Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to confirm several highly qualified nominees to serve on the local District of Columbia courts--the DC Superior Court, which functions as the State-level trial court, and the DC Court of Appeals, which serves as the State-level appellate court right here in our Nation's Capital.

Both courts are currently suffering from a vacancy crisis. There are 16 of the 62 DC Superior Court seats that are currently empty, and 3 of the 9 seats on the DC Court of Appeals are also vacant, slowing justice and impeding public safety for all District residents.

Last year, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs reported seven nominees to serve on the DC courts by a bipartisan voice vote. These include five nominees to serve on the DC Superior Court--Rupa Ranga Puttagunta, Kenia Seoane Lopez, Sean Staples, Ebony Scott, and Donald Tunnage--and two nominees to serve on the DC Court of Appeals--John Howard III and Loren AliKhan.

Judge Puttagunta currently serves as an administrative judge for the DC Rental Housing Commission. She began her legal career as a law clerk in the DC Superior Court and the DC Court of Appeals and practiced for several years in the District of Columbia, focusing on family and criminal law. I am certainly pleased that my colleagues confirmed her earlier today.

Judge Seoane Lopez currently serves as a magistrate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a position that she has held for 9 years. She previously served as a bilingual attorney negotiator in the court's domestic violence division and as an assistant attorney general for the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia.

Judge Staples also currently serves as a magistrate judge for the District of Columbia Superior Court, a position he was appointed to in 2013. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk on the superior court and then worked as a solo practitioner and an assistant public defender. He went on to work as a clinical professor for several years, supervising law students representing criminal defendants in DC Superior Court.

Judge Scott has served as a magistrate judge on DC Superior Court since 2020. She previously served as a deputy director in the DC Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel as general counsel for the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights and the assistant attorney general for the DC Office of the Attorney General's housing and community justice section.

Mr. Tunnage has served as a criminal trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice since 2009 and previously served as an assistant public defender in Miami, FL.

Loren AliKhan has served as the solicitor general for the District of Columbia since 2018. She previously served as deputy solicitor general and spent time in the U.S. Department of Justice and in the appellate practice division of a DC law firm.

John Howard III currently serves as an administrative law judge with the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings. He previously worked in private practice and served as an administrative law judge with the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights.

All of these nominees are experienced lawyers and adjudicators, and all of them are dedicated to serving the people of the District of Columbia.

These are not controversial nominations. Unlike Federal judicial nominees, these individuals are extensively vetted by an independent, seven-member local commission, which recommends candidates for the President to nominate.

During the last administration, the Senate confirmed 10 local DC judicial nominees, all by voice vote.

I urge my colleagues to join me in confirming these nominees, each of whom has broad and strong bipartisan support.

Thank you.

Mr. President, I have 10 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 allowing committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. President, just 14 months ago, our Nation stood on the brink of a constitutional crisis as the former President and his followers attempted to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power and overturn the results of a free and fair election.

Instead of accepting the will of the voters in upholding the foundations of our constitutional Republic, President Trump and his followers engaged in a campaign of blatant disinformation and political interference. They attempted to coerce State and local election officials to make false claims of widespread fraud and then use those claims to not certify election results and reject the will of the people--all to ensure that the former President could stay in power at any cost.

My home State of Michigan was at the very center of this battle in 2020 when our State Board of Canvassers met to certify the undeniable fact that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had won the State of Michigan and its 16 electoral votes, but we came dangerously close to the kind of anti-democratic and authoritarian behavior that the United States has long decried in other nations.

It basically came down to one vote--just one vote--from one Republican member of the Board of Canvassers--one canvasser who dared to withstand the intense political pressure for him to ignore the will of the people and to not certify those election results, one canvasser who chose to ignore blatant lies and disinformation. His one vote was all that stood between a secure, free, and fair election and a constitutional crisis. This one Republican board member knew his decision to follow the law would cost him the position on that board. He knew that his physical safety would be threatened, and it was. Yet he stood his ground. He fulfilled his constitutional duty and followed the will of the people of the State of Michigan by voting to certify those results.

So what was his reward for his courageous vote? Well, the Republicans removed him from the board, sending a very clear message and a threat to all of those who will follow him.

