[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Business Before the Senate

  Mr. President, Senate business: approps and on nominations. On a 
separate matter, we Senate Democrats will continue to work with our 
Republican and House counterparts on the vital task of passing an 
omnibus package to fund the Federal Government, avoid a shutdown, and 
ensure government effectively serves the American people.
  This morning, I will meet with Democratic appropriators to discuss 
the state of negotiations as we work toward the omnibus. I will be 
meeting with Speaker Pelosi in that meeting, as well. Later today, the 
four-corners appropriators--Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Shelby, 
Chairwoman DeLauro, and Ranking Member Granger--will also meet to 
continue their talks. We need to have an omnibus to fund the 
government. That is the goal we are working toward, and I want to thank 
my colleagues for their diligence and their leadership.
  Separately, of course, today the Senate will continue confirming the 
President's highly qualified nominees. Because of a growing backlog of 
noncontroversial nominees, which a small handful of Republicans 
continue to obstruct, I filed cloture 2 weeks ago to move forward on 20 
individuals. Today, we will have votes on three of these nominees. We 
are prepared to work late into the evenings this week to get these 
nominees confirmed without further delay.
  Confirming these nominees is a top priority for the Senate this week. 
They will serve on our Federal judiciary, advance America's diplomatic 
and economic interests, and work to strengthen our national security. 
The vast majority of these men and women were reported out of committee 
with strong bipartisan support and normally would pass through this 
Chamber with consent, without a lengthy process. Instead, because of a 
handle of obstructionist Republicans, the Senate will take the 
necessary votes to confirm these nominees.
  Every President deserves to staff their team with the individuals 
that the President sees fit, and we in the Senate will keep working to 
make sure President Biden has his nominees confirmed so they can carry 
out their mission serving the American people.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill 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.