Transcripts For CSPAN2 U.S. 20240703

World, make us one. Bring unity to our congress, nation, and world. Lord, help us to see that awesome things can be accomplished when we stop worrying about who will get the credit. With this unity, infuse us also with hope, pragmatism, and courage. Lord, give us realistic expectations about our future, reminding us that many problems that took decades to create will not be quickly solved. Motivate us to make the necessary sacrifices so that the rough places will be made smooth, the crooked places will be made straight, and the stars of hope will shine again in our hearts. We pray in your magnificent name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. 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. The clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington d. C. , october 19, 2023. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable raphael g. Warnock, a senator from the state of georgia, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed patty murray, president pro tempore. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time reserved. Under the previous order, the senate will be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for permitted to speak therein for here to talk about the speaker election as well as effort by floor in the city and to the president s desk appropriations for supplemental appropriation for israel in ukraine. Aidan quigley lets begin with the viewer post to us on expert buys a house having one a day for speaker . Jordan lost some votes yesterday. Does he think hes ever going to get enough . It almost seems like theyre playing a game and taking turns not voting for jordan. Guest i think thats a good question. A lot of us yesterday were wondering what we see another vote today. As the viewer pointed out is clear jim jordan does not have the votes to become elected speaker and the font is on an expelled he will lose even more from the more establishment republican types who are opposing him who are dug in and i think the tide is turning against him today. Host there was reporting on capitol hill as this viewer was alluding to this is by design that theyre taking turns voting against it. It was reporting that indeed is the strategy. Can you explain . Guest the idea there is opponents want to show momentum against jordan. If that is a strategy which it would make sense if it was, they want to show that momentum is turning against him and they are building opposition. There are some lawmakers who want this to be over and did support jordan but not as we had to another bella are frustrated by the process and the fact jordan is pushing on when its pretty close to holdouts are not going to budge. We go back to january in the Kevin Mccarthy experience, there were active negotiations going on between mccarthy and his holdouts. While new bit of that with some pockets of divisiveness with the jordan there are some members the senior appropriators are really against him who are not negotiating. They are dug in. Yesterday afternoon the recalling of the day before calling for the immediate vote because they think they have the numbers. Host your headline on rollcall. Com speaker battlelines may be hardening picnic steps are unclear. Talk about the Pressure Campaign on those opponents. Guest theres a lot of talk this week from the opponents about the call to getting from constituents who are putting pressure on jordan. One member from iowa who said she was receiving Death Threats for changing her vote because she was for jordan on a first bella and then it became clear to her he had no path to 217, and she said she was getting Death Threats. Talking about how their staffs are getting threats. Its really a highpressure environment on capitol hill where jim jordan supporters really wanted to become speaker, putting pressure on these lawmakers and to the extent in some cases it seems potentially criminal and the office is in touch with police on that one. Host is the pressure valve, is a pressure valve electing or giving not electing but giving Patrick Mckinney more power . Guest i think so. One more thought and jim jordan pickiest disavowed the Pressure Campaign, the Death Threats. But to mechanic right now were seeing a movement from moderate republicans to give him more power on a basis, and interesting constitutional question where you have a debate about whether he already has that power. Theres one train of thought that he does have the power. Its never been tested before. Theres never been a speaker has never been vacated until mccarthy was. We are trying to see what power mchenry has, at a resolution to so what kind of formalize it. Some say he can do it on his own and will have to see what happens. Host who was waiting in the wings if there is not another vote for jim jordan antibows out of this race . Guest thats a good question. There are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of republicans who are still interested in being speaker, despite what youve seen with the two candidates who have been already nominated by the conference. Its really hard to see about the 20 to 17 for anyone at this point especially now when you have the jim jordan backers are going to be really, really upset about him become speaker. Weve seen them pulled there be two more establishment types but to add answer your questionk republican studies, Committee Chairman was publicly flirting with the bid two weeks ago and now he would kind of be a clear option who could run. The are a handful of others, mckinley himself even though he seems to not really want the job, as we saw with his gavel slam when mccarthy was ousted. He is an out and theres always, he might get more power and you might try to go for it permanently. Well have to wait and see. Host republicans a fad of reluctant speak before, paul ryan. Guest they have. One of the criteria republicans like his if you dont want it, that makes you more appealing than those who really do try trt lets get to kathleen in chicago, democratic caller. Caller and please come get this out because i need to know the answer as well as some of your republican callers calling in blaming the democrats about them helping to get mccarthy out. I was under the impression that if you got the majority like republicans, its 220 if im not mistaken, and eight went against him. And the democrats is in the minority. Why are you blaming democrats for eating bit of mccarthy when you have 220 republicans . Its that the democrats fault because these eight republicans went against mccarthy one of their own. I keep hearing people talking about why the democrats vote to keep the republican speaker in . Why couldnt four or five of those republicans and didnt want mccarthy come over and vote with the democrats . It dont make sense. Host are right. We will take your questions. Guest i think you make a really good point and thats the argument the democrats on the hill are making. Democrats never vote for a republican speaker and two weeks ago when they voted with the eight republicans who opposed mccarthy to vacate the speakership, that was the argument the democrats were making basically. We do not support republican speakers. Mccarthy, they had a long list of things mccarthy have done that they didnt like. Most recently going on tv on sunday after keeping the government open on saturday and basically blaming democrats for the shutdown showdown with the democrats provided a majority of the votes to keep the government open when that was a move mccarthy made january 6, the trump experience, a lot of complex about mccarthy so that is a good point you made on kind of the angle here. As we look to move forward and kind back to talking about the effort to empower the speaker pro tem mchenry, democrats are looking for concessions, looking for a deal it seems yesterday Hakeem Jeffries was saying they need to see what proposal republicans come up with before they go back to conference and discuss it in regards to mchenry. We are waiting and seeing on the front. Host the republicans with the democratic votes to give mchenry these powers that theyre talking about. What concessions would democrats want . Guest thats a really good question and the absolutely need democratic votes because there are a lot of conservatives who say this is essentially forming a Coalition Government with the democrats. There is no difference in their eyes between given mchenry more power and picking some compromise candidate working with democrats. As far as concessions go, the impeachment inquiry is one of democrats want that to end. That might be too big of an ask but who knows . Thats on the table. When you come to the appropriations process democrats want to keep the government open past november 17 17th which s less than a month from now. They want to negotiate at the level set and the debt limit deal which is what the city is helped negotiate so we might steer the ship although in that direction which House Republicans would be upset about. I think those would be to areas appropriations and impeachment with a would be some room for negotiation. Host going with the numbers and House Republican source of democrats, how many are there and we have two vacancies right now and what is the magic number against . Guest the magic number you can lose 270 as a magic number for the speaker race. There are 221 republicans so theres really not a lot of room, not a lot of breathing room. Host ten in alabama lets hear from you. Caller hello . About the speaker of the house, with all of the chaos with all of the chaos, the maga republicans and everything, i dont think anybody, whether its mitt romney or anybody else could go in and get the votes to be speaker of the house because of the chaos that is there. The other thing is i would not be surprised if jim jordan has been a conversation with donald trump. Hes going to keep running maybe until, and its just wasting time, you know, when somebody else or some of the way of getting the house in order and is just wasting time. Host lets pick up on that because how does that help the Republican Party in the 2024 election . Are the republicans concerned about the . Guest there are definitely republicans concerned about the possible of the speaker jim jordan in swing districts especially with trump on top of the bella. House republicans are nervous heading into next year. There is fear a speaker jim jordan would cost them headaches for them when it comes to the campaign trail. Host erin, huntsville, alabama, independent. Caller hey there. I was head of putting together recently this week how International Bankers helped establish israel , were going to move on. George, troy missouri democratic caller. Caller yes. This is a big joke. [inaudible] everyone knows is trumpier trump is when he moves, jordan loses every day he calls down to florida dislike mccarthy did. Its a big joke. Its all a joke. Host lets hear from john who is in wrong button. John, there you go. Caller okay. I know how republicans can win this the first vote if they do with the democrats did. You either vote for me or we will run somebody against you next election and you wont get no dnc money or rnc money, i think you are trying that your john, they have tried that tactic on people from what weve heard. Aidan quigley go ahead try to i think so. There is a lot of kind of looming threat of a primary challenger is kind of the scariest thing you can say to a, many house members, but i think a lot of them are really dug in here and feel really strongly, especially supporters of Steve Scalise who are voting against jim jordan on the floor now, some of them are just feel he won the election, official speaker election against jordan fair and square and he should be speaker not jim jordan. I think theyre pretty dug in and not moving. Host if and when this gets settled whats the first piece of legislation the house brings to the four . Guest i think the top property for the house will be a to israel, expect a request from the white house tomorrow which could be around 100 billion for israel for israel, ukraine, taiwan, a really big appropriations package is heading the way of congress. But i think it is deathly going to go, the senate is going to move first. The house usually was first but with the speaker the sin is gearing up to consider that first. The senate seems to be way more willing than the house to support ukraine which is going to be a huge part of this package. Host 100 billion, we read earlier 60 billion for ukraine, 40 duggan for taiwan, Israel Security on the southern border. The 100 million in eight the president announced yesterday for palestinians, is that part of this environment, this appropriations package headed to congress . Guest it is not, dont believe it is. This is more focused on kind of defense and security. Host okay. June in charleston, south carolina, democratic caller. Caller okay. I would like to know why they picked jordan when he has been charged for the stuff in georgia. Also he was involved in the january 6th. Hes trumps buddy. Im sorry, to me thats dangerous. Thats all i have to say. Host his role on january 6, phone calls in a to the president took that is, by some his opponents. Guest yes, democrats have highlighted that. Guest absolutely. Nancy pelosi was talking about how jim jordan is an insurrectionist, is the term that she used. Hakeem jeffries has talked about how stopping jim jordan from becoming speaker with the democrats number one priority, which it looks like with the help of republicans that there successfully achieving. Jordan has not face any charges over january 6th, but its deathly something that there are some folks on the hill this week. Host ohio, jim jordan some state. John in cincinnati, independent. Caller good morning. Thanks are taking my call. The question i have is republicans have 221 members. If they would elect of lets say lee zeldin who is not currently a member, would he be able to vote and make it 222 . Guest so it is possible that a member, someone whos not a member of the house could become the speaker which is why we see some votes for lee zeldin. But he would not be a Voting Member of the house. He would just be the speaker so that would not be a way for republicans to further their majority. Host kelly in new York Democratic caller. Caller good morning. I was just wondering, im a democrat but i love democracy and to know we need a healthy congress. I dont understand why the moderate republicans dont call the bluff on extreme and just a few of them vote present, put up a different, a decent republican, a few vote present and then the rest are going to have to join or else my guy is going to become speaker of the house. Thank you. Host Hakeem Jeffries is her guy i think it. Guest thats an interesting idea. I think as you pointed out some of them to vote present that would lower the threshold that you need to become speaker and possibly elevate jeffreys. The moderate republicans, one, they are really upset about what happened to mccarthy and the fact that democrats didnt kind of help them or vote to table the motion. Ryan fitzpatrick a moderate from pennsylvania we talked yesterday said theres a lot of broken trust between the moderate republicans and democrats that they would work with on Something Like colleagues for an allsenators classified briefing on the israelgaza conflict. At the briefing, i asked secretary austin when he needs emergency funding for our ongoing efforts, and he said it was clear, he said, we need it, and in very strong terms, he said the words yesterday. The israeli leaders we met over the weekend used the same exact words, yesterday. That means the senate cannot wait, and we will not wait. We also talked about the situation on the ground in israel and gaza at our briefing. As was made clear yesterday, the Intelligence Community assesses that, according to the current analysis and available intelligence, israel is not to blame for the explosion of the hospital in gaza. As was made clear yesterday, and i checked in, and i was allowed to say it from our Intelligence Community, the Intelligence Community assesses that, ard doing according to the current analysis and available intelligence, israel isnt to blame for the explosion of the hospital in gaza. Intelligence, our intelligence, believes it was an errant rocket from terrorists allied with hamas in gaza. Spreading inaccuracies, as hamas so often does at painful times like this, is supremely risky and only endangers more human life. Theres a lot of misinformation circulating in the chaos of this war, and its incumbent on all of us not to ensure to ensure we dont fan the flames and increase tensions, particularly when were relying on a very, very difficult issue from a source that is known to lie all the time. We all know, of course, the loss of any innocent life is terrible, the loss of innocent israeli life, palestinian life, any innocent life, and i saw the pictures of the children in the hospital, i feel very badly about it. We have to condemn that at every turn. But when seeking the truth, its imperative, utterly imperative, people dont merely take the first thing they hear and run with it, particularly when it comes from a group like hamas, known to spread lie after lie after lie. We should not sprint to believe the word of organizations like hamas, a terrorist group, while ignoring the facts and findings of our own intelligence. Thats why i was pleased President Biden made clear that our intelligence indicates terrorists in dpeaz were responsible for this in gaza were responsible nor this tragedy. I was also glad to see that the president in tel aviv yesterday was on point america will stand with israel. America will help them defeat hamas. He also said everyone must opinion deliberate at this moment. We must unequivocally work