Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 6, 2012, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Oversight of FHA: Examining HUD's Response to Fiscal Challenges.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 6, 2012, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation

and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 6, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

The Committee will hold a hearing entitled, ``Superstorm Sandy: The Devastating Impact on the Nation's Largest Transportation Systems.''

Mr. President, I wish to recognize my 2012 defense legislative fellow, MAJ D. Leigh Hasson. Major Hasson served my office with distinction. From her first town hall in Fairbanks, AK, to her final days spent on the floor of the United States Senate as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 was being considered, she demonstrated honor, integrity, leadership and professionalism.

Major Hasson received her commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School in January 2000. As a navigator with over 1,000 combat flight hours, she has deployed in support of Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. She has experience establishing and supporting major commands including the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command headquarters and Joint Forces Command. Major Hasson has been selfless in her service and sacrifice throughout her career.

Her family has supported her through these deployments and her tenure in the Air Force. Her husband David, son Samuel and daughter Alexis have been by her side through it all. It is for them she serves our Nation--to protect what they have and to protect their future. I would like to thank David, Samuel and Alexis for their sacrifices in support of Major Hasson.

Hailing from Trapper Creek, AK, Leigh embodies Alaska values. She is independent, inquisitive, a self-starter and actively involved in her work and community. While in my office, Leigh completed the Truman National Security Project Security Scholars program. She was the office's liaison to the Alaska State Society, she taught Bible study at her church and somehow she still found the time to train and run the Army Ten-Miler in support of our troops.

As a defense legislative fellow, she contributed greatly to the State of Alaska and the Nation. She led the charge on Arctic issues because she recognized the increasing importance of the region. Due to her work, I was successful in securing report language to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 on appropriately resourcing the Arctic. She staffed me at numerous hearings and provided vital insight on a number of pressing national security issues.

As a member of my team, Leigh approached each day with a positive attitude. Despite working in an environment where one can easily become discouraged by politics, Leigh never failed to smile and press forward in the best interest of the Nation.

It has been a pleasure to host Major Hasson in my office. I wish her the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her service.

Mr. President, today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Juneau Empire, a Morris Communications publication that has been providing news to southeast Alaska since long before Alaska secured statehood. The newspaper was established in 1912, a year before Alaska's territorial legislature first convened. Originally called the Alaska Daily Empire, this newspaper has documented Alaska history as it happened and continues to be a reliable, prominent source of information.

The city and borough of Juneau is the capital of Alaska and covers more area than the entire State of Delaware. The Juneau Empire is an important chronicler of government and tribal affairs in this city accessible only by airplane or ferry. For decades, there have been efforts to move the capital closer to Anchorage, and the Empire has been a strong and successful advocate of preserving Juneau's status as Alaska's capital. In a State with such vast geographic distances, responsible and accurate news reporting from the capital is imperative, and the Juneau Empire has risen to that challenge time after time.

Over the years, contributors to the Juneau Empire have won journalism awards from the Alaska Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalism. Past editors and leadership at the paper have included territorial governors and other prominent political figures in Alaska history, making the Empire an historical figure in its own right.

As media has changed, so has the Juneau Empire. Its graceful transition into the digital age has kept the publication relevant and accessible. While Alaska develops and builds a national and global presence, the importance of reliable news and information about our great State is vital. Today, I honor the hard work and dedication of the many Alaskans who have worked for and contributed to the Juneau Empire over the past century. I hope the Empire will be documenting history for another 100 years.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize the passing of one of Alaska's most accomplished, influential and respected educators, Dr. Emma Walton. Dr. Walton died recently at the age of 79 in Anchorage, AK. At the time of her death, she was a science education consultant for NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project at the space agency's Ames Research Center.

An accomplished teacher, Dr. Walton taught high school biology in Louisiana, Maryland, and Alaska. Her advanced degrees in science education from Bowie State College and Doctoral Degree in Education Administration Policy gave her opportunities to meet, interact with and work alongside students, teachers and administrators from all over the world. Dr. Walton served as the president of the National Science Teachers Association and held countless chair positions on committees, advisory boards, task forces, judging panels and university groups.

Dr. Walton, a beloved teacher and mentor, played a key role in the development of science education in Alaska and in the United States. Her efforts to promote innovative and sound science teaching practices influenced countless students and teachers. Her passion for science education was second to none, and we are all better for knowing her. Dr. Walton will be missed by many.

Mr. President, I rise to commend the members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division from Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, AK, upon the completion of their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

I had the chance to be there in person when part of the brigade arrived at Fort Richardson. It was great to see our soldiers reunited with their families after so long apart. I was glad to be there last year when the 4/25 deployed, and I am pleased to offer my best wishes now as we celebrate their return home.

The 4/25 accomplished incredible things during its time in Afghanistan. Each and every member of the brigade--all 3,500 Spartans-- carried the fight to those who would do our Nation harm. In doing so, they have made the world a safer place for those who love freedom and democracy.

However, those victories were not without sacrifice. During this deployment, eight brave Spartans were killed in action--PFC Nathan T. Davis, PFC Vincent J. Ellis, SSG Thomas K. Fogarty, SSG Carl E. Hammar, CPL Ethan J. Martin, PFC Richard L. McNulty III, SGT Brian L. Walker, and SPC Jeffrey L. White. We will never forget them.

I would also like to recognize the families of the 4/25. As we all know, our soldiers simply could not do their jobs without the support of their loved ones. You are the ones who wrote letters and emails, sent care packages, and kept things running smoothly back home.

