Floor Statements

Mr. President, I am very disappointed at the actions of the Senate this evening: that we were not able to come together after all of the work and all of the support from groups across this country for energy efficiency legislation; that we cannot bridge our differences and get this bill done, despite the broad bipartisan support, despite the support of organizations from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the National Association of Manufacturers to the NRDC environmental groups to the painters union. We had groups across the political spectrum supporting this legislation--the Alliance to Save Energy, which was really the brain child behind this legislation. Yet we were not able to come together to support a bill that would have made progress on the jobs front, progress on savings for consumers, and progress on preventing pollution.

I thank Senator Landrieu, who has chaired the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Boxer, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, for their kind words about this legislation this evening. I also thank my partner, who worked as hard on this bill as I did, Senator Rob Portman from Ohio, and the good work of both his staff and my staff in trying to move this efficiency agenda forward.

Unfortunately, we saw tonight that differences in this body have prevented positive progress. The reason that is so unfortunate is because energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest, cleanest way to address this country's energy demand, because energy that we don't use is energy that we don't have to produce. And efficiency saves money, lessens our dependence on imported energy, decreases pollution, and improves our Nation's global competitiveness.

In addition, energy efficiency investments enable domestic businesses to leverage private capital, to reduce business risks associated with price volatility, to spur economic growth, and to create jobs. All of those are part of this Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act that Senator Portman and I cosponsored along with a great group of bipartisan sponsors from this body. One of the aspects I like about energy efficiency is that it doesn't matter whether one supports fossil fuels or whether one supports alternative sources of energy; everyone benefits from energy efficiency. In the last 40 years we have saved more through energy efficiency in this country than we have produced through fossil fuels and nuclear power combined. So there is huge potential benefit in energy efficiency, and it is important for us to figure out a way to move this legislation forward.

In the last 3\1/2\ years I have visited businesses across New Hampshire--small retail businesses, manufacturing companies, ski areas, apartment complexes, municipal buildings. Today I was at the opening of a new expansion of Airmar Technologies in New Hampshire, a beautiful new facility. They make sensors that go in everything from ships to weather instruments to detect weather. They were very proud that in constructing the new building they made it energy efficient. This is a win-win-win. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, if we pass this bill this year by 2030 we will help create 192,000 jobs, we will save consumers $16.2 billion a year, and it will be the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road, all because we are saving energy.

We ought to all be able to come together behind this. I am not going to quit. I don't think the sponsors of this legislation are going to quit. All of those 260-plus businesses, organizations out there that have been advocating for this bill, are not going to quit because this is legislation that makes sense. It makes sense for job creation, it makes sense for saving on pollution, it makes sense for saving money, it makes sense to our national competitiveness, and we are going to keep at it until we pass this legislation.

I hope politics will stay out of the way; that we will come together, we will agree on amendments we can all vote on, and that we will be able to move forward in a positive way.

I thank the Presiding Officer. I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Marelli's Market in Hampton, NH, on celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Opened in 1914 by Italian immigrants Luigi and Celestina Marelli, Marelli's has been serving traditional Italian fare, including cigars, olive oil, and homemade ice creams, to generations of families in the Hampton community. They are most well-known for their world-famous roasted cashews and peanuts, which the family continues to roast themselves.

Today Marelli's is run by Luigi and Celestina's sons, Richard and Bobby, and grandchildren, Karen Raynes and Marcia Hannon-Buber, and the market has remained a cornerstone of the Hampton community. The market was recently entered into the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, a testament to its place in our State's history.

Karen and Marcia have marked this celebration with a book entitled ``Marelli's Market: The First 100 Years in Hampton, NH.'' The book includes a century of stories from both the family's and the business' history.

I congratulate the Marellis on their 100th anniversary and thank them for their remarkable dedication to their family, their business, and the Hampton community.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 60th anniversary of the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Sixty years ago marked the first meeting of the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association, which includes Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and my home State of New Hampshire. This organization has been an integral part of our State, bridging our past to our future through education and public service.

