Floor Statements

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

Mr. President, after I speak, and if the Republican leader chooses to speak, we will be in a period of morning business, with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each. No votes will occur today or on Monday. There will be no votes on Monday because of the Passover holiday. The next vote will occur at 12 noon on Tuesday on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1315, the disabled veterans' benefits bill.

Mr. President, it is hard to comprehend why we have to file cloture on a motion to proceed to a bill dealing with veterans, but that is what is happening. It has been heard on this floor on many occasions in recent weeks, but it is hard to comprehend what the Republicans are trying to do with the country, other than maintain the status quo.

We invoked cloture twice on a technical corrections bill, and now, on a veterans' benefits act, we have to invoke cloture on even being able to debate it. That is really too bad. There have been 4,039 Americans killed in Iraq; I read that in the newspaper this morning. The occupant of the chair indicated to me that he presented a flag to some Ohio people who lost a loved one. Tens of thousands of troops have been wounded. The morning papers report that 20 percent--one out of every five--of the Iraq veterans, our soldiers, coming home from Iraq have traumatic stress disorder.

Mr. President, we have talked about those who have been killed in Iraq, those who have been wounded, but there are also, as a result of this huge military presence there--earlier this year, about 175,000-- people who are in the military who get hurt when trucks back over them by mistake or they may have falls--a lot of things happen to disable these veterans. We have been trying to bring this legislation to the floor since last August. In the height of the war, with soldiers being killed every day, being wounded every day, coming home from Iraq every day, we cannot even get to a bill to deal with their health. The Republicans are holding that up. We have been trying since August to bring it up.

This comprehensive, budget-neutral legislation will provide much needed benefits for veterans young and old. The legislation, among other things, would expand the number of individuals qualifying for traumatic injury insurance.

In the morning papers all over the country, there are headlines such as ``VA Suicide Hotline Set Up Last Year Credited With Saving 726 Lives So Far.'' As I said, we have these stories appearing all over the country.

Twenty-two-year-old Joshua Omvig shot himself in his truck

outside his parents' home in Grundy Center, Iowa, on December

22, 2005. A local newspaper reported that he

had talked to his mother shortly before killing himself.

Among his final words: ``I've been dead ever since I left

Iraq.''

As a result of this, and in paying tribute to him, we have created a suicide hotline for veterans. That is what this is all about. We have saved 726 lives. Veterans need help. This is a war like we have never had before. We have never fought a war in big cities, street to street, house to house.

Last night, I had a marine in my office, at about quarter to 7 last night. He came with his wife-to-be, his mother, and his father. They are from Illinois. He is a big, strong man. One of his ears was cauliflowered, as he had been a college wrestler. He was missing his right leg above the knee. He is going to be in and out of the hospital, and he will be able to go home soon. His problem is not with the leg he lost, it is with the leg he still has. He lifted up his pant leg and showed me the scars. He had major surgery and has scars. He is tough and said, ``I am going to be just fine.''

We are trying to help people such as him. They are all over America, coming home from Iraq and are hurt and need help. We cannot even debate this legislation because Republicans are stalling it. We are having a vote at noon on Tuesday. I hope we will be able to get 60 votes and proceed. You would think there would be nine Republicans who are caring enough to allow us to go forward on this most important issue.

We also extend eligibility for specially adapted housing benefits to individuals with severe burns. This war, which is within cities--I got carried away describing this man's injuries.

I said, ``Tell me what happened.''

He said, ``We came out of the house, climbed in the vehicle, and it blew up.''

I said, ``How long were you in the truck?''

He said, ``Maybe 20 seconds.''

The road had been paved--a newly paved road. They put a bomb on it. When he drove over it, the compression caused it to blow up. He had burns--you could see them--on his face. The scars weren't bad, but there were burns.

A lot of the people, because of these explosive devices, have terrible burns. This legislation we want to try to pass extends eligibility for these people who were burned badly to have special housing benefits.

The legislation would extend and increase benefits for individuals trying to change what they do, with apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs.

