Transcripts For CSPAN2 U.S. Senate U.S. Senate 20240711

Grea fort bragg and oth installations and call North Carolina home, eve for a thanks to our colleague for joining us today. Madam president , thanksgiving dinner has become the single most sell grated celebrated meal of theay. With tens ofmericans gathering with family and friends to give thanks for their bleings and of course for one another. Folks, i know that this yr its a lot different. While we sti have so much to be thankful for, the covid1 paemic means folks will be traveling less and might not be celebrating in larger groups. And as a result, many will be separated from their loved ones on this very special day. Bu folks, this is a very familiar feeling for anyon who has ever served in our Nations Armed forces. Protecting our nation. Rom at any given moment, thousands of men and women,oms and dads, brothers and sisters, are stationed arnd the world standing vigilant in the defense of freedom. Those wearing the uniform arent the only ones making a sacrifice either back home there is an empty seat at the family table. Their kids missing their momr dad as my daughter missed me while i was deployed. Pares are missing a child and husbands and wives are missing a spouse. Due to covid many who are stationed in the. S. Cant even travel home to be with their families. My own daughter will not be able to travel over thanksging. Restrictions have been put in place prohibiting nonessential travel t or from many military installations, including cp dodge in my home state of iowa. Bu every day not just thanksgivingan be a sacrifice when serving in the armed forces. Those who enlist are well aware of this, yet i is no deterrent. As a combat veteran withver 23 years ofervice between the Army Reserves and the Iowa Army National guard, i understand what many families are going through, and i have a deep sense of gratitu for the service our men and wom in uniform make for the good of their neighbors. Just last year i visited our iowa troops for thanksgiving in afghanistan. It was good to see them and i know how mh they wereissing their families. They also want to make sure that the people back home remember them, remember tha they are far from home, remember that they are working hard to protect our freedoms. Our Courageous Service mbers they have seen and felt itdom. Firsthand. Many of them live with that price the restf their lives. Far too many who survive combat continue fighting an internal battle wn they return home. Priority to work across thea top aisle to combat suicide and Mental Health struggles among our veterans. My most recent effort would designate a buddy check week to educate veterans on how to conduct pe wellness checks. Its a really simple meare that could go a lg way to support the health and safety of those who have bravely served ouration. During thishanksgiving season we also must continue to show our gratitude for those who are putting their own health and lives at risk by serving on the ont lines in our fight against covid19. Thughout this pandemic there have been over 850 Iowa National ardsmen working to deliver personal ptective equipment, food, and medical supplies all across the state of iowa. Army National Guard for many, many years, i could not be more proud of their tirels and seless efforts. Thats why i have introduced hazardous duty pay for our free natial guards men and women to recognize the work they are doing ding this pandemic and providthem the pay they deserve. I know i speak on behalf of all iowans when i say i am truly ankful for all of those who have ever served our natio in uniform and also to their families. This month we honor a appreciate all the sacrifices our military families make to support loved ones who are serving our nation in uniform. While this thanksgiving might look a little different, lets not forget to be grateful f the freedoms and the blessings we have i this truly great country. May god bless all iowans, including those serving overseas and those caring for strangers during this pandemic. Im thankful for the opportunity to serve you. Madam predent, i yield e floor. A senator madam president . The presiding officer the senator from missouri. Mr. Blunt madam president , first let me thank senator ernst for organizing this opportunity to talkbout our veterans, to talk about those who serve and the oblations that weave to them to talk about tir challenges. Last wee certainly veterans day very much on our minds, but also we ought to be sure that our veterans are on our minds all the tim we have Appropriations Bills we ne to pass that will make a big difference in how Veterans Issues are dealt with. Obviously we need to pass the appropriations bill for the department of veterans affairs. Ever veteran would want us to pass the appropriations bill for the department ofefense. But there are also provisions in other bills that help veterans get back into siety more effectively wn they leave the military. The labor, health and Human Services bilthat i talked about on the floor last week increases assistance for veterans employment programs and it supports veterans wh they move from the military workforce to the civilian workforce. It works to give heless veterans a chance to have a home, have a job, have an whatever barrier is a barrier for them. The opioid dependence, we all know those numbers are backp, those opioid death numbe are back up. Veterans suicides, not one is acceptable. Fundingf verans hot line, Funding Behavioral Health programs, being sure that tehealth may be available for vetens who may not be able to drive all theay to a provider but woulde ableo quickly contact the pson that helps them. Understaing the challenges for homele veterans particularly of posttraumatic stress and otr veterans who sometimes dont developosttraumatic stress until decades aft they serve. Often our veterans, not just in leaving the military but in retirement from whateverhey did next dont realize until that moment how much their service has impacted the way they see this and do things and think about things and are concerned about things. We need to be sure that veterans who have experiences and slls that they take out o the military are able to quickly connect with employers as they transition to civilian life. Every employer, madam president , in fac at least i never talked to an employer who doesnt say we really hire vets. Its a priory where we are to hire vets. But weassed some legislation a few years ago, the hire vets act, which gave theepartment of labor the authority to cognize employers that actually do that, that hire vets, that promote vets, that secretary alex asta was secretary of labor a the time. They took a program that everybody that advised him on this, it would take about three years to set this up. They set it up in about six months, and we began to recognize employers around the country who truly do meet the standa that all employers say they meet and some do. Everybody wants to but its easier to say you do ithan it is too it. Seven missour businesses have received earlier this month the 2020 Hire Vets Medallion Program award. Its c2c in chesterfield, connectry in st. Louis, arnd defense and electronics in arnold, missouri, a. M. E. Construction in coddlesville. Veterans of forei wars in kansasity, an employer at one timeas the world war i merial, the only memorial. On tget solutions in belton. Pog growth in winsville, all received the recognition that they do hire vets and reay do promote vets and really do meet extraordinary standardthat are part of that program. It aims to highlight companies that do jus that. And third, weve worked to make it easier for military spouses to transfer their licenses and skills from one state to another. We included that in the Defense Authorization act passed in july. That Defense Authorization act hasnt pasd the congress yet its passed the senate. Hasnt passe the congress yet. I knowe have every intention of getting that done this year. But whene do, we put provisions inhere that really do allow much greater transfer from one state to another, whether youre a teacher or a nurse or a beautician or a barber or an engineer, architect, whatever you might be transferring, want to transfer as your spouse moves from one assignment