Floor Statements

Madam President, on another tragic note, we learned today of the passing of Fred Hiatt, the Washington Post's long-time editorial page editor. He was a titan at the paper--and in journalism--for years. My heart goes out to his family and colleagues on their terrible and sudden loss.

Now, Madam President, on a different matter, as we begin the first full week of December, there is much that the Senate must attend to before we reach the end of the year.

First, Senate Democrats remain committed to taking up and passing President Biden's Build Back Better Act before Christmas. As I outlined in a letter to my caucus this morning, Senate Democrats have been working furiously to clear the necessary steps to achieve this goal. As we all know, the reconciliation process is not an easy one.

The reason this timeline is so important is that this legislation is about lowering costs for American families. As we enter the winter months, American families deserve a little extra help in affording things like childcare and pre-K. They need help in lowering costs on things like prescription drugs and making healthcare more affordable, and families need to know that critical programs like the child tax credit will continue uninterrupted. This program has already done immense good for millions upon millions of families. Build Back Better will make sure these benefits stay in place.

For these reasons, we are going to continue the process until Build Back Better is signed into law. This is arduous work. It takes time, precision, and a lot of pieces moving together. It has taken months of communication, negotiation, and countless late nights and weekend workdays to bring us to this point.

I want to thank my colleagues, their staff, and the Parliamentarian for dedicating the full measure of their attention and talent toward this endeavor. We are close, and we will keep going until the job is done.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote starts after the remarks that Senator Cantwell is giving and Senator Markey.

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 585.

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 Executive Calendar No. 482.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the cloture motions filed today, December 6, be waived.

Finally, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now resume consideration of the Rosenworcel nomination, as provided under the previous order.

Mr. 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 1 request 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:

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 468, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 469, submitted earlier today.

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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 470, submitted earlier today.

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 with no intervening action or debate.