1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 starttime 1246975208.02322 2 00:00:32,001 --> 00:00:33,000 C-SPAN2. 3 00:00:33,001 --> 00:00:37,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 4 00:00:37,001 --> 00:00:38,000 SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER. 5 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:51,000 TH 6 00:00:51,001 --> 00:00:55,000 SENATE IN PRAYER. 7 00:00:55,001 --> 00:00:58,000 THE CHAPLAIN: LET U 8 00:00:58,001 --> 00:01:03,000 ETERNAL GOD BEFORE YOU NATIONS 9 00:01:03,001 --> 00:01:08,000 RISE AND FALL; THEY GROW STRONG 10 00:01:08,001 --> 00:01:12,000 OR WITHER BY YOUR DESIGN. 11 00:01:12,001 --> 00:01:16,000 HELP OUR NATION TO EMBRACE 12 00:01:16,001 --> 00:01:19,000 RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TO STRIVE FOR 13 00:01:19,001 --> 00:01:23,000 UNITY AND RENEWAL. 14 00:01:23,001 --> 00:01:28,000 LORD, HASTEN THE COMING OF YOUR 15 00:01:28,001 --> 00:01:31,000 KINGDOM WHERE PAIN, TEARS, AND 16 00:01:31,001 --> 00:01:36,000 DEATH WILL BE NO MORE. 17 00:01:36,001 --> 00:01:40,000 MAY AMERICA'S EXAMPLE OF RIGHT 18 00:01:40,001 --> 00:01:42,000 LIVING PROMPT THE WORLD'S 19 00:01:42,001 --> 00:01:45,000 NATIONS TO GATHER IN THE LIGHT 20 00:01:45,001 --> 00:01:49,000 OF YOUR PRESENCE. 21 00:01:49,001 --> 00:01:54,000 TEACH ALL NATIONS THE WAY OF 22 00:01:54,001 --> 00:01:56,000 PEACE SO WE MAY PLOW UP 23 00:01:56,001 --> 00:02:00,000 BATTLEFIELDS AND POUND WEAPONS 24 00:02:00,001 --> 00:02:04,000 INTO LIBERATION TOOLS. 25 00:02:04,001 --> 00:02:07,000 TEACH US TO TALK ACROSS 26 00:02:07,001 --> 00:02:13,000 BOUNDARIES AS BROTHERS AND 27 00:02:13,001 --> 00:02:15,000 SISTERS UNITED BY YOUR LOVE. 28 00:02:15,001 --> 00:02:19,000 TODAY HELP OUR SENATORS AND ALL 29 00:02:19,001 --> 00:02:23,000 WHO LABOR WITH THEM TO WORK WITH 30 00:02:23,001 --> 00:02:27,000 THE 31 00:02:27,001 --> 00:02:31,000 ACCOUNTABILITY TO 32 00:02:31,001 --> 00:02:41,000 WE PRAY 33 00:02:41,001 --> 00:02:43,000 AMEN. 34 00:02:43,001 --> 00:02:44,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: PLEASE 35 00:02:44,001 --> 00:02:49,000 JOIN ME IN RECITING THE PLEDGE 36 00:02:49,001 --> 00:02:50,000 OF ALLEGIANCE. 37 00:02:50,001 --> 00:02:51,000 I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO 38 00:02:51,001 --> 00:02:55,000 THE FLAG OF THE 39 00:02:55,001 --> 00:02:57,000 AND TO THE REPUBLIC 40 00:02:57,001 --> 00:02:59,000 FOR WHICH IT STANDS, 41 00:02:59,001 --> 00:03:00,000 ONE NATION UNDER GOD, 42 00:03:00,001 --> 00:03:01,000 INDIVISIBLE, 43 00:03:01,001 --> 00:03:09,000 WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR 44 00:03:09,001 --> 00:03:10,000 ALL. 45 00:03:10,001 --> 00:03:11,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK 46 00:03:11,001 --> 00:03:13,000 WILL READ A COMMUNICATION TO THE 47 00:03:13,001 --> 00:03:14,000 SENATE. 48 00:03:14,001 --> 00:03:17,000 THE CLERK: WASHINGTON, D.C, 49 00:03:17,001 --> 00:03:19,000 TO THE SENATE: 50 00:03:19,001 --> 00:03:21,000 UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 1, 51 00:03:21,001 --> 00:03:23,000 PARAGRAPH 3, OF THE STANDING 52 00:03:23,001 --> 00:03:24,000 RULES OF THE SENATE, I HEREBY 53 00:03:24,001 --> 00:03:25,000 APPOINT THE HONORABLE ROLAND 54 00:03:25,001 --> 00:03:26,000 BURRIS, A SENATOR FROM THE STATE 55 00:03:26,001 --> 00:03:27,000 OF ILLINOIS, TO PEORM THE 56 00:03:27,001 --> 00:03:31,000 DUTIES OF THE CHAIR. SIGNED: ROBERT C. BYRD, PRES 57 00:03:31,001 --> 00:03:32,000 PRO TEMPORE. 58 00:03:32,001 --> 00:03:33,000 MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT? 59 00:03:33,001 --> 00:03:34,000 MAJORITY LEADER. 60 00:03:34,001 --> 00:03:36,000 MR. REID: FOLLOWING REMARKS FROM 61 00:03:36,001 --> 00:03:38,000 THE TWO LEADERS THEENATE WILL 62 00:03:38,001 --> 00:03:39,000 PROCEED TO A PERIOD OF MORNING 63 00:03:39,001 --> 00:03:40,000 BUSINESS FOR ONE HOUR WITH 64 00:03:40,001 --> 00:03:42,000 SETORS PERMITTED TO SPEAK UP 65 00:03:42,001 --> 00:03:43,000 TONE MINUTES EACH WITH THE 66 00:03:43,001 --> 00:03:44,000 MAJORITY CONTROLLING THE FIRST 67 00:03:44,001 --> 00:03:45,000 HALF AND THE REPUBLICANS 68 00:03:45,001 --> 00:03:46,000 CONTROLLING THE SECOND HALF. 69 00:03:46,001 --> 00:03:48,000 FOLLOWING MORNING BUSINESS THE 70 00:03:48,001 --> 00:03:51,000 SENATE WILL BEGIN CONSIDERATION 71 00:03:51,001 --> 00:03:54,000 OF H.R. 2892, THE HOMELAND 72 00:03:54,001 --> 00:03:57,000 SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT. 73 00:03:57,001 --> 00:03:59,000 AROUND 74 00:03:59,001 --> 00:04:01,000 AL 75 00:04:01,001 --> 00:04:04,000 BE THE UNITED STATES SENATOR 76 00:04:04,001 --> 00:04:05,000 FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. 77 00:04:05,001 --> 00:04:07,000 AT 12:30 THE SENATE WILL RECESS 78 00:04:07,001 --> 00:04:09,000 FOR THE WEEKLY CAUCUS LUNCHEON. 79 00:04:09,001 --> 00:04:10,000 THE SENATE SHOULD CONSIDER ROLL 80 00:04:10,001 --> 00:04:13,000 CALL VOTES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS 81 00:04:13,001 --> 00:04:15,000 WE CONSIDER THE HOMELAND SECURITY BILL. 82 00:04:15,001 --> 00:04:17,000 PRIOR TO LEAVING THAT SUBJECT, 83 00:04:17,001 --> 00:04:19,000 MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD HOPE THAT 84 00:04:19,001 --> 00:04:21,000 SENATORS WOULD BE READY TO OFFER AMENDMENTS ON THIS. 85 00:04:21,001 --> 00:04:23,000 WE HAVE A RULE 16. 86 00:04:23,001 --> 00:04:24,000 BUT THIS IS A WIDE JURISDICTION BILL. 87 00:04:24,001 --> 00:04:26,000 THERE SHOULD BE LOTS OF 88 00:04:26,001 --> 00:04:27,000 OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO OFFER 89 00:04:27,001 --> 00:04:31,000 AMENDMENTS. 90 00:04:31,001 --> 00:04:32,000 AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY WOULD 91 00:04:32,001 --> 00:04:33,000 CONSIDER DOING THEIR AMENDMENTS 92 00:04:33,001 --> 00:04:37,000 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE WE'RE 93 00:04:37,001 --> 00:04:38,000 NOT GOING TO SPEND DAY AFTER D 94 00:04:38,001 --> 00:04:39,000 AFTER DAY ON THIS BILL. 95 00:04:39,001 --> 00:04:41,000 WE NEED TO MOVE APPROPRIATION 96 00:04:41,001 --> 00:04:42,000 BILLS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN 97 00:04:42,001 --> 00:04:44,000 I WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE THE 98 00:04:44,001 --> 00:04:46,000 OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER AMENDMENTS. 99 00:04:46,001 --> 00:04:48,000 WE'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT TIME 100 00:04:48,001 --> 00:04:50,000 AGREEMENTS IF THAT IS 101 00:04:50,001 --> 00:04:51,000 APPROPRIATE WITHOUT ANY 102 00:04:51,001 --> 00:04:53,000 PRECONDITIONS LET'S MOVE TO THIS BILL. 103 00:04:53,001 --> 00:04:56,000 LET'S GET IT DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. 104 00:04:56,001 --> 00:04:57,000 MR. PRESIDENT, H.R. 2454 IS AT 105 00:04:57,001 --> 00:04:58,000 THE DESK. 106 00:04:58,001 --> 00:05:01,000 IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IT IS DUE 107 00:05:01,001 --> 00:05:03,000 FO 108 00:05:03,001 --> 00:05:04,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK 109 00:05:04,001 --> 00:05:05,000 WILL READ 110 00:05:05,001 --> 00:05:07,000 SECOND TIME. 111 00:05:07,001 --> 00:05:11,000 THE CLERK: AN ACT TO CREATE 112 00:05:11,001 --> 00:05:16,000 CLEAN ENTERJOBS, ACHIEVE ENERGY 113 00:05:16,001 --> 00:05:17,000 INDEPENDENCE, REDUCE GLOBAL 114 00:05:17,001 --> 00:05:18,000 CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY. 115 00:05:18,001 --> 00:05:20,000 MR. REID: I WOULD OBJECT TO ANY 116 00:05:20,001 --> 00:05:21,000 FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS LESLATION. 117 00:05:21,001 --> 00:05:24,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE BILL 118 00:05:24,001 --> 00:05:26,000 WILL BE PLACED ON THE CALENDAR. 119 00:05:26,001 --> 00:05:29,000 THE MAJORITY LEADER. 120 00:05:29,001 --> 00:05:30,000 QUORUM. 121 00:05:30,001 --> 00:05:42,000 THE PRESIDING OF 122 00:05:42,001 --> 00:06:35,000 WILL CALL THE ROLL. 123 00:06:35,001 --> 00:06:36,000 QUORUM CALL: 124 00:06:36,001 --> 00:06:37,000 THE PRES 125 00:06:37,001 --> 00:06:40,000 REPUBLICAN LEADER. 126 00:06:40,001 --> 00:06:41,000 MR. MCCONNELL: I 127 00:06:41,001 --> 00:06:42,000 THAT FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THE 128 00:06:42,001 --> 00:06:43,000 QUORUM CALL BE DISPENSED WITH. 129 00:06:43,001 --> 00:06:44,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 130 00:06:44,001 --> 00:06:45,000 OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. 131 00:06:45,001 --> 00:06:46,000 MR. MCCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, 132 00:06:46,001 --> 00:06:48,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT HEALTH 133 00:06:48,001 --> 00:06:49,000 CARE REFORM. 134 00:06:49,001 --> 00:06:51,000 THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. 135 00:06:51,001 --> 00:06:53,000 BUT THEY HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS 136 00:06:53,001 --> 00:06:54,000 ABOUT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS 137 00:06:54,001 --> 00:06:56,000 COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON. 138 00:06:56,001 --> 00:06:57,000 CONCERNS THAT I'VE OUTLINED ON 139 00:06:57,001 --> 00:06:59,000 THE SENATE FLOOR OVER THE PAST 140 00:06:59,001 --> 00:07:00,000 FEW WEEKS. 141 00:07:00,001 --> 00:07:02,000 AMERICANS ARE INCREASINGLY 142 00:07:02,001 --> 00:07:04,000 CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY THEIR 143 00:07:04,001 --> 00:07:05,000 PROPOSALS ARE BEING SOLD. 144 00:07:05,001 --> 00:07:07,000 SPECIFICALLY THEY'RE CONCERNED 145 00:07:07,001 --> 00:07:10,000 THAT THE SAME MISTAKES THAT WERE 146 00:07:10,001 --> 00:07:13,000 MADE ON THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS 147 00:07:13,001 --> 00:07:15,000 BILL ARE ABOUT TO BE AGAIN. 148 00:07:15,001 --> 00:07:17,000 ONLY THIS TIME THOSE MISTAKES 149 00:07:17,001 --> 00:07:19,000 WOULD BE 150 00:07:19,001 --> 00:07:21,000 WOULD DIRECTLY AFFECT EVERY 151 00:07:21,001 --> 00:07:22,000 SINGLE AMERICAN FAMILY. 152 00:07:22,001 --> 00:07:24,000 HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE CONCERNED 153 00:07:24,001 --> 00:07:25,000 ABOUT: EARLIER THIS YEAR 154 00:07:25,001 --> 00:07:27,000 ADVOCATES OF THE STIMULUS BILL 155 00:07:27,001 --> 00:07:29,000 SAID THAT THE BILL HAD TO 156 00:07:29,001 --> 00:07:32,000 RIGHT AWAY WITH MINIMUM SCRUTINY 157 00:07:32,001 --> 00:07:34,000 AND MINIMAL BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. 158 00:07:34,001 --> 00:07:35,000 THEY GAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 159 00:07:35,001 --> 00:07:38,000 LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO REVIEW ONE 160 00:07:38,001 --> 00:07:40,000 OF THE COSTLIEST PIECES OF 161 00:07:40,001 --> 00:07:41,000 LEGISLATION IN OUR HISTORY AND 162 00:07:41,001 --> 00:07:42,000 THEN THEY HOPED FOR A GOOD 163 00:07:42,001 --> 00:07:45,000 RESULT. 164 00:07:45,001 --> 00:07:46,000 TH 165 00:07:46,001 --> 00:07:48,000 CLEAR: PROPONENTS OF THE 166 00:07:48,001 --> 00:07:49,000 STIMULUS WERE CONCERNED THAT 167 00:07:49,001 --> 00:07:51,000 PUBLIC SUPPORT WOULD S 168 00:07:51,001 --> 00:07:53,000 FADE IF PEOPLE GOT A CLOSER LOOK 169 00:07:53,001 --> 00:07:55,000 AT THE DETAILS. 170 00:07:55,001 --> 00:07:57,000 SOHEY SHORTCHANGED THE DEBATE 171 00:07:57,001 --> 00:07:58,000 AN OVER PROMISED ON RESULTS AND 172 00:07:58,001 --> 00:08:00,000 NOW THE PREDICTIONS ARE COMING 173 00:08:00,001 --> 00:08:02,000 BACK TO BITE THEM. 174 00:08:02,001 --> 00:08:04,000 HERE'S WHAT THEY SAID AT THE 175 00:08:04,001 --> 00:08:05,000 TIME: THEY SAID IF THE STIMULUS 176 00:08:05,001 --> 00:08:07,000 PASSED UNEMPLOYMENT WOULDN'T 177 00:08:07,001 --> 00:08:09,000 RISE ABOVE 8%. 178 00:08:09,001 --> 00:08:10,000 UNEMPLOYMENT IS NOW APPROACHING 179 00:08:10,001 --> 00:08:11,000 10%. 180 00:08:11,001 --> 00:08:14,000 THEY SAID THE STIMULUS WAS 181 00:08:14,001 --> 00:08:16,000 NECESSAR ECONOMY. 182 00:08:16,001 --> 00:08:18,000 YET NOW WITH ABOUT A HALF 183 00:08:18,001 --> 00:08:19,000 MILLION JOBS LOST EVERY SINGLE 184 00:08:19,001 --> 00:08:22,000 MONTH, THEY'VE STARTED TO ADMIT 185 00:08:22,001 --> 00:08:23,000 THAT IT'S SIMPLY MISREAD THE 186 00:08:23,001 --> 00:08:24,000 ECONOMY. 187 00:08:24,001 --> 00:08:26,000 THESE WERE 188 00:08:26,001 --> 00:08:28,000 WE CAN'T TAKE THEM BACK. 189 00:08:28,001 --> 00:08:30,000 BUT WE CAN PREVENT THE SAME 190 00:08:30,001 --> 00:08:31,000 KINDS OF MISTAKES ON HEALTH CARE. 191 00:08:31,001 --> 00:08:33,000 IF THE STIMULUS TAUGHT US 192 00:08:33,001 --> 00:08:35,000 ANYTHING AT ALL, IT'S THAT 193 00:08:35,001 --> 00:08:37,000 AMERICANS SHOULD BE SKEPTICAL 194 00:08:37,001 --> 00:08:38,000 ANY TIME SOMEONE IN WASHINGTON 195 00:08:38,001 --> 00:08:41,000 RUSHES THEM INTO A MAJOR 196 00:08:41,001 --> 00:08:43,000 PURCHASE WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS. 197 00:08:43,001 --> 00:08:45,000 WE'D WALK AWAY FROM MANY CAR 198 00:08:45,001 --> 00:08:47,000 SALESMEN WHO TRIED TO RUSH US 199 00:08:47,001 --> 00:08:49,000 INTO BUYING A CAR EVEN IF IT WAS A CHEAP ONE. 200 00:08:49,001 --> 00:08:51,000 WE SHOULD BE 201 00:08:51,001 --> 00:08:53,000 OF A LAWMAKER WHO TRIES TO DO 202 00:08:53,001 --> 00:08:55,000 THE SAME THING WITH OUR TAX 203 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:56,000 DOLLARS AND TRILLIONS IN 204 00:08:56,001 --> 00:08:57,000 BORROWED MONEY. 205 00:08:57,001 --> 00:08:59,000 AND NOW THAT AMERICANS ARE 206 00:08:59,001 --> 00:09:00,000 HEARING THE SAME KINDS OF 207 00:09:00,001 --> 00:09:02,000 ARGUMENTS ABOUT HEALTH CARE THAT 208 00:09:02,001 --> 00:09:04,000 WE HEARD ABOUT THE STIMULUS, THE 209 00:09:04,001 --> 00:09:05,000 TAXPAYER ANTENNA SHOULD BEGIN TO 210 00:09:05,001 --> 00:09:08,000 GO UP. 211 00:09:08,001 --> 00:09:09,000 NOW IT'S TIME FOR ADVOCATES OF A 212 00:09:09,001 --> 00:09:12,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE PLAN 213 00:09:12,001 --> 00:09:13,000 TO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO 214 00:09:13,001 --> 00:09:15,000 DETERMINE WHAT REFORMS WILL 215 00:09:15,001 --> 00:09:17,000 ACTUALLY SAVE US MONEY AND 216 00:09:17,001 --> 00:09:18,000 INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE WHILE 217 00:09:18,001 --> 00:09:20,000 ESERVING THINGS PEOPLE LIKE 218 00:09:20,001 --> 00:09:21,000 ABOUT THE CURRENT 219 00:09:21,001 --> 00:09:23,000 TAKING TIME MAY BE FRUSTRATING 220 00:09:23,001 --> 00:09:24,000 TO THOSE WHO WANT TO RUSH A 221 00:09:24,001 --> 00:09:26,000 HEALTH CARE BILL THROUGH 222 00:09:26,001 --> 00:09:27,000 CONGRESS BEFORE THEIR 223 00:09:27,001 --> 00:09:28,000 CONSTITUENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO 224 00:09:28,001 --> 00:09:30,000 SEE WHAT THEY'RE BUYING. 225 00:09:30,001 --> 00:09:32,000 BUT THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC IS 226 00:09:32,001 --> 00:09:34,000 INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT 227 00:09:34,001 --> 00:09:35,000 GO 228 00:09:35,001 --> 00:09:37,000 REASON TO RUSH. 229 00:09:37,001 --> 00:09:38,000 IT'S REASON TO TAKE THE TIME WE 230 00:09:38,001 --> 00:09:40,000 NEED TO GET IT RIGHT AND TO MAKE 231 00:09:40,001 --> 00:09:42,000 A SERIOUS EFFORT TO GET MEMBERS 232 00:09:42,001 --> 00:09:43,000 OF BOTH PARTIES TO WORK OUT 233 00:09:43,001 --> 00:09:44,000 REFORMS THAT A BIPARTISAN 234 00:09:44,001 --> 00:09:48,000 MAJORITY CAN AGREE TO. 235 00:09:48,001 --> 00:09:51,000 MANY TIMES ALREADY HERE ON THE 236 00:09:51,001 --> 00:09:54,000 SENATE FLOOR. 237 00:09:54,001 --> 00:09:55,000 WE SHOULD REFORM OUR MEDICAL 238 00:09:55,001 --> 00:09:57,000 LIABILITY LAWS TO DISCOURAGE 239 00:09:57,001 --> 00:09:58,000 JUNK LAWSUITS AN BRING DOWN THE 240 00:09:58,001 --> 00:10:01,000 COST OF CARE. 241 00:10:01,001 --> 00:10:02,000 WE SHOULD 242 00:10:02,001 --> 00:10:03,000 PREVENTION PROGRAMS. 243 00:10:03,001 --> 00:10:05,000 WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE COMPETION 244 00:10:05,001 --> 00:10:07,000 IN THE PRIVATE INSURANCE MARKET. 245 00:10:07,001 --> 00:10:09,000 AND WE SHOULD ADDRESS THE NEEDS 246 00:10:09,001 --> 00:10:11,000 OF SMALL BUSINESSES WITHOUT 247 00:10:11,001 --> 00:10:12,000 CREATING NEW TAX THAT'S BILL JOBS. 248 00:10:12,001 --> 00:10:14,000 ADVOCATES OF GOVERNMENT HEALTH 249 00:10:14,001 --> 00:10:16,000 CARE SHOULD 250 00:10:16,001 --> 00:10:19,000 CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE 251 00:10:19,001 --> 00:10:21,000 THEY MAKE THIS TIME AROUND. 252 00:10:21,001 --> 00:10:24,000 WE ALREADY KNOW THAT MANY OF THE PROMISES THAT ARE BEING MADE 253 00:10:24,001 --> 00:10:26,000 ABOUT A GOVERNMT-RUN HEALTH 254 00:10:26,001 --> 00:10:27,000 CARE PLAN ARE SIMPLY 255 00:10:27,001 --> 00:10:28,000 UNREALISTIC. 256 00:10:28,001 --> 00:10:29,000 SUCH AS THE CLAIM THAT EVERYONE 257 00:10:29,001 --> 00:10:31,000 WHO LIKES THE INSURANCE THEY 258 00:10:31,001 --> 00:10:33,000 HAVE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT. 259 00:10:33,001 --> 00:10:36,000 AND THAT THE COST OF HEALTH CARE 260 00:10:36,001 --> 00:10:37,000 PROSALS WON'T ADD TO THE 261 00:10:37,001 --> 00:10:38,000 NATIONAL DEBT. 262 00:10:38,001 --> 00:10:40,000 AS DEMOCRATS RUSH THE STIMULUS 263 00:10:40,001 --> 00:10:42,000 FUNDS OUT THE DOOR, THEY ALSO 264 00:10:42,001 --> 00:10:44,000 PREDICTED IT WOULDN'T BE WASTED. 265 00:10:44,001 --> 00:10:45,000 YET EVERY DAY WE HEAR ABOUT 266 00:10:45,001 --> 00:10:48,000 ANOTHER OUTRAGEOUS PROJECT 267 00:10:48,001 --> 00:10:50,000 THAT'S BEING USED TO FUND. 268 00:10:50,001 --> 00:10:51,000 I'VE LISTED SOME OF THESE 269 00:10:51,001 --> 00:10:55,000 PROJECTS IN PREVIOUS FLOOR 270 00:10:55,001 --> 00:10:57,000 REMARKS SUCH AS THE $3.4 MILLION 271 00:10:57,001 --> 00:10:59,000 TURTLE TUNNEL IN FLORIDA. 272 00:10:59,001 --> 00:11:01,000 AMERICANS STRUGGLING TO HOLD ON 273 00:11:01,001 --> 00:11:02,000 TO THEIR HOMES AND JOBS ARE 274 00:11:02,001 --> 00:11:06,000 WONDERING WHY TAX DOLLARS ARE 275 00:11:06,001 --> 00:11:07,000 SPENT ON WASTEFUL AND NEEDLESS PROJECTS. 276 00:11:07,001 --> 00:11:08,000 AMERICANS WERE OVERPROMISEON 277 00:11:08,001 --> 00:11:10,000 THE STIMULUS. 278 00:11:10,001 --> 00:11:12,000 THIS TIME THEY WANT THE FACTS. 279 00:11:12,001 --> 00:11:14,000 SOON THE GOVERNMENT 280 00:11:14,001 --> 00:11:15,000 ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WILL 281 00:11:15,001 --> 00:11:17,000 A REPORT THAT GIVES US AN EVEN 282 00:11:17,001 --> 00:11:18,000 GREAT SENSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH 283 00:11:18,001 --> 00:11:20,000 THE STIMULUS. 284 00:11:20,001 --> 00:11:22,000 I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS REPORT 285 00:11:22,001 --> 00:11:23,000 WILL PROVIDE AN EVEN CLEARER 286 00:11:23,001 --> 00:11:25,000 ACCOUNTING OF THE MISTAKES THAT 287 00:11:25,001 --> 00:11:26,000 WERE MADE WITH THAT BILL. 288 00:11:26,001 --> 00:11:28,000 AND THE FLAWED MANNER IN WHICH 289 00:11:28,001 --> 00:11:30,000 IT WAS SOLD TO THE AMERICAN 290 00:11:30,001 --> 00:11:32,000 PEOPLE. 291 00:11:32,001 --> 00:11:33,000 AMERICANS WHO ARE NOW WAKING UP 292 00:11:33,001 --> 00:11:35,000 TO HEADLINES ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH 293 00:11:35,001 --> 00:11:36,000 THE STIMULUS DON'T WANT TO 294 00:11:36,001 --> 00:11:38,000 TOLD A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW THAT 295 00:11:38,001 --> 00:11:40,000 THE PEOPLE WHO SOLD THEM A 296 00:11:40,001 --> 00:11:41,000 GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE 297 00:11:41,001 --> 00:11:42,000 SYSTEM MISREAD THE STATE OF OUR 298 00:11:42,001 --> 00:11:44,000 HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY OR THAT THE 299 00:11:44,001 --> 00:11:46,000 HEALTH CARE PLAN THEY'RE 300 00:11:46,001 --> 00:11:47,000 PROPOSING WAS BASED ON FAULTY 301 00:11:47,001 --> 00:11:48,000 ASSUMPTIONS. 302 00:11:48,001 --> 00:11:50,000 AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP 303 00:11:50,001 --> 00:11:51,000 A FEW YEARS FROM NOW WITH THEIR 304 00:11:51,001 --> 00:11:52,000 FAMILIES ENROLLED IN A 305 00:11:52,001 --> 00:11:54,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE 306 00:11:54,001 --> 00:11:56,000 SYSTEM BECAUSE SOME HERE IN 307 00:11:56,001 --> 00:11:58,000 WASHINGTON DECIDED TO RUSH AND 308 00:11:58,001 --> 00:12:00,000 SPEND A TRILLION DOLLARS AND LET 309 00:12:00,001 --> 00:12:01,000 THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. 310 00:12:01,001 --> 00:12:03,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T WANT 311 00:12:03,001 --> 00:12:05,000 US TO RUSH THROUGH A MISGUIDED 312 00:12:05,001 --> 00:12:07,000 PLAN THAT PUSHES THEM OFF 313 00:12:07,001 --> 00:12:09,000 THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE AND ON TO 314 00:12:09,001 --> 00:12:12,000 A GOVERNMENT PLAN THAT DENIES, 315 00:12:12,001 --> 00:12:15,000 DELAYS, AND RATIONS CARE. 316 00:12:15,001 --> 00:12:16,000 ON THE STIMULUS AMERICANS SAW 317 00:12:16,001 --> 00:12:17,000 WHAT HAPPENED WHEN DEMOCRATS 318 00:12:17,001 --> 00:12:20,000 RUSH AND 319 00:12:20,001 --> 00:12:21,000 WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE, 320 00:12:21,001 --> 00:12:23,000 THEY'RE DEMANDING WE TAKE THE 321 00:12:23,001 --> 00:12:27,000 TIME TO GET IT RIGHT. 322 00:12:27,001 --> 00:12:29,000 NOW, MR. PRESIDENT, ON ONE OTHER 323 00:12:29,001 --> 00:12:31,000 SUBJECT. 324 00:12:31,001 --> 00:12:34,000 LAST WEEK THE SUPREME COURT 325 00:12:34,001 --> 00:12:41,000 DECIDED THE CASE OF RICHIE 326 00:12:41,001 --> 00:12:43,000 VERSUS D DESTAFONO WHERE THE CITY 327 00:12:43,001 --> 00:12:45,000 OF NEW HAVEN CONNECTIC 328 00:12:45,001 --> 00:12:47,000 DISCRIMINATED AGAINST MOSTLY 329 00:12:47,001 --> 00:12:49,000 WHITE FIREFIGHTERS BY THROWING 330 00:12:49,001 --> 00:12:50,000 OUT A STANDARD PROMOTION TEST 331 00:12:50,001 --> 00:12:51,000 BECAUSE SOME MINORITY 332 00:12:51,001 --> 00:12:53,000 FIREFIGHTERS HAD NOT PERFORMED 333 00:12:53,001 --> 00:12:55,000 AS W 334 00:12:55,001 --> 00:12:57,000 IN THIS CASE THE SUPREME COURT 335 00:12:57,001 --> 00:12:58,000 WAS CORRECT, IN MY VIEW. 336 00:12:58,001 --> 00:13:00,000 THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE 337 00:13:00,001 --> 00:13:01,000 ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE 338 00:13:01,001 --> 00:13:03,000 INTENTIONALLY ON THE BASIS OF 339 00:13:03,001 --> 00:13:05,000 RACE ON THE GRO 340 00:13:05,001 --> 00:13:08,000 NEUTRAL STANDARDIZED TEST WHICH 341 00:13:08,001 --> 00:13:09,000 IS ADMINISTERED IN A RACIALLY 342 00:13:09,001 --> 00:13:11,000 NEUTRAL FASHION RESULTS IN SOME 343 00:13:11,001 --> 00:13:13,000 RACES NOT PERFORMING AS WELL AS 344 00:13:13,001 --> 00:13:15,000 OTHERS. 