friedman's feet. one thing i try to do in the book is show these bigger shifts in economic structures across the world, in the 1970s0s inflation has enormous consequence in many different ways. the fall of the soviet union has enormous consequences. so friedman's ideas don't cause these but help us interpret and understand it. so when i look at that biden quote, what that says to me is you might read it at first blush and say this is biden criticizing republican economic policy, but it's also biden criticizing people within the democratic party who might be more friendly to friedman's style ideas and it really kind

of planning a trip planting a flag allegiance or more progressive economic outlook. >> we believe the last few minutes of this booktv program. you can go to our website c-span.org. we take you live now that u.s. capitol with us and is ready to gavel in shortly. at 5:30 p.m. eastern today lawmakers are scaled to devote on the confirmation of martin o'malley to be social security -- live coverage of the sin here on c-span2. the chaplain: let us pray. eternal god, you have told us that in every circumstance, we should give thanks. today we pause to thank you for the challenge of making responsible decisions. lord, we are grateful for the

unfolding of your prevailing providence and for your love that sustains us through life's seasons. we express gratitude for the eternal vigilance our lawmakers are willing to pay for the price of freedom. accept our thanksgiving also for your promise in matthew 28:20 that you will be with us always, even to the end of the age. lord of all, to you we raise this, our prayer of grateful praise. we pray in your marvelous name. amen.

will lead the senate in prayer. ************************** the president pro tempore: the senate will come to order. the chaplain, dr. barry black, will lead the senate in prayer. the chaplain: let us pray. the presiding officer: the collectors will read a commun indication to the senate. the clerk: the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge

the presiding officer: under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. the clerk: nomination, social security administration, martin o'malley of maryland to be o'malley of maryland to be

i ask you to indulge me on

essential other thank you the garden former senator barbara of the most outstanding senators in addition to crack and football united states senators are to thank you for your leadership what you've done america the people of maryland over to thank president biden life reason tara and past support in the recall public service our family has answered. when i was a boy i was taught by my parents who were themselves children of the depression, young people were tested in their service in the second one

or majority leader. mr. schumer: madam president, over the past week, democrats and republicans have made important progress towards an agreement on the national security supplemental. while the job is not finished, i'm confident we're headed in the right direction. i want to thank all the members and staff, senate republicans, senate democrats, and the white house who worked through the weekend to get us closer to an agreement. i can imagine that they're tired after working virtually nonstop all weekend -- mornings, afternoons, evenings and coming into the senate here. i can imagine they're tired after working nonstop coming into the office early in the morning and working fearlessly in -- furiously in the evenings. they sacrificed time with their families, kids and had to put their travel plans on hold to get this done. i salute my colleagues forary excellent work and am encouraged

by the progress we made over the weekend, significant progress. and i urge them to keep going. we all know this is extremely difficult work, among the most difficult things we've done in recent memory. everyone knows that something should be done to fix our broken immigration system, but we can't do so by compromising our values. finding a middle ground is exceptionally hard, and both sides must accept they will have to make concessions and it's going to take some more time too get it done. of but we must succeed. democrats remain committed to working with our republican counterparts to reach an agreement. as these negotiations continue off the floor, we must also finish the job, confirming military nominations and other nominees. in past years we four-star nominees would be swiftly appointed to their posts. but this one senator, the senator from alabama, has broken

decades of tradition by placing holds on these highly cullified and -- qualified and dedicated nominees. i'm disappointed it has taken this long and we need to confirm the last of the nominees before the end of the week. i yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. baldwin.

the congress. >> yes, mr. chairman you commit to providing prompt response in writing by any center of this? >> yes. >> we appreciate your responses, you're not 20 the questions. i'll take was on the mind because this is what members have asked me about the nomination. you have much of your political office, mayor, governor you are a candidate for president of the united states. this position is been nominated for is not about politics, about politics at all. it's about service to the

millions of people talking about. how do you feel about this transition to a position is all about this? >> you just laid out is what made me excited to say yes and i didn't hesitate. i was honored to been able to run for office served in elected office. i was also -- how to say this? i don't miss all of the aspects of running for office and i have an enormous amount of respect all of you will find yourself what is required time duties at home. what excites me about this is it's all about improving first and the mayor and governor what

the one piece of it that i truly do miss, there are a couple but one that i truly miss his own people together around data, information marking the center of measuring seeing if we are doing improves customer service that i was able to do group and we did security a higher velocity of change and itce is capable of. under the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: over the weekend our colleagues continued to make progress on an agreement on border security. i'm especially grateful to senator lankford for stewarding the republicans' efforts to

produce meaningful policy change, fix our broken asylum system, and secure the southern border. addressing the border crisis at home is a fundamental part of legislation that will help america with the national security challenges we face around the world. there are a number of significant issues our colleagues are still working to resolve. efforts of years of failed border are compounded. border security policy is complex. and our colleague at the negotiating table are cleared eyed about the fact that getting this agreement right and producing legislative text is going to require some time.

senate republicans will not make up for others showing up late to the table by waiving our responsibility to carefully negotiate and review any agreement before voting on it. and i'm encouraged by our colleagues' commitment to keep making steady progress in their negotiations over the coming week and beyond. america is facing a never before seen border crisis, trying to redraw the map europe, an' prossive -- oppressive authoritarian trying to put more of the indo-pacific under his control, and the world's largest state sponsor of terror is showing us it's as determined as ever to kill american servicemembers and disrupt

global commerce. there is simply no room for falling short here. we cannot afford to get this wrong. the weekend brought even more grarg evidence that iran and its terrorist proxies feel emboldened to escalate their attacks in the middle east. in the past two months, the iran-backed houthis in yemen have reportedly used lethal force in brazen attacks against both military and commercial vessels transiting the red sea. just two days ago, the destroyer uss carney engaged and destroyed at least 14 terror -- u.s. navy vessels have thus far exceeded in defending against these attacks. the risk of american casualties is growing.

air defense is not perfect, and it doesn't come cheap. the navy is having to use exp expensive interceptors to bring down low-cost suicide drones. commercial vessels have been less fortunate. several ships have been hijacked or struck by drones, and anti-ship missiles in recent weeks, including two strikes just today. this violence represents a grave and immediate economic threat, iran's network of terrorists is making an artery that carries nearly 12% of global trade essentially inoperable. in recent days four of the world's five largest shipping companies have suspended operations in the red sea. the carriers, who account for more than half of maritime

container traffic are opting to add weeks to transit times and untold extra fuel costs to avoid terrorist attacks and supply chains everywhere are bracing for the effects. make no mistake, an undeterred adversary is laying down a direct challenge to american leadership and the world is watching to see if we rise to meet it the way we've met before and countless times. protecting the freedom of navigation is an essential american interest because maritime maritime commerce has been center to our nation's economy from the very beginning. the u.s. navy and marine corps waged their first successful expeditionary campaign against the pirates in order to protect american shipping. the shores of tripoli are

immortalized in the marine corps hymn and free navigations have been an essential part. in recent years, these operations have been especially important in the indo-pacific, where china increasingly th threatens sea lanes. but let's be clear, if america conducts freedom-of-navigation operations as peacetime exercises but fails to actually protect this freedom from immediate realtime threats, then we're just play-acting as a global super power. what's happening right now in the red sea isn't an exercise, it's a blaring siren that deterrence has failed. the united states and our allies and partners have a stake in defending the freedom of navi navigation. if we fail to take more serious action against iran-backed

houthi terrorists, we'll embolden other aggressors to challenge this freedom everywhere and risk major consequences. needless to say, our greatest strategic adversary and systemic rival is watching especially closely how we respond to this brazen challenge. i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. baldwin.

quorum call:

senator mark biden from the early years, the army and mud of

the fact that the predecessor was never involved at time earlier this year the white house asking me if i would be challenged. i think might be able to unpack more but the head of security to realize you lawmakers trust you

will there is an urgent crisis we face now customer service there's one over the horizon with the first 2000 executed the will of the united states including services to people but one aspect is making sure you get the best numbers get. we had some time to talk and we need to have evidence-based conversation about the value of

each of those and the policy is your prerogative, i would not, i will divide the agency most important make sure you get the evidence and numbers to evaluate the long-haul. used to determine there's a job in the economy able to perform. it has been updated 1977 that includes jobs that are obsolete in today's economy with positions due to advances in technology before asked outside the fact that this is 47 years

be that unreliable but commissioner, forward it stand priorities? >> it would be high priority. some of the stories people being told to get a job as a killer, outrageous examples. if you talk to these group people for jobs, they have more up-to-date list and i look forward to working with you, it would be high priority. >> senator cornyn is next. >> thanks, governor for being willing to take on this challenge. if your job is to shore trains run on time, think it's

important to make sure there's something in those cars? in other words the topic of policy according to published reports social security will become insolvent by 2033 ms congress doesn't different, medicare will become insolvent by 231. just to cover a few facts with you super you are aware, gdp ratio is one of the present. 659 billy to stub interest on debt. you bondholders in japan as you

know, mandatory spending including social security and medicare roughly two thirds of all federal spending so contributes disproportionally to that i mentioned a moment ago try as we must, trying to deal with this in discretionary spending which is the third of spending including% spent on just a lump we can't get there rebalance with just discretionary spending. our goal should be to save security and medicare and not cut it. you understood football it can

