mr. hallmark for bringing that forward, so thank you very much, mr. hallmark. >> thank you, commissioners. >> president bridges: the board to adopt the minutes from the december 9th board meeting. at this time i entertain a motion. >> so moved. >> thank you. i'm sorry, this is brian. hi, i again -- there is some weird reverberation with this, i didn't hear what you were calling for. >> president bridges: the approval of the minutes for the december 9th retirement board meeting. >> i thought that i heard that there was a motion, i will second that motion. >> president bridges: yes. moved by commissioner heldford and seconded to approve the minutes from the december 9th board meeting. we'll take any comments, questions. if not, we'll take public comment at this time. >> clerk: thank you. if we have any callers, please press star, 3, to be add to the queue. moderator, are there any callers on the line? >> madam secretary, there are no callers on the line. >> clerk: thank you. hearing no calls, public comment is closed. president bridges? >> president brid

mr. hallmark for bringing that forward, so thank you very much, mr. hallmark. >> thank you, commissioners. >> president bridges: the board to adopt the minutes from the december 9th board meeting. at this time i entertain a motion. >> so moved. >> thank you. i'm sorry, this is brian. hi, i again -- there is some weird reverberation with this, i didn't hear what you were calling for. >> president bridges: the approval of the minutes for the december 9th retirement board meeting. >> i thought that i heard that there was a motion, i will second that motion. >> president bridges: yes. moved by commissioner heldford and seconded to approve the minutes from the december 9th board meeting. we'll take any comments, questions. if not, we'll take public comment at this time. >> clerk: thank you. if we have any callers, please press star, 3, to be add to the queue. moderator, are there any callers on the line? >> madam secretary, there are no callers on the line. >> clerk: thank you. hearing no calls, public comment is closed. president bridges? >> president brid

mr. navalny he was arrested after his plane touched down in moscow a few days ago. he had received treatment for poisoning, an attack that bore the hallmarksty services. russia's clampdown on mr. navalny and his supporters were discussed by the european foreign ministers today when they gather. here is the foreign policy chief. >> they consider a completely unacceptable. condemned mass detentions. and the police brutality over the weekend. in russia. for the release of mr. navalny and those detained. ross: but we should say there has been no announcement of new sanctions against moscow athis stage. >> they will be looking at to the west, looking to washington, seeing what the biden administration wants to do in terms of forging a new partnership or a new relationship, a good one or difficult one, with, between america and between russia. so, whether the e.u. is waiting in part to see what messages are sent out from the white house, we shall have to see but certainly the condemnation was very very strong. and we have mp's in brussels that have gone further saying that there needs to be not just sanctions the like of what we saw back in octo

mr navalny himself was arrested shortly after his plane touched down in moscow. he'd been receiving treatment in germany for novichok poisoning, an attack that bears all the hallmarksutality over the weekend, and we call on russia _ over the weekend, and we call on russia for— over the weekend, and we call on russia for their release of mr navalny— russia for their release of mr navalny and those detained. but there's navalny and those detained. emit there's been no announcement of new sanctions against moscow. here's nick beacon brussels.— sanctions against moscow. here's nick beacon brussels. looking to the west and seeing _ nick beacon brussels. looking to the west and seeing what _ nick beacon brussels. looking to the west and seeing what the _ nick beacon brussels. looking to the west and seeing what the biden i west and seeing what the biden administration want to do in terms of forging a new relationship, whether it's a good one or a difficult one between america and between russia. whether the eu is waiting in part to see what messages are sent out from the white house, we shall have to see but certainly, the condemnation was very, very strong. we had meps

mr. cicilline: more than 220 years that george washington yielded to john adams, it has been a hallmark. the will of the american people rains supreme over the ambitions of every individual. every single president has honored these principles until now. donald trump lost his bid for re-election and it was free and fair election. his homeland security director called it the most secure. he has refused to accept the will of the american people. he told his supporters, he didn't lose and the election was stole kwlen from him and them. and as they grew angry, he said there was a way to keep them in power. as the congress were to certify the results of the presidential election, the president made his move. he directed the supporters to travel to washington to rally to stop the steal. he did. once assembled, he said march on the u.s. capitol and do what it takes to hold on to power. we will never give up or concede. if you don't fight like hell, he warned, you aren't going to have a country. the people heard his message loud and clear. as the third ranking republican in this, he summoned the