Despite failing to coerce enough officials to ignore the law and falsify election results and despite losing one bogus challenge after another in the Federal courts, we all know that the former President didn't stop his efforts there--no. Instead, he rallied his supporters and incited them to attack the U.S. Capitol Building--the very citadel of our democracy--to disrupt Congress as we conducted the ceremonial certification of the results. But thanks to the brave actions of law enforcement officers, the National Guard, and so many others, our democracy withstood these unprecedented attacks on our constitutional Republic.

This attack shook the very foundation of our democracy. It exposed cracks that show that it is more fragile than we ever thought was possible.

Despite all of this, I believe that we need to celebrate the fact that the 2020 Presidential election was secure, according to the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. We should celebrate that we had record turnout even in a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. We should commend the election workers who made this incredible feat possible. Instead, too many people, including too many of my Republican colleagues, have continued to sow doubt in the integrity of our election process, and these actions threaten the very bedrock of our democracy.

Instead of condemning falsehoods and violence, there is a concerted effort underway in Michigan and all across our country to rewrite history, remove election officials, and rewrite State laws to limit voter participation.

One of the bills that were introduced in the Michigan Legislature would lock up--would lock up--absentee drop boxes before election day. One Republican city clerk called this idea crazy and said it makes no sense whatsoever. I agree. Another bill would restrict the ability of State election officials to send out absentee ballot applications to voters. In fact, Michigan Republicans filed 39 bills in the State legislature to restrict voting rights.

Nothing less than the very future of our democracy is at stake, and we must act or risk losing what so many Americans have fought for and have died for for nearly 250 years. The right to vote, the right to self-governance, the right of the American people to choose and fire public officials is our Nation's fundamental freedom. We can protect that right and ensure every American has equal access to the ballot box, and we can do it by simply passing two bills that are before us.

The Freedom to Vote Act will protect the rights of voters by facilitating registration, early voting, and vote-by-mail. It will set a standard to ensure that every citizen in every State has guaranteed rights. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act takes additional steps to address the practices that have historically been used to discriminate against voters simply based on their race.

Despite some of the Republican arguments that I have already heard today, the Constitution is very clear. We have heard that from article I of the Constitution, and many times, Congress has continued to strengthen the voting rights of individuals.

The 15th Amendment clearly states that the right of citizens cannot be abridged by a State and clearly states that ``Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' That is just what Congress has done in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Help America Vote Act, and the National Voter Registration Act. Congress has done this in the past. We need to do it again.

The American people overwhelmingly support these commonsense measures, and they deserve to know where we stand. For that reason, after every Senator has had a chance to speak, the debate must come to an end, and we must have an up-or-down vote on these bills.

I believe history will not be kind to the colleagues of mine who stand in the way of democracy.

Make no mistake about it, we are at a pivotal moment in our Nation's history. Our democratic Republic and our most treasured values are in danger. If we fail to act, we may lose it.

I proudly stand on the side of democracy, and I urge my colleagues to stand with me in passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I thank Senator Klobuchar.

One year ago today, a shocking, violent, and unthinkable attack on the U.S. Capitol shook the very foundations of our democracy. I was here, in this Chamber, as we were conducting the ceremonial certification of our election, and I just remember so vividly as the proceedings were so abruptly paused and the Vice President was hurried off of the podium by the Secret Service and the confusion as we evacuated this Chamber.

And, in that moment, none of us were aware of the brutal altercations that were unfolding all around us as our heroic law enforcement officers and first responders fended off the violent mob of insurrectionists.

The images from that day are absolutely horrifying. They are images that I and this country will hopefully never forget. We are forever indebted to the brave U.S. Capitol Police officers, the DC Metropolitan Police, the National Guard, and others whose valiant efforts defended a democracy that day and thwarted an attempted insurrection.

Not only did this attack leave frontline officers with serious physical injuries, but it also took the lives of several. The attack has taken an unimaginable mental and emotional toll on first responders, the Capitol Hill community, and Americans all across our Nation who witnessed this assault on the heart of our democracy with their own eyes, either here in person or watching it on television.

Sadly, as we mark this solemn anniversary, the threat that we all watched become a violent act 1 year ago has only continued to grow. In my role as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Rules Committee Chairwoman Klobuchar, we were proud to lead the first bipartisan oversight hearings--investigation-- and report on the immediate changes needed to secure the Capitol and to prevent a future attack.

