[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5321-S5322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the 
Senate will move to resume the following nomination, which the clerk 
will report.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of the 
following named officer for appointment as Chief of Naval Operations 
and appointment to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of 
importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601 and 
8033: to be Admiral, Lisa M. Franchetti.


                   recognition of the Majority Leader

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.


                          military nominations

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, for months--for months--over 300 general 
and flag officer nominations have been indefinitely delayed because of 
the holds of the senior Senator from Alabama, and the consequences are 
mounting.
  As war continues in the Middle East, the Senator's holds have 
prevented the swift confirmation of the commander of the Navy's 5th 
Fleet and the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command, both vital 
for our operations in that region of the world. The Senator continues 
his holds even as U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have been attacked two 
dozen times in the last 2 weeks.
  At one point this summer, the Senator's holds meant that for the 
first time ever--ever--all three branches of the military operated 
simultaneously without confirmed leadership. And now the U.S. Marine 
Corps is suddenly without a leader due to illness, but because of the 
Senator's holds, there is no No. 2 in place to step in.
  And it will get much worse for our military if the Senator continues 
his recklessness. The Pentagon says that by the end of this year, up to 
three-quarters--of the generals and admirals in the Defense Department 
will be affected by Senator Tuberville's holds.
  Let me say that again. The Pentagon recently estimated that by the 
end of this year, up to three-quarters of the generals and admirals in 
the Defense Department will be affected by Senator Tuberville's 
reckless, reckless holds.
  Patience is wearing thin on both sides of the aisle over the 
Senator's antics. Last night, a group of our Republican colleagues 
tried to confirm many of our military nominees by consent. For 4 hours, 
late into the evening, our colleagues moved from one nominee to the 
other, and the Senator from Alabama brazenly stood there and objected 
to each one.
  Democrats and Republicans alike have tried to reason with the Senator 
from Alabama, offering him one solution for compromise after the other, 
but every step he has refused to cooperate.
  So 2 days ago, Chairman Reed of the Senate Armed Services Committee 
introduced a resolution that will allow the Senate to quickly confirm 
the

[[Page S5322]]

nominees currently being blocked by the Senator from Alabama. This 
resolution was referred to the Rules Committee, and, when the time 
comes, I will bring it to the floor of the Senate for consideration. If 
we can't solve this problem another way, we will all have to vote to 
move these nominees forward.
  We will work with our Republican colleagues in good faith to move 
this resolution forward because most of us want these holds on our 
military leaders to come to an end quickly. Our military deserves 
better. Our servicemembers deserve better. Their spouses and their kids 
and their entire families deserve better. These holds must not 
continue. We will work to move this resolution, and I hope to see 
bipartisan support so we can finally get these hundreds of nominees 
appointed to their posts.
  In the meantime, the Senate will move forward on three critical 
senior military nominees here on the floor. We will vote to confirm the 
nomination of Lieutenant General Mahoney to be the second in command at 
the U.S. Marine Corps. As I mentioned, Lieutenant General Mahoney's 
confirmation has become a top priority for the Senate after the 
Commandant of the Marines, Gen. Eric Smith, was unexpectedly 
hospitalized after a serious medical emergency. We pray for the 
General's recovery and for his family.
  We will also vote to confirm ADM Lisa Franchetti to be the next Chief 
of Naval Operations. Admiral Franchetti's confirmation will mark a 
significant milestone in our military's history. Once confirmed, 
Admiral Franchetti will be the first woman ever to lead the U.S. Navy.
  I am proud to say she is a Rochester, NY, native, and a graduate of 
Pittsford Mendon High School.
  Admiral Franchetti is an exceptional leader with a distinguished 
career serving our Nation. I am confident she has the experience, the 
skills, and the vision to succeed as the U.S. Navy's top officer.
  Finally, we will vote to confirm the nomination of Gen. David Allvin 
to be Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
  Both parties must work together--work together--to ensure that our 
military is fully staffed and fully equipped to defend the American 
people at any time, but particularly at this time of crisis, and that 
begins by confirming these vital nominations today.