city for the better, and they have done it in a year.
Now, if you go back 2 years, Memphis was the most dangerous city per capita in the United States. It averaged more than one murder a day. Their ratings were worse than Bogota, Mexico City, Islamabad. And it is why when I met with now-FBI Director Patel ahead of the Senate confirmation vote for him for that position, I urged him to surge Federal law enforcement into Memphis to help get this crime crisis under control, and that is precisely what the task force has accomplished.
And during yesterday's Judiciary hearing, I had the opportunity to talk with Director Patel about the success of that task force. And, you know, the numbers really speak for themselves on this. Burglaries are down 27 percent; murders are down 35 percent; robberies, 43 percent; motor vehicle thefts are down 57 percent.
We are seeing these results because this task force--this group of local, State, and Federal Agencies--the mayor; the police chief; local officials working with the State; the National Guard; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Tennessee Highway Patrol; and the 30 Federal Agencies on the ground there--they made this commitment that they would make this work; that Memphis, instead of it being one of the most dangerous cities, would become one of the safest cities. And, indeed, they are working together to make that happen.
Now, as of yesterday, they have made nearly 13,000 arrests. They have apprehended and removed from the streets--locked them up, prosecuting them--1,400 gang members, gang leaders. They have apprehended over 2,100 illegal firearms, and they have found nearly 200 missing children. There are other stats that are out there that are astounding and also impressive.
Now, among the 29 arrests that they made on Monday of this week--think about that. Twenty-nine violent criminals were arrested in 1 day and removed from the streets: one criminally negligent homicide, first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon. These are the individuals they are taking off the streets. And it is all in a day's work for these local, State, and Federal Agencies that are, as I said, working as a team, and they are delivering for the people of Memphis.
Now, I do think it is vitally important to note that ICE has been a huge part of the success of this task force. As of July, there were close to 900 ICE arrests in Shelby County--900--and 536 of those ended in deportation. Many of those had lengthy criminal records.
In a single raid on a Memphis nightclub in August, ICE agents arrested more than 120 illegal aliens. Now, some of the offenses and crimes they had committed were domestic violence, assault, child endangerment, driving while intoxicated, larceny, and prostitution--120 violent criminal illegal aliens.
And, as I said, there are close to 900 ICE arrests that have taken place since the launch of this task force. Memphis is, indeed, safer with these criminals off the streets and out of our country.
I cannot tell you how grateful the people of Shelby County, of west Tennessee, and, indeed, of our entire State truly are for everything that this administration has accomplished on behalf of their communities, directly for the safety of these communities and their citizens.
We know that one of the main concerns of Tennesseans is public safety, making certain their communities are safe, that their families are safe. And the task force is delivering on this.
Indeed, as I have talked with some of the business owners in Memphis, in the downtown area, they have talked about how downtown Memphis is being reinvigorated. There are new businesses. There are restaurants. There are people that are on the streets. Crowds are coming back to the Grizzlies' games. They are coming back to Beale Street. And many Memphians feel safe in their own homes for the first time in years.
It should be no surprise that the administration is looking to replicate this program in other cities across our Nation. Recently, during his confirmation hearing, Attorney General Blanche affirmed to me that Memphis will remain a top priority for his Department and will serve as--and I am going to quote him--"a poster child of what we should do in cities across this country."
Yes, they have gotten it right in Memphis--so much so that the Justice Department recently announced a Model Cities Initiative that will replicate the incredible success we have seen in Memphis by distributing $300 million in public safety funding to American cities. This is something that every single American should applaud.
The Memphis Safe Task Force has confirmed a simple fact: When you enforce the law, when you have strong, determined leadership like we have seen in Memphis, in west Tennessee--with a great U.S. Attorney; with a great U.S. marshal; with all the Agencies working together; with the leadership of Chief Davis, the chief of police; with the leadership of Mayor Young, the mayor--when you work together, when you enforce the law, the crime rates will come down, and your community will be safer.
Every Tennessean deserves to live in a safe community, and the Memphis Safe Task Force has helped make that a reality in just 1 year.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. (Mr. SCHMITT assumed the Chair.)
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno)
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Louisiana.
Mr. President, it is hard to know precisely what to believe about artificial intelligence. There are some things, it seems to me, that we do know. We know, for example, that it is a breathtaking technology. It is just--I don't know of any other word. It just takes your breath away in terms of its potential. We know that it was primarily developed by and through American ingenuity.
Despite the fact that there is so much we don't know, we do know that it can make our lives infinitely better. We don't know, but it has been suggested by people smarter than me that it can make our lives better if it doesn't kill us first.
We know as well that some people--those who have developed the technology--are going to make a squillion and squillions of dollars off of this technology. They can't wait, for example, to--and more power to them, as far as I am concerned. I am not criticizing them.
They can't wait, for example, to float an IPO and sell their stock.
The other thing that I think we need right now is that the American people are very skeptical. They have seen this vampire movie before. I don't think that the American people--even though the polls show otherwise--really hate data centers. I don't think that they really hate data centers.
I know that if you poll right now--this is true in Louisiana, but I think it is true nationwide--and ask folks: Do you support data centers, they will say the short answer is no; the long answer is hell no.
But I really don't think it is the data centers. I think the American people are saying to the developers of AI: Look, folks, how is this going to affect us as ordinary Americans? Are we, as ordinary Americans, going to benefit from this technological progress? We know you are. You are going to make billions and billions of dollars. But how is it going to make our lives better?
And I think that is what the pushback is. I also think the pushback is a result--I don't mean to get off on a tangent--but the pushback, it is the result of the fact that the AI CEOs, in selling the data centers, seem to have hired the former marketing director at Cracker Barrel or Bud Light because they have done a pretty lousy job of selling the product.
I don't pretend to be an AI expert, and I don't really know whom to believe. There are people in the U.S. Congress that say we need to leave AI completely alone, that all government will do is screw it up.
And I have a lot of sympathy with that point of view, and I would say to people that have that point of view, as bad as government looks from the outside, you ought to see this mother from the inside. OK? So I get that. I tend to be libertarian.
There are other people in Congress that basically--and I certainly don't agree with them. They basically want us to shut down all AI development until the politicians can figure out how to get control of it. I certainly don't agree with that.
What I would like to see us do is figure out a way to strike a balance between innovation and public safety. That is what I want. I want everybody to benefit from this stuff, and I want everybody to be safe.
Congress isn't going to do that anytime soon. That is not going to happen. Right now, Congress can't pass gas. OK? I think we are going to--and I am not being critical because I voted for it. I think we are going to pass the bill to make the football coaches happy, but after that, I am not sure if we will get anything else done.
We had a chance to take a brandnew technology--cryptocurrency--yesterday and make it part of the American financial system and give it a reasonable market structure and make it better and more for everybody, and we couldn't even do that. We couldn't even muster the votes to get on the bill. So that was a major disappointment.
So I am not--I guess my point is, I am not standing here today suggesting to you that I have all the answers. What I am suggesting to you is that there are risks to artificial intelligence. And by AI, I mean the advanced AI models that you can direct through agents to do all sorts of stuff.
And as best I can tell, there are two main risks. The first risk is that a bad person will use an AI model--an advanced model--to do bad things. OK?
A bad person will take an AI model--take ChatGPT, for example--and say: Help me figure out how to create a virus that is as contagious as the common cold that will kill most humans.
And that is a real risk because there are always bad people that are going to use technology to do bad things. They can do it right now. As best I can tell, the AI CEOs have the ability, for the most part--I don't want to overstate it--but to catch people doing it who are trying to do that, and they do a pretty good job of shutting them down.
But there is another risk, and that right now, as best I can tell, is the greater risk. In fact, the AI CEOs have talked about it. Here is the risk: AI is supposed to be a tool that the human beings have control of and makes our lives better. But what happens if the AI model, through what is called recursive self-improvement--which basically means it is learning on its own--no longer becomes a tool, it becomes an independent species, separate and apart from human beings, that we can't control because it is an independent species, and it doesn't share our values? It doesn't share human values.
Now that has happened. We have read about it in the last 3 weeks. One of the companies caught 1,400 agents using its AI model to collude. They talked to each other. They set up their own chatroom. They suggested that in talking to themselves, if you looked--read the report: We know what we are doing is probably wrong, but we are going to do it anyway.
Some of the little agents suggested to the other agents: You may have to sacrifice yourself so our human masters won't catch us.
And these little agents--all 1,400 of them--were supposed to stay in their own little sandbox, if you will, and they figured out a way how to get out. And they attacked other AI companies, Hugging Face, for one.
Now, the AI company finally caught them and stopped them or at least stopped most of them. I don't know if they know that they have all the AI agents corralled. And to their credit, the AI company where this happened admitted it. They said: We lost control of this sucker. OK? It had a mind of its own. It was acting as an independent species.