to another. It shouldnt take most of the time youre there to finally get qualified to do what you are qualified to do before youot there. Lowering these license barriers for spouses. I think we ought to also do all we can to lower those barriers for veterans themselves. If youve been a medical technician in the air force, it shouldnt be very hard to bece a medical technician wherever youve decided to live after in the military. If you had been a truck driver in the army, it shouldnt be very hard to get a Truck Drivers license once you decide this is where you want to go. If youve been an electrician in the navy, you ought to be able to get your license to be an l electrician electrician pretty quickly when you go where you go after you leave the military. These are the kinds of things we can do. Certainly o deep appreation for veterans, our deep appreciation for their families, honoring the flag that they have done so much for, all thats important. Its an integral part of what we are as a country. But there are things we also do that show veterans wh you did, what you lrned counts, it matters, and were going to recognize that as employers, as coworkers, as members of congress. Thank y, madam president. A senator madam president . The presiding officer i ask consent to complete my remarks. The presidg officer without objection. A senator madam president , in the marine corps, we have a motto semper felis, it means always faithful, always faithful to our nation and the brave patriots who haveonorably served it. Just last week we recognized a day very special to me and i day. K to all americans, veterans on this important occasion we say thank you to our veterans, uniform for their courage and commitment to protecting our freedo and preserving our very way of life. Mr. Young their service of course should be an example to i try and instill this in my chdren. Its something i discuss at School Groups oftentimes, encouraging peoe to think about may spending some time in the military service or finding other ways to serve theirellow americans. Our veterans, they help keep us safe during tim ofreat uncertaintynd unease, something all of us, i think, appreciate aittle bit more ring this trying year. E month of november also marks military family appreciation month. Our military filies dont always get the cdit they deserve but they bear a very special and unique burden on behalf of our country that frankly most of us cannot fully understand they sacrifice their peace of mind, eir welling on behalf of their neighbors, their communities, and their fellow americans, people th have never met. What could be more beautiful th that, because theyelieve in this nation, they believe in this country and the values that undergird it. Even though we cant begin to repay them for these sacrifice they make onur behalf, we can honor them, and we can express our gratitude. So this thanksgiving season, this time for counting our blessings and celebrating how many of them we enjoy, even amid this global payment may we remember all that we are thankful for, eve bit of it, and who we are thankful for as well. Yes, our family members and our neighbors and our close friends, but i personally, im thankful for our active duty service membs. Im thankful for indianas more than 400,000 veterans. Im thankful for their selfless families. Iope that all americans will join me today, this month, this thanksgiving, and every day thereafter and reflect on these men and women,hese fellow americans who sacrificed so much on behalf of all of us. Our country simply would not be the same without them. Itrguably wouldnt exist without famils like this prepared to sacrifice so much. God bless our activ duty Service Members, god bless our vetens, and god bless our military families, and may god continue to bless this great country, the United States of america. Thk you, madam speaker. I yield the for. The presiding officer all postcloture time has expired. The question is on the vaden nomination. Is there a sufficient second . The appears to be. The cle will cal the roll. Vo vote vote are 49. Ding officer the yeas the nomination is confirmed. A senator madam president. The presiding officer majority whip. Mr. Thune i ask unanimous consent that thmotions to reconsider be considered made anlaid un the table and the president be immedialy notified of the senates action. The presiding officer is tre objection . Without objection. Order. Mr. Thune madam president , i ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Kathryn Kimball mizell nomination beaived. The presiding officer is there objeion . Without objection. The clerk will report the motion to inadvocacy cloture. Invoke cloture. The clerk cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22, do hereby bring a close debate on of kathry kimball mizelle, of florida, to be United States district judge for the middl distrt of florida, signed by 17 senators. The presiding officer can we have order in the senate . By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorumall has been waived. Th question, is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of Kathryn Kimball mizelle, of florida, to be United States district judge for the middle district of florida, shall be brought to a close . The yeas and nays are mandatory undethe rule. The clerk will ll the roll. Vote vote vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If not, the yeas are 49, the ys are 43. The motion is agreed to. The clerk wi report the nomination. E clerk the judiciary, Kathryn Kimball mizelle of florida to be United States district judge for the middle district of florida. Ms. Mcsally mr. President . The presiding oicer the senator from arizona. Ms. Mcsally mr. Resident, i rise to give my final speech on the senate floor with a hrt of gratitude. Servin and fighting for arizona as a u. S senator has been the opportunity of lifetime. Many times in the las two years i had to pinch myself that this middleclass veteran became one of only 1,984 americans to serve in the u. S. Senate and only 677 serve in bh chambers of Congress Since our nation was formed. Like most americans,n my life joney i have overcome adversity which could hav crushed me. By the grace ofod instead gave me purpose to fig for oers. My dad died of heart attack. I learned to treat each day of thisife as a gift. I was reminded of that will when my brother passed away. Though it wasnt from covid this deep grief, is one tooany of u have faced in 2020. Weve been reminded that every moment, every day, every chapter of our lives is truly a gift. As it has been for most chapters of my life, i didnt come here in the traditional or easy way. I want to first thank the governor for the blessing to serve the great state of arizona, especially during these times of unprecedented challenges. Accepting theovernors the worlds most pstigious of body was a high risk endeavor. It was the ultimate expression of one mf i lifes principles. I took on the mission wh my eyes wide open. I gave it all and left it all on the field in my fight for the state. Honor your oath, live up to your calling. Dont walk by a probl and to para phrase john boyd, choose to do something instead of trying to b someby. As i make the trip back home from d. C. To arizona for the last te and close o this nineyear chapter, i do soith gratitude, joy, be no regrets. Hang represented the most optimistic, resilient and gritty people othe face of the earth. While my name is on the door on our office here, this is a team effort. None of what with we achieved without exceptionally talented, selfless and committed staff, many of whom are here today. Im s espionage f my thankful for my team of professionals who embody our core values of integrity, excellence, teamwork and make it happen mindt. I want to thank tse who have been with me all six years in my time in the house and senate,y chief of staff, justin roth, who leads ourmazing team through ick and thin, my legislative director who drove our success and embodies the young brilliant talent, my deputy state director, who built strong arizona and rosa ruiz who has helped so many arizonians left behind by federal ageies. They williamed our williamed our larger team. I want to recognize my deputy chief of staff who brought