Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume consideration of the Perdue nomination, as under the previous order.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

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 wish to honor my dear friend, Tom Butler, a longtime journalist from Paducah, KY. After an extraordinary life, Tom passed away March 31, 2017 at the age of 79.

During his 35-year career at WPSD Local 6, Tom worked as an announcer, news director, and the vice president of news. John D. Williams, the general manager of the station, remembered him as ``probably the most talented journalist I've ever had the privilege to know.'' Tom maintained a fierce dedication to accurate and fair reporting. To his viewers throughout western Kentucky, he became a symbol of trustworthy news.

In his decades in the news business, Tom covered everything from the weather to U.S. Presidents, but he may be remembered most fondly for the mentorship he provided. Bill Evans, WPSD Local 6 vice president of news and operations, wrote ``[a]t one time, all three television stations in Louisville had prime anchors whom Tom had mentored.'' He constantly praised those whom he had helped to get their start in the business, instead of accepting any acclaim himself.

I had the privilege of knowing Tom for many years, and I always enjoyed appearing on his show ``Accent,'' where I saw his kindness and professionalism firsthand. I join the entire Jackson Purchase community in remembering Tom's honesty, passion, and faith. Even after his retirement from WPSD, Tom continued to serve at East Baptist Church and as president of the Community Concert Association of Paducah.

Earlier this year, the University of Kentucky Journalism Alumni Association announced that Tom would be inducted into the 2017 Class of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. Tom's long and distinguished career makes him incredibly deserving of this honor, and I believe it is an excellent way to pay tribute to his legacy.

Elaine and I send our deep condolences to Tom's wife, Janice, and his children, Tom, Jr., and Amy. Tom touched so many lives, and we all stand by the Butler family in their time of grief.

Mr. President, I understand appointments were made during the adjournment of the Senate, and I ask they be stated for the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until Tuesday, April 25; 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 executive session to consider the nomination of Rod Rosenstein, with the time until 12:30 p.m. equally divided in the usual form; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; finally, that all time during adjournment, recess, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the Rosenstein nomination.

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.

Madam President, last evening the Vice President notified me of the President's decision to respond to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against its own people through military action. The action was taken to deter the Assad regime from using chemical weapons again.

I support both the action and the objective. The planning of this operation was clearly well considered. It was taken against the Shayrat airfield from which the aircraft used in the attack had been launched, where chemical weapons had been stored, and was taken against assets of importance to the regime--aircraft, hardened shelters, and air defense systems.

In the days ahead, I am committed to working with the administration to continue developing a counter-ISIL strategy that hastens the defeat of ISIL and establishes objectives for dealing with the Assad regime in a manner that preserves the institutions of government in an effort to prevent a failed state.

Our gratitude goes out to the world's most capable military, which in a span of just hours presented options, capabilities, and plans to the Commander in Chief and then executed a difficult mission. None of this occurs without years of training, investment, and the dedication by our servicemembers.

This was an action of consequence. It is a clear signal from America that Bashar al-Assad can no longer use chemical weapons against his own people with impunity.

In addition, for the attention of all Senators, we will have a briefing on this matter later today.

Madam President, yesterday, as we all know, was a consequential day for the Senate. In the end, we restored to this body a tradition that Democrats first upset in 2003 by using a tool Democrats first employed in 2013. As a result, we will move to the confirmation of Judge Gorsuch shortly. He is going to make an incredible addition to the Court. He is going to make the American people proud.

After all, at this point, a few things about this man seem beyond dispute. He has sterling credentials, an excellent record, and an ideal judicial temperament. He has independence of mind and a reputation for fairness. He has also earned plaudits from so many across the political spectrum.

President Obama's former Acting Solicitor General lauded Judge Gorsuch as ``one of the most thoughtful and brilliant judges to have served our nation over the last century,'' while President Obama's legal mentor called Judge Gorsuch a ``brilliant, terrific guy who would do the Court's work with distinction.''

An appointee of President Clinton's, Judge James Robertson, said Judge Gorsuch ``is superbly well prepared and

well qualified to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. There is no real dispute about that.''

An appointee of President Carter's, Judge John Kane, perhaps summed it up best when he said: ``I'm not sure we could expect better [than Judge Gorsuch] or that better presently exists.'' In other words, no one is better.

Of course, we all know what longtime Democrat and board member of the left-leaning American Constitution Society, David Frederick, had to say about Judge Gorsuch. ``The Senate should confirm him, because there is no principled reason to vote no''--``no principled reason to vote no.''

There is a reason Neil Gorsuch enjoys the support of a bipartisan majority of the Senate. There is a reason that a bipartisan majority stands ready to confirm him today. He is an exceptional choice, and I am very much looking forward to confirming him today. Of course, I wish that important aspect of this process had played out differently. It didn't have to be this way. But today is a new day. I hope my Democratic friends will take this moment to reflect and, perhaps, consider a turning point in their outlook going forward.