Also, the legislation would restore veteran status to Filipino veterans who served under U.S. command in World War II. One only need watch Tom Hanks's World War II series that appeared on television. It talked about the valor and the absolute necessity for the Filipino soldiers who were there fighting under our command. We have been trying for decades to extend benefits to them. They are getting very old with each day that goes by, and more of them are dying. Their average age is well over 80. We want to allow them certain benefits. They fought alongside U.S. troops during World War II. It is the moral obligation of this Nation to provide for those Filipino veterans who fought under the U.S. flag during World War II.

After 8 months of obstruction by the Republicans, it is time to allow this bill to be debated. If there are people who don't like provisions in this bill, they can offer an amendment to try to take them out. Why hold up benefits for veterans?

This legislation provides much needed benefits and includes 8 titles, with 38 benefits. If there were ever a piece of legislation that should not be stalled, obstructed, and delayed, it is this one. We have waited 8 months to bring this up. With the Republicans, it is always tomorrow, we almost have it worked out, or how about tomorrow or next week or next month? We cannot wait any longer. People have to step up to the bar here, Mr. President, on Tuesday at noon and vote to find out if we can legislate for the veterans coming back from Iraq and those veterans who have, prior to Iraq, dedicated their lives to the service of their country, our country.

Mr. President, 38 years ago, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day to celebrate the environment and to call attention to the major environmental issues of the time. Once again we celebrate the progress we have made to protect our environment, and are again called upon to address new challenges facing our planet.

Since Earth Day's conception in 1970 our Nation has worked to reduce pollution and clean up lakes, streams, and the air we breathe. These environmental accomplishments have made us healthier, our economy prosper, and have helped to make America even more beautiful.

Although we have made great strides to improve and protect our environment, it is clear that we are facing one of the gravest environmental challenges of our time. Global warming from man-made greenhouse gas emissions may be the most complicated crisis our world has ever faced. We must address it quickly and boldly in the United States and assert global leadership on this most important issue.

Rising temperatures threaten to devastate western landscapes, intensify drought, and magnify summer heat waves. Fortunately, if we act swiftly, we still have a narrow window of time and opportunity to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Over the next 15 years, I am confident that we can reduce emissions by at least 25 percent. We will establish a framework for capping greenhouse gas emissions without imposing economic hardship on Americans. We will also create a business environment that provides ample incentives to phase out rapidly our current outdated 19th century energy production and decisionmaking methods.

Global warming is an enormous opportunity wrapped in a complex challenge. On this Earth Day, I want Nevadans and all Americans to embrace and prepare for the challenge, and recognize the tremendous opportunity we have to improve our energy security, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and develop the new, clean, efficiency and renewable energy economy of the future. With the right investments and political will, we can soon power all our cars, homes and industry with power from the Sun, the wind, and the Earth.

In a 100-mile-square area of Nevada and the Southwest's desert, we have enough solar energy resources to supply the entire United States with electricity. This might seem unreal today because our thinking is shaped most by those who profit from selling us fossil fuels. But, solar technologies at the utility-scale and in distributed applications are quickly becoming economical and have far far fewer of the hidden costs of coal, nuclear and other unsustainable resources.

In addition, we have vast wind and geothermal resources that America has only begun to tap. By expanding and improving transmission access to rural and undeveloped areas where solar, wind and geothermal are often most plentiful, our renewable energy resources can work in affordable harmony, improving our energy security and reliability, using cost-free fuel for ever.

In a speech I gave earlier this year, I established five policy goals to promote renewable energy. These principles will help launch Nevada and the nation in a new direction that chooses ingenuity over stagnation, progress over pollution. They include: consumer choice-- allowing consumers to choose renewable energy to power their homes at reasonable cost; consumer empowerment--allowing homeowners to receive credit for generating their own renewable electricity; making space for renewables--setting aside federal land for renewable energy production; investment--providing incentives to utility companies to choose renewables and efficiency over fossil fuels; and electric cars-- building a smart grid that can charge electric automobiles.

Achieving these policy goals could help make our nation more sustainable, both environmentally and economically. They are some of the necessary steps we must take toward a low-carbon economy.

