with a unit pricing would see what it is by ounce or gallon or pound it makes it easier for consumers to compare and find the best deal for them. labeling is one area we haven't talked about think of it can go a long way trying to address the issues. >> let me put in a plug for enforcement. usda packer and stockyards division 20 october 20, 2020 40% decline headcount. i fear based on people calling new antitrust attorneys being laid off. i'm concerned about the capacity if you're a farmer and you are selling no antibiotics ever chicken or beef you darn well better want the usda food safety inspection service and agricultural marketing service to be effectively rising high standards around those labels because that's your likelihood.

if you don't have the enforcement what kind of market is that for consumers? >> we talked a lot about federal antitrust enforcement the feds are the only people who can enforce antitrust laws. state attorneys general will be at the forefront of this for the next four years. >> we will leave this here to keep our commitment to live coverage of congress right now the senate is about to gamble into consider the nomination of daniel driscoll to be secretary of the army to advance nomination will occur at 5:30 p.m. eastern. live senate coverage right here on c-span2. ..

and bringing honor to your name. guide our lawmakers in their challenging work. open their minds and hearts to be ready to do your bidding. use them as instruments of your purposes, shinning your light through them to dispel the shadows in our nation and world. help them to live to please you, demonstrating conclusively with

actions that they follow you. give them the wisdom to encourage and help each other in the important work of guarding our freedom. we pray in your magnificent name. amen. the president pro tempore: would you please join me in the recitation of the pledge. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the leadership

time is reserved. morning business is closed. under the previous order, the senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following nomination, which the clerk will report. the clerk: nomination, department of defense, daniel driscoll of north carolina to be secretary of the army. mr. grassley: today is estonian independence day. on this day in 1918, the estonians declared their independence from the russian empire. they had to fight a war against both germans and the army of soviet russia to secure their independence in a treaty 1920. in that treaty, russia announced

any claims to the estonian territory p and recognized the independence and sovereignty of estonia forever. forever lasted only 20 years because the soviet union illegally occupied estonia as well as latvia and lithuania for the next 50 years. ten percent of the population of the baltic countries was deported or sent to labor camps. the united states always saw the occupation of the baltics as illegitimate and recognize their sovereignty throughout the entire cold war. in the depths of the cold war, it was hard to imagine that the baltics would ever, ever regain their independence, but today, to the a contrary, estonia, latvia, and lithuania are

vibrant, prosperous, and free. and of course that irritates putin, the kgb dictator of russia. today is also the three-year anniversary of russia's brutal, all-out invasion of ukraine. three years ago russian tanks were rolling towards kiev, and we all thought a total takeover of ukraine by russia was inevitable. as we know, instead ukrainians fighting for their homeland, stopped and then pushed back the russians, taking back 50% of the territory the russians initially occupied. today russia continues to gradually capture ukranian territory by force. with the help of north korean

soldiers, the russian military is making small territorial gains but at incredible cost in russian lives and equipment. according to defense calculations, at the rate russia is advancing in ukraine today, it would take 83 years to reach kiev. three years ago we thought ukraine didn't stand a chance against the mighty russian military. everyone assumed russia would conquer all of ukraine and do it very quickly. three years in, the russian military can't even conquer the territories in the east of ukraine that putin claims to have already annexed. in the areas that russia has occupied, churches have been closed, evangelicals persecuted for their faith, civilians have

been tortured, killed, and tossed into mass graves. children have been kidnapped, at least 20,000, and are being brain washed to forget who they are and adopt a russian identity where they now live. the ukranian people want peace desperately, and i hope it comes soon. the ukranian people want this peace because that's best for them as the entire globe. but this, like their baltic friends before them, ukrainians will never concede their sovereignty and they will never give up on their countrymen who are currently under brutal occupation. the question is what will make kgb putin give up his imperial

dreams of reestablishing the soviet empire. as we think about how we end this war in ukraine, there's a lot going on right now. i don't think we want to forget that putin has said very definitely over the last 20 years in speeches he wants to reestablish the soviet empire. i think this citizen of the united states, this senator ought to consider sometimes we get driven by ideological waves that tend to think we've got all the answers. we can remember that there were a lot of conservative republicans during the 1930's that thought hitler was on the

right track to bring peace to the world. and then we had a lot of liberals at that time, even through world war ii, who thought that joseph stalin's murderous regime was the answer to all of our questions and all the problems that this world has. now we have people who think russia is somehow a good nation. they've institutionalized corruption in that country. they murder their political opponents. they imprison citizens with mild, for giving mild criticism to the country.

they hold american citizens hos hostage. and hundreds of thousands of their people have been killed in this useless war. conservatives imagined that russia doesn't exist today, as i just described, so they're willing to sit down with people who have no political liberties, no political opposition. and it seems to me that's something that this senator would not do. i yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk

will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks. have solid lasting great mr. president, thank you so much for welcoming me today, thank you for productive discussions and thank you for your commitment. >> thank you. >> thank you very much. >> i want to -- thank you very

much. the poll that came out nine plus points and your agenda ran on, you got the support including stopping the war in ukraine leading by a lot. we party of the nonsense and some of the things they are being sold as we.

>> you said you'd like to see the record. >> go ahead. >> meeting in saudi arabia, a fantastic one we met with the ground not a fantastic young guy. friends with both of them and they want to see it ended and they are going all out.

and these people in particular in my whole life is deals when somebody doesn't, there was no communication and russia answering calls they wouldn't talk to anybody they want to go forward and keep going but one of the first calls i made was president putin and we were treated was respect and want to end this war. and we are working on is the big one get stopped aspire for not

like to go directly to an agreement quickly. saving thousands of. >> president trump make sure and to get that that time. have negotiation?

my experience over one of that with the leaders disagree. i stopped were crying because i consider are not in this is a context. 2014, they negotiated the president putin because of the

lack of guarantees, he violated especially at the beginning of 2022 times seven hours president putin. this is why being strong way and i sit on ... why they have the capacity to do so and it is a blank check to violate that commitment is good super

important go are ready to be engaged met the benefit of russia and it is what it is and you should never happen started would not be, it did start and terrible, cities are burned down

in them. it looks like demolition sites without to get it stopped. too much agony, the whole and they are ancient or near ancient buildings but it is to the benefit of the benefit of russia the deal and go on with russia in a positive way is what you hope that you will.

>> we are on time is going very rapidly, and mistreated very badly not just like canada and mexico have taken advantage, who is led by wills because anybody who signed documents and they were able to take advantage like happened over the last long period of time for you. four years ago anybody would agree to allow this to happen in our country should be ashamed of themselves and they are going forward on schedule and blame

our leadership, who can blame them a ticket for? just about everything, every aspect mentioned would say like this? were going to make up a lot of territory. somebody charges us, we charge them for example in very good for our country, extremely liquid as we are doing other things.

it was like 70% present, everybody finds out they don't like it. and there's fairness in this country has to do with being ripped off. and i could stand up all day and we are spending all this money. and really well run and accounted for, not much you can do that.

and what you think of what it is negotiating for the united states, we are doing a great job of it. the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. thune: mr. president, early friday morning, the senate passed a budget resolution to lay the groundwork for border, energy, and national security legislation. we considered a lot of amendments from my democrat colleagues, not one of which, interestingly enough, was centered on border security, and very few of which addressed

either national security or energy security. but that was, i have to say, not terribly surprising. after all, the democrat leader seemed to think, to the very end, that this budget resolution had something to do with tax cuts for billionaires, even though it has absolutely and exactly nothing to do with tax cuts of any kind. i'm not sure if he was honestly confused or merely felt that he could achieve something messaging-wise by pretending this bill had something to do with billionaires. but for the record, mr. president, let me review what this bill was about. as everyone here knows, whether they want to acknowledge it or not, the chaos that president biden allowed to rage at our southern border left a gaping hole in our national security. that's a hole president trump and republicans are determined to close. since day one of his administration, president trump has been fulfilling his campaign

promise to crack down on illegal immigration and secure our border. in addition to surging support to the southern border, his administration has been focused on arresting and deporting criminal aliens from rapists and murderers to child sex predators and dangerous gang members, and they've made a lot of progress already. as the president's border czar made clear to republican senators two weeks ago, these efforts cannot continue without additional funding from congress. so republicans are moving forward on legislation to fund continued efforts to deport criminal aliens as well as provide other necessary resources to secure or border, discourage illegal immigration, and restore respect for the rule of law. that, mr. president, was what friday's budget resolution was about. it's too bad that my democrat colleagues aren't interested in joining us on border security legis

legislation. but i will tell you, mr. president, with or without democrats, republicans are moving full speed ahead. we owe the american people a secure border, and we intend to give it to them. mr. president, i yield the floor, and i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks.

he will meet very soon to finalize the agreement on minerals and rare earth. that is a very important step forward and we were able to go into details about the proposals we made to help news and peace and measure the and structure our discussions on the. our network to build this piece with points occluding security guarantees and territories and reconstruction, the economy and critical minerals and luke gone into the details. the third area of progress that really marked a turning as we

were able to talk about the security guarantees and the president has shown this and he wants peace but we don't want an agreement that week and the clear american message the u.s. allies ready to provide solidarity and that's a great area of progress we seen. dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: mr. president, three years ago, vladimir putin brought war and destruction to the free people of ukraine. three years ago, a powerful, hungry autocrat broke the peace in europe. violated the sovereignty of an

independent democracy, and rolled tanks, weapons, and troops across the ukrainian borders without provocation or justification. vladimir putin has sealed his place in history as an enemy to democracy, to freedom, and to peace. he has killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians. his rockets destroyed homes, church, and schools and hospitals, deliberately in many cases. a year ago, i was there. i saw the destruction. i saw parking lots being turned into mass graves. i spoke with soldiers near the border, trying to defend their homes. and i felt the deep resolve of the ukrainian people. i felt the value of america's leadership in the international struggle to push back against putin's evil aggression. today we remember bucha. we remember the atrocities in

maripol. we remember everywhere putin's horrors touched. we remember the lives lost, and we will not let vladimir putin and his thugs off the hook. for three years, the united states has been clear where we stand. we have stood on the side of democracy, the inviability vial -- the invialabilities of borders and the freedom of -- by bipartisan security assistance. the u.s. united the leaders of the west and we succeeded of turning putin into a pariah. today on this third anniversary of putin's war, donald trump is turning his back on everything that america stands for, democracy and liberty. he is siding with him. instead of condemning putin's lies, donald trump is parroting

republican misinformation and propaganda without regard to any facts and with utter contempt for the truth. today, president trump met with president macron. he is advising donald trump not to show weakness to putin at this pivotal moment. donald trump should heed president macron's warning or else putin is going to eat his lunch and america is going to suffer in the long term. american support of pro-western democracy under attack is not charity, it's about our own long-term security. for donald trump to show weakness to putin is to endanger america's security tomorrow. if history tells us one thing about autocrats, their hunger is never enough. they will keep going one way or another until they are halted. what are lativa, lithuania and

estonia supposed to think. what is nato supposed to make of donald trump's eagerness to work with autocrats. if donald trump sells out democracy today what will donald trump sell out tomorrow? democracy in america, our national security, which he is already starting to do? the way donald trump is he engaging with vladimir putin is not going to make america any safer in the long run. this all goes back to a pattern we've seen from donald trump from the very beginning. he has always admired autocrats, strong men and bullies, always showed contempt for the rule of law, for truth, for accountability, for facts. because his ultimate goal is to skew things for the wealthy and corrupt few at the expense of everybody else. just like his push for taxes, just like empowering doge,

donald trump's modus on randa is to step on values nrl -- central to democracy. this is exactly the world vladimir putin wants and little by little, donald trump is helping him make it happen. on the republican budget. last week senate republicans passed their budget resolution clearing the way to massive tax giveaways to donald trump's billionaire buddies. from the moment donald trump was sworn, in everything republicans have done can be boiled down to this, billionaires win, american families lose. that's the republican agenda in a nutshell. this week, it's house republicans turn. today i want to say this about the republican plan in the house. it doesn't matter which path republicans ultimately go with, one bill, two bills, 50 bills,

at the end of the day, republican are very clear, they want to cut taxes for billionaires haven't the american people pay the costs. republicans want to perhaps push the biggest cuts to medicaid ever so billionaires can have another tax break. that is morally corrupt, politically bankrupt. with the government shutdown just a few weeks away, what are republicans doing? they're spending precious time trying to cater to the wishes of the richest people in america, instead of working to avoid a disa disastrous halt to programs that help millions of american families. if house republicans proceed this week, the backlash, upsetness, anger house republicans saw in their town halls last week will only get far more thunderous. i yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk

will call the roll. quorum call:

russia and ukraine and the president has been very helpful

we are talking about trade deals and discussing little bit further in the relationship or special with friends and with this gentleman, right keep it going for a very long time. >> we had a decision. and a long-standing peace.

and the guarantee. there is a friend. that is exactly important moment and willing to step up. and be engaged.

