Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise today in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

I am glad the Senate is finally considering this important legislation, and I am proud to be the crucial 60th cosponsor of the bill. I commend Chairman Leahy for producing a bill that enjoys broad bipartisan support, and I look forward to swift passage of the VAWA reauthorization.

Violence in all its forms is unacceptable, but it is particularly horrifying when it takes place in the home, which should be a sanctuary for all who live there. Yet a recent CDC report found that nearly half of all women living in my home State of Nevada at the time of the survey experienced domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. This statistic is sickening and unacceptable. Women and children often feel powerless to escape abusive or dangerous situations, which too often end in tragedy.

My home State knows this sad reality all too well. Nevada is ranked first in the Nation for women murdered by men in domestic violence. Sadly, our State has appeared in the top three States in this horrific category in the last 7 years. Thankfully, organizations throughout the State of Nevada work tirelessly to help those jeopardized by domestic violence. While these groups have faced significant challenges due to funding cuts in recent years, they are doing their best with what they have to provide assistance to families who need it most.

According to last year's Nevada Census of Domestic Violence Services, nearly 500 Nevadans received crisis assistance through Nevada's domestic violence programs on a single day; 272 found refuge in emergency shelters or temporary housing; 204 received nonresidential assistance. Staff and volunteers fielded an average of six hotline calls every hour. Despite the best efforts of our State's domestic violence programs, 25 cases of unmet requests for services were reported on a single day due to shortage of funds and staff. That means thousands of Nevadans could not access the services they needed last year.

Nevada's struggling economy has limited State resources to help those who are affected by domestic violence. Reauthorization of VAWA will provide greater certainty for organizations that work hard every day to prevent and address domestic violence. I trust this bill will ensure and enable domestic violence programs to plan for the future and serve even more Americans in need. Importantly, this bill will also

further prevention efforts that, hopefully, will result in reducing domestic violence and help our Nation's most vulnerable.

I am also pleased this legislation reauthorizes programs vital to the National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges. The National Council has made a strong impact in courts throughout the Nation by teaching judges innovative strategies that equip them to appropriately assist families and young people who face significant hardships. I cannot be more proud of the positive changes the National Council is effecting in courtrooms and communities in Nevada and nationwide, and I am glad this bill will further their efforts.

As a fiscal conservative, I am also glad this bill was written with full awareness of the fiscal crisis our Nation is facing. This legislation repeals duplicative provisions and programs, creating a more efficient system. I encourage my colleagues to use this bill as a model when considering additional reauthorizations this year. We must not forget the need to implement commonsense budgetary practices across the board in order to put our Nation on a path to long-term fiscal responsibility.

While not perfect, I am pleased the Senate is proceeding with this bill and trust it will further the important goal of reducing violence in all its forms. This bipartisan effort is an example of how Members of Congress should be working together to solve the problems facing our Nation and protecting those who have no voice. I look forward to the passage of the VAWA reauthorization measure and believe it will truly make a difference in the lives of countless women in Nevada and throughout the United States.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a Nevadan who spent his life working to strengthen his local community and enrich the lives of its residents. After a courageous 9-year battle with cancer, Bruno Benna passed on April 1, 2012. Our State has lost a selfless and giving Nevadan. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family.

From starting a small concrete company that would later become a staple in Reno to his patronage for the fine arts, Bruno was involved in nearly every facet of Northern Nevada's community. In 1958, he co- founded C.B. Concrete Company, which literally laid the foundations for modern Reno. For the next 50 years, Bruno contributed to the construction of Reno's major infrastructure projects. Generations of Reno residents have become familiar with C. B. Concrete Company's iconic yellow trucks emblazoned with the bumble bee logo.

C. B. Concrete Company exemplifies the vital role small businesses play in both our economy and local community. As the backbone of our economy, they must continue to remain vibrant and healthy in order to create jobs at a time when Nevadans need them the most. I am saddened that Reno has lost such a passionate entrepreneur who was responsible for employing hundreds of Nevadans. Northern Nevada was fortunate to have such a talented businessman who was continuously striving to improve the business community while serving on the Reno Chamber of Commerce Board, the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission, and as an advisor to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In 1997, Bruno and his wife, Edna, started the Benna Family Foundation to give back to their community. Through the foundation, the couple were avid supporters of the University of Nevada, the Nevada Discovery Museum, the Nevada Opera, the Nevada Art Museum, and the Reno Little Theater. In 2002, Governor Kenny Guinn awarded the Bennas with the Governor's Arts Award for their decades of service for arts in Northern Nevada.

