Transcripts For CSPAN2 U.S. 20240702

Understand the unfolding of your providence, we place our trust n you. Show our lawmakers the path they should choose, rescue them from the traps of their enemies, and remove their fears with your might. Continue to renew their strengt. Protect our legislatures with your might, reassure them with your presenc, and comfort them with your goodness. Lord of heavens army, we give our lives to you, for no one who depends on your compassion will ultimately fail. We pray in your merciful name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge f allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington, d. C. , october 25, 2023. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable peter welch, a senator from the stae of vermont, to perform the dutis of the chair. Signed patty murray, president pro tempore. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Morning business is closed. Under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of h. R. 4366, which the clerk will report. The clerk calendar number 198, h. R. 4366, an act making appropriations for military construction, the department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Guest at this point in time and, of course, the caveat is things are changing very quickly around this whole situation but at this point in time it does seem johnson has some important momentum right voted the nominee late last night we didnt see quite as many republicans come out saying theyre going to vote against him. As we sing some of the other candidates whether it was scalise or jordan or tom emmer. Looks like things are going well at this point in time but its early in the day. Were expecting about in the early afternoon. Well see things change but johnson is wellliked within the caucus. He also seems be someone who thread the needle where he is someone who is supported by the far conservatives. Hes been a trump defender of former President Trump buddy is also not as kind of typical conservative. He was a lawyer someone who can appeal to moderates as well. Host according to reporting last night in the secret vote, there were 20 people were not present. Amongst those 25 emerge that could sink this nomination . Guest certainly thats the group were looking for. Obvious as members returned to congress today, we are going to be looking for any of those people who were not present who decide to vote against johnson. There hasnt been any want again theres been a handful of people who refuse to vote for johnson last night didnt say they would vote against him. There could be helpful to decide theyre not going to fall in line here but one important thing to note about where we are right now is republicans are frustrated. Understandably. Its been three weeks without a speaker at the house. There are big things and need to get done in congress. We are come close to a Government Shutdown situation once again. Theres 106 billion in emergency funding package that the white house us that the caucus that they have to deal with in some way. We are seeing republicans grow tired of the fight and so there would have to be some real reason, some real personal tension from some big issue to arise for enough republicans do can say no, we dont want johnson and risk there being some kind of a deal with democrats to get someone in that speak of is you. Host democrats are wholeheartedly support the candidate for speaker Hakeem Jeffries how do they do johnson as a potential speaker, generally . Guest im sure theres concerns there. Especially given the fact johnson was one of the leaders who attempted to overturn the 2020 Election Results, that something where certain is a democrats ounce on your weve already seen some raise that point once again reminded people johnson was one of those members in 2020, not only vote to decertify the 2020 Election Results but also present an argument for why republicans could do so beyond some of the more extreme claims being made by former President Trump at the time. So of course were going to expect democrats to support Hakeem Jeffries. There have been some of said there would be willing to work with republicans for some kind of a temporary situation with mr. Canterbury staying on as speaker, but we dont expect them to be excited about johnson and the speaker position. Host our guess is with us until 8 00 and if you want as questions about what you might expect today, 2027488001 republicans. 2027488000 for democrats and independents 2027488002. You can textus at 2027488003. If he does receive the nomination today what of the next steps . Say hes elected what is called is proper to do in light of three weeks of inactivity . Guest first of all the going up to Start Talking about how to avoid aicoa shutdown. Once again i was what led us to the speaker list position in the first place. Mccarthys mccarthyistd velasco shutdown is ultimately what sparked the effort, successful effort to oust him from the speakership. Johnson will have to again deal with the situation, make sure they can get some kind of appropriation bill through, likely have to come up with some kind of a shortterm stopgap funding measure once again to push the deadline back. Johnson doesnt have the counter staff others have picked hes going to have to beat up his own staff in order to respond to some of these pressing issues. He is going to be thrown in the ranks of mcconnell and jeffries, and senator schumer as well as leader schumer ezell and theyll have to start working on both avoiding a Government Shutdown and again dealing with the appropriate or the funding package the white house has sent them. And figure out how congress is going to support israel at this time as we continue to see the situation unfolds. Host shortterm spending what are the issues they kicked off this whole process and first place. Now the possibility of another cr to keep the government funding i could find it. Is her appetite when then the caucus to allow that in the short term . Guest there are conservatives who are not happy about the idea of kicking the can down the road once again. They want to see actual appropriation bills passed that allowed them to cut funding for particular agencies, agencies Like Department of justice, the fbi was in that. Well see whether having johnson their changes the dynamic at all whether we again see a fight over even any kind of a stopgap measure. But also given how much time has been wasted trying to come up with the right speaker, theres not going to be a lot of time to get these kinds of complicated appropriation bills done in the house, whether they tried to do so anyways is still something where watching. Host what faces johnson, what of bills he will have to learn in a fast manner do you think . Guest obviously there is like theres a procedural thing he will be responsible for as speaker opening faust Floor Covering the votes to the for deciding what the conference will be voting on and, of course, most difficult dynamic right now is just managing his own party which is been so fractured. That was always the Biggest Issue mccarthy faced throughout these past few months. He may have won the speakership eventually after 15 rounds of voting but he still had to contend with this divide within the party and that divide is not going to go away, no matter who is speaker of the current speaker of the house here johnson is going have to both rankle the far right conservatives who have again and again republicans reached an important agreement to move forward on three bipartisan, underline bipartisan, appropriations bills. Milcon v. A. , agriculture, transportationhud. Well begin voting on amendments as soon as this afternoon, and go through the rest of the week and into the next. It is my hope that with bipartisan cooperation, we can wrap up our work on these bipartisan appropriation bills sometime next week. This will be the Senate Working as it should, both parties cooperating, debating amendments, working through differences, without grinding the legislative process to a halt. Democrats promised our republican colleagues that their voices would be heard, and were making good on that promise. 40 amendments will be considered, many of them bipartisan. On issues ranging from telehealth, funding for veterans, fixing infrastructure hit by natural disasters, to investments in rural america. We worked closely with republicans to put these appropriation bills together. If passed, the bills will make a huge difference for american farmers, our infrastructure, for housing, and for our military bases and veterans. Bipartisanship isnt easy. On the contrary. These days, its exceedingly difficult. But were moving forward, thanks to the good work of our appropriators, especially chair murray and vice chair collins. They have set the tone from the start in the . Reat, that bipartisan shl in the senate that bipartisanship should lead the way. It was true in the Appropriations Committee. I hope it remains true here on the floor. Were going to need bipartisanship in all that we do during this time of divided government. Bipartisanship will be essential for passing these appropriation bills. Bipartisanship will be essential for keeping the government open in less than a month. And bipartisanship will be essential for passing the president S National Security request. I would say to my colleagues in the house, my republican colleagues, if you try to do things not in a bipartisan way, its going to lead to cult sacks and other things that hurt the American People. Both parties recognize we must support our allies in israel against hamas. Both parties recognize that we must support our friends in ukraine against putin. Both parties know that we must fight the scourge of fentanyl coming through the border, outcompete the chinese government, and support taiwan. So to my republican colleagues, house and senate, lets Work Together to ensure that passing the supplemental remains bipartisan, because only things that win support from both sides will make it to the president s desk. I thank my colleagues on both sides who have shown that bipartisanship is still the key to getting things done here in the senate, and now, because of that bipartisanship, the appropriations process is finally, finally moving forward. On our a. I. Insight forum, yesterday the senate held our second bipartisan a. I. Insight forum. This one was focused on our north star for a. I. , and that is innovation. It was an amazing three hours. We learned so much about all the things we need to know to do on a. I. , as well as things we still dont know. The biggest takeaway from our a. I. Insight forum so far is that government has to be involved on a. I. , and that was the consensus among everybody yesterday, just as it was a few weeks ago. Democrats, republicans, liberals, conservatives everyone in between knew that government had to be involved. But after yesterdays conversation, ill add a few more things we agreed to. First, as you know, at the last forum everyone agreed that the government had to be involved, but after todays forum, there was universal agreement that congress had to be prepared, not just to be involved, but to invest significant resources in a. I. Innovation, both inside the government and outside, helping companies and universities and others. Because the government cant do things in terms of dollar investments because the government can do things in terms of dollar investments that others simply cant. The awesome power of the federal government and its ability to provide resources is way beyond the capability of any one company, university, etc. One number mentioned yesterday was about 32 billion in nondefense