>> a terrible thing, watching bob for a horrible site. thank you for being here. >> it looks like we are getting very close in agreement we get our money back for a period of time it's very beneficial bought

$350 billion, i will but that's a lot of money and we have nothing to show for it and they do it in the form of a loan and we were able to work something out. natalie settled and more for an

ukraine, that will be least of it. >> that should them? we are helping ukraine like nobody has ever helped ukraine before.

what will happen, there's zero chance. my function is to get them out of the war and let them live. i would say russia, 100,000 people and ukraine problem talking about the towns and cities. it's a horrible mess and we are going to get it sold. we are not talking about america, we are talking about russia and ukraine on a humanitarian basis from a plenty savage problem. i will say this world war iii,

it's not going to stop the could lead to a big war. >> they may go in ukraine so when the ukraine is, they can watch it but i'll think that's going to be a problem. a lot of the european countries, i don't want to speak for france but they are talking about doing that was going on right now with everybody. >> we are going to have the backing of kind european countries will be involved, i don't think you are going to need much. once an agreement besides,

russia will get back and i don't think it's going to be a problem. >> the agreement is being worked on now, they are very close a final deal in the other things he would like to come they will have to get it approved and for that will happen. i don't know when, we are trying to get this worked out.

[speaking in foreign language] [speaking in native language] he in native language.

[speaking in native language] he in native language. [speaking in native language] [speaking in native language] [speaking in native language] is exactly what we want, they are occluded in ukraine.

in various ways. >> we are at the eiffel tower with my wonderful wife, started and we didn't have and was going on and on yes, yes. i'll back. >> that wasn't exactly what we agreed to. [laughter] >> i don't use those words lightly. let's see what happens. i think we have a chance of an eye settlement between various

countries talking about ukraine and the other side has you, mr. president. earlier this month, the united states of america lost a legend, harry stewart jr., one of the last surviving tuskegee airmen died at the age of 100. lieutenant colonel stewart's legacy is one of excellence. he grew up watching planes come in and out of laguardia airport, dreaming of one day flying himself. at just 18 years old, lieutenant colonel stewart joined a new initiative launched in alabama. a first of its kind training program for black pilots established after the bombing of pearl harbor. he flew 43 missions from late

1944 to the spring of 1945 with a 332nd fighter group. earning the distinguished flying cross after downing three german planes in a dog fight just before the allied victory in europe. lieutenant colonel stewart didn't recognize the gravity of what he was doing at the time. he said in an interview just last year. he just wanted to serve his country and serve his country he did. but let's stop for a moment and think about what that means. lieutenant colonel stewart and the rest of the tuskegee airmen signed up to fight for a country that did not allow them the same rights as white citizens. they put their lives on the line to fight for a country that treated them as second class.

they could not live, work, eat, or drink alongside white country m.e.p. -- countrymen or women. it was a world where people who looked like them could be met with violent attacks just because of the color of their skin. consider what that means, that lieutenant colonel stewart and the tuskegee airmen dealt with all kinds of discrimination, and yet still decided to risk everything to serve this nation. they faced almost inconceivable injustices, but they also believed in the promise of america, even though that promise wasn't being met. they fought for that promise against the nazis in europe, and in doing so, blazed a trail for

countless others to follow. after the war, lieutenant colonel stewart and three of his fellow tuskegee airmen won the u.s. air force's inaugural top gun competition. an accomplishment that wasn't acknowledged, though, until decades later. beyond what is yet of iraq what

would you know we would like natalie's fallon and get back

reciprocity so whenever they charge us. >> soon if this gets settled out it will.

i think the work will be young, beautiful people that shouldn't be dying don't want that. remember what i said, this is a third world war. not that they are not. in a quo call? the presiding officer: no, we are not. mr. durbin: thank you very much, madam president.

it was nearly 40 years ago president ronald reagan went to the gate at the berlin wall and said to the is soviets, tear down this wall. ronald reagan understood all too well what the soviet regime was all about. it was a regime that had seized eastern europe and condemned millions of individuals to live under a cruel and repressive communist dictatorship. my mother's family originally came from lithuania, once an independent country, then a republic of the soviet union. now an independent democratic country again. that country meant a lot and still does to my family. i certainly recall the stories of my grandparents leaving the russian domination and coming to america. until recently, americans across the political spectrum, including republican presidents and members of congress, saw

russia tyranny for what it was until now. today we see president trump doing the bidding of russian autocrat vladimir putin. that's right, the president of the united states of america is using talking points that sound like they were whispered in his ear by the kremlin all while denigrating and bullying our true allies in the region. if you don't listen -- if you don't believe me, listen to these quotes and try to guess whether vladimir putin or donald trump said them. first, outrainously claiming ukraine started the war with russia, quote, it's they who have started the war or, quote, you've been there for three years. you should have ended it. you should have never started it. how about attacking the legitimacy of heroic wartime ukrainian president vladimir zelenskyy who has -- was

democratly electioned in a free and fair election, something that has never taken place in russia. quote, the legitimacy of the incumbent head of state of ukraine is over. or calling him, quote, a dictator without elections. in each of these stunning examples, one was spoken by putin, the other by trump. it's impossible to guess which is which. but you'd be hard-pressed to figure it out because they both are using the same kremlin propaganda. it gets worse. with donald trump having negotiated a way in public, the key concessions to russia to end the war, including appeasement of ukraine's sovereign borders or possible future nato membership. trump with one phone call gave those away without even negotiating. and certainly didn't involve the ukrainians who have lost 46,000

brave ukrainians who have died because of putin's invasion. today in a stunning, shameful move, the united states voted with russia, north korea, belarus, and a handful of dictatorships at the united nations against a resolution condemning russian aggression in ukraine. i want to repeat that because it is so historic and so mind boggling. there was a resolution before the united states condemning russia on the third anniversary of their invasion of ukraine. and the united states representative voted against it. joined in that effort by russia itself, north korea, belarus, and a handful of other dictatorships. what in the world is going on here? former lithuanian former

minister said of this tragic and unbelievable state of affairs that it sounded like there was a handout prepared by the russian foreign minister from which the trump administration was reading. he warned for trump continues to back russia, quote, threats to european security will grow immensely. putin will get braver, meaning there will be more war, more invasion, more death in moldova, the baltics, georgia, maybe even poland. president trump's affinity to autocrats and selling out our allies isn't going to make america stronger or our world safer. nor will his petulant and bubbling gutting of our top military officers, a troubling act that raises serious questions about politicizing our proud professional fighting force in america. let me be clear.

we cannot let president trump rewrite history or upend proven alliances with decades of proven support. because of the neigh a lines, we have avoided a third world war for more than 75 years. that's a fact. ultimately, only the ukrainian people can decide ukraine's future. for the united states to be party to any other scheme or conspiracy is just unacceptable. doing the bidding of foreign dictators and playing politics with our own military only undermines america's ability to be safe. today is the third-year anniversary of russia's unprovoked, illegal invasion of ukraine. i'm glad to join senators shaheen, tillis, wicker, and others leading a simple resolution that expresses continued solidarity with the people of ukraine and condolences for the loss of thousands of lives to russian aggression.

i would think that every senator, both political parties would sign on. but, fortunately, we do have a few, and it is bipartisan. the resolution goes on to reject russia's attempts to militarily seize sovereign ukraine territory. it reaffirms u.s. support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine. that used to be so obvious and so easy. no one would enter a resolution into the record. but because of the new statements by president trump and vice president vance, it's necessary to state unequivocally that ukraine must be at the table for negotiations over its future. think of that, madam president. 46,000 people in ukraine died to stop putin's advance and invasion of ukraine. 46,000. and there was a suggestion that the negotiations for peace in that country would take place without ukraine seated at the table. how can that be possible? this resolution is

straightforward. it expresses what would before this administration. a known war criminal. i'm also introducing a bill to grant ukrainians who -- who fled the war with temporary guest status. oh, i know. it's immigration. it's an explosive issue. how in the world can we consider it? let me tell you what happened in the city of chicago. the governor of texas sent 50,000 migrants in buses, 800 buses, to the city of chicago, to dump these migrants into a situation where there was no place for them to stay, no provision for their food. it was an emergency situation. we did the human main thing. we did our best to take care of them and the children. 50,000 from texas. it was a controversial issue. there were some who said, don't spend a penny on them. spend it just on american

citizens. and others who said, we have an obligation that goes beyond simple citizenship. it's a human obligation, a moral obligation, and we did it. at the same time that took place, there were 50,000 ukrainians coming into the city of chicago as well. different circumstances. they had to have a host family who had stand by them as they settled down in the city of chicago and they had to find jobs. do you know how much controversy there was about those 50,000 ukrainians? none. they were assimilated into the economy and have become an important part of the city and our state, and i'm proud that they're there. so now what happens to them? the uncertainty, the continued war in ukraine, the embracing of putin by president trump. what's going to happen? with this united nations resolution today where we were just asked to acknowledge the war of three years and to stand by the ukrainians and the united

states voted no. the united states voted with russia, with north korea, and with belarus. we've got to do something to help these ukrainians who are here, who escaped the invasion of putin and found peace and security in our country. when the war started across the country, republicans opened their arms and hearts and communities to these desperate ukrainians many. even actively petitioned president biden to protect them from deportation. so far not a single republican has cosponsored my bill. it's a new day in washington. but i urge them to join the simple act of american compassion. standing up to dictators and speaking out for victims of war should never be a partisan issue. i want to end with another photo.

the year was 2014, when the late-senator john cane and -- john mccain and i led a delegation to ukraine. at the time russia had begun its attempts to seize crimea and capture additional territory in the eastern part of ukraine. lithuanians had just bravely stood up for their own democracy. many paying with their lives in maidan square. you see here in this photo we're laying flowers on the makeshift shrines to those ukrainians killed in the earliest days of their heroic effort to save their nation. we should show no less courage here today. on a bipartisan basis in making sure ukraine's sovereignty and future is secure and not giving

in in appeasement to putin, a move that can cost us dearly in the future. madam president, it's personal to me. i mentioned to you earlier, my mother was born in the baltic nation of lithuania. it has been my good fortune to visit it during soviet times and see the terrible impact of communism on the freedom of those people and to be standing by their side when they fought to have the day when they could have their own democracy and their own elections. they survived, they prospered, they are great nations -- lithuania, latvia, estonia, and i know that their future is at stake by this decision by president trump. you cannot embrace vladimir putin and ignore the obvious. he is a thug. he sent his invading troops in and killed 46,000 ukrainians. oh, they say he's lost 800,000 of his own. well, i'm sorry that happened.

