Mitch McConnell

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on an entirely different matter, the Senate continues to consider the National Defense Authorization Act. I understand we are close to a bipartisan structure for amendments, and if our Democratic colleagues will let us, I hope we can move forward today. All week I have discussed how the 60th consecutive NDAA will help our Nation protect its people, stand with our allies, and keep pace with our competitors. This legislation has global reach, but, as all my colleagues know, the NDAA is also a profoundly local bill for communities in all 50 States. My home State is proud to support three Army installations and the men and women of the Kentucky Air and Army National Guard. Last fall, I hosted Defense Secretary Mark Esper in Kentucky to speak with the Fort Knox community. He called for a renewed commitment to supporting our all-volunteer force, including military spouses and their families. The NDAA advances that goal. It will authorize a new elementary school at Fort Knox. This construction, paired with progress toward a new middle school at Fort Campbell, will continue making Kentucky's installations a welcoming home for military families. This project comes on the heels of Fort Knox's selection for the new V Corps headquarters. This mission brings more than 600 additional soldiers to Kentucky in support of U.S. operations over in Europe. They will join Fort Knox's already impressive list of significant commands, including the Army's Recruiting, Cadet, and Human Resources Command. The V Corps will find a premier installation made even better by this NDAA. Our bill also authorizes the construction of a new headquarters for the Kentucky National Guard. The facility will consolidate the Guard's operation to a central location. Just recently, our citizen soldiers and airmen have stepped up to combat COVID-19. I am glad this legislation will deliver for them. At the Blue Grass Army Depot, the NDAA will advance the disposal of legacy chemical weapons. Families in Madison County have lived for generations with these deadly agents practically in their backyards. For years, I have fought alongside them to support safe and responsible demilitarization. In just the first year of chemical destruction activities, the depot has already completed a campaign ahead of schedule. An entire type of munition has been completely deleted from the U.S. stockpile. Our legislation will help us safely consign more of these weapons to the ash heap of history. Now, I have also spoken this week about the growing boldness of our Nation's adversaries and the evolving threats our servicemembers face. The men and women of Fort Campbell, including the 101st Airborne, are among those our Nation turns to first to handle serious challenges. Their recent deployments to Europe, Afghanistan, and to support the COVID-19 response in New York and New Jersey show their importance to our country. Pursuant to the national defense strategy, this NDAA will encourage new capabilities so elite fighting forces like the 101st are equipped for success under any circumstances. The Senate is grateful for the courageous service of our Armed Forces. The bipartisan legislation before us honors their sacrifices and authorizes the resources to carry out their missions. Its impact will not be felt just by our adversaries overseas but by our servicemembers and communities right here at home. I would like to once again thank Chairman Inhofe, Ranking Member Reed, and our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for their serious and thoughtful work. Let's get this bill moving toward completion.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, could I ask my colleagues to yield momentarily? I would request that Senator Inhofe be able to lock in an agreement on the NDAA, and then the discussion could resume. So, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Inhofe be recognized.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions be waived.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motions ripen following the disposition of the Tester amendment No. 1972, as modified.

Mr. McCONNELL. I send a cloture motion to the desk for the substitute amendment No. 2301.

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 consideration of Executive Calendar No. 750, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk with the exception of PNs 1785, 1923, 1975, 1525, 1526, 1795 through 1798, 1805, 1924 through 1926, 1952, 1865, 1867 through 1874, 1876 through 1897, 1954 through 1963; that the nominations be confirmed and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, all en bloc; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

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. 754, 755, and 756.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent 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.

Mr. McCONNELL

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

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. 504, 505, 506, 719, and 720.

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; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader and the senior Senator from Kansas be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions through Monday, July 20, 2020.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4209, introduced earlier today.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill 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. I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have 2 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on the Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations. Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.

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 when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn to then convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business being conducted, on the following days and times; and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Monday, July 6, at 11:15 a.m.; Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m.; Monday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. I further ask that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, July 16, it convene at 3 p.m., Monday, July 20, and 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 upon the closing of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume the Vought nomination; finally, that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the confirmation vote on the Vought nomination occur at 5:30 p.m.

Mr. McCONNELL

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 648, 649, and 650.

Mr. McCONNELL. I know of no further debate on the resolutions.

Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the preambles be agreed to and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.