Climate scientists tell us that the countries of the world have approximately 10-15 years to radically transform the way that energy is made and consumed because greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are

verging on dangerous interference with the global climate system. This means making tremendous reductions quickly and ensuring that our energy decisions today do not warp the future for our children and generations to come.

As we celebrate Earth Day this year, I ask that you join me in thinking about the road ahead and how we will overcome this great environmental challenge that we face as Nevadans, Americans, and citizens of the world.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m., Monday, April 21; 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. I further ask that the Record remain open until 12 noon today, for the purpose of introducing bills, resolutions, cosponsors, and statements.

As previously announced, there will be no votes on Monday because of the Passover holiday. The next vote will occur at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 22, on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1315, the Disabled Veterans Act.

There being no further business to come before the Senate today, I move we stand adjourned under the previous order.

The motion was agreed to, and, at 10:19 a.m., the Senate adjourned until Monday, April 21, 2008, at 3 p.m.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 5813.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that there be no intervening action or debate; and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.

Madam President, this farm bill has been extended for a short period of time. The conferees have worked extremely hard. I hope we can get the conference report to us early next week. It would be a real disappointment if we didn't get this bill done.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 519.

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

Madam President, we are going to resume consideration of the highway bill very soon. Yesterday, we filed cloture on the Boxer substitute amendment to the underlying bill.

Under the rule, Senators have until 1 p.m. today to file first-degree amendments. Senator McConnell and I are going to have a consent agreement that we will present to the Senate in the immediate future.

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

Mr. President, I believe I have an obligation to say a few things about the amendments offered by Senators Coburn and Boxer regarding the investigation of the Coconut Road controversy.

As most of my colleagues know, there are reports that a Member of the House of Representatives arranged to have the text of the 2005 highway bill changed during the enrolling process, which is quite unusual. This was after the bill had passed both Houses. Serious allegations have been made about the motives of this Member for doing this. The facts are not certain, but some say they are clear.

The junior Senator from Oklahoma has done an important service by shining public attention on this matter. The facts are not yet all known, as I have just said, but if these allegations--or some of them-- are true, this is one more example of the corruption that permeated the Congress in recent years. We have two Members of Congress who have gone to prison. We have staff members who are in prison. Some are on probation and have pled guilty. So it is fair to say there was a lot of corruption in recent years.

Just last year, the new Democratic Congress passed S. 1, the most sweeping lobbying reform effort in the history of our country, in an effort to restore public trust in Congress. These reforms are already changing the way business is done in Washington. Lobbyists have less influence, and there is more transparency in the legislative process.

We all agree that any misconduct in the legislative process should be fully investigated. Specifically, we want to get to the bottom of this alleged misconduct involving the Coconut Road provision in the 2005 highway bill. The only disagreement between Senators Coburn and Boxer is how the investigation should be conducted.

Certainly, an investigation of the conduct of a Member of the House of Representatives should be done by the House. I think we get ourselves into a problem we should not, constitutionally or morally, by having the House tell us what we should do as far as our own Senators. We should not be telling them what they should be doing regarding House Members. Our Constitution does not provide the Senate with authority to direct a House committee to initiate any kind of action like that.

The Coburn amendment proposes a committee of Members from both the House and Senate conduct this investigation. But I believe Senators should not and cannot investigate a House Member any more than a House Member should or could investigate a Senator. Although Senator Coburn's goal of fully investigating the incident is worthy--and I think everyone shares his goal--the Senator's amendment is at odds with article I of the Constitution.

If we send this constitutionally dubious amendment to the House, it could jeopardize the entire highway technical corrections bill. Why do we want to mess with that? We should not. That is why Senator Boxer has proposed that the Justice Department review the allegations of criminal misconduct.

I would want everyone to recognize that in law, there is this saying: What are you trying to do, make a Federal case out of it? Why do we say that? Because it puts the fear into people because they know the Justice Department does a better job than anyone else investigating wrongdoing.

So what Senator Boxer proposed is to let the Department of Justice review the allegation of criminal conduct, which is the right way to go, and it is not an easy way to go.