-- in way. but he asked for it. he invaded ukraine and don't make any mistake, it didn't happen the other way around. the ukrainians didn't invade themselves. what kind of nonsense was that being spoken by the president. we have to stand by the people in ukraine and for the people in the baltics, other states like poland that are vulnerable a tack by vladimir putin. this is not a political charade. it is not a political game. it's the reality, the life-and-death reality of this dangerous world that we live in. once again, the united states should be leading for democratic values and certainly not embracing the war criminal vladimir putin. vladimir putin.

for the next 50 years. 10% of the population of the baltic countries was deported or sent to labor camps. the united states always saw the occupation of the baltics as a

legitimate and recognized their sovereignty throughout the entire cold war. in the depths of the cold war, it was hard to imagine that the baltics would ever ever regain their independence. but, today, to the contrary, lithuania latvia are vibrant prosperous and free. and of course, that irritates putin the kgb dictator of russia today is also the three year anniversary of russia's brutal fall out invasion of ukraine. three years ago, russian tanks were rolling towards steve and we all thought a total takeover of ukraine by russia was inevitable.

as we know, instead, ukrainians fighting for their homeland stopped and then pushed back the russians taking back 50% of the territories the russians occupied. capturing ukrainian territory by force. with the health of north korean soldiers the russian military is making small territorial gains but at incredible costs and russian lives and equipment. according to the calculations at the rate russian is advancing in today will take 83 years to reach keys. three years ago, we thought ukraine did not stand a chance against the mighty russian military. everyone assumed that russia would conquer all of ukraine and

do it very quickly. in the russian military cannot even conquer the territories in the east of ukraine that putin claims to have already annexed. in the areas that russia has occupied, they have been closed, evangelicals persecuted for their faith, civilians have been tortured, killed and tossed into mass graves. children have been kidnapped. at least 20,000 and are being brainwashed to forget who they are and adopt a russian identity where they now live. ukrainian people want peace desperately and i hope that it comes soon. ukrainian people want this piece because that is best for them as the entire.

but just like your baltic friends before that, ukrainians will never concede their sovereignty and they will never give up on their countrymen who are currently under brutal occupation. making him give up his imperial greens of reestablishing the soviet empire. as we think about as we think about how we end the war in ukraine, there's a lot going on right now. i don't think we want to forget. he wants to reestablish the soviet empire. i think this citizen of the

united states, this senator to consider some kind driven by ideological waves that tend to think we have all of the answers we can remember that there were a lot of conservative during the 1930s that thought hitler was on the right track to bring peace to the world. and then we had a lot of liberals at that time even through world war ii that sought that chose this regime was the answer to all of our questions. now we have people who think russia is somehow a good nation.

they have institutionalized corruption in that country. they murder their political opponents. citizens, forgiven mido criticism to the country. holding american citizens hostage. and hundreds of thousands of their people have been killed in this useless war. does not exist today as i just

described so they are willing to sit down with people that have no political liberties, no political opposition. it seems to me that that is something that this senator would not do. i yield the floor. >> mr. president. >> republican leader. >> i asked that the quorum call be suspended. >> early friday morning passing a budget resolution in laying the groundwork for national security legislation. considering a lot of amendments from my democratic colleagues. not one of which interestingly enough was centered on border security and very few of which either international security or energy security. the very and that this had

something to do with tax cuts for billionaires. even though it has taxed absolutely and exactly nothing to do with tax cuts of any kind. i am not sure if he was honestly confused or merely felt that he could achieve something messaging wise by pretending he had something to do with billionaires. the kasei president biden allowed to raise in our southern border left a gaping hole in our security. that is a whole that president trump and republicans are determined to close. since day one of his administration, president trump has been fulfilling his campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration to cure our border. in addition to some -- urging support resting the supporting

from rapist and motorist to child sex editors and dangerous gang members. and they have made a lot of progress already. as a presidents border star made them clear two weeks ago, these efforts cannot continue without additional funding from congress continuing efforts to deport criminal aliens as well as provide other necessary resources to secure our border, discourage illegal and restore respect for the rule of law. and that, mr. president was what friday's budget resolution was about it and it is too bad that my democratic colleagues are not interested in joining us on border security legislation but, i will tell you, mr. president, with or without democrats, republicans are moving full speed ahead. we'll the american people a

secure border and we intend to give it to them. mr. president, i yield the floor and i suggest the absence of a quorum. >> the clerk will call the roll. >> mr. president. >> the democratic leader. >> i ask unanimous consent that the quorum be dispensed with. >> three years ago vladimir putin warned destruction for the free people of ukraine. three years ago a powerful hungry autocrat broke the peace in europe. violated the sovereignty of an independent democracy and tanks and weapons in troops across the ukrainian borders without provocation or justification. vladimir putin has sealed his place in history as an enemy to democracy, freedom and two-piece he has killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians. his rockets have destroyed homes and churches and schools and hospitals. deliberately in many cases.

a year ago, i was there. i saw the destruction. i sell parking lots being turned into mass graves. i spoke with soldiers near the border tried to defend their homes. i felt the deep resolve of the ukrainian people. i felt the value of americans leadership in the international struggle to push back against putin's evil aggression. today, we remember. we remember the atrocities he had and we remember everywhere. we honor the lives lost at the hands of russia's war of aggression and we will not let vladimir putin and his thugs off of the hook. for three years the united states has been clear on where we stand. we have stood on the side of democracy, the viability of borders and the freedom of nations. and against vladimir putin.

we pass in this chamber robust bipartisan security assistance. the u.s. united the leaders of the westin for years, we succeeded in turning putin into a riot. but, today, on this third anniversary of putin's war, donald trump is turning his back on the values that america stands for. democracy and security and liberty. instead of standing up to putin, donald trump is siding with him and against our own allies. instead of condemning the lies donald trump is parroting russia misinformation propaganda and to all evidence without regard to any facts and with utter contempt for the troop's good today, president trump met with the president macron. president macron is advising donald trump not to show weakness. not to show weakness to putin. donald trump should heed president macron's warning or

else, putin is going to eat his lunch. america is going to suffer. american support of pro-western democracy on attack is not charity. it is about our own long-term security. showing weakness is to endanger the security tomorrow. if history tells us one thing about autocrats it is about their hunger it is never enough. they will keep going one way or another until they are halted. what are they supposed to think about putin's belligerent next door to them. what is nato supposed to make of donald trump's eagerness to deal with autocrats instead of our own allies. if donald trump sells out democracy in europe today, but will donald trump sellout tomorrow. democracy in america, national security which is already starting to do?

the way donald trump is engaging with vladimir putin right now is not going to make america any safer in the long run. this all goes back to a pattern we have seen from donald trump from the very beginning. he has always admired autocrats, strongmen and bullies. always shown contempt to the rule of law for truth for accountability for fact. donald trump trampling on safeguards and basic accountability. value central to any free democracy in order to allow corrupt billionaires to fill in the void. this, exactly the world that vladimir putin wanted little by little donald trump is helping him make it happen. on the republican budget, last

week, senate republicans passed their budget resolution clearing the way to massive tax giveaways for donald trump's billionaire buddies. from the moment donald trump was sworn in everything republicans have done can be boiled down to this. billionaires went, american families lives. that is the republican agenda in a nutshell. this week, it is house republicans turn. today i want to say this about the republican plan in the house it does not matter which path republicans ultimately go with. one bill to bills 50 bills, at the end of the day, republicans are very clear. they want to cut taxes for billionaires. republicans the biggest cut ever another tax break. morally corrupt and politically bankrupt. struggling to shut down just a few weeks away. what are republicans doing with their precious time.

trying to cater to the riches people in the america. instead of working. helping tens of millions of middle-class american families. the priorities are skewed and upside down. house republicans proceed this week the backlash of anger house republicans saul last week and is only going to get far more thunderous.

once an independent country in a republican and the soviet union the democratic country again. grandparents leaving the russian domination and coming to america until recently, americans across the political spectrum, including republican presidents and members of congress saw russian tyranny for what it was. today we see president trump doing the bidding of russian

autocrat vladimir putin. that is right. the president of the united states of america is using talking points to sound like they were whispered in his ear by the kremlin. all while pulling our true allies in the region. if you do not believe me, listen to these quotes and try to guess whether vladimir putin or donald trump said them. first, outrageously claiming ukraine's war with russia "it is they that have started the war or they have been there for three years. you should have never started it how about attacking the heroic ukrainian president vladimir belinsky. democratically elected in a free and fair election. something that has never taken place in russia "the legitimacy in the incumbent is over.

calling him "a dictator without elections". and each of these stunning examples, one was spoken by putin, the other by trump. it is impossible to guess which is which. they both are using the same kremlin propaganda. it gets worse. donald trump negotiating the public. the case in russia. the appeasement of ukraine's southern sovereign borders. the future nato membership. trump gave this away without even negotiating. certainly did not involve the ukrainians. they have died because of putin 's invasion.

russia, north korea, belarus and a handful. i want to repeat that. it is so historic and so mind-boggling. the united states condemning russia on the third anniversary of their invasion of ukraine. in the united states representative voting against it joining in the effort by russia itself north korea belarus and a handful of other dictatorships. what in the world is going on here. the lithuanian foreign minister said unbelievable state affairs and it sounded like a handout for the russian foreign minister for the trump administration was

reading. he warned if trump continues to back russia, threats to european security will grow immensely. putin will get braver meaning there will be more war, more invasion, more death and mild doughnut. the baltics. georgia. maybe even volunteered president trump's affinity for autocrats like putin are bullying our allies that will not make america stronger and our world safer. a troubling act that raises serious questions about politicizing our proud professional fighting source in america. let me be clear, we cannot let president trump rewrite history or append proven alliances with decades of bipartisan support. the third world war for more

than 75 years. that is a fact. ultimately, the ukrainian people deciding ukraine's future. for the united states to be part of any other schemer conspiracy just unacceptable. doing the bidding of foreign dictators and playing politics with our own military only undermines americans ability to be safe. today is the third year anniversary of russia's unprovoked illegal invasion of ukraine. i am glad senators shaheen, tillis, wicker and others reading a simple resolution to express the continued solidarity with the people of ukraine and condolences for the loss of thousands of lives to russia aggression. i will think every senator both political parties signing on. fortunately, we do have a few and it is bipartisan.

the resolution goes on to reject russia's attempt to military sees sovereign ukraine territory it reaffirms u.s. support for seven terry of ukraine. that used to be so obvious and so easy. no one would enter a resolution into the record because of the new statements by president trump and vice president vance, it is necessary to state unequivocally that ukraine must be at the table for negotiations over the future. think about that, madam president. 46,000 people die to stop putin 's advance, 46,000 and there was a suggestion that the negotiations for peace in the country would take days without ukraine seated at the table. how can that be possible? this resolution is straight forward. it expresses before this current administration cut dry statement of american values. standing up to bullies like vladimir putin.

a known war criminal. i am also introducing a bill to grant ukrainians that led the war present in the united states with temporary guest status. all i know is it is immigration, and explosive issue, how in the world can we consider. let me tell you what happened in the city of chicago. the governor of texas at 50,000 migrants and buses. 800 buses to the city of chicago to dump these migrants into a situation where there was no place for them to stay, no provisions for their food. it was an emergency situation. we did the humane thing. we did the best to take care of them and the children. if the thousand from texas. i was a controversial issue. some said just spend it on american citizens and others who said we have an obligation that goes beyond simple citizenship. it is a human obligation, a moral obligation.

the same obligation that took place. for the thousand ukrainians coming into the city of chicago as well. different circumstances. they had to have a host family who would stand by them as they settle down into the city of chicago and they had to find jobs. do you know how much controversy there was about this 50,000 ukrainians, none. they were becoming an important part of the city and our state and i am proud that they are there. so now what happens to them. a certainty to be continuing war in ukraine. the embracing of putin by president trump. what is going to happen. this united nations resolution today where we were just asked to acknowledge the war for three years and to just stand by and the united states voted no. the united states voted with russia. with north korea and with belarus and we have to do

something to help these ukrainians who are here, who escaped the invasion of putin and found peace and security in our country. when the war started across the country, republicans opened their arms and heart to communities to these desperate ukrainians. even after we pressured president biden to protect them from deportation. so far, not a single republican has cosponsored. it is a new day in washington. i urge them to join the simple act of american compassion. standing up to dictators and for speaking up to victims of war should never be a partisan issue i want to end with another photo year was 2014. late senator john mccain and i let a bipartisan delegation to

ukraine. it included current colleagues from rhode island, wyoming, and north dakota. at the time russia had began its attempt to seize crimea and capture additional territory in the eastern part of ukraine. they are just bravely stood up for their own democracy. many paying for their lives in the square. an aspiration for freedom and democracy which frightened putin and confirmed my belief in the strength of the human spirit. we are laying flowers to those ukrainians who were killed in the earliest days of their heroic effort. we should show no less courage here today. on a bipartisan basis. sovereignty and future is secure not giving into the appeasement of putin. it is personal for me. i mentioned to you earlier.

the baltics nation of lithuania it is been my good fortune to visit it during soviet times and see the terrible fact of communism on the freedom of the people. lithuania, and i know their future is at stake by this decision by president trump. you cannot embrace vladimir putin and ignore the obvious 46,000 ukrainians killed. happening in a way but he asked for it. don't make any mistake, it did not happen the other way around. the ukraine's invading themselves.

what kind of nonsense was that. we have to stand by the people in ukraine and for the people in the baltics. other states like poland that are vulnerable by vladimir putin this is not a political charade unit it is not a political gain. it is a life-and-death reality of this dangerous world that we live in. once again the united states should be leading for democratic values and embracing vladimir putin. i healed the floor. i will give this to you.

a live look at the floor the unison it while we wait for a senator to speak. later this week considering jamison greer. lawmakers are also expected to work on a bill expected to aim

the national energy emergency which was declared on the first day of his second administration off the floor, members trying to figure out a way to pass a funding package to keep the federal funding operating before it runs out of money in 18 days. follow our live coverage of the u.s. senate here on c-span2. missed diaz, start on the congressional budget. where are we at today? what is expected to happen this week? >> that is important in the context of where this is. our own version of a budget resolution. that would split up trumps

massive agenda on borders, security, taxes, energy, legislation into two bills. what we will see today and tomorrow is house republican, speaker mike johnson talk about having one big beautiful bill. that is really the drama taking place on capitol hill and has been taking place on capitol hill since the trifecta took office. whether they can really enact this massive agenda they want to push through. a process called reconciliation which means they would not need democratic votes to pass this legislation, this massive bill that they want to put forward. the drama here being trump endorsed 41 bill, senate republicans move forward with plan b. we will see the house but this measure, their version on the floor for a vote tomorrow night. right now, speaker mike johnson does not have the vote. >> what is the difference here.

