And direct their way, training them in your school of humility so that they will strive to bring glory to you. We pray in your holy name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the 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. , december 12, 2017. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable ben sasse, a senator from the state of nebraska, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed orrin g. Hatch, president pro tempore. The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell yesterday the senate advanced the nomination of Leonard Stephen grasz to be a judge on the eighth Circuit Court of appeals. Mr. Grasz has sterling credentials
Bblg of. Mr. Sanders mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from vermont. Mr. Sanders thank you, mr. President. Mr. President , as everybody knows, the Republican Party now controls the u. S. House, the u. S. Senate, and the white house. We also know that unless a budget agreement is reached by december 22, the United States government will shut down, which will cause serious harm to our country, including the men and women in the armed forces and our veterans. Mr. President , i do not know why the Republican Party, which controls all the branches of government, wants to shut our government down. I think thats wrong. I think a shutdown will be very hurtful to people from coast to coast. Now, President Trump said earlier this year, he tweeted, quote, our country needs a good shutdown, end of quote. I strongly disagree. I dont think we need a good shutdown. I think we need to reach an agreement on a budget which works for the middle class of our country and not just the wealth