Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the tribute to Senator Stevens in the Congressional Record be printed as a Senate document and that Senators be permitted to submit statements for inclusion in the Record until June 1 of this year.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 202.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res 121 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 motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

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

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, first of all, let me express my appreciation to the Presiding Officer, for you and all the staff. I am sorry things take so long. Believe me, I wish we would have done it more quickly myself. Sometimes you can't. It takes a lot of phone calls.

As I have reminded people, much of what we do in the Senate is done with unanimous consent. That means all Senators have to agree, and there are 100 of us. Senator McConnell and I have been making phone calls to see if we can get this resolved, and I think we are at the point we need to be now. So thank you very much, everybody.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order on Thursday, May 17, to proceed to the consideration of the conference report on the budget, if available, notwithstanding provisions of rule

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S. 1348 occur on Monday, May 21, no earlier than 5.30 p.m., and that if cloture is invoked, the motion be agreed to without any intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, for those who are watching, I have spoken to people doing the negotiating on immigration, and they tell me they are 80 percent of the way. Well, that is fine, but the other 20 percent is hard. I don't think we lose a step by the agreement that we have just had. It will allow the people who have been working on this matter for a number of weeks to have a few more days to do that.

It would be different if we had nothing else to do here, but this will kind of clear the deck so we can, hopefully, complete WRDA, the budget, send something to conference on the supplemental, and then next week we have to do the conference report on the supplemental, which shouldn't take long, and then spend that time, if we can get an agreement, on immigration. That is why we have done what we have done with this consent agreement.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Sessions have up to 3 hours under his control to speak on Monday, May 21; that the hour prior to cloture be reserved for the two leaders or their designees; and that Senator Sessions also have 2 hours under his control on Tuesday, May 22, when and if we go to the immigration matter.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16; that on Wednesday, following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time of the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 1495, as provided for under a previous order.

Mr. President, if there is no further business, and the Republican leader has nothing further, which I understand is correct, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, shortly the Chair will announce that we are in morning business until 3 p.m. today, with the time equally divided between the two leaders.

At 3 p.m., the Senate will begin consideration of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act. Senators Boxer and Inhofe are managing the bill, and they will be here at 3 o'clock ready to conduct business. There will be no rollcall votes today.

If there are no amendments on Tuesday, the water resources bill would be ready for a vote. If there are no votes on WRDA tomorrow and they are able to complete work on the bill, then we will have the judicial nomination before the caucuses in the morning.

Also, I have had discussions with the Republican leader. We finished a conversation a short time ago. I indicated last Friday I would delay filing cloture on the motion to proceed to the immigration bill until today so that negotiations could continue. That cloture vote will occur now on Wednesday.

The Republican leader and I will continue our discussions about the best way to proceed with the supplemental. The bill is expected to be received from the House today and will be placed on the Senate calendar when it arrives. The Senate must complete action on the supplemental this week so it can be conferenced with the House and sent to the President prior to the scheduled Memorial Day recess. It will occur. That is, the conference will be completed or we will delay our recess.

In addition, the Senate can expect to receive a conference vote on the budget sometime later this week. We need to act on that also. Under the Budget Act, debate time is limited to 10 hours.

So a busy week lies ahead for us in the Senate. We have one week after this before the Memorial Day break.

Mr. President, this weekend I had the good fortune of having my brother in town. My brother Don is the oldest of four boys. He is 12 years older than I. He served in the Marine Corps, and during the Korean War he served in the Army. It was a wonderful time we had yesterday. Among other things, we went to Arlington National Cemetery. He wanted to go there.

I have been here a long time. I went to law school here, and I now have been in Congress for about 25 years. You don't often take the opportunity--because you are busy doing other things--to visit the wonderful attractions there are in the District of Columbia area.

Arlington Cemetery is a place that every Member of Congress should go once in a while. It is amazing to see all those graves. I went, as I have on a number of occasions, to President Kennedy's grave site. We saw the eternal flame. He is there with his two babies and his wonderful wife.

