Floor Statements

Mr. President, may I direct a question to the Senator from Ohio?

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I only ask that the ranking member, Senator Hollings, be given up to 10 minutes out of the 45 minutes under his control.

Mr. President, I think everyone should be advised that if all the time is used, we will vote at about 5:35 on final passage of this most important legislation.

Mr. President, I say to my friend from Arizona, Senator Hollings is the ranking member, and the unanimous consent request does say that. However, he is going to speak and then turn the time over to the ranking member of the subcommittee, Senator Dorgan of North Dakota.

Mr. President, I appreciate very much the Senator yielding to me. We are in the position of being able to yield back all of our time except 6 minutes for the Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Dodd.

As soon as Senator Dodd arrives, we will use the remainder of our time. We have been told he is on his way--from where, we do not know.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) are necessarily absent.

I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote ``aye''.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) are necessarily absent.

I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote ``aye''.

No objection.

I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. President, I take a brief few minutes to say a few words about a situation that I think is a slap in the face to a brave Nevadan but also to thousands of others who wear the uniform of our great Republic.

Bill Murwin is a deputy sheriff in Lyon County, one of 17 Nevada counties. It is a rural county, even though it is becoming more urban all the time with the tremendous growth in Fernley and Silver Springs. Still we think of it as a rural county, a little over 60 miles outside of Reno.

In addition to Bill being deputy sheriff, he is also a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. When his country called, he left his family and went to fight in Iraq. He was wounded a few months ago when a grenade exploded in a vehicle in which he was riding. He was treated at a military hospital in Germany and then because of the seriousness of his injury he spent 4 weeks at Bethesda. I am sorry to say this, but at Bethesda Naval Hospital he had to have part of his left foot amputated.

Obviously, we owe a debt of gratitude to Sergeant Murwin, just as we owe a debt of gratitude to all those who bravely fought for our freedom over the years, particularly in the sands and cities of Iraq.

Instead of gratitude--it is hard to comprehend--Bill Murwin got a bill from the Government in the amount of $243. Three days later he got a second bill, along with a threat that his account would be turned over to a collection agency if he did not pay up immediately.

For what did he owe this large sum of $243? I say that somewhat facetiously, but to him $243 was a large amount of money. It was for the food he ate when he was having his foot amputated. It seems that military personnel who do not eat in a messhall, including those who have families, receive a monthly allowance for their food. But when our troops are wounded, they eat in a hospital, they are billed by the Government $8.10 a day for their hospital meals.

I found out what happened to Sergeant Murwin when a coworker sent an e-mail to my office. I was disillusioned, disappointed, and somewhat upset to learn we have a policy and it has been in place for 22 years.

Our troops in combat who are eating field chow are already allowed to keep their food allowance. Certainly, the same policy should apply to those who are in a hospital recovering from the injuries they received in the field.

When a soldier is wounded in combat, we should not add insult to injury by making him pay for his hospital food. I am proud of Sergeant Murwin for coming forward to shed light on this mistaken policy.

Today, he told a member of my staff:

This isn't about me. There are guys in the hospital who are

18 or 19 years old and have been there for three months or

longer. . . .Some of them are expecting bills of $1,000 or

more. They [are] really fretting those bills.

I think it is a national disgrace that anyone in this country has to worry about decent health care--and 44 million people have to worry about decent health care. But, really, when a soldier who is wounded in combat lies in a hospital bed worrying about a bill from his own Government for the food he is eating in the hospital, that is a little too much.

I also acknowledge my friend, the Congressman from Florida, Representative Young. When he heard about this, he sent a bill to the Government to repay this bill for Sergeant Murwin. So I publicly acknowledge and appreciate what I read in the paper that my friend, Congressman Young, had done.

I am proud to cosponsor Senator Graham's bill that would correct this ridiculous policy. I salute, as I said, Congressman Young for introducing a similar bill in the House and for paying the bill, literally, of my constituent.

I hope every Member of both Chambers will act quickly to correct this outrage. And it is an outrage.

Mr. President, I rise today to salute a great Nevadan, a great human being and a great athlete, my friend, Greg Maddux.

Mr. Maddux pitches for the Atlanta Braves baseball club. Since he went to Atlanta almost 11 years ago, the

Braves have won their division every single season.

This is no coincidence. Greg Maddux has been the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves, and the key to their remarkable string of success.

From 1992 through 1995, he won the Cy Young award, as the best pitcher in baseball, four years in a row. No other pitcher has ever accomplished that and I doubt anyone else ever will.

He finished the 1990s with a 2.54 earned run average for the decade. Only two pitchers had posted a better ERA over a decade since 1910-- Hoyt Wilhelm and Sandy Koufax. That is pretty good company. And in 1995, Maddux became the first pitcher to log back-to-back seasons with an ERA under 1.80.