When a soldier raises their right hand and swears in, their family joins the Army, too. Thank you all for your service.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I commend the 4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, for their dedication, commitment and sacrifice. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.

To both the Spartans and their families, thank you again for everything you do. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. President, I also wish to commend the members of B Company, 1st Battalion, Airborne, 143rd Infantry Regiment of the Alaska Army National Guard upon the completion of their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

I had the chance to be there in person when the company deployed, and I am pleased to offer my best wishes now as we celebrate their safe return home.

Alaska has a special relationship with our military. That relationship started long before statehood during World War II with the Alaska Territorial Guard. Thousands of Alaska Natives voluntarily took up arms in defense of our Nation and established a history of commitment and sacrifice that lives on in Alaska today. We are proud of the thousands of Alaskans, and especially Alaska Natives, who continue to volunteer to protect our homeland. As members of the Alaska Army National Guard, as Alaskans who have stood up for America, the members of Bravo Company carry on our State's long legacy of service.

Bravo Company accomplished incredible things during its time in Afghanistan. While deployed to Kandahar, Farah, and Zabul, our Guardsmen supported three provincial reconstruction teams. Their efforts have contributed enormously to promoting security and the rule of law in Afghanistan and have helped moved the United States closer to accomplishing its mission in the country.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the families of Bravo Company. Our guardsmen faced a difficult mission in Afghanistan, and they simply could not have done it without the support of their loved ones back home. Thank you all for your service, sacrifice, and dedication.

As citizen-soldiers, the members of Bravo Company hail from throughout Alaska. They come from Anchorage, Bethel, Chevak, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Eagle River, Ekwok, Emmonak, Fairbanks, Fort Greely, Hooper Bay, Houston, Juneau, Kipnuk, Kodiak, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Little Diomede, Marshal, Nikiski, Nome, North Pole, Palmer, Port Graham, Quinaag, Scammon Bay, Shishmaref, Sitka, Tuluksa, Upper Kalskag, Valdez, Wasilla, and Wrangell. They return now to communities proud of their service and grateful to have them home.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I commend B Company, 1st Battalion, Airborne, 143rd Infantry Regiment, for their dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.

To both Bravo Company and the families, thank you again for everything you do. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize three outstanding Alaskans who won in the 2012 U.S. Olympics and Paralympics: Ms. Janay DeLouch who calls Eielson Air Force Base home, Ms. Shirley Reilly who hails from Barrow, and Mr. Seth McBride from Juneau. I am proud of their accomplishments and honored to recognize these three talented young adults.

First, I would like to recognize Ms. DeLouch who competed in the women's long jump and placed bronze in the 2012 Olympic Games. Her other career highlights include placing third place in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and placing silver in the 2012 World Indoor Championships. She is also a two-time National indoor champion for 2011 and 2012 and has placed second in the 2011 USA Outdoor Championships.

Ms. Reilly competed in various events in track and field of the 2012 U.S. Paralympics. She placed gold in the women's marathon, silver in the women's 5000 m and bronze in women's 1500 m. An extraordinary and talented individual, Ms. Reilly's other career accomplishments include placing first in the 2012 Boston Marathon, LA Marathon and Bolder Boulder (10K). She is a previous 2011 IPC World Championships Competitor and she finished second in the 2011 Chicago Marathon. Ms. Reilly has been a Paralympics Games Competitor since 2004.

Mr. McBride placed bronze in the mixed wheelchair rugby event in the 2012 U.S. Paralympics. His previous Paralympics experience includes placing gold in the 2008 Paralympics Games. Mr. McBride has competed in a variety of different sporting events and has placed gold at the 2005 World Wheelchair Games, the 2006 North American Cup, the 2006 Canada Cup, the 2006 World Championships, the 2008 Canada Cup and the 2010 World Championships.

Once again, it is my privilege to recognize these individuals for their hard work, dedication and their medals. They make Alaska proud.

Mr. President, I wish to proclaim September 2012 as Alaska Preparedness Month. No one can predict when or where the next crisis will be, and as a state that is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and human-caused emergencies, it is essential that Alaskans be prepared to respond to any crisis that may arise.

The American public remains largely uninformed on and unprepared for possible disasters and other life-threatening emergencies in their communities. Since government agencies and disaster organizations cannot bear sole responsibility for preparing and responding to disasters, it is important for all to plan ahead.

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort led by the American Red Cross to raise awareness about the importance of planning for all types of emergencies. Held each September, National Preparedness Month aims to encourage American households to learn more about preparedness and to create a family disaster plan.

It is my hope that by proclaiming September 2012 as Alaska Preparedness Month, Alaskans will be inspired to make sure they are well-equipped to deal with any and all possible crises in the future.

Mr. President, on August 13, 2012, Senator Al Adams passed away peacefully at home in Anchorage, AK, surrounded by family.

Albert P. Sikiagruk Adams was born June 18, 1942, in Kotzebue, AK. He attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. Following high school, he attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and RCA Technical Institute.

Al Adams is survived by his wife, Diane; his children Al ``Sonny'' Adams, Guy Adams, Herb Adams, Michelle Merculieff, Thomas Adams, and Luke Adams. He is survived by his sisters Adra Distefano, Sarah Scanlan, and

Darlene ``Red'' Seeberger, their families, and his brothers-in-law John and Thomas Simonson, Mike Scanlan, and Don Distefano and sister-in-law Peggy Simonson. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren and extended family members.

Al lived a life of service and was known for a generosity of spirit and a drive to help others in both his public and private life.

To his family, he was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather for whom family was the highest priority. He often organized subsistence hunting and fishing trips for his children, where he passed down traditional Inupiat skills. He coordinated all the logistics for these memorable outings and even served as camp cook, making sure everyone was well fed. Whether dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai River, caribou hunting outside of Kotzebue, or visiting the fish wheel at Chitina, he let his wife, children, and grandchildren know they were loved and they came first and foremost in his life.

He was also a romantic and loving husband, planning vacations for his wife, Diane, to celebrate and share the milestones they achieved together as a couple. Travel was one of his favorite pastimes and one he loved to share with her.

Although he led a very public life, he also was a man of many unsung good deeds on a personal level. Many people did not know he kept cash in his vehicle console to give those in need, or that he provided meals to those who were hungry. At Christmas, boxes of turkeys would arrive at Bean's Cafe and money for holiday goody bags would arrive at the Friends Church. The individual recipients never knew who had lent them a hand.

Even when Al was ill, he cared for others and tried to ease their worries with humor. He wanted others to be comfortable and to enjoy life. He put people first and was always prepared to serve them. He believed in God, in a higher power, and was a teacher and mentor to many.

Publically, Al's service to his beloved State improved the lives of those he represented in rural Alaska. His long career in public service began in the late 1960s and included 8 years in the Alaska State House beginning in 1980, during which he represented District 37 which included the communities of the NANA/Maniilaq and Arctic Slope regions. From 1988-2000, he served in the Alaska State Senate, also representing the Bering Straits/Kawerak region.

Following his retirement from the Alaska State Legislature, Al served as president of Adams Management Services and worked for the Northwest Arctic Borough and North Slope Borough as an adviser sharing his understanding of State government and how it could help the people of rural Alaska.

In 2003, he began a new career as a lobbyist with a focus on representing rural and Alaska Native interests. He again provided a powerful voice in Juneau and Washington, DC, drawing on his years of State legislative experience. He brought the same passion to lobbying that he had as a legislator, always saying those he represented weren't his clients, they were his people. He tirelessly promoted the continued successes of Mt. Edgecumbe High School because of the valuable opportunities it provides to develop relationships among talented young Alaska Native people.

Al's hospitality to his peers, staff, clients and visitors at the State capitol is still remembered to this day. His door and telephone lines were always open to Alaskans, no matter where they lived. He worked hard to guarantee rural Alaska gained its fair share of State funding and he joined his colleagues on statewide efforts that benefitted all Alaskans.

An astute lawmaker, he was a master at understanding politics and State finances and chaired the powerful House Finance Committee during his 8-year term in the State House. He served 18 years on the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and 12 years on the Operating Budget Conference Committee. He served on other key committees that helped protect subsistence and bring needed infrastructure and social services to rural Alaska.

He fought hard for the establishment and continued existence of the Power Coast Equalization (PCE) program; convincing the Alaska Legislature to establish an endowment to fund PCE in perpetuity.

Prior to his legislative service, he held other positions as president of Kikiktagruk inupiat Corporation. He also served on numerous boards including the Alaska Airlines Advisory Board, Arctic Power, Mt. Edgecumbe and NANA Regional Corporation.

When I was elected mayor of Anchorage, AK, Al met with me and reminded me Anchorage is Alaska's largest Native community. When I was elected Senator, he continued to advise me on how together we could help all Alaskans.

The people of Alaska will miss Senator Al Adams. He was a friend, a mentor, a humanitarian and an example for many generations of leaders. I will miss Al for not only his guidance on doing what's right for all of the people of Alaska but for his wit and his friendship.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize Julie Hasquet, my longtime press secretary and dedicated staff members, whose way with words, quick wit, and sharp pen has served me and the people of Alaska very well for over 9 years. Julie had a tall task working for my then new mayoral administration for the Municipality of Anchorage as we brought down blighted buildings, drove out drug dealers, and culled out the ``cat lady'' in an effort to clean up the city. Julie staged press events all over town with backdrops that included bulldozers, jackhammers, demolition crews and even a wrecking ball painted as a pumpkin to take down a dilapidated gas station one cold Halloween afternoon.

A former television news reporter, Julie expertly guest hosted talk radio shows where she would interview and cajole her own guests, including me, to discuss politics, policy, police, and issues of the day with the ease of a well-seasoned pundit. She used those skills in the mayor's office and in the U.S. Senate to write more than 4,500 press releases, thousands of tweets and texts, and to bring our office into the Facebook age with quips, quotes, and photos to tell the whole story as it was unfolding.

Over the years I have watched with pride as Julie has balanced family life with civic duty, raising two smart, talented, daughters, Shelby and Savannah, participating in many charitable organizations, and volunteering at events while spending time with her many friends.

Julie spends her spare time pursuing every kind of Alaskan activity from triathlons to target practice and scrapbooking to snow-machining. Julie's love of Alaska shines through everything she does and her ability to tell Alaskans their own story, in as few words as possible, is a rare talent indeed.

While Julie may be leaving the wild world of politics now, or so she thinks, I commend her and thank her for each and every one of her well said words and a job extraordinarily well done.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize the Honor Flight Network and the four Alaskan World War II veterans who are participating in this year's flight: Robert J. Ingram, a veteran of the Navy from Fairbanks; and Louis E. Fessler, a veteran of the Army, Marc Stella, a veteran of the Marine Corps, and Joseph William Nugent, a veteran of the Army Air Corps, all from Anchorage.

The Honor Flight Network is a national program that provides free transportation to aging and ailing veterans to travel to Washington, DC, to visit and reflect at the memorials associated with the war in which they served.

Later this month, these four heroes are scheduled to go to military- and veteran-related museums and tour the Capitol. The highlight of this trip of a lifetime is a long anticipated visit to the World War II Memorial on the Mall. These veterans of the war to end all wars deserve our highest praise for their service. Like so many men of that great generation, they selflessly did their duty and are among the fortunate ones who were able to return to the civilian community and lead long and productive lives.

Mr. Ingram, Mr. Fessler, Mr. Stella, and Mr. Nugent have our undying thanks and gratitude. Thanks are also in order to the Honor Flight Network for conceiving this program, to the flight guardians Julie Engfer and Heidi Matson from Fairbanks, and Val Stella from Anchorage, and to Alaska Airlines for donating airline tickets to all of the travelers.

I urge all Alaskans and Americans to reflect on the service of Bob, Louie, Marc, and Bill and our other remaining World War II vets and all veterans who have made sacrifices for our Nation throughout its history.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize the passing of one of Alaska's most endeared philanthropists, Mary Louise Rasmuson. Mrs. Rasmuson died on July 30, 2012, at her home in Anchorage, AK. Mary Louise Rasmuson was a beloved Alaska pioneer who saw opportunity in every challenge. She was generous in spirit and deed, and through her family foundation made Alaska a much stronger and vibrant state.

Intelligent. Diplomatic. Principled and ethical. Gentle but firm. Mrs. Rasmuson spent her life breaking barriers, challenging conventions, and seeking to improve opportunities for those around her.

She was a trailblazer for women and left her mark across the country and the State of Alaska through her leadership, philanthropy, and the family foundation that she helped lead with her late husband Elmer.

Selected from the initial pool of 30,000 applicants for the new Women's Army Corp-WAC she rose quickly

through the ranks and in 1957 became the fifth commandant of the WAC, a position she occupied for 6 years, first appointed by President Eisenhower and reappointed by President Kennedy. Mary Louise led the way for women in the military. Mrs. Rasmuson's oral history of the WAC unit, World War II and the Korean War is among those recorded by The Library of Congress for The Veterans History Project.

In 1942, as the United States entered World War II, Mrs. Rasmuson left her job as an assistant principal in a school district near Pittsburgh and became a member of the first class of the new WAC.

As director of the WAC unit, military historians credit her with major achievements including increasing the WAC's strength, insisting on effectiveness in command, working with Congress to amend laws that deprived women of service credit and benefits, and expanding the range of military opportunities open to women.

Mrs. Rasmuson retired in 1962 after 20 years of military service, during which she received a Legion of Merit award with two oak leaf clusters for her work integrating Black women into the WAC. She was also awarded the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Occupation Medal and National Defense Medal. At an event honoring her, former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry said, ``When you hear about women seizing new opportunities to serve, remember that they march behind Colonel Rasmuson.''

Mary Louise's impact can be felt virtually everywhere in Alaska, whether improving the position of families, founding a world-class museum, enhancing research in healthcare, and advancing understanding of Alaska Native cultures on a national stage. Her contributions have reached every corner of Alaska, from Ketchikan to Gambell.

Mrs. Rasmuson arrived in Alaska in 1962 after her marriage to Elmer E. Rasmuson, chairman of National Bank of Alaska. Together, they made a formidable team influential in the public and civic agenda in a rapidly developing city and State. She quickly adapted to life in Alaska and became active in several community groups. One of her most visible impacts on Alaska came from her service as head of the Municipality of Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Commission and later as chair of the Anchorage Museum Foundation. Her vision, passion and personal effort led to the creation of the Anchorage Museum of Art and History in 1968. As Mayor of Anchorage, I was proud to be with Mrs. Rasmuson to cut the ribbon on the latest expansion of the museum, now named the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, a culminating moment in her decades-long vision to build a great museum for all Alaskans.

In 1967, Mrs. Rasmuson began what would become 45 years of service on the board of Rasmuson Foundation. She maintained an active voice in the affairs of the Foundation and regularly attended board meetings until her late 90s, when she transitioned to an emeritus position. Even in the last years of her life, Mrs. Rasmuson received briefings from Foundation staff on projects seeking Foundation support.

Facilities that bear her name include the Elmer and Mary Louise Rasmuson Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, the Elmer and Mary Louise Rasmuson Center for Rheumatic Disease at the Benaroya Research Institute of Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA, and the Mary Louise Rasmuson Pavilion at the Boy Scouts of America Camp Gorsuch in Chugiak, AK. Mary Louise Rasmuson will be missed by all who knew her, but her legacy will live forever in the hearts and minds of Alaskans.

Madam President, I am going to deviate for a moment from my prepared comments. I listened to my good friend and colleague from Utah, Senator Hatch. I respect him greatly. As perhaps the only person who actually runs a small business, I wish to comment on a few things and comment on this important piece of legislation we have in front of us.

Small business is defined not by the SBA, which is 500 and below. When I talk to small businesspeople, they wish they had 500 employees. It would be a dream, but it is not a fact. We have to be careful about the numbers, and there are a lot of numbers being thrown around.

There was the story about the gentleman from Florida who sold his business and paid more taxes. I will be corrected if necessary, but when someone sells their small business, they pay capital gains tax, which is about 15 percent. So when they make more money when they sell their business--I have sold several of my small businesses over the years, and if someone doesn't reinvest, they pay a certain rate, and when they reinvest, they can bypass it through an exchange afforded through the Tax Code.

