Floor Statements

Mr. President, there has been a lot of talk about the dangers of raising taxes during a recession. President Obama famously said in 2009: ``You don't raise taxes in a recession.'' Our economy is certainly worse now than it was then. But that did not stop the Senate majority from pushing through a tax increase on our small business owners yesterday.

We need to get our fiscal house in order, and that starts with budgeting in a responsible manner. Washington's primary problem is not a revenue problem. Washington's primary problem is a spending problem, and the Senate majority's actions have exacerbated that problem.

The Senate has failed to pass a budget for the past 3 years. Meanwhile, our country is facing record deficits and an ever-increasing debt. This is the fifth straight year that Washington's excessive spending has led to a trillion-dollar deficit. It now sits at a jaw- dropping $15.9 trillion. The Senate majority's only answer to this crisis is to raise taxes on our job creators during a time while our country has an unemployment rate of over 8 percent.

Along with failing to produce a budget, the Senate majority leader is now backtracking on a pledge to enact every individual appropriations bill this year. Needless to say, I am disappointed. In fact, I think it is safe to say our entire caucus is disappointed.

It was not too long ago that I was down here on the floor praising the majority leader in his efforts and those who would have us go forward and enact our individual appropriations bills. We believed we had a good-faith agreement to move these bills, to make the effort to function the way this body was established to work, to do our job and pass all of the appropriations bills so that the government operates on a budget the way every Arkansan does.

Now the majority is telling us this is not going to happen. Determining how we spend hard-earned taxpayer dollars is a basic responsibility of Congress. We know tough choices have to be made in these appropriations bills, but moving forward is the right direction. The trend of continuing resolutions and giant omnibus appropriations bills has to stop.

Enacting all appropriations bills in regular order would be an important step to reducing government spending. It would help balance our budget while investing in programs Americans have come to rely on.

Moving forward on these bills would return the Senate to its proper function and provide a framework of spending so the American people can see and understand where their hard-earned money is going. Most importantly, it would help us back away from the fiscal cliff we are hanging on to.

Here is the reality: We borrow around 40 cents of every $1 we spend. We are running record-breaking deficits every year. The average American family does not have the luxury to live by this sort of budgeting. If you tried to run your household, your business this way, the bank would cut you off. It is time we apply that lesson to Washington.

We are at a crossroads in our country. If we continue down the path we are going, we risk going in the direction of Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and now Spain--each facing economic crises that have pushed them to the brink of default.

If Congress continues the reckless spending, rather than crafting an immediate solution to this crisis, our actions will inevitably lead to an economic collapse. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road, which is exactly what we are doing by passing continuing resolutions and omnibuses after continuing resolutions and omnibuses. It goes on and on.

Each one of us in this Chamber owes it to the American people to work together to help our country today and build a path of success for the future. Our Founding Fathers laid the foundation that allows the Senate to function effectively and efficiently, but it does require us working together.

The American people are tired of the finger pointing that has stalled much of the work they have sent us here to do. That starts with trying to enact all of the appropriations bills through a regular process each year. I sincerely hope the Senate majority leader reconsiders the decision to cancel consideration of the appropriations bills, again, so we can get back to a normal budgeting process, get back to a normal method, an efficient method, a very transparent method, so the American people can see where their taxpayer dollars are going.

With that, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I thank the Senator for yielding me a few minutes.

Mr. President, we are aware that our freedoms are not truly free and our soldiers give the greatest sacrifice in freedom's defense. The sacrifices of Americans in uniform and their families embody the courage, honor, and patriotism that we must always remember.

Today I am here to pay my respects to Army SGT Michael Strachota, an Arkansas soldier who sacrificed his life for the love of this country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sergeant Strachota graduated from Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, AR in 2002. In 2007 he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command at Fort Hood, TX.

Sergeant Strachota was aware of the dangers he faced having served a previous deployment to Iraq in 2009. His family says that Michael was proud of his job and recalled to Arkansas newspapers how excited he was about his position and how he wanted to pursue a new direction in the military as an Army Ranger or pilot.

Sergeant Strachota's family said he was known for his friendly, out- going, and generous nature and his love of the outdoors and riding motorcycles. Most of all he was devoted to his family. He delayed his R&R to be home for his son's birthday on July 5th.