island mr cicely is recognized for 3 minutes madam speaker for more than 100 years since george washington yielded the presidency to john adams the peaceful transfer of power has been a hallmark of our democracy in this country the will of the american people reign supreme over the ambitions of any individual every single president has honored up held these principles until now don't try to lost his bid for reelection last november it was a free and fair election and that president trans own election security director called it the most secure election in u.s. history but for 2 months now donald trump has refused to accept the will of the american people over and over again he has told his supporters he didn't really lose the election was stolen from him and from them and as they grow anger and anger over this perceived injustice he told him there was still a way to keep him in power so as congress prepared to meet for the sacred ritual of certifying the results of the presidential election the president made his move he directed his supporters to travel to washington for a rally just stop the steel they did he then once assembled he had one final request march on the u.s. ca

mr. austin gave it. when i had a problem he listened and when i asked for guidance on an important mission he provided it. critical hallmarki exceptiol leadership, especially for organizations like the pentagon is not just how one treats superiors but how one treats subordinates. what i saw was respect, wintegrity and as someone who gets things done in a difficult environment. it is clear to me that the core principles of mr. austen's life have been duty, honor, country and that may sound points to some but i think having individuals of impeccable character are at the top of our government is more important than ever. other then integrity there is no singular requirement for the difficult job of secretary of defense. as the former director of the joint staff and centcom commander mr. austin certainly has insights uncritical issues such as interagency budget battles, working with our allies and congressional oversight. mr. austen is fully committed to the constitutional principle of civilian control of our military and something that those who serve in uniform typically understand and revere more than those who don't. in th

mr. cicilline: more than 220 years that george washington yielded to john adams, it has been a hallmark. the will of the american people rains supreme over the ambitions of every individual. every single president has honored these principles until now. donald trump lost his bid for re-election and it was free and fair election. his homeland security director called it the most secure. he has refused to accept the will of the american people. he told his supporters, he didn't lose and the election was stole kwlen from him and them. and as they grew angry, he said there was a way to keep them in power. as the congress were to certify the results of the presidential election, the president made his move. he directed the supporters to travel to washington to rally to stop the steal. he did. once assembled, he said march on the u.s. capitol and do what it takes to hold on to power. we will never give up or concede. if you don't fight like hell, he warned, you aren't going to have a country. the people heard his message loud and clear. as the third ranking republican in this, he summoned the

mr. chairman and ranking member moran and distinguish members of this committee , thank you for the good work you do the bipartisan work that you do that is the hallmark of this committee and i'm proud to introduce my friend and fellow minnesotan t dennis mcdonough as the nominee for secretary of veteran affairs. he is joined by his wife and two of his three kids. he grew up in stillwater minnesota on the wisconsininhe border as opposed to other great border of south dakota and the grandson of irish immigrants the son of devout catholic parents and others to ten siblings he attended st. johnt. college and in addition to graduating summa cum laude he played the safety on the championship football team i have been privileged to call dennis a friend for years i know he will serve our country so well mr. secretary as he has done his life he will honor the promises our country has made to our veterans and families his commitment to our nation's veterans was clear during his time as president obama's chief of staff when he made sure every decision impacting servicemembers and veterans and their families was befitting of their sacrifices showing respect and

mr. cicilline: more than 220 years that george washington yielded to john adams, it has been a hallmark.he will of the american people rains supreme over the ambitions of every individual. every single president has honored these principles until now. donald trump lost his bid for re-election and it was free and fair election. his homeland security director called it the most secure. he has refused to accept the will of the american people. he told his supporters, he didn't lose and the election was stole kwlen from him and them. and as they grew angry, he said there was a way to keep them in power. as the congress were to certify the results of the presidential election, the president made his move. he directed the supporters to travel to washington to rally to stop the steal. he did. once assembled, he said march on the u.s. capitol and do what it takes to hold on to power. we will never give up or concede. if you don't fight like hell, he warned, you aren't going to have a country. the people heard his message loud and clear. as the third ranking republican in this, he summoned the mo

mr. cicilline is recognized. grants for more than 220 years, the peaceful transfer of power has been a hallmark of our democracy. the will of the american people rains supreme over the ambitions of every individual. every single president has honored these principles until now. donald trump lost his bid for re-election and it was free and fair election. his homeland security director : the most secure in history. donald trump has refused to accept the will of the american people. over and older -- over and over he has told his supporters he didn't really lose. as they grew angrier and angrier, he told him there was still a way to keep him in power. as congress met for the sacred ritual of certifying the election, the president made his move. he directed his supporters to travel to washington to rally to stop the steal. they did. he said, march on the, do what it takes. we will never give up or concede. if you don't fight like hell, he warned, you aren't going to have a country anymore. the people heard his message loud and clear. as the third ranking republican in this chamber reported, he summoned the mob, and