Since that report was released last June, nearly 16 of the 20 recommendations that we made have been implemented or are well underway. The Capitol is secure, and we are much better prepared for a future attack.

But let us be very clear: We must do more to tackle the threat of domestic and violent extremism, especially as more and more people embrace conspiracy theories and outright lies and report that they believe that violence can be justified to get their desired political outcomes. Once relegated to the fringes of our society, these kinds of views are now creeping further into the mainstream, and that presents a grave threat to the future of our democracy.

There is no easy one solution to address this matter, but there are actions that we can take to protect our democracy and strengthen it for generations to come. Most significantly, our Nation's political leaders, no matter their political affiliation, must condemn the violence that occurred on these grounds 1 year ago and speak out against the lies and conspiracies about the 2020 election that have compelled further threats and acts of violence.

We must also address how this disinformation and other extremist content spreads online, reaches new audiences, and drives too many people down a rabbit hole of radicalization. We have seen all too clearly how the spread of such extreme content online can swiftly become real-world violence. More actions must be taken to limit the amplification of disinformation and extreme content online and to prevent extremist views from reaching that tipping point into violent acts.

And our counterterrorism agencies must ensure that they are effectively focusing on the threat at hand by ensuring that they have sufficient personnel and resources devoted to domestic terrorism and domestic violent extremism.

And finally, today and every day, all Americans must remain committed to

protecting our democracy. We cannot take our democracy for granted. It is built on the promise that every American is committed to the same core values of free and fair elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and an accountable government for all of the people.

If we lose this shared commitment to continue upholding our most cherished principles, we risk losing the very freedoms and the rights that have made our Nation a beacon of light for the entire world.

Every Member of this body--every American--has a vital role in strengthening our democracy. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle and at every level of government should make clear that the lies and violent action that took place on January 6 have no place in our country and commit themselves to restoring faith in our democratic institutions by ensuring that everyone can make their voices heard in our democracy through the ballot box.

One year ago, we saw our democracy endure against a violent attempted insurrection, but we must be very clear-eyed moving forward. We cannot let efforts to weaken and erode confidence in the future of our democracy continue.

Let's come together and take the very real challenges our Nation faces head-on. In times of adversity, our country persevered because we came together as one. We must channel that spirit and strive to create a more perfect Union today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Mr. President, I had the privilege to deliver the commencement address for Michigan State University fall graduates. Speaking with and recognizing the next generation of leaders in Michigan and the country was an incredible honor. While I was unable to attend today's vote No. 506 on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 528 Atul Atmaram Gawande, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Had I been able to attend, I would have voted aye on the motion to invoke cloture.

Mr. President, I had the privilege to deliver the commencement address for Michigan State University fall graduates. Speaking with and recognizing the next generation of leaders in Michigan and the country was an incredible honor. While I was unable to attend today's vote No. 507 on confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 528, Atul Atmaram Gawande, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Had I been able to attend, I would have voted aye on confirmation.

Mr. President, I had the privilege to deliver the commencement address for Michigan State University fall graduates. Speaking with and recognizing the next generation of leaders in Michigan and our country was an incredible honor. While I was unable to attend today's vote No. 508 on motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 577 Linda Lopez, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Had I been able to attend, I would have voted aye on the motion to invoke cloture.

Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to confirm several highly qualified nominees who are waiting to get to work in critical roles across the government.

Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 404, Rupa Ranga Puttagunta, of the District of Columbia, to be Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years; that the nomination be confirmed; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order on the nomination; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Executive Calendar No. 406, Kenia Seoane Lopez, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Executive Calendar No. 410, Sean C. Staples, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Executive Calendar No. 556, Ebony M. Scott, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Executive Calendar No. 557, Donald Walker Tunnage, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for a term of fifteen years.

Mr. President.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Executive Calendar No. 511, Susan Grundmann, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2025.

Mr. President.

Mr. President, it is my understanding that the next two nominees that I will bring forward have been cleared, and I would certainly urge my colleagues to support their confirmation.

The first is Michael Kubayanda, nominated to serve a second term on the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Mr. Kubayanda joined the Commission in January of 2019 after he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate during the last administration. Earlier this month, his nomination was reported from committee by a bipartisan vote.

