24/7 to get these background checks done on a timely basis. otherwise we are literally undermining a democratically elected president. so i would urge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to heed their own words when it comes to confirming president trump's cabinet. my colleagues on the other side of the aisle like to talk a big talk about defending democracy. i'd like to see them put these commit m.b.t.s into -- these commitments into practice but ending the un-democratic obstructionist tactics that they're using to deny this president his team. madam president, i yield the floor. and i'd note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

the clerk: ms. alsobrooks. quorum call:

countries around the world and phase one will last six weeks. the release of a number of hostages by hamas including women. the vice president and i cannot wait welcome home exchange palestinian prisoners in turn is one of the current to the

neighbors. these vital supplies negotiate which is end of space bar -- cal. mr. sanders: i would ask that the quorum call be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. sanders: madam president, as we go forward in this new session of congress, i would hope very much that there will be a serious focus on the crises facing the working families of our country. madam president, we are the wealthiest nation on earth. in fact, we are the wealthiest nation in the history of the

world. and yet today, while we have more income and wealth inequality than we have ever had, 60% of our people live paycheck to paycheck, the life expectancy of working people is far below that in other wealthy countries, 85 million americans are uninsured or underinsured, some 800,000 americans are hom homeless, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 a year or less, and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation on earth. further, we remain shamefully the only wealthy country not to

guarantee health care to all people as a human right. meanwhile, madam president, while working families struggle to put food on the table and pay their bills, the wealthiest people in our country have never, ever had it so good. and we are now in the absurd situation that grossly -- the grossly unjust situation where the three wealthiest people on top own more wealth than the bottom half of american society, some 170 million people. three people on top, more wealth than 170 million on the bottom. madam president, that is not what america is supposed to be about. and in truth, there are a number of reasons why we are living in

a nation today where the wealth of the billionaire class is exploding while the working class of our country struggles to keep their heads above water. there are many causes as to why, despite a huge increase in worker productivity, real weekly wages for the average american worker are less today than they were 50 years ago. real weekly wages less than they were 50 years ago. and why during that period that was a $50 trillion transfer of wealth from the bottom 90% to the top 1%. now, a lot of the reasons as to why the very rich are becoming richer and the working class families are struggling has to

do with disastrous trade policies, which have resulted in the loss of millions of good-paying jobs, the failure of congress to raise the minimum wage to a living wage is another reason why millions and millions of workers today are forced to try to survive on starvation wages. and furthermore, we are seeing, and have seen, aggressive and often illegal union-busting activities on the part of major employers. all of those reasons and more are issues that we have got to deal with. today, i want to focus on one more reason as to why the working class of this country is

struggling, and that has to do with the h1b guest worker program. madam president, elon musk, the we wealthiest man in the world, with a net worth of $430 billion, and other multibillionaires in the high-tech industry, claim that the h1b federal guest worker program is vital to our economy because of the scarcity of highly skilled engineers and other technology workers in the united states. in other words, what they say is they are trying desperately to find just highly skilled american workers to do these jobs. just can't find them. just not there. and in my view, musk and the other billionaires, who are strongly supporting the h1b

program, are dead wrong. american workers are there. they're just not looking for them. in my view, the main function of the h1b program is not to hire the best and the brightest. that's the theory. we ought to bring the best and brightest to help our companies function and grow wealth in america. that's the theory, but in truth the reality of what the h1b program is, is to replace good-paying american jobs with hundreds of thousands of lower paid guest workers from abroad, who are often treated as indentured servants. the cheaper it is to hire guest workers, the more money the multibillionaire owners of large corporations make. in other words, this program is not only grossly unfair to american workers, but in many

ways unfair to foreign workers as well. according to the economic policy institute, between 2022 and 2023 the top 30 companies using the h1b program laid off 85,000 american workers while simultaneously bringing in over 34,000 guest workers from abroad. in 2019 and 2020, 85% of h1b visas were awarded to entry level and junior guest workers who are paid between 20% to 40% less than american workers in similar occupations. so, number one, it is simply not true that the h1b program focuses on the very rare and

highly skilled workers that american companies cannot find. 85%, to repeat, of h1b visas were awarded to entry level and junior guest workers, and they are paid 20% to 40% less than american workers in similar occupations. and let me just give you a few examples as to how unfair the h1b program is. in dallas, texas, h1b software developers are making $44,000 less than american workers doing the exact same job. this is from information of the u.s. department of labor. in houston, texas, h1b accountants, i did not know to be honest with you that we had a scarcity in accountants, but be that as it may, h1b accountants are paid nearly $40,000 less

than american accountants doing the exact same work. in santa barbara, california, h1b workers who are hired as computer system engineers make just $45,000 a year. does that sound like the kind of salary that would bring forth some extremely highly skilled people for jobs that american workers cannot fill? madam president, you tell me, why would a corporation hire an american computer systems engineer at a salary of $110,000 a year when it is $65,000 cheaper to hire an h1b worker for that same exact position? that's basically what this whole debate is about, and that is

that large corporations are paying foreign workers substantially lower salaries than they are paying american workers. madam president, if you want to know why multibillionaire owners of high-tech companies love the h1b program so much, that is the reason why. they're using this program to substantially undercut the wages of american workers. moreover, madam president, there are estimates that as many as 33% of all new information technology jobs in america are being filled by guest workers. and according to the census bureau data, there are millions of americans with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math who are not currently employed in those professions. in other words, we tell kids go

out, get involved in stem work, become a scientific, become an engineer, become a mathematician, whatever, and then we bring in people from abroad to fill the jobs that they were educated to do. adding insult to injury, half of the top 30 h1 bnchlts employers are companies -- h1b employers are companies whose major function is to outsource jobs. known in the industry as body shops. in other words, the same companies that are involved with supplying american companies with cheap foreign labor at home are the same exact companies that provide even cheaper labor to corporations when they move abroad. they are two sides of the same coin. madam president, if there is truly a major shortage of skilled tech workers in this

country, as elon musk and others have argued, why did tesla lay off over 7500 american workers last year, including many software developers and engineers at its factory in austin, texas? while at the same time applying to hire thousands of h-1b workers. if these jobs are only going to the best and the brightest, why has tesla employed h-1b guest workers as associate accountants for as little as $58,000 a year, associate mechanical engineers for as little as $70,000 a year, and associate material planners for as little as $80,000 a year. now, madam president, i will admit i am not a rocket scientist, but to my mind those

occupations don't sound like highly specialized jobs that are primarily for the top .1%, as mr. musk claimed last month. madam president, if this program is really supposed to be about importing workers with highly advanced degrees in science and technology, why are h-1b guest workers being employed as fashion models, lawyers, dog trainers, massage therapists, cooks, and english teachers? one might think that in the united states of america we could find english teachers and not need to bring in people from abroad. and, further, does anyone really believe that in america we do not have enough lawyers and need

to bring in more attorneys from abroad? madam president, at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we need fundamental changes in our economic policies. we need an economy that works for all, not just the few. and one small but very important way forward in that direction is to bring about major reforms to the h-1b program in order to benefit american workers. and that is why i have filed an amendment to the laken riley bill that we are debating this week that will do just that. and i hope very much that the leaders agree on allowing that amendment to be debated and voted upon. and let me very briefly describe what this amendment does in terms of reforming the h-1b

program. first, this amendment would double the major h-1b fee that corporations pay before they can hire guest workers from abroad. this provision would generate over $370 million in revenue each year. and what would we use that revenue for? well, it would be used to provide nearly 20,000 scholarships each and every year for american students pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, math, and other fields vital to the competitiveness of our nation. if the members of this body truly believe we need h-1b visas in order to compensate for a shortage of skilled american professionals, this amendment will attract tens of thousands of americans -- america's best

and brightest young people into those skills. second, this amendment requires corporations to substancely increase wages for -- substantially increase wages for the jobs they need before they would be allowed to hire h-1b guest workers. specifically, this amendment would raise the prevailing wage for the h1 obama program to at -- the h-1b program to at least the prevailing wage. in other words, if the h-1b program is truly meant for the best and the brightest, it should not be used as a tool to undercut the wages of highly skilled american workers. and that is what this amendment would prevent. third, this amendment would prohibit corporations from replacing laid-off american workers with h-1b guest workers from overseas. corporations that are engaged in mass layoffs should not be allowed to replace american workers with guest workers.

finally, this amendment would prevent corporations from treating h-1b guest workers as, for all intents and purposes, indentured servants. under current law, h-1b guest workers are often locked into lower-paying jobs and can have their visas taken away from them by their corporate bosses if they complain about dangerous, unfair, or illegal working conditions. that is unacceptable, and that has got to change. this amendment would make h-1b visas portable and give guest workers the ability to easley change -- easily change jobs. madam president, mr. musk and mr. ramaswamy and others have argued that we need a highly skilled and well-educated workforce. i agree. but the answer is not to bring

in cheap labor from abroad through the h-1b program. the answer is to hire qualified american workers first and to make certain that we have an education system that produces the kind of workforce that our country needs for the jobs of the future. bottom line -- it must never be cheaper for a corporation to hire a guest worker from overseas than an american worker at home. and that is what this amendment is all about. madam president, let's be clear. 30 years ago the leaders of corporate america, the political establishment in both major parties, and the editorial boards of the most influential papers in our country told us not to worry about the loss of millions of blue-collar

manufacturing jobs that would come as a result of unfetterred free trade agreements like nafta and permanent normal trade relations with china. don't worry about the loss of those jobs. and the reason they told us not to worry is that that job loss would be more than offset by the many good-paying white-collar information technology jobs that would be created in the united states. yes, they said, you lose blue-collar manufacturing jobs but not to worry, we will create zillions of good-paying white-collar technology information jobs. i personally was a member of congress at that time and never believed that. and i helped lead the effort against nafta and pntr with china. unfortunately, i and the many

others who opposed those trade agreements were proven correct. nafta and pntr cost us millions of good-paying manufacturing jobs as large corporations shut down here in america and fled to china, mexico, and low-wage countries in search of cheap labor. and what about all of those great high-tech jobs that supposedly were going to be created? well, that didn't quite happen either. as a result of the h-1b guest worker program and other guest worker programs, major corporations are now importing hundreds of thousands of lower-paid guest workers from abroad to fill the white-collar technology jobs that are currently available. in other words, heads,

billionaires win. tails, american workers lose. in my view, we can and must change that reality. and a good place to start would be to pass this amendment and put american workers first. multibillionaires and big tech should not be allowed to hire guest workers to fill entry-level and mid-level information jobs. those jobs should be going to american workers who have, among other things, the constitutional right to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. madam president, i will be asked -- asking for a roll call vote on this amendment, and i hope very much we can get it to the floor. in my view, the time has come for the american people to know which side their senators stand on this issue. in order to accomplish that goal, i very much appreciated

the statement the majority leader -- the statement that majority leader thune gave on the the floor of the senate last november about the need for more amendment votes in the senate. and here is what the majority leader said on november 14 with respect to the amendment process -- quote, all members of the senate and not just the members of a particular committee should have a voice in final legislation through amendments on the floor. members should assume that amendment votes will be the norm. that will mean taking tough votes at times, but that is part of our jobs, end of quote. and i would very much agree with majority leader thune. the truth is that in the past, whether it's been republican leaders or democratic leaders, no one debates -- no one debates that the amendment process has been thwarted. i hope we will see a new process here where people will be allowed to offer amendments, take tough votes. that's what we were elected to do. madam president, on that note, i

thank you, and i yield the floor.