Bruno's extensive philanthropic endeavors and generous contributions to our State continue to be inspiring to those within the Reno and larger northern Nevada community. I am both grateful for and humbled by his commitment to the Silver State. I ask my colleagues to join me today in remembering the life of a great Nevadan.

Madam President, I come to the floor today to highlight an issue I fight for every day; that is, jobs in Nevada. In Nevada, having a strong tourism industry means more jobs in the State. Las Vegas, Henderson, Lake Tahoe, and Reno have long been favorite destinations for millions of visitors both domestically and, more increasingly, internationally. The entire

southern Nevada economy is heavily dependent on the hotel, gaming, and convention industry, which employs over one-quarter of the region's labor force. Plain and simple, tourism is the lifeblood for business and job creation in Nevada.

Like many taxpayers, I was shocked and disappointed to read the GSA inspector general's report that found inappropriate spending at the 2010 Western Regions Conference that was held in Nevada. This conference was excessive, wasteful, and it completely ignored Federal procurement laws and internal GSA policy on conference spending.

I believe it is appropriate for Congress to exercise its oversight authority on GSA to look into the agency's practices and provide corrective oversight to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely by this administration. However, I want to be clear: This is not an issue about location, this is the result of poor decisionmaking and leadership by the GSA. Las Vegas is one of the greatest locations in the world for a conference, a meeting, or a vacation. With over 148,000 hotel rooms and 10.5 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, it is ideally suited to host companies and organizations both large and small. In fact, this past January Las Vegas hosted the Consumer Electronics Show, which had more people attend than the Iowa caucuses. I fully agree that it was inappropriate for the GSA to waste taxpayer dollars, but it is not inappropriate to come to Las Vegas for conventions and meetings.

The actions of GSA should not reflect negatively on Las Vegas, and I am asking all of my colleagues to be mindful of that as they conduct their investigations. The viability of the economy in Nevada is dependent upon the volume of visitors to our State. Last year nearly 39 million visitors came to Las Vegas alone. These visitors came because Las Vegas continues its reign as the No. 1 trade show and convention destination in North America. Las Vegas hosts thousands of meetings and conventions annually and generates billions in revenue.

It is no secret that Washington politicians and this administration have had a negative impact on the Las Vegas economy due to their comments issued publicly. For example, in 2009 attendance at conventions and meetings in Las Vegas fell by 13.6 percent. The following year attendance fell by another 7.2 percent. In total from 2009 to 2010, Las Vegas lost 1.4 million convention attendees. While I recognize that it is unfair to blame total decline on a few ill-advised lines in a speech, there is no doubt that spoken words by politicians clearly have an impact on the Las Vegas economy. Las Vegas and the great State of Nevada should not be political targets because of GSA's misconduct. Las Vegas is an excellent destination for conferences, and I am proud of my State's ability to entertain and accommodate businesses, organizations, and individuals from all over the world.

Again, while several congressional committees investigate this issue, I would respectfully advise my colleagues that it is not the location that can be blamed for the misuse of taxpayer funds. The convention services my State offers are the best in the world. And no town in Nevada should be singled out due to poor judgment by the GSA. It is my hope that all of my colleagues will focus on the misconduct of the GSA and push for a new initiative that spurs growth in the tourist industry instead of blaming Nevada for the mistakes of incompetent government bureaucrats.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Pierron Tackes for being selected as Nevada's Cherry Blossom Princess for the 2012 Centennial Cherry Blossom Festival. Ms. Tackes is an accomplished and ambitious student whose unwavering commitment to the Silver State embodies the very essence of what Nevada's Cherry Blossom Princess should be.

Ms. Tackes is an exemplary constituent, chosen by the Nevada State Society to represent Nevada at the National Conference of State Society's Cherry Blossom Princess Educational and Cultural Exchange Program. Nevada is proud to support one of our own as she joins young women from across the Nation in this educational and leadership forum that celebrates the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. I am proud to recognize Ms. Tackes for her extensive community involvement, educational performance, and passion for our home State.

I join the citizens of Nevada in congratulating Ms. Tackes on this accomplishment and wish her all the best during this cultural and educational event.

Mr. President, today we honor the life and service of Judge David Huff, whose passing on March 27, 2012 signifies a great loss to Nevada's judiciary. David's commitment to the people of the State of Nevada will never be forgotten. I send my condolences and prayers to David's family in this time of mourning.