I will say that he brings insight and expertise from decades of experience in both government and the private sector. During his tenure as Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Kubayanda has demonstrated his commitment to working in a bipartisan manner to make the Postal Service more effective and accountable.

I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting his nomination.

Next, Mr. President, I would ask my colleagues to join me in confirming Erik Hooks to be Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

The Deputy Administrator helps lead FEMA's work preparing for and responding to disasters, ranging from hurricanes to historic flooding and wildfires, to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Hooks has more than 30 years of public safety experience, including serving as secretary of public safety and homeland security advisor for the State of North Carolina, where his responsibilities included overseeing the State's emergency management agency.

I would urge my colleagues to join me in swiftly confirming Mr. Hooks to this important role as well.

So, Mr. President, I would ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar No. 558 and Calendar No. 555; 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 with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the city of Royal Oak, MI. Situated in Oakland County, Royal Oak is a city endowed with natural beauty and rich traditions, built on a strong agricultural base and populated with dedicated citizens and entrepreneurs.

The vibrant history of Royal Oak began in 1819, when it was explored by Michigan Governor Lewis Cass as part of his survey of the land that now comprises Oakland County. In contrast to the surrounding marshes, Royal Oak sat on lush, high ground. Near the intersection of the modern Crooks and Rochester Roads, Cass and his companions found an imposing oak tree that brought to mind the tale of England's King Charles II, who was said to have taken refuge under a grand oak tree from enemy forces. For this reason, Cass and his fellow explorers christened the tree the ``Royal Oak,'' and the city received its name.

Early settlers in the area were principally farmers focused on clearing the land in order to build homes and plant crops. The introduction of the railroad into Metro Detroit and Michigan's Bay area soon brought with it an increase

in Royal Oak's manufacturing ventures, including logging, milling, textile production, and more. The economic growth of the area soon began attracting settlers from across the country, including the city's first manufacturer, Orson Starr, who became known for his production of cowbells. The boom in Michigan's automotive manufacturing in the early twentieth century continued to bolster Royal's Oak's economic and population growth, and by 1921, the city claimed over 6,000 residents and voted to be officially incorporated as a city.

Today, Royal Oak is a diverse and vibrant city of over 57,000 residents who enjoy its beautiful parks, historic downtown, and thriving neighborhoods. Located in the Detroit metropolitan area, Royal Oak is home to a number of well-known local attractions, including the Detroit Zoo, the Royal Oak Music Theatre, and the historic Royal Oak Farmer's Market which has been in operation since 1927. The variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment offered by downtown Royal Oak attracts both local residents and visitors from across the State of Michigan alike. With its rich history, spirited downtown, and natural beauty, Royal Oak is recognized as one of the top places to live in the State of Michigan.

The City of Royal Oak has been an integral part of the State of Michigan and our great Nation for over 100 years. As a Michigander and a resident of southeast Michigan, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this significant milestone for the city, as well as its residents, elected officials, and businesses. I wish the city continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

Madam President, there are no words that can capture the terror and the tragedy of the horrific events that unfolded at Oxford High School on Tuesday afternoon.

In a matter of minutes, a routine school day was twisted into scenes of chaos, shattering the safe environment that Oxford High students and teachers and families trusted in. This shocking event will change their lives forever. Our heart breaks for every Michigander in America who continues to be affected by this tragedy and so many others like it.

It was a scene that has become all too familiar in America. A gunman opened fire inside a public school, taking four young lives and wounding seven other people. Four students went to school that morning with bright, exciting futures ahead. They never made it home.

Hana St. Juliana, the youngest victim, was only 14 years old. A freshman who was a promising athlete on the volleyball and basketball teams, her teammates remember her as having a kind heart, a silly personality, and an absolute passion for sports. Her father remembers her as the happiest kid, who had a full life ahead of her before it was tragically cut short.

Madisyn Baldwin, a 17-year-old senior and the oldest of three siblings, was preparing to graduate this spring. An aspiring artist and talented student, she recently celebrated acceptances to several colleges, including some under a full-ride scholarship. She will always be remembered by her family and friends as a kind, smart, and loving girl.

