it is now on us to take up his work. there's no better way for us to honor the legacy of john lewis. thank you, mr. president. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from minnesota. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, i join in the wonderful words of my colleague from california, a true leader, someone who served, the election official, the secretary of state for the biggest state in our nation. knows how important it is to count the votes and to make sure we allow everyone to vote. and i come to the floor today to join him, to join senator leahy and other of our colleagues to honor the legacy of congressman john lewis and to continue his fight to make sure that every american can make their voice heard at the ballot box. as my colleagues have mentioned, it's been just over a year since john lewis passed. i have always been in awe of him. this past week i had the opportunity to reflect on his monumental contributions to our nation when the senate rules committee held a field hearing on voting rights in hi

i appreciate our colleagues giving us -- some of us -- a notebook. it's a bipartisan infrastructure investment jobs act summary. that's helpful. but that's not legislative text. and then we need an open amendment process so that those of us who weren't party to the bipartisan negotiations can participate in the process. hopefully make the bill better. i would like to see us actually substitute some of the spending pay-fors with a user fee model that's been traditional using the gas tax. but as i said earlier, the gas tax has become a little outmoded and insufficient to pay for the infrastructure we all want and need. so, mr. president, there's a real need to invest in america's infrastructure, and it's never been more important for us actually to pay for those investments in a responsible way. as it stands today, our debt-to-g.d.p., gross domestic product, ratio is at the highest level since world war ii. this is not the time to continue spending and spending and spending until our grandkids are left sitting in a pit of debt so deep they will never c

so it is important for us to be there. as a country that is still a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who seek democracy and freedom and human right, it is our role to provide assistance and a way for these countries to be able to see more prosperity and peace themselves. and so i thought it was an important trip, an important opportunity to be there. we had the opportunity to meet there with the presidents of each of those four countries. none of our meetings with the respective presidents went for less than two hours. these were very honest dialogues. we got into some depths in the issues. we discussed the covid-19 crisis. each president was appreciative that the american taxpayer has helped to provide some vehicles h. vaccines to these countries. it is not everything that they want, of course. they still want a lot more vaccines because the vaccinations rates are still lower than ours. but each country has suffered in terms of the impacts of covid-19 and each of these countries is eager to get back on their feet,

they used that against us twice. they did it in 1994, they did it in 1980 with the mariel boat lift and president biden needs to be clear whether through private channels or publicly make it abundantly clear we will make mass migration towards the united states as a hostile action and act accordingly. that cannot be tolerated. i want to close with this. i recognize that most of the members of which chamber, most of the people in washington and most of the people in the country do not pay attention to cuba on a daily basis. i get it, i really do. but if you're not following the issue of cuba, you can be forgiven for not knowing that what we're seeing, what we saw yesterday, what's happened recently, none of this was started by politicians. it wasn't started by me. it wasn't started by anybody in miami or florida. it wasn't started by any think tank in washington. you know who started what's happening in cuba? artists. poets, songwriters, writers, actors, musicians. they are the ones who started it. because they came a

any of us. and i think that's a profound observation. it means that there's wisdom throughout this room and throughout this body, and that we have to tackle these difficult problems, difficult, challenging problems that we have, using all the wisdom that we can possibly get our hands on. and that means listening to other people, even though we may not agree with them. i just sat and listened to the senator from oklahoma make an impassioned and i think powerful statement about immigration. he raised questions in my mind that i want answers to. that's the way this place is supposed to work. but if i can't go back to maine -- if i can't go back and admit i listened to the senator today and he raised questions that bothered me, if i can't say that, if that in itself would endanger my career, then if people are coming here fearing that kind of being locked out, we'll never get anything done. so, to me, mike enzi was a hero and a model -- and a model of the kind of person we need in this body. i didn'

echoterrorists use spikes like this. this is something they do to prevent loggers from harvesting trees. if a saw blade hits that spike, it destroys the saw and metal shrapnel flies in every direction. the results can be catastrophic. make no mistake. there was nothing alleged about this. the trees in the clear water national forest were spiked in 1989. individuals were found guilty of the crime. some of the trees standing today are still spiked so can still do damage to loggers, to firefighters. these are serious dangers and damages that can occur to people still today. if there's a forest fire in the clear water national forst, the smoke jumper may need to cut down trees to slow the spread of the fire. if that person hits a spike with a chainsaw, it could kill or maim the firefighter. worst still, tracy stone-manning knew who the ecoterrorists were and she could have turned them in at the start. in 1989 she typed, edited and sent this vile threatening letter to the men and women of the united states forest service. she