to protect civilian life during conflict. That is a really tough job, particularly when hamas puts hostages in the middle of civilian populations. Rockets, military equipment in the middle of civilian populations, and use them as shields. Even having sensed how difficult this is, israel, being a democracy, has to live to a higher standard, and we made that point, all of us, when we visited israel, as much as we wanted the israelis to know we stand by them and will give them the equipment and things they need. So this morning, mr. President , the senate will pass a bipartisan resolution affirming that the Senate Stands firmly with israel and firmly against hamas. Hopefully, the senate will speak in one voice that israel is our friend and that hamas attack is reprehensible and that well stand with our friends to defend themselves. Our resolution has overwhelming, nearly unanimous support in the senate, on both sides, and were working with the few who have some problems, to solve their problems. So we can get this done. By the end of the week, the president will send the senate a supplemental request to provide israel the military intelligence, diplomat and humanitarian diplomatic and humanitarian aid it needs. When the Senate Receives this request, we will spring into action and move it as soon as we can. Secretary austin was clear they need these funds yesterday. Especially right now, as extremists have brought the house of representatives to complete paralysis. The world needs to see a u. S. Senate united in action democrats and republicans in this chamber must send an unmistakable message that the work of legislating is not going to stop over here because of chaos in the other chamber. If we act with enough bipartisan strength, its my hope it could help the house snap out of its delirium and get back to the business of governing, not letting a small, hardright group simply tie the house in a knot because theyre not getting their way. Every day counts immensely. Now, on a detained journalist, unfortunately, mr. President , yesterday authorities detained a journalist with dual u. S. Russian citizenship on specious charges of failing to register as a foreign agent. This is now the second american journalist detained by russia this year, after Evan Gershkovitz of the wall street journal was detained in march. We condemn this unjustifiable detention. We demand they be released immediately. Its no secret that russia has a long and disturbing history of unjustly detaining u. S. Citizens, especially members of the free press. Let me be clear journalism is not a crime, and should neff be met with percent never be met with persecution, intimidation or suppression. America stands with the reporters and their families. Now, on the minibus, over the course of this week, ive worked closely with democratic and republican appropriators to move forward on the Bipartisan Senate appropriations process. We made a lot of progress this week, trying to reach an agreement on amendments. Were getting close to an agreement, but were not there yet, so well keep working today. Here in the senate, unlike the chaos of the house, both sides want bipartisanship. Thats the only way things move forward in a divided government. And the Appropriations Committee have done a very good job passing out all the bills with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, many of them unanimously. But theres one crucial point, mr. President. When we came to agreement to move these bills, both sides committed to stopping poison pill amendments because that would risk upending the process. Sadly, a small group on the other side have tried adding poison pills and weve been dealing with them over the last few weeks. Im optimistic that well work through these poison pills and pass these bipartisan bills soon. Democrats made a commitment to our republican colleagues to pursue regular order as much as possible because we want to get these appropriations bill done. We have committed to having debates and votes on relevant nonpoison pill amendments. I think there are 39 or so lined up. But while were getting close, the work is not done. Were going to keep working today. If people want to know why its moving slowly, its because of republican insistence on poison pill amendments. But thats not going to stop us. Were going to keep moving forward and were going to try to vote on amendments soon. Once again, thank you to the whole Appropriations Committee on both sides. Im optimistic we can get this done. Finally, mr. President , on our wonderful Senate Historian, to quote an old quote goes, to study history means smith yourself to chaos submitting yourself to chaos but retaining your faith in order and meaning. Thats a great quote, very relevant today in this congress. I dont imagine that the author of that line was thinking about the u. S. Senate, but i cannot think of a more apt description of the duties of the Senate Historian. And for the last eight years the senate has been blessed with a wonderful, erudite historian. Betty koed, only the third historian ever and the first woman to hold the position. Sadly, this week marks the end of bettys remarkable tenure in the senate which dates back to her earliest days as assistant historian in 1998. So she began in the Senate Historical office in the same year i began running for the senate. I didnt know her at that point but im sure glad ive gotten to know her now. Its a great undertaking to chronicle the history of an institution so unique, so rich with significant events, so influential in the landscape of our nation. But for the last 25 years betty has done that with the utmost professionalism, devotion, and a bit of a flair. Every week she gives us a little History Lesson at our lunches, our tuesday lunches, and every member looks forward to hearing what she has come up with. And its amazing. We learn a lot and we enjoy it. As Senate Historian, betty was tasked with the extraordinary responsibility to preserve, protect and promote the history of the senate and the multitudes of members who serve in this chamber. And she has not only been a student of Senate History but a teach of it as well. Thanks to her work developing Education Programs and exhibits, generations of americans who have the means to learn about the senate and the u. S. Capitol. I was proud to lead a resolution with leader mcconnell and 98 senators commemorating bettys decades of service and official ly grathing her. Congratulating her. On behalf of a grateful senate, grateful country and a very grateful majority leader, i thank betty for her service and wish her the best moving forward. Congratulations historian emeritus. I yield the floor. Mr. Mcconnell 34r79. Mr. President. The presiding officer the republican leader. Mr. Mcconnell theres evil in the world and for the better part of the last Century America and our allies are squarely in the crosshairs. Unfortunately we tend to forget that. On september 12, 2001, george will coined a phrase saying that the free worlds, quote, holiday from history, end quote, was over. When russia escalated its lawless invasion of ukraine last year, many observers, including secretary of defense paul gates, invoked the same ideal. The west is at a crossroads. Increasingly friends voices on the left and right are insisting that its not americas business to lead. They seem willing to accept american decline and to assume their lack of interest in history means history wont be interested in them. Meanwhile many of our allies are waking up to their own commitments to collective defense. And as the world was reminded last february in ukraine and again on october 7 in israel, some of our friends and fellow democracies have never had the option of taking a holiday from history. Israel has no choice but vigilant selfdefense because of murderous theocrats and terrorists are there to wipe them off the map. Ukraine has no choice but allout resistance because an authoritarian thug with delusions of soviet glory has spent years butchering its people and carving up its sovereign territory. Half a world away, the free people of taiwan have no choice but to stare down the threat from a communist super power intent on bringing their island to heel. Its hard to ignore the growing extra teej cal alignment extra teej cal alignment. They share an interest in one anothers pursuits and in undermining the west, especially america. I think the growing Strategic Partnership between russia and iran, the Obama Administration foolishlily welcomed putins intervention in syria and it gave russia influence in the middle east it hadnt had since the 1970s. Mostly at americas expense. Iran and its terror proxies were glad to see putin prop up bashar alassad. Under russian protection syria became the Training Ground and logistics super highway from tehrans terror network. And as terrorists challenge america and israel in the region , russia is the beneficiary. It is a symbolic relationship for the bad guys, and its only continued to grow. Russia defends iran at the u. N. And iran is now providing the same lethal drones its terrorist proxies used to attack American Forces in syria and iraq directly to russia for use against ukraine. The Worlds Largest statesponsor of terror with american, israeli and arab blood on its hand is also sponsoring russias war against our friends in europe. As one good analysis put it recently, when Hamas Terrorists, hezbollah mercenary ies and iranian theocrats chant death to america after murdering israelis, theyre not confused. And its hardly surprising that putin has aligned his regime with this terror given the devastation its forces inflict on civilians in ukraine. Meanwhile china isnt just keeping a close eye on the worlds resolve to resist russian aggression and iranbacked terrorism. Theyre actually getting more directly involved. Just yesterday, for example, the summit of the prcs socalled belt and road initiative, a massive influence operation aimed at bringing more parts of the world under beijings thumb, featured Vladimir Putin as the guest of honor. Yet another sign that russia and china are serious about friendship without limits. Beijing has released a flurry of statements responding to terrorist savagery by condemning israels selfdefense operations and conspicuously avoiding any mention of hamas. The prc is stepping up its ordination with and support for iran. Its no surprise that the regime that wants to break the will of the free people of taiwan is eager to see its fellow travelers in tehran and moscow do the same to israel and ukraine. Our adversaries know the challenges they pose to us. The belief that we can abandon allies in one part of the world and not hurt allies elsewhere simply doesnt hold water. Nsks in fact, its naive and dangerous. The people of israel have a right to defend themselves and the United States has an interest in our closest ally in the middle east rooting out terrorist like hamas. Ukraine has a right to sovereignty, and the United States has an interest in europe, our largest trading partner and strongest ally, not facing an emobama administratiod thug at its gates. Taiwan has a right to selfdetermination and the United States has an interest in helping asian partners stand up to chinese aggression. We need to remember america is a super power. Our interests are global, and with global interests come global responsibilities. Our alliances matter. Our credibility matters. Our friends on the front line of authoritarian aggression and terrorist savagery dont have the opportunity to take a holiday from history. And america cant afford to either. In the coming days it will be the senates responsibility to take strong and Decisive Action to put support behind israels selfdefense, equip ukraine for victory as it defines it and help taiwan deter growing thets threats. The prosperity america has known for the better part of a century is a direct product of our leadership. Preserving it means standing with our friends and investing in our own strength. On one final matter, id like to take a minute to thank an allstar member of the Senate Community as she departs on a welldeserved retirement. For the past 25 years recording, preserving and sharing the stories of the u. S. Senate has been betty koeds top responsibility. As Senate Historian, betty has immersed herself more than pretty much anyone in the core of this remarkable institution. Betty joined the senate . 1998 the senate in 1998 with time to witness the impeachment trial of president clinton. And her intelligence and determination came in handy immediately as the Historians Office phones rang off the hook with questions about the complex rules, procedures, and precedents that surrounded the first such event in more than a century. But as much as members of this body are prone to make history, senators will tend to like consuming history. I myself am no exception. So back in 2009 when former Senate Historian Richard Baker retired, i invited betty to start visiting the republican conference lunches to deliver weekly presentations on Senate History. By all accounts, bettys history minutes were the highlight of many a lunch. In fact, they were so popular that we asked her to turn these stories into a book. And im glad to say that an impressive volume illustrating some the most of the most dramatic events in the senates history was actually published earlier this year. Over her time in the senate, betty has been a fierce advocate for the preservation of senate records. Her colleagues describe her as a role model and mentor whos highly knowledgeable, considerate, and persistent. It would be no exaggeration to call betty koeds tenure as Senate Historian an historic milestone in its own right. So id like to thank betty. Heartfelt thanks for her Loyal Service to this institution, and i know our colleagues join me in wishing her all the best. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. Jordan is marching had with the speakership bid despite increasingly grim signs for his path to the. I another vote today, this morning thursday, october 19 when the house comes in at noon even sgp lawmakers signal his opposition is likely to grow. Melanie of cnn reporting some of jim jordan opponents tell me theyve been purposefully staggering there are no votes over multiple ballots, a strategy designed to show opposition is only growing. Thats why they tell me jordan will bleed even more support on a third bella. Theres also this from his opponents yesterday telling reporters they are receiving Death Threats. Roll call with the headline i will republican Mariannette Millermeeks received Death Threats over jordan opposition. She posted, on x yesterday that, despite assurances from the ohio wins team that they would cease those threats threats barely took a a darker turn after wednesdays vote. Heres a quote from the congresswoman. I voted for chairwoman granger because she has demonstrated great leadership this year on spending bills and is a staunch conservative. Since my vote in support of chairwoman granger i receive credible Death Threats and a barrage of threatening calls. The proper authorities have notified and my office is cooperative. She goes on to say she will not accept bullying. Shes not the only one. Congressman nicolette noda also in the tweet my vote card blogs to be in the people of new yorks first congressional district. I will not succumb to threats. Rather, i will support a speaker get will fund the World World Trade Center health and tom daschle Flood Insurance and the state and local tax proposal while senate . A quorum call . The presiding the presiding officer it is. Mr. Thune i ask that the quorum call be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Thune the most basic requirement of National Security is a Strong Military but it is not the only requirement. Maintaining our nations strength and our ability to deter threats and discourage our enemies from tangling with us also involves things like a strong economy, energy security, and Border Security. Today i want to spend a few minutes talking about Border Security. Mr. President , Border Security is an essential part of keeping our nation secure. Porous borders are an invitation to criminals, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals. And lets be very clear. There are dangerous individuals out there right now who would like to enter and harm our country. Porous borders are an invitation to those types of individuals. Since the beginning of the month, four iranians considered to be specialinterest aliens, individuals, that is, who may pose a threat to the United States, have been aplea hended at the southern apprehended at the southern border in texas. All told, thousands of special interest aliens, a number of them from middle eastearn countries have been apre middle eastsext rn countries have been apprehended. Individuals were apprehended attempting to illegally cross our southern border. 151. As a result i should say, as a recent news story noted, that figure is more than the total of the previous six years combined, end quote. That same story also notes, and i quote, in the first two weeks of the fiscal year, the cbp sources told fox news that agents had apprehended more than 30 iranians a, nearly 60 syrians is 35 pakistanis, more than 100 russians, 285 afghans, and nearly 2,000 chinese migrants at the southern border. More than 30 iranians, nearly 60 syrians, 35 pakistanis, more than a hundred russians, 285 afghans, and nearly 2,000 chinese migrants at the southern border. Now, mr. President , its likely that many of those individuals are simply in search of the promise the United States offers of a better life, but it is also entirely possible that some of these individuals, some of them from intensely hostile countries likes iran, had more maligned intentions. And, mr. President , while customs and Border Protection apprehended the individuals ive mentioned so far, it is not only possible but likely that similarly concerning individuals are entered order country undetected. Since President Biden took office, there have been more than 1. 