Sergeant Michael Strachota answered the highest call for this country. He is a true American hero. I ask my colleagues to keep his wife Lauren, son William and the rest of this family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. I humbly offer my sincerest gratitude for his selfless service and patriotism for this Nation.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Dr. Becky Paneitz for her dedication, leadership and vision for providing a quality, affordable secondary education at NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

Having earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and her master's from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Dr. Paneitz understands the unique education challenges in Arkansas and faced that task head-on. As the President of NWACC for nearly a decade, she developed additional opportunities to reach students by establishing learning centers in the region. These efforts increased student enrollment exponentially. In less than 10 years the student population nearly doubled, making NWACC one of the largest and fastest growing community colleges in the country.

To accommodate this record growth, Dr. Paneitz launched an aggressive building expansion project on the NWACC campus including the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development, the Center for Health Professions and the new Student Center.

Dr. Paneitz devoted her life to education and that took her across the

country from Pueblo Community College in Colorado to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina. Along the way she found time to earn her doctorate in vocational education at Colorado State University.

Under Dr. Paneitz's guidance the community college established itself as an advocate of child welfare, partnering with the National Child Protection Training Center as a regional partner to provide training and technical assistance for child protection professionals. This is a great effort to better serve children in Arkansas and protect the wellbeing of children all across the country.

I congratulate Dr. Becky Paneitz for her outstanding contributions to education and for her achievements at NWACC. I wish her continued success in her future endeavors as she gets ready to move onto the next chapter in her life after she retires as the President of Northwest Arkansas Community College in June 2013. I am grateful for her years of service and leadership to Arkansas.

Mr. President, as the son of a master sergeant in the Air Force, I grew up in a family that had values rooted in military tradition and patriotism. But you certainly don't have to be from a military family to love our country. We are encouraged to have a sense of American pride in our daily lives.

I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing patriotic songs that reflect the love of our country. Students continue to do this and to learn these values passed down from generations of Americans before them. We have special days that recognize the people and symbols important to our country.

Two weeks ago, we celebrated Flag Day and next week we celebrate Independence Day. The 3 weeks between these patriotic holidays is known as Honor America Days. You most likely won't find these on your calendar, but Congress established these days and adopted it into the U.S. Code to encourage gatherings and activities that celebrate and honor our country.

While these days are not widely recognized, one of the ways Americans demonstrate our devotion to our country is by supporting our men and women in uniform. These troops have made enormous sacrifices to defend our country and our interests across the globe. These heroes are shining examples of the spirit, commitment, and bravery of our Nation.

During my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to travel and meet with our troops across the globe and thank them personally for their sacrifices to make our world a better place. These men and women are always in my thoughts and prayers. I thank our military personnel and our veterans for their valued service and offer my sympathy to those families whose loved ones have given their all in defense of our Nation.

This includes the family of Arkansas soldier Army MSG Gregory Childs. Master Sergeant Childs died on May 4, 2012, while serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His family and the community of Warren, AR, paid their respects to Master Sergeant Childs, a father, a son, a brother and a friend, in a very moving ceremony.

Master Sergeant Childs graduated from Warren High School in 1992. He considered it an honor to serve his country in the military. For 20 years he served his country in locations around the globe, from Bosnia, Germany, Colombia, and two tours in Afghanistan. He excelled through the ranks of the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps and earned one of the highest ranks he could attain.

I ask my colleagues to keep his family--especially his young daughter Kourtlan--and his friends in their thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. I humbly offer my appreciation and gratitude to this patriot for his selfless sacrifice.

As the home to literally thousands of active-duty military personnel and even more veterans, Arkansas has experienced more than its share of grief and sacrifice for loved ones who serve our country. Our State has a rich history of service to our Nation. Troops stationed in Arkansas have served our country honorably even before it was admitted to the Union. Our men and women have always been willing to do their part to serve and to protect. Our troops stationed in Arkansas and our military facilities at the Little Rock Air Force Base and the 188th Fighter Wing are some of the best assets in our military. Arkansans' active-duty personnel and National Guardsmen have time and again proven their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence in defending this country.

As we plan our Independence Day celebrations, let us remember the service men and women who embody the

ideals that make our country great. I know my fellow Arkansans share my gratitude and appreciation for our military personnel and their families who sacrifice at home while their loved ones are away.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I call up amendment No. 2355, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, the farms, ranches, and forests of the United States are impacted by a complex and rapidly evolving web of international, Federal, State, and local laws.