:

very distinguished. [laughter] in the position he you occupy. i want to thank him for his time

join us here in person really is impossible. it is a reminder. seth was paid by those who are not. and it is a better life.

because of them, i have the privilege congress and history of mankind. in rely on that a tumultuous world and that has gotten harder and i rely heavily on my face. strength and wisdom and courage to do what is right. and of the work for, cocktails

and the whole. and in these regions -- [inaudible] [inaudible] >> minnesota talking about. understand prosperity.

at the end of the fiona clothes washer what we have reached and great foreign policies in the sure liberal or honestly want and national industry become one. we now know who is a dangerous solution and afraid and better trade and the capacity to push them and the maximum slam

historic mass migration here in america proposal around the world. must and political and radical jihadist. and the way countries. [inaudible] >> the protesters -- [laughter]

[inaudible] >> americans often prioritize. going back up over a century and in global order. we walk in the chinese communist party and take advantage of all the issues. in your world that will to power at the expense of the people and

take advantage of open borders and flood our communities. dictators and chaos. so will order, and eight decades later and what they look like.

and human awards. today and trump returns to office strong american down the security and prosperity. if i am confirmed the core

commission. it was found tragically, glorifying in virtually every content and i would be asked about an array of programs. and they are created and they were noble in different the suffering. and it is given and the context of the core. every dollar we spend every program with fund must be justified by one of three and

doesn't make america more prosperous than the common sense while we remain wealthy a semiregular and they are the core national interests not isolation. our foreign policy spenders are not outdated in over two

centuries ago they are acting based on what they perceive as the norm. and for allies. when you are getting they can help you assess the world. will. [laughter] body

want to welcome all of you and pam gandhi serving as the 87th attorney general. congratulations to you nomination and thank you for his leadership over the last four years.

he and i have these policies. and to serve the american people and i would like to welcome three members to the committee here and i welcome to the committee, welcome. [applause]

and i want everyone to be able to watch walk the deal. and they offer it immediately. and invite ranking member there been. introduce this and instruction and they will begin the first.

after the first round, members to their best to adhere to these time limits. we are here today on this nomination. it is the willingness to serve on the role of the spirit advice and consent process. the it took a lot to work on

your part. more than 14000 pages of records more than 3400 respond to entries to this committee or estimate to your career and cooperation. and it will explain and expect them to be treated fairly.

the comparison on this basis although attorney general garland and we recognize and one that election. we were disappointed some of the things to general garland in his department did at the time. in this priority.

they are orderly markets, civil rights and a redacted environment. delivering on these promises attorney general committee should give the same. as to attorney general garland and the qualification to speak for themselves. responding made history and attorney general and held that rule four eight years. who is a second and eight years

of service. and the call to state and let agencies to impact people's life. this was her responsibilities well. achieved numerous successes, he engaged in the initiatives for trafficking and encounter the opioid epidemic.

she got away from the chronicles and engaged in the campaign. this is in the bill and eliminated this case and accumulated the state's laboratory experience is limited to our service. she served as a prosecutor that prosecuted. and sexual predators.

those serving in the junior league of temple. for experience prosecutor and community in the character and left the general former senior d.o.j. official.

and of course we all know is desperately needed. it is a very turbulent time. the justice department is infected while leaders refuse. crossfire hurricane is an example of weaponization and it was built on a fake steel dossier. the clinton campaign and the investigative work and the fbi

knew the dossier was false and likely part of the disinformation campaign. they took other actions and investigate the justice department and retaliated his subpoena for my own staff record, challenging my constitutional rights and oversight duties. what is next? pressured the fbi to supposedly

recently related to the biden family investigation. later this fbi briefing were really to the media. but also labeled our oversight work. four years later reduced and provide us the ability to face this briefing. the fbi briefing and the bureau

and for democrats. other people on this committee, in and out of congress and what the organization is involved the former personal agent. and regarding their records. indeed in the oversight the fbi amazingly agreed on the records

associated with clinton scott biddle special agent and the political activities on the job on this basis. jack smith have this official. this was last august. look at it was on record.

potential is classified information, roughly 90 days before. the justice department impact election against president trump. so let's not forget and have seen this last four years time to spend on this and two or three others.

and slowly side this. when they are claiming these individuals are anti-semitic. i opened dozens of investigations that school board regarding covid-19 mandates. the fbi applied undue pressure for the so-called information or removing like social media posts. posts.

so ms. bundy should you be confirmed what action do you take to change the department scores for accountability so that conduct i just described never happens again. the only way to accomplish this is through transparency for the congress and the american people. now i go to my friend the ranking member member. thank you senator grassley and i appreciate your commitment to the long-standing bipartisan

backs are vetting presidential nominees. that was endowed several weeks ago and i've spoken to senator grassley and he ensured me he just committed as i am. our process is rigorous and shows how seriously members on both sides of the aisle take our constitutional responsibility seriously. ms. bondi thanks for coming to my office to discuss your nomination. the importance of attorney general to adjust the system cannot be overstated as the nation's chief law enforcement officer the attorney general oversees the department of justice which is responsible for protecting the civil rights of americans economic freedom and opportunity, public safety and of course national security. in short the attorney general has a real impact on americans every day lives and it's critical in a nominee for this position be committed first and foremost to the constitution and

the american people and not any president or political agenda. president trump claims he has quote an absolute right to do what he wants with the justice department and that's how he conducted his first term. he interfered with the criminal cases of his friends and allies successfully pressured doj to investigate his rivals. even tried to use the justice department overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. the present elect made it clear in one thing above all is in the senate over and over, loyalty. speaking of attorney general sessions donald trump said "like the only reason i gave him the job is because of his loyalty but it was an original supporter. and when attorney general sessions did the right thing and rick -- recused himself an investigation trump said he should have never nominated him and fired him.

barrie successfully auditioned for the job in an unsolicited memo to doj that surely -- sharply criticized the investigation. barr intervened in multiple criminal cases of trump's political allies and spread falsehoods about election fraud but in december of 2020 one bill barr family announced there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud to change the outcome of the election tropes dismissed him and hired a second attorney general but but this time around president-elect trump has vowed not just use the justice department to advance his political interest vitiation of quorum call. vitiation of the presiding officer: the senate is not in a quorum call. mr. markey: mr. president, i rise today to stop the unnecessary and devastating consequences that will result from a ban on tiktok in the united states. in a few moments, i will ask unanimous consent that the

senate pass my legislation with senator wyden and senator booker to extend the tiktok deadline act. to extend the deadline by which bytedance, tiktok's parent company, must sell tiktok or face a ban in 270 days. this simple one sentence bill would avoid significant harm for tiktok's creators who depend upon the app to make a living, to share resources during an emergency such as the los angeles wildfires and to discuss everything from the latest pop culture trends to controversial political topics. it is the home to 170 million americans' american -- american users. 170 million american users. that's over half of the u.s. population and 65% of the united states adult population. it is 50% higher than the number

of americans who watch the super bowl. those 170 million americans will be devastated by a tiktok ban. many make their living on the app. and could face difficulties paying for groceries, rent, or medical care. others may lose contact with a crucial support system leaving them isolated and scared. if you don't believe me, then i encourage my colleagues to view the thousands videos posted by tiktok users over the past few days explaining why tiktok is so important to them. and these testimonials are powerful evidence about tiktok's economic, social, and cultural importance. and i implore my colleagues to listen to these users. now supporters of the tiktok ban will claim that any delay will threaten national security and

allow china to supposedly indoctrinate the youth with anti-american views. first, i stand behind no lawmaker here in my commitment to protecting children online. i am the original author of the only federal online protection for children today. the children's online privacy protection act. and i've authored legislation to update and modernize those protections. my children and teens online privacy protection act, to lift it up to age 16. that was blocked here on the senate floor just one month ago in december. we had it out of committee. we could not get it passed. and i've repeatedly sent letters to the federal trade commission and the department of justice urging them to investigate and impose penalties on tiktok for putting their younger users at risk. when tiktok violates the law and puts its users at risk, i will call them out and i will demand

accountability. in fact, the federal trade commission has fined tiktok for violation of my law. so obviously i'm concerned. i'm also concerned about what american social companies do to teenagers. they do the same thing. i'm very concerned about what they do to young children, according to the surgeon generally we have a mental health crisis in our country pointing the finger at social media. not one company, all the companies that are targeting tablers and children in our country -- teenagers and children in our country. i recognize that bytedance's ownership of tiktok poses a security risk. i do not want china to have significant influence over an important communications channel in the united states. and access to americans' data. but congress must appropriately balance those risks with the serious hardship imposed on

tiktok's 170 million american users and the unintended consequences of a nationwide tiktok ban. with the impending tiktok ban, congress has gotten that balance wrong. and most importantly, the proponents of the ban have repeatedly argued that tiktok is, quote, brainwashing americans, but these claims are at best just speculation. at worst, they are disguised effort to target american speech. so don't take it from me. in an affidavit in the d.c. district of columbia circuit, a senior intelligence officer stated that the government has, quote, no information that china coerced bytedance to manipulate content of tiktok.

