part of our 40 year commitment to covering congress but today in the senate work on the nomination of james to the district court judge of the northern district of ohio. both are excited shortly. you are watching live coverage of the u.s. senate on c-span2. senate will be in order. the question is on the nomination. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll.

vote:

vote:

vote:

vote:

vote:

vote:

the presiding officer: are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote? hearing none, the yeas are 64, the nays are 24. 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 action.

mr. thune: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from south dakota. mr. thune: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to legislative session and be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. thune: madam president, i have four requests for committees to meet during today's session of the senate. they have a approval of the majority and minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mr. thune: madam president, before i begin, i want to acknowledge the tremendous news released yesterday that early results of a covid vaccine are showing a greater than 90% rate of effectiveness.

this is great news and a testament to the innovative power of the private sector and the efforts of congress and the trump administration to expedite the development of covid vaccines. the trial for this vaccine will continue and f.d.a. approval will be required, but these early results are very, very encouraging. it's been a tough year for americans and people all over the world, but hopefully this is a sign that the light at the end of the tunnel is coming. madam president, we're now a week on from the election, but there are still a lot of outstanding races to determine. votes are still being counted or will soon be rye counted in many states. the presidential race is yet to be certified and it is important to remember that while media outlets can predict a winner, official results do come later, and there are still house and senate races that are yet to be decided. one thing is clear, though --

the blue wave is democrat pollsters and the media predicted did not arrive. americans emphatically did not endorse the socialist aims of the far left. instead, they sent a much more moderate message. and i hope that when all the votes are counted and the outcomes of all the races are determined, democrats will be able to overcome the virulent partisanship that has characterized their behave over the past four years and work with republicans to deliver results for the american people. madam president, tomorrow we celebrate veterans day, the day set aside to honor all those who have served in the united states armed forces. this year we observe the 75th anniversary of the end of world war ii and our nation's world war ii veterans, the vents of the greatest generation, have been on my mind a lot. 16 million americans served in world war ii. 16 million. and these veterans were a

fixture in our lives. so many americans grew up with a dad or grand father or grandmother who had served in world war ii. i was one of them. my favorite veteran, my dad, was a world war ii pilots who flu hell cats off the pacific. i came to know the values of the greatest generation through my dad -- humility, patriotism, quiet service. these warriors who helped save the world didn't brag about their achievements. my dad won the distinguished flying cross -- i should say, received the distinguished flying cross. but that's not what he talked about. he did, however, talk about cecil harris, one of south dakota's aces, whose advice for a deft maneuver saved my dad's life during a dog fight. it was a move straight out of

"top gun," only decades before the movie. my dad always talked about how south dakota is the only state with two aces, with more than 20 shootdowns during world war ii. and he talked about the other pilots in his squadron and praised their character and service. as i said, these veterans are the greatest generation and have been a finks tour -- a fixture in our lives for a long time. their numbers are dwindling and dwindling quickly. my dad died in august of this year at the age of 100. we lose more and more of these veterans every day. and they will be sorely missed. but their legacy lives on in the generations of veterans that have followed them. and every age and every era, men and women have stepped forward to answer the same call that the greatest generation answered and in every era, those men and women, the men and women of the united states military, have embodied the values that

characterize men like my dad -- humility, courage, love of country, self-sacrifice, a love of freedom and for their fellow man. madam president, service in the military was once commonplace, but in an age when only a small percentage of the population serves, we need to ensure that we don't forget the vital role of our armed forces and the price our men and women in uniform paid to ensure that all of us can live in freedom. it's been said 10,000 times but it's no less true the 10,001 time had that we live in freedom because of the men and women of the united states military. we owe them a debt we cannot hope to repay. but on veterans day and every day, we can remember to say thank you. madam president, i cannot close without mentioning the men and

women i have met who are serving -- the members of the south dakota national guard at ellsworth air base. they are deployed in support of joint task horn of africa. they served a rotation of deployments to europe in support of operation resolve and to support polish forces. like many of their counterparts across the country, they have also been a part of the domestic coronavirus response. at else worth, the b-1 bombers continue to demonstrate their flexible global reach through bomber task force deployments. the bomber task force mission strengthen our continued coordination with nato allies in europe and assert america's commitment to stability in the endopacific. from the baltics to the south china sea to the middle east, the airmen at ellsworth air

force base continue to answer our nation's call and remain ready to respond to threats anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. madam president, as i said, we owe our men and women in uniform a debt we cannot hope to repay. but we can resolve to live our lives in such a way as to be worthy of their sacrifices. today and every day, may we remember the gratitude that we owe our military men and women and imitate their love of freedom and their devotion to our country. madam president, i yield the floor, and i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

murmur madam president, i'd ask that we dispense with the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. murphy: thank you, madam president. a republican candidate in california by the name of airline weber lost his race for congress by 72 points and yet he is not conceding that he lost. he says, i'm going to the los angeles county registrar's office to audit the vote counting procedures. i will not concede. every legal vote needs to be counted. just up the road in maryland, a republican candidate by the name

of kim klasik lost by 40 points and she is refusing to concede. she retweeted a tweet by president bush suggest i.g. that the election was stolen. i beat my person in in-person voting. ballots were found in his favor? my colleagues, there is an epidemic of delusion that is spreading out from the white house and infecting the entire republican party in the wake of this election, and it presents a real threat to this country. president trump didn't win the election. every single one of my colleagues knows this. and he didn't just lose. he lost by a pretty substantial margin.

he lost by 4.3% of the popular vote, likely around 70 electoral votes when all the counting is done. and while the results haven't been certified yet, this isn't the election in 2000. there aren't any hanging chads. we're not arguing about 500 votes here or there. in michigan the margin today is 148,000. in nevada, 36,000, in pennsylvania, it's 47,000, in wisconsin, it's 20,000. inner jo juror it's 12,000. -- in georgia it's 12,000. thousands and thousands of votes are those margins. hillary clinton in 2016 lost by less than the president did in pennsylvania and michigan and by about the same amount in wisconsin, and she conceded the day after the election. this is important, and i think

that we need to talk about it here because it has real consequences for democracy. and for national security. why hasn't the president conceded? now, it's not because there was voter fraud or because the election was stolen from him. we're a week out and the president is still desperately searching for evidence of fraud. he won't find it because it doesn't exist. it doesn't exist in pennsylvania or michigan or wisconsin or georgia. the president has empowered the department of justice to go out and launch investigations of voter fraud despite a long-standing precedent for the d.o.j. to stay out of elections if their actions could be determinative. but the president is so

desperate to fill in his methodology, his narrative with facts that he doesn't have, that he's sending the d.o.j. on this massive national fishing expedition. he hasn't conceded not because there is fraud. there hasn't been. he's not conceding because he believes that there's a chance he can remain as president without having won the election. so long as congressional republicans are willing to stick with him step by step by step, and so far there is no evidence that congressional republicans are ever going to step away from president trump's delusional assault on democracy. senator mcconnell said this week that the president is, quote, within his rights to fight the election. that is, of course, true. the president can keep filing

frivolous legal challenges if he wants. we're not going to stop him from doing that. but just because he has the right to mount these legal challenges, that doesn't mean that republicans here have to support him in those efforts if they contravene the interest of democracy and in the interest of a smooth transition of power. today the republicans support the president's refusal to concede, they support his lawsuits. they call on election officials, more recently in georgia who refuse to bend their knee to trump to resign and they endorse the president's decision to refuse to begin the transition. now, this may sort of seem like a side show now to the inevitability of a transfer of power, but what's next? what is president trump asks republicans here to contest the selection of electors?

