Floor Statements

I would like to speak on this amendment. I think it is a very good amendment. We have 100,000 servicemembers in our Active-Duty military who actually utilized this last year, and 50,000 of them received diplomas, certificates, and licenses. It truly does help prepare our servicemembers for a successful transition into the civilian workforce when they choose to leave the military.

This is good news for a recruitment tool and it is good news as a retention tool and I think it is imperative that we continue to offer this tuition assistance benefit to our members.

I certainly want to thank Senator Inhofe for working with me on this issue. I think it is a very good amendment. I also want to thank Senators Mikulski, Shelby, Durbin, and Cochran for helping us reach an agreement and move this amendment forward.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2013; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S. 47, the Violence Against Women Act, under the previous order; further, that the Senate recess following disposition of S. 47 until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

There will be up to six rollcall votes beginning tomorrow at 11 a.m. in order to complete action on the Violence Against Women Act.

The State of the Union will be tomorrow evening. Senators will gather at 8:20 p.m. in the Chamber to proceed together as a body.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order, following the remarks of Senator Cornyn.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time until 2 p.m. be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees; that following the swearing in of our new Senator I be recognized; and that following my remarks Senator Franken be recognized.

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

I do wish to congratulate the North Carolina native on his new role as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

Mr. President, I am proud to join my colleagues today in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. I do so not just as a Senator but also as the mother of two daughters.

This critical legislation has been held up for far too long, and it is past time for reauthorization. We have a serious responsibility to ensure that women and families are protected.

The rates of violence and abuse in our country are astounding and totally unacceptable. According to a 2010 CDC study, domestic violence affects more than 12 million people each year. Across the United States 15\1/2\ million children live in homes in which domestic violence has occurred. In my home State of North Carolina alone, 73 women and children are killed on average every year because of domestic violence.

Let me say that number one more time. Seventy-three women and children are killed every year due to domestic violence. These are alarming statistics, and we must act now to address them.

Since 1994, VAWA programs, and in particular the STOP Program that provides grants for services, training, officers, and prosecutors, have made tremendous progress in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and have transformed our criminal justice system and victim support services.

These grants have assisted law enforcement and prosecutors in tracking down perpetrators and bringing them to justice. They have also saved countless lives and provided needed services to victims of these violent acts.

In one instance in my State a man was on pretrial release after being charged with stalking his wife. Thanks to this STOP grant funding, he was being monitored electronically, and he was caught violating the conditions of his release when he went to his estranged wife's home. The supervising officer was immediately notified of this violation, and police officers found the man with the help of a GPS and arrested him in his estranged wife's driveway. Because of this VAWA program, we had one less victim in my State. This is just one example of how VAWA is protecting women and saving lives.

Title V of this bill includes legislation that I sponsored in the last Congress, the Violence Against Women Health Initiative Act, which updates and improves the health care system's response to domestic violence and sexual assault. My provision is simple: It provides training and education to help the health care professionals respond to violence and abuse. By equipping doctors and nurses to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and make sure they have the training to respond, we can better care for our survivors and prevent future crimes. It also consolidates existing programs to streamline and strengthen the health care system's response to violent crimes.

Since my time in the North Carolina State Senate, I have been dedicated to reducing the backlog of unanalyzed rape kits. This bill includes the bipartisan SAFER Act, which helps fund audits of untested DNA evidence and reduces this backlog of rape kits.

Before my efforts in the State senate, what used to happen in North Carolina, and continues to happen today in many States, is that a woman would be raped, she would go to the hospital, DNA would be collected and then placed in a box. Then that box would go and sit on a shelf in a police department or in a sheriff's department totally unanalyzed unless the woman could identify who attacked her.

I ask you: What other victims in America have to identify the attacker before authorities will take action? None.

When I first brought this issue to the forefront, I was told there was not enough money for all of these rape kits to be tested. We found that funding in North Carolina. Now with the help of the SAFER Act, our law enforcement agencies will have the ability to track and prioritize their untested DNA evidence to ensure that victims can find their perpetrators and hold them accountable, and we can remove violent criminals from the streets.

Unfortunately, until Congress acts to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, the well-being of women across the country hangs in the balance. This bill has never been a partisan football, and there is no reason it should be today. I hope we will pass this bill swiftly and without further disputes. We must ensure this bill's passage for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking not only in North Carolina but around the country.

Finally, I do want to thank the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and North Carolina's State and local law enforcement agencies that have truly been leaders in combating this problem. I applaud them for all the work they have done to reduce and address the incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault, and I am grateful for the work they do every day on the front lines of this issue.

So I am asking my colleagues to join me in moving the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act through the Senate swiftly and without further delay. Millions of victims across the country are waiting for us to enact this lifesaving legislation, and we simply cannot wait any longer.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act. The filing deadline for second- degree amendments to the emergency supplemental bill is 1:30 p.m. today.