federal spending, which is what the bipartisan National Security commission on a. I. Said we need in their 2021 report. It doesnt have to happen all at once, but its important we prioritize these investments now and continue over time. Just about everybody in the room agreed that 32 billion is really a floor, not a ceiling. So were going to need, if away want to stay number one in a. I. And get our arms around it and make sure the good is maximized and the bad minimized, were going to need significant federal dollars. A. I. Is another reason that we must fully appropriate the funds authorized in the chips and science acts. And that came up many times. There are many things that we authorized in the chips and science act that havent been appropriated. We have to do those things. If we want to stay in the lead economically and in a. I. The second point that was made was that congress doesnt have a lot of time to act, because a. I. Moves so fast and is growing in its complexity. We need to be proactive, not reactive. Thats one reason weve made these a. I. Insight forums a priority. A third point was made was our race against the chinese government. China is not waiting to invest in a. I. , just as they didnt wait on science and chips. With the science and chips bill, we met them, maybe even exceeded them, by putting in some real investments. We must do the same thing with a. I. Or we will fall behind. Many of the speakers noted that if china gains the read in the loo ed in a. I. , they will become the the lead in a. I. , they will become the number one economy in the world and set the values, authoritarian, not democratic, and americans will suffer. This investment in a. I. Must be done. Otherwise, we will fall behind china, something we dont want to do, and both parties agreed thats the case. Particularly a point made by some of my republican colleagues, well fall behind on National Security. If china gets ahead of us in a. I. And applies that to National Security and we dont do what were supposed to do, we will really have some problems. It so, thats point three. Point four, just to reiterate, we need innovation, we need the government to help create innovation, both on the transformational side, creating new vistas, unelectroniccing new cures, im unlocking new cures, pro teskting food plys protecting food supplies, this is harder, on sustainable innovation. That means to minimize the harms from a. I. Like job loss, racial and gender bias, economic displacement, because if we dont have some guardrails, the whole thing, the whole a. I. Enterprise could go off the rails. And that would be a real detriment to this country and to our world. The private sector does a good job on positive transformational innovation. They need some help. Government needs to be involved, particularly in setting an ecosystem that works, in providing some of the resources to Smaller Companies so theyre not outdwarfed not dwarfed by the larger companies. But only the government can provide the guardrails for sustainable innovation. Its not reasonable to expected all companies to act op their own on their own, even less reasonable that theyd act in concert, even if a few do. The challenge will be a balance between placing guardrails and preserving innovation. Its a tough challenge, but you know, as Theodore Roosevelt said, were in the arena. If not us, who . No one will do it. So again, yesterday was an exciting, illuminating, eyeopening conversation. Thank you to all the senators who came yesterday, from both sides of the aisle. And lets note, were still at the beginning. We will continue to hold bipartisan a. I. Insight forums in the weeks and months to come, and encourage the relevant committees to begin drawing up bipartisan legislation. Second avenue subway, mr. President , new york city is in the midst of an infrastructure renaissance. From the gateway tunnel to east side access to penn station access. Today, i have even more great news for new york im proud to announce that the Second Avenue subway will receive 3. 4 billion in federal funding to advance to phase two of its construction. I have worked myself to the bone for years fighting for federal funding for the Second Avenue subway, and i want to thank my colleague, who has been along my side as we do that, that is Congress Member adriana wesbiat who recommends the air doctor in congress. He has been a champion for funding. Thanks to the investments we made in our bipartisan infrastructure law, Second Avenue subway has now received the largest Capital Investment grant in the history of the cig program. These are no longer abstract. Billions of dollars passed in congress. Now its across the country, like leer in new york and in east harlem in particular, its becoming real, real in terms of jobs and real in terms of better transportation. The federal funding will mean tens of thousands of goodpaying jobs in new york, expanded services will benefit more than 300,000 riders on the Second Avenue subway every day. Thats more people than most cities have. Its important to do. Most importantly is it the subway will now expand into east harlem, which has desperately needed better access to public transportation. When work on the Second Avenue new subway is complete, people already have a better time getting to work, doctors office, school and more. The studies show when theres transit. People get better and more highpaying jobs, because they can find these jobs and get to them easily, and dont say its such a long commute, i cant work. There thanks to President Biden, and our democratic and republican bipartisanship action in the senate, which i was so proud to help lead, new york continues to reap the benefits of our agenda stronger infrastructure, more maufacturing jobs, lower Prescription Drug costs and more opportunity. I thank the administration for awarding new york this gamechanging federal grant, and we will keep going to improve life for new yorkers as were doing for all americans. I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the rolling. The clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call mr. Mcconnell mr. President. The presiding officer the prun leader. The republican leader. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell government funding is set to run out in 23 days. We have a responsibility to keep the lights on and avoid the disastrous effects of a shutdown. We also need to make serious headway toward the fullyear funding process that the nation actually deserves. This week, thanks to a lot of hard work from senator collins, senator murray, and our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, the senate will finally take an important step in the right direction. As we continue to review the president s requests for urgent supplemental p appropriations and make necessary changes, republicans stand ready to vote on a robust package of amendments on this fullyears appropriation measure and pass it quickly out here on the floor. Now, on another matter, its been 18 days since the brutal terrorist attacks of october 7. 18 days since savages confront the world with the depsdzs of depths of human depravity. Since the older form of human hatred reared its rugly head. Since radical islamic terrorists reminded us they posed a persistent threat to the civilized world. In our shock, the west vowed solidarity. We pledged not to look away from the horrors israel was grieving. We reaffirmed israels right to defend itself, and we promised to stand with our ally as it fought back against pure evil. But in the last 18 days, silence, amnesia, coward could e took control, the west resolves has some signs of weakness. We saw some rush to blame israel for the deaths of its own children. We saw colleague administrators tie themselves in grotesque moral knots to avoid acknowledging really reality even in the face of alumni revolts. Last night, for example, at George Washington university, here in the nations capitol, student activists had antijewish for a pair of jewish benefactors. Free palestinian from the river to the sea. For anyone unfamiliar with israels geography, that is a call for the destruction of the jewish state. But just a few blocks away, the Biden Administration is in denial. After protests in times square displayed the nazi swastika and an israeli student was beaten with a stick, the White House Press secretary replied to a question about rising concerns of antisemitism that, quote, weve not seen any credible threats. That was the White House Press secretary. Even more absurd was how in the very next breath, without even uttering the word jew, she pivoted abruptly to condemning n islamophobia, after thousands of jews were tortured and murdered, after hundreds have been taken hostage, after the sight of jewish bodies were prayeded, after all of this, President Bidens press secretary reverted to the disgraceful both sides talking points. Of course, as ive discussed before, the media organizations who engage with her deserve their own share of shame. Some in the press are already indulging the same tired language desired to affect the free worlds sense of moral clarity. There are signs of warning about the indiscernible psychoviolence. For anyone who needs a reminder, a ceasefire is what israel thought it had with hamas and with palestinianislamic jihad earlier this summer. A ceasefire today is an amnesty for hamas. A free path for terrorists from this same savage tribe as isis and al qaeda. So less than three weeks after the deadliest slaughter of jews since the holocaust, too many prominent corners of our society already need a reminder a reminder of the terrorist horrors that actually started the war. Yesterday i welcomed a group of important visitors to my office. Among them were family members of israelis being held hostage by hamas. Two had survived the attacks and witnessed the terror first hand. Id like to share with our colleagues two of their stories. First was neta, a 20yearold student who lived in a kibbutz in southern israel. Heda told me he woke up on october 7 to the sound of sirens, he told me how he armed himself with a kitchen knife, barricaded himself in an interior room and leaned against the door as terrorists ransacked his apartment. Heda told me how he realized how hours later when his mother stopped replying to his texts, that his parents were taken hostage by hamas. I heard also from mia who was at the Music Festival with friends. She described the sounds of rockets interrupting the party at sunrise. She described how she cried the first time she saw a victim lying in the road as she fled not knowing if he was alive or dead. She recalled how she turned on a road in search of safe haven while many of friends, two of whom murdered, turned right. She told me how she called her father to say i love you and i dont know if i will make it out. And how she waited hours in a kibbutz shelters assuming that her time was coming. She remembers how news spread in message groups about which of her friends had made it out alive and how friends witnessed bodies blown apart by grenades. Mia told me she is haunted by the images her friends shared of hamas desecrating bodies and by how they seem to enjoy it. She said she feels guilty for encouraging her friends to join her at the Music Festival that saturday. Mr. President , this is why israel fights. The attacks of october 7 confronted the world with the sort of horrors jewish communities have no choice but to remember for generations. From european villages caught in pogroms to the horrors of nazi germany to kibbutz blooded by hamas terrorists. Their refrain has been never forget, never again. God help us if we do not mean what we say. Theres no room for false moral equivalency. Let me repeat that. There is no room for false moral equivalency. We must not forget who is responsible and we must hold them accountable. Terror and selfdefense are not the same thing. One side started the war but the other side will finish it. And the United States must give israel the time, space, and support to bring innocent people home and bring murders, terrorists murderers, terrorists to justice. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. The clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call quorum call the presiding officer the senator from arkansas. A senator i ask permission to end the quorum call. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Cotton today marks the 40th anniversary of the u. S. Invasion of grenada. This short and largely overlooked conflict is one of the most successful military interventions in history. In just four days president Ronald Reagan toppled an antiamerican regime, rolled back communism in the hemisphere, and saved american lives. In the years that followed we built a strong, genuine and Enduring Partnership with the people of grenada. This success was far from certain. It was only possible because of president reagans decisive and overwhelming military response to a crisis on the island. The seeds of this cite were sown, like many others, during jimmy carters disastrous presidency. Under president carter, communism began to metastasize in latin america and in the especially pivotal year of 1979, both nicarauga and grenada failed to communists. As he returned from managua, fidel castro boasted now there are three of us. And the cuban dictator had big plans to add more captive nations to his antiamerican access in the hemisphere. Grenada is a small island located in the southeast caribbean and strategically vital to both cuba and soviet russia during the cold war. Barely 150 miles off the coast of venezuela, the island could serve as an offshore arms depot for communist rebels in latin america and other caribbean nations. Russia could also use grenada as a base to launch submarines into the caribbean basin. Moacht concerning was grenadas proximity to africa which made it the potential final lynch in a chain of communist air bases from southern russia to north africa to west africa to grenada and then finally to cuba. Soviet bombers and heavy cargo planes could fly between these lily pad of bases for refueling and largely beyond american detection. This grave threat materialized when grenada welcomed hundreds of cubans to construct a massive airport with a 9,000foot runway. What Ronald Reagan called a suspiciously huge runway was far larger than anything grenadas commercial aviation required. It was, curiously enough, just big enough to support the largest soviet bombers and cargo aircraft. This air base posed a twoway threat. Russia could use grenada as a launching pad in the hemisphere to arm cuba and other latin american communists. Going the other waip, castro could export revolutionaries. Tensions boiled over into crisis in october of 1983 when an even more radical blood thirsty gang of communists toppled the ruling communists in grenada. The new government killed the Prime Minister and instituted a 24 hour shoot on sight curfew that threatened hundreds of american medical students on the island. The Reagan Administration feared a replay of the iranian hostage crisis and the organization of Eastern Caribbean states pleaded with the administration to intervene and prevent communism from spreading further in the region. Within days reagan had concluded that we had no choice but to act strongly and decisively, as he put it, and he authorized an invasion. This wasnt an easy decision. We had only spotty intelligence on grenadas forces and capabilities and the president s of cuban and communist forces. Many in washington still hesitated to use military force due to vietnam syndrome. But reagan was undaunted. Then a disaster halfway around the world threatened to derail the operation. Just after reagan authorized the invasion planning, a suicide bomber killed 241 marines in their beirut barracks. Although heart broken and enraged by the attack, reagan didnt leapt the crisis in lebanon crowd out the crisis in our backyard. He declared there are americans there and they are in danger. We are going. This is an important point. Contrary to liberal smears, reagan did not authorize the grenada invasion as cover for withdrawal from lebanon or to flex his muscles after the beirut bombing. He authorized the beirut planning before the bombing happened in beirut. The historical record on this is absolutely clear. Unlike democratic president s, reagan didnt act tough to conceal his true weakness. Reagan was tough on americas enemies and tough on defense of americas interests. On october 25, barely a week after the coup, around 8,000 american troops embarked on operation urgent fury. They had a clearly defined mission save the endangered americans, depose the communist regime, and reestablish order on the island our troops had some setbacks but they adapted, overcame, and prevailed. The incomplete intelligence and short time frame for preparation hampered the operation, yet vindicated reagans judgment. Military leaders anticipated only 200 cuban construction workers on the island. In reality, 700 wellarmed cuban soldiers awaited american forces. Our troops also discovered huge weapons caches at the air base, enough to arm the cuban forces and thousands more communist rebels. Reagan had acted just in time. The war ended after four lopsided days. Our troops took fewer than 150 casualties while the communists suffered nearly 500 casualties and more than 600 cubans surrendered. Our citizens on the island were safe. Reagan hit hard, he hit fast, and america won. And Fidel Castros dreams of hemispheric revolution soon turned to ash. Reagan destroyed communistism until grenada and besieged the regime in nicarauga. Nicarauga out of the ousted Daniel Ortega made possible by american pressure. The grenada operation was the First Successful military rollback of communism during the cold war. We eliminated the deadly threat on our doorstep and liberated a grateful people who enjoy freedom and democracy to this day. Reagan worked to stabilize the island and later traveled there in 1986. Tens of thousands of people in grenada lined the streets and welcomed reagan as a liberator. Grenadas Prime Minister described reagan as our own National Hero and our rescuer after god. Reagan passed banner after banner that read god bless america, and later wrote that i probably never felt better during my presidency than i did that day. What reagan felt that day was the joy of american success made possible by american strength and confidence. The success stands in stark contrast to other interventions like the one we saw in somalia ten years later under bill clinton. I spoke here three weeks ago to mark the 30th anniversary of the battle of mogadishu. While reagan delivered a crushing and decisive blow against a regime that threatened americas interests, bill clinton used insufficient forces for an illdefined expansive mission at a nation where our interests werent at stake. He cut and ran after the first sign of resistance emboldening our enemies, including bin laden. No two interventions were more different in rationale, execution or result, and they offer important lessons for today. The most profound is that weak interventions with vague and selfrighteous missions usually fail. Strong military action with welldefined missions focused on americas interests usually succeed. We must never confuse the United States army for the salvation army. Our military is not a Charitable Organization and its not a tool of mankind. It is the most fundamental interest of our National Power and ours alone. And it should be used to pursue american interests and american interests alone. Its not the militarys responsibility to right every wrong in the world or to be an avenging angel of liberal democracy. One of americas great statesmen John Quincy Adams once wrote america is the wellwisher to freedom and under the previous order to to all. He famously observed that america goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. I have to observe, though, that adams wrote we do not search for monsters to destroy, but the architect of the Monroe Doctrine and chief defender of Andrew Jacksons conquest of spanish florida was no pacifist. When monsters rear their heads and challenge america, especially in her own hemisphere, america must indeed not hesitate to destroy those monsters. From tripoli to berlin to tokyo to saint george, as we have done it before and we must be prepared to do it again. And whep we must go when we must go abroad to destroy monsters, we must use overwhelming force. If washington is unwilling to use the force necessary to win, we ought not use force at all. It is unfair and cruel to both american troops pursuing the mission and to our friends in the nation where the mission is being conducted. As we look, for examples to follow in this new moment of International Crisis and chaos, we should look to reagan, not to clinton. We need more grenadas and no more somalias. On this 40th anniversary of the invasion of grenada, i would also like to recognize and thank the veterans of that conflict along with their families for their invaluable service. They made our country proud and helped bring communism to its knees in this hemisphere. God bless them all and god bless the United States of america. Thank you. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call mr. Thune mr. President. The presiding officer the republican qhip. Mr. Thune is the senate in a quorum . The presiding officer yes. Mr. Thune i would ask unanimous consent that the quorum be lifted. The presiding officer wowctd. Without objection. Mr. Thune early yesterday i returned from a codel, or congressional delegation, to israel, saudi arabia, and egypt. The trip was a direct response to hamas savage attack on israel. The codel, led by my friend, senator lindsey graham, brought together ten senators from both parties to she the United States support for israel and demonstrate support for protecting our interest in the region. Our message was united the United States stands with israel. Iran is on notice, and it must stand down. And we need to get hostages freed and americans out of harms way. We are committed to seeing hamas defeated so that a new chapter of prosperity for israel and its arab neighbors can begin, of which normalized relations between israel and saudi arabia would be a keystone. Our engagements on the ground included frank and candid discussions with heads of state, Prime Minister netanyahu and our u. S. Embassy teams on the ground. Our day in tel aviv began with meeting the families of hostages held in gaza, including americans who shared their painful stories. As a parent and grandparent, it is heartbreaking to see and hear the grief of these family members. Later that day, we met with Israeli Defense officials for an update on the war. We were shown Video Evidence of the unnerving atrocities committed by hamas terrorists, horrific images that i will not soon forget. Mr. President , our meetings made it clear the absolute imperative to see hamas defeated. Hamas attacks have been likened i should say to israels own september 11. The Prime Minister, nettannia hugh, made a point netanyahu made a point especially chilling for americans, but every critic of israel must hear. He pointed out on 9 11 our enemy was thousands of miles away. In israel, their enemy is only a kilometer