From 1990 through 2001--12 consecutive years--Greg won the National League Gold Glove as the league's best-fielding pitcher.

He pitched nine scoreless innings in Game One of the 1995 World Series, leading the Braves over the Cleveland Indians.

Greg could have retired years ago, and he would still be assured of entering the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first day he is eligible.

But he keeps pitching, and he keeps setting a new standard of excellence.

Sunday, he broke a record that had been held by the great Cy Young himself, winning at least 15 games for the 16th consecutive season. Young's record of 15 games for 15 seasons had stood for 98 years, since 1905.

For a major league pitcher, winning 15 games in a season is a feat that only the best will ever accomplish. To do it for 16 straight years is almost unthinkable.

They say records are made to be broken. Well, I think this one will stand for a long, long time.

The success of Greg Maddux is even more amazing when you consider that he doesn't have overwhelming speed. In an era of 100 mph fastballs, his clock in the mid-80s. He doesn't try to overpower hitters; he just outsmarts them.

Maddux is an unsurpassed student of the game who relies on his pinpoint control and his unyielding determination. He never gives in to hitters. He makes them swing at his pitches.

After he defeated the Florida Marlins to break Cy Young's record, 72- year-old Florida manager Jack McKeon said, ``He doesn't get you out--he makes you get yourself out.''

Anybody who is a baseball fan, as I am, would be proud to know Greg Maddux. But he is more than a great athlete. He is a great person.

He is a devoted family man, married to a wonderful wife, Kathy. They have a daughter Amanda Paige, and a son Chase Alan.

Obviously, the Maddux family could live anywhere they want to. I am proud that they have chosen to live in Las Vegas, where Greg grew up and graduated from Valley High School.

Greg doesn't endorse commercial products, and he has no interest in the glamorous life of a celebrity. Instead, he and his family live quietly, giving generously of their time and money for causes that benefit our community.

Kathy and Greg lead the Maddux Foundation, which is involved in several charitable activities in Las Vegas and Atlanta. The Foundation supports children's homes, domestic crisis shelters, and boys and girls clubs. In recent years, the Madduxes have expanded their philanthropic efforts, helping even more kids.

Greg's brother Mike also has a foundation that helps children. And he happens to be a pretty good pitcher in own right.

Mike Maddux began his major league career in 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and played in the big leagues for 15 seasons. He, like his brother Greg, is a role model for Nevadas' and our voting youth.

Both of the Maddux brothers are great baseball players, but even more important, they are great neighbors.

Baseball fans all over America know Greg Maddux as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game.

In southern Nevada, we know him as a devoted family man, a positive role model for kids, and a generous contributor to our community.

Will the Senator yield?

Is it true that the request of the President, if granted, will cause the United States sometime next summer to increase the debt ceiling of this country?

Will the Senator again yield?

I ask, through the Presiding Officer to the distinguished Democratic leader, this question. It is true, is it not, in the first gulf war there were 200,000 troops supplied by other countries? It is also true, is it not, that 90 percent of the cost of the war was borne by other countries? It is also true in this war that 90 percent of the costs or more are being borne by the United States, 90 percent of the casualties, 90 percent of the troops on the ground is the United States.

There is a tremendous difference between the first gulf war and the second gulf war; is that true?

Madam President, reserving the right to object, we have been in touch with Senator Byrd, who is comanager of this bill, and he has no objection to proceeding to this conference report. He simply wants to be able to be heard prior to our scheduling a vote on adoption of the conference report.

I have no objection.

Reserving the right to object, and I will not object, this is the 154th judge we have approved. As I recall, there are three we have not approved. It is 154 to 3. That is a pretty good record.

I also ask that the unanimous consent request be modified to allow Senator Boxer 2 minutes to speak prior to the vote on the nomination of Larry Burns.

I announce that the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Dodd), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) are necessarily absent.

I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote ``yea.''

Mr. President, there are a number of amendments pending-- the Bingaman amendment and another Daschle amendment. Unless something can be worked out with the managers, I am sure we can dispose of those by votes prior to the recess. Also, I say to the leader, that with respect to the contracting-out amendment, which will take a little more debate, we will be ready to vote around 3 o'clock on that amendment. At least the way amendments are now stacked, that is the most contentious amendment that has been filed.

I also say in the presence of the majority leader, and for Senators on our side and on the other side, the two managers are waiting for amendments. If there are amendments to be offered, they should do that as quickly as possible. Progress has been made more rapidly than I thought on this bill. With a little bit of good fortune, we can complete this bill fairly early this evening.

Mr. President, I also certainly wish the President the best of luck at the United Nations today. I think it is extremely important we have more support from the international community. I am very happy to see the President going there seeking that help.

Mr. President, we are not going to take our time now.

