Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 477.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 476.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31; 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; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Mehalchick nomination; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:30 a.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Sherriff nomination, followed immediately by a vote on cloture on the Mehalchick nomination; that the Senate recess following the cloture vote until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; that if cloture has been invoked on the Mehalchick nomination, all time be considered expired at 2:15 p.m.; and that if cloture has been invoked on the Goffman nomination, all time be considered expired at 5:30 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 311.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I send a cloture motion to the desk. PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, January 25, be waived.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 142.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, for months, I have said that the only way we are going to pass a national security supplemental is if both sides are serious about an agreement. Democrats are resolute on getting something done. We are committed to keeping our promise to helping our friends in Ukraine in their fight against Putin. We know that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, the consequences for Western democracy and for the American people will be severe and haunt us for years. Democrats are also resolute on reaching an agreement on securing the southern border. We know how important this is. We are negotiating in good faith and want to get this done in a bipartisan way. And Democrats are resolute to send more aid to Israel, provide more humanitarian aid for innocent civilians in Gaza, and hold the line against the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific. As we have seen over the past day, getting a bipartisan agreement on the supplemental is very difficult. But I am glad that now negotiations are continuing to move forward. Of course, there are still issues that must be settled, but negotiators will work all weekend in an effort to get this done.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the names of our current pages be printed in the Record. Thank you, Pages, for your good work, and have a good life. Let me just say to the pages, today is your final day in your class. It has been a very busy session, but you pages have done a great job bringing the Senate to life. The pages are always here when we need them: early in the mornings and late into the evenings. They have served this institution with grace and dignity, and it is an honor to have you with us. On behalf of a grateful Senate, we say thank you and wish you all the best as you return home, move on to your next adventures. And again, to repeat, have a good life.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 533, submitted earlier today.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Finally, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned to convene for a pro forma session only, with no business conducted, at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 26; further, that when the Senate adjourns on Friday, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30; 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; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Kolar nomination and that all time be considered expired at 5:30 p.m.; further, that the cloture motions filed during today's session ripen on Wednesday, January 31; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the order of January 24, 1901, the traditional reading of Washington's Farewell Address take place on Monday, February 26, 2024, following the prayer and pledge.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, well, the latest round of Ukrainian security assistance was a $250 million package that included 155mm rounds, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and other critical weapons that have been crucial for Ukraine on the battlefield. That announcement was made on December 27. That is 28 days ago--4 weeks. Since then, no more aid--no more aid--has been sent to Ukraine. And there won't be more unless Congress acts. In the meantime, it has been reported that Russia is beginning to restock its own supplies with help from North Korea, including North Korean missiles. Right now, Senate negotiators on both sides are working furiously to approve another round of Ukraine aid by finalizing our national security supplemental package. This package would not only deliver a lifeline for Ukraine, it would secure our border, send aid to Israel, provide humanitarian assistance for innocent civilians in Gaza, and shore up security in the Indo-Pacific. Our supplemental is a prescription for addressing America's top security threats around the globe. Now, it has been a busy and productive week for the negotiators. They have continued working nonstop on issues that are still outstanding. Each day, we get a little closer, but there are still issues to be resolved. But one thing is certain: We are going to keep going to get this done. I have remained in touch with my Senate colleagues, with Leader McConnell, and the White House every step of the way. The goal, of course, is to come up with a proposal that can get at least 60 votes in the Senate. That means both sides must accept they won't get everything they want. It means that maximalist demands, stonewall tactics, and attempts to sabotage negotiations before they even finish must be shunned by the membership of this body. There is too much at stake to play those games. There are some on the fringes who are, unfortunately, though, trying to do precisely that: to sink this supplemental package from afar. But in the Senate, both sides have an obligation to ensure those voices stay in the minority. Many of the voices who are making suggestions that they don't like are not voting for this anyway--anyway. It is not going to be easy to get over the finish line. But Senate Democrats are going to stay the course--stay the course--until the job is done. President Biden, on numerous occasions, has stated he is willing to work with Republicans in a big way on immigration. And for over 2 months, Democrats have shown we are serious about reaching an agreement by remaining at the negotiating table. So we will keep going because Senators don't need to be reminded of the consequences should we fail. Like I said, the last round of Ukrainian aid happened on December 27. If we don't act, Ukraine will fall and make the world a much more dangerous place for America. And every day, Americans will feel the impact--not years but months away. Since the start of the war, Putin has bet that sooner or later, the United States would throw in the towel. They doubt Western resolve. They doubt American strength. Just last month, Putin speculated on Russian television that ``the free stuff is going to run out some day, and it seems it already is.'' That is what Putin is saying. He is gloating that we are not giving Ukraine the aid it needs. His allies are certainly helping him. The Senate has an obligation to make sure Putin regrets the day he questioned America's resolve, and that is putting the focus on what we are doing in this Chamber. We have an obligation to answer the call to defend democracy in its hour of need. We have an obligation to help our friends fighting for their survival. We must--must--finish the work on the supplemental. We are not there yet, but we will continue working.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have seven 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:

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 2853 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.