My friend from Utah sits on the Finance Committee. I am guessing the small businessperson had a pretty good rate, 15 points, which isn't bad. Let me also make sure and be very clear, again, there are a lot of numbers thrown around. The bills are very simple. They both cost money. One costs $930 billion over the next 10 years and one costs $250 billion. The proposal my friend from Utah suggested costs $930 billion over 10 years. That is how the Congressional Budget Office scores these things. We can argue if we agree or disagree. It is amazing on days they like the numbers they agree, on days they don't like the numbers they disagree.

The Congressional Budget Office is the Congressional Budget Office. I don't like the group. I like the people. I think they have a black magic box there and come up with numbers. The fact is, those are the numbers. That is the bipartisan organization that is selected by this body jointly to determine these numbers. We can argue over them after the fact. For example, when this extension that my friend talks about over there that in just 1 more year--how many times have we heard that? I have heard it twice since I have been here. It was a 10-year deal when it was first passed that would bring this relief and this growth and this economy beyond our belief. In the last 3\1/2\ years, I don't know, the economy crashed. It is recovering now and struggling.

When I came here, they said: We need to extend it for just 2 years to help the economy. So we extended it. I voted to extend them all for 2 years. I am not doing that again. We can't afford it. For 2 years, we had this extension that was supposed to boom the economy. We have had a slow-growth economy. The people growing this economy are the small businesspeople. These are the people who have 25 or less employees. They are the real small businesspeople.

As a matter of fact, this bill--and I heard the number. Again, I ask people to listen to the numbers and the twisted commentary that everybody gives on both sides. In Alaska, we say it how it is. Here are the facts, and we saw them in the documents, whatever may be presented to us. Ninety-seven percent of the small businesses in this country will not see a tax increase because they are real small businesspeople.

When we walk out of this building and we go down the street for lunch and see the restaurateurs that are operating, there are not 500 employees. There are 10 or 15 employees. I talked to the owner at the Alaska Growth Company today. He has 15 employees. The largest SBA lender, bigger than Wells Fargo, bigger than Key Bank, bigger than all of them, has 15 employees. That is a small business. Those are the people we are talking about.

I respect my friend. He has been a lawyer all his life. I am not a lawyer. No disrespect to lawyers. I am a small businessperson. That is where I made my living, that is where I make my living, and that is where our family makes our living. Let's make sure it is clear what we are talking about.

When the Senator talked about--I can't remember the exact percentage--but 54 percent of these dollars are passed through. He talked about dollars. Yes, because the 3 percent or the employers who have over 25 or 50 employees have huge revenue streams. The small businesspeople in this economy, 97 percent of them make less than $250,000 net income. That is what we are talking about. I think every small business would love to have net income over $250,000. They strive for it every

day. I know I do in my small business. I hope every day we achieve these numbers. As the public listens carefully to the debate and as the minority leader said earlier today, there is a difference, a clear difference. We cannot afford their bill. The taxpayers cannot afford their bill. It is $930 billion over the next 10 years, plus interest costs. I heard over and over from the other side, 40 percent of what we borrow is--we have to borrow to pay our bills. Forty percent of everything we pay, we have to borrow. Where are they getting the $930 billion? Where is that coming from? It costs money, it costs interest, and we don't have it because over the last decade and a half Democrats and Republicans spent like there was no tomorrow. Tomorrow is here.

We have to determine what our priorities are. Despite the fear tactics being laid out, I support small businesses 100 percent. Many bills I presented and supported over the last 3\1/2\ years were about protecting and growing our small business. Define a real small business. There are people who have to take their credit cards and figure out how to get capital because banks will not give them the money. They have a dream of an opportunity and people look at them and say: How much money do you have in the bank? You can mortgage your two homes or one home or you can put everything up that you have as collateral, plus maybe your first born. I have been through this.

My wife started her small business with a small investment out of her retirement funds, her own funds, and a small $30,000 SBA loan. Just as a side note, I get so frustrated when I hear these ads, everyone is going to exaggerate what they hear and see. I am sure, whatever I say today, in 2 years they will take a couple words and use them against me. I expect that. They will say whatever they want. That is what opponents do in campaigns. It is too bad we can't talk about the issues.

I am not here to defend the President. The President gets to defend himself. That is what he does. I have disagreed with the President more than once. I have disagreed with my national party more than once. His point is when we build a business, there are other elements that help build it.

For my wife's business, it was an SBA loan. I had a vending business. When I had those trucks on the street, those roads were built by a collective group of taxpayers who helped to build those roads. It is a combination of those things. Don't get me wrong. It is the blood, sweat, and tears of small businesses and the people who come up with the dreams and ideas that create these businesses and push it forward.

So I sat here patiently. As I was presiding, I listened. The numbers are simple. One costs more, one costs less. The taxpayers can't afford it. As I said, 2 years ago, I supported the extension because I was told we were going to invest. We were going to grow this economy significantly. We have grown it on the backs of small businesspeople. That is on whom we have grown this economy. That is where the fastest growing population of new employees are coming from.

To my friend on the other side of the aisle, we gave that idea a shot. It didn't perform. I have to say as to Thelma and Louise--a scene I hear about all the time--thank God they were driving an American car. My bet is they landed safely on the other side wherever they went. But the fact is, it was in this body--and I heard the same arguments on the other side: We can't help our auto industry; we can't help them out of what they are struggling with--we took a calculated risk to support those businesses that manufacture and employ people and today they are thriving because this body said we are going to take a risk. Again, Thelma and Louise, thank you for driving an American car.

This is simple. It is about making sure 98 percent of Americans today continue to have tax relief. It is about 97 percent of the businesses continuing to have tax relief--small businesses. It is important that we do this not only for the economy but for these families who are struggling. There are 300,000 families in Alaska alone who will benefit from this relief.

