Floor Statements

Madam President, let me start by wishing Jewish Americans everywhere a happy start to Hanukkah.

I celebrated the first night with my family up in New York, and I hope my colleagues who observe Hanukkah were able to do the same.

The story of Hanukkah is, among many things, a story of perseverance in the face of unspeakable hatred. It is also a lesson that hits home this year for many Jewish Americans targeted recently by anti-Semitism.

After decades of hard work, it is terrifying to see today that anti- Semitism is on the rise in America. We must do everything we can to stomp it down.

No matter what our faiths may be, of course, I urge all Americans of goodwill to take a stand against the forces of bigotry and intolerance.

There are many out there who are trying to use their platforms to make anti-Semitism more acceptable in our country, and we must oppose them at every turn.

I have faith that the forces of intolerance will lose in the end, just as they did in the days of Hanukkah when Judah Maccabee led the Jewish people against an oppressive majority.

But the fight is long, and all of us must do our part. So as we continue observing the Festival of Lights, I say to colleagues and to Jewish Americans across the country: Chag Sameach, happy holiday.

And thank God that, in this country, freedom of religion and tolerance is part of our watch word, unlike it was in the old days of Judah Maccabee.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, this morning, the Biden administration announced they are taking action to counter the Chinese Communist Party's threat to our national security. Just a few moments ago, the Department of Commerce said they would formally add Wuhan-based YMTC and 35 other Chinese companies to the so-called Entity List, blocking them from purchasing critical technology from American businesses.

I am glad this decision has finally arrived because I have long sounded the alarm on the economic and national security threats posed by YMTC and other CCP-backed technology companies, like CXMT and SMIC. YMTC poses an immediate threat to our national security so the Biden administration needed to act swiftly to prevent YMTC from gaining even an inch of military or economic advantage. I am glad that they are heeding our calls as well as calls from other Members on both sides of the aisle.

Of course, YMTC is a well-known chip supplier for Huawei, one of the biggest companies that pose a risk to U.S. security interests. Any supplier of Huawei is no friend of the United States because the risks are too great and the entanglements of these companies with CCP and Chinese military are too treacherous. This is a necessary and prudent step by the administration.

The administration's announcement also comes on the heels of my amendment with Senator Cornyn to the National Defense Act that would remove YMTC as well as SMIC and CXMT from our Federal supply chains entirely. It is a one-two punch: The administration blacklists these companies from doing business, and here in Congress we will shut them out even further from U.S. supply chains. Of course, this is about more than just a single group of businesses stretching their tentacles into our country. It is about holding firm against a CCP that has become more emboldened and oppressive over the recent years.

The 21st century will be largely shaped by our two giant economies. For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has cheated their way to the top by piggybacking off American technologies and American IP, with huge implications for our security and for our edge in AI, cyber security, telecom, and other major technologies. Whoever masters the technologies of tomorrow will be able to reshape the world in their image this century. And if the CCP gets there first, it will spell dark times for democracy, for freedom, and for American prosperity and American jobs.

Today's decision by the administration will provide one more firewall we

all need to keep the CCP's authoritarian designs in check. I applaud the administration for taking this important step.

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

Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany H.R. 1437.

Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays on the motion to concur.

Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment with an amendment No. 6534, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that further reading be dispensed with.

I ask for the yeas and nays on the motion to concur with an amendment.

I have an amendment at the desk to amendment No. 6534, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that further reading be dispensed with.

Mr. President, I move to refer the House message to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment No. 6536.

I ask unanimous consent that further reading be waived.

I ask for the yeas and nays on the motion.

I have an amendment to the instructions, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that further reading be waived.

I ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment.

I have an amendment to amendment No. 6537, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be waived.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of the message to accompany H.R. 7776; that notwithstanding rule XXII, it be in order to make motions to concur with the following amendments: Sullivan, 6522; Johnson-Cruz, 6526; that if Senator Sullivan makes the motion to concur with amendment, there be up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of the time, the Sullivan motion and motion to refer be withdrawn; the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with Manchin amendment 6513; that upon

disposition of the motion to concur with the Manchin amendment, the Senate vote on the motion to concur with the Johnson amendment; further, that if none of the motions to concur with amendment are agreed to, the Senate immediately vote on the motion to concur; that there be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between the votes; and that with respect to the Johnson motion and the motion to concur be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold for adoption; finally, that if the motion to concur is agreed to, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 121, which is at the desk; that the concurrent resolution be considered and agreed to, all without further intervening action or debate.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that upon the disposition of H. Con. Res. 121, the Senate resume consideration of the message with respect to H.R. 1437; that it be in order to make motions to concur with the following amendments: Scott of Florida amendment No. 6540; Lee amendment No. 6541, as modified with the changes at the desk; that there be 2 minutes for debate between each vote, equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and the Senate vote in relation to the Scott and Lee motions; that if neither of the motions to concur with amendment are agreed to, the Schumer motion to refer and motion to concur with amendment be withdrawn and the Senate immediately vote on the motion to concur; that the Scott motion and motion to concur votes be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold for adoption; finally, that if the motion to concur is agreed to, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 123, which is at the desk; that the concurrent resolution be considered and agreed to, all without further intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, two quick points. First, I know that our great Senator from Rhode Island who handled this bill so well will speak, but I do want to wish my congratulations to Senator Inhofe, who has been in this body for such a long time and led the Armed Services Committee in both the majority and minority with such fervor and concern for our soldiers and troops. So thank you.