Mr. President, the Senator from Texas is correct. What happened this morning is the majority went ahead of their normal time. I say to my friend, the Senator from Texas, we are going to ask for more time, anyway. Quite frankly, we didn't know when morning business was scheduled that the purpose was to attack another Senator. Based upon that, we are going to ask, when all time expires, for more time. So we should all have time to state our respective positions.

We have a number of Senators who are on their way to the Chamber now. Senator Dodd is here now to say a word regarding the statements that have been made by the majority. So we are going to ask for more time.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, morning business has expired. I would ask unanimous consent--and I do this with the greatest respect--that we, the minority, be given the next 20 minutes and that the minority have 10 minutes to respond.

The reason I suggest that is that there has been a half hour here directed toward one Senator. We think that we would, with the 7 minutes we have been given and the 20 minutes that I am asking, be nearly balanced--not totally balanced. In fact, it would still be out of balance, with 40 minutes for one side and about 30 to respond to that-- in fact, 27. So I would ask unanimous consent that we be given the next 20 minutes; following that, the majority be recognized for 10 minutes, still as if in morning business, and that the work of the Interior appropriations subcommittee, the vote, plus the 10-minute speeches prior to the vote, be set aside for 30 minutes.

I withdraw my unanimous consent request and note the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I renew my unanimous consent request.

That is true.

Mr. President, how much time is remaining?

I ask Senator Dodd be given the last 2 minutes.

Mr. President, in baseball you have seen the teams pile onto each other. That only happens on one occasion, generally, in baseball, which I understand quite well. One of the pitcher's weapons is to throw a ball inside, and that happens all the time to keep the batter loose. But you never throw at someone's head. That, in effect, is what happened here, and that is why we have had the Senators rallying here because, in effect, someone threw a ball at the head of one of our Senators, and that is not right.

I appreciate very much Senator Dodd, whom we all know is a close personal friend of Senator Kennedy--I

would expect nothing less--defending his close personal friend. But he also defends the institution itself. He is in the process not only of defending his close personal friend but the institution.

As we have said, people who deliver a message that this administration doesn't like are attacked. There is no better example of that than Senator Daschle, who has been attacked personally with TV ads being run against him in his own State by people who are just voicing the administration's line. There have been many other ways he has been attacked.

When it comes to rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure--the electric grid, the water supply, the highways--I think there are a number of questions that need to be answered for the American people. People may not have liked how Senator Kennedy phrased his objection to what has gone on and what is going on, but he said it. He raised issues. Let's not attack him; let's talk about the issues.

I have some questions. What are the assumptions underlying the President's request for $87 billion, and how many months for reconstruction will it cover? Why haven't we done more for Afghanistan? That is a question I have. What is the best case scenario for international contributions? What will the administration request next year? What is going on with Iraqi oil revenue, which we were led to believe would pay to rebuild the country? What happened to their seized assets?

Another question is, Why is the contracting process less transparent than U.S. law requires, and which companies are profiting from these contracts? What is the status of the Iraqi Army and the police?

The American people deserve answers to these questions. That is why Members of Congress, including decorated Members such as Congressman Murtha and Senator Hagel, have been raising these and other questions. No one should question their patriotism. They are doing their duty just as Congressman Murtha and Senator Hagel did when they wore the uniform of the American military.

No one should dream of questioning the patriotism of Senator Kennedy, who has served the body for four decades. He doesn't have all the answers of what is going on in Iraq, but he has a right to ask questions. The responses to his questions, unfortunately, have all been too familiar. Whenever someone has the temerity to criticize the actions of this administration, the response is a personal attack.

A former Member of this body, Senator Max Cleland, was the first to recognize the need for the Department of Homeland Security. But he didn't agree with every detail of the administration's plan for that Department. So this man was attacked and his patriotism was questioned during the 2000 Presidential race. Even Senator McCain, who served 7 years in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam, was attacked because he did not agree with the President on every issue.

The list goes on. It should trouble any of us when Americans feel free to raise questions about the policies of their Government and then are criticized. What troubles me is when those questions go unanswered and personal attacks take place.

I have asked questions about today's plan in Iraq because my ultimate concern is the protection and safety of our troops. I will do anything I can to support our troops in every way possible. They will get every dollar they need for security and ongoing military operations. But I don't want to give Iraq a blank check, while our children get a bounced check for education, while our efforts to rebuild our own roads and power grids go begging.

The President has the responsibility as commander in chief to bring the international community together and rally our allies behind a comprehensive plan that will complete our mission in Iraq. We cannot continue to fight a war without a plan for victory.

Mr. President, we have a lot of questions. It has nothing to do with one's patriotism. We have a right to ask these questions. I say to the administration, please don't attack the person who asked the question. Answer the question.

I yield whatever time I have remaining to the Senator from Connecticut.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman), the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski) and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Miller) are necessarily absent.

I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would vote ``yea.''