The presiding officer the senator from south dakota. The presiding officer madam president , last week the Judiciary Committee held its hearing on judge Amy Coney Barretts nomination and it was easy to see why judge barrett is held in such high regard by her colleagues, students, and peers and why the American Bar Association gave her its highest rating of well qualified. We knew well before the hearing that judge barrett possesses an extraordinary intelligence and comprehensive command of the law. After three days of testimony americans got to see her qualifications for themselves. They saw why she has been described as a jurist, a formidable intellect, a brilliant and conscientious lawyer and staggering academic mind. Even the democratRanking Member on the committee couldnt hide the fact that she was impressed. Judge barrett understands the proper role of a judge in our system of government. As judge barrett made clear, she understands the job of a judge is to interpret the law, not
The Senate Returns today and they vote later on a house passed resolution disapproving a new federal rule revising oversight oflow income banking services. Later in the week , a vote on a gop backed coronavirus Economic Relief bill. They will also take up the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. Live now to the senate floor on cspan2. In the law and the prophets. We praise you for this profound maxim to guide our ethical conduct. May it provide our lawmakers with wisdom to make sound decisions and strength to walk in the way of justice and freedom for all. We pray in your wonderful name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. 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. Mr. Grassley madam president. The presiding officer the president pro tempore. Mr. Grassley one minute for morning business, please. Th
Regarding a democratic motion to begin work on a bill dropping the Justice Department from supporting lawsuits to strike the Affordable Care act. Live now to the floor of the u. S. Senate on cspan 2. Eternal god, our heavenly father, we cry to you, but sometimes you seem so far away. In our despair you sometimes seem distant, and we are tempted to surmise that we are all alone. When we shout, we seem to hear the echoes of our anguish. Nonetheless, we know that you are holy, mighty, and good. We have trusted you too long to let go. Empower our senators for these challenging times. Remove from their minds all bitterness and contempt for one another. Keep their hearts clean, their spirits courageous, and their minds clear, as they face these daunting times. We pray in your omnipotent name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in the pledge of allegiance. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation unde
Vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If not, the yeas are 93, the nays are 2. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the bill. The clerk calendar 552, h. R. 8337, making continuing openings pros for fiscal year 2021 and for other purposes. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell i call up amendment 2663. The presiding officer the clerk will report. The clerk the senator from kentucky, mr. Mcconnell, proposes an amendment numbered 2663. At the end, added following this act shall take effect one day after the date of enactment. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that the reading be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell i ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment. The presiding officer is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. There appears to be. The yeas and nays are ordered. Mr. Mcconnell i have a seconddegree amendment at the desk.
Fulfill our commitment to the u. S. House gaveling back in. Back to a vote. Have the honor to transmit a sealed envelope received from the white house on march 13, 2020, at 5 28 p. M. , and said to contain a message from the president on declaring a National Emergency concerning the nobel Novel Coronavirus disease outbreak. With best wished, i am, signed, sincerely, cheryl l. Johnson, clerk of the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the message. The clerk to the congress of the United States. Pursuant to per section 201 of the National Emergencies act, 50 United States code 1621, i hereby report that i have exercised my authority to declare that the outbreak of coronavirus disease in the United States constitutes a National Emergency. This declaration invokes section 1135 of the Social Security act, 42 United States code, to allow the secretary of health and Human Services to exercise the authority under that section to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements