A bill to authorize to be appropriated to the Department of the Air Force for fiscal year 2009 $3,150,000 for additions and alterations to a Flight Simulator Facility at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because Holloman has a variety of military construction needs associated with the Air Force's decision to house F-22A Raptors at Holloman Air Force Base.

One of these is an Aerospace Ground Equipment facility to support the F-22 transition and stationing at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted

for this item in its fiscal year 09 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $4.6 million for the construction of the Aerospace Ground Equipment facility.

Holloman Air Force Base is an important asset to our nation, and I am proud to support the base and the airmen stationed there by introducing this bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because Holloman has a variety of military construction needs because of a March 2006 decision by the Secretary of Defense to use Holloman Air Force Base as an F-22 Raptor base.

One of these is for additions and alterations to a Flight Simulator facility to support the F-22 transition and stationing at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $3.15 million for the additions and alterations to the Flight Simulator facility.

Our Air Force fighter wings defend our homeland and support all global combat operations. I am proud to support those airmen, and I look forward to working on this bill and taking other actions to support our military forces.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Kirtland Air Force Base serves many roles for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. The Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Research Laboratories, the New Mexico Air National Guard, and a Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration national laboratory are some of the many Federal entities doing work at Kirtland. As such, Kirtland's construction needs are many.

Therefore, I am proud to offer this bill to authorize replacement of fuel storage tanks at Kirtland Air Force Base. The President's fiscal year 2009 budget requests $14.4 million for this work, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $14.4 million for the work to replace the fuel storage tanks.

Our armed forces deserve our full support, I am proud to offer my support for the personnel at Kirtland Air Force Base by introducing this bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because Holloman has a variety of military construction needs because of a March 2006 decision by the Secretary of Defense to use Holloman Air Force Base as an F-22 Raptor base.

One of these is for additions and alterations to Aircraft Maintenance Units to support the F-22 transition and stationing, at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $1.05 million for additions and alterations to Aircraft Maintenance Units.

The F-22A is a unique capability, and we must ensure that our airmen have the facilities they need to utilize and care for that capability. I am proud to offer this legislation to fulfill those purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Forc Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because with F-22s scheduled to arrive at Holloman in 2009, military construction is needed at the base.

One of those needs is alteration of an existing hangar for construction of a Low Observable Composite Repair Facility to support the F-22 transition

and stationing at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $14.5 million for the construction of the Low Observable Composite Repair Facility.

Our Air Force fighter wings are an important part of our global combat operations. I am proud to support our airmen, and I look forward to working on this bill to address some of their construction needs.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because Cannon has a variety of military construction needs because of a June 2006 decision by the Secretary of Defense to use Cannon Air Force Base as an Air Force Special Operations base.

One of these needs is the construction of a Special Operations Forces Maintenance Hangar. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorized $18.1 million for the construction of a Special Operations Forces Maintenance Hangar.

Our special operations forces are a part of some of the most important missions in the Global War on Terror, and we have more special operations warfighters deployed now than ever before. I am proud to support those soldiers, and I look forward to working on this bill taking other actions to support our special operations forces.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because there are a number of military construction needs at Holloman as a result of a decision by the Secretary of the Air Force to use Holloman Air Force Base as an F-22 Raptor base.

One of these is a Jet Engine Maintenance Shop to support the F-22 transition and stationing at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $2.15 million for the construction of the Jet Engine Maintenance Shop.

Mr. President, our airmen are one of the most important assets we have in the Global War on Terror, and they need adequate facilities to do their work. I am proud to offer this legislation to support them in one of their newest missions, flying the F-22A Raptor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that I call the Farm Red Tape Reduction Act.

This act will give farmers a voice in Federal rulemakings whenever a new Federal regulation threatens to impose severe economic pain on farmers.

As we saw with small businesses, many times the Government overlooks the plight of the little guy, who does not have the resources or know- how to weigh-in with big Government agencies in Washington. In 1976, Congress created the Office of Advocacy to ensure that small businesses have an advocate in Government and a seat at the table when new regulations affecting them are drafted. I want to share that same success now with farmers.

The idea is simple. This act would help provide a more transparent Government that listens to the people most affected by the regulations. It will hold the Government more accountable for its actions. It is a message that the Federal Government is meant to serve to its citizens, not bully them. We want to make this an easy process. Citizens should be heard while the Government is deciding on a regulation that affects them--not after the decision is made. The difference is subtle, but important. Listen to farmers and agriculture first--be inclusive.

Cutting unnecessary red tape will provide greater flexibility for agriculture businesses by removing barriers to enterprise. Encouraging enterprise is essential if the United States is to compete in a global environment.

Farms and other agricultural businesses will benefit from simplified rules.

This measure will help in cutting red tape with a view to improving the environment for agricultural business. My experience on the Small Business Committee tells me that there are currently dozens of regulatory proposals before Federal agencies--but most without a true assessment of impact on the very people they will most affect.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are all these initiatives necessary and what are the consequences? I want agencies to look into this question. The best way to do that is to hear from the folks most affected.

The Office of Advocacy celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, RFA, is 27 years old and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, SBREFA, is 11 years old.

The common theme: They have all gone a long way in making agencies aware of the unique concerns of small business. With the passage of these laws small business concerns were given a voice at the table, they have been putting that voice to use ever since--with great success.

These laws have been successful. Early intervention and improved compliance have led to less burdensome regulations. For example, in fiscal year 2001, involvement in agency rulemakings helped save small businesses an estimated $4.4 billion in new regulatory compliance costs.

Similarly, in fiscal year 2002, efforts to improve agency compliance with the RFA on behalf of small entities secured more than $21 billion in first-year cost savings, with an additional $10 billion in annually recurring cost savings. Most recently, in fiscal year 2003, they achieved more than $6.3 billion in regulatory cost savings and more than $5.7 billion in recurring annual savings on behalf of small entities.

If we can add farmers to the table and save them any portion of that kind of money--just that fact will make this bill a success.

Just as important is that these laws have not hindered the development of regulations. In fact, these laws are credited with helping regulators come up with better plans. Plans that work--because the people who will be regulated are involved in the development of the rules. This gives them some ownership and that makes successful compliance and implementation.

Our economy and the lives of farmers is constantly changing--this is due in no small part to what we are doing today--making changes to farm legislation, new technologies, new trade deals, new regulations of every kind being implemented year round. This creates new and constant challenges for analyzing regulatory impacts on farmers. If there was ever a time farmers needed a voice at the table when new regulations are made--it is now.

It is not my intention to throw out regulations simply as a matter of principle if, for example, they involve costs for businesses. I am more concerned with obtaining solid impact analyses that can serve as a basis for informed decision-making.

It is also quite clear that better regulations will be possible only if those affected also play their part, since it is they who will be responsible for implementation.

What I have heard from some who oppose this, is that they are concerned about the burden of red tape. However, they are not concerned about the burden of red tape on farmers. They are concerned about the burden of red tape on Washington regulators working to impose red tape on farmers.

Surely the Senate should be more concerned with red tape on our farmers than red tape on our Washington regulators. We should have a rulemaking advocate for farmers just as we have one at Small Business Administration for small businesses. Advocates do not have the power to change standards or stop regulations, only inform them. We should all support a more informed process so burdens are reduced and regulations are more effective and widely supported. We all know what having a USDA rulemaking advocate means in Washington; there will still be 20 officials from other agencies in the room working to regulate farmers. But now, there may be one from USDA also in the room.

This bill has received support from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the National Cotton Council, the American Soybean Association, National Milk Producers Federation, South East Dairy Farmers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, USA Rice Federation, Western United Dairymen, and the National Pork Producers Council.

I ask my colleagues to support this bill and join me in helping farmers and agricultural business reduce unnecessary bureaucratic red tape by including them at the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue.

The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, fee-for-service seafood inspection program, SIP. Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation authorizing new construction at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am proud to offer this bill because Holloman has a variety of military construction needs because of a March 2006 decision by the Secretary of Defense to use Holloman Air Force Base as an F-22 Raptor base.

One of these is for additions and alterations to a Flight Simulator facility to support the F-22 transition and stationing at Holloman. The Department of Defense budgeted for this item in its fiscal year 2009 Defense budget request, and in keeping with that request my legislation authorizes $3.15 million for the additions and alterations to the Flight Simulator facility.

Our Air Force fighter wings defend our homeland and support all global combat operations. I am proud to support those airmen, and I look forward to working on this bill and taking other actions to support our military forces.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.