Floor Statements

Madam President, let me just underscore Senator Whitehouse's role in the CBAM that he has talked about, because that sets up a level playing field on carbon--the real price of carbon--so we are not at a competitive disadvantage. We have got to catch up to what Europe is doing. We have got to join the group. And Senator Whitehouse has been the champion of pointing out that there is a price that we all pay because of carbon emissions, and we asked our companies to do it in a friendlier way. They need to be on a level playing field with their competitors--of course, China being of principal concern. These CBAM proposals will establish that level playing field and put American producers on a level playing field if we join with these efforts.

Senator Carper, who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, has been the key leader in the U.S. engagement on the climate agenda. Through his leadership, we were able to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which has been the envy of the world, for a commitment on the energy agenda.

But he also was responsible for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and it had a heavy diet of greener transportation programs, establishing a way that we can electrify our transportation fleet with charging stations. All that came under Senator Carper's leadership.

And then there is the Kigali protocol. So we were able to ratify that through our committee, through his leadership. So he has been the real champion and leader for the U.S. Senate on these aggressive policies to be a leader in the world on climate issues, and I am proud to serve on this committee, along with the Presiding Officer. We have a real champion and leader in Senator Carper.

Madam President, let me again thank Senator Carper for his leadership on these issues.

We are joined by Senator Markey.

If we would have passed Senator Markey's bill in the Senate that passed the House, we would not be in this position today. He has been a leader on climate issues for several decades now and has really been the champion on raising the consciousness that we all have responsibilities for this one globe.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, let me thank Senator Markey again for his extraordinary leadership.

I want to also acknowledge Josh Klein for the work that he did as our staff person for COP28.

Madam President, Senator Wyden is on the floor. I know he is planning to speak on Martin O'Malley to be the next Administrator of the Social Security Administration, but I want to take this time to thank Senator Wyden for his leadership on the climate agenda.

We marked up in the Senate Finance Committee the energy provisions that ended up in the Inflation Reduction Act well before the Inflation Reduction Act was put together as a package. And it was the work that Senator Wyden led in the Finance Committee that provides the predictability to the future of our Tax Code to reward renewable energies.

We were asked in the COP meetings: What happens if there are changes in elections, will America still be strong on the climate? And we pointed out our Tax Code, which we have been able to continue tax provisions. And Senator Wyden has led the effort to make sure we have a strong tax base to reward renewable energy sources so that we can do exactly what Senator Markey said: transition off of fossil fuels to renewables.

I just really want to acknowledge the work that Senator Wyden has done on the climate agenda. And he was a very popular person in Dubai, even though he was not there.

Madam President, I had a chance a little bit earlier this evening to talk about Governor O'Malley. I just really want to compliment Senators Wyden and Carper for their comments.

I really want to underscore this one point about Governor O'Malley. There are a lot of things we can really harp upon, but he is going to have two people in mind as the administrator of Social Security Administration. One will be that individual who depends upon the benefits, receiving those benefits that they are eligible for in a timely way through determinations and receiving their checks on time and getting the customer information they need in regard to these benefits. That is called consumer service; that is called serving the public. He is going to be laser-focused to make sure they don't have to wait on a call line for minutes--tens of minutes, as it is today--but that it can be done in a timely way; that determinations can be made in a timely way; and that checks are received.

But the second group he will be equally focused on is the workforce of the Social Security Administration. They have been asked to do more with less over time. Governor O'Malley knows how to bring out the strength of the workforce, supporting the workforce in their mission, rewarding the good service that they perform.

So I think we are going to have a leader at the Social Security Administration who will understand the responsibilities to the recipients as well as those performing a public service on behalf of the Social Security Administration.

I am excited about his willingness to take on this responsibility. I have seen him take on incredible challenges from being a mayor of Baltimore and dealing with the challenges we have in our urban centers to taking on the responsibilities of a Governor and having to deal with 188 state legislators. That is not an easy task.

He will find this challenge one he is ready for, and I am very excited about the fact we are about ready to vote for his nomination.