what if he gets the message from republicans in congress that if you're willing to support all the steps he's taken since tuesday that you will continue to support his efforts to try to remain in office despite losing both the popular vote and the electoral college. that's within his rights to ask you to support a contest of electors, but will you do it? and what so far have we seen to suggest that there's an end to your decision to put your allegiance to this president above an allegiance to the country? the secretary of state was asked today if he thought there would be a smooth transition of power from president trump to the winner of the election. vice president and president-elect biden and secretary pompeo said there will be a mooth transition to a -- smooth transition to a second trump administration.

listen, these guys aren't playing. this isn't just for show. they are going to keep pushing the bounds of democracy until somebody stops them. it's logical to ask if republicans have been willing to support every conspiracy that the president has engaged in over the last week, then why wouldn't they support the next set of attacks on democracy that this president engages in? how far are republicans willing to go in their attacks against the decision of voters? now, for the president, there's really no downside to what he is doing right now. either he steals the election or he grows his political power because we learned in the last 24 hours that the president is raising money today online from

his supporters, not for a fund that is designed to strictly finance a recount effort but for a new political action committee that he has established that will fund his political efforts over the next four years. the button you click may give you the idea that you are supporting the president's recount but, in fact, you are helping to amass resources that will allow him to be a major political presence for the next four years. and so either the president is successful in continuing this assault on the transition of power or he's able to amass resources that help him into the future. there's no downside for the president. there's a big downside for the rest of us. there's a big downside for this country. in the short run, the country's national security is threatened

by a messy transition. this has been covered i think well today, but traditionally the president-elect would be able to start getting briefings on national security threats, would start to get access to classified information, would be able to do background checks on individuals he would like to be part of his national security council. those are the first to move through the body is the president's national security team. all of that being delayed by a president who refuses to begin a transition and a republican senate that refuses to put pressure on the president to change his mind. but also, and in some ways more insidious, is the attack on the rule of law and the idea of peaceful transition of power itself. the narrative that president trump is spreading and the

congressional republicans are facilitating right now that the election was stolen or rigged. it isn't being written on a white board that is going to be neatly and tiedly ee raced as soon -- erased as soon as 2021 shows up. the work that is being done right now by the republican party to undermine faith in our latinxs, it will have a -- elections, it will have a very long, very long tail. when the american people, or ar large percentage of them -- or a large percentage of them lose faith in elections, when they are told by leaders they trust that elections that were actually held legitimately are illegitimate, then those individuals, of course, will naturally lose faith in public institutions themselves. if all the people who got elected were illegitimately chosen then so must be the actions they take once they are in office many maybe that's

consistent with the general republican project over the last several decades. i've watched as republicans have engaged in a withering assault on the public sector, the whole idea from republicans has been that government is illegitimate by its very nature and can't do anything to help you or solve your problems. but that idea, if it is in fact the goal of my republican colleagues, to delegitimize public institutions by delegitimizing elections, it's really dangerous for two reasons. one, don't assume that democracy can survive this if the 45% of the country that supports donald trump doesn't really believe that elections are legitimate, i'm not sure that democracy hangs around for another 100 years. but, second, we are living in a moment where it's really important for people to have

faith in public institutions. there's no way for us to turn the corner on this pandemic unless people believe what leaders are telling them about how to conduct themselves or about how we're going to administer a vaccine or about why the business around the corner from you is limiting the number of people who can enter it. in the middle of a pandemic that's killed going on 250,000 americans, losing faith in public institutions is deadly. the president is delusional. there was no voter fraud. he lost. the american people, by a large margin, chose joe biden as president of the united states. and this delusion is not a quaint side show. it's an assault on our democracy

that will have consequences for the future viability of democracy but also for the viability of public institutions to meet crises like the one that stand in the middle of today. the president's behavior and the behavior of republicans in congress who support him, it is dangerously unpatriotic when we arrive in a senate, we swear an oath to our country, not to our party. and right now our president and congressional republicans are not living up to that oath. i yield the floor. i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

mr. lankford: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. lankford: i ask the quorum call be ended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. lankford: today in oklahoma, people are going to work, people are going to school, people at their job, people in their yard, people on bikes, people going

for a quiet run in the beautiful weather. because tomorrow's veterans day. we enjoy the freedom and the peace today because of what those veterans have done for a very long time. whatever community you're in in oklahoma, whether you're in oklahoma city or in tulsa or in lawton, whether you're in guiman or idabel, lawton, altis or wacomas, it doesn't matter. you're going to find drawings, you're going to find displays, you're going to find military hardware, you're going to find memorials and monuments to veterans that have served. because across our state, we remember extremely well the sacrifice that's been made for the quietness of this day, the ability to be able to have an election, the ability to be able

to send our kids to school, the ability to be able to work hard, to be able to fight off a virus, the ability to be able to invent and innovate because 1% of our nation has set aside their life to be able to guard the rest of the 99% of us. we in oklahoma could not be more grateful for the service of those women and men over the years and currently. now, as a nation, we pause on veterans day and remember, but i think about veterans that don't just pause once a year to be able to do it. it's a part of who they are. they served our nation in the military, and they find ways to be able to continue to serve veterans and to be able to serve the people around them in their community every single day. they are people that work at the veterans centers in oklahoma that are remarkable people, that help veterans literally every week to be able to work through and navigate the bureaucracy. our office works with them to

try to get solutions and answers if they have issues with the v.a. or they have issues with trying to get their medals or whatever it may be, but these volunteers are scattered out across our state. we have staff members today that are working in veterans' facilities scattered all over the state that are taking care of veterans that are in basically an assisted living-type environment or in a nursing long-term care environment. those individuals get up every single day and love on veterans. they look them in the eye when they are now at their weakest moment of their life since their infancy, and they say our nation still cares about you. there are people today in oklahoma that work on federal housing programs designed to be able to help people that are veterans that are homeless on the street to be able to get care, to be able to find a place to live, and to be able to get established. there are people in oklahoma

today that are working with federal programs to help veterans that have struggled with addiction, some that didn't reacclimate well. and they are helping them right now. because our nation has not forgotten about them. and while we grieve with those who grieve because veterans day also brings back the memory for some families that are gold star families of the one who has been lost, we remind them again we have not forgotten. and we say thank you to those folks that are serving our veterans every single day. i also think about folks like bob ford who lives in okeene, oklahoma. he's working on milling areas. he does a remarkable job just providing for people in the community. but he has also kept alive the memory of fellow vietnam veterans, and in so many ways,

he helps not only the park and other places to be able to remember, but he also makes sure on veterans day that there are speakers in local schools and that someone's retelling the message, and he is the one in the community that's always making sure there is a patriotic display at some point. you see, he's a vietnam veteran himself that's serving and working in the community but has also turned around and said, although his uniform is not on anymore, he wants to make sure the next generation knows what honorable service really looks like. folks like terry hill from kellyville, oklahoma, who enlisted in the army in 2013, as an engineer, was commissioned as an officer in 2008. became a blackhawk arrow medical pilot and a research test pilot. he flew 750 combat missions in afghanistan. over multiple deployments before he came down really, really hard

one time and had a medical discharge. you see, for terry, veterans day is not a once-a-year thing. he founded a rapid application group in his home. it's an additive manufacturing process. in fact, he's the only additive manufacturing company that has a disabled veteran running it in the entire country, and every friday, he has a hashtag rag friday, and many of those that work in his company are also fellow veterans. every friday, he reminds everyone to be able to watch out for fellow veterans, to watch out for issues like possible suicide senses, to engage with those folks who have made great sacrifices to serve our nation, to continue to be able to check on them. some of the things that they have experienced and some of the challenges that they have faced leave lasting memories for them, that as they stood for our freedom and our country forgets those moments, they never do,

because they lived them firsthand. and so his simple way to be able to do rag fridays every friday, and to challenge folks to not forget veterans in your community is his way of being able to serve folks. because again as a nation, we have not forgotten but we are exceptionally grateful for those that remind us as a nation not just to remember once a year, but to stay engaged with those veterans that have given so much and continue to give so much. honestly, i don't know a veteran that's not still serving. they find ways to be able to serve each other. they find ways to be able to serve their community because it is in their heart and it is deep within their soul that they have served our nation and they will continue to serve our nation, and while some need our help, i most often hear from veterans

how can i help? so let me just say from my heart and from my state thank you again for serving the way that you serve. allow us to be able to say thank you to you face to face today and to tell you once again we have not forgotten and we are grateful for the sacrifice you and your family has made for those gold star families, we cannot thank you enough because every day you remember and you need to hear from us, so do we. the israelites when they crossed over to jordan, they went back into that dry area and gathered stones, and they set those stones on the embankment for one specific purpose. the purpose was simple. they said when your children walk past these stones in the days ahead and they say what are

these stones for, you're to remind them of the faithfulness of god. they were to be a permanent reminder. allow veterans day and the military memorials all over the state today to be a good teaching moment for our children that when they say why is that there, we remind them of the freedom that we have and the cost of that freedom and express our gratitude again to the veterans who have served us. with that, i'd yield the floor. mr. whitehouse: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island. mr. whitehouse: madam president, as i begin my remarks, let me thank my friend, senator lankford, for his eloquent comments about our veterans and those who have served and given their lives for us. i am here with my trustie --

trusty and increasingly battered graphic because after four dark years on climate, there is at last a glimmer of light on the horizon. president-elect biden has promised to redirect the executive branch to address climate change in the clear light of real science, out of the dark swamp of fossil fuel denial and obstruction, trying -- trying to head off a climate catastrophe while there is still time. if there is still time. there is a lot that the executive branch can do. the president can lead diplomatic and international trade initiatives. the environmental regulatory agencies of government can be freed from corrupting influence to do their duty with vigor based on science and the law. securities regulators can put climate risk to the economy at

the forefront, as the commodities futures trading commission has just done. purchasing decisions can be directed towards a clean energy future. permitting decisions can be made with the social cost of carbon pollution in mind, as courts have already begun to demand, even if the corrupt trump era. on the investigative side, the administration can begin a hard look at the forces of corruption that have blockaded action on climate change. who did this and how? did their political spending violate campaign finance, conflict of interest, or other laws? did their toxic propaganda violate laws against fraud, as the tobacco industry's did? was their occupation of regulatory agencies a rolling

conspiracy to violate the administrative procedures act, and if so, how and for whom was it organized? has their interference in the judiciary compromised the rights of parties or the integrities of courts? american citizens deserve a full and fearless exposition of why congress has thwarted the public will to do something -- anything -- meaningful to address this climate cries, and at whose behest? what were the forces of corruption and how did they accomplish their nefarious purpose? there is a lesson in democracy here for the citizens of this great republic. the lesson that is now hidden behind phony front groups and subterranean rivers of anonymous money.

there's every reason to believe that the biggest covert op in history has been run in and against our own government. that is no way for a city on a hill to be governed. with all the executive branch policy work and all the investigations that are due and overdue, there is no pathway to climate safety that does not go through congress. action by congress is a necessity, not a luxury. i have seen no study showing any pathway to safety without action by congress. to make that pathway to safety possible, we'll have to change a few things. one is, as i said, to investigate the denial and obstruction campaign run by the fossil fuel industry.

how it used its dark weaponry of political spending, much of it anonymous, and political propaganda. the executive branch can do this, but so can the house. sadly, here in the senate, the power of the fossil fuel industry assures no such investigation will happen in our committees, if republicans keep control of the senate. but the house or a high-level presidential commission or our department of justice all have tools to bring the light of transparency into these dark and slimey corners. separately, we can display to the american people what corporate america says about climate change versus what it does in congress. it may even surprise some

c.e.o.'s what their corporate lobbying posture actually is. if you're a c.e.o. who is sincere about this, you ought to commission an audit of your corporate lobbying and electioneering on climate. here is what you'll find. unless you're maybe patagonia or ben & jerry's. most every major american corporation does nothing in congress on climate -- zip, zero, nada. tech net lobbies for the supposedly climate-friendly silicon valley giants like apple, microsoft, google. it even represents gene energy companies. yet this -- it even represents green energy companies. yet this year its glossy 13-page

menu of priorities for congress never even mentioned climate change or green energy. coke and pepsi lobby congress through an american bench association -- bench -- beverage association. the u.s. chamber of commerce, three times the lobbying muscle of its next nearest rival, sometimes the biggest dark money spender in elections, a persistent voice in our courts and regulatory agencies, that chamber is in a statistical tie for america's worst climate obstructer. worst, representing ford and g.m., abbott labs and johnson & johnson, citibank and bank of america, delta, target, home

depot, intel and at&t and dozens of other big businesses. representing them as the worst climate obstructer in america. that deserves some explaining. don't just blame congress. by doing nothing, congress is exactly following what corporate america actually asks of congress -- do nothing. do nothing. we don't care. want to open a pathway for a safe climate through congress? republicans in congress are going to have to hear that their corporate benefactors demand climate action. they aren't hearing that now. they're hearing the opposite. they're hearing, we don't care.