they need all of the votes in the house republican conference. as you know, as i know, our our viewers know there are a lot of personalities in congress. trying to get all of them united because republicans have such a slim majority, losing one majority vote behind a bill. enacting the trump agenda. that is why they want to push forward one bill in hopes that there is revision in that member that legislation that one republican, to republicans they don't agree with, they agree with the others and they can push that forward. it would extend the 2017 tax cuts which have billions of dollars of border security measures geared the other thing is they want to push this forward without trying to increase the national deficit by more trillions of dollars. that is really the discussion taking place and why we are seeing a lot of political fighting with the republican conference on both sides of how to handle this. >> the question -- congressional

budget certainly playing into that process and what the federal budget could look like in the weeks and months and years to come. president trump saturday at the conference spoke about his efforts, streamlining the federal government. this is a little bit of what president trump had to say. >> we are removing all of the unnecessary incompetent and corrupt bureaucrats from the federal workforce. that is what we are doing. under the buyouts we offer more than 75,000 federal bureaucrats. think of that. voluntarily agreed to surround her -- surrender. we want to make them smaller, more efficient. we are not going to keep the worst people. you know, we are doing another thing if they do not report for work, we are firing them. right. right. if you do not report to work,

you know, that is another scam. >> president trump on saturday at the conservative political action congress, if you want to watch the conference it in its entirety you can do so on our website on c-span.org. talking about the week ahead in washington this morning. we are asking you to join the conversation to do so. phone lines are as usual. 8001 for republicans. democrats 8000. independence 2,027,488,002. you can also send us a texas morning. that number 8003. we will have you join us throughout this half an hour as we are joined by daniel diaz. we have been talking about the ongoing budget. along with the budget and the reconciliation process. also the appropriations process. where we are on actually funding pass 14 days from now.

>> right now there is no topline agreement between republicans and democrats. how much they are planning to spend to fund the government this next fiscal year. republicans are blaming democrats saying they have not brought forward any good faith negotiations. good faith topline in their last negotiation. republicans are the ones that are not in negotiating. lots of back and forth between republicans and democratic appropriators in the last two weeks as a pride to figure out how they will fund the government because of funding runs out on march 14 and we are running out of time. >> continuing resolution here on capitol hill. is there potential for another one of those to kick the appropriations sites down the road as we were. >> that was definitely in the conversation. republicans hate continuing resolutions unless it cuts government spending. appropriation bills for all of

the government agencies and actually figure out how to properly fund these agencies. one of the department of defense , then a lot of republicans and democrats arguing that you cannot continue by the same number that it has always been funded by. you need to make sure that they are appropriate to what they need each year. it could be a national security issue. that is why they don't like using continued resolutions. flashback two oh my goodness a year ago that is how kevin mccarthy lost. because he put forward a continued resolution to continue entering the government. lots of questions they are trying to figure out. they would like to see a government funding bill that would cut spending, republican specifically. also aid that need disaster funding. those are huge priorities as we continue through the year to address. >> in congress this week sort of walk and chew gum on this.

do appropriations for fiscal 2025 which is what we are in right now and then also budget for 26 and all of that reconciliation process we were talking about? >> i mean, if we look how congress has function for the last couple of years which you and i know very well, they are not very good at handling a lot of things at the same time. these are two major issues that they have to address in the next couple of weeks. democrats not part of the budget debate, to be clear that is a republican issue. they have majority in the house and senate. they have a lot on their plate. it is likely that they will collide. that is what a lot of democrats are saying. that is what a lot of republicans are worried about. expect a lot of drama on that. >> not part of the budget debate explain why that is. why republicans can do this without democratic votes. >> i will not try to be too in the weeds because it can get

very nerdy very quickly. the process that the majority party can use in the house and the senate. to basically move forward legislation for the simple majority, the bill has already passed the house. this is what happened in the senate. the 60 votes needed to break the filibuster, republicans, flashback democrats they can pass legislation just with 50 votes and they have the majority in the senate right now. really, the only way that they can pass the measure is that they are budget measures. they can prove whether these bills can be passed using this process. fast budgetary provisions. that is why they can pass these bills or this massive bill with lots of provisions without any democratic votes. that is the trick here, too. they need every single republican in both chambers to get behind this legislation. it will be really tricky as we

know uniting conferences is very difficult. >> with us this morning as we take you through the budgeting and they appropriation process in the week ahead. phone line democrats republicans and independents, this is kevin out of dunkirk maryland. kevin, go ahead. >> good morning, everyone. i just had a comment, i delivered packages in washington, d.c. for 15 years. i was in and out of every single federal building and all that i saw was people playing video games on their computer all of the time. could not even get anyone assigned for a package. it was very inefficient from what i saw.

they would get these things called a clicker. so that the mouse would click every so often. to make it look like you are busy. >> you agree with the efforts to reduce the federal workforce. >> absolutely. i spoke with one of my guys and one of my area that owns an automobile shop and he says he has never seen so many federal employees going on these extravagant vacations. we talked about it in the first hour the "washington journal" today. just a reaction to that e-mail from the department of government efficiency. ivan e-mail from hr at the u.s. government. elon musk leading this effort. it will you be talking to this

week in response to this effort and this deadline tonight for federal employees. >> republicans who have a majority in the house and senate have largely defended elon musk effort to cut down government spending and his efforts in the stats he has been taking tablets government workers or have them leave their jobs. i think that they are the ones that we will be asking questions or i will be in just a few hours because i will head to capitol hill asking if you think he has gone too far and having federal workers prove and bullet points what they did in the last week. some of these measures are some of these government officials that were asked to do this could be disclosing government secrets they should not respond to this e-mail because of classified information. we saw fbi director tell his

office do not respond to this e-mail. it was going to be the extent of elon musk's power or cutting government spending in the federal government. we are waiting to see whether republicans say that maybe he has gone too far. >> over the weekend, her tweets that she put out, our public workforce deserves to be treated for the on heralding jobs for the third weekend e-mailing their existence. the e-mail was not it. >> she has been very critical of the plan to cut government funding. very concerned. i spoke with her last week specifically about this that the cut that musk is going forward could affect energy projects in alaska where she is from. could affect wildlife conservation efforts interstate. she has seen the effects directly and that is why she is speaking out against it. she is not the only one. we have seen other republicans come forward say they are already sensing that back home

some of their government officials back home are being affected by this and losing jobs when they are essential and need to continue working for the federal government. >> good morning. >> i hope everybody is satisfied with the way our country is going. what will it take to drain your accounts. what will it take. thank you. >> that is victoria and ohio. go to kragen florida. good morning. >> good morning. >> 2 million e-mails. first of all, these guys are definitely going to be watched over by the supervisors. i cannot imagine somebody sitting down to their office tomorrow morning opening up 2 million e-mails and doing anything with them. thank you.

>> plenty of discussion on the effort. what is been the most interesting part from your perspective on capitol hill? talking about the dynamic on democrats responding in republicans responding. at one point do you think it will besides markowski. >> this e-mail last week asking for federal orders to prove that they're working could be our in the hold that he could have over the federal government when we are seeing republican leaders like cass patel and others holding their workforce to respond. up until this point, we have seen those same people incredibly, praising elon musk for moving forward on this process to try to cut the federal government workforce.

this could be the end for what they praise for what he is trying to deal. he himself tweeted over the weekend federal workers will receive this. we will count that as a gratification question. what we are seeing is that regardless of that tweet from him, there will be people not responding a powerful position to likely will not be losing their jobs. that is likely one step towards his lack of power that will probably see considering all that these people were endorsing him and supporting his efforts to the federal government. >> good morning. >> yes. understanding that we do have a problem in trying to reach our obligations concerning the needs of people. but if we do not have control over spending, we will not have

control over anything. i think that this is a good direction. work together about eliminating and making it right for our country. because of our. trillions of dollars. we need to shut it down. >> republicans talking about budgeting for the next fiscal year. ....

the tax cut trump put forward a few years ago and would add to the deficit so it is a balancing act between republicans to figure out how to put forward their provision they want but also the national deficit. we see they are against the national deficit or the budget resolution for the vote tomorrow and the bigger problem is moderate republicans and essential programs such as medicaid that they rely on which is affected by whatever provision by republican on that. >> where we are financially in this country, the u.s. national debt is 36 and a half trillion dollars. this year to trillion dollar

deficit over the years. there is taking and the debt a taxpayer on the debt. independent, good morning. >> my concern is unfortunately like a magician, i want you to look over here but they don't want you to look over there. talking about the budget under the guise of we have lingering that, it's so bad. we are the only nation in the world that writes the law and doesn't fund it. >> good afternoon, i want to thank all of you for coming but i also want to thank the members

of our ukraine caucus former majority leader. we thank you for all of your work in this country. i have the highest respect for you and you are ukraine's best ambassador here in the united states. thank you for all of our colleagues here. during this month, but us recall when art declaration of independence u.s. constitution were composed, founders dated they tyrant is unfit to be ruler of free people does this february 24, 2025, the third anniversary of russia's expanded war on ukraine house bipartisan caucus gathers to a tribute to liberty. we can especially stand with the people of ukraine, their consequential by is to recover their own nation, prisoners of

war and innocent ukrainian children stolen in the clutches of russia's dictator putin and were criminal. the industrial region via fighting to push back russia's army, third-largest in the world inside the own borders. and the and the has always been the capital of ukraine even before ukraine became a city. as the world hopes for peace in ukraine, president, i ask unanimous consent that

notwithstanding rule 22, if cloture is invoked on the driscoll nomination, the senate vote immediately on the motion to invoke cloture on the greer nomination. if cloture is invoked on the greer nomination, all time be expired on the driscoll and greer nominations and the senate vote on confirmation of the nominations at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the democrat leader no earlier than tuesday, february 25 with respect to the driscoll nomination and wednesday, february 26, with respect to the greer nomination. finally, if the nominations are confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the president be immediately notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. thune: thank you, madam president.

from the line for liberty in europe. we, together caps off brutal dictatorship in the 20th century just of : and adolph hitler. it was high human life and treasure. frankly, freedom for ukraine today for every nation that calls itself gird up to stand with liberty or tyranny?

the choice is clear. are you a bystander on earth or can you make earth a safer more main place? a big bite of territory in 2014. president trump will take serious note. russia invaded ukraine, not the other way around. it doesn't ukraine. let russia take better care of its own you see the sadness and struggle of the people. he is an innovator and aggressor but the latest version mass murder tyrant.

nine decades ago, stalin killed and forcibly starved over 14 million people ukraine into submission, more than any other mass murder in the history of the world. family, without drought and without work. putin is perpetrating these crimes against humanity on the soil of ukraine. his objective is to deal ukraine's territory, identity, heritage, sovereignty. the people of ukraine have earned everlasting peace and prosperity inside their own borders. they torture civilians in

detention repeating, electrocution break their spirit never broke. even in death. russian forces kidnapped in the thousands of ukrainian civilians to detention centers thousands upon thousands of children forcibly separated from their families and violation of international laws. any problem putin's operative reprogramming the psychology tens of thousands of stolen ukrainian children, what kind of demented sick times would do this to tiny human beings?

1991, ukrainians were free. 2014, 23 years later, russia invaded ukraine compromising russia's liberty. holds responsibility for all war crimes in ukraine. let us pray for settlement. may the gods of freedom, peace and glory but still upon the people of ukraine hard-fought victory. i will now yield to my cochair and others to speak on this topic. >> thank you, madam chair.

i'm grateful to be here and grateful to be with fellow patriots support peace through strength. three years ago today the world is gone into a war we did not use. invading ukraine three years ago today. he told his troops to take with them their uniforms because they would be there just 30 days on a special him mission and they would end up being in parades welcomed by people of ukraine. instead what they ran into thanks to president donald trump, missus, president trump vetted muscles to stop the invasion and convoy of president trump but american troops to deter the conduct of criminal and president trump did stop nord stream two, financing of the dictatorship and moscow so

over and over again, the consequences of unintended about we have nato stronger than ever. 200 years of neutrality be part of a defensive alliance and also claims that he was concerned about having nato as a border. he's got it, finland, 835 miles so we know that was a fraudulent excuse to invade ukraine and what we have is were criminal putin making every effort to resurrect the soviet union. he invaded the republic of georgia with the great leader currently, the actual legitimate president and then invaded and took crimea and then invaded don

voss and belarus and the president of that country. over and over again, what putin is doing is re-create the soviet union and will not stop so it's important and i take that personally, peace through strength but president trump, is very personal, my four sons all served in iraq, egypt and afghanistan so the best way to protect american families is to stop dictators overseas to protect promote freedom around the world having allies provide strength. thank you.

