Speaker who we aree so honored o have with us, senator tammy duckworth. Senator duckworth probably needs no introduction to most of you watching. She is an iraq war veteran, a purple heart recipient, former assistant secretary of the u. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and napa yes, senator for the state of illinois. For both of us working in our security, certainly for those of us who are women in National Security, when you think about people who are breaking down barriers ahead of you, store duckworth is the top of the list when the first handful of women in the army to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi freedom cup first u. S. Senator to give birth while in office, and particularly relevant to todays event the firsts member of congress was born in thailand and the first asianamerican who was elected to congress from the state of illinois. In addition to the work shes done of defense and Veterans Affairs, senator duckworth spent a lot of time thinking about the military cha
At 202 7488003. You can join the conversation by texting us at that same number, also going to twitter cspanwj or facebook. Com cspan. The acting defense secretary outlined the president s decision yesterday. [video clip] by january 15, 2021, our forces, their size and afghanistan will be 2500. Iraq will alsoin be 2500 by that date. With ouronsistent established plans and strategic objectives. Supported by the American People. It does not equate to a change in u. S. Policy or objectives. Moreover, this decision by the president is based on continuous engagement with his National Security cabinet over the month past. Including ongoing discussions with me and my colleagues across the u. S. Government. I have also spoken with our military commanders and we all will execute this repositioning in the way that protects our fighting men and women, partners in the Intelligence Community, diplomatic corps, and our superb allies that are critical to iraqiding afghan and Civil Society. Secretarya
And we are pleased to have with us senator tammy duckworth. Needs nouckworth introduction. She is an iraq war veteran, former assistant secretary at the department of Veterans Affairs and now u. S. Senator for the state of illinois. Illinois. And i think for those of us working and National Security, certainly for those of us who are women and National Security. We think about people are breaking down barriers, et cetera duckworth is at the top of the list. One of the first handful of women in the army to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi freedom. First u. S. Energy given birth while in office. And particularly in todays event the first member of congress he was born in thailand in the first asianamerican he was elected to congress and the state of illinois. So in addition to the work shes done on defense and Veterans Affairs, et cetera duckworths spent a lot of time thinking about the military challenges we face in the pacific. She has really been an advocate for the alliance
Vote vote vote vote vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . Hearing none, the yeas are 64, the nays are 24. The nomination is confirmed. Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the president will be immediately notified of the senates action. Mr. Thune madam president . The presiding officer the senator from south dakota. Mr. Thune i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to legislative session and be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Thune madam president , i have four requests for committees to meet during todays session of the senate. They have a approval of the majority and minority leaders. The presiding officer duly noted. Mr. Thune madam president , before i begin, i want to acknowledge the tremendous news released yesterday that early
The presiding officer the senate will come to order. Under the previous order, all postcloture time is expired. On the wiegand nomination. The question now occurs on the nomination. Is there a sufficient second . There appears to be. The clerk will call the roll. Vote vote vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If not, the yeas are 82, the nays are 14. The nomination is confirmed. Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the president will be immediately notified of the senates action. The clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. The clerk cloture motion we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of thomas t. Cullen of virginia to be United States district judge for the Western District of virginia. Signed by 17 senators. The