democrats are ready. we've been ready for a decade. republicans -- at least since citizens united -- it was quite bipartisan before that decision -- won't touch the issue. and by an amazing coincidence, that party is almost entirely funded by the unlimited and often anonymous donations of the fossil fuel industry. the money is often hidden, of course, behind donor trusts and shell corporations and 501c-4 corporations. but it's there and it's billions. and the rest of corporate america has not pushed back. they've got their own tax breaks to protect and their own industry priorities to pursue. and climate change just doesn't make it into their corporate

political agenda. getting the so-called good guys off the bench and onto the field could make a big difference. but they're not there now -- not yet. if the corporations are going to fail this moral test so catastrophicically, it's fair to ask what good it does to give corporations any role in our politics, let alone the commanding role they now assert in the united states congress. the founding fathers, for one, would be astonished to see these monsters loose in our politics at all, let alone so large and in charge. but that's for another day. right now there is a lot president-elect biden can do to

break the political logjam fossil fuel money has built. investigate it, expose it, then overwhelm it, recruit allies to help push back hard, give no audience or corridor to corporations funding climate obstruction. make lobbying groups disclose who their big donors are so the american citizen isn't played for a chump, the mark in a giant con game. and if you don't think big american industries are capable of committing massive fraud, read thization of the federal judge in the fraud case the united states won against big tobacco for that scheme of lies. or read the decision of the

united states circuit court of appeals upholding her verdict. it took investigation to get to the truth, not politics. indeed, investigation had to pierce through a fog of industry politics and lies, but at the end of the day -- and, more specifically, at the end of the investigation -- the truth was out and the truth was massive industry fraud. madam president, i yield the floor. and i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

mr. inhofe: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. inhofe: i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call in progress be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection u who. mr. inhofe: thank you.

i ask unanimous consent that the be recognized in morning business for such time as i shall consume. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. inhofe: last week, madam president, while most of the world was focused on our elections -- myself included -- and the pending results, a very significant action was taken place halfway around the world in western sahara. morocco chose that time, likely purposely chose that time when everyone was occupied with other things to threaten to push back on protests by western saharan on their own land. these are the protesters. these are people that own the land, have been there for generations. and are protesting the problems that they have with morocco trying to eject them from their

land. it seems civil but -- civil witt you have to remember how we got here. while the status of the sahara people is still in question and what we need to do to create a lasting solution. so how we got here as west africa was being decolonized, western sahara was clear and declared itself an independent nation a long time ago, that was despite morocco's attempt to claim it as a territory. in 1966, the united nations general assembly resolution agreed that a referendum of self-determination should be held. that's a referendum of self-determination of the people of western sahara. and everyone agreed and planned to hold that on 19 -- in 1975.

self-determination mainly letting the people decide for themselves the imperative principle of action, the right to judge for themselves, to be independent or to be a part of morocco. this is just the first promise of a referendum. that was 1975. to date none have been kept and international court of justice opinion from 1975 also agreed that morocco did not have sovereignty over the land and that a referendum of self-determination should be held. everyone agreed. that was the second promise. morocco maintained its unlawful claim to their land and after decolonization, attempted to exit the territory with force. that was actually in 1975. western sahara officially called

the arab democratic republic through polasario, defended their rights to land. morocco is up to the north in the western sahara, the independent western sahara land that morocco is trying to claim as their own is to the south of that. and so they called for a -- after a decade of violence from morocco, the united nations finally came in in 1991 and both sides agreed to a cease-fire and a path forward. everyone agreed. it was called the settlement plan. it's -- it solidified that morocco and western sahara agreed to hold a referendum and create a united nations mission for the referendum of western saharan. that is called the manurso.

that was the third promise for those keeping track. the united nations regularly reaffirms the 1991 commitment to a referendum for self-determination. this is something that happens on a regular basis. the planned referendum in 1992 never took place and the process stalled through a cease-fire that was held. morocco just wouldn't hold up its end of the bargain. now, former secretary of state james baker -- it's kind of interesting because back in 1997 he tried to do this again. i remember talking to him. this was several years ago now, about 15 years ago saying that some time we have to get this problem resolved. it's been hanging out there for generations, decades. and he said, well, good luck. we've tried everything we could do back -- at that time he was

secretary of state under president bush. and he named a special envoy to western sahara. baker worked the plans with morocco and western sahara. he thought he could get it done. a special envoy way back in 1992. former secretary of state tried again in 1997. he named a special envoy to western sahara. baker worked up plans with morocco and western sahara. again and most noticeable, the houston agreement. the houston agreement was signed by morocco and western sahara and recommitted to the referendum of self-determination planned for 1998. keep track, that was the fourth time that was promised and it was promised also by morocco. morocco recognized they would likely lose the vote and quickly tanked all negotiation, the next year by declaring that they would never accept a referendum

that included independence as an outcome despite years of promises. it's been called a frozen conflict for no outcome exists yet there is no perceived active conflict, it makes it easy for the rest of the world to forget about it. but to call this a frozen conflict makes it seem harmless when it's in reality it's anything but that. tens of thousands of is a harry -- of saharan people live in receive fewee -- refugee camps forced from their homes waiting for a resolution for decades allowing this process to stall has cost them a generation of freedom. it's been to those camps many times. i've been there. i've seen it. i've talked to the people. we're talking to these people here, the ones that are protesting.

that's why we have been and talked to the individuals and they don't give up. they continue generation after generation with the hope that they would get their land back. beyond denying the people the right to freedom and self-determination, the government of morocco is trying to steal and pillage as much as possible from the land that they have unlawfully claimed. they're stealing their natural resources and unlawfully mining and selling valuable and critical minerals, specifically phosphate. they are illegally fishing in the western sahara's waters. what does morocco do with these riches? they pay millions of dollars each year to lobbyists in washington. their goal is to convince the world that they are innocent and demonize the is the people. they want us to forget about the

human rights of these people in this picture who are peacefully protesting right now as we're speaking on the floor. they know a prosen conflict benefits them and hurts the cause of independence. they know they can push the boundaries for what is acceptable. that's how we got to this point. that's why we're at this point right now. a few weeks ago the people of western sahara were peacefully protesting in the region, the south end of western is saharad comes down here. that's the area that has the red square around it. that's where we're talking about. that's where they are right now. that's where these people are right now.

