Floor Statements

Madam President, for the information of Senators, there will be no more votes today. I indicated earlier that we would be out by 6 today. A number of things are going on. We will work on a number of issues over the weekend, including the tobacco issue and other issues. We will vote on Monday at 5:30 on the cloture motions that were filed earlier this afternoon.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the tobacco legislation, H.R. 1256. This is postcloture on the motion to proceed. Upon the use or yielding back of the 30 hours of postcloture debate time, the Senate will turn its consideration to that legislation. We hope that some time can be yielded back. We will wait and see what the will of the Republicans is at this time. We would like to begin the amendment process. We had a number of very good speeches yesterday from Senators who intend to offer amendments to this legislation. I will be speaking with the Republican leader throughout the day.

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

Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the Army's 234th anniversary. On June 14, 2009, the Army celebrates its 234th year of courageous and noble service to the people of the United States of America.

The Army has designated 2009 as ``The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer,'' in recognition of the dedicated and selfless service of noncommissioned officers, known as the ``Backbone of the Army,'' throughout the Nation's history. Our country nation owes a debt of gratitude to those noncommissioned officers who have defended our country and freedom worldwide, serving in harm's way across the globe to defend freedom and secure the peace for the American people. It is fitting that we should pay special tribute to the Army's noncommissioned officer corps on the 234th anniversary of the Army's establishment in 1775.

At Fort Lewis, WA, home of the I Corps, known as ``America's Corps,'' noncommissioned officers are observing the Army's birthday while preparing for deployment into harm's way, training for future service to the Nation, and upholding the high standards of our armed services.

It is my desire to thank and honor those courageous, dedicated and selfless men and women. I am grateful for the Army's outstanding corps of noncommissioned officers at Fort Lewis, WA, under the direction of COL Cynthia Murphy, Garrison Commander, and Command Sergeant MAJ Matthew Barnes, for their role in defending our Nation and serving its people as the keepers of the Army's high standards, the trainers and maintainers who make our Army the greatest force for good across the globe, and the heart and soul of our fighting forces at home and abroad. They are truly the ``Backbone of the Army.''

Mr. President, I rise today in honor of a very historic event--this Saturday marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Virginia City, NV. Many Americans know Virginia City from the old TV show ``Bonanza,'' but this city also played an extremely important role in the history of the United States in the second half of the 19th century.

Virginia City's roots as a mining town began in 1850 as the '49ers traveled through on their way to California. Men often stopped in this area to practice their gold-mining skills but never found much of value until 1859 when Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin found some gold in the dirt. Henry Comstock passed by shortly after and talked his way into a share of what would later be named after him: the Comstock Lode. For several months, they mined the earth, tossing aside buckets full of ``blue stuff'' that got in the way of only a small amount of gold. Out of curiosity, they sent away a sample of this blue stuff to be tested, and it turned out to be made up of three-fourths silver ore. News spread quickly, and by the following spring, 10,000 men had arrived hoping to make their fortune.

This silver lode proved more difficult to mine than the gold in California, and mines collapsed before they could reach much of the ore. American ingenuity persevered, however, and a whole list of new technologies were developed that would be used in mines across the country. In no time, the ground below Virginia City was crisscrossed with mines, and the city itself was a boom town full of boarding houses and saloons. The official value of all the gold and silver taken out of the Comstock between 1859 and 1882 is over $300 million. These riches helped Nevada in its effort to become an independent territory and then its own State in 1864.

Virginia City also produced some of America's great historical figures. George Hearst made his fortune in Nevada before founding the newspaper empire he became famous for, and Samuel Clemens first used the name ``Mark Twain'' while writing for the local paper, the Territorial Enterprise.

Today, Virginia City has a population of less than a tenth of what it had at its peak in the 1870s. However, it remains a vibrant community and an outstanding monument to the Wild West. The millions of tourists who visit Virginia City each year can stroll the wooden sidewalks, explore old mines, pan for gold, and watch the annual international camel and ostrich races. I am happy I will be able to celebrate this historic anniversary in Virginia City, and I am proud to recognize the city's achievements today.

Mr President, I rise today to introduce legislation to help reduce the financial burden placed on our Reserve and National Guard troops and their families. More than a quarter of a million have deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we must make it a priority to honor their service at home.