At approximately 2 p.m., there will be a rollcall vote on adoption of the national defense conference report. We will work on an agreement for amendments in order to complete action on the supplemental as well as an agreement on FISA.

I thank Senator Murray. I was proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support efforts across the federal government that will help provide our military with the strategic advantages it needs to remain atop the world's powers.

A critical component to achieving this goal is to ensure that the Department of Defense is not solely dependent on one fuel source.

Mr. President, the Department of Defense is committed to addressing this critical national security risk, and is taking a joint approach to do so. In August 2011, the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and Navy signed a memorandum of understanding to invest $170 million each to spur the production of advanced aviation and marine biofuels under the Defense Production Act.

This joint MOU also requires substantial investment from the private sector, with at least a 1-to-1 match.

Our senior military leaders understand that programs such as this MOU are critical to national security. In July, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Marine Corps Commandant expressed their concern to Chairman Levin:

``The demand for fuel in theater means we depend on

vulnerable supply lines, the protection of which puts lives

at risk. Our potential adversaries both on land and at sea

understand this critical vulnerability and seek to exploit

it.''

Given the importance of this MOU to our national security, I was disappointed when an amendment was adopted by one vote during the Senate Armed Services Committee mark-up that would prevent the Navy from participating further in the MOU. When the bill was considered on the Senate floor, I, along with a group of my colleagues, offered an amendment to strike this provision.

Mr. President, I was pleased when my amendment passed in a bipartisan manner with 54 votes. I believe it sent an important message to conferees.

However, I was very disappointed to see that although the conference report does not prohibit further involvement in the MOU by DOD, it does restrict the Department's participation in construction of alternative fuel refineries until the other agencies contribute matching funds.

However, I have been assured by Chairman Levin that the conference committee intends for this restriction to only apply to fiscal year 2013 funds. It would not constrain fiscal year 2012 funds in any way. I ask Chairman Levin, is that correct?

I thank Chairman Levin. I appreciate his continued support on this issue. Ensuring that our military leaders have the flexibility they need to invest in alternative fuels is important to our national security. I look forward to continuing to work with the Chairman on this important issue.

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

I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 15 minutes as in morning business.

Mr. President, just a few months ago I spoke on the Senate floor about the men and women of our Armed Forces who are deployed overseas. Particularly, I spoke about remembering the men and women who give selflessly of themselves, who died for the good of our Nation; these souls who live lives illuminated by purpose and who travel long roads paved with sacrifice. They are the important 1 percent, the tiny fraction who go wherever in the world our country asks them to go, who honorably shoulder the burden of fear and sacrifice for the rest of us because they love this country and believe in defending it.

Today, as we prepare to celebrate the holiday season with our family and loved ones, I once again wish to ask each and every one of my colleagues to remember these men and women, these great souls whose belief in this country is so great they willingly and without qualification put life and limb on the line so that 99 percent of us don't have to spend our days and nights wondering if our loved ones are safe.

Remember that we are still a nation at war, that there are over 170,000 members of our Armed Forces deployed, many of them in harm's way, and many of them are from my home State of North Carolina. This year these deployed servicemembers will not be celebrating with those near and dear to them because they will be on watch protecting the very freedoms

and the way of life we hold so dear. Our service men and women don't ask for anything from us, but please think of them, remember them, thank them, and please keep them in your prayers.

Remember the sacrifices endured by so many of our military families who are at home now without their dad, mom, brother, sister, husband, or wife. And most importantly at this time of year and always, remember that there are many servicemembers who will never come home. While many families miss their loved ones now, especially during the holiday season, some will endure that loss for the rest of their lives. These husbands and wives, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters did not bargain for the pain of waking up each and every day without their partner, a child, a friend, or the person who used to tuck them into bed each night. They did not ask to spend the rest of their lives missing someone so important to them. Remember them as you do your holiday shopping, go to parties, exchange gifts, and otherwise get caught up in the spirit of the season.

SGT Justin C. Marquez

Remember the family of SGT Justin Z. Marquez, U.S. Army, from Aberdeen, NC. Justin died this past October 6 from small arms fire wounds he received while on foot patrol in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, just 1 month after he arrived in theater. Justin was 25 years old.

I spoke with Justin's mom Terry. She told me that as a boy, Justin questioned authority--a lot. But she said it was always because he was standing up for what he thought was right, defending someone else against an injustice or prejudice.

Justin was a good son. He believed in helping others, standing up for others. He was a kid other parents trusted and a big brother to many--a neighborhood guardian, if you will. His house was the weekend hangout. Younger kids would come over. When his mom questioned when the younger kids should go home, her son told her: Mom, don't worry. They are happy being here. Not everyone has the fairytale life like our family does.