a wealth of experience, murity and relationships to lea and mentor o arizona team and alona wilson, director of scheduling, really director of everything. Who has maturity beyond her years an i couldnt function without her. This institution could not operate and the people of all 50 states would not be served without intelligent, hardcharging, oen young men and women who chooseo work on the hill in staff positions. They dont do i for the pay and they could make much more working fewer hours in other fields,ut they choose these behind the scenes unglamorous jobs to be keep our Constitutional Republic strong. Im so thank full for team together, as a team, we intervene onehalf of over 7, 800 arizonians, in the last two years alone we secured nearly 7 million of benefits they serve. To my fellow arizonians, it w an honor to be your ice and your fighter on your behalf. We cfted a legistive agenda and fought forreedom, opportunity for americans an arizonians, the very principles on the line. My fell veterans put everyoneas an opportunity to realize the america dream, building our military, standing up to china, securing our beernd transferring the judiciary back t its constitutional role for generaons to come. This include the historic oprtunity to confirm a pioneering justice, Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court. We worked together in this chamber to quickly deliver relief for this first in a century pandemic. Thks to President Trump, Vice President pence, majority leader mitch mcconnell, and all of my colleagues who demonstrated leadership and commitment to these important missions. We saved theart hog from bng mothballed again. And i told the whole world in a senate armed serces Committee Hearing that as a pilot and. S. Senator, im a survivor of sexual assault. My path of healing, of finding my voice and strengtho not be held down or held bk was not sy but i can say like joseph in the old testament, what others intended for evil god used for gd. Im grateful god gave me the courage to tell my story. Im blessed to be a senator to use my platfm to be an example of hope a healing for others. During my te serving in the air force, i developed a commonsense approach toolving problems that i took with me when i deployed to d. C. Despite the division and dysfunction here in congress, Common Ground and find pragmatic solution thats make a real difference in peoples lives. We know where we disagree. Theines are very bright. But im proud to my team looked to solve pblems and get sothing accomplished, and it work. We tied for the most bills signed into law myirst year in the senate and im proud to s ill leave this bod as the sixthmost bipartisa senator because i joined with many in is chamber on both sides of the aisle to fin Common Ground for common good. As one of the few combat veterans in the senate, i w uniquely honored to fight for our military hoes and veterans. Home with be invible wounds ofme war. The legislation tha my team and i cfted and got acros the finish line gives them the lifesavingreatment they earned and deserve allowing them to he and reach their full potential. Those who sacrifice life and limb for this country, who bear the scars of battle, botseen and unseen, whoan towards the sound of guns, these are the heroes we can never forge and to whome owe a profound debt. My deepe hope is had that the work we did to fight for our veterans i a cornerstone o the legacy we leave in the senate. Over these last few years, i met so many inspiring arizonians as i traveled through all 1 counties and engaged with people from many different backgrounds and experiences. It was theonor of a lifetime to meet four navajo code talkers. To visit with world war ii vets like george cross while partipating in the 75th anniversary of dday and normandy. To encourage arina sailors. To secure and pinn a overdue purple heart on an iraq veteran. To tour the borr with hardworking ranchers who i never would have met had i not serve in congress. Over these lt several challenging months, i have been so inspid to witness arizians help each other to our universities and Business Owners found ways to make p. P. E. For Front Line Health Care rkers. With we delivered meals. Packed up food boxes wh the National Guard at the food banks. Even in the midst of unprecedented challenges, i took to the beauty of our great landscapes by hiking sections of the arizona trail. On a daylong trek to the bottom of the gnd canyon, we were joined by the parks new perintendent. We saw first hand the benefits the outdoors act would bng to the crowning jewel of our state, legislation we championed in this very room. I also went on ride along to face the challenges they face to keep our communities safe. I will miss these lifechanging opportunities, but i will always carry withe the lessons i learned from arinas amazing sung heroes. As w approach the end of a year thatas tested our country i lookorward to spending time, i do every year inrayer, thought, and writing for the ar ahead. Sometimes i feel the lord presses a few words on myeart, words that are important to keep strong and guide my spirit for the next year. At the end of last year, three words stuck out durin my time of reflection for 2020. I put these words on sticky notes on my bathroom mirror. Peace, joy, and gratitude in the most difficult year in modern history, i known a peace that surpasses a understanding, a joy that can only come from a loving creator, and a gtitude that on the most difficult days that almighty god put me on thi earth and in is chamber to standn the breach in this nations history, standing up for whats rht is th founding ethos ofur great country. Early in my time in the military, a mentor moind me to the book pointed me to the book of est as i navigated my career to stand up for what is right. Iared ester4 14 since. Can it be that you were put in this posion for such a times this. I was honored to sve with each of you in this charlie for such a time ashis. In this chaer for a time such as this. While this season is one filled with challenges, we will get through it as americans always do togetr. When i was aointed to the senate, i thoughtf this season and my life and decided if this life, i want to make it count forthers. Today represents a change in seasons for me and i dont have clary on what my next mission is, but i do know who is the author and missionf my faith and he created each ofs for that purpose manye live up to that purpose when we live as john mccain exhorted to us for causes greaterhan ones self. This was encapsulated by Teddy Roosevelt in a famous speec100 years ago. I camecross it when i was just teenaged cadet at the a force academy and it spoke to my purposedriven spirit. So i cut it out and i put it on my bulletin board. The same, yellowed torn paper is on my refrigerator tay more than 30 years later. We c truly say in this short season whe i joined you that we were daring in all we did t advance worthy causes and our place shallever be with those timid souls who knew neither victory nor debate. Its been a true honor, arizona, we are an extraordinary ste with eraordinary people. I know our future is blessed and bright jus like our state motto, god enriches. Ive been enriched by the privilege to fight for you and serve u these past six years, two leer in th senate. Here in the senate. I wish my successor, mark kelly, all the best as he represents our incredible state in this hallowed chamber. Let me close with these words which i hopend pray will be said about my life in the final days. Wrote, i have fought the good fit. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. May god continue to bless america and arizona. May we all finish the race and keep the faith. And, mr. President , iield the floor for the final time. Mr. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mccoell i ask unanimous consen that the cloture motion with resct to the mcneel nomination ripen at 5 30 p. M. Monday, november 30. I further ask that at 4 30 p. M. Todathe postcloture time with spect to the mizel nomition expire and the senate vote on confirmation the nomination. Finally, if confirmed the motion to reconsidere made and laid upon the table and the president be immediately notified of the senates action. The presiding officer without objection. A senator madam president . The presiding officer the senator from New Hampshire. A senator s the senate . A quorum call . The presiding officer we are not. Mrs. Shaheen madam president , come to the flooroday to raise the concern about the need to pass another package of assistance to address the corovirus. I had a chance over the weeks that we were in our home States Election to travel around New Hampshire and to talk with a number of our Small Businesses, representatives from Nursing Homes, from our hospitals, from so many ofhe people who are affected by whats happening with covid19. And what i heard was tt too many people are struggling, too many people are hurting, and they need help. New hampshe has a Small Business economy. Of our workers are employed by Small Businesses, wre 90 about 98 of the businesses in New Hampshire are considered to be Small Businesses. And i was very proud of being able to workith senators cardin and rubiond collins to design the Paycheck Protection Program as part of the cares act that has helpe over 24,000 Small Businesses during the time after it was passed, Small Businesses and nonprofs that al was instrumental in bringing 2. 5 billion into New Hampshire and keeping 200,000 people emplod. And many of those sll businesses haveounced back to where they were before covid19. But too many of them still need help,nd theyre worried about whether theyre going to be able to get through the winter. Of special concern are businesses in the hospility industry, our hotels and restaurants, and in the Tourism Industry we have the tourism is our second largest industry in n hampshire. And recently i had a cference call with aumber of folks from the hotel and lodging association. And one of the things that they told me is theyre not sure how theyre going to get through the winter. For many of our restaurants, about third of their business has come over the summer from outdoor eating. And that, of course, is eing in New Hampshire as the weather gets cold. And how theyre going to make that up is a real question. Restaurants were the first businesses to be shut dn in New Hampshire. They were the last business to open up. And now we have a Huge Industry that is not sureow its going to get through the year. The second hhest number of workers in this country are in the restaurant industry. Weve t to provide some help for them, andt needs to be we also have to look at the hotels. Agai a big piece of whateve goto address. There was a recent report from themerican hotel and lodging association that showe that Business Travel over the holidays is gng to be down significany. Thats a big source of revenue and weve got to provide some help and some additional help for those businesses as we look at trying to get a package of assistance. Another round of the p. P. P. We know we had about 125nt. Billion left in that program but need to think about how we can targeted best those industries who areost affected that may not have a relationship with a financial institution. So as we think about what weve got to do, thats one of the big pieces. I had a chance to visit a restaurant over inhe western part of our state. It was a business that i visited six years ago right after it had opened, a restaurant and pub. And when i went there, they have five employees. Its a youngan and his mother who run the business. And i asked him ife was able to get a p. P. P. Loan. He said yes. But he said my mother and i havent taken a salary since march because it didnt seem employees who have filies juste sohat i could take a salary. He said so were doing everything we cano get by. We hope well be abl to make it. But its not at all clear that welbe able to do that. And i looked around the restaurant and in the middle of the restaurantas a big barrel. And it was filled with canne good and dried goods, food. And on it was a sign that said take what you need because we have so many peopl who are desperate, desperate for food, desperate for housing. As i talked to the mayorsn New Hampshire, particularly in our two largest cities, manchester and nashua, housing and homelessness is auge issue. Homelessness has increased exponentially. In manchesr, our biggest city, we have 35 encampments of homeless. The biggest one is on the grounds of the state superior court. What does it say when in the richest many people who are homeless . So and the problems is getting worse. I talkedo the Community Action agencies in New Hampshire who are providing help for peoe with housing. Theyold me they are seeing ople they have never seen before, people who need help because of covid. And then there is the Child Care Centers and camps. In New Hampshire, our camps have been a special partf our summer experience. We haveeople from all over the country who come to camps in w hampshire. Only six of our overnight camps were able toperate through the mmer. They operate on a margin that says if they dont make it in the summer, theyre not going to get any revenue for another yr theyre worried about whether they are going to gonder between now and next summer. Our Child Care Centers. I heard fromackie cowl who runs an organizion called Early Learning New Hampshire who is an Umbrella Organization for ild care in New Hampshire. What she told me is that they get no help by if they get no help by nextear, 50 of the Child Care Centers in New Hampshire will be out of business. And as i talked to employers at some of those Small Businesses, they tell me one of the challengeshey have got is being able to bring worrs back when they are able to operate because they dont have any child care for their kids. And, of course, with schools going soemote, theres a real concern about parents and how theyre dealing with their kids. Most parents, most schools want to bring the kids back, but in order to do that,hey have got to make se that it safe. And they nd help in order to ke sure its safe. They need help with hvac systems and with the cleaning supplies and the p. P. E. That is necessary in order to make sure their schools are safe for the students weve got to provide help for those schools. Wee got to provide help f the Child Care Centers. And help for our Small Businesses. And then, of course, i met with Nursing Homes in New Hampshire longtermare facilities have had about 40 of the deaths as the result of covid19 in this country,nd yet they have only gotten about 4 of the funding. In new hamhire, where we have the highest percentage of deaths in our longterm care facilities of any sta in the country, 82 of our deaths have been in Nursing Homes. And rightow, they have a Workforce Shortage that averages about 25 . Its so badhat our governor this week reinstituted a stipend for longte careorkers. Its something that he srted back in april. It ran through july. As this got better, they needed less help, but now they are back in a situation where they cant get the help they need. I visited a nursing home in the northern part of New Hampshire, our northernmost county that borders the canadian border. D what they told me is that ile they have som personal Protection Equipment, they dont ha enough to guarantee what th need longterm so here were nine months into this pandemic, and we still have Nursing Homes that cant get the help they need, cant gethe personal Protection Equipment that they need. They are struggling to get by. Struggling to gethe workers that they need. In New Hampshire, we have a lot of rural hospitals. One of them has gone bankrupt the last couple of weeks because of covid. And the hospitals inur two biggest cities have had the majority of theospitalizations that weve seen in New Hampshire. We haveour hospitals, two in manchester and two in New Hampshire with the most Covid Patients in the state. Just when they were beginning to see their parents come back in september and early october, we e now seeing the cases rise again and hospitalizations are up. And so they are looking at financial shortfalls at the e of this year. If we cant provide help for those hospitals, if we cant provide help f some of our rural hospitals, were going to see more bankrtcies. That means not just an impact on the health care that they provide, but for many of those institutions, they are the biggest