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the 5:30 time for voting, the vote begin immediately.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Madam President, I am pleased to join Senator Van Hollen in introducing legislation to honor my friend and former colleague, the late Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, for his ceaseless efforts to preserve Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD. Senator Sarbanes worked tirelessly to honor the site and elevate the history of the War of 1812 in the national consciousness throughout his career. This legislation acknowledges his long-term advocacy for the preservation of the site and the improvement of the visitor experience by designating the visitor and education center the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

I first got to know Senator Sarbanes when he first ran for public office in 1966. We both were elected to the Maryland General Assembly that year, and we became good friends. Delegate Sarbanes at that point made a name for himself on the House Judiciary Committee in the Maryland General Assembly and was a rising star from his first day in the Maryland General Assembly. He shortly thereafter ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served three terms with a very distinguished record. His service in the House occurred during the Watergate scandal. Representative Sarbanes was on the Judiciary Committee and was given the responsibility of the first Article of Impeachment against President Nixon. That article dealt with obstruction of justice. It was the key article against President Nixon on impeachment, and it is very telling that a relatively young and junior Member of the House of Representatives was entrusted with pursuing and presenting it. It was because of his work ethic, his commitment to scholarship, and his understanding of legal issues that he was entrusted with such an awesome responsibility.

Paul Sarbanes then served five terms in the U.S. Senate, the longest term for any Senator in Maryland's history, which Senator Barbara Mikulski ties 10 years later. Paul Sarbanes was known as a Senator's Senator for his integrity and for his principled commitment to public service. He was a Rhodes Scholar who chose to serve the public rather than using his skills in the private sector for his own personal gain. His entire life was devoted to public service. What a legacy he has left us by his incredible public service. In 2002, the Enron scandal hit America, and Senator Sarbanes, then chairing the Banking Committee, teamed up with House Financial Services Committee Chair Michael Oxley ass the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. Then-President George W. Bush called the Sarbanes-Oxley bill ``the most far-reaching reforms of American business practices since the time of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.'' From Watergate to Enron and beyond, Paul Sarbanes stepped into the breach and he delivered on behalf of the American people. It is a fitting tribute to name the Visitor Center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine after a true American hero: Paul S. Sarbanes.

Madam President, I am pleased to join Senator Van Hollen in introducing legislation to honor my friend and former colleague, the late Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, for his ceaseless efforts to preserve Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD. Senator Sarbanes worked tirelessly to honor the site and elevate the history of the War of 1812 in the national consciousness throughout his career. This legislation acknowledges his long-term advocacy for the preservation of the site and the improvement of the visitor experience by designating the visitor and education center the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

I first got to know Senator Sarbanes when he first ran for public office in 1966. We both were elected to the Maryland General Assembly that year, and we became good friends. Delegate Sarbanes at that point made a name for himself on the House Judiciary Committee in the Maryland General Assembly and was a rising star from his first day in the Maryland General Assembly. He shortly thereafter ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served three terms with a very distinguished record. His service in the House occurred during the Watergate scandal. Representative Sarbanes was on the Judiciary Committee and was given the responsibility of the first Article of Impeachment against President Nixon. That article dealt with obstruction of justice. It was the key article against President Nixon on impeachment, and it is very telling that a relatively young and junior Member of the House of Representatives was entrusted with pursuing and presenting it. It was because of his work ethic, his commitment to scholarship, and his understanding of legal issues that he was entrusted with such an awesome responsibility.

Paul Sarbanes then served five terms in the U.S. Senate, the longest term for any Senator in Maryland's history, which Senator Barbara Mikulski ties 10 years later. Paul Sarbanes was known as a Senator's Senator for his integrity and for his principled commitment to public service. He was a Rhodes Scholar who chose to serve the public rather than using his skills in the private sector for his own personal gain. His entire life was devoted to public service. What a legacy he has left us by his incredible public service. In 2002, the Enron scandal hit America, and Senator Sarbanes, then chairing the Banking Committee, teamed up with House Financial Services Committee Chair Michael Oxley ass the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. Then-President George W. Bush called the Sarbanes-Oxley bill ``the most far-reaching reforms of American business practices since the time of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.'' From Watergate to Enron and beyond, Paul Sarbanes stepped into the breach and he delivered on behalf of the American people. It is a fitting tribute to name the Visitor Center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine after a true American hero: Paul S. Sarbanes.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, I understand that shortly we will be considering a motion to discharge S.J. Res. 51 from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and I take this time to urge my colleagues to vote against that motion to discharge.

