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NewsTranscript
00:00Good morning. This business meeting will come to order. We are reconvening the business meeting from July
00:0724th
00:082024. Today the committee will consider additional legislative measures, nominations,
00:13postal naming bills. There are some bills on our initial agenda that we won't get to today,
00:20including Ranking Member Paul's bill to increase oversight of risky research.
00:26I want the committee members to know that I am fully committed to finding a path forward
00:32on this very important bill. My team looks forward to working on this
00:37with Senator Paul's staff through August,
00:41but it is something that I believe we need to take action on and we will hopefully
00:47with our work
00:49make it a priority to put it on our September markup, so please stay tuned.
00:55We will also continue to work on some other bills that we won't consider today
00:59and we will look forward to considering them at a future date, probably that September markup.
01:05As I said last week, this committee scaled back our initial agenda since we have been focused on our bipartisan
01:12investigation into the assassination attempt of former President Trump. In the 18 days since this shocking
01:19attack, this committee has taken action to get answers about the inexcusable failures of that day. In the past week
01:27we have brought in officials from the Secret Service and FBI to answer members' questions in a briefing, as well as a public hearing that
01:34we had yesterday. A bipartisan team of committee investigators has also interviewed local law enforcement officers on the ground in Butler,
01:42Pennsylvania, and we will be interviewing Secret Service personnel and agents involved in securing the rally.
01:48And as you recall from our hearing yesterday, the director agreed to do that in a matter of days, not weeks,
01:53so we'll have those interviews shortly.
01:56We are also obtaining and reviewing planning documents and communications from federal, state, and local agencies.
02:04Please know that we will continue to work tirelessly to get answers and provide transparency to the American people.
02:11But now we turn to several important bills and nominations, and I thank everyone for your engagement and for being here today.
02:17To advance the committee's wide-ranging work. I note the presence of a quorum. Ranking Member Paul,
02:24do you have any opening remarks?
02:27Today we will address nine nominations,
02:3119 pieces of legislation, and
02:3418 post offices. I think the time would be better spent continuing our investigation of the assassination attempt.
02:41I think it was a good beginning this week, but we already have
02:45members of local law enforcement that are willing to give transcribed interviews.
02:49We have now members of the Secret Service that are willing to give
02:53interviews as well, and I think we need to devote and focus our priority to that.
02:58With regard to
03:02legislation and determining, you know, where we're going to go and what we should do here, you know,
03:06I'm sure the legislation is well intended, but they're very, very narrowly focused,
03:11you know, bills that cover very, very small snippets of what we are,
03:17you know, dealing with with this enormous government, but
03:22we had a pandemic that killed 15 million people around the world and killed a million people in the United States.
03:29The scientific community is divided, but increasingly leaning towards the belief that this virus originated in a lab.
03:37We've done nothing.
03:39You know, we've had a couple of hearings. Finally, after years and years, we finally had a couple hearing. We have a bill,
03:46but the bill really has to have teeth, and in the discussion so far, we're having trouble
03:51finding, you know, sort of common ground because it needs to be an independent
03:57agency. It will be appointed by a president.
03:59That's the only way you can set these things up, but it has to have the power to look into all
04:04gain-of-function research, even classified gain-of-function research, because
04:08taking Ebola, which has a 50% mortality and aerosolized, is bad whether it's classified or not classified.
04:15It risks endangering the world.
04:18We're talking about something that
04:20literally could kill
04:22hundreds of millions of people if we get a worse virus that leaks the next time,
04:26so I think it really needs to be our priority,
04:28and we need to really work through and see if we can get to something that will work,
04:33and I still hope that there's a possibility for that, but it actually has to be people that are outside the
04:41conflict of interest zone. Right now, we have,
04:44you know, Anthony Fauci was in charge for 40-some-odd years,
04:47but he was a strong believer that there really shouldn't be limits on gain-of-function.
04:51He gave waivers to everything, but also the people that were making the decisions were also receiving the NIH funds,
04:57so you had people that he was convincing to say,
05:00oh, no problem here, nothing to see here, it came from animals, and then they're getting nine million dollar grants.
05:05Those people can't be part of the decision-making process.
05:08It needs to be taken away, and it needs to be a body up above that, and a body concerned with
05:14biosecurity as well, the national security threat to these kind of viruses, so I hope that we'll
05:20think long and hard about spending more time on the assassination and more time on
05:25trying to prevent a lab leak-induced pandemic in the future.
05:30Very good. As I mentioned, I'm committed to working. You're absolutely right.
05:33It's an issue that is of utmost importance, both of them, and we'll be working on both.
05:38We will now proceed to the consideration of the post office naming bills.
05:41I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider on block the 18 post office naming bills as itemized on the agenda.
05:49Seeing no objections, so ordered.
05:52If there's no further debate or amendment, the questions on the motion to report 18 post office naming bills as itemized on the agenda,
05:58the clerk will call the roll. Senator Carper? Aye.
06:01Senator Hassen? Aye.
06:03Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy. Senator Rosen? Aye.
06:06Senator Ossoff? Aye.
06:08Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
06:10Senator Butler? Aye.
06:12Senator Paul? Aye.