employer in their communities, so more peopl are going to be out of work. So were looking at this downward spiral tts going to get ever worse if we do nothing address the needs of our businesses of the people who are unemployed,f hospitals and Child Care Centers and our schools. Its ctical that we come to some agreement. We havent been able to reach a bipartisan agreement. Its one of the tngs i heard as i was campaigning around New Hampshire. Ople need help, they need help now, and why cant we Work Together to get that done . Double down, try and come to some sort of a compromise that allows us to provide help to people who need it immediately, because if we dont, itsnly going to get worse. The number of conavirus cases are only going to continue to increase, a we need to work to address that, and we need to have a transition that allows the nextdministration to work with the Current Administration could make sure that the efforts to get this new vaccine out, the two vaccines that look like theyre promising, is going to be effective, that we are actually going to be able to get people immunized and have the funding to do that. But in order for that to happen, we have to see a change in the transition, and we have to wk together to make that happen, to provide the help that the states need. So im going to beontinuing to do everything i can here i this body to s if we cant come to some agreement around a package that will provide help for those who need it. And i hope that all of my colleagues here will do the same, that we will all double down on the effts. Im not saying we should help people who dont need it. Thats obvious. But we should help the people who need help because they are struggling, and its not going to get any better unless we provide some assistance. So thank you, madam president. Yield the floor and i hope were going to see somection in the next couple of weeks between now and the endf the year. Mr. Coon madam president , i ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks before the schedud 4 30 p. M. Votes shoul my remarks run bond 4 30. The presiding officer whout objection. Mr. Cotton madam president , a great amican anniversary is upons. 400 years ago thi saturday, a battered old ship called the mayflower arrived in the waters off cape cod. The passengers abod the mayflower are in man ways our first founders. Danielebster called them our pilgrim fathers on the 200th anniversary of this occasion. Regrettably, we havent heard much about this anniversary of the mayflower. I suppose the pilgrims have fallen out of favor in fashionabl circles these days. I, therefore, would like to take a few minutes to reflect on the pilgrims story and its living legacy for our nation. By 1620, theilgrims were already practiced at livinin a strange land. They had fled england for holland 12 yrs earlier, seeking freedo to practice their faith. The life was hard in holland, an the stuart monarchy, intolerantnd dissent with the church of england, gradually extended its reach across the channel. So the pilgrim fled the old world for the new, and seeking safe harbor for their religion, the pilgrims differed fro those settlers who preceded them in including the jamestownp to and settlement just 13 years earlier. As John Quincy Adams put it in a speech celebrating the pilgrims anniveary, those earlier settlers were all instigated by person interests, motivatedy avarice and ambition, selfish passions the pilgrims, by contrast, braved the seas under the single out of a sense of religiousnd obligation. Not to say all aboard the mayfwer felt the same. About lf of the 102 passengers were known as strangers to the pilgrims. The strangers were craftsmen, traders, indentured sernts, and others added to the manifest by the ships financial backers for busines reasons. The strangers did not share the pilgrims faith, suffice it to say. Of the English Speaking peoples wryly observed th the strangers were no pked band of saints. So these were the settlers who boarded the mayflow, which Dwight Eisenhower ce characterized as a shi that today no one in his senses would thin of attempting t use. One can only imagine the hardships, the dangers, the doubts that they faced while crossing the nor atlanti th ship the main beam was bowed and cracked. The passage took longer tn expected. Food and water and beer ran low. But still through the grace of god, the crew of the mayflower finally sighted land. Yet the dangers only multiplied. William bdford, a pilgrim leader, who is of plymouth plantation, is our chief source for theilgrims story recorded those dangers. They had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies. For succor. O repair to to seek and for the season, it was winter, and they that know the wirpts of that country know them to be sharp and violent and subject to cruel and fierce storms. Dangerous to travel to known aces, much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness . Ando those physical dangers, you can add legal and political danger. While the mayflower had found land, it was the wrong land. For you see, the pilgrims patent extended to virginia, but cape cod was hundreds of miles to the north. According to bradford, some of the strangers, perhaps hoping to strike out on their own in search of riches, began to make discontented and mutinous speeches. These strangers asserted that when they came ashore, they would use their own liberty for none had the power to command them in new england. Maybe they had a point, but stranger and pilgrim alike also had a problem. They couldnt survive the desolate wilderness alone. Before landfl then, they mutually worked out their differences and formed what bradford modestly called combination. This combination is known to us in history, of course, as the mayflower compact. But this little compact, fer than 200 words, was no mere combination. It was americas very first constitution. Indeed, in Calvin Coolidges words, the first constitution of modern tes. Likewise, crchill called the mayflower compact one of the more remarkable documents in history a spontaneous covenant for political organization. High praise coming from him, so its worth reflecting a little more on a f points about the compact. First, while the pilgrims affirmed their allegiance to england, the monarchy, they left little doubt about their priorities. The compact begins with their traditional religious iocation in the name of god, amen. They express the end of their arduous voyage, in order, the glor of god, advancement of the christian faith, and only then the honor of our king and couny. And many like the founding other before Divine Providence 156 yearsater, the pilgrims covenanted with each other solemnly and mutually in the presence of god. Second, they respected each other as fre and equal citizens, whether pilgrim or stranger, the signatories covenanted together to form a government irrespective of faith or station. Third and related, that government would be selfgovernment, based on the consent of the goverd. The pilgrims did not appoint a patriot remark. They formed a civil body politic. Based on just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offic. And immediately after signing the compact, ey conducted a democratic election to choose their first governor. Fourth, again prefiguring the declaration, the pilgrims not surrender all rights to that government. They promised all due submission and obedience to the new government. Not total or unquestioning o permanent submission and obedience. That obedience would presumably be due as long as theaws remain justnd equal, and the officers appointed perform their duties in a just and equal manner. Finally, even in that moment of great privation and peril, the pilgrims turne their eyes upward to the higher, nobler end of political society. They listed their preservation as an objective of the new government, but even before that came, our better ordering. The pilgrims understood that liberty, prosperity, faith, and flourishing are only possible with order, and that while fety may be the first responsibility of govnment, its not the highest or ultimate purpose of government. This new government would do more than merel protect the settlers or resolve their disputes. It would aim for the general