5 million known gotaways at the southern border. Those are individuals the Border Patrol saw but was unable to apprehend. And we can only imagine the number of unknown gotaways who have sneaked into the country. Those are people that they didnt see, they have no idea. How many of those individuals are from hostile countries or are on the terrorist watch list . Or members of cartels that target literally every state in the union and are fueling the fentanyl epidemic. The truth of the matter is is, mr. President , we just dont know. But its a good bet that among the gotaways were dangerous individuals who should not be entering our country. Now you mr. President , i dont need to tell anyone that the situation at our southern border right now is disastrous. All signs point to fiscal year 2023 being the third recordbreaking year of attempted illegal crossings at the southern border under the biden administrations watch. The number of attempted illegal crossings at the southern border last month alone has been estimated to be somewhere in the range of 270,000 people. Which would make it the highest monthly number ever recorded. Customs and Border Protection is overstretched, to put it mildly, and has been for pretty much the entirety of the biden administration. We could squaresly be sending a more welcoming signal to criminals, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals if we put out a welcome mat. Why wouldnt dangerous individuals like this take advantage of the chaos at the border to slip into our country undetected . Mr. President , the director of the fbi recently warned of copycat attacks in the United States after hamas deadly attack on israel, and a september threat assessment from the department of Homeland Security noted and i quote terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow of migration and increasingly complex security environment to enter the United States, end quote. If we want to keep our country secure, were going to have to get the situation at our southern border under control now. Im glad that President Biden has finally conceded that a border wall is part of the solution. But it must be backed up with the willingness to fully enforce our laws. Mr. President , in the coming weeks, i expect that were going to take up a supplemental spending bill to address support for our allies and to provide additional funderring that our military funding that our military may need. I hope and will work to ensure that that legislation also includes measures to help secure our southern border. Ive said it before and ill say it again if we dont get National Security right, the rest is conversation. And securing our border is an ann dispensable part of National Security. The terrorist attack on israel on october 7 should be all the reminder we need of the importance of being constantly on guard against those who would psyche to enter our seek to enter our nation and to do us harm. I hope that in the wake of this attack, President Biden and Congressional Democrats will join republicans to make both strengthening our military and securing our border a priority. Mr. President , i yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from vermont. Mr. Welch i move that we dispense with the quorum. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Welch mr. President , i come to the floor today to speak about the nomination of mike allege whitaker of vermont to be administrator of the federal aviation administration. Yesterday, as you know, his nomination was reported unanimously out of the Senate Commerce committee on which we both serve. That was by voice vote, with all the members of the Commerce Committee overwhelmingly agreeing in a bipartisan fashion that mr. Whitaker should lead the faa. This is welcome after 18 months of having no one leading the faa. Its not surprising that he got such strong support. Why . Michael whitaker is immensely qualified, with over 30 years of experience in aviation, both in the Public Sector and in the private sector. His background and knowledge of the industry is formidable. First, michael is a longtime aviator, so hes got practical concern about safety in the air. And personal experience about flying. Second, he has real experience running large and complex systems. During his time as the deputy administrator at the faa, from 2013 to 2016, mike helped the faa upgrade to satelliteenabled surveillance technology. He managed cybersecurity threats and chaired an Interagency Committee coordinating safety and security enhancements in our air space. He made flying safer. Third, he has relevant private sector experience. While in the private sector, mike has worked on strategy operations for some of the Worlds Largest travel companies. They include united airlines, interglobe enterprises, and trans world airlines. He will bring those management skills, that capacity to build a team and organize systems and his forwardthinking vision to the faa. Fourth, mikes focus is on performance, and his commitment to safety is absolute. Thats something that the faa is primarily responsible for, and it is an awesome responsibility that mr. Whittaker has taken seriously every day of his life while he has served both private and public positions in aviation. Mikes a vermonter, smalltown person, lives in a small town in vermont, but heaps got bigtime experience hes got bigtime experience. He understands the importance of ensuring that everyone is recommended, and he knows the reality ofs of what the industry and faa need to succeed. With mike in the cockpit of the faa, our skies will be safer. He will work tirelessly to ensure americans across the country can fly safely and seamlessly wherever they please, with as few disruptions as possible. We urgently need a fulltime faa administrator, and Michael Whitaker of vermont is the ideal candidate for that role. Mr. President , i urge my colleagues to support his nomination, and i yield back. Mr. President , i note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. The clerk ms. Baldwin. Tuesday, 22 yesterday tended to cspan forget about the couple coverage of the house. Mark georgia, democrat color, mark. Good morning. Ecstatic to see republicans finally putting her foot down and towing radicals to take a hike. Because anybody can be speaker of the house, i would love to see arnold legend in this, i think it would be a great thing to see, hes very moderate. There is movement on capitol hill but i dont who put Patrick Mchenry removed in carolina, give more hours for a while until the Republican Party can come together on candidate. The tenth district of North Carolina. There moderate represent swing district in new york voted against jim jordan said its time to empower Patrick Mchenry, is what he had to say its clear he doesnt have the votes. Its up to him he wants to put it to a third ballot, i think you will see more folks dropping off on a third ballot. There is a net loss of two for people who voted that i dont see the outcome changing here so the question is how do we get back to work . Thats the reality we have to deal with. American people sent us here to govern, to focus on the matters to them. The International Crisis we are dealing with in israel and ukraine and we have to get back to work so if the votes are not there, its comparatively empower Patrick Mchenry to serve at least for the time being and that bigger role so we keep the house moving again on Critical Issues including obviously need additional Financial Support for israel. He represents new york, moderate republican time with the lord, give Patrick Mchenry more parts of the house can get back to working past legislation. Yesterday republicans expressed opposition. Iding officer withot objection. Mr. Cornyn mr. President , october 7, on that date more jews died than in then thann the entire holocaust. As the war in the middle east wages on actually, what i should say is more jews died on october 7 than have died since the holocaust. As the war in the middle east wages on, the world is learning new details about the horrors being unleashed by hamas, which is the which as the world now knows is a u. S. Designated terrorist organization. This has been going on a long time. Now, over the past week and a half, weve heard horrifying stories of the atrocities committed against the israeli people. Last week i met at simple emmanuel synagogue in dallas, texas, talked to a mom named kim whose two sons, who were born in dallas, theyre native texans, american citizens, are now fighting in the idf, the Israeli Defense forces. Another woman had been a teacher at the kibbutz in israel, but had recently relocated to the United States. She recounted watching her phone all of a sudden become deluged with messages from that kibbutz about hamas killers coming in and indiscriminately killing babies, children, other civilians. These terrorists have no conscience, they have no moral standards. They not only murder babies and children, they rape, tortured, and beheaded other innocent civilians. They dismembered the bodies of their victims and captures hostages to use as human shields or human bargaining chips. It gives me no pleasure to recount the horrific evil that we are seeing played out in real time on our tv screens and on social media. But its important that we acknowledge the reality of this evil, because if we dont, if we brush it under the rug, we act like, well, theres really some moral equivalency between the palestinian cause and the israeli nation, and that somehow hamas is justified in committing these acts, we will have bought the propaganda of hamas, hook, line, and sinker, and of course, we all know that hamas is a proxy for the Supreme Leader in iran, and that irgc, the Iran Revolutionary guard and force helped train hezbollah in the northern part of israel, and that this is part of a longterm effort to extinguish the jewish state and to eliminate it from the map. This is not a spontaneous act. I know it was written in many of the newspapers, the news media said, well, iran didnt know about this. Well, they may not have known the timing, and they may not have known the scale of these attacks, but theres no question they enabled them, and it was their joint cause between hamas and iran to commit these atrocities against the people of israel as part of their desire to extinguish them from the face of the planet. These terrorists were carrying documents that explicitly outlined the missions objective kill as many individuals as possible, and capture hostages. Those were the orders given to the Hamas Terrorists. Other documents included detailed plans to target elementary schools, target elementary schools, and a youth center in israel, and specific plans to target the most vulnerable population, women and children. In an interview on cnn, israeli president isaac herzog provided more details about the instructions given to these killers. He showed a booklet that was found on the body of a terrorist, its a pocketsize pamphlet, that provides stepbystep instructions on how to torture and kidnap innocent people. So, the evidence is Crystal Clear. This is an evil terrorist group whose only goal is to eliminate israel and the jewish people. And if they cant do that, to kill as many jews as they possibly can. In the wake of these attacks, weve seen an overwhelming show of support, certainly here in congress and across america, for the israeli people and a powerful condemnation of hamas. Here in the senate where disagreement seems to be the rule these days, im glad this is an issue that has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. In the coming days i expect the senate to pass a resolution affirming israels right to selfdefense, literally its right to exist and committing american support. I want to thank leader schumer, leader mcconnell, chairman cardin and Ranking Member risch for introducing this resolution in the Foreign Relations committee. Im proud to be one of the 99 senators who have cosponsored the resolution, and i hope we can advance it formally soon. Its important that the United States is a leader of the free world. Its important that we voice our clear and unwavering support for israel in the face of this evil. And its important not only what we say, but its important what we do. The administration we know is preparing a supplemental funding request to give israel the weapons and the humanitarian relief they need to sustain themselves. I expect this will include weapons, intelligence support, humanitarian aid, and other various and sundry items. Given the constant threats they face from Hamas Terrorists and the threat of a potential enlargement of the war if hezbollah were to join in, its absolutely critical that we treat this request with urgency. Israel is our closest ally in the middle east, and it deserves our full support both in words and in action. While support for israel has been overwhelming, a small but loud minority have tried to establish some false equivalency between hamas attack and israels defense. These individuals have offered bogus assessments that somehow israel is to blame. Sadly, many of these individuals cannot even offer ignorance as an excuse because they are students and leaders at some of the most prestigious universities in america. A coalition of students in harvard issued statements claiming, quote, israel is entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. The president of New York University Student Bar Association falsely claimed that, quote, israel bears full responsibility for the tremendous loss of life, close quote. Its no surprise that this young womans peers denounced this statement and her future employer rescinded its job offer. Leaders at harvard, the university of pennsylvania, cornell, stanford and other elite schools have faced fierce and muchdeserved backlash over their response to this war. Fortunately these views do not constitute a majority, and its important that those who had the evidence to back it up speak out and call it what it is, which is iranian propaganda. One prominent voice of reason among College Administrators is our own former colleague, ben sasse, who now serves as president of the university of florida. In a letter to jewish students and alumni, he pointed out the truth, which is that his colleagues in, quote, elite academia could not bear to say. He called the hamas actions evil and said there is no defense for terrorism. Its embarrassing that many students, fact faculty and administrators at some of americas most prestigious universities cannot even acknowledge that simple fact. Its no wonder people began to wonder whats being taught at our colleges and universities. Our children who are attending these colleges and universities being brain washed . Being only told one side of the story, intimidating people who have different points of view and silencing them from speaking out and telling the truth . Unfortunately, i think that is happening on a regular basis at some of these most elite colleges and universities. Our kids are being brainwashed. While the rhetoric alone is deeply concerning, its horrifying to see that some of this has turned into actual violence. An israeli student at Columbia University was assaulted with a stick outside the universitys library. Synagogues in utah were forced to evacuate after receiving bomb threats which thankfully were not credible but disturbing nonetheless. Swastikas, nazi flags have been spotted in cities across the country from california to new york. Lets just state the truth. There is no space, no room, no argument for hate or antisemitism in the United States. Period. Now we do believe in free speech. We do believe that those who have different points of view deserve the right at some point to speak their mind. But those of us who know better, who know what the facts, who have the courage and backbone to stand up and tell the truth need to speak out as well, and just as forcefully so the American People can know the truth and our actions can follow the evidence. This is a time for moral clarity, for watching the battle of good versus evil. And there can be no ambiguity about where america stands. President biden traveled to tel aviv yesterday to affirm americas unyielding support to israel as it defends itself. Good for him. Im glad he made the trip, and i hope the israeli people can find some comfort and some confidence in the message of solidarity. If israel needs weapons, which it does, particularly the iron dome, which is an antirocket defense weapon which is designed to knock these hundreds of rockets being launched from gaza into israel, they need the iron dome in order to stop those rockets from hitting innocent civilians. Of course they need humanitarian aid, diplomatic support, whatever it is the United States will provide it. Israel has our complete and unwavering support. As each of us know, support for israel is only part of the equation. America cannot relinquish its leadership role in the world, which means we cannot simply replenish israels arsenal or bolster its efforts to defend itself. We must also adopt a new approach to deal with those that are spreading terrorism in the middle east, namely, iran. Iran is the leading state sponsor of International Terrorism and it has bankrolled and trained hamas. Again, im troubled by this idea that somehow iran was not involved in this attack. Of course they were, by extending 100 million a year to hezbollah and hamas, with which to train and then providing weapons . And the objective of wiping israel off the