[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Herbert McMaster

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, since coming to office, the President's 
National Security Council has experienced more turmoil than any in 
history at this stage in a Presidency. The President's first National 
Security Advisor and head of the NSC, Michael Flynn, was fired after 
only a month in his position. The Council itself has been reshaped in 
ways that concern all of us. Permanent postings for the Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the National Intelligence 
Agency have been removed and a permanent seat has been installed for 
White House Political Adviser Steve Bannon.
  This organization is a disturbing and profound departure from past 
administrations. On the most sensitive matters of national security, 
the President should be relying on the informed counsel of members of 
the intelligence and military communities, not political advisers who 
made their careers running a White nationalist website.
  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the President's primary 
military adviser and, along with that of the Director of National 
Intelligence, is the only independent, apolitical voice on the NSC. 
President Trump's move to strip them of their seats is baffling and 
potentially endangers our national security. The President has 
installed in their stead one of the most strident, ideological voices 
in his orbit.
  On the most sensitive issues of national security, we have to have 
fact-based decisions. The President has to get the most dispassionate 
and accurate advice. With all due respect, that is not Mr. Bannon's 
forte. His installation on the principals list of the NSC moves it 
further away from what it needs to be and closer toward a shadow 
council of a dangerously ideological West Wing.
  The bottom line is, this decision was poorly thought out and ill-
conceived. It puts a filter on the information going to the President 
and will make us less safe. My concerns are shared by Members on both 
sides of the aisle. I know that from conversations I have had with 
some.
  It has special relevance today because we are about to vote on 
reappointing H.R. McMaster to lieutenant general, who will be the next 
head of the NSC. General McMaster, by all accounts, will have a 
grounding presence in the national security apparatus of the White 
House. I have met him. I have a great deal of respect for both his 
integrity and his abilities, but I remain deeply concerned that General 
McMaster's judgment may not be followed and instead the fevered dreams 
of Mr. Bannon will influence the most sensitive national security 
discussions and decisions. It has been reported he doesn't want to see 
NATO exist or the European Union. Those are political decisions in a 
body charged with giving the President advice on security.
  So this should concern all of us, especially Lieutenant General 
McMaster.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Strange). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.