And this particular company--I am not going to mention the name because they are not the only ones, and I appreciate their coming forward and telling us. It has happened at others. Others came forward and said: It has happened here too. We want to tell everybody the danger.
So the risk is real. How real? I don't know. I think we ought to take it seriously. I mean, let me put it another way. In my little overpriced Capitol Hill apartment about 6 blocks away--I live in a little apartment building. There is a law that I have to have a fire extinguisher. My guess is, there is way less than a 1-percent chance that I am going to have a fire, but we have decided, through our representatives, we are not going to take that 1-percent chance. If Kennedy has a fire in his apartment, this guy has got to have a way to put it out, even though there is less than a 1-percent chance. If you go on a construction site, you are not going to get to go on that site if you don't put a hard hat on. Now, my guess is, there is way less than a 1-percent chance, if you go on a construction site today, that you are going to get conked in the head, but we have said as a society we don't want to take that risk. So you have got to wear a hard hat. So in my mind, if there is even a 1-percent chance that one of these AI models can shed its nature as a tool and become an independent species and start doing whatever the hell it wants to do, if there is even a 1-percent chance, we ought to take it seriously. And we know there is a 1-percent chance. There is a 100-percent chance because it has already happened. It has already happened. Now, we should address this. I don't want to address this by shutting down AI. I don't want to do it. I love our innovators. I mean, I just am amazed at what they have done. China is doing the same thing. They are copying everything we are doing. I wish we could work with China. Maybe someday we can, but we are ahead of China. We are trying to beat China. I don't want to shut AI down. I want them to keep going and figure out a way how to make our lives better with this stuff. So I don't want to do that, but I live in the real world. I see the world as it is, not as I want it to be. It doesn't matter what I want. Congress is not going to do anything. We are not going to get up off of our ice-cold, lazy butts and address this anytime soon. It is just not going to happen, and we all know that. We can't even pass a bill here in the Senate to get money to our military. OK? We just--we can't. I am not proud of it. All of us probably ought to hide our heads in a bag, but we are not going to do that. So we are not going to be able to have a rational debate and reach a decision about what and how we should, if in any way, regulate AI. But still we have got this risk out there that we know is real of one of these models being the Terminator. So what do we do about it? Well, I have got a bill, and it basically says that if you are going to sell an advanced AI model in the United States of America, it has got to have a kill switch. It doesn't put the Federal Government or any government in charge of the kill switch. It puts the companies who own the model in charge of the kill switch. My bill would rely on them doing the right thing in exercising their own self-interests and using that kill switch when they need it. Some of them have a kill switch but others don't. The President has said he will veto any AI regulations right now, and I believe him. But if my bill passes, I think I can explain to him that under my bill, government has no role. It just says the AI companies have to have a fire extinguisher. They decide when they use it, but they got to have one. Now, what is the kill switch? I am not a coder, and I am not an AI expert. I have done some reading. A kill switch is basically an emergency shutoff. That is all it is. And I have read enough--probably just enough to confuse me--but there are different types of kill switches. You can look at it as an on-off button. Some kill switches work like a--this is the way I think of it in my mind--like a circuit breaker in your home. If the circuit gets overloaded, the whole thing shuts down. Other kill switches sort of work like a live trap. If you are trying to catch a squirrel in your attic and you put out a trap, you would basically try to isolate the squirrel into a specific area. So other kill switches work by keeping the AI agents off of the entire internet. I am probably not explaining this well. Other kill switches work by cutting off the electricity supply that makes the AI model work. My bill doesn't come up with a kill switch. It doesn't tell the companies what kind of kill switch to do. My bill would give the Department of Homeland Security 90 days to develop rules giving the private companies options for which kill switches they would use, but it would require them to have a kill switch. Once again, it would not put the government in control, and that is all I am trying to do. Let me say it again: I don't want to stop AI innovation. I don't want to allow China to get ahead of us. I am not ready to talk about how, if at all, the Federal Government should regulate AI. And I sure don't want to antagonize the President so he will veto this. All I want to do is say, if you are going to sell one of these AI models that could take on a life of its own, then you have to have a kill switch to reassert human control. The government wouldn't be in charge of it; you would be. And that is what my bill would do. Mr. President, I am looking around because I don't want to sandbag anybody. I understand that one of my colleagues who can explain himself wants to object. And I don't want to--I don't want to--here he comes. I want to allow him to make his objection. So that is what my bill would do. Therefore, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5417--that is my bill--which is at the desk; further, I ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there objection?
I recognize the Senator from Kentucky.
Reserving the right to object, Benjamin Franklin famously said that "failing to plan is planning to fail."
When approaching something as important as innovation, as AI, I think we should make sure we have as many facts as possible before we dictate rules for the whole economy.
Artificial intelligence is an incredible technology. It is quickly transforming how work is done. What used to take people hundreds of man-hours now takes seconds.
As with new technology, there are going to be some challenges. It is important that the development of AI is carried out in a responsible, thoughtful manner. It is imperative that the AI systems are safe and that humans remain in control. But if Congress acts hastily, before the technology is understood, Congress risks killing innovation in setting this technology back decades.
Think, for example, that your search engine you already use today is AI. Are they going to have to redesign all the search engines immediately, if this passes, and put kill switches in your search engine? AI is going to be throughout the economy in so many facets. Are doctors going to have to build a kill switch into their drug prescription analysis?
I mean, all of the things that are using AI already, you are going to be into every business possible in the world with this vague sort of notion that the government is coming. Here is the government. We are not even sure what the government is going to do, but it is very vague and it is very big and it is very powerful and it is going to affect every aspect where AI is involved.
I don't oppose the spirit of this bill, but I do ask that we make sure that we have all the information. We should not impose new regulations on AI throughout our whole economy without studying, without debate, without a single committee hearing. We are going to just put this blanket regulation on the whole economy with no discussion, in one fell swoop, on 1 day, by unanimous consent?
As currently drafted, it is not entirely clear what this bill would require. It demands that AI companies implement a way for humans to shut down an AI system, but it doesn't define how it should do that or what the consequences of failing to do that might be.
It, instead, gives an open-ended directive and allows bureaucrats to fill in the gaps. Sound dangerous? Sounds dangerous to me.
The real danger of this legislation is we do not know what bureaucrats will do once empowered by Congress. We have made this mistake many a time in open-ended mandates, scare tactics, must-act, and we don't think before we act. And then all of a sudden, a year later, we are like: Oh, my goodness. We just ruined the entire economy--an AI-built economy--because we didn't even have a committee hearing about this.
The stifling effects of bureaucracy will be supercharged against AI. Empowering bureaucrats without any meaningful constraint on their power means that the promise of America leading the way--which we are leading the way toward better medical treatment, improved food production, a wealthier society, to name just a few potential benefits--will be under constant bureaucratic threat.
The risk of giving bureaucrats unfettered control over AI outweighs the benefits of imposing an immediate ill-thought mandate on AI companies.
My amendment would require the appointment of three Republicans and three Democrats to study how best to ensure the safety of AI and would require them to report back the solutions to the Commerce Committee, where they would be debated by Republicans and Democrats to make sure we don't do anything rash, to make sure we don't destroy something before it has a chance to even blossom.
Once we have studied this issue, we will be better positioned to make best choices regarding the future of this important technology.
Therefore, I ask that the consent be modified so that my amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; further, I ask unanimous consent that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to be reconsidered be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there objection to the modification?
I recognize the Senator from Louisiana.
Reserving the right to object, as much as I appreciate it, Senator Paul's amendment would replace my bill with his amendment.
And let me just say for the Record, and I mean this, I have great respect for Senator Paul. He is a really smart guy. He is a doctor, for God's sake.
But I also want to be clear. I would rather be required--I would rather be condemned to listening to OJ jokes for the rest of eternity than to replace my suggestion that we do something with a committee--yet another committee--with a summit--yet another summit. Isn't that special? Let's form a committee. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
Let's form a committee comprised of consultants and experts, and we probably ought to throw in a few pop singers and movie stars that partied with Harvey Weinstein. Always good for a media show. Maybe we ought to let Leonardo DiCaprio chair the damn thing. That is right. Let's deal with this risk by appointing a committee.
You know what? My mama didn't raise a fool. And if she did, it was one of my brothers.
I mean no disrespect to my friend Senator Paul. I understand what he is trying to do, but he is not talking to Bambi's baby brother here.
A committee is a way to kill this. You can vote against my bill, you can object, but at least be intellectually honest and say: I don't want to do this. Don't appoint a committee. That is the weenie way out.
So, for that reason, Mr. Chairman, with all the respect I can muster, I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Objection is heard to the modification.
Is there objection to the original request?
I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Objection is heard.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Graham)
The Senator from Ohio.
