Floor Statements

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

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 620.

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

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 714.

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

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, September 25, be waived.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of PN587; that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any related statements be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar No. 713, Calendar No. 715; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

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.

Madam President, I come to the floor to honor a great New Yorker, a great American, and one of the greatest Jewish leaders in our country's history: Rabbi David Saperstein. This year marks his 50th anniversary at the Religious Action Center, a milestone of immense distinction and honor.

It is not possible to summarize in a single statement the breadth and depth of Rabbi Saperstein's accomplishments. He is, of course a rabbi. But he is also an advocate at heart. He is a lawyer. A teacher. A diplomat who served as ambassador. He is a religious leader and a mentor to countless people over the years, of all faiths and persuasions.

But if we had to pick just one thing, it would be this: Rabbi Saperstein has always been a voice for justice and progress and decency for people around the world.

As the director of the Religious Action Center for over 40 years, he was one of Reform Judaism's greatest champions in the Halls of Congress and within the Federal Government. In his own words, he carried out this role with a mission to ``make real the Jewish prophetic ideals of justice, peace, freedom, equality and compassion, in America, in Israel, in the lives of human beings everywhere.''

Rabbi Saperstein is also the first rabbi in American history to serve as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, selected by President Obama in 2014. He advised both the President and Secretary Kerry on promoting the rights of religious minorities around the world. After serving in government, he continued his service as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Today, he also serves on the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.

It is rare for a single person to accomplish so much and hold so many leadership positions in one lifetime. But it is even rarer to see the profound decency and thirst for justice that has motivated Rabbi Saperstein at every step of his life. Our country is blessed through his life. Jewish Americans are better off because of his good works. And Americans of all walks of life are better off because of the service, the vision, and legacy of Rabbi Saperstein.

So, on behalf of a grateful Senate, I congratulate the rabbi for celebrating 50 years with the Religious Action Center.

Madam President, I have nine 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 commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transporation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on a nomination.

committee on health, education, labor, and pensions

The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

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, September 25, 2024, at 9:30 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, September 25, 2024, at 2:30 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, September 25, 2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations.

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 2 p.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, September 25, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.

subcommittee on fiscal responsibility and economic growth

The Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth of the Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 3 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

permanent subcommittee on investigations

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing.

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding passage of S. 91, as amended, the Hagerty amendment to the title at the desk be agreed to.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the senior Senator from Colorado and the majority leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions from September 25, 2024, through September 27, 2024.

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.