345 00:13:15,001 --> 00:13:16,000 YET, REGARDLESS OF WHERE ONE 346 00:13:16,001 --> 00:13:18,000 COMES OUT ON THIS QUESTION, 347 00:13:18,001 --> 00:13:21,000 THERE ARE AT LEAST 348 00:13:21,001 --> 00:13:23,000 OF HOW ALL NINE JUSTICES HANDLED 349 00:13:23,001 --> 00:13:26,000 THIS VERY IMPORTANT CASE THAT 350 00:13:26,001 --> 00:13:27,000 STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO HOW 351 00:13:27,001 --> 00:13:30,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR AND HER PANEL ON 352 00:13:30,001 --> 00:13:31,000 THE SECOND CIRCUIT HANDLED IT. 353 00:13:31,001 --> 00:13:35,000 AND WHICH CALLED 354 00:13:35,001 --> 00:13:36,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR'S JUDGMENT. 355 00:13:36,001 --> 00:13:38,000 FIRST, THIS CASE INVOLVES 356 00:13:38,001 --> 00:13:40,000 COMPLEX QUESTIONS OF FEDERAL 357 00:13:40,001 --> 00:13:43,000 EMPLOYMENT LAW. 358 00:13:43,001 --> 00:13:45,000 NAMELY THE TENSION BETWEEN THE 359 00:13:45,001 --> 00:13:51,000 LAWS PROTECTION FROM INTENTIONAL 360 00:13:51,001 --> 00:13:57,000 DISCRIMINATION, KNOWN AS DIS-- 361 00:13:57,001 --> 00:13:59,000 TREATMENT DISCRIMINATION AND 362 00:13:59,001 --> 00:14:01,000 IT ALSO INVOLVES IMPORTANT 363 00:14:01,001 --> 00:14:03,000 CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS 364 00:14:03,001 --> 00:14:06,000 WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT, 365 00:14:06,001 --> 00:14:07,000 CONSISTENT WITH THE 366 00:14:07,001 --> 00:14:10,000 AMENDMENT GUARANTEE OF EQUAL 367 00:14:10,001 --> 00:14:12,000 PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW MAY INTENTIONALLY DISCRIMINATE 368 00:14:12,001 --> 00:14:15,000 AGAINST SOME OF ITS CITIZENS IN 369 00:14:15,001 --> 00:14:16,000 THE NAME OF AVOIDING 370 00:14:16,001 --> 00:14:18,000 DISCRIMINATORY RESULTS AGAINST 371 00:14:18,001 --> 00:14:20,000 OTHER OF ITS CITIZENS. 372 00:14:20,001 --> 00:14:22,000 EVERY COURT INVOLVED IN THIS 373 00:14:22,001 --> 00:14:24,000 CASE REALIZED THAT IT INVOLVED 374 00:14:24,001 --> 00:14:26,000 COMPLEX QUESTIONS THAT WARRANTED 375 00:14:26,001 --> 00:14:28,000 THOROUGH TREATMENT. 376 00:14:28,001 --> 00:14:32,000 EVERY COURT, THAT IS, EXCEPT FOR 377 00:14:32,001 --> 00:14:33,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR'S PANEL. 378 00:14:33,001 --> 00:14:37,000 THE DISTRICT COURT, WHICH FIRST 379 00:14:37,001 --> 00:14:40,000 TOOK UP THE CASE SPENT 48 PAGES 380 00:14:40,001 --> 00:14:42,000 WRESTLING WITH TSE ISSUES. 381 00:14:42,001 --> 00:14:44,000 THE SUPREME COURT DEVOTED 93 382 00:14:44,001 --> 00:14:47,000 PAGES TO ANALYZING THEM. 383 00:14:47,001 --> 00:14:48,000 BY CONTRAST JUDGE SOTOMAYOR'S 384 00:14:48,001 --> 00:14:54,000 PANEL DISMISSED THE 385 00:14:54,001 --> 00:14:56,000 FIREFIGHTER'S CLAIM IN JUST SIX 386 00:14:56,001 --> 00:14:58,000 -- A TREATMENT THAT H 387 00:14:58,001 --> 00:15:02,000 COLLEAGUE AND FELLOW CLINTON 388 00:15:02,001 --> 00:15:03,000 APPOINTEE CALLED 389 00:15:03,001 --> 00:15:05,000 PREFUNCTORY AND NOT WORTHY OF 390 00:15:05,001 --> 00:15:15,000 THE WEIGHTY ISSUES PRESENTED BY 391 00:15:15,001 --> 00:15:17,000 THE FIREFIGHTERS' 392 00:15:17,001 --> 00:15:20,000 IT WOULD BE ONE THING IF THE 393 00:15:20,001 --> 00:15:22,000 CASE PRESENTED SIMPLE ISSUES 394 00:15:22,001 --> 00:15:24,000 THAT WERE ANSWERED SIMPLY BY 395 00:15:24,001 --> 00:15:26,000 APPLYING CLEAR PRECEDENT, BUT 396 00:15:26,001 --> 00:15:28,000 THE SUPREME COURT DOESN'T TAKE 397 00:15:28,001 --> 00:15:30,000 SIMPLE CASES. 398 00:15:30,001 --> 00:15:33,000 AND AT ANY RATE, NO ONE BUYS 399 00:15:33,001 --> 00:15:35,000 THAT THIS CASE WAS SQUARED -- 400 00:15:35,001 --> 00:15:37,000 WAS SQUARELY GOVERNED BY 401 00:15:37,001 --> 00:15:41,000 PRECEDENT, NOT EVEN JUDGE SOTOMAYOR. 402 00:15:41,001 --> 00:15:43,000 WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE IN 403 00:15:43,001 --> 00:15:44,000 DISMISSING THE 404 00:15:44,001 --> 00:15:48,000 CLAIMS, JUDGE SOTOMAYOR DIDN'T 405 00:15:48,001 --> 00:15:51,000 EVEN CITE A PRECEDENT. 406 00:15:51,001 --> 00:15:52,000 MOREOVER, SHE HERSELF JOINED AN 407 00:15:52,001 --> 00:15:53,000 EN BANC OPINION OF THE SECOND 408 00:15:53,001 --> 00:15:56,000 CIRCUIT THAT SAID ISSUES IN THE 409 00:15:56,001 --> 00:16:01,000 CASE WERE -- QUOTE -- "DIFFICULT." 410 00:16:01,001 --> 00:16:02,000 SO TO QUOTE THE NATIONAL 411 00:16:02,001 --> 00:16:04,000 JOURNAL'S STEWART TAYLOR, THE 412 00:16:04,001 --> 00:16:06,000 WAY JUDGE SOTOMAYOR HANDLED THE 413 00:16:06,001 --> 00:16:07,000 ISSUES IN THIS CASE 414 00:16:07,001 --> 00:16:11,000 PECULIAR, TO SAY THE LEAST. 415 00:16:11,001 --> 00:16:14,000 AND 416 00:16:14,001 --> 00:16:15,000 TREATMENT OF THESE WEIGHTY 417 00:16:15,001 --> 00:16:17,000 ISSUES DIFFERED SO MARKEDLY FROM 418 00:16:17,001 --> 00:16:18,000 THE WAY EVERY OTHER COURT HAS 419 00:16:18,001 --> 00:16:21,000 TREATED THEM AND WHETHER HER 420 00:16:21,001 --> 00:16:23,000 LEGAL 421 00:16:23,001 --> 00:16:25,000 AFFECTED BY HER PERSONAL OR 422 00:16:25,001 --> 00:16:27,000 POLITICAL BELIEFS. 423 00:16:27,001 --> 00:16:28,000 SECOND, ALL NINE JUSTICES OF THE 424 00:16:28,001 --> 00:16:30,000 SUPREME COURT, E 425 00:16:30,001 --> 00:16:32,000 OF THEM, SAID THAT JUDGE 426 00:16:32,001 --> 00:16:33,000 SOTOMAYOR GOT THE LAW WRONG. 427 00:16:33,001 --> 00:16:36,000 SHE RULED THAT THE GOVERNMENT 428 00:16:36,001 --> 00:16:38,000 CAN INTENTIONALLY DISCR 429 00:16:38,001 --> 00:16:40,000 AGAINST ONE GROUP ON THE BASIS 430 00:16:40,001 --> 00:16:43,000 OF RACE IF IT DISLIKES THE 431 00:16:43,001 --> 00:16:45,000 OUTCOME OF A RACE-NEUTRAL EXAM 432 00:16:45,001 --> 00:16:48,000 AND CLAIMS ANOTHER GROUP MAY SUE IT. 433 00:16:48,001 --> 00:16:50,000 OR AS JUDGE CABRANAS PUT IT, 434 00:16:50,001 --> 00:16:54,000 UNDER HER APPROACH, EMPLOYERS 435 00:16:54,001 --> 00:16:55,000 CAN REJECT THE RESULTS OF AN 436 00:16:55,001 --> 00:16:57,000 EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATION WHEN THE 437 00:16:57,001 --> 00:16:59,000 RESULTS FAIL TO YIELD A RACIAL OUTCOME. 438 00:16:59,001 --> 00:17:00,000 IN OTHER WORDS, FAIL TO SATISFY 439 00:17:00,001 --> 00:17:02,000 RACIAL QUOTA. 440 00:17:02,001 --> 00:17:05,000 NO O 441 00:17:05,001 --> 00:17:06,000 EVEN THE DISSENTERS,HOUGHT 442 00:17:06,001 --> 00:17:07,000 THAT WAS A CORRECT READING OF 443 00:17:07,001 --> 00:17:09,000 THE LAW. 444 00:17:09,001 --> 00:17:10,000 JUSTICE 445 00:17:10,001 --> 00:17:11,000 OPINION SAID BEFORE IT CAN 446 00:17:11,001 --> 00:17:13,000 INTENTIONALLY DISCRIMINATE ON 447 00:17:13,001 --> 00:17:14,000 THE BASIS OF RACE IN AN 448 00:17:14,001 --> 00:17:16,000 EMPLOYMENT MATTER, THE 449 00:17:16,001 --> 00:17:18,000 GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE A STRONG 450 00:17:18,001 --> 00:17:22,000 BASIS AND EVIDENCE THAT IT COULD 451 00:17:22,001 --> 00:17:25,000 LOSE A LAWSUIT BY A DISGRUNTLED 452 00:17:25,001 --> 00:17:27,000 PARBGT CLAIMING A TKEUS -- PARTY 453 00:17:27,001 --> 00:17:28,000 CLAIMING A DISCRIMINATORY 454 00:17:28,001 --> 00:17:30,000 EFFECT. 455 00:17:30,001 --> 00:17:32,000 EVEN JUSTICE GINSBURG SAID 456 00:17:32,001 --> 00:17:34,000 BEFORE IT INTENTIONALLY 457 00:17:34,001 --> 00:17:35,000 DISCRIMINATES, THE GOVERNMENT 458 00:17:35,001 --> 00:17:36,000 MUST HAVE AT LEAST A GOOD CAUSE 459 00:17:36,001 --> 00:17:40,000 TO BELIEVE IT COULD LOSE A 460 00:17:40,001 --> 00:17:42,000 LAWSUIT BY A DISGRUNTLED PARTY. 461 00:17:42,001 --> 00:17:43,000 BUT NOT JUDGE SOTOMAYOR. 462 00:17:43,001 --> 00:17:44,000 SHE EVIDENTLY BELIEVES THAT 463 00:17:44,001 --> 00:17:46,000 STATISTICS ALONE ALLOW THE 464 00:17:46,001 --> 00:17:47,000 GOVERNMENT TO INTENTIONALLY 465 00:17:47,001 --> 00:17:49,000 DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ONE GROUP 466 00:17:49,001 --> 00:17:53,000 IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER IF IT CLAIMS 467 00:17:53,001 --> 00:17:56,000 TO FEAR A LAWSUIT. 468 00:17:56,001 --> 00:17:58,000 STEWART TAYLOR NOTES WHY THIS IS PROBLEMATIC. 469 00:17:58,001 --> 00:18:00,000 AS HE PUT IT, THE SOTOMAYOR 470 00:18:00,001 --> 00:18:02,000 APPROACH WOULD -- QUOTE -- "RISK CONVERTING 471 00:18:02,001 --> 00:18:04,000 ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW INTO AN 472 00:18:04,001 --> 00:18:05,000 ENGINE OF OVERT DISCRIMINATION 473 00:18:05,001 --> 00:18:07,000 AGAINST HIGH-SCORING GROUPS 474 00:18:07,001 --> 00:18:09,000 ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ALLOW 475 00:18:09,001 --> 00:18:11,000 RACIAL POLITICS AND RACIAL 476 00:18:11,001 --> 00:18:12,000 QUOTAS TO MASQUERADE AS 477 00:18:12,001 --> 00:18:14,000 VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. 478 00:18:14,001 --> 00:18:17,000 UNDER SUCH A REGIME, TAYLOR 479 00:18:17,001 --> 00:18:19,000 NOTES NO EMPLOYER COULD EVER -- 480 00:18:19,001 --> 00:18:21,000 COULD EVER -- SAFELY PROCEED 481 00:18:21,001 --> 00:18:25,000 WITH PROMOTIONS BASED 482 00:18:25,001 --> 00:18:28,000 TEST ON WHICH MINORITIES FARED BADLY. 483 00:18:28,001 --> 00:18:31,000 IT'S ONE THING TO GET THE LAW WRONG. 484 00:18:31,001 --> 00:18:33,000 BUT JUDGE SOTOMAYOR GOT THE LAW 485 00:18:33,001 --> 00:18:35,000 REALLY WRONG IN THE RITCHIE CASE. 486 00:18:35,001 --> 00:18:36,000 AND 487 00:18:36,001 --> 00:18:39,000 SUFFERED FOR IT. 488 00:18:39,001 --> 00:18:40,000 TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE 489 00:18:40,001 --> 00:18:42,000 PERFUNCTORY WAY IN WHICH SHE 490 00:18:42,001 --> 00:18:44,000 TREATED THEIR CASE INDICATES 491 00:18:44,001 --> 00:18:47,000 EITHER SHE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT 492 00:18:47,001 --> 00:18:48,000 THEIR CLAIMS OR SHE LET HER OWN 493 00:18:48,001 --> 00:18:49,000 EXPERIENCES, PLANNING AND 494 00:18:49,001 --> 00:18:50,000 OVERSEEING THESE TYPES OF 495 00:18:50,001 --> 00:18:52,000 LAWSUITS WITH THE PUERTO RICAN 496 00:18:52,001 --> 00:18:55,000 APPEAL DEFENSE 497 00:18:55,001 --> 00:18:57,000 FUND AFFECT HER JUDGMENT IN THIS CASE. 498 00:18:57,001 --> 00:18:59,000 AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE SHE 499 00:18:59,001 --> 00:19:00,000 WAS ON THE BENCH, JUDGE 500 00:19:00,001 --> 00:19:02,000 SOTOMAYOR WAS IN THE LEADERSHIP 501 00:19:02,001 --> 00:19:05,000 POSITION WITH THIS PUERTO RICAN 502 00:19:05,001 --> 00:19:07,000 LEGAL DEFENSE GROUP FOR OVER A DECADE. 503 00:19:07,001 --> 00:19:09,000 WHILE THERE, SHIMON TOWARD THE 504 00:19:09,001 --> 00:19:10,000 GROUP'S -- SHE MONITORED THE 505 00:19:10,001 --> 00:19:12,000 GROUP'S LAWSUITS AND WAS 506 00:19:12,001 --> 00:19:14,000 DESCRIBED AS AN ARDENT 507 00:19:14,001 --> 00:19:16,000 OF ITS LITIGATION PROJECTS, ONE 508 00:19:16,001 --> 00:19:18,000 OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH 509 00:19:18,001 --> 00:19:20,000 WAS THE PLAN TO SUE CITIES BASED 510 00:19:20,001 --> 00:19:22,000 ON THEIR USE OF CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS. 511 00:19:22,001 --> 00:19:24,000 SHE'S BEEN CREDITED WITH HELPING 512 00:19:24,001 --> 00:19:25,000 DEVELOP THE 513 00:19:25,001 --> 00:19:26,000 CHALLENGING THESE TYPES OF 514 00:19:26,001 --> 00:19:28,000 STANDARDIZED 515 00:19:28,001 --> 00:19:30,000 IN A WAY, JUDGE SOTOMAYOR 516 00:19:30,001 --> 00:19:33,000 TREATED THE FIREFIGHTERS' CLAIMS 517 00:19:33,001 --> 00:19:35,000 IN THE RITCHIE CASE, WHAT 518 00:19:35,001 --> 00:19:37,000 PRESIDENT OBAMA MEANS WHEN HE 519 00:19:37,001 --> 00:19:39,000 SAYS HE WANTS JUDGES WHO CAN 520 00:19:39,001 --> 00:19:41,000 EMPATHIZE 521 00:19:41,001 --> 00:19:42,000 IS THIS WHY JUDGE SOTOMAYOR 522 00:19:42,001 --> 00:19:44,000 HERSELF SAID SHE DOUBTED THAT 523 00:19:44,001 --> 00:19:46,000 JUDGES CAN BE IMPARTIAL EVEN IN 524 00:19:46,001 --> 00:19:48,000 MOST CASES? 525 00:19:48,001 --> 00:19:51,000 IT IS A TROUBLING PHILOSOPHY FOR 526 00:19:51,001 --> 00:19:52,000 ANY JUDGE, LET ALONE ONE 527 00:19:52,001 --> 00:19:54,000 NOMINATED TO OUR HIGHEST COURT, 528 00:19:54,001 --> 00:19:55,000 TO CONVERT EMPATHY INTO 529 00:19:55,001 --> 00:19:56,000 FAVORITISM FOR PARTICULAR 530 00:19:56,001 --> 00:19:57,000 GROUPS. 531 00:19:57,001 --> 00:19:58,000 THE RITCHIE DECISION IS THE 532 00:19:58,001 --> 00:20:02,000 TENTH OF JUDGE SOTOMAYOR'S CASES 533 00:20:02,001 --> 00:20:04,000 THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS REEWED. 534 00:20:04,001 --> 00:20:06,000 THEY REVIEWED TEN OF HER 535 00:20:06,001 --> 00:20:07,000 AND IT IS THE NINTH TIME OUT OF 536 00:20:07,001 --> 00:20:09,000 TEN THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS 537 00:20:09,001 --> 00:20:12,000 DISAGREED WITH HER. 538 00:20:12,001 --> 00:20:14,000 IN FACT, SHEETS 0 FOR 3 -- SHE 539 00:20:14,001 --> 00:20:15,000 IS 0 FOR 540 00:20:15,001 --> 00:20:17,000 COURT'S LAST TERM. 541 00:20:17,001 --> 00:20:19,000 THE PRESINT SAYS ONLY 5% OF 542 00:20:19,001 --> 00:20:20,000 CASES THAT FERAL JUDGES DECIDE 543 00:20:20,001 --> 00:20:21,000 REALLY MATTER. 544 00:20:21,001 --> 00:20:23,000 I DON'T KNOW I 545 00:20:23,001 --> 00:20:24,000 I DO KNOW THAT BY NECESSITY, THE 546 00:20:24,001 --> 00:20:28,000 SUPREME COURT ONLY TAKES A SMALL 547 00:20:28,001 --> 00:20:30,000 NUMBER OF CASES, AND IT ONLY 548 00:20:30,001 --> 00:20:32,000 TAKES CASES THAT MATTER. 549 00:20:32,001 --> 00:20:33,000 AND I KNOW THAT IN THE SUPREME 550 00:20:33,001 --> 00:20:35,000 COURT, JUDGE SOTOMAYOR HAS BEEN 551 00:20:35,001 --> 00:20:37,000 WRONG 90% OF THE TIME. 552 00:20:37,001 --> 00:20:40,000 IN THE RITCHIE CASE, HER THIRD 553 00:20:40,001 --> 00:20:42,000 AND FINAL REVERSAL OF THIS TERM, 554 00:20:42,001 --> 00:20:43,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR WAS SO WRONG IN 555 00:20:43,001 --> 00:20:46,000 INTERPRETING THE LAW THAT ALL 556 00:20:46,001 --> 00:20:50,000 NINE JUSTICES OF ALL IDEOLOGICAL 557 00:20:50,001 --> 00:20:52,000 SKRAOEUPS -- STRIPES DISAGREED WITH HER. 558 00:20:52,001 --> 00:20:54,000 AS WE CONSIDER HER NOMIN 559 00:20:54,001 --> 00:20:55,000 THE SUPREMCOURT MY COLLEAGUE 560 00:20:55,001 --> 00:20:56,000 SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES THIS 561 00:20:56,001 --> 00:20:57,000 IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS SHE 562 00:20:57,001 --> 00:20:59,000 ALLOWING HER PERSONAL OR 563 00:20:59,001 --> 00:21:01,000 POLITICAL AGENDA TO CLOUD HER 564 00:21:01,001 --> 00:21:02,000 JUDGMENT AND FAVOR ONE GROUP OF 565 00:21:02,001 --> 00:21:05,000 INDIVIDUALS OVER ANOTHER 566 00:21:05,001 --> 00:21:08,000 REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE LAW SAYS? 567 00:21:08,001 --> 00:21:11,000 MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE 568 00:21:11,001 --> 00:21:12,000 FLOOR. 569 00:21:12,001 --> 00:21:16,000 THE 570 00:21:16,001 --> 00:21:18,000 THE PREVIOUS 571 00:21:18,001 --> 00:21:21,000 LEADERSHIP TIME BE RESERVED. UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THERE 572 00:21:21,001 --> 00:21:25,000 WILL NOW BE A PERIOD OF MORNING 573 00:21:25,001 --> 00:21:26,000 BUSINESS FOR ONE HOUR WITH TIME EQUALLY DIVIDED AND 574 00:21:26,001 --> 00:21:28,000 CONTROLLED BETWEEN THE TWO 575 00:21:28,001 --> 00:21:30,000 LEADERS OR THEIR DESIGNEES, WITH 576 00:21:30,001 --> 00:21:32,000 THE MAJORITY CONTROLLING THE 577 00:21:32,001 --> 00:21:36,000 FIRST HALF AND THE REPUBLICANS 578 00:21:36,001 --> 00:21:37,000 CONTROLLING THE FINAL HALF, WITH 579 00:21:37,001 --> 00:21:41,000 SENATORS PERMITTED TO SPEAK FOR 580 00:21:41,001 --> 00:21:42,000 UP TO TEN MINUTES EACH. 581 00:21:42,001 --> 00:21:43,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. 582 00:21:43,001 --> 00:21:45,000 MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT, I 583 00:21:45,001 --> 00:21:46,000 RISE TO SPEAK IN MORNING BUSINESS. 584 00:21:46,001 --> 00:21:50,000 THE REPUBLICAN SENATE -- 585 00:21:50,001 --> 00:21:53,000 THE PRESING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. 586 00:21:53,001 --> 00:21:55,000 MR. DURBIN: SENATOR KPHABG 587 00:21:55,001 --> 00:21:57,000 KOPBL COMPLETE -- McCONNELL COMPLETED HIS STATEMENT AND I 588 00:21:57,001 --> 00:22:00,000 WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND. 589 00:22:00,001 --> 00:22:02,000 I'M NOT SURPRISED HE OPPOSES 590 00:22:02,001 --> 00:22:06,000 SONIA SOTOMAYOR, THE PRESIDENT'S 591 00:22:06,001 --> 00:22:08,000 NOT BELIEVE SHE SHOULD TAKE THIS IMPORTANT POSITION. 592 00:22:08,001 --> 00:22:09,000 I DISAGREE. 593 00:22:09,001 --> 00:22:12,000 SONIA SOTOMAYOR COMES TO US 594 00:22:12,001 --> 00:22:14,000 HAVING FIRST BEEN NOMINATED FOR 595 00:22:14,001 --> 00:22:17,000 A FEDERAL JUDGESHIP UNDER 596 00:22:17,001 --> 00:22:20,000 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. 597 00:22:20,001 --> 00:22:22,000 BUSH AND THEN NOMINATED FOR A 598 00:22:22,001 --> 00:22:24,000 PROMOTION TO THE CIRCUIT 599 00:22:24,001 --> 00:22:25,000 LEVEL -- NEXT HIGHER BENCH -- BY 600 00:22:25,001 --> 00:22:27,000 PRESIDENT CLINTON. 601 00:22:27,001 --> 00:22:30,000 SO SHE HAS ENJOYED BIPARTISAN 602 00:22:30,001 --> 00:22:33,000 SUPPORT IN 603 00:22:33,001 --> 00:22:35,000 IN FACT, SHE BRINGS M 604 00:22:35,001 --> 00:22:37,000 EXPERIENCE ON THE BENCH TO THE 605 00:22:37,001 --> 00:22:38,000 SUPREME COURT IF SHE WINS THIS 606 00:22:38,001 --> 00:22:41,000 NOMINATION, IF IT' 607 00:22:41,001 --> 00:22:42,000 THE SENATE, THAN ANY NOMINEE IN 608 00:22:42,001 --> 00:22:43,000 MODERN MEMORY. 609 00:22:43,001 --> 00:22:45,000 SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SHE 610 00:22:45,001 --> 00:22:47,000 WAS QUALIFIED BOTH UNDER A 611 00:22:47,001 --> 00:22:48,000 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND 612 00:22:48,001 --> 00:22:50,000 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, AND NOW 613 00:22:50,001 --> 00:22:52,000 SHE BRINGS THAT ACCUMULATED 614 00:22:52,001 --> 00:22:53,000 EXPERIENCE IN THIS EFFORT TO BE 615 00:22:53,001 --> 00:22:54,000 PART OF THE SUPREME COURT. 616 00:22:54,001 --> 00:22:56,000 I MET HER. 617 00:22:56,001 --> 00:22:58,000 SHE HAS MET PERSONALLY WITH OVER 618 00:22:58,001 --> 00:23:00,000 80 UNITED STATES SENATORS AND 619 00:23:00,001 --> 00:23:02,000 TALKED TO THEM, ANSWERING EVERY 620 00:23:02,001 --> 00:23:04,000 QUESTION THEY HAD ABOUT HER 621 00:23:04,001 --> 00:23:05,000 BACKGROUND, HER APPROACH TO THE 622 00:23:05,001 --> 00:23:07,000 LAW. 623 00:23:07,001 --> 00:23:08,000 I THINK SHE IS AN OUTSTANDING 624 00:23:08,001 --> 00:23:10,000 CANDIDATE. 625 00:23:10,001 --> 00:23:12,000 HER LIFE STORY IS ONE THAT IS 626 00:23:12,001 --> 00:23:14,000 INSPIRING TO ALL. 627 00:23:14,001 --> 00:23:16,000 SHE WAS RAISED IN PUBLIC HOUSING 628 00:23:16,001 --> 00:23:17,000 IN QUEENS, NEW YORK. 629 00:23:17,001 --> 00:23:22,000 THERE'S 630 00:23:22,001 --> 00:23:23,000 FACT THAT SHE WAS -- WAS A 631 00:23:23,001 --> 00:23:25,000 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY FOR THE 632 00:23:25,001 --> 00:23:27,000 PUERTO RICAN LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. 633 00:23:27,001 --> 00:23:30,000 IT IS A FACT THAT SHE IS OF 634 00:23:30,001 --> 00:23:32,000 PUERTO 635 00:23:32,001 --> 00:23:34,000 WHEN SHE WAS NINE YEARS OLD HER 636 00:23:34,001 --> 00:23:36,000 FATHER PASSED AWAY. 637 00:23:36,001 --> 00:23:37,000 HER M 638 00:23:37,001 --> 00:23:38,000 ENERGETIC PERSON RAISED HER AND 639 00:23:38,001 --> 00:23:41,000 HER BROTHER. 640 00:23:41,001 --> 00:23:42,000 HER BROTHER IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR. 641 00:23:42,001 --> 00:23:44,000 SHE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED ATTORNEY. 642 00:23:44,001 --> 00:23:46,000 SHE WENT TO PRINCETON UNIRSITY 643 00:23:46,001 --> 00:23:47,000 AND GRADUATED WITH ONE OF THE 644 00:23:47,001 --> 00:23:49,000 HIGHEST ACADEMIC HONORS AND THEN 645 00:23:49,001 --> 00:23:51,000 WENT ON TO YALE LAW SCHOOL WHERE 646 00:23:51,001 --> 00:23:53,000 SHE ALSO WAS ACKNOWLEDGED OF 647 00:23:53,001 --> 00:23:54,000 BEING ONE OF THE MOST 648 00:23:54,001 --> 00:23:56,000 OUTSTANDING LAW STUDENTS OF HER CLASS. 649 00:23:56,001 --> 00:23:58,000 THIS IS A PERSON WHO COMES TO 650 00:23:58,001 --> 00:24:00,000 THIS JOB WITH A RESUME THAT AS A 651 00:24:00,001 --> 00:24:02,000 LAWYER MYSELF I LOOK AT WITH A 652 00:24:02,001 --> 00:24:04,000 GREAT DEAL OF ENVY. 653 00:24:04,001 --> 00:24:06,000 SHE IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY GIFTED 654 00:24:06,001 --> 00:24:07,000 THERE COULD BE QUESTIONS RAISED 655 00:24:07,001 --> 00:24:08,000 ABOUT ANY JUDGE'S RULING ON ANY 656 00:24:08,001 --> 00:24:09,000 CASE. 657 00:24:09,001 --> 00:24:12,000 BUT THE FACT IS I BELIEVE SHE 658 00:24:12,001 --> 00:24:13,000 HAS A RECORD THAT IS JUST 659 00:24:13,001 --> 00:24:14,000 UNPARALLELED IN TERMS OF OF 660 00:24:14,001 --> 00:24:18,000 JUDICIAL 661 00:24:18,001 --> 00:24:20,000 SO I HOPE THAT THOSE WHO LISTEN 662 00:24:20,001 --> 00:24:23,000 TO SENATOR McCONNELL'S REMARKS 663 00:24:23,001 --> 00:24:26,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR IS AN 664 00:24:26,001 --> 00:24:27,000 EXTRAORDINARILY TALENTED AND 665 00:24:27,001 --> 00:24:29,000 GIFTED PERSON. 666 00:24:29,001 --> 00:24:30,000 IF SENATOR McCONNELL IS GOING 667 00:24:30,001 --> 00:24:31,000 TO OPPOSE HER NOMINATION, I HOPE 668 00:24:31,001 --> 00:24:32,000 SOMEONE ON 669 00:24:32,001 --> 00:24:33,000 AISLE WILL JOIN US IN A 670 00:24:33,001 --> 00:24:36,000 BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO MAKE HER 671 00:24:36,001 --> 00:24:39,000 PART OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. 