morocco as repeatedly attempted to use a road in this region to transport the goods in screw laition of the u.n. agreement. it's the united nations cease-fire agreement. they are the ones who are supposed to be promoting, not just protecting a cease-fire on both sides but promoting a referendum. it was this illegal use of the territory that western saharans were peacefully protesting. rather than recognizing their rights to protest, morocco has once again raised a call to arms and is threatening to crush these legitimate protesters. i heard just the other day, three days ago that they have some 200 trucks coming down from morocco down to giewg rot, that area where peaceful protests are taking place. rather than recognize the right to protest, morocco has once again raised a call to arms, is threatening to crush these

protests that are going on. king mo ham mad of morocco has just said this past weekend -- this is a quote -- he said morocco will not waiver in its position. that's despite what all the agreements that have taken place including the united nations. we're also hearing concern reports that he's sending military forces to the region as well as in a clear escalation. this is a -- this isn't a new problem. morocco has been trying to illegally use the issue for a long period of time. that's the bridge that goes across from western sahara to mauritania. so the problem has been there for a long period of time. it's a concern for a couple of reasons. first is simple. morocco is es indicate -- escalating this situation again for claim more and more land, resources and rights that they have no lawful -- no law behind them to claim. and they know it. they're fully aware of this.

in 2017 the united states was encouraging the united nations to send a technical team. western sahara welcomed this. morocco blocked it because they didn't want to be exposed. no one else, no one around the world is raising the calls for alarm. where is the united nations now? they're charged with enforcing the 1991 cease-fire agreement. yet they are nowhere to be found. they have been very silent tolerating morocco's abuse for many years. that's why the time is now to move from this. and hold a referendum. not in a year, not in three years. they're always talking about what they're going to do out in the future but now. now is the time we can do that.

we need to take steps to hold the referendum for self-determination now. morocco is escalating and left unchecked they're going to keep their escalation going. the result would be inevitable. we would risk to turning back the times of open conflict. the u.n. needs to step up now and enforce thaik agreement and -- their agreement and the world needs to improve. we all stand for our values of freedom and democracy by extending those values to the saharans. they have waited too long. you know, everyone is for this agreement. everyone is. i mean, they have -- we have -- the african union. that's comprised of some 55 member states. they're strongly in support of this independence for the sahrawis. we have most of the jiewrpian -- european community.

they have also ruled that the western part is not part of more lock company -- morocco. in 2004 the united states and morocco had a free trade agreement where they did reaffirm -- that's the united states rea i firming the independence of western sahara. so that's what's happening right now. the rest of the world is on our side on this issue. so who does morocco have? they have paid lobbyists. some of the lobbyists morocco has employed, j.p.c. strategies, third circle, neo creek, averaging over a million dollars each year. now, total they've had some ten lobbyists since 2016 and they've actually put in $11 million. $11 million in the sahara -- western sahara. they have nothing. they have no resources. and so they're the giant with all of their lobbyists. i made it clear earlier when i

testified -- by the way, i did something i don't think has been done before since then as a member of the united states senate. i testified at a house hearing that they had on this issue way back 15 years ago. and this is stalled because there's just no money on our side. morocco has it all. so here's what we need to do. the time is right. we've waited long enough. while we work to schedule a referendum, we need the united nations to send a team to the guerguerat area and confirm morocco is in violation of the agreement. everyone knows they're in violation of the agreement. it's very specific. it says that they are -- they are there to enforce this, the united nations. this is a key part. they need to enforce the 1991 cease-fire agreement. this will restore good faith with all parties that can then make real progress to reach a

referendum of self-determination. this is a time -- the reason we're concerned today is because we know that morocco right now are sending military equipment down to the area, some 200 trucks full of equipment. and that's why this time is right. now, here they are. these are the people we are talking about. these are the people who are peacefully protesting to keep and use the land that is there and has been there and that the whole world knows is theirs. so they are the victims. they deserve a ref rentedus for self-determination and the u.n. is going to ref referendum for self-determination and the u.n. is going to have to make this happen. they have agreed to it and the u.n. is the party that will have to put it together.

we need to do what they agreed to do and end this conflict that has endured generation after generation. with that, i yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: then the clerk should call the roll. quorum call:

a senator: i ask that the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cornyn: mr. president, i had to look at my watch today to remind itself it's been a week since the november 3 general election. i must say it seems like it's been much longer than that. just as every four years throughout our nation's history the american people voted for

our next commander in chief. in the months leading up to election day, we'd know that the atmosphere was tense, the days following it has been as well. but i have full faith that our constitutional republic is working just exactly the way it should. a record-setting 150 million people, and counting, count a ballot this election. in my state there were 10.9 million voters, almost 11 million. the last time i was on the ballot, there were 4.7 million. so we've seen a huge influx of people and increased participation in the electoral process, and i think both of those are good things. the reasons people come to texas is because we are still a land of opportunity where people can

come and work hard, start out with little, building is for themselves and their family, provide value to others so they can come find a job and provide for their families, which is, to me, the definition of the american dream. we know that election workers and poll workers worked across our country to ensure that every legal vote, whether it was in person or by mail, will be counted, and that is as it should be. and i know major media outlets have projected that territorial -- that former vice president biden has secured enough votes to be president, but there's enough votes to be counted. as the majority leader noted, this process gives no role to wealthy media companies. between recounts and legal challenges, it's tough to say exactly when the election will

be certified. but if there are irregularities, if there are questionable practices or wrongdoing, president trump and his campaign, like every other candidate and their campaign, are entitled to seek legal remedies in court. of course, if they do, they'll be obligated to present evidence which i understand is in the process of being marshaled and to do so, obviously with dispatch. but while this process may seem drawn out to us living in the moment, legal chal ex are not -- challenges are not unprecedented. for example, back in 2000, some of us remember -- most of us remember the example of al gore, the democratic nominee for president who didn't concede the election until december 13. during the weeks following the election, the american people

people waited patiently as the courts weighed in and once they did, we all accepted the result and that's key, acceptance of the result. i had faith in the process that led to that result just as i have faith in the process and institutions that are working now. when the electoral college meets on january 6, 2021, every american should have confidence in the free and fair elections that led to that result. let me say that again. when the electoral college meets on january 6, 2021, every american win or lose -- every american, every candidate should have confidence in the free and fair elections that led to the