map. The blood is on irans, including the Supreme Leaders hands. And hes proud of it because his goal is to wipe israel off the map, by any means necessary. Iran has provided hamas and other terrorist proxies in the region with funding and training to enable the kinds of attacks weve witnessed. We should be absolutely clear. President bush some 20 years ago called, made a fairly controversial statement at the time identifying the axis of evil, he called it, which included iran, iraq at the time, which was under the rule of saddam hussain, and north korea. But today that axis should include not only iran, but also russia, which is more than happy to have its ally iran distract the world from what they have, are doing in ukraine. And of course the chinese who are more than happy in exchange for the oil that they import from places like iran and russia, to provide support for their evil aims. The Supreme Leader of iran once labeled the United States as irans numberone enemy, and theres no doubt that iran has serious skin in this game. It stands a lot to gain from hamas. And President Biden needs to reassess his approach in dealing with iran. Rather than appeasement, which has allowed them to circumvent the sanctions that we put on, for example, oil exports, they are now back in the business and their economy is booming as a result of the oil theyre selling to countries like china and others. And the idea that President Biden would accept anything, any kind of deal, even are a bad deal, on the Iranian Nuclear Weapon Development is giving them the confidence that they can continue not only to negotiate a weak agreement, but also continue to sell drones to russia with which to kill ukrainians. And eventually they will be able to succeed with their number one goal which is to develop a nuclear weapon. Can you imagine given the destruction caused in the middle east by proxies like hezbollah and hamas, if that same country, the numberone state sponsor of terrorism, got a nuclear weapon. That cannot happen. That must not happen. So i hope that these events have caused the administration to reconsider its approach. The series of missteps that projected an image of weakness to our adversaries are easy to exploit any cracks in our defense. Appeasement, as we learned from world war ii, is not a viable strategy because countries like iran led by the Supreme Leader and this theocracy which is bent on destruction of israel, they cant be reasoned with. Theres not really a cost benefit analysis. Theyre not rational actors. They are idealogues determined to accomplish their goal which is to wipe out countries like israel. So we need to get to work and Work Together to confront the threats that iran and its proxies present and reestablish a credible deterrence in the middle east. Until that happen we can expect assaults on israel and other prodemocracy moves in the middle will be under constant and increased assault. Mr. President , i note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer without objection the clerk will call the roll. The clerk ms. Baldwin. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from illinois. Ms. Duckworth mr. President , i ask unanimous consent to vitiate the quorum. The presiding officer without objection. Ms. Duckworth mr. President , on september 11, 2001, even while smoke was still billowing from the wreckage of the twin towers, i knew deep within me that that attack on american soil would change not just my nations future, but my own. And it did. I rushed back to the Assault Helicopter Company that i commanded at the time ready to seek out the terrorists who attacked my nation and slaughtered civilians. I did it willingly, without hesitation, because every fiber in my being felt the need to defend my country when she was threatened. So today let me be very clear. As a soldier and as someone who has always supported israel, i strongly believe in israels right to defend herself and her people, especially when under attack from a terrorist organization like hamas. A group that redefines the word cruelty, that seems to take pleasure in bloodshed, that refuses to adhere to the rule of law or international norms. If i were an israeli soldier, if i woke up two sates ago saturdays ago to the sights and sounds of massacre like they did, i too would be desperate to defend my neighbors. I too would want to make sure that those who turned my childrens playgrounds into battlefields who turned the grass from rich green to blood red were never able to inflict such horror ever again. And i grieve for every israeli life that was upended or in too many cases ended in such horrific fashion. There is never an excuse or terrorism. None. I will stay on this floor for as long it takes, vote as many times as i have to ensure that our israeli allies have the resources and support they need in time of war. Im clear eyed about the fact that there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding just miles away in gaza and i realize the urgent need to help the innocent palestinians who are also suffering from hamas brutal attacks. Its this simple. We should agree that no child deserves to starve to death or die of thirst. We should all be able to agree no child should be brutalized or burned alive whether they live in gaza or tel aviv, nobody deserves to be terrorized no matter if their home is in kibbutz or in illinois. Every tame i have gone home from work that saturday morning, i held my little girls as tightly as i could, held on to them a couple of more seconds than normal. My daughters are just 8 and 5. They dont understand why im so upset. I tell them that mommys heart is hurting, that shes really sad right now and all she wants is to hold them a little closer a little longer. I am haunted by the faces of the israeli children who hamas mr. Schumer im hearing her heartfelt remarks. I ask to interrupt. Ms. Duckworth i yield. Mr. Schumer i support the senator from illinois. I ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to s. Res. 417, that at 1 45 vote on the adoption of the resolution and the preamble be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table without intervening action or debate. The presiding officer is there objection . Without objection. The clerk will report the resolution. The presiding officer the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk Senate Resolution 417, standing with israel against terrorism. Ms. Duckworth mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from illinois. Ms. Duckworth i am haunted by the feases of the israeli children who hamas abducted just as i am about the parents who are desperate to get their Children Home from the captivity of a terrorist organizations. Im haunted by the children who have been buried in rubble and the 6yearold who was brutally murdered by his landlord in my home state of illinois because he happened to be a muslim. A 6yearold who loved playing with his legos, a 6yearold who could have been any one of ours. I know everybody in this chamber and across the country are haunted too. We must act with urgency to secure the aid into tbawz. We must must to gaza many we must restore essential Services Like water as quickly as we can. And we must ensure that hostages held in gaza receive medical treatment and are brought home as soon as possible. Innocent lives need to be protected consistent with the laws of armed conflict. These actions mark moral imper tifs by helping innocent civilians, but also our steps towards securing israels security. Im grateful the administration has been working around the clock on these priorities and i will continue to do every everything i can to support them. This could be the rare step that would benefit all innocent parties. It would help those to get those trapped innocent palestinian families who are mourning their own lost loved ones and living with no access to basic necessities. It would get assistance to the hostages from israel, the u. S. , and other nations who we are all praying for. It would send a message to the Global Community that is unified in ending the suffering of innocent souls. As someone shot down by an in the middle east, i know this is when the next generation of insurgents get radicalized. They take advantage of the despair and the hopelessness that they themselves manufacture, that they themselves ma anybody latin they manipulate and they use it to recruit more to their cause. We cannot allow hamas to proceed. Our hearts are big enough and our per suspectsive is wide enough to know that hamas rain of terror reign of terror. In this moment its hard not to feel the darkness weighing down upon us, for all of those in harms way, we must channel this devastation into motivation, we must lift up the civilians, not to dehumanize those who pray differently than us. We must bring about a tomorrow for both israelis and palestinians alike where their streets wont be scarred with blood. Im going to roll out of this chamber, head back to my office and keep fighting to get our hostages home. I will fight to get our greatest ally in the middle east the aid and support they need and i will also work to get basic humanitarian aid into gaza and then tonight when i go home, im going to hold my daughters in my arms until they wriggle free and every moment that that hug lasts, im going to be more away than ever how lucky i am to still be able to squeeze them tight. Mr. President , i ask unanimous consent that my remarks appear uninterrupted in the congressional record. The presiding officer without objection. Ms. Duckworth i note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call october 7 more jews died in the holocaust. As a war in the middle east which is on actually what i should say is more jews died on october 7 then have died since the holocaust. A war in the middle east which is on, the world is running new details being released by hamas which is the world knows u. S. Designated terrorist organization, this has been going on a long time. Over the last past week and a half weve heard regarding stories of atrocities committed against israeli people. Last week i met at Temple Emanuel synagogue dallas, texas and talk to a mom named kim whose two sons were born in dallas, texas american citizens writing in the Israeli Defense force. Another woman had been a teacher in israel but relocated to the United States and recounted watching her phone becoming day loosed with messages about how most killers, killing babies, children and other civilians. These terrorists have no conscience, no moral standards. They not only mortar babies but they raped, tortured and dismembered the bottom bodies of the victims use them as human shields or bargaining chips. Gives me no pleasure to recount horrific evil we are seeing played out on our tv screens but its important we acknowledge the reality of this evil because we brushed under the rug there is moral equivalency between palestinian cause and israeli nation and somehow hamas is justified, we will have the the propaganda of hamas, hook line and sinker and we all know hamas is a proxy for the Supreme Leader and around. Around revolutionary guard called equipment train hamas and hezbollah in lebanon and northern parts of his wrists and longterm effort english the jewish state and eliminate it from the map. This is not a spontaneous act written in news media saint arent didnt know about this. They may not have known the timing or scale of these attacks but theres no question they enabled them and it was the joint cause between hamas and iran to commit these atrocities against the people of israel as part of their desire to extinguish them from the face of the planet. These terrorists were during documents outlined the missions objective. Kill as many individuals as possible and capture hostages. Those were the orders given to the hamas terrorist. Other documents included details to target elementary schools. Target elementary schools. A youth center in israel and plans to target the most vulnerable population, women and children. In an interview and cnn, provided even more details about instructions given to the killers, he showed a quick found on the body of a terrace, pocketsized pamphlet that provides step by step instructions on how to torture and kidnap innocent people. The evidence is Crystal Clear this is an evil terrorist group whose only goal is to eliminate israel and the jewish people and if they cant do that, kill as many jews as they possibly can. In the wake of these attacks seen overwhelming show of support certainly here in congress and across america for israeli people confirmation of hamas here in the Senate Disagreement seems to be the rule, im glad this is an issue thats garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. In the coming days i expect the senate to pass a resolution affirming israels right to selfdefense, literally right to exist and committing american support. I want to thank leadership schumer and mcconnell, for introducing this resolution in the Foreign Relations committee. Ninetynine senators cosponsored the resolution and i hope we can advance formally soon. Its important United States as a leader of the free world, important we voice clear unwavering support on the face of this evil and important not only what we say but what we do. The administration is preparing budnick request to give israel weapons and military relief to sustain themselves and expect to include weapons, humanitarian aid and other items. Given the threats they face from Thomas Terrace and threat of a potential enlargement of the war if hezbollah were to join in, its critical we treat this request with urgency. Our closest ally in the middle east and deserves full support both in word and action. While support has been overwhelming, a small minority have tried to establish false equivalency. Individuals have offered assessments that somehow israel is to blame. Sadly the individuals cannot offer ignorance as an excuse because students and leaders of the most prestigious universities in america from a coalition of students at harvard issued a statement claiming israel entirely responsible for all unfolding migrants. The president of New York University Student Bar Association also claimed that quote israel bears full responsibility for tremendous loss of life. Its no surprise this young womans peers announced the statement and future employer rescinded its job offer. Leaders at harvard and university of harvard and other schools based peers much deserved backlash over their response to this work. It does not constitute a majority and important those who have the evidence to back it up speak out and call it what it is which is iranian propaganda. One prominent voice in college administrator, ben sasse who served as president of the university of florida and the letter to jewish students and alumni he pointed out the truth which is that his colleagues elite academia could not bear to say he called hamas actions evil and said there is no comparison embarrassing students and faculty and administrators in americas prestigious universities cannot even acknowledge that fact. No wonder people begin to wonder whats being taught at colleges and universities, children attending colleges and universities brainwashed. Only told one side of the story, intimidating people with different points of view from speaking out and telling the truth. Unfortunately i think that is happening on a regular basis in elite colleges and universities. Our kids are being brainwashed. While the rhetoric alone is deeply concerning, its horrifying to see this has turned into actual violence and israeli student at Columbia University was assaulted with a stick outside the universities library. Synagogues in utah forced to evacuate after receiving bobcats which thankfully were not credible but disturbing nonetheless. Swastikas, flags spotted california to new york. Lets state the truth, there is no space, no room, no argument hate or antisemitism in the United States. We do believe in free speech, we believe those with different points of view deserve the right to speak their mind but those of us who know better and smell the carboxyl will have the courage and backbone to stand up and tell the truth need to be cap as well and just as forcefully selling American People in the can know the truth. We are watching the battle of good versus evil there can be no ambiguity where america stands. President biden traveled to tel aviv yesterday to confirm americas unyielding support to defend itself. The plan, im glad he made the trip but i hope israeli people find comfort and confidence in the message of solidarity. Israel needs weapons which it does particularly the iron dome, and i rocket defense which is designed to knock out rockets from gaza into israel, they need iron dome to stop the rockets from hitting innocent civilians but they need increased access to intelligence capabilities to supplement their own, humanitarian aid, mexico, the United States will provide it. Israel calls complete unwavering support. Support for israel is on the product the equation, america cannot relinquish its leadership role in the world which means we cannot replenish israels urgent or booster efforts to defend itself, we must adopt a new approach to deal with those spreading terrorism in the middle east mainly around, International Terrorism and trained hamas. I am troubled that somehow karen is involved in the attack. Of course they will buy sending 100 million figure two has the law and hamas with which to train in providing weapons, because his goal is to wipe israel off the map by any means necessary. Our own provided hamas and other proxies in the region running weapons and training to enable the attack have witnessed. We should be absolutely clear, president bush 20 years ago made a fairly controversial