away. Mr. President , for more than 15 years, israel has had to live every day with a terrorist organization on its border, whose sole mission in life is to kill jews and to wipe israel off the face of the earth. During that time, hamas loomed has a persistent threat to israel, atarking, with kidnapping attacking, kidnapping and killing israelis. But the basharism and brute al barbarism and brutal hamas displayed took its evil to new heights. Now, israel knows what it has to do. It has to wipe hamas off the face of the earth. For the israelis, this is existential. Israels cause is just and its resolve is firm. And it should have every peaceloving nation in the world on its side. Now, how israel goes about that mission matters, and it needs to be done in a way that minimizes civilian casualtieses. The palestinians living in gaza are also victims of hamas reign of terror. Hamas has made it clear the only value it places on the lives of palestinians is to direct attention away from its atrocities and try to turn public sentiment, especially in western media and the arab street, against israel. Case in point, hamas disproven claim that israel struck a hospital, which sparked pro tests and riots in a number of countries. Israelis know that there are innocent palestinians trapped in this fight and civilian carts and a humanitarian casualties could drive this toward extremism. Thats why israel is protecting innocents in gaza. Though those efforts are undermined by hamas which discouraged palestinians from complying with the evacuation order. The u. S. And other peaceloving nations in the world and beyond need to give israel space to take the fight to and eradicate hamas. Because, if hamas and its reign of terror is allowed to continue, no nation in the region or beyond will be able to live in peace and security. Mr. President , it really is that simple. One final but important point, hamas might claim to represent palestinians, but its violent actions do nothing, nothing to benefit the Palestinian People. The only people who benefit from this brutal bloodshed are the ayatollahs in iran, moss goal is to whose goal is to bring chaos, violence, and death to all who dont share their extreme and militant religious ideology, which i might add includes wiping israel off the face of the earth. Look no further than hamas if you want to see irans influence. 90 of their military budget comes from iran. Or hezbollah, the terrorist organization on israels northern border with lebanon, which is also armed and financed by iran. Then there are the houthis in yemen, who in the aftermath of october 7 fired missiles and drones headed for israel, again likely at the direction of iran. The shiia militias who are attacking american soldiers in iraq and syria. The killing by russians of innocent civilians in ukraine, with drones supplied by iran. Through its proxies, iran is literally getting away with murder. To the Iranian Regime we say were on to you. In addition to working with regional partners to get american hostages and citizens out of gaza, the Biden Administration must clearly articulate to the iranians if they do not stand down or if they green light the escalation of this war, the United States and our allies will be forced to respond forcefully. The movement of u. S. Firepower to the region should make that point very clear to tehran. Mr. President , the attacks on october 7 represent a kind of evil the world hasnt seen in jen rangeses, and it must be jen rangeses, and it generations and it must be confronted and contained. If its not, we can see death and destruction on a scale akin to the horrors of the last century. History is watching. Mr. President , i yield the floor, and i suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call including representatives john, serves the district on the Armed Service transportation and Infrastructure Committee representative, thank you for giving us your time. As far as the speakerphones, what is expected at noon . What do you think the result might be . Groundhog day, i seriously doubt it will get there together. They are families to be seen over the last three weeks and we have every reason to believe it will continue today what gives you that laws specifically . Yesterday and the day before that andthe day before that. The split in the Revolution Party is deep and personal. It has come down to almost fisticuffs in their office and is not going to go away easily. Its a very right wing, very conservative maga republicans and the more moderate republicans have refused to go along maybe they will get there together. We need a coalition congress. The chaos in their caucus isnt going to end and we will be faced with that kind of uncertainty and chaos we have seen this past year and it will continue next election but we can put together a coalition. The democrats have put up the votes necessary to deal with the debt limit as well as continuing resolution. We are prepared to work with the republicans in a coalition to deal with the important issues at hand, some of which israel, ukraine, all those things we are there to work with the republicans. How does that work practically . What would it look like daytoday . We would form a coalition government. Within hours of the loss attack on israel, the knesset formed a water cabinet and that has been operating since the hamas invasion of israel. We could do the same here, we have Critical Issues to deal with. It can be a combination of democrats and republicans. Take the rules committee, and its 5050 and share our have a clear understanding of what is we need to accomplish. Let the big fights people out till the next election presidency and run the government, fund the government which we have not yet done. Take care of ukraine and the necessary funding for israel, the border wall set those priorities, come to an agreement that that is what we are going to do senate has put together the appropriation bills negotiated last may and take those and run with it. If the book comes down today and representative johnson has enough votes, what about further empowering thespeaker pro tem and with democrats support . It ends on what is involved. It may or may not end with chaos, it depends how it is structured. We need to decide what is we are going to do in the next three months. The continuing resolution and in midnovember and we have yet to do the longterm appropriations. We said in a no funding for ukraine, even funding for the National Disaster center, those things must be done but thats part of the deal. Thats what the speakerwill accomplish over a period time, go with it. I chaos that we see, why because we cant get anything done. You are a member of the progressive caucus on the Armed Services committee, what do you think of the speakers involved, are the appropriate . It is the responsibility of the Congress President and his proposals and analyze that very carefully. The proposals include a whole host of things, many of which may not be so we need to look at, which are in the standard Appropriation Program that would presumably be Going Forward if we have a new appropriation so we need to look at it carefully. It is a wideranging array of programs that the president has proposed on. Can you elaborate onthat not part is . 3 billion to build columbias submarines, those will not be finished until late this decade. When it comes on the Armed Services so im particularly what the United States has planning Israel Military and other aid, how much further should the us go . It should go as far as necessary for israel to protect itself its been a longstanding policy and we need to continue that also need to recognize that the president is now putting pressure on israel to be very careful about the israeli assault in god. And the humanitarian problems and deaths that will surely occur as a result so we need to be sure that we worked with israel as they deal with their own security with hamas and other issues and has a lot in the north and lebanon that those military actions are done in a way that produces, eliminates possible civilian casualties. From california joining us as some members of congress will, representative, thank you for your time. People involved in the full name, representative bob, thank you for giving us your time. We saw yesterday initially support for Byron Donalds you actually turned over to mike johnson, tell me about your level of confidence. The conference is united in a way i have not seen in my three years and ive been in washington. He said as long through difficult times, going through painful growing pains if you will come out stronger andhealthier and better. I think that is the conference enthusiastic behind mike johnson and his speech pattern is running votes speaks to the respect that members have for him, for him to get approximately 200,000 votes yesterday evening and conference with no votes against him, there were 20 members missing during that final candidate for him. Half a dozen candidates running but mike johnson eventually emerged and hopefully a unanimous vote today and we will move forward for the American People. Are you concerned there will be a house, four or five people will vote against him . You should always be concerned based on past history until we get it done im reasonably confident we will the enthusiasm was the connectivity of the members behind mike johnson was palpable so i think we have absolutely essential supplemental funding as well. So im delighted that we are going, and i will turn it over to my vice chair who has been working along side with me to get this moving. Ms. Collins thank you very much. Mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from maine. Ms. Collins mr. President , let me start by saying that i am to pleased that we are finally, finally voting on amendments to the threebill package that senator murray and i, as well as the terrific members of our Appropriations Committee have worked very hard to bring before the senate. This has been the result of many weeks, far too many weeks, of negotiations and would not have happened without the leadership of chair murray. I also want to thank leader schumer, leader mcconnell, our republican whip, john thune, and the chairs and ranking members of the three subcommittees, senator heinrich and hoeven, senators murray and boozman, senators schatz and senator hydesmith for their hard work. These are bills that really make a difference to the American People. As our colleagues know, we are considering the Agricultural Rural Development food and Drug Administration and related agencies bill, the military construction and Veterans Affairs bill and also the transportation, housing, and urban and related agencies bill. So i look forward to the robust no one could say this is not a robust amendment process. So, again, my thanks to chair murray. Its been a great pleasure to work with her. The presiding officer the senator from washington. Mrs. Murray mr. President , i ask unanimous consent that the motion to commit h. R. 4366 and amendment numbered 1205 be withdrawn. The presiding officer without objection. Mrs. Murray as provided under the order of october 24, i call up the following amendments to murraycollins substitute, moran numbered 1250, daines numbered 1185, sullivan numbered 1216, sullivan numbered 1221, peterscornyn 1223, rosen numbered 1117, schatz numbered 1120, bookertuberville numbered 1175, tilliswelch 1264, britt numbered 1270, kellytillis numbered 12116, hironomoran numbered 1113, cornyn 1351, smithingricketts 1134, rosen 1220, cardin 1277, padilla 1140, shaheen 1131, klobuchar 1233, kelly 11 offbraun numbered 1255, merkleycrapo 1252 and stabenow numbered 1115. The presiding officer without objection, the amendments are pending en bloc. Mrs. Murray i know of no further debate on those amendments. The presiding officer if theres no further debate, the question is on adoption of the amendments en bloc. All in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The amendments are agreed to en bloc. Murray thank you, and mrs. Murray thank you. And with that i ask that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The presiding officer without objection. Mrs. Murray i now ask that following the disposition of the looman nomination, the senate vote on vance 1210 and finally there be two minutes of debate equally divided prior to each amendment vote are. The presiding officer without objection. Mrs. Murray thank you, mr. President. I yield the floor. