Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I thank the President for the recognition.
Let me begin with the obvious because I think Senator Graham did a great job of laying out what is at stake. He offered multiple arguments for why these amazing patriots who dedicated their professional lives to defending our safety, our security, our way of life should be promoted and should be promoted this evening.
But a different take is just to begin with the obvious: We are in the midst of the most complicated and, therefore, the most complex and perilous security environment that I have ever experienced in my adult lifetime, certainly.
Israel, our closest friend, our ally, is at war. Ukrainian freedom fighters remain at war against our adversary, Russia. We have a porous southern border. Last month alone, we had 18 individuals apprehended who are--just those who were apprehended--who are on the Terrorist Watchlist. There are all sorts of concerns about what might happen in the Indo-Pacific amidst this environment. We need a fully staffed, fully competent, fully engaged, and focused security establishment.
We need these individuals to be put in place to assume the jobs that they are prepared for. So the security environment is incredibly dangerous. That means Mr. Tuberville's constituents in Alabama, my constituents in Indiana, and Americans all across the country, all across the world, their safety and security is in danger amidst this perilous time. So that is unique, but what is also unique is the number of holds.
My friend--and he is my friend. He is a genuine friend. I have got a lot of respect for this man, Senator Tuberville, to my right. But the number of holds is certainly extraordinary. I think he would concede that because he is also a smart colleague.
The length of the holds is extraordinary as well, but the tactics here, this is something that Senator Sullivan, who showed great leadership on this issue, Senator Ernst, myself, and many other colleagues have questioned. I am fervently, I am passionately, I am unapologetically pro-life in conviction and in deed. My reputation is untarnished, and it is unambiguous in that regard.
So I have every interest in seeing that we assume a smart tactic, a smart game plan, if you will. And to hold responsible, effectively, 300 nominated patriots who ought to be pinning on a star or another star right now--hold them professionally responsible for this and, by extension, to undermine the safety and security of the American people during this perilous time just doesn't make any sense to me.
Instead, it makes more sense for us to hold accountable someone whom the President has nominated to fill the policy position at the Pentagon who would actually oversee implementation and administration of this horrible policy. I said that publicly, and to the extent Mr. Tuberville would remain open--to put it indelicately--to taking that hostage, I would be open to that tactic. But because that is not the case, we have a disagreement here, and it is going to have to be reconciled. I know Senator Tuberville wants to be a good teammate, a good pro-life teammate and a good national security teammate. There is an opportunity here for him to agree to at least--to at least--allow the following patriot to be confirmed this evening.
Mr. President, I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 131, VADM Karl Thomas, U.S. Navy, to be Vice Admiral and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare.
131, Karl Thomas, to be Vice Admiral and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director of Naval Intelligence; that the Senate vote on the nomination of this esteemed individual, with whom I visited when I was in Japan earlier this year, without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider would be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Madam President, I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 238, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Kruse, U.S. Air Force, to be Lieutenant General and Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
General Kruse currently serves as the Director's Advisor for Military Affairs at the Office of the DNI. This is a post he has held since 2020. One need not have me explain to them--especially if they are tuned in to matters of national security--the importance of our Defense Intelligence Agency at a time like this.
Previously, Mr. Kruse served as the Director for Defense Intelligence for Warfighter Support in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
Prior to his OSD and interagency roles, General Kruse served as the Director for Intelligence at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, deployed as Director of Intelligence for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, and served as Senior Special Advisor for the Commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
He has commanded Air Force units at all levels across seemingly every geography, and he has deployed on multiple occasions to combat theaters around the globe.
Feeling good about this one. We can confirm this nomination by voice vote right now.
Feeling really good, Senator Tuberville.
238, Jeffrey A. Kruse to be Lieutenant General and Director, Defense Intelligence Agency.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. I further request that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; 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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Well, I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 188, Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, U.S. Air Force, to be General and the Commander of Pacific Air Forces.
General Schneider has been serving as the Director of Staff for the Air Force since 2021. He has commanded at all levels, including a combat wing in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. General Schneider is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flight hours, with 530 combat flight hours on multiple airframes. He has also earned numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star and the Air Medal.
We can confirm this nomination by voice vote right now. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 188, Kevin B. Schneider, to be General and the Commander of Pacific Air Forces; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; 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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Madam President, that being the case, I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 107, Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, Jr., USMC, to be Lieutenant General and the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations for Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
General Bierman has held numerous command postings, most recently serving as the Commander of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan. He has shown a true commitment to service in this posting, ensuring that marines remain prepared to face any future threats. General Bierman has also deployed multiple times, including to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he led marines in combat operations. His many commendations include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device and the Legion of Merit.
We can confirm this nomination by voice vote right now. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 107, James W. Bierman, Jr., to be Lieutenant General and Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; 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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Having heard that objection, Madam President, I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 132, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm, U.S. Marine Corps, to be Lieutenant General and Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
General Cederholm has been Deputy Commandant for Aviation since July 2022, a position he held with high distinction. He has held many operational assignments, including in U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command and as a TOPGUN Instructor Pilot. He has flown operational tours in all aircraft that the Marine Corps has to offer. General Cederholm has held numerous other assignments, including the deployments in furtherance of Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force Southern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom. He has also served in many Commanding Officer postings, including Commanding General of Task Force Baltic Watchtower and Commanding General of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
We can confirm this nomination by voice vote right now. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 132, Michael S. Cederholm, to be Lieutenant General and Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; 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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. YOUNG. Madam President, I am going to make one further attempt.
I call to the floor Executive Calendar No. 84, RADM George M. Wikoff, USN, to be Vice Admiral and Commander, Fifth Fleet.
Admiral Wikoff currently serves as Acting Commander for Naval Air Forces. He began his career serving as a naval aviator, moving up to command Strike Fighter Squadron 211, Strike Fighter Squadron 122, Carrier Air Wing 3, and Carrier Strike Group 5. Among many command assignments, General Wikoff has notably served as the Commander of Strike Fighter Squadron 211, Carrier Air Wing 3, and Strike Fighter Squadron 122. His shore assignments include a posting at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, as a TOPGUN Training Officer, as Battle Director at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Qatar, and many other critical postings.
We can confirm this nomination by voice vote right now. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of the following nomination: Executive Calendar No. 84, RADM George M. Wikoff, to be Vice Admiral and Commander, Fifth Fleet; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; 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.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source