[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S2853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



      Unanimous Consent Request--Authority for Committees to Meet

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have 13 requests for committees to 
meet during today's session of the Senate. They include the Armed 
Services Committee briefing on capabilities to counter Russian 
influence in cyberspace, a Banking Committee hearing on North Korea, 
and a Homeland Security Committee hearing on cyber threats facing 
America. These committees and all the other committees are doing 
important work; therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the 13 
committees be allowed to meet.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. DURBIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The assistant Democratic leader.
  Mr. DURBIN. Reserving the right to object, because of the decision 
last night of the President of the United States to terminate the 
Director of the FBI and the questions that has raised, we gathered 
together--the Democratic Senators--on the floor and listened as our 
leader at least suggested a path for us to follow as an institution 
facing this constitutional question. We believe it is timely, and as a 
result of that, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Washington.