Floor Statements

Mr. President, H.R. 2454 is at the desk. It is my understanding it is due for a second reading.

Mr. President, I object at this time to any further proceedings on this legislation.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I call up the amendment at the desk on behalf of Senator Byrd and Senator Inouye.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I have a resolution at the desk, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam President, under the authority granted pursuant to S. Res. 18, I announce that Senator Franken has been assigned to the following committees: the Committee on Indian Affairs, the Select Committee on Aging and, as was just agreed to, the Committee on the Judiciary. As soon as the markup is completed in the HELP Committee on the health care bill, he will go on to the HELP Committee.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we recess 10 minutes early today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 4:45 p.m. today, there be 2 minutes of debate prior to a vote in relation to McCain amendment No. 1400, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senator McCain and the majority leader or their designees; further, that on Wednesday, July 8, when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 2892, there be 5 minutes for debate prior to a vote in relation to the Sessions amendment No. 1371, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senator Schumer and Senator Sessions or their designees; that upon disposition of the Sessions amendment No. 1371, the Senate resume consideration of DeMint amendment No. 1300, with 2 minutes of debate prior to a vote in relation thereto, with the time equally divided between Senator Murray and Senator DeMint or their designees; that no amendment be in order to any of the amendments covered in this agreement prior to a vote in relation to these amendments.

Mr. President, let me quickly say, before I turn it over to my friend from New Hampshire, we have been in many quorum calls today, with plenty of opportunities to offer amendments. We have to move forward on this bill. When we finish this bill, we have 10 other appropriations bills to do. We have to move forward on this bill. People cannot complain that they have not had opportunity to offer amendments when they don't offer them.

Debt explosion

Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Following that morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2918, the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. Senators should expect at least two rollcall votes to begin at about 5:30 this evening. Those votes will be in relation to the McCain amendment and passage of the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

There are a few other amendments in order, but I have been told by the manager of the bill, Senator Nelson, that he doubts there will be other rollcall votes.

We hope to reach an agreement to begin consideration of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill tomorrow.

Mr. President, I, of course, wish to welcome you and all my colleagues back after the July 4 recess. Now we are closer to the end of this year than the beginning of this year. We have much to be proud of, but our time is short and we have much to do in the coming weeks and months. So far this year we started to get our country back on track by passing bills that have already started to revive our economy. Have we revived it enough? Of course not. But what position would we be in, what kind of financial meltdown would the world be in, had we not moved forward? We have already started to strengthen our national security. We have started to protect our environment. We have started to demand accountability from government agencies and entities. We have started promoting equality and ensuring progress, as America returns to being positively viewed by the world community.

Norman Ornstein, a resident scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, calls this Congress ``as active and productive as any I can remember.'' He went on to say: ``The number of major bills passed and enacted into law--serious, sustained activities in areas of broad, complex and

critical importance--are all truly impressive.''

Some pundits have said the work we have done so far this year is unmatched except during the first year President Franklin Roosevelt was in office. I can assure Republicans that this serious, sustained activity will not stop. We will finish this year in the same active, productive way in which it started, and I encourage my Republican colleagues to join us. I am confident the steps we have taken in the first half of this year, and that we will continue to take, will certainly anchor our recovery. It has anchored our recovery and it will do even more so. But I also know we must keep going. We must do more, lots more.

One of the most important steps we can take is reforming health care and doing so the right way. It has to wind up being health care reform that helps the middle class, that helps everyone, not just reform to take care of those who have none. It has to be a program that takes care of those who are afraid they are losing their insurance and those who have lost their insurance. That is why we will soon bring to the Senate floor a plan that lowers the high cost of health care. We will also make sure every American has access to quality, affordable care, and we will make sure people can still choose their own doctors, hospitals, and health plans.

We will no longer let insurance companies use a patient's preexisting condition as an excuse to deny the needed coverage, and we will help small businesses give their employees health care while keeping costs as low as possible. We are committed to a plan that protects what works, fixes what is broken, and ensures that if you like the coverage you have, you will be able to keep it. We will lower costs by preventing disease in the first place, reducing health disparities, and encouraging early detection and effective treatments that save lives and money.

This is the year we must act, and when we do we must act as partners, not partisans. Rising health care costs and the risk of losing one's health care is now greater than ever. The status quo is unacceptable. Doing nothing is not an option because the costs of inaction are too great.

Americans are paying too much for health care. They can lose this health care they have with just one pink slip, one accident or one illness. Every day, more Americans go bankrupt or lose their homes trying to stay healthy, and every year we do not act health care costs increase by the billions of dollars. We must, and we will, pass health care reform.

