Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar
Floor Speech
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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, this is the fourth time I have come to the floor urging Senator Cruz to remove his hold on these very important nominees for two of our best allies, the countries of Sweden and Norway.
Norway has been without a confirmed ambassador for 860 days. As we know, the first nominee withdrew, but many of these days have been filled up by the second nominee, who is not controversial--Sam Heins from the State of Minnesota--who made it through the committee without objection. In the case of Sweden, it has been 469 days since the President nominated Azita Raji to be ambassador.
There is no issue with these nominees. In fact, in the words of Senator Cotton from Arkansas, my Republican colleague, ``I believe both [nominees] are qualified . . . and we have significant interests in Scandinavia. My hope is that both nominees receive a vote in the Senate sooner than later.'' We know we have the support of Senator Corker, the head of the Foreign Relations Committee. We thank Senator Cardin for his support. We thank Majority Leader McConnell. We thank Senator Reid.
This vote is not a controversial vote. Senator Cruz is not here to object. We understand Senator Lee is here on his behalf. But I would like to know why Senator Cruz isn't here to object. I think I know why he isn't here to object--because he is in the State of my colleague Senator Shaheen.
We cannot hold up the business of the Senate like this. We have two nominees for two countries, the 11th and 12th biggest investors in the United States of America, Sweden and Norway. The country of Norway is the purchaser of 52 Lockheed fighter planes, 22 just ordered at $200 million apiece, all made in Fort Worth, TX, the home State of Senator Cruz.
These are allies who are taking in refugees by the thousands. These are allies who are at our side in the fight against Russia to stand up against their aggression in Ukraine. They have stood with us in the fight against Islamic extremism. They have stood with us in the fight against ISIS. And what do we say to them? You can have ambassadors from Russia or from China, you can have ambassadors from every country but not from the United States of America.
I ask Senator Cruz and I ask his colleagues--or perhaps his staff to ask him--why every other European nation of any major size has an ambassador and why not these two Scandinavian countries.
So it is my hope--and the reasons for these holds are completely unrelated. They are varied. They are many. They change every day. I am hopeful that we are able to negotiate something because Senator Shaheen and I have pledged to come to the floor nearly every single day when the Senate is in session to continue asking, and his colleagues are going to have to come and object on his behalf.
263; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: the nomination of Azita Raji to be Ambassador to the country of Sweden, Calendar No. 148; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, I see the Senator from New Hampshire is here. She is a leader on the Foreign Relations Committee. I know she has a few things to say. But, again, we are simply asking for a vote. Senator Cruz can choose to be here or not. He can choose to vote or not. He can choose to vote no if he wants. We know these two nominees would pass because they are not controversial. I am tired of hearing from people in America and people who represent and live in these countries: What is wrong with America? Why are you ``dissing'' us when we stand by your side every day? This has to stop.
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