06:14Senator Johnson? Aye, by proxy.
06:16Senator Lankford? Aye.
06:18Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.
06:20Senator Scott? Aye.
06:22Senator Hawley? Aye, by proxy.
06:25Senator Marshall? Aye, by proxy.
06:27Senator Peters? Aye.
06:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 10, the nays are 0.
06:36On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 5, the nays are 0.
06:39On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are 0, and the motion is agreed to.
06:42Motion is agreed to. The committee will now proceed for the consideration of Sherry B.T. Arthur
06:48to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
06:52The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.
06:55Senator Carper? Aye.
06:57Senator Hassen? Aye.
06:59Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.
07:01Senator Rosen? Aye.
07:03Senator Ossoff? Aye.
07:05Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
07:07Senator Butler? Aye.
07:08Senator Paul? No.
07:10Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
07:12Senator Lankford? No.
07:14Senator Romney? No, by proxy.
07:17Senator Scott? No.
07:18Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
07:20Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
07:23Senator Peters? Aye.
07:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7 and the nays are 3.
07:34On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 1, the nays are 4.
07:37On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3, and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
07:41The nomination to report is agreed to.
07:44The committee will now proceed to consideration of Raquel Boucher to be the Associate Judge
07:48in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
07:50The questions on favorably reporting the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.
07:54Senator Carper? Aye.
07:55Senator Hassen? Aye.
07:57Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.
08:00Senator Rosen? Aye.
08:02Senator Ossoff? Aye.
08:03Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
08:05Senator Butler? Aye.
08:07Senator Paul? No.
08:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
08:11Senator Lankford? Yes.
08:12Senator Romney? Yes, by proxy.
08:15Senator Scott? No.
08:18Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
08:20Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
08:22Senator Peters? Aye.
08:29Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3.
08:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 2, the nays are 3.
08:36On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3, and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
08:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,
08:43and we will now proceed the consideration of Aaron Johnston
08:46to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
08:49Questions on whether it's favorable to report the nomination,
08:51the clerk will call the roll.
08:53Senator Carper? Aye.
08:55Senator Hassen? Aye.
08:56Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.
09:01Senator Rosen? Aye.
09:02Senator Ossoff? Aye.
09:04Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
09:06Senator Butler? Aye.
09:07Senator Paul? No.
09:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
09:12Senator Lankford? Aye.
09:14Senator Romney? No, by proxy.
09:16Senator Scott? No.
09:19Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
09:21Senator Marshall? No.
09:24Senator Peters? Aye.
09:29Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7, the nays are 4.
09:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 1, the nays are 3.
09:35On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 4,
09:37and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
09:39Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,
09:41and the committee will now proceed to consideration of Ray McKenzie
09:44to be the associate judge on the Superior Court District of Columbia.
09:48The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,
09:50the clerk will call the roll.
09:51Senator Carper? Aye.
09:53Senator Hassen? Aye.
09:54Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.
09:57Senator Rosen? Aye.
09:58Senator Ossoff? Aye.
10:00Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
10:02Senator Butler? Aye.
10:04Senator Paul? No.
10:06Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
10:08Senator Lankford? No.
10:10Senator Romney? No, by proxy.
10:13Senator Scott? No.
10:15Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
10:17Senator Marshall? Yes.
10:20Senator Peters? Aye.
10:22Senator Sinema? Aye.
10:33Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yays are 8, the nays are 4.
10:36On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
10:37only the yays are 0, the nays are 3.
10:39In this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 4.
10:41And the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
10:43Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,
10:45and now the committee will proceed to consideration of John Truong
10:48to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
10:51The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,
10:54the clerk will call the roll.
10:55Senator Carper? Aye.
10:56Senator Hassen? Aye.
10:58Senator Sinema? Aye.
10:59Senator Rosen? Aye.
11:01Senator Ossoff? Aye.
11:02Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
11:04Senator Butler? Aye.
11:06Senator Paul? No.
11:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
11:11Senator Lankford? Aye.
11:14Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.
11:16Senator Scott? No.
11:19Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
11:21Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
11:24Senator Peters? Aye.
11:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yays are 9, the nays are 2.
11:33On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
11:35only the yays are 1, the nays are 3.
11:37On this vote, the yays are 9, the nays are 2,
11:39and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
11:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
11:43The committee will now proceed to consideration of Carmen Aguina
11:46to be an associate judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
11:49The question is on whether to favorably report the nomination.
11:52The clerk will call the roll.
11:54Senator Carper? Aye.
11:56Senator Hassen? Aye.
12:02Senator Sinema? Aye.
12:04Senator Rosen? Aye.
12:05Senator Alsop? Aye.
12:07Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
12:09Senator Butler? Aye.
12:11Senator Paul? No.
12:13Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
12:15Senator Lankford? No.
12:17Senator Romney? No, by proxy.
12:19Senator Scott? No.
12:21Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
12:24Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
12:26Senator Peters? Aye.
12:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote that is present,
12:34the yays are 8, the nays are 3.
12:35On the vote by proxy and for the record only,
12:37the yays are 0, the nays are 4.
12:39On this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 3,
12:40and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
12:45The motion is agreed to to report the nomination.