be. politics the courage truth where we are direction you're headed comes to federal spending. right now we are debating a supplemental appropriation bill the house for the country, hamas. now the president has requested money for ukraine think $160 billion mental -left-curly-bracket request going supplemental the direction i am heading my is something we have we are headed toward

getting the care for our country because real in ukraine we are heading in my believe if i can address directly social security aspect, there are some interesting things senator will recall, we stopped paying hospitals as if they were the marriott hotel we think the federal government million dollars but to your question about social security, it is currently funded system. when people work, they pay into

it and reserve has been built up those dollars are dedicated social security long and not the sites where you allude to where healthcare is concerned. >> is it your understanding social security recipients are playing financial transactions on the balance sheet of the federal government essentially adds to broaden 1.22 trillion in the reserve delta 2.83 trillion to topic a different you know

the plan to save social security what he said campaign to say your campaign about social security? >> i said the time when i probably -- i think he was getting ready to enter. >> i said some of the things and agenda senate finance question, give us anything ever published or sent and i highlighted that

and on his position on solvency. >> i was in college on both sides of the aisle there was a reason i asked the first question the way i asked it because this is not sufficient for your supposed to do politics. were supposed to do service. >> are you suggesting my question was politics? >> i'm not saying anything, the reason i asked we edit. >> i don't accept the fact that center numbers of the senate asking questions of witnesses. >> not only did i not -- >> hours trying to be respectful of the government and am

confident he will do the job. i just hope he has a trust fund administered. >> i like him extra time. >> senator cantwell, sir. >> congratulations on your nomination. we had a chance to discuss a couple of issues about social security in my office but one is about chain cpi and the notion that sometimes the change to the formula decrease so where are you on chain cpi? >> i believe it was a policy question asked and answered and if i'm not mistaken, i believe

you intended for both leaders because it would diminish we can social security rather than strengthen it for so many. >> 1.4 million people in washington state for 18% of the population rely on social security benefits and i oppose that calculation because it would reduce the annual cost of living for our seniors so various times, various administrations try to oppose this and i'm going to make sure i'm on the record making sure it's not something he would be sure. >> that's true. >> you prioritize financial responsibility, what do you think we need to focus on your? you mentioned the communication

to just getting the phones answered making sure we deliver on service, would you expand on that. >> social security is an organization that seeks a tradition serves on a massive scale happen to have best data and information other agencies as well as thousands of people to pay off the data to do their business. what social security is in need of his a common operating platform that allows everybody to see what's happening position. right now, it is massive and extremely silent and the key to collaboration and improving customer service as well as staying on budget is to break

ourselves out of tradition that says it's my data, my budget. more information to be supported said shared openly and transparently, we need to understand what's happening where we are on track or not, who's doing well not doing well so i think there is enormous opportunity, part of it is cultural, i don't think it is primarily technology, i think it is many years of being adverse to many years except wisdom we don't share forced markets about efficiency, make sure social security does a better job answering phones, connecting with people and resolving bombs, is that right?

>> that is northstar, we have to improve customer service. >> i look forward to what you have in mind. we certainly agree with that and all offices you will social security issues and their dealing with issues you haven't dealt with more or less so we would appreciate your standing what a great you think are necessary. >> there's nobody who knows more than senator cantwell. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i am underscoring the points that governor strength is in his ability to administrate and the response to the inquiry should be interested in reading your answer because it will be an interesting read a little bit

about the challenges and the challenges are great and resources are limited, there are things will not be able to troll. one is whether with or repay the budget on time, and adequate resources, these are issues you have to deal with and workforce. it is now dead last. you have a challenge to get the conference workforce recognizing the challenges implement

policies about the resources some cases pointed out the workforce is wonderful we are doing so tell me about your experience as a mayor, you are able workforce all the time had challenges whether they were appreciated, how to restore them out of the workforce so meet the goals you set for yourself on the surface levels critically important, tommy the workforce to improve the spirit be appreciated. >> it is remarkable it would be number one, it would be dead.

it was certainly true when i was elected mayor of baltimore yet running to the scene of every fire responding to the issue of the day for the shortcoming of the day, whatever it is, it doesn't move the ball down the field. extremely was they can achieve start measuring not want to hear every two weeks. once you start keeping score. not in a punitive way but a way that creates a winnable game for

employees. her so many stories about the numbers of employees social security that report workforce -- workplace stress and social security somebody because of the anxiety. if social security can create disciplines will be regularly, all those leadership positions in the center of the organization regularly listen to the workers on the front lines, we will get good ideas and their experiences a winnable game, it's not that people and one of

the things is the expectations

high seven hundred united

states israel has never been more determined you have shown the entire world what it means a partner. there is no greater protection and sitting together discussing the most sensitive issues on the agenda in full transparency and trust. thank you, secretary for your commitment to israel's security. we stand here 72 days we didn't

want hamas conducted and kidnapped children, women, soldiers and holocaust survivors. october 7 we fell back immediately set the cause, destruction of hamas and return of hostages with no exception. our common enemy around the world are watching and they know interest victory is the victory led by the united states of america. give hamas terrorist organization is a war against the people of gaza. we are fighting an enemy

billions of dollars invested in gaza mock money should have gone civilian infrastructure and instead was used build a network of tunnels, hundreds of kilometers long equipped by military hostilities. today talks are operating in troops eliminate cousins and destroyed military infrastructure and operating in the area. we have the size and focus and

military infrastructure.

unacceptable. they been displaced and living as refugees, we are determined to create a new reality and have security in the area. a new resolution, 1701 pushing back. you will bring back homes on the

border, food security. we prefer to do so via understanding, ensuring the region is clear and does not allow direct threats. it is such a process, not implemented diplomatically and will not hesitate. today we discussed hochul trusts by the terrorist organizations. stratton international freedom reckless behavior like ballistic missiles and drones against israel can drag the region into war. u.s. leadership and we will

support international efforts. at the same time we maintain the rights to take all action necessary to defend all. hamas, hezbollah are funded, supported and trained by one source of evil -- karen. this is only the secondary. the major airport is acquiring military capabilities and continues even now. we are aware of direction ready to defend ourselves. we must take a stand, the world is watching now and this includes our enemies. hamas, hezbollah and iran.

the image is powerful as we stand here united. we are resilient and determined and we will plan on every front. thank you once again, thank you for coming. thank you very much. >> good afternoon, everybody. we've been talking almost daily by phone. it was good to see you once again.

and israel is not alone. at a time of morning a real friend shows up. i know how terrible these days have been for the israeli people and i know that october 7 touched everyone in this small democracy. so, let me again extend my deepest condolences to the prime minister who has been sitting for his 25-year-old son and mourning his nephew after they both fell in gaza. on october 7, hamas committed one of the worst atrocities in the history of modern terrorism. it's as president biden said, it

was an act of sheer evil. innocent young people at a concert or massacre. parents were shot in front of their children. women were sexually assaulted. toddlers and holocaust survivors were taken hostage. for hamas, that was just the beginning. hamas is clearly a mildly spelled out its vision of the future and it is to repeat october 7 over and over and over again. no country should tolerate such a danger. israel has every right to defend itself against the fanatical terrorists group whose stated purpose is to murder jews and eradicate the jewish state. hamas is still holding hostages

including american citizens. hamas embeds itself and hides itself behind innocent palestinian civilians. hamas does not speak for the palestinian people. hamas is determined to do both israelis and palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering and strife. so, make no mistake. hamas should never again be able to protect tara from gaza into the southern state of israel. we will continue to work together for a safer more secure future for israel and a brighter future for the palestinians. the united states will keep pushing relentlessly for the safe return of hostages in gaza. we will continue to help israel get its efforts to bring them all home.

thanks to the personal leadership of president biden, we help to broker a deal that got out more than 100 hostages. but this remains a top priority for the united states from president biden on down. we will continue to do everything that we can to bring home every man, every woman and every child seized by hamas. the united states has been clear and consistent since hamas started this war in october 7. democracies are stronger and more secure when we uphold the law of war. as i said, protecting palestinian civilians in gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative. so, we will continue to stand up for israel's bedrock right to defend itself.

and we will also continue to urge the protection of civilians during conflict and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into gaza. that is important as israel fights to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in gaza also it will be crucial for our work with our allies and partners after the fighting stops. now, we are working to ensure that this conflict does not escalate beyond gaza. but as we are driving to stabilize a region, iran is raising tensions. by continuing to support terrorist groups and malicious. attacks by these iranian proxies threaten the region citizens and risk a broader conflict. of course, the united states does not seek war, and we urgently called on iran to take steps to de-escalate.

