Floor Statements

I move to proceed to legislative session.

I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now move to proceed to legislative session.

Mr. President, we have seen in the last week or two Republicans just throwing things at the wall hoping something will stick. They brought down the energy efficiency bill as a result of that. They rescinded informally an agreement that I was convinced we had. Here is why this happened. One need only look at why we have not heard these endless speeches in the House or the Senate on ObamaCare, the Affordable Care Act. That has dissipated. It has been several weeks--it is hard to believe but several weeks--since we have had a vote in the House on doing away with ObamaCare, repealing it. Why is that? There is no better illustration of why that is happening than something called ``The Plum Line'' in the Washington Post today. It is short, but I would like to read it. The headline is ``Going quiet on health care.''

As Benghazi fever rises among Republicans--

This is an editorial comment. That is another thing they threw at the wall to see if it would stick--

the Hill reported yesterday that the House GOP has ``gone

quiet'' on Obamacare. There are no scheduled votes or

hearings on the Affordable Care Act. When contacted by the

Hill newspaper, most GOP campaign committees wouldn't say

whether they would launch any new attacks on the law.

As the Hill put it: ``The lack of action highlights the

GOP's struggle to adjust its message now that enrollment in

the exchanges beat projections and the uninsured rate is

going down.''

They have tried a number of things since ObamaCare is no longer very high on the radar screen. A couple of weeks ago they said they would change direction and go after me. One of my friends--a Democratic Senator--said: I wish they would do that in my State. Nobody knows who you are.

The point is that they are getting desperate for something to change their tune. Benghazi is one. There will be other things that will come out in the next few weeks.

I carry on reading this article:

At the same time, it noted that GOP operatives overseeing

Senate races remain ``conscious of the need to keep a

drumbeat going against the law.'' The question now: If

Republican officials really are backing off on Obamacare,

will the base go along?

A new CNN poll illustrates the situation nicely: It finds

that far more Americans want to keep Obamacare than repeal

it. At the same time, only a majority of Republicans want

repeal and only a majority of Republicans think the law is

already a failure.

The poll finds that 49 percent of Americans want to keep

the law with some changes, while another 12 percent want to

keep it as-is--a total of 61 percent. Meanwhile, only 18

percent want to repeal and replace the law, and another 20

percent want to repeal it, full stop--a total of 38 percent.

That's 61 percent for keeping the law and 38 percent for

repealing it. Among independents, that's 55 percent to 44

percent.

How is it possible that Americans can disapprove of

Obamacare but support keeping it? Part of the answer lies in

the another question CNN asked. It finds that a total of 61

percent say that it's a success or it's too soon to tell

whether it's a success. By contrast, 39 percent say it's

already a failure. Among independents, that's 58 percent to

42

percent in favor of those who would give the law a chance to

work over time.

All this is a reminder that at this point, attacks on the

law--such as they are, anyway--are all about keeping the base

lathered up in advance of the midterm elections. But there

are six months to go, and already even some Republican

officials appear to be realizing that the anti-Obamacare

energy is draining away.

Remember, 61 to 38.

Tax Extenders

Mr. President, it was not all that long ago the economy was in the throes of the great recession. Less than 6 years ago the world economy was taken to the brink of collapse before beginning a gradual recovery. While American markets have returned to their prerecession levels, the recovery for millions of workers and their families has been slower in coming. In Nevada, we continue to dig our way out of the recession. Although things are better, we still have a long way to go.

Today the Senate begins debate on legislation that continues to help many Nevadans and countless Americans as they recover from the recession. This bill before us extends current tax provisions that have bolstered American families and businesses, saving money and growing our economy. For example, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act is something the State of New Jersey depended on significantly and Nevada and virtually every State.

Nevada's home market was greatly damaged by the economic downturn. Many of my State's homeowners succumbed to foreclosure. For many years Nevada had the highest foreclosure rate in the Nation. For struggling Nevadans battling to keep their homes, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act offers much needed help.