I understand the concerns of my colleague from Kentucky about ensuring that Congress exercises the appropriate role in authorizing the use of military force. I appreciate the Senator's longstanding interest in these important matters.

I value having what I believe are critically important debates about when and under what authorities U.S. troops serve abroad. Decisions about authorizing the use of military force are among the most solemn duties we have in this body. But here, the decision is not so simple as the Senator from Kentucky presents it.

The Middle East is unstable right now. I don't have to remind my colleagues about that. ISIS's territorial caliphate might have been defeated, but it remains a threat to Syrians, Iraqis, and to U.S. interests. Now is not the time to withdraw from the region, but that is what this joint resolution would do without weighing the consequences, without a plan.

Think about what impact it would have. Think about what it would do to the resolve of our NATO allies and Kurdish partners fighting ISIS alongside the United States. We are not there alone; we are part of a coalition. Will they stick it out if we don't?

Think about how this would hurt the Syrian people. Without U.S. presence, civilians would be caught between ISIS and the Assad regime. Think about the ISIS terrorist cells that would have free reign to expand their operations in Syria. They will use it as a base to attack Iraq, where just last week they killed 11 innocent people.

Think about what a gift this would be to the Assad regime, who has committed atrocities, aided and abetted by Russia and Iran. The regime would strengthen its control of Syria, putting at risk the very people who fought side by side with the United States, people who would be subjected to the Assad regime's industrial-scale system of torture and murder.

Then there are the Assad backers--Russia and Iran. Putin wants the Middle East to descend into chaos and distract the world from his war in Ukraine. Iran's longstanding strategic objective has been to push the United States out of the region. We see it in proxy attacks on U.S. facilities and on global shipping.

Not only would pulling U.S. troops out of Syria be a propaganda win for Iran, it would be a strategic victory. It would make it easier for Iran to move weapons through Syria to Hezbollah. Do we want Hezbollah to have more weapons aimed at our ally Israel right now? We don't want to see an escalation of the conflict.

At a time when the administration is working to prevent the Gaza conflict from spilling over, this would be the wrong thing for us to do. The last thing we want is the conflict in Israel and Gaza to expand across the region.

For all of those reasons, I would urge my colleagues to vote against the motion to discharge S.J. Res. 51 if that motion is made by my colleague from Kentucky.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Mr. President, this past Friday, December 1, we marked the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end AIDS, an opportunity to honor those we have lost while supporting those who are living with or at risk of the HIV virus, and as a unifying call to continue working toward a day when HIV is no longer stigmatized or a public health threat.

Thirty-five years ago this year, World AIDS Day was established, marking the first international day for global health. Since then, World AIDS Day has adopted targeted themes to raise awareness and encourage international cooperation. This year's theme in the United States, ``Remember and Commit,'' focuses on paying tribute to those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, emphasizing our collective responsibility to act. Through remembrance, we draw strength and determination to redouble our efforts in fighting this global crisis and support those living with HIV both here and abroad. The 2023 campaign reminds us that each one of us can make a difference while promoting the importance of compassion, empathy, and solidarity in the face of adversity. And it reminds us that as citizens of the world, the United States must continue to provide a helping hand to countries less fortunate than ours in bringing an end to the AIDS pandemic.

Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the U.S. in June 1981, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. have died from HIV-related illnesses. In 2021, over 36,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the U.S., and more than 1.1 million people in our country are currently living with this virus, with

many more at risk of HIV infection. In 2021, there were 32,100 estimated new HIV infections in the U.S. My home State of Maryland is not immune; during 2022, 751 Marylanders over 13 years old were newly diagnosed with HIV, and over 31,000 Marylanders were living with the disease.

Recent data show that minority populations continue to remain disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2021, Black Americans accounted for 40 percent of HIV diagnoses, while Hispanic/Latino Americans accounted for 29 percent of HIV diagnoses. We must work harder to address persistent health inequities and end the disparities in access to prevention, care, and treatment.

