Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 342.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment or recess of the Senate from Thursday, January 30, through Monday, February 3, the majority leader and Senators Warner and Rockefeller be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642, the farm bill, with the time until 5:30 p.m. equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

The next rollcall vote will be 5:30 p.m. on the motion to invoke cloture on the conference report to accompany the farm bill.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order.

Mr. President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 297,

Mr. President, I was happy to move this on behalf of Chairman Sanders, who has put together this bill which is supported by 25 different service organizations.

Following my remarks this morning and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with the majority controlling the first half and Republicans the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of S. 1926, the flood insurance legislation.

We were able to reach an agreement for several amendments. All amendments must be offered by 3 p.m. today.

Multiple rollcall votes are possible today. Senators will be notified when these votes are scheduled.

Our Economy

Mr. President, over the last 45 months America's private sector has added more than 8 million jobs. We heard that from the President last night. The stock market has soared. Productivity has never in the history of our country been higher, and Americans have even started building and buying homes again. But while the economy is gaining momentum, for far too many Americans the hopeful headlines don't match the grim reality.

For the last decades middle-class Americans have seen their paychecks shrink even as corporate profits climb and the wealthiest are doing better and better. As the President said last night, there is nothing wrong with people making money. We are all happy they are doing well. But the average CEO's income is multiplied 250 times, and the people who work for that CEO are making less and less every year. That has happened during the last years. The richest 1 percent have had their wealth increased by three times while during that same period of time the middle class has had its earning capacity drop 10 percent. Average Americans are working even longer and harder than they were 30 years ago and receiving less in the way of remuneration.

The difference is this. Their hard work isn't paying off the way it used to. We must change that, and we can change that. It is not too late to ensure that Americans' success is determined by the strength of their spirit instead of the size of their bank account.

Fifty years ago, in his first State of the Union Address, Lyndon Johnson declared unconditional war on poverty. We have seen a lot of news accounts on that anniversary during the last month or so. But here is what Lyndon Johnson said 50 years ago:

Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope

. . . because of their poverty. . . . Our task is to help

replace their despair with opportunity.

Thanks to the innovative programs created five decades ago, including Medicare and school lunch programs,

the poverty rate has fallen 40 percent since the 1960s. But there is so much work to do.

The 67 richest Americans' net worth increased $2 billion on average last year. But during that same time, 1 million more American children dropped into poverty.

So there is much more to do. Too many American families still live on the outskirts of hope, struggling to survive, and falling well short of the American dream.

Last night President Obama laid out a plan to breathe new life into this country's struggling middle class. The President charted a course to build on the economic progress we have made over the last 45 months and to guarantee that progress is felt by every hard-working American. He challenged us--the Congress--to work with him to replace despair with opportunity. President Obama called for commonsense investments in our future--investments that have been deferred for too long.

If America hopes to rebuild and maintain a world-class economy, we must build the 21st century infrastructure to support that economy and a cutting-edge energy supply to power it. We must prepare today's students for tomorrow's jobs by ensuring a higher education is within reach for every promising student. We must give small businesses and manufacturers the support they need to thrive, and we must ensure every American earns a living wage during their working years and has the opportunity to retire comfortably.

I support the President's action to raise the minimum wage for private contractors who do work for the government, such as janitors, food servers, dish washers, and construction workers. But no American working a full-time job should live in poverty, and Congress must act to raise the minimum wage for all our Nation's workers.

A strong middle class--and an opportunity for every American to enter that middle class--is the key to this Nation's prosperity.

Last night the President also asked us to renew our commitment to the principles on which this country was founded--the principles which made this country great: Fairness--basic fairness. We must make certain that every American, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or income, has the opportunity to a full and equal participation in the workplace.

There are no guarantees in life. Not everyone succeeds. But every American deserves a fair shot at that success.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

Mr. President, we are going to have three more votes tonight. I understand they are going to be voice votes. We have made significant progress with this important piece of legislation. The next vote will be at 11:15 tomorrow. We expect to have the final vote on this bill tomorrow at 2 o'clock.

Vote on Amendment No. 2703

Mr. President, I understand pending amendment is the Reed amendment. I also understand it will be accepted by voice vote. I yield back my time.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Marvin Simpson, Sr., on his nearly five-decade service to the United States Senate and the Capitol Hill community.

Marvin began his career 48 years-ago in the Office of the Architect of the Capitol as a temporary messenger. He quickly rose to a permanent position as messenger for the Senate Office Building. He held many positions within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, including laborer foreman and the head of the Furniture Division. In 1998, Marvin was promoted to assistant superintendent, Tenant Services Division where he served with distinction until his retirement.

His leadership overseeing paint, upholstery, wood crafting, masonry, sheet metal and furniture branches has been exemplary. Marvin has been called an ambassador to the Senate office buildings and has provided Senators, our staffs, and the entire Senate family unmatched craftsmanship.

His institutional knowledge and work ethic will be greatly missed. I join with my colleagues in wishing Mr. Simpson all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1926, the flood insurance bill, postcloture.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 today to allow for our weekly caucus meetings.

Mr. President, I understand that S. 1963 is at the desk and due for a second reading.

Mr. President, could I ask who the sponsors of this legislation are? Who is sponsoring it?

Mr. President, I object to any further proceedings with respect to this bill.

Mr. President, I congratulate Diane Skvarla on her retirement after 20 years of service dedicated service as the Senate Curator.

Every day people from across the country--students on field trips, tourists, dignitaries, staffers and Senators alike--appreciate the historic treasures displayed in the hallways of the Capitol.

These works of fine art and craftsmanship are symbols of our democracy. For two decades Diane has been the steward of these treasures.

I thank Diane for her dedication, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. President, I am gratified that we were able to get enough votes on the flood insurance bill to get us this far. We have been trying to get to it for a long time. We are very close to a consent agreement to move forward on the bill with a few relevant amendments.

We are going to move forward with the consent agreement or move forward with the bill. This bill is going to move forward this week. I hope we can work out something today to move forward. Once again, I commend Senators Menendez, Landrieu, and Isakson for their hard work.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.