[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NOMINATIONS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on nominations. Last night, I filed 
cloture on seven nominations that have, to date, been tied up by 
Republican obstructionists.
  These individuals will play a critical role in advancing U.S. 
diplomacy across the globe, from Europe to East Asia to Africa. One 
will be tasked with international narcotics law enforcement; another 
will advise on military affairs.
  These are not controversial nominees. Quite the contrary, they were 
all reported out of committee with overwhelming bipartisan support and 
would normally be confirmed by this Chamber without much fuss.
  Now a few on the other side have decided they are going to hold these 
critical nominations hostage for the sake of scoring political points 
with the far right. It is a sort of a manic dash, who can be the most 
irresponsible to please the far right of people who seem to be 
interested in running for President in 2024.
  They want to drag out what should be an easy process, wasting the 
Chamber's time and energy and hindering the government's ability to 
protect American interests.
  The Republicans who are delaying the confirmation of these nominees 
are deliberately making the American people less safe just so they can 
try to enhance their political fortunes, which, in my judgment, if 
there is any gain, it will be short term and the loss of doing this 
will be much greater to them.
  Everyone here knows what is really going on, but despite Republican 
obstruction this week, we are going to make sure these important 
nominees are confirmed by the Senate. I hope we can come to an 
agreement to ultimately move them quickly through this Chamber, but 
either way, we are going to stay here until these nominees have been 
confirmed.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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