On the recordJune 7, 2023
I rise today to bring attention to the issues that Americans are facing at home--the problems that I see and hear from my constituents in West Virginia, and I am sure the Presiding Officer hears many of the same in your home State. I want to raise the question as to why the Senate is not bringing some of the solutions to the floor. As you know, I am a lifelong West Virginian. I care deeply about and understand the concern of our residents and the difficulties that our families are facing. Our families, our veterans, our small business owners, our manufacturers, law enforcement, and communities--they are struggling--what they are struggling with. I was initially inspired to get involved in public service when I saw these local issues arising, and many of those I have tried to help face in my own home community of Charleston, WV. Later on, as the passion in me sort of grew, I decided to seek a bigger platform in the House of Representatives and, now, here in this esteemed body, the U.S. Senate. As public servants, it is our responsibility to not only put forth but to take action on issues that Americans are facing. We can do that to improve the lives of those we serve. But it seems to me and it pains me that so many of the legislative solutions that we have come to work to craft--some of which are bipartisan--collect dust on the majority leader's desk. In fact, that, to me, is very unacceptable.…
