Secretary of defense for policy. If you can believe this i also had to file cloture on the incoming Inspector General for the pandemic recovery. If we had a nickel, a nickel for every time our democratic colleagues have claimed that congressional oversight of the recovery programs was important, the cares act would have paid for itself. And yet democrats blocked the confirmation of the special Inspector General to look over the program this week. So the senate will prepare to confirm these qualified people the hard way. Three years and counting of democratic heal dragging heel dragging continues. There will be plenty legislative business before us as well. Senators will continue to monitor the Pandemic Response and discuss ways to help the nation pivot toward reopening and economic recovery. In addition, thanks to the hard work of Senators Gardner and daines, well be able to take up their bipartisan Great American outdoors act in the next work period. A milestone achievement to secure
Vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If not, the yeas are 65, the nays are 28. The motion is agreed to. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell i move to proceed to legislative session. The presiding officer question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. Mr. Mcconnell i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 655. The presiding officer question is on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. The clerk nomination, department of defense, victor g. Mercado of california to be an assistant secretary. Mr. Mcconnell i send a cloture motion to the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report the cloture motion.
Throughout between espionage, economic espionage and state driven espionage. As a general matter how important is it that youre able to make a showing of economic benefit to companies, over seas or wherever the case may be. In particular, how would this look different . Would it look different under the statutes at play here if there was clearly some sort of commercial information taken with no apparent connection to National Security but no real showing that this was going to benefit any particular companies unfairly. How would that change things, just curious as a general matter . The floor is yours, theres a lot of stuff on the table. Have at it. I suppose i cant just answer yes. In terms of the directors testimony yesterday i tend to think even worse in a way there are companies that have been hacked and those will be hacked again. Were seeing it across the country. I hope one consequence of this is that it encourages companies and victims to come forward and realize there are step