Floor Statements

Under the previous order, at 2 p.m. Sunday, the Senate will proceed to a rollcall vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 22, the lands bill.

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

Mr. President, following leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. All Senators are invited to gather in the Senate Chamber at 12:45 p.m. to proceed to the Hall of the House for the counting of electoral ballots. The joint session will commence at 1 p.m. The Senate will recess from 3:30 until 4:45 to allow for a special Democratic caucus meeting. If none have been to the counting of the electoral ballots, it is quite historic and interesting, and people should consider going to that.

It is my belief that S. 22 is at the desk and due for its second reading.

Mr. President, I object to any further proceedings with regard to this legislation.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise to voice my strong support for a resolution in support of Israel that Senator McConnell and I introduced with a bipartisan, overwhelming number of Senators. When we pass this resolution, the U.S. Senate will strengthen its historic bond with the State of Israel, by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza as well as our support for the Israeli- Palestinian peace process.

I spoke last week with Prime Minister Olmert and again expressed my understanding of and appreciation for the terrible situation that Israel has faced. Hamas has been firing rockets and mortars into Israel, killing, maiming innocent Israeli citizens for more than 8 years. I ask any of my colleagues to imagine that happening here in the United States, rockets and mortars coming from Toronto and Canada into Buffalo, NY. How would we as a country react? We would react, and we would react swiftly and quickly. Israel has been very patient.

Gaza was controlled by Israel since 1967. They, in an effort of extending an olive branch to the Palestinians, gave that territory up willingly. What have they gotten in return for it? Mortars and rockets fired, by now into the thousands. So we would have to react

as they have done. We would have to react to protect our people, and it would not only be our right but an obligation to do so. That is what the Israelis have done. Hamas must stop the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. That is the simple stated objective of Israel. I acknowledge and appreciate the calls by some or a cease-fire. Certainly we must encourage a peaceful resolution of the conflict. But we must be certain that any cease-fire is sustainable, durable, and enforceable.

Our resolution reflects the will of the State of Israel and the will of the American people. It expresses vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and recognizes its right to act in self-defense and to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism. It reiterates that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, and it recognizes Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, which Hamas has certainly not done even a little bit. It encourages the President to work actively to support a durable, enforceable, and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets against Israel and allows for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for the ordinary people of Gaza.

This resolution believes strongly that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected and all appropriate measures should be taken to diminish civilian casualties and that all involved should continue to work to address humanitarian needs in Gaza. It supports and encourages efforts to diminish the appeal and influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories and to strengthen moderate Palestinians who are committed to a secure and lasting peace with Israel.

Finally, it reiterates strong support for U.S. Government efforts to promote a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a serious and sustained peace process that leads to the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure State of Israel.

Mr. President, Senator John Kerry has been open and very forward thinking on this issue. He, along with Senator Lugar, supports this resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 10 submitted earlier by Senators Reid and McConnell.

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

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, could I ask my friend from New Hampshire to withhold her request?

Mr. President, I wanted to be here to listen to Jeanne Shaheen give her maiden speech. Of course, it brings back a flood of memories of my maiden speech. I was so fortunate, I tell everyone, on that initial speech. I had served a couple terms in the House, and I had been trying to get something called the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights passed. The subcommittee chair in the House made fun of my legislation. I did not get anywhere with that. But I believed in it, so I marched over here--and I had the last seat way back in the corner over there-- and I gave my first speech, and it was on the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights.

Fortunately, I say to the Presiding Officer, David Pryor--Mark Pryor's father--was presiding. He was a member of the Finance Committee and the chairman of the subcommittee that had jurisdiction over the IRS. Charles Grassley was listening to my speech. There were not many more people than there are right now on the floor. But David Pryor sent me a note saying: I like this. Let me help you. And Chuck Grassley communicated with me saying he would help.

That was a fortunate day in my life because even though I took credit for the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights passing, it would never have happened if not for David Pryor. He worked the last night of this session--I was in Nevada--he was on that Finance Committee, and they were trying to complete the conference. Anyway, he got it done.

These maiden speeches are meaningful because you will never forget the speech you have given.

Now, for Jeanne Shaheen, I have had such admiration for her for such a long time. We all watched as she presided over the State of New Hampshire as Governor. She did a remarkably good job. When I learned she wanted to run for the Senate, I was excited because this great statesperson, with this engaging smile and her ability to work hard, which everyone knows about, is going to leave her in good standing here in the Senate.

I say to my friend from New Hampshire, the junior Senator from New Hampshire, I appreciate the Senator running for the Senate. The people of the State of New Hampshire are going to reap benefits from that decision for many years to come.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 11.

Mr. President, last Congress, the staff of the Committee on Armed Services conducted an inquiry into allegations regarding irregularities in the administration by the Department of the Army of a Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, LOGCAP, contract for logistical support in Iraq. At the conclusion of that staff inquiry, the chairman and ranking member of the committee referred allegations regarding administration of the LOGCAP contract to the Department of Defense acting Inspector General for review.

The chairman and ranking member would like to share with the inspector general records of the committee staff inquiry to assist in the conduct of the inspector general's review. This resolution would accordingly authorize the chairman and ranking member, acting jointly, to release committee records relating to this matter to the Defense Department Inspector General.

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, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I am told there are two bills at the desk. I, therefore, ask for their first reading en bloc.

I now ask for their second reading en bloc but object to my own request en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. Friday, January 9; 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 there then be a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, all Senators are notified that at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, the Democratic caucus will meet in the LBJ Room for a continuation of the caucus we held today to deal with the economic recovery plan of President-elect Barack Obama. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, there is a scheduled vote, and it will be necessary that all Senators be in attendance at that vote.

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

Mr. President, are we in a quorum call?

Mr. President, it is my understanding there are 12 bills at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. President, I object to any further proceedings with respect to these bills en bloc.

Mr. President, S. 22 was introduced earlier today by Senator Bingaman. It is my understanding that

is the case and is due for its first reading.

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