[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 197 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S7809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the 
Senate will resume consideration of the Nielsen nomination, which the 
clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen, of 
Virginia, to be Secretary of Homeland Security.


                   recognition of the majority leader

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, today the Senate will continue to 
fulfill its important responsibility to confirm critical nominees for 
President Trump's administration. We will do that by voting to advance 
the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen, the President's choice to serve as 
Secretary of Homeland Security.
  As my colleagues know, this is an incredibly important position 
within our government. With responsibilities ranging from 
cybersecurity, to protecting our borders, to the continued recovery 
efforts of the recent natural disasters, the Department of Homeland 
Security requires strong leadership to get the job done. Ms. Nielsen is 
a qualified candidate with the talent and experience to succeed. As 
Chief of Staff to the previous DHS Secretary, Gen. John Kelly, she 
understands the daily operations of the Department and shares our goals 
for its future.
  In addition, her previous tenure with the Department makes her an 
ideal candidate to be ready to lead the agency on day one.
  Ms. Nielsen is an experienced professional who will help lead the 
Department as it faces constantly evolving threats. I look forward to 
advancing her nomination later today, and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting Ms. Nielsen for this critical national security post.