Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Thank God we got this one through. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 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. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 422, submitted earlier today.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, finally, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, October 19, be waived.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, for the information of the Senate, we expect the vote to discharge the nomination to occur about 5:30 p.m. today. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 254.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 267.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; the Booker amendment at the desk to the preamble be considered and agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 338.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, last night, I began the process for the Senate to hold a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act, a commonsense proposal that would make it easier for every eligible American to participate in free and fair elections. The bill, which my colleagues, including yourself, very diligently have worked on for months to put together will set basic standards to improve ballot access across the country, end partisan gerrymandering, and fight the influence of dark money and special interests in our politics. It will go a long way toward restoring people's faith in our democracy while respecting the role of States in administering elections. Every Senate Democrat has united around this legislation, and I thank all of my colleagues, including you, Mr. President, who worked so hard on this bill. I especially want to thank my friend Senator Manchin, who has spent weeks reaching out to our Republican colleagues in an effort to find common ground. I applaud him for his commitment to trying to get something done on this issue in a bipartisan way if we can. The clock is ticking for this Chamber to take meaningful action to protect Americans' right to the franchise. So, tomorrow, the Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the Freedom to Vote Act. Every Senator will have to answer a straightforward question: Should the Senate be allowed to simply begin a debate on voting rights, as has been done many times throughout our history? That is what tomorrow's vote is about: Do the Members of this Chamber think protecting our democracy is worthy of even a debate in the Senate? Senate Democrats think it absolutely is. If our Republican colleagues don't like our ideas for fighting voter suppression and guarding against election subversion, then they ought to tell us what they have in mind. If they are so confident of their position, then let's debate the issue on the Senate floor. What is there to be afraid of by allowing simply a debate? Democrats are ready to work with Republicans in good faith if they vote to begin a debate on voting rights. We know disagreements run deep. We don't hide from that. But if our Republican colleagues have good ideas, we will work with them. We will listen to them, and if these ideas are truly aligned with the goals of this bill to protect our democracy, we will work to include them in the final text. What Republicans should not do--what they must not do--is squelch any chance for the Senate to debate something as critical and sacrosanct as the right to vote, nor should they pretend like the Federal Government has no role to play in protecting our democracy. On the contrary, throughout history, the Federal Government has sometimes been the only remedy when States try to suppress the vote. And no honest observer can look at the way the States have changed election laws this last year and pretend that there is nothing malicious afoot. As Senator Manchin said earlier this year regarding congressional action on voting rights, inaction is not an option. Let me repeat that because this is one place where Senator Manchin and I agree. As Senator Manchin said earlier this year regarding congressional action on voting rights, ``Inaction is not an option.'' Inaction is not an option. I agree. All 49 other Democrats agree with Senator Manchin. Inaction is not an option. The Senate can rise to the task if given the chance, but its Members must vote to begin debate first.

Mr. SCHUMER

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 187.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, 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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request, all en bloc.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I understand there are 6 bills at the desk, and I ask for their reading, en bloc.

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 move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, 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 Senators King and Portman.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, for the information of Senators, the first rollcall vote of the day will begin at approximately 11 a.m.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, now, finally, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired and 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 Lhamon nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Lhamon nomination, all postcloture time expire at 1:45 p.m., and that if confirmed, 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 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.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 418.