The members of this dedicated organization have built the infrastructure, from highways to water supply treatment systems, that is critical to New Hampshire's well-being and economic strength.

As a former Governor of New Hampshire, I understand the importance of this organization and the positive impacts of their work on all New Hampshire residents. During my time as Governor, I appointed an American Public Works member, Carl Quiram, to the New Hampshire Solid Waste Task Force, which was designed to study the effects of limited disposal capacity for solid waste in our State. His work and the work of all the members of the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association have had truly meaningful impacts on the lives of residents in New Hampshire and around the country.

It is my honor to recognize the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association's 60th anniversary.

Mr. President, I wish to honor Bill Marcello for his 45 years of service to New Hampshire and thank him for his endless dedication to Southwestern Community Services and the people of our State.

A Portsmouth native, Bill went to Keene State College, where he earned a teaching certificate. From then on, he dedicated his entire career to serving southwestern New Hampshire, first working as a teacher at Head Start in Keene.

In 1978, Bill was named deputy director of Southwestern Community Services and soon rose to the position of CEO. Under his leadership, Southwestern Community Services has provided housing, jobs, and fuel assistance to those in need, while also serving as the lead agency in the area for Head Start, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, New Hope New Horizons, and a host of other community programs.

With Bill's leadership, Southwestern Community Services now serves more than 30,000 residents in 38 communities, accounting for $30 million in annual economic impact.

New Hampshire has always been able to turn to Bill in times of need. When flooding hit the State's southwest region in 2005, residents looked to Bill to help recover and rebuild. When someone in Sullivan or Cheshire counties has needed skills training to find a job or help with heating their home, they have found support in Bill and Southwestern Community Services. He has worked tirelessly his entire career for New Hampshire families.

On behalf of New Hampshire and the countless lives Bill has touched, I thank him for his leadership and determination to serve Granite Staters in need. I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in celebrating the selfless service that Bill has given to his community and congratulating him on his retirement.

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

I ask unanimous consent that all time be yielded back.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 10 a.m. in room SR-253 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled, ``The State of U.S. Travel and Tourism: Industry Efforts to Attract 100 Million Visitors Annually.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 10 a.m., in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Assessing Venezuela's Political Crisis: Human Rights Violations and Beyond.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, on May 8, 2014, at 10 a.m. in room SD-106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled ``Hearing on the nomination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services-Designate, Sylvia Mathews Burwell.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Identifying Critical Factors for Success in Information Technology Acquisitions.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 11:15 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 2:30 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 8, 2014, at 3 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Waste and Abuse in Sponsorship and Marketing Contracts.''

Mr. President, I thank the majority leader for his very kind words on my efforts, along with Senator Portman's, on this legislation. I certainly share the hope that we can come to some agreement on amendments that will allow us to move forward on the bill.

Can the Presiding Officer tell me the status of the procedure right now?

So I will have about 10 minutes for remarks. Is that correct?

Mr. President, I came to the floor this afternoon to again talk about the importance of this bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, also known as Shaheen-Portman.

This legislation makes sense for all kinds of reasons, but I want to start with the fact that energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to address this country's energy needs. The cheapest energy is energy we never have to create. So if we can reduce our energy consumption, we can save money.

Not only will this legislation create jobs, reduce pollution, and make our country more energy secure, but it will also save taxpayers billions of dollars a year through energy efficiency.

I would point to a study by the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy which shows in greater detail what this poster points out: This bill is going to create jobs, reduce pollution, and save taxpayers billions of dollars.

The legislation has been endorsed by over 260 businesses, organizations, environmental groups, and labor unions. It has a broad coalition of support. The legislation before us includes not just this bill as Senator Portman and I originally introduced it, but it includes 10 bipartisan amendments which provide even more jobs, even more savings, and even more reduction in pollution.

