[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 118 (Monday, July 15, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4813-S4814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Senate is getting started on 
another busy week in which we will complete more important business for 
the American people. We will confirm a number of well-qualified 
nominees, as well as a number of treaties that pertain to international 
commerce and keeping our economy strong.
  First, the nominations. Later this afternoon, we will build on 2\1/2\ 
years of confirming talented, capable jurists to our Federal courts and 
vote to advance the nomination of Judge Peter Phipps for the Third 
Circuit Court of Appeals.
  Judge Phipps is a graduate of the University of Dayton and Stanford 
Law School. His impressive professional record includes time in private 
practice, a clerkship on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and 15 
years of decorated service with the Department of Justice.
  At DOJ, while handling sensitive and high-profile cases in the 
Federal Programs Branch, Judge Phipps left a lasting impression on 
colleagues and opposing counsel alike. Litigators who worked both with 
him and against him have written to the Senate to praise his ``piercing 
intellect, deep knowledge of the law . . . and personable relations 
with everyone in the courtroom.''
  A number of his former DOJ colleagues attest that his ``ability to 
master complex issues quickly made him the sort of lawyer other lawyers 
would turn to with questions or for counsel.''
  Listen to this. Leon Panetta, the former Secretary of Defense to 
President Obama, has worked with Judge Phipps in the past and has great 
things to say about his ``legal acumen, dedication, attention to 
detail, and integrity.'' He says: ``I believe that Peter will serve 
with honor and highly recommend his confirmation.'' That is President 
Obama's Secretary of Defense.
  Given all this, it is hardly surprising that when Judge Phipps was 
first nominated to serve as district judge for the Western District of 
Pennsylvania, the Senate confirmed him on a voice vote. This body saw 
what everybody else had seen--an impressively qualified, intellectually 
excellent individual who firmly understands what the job of a judge 
does and does not entail in our constitutional system.
  So I am sorry that this nominee who earned a voice vote to his 
current position will now require a cloture vote this afternoon, but, 
nevertheless, I look forward to voting to advance his nomination today 
and voting to confirm him later in the week. I urge our colleagues to 
join me.
  Following that nomination, the Senate will tend to another of this 
body's unique responsibilities--the ratification of treaties. For the 
better part of the last century, the United States has engaged in 
bilateral tax treaties with foreign trading partners. These measures 
cultivate robust trading relationships and put in place important 
clarifications to ensure that American businesses can avoid double tax 
burdens.
  Today, America is engaged in about 60 such treaties with major allies 
and developing partners alike. Together, they account for literally 
trillions of dollars in foreign investment across our country.
  This week, there are several more awaiting consideration. The Senate 
needs to act on treaties with Spain, the Swiss Federation, Japan, and 
Luxembourg. I have heard from job creators

[[Page S4814]]

in my State of Kentucky about the importance of creating more certainty 
by getting these treaties approved, and I expect my colleagues have 
heard similar things from employers in their States as well. So these 
measures should be taken up and ratified without delay.
  On behalf of American workers and entrepreneurs, I hope each of our 
colleagues will join me in voting yes this week.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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