that's coming from our own government. that alone should make us pause. this is in the d.c. circuit court. they're not lying to a circuit court. so they don't have any information. with regard to that accusation. even worse, rather than addressing china's supposed influence over a key communications channel, the tiktok ban appears to be driving users to alternative chinese applications which we know even less about. in fact, on monday red note, a chinese social media app became the number one most downloaded app on the apple app store. is that the outcome that the law supporters were seeking or thought about? the tiktok ban not only threatens to shut down a platform critical for 170 million americans but also seven million american businesses use

tiktok. they use it as part of their business. all of that will shut down on sunday, four days from now, just shut down. seven million businesses who use it. and it's taking effect at, at least in parts of america, at the single worst period of time. a moment when tiktok creators in los angeles are using the app to share their stories and find resources during the tragic wildfires. a moment when a new president is set to take office with different views on the ban. president-elect trump is asking for a pause right now. ask the supreme court of the united states for a pause. donald trump. a moment when the supreme court is still considering the case, hasn't even rendered a decision yet. a moment when the first official

bid for tiktok was just submitted last week. it's time for congress to acknowledge that the rushed passage of this law was a mistake. there were no hearings in the senate. there were no witnesses in the senate. no one got to hear anything about this ban because they put it into the bill that was going to provide military aid for ukraine, for israel. humanitarian aid. and they just stuck the tiktok ban into the legislation over in the house of representatives to send it over here. we never had a hearing. we never had any consideration. and it's time for congress to acknowledge that the rush passage of this law was a mistake, that we need more time to let the courts and outside parties consider this issue. we need to do a better job of

understanding the importance of the tiktok community and the impact of a tiktok ban. that's why i introduced the extend the tiktok deadline act. this bill does not repeal the underlying act. it simply gives tiktok, congress, the people here in the senate, parties might want to buy tiktok, the incoming trump administration, he himself is asking for an extension. and outside stakeholders additional time to get this right. we need time. we need time to figure this out. the court process is still going on for something that started last april. that would never have been expected to have occurred. we don't have any certainty as

to the outcome one way or the other. if this had happened in september, october, november, out of the courts, we could have then deliberated before the deadline. on sunday, four days from now. but it didn't happen that way. so to the millions of creators who have bravely shared their stories and explained why tiktok is important to them, i hear you. i'm listening. and i encourage my colleagues to listen as well and to give a short reprieve to tiktok's death sentence. tiktok is far too important to let it die like this on sunday. without having given the extra time which is needed, time for president-elect trump, time for everyone to think about what an alternative pactway could be -- pathway could be to letting tiktok die.

and, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of s. 103 introduced earlier today. and further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: is there an objection? a senator: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from arkansas. mr. cotton: reserving the right to object which i most certainly do. tiktok isn't just another social media platform. tiktok is a chinese communist spy app that addicts our kids, harvest their data, targets them with harmful and manipulative contact and spreads communist propaganda. congress recognized the dangers of tiktok when we voted on a massive bipartisan basis lass april to give its chinese can communist influenced company, bytedance,

270 days, to sell tiktok to an american buyer or be shut down in america. that deadline is sunday. what's more, bytedance and tiktok had plenty of additional warning for years about the possibility of such action, long before congress set this firm sunday deadline. the trump administration in 2020 attempted to shut down tiktok. so, there was no rush, as the senator from massachusetts asserted. we didn't pull the rug out from under tiktok. we didn't ban it. instead, congress simply demanded that the app could no longer be owned and controlled by our nation's worst enemy, communist china. in other words, tiktok's owners had plenty of time to find a buyer, and there were plenty of willing buyers as well. instead, tiktok whined, lied, complained, sued, and lobbied.

oh, how they lobbied. one notable lobbyist told me he was offered $100,000 a month, $100,000 a month to represent tiktok, but he refused, because tiktok is a sewer of vile anti-semitism. good for him. unfortunately, i can't say that for the army of lawyers and lobbyists who saddled up upon behalf of communist china. they know who they are. they should be ashamed of themselves. and they should know that i, for one, won't forget it. let me be crystal clear, there will be no extensions, no concessions, and no compromises for tiktok. bytedance and the chinese communists had plenty of time to make a deal. in fact, the legislation allows the president to grant a 90-day extension to the sunday

deadline, though only if negotiations have substantially advanced. and the sale could likely close in 90 days. neither is true today, so i expect president biden will not grant the extension. what president biden cannot do under current law, this congress, this republican congress, certainly won't do by changing the law. not over my objection, in any case. isn't it telling that bytedance says communist china blocked the sale of tiktok for these last nine months? what exactly does that tell us? exactly what i said earlier, tiktok is a chinese communist spy app. consider one reason why the bill passed with such a huge bipartisan vote in april, namely the backlash against tiktok for its deranged lobbying campaign

against the bill. as the bill was being considered by house committee, tiktok sent push notifications to its users, demanding they call into congress and express opposition to the bill. this wasn't a case of american citizens spontaneously rising up to exercise their first amendment rights, but rather a foreign power egging them on, meddling in our politics, influencing our legislative debates. and what happened? thousands of children, kids, called into congressional offices, some threatening to kill themselves or to assassinate members of congress. no foreign adversary should have that kind of power over our politics or our children. imagine how chinese communists would use tiktok to influence our political debates during, say, a moment of heightened tensions over taiwan.

and let's examine a little more closely just what tiktok does to our country. just last week, renowned social psychologist jonathan haight wrote that tiktok is harming children on an industrial scale. china's version of tiktok promotes math, science and learning, telling chinese kids to eat their vegetables, do homework and respect their elders, especially chairman xi, the chinese dictators. in america, tiktok promotes violence, obscenity, eating disorders, drug use and suicide. internal company documents revealed content promoting pedophilia has long flowed right past tiktok's supposed moderators. without question, tiktok's lethal algorithm cost the lives of many american kids. china also uses tiktok to amplify propaganda and suppress

information critical of the communist tyranny in beijing. compared to other platforms, tiktok expresses content about the uighur people, tibet, taiwan, the south china sea, hong kong, tiananmen square and the origins of covid. it also 34e6dles in the politics of other -- it also meddles in the politics of other countries in, for instance, israel and of course america. don't forget, tiktok harvests a vast trove of user data, including name, age, e-mail, address, phone number, credit card number, facial features, voice prints, keystrokes, photos, videos, and viewing habits. this data can make users susceptible to mannen lation and black -- manipulation and blackmail, not only today, but years from now when users may have become influential persons there the military, intelligence

community, business, media and other walks of life. we're sometimes assured tiktok has taken security measures to prevent chinese communists from accessing this data of american citizens. but according to whistleblower testimony and internal company materials, these protections are about as airtight as a screen door. so, the end is coming for chinese communist controlled tiktok. perhaps the sale can be closed by sunday, though i seriously doubt it. even so, that sale would have to pass legal review and guarantee that china retains no residual influence at the company or through its algorithm. no residual influence whatsoever. but one way or the other, communist chinese will no long earth this massive -- exert this massive influence over our nation and our kids. i'll now yield to senator ricketts.

mr. ricketts: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from nebraska. mr. ricketts: reserving the right to object. the chinese communist party is our chief foreign adversary in the world and the only external existential threat to our nation. they threaten our freedom, our prosperity, our security, and our very way of life. when i was governor of nebraska, i was the first governor to ban tiktok on state devices, because ever the threat it posed. why did i do that? well, because xi jinping said that he wants to replace us as the world leader. dictators tend to say what they're going to do and try to do it. we should take him seriously. tiktok is one of the ways he is trying to do it, trying to undermine what we do around the world. the chinese communist party wants to replace us.

tiktok is one of the ways they are trying to influence our downfall. as many as 150 million americans use tiktok. 52% of them say they regularly get news through tiktok. and we know that the ccp uses tiktok to slant the news. this is part of their pro propaganda. data shows, for example, my esteemed colleague from arkansas referenced it, the anti-semitism on tiktok. if you go back and look, you can see 50 times the posts on pro-hamas, pro-palestinian content, 50 times the views, despite the fact that overwhelmingly americans support israel, the polling shows it. that's just one of the issues that they get involved with.

we wouldn't allow any foreign adve adversary, tv stations, radio stations, or newspapers to reach 150 million americans. why are we allowing our chief adversary in the world, one that seeks our downfall, to have that kind of access? it makes absolutely no sense. and of course, the chinese communist party has no free rights in america. those belong to american citizens. we need to make sure we take a step against this. and last april, we did. overwhelmingly, bipartisan, bicameral, because this congress saw the threat that tiktok p poses, by the chinese communist party being able to influence bice dance, because they have -- bytedance, because they have to, bytedance, a chinese company has

to do whatever the chinese communist party says, that's their law, they have to do what the chauffard says, therefore they -- what the chinese communist party says, they push the propaganda, spy on americans, collect data on americans. so we saw a bipartisan effort. over 350 votes in the house to pass this bill. by the way, the same bipartisan support here in the senate, passing 79-18. the law gathered so much bipartisan, bicameral support because we recognize this was about keeping america and americans safe, that bytedance needed to divest tiktok so we could be assured that the chinese communist party wasn't pushing its propaganda on spying on us. we acted with conviction against that threat, and of course we know from our classified briefings what that threat for

tiktok was. and this threat is not something far off or imagined. we have seen tiktok's interference in elections elsewhere around the world, most recently in romania. the european commission just opened an investigation into tiktok's failure to limit election interference in romania's election and that caused all sorts of disruption in that country. india has banned tiktok for the very same reason, that they are seeing the push of chinese propaganda on their news media, the same which we do. albania banned tiktok. we passed a law that did not ban tiktok. we passed a law that said you have to have an american owner like, i don't know, radio stations, tv stations, news newspapers. the senator from massachusetts would like to give us a 270-day

extension. what's going to be different? what is going to be different? bytedance has had 270 days, and rather than making legitimate attempts to find a buyer, and by the way you all recall the news stories, when this law was being discussed and passed, there were a number of americans who said they'd be interested in buying them, bytedance didn't do anything. rather than looking for an american buyer, they decided to hire an army of lobbyists and lawyers to try and subvert the will of the congress. they spent the last 270 days trying to avoid being sold, as my colleague said, the chinese communist party will not let them be sold. that in and of itself should tell you everything you need to know about this. if the chinese communist party is refusing bytedance to sell tiktok to an american buyer, you know they are using it to push

their propaganda and collect data on us. they don't want those algorithms coming to america, because then they'll be exposed. that's what this is about. this is a national security threat. that's why we took action last april. they've had these 270 days. they did nothing with them. to extend it would mean nothing as well, except give the chinese communist party another 270 days to push their propaganda and to spy on more americans. finally, today in our foreign relations committee hearing we had the confirmation hearing for senator rubio, who has been nominated for secretary of state. i asked him in his hearing today, why average americans in nebraska should care about the threat the chinese communist party poses to our way of life, and he had a great response. i want to read it here.