672 00:24:39,001 --> 00:24:40,000 WAS CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT OMA 673 00:24:40,001 --> 00:24:42,000 AND THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO 674 00:24:42,001 --> 00:24:43,000 DEAL WITH THE ECONOMY THAT HE 675 00:24:43,001 --> 00:24:45,000 INHERITED FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT. 676 00:24:45,001 --> 00:24:48,000 THE ECONOMY WAS IN THE WORST 677 00:24:48,001 --> 00:24:51,000 SHAPE WE'VE SEEN IT SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION WHEN PRESIDENT 678 00:24:51,001 --> 00:24:53,000 OBAMA WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE. 679 00:24:53,001 --> 00:24:54,000 IT WASN'T, AS HE SAID, HIS 680 00:24:54,001 --> 00:24:55,000 CHOI TO FACE THAT KIND OF AN 681 00:24:55,001 --> 00:24:58,000 ISSUE OR CHALLENGE, BUT IT WAS 682 00:24:58,001 --> 00:24:59,000 THE REALITY OF WHAT HE FACED. 683 00:24:59,001 --> 00:25:04,000 HE DID THE RIGHT THING. 684 00:25:04,001 --> 00:25:08,000 HE SAID I'M NOT GOING TO STAND 685 00:25:08,001 --> 00:25:10,000 IDLY BY AND WITH MORE PEOPLE 686 00:25:10,001 --> 00:25:12,000 FACING UNEMPLOYMENT, BUSINESSES 687 00:25:12,001 --> 00:25:14,000 FAILING AND PEOPLE SAVING 688 00:25:14,001 --> 00:25:15,000 I'M GOING TO TRY TO SAVE AND 689 00:25:15,001 --> 00:25:17,000 CREATE JOBS HERE IN AMERICA SO 690 00:25:17,001 --> 00:25:18,000 THAT WE DON'T SEE MORE PEOPLE IN 691 00:25:18,001 --> 00:25:21,000 THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINES. 692 00:25:21,001 --> 00:25:22,000 NOW, I SUPPORTED THAT. 693 00:25:22,001 --> 00:25:23,000 LUCKILY THREE REPUBLICAN 694 00:25:23,001 --> 00:25:25,000 SENATORS AT THE TIME JOINED US, 695 00:25:25,001 --> 00:25:26,000 OR OTHERWISE WE COULD NOT HAVE 696 00:25:26,001 --> 00:25:28,000 PASSED IT. 697 00:25:28,001 --> 00:25:29,000 SO WE HAD A BIPARTISAN VOTE 698 00:25:29,001 --> 00:25:31,000 SUPPORTING PRESIDENT OBAMA 699 00:25:31,001 --> 00:25:32,000 RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT PACKAGE. 700 00:25:32,001 --> 00:25:33,000 SENATOR McCONNELL, THE 701 00:25:33,001 --> 00:25:35,000 REPUBLICAN LEADER, OPPOSED IT. 702 00:25:35,001 --> 00:25:38,000 HE CAME TO THE FLOOR TODAY TO 703 00:25:38,001 --> 00:25:39,000 SAY THAT WE WASTED OUR MONEY ON 704 00:25:39,001 --> 00:25:41,000 THIS STIMULUS PACKAGE AND THAT 705 00:25:41,001 --> 00:25:42,000 WE SHOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF 706 00:25:42,001 --> 00:25:43,000 THESE THINGS. 707 00:25:43,001 --> 00:25:45,000 THE FACT IS THE REPUBLICANS IN 708 00:25:45,001 --> 00:25:46,000 THE SENATE HAD NOTHING TO OFFER 709 00:25:46,001 --> 00:25:49,000 AS AN ALTERNATIVE. 710 00:25:49,001 --> 00:25:52,000 THEIR ALTERNATIVE WAS TO STA 711 00:25:52,001 --> 00:25:55,000 IDLY BY AND WATCH THE ECONOMY 712 00:25:55,001 --> 00:25:56,000 CONTINUE TO DESCEND, CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE. 713 00:25:56,001 --> 00:25:58,000 AND MAYBE WITH A LITTLE PRAYER 714 00:25:58,001 --> 00:26:00,000 AND HOPE THAT IT WOULD TURN AROUND. 715 00:26:00,001 --> 00:26:02,000 THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. 716 00:26:02,001 --> 00:26:04,000 PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID 717 00:26:04,001 --> 00:26:06,000 FIRST IN THIS STIMULUS PACKAGE 718 00:26:06,001 --> 00:26:07,000 KE AT LEAST 40% OF ALL THE 719 00:26:07,001 --> 00:26:10,000 FUNDS THAT I'M ASKING FOR AND 720 00:26:10,001 --> 00:26:13,000 GIVE IT BACK TO AMERICANS IN TAX 721 00:26:13,001 --> 00:26:14,000 BREAKS FOR WORKING FAMILIES. 722 00:26:14,001 --> 00:26:15,000 FAMILIES NEED A HELPING HAND THE PRESIDENT SAID. 723 00:26:15,001 --> 00:26:17,000 I VOTED FOR THAT. 724 00:26:17,001 --> 00:26:20,000 I THINK THAT WAS SENSIBLE. 725 00:26:20,001 --> 00:26:22,000 THE PRESIDENT MADE THAT DECISION. 726 00:26:22,001 --> 00:26:23,000 SENATOR McCONNELL TNKS 727 00:26:23,001 --> 00:26:25,000 THAT'S WASTEFUL TO GIVE TAX 728 00:26:25,001 --> 00:26:26,000 BREAKS TO WORKING FAMILIES. 729 00:26:26,001 --> 00:26:27,000 AT LEAST HE SAID IT WAS WASTED. 730 00:26:27,001 --> 00:26:29,000 I DON'T THINK IT'S WASTEFUL. 731 00:26:29,001 --> 00:26:31,000 I THINK IT'S A GOO 732 00:26:31,001 --> 00:26:33,000 TO TRY TO REVITALIZE THE ECONOMY. 733 00:26:33,001 --> 00:26:35,000 THE PRESIDENT SAID LET'S INVEST 734 00:26:35,001 --> 00:26:36,000 IN THINGS THAT WILL PAY OFF FOR 735 00:26:36,001 --> 00:26:38,000 A LONG TIME TO COME. 736 00:26:38,001 --> 00:26:39,000 LET'S PUT MONEY INTO INFRASTRUCTURE. 737 00:26:39,001 --> 00:26:41,000 LET'S BUILD THINGS THAT WILL 738 00:26:41,001 --> 00:26:43,000 SERVE OUR ECONOMY AND SERVE 739 00:26:43,001 --> 00:26:44,000 AMERICA AND LET'S CREATE 740 00:26:44,001 --> 00:26:46,000 GOOD-PAYING JOBS TO DO IT. 741 00:26:46,001 --> 00:26:48,000 I THOUGHT THAT WAS A SENSIBLE THING. 742 00:26:48,001 --> 00:26:50,000 THE PRESIDENT SAID LET'S LOOK TO 743 00:26:50,001 --> 00:26:54,000 THE NEXT GENERATION OF NEEDS IN AMERICA. 744 00:26:54,001 --> 00:26:55,000 LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING 745 00:26:55,001 --> 00:26:56,000 IN ENERGY PRODUCTS WHICH WILL 746 00:26:56,001 --> 00:26:57,000 PAY BACK IN YEARS TO COME. 747 00:26:57,001 --> 00:26:58,000 ANOTHER GOOD INVESTMENT FROM 748 00:26:58,001 --> 00:27:01,000 WHERE I'M SITTING. 749 00:27:01,001 --> 00:27:02,000 HE ALSO SAID GIVE A HELPING HAND 750 00:27:02,001 --> 00:27:04,000 TO THOSE UNEMPLOYED, 751 00:27:04,001 --> 00:27:07,000 EXTRA MONEY FOR THEM EACH MONTH TO GET BY. 752 00:27:07,001 --> 00:27:08,000 IT WASN'T A LOT, BUT FOR MANY 753 00:27:08,001 --> 00:27:10,000 FAMILIES IT MADE A DIFFERENCE. 754 00:27:10,001 --> 00:27:12,000 HE ALSO SAID GIVE THE UNEMPLOYED 755 00:27:12,001 --> 00:27:13,000 A HELPING HAND SO THAT THEY CAN 756 00:27:13,001 --> 00:27:15,000 KEEP THEIR HEALTH 757 00:27:15,001 --> 00:27:16,000 IF YOU LOSE A JOB, YOU LOSE YOUR 758 00:27:16,001 --> 00:27:17,000 HEALTH INSURANCE. 759 00:27:17,001 --> 00:27:18,000 THINK ABOUT THAT IF YOU'RE 760 00:27:18,001 --> 00:27:21,000 TRYING TO RAISE A FAMILY. 761 00:27:21,001 --> 00:27:23,000 THE PRESIDENT SAID LET'S 762 00:27:23,001 --> 00:27:26,000 REDUCE THE PREMIUMS THAT 763 00:27:26,001 --> 00:27:28,000 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WILL PAY. NOW, SENATOR McCONNELL COMES 764 00:27:28,001 --> 00:27:29,000 TO THE FLOOR AND SAYS THIS WAS A 765 00:27:29,001 --> 00:27:31,000 WASTE OF TIME AND A WASTE OF 766 00:27:31,001 --> 00:27:32,000 MONEY FOR US TO MAKE THAT KIND 767 00:27:32,001 --> 00:27:34,000 OF INVESTMENT IN AMERICA. 768 00:27:34,001 --> 00:27:35,000 I THINK THE PRESIDENT DID THE 769 00:27:35,001 --> 00:27:37,000 RIGHT THING. 770 00:27:37,001 --> 00:27:38,000 AND I WOULD COMMEND TO SENATOR 771 00:27:38,001 --> 00:27:40,000 McCONNELL, 772 00:27:40,001 --> 00:27:42,000 LEADER, THE LATEST PEWOLL 773 00:27:42,001 --> 00:27:43,000 WHICH SHOWS WHEN THE AMERICANS 774 00:27:43,001 --> 00:27:45,000 WERE ASKED IF AMERICA'S ECONOMY 775 00:27:45,001 --> 00:27:47,000 IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK OR WRONG 776 00:27:47,001 --> 00:27:51,000 TRACK, THEY COME IN WITH THE 777 00:27:51,001 --> 00:27:53,000 HIGHEST NUMBER -- 53% -- ON THE 778 00:27:53,001 --> 00:27:54,000 RIGHT TRACK, 39% WRONG TRACK 779 00:27:54,001 --> 00:27:56,000 THAT WE'VE SEEN 780 00:27:56,001 --> 00:27:57,000 THERE'S 781 00:27:57,001 --> 00:27:59,000 WAY TO GO. 782 00:27:59,001 --> 00:28:00,000 STILL TOO MANY PEOPLE 783 00:28:00,001 --> 00:28:01,000 UNEMPLOYED, TOO MANY BUSINESSES FAILING. 784 00:28:01,001 --> 00:28:03,000 BUT AT LEAST WE'RE ON THE RIGHT 785 00:28:03,001 --> 00:28:04,000 TRACK TOWARD RECOVERY. 786 00:28:04,001 --> 00:28:05,000 IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME. 787 00:28:05,001 --> 00:28:07,000 NOBODY PREDICTED THIS WOULD BE 788 00:28:07,001 --> 00:28:10,000 FASTR EASY BUT THE PRESIDENT 789 00:28:10,001 --> 00:28:11,000 SHOWED 790 00:28:11,001 --> 00:28:12,000 BAD ECONOMY. 791 00:28:12,001 --> 00:28:13,000 THE MAJOR THRUST OF THE REMARKS 792 00:28:13,001 --> 00:28:15,000 FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICAN 793 00:28:15,001 --> 00:28:17,000 LEADER DAY AFTER DAY HAS BEEN AN 794 00:28:17,001 --> 00:28:19,000 OPPOSITION TO HEALTH CARE REFORM. 795 00:28:19,001 --> 00:28:20,000 I WILL TELL YOU THAT I THINK 796 00:28:20,001 --> 00:28:22,000 THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEADER'S OUT 797 00:28:22,001 --> 00:28:23,000 OF STEP WITH 798 00:28:23,001 --> 00:28:25,000 AMERICA UNDERSTANDS THAT WE 799 00:28:25,001 --> 00:28:26,000 TPWHAOED TO DO -- WE NEED TO DO 800 00:28:26,001 --> 00:28:27,000 SOMETHING ABOUT OUR HEALTH CARE 801 00:28:27,001 --> 00:28:29,000 SYSTEM. 802 00:28:29,001 --> 00:28:30,000 WE'RE SPENDING TWICE AS MUCH PER 803 00:28:30,001 --> 00:28:31,000 PERSON FOR HEALTH CARE IN 804 00:28:31,001 --> 00:28:32,000 AMERICA AS ANY NATION 805 00:28:32,001 --> 00:28:35,000 TWICE AS MUCH. 806 00:28:35,001 --> 00:28:36,000 AND THE OUTCOMES, THE MEDICAL 807 00:28:36,001 --> 00:28:38,000 OUTCOMES, UNFORTUNATELY, DON'T 808 00:28:38,001 --> 00:28:41,000 REFLECT THAT KIND INVESTMENT. 809 00:28:41,001 --> 00:28:43,000 IN OTHER 810 00:28:43,001 --> 00:28:44,000 MONEY ON OUR CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. 811 00:28:44,001 --> 00:28:46,000 THAT HAS TO CHANGE. 812 00:28:46,001 --> 00:28:48,000 SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO 813 00:28:48,001 --> 00:28:49,000 PRESERVE 814 00:28:49,001 --> 00:28:51,000 HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TODAY THAT 815 00:28:51,001 --> 00:28:53,000 ARE GOOD AND FIX THE THINGS THAT 816 00:28:53,001 --> 00:28:54,000 ARE BROKEN. 817 00:28:54,001 --> 00:28:59,000 HAS CHALLENGED US TO DO. 818 00:28:59,001 --> 00:29:01,000 THIS CHALLENGE HAS BEEN WAITING 819 00:29:01,001 --> 00:29:03,000 FOR 15 YEARS, SIN FORMER 820 00:29:03,001 --> 00:29:04,000 PRESIDENT CLINTON TACKLED IT, 821 00:29:04,001 --> 00:29:05,000 AND, UNFORTUNATELY, COULDN'T 822 00:29:05,001 --> 00:29:06,000 PASS IT. 823 00:29:06,001 --> 00:29:09,000 AND WE'VE 824 00:29:09,001 --> 00:29:10,000 COSTS IN AMERICA CONTINUE TO 825 00:29:10,001 --> 00:29:12,000 SKYROCKET AND OUR COSTS FOR 826 00:29:12,001 --> 00:29:14,000 HEALTH INSURANCE FOLLOWING IN TRACK. 827 00:29:14,001 --> 00:29:15,000 NOW WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING 828 00:29:15,001 --> 00:29:17,000 ABOUT IT. 829 00:29:17,001 --> 00:29:18,000 TIME AND 830 00:29:18,001 --> 00:29:20,000 KENTUCKY COMES TO THE FLOOR AND 831 00:29:20,001 --> 00:29:23,000 SAYS WE'RE RUSHING INTO THIS. 832 00:29:23,001 --> 00:29:25,000 I WOULD JUST SAY TO HIM THAT IN 833 00:29:25,001 --> 00:29:26,000 THE YEAR 2008, THE SENATE 834 00:29:26,001 --> 00:29:29,000 FINANCE COMMITTEE, UNDER 835 00:29:29,001 --> 00:29:31,000 CHAIRMAN MAX BAUCUS, HELD TEN 836 00:29:31,001 --> 00:29:33,000 HEARINGS ON 837 00:29:33,001 --> 00:29:35,000 DAY-LONG BIPARTISAN SUMMIT WITH 838 00:29:35,001 --> 00:29:36,000 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S RANKING 839 00:29:36,001 --> 00:29:39,000 MEMBER REPUBLICAN CHUCK GRASSLEY. 840 00:29:39,001 --> 00:29:41,000 THIS YEAR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 841 00:29:41,001 --> 00:29:42,000 HELD TWO REFORM-RELATED 842 00:29:42,001 --> 00:29:45,000 HEARINGS, THREE ROUND TABLES, 843 00:29:45,001 --> 00:29:47,000 THREE WALK-THROUGHS OF POLICY 844 00:29:47,001 --> 00:29:50,000 OPTIONS AND CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS 845 00:29:50,001 --> 00:29:51,000 TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES ON A 846 00:29:51,001 --> 00:29:53,000 BIPARTISAN BASIS. 847 00:29:53,001 --> 00:29:54,000 THE "HELP" COMMITTEE ALSO 848 00:29:54,001 --> 00:29:56,000 CONSIDERING HEALTH CARE REFORM 849 00:29:56,001 --> 00:29:57,000 HAS HELD 14 BIPARTISAN ROUND 850 00:29:57,001 --> 00:29:59,000 TABLES, 13 COMMITTEE HEARINGS 851 00:29:59,001 --> 00:30:01,000 AND 20 852 00:30:01,001 --> 00:30:03,000 DEMOCRATS AREN'T RUSHING THIS THROUGH. 853 00:30:03,001 --> 00:30:05,000 WE HAVE TAKEN THIS IN AN ORDERLY 854 00:30:05,001 --> 00:30:06,000 WAY, TRYING 855 00:30:06,001 --> 00:30:07,000 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES 856 00:30:07,001 --> 00:30:08,000 EVER FACING CONGRESS. 857 00:30:08,001 --> 00:30:10,000 TIME AND AGAIN SENATOR 858 00:30:10,001 --> 00:30:11,000 McCONNELL HAS COME TO THE 859 00:30:11,001 --> 00:30:15,000 FLOOR AND ARGUED THAT AMERICANS 860 00:30:15,001 --> 00:30:16,000 SHOULD BE AFRAID OF CHANGE. 861 00:30:16,001 --> 00:30:21,000 BE A FRAYED. 862 00:30:21,001 --> 00:30:23,000 BE VERY 863 00:30:23,001 --> 00:30:25,000 WELL, THIS IS NOT A FEARFUL NATION. 864 00:30:25,001 --> 00:30:27,000 OR A NATION WHICH ACCEPTS 865 00:30:27,001 --> 00:30:28,000 CHALLENGES AND DOES OUR BEST TO 866 00:30:28,001 --> 00:30:30,000 TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS. 867 00:30:30,001 --> 00:30:32,000 WE HAVE A GOOD AND CARING NATION 868 00:30:32,001 --> 00:30:33,000 OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE 869 00:30:33,001 --> 00:30:35,000 CERTAIN THAT THE -- AT THE END 870 00:30:35,001 --> 00:30:37,000 OF THE DAY THAT WE REDUCE THE 871 00:30:37,001 --> 00:30:39,000 COST OF HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE 872 00:30:39,001 --> 00:30:41,000 BRINGING IT MORE IN LINE WITH 873 00:30:41,001 --> 00:30:43,000 EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVE MEDICAL 874 00:30:43,001 --> 00:30:45,000 CARE AND WE ALSO PICK UP THE 875 00:30:45,001 --> 00:30:50,000 50 MILLION AMERICANS WHO HAVE NO 876 00:30:50,001 --> 00:30:51,000 HEALTH INSURANCE AND GIVE THEM 877 00:30:51,001 --> 00:30:53,000 UMBRELLA OFROTECTION. 878 00:30:53,001 --> 00:30:55,000 WE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF THAT CHALLENGE. 879 00:30:55,001 --> 00:30:58,000 WHY WOULD WE BE AFRAID OF IT? 880 00:30:58,001 --> 00:30:59,000 WE KNOW IF WE DON'T TACKLE IT, 881 00:30:59,001 --> 00:31:00,000 IT WILL CONTINUE TO COST US MORE 882 00:31:00,001 --> 00:31:01,000 AND MORE 883 00:31:01,001 --> 00:31:03,000 ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE 884 00:31:03,001 --> 00:31:05,000 SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY SAYS 885 00:31:05,001 --> 00:31:07,000 REPEATEDLY, WHICH IS JUST PLAIN 886 00:31:07,001 --> 00:31:08,000 WRONG, IS THAT UNDER THE 887 00:31:08,001 --> 00:31:11,000 PROPOSALS COMING BEFORE THE 888 00:31:11,001 --> 00:31:12,000 SENATE, THE GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE 889 00:31:12,001 --> 00:31:13,000 AWAY YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE THAT 890 00:31:13,001 --> 00:31:14,000 YOU HAVE TODAY. 891 00:31:14,001 --> 00:31:16,000 I'M SORRY THAT THE SENATOR IS 892 00:31:16,001 --> 00:31:18,000 NOT ON THE FLOOR. 893 00:31:18,001 --> 00:31:19,000 I'M CERTAIN THAT SOME MEMBERS OF 894 00:31:19,001 --> 00:31:21,000 THE STAFF WILL ALERT HIM TO THE FACT. 895 00:31:21,001 --> 00:31:23,000 I WOULD LIKE TO READ FROM THE 896 00:31:23,001 --> 00:31:25,000 LANGUAGE OF THE "HELP" COMMITTEE 897 00:31:25,001 --> 00:31:28,000 BILL WHICH IS PRESENTLY BEING CONSIDERED. 898 00:31:28,001 --> 00:31:30,000 THIS LANGUAGE MAKES IT 899 00:31:30,001 --> 00:31:31,000 ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, IN FACT, SAYS 900 00:31:31,001 --> 00:31:33,000 DIRECTLY THAT WE CAN HAD KEEP 901 00:31:33,001 --> 00:31:34,000 OUR HEALTH CARE PLANS, THAT THEY 902 00:31:34,001 --> 00:31:35,000 WON'T BE TAKEN AWAY. 903 00:31:35,001 --> 00:31:36,000 THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MOST 904 00:31:36,001 --> 00:31:37,000 AMERICANS WANT TO HAVE 905 00:31:37,001 --> 00:31:39,000 BENEFIT OF HAVING. 906 00:31:39,001 --> 00:31:40,000 LET ME READ THIS. 907 00:31:40,001 --> 00:31:42,000 THE "HELP" COMMITTEE BILL THAT 908 00:31:42,001 --> 00:31:45,000 IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE. 909 00:31:45,001 --> 00:31:47,000 HERE'S WHAT IT SAYS: NOTHING IN 910 00:31:47,001 --> 00:31:49,000 THIS ACT OR AN AMENDMENT MADE TO 911 00:31:49,001 --> 00:31:51,000 THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO 912 00:31:51,001 --> 00:31:53,000 REQUIREHAT AN INDIVIDUAL 913 00:31:53,001 --> 00:31:54,000 TERMINATE COVERAGE UNDER A GROUP 914 00:31:54,001 --> 00:31:56,000 HEALTH PN OR HEALTH INSURANCE 915 00:31:56,001 --> 00:31:57,000 COVERAGE IN WHICH SUCH 916 00:31:57,001 --> 00:31:59,000 INDIVIDUAL WAS ENROLLED P 917 00:31:59,001 --> 00:32:00,000 THE DATE OF ENACTMENT OF THIS 918 00:32:00,001 --> 00:32:02,000 TITLE. 919 00:32:02,001 --> 00:32:04,000 THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS. 920 00:32:04,001 --> 00:32:05,000 YOU -- IF YOU LIKE YOUR HEALTH 921 00:32:05,001 --> 00:32:07,000 INSURANCE TODAY, NOTHING WE DO 922 00:32:07,001 --> 00:32:08,000 IN HEALTH CARE REFORM WILL TAKE 923 00:32:08,001 --> 00:32:09,000 THAT 924 00:32:09,001 --> 00:32:11,000 IT'S EXPRESSLY STATED. 925 00:32:11,001 --> 00:32:12,000 TIME AND AGAIN SENATOR 926 00:32:12,001 --> 00:32:14,000 McCONNELL COMES TO THE FLOOR 927 00:32:14,001 --> 00:32:16,000 AND SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE. 928 00:32:16,001 --> 00:32:17,000 THE GOVERNMENT'S GOING TO TAKE 929 00:32:17,001 --> 00:32:18,000 AWAY YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE. 930 00:32:18,001 --> 00:32:21,000 THE CLEAR LANGUAGE OF THE BILL 931 00:32:21,001 --> 00:32:22,000 SAYS, NO, THAT IS NOT OUR INTENTION. 932 00:32:22,001 --> 00:32:24,000 THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. 933 00:32:24,001 --> 00:32:26,000 I'M ALSO CONCERNED WHEN I READ 934 00:32:26,001 --> 00:32:28,000 OR LISTEN TO THE 935 00:32:28,001 --> 00:32:30,000 KENTUCKY TALK ABOUT 936 00:32:30,001 --> 00:32:32,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE. 937 00:32:32,001 --> 00:32:34,000 HE SAYS IT IN NEGATIVE TERM AS 938 00:32:34,001 --> 00:32:36,000 IF THE GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT 939 00:32:36,001 --> 00:32:39,000 IN HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL 940 00:32:39,001 --> 00:32:41,000 CARE IS INHERENTLY WRONG OR 941 00:32:41,001 --> 00:32:44,000 MISGUIDED OR IN EFFECTIVE. 942 00:32:44,001 --> 00:32:46,000 HERE ARE THE REALITIES. 943 00:32:46,001 --> 00:32:48,000 45 MILLION AMERICANS, OUT 944 00:32:48,001 --> 00:32:50,000 300 MILLION 945 00:32:50,001 --> 00:32:51,000 45 MILLION CURRENTLY ARE COVERED 946 00:32:51,001 --> 00:32:52,000 BY MEDICARE. 947 00:32:52,001 --> 00:32:54,000 THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY WANT 948 00:32:54,001 --> 00:32:55,000 TO ELIMINATE MEDICARE, A 949 00:32:55,001 --> 00:32:57,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN 950 00:32:57,001 --> 00:32:59,000 I'M WAITING FOR HIM TO SAY THAT ON THE FLOOR. 951 00:32:59,001 --> 00:33:00,000 HE'S NEVER SAID IT. 952 00:33:00,001 --> 00:33:02,000 ANOTHER 60 MILLION AMERICANS ARE 953 00:33:02,001 --> 00:33:04,000 UNDER MEDICAID, WHICH PROVIDES 954 00:33:04,001 --> 00:33:06,000 HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE POOREST 955 00:33:06,001 --> 00:33:08,000 AMONG US AND THOSE WHO ARE 956 00:33:08,001 --> 00:33:10,000 DISABLED. 957 00:33:10,001 --> 00:33:12,000 SO 105 MILLION AMERICANS TODAY 958 00:33:12,001 --> 00:33:13,000 HAVE EITHER MEDICARE OR 959 00:33:13,001 --> 00:33:14,000 MEDICAID. 960 00:33:14,001 --> 00:33:15,000 THAT'S ONE-THIRD OF AMERICA 961 00:33:15,001 --> 00:33:16,000 BEING COVERED BY GOVERNMENT-RUN 962 00:33:16,001 --> 00:33:18,000 HEALTH CARE. 963 00:33:18,001 --> 00:33:19,000 THAT'S A REALITY. 964 00:33:19,001 --> 00:33:21,000 AND MOST AMERICANS UNDERSTAND 965 00:33:21,001 --> 00:33:24,000 THAT THERE ARE VERY POSITIVE 966 00:33:24,001 --> 00:33:25,000 THINGS TO BE SAID 967 00:33:25,001 --> 00:33:27,000 PLANS. 968 00:33:27,001 --> 00:33:28,000 WOULD WE DO WITHOUT SNAKE WOULD 969 00:33:28,001 --> 00:33:31,000 WE ABOLISH IT? 970 00:33:31,001 --> 00:33:34,000 I WOULDN'T BE PART OF THAT. 971 00:33:34,001 --> 00:33:35,000 OVER THE YEARS MEDICARE HAS 972 00:33:35,001 --> 00:33:38,000 BROUGHT DIGNITY AND GREAT 973 00:33:38,001 --> 00:33:39,000 MEDICAL CARE TO MILLIONS OF 974 00:33:39,001 --> 00:33:40,000 SENIORS ACROSS AMERICA. 975 00:33:40,001 --> 00:33:41,000 I THINK IT IS A PROGRAM THAT 976 00:33:41,001 --> 00:33:44,000 SOLVED US WELL. 977 00:33:44,001 --> 00:33:45,000 SO A QUESTION WAS ASKED RECENTLY 978 00:33:45,001 --> 00:33:47,000 BY CNN. 979 00:33:47,001 --> 00:33:48,000 IN GENERAL WOULD YOU FAVOR OR 980 00:33:48,001 --> 00:33:49,000 OPPOSE A PROGRAM THAT WOULD 981 00:33:49,001 --> 00:33:51,000 INCREASE THE FEDERAL 982 00:33:51,001 --> 00:33:52,000 GOVERNMENT'S INFLUENCE OVER THE 983 00:33:52,001 --> 00:33:55,000 COUNTRY'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN 984 00:33:55,001 --> 00:33:57,000 AN ATTEMPT TO LOWER COSTS AN 985 00:33:57,001 --> 00:34:00,000 PROVIDE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE TO MORE AMERICANS? 986 00:34:00,001 --> 00:34:03,000 THE NUMBERS THAT CAME BACK ON 987 00:34:03,001 --> 00:34:05,000 MAY THE 15th, BY CNN, 69% OF 988 00:34:05,001 --> 00:34:06,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FAVOR THAT 989 00:34:06,001 --> 00:34:07,000 STATEMENT. 990 00:34:07,001 --> 00:34:08,000 FAVOR MORE GOVERNMENT 991 00:34:08,001 --> 00:34:11,000 INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH CARE TO 992 00:34:11,001 --> 00:34:12,000 REDUCE COSTS COVERAGE. 993 00:34:12,001 --> 00:34:14,000 ONLY 29% POSED. 994 00:34:14,001 --> 00:34:15,000 SO THE POSITION BEING ARGUED BY 995 00:34:15,001 --> 00:34:17,000 THE REPUBLICAN LEADER ON THE 996 00:34:17,001 --> 00:34:18,000 FLOOR DOESN'T REFLECT AMERICA'S 997 00:34:18,001 --> 00:34:21,000 FEELINGS ABOUT HEALTH CARE. 998 00:34:21,001 --> 00:34:22,000 I WOULD JUST SAY IF 999 00:34:22,001 --> 00:34:23,000 McCONNELL FEELS THE CURRENT 1000 00:34:23,001 --> 00:34:26,000 HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS JUST FINE 1001 00:34:26,001 --> 00:34:30,000 AND WE SHOULDN'T WORK TO CHANGE 1002 00:34:30,001 --> 00:34:32,000 IT, HE DOESN'T -- I'M AFRAID, 1003 00:34:32,001 --> 00:34:33,000 REFLECT THE FEELINGS OF MOST AMERICANS. 