Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 223, H.R. 1679.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14; 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 proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Bradbury nomination; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; finally, that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the Bradbury nomination.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume executive session and the Bradbury nomination.

Mr. President, this has been another important week here in the Senate. We are moving forward on multiple aspects of the President's agenda.

Later today, the Senate Finance Committee will release its plan for tax reform. I will have more to say on this in a moment, but I would once again like to commend Chairman Hatch for his leadership to get us to this point.

The Senate is also focusing on confirming the President's nominees so they can finally get to work. We have built strong momentum from last week, when we confirmed four circuit court nominees. This week we have confirmed nominees for the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the National Labor Relations Board.

Soon we will also confirm the head of a critical office at the EPA. William Wehrum will put his experience to good use as Assistant Administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. This office is one of the EPA's most important but, unfortunately, under the Obama administration, was also among the offices with the most significant overreach. Obviously it was in desperate need of new leadership from someone who understands how to implement clean air policies in a balanced way. That is William Wehrum. I look forward to advancing his nomination shortly.

Confirming President Trump's talented nominees to the Federal Government will continue to be a priority of this Senate, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this done.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I yield back all time on this side and reserve one minute for Senator Carper.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, all postcloture time on the Kan nomination be yielded back and the confirmation vote on the Kan nomination occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 13.

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 313, Donald Coggins.

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

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 254, Steven Bradbury.

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. 383, David Zatezalo.

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