[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 217 (Thursday, December 16, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S9241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Nominations

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, fellow Senators, I rise today to urge an 
affirmative vote on all three of the next appointments that are up.
  The first one is Nicholas Burns to be Ambassador to China; and next 
is Mr. Toloui, who is up for Assistant Secretary of State for Economic 
and Business Affairs; and also Mr. Hussain, who is up for Ambassador 
for International Religious Freedom. The Foreign Relations Committee 
has looked at all three of these very closely.
  Let me spend just a moment with Mr. Burns. I have known Mr. Burns 
since his postings in Europe many, many years ago. If you are looking 
for a bipartisan person to put in the position, this is your guy. When 
I knew him, he was working for an administration, a Republican 
administration.
  He has done an outstanding job, has an outstanding reputation amongst 
the cadre of Ambassadors, and I would urge that we confirm him and have 
him in place in China. This is a tough posting, as we all know, at the 
current time. We have got a lot of issues that exist between us and 
China, and certainly Ambassador Burns is the one to carry our water 
there.
  The other two I can tell you that, without hesitation, both have been 
scrubbed by the committee and been asked the questions that are 
appropriate for both of these positions. We feel very comfortable in 
recommending them to the body.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I know we are about to go to the vote. 
Frankly, with what my distinguished colleague just said, I don't know 
why these aren't all voice votes.
  But I understand Senator Menendez is on his way here and wishes to 
speak. Otherwise, I would move that it be a voice vote. But out of 
respect for him and his committee, I will 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. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.