Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn and convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted, on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Friday, August 3, at 10:15 a.m.; Tuesday, August 7, at 11 a.m.; Friday, August 10, at 11 a.m.; Tuesday, August 14, at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, August 17, at 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, August 21, at 10 a.m.; Friday, August 24, at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, August 28, at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, August 31, at 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, September 4, at 11:30 a.m.; and Friday, September 7, at 12 noon; and that the Senate adjourn on Friday, September 7, until 2 p.m. on Monday, September 10, unless the Senate has received a message from the House that it has adopted S. Con. Res 59, which is the adjournment resolution, and that if the Senate has received such a message, the Senate adjourn until Monday, September 10, at 2 p.m., under the provisions of S. Con. Res. 59; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal 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 the majority leader be recognized and Senators be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each; and that at 5 p.m. the Senate proceed to executive session under the previous order.

Mr. President, if pro forma sessions are necessary--and it appears they are; the House turned down the adjournment resolution-- Senators should be aware that starting Tuesday, August 7, the pro forma sessions will be held in Hart 216 while repairs are made in the Senate Chamber.

The next rollcall vote will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 10, on confirmation of the Rose nomination.

Additionally, this evening cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S. 3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. That vote will be at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11.

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

Madam President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 476, which is the Veterans Jobs Corps Act, sponsored by Senator Nelson of Florida.

Madam President, the first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the majority controlling the final half.

Cyber Security

Yesterday I filed cloture on the cyber security bill. As a result, the filing deadline for first-degree amendments is 1 p.m. today. We will let the Senate know about votes scheduled. We are trying to do one on Burma and the African trade bill that we have wanted to do for a long time, but Republicans have held it up to this point. But we will see what we can do to move forward on that.

Madam President, last week GEN Keith Alexander, commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, was asked to rate how prepared America was to face a cyber terrorist attack on the scale of 1 to 10. Here is what he said: ``From my perspective I'd say around a 3.''

Keep in mind, 1 is totally unprepared, 10 is totally prepared. Three is what he said. One of the country's top national security experts gave us 3 out of 10, a failing grade by any standard.

He went to say that the type of cyber attacks that could black out the United States for weeks or months are up seventeenfold in the last 3 years. The Nation's top security experts have said a cyber 9/11 is imminent. They say frailties in our defenses against these attacks are most urgent. They are a threat to our national security. Nothing is more important.

So it was with disappointment last night that I filed cloture on legislation to reinforce our defenses against these malicious attackers. Some are countries, some are organizations, some are individuals. National security experts have been plain about the urgent need to act. They say the question is not whether to act but whether we will act in time.

One need only look at the headlines in papers all over America today--all over the world today. As we speak, 600 million people in India are without electricity. It is not believed there was any terrorism involved. It is believed it relates to the unusual weather, probably based, many experts say, on global warming. They have never had such heat in India, which has put a tremendous burden on their fragile power system.

This legislation we are trying to finish has been worked on for years--years--not this Congress but going into last Congress. I was pleased to hear last week that many of my colleagues were working on thoughtful amendments to improve and strengthen this measure in spite of the untoward pressure by the Chamber of Commerce to kill this legislation. Senators on both sides have worked hard to address every concern raised by the private sector about this legislation. Senators Lieberman and Collins have been exemplary. The bill that is before this

body now is not nearly as strong as I would like, but that is what compromise is all about. I accept what they believed they had to do.

I expected a healthy debate on this important issue. I also expected to process many relevant amendments. Unfortunately, that was not good enough for a few of my Republican colleagues. Instead of substantive amendments that deal with our Nation's cyber security, they are insisting on political show votes. Instead of substantive amendments that deal with our Nation's cyber security, they are looking at all kinds of other things. I had thought they were going to be serious about this, but they are not. The threat is clear, and protecting the computer networks that control our electric grids, water supplies, and financial systems should be above political wrangling. So I was doubly disappointed to watch a bipartisan process derailed by ideological attacks--for example, on a woman's right to choose her health care generally.

As 47 million Americans were set to gain access to preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs, Republicans insisted once again on a vote to repeal these benefits. They want to roll back the clock to the days when insurance companies could discriminate against women. Why? Because they were women. They had a preexisting disability--their gender.

To make matters worse they are willing to kill a bill that will protect our Nation from cyber terrorism in the process. But this is not a new tactic. You may remember, as we all do--and I was reminded of that yesterday by a question that was asked of me by the distinguished assistant leader, Senator Durbin, that reminded the entire Senate that on a surface transportation bill that put 3 million jobs at risk, their first amendment was by Senator Blunt on women's access to contraception.

Still, I admit I was surprised that Senator McConnell would so brazenly drag partisan politics into a debate over a measure crucial to national security. It is today when the health care bill that we passed designates women will no longer be second-class citizens in relation to health care. So I cannot imagine a more untimely attack on women than yesterday.

Yesterday Senator McConnell and I received a letter from General Alexander, who runs the National Security Agency--he is one of the top leaders there--urging us to move more quickly. Here is what he wrote, partially:

The cyber threat facing the nation is real and demands

immediate action. The time to act is now; we simply cannot

afford further delay. We need to move forward on

comprehensive legislation now. I urge you to work together to

get it passed.

What more do we need? What more does the Chamber of Commerce need so that they can release my Republican colleagues? I share General Alexander's concern.

I will be happy to.

