advisers over these many years. I could speak at length about David's
work ethic and the many ways in which he has helped me serve the people
of Michigan.
  But I have also been proud to witness some of the key moments of his
life outside of work, including his marriage to Meghan, and the joy
with which he has thrown himself into being a dad to his two sons Jay
and Elliott.
  In fact, David just recently celebrated perhaps one of his most
important and impressive accomplishments: He is now a championship
winning Little League coach.
  And after seeing David in action over the years, I can't help but
think there is a lot of overlap--a lot of overlap--in the skills it
takes to be an effective U.S. Senator and managing a dozen sixth and
seventh graders.
  I have been proud to see everything that David has accomplished over
these past 8 years, and I cannot wait to see all that he will
accomplish in his next role.
  David, Colleen and I are so grateful for all of your hard work and
leadership over the years. We wish you all the best of luck as you head
into your next chapter of your career, but you will always--always--be
part of Team Peters.

                     Nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm
Jeffrey T. Kuntz to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District
of Florida.
  While Judge Kuntz was under consideration to fill a judicial vacancy,
he was also presiding over Alexander v. Trump, in which he authored the
majority opinion upholding a lower court's ruling that Trump's
defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board could continue.
  Judge Kuntz declined to directly answer my question about whether he
made the defendants in Alexander aware, while the case was pending,
that he was being considered by the plaintiff for a lifetime
appointment to the bench.
  Instead, Judge Kuntz argued that he was not under consideration for
this nomination, claiming that he did not interview with the White
House until 2 weeks after the case had been decided.
  A closer look at the timeline suggests a different story. Judge Kuntz
first discussed a possible judicial nomination with Senator Scott's
office in November 2024, 2 months before he was assigned to this case.
  Judge Kuntz issued the majority opinion in Alexander on February 12,
2025, ruling in favor of President Trump. Eight days later, he was
contacted by the White House regarding a potential nomination.
  In fact, Judge Kuntz discussed this case when he interviewed with the
White House on February 28, just about 2 weeks after he issued his
opinion.
  It's hard to believe that it is simply a coincidence that just 8 days
after Judge Kuntz issued a ruling favorable to President Trump, he was
contacted by the White House about a nomination and interviewed about
it shortly thereafter.
  Yet again, we have another nominee who has been rewarded for his
loyalty to the President with a lifetime appointment to the Federal
bench. I urge my colleagues to oppose this nomination.

                        Vote on Kuntz Nomination

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and
consent to the Kuntz nomination?
  Mr. HEINRICH. 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 senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. BARRASSO. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the
Senator from Kentuky (Mr. McConnell) and the Senator from Pennsylvania
(Mr. McCormick).
  Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) is
necessarily absent.
  The result was announced--yeas 51, nays 46, as follows: