Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m., Thursday, July 10. I further ask that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed to have expired, the Journal of the proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then resume consideration of S. 925, the State Department authorization bill.

Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, tomorrow the Senate will resume debate on S. 925, the State Department authorization bill. During today's session, we were able to dispose of a number of amendments to that measure. We will continue working through amendments tomorrow. I encourage any Member who has an amendment to the bill to contact us so we can organize an orderly schedule for the consideration of amendments.

Rollcall votes will occur throughout the day tomorrow, and Senators will be notified when the first vote is scheduled. As announced by the majority leader, it is our hope to finish action on this bill during Thursday's session.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Foreign Relations I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I join my colleagues in expressing my sincere gratitude to Ms. Bonny O'Neil for her more than 34 years of devoted service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a result of her wealth of knowledge and experience with the Food Stamp Program, Ms. O'Neil was an invaluable resource to the entire Congress as we crafted the 1996 welfare reform law. Ms. O'Neil's wisdom, patience and good humor were vitally important during the long process of writing that landmark legislation.

I thank Ms. O'Neil for her many accomplishments and for her honorable service to this Nation.

Mr. President, 2 months ago when President Bush declared an end to combat operations in Iraq, I rose to pay tribute to the seven service members with Indiana roots who sacrificed their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I observed that while these seven fine young men were engaged in a noble and worthy cause--making the world safer for all freedom-loving peoples--their deaths again showed us that freedom never comes without a heavy price in human lives.

At the time I delivered those remarks, I and all Americans understood that there would still be dangerous times ahead for our service members, but we sincerely hoped there would be no more reports of American service members killed in combat operations.

Today, I am sad to report, our troops in Iraq are still very much at risk of injury or the ultimate sacrifice as they work to restore order and a civil society in this troubled country. It seems that almost every day we receive news of soldiers being ambushed or attacked in hit-and-run type incidents. More than 40 American troops have fallen since May 1st. We are still suffering combat casualties, and it is obvious that reconstruction of Iraq is going to be a lengthy and difficult process.

During these past 2 months, three of those who fell were brave young men with Indiana roots. Three more Indiana families have been devastated by the loss of a loved one. Today, I would like to pay tribute to these three fine young men.

Marine Lance Corporal Matthew R. Smith of Anderson, IN, was killed on May 10 in Kuwait when the Humvee he was riding in struck a trailer in a military convoy. Matthew, a Marine Corps Reservist, was 20 years old and a sophomore at Indiana University. He went overseas with his unit in February and had traveled all the way to Baghdad while providing support to Marine combat forces.

On the day Matthew died, his father, David Smith, received the first letter from his son since he went overseas. Matthew wrote that he was proud to be in Iraq as a marine fighting for his country's freedom.

Matthew Smith will be missed.

Army Private Jesse Halling of Indianapolis was killed on June 10 in the city of Tikrit when his military police squad became engaged in a firefight after being ambushed. Jesse was in the turret of a Humvee firing a machine gun at their attackers when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the vehicle. His commander has recommended him for a Silver Star Medal for bravery under fire.

Jesse was 19 years old and had enlisted in the Army right after his graduation from Ben Davis High School, where he had participated in Junior

ROTC. His friends remember him as a fun-loving teenager with a passion for motorcycles. His fellow soldiers will remember him as a hero whose quick actions may well have saved the lives of others.

Jesse Halling will be missed.

Army Private Shawn Pahnke of Shelbyville was killed on June 16 in Baghdad, felled by a sniper round fired in the dead of night at the Humvee he was riding in. Shawn was 25 years old. He had joined the Army to become a crew member on an M-1 Abrams tank and was serving with the 1st Armored Division in Germany before deploying to Iraq.

Shawn leaves behind a wife, Elisha, and a 3-month-old son, Dean Patrick, whom he never had a chance to see. Shawn was in Germany when the baby was born, but the staff at Major Hospital in Shelbyville hooked up a phone connection to the delivery room so that Shawn could hear his child's first cries.

Shawn Pahnke will be missed.

All of Indiana mourns for the loss of these brave young men. Our hearts go out to these families.

Honoring Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve

Mr. President, by request, I introduce for appropriate reference a bill to establish a comprehensive Federal program to provide benefits to U.S. victims of international terrorism.

This proposed legislation has been requested by the Department of State, and I am introducing it in order that there may be a specific bill to which members of the Senate and the public may direct their attention and comments.

I reserve my right to support or oppose this bill, as well as to make any suggested amendments to it, when the matter is considered by the Committee on Foreign Relations.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record together with a letter addressed to me from the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. President, by request, I introduce for appropriate reference a bill to establish a comprehensive Federal program to provide benefits to U.S. victims of international terrorism.

This proposed legislation has been requested by the Department of State, and I am introducing it in order that there may be a specific bill to which members of the Senate and the public may direct their attention and comments.

I reserve my right to support or oppose this bill, as well as to make any suggested amendments to it, when the matter is considered by the Committee on Foreign Relations.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record together with a letter addressed to me from the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation that is intended to unite Senators behind the President's bold new commitment to international development. As my colleagues are aware, the President has offered a plan called the Millennium Challenge Corporation that will focus U.S. energy and resources on countries that, while very poor, show commitment to economic reform and development. It is a unique plan that would reward and showcase what we Americans believe to be the essential ingredients for success: good government, investments in people, and a reliance on free markets.

My colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee strongly supported the goals of the President's initiative and applauded his enthusiasm and personal commitment. But, when we considered the MCC legislation a few weeks ago, organizational issues divided the Committee. The Committee voted 11 to 8 against creating the MCC as an independent agency. Instead the functions of the MCC were integrated into the State Department.

This outcome did not capture the President's vision of a fresh start for a unique approach to development assistance. The Secretary of State himself argued against the Committee's majority on that vote. Secretary Powell said that the President's plan would be best achieved through the establishment of an innovative, flexible, narrowly targeted and highly visible separate organization that can complement other assistance provided through more traditional means.

I believe the Senate should work for a consensus on this issue. This important initiative cannot be allowed to founder on a question of organization.

I have been working to develop a middle ground that will satisfy the basic goals of all sides. My bill creates the needed ingredients for interagency coordination, a top priority among a majority on the Committee. But it does not undermine the integrity of the President's concept. It puts the MCC under the authority of the Secretary of State and has the MCC's Chief Executive Officer report to the Secretary. It gives the MCC the same status within the State Department as the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the right to manage itself, hire staff, and create its own culture. It mandates coordination between the MCC and USAID in the field and give USAID the primary role in preparing countries for MCC eligibility. It also includes the Administrator of USAID on the MCC board to ensure that the perspective of USAID is considered.

Through these means, I believe that the MCC can be substantially independent, as envisioned by the President, while preserving the leadership of the Secretary of State and the input of USAID.

I would emphasize that the President has invested his personal attention and time in the MCC concept. It is rare for a President of either party to provide such strong leadership in the area of development assistance. President Bush's advocacy is critical to the success of this initiative. I believe Congress will regret its actions if we undercut this opportunity for U.S. foreign policy by failing to reach a workable consensus on the MCC's organization.

I am hoping for a strong Senate vote on the MCC and will bring up my compromise proposal at an appropriate time. The MCC provides a way to focus single-mindedly on economic development that is results-based and meets clear benchmarks of success. We can have the coordination we seek while also insulating it from short-term political considerations so that it can focus on widening the universe of countries that live in peace and look to a prosperous and stable future.

I ask unanimous consent that the two accompany pages be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation that is intended to unite Senators behind the President's bold new commitment to international development. As my colleagues are aware, the President has offered a plan called the Millennium Challenge Corporation that will focus U.S. energy and resources on countries that, while very poor, show commitment to economic reform and development. It is a unique plan that would reward and showcase what we Americans believe to be the essential ingredients for success: good government, investments in people, and a reliance on free markets.

My colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee strongly supported the goals of the President's initiative and applauded his enthusiasm and personal commitment. But, when we considered the MCC legislation a few weeks ago, organizational issues divided the Committee. The Committee voted 11 to 8 against creating the MCC as an independent agency. Instead the functions of the MCC were integrated into the State Department.

This outcome did not capture the President's vision of a fresh start for a unique approach to development assistance. The Secretary of State himself argued against the Committee's majority on that vote. Secretary Powell said that the President's plan would be best achieved through the establishment of an innovative, flexible, narrowly targeted and highly visible separate organization that can complement other assistance provided through more traditional means.

I believe the Senate should work for a consensus on this issue. This important initiative cannot be allowed to founder on a question of organization.

I have been working to develop a middle ground that will satisfy the basic goals of all sides. My bill creates the needed ingredients for interagency coordination, a top priority among a majority on the Committee. But it does not undermine the integrity of the President's concept. It puts the MCC under the authority of the Secretary of State and has the MCC's Chief Executive Officer report to the Secretary. It gives the MCC the same status within the State Department as the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the right to manage itself, hire staff, and create its own culture. It mandates coordination between the MCC and USAID in the field and give USAID the primary role in preparing countries for MCC eligibility. It also includes the Administrator of USAID on the MCC board to ensure that the perspective of USAID is considered.

Through these means, I believe that the MCC can be substantially independent, as envisioned by the President, while preserving the leadership of the Secretary of State and the input of USAID.

I would emphasize that the President has invested his personal attention and time in the MCC concept. It is rare for a President of either party to provide such strong leadership in the area of development assistance. President Bush's advocacy is critical to the success of this initiative. I believe Congress will regret its actions if we undercut this opportunity for U.S. foreign policy by failing to reach a workable consensus on the MCC's organization.

