Floor Statements

Mr. President, on another matter, while these discussions continue, the Senate will also be taking up other important work.

Yesterday, the senior Senator from Florida introduced a package of four bills that pertain to U.S. policy in the Middle East. I am a proud cosponsor of

this legislation, along with the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to be, Senator Risch, and Senator Gardner. It speaks directly to some critical American interests in that part of the world--our security cooperation with key partners, Israel and Jordan, and the ongoing humanitarian and security catastrophe of the Syrian civil war.

First, this legislation recognizes the growing threat Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups pose to the State of Israel, and it aims to strengthen key elements of our relationship with our closest partner in the Middle East.

It affirms that the United States needs to ``walk the walk,'' and it authorizes military assistance, cooperative missile defense, as well as loan guarantees.

It encourages closer U.S.-Israel technological cooperation to better address 21st century threats, and it clearly states that it is official U.S. policy to help Israel preserve its qualitative military edge over those who might wish it harm.

The legislation also recognizes the security, economic, and humanitarian challenges the ongoing conflict in Syria poses to the people and Government of Jordan, and it reauthorizes important legislation aimed at deepening our defense cooperation with this important regional partner.

In addition, the bill contains a bipartisan provision from Senators Rubio and Manchin to combat the BDS movement, an aggressive and hostile attempt to delegitimize and economically boycott the State of Israel.

This legislation gives State and local governments across America more flexibility to limit their own business relationships with entities that support this horrible effort to hurt our ally. In effect, this provision allows jurisdictions to boycott the boycotters--let me say that again: ``to boycott the boycotters''--and make sure they don't send taxpayer dollars to companies that embrace this anti-Israel posture.

Now, with respect to the ongoing conflict in Syria, there are, certainly, differing views about the role of the U.S. military with respect to threats emanating from Syria. There is no question that we continue to face serious challenges from al-Qaida and ISIS in Syria, as well as from Iran, Russia, and the Assad regime itself, and I anticipate this body will debate U.S. military strategy toward Syria in the coming weeks, as it conducts oversight over the administration's, apparently, ongoing review of its Syria policies.

Admittedly, there are no easy solutions in Syria. I hope the administration and Congress will be deliberate and sober as we consider the risks of various approaches to the endgame of the fight against the physical caliphate of ISIS. After all, American lives, critical national security interests, and the future of a turbulent yet critical region are all at stake. The debate is forthcoming. I imagine it could be contentious.

There should be little debate, however, about the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and the endorsement of the administration.

This bill, which is included in this package, speaks to the human tragedy of the Syrian civil war. It provides nonmilitary tools for responding to the atrocities conducted by the regime of Bashar al- Assad. It will hold accountable those responsible for the torture and murder of countless Syrian civilians and provide more leverage for diplomats to end the conflict through peaceful negotiations that are consistent with the demands of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254.

Unless the Syrian regime changes course, ends its brutality against the Syrian people, and negotiates a peaceful end to the civil war, the butchers of Damascus will find their key financial institutions and industries sanctioned by the United States.

This bill will not bring back the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have been murdered or tortured by the regime, but it will be another arrow in the quiver of diplomats who are seeking to end this awful war and stabilize a region of critical importance to the United States and its allies. So I am proud to cosponsor the package of legislation that Senator Rubio introduced yesterday.

I am clearing the way for the bill, S. 1, to be debated and voted on here on the Senate floor as early as next week, and I look forward to voting to pass this important bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to move to proceed to S. 1 during today's session of the Senate.

I move to proceed to S. 1.

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

I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived.

Mr. President, I understand that there are three bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading.

Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading, and I object to my own request, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m., Tuesday, January 8; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1; finally, that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the cloture motion filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Schumer.

Mr. President, I would like to wish my colleagues happy new year. It is a time for new beginnings. Tomorrow, we will kick off the 116th Congress.

Of course, there is urgent business that the new House and the new Senate will need to tackle immediately. Democrats will finally have to get serious about border security so a government funding agreement can be reached that can pass the House, earn 60 votes in the Senate, and get a Presidential signature. All three of those things are needed to make a law. One partisan vote in the House tomorrow is not going to solve anything.

I made it clear to the Speaker that we are not interested in having show votes in the Senate. We are interested in bringing up something the House has passed, 60 Senators will support, and the President will sign; in other words, make a law.

The legislation House Democrats are reportedly planning to introduce and have voted on tomorrow will not be a serious contribution to the negotiations that are going on between the administration and the incoming Democratic majority in the House. It isn't comprehensive. It ignores the needs of border security. It is exactly the kind of proposal you would expect if the incoming House Democrats were choosing to stage a political sideshow rather than doing the hard work of helping to govern the country; in other words, it is a total nonstarter.

Will these new Democrats come to Washington ready to roll up their sleeves, work together, and make laws or are they going to waste time on partisan show votes that will do nothing to move the country in a forward direction? That is the question, political performance art or responsible governance?

We will get an early signal in the next few days, but let me make it perfectly clear one more time, as I have

said consistently for the last 2 weeks: The Senate will not waste its time considering a Democratic bill which cannot pass this Chamber and which the President will not sign.

Nominations

Mr. President, on another matter, I am pleased to announce this evening that the Democratic leader and I have reached an agreement to confirm a number of the administration's nominees. In a few moments, I will be asking unanimous consent to confirm a series of several well- qualified individuals to serve in important executive branch posts. Each of them will be confirmed. I am glad the President will have more of his rightful team in place, and I am glad this group of newly confirmed nominees will be able to get to work on important business for the American people.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following treaty on today's Executive Calendar No. 7. I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be considered as having passed through its various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification; that any committee conditions, declarations, or reservations be agreed to as applicable; that any statements be printed in the Congressional Record as if read; further, that when the resolution of ratification is voted upon, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

I ask for a division vote on the resolution of ratification.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the consideration of PN1999; 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; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations:

PN2210, PN2270, PN1963, PN2213, PN2437, PN2448, PN2450, and PN2598.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN1893, PN2242, PN1965, PN2120, PN2214, and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: PN1893, PN2242, PN1965, PN2120, PN2214, Calendar No. 1148, Calendar No. 1149, and Calendar No. 1150.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: PN2642 and PN2641.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.