Floor Statements

Madam President, over the past few months, Democrats and Republicans have had many positive discussions about the direction of the 112th Congress. There are many important issues facing our country and solutions will require bipartisan cooperation. In particular, there has been a lot of discussion lately about the Senate rules. Many of my colleagues have spoken to me about the way the Senate operated during the last Congress. I think my friend from Kentucky would agree with me that there was great frustration on both sides of the aisle.

The Senate was always intended to be, has always been, and should always remain, the saucer that allows the boiling tea to cool to ensure rash actions do not get enacted into law; to ensure that laws reflect the cold rationality of reason and not the heat of perhaps misplaced passion. But, there has been concern in recent years that the Senate rules have been abused--that a very few have turned rules designed to ensure careful examination into a simple bottleneck for parochial purposes. Some have even expressed concern that the Senate is broken.

Now, I wouldn't say the Senate is broken, as I am proud to say that the last Congress was historic in its achievements. But the Senate Republican leader, my friend from Kentucky, and I have heard concerns from many different Senators about Senate rules and processes, and we have discussed the issue with each other at length. Senators Schumer and Alexander have been an important part of this discussion. Together, we have made important progress on a number of important areas.

Yes, we both would like to see a different Senate this year--with fewer filibusters and procedural delays and more opportunities for debate and amendments. In many cases, the problem is not necessarily in the Senate rules, it is in the lack of restraint in the exercise of prerogatives under the rules. Toward that end we will now enter into a colloquy to discuss some of these issues. I have discussed with Senator McConnell that many Senators in the majority have been very unhappy at the excessive use of the filibuster the last two Congresses, particularly on motions to proceed but also at other times when a matter that has bipartisan support is filibustered purely for delay.

As we have discussed, in the interests of comity and more open process in the Senate, we have agreed that we should use these procedural options of filling the amendment tree and filibustering the motion to proceed infrequently. And we will do our best to ensure that other members of our caucuses respect this colloquy, as well.

The minority leader and I have discussed this issue on numerous occasions. I know that there is a strong interest in rules changes among many in my caucus. In fact, I would support many of these changes through regular order. But I agree that the proper way to change Senate rules is through the procedures established in those rules, and I will oppose any effort in this Congress or the next to change the Senate's rules other than through the regular order.

And I hope and expect that we will have a more deliberative and efficient Senate this Congress. In particular, I hope we can reach an agreement to move nominees in regular order. One important reform to the nominations process is reducing the number of Senate confirmed positions. Our offices are working with Senators Schumer, Alexander, Lieberman, and Collins to draft a bill to accomplish this goal. This bill will be introduced in short order and we will work to get it enacted as quickly as possible.

Many of these positions are part-time boards and commissions or various agency positions that are unrelated to the management of that agency. They could be Presidentially appointed rather than going through the Senate. Although similar efforts have been proposed in the past, I think all of my colleagues realize the need to address this situation as soon as all the details are finalized.

I look forward to putting into practice the sentiments in this colloquy. Finally, I hope Senators of good will in both parties will continue discussions as to how we can make the Senate a better institution.

Our discussion today is in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation to express hope and anticipation that the 112th Congress will be different in many ways than the 111th. We look forward to greater comity on both sides of the aisle so that we can move legislation and nominees that have bipartisan support from the majority of Senators in this body. There are areas that we can and should work together to achieve progress for the American people.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that all remaining time be yielded back and that there be 2 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to each vote; further, that all rollcall votes after the first one be for 10 minutes.

Have the yeas and nays been ordered?

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Nevada National Security Site, N2S2. The Nevada National Security Site, formerly known as the Nevada Test Site, has played an important role in keeping our Nation safe and will continue to do so as we face new security challenges.

On January 27, 1951, a half kiloton nuclear weapon called ``Able'' was dropped on N2S2, launching a 40-year era. In that instant, N2S2 became the Nation's most important nuclear weapons proving grounds. I am thankful for the work done by the men and women at the site who dedicated their careers and sacrificed their health to keeping America safe. Nearly 20 years after our Nation's last nuclear test, I am proud to say that N2S2 is still helping secure America with a new mission tailored to 21st century threats and making us energy independent.

Mr. President, 928 atmospheric and underground tests were performed at the N2S2 before the United States established a moratorium on nuclear weapons testing in 1992. The vast majority of testing in this period took place underground in a network of tunnels and shafts. Even though these tunnels were designed to contain radiation from the explosions, thousands of N2S2 workers still experienced radiation exposure from most of the underground detonations.

In 2000, after a number of my colleagues and I had begun to hear disturbing stories about illnesses our Cold War veterans had gotten from their nuclear weapons work and their inability to get any financial compensation from the government, we passed the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This legislation was designed to allow thousands of America's Cold War veterans receive compensation that would help pay their medical bills and honor the sacrifices they and their families had made for our country.

Unfortunately, it soon became clear that even with this new law, it would not be easy for many workers to get the compensation they deserved. In 2005, I again began to hear from workers and survivors-- this time complaining that they were being put through an endless stream of bureaucratic red tape only to be denied in the end. I was enraged that these workers were denied compensation, so I worked for the next 5 years before successfully securing automatic compensation for most of Nevada's Cold War veterans and their families.

On August 23, 2010, I joined Tom D'Agostino, the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and officials from the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense to recognize the continued importance of one of our Nation's vital national security sites. We established not only a new name, but a new mission for N2S2. Changing the site's name from the Nevada Test Site to Nevada National Security Site reflects the unique opportunities to use the site for detecting dangerous weapons, treaty verification, fighting terrorism and nuclear smuggling, and training first responders.

