Floor Statements

Mr. President, let me just, for the information of all Members, point out that after we vote on Mattis and Kelly, we will turn to the Pompeo nomination, begin that debate, and hopefully finish it at some point tonight.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I think under the circumstances the Democratic leader and I have come up with a solution that I think at least moves the ball in the right direction. First, I want to implore our colleagues on the other side to give us a vote on Pompeo today.

Madam President, it is pretty obvious the Senator from Oregon is not interested in approving this CIA nomination today. I would remind everyone the previous Director is gone. The Deputy, the No. 2 person, is gone. I don't think it is a great idea for Senate Democrats to be holding this vacant over the weekend.

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 ask unanimous consent that the Inaugural Ceremony proceedings be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 16, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m., Monday, January 23; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Mike Pompeo to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

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, in the days since President Obama took office, too many coal miners have lost their jobs, including well over 10,000 in Kentucky, and more than 25 coal mining companies have filed for bankruptcy. This means that there are fewer active workers available to pay into an expanding retirement pool, leaving health benefits in jeopardy for thousands of retired miners.

Last year, I was proud to be able to secure an extension of these benefits past their year-end expiration date. While I advocated for a longer term solution, we did secure a 4-month plan. I made a commitment at that time to work with my colleagues on a long-term health care solution for these retired miners.

Today, I plan to introduce legislation to protect and permanently extend those benefits for thousands of coal miner retirees and their dependents. Recognizing the damage that has been done over the past 8 years, my legislation also calls on Congress to work with the incoming Trump administration to repeal regulations that are harming the coal industry and to support economic development efforts in coal country.

I highlighted those goals in a letter I sent to President-Elect Trump earlier in the year regarding ways in which I hope we can work together to provide relief to coal country. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and the incoming administration on these important issues.

Mr. President, we were all saddened by the news that Tim Mitchell, a longtime member of the Democratic floor staff, passed away this past weekend after his heartbreaking battle with brain cancer. I know the Democratic leader will have more to say in just a moment, but I wanted to take a moment myself to reflect on Tim's Senate service and express our condolences to his family.

Last September, the former Democratic leader and I had the opportunity to recognize Tim for a remarkable 25 years of Senate service. As we noted then, Tim has long been a critical member of the Senate team who worked tirelessly with his colleagues on both sides to ensure that the floor operated smoothly and efficiently.

Despite his passion for this institution, however, we know that Tim's family always remained his top priority. I know his wife Alicia and his young son Ben know this as well. Our prayers are with them at this immensely difficult time.

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 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 have two 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 Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on January 17, 2017, at 2:15 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on January 17, 2017, at 5 p.m., in room SD-430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled ``Nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education.''

Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaties transmitted to the Senate on January 17, 2017, by the President of the United States: Extradition Treaty with the Republic of Serbia, Treaty Document No. 115-1; Extradition Treaty with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Treaty Document No. 115-2. I further ask that the treaties be considered as having been read the first time; that they be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's messages be printed in the Record.