The vast agricultural community of the United States--including farmers, ranchers, foresters, attorneys, policymakers and extension personnel--needs access to agricultural and food law research and information provided by an objective, scholarly, and neutral source. This amendment encourages the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the National Agricultural Library, to get the information out by entering into partnerships with institutions of higher education that have expertise in this area.

The amendment does not authorize a new program or increase the authorization for the National Agricultural Library. Again, CBO says it has no cost.

I urge a voice vote in the affirmative.

Mr. President, I send a modification to the desk to my amendment No. 2360.

Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 2360, as modified.

My amendment redirects funding currently going to the States for the administration of SNAP. It puts that money in TEFAP, which provides funding to the Secretary of Agriculture to make commodity purchases given to food banks.

I am sure my colleagues are aware of the difficult situation in our food banks right now. They are under immense pressure in these very difficult economic times.

The importance of TEFAP is it provides food banks with commodities. This amendment takes money currently used to encourage the States to do something that they ought to be doing anyway and reinvests in a program that actually provides food to Americans who need it the most.

I urge a ``yes'' vote and yield back my time.

I ask for a recorded vote.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak to the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act or the farm bill.

The chair, ranking member, and all of the members of the Senate Agriculture Committee have worked very hard in a bipartisan manner on this legislation and we have certainly come a very long way. But we still have far to go, and I think that with the leadership of the chairwoman and other members of this body that recognize the need for a safety net that meets the needs of all crops and regions that

we will eventually get there--and I thank the chair for her strong leadership. The fact that we are discussing this bill on the floor of the Senate right now is a testament to it.

This Nation has a diverse fabric of agriculture with a variety of risks, and writing a farm bill that serves as a safety net for all crops and regions is no easy task. Yet, this is a responsibility we must embrace to ensure that the United States continues to have the safest, most reliable, and most affordable supply of food and fiber in the world.

Our Nation is at a crossroads and we are in desperate need of fiscal discipline. I am pleased that this farm bill includes important reforms, reduces spending by more than is required of this committee, and eliminates duplicative or obsolete government programs to ensure that we are getting the most out of every dollar we invest in agriculture.

The Forestry title contains important improvements that will benefit Arkansas's forestry industry. The improvements to the USDA Bio-based Markets program in the managers' package will allow forest products to be included in the program. The current USDA Bio-based markets program favors foreign products over our American forest products, which puts American workers at a disadvantage. So I am happy with the progress on this issue, and I appreciate the effort to promote and purchase our renewable, home-grown products.

Crop insurance also contains some improvements, and the provisions for irrigated and non-irrigated enterprise units, supplemental coverage options, and yield plugs will help many producers who may have otherwise been left unprotected by the elimination of direct payments and the counter-cyclical program.

At the same time, this is not a perfect bill and I have serious concerns about the Commodity title and the impact it will have on southern producers and the planting decisions they make. I also have concerns about some missed opportunities in terms of eliminating waste and abuse in the Nutrition title.

The Commodity title, as it is currently written, will have a devastating impact on southern agriculture which relies heavily on irrigation and, therefore, benefits less from crop insurance. Furthermore, the new revenue plan is designed to augment crop insurance, so this new program leaves gaping holes in the Southern Safety Net. Even with a reference price, this revenue plan may not be strong enough for our farmers to get operating loans. For example, most estimates find that rice would lose more than 70 percent of its baseline, far more than their fair share. However, this is not about just one crop. Every farmer in America knows the real threat of multi- year price declines, and we need a Commodity title that treats all crops and regions fairly.

I am very concerned that this proposal is couched in the assumption that we will continue to have these high commodity prices. A revenue plan is attractive when prices are high, but I am not sure there is anything in this plan that protects producers from a multi-year price decline and an untested, one-size-fits-all program, with no producer choice could leave many producers vulnerable.

Throughout this process, I have said that anything that goes too far in any direction can violate the core principles of this effort. I am afraid that this Commodity title does that in its current form.