Madam President, in answer to my friend, we are living in a modern world. A thermostat--isn't that what the Senator just said?

Is the connectivity to what China wants to get from the Chamber of Commerce. Remember, that is only one way they get this information. But the numerous instruments we carry around--BlackBerrys, iPhones, all these kinds of things, instruments we have at home--every one of those is a vehicle to find out what is going on in my life, your life, the life of the Chamber of Commerce. I cannot imagine how my Republican friends can follow this lead. I don't know who. We have had Republican leaders in the past, on security--they have all said do something about this.

I would love to have a bipartisan bill to work through this with some amendments. I do not expect anyone to think the bill Senator Lieberman and Senator Collins did is perfect. But it is a lot better than nothing. I hope people, when we vote on this tomorrow, will invoke cloture and pass their bill.

I had no choice but to file cloture. I am going to continue to work with all Senators to find out if we can reach a compromise.

I wish I had better news. Ignorance is bliss. I wish I did not know as much. I wish the briefings I had down in the classified area of the Capitol--a lot of that information is kind of scary. It is scary that we are not doing something about this bill.

Would the Chair announce the business of the day?

Reservation of Leader Time

Mr. President, we are about to do something really important in the Senate. It would increase U.S. textile exports to Central American countries, it would promote development and economic stability by creating jobs in, of course, African countries, and it would extend U.S. import sanctions with Burma, which the Republican leader will speak more about. This bill would help maintain about 2,000 jobs in North Carolina and South Carolina alone. It is a very good bill. It is fully paid for. It is an important piece of legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 459, S. 3326; that the only amendment in order be a Coburn amendment, the text of which is at the desk; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form; that upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the amendment; that if the amendment is not agreed to, the bill be read the third time and passed without further action or debate; that when the Senate receives H.R. 5986 and if its text is identical to S. 3326, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5986, the bill be read the third time and passed without further debate, with no amendments in order prior to passage; further, that if the Coburn amendment is agreed to, the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 9 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of S. 3326, as amended, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill be read the third time and passed without further debate; that when the Senate receives H.R. 5986, the Senate proceed to it forthwith and all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of sections 2 and 3 of S. 3326, as reported, by inserted in lieu thereof, the bill be read the third time and passed, without further debate, as amended, and S. 3326 be returned to the Calendar of Business; finally, that no motions be in order other than motions to waive or motions to table and that motions to reconsider be made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate.

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

Mr. President, I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate a message from the House with respect to H.R. 1950.

I move to concur in the House amendment, and I believe the Senate is ready to act on this motion.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate and that any statements related to this bill be printed in the Record.

I am pleased that the Senate has just passed the final version of the Iran Sanctions legislation.

I want to thank Senators Johnson, Shelby and Menendez for their leadership and all of their hard work getting this bill completed.

At a time when Iran continues to defy the international community with its nuclear weapons program, it is critical we continue to tighten our sanctions regime.

This legislation expands our existing sanctions on Iran's energy sector, and imposes new sanctions targeting shipping and insurance.

Iran continues to try to evade existing sanctions. But this legislation, in combination with newly announced measures by the Obama administration, closes loopholes and stops the use of front companies or financial institutions to get around international sanctions.

Our current sanctions, and a recent European Union ban on purchasing Iranian oil, have already had an impact.

In spite of the rhetoric coming out of Iran, the regime is clearly feeling the heat.

Oil exports are down by 50 percent, and the Iranian currency has lost nearly 40 percent of its value.

Iranian tankers full of oil are crowding the waters around Iran, acting as floating storage facilities for oil the rogue nation cannot sell.

Over the past year, I have come to the floor many times urging passage of this measure.

I am pleased we have finally completed this important work.

There is no time to waste, as the Iranian regime continues to threaten our ally Israel and the national security of the United States.

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from the following postal- naming bills en bloc, and the Senate proceed to their consideration en bloc: H.R. 1369 through H.R. 3276, H.R. 3412, H.R. 3501 and H.R. 3772.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read a third time and passed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate; and any related statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 480, H.R. 1560.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements related to this measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 449, S. 1409.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute amendment be considered, the Carper amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the committee-reported amendment, as amended, be agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any related statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S.J. Res. 49.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the matter be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 519, and that the Senate proceed to the resolution.

Mr. 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, and any statements be printed in the Record as if read.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 536, S. Res. 537, S. Res. 538, S. Res. 539, and S. Res. 540.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to these matters be printed in the Record as if read.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, August 2; 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 the majority leader be recognized, and that following his remarks, the Senate begin consideration of S. 3326, the AGOA/Burma sanctions bill and the Coburn amendment under the previous order.

Mr. President, I think it is important to note because of the time frame in the morning which Senator McConnell and I just briefly announced, he and I will give no opening statements tomorrow.

Following the debate on the Coburn amendment, the time until 11 a.m. will be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees prior to the cloture vote on S. 3414, the cyber security bill; further, that notwithstanding the outcome of the cloture vote, the Senate then proceed to vote on the Coburn amendment to S. 3326, and the remaining provisions of the previous order be executed; and finally I ask consent that the filing deadline for second-degree amendments to S. 3414 be at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Mr. President, there will be two rollcall votes tomorrow at 11 a.m. The first will be a cloture vote on the cyber security bill. The second will be on the Coburn amendment to the Burma sanctions legislation. Additional votes are possible tomorrow. Senators will be notified as soon as we know.