statement of the time identifying axis of evil he called it which included iran, iraq at the time under the rule of Saddam Hussein and korea but today that axis should include not only urban but also russia, more than happy to have around distract what they are doing in ukraine and of course the chinese who are more than happy in exchange for oil they import from places like iran and russia to provide support for their evil aims. The Supreme Leader of iran wants labeled the United States as a runs number one enemy and no doubt iran has serious skin of the game. President biden needs to reassess his approach in dealing with iran rather than appeasement which is allowing them to circumvent sanctions we put on for example, oil exports, they are back in the business and economy booming as a result of oil selling to countries like china and others in the idea that President Biden would accept any deal, even a bad deal on Iranian Nuclear Weapon Development is giving them the confidence they can continue not only to negotiate a weak agreement but also continue to sell drones to russia with which to kill and eventually they will succeed the number one goal, develop a nuclear weapon. Death and destruction caused by proxies by hezbollah and hamas, the same country, number one state sponsor of terrorism got a nuclear weapon, that cannot happen. It must not happen. I hope these events cause the administration to reconsider its approach, missteps projected image of weakness to adversaries easy to exploit cracks in our defense. Appeasement as we have learned world war ii not a viable strategy because countries like iran led by the Supreme Leader and theocracy bent on destruction of israel cant be reasoned with. The cost analysis, rational actors. They are determined to accomplish their goal which is to wipe out countries like israel so we need to get to work and Work Together to confront iran and proxies and reestablish incredible deterrence in the middle east. Until that happens, we can expect israel and prodemocracy movements in the middle east will be under constant increased assault. I note the absence of a quorum. September 11, 2001, even while smoke was billowing from the twin towers, i knew deep within me i would change not just my nations future but my own and at the. I rushed back ready to seek terrorists attacking our nation and i did it without hesitation and every fiber in 19 need to defend my country. Today let me be clear, as a soldier and someone who has always supported israel, i strongly believe in the right defend herself and her people. High, too, would be desperate to defend my nation and my neighbors. I cant too come would want to make sure those who turned my childrens playground into battlefields who turned the grass under my daughters swingset from rich green to blood red were never able to inflict such poor ever again. And i grieve for every life it was offended or into many cases ended in such a horrific fashion. There is never an excuse or justification for terrorism. None. And i will stay on this floor for as long as it takes to vote as many times as i have to to ensure that our israeli allies have the resources and support they need in time of war. Im also clear eyed about the fact that there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding miles away in gaza and i recognize the urgent need to help innocent palestinians are also suffering as a result of hamas brutal attack. Its this simple to we should all be able to agree that no child deserves to starve to death or die of thirst. We should all be able to agree that no child deserves to be brutalized or burned alive, whether they live in gaza or tel aviv. We should all be able to agree that no child deserves to be terrorized, with their home is on a on plainfield, illinois, or behind a blockade. And every time ive gone over work since that awful saturday morning i felt my little girl as tightly as i could. Ive given them one more squeezed than usual, held onto them for a couple more seconds than normal. My daughters are just eat and five. Itll understand why i am so upset. So i just tell them that mommies heart is hurting, that shes really sad right now, and that all she wants in that moment is just to hold them a little closer for a little longer. I am haunted by the faces of israeli children who hamas terrorist abducted. Im hearing her heartfelt remarks. Yield for a second like in the israel resolution bipartisan. I yield to the majority leader. I get much thank my good friend and great supporter of israel, the senator from illinois. I i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of s. Res. 417 submitted earlier today at 145 in the senate vote on adoption of the resolution that if the resolution is agree to the preamble will be crude and motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table. Without anything action or debate. Is there objection works without objection. I yield back and i thank my colleague for her courtesy. The clerk will report the resolution. Senate resolution 417 standing with israel against terrorism. Mr. President . The senator from illinois mr. President , i am haunted by the face of israeli children who hamas terrorist abducted. Just as in by the conversations ive had with parents desperate to get their Children Home from the captivity of a terrorist organization. Im haunted by the stories of the palestinian children have been buried in rubble just the same but images of sixyearold who was brutally murdered by his landlord over the weekend in my home state of illinois because he just happened to be a muslim. A sexual to love playing with his legos, a secure old who couldve been any one of ours. I knew many others in this chamber crosses country and around the world are hunted, too. So we must must act with urgency to secure the sustain flow of humanitarian aid into gaza. We must, must restore essential Services Like water as quickly as we can and we must, must ensure hostages being held in gaza received Urgent Medical treatment and are safely brought home as soon as humanly possible. Innocent life needs to be protected consistent with the laws of armed conflict. The actions moral imperative by helping innocent civilians but also our steps towards ensuring israels security. I am grateful the administration has been working around the clock on these priorities and i will continue to do everything in my power to support them. The cows during the crisis that is almost always defined by a lose, lose outcome how this could be the rare step that would actually benefit all innocent parties. It would help to get those innocent palestinian families who are mourning their own lost loved ones and are then living with no to basic necessities, and get assistance to the hostages from israel, the u. S. And other nations who we are all praying for successfully. It was in the message to the global kennedyesque unified industry the suffering of innocent human souls. As someone who was shot down by an insurgent in the middle east i know all too well these are the kinds of moments when the next generation of insurgents get radicalized as groups like hamas strife when people are suffering the most. They take advantage of the despair and hopelessness that they themselves manufactured, that they themselves manipulate, and they use it to recruit more to their cause your we cannot let hamas succeed. We cannot let the blast of vessels ground of the voices of our better angels. Because our hearts but big enough and our perspectives wide enough to know that hamas reign of terror terrorizes the little girls and boys of not just israel but gaza, to use them as human shields. And then this moment its hard not to see a dark as wing down on us but for all those in harms way we must channel our devastation into motivation. We must use our voices to lift up the humanity of innocent civilians, not to dehumanize those who may look or pray differently than us. We must work as hard as we can to bring a better tomorrow for both israelis and palestinians alike where the skies will not be marred with missiles and the streets will not be scarred with blood. And that is exactly what im going to do. I am going roll out of this chamber head back to my office and keep fighting to get our hostages home. I will fight to get our greatest ally in the middle east, israel, the aid and support they need, and am also going to work to get basic managing aid into gaza. And tonight when i go home i am going to hold my daughters to my arms until they wiggle free, and every moment that that hug glass im going to be more aware than ever how lucky i am to be able to squeeze them tight. Quorum call mr. President , when we took off, our goal was basically to get humanitarian aid into gaza, and to get as Many Americans out the ones who could get up get out, as possible. And so we got a commitment as you know from the israelis, the war cabinet and the Prime Minister. Second thing was i wanted to make sure there was a vehicle mechanism that this could happen quickly. And so ive been on the phone for the last weve been on the ground for a while thats what we havent taken off. About an hour. I dont think it was that long. About a half hour. My team here he agreed that what he would do is open the the presiding officer without objection. Mr. Moran thank you, sir. Mr. President , in 1984, president Ronald Reagan designated october as the national down syndrome awareness month. Weve been honoring that day, that month ever since. We are attempting to ensure that americans have had the opportunity to celebrate and recognize individuals with down syndrome and those individuals contribution to our world. Since 200015, i served as the cochair of the congressional down Syndrome Task force, that promotes policies and enhances the quality of life for individuals with down syndrome. Last september the tank force partnered with leaders in down syndrome advocacy groups and the medical Research Sector to host a roundtable discussion on recent scientific advances in down Syndrome Research. During the round table, selfadvocates brought awareness to the issues important to their communities such as work and education opportunities, policies to improve independent living, support for their loved ones, and caretakers and medical research. Hearing the firsthand testimonies from individuals with down syndrome and medical professionals who have dedicated their careers to the understanding of down syndrome in order to better care for the community was meaningful to me and it helped better us better understand the needs of the down Syndrome Community. Though my interactions through my interactions on the task force, i also had the privilege to meet amazing parents, siblings, aunts, uncle, advocates and caregivers who support individuals with down syndrome in living successful and fulfilling lives. The dedication to improving the lives of those in the down Syndrome Community is appreciated not only this month of october but in every month, every day, every year. As a cochair of the task force ive worked to advocate for federal resources for down Syndrome Community to support medical research and enable individuals with down syndrome to live a full and independent life. Through congressional commitment to expand federal resources, down Syndrome Research has improved significantly in recent years. In may of 2022, the National Institute of Health Report stated federal investment in down Syndrome Research had increased from 18 million in fiscal year 2014 to around 124 million in fiscal year 2022. This increase in funding is a recognition of the gaps in our medical research and working to make certain that we prioritize learning more about down syndrome. As we take this month to celebrate down sin dream, the syndrome, the community and their families, i look forward to building on recent successes and urge congress to renew its commitment pursuing policies that support down syndrome communities and improving the quality of every americans life. Mr. President , i yield the floor. And so it had to be in my view he either took all the blame or not put anybody else on the spot, or get it done. Quite a long time to work this out. Was he reluctant to do these . He was cooperative. Ive had a a decent relationsp with him. Hes got, hes got his own problems on other issues. Hes a tired reporter, whats going on in this country. So i have known him a while. Its very to say he was very cooperative. I thought have to spend more time to convince among the timing, but he stepped up. As did beauty. And bibi. I was very blunt with the israelis. Because look, israel has been badly victimized, but you know the truth is that if they have an opportunity to relieve suffering of people who have nowhere to go, they are going to be, thats what they should do. And if they dont they will be held accountable in ways that may be unfair, but thats what we will do. And what point youre is, look, if you have an opportunity to alleviate pain, you should do it, period. And if you dont you are going to lose credibility worldwide. And i what about getting people out, getting people evacuated . We are going to get people that but im not going to go in any detail with you now. You were very blunt with the israelis on the need to get humanitarian aid to gaza or what exactly . On everything. No, i was very blunt about the need to support dating humanitarian aid to gaza. Get it to gaza and do it quickly. Anymore about the hostages . May i ask you a question . A report in the times of visual that biden officials indicated israel in recent days that if hezbollah initiates a war against israel, the u. S. Military will join the idf infighting the terrorist group. Not true. Not true . I would never say that. Is a lesser chance that that israel will not go in and, in the gaza and i can be averted . We had a long talk about that and what alternatives there are. Our militaries are talking with their military about what alternatives there are. Did you find bibi receptive to the military in a . Yes. We able to get that across . Weve had a number of discussions. Its not news. Look, i dont know know whe tipping israel but i got no pushback, virtually none. Let me say it again. I got no pushback. From the israelis were all the partner . All the partners. Virtually none. And look, anyway, im hopeful we can get some americans out as well from gaza and hopefully we can continue to work towards getting other americans out. Can you talk about the meeting of the survivors and First Responder . Look, i i spent an hour and a half about 17 or 18 before and and i just want to say this. Virtually every mass shooting, every circumstance where a large number of people have been victimized or lost, i have spoken with them. I learned a long time ago, which you all learned and realized as well, when someone is going through something that is beyond their comprehension, if they see someone who they think understands or maybe can do something, not the same or similar, it gives them some sense of hope. I always get criticized sometimes by my staff because when you go to these events i stay through four hours an answer other questions. But it matters. It matters a lot. And, look, i talk some of you have gone through a hell of a lot more that ive gone through and a lot more than what other people gone through, and you understand. Its just, its just, people are looking for something to grab, something that gives them some sense, some sense of hope. And thats, if i can do a little bit of that, then you know its worth doing. Do you think it was necessary for you to come here in person . Ill let you answer that. You talked about the house and jim jordan and his critics. , what . Any thoughts about jim jordan. Predicament, unable secure the speakership . No. Zero, none. At the hospital, people over the region are upset about the hospital and dont believe that the rate of its the israelis had nothing to do with it. I can understand why in the circumstance they wouldnt be. I can understand that. Notice i dont say things like that unless i have faith in the source, which ive gotten our Defense Department says it is highly unlikely that it was the israelis. Anyway, so thats why if you notice i didnt say it first, because i wanted to make sure that i knew. And look, and im not suggesting that hamas differently did it either deliberately didnt either. And to stop the the first time hamas has launched something with this function. So i dont know all the detail but i do know the people at the Defense Department who i respect in the Intelligence Community that i respect, its highly probable. Mr. President , are the israelis operating within the rules of war that you talked about last week being so for . Good talking to you all. Appreciate it. Mr. Cardin mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from maryland. Mr. Cardin are we in a quorum call . The presiding officer we are not. Mr. Cardin thank you, mr. President. First i know that well be voting on shortly is the resolution showing our support for the state of israel from the horrible attack by hamas. I just really want to thank our colleagues for the cooperation in getting this resolution before us. Right after this the horrific attack, i worked with senator risch to show bipartisan support to draft a resolution that would express our strong support for israel, that we had their back, that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and that it enjoyed the support of the United States senate. I want to thank senator schumer, senator mcconnell for their leadership in being able to bring this up for a vote today. It is a clear message that the United States stands with the state of israel, that israel has the right to defend itself, has the obligation to defend itself. We certainly have made it clear that if any of the enemies