It is my opinion that we could have done more to eliminate waste and abuse in the Nutrition title and ensure that we are getting the most out of these investments and that they are, in fact, going to the neediest among us. We should fully close the LIHEAP loophole, which artificially inflates benefits for SNAP recipients, and there are other things we can do to save money without reducing benefits and reinvest in other critical nutrition areas and deficit reduction. When we tell Americans that we cannot find more than $4 billion in savings from programs that account for nearly 80 percent of all agriculture spending, I can not think that they would believe we are trying hard enough.

But just because there is not full agreement, does not mean that our farmers stop needing a safety net. I am committed to continuing the fight for a safety net that works not just for Arkansans--but for all farmers, of all crops, in all regions of the country. With a responsible producer choice, I believe we can build the consensus necessary to usher a farm bill through the entire legislative process and see it signed into law this year.

We can do this while preserving the safety net, making reforms, and achieving deficit reduction. I am confident that we can craft a bill that we are all proud of, and I look forward to continuing to work with the chair, ranking member, and all the members of Congress and seeing this through.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Chuck Lange, who recently retired as the executive director of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association after more than two decades of service at the ASA and a lifetime of dedication to safety and law enforcement.

As executive director of ASA, Chuck worked for the sheriffs of Arkansas but he shared his expertise in law enforcement with many more people. Chuck's passion for law enforcement and the lessons he learned at the University of Arkansas, the Southwest Texas State's Crime Prevention Institution, and the FBI National Academy benefitted Arkansans during his 43 years in law enforcement and security-related services.

Chuck's professional achievements are far-reaching and his accomplishments continue far beyond the office. He passed along his decades of law enforcement knowledge to others. As a volunteer, Chuck conducts training sessions for rape victim advocates, earning him accolades from Rape Crisis, Inc. Having also taught women's self- defense classes, it is evident that Chuck has a true commitment to making sure Arkansans understand how to protect themselves and stay safe.

Chuck shares his strong commitment to law enforcement as a member of several boards and task forces including the Arkansas Law Enforcement Memorial Board; executive board at the Criminal Justice Institute; Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence Board; Governor's Strategic Prevention Framework Advisory Board and Governor's Task Force on After School Programs.

I congratulate Chuck Lange for his outstanding achievements and success in law enforcement and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him on his retirement. I wish him continued success in his future endeavors. We are all grateful for his years of service and leadership to Arkansas.

Mr. President, given that it is an election year, the American people are going to hear a lot of highly charged political rhetoric over the next few months. They are likely already tired of what they have heard. The Arkansans I talked with during the last week while traveling the State certainly have told me that much.

They do not want to see the finger-pointing. They want us to fix the problems we face. They are tired of the back-and-forth. They are tired of us seeking credit and placing blame. They see an economy in shambles and nobody willing to take responsibility.

To put it bluntly, they are frustrated. I think we all hear that message when we go home. I think we can all agree that more can and needs to be done. The jobs report that came out last Friday certainly reinforces that. When the President pushed through his massive stimulus package in 2009, he claimed unemployment would be below 6 percent today.

With a national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, we are not even close to 6 percent, much less below it. To make matters worse, we are moving further away from the mark. This is the 40th straight month where the unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent, and 12.7 million Americans are unemployed. Millions more are underemployed. The economic picture is especially troubling for young Americans looking to enter the workforce.

America has the lowest employment-to-population ratio for young adults since 1948. Millions of Americans who are looking for work cannot find it. This is unprecedented, it is unacceptable, and it is unsustainable.

The President met the report with a call for another round of stimulus spending. Look, we have tried that. It did not work. More of the same will not work either. More government spending will not solve this problem. Paying for that spending by raising taxes on small businesses, the people we are counting on to turn our economy around, is certainly counterintuitive.

When the people we are counting on to spur the recovery tell us the country is going in the wrong direction, then we should listen. In almost every poll small business owners have responded that the uncertainty coming out of Washington is what is preventing them from hiring. Quite simply, they fear what the next wave of regulations is going to be and the proposed taxes, what that will do to their ability to grow their business.

Small business owners are afraid to invest any capital because they do not know what their taxes will be. They are afraid to hire another employee because they are nervous about what that will do to their health care costs and afraid to expand until they know how big their energy bill is going to be.

Washington has to change course. My colleagues and I have a better path to a healthy economy that restores economic security and opportunity. Our market-based reforms are focused on creating a healthier environment for businesses to hire and to expand. We want to cut through regulations instead of adding more. We want to fix the Tax Code to incentivize hiring instead of passing the tab for more wasteful spending on to small business.

