Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk on the motion to proceed.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I understand that there are three bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading, and I object to my own request, all en bloc.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to move to proceed to S. 1 during today's session of the Senate.

Mr. McCONNELL. I move to proceed to S. 1.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Schumer.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m., Tuesday, January 8; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1; finally, that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the cloture motion filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to wish my colleagues happy new year. It is a time for new beginnings. Tomorrow, we will kick off the 116th Congress. Of course, there is urgent business that the new House and the new Senate will need to tackle immediately. Democrats will finally have to get serious about border security so a government funding agreement can be reached that can pass the House, earn 60 votes in the Senate, and get a Presidential signature. All three of those things are needed to make a law. One partisan vote in the House tomorrow is not going to solve anything. I made it clear to the Speaker that we are not interested in having show votes in the Senate. We are interested in bringing up something the House has passed, 60 Senators will support, and the President will sign; in other words, make a law. The legislation House Democrats are reportedly planning to introduce and have voted on tomorrow will not be a serious contribution to the negotiations that are going on between the administration and the incoming Democratic majority in the House. It isn't comprehensive. It ignores the needs of border security. It is exactly the kind of proposal you would expect if the incoming House Democrats were choosing to stage a political sideshow rather than doing the hard work of helping to govern the country; in other words, it is a total nonstarter. Will these new Democrats come to Washington ready to roll up their sleeves, work together, and make laws or are they going to waste time on partisan show votes that will do nothing to move the country in a forward direction? That is the question, political performance art or responsible governance? We will get an early signal in the next few days, but let me make it perfectly clear one more time, as I have said consistently for the last 2 weeks: The Senate will not waste its time considering a Democratic bill which cannot pass this Chamber and which the President will not sign. Nominations Mr. President, on another matter, I am pleased to announce this evening that the Democratic leader and I have reached an agreement to confirm a number of the administration's nominees. In a few moments, I will be asking unanimous consent to confirm a series of several well- qualified individuals to serve in important executive branch posts. Each of them will be confirmed. I am glad the President will have more of his rightful team in place, and I am glad this group of newly confirmed nominees will be able to get to work on important business for the American people.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the consideration of PN1999; that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: PN2210, PN2270, PN1963, PN2213, PN2437, PN2448, PN2450, and PN2598.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following treaty on today's Executive Calendar No. 7. I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be considered as having passed through its various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification; that any committee conditions, declarations, or reservations be agreed to as applicable; that any statements be printed in the Congressional Record as if read; further, that when the resolution of ratification is voted upon, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask for a division vote on the resolution of ratification.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: PN2642 and PN2641.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations, Executive Calendar Nos. 1106 and 1107.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 1198 and 1199.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN2702, PN2703, PN2704, and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar No. 1192, PN2702, PN2703, and PN2704.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN1893, PN2242, PN1965, PN2120, PN2214, and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: PN1893, PN2242, PN1965, PN2120, PN2214, Calendar No. 1148, Calendar No. 1149, and Calendar No. 1150.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 612, 940, 1078, 1079, 1143, and 1144.