According to public reports, the Justice Department and the FBI may already be investigating related matters, and who knows, maybe this precise matter.

If violations of Federal criminal law occur, it is in the province of the Justice Department and FBI to investigate and prosecute. The Boxer amendment simply calls on the Justice Department to review allegations of impropriety and find if Federal criminal laws have been broken.

The Boxer amendment asks the Justice Department to act in an appropriate manner. In fact, to be precise, it says the Department ``shall act consistent with applicable standards and procedures.'' In effect, we are asking that this be made a Federal case. This phrase recognizes the importance of separation of powers that we have in our great country. The language incorporates the principles, privileges, and responsibilities that guide Congress's exercise of its constitutional authority to discipline itself. It also remains true to the principles of legislative autonomy and fair, neutral enforcement of the laws.

This amendment does not waive any legislative privileges of Members or committees of Congress. It does not seek to intrude upon the constitutional duty of each House of Congress to discipline its own Members, nor does it alter the duty of the executive branch to faithfully execute laws.

The amendment simply memorializes the reality that there are serious allegations that may rise, perhaps to the level of criminal violations.

Again, what we are trying to do is make a Federal case out of this. It is entirely appropriate for the Justice Department to assume this responsibility.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the Boxer amendment and oppose the Coburn amendment. I express my appreciation to Senator Boxer for her hard work on this bill and certainly on this amendment. Those of us who know Senator Boxer know how tenacious she is. We have had the good fortune to work together for almost 26 years in Congress. I have the greatest affection, admiration, and respect for her as a person and her legislative skills and abilities. They certainly have been made very apparent with the work done on this latest piece of work which we hope will be completed in an hour or so from right now.

Madam President, I hope everyone heard what the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee just said. If we are unable to pass this technical corrections bill, which we hope to do in an hour, an hour and a half, if we fail to do that, the fix that was put in the bill, the technical correction that was made to take care of the Coconut Road problem would not be taken care of. That would be a travesty and a circular road to nowhere.

I even hope my friend, Dr. Coburn, would withdraw his amendment. He perhaps will not do that, but I hope that everyone, Democrats and Republicans--this is not a partisan issue. It deals with housekeeping that we do. It is important.

I say to my friend, the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, she also has another job that is extremely difficult and extremely important. She is chairman of the Ethics Committee. Having served on that Ethics Committee and having chaired that committee for a long time, I know it is a tough job. This gives me an opportunity publicly to say--and I think all Senators will extend this appreciation to her, Senator Cornyn and the other four Members who serve on that most important committee, for the dedication and the hours they spend away from the cameras. These are in closed hearings talking about allegations made against individual Senators. They have done, and they continue to do, a remarkably good job.

There is no one who is in a better position today to talk about what is going on in the Senate with matters of violations having been alleged than the Senator from California.

What I think the amendment does is focus attention on the Justice Department, just where it should be. I hope everyone will go along with that amendment, Democrats and Republicans.

For the information of Senators, we have three more votes. We are going to be in session tomorrow, but there will be no votes. Because of the Passover holiday, on Monday, there will be no votes. We expect to have a full, heavy week next week.

I appreciate the cooperation of Senators this week. As indicated, we should be finished within the next hour.

Amendment No. 4538

Mr. President, I wish to recognize the Week of the Young Child, taking place this week, April 13 through 19.

Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Week of the Young Child is held annually to honor young children and those who make a difference in their lives. This year's theme is ``Bring Communities Together for Children--Children Bring Communities Together''. This week presents an opportunity for us all to focus on the needs of the 20 million young children around the country. It shines a light on the importance of issues like affordable childcare for working families, access to quality early childhood educational programs, and the availability of adequate health care.

As a father and a grandfather, I am troubled by the fact that so many young children in this country live with the effects of poverty and inadequate health and child care every day. It is estimated that 24 percent of American children under the age of 6 live in poverty and 24 percent of those children are without health insurance. In addition, although nearly 50 percent of working families rely on outside childcare, fees for these programs are skyrocketing, leaving them out of reach for too many. The Week of the Young Child highlights the role of the Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private organizations and the general public, in alleviating these problems and working toward a stronger, healthier community.

