Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. I know of no further debate on the joint resolution.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 1046.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

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

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, earlier today, our 41st President George Herbert Walker Bush departed the Capitol Rotunda and was memorialized at the National Cathedral. Now his remains are on the way back to Houston for a funeral service at St. Martin's Episcopal Church before he is laid to rest right next to Barbara, his loving wife and partner of 73 years, and their daughter, Robin. It has been reported that, some years ago, as the Bush family discussed funeral plans and the subject of lying in state came up, the former President joked in a self-deprecating way: ``Do you think anyone will come?'' Well, Mr. President, they sure did. Dignitaries, world leaders, and thousands of Americans from all walks of life waited for hours and streamed through this Capitol to pray for and pay tribute to the life and legacy of George Bush. I might add, in addition to that, on the way up to the National Cathedral, there were citizens on both sides of the road, all along the way, with their iPhones, taking photographs of this great American. Today, at President's Trump's direction, the country is observing a national day of mourning. I know this body continues to stand with all Americans in appreciation for his inspiring example and in solidarity with the Bush family.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on a completely different matter, the Senate is resuming our work this afternoon. Later today, we will vote to advance the nomination of Bernard McNamee, the President's choice to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This is an impressive nominee who has the right qualifications for this important job. In his career as a well-regarded lawyer on energy issues, he has represented clients and gained expertise all across the energy sector. He has helped clients build solar projects and natural gas facilities and get renewable energy standards approved. In his own words, he said: ``I have not just talked about fuel diversity and `all of the above' energy policies; I have worked to help make them a reality.'' Mr. McNamee has worked as an energy policy expert at the Department of Energy, as well as right here in the Senate. FERC plays a pivotal role in ensuring our energy security and enabling prosperity. Among other responsibilities, the Commission is responsible for permitting important infrastructure investments such as pipelines and export terminals. Continuing with a deadlocked and understaffed Commission could threaten the status of these investments and the jobs that revolve around them. Therefore, we need to confirm Mr. McNamee promptly. His obvious qualifications and his commitment to fairness and impartiality earned him a bipartisan vote out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last month with a favorable recommendation. I hope the same common sense will prevail today so we can move this nominee forward with the bipartisan vote he well deserves. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 576, S. 1934.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment at the desk be agreed to, that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 616, S. 2736.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the Gardner amendment at the desk be agreed to, the committee-reported amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 585, H.R. 754.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 707, S. 3530.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 5; 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; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the McNamee nomination, with the time until 4 p.m. equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 57.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 55, submitted earlier today.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 56, submitted earlier today. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title.