result. i think this is perhaps the single most important reason to let the process that's currently under way run its course. if one side or the other, or more importantly the voters who ultimately voted for the candidate who loses, feels like the process is unfair or has been jammed through unreasonably, are they likely to accept the result of the election or will they feel cheated? well, acceptance of that result is perhaps the single most important goal we ought to strive to achieve. the peaceful transition of power is perhaps the single greatest feature of our constitutional system. every four or eight years the most powerful person in the

world steps aside to allow their successor chosen by the people to take charge. of course, many wars have been fought, blood has been shed, lives have been lost to secure this right to us as americans and to ensure that peaceful transition of power after all the votes are counted. yet, in america dating back to 1797 when washington willingly passed the torch to adams, the peaceful transition of power has defined the office of president. it's a legacy that our forefathers established and one generations of americans have fought hard to protect. and so in two-months time we will see this american constitutional process play out

once again. i have complete -- complete confidence in that conclusion. while the presidential race is -- has dominated headlines over the last week, it was only one of the many races on the ballot, as the presiding officer knows from personal experience. from city halls to courthouses to state houses to congress, americans cast their vote for leaders at every level of government. i was honored, as i'm sure my colleague from louisiana the presiding officer was, to be reelected for another term in the united states senate. during the campaign i had chance to present their record of service, and i was happy to do that. to demonstrate that i've consistently fought to protect the rights of texans and to create more opportunities for every family to achieve their

american dream. and collectively here in washington, we have brought down taxes for american families. we've empowered job creators. we've strengthened our criminal background check system for gun purchases and we've reformed our criminal justice system, just to name a few things. but we also worked hard to make health care more affordable by presenting more choices for consumers. we presented quality education and we tried to make sure that safe communities are a reality for folks across the country and across the economic spectrum. in texas, we provided funding to rebuild following hurricanes and tornadoes and other natural disasters like many other states. and throughout the covid-19 crisis, we provided unprecedented funding to help our front line health care

heroes, our small businesses, and our families stay afloat amid so much uncertainty. i'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to fight for a bright future for every family in texas and to work with my colleagues to make sure that same promise is a reality for all americans, and that's true regardless of who they voted for. that's exactly what i'll plan to do. i don't just represent the people who voted for me in this election, mr. president, i represent all 29 million, and growing, texans, and i'm honored to do it. now, we've added a few new faces to the texas delegation in the house, and i'm eager to work with these men and women and my friend senator cruz as team texas as we continue to -- our record of delivering for our

state. this is perhaps one of the most important lessons that senator hutchison, who i served with here in the senate, who is now our ambassador to nato, she would always make this point to republicans and democrats in the texas delegation, she said, we may be members of the house or members of the senate, we may be republicans or democrats, but we are team texas. and i've been proud to continue that spirit and that effort. i'm proud of the fact we increased the number of women in this election elected to congress. at least 134 women will serve in the next congress with a record number of republican women in the house of representatives. for young women, like my own daughters and younger girls in particular, this reputation is -- reputation is long

overdue, just like amy he coulden barrett who was elected to the supreme court. what a wonderful example for all women and for all of us, it's something we should celebrate. while we're still waiting to know which party will hold the majority here in the senate -- that will be determined on january 5 of 2021 -- it is clear that there was no blue wave that swept the country. my republican colleagues and i in the senate will continue to fight against ideological policies from the left or so-called progressives that wily rejected in this election. we're not going to allow the federal government to tax texas energy workers out of a job by imposing a carbon tax. we're not going to let them

hamstring our police with unrealistic funding cuts or one-size-fits-all policies. and we're not going to allow them to pack the united states supreme court with political justices intent on delivering results that couldn't be achieved through the legislative process. and we're not going to let them reverse the tax cuts and jobs act, increase taxes, which will only make it harder for working families to put food on their table. the presiding officer and i have both participated in an organization called no labels, and i'm proud of the work that i have done, regardless of the fact that i'm a republican, he's a republican. we both know, we all know that you can't get things done here in song by just working with people in your own political party. you have to work together. indeed, i think that's the

jeepious of our system. it forces us to work together. if we want to get things done. and i'm proud of being consistently ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the senate because i literally am willing to work with anyone, republican or democrat, who wants to make progress on the challenges that confront our nation. this came up in a recent conversation we had during a hearing just a few minutes ago talking about the lessons we've learned from the coronavirus in terms of the vulnerability of our supply chains, whether it's personal protective equipment that was overwhelmingly made in china, which was threatened by the delay in reporting from china and the hoarding and literally the global rush to hoard p.p.e. for their own countries and their own people. but another example of that that we have worked on in a bipartisan way, most recently in

the national defense authorization act, was to build more high-end semiconductors here in the united states. in 2019, only one foundry was being built in the united states. 16 of them in china. and you can imagine if we are dependent for our economy, for our national defense on a sophisticated semiconductor manufactured in taiwan, for example, that supply chain could be easily disrupted. so i'm proud of the fact that we did pass and the defense authorization bill an amendment 96-4 to begin the effort to reduce the vulnerabilities of our supply chain. that's the kind of example that i think -- that's an example of the kind of thing that i think we need to do more of and which i am proud to be a part of. well, i know republicans have a

long list of priorities, just as our democratic colleagues do, but we still have a couple of months before the end of this congress, and we need to find a way to work together in the best interests of the american people. the lights don't go out on the 116th congress until january 3, which means we still have some time. i believe that over the last two years, notwithstanding what you hear in the media, which tends to focus on those narrow areas where we disagree the most and does not focus on the areas where we worked cooperatively together because they by definition don't make news. we have actually accomplished a lot for the country, and i will have more to say about that in the coming days. but for now, i want to talk about the biggest remaining item on our to-do list, and that is an additional coronavirus relief package.