David served the communities of Fallon and Yerington for 15 years as District Court Judge for Nevada's Third Judicial District Court and the recently-formed Tenth Judicial District Court. Since being elected to the bench in 1996, David's main priority was to maintain and secure justice for the residents of Churchill and Lyon Counties. Throughout his career, David was deeply invested in community efforts to improve the justice system by developing policies that promoted excellence in court administration.

As a Vietnam veteran and Navy Justice School graduate, David made a commitment to his country long before he served the great State of Nevada. He joined the United States Navy and after being deployed, worked for the Judge Advocate General's--JAG--Corps to provide military individuals with legal support and assistance. David also served as a military judge, demonstrating his continued resolution to upholding the laws of our land.

Throughout his life, David maintained a dedication to the preservation of justice and integrity which I am honored to commend. Today, I join the Churchill County community and citizens of the Silver State to celebrate the life of an upstanding Nevadan and dedicated advocate on behalf of our State.

Mr. President, here we go again. Once again, Washington is doing its old familiar song and dance: pushing another measure that is big on talking points but very light on solutions.

The truth is, the measure we are debating will not help anyone struggling with rising gas prices. It is past time for Congress to get to work on solving our Nation's most pressing issues.

Nevadans have already been hit hard by this economic downturn. Gas prices are only making a tough situation worse. Congress should do everything within its power to provide relief to Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet.

In Las Vegas, the average price of gas is $3.93 a gallon. Up north in Reno, gas prices are already more than $4 a gallon. In the rural town of Elko, the local newspaper recently reported that gas prices have increased by 48 cents in the last month.

I received a text message recently from a prominent businessman in my State. He wrote:

Regular gas at $4.56 per gallon in southern California--

beginning to really affect our businesses.

This is an issue Congress has ignored for far too long. Instead of addressing gas prices, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are retreating to failed policy in hopes of distracting Americans from the dramatic price and rise of prices at the pump. They are merely following the lead of this administration, whose own Secretary of Energy statements before Congress indicated that their overall energy goal is not to lower gas prices.

Unfortunately, my colleagues fail to understand what the American people have understood all along; that is, to have a healthy economy, we need affordable energy. Developing domestic energy resources and building the infrastructure to get it to market will not only create jobs, but it will bring more energy resources to market.

Nevada still has the unfortunate distinction of leading the Nation in both unemployment and foreclosures. Whether you live in the vast expanse of rural Nevada or in urban Las Vegas, high gasoline prices disproportionately impact my home State.

The current state of our economy and the rising gas prices represent an extreme blow to many sectors of Nevada's economy, tourism in particular. Tourism and the jobs dependent on that industry will be further devastated as gas prices increase at a time when Nevadans are hurting most.

Additionally, Nevada is roughly 110,000 square miles. High gas prices mean more vacant hotel rooms. It

means more empty restaurants. It means more closed small businesses. Many of my constituents must travel great distances to work or for basic goods and services. At a time when middle-class families across Nevada have already been forced to tighten their belts, the last thing they need is to feel the squeeze of higher gas prices.

In Nevada we need jobs, not policies that make job creation more difficult. I believe continuing to develop renewable and alternative sources is important to Nevada for the clean energy and job creation it brings. The development of renewable energy is something I have long advocated. However, our Nation must have a diverse energy strategy.

A truly comprehensive approach to our domestic energy security will create jobs and improve our economy. We must develop all of our resources, and I would argue that the positive impact increased domestic production would have on our economy in terms of jobs and revenue would actually facilitate the development of the technologies of the future.

There is no doubt alternative sources of energy are our future. While we work to develop and perfect those technologies, we need to secure our economy now by having an energy policy that respects the cause of the problem; that is, supply and demand.

What concerns me is we are not debating a bill that today provides solutions. Today's debate is about a bill that is merely two failed policies repackaged as a political stunt. Congress should not double down on failed stimulus programs that have put Nevadans out of work and have done little to salvage our economy. Americans do not want more political gimmicks. They want solutions. What Congress needs to focus on are policies that will lower gas prices for Americans and fuel job creation.

For this reason, I have authored an amendment to this legislation that is truly a compromise containing solutions to the issues we are facing today. My amendment, the Gas Price Relief Act, would relieve gas prices at the pump, increase domestic energy production, and close tax loopholes.

Under the Gas Price Relief Act, every American who drives a car will reap the benefit of tax relief. My legislation closes tax loopholes for the major integrated oil companies and cuts the gas tax while ensuring revenue is still being delivered to the highway trust fund.

My amendment also provides for domestic energy production and infrastructure, which will create jobs and at the same time increase supply. It is truly a commonsense ``all of the above'' strategy to provide for the development of our domestic energy resources in order to meet our energy needs.

