[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 129 (Tuesday, August 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Unanimous Consent Agreement--S. 3373
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I have some good news. The minority
leader and I have come to an agreement to vote on the PACT Act this
evening. There will be 3 amendment votes, a 60-vote margin on the
Toomey amendment, on the Paul amendment, and on the Blackburn
amendment, and then 60 votes for the bill. I am very optimistic that
this bill will pass, so our veterans across America can breathe a sigh
of relief.
The treatments that they deserve and have needed but have been denied
by the VA because of all kinds of legal barriers and presumptions will
now be gone. Veterans who were exposed to the toxic fumes of burn pits
will be treated by the VA like they should have been from the very
beginning.
So this is good news. It took us a while to get here, but I am
grateful for the bipartisan cooperation and support that will allow us
to move forward today.
And a little bit more good news: The fact that we can finish PACT
today gives us a real opportunity to do the treaties that will allow
Finland and Sweden to join NATO. And that can happen tomorrow if we can
come to a time agreement. I am very hopeful that that can happen as
well.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 4 p.m. today the
Senate proceed to legislative session and resume consideration of the
House message to accompany S. 3373, with the time until 5 p.m. equally
divided; further, that it be in order to consider and vote in relation
to a Paul motion to concur with amendment No. 5184, a Toomey motion to
concur with amendment No. 5186, and a Blackburn motion to concur with
amendment No. 5185; that at 5 p.m., the Senate vote in relation to the
motions in the order listed; that following disposition of the motions
to concur with amendments numbered 5184, 5186, and 5185, the motion to
refer and the amendments pending thereto and the motion to concur with
amendment No. 5148 and the amendment pending thereto be withdrawn and
the Senate vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.
3373; that the Paul, Toomey, and Blackburn motions and the motion to
concur be subject to a 60-vote affirmative threshold, with 2 minutes
for debate, equally divided, prior to each vote; and that all votes
after the first vote be 10-minute votes; all without intervening action
or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.