This provision provides relief to homeowners who otherwise would owe taxes on the debt forgiven through a mortgage loan modification. Here is why we did it. The IRS had a rule which said that if you bought a home for $10,000 and the recession hit and you had to sell it for $6,000, you would be taxed at the $10,000 rate. It is hard to believe, but that was the rule. That is why we passed this law. We are now trying to extend that. It is very important. It allows underwater Nevadans and those in other States around the Nation to get a measure of financial relief, while giving a much needed boost to the State's housing market.

In addition to mortgage relief, this tax extenders legislation also includes an extension of the State and local sales tax deduction. No one has worked harder on that than Senator Cantwell from Washington. This deduction provides working middle-class families, many of whom are already pinching pennies, with a fair shot at providing for their families. It allows them to deduct local and State sales taxes, helping them keep more money in their pockets.

The tax extenders bill is not only helping our constituents who have been victims of the economic downturn, it is also spurring job growth and local economies.

The renewable energy tax credit has played an important role in Nevada's economy. This tax credit has helped attract investments of over $5.5 billion into Nevada's clean energy economy. So people who have never seen, for example, solar panels, come to Searchlight and you will see almost 4 miles of solar panels--millions and millions of them with no break for miles. It is amazing. It looks like--I remember when I was a kid we would drive the Las Vegas highway and we would see mirages. That is what it looks like. It looks like water, but it is not. It is solar panels covering miles and miles.

The tax credit dealing with energy has been important. Through clean energy tax incentives, loan guarantees, and the State's renewable energy standard, Nevada is fast becoming a leader in the renewable energy world. As renewable energy grows in Nevada, jobs multiply. All Nevadans deserve a fair shot at a good stable job. An extension of the renewable energy tax credit is important to the State's energy consumers, local economies, and working families. That is the same all over the country, not only Nevada.

There is something called the theater tax credit. The movie industry has had it for a long time, but that is a provision in this bill that boosts Nevada's economy and virtually every economy around the country. For example, Las Vegas and Reno are home to many theatrical productions that benefit from the extension of the film tax credit. The theater tax credit allows hotels and resorts in Nevada--and around the country--to invest in high-quality productions which draw tourists from around the globe.

While the examples I just mentioned are especially important to Nevada, this legislation has many more provisions that benefit millions of people all across the country. For example, the research and experimentation tax credit promotes innovative development by some of America's best companies and requires that global companies receive this assistance to locate research and development centers in the United States.

The work opportunity tax credit is important and provides an incentive to businesses to hire under- or unemployed Americans. There are also education benefits in this bill, such as the deduction for elementary and secondary teachers' out-of-pocket expenses. This deduction ensures that teachers who are going the extra mile for our children are not being punished financially.

These are just a few examples of the beneficial credits and deductions that comprise this tax extenders legislation, but there are many others. Our constituents are depending on us to extend these provisions, many of which expired at the end of 2013. We will not pull the plug before our Nation's recovery is complete. By passing this tax extenders package, we will build our Nation's economy more quickly. We will continue to promote innovation, encourage industry, and create jobs.

I urge my Republican colleagues to join us in passing this legislation. Let's work together to bring American families and the economy a fair shot.

Recognition of the Minority Leader

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 11:15 a.m., the Senate proceed to vote on cloture on Calendar No. 664, Logan; Calendar No. 665, Tuchi; Calendar No. 666, Humetewa; then proceed to consideration and vote on confirmation of Calendar No. 650, Williams, and Calendar No. 539, Moreno; further, that if cloture is invoked on Calendar Nos. 664, 665 or 666, the time until 5:15 p.m. be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees and at 5:15 p.m. the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed; further, that there be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote, equally divided in the usual form; that any rollcall votes

following the first in each series be 10 minutes in length; further, that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session and proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3474.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 441 and the Senate proceed to its consideration.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 443.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 444 submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 3474, postcloture; finally, that all time during adjournment, morning business, and executive session count postcloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3474.

Under a previous order, there will be up to five rollcall votes at 11:15 a.m. tomorrow. There will be another series of up to four rollcall votes at 5:15 p.m. tomorrow related to nominations.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 444 as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Harlan Mathews of Tennessee.

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 332, H.R. 3474.

Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30 p.m. today. Last week cloture was filed on S. 2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. As a result, the filing deadline for all second degree amendments is 4:30 p.m. today. There will be up to three rollcall votes at 5:30 p.m. today: confirmation of the Rosenbaum nomination to be an Eleventh Circuit judge, then confirmation of the Croley nomination to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy, and, finally, a cloture vote on S. 2262, the energy efficiency bill.

A Second Opportunity

Mr. President, Henry Ford once said: ``Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.'' Those are wise words from a man who knew a thing or two about overcoming logjams.

The legislation before us today is an opportunity for Senators to intelligently reconsider energy efficiency. The consequences of this opportunity loom very large for this body.

Shaheen-Portman is a good bill. It was a good bill last year when it was blocked by the Republicans. It is even better now. This legislation will give our country more energy independence and protect our environment. The Shaheen-Portman bill also gives Americans a fair shot at better providing for their families through increased savings on their energy bills. This is great for working Americans. It also creates 200,000 jobs.

Senators Shaheen and Portman worked hard with Democrats and Republicans since this bill was introduced 3 years ago to make this legislation into the effective bipartisan bill it is today.

No single bill will solve all of our energy problems, but this is a good first step.

The business community agrees. This bill is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Business Roundtable.

The Shaheen-Portman legislation is an opportunity for this country to address our energy needs on how they are affecting the environment. But the implications of this legislation extend far beyond energy efficiency. It goes to the integrity of this Senate we care so much about.

The Shaheen-Portman bill is a chance for a fresh start for the Senate--really a new beginning. We had been making some limited progress this year in moving legislation, starting with the Murray-Ryan budget arrangement. Then we worked together--Democrats and Republicans--to pass a childcare development block grant, a flood insurance bill, and an extension of unemployment benefits.

But as we considered legislation to help American families--like equal pay and a minimum wage increase--Republicans got off track, and working families did not get a fair shot.

So here we are, once again, confronted with the possibility that a good bipartisan bill may fail. And for what? Democrats have acted in good faith, and we have bent over backwards to make this bill work. But it seems our efforts are never enough. Each concession we make brings new demands.

The Republicans working with Senators Shaheen and Portman asked for changes to this bill, and 10 bipartisan amendments are now included in the bill before this body.

Republicans asked for a sense of the Senate resolution on the Keystone legislation, and we agreed.

Republicans changed their minds and requested a vote on stand-alone Keystone legislation, and we agreed.

If Republicans stop their filibuster of this bill and allow it to proceed, the Senate will vote on Keystone pipeline legislation, and they know that. That is what they have asked for, and we have given it to them.

But, Mr. President, they have held this bill hostage--this energy efficiency bill--as demand after demand has been met, but even now they are still seeking a ransom.

So why are we here? Why is this bill at risk? I have spoken from time to time recently with my Republican colleagues. They come to me, saying: Harry, how could we get the Senate back on track?

I appreciate their sincerity in trying to find a solution, but the answer is right under their nose. I say to them, look at what is happening right now.

Mr. President, I have been told that two cosponsors of this legislation will not vote to invoke cloture. These are two gentleman who put their name on this bill.

Look at how Republican obstruction is bringing the Senate to its knees again and again and again--and now even on this bill, a bipartisan bill. This is not a Shaheen bill. It is a Shaheen-Portman bill--a New Hampshire Senator and an Ohio Senator, a Democrat and a Republican.

I repeat, this bill is being filibustered, obviously, by some of its own cosponsors. This useless, mind-boggling obstruction is what continually grinds the wheels of the Senate to a screeching halt.

So to my friends who want to know how we can make things work better in the Senate, I say: Put an end to obstruction for obstruction's sake. Take yes for an answer. We have a good bipartisan bill. Let's pass it. It is good for the country. Stop filibustering this good bill.

We made an agreement on Keystone, and Democrats stand willing to honor our commitment. But we need Republicans to honor their commitments.

So let's use this second opportunity at passing this important bill-- Shaheen-Portman--to get the Senate working effectively and give working families, American families a fair shot at affordable energy.

Reservation Of Leader Time

Would the Chair announce the business of the day.