Floor Statements

I ask unanimous consent that the Veterans' Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 2045 and the Senate proceed to its consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Burr amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read three times and passed; that the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; and that any statements related to this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 616.

Mr. President, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has received a request from a Federal law enforcement agency seeking access to records that the Subcommittee obtained during its recent investigation into the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing vulnerabilities created when a global bank uses its U.S. affiliate to provide U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar services, and access to the U.S. financial system to high risk affiliates, high risk correspondent banks, and high risk clients.

This resolution would authorize the chairman and ranking minority member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, acting jointly, to provide records, obtained by the subcommittee in the course of its investigation, in response to this request and requests from other government entities and officials with a legitimate need for the records.

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, and any statement be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that from Thursday, December 13, through Monday, December 17, the majority leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following morning business, the Senate be in a period of morning business until 3 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; and that following morning business, the Senate begin consideration of H.R. 1, the legislative vehicle for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.

I will also say we are going to have an amendment process there. People should be able to offer amendments. We ought to be able to finish the bill very quickly. If people have amendments, they should visit with the two managers of the bill. I assume the managers will be Senator Leahy and Senator Cochran.

Finally, at 5 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session under the previous order.

On Monday we will begin consideration of the supplemental appropriations bill. There will be a 5:30 vote on confirmation of the Olguin nomination.

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

Madam President, following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 2 p.m. today. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the majority the final 30 minutes.

The time from 11:30 until 2 p.m. will be for remarks by our retiring Senators.

Following morning business, we will resume consideration of S. 3637, the TAG extension legislation. The filing deadline for first-degree amendments to that legislation is 1 p.m. today.

Madam President, the headline news for the last many weeks has been the fiscal cliff. In speaking to the President 6 months before the election, a few weeks before the election, a few days before the election and immediately after the election, he indicated we needed to get our financial house in order, and that his goal--to do just that.

But to do that, and because of past experiences, he laid out what he wanted, and it is very simple: The rates for those who have been blessed with economic security in this country will have to be a little higher and middle-class Americans will keep the same tax structure they have had for the last many years. He will not raise taxes on the middle class, but those people who have done well will have to pay a little bit more. The American people think this is the way it should be.

Now just a little bit of history. I have said this before, but I will go into a little more detail today. When I first became the leader, I took a trip with a number of Senators to South America, countries that we American Senators had never been to, such as Bolivia. It was a wonderful trip. It was great for our country and good for the Senators to learn more about that most important part of the world to America.

I was very fixed on who I wanted to go on that trip with me, but the two I asked to go were Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, who had been chairman of the Budget Committee, and Kent Conrad, who was the chairman of the Budget Committee at the time. Those two fine Senators spent about 18 hours seated side by side, both having tablets to write on, and they were working on the No. 1 issue they thought important for this country, which was what we should do about the future of our country economically. They came up with an idea that was very good. It had worked before on closing military bases.

We had military bases that we had been trying to close since World War I, and we couldn't do it. We didn't have the political will to do it. So we had a base closing commission. With the base closing commission we said: OK, we are going to have a commission that will work on this and they will report back to us. There will be no filibusters, no amendments, just an up-or-down vote. We did that. We had two rounds of those, and we closed scores of bases and saved the country hundreds of billions of dollars.

That is what Judd Gregg and Kent Conrad patterned their legislation on. They would have an appointed commission that would report back to us, no

amendments, no filibusters. I thought it was novel, a great idea. So the legislation was drafted and I brought it to the Senate floor. Seven Republicans who had cosponsored the legislation wouldn't vote for it. We couldn't get 60 votes to bring it to the floor. So a number of us asked President Obama if he would do a commission and he did. It was the Bowles-Simpson Commission.

The Bowles-Simpson Commission didn't have the potential the Judd Gregg-Kent Conrad work had, because although they would send us something here, we could amend it and filibuster it. But we didn't have to worry about that, because we couldn't get enough votes from the commissioners to do that. So that was a failure.

