Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.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, at 1:30 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 99, the nomination of Scott Brown to be Ambassador to New Zealand; I further ask that there be 15 minutes of debate on the nomination equally divided in the usual form; that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on confirmation with no intervening action or debate; and that, if confirmed, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 12, the Senate proceed to executive session for consideration of Executive Calendar No. 65. 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 action.

Madam President, I further ask unanimous consent that following disposition of Executive Calendar No. 65, the Senate resume legislative session and consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 722, with all postcloture time considered expired.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that upon the reporting of the nomination of David P. Pekoske, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the nomination be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days, except that if the 30 days lapse while the Senate is in recess, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shall have an additional 5 session days after the Senate reconvenes to report the nomination, after which the nomination, if still in committee, be discharged and placed on the Executive Calendar.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of all nominations placed on the Secretary's desk in the Foreign Service; that the nominations be confirmed, 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 the Senate then resume legislative session.

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.

Mr. President, I have 8 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 following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Fostering Economic Growth: The Role of Financial Institutions in Local Communities''.

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

committee on energy and natural resources

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to hold a hearing on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

committee on finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 9:45 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget.''

committee on foreign relations

The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 10 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``Beyond Iraq and Syria: ISIS' Global Reach.''

committee on the judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on June 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting.

committee on intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 10 a.m., in room SH-216 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold an open hearing entitled ``Open Hearing with Former CIA Director James Comey.''

committee on intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 1 p.m., in room SH-219 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a closed hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S.J. Res. 45, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be considered read a third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, and 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 Armed Services Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 115.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Moran amendment to the resolution be considered and agreed to; the resolution, as amended, be agreed to; the Moran amendment to the preamble be considered and agreed to; the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 188, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and 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 immediate consideration of S. Res. 189, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and 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 immediate consideration of Calendar No. 91, S. 826.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, 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 4 p.m., Monday, June 12; 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; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 110, S. 722, postcloture.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

Mr. President, Senators today will have an opportunity to advance important bipartisan Iran sanctions legislation. As we consider this bill, we anticipate that amendments addressing Russia sanctions are likely to be offered. I am encouraged that the chairmen of the Foreign Relations and Banking Committees, Senator Corker and Senator Crapo, have already been in discussions with their respective ranking members to work toward a bipartisan agreement. I support that effort, and I will have more to say about the underlying legislation tomorrow.

Now, Mr. President, on one other matter, later today President Trump will visit Cincinnati to discuss the importance of our Nation's inland waterways. Kentucky is home to over 1,900 miles of navigable inland waterways, which, in addition to adding majestic beauty to my State, are also vital to thousands of jobs in the Commonwealth.

In recent years, over 95 million tons of cargo and agricultural products have been transported across these water trade routes. Our many levees, docks, and dams represent crucial infrastructure that play an important role in our regional and national economy.

I am proud of the work Congress has done in the past to protect our Nation's waterways, like passing the Water Resources Development Act by a bipartisan majority last year in order to support infrastructure, enhance commerce, and maintain American ecosystems.

As President Trump continues to release his plans for our Nation's infrastructure, I look forward to working with the administration and colleagues in the Senate to protect and improve the many roads, bridges, airports, and waterways that serve people and jobs all across our country.