now, in my meetings today i also discussed the need to take urgent action to stabilize the west bank. attacks by extremist settlers against the palestinians in the west bank must stop. those committing the violence must be held accountable. now, we know that the past 72 days have been some of the most painful days in israel's history but it would compound this tragedy if all that was waiting for the israeli people in your palestinian neighbors at the end of this awful war was more insecurity, fury and despair. as i have said, israelis and palestinians have both paid to bitter a price to just go back to october 6. so, i discussed pathways today for future towards gaza after hamas based on the clear principles laid down last month

with my secretary friends. israeli and palestinians both deserve a horizon of hope. so, the united states continues to believe as we have under administrations of both parties that it is in the interest of both israelis and palestinians to move forward towards two states. living side-by-side in mutual security. now, we know how hard that is, especially after october 7. but, ongoing instability and insecurity only play into the hands of hamas. so, we must think together about what lies beyond this terrible season of terror and war. and as we deal, the united states will remain deeply committed to the security and self-defense of the state of israel. as john f. kennedy said in 1960, america's friendship with israel

is a national commitment. that was true then and it is even truer now. the united states will remain israel's closest friend in the world. as i have said repeatedly, our support for israel security remains unshakable. and it always will. thank you very much and we will be happy to take your questions. >> starting off with carolyn. >> thank you secretary austin. welcome to israel. it is not a secret between israel and the u.s. have you set a timetable or deadline to the current phase of israel ground war in gaza and have you heard any assessment from the ideas where they stand and with regard to the north,

israel says in the prime minister has just discussed that they want to be an acceptable solution that would include the withdrawal north of the river. they were here last week and they were quite confident that such a solution can be achieved. what is the u.s. position if israel attacks. will you order the u.s. army to strike and even destroy hezbollah and the iranian targets if required? it took 70 days to reach the town that was revealed yesterday how long do you think it is safe to totally dismantle the threat and gaza and if i may ask you, secretary, speaking about the day after, asking israel how he sees the day after. will the idea be in gaza

throughout the entire next year. thank you very much. >> which one of those 12 questions your me to answer? >> i don't know. [laughter] >> regarding the timeline, this is israel's operation. i am not here to dick tate timelines or terms. our support to israel's right to defend itself is ironclad, as you've heard me say a number of times and that will not change. it is critical, as i said earlier that hamas will not be able to threaten israel from gaza or even threatened gaza anymore. you know, that is an interest that we all share. it is a common interest of all of us. and, so, today we had great discussions about the status of the campaign. about goals and objectives and about how to reduce harm to

civilians in the battle space and the need to ensure a sustained flow of humanitarian assistance into gaza. you know, we can offer some insight based on our own experience of fighting terrorist groups and certainly that enabled us to have great discussions. we also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high intensity operations to lower intensity and more surgical operations. so, we had great discussions on all of those issues. on lebanon, we have been clear that we do not want to see this conflict widen until a larger war or a regional war and we call upon hezbollah to make sure that they do not do things that

would provoke a wider conflict. that is a tough question. let me be more precise. it took us 70 days before we exposed this to the public. it was discovered and. before that. but we had a lot of operations to be done inside before we exposed it. the war will take time. i can assure only one issue. that, eventually we will destroy hamas. second to rescue the hostages that is very both of them equally important. this is a war of national

determination and national resilience. we prevail because we are fighting for the right values and for our survivors in this region. as for the second question, we understand the cooperation, the international support to study something different in gaza. this is the reason we conduct this talks today together with secretary austin and the general and others. regarding the issues that we have to conduct in gaza. we know that hamas will not go towards gaza. we know that we will have the

freedom to eliminate any kind of threat in the future and there will be no serious military threats from gaza. second, israel will not control gaza in any civilian way. we will conduct any needed operation and effort in order to secure our future. and we are building the routes for nonhostile partners. >> thank you. also please stick to one question please. thank you. >> back to lebanon. are you currently planning for a ground operation in the north as you said to fully secure that area from hezbollah? secretary austin, if that ground

operation is launched just to repeat my colleagues question, what role would u.s. forces have in such case? is it too dangerous right now to open a second front in the north when you have troops committed to the south in gaza. my final one for secretary austin. another commercial vessel today was attacked in the red sea. u.s. warships continue to intercept ballistic missiles and drones. why hasn't the u.s. struck back or conducted a counterstrike like it has again similar iranian backed militants in iraq and syria? >> i would like to reiterate what i said. i said that diplomacy is the prevailed way. we are not looking for wars. but we have 70,000 israeli

refugees and hezbollah is shooting us every day since october 8. the day after hamas launched the war against israel. therefore, on the one hand we are patient and we are looking for diplomacy solutions that we make sure that hezbollah is not threatening israeli civilians on the north end communities directly. on the other end, we are preparing ourselves to any situation that is needed and if something like that happens, we will know what to do and we will prevail. we are not looking for anything similar to this and we hope that hezbollah will understand. >> thank you. regarding this, these attacks

are reckless, dangerous and they violate international law. we are taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat and i would remind you this is not just a u.s. issue. this is an international problem and it deserves an international response. that is why i am convening a meeting tomorrow, a ministerial meeting with several members in the region and beyond to address this threat. it will be a virtual meeting and i look forward to that discussion. more important, i look forward to working together with members of that group to address the threat in a meaningful way in the future. we will have more details on it soon. we will make sure that we are doing everything that we can to

ensure freedom of navigation in the area. the straight is pretty important , as you know. large amount of commerce flows through there, international commerce on a daily basis. >> good to see you again, mr. secretary. there is been a lot of discussion about getting israel's intent to match up with the result. sometimes the u.s. needs to take hits on force protections went over our hearts and minds. probably familiar that just recently and israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying if the israeli defense force on the area they would not have died. is this the kind of thing, or does not have perfect solutions, but sometimes united states thanks israel's may take more

hits as opposed to being more aggressive with its airports and artillery. united states and its most prospective way possible is trying to push israel on certain timelines and certain things about the day after. is it may be time that yourself and the government needs to tell israel that even though we have had tremendous successes in the field, we may not actually control all of gaza at the end of january. we may not get all of the hostages back at the end of january. some of these things may continue three-nine months afterwards. >> so, for the first part of the question, in terms of the nature of the strikes, and the amount of collateral damage, i think, let me begin by saying the protection of our troops is important to all of us. all of us.

and that is for most. but, what we see happening is a combination of two things. the first thing is the complexity of this battle space. three-dimensional battle space. very close spaces here dense population of people and that makes it very, very difficult to conduct any military operation. above and beyond that, we see that hamas routinely uses civilians as shields. beyond that, they placed their headquarters and their logistical sites near protective sites. hospitals, mosques, churches, you name it. so that adds to the complexity and as you heard jake sullivan

say, it provides an additional burden for the forces that are prosecuting this fight. it requires a very professional force and that force has to learn each step of the way and we have seen that. we had a great conversation today about some of the things that they have learned in some of the techniques that they are, you know, changing and as a conduct operations in the south it all of us learn and, again, they were a bit very professional forces going into this. this is an incredible complex battle space. taking lessons learned from the north, they have applied some of those lessons in the south and, again, i am sure that they will continue to happen. >> before the discussions, and.

[inaudible] always giving me good advice is. therefore, we share everything and we consult good second, on the battlefield, we have very meaningful and successful achievement. we detect thousands of terrorists including senior commanders. they eliminate the hamas leadership is an ongoing goal that will be achieved, hopefully soon, but it will be achieved. we will continue to operate in different levels according to the situation in the region and i can tell you, soon, we will be

able to distinguish between different areas in gaza. where we achieve our mission, we will be able to transition, gradually to the next phase and start working on bringing back knockout population. that means that it can be achieved may be sooner in the north and in the south, so we are dealing with all of the different continents and we are deciding in the next future. the early future. i am not defining any region and this is an ongoing discussion. giving you an idea about what we are discussing and that is really military establishment.

>> thank you. d.c. news. what are the benchmarks for moving to the next phase of this war? does that mean you have to take out top hamas leadership to be able to move on and what specifically is keeping israel to moving to more precise operations against hamas. secretary austin, based on your experience in iraq and what you discussed today, what metrics should israel be using to know that it's the right time to transit from major combat operations and what are the risks to civilian protection. would you say that israel is on track for a strategic victory in gaza? >> do you want me to go first? >> always. >> okay. [laughter] >> i will let the minister speak to the elements of their campaign.

and how they will conduct operations, but i would tell you , we all know, any military operation, any large-scale military operation will have phases to its campaign. and, as you go from one phase to the next, you know, your stance shifts a little bit. your activity shifts a little bit. you begin to focus you will be defined by the israelis. but, as you transition from one phase to another, it does not mean that it does not mean that it doesn't signal an end to the operation. sometimes it means that you are being more precise. you are being more focused on a specific target set. you are doing different things during that campaign.

four example, in one phase you may have a higher intensity fighting both air and ground and another phase, you may shift a little bit and provide more humanitarian assistance while still focused on a discrete set of targets. i am not saying that that is not what they would be looking at going forward. i would let the israelis defined their campaign for themselves. but, in any operation like this, any campaign, there will be phases. the most difficult part is as you shift from one phase to the next, making sure that you have everything accounted for and you get it right. that requires detailed planning and very thoughtful planning. sir, over to you. >> thank you. the goals for the war. that means by the end of the war , as long as it takes, we

need to make sure that we have our hostages back. that we eliminate the abilities and just include destroying these military capability in gaza. and the entire environment including the battalions that we need to dismantle and the chain of command and the supreme military leadership and so forth and so on. the phases, the technique, which is part of the plan that we have to deploy in order to achieve our goals. as secretary austin said, only the way that we shape our plan in order to achieve the goals. this is happening on the battlefield. they are changing. you change.

you do something different in a different phase. the intensity in the first phase is given, but another phase as we will concentrate for instance , engaging and defecting the supreme leadership of hamas and others. all in all, there is there is no clock that is running and you have to obey, but we need to get to a different performance on the ground before we move to the next phase. i believe that we will find the proper time to do so in the most important issue is in the beginning, we will prevail. we will dismantle hamas otherwise. we will not be able to exist and

live in the way we want to live in this region because there is a price to the terrorist and they need to know that if they kill, kidnap 1500 people including kids and women,. >> thank you very much, everyone >> thank you, secretary

quorum call:

the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. mr. cardin: i would consent that the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cardin: madam president, i rise in stronger support of the nomination of former maryland governor martin o'malley to be the next commission of the social security administration. the social security administration is confronting a consumer service crisis. today ssa is serving 50% more customers and beneficiaries with the same staffing it had in

1995. this has resulted in unacceptable service delays including 37-minute average hold times on the 800 number and as much as a two-year waiting for disability determinations and appeals. the american people deserve better. recall that about 66 million americans, one in five, receive some benefits from social security each year. governor martin o'malley is the strong operational leader that the social security administration needs right now. he has the demonstrated time and time again that by focussing on performance, management, smart government and data-driven results, he can bring change and accountability to large organizations and significantly improve government service for the american people. his leadership credentials include decades of public service, including two terms each as mayor of baltimore and

then governor of maryland. i saw his hands-on approach firsthand as a longtime baltimore resident. i was at city hall when governor o'malley set up the city stats when he was mayor. this was a novel approach i've never seen carried out by chief executive of a city. he brought his agency heads in on a regular basis with specific objectives that they needed to accomplish. then on a regular basis he had the statistics to see whether they were performing as they should, as they indicated they needed to. that's called accountability. he held his team accountable, and the results were incredible. his signature city stat and state stat initiatives are widely cited as a molgd for data-driven government efficiency and effectiveness and won baltimore awards from the harvard kennedy school in 20004.

as former senator mikulski said, quote, quo the hardworking men and women of the social security administration need a strong confirmed operational leader and the american people need a social security administrator that works for them. martin o'malley would provide the leadership and the management skills to do that. he has a knack for organization, understanding new technologies, and how to use technologies to be data driven. governor o'malley is not a big-government guy. he's a smart-government guy. he believes you use modern management tools to organize a workforce around a mission, measurable objectives, and bl stay within budget. end quote from some more mu cull is i ask. for the -- mikulski. for the employees of the social security administration nationwide including 12,000 in naerld at the wood lawn headquarters in baltimore, i am confident martin o'malley will honor the services of the american people and support for

a strong union workforce. as the governor said at his confirmation hearing, i'm quoting again, as mayor, i've learned there is no democratic or republican way to fill a pothole. and as governor, i learned that the biggest and toughest challenges can only be tackled with some degree of bipartisan consensus and cooperation. but as both a mayor and a governor, i developed a discipline for harnessing data and information technologies in a way that got the best out of a large, solid organization of people that many inside and out of the government thought were too unwieldy, too slow and too steeped in excuses to change. governor o'malley continued. there are two people that are going to be forefront in my mind -- how is the customer being served and directly related to that, what is the experience of front-line workers. we need to understand what's happening, where, whether we're on track or not, who's doing it well, who's not doing it well. when people are actually listened to, when the word is

respected, when experiences are respected, and we create a winnable game. it has been my experience as it was in baltimore that people rise to the occasion. small things done well make bigger things possible. i strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of martin o'malley to be our next social security administrator. mr. president, i would ask that the following remarks be separated from my comments in regards to governor o'malley. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cardin: madam president, last week i had the opportunity to lead a congressional delegation, a bipartisan legislative senate delegation to the cop 28 climate meetings in dubai uae. it was my fifth cop delegation of senators that i've led at the

annual meetings. i was joined by senator carper, senator whitehouse, senator murkowski, senator coons, senator markey, and senator schatz. this was special. we participated in two and a half days and over 50 meetings, engaging our colleagues from around the globe, showing u.s. leadership, and keeping us on track to accomplish what we set out to do at the beginning of this meeting. the first point i think we urged was that there is the urgency of the moment. we are beyond the crisis. predictions that were made 30 years ago have now come true about severe weather events. we talked about category 5 tropical storms 30 years ago coming at regular frequency. that's now a realty as a result

of climate change. we talked about wildfires, and we saw wildfires in canada darken the skies from boston to baltimore. we talked about floods and droughts, the fact it would have on our food security. that is now a realty as a result of climate change, and our inability to do what we should have done decades ago. it's not too late to save the world. cop 28 was a real opportunity for us to reflect on where we've been and what we have to do. i underscored, as my colleagues did, the u.s. leadership in this global challenge. we are proud of what we've done in the united states. madam president, we are so proud of the passage of the inflation reduction act. that was the largest single

contribution in america's history, i would say in the global history, to deal with the global crisis. the impact was dramatic, and energizing not just the governmental sector but the private sector to transition to a new type of an economy that recognizes that we have to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions. but importantly, we need to reverse what is happening and make sure that we stay on target. a lot is mentioned about what type of financial assistance we have given to the global effort. after all, we are a developed nation. we have used our resources historically maybe not in the best way for our environment dealing with carbon emissions. we're asking the developing world to do things differently than we did, which could be

interpreted as affecting their economic opportunity. quite frankly, madam president, by investing in renewable energy sources and investing in clean energy and investing in adaptation, the developing world will actually have a stronger economy and a stronger economic future, but they need our help. so, yes, there's a lot of attention to the green climate fund and to the new loss and damage funds that are being created. but our delegation stressed in dubai what america and this congress has already done. the assistance that we've given under usaid, the assistance that we've given under our development financing corporation, the assistance that we've done under millennium challenge corporation, you add all those up for the past two years alone, we've exceeded $8.5 billion -- that's with a b -- in

assistance may believe to the global south, but to the developing world in order to invest in renewable energy sources, in order to be able to transition to a greener economy. and the best thing about the way that the united states does its development assistance, we do it in a way that does not hold countries hostage to debt, gives them the type of economic partnerships that are necessary for their economic future. but we need to do more. the message in dubai is that in paris in 2015, we committed to hold the warming of our climate to no greater than 1.5 degrees. we have to do that. are we on target to reach that 1.5? the answer is no. we've got to do more so that we can reach the 1.5 target. and, yes, i'm optimistic by the

results of our cop 28 meetings, that we are moving in the right direction. the first thing we did was an assessment, an honest assessment as to whether we're on track for 1.5. the answer was no and that every country needs to do more. we need to redouble our efforts. we need to fill the gaps. we need to transition off of fossil fuels. and i was pleased at the end we were able to get language included that made it clear we are transitioning off of fossil fuels for our energy needs because that is going to be absolutely essential for us to meet the 1.5 goal. i want to compliment secretary kerry, the head of our u.s. delegation, for the work that he did on behalf of our nation. let me just tell you some of the specifics that we were able to get done in dubai. 49 oil and gas companies agreed to slash methane emissions by

2030. 124 countries signed a declaration on the connection between health and climate change. 134 countries representing 75% of all food-based greenhouse gas emissions will now include food in their climate targets. the united states, along with 130 countries, agreed to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. if that wasn't impressive enough, the united states and 20 other nations pledged to triple nuclear energy production by 2050. these are the kind of advances that seemed out of reach just a few years ago, and they come on the heels of progress we have made here at home. in recent years the united states has enacted not only clean energy investment to reduce emissions, we ratified the kigali investments in the m m

montreal protocol. and the list goes on. we've got to do more. we're in crisis but i was encouraged as the global community gathered in dubai with u.s. leadership. there was a renewed commitment that we all need to work together to save our planet for future generations. one of those key players in our delegation who has led the fight in regards to the need for us to recognize we have to get off of a carbon economy, who's proposed legislation here in his work with the international committee to do that is senator sheldon whitehouse. he's been a real champion on all those issues. he was a key member of our delegation in dubai, and i'm pleased to see that he's on the floor. madam president, i would yield the floor. mr. whitehouse: i hesitate to go forward while the chairman of the ... well, first of all --

the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island. mr. whitehouse: -- to chairman cardin for his fifth cop delegation that he led. i've been on all five of them, and i'm really grateful that he has organized them and organized them well. a couple of topics on this one, going in we had acquired from the u.n. f triple c that people showing up would have to disclose their fossil affiliations. who are you really working for if you've come to the cop. we have worked since then with the environment -- to put real teeth in the program and you can't just send it to the p.r. department. and we have sent that into

professor raskin, so we didn't get it done for this one and this one was swarming with lobbists and undisclosed mischief makers -- they are up to no good because we're hoping by the next cop there will be far better transparency and people who are actively working to defeat climate legislation and climate progress, they can come, but we need to know they're there. other nations agree to transition away from fossil fuels. for many of us, that seemed obvious going in. i'm not too excited about that. but what's good is every country signed off on it like saudi arabia, countries that have long been part of the fossil fuel apparatus had to go along with

this. so while the standard may not be all that exciting, everybody knew going in we're transitioning away from fossil fuel, for peat's sake, but the united nimenty is -- unanimity is new, and we have moved the worst performers, the worst nations to catch up with everybody else who knew that transitioning away from fossil fuels is necessary. there was some good work done on methane. there were international efforts to focus on methane and particularly methane leaks. that is good because what we're doing in the u.s. working on methane, the methane legislation that passed out of the faa, the methane fee that was brought into the ira with the good work of chairman carper, the methane task force that the biden administration has stood up to spot metdz methane leaks from --

methane leaks and go after them and make sure they're stopped and move quickly. you put that together with an international package, you can begin to make a dent in methane emissions, they don't last as long, but they are powerful when in the atmosphere. they are dangerous in the short run and knocking them out in the short run will be a good outcome. we talked a lot about the cbam, the europe united -- european unitedian has -- european united andon passed the cbam, including us and everybody else in the world, and to my mind that e.u.cbbam is the most promising emission reduction strategy