Then President Obama entered into negotiations with the Speaker and they had talks that went on for weeks. They failed. They had another round of talks. That failed. Joe Biden, our Vice President, met with the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the Republican Eric Cantor. Cantor walked out of those meetings.

After all that, there was an agreement made here that we would have a supercommittee. It would work under the same terms and conditions as the program Judd Gregg and Kent Conrad came up with. The supercommittee would have 3 members appointed by me, Senator McConnell, the Speaker, and Leader Pelosi--12 in all. Then we would bring their work to the floor, with no amendments, no filibusters. About a week before they were ready--they had to report by statute--I got a letter signed by virtually every Republican Senator saying: No revenue.

So the President is not going to fall for that again. Because every time we have done this--and I just went over what has happened, and we can add to that the Gang of Six, the Gang of Eight, and other well- intentioned Senators--never, ever could they agree on revenue. So the President is not going to fall for that again. He is not going to do that again.

It is as though we are going to have a card game and they say, you show us all your cards and then we will show you ours. But when it comes time to show the cards of the person you are playing against-- nope. It reminds me of the ``Charlie Brown'' cartoon. How many times is Charlie Brown going to try to kick that football? Because we know every time he approaches that football it will be taken away from him. He can't do it. That is what has happened here, and we are not going to fall for that again.

The American people aren't going to be under the illusion the Republicans will, sometime in the future, come up with revenue. They are either going to agree to raising the rates or we are going over the cliff. How many times do we have to go through this drill to know it is an unfair game? So President Obama is not going to fall for that again. He has been very, very clear.

I heard Leader Pelosi say on the news this morning she has hopes Speaker Boehner will come around. I hope that, in fact, is the case. But to this point there hasn't been a lot of progress, and I am very disappointed.

Madam President, I want to talk this morning about Joe Lieberman.

The very modest apartment, with no hot water, where Joseph Lieberman was raised has long since been demolished, but the values he learned in that little apartment--in the flat above his grandparents' house--are still there. They are the same values of devotion and public service that have driven him not only to overcome humble beginnings but to serve the country for 24 years here in the U.S. Senate.

Two years ago, on the day he announced his retirement from the Senate, Joe Lieberman described his rise from cold-water flat to Congress as follows:

My four grandparents . . . came to America seeking freedom

and they found it. They came to America hoping for

opportunities and they got them. But even they could not have

dreamed that their grandson would end up a U.S. Senator.

Joe was always a natural-born leader. He was president of his high school graduating class. He got undergraduate and law degrees from Yale--one of the most prestigious universities in the world--where he was chairman of the Yale Daily News.

He was a civil rights activist early on as a young man. He was inspired, as many of us were, by the words of John Kennedy. Joe defeated an incumbent to win a seat in the Connecticut State Senate, where he served for 10 years, including 6 as the majority leader of the Connecticut State Legislature.

After returning to private practice for 2 years, he served as the first full-time Connecticut attorney general. It was during his years as attorney general that he met the love of his life, Hadassah. Today, they have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.

In 1988, he again took on one of the giants of politics in the State of Connecticut in a race no one thought he could win, but he did. He defeated an incumbent U.S. Senator, and for the last 24 years he has served the people of Connecticut and this country with honor and distinction.

I was pleased to have had an opportunity to support Senator Lieberman's historic candidacy for Vice President in 2000. Joe was the first Jewish major party candidate for Vice President.

Senator Lieberman is a devout and observant Jew. He has even written a book about the importance of keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest. I read the book. I was so impressed with that book. Our Sabbaths may be on different days, but the solemnity of the Sabbath is important to both of us. I was so impressed by that book I bought 20 of them and sent them to my friends and my family, who I thought would gain a great deal by learning from this book that Joe had written.

Joe Lieberman says his faith is the basis for his strong desire to serve the State of Connecticut and our country. During his four terms representing Connecticut in the Senate, Joe Lieberman played a key role in drafting and passing many different pieces of legislation, including the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, which have literally saved lives by eliminating harmful smog, acid rain, and other toxins in our air and water. He has been chairman of the very important Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He is a powerful voice on security issues, and he has been exemplary in working on a bipartisan basis with Senator Susan Collins, who has been the ranking member of that committee.