World AIDS Day reminds us that HIV is not just a medical issue. It is a human rights issue. Criminalization, discrimination, and social stigmas continue to impact the most vulnerable populations across the globe. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the United States proudly invests the majority of our global HIV spending, violence and discrimination against women and girls continues to fuel the epidemic. Children who are orphaned or otherwise affected by HIV face a range of challenges from child labor, to the worst forms of exploitation.

Fortunately, thanks to scientific advances, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration--FDA--has now approved more than 30 medicines to treat HIV infection, including the new class of antiretroviral drugs, which have transformed HIV from a death sentence to a chronic but manageable disease. They help extend and stabilize the lives of those living with HIV while also dramatically reducing the risk of HIV transmission. This makes it all the more imperative that all people who need HIV treatment have access to it.

We are fortunate to have premier scientific research institutes within my home State of Maryland working together to combat this deadly virus, including the National Institutes of Health--NIH--the Walter Reed Army Institute of Infectious Disease Research, the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University. Not only have these organizations substantially led scientific advancements with respect to HIV/AIDS, they have also played an important role in reducing the number of new cases among Marylanders and affording those living with HIV the opportunity to continue living full lives.

As a result, Maryland has reached significant milestones in reducing HIV case numbers; my State went from ranking seventh among all the U.S. States and territories to 12th in 2 years. Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County have been participants in the Department of Health and Human Services--HHS--Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Program, which is working to reduce new HIV transmissions by 75 percent by 2025 and by 90 percent by 2030. This multi-year program will infuse 48 counties; Washington, DC; San Juan, PR; and seven States that have a substantial rural HIV burden with the additional expertise, technology, and resources they need to reduce transmission. Public health initiatives the Maryland Department of Health has implemented--including safer-sex education programs, free HIV self-tests, condom distribution, and access to prophylactic medication--have been instrumental in reducing new infections. Additionally, city and county needle exchange programs have broadened efforts to reduce the circulation of used syringes, provide testing for infectious diseases such as HIV, and extend resources for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act--ACA--Americans diagnosed with HIV or at risk of transmission have more meaningful access to healthcare coverage and health insurance. Today, Americans cannot be dropped or denied coverage because of preexisting health conditions such as asthma, cancer, HIV, or COVID-19. The ACA also gives States the option to expand Medicaid, the largest payer for those who need HIV treatment in the country, and so far, 41 States have expanded Medicaid coverage. I look forward to seeing the remaining States join this list.

The ACA has also established new standards and essential benefits that certain health plans must cover. Benefits such as prescription drug services, hospital inpatient care, lab tests, HIV screening, preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP, and other preventive services aim to preserve the health of those with HIV while mitigating further transmission. Under the ACA, most health insurance plans must provide preventive services, including HIV testing for those aged 15 to 65, as well as PrEP for HIV-negative adults at high risk of HIV infection. I am proud to have served as a cosponsor of the PrEP Access and Coverage Act, which would expand access to PrEP and work to reduce the existing disparities in access. Legislation like this is especially important in light of recent threats to PrEP access, such as a Texas judge's ruling in Braidwood Management v. Becerra, a decision which has the potential to result in thousands of unnecessary HIV infections.

I commend the Biden-Harris administration for publishing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States (2022-2025) to provide a roadmap to accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic in our country by 2030. These are bold targets facilitated by the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy, ONAP. The Strategy builds on our country's progress and lessons learned from the prior national strategies and seeks to leverage new tools and opportunities to address the challenges that remain. I share President Biden's determination to address the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on marginalized populations like the LGBTQI+ community and racial and ethnic minorities.

We must remember, however, that HIV remains a grave public health challenge around the world. In 2022, 39 million people lived with HIV globally. Last year, roughly 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Only 57 percent of children aged 14 and younger had access to treatment in 2022, compared to 77 percent of those aged 15 and over. We must redouble our efforts to close this gap and guarantee lifesaving HIV treatment to all who need it and to prevent more HIV infections. And it can be done.