he said, if we stay on the road we're on right now, in less than ten years virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether china will allow us to have it or not. folks, this is a clear test of whether america is willing to get off that road. are we willing to change direction? are we willing to save to the chinese communist party enough. not now. we are changing from getting away from the bad practices of the past that the chinese communist party is taking advantage of. let's send a clear signal to beijing that america's national security going to take a priority. let's stand strong. let's remember we passed this law for a reason, and it's to keep americans safe. and, therefore, i object.

the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. merkley: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from massachusetts. mr. merkley: thank you, madam president. madam president, i am disappointed that my colleagues have objected to this simple legislation. i recognize the national security risk here, but the fearmongering about the supposed anti-american content on tiktok is the exact type of government overreach that has left tens of millions of americans furious. the hyperbolic statements made by my colleagues are especially concerning, given that the intelligence community itself has acknowledged that it has no information that china is covertly manipulating content on tiktok. no information. let me say that again. in the d.c. circuit court of

appeals, the government was asked to present evidence that bytedance was covertly manipulating content on tiktok for the benefit of the chinese government, and the intelligence community submitted an affidavit saying that the government has no information that it is being manipulated. so as we're out here today -- by the way, that would change the whole debate. if they had information, we'd be having a different debate. if there was proof that they were manipulating, provided by the intelligence community, we'd be having a different debate. they don't have any information. and i sat in the same intention briefings that -- intelligence previousing that my colleagues did, and i kept waiting to hear that information.

i didn't hear t i don't think it's giving up any secrets to say there weren't any secrets. they made that filing in the d.c. court of appeals. they have no information. and i've read the reports, the news articles. i've tracked the court case closely. i'm clear-eyed about the risk, but unlike many of my colleagues, i am also clear-eyed about the profound economic, political, and social importance of tiktok to 170 million users and 7 million businesses in the united states, and i understand how many creators depend on tiktok to find community, share their story, find resources. so my ask again here is simple -- 270 days, and we can try to find a resolution of this issue that

doesn't have a draconian cutoff on sunday afternoon. so this is the issue that we're confronted with at this point. we don't have the evidence that is being cited by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. it doesn't exist. they may believe it, but they don't have the evidence to present to this body. because the intelligence community has not provided it to them. otherwise, again, as i'm saying, we would have a very different debate. and this is a very important issue because the supreme court just had a hearing -- it's unbelievable that it's nine months later -- on the constitutionality of your ban. so i think that the colleagues

of mine who spoke on the other side, they're saying, well, they should have already sold it. well, they took it to court to find out if this law was constitutional. they have a right to do that. they have a right to go to the supreme court. they have a right to have a hearing. they have a right to make their case. they have a right to say that it's unconstitutional. it hasn't been ruled on yet. it hasn't been ruled on. and so because of that, all i'm asking for is more time. listen to donald trump. he's say, give it more time. that's all i'm asking for. and i will say as well, when my friend cites suicides, other incredible consequences of social media in our society or, i do agree with him 100%. but it's not just tiktok. it's instagram, it's facebook,

it's company after company after company that's targeting 14-year-old girls with bulimia, with anorexia, with information that's making them even sicker and sicker and sicker. that's why when my bill was killed here in december to pass a law which said that parents can just say erase all that information you're gathering about my daughter, and it's the third congress in a row that it happened, yeah, tiktok should be stopped and so should facebook and so should instagram, so should autumn of them. but just -- so should all of them. but just don't raise it in a tiktok context. that law should have already been on the president's desk. you want to talk about stopping legislation... i agree with the gentleman on the fundamental fact that tiktok is a contributor to had this problem. but it's part of a larger problem. and i also want to make the

point that there's no eminent threat of acompromise of this information -- a compromise of this information that we're talking about here today because the intelligence community does not in fact have the information to say that that is accurate. so i agree with donald trump. give it more time, allow for the process to play out, allow for the supreme court to make a decision, allow for potential buyers to step forth, allow for the users of tiktok, the seven million businesses to use it, that use it for their own families, allow for the families in the fire zone in l.a. to continue to use it to build community, to run their small businesses, and not cut it off on sunday. and that is what i have been asking the senate to do. so i regret that the objection has been raised by my

colleagues, but i tell you, there's going to be real harm, and my hope is that i can partner with president-elect trump to try to find a resolution of this issue so that we do it with the information that right now we do not have to take such an action. so with that, mr. president, i yield back. mr. cotton: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from arkansas. mr. cotton: i want to respond briefly to my friend from massachusetts, and he is my friend. i want to make an underlying first off in the record because this is a notable day. direct quotes from the senator from massachusetts, listen to donald trump, and i agree with donald trump. underline that in the record. i'm not sure you're going to see that again for the next four years. but more importantly, on this issue, the senator is correct that tiktok is not alone in causing harms for american kids.

i agree with him. other apps can result in eating disorders or depression or mental illness. i voted for his legislation in december. i have my own online safety legislation. the difference is that tiktok is influenced and controlled by the chinese communist party, and this bill did not just address tiktok. it addressed all foreign adversary-owned apps. he raised the question of rednote. if tiktokers go to rednote, they will face the same problem there. i do know this. i have been on the intelligence committee for ten years. tiktok poses a grave threat to our national security and our people's well-being. third, you don't need

intelligence. tiktok's own internal documents reveal the threat that the it poses to americans much the state attorneys general have brought lawsuits to defend their people. those lawsuits have produced documents that show chapter and verse exactly what tiktok has done to americans. and, finally, we keep hearing it's only 270 days. it's only 270 days. in 270 days, that is what tiktok will say again because it won't have been sold because chinese communists won't allow it to be sold. because it is just another app. it the not instagram or facebook or x or anything else. it is a chinese communist spy app. i yield the floor. mr. ricketts: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from nebraska. mr. ricketts: again, i want to briefly build on my colleague from arkansas. two points --

one, our colleague from massachusetts has called this a tiktok ban. that's inaccurate. the law that was passed was, as my colleague pointed out, was about foreign adversaries and required tiktok to be sold to an american owner. if it had been sold, tiktok could continue to be in operation, and my understanding is even if it is forced to close down because it hasn't sold by sunday, if it is sold in the future, it will be able to reestablish operations as long as it is to an american buyer. so it is not a ban. the reason it is a ban is because tiktok and the chinese communist party chose to make it a ban. they could have been trying to sell it at the same time they're going through the court and have that ready. in fact, they could have written a document saming same only going to -- saying i'm only going to sell if the supreme court says i have to. they could have found a buyer and written a contract that way, absolutely. they didn't have to make this a ban.

and with regard to my colleague from massachusetts' other point, i did offer a proof point based upon data here in the united states on how tiktok pushes the communist communist -- the chinese communist party agenda to push their propaganda. in this case it was anti-semitism against israel by promoting pro-hamas posts and then pro-palestinian posts versus israeli -- pro-israel ones. so i gave data there. but this is exactly the kind of same pushing of propaganda which has led, i presume, india to ban tiktok as well because the chinese communist party is doing the same thing to them. so a couple of points on this, and again i don't think anything will be different in 270 days from now because the chinese communist party will not allow tiktok to be sold because their algorithm will be sold. with that, i would end by saying that china must be deterred.

mr. president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from arkansas. mr. cotton: i ask unanimous consent that at 5:50 p.m. today, the senate vote in relation to the following amendments -- cornyn number 14 and coons number 23. the presiding officer: is there an objection? without objection. corn corn mr. president. the presiding officer: -- mr. cornyn: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from texas. mr. cornyn: we've just locked in a vote on my amendment.

i would like to call on my amendment 14 to senate amendment number 8 and ask it be reported by number. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: mr. cornyn proposes amendment numbered 14 to amendment number 8. mr. cornyn: mr. president, i want to offer an amendment that would add more -- one more crime to the list covered by this legislation, and that would be assault of a law enforcement officer. anyone who comes into the country illegally and harms these brave men and women in uniform is dangerous. and dangerous not only to our first responders but also to the safety and security of all texans and communities all around the country. unfortunately, we know under the biden-harris administration these people that are committing these kinds of crimes are routinely being released back into the streets, as we saw last february in new york city when seven people were arrested for

assaulting a police officer -- assaulting multiple police officers outside of a migrant shelter in times square. manhattan district attorney alvin bragg made the decision to release five of these criminal suspects without bail. there's no question that these criminals should have been detained and removed before they could go on and commit other crimes against innocent victims. my amendment mr. president, i urge adoption of my amendment and i yield the floor.