of israel try to take care of this situation, they better think twice because the United States has made it clear that we will not tolerate such actions. And weve also made it clear that the hostages need to be released safely, immediately. So its a clear message, and we know that President Bidens presence in the middle east was also a clear message. I want to thank the president for what he has done, and were now hopeful that were going to get some humanitarian assistance to the innocent people that are being affected by this campaign. And i must tell you, were working very hard to make sure that we maintain the efforts towards normalization. We know that hamas was trying to derail. That. Were working very energetically to get back on track the saudiisraeli normalization tracks. But today we have a chance in the United States senate to speak with one voice. I am proud of the action were going to be taking this afternoon. I want our brothers and sisters in israel to know theyre not alone, that america is with them. With that, i yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. , more jews died than in the entire holocaust. As the war in middle east wages on, actually actually what i should say is more jews died on october 7 and have died since the holocaust. As the war in the middle east wages on the world is learning new details about the horrors being unleashed by hamas, which as the world now knows is the u. S. Designated terrorist organization. This has been going on a long time period over the last past week and a half we have heard horrifying stories of atrocities committed against the israeli people. Last week i met at temple emmanuelle synagogue in dallas, texas, talk to a mom named kim whose two sons were born in dallas, they are native texans, and american citizens are now fighting in the idf, the Israeli Defense forces. Another woman had been a teacher in israel but recently relocated to the United States. She recounted watching her phone. All of a sudden becoming deluge with messages from that the boots about hamas killers coming in and indiscriminately killing babies, children, other civilians. These terrorists have no conscience. They have no moral standards. They not only murder babies and children, they raped, tortured, and beheaded other innocent civilians. They dismember the bodies of their victims and captured hostages to use as human shields, or human bargaining chips. It gives me no pleasure to recount the horrific evil that we are seeing played out in real time on our tv screens and in social media. But its important that we acknowledge the reality of this evil. Because if we dont, if we brush it under the rug, act like well, theres really some moral equivalency between the palestinian liberal cause and israeli nation somehow hamas is justified and committing these acts, we will a lot we will have bought the propaganda of hamas hook, line and sinker. Of course we all know that hamas is a proxy for the Supreme Leader in iran. And that irgc, the Iran Revolutionary guard and quds force has helped to equip and train hamas and hezbollah in lebanon in northern, in the northern part of israel, and that this is part of a longterm effort to extinguish the jewish state and to eliminate it from the map. This is not a spontaneous act. I know its written in many of the newspapers and news media said well, i ran didnt know about this. Well, they may not have known the timing and they may not have known the scale of these attacks, but theres no question they enabled them. And it was their joint cause between hamas and iran to commit these atrocities against the people of israel as part of their desire to extinguish them from the face of the planet. These terrorists were carrying documents that explicitly outlined the missions objective. Kill as many individuals as possible, and capture hostages. Those with the orders given to the Hamas Terrorists. Of the documents included detailed plans to target elementary schools, target elementary schools. And the youth center in israel. And specific plans to target the most vulnerable population, women and children. In an interview on cnn, israeli president isac herzog provided even more details about the instructions given to these killers. He showed a booklet that was found on the body of a terrorist, its a pocketsize pamphlet that provides stepbystep instructions on how to torture and kidnap innocent people. So the evidence is Crystal Clear. Clear. This is an evil terrorist group whose only goal is to eliminate israel and the jewish people. And if they cant do that, to kill as many jews as they possibly can. In the wake of these attacks we have seen an overwhelming show of support certainly here in congress and across america for the israeli people and a powerful combination of hamas. Here in the senate where disagreement seems to be the rule these days, im glad this is an issue that has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. In the coming days i expect the senate to pass a resolution affirming israels right to selfdefense, literally its right to exist, and committing american support. I want to thank leader schumer, leader mcconnell, chairman cardin and Ranking Member risch for introducing this resolution in the Foreign Relations committee. I am proud to be one of the 99th senators who have cosponsored the resolution, and i hope we can advance it formally soon. Its important that the United States is a leader of the free world. Its important that we voice our clear and unwavering support for israel in the face of this evil. And its important not only what we say but its important what we do. The administration we know is preparing a supplemental funding request to give israel the weapons and humanitarian relief they need to sustain themselves. I expect this will include weapons, intelligence support, humanitarian aid and other various and sundry items. Given the constant threats they face from Hamas Terrorists and the threat of a potential enlargement of the war, if hezbollahs were to join in, its actually critical we treat this request with urgency. Israel is our closest ally in the middle east, and it deserves our full support, both in words and in action. While support for israel has been overwhelming, a small but loud minority have tried to establish some false equivalency between hamas attacking israels defense. These individuals have offered bogus assessments that somehow israel is to blame. Sadly, many of these individuals cannot even offer ignorance as an excuse, because they are students and leaders of some the most prestigious universities in america. Coalition of students at harvard issued a statement claiming israel is quote, entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. The president of New York University Student Bar Association falsely claimed that, quote, israel bears full responsibility for the tremendous loss of life, close quote. Its no surprise that this young womans peers denounced this statement and her future employer rescinded its job offer. Leaders at harvard, the university of pennsylvania, cornell, stanford and other elite schools have faced fierce and muchdeserved backlash over their response to this war. Fortunately, these views do not constitute a majority, and its important that those who have the evidence to back it up speak out and call it what it is, which is iranian propaganda. One prominent voice reason among College Administrators is our own former colleague relate academia could not bear to say. He called the hamas actions evil, and said there isn quote e responsible for their babies pc heroic it is now heroic to carry out a genocide against jewish people. People at the university of North Carolina said it is our moral obligation to be in solidarity no matter the pathway to liberation, their word, that they choose. This includes violence. This includes violence. This is an out and out endorsement by American Students for violence against jewish people and the state of israel. You know, its not just jews in israel who are threatened by these outrageous remarks. Jewish americans on our campuses have been threatened. Columbia university had to close their campus when an israeli student was physically assaulted and other jewish American Students threatened. Jewish americans have been threatened across the country and not the least of which on our College Campuses, and in the wake of this, campus leaders have been silent. They refuse to condemn this genocidal antisemitic rhetoric for what it is. I believe in our constitution. The constitution is the First Amendment, First Amendment protects the right to free speech. And as i said on this floor before, the First Amendment is the right to be wrong. So these students can say this kind of moral if they i had isy if they want. But lets assume that their remarks are protected speech. That doesnt mean we have to endorse them. That doesnt mean we have to say, oh, yeah, its fine. Its just another opinion. No, its not just another opinion. Calling for the death of jewish people is not just another opinion. Calling for the genocide, celebrating the genocide of jewish babies is not just another opinion. Celebrating the assaults on jewish people in this country is not just another opinion, and the senate should be clear and stand with moral clarity and say this is wrong. Can you say it in this country . I guess you can. But its wrong. It shouldnt be hard to say we condemn this rhetoric. We recognize the right of israel to exist. Talk about basic, basic principles here. And we recognize the right of israel to defend itself. Things, by the way, the president has said. Shouldnt be hard for this body to say it. But it is vital, morally necessary in this moment of attack, in this moment, frankly, of danger for jewish people in israel, around the world and sadly on our College Campuses. So thats why, mr. President , ive offered this resolution along with my cosponsors that condemns the terrorist attacks by hamas, that denounces this violent rhetoric here in the United States against jewish people, Jewish Americans and of course the state of israel and recognizes the right of israel to defend itself. Its a Pretty Simple amendment and i cant imagine, mr. President , what the objection to it would. So i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the consideration of Senate Resolution 418 which is at the desk. I further ask 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 is there objection . A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from maryland. A senator the senator from missouri is absolutely right about the horror of the hamas terrorist attacks on israel. I was at the kfar aza kibbutz at the end of june. That was the site of one of the massacres. 50 people gunned down, killed. Dads, moms, kids. Mr. Van hollen we have to condemn the horror of the hamas attack in the strongest terms, and we will as a body make sure that we stand by our ally and partner israel as it prosecutes its fight against hamas. Not only does israel have the right to defend itself, it has an obligation and duty to its people to defend itself. And i am confident in the coming days the United States senate will provide more than just words of support. Those are very important and i want to applaud the president of the United States for what hes been doing. But also tangible support. This resolution is not about condemning hamas attacks on israel. What this resolution does is condemn certain speech around the country. Now, let me just say to my colleague from missouri, i stand with anybody and second to none when it comes to condemning antisemitism, whether in words or in actions. And i have stood up throughout my time in Public Service to do exactly that. And between the senator from missouri wants to bring to the floor of the senate a resolution condemning antisemitism, a resolution that points out what we just saw from the most recent fbi statistics about the rise in antisemitism, i will join with him in that effort. But what this resolution does is attempt to smear students, many of whom engaged in antisemitic remarks but many who did not. And my view is that when you come to the senate floor to pass such a resolution and youre talking about freedom of speech, its very important not to paint a broad brush and condemn everybody engaging in speech. This is what this resolution does. Its an attempt to say even to those who had legitimate, legitimate statements to make about war and peace, to smear them all as making antisemitic remarks. I would also say to my colleague that there have been a lot of other antisemitic remarks around the country from radio show hosts to others, and if we want to make it a practice of regularly coming to condemn remarks, hateful remarks whether antisemitic or racist or antigay or whatever it may be, then the United States senate is going to have to think long and hard about doing exactly that. I heard you mention violence. Most of these protests as repugnant as some of them were in terms of the words were not violent. The one terrible violent hate crime we have seen in the United States since this hamas awful attacks was a 6yearold palestinianamerican muslim boy in chicago, stabbed 27 times. You mentioned here whereas Columbia University was forced to close its campus after a student was violently assaulted, i ask my colleague if my colleague from missouri wants to also include a resolution violent acts that were hate crimes. The police said these were hate crimes. He was attacked because he was a muslim. I dont see any condemnation of that in this resolution. Nothing. So i would stand with my cleepgs in standing up colleagues in standing up to hateful rhetoric, an deming antisemitism but what this resolution does, what this resolution does is not that. I would be happy to yield. Mr. Hawley what of the rhetoric that is cited specifically in the resolution you talked about legitimate concerns. What specifically do you think is legitimate . Mr. Van hollen im not suggesting to my colleague that any particular statement that he took out from these protests was a legitimate statement. No, no. But what you are doing here, what you are doing here is smearing all of the students who engaged in these protests. Yes, you are. And that is wrong. And i would just invite you again to join with me if were going to get into this practice and i dont suggest it. This is one of the reasons why im here when there are terrible, hateful remarks made against any group, whether they be blacks or other minority groups, the United States senate maybe will weigh in but mr. Hawley smearing student groups. Whats the smear . Point me to the language. Mr. Van hollen there are student groups that may have legitimate concerns, for example, about just a minute legitimate concerns about the loss of innocent civilian life in gaza. What you are doing is saying youre questioning based on certain remarks made by some students mr. Hawley senator, we are condemning mr. Van hollen i object. Mr. Hawley mr. President. Mr. Van hollen mr. President , if i may, i have to i had ive got another meeting but i object. Mr. Hawley its hard to believe what we just heard on this floor. Defense of the most vile antisemitic rhetoric under the excuse that to call out specifically the specific statements and denounce them one at a time and say this is wrong, that that is somehow a smear. What that is a failure of moral nerve. What it is a failure of moral clarity. What it is, frankly, sympathizing with this rhetoric. I dont know why its so hard but i guess weve now found out why College President s wont come out and say this is wrong. We cite the specific words. Why is it wrong to say that it includes violence . Why is it wrong to condemn this . When students say the heroic resistance in gaza should be praised, theyre not referring to something in general. Theyre talking about the attack on israel, the slaughter of innocent israelis, and thats perfectly fine . Those are legitimate concerns . I mean, this is the moral equivalency, mr. President , that has seeped into our College Campuses and i guess the floor of the United States senate is unbelievable. But let there be no mistake. Whats happened today is one senator has blocked this body from condemning the attacks against jewish people in israel, Jewish Americans in this nation, and pretended that theres some moral equivalency here between this and what . The threat the state of israel is under existential threat. We have students in this country who are specifically calling and celebrating the killing of jews, and we cant condemn that on the floor of the senate . To say im disappointed is an understatement, mr. President , but i will say this. It is a revealing moment. I yield the floor. I note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. The clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call quorum call mr. Schumer mr. President. The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Schumer i have two motions, then i ask unanimous consent i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be disappeared with. The presiding officer be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer i have two cloture motions and then i ask unanimous consent that i be allowed to address the senate before i would vote on the resolution. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer thank you. First, mr. President , i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar 364. The presiding officer question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. The clerk nomination, department of transportation. Michael g. Whitaker of vermont to be an administrator of the federal aviation administration. Mr. Schumer i send a cloture motion to the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk cloture motion we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 364, michael g. Whitaker of vermont to be an administrator of the federal aviation administration, signed by 17 senators as follows mr. Schumer i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer i move to proceed to legislative session. The presiding officer question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. Mr. Schumer i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar 116. The presiding officer question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. The clerk nomination, department of labor, Jessica Looman of minnesota to be an administrator of the wage and hour division. Mr. Schumer i send a cloture motion to the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk cloture motion we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 116, Jessica Looman of minnesota to be an administrator of the wage and hour division, signed by 17 senators as follows mr. Schumer i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer i ask unanimous consent the mandatory quorum call for the cloture motions filed today, october 19, be waived. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer i move to proceed to legislative session. The presiding officer the question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. Mr. Schumer mr. President , can we have order . I have a brief statement on this very important resolution. That we are about to vote on. The presiding officer the senate will be in order. Mr. Schumer october 7, 2023, will go down as a day of infamy. As israel faces the darkest hour of its 75year history, the bipartisan resolution we are about to vote on proclaims that so long as there is a United States of america, the people of israel will never stand alone. As long as there is a United States senate, the people of israel will never stand alone. Todays bipartisan resolution shows exactly where the United States Senate Stands. We stand firmly with israel and her right to defend herself. Todays bipartisan resolution shows exactly where the United States stands. We condemn the heinous, vicious attacks by the terrorist group hamas. It is rare that all 100 senators agree on anything, but every one of the hundred of us is here today united saying that we are behind israel. Todays bipartisan resolution shows where we stand. We demand hamas stop their attacks and release all hostages, including american hostages. We urge the world to unite against hamas and against nations like iran that support global terrorism. And this resolution is not the end. It is the beginning. The senate will back up this resolution with real swift, Decisive Action and resources. Let the entire world see that today democrats, republicans alok stand in total unity. We republicans alike stand in total unity. We defend israels right to defend itself. To the israeli people we say, we stand with you. We feel your pain. We ache with you, and we will act. And to any actor that seeks to take advantage of israel, the United States senate says with one unified voice, dont. The resolution also does what everyone in this country in elected office and the press should do condemn hamas as a heinous terrorist organization. And this resolution is momentous. The entire senate today is unified in our support of the israeli people and against hamas, and again, to repeat, this resolution is jules the start. We will follow it up with swift action and get israel the help and resources she needs. So in conclusion i want to thank leader mcconnell for joining me in this statement and championing the measure. I want to thank chairman cardin of the senate Foreign Relations committee. I thank every senator, all 99 of my colleague, for supporting this. We needed to stand united and today we are. In the senate we will not waiver in our friendship with the israeli people. I ask for the yeas and nays. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. So, under the previous order, the question occurs on the adoption of Senate Resolution 417. The clerk will report the motion to invoke the clerk will call the roll. Vote the clerk ms. Baldwin. Mr. Barrasso. Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Blackburn. Mr. Blumenthal. Mr. Booker. Mr. Boozman. Mr. Braun. Mrs. Britt. Mr. Brown. Mr. Budd. Ms. Butler. Ms. Cantwell. Mrs. Capito. Mr. Cardin. Mr. Carper. Mr. Casey. Mr. Cassidy. Ms. Collins. Mr. Coons. Mr. Cornyn. Ms. Cortez masto. Mr. Cotton. Mr. Cramer. Mr. Crapo. Mr. Cruz. Mr. Daines. Ms. Duckworth. Mr. Durbin. Ms. Ernst. Mr. Fetterman. Mrs. Fischer. Mrs. Gillibrand. Mr. Graham. Mr. Grassley. The clerk mr. Hagerty. Ms. Hassan. Mr. Hawley. Mr. Heinrich. Mr. Hickenlooper. Ms. Hirono. Mr. Hoeven. Mrs. Hydesmith. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kennedy. Mr. King. Ms. Klobuchar. Mr. Lankford. Mr. Lee. Mr. Lujan. Ms. Lummis. Mr. Manchin. Mr. Markey. Mr. Marshall. Mr. Mcconnell. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Merkley. Mr. Moran. Mr. Mullin. Ms. Murkowski. Mr. Murphy. Mrs. Murray. Mr. Ossoff. Mr. Padilla. Mr. Paul. Mr. Peters. Mr. Reed. Mr. Ricketts. Mr. Risch. Mr. Romney. Ms. Rosen. Mr. Rounds. Mr. Rubio. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Schatz. Mr. Schmitt. Mr. Schumer. Mr. Scott of florida. Mr. Scott of south carolina. Mrs. Shaheen. Ms. Sinema. Ms. Smith. Ms. Stabenow. Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Tester. Mr. Thune. Mr. Tillis. Mr. Tuberville. Mr. Van hollen. Mr. Vance. Mr. Warner. Mr. Warnock. Ms. Warren. Mr. Welch. Mr. Whitehouse. Mr. Wicker. Mr. Wyden. Mr. Young. The presiding officer senators voting in the affirmative baldwin, barrasso, blackburn, boozman, braun, britt, brown, budd, capito, carper, casey, cassidy, cornyn, cortezmasto, cotton, crapo, daines, duckworth, fetterman, fischer, gillibrand, grassley, hagerty, hassan, hawley, heinrich, hoeven, hydesmith, johnson, kaine, kennedy, king, klobuchar, lankford, lee, lummis, manchin, marshall, mcconnell, menendez, murkowski, murray, paul, peters, ricketts, romney, rosen, rounds, rubio, schatz, schmitt, schumer, scott of florida, sinema, smith, tester, tillis, tuberville, warner, whitehouse, wicker, wyden, and young. No senator voted in the negative. Mr. Padilla, aye. Mr. Vance, aye. Mr. Ossoff, aye. Mr. Risch, aye. Mr. Lujan, aye. The clerk ms. Collins, aye. Mr. Reed, aye. Mr. Van hollen, aye. Mr. Bennet, aye. The clerk mr. Merkley, aye. The clerk mr. Booker, aye. Mr. Thune, aye. Mr. Graham, aye. Mr. Warnock, aye. The clerk mr. Sullivan, aye. The clerk mr. Moran, aye. Mr. Kelly, aye. Mr. Murphy, aye. Mr. Coons, aye. Ms. Stabenow, aye. The clerk mr. Blumenthal, aye. Ms. Hirono, aye. Mr. Cruz, aye. The clerk mr. Markey, aye. Ms. Warren, aye. The clerk mr. Cardin, aye. The clerk mr. Welch, aye. Vote the clerk ms. Cantwell, aye. The clerk mr. Cramer, aye. The clerk mr. Sanders, aye. The clerk mrs. Shaheen, aye. Mr. Hickenlooper, aye. The clerk mr. Mullin, aye. The clerk ms. Ernst, aye. Vote the presiding officer the ayes are 93. The nays are zero, and the resolution is agreed to. Under the previous order, the preamble be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The president pro tempore. The president pro tempore i ask unanimous consent that the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. I note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call and to get as Many Americans out, who wanted to get out and get out as possible. So we got the commitment as you israelis from the war cabinet and the Prime Minister. The second thing was that i wanted to make sure it was a vehicle mechanism that this could happen quickly. And so ive been on the phone for the last, we been on the ground for a while, thats why have to take about an hour. I dont think was was that long. Both my team here and he agreed what he would do is open the gate to do two things. One, let up to 20 trucks through, satterfield webmaster is down there, not down the, in cairo now picky going to coordinate with my authority to do what needed to get done. Theyre going to patch the road, fill in potholes to get the trucks through. He expects it will take about eight hours tomorrow. So there may be nothing rolling through until dash of what is today, wednesday. Probably until friday. Is visits across you talking about . Yes. For this purpose, for this purpose. For humanitarian trucks can be able is that just you guys are such a pain in the neck. Sorry, sir. But heres the deal. Up to 20 trucks. This is been a very blunt negotiation, and so we want to get as many of the trucks out as possible. I guess 150 or something there. Not all of them go. The first tranche, if the second tranche will see how it goes. The commitment is if, in fact, they cross the border, the u. N. Will be there to start disturbing this material. Which is going to take a little time to set up probably. But the point being if hamas confiscates it would is a letter get through, just confiscates them, its going to end because were not going to be sending humanitarian aid to hamas if its going to be confiscated. Thats the commitment i made. So the bottom line is that he was very accommodating and as and when i spoken with thus far since this trip began. But the admiral im going to get out of here before you start asking about the house. Did you have to cancel the stop in jordan . No. Look, i came to get something done. I got it done. If i wasnt able to make it into israel, i got it done. This is, as you guys know, this is choose my words. Not many people thought we could get this done. And not many people want to be associated with failure. And there was quite frankly a monthly, our discussion our discussion about whether to go because had we gone and the sales, then the United States failed, my presidency failed, et cetera. This be a legitimate crisis. And right now i have a very Good Relationship with the jordanian king. Of course, ive known and well and i also spent time on the telephone in the past with the Palestinian Authority leadership. But no, no, no. Just over the last five years. Ten years. But they are putting all of them in a tough situation to get this done. So it had to be in my view either we took all the blame for not put anybody else on the spot. Or get it done. I thought it was worth taking the chance. Quite a long time to work this out. Was he reluctant . He was cooperative. I put a decent relationship with him. Hes got his own problems among other issues. Hes got his entire border of course going on and everything. So he was, i knew him a while. He was it fair to say very cooperative. I thought i would have to spend time to convince him on the timing, that he just stepped up, as did bibi and as a probably told you i was very blunt the israelis. Because look, israel has been, has been victimized but the truth is that if they have an opportunity to relieve suffering of people who have nowhere to go, they are going to be, thats what they should do. And if they dont they will be held accountable in ways that may be unfair but thats what we will do. And point is when is, look, you have an opportunity to alleviate pain, you should do it, period. And if you dont, you were gog to lose credibility worldwide and i want everyone to understand what about getting people out, hitting people evacuated . Will get people out what im not going to go in to any detail with you now. You were very blunt with the israelis on the need to give humanitarian aid to gaza or what exactly . On everything. No, i was very blunt about the need to support getting humanitarian aid to gaza. Give it to gaza and quickly. Anymore about the hostages . May i ask you a question . A report in the times of visual that biden officials have indicated israel in recent days that if hezbollah initiates a war against israel, the u. S. Military will join the idf in fighting the terrorist group. Not true. Not true . We have never said that. Is their there lesser w that israel will not go in, in the gaza and i can be averted . We had a long talk about that. Our military is talking with the military but im not wendy gordon that either. Did you find bibi receptive to the military aid . Yes. With respect to him . Without a number of discussions. Its not new. Look, i dont know what you picked up from this but i get no pushback. Virtually none. Let me say it again. I got no pushback. From the israelis for all the partner . All the partners. Virtually none. And anyway, look, im hopeful we can get some americans out as well from gaza and hopefully we can continue to work towards getting other americans out by others when by whatever means as well. Can you talk but meeting with the survivors and First Responder . Look, i i, i spent an hourd half on the 17th or 18th before, and i just want to say this. Virtually every mass shooting, every circumstance where a large number of people have been victimized, i spoken with them. I spoke to them. I learned a long time ago which all learned and realize as well, when someone is going through something that is beyond their comprehension, if they see someone who they think understand or maybe has been through something somewhat similar, and gives them some sense of hope. And i always get criticized sometimes but my step because when you go to these events i stay three or four hours to answer all the questions. And it matters. It matters a lot. And look, i have talked, some of you have gone through a hell of a lot more than i had gone through and a lot more than other people gone through, and you understand. Its just, people are looking for something to grab, something that gives them some sense, some sense of hope. And thats, if i can do a little bit of that, then you know, its worth doing. Do you think it was necessary for you to come here in person . What do you think . I would you answer that. You talked about the house. Do you have any thoughts about jim jordan is predicament . Do i have what . You have a few of jim jordan his current predicament unable to secure the speakership . No. Zero, none. At the hospital, people all over the region upset about the hospital they do not believe you and the israelis didnt have anything to do with it. You have a message to give them no . I can understand what in this circumstance they wouldnt be. I can understand that. You notice i dont say things like that and last i have faith in the source, which i have gotten. Our Defense Department says its highly unlikely that it was the israelis. Anyway, so thats why if you notice i didnt say it first because i wanted to make sure that i knew. And look, and im not suggesting that hamas to liberally did it either. Its not the first time hamas has launched something that didnt function. So i dont know all the detail, but i do know the people at the Defense Department who i respect, the Intelligence Community i respect says it is highly improbable that israel did that. Are israelis operating within the rules of war that you talked about last week being so important . Go talking to you all. Thank thank you, sir. Appreciate it. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from oregon. Mr. Merkley i ask the quorum call be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Merkley thank you. Mr. President , i ask unanimous consent that the privilege of the floor be extended to matt veery, a member of my team for the balance of the day. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Merkley thank you. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, the purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you livered and lived well. It is not the length of life but the depth of life that matters. In that spirit i rise today to bid farewell to a member of my team, matt, who is one of the most useful, honorable, compassionate people i have ever worked with. In his Public Service his Public Service has made a difference in the lives of so many, including the lives of some of the most Vulnerable People around the world. Not only do i want to thank him for the length of his service in the senate, i want to thank him for the depth ever his service. Matt joined my team in 2019 after several years working for our former colleague, senator Heidi Heitkamp and before that the department of defense and the center for strategic and international studies. His legislative skill and his policy expertise were immediately evident. What took a little longer to emerge was his encyclopedic knowledge of college nobody, especially for our shared alma mater stanford, not to mention his loof for watching boxing. For those of you who know matt, that might sound surprising but if youve worked with him, it makes perfect sense because if the cause is worthwhile, if its for dems, if its for justice, if its for human rights, then matt loves a good fight. He doesnt crash in like a brawler. He works methodically like a boxer. A great example of that was early on when negotiations on a bill had been stuck in a stalemate with the house for months, had gone round and round with the house, and then matt went to work. He floated over conflicts. He perried the problems and within two months he knocked it out and passed it into law. Hes taken on much bigger fights since then. He sent out to cultivate working relationships with the staffs of members on both sides of the aisle of the senate Foreign Relations committee and the Congressional Executive Commission on china. His goal was simple to turn ceccs Congressional Executive Commission on chinas Research Advocacy and awareness raising into bipartisan legislation, new laws that would make a real difference for real people. In 2019, as the Chinese Government began its brutal crackdown on hong kong, matt led our successful efforts to protect hong kongs people by banning the export of crowdcontrol equipment to the hong kong police. Soon he took on an even more ambitious project tackling the problem of genocide of the uighur people in shenzhen province. In a court report of 2020, it be the launching point for the uighur forced labor prevention act. The premise of the bill was quite simple American Consumers have the right to know if their products are made with forced labor in china, and they have the right to choose not to do business with those companies. Matt officially joins the cecc staff in 2021. He was central to the negotiations that began in committee in january and continued all the way through final passage in december. And he didnt stop there. He pushed the olympics and the nba to stop using uniforms made by or made from materials made by forced labor in china. China, multinational corporations, the olympics, the nba you see what i mean about him not shying away from a fight. And since then, he has helped us hold hearings, introduced legislation, improved policies to protect the people of hong kong, the people of tibet, the uighur people to stand up to the Chinese Governments transnational repression. Theres a lot more i could say about matts work on legislation. What stands out to me, though, and to everyone who knows matt is just how wonderful he is is work with. As one of my senior staff said about starting in our office, matt was the person i looked up to, the person i wanted to emulate. He is fun, he is unflappable, he is morally clear, and he is legislatively masterful. And he is generous with his time. Helped folks new to our team learn their way around and helped them learn complex Museum Rights issues in far corners of the world. We will miss having him as part of our team. I quoted emerson at the start of these remarks. Later in the same piece, emerson wrote, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded. Countless people around the world who have never met matt squarery have breathed easier because of his work. So its with gratitude that team merkley, the Congressional Executive Commission in china, and i thank matt squary for his service to this institution, his service to this nation, his service to human rights around the world. We wish him all the best as he moves on to his next assignment. Thank you. Mr. Merkley mr. President , i ask unanimous consent that the senate stand in recess until 5 00 p. M. The presiding officer without objection, the Senate Stands in marion of the United States followed by the lake the 11th and the first quote for the National Archives and the last records involving joe biden. 