12:49The committee will now proceed to the consideration of Joseph Palmore
12:53to be associate judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
12:55The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,
12:58the clerk will call the roll.
12:59Senator Carper? Aye.
13:01Senator Hassan? Aye.
13:02Senator Sinema? Aye.
13:04Senator Rosen? Aye.
13:05Senator Alsop? Aye.
13:07Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
13:09Senator Butler? Aye.
13:11Senator Paul? No.
13:13Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
13:15Senator Lankford? No.
13:17Senator Romney? No, by proxy.
13:19Senator Scott? No.
13:21Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
13:24Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
13:26Senator Peters? Aye.
13:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
13:32the yays are 8, the nays are 3.
13:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only,
13:35the yays are 0, the nays are 4.
13:36On this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 3,
13:38and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
13:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
13:43Next, we'll proceed to consider a bipartisan pair of nominations
13:46to the Postal Regulatory Commission.
13:48I'm pleased to support both of these well-qualified nominees
13:51to serve additional terms as commissioners
13:53and hope my colleagues join me in supporting them.
13:57The committee will now proceed to the consideration of Ann Fisher
14:00to be a commissioner on the Postal Regulatory Commission.
14:03The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination.
14:06Clerk will call the roll.
14:06Senator Carper? Aye.
14:08Senator Hassen? Aye.
14:10Senator Sinema? Aye.
14:11Senator Rosen? Aye.
14:13Senator Ossoff? Aye.
14:15Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
14:16Senator Butler? Aye.
14:18Senator Paul? Aye.
14:20Senator Johnson? Aye, by proxy.
14:23Senator Lankford? Aye.
14:24Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.
14:27Senator Scott? Aye.
14:28Senator Hawley? Aye, by proxy.
14:30Senator Marshall? Aye, by proxy.
14:32Senator Peters? Aye.
14:38Mr. Chairman, on the vote present,
14:40the yays are 11, the nays are 0.
14:42On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
14:43only the yays are 4, the nays are 0.
14:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are 0,
14:49and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
14:51Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
14:53The committee will now proceed to the consideration
14:54of Ashley Poling to be a commissioner
14:57on the Postal Regulatory Commission.
14:58The questions on whether to favorably report
15:00the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.
15:02Senator Carper? Aye.
15:03Senator Hassen? Aye.
15:05Senator Sinema? Aye.
15:07Senator Rosen? Aye.
15:08Senator Ossoff? Aye.
15:10Senator Blumenthal? Aye.
15:12Senator Butler? Aye.
15:13Senator Paul? No.
15:17Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.
15:19Senator Lankford? Aye.
15:21Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.
15:23Senator Scott? No.
15:25Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.
15:28Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.
15:30Senator Peters? Aye.
15:36Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
15:37the yays are 9, the nays are 2.
15:39On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
15:41only the yays are 1, the nays are 3.
15:42On this vote, the yays are 9, the nays are 2,
15:44and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
15:47The motion to report the nominee is agreed to.
15:50We will now proceed to consideration of S4630.
15:53I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider
15:55the Peters' substitute amendment as modified
15:58to S4630 as the underlying bill.
16:00Without objection, so ordered.
16:03Does anyone wish to speak on the bill
16:05or offer an amendment?
16:07I'd like to speak briefly.
16:10Raise your member, Paul.
16:11Just in general, I think for anybody
16:14who is concerned about the debt,
16:16we looked at all the bills we've passed so far,
16:19and many of these are, you know,
16:21any more tens of millions or hundreds of millions
16:24are really considered, oh, that's no money at all.
16:26But we decided to add them all up.
16:28All the bills passed out of HSGAC this year,
16:31and they add up to $10.5 billion.
16:34So, you know, million here, million there.
16:37We're talking real money eventually.
16:39But there's not many of these bills that actually reduce it.
16:42In fact, I don't know of any of them
16:43that have actually ever reduced any spending.
16:45But that'll be largely one of the reasons
16:48why we'll oppose several of these bills.
16:51If there's no further debate or amendment,
16:53the questions on final passage of S4630 is amended.
16:56The clerk will call the roll.
16:57Senator Carper. Aye.
16:58Senator Hassen. Aye.
16:59Senator Sinema. Aye.
17:01Senator Rosen. Aye.
17:02Senator Ossoff. Aye.
17:04Senator Blumenthal. Aye.
17:05Senator Butler. Aye.
17:07Senator Paul. No.
17:08Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.
17:11Senator Linkford. Aye.
17:12Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.
17:15Senator Scott. Aye.
17:17Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.
17:19Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.
17:22Senator Peters. Aye.
17:28Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
17:30the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
17:32On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
17:33only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
17:34On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,
17:37and the motion is agreed to.
17:39The motion is agreed to.
17:40We'll now proceed to consideration of S4716.
17:43I ask unanimous consent the committee consider
17:46the Peters-Johnson substitute amendment
17:48as modified to S4716 as underlying bill.
17:52Without objection, would anyone like to speak on this bill
17:54or offer an amendment?
17:57Seeing no further debate or amendment,
18:00the questions on final passage of S4716 as amended,
18:03the clerk will call the roll.
18:04Senator Carper. Aye.
18:05Senator Hassen. Aye.
18:07Senator Sinema. Aye.