>> be clear. we who stand with ukraine want the war to be over more than anyone but not with what would be a russian victory. they have stalled out why we stand with democracies like ukraine. the democratic nation from being wiped off the face of the earth. to show results through allies and adversaries. presidents have talked about this before the second world war. fdr in the last inaugural said the welfare of our nation is dependent on nations far away. john f. kennedy said any burden, assure the survival and success of liberty and finally,

president reagan, the reagan doctrine said we will do everything possible to help our allies support all of our allies against soviet aggression. on the fifth of june, fdr said to churchill we are going to send you a bill on this and we want you to pay double. because it didn't happen. because we did it for all the right reasons and the same reasons we do it now. our leadership, it's strategic and moral imperative. all so often, the right thing to do, the moral thing to do is the smart thing to do. we allow putin's aggression double our defense budget and

bloodshed. this we cannot do. and that this is a bipartisan group, it has to be for us to succeed victory remains territorial integrity, security assurances rebuilding ukraine, not subsidizing. in the end, there has to be accountability for war crimes, stolen children and the extraordinary damage done. our children and children's children are watching. thank you. >> the list based on when people call us. jason grow. >> i want to thank chair wilson and chair quickly for setting this event.

i don't think they knew how timely it was. today's a day of sadness and infamy for america. why do i say that? there was a live resolution on the floor the united nations backed by the european union and ukraine that recognized territorial integrity and legal that is of ukraine. united states of america. he would pay any price, bear any burden to defend freedom. on that resolution today the

u.s. voted no. russia, north korea hungary, sudan and countries saint because even they could not summit. china. we wanted to solve the western world into pieces but trump decided to through himself. trump is now doing our job, our russia, our job force and that's what this administration is doing and shamefully, america started with a nation, russia, committing more crimes with no

justification. i pray that is not the position of the congress of the united states. j.d. vance did russia's job our european allies instead of dictators threatening. donald trump continues to do russia's job vladimir putin out of isolation cutting ukraine out of negotiations and parroting russian propaganda including the blatant lie, the incredible lie, the unbelievable lie that ukraine started this war three years ago. vladimir putin started this war three years ago with his criminal surprised invasion. vladimir putin is the craven

dictator, not volodymyr zelenskyy. we must never forget war began with tanks across ukrainian borders. russia and russia alone started this but america will determine and. democracy and the free world instead of doing russia's job we must deal a strategic defeat that serves as a clear warning to all outbreak international

law. i urge my colleagues if you love freedom, he loved democracy, honor alliances, i urge my colleagues to reject any retreat from assuring ukrainian victory. another leader, neville chamber tried to calm the savage beast germany, our time.

>> good afternoon and thank you all for joining us today. you for organizing this effort today. so many of my colleagues here today, or they doing? demonstrating not abandon our ally and fellow democracy in a fight for freedom. this is about a fight for freedom and we are here to reiterate support for ukraine in the strongest terms i was dangerous moment. resident jumps administration sided today with russia, north korea, iran on a un resolution condemning the war in ukraine.

what happened the united states of america? that we would live with forces deny freedom every moment they can. three years to the day since vladimir putin launched the brutal unprovoked invasion of ukraine and the largest violent landgrab since world war ii. ukrainian people resisted valiantly but the cost has been high with the death toll and tens of thousands, many more injured many displaced. but ukraine is not giving up and will never give up. right now they are still very much in the fight. russia every occupied land. so committed to the struggle

against the aggression and ukrainian people are speaking clearly through their elected a president zelenskyy, a sovereign nation and peak for themselves. only ukraine can decide when they are done fighting, no one else. it is our job in america to continue remind president trump of that fact and the history. aggression never stops of their own accord. 1938 and they are never aside appeasement. the vladimir putin's reward is ukrainian plant or believes he can negotiate with other countries on behalf of ukraine, he will try again for more. i will not turn a blind eye and ukraine who have endured nearly

three years of war and constant attacks on civilian infrastructure. rewarding this type of aggression is only setting the stage for more war and instability in the future. we will advocate for our ally, ukraine for the defense, or military resources they need and allowing them to control their own destiny, that is our obligation, moral responsibility is an ally in the world's strongest democracy. it's also a promise as i leave the democrats and house appropriations committee, i will never give up that fight, i will continue to support resources and funding for ukrainian people. i urge all of us will not give up. we need to continue to speak out

for as long as it takes in for ukraine once more. >> let me think marcy and joe, i know you have to go but i want to thank you for your courage to talk about profiles thank you for sending of doing the right thing. here's what comes down to. who you stand with? in this -- hat waive the mandatoy quorum calls with respect to the driscoll and greer nominations. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered.

mr. risch: madam president. the presiding officer: the senator from idaho. mr. risch: i would ask unanimous consent that the roll call commence at this time. officer without objection. -- the presiding officer: without objection. the clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. the clerk: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions

of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of daniel driscoll of north carolina to be secretary of the army, signed by 17 senators. the presiding officer: by unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. the question is, is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of daniel driscoll of north carolina to be secretary of the army shall be brought too a close. -- to a close. the yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. the clerk will call the roll. vote: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks. ms. baldwin. mr. banks. mr. barrasso. mr. bennet. mrs. blackburn. mr. blumenthal. ms. blunt rochester. mr. booker. mr. boozman. mrs. britt.

vote: for three years, the united states husband indispensable leading 50 nations in the fight and pointed out today i fear we are running from that path. when we probably have more funding, i had the chance to take a bipartisan trip with two republicans and two democrats,

we left on the eve of the boat to get support to ukraine. two democrats, two republicans, a group of bipartisan lawmakers who met with president zelenskyy and military members are. you saw their desperation and extraordinary appreciation. look where we are with a new administration, betrayal this president donald trump has brought ukraine but also a betrayal of you and me, our very history to stand up against oppression. lies about to start this, wrong legally and morally, undemocratic and unworthy of us.

ally and global embarrassment added to by the shame of the un vote. call upon president trump to reverse course on a road of american weakness, a road we have never traveled and i pray he gets off. in the end, i'm proud to stand with the ukraine caucus and representative wilson who joined us but i also note my disappointment. where are our republicans colleagues calling out what happened here and have the president our president has betrayed the boat be cast, monetary support and weapons support and moral support? i call upon republicans and democrats to speak up demand better.

>> since it is only unjustified, putin has been responsible for destroying one village after another murdering thousands and kidnapping even more. the problem today lies right here, trump and putin. this week, last week donald trump displaced our country. imagine, a resolution is a blessing putin as the aggressor and he ought to return the land he stolen from ukraine and a response today donald trump says vote with north korea, russia and most of the nations in the world overwhelmingly passed resolution. surely this is the great appeaser is 1938 when paved the

way for czechoslovakia. has he directed the secret meetings last week in saudi arabia, we know donald trump was so weak he could not even stop attacks like this, the largest in history occurred this weekend and donald trump did nothing about it. one of the reactions of the republican senators of this caucus. i've been a member long before this and they worked diligently to try to make it is bipartisan with the exception of mr. wilson and others i disagree with and put out a strong statement they been silent in their silence emboldens enemies of the united states more typical of the

republican view but amazingly happened as donald trump was siding putin last week one of our colleagues introduced a bill right out of the north korean playbook. demanded donald trump's birthday be declared a national holiday here in america. i suppose every dictator has his day but i think this one should be called appeasement day or surrendered it. my republican colleagues can speak out or remain complicit in the loss of muchmc of ukraine should and endangering europe and american families as well. this world war ii, democratic republican leaders on a bipartisan basis worked to build for world order. if we fail to maintain that

commitment democratic allies will be in danger, the rule of law will be abandoned. we must unite against the appeasersha instead of for democracy and freedom. >> i'm so proud to stand with these members today, this is an important moment. jim costa. >> i am proud to stand with these members as well, it's amazing, thank you for standing up and we have to encourage more republicans to stand up and do what larson said. have a simple message, i shouldn't be necessary but we have to be clear, putin is a dictator and once he is not. he was elected by 73% of the

voters ukraine and election certified by the european commission that satisfies a free and fair election. very simple, putin is a dictator and zelenskyy is not. russians invaded ukraine, not the other way around. when we talk about appeasement we are talking about neville chamberlain with hitler in world war ii. let's try to make peace and his stop. he didn't stop. ukraine cap when, they are not big enough. if we kyiv now and reward russia for our ally, if we reward putin

now, what you think they will say? what are the people in poland going to say? i went to ukraine and visited with the polish military and show the mountains to bring the area going straight into poland, we cannot reward putin for criminal actions murdering people, kidnapping children tens of thousands of children affected from ukraine because if your mom or dad works at the power plant and doesn't want you to stop working there, you will keep your children in a longer

and who knows what else. >> thank you, there is a line in the will smith movie present danger is real but here is a choice. the danger russia presents ukraine is very real. the choice ukrainian people have made to stand up, the courage they have shown, the sacrifice they have made is remarkable in that was a choice. they could have chosen. i will say, that was on the first time president zelenskyy made a choice to embrace.

donald trump did provide the missiles, let us not forget that i was only after he refused to provide missiles and interfere and election. he could have chosen. he chose courage. we still be here today? if zelenskyy had chosen. out of the. he didn't he might not? we can speculate what danger he presents to donald trump, i don't think that's useful trump has chosen. a proud aid has been bipartisan i am deeply troubled by the fact that they have the package passed last turn with the minority of the republicans in the house. we can speculate why does

republicans have chosen. rather than to stand up to donald trump. the speculation is that they have chosen. we can choose to be of right now for the united states shameful to the united states what that means or we can follow and discourage. i would leave you with the words of frederick douglass. i want to forget the quote as i try to do it off the top my head here. when he said the only definition of patriotism is being willing to stand up and rebuke those hide under stand up to your country we are here because it is patriotic to rebuke the country when we are wrong and asking republican colleagues to choose courage and show courage

that they show and going forward we can take more pride. >> thank you very much the bipartisan coalition reflected in the ukrainian caucus in the 21st district in california three years ago today marked ukraine's invasion of russia by zelenskyy. i cannot believe on what planet you might be living on if you believe that act. it is a lie short and simple. four times in the last two years

and russia's invasion of ukraine marked the end of the longest in europe beginning in 1945 until three years ago, the longest in europe and over 1000 years. why did that bring? united states of america after world war ii stood with our allies to rebuild europe create institutions of nato that created that longest time period. three years ago with russia's invasion of ukraine we saw that piece violated in the largest wetland war since world war ii. the four times i've met with ukrainian people and ukrainian soldiers including zelenskyy

possible and i understand that spirit for which they stand for human rights for the sovereignty of their nation and for them to become what they want and a member of nato fellas understand what's happened in three years 10.6 million ukrainians displaced, 46000 ukrainian soldiers lost their lives in 380,000 injured. 10% destroyed and 20000 ukrainian children have been kidnapped. thank you mistake about. putin as my were criminals indicated. should masquerading as a country that's what russia is today and

sees himself as a reincarnation and wants to reestablish as the soviet union and they are right on. create his vision of the soviet union the great catastrophe and numerous speeches. our european allies are worried and they should be not only in the events of the last two weeks of the security council and secretary defense outlining terms for negotiations that took place., what are you thinking?

a great dealmaker, give me a break. putin established and said this numerous times in the last year. it is there forces and only then will we be able to talk about a cease-fire negotiation. should the european ally concerned and even more today and the un. not only putin and russia but china because china is looking to determine whether the united states is going to continue to be the world for democratic nations because china on taiwan is very clear.

putin was to divide us and drive a wedge in europe and destroy nato and makes it very clear in the weakness of the european union. i don't know what has happened to the party but i wish they would come back. we've had bipartisan support the last three years but we see it eroding so i asked my republican colleagues to come back and speak words of ronald reagan and told him to tear down the wall. so today we need to stand strong

and sure ukrainian allies are there for them along with our european allies. support is not just about nation's borders but a fight for our democracy as well and for those who share democratic nations in sovereignty and that's what it's all about. i want to thank you all for being part of it. make no mistake about it. twenty-five years from now we will look back and they will make determinations based upon what happens ignore decisions. i pray to god we make more good decisions.

