Watch booktv this weekend on cspan2. President biden has picked Denis Mcdonough to head the Veterans Affairs department. He previously served as white house chief of staff during the last four years of the obama presidency. His confirmation hearing he was asked about veterans access to healthcare, modernization efforts in the das responds to covid19. This is just over two hours. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] i i want to call this evening to order. I want to welcome everybody. I appreciate all that are here, all those that are online. The purpose of this hearing is due from the i president s nominate to serve as secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis Mcdonough. Before i talk about him i just want to say i appreciate this committee all the reasons we sat on this committee thats been bipartisan and its been nonpolitical, and we tried to do the best by our veterans whether you are the republican side for the democratic side of the aisle. I particularly appreciate the re
I want to thank gary for his to improve rts Economic Development and wish im nothing but the best in a elldeserved retirement. Mr. Speaker, i rise to bring attention to kentuckys avoidable economic failures during this very serious pandemic. Unfortunately covid19 has taken a harsh toll on the economies of all 50 states. However, harmful policies from democratrun states have only made the problem worse. At a time when we should be encouraging the safe reopening of our economy, kentuckys governor recently issued an order shutting down schools and indoor dining. Kentuckys restaurants were already suffering from the last round of shutdowns. And this shortsighted order will only cause more pain and suffering. To make matters worse, our governor is producing no data to justify the need to shut down businesses which have dramatically adjusted to the challenges presented by covid19. And in the end of inperson learning will only create more challenges for students and teachers. Furthermore, it
Flags were on the Capitol Building and at the white house are being flown at half staff in members of pearl harbor. Now live coverage of the u. S. Senate here on cspan2. The senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Great redeemer, guide our lawmakers along the best path to fulfill your purposes on earth. May they submit to your wisdom and providential leading, believing that you will supply all of their needs. Remind them that your unfailing love accompanies those who put their trust in you. Give our senators an attitude of reverential awe that will keep them from evil. Inspire them to rejoice and be glad, as they strive to live lives of purity and obedience. And lord, as we remember pearl harbor on this december 7th, thank you for your loving and prevailing providence. May we show our gratitude by facing the future without fear. We pray in your majestic name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting
Will talk about later to get to senator alexanders remarks at the 10 30 scheduled time. Thank you, mister president. It is such an honor to be here and to join my colleagues in paying tribute to senator alexander, there are many that want to speak and have a few words to say. All of us wish we could do this to a background of music with lamar playing the piano. That would be the proper setting but i am so pleased to stand and honor the three terms of service in this body and the way he touched the lives of individuals in this body and millions of tennesseans. We know that he has talked about it in his remarks, he has worked with educators. He has worked with innovators. He has worked with the healthcare community, and works with entertainers, many of whom called tennessee home. When i was serving in the house and representing tennessees seventh Congressional District so many times i would look over here and i would say what is lamar not working on today because he always had such a bro
[roll call] clerk we have a quorum. Madam president , i want to make a couple of announcements. First, i want to let everybody know that closed session will not be heard today. Due to the covid19 Health Emergency and given the Public Health recommendation issued by the San Francisco department of Public Health and that Governor Newsom and mayor breed have lifted on teleconference, this meeting is being televised on sfgovtv. Please note that there is a delay between live and what is being viewed on sfgtv. If you wish to make Public Comment on an item, dial 14156550001, meeting i. D. 1467101398, pound, pound. To raise your hand to speak, press star, three. Please limit your Public Comment to the item that is under consideration. Im going to ask the commission and staff to mute their microphones if they have not already done so. Madam president , your first order of business is to approve the minutes of the meeting of october 27, 2020. Commissioners, do i have any questions or discussion