We want to reduce their costs by encouraging the production of domestic sources of energy instead of driving costs up by continuing our reliance on other countries for our needs. Three years of trying to tax and spend our way out of this problem has not worked. The American people are rightfully frustrated.

All we are saying is we tried the President's way and it has not worked. Let's try our market-based approach. But here is where we run into the old election-year problem. Ever since the numbers were released, all the media has been talking about is what the report means in terms of the Presidential election. This, in turn, has Washington digging in deeper to its respective trenches. That angle of the story misses the most important part. This is about more than numbers, more than a report, more than a political talking point. It is real people, all of whom are looking to Washington for help. It is past time we started fighting for them instead of for our political futures.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, this week marks the 49th annual National Small Business Week, a time to celebrate the innovations, ideas, and hard work of our entrepreneurs. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, accounting for 65 percent of new jobs over the last 17 years. This vital economic component also employs about half of all private sector employees.

As a former small business owner I recognize the difficulty these owners have to plan for future growth and investment. It is our job to make sure we provide an environment that helps these engines of economic growth. We need to make sure our small businesses have the resources they need to continue providing good, well-paying jobs for hard-working Americans. I was pleased to support the American Jobs Act in March. This legislation seeks to increase capital formation, spur the growth of startups and small businesses, and enable more small- scale businesses to enter public markets.

Arkansans are familiar with what it takes to build a business from the ground up. As home to Fortune 500 companies--including the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, and the world's largest processor of chicken, Tyson's--that both started as a small business, residents of the Natural State understand the risks and rewards associated with small businesses.

This week the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized the work of Americans who excel in their work to help small businesses. I am proud to say that Kelly Massey of the Henderson State University Small Business and Technology Development Center in Arkadelphia, AR was recognized as the SBA's Small Business Development Center Counselor of the Year winner.

As director of the State's premier business assistance program, Massey dedicates himself to helping the area's small businesses achieve success and promoting the mission and goals of the SBDC program to help spur economic development.

We are also proud of Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc., for its recognition as the 2012 Arkansas State Small Business Person of the Year. The company continues to strive for success as it develops the next generation of high energy-efficiency power electronics systems. APEI is a great small business model, growing from one person to more than 35 in 15 years, with plans for expansion in the coming years.

These Arkansas business leaders will help move America into the future and construct the groundwork for economic recovery. We need to continue pursuing policies that support the entrepreneurial spirit of these economic building blocks.

Mr. President, it is a pleasure to be with the senior Senator from Arkansas discussing somebody for whom we both have a great deal of affection; that is, the former Congressman of the Third District of Arkansas, the district I used to represent. Congressman Hammerschmidt represented the district for 26 years, and he just recently celebrated his 90th birthday on May 4.

John Paul has led a life dedicated to public service. In fact, that is truly an understatement. Along with that, he served as a combat pilot during World War II and is part of the ``greatest generation.''

Once he returned home to Harrison, AR, he ran the family lumber business while spearheading efforts to create a two-party political system in the State of Arkansas. John Paul helped mold the political landscape of the State of Arkansas, and he never lost sight of the reason why he was doing that and why he worked so hard to provide a two-party system, that being the people of Arkansas.

By the time he was elected to Congress in 1966 as the first member of his party to represent Arkansas in Congress since Reconstruction, John Paul had a reputation of working to help others. He did that for 26 years as a Member of Congress. By the time he retired, he was the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He served in Congress with the same enthusiasm that propelled him into office and was well respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his strong work ethic, approach to getting work done, and his responsiveness to constituent service.

Eleven years ago, when I was a newly-elected Member of Congress who also represented the district John Paul used to represent, he gave me advice that I continue to follow; that is, the key to good governing and the key to good public service is that, once elected, there aren't any more Republicans, there aren't any more Democrats--there are just the people of Arkansas and the people of America, and we need to take care of them.

