Recks

Nay.

Mr. President pro tempore,

I have explained myself in another debate on a similar point, but I feel obligated to make the same motion here:

I move to appeal the ruling of the Chair to allow my duly-seconded motion to go to a vote.

I yield.

Mr. President pro tempore,

My motion was made in the context of the Committee of the Whole, which operates as a committee. Under Rule V(3), "a ... motion ... shall pass if a majority of present Senators support it." A motion was made, seconded and belongs to this body.

Simply put, Mr. President pro tempore, you don't have the authority to ignore a duly-seconded motion before this body.

If you refuse to correct your course, I have no choice but to move to appeal the Ruling of the Chair.

I yield.

Thorn.

Senate Minority Leader Fisk Champions Educational Savings

SIDNEY, NE -- Senate Minority Leader Daniel Fisk (R-NE) recently made a stop in Sidney to meet with the Panhandle Homeschool Connection, a group of homeschooled students and their parents, to discuss his Educational Savings Act of 2021. The bill would expand allowable uses of 529 savings accounts to include qualified expenses for Kindergarten through 12th grade, expenses for registered apprenticeship programs, and to pay off student loans. "I believe in the power of saving for the future, and this bill would allow more parents to prepare for their children's future success. My bill takes an all-of-the-above approach to empowering students - our future workforce and future voters - in their educational pursuits." Senator Fisk pointed to the provisions that would allow, for instance, a parent to use the tax-advantaged 529 plan for "curriculum, textbooks, fees for dual enrollment and college examinations. These provisions in particular apply to public, private, parochial and home school settings."

Senator Fisk also expanded upon another section of the bill, which allows 529 savings to go toward registered apprenticeships. "We have a shortage of skilled labor in this country, thanks in part to the manufacturing boom that has taken place during the previous Administration. Higher education is one way to secure a brighter future, but so are apprenticeships." The Educational Savings Act of 2021, which has attracted a number of co-sponsors who have come from both sides of the political aisle, finally allows a 529 plan to be used to pay back student loan debt. "Those who do attend college often find themselves with piles of debt. My bill would allow those who do graduate with debt to pay if off using tax-advantaged savings." Senator Fisk concluded his meeting with the Sidney homeschool families and community by saying, "Education is a big focus for me in Washington, DC, just as it is for you here in Nebraska. I am optimistic that my bill will gain traction in the Senate, to empower families like yours."

Mr. President,

Much as I remarked with another nominee on this floor, I am opposed to any rushed effort to seek cloture on a nominee who hasn't even provided full responses to the questions we are asking.

I will make a similar motion: I move to extend the hearing by an additional 24 hours from the time Mr. Wiener answers the remaining questions.

I yield.

Mr. President,

I will oppose any rushed attempt at cloture on this nominee until we have had a chance to hear his responses to questions asked over ((2.5 days)) ago, and to debate the qualifications of the nominee.

At this time, however, I move to extend the hearing by an additional 24 hours from the time Mr. Byford provides responses to all of the lingering questions, to allow time for follow-ups.

I yield.

Aye.

Nay.

Aye.

Aye.

Nay.

Nay.

Nay.

President of the Senate Bu,

Senate Majority Leader Reed,

Acting Senior PPT Du Pont,

On behalf of the Republican Party, I name the following members to the Committee on the Judiciary:

• Senator Valkenburg of Arizona as Ranking Member @Gamerboy
• Senator Thorn of Mississippi as Member @Storm

Signed,

Daniel Fisk

Senate Minority Leader

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Nay.

Aye.

Aye.

Mr. President, 

I second the motion to overturn the ruling of the Chair.

And I yield.

Mr. President,

I seconded the motion for cloture after the previous second was withdrawn.

Therefore, the motion for cloture should be recognized and the proposed Reed amendment should not come to a vote until after the cloture vote is resolved.

I yield. 

Aye.

Aye.