Tate Myre was 16 years old, No. 42 on the football team. Tate was a star student athlete and was recently honored with an all-region award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. He had already started college recruitment visits and was looking forward to many more until the unthinkable happened. His friends, his family, and his fellow students remember him as someone who always put his full heart into everything that he did.

And Justin Shilling, a 17-year-old senior, was cocaptain of the school's bowling team. His coworkers called him an exemplary employee, a devoted friend and coworker, and simply an absolute pleasure to be with.

As we mourn Hana, Madisyn, Tate, and Justin, we must also remember the victims who were injured during this attack. At this very moment, dedicated doctors and nurses are working around the clock to ensure that the wounded can swiftly recover. We are all thinking of them and wishing them well, along with those who were wounded, treated, and have now been discharged from the hospital.

As a parent, I just simply cannot imagine the grief and anguish that these families are forced to endure and the unimaginable pain that these parents are feeling in knowing that they can never--never ever-- hold their loving child again.

I am grateful for the brave first responders who quickly responded to this harrowing scene. Thanks to their swift and brave actions, the suspect was apprehended within minutes, preventing even more unspeakable carnage from unfolding. There is no question that the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement officials, and emergency medical technicians saved lives on Tuesday. We cannot thank enough these brave men and women for all that they do each and every day to keep our communities safe.

For the students and the educators who lived through this horrific act, I can only imagine the trauma and the fear that they will spend the rest of their lives with.

Children who should have been focused on their math homework or on their reading assignments spent terrifying moments fighting to survive and keeping one another safe. Reportedly, as bullets pierced classroom doors, students grabbed scissors and calculators, anything they thought they could use, to defend themselves.

Parents--many of whom received text messages from their children saying there was a shooting and that they loved them--frantically searched for their children in a parking lot in the aftermath, praying that they would be reunited.

The panic, the fear, and the helplessness of being trapped in this nightmare scenario is something that no child, no teacher, and no parent should ever, ever have to face. Now these survivors need our support as they work to process and heal from the shocking and horrific ordeal.

To the Oxford High School community, please know there are millions of Americans who are lifting you up and who share in your sorrow.

In the days and weeks ahead, we may learn more about the heroic actions

that students and teachers and first responders took to stop this tragedy from being even worse, but the most heartbreaking fact is that this should have never ever happened in the first place. A school should be a safe place.

I was struck by the words of so many students who said that they had been training for a day like this since elementary school. These students and their teachers had participated in active shooter drills. They knew to lock and barricade doors, to hide, to stay silent, and to run. They had heard about other school shootings wherein the assailants had tried to trick or lure students into their sights, and they stood strong until they knew they would be safe.

While I am so grateful that these lessons, undoubtedly, saved many, many lives this week, I am also heartbroken that our children and our educators have to bear this burden.

There is no easy answer, but it is clear that we must take action. Far too many communities have been devastated by these attacks, and we cannot wait for yet another community to suffer without having tough conversations on what actions Congress should take. The unsettling reality is that our children's lives are at risk when they enter a classroom, and that is something that we simply cannot tolerate.

I know the Members of this body have different policy views, but surely we can agree that a school should be a safe place. Surely we can agree to listen to the students in every single one of our States who say that they live in fear that they could be killed at their desks, and we could agree to have a serious discussion of what needs to change.

There is no single solution that would have prevented this tragedy, like so many others, but let's have a serious discussion about what needs to change to ensure that warnings reach the right officials and that those officials know what actions to take.

Let's have a serious discussion about gun safety issues, background checks, reasonable limits on high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes that allow dangerous weapons to get into the wrong hands.

And let's have a serious discussion about what our schools, our teachers, and our students need to stay safe. Whether it is more access to counselors, strong threat assessments, or more resources, we have to find common ground that will keep our schools safe. We cannot stand by when we know that it is only a matter of time before the next school, the next community, is shattered.

For Hana, for Tate, for Justin, for Madisyn, for the students, teachers, and families of Oxford High School, and for every student, teacher, and family in the United States, we must act. The time is now.

I yield the floor.

Reserving the right to object.

Mr. President, in an ideal world we would not need a vaccine mandate. In the ideal world the vast majority of people who can get vaccinated would heed the advice of scientists and of public health officials and take the very simple step to get vaccinated so that we can get this pandemic under control.