1004 00:34:33,001 --> 00:34:35,000 WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE NEED TO 1005 00:34:35,001 --> 00:34:37,000 DO BETTER ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS. 1006 00:34:37,001 --> 00:34:39,000 WE NEED THE COOPERATION ON THE 1007 00:34:39,001 --> 00:34:42,000 REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE IN 1008 00:34:42,001 --> 00:34:45,000 A 1009 00:34:45,001 --> 00:34:46,000 COMPROMISE THE VALUES OF THE 1010 00:34:46,001 --> 00:34:48,000 HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, BUT GIVE 1011 00:34:48,001 --> 00:34:50,000 PEOPLE A HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 1012 00:34:50,001 --> 00:34:52,000 THAT WON'T BE TAKEN AWAY BY A 1013 00:34:52,001 --> 00:34:54,000 HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY BUREAUCRAT, SOMETHING THE FAMILY 1014 00:34:54,001 --> 00:34:55,000 CAN AFFORD, SOMETHING THAT SMALL 1015 00:34:55,001 --> 00:34:56,000 BUSINESSES CAN AFFORD. 1016 00:34:56,001 --> 00:35:01,000 WE CAN DO IT. 1017 00:35:01,001 --> 00:35:02,000 WE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF THIS. 1018 00:35:02,001 --> 00:35:04,000 MENTION THE PAST. 1019 00:35:04,001 --> 00:35:05,000 MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD T FLOOR. 1020 00:35:05,001 --> 00:35:07,000 MR. KAUFMAN: MR.RESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 1021 00:35:07,001 --> 00:35:08,000 SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. 1022 00:35:08,001 --> 00:35:10,000 MR. KAUFMAN: I RISE TO SPEAK 1023 00:35:10,001 --> 00:35:12,000 ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE THAT 1024 00:35:12,001 --> 00:35:15,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES PLAY IN 1025 00:35:15,001 --> 00:35:16,000 KEEPING AMERICA SAFE, PROSPEROUS 1026 00:35:16,001 --> 00:35:18,000 AN FREE. 1027 00:35:18,001 --> 00:35:23,000 ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WE 1028 00:35:23,001 --> 00:35:24,000 CELEBRATED THE 233 INDEPENDENCE. 1029 00:35:24,001 --> 00:35:26,000 ORDINARY AMERICANS HAVE CHOSEN 1030 00:35:26,001 --> 00:35:28,000 TO GIVE THEIR ENERGY, TIME AND 1031 00:35:28,001 --> 00:35:29,000 TALL MEANT THE SERVICE OFUR 1032 00:35:29,001 --> 00:35:31,000 GOVERNMENT. 1033 00:35:31,001 --> 00:35:32,000 MANY HAVE GIVEN THEIR 1034 00:35:32,001 --> 00:35:33,000 ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, AS I SAID 1035 00:35:33,001 --> 00:35:36,000 PREVIOUSLY, ARE BOUND TOGETHER 1036 00:35:36,001 --> 00:35:37,000 BY A SHARED SENSE OF DUTY AND 1037 00:35:37,001 --> 00:35:39,000 WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE. 1038 00:35:39,001 --> 00:35:41,000 WHEN THE FOUNDERS ADDED THEIR 1039 00:35:41,001 --> 00:35:42,000 SIGNATURES TO THE DECLARATION OF 1040 00:35:42,001 --> 00:35:44,000 INDEPENDENCE, THEY DID SO WITH 1041 00:35:44,001 --> 00:35:47,000 FAITH IN THEIR FELLOW AMERICANS. 1042 00:35:47,001 --> 00:35:49,000 THAT THE 56 NAMES WERE JOINED IN 1043 00:35:49,001 --> 00:35:50,000 SPIRIT BY MILLIONS OF OTHERS IN 1044 00:35:50,001 --> 00:35:52,000 THEIR OWN DAY AND FOR 1045 00:35:52,001 --> 00:35:54,000 GENERATIONS TO COME. 1046 00:35:54,001 --> 00:35:55,000 THEY KNEW THAT BUILDING A NATION 1047 00:35:55,001 --> 00:35:56,000 REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST A 1048 00:35:56,001 --> 00:35:58,000 HANDFUL OF PATRIOTS. 1049 00:35:58,001 --> 00:35:59,000 IT ENTAILS THE ACTIVE 1050 00:35:59,001 --> 00:36:00,000 PARTICIPATIONS FROM CITIZENS 1051 00:36:00,001 --> 00:36:02,000 FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. 1052 00:36:02,001 --> 00:36:05,000 THAT IS WHY A DECADE LATER WHEN 1053 00:36:05,001 --> 00:36:06,000 THE FRAMERS ASSEMBLED IN 1054 00:36:06,001 --> 00:36:08,000 PHILADELPHIA TO DRAFT OUR 1055 00:36:08,001 --> 00:36:09,000 CONSTITUTION, THEY DID SO WITH 1056 00:36:09,001 --> 00:36:11,000 AN EXPECTATION THAT REGUL 1057 00:36:11,001 --> 00:36:13,000 CITIZENS WOULD BE THE FORM AND 1058 00:36:13,001 --> 00:36:15,000 SUBSTANCE OF OUR GOVERNMENT. 1059 00:36:15,001 --> 00:36:18,000 INDEED, THEY KNEW FIRSTHAND THE 1060 00:36:18,001 --> 00:36:20,000 VALUE OFERVICE ABOVE SELF. 1061 00:36:20,001 --> 00:36:21,000 THIS VIRTUE WOULD LEAVE 1062 00:36:21,001 --> 00:36:22,000 COUNTLESS AMERICA WHO FOUGHT 1063 00:36:22,001 --> 00:36:26,000 FOR FREEDOM BECOME THE FIRST 1064 00:36:26,001 --> 00:36:27,000 GENERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. 1065 00:36:27,001 --> 00:36:30,000 THE FOUNDERS AND FRAMERS HAD 1066 00:36:30,001 --> 00:36:32,000 GOOD CAUSE TO PREDICT SUCH 1067 00:36:32,001 --> 00:36:34,000 PARTICIPATION AMONG CITIZENS 1068 00:36:34,001 --> 00:36:36,000 BEYOND THEIR APPOINTED ROLE. 1069 00:36:36,001 --> 00:36:37,000 THE CLASSICAL HISTORY AND 1070 00:36:37,001 --> 00:36:42,000 WRITINGS RAIN THAT FLIEWNSED 1071 00:36:42,001 --> 00:36:44,000 THEM ARE -- WRITINGS THAT FILLED 1072 00:36:44,001 --> 00:36:47,000 THEM ARE PART OF THE SACRIFICE 1073 00:36:47,001 --> 00:36:48,000 HAD THAT INSPIRE AMERICA'S 1074 00:36:48,001 --> 00:36:50,000 SERVICE. 1075 00:36:50,001 --> 00:36:53,000 MANY ARE FAMILIAR WITH 1076 00:36:53,001 --> 00:36:59,000 WHEN THE ARMIES APPROACHED THE 1077 00:36:59,001 --> 00:37:00,000 WALLS OF ROME. 1078 00:37:00,001 --> 00:37:02,000 HORACIOUS RAN TO THE BRIDGE 1079 00:37:02,001 --> 00:37:06,000 WHERE HE ALONE HELD OFF THE 1080 00:37:06,001 --> 00:37:07,000 ENEMY 1081 00:37:07,001 --> 00:37:10,000 DESTROYED THE BRIDGE. 1082 00:37:10,001 --> 00:37:12,000 WITH THIS ACT OF COURAGE, HE 1083 00:37:12,001 --> 00:37:16,000 PREVENTED THE CAPTURE OF ROME HE 1084 00:37:16,001 --> 00:37:17,000 WAS NOT A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. 1085 00:37:17,001 --> 00:37:19,000 HE DEFENDED WITH PRIDE. 1086 00:37:19,001 --> 00:37:20,000 THAT TITLE OF GREATER HONOR THAN 1087 00:37:20,001 --> 00:37:22,000 ANY OTHER, 1088 00:37:22,001 --> 00:37:25,000 HE HE GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT 1089 00:37:25,001 --> 00:37:27,000 OTHERS COULD REMAIN FREE. 1090 00:37:27,001 --> 00:37:29,000 HIS ACT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE 1091 00:37:29,001 --> 00:37:31,000 KIND OF SACRIFICES THAT ORDINARY 1092 00:37:31,001 --> 00:37:34,000 CITIZENS ARE WILLING TO MAKE 1093 00:37:34,001 --> 00:37:37,000 WHEN THEY KNOW FREEDOM IS IN JEOPARDY. 1094 00:37:37,001 --> 00:37:39,000 AMERICANS LOOK TO CLASSICAL 1095 00:37:39,001 --> 00:37:40,000 FIGURES WHEN THEIR OWN LIBERTY 1096 00:37:40,001 --> 00:37:42,000 YEAS UNCERTAIN. 1097 00:37:42,001 --> 00:37:43,000 IT IS THIS COMMONILLINGNESS TO 1098 00:37:43,001 --> 00:37:48,000 RISK SAFETY AN PERSONAL GAIN 1099 00:37:48,001 --> 00:37:51,000 THAT SETS APA COMMONWEALTH 1100 00:37:51,001 --> 00:37:53,000 OF CITIZENS FROM A NATION OF SUBJECTS. 1101 00:37:53,001 --> 00:37:54,000 MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS THESE SAME 1102 00:37:54,001 --> 00:37:56,000 QUALITIES THAT MAKE OUR FEDERAL 1103 00:37:56,001 --> 00:37:58,000 EMPLOYEES SO WORTHY OF PRAISE. 1104 00:37:58,001 --> 00:38:00,000 ON THE FOURTH OF JULY I THOUGHT 1105 00:38:00,001 --> 00:38:03,000 OFRDINARY AMERICANS WHO SERVE 1106 00:38:03,001 --> 00:38:05,000 THEIR COUNTRY IN PERILESS SITUATIONS. 1107 00:38:05,001 --> 00:38:08,000 MANY RISK HARM WHILE DEFENDING 1108 00:38:08,001 --> 00:38:11,000 THE LIBERTIES AND VALUES. 1109 00:38:11,001 --> 00:38:12,000 AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, OUR FEDERAL 1110 00:38:12,001 --> 00:38:15,000 EMPLOYEES EXEMPLIFY THE AMERICAN 1111 00:38:15,001 --> 00:38:17,000 VALUE OF SERVICE ABOVE SELF. 1112 00:38:17,001 --> 00:38:18,000 THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY FEDERAL 1113 00:38:18,001 --> 00:38:20,000 EMPLOYEES HAVE TRAVELED TO 1114 00:38:20,001 --> 00:38:21,000 DANGEROUS CORNERS OF THE GLOBE 1115 00:38:21,001 --> 00:38:24,000 IN ORDER TO REPRESENT THE 1116 00:38:24,001 --> 00:38:25,000 AMERICAN PEOPLE ABROAD, PROMOTE 1117 00:38:25,001 --> 00:38:26,000 PEACEFUL INTERNATIONAL 1118 00:38:26,001 --> 00:38:28,000 COOPERATION AND PROVIDE AID TO 1119 00:38:28,001 --> 00:38:38,000 THOSE IN NEED. 1120 00:38:38,001 --> 00:38:41,000 SERVE HIS COUNTRY. 1121 00:38:41,001 --> 00:38:42,000 A NATIVE OF NEW YORK, NEAR 1122 00:38:42,001 --> 00:38:44,000 BUFFALO, HE STUDIED AT FORDHAM 1123 00:38:44,001 --> 00:38:46,000 AND CLARK UNIVERSITY BEFORE 1124 00:38:46,001 --> 00:38:49,000 JOING THE PEACE CORPS. 1125 00:38:49,001 --> 00:38:55,000 HE WENT TO WEST AFRICA. 1126 00:38:55,001 --> 00:38:56,000 RECEIVED A FULL BODY FELLOWSHIP 1127 00:38:56,001 --> 00:38:58,000 TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THAT 1128 00:38:58,001 --> 00:39:01,000 COUNTRY AND CONDUCT RESEARCH ON 1129 00:39:01,001 --> 00:39:02,000 THE SOCIETY AND 1130 00:39:02,001 --> 00:39:03,000 JOHN, COMMITTED TO SERVING HIS 1131 00:39:03,001 --> 00:39:04,000 COUNTRY AND HELPING OTHERS, 1132 00:39:04,001 --> 00:39:06,000 JOINED THE FOREIGN 1133 00:39:06,001 --> 00:39:08,000 HE WORKED FOR 1134 00:39:08,001 --> 00:39:11,000 FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN 1135 00:39:11,001 --> 00:39:13,000 KENYA BEFORE HEADING TO SUDAN IN 2005. 1136 00:39:13,001 --> 00:39:16,000 IT WAS A DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT 1137 00:39:16,001 --> 00:39:19,000 THAT YEAR. 1138 00:39:19,001 --> 00:39:22,000 THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT SIGNED A 1139 00:39:22,001 --> 00:39:24,000 CEASE-FIRE TO END 1140 00:39:24,001 --> 00:39:29,000 JOHN'S ASSIGNMENT WAS TO 1141 00:39:29,001 --> 00:39:31,000 DISTRIBUTE RADIOS TO VILLAGERS. 1142 00:39:31,001 --> 00:39:32,000 WITH DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS 1143 00:39:32,001 --> 00:39:36,000 APPROACHING THESE RADIOS WOULD 1144 00:39:36,001 --> 00:39:39,000 GIVE THE LOCAL SUDANESE ACCESS 1145 00:39:39,001 --> 00:39:40,000 TO UNKRESSORRED BROADCAST. 1146 00:39:40,001 --> 00:39:47,000 -- UNCENSORED BROADCAST. 1147 00:39:47,001 --> 00:39:48,000 I CAN ATTEST THE IMPORTANCE OF 1148 00:39:48,001 --> 00:39:51,000 PROVIDING FREE NEWS. 1149 00:39:51,001 --> 00:39:52,000 IT ALSO PROMOTES HOPE AND 1150 00:39:52,001 --> 00:39:55,000 UNDERSTANDING WHICH HELP DETER 1151 00:39:55,001 --> 00:39:56,000 THE SPREAD OF EXTREMIST VIEWS. 1152 00:39:56,001 --> 00:40:00,000 JOHN WORKED FOR THE DEDICATED 1153 00:40:00,001 --> 00:40:03,000 TEAM OF A.I.D. OFFICIALS TO 1154 00:40:03,001 --> 00:40:04,000 DISTRIBUTE THESE RADIOS. 1155 00:40:04,001 --> 00:40:06,000 ONE OF THE CO-WORKERS SAID THAT 1156 00:40:06,001 --> 00:40:08,000 JOHN WAS THE GLUE THAT HELD THE 1157 00:40:08,001 --> 00:40:10,000 GROUP TOGETHE 1158 00:40:10,001 --> 00:40:12,000 SPIRITS THROUGHOUT THE MISSION. 1159 00:40:12,001 --> 00:40:14,000 ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2008 JOHN WAS 1160 00:40:14,001 --> 00:40:16,000 GUNNED DOWN BY FOUR MILITANTS 1161 00:40:16,001 --> 00:40:17,000 WHO TARGETED HIS CAR FOR 1162 00:40:17,001 --> 00:40:19,000 DIPLOMATIC PLATES. 1163 00:40:19,001 --> 00:40:21,000 HE WAS ONLY 33 YEARS OF AGE. 1164 00:40:21,001 --> 00:40:24,000 HIS LOVED ONES BACK HOME 1165 00:40:24,001 --> 00:40:26,000 REMEMBERED HIM AS AN 1166 00:40:26,001 --> 00:40:28,000 HUMANITARIAN, THE CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL AND SOMEONE WHO 1167 00:40:28,001 --> 00:40:32,000 WORKED WITH ENERGY AND IMAGINATION. 1168 00:40:32,001 --> 00:40:34,000 HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE 1169 00:40:34,001 --> 00:40:36,000 ST. JOHN CHURCH C 1170 00:40:36,001 --> 00:40:38,000 MENTOR WHO INSPIRED OTHERS TO 1171 00:40:38,001 --> 00:40:41,000 FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. 1172 00:40:41,001 --> 00:40:43,000 JOHN 1173 00:40:43,001 --> 00:40:45,000 IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE AS PART OF CITIZENSHIP. 1174 00:40:45,001 --> 00:40:48,000 HE CROSS 1175 00:40:48,001 --> 00:40:51,000 ON THE OTHER SIDE. 1176 00:40:51,001 --> 00:40:54,000 LIKE HORACIO RISKING HIS OWN 1177 00:40:54,001 --> 00:40:55,000 SA NATION. 1178 00:40:55,001 --> 00:40:57,000 HE TOLD HIS MOTHER THAT DESPITE 1179 00:40:57,001 --> 00:41:00,000 THE DANGER OF THE WORK, HE WOULD 1180 00:41:00,001 --> 00:41:02,000 NOT WANT T ELSE. 1181 00:41:02,001 --> 00:41:06,000 THER 1182 00:41:06,001 --> 00:41:07,000 SERVICE 1183 00:41:07,001 --> 00:41:13,000 ALL OVER THE GLOBE. 1184 00:41:13,001 --> 00:41:15,000 THESE IT HA DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN 1185 00:41:15,001 --> 00:41:17,000 LEAVE BEHIND FAMILY, FRIENDS, 1186 00:41:17,001 --> 00:41:18,000 AND COMMUNITY AND ARE OFTEN IN 1187 00:41:18,001 --> 00:41:21,000 DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE WORLD 1188 00:41:21,001 --> 00:41:23,000 TERRORISM IS VERY REAL. 1189 00:41:23,001 --> 00:41:25,000 ALL TOO 1190 00:41:25,001 --> 00:41:28,000 SACRIFICES AND UNRECOGNIZED. 1191 00:41:28,001 --> 00:41:30,000 ON 1192 00:41:30,001 --> 00:41:33,000 ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. 1193 00:41:33,001 --> 00:41:34,000 MR. PRESIDENT, BECAUSE WE JUST 1194 00:41:34,001 --> 00:41:36,000 CELEBRATED THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1195 00:41:36,001 --> 00:41:37,000 LET ME RETURN FOR A MOMENT TO 1196 00:41:37,001 --> 00:41:38,000 THE FOUNDING GENERATION. 1197 00:41:38,001 --> 00:41:40,000 THOSE FIRST AMERICANS WHO 1198 00:41:40,001 --> 00:41:41,000 SACRIFICED FOR LIBERTY, 1199 00:41:41,001 --> 00:41:43,000 ESTABLISHED MO 1200 00:41:43,001 --> 00:41:44,000 REPUBLIC, THEY LEFT US WITH A 1201 00:41:44,001 --> 00:41:46,000 DEMOCRATIC LEGACY THAT REMINDS 1202 00:41:46,001 --> 00:41:48,000 US EVERY DAY OF OUR RIGHTS AND 1203 00:41:48,001 --> 00:41:51,000 DUTIES AS EQUAL CITIZENS. 1204 00:41:51,001 --> 00:41:56,000 THE DISSEND ENTERS OF THOSE REF 1205 00:41:56,001 --> 00:41:57,000 -- DESCENDANTS OF THOSE 1206 00:41:57,001 --> 00:41:58,000 REVOLUTIONARIES INSPIRED A 1207 00:41:58,001 --> 00:42:01,000 POWERFUL MESSAGE. 1208 00:42:01,001 --> 00:42:04,000 THE PAINTINGS IN THE ROTUNDA 1209 00:42:04,001 --> 00:42:08,000 NARRATE 1210 00:42:08,001 --> 00:42:11,000 ACHIEVED ITS 1211 00:42:11,001 --> 00:42:13,000 TAKEN AS A WHOLE THESE EIGHT PAINTINGS CELEBRATE THE 1212 00:42:13,001 --> 00:42:15,000 EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP. 1213 00:42:15,001 --> 00:42:17,000 THE TURNING POINT OF THIS 1214 00:42:17,001 --> 00:42:19,000 NARRATIVE IS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE 1215 00:42:19,001 --> 00:42:20,000 ICONIC PORTRAYAL OF THE DRA 1216 00:42:20,001 --> 00:42:21,000 OF THE DECLARATION OF 1217 00:42:21,001 --> 00:42:23,000 INDEPENDENCE. 1218 00:42:23,001 --> 00:42:25,000 BUT THE 1219 00:42:25,001 --> 00:42:28,000 CYCLE IS THE MOST POIGNANT AND 1220 00:42:28,001 --> 00:42:30,000 RECALLS A CLIMATIC MOMENT IN THE 1221 00:42:30,001 --> 00:42:32,000 DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CITIZENSHIP, 1222 00:42:32,001 --> 00:42:34,000 WASHINGTON AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS 1223 00:42:34,001 --> 00:42:36,000 POPULARITY WILLING TO YIELD HIS 1224 00:42:36,001 --> 00:42:38,000 POWER AND AUTHORITY B 1225 00:42:38,001 --> 00:42:39,000 PEOPLE BY COMMISSION. 1226 00:42:39,001 --> 00:42:41,000 WITH HIS SACRIFICE IN THAT 1227 00:42:41,001 --> 00:42:44,000 MOMENT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE 1228 00:42:44,001 --> 00:42:47,000 TRULY FREE AND THOSE WHO LAID 1229 00:42:47,001 --> 00:42:50,000 OUT THE CYCLE OF PAINTING DID SO 1230 00:42:50,001 --> 00:42:51,000 RECLAIMING THIS BIRTH OF THE 1231 00:42:51,001 --> 00:42:55,000 AMERICAN CITIZEN SHIP. 1232 00:42:55,001 --> 00:42:56,000 NO AMERICAN SHOULD EVER RULE 1233 00:42:56,001 --> 00:42:58,000 ARBITRARILY OVER 1234 00:42:58,001 --> 00:42:59,000 IT IS THIS NOTION OF CITIZEN 1235 00:42:59,001 --> 00:43:00,000 THIS GOVERNS THE RELATIONSHIP 1236 00:43:00,001 --> 00:43:02,000 BETWEEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND 1237 00:43:02,001 --> 00:43:04,000 OUR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. 1238 00:43:04,001 --> 00:43:06,000 AS A COMMONWEALTH OF CITIZENS WE 1239 00:43:06,001 --> 00:43:08,000 ENTRUST OUR FELLOW AMERICANS TO 1240 00:43:08,001 --> 00:43:11,000 WORK IN THE GOVERNMENT TO 1241 00:43:11,001 --> 00:43:14,000 PERFORM 1242 00:43:14,001 --> 00:43:15,000 THE MEN WHO WROTE AND SIGNED THE 1243 00:43:15,001 --> 00:43:17,000 DECLARATION. 1244 00:43:17,001 --> 00:43:20,000 THEY CONSTITUTED 1245 00:43:20,001 --> 00:43:22,000 DERIVING ITS JUST POWERS. 1246 00:43:22,001 --> 00:43:24,000 THEIR WORK TO PROTECT OUR LIVES, 1247 00:43:24,001 --> 00:43:26,000 PRESERVE OUR 1248 00:43:26,001 --> 00:43:29,000 AMERICANS TO PURSUE HAPPINESS. 1249 00:43:29,001 --> 00:43:32,000 I CALL MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME 1250 00:43:32,001 --> 00:43:34,000 AND HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE 1251 00:43:34,001 --> 00:43:37,000 SACRIFICE MADE BY JOHN GRANVILLE 1252 00:43:37,001 --> 00:43:38,000 AND ALL AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR 1253 00:43:38,001 --> 00:43:42,000 LIVES IN SERVICE OF OUR NATION. 1254 00:43:42,001 --> 00:43:46,000 THEIR NAMES WILL 1255 00:43:46,001 --> 00:43:48,000 INDESCRIBED ON THE ETERNAL DECLARATION. 1256 00:43:48,001 --> 00:43:50,000 I YIELD THE 1257 00:43:50,001 --> 00:43:58,000 THE ABSENCE THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK 1258 00:43:58,001 --> 00:45:00,000 WILL CALL THE ROLL. 1259 00:45:00,001 --> 00:45:51,000 QUORUM CALL: 1260 00:45:51,001 --> 00:45:52,000 QUORUM CALL: 1261 00:45:52,001 --> 00:45:56,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: 1262 00:45:56,001 --> 00:46:01,000 SENATOR FROM ARIZONA. MR. McCAIN: I ASK UNANIMOUS 1263 00:46:01,001 --> 00:46:02,000 UNDER THE QUORUM CALL BE 1264 00:46:02,001 --> 00:46:03,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: 1265 00:46:03,001 --> 00:46:04,000 WO UBGZ. 1266 00:46:04,001 --> 00:46:07,000 MR. McCAIN: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE 1267 00:46:07,001 --> 00:46:09,000 TIME O PRESERVED. 1268 00:46:09,001 --> 00:46:12,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. 1269 00:46:12,001 --> 00:46:13,000 MR. McCAIN: MR. PRESIDENT, THE 1270 00:46:13,001 --> 00:46:14,000 LAST FEW YEARS I'VE TRAVELED ALL 1271 00:46:14,001 --> 00:46:19,000 OVER THIS COUNTRY TALKING TO 1272 00:46:19,001 --> 00:46:22,000 AFTER LISTENING TO COUNTLESS 1273 00:46:22,001 --> 00:46:24,000 AMERICANS, INCLUDING TWO TOWN 1274 00:46:24,001 --> 00:46:26,000 HALL MEETINGS LAST WEEK, I 1275 00:46:26,001 --> 00:46:27,000 PROPOSED IN THE PAST HEALTH CARE 1276 00:46:27,001 --> 00:46:30,000 REFORMS THAT WOULD HAVE ENSURED 1277 00:46:30,001 --> 00:46:31,000 HEALTH CARE COVERAGE WAS MORE 1278 00:46:31,001 --> 00:46:35,000 AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, PORTABLE 1279 00:46:35,001 --> 00:46:36,000 AND SUITABLE FOR ALL AMERICAN FAMILIES. 1280 00:46:36,001 --> 00:46:37,000 HEALTH REFORMS NEED TO BE 1281 00:46:37,001 --> 00:46:40,000 CONSISTENT WITH OUR AMERICAN 1282 00:46:40,001 --> 00:46:42,000 VALUES OF FREEDOM, CHOICE, AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. 1283 00:46:42,001 --> 00:46:44,000 THE KEY TO THESE REFORMS IS PUT 1284 00:46:44,001 --> 00:46:46,000 TO OUR CITIZENS IN CHARGE OF 1285 00:46:46,001 --> 00:46:48,000 THEIR OWN HEALTH COVERAGE RATHER 1286 00:46:48,001 --> 00:46:52,000 THAN BEING STUCK IN A JOB 1287 00:46:52,001 --> 00:46:54,000 BECAUSE THE JOB PROVIDES HEALTH 1288 00:46:54,001 --> 00:46:55,000 CARE. 1289 00:46:55,001 --> 00:46:57,000 LOSING HEALTH INSURANCE IF THE 1290 00:46:57,001 --> 00:46:59,000 ECONOMY CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR 1291 00:46:59,001 --> 00:47:00,000 JOB, WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR 1292 00:47:00,001 --> 00:47:02,000 SYSTEM AND ALLOW AMERICANS TO 1293 00:47:02,001 --> 00:47:04,000 OBTAIN COVERAGE OPTIONS WITH A 1294 00:47:04,001 --> 00:47:06,000 TAX CREDIT FOR POLICIES NOT 1295 00:47:06,001 --> 00:47:07,000 LIMITED BY STATE BOUNDARIES OR 1296 00:47:07,001 --> 00:47:10,000 GOVERNMENT DICTATES. 1297 00:47:10,001 --> 00:47:11,000 JUST THIS PAST WEEK I HAD THE 1298 00:47:11,001 --> 00:47:13,000 GREAT GOOD FORTUNE TO VISIT TWO 1299 00:47:13,001 --> 00:47:16,000 OF THE FINEST HEALTH CARE 1300 00:47:16,001 --> 00:47:17,000 INSTITUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY. 1301 00:47:17,001 --> 00:47:19,000 FIRST I SPENT TIME WITH HUNDREDS 1302 00:47:19,001 --> 00:47:22,000 OF PATIENTS, DOCTORS, NURSES AND 1303 00:47:22,001 --> 00:47:24,000 HEALTH CARE LEADERS AT THE 1304 00:47:24,001 --> 00:47:26,000 WORLD-RENOWNED M.D. ANDERSON 1305 00:47:26,001 --> 00:47:27,000 CANCER CENTER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. 1306 00:47:27,001 --> 00:47:29,000 I HEARD FROM PATIENTS WHO HAD 1307 00:47:29,001 --> 00:47:33,000 COME TO THIS CENTER OF 1308 00:47:33,001 --> 00:47:36,000 EXCELLENCE FROM 90 COUNTRIES AND 1309 00:47:36,001 --> 00:47:37,000 STATES, INCLUDING ARINA. 1310 00:47:37,001 --> 00:47:38,000 WHY PATIENTS COME TO THE UNITED 1311 00:47:38,001 --> 00:47:41,000 STATES OF AMERICA FROM ALL OVER 1312 00:47:41,001 --> 00:47:42,000 THE WORLD IS BECAUSE THE 1313 00:47:42,001 --> 00:47:43,000 HIGHEST-QUALITY HEALTH CARE IS 1314 00:47:43,001 --> 00:47:48,000 IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1315 00:47:48,001 --> 00:47:50,000 AND I 1316 00:47:50,001 --> 00:47:52,000 OF THIS DISCUSSION AND DEBATE 1317 00:47:52,001 --> 00:47:53,000 SOMETIMES GOES ASTRAY FROM THE 1318 00:47:53,001 --> 00:47:54,000 FUNDAMENTAL FACT THAT THE 1319 00:47:54,001 --> 00:47:57,000 HIGHEST-QUALITY HEALTH CARE IN 1320 00:47:57,001 --> 00:47:58,000 THE WORLD IS AVAILABLE IN 1321 00:47:58,001 --> 00:48:00,000 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1322 00:48:00,001 --> 00:48:01,000 THE KEY TO IT AND OUR CHALLENGE 1323 00:48:01,001 --> 00:48:05,000 IS TO MAKE THAT HEALTH CARE 1324 00:48:05,001 --> 00:48:08,000 AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO A AMERICANS. 1325 00:48:08,001 --> 00:48:11,000 AND THE PATH WE'RE ON WILL 1326 00:48:11,001 --> 00:48:14,000 DESTROY THE QUALITY OF 1327 00:48:14,001 --> 00:48:17,000 COVERAGE AND WILL IN FACT MAKE 1328 00:48:17,001 --> 00:48:20,000 HEALTH CARE THE SAME AS IT IS IN 1329 00:48:20,001 --> 00:48:22,000 OTHER COUNTRIES AND THE REASON 1330 00:48:22,001 --> 00:48:23,000 WHY THEY LEAVE THERE TO GET 1331 00:48:23,001 --> 00:48:27,000 HIGH-QUALI HEALTH CARE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1332 00:48:27,001 --> 00:48:28,000 IT'S THE BEST OUR SYSTEM, 1333 00:48:28,001 --> 00:48:31,000 BECAUSE INNOVATION AND 1334 00:48:31,001 --> 00:48:32,000 TECHNOLOGY IS ALLOWED TO FLOURISH. 