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. Quorum call mr. Thune mr. President , i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be suspended. The presiding officer without objection. The presiding officer under the previous order, the senate will proceed to executive session to resume, consideration of the following nomination which the clerk will report. The clerk nomination, the department of labor, Jessica Looman of minnesota to be administrator of the wage and hour division. The presiding officer the question is on the nomination. Is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote the clerk ms. Baldwin. Mr. Barrasso. Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Blackburn. Mr. Blumenthal. Mr. Booker. Mr. Boozman. Mr. Braun. Mrs. Britt. Mr. Brown. Mr. Budd. Ms. Butler. Ms. Cantwell. Mrs. Capito. Mr. Cardin. Mr. Carper. Mr. Casey. Mr. Cassidy. Ms. Collins. Mr. Coons. Mr. Cornyn. Ms. Cortez masto. The clerk mr. Cotton. Mr. Cramer. Mr. Crapo. Mr. Cruz. Mr. Daines. Ms. Duckworth. Mr. Durbin. Ms. Ernst. Mr. Fetterman. Mrs. Fischer. The clerk mrs. Gillibrand. Mr. Graham. Mr. Grassley. Mr. Hagerty. Ms. Hassan. Mr. Hawley. Mr. Heinrich. Mr. Hickenlooper. Ms. Hirono. Mr. Hoeven. Mrs. Hydesmith. The clerk mr. Hoeven. Mrs. Hydesmith. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kennedy. Mr. King. Ms. Klobuchar. Mr. Lankford. Mr. Lee. Mr. Lujan. Ms. Lummis. Mr. Manchin. Mr. Markey. Mr. Marshall. Mr. Mcconnell. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Merkley. Mr. Moran. Mr. Mullin. Ms. Murkowski. Mr. Murphy. Mrs. Murray. Mr. Ossoff. Mr. Padilla. Mr. Paul. Mr. Peters. Mr. Reed. Mr. Ricketts. Mr. Risch. Mr. Romney. Ms. Rosen. Mr. Rounds. Mr. Rubio. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Schatz. Mr. Schmitt. Mr. Schumer. Mr. Scott of florida. Mr. Scott of south carolina. Mrs. Shaheen. Ms. Sinema. Ms. Smith. Ms. Stabenow. Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Tester. Mr. Thune. Mr. Tillis. Mr. Tuberville. Mr. Van hollen. Mr. Vance. Mr. Warner. Mr. Warnock. Ms. Warren. Mr. Welch. Mr. Whitehouse. Mr. Wicker. Mr. Wyden. Mr. Young. The clerk senators voting in the affirmative butler, heinrich, hickenlooper, kelly, murray, reed, rosen, schumer, and stabenow. Senators voting in the negative cassidy, collins, cramer, daines, hydesmith, schmitt, scott of florida and tuberville. Mr. Graham, no. The clerk mr. Johnson, no. The clerk mr. Fetterman, aye. The clerk mrs. Blackburn, no. The clerk ms. Duckworth, aye. The clerk ms. Baldwin, aye. Mr. Welch, aye. Vote the clerk mr. Paul, no. Ms. Smith, aye. The clerk mr. Grassley, no. The clerk mr. Ricketts, no. Mr. King, aye. Ms. Hassan, aye. The clerk mr. Cornyn, no. Mr. Casey, aye. Mrs. Britt, no. Ms. Warren, aye. Mr. Lankford, no. Mr. Van hollen, aye. The clerk mrs. Capito, no. The clerk mr. Bennet, aye. The clerk ms. Cantwell, aye. Mr. Wyden, aye. Mr. Moran, no. The clerk mrs. Gillibrand, aye. The clerk mr. Wicker, no. The clerk mr. Booker, aye. The clerk mr. Carper, aye. Mr. Kennedy, no. Mr. Barrasso, no. Mr. Coons, aye. Mr. Romney, no. Mr. Warnock, aye. The clerk mr. Marshall, no. Mr. Ossoff, aye. Mrs. Shaheen, aye. Mr. Cotton, no. The clerk ms. Lummis, no. The clerk mr. Merkley, aye, ms. Hirono, aye. Mr. Lee, no. Ms. Klobuchar, aye. Mr. Brown, aye. The clerk ms. Sinema, aye. Mr. Peters, aye. Mr. Risch, no. The clerk mr. Manchin, aye. The clerk mr. Rounds, no. The clerk mr. Kaine, aye. The clerk mr. Rubio, no. Ms. Ernst, no. Mr. Markey, aye. Mr. Durbin, aye. Mr. Warner, aye. The clerk mr. Murphy, aye. Ms. Murkowski, no. The clerk mr. Crapo, no. Mr. Boozman, no. Mr. Young, no. Mr. Whitehouse, aye. The clerk mr. Tester, aye. The clerk mr. Vance, no. Mr. Budd, no. Mr. Mullin, no. The clerk mr. Hagerty, no. The clerk mr. Blumenthal, aye. Mr. Sullivan, aye. The clerk mr. Schatz, aye. Mr. Sanders, aye. Mr. Tillis, no. Mr. Lujan, aye. The clerk mr. Mcconnell, no. The clerk mr. Cardin, aye. The clerk mr. Hoeven, no. The clerk mr. Braun, no. Mr. Hawley, no. The clerk ms. Cortez masto, aye. The clerk mr. Menendez, aye. The clerk mrs. Fischer, no. The clerk on this vote, the yeas are 51, the nays are 46. The nomination is confirmed. The presiding officer 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. Under the previous order, the senate will resume legislative session. The senator from ohio. Mr. Vance thank you, mr. President. I call up my amendment and ask that it be reported by number. The presiding officer the clerk will report number. The clerk mr. Vance proposes amendment numbered 1210 to amendment number 1092. The presiding officer there are two minutes equally divided on this amendment. Mr. Vance thank you, mr. President. Look, we are unfortunately in a world where covid will be with us for the rest of our lives. That is not a good thing. It is not a thing to celebrate. But it is a thing to accept what we do not have to accept and what we do not have to make part of our lives is the neverending cycle of Public Health panic that greets the rise of respiratory virus that there is very little we can to to stop or control. What we do not have to accept is Airline Passengers fighting amongst each other and fighting with flight attendants because the flight attendants are asked to enforce a mask mandate. What we do not have to accept is that we respond it a Public Health problem with panic and with fear. We know, of course, that the era of mask mandates caused a lot of problems. It caused problems for our kids. It caused developmental delays for schoolchildren. It caused a lot of rancor and a lot of Division Within our common american family. If people want to wear masks, of course they should be able to. But if people dont want to wear masks on angers on transit, they should have that option as well. It is nature rely scoped. It applies for the next 11 months and applies to transportation cases. I think it is reasonable to not ask the American People to reenter theater a of mask mandates. My to reenter the era of mask mandates. I ask that my colleagues support it. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from hawaii. Mr. Schatz just to point out, in amendment only applies to surface transportation, amtrak and passenger rail, in particular. I think it is counter productive. I understand the point the senator from ohio is making. I dont think President Biden or the head of amtrak or secretary buttigieg or anyone else is planning any kind of mask mandate in the foreseeable future. He said something i agree with which is that covid will be with us for the foreseeable future and there will be new variants. If it looks the same, it looks the same. If it is say ten times as virulent, 100 times as deadly and airborne, i think Public Health officials should be able to consult with agencies to try to figure out what measures ought to work. For those reasons, i oppose this amendment. The presiding officer the question is on the amendment. Mr. Vance i ask for the yeas and nays. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote the clerk ms. Baldwin. Mr. Barrasso. Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Blackburn. Mr. Blumenthal. Mr. Booker. Mr. Boozman. Mr. Braun. Mrs. Britt. Mr. Brown. Mr. Budd. Ms. Butler. Ms. Cantwell. Mrs. Capito. Mr. Cardin. Mr. Carper. Mr. Casey. Mr. Cassidy. Ms. Collins. Mr. Coons. Mr. Cornyn. Ms. Cortez masto. Mr. Cotton. Mr. Cramer. The clerk mr. Crapo. Mr. Cruz. Mr. Daines. Ms. Duckworth. Mr. Durbin. Ms. Ernst. Mr. Fetterman. Mrs. Fischer. Mrs. Gillibrand. Mr. Graham. Mr. Grassley. Mr. Hagerty. Ms. Hassan. Mr. Hawley. Mr. Heinrich. Mr. Hickenlooper. Ms. Hirono. Mr. Hoeven. Mrs. Hydesmith. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kennedy. Mr. King. Ms. Klobuchar. Mr. Lankford. Mr. Lee. Mr. Lujan. Ms. Lummis. Mr. Manchin. Mr. Markey. Mr. Marshall. Mr. Mcconnell. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Merkley. Mr. Moran. Mr. Mullin. Ms. Murkowski. Mr. Murphy. Mrs. Murray. Mr. Ossoff. Mr. Padilla. Mr. Paul. Mr. Peters. Mr. Reed. Mr. Ricketts. Mr. Risch. Mr. Romney. Ms. Rosen. Mr. Rounds. Mr. Rubio. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Schatz. Mr. Schmitt. Mr. Schumer. Mr. Scott of florida. Mr. Scott of south carolina. Mrs. Shaheen. Ms. Sinema. Ms. Smith. Ms. Stabenow. Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Tester. Mr. Thune. Mr. Tillis. Mr. Tuberville. Mr. Van hollen. Mr. Vance. Mr. Warner. Mr. Warnock. Ms. Warren. Mr. Welch. Mr. Whitehouse. Mr. Wicker. Mr. Wyden. Mr. Young. The clerk senators voting in the affirmative braun, brown, kaine, manchin, moran, mullin, vance, and wicker. Senators voting in the negative cardin, hickenlooper, menendez, sanders, schatz, smith, and whitehouse. The clerk mr. Paul, aye. Ms. Duckworth, no. The clerk ms. Murkowski, aye. Mr. Cornyn, aye. Mr. Wyden, no. Mr. Graham, aye. Mr. Tester, aye. The clerk ms. Stabenow, no. The clerk mr. Blumenthal, no. Mr. Lankford, aye. Mrs. Fischer, aye. The clerk mr. Thune, aye. Mr. Crapo, aye. Mr. Boozman, aye. Vote vote the clerk ms. Cantwell, aye. Mr. Tuberville, aye. Mr. Budd, aye. Mr. Johnson, aye. Ms. Warren, no. The clerk mr. Carper, aye. Mr. Carper, no. Mr. Hydesmith, aye. Mrs. Hydesmith, aye. Ms. Hirono, no. The clerk mr. Kelly, aye. The clerk ms. Collins, aye. Mr. Grassley, aye. The clerk mr. Welch, aye. Ms. Ernst, aye. Mr. Ricketts, aye. Ms. Rosen, aye. Mr. Lee, aye. Mr. Schmitt, aye. The clerk ms. Hassan, no. The clerk mr. Welch, no. Ms. Butler, no. The clerk mr. Mcconnell, aye. Mrs. Gillibrand, aye. The clerk mr. Risch, aye. The clerk mr. Marshall, aye. The clerk mr. Kennedy, aye. The clerk mr. Merkley, no. The clerk mr. Schumer, no. The clerk mrs. Gillibrand, no. Mr. Hagerty, aye. Mr. Lujan, no. Mr. King, no. The clerk mr. Scott of florida, aye. The clerk mrs. Blackburn, aye. Mr. Rubio, aye. The clerk mr. Cassidy, aye. The clerk mrs. Shaheen, aye. Mr. Daines, aye. The clerk mr. Barasso, aye. Mr. Romney, aye. Mr. Cramer, aye. Mr. Warnock, no. The clerk mr. Markey, no. Ms. Lummis, aye. Mr. Young, aye. The clerk ms. Cortez masto, no. Mr. Reed, no. Mr. Murphy, no. Mrs. Capito, aye. The clerk mrs. Britt, aye. The clerk mr. Cotton, aye. The clerk mr. Booker, no. The clerk mr. Casey, no. Ms. Cantwell, no. Mrs. Murray, no. The clerk mr. Rounds, aye. The clerk mr. Tillis, aye. The clerk mr. Ossoff, no. The clerk mr. Heinrich, no. Ms. Sinema, aye. The clerk mr. Hawley, aye. The clerk mr. Durbin, no. Ms. Baldwin, aye. The clerk mr. Warner, no. The clerk mr. Hoeven, aye. The clerk mr. Cruz, aye. Vote the clerk mr. Bennet, aye. Ms. Klobuchar, aye. The clerk mr. Van hollen, no. The clerk mr. Peters, no. Mr. Coons, no. The clerk mr. Sullivan, aye. The presiding officer the yeas are 59. The nays are 38. The amend is agreed to. The majority leader. Mr. Schumer i ask unanimous consent that at 2 15 p. M. , the senate vote on rubio 1237 and kennedy 1354 amendments and that at 5 45 the senate vote on laferred 1232 with all previous provisions previous provisions remaining in effect. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer i note the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk baldwin. The clerk ms. Baldwin. A senator mr. President. The presiding officer the the presiding officer we are in a quorum. Mr. Barrasso i come to the floor today to talk about the need for more American Energy. Joe bidens policies are destructive to our nation, and thats because he continues to put liberal priorities first and america last. So last week the Biden Administration agreed to ease Oil Sanctions on nicolas maduros brutal socialist regime in venezuela. Lets be clear i want to be clear about whats going on here. Venezuela gets to produce more oil. Mr. President is putting venezuelasian Oil Production ahead of venezuela onOil Production ahead of american Oil Production. Hes prioritizing Venezuelan Energy workers ahead of wyoming and american Energy Workers. Our Energy Workers at home are rightly asking, when is joe biden going to ease the sanctions that he has put on American Energy production . Because since one american oil,n natural gas, american coal producers have been in the president s crosshairs. He refuses to change course even when gas prices skyrocketed. Well, biden certainly has never encouraged more american production like he has around the world in saudi arabia, venezuela, even russia at one point. Instead joe biden has raided the Strategic Petroleum reserve, and he did it to deflect blame for high energy costs at the gas pump. That was in the runup to the midterm elections. So he used our energy stockpile emergency supply for his own political gain, and it is disgraceful. Americas Energy Reserve is now 45 lower than it was when joe biden entered office. Much lower than it was when he was vice president. Our emergency supply is actually at a 40year low in terms of the Energy Supply we need for emergencies. So the hamas terrorist attack against israel, theres more uncertainly in global Oil Production, and our own stockpiles here at home are dangerously low. And this could be the time when we need it the most. So last week the administration came to the conclusion, maybe we ought to try to fill it up again. Hes announced a purchase of six Million Barrels of oil to help replenish our emergency supply. 6 million is a drop six Million Barrels is a drop in the bucket compared to the 290 Million Barrels that the president has already drained. The present Administration Plan is too little, too late, and it comes at too high of a price. President biden is offering 79 cents a barrel for these six Million Barrels of oil to help start to replenish the emergency reserve. The price of oil now is 90 a barrel. So joe biden is going once again on bended knees to dictators begging them to produce more oil and sell it to the United States. Maybe he believes that this oil begging will increase oil prices and improve his approval ratings. But it is not a way to govern and focus on Americas National interests. Joe biden continues to turn his back on americas workers, on American Families, and once again hes putting liberal politics first and american Energy Workers and the American Public last. Maduro isnt joe bidens first date with a dictator. Oh, no. Hes been coddling dictators and hes making it a habit. Tried to placate vladimir putin. The president got in return for his appeasement was more russian aggression and russia attacking ukraine. While the president was draining our Strategic Emergency Oil reserves, he was look for ways that the ayatollah in iran could sell more oil. Its astonishing. He foolishly refused to enforce maximum sanctions against iranian oil and this refusal allowed iran to line its pockets with 80 billion from selling oil exports. I wonder what they could have used that money for. Well, lets look. The president continues to kiss up to iran. He cut a deal to send 6 billion in sanction funds to iran. In return, iran was able to expand its support and financing of terrorist groups like hamas. Today the world is witnessing the devastation and the violence inflicted by iranian backed and funded terrorism. Hamas unprovoked attack against israel killed thousands of civilians, including children. At least 33 americans dead, more missing. President biden has not learned from his mistakes because he continues to preet repeat the mistakes over and over again. This appeasement by joe biden will not work. It didnt work with russia, didnt work with iran, not going to work with venezuela. But President Biden refused to do what we knew, what we know will work, will work here at home, and thats unleash American Energy. The president S Administration used every trick in the book to smother american production of oil, gas, and coil. Its had an extreme negative impact on families across america and on our nations economy. Before the covid pandemic, the Energy Information administration, they forecasted that here in america we would produce about 14 Million Barrels every day this year. 14 Million Barrels of oil a day. Through june of this year due to joe bidens attacks on american production, production is running way, way behind what was anticipated and what we need as a nation. As a result, we are turning to countries for the 1. 4 Million Barrels a day that we need additionally. Were way behind. And its not just energy. This president continues to outsource not just our supply of oil, but our mineral supply, Critical Minerals that we need here in the United States. The democrats reckless tax and spending bill just accelerates that. Last week i issued a report proving how the democrats reckless tax and spending bill moves the United States away from Energy Independent to energy and mineral dependence. An Energy Transition dependent on china, russia, iran, venezuela, the tyrants and the terrorists there is not what our nation needs. But its what joe biden has brought upon us. Its what he caused. America should never have to beg for energy, for minerals from anybody, let alone from dictators. Our Energy Policy should enrich American People, the American Economy should be strengthened by it. Instead joe bidens policies dictated by the liberal left are enriching our enemies. Americas Energy Policy must always put affordable, reliable American Energy first. We must put america first. We must unleash American Energy. That is the solution to help build our economy, build our country. Thank you, madam president. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call the clerk ms. Baldwin. A senator madam president. The presiding officer the senator from west virginia. Mrs. Capito thank you, madam president. I believe we were here. The presiding officer senator, were in a quorum call. Mrs. Capito i would ask that we vitiate the quorum call. The presiding officer without objection. Mrs. Capito we were here last week when we addressed the floor on this issue and want to talk about it again because it is critical to the World Security and our security because violence is continuing to rage in israel. We continue to hear the horrific and heartbreaking stories of hamas vicious attack on innocent israeli civilians and families. And our own american citizens remain unaccounted for and are being held hostage by hamas in the wake of their unjustifiable terrorist attack on the nation of israel. In this chamber and in this country, our support for israel and their right to defend themselves must be unwavering. We must stand with our ally and friend as they continue to withstand barbaric attacks from terrorist militant groups and threats from all directions. There is absolutely no question that now is the time for american leadership. Our response needs to be united, and our response needs to meet the urgency of a moment just like this. As the world power, the United States of america has both the responsibility and the wherewithal to support our allies, especially as they come under attack by nefarious adversaries. It becomes vitally important that our nation recognize this, that the American Public hear the stories from those in israel and that we understand the brutal, inhumane and devastating tactics that hamas is deploying on the residents of the jewish state. Last week i had the opportunity to speak with two American Families who have members who are being held hostage in gaza by the terrorist organization hamas. These stories are gutwrenching. One, a threeyearold child. The other a married couple. And bring to light what is truly happening in israel right now. Elderly families were ripped from their homes, children taken from their parents, family members executed in front of their loved ones. Im a mother myself and a grandmother, and i know everyone in this chamber and everybody listening has members of their own family and loved ones they care about so deeply. Can we really imagine what that feels like . This is the reality that the israeli people are facing every day. These attacks need to be condemned and denounced in the strongest possible terms, and they have been. And it makes it all the more imperative that the United States provide the support it needs to stop and root out the evil hamas. It is impossible, impossible to understate or to overstate even the outside role that iran has played in these past 18 days since the initial attack. We know, we know that iran is financially supporting hamas. We know in the strongest terms that iran has helped reinforce hamas military strengths and capabilities and training. We know that iran is backing hezbollah to the north in lebanon, who stands at the ready to open a second front of this war along the israellebanon border. We know that the iranian backed militias are responsible for the recent attacks on u. S. Personnel stationed in the middle east. And we know that iran harbors deep resentment and hatred for our own United States and our ally israel. Make no mistake, iran is an evil empire, and they must be held accountable for these attacks as well. Sanctions need to be imposed and enforced on this regime and all others that are complicit in the illicit iranian oil trade which funds terror and aggression in the middle east. The unmistakable antiamerican hatred from iran and its allies creates greater questions regarding our own National Security. It highlights the importance of our investments in our own Homeland Security and National Defense. We are at a very difficult junction juncture right now and the security of america and the defense of our allies should remain our first priority. In addition to the terrorist attacks in israel, there is a largescale ground war in europe perpetrated by russia, the likes of which we have not seen since world war ii. China continues to increase their posture and presence towards taiwan, and our southern border is totally porous. It remains under siege. 2. 48 million Illegal Immigrants came across our border in fiscal year 2023, a new record. A new record. Just last month we set another new record. Over 26 the,000 encounters 269,000 encounters at the southern border. 