mr. cornyn: mr. president, i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks. quorum call: quorum call:

do you swear the testimony you will give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god? you are recognized. in the thank you mr. chairman greinke member in members of the committee for the opportunity to appear before you today. let me begin by thanking my girls ella -- who returned to

the scene of congressional confirmation hearing as wily veteran's for their love for his support and enthusiasm for me is a major reason for why i feel my going back into omb hit the right moment beyond my enthusiasm for being at president trump's side. the profound honor to be nominated a second time by president trump to service the director of the office of management and budget. the president has promised the american people in the federal government that works for all americans and not the interests of bureaucrats and an entrenched establishment. making a start in fulfilling that vital promise during my previous time it all and be as deputy director and director was among the most rewarding experiences of my career. throughout my career i've been driven by commitment to taxpayers and their families are going up vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. coons: we are about to take up and vote on two amendments to the laken riley act, and i

appreciate an opportunity to -- i ask unanimous consent that i be allowed to finish my brief remarks before we proceed to the vote. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. coons: mr. president, i'll begin anew. we are about to consider two amendments to the laken riley act. and i appreciate the opportunity to speak to amendment 23 which would strike section 3 of the laken riley act. and i respect that colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed their intention to vote for the laken riley bill and to advance it. i have not yet made any such commitment out of concern about the unintended consequences of several provisions of this bill, and i want to briefly speak to the consequences of the section that my amendment would strike. amidst real resource constraints, unpredictable migration patterns and fluctuating diplomatic sensitivities our federal law enforcement at i.c.e. and vbp

make thousands of complex decisions day in and day out about how to deal with interior enforcement, with border encounters, who to detain and who to release. and it's because these decisions involve so many complex factors that the supreme court has repeatedly recognized the federal government is and should be the ultimate authority on enforcement of our immigration laws. section 3, however, would mark a sea change by inviting every state attorney general to sue whenever they disagree with even an individual level federal decision regarding detention and removal. this could create uncertainty or even chaos by encouraging conflicting lawsuits brought in different states in different courts. i will remind my colleagues this provision may have been drafted when the view was that republican state attorneys general would sue a democratic administration for the

enforcement provision. roughly half of each attorneys general belong to each political party. i hope that my colleagues that have reflected upon the consequences of this provision will conclude that we should not have the division and frankly ultimately the chaos and the enforcement of our immigration laws that would likely result from having a raft of lawsuits brought by state attorneys general in courts all over the country testing and challenging almost literally every detention decision. i believe it is possible for this act to be approved, for it to advance public safety and for it to make a contribution to the country, and it is my hope that the amendments being offered will be taken up and passed. i will urge a yes vote on my amendment for all of my colleagues because i think an approved bill should be the debaters improved bill should be the objective of of this amendment process. thank you, mr. president.

with that, i yield the floor. p the presiding officer: under the previous order, the question appears on the amendment number 14 offered by the senator from texas, mr. cornyn. mr. cornyn: i ask for the yeas and nays. p the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote:. the clerk: ms. alsobrooks l ms. baldwin. mr. banks. mr. barrasso. mr. bennet. mrs. blackburn. mr. blumenthal. ms. blunt rochester. mr. booker. mr. boozman. >> good morning everybody. i welcome all of you to this very important hearing to consider the nomination of former florida attorney general pam bondi. she is serving as the 87th

attorney general of the united states after her approval. congratulations to your nomination ms. bondi and thank you for your willingness to serve. i think senator durbin for his leadership as chairman of the committee over the last four years although he and i have differences own policies i think the public could say we worked well together on many issues over the years. as he steps into his role as ranking member i will work closely with senator durbin to serve the american people. i also would like to welcome three brand-new members of the committee and repeating his service here after his stint off. i welcome to the committee senator bret, senator schmidt,

senator crepeau and senator schiff. welcome. [applause] before you get started i'd like to set up a couple of ground rules. i want to handle this hearing using a storm -- similar structure to how senator nomination and tearing at general garland but i want everyone to be able to watch the hearing without obstruction. if people stand up and block the view of those behind them or speak out of turn it's not fair or considered to others so officers will immediately remove those now, before i turn to my opening statement, let me explain how we are going to proceed today. i will give my opening remarks

and then i will invite ranking member durbin to give his opening remarks and then i will call on senator scott and schmidt to introduce this nominee and following those instructions, introductions and ms. bondi's statement we will begin the first round of questioning. each senator will have an for senator will have an questions and after the first round but will do a poor -- a round but will do a poor -- a members should do their best to it here to the time limit so that we can proceed efficiently with the hearing. we are here today and considering pam bondi's nomination's nomination to serve as attorney general of the united states. ms. bondi for a second time i think you for your nomination,

your willingness to serve but more importantly serve in the critical role of the senate advise and consent process. you are nominated to one of the most important offices in our country. it took a lot of work on your part just to get here today. there are more than 14,000 pages of records and hundreds of hours of media files and more than 3400 responsive entries to disclose to this committee are a testament to your long career in the public eye and your cooperation with this committee. i would like to also thank your family for being here today. i know that many of them have traveled some distance to

celebrate with you. i would like to explain and expect that ms. bondi be treated fairly. during attorney general garland's confirmation hearing, republicans treated him with respect. we ask tough. fair questions and we ultimately voted him out of committee on a bipartisan basis although attorney general garland wouldn't have chosen to lead the department of justice. we recognize president biden won that election and that he was entitled to choose his attorney general. we were ultimately disappointed with some of the things that

general garland and his department did at the time of his nomination. we gave him the benefit of the doubt. as the recent terrace attacks in new orleans and around the world have shown, our national security must be a high priority. the american people deserve a secure homeland and borders, safe streets, orderly markets, civil rights and a protected environment. so, delivering on these promises requires a swift confirmation of an attorney general. this committee should give ms. bondi the same benefit of the doubt that this committee gave to attorney general garland. president trump has elected a

nominee whose qualifications speak for themselves. ms. bondi made history in 2010 as the first woman to be elected florida attorney general. she held that role for eight years and was comfortably reelected by the people of florida to a second term. eight years of service as attorney attorney general of the third largest state in the nation excellent preparation for the role of u.s. attorney general. as florida attorney general ms. bondi was a member of the florida cabinet chief legal officer of the state and led a large agency that tangibly impacted people's lives. and by all accounts ms. bondi handled her responsibilities well. as the florida attorney general,

ms. bondi achieved numerous successes. she engaged in key initiatives to fight human trafficking, countered the opioid epidemic and protecting consumers and protected the citizens of florida from violence. she didn't shy away from hard work or complicated problems. she engaged in aggressive campaigns to eliminate pell-mells, took a leading role in securing a billion-dollar settlement following the deep water horizon oil spill and eliminated the backlog of rape test kits that had accumulated in that state's laboratories. ms. bondi experienced isn't limited to her service as

florida attorney general. she also served as a prosecutor and hillsborough county for 18 years and prosecuted carol crimes. she sought tough penalties and justice for victims of violent criminals. domestic abusers and sexual. she prosecuted drug traffickers and bus protected her community. she was active outside of her promotional role serving in the jr. league of tampa on the board of special olympics florida and is well-known for her animal rescue efforts. her experience and performance as attorney general prosecutor and community leader speaks volumes about her character and her dedication to the rule of

law. she has received multiple letters since supportive or nomination including from the fraternal order of police, the republican state attorneys general, more than 100 former senior doj officials and a bar partisan group of former state attorneys general. in short, ms. bondi is highly qualified and of course as we all know that change is desperately needed. when confirmed ms. bondi will take the helm at the very turbulent time for this country and for that department. the justice department is infected with political decision-making while its leaders refuse to acknowledge that reality.

a crossfire hurricane was an example of government weaponization. the fbi's investigation was built on the fake steele dossier funded by the democratic national committee and the clinton campaign who worked with foreign operatives. my investigative work exposed that the fbi actually knew the dossier was false information and was likely a part of our russian misinformation campaign. even with the knowledge of such dossier defects and political infections the justice department sought fisa warrant removal and took other action. after directing my oversight staff to investigate the justice department's mishandling of the matter the justice department retaliated in issuing a subpoena

for my own staffs own records. that's right, challenging my constitutional rights of doing my oversight duties of what's next. then a few democratic colleagues pressured the fbi foreign influence task force to supposedly briefed me and senator johnson related to our biden family investigation. on august the 20 senator johnson i had that infamous briefing from the fbi. later the fbi's briefing contents were leaked to the media even though the fbi promised confidentiality. that leak falsely labeled our oversight work as you guessed it, russian disinformation.

to this day over four years later the intelligence community and the fbi refused to revive us the intelligence basis for that briefing. the title of this "wall street journal" article sums it up quote the fbi's dubious briefing to the bureau sent to the u.s. gop senators up at the behest of democrats in the quote. so i know, is other people on this committee and in and out of congress know, what government weaponization is. and then we will get the special counsel jack smith and is operation. i'm unprecedented fbi raid on trump's house including agents that even search the former

first ladies drawers. hillary clinton and joe biden certainly did not receive the same treatment by government regarding their records. indeed as my oversight exposed the fbi amazingly agreed to destroy laptop records and records associated with clinton's staff. this orwellian conduct should have no order. on top of it all the fbi special agent thibault the anti-trump agent that violated the hatch act for political activities on the job started one of jack's cases that jack smith wasn't the only department official who tried to influence this past

election. the "washington post" reported just last august about a previous undisclosed mueller investigation into trump that would close for lack of evidence and it being quote unquote a fishing expedition. that news reporting was based on sealed court records, government records and potentially classified information roughly 90 days before the last presidential election. the justice department leaked that information to the press to impact the election against president trump. they did it while arming congressional requests for information that would prove interesting to the biden/harris administration. so let's not forget some of the

more and other flicker and abuses of power that we have seen from the doj and the fbi over the last four years. i don't have the time to spend on these that i on two or three others but just to list them, the department of justice used the mite of the federal government to prosecute individuals peacefully praying outside of abortion clinics. the fbi suggested catholics could be domestic terrace threats claiming that these individuals adhere to quote anti-semitic, anti-immigration, it and tie lgbt and white supremacy ideology and quote the fbi opened dozens of investigations into parent who voice their concern at school for meetings regarding choices

in covid-19 mandates for the fbi applied undue pressure to social media platforms to send the so-called -- so-called misinformation downgrading or removing flags social media post and removing users. these are only a few particularly examples of and tef justice. the impact to this political infection in her one storied law enforcement institutions is catastrophic. by every metric the biden/harris justice department conduct has failed to live up to our country's ideals. so ms. bondi should you be confirmed the actions you take to change the department's course must be for

accountability so that the conduct i just described never happens again. the only way to accomplish this is through transparency for the congress and the american people. now i turn to my friend ranking member durbin. >> it thank you senator grassley and i appreciate your commitment to the, e. judiciary kitties -- communities long time practices for vetting presidential nominees. i spoke to senator grassley and he assured me he is personally escalated as i'm to maintaining these practices which we have established over the years. our process is rigorous and it shows how seriously members on both sides of the aisle take our constitutional responsibilities in advise and consent. ms. bondi thanks for coming to my office last week to discuss your nomination. important state attorney general to our justice system cannot be overstated as the nation's chief law enforcement officer attorney

general oversees the department of justice which is responsible for protecting the civil rights of americans economic freedom and opportunity, public safety and of course national security. enjoyed the attorney general has a real impact on americans every day lives. to critical that any nominee for this position be committed first and foremost to the constitution and the american people. not any president or political agenda. president trump claims he has quote an absolute right to do what he wants with the justice department and that's how he conducted his first term. he interfered with the criminal cases of his friends and allies and successfully pressured doj to investigate his rivals. he then tried to use the justice department to overturn the results of the 2020th presidential election. the president-elect made it clear above all else loyalty.

