I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Congressional Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: To the Secretary of the Senate: PN1261, the nomination of…

If we are going to rebuild our Country stronger and fairer, we have to address the reality that, for far too long, the ways we helped families plan for the future have been stuck in the past.

I am glad the Biden administration is continuing to release funds from the American Rescue Plan to help address some of these challenges.

We have to learn from it. We have to be better prepared for the next public health emergency.

This pandemic has taken a devastating toll.

Seattle Children's Hospital in Washington State is seeing 170 children with mental health emergencies a week, compared to 50 before the pandemic.

A record 87,000 people, at least, are estimated to have died from drug overdoses in our Country over the last year.

Around half of the adults in our Country say the stress and worry of this pandemic has impacted their mental well-being.

It is why I worked in a bipartisan way to secure the biggest ever increase in Federal childcare funding in 2018.

This legislation will jumpstart our economy by creating 770,000 new childcare jobs, helping 1.6 million parents, primarily mothers, go back to work.

COVID came in and said, the jig is up, we cannot do this anymore.

We are pulling a fast one on children, parents, providers, and the economy.

I really want to talk to Senator Cassidy's point that you guys were courageous, and you did the right thing.

I fought to secure over $50 billion in funding for childcare to make sure our childcare sector can survive the pandemic.

reserving the right to object, I understand the position of my colleagues from Alaska and Florida who want to see a return to cruising by July 4. I am there with them. The cruise industry in my home State supports over 5,500 jobs and…

We are here today because our Nation is in the middle of the most unequal jobs crisis in modern history.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so…

I rise today to strongly urge my colleagues to support the nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine. She is a highly qualified public health expert to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health. As the highest ranking health official in Pennsylvania…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 48, as follows…

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders have the highest COVID-19 infection rate. American Indian and Alaska Natives have the highest death and hospitalization rates.

The reality of health inequities is that how you live and even whether you live or die in a pandemic is impacted by your race, your income, your ZIP Code, your disability, your gender identity, and your sexual orientation.

I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority anc Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following…

I come to the floor today to support the nomination of Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as Secretary of Labor. Across the country, working families are really desperate for help. Even before this pandemic, the deck was stacked against workers…

I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks before the vote is called. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

And for the information of the Senators, I will speak for about 7 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.