According to the study by experts at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, by 2030 our legislation has the potential to create 192,000 jobs here in America--192,000 domestic jobs--to save consumers and businesses $16 billion a year, and to reduce carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road.

We have a poster which lays this out very directly so people can see the difference this legislation would make: By 2030, 192,000 new jobs, save consumers $16.2 billion a year, and decrease carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road. So those are the benefits just by embracing energy efficiency. The legislation does this without any mandates, without increasing the deficit. In fact, all of the authorizations in this bill are offset and we even see a $12 million deficit reduction, according to the Congressional Budget Office. We are going to be able to do all of this without a major government program, without increased government spending, without any mandates. The reason we are going to be able to do it is because there are opportunities that exist across all sectors of our economy to conserve energy and create good-paying, private sector jobs.

Shaheen-Portman addresses a number of opportunities to do this by reducing barriers to efficiency in the major energy-consuming sectors of the national economy. First is in the building sector. Buildings in this country consume almost 40 percent of all of our energy use. It also addresses the industrial sector that consumes more energy than any other sector in our domestic economy, and then it addresses the Federal Government.

The Federal Government is the biggest user of energy in our country. About 93 percent of that energy is used by the military. This legislation puts in place commonsense policies that deploy more efficient technologies and techniques. It has been endorsed by hundreds and hundreds of business coalitions, by environmental and efficiency groups, by labor unions, and we have seen a number of letters of support just in the last couple of weeks for this legislation. I introduced those into the Record yesterday.

One of the reasons we get the number of jobs, the amount of savings and benefits from pollution is because since we first introduced the bill last year we have added 10 bipartisan amendments that make this bill even better. Senator Portman and I have worked closely and continually with Senators from both sides of the aisle as well as stakeholders and industry advocates who want to improve the bill, and we have incorporated their bipartisan, substantive amendments into the text. Those amendments expand sections of the bill that address energy efficiency barriers in buildings, the manufacturing sector, the Federal Government, and also puts in place regulatory relief provisions to maintain the underlying principle of advancing efficiency in the private sector.

The bill enjoys even more support from groups such as the Edison Electric Institute, the Business Roundtable, the American Gas Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Painters and Allied Trades, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. It is unusual to have energy legislation that enjoys such a broad coalition of support from across many sectors.

As we heard just now on the floor, there is a difference of opinion about how to move forward on both sides of the aisle. I am hopeful we can come to an agreement, that we can agree there are amendments both sides would like to see added to the bill, so that even though we have 10 more amendments in this legislation than when we first introduced it, there could still be an opportunity, I hope, for some additional amendments to be added. That is what we are working on. I know everybody is acting in good faith to try to get that done. So I hope we can maintain the bipartisan spirit of this bill as Senator Portman and the Senate leadership and I work to see how we can come to an agreement that moves this legislation forward.

I know there are others who would like to speak, and I hope to have an opportunity throughout the afternoon to add some more reasons why I think we should support this legislation.

I ask unanimous consent that the remaining time during the quorum call be divided equally between both sides.

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

Mr. President, I am on the floor today to discuss the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act--which is why we call it Shaheen-Portman; it is a faster way to refer to it.

It is a bill I coauthored with Senator Rob Portman from Ohio, and it represents more than 3 years of meetings, negotiations, compromise, and broad stakeholder outreach in an effort to craft the most effective piece of energy legislation with the greatest chance of passing both Chambers of Congress and of being signed into law. My partner in this effort, Senator Portman, was here on the floor last night talking about why this is a bipartisan bill that can pass not only this Chamber but the House and be signed into law.

It is a bipartisan effort that reflects an affordable approach to boost the use of energy efficiency technologies in our economy. Efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to reduce our energy use. Energy-saving techniques and technologies lower costs; they free up capital that allows businesses to expand and our economy to grow.