169 of these encounters were people on our terror list, which is more than the last fiscal years all tied together. So what does that tell you . Were not were not sheltered from terrorism. We cant we cant think that what we see going on in the middle east cant come here. We know its been on our shores before. And theres no reason it cant come back, unless we do something where we make interceptional investments. So intensional investments. So now is the time. Support for israel, ukraine, the indopacific and our southern border is paramount. And it will serve to directly invest back into our own country and our own defense. Americas place on the world stage requires a level of leadership and accountability that we must accept with authority. We are the superpower. While we must always prioritize the needs of our own Country First and then the support of our allies. The good news is that when we are supporting in defense of our allies, we are also investing in the deterrence and also supporting our own security and deterrence. I am supportive of providing supplemental funding towards our defense capabilities, our southern border, israel, ukraine, and indopacific allies, because its in the best interests of our country, our citizens, our neighbors, but i say in the strongest terms, i mention the southern border, but this must be front and center of any kind of supplemental that comes forward. The senate will have its say on the supplemental. The president has put his proposal before us. I would venture to say that will drastically change. The buckets may not change so much, but certainly the areas of influence will. And we will have a bill that creates and reflects our own thoughts on what we think. We need to craft a response to the attacks on israel and other National Security emergencies of this time. I believe the Biden Administration has been defined by its shakiness. The senate needs to be defined by its strength and make certain that our country is ready and able to act. There is no doubt that the United States is currently being tested by our adversaries, but we must make certain that we dont respond with weakness. By working together and i think we will and can im confident in our ability to lead. We must meet this moment. As our nation has done in times of trial before, that is what will define this body and will move our country forward. With that, madam president , i yield the floor. The presiding officer the senator from nebraska. Mrs. Fischer thank you, madam president. 18 days ago terror shook the middle east. 18 days ago hamas tore children from their parents, tore mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters from their families. 18 days ago terrorism swept across israel, destroying everything in its path. We all know this. Weve heard about these attacks repeatedly with every news cycle. Even as we continue reading articles, hearing analysis, and seeing new information, let us not forget the reality of these terror attacks. The seriousness of such a massive loss of human life. Hamas killed over 1,400 people, over 1,400 innocent civilians in its attacks this month. Death touched thousands of friends and family members, and its aftereffects are still rippling across israel and across the world. Let us resist our modern impulse to leave this tragedy behind in favor of the next headline, the next crisis. Let us allow the abuse, the torture, and the murder of israelis and americans alike to strike a fresh sense of grief and anger in our hearts every time that we hear about them. That grief and anger must drive us to respond to the horror of terrorism. Israel is responding, yes, but the response to terrorism should not be bound by israels National Borders because terrorism itself is not bound by National Borders. Hamas killed american citizens in its attack on innocent people across israel. Terrorists are Still Holding american citizens hostage in gaza. Hamas has american blood on its hands. One american, hayim kotzman hid in a closet while hamas reined gun fire on the neighborhood. A neighbor covered his body and saved his life by absorbing the bullets. American Deborah Matias and her husband sacrificed themselves for their 16yearold son, actioning as human shields against hamas fire. Two american brothers, egal and ahmed wochs, died together both trying to save them around them. Ahmed, ran out to help his neighbors at the beginning of the attack. In the process, he was killed. Egal was killed as he searched forbe a weapon for a weapon to defend himself and his family. These are real people, real americans whose lives were extinguished far too early by the terror in israel. Its critical that we see the return of every american stranded in israel or held hostage in gaza, every american must be accounted for and safely brought home. Following the coldblooded slaughter of Thomas Jefferson americans and israelis of both americans and israelis, the United States must stand firmly with israel. We must send a clear message to hamas, to hezbollah, and their state sponsor, iran. We will not equivocate in our support for israel. We will stand with them. And we will provide the assistance that they need as they make difficult decisions to defend their sovereign nation. Congress and the Administration Must Work Together to gather all of our diplomatic and economic strength against iran. We must Work Together to aid israel, whether through economic support, lethal aid, or increased intelligence sharing. We know israel will need more defensive capabilities, including temir interceptors for its iron come to Defense System is the backbone of its Missile Defense architecture. I support the department of defenses current plans to send our two iron dome batteries to israel to bolster their security. My colleagues and i introduced a bill to reallocate aid funding to israels irondome that could have ended up in hamas pocket. This legislation would be an important first step in defending israel against future attacks. We know israel will need more offensive capabilities, including precisionguided munitions to hit specific ground targets. We know israel will need our intelligence on the middle east so it can eliminate the hamas threat completely, and we know standing with israel against terror will buttress and fortify our own National Defense and our own National Security. Our support for israel will help it triumph over terrorism, and our support for israel will help us show strength and deter our adversaries. By protecting israeli interests, we will promote american interests as well. Thank you, madam president. I yield the floor. The presiding officer the senator from North Carolina. Mr. Budd thank you it madam president. The world is still reeling from hamas brutal massacre of more than 1,400 israelis and 33 americans on october 7. Israel is completely justified in their response to the worst attack on their nation since the i dont mean can i pure war yom kippur war 50 years ago. Israels goal and it rightly should be the destruction of hamas. The United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with israel and support this goal with lethal aid and intelligence support. In the coming Weeks Congress will consider the president s request for emergency National Security funding that is aimed at doing just that. Now, beyond debating the specifics of how much or what type of aid that we send, i believe now is the time to rethink u. S. Policy when it comes to the hamas government in gaza. Beginning with their founding charter, the ideology of hamas is motivated by antisemitism and genocidal thats right, genocidal intentions intentionse jewish people. The hugh brew word hamas means violence. The hebrew word hamas means violence. They have continued this violence against israel and their allies. Hamas employees murder, rape, torture an unspeakable brutality against the jewish people. Hamas even fires rockets indiscriminately toward civilians, many of which misfire and land killing innocent people in their own country, innocent palestinians. Make no mistake, the only word to describe hamas is evil. And when they commit atrocities like those of october 7, we must not look away. One aspect of the october 7 attack that continues to this day is the plight of the more than 200 innocent people currently being held hostage in gaza, including several americans including some from my own state of North Carolina e madam president , last week i met with some of these families here in washington. They told me stories about their loved ones and they gave me their photos. These families, their fear and their heartache is something that no american should ever have to face. Now, part of the president s funding package, his socalled humanitarian aid in gaza. Given that gaza is governed by hamas, a i dont believe it is right too give a dime of taxpayer money to them. When it package comes to the floor, plan to offer several amendments to hold all humanitarian aid to gaza until each and every american hostage is home and is safe. And we should go further. U. S. And other foreign humanitarian aid should no longer be usinged as a crutch for used as a crutch for hamas to hold on to power. The United States shouldnt be giving any money to gaza until hamas is no longer the de facto government. For the sake of innocent israelis, innocent palestinians, and for the future of peace in the middle east, we must stop propping up such an evil regime with u. S. Aid. Its my hope that the upcoming spending package includes more than just money, but that it demonstrates the strength and wisdom that this moment requires. Thank you, madam president. I yield the floor. Mr. Hoeven mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from north dakota. Mr. Hoeven are we in a quorum call . The presiding officer we are not. Mr. Hoeven madam president , i ask unanimous consent that i be allowed to speak for up to five minutes, followed by senator graham for up to five minutes prior to the scheduled roll call votes. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Hoeven thank you, madam president. As elected members of congress, our most important obligation is the safety and security of all americans. Events here at our southern border, and across the globe, are putting at risk the safety and security of americans today. Were appalled by the terrorist attacks hamas commitsed against israel committed against israel. Those attacks did great harm to the people of israel and also to american citizens, some of whom are still being held hostage. We support israels efforts to secure the release of all of the hostages held by hamas. That means we also expect the government of qatar to do more to bring those hostages safely out of gaza. I say that because the government of qatar hosts the leadership of hamas. Thats where the leadership of hamas is. I find it remarkable theyre living in qatar rather than in gaza. It says a lot, doesnt it . But because they are there, the government is in a position to do much more and to be helpful in getting these hostages released. We continue to stand, and we will continue to stand, with israel as it prepares to remove hamas from power in gaza, and that is something they must do, for their own safety and really for the safety of many other countries as well, because hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to terror. That means killing indiscriminately, and thats exactly what they have been doing and what they are doing. We know that this will require the israeli people to make enormous sacrifices, but these sacrifices will ultimately bring security to israel and to the region. More broadly, we know many americans, including members of our military, diplomats, and many civilians in the middle east are threatened by violence instigated by iran. We owe it to these americans to provide the protection they need and to deter further violence from iran. We must set aside fruitless negotiations with the terror regime in tehran, increase sanctions, and demonstrate that we will respond forcefully to iranianbacked violence against our people and our interests. The threats that americans face are not confined to the middle east. Our porous southern border opens the door to threats that can emerge here at home, threats from terrorists. We need to address that. Instability in the middle east and other parts ever the world make securing our southern border even more urgent. We must identify who is attempting to enter the United States and stop those who are entering our country illegally. Secure borders help us identify potential threats before they get inside the United States. Just last week, customs and Border Protection confirmed that the u. S. Experienced the highest ever number of monthly encounters at the southern border, nearly 270,000. 