Joe led the charge to create the 9/11 commission and to implement its recommendations. He was a leading voice for the creation of that department, Homeland Security, which we now look to for keeping this country safe.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Lieberman was a strong advocate for repeal of the discriminatory don't ask, don't tell policy that unjustly forced gay and lesbian servicemembers into the closet. He fought to ensure our military is the best prepared and best equipped fighting force in the world. We have much in common. We don't always agree on policy issues, but we do 90 percent of the time. Regardless of the few differences we have, I have never, ever doubted Joe Lieberman's principles or his patriotism, and I respect his independent streak as it stems from strong convictions. Joe said it best himself:

I have not always fit comfortably into conventional

political boxes. Maybe you've noticed that. Democrat,

Republican, liberal, conservative. Because I've always

thought my first responsibility is not to serve a political

party, but to serve my constituents, my state and my country.

. . . Whatever the partisan or policy differences that divide

us, they are much less important than the shared values and

dreams that unite us.

I have watched up close. He has been a wonderful Member of the Democratic caucus. I so admire and respect him. I agree with Senator Lieberman's values. He has been an asset to the Democratic caucus and our country. I am pleased to have shared the dream of serving in the Senate with such an extraordinary man and exceptional Senator. I congratulate Joe and Hadassah on their years of dedicated service because they have worked together. I wish them both happiness.

Madam President, I ask my friend to yield for a unanimous consent request and then he can have the floor as soon as I am finished.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives the papers with respect to H.R. 4310, the Senate's passage of H.R. 4310, as amended, be vitiated; that adoption of the Senate amendment be vitiated; that the amendment, the text of S. 3254, as amended by the Senate, be modified with the changes that are at the desk; that no other amendments be in order, and the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the amendment, as modified; that if the substitute amendment, as modified, is agreed to, H.R. 4310, as amended, be read a third time and passed; finally, that the previous request with respect to the Senate's request for conference, including the appointment of conferees, be agreed to; with all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we be in a period of morning business until 5 p.m. today.

Madam President, of course, Senators should be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

I extend my appreciation to my friend, the Senator from Oregon.

Mr. President, following leader remarks we will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour. The majority will control the first half, the Republicans the final half. Following morning business we will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 3637.

The Senate will recess as we normally do on Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for our weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15 p.m. there will a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S. 3637. There could be additional votes today.

Mr. President, I would note the Acting President pro tempore today. I had the good fortune of being able to come to the floor last week to talk about the Acting President pro tempore's tenure in the Senate--some 6 years--and I talked about some of the many accomplishments he had in that relatively short period of time, as we call Senate time.

But I am reminded again of the Senator from Virginia, having spent an hour on Friday with Bob Kerrey. Bob Kerrey and I reflected back on his experience here in the Senate, and one memorable meeting he and I had. The purpose of that meeting was for Bob Kerrey to introduce me to Senator Webb. It was a wonderful meeting because when the meeting finished--and I won't go into the details of everything I said, but the Senator from Virginia knows--I came out of that meeting recognizing what kindred spirits these two gallant warriors were and are, both having been highly decorated, one in the Navy, the other a marine; one with a Medal of Honor, the other--the Acting President pro tempore--the Navy Cross, Silver Star, more than one Bronze Star for Valor, and a number of Purple Hearts.

So I say again, but I can't say it too much, what an honor and pleasure it has been to serve in this body with the Senator from Virginia, Jim Webb. I have learned so much about what a difference a positive attitude will make. And there is no better example of that than the new GI bill of rights. To think a new Senator--a brand new Senator--would have the idea, the confidence that he could do this; not only the confidence that this bill is important, but he wrote it himself. The Acting President pro tempore wrote that bill himself. He didn't go to bill drafters, as most of us do, he wrote it himself and proceeded to get it passed. So this is a man I will miss a whole lot.