1335 00:48:32,001 --> 00:48:35,000 LATER IN THE WEEK IN MY HOME 1336 00:48:35,001 --> 00:48:37,000 STATE OF ARIZONA, I VISITED ONE 1337 00:48:37,001 --> 00:48:41,000 OF THE PREMIER CHILDREN'S 1338 00:48:41,001 --> 00:48:42,000 HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY. 1339 00:48:42,001 --> 00:48:44,000 PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS A 1340 00:48:44,001 --> 00:48:45,000 TKESTY NAY MEDICAL FACILITY FOR 1341 00:48:45,001 --> 00:48:47,000 ALL CHILDREN 1342 00:48:47,001 --> 00:48:49,000 SOUTHWEST AND IN THE COUNTRY. 1343 00:48:49,001 --> 00:48:51,000 AT PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, 1344 00:48:51,001 --> 00:48:54,000 I ALSO MET WITH PATIENTS, 1345 00:48:54,001 --> 00:48:57,000 PHYSICIANS, NURSES, MEDICAL 1346 00:48:57,001 --> 00:48:58,000 EXECUTIVES AND AVERAGE ARIZONANS. 1347 00:48:58,001 --> 00:49:01,000 DURING THIS VISIT NOT ONE HEALTH 1348 00:49:01,001 --> 00:49:02,000 CARE PROVIDER IN PHOENIX TOLD ME 1349 00:49:02,001 --> 00:49:04,000 THEY WANTED MORE GOVERNMENT 1350 00:49:04,001 --> 00:49:08,000 CONTROL OVER HEALTH CARE. 1351 00:49:08,001 --> 00:49:10,000 IN FACT, THEY TOLD ME THE OPPOSITE. 1352 00:49:10,001 --> 00:49:11,000 P.C.H. HAS EXPERIENCE WITH MEDICAID. 1353 00:49:11,001 --> 00:49:14,000 AND TIME AFTER TIME I WAS TOLD 1354 00:49:14,001 --> 00:49:17,000 OF THE PROBLEMS PROVIDERS FACE 1355 00:49:17,001 --> 00:49:18,000 EVERY DAY WITH THE GOVERNMENT 1356 00:49:18,001 --> 00:49:19,000 MEDICAID PROGRAM. 1357 00:49:19,001 --> 00:49:22,000 THE PROGRAM IS A VITAL 1358 00:49:22,001 --> 00:49:24,000 NET FOR 1359 00:49:24,001 --> 00:49:25,000 TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT 1360 00:49:25,001 --> 00:49:27,000 LESSONS WE HAVE ALREADY LEARNED 1361 00:49:27,001 --> 00:49:29,000 ABOUT GOVERNMENT RUNNING HEALTH 1362 00:49:29,001 --> 00:49:31,000 CARE PROGRAMS. 1363 00:49:31,001 --> 00:49:33,000 DURING THESE EVENTS I WAS REPEAT 1364 00:49:33,001 --> 00:49:36,000 LID TOLD THAT WE NEED -- 1365 00:49:36,001 --> 00:49:37,000 REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT WE REFORM. 1366 00:49:37,001 --> 00:49:38,000 THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEMS 1367 00:49:38,001 --> 00:49:39,000 THEY FACE IN THE 1368 00:49:39,001 --> 00:49:41,000 GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED MEDICARE 1369 00:49:41,001 --> 00:49:43,000 AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS, BOTH WITH 1370 00:49:43,001 --> 00:49:45,000 MASSIVE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES. 1371 00:49:45,001 --> 00:49:47,000 THEY WANT A STABLE SYSTEM THAT 1372 00:49:47,001 --> 00:49:52,000 KEEPS COSTS UNDER CONTROL, GETS 1373 00:49:52,001 --> 00:49:54,000 EVERYONE 1374 00:49:54,001 --> 00:49:55,000 ENCOURAGES INNOVATION AND 1375 00:49:55,001 --> 00:49:56,000 MAINTAINS AMERICA'S STANDING AS 1376 00:49:56,001 --> 00:49:57,000 PROVIDING THE BEST HEALTH CARE 1377 00:49:57,001 --> 00:49:59,000 IN THE WORLD. 1378 00:49:59,001 --> 00:50:00,000 BUT NONE OF THEM TOLD ME THAT WE 1379 00:50:00,001 --> 00:50:01,000 NEED MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF 1380 00:50:01,001 --> 00:50:03,000 HEALTH CARE OR 1381 00:50:03,001 --> 00:50:04,000 GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED HEALTH 1382 00:50:04,001 --> 00:50:07,000 INSURANCE. 1383 00:50:07,001 --> 00:50:09,000 I LISTENED TO AMERICANS. 1384 00:50:09,001 --> 00:50:10,000 I'M WORRIED THAT THEY'RE NOT 1385 00:50:10,001 --> 00:50:11,000 BEING HEARD HERE IN CONGRESS WHO 1386 00:50:11,001 --> 00:50:14,000 CONTROL THE AGENDA IN THE WHITE 1387 00:50:14,001 --> 00:50:15,000 HOUSE AND THE SENATE. 1388 00:50:15,001 --> 00:50:17,000 IF PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE 1389 00:50:17,001 --> 00:50:18,000 DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WERE 1390 00:50:18,001 --> 00:50:20,000 LISTENING, WE WOULDN'T HAVE A 1391 00:50:20,001 --> 00:50:23,000 BILL BEFORE US THAT COSTS TOO 1392 00:50:23,001 --> 00:50:24,000 MUCH, TAXES TOO 1393 00:50:24,001 --> 00:50:27,000 FEW AND PUTS GOVERNMENT IN 1394 00:50:27,001 --> 00:50:29,000 CONTROL AT EVERY TURN. 1395 00:50:29,001 --> 00:50:31,000 THIS COUNTRY HAS FOUGHT FOR OVER 1396 00:50:31,001 --> 00:50:34,000 200 YEARS FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL 1397 00:50:34,001 --> 00:50:37,000 VALUES THAT I FEAR ARE BEING 1398 00:50:37,001 --> 00:50:41,000 ERODEDABLY THE -- ERODED BY 1399 00:50:41,001 --> 00:50:42,000 OTHER SIDE'S APPETITE OF ONE 1400 00:50:42,001 --> 00:50:44,000 SIZE FITS ALL. 1401 00:50:44,001 --> 00:50:45,000 FIRST, THIS ADMINISTRATION TAKES 1402 00:50:45,001 --> 00:50:47,000 OVER THE BANKING INDUSTRY. 1403 00:50:47,001 --> 00:50:53,000 THEN THEY TAKE OVER THE AUTO INDUSTRY. 1404 00:50:53,001 --> 00:50:55,000 ALONG THE WAY, THEY TELL US A 1405 00:50:55,001 --> 00:50:57,000 $787 BILLION IN MORE AND BIGGER 1406 00:50:57,001 --> 00:50:58,000 GOVERNMENT ALONG WITH $1.8 1407 00:50:58,001 --> 00:51:01,000 TRILLION OF DEBT THIS YEAR ALONE 1408 00:51:01,001 --> 00:51:03,000 IS THE ANSWER TO OUR AILING ECONOMY. 1409 00:51:03,001 --> 00:51:05,000 NOW THEY'RE 1410 00:51:05,001 --> 00:51:07,000 PEOPLE THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE 1411 00:51:07,001 --> 00:51:09,000 OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, AND 1412 00:51:09,001 --> 00:51:10,000 GUESS WHAT? 1413 00:51:10,001 --> 00:51:11,000 THEY'RE GOING TO WANT ANOTHER 1414 00:51:11,001 --> 00:51:13,000 STIMULUS PACKAGE. 1415 00:51:13,001 --> 00:51:15,000 I THINK THAT IDEA WOULD BE 1416 00:51:15,001 --> 00:51:16,000 SOUNDLY REJECTED BY THE AMERICAN 1417 00:51:16,001 --> 00:51:18,000 PEOPLE. 1418 00:51:18,001 --> 00:51:19,000 AND NOW THEY'RE TELLING THE 1419 00:51:19,001 --> 00:51:23,000 AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WE MUST 1420 00:51:23,001 --> 00:51:25,000 RUSH TO PASS A NEW GOVERNMENT 1421 00:51:25,001 --> 00:51:28,000 HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT WE CAN'T 1422 00:51:28,001 --> 00:51:29,000 PAY FOR, WILL INCREASE TAXES AND 1423 00:51:29,001 --> 00:51:32,000 KILL JOBS. 1424 00:51:32,001 --> 00:51:38,000 MR. PRESIDENT, WE'RE TALKING 1425 00:51:38,001 --> 00:51:39,000 ABOUT ONE-SIXTH OF 1426 00:51:39,001 --> 00:51:41,000 NATIONAL PRODUCT OF AMERICA AND 1427 00:51:41,001 --> 00:51:42,000 IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THE OTHER 1428 00:51:42,001 --> 00:51:44,000 SIDE WANTS TO JAM THIS THROUGH 1429 00:51:44,001 --> 00:51:46,000 IN THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS. 1430 00:51:46,001 --> 00:51:49,000 THEY STILL HAVEN'T COME UP WITH 1431 00:51:49,001 --> 00:51:50,000 WAYS TO PAY FOR THIS GRANDIOSE TAKEOVER OF THE AMERICAN HEALTH 1432 00:51:50,001 --> 00:51:52,000 CARE SYSTEM. 1433 00:51:52,001 --> 00:51:54,000 AMERICANS ARE LOSING HEALTH CARE 1434 00:51:54,001 --> 00:51:56,000 COVERAGE EVERY DAY, AND THAT 1435 00:51:56,001 --> 00:51:59,000 GETS BACK TO THE ISSUE OF 1436 00:51:59,001 --> 00:52:02,000 AFFORDABILITY, NOT 1437 00:52:02,001 --> 00:52:03,000 BUT THE DEMOCRATS CAN PRODUCE 1438 00:52:03,001 --> 00:52:05,000 LEGISLATION THAT RESPONSIBLY 1439 00:52:05,001 --> 00:52:06,000 MAKES COVERAGE AVAILABL TO ALL 1440 00:52:06,001 --> 00:52:08,000 AMERICANS WITHOUT TRILLIONS OF 1441 00:52:08,001 --> 00:52:11,000 DOLLARS IN NEW SPENDING. 1442 00:52:11,001 --> 00:52:13,000 THIS WEEKEND, AFTER A FOUR-WEEK 1443 00:52:13,001 --> 00:52:15,000 DELAY, WE FINALLY RECEIVED NEW 1444 00:52:15,001 --> 00:52:16,000 PROVISIONS IN THEIR NEW GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE 1445 00:52:16,001 --> 00:52:17,000 PLANS. 1446 00:52:17,001 --> 00:52:20,000 HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE 1447 00:52:20,001 --> 00:52:22,000 LEGISLATION BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE 1448 00:52:22,001 --> 00:52:24,000 SAYS THE 1449 00:52:24,001 --> 00:52:26,000 ESTIMATE FOR THE NEW LANGUAGE 1450 00:52:26,001 --> 00:52:27,000 THEY REVIEWED WAS NEARLY $900 1451 00:52:27,001 --> 00:52:30,000 BILLION IN NEW SPENDING. 1452 00:52:30,001 --> 00:52:31,000 THE OTHER SIDE SAYS THIS IS A 1453 00:52:31,001 --> 00:52:33,000 COST REDUCTION FROM AN EARLIER 1454 00:52:33,001 --> 00:52:38,000 VERSION OF THE BILL. 1455 00:52:38,001 --> 00:52:40,000 DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS. 1456 00:52:40,001 --> 00:52:42,000 AFTER AN INEXPLICATIONABLE 1457 00:52:42,001 --> 00:52:43,000 FOUR-YEAR PHASE-IN THAT DELAYS 1458 00:52:43,001 --> 00:52:45,000 SEVERAL PROVISIONS IN THE 1459 00:52:45,001 --> 00:52:47,000 DEMOCRATIC BILL IN AN EFFORT TO 1460 00:52:47,001 --> 00:52:48,000 HIDE COSTS THROUGH ACCOUNTING 1461 00:52:48,001 --> 00:52:51,000 TECHNIQUES, TH 1462 00:52:51,001 --> 00:52:54,000 ACTUALLY SPEND $1.5 TRILLION 1463 00:52:54,001 --> 00:52:55,000 WHEN IT'S FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND 1464 00:52:55,001 --> 00:52:57,000 THAT'S NOT COUNTING THE HUNDREDS 1465 00:52:57,001 --> 00:52:58,000 OF BILLIONS OF 1466 00:52:58,001 --> 00:53:00,000 MEDICAID SPENDING PROMISED BY 1467 00:53:00,001 --> 00:53:02,000 THAT LEGISLATION. 1468 00:53:02,001 --> 00:53:04,000 C.B.O. 1469 00:53:04,001 --> 00:53:07,000 COMMITTEE BILL STILL LEAVESVER 1470 00:53:07,001 --> 00:53:09,000 30 MIL 1471 00:53:09,001 --> 00:53:10,000 COVERAGE. 1472 00:53:10,001 --> 00:53:12,000 MR. PRESIDENT, FOR ALL THE 1473 00:53:12,001 --> 00:53:13,000 SPENDING BEING PROPOSED, DON'T 1474 00:53:13,001 --> 00:53:17,000 YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE COVERING 1475 00:53:17,001 --> 00:53:19,000 MORE THAN 40% OF THE UNINSURED? 1476 00:53:19,001 --> 00:53:20,000 AND WHEN THE FINAL NUMBERS 1477 00:53:20,001 --> 00:53:23,000 IN, DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE 1478 00:53:23,001 --> 00:53:25,000 COST OF THIS -- QUOTE -- "RUSH 1479 00:53:25,001 --> 00:53:26,000 PROPOSAL" IS AT OR ABOVE $2 1480 00:53:26,001 --> 00:53:28,000 TRILLION. 1481 00:53:28,001 --> 00:53:30,000 WHAT'S WORSE, THE SPONSORS CAN'T 1482 00:53:30,001 --> 00:53:32,000 TELL US HOW WE WILL PAY FOR SUCH 1483 00:53:32,001 --> 00:53:33,000 A MASSIVE PRICE TAG. 1484 00:53:33,001 --> 00:53:35,000 MY COLLEAGUES AND I PLAN TO 1485 00:53:35,001 --> 00:53:36,000 CONTINUE TALKING TO THE AMERICAN 1486 00:53:36,001 --> 00:53:37,000 PUBLIC. 1487 00:53:37,001 --> 00:53:39,000 I SUGGEST THE OTHER SIDE IN THE 1488 00:53:39,001 --> 00:53:41,000 SENATE TALK T 1489 00:53:41,001 --> 00:53:45,000 ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED RATHER THAN 1490 00:53:45,001 --> 00:53:48,000 MAKING THESE DECISIONS FOR THEM. 1491 00:53:48,001 --> 00:53:51,000 AGAIN, MR. PRESIDENT, WE CANNOT 1492 00:53:51,001 --> 00:53:52,000 RISK RUNNING THROUGH A 1493 00:53:52,001 --> 00:53:55,000 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IN THE NEXT 1494 00:53:55,001 --> 00:53:58,000 FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS AND BE SURE 1495 00:53:58,001 --> 00:54:00,000 THAT WE'RE NOT MAKING SERIOUS 1496 00:54:00,001 --> 00:54:02,000 AND FUNDAMENTAL MISTAKES. 1497 00:54:02,001 --> 00:54:05,000 AND THE SERIOUS AND PH-D MISTAKE 1498 00:54:05,001 --> 00:54:07,000 IS 1499 00:54:07,001 --> 00:54:09,000 MISTAKE IS THE APPROACH TO THIS LEGISLATION WHICH IS THAT THE 1500 00:54:09,001 --> 00:54:10,000 QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN 1501 00:54:10,001 --> 00:54:11,000 AMERICA CAN AND MUST BE 1502 00:54:11,001 --> 00:54:13,000 PRESERVED. 1503 00:54:13,001 --> 00:54:14,000 IT'S THE COST THAT NEEDS TO BE 1504 00:54:14,001 --> 00:54:16,000 BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, AND WE 1505 00:54:16,001 --> 00:54:17,000 CAN BRING THOSE COSTS UNDER 1506 00:54:17,001 --> 00:54:19,000 CONTROL BY INNOVATIVE 1507 00:54:19,001 --> 00:54:20,000 TECHNIQUES, BY 1508 00:54:20,001 --> 00:54:21,000 ALLOWING AMERICA TO GO ALL 1509 00:54:21,001 --> 00:54:24,000 ACROSS AMERICA AND GET THE 1510 00:54:24,001 --> 00:54:25,000 HEALTH INSURANCE OF THEIR 1511 00:54:25,001 --> 00:54:27,000 CHOICE, THE SAME WAY THAT WE'VE 1512 00:54:27,001 --> 00:54:28,000 BEEN ABLE 1513 00:54:28,001 --> 00:54:30,000 OTHER -- REDUCE COSTS IN OTHER 1514 00:54:30,001 --> 00:54:31,000 SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY AS 1515 00:54:31,001 --> 00:54:33,000 TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPROVED THE 1516 00:54:33,001 --> 00:54:36,000 QUALITY OF OUR LIVES. 1517 00:54:36,001 --> 00:54:38,000 MR. PRESID 1518 00:54:38,001 --> 00:54:40,000 FLOOR. 1519 00:54:40,001 --> 00:54:42,000 A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 1520 00:54:42,001 --> 00:54:43,000 SENATOR FROM 1521 00:54:43,001 --> 00:54:47,000 MR. ALEXANDER: MR. PRESIDENT, 1522 00:54:47,001 --> 00:54:48,000 I'M GLAD I WAS HERE TO HEAR 1523 00:54:48,001 --> 00:54:54,000 THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS OF THE 1524 00:54:54,001 --> 00:54:55,000 SENATOR FROM ARIZONA, HIS 1525 00:54:55,001 --> 00:54:57,000 LEADERSHIP ON THE HEALTH 1526 00:54:57,001 --> 00:54:58,000 COMMITTEE AND TRYO MAKE SURE 1527 00:54:58,001 --> 00:54:59,000 WE HELP AMERICANS HAVE ACCESS TO 1528 00:54:59,001 --> 00:55:02,000 HEALTH CARE THEY CAN AFFORD A 1529 00:55:02,001 --> 00:55:03,000 THAT WE 1530 00:55:03,001 --> 00:55:04,000 LEAVES THEM WITH A GOVERNMENT 1531 00:55:04,001 --> 00:55:06,000 THEY CAN AFFORD AND WITH CHOIC 1532 00:55:06,001 --> 00:55:07,000 SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE 1533 00:55:07,001 --> 00:55:10,000 GOVERNMENT IN BETWEEN THEMSELVES 1534 00:55:10,001 --> 00:55:14,000 AND THEIR DOCTORS HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT. 1535 00:55:14,001 --> 00:55:16,000 AND I THANK HIM FOR HIS LEADERSHIP. 1536 00:55:16,001 --> 00:55:17,000 THE SENATOR TALKED ABOUT 1537 00:55:17,001 --> 00:55:22,000 SPENDING AND DEBT. 1538 00:55:22,001 --> 00:55:25,000 AND IF DURING MY WEEK IN 1539 00:55:25,001 --> 00:55:26,000 TENNESSEE LAST WEEK I HEARD 1540 00:55:26,001 --> 00:55:28,000 ANYTHING, IT WAS ABOUT TOO MUCH DEBT. 1541 00:55:28,001 --> 00:55:30,000 PEOPLE ARE GENUINELY WORRIED 1542 00:55:30,001 --> 00:55:32,000 ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF NEW DEBT AND SPENDING IN WASHINGTON. 1543 00:55:32,001 --> 00:55:34,000 BUT IF I HEARD ANYTHING ELSE 1544 00:55:34,001 --> 00:55:35,000 LAST WEEK, IT WAS ABOUT TOO MANY 1545 00:55:35,001 --> 00:55:36,000 WASHINGTON TAKE OVERS. 1546 00:55:36,001 --> 00:55:37,000 SENATOR McCAIN MENTIONED SE 1547 00:55:37,001 --> 00:55:38,000 OF THEM. 1548 00:55:38,001 --> 00:55:41,000 HE SAID BANKING. 1549 00:55:41,001 --> 00:55:43,000 HE TALKED ABOUT STUDENT LOANS. 1550 00:55:43,001 --> 00:55:45,000 HE MENTIONED PERHAPS THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY. 1551 00:55:45,001 --> 00:55:46,000 AND HE MENTIONED THE AUTOMOBILE 1552 00:55:46,001 --> 00:55:48,000 INDUSTRY, WHICH IS WHAT I'D LIKE 1553 00:55:48,001 --> 00:55:51,000 TO TALK ABOUT FOR A FEW MINUT 1554 00:55:51,001 --> 00:55:52,000 THIS MORNING. 1555 00:55:52,001 --> 00:55:54,000 YESTERDAY WAS GOOD NEWS FOR 1556 00:55:54,001 --> 00:55:56,000 GENERAL MOTORS. 1557 00:55:56,001 --> 00:55:57,000 THE JUDGE IN THE BANKRUPTCY CASE 1558 00:55:57,001 --> 00:56:00,000 APPARENTLY APPROVED A PLAN THAT 1559 00:56:00,001 --> 00:56:02,000 BY THE END OF THE WEEK SHOULD 1560 00:56:02,001 --> 00:56:03,000 FREE GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1561 00:56:03,001 --> 00:56:05,000 BANKRUPT CIRCUMSTANCE AND WE 1562 00:56:05,001 --> 00:56:06,000 COULD HAVE A 1563 00:56:06,001 --> 00:56:09,000 BANKRUPTCY, AND WE COULD HAVE A 1564 00:56:09,001 --> 00:56:10,000 NEW G.M., WHICH I WISH GREAT 1565 00:56:10,001 --> 00:56:12,000 SUCCESS BECAUSE GENERAL MOTORS 1566 00:56:12,001 --> 00:56:15,000 HAS MADE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR 1567 00:56:15,001 --> 00:56:18,000 STATE OF TENNESSEE. 1568 00:56:18,001 --> 00:56:19,000 THE SATURN PLAN PRODUCED A GOOD 1569 00:56:19,001 --> 00:56:20,000 CAR, ALTHOUGH THEY NEVER MADE 1570 00:56:20,001 --> 00:56:21,000 ANY MONEY FOR ONE REASON OR 1571 00:56:21,001 --> 00:56:22,000 ANOTHER. 1572 00:56:22,001 --> 00:56:24,000 BUT THEY MADE A GREAT 1573 00:56:24,001 --> 00:56:26,000 CONTRIBUTION 1574 00:56:26,001 --> 00:56:28,000 SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GENERAL 1575 00:56:28,001 --> 00:56:30,000 MOTORS IS OUT OF 1576 00:56:30,001 --> 00:56:33,000 THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE UNITED 1577 00:56:33,001 --> 00:56:34,000 STATES GOVERNMENT STILL OWNS 61% 1578 00:56:34,001 --> 00:56:36,000 OF GENERAL MOTORS AS WELL A 1579 00:56:36,001 --> 00:56:38,000 ABOUT 8% OF CHRYSLER. 1580 00:56:38,001 --> 00:56:40,000 AND IT WAS PAID FOR WITH REAL DOLLARS. 1581 00:56:40,001 --> 00:56:44,000 $50 BILLION OR SO IN TAXPAYER 1582 00:56:44,001 --> 00:56:46,000 DOLLARS WENT TO BUY 61% OF GENERAL MOTORS. 1583 00:56:46,001 --> 00:56:49,000 WELL, I HAVE A SOLUTION WHICH 1584 00:56:49,001 --> 00:56:51,000 I'D LIKE 1585 00:56:51,001 --> 00:56:52,000 BY THE SENATOR FROM UTAH, 1586 00:56:52,001 --> 00:56:55,000 SENATOR BENNETT, THE SENATOR 1587 00:56:55,001 --> 00:56:57,000 FROM ARIZONA, SENATOR 1588 00:56:57,001 --> 00:56:58,000 SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY, SENATOR 1589 00:56:58,001 --> 00:56:59,000 McCONNELL AND I. 1590 00:56:59,001 --> 00:57:02,000 OUR AMENDMENT WOULD DIRECT THE 1591 00:57:02,001 --> 00:57:04,000 DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY WITHIN 1592 00:57:04,001 --> 00:57:05,000 ONE YEAR AFTER GENERAL MOTORS 1593 00:57:05,001 --> 00:57:06,000 COMES OUT OF BANKRUPTCY, TO 1594 00:57:06,001 --> 00:57:09,000 DISTRIBUTE ALL THE GOVERNMENT 1595 00:57:09,001 --> 00:57:10,000 STOCK IN GENERAL MOTORS 1596 00:57:10,001 --> 00:57:13,000 CHRYSLER TO THE 120 MILLION 1597 00:57:13,001 --> 00:57:15,000 AMERICANS WHO PAY TAXES ON APRIL 15. 1598 00:57:15,001 --> 00:57:16,000 IN OTHER WORDS, A STOCK DIVIDEND. 1599 00:57:16,001 --> 00:57:17,000 GIVE THE STOCK TO THE PEOPLE WHO 1600 00:57:17,001 --> 00:57:19,000 PAID FOR IT. 1601 00:57:19,001 --> 00:57:22,000 THE IDEA IS PRETTY SIMPLE. 1602 00:57:22,001 --> 00:57:31,000 I PAID FOR IT, I OUGHT TO OWN IT. 1603 00:57:31,001 --> 00:57:33,000 NOT ONLY WOULD THAT STOP THE 1604 00:57:33,001 --> 00:57:35,000 INCESTUOUS POLITICAL MEDDLING. 1605 00:57:35,001 --> 00:57:36,000 WASHINGTON CAN'T SEEM TO KEEP 1606 00:57:36,001 --> 00:57:39,000 ITS HANDS OFF THE CAR COMPANY. 1607 00:57:39,001 --> 00:57:40,000 IT WOULD GENERATE A FAN BASE OF 1608 00:57:40,001 --> 00:57:41,000 120 MILLION AMERICANS WHO MIGHT 1609 00:57:41,001 --> 00:57:43,000 BE INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF 1610 00:57:43,001 --> 00:57:44,000 GENERAL MOTORS, A LITTLE MORE 1611 00:57:44,001 --> 00:57:46,000 INTERESTED THAN THEY ARE TODAY. 1612 00:57:46,001 --> 00:57:48,000 THINK OF THE GREEN BAY PACKERS. 1613 00:57:48,001 --> 00:57:50,000 THE FANS OWN THE TEAM, AND THE 1614 00:57:50,001 --> 00:57:51,000 FANS ARE EVEN A LITTLE BIT MORE 1615 00:57:51,001 --> 00:57:52,000 INTERESTED IN WHO THE 1616 00:57:52,001 --> 00:57:54,000 QUARTERBACK MIGHT BE THAN THEY 1617 00:57:54,001 --> 00:57:55,000 MIGHT OTHERWISE BE. 1618 00:57:55,001 --> 00:57:57,000 IF 1 1619 00:57:57,001 --> 00:57:58,000 LITTLE BIT OF GENERAL MOTORS, 1620 00:57:58,001 --> 00:58:01,000 THE NEW G.M., THEY MIGHT BE A 1621 00:58:01,001 --> 00:58:02,000 NEXT CHEVY, AND IT MIGHT HELP 1622 00:58:02,001 --> 00:58:04,000 THAT COMPANY SUCCEED. 1623 00:58:04,001 --> 00:58:06,000 BUT I CAN SUGGEST ONE THING THAT 1624 00:58:06,001 --> 00:58:10,000 WILL MAKE SURE THE COMPANY 1625 00:58:10,001 --> 00:58:13,000 DOESN'T SUCCEED, AND THAT IS TO 1626 00:58:13,001 --> 00:58:17,000 MOTORS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 1627 00:58:17,001 --> 00:58:18,000 WITH M INTERFERING WITH THE EXECUTIVES 1628 00:58:18,001 --> 00:58:20,000 AND WORKERS WHO ARE DESIGNING 1629 00:58:20,001 --> 00:58:22,000 AND BUILDING AND SELLING CARS, 1630 00:58:22,001 --> 00:58:24,000 OR WHO I MIGHT SAY OUGHT TO BE 1631 00:58:24,001 --> 00:58:26,000 DESIGNING, BUILDING AND SLING CARS. 1632 00:58:26,001 --> 00:58:28,000 NOW WHE I FIRST SUGGESTED THAT 1633 00:58:28,001 --> 00:58:29,000 WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS JUST GIVE 1634 00:58:29,001 --> 00:58:32,000 THE STOCK TO TAXPAYERS, I THINK 1635 00:58:32,001 --> 00:58:33,000 SOME OF 1636 00:58:33,001 --> 00:58:36,000 MR. PRESIDENT, ABOUT HOW LONG DO 1637 00:58:36,001 --> 00:58:39,000 I HAVE THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 1638 00:58:39,001 --> 00:58:41,000 SENATOR HAS 1639 00:58:41,001 --> 00:58:42,000 MR. ALEXANDER: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. 1640 00:58:42,001 --> 00:58:44,000 I THINK SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES 1641 00:58:44,001 --> 00:58:46,000 THOUGHT I MIGHT BE FACETIOUS. 1642 00:58:46,001 --> 00:58:47,000 BUT THIS IS A 1643 00:58:47,001 --> 00:58:50,000 CORPORATE EVENT. 1644 00:58:50,001 --> 00:58:52,000 IT'S CALLED A STOCK DIVIDEND OR 1645 00:58:52,001 --> 00:58:53,000 STOCK DISTRIBUTION, OR A 1646 00:58:53,001 --> 00:58:57,000 CORPORATE SPINOFF. 1647 00:58:57,001 --> 00:59:01,000 IN 1969, PROCTER & GAMBLE DID A 1648 00:59:01,001 --> 00:59:05,000 SPINOFF WITH CLOROX, ITS SUBSIDIARY. 1649 00:59:05,001 --> 00:59:06,000 IT 1650 00:59:06,001 --> 00:59:09,000 CLOROX, WASN'T A PART OF THE 1651 00:59:09,001 --> 00:59:10,000 CORE BUSINESSF PROCTER & 1652 00:59:10,001 --> 00:59:12,000 GAMBLE ANYMORE SO IT GAVE SHARES 1653 00:59:12,001 --> 00:59:14,000 OF CLOROX TO PEOPLE WHO OWNED 1654 00:59:14,001 --> 00:59:16,000 THE MAJOR COMPANY -- PROCTER & GAMBLE. 1655 00:59:16,001 --> 00:59:20,000 TIME WARNER DID IT WITH TIME 1656 00:59:20,001 --> 00:59:21,000 WARNER CABLE IN MARCH OF 2009. 1657 00:59:21,001 --> 00:59:24,000 PEPSICO DID IT WITH ITS 1658 00:59:24,001 --> 00:59:29,000 RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN 1997. 