The Week of the Young Child also gives us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the programs and organizations that provide vital services to young children and their families. For example, the Head Start Program provides comprehensive early education and health services to almost 1 million low-income preschool children to help them prepare for and succeed in school.

Additionally, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, CCDBG, provides funding to States for childcare services for low-income families and activities intended to improve the overall quality and supply of childcare. For families transitioning to financial

independence, CCDBG-funded services play an especially significant role.

Investing in America's young children is one of the best steps we can take to ensure the future success of our Nation. I am pleased to recognize the Week of the Young Child, and I extend my thanks to those in Nevada--and around the country--who provide for our young children on a daily basis.

Mr. President, I come to the floor today with the distinct honor of introducing a resolution with my friend Senator McConnell commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel.

On this historic occasion, Jews and non-Jews from around the world will come together to celebrate 60 years of Israeli independence. Out of the dark shadows of the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of over 6 million Jews, and many others, the state of Israel was reborn on the very same lands where the Jewish people had maintained a continuous presence for more than 2 millennia.

As an American, I am so proud that the United States has stood by Israel, our closest of allies, from the very beginning of its modern existence. On May 14, 1948, the date on which the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent state of Israel, the United States was right there to offer our unwavering support and establish full diplomatic ties with our new friend. Sixty years later, I want the new generations of Israelis and Jewish- Americans to know that America reaffirms its commitment to the U.S.- Israel alliance and pledges to strengthen the bonds we have forged throughout the decades.

Yom Ha'atzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day, falls on May 8th this year, the same day the world traditionally celebrates the Allied victory over Nazism. Because of America's commitment to defeating European fascism, the histories of the United States and Israel will be forever linked. For it was from the ashes of World War II that our great country rose to become a global superpower at the same time a beacon of democracy and hope was established in the Holy Land.

Today, we face a new set of challenges to peace and freedom. As we have so many times before, the United States and Israel will stand together to combat those who seek to undermine the right of a Jewish state to exist. The Middle East remains an extremely volatile region with a series of ongoing violent conflicts, so it is a great comfort to know that we have a strong partner in such a strategically important part of the globe.

In a region long dominated by autocratic and monarchic traditions, Israel has been a paragon of democratic pluralism. Over the course of its modern existence, Israeli society has defended the principles we, as Americans, hold in such high esteem: freedom of speech, religion, and the press, an independent judiciary, and free market capitalism. Israel's strong democracy, despite being constantly under siege from neighboring states and terrorist entities, shows a remarkable commitment to the ideals of freedom and democracy.

Millions of Americans will undoubtedly commemorate this momentous anniversary, including thousands in my home State of Nevada. I am very fortunate to hail from a part ofthe country with such a dynamic Jewish community; one that is committed to promoting the interests of our great State in any way they can. I would like to offer special congratulations to all those folks in Nevada who have worked so hard to put on events to honor the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence.

In the spirit of continuing the tradition of strong U.S.-Israel relations, I urge this entire chamber to wish all those who choose to celebrate this occasion another 60 years of happiness and prosperity. My best wishes for a safe and peaceful anniversary celebration.

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

Mr. President, I spoke to the minority leader last evening and indicated to him that I was going to move to the Veterans' Benefits Act. As a result of that, I have no alternative--not speaking to him but not having heard back--I have no alternative but to file cloture on this matter. Otherwise, of course, another day would be lost. So I am disappointed that I need to file this. This is a veterans' benefits enhancement bill. I would hope that on Monday, we could have Senator Akaka and his ranking member be allowed to move to this legislation. We have already announced there will be no votes tomorrow or on Monday. It would sure be good if we could do that.

In view of the situation we have here, I have no alternative but to move to proceed to S. 1315, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, April 22, following a period of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed and the time until 12 noon be equally divided and controlled between the leaders or their designees; that at noon, the Senate proceed to a vote on a motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1315; further, that the mandatory quorum be waived.