His words ring as true today as they did 11 years ago. His efforts to work with his colleagues in both political parties benefitted Arkansas and America and show what it truly means to be bipartisan. Despite being in the House minority, he was able to achieve much success in Congress because he recognized that the key to good governing and good public service is that you treat everyone fairly and set aside political differences. This ideology allowed him to be influential in a variety of different areas. He is credited with securing improvements for roads and infrastructure projects, including Interstate 540 and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, protecting the Buffalo River under the designation as a national river, and setting the

example of exemplary constituent service that we strive to continue today.

He is showing no signs of letting his age slow him down by any means. He continues his service on numerous boards and for organizations with the same vigor he demonstrated throughout his career. John Paul played an important role in our State's history, and he is still continuing to play an important role in our State's history. He also was an important influence on me, as he was to so many others in Arkansas. I consider him a friend and a mentor.

I recall the first time that I was in Washington being sworn in, in 2001. He took my brother and me to the Members' dining room. It was a very special time, and just his hospitality to all of us throughout the years was so gracious. I appreciate very much his advice and friendship.

John Paul is able to leave his fingerprints on projects important to Arkansas through his hard work, dedication, and commitment. He never forgot about the people he was sent to Washington to represent, and we are truly grateful for his tireless efforts to represent the people of Arkansas.

First, I wish to thank the Senator from South Dakota for his leadership in this area and very much agree with the comments he just made. Last week, while home in Arkansas, I had the opportunity to visit some of our State's excellent universities. While spending an afternoon at the University of Central Arkansas, I saw firsthand the innovative ways that UCA promotes undergraduate education in all areas, including science, arts, nursing, and business. For instance, the university's nursing program has entered into a partnership with a local hospital that will dramatically help address our State's growing nursing shortage.

One day later I was at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock to see its brandnew nanotechnology center. It is quite amazing. It is a state- of-the-art center that prepares students for a future in the exciting new world of nanotechnology, which in layman's terms is working with matter on an atomic and molecular scale.

Arkansas is well poised to take advantage of this exciting new world of economic opportunities and capitalize on nanotechnology breakthroughs discovered in UALR and other universities throughout the State. By pooling the brain power of academic and corporate partners throughout the State, the center's research is sure to lead to advances in the field of nanotechnology.

These innovative programs at UCA and UALR are perfect examples of how Arkansas' universities are moving forward with the future in mind. Our higher education institutions are in an elite class. We are blessed with top-notch facilities and premier educators. But that comes at a price.

The increasing mandates that Arkansas--and every State for that matter--are facing as a result of ObamaCare hurts our ability to fund our State schools. The extra burden placed on the State's Medicaid Program means much less money to spend for education. Our universities are forced to raise their tuition to cover the shortfall. Higher tuition puts the dream of college out of reach for many young Americans. This is why the Stafford student loan program is so important. Loans help students overcome obstacles they face when it comes to accessing a quality, affordable education. My three daughters attended college, so I am well aware of the financial toll tuition takes on a family's finances.

So we have to fix this issue concerning the interest rate increases before July 1. These interest rates should not be allowed to double. But the troubles facing young Americans are greater than rising interest rates for student loans.

For our graduates, it doesn't matter from where one gets one's degree if there are no jobs to be had once a person has a diploma in hand, and that is the problem with the job market our young people are graduating into today.

The reality is it is a tough time to be young. We have the lowest employment-to-population ratio for young adults since 1948. Over half of Americans under 25 who hold a bachelor's degree are unemployed or underemployed. Nearly 25 million adults live at home with their parents not out of choice but because they can't find work or earn enough to survive on their own. Any way we cut it, college graduates ready to chase the American dream have a huge roadblock awaiting them in this economy. We have to stop this trend. We have to work together.

While giving Arkansas students access to the very best education possible at an affordable rate, we must also work to ensure there is a healthy job market awaiting them upon graduation.

Earlier this week, the Senate majority brought forth its bill to extend the lower interest rate on federally subsidized Stafford college loans. I think everyone in this body agrees this needs to be done, and I am confident we will find a way to accomplish it before the deadline. But the reason the Senate majority's proposal failed is that it is the wrong approach.

Their proposal funded the extension by raising taxes on our small businesses. This idea of taxing and spending our way out of our fiscal mess is why the economy has not rebounded. Continuing down this path will only make it harder for graduates to enter the workforce.