The Nevada National Security Site is the ideal laboratory for this work. It is uniquely secure, and close to Nevadans who are eager to get back to work as soon as they can find a good job. And it

already has a workforce of 3,000 men and women dedicated to serving their country.

The Nevada National Security Site is not only breaking ground on new ways to keep us safe from weapons; it is also breaking ground on developing clean energy technologies that will make us energy independent. The former nuclear weapons proving ground will soon be a proving ground for advanced solar energy technologies. Last August, I joined Energy Secretary Chu and Interior Secretary Salazar to designate a 17,000 acre portion of N2S2 as the Nation's solar demonstration zone for testing the most innovative and promising solar technologies in an area with almost perpetual sun shine.

When Nevadans and all Americans look at the N2S2, they will see opportunities embodying the core values of innovation, leadership and security. I ask all my colleagues to join with me and the people of Nevada in recognizing the Nevada National Security Site's 60th anniversary, its rich history and bright future.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor Sarah Brachman, who has received the 2011 Advocate of the Year Award from the National Down Syndrome Society.

Throughout her life, Sarah has been dedicated to the important cause of raising awareness and increasing public understanding of Down syndrome. She has been instrumental in the growth of the Congressional Down Syndrome caucus and has assisted in pushing their initiatives through legislation, all the while helping their membership increase. As a result of her efforts, more than 30 Members of Congress have now joined the caucus.

I am proud of all that Sarah has accomplished, and all she will continue to achieve. Along with the National Down Syndrome Society, I congratulate Sarah Brachman for her concerted effort and dedicated service.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we proceed to S. Res. 31.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to this matter be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that we turn to the consideration of S. Res. 32.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the table.

I ask unanimous consent that we turn to the consideration of S. Res. 33.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the table.

Mr. President, I am told S. 223, which was introduced earlier today by Senator Rockefeller, is at the desk and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. President, I now ask for its second reading but then object to my own request.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, on Friday, January 28, S. 223 be considered to have received a second reading, an objection made to further proceedings, and the bill placed on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV.

Mr. President, this legislation is the FAA authorization bill, which is extremely important. We have been trying to do this bill for years. I hope with what took place today, we can move to this bill and have a good debate on an extremely important piece of legislation. The vast majority of the Senate wants this to get done, Democrats and Republicans.

This will greatly aid the Nation and the traveling public. This is such an important bill. We throw the words around ``jobs bill.'' This is a jobs bill. At the minimum, this bill will create more than 100,000 jobs. It will do it by investing in airport infrastructure and improving aviation technology in every State in the Nation. This is a conservative estimate as to how many jobs will be produced.

The bill improves air service for rural communities such as those in Colorado that are struggling to have air transportation.

I can remember Nevada, when there was good transportation in Ely and Elko, but now it is very difficult. You have to go to Utah first to get into Nevada. This bill will allow us to work toward changing things such as that.

It also provides for a passenger bill of rights. How many times have people who are listening to us talk today been frustrated by what happens at an airport? We will not go into what has happened. We have all had those experiences. We now have the rights of a passenger that are laid out in this bill. So air travelers, if they are stranded, have certain rights--maybe a meal, maybe a refund of their ticket. It will be a bill of rights so you do not have to go beg people to talk to you as to what can happen or not happen.

Frankly, it is better for the airline personnel that they will know what their rights are. People will have the ability to know what they have and will not be able to abuse, as they do sometimes, these airline employees.

This legislation will help strengthen air safety. There will be enhanced oversight of air carriers, especially in foreign repair stations. We have heard some of the horror stories about these airplanes being repaired in places a long way from where they are used here in the United States, in foreign countries.

The bill creates a modernized air system that will provide enormous industry and environmental benefits by reducing the rate of fuel burned as well as reducing noise and fuel emissions. This is a win-win for the American public.

I can remember once I was stranded at an airport in Texas--Dallas. We were pulled up to the gate. Actually, we did not pull up to the gate. That was the problem--3\1/2\ hours waiting out there on that tarmac. There were people pretty upset about that. This legislation addresses situations such as that.

So it is a good bill. It is a jobs bill. We have said we would move to a jobs bill. I have discussed this legislation with Senator McConnell. This is the time to have a debate. People can offer amendments. There will be no tree filled. This is the time for a good, old-fashioned Senate debate, something that will help the American people. Then we will send it to the House, and I think they will be able to finish it fairly quickly.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, January 31; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, for the information of Senators, there will be no rollcall votes during Monday's session of the Senate. With the committees just having been formed today--we finished those at 1:30 or so today--we still have some funding issues as to the committees so we are not getting a ton of stuff out of the committees. That is an understatement because they haven't been able to begin their work, but we are going to continue to get more legislation out here. As Senators know, we are going to be voting on a lot of Mondays and Fridays during our work periods here, but we are not in a position to do that now.

We look forward to moving to the aviation administration bill quickly. There is no reason we can't start that legislation on Monday. That is when it will be on the Senate Calendar.

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

Madam President, following leader remarks, if any, there will be a period of morning business until 10:30 this morning, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each during that period of time. The Republicans will control the first half, the majority will control the final half.

At 10:30, the Senate will proceed to consideration of S. Res. 14, a resolution honoring the victims of the tragedy in Tucson, AZ. There will be up to 3\1/2\ hours for debate on the resolution prior to a vote. As a result, Senators should expect a rollcall vote about 2:15 today.

Following the vote, we will resume morning business, with 10-minute limitations.

Madam President, there are three bills at the desk due for their second reading.

I object to any further proceedings with respect to each of these bills.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask the time be charged equally against both sides.

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

Mr. President, it is my understanding that all time has been used under the order that is now before the Senate. If it has not, let's pretend it has and let's start the vote now.

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