This year, President Biden commemorated the 20th anniversary of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief--PEPFAR--honoring the 25 million lives that have been saved worldwide in the fight to end HIV/AIDS as a public health crisis. Since its inception in 2003, the PEPFAR program has changed the trajectory of the HIV epidemic around the globe, representing an extraordinary commitment to global health, aiming to prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV infections. Over nearly 20 years, five mission babies have been born AIDS free, 7 million orphans have been supported, and 20 million people are on lifesaving treatment medications. PEPFAR has also demonstrated the value of strong health systems in managing and anticipating other pandemics. Much of the staff, infrastructure, and technology that was developed through PEPFAR proved instrumental in the COVID-19 response in countries that would otherwise not have the capacity to deliver treatment and vaccines. But we have not crossed the finish line yet. The next 5 years are critical to meet the goal of ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. The U.S. must continue to show global health leadership and facilitate cooperation with our foreign partners and allies.

We must continue to invest in the communities and local leaders that know their own health needs best. All people, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, geographic location, or socioeconomic circumstance, should have access to prevention, treatment, and care. International partners, academic partners, faith-based organizations, and civil society are counting on us to continue our support for their long-held efforts to ending AIDS. This is why I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to once again step forward in faith and courage and join together to secure PEPFAR's reauthorization.

Most importantly, I want to recognize those living with HIV/AIDS across the globe. Your demand for dignity and access to healthcare has shown us what is possible when the world works together to fight a public health scourge, and in accordance with that spirit, we will prevail in doing so. We must recommit ourselves to continuing this

fight because success is within our reach.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, first, I want to thank my colleague from Florida for bringing this issue to the floor. I have spoken frequently about the tragedies of the Maduro regime, the protracted political, economic, and human rights crisis that has been caused by the Maduro regime. Seven million Venezuelans have left their homes. The Maduro regime is under investigation for crimes against humanity. The list goes on and on and on.

I have the opportunity to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is a resolution that should go through our committee. Our committee should have an opportunity to review and offer suggestions as to what should be included and how it is worded. For that reason alone, I would have concern about how it is moving forward.

But let me add just a few more parts to this. I support the administration's efforts to pursue diplomatic engagement. By strategically leveraging U.S. sanctions, the administration has empowered Venezuela's democratic opposition in its negotiations with this regime.

We impose sanctions so that we can get changes of actions of those whom we impose the sanctions against. When we see progress in that regard, we should be willing to modify or eliminate those sanctions.

On October 17, in Barbados, the Unitary Platform and the Maduro regime reached an agreement. They created a roadmap for more competitive Presidential elections next year.

By supporting this agreement, the Biden administration has provided political space for the political opposition to hold primaries on October 22. The results were resounding, as my colleague from Florida has pointed out. Maria Corina Machado won the opposition primaries with over 90 percent of the vote. That is an impressive victory. This is the kind of progress that has been desperately needed to help restore democracy in Venezuela.

Of course, the Maduro regime has sought to undermine the results of the primary. We are not surprised by that. The Biden administration has made it clear that if Maduro doesn't allow the candidate to run, they will reimpose the sanctions. That is how it should work. And if it does not release the political prisoners or wrongly detained Americans, the United States will snap back our sanctions. We have made that very clear. We want our political prisoners and wrongfully detained Americans released immediately. They should never have been detained. We want to make sure there is a competitive election in Venezuela, and if it is not, we will reimpose our sanctions. And I have called for these competitive elections.

As I pointed out, this resolution has not been considered by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It comes as negotiations remain underway and some initial advancements have taken place. It seeks to dictate actions to the administration as sensitive diplomatic negotiations are ongoing.

The Biden administration has already stated publicly it will reimpose sanctions if the Maduro regime does not follow through on their commitment. We don't trust them--believe me, we don't--and we have the opportunity to reimpose those sanctions.

We must maintain the diplomatic space needed to advance democratic elections. That is our objective. Our objective is to get democratic elections and to secure the release of wrongfully detained Americans and political prisoners.

So I would suggest to my colleague to submit his resolution for consideration to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That is why we have the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Give us a chance for the input of those of us who have been working on this Venezuelan issue for a long time. Give us the opportunity for input. That is how the system is supposed to work.

I give my colleague the assurances--I want to take this up in the Foreign Relations Committee. I want to see a resolution passed on the floor of the Senate in regard to what is happening in Venezuela, and I certainly will work with my colleague in that regard.

For the reasons I have stated, I object.