In addition to being an energy bill, it is a jobs bill. We can start improving our efficiency now by installing ready, proven technologies such as modern heating systems, computer-controlled thermostats, low- energy lighting. Efficiency is no longer about putting on a sweater and turning down the thermostat. It is about making use of these technologies that are available today.

There are substantial opportunities which exist across all sectors of our economy that would allow us to conserve energy, to create good- paying private sector jobs, and to reduce pollution.

Our bill reduces the barriers to efficiency in the major energy- consuming sectors of our economy. It does that through buildings, which constitute about 40 percent of our use; through industrial efficiency, where we assist the manufacturing sector which consumes more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy--we help them implement energy-efficient production technologies; and through the Federal Government, which as I think all of us know, is the single largest user of energy in the country.

The legislation encourages the Federal Government to adopt more efficient building standards, smart-metering technology, to look at our data centers and see how we can reduce the costs there.

Again, this bill will help create private sector jobs. It will save businesses and consumers money. It will reduce pollution and it will make our country more energy efficient.

A recent study by experts of the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy found that by 2030 Shaheen-Portman, if it passes, has the potential to create 192,000 domestic jobs, to save consumers and businesses over $16 billion a year, and to reduce carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road. The bill does this without any mandates, without raising the deficit. All authorizations are offset and it even produces a $12 million deficit reduction, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

I have had the opportunity over the last 3\1/2\ years as we have been working

on this bill to visit businesses across New Hampshire that are making use of energy-efficient technology, and what I have heard from those businesses is they have adopted these energy efficiencies because it allows them to save money, it allows them to be competitive, it allows them to add jobs in their sectors. I think that is why this legislation enjoys such strong support from industry, from trade associations, and from labor groups as well as efficiency and environmental advocates.

As the Presiding Officer knows, it is not often that we have groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Wildlife Federation supporting the same piece of legislation. I have a number of letters that have been sent by many of these organizations that illustrate the ever-growing support for the bill. The signatures on these letters go on and on, and they are signed by everyone from the Edison Electric Institute, the American Gas Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Earth Day Network, and the National Association of State Energy Offices.

At this time, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have these letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I think this nontraditional alliance clearly illustrates the sizable and diverse demand for this energy efficiency jobs bill and, simply put, the time is now for the Senate to take up and pass this bipartisan, commonsense proposal to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs for decades. We cannot let our extraneous debates about amendments or nonamendments, what amendments to include, which amendments not to include, to get in the way of getting this legislation done, because this creates jobs, it saves consumers money, and it saves on pollution.

One of the great things about the bill, which I hope we are going to take up in a few minutes, is it includes 10 additional bipartisan amendments. Since our bill was taken up and pulled back from the floor in September, Senator Portman and I have worked closely with Senators from both sides of the aisle to add 10 new bipartisan provisions that expand current sections of our bill.

The new bill has a section that puts in place commonsense and consensus-reached regulatory relief provisions that maintain the underlying principle of advancing energy efficiency in the private sector. As a result of these provisions, the legislation has more energy savings, more job creation, and more carbon dioxide reductions than the previous version of the bill.

I want to briefly talk a little bit about some of the bipartisan amendments, because I think they point out the improvements in the legislation.

Tenant Star builds on the success of EPA's long-running voluntary ENERGY STAR Program for commercial buildings and it creates a similar tenant-oriented certification for leased spaces. Again, it is voluntary. Commercial building tenants who design, construct, and operate their leased spaces in ways that maximize energy efficiency would receive the same kind of public recognition through Tenant Star that ENERGY STAR has produced for so many buildings and businesses.

This bill also includes a provision for energy-efficient schools. Senator Susan Collins and Senator Mark Udall have an amendment included that would help schools' energy efficiency and streamline the government's programs to make them run more productively. This would help schools across the country that finance energy efficiency projects to make their buildings operate in a more sustainable fashion.