We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We visited the Iwo Jima memorial--it is called the Marine Corps Memorial. Iwo Jima is mentioned there. I have been reading a lot about that lately. There are some books, such as Flags of Our Fathers-- I don't want to hurt Clint Eastwood's feelings, but

the book is much better than his movie. It is a wonderful book about the people who raised the flag over Iwo Jima. That was quite a battle on that little island. The fighting lasted 40 days. Seven thousand Americans were killed and 20,000 wounded. During the first few days, hundreds were being killed every day. Even though that battle lasted a little over a month, a significant percentage of all of the Medals of Honor that were awarded during that war were awarded to the Battle of Iwo Jima.

So, Mr. President, for me to go yesterday to the cemetery at Arlington and see the eternal flame at President Kennedy's grave, to go to the Iwo Jima monument speaks in words that cannot be described in just the setting rather than the actual words you are hearing of the uncommon valor of the courageous American men and women in uniform serving overseas.

On Saturday, we also visited the World War II monument, the relatively new monument in the area. We went to the FDR Memorial, Lincoln's monument. These are things I enjoyed doing, but I especially enjoyed them because my brother was there with me.

Our troops serve as we speak with great valor overseas. Thousands and thousands more do the same for us here at home.

Last night, National Police Week kicked off with a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. President Kennedy actually designated May 15 of every year as the ``National Peace Officers Memorial Day'' and the week surrounding it ``Police Week.'' Forty-five years later, our commitment to honor the memories of officers lost in the line of duty, police officers lost in the line of duty, as well as those who continue to serve us, remains as strong as ever.

At last night's candlelight vigil, the names of all 145 officers killed in the line of duty in 2006 were read. One of those names was Sgt. Henry Prendes of Las Vegas. He was a member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

On February 1, 2006, Sergeant Prendes was the first to respond to a domestic violence call involving a man brutally beating a woman. As Sergeant Prendes approached the suspect, he was fatally shot and killed by a semiautomatic rifle.

Sergeant Prendes had spent 14 years on the force protecting the people of Las Vegas.

His wife Dawn and daughters Brooke and Kylee are in Washington this week to honor their husband and father.

It is impossible to imagine the void left in Dawn, Brooke, and Kylee's hearts. Perhaps that void will be eased in some small way by the pride in knowing that their father and husband served his community and our country with extraordinary courage and uncommon valor.

During this National Police Week, the memory of Sergeant Prendes and all those who have likewise fallen in the line of duty this year and in years past are foremost in our thoughts.

Mr. President, I appreciate the manager of the bill, the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, the distinguished Senator from California, allowing me to obtain the floor.

We all know 2 weeks ago President Bush vetoed the supplemental appropriations bill, a bill to fully fund the troops in Iraq and change the course of

that conflict in Iraq. Late last week, the House sent a new bill to the Senate. We received that within the past hour. The ball is now in our court, the Senate's court. Democrats and Republicans agree the Senate needs to get a bill in conference as soon as possible and we need to work together to make that happen.

I have had a number of conversations with Senator McConnell the last several days. I spoke to him earlier today at some length. As much as we all recognize how badly we need to get a bill to conference, we have not, on this side of the aisle, lost sight of the fact that the American people have concluded the President's Iraq policy has failed and we are now demanding a new way forward on behalf of the American people.

In an effort to ensure quick Senate passage of our conference vehicle later this week, as well as to give Senators an opportunity to express their views on the President's Iraq policy, I will offer two important amendments. The first amendment is Feingold-Reid, to safely redeploy United States troops from Iraq by March 31 of next year, and transition the mission to fighting al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations, providing security for United States infrastructure and personnel, and training Iraqi forces.

Of course, after the 1st of April of next year, our troops will be in Iraq for counterterrorism, force protection--that is to protect American assets in Iraq--and to help train the Iraqis.