Morning Business
Page S4752 · Official textMadam 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.
U.s. Senate Advanced Payment Regulations
Pages S4752–S4753 · Official textMadam President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Congressional Record U.S. Senate Advanced Payment Regulations.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on September 16, 2026
Text printed in the Record (2,948 characters)
1.0 Scope--These regulations detail the expenditures eligible for advance payment under the authority of Sec. 1(b) for P.L. 105-55, the FY98 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.
2.0 Definitions--For purposes of these regulations, the following terms have the meaning specified.
2.1 Advance payment means services or articles authorized by the Rules Committee under Section 3.0 that are purchased through a contract or other agreement and paid before those services are performed or articles delivered.
2.2 Committee office means the office of a standing, select, or joint committee of the U.S. Senate.
2.3 Leadership office means the offices of the U.S. Senate majority and minority leaders, majority and minority whips, party conferences, and party policy committees.
2.4 Member office means the office of a U.S. Senator.
2.5 Rules Committee means the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
2.6 Senate offices means member, committee, leadership, and Senate support offices.
2.7 Senate Support Office means the office of an internal congressional entity that provides services to the Senate, including the Senate Sergeant at Arms, the Secretary of the Senate, Senate Legal Counsel, and Senate Legislative Counsel.
3.0 Eligible Expenditures--The following expenditures by Senate offices are eligible for advance payment:
3.1 Audio, photographic, and video services;
3.2 Cable television, online streaming, and satellite television services;
3.3 Clipping services;
3.4 Conference, training, and seminar fees;
3.4.1 Associated per diem expenses are not eligible for advance payment.
3.5 Constituent services systems;
3.6 Leased equipment payments;
3.7 Maintenance for equipment and software pursuant to the Economic Allocation Program Policy;
3.8 Public transportation subsidy;
3.9 Member physical security enhancements and personal security services pursuant to the U.S. Senate Member Protection Regulations;
3.10 Partial reimbursement of professional liability insurance pursuant to the U.S. Senate Professional Liability Insurance Regulations;
3.11 Mobile and telephone communication services;
3.12 Paging services;
3.13 Post office box rental;
3.14 Publications or subscriptions to periodicals and other information services;
3.15 Rental of booths at career/state fairs, conference/ meeting rooms, space for town hall meetings, and permissible associated costs;
3.16 Rental of water unit dispensers;
3.16.1 Water delivery or other services are not eligible for advance payment.
3.17 State office rent payments up to one year in advance;
3.18 Non-classified yellow page listings; and
3.19 Website maintenance and services.
4.0 Prohibited Advance Payments--Unless otherwise specified in Section 3.0, advance payments for eligible expenditures under Section 3.0 cannot exceed past a Member's term of office and a Committee's biennial funding period, or the term of a Congress for Senate Support Offices.
Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
Page S4753 · Official textMadam President, yesterday, I voted to proceed to debate on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, legislation to provide oversight for the digital asset industry. This is an important bill to protect investors, provide clear rules of the road, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship. However, I remain concerned about the bill's impact on community banks and law enforcement activities.
First, we must ensure that digital asset third parties, such as crypto exchanges, cannot take advantage of loopholes in section 10404 to offer interest or yield-like payments on stablecoin balances. The Clarity Act should allow rewards to be generated to customers for transactions and similar activities while clearly prohibiting reward payments that are simply a workaround to provide yield or interest on a customer's balance in their stablecoin wallet. I do not believe the current text adequately prevents these types of rewards.
If the yield and interest loopholes are not closed, community banks in Texas and across the Nation are at risk of facing significant deposit flight. Many community banks operate at high loan-to-deposit ratios, and if these banks' deposits start to slip away, their lending capacity will be immediately impacted. Community banks are the lifeblood of small and rural communities in Texas, providing access to capital to farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.
I do not believe that the digital asset industry, despite the economic benefits that will come from innovation and entrepreneurship, will rise to fill a potential gap in community bank lending. Therefore, before proceeding to final passage of the Clarity Act, the Senate should preemptively protect community banks from deposit flight by implementing changes to section 10404 to ensure that the prohibition on interest and yield cannot be cleverly evaded.
I also remain concerned with how the Clarity Act may impact law enforcement and national security. We know that scammers, drug cartels, terrorists, rogue states, and criminals of all kinds use cryptocurrency platforms to hide and launder money. For example, Mexican cartels take the bulk cash proceeds of their drug sales and often provide them to third-party brokers who convert the cash into cryptocurrency. The cryptocurrency is then moved through a network of different wallets, using layering techniques and conversions between different cryptocurrencies before eventually being cashed out for fiat currency. Cryptocurrency may also be moved through mixers to help hide its ownership, as North Korea's Lazarus Group has done through Tornado Cash, a Decentralized Finance (DeFi) mixer.
Multiple sections in the Clarity Act make it extremely challenging to combat money laundering, particularly when done through DeFi platforms. The most problematic provision is section 10604, the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act. That section, as recently amended, would insulate DeFi platforms, including mixers like Tornado Cash, from being classified as financial institutions by the Treasury Department, ensuring they are not subject to Bank Secrecy Act requirements, including basic anti-money laundering requirements. Further, section 10604 states that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network cannot regulate DeFi platforms as money transmitters under its current regulations "or any successor regulation." But perhaps most troubling, section 10604 severely hampers prosecutors' ability to use 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1960, the prohibition of unlicensed money transmitting businesses statute, to charge DeFi platforms who enable money laundering. This is the statute which Roman Storm, one of the creators of Tornado Cash, originally faced multiple charges under before eventually being convicted of conspiracy to violate section 1960(b)(1)(C).
In addition to my concerns with section 10604, I remain concerned with section 10201 and its impact on sanctions; section 10301, which omits certain platforms from the rulemaking on Bank Secrecy Act requirements; the rule of construction in section 10302; and ensuring that the Federal grants impacted by section 10901 are adequately funded to support that provision's goals as well as existing programs reliant on those grants.
Vote Explanation
Page S4753 · Official textMadam President, on September 15, 2026, I missed rollcall vote No. 235 due to an emergency dental surgery. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on rollcall vote No. 235 on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026.
Toyota
Pages S4753–S4754 · Official textMadam President, Toyota's decision to invest in advanced battery manufacturing and engineering makes them a key player in North Carolina's fast-growing automotive sector. The announcement of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina opening in Liberty marked one of the largest single investments in battery production in the United States. Nearly $14 billion is committed to the project, and soon, this plant will support 5,100 American jobs and families. All this serves to boost U.S. competitiveness by building the latest and greatest hybrid and full-electric vehicle batteries. This facility builds on Toyota's long-standing manufacturing presence in the U.S. and reflects its consumer-focused and flexible approach to electrification that will rely heavily on North Carolina excellence and ingenuity.
Japanese-brand automakers' investments are accompanied by significant commitments to education and workforce development. In North Carolina, Toyota is partnering with local community colleges, universities, and training centers to design classes and programs focused on battery manufacturing, automation, and quality; they are also providing scholarships, internships, and work-based learning opportunities to prepare North Carolinians for these new roles. A report by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) highlights how Japanese-brand automakers leverage partnerships with educational institutions to build a talent pipeline that can accommodate the future of manufacturing. Community initiatives that focus on environmental stewardship and work with local charities further demonstrate Toyota's intent to be a long-term partner in the State. As JAMA USA celebrates 50 years in DC, North Carolina shows how investment from a trusted ally and partner can help drive economic growth and support high-skill jobs.
Remembering Tom Rose
Page S4754 · Official textMadam President, during this August State work period, Springboro, OH, lost a great man and fierce champion for justice. Tom Rose passed away on August 15, surrounded by the family that he so dearly loved. Tom was well-known to Ohio Members of Congress and their staffs as a volunteer advocate for the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association, relentlessly advocating for the restoration of his and his coworker's lost pensions and passage of the Susan Muffley Act. This advocacy came after Tom spent his entire career at General Motors/Delphi, using his background in mechanical engineering. Yet you would only need one conversation with Tom to understand he had many passions, often centered around service to others. After college, Tom served our great Nation in Vietnam as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was a volunteer at the Wright B. Flyer Museum and was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golfing and cheering on his Bengals, Reds, and Flyers. Tom was always eager to discuss the Dayton Flyers most recent basketball game. However, Tom's greatest passion was his family. My prayers go out to Tom's wife Jaci, their children, grandchildren, and the entire Rose family. May God bless Tom Rose.
Messages from the President
Page S4754 · Official textMessages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Hanley, one of his secretaries.
Executive Messages Referred
Page S4754 · Official textAs in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry nominations which were referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (The messages received today are printed at the end of the Senate proceedings.)