it said the only reason i gave the job is because of loyalty but he was an original supporter but then when attorney general sessions did the right thing and recused himself from investigations trump said he should never have nominated many fired him. trump then nominated bill barr to succeed sessions. barr addition for the job in an unsolicited memo to doj to sharply criticize the mueller investigation. once confirmed barr misrepresented the release of the report intervened in multiple criminal cases of trump's political allies and spread offense about election fraud. but in december of 2020 when bill barr proudly announced there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud it would change the outcome of the election and trump dismissed it, fired his second attorney general. this time around president-elect trump has found not just the

justice department to advance his political also to see quote retribution against quote the enemy within. he is her belief threatened to arrest, prosecute, jail and otherwise punish those he considers his emmys. this includes reporters, prosecutors, judge us, the poll workers military officials and even his former political appointees. even before taking office trump has forced out of his own fbi director he appointed chris wray mack and is turning to replace him with kash patel's main qualifications of the fbi director seemed to be his loyalty to donald trump. he is keeping compiled an emmys list that quote government gangsters to target includes former trump appointees like director wray attorney general barr and defense secretary caspar trey trump's approached is in stark contrast to the five artisan view or not opposed

nixon era that the justice department should serve the interest of the american people not anyone president. for those who need a reminder richard nixon ordered department officials to fire archibald cox, special prosecutor investigating watergate. to those officials elliott richardson and ray rick rojas resigned rather than carry out his orders. when this committee considered the appointment of loretta to be president obama's attorney general republican member of the committee emphasized and i quote what we need from our next attorney general more than anything else is independence. that same member who serves on the committee said and i quote the job is not to be the president swingman. the job is to represent all americans. the attorney triple must be willing to stand up to the president and say no when the office demands it. attorney general nominee merrick

garland became before this committee another republican -- my sole criterion voting for confirmation as i pledge to make sure politics does not affect her job as attorney general. the view that the justice department must be insulated from political influence should not be weaponized against political rivals as historically has been bipartisan church only on this committee. at this crucial moment in history that you must prevail. ms. bondi you have many experience -- years experience among for including services as attorney general and one of the largest states in the nation but i need to know you would tell the president know if you are asked to do something that is wrong, illegal or unconstitutional. ms. bondi you are one of four trump personal lawyers. he is selected top positions in the department of justice. he joined mr. trump and working to overturn the 2020 election year.

we described investigations and prosecutions of mr. trump has a witchhunt and ui code is called for investigating and prosecuting his political opponents. this flies in the face of evidence like mr. trump's call to georgia secretary of state brad raffensperger. we have all heard that audio recording. these are the kinds of anti-democratic efforts that you have defended and it's critical to understand what the remain supportive of mr. trump's actions. i also have questions to focus on the need to the american people and not on special and has been a concern he failed to identify your extensive lobbying of foreign governments and big corporations as potential conflicts of interest. there'll be questions and this hearing on that issue but that's why does the justice department and the national archive for information in your lobby of the trump white house and lobbying disclosures. i'm particular concern about her work on the half of qatar which

reportedly paid you $115,000 a month to launder their image on human trafficking issue of bipartisan concern of this committee. we need an attorney general who would enforce our antitrust laws to prevent monopolies that lead to higher prices for american consumers not to favor corporate giant that you've lobbied for the past like amazon and uber. i have questions about some of her actions as board attorney general. i'm concerned for office failed to investigate more than two dozen complaints about the for-profit trump university is mr. trump donated to your re-election campaign. edition you have a long track record on the issue of civil rights reproductive rights voting rights and noted btg right. in contrast ms. bondi merrick garland didn't campaign for president biden never served as his personal attorney never

lobbied on behalf of foreign governments. after years of relentless -- attorney general garland will hold you to this standard. it's now time for senators to introduce the nominee but the first one will be senator scott at the table lets you see and senator smith is a member of this committee in his place at the dais. senator scott please proceed. seeing mr. chairman and ranking member and committee members it's an honor to be before you today to introduce my good friend pam bondi for nomination hearing. i'd like to recognize important people supporting her today her husband john as well as her mother mother-in-law sister brother sister-in-law and nephew's friends and family members of john. many would be here at space above but i can tell you could

have a better leader than pam bondi for attorney general. she's undoubtedly qualified brilliant and committed to defending and protecting the laws of this nation and has a track record to prove it. it's no secret that doj is facing a public trust crisis after democrats figures weaponized in the justice system the entire federal government to become an agency that attacks the american people instead of defending and protecting them. that will change under pam bondi. under her leadership the doj will actually fairly enforce the laws to protect the rights of the american people and keep our nation safe and crackdown on violent crimes and dangerous drugs. the american people will trust her to do so but i don't do well because i've worked alongside pam bondi for eight years when i was governor of florida and she was elected attorney general. working to improve the lives of floridians made for the best admission to live work and raise a family. pam was an incredible partner

working to keep florida save and uphold the laws of our state ensuring crime is aggressively pursuit by law enforcement and prosecutors. president trump has made clear one of his top priorities to reverse the rising crime and specifically violent crime that has plagued our communities over the past four years. pam bondi is uniquely quipped to advance this priority is as attorney general because she has a proven track record of success and achieving reductions in crime and violent crime during her time as board attorney general. from 2010 the year before she took office in 2018 the last year she was in office together florida experienced a remarkable 26% drop in overall crime creating a 19.6% drop in violent crime at 27.4% drop in property crime. these are tens of thousands of lives saved in communities improved and made safer and families and businesses protect

them. as florida's attorney general pam bondi spearheaded other lifesaving initiatives by attacking duo played epidemic in fighting human trafficking. her achievements are too many for me to list in a short introduction but as u.s. attorney general pam bondi will ensure law and order to the nation, she will put america's interests first and make the nation a better and safer place. i urge every single member of this committee to support my friend pam bondi and i look forward to voting to her confirmation sound senate floor to help her get to work for the mac and people. thank you chairman. thank you mr. chairman and ranking member durbin and members of the committee it's an honor for me and a privilege to introduce pam bondi president trump's nominee to be the 87th attorney general of united states but i have known a work closely with pam for years and i'm glad to call her a friend. when pam was nominated by president trump my reaction was

this is a homerun. as many of us are at was only to be outdone by senator graham described the nomination as the grand slam touchdown hole-in-one a's hat trick slam dunk olympic gold medal and he is right. as a letter joined by more than 100 former justice department put it quote it's all too rare for senior justice department officials much less attorneys general to have such a welcome experience in day-to-day work of keeping our communities safe end quote. pam exemplifies and personifies the department of justice is mission to uphold the rule of law to keep our communities safe and protect their rights and liberties as americans. pam has distinguished herself in a curb public service that is taken her from her small-town upbringing in temple terrace florida to a hearing before this esteemed committee. after attending university of florida and the university

college of law she started her career as a local prosecutor in hillsborough county florida. as a local prosecutor for nearly two decades pam kept her communities safe prosecuting violent criminals drug dealers those who would threaten the local community and those who stood in opposition to the rule of law. pam's fellow floridians than elected her to serve as florida's attorney general where she was the first woman in state history elected to that office. as a former state attorney general myself i can vouch for the experience that pam bondi developed from serving that role but is the chief law enforcement official in her state she worked with local prosecutors to fight crime, work to protect their constitutional rights and the constitutional rights of floridians and stood up for the little guy by taking on abuses of power. the sports attorney general she worked to combat the opioid crisis fighting pill mills in helping to combat the widespread misuse of trafficking of deadly

drugs including fentanyl which have devastated families and communities across our country. she stood up for floridians in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis leading to the national mortgage act and after the deep water horizon oil spill pam was there instead up for floridians they giving $2 billion from the company's. on a more personal note pam has always taken it upon herself to help others but she's incredibly generous and someone i could always count on she's truthful, she's tough and she's a born leader. she has charted her own course with a rare combination of backbone and heart. the next attorney general of the united states must restore trust by reversing the weaponization of the last four years and refocusing that department to its core mission administering

justice. the next attorney general must promote the rule of law, take on violent crime and keep our communities safe and safeguard the god-given right that each american has in protecting our constitution. .. the clerk: mr. warner, aye. it is truly an honor for me tenderness and pain bonnie to this committee and our country and speak on her behalf. it's my hope hurt nomination will be swiftly confirmed. >> thank you. now pam body would you please come for elected mr. the oath, would you please raise your right hand and answer this question. do you swear that the testimony you are about to get up to this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the

truth so help you god? please be seated and move ahead with your opening statement. >> thank you german grassley, ranking member durbin members of the senate judiciary committee. i had the opportunity to meet with almost all of you and i greatly appreciate that. i am grateful to president trump into this committee for your consideration to be the 87th attorney general of the united states. i would not be here without my family. and if you can bear with me for just a moment, a lot of them have made a long trip i wrote them all down so i don't forget anyone. my beautiful mother who i would not be here i would not be here without my mom as of a week ago

it was 12 years since we lost my dad from leukemia. it feels like 12 days. my amazing husband, john his two incredible girls collins is a senior university of florida i think all of you on this committee will be very happy to know finley is an fiber security. there is a third traveling abroad. i wish you could be here my amazing father-in-law david. my sister, my brother-in-law's home with my niece. my nephews if you could raise your hand evan, jake in soon to be savanna. my brother brad, a brilliant lawyer. my sister-in-law and my nephews justin, just got a 4.0 at uva, rex, great college tennis

player. brad, a great tennis player might and beautiful niece and the little guy is in school because he is 10. my friend leslie, kathy, dena, tiffany, kim carla pollock, somata my former coworkers ranking member durbin if you want to get dirt on me, these women have no knee since i was a child. seriously, most of them. thank you for indulging me in that. they've all made a very long trip to be here. thank you for holding my hearing as well and not postponing it. i appreciate it, thank you all. from the moment i interned at the state attorney's office in tampa, florida all i wanted to do as a prosecutor for the supreme court certified mail for jury trials while still in law school. had for jury trials never wanted to do anything else. i continued my career there

trying everything from dui, two domestic violence cases, capitol murder cases. the whole gamut. i became a lead trial attorney trying every day core criminals with deputy chief of the division. ultimately with felony bureau chief. eventually left to become florida's 37th attorney general at the state of florida. nothing has impacted my career more than my experience as a state prosecutor. because i got to know and still keep in touch with many victims and their families from when i was prosecutor. upon becoming an attorney general in 2011 i probably serve for two terms but i was term limited, i would probably still be there right now had it not been kicked out of office by term limits.