1659 00:59:29,001 --> 00:59:31,000 THAT WAS K.F.C., PIZZA HUT TACO BELL. 1660 00:59:31,001 --> 00:59:32,000 IT IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO SOLVE 1661 00:59:32,001 --> 00:59:34,000 THE PROBLEM. 1662 00:59:34,001 --> 00:59:36,000 THE PRESIDENT SAID HE DOESN'T 1663 00:59:36,001 --> 00:59:37,000 WANT TO MICROMANAGE THE COMPANY. 1664 00:59:37,001 --> 00:59:38,000 HE WANTS TO SELL IT. 1665 00:59:38,001 --> 00:59:39,000 BUT THE PRESIDENT HAS FIRED THE 1666 00:59:39,001 --> 00:59:40,000 PRESIDENT OF GENERAL MOTORS, PUT 1667 00:59:40,001 --> 00:59:42,000 IN THE BOARD AND CALLED THE 1668 00:59:42,001 --> 00:59:43,000 MAYOR OF 1669 00:59:43,001 --> 00:59:46,000 BELIEVES THE 1670 00:59:46,001 --> 00:59:48,000 TO BE IN DETROIT INSTEAD OF WARREN, MICHIGAN. 1671 00:59:48,001 --> 00:59:50,000 AND YOU HAVE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1672 00:59:50,001 --> 00:59:52,000 HOUSE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE 1673 00:59:52,001 --> 00:59:54,000 CALLING UP 1674 00:59:54,001 --> 00:59:55,000 THE WAREHOUSE IN MY DISTRICT. 1675 00:59:55,001 --> 00:59:57,000 AND SENATORS FROM TENNESSEE AND 1676 00:59:57,001 --> 00:59:59,000 MICHIGAN AND OTHER STATES SAYING 1677 00:59:59,001 --> 01:00:02,000 PLEASE PUT A PLANT IN 1678 01:00:02,001 --> 01:00:06,000 WE HAVE 60 COMMITTEES THAT COULD 1679 01:00:06,001 --> 01:00:09,000 BE HAVING THE GENERAL MOTORS AND 1680 01:00:09,001 --> 01:00:11,000 CHRYSLER SKRAOUFS DRIVE IN THEIR 1681 01:00:11,001 --> 01:00:13,000 CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED HYBRID 1682 01:00:13,001 --> 01:00:16,000 CARS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. 1683 01:00:16,001 --> 01:00:17,000 ALL DAY WHILE THEY OUGHT TO BE 1684 01:00:17,001 --> 01:00:21,000 FIGURING OUT HOW THEY COULD MAKE 1685 01:00:21,001 --> 01:00:22,000 A CAROUSEL BETTER -- CAR SELL 1686 01:00:22,001 --> 01:00:23,000 BETTER THAN SOME OTHER COMPANY. 1687 01:00:23,001 --> 01:00:25,000 LET'S GET THE STOCK OUT OF 1688 01:00:25,001 --> 01:00:27,000 WASHINGTON AND INTO THE HANDS OF 1689 01:00:27,001 --> 01:00:30,000 TAXPAYERS. 1690 01:00:30,001 --> 01:00:33,000 I HAVE TWICE PRESENTED A CAR 1691 01:00:33,001 --> 01:00:34,000 CZAR AWARD TO TRY TO PUT A 1692 01:00:34,001 --> 01:00:36,000 SPOTLIGHT ON THE POLITICAL 1693 01:00:36,001 --> 01:00:39,000 MEDDLING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 1694 01:00:39,001 --> 01:00:42,000 ONCE I GAVE IT TO 1695 01:00:42,001 --> 01:00:44,000 WHO CALLED UP THE GENERAL MOTORS 1696 01:00:44,001 --> 01:00:46,000 PRESIDENT AND SAID, DON'T CLOSE 1697 01:00:46,001 --> 01:00:47,000 A WAREHOUSE IN MY DISTRICT AND 1698 01:00:47,001 --> 01:00:50,000 GENERAL MOTORS 1699 01:00:50,001 --> 01:00:52,000 ONCE I GAVE IT TO MYSELF AN MET 1700 01:00:52,001 --> 01:00:54,000 WITH THE G.M. PEOPLE AND SAID 1701 01:00:54,001 --> 01:00:56,000 PLEASE PUT A PLANT IN MY 1702 01:00:56,001 --> 01:00:59,000 DISTRICT THE TODAY I WOULD LIKE 1703 01:00:59,001 --> 01:01:01,000 TO -- DISTRICT. 1704 01:01:01,001 --> 01:01:03,000 TIED WOULD 1705 01:01:03,001 --> 01:01:05,000 A REAL CAR CZAR. 1706 01:01:05,001 --> 01:01:08,000 THERES AN ARTICLE ABOUT 1707 01:01:08,001 --> 01:01:11,000 LIEUTENANT GENERAL 1708 01:01:11,001 --> 01:01:12,000 WAS THE CAR CZAR OF ROMANIA. 1709 01:01:12,001 --> 01:01:14,000 I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT 1710 01:01:14,001 --> 01:01:16,000 FOLLOWING MY REMARKS THAT THIS 1711 01:01:16,001 --> 01:01:18,000 ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT HE LEARNED AS 1712 01:01:18,001 --> 01:01:19,000 CAR CZAR BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD. 1713 01:01:19,001 --> 01:01:20,000 THE PRESIDINOFFIR: WITHOUT 1714 01:01:20,001 --> 01:01:22,000 OBJECTION. 1715 01:01:22,001 --> 01:01:23,000 MR. ALEXANDER: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. 1716 01:01:23,001 --> 01:01:25,000 BASICALLY HE SAYS THE UNITED 1717 01:01:25,001 --> 01:01:27,000 STATES IS FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN 1718 01:01:27,001 --> 01:01:30,000 GREAT BRITAIN WAS THEN AND NO 1719 01:01:30,001 --> 01:01:31,000 AMERICAN SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF 1720 01:01:31,001 --> 01:01:32,000 DESTROYING ITS SOLID ECONOMIC 1721 01:01:32,001 --> 01:01:33,000 BASE. 1722 01:01:33,001 --> 01:01:34,000 I HOPE THAT THE U.S. 1723 01:01:34,001 --> 01:01:36,000 ADMINISTRATION 1724 01:01:36,001 --> 01:01:39,000 LOOK CLOSELY AT HISTORY AND 1725 01:01:39,001 --> 01:01:43,000 PREVENT THE OUGHT MOW MOTIVE -- 1726 01:01:43,001 --> 01:01:45,000 AU 1727 01:01:45,001 --> 01:01:48,000 FOLLOW THE ROMANIAN CARS. 1728 01:01:48,001 --> 01:01:51,000 HOW THE PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA 1729 01:01:51,001 --> 01:01:54,000 DECREED THAT THE ULSET PARTS 1730 01:01:54,001 --> 01:01:56,000 WERE TO BE MANUFACTURED AT 166 1731 01:01:56,001 --> 01:01:58,000 EXISTING RANIAN FACTORIES IN 1732 01:01:58,001 --> 01:02:00,000 EXACTLY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY 1733 01:02:00,001 --> 01:02:01,000 THAT CORRESP 1734 01:02:01,001 --> 01:02:02,000 DISTRICTS. 1735 01:02:02,001 --> 01:02:04,000 CAN I SEE THAT HAPPENING HERE THE UNITED STATES. 1736 01:02:04,001 --> 01:02:06,000 WE ALREADY HAVE CONGRESSMEN 1737 01:02:06,001 --> 01:02:09,000 SAYING DON'T BUY A BATTERY IN 1738 01:02:09,001 --> 01:02:10,000 SOUTH KOREA, BUY ONE IN MY 1739 01:02:10,001 --> 01:02:13,000 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TO PUT I 1740 01:02:13,001 --> 01:02:15,000 THE CHEVY VOLT. 1741 01:02:15,001 --> 01:02:17,000 THEY MIGHT BUY IT FROM SOUTH 1742 01:02:17,001 --> 01:02:18,000 KOREA BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE THE 1743 01:02:18,001 --> 01:02:20,000 CHEVY VOLT A SUCCESS. 1744 01:02:20,001 --> 01:02:22,000 IT REMINDS ME OF AN ARTICLE IN 1745 01:02:22,001 --> 01:02:24,000 "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IN 1989 1746 01:02:24,001 --> 01:02:27,000 TALKING ABOUT THE SOVIET CARS 1747 01:02:27,001 --> 01:02:29,000 CALLED THE LOTTA, WHICH WERE 1748 01:02:29,001 --> 01:02:32,000 JOKES AND THE DIFFICULTY THAT 1749 01:02:32,001 --> 01:02:36,000 THE SOVIET UNION HAD, THE JOKES 1750 01:02:36,001 --> 01:02:40,000 ABOUT THE LOTTA, WHAT TO YOU 1751 01:02:40,001 --> 01:02:41,000 CALL A LOTTA WITH TWIN 1752 01:02:41,001 --> 01:02:42,000 TAILPIPES? 1753 01:02:42,001 --> 01:02:45,000 A WHEEL BARO. 1754 01:02:45,001 --> 01:02:47,000 WHY DO THEY HAVE HEATED WINDOWS, 1755 01:02:47,001 --> 01:02:49,000 SO YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HANDS WARM 1756 01:02:49,001 --> 01:02:51,000 WHILE PUSHING THEM IN THE SNOW. 1757 01:02:51,001 --> 01:02:53,000 IN OTHER WORDS, WE POLITICIANS 1758 01:02:53,001 --> 01:02:56,000 DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MAKING 1759 01:02:56,001 --> 01:02:58,000 CARS AND WE THAT WE DO. 1760 01:02:58,001 --> 01:03:01,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW THAT. 1761 01:03:01,001 --> 01:03:02,000 THEY DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT WE 1762 01:03:02,001 --> 01:03:03,000 SPENT $50 BILLION BY BAILING OUT 1763 01:03:03,001 --> 01:03:05,000 THE CAR COMPANIES. 1764 01:03:05,001 --> 01:03:07,000 THEY LIKE IT WORSE THAT WE'RE 1765 01:03:07,001 --> 01:03:09,000 SITTING ON 60 COMMITTEES ACTING 1766 01:03:09,001 --> 01:03:10,000 LIKE WE CAN HELP THEM SUCCEED. 1767 01:03:10,001 --> 01:03:12,000 THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING 1768 01:03:12,001 --> 01:03:14,000 THAT WE CAN DO TO CELEBRATE 1769 01:03:14,001 --> 01:03:15,000 GENERAL MOTORS COMING OUT OF 1770 01:03:15,001 --> 01:03:16,000 BANKRUPTCY THIS WEEK IS TO PASS 1771 01:03:16,001 --> 01:03:18,000 THE AMENDMENT THAT WE HAVE 1772 01:03:18,001 --> 01:03:20,000 OFFERED WHICH WOULD GIVE ALL OF 1773 01:03:20,001 --> 01:03:21,000 THE STOCK THAT THE GOVERNMENT 1774 01:03:21,001 --> 01:03:24,000 HAS IN GENERAL MOTORS AND 1775 01:03:24,001 --> 01:03:25,000 CHRYSLER WITHIN ONE YEAR TO THE 1776 01:03:25,001 --> 01:03:28,000 120 MILLION AMERICANS WHO PAID 1777 01:03:28,001 --> 01:03:29,000 TAXES ON APRIL 15. 1778 01:03:29,001 --> 01:03:32,000 THE RATIONALE IS VERY SIMPLE. 1779 01:03:32,001 --> 01:03:33,000 THEY PAID FOR IT, THEY SHOULD 1780 01:03:33,001 --> 01:03:34,000 OWN IT. 1781 01:03:34,001 --> 01:03:36,000 THAT WOULD BEGIN TO STOP THIS 1782 01:03:36,001 --> 01:03:38,000 TREND WE'RE SEEING EVERY DAY AND 1783 01:03:38,001 --> 01:03:39,000 EVERY MONTH IN 1784 01:03:39,001 --> 01:03:41,000 MANY WASHINGTON TAKEOVERS AND 1785 01:03:41,001 --> 01:03:43,000 MOVE US BACK IN THE DIRECTION 1786 01:03:43,001 --> 01:03:46,000 THAT WE OUGHT TO GO TO REBUILD A 1787 01:03:46,001 --> 01:03:47,000 GREAT CAR COMPANY AND TO GET 1788 01:03:47,001 --> 01:03:49,000 JOBS FLOWING IN THIS COUNTRY AGAIN. 1789 01:03:49,001 --> 01:03:58,000 I THANK THE PRESIDENT AND I 1790 01:03:58,001 --> 01:04:00,000 YIELD THE FLOOR. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 1791 01:04:00,001 --> 01:04:02,000 SENATOR FROM ALABAMA. 1792 01:04:02,001 --> 01:04:04,000 MR. SESSIONS: I THANK THE CHAIR. 1793 01:04:04,001 --> 01:04:05,000 HOW MANY TIME IS LEFT? 1794 01:04:05,001 --> 01:04:06,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: 12 1795 01:04:06,001 --> 01:04:09,000 MINUTES REMAINING. 1796 01:04:09,001 --> 01:04:11,000 MR. SESSIONS: I THANK THE CHAIR 1797 01:04:11,001 --> 01:04:14,000 AND EXPRESS MY APPRECIATIONO 1798 01:04:14,001 --> 01:04:16,000 THE SENAT FROM TENNESSEE FOR 1799 01:04:16,001 --> 01:04:20,000 HIS INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS. 1800 01:04:20,001 --> 01:04:22,000 IT IS AN TANGLED WEB WE CREATE 1801 01:04:22,001 --> 01:04:23,000 WHEN WE START OWN 1802 01:04:23,001 --> 01:04:24,000 COMPANIES OF WHICH WE KNOW 1803 01:04:24,001 --> 01:04:26,000 NOTHING ABOUT. 1804 01:04:26,001 --> 01:04:27,000 I WOULD JUST SAY, MADAM 1805 01:04:27,001 --> 01:04:32,000 PRESIDENT, WE ARE LOOKING 1806 01:04:32,001 --> 01:04:34,000 FORWARD NEXT WEEK IF - 1807 01:04:34,001 --> 01:04:39,000 AS HARD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO 1808 01:04:39,001 --> 01:04:40,000 ENSURE WE H 1809 01:04:40,001 --> 01:04:42,000 CONFIRMATION HEARING IN THE 1810 01:04:42,001 --> 01:04:44,000 JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR THE 1811 01:04:44,001 --> 01:04:45,000 JUSTICE NOMINATED -- JUDGE 1812 01:04:45,001 --> 01:04:49,000 NOMINATED TO BE JUSTICE OF THE 1813 01:04:49,001 --> 01:04:50,000 SUPREME COURT BY PRESIDENT 1814 01:04:50,001 --> 01:04:51,000 OBAMA, JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR. 1815 01:04:51,001 --> 01:04:52,000 I WANT TO SHARE A 1816 01:04:52,001 --> 01:04:54,000 ABOUT THAT. 1817 01:04:54,001 --> 01:04:59,000 SOME MATTERS THAT I THINK ARE 1818 01:04:59,001 --> 01:05:01,000 IMPORTANT FOR 1819 01:05:01,001 --> 01:05:02,000 TO THINK ABOUT AS THEY STUDY 1820 01:05:02,001 --> 01:05:04,000 THIS ISSUE AND WORK TO DO THE 1821 01:05:04,001 --> 01:05:09,000 RIGHT THING ABOUT IT. 1822 01:05:09,001 --> 01:05:13,000 THE PRESIDENT'S NOMINEE IS, OF 1823 01:05:13,001 --> 01:05:14,000 COURSE, HIS NOMINEE, IT'S OUR 1824 01:05:14,001 --> 01:05:15,000 RESPONSIBILITY, THE ONLY 1825 01:05:15,001 --> 01:05:17,000 OPPORTUNITY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 1826 01:05:17,001 --> 01:05:20,000 HAVE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS 1827 01:05:20,001 --> 01:05:22,000 PROCESS IS REALLY THE HEARING IN 1828 01:05:22,001 --> 01:05:24,000 WHICH THE NOMINEE HAS TO ANSWER 1829 01:05:24,001 --> 01:05:25,000 QUESTIONS AND RESPOND AND 1830 01:05:25,001 --> 01:05:27,000 SENATORS MAKE COMMENTS AND ASK 1831 01:05:27,001 --> 01:05:30,000 QUESTIONS. 1832 01:05:30,001 --> 01:05:33,000 MADAM 1833 01:05:33,001 --> 01:05:35,000 ONE OF OUR CITIZENS TO A FEDERAL 1834 01:05:35,001 --> 01:05:36,000 JUDGESHIP, WE GIVE THEM AN 1835 01:05:36,001 --> 01:05:37,000 AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY AND 1836 01:05:37,001 --> 01:05:38,000 PARTICULARLY SO WHEN THEY'RE 1837 01:05:38,001 --> 01:05:42,000 ELEVATED TO THE SUPREME COURT. 1838 01:05:42,001 --> 01:05:44,000 THEY ARE THE FINAL WORD ON OUR 1839 01:05:44,001 --> 01:05:46,000 CONSTITUTION, HOW THOSE WORDS -- 1840 01:05:46,001 --> 01:05:49,000 HOW THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR 1841 01:05:49,001 --> 01:05:51,000 LAWS ARE TO BE INTERPRETED. 1842 01:05:51,001 --> 01:05:54,000 SO JUDGES, I HAVE TO SAY, HAVE 1843 01:05:54,001 --> 01:05:55,000 NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. 1844 01:05:55,001 --> 01:05:58,000 THEY'VE ALLOWED THEIR PERSONAL 1845 01:05:58,001 --> 01:06:02,000 VIEWS AND VALUES TO IMIN FACT, 1846 01:06:02,001 --> 01:06:04,000 IN MY -- IMPACT THAT, IN MY VIEW. 1847 01:06:04,001 --> 01:06:06,000 WE ASK JUDGES TO TAKE ON A 1848 01:06:06,001 --> 01:06:08,000 DIFFERENT ROLE THAN THEY HAVE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE. 1849 01:06:08,001 --> 01:06:10,000 WE ASK THEM TO SHED THEIR 1850 01:06:10,001 --> 01:06:13,000 PERSONAL BELIEFS, THEIR PERSONAL 1851 01:06:13,001 --> 01:06:14,000 BIASES AND, YES, THEIR PERSONAL 1852 01:06:14,001 --> 01:06:18,000 EXPERIENCES. 1853 01:06:18,001 --> 01:06:19,000 WE ASK THEM TO TAKE AN OATH TO 1854 01:06:19,001 --> 01:06:21,000 IMPARTIAL JUSTICE. 1855 01:06:21,001 --> 01:06:23,000 OUR WONDERFUL JUDICIAL SYSTEM, 1856 01:06:23,001 --> 01:06:25,000 THE GREATEST THE WORLD HAS EVER 1857 01:06:25,001 --> 01:06:30,000 SEEN, RESTS UPON THAT FIRST PRINCIPLE. 1858 01:06:30,001 --> 01:06:34,000 IT I ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM, CROSS-EXAMINATION. 1859 01:06:34,001 --> 01:06:37,000 IT IS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE AND -- 1860 01:06:37,001 --> 01:06:40,000 OT 1861 01:06:40,001 --> 01:06:42,000 DESIGNED TO PRODUCE TRUTH -- 1862 01:06:42,001 --> 01:06:47,000 OBJECTIVE TRUTH. 1863 01:06:47,001 --> 01:06:49,000 FOUNDED ON A BELIEF IN OBJECTIVE 1864 01:06:49,001 --> 01:06:50,000 TRUTH AND ITS ACERTAIN TRAIN 1865 01:06:50,001 --> 01:07:04,000 ABILITY. 1866 01:07:04,001 --> 01:07:06,000 THIS IS THE -- ASKER I ASKER IS 1867 01:07:06,001 --> 01:07:08,000 THEIR WORDS DON'T REALLY HAVE MEAN. 1868 01:07:08,001 --> 01:07:10,000 WORDS ARE JUST MATTERS SOME 1869 01:07:10,001 --> 01:07:13,000 POLITICAL POWERFUL GROUP GOT 1870 01:07:13,001 --> 01:07:14,000 PAST ONE DAY AND THEY DON'T HAVE 1871 01:07:14,001 --> 01:07:16,000 CONCRETE MEANINGS. 1872 01:07:16,001 --> 01:07:18,000 YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY TO 1873 01:07:18,001 --> 01:07:20,000 CERTAIN WHAT THEY MEANT. 1874 01:07:20,001 --> 01:07:23,000 INDEED, A GOOD JUDGE -- A GOOD 1875 01:07:23,001 --> 01:07:25,000 THEORY OF LAW IS TO ALLOW THE 1876 01:07:25,001 --> 01:07:28,000 JUDGE TO UPDATE ITR CHANGE IT 1877 01:07:28,001 --> 01:07:29,000 OR ADOPT HOW THEY WOULD LIKE IT 1878 01:07:29,001 --> 01:07:31,000 TO BE. 1879 01:07:31,001 --> 01:07:33,000 AND I WOULD SUGGEST, MADAM 1880 01:07:33,001 --> 01:07:34,000 PRESIDENT, THIS IS NOT A HEALTHY 1881 01:07:34,001 --> 01:07:37,000 END IN AMERICA. 1882 01:07:37,001 --> 01:07:39,000 AND IT IMPACTS 1883 01:07:39,001 --> 01:07:43,000 ACROSS THE BOARD IN SO MANY, 1884 01:07:43,001 --> 01:07:45,000 MANY WAYS, BUT I THINK IT'S 1885 01:07:45,001 --> 01:07:49,000 PARTICULARLY PERNICIOUS WHEN IT 1886 01:07:49,001 --> 01:07:51,000 COMES TO LAW IF THAT KIND OF 1887 01:07:51,001 --> 01:07:52,000 RELATIVE 1888 01:07:52,001 --> 01:07:58,000 OVER. 1889 01:07:58,001 --> 01:08:01,000 SO THIS NOTION OF BLIND JUSTICE, 1890 01:08:01,001 --> 01:08:02,000 OBJECTIVITY, IMPARTIALITY IS IN 1891 01:08:02,001 --> 01:08:04,000 OUR LEGAL SYSTEM FROM THE 1892 01:08:04,001 --> 01:08:07,000 BEGINNING AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ERODED. 1893 01:08:07,001 --> 01:08:08,000 A JUDGE TAKES AN OATH -- EVERY 1894 01:08:08,001 --> 01:08:10,000 JUDGE TAKES THIS OATH. 1895 01:08:10,001 --> 01:08:13,000 AND IT SUMS UP, I THINK, SO WELL 1896 01:08:13,001 --> 01:08:14,000 THE IDEALS OF THE 1897 01:08:14,001 --> 01:08:16,000 SYSTEM WE HAVE. 1898 01:08:16,001 --> 01:08:19,000 A JUDGE TAKES THIS 1899 01:08:19,001 --> 01:08:23,000 -- "I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I 1900 01:08:23,001 --> 01:08:28,000 WILL ADMINISTER JUSTICE WITHOUT 1901 01:08:28,001 --> 01:08:30,000 RESPECT TO PERSONS AND TO DO 1902 01:08:30,001 --> 01:08:32,000 EQUAL RIGHT TO THE POOR AND THE 1903 01:08:32,001 --> 01:08:36,000 RICH AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY 1904 01:08:36,001 --> 01:08:39,000 AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE 1905 01:08:39,001 --> 01:08:41,000 PERFOR ALL THE DUTIES INCUMBENT 1906 01:08:41,001 --> 01:08:43,000 UPON ME UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 1907 01:08:43,001 --> 01:08:46,000 AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED 1908 01:08:46,001 --> 01:08:47,000 STATES, SO HELP ME GOD." 1909 01:08:47,001 --> 01:08:49,000 CLOSE QUOTE. 1910 01:08:49,001 --> 01:08:51,000 WELL, I GUESS THE COURT HADN'T 1911 01:08:51,001 --> 01:08:53,000 GOTTEN AROUND TO STRIKING THEIR 1912 01:08:53,001 --> 01:08:55,000 OATH YET, AT LEAST THE PART THAT 1913 01:08:55,001 --> 01:08:58,000 SAYS SO HELP ME GOD. 1914 01:08:58,001 --> 01:08:59,000 BUT THOSE PHRASES HAVE BEEN 1915 01:08:59,001 --> 01:09:01,000 ATTACKED AROUND THE COUNTRY BY 1916 01:09:01,001 --> 01:09:02,000 FEDERALUDGES IN MANY, MANY 1917 01:09:02,001 --> 01:09:04,000 INSTANCES. 1918 01:09:04,001 --> 01:09:07,000 SO I MUST SAY THIS OATH -- I'VE 1919 01:09:07,001 --> 01:09:09,000 GOT TO SAY THIS -- STANDS IN 1920 01:09:09,001 --> 01:09:11,000 CONTRAST TO THE PRESIDENT'S 1921 01:09:11,001 --> 01:09:12,000 STATED STANDARD FOR JUDICIAL 1922 01:09:12,001 --> 01:09:14,000 NOMINEES. 1923 01:09:14,001 --> 01:09:16,000 AND I'M CONCERNED BASED ON HER 1924 01:09:16,001 --> 01:09:19,000 SPEECHES AN STATEMENTS THAT IT 1925 01:09:19,001 --> 01:09:22,000 MAY ALSO BE THE 1926 01:09:22,001 --> 01:09:25,000 PHILOSOPHY OF JUDGE SOTOMAYOR. 1927 01:09:25,001 --> 01:09:29,000 IN 2005 THEN SENATOR OBAMA 1928 01:09:29,001 --> 01:09:30,000 EXPLAINED THAT 5% OF CASES, HE 1929 01:09:30,001 --> 01:09:32,000 BELIEVES, ARE DETERMINED BY -- 1930 01:09:32,001 --> 01:09:34,000 QUOTE -- "ONE'S DEEPEST VALUES 1931 01:09:34,001 --> 01:09:37,000 AND CORE CONRNS AND THE DEPTH 1932 01:09:37,001 --> 01:09:38,000 AND BREADTH OF ONE'S EMPATHY." 1933 01:09:38,001 --> 01:09:42,000 CLOSE QUOTE. 1934 01:09:42,001 --> 01:09:48,000 HE MEANS A JUDGE'S PERSONAL CORE 1935 01:09:48,001 --> 01:09:50,000 CONCERNS, VALUES, AND EMPATHY. 1936 01:09:50,001 --> 01:09:52,000 WELL, ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT 1937 01:09:52,001 --> 01:09:55,000 IN 5% OF THE CASES WHERE ISSUES 1938 01:09:55,001 --> 01:09:58,000 ARE CLOSE, IT'S ACCEPTABLE. 1939 01:09:58,001 --> 01:09:59,000 I THINK WE MUST DRAW FROM HIS 1940 01:09:59,001 --> 01:10:01,000 STATEMENT, THAT IT'S ACCEPTABLE 1941 01:10:01,001 --> 01:10:04,000 FOR JUDGES TO NOT SET ASIDE 1942 01:10:04,001 --> 01:10:05,000 THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS, TO N 1943 01:10:05,001 --> 01:10:07,000 DISCARD THEIR PERSONAL BIASES, 1944 01:10:07,001 --> 01:10:10,000 TO NOT DISPENSE WITH THEIR 1945 01:10:10,001 --> 01:10:12,000 PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS THEY 1946 01:10:12,001 --> 01:10:15,000 MAKE RULINGS, AS THEY DECIDE 1947 01:10:15,001 --> 01:10:17,000 CASES, WHICH IS WHAT JUDGES DO. 1948 01:10:17,001 --> 01:10:22,000 ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT IN 5% 1949 01:10:22,001 --> 01:10:26,000 OF CASES LADY JUSTICE SHOULD, WE 1950 01:10:26,001 --> 01:10:28,000 MAY SAY, REMOVE HER 1951 01:10:28,001 --> 01:10:31,000 TAKE A LOOK AT THE LITIGANTS, 1952 01:10:31,001 --> 01:10:32,000 REACH 1953 01:10:32,001 --> 01:10:38,000 THE SCALES OF JUSTICE ON ONE 1954 01:10:38,001 --> 01:10:41,000 I THINK THIS IS A DANGEROUS 1955 01:10:41,001 --> 01:10:44,000 FUNDAMENTAL PILLAR OF OUR 1956 01:10:44,001 --> 01:10:46,000 JUDICIAL SYSTEM, JUDICIAL IMPARTIALITY. 1957 01:10:46,001 --> 01:10:47,000 THAT'S WHY JUDGES ARE GIVEN 1958 01:10:47,001 --> 01:10:50,000 LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS. 1959 01:10:50,001 --> 01:10:52,000 THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE UNBIAS, 1960 01:10:52,001 --> 01:10:54,000 IMPARTIAL. 1961 01:10:54,001 --> 01:10:57,000 WELL, WHATEVER THIS NEW 1962 01:10:57,001 --> 01:11:00,000 STANDARD IS IS 1963 01:11:00,001 --> 01:11:03,000 IT IS MORE AKIN TO POLITICS THAN LAW. 1964 01:11:03,001 --> 01:11:05,000 WHENEVER A JUDGE PUTS HIS OR HER 1965 01:11:05,001 --> 01:11:08,000 THUMB ON THE SCALE OF JUSTICE IN 1966 01:11:08,001 --> 01:11:11,000 FAVOR OF ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER, 1967 01:11:11,001 --> 01:11:14,000 THE JUDGE NECESSARILY DISFAVORS 1968 01:11:14,001 --> 01:11:16,000 THE OTHER PARTY. 1969 01:11:16,001 --> 01:11:18,000 FOR EVERY LITIGANT WHO BENEFITS 1970 01:11:18,001 --> 01:11:20,000 FROM THIS SO-CALLED 1971 01:11:20,001 --> 01:11:22,000 THERE WILL BE ANOTHER LITIGANT 1972 01:11:22,001 --> 01:11:24,000 WHO LOSES NOT BECAUSE OF THE LAW 1973 01:11:24,001 --> 01:11:27,000 OR THE FACTS, BUT BECAUSE THE 1974 01:11:27,001 --> 01:11:31,000 JUDGE DID NOT EMPATHIZE OR IDENTIFY WITH THEM. 1975 01:11:31,001 --> 01:11:34,000 AND, ANYWAY, WHAT 1976 01:11:34,001 --> 01:11:35,000 WHAT IS EMPATHY? 1977 01:11:35,001 --> 01:11:38,000 IS THIS YOUR PERSONAL FEELING 1978 01:11:38,001 --> 01:11:41,000 THAT YOU HAD A TOUGH C 1979 01:11:41,001 --> 01:11:43,000 OR SOMETHING PREJUDICE THAT YOU 1980 01:11:43,001 --> 01:11:52,000 HAVE, YOU'RE PROTESTAN OR 1981 01:11:52,001 --> 01:11:54,000 CATHOLIC, YOUR ETH RACE? 1982 01:11:54,001 --> 01:11:56,000 IS THAT WHAT EMPATHY IS? 1983 01:11:56,001 --> 01:11:57,000 IT HAS NO OBJECTIVE MEANING, AND 1984 01:11:57,001 --> 01:11:58,000 THAT'S WHY IT'S NOT A LEGAL 1985 01:11:58,001 --> 01:12:01,000 STANDARD. 1986 01:12:01,001 --> 01:12:03,000 THE OATH 1987 01:12:03,001 --> 01:12:06,000 EQUAL JUSTICE TO THE RICH AND 1988 01:12:06,001 --> 01:12:11,000 THE POOR ALIKE IS VIOLATED, I 1989 01:12:11,001 --> 01:12:13,000 SUGGEST, WHEN SUCH THINGS INFECT 1990 01:12:13,001 --> 01:12:15,000 THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. 