18:08Senator Rosen. Aye.
18:09Senator Ossoff. Aye.
18:11Senator Blumenthal. Aye.
18:12Senator Butler. Aye.
18:14Senator Paul. Aye.
18:16Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.
18:18Senator Lankford. Aye.
18:19Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.
18:22Senator Scott. Aye.
18:23Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.
18:25Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.
18:27Senator Peters. Aye.
18:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
18:34the yeas are 11, the nays are zero.
18:35On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
18:37only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
18:38On this vote, the yeas are 11, the nays are zero,
18:40and the motion is agreed to.
18:43Motion is agreed to.
18:46We will now proceed to consideration of S4495.
18:49I ask unanimous consent the committee consider
18:51the Peters substitute amendment as modified
18:53to S4495 as the underlying bill.
18:56Without objection, so ordered.
18:58Would any member like to speak
19:00or offer an amendment on this bill?
19:03There's no further debate on the amendment.
19:05The question is on its adoption.
19:07Oops, sorry, here is no further debate.
19:09The question is on final passage of S4495 as amended.
19:15The clerk will call the roll.
19:16Senator Carper. Aye.
19:17Senator Hassen. Aye.
19:19Senator Sinema. Aye.
19:20Senator Rosen. Aye.
19:22Senator Ossoff. Aye.
19:23Senator Blumenthal. Aye.
19:25Senator Butler. Aye.
19:27Senator Paul. No.
19:29Senator Johnson. No, by proxy.
19:31Senator Lankford. No.
19:33Senator Romney. No, by proxy.
19:35Senator Scott. No.
19:37Senator Hawley. No, by proxy.
19:39Senator Marshall. No, by proxy.
19:41Senator Peters. Aye.
19:46Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
19:47the yeas are eight, the nays are three.
19:49On the vote by proxy and for the record,
19:51only the yeas are zero, the nays are four.
19:52On this vote, the yeas are eight, the nays are three,
19:55and the motion is agreed to.
19:56Motion is agreed to.
19:58We will now proceed to consideration of S4654.
20:01I ask unanimous consent the committee consider
20:03the Peters substitute amendment to S4654's underlying bill.
20:07Without objection, would any member like to speak
20:10or offer an amendment on this bill?
20:12There's no further debate or amendment.
20:14The questions on final passage of S4654 is amended.
20:17The clerk will call the roll.
20:18Senator Carper. Aye.
20:19Senator Hassan. Aye.
20:20Senator Sinema. Aye.
20:22Senator Rosen. Aye.
20:23Senator Ossoff. Aye.
20:25Senator Blumenthal. Aye.
20:27Senator Butler. Aye.
20:29Senator Paul. No.
20:30Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.
20:34Senator Lankford. Aye.
20:35Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.
20:38Senator Scott. Aye.
20:40Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.
20:44Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.
20:46Senator Peters. Aye.
20:51Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
20:52the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
20:54On the vote by proxy and for the record,
20:55only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
20:57On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,
20:59and the motion is agreed to.
21:01Motion is agreed to.
21:02We'll now proceed to consideration of H.R. 6174.
21:06Without objection, does any member wish to speak
21:08or offer an amendment?
21:11If there's no further debate or amendment,
21:13the questions on final passage of H.R. 6174,
21:16the clerk will call the roll.
21:17Senator Carper. Aye.
21:18Senator Hassan. Aye.
21:20Senator Sinema. Aye.
21:21Senator Rosen. Aye.
21:23Senator Ossoff. Aye.
21:24Senator Blumenthal. Aye.
21:26Senator Butler. Aye.
21:27Senator Paul. No.
21:29Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.
21:31Senator Lankford. Aye.
21:32Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.
21:35Senator Scott. Aye.
21:37Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.
21:39Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.
21:41Senator Peters. Aye.
21:45Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
21:46the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
21:48On the vote by proxy and for the record,
21:49only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
21:51On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,
21:52and the motion is agreed to.
21:54Motion is agreed to.
21:55We'll now proceed to consideration of S.4698.
21:58Does any member wish to offer an amendment?
22:01Yes. Senator Paul.
22:02I'd like to call it my amendment,
22:03Paul 1, as modified.
22:06The current bill text reauthorizes DHS's joint task force
22:09for another five years,
22:11which I don't think allows for sufficient review
22:13of its missions or activities.
22:15My amendment modifies the sunset to two years.
22:20I would ask members to reject this amendment.
22:23Five years is an adequate time or a necessary time.
22:28I'm sorry.
22:30Just that you support the amendment.
22:33Oh, this one here?
22:33Yeah, we're good, I'm sorry.
22:36We're good with the two years.
22:38Yeah, although it's adequate time,
22:39we will be willing to accept a two-year amendment.
22:42I love the bipartisan process of this committee.
22:52So all those in favor of the amendment will say aye.
22:55Aye. Aye.
22:56Opposed will say nay.
22:59The ayes appear to have it.
23:01Does any other member wish to offer an amendment?
23:05Seeing none, the question is now on final passage
23:07of S.4698 as amended.
23:10The clerk will call the roll.
23:11Senator Carper.
23:12Aye.
23:13Senator Hassen.
23:14Aye.
23:14Senator Sinema.