It is imperative Washington takes on our Nation's most pressing issues, not simply instigate partisan fights. Washington should not continue to play politics with America's paychecks. The longer Congress delays making tough decisions the more people in Nevada and across our Nation suffer.

In my home State of Nevada, gas prices have more than doubled since 2009. Higher energy costs impact every aspect of life: from the cost of food and clothing to virtually every good and service on which we rely.

Expanding domestic energy production, improving our energy infrastructure, and passing savings along to the American people are the right objectives to meet our Nation's immediate and future energy needs.

Let's move beyond the partisan fights of today and start producing the results Nevadans and all Americans are asking for.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, it is my privilege to recognize LTC Daren S. Sorenson, an extraordinary American, whose heroic acts to defend his country and fellow servicemembers has earned him a second Distinguished Flying Cross, DFC. The State of Nevada and the U.S. Air Force are proud to commend Lieutenent Colonel Sorenson for all of his accomplishments.

I am grateful and humbled to honor Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson for his dedication and sacrifice to this Nation. He has been deployed seven times and served as the deputy mission commander during the first preemptive strike on the inaugural night of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. During this combat operation, Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson earned his first DFC for targeting and assisting the destruction of an armored unit of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Not only has Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson been recognized for this prestigious award once, but he received his second DFC during his deployment to Afghanistan for air support in Operation Enduring Freedom.

On May 25, 2011, during an operation in Eastern Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson implemented techniques and strategies learned at Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base to defend and save the lives of nearly 50 coalition members. Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson's valiant aeronautic techniques drew away opposing fire and enabled air controllers and ground forces to locate combatants and defeat the enemy. His devotion to duty in the face of perilous flying conditions is admirable and maintains the highest standards and traditions of the U.S. Air Force.

As America's oldest military aviation award, the DFC was created by Congress more than 85 years ago to award individuals for acts of heroism or achievement in aeronautics. I applaud Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson for earning this prestigious award twice during his service. His continuous acts of bravery are a testament to his commitment to the United States.

Today, we commend Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson's acts of valor and the continuous sacrifices made by all of our servicemembers to ensure the safety and security of our Nation. We owe them and their families a great deal of gratitude for their personal sacrifices. I am proud to join the citizens of Nevada in recognizing Lieutenant Colonel Sorenson's accomplishments. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating him for his incredible bravery on behalf of his comrades and this great nation.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Dr. Heath Morrison, who has been recognized as the 2012 American Association of School Administrators--AASA--National Superintendent of the Year. My home State of Nevada is proud and privileged to acknowledge such an extraordinary educator and leader.

Since 2009, Dr. Morrison has served as superintendent for the Washoe County School District where he has proven to be an innovator in education. During his tenure, the Washoe County School District has achieved higher test scores and has seen their graduation rate rise to 70 percent. Outside the classroom, Dr. Morrison continues to encourage and develop student performance by creating personal connections with the local community.

Engaging with Washoe County residents has allowed Dr. Morrison to foster relationships with parents, volunteers, and local businesses in order to create and enhance scholastic opportunities for students. I commend Dr. Morrison for his strong leadership and positive influence on Nevada's youth.

I admire and recognize the desire of our educators to uphold high education standards for our nation. Their guidance and encouragement provide students with the ability to become lifelong learners with a thirst for knowledge. Now more than ever, it is of paramount importance to prepare our children and grandchildren to compete in the 21st century.

Nevada is fortunate to have such great educational leadership serving the students across our great State. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Morrison and celebrating the achievements of our Nation's teachers, administrators, and staff who help to guide our students to educational excellence.

Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the life and work of Bill Raggio, a steadfast Nevadan, my mentor, and dedicated public servant who passed away on February 23, 2012. Our State has lost a truly devoted leader and influential icon in Nevada politics. We mourn the passing of a dear friend and celebrate the life of a man who lived and fought for the betterment of our State.

The loss of Bill is something that will be felt all across Nevada. He was truly a giant in every sense of the word. His recordbreaking 38 years in the Nevada State Senate can only be described as selfless. Over the course of 10 terms, Bill was dedicated beyond question. He not only demonstrated a tactful leadership style but also devoted himself to fiscal responsibility. His ability to compromise and his willingness to work across party lines helped him to overcome partisan differences and legislative hurdles to meet the needs of the great State of Nevada. Bill influenced my work, and for that I am forever thankful.