anywhere, arguably even more than these cops. it is a big, big deal. and one of the things we heard from them -- our u folks, they are not budging. they will not give exceptions, they will not give waivers, they will not let people weasel out. they will stick to their guns and make sure their proposal goes forward, and encourage that because as soon as they're really locked down and everybody knows it, others will join. guess what today's news is. the u.k. is fishily -- officially joining the cbam and they will not have to pay internal tariffs to each other, and as my friend mr. dumm said, their version of the u.k.cbam will, quote, keep the u.k. at

the forefront of the groups leading comprehensive and effective measures to tackle global emissions. e.u. is in, u.k. is joining, now it's time for the united states to step up and join the carbon border tariff policies that are probably our very best step to avert the horrors of uncontrolled climate chaos. with that, let me yield the floor back and, again, thank chairman cardin for his leadership of this very busy and hardworking delegation. mr. cardin: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. mr. cardin: let me underscore senator whitehouse's role in the cbam that he talked about. because that sets up a level playing field on carbon, the real price of carbon. so we're not at a competitive disadvantage. we've got to catch up to what

europe is doing. we've got to join the group. and senator whitehouse has been the champion of pointing out that there's a price that we all pay because of carbon emissions and we ask our companies to do it in a friendlier way. they need to be on a level playing field with their competitors, china being a principal concern. these cbam proposals will put american producers on a level playing field if we join with these efforts. senator kaefrp, who -- senator carper, who chairs the environmental works committee, has been a key leader. we were able to pass the inflation reduction act which has been the envy of the world for commitment on the energy agenda. but he was also responsible for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and it had a heavy diet of

greener transportation programs, establishing a way that we can electrify our transportation fleet with charging stations. all that came under senator carper's leadership. and then the protocols that we were able to ratify through our committees with his leadership. he has been a champion and leader for the united states senate on aggressive policies to be a leader in the world on climate issues. i'm proud to serve on his committee, along with the presiding officer, we have a champion and leader in senator carper. mr. carper: madam president, good afternoon. the presiding officer: the senator from delaware. mr. carper: one of the joys serving as chair of the environment public works committee next to ben cardin and two seats away from sheldon whitehouse. we appreciate your participation

and leadership in the committee as well, mr. president. we have a bunch of pages sitting in the well. one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. they are high school juniors, seniors, probably 16, 17 years old, and pretty soon they will go out into the world and do bigger and better things than we have. i want to make sure, i think my colleagues want to make sure they have a planet to glow -- to grow up on and a planet to grow old on. when i became a navy midshipman and i raised my right hand to defend the country and constitution in those days, and i learned a little bit about leadership when i was not much older than these guys. and one of the things i learned about leadership is the importance of leadership by example. it's not do what i say, but

rather do what i do. one of the great things about going to the cop under the leadership of senator cardin with our colleagues was we didn't justice just go and -- just go and tell the rest of the world do x, y, and z. we told them this is what we're doing and this is why it's important many we want you to enjoy us in this -- to join us in this effort. more and more folks around the country, around the world, rather, are doing that. today i think a majority of americans agree that climate change actually is a major threat, maybe the major threat facing our planet and the people who inhabit it. every day americans see the impacts of climate crisis, particularly in the form of my frequent and destructive storms throughout the -- really throughout the planet. a decade ago the united states experienced, i'm told, ten

weather disasters, ten, that cost at least a billion dollars each. this year there have been 25 -- 25 of these billion dollars events, that includes maui, which magically took 100 lives and our nation's deadliest wildfire in a century. we also know that 2023 was not one of the hottest years on this planet, it was the hottest year on the planet, without question. scientists tell us that global temperatures are going to keep rising if we don't do more to translate -- to transportation way from fossil fuels. so, madam president, the question that i'm asking myself and i think we need to ask ourselves is, what are we going to do about it? as senator cardin and senator whitehouse laid out, we can do a lot. can we do more?

yes, we can do more. are we going to do more? yes, we will do more and the chair of the finance committee will be here talking about and his great leadership in the finance committee to make sure that we follow through and build on what we've already begun. the united states, i think we're getting iraq together on this front. for a long time we were the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet, far and away the biggest, and i think we have a moral obligation for having put so much greenhouse gases up into the air, we have a moral obligation to lead in the reduction of emissions and make sure these young people up here, and my grandchildren and your grandchildren have a planet to grow up on. i would just commend senator cardin, you did a great job leading our codel. it was an monor -- honor to be a part of that codel. it was bipartisan. we ran into a bunch of folks in

the house of representatives, democrats and republicans, and so we had a good bipartisan, bicameral feel and came away feeling really good about it. at cop 28, senator cardin mentioned this, our message to the world is the united states -- i'm tempted to say once again, but i'll say again leading the overall global effort to tackle the climate crisis and my colleague mentioned how we did that. we mentioned kagolli, it's refers to a treaty that reduces of the emissions of hfc's, my wife said stop talking about it, nobody cares about it. but here's why we do, it's a refridge -- refridgerant and

what makes it work is hfs's. -- hfc's. the bad news is when the hfc's leak into the atmosphere, they are a thousand times more potent than greenhouse gases. i will say that a thousand times more potent that greenhouse gases. we're doing that. that one thing alone is worth a half percent centigrade towards meeting our goal after the agreement out of paris. the agreement out of paris was half a celsius reduction. and following the cop 26, we put our heads down and got to work and after months of intense

negotiations, we passed the inflation reduction act and what came out of the committee was $3770 billion -- $370 billion for clean energy, the largest amount for environmental justice. where i come from, that is real money, and hopefully we'll do even more on that. soon after we did that, the united states senate came together to ratify the kigali amendment. but if you take them together it is advancing our nation's climate goals and to create hundreds of thousands -- hundreds of thousand dollars of good-paying energy jobs around the world. we heard before we can't address climate change or address the warming of our planet and create

economic opportunity, hogwash, we can do both. inflation is down. employment numbers are up. the work that we're doing on the greenhouse gas side is -- is going forward. so we're doing it all. we're doing it all. but still, we are clear-eyed that there is more work to be done. cop 28 resulted in senator cardin mention dz the historic global agreement that transitioned away from carbon fuels and this will help us in the decade to come. with that in mind as chairman of the environment public works committee i am focused on overseeing the recent climate wins and next year i hope to build on the nation's climate goals, including bipartisan legislation. i think senator cardin may have referred to that in themming to

confirm president biden's nominees. i believe they are providing a half or more than half of our carbon-free electricity in this country. i want to close by words spoken down the other end of this chamber, at the other end of -- a couple of years ago, french president macron came and spoke, bipartisan house, senate, a gaerping and -- a gathering, and he said -- and talked to us about climate change and global warming. he said there is no planet b. that's what he said. no planet b, this is the only planet we're going to have. we have to make every day count. i think what we heard coming out of the cop 28, we have every intention of helping lead this planet to that direction. and with that i yield the floor. i want to again thank senator cardin. i yield back to him and thank him for his terrific leadership

and in so many other forms mr. cardin: let me again thank senator carper. we are joined by senator markey. if we would have passed senator markey's bill in the senate that passed the ho us, we would not be in this position today. he has been a leader on climate issues for several decades now and has really been the champion on raising the consciousness that we all have responsibilities for this one globe. i yield the floor. mr. markey: thank you, senator cardin. thank you for your leadership in bringing our delegation to cop 28 and what a delegation with you as the chairman of the senate foreign relations, senator carper, the chairman of environment and public works, senator whitehouse, an historic leader on these issues and even sitting out here on the floor

right now, senator wyden who was so instrumental in ensuring that the ira passed and that it had the incentives to unleash a clean energy revolution that had been long overdue in terms of having a response. so we thank you and we thank the young people, the pages who are here today because they are the true leaders of of this movement of the coming -- movement. coming off the heels of this year's climate talks, it was clear that cop 28, the international climate conference was an opportunity to lift our gaze, to live the planet's gaze to the constellation of possibilities for our ability to be able to respond to this crisis that is affecting our planet and to readjust the gravitational force of fossil-fuelled interests that pull our countries away from

climate action. i've been to many international climate conferences over the years. i know how much it matters to give countries a space to convene, to give advocates a chance to hold governments accountable, and to give the public a direction for a livable future. cops give us a chance to organize and not just agonize about the climate crisis. i was encouraged to see the final cop 28 deal include a call to transition away from fossil fuels as well as an agreement on the fund for losses due to climate change. we've never had a strong signal that it is time to close the chapter on the heyday of fossil fuels. but the science is clear. weak agreement language will not keep our planet strong.

