Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 115.

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

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to resume morning business as under the previous order.

Madam President, reserving the right to object, I remember full well 7 years ago. Senator Reid was the majority leader, and we were called into session the Monday after Thanksgiving, and we stayed here 7 days a week until Christmas Eve. So why did we stay in session 7 days a week, from the Monday after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve? Our Democratic friends didn't want anybody to go home. They didn't want anybody to go home and have to explain what they were in the process of writing in the majority leader's office.

I think it is pretty safe to say that this subject has been very partisan from the beginning. Not a single Republican voted for the bill, and our friends on the other side have made it perfectly clear that no Democrats will be voting to replace it.

So through that process, when our colleagues on the other side had 60 votes at the time, ObamaCare was imposed on our country. Over the last 7 years, we have all witnessed and debated its many failures. Over the last 7 years, Republicans have offered ideas on a better way forward. Over the last 7 years, Democrats have worked to prevent Congress from acting. Basically, it is the same dynamic that we see today: ObamaCare continues to collapse, Republicans are working to implement better ideas, and Democrats are trying to prevent Congress from acting. I regret that Democrats announced their intention early on that they didn't want to be a part of a serious bipartisan process to move past the failures of this law. Congress still has a responsibility to act, and the reconciliation process will allow us to do so.

Later, after that period in late 2009, our Democratic friends used reconciliation to force ObamaCare on Americans. It is a process that can be used in 2017, the same way they used it in 2010, to move beyond its failures.

I would remind colleagues of what happens when legislation comes to the floor under reconciliation. The minority leader is somehow arguing that reconciliation is not an open process. It is an open process. There is an unlimited number of amendments.

First, the bill text is received. Then a CBO score is issued. Members will have time to review both. After that, there is an open amendment process and a robust debate. It is the one type of amendment we have on the floor of the Senate on which no one can prevent amendments. Ultimately, at the end of the process, the Senate votes. That is how reconciliation works.

We have been debating ObamaCare's failures and what to do about them for so many years now. Members are very, very familiar with this issue. We have heard so many anguished stories from constituents who have been hurt by ObamaCare. Thankfully, at the end of the process, the Senate will have a chance to turn the page on this failed law.

I object.

Madam President, I would just say to my friend, we can

have a meeting of all 100 Senators here on the Senate floor with an unlimited amendment process. There will be no failure of opportunity for anybody to offer an amendment, to get a vote on it, to try to change the law. That is the way reconciliation works.

I think we will have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill.

I think we will have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

I object.

Mr. President, this morning, the Senate continues to send its prayers to all the victims of yesterday's horrific shooting. We know our House colleagues are all thinking about their colleague, Majority Whip Scalise. It has been an immensely difficult 24 hours for all the victims, including Matt Mika, who remains in ICU, Zach Barth, and, of course, Capitol Police Officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey. Those officers didn't back down when faced with this threat. Instead, as the Capitol Police always do, they put themselves in harm's way to help protect others. Without them, we know so many more would have been injured.

So we want to continue to express our gratitude to all those who graciously put their lives on the line to keep the Capitol community safe. In doing so, we are also reminded of the bravery of our colleagues on the field yesterday--those who stepped in to help friends who had been injured as they waited for first responders to arrive. I think it says something about the character of those people as well.

The events of yesterday were devastating, and we know it will take time to heal. But for now, the members of the congressional baseball team have made the decision to go forward with tonight's game, which will be played for charity. I know we will be thinking about each of them as they take the field tonight.

Mr. President, the Senate today will take a final vote on the bipartisan first step to hold Iran and Russia accountable. This follows overwhelmingly bipartisan action yesterday to approve the Russia sanctions amendment, an effort that would not have been possible without the good work of our Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Corker, and our Banking chair, Senator Crapo, and their ranking members.

After 8 years of failed foreign policy under the Obama administration, 8 years of following the Obama administration's preferred strategy of drawing down both our forces and our commitments, we must take a stronger stance in deterring Iran and holding its regime accountable for its actions and addressing Russia's years-long pattern of provocations.

These sanctions, which are just one of our foreign policy tools, will only work as part of a broader effort to rebuild our military force structure and combat readiness in order to send a strong signal to friend and foe alike. The United States should no longer stand by and allow threats like these to go unaddressed.

When the administration completes its series of strategic reviews, I will

look forward to hearing from the President and his advisers their recommendations for countering Iran's malign conduct across the Middle East and their recommendations for countering Russia's persistent efforts to undermine NATO.

As I said earlier this week, this Iran and Russia sanctions agreement reflects good bipartisan work. I want to thank Senators on both sides of the aisle for coming together to codify and strengthen existing sanctions. Let's come together again now and pass these sanctions later this morning.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the title amendment at the desk be agreed to.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 19, the Senate proceed to executive session for consideration of Executive Calendar No. 108. I further ask that there be 30 minutes of debate on the nomination, equally divided in the usual form, and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action or debate; and that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 94.

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. 97.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call with respect to both cloture motions be waived.

Mr. President, I thank my friend from Delaware.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.