1991 01:12:15,001 --> 01:12:18,000 SO WITH THIS AS HIS STATED 1992 01:12:18,001 --> 01:12:20,000 STANDARD, T 1993 01:12:20,001 --> 01:12:22,000 NOMINATED JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR FOR THE SUPREME COURT OF THE 1994 01:12:22,001 --> 01:12:24,000 UNITED STATES AND THUS FAR OUR 1995 01:12:24,001 --> 01:12:27,000 REVIEW OF 1996 01:12:27,001 --> 01:12:28,000 THAT SHE MAY WELL EMBRACE THIS 1997 01:12:28,001 --> 01:12:30,000 PRESIDENT'S NOTION OF EMPATHY 1998 01:12:30,001 --> 01:12:31,000 AND I WILL SHARE A FEW THOUGHTS 1999 01:12:31,001 --> 01:12:32,000 ON THAT. 2000 01:12:32,001 --> 01:12:34,000 ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS OVER 2001 01:12:34,001 --> 01:12:36,000 THE YEARS JUDGE SOMAYOR 2002 01:12:36,001 --> 01:12:38,000 DELIVERED A SPEECH ENTITLED 2003 01:12:38,001 --> 01:12:40,000 "WOMEN IN THE JUDICIARY." 2004 01:12:40,001 --> 01:12:42,000 IN IT SHE EMPHASIZES THAT SHE 2005 01:12:42,001 --> 01:12:44,000 ACCEPTS THE PROPOSITI THAT A 2006 01:12:44,001 --> 01:12:47,000 JUDGE'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 2007 01:12:47,001 --> 01:12:48,000 AFFECT THEIR OUTCOME 2008 01:12:48,001 --> 01:12:50,000 SAYING -- QUOTE -- " SHORT I 2009 01:12:50,001 --> 01:12:52,000 ACCEPT THE PROPOSITION THAT A 2010 01:12:52,001 --> 01:12:54,000 DIFFERENCE WILL BE MADE BY THE 2011 01:12:54,001 --> 01:12:56,000 PRESIDENT -- PRESENCE OF WOMEN 2012 01:12:56,001 --> 01:12:57,000 ON THE BENCH AND THAT MY 2013 01:12:57,001 --> 01:13:00,000 EXPERIENCES WILL AFFECT THE 2014 01:13:00,001 --> 01:13:01,000 FACTS I CHOOSE TO SEE AS A 2015 01:13:01,001 --> 01:13:06,000 JUDGE." CLOSE QUOTE. 2016 01:13:06,001 --> 01:13:07,000 IN FACT, IN ONE SPEECH SHE 2017 01:13:07,001 --> 01:13:09,000 REJECTED ANOTHER WOMEN JUDGE'S 2018 01:13:09,001 --> 01:13:11,000 VIEW THAT A WOMAN AND MAN SHOULD 2019 01:13:11,001 --> 01:13:13,000 REACH THE SAME DECISION IN A 2020 01:13:13,001 --> 01:13:15,000 CASE AND SHE 2021 01:13:15,001 --> 01:13:17,000 THAT CONCEPT. 2022 01:13:17,001 --> 01:13:18,000 SHE REAFFIRMS -- QUOTE -- "I 2023 01:13:18,001 --> 01:13:20,000 SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT 2024 01:13:20,001 --> 01:13:22,000 JUDGMENT WILL BE IN MY JUDGING, 2025 01:13:22,001 --> 01:13:24,000 BUT ACCEPT THERE WILL BE SOME 2026 01:13:24,001 --> 01:13:26,000 DIFFERENCES BASED ON MY GENDER 2027 01:13:26,001 --> 01:13:29,000 AND EXPERIENCES. 2028 01:13:29,001 --> 01:13:31,000 IT HAS IMPOSED ON ME." 2029 01:13:31,001 --> 01:13:36,000 SO I THINK THIS WOULD TEND TO BE 2030 01:13:36,001 --> 01:13:39,000 A REJECTION OF THE ASPIRATION, 2031 01:13:39,001 --> 01:13:40,000 THE IDEAL OF IMPARTIALITY 2032 01:13:40,001 --> 01:13:44,000 IS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR LEGAL 2033 01:13:44,001 --> 01:13:47,000 SYSTEM AND TO OUR FREEDOMS. 2034 01:13:47,001 --> 01:13:51,000 IN THEATEST SPEECH JUDGE 2035 01:13:51,001 --> 01:13:53,000 SOTOMAYOR TAKES A GIANT STEP 2036 01:13:53,001 --> 01:13:56,000 HER EXPERIENCES IN HER JUDGING. 2037 01:13:56,001 --> 01:14:00,000 SHE STATES "PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 2038 01:14:00,001 --> 01:14:01,000 AFFECT THE FACTS JUDGES CHOOSE 2039 01:14:01,001 --> 01:14:03,000 TO SEE. 2040 01:14:03,001 --> 01:14:06,000 MY HOPE IS THAT I WILL TAKE THE 2041 01:14:06,001 --> 01:14:07,000 GOOD FROM MY EXPERIENCES AND 2042 01:14:07,001 --> 01:14:09,000 EXTRAPOLATE THEM FURTHER INTO 2043 01:14:09,001 --> 01:14:11,000 AREAS WHERE I'M UNFAMILIAR. 2044 01:14:11,001 --> 01:14:12,000 I SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY 2045 01:14:12,001 --> 01:14:14,000 WHAT THA DIFFERENCE WILL BE 2046 01:14:14,001 --> 01:14:16,000 MY 2047 01:14:16,001 --> 01:14:20,000 BUT I ACCEPT THAT THERE WILL BE 2048 01:14:20,001 --> 01:14:22,000 SOME BASE THE ON MY GENDER AND 2049 01:14:22,001 --> 01:14:24,000 HERITAGE." CLOSE QUOTE. 2050 01:14:24,001 --> 01:14:26,000 ARE THE DAYS NOW GONE WHEN 2051 01:14:26,001 --> 01:14:29,000 JUDGES SHOULD SEE THAT TAKING 2052 01:14:29,001 --> 01:14:32,000 OFFICE IS A COMMITMENT TO SET 2053 01:14:32,001 --> 01:14:35,000 ASIDE THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 2054 01:14:35,001 --> 01:14:36,000 AND BIASES AND VIEWS WHEN THEY 2055 01:14:36,001 --> 01:14:42,000 PUT ON THE 2056 01:14:42,001 --> 01:14:45,000 GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN JUDGES 2057 01:14:45,001 --> 01:14:48,000 EVEN ASPIRE TO BE IMPARTIAL? 2058 01:14:48,001 --> 01:14:50,000 IN THAT SAME SPEECH WHICH HAS 2059 01:14:50,001 --> 01:14:52,000 BEEN GIVEN A NUMBER OF TIMES 2060 01:14:52,001 --> 01:14:53,000 JUDGE SOTOMAYOR GOES ONE STEP 2061 01:14:53,001 --> 01:14:55,000 FURTHER SAYING -- QUOTE -- "I 2062 01:14:55,001 --> 01:14:57,000 WILLINGLY ACCEPT THAT WE WHO 2063 01:14:57,001 --> 01:14:58,000 JUDGE MUST NOT DENY T 2064 01:14:58,001 --> 01:15:01,000 DIFFERENCES RESULTING FROM 2065 01:15:01,001 --> 01:15:03,000 EXPERIENCE AND HERITAGE, BUT 2066 01:15:03,001 --> 01:15:06,000 ATTEMPT CONTINUOUSLY TO JUDGE 2067 01:15:06,001 --> 01:15:09,000 WHEN THOSE OPINIONS SYMPATHIES 2068 01:15:09,001 --> 01:15:12,000 AND PREJUDICES ARE APPROPRIATE." 2069 01:15:12,001 --> 01:15:16,000 CLOSE QUOTE. 2070 01:15:16,001 --> 01:15:20,000 SO SHE SAYS A JUDGE SHOULD 2071 01:15:20,001 --> 01:15:22,000 ATTEMPT TO -- ATTEMPT 2072 01:15:22,001 --> 01:15:24,000 CONTINUOUSLY TO JUDGE WHEN THOSE 2073 01:15:24,001 --> 01:15:26,000 OPINIONS AND SYMPATHIES AND 2074 01:15:26,001 --> 01:15:29,000 PREJUDICES ARE APPROPRIATE. 2075 01:15:29,001 --> 01:15:30,000 THAT MEANS A JUDGE'S PREJUDICES. 2076 01:15:30,001 --> 01:15:34,000 IT'S APPROPRIATE TO USE THEM IN 2077 01:15:34,001 --> 01:15:36,000 A THINK. 2078 01:15:36,001 --> 01:15:42,000 SO, MR. PRESIDENT, I FIND THIS 2079 01:15:42,001 --> 01:15:43,000 TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY PHILOSOPHY. 2080 01:15:43,001 --> 01:15:45,000 SOME MAY SAY YOU'RE MAKING TOO 2081 01:15:45,001 --> 01:15:46,000 MUCH OF IT, THAT EMPATHY SOUNDS 2082 01:15:46,001 --> 01:15:49,000 FINE TO ME. 2083 01:15:49,001 --> 01:15:50,000 I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH 2084 01:15:50,001 --> 01:15:52,000 THAT. 2085 01:15:52,001 --> 01:15:55,000 EMPATHY IS GREAT PERHAPS IF 2086 01:15:55,001 --> 01:15:57,000 YOU'RE THE BENEFICIARY OF IT. 2087 01:15:57,001 --> 01:15:59,000 THE JUDGE IS EMPATHETIC WITH 2088 01:15:59,001 --> 01:16:01,000 YOU, YOUR SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT. 2089 01:16:01,001 --> 01:16:03,000 BUT IT'S NOT GOOD IF YOU'RE ON 2090 01:16:03,001 --> 01:16:06,000 THE WRONG SIDOF THE ARGUMENT, 2091 01:16:06,001 --> 01:16:09,000 IF YOU DON'T CATCH A JUDGE'S 2092 01:16:09,001 --> 01:16:12,000 FANCY OR SHARED PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. 2093 01:16:12,001 --> 01:16:14,000 AND THIS APPROACH TO JUDGING AS 2094 01:16:14,001 --> 01:16:15,000 EXPRESSED IN HER SPEECHES AND 2095 01:16:15,001 --> 01:16:17,000 WRITINGS APPEAR TO HAVE PLAYED 2096 01:16:17,001 --> 01:16:18,000 AN IMPORTANT PART IN 2097 01:16:18,001 --> 01:16:21,000 HAVEN FIREFIGHTERS CASE THAT 2098 01:16:21,001 --> 01:16:22,000 SENATOR McCONNELL MENTIONED EARLIER. 2099 01:16:22,001 --> 01:16:24,000 THESE WERE THE 17 FIREFIGHTERS 2100 01:16:24,001 --> 01:16:25,000 WHO 2101 01:16:25,001 --> 01:16:27,000 STUDIED FOR THE TEST. 2102 01:16:27,001 --> 01:16:28,000 AND IT WAS PUBLICLY SET OUT HOW 2103 01:16:28,001 --> 01:16:29,000 THE PROMOTIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE 2104 01:16:29,001 --> 01:16:31,000 IN THAT DEPARTMENT. 2105 01:16:31,001 --> 01:16:34,000 AND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE PASSED, 2106 01:16:34,001 --> 01:16:36,000 BUT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE DIDN'T, 2107 01:16:36,001 --> 01:16:39,000 AND THERE WAS A NUMBER OF 2108 01:16:39,001 --> 01:16:41,000 MINORITIES WHO DID NOT PASS. 2109 01:16:41,001 --> 01:16:43,000 AND THEY WANTED TO CHANGE THE 2110 01:16:43,001 --> 01:16:45,000 TEST AFTER IT HAD BEEN CARRIED 2111 01:16:45,001 --> 01:16:46,000 OUT, CHANGE THE RULES OF THE 2112 01:16:46,001 --> 01:16:49,000 GAME AFTER IT HAD BEEN CARRIED 2113 01:16:49,001 --> 01:16:50,000 OUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE 2114 01:16:50,001 --> 01:16:55,000 RESULTS. 2115 01:16:55,001 --> 01:16:56,000 THIS IS A RESULTS-ORIENTED 2116 01:16:56,001 --> 01:16:57,000 QUESTION. 2117 01:16:57,001 --> 01:17:00,000 BOWING TO POLITICAL PRESSURE, 2118 01:17:00,001 --> 01:17:02,000 THE CITY GOVERNMENT LOOKED AT 2119 01:17:02,001 --> 01:17:05,000 THE TEST RESULTS AND THE 2120 01:17:05,001 --> 01:17:06,000 STATISTICAL DATA AND CHANGED THE 2121 01:17:06,001 --> 01:17:08,000 RULES OF THE GAME. 2122 01:17:08,001 --> 01:17:11,000 THEY THREW OUT THE TEST. 2123 01:17:11,001 --> 01:17:12,000 THIS WAS CHALLENGED BY THE 2124 01:17:12,001 --> 01:17:15,000 PERSONS WHO PASSED. 2125 01:17:15,001 --> 01:17:24,000 AND THE DISTRICT JUDGE THEN 2126 01:17:24,001 --> 01:17:28,000 AGREED WITH THE CITY IN A 48 2127 01:17:28,001 --> 01:17:29,000 SO PAGE OPINION. 2128 01:17:29,001 --> 01:17:31,000 AND IT WAS APPEALED TO JUDGE 2129 01:17:31,001 --> 01:17:33,000 SOTOMAYOR'S COURT. 2130 01:17:33,001 --> 01:17:36,000 IN ONE PARAGRAPH ONLY, SHE 2131 01:17:36,001 --> 01:17:40,000 AGREED WITH THAT DECISION, EVEN 2132 01:17:40,001 --> 01:17:41,000 THOUGH IT RAISED FUNDAMENTAL 2133 01:17:41,001 --> 01:17:44,000 IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL 2134 01:17:44,001 --> 01:17:47,000 QUESTIONS, REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. 2135 01:17:47,001 --> 01:17:48,000 AND SHE CONCLUDED THAT THE 2136 01:17:48,001 --> 01:17:50,000 COMPLAING FIREFIGHTERS WERE 2137 01:17:50,001 --> 01:17:54,000 NOT EVEN ENTITLED TO A TRIAL, 2138 01:17:54,001 --> 01:17:56,000 THAT THE PRETRIAL MOTIONS AND 2139 01:17:56,001 --> 01:17:58,000 FORTH WERE SUFFICIENT TO DENY 2140 01:17:58,001 --> 01:18:02,000 THEM THE REMEDY THAT THEY SOUGHT 2141 01:18:02,001 --> 01:18:03,000 AND TO AFFIRM THE CITY'S OPINION. 2142 01:18:03,001 --> 01:18:05,000 IN ONE PARAGRAPH. 2143 01:18:05,001 --> 01:18:07,000 WELL, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT 2144 01:18:07,001 --> 01:18:10,000 DISAGREED 2145 01:18:10,001 --> 01:18:13,000 THEY WROTE ALMOST 2146 01:18:13,001 --> 01:18:16,000 THEIR OPINION AND REVERSED. 2147 01:18:16,001 --> 01:18:17,000 ALL NINE JUSTICES VOTED TO 2148 01:18:17,001 --> 01:18:20,000 REVERSE THE DECISION. 2149 01:18:20,001 --> 01:18:23,000 IT WAS NOT 5-4. 2150 01:18:23,001 --> 01:18:24,000 FIVE OF THE JUSTICES, THE 2151 01:18:24,001 --> 01:18:26,000 MAJORITY, RULED THAT BASED ON 2152 01:18:26,001 --> 01:18:27,000 THE FACTS AND EVIDENCE THAT HAD 2153 01:18:27,001 --> 01:18:30,000 BEEN PRESENTED PRIOR TO TRIAL, 2154 01:18:30,001 --> 01:18:32,000 THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE 2155 01:18:32,001 --> 01:18:37,000 ENTITLED TO TOTAL VICTORY AND BE 2156 01:18:37,001 --> 01:18:39,000 ABLE TO WIN THEIR LAWSUIT. 2157 01:18:39,001 --> 01:18:41,000 THIS IS A 2158 01:18:41,001 --> 01:18:46,000 REVERSAL, I HAVE TO SAY. 2159 01:18:46,001 --> 01:18:49,000 SO THE QUESTION IS: DID SHE 2160 01:18:49,001 --> 01:18:50,000 ALLOW HER PRIOR EXPERIENCES AND 2161 01:18:50,001 --> 01:18:51,000 LIEFS TO I 2162 01:18:51,001 --> 01:18:54,000 IN THAT CASE? 2163 01:18:54,001 --> 01:18:59,000 I WOULD JUST POINT OUT THAT SHE 2164 01:18:59,001 --> 01:19:01,000 WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE 2165 01:19:01,001 --> 01:19:02,000 PUERTO RICAN APPEAL DEFENSE FUND 2166 01:19:02,001 --> 01:19:05,000 WHERE SHE SPENT A NUMBER OF 2167 01:19:05,001 --> 01:19:08,000 YEARS WORKING ON A -- ON CASES 2168 01:19:08,001 --> 01:19:09,000 LIKE THIS AND FILING LITIGATION 2169 01:19:09,001 --> 01:19:12,000 AND CHALLENGING PROMOTION 2170 01:19:12,001 --> 01:19:13,000 POLICIES IN CITIES AROUND THE 2171 01:19:13,001 --> 01:19:15,000 COUNTRY, WHICH IS A LEGITIMATE 2172 01:19:15,001 --> 01:19:19,000 THING FOR A GROUP TO DO. 2173 01:19:19,001 --> 01:19:23,000 BUT THEY DID TAKE A VERY 2174 01:19:23,001 --> 01:19:26,000 AGGRESSIVE STANDARD 2175 01:19:26,001 --> 01:19:30,000 CRITICIZING TEST AND THE 2176 01:19:30,001 --> 01:19:32,000 STANDARDIZED PROCESS OF TESTING. 2177 01:19:32,001 --> 01:19:34,000 AND, OF COURSE, HER STATED 2178 01:19:34,001 --> 01:19:37,000 PHILOS 2179 01:19:37,001 --> 01:19:39,000 SHOULD USE LIFE EXPERIENCES IN 2180 01:19:39,001 --> 01:19:40,000 REACHING DECISIONS. 2181 01:19:40,001 --> 01:19:43,000 AND WE DO KNOW THAT SHE BELIEVES 2182 01:19:43,001 --> 01:19:44,000 THAT A 2183 01:19:44,001 --> 01:19:46,000 UTILIZE HIS OR HER PERSONAL -- 2184 01:19:46,001 --> 01:19:50,000 QUOTE -- "OPINION, SYMPATHIES 2185 01:19:50,001 --> 01:19:52,000 AND PREJUDICES" IN DECIDING CASES. 2186 01:19:52,001 --> 01:19:54,000 AND WE DO KNOW HER PARTICULAR 2187 01:19:54,001 --> 01:19:56,000 LIFE EXPERIENCES WITH THE LEGAL 2188 01:19:56,001 --> 01:19:58,000 DEFENSE FUND WERE CONTRARY 2189 01:19:58,001 --> 01:19:59,000 THE CLAIMS BROUGHT BY THE NEW 2190 01:19:59,001 --> 01:20:01,000 HAVEN FIREFIGHTERS. 2191 01:20:01,001 --> 01:20:03,000 WE KNOW THAT SHE WAS A LEADER 2192 01:20:03,001 --> 01:20:06,000 AND BOARD MEMBER AND CHAIR OF 2193 01:20:06,001 --> 01:20:08,000 THAT ORGANIZATION'S LITIGATION COMMITTEE. 2194 01:20:08,001 --> 01:20:11,000 ACCORDING TO "THE NEW YORK 2195 01:20:11,001 --> 01:20:12,000 TIMES," SHE -- QUOTE -- "MET 2196 01:20:12,001 --> 01:20:14,000 FREQUENTLY WITH THE LEGAL STAFF 2197 01:20:14,001 --> 01:20:18,000 OF THE ORGANIZATION TO REVIEW 2198 01:20:18,001 --> 01:20:19,000 THE STATUS OF CASES" ACCORDING 2199 01:20:19,001 --> 01:20:21,000 TO "THE NEW YORK TIMES," SHE WAS 2200 01:20:21,001 --> 01:20:24,000 -- QUOTE -- "INVOLVED AND WAS AN 2201 01:20:24,001 --> 01:20:26,000 ARDENT SUPPORTER OF THEIR 2202 01:20:26,001 --> 01:20:30,000 VARIOUS LEGAL EFFORTS." 2203 01:20:30,001 --> 01:20:32,000 AND SHE OVERSAW AS A BOARD 2204 01:20:32,001 --> 01:20:34,000 MEMBER AND LITIGATION CHAIR 2205 01:20:34,001 --> 01:20:37,000 SEVERAL CASES INVOLVING THE NEW 2206 01:20:37,001 --> 01:20:40,000 YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF 2207 01:20:40,001 --> 01:20:43,000 SANITATION, WHICH CHALLENGED A 2208 01:20:43,001 --> 01:20:45,000 PROMOTION POLICY BECAUSE 2209 01:20:45,001 --> 01:20:48,000 HISPANICS COMPRISED 2210 01:20:48,001 --> 01:20:50,000 TEST TAKERS, BUT ONLY 3.8% HAD 2211 01:20:50,001 --> 01:20:52,000 PASSED THE TEST. 2212 01:20:52,001 --> 01:20:57,000 THEY DECLARED THAT WAS AN UNFAIR 2213 01:20:57,001 --> 01:21:00,000 RESULT AND CHALLENGED THE TEST. 2214 01:21:00,001 --> 01:21:02,000 IN ANOTHER INVOLVED NEW YORK 2215 01:21:02,001 --> 01:21:04,000 CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF 2216 01:21:04,001 --> 01:21:06,000 OF THE HISPANIC POLICE SOCIETY. 2217 01:21:06,001 --> 01:21:07,000 ANOTHER ONE INVOLVED POLICE 2218 01:21:07,001 --> 01:21:11,000 OFFICERS IN A DISCRIMINATION 2219 01:21:11,001 --> 01:21:15,000 DEPARTMENTS LIEUTENANTS' EXAM 2220 01:21:15,001 --> 01:21:19,000 CLAIMING THAT THAT EXAM WAS BIASED. 2221 01:21:19,001 --> 01:21:21,000 SO UNDER HER LEADERSHI THE 2222 01:21:21,001 --> 01:21:23,000 PUERTO RICAN LEGAL AND DEFENSE 2223 01:21:23,001 --> 01:21:26,000 FUND, BEFORE SHE BECAME A JUDGE, 2224 01:21:26,001 --> 01:21:28,000 INVOLVED ITSELF IN A SERIES OF 2225 01:21:28,001 --> 01:21:29,000 CASES DESIGNED TO ATTACK 2226 01:21:29,001 --> 01:21:32,000 PROMOTION EXAMS BECAUSE THE 2227 01:21:32,001 --> 01:21:34,000 GROUP CONCLUDED THAT AFTER 2228 01:21:34,001 --> 01:21:38,000 FACT, AFTER THE TEST THAT NOT 2229 01:21:38,001 --> 01:21:41,000 ENOUGH MINORITIES WERE BEING PROMOTED. 2230 01:21:41,001 --> 01:21:43,000 SO IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE 2231 01:21:43,001 --> 01:21:45,000 FIREFIGHTERS CASE THAT WE TALKED 2232 01:21:45,001 --> 01:21:49,000 A GOOD BIT ABOUT SO FAR. 2233 01:21:49,001 --> 01:21:51,000 AND SO WE'RE LEFT 2234 01:21:51,001 --> 01:21:52,000 ROLE DID THE 2235 01:21:52,001 --> 01:21:53,000 EXPERIENCES PLAY WHEN SHE HEARD 2236 01:21:53,001 --> 01:21:55,000 THE CASE. 2237 01:21:55,001 --> 01:21:57,000 DID HER 2238 01:21:57,001 --> 01:22:02,000 HAS STATED -- QUOTE -- "AFFECT 2239 01:22:02,001 --> 01:22:04,000 THE FACTS SHE CHOSE THE PRESIDING OFFICER: 2240 01:22:04,001 --> 01:22:05,000 SENATOR, THE REPUBLICAN TIME HAS 2241 01:22:05,001 --> 01:22:08,000 EXPIRED. MR. SESSIONS: MADAM PRESIDENT, 2242 01:22:08,001 --> 01:22:09,000 I WOULD ASK FOR ONE MINUTE 2243 01:22:09,001 --> 01:22:10,000 ADDITIONAL TIME, UNA 2244 01:22:10,001 --> 01:22:11,000 CONSENT. 2245 01:22:11,001 --> 01:22:12,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 2246 01:22:12,001 --> 01:22:13,000 OBJECTION. 2247 01:22:13,001 --> 01:22:15,000 MR. SESSIONS: SO THOSE ARE 2248 01:22:15,001 --> 01:22:19,000 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS, 2249 01:22:19,001 --> 01:22:25,000 ASK ABOUT THAT AND GIVE HER A 2250 01:22:25,001 --> 01:22:26,000 FULL AND AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO 2251 01:22:26,001 --> 01:22:28,000 RESPOND. 2252 01:22:28,001 --> 01:22:30,000 I DID WANT TO RAISE THESE 2253 01:22:30,001 --> 01:22:32,000 ISSUES. 2254 01:22:32,001 --> 01:22:34,000 THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE DENIED PRO MOTION. 2255 01:22:34,001 --> 01:22:36,000 UNDER HER STATED POLICY, HER 2256 01:22:36,001 --> 01:22:37,000 PRIOR BACKGROUND, THEY ARE LEFT 2257 01:22:37,001 --> 01:22:39,000 TO WONDER WAS THE REASON PERHAPS 2258 01:22:39,001 --> 01:22:43,000 THEY LOST 2259 01:22:43,001 --> 01:22:44,000 SHE BROUGHT HER BACKGROUND AND 2260 01:22:44,001 --> 01:22:46,000 HERREJUDICES TO BEAR ON THE 2261 01:22:46,001 --> 01:22:51,000 CASE AND DID NOT 2262 01:22:51,001 --> 01:22:52,000 FAIR 2263 01:22:52,001 --> 01:22:55,000 VERY FEW CASES ARE TAKEN BY THE 2264 01:22:55,001 --> 01:22:59,000 SUPREME COURT, BUT 2265 01:22:59,001 --> 01:23:01,000 COURT DID TAKE THIS 2266 01:23:01,001 --> 01:23:02,000 BENEFIT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND 2267 01:23:02,001 --> 01:23:05,000 REVERSED THIS DECISION. 2268 01:23:05,001 --> 01:23:07,000 ALL NINE JUSTICES CONCLUDED THIS 2269 01:23:07,001 --> 01:23:09,000 WAS IMPROPERLY DONE AND FIVE OF 2270 01:23:09,001 --> 01:23:11,000 THEM RENDERED THE CASE IN FAVOR 2271 01:23:11,001 --> 01:23:12,000 OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AS THE CASE 2272 01:23:12,001 --> 01:23:13,000 EXISTED THEN. 2273 01:23:13,001 --> 01:23:15,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, I THANK THE 2274 01:23:15,001 --> 01:23:17,000 CHAIR AND WOULD YIELD THE FLOOR. 2275 01:23:17,001 --> 01:23:18,000 A SENATOR: 2276 01:23:18,001 --> 01:23:19,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 2277 01:23:19,001 --> 01:23:20,000 SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. 2278 01:23:20,001 --> 01:23:21,000 MR. DURBIN: MADAM PRESIDENT, 2279 01:23:21,001 --> 01:23:23,000 IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS 2280 01:23:23,001 --> 01:23:25,000 GOING 2281 01:23:25,001 --> 01:23:28,000 CONSENT REQUEST. 2282 01:23:28,001 --> 01:23:31,000 IS THAT 2283 01:23:31,001 --> 01:23:33,000 A SENATOR: THE SENATOR IS CORRECT. 2284 01:23:33,001 --> 01:23:35,000 I BELIEVE THE SENATOR FROM 2285 01:23:35,001 --> 01:23:37,000 NEBRASKA AS WELL. 2286 01:23:37,001 --> 01:23:38,000 MR. BURR: I WOULD ASK 2287 01:23:38,001 --> 01:23:40,000 UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO BE 2288 01:23:40,001 --> 01:23:41,000 RECOGNIZED 2289 01:23:41,001 --> 01:23:42,000 FROM NEBRASKA, IS MY 2290 01:23:42,001 --> 01:23:44,000 UNDERSTANDING, FOR UP TO TEN 2291 01:23:44,001 --> 01:23:45,000 MINUTES AS IF IN MORNING 2292 01:23:45,001 --> 01:23:47,000 BUSINESS. 2293 01:23:47,001 --> 01:23:48,000 IS THAT WHAT THE LEADER -- 2294 01:23:48,001 --> 01:23:49,000 MR. DURBIN: AND THE TIME 2295 01:23:49,001 --> 01:23:51,000 SUGGESTED FOR THE SENATOR FROM 2296 01:23:51,001 --> 01:23:53,000 NEBRASKA IS HOW MUCH? 2297 01:23:53,001 --> 01:23:54,000 MR. JOHANNS: MADAM PRESIDENT, 2298 01:23:54,001 --> 01:23:56,000 I ANTICIPATE TEN MINUTES AND 2299 01:23:56,001 --> 01:23:59,000 WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO 2300 01:23:59,001 --> 01:24:00,000 SPEAK FOR TEN 2301 01:24:00,001 --> 01:24:02,000 MR. DURBIN: MY ONLY HESITATION 2302 01:24:02,001 --> 01:24:04,000 IS THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING A 2303 01:24:04,001 --> 01:24:06,000 SENATOR SWORN IN AT 12:15 AND 2304 01:24:06,001 --> 01:24:09,000 THERE'S GOING TO BE A SPEECH TO 2305 01:24:09,001 --> 01:24:10,000 BE GIVEN BEFORE THAT BY HIS COLLEAGUE. 2306 01:24:10,001 --> 01:24:12,000 WE ALSO WANTED TO HAVE AN 2307 01:24:12,001 --> 01:24:15,000 OPENING STATEMENT ALONG THE BILL. 2308 01:24:15,001 --> 01:24:18,000 IF I COULD ASK THE WON'T 2309 01:24:18,001 --> 01:24:19,000 BUT IF I CLD ASK THAT IT BE 2310 01:24:19,001 --> 01:24:21,000 CLOSER TO THE FIVE-MINUTE MARK, 2311 01:24:21,001 --> 01:24:22,000 I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 2312 01:24:22,001 --> 01:24:25,000 ALL THAT IN A TIMELY FASHION. 2313 01:24:25,001 --> 01:24:26,000 IF I COULD SAY IN THE UNANIMOUS 2314 01:24:26,001 --> 01:24:29,000 CONSENT REQUEST THAT THE SENATOR 2315 01:24:29,001 --> 01:24:30,000 FROM NEBRASKA BE RECOGNIZED 2316 01:24:30,001 --> 01:24:32,000 FIVE MINUTES. 2317 01:24:32,001 --> 01:24:34,000 MR. JOHANNS: FIVE MINUTES. 2318 01:24:34,001 --> 01:24:35,000 MR. DURBIN: FIVE MINUTES IN NORTHBOUND. 2319 01:24:35,001 --> 01:24:36,000 AND THE SENATOR FROM NORTH 2320 01:24:36,001 --> 01:24:37,000 CAROLINA UP TO TEN MINUTES. 2321 01:24:37,001 --> 01:24:39,000 I KNOW YOUAID YOU WOULDN'T USE 2322 01:24:39,001 --> 01:24:40,000 UP TO TEN MINUTES. 2323 01:24:40,001 --> 01:24:42,000 AND THAT WE BE PROTECTED WITH 2324 01:24:42,001 --> 01:24:44,000 WHATEVER TIME IS USED BY THESE 2325 01:24:44,001 --> 01:24:46,000 TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS BE 2326 01:24:46,001 --> 01:24:47,000 ALLOCATED TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE 2327 01:24:47,001 --> 01:24:49,000 FOR MORNING BUSINESS, WHICH 2328 01:24:49,001 --> 01:24:51,000 WE 2329 01:24:51,001 --> 01:24:52,000 I MAKE THAT UNANIMOUS CONSENT 2330 01:24:52,001 --> 01:24:56,000 REQUEST. 