There is a comment that I think Senator Lieberman said earlier, and I recognize his point. His point is we should have real tax reform. I agree and that is why I sponsored a bill with Senator Wyden and Senator Coats on real tax reform. We are moving down the path, but we have to keep doing some things here. We have to do some things that keep the economy moving forward in the right direction.

A typical family of four in Alaska, if not without this relief, will pay another $2,200 a year in taxes. A married couple making $80,000 with one teenager at home and another in college will see their taxes go up by $2,250. A couple earning $130,000 with one child will see their taxes go up $4,000. I could go on and on. We have choices to make, and they are not going to be fun. Those days are gone. They did that in the last decade and a half when they had all kinds of money to spend. We are in a different situation. We have to make choices of whom we invest in to grow this economy.

I will invest in the small business community, the 97 percent that will continue to receive tax relief under this bill and the 98 percent of Middle America who are working every day to try to make ends meet. These are the folks I am focused on.

I recognize my colleagues on the other side want to again see massive tax reform. We have not had it since the early 1980s. I have not been here since then. I know a lot of these guys have been here a long time and sit on the Finance Committee and other committees. Do it. I am all game for amendments on the floor. I am all game for that. We did it on the farm bill. I believe we had 80 amendments. We had a ton of amendments on the Transportation bill. It doesn't bother me one darn bit. Vote on whatever we need to and move on. Let's move this economy forward and keep moving forward on the legislation that is critical.

Let me end on one point. I respect my colleagues on the other side. We agree many times and sometimes we disagree. Today we disagree on this issue. We don't have the money. We have to limit where we can put our resources and target them in the best way we can.

As I said, I voted a couple years ago for this extension on everything and more layoffs occurred in these big companies and certain things happened that didn't show the economy growth. One thing did happen. Small businesses did grow. For the first time in 5 years, home prices reported last week are up. New home starts are up for the first time in many months. Why are those up? Because the small business community and Middle America are starting to put money into those areas. That is important because that will grow this economy and grow it beyond our belief over the next decade, plus.

But for us to say we can still have the train moving at the speed we were moving at before the crash, we can't do it. We can't extend these tax rates for everyone. They want us to give a little, so we are asking the top 2 percent to give a little bit. At the end of the year, my guess is we are not going to extend the payroll tax. We can't afford it, so that means people on the other end will have to give a little bit. As my friend Senator Lieberman said, everyone needs to give a little bit. Yes, we are going to do that.

From my end, I see the give and take and tough decisions that are necessary. That is what we were elected for, and that is why we are here. To keep business as usual and say: Just for 1 more year, we will do tax reform someday, well, that day is here. There is no tomorrow, and we have to make tough calls. So why not give the relief to the real 97 percent of small businesses?

Again, I have to clarify. I have a sub S. I have an LLC. I understand this. One comment my friend said was even if the owner didn't take a dime--I have a small business where I didn't take a dime. My LLC made money. I paid not corporate, but I paid a passthrough through me because I get a sub S, which is a combination of corporations.

The point is everyone needs to give a little to make it happen and make it work. Today we are asking one group to give a little but making sure the bulk of our economy continues to move forward. We want to make sure the 300,000 Alaskans whom I see on a regular basis still get the relief; for the small businesses that are creating jobs and creating a dream where they have to put a max on their charge cards to build the businesses because they can't get capital from the banks, or spending

time cashing out their retirement because they believe in their dreams, that this might be their opportunity, these are the people I want to support.

So, again, I appreciate the time. I wish we had more than what happens when we come down, we speak, we leave; we come down, we speak, we leave. There is no real give-and-take. I wish my friend from Utah was still here. We could have a great conversation about the data he used. But here is one simple point: One costs about $1 trillion, one costs about $150 billion. We can afford the lower cost option which protects 98 percent of the people in this country, giving them relief, and 97 percent of our small businesses.

Thank you, Madam President. I yield the floor.

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 July 25, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

The Committee will hold a hearing entitled, ``The International Space Station: a Platform for Research, Collaboration, and Discovery.''

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 July 25, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

The Committee will hold a hearing entitled, ``Short-Supply Prescription Drugs: Shining a Light on the Gray Market.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 10 a.m. in room SD-406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to

meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 10 a.m. in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Education Tax Incentives and Tax Reform.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 3 p.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``Economic Statecraft: Increasing American Jobs Through Greater U.S.- Africa Trade and Investment (S. 2215, The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2012).''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on July 25, 2012, at 10 a.m., in room SH-216 of the Hart Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Ensuring Judicial Independence Through Civics Education.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 2 p.m. in room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled ``Enhancing Women's Retirement Security.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 25, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Assessing Grants Management Practices at Federal Agencies.''

Mr. President, this is a very interesting night on the Senate floor as many of us keep coming down and talking about what it means, the money involved in politics, and the corrupt system that is now plaguing us with these super PACs and these 501(c)4s. I bet if we asked the average person what is a 501(c)4, they would have no idea. We would say, turn on the TV in one of those swing States and see 1 of those 1,000 ads in a week; that is a 501(c)4 running those ads.

I know it is late here. It is not too late from Alaska's perspective; it is late here. It is around 11 o'clock in Washington, DC. In Alaska it is about 7 o'clock, the sun hasn't set, and here we are in the Senate talking about what is important not only to my folks in Alaska but also to the rest of the folks in this country.