i loved being attorney general. i did my best to keep florida safe. to continue to stand up for victims of crime to fight the opioid crisis on the drug crisis that was not only facing florida with his entire country. on the top 100, the sort of things i'm most proud of. oxycodone dispensers in the entire country i believe there is 98 of them but 90 or 98 of them lived in florida. we fought for tough legislation. kids were dropping dead every day. we fought for tough legislation. after that legislation none of this opioid dealers, doctors practice in florida. we fought to eliminate human trafficking by raising awareness and prevention talking to parents, talking to children.

we also provided critical resources including safe houses that my estate was lacking. on the civil side we work to protect consumers. we tackled everything and off label prescription marketing. it affects, as you know, many, many people who cannot afford prescriptions as well. partner states attorneys general from both parties and federal agencies across administration. we went after price and gaucher's during hurricanes. if confirmed as the next attorney general of the united states, my overriding objective will be to return the department of justice to its core mission of keeping americans safe and vigorously prosecuting criminals. that includes getting back to basics. gangs, drugs, our order and our

foreign adversaries. that is what the american people expect. and that is what they deserve from the department of justice. if confirmed, i will do everything in my power it will be my great responsibility to make america safe again. a senator: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from delaware. mr. coons: i ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment and call up my amendment number 23 as provided under the previous order. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: the senator from delaware mr. coons proposes an amendment numbered 23. ares mr. coons: madam president, i ask unanimous consent to speak for one minute to this amendment. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. coons: madam president, i ask my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment which would focus and streamline this

bill and make more likely its passage. many of us who have served here for many congresses regret the falling away of the frequency of amendments intended to improve the bill. my amendment will remove the section that will encourage endless litigation by state attorneys general. i will remind you our state attorneys general are roughly equally divided between the parties and can sue against what they believe is manifest injustice. this provision would encourage them to sue down to individual detention and release decisions. i think it improves the bill. to remove that section and focus on its critical public safety provisions. i urge a yes vote on this amendment and the consideration of additional amendments in the future that will improve this bill. thank you, madam president. the presiding officer: the question is on the amendment.

is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks.

i could not think of it were qualified that he trusted. you are his lawyer, right? >> yes, sir. i represented him when they tried to impeach him the first time as part of white house counsel office of special counsel. >> pink drums lawyer prepares you for many things. so you had a long-standing relationship with the present any trust you. that's a good thing. that's probably why president kennedy picked his brother, bobby kennedy i guess you can say note your older brother, i'm sure he would. this idea there something bad, is ridiculous but who do you pick list make a peep people you know but people you trust, people who are qualified i'm glad he picked you he knows you, he trust you are highly

qualified the idea there something wrong with that is absolutely ridiculous. so, let's talk about the job you are about too have here. do you support making certain drug cartels foreign terrorist organizations? >> senator, i personally went to mexico. i personally dealt with these cartels when i was a state prosecutor. they are a grave and violent threat. cooks you are advising the president, good. good. when it comes to crossfire hurricane, are those days over if you are attorney general? >> absolutely. >> awakened rather evenly that case? sadly i am, centigram. >> do you know why the man who killed her was released from custody? he was paroled to detention capacity the central processing center in el paso, texas.

now, that is not your call being d.o.j. but, do you agree with me the statute regarding parole does not allow paroled to be based on we don't have detention beds? there is nothing of that statute was authorized on based on lack of capacity are you familiar with that statute? >> yes, sir, that's frightening. >> it is frightening. a going to fix it? >> i'm going to do everything in my power to fix it if confirmed. i going to advise president trump we needto more beds? tom homans a guys went to that we do as attorney general's eight we need more bed space so laken riley never happens again? et cetera, my job if confirmed as attorney general will beat to keep america safe. that includes having enough space for violent criminals, for people who should not be in this country who have committed violent crime. and lakin riley is one of many.

>> 41000 beds in this country to detain people we've got millions of people here illegally but we let this dude go we didn't have any place to put in. i hope those days are over and tom, if you are listening out there hope you will create enough detention space to make sure we do not find this dilemma ever again. do you think we are at war and if so who with? >> senator, we are at war in so many fronts. >> arean we at war phthisis question. >> of course wentworth isis. >> there were with us you agree with that? >> absolutely senator. >> in the current draw from afghanistan and the threats have gone up from isis? >> yes too. >> march 7, 2024. isis kate retains a capability and will to attack the u.s. interests abroad in as little as six months with little or no warning that's march of 2024. donald mckenzie, isis k has a strong desire to attack the united states after it began to

grow in afghanistan following the u.s. exit august 2021. he also stated the threat to isis k from isis k is growing. major general, u.s. rinsed target number one for isis k do you agree with that? >> said and i do not have my security clearance. but fromeverything i've read and isis' were the greatest threats. >> and get her security clearance, you are going to find of these people are coming after us and they want to kill us. i would like to have a strategy to deal the isis threat that's beyond just the law enforcement model does that make sense to you that we should use every tool in the toolbox? >> senator, that includes our state and local officials and better cooperation throughout our country and our world. cooks i totally agree do you support reauthorizing a 2025?

>> senator, i. believe 702 is p in 2026mr i believe is 2026. we will closely be looking at that by this and very important. >> you agree 702 provides important intel gathering govert capability to protect your nation? >> extremely important. so pam, you are about to step into a job this were the most ot important jobs in any democracy. let's go back to pardons. if i am a lawyer for somebody in jail, would you promise to listen to the application and read it before you make a decision? >> yes. you asked about who you are? good. that is the way it works. people want to bargain with you up here would you do this? will you do that? all i ask you to do is call as you see it, higher good competent people get the present the best legal advice you can.

run the department of justice in a matter that other people want to join it one day. growing up i had a fondness for the fbi. watch this show i think every sunday wanted to be an fbi agent. right now the fbi needs an image overhaul. so you have a real task ahead of you in two areas, to restore trust many americans have lost trust in the department of justice. to make sure this country is safe from drug cartels that are killing the 3000 americans every two weeks for money. to go after these people protect our homeland that's under siege. i think you are the perfect pick out one of the most dangerous times in american history and i look forward to supporting you. >> forward to supporting you. >> underweight house? >> thank you chairman. while comfort. >> think you said a thank you for meeting with me i greatly appreciate that. >> it was a pleasure. you were a courtroom prosecutor

for a great many years as a courtroom prosecuted you ever have an enemies list? >> no senator. quick shoot on to be florida's attorney general as florida's attorney general did you ever have an, enemies list? >> no senator. >> 's floors attorney general you were responsible for hiring into the florida department of attorney general, correct? >> entered in the attorney general's office in florence the third largest in the state approximately 1400 employees and approximately 400 lawyers. only california and texas are bigger offices. chris yu are responsible for hiring into the office we were attorney general? >> yes because you have hired someone into the florida attorney general office who you knew had an enemies list? et cetera, to cut to the chase are clearly talking about kash patel. i do not believe he has an enemies list he made a quote on tv which i've not heard. i saw your sign or senator

durbin's sign about cash. i know kash patel has had 60 jury trials as a public defender, as a prosecutor he has a great experience in the intel departments. the department of defense. i have known cash i believe that cash is the right person at this time for this job. you have the ability to question mr. patel. >> i'm questioning you whether you enforce an enemies list that he announced publicly on television? et cetera i'm sorry there will never be an enemies list within the department of justice. >> thank you. the fbi what is the fbi's role in national security and counterterrorism and how important is that role? >> senator, i believe now more than ever counterterrorism is so important and vital in our country. we are facing such incredible

threats here and abroad. i am sure you saw former fbi director wray interview on 60 minutes. he talked about the threats that frankly again i do know my security clearance. sent from china right now that are so great sleeper cells within our country. >> given that importance is it responsible to call for shutting down the fbi counterterrorism and national security at work? and will you as attorney general and pete or shut down the fbi counterterrorism national security work? two questions for. >> senator i believe national security is vital right now on so many fronts i could continue. in the fbi's role? and counterterrorism. >> which you will or will not shut down? i have no intention of shutting

anything down i'm not in that office yet and if confirmed i will look at each individual agency how it should be managed counterterrorism right now is vital. you have said department of justice prosecutors will be prosecuted in the trump administration. what department of justice prosecutors will be prosecuted and why? >> i said that on tv i said prosecutors will be prosecuted to finish the quote investigators will be investigated. we all take an oath, senator comments uphold the law but none of us are above the law. let me give you a really good example of a bad lawyer within the justice department a guy named kleinsmith who altered a phis that warrants one the most important things we can do in this country.