we can't just agree to consider lifesaving actions. we must commit to those lifesaving actions. cop 28 came to a loophole-filled e end, less embrace of a fossil fuel free future and more a step in the right direction when we needed to be sprinting towards a fossil fuel phaseout on the planet. the climate crisis disproportionately impacts people who are least responsible, most affected, and most often left behind, poor, marginalized, and indigenous communities. we can't build walls around the climate crisis so we have to build bridges. to be a leader the united states must commit to phasing out fossil fuels and to putting our

money where our mouth is. we've done it at home with the inflation reduction act which is already unleashing commitments of nearly $300 billion in private funding for clean energy in just the first year since it passed. and it has the potential of ultimately unleashing trillions of dollars of private sector investment over the next decade. and i think it will do that. but now we need to do it internationally as well. we have to provide direct finance for clean energy and climate resilience. we must push the world bank. we must push the international monetary fund to do more and to do better. and we must stop subsidizing, financing, and approving new fossil fuel plants around the world. we cannot preach temperance from a barstool. and the united states right now

is drunk on oil and natural gas production and exports from our country around the world. plus we continue to foot the bill for other countries' fossil-fuel binges. in the face of these challenges, the answer is not to reverse course on our commitments. it's to double down. it's to do more. it's to respond to this moral challenge to our country and to our planet, to the challenge which young people are giving to this body and to the world to respond to a crisis that was not dealt with by preceding generations. trying to solve climate change without a phaseout of fossil fuels is like trying to end lung cancer without getting off

cigarettes. our prescription here is clear. phase out fossil fuels and build clean economies here at home and abroad at the same time. and i look forward to continuing to partner with my colleagues in congress, members of parliament around the world pushing for a fossil free future, environmental and climate justice, organizations led by young people and all those who are working for a global green new deal. young people are leading us, and we must respond to them. they are right and the fossil fuel industry is wrong on every one of these issues. and we have to continue to respond to this challenge politically. we've taken important steps, and the senators who are here today led that effort but without a single republican vote.

we cannot sprint towards the solutions if we do not have more support from the republican party. we will not have credibility with the rest of the world if we continue to build lng export facilities to send natural gas around the world, countries to natural gas while we should be helping them to deploy wind and solar and all-electric vehicles and battery storage and other clean energy technology. that's what we should be doing. we have to end this era where we're about to try to build dozens of lng, liquefied natural gas plants. fossil fuel climate change is a threat to each and every one of us so each and every one of us has a role to play in heeding the cop's call to action. i thank you, mr. chairman. thank you for your leadership. thank you for convening us here

today. a senator: madam president the presiding officer: the senator from maryland mr. cardin: let me thank senator markey again for his extraordinary leadership. i also want to acknowledge josh cline for the work he did as our staff person for cop28. madam president, senator wyden is on the floor. i know he's planning to speak on martin o'malley to be the next administrator of the social security administration. but i want to take this time to thank senator wyden for his leadership on the climate agenda. we marked up in the senate finance committee the energy provisions that ended up in the inflation reduction act well before the inflation reduction act was put together as a package, and it was the work that senator wyden led in the finance committee that provides the predictability to the future of our tax code to reward renewable energies. we were asked in the cop meetings what happens if there's changes in elections, will america still be strong on the climate agenda? and we pointed out to our tax

code which we've been able to continue tax provisions and senator wyden's led the effort to make sure that we have a strong tax base to reward renewable energy sources so that we can do exactly what senator markey said, transition off of fossil fuels to renewables. i just really want to acknowledge the work senator wyden has done on the climate agenda, and he was a very popular person in dubai even though he was not there. mr. wyden: madam president, i don't want to make this a bouquet tossing contest, but the fact is the four senators on the floor have together put in decades and decades and decades prosecuting the cause of clean energy and the fact of the matter is, we had tried a lot of things over the years. we tried cap and trade. i was a strong supporter of senator markey's efforts. we tried core ban -- carbon

taxes and border adjustment. and particularly three of the four members over here from the finance committee, they were willing to take the risk of saying we ought to basically if not throw the tax code in the garbage can as it relates to energy, get pretty darn close in terms of creating a whole new set of incentives. so i'm going to speak about martin o'malley's candidacy here for a few minutes, but i just wanted to say to these four, we would not have even gotten a sna major climate bill out of the senate finance committee to break 50 years of gridlock. the new york -- that's how "the new york times" described it. 50 years of trying. and the finance committee broke that gridlock. wouldn't have happened without these four senators, and i want them to know that. madam president, in a few minutes the senate is going to vote on the nomination of martin o'malley to be the commissioner of the social security administration. as the chair of the senate

finance committee, i led with several of my colleagues here the review of martin o'malley's candidacy for this position. i want to recommend him to the united states senate in the strongest possible way. now, americans may see the title of social security commissioner and ask what in the world does that person do? i worked hard, that typical working class person will say to earn my social security. now i'm looking forward to getting it. so what's new? well, the job of the social security commissioner is pretty important because the job is to do right by the more than 60 million americans who count on

social security every month. and madam president, those 60 million americans who are counting on those benefits have within their group millions who are walking an economic tightrope every month. they balance the food bill against the fuel bill and the fuel bill against the rent bill. the average amount for social security retirement is $1,847. and often in our house, we would say, you know, who's counting. i'm telling you those folks i just described are, because $,847 is less than the median monthly rent nationwide. so what this means, madam president, is no matter who you are, what job you did for a living, you earned benefits.

and you want to make sure that the commissioner working closely with their colleagues delivers them on time, accurate, and with speedy customer service to resolve any errors. and my colleagues on the finance committee know from our hearings that unfortunately that hadn't always been the case. there have been way too many instances of overpayments and club acts, customer service shortfalls, technology woes, other problems that make it harder for americans to get their earned benefits. now, throughout his he said and

repeatedly, what his thoughts were on our view which is this position is not about politics. it's about service. and martin o'malley made it clear that would be his agenda and he talked about his record of modernization and improving transparency in his previous position helping marylanders get the services they count on. i believe and i say to the senate and we have senator cardin here who has known the nominee for decades that martin o'malley understands that there is no problem or no democratic way to make sure that we deal with these overpayments. we've got to get this fixed.

i talked with senator crapo, a the ranking member about it, we are going to insist that martin owe mally, who i believe will be confirmed, will brief us every month, every single month, until this gets fixed. and we heard from senator cardin and senator mikulski, our former colleague, that that kind of accountability is in martin o'malley's dna. martin o'malley's leadership is going to be needed in the days ahead. all those americans who paid into social security, they want to know without any if's, and's, but's that these issues of clawbacks and delayed service are going to be fixed. and if you get a letter from

social security -- as we heard about in our committee, all three of my colleagues there -- you get a letter from social security saying you owe tens of thousands of dollars through no fault of your own, that's life-altering, and it's wrong. those mistaken overpayments can be difference between having groceries, having electricity during this cold winter, paying for essentials. and we've got to get this fixed. as i said at the senate finance committee's bipartisan vote supporting martin o'malley had i made it clear -- i made it clear having had the honor to serve on this committee for a number of years -- like my colleagues -- that this program, which is as important as any for millions of americans, deserves to be one

that delivers to the american people without a lot of the problems with service and clawbacks and delays that we were told about in our hearings. i believe martin o'malley will deliver that. i believe he is the right person for the job at the right time. we're going to vote in about ten minutes or thereabouts. i urge all my colleagues to support him as well. and with that, madam president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from delaware. mr. carper: if i could, i'd like to be recognized for maybe five minutes to also speak on behalf of the nomination of former governor marlin o'malley. some of senator cardin and others have known martin for a long time. as well. i think i met him when he was

18. and he was part of an irish folk group that was performing not just around maryland, just around baltimore but as far away as delaware. one weekend we had a great place for people would come for great music, irish music and maybe a drink or two, and martin was -- i think he was too young to get in as a customer, but he could come in apparently as a -- part of a troupe to provide entertainment. and i knew at that time that he was a future commissioner for social security. not really. i know -- but seriously, what i did know is he's pretty good at harmony. pretty good at creating harmony. and in the jobs that he has had since then, he has demonstrated that again and again many. he and i have both served as governor of our respective states, part of delmarva. and we were not governors at the same time, but very close

together. he provided great leadership for our neighboring state of maryland as governor for many, many years. and i was pleased to be not just his colleague but just a friend. when the -- the day i was sworn into the house of representatives a million years ago -- in 1983 -- we were told as freshmen at our orientation that social security was going to run out of money, and if somebody didn't do something about it, eventually there would be a haircut. the benefits would be reduced. and ultimately if we didn't make some -- take some strong action, there would be a lot more than a haircut. and we might even see the -- those benefits go away. with strong bipartisan leadership from president ronald reagan and strong leadership from the house speaker, with

whom senator biden and i served, tip o'neill, we worked together to enact a whole host of reforms, if you'll recall, that ended up saving the social security trust fund. today the social security's programs are an important safety net that provide financial support not just for a couple million people, but tens of millions of people. most people in their 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, but also disabled people. in some cases, children who lose a parent who are in a tough situation. but i've known martin and respect his leadership not just as governor but as mayor. he is exceptionally well-hadded to lead the administration in its efforts. as governor, you get to be involved with a lot of retirement issues, a lot of

penning -- pension issues. for not just state employees but actual lay in delaware with the county and local folks, educators, all kinds of people. in the state of delaware, we have to be conversant with health insurance benefits for people with wide ranges of ages and needs. when you're governor, you're trained on the job. he has had excellent experience to help him prepare for this responsibility. the other thing i want to mention, it's an interesting lineup of organizations that are -- that have endorsed him and are supporting his nomination. 10l. some we expect but some are a price. this is part of a very large group. the international brotherhood of teamsters is among them, social security works is among them. the national committee to preserve social security and medicare is among them. the list goes on and on and on.

