Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 865 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Madam President, 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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 416, H.R. 4250.

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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 7181, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of S. 3957, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Barrasso substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

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

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2724.

Madam President, 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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 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; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of the Gruenberg nomination.

For the information of the Senate, Senators should expect a rollcall vote at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19.

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

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize MAJ Dustin Mondloch, U.S. Army, for his outstanding work on behalf the people of Maine and the Nation as a 2022 Department of Defense Legislative Fellow serving in my Washington, DC, office. Over the past year, Dustin has been integral in shaping my foreign policy and defense priorities. He helped secure a number of provisions in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act--FY23 NDAA--that will make our country stronger and safer. Dustin led my staff in orchestrating important appropriations for the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. His contributions--both to office morale and to our collective work product--are emblematic of his good character, competence, and strong work ethic.

Throughout his tenure in my office, Dustin demonstrated a level of professionalism and hard work I have come to expect--but not take for granted--from Department of Defense Legislative Fellows. Indeed, he follows a long line of accomplished U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers who have made impactful contributions to my office and to U.S. national security policy. He distinguished himself as the first Army officer to serve in my office, setting a high bar and providing invaluable advice and insights personally to me. Over the course of the year, Dustin prepared and advised me on wide ranging and complex matters under consideration before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He brought his space expertise to assist me in the Strategic Forces Subcommittee briefings and deliberations, that resulted in important funding authorizations and legislation. Dustin's servant leadership showed in his work with constituents and while securing legislation to address Active Duty and veteran suicide. His attention to detail became apparent as he assisted me in dissecting, literally, thousands of pages of the Abbey Gate inspector general investigation. Further, he authored sections of report language, including one of my top concerns regarding the will to fight analysis of foreign militaries by our national security community. In addition, he became my go-to lead for monitoring the horrific war in Ukraine, providing clear-headed and thoughtful analysis, and liaised with representatives from the White House, State Department, and Department of Defense to convey my positions and concerns. His candor and honest assessments provided critical insights during this fraught time in U.S. history, and our Nation is better because of it.

On behalf of my colleagues and the U.S. Congress, I thank Dustin for his dedicated service to my staff, the State of Maine, the U.S. Army, and the Nation. Part of what makes the U.S. military the greatest in the history of the world is that servicemembers like Dustin dedicate their lives to service and sacrifice for their country. Major Mondloch does not do it alone, so I also acknowledge the support of his family-- his wife Danielle, his son Cole, and his daughter Lennox. I wish them all the best on what I know is a bright future.

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

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. 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:

committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on energy and natural resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10 a.m., to conduct a business meeting.

committee on energy and natural resources

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 9 a.m., to conduct a business meeting.

subcommittee on space and science

The Subcommittee on Space and Science of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing.

Madam President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 3662.

I move to concur in the House amendment and ask unanimous consent that the motion be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 786.

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.