Floor Statements

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

Madam President, following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2346, the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, with the time until 10 a.m. equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees. At 10 a.m., the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 2346. The filing deadline for second-degree amendments is 9:30 a.m. today.

We are confident cloture will be invoked on this most important piece of legislation. I think we have had a very good debate on a number of issues. We will finish this bill before we leave this week. We hope we can do it today. There is no reason we should not be able to do it today, but if not, we will have to let the 30 hours run out sometime tomorrow evening.

We have had a tremendously productive work period. We have all worked extremely hard, and as I have said before, it is nice to be able to be home during the week rather than just on weekends. So we look forward to having a productive work period during the next week in our home States and look forward to having a productive day today and sending this bill on to the House and have the conference completed. There are very few things that need to be worked out in conference, but that should be done in a few days, and we will complete this when we get back. We have checked with the Pentagon, and they are satisfied that if we finish this when we get back, there will be adequate time to fund everything our troops need.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask it be in order to make a point of order en bloc against the pending amendments.

Therefore, Mr. President, I make a point of order en bloc that all pending amendments are not in order postcloture except the following: Leahy, No. 1191; Brown, No. 1161; Corker, No. 1173; Kaufman, No. 1179, as modified; McCain, No. 1188; and Lieberman-Graham, No. 1157; further, that amendments No. 1161, No. 1173, No. 1188, and No. 1157 be modified with changes at the desk, and once those are modified, the above six amendments, as modified if modified, be agreed to en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc; and the following amendments be considered and agreed to in the order listed: Lincoln, No. 1181 and Hutchison amendment No. 1176, as modified; and that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; further, that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill; that upon passage, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House, and that the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees, with the Senate Appropriations Committee appointed as conferees.

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

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

I renew my unanimous consent request.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER Without objection, it is so ordered.

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I met briefly this week with the actress and activist Mia Farrow, who has dedicated so much time lately--and even put her own health at risk--to raise awareness of the atrocities in Darfur.

Like Ms. Farrow, my good friend Pam Omidyar--the founder and chair of the Board of Humanity United--has also fasted for more than a month in solidarity with the Darfurian refugees.

Mia Farrow and Pam Omidyar enjoy liberty and wealth. They do not need to do this. But through their actions, they both so generously speak for those the world ignores.

The terrible situation in Darfur deteriorates with each passing day. But we don't hear much about it. It has long since faded from the front pages in the face of everything else going on in our economy and the two wars we wage in the Middle East.

We cannot ignore this crisis. The United States has officially and appropriately recognized that what is happening in Darfur is genocide. For the more than 2.4 million people who have been displaced against their will, we cannot look the other way and cannot stand idly by.

Most of the people of Darfur depend on international aid to survive day-to-day. The United Nations has agreed to send 26,000 peacekeepers to Darfur, but they face an uphill fight--they have struggled to get the resources they need to ensure the safety of those who live in Darfur and to end this crisis.

Making matters worse, when the International Criminal Court recently issued a warrant to arrest the President of Sudan--President Bashir-- for war crimes and crimes against humanity, he responded by expelling 13 non-governmental organizations that had been distributing food and medicine to the people in Darfur.

Because of its economic investments, China has unique leverage with Sudan. It is important that China uses that influence to help the people of Darfur.

I appreciate the work of Major General Jonathan Scott Gration--the President's special envoy to Sudan--but we must do more to put Darfur at the forefront of our foreign-policy agenda. And we must be clear about our objectives.

The Sudanese government has repeatedly proven untrustworthy at the negotiating table. As the administration and our special envoy develop a new policy, we must consider how we can get Khartoum to change its behavior.

There have been too many people in too many camps for too many years--and the world has been silent for far too long.

We have no excuse to do anything short of all we can do to ensure aid groups are on the ground in Darfur, and that they can do their jobs--to ensure a political process is in place, and that it can work--and to help save the lives of millions.

Mr. President, it has been said that ``The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.'' I believe it. This is why I rise today to again introduce legislation to help correct an injustice for those who have served our country in times of crisis.

Many people have never heard of Air America. This top-secret passenger and cargo airline was a Government corporation owned and operated by the

Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War.

Forty-eight years ago, the first Air America pilots were killed in covert military action in Laos. On May 30th, 1961, Charles Mateer and Walter Wizbowski crashed their helicopter in rugged terrain and unpredictable weather while trying to land in order to resupply besieged Hmong during the Cold War.