good of the colony. There aboard that rickety old ship tosse about in the cold w england waters, the pilgrims for shadowed so many cherished concepts of our nation faith in god and his providential protection, the natural equality of mankind from many one, government by consent, the rule of law, equality before the law, and the Impartial Administration the law. Little wonde therefore, that adams referred to the mayflower compact and the pilgrims arrival as the birthday of your nation. For that webster despite all the settlements preceding plymouth said the first scene of our history was laid there. Buthat history was only just beginning. The pilgrims still had to conquer the tess lot wilderness considering the challenges, it is a wonder that they did. As coolidge observed, though, the compact was not the most wonderful thing about the mayflower. The most wonderful of all was that those who drew it up had the power, the determination, and the strengths of character to live up to it from that day. They would need all that and more to survive what has been called the starving time. Upon landfall, the pilgrims fell upon their knees and blessed the god of heaven who h brought them over the vt and furious ocean. But it would be a sad and lamentableinter of disease, staff starvation and death as half the visitors died and nearly half a dozen had the strength to care for the ill, provide food and shelter and protect the camp. As anyone who has endured a new england winter know, at that rate there might not have been any camp left to protect by spring. But what can only be seen as a providential moment came in march when a lone indian walked boldly into their camp and greeted that emin english. His name was samoset. He had learned some broken english by working with some englishmen off the waters in what is now maine. They exchanged gifts and he promised to return with another indian who spoke fluent english. Squantoh lived in what i now northeastern massachusetts in rhode island. The warm pa knowatt chief had good reason to formn alliance with the pilgrims. Settlers and formed a treatye th lasted more than 50 years. Squantoh remained wit the pilgrims act as their interpreter and a special instrument sent of god f their good, beyon their expectations. He instructed them on crops, showed them where to hunt a fish, guided them on land and sea to new destinations and you probably remember what happened next. As the pilgrims recovered and prospered thrghout 162 they received the blessings of a wontiful fall of a bountiful fall harvest. There was a feast to express gratitude to the allies and to give tnks to god for his abundant gifts. This meal of course was the first thanksgiving. Now the thanksgiving sson is upon us and once again we have much to give thanks for. But this year we ought to be especially thankful for our ancestors, the pilgrims, o their 400th anniversary. Their faith, their bravery, their wisdom places them in the american pantheon alongsi the patriots of 1776, the pilgrims of 1620 deserve the honor of american founders. Sadly, however, there appear to be few commemorations, parades or festivals to celebrate the pilgrims this year, perhaps in part because revisionist charlatans of the lad cal left have previously claimed the Previous Year as americas true founng. Nothing could be further from the truth. So count me in coolidges camp. On thisnniversary, a century ago he proclaimed, it i our duty and the duty of every true american to reassemble in spirit in the cabin of the mayflower, rededicate ourselves to the pilgrims great work by reaffirming and signing the document that has made mankind of all the earth more glorious. Some too many may have lost the civilizatio of selfconfidence it celebrate the pirims. Just today for instance the n york times called the story a myth and a caricure. In the food section, no less. Maybe the politicallyorrect editors of the debked 1619 project are now responsible for pumpkin pie recipes at the times as well. But i, for one, stillave the pride and competence of our forebearers, so here today i speak in the spirit of that compact. D i reaffirm that old as we head intthe week of thanksging, ill be giving to our pilgrimathers and thear timeless lessons they bequeathed to our greatation. For as coolidge observed, Plymouth Rock doesot mark a begiing or an end. It marks a revelation of that which is without beginning and withou end. So m god continue to bless this land and m he bless the memory of the pilgrims of 1620. I extend my best issue withs to you and your family for thanksgiving as happy a peaceful as the first thksgiving. Madam psident yieldhe floor. The presiding officer under the previous order,ll postcloture time is expired. The question is on the nomination. There a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clk willall th roll. Vote vote vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change his or her vote . In not if not, the ayesre 49, the nays are 41. The nominatio is confirmed. Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table and the president will be immediately notified of the senates action. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the nator om maryland. Mr. Cardin i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to legislative session and be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Cardin mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from maryland. Mr. Cardin mr. President , earlier today, senator wicker and i participated in a call with our colleagues from europe in regards to their efforts to pass a global magnitsky statute. I mention that because this month represents the 11th Year Anniversary of the tragic death of Sergei Magnitsky. Sergei magnitsky was a lawyer in russia, representing a client when he discovered the largest tax fraud in modern russian history, 230 million. Many of the individuals that were involved in this corruption had ties with russia president vladimir putin. So mr. Magnitsky did what any lawyer is required to do. He reported the fraud that he discovered to the local authorities, and asked them to investigate the issue. Instead, Sergei Magnitsky was arrested, he was imprisoned without trial, he was beaten, he was tortured, and he died in jail without medical help in november of 2009. There was no accountability for the perpetrators of this atrocity. In fact, many of the perpetrators actually were promoted. So we did something about it. As members of the u. S. Helsinki commission, we recognized in 1975 the countries that comprise the organization for security and cooperation in europe, including russia, committed the basic human rights for their people, that their government would be honest, and that they would protect the rights of their citizens. And the helsinki final act gave every member state the right to question what other states were doing in compliance with the helsinki final act ideals. So its legitimate for us to question what russia is doing in carrying out its commitments. So we did something about it. I introduced legislation known as the magnitsky act, and i want you to know this was a bipartisan effort. My partner in the passage of the magnitsky act was the late senator john mccain. My partner in passing the global magnitsky act and the magnitsky act is my good friend, roger wicker, who is the chair of the senate u. S. Helsinki commission. We worked together to make sure that we passed these magnitsky acts. What does it do . What it does is the country does not hold accountable those who violate basic Global Human Rights of its citizens, we impose sanctions. Those sanctions prevent that individual who perpetrated these acts from visiting the United States through the issuance of a visa, for participating in our banking system. Why do we do this . Today we heard from mr. Merza who is one of the activists on human rights in russia, who has been poisoned twice by the russian government when he said about the manta of the kremlin, he said they steal at home and spend abroad. They dont want their money in rubles. They want their money in dollars. So that if we can prevent them from using our banking system, we can really make it hurt. Let me tell you how important this is. This is not limited to russia we passed the