[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 180 (Thursday, December 5, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



             Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Mark 
Eskenazi's and Amanda Wood Laihow's nominations to the Occupational 
Safety and Health Review Commission.
  I want to note for my colleagues that the Commission has not had a 
quorum since April of 2023 and, as a result, has been unable to decide 
cases for more than a year. Delays with the Commission's cases create 
significant risks to workers, and that is, in part, because, when an 
employer appeals a citation, they don't have to fix the alleged hazard 
until the Commission issues a final decision.
  Mr. Eskenazi is currently an Assistant General Counsel at the Office 
of the U.S. Trade Representative and previously has held numerous 
positions at the National Labor Relations Board.
  This is Ms. Wood Laihow's second nomination to the Occupational 
Safety and Health Review Commission. She was previously confirmed in 
January of 2020. Prior to her role on this Commission, she has served 
as the director of labor and employment policy for the National 
Association of Manufacturers and as deputy general counsel for the 
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  I support this bipartisan pair of nominees that will allow the 
Commission to have a quorum, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the 
following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 374 and 785; that the 
Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or 
debate; and that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified 
of the Senate's action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Kansas.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Wisconsin.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I am disappointed that my Republican 
colleague has blocked the confirmations of these nominees. These 
nominees have been held up since last year, and it is time to end these 
delays and confirm these nominees.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask that the scheduled vote occur 
immediately.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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