mr. biden saying those things. and i am looking forward to, despite the heavy military presence, the ultimately peaceful transfer of power. i think that is a hallmarkhat can really go toward rehabilitating our image in the world after these last four years. host: sean, have you ever attended inauguration? -- an inauguration? caller: i have not. i think it would be an excellent lifetime event to have seen, with your own eyes to witness, but i look forward to it. my wife and i were big bernie sanders supporters, so before, we were making plans to be there. that was back before the pandemic. had bernie been elected. but we were also excited to see mr. biden be elected and ms. harris be elected and we would have made plans to attend their inauguration had not the pandemic had such a poor affect on our area -- for effect on our area -- poor effect on our area here in texas. host: ajay louisiana. good morning. caller: good morning. host: what is on your mind? caller: i am 17, so i have not had a lot of them yet, but this is one of the greatest days of my life. it has taken three days for him to get to the oval office. i think the unity this administratio

hallmark of america's greatness. after this past presidential election, approximately 60 million americans have serious doubts about the outcome. that is a number that we cannot ignore. the speaker: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. van drew: pardon me? the speaker: the gentleman's time has expired. that the gentleman -- and therefore your time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from pennsylvania seek recognition? >> i rise in opposition to the objection. the speaker: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes, without objection. >> thank you. i started this day disheartened that our colleagues were going to drag us through this cynical political charade. ms. scanlon: of objecting to duly certified electoral college votes. but i was ready and eager to defend pennsylvania's elections and the will of pennsylvania's voters. never did i expect to be answering calls from family and friends concerned for my safety, or to have to barricade myself in an office. but most important of all, never did i expect to see our capitol overrun by armed insurrectionists intent on disrupting our government at the urging of the president. what happened here today has made me heartsick for our country. but it only strengthens

it is the hallmark of his leadership throughout the year as we have served together. i anticipate his arrival, but -- the presiding officer: duly noted. mred: in order to expedite the vote, let me proceed. mr. president, i rise to express my support for the confirmation of lloyd austin to be the secretary of the senate of the united states. general austin is an exceptionally qualified leader with a long and distinguished career in the united states military. he has served at the highest echelons of the army, capped his service as the commander of u.s. central command. his character and integrity are unquestioned. he possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively lead the pentagon. the united states faces many complex security threats. if confirmed as the secretary of defense, general austin will lead the department during a time when u.s. strategic priorities have shifted the focus increasingly on nuclear competition with china and russia. the department must also transform how it operates with an increased focus on critical technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. while also emph

mr. austin gave it. when i had a problem, he listened. and when i asked for help on an important mission, he provided it. a critical hallmark of exceptional leadership, especially for organizations like the pentagon, is not just how one treats subordinates -- let me back that up. not just how one treats superiors, but how one treats subordinates, those down the chain of command. and what i saw was respect and integrity and someone who knows how to get things done in a difficult environment. it is clear to me that core principles of mr. austin's life have been duty, honor, country west point has done its job. that may sound quaint to some, but i think having individuals of impeccable character at the top of our government is more important than ever. other than integrity, there's no singular requirement for the difficult job of secretary of defense. but as the former director of the joint staff and as the former centcom commander, mr. austin certainly has insights on critical issues such as interagency budget battles, working with allies and budget oversight. mr. austin is fully committed to the constitutional principle of c

mr. cornyn: madam president, last week, the country and the world watched as our nation carried out one of its most sacred traditions, the peaceful transfer of power. which is the hallmark of american democracy that has defined our country since its earliest days. between the pandemic and heightened security concerns, this inauguration looked far different than those of former presidents, but the will of the people was carried out just as it has been following every presidential election throughout our nation's history. president biden in his inaugural address stressed the importance of unifying our country. i agree and i hope the president and our democratic colleagues in congress lead by example. our first order of business has been to fill critical positions throughout the federal government, and the senate's already confirmed both the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense, both of whom i supported. this afternoon, we'll vote on the confirmation of janet yellen to be treasury secretary, who i intend to vote for as well. and there is a slate of other important positions that we need to be filled in the coming days and weeks. i should note that