texas has just hit the unenviable milestone of one million confirmed covid-19 tests. more than 19,000 texans have lost their lives due to this virus. and our health care providers in some parts of the state are still struggling to keep up with the cases that end up going into the hospital. and as we head to the winter months, into the winter months, experts are telling us that things will get worse before they get better. it's part of the seasonal impact of a virus like this. and while we will continue to do our duty as individuals, wash our hands, mask, or we cannot socially distance and the things we have learned to do, stay home if you are sick, it's clear that we are not through with this virus yet. even though we were delighted to hear some of the prospects for a

vaccine in the not-too-distant future. in the meantime, we still need to make sure that the assistance that we started in the first four bipartisan bills we passed that we continue that assistance both on the health care front and on the economic front until we july recover. the researchers and scientists who have been developing a vaccine over the last months have been making tremendous progress, and we need to invest in their continued success. once the vaccine is actually approved as safe and effective by the f.d.a., the logistics of getting it distributed across the country prioritizing, i hope, the most vulnerable americans, those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, those with underlying chronic illnesses, that's an enormous logistical challenge, and it's going to cost money. at the same time, we need to

make sure that our economic recovery continues, and that means that we need to continue to safely reopen our economy. just as our school children and our college students have transitioned back from a virtual educational experience back into the classroom slowly but surely. the unemployment rate in october dipped to 6.9%. now, that's still a far cry from the 3.5% unemployment we had before the virus hit, but it's the lowest we've seen since the pandemic began. and we need to make sure we don't backslide into the double digits. we know with the pendency of the election after we passed the cares act in late march, we tried -- i think it was four times to pass a more targeted bill. we spent roughly $3.8 trillion

in the first four pieces of legislation, and many of us, me included, felt like we needed to do more but on a targeted basis. the speaker said, well, $3 trillion was her price tag. we offered a half a trillion dollars in additional targeted relief, to which she replied nothing is better than something, which made me do a double take. i always thought that something was better than nothing, not nothing is better than something. but regardless of that, now that the election by and large, at least certainly for congress, is behind us, we need to address those people who still need help. i hope our democratic colleagues will join us and not force the country to wait two more months. there is too much on the line. so, mr. president, i want to conclude by thanking the people of my state for the opportunity

to continue to fight for them here in the united states senate, and now i'm happy to get back to work with all of my colleagues to deal with these -- this unfinished business. mr. president, i yield the floor and i would note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: and the clerk shall call the roll. quorum call:

quorum call:

a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from delaware. mr. coons: mr. president, are we in a quorum call? the presiding officer: we are. mr. coons: i ask that the proceedings under the quorum call be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. coons: mr. president, 20 has been a difficult year for so many. we have lost far too many mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, sisters, brothers, neighbors, and friends. my own heart and the heart of many in delaware grew heavier this week as we said goodbye in delaware to a whole series of friends, folks who had long been champions of our community, folks who are exactly the sort of people who help build and sustain community. i'm grateful for the privilege of the floor to speak for a few minutes about the legacy of the lions of delaware, giants of service, and who gave our hearts

to us. on monday we said goodbye to elaine and wayne who were loved by so many and i rise first to pay tribute to them, some of the most special people i've ever known. they were killed in a tragic accident literally the day before last tuesday's election. that day we lost two of delaware's greatest diamonds, maritwas always striking they wt not by their first names but by their middle names. they were known as elaine and wayne manliff. they spent decades giving to others. elaine i knew best in her role as state elections commissioner and someone who fought hard here for funding for election security and election systems. the very last time i saw her,

she was proudly showing off the brand new statewide election system in delaware. she didn't tragically get to see the fruits of her labor, the deployment of these new state of the art digital voting machines. her many professional achievements in that role, increasing our voter rolls, modernizing the machines, bringing elections to the classrooms, carrying off just this last tuesday the near flawless statewide election while impressive was just a very small part of who elaine was. deeply proud of her irish heritage, known for her kindness and her generosity, her irish catholic faith that she and wayne shared was a foundation for them and for their family and their lives. st. patrick's day in wilmington was often the highlight. elaine was one of the folks who helped organize the annual st. patrick's mass and break fast that raised money for the st. patrick's center that serves

some of the neediest and marginalized in wilmington and a breakfast that is a celebration of faith, politics, service, hope, and community. my own wife annie worked with elaine for years in new castle county government long before her time as the state elections commissioner and she remained close for years afterwards. annie knew her as the best mom, grandmother and friend to so many people. margaret akin, one of elaine's closest friends who also served with her and my wife in county government said elaine never sought the spotlight. she never tried to be the center of attention. she was like a warm fire that you just gravitated towards. she wasn't the life of the party. she was the reason for the party. elaine had a special and giving spirit, that had a lasting and transformative difference on thousands of delawareans from kirkwood soccer to the county to a work for elections to her deep

commitment to her faith, her family, and her community. wayne, her husband of 51 years was a union electrician, a proud member of the local 313 for 53 years. and wayne loved hosting neighborhood dinners,age crab feasts, watching his beloved eagles with family and friend, confounding his son because we could never get his players straight. he loved sharing the eagles with all three of his sons. for wayne and elaine, their sons matthew, joe, and michael were the beginning, middle, and end. the sun rose and set on their boys. they took huge delight in sharing stories about them with everyone who would sit still and listen and they did everything it took to put them through college and through parochial ed caights. -- education. they sacrificed hugely for their children and it made a lasting difference in their lives. once elaine and wayne were your friends, they were always your friends. they brought together people from grade school, from high school, from work, from all

different walks of life and they were strongly rooted and connected to st. elizabeth's parish where elaine was dap tiesed, where they -- baptized, where they were married and renewed their voices last year for their 50th anniversary and on monday hundreds of us gathered to wish them farewell. so my condolences, deep and heartfelt condolences go out to matthew and megan, to joe, to michael and mary, to elaine's brother grand and wife ruth and the four children, the grandchildren, the four grandchildren who gave them such joy. katherine, elizabeth, margaret, and finnegan. i turn now to considering another delawarean and friend, someone i knew for decades who exemplified character and brairvegry and integrate -- bravery and integrity, michael rush jr. who passed away late

last night, someone who always rose to the tasks and challenges at hand. a marine corps veteran, a small business owner, a firefighter, a member of the american legion, a stalwart of his parish, and a great friend. a proud graduate of college and proprietor and leader of a family-owned business rush uniform. he started working there in 1963 and he helped build and lead his family-owned business for decades. i first really got to owe -- i first got to know him through the better business bureau. he sponsored the edward m. rush senior memorial award. mike was also someone whose whole heart was in the fire service. the volunteer fire service of delaware is one of the backbones of communities up and down our state, and he was a life member of two volunteer fire companies. 50 years with wilmington manor,

president of the new castle fire chiefs association, president of the delaware valet chiefs association, and ultimately while i was county executive, mike was also one who did the hard work of being a fire instructor for our state for 30 years. mike did so much for so many others, through his pair issue, his fire company, his training service, through his service to our nation in the military. he's earned accolades for his commitment to our community but more than anything because i was not able to make it to his service is i wanted to share my condolences and the gratitude of our state and nation for mike's wife of 45 years, winnie, his sisters elbaradei and katherine, his children and his beloved grandson. let me now turn to another

anchor of our community in our state and offer greetings and condolences to the family and the beloved of pastor lottie lee davis, on ordained minister, a hallmark of resill yency and faith, a preacher's daughter, a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of hope for many. a friend told the delaware news journal that it was unending how many people pastor davis had touched and encouraged without judgment and without regard. she was the devoted pastor at be ready jesus is coming church and answered the call to serve beyond the confines of the pulpit. she provided housing for single mothers and their children. she led efforts to renovate the parks and garnered funding to use a mixed-use property to provide housing for those in need. sadly, that which she launched she will not get to see come to