Never afraid to tackle the difficult problems, Bill pledged his commitment to dutifully protecting the citizens of northern Nevada as the Washoe County district attorney. He was a great man who fought hard for Nevadans and was respected by many. We are fortunate and proud to remember Bill, a second-generation Nevadan and Reno native.

Bill touched the lives of tens of thousands of Nevada families, spanning generations. He served Nevadans with honor and devotion, and we are blessed by Bill's enduring and undeniable passion for public service. I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the life of a great statesman who will always be remembered for his unwavering commitment to Nevada. His passing is a tremendous loss, and his legacy will be cherished for generations to come. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to Bill's wife Dale and the entire Raggio family.

Mr. President, our Nation is more than $15 trillion in debt. The President's budget will increase government spending by $47 trillion over the next decade. Included is the largest tax increase in American history, while our national debt increases to $25.9 trillion over the next 10 years.

That is right. This budget proposes a massive tax increase, not as a plan to address the national debt but to fuel more reckless big government spending. Our Nation cannot afford to continue down this path. This reckless budget will not only saddle our children and grandchildren with massive government debt, but it proposes to raise taxes on the very businesses we need to create jobs.

How can this President and the majority party claim to be projobs when everything they are doing is antibusiness? This budget threatens our long-term economic security and places a greater burden on our children and grandchildren who will be forced to live and pay for Washington's inability to solve this problem.

While I believe the President's budget spends too much, borrows too much, and taxes too much, in the Senate the majority party has chosen to go to the other extreme. They have now refused to pass a budget for more than 1,000 days. It is our responsibility as legislators to develop a real, workable budget that will put our Nation back on the path of economic prosperity. Unfortunately, the majority simply has not taken this responsibility seriously.

Now, there are some who claim that spending caps established in the Budget Control Act constitute a budget. Quite frankly, I disagree. At a time when millions of Americans are out of work, this behavior in Washington continues to create great uncertainty and stifles economic growth.

No State has felt the failures of Washington more than the State of Nevada. My State continues to lead the Nation in unemployment, with more than 150,000 Nevadans looking for a job. With the so-called stimulus plans, Cash for Clunkers, and bailouts, Washington's response to our economic problems has been woefully inadequate and, in Nevada, a complete failure.

Here is the kind of story I hear all too often from my fellow Nevadans:

You may recall that my wife Pam and I own Straw Hat Pizza

here in Carson. Pam has owned and operated the restaurant

since May of 1985. Unfortunately, after 25 years of

operation, today is our last day of being in business. We are

forced to close our doors and likely file for bankruptcy due

to the horrible economic situation in our state, and Carson

City in particular. It's a true tragedy that a lifelong

endeavor ends this way, and Pam feels that she is a failure.

I keep reminding her that the failure was not hers, but

rather a failure of liberal elected officials to do what's

right for our country and get out of the way, let free

enterprise work its magic, and in turn let individuals

flourish.

Members of Congress are willfully refusing to put our Nation on a path of long-term fiscal responsibility, creating greater uncertainty, and contributing to an anemic economy that is forcing small businesses to close their doors. As long as this is the case, Americans will continue to be frustrated and angry with Washington's inability to produce real results.

Our Nation's Capitol remains the only place in the country where difficult decisions are not made. Congress continually kicks the can down the road leaving tough fiscal decisions for future Congresses, future administrations, and worse, the next generation.

In light of these facts, is it any mystery why Congress is currently experiencing its worst approval ratings in history. I introduced the No Budget,

No Pay Act to force Congress to face reality, to take responsibility for running this country. This bipartisan legislation requires that the Senate and House of Representatives pass a budget and all appropriations bills by the beginning of each fiscal year. Failure to do so would result in the loss of pay until Congress takes its job seriously.

If Congress does not complete its constitutional duties, then its Members should not be paid. It is that simple. If we do not do our job, then we should not be paid. This concept resonates with the American people. I know this because I asked Nevadans during a series of telephone townhall meetings last year whether they supported a bill that would hold the pay of Members of Congress if they failed to pass a budget. More than 4,000 Nevadans participated in this poll, and 84 percent of them supported the No Budget, No Pay concept.

The budget is not a trivial piece of legislation or a campaign document. It is a roadmap that identifies goals, priorities, and establishes a multiyear fiscal course for the Nation. If done right it can provide stability and set expectations for where we want to take our Nation.

Budgeting is not a strange concept. It is something that is done at all levels of government, businesses large and small, and at every kitchen table across the country. It is past time for Congress to actually implement policies that would encourage the economic growth we need to ensure that workers can have good jobs and provide for their families.

