Floor Statements

Mr. President, we are now postcloture. It is my understanding that my Republican colleagues wanted some opportunity to talk about this bill. We certainly have no problem with doing that.

I ask, however, that we have a definite time to vote on this legislation. I hope we could do it before our caucuses tomorrow. I ask my distinguished friend, the Republican leader, to comment on when he expects being able to vote on this legislation.

I appreciate very much my friend being candid in that regard. I ask unanimous consent that we have the vote on this matter by 12 o'clock noon tomorrow.

Mr. President, we in America today have a major problem, and that is jobs. I appreciate the bipartisan support of this bill; it has been bipartisan, but we need to get to this bill and pass it so we can start having small businesses take the tax credits that are going to be available in this legislation to allow the Build America bonds to be replenished. We need to make sure that the highway budgets go forward as quickly as possible.

I understand the efforts to divert attention from the issue at hand, but there is going to be plenty of time to talk about health care. Let's get this done. The bill we are on now--when we finish this bill, there is the FAA bill. There are amendments in that regard that have been offered. As we know, Senators can speak about any subject they want. But let's get off health care for a few hours and get jobs. This bill should go to the President tomorrow so people can start being hired.

For example, I have a provision in this bill that will allow $45 million that

has already been appropriated, to be reprogrammed--in fact, I use that term, but it will be directed by this bill--it will go to the transportation departments of Nevada, $45 million. The highway departments in Nevada will build things to create jobs. That is what we need to do.

We understand the concern people have with health care, but this is a jobs bill. I hope that tonight if my Republican colleagues want to talk about health care they will take a little consideration and understand that this is a jobs bill. But the jobs before us are dealing with this beautiful bill that has passed--bipartisan, a bill that will allow small businesses to take a tax credit if they hire somebody who has been out of work 60 days. It will allow someone who has a small business who wants to buy a new machine, a new desk, new office equipment to write that off--not depreciate it but write it off. Of course, saving 1 million jobs with the highway bill and the Build America Bonds.

Certainly.

The answer is yes. I say to my friend from New York, we would be happy to give consent, if they want to talk all night on health care or whatever they want. That is fine--and we would be able to respond to that, of course--but let us get this done. There are people waiting to buy things. Not only does this help small business and help them purchase items, but the businesses are going to buy them--up to $250,000. In Reno or Las Vegas, this is big-time stuff, and I would think the same is true all over the State of New York.

I would bet, in the first week, that this bill was effective, there would be a massive purchase of property because people no longer have to depreciate. They can write it off, up to $250,000. That is a lot of stuff.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, my friend from Kentucky said it all in the last statement. He would be willing to agree to have a vote at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Why in the world would we want to waste American taxpayer dollars sitting around here not sending a bill to the President? This is a bipartisan bill. It is a bill that has been widely acknowledged to be approved by groups such as the liberal-minded Chamber of Commerce, the National Chamber of Commerce, and other such groups. It is a bill that is so badly needed in this country.

I would also suggest to my friend, I don't know of a single government job that would be produced with our HIRE bill. I don't know of a single job because everything we have done in the four provisions will create jobs in the private sector--thousands and thousands of jobs, new jobs, in the private sector.

Of course, I would.

That is true.

The only thing it can be used for.

Nondepreciation. Just write it off.

The four things my friend has enunciated create not a single government job.

Yes, it is.

I would also say, Mr. President, the State of Kentucky and the State of Nevada have been having tremendous problems with a number of programs, one of which is Medicaid. One of the things we did in our recovery package was to give all 50 States--Nevada and Kentucky, all 50 States--some help with their Medicaid. The cost of health care is wreaking havoc with our States. There is nothing wrong with doing that. We have an obligation. Medicaid was a program we started back here. To talk about the States getting some kind of a big benefit they do not deserve I don't think is right.

I met 2 weeks ago tonight in Room 219 with 12 Governors. They handed me a letter signed by 48 Governors all saying: We need some help, and one of the places we need help is with Medicaid. These health care costs are skyrocketing. Even though we have given help, there are very few States in the Union that haven't had massive layoffs.

Again, I would hope we could get this out of the way and have a discussion on health care at some subsequent point. There is another bill that this is holding up. This bill is going to pass, and I appreciate very much my Republican colleagues voting for this legislation, but let's not waste 30 hours because we are not only holding up sending this bill to the President but we are holding up finishing work on the Federal Aviation Administration bill.

My friend has wanted to offer amendments. Amendments are being offered

on this legislation as we do on most everything. I have been very nonrestrictive in how I have handled the floor. Of course, there have been occasions when we have done what has been done here for generations; that is to say, at this time, we are not going to have, on a bill dealing with jobs, an abortion amendment, we are not going to have an amendment on gay marriage or on income tax. On things such as that, there comes a time.

On this FAA bill, the first year--the first year--the experts tell us will create 150,000 jobs, but not only that, it will make air travel safer. We will have the air travelers' bill of rights. We will have, for the first time in the history of this country, a GPS system for our aircraft which will allow us to do more flights into airports and to make it safer.

