Rather from beijing to moscow to caves in the middle east, our adversaries would be tickle pinked if the coronavirus causes the United States to lose our ability to multitask. Some of our democratic colleagues have implied recently that it is beneath the senate, beneath the senate to spend time on any business that does not exclusively pertain to the pandemic. I could not disagree more strongly. Common sense tells us this crisis demands more vigilance on other fronts of National Security, not less. When we take our oaths of office as u. S. Senators, we swear to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This coronavirus may have shoved its way to the top of that list, but the list is still a long one indeed. Unfortunately, for several weeks now, our nation has been less prepared than normal to defend ourselves against those who wish us harm. And its not because of the coronavirus. Its because House Democrats have failed to act. Back in march, the Senate Passed a clean shortterm extension of key authorities under the federal Intelligence Surveillance act, while a broader renegotiation was under way. After the shameful abuses of the fisa process that marred the 2016 president ial campaign, there was a clear need for meaningful reforms to bring more daylight and accountability into the process. But at the same time, many of us on both sides of the aisle were absolutely intent on preserving these Critical National security tools that have helped keep america safe. So while discussions were under way on how to strike the right balance, the Senate Passed a bipartisan shortterm extension so that these important tools could remain in our National Security professionals hands while congress got our act together. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi has left that ex has let that extension sit on her desk and gather dust. So for more than eight weeks, eight weeks, these important tools have gone dark. Fortunately, the attorney general and members of congress have worked together to craft a compromise solution that will implement needed reforms while preserving the core National Security tools. These intense discussions have produced a strong bill that balances the need for accountability with our solemn obligation to protect our citizens and defend our homeland. I understand our colleagues believe this compromise bill is not perfect. Sadly, imperfection is a fact of life when it comes to compromise legislation. But while i respect my distinguished colleagues whose amendments we will be voting on later today, i would urge senators to vote against it. The current bill in its current form already strikes the correct and delicate balance. And there is certainly no guarantee that another new version of this legislation would necessarily pass the house or earn the president s support. This version has already done both. We cannot let the perfect become the enemy of the good when key authorities are currently sitting expired and unusable. In sum, while the Senate Continues overseeing the National Response to the coronavirus crisis, were also making sure the pandemic does not inflict even greater harm by distracting us from other threats and challenges that preceded it. Off the floor, our committees are working through a number of pressing National Security nominations from the director of National Intelligence to the secretary of the navy to other high openings at the pentagon. When the time comes, i hope we will be able to fill these crucial openings promptly through a bipartisan cooperation here on the floor. I hope our democratic colleagues think carefully before applying reflexive partisan delays, even to the vital security positions during a global emergency. We cannot put Homeland Security on auto pilot because another crisis has our attention. The senate can, will, and must continue to Pay Attention to both