will everyone be held to an equal, equal, fair system of justice if i am next attorney general? absolutely. and no one is above the law. >> what circumstances we will youprosecute journalists ft they right? >> i believe in the freedom of speech. only if anyone commits a crime it is pretty basic, senator, with anything. with any victim. this goes back to my entire career for 18 years as a prosecutor eight years as florida's attorney general. define facts of the case. you apply the law and good faith you treat everyone fairly. >> it would not be appropriate for a prosecutor to start with

and name and look for a crime? it's a prosecutor's job to start with a crime and look for a name, correct? >> senator, that's a whole problem with the weaponization we have seen the last four years and what has been happening to donald trump. they targeted donald trump. they went after him. actually starting back in 2016 they targeted his campaign. they watched countless investigations against him. that will not be the case if i am attorney general per i will not politicize that office. i will not target people simply because of their political affiliation. justice will be administered evenhandedly throughout this country. senator, we've got to bring this country back together but we've got to move forward we're going to lose our country. >> i think the concern is weaponization of the justice

department may well occur under your tenured. we want to make sure that's not the case your rate independent. able to and willing tool that is where i'm asking them asked these questions. we talked in the meeting about the context policy that has prevailed really since senator hatch sat in that shared demanded it of the clinton justice department. through all of the initiation since then except a brief period under attorney gonzales which she corrected and did not end well for him. there has been a context policy that limits policy between the white house and the department of justice to a very few senior officials on each side. and your goal as attorney general if you are confirmed we maintain, defend and enforce

that long-standing context policy? >> yes i'll miss white house counsel and meet with the appropriate official. and follow the context policy. >> my time is expired. >> thank you. >> your testimony is music to my ears. one of the things i have been most concerned about over certainly the last four years extending back during president trump's administration is weaponization of politicalization of the department of justice. which, together with the fbi is with the most important institutions in this country. if people do not trust that their elected officials will faithfully enforce the law or administer equal justice under the law, they have lost faith in america. and that disturbs me greatly. i know it doesn't youtube based

on what you said. so i am delighted to hear you say what you have said. but i want to talk about some specific topics. time is short. first the border. i believe president biden vice president harris presided senator cruz tonight represent a state with 1200 miles of common border with america. but as you pointed out with fentanyl, what happens at the border does not stay at the border. fentanyl poisoning the most common cause of death of young people between the age of 18 and 45. we know where it comes from the precursors come from china to go to the cartels they mix them up. make them look like an innocuous pills. young people take them and die. it is just that simple and not tragic.

so, they're so much we could talk about with regard to the border. people voted for president trump in large part because of his promise to restore security at the border. what you do everything within your power as attorney general to enforce the laws on the book including the president's executive orders which i anticipate he will be signing on january the 20th when he is sworn in. and help to everything you can but the department of justice can to restore security for the southern border? >> yes, senator absolutely. >> one example is of course if you come hear from anywhere in the country and show up at the border of the biden and harris administration policies, you will simply be released into the interior of the country. to either await a trial date which might never occur due to the enormous back order or you will simply be paroled.

i know parole has a special connotation in a criminal law. but in this context, as you know it is designed to be administered on a case-by-case basis. yet, president biden vice president harris have granted parole that have released a people into the united states on categorical basis. her anyone who shows up after they had the detention facilities to keep them. do you believe lakin riley would be alive today if president biden vice president harris had enforce the law and secure the border? >> senator, he should not of been in our country. and then lakin riley would have been alive. i don't think is just lakin riley. there are so many different victims throughout our country. not only that, we are familiar with the violent gangs were coming into our country. walking into our country freely through the open border.

the cartels, the gangs, venezuela let people out of their prisons. he spent reported i do not have the security clearance yet to see what is happening. but i know, we all know they are criminals throughout our country it is my commitment to you on both sides of the aisle elder thing in my power with the agencies that fall under me, if i am confirmed to make america safe again. we have to do that, senator. >> many of us of course he classified information on the intelligence committee or duties as a senator. you are not going to feel any better about the blinken lights the danger that director wray is talked about. we stop and revisit an issue that is of particular importance. 60% of the president's daily

brief which is the intelligence brief that director and cia director delivered to the president comes from section 702 of the foreign surveillance act. i have called this the most important law that most people never heard of it. i know you have and you are familiar with it. but, i want to ask a few questions about that. it is been called the crown jewel of u.s. intelligence. and of course it cannot be used legally used to spy on american citizens. i know you would agree with that. but there have been some, as you know and pointed out senator graham, we have a temporary extension of the existing authorization on the intelligence community to target foreign threats to our national security that expire in 2026.

i would like for you to confirm on the record that you will enforce that law. you can support the law as it is written. >> senator, i have not read the entire 702 in front of you. i will commit to reading that and doing everything i can to keep america safe again. >> of course you will. so, director ratliff and went to go to the hearing for cia director. he was confirmed as director of director ofnational intelligenc. some have argued in order to query or look at lawfully collected phis at 702 product that you need to get a warrant required to show probable cause that a crime including espionage has been committed her. a work requirement may not achieve its intended objectives

could hinder national security efforts do you share director at reckless concerns? >> i would read his memo and speak to you after i read his memo, senator. >> i hope you and i can continue this conversation after this. because i think there's a lot of misinformation with regard to how section 702 works. cap basement senate intelligence committee. we read that product on a regular basis. it's not used to spy on american people. i think what is fundamentally missing is a lack of trust in the intelligence committee including the fbi to help you and mr. patel can restore. thank you. click senator klobuchar? >> thank you for thank you mr. chair. we had a good meeting this week. thank you for that. i appreciated your priorities and human trafficking that you

mention today. that work as well as fentanyl and some of the other prosecution experience but we had similar background in doing that. i want to talk about first about the u.s. attorney's office in minnesota. one of the premier offices in the country. this office has been instrumental in combating violent crime, dismantling street taking fat off the street enforcing civil rights laws after george floyd murder predicting they get justice would you agree it should be a priority to support u.s. attorneys front-line prosecutors in case agents who work hard every single day on our street? >> senator. i think that it's one as the most important things in our country right now. there are so many good men and women within the justice department throughout our country as well as all the law enforcement agencies.

yes, they work very hard and they will be supported. >> i am concerned about some of the proposals that could put cuts and the cops program and the jag program i know you are familiar with that part would lead that reauthorization bill. will you commit to continue to support those programs? >> senator, i'll read everything about those programs because that is a top priority of mine. i would love to meet with you on that incentive makowski to support federal law enforcement. >> independence from political interference is vital to the legitimacy and success of the department of justice. i was honestly trouble for some of the answers to senator durbin's questions. we will continue that discussion i'm sure about the committee on the election. but, i own to focus on the investigation, a charging decision. as a prosecutor i'm sure you have this experience i will get call some people hey, that's just a kid.

give them a break but one answer i gave a seasoned 40 years old but he's not a kid. that kind of interference is attempted all of the time but one of my concerns here with us a call from a friend, corporate lobbies, a white house, it has been very clear that the attorney general of both parties have established clear policies to ensure the white house does not hamper with criminal investigation and prosecution. at attorney general mike mckay sees hearing he made clear that any attempt by the white house and otherwise interfere with the case is not to be -- make any call to align assistant or to a united states attorney from a political person relating to a case is to be cut and curtailed. do you agree with the statement? click senator, yes i believe the justice department must be independent. and must act independently. the number one job is to enforce the law fairly and evenhandedly.

that is what will be done if i am confirmed as the attorney general. >> so you will provide an assurance that every member of the suggest is our only call the facts and the law the white house and played no role in cases investigated? click senator. it will be my job if confirmed assc the attorney general to mae those decisions. politics will not play a part i've demonstrated that my entire career as a prosecutor, as attorney general i will continue to do that if you confirming as the 87th attorney general of the knights it's in america. >> and in earlier question some of my colleagues talked about china and the risk. yet you have a nominee from this incoming administration, kash patel who the fbi serious concerns as her sword referred to the fbi intel provision which

is responsible for protecting this and foreign adversaries like china. g officer: the majority leader. mr. thune: madam president, filing cloture does not signal an end to our amendment process. we have been having constructive conversations all day. those yielded the votes this evening. and i expect those conversations to continue tonight and into tomorrow so we can vote on more amendments this week. but at some point, we need to pass this commonsense legislation and get it to the house so that they can ratify what we've done. and so with that, madam president, i send a cloture motion to the desk for calendar number 1, s. 5. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the cloture 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 calendar number 1, s. 5, a bill to require the secretary of homeland security to take into

custody aliens who have been charged in the united states with theft and for other purposes signed by 17 senators as follows. mr. thune: madam president, i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. thune: madam president, i ask consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. so ordered. mr. thune: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate 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 understand that there is a bill at the desk and i ask for its first reading. the presiding officer: the clerk will read the title of the bill for the first time. the clerk: s. 6, a bill to amend title 18, united states code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion. mr. thune: madam president, i now ask for a second reading and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule 14, i object to my own request.

the presiding officer: objection having been heard, the bill will receive its second reading on the next legislative day. mr. thune: madam president, this one causes me great pain, but i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to consideration of s. res. 27 which is at the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. res. 27 congratulating the north dakota state university bison football team for winning the 2024 national collegiate athletic association division one, football championship, subdivision title. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. thune: go jacks. i ask unanimous consent, madam president, that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no

intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. thune: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 12:00 noon on thursday, january 16, that following the prayer and pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the senate resume consideration of calendar number 1, s. 5. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. thune: madam president, if there is no 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 today in the senate lawmakers continue debate on legislation requiring the homeland security department detain migrants for theft related crimes that is named after laken riley 22-year-old university of georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a migrant

who entered the country illegally senators are still working out a potential deal on amendments before voting on final passage. you can watch live coverage of the senate when members returned here on cspan2. on thursday at present elero pick for secretary treurer will appear before tenat nfirmation hearing.t a watch livet 10:30 a.m. eastern on c-span three, s c spent now r free mobile video app or online at c-span.org. ♪ quick cite franklin roosevelt. >> i do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute. >> i will faithfully execute. >> the office of president of the united states. >> the office of president of the united states. >> up to the best of my ability, and will to the best of my ability, protect and defend the

constitution of the united states. >> the constitution of the united states. >> cook so help me god. >> congratulations mr. president. >> she spent all day inauguration coverage on monday january 20 including historic swearing in and donald trump takes office as a 47th president of the united states. c-span, democracy unfiltered. unfiltered. when it by these television companies and more including buckeye broadband. ♪ buckeye broadband suppo c-span as a public service