It is just July and we are already up to our elbows in negative and dirty and distorted attack ads. Imagine what it will be like by November. These kinds of negative ads are cheap-shot ads, many of them funded by anonymous donors who make outrageous negative claims based on half truths at best and outright lies at worst, all paid for by secret fat cats and unlimited deep pockets--money that no one knows where it comes from. Alaskans tell me when I am back there--and I try to get back there at least twice a month or more and I hear from Alaskans all the time. They are fed up with it. I know we are fed up with it. I think the American people are fed up with it. So I am happy to join my colleagues tonight to stand up and fight back, demanding transparency-- something so simple. That is all we are asking for tonight: transparency, openness, and honesty.

I don't know what they are afraid of. If you contribute money, you should be proud and excited about who you are supporting. For some reason they hide. They don't want people to see who they support.

I want to take a few minutes--I know many people have heard tonight, who have been watching and listening, and maybe it has been through C- SPAN or through news clips or whatever else might be going on, through our own Web sites--to describe how we got here, why we are in this dilemma. The Citizens United case expanded free speech rights to corporations as if they are free people. Whoever thought ``corporate personhood'' would become part of our vocabulary?

In fact, Alaskans are very concerned about this. Just last week, the city and borough of Sitka passed a resolution about the opposition to corporate personhood. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record this resolution from a small community in Alaska that is concerned about the issue.

I also want to talk about the solution to a growing problem, and that is the DISCLOSE Act. As I presided, sitting where the Presiding Officer is now, and now down on the floor, I noticed no one from the minority is here in this Chamber countering or debating what we are talking about tonight. They are at home away from the TV cameras because earlier this evening they voted in a bloc against moving the DISCLOSE Act forward. That is kind of interesting because I don't know how many times I hear from the other side: Please let us have the right to have a debate on a subject matter. Don't filibuster it; don't require 60 votes. Let us vote. Let us amend these kinds of issues. So all we are saying is, Let's get to the vote. They would get a chance to amend it if they want, if they don't like pieces of it, but they won't let us do that. They voted in favor of unlimited negative political ads. They voted against transparency, openness, and honesty. They voted against the American people. They should be ashamed. They should be in hiding.

So what exactly is Citizens United? The Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court--again, that many of us have spoken about already--2 years ago opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate and special interest money in elections. As a result, corporations and other wealthy interests exert vast influence in our political system through secret, anonymous, untraceable money. Individuals, ordinary Americans, are having their voices drowned out. Super PACs--we hear that phrase often--disclose their donors, but these 501(c)4s--that is what they are called, 501(c)4 groups, which is a code underneath the IRS code--they are actually called--this is what is amazing--social welfare organizations, 501(c)4s. They don't have to disclose anything. They can run their own negative ads or they can give unlimited money to super PACs without any disclosure. Either way, they don't have to disclose their donors.

The era of secret money is here, and it is a lot of money. We have heard the numbers. This year, we estimate almost $1 billion will be spent in negative ads no one has to know who is paying for. If they love these ads, if they think they are so great and they are so factual, all we are asking is to tell us who you are, tell us what you are doing.

When I was mayor of Anchorage, I had to deal with a group like this in one of my reelection campaigns. They ran an ad. No one knew who they were, but I had a pretty good idea. I started talking about it. I will tell my colleagues what happened. In Anchorage, people rejected those ads. I won my reelection. I won the largest margin in my city's history. But they started running these secret ads. They didn't want to disclose themselves. They didn't like a decision I made and then they never came forward, but we knew who they were.

Again, we think it will be up to $1 billion. They have already spent a quarter of a billion dollars.

The last time we had an issue such as this in this country around electioneering in the sense of elections being bought by very special interest groups was around 1972. Some people may not remember the history, but all I have to say is a couple of words: Scandal. Watergate. That is what happened. It was election money--more money than people could ever imagine. The rules were unlimited in 1972. As a matter of fact, it got so bad that it was truly a constitutional crisis. The President had to resign. Think about it. That was the last time we did election reform in the sense of campaign financing. And campaign financing reform came in fast and furious after that, because it was corruption with the money of a very few people. It brought down our President at that time and almost brought down this country.

Things have changed quite a bit since then. I want to give a couple of stats because I think it is important to know where we have been and where we are in the sense of this debate. Forty years ago was the last time we had meaningful, aggressive election reform in the sense of campaign financing. Back then we could buy a gallon of gas for 55 cents. Imagine that. HBO was launched as the first paid-for cable network channel, or TV station. Today, cable is everywhere and the amount of money flowing into it is enormous. Digital watches were introduced. Everything is digital now. Back then it was just beginning, but it was a different era. It was a crisis that occurred with the corruption of money that tried to buy our governments, buy every elected official they could get their hands on, and in that case the Presidency. That was 40 years ago.

Now here we are. When we think about the money that will be spent this time--$1 billion--almost 70 percent of the money so far has been used for negative ads. Poll after poll, I don't care if it is a scientific poll or sitting at the coffee shop, or when I am traveling around Alaska--people hate negative ads. But they continue to buy them and they never want to tell anyone who is paying for them. Again, if they are so proud and they are factual, step to the plate.

The election is 4 months away from now and we are going to see an enormous amount of ads. When I think about how this affects my State of Alaska--not so long ago, Alaska had some of the strictest campaign finance laws in the country. Alaskans said we don't want outside money or a few rich locals buying elections.

Let me give an example. Five hundred dollars is the maximum amount one can contribute to a candidate in a calendar year. Individuals, nonresidents, the maximum amount for a Governor's race is $20,000, total. Corporations, business organizations, unions in Alaska, prohibited. Groups from outside, not based in Alaska, prohibited. Nongroup entities based outside of Alaska, prohibited. We have some of the toughest laws.