they're asking us, they're asking us, they're begging us for a fix now to the voca deposit. i'm not hearing too many of them ask for chimp reform, the use of chimp is controversial. our legislation which would fix the voca deposit is not. mr. president, we cannot fail the many who dedicate their lives to serving victims and survivors. there was an alaska organization at the voca round table who said very neatly, she said it is a representation of our values as a society, how we help those who are most vulnerable. and, mr. president, we have the ability today to do what's right. so i would urge my colleagues to vote aye on the voca fix act. with that i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from mississippi. mr. wicker: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that senator hyde-smith and i be allowed to use a prop or two during our next presentation. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. wicker: thank you very much. and my first prop is a front-page story from the northeast mississippi daily journal, mr. president, on thursday, july 1, 2021. it says hail st

when he left us, something in all of us wept. but we can't keep the spirit of john lewis alive by p defending the greatest cause of his life, the cause -- i should say that we can keep the spirit of john lewis alive by about defending the greatest cause of his life, the cause for which he nearly died as a young man on that bridge in selma, the right of every american to vote. madam president, i yield the floor. before i yield, i have 11 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the senate with the approval of the majority and minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mr. inhofe: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. inhofe: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that i complete my remarks before the vote is called. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. inhofe: thank you very much. madam president, this is the fourth speech this year that i had arguing how we're going to have to match our defense resources to our national defense strategy. as a reminder, this is

many of us witnessed it. two members of the capitol police force and two from the metropolitan police department of washington, d.c. testified. these officers were brutalized in hand-to-hand combat. some thought they were going to die. and they're still grappling with the physical and emotional trauma they suffered. officer harry dunn recounted yesterday how much or how the mob of the former president's supporters chanted the n word in his face. metropolitan police officer michael fanone testified that members of the mob attempted to steal his service weapon and kill him with it. he was dragged into the mob, tasered repeatedly, and beaten unconscious. he suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury. this is what officer fanone said yesterday and i quote. my fellow citizens including so many of the people i put my life at risk to defend are downplaying or outright denying what happened. i feel like i went to hell he said and came back to protect them and the people in this room, but too many are now tell

the chaplain: let us pray. almighty god, who inhabits eternity, you have given us the gift of this day. we will rejoice and be glad in it. may our lawmakers never forget that they borrow their heartbeats from you. lord, continue to sustain them and give them all they need to glorify your holy name. may your spirit so move them that they will live exemblare -- exemplary lives. lord, compel them to be just and honest in all their dealings. may they remember that our country is no better than our citizens and no stronger than its commitment to righteousness. we pray in your righteous 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., july 22, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1,

how do you feel about using the same arguments that were used by some of the arch segregationists to stop voting rights in the senate in the 1960's? last month, as i said, the vote represented the starting gun, not the finish line, in the fight to protecting voting rights. as majority leader, i reserve the right to bring back voting rights and democracy reform for another vote on the senate floor. now, on another issue. infrastructure. climate. over the past few weeks, we have seen an awful heat wave hit oregon and washington. those states in the beautiful northwest, always known for their cool summer breezes, had temperatures like 115 degrees. it was just astounding. not just a little temperature bump. dramatically unusual. temperatures in the pacific northwest climbed so high that power cables melted and roadways cracked in two. at the same time, in the american southwest, the lack of rainfall and depleted reservoirs have led to a historic lack of water. according to the national drought mitigation center, more than 77% of the great state of new mexico is in a state of severe droug

the chaplain: let us pray. gracious god, of infinite goodness, confirm your past mercies to us by giving us strength to be faithful to your commands. help our lawmakers this day to use their understanding, time, and talents to do what you desire. may they desire to please you with faithful service, as you rule their hearts and guide their thoughts, words, and actions. lord, enable our senators to fulfill their duty to love you with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. take possession of their hearts and order their steps by the power of your loving providence. we pray in your holy 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., july 19, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of

this is -- this is inspiration to all of us. they also represent her own personal resilience to be able to shine in that moment with such grace under pressure. truly she has captured the hearts of minnesotans and people around the world. madam president, sunni lee's win is a remarkable acheeflt. i am -- achievement. i am pleased to congratulate her and her coach and her parents and her entire extended family. i wish her continued success throughout her gymnastics career and beyond and we can't wait to welcome her home. thank you, madam president. i yield the floor. a senator: the senator from minnesota. ms. smith: i'm slighted to be here on the floor with my colleague to offer my heartfelt congratulations to suni lee who won olympic gold in the women's all around event in the olympics. she won the gold under difficult circumstances, but she stepped up and gave an astounding performance to bring home gold, continuing the american tradition of excellence in women's gymnastics. her routine on the uneven bars, as senator klobuchar s