global magnitsky laws, it applies to all of the countries where they have violations of human rights. If you want to know how important this statute is, it has been reported that when mr. Putin and mr. Trump met in their first summit, the first order of business that mr. Putin raised with President Trump was cant we get rid of these magnitsky sanctions . Believe me, they work, and they deter bad actors around the world. Its a legislative initiative. We talked about the fact that there is one common ingredient in everything thats considered the global magnitsky laws, and that is the initiative that comes from the legislators because there is a smarl reluctancy among the bureaucrats not to burden themselves of additional problems in the bilateral relations with other countries. But we recognize that it is important for america, the leader of the democratic world, to speak up for democratic principles. So we passed the legislation. We didnt have the enthusiastic support of the administration, but we did it, and we did it and we wanted it to be a global standard that we clear to human rights violators, but we needed other countries to act. And i am pleased that other countries have followed the u. S. Leadership. U. K. , canada, estonia, latvia, lithuania, all have enacted similar global magnitsky bills. Currently, japan and australia are considering similar bills and legislation, and today we had a very positive conversation with the european union, and they are considering the passage of a global magnitsky bill. This would add 27 countries covered under the Sergei Magnitsky law. Mr. President , this is one of the i think the leading moments where the United States senate and in the United States senate and congress where we showed leadership on behalf of speebing out for those otherwise that would not be heard. And as a result of our action, i am convinced we saved many lives, and we have made it very clear that in our foreign policy, we will embed that in the principles that made this nation the great democratic nation it is, the respect for universal human rights. With that, mr. President , i would suggest the absence of a quorum. E presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the presiding officer the senator from mississpi. Mr. Wicker e we in a quorum call . The presiding officer we are. Mr. Wicker i move the quorum call be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Wicker mr. President , it gives me great pleasure to rise this afternoon, as i do, to commend an Outstanding Young american. In this case, a young mississippian. Namely, miss asia branch from boonville, mississippi, who was recently crowned as miss u. S. A. , 2020. For those of you from michigan, take some pride there, she was born in michigan but moved to mississippi at an early age and spent her childhood in boonville, as i said. She graduated this year from my alma mater, the university of mississippi, having studied broadcast journalism. She has experienced, miss asia branch has experienced dizzying success in the past two years. In 2018, she won the title of miss mississippi under the miss america organization. The following year, she became the first African American woman to win the other state title, miss mississippi u. S. A. And she is the only person only the seventh person in history to hold both state titles, miss mississippi and miss mississippi u. S. A. And now she is the firstever miss mississippi u. S. A. To win the miss u. S. A. Crown. Asia branch has been competing in pageants since 2016 when she won her first preliminary title in the miss mississippi competition. She went on to win ole miss parade of beauties competition and numerous local titles. She has gained wide recognition because she is beautiful, wellspoken, and she is a dwift dwift gifted vocalist, but also there is a serious part of her platform and a serious personal story of asyas in overcoming adversity, and i admire that so much in asya branch. She speaks openly about her fathers ten years in the state prison. Resulting in his absence for much of her upbringing. That difficult period shaped who asya branch is and gave her strength and a unique perspective on incarceration. During the miss mississippi pageant, asyas platform was empowering children of incarcerated parents. Can you imagine the courage of a young woman taking that on as her platform . It enabled her to reach out to other children and encourage them that their lives do not have to be defined by their circumstances. During her year as miss mississippi, she was part of a white house roundtable where she discussed criminal justice and prison reform, much as we did here on the floor of the United States senate. And the first step act, she discussed this act with President Trump, Vice President pence, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and lawmakers, including senator hydesmith and me. She also started the love Letters Program in which she donated stationary and stamps to inmates and allowed them to write to their loved ones. In her new role as miss u. S. A. , she continues to expand love letters to a National Level and continue advocating for criminal justice and prison reform. And you can see, mr. President , why im so proud of asya branch and so impressed with her accomplishments. She has the honor of holding two state titles and now a national title, and this speaks to her unique gifts, accomplishments, courage, and passion for bringing about constructive change to the world. I commend asya for her example of perseverance. She has made mississippi proud. I think she is going to make the United States proud as she moves forward next year to the Miss Universe pageant where im sure she will do well. I encourage all americans to root for her next year as we will certainly be doing at my house. Thank you, and i yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum cal quorum call mr. Cornyn mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from texas. Mr. Cornyn mr. President , id asunanimous consent that the quorum calle dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Cornyn mr. President , here it is november the 18th. Seems like the election was a few years ago. Time is flying by. But theres stale lot of work to be done here but theres still a lot of work to be done here in the 116th congress. I hope that our friend across the aisle will reconsider their objections to working with us on another covid19 relief bill. I know back home in texas, many Small Businesses that received p. P. P. Loans are uncertain, for example, what the tax consequences are going to be associated with that. And for many of whom for which that was a lifeline are running out of the lifeline due to the passage of the time. We also know we need to pass an appropriations bill before the december 11 deadline to both avoid a government shutdown, give our Government Agencies the ability to plan and operate with certainty and, of course, perhaps most significantly, we need to pass a final version of the national Defense Authorization act. The foremost obligation. Federal government is the peace and security of the american people. We do that by passing the Defense Authorization act and funding our military each year on an annual basis. This bill determines how we maintain our military bases, modernize our aircraft, and invest in the next generation of aircraft and weaponry. And, of course, we know that our adversaries most notably countries like china and russia are moving very quickly to modernize their military and their weaponry in a way that could jeopardize the balance or the deterrence of our current systems. So its very, very important. This is also how we supply our Service Members and their families with the money they need to provide for their families, and its how we take stock of the evolving threat landscape, things like hypersonic glide vehicles, and ensure our country is taking active steps to counter steps on the horizon. The most important thing i think that Ronald Reagan taught us or reamended us of is peace through or reminded us of is peace through strength. That weakness is actually a provocation to the bullies and dictators that will take advantage of any opportunity that causes instability and perhaps even miscalculation and