On the recordFebruary 8, 2024
it should never have taken us this long to move forward on this aid that so many of us are saying is necessary. But I am so glad that we are finally here making progress on this crucial package. We have more work ahead to get this passed in the Senate and House and, ultimately, signed into law. And we, frankly, do not have a minute to waste. I hope this vote is the start of moving this package now in earnest, because this is serious. As the senior Senator from Maine just outlined, our allies are at war. Civilians are in harm's way. Dictators are watching closely to see what we are going to do about it. So, really, the stakes could not be higher. How we answer this moment will define America's future on the global stage and could well redefine the balance of power in the world. I hope today is truly a breakthrough for bipartisanship, that cooler heads will prevail from here on out, and that we can move this forward in a reasonable, bipartisan way. We will be doing everything in our power to move that forward. I stand ready to work with my vice chair, the senior Senator from Maine, on any amendments that Senators want to bring forward. And as the leader just said to everyone, we will stay here until this is done. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