he said, he's one of us. as only mike could in that gentle humor of his, a couple weeks later he comes to up to me. i said, do you have another nominee? no, but i'm looking for an italian american. úbe. he would quietly meet with senators on both sides of the aisle. we were from different sides of the aisle but would always find a way to come together. countless times he brought democrats and republicans together. never done with any fanfare. he wasn't running to the press to say, look what i did. look what i accomplished. but he had the thankfulness of all of us, and he and his wife, marcelle and i have spent so many times together. you felt this was somebody you could be having a backyard barbecue with, somebody you could just be sitting together watching a sporting event or anything else. and i don't know the full details of the tragic accident he had, but i can always see mike out on his bicycle in his beautiful state enjoying the day i do mourn his passage, not only as a friend but as somebody who repre

the chaplain: let us pray. precious lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations, sustaining us with your goodness and mercy. today, surround our senators with the protection of your divine favor, enabling them to obey your command to be productive. lord, continue to strengthen them to follow your precepts, fulfilling your purposes as they find joy in your presence. keep them from the things that bring regret. increase their faith, providing them with courage to live for your glory. we pray in your strong name, amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., july 29, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the hon

the chaplain: let us pray. eternal lord god, the fountain of wisdom, teach us this day that you continue to work for the good of those who love you. strengthen the hearts of our lawmakers against temptations, and make them more than conquerors in your love. may they faithfully perform whatever you command, thankfully enduring whatever burdens you have chosen for them to bear. lord, guard their desires so that they will not deviate from the right path. empower with your mighty arms to do your will on earth even as it is done in heaven. we pray in your powerful 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., july 14, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the

the chaplain: let us pray. almighty god, the center of our joy, bless our senators in their going out and coming in. guard them from mistakes and deliver them from evil. today, strengthen them to walk in the light of your countenance. lord, abide with them so that your wisdom will influence each decision they make. may the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts be acceptable to you. lord, purge our lawmakers of self, and fill them with your poise and peace. we pray in your great name, amen. the president pro tempore: please join me in the pledge of allegiance. 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 president pro tempore: under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. morning business is closed. and, under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to h.r. 3684, which the clerk will report. the clerk: moti

thank you for loving and using us for your glory. guide our senators in the footsteps of those who were willing to risk all for freedom, who carved tunnels of hope through mountains of despair. lord, uphold our nation with your wisdom and might, enabling it to continue to be a city of refuge for those whose hearts yearn for freedom. keep us all from untimely and self-made cares, as we continue to fix our eyes on you, the author and finisher of our faith. we pray in your great 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., july 21, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable ben ray lujan, a senator from the state of new m

the chaplain: let us pray. o god, who has ordained the seasons of our lives, thank you for the steadfastness of your mercy and long suffering. today inspire our lawmakers to open themselves to the gift of your presence, remembering that you are always with them. where there is fear, give courage. where there is anxiety, give peace. where there is despair, give hope. where there is sadness, give joy. may our senators joyfully encounter you on a daily basis. lord, inspire them to hear your words and obey your precepts. we pray in your merciful 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington d.c., july 20, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of t

the chaplain: let us pray. o god, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, help our lawmakers to honor your name. demonstrate your great power by filling them with your spirit and giving them a desire to cultivate spiritual discernment. sustain them through the power of your prevailing providence until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. as our senators draw near to you, experiencing your divine guidance, may they be motivated to follow your precepts as they face difficult decisions. we pray in your sovereign 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 presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., july 26, 2021. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standi

the chaplain: let us pray. god of mercy and light, we are in your hands 4.today, show mercy to the members of this lord, we are grateful that you have promised never to leave us. in the challenge of decision-making, with its fluctuating intricacies, give each lawmaker a deeper appreciation for cultivating a conscience void of offense toward you and humanity. today, show mercy to the members of this legislative body. lord, let your sovereign hand be over them and your holy spirit be with them directing all their thoughts, words, and works for your glory. we pray in your merciful name. amen. the president pro tempore: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. 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 president pro tempore: under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. morning business is closed. and under the previous order, the senate will proceed to exe