and what those organizations have said again and again about radhika fox is that she's an exceptional leader who will work day and night to come up with practical solutions for our country's serious water challenges. moreover, ms. fox will make sure that everyone's point of view is heard and taking into account when e.p.a. acts to protect our country's precious water resources. and how do we know these groups say all of these wonderful things about radhika fox? because they have written to us urging the senate to act swiftly to confirm her again and again and again. in fact, over 80 prominent organizations that are key stakeholders, madam president, in the nation's water policies have written letters in support of her nomination to this important post. and when i say that over 80 organizations have written, i don't mean that 80-plus organizations have signed on to a common letter, one letter of support. no, no, no. i mean that over 80 organizations have taken time to write their unique, thoughtful letters of support. in fact, the senate committee on environment and public works, which

the clerk: nomination, environmental protection agency, radhika fox of california to be an assistant administrator. mr. schumer: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. schumer: are we in a quorum? the presiding officer: no. mr. schumer: okay. so, mr. president, senators are moving forward this week on two major legislative initiatives, infrastructure and voting rights. bipartisan infrastructure talks continue in our senate committees and among our members. remember, discussions about infrastructure both physical and human are proceeding along two tracks. the first track is bipartisan and i understand there's been some progress. the second track pulls in elements of president biden's american jobs and families plan and will be considered by the senate even if it does not have bipartisan support. today we're going to start moving the trains down the second track. i will convene a meeting with all the members of the majority party on the senate budget committee to begin the important work of producing a budget resolution for the senate to consider. this is someth

radhika fox of california to be an assistant administrator. mr. schumer: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. 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 148, hadhika fox of california to be an assistant administrator of the environmental protection agency 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 proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question on the motion. all those in favor, say aye. those 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 calendar number 173. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor, say aye. those opposed, say no. the ayes app