First a few administrative matters. We have gotten advice from the sergeant at arms, the health and Human Services centers for disease control, individuals in the hearing room will he at least 6 feet apart. There is no room for the public and therefore but this is all streaming and therell be an unedited version of it that anyone can watch later. Witnesses are participating by videoconference today and some senators are as well. I like to Say Something about mask. The office of attending physician has said since we are 6 feet apart we dont need to wear masks although some may. Thats why my mask is off. Although i have one and i wear it outside because as dr. Redfield reminded us yesterday its extremely important tool for stopping the spread of covid. Im grateful to the rules committee, sergeant at arms the press gallery and the Capitol Police and chung check in the Evan Griffith r. Staff, all their hard work in helping to keep us safe in helping us do these conferences by video with wh
Bill with a final vote scheduled for this morning. Theyll also work on the nomination of Justin Walker to serve on the u. S. Court of appeals. Live Senate Coverage here on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Lord, god of heaven and earth, today teach our lawmakers to do things your way, embracing your precepts and walking in your path. Lord, make them powerful instruments for goodness in our nation and world. Remind them at the narrow and difficult road leads to life and few find it. You honor those who honor you. As our senators receive guidance from you and following your leading, replace anxiety with calm and confusion with clarity. Give them attentive hearts and open minds as they seek to find in the diversity of ideas what is best for our nation and world. We pray in your great name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to o
The committee on health, education, labor and pensions will come to order. Senator murray has an important meeting right now and she has asked me to proceed with the hearing because we have six excellent witnesses and we want to make sure that we hear from each of you, and we want the senators to have a chance to ask questions of each of you. So patty should arrive about 10 00. When she comes, why, well interrupt and let her make her Opening Statement and then we will resume the hearing. Good morning, senator murphy. Nearly a year ago dr. Brent james from the National Academies testified before our Senate Health committee with a startling statistic. Up to onehalf of what the American People spend on Health Care May be unnecessary. Let me repeat that. Up to half of the 3. 5 trillion the United States collectively spent on health care in 2017 was unnecessary according to dr. James, and many of the other witnesses at our hearings agreed with that. Thats 1. 8 trillion, three times as much
American political rhetoric and history waits to judge us, guide our lawmakers. Lord, make this Upper Chamber of the legislative branch a truly deliberative body. Learning from the lessons of history, may our senators strive to defend our constitution against all foreign and domestic enemies. Grant that this defense will involve looking before leaping. May our senators make decisions that will not seem foolish in the cool light of retro specks. Arise, oh lord, remind the nations that they are merely human. We pray in your sovereign name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell both parties have long agreed that no child left behind is broken and needs to be fixed. The house
Quorum call mr. Reid mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Reid i ask unanimous consent we terminate the call of the quorum. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Reid i ask unanimous consent that at 2 30 p. M. , the senate proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 686, the senate proceed to vote with no intervening action or debate on the nomination, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate, and in a further motions be in order, any related statements be prescriptived in n be printed in the record and the president be notified of the senates action. There be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote. The presiding officer is there objection . Without objection. Mr. Reid mr. President . Were not in a quorum call, are we . The presiding officer we are not. Mr. Reid i yield back all type and ask that the vote start immediately. And all senators should be advised that well drag the vote a little