Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 2087 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, last week, America lost a towering figure of the 20th century: former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Through her life, her work, and her legacy, Justice O'Connor forever changed the nature of the Supreme Court. She was the first woman to ever hold the solemn title of ``Justice.'' And with every case she oversaw and every opinion she authored, Justice O'Connor carried out her historic role with integrity and distinction. She moved our country forward in so many ways: protecting women's rights, protecting clean air, protecting voting rights, and fighting discrimination. I can't help but reflect on her calm and steady presence on the Court, even in the most tumultuous of times and in the most divisive of cases. That presence was so needed during her tenure, and she will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Justice O'Connor's family and loved ones.

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. 317.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 30, H.R. 815.

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, December 4, be waived.

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, to explain to the Senators and our colleagues what we have just done, a few moments ago, I filed cloture on a motion to proceed on a shell bill for a national security supplemental. The step I am taking tonight will ensure the process for the supplemental moves forward and that, hopefully, disagreements on immigration do not prevent us from doing what we must do to protect America's security. I urge every single Senator to think where we are at this moment in history. America's national security is on the line around the world-- in Europe, in the Middle East, and in the Indo-Pacific. Autocrats and dictators are waging war against democracy, against our values, against our way of life. That is why passing this supplemental is so important. It could determine the trajectory of democracy for years to come. We are at a moment in history. Tonight, I would like to announce that the administration has invited President Zelenskyy to address Senators via secure video as part of our classified briefing tomorrow so we can hear directly from him precisely what is at stake in this vote. I ask that all Senators--all Senators-- attend this important briefing. In the coming days, I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and support moving forward on the supplemental package. We can't ever put a price on defending democracy in its hour of need, because if Ukraine falls, Putin will keep on going. Autocrats around the world will be emboldened. Democracy, this grand and noble experiment, will enter an era of decline. History will render harsh judgment on those who abandon democracy. I urge all Senators to work with us to move forward on a national security supplemental.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 483, submitted earlier today.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Finally, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, 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 AliKhan nomination; further, that the cloture motions filed during Thursday's session ripen at 11:30 a.m. and that the Senate recess following the cloture vote on the AliKhan nomination until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session, the motions 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. Mr. President, yesterday, I spoke here on the Senate floor about a subject that is highly personal and yet of immense importance: the rise of anti-Semitism in America. I spoke out because as the highest Jewish elected official in the country and in American history, I felt an obligation to say aloud what is felt within the hearts of so many Jewish people across the country and around the world. After October 7, Jewish Americans are feeling singled out, targeted, and isolated. In many ways, we feel alone. The solidarity that Jewish Americans initially received from many of our fellow citizens was quickly drowned out by other voices. I want to be clear. I believe most Americans who are criticizing Israeli's policies are not anti-Semitic, nor that the vast majority of criticism of Israel's policies is inherently anti-Semitic per se. But it cannot be denied that in too many instances, anti-Semites are taking advantage of the pro-Palestinian movement to espouse hatred and bigotry toward the Jewish people. Similarly, on the hard right, the poison of anti-Semitism has reached levels over these past few years we have not witnessed perhaps ever in America. All Americans share a responsibility and an obligation to fight against anti-Semitism. We have an obligation to fight back against all forms of bigotry, be it Islamophobia or racism against Black Americans or demonizing the immigrant. Whether it comes from the left or from the right, anti-Semitism is an evil that must be condemned. So, as I said yesterday, Americans ask, how can we help combat that? As I said yesterday, my plea to the American people of all creeds and backgrounds is this: First, learn the history of the Jewish people, who have been abandoned repeatedly by their fellow countrymen--left isolated and alone to combat anti-Semitism, with disastrous results. I talked about this issue at some length in the speech I gave yesterday, and I would urge all Americans to read it. Second, reject the illogical and double standard that is once again being applied to the plight of Jewish victims and hostages, to some of the actions of the Israeli Government, and even to the existence of a Jewish State. The glaring double standard where so many support nationhood for so many other peoples but not for the Jews must be condemned. Third, understand why Jewish people defend Israel--not because we wish harm on Palestinians but because we fear a world where Israel is forced to tolerate the existence of groups like Hamas that want to wipe out all Jewish people from the planet. We fear a world where Israel-- the place of refuge for Jewish people--will no longer exist. If there is no Israel, there will be no place for the Jewish people to go when they are persecuted in other countries. I want to thank my colleagues for taking the time to listen, not just to my remarks yesterday but to all Jewish Americans speaking out against the rise of anti-Semitism. I would like to thank the Republican leader for his gracious words after my remarks and the so many Members in this Chamber, Democrat and Republican, who made comments to me that they so respected my speech. Many said it had to be given. I agree with that. Both parties have an obligation to work together to eliminate the poison of anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance wherever we see it, regardless of who says it. I hope we can continue working together in this Chamber to advance that very noble goal.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 263.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

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. 144.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, 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, November 30, be waived.

Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

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