23:15Aye.
23:16Senator Rosen.
23:17No problem.
23:18Senator Ossoff.
23:19Aye.
23:19Senator Blumenthal.
23:20Aye.
23:21Senator Butler.
23:22Aye.
23:23Senator Paul.
23:24Aye.
23:24Senator Johnson.
23:26Senator Lankford.
23:27Aye.
23:28Senator Romney.
23:30Aye, by proxy.
23:31Senator Scott.
23:33Senator Hawley.
23:34Aye, by proxy.
23:35Senator Marshall.
23:35Aye, by proxy.
23:36Senator Peters.
23:37Aye.
23:40Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
23:42the yays are 11, the nays are zero.
23:43On the vote by proxy and for the record,
23:45only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
23:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,
23:48and the motion is agreed to.
23:50Motion is agreed to.
23:51We will now proceed to the consideration of HR 3254
23:56without objection.
23:56Does any member wish to offer an amendment
23:59or make a comment?
24:02If no further debate or amendment,
24:03the question's now on final passage of HR 3254.
24:07The clerk will call the roll.
24:08Senator Carper.
24:09Aye.
24:10Senator Hassan.
24:11Aye.
24:11Senator Sinema.
24:12Aye.
24:13Senator Rosen.
24:14Aye.
24:15Senator Ossoff.
24:16Aye.
24:16Senator Blumenthal.
24:17Aye.
24:18Senator Butler.
24:19Aye.
24:20Senator Paul.
24:21No.
24:21Senator Johnson.
24:22Aye, by proxy.
24:23Senator Lankford.
24:24Aye.
24:26Senator Scott.
24:27Aye.
24:28Senator Hawley.
24:29Aye, by proxy.
24:30Senator Marshall.
24:31Aye, by proxy.
24:32Senator Peters.
24:33Aye.
24:36Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
24:38the yays are 10, the nays are one.
24:39On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
24:41only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
24:42On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
24:44and the motion is agreed to.
24:46The motion is agreed to.
24:49We will now proceed to S59.
24:51I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider
24:54the Sinema substitute amendment as modified
24:56to S59 as the underlying bill.
24:58Without objection, does any member wish
25:00to offer an amendment?
25:04Seeing no further debate or amendment,
25:07the questions on final passage of S59 as amended,
25:10the clerk will call the roll.
25:11Senator Kerper.
25:12Aye.
25:13Senator Hassen.
25:13Aye.
25:14Senator Sinema.
25:15Aye.
25:16Senator Rosen.
25:17Aye.
25:18Senator Ossoff.
25:18Aye.
25:19Senator Blumenthal.
25:20Aye.
25:21Senator Butler.
25:22Aye.
25:23Senator Paul.
25:24Senator Johnson.
25:25Aye, by proxy.
25:26Senator Lankford.
25:27Aye.
25:27Senator Romney.
25:28Aye, by proxy.
25:30Senator Scott.
25:31Aye.
25:32Senator Hawley.
25:33Aye, by proxy.
25:34Senator Marshall.
25:34Aye, by proxy.
25:35Senator Peters.
25:36Aye.
25:39Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
25:41the yays are 11, the nays are zero.
25:42On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
25:44only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
25:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,
25:48and the motion is agreed to.
25:50The motion is agreed to.
25:51We will now proceed to consideration of S4697.
25:54I ask unanimous consent that the committee
25:56consider the Rosen substitute amendment
25:58as modified to S4697 as the underlying bill.
26:02Without objection, so ordered.
26:04Would any member wish to speak on this bill?
26:05Senator Rosen.
26:07Yes, thank you, Chairman Peters,
26:08Ranking Member Paul, for holding today's markup,
26:11which includes my bill,
26:12the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2024,
26:15my bipartisan legislation I introduced with Senator Young.
26:19I appreciate the chairman and his staff dedication
26:21to working with my staff and Senator Young's
26:24to get this bill across the finish line.
26:27Our bill is an important step to bolstering
26:29the healthcare and public health sector cybersecurity.
26:32The legislation would direct CISA and HHS
26:35to collaborate on improving cybersecurity
26:37and create a special liaison to coordinate
26:40during cybersecurity incidents.
26:42I look forward to seeing this bipartisan legislation advance
26:45so we can ensure federal agencies are equipped
26:48with the tools they need to protect
26:50this critical infrastructure sector.
26:54Any other member?
26:55Senator Alsop.
26:55Chairman, I want to thank Senator Rosen
26:57for her leadership on this legislation,
26:59as well as Senator Young.
27:01And I co-sponsored this bill because hospital systems
27:04and healthcare in Georgia are besieged by cyber attacks.
27:09It puts the personal health data of Georgians at risk.
27:12It puts the functioning of these hospital systems at risk.
27:17And I respectfully ask all members of the committee
27:21to vote for the legislation.
27:24No further debate or amendment.
27:25The questions now on final passage of S4697 as amended.
27:29The clerk will call the roll.
27:29Senator Carper.
27:30Aye.
27:31Senator Hassen.
27:32Aye.
27:33Senator Sinema.
27:34Aye.
27:34Senator Rosen.
27:35Aye.