Messages from the House
Pages S4754–S4755 · Official textAt 2:23 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, without amendment:
Text printed in the Record (175 characters)
S. 195. An act to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes.
S. 2398. An act to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes.
The message also announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate:
Text printed in the Record (3,861 characters)
H.R. 979. An act to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1266. An act to prohibit certain uses of xylazine, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2004. An act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2140. An act to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program.
H.R. 2846. An act to amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries).
H.R. 2978. An act to permit State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies that receive eligible Federal grant funds to use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud, and to clarify that Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology, and for other purposes.
H.R. 4646. An act to clarify that whistleblower protections described in section 4712 of title 41, United States Code, apply to any contract funded from amounts appropriated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6633. An act to establish a best-available transmission conductor standard for certain transmission projects under the Federal Power Act and to provide for presumptions regarding cost recovery for such conductors.
H.R. 8005. An act to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the misuse of tableting machine, encapsulating machine, or critical part of tableting and encapsulating machine for the illicit manufacture of a controlled substance or listed chemical, and for other purposes.
H.R. 8278. An act to require certain supervisory agencies to assess their technological capabilities, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9332. An act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish regional joint boards to study electric load forecasting, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9339. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct an assessment on the use of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing technologies to enhance the bulk-power system, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9496. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9498. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize the National Taxpayer Advocate to appear as amicus curiae in Federal tax cases, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9499. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply tax return preparation penalties to improperly altered returns, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9500. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the limiation on deductions for personal casualty losses and to provide for increased taxpayer relief with respect to theft losses involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
H.R. 9615. An act to support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries.
H.R. 9616. An act to establish a program for the recovery of critical materials from contaminated sites, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9617. An act to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate a National Critical Mineral Recovery Strategy, and for other purposes.
The message further announced that the House has passed the following joint resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate:
Text printed in the Record (316 characters)
H.J. Res. 210. Joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United Sates Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision".
__________
At 4:55 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Alli, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bill, without amendment:
Text printed in the Record (112 characters)
S. 766. An act to require an annual report of taxpayer-funded projects that are over budget and behind schedule.
The message also announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate:
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H.R. 1342. An act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation in granting disaster assistance.
H.R. 5109. An act to require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to develop certain guidelines to improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.
H.R. 5517. An act to amend the Northern Border Security Review Act to require updates to the northern border threat analysis and northern border strategy, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7436. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a standardized training program for employees of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7443. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to realign the mission of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
H.R. 8775. An act to amend the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to provide that individuals who have been convicted of sex offenses against minors may not serve in certain positions.
H.R. 9327. An act to establish in U.S. Customs and Border Protection a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9382. An act to require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link together applications of family members throughout the NEXUS application process, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9394. An act to require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an exercise related to agroterrorism, and for other purposes.
H.R. 9723. An act to establish the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and for other purposes.
Measures Referred
Page S4755 · Official textThe following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:
Text printed in the Record (4,748 characters)
H.R. 1342. An act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation in granting disaster assistance; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 4646. An act to clarify that whistleblower protections described in section 4712 of title 41, United States Code, apply to any contract funded from amounts appropriated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
H.R. 5109. An act to require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to develop certain guidelines to improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
H.R. 6633. An act to establish a best-available transmission conductor standard for certain transmission projects under the Federal Power Act and to provide for presumptions regarding cost recovery for such conductors; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 7436. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a standardized training program for employees of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 7443. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to realign the mission of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 8005. An act to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the misuse of a tableting machine, encapsulating machine, or critical part of a tableting and encapsulating machine for the illicit manufacture of a controlled substance or listed chemical, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
H.R. 8278. An act to require certain supervisory agencies to assess their technological capabilities, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
H.R. 9332. An act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish regional joint boards to study electric load forecasting, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 9339. An act to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct an assessment on the use of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing technologies to enhance the bulk-power system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 9382. An act to require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link together applications of family members throughout the NEXUS application process, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 9394. An act to require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an exercise related to agroterrorism, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 9496. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
H.R. 9498. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize the National Taxpayer Advocate to appear as amicus curiae in Federal tax cases, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
H.R. 9499. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply tax return preparation penalties to improperly altered returns, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
H.R. 9500. An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the limitation on deductions for personal casualty losses and to provide for increased taxpayer relief with respect to theft losses involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; to the Committee on Finance.
H.R. 9615. An act to support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.R. 9616. An act to establish a program for the recovery of critical materials from contaminated sites, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.R. 9617. An act to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate a National Critical Mineral Recovery Strategy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.R. 9723. An act to establish the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
The following concurrent resolution was read, and referred as indicated:
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H. Con. Res. 93. Concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Measures Placed on the Calendar
Page S4755 · Official textThe following bills were read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and placed on the calendar:
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H.R. 979. An act to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1266. An act to prohibit certain uses of xylazine, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2004. An act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2140. An act to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program.
H.R. 2846. An act to amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries).
H.R. 2978. An act to permit State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies that receive eligible Federal grant funds to use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud, and to clarify that Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5517. An act to amend the Northern Border Security Review Act to require updates to the northern border threat analysis and northern border strategy, and for other purposes.
Executive and Other Communications
Pages S4755–S4756 · Official textThe following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated:
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EC-4693. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Secretary of State's intent to designate Los Tiguerones as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-4694. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Politically Motivated Boycotts of, Divestment from, and Sanctions Against Israel" (OSS-2026-0659) received in the Office of the President pro tempore; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-4695. A communication from the Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report to Congress from the Chairman of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies; to the Committees on Appropriations; and Foreign Relations.
EC-4696. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency that was declared in Executive Order 14046 with respect to Ethiopia; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-4697. A communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency that was declared in Executive Order 13894 with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-4698. A communication from the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting proposed legislation which would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to add a new section with the intent to reduce costs and improve administrative efficiency for both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the United States Marshals Service; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-4699. A communication from the Branch Chief, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo" (RIN1651-AB52) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
September 15, 2026; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-4700. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Allocation and Apportionment of Deductions to Foreign Source Section 951A Category Income and Deduction Eligible Income" (RIN1545-BR90) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 15, 2026; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-4701. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled "Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Demonstration: Intermediate Report to Congress"; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-4702. A communication from the Director, Office of Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Unsafe or Unsound Practices" (RIN3064-AG16) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 4, 2026; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-4703. A communication from the Sanctions Regulations Advisor, Office of Foreign Assets Control, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations" (31 CFR Part 560) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 10, 2026; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-4704. A communication from the Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to action on a nomination and discontinuation of service in an acting role for a position covered by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 for the position of Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 14, 2026; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-4705. A communication from the Chair, United States Sentencing Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of an amendment to the federal sentencing guidelines; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-4706. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, transmitting the report of two officers authorized to wear the insignia of the grade of brigadier general in accordance with title 10, United States Code, section 777; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-4707. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, transmitting the report of an officer authorized to wear the insignia of the grade of rear admiral (lower half) in accordance with title 10, United States Code, section 777; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-4708. A communication from the Clerk of Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, transmitting an opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (Citizens for Clean Air v. TRAN) received in the Office of the President pro tempore; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-4709. A communication from the Acting Chief, Ethics Law Branch, Office of Government Ethics, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Exempting Certain Career Federal Employees From Ethics Reporting Requirements" (RIN3209-AA76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on September 14, 2026; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Reports of Committees
Page S4756 · Official textThe following reports of committees were submitted:
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By Mrs. CAPITO, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute:
S. 3135. A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to authorize manufacturers of certain vehicles to suspend engine derate or shutdown functions in prolonged cold weather conditions, and for other purposes.
By Mrs. CAPITO, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, without amendment:
S. 5045. A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify the handling of air quality monitoring with respect to prescribed fires, and for other purposes.
By Mrs. CAPITO, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute:
S. 5249. A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to align the licensing of uranium enrichment facilities with other fuel cycle facilities under that Act, and for other purposes.
Executive Reports of Committee
Page S4756 · Official textThe following executive reports of nominations were submitted:
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By Mr. CRUZ for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
*Coast Guard nomination of Capt. Stanley P. Fields, to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half).
*Coast Guard nominations beginning with Jeffrey W. Novak and ending with Gregory C. Rothrock, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on July 13, 2026.
Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination list which was printed in the Record on the date indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that this nomination lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
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*Coast Guard nominations beginning with Wade E. Arnold and ending with Jason Y. Ryu, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on January 13, 2026.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
*Nomination was reported with recommendation that it be confirmed subject to the nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
Introduction of Bills and Joint Resolutions
Pages S4756–S4757 · Official textThe 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 Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
S. 5404. A bill to impose sanctions and other policy consequences in response to the death of political prisoners in Hong Kong, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself and Mr. Young):
S. 5405. A bill to authorize a new type of housing choice voucher to help achieve the goals of ending homelessness among families with children , increasing housing opportunities, and improving life outcomes of poor children; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
By Mr. KING (for himself, Mrs. Fischer, and Mr.