I am hoping for a strong Senate vote on the MCC and will bring up my compromise proposal at an appropriate time. The MCC provides a way to focus single-mindedly on economic development that is results-based and meets clear benchmarks of success. We can have the coordination we seek while also insulating it from short-term political considerations so that it can focus on widening the universe of countries that live in peace and look to a prosperous and stable future.

I ask unanimous consent that the two accompany pages be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to share with my colleagues my congratulations to Timothy A. Eichhorn, who on February 25, 2003, was named by the Senate to receive an appointment as a grade of lieutenant colonel to the U.S. Air Force.

I have known the Eichhorn family for many years, and I am pleased to join his family and friends in congratulating Timothy on this momentous occasion. This appointment is clearly a testament to his hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm for military service.

In a time when U.S. Armed Forces are deployed around the world, I am pleased to know that outstanding individuals, such as Timothy Eichhorn, have been called to public service.

Mr. President, today I rise to affirm the call from Secretary of State Powell that military leaders in Burma release Aung San Suu Kyi from continued ``protective custody.''

The reimposition of custody of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the denial of requests by United States and other officials to meet with her and assure her good health and well-being are unconscionable. She should be released immediately and unconditionally. In addition to the release of other National League for Democracy leaders who have been arrested, I also call upon the government of Burma to allow the NLD to reopen its offices throughout the country.

The only hope for democracy in Burma will be found in dialogue among the National League for Democracy, the State Peace and Development Council and the ethnic nationalities. The arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is a major setback to meaningful reform, and raises serious questions about whether the current ruling junta can be trusted to live up to any of its promises. The United States must continue to support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.

I am pleased that the Bush administration, in coordination with the United Nations Security Council and other members of the international community, is ``considering all measures available in our efforts to foster this transition to democracy.''

Mr. President, for the Committee on Foreign Relations I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2003. This bill will give States greater flexibility in the ways they can enroll uninsured children into Medicaid and SCHIP while at the same time increasing government efficiency. Furthermore, it will help States reduce bureaucracy and red-tape.

In 1999, 4.4 million low-income uninsured children were in families that received benefits through Food Stamps, the National School Lunch Program, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, WIC. Recognizing this, I worked to include a provision in the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000,

which allowed schools and school districts to share school lunch information with State health insurance agencies for outreach and enrollment activities.

The good news is that this provision has inspired numerous States to share information with Medicaid and SCHIP for the purposes of enrollment and outreach. Some States and communities have gone even further and simplified the health insurance application process by utilizing information provided in another program application to make the eligibility or renewal determination for Medicaid and or SCHIP.

Some States would like to go further still, and determine that a child is income eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP based on the fact that they have already been found eligible for a nutrition or other comparable program that operates under similar financial guidelines. Unfortunately, they have found Federal law not flexible enough.

The Express Lane Act would give States the option of establishing that their Medicaid or SCHIP financial eligibility rules are satisfied when a family presents proof that their child is already enrolled in another public program with comparable income guidelines. Express lane does not affect other, non-income eligibility requirements and maintains existing quality control measures.

If given the ability to adopt automatic income eligibility, as set out in The Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2003, States could reach a tangible population of uninsured children, build upon the initiative already taken by families, eliminate multi-agency duplicative efforts to collect and verify income and resource eligibility, and at the same time maintain program integrity.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2003. This bill will give States greater flexibility in the ways they can enroll uninsured children into Medicaid and SCHIP while at the same time increasing government efficiency. Furthermore, it will help States reduce bureaucracy and red-tape.

In 1999, 4.4 million low-income uninsured children were in families that received benefits through Food Stamps, the National School Lunch Program, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, WIC. Recognizing this, I worked to include a provision in the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000,

which allowed schools and school districts to share school lunch information with State health insurance agencies for outreach and enrollment activities.

The good news is that this provision has inspired numerous States to share information with Medicaid and SCHIP for the purposes of enrollment and outreach. Some States and communities have gone even further and simplified the health insurance application process by utilizing information provided in another program application to make the eligibility or renewal determination for Medicaid and or SCHIP.

Some States would like to go further still, and determine that a child is income eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP based on the fact that they have already been found eligible for a nutrition or other comparable program that operates under similar financial guidelines. Unfortunately, they have found Federal law not flexible enough.

The Express Lane Act would give States the option of establishing that their Medicaid or SCHIP financial eligibility rules are satisfied when a family presents proof that their child is already enrolled in another public program with comparable income guidelines. Express lane does not affect other, non-income eligibility requirements and maintains existing quality control measures.

If given the ability to adopt automatic income eligibility, as set out in The Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2003, States could reach a tangible population of uninsured children, build upon the initiative already taken by families, eliminate multi-agency duplicative efforts to collect and verify income and resource eligibility, and at the same time maintain program integrity.