Let's do what we all agree needs to be done and extend the low-rate loans, but let's be smart about how it is paid for. The proposal supported on this side of the aisle is identical to the version that passed the House in a bipartisan manner. It freezes the rate for 1 year by using money from an unused ObamaCare account to pay for it. This money is just sitting there, obligated for a program that is not operating, and the President already proposed cutting it in his own budget. It is likely this money will never be spent. So let's use it for a reason we all support: protecting student loans.

Student loans are supposed to increase access to college by helping millions of Americans earn a college degree. The student loan program should be a gateway to the workforce, not a barrier. Any extension of the low-rate loans paid for by tax increases is simply that--a barrier--because tax increases stifle job creation. Let's fix the problem without making our economic situation worse and get America working again.

With that, I note the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I rise today in support of Kristine Baker's nomination as United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Kris Baker is a great lawyer recognized by her peers as well as legal organizations for her dedication to litigation on a wide range of issues, from deceptive trade practices to first amendment matters.

I had the opportunity to introduce her during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. After reviewing her record and meeting with her personally, as well as meeting with those who know her, looking at her reputation, looking at her abilities, I am confident that Kris's experience makes her qualified to be the next eastern district judge of Arkansas.

Kris moved to Arkansas in 1994 to pursue a JD from the University of Arkansas School of Law. During law school, she established herself as a hard worker committed to success. She graduated with high honors, was articles editor for the Arkansas Law Review, a member of the board of advocates, and a member of the University of Arkansas first amendment national moot court team.

Kris began her legal career after graduation as a law clerk for Judge Susan Wright, then chief judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. In 2000 she joined her current law firm, Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull, and Burrow, and became a partner 2 years later.

Kris has earned the respect of the legal community across Arkansas, and I believe her litigation experience has given her the knowledge, the skills, and the temperament needed to successfully serve on the Federal bench.

I am honored to recommend that the Senate confirm Kristine Baker to serve the people of America as a judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

I note the absence of a quorum and yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the owners of one of the oldest African-American-owned restaurants in America, the Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna, AR, which has been honored by the James Beard Foundation Awards.

The foundation recognized Jones Bar-B-Q as one of five restaurants from across the country in the ``America's Classics'' category at the 2012 annual awards ceremony taking place today at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Foodies will tell you this honor is a big one. Arkansas writer Rex Nelson calls the Beard award the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for journalism--certainly high praise for a small operation that began on a back porch, but this is no ordinary run-of-the-mill barbecue.

This honor is a long time in the making. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner has been in operation, in some form, since at least the 1910s. Walter Jones, the founder and first pitmaster, lived in a bare wood dogtrot house and first served barbecue from the screened-in back porch on Fridays and Saturdays. The family recalls that original cooking setup as a ``hole in the ground, some iron pipes, a piece of fence wire and two pieces of tin.''

Eventually, Walter moved from selling the meat on the back porch to a small place in town called the Hole in the Wall. It was literally a window in a wall from which he would sell meat from a washtub. The modern incarnation, the Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, opened in 1964.

The business today remains true to its smalltown, family roots. Hubert Jones, Walter's son, is the present day proprietor and his son, James, tends the pits. The pork shoulder is still smoked with a simple setup over the pit. They still serve a very limited menu that centers around smoked pork hacked into bits and served on white bread with the Jones' vinegary sauce.

The James Beard Foundation--which is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage--only awards its ``America Classics'' distinction to restaurants with ``timeless appeal . . . that are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community.''

To qualify for the ``America's Classics'' award, establishments must have been in existence at 10 years and they must be locally owned. The honorees are selected each year by the James Beard Foundation's Restaurant Committee, which is comprised of 17 people throughout the country, many of whom are notable food critics and culinary writers. The foundation is acutely aware of how special Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is to Marianna, the State of Arkansas, and southern cuisine.

I will leave you with one piece of advice. If you want some of Jones' famous smoke pork, it is best to arrive early. The diner usually opens around 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and then closes by early afternoons when all the meat runs out. So get there early, bring your appetite, and be sure to congratulate the Jones family for being recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Their restaurant is definitely an integral part of the community and of Arkansas's culture. I am proud of Jones family's contribution to the Natural State's heritage and commend them for receiving this honor. The Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna truly is an American classic.

