your powerful providence. empower them to resist the sins that bring dishonor as they seek to live for your glory. lord, unite them to bear the burdens which are laid upon them during these challenge tion days. as they remember their accountability to you, inspire them to be good stewards of your bounty. and, lord, bless ukraine. we pray in your great 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, may 24, 2022. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable raphael g. warnock, a senator from the state of georgia, to perform the duties of the chair. signed: patrick j. leahy,