The legislation also includes Senator Bennet's and Senator Isakson's amendment, called the SAVE Act, which would improve the accuracy of mortgage underwriting by including energy efficiency as a factor in determining the value and affordability of homes. It includes a proposal by Senators Hoeven and Pryor to create a regulatory exemption for thermal storage water heaters so rural cooperatives and others could continue to use certain large water heaters for their successful demand-response programs.

In addition to what is in this legislation, we have seen in the last several months the House pass energy efficiency legislation, including a number of the provisions that are in the bill we will be taking up today. In fact, the House recently passed an energy efficiency package by an overwhelming 375-36 margin. Those provisions passed by the House are in the version we are introducing of Shaheen-Portman, and it shows how much support for energy efficiency there is throughout the Congress.

We have a real opportunity to pass this legislation. This is a bipartisan, affordable, widely supported bill and, most importantly, an effective first step to address our Nation's very real energy needs.

I thank Senator Portman for his partnership in bringing the bill to the floor. I thank the majority and minority leaders as well as the new energy Chair, Senator Landrieu, and Ranking Member Murkowski for their support, and thank former Energy and Natural Resources chairman, Senator Ron Wyden, for his support.

I also thank the legislation's additional cosponsors: Senators Ayotte, Bennet, Collins, the Presiding Officer, Senator Coons, as well as Senators Franken, Hoeven, Isakson, Warner, and Wicker. I think the list of bipartisan cosponsors indicates the breadth of support for this legislation, that it shows the ideological breadth of support for it.

I look forward to working with Senate leadership and with all of my colleagues in the Senate, because we can pass this legislation, we can create these jobs, we can save consumers money, and we can reduce pollution.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I note the absence of a quorum.

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

Thank you, Madam President.

I came to the floor to join Senator Harkin, Senator Udall, and Senator Boxer in supporting the increase in the minimum wage that would give 28 million American workers a very long overdue raise.

I know that the years since the economic collapse in 2008 have really been hard for families in New Hampshire and across the country. Although we have seen CEO salaries rise, pay for working families has stagnated. While the cost of food, transportation, and childcare all continue to climb and families struggle to make ends meet, the minimum wage for American workers has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. At that rate a single mother working full time in New Hampshire does not earn enough to keep her family out of poverty. So let me just be clear: Adults working full time cannot support their families on the minimum wage, and that needs to change.

The fair minimum wage act would increase the minimum wage to $10.10 over 2 years. That would provide a raise to nearly 20 percent of New Hampshire's workforce and lift 10,000 people in New Hampshire out of poverty. Nationwide, nearly one-third of all minimum wage workers are women over the age of 25. In New Hampshire 70 percent of minimum wage workers are women. This effort is about these women and the 34,000 children in the Granite State whose parents would have a little more in their paychecks each week if we increased the minimum pay to $10.10.

I know that many critics claim that only teenagers hold those minimum wage jobs but, sadly, that is just not true. Teens make up only 12 percent of those who would get a raise if we boosted pay to $10.10 an hour. Minimum wage workers are also veterans. The fair minimum wage act is about giving a raise to the 4,500 New Hampshire veterans who now earn $7.25 an hour--the minimum wage--and who are struggling to get by. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to give these veterans a raise.

Making sure workers in New Hampshire get a fair wage for an honest day's work is something that I have focused on since I was Governor. In 1997 I signed a bill into law that boosted minimum wages for tipped workers in New Hampshire. Nearly 75 percent of those tipped workers are women. As was the case then, today we must act to raise the minimum wage to ensure that hard-working Americans get a fair shot at success. I urge my colleagues to join me on both sides of the aisle in supporting the fair minimum wage act. Thank you, Madam President.

It is.

Mr. President, 51 years ago the USS Thresher, a nuclear-powered attack submarine built and maintained at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, left safe harbor on what was to be her final voyage. She was manned by a crew of 16 officers, 96 sailors, and 17 civilians. Just 1 day later, on the morning of April 10, 1963, the USS Thresher was declared lost with all hands, the largest loss of life in a submarine accident to-date.