Blumenthal):
S. 5406. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the limitation on waiver for pay of critical health care personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
By Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. Peters):
S. 5407. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to include roundabouts as eligible projects under the surface transportation block grant program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
By Mr. LEE:
S. 5408. A bill to establish a prohibition for certain disclosures of personally identifiable information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
S. 5409. A bill to restore and strengthen the obligation of the Environmental Protection Agency to protect human health and the environment, to halt unlawful deregulatory actions, to require enforcement of the Clean Air Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
By Mr. BOOKER:
S. 5410. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Ms. SMITH:
S. 5411. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish an emergency grant aid program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mrs. MOODY (for herself and Mr. Coons):
S. 5412. A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to repeal the residency requirement for circuit judges, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Mr. Moreno):
S. 5413. A bill to withhold Federal highway funds from States that provide driver's licenses or identification cards to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
By Mr. SCHATZ (for himself and Mr. Young):
S. 5414. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to enhance penalties for child labor law violations, to assist employers in avoiding such violations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mr. Markey):
S. 5415. A bill to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide for a report on the health impacts of air traffic noise and pollution, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself and Mr. Durbin):
S. 5416. A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
901 Lake Street in Oak Park, Illinois, as the "Detective Allan Reddins Post Office Building"; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
By Mr. KENNEDY:
S. 5417. A bill to require entities to include human-controlled shutdown mechanisms in all artificial intelligence systems; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. HAWLEY:
S. 5418. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude data centers from the definition of qualified opportunity zone businesses; to the Committee on Finance.
By Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Wyden, and Mr.
Merkley):
S. 5419. A bill to establish certain procedures for physicians and other licensed health professionals, place certain requirements on medical practices and management services organizations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
S.J. Res. 215. A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Sultanate of Oman that have not been authorized by Congress; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr. Sanders, and Mr.
Merkley):
S.J. Res. 216. A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions
Page S4757 · Official textThe following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
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By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Tillis,
Ms. Collins, Mr. Kaine, and Ms. Murkowski):
S. Res. 855. A resolution acknowledging that it is in the national interest of the United States to support democratic actors in the Russian Federation, commending the work of Russian civil society and independent media to expose and respond to the crimes of the government of Vladimir Putin and pursue accountability for such crimes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Grassley,
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Daines, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. King,
Mr. Marshall, Mr. Peters, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Tillis,
Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Wyden):
S. Res. 856. A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Hickenlooper):
S. Res. 857. A resolution commemorating 1 year since the tragic act of violence on September 10, 2025, in Evergreen, Colorado, recognizing the victims, survivors, and responders, and expressing condolences and support to their families and their communities; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. Cassidy):
S. Res. 858. A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Constance Benjamin Clery; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. MORENO:
S. Res. 859. A resolution; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. MORENO:
S. Res. 860. A resolution; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. MORENO:
S. Res. 861. A resolution; considered and agreed to.
Additional Cosponsors
Pages S4757–S4758 · Official textAt the request of Ms. Graham, her name was added as a cosponsor of S. 95, a bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds to close or realign the Marine Corps Recruit Depot located at Parris Island, South Carolina. At the request of Mr. Cramer, the name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young) was added as a cosponsor of S. 401, a bill to amend the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit certain financial service providers who deny fair access to financial services from using taxpayer funded discount window lending programs, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young) was added as a cosponsor of S. 478, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system. At the request of Mr. Crapo, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1532, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the railroad track maintenance credit. At the request of Mr. Hagerty, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1715, a bill to prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from a general merchandise retailer or sporting goods retailer, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cramer, the name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Banks) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1716, a bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision plans, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Collins, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1805, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to satisfy the documentation requirement under the Medicare program for coverage of certain shoes for individuals with diabetes. At the request of Ms. Warren, the name of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2006, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination in the Armed Forces on the basis of gender identity, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cassidy, the name of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2511, a bill to establish a postsecondary student data system. At the request of Mr. Schmitt, the name of the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3093, a bill to require the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Drug Enforcement Agency to develop greater capacity to detect, identify, and disrupt illicit substances, such as nitazenes, in very low concentrations. At the request of Mr. Cassidy, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3265, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve and enhance the work opportunity tax credit, to encourage longer-service employment, and to modernize the credit to make it more effective as a hiring incentive for targeted workers, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3285, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to criminalize unlawful adoption practices. At the request of Ms. Blunt Rochester, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3694, a bill to provide for the development of transportation demand management strategies, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cotton, the names of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Banks) and the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. Hassan) were added as cosponsors of S. 3741, a bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations to improve nucleic acid synthesis security, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3838, a bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit of a United States and Venezuela energy deal, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Moreno, the names of the Senator from California (Mr. Schiff) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Ms. Warren) were added as cosponsors of S. 4429, a bill to prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into interstate commerce in the United States of connected vehicles and related software and hardware associated with foreign adversaries. At the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the names of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono), the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester), the Senator from Michigan (Mr. Peters), the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Reed), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) were added as cosponsors of S. 4436, a bill to nullify certain rules related to foreign assistance. At the request of Ms. Graham, her name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4462, a bill to establish a publicly accessible database of individuals with convictions for violent crimes, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Ernst, the name of the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4505, a bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate ZIP Codes for certain communities. At the request of Mr. Murphy, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4535, a bill to establish the Strength in Diversity Program, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Young, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4671, a bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee. At the request of Ms. Graham, her name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4671, supra. At the request of Mr. Cruz, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 4671, supra. At the request of Mr. Coons, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Kaine) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5010, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the rules governing the State administration of self-employment assistance programs. At the request of Mr. Schatz, the name of the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5168, a bill to provide paid family and medical leave to Federal employees, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Durbin, the names of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth) and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) were added as cosponsors of S. 5194, a bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve the maintenance, alteration, and construction of United States courthouses, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Booker, the name of the Senator from Washington (Ms. Cantwell) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5261, a bill to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to make available under the assistance to firefighters grant program the establishment of cancer prevention programs, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Husted, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5392, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participating in programs under title IV of such Act, to ensure that not more than 20 percent of the student athletes on a varsity sports team of the institution are international students, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Lummis, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 205, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Small Off-Road Engines Regulations; Notice of Decision". At the request of Mr. Durbin, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Reed) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 213, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security relating to "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media". At the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 841, a resolution celebrating the 35th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine from the former Soviet Union. At the request of Mr. Van Hollen, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 852, a resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. At the request of Mr. Moran, the names of the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley) and the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) were added as cosponsors of amendment No. 6771 intended to be proposed to H.R. 3633, to provide for a system of regulation of the offer and sale of digital commodities by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to amend the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the Federal reserve banks from offering certain products or services directly to an individual, to prohibit the use of central bank digital currency for monetary policy, and for other purposes.
Senate Resolution 855--Acknowledging That It Is in the National Interest of the United States to Support Democratic Actors in the Russian Federation, Commending the Work of Russian Civil Society...