But health care is not the only issue on our agenda. We will also continue working on a number of appropriations bills to keep our government running, funding our government. With Republican cooperation, we can finish these bills, starting today by funding the legislative branch and tomorrow by doing the same for the Department of Homeland Security. We will continue working to confirm President Obama's many nominees for critical positions, including his outstanding nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Sotomayor. Those who have chosen to serve our country must be able get to work without delay. We have far too many nominees who have not moved forward because of Republican holds.

The Independence Day holiday was one where all Americans observed the birth of our country. The Independence Day holiday was one that reminded us of the debt we owe to the first patriots who stood for liberty and the many who died for liberty. Brave Americans have never stopped sacrificing so we can now know the self-evident truths and exercise the inalienable rights Jefferson described.

Keeping the Department of Defense strong is one of the ways we can support and thank those patriots. This work period we will do just that by passing the Department of Defense authorization bill.

The revolutionary document Congress adopted on July 4, 1776, declared that power derives from the consent of the governed. In the 233 years since that day, we have also learned we must govern by consensus. Although we will discuss, debate and disagree, I urge my colleagues to remember that finding common ground is in our common interest. I ask them not to forget that the governed, those who sent each of us here, sent us with their hopes we will work with each other, not against each other.

Finally, let me say that the long Senate race in the State of Minnesota is over. Al Franken will be sworn in as a Senator tomorrow before the weekly party caucuses. History will write about that race for generations to come. Three million votes were cast by hand. The recount was long, deliberate, and fair. Al Franken won by 312 votes.

He is a good man. He is someone who is extremely smart--he is Harvard educated. He had chosen as his life's work the entertainment world. He has been on many USO caravans and trips. He has a great love for the American soldier. I met with him in my office today, and I was so impressed that his first piece of legislation is going to be one involving veterans--unique and very important.

I want everyone within the sound of my voice to understand that we have 60 Senators on the Democratic side. That means that now more than ever we have to work together. We have no intention--I have no intention of running roughshod over the Republicans. I think we have proven that during this first 6 months. We want cooperation from the Republicans, we deserve cooperation from the Republicans as they do from us.

I started my remarks by talking about what a terrific legislative session it has been so far. We have accomplished, I repeat, as much as any other legislative first 6 months, other than the first Roosevelt year. We have accomplished all that, and we needed Republican votes to get it done. We haven't gotten a lot of Republican votes--I wish we had gotten more--but we have gotten enough to get it done.

I hope in the next few weeks we all realize we have so much important work to do. I laid that out with my remarks here today. We have to get as many appropriations bills done as we can; we have to finish the Defense Department bill; we have to do health care reform; we have to do Judge Sotomayor. We have a huge schedule. As I have said and we all know--everyone has been alerted, this is no message the people have not heard--this period is going to be a long hard slog.

We have lots to do. We are going to be working in the evenings, Mondays and Friday--weekends, if necessary, to get all our work done.

I say to my Republican colleagues I, of course, am very thankful for Al Franken. It is terrific that Minnesota now has two Senators. For over 8 months, they have gone with just one. But I repeat, this is not the time for people to be arrogant or attempt to throw their weight around. Things have not changed. We still need to work together. That is what the American people want and that is what the message is to my Republican colleagues.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, with the Senate Chaplain, Admiral Black, standing by, we all listened to a prayer from one of our Jewish brethren in Las Vegas, Rabbi Harlig. I am sure the Chaplain was pleased with the prayer. Those of us in attendance were pleased with the prayer. It was a meaningful, wonderful prayer for our Senate and the country. So I welcome Rabbi Harlig and thank him for helping us open the Senate with the beautiful prayer he uttered.

Rabbi Harlig and his wife Dina breathed new life into the southern Nevada Jewish community when they opened a Chabad center in their living room in 1990. It has grown dramatically since then, and successfully grown, and there are now five such community centers in southern Nevada. The organization Rabbi Harlig founded has taught so many children and adults and has done so many mitzvot--or good deeds-- for so many people.

As Rabbi Harlig mentioned in his invocation, today is significant for the Chabad community because it is the day of the passing of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, one of the great Jewish leaders of our time.

So thank you, Rabbi Harlig, for joining us in the Senate today.

Madam President, following leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for up to 1 hour. Senators will be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the majority will control the final 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will turn to executive session to resume debate on the nomination of Harold Koh to be Legal Adviser to the Department of State. We hope some of the postcloture debate time will be yielded back and we are able to vote on the nomination as early as possible. If we are unable to yield any time, the vote will occur at about 5:30 this evening.