I would hope we don't waste this time. It is Monday night, it is 10 after 6. Let's not waste tonight and tomorrow and into Wednesday. Let's get off this, get to FAA, and if somebody wants to give a health care speech and beat up on Obama, let them do it on the FAA bill.

Before my friend leaves, if I could just say this. I think we could probably accomplish what we both should want by saying: OK, let's vote at a reasonable time Wednesday morning on this jobs bill, but in the meantime--in the meantime, all day tomorrow--let's work on the FAA bill. That way we would accomplish two very important things.

I would hope my friend would consider that. That way we could not only have a time certain where we are going to pass this bill--the HIRE bill--but we could also work on FAA. We have Senators waiting to do work on the FAA bill.

I think that is very appropriate. During that period of time, people can offer amendments or, if they feel so inclined--

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, following leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for an hour, with Senators allowed to speak for 10 minutes each during that period of time. Following that morning business, we will resume consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation. We have two amendments pending: the Sessions amendment and the Lieberman amendment. Votes are expected to occur throughout the day. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor Genevieve ``Gene'' Segerblom for a lifetime of service to her family, community, and the entire State of Nevada. It has been my privilege to serve the State of Nevada for close to 45 years in a variety of capacities, and during this time I have worked alongside monumental figures from my home State. Yet, perhaps no other person with whom I have come in contact over these years has been as great a force for good as has Gene. Gene will soon be celebrating her 92nd birthday, and on this occasion I am happy to recognize her life and accomplishments before the U.S. Senate.

Gene was born in Ruby Valley, near Elko, NV. Gene and her family moved to Salt Lake City when she was a baby, but the Great Depression brought them to the Reno area, where Gene attended junior high school. After graduating from high school in Winnemucca, Gene enrolled as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Nevada but changed her major to education. It was during this time that Gene met Cliff Segerblom, the man she eventually married and with whom she raised two children, Robin and Richard. After her graduation, Gene relocated to Boulder City, NV, where she worked as a school teacher.

This upcoming Monday, March 15, Gene will celebrate her 92nd birthday at an event honoring her late husband's artwork. Nevada: The Photography of Cliff Segerblom, is certain to display Cliff's marvelous talent in capturing with his artistic eye the state that I love. I would like to take a moment to speak about Gene's husband Cliff. Cliff Segerblom was one of Nevada's most accomplished artists. Although he was best known for his work with watercolors, Cliff also thrived in photography and acrylics. I am lucky enough to own some of Cliff's incredible paintings, and I count them among my most prized possessions. Gene's husband displayed incredible gifts, and I know that all of Nevada has been enriched by his talents.

Gene is a third-generation Nevadan and comes from a family with a long tradition of public service in Nevada. Her grandfather, W. J. Bell, was in the Nevada Legislature, and her mother, Hazel Bell Wines, was a Humboldt County assemblywoman. Like her mother and grandfather before her, Gene took an active interest in the betterment of her community. In 1979, she ran for and won a seat on the Boulder City Council. Her election coincided with an uneasy period of growth for Boulder City, a time in which the city's water and power resources were dwindling. However, Gene met the problem head-on and helped to bring about an era of sustainable growth to Boulder City.

By 1993, Gene was serving in the Nevada State Assembly, representing Boulder City, Henderson, Laughlin, and my hometown of Searchlight. In 2000, Gene Segerblom's time in the assembly came to a close. However, it was not long before her son Richard ``Tick'' Segerblom followed in his mother's footsteps and was elected to the Nevada State Legislature.

My wife Landra and I feel grateful for the chance to call Gene a dear friend. Indeed, Gene's life has been one of friendship and compassion to all Nevadans. I am proud of all that she has accomplished, and all she will continue to achieve. I wish her a very happy 92nd birthday.

Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business until 2 p.m. this afternoon. Senators during this time will be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The majority will control the first 30 minutes. The Republicans will control the next 30 minutes. At 2 p.m., the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 4213, the tax extenders legislation. Under an agreement reached last night, all postcloture debate time will be yielded back and the substitute amendment will be agreed to. The Senate will then proceed to a cloture vote on the underlying bill. If cloture is invoked, all postcloture debate time will be yielded back and the Senate will then proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

We will continue to work on an agreement to begin consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill today.

Mr. President, the bill, S. 3092, is at the desk. I understand it is due for a second reading.

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

Will the Chair now announce morning business.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

I make a point of order, en bloc, that the pending amendments Nos. 3342, 3368, and 3427 are not germane postcloture.

The point of order is well taken?

The amendments fall; is that right?

What is the question before the Senate?

Amendment No. 3336, as Amended

Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business until 11 o'clock this morning. Senators during that time will be able to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first half and the majority will control the second half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 4213, the tax extenders bill. There will then be a series of up to four rollcall votes in relation to amendments to the bill. Those votes will start at 11 o'clock. Following the series of votes, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. in order to accommodate the weekly caucus meetings. At 2:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the substitute amendment. As a reminder, the filing deadline for second-degree amendments is 12 o'clock noon today.

Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I would ask that the request be modified to allow Senator Isakson to speak for 2\1/ 2\ minutes

following the agreement to this unanimous consent request, and that I thereafter be recognized to offer a unanimous consent request regarding something on this bill.

Mr. President, there was debate this morning and a lot of talk outside the Chamber regarding the TANF summer jobs program. The objection of a number of Senators raised was that it was paid for over 10 years rather than 5 years. In an effort to compromise this, Senators Murray and Kerry agreed that we would drop anything relating to TANF in this amendment and over 5 years pay for summer jobs in the amount of $743 million. As everyone will remember, it was originally $1.5 billion. So this would be lowered to $743 million. It is paid for over 5 years. TANF is not included in any of this, much to the consternation of a lot of us.

I ask unanimous consent that amendment be allowed and that we have another vote on it, if necessary.

I failed to mention this does not violate pay-go.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the tax extenders bill. There will be no rollcall votes today. The next vote will be Tuesday morning.

Mr. President, we had a good, hard week working on this legislation dealing with the tax extenders, expiring provisions--COBRA, unemployment compensation, FMAP. So those watching don't think it is some kind of coded message, these are very important provisions. The tax extenders are measures that come at the end of the year. Many of them should be extended for much longer than a year, but we are in a mode now of paying for things, and as a result, we don't have the money to do it for more than a year.

The expiring provisions are very important issues. They deal with satellite TV, which is important to about 1.5 million people in America. Many in the rural West depend on this.

Unemployment compensation--today is a big day in America. Only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is really good. The unemployment rate around America has not changed. The prognosticators thought it would go up. It has not. So we need to extend it. There are about 15 million people in America out of work. These extended unemployment benefits will help millions of those people. We were fortunate enough earlier this week to get a 30-day extension, so that when we finish this legislation--we should finish it hopefully on Tuesday--we can go to conference with the House and quickly work out our differences.

In addition to that, we talked about COBRA. That is a provision that allows people who are unemployed to buy, at a decent rate, health insurance.

There have been some amendments offered to this legislation which will really improve it as we send it to the House. One of the provisions is very important. I met with 12 Governors a few days ago. Every one of them wants us to pass something called FMAP, which is money States get from the Federal Government to help them with their Medicaid programs. Many of the standards they have for Medicaid we set back here, so it is only appropriate that we help them with the money that is so important to those States, especially in these trying times. These Governors handed me a letter signed by 48 Governors asking that we extend FMAP. And we would do that. Unemployment compensation and COBRA are for 1 year. FMAP would be for 6 months. It is fungible money. They can use it for things other than Medicaid. We are working to get that done. I hope we can get it done.

We have had a good debate this week. We hope to be able to end this Tuesday. Later today, I will file cloture on the bill. People have had time to offer all the amendments they want. Some amendments, we haven't been able to vote, and there won't be votes on those.

Rather than have individual cloture on various amendments--we simply don't have time for that--I am going to file cloture on the bill. Those amendments on which we are having trouble getting votes will likely fall, as they are not germane to the subject matter at hand.

Mr. President, I wish to talk a little bit about the House of Representatives yesterday passing our jobs bill. That was very important. We had a bipartisan jobs bill here. They have already sent us a message. We can work on that. Even though there may be people objecting to it, we can do that with one cloture vote. We will do that and interrupt the work we are doing when that message gets here. It is important because even though we have a short-term extension of the highway bill, this would extend it for 1 year, saving 1 million jobs. It is very important.

Build America Bonds--the Governors I met with, as I mentioned, a few days ago also really love our Build America Bonds, which is part of the American Recovery Act. The money is gone there. We are going to replenish that. This is important to Governors and local officials because it has done great things for creating jobs.

We also have a provision to allow people to be hired by employers if they are out of work for 60 days. They hire them for 30 hours a week. They do not have to pay their FICA tax, and at the end of the year they get a $1,000 tax credit. This is going to create thousands and thousands of jobs across America.

One of the reasons I wanted to mention this specifically, the House voted this bill out yesterday. Virtually every Republican in the House voted against it.

I heard interviews on National Public Radio this morning. One Republican Congressman said this bill was so bad because we need small businesses to be able to write off purchases they make. I suggest to the man--whose name I know, but I will not try to embarrass him here-- that he read the bill because if he read the bill he would understand that is one of the paramount provisions we have in this legislation. If a small business purchases something, they don't have to depreciate it. They can write it off up to $250,000. That is terrific.

I had a telephonic conference call late last week explaining it to them. I had quite a few small businesses on the telephone. They love this. They are waiting to buy things. As soon as this is signed into law, they will run out that day and buy stuff. They need stuff. This will give them an incentive to do so.

I suggest to the person, who I guess rushed to the microphones to talk about how bad the bill was, that he should try reading it first. Maybe if he did that, he wouldn't be making a fool of himself across America by talking about small businesses being able to write things off, when that is really in the bill.