But now this effort is stepping on what citizens did through an initiative. They put at risk our State laws. Now corporations can make independent expenditures on behalf of State candidates in Alaska, which they could not do before. Our own campaign financing agency in Alaska just issued an opinion that will allow for unlimited spending. This will allow outside groups and money to influence Alaskans in Alaska elections--exactly what we didn't want, through our own citizens initiative.

There is one thing we don't like in Alaska and that is outsiders telling us how to do our business. They did that for decades and took everything they could out of Alaska. Every dime, every inch of land they could take in the sense of ownership of mineral resources, they took it all for their benefit--for a few. Alaskans said, No more. Not only did we change our laws that govern, we also changed our elections law. Citizens did this.

What can we do in Congress? It is so simple: disclosure and transparency.

Members of both parties have said for decades that sunlight, as we heard tonight, is the best disinfectant. We need more transparency. I am a huge advocate for transparency. I post my own schedule. I post my financial statements. I disclose my wife's income, which is not required. I called for crop insurance transparency. I cosponsored the STOCK Act.

People just want to know what we are up to. And these corruptive systems of a few, a dozen or so, who are trying to buy this election for their own personal gain--we just want to know who they are. They can spend the money they want, but we want to know who they are.

Transparency, disclosure, used to be a bipartisan idea. Senator McConnell said himself many times--we heard this earlier; I want to repeat it because sometimes what happens around this place, I have noticed after only 4 years here, is memories get very vague of what people said before and suddenly they change their ideas based on the politics, not the policy--here is his direct quote from 15 years ago:

I think disclosure is the best disinfectant. I think it

gives our constituents an opportunity to decide whether or

not we're in the clutches of some particular interest group

and whether or not that's a voting issue for them. I'm

certainly in favor of enhanced disclosure.

That is from the minority leader. Nearly every Senator in this body, on both sides of this aisle, has said they want more transparency. Polls show Americans want to know exactly who spends money to influence elections--they want to know it--because they want to have more faith in their representatives. Maybe this explains why they are angry at us, why Congress has such a low rating.

The bill is very simple. I know people have said it over and over again, but sometimes I think we have to repeat it. The bill is very simple. It requires any organization that spends $10,000 or more on influencing politics to file a simple--simple--disclosure report with the FEC, the Federal Elections Commission. It is not complicated. Every group is treated the same. I have received a few e-mails. I have to say, the e-mails on this issue: all for it, except for only one against, so far. I know once I have said this, tomorrow I will see a ream of them because five or six of these special interest groups will be churning out stamped-out letters.

But this treats everyone the same: corporations, nonprofits, labor unions, 501(c)(4)s, 527 organizations. They only have to disclose money spent on elections, and only from individuals giving more than $10,000.

Under this bill, money given to these groups for other purposes does not need to be disclosed, despite what you read in the papers and the blogs--the misinformation that is put out there or by the undisclosed groups that tell you the misinformation, that will not tell you who they are but want to give you more misinformation.

This is a new and improved version of the DISCLOSE Act that failed on the Senate floor 2 years ago by just one vote. Under that bill, the cutoff for disclosure was $600. Now, in this bill before us tonight, the threshold is $10,000. That is not too much to ask. If you give $10,000 or more for negative political attack ads that distort the truth, the American people deserve to know who you are. And if you are so proud of those ads, you should disclose who you are.

The bill will not force groups to release their member lists. Some people have e-mailed me. I want to make it very clear, if you belong to the NRA--and I belong to the NRA. I am a lifetime member. Actually, I do not have any problem with the NRA releasing my name. If they want to put it on their Web site that I am a lifetime member, go for it, I am all for it. I am proud to be a member. Put my name up there. But this does not require us--if you are a dues-paying member to a group such as the NRA, your name will not be listed. So that misinformation from some groups out there, shame on them.

This bill is not an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. The DISCLOSE Act puts no restrictions on speech and is fully consistent with the Supreme Court decision.

The bill also incorporates the Court's ``effective disclosure'' rules.

Let me sum it up. This bill--and I think the Senator from Arkansas spoke to this, and I thought it was great because we always hear that these bills are so big, they are pages--this is it. If you look at it, it is double-spaced. It takes only half the page, each one. It is not complicated, pretty simple.

The bill is narrowly tailored and very simple. It does not prevent any special interest group or any corporation from donating any amount they want. All we are asking is, tell us who you are. When I say ``us,'' not us here--the American people, who want to know.

The bill will give Americans faith that their elected representatives are not being bought and sold by hundreds of millions of dollars of secret untraceable money.

So I hope we vote on the DISCLOSE Act again, and as soon as tomorrow. And I hope my colleagues from the other side come back to this. Maybe they will have something to say. I do not know. It has been a long night. We have not heard a word from them. It would be nice to have a debate on this. But also let's do what I know Alaskans are asking me every day: Clean up the system. The best way you can do that is to tell people where the money is. Show me the money. Follow the money. And when you follow the money, as in 1972 they did, you know exactly who is trying to buy the government. In this case, we just want to know.

If you are so proud of these ads you run--and I am sure we all sat around a little bit talking about this. As soon as we come to the floor and say these things, people will be--I am sure 2 years from now when I am up, they will be thinking: I am going to run those ads against that Begich guy. My view is, hey, if you want to run them, run them. People want to know who you are. But if you will not disclose, then you pay the consequence of what I think Alaskans will feel; that is, these people who hide behind this money, secret money, do not disclose themselves, basically what they are pitching, what they are selling is hogwash.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.