mr. wainstein. he has served our government in the justice department, at the f.b.i., at virtually every level. i think if my colleague, the senator from kentucky, is concerned about this, we ought to have somebody who is confirmed in this role, and i would acknowledge that there are members who share his concerns about first amendment rights, including one of the members of our committee who has worked through mr. wainstein and was part of the group that unanimously moved -- voted to move his forward. i'm disappointed by the objection, and, unfortunately, both the security of our country and candidly the protection of those first amendment rights is undermined by not having this nominee in place. with that, mr. president, i yield the floor. mr. president, i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: best for this country and that's for the people who serve under you and i want to thank you for that . talking about the area of decommissioning. div

wainstein of virginia to be under secretary for intelligence and analysis. mr. schumer: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the motion. the clerk: cloture motion, we, the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of executive calendar number 792, kenneth l. wainstein of virginia to be under secretary for intelligence and analysis, department of homeland security signed by 17 senators as follows. mr. schumer: i ask consent the reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: i move to have proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. mr. schumer: i move to proceed to executive session to consider 675. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all opposed say no. t