[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 210 (Monday, December 6, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S8920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Business Before the Senate

  Madam President, on other Senate priorities, as we continue working 
on Build Back Better, Democrats will simultaneously address other year-
end priorities as well. First, we will continue working, as necessary, 
to process President Biden's nominations both to the Federal bench and 
to serve in key posts within his administration.
  On that front, today, we will begin consideration of a terrific 
nominee, Jessica Rosenworcel, tapped by President Biden to serve as 
Chair of the FCC.
  Ms. Rosenworcel has nearly a decade of experience already as an FCC 
Commissioner and will soon be the first-ever woman confirmed to serve 
as Chair, breaking another glass ceiling in our government. She has 
been a fierce advocate for closing the digital divide, for protecting 
net neutrality, and, when confirmed, Ms. Rosenworcel will oversee 
critical Federal programs that help low-income Americans secure 
internet access.
  There are other nominees to come this week. Regrettably, if our 
Republican colleagues continue their holds on various individuals, 
Senators should prepare for the possibility of late nights and votes on 
the weekend. The President deserves to have his team, and we will spend 
whatever time we need to ensure his nominees are confirmed.
  Finally, Democrats will also continue addressing other issues before 
the end of this year. We will keep working on finding a path forward on 
voting rights legislation, and there are many intense discussions going 
on in that area. We will also work to address the debt limit and 
preserve the full faith and credit of the United States. I want to 
thank Leader McConnell for his cooperation in that regard.
  And, this week, we also anticipate that we will be able to reach a 
final conference agreement on the NDAA. Congress has passed the annual 
Defense bill without fail for, roughly, 60 years, largely on a 
bipartisan basis. I expect this year will be no different.
  So there is a lot of work to do. It will likely take weekends and 
late nights to get it done, but we will continue forging ahead on 
behalf of the American people.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.