I will also offer a Levin-Reid amendment which is consistent with the bipartisan legislation approved by Congress with one change: It permits the President to waive the timeline for redeployments. It has in it some things some Members want very badly, including the Presiding Officer, to deal with how our troops are taken care of, how often they have to go back to battle, how much time they have to have before being returned to the battlefield after having been deployed. We will have votes on these two amendments at the earliest possible date. I will work with the distinguished Republican leader to see when that will happen. These votes represent an opportunity for the Senate to shape the important conference we hope will begin this week upon passage of the Senate version of the supplemental.

There is probably no end of amendments that could be offered, as I have here today, but on our side of the aisle, Democrats believe we should do something very close to what was done in the bill we sent to the President which he vetoed.

Basically that is what we have here--except getting the President the ability to waive the timelines we have in the legislation.

Finally, there are those on this side who believe there should be some end in sight. That is why I indicated that as of April 1 of next year, the funding would still go on but it would be limited to the counterterrorism, force protection, and training Iraqis.

It is very important to understand that transitioning this mission to fighting al-Qaida is a part of the recognition of what we and the American people believe is important. At present, as you know, American troops are over there protecting the Shias, protecting the Sunnis, protecting the Kurds, and at all times all these different elements are shooting at the Americans. We should limit our focus to al-Qaida.

Mr. President, I call up the Levin-Reid amendment first.

That is No. 1097.

I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

I now ask the clerk report the Feingold-Reid amendment No. 1098.

I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. President, on these amendments, I am a cosponsor of both.

I thank the manager very much. I hope she and Senator Inhofe can move the WRDA amendment along. It is an important piece of legislation for the whole country and it is way past due when we should have had this completed.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that any cloture filed tomorrow on amendments 1097 and 1098 be considered as having been filed prior to the motion to proceed to S. 1348.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 1495 on Tuesday, May 15, the time until 11:45 a.m. be for debate with respect to the Coburn amendment No. 1099, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Boxer and Coburn or their designees; that at 11:45 a.m., the Senate vote in relation to the amendment, with no intervening amendment in order prior to the vote.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I rise today for myself and Senator Ensign to introduce the Southern Nevada Limited Transition Area Act. This bill will allow one of Nevada's fastest growing communities to diversify its economy, to create space for important small businesses and parks, and to encourage appropriate development around an urban airport.

This legislation was first introduced in the 108th Congress. Its purpose is to convey approximately 502 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the city of Henderson, NV, for the development of an employment and business center and urban green spaces. The parcels are located just west and south of the Henderson Executive Airport.

The Bureau of Land Management has designated these parcels for disposal because of the urban surroundings, which renders them difficult for the agency to manage.

This legislation will enhance the ability of a rapidly growing community to diversify its economy, gainfully employ its residents, and encourage proper land use. The parcels are located in a fast growing area of the city, but are impacted by aircraft noise and overflights from the nearby Henderson Executive Airport. This makes the property unsuitable for residential use. But rather than shying away from it because of the limitations on its use, the city of Henderson has put together a forward-looking plan that will turn the area into a bustling business center.

Once the Bureau of Land Management conveys the land to Henderson, the city would then sell, lease or otherwise convey subdivided lots at fair market value. Consistent with the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, 85 percent of the proceeds would then return to the BLM's Special Account for a variety of conservation purposes in Nevada, 10 percent will go towards community water developments, and 5 percent will support the State of Nevada's general education program.

The city of Henderson's leaders are dedicated to making the city a national model of logical development, diversified employment, and fiscal sustainability. This bill helps establish the conditions needed to realize that vision. In addition to productively diversifying the land use pattern in the Las Vegas Valley, the proposed development of this land will encourage a broad range of employment opportunities for the region, while also helping to pay for public infrastructure in nearby residential areas.

I greatly appreciated the hearing that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee had on this bill last Congress. At that hearing, the Department of the Interior and others expressed strong support for our legislation. A few minor revisions were requested by the administration, and I have incorporated those changes into the bill we are introducing today. I look forward to working with the committee to move this legislation in an expeditious manner during this Congress.

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

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the ALS Registry Act.

Lou Gehrig brought Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, to the public's attention more than 65 years ago and his courage put a human face' on this terrible disease. Each of us has a Lou Gehrig back in our home State, someone who shows great tremendous courage and grace as they wrestle with ALS.