and so from one recovering governor -- that's me -- to another -- that's martin -- i want to thank governor o'malley really for extraordinary service to our country and for doing it in a way that doesn't rub people the wrong way. he doesn't create animosity, but in a way that israelily fosters -- but in a way that really fosters harmony. the kind of harmony in a singing group that he excelled at. i know my colleagues from maryland and others who have served with him as governor and other capacities, we've already seen him in action. and we would be hard-pressed to do better than martin o'malley. with that, i yield back my time. thank you. mr. cardin: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. mr. cardin: i had a chance earlier this evening to talk about governor owe mally. i want to compliment snarl wyden

and senator carper for their comments. and really underscore this one thing about governor o'malley. he is going to have two people in mind as the administrator of the social security administration. one will be that individual that depends upon the benefits, receiving those benefits, that they're eligible for in a timely way for determinations in receiving their checks on time and getting the customer information that they need in regards to these benefits. that's called consumer service. that's called serving the public. he is going to be laser-focussed to make sure they don't have to wait on a call line for minutes, tens of minutes, as it is today, but that at that can be done in a timely way. that determinations can be made in a timely way, and that checks are received. but the second group he will be equally focussed on is the workforce of the social security

administration. they've been asked to do more with less over time. and governor o'malley knows how to bring out the strength of the workforce, supporting the workforce in their mission, rewarding the good service that they perform. so i think we're going to have a leader at the social security administration that will understand the responsibilities to the recipients as well as those performing public service on behalf of the social security administration. i'm excited about his willingness to take on this responsibility. i've seen him take on incredible challenges from being a mayor in baltimore and dealing with the challenges we have in our urban centers to taking on the responsibilities of a governor and having to deal with 188 state legislators. that's not an easy task. so i think he'll find this challenge one that he is ready for and i'm very excited about the fact that we're about ready to vote for his nomination. with that, i would ask unanimous

consent that notwithstanding the 5:30 tame for vote 0ing that the vote begin immediately. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, the question occurs on the nomination. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote: the clerk: ms. baldwin. mr. barrasso. mr. bennet. mrs. blackburn. mr. blumenthal. mr. booker. mr. boozman. mr. braun. mrs. britt.

mr. brown. mr. budd. ms. butler.

vote:

senators voting in the affirmative -- baldwin, bennet, butler, cantwell, capito, cardin, carper, cortez masto, duckworth, durbin, grassley, kaine, manchin, murphy, murray sanders, schatz, shaheen, sinema, stabenow, warnock, whitehouse, wyden. senators voting in the negative -- crapo, lankford, mullin, wicker.

the clerk: mr. booker, aye. mr. thune, no.

the clerk: ms. smith, aye.

the clerk: mr. tillis, aye. mr. coons, aye.

mr. schumer, aye. the clerk: ms. klobuchar, aye. mr. tester, aye.

the clerk: mr. kennedy, no. the clerk: mr. lujan, aye.

the clerk: mr. mendendez, aye.

the clerk: mrs. gillibrand, aye.

the clerk: ms. hassan, aye. mr. markey, aye.

the clerk: mr. blumenthal, aye. the clerk: mr. merkley, aye.

the clerk: mr. reed, aye.

the clerk: wmr. rounds, aye. -- mr. rounds, aye.

the clerk: ms. rosen, aye.

the clerk: mr. kelly, aye. the clerk: mr. cotton, no.

the clerk: mr. casey, aye.

the clerk: ms. collins, aye.

the clerk: mr. van hollen, aye. mr. heinrich, aye.

vote:

the clerk: mr. ossoff, aye.

the clerk: mr. ricketts, no.

the clerk: mr. brown, aye. ms. murkowski, aye.

the clerk: mr. young, no.

the clerk: mr. hoeven, no.

vote:

the clerk: mr. mcconnell, no.

the presiding officer: on this vote, the eyes are 50, the nays are 11, and the nomination is confirmed. under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table and the president will be immediately notified of the senate's actions. under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. the clerk: nomination, department of justice, christopher charles fonzone of pennsylvania to be assistant attorney general.

united states and israel have never been more determined in their life and our shared values. in our shared interest in our shared goals. you have shown the people of israel and the entire world what get you to be a leader and a partner. there is no greater projection of our ties and sitting together discussing the more sensitive to issues of the agenda for prosperity and trust. thank you secretary for your commitment to israel's security. we stand here 72 days into a war we did not want on october 7 monster conducted they murdered

rate and kidnapped children, women, soldiers. on october 7 we call back and immediately set the goals of this war. the destruction of hamas and the return of the hostages home with no exception. our common enemies around the world are watching. they know that the victory of the free world led by the united states of america. our war against hamas is a war it's the people of gaza. we are fighting a brutal enemy.

billions of dollars have been invested in gaza. money back should have gone to civilian infrastructure and instead was used to build a network of tunnels, hundreds of kilometers long equipped by military facilities. today, idr talks in hamas hotspots across gaza. northern gaza troops have eliminated, destroyed military infrastructure and dismantled.

good evening everyone. will deliver remarks. please have your phones on silent if possible. secretary austin. the united states and israel have never been more determined in their lives in our shared values, our should victory in

our shared goals. you have shown the people of israel and that the entire world what it means to be a leader and a partner. there is no greater projection than sitting together with general brown discussing the most sensitive issues on the agenda and full transparency and trust. thank you secretary for your deep commitment and security. we stand here, 72 days into a war that we did not want. on october 7, hamas conducted brutal attack. they murdered, raped, and kidnapped children, women,

soldiers, holocaust survivors. on october 7, we fought back and immediately set the goals of this war. the destruction of hamas and the return of the hostages with no exception. our common enemies around the world are watching. and they know that israel's victory is the victory of the free world led by the united states of america. in our war against hamas. the hamas organization is a war -- make it's not a war against the people of gaza. we are fighting the brutal enemy that hides behind civilians. millions of dollars have been invested in gaza. money that should have gone to

civilian infrastructure and instead was used to build a network of tunnels, hundreds of kilometers long. equipped by military facilities. today, idf are operating in hamas across gaza. also in gaza will eliminate thousands of terrorists, military infrastructure and dismantle those operating in the area. assault gaza we are focused on eliminating hamas leadership and military infrastructure. aging hamas leadership in the chain of command, then over the favorites phases of the war will

continue until we fully achieve our goals. secretary austin, we both know the complexities of war. we both a five brutal terrorist organizations. we know that it takes time. unlike our enemies we are defending our values and we operate according to the international law. the idf is operating to minimize the civilian operation. we are also working with international partners to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. yet, it any time discuss american issues we must remember 129 hostages were held in gaza. it is a humanitarian issue.

on october 8, the day after hamas attacked, hezbollah open fire unprovoked. the threat of rockets, missiles and drones is unacceptable. over 80000 citizens are living as refugees in the country. we are determined to restore security. based on un resolution pushing back hezbollah. we will bring back the residents of the north with their homes on the border after security will be restored. if we fail to do so we are ensuring the border region is

clear of terrorists and does not allow direct threats of our citizens. if such a process will not but implemented diplomatically we will not hesitate. today we also discussed the growing global threat who is terrorist organization. threatened international freedom and the reckless behavior firing ballistic missiles and drones against israel. i can drag the region into war. the values, u.s. leadership and we will support international efforts. at the same time we maintain the right to take all of the actions necessary to defend our

citizens. hamas, hezbollah and houthis are supported and trained by one source, ironic. and unfortunately this is only their secondary effort. the major airport effort is acquiring nuclear capabilities and this continues even now. we are aware of the actions and we are ready to defend ourselves. we must take a stand. the world is watching us now. this includes our enemies, hamas, and hezbollah. the image they seek today is a powerful as we stand here united. we are resilience and determined.

we will win on every front. thank you once again mr. secretary. thank you for coming thank you for your support and your friendship. thank you very much. >> good afternoon everybody. we have been talking almost daily by phone. it was good to see you once again in person. going it's good to be back in israel even in these difficult days. especially in these difficult days. this is my fourth visit to israel as secretary of defense and my second time since octobe. i know that israel has been profoundly changed from where you were on october 6. so i am here with a clear message. american support for israel security is unshakable. and israel is not alone.

at a time of mourning, a real friend shows up. i know how terrible these days have been for the israeli people. and i know october 7 touched everyone in the small democracy. let me again extend my deepest condolences who has been sitting for his 25-year-old son and mourning his nephew after they both fell in gaza. on october 7 hamas committed one of the worst atrocities in the history of modern terrorism. president biden said it wasn't act of sheer evil. innocent young people at a concert were massacred. parents were shot in front of their children. women were sexually assaulted.

toddlers and holocaust survivors were taken hostage. and for hamas, that was just the beginning. hamas is clearly and loudly spelled out his vision of the future. and it is to repeat october 7 over, and over, and over again. no country should tolerate such a danger. every right to defend itself against the fanatical terrorist group who stated purpose is to murder jews and eradicate the jewish state. ossa still holding hostages including american citizens. hamas embeds itself and hides itself behind innocent palestinian civilians. hamas does not speak for the

palestinian people and hamas is determined both israelis and palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering and strength. so make no mistake, hamas should never again be able to project terror from gazan to the southern state of israel. we will continue to work together for a safer, more secure future for israel and a brighter future for the palestinians. united states will keep pushing relentlessly for the safe return of hostages in gaza. and we will continue to help israel give up efforts to bring them all home. thanks to the personal leadership of president biden i got up more than 100 hostages. but this remains a top priority for the united states from president biden on down.