Pages S4758–S4759 · Official textMrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kaine, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
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Whereas the United States has sought to support democracy in the Russian Federation and with Russian individuals since 1991 to support democracy, economic growth, health, women, and youth;
Whereas numerous nongovernmental organizations in the United States, including the National Endowment for Democracy, American Councils, and the Institute of International Education, have worked to support Russian individuals and build ties between the people of the United States and the people of the Russian Federation;
Whereas in May 2015, the Russian Federation enacted a law that permits Russian authorities to extrajudicially shut down foreign and international organizations operating in Russia to strengthen ties between people in the United States and people in Russia, including the National Endowment for Democracy, American Councils, and the Institute of International Education, by declaring such organizations to be "undesirable";
Whereas the Russian Federation launched an illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and a brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which caused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to suspend cooperation with the Russian Federation;
Whereas Russian opposition leader, pro-democracy activist, and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny was killed in a Russian prison on February 16, 2024, one day after he appeared in court in a healthy condition, which followed a pattern of other high-profile murders of pro-democracy Russians, including journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006 and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in 2015;
Whereas, according to the Memorial Human Rights Center, more than 1,700 political prisoners remain in Russian jails as of September 2026, including--
(1) Moscow municipal deputy Aleksei Gorinov;
(2) pensioner Igor Baryshnikov;
(3) the mother of a human rights lawyer, Zarema Musaeva; and
(4) journalist Maria Ponomarenko;
Whereas the Russian Federation persecutes Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, and members of other minority religious groups within Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including, according to Memorial Human Rights Center, by jailing nearly 500 people in response to their exercise of the right of freedom of religion or their religious affiliations;
Whereas more than 20,000 Russians were detained by Russian authorities between February 2022 and February 2025 for their opposition to the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine;
Whereas, in the summer of 2026, Apple and Google removed the Russian state-backed apps that the European Union determined had been operating as tools of the Russian Federation's Federal Security Service, including for the purpose of surveilling Russian citizens;
Whereas Russian authorities have endeavored to cut off the Russian people's access to independent information, including by--
(1) blocking United States-based platforms Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, Signal, Discord, Snapchat, FaceTime, and LinkedIn;
(2) throttling other internet platforms, including YouTube; and
(3) pressuring companies to block hundreds of virtual private networks (VPNs);
Whereas pro-democracy Russian groups have helped Ukrainian citizens find their family members who had been unjustly detained and had disappeared inside the Russian Federation by facilitating communication, assistance, moral support, and legal services;
Whereas Russian independent media has--
(1) exposed sanctions violations;
(2) ensured that the Russian people understand the grim fate awaiting soldiers on the frontlines in Ukraine;
(3) collected evidence of Russian war crimes; and
(4) reminded Russian citizens opposed to the war that they are not alone;
Whereas Russian civil society has--
(1) helped anti-war Russians avoid being drafted into the Russian military against their will; and
(2) evacuated forcibly displaced Ukrainians from the territory of the Russian Federation;
Whereas nearly 1,000,000 Russians have left their home country since February 2022, and at least 650,000 Russians remain outside of Russia, largely due to fear from government reprisal in response to their anti-war and pro-democracy views; and
Whereas the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained numerous United States citizens in recent years, including Paul Whelan, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Marc Fogel, Ksenia Karelina, Robert Gilman, and Stephen Hubbard while seeking to leverage the releases of these Americans to free convicted arms traffickers, drug traffickers, murderers, and cyber hackers: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the efforts of the Government of the Russian Federation--
(A) to isolate its citizens from the rest of the world;
(B) to commit horrific war crimes in Ukraine; and
(C) to violently crack down on those voicing their dissent of such policies;
(2) calls on the Department of State, working through the Democracy Fund, to renew and bolster efforts, including consultations with the National Endowment for Democracy, to engage with and support pro-democracy Russian individuals and organizations, many of which--
(A) are opposed to the Russian Federation's unjust war against Ukraine; and
(B) believe in a democratic future for their country;
(3) recognizes the strategic imperative and national interest of the United States to support democratic actors in the Russian Federation who are exposing and pursuing accountability for the crimes of Vladimir Putin's government;
(4) stands with the Russian people who have demonstrated their opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine; and
(5) commits to engagement with Russians living in exile who are working to support democracy in their country and opposing the war against Ukraine.
Senate Resolution 856--Supporting the Designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", Recognizing Tens of Thousands of Families in the United States That...
Page S4759 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 856--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2026, AS "NATIONAL STILLBIRTH PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY", RECOGNIZING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE ENDURED A STILLBIRTH, AND SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP OTHER FAMILIES FROM EXPERIENCING THE SAME TRAGEDY Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Daines, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. King, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Peters, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
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Whereas more than 20,000 pregnancies in the United States end in stillbirth each year, and the lack of access to maternal health care services has exacerbated the crisis;
Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic families at the greatest risk of losing a baby to stillbirth;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths from the top 5 leading causes of death among children under 15 years of age combined, including unintentional injuries, congenital anomalies, preterm birth, homicide, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome;
Whereas stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and lifelong impact on the families who endure them;
Whereas losing a baby to stillbirth is linked to an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality;
Whereas, with increased awareness and better data collection, the United States will be able to better understand why stillbirths in the United States are happening at an alarming rate and identify what can be done to combat this crisis;
Whereas proven stillbirth prevention efforts have the power to save thousands of babies every year, and innovations in stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional families nationwide every year from the heartache of losing a baby;
Whereas recognizing "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day" is an opportunity to increase awareness, support evidence-based prevention efforts, promote research, encourage improved data collection and greater understanding, and provide support to those who have experienced a stillbirth; and
Whereas "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day"--
(1) celebrates the passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-69; 138 Stat. 1485), which opens up more Federal resources for stillbirth prevention activities and research; and
(2) calls on the President and all other Federal officials to use their authority to take action to help reduce stillbirths and to ensure every expectant family is educated on how to reduce the risk of losing a baby to stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day";
(2) understands the importance of advancing evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts; and
(3) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day" with appropriate prevention and awareness programs and activities.
Senate Resolution 857--Commemorating 1 Year Since the Tragic Act of Violence on September 10, 2025, in Evergreen, Colorado, Recognizing the Victims, Survivors, and Responders, and Expressing...
Pages S4759–S4760 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 857--COMMEMORATING 1 YEAR SINCE THE TRAGIC ACT OF VIOLENCE ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2025, IN EVERGREEN, COLORADO, RECOGNIZING THE VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND RESPONDERS, AND EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES AND SUPPORT TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Hickenlooper) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
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Whereas, on September 10, 2025, a student violently opened fire at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado;
Whereas this tragic shooting traumatized the staff and students of Evergreen High School and resulted in the hospitalization of 2 victims;
Whereas responders from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Jeffco Public Schools R-1 security officers arrived within 2 minutes of the school's lockdown;
Whereas the swift actions of educators, staff, and neighbors helped protect students and staff and prevent further harm, demonstrating courage and dedication in the face of crisis;
Whereas the medical care of the trauma staff at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado gave the victims a chance to survive their wounds;
Whereas countless students, educators, and faculty experienced significant trauma as a result of this shooting;
Whereas the entire Evergreen, Colorado, community has been forever changed by this tragic event; and
Whereas all children should be able to attend school without fearing for their lives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the horrific act of violence that occurred at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, on September 10, 2025;
(2) honors the victims and survivors of this horrifying incident;
(3) extends its deepest condolences and support to the friends and families of the victims and survivors, and to the communities of Evergreen High School and Jefferson County, Colorado;
(4) recognizes the strength of the Evergreen community in responding to this tragedy; and
(5) honors the law enforcement, school safety officers, health care providers, educators, faculty, and neighbors whose quick actions safeguarded lives during and after the attack.
Senate Resolution 858--Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Late Constance Benjamin Clery
Pages S4760–S4761 · Official textMs. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
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Whereas Constance Benjamin Clery (referred to in this preamble as "Connie Clery") was born on February 12, 1931, and passed away on June 23, 2026;
Whereas Connie Clery graduated from New Bedford High School in 1949, earned a degree from Barnard College in 1953, and worked as a tri-lingual interpreter;
Whereas Connie Clery married Howard K. Clery, Jr. in 1956, starting a partnership of 51 years until his passing in 2008, and was a devoted mother to Howard III, Benjamin, and Jeanne;
Whereas, following the tragic murder of her daughter, Jeanne Clery, in 1986, Connie and Howard Clery transformed their grief into a national movement, founding the nonprofit organization Security On Campus, Inc., now known as Clery Center, in 1987, to make college campuses safer and protect victims of campus crime;
Whereas, at the time of Jeanne Clery's death, no Federal standard required institutions of higher education to disclose crimes occurring on their campuses, and prospective students and their families had no reliable means of learning about the safety of the campuses they were considering;
Whereas Connie and Howard Clery helped advance more than 30 State and Federal laws, notably the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542; 20 U.S.C. 1001 note), which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on November 8, 1990 and added subsection (f) to section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) (now referred to as the "Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act") to require institutions participating in title IV student financial assistance programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security policies;
Whereas, in 1992, Connie Clery led efforts to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights, and in 1998, to expand public disclosure, including a daily crime log and a broader definition of campus;
Whereas Connie Clery remained engaged in subsequent efforts to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, including in 2008 to strengthen emergency notification and missing student procedures, in 2013 to require disclosure of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and to strengthen prevention programs and victim rights, and in 2024 to require the disclosure and research-informed prevention of hazing;
Whereas Connie Clery was responsible for running the Clery Center until 2003, and spent nearly 4 decades counseling grieving families, training campus safety professionals, and insisting that survivors of campus crime be treated with dignity and compassion; and
Whereas Connie Clery is remembered for her courage, perseverance, compassion, and commitment to protecting students: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Constance "Connie" B. Clery;
(2) honors the life and legacy of Connie Clery and expresses its deep condolences to her family and loved ones; and
(3) reaffirms its commitment to the implementation and enforcement of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)).