Madam President, in a moment I am going to speak about energy. But, first of all--as I was waiting to have the opportunity to do this--I want to thank Senator McConnell for giving us an update on what is going on in Kentucky. We do a lot of very important things here. One of the things I am going to talk about, energy, is one of the most important, and yet it is good to hear the stories of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things. This truly is what our country is all about, and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kentucky. But it is so refreshing--we talk a lot about our problems, but the strength of America is people like the folks in Kentucky and all throughout America who rise to the occasion as they need to.

The increasing price of gas is a costly reminder of how dependent our country is on foreign oil. This is one of the most pressing issues we face today because the price at the pump directly impacts our everyday lives, and Arkansans are telling me they are worried about what it is doing to their bottom line.

Americans are frustrated with the increase in the cost of gas, and rightfully so. In my home State of Arkansas, the cost for a regular gallon of gas is up 22 cents from a month ago according to AAA. The letters, calls, e-mails and Facebook posts I receive from Arkansas are saying the same thing. It is harder to fill their tanks while making ends meet.

Arkansas families are faced with tough choices because the rising prices are dipping into their family's disposable income. The increase in the price of gas puts a strain on family budgets.

Earlier this week I hosted a townhall with Arkansans throughout the State. While I expected the major discussion to be about this issue, I was surprised at how much it dominated the conversation. During the event we took an informal poll asking participants if the increase of gas has forced significant changes in their daily habits. Seventy-eight percent of those who answered said the price had a significant impact.

Sarah, from Mountain Home, AK, said on her Facebook page that the increase in gas prices has forced her family to allocate more money for fuel expenses, which leaves less money for food, making it frustrating. Sarah and other Arkansans should not have to choose between getting gas to get to work and the necessities they need in the household.

Chris from Mena, AK, wrote that he notices an increase in the price of groceries. He said:

People should be aware of how fuel costs affect everything

we buy and do.

I agree with Chris because the increased price for gas adds to the transportation costs that are passed along to consumers.

Donnie Smith, the CEO of the Springdale-based Tysons Food, told the Arkansas Business Journal that with Springdale as a price point, there has been an increase of more than 55 percent in the cost of diesel in the past 5 years. This is significant because the company uses fuel to transport feed to family farmers, chickens to and from the farms, and the finished products to customers around the world.

American families and businesses deserve a plan that will help bring down the prices at the pump. The legislation before this Chamber proposed to raise taxes on American energy producers. This will not change supply and demand, as Senator Isakson talked about a few minutes ago. These are basic truths. Supply and demand does control costs. This will do nothing to that.

Again, hard-working Americans will be left with the bill as a result if this bill were passed. I believe the better way begins with adopting an energy strategy that increases production of American energy in a clean, efficient way through developing wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies as well as tapping into the vast majority of natural resources our country is blessed with.

The reality of our country's nonexistent energy policy is it forces us to rely on the Middle East for oil. We import about 9 million barrels of oil every day, half of our supply. This is costly to our economy, our citizens, and it threatens our national security. This is the only developed country in the world that refuses to use its natural resources. Opening Alaska's Wildlife Refuge and increasing offshore exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf is a step in the right direction that puts us on a path of energy independence. We can boost our domestic energy supply through the development of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The proposed 1,700-mile pipeline would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to U.S. refineries in the gulf coast and allow us to get reliable and secure oil from our largest trading partner and trusted ally. Unfortunately, while I support this project and voted in favor of it several times in this Chamber, the project was rejected by the majority after President Obama took the time to lobby his Members to vote against it after vetoing the project earlier this year.

There is no time like today to pass legislation to fully utilize the resources we have been blessed with in our country, but this should not come at the cost of our energy producers.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

I thank the Senator from Illinois for doing that. It is a pleasure being with him and the Senator from Delaware. I think this is a good example of working together. The name of the game now is jobs, jobs, jobs, and exports mean jobs. The other people being so very helpful to our colleagues--in the House, Congressman Chris Smith, and also Bobby Rush from Illinois. These guys have been very helpful. Then, Don Payne, who is my former ranking member and chairman who recently passed away, I know he would be very pleased with this effort.

I have had the opportunity to travel to Africa on many occasions, being on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and now being in the Senate. It is interesting. You go to these places--the Senator mentioned this--you go to these places and all they want to do is talk about trade. They like American products. They want American products. I was part of the first delegation to visit South Sudan. Here they are, this small, struggling country and again all they want to do is talk about trade.