>> thank you. when president trump went to helsinki during his first term, it told us there was something wrong in the relationship with the american president and putin and when somebody shows you they are the first time, believe them. he showed us he was when russians visited an trump tower with his gun. they work together and the lady who went after anytime in the united states prison system is a member in russia. weller had and bill barr what about it.

the social media to try to influence the vote and continued this year and an illegitimate president wants to this country to defendant. all office i love america and i

was embarrassed. and they are too far out. he does look at what the man has done with putin and all of the proposals he's made. the only person less trustworthy is trump and said january 6 was a beautiful day, patriotic day assault of the january 6 insurrectionist and that's why they were pardoned.

you can pee on my leg but don't trump is raining america. >> the district of illinois. i am delighted to reaffirm my commitment and support for ukraine. i represent a large community and all of us are part, i believe determination anywhere is a threat everywhere and the

only way we can keep ourselves free is to make sure ukraine maintains itself as a free and independent nation, whatever support is needed and whatever can generate i am in favor of to keep ukraine free. >> thank you for your leadership here. yet again, speaker mike johnson and congressional republicans was a few exceptions are afraid as donald trump in the united states on the world stage. the party peace through strength is now advocating for temporary

cease-fire through appeasement and capitulation, and embarrassment for the party of ronald reagan and they try to give excuses for donald trump's behavior as though he has a strategy that the truth is, and they know it, for vladimir putin he has weird admiration for vladimir putin and the way he operates in order to impress and demonstrate courage and join democrats insisting they provide economic support the economic lifeline and continue to provide military support for ukraine on

the battlefield because despite claims, they are in that war sacrificing thousands and manpower shortages on the front. eighteen months to two years. joining and insisting there is something about ukraine without ukraine. during the diplomacy and any field agreed to. goodness knows negotiators will not get it done get negotiating against himself significant confessions and they engage in the debate. it was a self goal before

negotiations had even begun in the cannot trust to negotiate on the technocrats. the ukrainian minerals not here for the minerals. >> they are worth discussing, the three year anniversary of the greatest piece with pat in europe in 80 years, three year anniversary of a country dominating the will and the

freedom of another to violate the. of the great war and the ultimate resolution but today marks an equally troubling day when the american president went on bended knee and licked the boots of the president of russia but the united states of america voted in the un to stand with north korea and russia against the rest of all of our allies. who would have thought today would have happened? not in my lifetime.

those whose mothers and fathers and grandparents serve to make sure we are the land of the free and the home of the brave, we are embarrassed. his lack of courage and capitulation to the russian president advised long-standing american policy. it's reprehensible, inexcusable, unforgivable and for those of you in our nation, we pledge allegiance to our flag and commit ourselves on a daily basis the values of democracy and for the people having the

free exercise of their government, you should be ashamed of what's happening today, the first day the american government sided with russia and north korea over all of our democratic allies in the world. how did that happen? i hope you are as outraged as the rest of us here. call your members of congress and raise holy hell and say this is not the american values we believe in. this is not the likely salute we

stand for freedom. president trump turned his back on freedom as united nations. it's wrong and unforgivable. >> thank you all for those who have spoken today. we have heard a number of actions the president directed in the un security council. another one is the fact that we did not have a high level representative in ukraine. ... will

and it is important to represent truthfully. whether it's put in, or president trump, anyone who says that russia was not the aggressor, that ukraine is responsible for initiating this complex, is lying. today's anniversary reminds us that the ukrainian people continue to suffer. we saw picture earlier today of the devastation in ukraine and i witnessed that firsthand when i traveled to ukraine 14 times investigate and or crimes under state department a grant that sadly it now has. but, i know ukraine will remain resilient and strong for this is not a regional right is

ukraine's sovereignty at the u.s. national security issue. we must hold the line in ukraine and now, or in coming years he may end up holding the line with u.s. boots on the ground in europe, fighting. if we want peace, and the president says we want peace but even before negotiations started the president basically gave away the farm. before we even got to the negotiating table not only was ukraine excluded but the u.s. agreed to territorial concessions, to russia. agreed ukraine does not belong in nato. i mean, this is the weakest form of dealmaking you can imagine. at the same time trying to extort ukrainian natural resources. as a trump administration once

peace, that they will only achieve that with pressure on russia. not by pressuring ukraine. if we want this war to end, it can and tomorrow with russia withdrawing it's a simple as that. weakness invites aggression. easing up on a russia only makes ukraine's fight harder. we must stand firm. i spent 25 years in the army defending america's national security. as i mentioned, i traveled to ukraine quite frequently. i was in park even this neighborhood of tuna 50000 people that was destroyed, that was uninhabitable about 20 miles from the russian border. those people were refugees internally and around europe. that was just one location in ukraine. they've been devastated for the

last three years and the 11 years of war and the don bosco for that. at home this administration actions don't make us any safer either. they create chaos and not solutions not stability and they are cruel. the people of virginia virginia's southern congressional district, my voters expect me too stand up for american values and that is exactly what i am doing speaking today. that is why out keep fighting for a strong ukraine, u.s. leadership in ukraine and for ukraine's sovereignty for our country's national security, and for the values that keep america strong. on this anniversary, we affirm our commitment. we stand against autocrats and dictators like russia and north korea. we stand with ukraine on the right side of history, thank you. cooks out to thank all of my

colleagues. it was a tremendous turnout today. i think you also for coming. we'll take questions individually. but, i wanted to put a few things on the records and free press is vital to our country. first of all, and my research i have not found a single member of donald trump's family that isever served in the u.s.e military. after three generations in this country that's a rather surprising finding. but i mention this to the press you mount to backup my own research and see if i'm correct on that. compare that to a film you can see on youtube. that was done by the departmentt of defense right after world war ii and the allies at being victorious. that is of one of the greatest generals ever served this country, omar bradley walking into offices in europe and here beginning to form the idea of nato. take a look back and look at that history and look at the

omar bradley office at fort benning. this is all on the internet. with the president of the united states ordered at the united nations. you can also go to the world war ii memorial here in washington d.c., which took from 1987 until 2004 to build over 100 million americans have now visited that site. that also embrace memorials and other countries including europe and normandy. in the price that our predecessors paid for us to even be able to speak to you hear it today. i would recommend a book also called blood lands by timothy snyder a professor was spread best book i've ever read on world war ii, and i've read a

lot of them. it's worth your time. i also recommend in terms of museums and sites to visit the ukrainian museum and archives in the city of cleveland, ohio is the best archives in our country. better than harvard university essay that from a buckeye of ohio district nine. what they have and what you can learn about yourself, about our history as a country is priceless. there's also a film that just takes 30 minutes. you can look at it on youtube that just when the telly award for best documentary called freedom means never surrender. why it is important? the people who are the heroin and hero of that film lived and survived. world war ii in europe and then came here and try to peace in pr lives back together. it only takes 30 minutes it's worth watching. i also want to read it spare how the russians trained their women

spies americans have to become smarter about who can infiltrate and how they do that. and i think that is worth your read. and finally i just want to say and so impressed with everyone who took time to be here today. i want to thank madeline, and danny, and jean. julie and jean for remaining here until the end and being able to answer questions. but, i simply cannot understand how a gentleman who grew up in new york city near the statue of liberty and the united nations, right at his doorstep, could have a view of the world in which he would vote for tierney and against liberty by urging his representatives at the united nations to do that. i just find that unfathomable as

an american citizen. our relatives have been in this country for well over a century. we have veterans that fought in every war. it was not the easy job. they were all combat and they were wounded and it's the reason i am standing here today. it is a sad day for our country in terms of the both of us cast at the un at the urging of the president donald trump. but it's a great day here in the house of representatives are a phenomenal turn out and well read and well experienced veterans. it's a good day. thank you so much for being there. now i think it might be best if i let the members go down if you want to come up to them individually. is that alright? okay, thank you for being here, thank you.

the clerk: mr. van hollen, no.

ladies and gentlemen the president of the united states and the president of the french republic.

>> thank you very much everyone. it's a great honor to be here with my friend i am glad you welcome president macron back to the white house we have been together quite often. but not that often in the white house. we honored the president, the first lady of france not so long ago. it was a beautiful evening and we will not soon forget it was a beautiful day and evening. and many fond memories i want to thank manuel for hosting in paris last year to witness the reopening of the spectacular notre dame cathedral or did an outstanding job bring it back together per that is a sad day watching it burn and five years later they say more beautiful

than it was before. it was not easy. france is america's oldest ally or tourist partnership has been a force for freedom, prosperity and peace from the very beginning we are now working on some very interesting developments. one in particular as you know the war between russia and ukraine. in the american revolution french support to seize our destiny as an independent nation the first and second world wars are citizens a shed blood together on the battlefields of europe i will never forget joining president monroe macron on the seventh anniversary of d-day that was some day the purpose of our meeting today is to end another battle a really horrible one, a war. something we have not seen since the second world war it was ravaging european soil the deadliest most destructive conflict that one can imagine

i've seen the pictures i've seen the satellite photos on lots of other photos it is a horrible thing that is happening. thousands of people are dying a week. this very day is the third anniversary of the invasion of ukraine which never would have happened if i was a president that was not going to happen. the horrors of this gruesome and bloodiest war can scarcely be overestimated. hundreds of thousands of people, russians and ukrainians in particular have needlessly died. an entire generation of ukrainians and russian men have been decimated 1000-year-old cities i've been turned into rubble. those beautiful spires that you used to see their. there are the most beautiful in the world they say. they lay in heaps of rubble, blasted to smithereens. it's time to end this bloodletting we sought peace i think we are going to do it we

have had great conversations including with russia. since my return to the white house he made more progress towards that goal in one month then occurred in the past three years. i have spoken with both putin and president zelenskyy and again a lot of good thing towards peace are happening moving pretty quickly. last week secretary of state marco rubio, national security advisor michael walz, special envoy steve witkoff conducted successful talks in saudi arabia with the delegation from russia like to thank the kingdom of saudi arabia. the king muhammad, great people. they're really working hard to get this done. our focus is on achieving as soon as possible. hopefully a permanent peace.

my meeting with president macron today was an important step forward in that sphere because he has been very much involved right from the beginning and we are going to get it done. i believe emmanuel agrees with me on the most important issues. chief among them as this is the right time. maybe the only time. it's a horrible situation that could evolve into a third world war. we are not going to let that happen. what a mess, what a horrible bloodied mess. i'm also pleased president macron agrees the cost and burden of secured must be borne by the nations of europe. not alone by the united states. europe must take that central role in assuring long-term security of ukraine, which they want to do. that's not a very big step. a big step is was going to

happen over the next few weeks. the united states is put up for more aid for ukraine than any other nation. hundreds of billions of dollars we have spent more than 300 billion and europe has spent about 100. 100 billion is a big difference in at some point we should equalize. but hopefully we will not have to worry about that we have other things happening that may be take that out of the room of necessity. what we've given vast amounts of military aid and money in the form of grants, much of europe's contribution has been economic relief is structured as loans. for which they will be repaid like the europeans i believe the taxpayers in the united states also deserve to recoup the colossal amounts of money that we have sent that the previous administration never even thought about they did not think of a lot of things like why did they let it start in the first

place? that is why we must have an agreement with ukraine on critical minerals and rare earth and various other things i think that's happening i think we've made a lot of progress report just given to me before walking in we have made a great deal of progress. i've been elected by the american people to restore common sense to washington. and indeed to the world i believe strongly it is in the best interest of the united states, and the best interests in europe, the best interest of ukraine and indeed the best interest of russia to stop the killing now and bring the world to peace. my administration is making a decisive break with the foreign policy values of the past administration and frankly the past. iran against a very foolish foreign policy establishment and their recklessness has led to the death of many, many people

under our administration we are forging a new path that promotes peace around the world. when i left office but the first administration the first term, we had ever seventh with israel. we do not have russia and ukraine going at it. we didn't have problems in the other parts of the middle east. we didn't have inflation. and you know what else we didn't have? millions of people points are border. many from other nations put right into our land. drug dealers and gangs, we did not have any of it. it was a different time right now we are fixing it. we'll fix it all up as quickly as possible. are 66. the nays are 28. the motion is agreed to. the clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. the clerk: cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators in

accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of jamieson greer of maryland to be united states trade representative with the rank of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary signed by 17 senators. the presiding officer: by unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum call has been waived. the question is, is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of jamieson greer of maryland to be united states trade representative with the rank of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall be brought to a close. the yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule. the clerk will call the roll. vote: the clerk: ms. alsobrooks. ms. baldwin. mr. banks.