fruition in this life. but i am confident that pastor davis will continue to inspire and engage and move the community of wilmington, the congregation she helped lead, and the families that will benefit for years to come, from her vision and her leadership of this project she has just launched. her legally is continue to live through her work. i wanted to give mycondolences to her husband, to members of the congregation family, and friends. last but certainly not least, this past week we lost someone beloved to mind to so many in the community, dorothy. she was as mainstay of the one of the landmark couples our community. she spent to -- she spent 30 years working at dupont. she also was engaged in lots and lots of other community activity

ies, engagements and services. she served as cochair and raised tens of thousands of dollars year after year after year for the diabetes association. but frankly her great joy was her family. her beloved husband, someone who was an incredible mentor and friend to me at work, at home, and in public service. phil was an elected republican, chairman of the budget committee, leader in our state general assembly, and someone who with her affection and support crafted lasting solutions for our state. gloria was a blessing to an incredible network of friends and family, nieces and nephews, all of whom knew her as aunt gloria. i had the opportunity to get to know her best in the decade i spent working with philadelphia. when he gave his heart to the a

cause, glory with a was right beside him. for a woman who never had children of her own, gloria had so many people who knew and that the of her has a second mother. my heart goes out to her family and friends who today gathered at saint anthony church in wilmington to say their good-byes to this gracious, kind, funny, giving, loving, powerful woman whose witness was an important influence on my life as well as so many others. mr. president, these are just some of the individuals our community has lost this year. delaware is a state of neighbors and we all feel these losses profoundly but there was a strong, common thread amongst those i have just honored and those heave been a gift to our state. i want to return to a powerful message that joe, wayne's and

elaine's son gave. it was personal, touching. but at the conclusion, joe said this -- while today is sad and painful and so unexpected for all of us, i want to leave you, joe said, with this thought -- when you leave here today thinking of my parents and feeling the void in your life, do the following. join a civic community, help organize your kid's little leak, volunteer for something you care about, helping a neighbor at a home project. and when some e-mail comes out saying we need people to help respond that you're in. do all of it without a thought of compensation. do it because i.t. the right thing to do. do it because you want to improve the world around you. do it because there's nothing more powerful than the heart of a volunteer. that was them -- wayne and elaine.

but that was also mike and lottie and gloria and so many other friends and neighbors who've helped weave together across different backgrounds, different political parties, different places of origin and different communities -- they've weaved together a state of neighbors and left a lasting legacy that we love one another as we've been called to do. may we continue to be grateful for their legacies of service and live lives that would make them and their families proud. mr. president, thank you. with that, i yield the floor. i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: and the clerk should call the roll. quorum call:

quorum call:

mr. cassidy: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from louisiana. mr. cassidy: i ask that the quorum call be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cassidy: madam president, i'm here today to pay tribute to three brave law enforcement officers in louisiana who were recently shot in the line of duty, and sadly one died. to begin with, the man who died. while on duty police officer waters pulled over a stolen vehicle on october 17. he was shot by the person in the car who fled the scene and eventually crashed the car. officer waters later died from that injury may 5. officer was was born a servant, he was a para paramedic and sers a firefighter. his loss will be felt throughout northeast louisiana.

throughout his lifetime of service he truly touched the hearts of many. his community honored him last night with a candlelight vigil. he will be laid to rest later this week. i would like recognize police officer trevor abney who was shot in the face and fortunately survived. officer abney and officer bruce duncan were on patrol and for no reason someone walked by and shot officer abney in the face. he was taken to the hospital and was in good spirits. he has a road of recovery. officer duncan received a graze wound. fortunately both officers are expected to do well. but, again, the motive for the attack remains unknown and the suspects are in custody. these attacks are tragic reminders of the danger that law

enforcement officers face every day when they report for duty. they know it. they accept the risks. their family accepts the risk. their children accept the risk. the spouse accepts the risk. they accept this risk because it serves our greater good. we owe a debt of gratitude to our law enforcement officers for their willingness to put their lives on the line, even sacrificing it as officer watters did to keep us safe. i will ask we all join in praying for officer watters family and officer abney's recovery. the road will be difficult, but knowing their community supports them in these hardest of times can make the difference. with that, madam president, i yield. and i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that further proceedings under the quorum calling dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 863. the presiding officer: question is on the motion. all those in favor, say aye. those 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, the judiciary. aileen mercedes cannon of florida to be united states district judge for the southern district of florida. mr. mcconnell: 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 aileen mercedes cannon of florida to be united states district judge for the southern district of florida, signed by 17 senators as follows -- mr. mcconnell: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to legislative session and be if a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of h.r. 8276, which was received from the house. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h.r. 8776 -- 8266, an act to award the medal of honor to aalwinc. cash for acts of valor during operation iraqi freedom. the presiding officer: the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the --

the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of h.r. 8247 received from the house. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h.r. 8247, an act to make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to services from the department of veterans affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care in services for the women veterans and for other purposes. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent 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. mcconnell: now, madam president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11:00 a.m. on thursday, november 12. further, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed.

further, following leader remarks, the senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the cannon nomination. further, notwithstanding rule 22, wednesday, november 11, count as the intervening day for the cloture motion filed during today's session. further, notwithstanding rule 22, if cloture is invoked, the senate vote on confirmation of the cannon nomination at 1:45 on thursday. finally, if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the senate -- and the president be immediately notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: so, madam president, if there is to further business to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until >> in the senate's gambling out the day and lawmakers confirm

the nomination to be the u.s. district court judge for the northern district of ohio and congress is facing a deadline on friday december 11th to extend current government funding for the government shutdown . live coverage of the u.s. senate when they gavel back in here on "c-span2". you're watching "c-span2", your unfiltered view of government . created by america's cable television company. the public service, i brought to you today or television provider. watch american history tv in primetime on veterans day starting at 8:00 p.m. eastern . military historian patrick o'donnell on his book, the unknown. the untold story of americans unknown soldier in world war i most decorated hero, and brought him operated into real america films, and i'm p.m. eastern,

1997 film african americans in world war ii. the legacy of patriotism and valor. and at 11:20 p.m. eastern, the 1945 film of the army nurse. watch american history tv, wednesday veterans day, starting at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span three. >> senate republican leaders in the conference, one week after the 2020 presidential election . majority leader mitch mcconnell told reporters that he was interested in passing packages for covid-19 relief. adding that he does not think a true package is necessary.