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Floor Speech

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Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I rise and thank my colleague from Hawaii for stating plainly the qualifications of these candidates.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have had a chance to review their qualifications. And as the father of a U.S. marine, I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator's contention that these three positions would be very important to fill at a time when the United States has so many security challenges.

Anticipating a productive dialogue with my colleague from Missouri, I would like to ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 779, 780, 781; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

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Mr. KAINE. Mr. President.

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Mr. KAINE. Will the Senator yield for a question?

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Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, if my colleague from Missouri would yield for a series of questions, I want to make sure that I understand the objection. I certainly understand the objection as indicated with respect to seeking accountability for Afghanistan. I understand that point.

Is it correct that in the committee, however, you supported each of the three nominations who are proffered on the floor today?

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Mr. KAINE. I will yield for a response, yes.

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Mr. KAINE. My question was: I believe, in the Armed Services Committee, these three individuals, you supported their nominations for reporting to the floor. And I just want to make sure that I am accurate about that.

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Mr. KAINE. On all three?

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Mr. KAINE. Is it the Senator's position today that you do not object to them individually but there are other Members of your caucus who individually object to them?

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Mr. KAINE. I will rephrase the question.

Do you object to having a vote on them? So, for example, I can modify the motion to suggest to seek unanimous consent that we schedule a vote on these three nominees instead of trying to move them en bloc.

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Mr. KAINE. I would be very happy to amend my motion to that, if you would find that acceptable.

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Mr. KAINE. Then let me ask one final question. If we are able to clear the objections of others, would you agree--at a time that is convenient for the floor leaders of each party--to a recorded vote on the three nominees, if we were able to clear the objections with your other colleagues?

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Mr. KAINE. Yes, move to a final passage vote, on which you would be able to express your views on each of these nominees.
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