While the No Budget, No Pay Act will not solve every problem in Washington, I sincerely believe it would be a step in the right direction. These essential functions of Congress are vital to fiscal responsibility and creating greater certainty so our job creators can flourish.

I was pleased to see reports of growth--small growth--in our economy. But lack of clarity provided by Washington continues to hamper economic growth. Back home, Nevadans continue to struggle. Small businesses are trying to survive while gridlock in Washington is making it harder for employers to know what to expect in the coming years. Establishing a responsible budget would be a good first step toward placing our Nation on a path for a more prosperous future.

I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor SFC Jeremiah Mock on the occasion of his oath of reenlistment in the Nevada Army National Guard. His commitment to the citizens of the Silver State is unwavering, and Nevada is honored by his service.

I would first like to recognize all of our Nation's service men and women. Each and every day, our troops are serving the United States to protect our freedom. They dedicate their lives to serve this great Nation and constantly make grave sacrifices to ensure the safety of our country. Our servicemembers and their families deserve our gratitude and thanks.

Before serving in the Nevada National Guard, Sergeant Mock served 9 years in the Army Reserve, where he was deployed repeatedly on combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. His continued dedication to service led him to join the Nevada National Guard in 2007, and he continues to serve his State, despite becoming the innocent victim of a brutal shooting in Carson City, NV, on September 6, 2011. I will never forget this tragic event, and I continue to send my thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

I commend Sergeant Mock for his bravery and thank him for his faithful

service to his State and country. I also wish to recognize Sergeant Mock's wife, SSG Stephanie Mock, who enlisted in the Nevada Air National Guard shortly after the tragic events of September 6, 2011. The Mock family is a true inspiration and illustration of a proud Nevada family who have overcome great hardship through faith and determination.

I congratulate Sergeant Mock on his reenlistment and am humbled by him and all of our courageous service men and women. Let us continue to be mindful of our dedicated servicemembers who fight to protect and preserve the ideals of freedom and democracy.

Mr. President, when our Nation's economy was thriving, Nevada was at the heart of the construction boom. Buildings and homes were going up across the State. Neighborhoods were growing, schools were being built at record rates, and the construction industry was flourishing. All of this activity drove investments into other areas of the economy, and for many life was good in Nevada. But when the crisis hit, the highs that my State experienced were matched by the lows that followed.

Nevada now leads the Nation in unemployment with more than 160,000 Nevadans looking for a job. Many can no longer afford their homes. Nevadans are being forced into bankruptcy and facing foreclosure. While Nevada is home to some of the most resilient, hard-working people in the country, almost one-quarter of Nevadans are so frustrated that they have simply given up hope for better employment.

Much of the difficulty Nevadans are experiencing can be traced back to the crisis in my State. The ill effects of the depressed housing market are widespread. High rates of foreclosures are devastating to families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. Families who have been foreclosed upon are already having a hard time paying their bills. Add to those difficulties the time spent finding a new place and the costs of moving and their problems are compounded. Time spent fighting the bank to avoid foreclosure and relocating would likely be better used to find a job or better paying employment.

One of the biggest problems distressed home owners are facing is the programs that have been put into place to help keep people in their homes that have not lived up to expectations. My office spends a great deal of time with Nevadans on the cusp of losing their homes, looking for help, and trying to keep families in their homes. It is truly heart wrenching to hear some of these stories. These homeowners do not want to foreclose, and obviously they do not want to lose their homes.

I recently received this e-mail from a constituent in Reno who is fighting to keep their home. I would like to share that with you.

We hoped for a win-win situation but in the end all we got

was a nightmare in which everyone loses: my sister and I

obviously lose, our neighborhood loses as another house sits

vacant with a rusting metal sign in the front, our State

loses as the housing plight increases again, the bank loses

because they lose a customer who just needed another chance

and, most importantly, democracy loses as the plutocrats roll

over another family.

When families move, their children often have to change schools. So now not only are children forced to move from their homes, they are also leaving behind their schools and their neighborhoods. This kind of destabilization is harmful for families who are already struggling.

Consider the effects of foreclosures on neighborhoods and communities. The widespread availability of housing is flooding the real estate inventory in Nevada. This is forcing down home values and making it difficult for other people to sell their homes as well. In February 2006 the average home in Nevada was valued at $309,000. Today the home values have dropped to $120,000.

Homes left vacant and uncared for can quickly become an eyesore, pushing low home values even lower. This means others in the neighborhood can have a difficult time selling their homes if they want to move. If they find a better job elsewhere, for example, they may not be able to take it because they cannot sell their homes for a reasonable price, if they are able to sell them at all.

