[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 51 (Thursday, March 18, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1639-S1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar No. 28 and 
Calendar No. 36; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc 
without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in 
the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the 
Senate's action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the nominations en bloc.

[[Page S1640]]

  The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nominations of 
William Joseph Burns, of Maryland, to be Director of the Central 
Intelligence Agency; and Brian P. McKeon, of the District of Columbia, 
to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
nominations en bloc.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam President, I rise in opposition to the 
nomination of William Burns to be Director of the Central Intelligence 
Agency.
  Communist China is the biggest threat our Nation faces. General 
Secretary Xi will stop at nothing in his quest for world domination and 
has made clear that he seeks to push the United States out of the Indo-
Pacific and weaken and intimidate his neighbors, including our allies. 
Communist China continues to threaten to take Taiwan by force.
  Communist China is committing a genocide against the Uoghurs and 
stripping Hong kongers of their basic rights. China sees the United 
States as its global adversary and is taking the steps necessary to 
``win'' the great power conflict of the 21st century. China is taking 
every opportunity it can around the world to gain influence and exert 
control.
  I am concerned that some past statements and actions by Ambassador 
Burns indicate an inaccurate view of Communist China and the danger it 
poses to our Nation and to Americans. Any U.S. official who thinks that 
China can play a positive role in the world, particularly among 
developing states or as a contributor to peace and stability, is 
mistaken. Ambassador Burns has not shown that he understands the threat 
that Communist China represents.
  I am also troubled that Ambassador Burns' view of Castro's Communist 
regime in Cuba is equally flawed. I cannot support anyone who backed 
the failed Obama-Biden appeasement policies, which did nothing to help 
the Cuban people and allowed Havana to extend its reach and expand its 
control, giving power to other ruthless dictatorships in Latin America.
  My opposition to Ambassador Burns' nomination is grounded in our 
fundamentally different views. Ambassador Burns has not demonstrated 
that he understands the threats we face around the world and the causes 
of those threats. We need leaders who will be strong and stand up for 
American interests in the face of dangerous regimes like Cuba and 
China, regimes that are committed to harm the United States and our 
allies.
  For all these reasons, Mr. President, I oppose Ambassador Burns' 
nomination and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and 
consent to the Burns and McKeon nominations en bloc?
  The nominations were confirmed en bloc.

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