[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NOMINATION OF MARK T. ESPER

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, the United States of America has the 
mightiest military in the world to protect our freedoms and to 
guarantee peace around the world. That is why it is so important to 
keep check on the Pentagon's financial ledgers. Taxpayers expect their 
money to be spent wisely, and it is our job in Congress to make sure 
that money is spent wisely.
  I am glad Secretary Esper has said he will work with whistleblowers 
to stop wasteful spending and to prevent more spare parts rip-offs. 
These are things that have been of interest to me over the last several 
decades with the defense budget. I met with Secretary Esper, and I 
believe he has his heart in the right place to help us accomplish these 
goals.
  He has also indicated he will prioritize getting a clean audit of our 
military services and an opinion that can be certified because the 2010 
law that all the audits ought to be certified was not met by 2017, and 
they are still not done. How can you follow the money if it can't be 
audited?
  Our men and women in uniform deserve no less than to make sure every 
dollar in the Defense Department is spent wisely.
  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. McCONNELL. Madam 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order for the quorum call be rescinded.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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