9 30 p. M. Eastern on the presidency of the library of Ronald Reagan to be movement a full schedule on your program you will. Org history if you never miss season you can find it anytime online at cspan. 100 hearings, debates and other events markers that hurt i do newsworthy habits. Points of interest appear on the righthand side of your screen when you hit play on selected videos. This makes it easy to quickly get an idea of what is debated and decided in washington in a few minutes he stands points of interest. C senator unfiltered view of government funded by these Television Companies and more including how. The world has changed today, fast reliable Internet Connection is something no one can live with them so why was there for our customers for speed, liability, value and choice. Now more than ever it starts with great internet. Lab supports cspan as a Public Service along with these other Television Providers giving you a front row seat to democracy. British Prime Minister reaffirmed United Kingdom support israel and write for israels defense in the wake of the hamas terror attacks. Prime minister appeared before the house for questions of members during the weekly question time session. Its just under 40. Number one, mr. Spiegel. We are working independently with our allies. Im sure members will have further questions academia could not bear to say. He called the hamas actions evil, and said there is no defense for terrorism. Its embarrassing that many students, faculty and administrators at some of americas most prestigious universities cannot even acknowledge that simple fact. Its no wonder people begin to wonder what is being taught at our colleges and universities. Our children who are attending these colleges and universities being brainwashed . Being only told one side of the story . Intimidating people who have different points of view and silencing them from speaking out and telling the truth . Unfortunately, i think that is happening on a regular basis at some of his most elite colleges and universities. Our kids are being brainwashed. While the rhetoric about is deeply concerned, its horrifying to see that some of this has turned into actual violence. An israeli student at Columbia University was assaulted with a stick outside the universities library. Synagogues in utah were forced we to evacuate after receiving bomb threats which thankfully were not credible, but disturbing nonetheless. Swastikas, nazi flags have been spotted in cities across the country from california to new york. Lets just state the truth. There is no space, no room, no argument for hate for antisemitism in the United States. Period. Now, we do believe in free speech. We do believe that those of different points of view deserve the right at some point to speak their mind. But those of us who know better, and know what the facts are, with the courage and backbone to stand up and tell the truth need to speak out as well and justice forcefully. So the American People can know the truth. And our actions can follow the evidence. This is a time for moral clarity. We are watching the battle of good versus evil. And there can be no ambiguity about what america stands. President biden travel to tel aviv yesterday to affirm americas unyielding support to israel as it defends itself. Good for him. Im glad he made the trip and hope the israeli people can find some comfort and some confidence in the message of solidarity. They need the iron dome to stop the rockets from hitting civilians. They need increased access to intelligence capabilities to supplement their own, managing a collective manner or whatever the States Israel has. As each of us know support for israel its leadership role in global will most about a new approach to deal with those writing terrorism in the middle east, namely iran. The leading state sponsor of International Terrorism and trained hamas. Of course they were by sending hundred million a year hezbollah and hamas with which to train and provide weapons and the objective of wiping israel off the map and hes proud of it because his goal is to wipe israel from a by any means necessary. Erin provided another proxy in the region, on equipment and training to enable the attack was witnessed. We should be absolutely clear president bush some 20 years ago made a controversial statement identifying axis of evil he called it which included iran, iraq at the time was under the rule of Saddam Hussein and north korea but today that axis should include not only iran but also russia, for than happy to have its ally iran distract the world from what we have been doing in ukraine and the chinese who are more than happy in exchange for the oil they import from places like iran and russia to provide support for their evil aims. The Supreme Leader of iran wants labeled the United States as irans number one enemy and theres no doubt iran has serious skin in the game. His hands a lot to gain from hamas and President Biden needs to reassess his approach in dealing with iran rather than appeasement which has allowed them to circumvent sanctions we put on our example export back in the business and economy is booming as a result of the oil selling to Companies Like china and others. The idea that President Biden would accept any kind of deal, even a bad deal on iranian there weapon is giving the confidence they continue to negotiate a weak agreement but continue to sell drones with which to kill ukrainians and eventually they will succeed in the number one goal, can you imagine . Death and destruction in the middle east caused by be rainings policies like hamas, the same country, the number one statesponsored terrorism got a nuclear weapon, it cannot happen. It must not happen. I hope these events cause the administration to reconsider its approach, the series of missteps projected an image of weakness to adversaries easy to exploit cracks in our defense. Appeasement as we learned world war ii is not a viable strategy because countries like iran led by the Supreme Leader and theocracy bent on destruction of israel that can be reasoned with. Theres not a costbenefit analysis, there are not rational actors, they are determined to accomplish the goal which is to wipe out countries like israel. We need to to work and Work Together to confront threats iran and its proxies present and reestablish incredible deterrence in the middle east. Until that happens, we can expect assault from israel and other prodemocracy movements in the middle east under constant increased assault. Good afternoon. Please have a seat. Come with a single message, youre not alone. Youre not alone. As long as the United States and will stand forever, will not like to be alone. Most importantly, i know recent assaults and the people of this nation left a deep wound. More than 1300 including at least 31 american citizens by hamas, hundreds of young people at a Music Festival, it was for peace, ground down as a took widespread discourse of innocent, taken hostage, slaughter, babies slaughtered and families massacred, raped, beheaded, bodies burned alive. The worst ravages of isis unleashing pure unadulterated evil. Theres no rationalizing, no excusing. The brutality we wouldve saw cut deep anywhere in the world but it cuts deeper here in israel. October 7, sacred jewish holiday became the database day since the holocaust and brought to the surface painful memories, the genocide on jewish people. The world did nothing. Will not stand by and do nothing again. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Those in limbo waiting to learn the fate of a loved one especially families of procedures, youre not alone. We are working with partners pursuing every avenue to bring home those being held captive by hamas. I cant speak publicly about all the details but let me assure you, for me as the american president , theres no higher priority than released statements for those great, i know the black hole in the middle of your chest you feel like youre being sucked in, questions of faith and your goal, empty chair and first sabbath without them. Small things you missed most, their sense of the open the closet door. Morning coffee shared with you. He laughed, a giggle, a little boy, a baby. Those who lost loved ones, this is what i know, they will never be truly gone through something never lost, love for them and their love for you and will walk along someday would she or he want me to do . Thats when you know when a smile comes to, you know you will make it. When terrorists believed they could break your resolve, never did and never will. We saw incredible stories of courage, taking care of one another. Homes, retired soldiers running into danger once again, 70 medics across rescue missions and offduty medics of the Music Festival caring for the wounded. Volunteers retrieving bodies of the dead so families could break the leblanc. Reserve, leaving behind the families, studying abroad without hesitation, so much more. A safe place for the jewish people, long said may not feel lower today, israel must can and i promise you will do everything in our power. Seventyfive years ago, president Harry S Truman and United States of america began the first nation to recognize israel. Theyre going to stand by your side now. My administration in this attack, we will make sure we have what is needed to defend your nation. For decades we ensure israels qualitative edge United States congress for support which for israels defense. We will keep iron dome fully supplied israeli skies saving israeli lives. We moved the Carrier Strike group. Prevented from spreading. The world will know israel is dumber than ever a message for any state or hospital after being about attacking the same as it was a week ago, dont. Dont dont. Since it took place, we see it described as israels 9 11. For nation the size of is your is like 159 elevenths. Im not sure they captain to the feeling in the United States. Shock, pain, rage Many Americans understand. You cant look at what has happened here. Your mothers or fathers or grandparents, sons, daughters, children even babies scream out for justice. Justice must be done but cautioned this while you feel that rage, dont be assumed by it. After 11 you raised in the United States. Lisa justice and make mistakes, and the first u. S. President to visit your zero in the time of the war and made wartime decisions and no choices are never clear, theres always cost and requires be deliberate in asking hard questions and requires clarity about objectives the modest assessment whether you are on the path, the vast majority of palestinians are not hamas. Hamas does not represent Palestinian People. Hamas innocent families in gaza as human shields, command centers and constant communications and residential areas. Like the entire world, i am saddened by the enormous cost in gaza. Food, water and medicine and shelter, i asked who have met with some time, lifesaving mentoring assistance based on the understanding there will be inspections and the age for civilians two hamas greek humanitarian assistance can begin to move from egypt to gaza. Let me be clear, hamas diverts or steals assistance and they have no concern for the Palestinian People. Practical manner and stop the community from being able to provide. We are working with United Nations in the region to get trucks moving and fully support today i am announcing 100 million in funding for humanitarian assistance in gaza and the west bank. This will support 1 million displaced conflict palestinians including in gaza. You are a jewish state and also a democracy. The United States you know the federals of tears, you live by the rule of law. This sets us apart from terrorists if we believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life. Jew, muslim, christian, everyone. You cant give up what makes you who you are. You give that up in the terrace when and we can never let them win. Resolve and resilience, and possible pain and loss. Think about october 7, jewish holiday. Tragic story of profound loss through an entire nation. He could have left hopelessness of an entire nation. His misery memory and message has looked on for generations of the jewish people as well as many others and to assist loved ones will live on as well. Those begin reading from the torah from the very beginning. Story of creation reminds us two things. First, when we get knocked down, we get back up again and again anew. Second, we must go back to beginning to remember who we are. We are all human beings created dignity, humanity, purpose and into the world, inspire hope and light so many around the world and thats what terrorists seek to destroy. They live in darkness not you, not israel. United states and israel are not measured by the example power, there measured by the power of our example. Pursuing the path for the Palestinian People are giving the mps, a two state solution. Keep working and im here to tell you, terrorists will not win. Freedom will win so let me and ride again. Israel, youre not alone, United States stands with you. I told the story before and ill tell it again, the Prime Minister 50 years ago, i desk and office, the guy who later became Prime Minister who sat next to me, the young kapor door, she flipped the map over and she looked at me and said she got up from her desk and walked down the hallway and a bunch of photographers, she said to me, why you look so worried . Is it worry, of course im worried. She looked at me and said dont worry, senator. Israelis have a secret weapon. We have nowhere else to go. All of israel that is for isnt going anywhere either. Good days to come, they will come. As you say in hebrew which i will attempt the people of israel live. Israel will be saved, secured in a democratic state. Today and tomorrow and forever, god protect all of those who work for peace, god save those in harms way. Thank you very much. Mr. Hawley mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from missouri. Mr. Hawley i ask that the quorum call be suspended. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Hawley mr. President , on october 7, 2023, the terrorist Organization Hamas invaded the state of israel. Terrorists killed 1,400 israeli civilians, including women and children, people asleep in their beds. They went doortodoor shot israelis in their homes, shot soldiers as they were asleep unaware in their bear yacks barracks. They killed at least 31 americans. Over a dozen americans have been taken hostage and many, many israel. It is the worst attack on the state of israel in 50 years. It is an existential threat to israel and really to the safety of Jewish Americans and jewish people all across the world. Mr. President , perhaps incredibly disturbing, maybe almost as disturbing of of the factsthese terrible attacks is the response of some of the people in this country, on our College Campuses in this country, who promptly took to the streets, to the courtyards of these campuses to broadcast their support for the genocide against israel. Thats right, i said their support for their genocide against the people of israel. Listen to what these students said. At Harvard University students wrote, and i quo quote, they hold the Israeli Regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. Think about that. They hold the israelis, the jewish people responsible for their own death and massacres, they hold the jewish people