I rise today to commemorate the loss of the Thresher and her crew, but also to highlight an important legacy that was borne of this tragedy. In the aftermath of the Thresher sinking, the United States Navy redoubled its submarine safety certification efforts, resulting in the establishment of the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance Program, known as SUBSAFE. Today, SUBSAFE is regarded as one of the most comprehensive military safety programs in the world and safeguards the vessels that carry our U.S. Navy personnel to the far depths of the oceans in defense of our freedom. In the time since the SUBSAFE program was implemented, no SUBSAFE certified submarine has been lost at sea.

The legacy of the Thresher and ensuing efforts to improve submarine safety is a testament to the devotion of all submariners past and present and to the commitment of those who support them from land. In order to preserve this example of duty for future generations, I have joined with members of the New Hampshire and Maine Congressional delegations, both past and present, to support the authorization of a memorial to the USS Thresher on the grounds of the Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial consistent with the Cemetery's vision of serving as ``A national shrine--A living history of freedom--Where dignity and honor rest in solemn repose'' is a fitting tribute to those lives lost.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me today in remembering the USS Thresher. As we remember with profound sorrow the loss of her gallant crew, we must also recall the countless lives that have been saved as a result of this sad event.

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

More than 50 years ago, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, making equal pay for equal work the law of the land. Yet wage discrimination still persists. Today women continue to be paid just over three-quarters of what their male counterparts receive for performing the same work. More women than ever before are graduating from college, but over the course of their careers they will each make an average of $1.2 million less than a man with the same level of education.

Unfortunately, that is not unique. Across a wide array of industries and with all different occupations, well-qualified women continue to earn an average of 77 cents for each dollar that our male counterparts earn, regardless of performance or educational background. Pay discrimination hurts women, it hurts families, and it hurts our economy.

Back in the early eighties, I served on New Hampshire's Commission on the Status of Women. During that period I chaired a task force on women's employment in New Hampshire, and we wrote a report about what we found. Sadly, we found a lot of discrimination against women in employment. At that time women were only making 59 cents for every $1 a man earned, but the conclusion of our report was this was not only an issue for the women, it was an issue for their spouses, for their families, and for the economy of New Hampshire. The same is true today.

In 2011, women were the sole or primary breadwinner in more than 40 percent of households with children. Equal pay for these women is not solely about a fair paycheck. It is also about paying for a visit to the pediatrician, it is about being able to afford the prescription their children need, it is also about paying the heating bills during a long winter or providing Internet access so their kids can do their homework. There is a lot the average woman could do with the extra $10,000 she would earn each year if it were not for pay discrimination.

As Governor, I signed a law to prohibit gender-based pay discrimination in New Hampshire and to require equal pay for equal work. In the year before that law was signed, women in New Hampshire made 69 percent of their male colleagues' wages. Today, in New Hampshire, they make 78 percent, so we make about 1 penny more in New Hampshire than national average. But at this rate, my granddaughters-- some of whom are still in grade school--will enter and leave the workforce before we achieve equal pay for equal work. The estimate is that if we continue at this rate, it will be 2056 before we achieve equal pay for equal work.

Today on Equal Pay Day, I call on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act so that all of our daughters, granddaughters, their husbands, families, and their children can get a fair paycheck. This commonsense legislation would update the Equal Pay Act to require that pay differences be based on legitimate business reasons, and it would protect women so they can't be penalized by their employers for discussing their salaries. Pay discrimination is not fair, it is not right, and it needs to end.

I urge all of our colleagues to support the Paycheck Fairness Act.

I yield the floor.