and we will continue to do everything that we can to bring home every man, every woman, and every child. the united states has been clear and consistent since hamas started this war on october 7. democracies are stronger and more secure when we uphold the law of war. as i have said, protecting palestinian civilians in gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative. we will continue to stand up for israel's bedrock right to defend itself and we will also continue to urge the protection of civilians during conflict to increase the flows of humanitarian aid into gaza. that is important as israel fights to dismantle by terrorist infrastructure in gaza.

it will also be crucial for our work with our allies and partners after the fighting stops. we are working to ensure this conflict does not escalate beyond gaza. as we are driving to stabilize the region iran is raising by continuing to support terrorist groups and militias. attacks by these iranian proxies threaten the region's citizens and risk a broader conflict. of course, the united states is not secor. we urgently call on iran to take steps to de-escalate. now in my meetings today i also discussed the need to take urgent action to stabilize the west bank. attacks by extremist settlers against the palestinians in the west bank must stop. those committing the violence

must be held accountable. now, we know the past 72 days have been some of the most painful days in israel's history. but it would compound this tragedy would all that was waiting for the israeli people in your palestinian neighbors at the end of this awful war was more insecurity and despair. as i have said israelis and palestinians have both paid to bitter a price to just go back to october 6. i discussed pathways towards a future for gaza after hamas based upon the clear principles laid down last month by my friend secretary blinken. israelis and palestinians in both deserve a horizon of hope. so the united states continues to believe, as we have under administration of both parties it is in the interest of both

israelis and palestinians to move forward toward two states living side-by-side in mutual security. we know how hard that is especially after october 7 undergoing instability and insecurity only play into the hands of hamas. so we must think together about what lies beyond this terrible season of terror and war. and as we do. nine states remain deeply committed to the security and self-defense of the state of israel. as john f. kennedy said america's friendship of israel is a national commitment. that was true then, and it is even truer now. the united states will remain israel's closest friend in the

world. as i have said repeatedly, our support for israel security remains unshakable. and always will. thank you very much and will be happy to take your questions. >> are right will start hello? secretary often. it is not a secret there is a gap between israel and the u.s. have you set a timetable or deadline for the current phase of the ground were in gaza? have you heard any firm assessment from ids were that stands at fma with regard to the north, israel says it will attack lebanon if they want to have us acceptable solution that would include the withdrawal. jake sullivan was here last week he was quite confident such a

solution can be achieved. the u.s. army to strike and even destroy hezbollah and the running target if required. and it took the ids 70 days and it was revealed yesterday how long it takes to totally dismantle the threat in gaza was about the day after. how it is the day after. so with world men on will the idf be in gaza throughout the entire next year? thank you very much. >> which one of those 12 questions you and to ask? regarding the timeline, this is

israel's operation and i am not here to dictate timelines or terms. our support to israel's right to defend itself as ironclad as you've heard me said number of times and that's not going to change. it is critical, as i have said earlier that hamas not be able to threaten israel from gaza. or even threatened gaza anymore. that's it interest that we all share a common interest of all of us. and so today we had great discussions about the status of the campaign. about goals and objectives. and about how to reduce harm to civilians in the battle space. and the need to ensure a sustained flow of humanity assistance into gaza.

high intensity operations to lower intensity and more surgical operations. we had great discussions on all of those issues. on lebanon, we have been clear that we don't want to see this conflict widen into a larger war or regional war and we call upon hezbollah to make sure that they do not do things that would provoke a wider conflict. >> the first question. let me be more precise. it took us 70 days before we

expose this panel to the public. it was discovered before that. but we had a lot of operations to be done inside the tunnel before he exposed it. the war will take time. and i can assure only one issue. eventually first of all to destroy hamas. rescue the hostages, both of them. very important, equally. this is a war of determination and national resilience. we may prevail because we are fighting for the right values and for our survival in this region. as to the second question, we

understand how we volunteered the cooperation and international support to establish something, something different in gaza. this is the reason we conducted this talks today. together with secretary austin and the general and others regarding the issues that we have to conduct in gaza. we know that hamas will not come towards gaza. we know that we will have the freedom to eliminate any kind of threat in the future and there will be no serious military threats. they will not come towards gaza

in any civilian way. we will conduct any needed operation and military effort in order to secure our future and we are building the routes for nonhostile partners. >> thank you. if we can also please stick to one question each. >> thank you. bakhtin lebanon. are you currently planning for a ground operation in the north too, as you said, fully secure that area from hezbollah? secretary austin, if that is launched just to repeat my colleagues question, what would u.s. forces have in such case? is it too dangerous right now, minister, to open a second front in the north when you have troops committed in the south

and in gaza? my final one for secretary austin, another commercial vessel today was attacked in the red sea. u.s. warships continue to intersect warships and missiles from yemen. mr. schumer: madam president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the quorum be dispensed with. the presiding officer: we're not in a quorum. mr. schumer: thank you. i move to proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the eyes -- ayes have it.

mr. schumer: i move to proceed to legislative session to consider 445. the presiding officer: the question as soon to the motion. all in favor, say aye. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the clerk will report the nomination. the clerk: nomination, the judiciary, david -- john david russell of oklahoma to be united states district judge for the northern district of oklahoma. mr. schumer: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the cloture motion. the clerk: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 445, john david russell of oklahoma to be united states district judge for the northern district of oklahoma signed by 17 senators as follows. mr. schumer: i ask consent the reading ever the named be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i move to proceed

to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. mr. schumer: i i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 117. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the clerk will report the nomination. the clerk: nomination, department of labor, jose javier rodriguez of florida to be an assistant secretary. mr. schumer: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 117, jose javier rodriguez of florida to be an assistant secretary of labor, signed by 17 senators as follows. mr. schumer: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived.

the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion to proceed. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. you'd ayed. the motion is agreed to. -- the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 142. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the clerk will report the nomination. the clerk: nomination, environmental protection agency, joseph goffman of pennsylvania to be an assistant administrator. mr. schumer: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the motion. the clerk: cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 142, joseph goffman of pennsylvania to be an assistant administrator of the

environmental protection agency, signed by 17 senators as follows. mr. schumer: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the mandatory quorums for the cloture motions filed today, december 18, be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. so ordered. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the senate consider the following nominations en bloc, 407, 433. that the senate vote on the nominations en bloc, without intervening action or debate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and that the president be immediately notified of the president's action. the presiding officer: is there

objection? without objection. the question occurs on the nominations en bloc. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the nominations are confirmed en bloc. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmisted to the senate on december 18, 2023, by the president of the united states, the treaties with the republic of cuba and the goff of the united mexican states on the delimitation of maritime boundaries, and further that the treat treaty be considered as having been read the first time that it be referred with accompanying papers to the committee on foreign relations and ordered to be printed and that the president's message be participated in the record. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous cons

under such act to serve whole milk. mr. schumer: in order to place the bill on the calendar under rule 14, i object to further proceeding. the presiding officer: objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the committee on judiciary be discharged from further consideration of s s. 3427. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 3427, to provide

employees of the united states secret service with overtime pay beyond other statutory limitations and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measure? -- to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the committee is discharged and the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 64, s. 310. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 310, a bill to establish an advisory group to foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities engaged in disaster recovery related to debris removal and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measure? -- to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask that the bill be considered read a third time

and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask that the senate proceed to the immediate consider calendar number 65, s. 679. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 679, a bill to amend chapped r- chapter 8, title 5 of united states code and so forth. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 175, s. 950. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 175, s. 950, a bill to amend the omnibus public land management act of 2009. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the

motion? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 194, s. 2073. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: 194, 20373, a bill to amend title 31, united states code. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill as amended be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask that the senate proceed to calendar number 259, s. 1416, the clerk

will report. the clerk: calendar number 259, s. 1416, a bill to provide guidance in the development for the upgrade and modernization of the oceanic atmospheric national weather radio all hazards network. the presiding officer: there is objection? the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 260, s. 1414. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 260, s. 1414, a bill to improve the instant messaging service used by the national weather service and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the bill be considered

read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 264, s. 2685. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. 2685, a bill to make data an internal guidance on excess personnel property publicly available and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure to? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the report be agreed to, the bill as amended be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following senate resolution, s. res. 512, 513, and 514. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceed toing the measures en bloc? without objection, the senate will proceed en bloc. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous

consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: and finally. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today it stand adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on tuesday, december 19; 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; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the fonzone nomination; further, that the cloture motions filed on december 13 ripen at 2:15 p.m.;. that if cloture is invoked on either nomination, all postcloture time be considered expired and the senate vote on confirmation of the nominations immediately following the invoking of cloture;. that upon disposition of the nominations, the senate execute the order of december 5 with respect to the richard nomination and vote on confirmation of the nomination; finally, that if any

nominations are confirmed during tuesday's session, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the president-be immediately notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: for the information of the senate, there will be up the motion laid upon the table and the president be needily notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. schumer: there will be up to five roll call votes beginning at 2:15. if there are is -- there is no if there are is -- there is no

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talks about her memoir. everything happens for a reason. reflecting on being diagnosed with stage iv cancer. dave bowler sunday night at 8:0. you can listen to q&a and all of our podcasts on their free c-span now out. >> healthy democracy does not just look like this. it looks like this. where americans can see democracy at work. the republic thrives. get informed straight from the sources. unfiltered, unbiased, word for word. from the nation's capital to wherever you are. get the opinion that matters the most. your own. this is what democracy looks like. c-span power by cable. >> author and professor, you