27:36Senator Alsop.
27:37Aye.
27:38Senator Blumenthal.
27:39Aye.
27:39Senator Butler.
27:40Aye.
27:41Senator Paul.
27:42No.
27:43Senator Johnson.
27:44Aye by proxy.
27:44Senator Lankford.
27:45Aye.
27:47Senator Ritchie.
27:47Aye by proxy.
27:48Senator Scott.
27:49Aye.
27:50Senator Hawley.
27:51Aye by proxy.
27:52Senator Marshall.
27:52Aye by proxy.
27:53Senator Peters.
27:54Aye.
27:58Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
28:00the yays are 10, the nays are one.
28:01On the vote by proxy and for the record,
28:02only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
28:04On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one.
28:06And the motion is agreed to.
28:08Motion is agreed to.
28:09We will now proceed to consideration of S4715.
28:12I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider
28:14the Rounds-Ossoff substitute amendment
28:17to S4715 as the underlying bill.
28:19Without objection, so ordered.
28:21Would any member like to speak?
28:23Senator Ossoff.
28:24Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
28:25It was a pleasure working with Senator Rounds
28:27on this legislation to strengthen
28:30our federal cyber workforce.
28:32And in Georgia, for example, what's happening in Augusta,
28:36where you have Augusta University's Georgia Cyber Center,
28:41you have the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence
28:45at Fort Eisenhower.
28:46Augusta, Georgia is proving to be a national capital
28:51for cyber workforce development.
28:53And then you look at the HBCUs in Atlanta
28:57that are rapidly scaling cyber workforce curricula
29:01and training programs.
29:02This bipartisan legislation will support those efforts
29:06and efforts across the country
29:07to strengthen our cyber workforce.
29:09These are not just good paying jobs,
29:11they're good paying jobs that are essential
29:13to our national security.
29:15And I thank you, Mr. Chairman,
29:16for bringing this before the committee today.
29:18If there's no further debate or amendment,
29:20the question is on final passage of S4175 as amended.
29:24The clerk will call the roll.
29:25Senator Carper.
29:26Aye.
29:26Senator Hassen.
29:27Aye.
29:28Senator Sinema.
29:29Aye.
29:30Senator Rosen.
29:31Aye.
29:31Senator Ossoff.
29:32Aye.
29:33Senator Blumenthal.
29:34Aye.
29:35Senator Butler.
29:36Aye.
29:36Senator Paul.
29:37No.
29:38Senator Johnson.
29:39Aye, by proxy.
29:40Senator Lankford.
29:41Aye.
29:41Senator Romney.
29:42Aye, by proxy.
29:44Senator Scott.
29:45Aye.
29:46Senator Hawley.
29:47Aye, by proxy.
29:48Senator Marshall.
29:49Aye, by proxy.
29:50Senator Peters.
29:51Aye.
29:54Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
29:56the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
29:57On the vote by proxy, for the record,
29:59only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
30:00On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,
30:03and the motion is agreed to.
30:04Motion's agreed to.
30:05We will now proceed to consideration of S4631.
30:08I ask unanimous consent that the committee
30:10adopt the Lankford-Peters substitute amendment
30:13as modified to S4631 as the underlying bill.
30:16Without objection, so ordered.
30:18Would any member wish to speak on the bill?
30:21If there's no further debate or amendment,
30:23the question is on final passage of S4631.
30:25The clerk will call the roll.
30:26Senator Carper.
30:27Aye.
30:28Senator Hassen.
30:29Aye.
30:30Senator Sinema.
30:31Aye.
30:31Senator Rosen.
30:32Aye.
30:33Senator Ossoff.
30:34Aye.
30:35Senator Blumenthal.
30:36Aye.
30:36Senator Butler.
30:37No.
30:38Senator Paul.
30:39Aye.
30:40Senator Johnson.
30:42Aye, by proxy.
30:43Senator Lankford.
30:44Aye.
30:45Senator Romney.
30:46Aye, by proxy.
30:47Senator Scott.
30:48Aye.
30:49Senator Hawley.
30:50Aye, by proxy.
30:51Senator Marshall.
30:52Aye, by proxy.
30:53Senator Peters.
30:54Aye.
30:56Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
30:58the yays are 10, the nays are one.
30:59On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
31:01only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
31:02On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
31:04and the motion is agreed to.
31:06Motion is agreed to.
31:07We will now proceed to consideration of S4656.
31:10Without objection, does any member wish
31:13to offer an amendment or speak?
31:16Seeing no further debate or amendments,
31:17the questions on final passage of S4656,
31:20the clerk will call the roll.
31:21Senator Carper.
31:22Aye.
31:23Senator Hassan.
31:24Aye.
31:25Senator Sinema.
31:26Aye.
31:26Senator Rosen.
31:27Aye.
31:28Senator Ossoff.
31:29Aye.
31:30Senator Blumenthal.
31:31Aye.
31:31Senator Butler.
31:32Aye.
31:33Senator Paul.
31:35No.
31:37Senator Johnson.
31:39I have a proxy.
31:40Senator Lankford.
31:41Aye.
31:42Senator Romney.
31:43I have a proxy.
31:44Senator Scott.
31:45Aye.
