[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 25, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2686-S2687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



             Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar

  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, the Department of Veterans Affairs needs 
a steady hand to guide the Veterans Health Administration, this 
Nation's largest integrated healthcare system that delivers quality 
care and timely care to our veterans, if they have a leader.
  I rise today because Dr. Shereef Elnahal is that person. He has an 
impressive record of leading healthcare systems and health agencies.
  Most recently Dr. Elnahal served as president and CEO of University 
Hospital in Newark, NJ, and previously as New Jersey's 21st health 
commissioner. But, more importantly, he is committed to caring for the 
more than 9 million veterans in VA care, a commitment he has carried 
out as assistant deputy undersecretary for health and quality, safety, 
and value at the department. It is no secret that VHA and healthcare 
systems of providers nationally are going through a challenging time.
  VA is continuing to battle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 
veterans' cases, hospitalizations and death on the rise again. And VA 
staff are dealing with burnout and increasing turnover in our VA 
system.
  So I am going to tell you, if the people of this body want to help--
want to help veterans, holding this nominee is not the way to help 
veterans. And I will tell you what, they are actually doing a 
disservice to veterans and their families by playing political games 
and preventing permanent healthcare leadership at the VA, which is so 
critically important.
  In the past, this body has been able to rise above politics to 
install qualified individuals at the VA, responsible for getting vets 
the healthcare and the benefits that they not only need but they have 
earned. And today, we must do that again.
  We must act without delay to confirm Dr. Elnahal as VA's next 
undersecretary for health.
  So with that, I would ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule 
22, the Senate consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 902, 
Shereef M. Elnahal, to be undersecretary for health of the Department 
of Veterans' Affairs; that the Senate vote on the nomination without 
intervening action or debate, the motion to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table, that any statements related to the 
nomination be printed in the record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The junior Senator from Florida.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Reserving the right to object.
  Throughout his presidency, Joe Biden and his administration have 
shown an inability to place qualified and competent people in many 
positions of power across the Federal Government. We have had crisis 
after crisis due to the failed leadership of President Biden and his 
appointees.
  Americans have been left with no faith in President Biden's ability 
to lead or appoint qualified individuals to serve in these important 
roles. And this nominee, who will be in charge of critical healthcare 
programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, is no different.
  I cannot and will not consent to allow this nominee to move forward 
in an expedited manner.
  We should take a vote so every Senator can get on the record with 
their support or opposition to this nominee.
  Therefore, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The senior Senator from Montana.
  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, this individual--through the Chair--has 
been President and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, NJ. He has 
been New Jersey's 21st health commissioner. Why do you think--Senator 
from Florida, through the Chair, why do you think that makes him 
unqualified? Would the Senator from Florida like to respond?
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I don't think we should do this in an ex parte 
manner.
  Mr. TESTER. What is that? I couldn't hear you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The junior Senator from Florida.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I don't think we should do this in an ex parte 
manner. I think everybody should be on the record.
  Mr. TESTER. So we had a hearing on Mr. Elnahal. If my memory serves 
me correct, he went out by voice, because he was so very, very good.
  I would really appreciate it if the Senator from Florida would at 
least stay here rather than turn his back on the veterans of America 
and walk out the door, turning his back on the American veterans, the 
people who have served this country, the people who have fought. We are 
coming up to Memorial Day. I hope that the Senator from Florida doesn't 
walk into Memorial Day services and talk about what a

[[Page S2687]]

great friend he is of our veterans because he is not.
  All I am asking for is to give the VA the tools they need to be able 
to provide our veterans with the healthcare they have earned.
  This isn't the first time I have been on the floor for a unanimous 
consent request with the Senator from Florida. But this is an excuse 
that doesn't hold water. I didn't see the Senator from Florida at the 
committee hearing. Even though he is not a member of the VA Committee, 
if he was so concerned about this person, why wasn't he at the 
committee hearing to hear the responses that Dr. Elnahal gave?
  I am going to tell you what this is. With all due respect to the 
Senator from Florida, this is obstruction at the worst because this 
obstruction stops our veterans from getting the healthcare they need.
  You want to talk about why the American people think the U.S. Senate 
is dysfunctional? The Senator from Florida could look in the mirror.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Warnock). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.