Air America employed several hundred U.S. citizens like Mr. Mateer and Wizbowski to conduct covert missions throughout the Cold War. During the Vietnam War, they carried nearly 12,000 government-sponsored passengers each month including troops and refugees. During the final days of the Vietnam war, Air America helicopters evacuated some 41,000 Americans, diplomats and friendly Vietnamese. Throughout the Cold War, numerous Air Force and Navy pilots were saved by heroic Air America helicopter rescue missions after being shot down behind enemy lines.

Air America personnel paid a costly burden to run these dangerous missions. Sadly, at least 86 American pilots were killed in action while operating aircraft for our Government. In all, Air America had 240 pilots and crewmembers killed in action.

In order to be able to conduct these high-risk missions, Air America operations were conducted by the CIA with strict secrecy. The Government ownership of the company was never acknowledged at the time and was not known to the public. Only a small number of officials were aware that, as employees of the CIA, Air America personnel were entitled to standard benefits provided to Federal employees.

Despite their heroic service to our nation, Air America employees are now being neglected by our Government.

Frustrated by Federal intransience and bureaucracy, former Air America employees from Nevada came to me and requested congressional assistance to help them obtain Federal civil service retirement benefits.

Today, the legislation I am introducing helps move us closer to correcting this injustice.

Mr. President, the ``Air America Veteran's Act'' recognizes these employees by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress about the number of Air America beneficiaries and the benefits owed to them. This report is critical because it will provide the justification Congress needs to ensure that these veterans are treated equitably and fairly by their Government.

I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to correct this injustice. These great Americans have earned these benefits and the gratitude of a thankful Nation. Now is our chance to honor their service and begin recognizing their sacrifices.

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

Mr. President, it has been said that ``The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.'' I believe it. This is why I rise today to again introduce legislation to help correct an injustice for those who have served our country in times of crisis.

Many people have never heard of Air America. This top-secret passenger and cargo airline was a Government corporation owned and operated by the

Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War.

Forty-eight years ago, the first Air America pilots were killed in covert military action in Laos. On May 30th, 1961, Charles Mateer and Walter Wizbowski crashed their helicopter in rugged terrain and unpredictable weather while trying to land in order to resupply besieged Hmong during the Cold War.

Air America employed several hundred U.S. citizens like Mr. Mateer and Wizbowski to conduct covert missions throughout the Cold War. During the Vietnam War, they carried nearly 12,000 government-sponsored passengers each month including troops and refugees. During the final days of the Vietnam war, Air America helicopters evacuated some 41,000 Americans, diplomats and friendly Vietnamese. Throughout the Cold War, numerous Air Force and Navy pilots were saved by heroic Air America helicopter rescue missions after being shot down behind enemy lines.

Air America personnel paid a costly burden to run these dangerous missions. Sadly, at least 86 American pilots were killed in action while operating aircraft for our Government. In all, Air America had 240 pilots and crewmembers killed in action.

In order to be able to conduct these high-risk missions, Air America operations were conducted by the CIA with strict secrecy. The Government ownership of the company was never acknowledged at the time and was not known to the public. Only a small number of officials were aware that, as employees of the CIA, Air America personnel were entitled to standard benefits provided to Federal employees.

Despite their heroic service to our nation, Air America employees are now being neglected by our Government.

Frustrated by Federal intransience and bureaucracy, former Air America employees from Nevada came to me and requested congressional assistance to help them obtain Federal civil service retirement benefits.

Today, the legislation I am introducing helps move us closer to correcting this injustice.

Mr. President, the ``Air America Veteran's Act'' recognizes these employees by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress about the number of Air America beneficiaries and the benefits owed to them. This report is critical because it will provide the justification Congress needs to ensure that these veterans are treated equitably and fairly by their Government.

I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to correct this injustice. These great Americans have earned these benefits and the gratitude of a thankful Nation. Now is our chance to honor their service and begin recognizing their sacrifices.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 67, 144, 153, to and including 160, 162, 163, 164, 166, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, NOAA, and Navy; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; that no further motions be in order, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record; the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Calendar No. 61, S. Con. Res. 19.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be agreed to, the committee-reported amendments, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, the resolution, as amended, be agreed to, the preamble, as amended, be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of the following items, en bloc: Calendar No. 65, H.R. 663; Calendar No. 66, H.R. 918, Calendar No. 67, H.R. 1284; and Calendar No. 68, H.R. 1595.

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, there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements related thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 160.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to S. Res. 161.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to S. Res. 162.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to,

the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to this resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 163.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 133.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.