gelpi, to be united states district judge for the first circuit signed by 17 senators as follows.r. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the reading the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls for the -- for the mandatory quorum calls be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: the help committee, i move to discharge the help committee from the further consideration of katherine elizabeth lamond. the presiding officer: under the provisions of s. res. 27, there will now be up to four hours of debate on the motion equally divided between the two leaders or their designees with no motions, points of order or amendments in order. mr. schumer: i ask for the yeas and nays. the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the yeas and nays are ordered. mr. schumer: mr. president. i ask that the time during the quorum call be equally divided. the presiding officer: without objection, mr. leader. mr. schumer: i suggest the absence of a quorum. the presidin

having served for 20 years, judge gelpi is eminently qualified. he's already presided over 3,400 cases, 62 jury trials, issued almost 900 written opinions. madam president, he's a real judge. he's well versed in both complex civil and criminal matters and rated unanimously well-qualified by the american bar association. judge gelpi's nomination is yet another example of the biden administration and senate democrats working to advance judicial nominees who bring professional and democratic diversity to the federal bench. the fact that judge gelpi has been nominated by both republican and democratic presidents is almost historic and is certainly a testament to the evenhandedness and fidelity to the rule of law. leaders on both sides of the aisle trust he will rule impartially and without regard for partisanship. once he is confirmed as the second judge of hispanic origin to serve on the circuit, he will help build a federal bench that reflects the diversity of america. i urge my colleagues to support my in judge gelpi's nomination. i yield the floor

senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of calendar number 259, gustavo gelpi, of puerto rico, to be united states circuit judge for the first circuit. the presiding officer: is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of calendar number 259 shall be brought too a close. the yeas and nays are mandatory -- under the rule. follow -- the clerk will call the roll. vote: vote: the presiding officer: have all senators voted? does any senator wish to change his or her vote? if not, the yeas are 54, the nays are 39, and the motion is agreed to. cloture having been invoked, the senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the gelpi nomination. mr. schumer: now, madam president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. schumer: now, madam president, while most of the attention in this chamber falls on the elected members, today i want to recognize one of the many people who works behind the scenes who quite literally makes the senate come to life and someone we wish a fond, thankful, and happy farewell. megan mercer, there yo