the committee will return to order. senator wyden and i will give our introductory statements. and then we will go to good friend and colleague senator hagerty. and then we will go ahead with our testimony mr. greer for your hearing. mr. greer, to welcome you and congratulate you and your nomination. traditional timelines this is one of the earliest dates the finance committee is how the nomination hearing for the ustr. your cooperation and timely responses to questions from both sides of the aisle expedited the committee's very demanding process. mr. greer isn't nominated by the president for an incredibly important job. america's chief trade negotiator. by statute frankly in accordance with our constitution are negotiator must report to congress. which means he reports to the

finance committee. this week attention fell in president trump's executive orders to help secure our borders for illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. i strongly support securing our borders and fighting fentanyl traveling. the executive orders plan international emergency economic powers act and concerned drug policy and border security. the president, not the sdr invokes it. and homeland security it not ustr is responsible for securing our borders. nonetheless i am securing briefings on these orders and in fact the customs and border protection will brief on this matter today. what the president has done that is different though is to bring tariffs into the discussion about border security. as america's chief trade negotiator.

any time the u.s. government is considering tariffs or something that implicates trade policy he, ustr should be part of those conversations and should report to us about those conversations and solicit our input. right now it's not in the government not privy to various discussions. confirming him will allow him to be a part of those conversations and to work with this committee. ensuring congress fulfills its constitutional over international trade. wes. look whether jamison greer will be a good negotiator for america's trade interest in a partner to this committee, his experience and skill set indicate the answer is yes. he understands ustr policymaking since he served as chief of staff. at ustr he distinguished himself as an effective negotiator is work on the u.s./mexico, canada

agreement. which overwhelmingly passed congress knows firsthand work closely with them on their priorities for usmca. as accomplished international trade attorney he's an expert on our trade agreements and trade laws. including the requirements to report to congress promptly and thoroughly. we need ineffective now more thanha ever. frankly, our last ustr did not negotiate any agreements and lost ground to foreign competitors. the buy demonstration walked away even from its own initiatives whether than to forge new roles to combat china's trade practices that pardon lustration turned its back on existing rules such as our international property rights under the trips agreement and data flows against our technology companies.

also dawdled on enforcement of our existing trade agreements including by failing to act against protectionist measures on our u.s. agriculture and energy producers. finally, there is one in their major failure during the last administration. failing to report to and consult with this committee. both sides of the aisle expressed concern about the repeated failures to consult with this committee. her position that she did not need to improve the consultation with the committee where the agency's transparency with the public. we should not hold mr. greer responsible for those failings. mr. greer has been crystal clear he will consult with this committee and respect congresses constitutional prerogatives over trade. i expect some members may disagree from time to time with our administration but if so mre

his case before us rather than ignore us if confirmed holds that commitment. thank you for your willingness to serve. i look forward to hearing more from you and your perspectives on international trade how you plan to work withot this commite to achieve our shared priorities. with that i recognize senator wyden. >> thank you very much mr. chairman. mr. chairman and colleagues, this is always been an area we've tried to find common ground. it will be a challenge now but that's always been the history of the finance committee. some think of it journalistic verse i would like to enter into the record three wall street journal opinion articles on the trade issue. one is entitled the dumbest trade war in history. the second is called freight for surrender and trumps it dumb

trade war. the third article is entitled trump blanks on north american tariffs. now, america has had its first taste of trumps raven rancid trade policy this week here, colleagues, are the receipts that demonstrate flawed trade policies that we have seen thus far are doing. people. we saw the effects on wall street. i could go on. one of the central problems and i find it sad to say this is donald trump repeatedly lied to the american people but who is going to pay these tariffs. for a full year you heard again and again and again it's going

to be the foreigners. the foreigners were going to pick up the bill. that is just wrong. that is just terrible economics. and that is not right to say that for working people because they are the ones who pick up the bills. now, who could've seen these developments? i thought it was common because donald trump governs by women and in trade that hurts american families. the tariff bluff create huge uncertainty that's costing american businesses and put in the global economy on what i would describe as a month to month lease. and frankly my top priority today is to figure out who in the trump administration is going to be in charge of trade. what they plan to do and how

this sort of bedlam is going to get straightened out when we get help for american families. this weekend featured a bunch of fake promises. the threats to slap a huge blanket terrorists in canada, mexico and china. then donald trump backed down after canada and mexico repackage stale border security promises into a new box. foreign leaders around the world were laughing at us, colleagues, and the president really got rolled.ts the considering the nomination jamison greer to serve as u.s. trade representative. he and i met first will meet met with bob lighthizer. he is served attorney at several notable firms and was chief of staff. i appreciated the meeting we had a couple of days ago.

and particularly your straightforward commitment to tell me what is going on with trade before i read it online or in some other publication. i asked for that and appreciate getting it. because everyone of my colleagues will be asking me that and i ventured senator crapo may get the same kind of questions with the committee cannot function of us kept in the dark like it was over the past week. so i expect you will pick up the phone call is when trade is on the agenda and this administration when you speak to me too be speaking to my colleagues on this side of the dais. in our conversation i was trying to figure out the trade chaos that occurred over the past weekend. now i thought it was about trade my constituents in oregon thought it was about trade. they call up, one out of three jobs in oregon depends on trade, what's going on?

you told me that tariff threats were not actually about trade at all it was an issue border security. so, i am interested in exploring which is which. i did not leave that conversation we had very confident that you would expect to be in the remedies can and trade decisions are being made this should conserve every member of the committee on both sides of the aisle. american people need to know who is making the trade case for them. what we say in oregon, this is all about value added jobs but you grossed up in oregon, you grow stuff, you add value to it and ship it around the world because organ products are very appealing around the world. but you've got your nose makinge case for the losses fdr is in charge of international trade with this administration so far is not at all clear that is the case. visit mr. lott nick at the

commerce to park, secretary besson, clement security? who is that? finance committee needs when he doesn't pass the buck, speak with the authority and the administration trade policy. and i will close with this, i want to make sure that we get the nominees and views when it comes using tariffs to settle scores do have anything to do a trade no administration is using international emergency economic powers act imposed tariffs before donald trump. it is my view that's an abuse of the law a number of us have introduced legislation to rein it in. there's a role in decisions like that i'm not even sure their job is. international trade policy is just too important to american families, workers, small businesses manufacturers and farmers to be sacrificed to make headlines in unrelated issues. we will not have a full scale with respect to potatoes and

oregon and idaho. we love them both and we need to sell these products in foreign markets. and that's not about going back and forth over whose products are better it's my hope they'll spend more time on making made in usa products in less time to figure out why this administration is putting, as we saw last weekend, americans of livelihoods at risk. mr. greer, i do not envy your position but my friend, senator hagerty had talked about trade i don't envy your challenge. based on last week it is unclear how these decisions are going to be made but what the influence is going to be and what senator hagerty who is longtime interest in this is going to be doing as well. for how you are going to pass trade measures that are really

going to make sense for american people at a crucial time. thank you, mr. chairman. today we are honored to have good friend and colleague from the volunteer state, senator hagerty here to introduce jamison greer. you may proceed. >> think you chairman crapo, ranking member wyden. it's a privilege to be here today particularly to introduce my friend jamison greer to be our nations trade representative. trade policy is a cornerstone of president trump's economic plan for n america. with only select a man whom we deeply trust. speaks volumes about the nomination of this nominee he'll be testifying before the committee today is he previously served as chief of staff to this trade representatives during his service works close to senior

officials across the department and agencies deeply involved in the phase i trade deal with china. and the new united states and mexico/canada agreement. i also the pleasure to work with jamison and ambassador lighthizer to help president trump negotiate key trade deals were jamison and perused himself exceptionally capable of representing america's interest on the global stage. mr. greer was in the room at every critical term as we negotiate him on america's behalf. during president trump's first term we witnessed first him go hand-in-hand. hold the adversaries accountable and bolster national security. enjoy low-inflation economic prosperity. jamison understands this better

than anyone and i know he will bring that knowledge and experience of this role. jamison's approach is guided by commitment to fair and reciprocal trade. he understands the united states is a world's largest market and foreign access to this market should not be taken for granted. he has consistently fought for the heat u.s. industries on the world stage. as an officer advice on legal matters for u.s. airmen in the capacity to do to sent rebuild the working men and women president trump is on a mission of the economic golden age. as a capable team to get the job done jamison's answer the call of duty before his right man for this job working with my

colleagues to quickly advance mr. greer's nomination thank you. i appreciate you joining us for the introduction as is our custom your excuse if you like to count your schedule. >> mr. greer before before you begin with the opening statement of four questions is there anything you are aware and your background that might prevent present a contract of interest with the duties of office with which you been nominated? like snow. second you know any reason personal or otherwise would prevent you from fully and honorably discharged and the responsibilities of the office to which you have been nominated? >> no. >> third, do you agree without

reservation to respond to any reasonable summons to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of congress if you are confirmed? >> yes for. >> and finally cute commitment to provide a prompt response in writing to any questions addressed to you by any senator of this committee? >> yes, i do. >> thank you with that you are welcome to make your opening statement. >> thank you, chairman crapo, ranking member wyden to members of the committee, thank you for taking time for this committee. it's honored to be before the committee for this position. i'm grateful to the committee staff for their hard work during this process. it's been very busy nomination season and i know it cannot happen without the staff, so i think you're pretty grateful to president trump for nominating me too be the united states trade representative. his first term was a stork on largely bipartisan with respect to reorienting u.s. trade policy. if i'm confirmed to this position i look forward to continuing that work for the president, and the american people in close consultation

with this committee and the rest of congress. i also want to express my appreciation to my family, some of who are here today. thankful to my parents, my siblings and extended family member tickly thankful for my wife and our five children noel, pearl, eve, jamison and sonora. two terms in public service they've also sacrificed quite a bit including during my military training, deployment to iraq and part white house service. i'll be remiss not to acknowledge ambassador bob lighthizer who is already been mentioned several times today and rightly so. former u.s. trade representative a gracious mentor and friend of many years. to be my first job in washington out of the military and brought me into the first trump administration to the chief of staff. when he asked me too do that, i said what is that and he said is fine, just come. [laughter] and it was fine. it was wonderful. i would not be prepared for this position that him and the many generous colleagues that taught me over the years i'm thankful to senator hagerty for his kind

introduction part working with him when he was the u.s. ambassador to japan was the ahighlight of my professional life. he was exactly what an ambassadorship in terms of represent your countries into sub within constructive relationships with their trading partners but i should also note my great-great-grandfather greer was born in tennessee as were many ancestors be on that. it's my honor is constituent you may not believe this but the town my aunt chester's work from his named trade, tennessee. maybe it's destiny i'm here today. again i'm grateful to be considered for this position i look forward to building on the historic work that was accomplished on trade and president trump's first term. nearly all of that good work was kept in place by the biden administration even expanded upon. for example present abiding cap president trump tariffs on china and increase them at hampel critical areas such as vehicles, steel, semi conductors would last demonstration bracing may 6/mexico/canada agreement negotiated by president trump which is given massive investment in the auto industry in the united states and north america generally put into this daniel from cattle ranchers and other meat producers about how

important it was to secure agricultural market access in japan as part of the night is a japan phase i trade agreement. and, at the time president trump is implementing a straight agenda, inflation and unemployment went down while real median household went up for all demographics. this is the type of growth we want in america. i strongly believe an active and pragmatic trade policy is critical to achieving this once again. during my meeting on capitol hill and the lead up to this hearing one center asked me a simple but important question. why do you want this position? there are many answers to this but tumor primary reasons. first it is my belief when they should sell in this market turned an honest living. i grew up in a loving family mountains of northern california and my parents, excuse me, my parents regularly worked several

jobs to help make ends meet the children helped on trade plays a role in those concerns but i'm convinced but american workers farmers ranchers and service providers, compete with anyone else in the world and in this market so long ensuring all from all walks of life and dignified works is producers and builders for economic mobility and social cohesion. if i am confirmed to this position, i would seek to develop and implement trade policies that incentivize good paying jobs for american workers and allow them to support their families and communities. second, it's critical for economic and national security that are supply chains are resilient. we need resilience in strategic goods and services, agriculture and food supply chains and technology. we continue to live in a period of global volatility, unrest and conflict. as foreign adversaries invade other countries, build up the national arsenals and seek to

overtake technological edge. if united states does not have a robust manufacturing base and innovation economy, it will have little in the live hard power to deter competent protect americans. trade policy complain important role in ensuring that with the economic security that leads to strong national security. window of time to restructure the international to better serve u.s. interests. unfortunate enough to be conformed to this position i intend to close of this committee and the rest of congress to execute president trump's trade agenda printed together within a short international trade benefits american workers and families and promotes our military, economic and technological dominance over the long term. thank you again for your time i look forward oxo start with my question. plus in the agriculture zone. it's many committee members and of the senate as a whole. notwithstanding senator wyden and my friendly discussion about potatoes regularly.