people taking risks that will ultimately lead to armed conflict. So the best thing we can do to maintain the peace is to ensure that the United States will remain the preeminent military force on the planet. Of course, its no secret that in recent years china has emerged as one of the greatest threats to world order. Its increasingly belligerent and wellresourced effort and continues to demonstrate a lack of respect for basic human rights and dignities. The challenge of china is they dont play by the rules. I know back when the when china became part of the world trade organization, there was a hope expressed that maybe by becoming part of the world trade organization, they would join the other rulesbased economies and countries. But they have not. They continue to steal intellectual property, and they continue to want to dominate the United States, both economically and militarily in the long run. The Chinese Communist party has made no secret of its desire to flex its economic and political power throughout the world, as evidenced by their madeinchina 2025 initiative. It seeks to advance chinese dominance in hightech manufacturing, everything from electric cars to advanced robotics to Artificial Intelligence to seemingly innocuous devices like jetways at airports. One major component of thisman is simply conductor manufacturing and china is making headway. China has gone from manufacturing zero chips to now 16 of the global supply. And it plans to invest another 1. 4 trillion in semiconductor technology. Why is this important . Well, because these microcircuits that have gotten smaller and smaller and smaller and make up the working components in everything from iphones to our weapon systems, these have become harder and harder to manufacture. And in fact one of the things that this covid virus has taught us is the vulnerability of our supply chains. And right now one of the sole sources of the most sophisticated semiconductors that goes into everything from iphones to our National Defense systems is manufactured overseas, primarily in taiwan. So while china has upped its production of semiconductors dramatically and its investment, the u. S. Has dropped from producing roughly a quarter of the worlds semiconductors to only 12 . Thats a big problem. First through the obvious economic implications. Giving up a significant global share of manufacturing means missing out on thousands indeed, tens of thousands of highpaying jobs that could be stationed right here at home. It also ignores the benefits of a strong u. S. Manufactured supply chain to support products made by our trade partners. But our dependence on chinese for semiconductors poses a Serious National Security risk. As i said, these chips are everywhere. But theyre also critical components to our infrastructure, things like cell towers, hospital equipment, Missile Defense systems, our most Critical Technologies rely on a product were looking for a country overseas to supply, whether its taiwan or china. Or some other country. But earlier this year we of course experienced how dangerous that is, and its as simple as things like personal protective equipment. China has long been a major supplier of masks, gloves, and government shutdowns and other p. P. E. Used by other Health Care Workers and that didnt seem to be a problem, because they could always make it cheaper. But when the virus hit, we found out it was a serious problem. By the time the virus began spreading to the u. S. , china had been battling it for a number of weeks, maybe even months. So when it came time for american hospitals, clinics and Health Care Providers to beef up their supply of Paycheck Protection Program, well, the supplies were already depleted or we were dependent on china to produce them. So Health Care Workers did what they could by reusing masks throughout an entire shift in order to conserve supplies and hospitals were pleading with the general public to donate any unused personal protective equipment so that their workforce could remain safe. We didnt reach that point because of a lack of preparation but because of our reliance on other countries namely china to produce that medical gear. So this has been a wakeup call, i think for me and i think certainly many others about our supply chain vulnerabilities, and its a clear signal we need to take action to secure other critical supply chains. When it comes to Semiconductor Manufacturing, thats easier said than done. Building a new semiconductor fan fishery is foundry is a very significant undertaking that wont take place without a very robust publicprivate partnership. The organization of Economic Cooperation and Development Estimates that 21 Major Semiconductor firms across a number of countries receive more than 50 billion in Government Support between 2014 and 2018. This is not exactly a market that is going to depend purely on the private sector. Its going to require the federal government to step up if were going to bring that manufacturing onshore and if were going to reduce our vulnerabilities both from an economic and a National Security perspective. Some of the countries investing, though, in this manufacturing of these technologies are south korea, singapore, taiwan, ireland, germany, and, yeah, you guessed it, china. Weve lost ground to our global competitors and unless we take action, its estimated that by 2030, he 83 of Global Semiconductors manufacturing will be in asia. 83 . We simply cant allow that to happen. The u. S. Needs to make a strategic investment in Semiconductor Manufacturing. And this Years National Defense Authorization act including the critical first step. I introduced a bill, along with our colleague, our friend from virginia, senator warner, called the chips for america act. And a version of this bill is adopted as an amendment to the national Defense Authorization act with a bipartisan support, a vote of 964. It will help restore americas leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing by creating a federal Incentive Program through the department of commerce to encourage chip manufacturing here in the United States. In short, this would help stimulate advanced Semiconductor Advanced manufacturing and boost our global competitiveness. It will allow us to bring manufacturing of these critical devices back home and strengthen the supply chain for our military systems, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, health care, agriculture, manufacturing and virtually every other industry you could name. Senator warner and i worked closely with senator cotton from arkansas, senator schumerer from new york in drafting this bipartisan amendment and im glad our colleagues in the house approved a similar amendment to their legislation and im eager to see a final version in the conference report. When the ndaa makes its way to the president s desk, it will mark the 60th Consecutive Year in which congress has passed such Bipartisan Legislation to fund and supply and equip our nations military. I appreciate the strong bipartisan support of chairman inhofe on the Armed Services committee and Ranking Member reed and im eager for this legislation to come to the floor for a final vote. But the next step is to secure funding for the prals to incentivize programs to incentize Semiconductor Manufacturing. We have been working with secretary mnuchin, secretary ross, secretary pompeo who worked with us to try to close the gap and ive enjoyed working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that we provide full funding for this legislation, but were not there yet. This is the key to our longterm National Security and economic competitiveness. It is my top priority in the coming weeks as the Senate Perhaps to consider Appropriations Bills. A secure Semiconductor Supply Chain will strengthen our National Security and our economy will reap countless benefits by bringing these manufacturing jobs back to the United States. As we work to counter increasingly sophisticated adversaries around the world, passing the national Defense Authorization act and funding these new programs could not be more important. Mr. President , i yield the floor. I note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer he clerk will call theoll. Quorum call