Nevada alone has more than three thousand Guards men and women, and a thousand Reservists--many of whom work full-time jobs when they are not on active duty. Since September 11th, our National Guard and Reserve Troops have significantly increased their deployments beyond what had been forecasted, advertised or expected. They have continued their engagements around the globe while still responding to historic callouts in support of disaster relief.

In our Democracy, we enjoy the luxury of an all-volunteer military force. Yet in volunteering, many of our Citizen-Soldiers are financially penalized for their service. Far too frequently, when a Service Member is mobilized in service to their state or our nation, they suffer a financial burden in the reduced pay received while mobilized. A National Guard medic might earn much less while he or she is deployed in Afghanistan than they did working a full-time job in a Nevada hospital. This legislation gives American taxpayers the option of contributing money to help our military families to make up for wages lost during a deployment.

The bill I am introducing today allows Americans to designate all or a portion of their income tax refunds to the Reserve Income Replacement Program. The Program is a compensation that must be paid to all eligible Service Members when they incur a loss in monthly income as a result of a mobilization. The funds that volunteers donate will be transferred from the Treasury Department to this program, which was developed specifically to provide payments to eligible members of the National Guard and Reserve who are involuntary serving on active-duty and who are experiencing a monthly active-duty income differential of more than $50. In 2007, the IRS issued 106 million refunds that totaled $246 billion with the average refund coming in at $2,342. Even a small percentage of this amount could make a significant difference in the lives of these reservist and National Guard families.

The financial stress of deployments during a recession has placed enormous pressures on our National Guard and Reserve Service Members and their families. Many of these members are returning from war only to find their businesses facing extreme difficulty. This bill would not only assist the Guard with monetary resources, but it would also rightfully focus more attention on the financial struggles that our brave and dedicated citizen Soldiers and Airmen undertake in defense of our country. With this legislation, we can show them that their service is not taken for granted.

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

Mr President, I rise today to introduce legislation to help reduce the financial burden placed on our Reserve and National Guard troops and their families. More than a quarter of a million have deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we must make it a priority to honor their service at home.

Nevada alone has more than three thousand Guards men and women, and a thousand Reservists--many of whom work full-time jobs when they are not on active duty. Since September 11th, our National Guard and Reserve Troops have significantly increased their deployments beyond what had been forecasted, advertised or expected. They have continued their engagements around the globe while still responding to historic callouts in support of disaster relief.

In our Democracy, we enjoy the luxury of an all-volunteer military force. Yet in volunteering, many of our Citizen-Soldiers are financially penalized for their service. Far too frequently, when a Service Member is mobilized in service to their state or our nation, they suffer a financial burden in the reduced pay received while mobilized. A National Guard medic might earn much less while he or she is deployed in Afghanistan than they did working a full-time job in a Nevada hospital. This legislation gives American taxpayers the option of contributing money to help our military families to make up for wages lost during a deployment.

The bill I am introducing today allows Americans to designate all or a portion of their income tax refunds to the Reserve Income Replacement Program. The Program is a compensation that must be paid to all eligible Service Members when they incur a loss in monthly income as a result of a mobilization. The funds that volunteers donate will be transferred from the Treasury Department to this program, which was developed specifically to provide payments to eligible members of the National Guard and Reserve who are involuntary serving on active-duty and who are experiencing a monthly active-duty income differential of more than $50. In 2007, the IRS issued 106 million refunds that totaled $246 billion with the average refund coming in at $2,342. Even a small percentage of this amount could make a significant difference in the lives of these reservist and National Guard families.

The financial stress of deployments during a recession has placed enormous pressures on our National Guard and Reserve Service Members and their families. Many of these members are returning from war only to find their businesses facing extreme difficulty. This bill would not only assist the Guard with monetary resources, but it would also rightfully focus more attention on the financial struggles that our brave and dedicated citizen Soldiers and Airmen undertake in defense of our country. With this legislation, we can show them that their service is not taken for granted.

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

Mr. President, following leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 11 a.m., with the time equally divided between the two leaders or their designees and with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. At 11 a.m., the Senate will turn to executive session and immediately proceed to vote on confirmation of Regina McCarthy to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. It is expected that will be a voice vote, but we will have to wait and see.

Upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate will resume legislative session and proceed to a rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Therefore, Senators should expect at least one rollcall vote to begin at 11 a.m. The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15 today to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

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

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

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

Mr. President, at the beginning of each of this year's work periods, we have returned to the Capitol from all corners of the country reminded of the serious nature of the challenges we face. American families are looking up from the deepest ditch in generations--a hole we all inherited and one from which we are committed to climb out. Like Americans who worry about how they will pay their bills, send their kids to school, and afford to stay healthy, getting our economy back on track is the first thing we think about in the morning and the last thing we think about at night. We also know we are headed in the right direction.

Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is home to the largest solar array of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Last week, President Obama and I toured the Nellis solar array and met the people who benefit from the tens of thousands of solar panels that help power that base. It is a huge base; 12,000 people are fixed on that base. But the solar panels provide 30 percent of the electricity for that electric-hungry base. It is an example of exactly the kind of project that creates jobs, moves America toward energy independence, and makes the air we breathe cleaner. Because of the economic recovery plan we passed earlier this year, we are investing in projects such as this one at Nellis to put America on a path to prosperity.

During the past few weeks, we have seen the good that can happen when we look out for Main Street, not just Wall Street.

There is no reason the next work period should be any different. Similar to the earlier months of this year, the next one presents a long list of priorities.

Before the July 4 holiday, we will do everything we can to help stop kids from smoking before they start, make tobacco products less toxic, and make sure tobacco companies are honest with the American people about the dangers of smoking.

We will pass the conference report of the supplemental appropriations bill we passed last month--a bill that gives our brave troops the resources they need to do their jobs and return home safely.

Both the HELP and Finance Committees will continue to work on health care reform legislation, the top priority of President Obama and millions of Americans. Both committees hope to report out legislation before our July 4 recess.

We will begin work on a number of appropriations bills and, with Republican cooperation, we would like to finish work on some of those. I spoke to the Republican leader a few minutes ago, and we will have a plan to move forward on some of those appropriations bills.

We will continue working to confirm President Obama's many nominees for critical positions. Those who have chosen to serve our country must be able to get to work without delay.

We will begin the process of reviewing the most high-profile nomination of all, which is President Obama's outstanding pick for the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor's record and qualifications are terrific and tremendous. In fact, if she is confirmed, she will bring to the bench more judicial experience than any sitting justice had when they joined the Court.

Judge Sotomayor's experience comes not only from the legal world but the real world as well. Her understanding of the law is grounded not only in theory but also practice.

Several Senators will have the pleasure of meeting with Judge Sotomayor this week, and I know they will be impressed. She deserves a fair and respectful hearing, and I know she will get that. I will do all I can to ensure she gets that and that Senators get what they require as quickly as possible. I wish to make sure she is ready to go when the new term starts.

Mr. President, we are going to be in a period of morning business for a while today. We have a matter that is on the calendar dealing with railroad antitrust. It is pretty clear most Senators agree there is a compromise that has been worked on, on a bipartisan basis. We will see if we can have a vote on cloture vitiated, and we will go directly to the matter.

I have spoken to the Republican leader on how we are going to proceed on the tobacco legislation. It is not quite clear yet. We need to move forward and protect the ability to offer amendments. If consent is granted on the railroad bill, we would extend morning business throughout the day.

There will be no votes today. Senators should expect one tomorrow around 11 a.m.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order with respect to resuming the motion to proceed to S. 146 be vitiated.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to S. 146 be withdrawn.

Madam President, I wish to thank Senators Rockefeller and Kohl and others for their work in securing an agreement to work together on comprehensive rail competition legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the Dear Colleague letter they jointly signed be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 139; that the nomination be confirmed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that no further motions be in order and any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2; that following the prayer and 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 until 11 a.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees; further I ask unanimous consent that following morning business,

the Senate proceed to executive session under the previous order; finally, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

Madam President, tomorrow, following morning business, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination of Regina McCarthy to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. That vote should be a voice vote. We will have to wait and see for sure.

Earlier today we were able to reach an agreement to vitiate the cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the railroad antitrust legislation. As a result, upon disposition of the McCarthy nomination, the Senate will immediately proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1256, the FDA tobacco regulation legislation. Therefore, Senators should expect at least one rollcall vote to begin around 11 a.m. tomorrow.