Chuck Schumer

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 285, S. 1153.

Mr. SCHUMER. I know of no further debate on the bill, as amended.

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have eight 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 environment and public works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 9:45 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on environment and public works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on foreign relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 3 p.m., to conduct a classified briefing. committee on homeland security and governmental affairs The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 11 a.m., to conduct a business meeting. committee on indian affairs The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 3 p.m., to conduct a business meeting. committee on the judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. select committee on intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing. subcommittee on economic policy The Subcommittee on Economic Policy of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet in open session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 484, S. 3959.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and 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. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. 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 the immediate consideration of H.R. 8932, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 894 and the resolution be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7218, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

Mr. SCHUMER. I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions: S. Res. 903, S. Res. 904, S. Res. 905, S. Res. 906, S. Res. 907.

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, this resolution concerns a lawsuit filed in Federal court in the District of Columbia against the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Chairman Sanders, Ranking Member Cassidy, and 18 other members of the committee. That suit was brought by an individual, Dr. Ralph de la Torre, who had been subpoenaed to testify at a hearing before the Committee but chose to disregard his legal duty and failed to appear at the committee's hearing. After Dr. de la Torre failed to appear, the Committee reported to the Senate, and the Senate agreed to, a resolution directing the President of the Senate to certify the fact of his default to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for consideration of prosecution for contempt of Congress. Dr. de la Torre then filed suit to try to prevent any sanction from being imposed on him for his default of a duly authorized Senate committee subpoena, claiming that the subpoena served no valid legislative purpose and that requiring him to appear at the hearing violated his Fifth Amendment rights, despite the fact that the committee made clear that he could assert a Fifth Amendment privilege in response to questions at the hearing, if applicable. Dr. de la Torre's suit against the committee and its members seeking to prevent any consequences for his default on the subpoena threatens to interfere with the independence of the Senate in conducting its legislative and oversight duties and improperly seeks to use a civil suit to forestall a criminal matter. This resolution would authorize the Senate legal counsel to represent the committee and the members named as defendants in this suit in order to seek its dismissal.

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

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, finally, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned, under the provisions of S. Res. 902, until 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceeding 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 following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Wise nomination; further, that at 11 a.m., the Senate vote on the cloture motions with respect to the Wise and Weilheimer nominations in the order listed; further, that following the cloture vote on the Weilheimer nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Desai nomination and that the Senate vote on the nomination of Desai at 1:45 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday'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. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 902, which is at the desk.

Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent 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. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I move that the Sergeant at Arms request the presence of absent Senators, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. 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. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1505 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. SCHUMER. 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. SCHUMER

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 861.

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.