270,000 in one month. With nearly 2. 5 million crossings, 2023 has seen the highest ever annual total of encounters at the southern border, almost 2. 5 million. To make matters worse, in fiscal year 2023, a Record Number of individuals from the terror watch list, from the terror watch list, attempting to cross into the United States. Think about that. From the terror watch list. Dhs admits this is a growing threat. Its most recent Security Threat assessment found the department is seeing annual increases of individuals on the terror watch list attempting to illegally cross into the United States. Specifically, the report found that, quote, as part of the overall increase in migration, weve also encountered a growing number of individuals in the terrorist Screening Data set, also known as the watch list. Hamas and other violence extremists certainly are aware of this vulnerability. And the solutions are we know what the solutions are. The Biden Administration wont enforce them. Everyone knows what the sliewptions are what the solutions are, enforce the remain in mexico policy, enforce the third safe country agreements. We know they work. The last administration proved it. But the Biden Administration will not enforce them. They need to. Border security iS National Security, and complete, finish building the border wall. As we consider proposals to aid our allies, we must not forget to also secure our own border. Border security iS National Security. Meaningful Border Security provisions should be part of our efforts to make americans safer and more secure. As we stand with israel, and we must stand with israel, we must also secure our southern border. With that, madam president , i yield the floor. Mr. Graham madam president. The presiding officer the senator from south carolina. Mr. Graham thank you. I think senator hoeven is absolutely right. If we dont secure our border it would be a big mistake. I just returned from israel, saudi arabia, and egypt with a tenperson, five and five, senate delegation. So the senate is working. Im glad we have a speaker of the house. We had five republicans, five democrats, and sort of heres the takeaway this is happening in israel now because iran fears reconciliation between saudi arabia and israel. Building on the Abraham Accords that President Trump achieved, President Biden has been working to try to get saudi arabia and israel to have diplomatic ties and to recognize each other to end the arabisraeli conflict. That is a nightmare for iran, for the region to come together, to look forward, go to the light not the darkness. Heres what we have to decide as a country lets not let iran win here. To our arab allies and friends in turkey, this barbaric attack on israel by hamas is beyond what happened in the holocaust. Ive seen the photos. Its so vicious, its so lacking any humanity. Does it have a purpose . Yes. They filmed it so israel had to go in. The ayatollah wants israel to have to take action, hoping the world will turn on israel, call for a ceasefire, and let time pass so that the moment to reconcile between saudi arabia and israel passes. Its putting pressure on our allies in jordan, in egypt, and in turkey. Theyre saying some pretty provocative things, to our arab allies, to our turkish friends. This attack by hamas against israel has to be dealt with by the destruction of hamas. If youre in the region, and youre expecting israel not to go on the ground, thats not going to happen. You cannot destroy hamas from the air. Theyre going in on the ground and theyre going to destroy hamas to the best they can. The goal then is to have a palestinian plan that would give hope to the palestinians whove lost all hope. And to kin the rec on to continue the rec reconciliatin process. As long as hamas exists theres no hope for peace. It was mentioned in turkey that hamas is a liberator group. Hamas could care less about the Palestinian People. They want to destroy the jewish people. If you doabilities ask me if you dont believe me, listen to what they say. Theyre not trying to achieve a better life for the Palestinian People. Theyre trying to kill all the jews. Thats their charter. Theyre religious nazis. To expect israel not to go in is unrealistic. Theyre going to go in, and theyre going to have our full support. The goal is to destroy hamas without destroying the chance for peace. I see the opportunity here, once hamas has been dismantled, to bring the region together, to give the Palestinian People a better life. The iranian ayatollah is th great sate join. Not israel, not the United States. Hes a religious nazi. He wants to purify islam in his own image. He wants to destroy the jewish state and come after us. Its a religious theocracy that cant be compromised with. So heres what i would say we need to do today left the iranians know if theres a second front open by hezbollah against israel, which could be devastating, we will be going to iran to fix the problem. If one american soldier is killed by Shiite Militia attacks against our forces in syria and iraq, were going to blame the ayatollah. I appreciate moving the military force forward, two carrier battle groups, moving assets into the region. I do not want a war, but i am tired of living this way. The ayatollah needs to know a second front means three fronts, that were coming after you. Were going to destroy your ability to fund terrorism. 93 of all the money hamas receives is from iran. All of their money is from the oil industry. Theyre incredibly exposed to being knocked out of business. So to the members of the senate here, we need to tell iran clearly what happens if you escalate against america, you escalate against israel. You will be in the crosshairs of American Military response. It is your choice to make. If you want a war with america, you will lose it. If you continue to try to throw gasoline on a fire, youre anything short of a military response will lead to more bloodshed. If you want a smaller war, let iran know you will be in a bigger war if you attack israel or kill an american. If we dont do that, were making a huge mistake. Im trying to stand behind the Biden Administration. I appreciate what they have done with the military force posture moving forward, escalation means an attack on you. If they believe that, we can stop this thing from getting bigger, if they dont believe it, well have a real big war on our hands beyond what we have today. Ive never been more worried about the situation of the world than now. The israelis may get killed, but theyre going down fighting. There will not be a second holocaust. The israeli people will fight anybody who thries to destroy the jewish people. Thats hamas. They want to kill all the jews. I cant believe this is being said in 2023. To the world, to get to our friends in israel, you have to come through us. If you want to destroy all the jews, you have to come through america. And good luck with that. I want peace between the arabs and the israelis. I want a better life for the iranian people. I want a better people for the Palestinian People. But you cannot have a better life when the forces of darkness are in control. Destroy hamas once and for all. Create a better life for the Palestinian People. Reconcile the arabisraeli conflict and move forward. God bless our friends in israel. I yield. A senator mr. President. Mr. Graham i would like to call up senator rubios amendment 1237 and is ask it be reported. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from south carolina, mr. Graham, proposes an amendment for the senator from florida, mr. Rubio to amendment 1237 to amendment numbered 1292. The presiding officer there are up to two minutes of debate equally divided. The senator from new hampshire. Mrs. Shaheen i will speak against the amendment. The updates that should has hud has proposed has cost savings over 35 , and reduce Carbon Dioxide by an estimated 2. 2 million tons, that will amount to 724 million a year. Thats real money that households, particularly in northern climates like new hampshire, can use for other needs. And millions of tons of Carbon Dioxide that are kept out of the atmosphere. The fact is the current standards are justice doitd and by outdated and by law hud and the us da are to update their provisions. This amendment will prevent them from doing that, it will raise costs and as rob portman and i worked since 2011, we need to vote down this amendment. It is no good. The presiding officer if theres no further debate. The question is on the amendment. Is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote the clerk ms. Baldwin. Mr. Barrasso. Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Blackburn. Mr. Blumenthal. Mr. Booker. Mr. Boozman. Mr. Braun. Mrs. Britt. Mr. Brown. Mr. Budd. Ms. Butler. Ms. Cantwell. Mrs. Capito. Mr. Cardin. Mr. Carper. Mr. Casey. Mr. Cassidy. Ms. Collins. Mr. Coons. Mr. Cornyn. Ms. Cortez masto. Mr. Cotton. Mr. Cramer. Mr. Crapo. Mr. Cruz. Mr. Daines. Ms. Duckworth. Mr. Durbin. Ms. Ernst. Mr. Fetterman. Mrs. Fischer. Mrs. Gillibrand. Mr. Graham. Mr. Grassley. Mr. Hagerty. Ms. Hassan. Mr. Hawley. Mr. Heinrich. Mr. Hickenlooper. Ms. Hirono. Mr. Hoeven. Mrs. Hydesmith. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kennedy. Mr. King. Ms. Klobuchar. Mr. Lankford. Mr. Lee. Mr. Lujan. Ms. Lummis. Mr. Manchin. Mr. Markey. Mr. Marshall. Mr. Mcconnell. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Merkley. Mr. Moran. Mr. Mullin. Ms. Murkowski. Mr. Murphy. Mrs. Murray. Mr. Ossoff. Mr. Padilla. Mr. Paul. Mr. Peters. Mr. Reed. Mr. Ricketts. Mr. Risch. Mr. Romney. Ms. Rosen. Mr. Rounds. Mr. Rubio. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Schatz. Mr. Schmitt. Mr. Schumer. Mr. Scott of florida. Mr. Scott of south carolina. Mrs. Shaheen. Ms. Sinema. Ms. Smith. Ms. Stabenow. Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Tester. Mr. Thune. Mr. Tillis. Mr. Tuberville. Mr. Van hollen. Mr. Vance. Mr. Warner. Mr. Warnock. Mr. Warner. Mr. Warnock. Ms. Warren. Mr. Welch. Mr. Whitehouse. Mr. Wicker. Mr. Wyden. Mr. Young. The clerk senators voting in the affirmative barasso, blackburn, cassidy, cornyn, crapo, cruz, daines, fischer, hagerty, hydesmith, kennedy, lee, lummis, paul, ricketts, schmitt, sullivan, and tuberville. Senators voting in the negative baldwin, coons, cortez masto, duckworth, hassan, heinrich, kaine, hirono, ossoff, peters, rosen, schatz, shaheen, tester and van hollen. The clerk ms. Butler, no. Vote the clerk mr. Cotton, aye. Mr. Cardin, no. Mr. Menendez, no. Mr. Murphy, no. Mr. Merkley, no. The clerk mr. Casey, no. Mr. Thune, aye. Mr. Mullin, aye. Mr. Risch, aye. The clerk mr. Markey, no. The clerk mr. Brown, no. The clerk ms. Collins, aye. Mr. King, no. Mr. Whitehouse, no. Ms. Stabenow, no. Mr. Warnock, no. Mr. Durbin, no. The clerk mr. Fetterman, no. The clerk mr. Wyden, no. The clerk mr. Wicker, aye. Mr. Boozman, aye. Ms. Smith, no. Mr. Hoeven, aye. Mr. Kelly, no. Ms. Cantwell, no. Ms. Warren, no. Mr. Reed, no. The clerk mr. Bennet, no. Mr. Marshall, aye. Mrs. Gillibrand, no. The clerk mr. Carper, no. The clerk mr. Lankford, aye. The clerk mr. Welch, no. The clerk ms. Murkowski, no. Mr. Moran, aye. The clerk