31:46Senator Hawley.
31:47I have a proxy.
31:48Senator Marshall.
31:50I have a proxy.
31:50Senator Peters.
31:51Aye.
31:54Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
31:55the yays are 10, the nays are one.
31:57On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
31:58only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
32:00On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
32:02and the motion is agreed to.
32:04Motion is agreed to.
32:04We'll now proceed to consideration of S4651.
32:08I ask unanimous consent the committee
32:09adopt the Peters Substitute Amendment
32:11as modified to S4651 as the underlying bill.
32:14Without objection, would any member wish to speak?
32:16Mr. Chairman?
32:17Senator Ossoff.
32:18I would ask consent to be added as a co-sponsor.
32:22Without objection.
32:24If there, or you will be added.
32:26There is no way to object to that.
32:28You will be added as a co-sponsor.
32:29If there is no further debate or amendment,
32:34the question is on final passage of 4651.
32:38The clerk will call the roll.
32:39Senator Carper.
32:39Aye.
32:40Senator Hassen.
32:41Aye.
32:42Senator Sinema.
32:43Aye.
32:44Senator Rosen.
32:44Aye.
32:45Senator Ossoff.
32:46Aye.
32:47Senator Blumenthal.
32:48Aye.
32:49Senator Butler.
32:49Aye.
32:50Senator Paul.
32:51No.
32:52Senator Johnson.
32:53Aye, by proxy.
32:54Senator Lankford.
32:55Aye.
32:56Senator Romney.
32:56Aye, by proxy.
32:57Senator Scott.
32:58Aye.
33:00Senator Hawley.
33:04Aye, by proxy.
33:06Senator Marshall.
33:08Aye, by proxy.
33:09Senator Peters.
33:09Aye.
33:12Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
33:13the yays are 10, the nays are one.
33:15On the vote by proxy and for the record,
33:16only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
33:18On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
33:19and the motion is agreed to.
33:21Motion's agreed to.
33:22We'll now proceed to consideration of HR 5527.
33:26Without objection.
33:27Does anyone wish to offer an amendment or debate?
33:30Seeing no further debate or amendment,
33:32the question is on final passage of HR 5527.
33:35The clerk will call the roll.
33:37Senator Carper.
33:38Aye.
33:39Senator Hassen.
33:39Aye.
33:40Senator Sinema.
33:41Aye.
33:42Senator Rosen.
33:43Aye.
33:44Senator Ossoff.
33:44Aye.
33:45Senator Blumenthal.
33:46Aye.
33:47Senator Butler.
33:48Aye.
33:49Senator Paul.
33:49No.
33:50Senator Johnson.
33:51No, by proxy.
33:52Senator Lankford.
33:53Aye.
33:54Senator Romney.
33:54Aye, by proxy.
33:56Senator Scott.
33:57Aye.
33:58Senator Hawley.
33:59Aye, by proxy.
34:00Senator Marshall.
34:02Aye, by proxy.
34:03Senator Peters.
34:04Aye.
34:07Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
34:08the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
34:10On the vote by proxy and for the record,
34:11only the yeas are three, the nays are one on this vote.
34:13The yeas are 10, the nays are one,
34:14and the motion is agreed to.
34:16Motion's agreed to.
34:17We'll now proceed to consideration of HR 7525.
34:21Without objection.
34:22Does any member wish to speak or offer an amendment?
34:25Seeing no further debate or amendment,
34:29the question's on final passage of HR 7525.
34:32The clerk will call the roll.
34:33Senator Carper.
34:34Aye.
34:35Senator Hassen.
34:36Senator Sinema.
34:38Senator Rosen.
34:40Senator Ossoff.
34:42Senator Blumenthal.
34:43Senator Butler.
34:45Senator Paul.
34:46No.
34:47Senator Johnson.
34:49Aye, by proxy.
34:50Senator Lankford.
34:51Aye.
34:52Senator Romney.
34:53Aye, by proxy.
34:55Senator Scott.
34:55Aye.
34:57Senator Hawley.
34:58Aye, by proxy.
34:59Senator Marshall.
35:00Aye, by proxy.
35:01Senator Peters.
35:02Aye.
35:06Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
35:07the yays are 10, the nays are one.
35:09On the vote by proxy, and for the record only,
35:10the yays are four, the nays are zero.
35:12On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
35:14and the motion is agreed to.
35:16Motion is agreed to.
35:17We will now proceed to consideration of S4294.
35:20I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider
35:23the Hassen substitute amendment as modified to S4294
35:27as the underlying bill.
35:28Without objection.
35:29Does any member wish to speak?
35:31Senator Hassen.
35:32Well, thank you, Mr. Chair,
35:33and thanks to you and the Ranking Member for this markup.
35:36S4294, the Cross-Border Aerial Law Enforcement
35:40Operations Act, is a bipartisan bill that I introduced
35:43with Senator Lankford, and I appreciate working
35:46with him on this bill.
35:47It directs DHS to create an aerial ride-along program
35:51with Canadian law enforcement to better secure
35:54our northern border, similar to a program
35:57used by our Coast Guard.