Today I am introducing legislation to help reverse these destabilizing forces. The bill I am introducing today, the Keeping Families in their Home Act, will help address large unsold housing inventories and give families a chance to stay in their homes. This bill would allow banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to enter into long- term leases, including an option to purchase properties acquired through foreclosure with the prior homeowner or any individual.

By providing an opportunity for the homeowner to stay in their home, the bank is giving families a chance to regain sound financial footing. This commonsense solution helps provide some much needed stability is available for all families.

While I believe this bill is a good step in the right direction, let me be clear: much more needs to be done to help the housing problems facing Nevada. The programs already in place simply have not done enough and have not lived up to expectations.

I was pleased to see reports of growth in our economy, but people in my State continue to suffer. Back home Nevadans still believe there are no jobs. Small businesses are trying to survive while gridlock in Washington is making it harder for employers to know what is expected in the coming year. Crushing regulations are bringing Nevada's growth industries to a halt. In order for Nevada to experience real long-term recovery, Washington needs to fundamentally change the way it works. Congress needs to stop overspending. Republicans and Democrats should come together to close unfair loopholes and make the Tax Code easier for businesses to understand and to follow. This bill is just one solution to help turn around this housing crisis. It is also an idea that both Republicans and Democrats can support.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and others into law so that we can help families dealing with foreclosures across the country. As I have said before, moving forward I welcome any and all ideas on how to fix the housing crisis in this country. Nevadans cannot afford to wait any longer.

In the meantime, I urge my colleagues to seriously consider supporting this bill. This legislation can go a long way toward helping families, stabilizing neighborhoods, and stem

any further reduction in home prices. I hope Senators will join me in this endeavor so the President can sign this bill into law and help families who badly need it.

Mr. President, when our Nation's economy was thriving, Nevada was at the heart of the construction boom. Buildings and homes were going up across the State. Neighborhoods were growing, schools were being built at record rates, and the construction industry was flourishing. All of this activity drove investments into other areas of the economy, and for many life was good in Nevada. But when the crisis hit, the highs that my State experienced were matched by the lows that followed.

Nevada now leads the Nation in unemployment with more than 160,000 Nevadans looking for a job. Many can no longer afford their homes. Nevadans are being forced into bankruptcy and facing foreclosure. While Nevada is home to some of the most resilient, hard-working people in the country, almost one-quarter of Nevadans are so frustrated that they have simply given up hope for better employment.

Much of the difficulty Nevadans are experiencing can be traced back to the crisis in my State. The ill effects of the depressed housing market are widespread. High rates of foreclosures are devastating to families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. Families who have been foreclosed upon are already having a hard time paying their bills. Add to those difficulties the time spent finding a new place and the costs of moving and their problems are compounded. Time spent fighting the bank to avoid foreclosure and relocating would likely be better used to find a job or better paying employment.

One of the biggest problems distressed home owners are facing is the programs that have been put into place to help keep people in their homes that have not lived up to expectations. My office spends a great deal of time with Nevadans on the cusp of losing their homes, looking for help, and trying to keep families in their homes. It is truly heart wrenching to hear some of these stories. These homeowners do not want to foreclose, and obviously they do not want to lose their homes.

I recently received this e-mail from a constituent in Reno who is fighting to keep their home. I would like to share that with you.

We hoped for a win-win situation but in the end all we got

was a nightmare in which everyone loses: my sister and I

obviously lose, our neighborhood loses as another house sits

vacant with a rusting metal sign in the front, our State

loses as the housing plight increases again, the bank loses

because they lose a customer who just needed another chance

and, most importantly, democracy loses as the plutocrats roll

over another family.

When families move, their children often have to change schools. So now not only are children forced to move from their homes, they are also leaving behind their schools and their neighborhoods. This kind of destabilization is harmful for families who are already struggling.

Consider the effects of foreclosures on neighborhoods and communities. The widespread availability of housing is flooding the real estate inventory in Nevada. This is forcing down home values and making it difficult for other people to sell their homes as well. In February 2006 the average home in Nevada was valued at $309,000. Today the home values have dropped to $120,000.

Homes left vacant and uncared for can quickly become an eyesore, pushing low home values even lower. This means others in the neighborhood can have a difficult time selling their homes if they want to move. If they find a better job elsewhere, for example, they may not be able to take it because they cannot sell their homes for a reasonable price, if they are able to sell them at all.