idaho 185 commodities in idaho leads the nation in potato. [laughter] barley, and hay production. it's the third largest to milk and cheese. we've not opened up any new markets for our farmers in the last four years. farmers are concerned they may become the target of retaliation to change their ways. how we support the engines americans farmers and ranchers once we are confirmed as a nation she'd trade negotiator? that is rice country and allman country and very familiar as well with the northwest and the important agricultural that you have. it might view agricultural

producers of the most competitive in the world and they need to have markets commensurate with that competitiveness. to me that means we need to go and gain market access for things had been closed until now. for many decades we have had a trading system where the united states open its market over and over again and others do not. in india their bound tariff great agricultural product is 39%. in turkey it's 39.8% for these art markets where they need to open to the united states. i think we need to do all the tools at our disposal to do so. >> thank you very much. let's move to digital trade. we lost ground for the last administration because we turned our back on digital trade rules. including promoting data flows combating force technology transfer and promoting nondiscrimination. a number of jurisdictions including the european union and south korea utilized that opportunity to advance measures

that target u.s. technology companies. with the special requirements or taxes while exempting their domestic companies or even chinese companies. do you agree that ensuring u.s. technological leadership means that we need to confront these types of measures? >> yes it chairman, i strongly believe we need to do that. again this is an area where the united states is very competitive. i understand, we are having a domestic conversation how to regulate digital trade and technology companies et cetera. in my view that is with the conversation should be happening you should not be outsourcing or regulation should the european union or any one else they cannot discriminate against that and it will not be tolerated. >> thank you and i appreciate that perspective. next the law states has one directly to the president and congress. though my colleagues and i may disagree on colleagues

occasionally we are united in defending this jurisdiction. if confirmed to you commit to their timely throat negotiations on trade negotiations and share proposals with this committee in advance of sharing them with foreign governments? >> it chairman crapo, we certainly expect to follow the law to the t with consultations with congress. i agree with you exactly at statute directly to report directed to the present and to you and that includes all of the consultation requirements. including before we approach foreign governments a series offers many to come to you and talk about us we can be on the same page. >> you keep us apprised and consider its input with usd are led investigative and the trade policy memorandum? >> yes. >> and then finally, with regard to reporting on trade barriers,

by law that ustr is required to issue an ant report called the national trade estimate that identifies a foreign affairs of u.s. exports of goods and services. the last administration decided it would not list a barrier if the administration agreed with a foreign governments ideology for enacting the barrier in the first place. if confirmed, this year's national trade estimate may be one of the very first things you review. do you agree ustr reports should, statutorily required identify the full range of discriminatory barriers to u.s. trade regardless of what agenda or what excuse our trading partners may offer? >> i agree that, chairman. >> thank you very much senator wyden. >> thank you, mr. chairman and welcome. let's talk first about the president's campaign pledges to lower prices.

for example two weeks in eggs are nearly $9 at grocery outlet in portland. the president actually admitted, when asked questions about this, this,, pain involved. when i don't just help to figure out the consumers and minimize the businesses are going to have. my view is a smart approach and trade is to dig in and a targeted kind of way. for example make sense taking steps to minimize the pain and cost to american families, make sense to me. that's not the trump approach. the trump approach is to apply universal tariffs across the board tariff. i think that is a prescription small businesses and hitting

raising inflationary pressures. i thought i would start by asking you, can you give us an example and were somehow the country benefited where is the example you cite for this trump approach in american history? >> senator wyden, thank you for that question. is indeed instructed to think about our history with respect to trade policy. and many likely realized until about 1913 united states government was entirely funded, almost entirely funded with tariff revenues including during the latter part of the 19th century when america truly was exploding as a powerhouse. we have a relatively high at taf rate at the same time with our country like the united kingdom

lowering their terror rates and falling out of industrial competitiveness. i would say also you have instances in the past when we have seen what happens in the verse happens. good time permanent access. >> what i'm asking about, as an example for the idea the president has made number one on the trade policy, the universal tariffs. i like the toolbox and prepared to put a tariff in their there there thereare instances where s valuable. i would like to see some lodestar that shows us why we ought to go in the direction the president is going. i have not seen one. >> certainly. we look at the trade policy that you have fair and balanced trade part of that of the universal tariff. the dock by the context of the

trade deficit that's over trillion dollars. what of the trade deficit do we want? represents in large part manufacturing jobs that have gone overseas and other things like that. universal tariff is something that should be studied and considered to see if it can reverse the direction of the deficit and the off shoring. >> hold the record open i asked three times for innovate example of where there's history the president's approach across the board tariff approach rather than a targeted one made sense. as for three times there's no examples. let me give you respect to making more medicine in the united states. this is important to many of us. it's a clear area we can hold down the cost of medicine, create ground choices, have groundbreaking therapies i am concerned again about the tariff approach that i see emerging from the administration that could make it harder to make

more medicine in the united states. something that is clearly a bipartisan goal. we been by partisan legislation that could help mitigate drug shortage. what is the plan to protect patients from the damages that tariffs are going to cause as we try to get the drug supply chains right, create more medicine and the united states, make our country safer and more secure as a result. what is the plan? >> i agree we need to reassure the supply chains or pharmaceuticals we need to do it in a way that's affordable. also simultaneously with robust trade policies tax policy come energy policies we also had a very strong trade policy. that includes tariffs. i don't think you're tariffs are

going to get us there but they're going to set us back for it will help further conversation. think it mr. chairman pickwick think he senator bennett. >> thank you i like to thank the ranking member for raising this issue of 9-dollar eggs is a very, very important one. mr. greer, thank you for being here as well being here. they are a lot better dressed than my family would be if they were here. i won't ask a question opening statement to please do not filibuster the answer to this one. who would be easy to fill the time because in a believe in it. in the very end i am convinced your relatively short window of time to restructure the international trading system to better serve u.s. interests. can you elaborate on that just a little bit? >> i will and try to be succinct.

we are in the position were for the past several decades we have had a default trade policy that was an end into itself. to liberalize the united states, the trade policy in hopes of their partners would do this. as we have discussed that resulted in an off shoring and concentrated losses of some of our industrial communities. also gains for folks and the ag community and exporters in that like the wto to exercise sovereignty over trade laws and limit our ability to do that. think going forward we need to restructure this. need to have a pragmatic trade policy sometime sector by sector. sometimes economy wide often on a bilateral basis. terms of trade between us and the rest the world productively emphasize hours of competitiveness, technology, agriculture, advanced manufacturing that will take advantage of that in a very

particular way as opposed have a default trade policy what's liberalize everything through the chips fall. next on the also we had a good conversation came by the office would be appreciated. you agree we cannot tariff our way to prosperity are there other policies that we need to pursue to drive america's growth to protect our national security we need to approach domestic and international politics and a strategic way. trade is part of that. we have other business to conduct around the world and here also for me this includes supporting america manufacturing. pursuing trade policies of the same time we are doing that we are serving the farmers and the ranchers that you grew up with and that workers throughout our state and reduce our dependence on china which i think is something there is a bipartisan

support for here. i believe we can do that by investing in the western hemisphere which has been ignored by administrations on both sides of the aisle. that is white senator cassidy and i are leading the americas act which i mentioned when we are meeting in my office. this would bring critical supply-chain vector hemisphere countered china's economic coercion of our neighbors were just going aren't to speak today and i and our own hemisphere and create pathways to our own security that produce legal migration i think in the hemisphere. in that context i would ask you, if you are aware of the americans act, thinking about ways in which our region we would extend existing agreements or work with congress to deepen our cooperation and integration with our neighbors. this is something people at home readily understand when they are

asking the question how can a country of three and 30 million people compete with india, 1.4 billion people? compete effectively the most dynamic economy in the world income inequality and a lack of economic mobility work in a strategic way is one of the answers and i wonder if you could give me your views on that? >> certainly put i have reviewed the americas active but one thing of interest in the trade policy put out by the trump administration a couple of weeks ago, and mentioned the need for u.s. gr to review our existing trade agreements to see if they can be improved i think there is room for conversation the types

of issues you are talking about were always going of international trade we wanted to be strong. we wanted to be resilient we wanted smith countries that agree with us and are going to play by the rules. think there's room to talk about how to take this kind of actions and initiatives. >> think it mr. chair. thank you mr. cornyn. >> mr. greer, congratulations on your nomination. and back in-i think it was the clinton administration when china was admitted to the wto, is that your recollection as well? paper was somehow based international order. but the fact of the matter is china cheats, china steals our intellectual property. they do not recognize a rules -based order do you know off the

top of your head what types of tariffs that china imposes on imports into their country? >> i do, senator. so, when it comes to tariff rates their overall applied tariff rate is on average seven half% on ag product is 14% we know this does not capture the full extent of the non- trade barriers and regulatory hurdles they impose on our exports. >> they subsidize a lot of their government owned enterprises correct? >> that's very right makes it difficult for anyone else to compete it result in enormous overcapacity that floods of globalmarkets and our own marke. it's something that's been a huge factor in the deindustrialization of the night ninestates which we need to rev.

>> that we went china with word that we can use, and it also wanted to follow say will have a 0 percent tariff on your they have other kind of barriers so don't want that word to be misconstrued by the chinese or anybody else i think it would you a balance relationship and think they're always willing to have balance relationship with china but there's 20s agencies in this matter and the need to decide how will they want to be with us be back with your response, and reminds me of a conversation we had in my office and thank you for coming by to visit and i talk to you little

bit about something that we are working on making committee centered scott chairman of the making committee and others on the bipartisan basis, or working on an outbound and transparency law because i was going to be ad to the continuing resolution of the national defense authorization act but i'm hopeful that we can keep this up so that is policymakers, and is a government, we understand what sort of financial investments are being made by the united states our friends and allies in china which are then being used by the chinese government because there is this chinese military civilian fusion and anything that's the same area of technology that has to be shared with the military, the chinese communist party. do you think it just makes sense that we should have transparency and investments that may will

fuel the modernization in a way that is a threat in the pacific and beyond. >> and center come i think that having this kind of transparency, hit is very important. in fact again it thank you and i refer back to the trump administration with a trait because it is so comprehensive that he gets such a clear direction of the things that it talks about is looking at current efforts around outbound investments to the foreign countries of concern and so i think considerations of this kind of control or data gathering information with exploring. >> talk to me about the de minimis exception to duty free trade between countries and i know the executive order that president trump assigned is basically said that we need to take a look at that but one of the issues i am concerned about just beyond the trait issue, is

the use of this failure to inspect packages to come in to the united states some of the carrier the contains fenton no more drug precursors area where this is a potential problem. >> yes senator, i am aware of this and again this is something the trump administration signaled they want to look at this and there are issues around the relates to the formal entry something we need to be careful that this is the loophole being used for tariff invasion counterfeit. k will report the nomination. the clerk: executive office of the president, jamieson greer of maryland to be united states trade representative. a senator: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. moreno: i ask unanimous consent that the senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business with senators

permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. moreno: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the consideration of s. res. 92, which was submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. res. 92 designating february 16, 2025, as national elizabeth peratrovich day. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection. the senate will proceed. mr. moreno: i ask unanimous consent 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: is there objection? without objection. mr. moreno: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on tuesday, february 25. 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, morning business be closed, and the senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of executive calendar number 21, daniel driscoll to be secretary of the army. further, that at 11:15 a.m. the senate execute the order of february 24 with respect to the driscoll nomination, and that following disposition of the driscoll nomination the senate resume legislative session and the majority leader be recognized. finally, if a motion to proceed to calendar number 15, s.j. res. 11, is made, that following the vote on that motion the senate recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings, and that if the motion is agreed to all time during recess count equally between proponents and opponents. the presiding officer: without objection. so ordered. mr. moreno: for the information of all senators, senators should expect a vote to proceed to

calendar number 15, s.j. res. 11, senator kennedy's cra at approximately 12:00 noon tomorrow. 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 >> this is about into advanced to president trump's nominees, annual physical going to be the secretary of the army and gyms trade representative and watch live gavel to gavel coverage of the u.s. senate here on "c-span2". >> president trump is scheduled to address joint session of congress,ex month to lay out his priorities and vio for the country during a second term i will have live coverage o the president's speech on tuesday march 4th,tarting at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span alon wh the democrats response and viewer reaction coverage will also stream le

every cspan now even you left website, cspan.org. ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ >> saturdays want to mark in history tv, to make series first 100 days weeks for the early months the presidential administration with historians and authors in cspan archives we learn about accomplishments and how events in presidential terms in the nation to present day saturday the first 100 days of the presidency he became president in november 22nd 1953 come after the assassination of president john kennedy and president lyndon johnson kept kennedy's cabinet in place proceeded to push legislation on taxes and civil rights in early in the storm he also declared a war on poverty in america, let's our american history tv series, first 100 days, saturday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on american history tv on "c-span2".