I rise today for the last time here to address my colleagues on the floor. After nearly 100 years of combined service between myself and the chairman, I think that we understand the Senate a little bit. This bill, we know what it is--we…

I, along with many others, want to thank Senator Pat Leahy for a remarkable 48 years of service here in the Senate. As chairman of the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Agriculture Committees and President pro tempore of the Senate, I believe…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The senior Senator from Alabama.

today I come to the Senate floor for what will probably be one of my last times--perhaps not my last time but close. I want to start off by thanking the people of Alabama, my home State. They have put their trust in me for more than 50…

on Roy Blunt, I first met him when he was a whip in the House. We had some kind of conference going, and I thought: My gosh, he can count votes. He is the whip. He can count votes in the conference, too, and so forth. And then, when he…

I am pleased this afternoon to commend Mr. Francisco J. Collazo of Grant, AL, for his contributions to our great country and to the State of Alabama. Born in 1931 in Puerto Rico, Mr. Collazo joined the Army at 15 years of age. He had an…

I call up my amendment No. 5418 and ask that it be reported by number. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Alabama [Mr. Shelby] proposes an amendment numbered 5418 to…

my amendment requires that the Secretary of the Interior--requires that he complete, or she, pending coal lease applications under the Bureau of Land Management. I believe we cannot allow the Biden administration to block the mining of our…

Because the administration has refused to fund the construction of a comprehensive barrier along the border, it has been compelled to send the National Guard to deal with the consequences.

I am deeply concerned, however, that the administration's failure to direct the appropriate resources to the crisis at the southern border has resulted in shifting the burden to the Guard.

Regrettably, this was all predictable and avoidable.

The Department of Navy has played and will continue to play a critical role in the defense of our Nation.

I am concerned about this--what this communicates to both our allies and our adversaries.

Deterrence requires spending our limited resources on both offensive and defensive weapons.

A lot of people, including this Senator, believe that the request is not enough considering the problems in the world.

We have got to get our arms, one, around the inflation first, and then try to boost our defense capabilities in a dangerous world.

I remain concerned that the Air Force budget request is insufficient considering the needed modernization across the inventory with a rapidly evolving threat.

Russia's launched multiple hypersonic weapons as part of their invasion of the Ukraine and China is continuing to develop its own hypersonic weapons.

A complex and evolving security environment requires a serious commitment to our national defense.

I'm concerned, and I think I'm joined by a lot of others in the Senate and the House, about the impact inflation is having on the Army and the Navy and everything else.

We also need a strong Army to deter China and respond to provocations, Iran, North Korea, and radical extremist groups.

With inflation at the highest levels we've seen in 40 years, the request represents a cut from the 2022 level.

What is the biggest challenge here? Is it lack of interest? Is it lack of - something?

As you know, the whole Defense request looks ludicrous to probably the majority of the House and the Senate.