[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LEGISLATIVE SESSION

  THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will now resume legislative 
session.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I 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. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                       Business Before The Senate

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I thank my colleagues from Oklahoma and 
Nebraska for letting us go forward.
  In a few moments, I will file cloture on a measure that will get the 
Senate to approve the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
  This important amendment, which already has been agreed to by 120 
countries, will affirm our Nation's commitment to curb the use of 
dangerous hydrofluorocarbons, HFCs. These hypertoxic chemicals are 
regularly found, unfortunately, in everyday appliances from air 
conditioners to refrigerators.
  In December of 2020, we passed the AIM Act, which took a drastic step 
to limit HFCs and was one of the most significant climate 
accomplishments ever, of course, until we passed the Inflation 
Reduction Act a month ago.
  HFCs need to be dealt with as soon as possible because they are 
thousands--thousands--of times more damaging to our atmosphere than 
carbon dioxide. So this is a very important opportunity for the Senate 
to make official America's intention to phase these dangerous chemicals 
out of use.
  Approving this amendment will require two-thirds of the Senate. 
Reducing our country's use of HFCs has been a bipartisan priority in 
the past, so both parties should work together to accelerate passage of 
this measure.
  Also, I will file on the nomination of Judge Florence Pan to serve as 
a circuit court judge for the D.C. Circuit, one of the most important 
judicial appointments we can make. After the Supreme Court, the D.C. 
Circuit Court of Appeals is the most important Federal court in the 
country with jurisdiction over cases involving Congress and the entire 
executive branch. The judges who preside on the D.C. Circuit must be 
individuals of high character, unassailable qualifications.
  A few months ago, we elevated someone who meets these standards when 
confirming Michelle Childs to the bench, and we intend to do it again 
with Judge Pan's nomination.
  Looking ahead, confirming even more of the President's judicial 
nominees will be a priority for the Senate.

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