OK. Now, in an effort to move along this evening, I would ask Members to please remain on or near the floor during votes tonight.

I ask unanimous consent that the remaining votes this evening be 10- minute votes.

Mr. President, we haven't had a single government shutdown during the entire 117th Congress, and thanks to this weeklong extension today, we are not starting now.

Today's 1-week continuing resolution will keep the government open long enough to give our appropriators a chance to finish their work on a yearlong funding package.

This is about taking a very simple, exceedingly responsible step to ensure we finish the year without hiccups and without minimal drama. A 1-week CR will give us more time so we can keep working.

I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their great cooperation.

Next week, hopefully, we will finish the job, passing a package that will keep the government fully funded into next fall. Nobody is going to get everything they want, but the final product will include wins everyone can get behind, including passing the Electoral Count Act, emergency aid for Ukraine, and funding for our kids, our veterans, our small businesses, and our military families.

No drama, no gridlock, no government shutdown this week, it is a win for the American people. I thank my colleagues for their work.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Vote on Motion to Concur

Mr. President, first, I understand that there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading.

In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceedings.

Mr. President, last night, Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Shelby, and Chairman DeLauro announced that the appropriators have agreed to a framework for an omnibus agreement that will fully fund the Federal Government in fiscal year 2023. This is welcome and important news. Congress now has a roadmap for funding the government before the conclusion of the 117th Congress--something the large majority of us want to see. We still have a long way to go, but a framework is a big step in the right direction.

A yearlong omnibus is by far the best option we have for making sure our kids, our senior citizens, our veterans, our small businesses, our military members, our defense, and all of the families who benefit from this don't

see vital government services lapse or shrink. It means we can fully implement the investments secured. We fought so hard for the PACT Act; we have to fund it. We fought so hard for the CHIPS and Science Act; we have to fund it. A CR will not fund these bills, but an omnibus agreement will. And they were all bipartisan, with large support from both sides of the aisle.

An omnibus bill is also a balanced approach because it will contain wins that both sides want to see, like the Electoral Count Act and funding for our friends in Ukraine. If we can come to an agreement on an omnibus, I am optimistic that these bills, which are so important to Democrats and Republicans alike--the ECA and funding for Ukraine--can become law.

But before we pass a funding bill, we also must ensure the government doesn't first shut down, so we are going to have to pass a 1-week continuing resolution ASAP. The House is set to act on a 1-week CR as soon as tonight, and when that bill comes to the Senate, we should be ready to act quickly, as soon as tomorrow if we can.

The appropriations process, of course, is not over. So the responsible and prudent thing to do right now is to pass a 1-week CR quickly, without the unwelcome brouhaha that has provoked shutdowns in the past.

And, remember, as we go through this appropriations process, the experiences of the last decades show that those who risk shutdowns in order to make political points always lose in the end.

Nancy Pelosi

Mr. President, now, on Speaker Pelosi, later this afternoon, I will have the honor--the bittersweet honor--of joining with congressional leaders, past and present, to unveil the official portrait of my dear friend and a great leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Every year, millions come to the Capitol to learn about our democracy and to put a face to the names of history. They walk these halls and see the portraits of Speakers from ages past--Sam Rayburn, Tip O'Neill, and so many others. But after today--after today--the faces of those male leaders will forever be joined by Madam Speaker.

So today is a happy day to celebrate an amazing public servant who had an amazing career. But it is also a chance to say thank you to a dear friend and a beloved colleague.

Leader to leader, I will always admire Speaker Pelosi for an important quality that has set her apart: She always keeps her caucus united behind a common goal. She keeps repeating over and over again, and has for 20 years: Our unity is our strength. That is what she always has said. I have and will continue to repeat the same to my caucus.

I yield the floor.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

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

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

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, December 14, be waived.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider calendar No. 861, Musetta Tia Johnson, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for a term of fifteen years to expire on the date prescribed by law; that there be 10 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form on the nomination; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record, and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 3846.

The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives:

Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 3846) entitled

``An Act to reauthorize the Justice and Mental Health

Collaboration Program, and for other purposes'', do pass with

an amendment.

Motion to Concur

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5943.

Mr. 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.