kristi haskins johnson of mississippi to be united states district judge for the souther district of mississippi. the presiding officer: the senator from vermont. mr. leahy: mr. president, i'm struck by the fact, as i cal people around my state of vermont, which is, like your state, every state, is suffering from covid, althou our -- i will compliment our republican governor, who has kept the numbers dow lower than practically any other state in the country. but we're facing winter, and even today the outgoing prident does not seem to be willing to acknowledge the huge mistake he made in not accepting the fact that we had a covid pandic coming to this country. we lost too much time preparing for it. we're still not adequately prepared for it. we could take some hope in news of new vaccinations. but even those going to take months before that can be fully implemented. the reason i mention this, mr. president, is that the senate time and time and time again is voting on jicial nominees that have been recommended predominatenantly by special interest group -- predinantly by a special in

kristi haskins johnson of mississippi to be united states district judge for the southern district of mississippi. mr thune: madam psident, for the second monday now in a row, we've received tremendous news about the prospects for a covid vaccine. last week pfizer announced that the initial results of its covid vaccine showed a greater than 90% rate of effectiveness. yesterday moderna announced that its vaccine is showing a similarly high effectiveness rate. this success is a tribute to the innovative power of the congrs and the trump administration to expedite the development of covid vaccines. operation warp speed has helped fund development of moderna's sack seen and will help fund distribution of both moderna's and pfizer's products. whileaccine trials and development continue, so does research into new covid treatments. drugmaker eli lilly just received emergency use organization in an antibody drug to treat patient with mild or moderate illness. also filed for an antibody has treatment. there are other trials goi on righ now for covid vaccines and therapeutics. meanwhile, we're

the clerk: nomination, the judiciary, kristi haskins johnson to be united states district judge for the southern district of mississippi. mr. mcconnell: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: cloture motion. we, the 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 kristi haskins johnson of mississippi to be united states district judge for the southern district of mississippi, signed by 17 senators as follows -- mr. mcconnell: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i move to proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all in favor say aye. opposed no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. mr. mcconnell: i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar 891. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all in favor say aye. opposed no. the ayes appear