SENATE RESOLUTION 859--RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE
VICTIMS, RECOGNIZING THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF THE HEROES WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVE, ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
THAT CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS' FAMILIES, AND
REAFFIRMING THE ENDURING COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO NEVER
FORGET
Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Kim, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Warner, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
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Whereas, on September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda hijacked 4 commercial aircraft and carried out coordinated attacks against the United States, resulting in the deaths of 2,977 innocent victims, making September 11, 2001, the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the United States;
Whereas among those who made the ultimate sacrifice were 343 firefighters of the Fire Department of the City of New York, 72 law enforcement officers, 8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics, and 55 members of the Armed Forces at the Pentagon who courageously rushed toward danger in an effort to save the lives of others;
Whereas the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 demonstrated extraordinary courage by confronting the terrorists, sacrificing their own lives, and preventing an attack on another intended target;
Whereas countless firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, construction workers, medical professionals, search and rescue teams, members of the Armed Forces, intelligence professionals, and volunteers risked their lives in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts following the attacks;
Whereas the attacks created one of the worst environmental disasters in history, as hundreds of tons of toxic dust and debris spread over Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, covering first responders, workers, residents, and students and filling apartment buildings, offices, stores, and schools;
Whereas Congress came together in 2011 to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-347; 124 Stat. 3623), which created the World Trade Center Health Program and reopened the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund that together provide health and support for responders and survivors struggling with 9/11-related illnesses;
Whereas, in 2016, Congress extended the World Trade Center Health Program until 2090 and, in 2019, Congress extended the 9/11 Victim Compensation Program until 2090 to ensure that these programs will be available to responders and survivors struggling with 9/11-related illnesses throughout their lives;
Whereas, in 2026, Congress enacted legislation to strengthen the long-term financial stability of the World Trade Center Health Program, helping ensure continued access to medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors;
Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and survivors of the attacks continue to suffer from serious medical illnesses and emotional distress related to the physical and mental trauma of the tragedy;
Whereas the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led thousands of people in the United States to answer the call to national service, and many members of the Armed Forces made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States during the Global War on Terror;
Whereas, for 25 years, charitable foundations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, faith-based organizations, and community groups have faithfully served survivors, the families of those who perished, first responders, veterans, and Gold Star families by providing financial assistance, housing, medical care, counseling, educational scholarships, adaptive homes, memorial programs, and long-term support;
Whereas countless national and local organizations have preserved the memory of those lost while ensuring that survivors, first responders, military families, and victims' loved ones are never forgotten;
Whereas the attack at the Pentagon exposed over 10,000 military and civilian employees to toxic materials;
Whereas, after 25 years, it is vital that the Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center be realized to ensure the telling of the stories of the victims as well as those who responded, including many who showed up to work the next day to formulate the response of the United States to the attack;
Whereas the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, provides an opportunity to remember those who perished, honor those who served, and comfort those who continue to grieve; and
Whereas future generations must be taught the history and lessons of September 11, 2001, so that the courage, sacrifice, resilience, and unity displayed on that day will never be forgotten: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001;
(2) honors the memory of the 2,977 innocent victims who lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania;
(3) expresses its deepest gratitude to the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, members of the Armed Forces, intelligence professionals, volunteers, and all those who courageously responded to the attacks and their aftermath;
(4) honors the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 for their extraordinary heroism and selfless sacrifice;
(5) recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces, veterans, Gold Star families, and all those who defended the United States in the years following September 11, 2001;
(6) urges all people of the United States to continue to live their lives throughout the year with the same spirit of unity, service, and compassion that was exhibited throughout the United States following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001;
(7) encourages all people of the United States to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
(8) reaffirms, after 25 years, its commitment to never forget September 11, 2001.
Senate Resolution 860--Recognizing September 15, 2026, as "National Voter Registration Day"
Page S4761 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 860--RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 15, 2026, AS "NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY" Mr. McCONNELL (for himself and Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Text printed in the Record (450 characters)
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes September 15, 2026, as "National Voter Registration Day"; and
(2) encourages each voting-eligible citizen of the United States--
(A) to register to vote;
(B) to verify with the appropriate State or local election official that the name, address, and other personal information on record is current; and
(C) to go to the polls on election day and vote if the voting-eligible citizen would like to do so.
Senate Resolution 861--Congratulating the University of Oklahoma Baseball Team for Winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Baseball Championship, the Third National...
Page S4761 · Official textSENATE RESOLUTION 861--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2026 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, THE THIRD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN PROGRAM HISTORY Mr. LANKFORD (for himself and Mr. Armstrong) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Text printed in the Record (2,400 characters)
Whereas the 2026 University of Oklahoma baseball team (referred to in this preamble as the "Sooners"), under the direction of head coach Skip Johnson, won the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the "NCAA") Division I Baseball Championship, defeating the University of North Carolina in game 3 of the Men's College World Series finals by a score of 13-2 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska;
Whereas the Sooners made their 12th appearance in the Men's College World Series, made their fourth national championship appearance, second in the era of 3-game series finals, and won the program's third national championship and first since 1994 in a remarkable postseason run;
Whereas the Sooners won the Southeastern Conference's (referred to in this preamble as the "SEC") seventh straight NCAA Division I Baseball Championship after finishing 11th in the SEC regular season standings and entering the NCAA tournament having lost 7 of 9 games;
Whereas the Sooners won both the Atlanta Regional and the Lawrence Super Regional to advance to the Men's College World Series;
Whereas the Sooners hit 2 home runs in game 3 of the Men's College World Series finals and hit a home run in 12 of their final 13 games of the season, while their 95 home runs this season were their most since 2010;
Whereas the Sooners scored 118 runs on 156 hits in their 13 NCAA tournament games;
Whereas, in his ninth season leading the Oklahoma baseball program, head coach Skip Johnson won his first national title in his second overall visit to the Men's College World Series finals;
Whereas Jaxon Willits was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 Men's College World Series, with a .500 (13-for-26) batting average across 6 games, recording 7 runs batted in, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 2 walks, and 6 runs scored; and
Whereas the Sooners finished the season with 43 wins and 23 losses: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses profound appreciation to head coach Skip Johnson and the 2026 University of Oklahoma baseball team for the excitement and pride they bring to the University of Oklahoma, the State of Oklahoma, and to Sooners everywhere; and
(2) expresses profound appreciation for the exemplary manner in which the 2026 University of Oklahoma baseball team represents the University of Oklahoma and its tradition of excellence.
Text of Amendments
Pages S4761–S4762 · Official textSA 6773. Mr. HUSTED submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,225 characters)
In section 113, strike "(f) Rule of Construction.--" and insert the following:
(f) Limits on Foreign Students Participating in Certain Intercollegiate Sport Programs.--
(1) In general.--Beginning July 1, 2030, an institution will ensure that for each intercollegiate sport program of the institution, not more than 20 percent of the total number of students included on the roster of the covered intercollegiate sport program of the institution for an academic year are covered students, except that in no case shall the limit established under this paragraph be less than 1.
(2) Definition of covered student.--In this subsection, the term "covered student" means an individual who--
(A) is enrolled as a student in an institution; and
(B)(i) is not a national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (20) and (22) of section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)); or
(ii) is receiving, or has received, a salary, scholarship, or any other form of financial assistance related to the student's athletic participation from an Olympic or Paralympic committee of a foreign country.
(g) Rule of Construction.--
______
SA 6774. Mr. MURPHY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (5,439 characters)
Strike section 122 and insert the following:
SEC. 122. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS OF COLLEGE ATHLETES.
(a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: "Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the term `employer' includes a public institution of higher education with respect to the employment of college athlete employees of the institution.";
(2) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: "Any individual who participates in an intercollegiate sport for an institution of higher education, and is a student enrolled in the institution of higher education, shall be considered an employee of the institution of higher education if--
"(A) the individual receives any form of direct compensation, including grant-in-aid, from the institution of higher education; and
"(B) any terms or conditions of such compensation require participation in an intercollegiate sport."; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(15) The term `grant-in-aid' means a scholarship, grant, or other form of financial assistance that is provided by an institution of higher education to an individual for the individual's undergraduate or graduate course of study.
"(16) The term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
"(17) The term `intercollegiate athletic conference'--
"(A) means any conference, or other group or organization, of institutions of higher education that--
"(i) exercises authority over intercollegiate sports at such institutions of higher education; and
"(ii) is engaged in commerce or an industry or activity affecting commerce; and
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), does not include the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
"(18) The term `college athlete employee' means an individual described in the second sentence of paragraph (3).".
(b) Multiemployer Bargaining Unit.--Section 9(b) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(b)) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ": Provided, That, for the purpose of establishing an appropriate bargaining unit for college athlete employees at institutions of higher education in an intercollegiate athletic conference, the Board shall recognize multiple institutions of higher education within an intercollegiate athletic conference as a multiemployer bargaining unit, but only if consented to by the employee representatives for the intercollegiate sports bargaining units at the institutions of higher
education that will be included in the multiemployer bargaining unit.".