I thank Senator Cardin of Maryland and point out that I know this is an area where he also has worked very hard over many years. It is the kind of issue that men and women should be able to agree on. This is something that is not fair for women, but it is also not fair for their husbands and their sons. I know the Senator feels that way. Because when your wife isn't getting what she deserves, then you and your family are also hurt as a result.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the participants in the ``Kick for Cancer'' charity martial arts tournament which is held annually in Gilmanton, NH. Since its founding the tournament has raised more than $120,000 to benefit the Central New Hampshire Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice, helping this critical community resource serve 350 patients and their families each year. I am happy to report this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kick for Cancer Tournament, which draws participants to our great State from all around the country.

The tournament was founded thanks to the hard work of Dr. Georganne Verigan, a long-time teacher and leader in the martial arts community. She founded the Kick for Cancer tournament to teach her students the importance of giving back to their communities, and also to demonstrate that giving can be fun and exciting. As evidenced by the popularity of the tournament, Dr. Verigan's lesson clearly resonates with young martial arts students.

On behalf of the people of New Hampshire I would like to thank Dr. Verigan for her selfless work to improve the availability of home and hospice care, and her efforts to impart the value of community service onto a generation of young citizens. I look forward to hearing of the continued growth and success of the Kick for Cancer Tournament.

Mr. President, I am disappointed that we were unable to come together to permanently repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, and instead passed a 1-year patch to prevent reimbursement cuts for physicians from going into effect in April.

The bill the Senate passed tonight averts a 24 percent cut to Medicare payments that would start tomorrow, April 1. Given the potential impact of such a large cut to Medicare patients and to their physicians, I supported this measure.

While a patch is not the permanent solution many of us have sought, I voted for it because we must act to prevent these cuts from taking place. Having averted these cuts, I will continue to work for a bipartisan solution to permanently repeal the SGR.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve this goal.

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

Madam President, I rise today to speak to the importance of passing the pending legislation to support the people of Ukraine in maintaining their independence at this very challenging time.

Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea marks the first time one European nation has seized territory from another since the end of World War II. Now President Putin is continuing his military buildup along Ukraine's eastern border, and Russia's actions in the Crimea fly in the face of the basic principles of sovereignty that have underpinned security in Europe and around the world for decades. The United States and the international community must stand with Ukraine and reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.

This moment is a real test for the international community. It tests whether the nations of the world can respond in a unified way to support Ukraine and to check Russia. It will also test whether we in Congress can overcome political differences and leave partisanship at the water's edge.

I believe we can and that we will rise to the occasion. We had a very good vote last night and hopefully that will continue as we take up the pending legislation.

First, we should provide Ukraine with much needed economic assistance. That is why I strongly support the legislation that is currently before us. It authorizes the administration to extend $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine.

Second, Congress needs to continue to push the administration to impose costs on Russia for its illegal and escalating actions.

I applaud yesterday's decision by the G7 nations to cancel their participation in the upcoming Sochi summit, to suspend Russia's participation, and to convene energy ministers for talks to strengthen our collective energy security.

The latest round of U.S. and EU sanctions are another very important step. However, Congress must continue to explore options for additional bipartisan sanctions legislation. In addition, the administration should be aggressive in responding to Russian provocations using the authorities we give them.

Third, we need to demonstrate support for our other allies and partners in the region who are threatened by Russia's expansionist agenda.

NATO has already taken some commendable actions in the past week. They have deployed additional aircraft and early warning systems, and we are reinforcing our commitment to Poland and our Baltic partners.

This is a significant moment for Ukraine, for Europe, and for the United States. It is imperative that we do our part to help the people of Ukraine secure the bright independent future they deserve. The people of Ukraine and of Ukrainian descent--whether they be in Kiev or in Manchester, NH--are watching and counting on our support.

Our European allies are watching and are counting on our continued leadership. And maybe most important, Vladimir Putin is watching and counting on our acquiescence.

So let us be committed and resolute. Let us stand together in support of the people of Ukraine. And let us start by passing this important legislation.

I thank the Presiding Officer and yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.