Daniel Akaka

Mr. President, I want to spend a little time today talking about the junior Senator from Hawaii, Daniel Akaka, as he retires from a life dedicated to his community and this country.

Senator Akaka's service to this Nation began during wartime, when he was a teenager. He graduated from high school and the war was ongoing. Of course, people were watching Hawaii very closely because they had such a huge Asian population--a huge Japanese-American population. So it was watched very closely, and for reasons that weren't valid, but that is what we did then.

Dan Akaka spent 2 years as a civilian worker with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and 2 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. His duties with the Army, as I recall, having talked to Dan

Akaka, were to protect the water in Honolulu.

After the war, Dan attended the University of Hawaii, using the original GI bill. Years later, he would receive his master's degree from the University of Hawaii as well as his bachelor's disagree. Senator Akaka believes he would never have become a U.S. Senator if not for the GI benefits he received through his service in the military. That is why, as a member and past chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, he has worked to make important improvements to the 21st Century GI Bill. Today's GI bill is modeled, after the work done by Jim Webb, after the educational opportunity program that Dan took advantage of when he was a young boy.

Senator Akaka was chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee from 2007 to 2010, as thousands and thousands of Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans were coming home from combat. As Democrats collectively worked to bring our troops home from Iraq, Dan Akaka labored with the Veterans' Administration to meet the needs and challenges of a new generation of veterans. The 21st Century GI Bill ensures those veterans get the educational opportunities they deserve.

Dan so valued his own education that he went on to serve his community as a teacher after he graduated from college. He became a principal, worked for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the Hawaii Office of Economic Opportunity. He served 14 years in the House of Representatives before he was appointed to the Senate in 1990. He won election to the Senate later that year.

As chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, Dan has been a strong voice and tireless advocate for Native Americans. He has taught us all about history--the history of Hawaii and its native communities, as well as the issues facing indigenous Hawaiians today.

Senator Akaka is a descendent of native Hawaiians. He is 75 percent Hawaiian and he has Hawaiians on both sides of his family. He is very proud of his heritage. Dan was the first Native Hawaiian in the Senate.

He is also a deeply religious man who comes from a strong faith tradition. His devout mother taught her children a custom of charity. His mother was really a soft touch. Anyone coming by with a sad story, she would invite them in. Sometimes her hospitality only allowed her-- because she had nothing else--to give them something to drink. His family was very poor when he was young. But Dan was able to work through this. Even if his mother had spent the grocery money for the month, strangers were always welcome at her table.

A friend of Dan's brother came to Hawaii from Chicago for a very brief period of time, and his mother took him in. He never left. He basically was raised in the Akaka home. A boy named Anthony from Chicago, as I indicated, came to visit Dan's brother and he never left. Anthony became such a part of that family that, before he died, he wanted to make sure he was buried in Hawaii. He wanted to be buried with Dan's siblings and family in Hawaii. And he was.

Senator Akaka served as choir director of the Hawaii Christian mother church, where his brother was minister. His brother was minister there for some 17 years. Senator Akaka is still a member of that church.

He is blessed with a wonderful family as well as a rewarding career. He and his wife Millie have 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great- grandchildren.

Senator Akaka has served his constituents well and with distinction. He has served not only his constituents and the State of Hawaii but our country with distinction. He has enjoyed a long and productive career and his presence in the Senate will be missed.

I offer congratulations to Senator Akaka on his dedicated military and public service and wish him and Millie happiness in their retirement.

Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the amendment.

Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

Mr. President, I have a motion to commit the bill with instructions, which is at the desk.

I ask for the yeas and nays on the motion.

Mr. President, I have an amendment to the instructions at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on that amendment.

Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.

Mr. President, I have a cloture motion at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

Mr. President, as provided under the previous order, at 4 p.m. today, the Senate will proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 762 and 829. For the information of the Senate, we expect at least one rollcall vote on the nomination of John E. Dowdell to be U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Jesus G. Bernal to be U.S. district judge for the Central District of California at about 4:30 today.