congressional_record: CREC-2025-12-10-pt1-PgS8620-3
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-2025-12-10-pt1-PgS8620-3 | 2025-12-10 | 119 | 1 | PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS | SENATE | SENATE | SPETANDMEM | S8620 | S8623 | [{"congress": "119", "type": "SRES", "number": "1"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "SRES", "number": "1"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "S", "number": "3"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "S", "number": "3"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "HJRES", "number": "5"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "HJRES", "number": "5"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "SJRES", "number": "10"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "SJRES", "number": "10"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "SJRES", "number": "16"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "SJRES", "number": "16"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "S", "number": "754"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "HR", "number": "1916"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "S", "number": "3271"}, {"congress": "119", "type": "HR", "number": "5371"}] | 171 Cong. Rec. S8620 | Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 208 (Wednesday, December 10, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 10, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S8620-S8623] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated: POM-22. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of Louisiana urging the United States Congress to take immediate action to approve funding to end the federal government shutdown and urge the United States Senate to adopt the continuing resolution passed by the United States House of Representatives that would ensure temporary funding and the uninterrupted operation of the federal government; to the Committee on Appropriations. Senate Resolution No. 1 Whereas, the federal government is currently in a state of shutdown due to a disagreement on the federal budget; and Whereas, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, 119th Cong. (2025), Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, to temporarily fund the federal government; and Whereas, the United States Senate has been unable to obtain the necessary votes to pass the continuing resolution; and Whereas, on October 24, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry issued Executive Order Number JML 25-123 declaring a state of emergency as a result of the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown; and Whereas, the state of Louisiana is considering all possible funding options to continue critical federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits disrupted by the federal government shutdown for its most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities; and [[Page S8621]] Whereas, the state of Louisiana created a Budget Stabilization Fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund to provide protection against unforeseen disruptions in critical services; and Whereas, the legislature is considering a resolution to utilize up to $150 million for the purpose of providing funding for a federal program traditionally supported with federal taxes; and Whereas, Congress has established a clear precedent for reimbursement of states during a lapse in appropriations, most notably in Public Law 113-46 (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014), which provides: ``If a State (or another Federal grantee) used State funds . . . to continue carrying out a Federal program . . . the State . . . shall be reimbursed for expenses that would have been paid by the Federal Government during such period had appropriations been available''; and Whereas, the federal government shutdown has resulted in the suspension of critical government services, the furlough of employees, and disruption to programs that support food assistance, public health, transportation, education, national security, and economic stability within the state of Louisiana; and Whereas, the economic impact of the shutdown is not confined to the federal level but extends to small businesses, contractors, and local economies that rely on government spending. Therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to take immediate action to approve funding to end the federal government shutdown and urges the United States Senate to adopt the continuing resolution passed by the United States House of Representatives that would ensure temporary funding and the uninterrupted operation of the federal government. Be it further Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the United States House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, for passing the continuing resolution that ensures temporary funding and the uninterrupted operation of the federal government. Be it further Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana emphasizes the importance of ending the government shutdown to protect the economy, public services, and the well-being of Louisiana's citizens. Be it further Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge Congress to enact legislation authorizing the reimbursement of state funds utilized to provide benefits to Louisiana SNAP recipients during the federal government shutdown. Be it further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted to the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of the United States House of Representatives and to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress. ____ POM-23. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of Ohio urging the United States Congress to make changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow a person under 16 years of age to be employed between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the school year; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3 Whereas, The United States lost over 22 million jobs and had an unemployment rate of 14.8% in April 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the highest observed unemployment rate since data collection began in 1948; and Whereas, Employers are still experiencing a shortage of workers to fill the eight million currently available positions, despite the economy recovering jobs that were lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic; and Whereas, Teenage workers are becoming a larger portion of the United States workforce, with an unemployment rate of 13.2% in November 2024; and Whereas, Business owners have had to adjust their operations in response to the ongoing labor shortage, including decreasing their open hours; and Whereas, Business owners could more quickly return to regular operations, including resuming their usual open hours, by being able to hire the necessary staff to meet their operating needs; and Whereas, The Fair Labor Standards Act and Ohio law permits a person under 16 years of age to work until 9 p.m. during summer months or other school holidays; and Whereas, Extending the hours which a person under 16 years of age may work during the school year allows business owners to hire the staff required for the business to resume operating during its usual hours of operation; and Whereas, Local economic growth results when more people are employed and earn wages to spend on goods and services produced by businesses within the local area, which in turn requires businesses to hire more workers to meet the increased demand; now therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge the Congress of the United States to make changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow a person under 16 years of age to be employed between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the school year if the person has approval to do so from the person's parent or legal guardian; and be it further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the news media of Ohio. ____ POM-24. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of Alaska urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and make the funding mechanism in the Act permanent; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. House Joint Resolution No. 5 Whereas the program established under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 has been vital to supporting rural counties and communities near national forests by providing funding for schools, roads, public safety, and other essential services; and Whereas the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 was enacted to offset the significant decline in revenue from timber harvesting on federal lands that resulted from changes in federal land management policies; and Whereas rural communities in the state, particularly those in Southeast Alaska, have historically depended on payments made under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 to sustain critical public services and infrastructure in areas heavily impacted by federal land ownership and limited economic opportunities; and Whereas, in fiscal year 2023, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 provided $12,600,000 to the state, benefiting municipalities, boroughs, and regional educational attendance areas, including Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Sitka, Anchorage, and Kenai; and Whereas the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 has lapsed as of January 2025 because the United States House of Representatives failed to approve reauthorizing legislation, leaving rural communities in the state and across the nation facing significant budget shortfalls; and Whereas the expiration of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 places a substantial burden on local governments, jeopardizing funding for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, emergency services, and other critical needs in rural areas; and Whereas retroactive reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 is essential to ensure that rural communities have the resources needed to maintain services and infrastructure while providing stability and predictability for local budgets; be it Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature strongly urges the United States Congress to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 retroactively to provide funding to affected communities for fiscal year 2025 and subsequent years; and be it further Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to consider making the funding mechanism authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 permanent to provide long-term support and stability for rural communities that receive critical revenue from the program; and be it further Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature encourages the United States Congress and the President of the United States to explore opportunities to make additional federal timber resources in the state available for responsible harvest in a manner that supports rural economic revitalization, conserves habitat, and promotes forest health. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; the Honorable JD Vance, Vice President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Chuck Grassley, President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable John Thune, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Nicholas Begich, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; and all other members of the 119th United States Congress. ____ POM-25. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of Alaska urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Senate Joint Resolution No. 16 Whereas the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act seeks to ensure that individuals born with congenital anomalies, including cleft lip and cleft palate, have access to the medically necessary treatment and care the individuals need throughout the individuals' lives; and Whereas the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act aims to require private health insurance [[Page S8622]] plans to cover all medically necessary treatment, including surgery, therapy, and associated care, for congenital anomalies, without imposing a lifetime or annual limit on that coverage; Whereas an individual born with congenital anomalies often faces a lifetime of surgeries, speech therapy, dental care, and other medical needs, making access to comprehensive health care essential for the individual's well-being and quality of life; and Whereas many families struggle to afford the high cost of necessary medical treatments, especially if a family's insurance plan limits coverage for congenital anomaly care and or does not cover specific procedures, resulting in financial hardship and delayed or inadequate care; and Whereas the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act would provide critical protections for families by ensuring that private health insurance plans cover medically necessary treatments and services for congenital anomalies and prevent arbitrary limits on the duration of care; and Whereas the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act was brought to the attention of the Anchorage Assembly by Emily Brubaker, who was an eighth grade student at Romig Middle School at the time, when she was honored by the Anchorage Assembly for her significant achievement as winner of the National Civics Bee contest; and Whereas Emily Brubaker was born with a rare congenital anomaly called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, which affects the development of skin, hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands; and Whereas dental work for Emily Brubaker's condition is likely to cost her family more than $100,000; and Whereas, at the age of six, Emily Brubaker began taking trips to Washington, D.C., with her family to share her story with members of the United States Congress, encouraging members to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, which would require private health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of congenital anomalies and birth defects for which some insurance companies deny coverage as dental care; and Whereas the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act was last introduced in the 117th United States Congress as H.R. 1916 and S. 754 and is currently being rewritten; and Whereas, while the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act does not currently have a primary sponsor in the United States House of Representatives, the Act may be introduced in the 119th United States Congress by Senators Joni Ernst and Tammy Baldwin; be it Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature urges the Alaska Congressional delegation to support the passage of the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act to ensure comprehensive, affordable, and uninterrupted medical care for state residents with congenital anomalies; and be it further Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature urges lawmakers to continue advocating for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital health care for all individuals Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; the Honorable JD Vance, Vice President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Chuck Grassley, President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable John Thune, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Nicholas Begich, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; and all other members of the 119th United States Congress. POM-26. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of Alaska urging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 Whereas the Hmong played a crucial and often overlooked role in the Vietnam War, particularly in Laos, where the Hmong were recruited by the United States Central Intelligence Agency as part of a covert operation known as the ``Secret War''; and Whereas this involvement had profound consequences for the Hmong people, leading to heavy casualties, mass displacement, and ongoing struggles for recognition and support; and Whereas the conflict in the Vietnam War was not confined to Vietnam, instead spreading to neighboring Laos, where the North Vietnamese Army used the Ho Chi Minh Trail to transport troops and supplies; and Whereas, beginning in 1960, to disrupt that supply chain, the United States Central Intelligence Agency recruited and trained as many as 100,000 Hmong soldiers, forming Special Guerrilla Units under the leadership of General Vang Pao; and Whereas, in July 1961, Brigadier General Edward G. Langdale wrote in a memo to General Maxwell D. Taylor that about 9,000 Hmong soldiers were conducting guerrilla operations in adversarial-dominated territories in Laos; and Whereas the Hmong soldiers played a critical role in intercepting enemy forces, gathering intelligence, and protecting United States Air Force radar installations; and Whereas Hmong soldiers new thousands of combat missions in support of the United States Air Force, engaged in conventional and guerrilla warfare, despite being heavily outnumbered, and rescued downed American pilots, often at great personal risk; and Whereas approximately 40,000 Hmong soldiers were killed, 50,000 Hmong soldiers were seriously wounded, and 3,000 Hmong soldiers went missing in action; and Whereas Hmong soldiers died at 10 times the rate of United States soldiers in the Vietnam War; and Whereas, as the war progressed, boys as young as 12 were conscripted into service because of the immense casualties suffered; and Whereas, after the United States withdrew from Vietnam, the Pathet Lao, an adversary group allied with North Vietnam, seized control of Laos in 1975; and Whereas the Hmong faced retaliation for allying with the United States; and Whereas the new Lao government labeled the Hmong as enemies of the state and initiated systematic efforts to eliminate the Hmong; and Whereas reports indicate that chemical weapons were used against Hmong villages and thousands of Hmong were executed, with many more sent to reeducation camps, where conditions were brutal; and Whereas some Hmong fighters retreated into the jungle and continued to resist the government for years; and Whereas an estimated 138,000 Hmong fled across the Mekong River to refugee camps in Thailand; and Whereas many Hmong drowned while attempting to cross the Mekong River, while others died from disease and starvation in the camps; and Whereas the name Hmong is the English pronunciation of the name by which the Hmong people have chosen to be identified; and Whereas, although historical Chinese records do not provide extensive details on the origins of the name Hmong, many Hmong associate the name with meanings such as ``free'' or ``fate,'' reflecting the Hmong's enduring struggle against oppression and resilience throughout history; and Whereas the United States, France, Canada, and Australia accepted Hmong refugees, with the United States accepting the majority of the refugees; and Whereas approximately 50,000 Hmong veterans reside in the United States, of which approximately 22 Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War call the state home; and Whereas the state has a Hmong population of over 5,500, which is the third highest in the country; and Whereas Alaska is home to a vibrant Hmong community, which has established numerous organizations that provide cultural preservation, economic development, and social support for Hmong residents across the state; and Whereas the United States government formally recognized Hmong contributions for the first time on May 15, 1997, when it dedicated the Laos Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery; and Whereas, in 2019, the Alaska State Legislature passed House Bill 56, establishing May 15 as Hmong-American Veterans Day to recognize the service of Hmong-American veterans; and Whereas several United States cities and states have adopted July 22 as Lao-Hmong Recognition Day, but federal recognition remains limited; and Whereas, on November 9, 2023, Senator Gary C. Peters with cosponsors Senators Ron Johnson, Tammy Baldwin, Thomas Tillis, Amy Klobuchar, Debbie Stabenow, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Jon Tester introduced S. 3271, the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act, which was referred to committee but received no further action; and Whereas the Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States and is bestowed by vote of the United States Congress and signed into law by the President as an expression of the highest national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions; and Whereas the tradition of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal originated during the American Revolution, and is now awarded to recipients who are recognized for achievements that have significantly shaped the United States; and Whereas the United States Congress must pass legislation to approve each Congressional Gold Medal, and, upon enactment, each Congressional Gold Medal is uniquely designed and cast in gold by the United States Mint, reflecting the singular nature of the honor and distinguishing it from other national awards; and Whereas United States citizenship is not a requirement for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, underscoring its role in recognizing contributions to the nation's history and culture from individuals and groups across the world; and Whereas other allied forces who fought alongside the United States have been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, including Filipino World War II veterans, in recognition of the veterans' bravery and sacrifices in defense of freedom; and Whereas the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting and long- overdue honor for the Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War, whose unparalleled bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to securing freedom alongside United States forces exemplified the highest ideals of valor and service; and be it Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature encourages the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal. [[Page S8623]] Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; the Honorable JD Vance, Vice President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Douglas Collins, United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs; the Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable John Thune, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Jerry Moran, Chair of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Mike Bost, Chair of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Nicholas Begich, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; and all other members of the 119th United States Congress. ____________________ |