35:59Specifically, the bill allows for a bilateral agreement
36:03between the United States and Canada
36:04so that U.S. federal law enforcement aircraft
36:06can patrol on both sides of the northern border
36:09as long as it has authorized federal law enforcement
36:13personnel from both nations aboard.
36:16This will more effectively and efficiently utilize
36:19law enforcement who surveil the border
36:21and coordinate with ground units to interdict
36:23drug smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.
36:27This bill will also require DHS to report to Congress
36:31on threats to the northern border posed
36:32by the unauthorized use of drones.
36:35I urge my colleagues to support this legislation
36:38because it will help DHS more efficiently
36:40and effectively protect our northern border
36:42and cooperate with our Canadian partners.
36:45If there is no further debate or amendment,
36:47the question is on final.
36:48Mr. Chairman.
36:49Senator Ossoff.
36:50Please add me as a co-sponsor.
36:52You will be added as a co-sponsor, Senator Ossoff.
36:56If there is no further debate or accolades or amendment.
37:09Just to be clear, I believe I said we're gonna be
37:12considering the Hassan Substitute Amendment
37:14as modified to S-4294 as the underlying bill.
37:19No further debate or amendment.
37:20The question's on final passage of S-4294 as amended.
37:23The clerk will call the roll.
37:24Senator Carper.
37:25Senator Hassan.
37:27Senator Sinema.
37:28Senator Rosen.
37:30Senator Ossoff.
37:31Senator Blumenthal.
37:33Senator Butler.
37:35Senator Paul.
37:36Senator Johnson.
37:38I have a proxy.
37:39Senator Lankford.
37:41Senator Romney.
37:42I have a proxy.
37:44Senator Scott.
37:46Senator Hawley.
37:47I have a proxy.
37:48Senator Marshall.
37:49I have a proxy.
37:50Senator Peters.
37:51Aye.
37:53Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
37:55the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
37:56On the vote by proxy and for the record,
37:58only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
37:59On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,
38:01and the motion is agreed to.
38:04Motion's agreed to.
38:05We will now proceed to consideration of S-4672.
38:08I ask unanimous consent that the committee
38:09consider the Sinema Substitute Amendment
38:12as modified to S-4672 as the underlying bill.
38:16Without objection, does any member wish
38:19to speak on the bill?
38:20Senator Sinema.
38:21Thank you, Mr. Chair.
38:22I just wanted to say thank you to Senator Paul
38:24for working with us to help make the substitute better
38:29so we can move forward, and again,
38:30thanks to Senator Lankford for all of his help
38:32and the work we've done on this issue together.
38:34Thanks.
38:36Seeing no further debate or amendment,
38:37the question's now on final passage of S-4672.
38:40As amended, the clerk will call the roll.
38:41Senator Carper.
38:42Aye.
38:43Senator Hassen.
38:43Aye.
38:44Senator Sinema.
38:45Aye.
38:46Senator Rosen.
38:47Aye.
38:48Senator Ossoff.
38:48Aye.
38:49Senator Blumenthal.
38:50Aye.
38:52Senator Paul.
38:53No.
38:54Senator Johnson.
38:56Aye, by proxy.
38:58Senator Lankford.
38:59Aye.
39:00Senator Romney.
39:01Aye, by proxy.
39:02Senator Scott.
39:03Aye.
39:04Senator Hawley.
39:05Aye, by proxy.
39:07Senator Marshall.
39:07Aye, by proxy.
39:09Senator Peters.
39:10Aye.
39:13Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
39:15the yeas are 10, the nays are one.
39:16On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
39:18only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.
39:20On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,
39:22and the motion is agreed to.
39:23Motion's agreed to.
39:24We will now proceed to consideration of HR 4467,
39:28and without objection, does any member wish to speak
39:32or offer an amendment?
39:33Seeing no further debate or amendment,
39:35the question now is on final passage of HR 4467.
39:38The clerk will call the roll.
39:39Senator Carper.
39:40Aye.
39:41Senator Hassen.
39:42Aye.
39:43Senator Sinema.
39:43Aye.
39:44Senator Rosen.
39:45Aye.
39:46Senator Ossoff.
39:47Aye.
39:48Senator Blumenthal.
39:48Aye.
39:50Senator Husserl.
39:51Aye.
39:52Senator Paul.
39:53Aye.
39:53Senator Johnson.
39:55Aye, by proxy.
39:56Senator Lankford.
39:57Aye.
39:57Senator Romney.
39:58Aye, by proxy.
40:00Senator Scott.
40:00Aye.
40:01Senator Hawley.
40:02Aye, by proxy.
40:03Senator Marshall.
40:06Aye, by proxy.
40:07Senator Peters.
40:08Aye.
40:11Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,
40:12the yays are 11, the nays are zero.
40:14On the vote by proxy, and for the record,
40:17only the yays are four, the nays are zero.
40:18On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,
40:20and the motion is agreed to.
40:22Motion's agreed to.
40:23I'd like to thank all of our members
40:24for joining us today in this markup.
40:26We still have other bills that we will recess
40:28to take in September, and work on additional bills
40:32that will be coming forward.
40:33So thank you again, everybody.
40:35And with that, this meeting is now recessed
40:38to a date to be determined by the chair.