Over the years, I have worked closely with the Nevada ALS Association and have met with many Nevadans who have been touched by this devastating illness. One of these Nevadans was a man by the name of Steve Rigazio who was invited to testify before the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee in May of 2000. Steve was at the height of his career when he was diagnosed with ALS. He worked through the ranks of the Nevada Power Company, the largest utility company in the State, for 16 years until he became president. He played semi-professional baseball. He also played and coached recreational hockey.

After his diagnosis, Steve continued to show up for work at 6 a.m. for as long as he could. Sadly just 20 months after he testified so movingly before Congress, Steve Rigazio died of ALS on December 27, 2001 at the age of 47. He left behind a family that included a wife, two children and hundreds of friends. The ALS Steve Rigazio Voice of Courage Award was named in his honor as a living testimony to the life of this special man.

Every year approximately 5,600 Americans will learn they have ALS. There is no cure for ALS and there is only one FDA approved drug to specifically treat ALS. That drug only works for 20 percent of patients, and even for them, it merely extends life for a few months.

ALS has proven particularly hard for scientists and doctors to tackle for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is there is not a centralized place where data on the disease is collected. Currently, there is only a patchwork of data about ALS that does not include the entire U.S. population and only includes limited data for specific purposes, such as to determine the relationship between military service and the disease. Perhaps the most obvious example of the limitations of current surveillance systems and registries is that we do not know with certainty how many people are living with ALS in the United States today. Over 136 years after the discovery of ALS, estimates on its prevalence still vary by as much as 100 percent, from a low of about 15,000 patients to as many as thirty 30,000.

The legislation I am introducing today would create an ALS registry at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, and will aid in the search for a cure to this devastating disease. The registry will collect data concerning: the incidence and prevalence of ALS in the U.S.; the environmental and occupational factors that may contribute to the disease; the age, race or ethnicity, gender and family history of individuals diagnosed; and other information essential to the study of

Mr. President, I rise today for myself and Senator Ensign to introduce the Southern Nevada Limited Transition Area Act. This bill will allow one of Nevada's fastest growing communities to diversify its economy, to create space for important small businesses and parks, and to encourage appropriate development around an urban airport.

This legislation was first introduced in the 108th Congress. Its purpose is to convey approximately 502 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the city of Henderson, NV, for the development of an employment and business center and urban green spaces. The parcels are located just west and south of the Henderson Executive Airport.

The Bureau of Land Management has designated these parcels for disposal because of the urban surroundings, which renders them difficult for the agency to manage.

This legislation will enhance the ability of a rapidly growing community to diversify its economy, gainfully employ its residents, and encourage proper land use. The parcels are located in a fast growing area of the city, but are impacted by aircraft noise and overflights from the nearby Henderson Executive Airport. This makes the property unsuitable for residential use. But rather than shying away from it because of the limitations on its use, the city of Henderson has put together a forward-looking plan that will turn the area into a bustling business center.

Once the Bureau of Land Management conveys the land to Henderson, the city would then sell, lease or otherwise convey subdivided lots at fair market value. Consistent with the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, 85 percent of the proceeds would then return to the BLM's Special Account for a variety of conservation purposes in Nevada, 10 percent will go towards community water developments, and 5 percent will support the State of Nevada's general education program.

The city of Henderson's leaders are dedicated to making the city a national model of logical development, diversified employment, and fiscal sustainability. This bill helps establish the conditions needed to realize that vision. In addition to productively diversifying the land use pattern in the Las Vegas Valley, the proposed development of this land will encourage a broad range of employment opportunities for the region, while also helping to pay for public infrastructure in nearby residential areas.

I greatly appreciated the hearing that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee had on this bill last Congress. At that hearing, the Department of the Interior and others expressed strong support for our legislation. A few minor revisions were requested by the administration, and I have incorporated those changes into the bill we are introducing today. I look forward to working with the committee to move this legislation in an expeditious manner during this Congress.

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