Today I am introducing legislation to help reverse these destabilizing forces. The bill I am introducing today, the Keeping Families in their Home Act, will help address large unsold housing inventories and give families a chance to stay in their homes. This bill would allow banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to enter into long- term leases, including an option to purchase properties acquired through foreclosure with the prior homeowner or any individual.

By providing an opportunity for the homeowner to stay in their home, the bank is giving families a chance to regain sound financial footing. This commonsense solution helps provide some much needed stability is available for all families.

While I believe this bill is a good step in the right direction, let me be clear: much more needs to be done to help the housing problems facing Nevada. The programs already in place simply have not done enough and have not lived up to expectations.

I was pleased to see reports of growth in our economy, but people in my State continue to suffer. Back home Nevadans still believe there are no jobs. Small businesses are trying to survive while gridlock in Washington is making it harder for employers to know what is expected in the coming year. Crushing regulations are bringing Nevada's growth industries to a halt. In order for Nevada to experience real long-term recovery, Washington needs to fundamentally change the way it works. Congress needs to stop overspending. Republicans and Democrats should come together to close unfair loopholes and make the Tax Code easier for businesses to understand and to follow. This bill is just one solution to help turn around this housing crisis. It is also an idea that both Republicans and Democrats can support.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and others into law so that we can help families dealing with foreclosures across the country. As I have said before, moving forward I welcome any and all ideas on how to fix the housing crisis in this country. Nevadans cannot afford to wait any longer.

In the meantime, I urge my colleagues to seriously consider supporting this bill. This legislation can go a long way toward helping families, stabilizing neighborhoods, and stem

any further reduction in home prices. I hope Senators will join me in this endeavor so the President can sign this bill into law and help families who badly need it.

Mr. President, later today the debate will center on the fundamental question of whether Members of Congress should be responsible for upholding the same laws as the American people. The unified answer from this Congress must be an unequivocal yes. It is no secret that Congress has a track record of exempting itself from the very laws it writes.

Former Senator John Glenn said such exemptions are ``the rankest form of hypocrisy. Laws that are good enough for everyone else ought to be good enough for us.''

Former Congressman Henry Hyde once quipped that ``Congress would exempt itself from the laws of gravity if it could.''

I have long supported efforts to ensure that Congress refuses to give into any temptation to exempt itself. When I was serving in the House of Representatives, I was proud to be a leader in the effort to require Members of Congress and their staffs be subject to the same requirements that the Obama health care bill put on all citizens.

While the bad old days of Congress exempting itself from major occupational safety and health and fair labor standard laws were done away with to some extent after passage of the Congressional Accountability Act, and other reforms of the mid-1990s, Congress should not miss this opportunity to show the American people that it is willing to live by the very rules that are imposed on the American people. The people of this Nation are tired of business as usual in Washington. They are tired of the congressional exemptions or carve- outs that create a chasm between the working class and the political class.

My home State of Nevada is currently enduring the highest unemployment rate in the country. In fact, Nevada has led the Nation in unemployment for more than 2 years. As I travel the State, I hear from individuals who are frustrated because the public servants who are supposed to be representing them don't feel their pain. While our economy limps on, the Nation's Capital remains untouched by the difficulties Nevadans experience every day. In light of these facts, is it any mystery why Congress is currently experiencing its worst approval ratings in history?

I am a cosponsor of the STOCK Act because I believe confidential information acquired as a result of holding public office should not be used for private gain. The STOCK Act would prohibit Members or employees of Congress and executive branch employees from profiting from nonpublic information obtained because of their status and requires greater oversight of the growing political intelligence industry. Members and employees should also be required to report the purchases, sales, and exchange of any stock, bond, or commodity transaction greater than $1,000 within 30 days.

As a strong supporter of transparency in Congress and the Federal Government, I believe the STOCK Act is an important step for Congress to take and start earning back the trust and faith of the American people. Restoring that confidence will surely be a long journey because public servants have in too many cases not taken their job seriously. But through legislation such as the STOCK Act, we send an important message to the citizens of this Nation that we understand our position requires us to uphold the highest ethical and moral standards, and we are willing to undergo the scrutiny required to regain that trust.

Members of Congress should follow the same rules as every other American. No American can trade on insider information without the risk of prosecution, and Congress should be held to the same standard. Elected officials should take every precaution to ensure that they do not use public information for personal gain.

I hope both Chambers will take the time to thoughtfully consider this legislation and send it to the President for his signature. My hope is that the American people will view passage of this legislation as an earnest bipartisan effort to change the way Washington does business.

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important bill.

I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.