Justin's family was a little surprised when he announced that he wanted to join the Army at 18. They wanted him to finish school, to continue growing up, but Justin had other plans. He wanted to go out in the world and make a difference for others, and the Army was how he was going to do this. He was eager to do his part--to stand for our country, our government, our people, and our way of life. He understood how precious our freedoms are and how fortunate he was to be an American.

Justin's life was cut short, tragically so, but his dad, mom, and twin brother got to see him grow from a boy to a man. He made their lives full and challenged them to be better people. According to Terry, his mom, as Justin grew up in the Army, he was like a fine wine: he just kept getting better with age.

Justin understood that the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of our great Nation are precious and valuable. He believed in protecting others. He believed in making the world a better place. He believed in standing so that others might not have to.

Interestingly, Justin's mom brought Justin and his twin brother Drew to Washington, DC, when they were in middle school. They sat in the gallery in this very Chamber. I think it is fitting that we remember and honor him here.

SGT Justin Marquez was a dedicated soldier. He had found his purpose. He believed in what he was doing. We must remember how fortunate we are to have countrymen like him--people committed to fighting for the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Mrs. Marquez shared with me that she does not worry about Justin anymore. He is taken care of and is safe now. But because of him, she now worries for all the other soldiers. We all need to keep these men and women in mind too and support them and stand with them and their families.

Corporal Daniel L. Linnabary

We also need to remember the family of Cpl Daniel L. Linnabary, U.S. Marine Corps, from Hubert, NC. Daniel died on August 6 at the age of 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Dan always wanted to be a marine. He made his decision at the early age of 4 and wanted to be a marine until the day he died. He was the third generation of his family to serve in the Marine Corps, and for 46 years there has been at least one Linnabary in the Marine Corps. No wonder he knew he wanted to be a marine at such a young age.

Dan loved the Corps, but more than that he loved his wife of just a year, Chelsea, and baby daughter Rosalie. I spoke with Dan's wife Chelsea, and she impressed upon me that Dan was much more than a marine. She needed me to know that he was first and foremost a good husband and a good father, just a really great guy who loved his wife and loved being a dad.

Dan's baby girl Rosalie just turned 7 months old this past weekend. Dan got to spend only 7 weeks with her before deploying--3 of those weeks an extra blessing because baby Rosalie was in such a hurry to meet her dad that she arrived 3 weeks early. From the minute Dan first held his tiny daughter, he and everyone else knew that he was made to be a dad, that he would always love and do whatever was necessary to care for his family. Now Rosalie will grow up with only photos of her dad, but she will always have a connection to him through those who served with him.

The men of 2nd Tank Battalion have told Dan's wife that they look forward to meeting baby Rosalie when they get back from their deployment early next year. That is just what these men and women do. They look out for one another and the families who are left behind. Yes, they are servicemembers, but first and foremost they are human beings putting others before themselves. We need to follow their lead.

Another thing Chelsea shared with me is that Dan loved her enough to be honest with her always. He did not sugarcoat things. He prepared her as much as anyone could for any eventuality. But how much can you really prepare someone to live the rest of their life without their soulmate? To raise their daughter without her dad? To explain to her that dad gave his life to protect others--especially when too many of us are not even aware of these sacrifices?

Dan was a marine. He was doing what he believed in. His wife knew that it was a dangerous job and that the worst could happen because Dan told her. She just never thought it would be on this, his first deployment, or in this war. He died fighting for our freedoms and lived by a code that most of us will never understand but for which we must be thankful.

As you spend time with your loved ones this season, remember Cpl Dan Linnabary and thank him.

This is a time of year about belief. Different cultures and different faiths have different beliefs. And this is what makes our country the greatest Nation on Earth. Be it faith, politics, or other things, we are all free to believe what we choose. And we must remember that there are special men and women in this world, oftentimes strangers to us, who are willing to give their lives for our right to believe in what we choose. But one thing we should all agree upon is that we must--we must--stand behind and beside the men and women who are willing to pay a debt they do not owe so that other Americans do not have to.

Our servicemembers are from our small towns, our big cities, and our rural areas. They are our neighbors, they are our fellow Americans, and they are my fellow North Carolinians. Justin Marquez, Daniel Linnabary--just a couple of the heroes who lived among us. We must remember them and honor them now and always.

So at this time of the year, I wish to extend my warmest wishes of the holiday season to our servicemembers, both those serving now and those who have gone before us, and to the families and friends who cannot be with their loved ones.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 3472 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I further ask unanimous consent that the Landrieu substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business for 1 hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half; that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 1, the legislative vehicle for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill; and finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it recess under the previous order.

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

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