The Senate has a number of important issues to consider in the coming months. Each Member, if he or she chooses, can play a critical part in that process.

I urge colleagues to consider the role they can play, and I ask them to consider what we have been able to achieve in years past by working together, including the numerous bipartisan accomplishments of the last Congress, because, as we all know, the Senate does more than confirm Supreme Court nominees, although I sure am looking forward to confirming this one.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to table the motion to reconsider.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 34, Rod Rosenstein to be Deputy Attorney General.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call with respect to the cloture motion be waived and that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the cloture vote on the nomination occur following disposition of the Perdue nomination on Monday, April 24.

Mr. President, I am proud to say the Senate has now confirmed Judge Neil Gorsuch as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. I want to congratulate Judge Gorsuch on this significant achievement. I look forward to observing his good work in the years to come.

The confirmation process was certainly a significant undertaking--one that would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of so many. I would like to take a moment to recognize them now.

First, I would like to thank the man who made this moment possible by sending us this outstanding nominee. He is our President, Donald Trump. This has been one of the most transparent judicial nomination processes anybody can remember, and President Trump should be commended for his efforts.

I also appreciate the role Vice President Pence played in moving this nomination forward as well as the outstanding work of the White House staff, led by Don McGahn, and for the wise counsel they provided throughout this process.

Of course, we all know how tirelessly our dear friend Senator Grassley has worked in leading the Judiciary Committee through this process. He has been an unwavering leader, though we know it has not always been easy. Chairman Grassley worked long and hard to ensure this process ran efficiently, to give Members on both sides ample opportunity to review the nomination, to see that the nominee was treated respectfully, and, ultimately, to help bring this well- qualified jurist over the finish line.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention the work of the Judiciary Committee collectively for its time and effort as well. I am referring to members of the committee, and I am referring to Chairman Grassley's excellent Judiciary staff as well. They were critical to this effort.

Specifically, I thank the following: Staff Director Kolan Davis, Chief Nominations Counsel Ted Lehman, Communications Director Beth Levine, Megan Lacy, Lauren Mehler, Kasey O'Connor, Katharine Willey, Bill Lane, Carol Szurkowski, Dan Guarnera, and Katie Roholt.

To that end, I would also like to acknowledge our former colleague Kelly Ayotte. From dozens of meetings with Senators to lengthy days- long hearings, she helped to ensure that this process ran as smoothly as possible, and she did so with a sense of grace that we all came to know when she was one of our colleagues.

Similarly, I want to recognize several White House Legislative Affairs staff who helped guide Judge Gorsuch through this process, including Mary Elizabeth Taylor, Marc Short, and Amy Swonger.

There are several others I would like to thank as well.

To the floor staff, Laura Dove, Robert Duncan, and their team, thank you for keeping the floor running smoothly and guiding us through Senate procedure. You all do incredible work and very difficult work, and you make it look effortless during each and every time.

To the folks who keep our institution running--the Parliamentarians, the clerks, the reporters of debates, the doorkeepers, Capitol Police, and numerous others who have sacrificed and worked long--often grueling--hours, thank you for everything you do and for always doing it with a smile.

Of course, I would also like to thank my Republican colleagues for their months of hard work. It has been a winding and sometimes bumpy road, but together we were able to confirm a judge who, I believe, will serve his country very well.

In particular, let me thank Republican whip, John Cornyn, and his team, led by Monica Popp, for their efforts. Theirs is certainly not an easy job, but it is a necessary one.

There are a few others I could not leave today without mentioning.

To each and every member of my own staff, I want to express my sincere appreciation. There are almost too many names to mention, but, if I may, I would like to acknowledge a few individuals who have been particular assets through this entire process.

My chief of staff, Sharon Soderstrom, led our team through this lengthy and arduous confirmation process while balancing a never-ending list of demands. She has been a constant source of support and, as always, an indisputable and fearless leader.

Sharon, I am immensely grateful to you for being at the helm of my leadership office.

My deputy chief, Don Stewart--``Stew'' as we like to call him--always knows exactly what to say or not to say, as the case may be. He has been a critical member of the team in charting the way forward and in helping convey our efforts to the American people.

Stew, thank you for your discerning advice and, yes, for your good humor as well.

My policy director, Hazen Marshall, has steered our policy objectives forward, balancing numerous legislative items and making it look effortless along the way.

So thanks, Hazen, for your sound counsel and for driving the train forward on so many different issues.

To my counsel, John Abegg, where do I begin? John has been an invaluable member of my team, a guiding source of wisdom, and a driving force in bringing Judge Gorsuch over the finish line. He has put in countless hours and has never stopped working, even in the most trying of times.

John, literally, this moment would not have been possible without you.

I know there are many others whom I wasn't able to name right now, but I want them to know we recognize their efforts, and we are immeasurably grateful for the work they do.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.