But, unfortunately, our reality is very different. We have been working to contain this virus and manage this unprecedented health crisis for nearly 2 years now. It has cost us more than 765,000 American lives, and millions of other Americans have been infected and may face lifelong health challenges as a result.

It doesn't have to be this way. We have safe, effective, and lifesaving vaccines that are now, thankfully, available to a significant number of Americans.

Vaccines are our best tool to finally get this pandemic under control, and requiring the folks who are able to get vaccinated is just simply common sense. We are all tired of this pandemic, and we all want it to end. We are tired of wearing masks because some folks refuse to get vaccinated. We are tired of wondering if we could unknowingly be exposing our vulnerable family members who are taking every precaution. We are tired of waiting for enough people to get vaccinated so that our schools and our businesses and our daily lives can just get back to normal.

And we are tired of emergency rooms and healthcare workers getting overrun by COVID cases from people who are not vaccinated, when we already have the best tool to prevent the spread in the first place. Our frontline healthcare workers are being crushed by the consistently high number of cases, and public health experts are predicting that yet another spike will likely hit this winter unless people get vaccinated.

In my home State of Michigan, the number of unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID is once again climbing. A headline from today noted that Michigan has just reached a new pandemic record with the highest COVID case average in the Nation and that deaths across the State continue to rise. Emergency rooms are packed, and in some areas patients are forced to wait for hours or for days to be admitted.

There is one key factor that is driving this horrific scenario: 88 percent of the cases, 88 percent of the hospitalizations, and 88 percent of the tragic deaths were all people who were unvaccinated.

We can put an end to this nightmare by getting more Americans vaccinated.

You know, we require so many preventive measures to keep ourselves and others safe. We wear seatbelts in our cars. We require hardhats on construction sites. We get vaccinated to protect ourselves against a whole number of health risks. And we do it because we know it saves lives and it keeps people healthy.

The answer is simple: Get vaccinated.

Mr. President, I object.

Objection.

Mr. President, I reserve the right to object.

This bill would be a step backwards in our country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across this country, we have seen over 45 million cases of COVID-19 and almost 750,000 deaths. Communities--and particularly communities of color--have been hit hard by this virus.

But, luckily, we have a safe and effective way to help prevent the spread of the virus: vaccines.

So far, almost 60 percent of U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. However, the virus continues to spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified over 70 percent of our counties are having high transmission rates. Conversely, less than 2 percent are classified as low transmission. In order for us to beat this virus, we need to reach higher levels of vaccine rates and put a stop to community spread.

This bill would bar executive agencies from being able to mandate that individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine or even mandate that an individual agree to undergo periodic testing for COVID-19 in lieu of a vaccine.

The science is clear: Vaccines are safe, they are effective, and they save lives.

Rather than wasting time on partisan bills that make our country less safe, we should be finding ways to ensure an equitable recovery for all of our communities and preparing for the next public health emergency.

I object.

Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Robert L. Santos to be the Director of the Census Bureau.

Mr. Santos is uniquely qualified to lead the Census Bureau as it carries out its important work serving as the leading source of quality data about the Nation's people and economy. He brings over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors as a manager and expert in the field of survey design and statistical research.

Throughout his career, Mr. Santos has interacted closely with the Census Bureau as a researcher, a stakeholder, and an expert adviser, serving on the Census Advisory Committee and National Academies panels on Federal statistics. He has a deep understanding of the Census Bureau, its data, and its stakeholders.

Throughout the nomination process, Mr. Santos has demonstrated a firm commitment to upholding the Bureau's mission of producing the essential high-quality data that our communities, our businesses, and people all across our Nation rely on.

As the Census Bureau completes the 2020 census, plans for the 2030 census, and administers the Bureau's crucial demographic surveys, it is absolutely critical for the Agency to have a qualified Senate-confirmed leader at the helm.

I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the confirmation of

Robert Santos as Census Bureau Director.

Vote on Santos Nomination

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Is there a sufficient second?

There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time on the Harris, Coleman, Prieto, and Nayak nominations be considered expired; further, that at 11 a.m., tomorrow, Wednesday, November 3, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Harris and Coleman nominations, and, at 5:15 p.m., on confirmation of the Prieto and Nayak nominations, all in the order listed; and, finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 501, Maj. Gen. John D. Caine, to be Lieutenant General, and that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all without intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.