We are also working on an agreement to consider the Legislative Branch appropriations bill. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled or agreements are reached.

Madam President, it is my understanding that S. 1344 is at the desk and due for a second reading.

Madam President, I object to any further proceedings with respect to this legislation at this time.

Madam President, one-sixth of every dollar that is spent in America goes to health care today. If we do nothing with health care, by the year 2020 it will be 35 percent. Think about that. That is just 11 years from now. So it is obvious that crushing health care costs leave many families uninsured and underinsured and drive far too many into bankruptcy or foreclosure.

When we discuss our country's health care crisis with our constituents next week when we go home for the July 4th break and when we debate it with our colleagues in this Chamber in the coming months, they will talk about how best to relieve that burden. There are a lot of good ideas, but one of the best ways to bring down the cost is by preventing disease and illness in the first place.

Prevention and wellness are based on a simple premise: The less you get sick today, the less you will have to pay tomorrow. Part of reforming health care means making it easier for Americans to make healthier choices and live healthier lives. We are far from that goal and need to do a better job of making that possible. More than half of all Americans live with at least one chronic condition, and those conditions cause 70 percent of all deaths in America. So doesn't it make sense to stop them before they start? The obvious answer is yes.

It is not just a health issue, it is also an economic issue. Prevention isn't

free, but it is a lot cheaper to invest in health before it is too late. Unfortunately, that investment is peanuts right now. We spend only 4 cents out of every health care dollar toward preventing disease. That is far too little. Although we spend only 4 cents of every dollar toward preventing disease, we spend 75 cents of every health care dollar caring for people with chronic conditions. It isn't enough just to treat and cure disease, we must also prevent disease and help people stay healthy. Reducing the number of us who suffer from chronic diseases will cut costs and help more Americans lead healthier and more productive lives. It is the same principle we bring to health care reform overall. Reform isn't free, but it is a lot cheaper to invest in our citizens' health, our country's health, and our economy's health before it is too late.

Everyone needs to listen, especially based on my colleague's statement he just gave. We Democrats are committed to lowering the high cost of health care. We Democrats want to ensure every American has access to that quality, affordable care, and letting people choose their own doctors, hospitals, and health plans. We are committed to protecting existing coverage when it is good, improving it when it is not, and guaranteeing health care to the millions--including 9 million children--who have no health care.

We are committed to a plan that says: If you like the coverage you have, you can keep it. We are committed to reducing health disparities and encouraging early detection and effective treatment that saves lives. Just a small investment in prevention and wellness can make a big difference for American families. Reforming health care, doing so in the right way, and making that investment will help people get sick less often--and even when they do get sick, it will cost them less to get back on their feet. Benjamin Franklin famously said: ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' For Americans' physical health and America's fiscal health it may be worth much more.

Madam President, I believe it is time to announce morning business.

Mr. President, could I ask the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts if he would yield for a unanimous consent request or two?

As usual, I appreciate the courtesy of my friend from Massachusetts.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all postcloture time be yielded back except for 30 minutes and that time be divided as follows: 10 minutes for Senator Kerry--and we can count the time he has already used. Does the Senator need more time? OK--10 minutes for Senator Kerry, 10 minutes for Senator Cornyn, 10 minutes for Senator Coburn, or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on the confirmation of the nomination; that upon confirmation, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I would ask to modify the consent request that instead of 10, 10, and 10, Senator Kerry be given 15 minutes and Senator Cornyn be given 15 minutes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that upon disposition of the Koh nomination, and the Senate resuming legislative session, the Senate then move to proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 84, H.R. 2918, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act; that the motion be agreed to, and once the bill is reported, a Nelson of Nebraska substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be called up for consideration; further that the following be the only first-degree amendments and motion in order: McCain, Nebraska photo exhibit; Coburn, online disclosure of Senate spending; DeMint, Visitor Center inscription: ``In God We Trust''; Vitter, motion to commit, 2009 levels; DeMint, audit reform Federal Reserve; that upon disposition of the amendments and motion, the substitute amendment, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and the Senate then proceed to vote on passage of the bill; that upon passage, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and that the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate; provided further that if a point of order is raised against the substitute amendment, then it be in order for another substitute amendment to be offered minus the offending provisions but including any amendments which had been agreed to; and that no further amendments be in order; and that the substitute amendment, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, and the remaining provisions beyond adoption of the substitute amendment remain in effect.

Madam President, there will be at least one more vote today.

Senator Nelson should be here momentarily to start managing the Legislative Branch appropriations bill.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.