(c) Jurisdiction Related to Intercollegiate Sports.--Section 14(c)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 164(c)(1)) is amended by striking "Provided," and inserting the following: "Provided, That the Board shall exercise jurisdiction over institutions of higher education and college athlete employees of such institutions in relation to all collective bargaining matters under this Act pertaining to such employees, including any representation matter, such as recognizing or establishing a bargaining unit for such employees and any labor dispute involving such institutions and employees: Provided further,".
(d) Prohibition on Waiver.--An individual may not enter into any agreement (including an agreement for grant-in-aid, as defined in section 3(15) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(15)) or legal settlement that waives or permits noncompliance with this section or the amendments made by this section.
(e) Treatment of Direct Compensation for Tax Purposes and Eligibility for Federal Financial Assistance.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment made by this section, shall--
(1) cause any type of direct compensation described in section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(3)) that was not previously treated as income for which a tax may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to become a type of direct compensation for which such a tax may be imposed;
(2) cause any individual to be treated as an employee, or cause any amounts received by an individual to be treated as wages, for purposes of any provision in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relating to employment taxes or the withholding of taxes by an employer if such individual or amounts would not otherwise be so treated;
(3) affect the treatment of qualified scholarships under section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(4) otherwise affect the treatment of any direct compensation described in such section 2(3) in determining income, including gross income or adjusted gross income, for purposes of--
(A) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any reporting requirements under such Code; or
(B) determining eligibility for any form of Federal financial assistance, including assistance under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.).
(f) Severability.--If any provision of this section, an amendment made by this section, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section and the amendments made by this section, and the application of the provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected.
Text of Senate Amendment 6773
Page S4761 · Official textSA 6773. Mr. HUSTED submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (1,217 characters)
In section 113, strike "(f) Rule of Construction.--" and insert the following:
(f) Limits on Foreign Students Participating in Certain Intercollegiate Sport Programs.--
(1) In general.--Beginning July 1, 2030, an institution will ensure that for each intercollegiate sport program of the institution, not more than 20 percent of the total number of students included on the roster of the covered intercollegiate sport program of the institution for an academic year are covered students, except that in no case shall the limit established under this paragraph be less than 1.
(2) Definition of covered student.--In this subsection, the term "covered student" means an individual who--
(A) is enrolled as a student in an institution; and
(B)(i) is not a national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (20) and (22) of section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)); or
(ii) is receiving, or has received, a salary, scholarship, or any other form of financial assistance related to the student's athletic participation from an Olympic or Paralympic committee of a foreign country.
(g) Rule of Construction.--
Text of Senate Amendment 6774
Pages S4761–S4762 · Official textSA 6774. Mr. MURPHY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (5,439 characters)
Strike section 122 and insert the following:
SEC. 122. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS OF COLLEGE ATHLETES.
(a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: "Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the term `employer' includes a public institution of higher education with respect to the employment of college athlete employees of the institution.";
(2) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: "Any individual who participates in an intercollegiate sport for an institution of higher education, and is a student enrolled in the institution of higher education, shall be considered an employee of the institution of higher education if--
"(A) the individual receives any form of direct compensation, including grant-in-aid, from the institution of higher education; and
"(B) any terms or conditions of such compensation require participation in an intercollegiate sport."; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(15) The term `grant-in-aid' means a scholarship, grant, or other form of financial assistance that is provided by an institution of higher education to an individual for the individual's undergraduate or graduate course of study.
"(16) The term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
"(17) The term `intercollegiate athletic conference'--
"(A) means any conference, or other group or organization, of institutions of higher education that--
"(i) exercises authority over intercollegiate sports at such institutions of higher education; and
"(ii) is engaged in commerce or an industry or activity affecting commerce; and
"(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), does not include the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
"(18) The term `college athlete employee' means an individual described in the second sentence of paragraph (3).".
(b) Multiemployer Bargaining Unit.--Section 9(b) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(b)) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ": Provided, That, for the purpose of establishing an appropriate bargaining unit for college athlete employees at institutions of higher education in an intercollegiate athletic conference, the Board shall recognize multiple institutions of higher education within an intercollegiate athletic conference as a multiemployer bargaining unit, but only if consented to by the employee representatives for the intercollegiate sports bargaining units at the institutions of higher
education that will be included in the multiemployer bargaining unit.".
(c) Jurisdiction Related to Intercollegiate Sports.--Section 14(c)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 164(c)(1)) is amended by striking "Provided," and inserting the following: "Provided, That the Board shall exercise jurisdiction over institutions of higher education and college athlete employees of such institutions in relation to all collective bargaining matters under this Act pertaining to such employees, including any representation matter, such as recognizing or establishing a bargaining unit for such employees and any labor dispute involving such institutions and employees: Provided further,".
(d) Prohibition on Waiver.--An individual may not enter into any agreement (including an agreement for grant-in-aid, as defined in section 3(15) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(15)) or legal settlement that waives or permits noncompliance with this section or the amendments made by this section.
(e) Treatment of Direct Compensation for Tax Purposes and Eligibility for Federal Financial Assistance.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment made by this section, shall--
(1) cause any type of direct compensation described in section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(3)) that was not previously treated as income for which a tax may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to become a type of direct compensation for which such a tax may be imposed;
(2) cause any individual to be treated as an employee, or cause any amounts received by an individual to be treated as wages, for purposes of any provision in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relating to employment taxes or the withholding of taxes by an employer if such individual or amounts would not otherwise be so treated;
(3) affect the treatment of qualified scholarships under section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(4) otherwise affect the treatment of any direct compensation described in such section 2(3) in determining income, including gross income or adjusted gross income, for purposes of--
(A) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any reporting requirements under such Code; or
(B) determining eligibility for any form of Federal financial assistance, including assistance under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.).
(f) Severability.--If any provision of this section, an amendment made by this section, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section and the amendments made by this section, and the application of the provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected.
Authority for Committees to Meet
Page S4762 · Official textMr. President, I have 10 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.
Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:
The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a business meeting.
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.
The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a business meeting.
The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.
The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet dyring the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.
The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.
The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 3 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.
Appointments
Page S4762 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 8468(a), as amended by Public Law 118-159, appoints the following Senator to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy: The Honorable Jon Husted of Ohio.
The Chair announces, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 107-12, the appointment of the following individual to serve as a member of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board: Kevin Thom of South Dakota.
Commending and Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions Men's Wrestling Team for Winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Championship
Page S4762 · Official textLIONS MEN'S WRESTLING TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2026 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 847 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (221 characters)
A resolution (S. Res. 847) commending and congratulating the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Championship.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of August 8 (legislative day, August 7), 2026, under "Submitted Resolutions.")
Resolutions Submitted Today
Pages S4762–S4763 · Official textMadam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 859, S. Res. 860, and S. Res. 861.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc.
I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 859) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record under "Submitted Resolutions.") The resolution (S. Res. 860) was agreed to. (The resolution is printed in today's Record under "Submitted Resolutions.") The resolution (S. Res. 861) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record under "Submitted Resolutions.")
Orders for Thursday, September 17, 2026
Page S4763 · Official textMadam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 17; 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 S. 4668, postcloture; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:45 a.m., the Senate vote on the motion to proceed to S. 4668, and immediately following disposition of the motion to proceed to S. 4668, the Senate proceed to executive session; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Mitchell nomination, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 1:45 p.m., and immediately following disposition of the Mitchell nomination, the Senate resume legislative session; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Adjournment Until 10 A.m. Tomorrow
Page S4763 · Official textMadam 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 5:58 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Nominations
Page S4763 · Official textExecutive nominations received by the Senate:
Text printed in the Record (1,682 characters)
THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211:
COL. KEVIN H. MILLER THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211:
BRIG. GEN. PAUL T. SELLARS THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211:
COL. SHAWN D. WRAY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12203:
COL. RYAN T. SMITH THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
COL. MICHAEL F. BELENKY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624:
COL. MATTHEW T. ADAMCZYK COL. ROBERT S. ADCOCK COL. JAMES E. ARMSTRONG III COL. JESSIE J. BREWSTER COL. SEAN P. COAKLEY COL. ELIZABETH H. CURTIS COL. CHRISTOPHER M. DEMPSEY COL. JOHN B. GILLIAM COL. CHARLES A. GREEN COL. TYSON J. HISE COL. TIMOTHY P. HUDSON COL. JUSTIN D. HUFNAGEL COL. ROBIN D. HUSTED COL. CULLEN A. JONES COL. RICARDO D. JONES COL. CHARLES W. KEAN COL. NEAL J. LAPE COL. IAN J. LAUER COL. CHRISTOPHER S. MCCLURE COL. PATRICK R. NELSON COL. JEFFREY W. PICKLER COL. JOSHUA R. RUISANCHEZ COL. GERALD P. SCHUCK COL. ROBERT M. SHAW COL. CHRISTOPHER M. STAUDER COL. RICARDO A. TURNER COL. GRAHAM R. WHITE