2331 01:24:56,001 --> 01:24:59,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 2332 01:24:59,001 --> 01:25:03,000 OBJECTION. 2333 01:25:03,001 --> 01:25:04,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 2334 01:25:04,001 --> 01:25:06,000 SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA. MR. JOHANNS: MADAM PRESIDENT, 2335 01:25:06,001 --> 01:25:08,000 OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS 2336 01:25:08,001 --> 01:25:10,000 DURING THE RECESS, I SPENT A LOT 2337 01:25:10,001 --> 01:25:12,000 OF TIME POSTING A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS ON HEALTH CARE. 2338 01:25:12,001 --> 01:25:13,000 I MET WITH DOCTORS AND 2339 01:25:13,001 --> 01:25:16,000 HOSPITALS, UNDERWRITERS, SMALL 2340 01:25:16,001 --> 01:25:19,000 BUSINESS OWNERS AND UNINSURED NEBRASKANS. 2341 01:25:19,001 --> 01:25:21,000 MANY OF THEM FEEL AS IF THEY ARE 2342 01:25:21,001 --> 01:25:23,000 ONE ILLNESS AWAY FROM A CRISIS. 2343 01:25:23,001 --> 01:25:25,000 THE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN HAS ONLY 2344 01:25:25,001 --> 01:25:28,000 HEIGHTENED THAT FEAR. 2345 01:25:28,001 --> 01:25:29,000 THEIR CONCERNS ARE REAL. 2346 01:25:29,001 --> 01:25:32,000 AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE ARE 2347 01:25:32,001 --> 01:25:34,000 IN A PLACE AS 2348 01:25:34,001 --> 01:25:35,000 CAREFULLY TO ADDRESS THEM. 2349 01:25:35,001 --> 01:25:40,000 WE NEED TO CREATE A HEALTH CARE 2350 01:25:40,001 --> 01:25:41,000 SYSTEM THAT PROTECTS PATIENT 2351 01:25:41,001 --> 01:25:43,000 RIGHTS, LETS THEM SEE THEIR 2352 01:25:43,001 --> 01:25:44,000 DOCTOR, AND THAT IS AFFORDABLE. 2353 01:25:44,001 --> 01:25:47,000 BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE 2354 01:25:47,001 --> 01:25:48,000 DISCUSSION THAT IS OCCURRING 2355 01:25:48,001 --> 01:25:51,000 TODAY. 2356 01:25:51,001 --> 01:25:52,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TRUE SOLUTIONS. 2357 01:25:52,001 --> 01:25:54,000 SPECIFICALLY, I HAVE 2358 01:25:54,001 --> 01:25:56,000 RESERVATIONS ABOUT A 2359 01:25:56,001 --> 01:25:59,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC PLAN. 2360 01:25:59,001 --> 01:26:01,000 SOME, I WOULD SUGGEST, ARE SUGAR 2361 01:26:01,001 --> 01:26:02,000 COATING THIS NEW BUREAUCRACY. 2362 01:26:02,001 --> 01:26:04,000 HOWEVER, THE MORE YOU LEARN 2363 01:26:04,001 --> 01:26:06,000 ABOUT IT, THE MORE YOU REALIZE 2364 01:26:06,001 --> 01:26:08,000 THERE'S NOTHING OPTIONAL ABOUT IT. 2365 01:26:08,001 --> 01:26:12,000 IN MY JUDGMENT, IT'S A ONE-WAY 2366 01:26:12,001 --> 01:26:13,000 TICKET TO A SINGLE-PAYER, 2367 01:26:13,001 --> 01:26:15,000 GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE 2368 01:26:15,001 --> 01:26:16,000 SYSTEM, ONE THAT WILL COMPROMISE 2369 01:26:16,001 --> 01:26:19,000 PATIENT ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE. 2370 01:26:19,001 --> 01:26:20,000 IT'S REALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR 2371 01:26:20,001 --> 01:26:21,000 PRIVATE INDUSTRY TO COMPETE WITH 2372 01:26:21,001 --> 01:26:22,000 THE GOVERNMENT. 2373 01:26:22,001 --> 01:26:24,000 THE GOVERNMENT CAN FIX THE 2374 01:26:24,001 --> 01:26:28,000 PRICES, PICK THE RULES. 2375 01:26:28,001 --> 01:26:30,000 THEY CAN HAVE THE ONLY FEASIBLE 2376 01:26:30,001 --> 01:26:32,000 PLAN, THE GOVERNMENT PLAN. 2377 01:26:32,001 --> 01:26:34,000 THAT CLOSE CALL AT THE PLATE 2378 01:26:34,001 --> 01:26:36,000 DOESN'T CALL THE RUNNER OUT, IN 2379 01:26:36,001 --> 01:26:38,000 OTHER WORDS. 2380 01:26:38,001 --> 01:26:39,000 THE FOUL BALL MAGICALLY BECOMES 2381 01:26:39,001 --> 01:26:41,000 A HOME RUN. 2382 01:26:41,001 --> 01:26:43,000 SOME WILL SAY GOVERNMENT-RUN 2383 01:26:43,001 --> 01:26:47,000 OPTION WILL INCREASE 2384 01:26:47,001 --> 01:26:48,000 COMPETITION, KEEP THE INSUREDS 2385 01:26:48,001 --> 01:26:51,000 HONEST. 2386 01:26:51,001 --> 01:26:53,000 LEFT UNSAID IS THAT GOVERNMENT 2387 01:26:53,001 --> 01:26:56,000 OFFERED PAYMENTS ON MEDICAID AND 2388 01:26:56,001 --> 01:26:57,000 MEDICARE ARE CAUSING ENORMS 2389 01:26:57,001 --> 01:26:59,000 COST SHIFTING TODAY, INCREASING 2390 01:26:59,001 --> 01:27:02,000 HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR OTHER. 2391 01:27:02,001 --> 01:27:03,000 UNDERPAYMENTS FOR 2392 01:27:03,001 --> 01:27:04,000 MEDICAID ARE ESTIMATED TO BE 2393 01:27:04,001 --> 01:27:07,000 ABOUT $89 BILLION. 2394 01:27:07,001 --> 01:27:08,000 THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL $1,800 FOR 2395 01:27:08,001 --> 01:27:10,000 EACH FAMILY. 2396 01:27:10,001 --> 01:27:12,000 HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS LITERALLY 2397 01:27:12,001 --> 01:27:15,000 TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT KEEP 2398 01:27:15,001 --> 01:27:16,000 THEIR BUSINESSES OPEN ON THE 2399 01:27:16,001 --> 01:27:17,000 MEDICAID AND MEDICARE 2400 01:27:17,001 --> 01:27:20,000 REIMBURSEMENT RATE. 2401 01:27:20,001 --> 01:27:22,000 SO THE CREATION OF ANOTHER PLAN, 2402 01:27:22,001 --> 01:27:25,000 A GOVERNMENT PLAN, WILL ONLY ROB 2403 01:27:25,001 --> 01:27:26,000 FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL. 2404 01:27:26,001 --> 01:27:27,000 EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE NO 2405 01:27:27,001 --> 01:27:30,000 PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES LEFT 2406 01:27:30,001 --> 01:27:31,000 TO BEAR THE BURDEN. 2407 01:27:31,001 --> 01:27:33,000 THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT 2408 01:27:33,001 --> 01:27:35,000 GOVERNMENT DOESN'T BALANCE THE 2409 01:27:35,001 --> 01:27:37,000 BOOKS AND IT VIEWS ITSELF AS NOT 2410 01:27:37,001 --> 01:27:39,000 HAVING TO. 2411 01:27:39,001 --> 01:27:41,000 WASHINGTON SEEMS HAPPY TO JUST 2412 01:27:41,001 --> 01:27:43,000 KEEP ON PRINTING MONEY, RAISING TAXES. 2413 01:27:43,001 --> 01:27:44,000 HOW CAN PRIVATE BUSINESS COMPETE 2414 01:27:44,001 --> 01:27:46,000 WITH THAT? 2415 01:27:46,001 --> 01:27:48,000 IF A GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC PLAN 2416 01:27:48,001 --> 01:27:51,000 WAS TRULY GOING TO COMPETE, IT 2417 01:27:51,001 --> 01:27:53,000 WOULD FACE THE SAME REGULATION, 2418 01:27:53,001 --> 01:27:54,000 THE SAME RISK THAT THE PRIVATE 2419 01:27:54,001 --> 01:27:56,000 INDUSTRYEELS. 2420 01:27:56,001 --> 01:27:58,000 NO BAILOUTS. 2421 01:27:58,001 --> 01:28:00,000 DOES ANYONE REALLY THINK THE 2422 01:28:00,001 --> 01:28:05,000 BILL'S PROPONENTS WOULD HONESTLY 2423 01:28:05,001 --> 01:28:08,000 ALLOW IT TO GO INSOLVENT? 2424 01:28:08,001 --> 01:28:10,000 LOOK AT A.I.G., SPWAFRPBG, 2425 01:28:10,001 --> 01:28:12,000 GENERAL MOTORS -- CITIBANK. 2426 01:28:12,001 --> 01:28:13,000 THE CITY WITH A COMPETIVE 2427 01:28:13,001 --> 01:28:14,000 GOVERNMENT OPTION, I FEEL IS A 2428 01:28:14,001 --> 01:28:16,000 FAIRY TALE. 2429 01:28:16,001 --> 01:28:17,000 A GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN WILL 2430 01:28:17,001 --> 01:28:19,000 UNDERCUT THE PRIVATE MARKET. 2431 01:28:19,001 --> 01:28:20,000 I'M NOT DEFENDING THE PRIVATE 2432 01:28:20,001 --> 01:28:21,000 INSURANCE INDUSTRY. 2433 01:28:21,001 --> 01:28:24,000 FAR FROM IT. 2434 01:28:24,001 --> 01:28:26,000 BUT WE NEED TO BE HONEST WITH 2435 01:28:26,001 --> 01:28:27,000 THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 2436 01:28:27,001 --> 01:28:29,000 AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD IS NOT 2437 01:28:29,001 --> 01:28:30,000 RIGHT AND IT WON'T BENEFIT 2438 01:28:30,001 --> 01:28:32,000 AMERICANS. 2439 01:28:32,001 --> 01:28:35,000 THE EFFECT I FEAR WILL BE LONGER 2440 01:28:35,001 --> 01:28:36,000 WAITING LINES, LESS INNOVATION 2441 01:28:36,001 --> 01:28:39,000 AND RATIONING CARE. 2442 01:28:39,001 --> 01:28:42,000 IN CANADA THE AVERAGE WAIT TIME 2443 01:28:42,001 --> 01:28:44,000 FOR RADIATION TREATMENT IS SEVEN WEEKS. 2444 01:28:44,001 --> 01:28:46,000 I CAN'T IMAGINE ASKING AMERICANS 2445 01:28:46,001 --> 01:28:47,000 TO WAIT THE SAME TIME. 2446 01:28:47,001 --> 01:28:50,000 THERE ARE SOME IN WASHINGTON WHO 2447 01:28:50,001 --> 01:28:51,000 HAVE THEIR HEELS DUG IN ON A 2448 01:28:51,001 --> 01:28:53,000 SINGLE-PAY PLAN. 2449 01:28:53,001 --> 01:28:55,000 IT CONTRADICTS THE PRESIDENT'S PROMISE. 2450 01:28:55,001 --> 01:28:57,000 HE SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT 2451 01:28:57,001 --> 01:29:00,000 PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP 2452 01:29:00,001 --> 01:29:04,000 THEIR HEALTH CARE, BUT AMERICANS BEWARE. 2453 01:29:04,001 --> 01:29:06,000 ONE STUDY ESTIMATES THAT 119 2454 01:29:06,001 --> 01:29:07,000 MILLION PEOPLE WILL SHIFT TO THE 2455 01:29:07,001 --> 01:29:09,000 GOVERNMENT PLAN. 2456 01:29:09,001 --> 01:29:11,000 THEY WON'T CHOOSE THAT. 2457 01:29:11,001 --> 01:29:12,000 THEIR EMPLOYER WILL CHOOSE IT 2458 01:29:12,001 --> 01:29:15,000 FOR THEM. 2459 01:29:15,001 --> 01:29:17,000 WE CAN'T FAULT EMPLOYERS WHO ARE 2460 01:29:17,001 --> 01:29:19,000 TRYING TO SAVE MONEY. 2461 01:29:19,001 --> 01:29:22,000 IN THE COMMITTEE DRAFT, BUSINESS 2462 01:29:22,001 --> 01:29:23,000 THAT IS EMPLOY 25 OR MORE 2463 01:29:23,001 --> 01:29:26,000 EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO 2464 01:29:26,001 --> 01:29:27,000 PAY AN ANAL 2465 01:29:27,001 --> 01:29:29,000 PER EMPLOYEE. 2466 01:29:29,001 --> 01:29:31,000 BUT THAT'S NO PENALTY COMPARED 2467 01:29:31,001 --> 01:29:34,000 TO THE COST OF PRIVATE INSURANCE. 2468 01:29:34,001 --> 01:29:37,000 IN 2008,HE AVERAGE EMPLOYER'S 2469 01:29:37,001 --> 01:29:41,000 COST FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IN AN 2470 01:29:41,001 --> 01:29:43,000 HEALTH CARE PLAN WAS $3,900, SO 2471 01:29:43,001 --> 01:29:45,000 YOU CAN SEEP WHY THE SHIFT 2472 01:29:45,001 --> 01:29:47,000 WOULD -- SEE WHY THE SHIFT WOULD OCCUR. 2473 01:29:47,001 --> 01:29:49,000 ULTIMATELY PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A CHOICE. 2474 01:29:49,001 --> 01:29:51,000 THEIR EMPLOYER WILL MAKE THE OICE AND THEY WILL BE FORCED 2475 01:29:51,001 --> 01:29:52,000 TO THE GOVERNMENT PLAN. 2476 01:29:52,001 --> 01:29:53,000 TO PROMISE OTHERWISE IS 2477 01:29:53,001 --> 01:29:54,000 MISLEADING. EVEN THE PRESIDENT HAS 2478 01:29:54,001 --> 01:29:57,000 RECOGNIZED THAT THAT SHIFT IS 2479 01:29:57,001 --> 01:29:59,000 GOING TO OCCUR. 2480 01:29:59,001 --> 01:30:00,000 I CONCLUDE MY COMMENTS TODAY, 2481 01:30:00,001 --> 01:30:02,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, BY SAYING DON'T 2482 01:30:02,001 --> 01:30:07,000 BE FOOLED. 2483 01:30:07,001 --> 01:30:08,000 A GOVERNMENT PLAN THAT LITERALLY 2484 01:30:08,001 --> 01:30:10,000 DOES LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD 2485 01:30:10,001 --> 01:30:11,000 MEANS THAT PEOPLE WILL GO TO THE 2486 01:30:11,001 --> 01:30:13,000 GOVERNMENT PLAN AND EVENTUALLY 2487 01:30:13,001 --> 01:30:14,000 YOU WON'T HAVE A PRIVATE 2488 01:30:14,001 --> 01:30:16,000 INSURANCE INDUSTRY THAT IS 2489 01:30:16,001 --> 01:30:23,000 VIABLE. 2490 01:30:23,001 --> 01:30:26,000 THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. 2491 01:30:26,001 --> 01:30:27,000 MR. DURBIN 2492 01:30:27,001 --> 01:30:28,000 THE 2493 01:30:28,001 --> 01:30:30,000 SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA. 2494 01:30:30,001 --> 01:30:31,000 MR. BURR: ONE OF THE PRIVILEGES 2495 01:30:31,001 --> 01:30:33,000 OF BEING A UNITED STATES SENATE 2496 01:30:33,001 --> 01:30:35,000 IS THAT WE 2497 01:30:35,001 --> 01:30:36,000 TO MEET EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE 2498 01:30:36,001 --> 01:30:37,000 EVERY DAY, WHETHER YOU'RE THE 2499 01:30:37,001 --> 01:30:39,000 SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS OR THE 2500 01:30:39,001 --> 01:30:40,000 SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA, 2501 01:30:40,001 --> 01:30:41,000 EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE WALK 2502 01:30:41,001 --> 01:30:43,000 THROUGH OUR DOOR EVERY DAY OF 2503 01:30:43,001 --> 01:30:44,000 THE WEEK. 2504 01:30:44,001 --> 01:30:46,000 BUT SOMETIMES, MADAM PRESIDENT, 2505 01:30:46,001 --> 01:30:48,000 WE GET TO 2506 01:30:48,001 --> 01:30:52,000 INDIVIDUALS THAT WE CAN HONESTL 2507 01:30:52,001 --> 01:30:54,000 CALL HEROES, HEROES THAT LAY 2508 01:30:54,001 --> 01:30:56,000 THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE AND 2509 01:30:56,001 --> 01:30:57,000 SACRIFICE THEMSELVES FOR OUR 2510 01:30:57,001 --> 01:30:59,000 FREEDOM. 2511 01:30:59,001 --> 01:31:01,000 MASTER SERGEANT BRENDON 2512 01:31:01,001 --> 01:31:03,000 O'CONNOR, A 2513 01:31:03,001 --> 01:31:04,000 FORCES GROUP IS ONE OF THOSE 2514 01:31:04,001 --> 01:31:07,000 VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE. 2515 01:31:07,001 --> 01:31:08,000 IN JUNE OF 2006, HE HE HE WAS 2516 01:31:08,001 --> 01:31:12,000 DEPLOYED TO AFGHA 2517 01:31:12,001 --> 01:31:14,000 SUPPORT 2518 01:31:14,001 --> 01:31:19,000 FREEDOM, HIS GROUP WAS STATIONED 2519 01:31:19,001 --> 01:31:21,000 IN KANDAHAR. 2520 01:31:21,001 --> 01:31:23,000 MR. PRESIDENT, WE'VE ALL HEARD 2521 01:31:23,001 --> 01:31:26,000 NEWS REPORTS AN HEARD OF SUICIDE 2522 01:31:26,001 --> 01:31:28,000 BOMBERS DRIVING CARS LOADED WITH 2523 01:31:28,001 --> 01:31:30,000 EXPLOSIVES INTO MARKETS, AND 2524 01:31:30,001 --> 01:31:31,000 CROWDED AREAS KILLING -- KILLING 2525 01:31:31,001 --> 01:31:32,000 INNOCENT MEN, WOMEN, AND 2526 01:31:32,001 --> 01:31:34,000 CHILDREN. 2527 01:31:34,001 --> 01:31:36,000 WE'VE ALL HEARD ACCOUNTS OF 2528 01:31:36,001 --> 01:31:40,000 SUICIDE BOMBERS 2529 01:31:40,001 --> 01:31:43,000 EXPLOSIVES TO THEIR WEIGHS AND 2530 01:31:43,001 --> 01:31:45,000 WALKING INTO A MARKET AND INTENTIONALLY KILLING 2531 01:31:45,001 --> 01:31:50,000 INDIVIDUALS, THEY HAVE BEEN 2532 01:31:50,001 --> 01:31:53,000 BRANDED AS RELIGIOUS ZELLROTS 2533 01:31:53,001 --> 01:31:55,000 WILLING TO DIE FOR THEIR CAUSE. 2534 01:31:55,001 --> 01:31:58,000 OFTENTIMES THEY RECRUIT SUICIDE 2535 01:31:58,001 --> 01:32:00,000 BOMBERS IN OTHER WAYS AND GO 2536 01:32:00,001 --> 01:32:01,000 INTO VILLAGES AND HOLD THE 2537 01:32:01,001 --> 01:32:05,000 FAMILY HOSTAGE AND INSTRUCT THE 2538 01:32:05,001 --> 01:32:07,000 YOUNG MAN AND FAMILY AND SAY IF 2539 01:32:07,001 --> 01:32:09,000 THEY DON'T ERREY OUT A SUICIDE 2540 01:32:09,001 --> 01:32:12,000 MISSIO 2541 01:32:12,001 --> 01:32:15,000 OF THE FAMILY. 2542 01:32:15,001 --> 01:32:17,000 BRENDON'S TEAM WAS TRACKING ONE 2543 01:32:17,001 --> 01:32:20,000 OF THESE THUGS THAT WAS 2544 01:32:20,001 --> 01:32:23,000 NOTORIOUS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT. 2545 01:32:23,001 --> 01:32:26,000 THEY TRACKED A TERRORIST TO A 2546 01:32:26,001 --> 01:32:29,000 SMALL 2547 01:32:29,001 --> 01:32:33,000 BRANDON'S TEAM SET A PERIMETER 2548 01:32:33,001 --> 01:32:35,000 TO ROUTE OUT THE WAR LORDS. 2549 01:32:35,001 --> 01:32:39,000 THEY PROCEED TO SWEEP A 2550 01:32:39,001 --> 01:32:40,000 VILLAGE HOPING TO SURPRISE THE 2551 01:32:40,001 --> 01:32:42,000 LOCAL TALIBAN LEADER. 2552 01:32:42,001 --> 01:32:44,000 THEIR ARRIVAL WAS TIPPED OFF TO THE TALIBAN. 2553 01:32:44,001 --> 01:32:45,000 THEY FLED MINUTES BEFE THE 2554 01:32:45,001 --> 01:32:47,000 U.S. SOLDIERS ARRIVED. 2555 01:32:47,001 --> 01:32:48,000 HAVING FOUND EVIDENCE OF 2556 01:32:48,001 --> 01:32:50,000 TALIBAN'S EXISTENCE THE SOLDIERS 2557 01:32:50,001 --> 01:32:51,000 KNEW IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF 2558 01:32:51,001 --> 01:32:52,000 TIME BEFORE THEY ENGAGED THE 2559 01:32:52,001 --> 01:32:55,000 ENEMY. 2560 01:32:55,001 --> 01:32:59,000 THAT FIRST SKIMMISH STARTED THE 2561 01:32:59,001 --> 01:33:00,000 -- SKIMMISH STARTED THE NEXT DAY 2562 01:33:00,001 --> 01:33:03,000 AT DUSK. 2563 01:33:03,001 --> 01:33:07,000 THERE WERE 2564 01:33:07,001 --> 01:33:08,000 OPS, TOOK SOME SMALL ARMS AN 2565 01:33:08,001 --> 01:33:10,000 ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE FIRE 2566 01:33:10,001 --> 01:33:11,000 BUT IT DIDN'T LAST LONG. 2567 01:33:11,001 --> 01:33:13,000 THE TALIBAN ATTACKED AND THE 2568 01:33:13,001 --> 01:33:14,000 U.S.-LED FORCES SEVERAL MORE 2569 01:33:14,001 --> 01:33:16,000 TIMES OVER THE NEXT DAY AND 2570 01:33:16,001 --> 01:33:18,000 NIGHT, BUT NEVER AMOUNTING TO 2571 01:33:18,001 --> 01:33:21,000 THE U.S.-LED FORCES DENY EVEN 2572 01:33:21,001 --> 01:33:22,000 SUSTAIN A SINGLE INJURY DURING 2573 01:33:22,001 --> 01:33:24,000 THAT FIREFIGHT. 2574 01:33:24,001 --> 01:33:26,000 AFTER HAVING ARRIVED ON 2575 01:33:26,001 --> 01:33:27,000 WEDNESDAY EVENING SPORADICALLY 2576 01:33:27,001 --> 01:33:29,000 FIGHTING THE TALIBAN FOR TWO 2577 01:33:29,001 --> 01:33:30,000 DAYS, BRENDON'S TEAM DECIDED IT 2578 01:33:30,001 --> 01:33:31,000 WAS TIME TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO 2579 01:33:31,001 --> 01:33:34,000 THE ENEMY. 2580 01:33:34,001 --> 01:33:42,000 ON THAT SATURDAY MASTER SERGEANT 2581 01:33:42,001 --> 01:33:45,000 TOM MAHULOK LED A SMALL RECON 2582 01:33:45,001 --> 01:33:48,000 GROUP TO A SMALL VILLAGE. 2583 01:33:48,001 --> 01:33:51,000 THE TEAM WAS COMPRISED OF FOUR 2584 01:33:51,001 --> 01:33:52,000 SPECIAL OP FORCES AND A DOZEN 2585 01:33:52,001 --> 01:33:55,000 AFGHAN 2586 01:33:55,001 --> 01:33:58,000 SERGEANT MUHOLLIK WAS ABLE TO 2587 01:33:58,001 --> 01:34:00,000 GET CLOSE ENOUGH WITHOUT BEING DETECTED. 2588 01:34:00,001 --> 01:34:01,000 ONCE HE ASSESSED THE SITUATION, 2589 01:34:01,001 --> 01:34:03,000 THE SERGEANT THOUGHT HE COULD 2590 01:34:03,001 --> 01:34:04,000 TAKE T 2591 01:34:04,001 --> 01:34:08,000 SIMPLE RECON TEAM. 2592 01:34:08,001 --> 01:34:11,000 HE ORDERED TWO OF HIS SOLDIERS, 2593 01:34:11,001 --> 01:34:16,000 STAFF SERGEANT BENNIE AND STAFF 2594 01:34:16,001 --> 01:34:19,000 SERGEANT FIRST TO COVER SERGEANT 2595 01:34:19,001 --> 01:34:20,000 MOHALLIK AND THE EIGHT REMAINING 2596 01:34:20,001 --> 01:34:23,000 AFGHAN ARMY CONTINGENT. 2597 01:34:23,001 --> 01:34:25,000 WHEN THE U.S.-LED RECON TEAM 2598 01:34:25,001 --> 01:34:27,000 LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ATTACK ON THE 2599 01:34:27,001 --> 01:34:29,000 TALIBAN, THEY WERE GREETED WITH 2600 01:34:29,001 --> 01:34:31,000 HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE. 2601 01:34:31,001 --> 01:34:33,000 THE FIRST FIRE SUPPRESSION TEAM 2602 01:34:33,001 --> 01:34:35,000 RETURNED FIRE, HOWEVER THE 2603 01:34:35,001 --> 01:34:37,000 MACHINE GUN NESTED HAD A 2604 01:34:37,001 --> 01:34:39,000 TACTICAL ADVANTAGE OVER THE TEAM. 2605 01:34:39,001 --> 01:34:41,000 THEY HAD THE HIGHER GROUND. 2606 01:34:41,001 --> 01:34:43,000 MATT WAS STRUCK FIRST BY A 2607 01:34:43,001 --> 01:34:46,000 BULLET THAT GRAZED HIS NECK AND 2608 01:34:46,001 --> 01:34:48,000 STUNNED HIM FOR A MOMENT. 2609 01:34:48,001 --> 01:34:50,000 MATT REGAINED HIS SENSES AND HE 2610 01:34:50,001 --> 01:34:51,000 AND JOE RETURNED 2611 01:34:51,001 --> 01:34:54,000 THEY COULD. 2612 01:34:54,001 --> 01:34:56,000 THE TALIBAN HAD THEM PINNED DOWN. 2613 01:34:56,001 --> 01:34:58,000 AN R.P.G. ROUND CAME AND STRUCK 2614 01:34:58,001 --> 01:34:59,000 THE STAFF SERGEANT FIRST 2615 01:34:59,001 --> 01:35:02,000 DIRECTLY IN THE LEG. 2616 01:35:02,001 --> 01:35:04,000 DIDN'T EXPLODE, THANKFULLY, BUT 2617 01:35:04,001 --> 01:35:06,000 BADLY WOUNDED WAS STAFF SERGEANT 2618 01:35:06,001 --> 01:35:07,000 JOE FIRST. 2619 01:35:07,001 --> 01:35:10,000 STAFF SERGEANT BENNIE WAS 2620 01:35:10,001 --> 01:35:12,000 TE 2621 01:35:12,001 --> 01:35:16,000 HE WAS SHOT THROUGH THE SOLDIER. 2622 01:35:16,001 --> 01:35:17,000 THE ONL ONE LEFT WITH A WAS A 2623 01:35:17,001 --> 01:35:19,000 YOUNG AFGHAN SOLDIER WHO STAYED 2624 01:35:19,001 --> 01:35:22,000 WITH THEM. 2625 01:35:22,001 --> 01:35:23,000 STAFF SERGEANT MOHOLLIK RADIOED 2626 01:35:23,001 --> 01:35:25,000 FOR HELP. 2627 01:35:25,001 --> 01:35:27,000 AT THE MAIN PERIMETER BRENDON 2628 01:35:27,001 --> 01:35:29,000 O'CONNOR GOT THE CALL AND PUT A 2629 01:35:29,001 --> 01:35:30,000 TEAM TOGETHER 2630 01:35:30,001 --> 01:35:32,000 WOUNDED SOLDIERS. 2631 01:35:32,001 --> 01:35:33,000 WHEN BRENDON'S TEAM GOT TO THE 2632 01:35:33,001 --> 01:35:35,000 AREA THE TALIBAN HAD TAKEN 2633 01:35:35,001 --> 01:35:38,000 POSITIONS ALONG THE ROUTE INTO 2634 01:35:38,001 --> 01:35:41,000 THE WOUNDED -- LEAVING THE 2635 01:35:41,001 --> 01:35:43,000 WOUNDED SOLDIERS ONLY ONE PATH. 2636 01:35:43,001 --> 01:35:45,000 BRENDON INSTRUCTED HIS TEAM TO 2637 01:35:45,001 --> 01:35:47,000 TAKE UP POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THE 2638 01:35:47,001 --> 01:35:48,000 WOUNDED AND TO STARTED ON 2639 01:35:48,001 --> 01:35:50,000 MISSION TO SAVE THE LIVES OF 2640 01:35:50,001 --> 01:35:52,000 THESE SOLDIERS. 2641 01:35:52,001 --> 01:35:54,000 AT FIRST 2642 01:35:54,001 --> 01:35:55,000 CRAWLING THROUGH AN OPEN FIELD 2643 01:35:55,001 --> 01:35:56,000 WITH HIS GEAR ON. 2644 01:35:56,001 --> 01:35:57,000 HE QUICKLY REALIZED THIS WASN'T 2645 01:35:57,001 --> 01:36:00,000 GOING TO WORK. 2646 01:36:00,001 --> 01:36:03,000 UNDER A HAIL OF SMALL ARMS, 2647 01:36:03,001 --> 01:36:04,000 R.P.G. AND MACHINE GUN FIRE, 2648 01:36:04,001 --> 01:36:06,000 BRENDON REMOVED ALL OF HIS 2649 01:36:06,001 --> 01:36:08,000 ARMOR, CRAWLED TO AN OPEN FIELD 2650 01:36:08,001 --> 01:36:10,000 TO G TO THE TWO WOUNDED. 2651 01:36:10,001 --> 01:36:12,000 BRENDON COULDN'T LOCATE THE TWO 2652 01:36:12,001 --> 01:36:14,000 SOLDIERS BY SIGHT, ONLY BY 2653 01:36:14,001 --> 01:36:16,000 CALLING AND AS HE HEARD THEM HE 2654 01:36:16,001 --> 01:36:17,000 WOULD GET CLOSER AND CLOSER. 2655 01:36:17,001 --> 01:36:19,000 WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE TWO 2656 01:36:19,001 --> 01:36:22,000 WOUNDED, HE HAD TO MAKE A QUICK 2657 01:36:22,001 --> 01:36:25,000 DECISION ABOUT JOE'S INJURIES 2658 01:36:25,001 --> 01:36:27,000 WHICH WERE LIGHT THREATENING. 2659 01:36:27,001 --> 01:36:29,000 HE GOT STAFF SERGEANT BENNIE 2660 01:36:29,001 --> 01:36:32,000 QUICKLY TAKEN CARE OF AND 2661 01:36:32,001 --> 01:36:33,000 INSTRUCTED HIM HOW TO GET TO 2662 01:36:33,001 --> 01:36:36,000 SAFETY. 2663 01:36:36,001 --> 01:36:42,000 STAFF SERGEANT KOL BERT WASN'T 2664 01:36:42,001 --> 01:36:45,000 SO EASE -- COLBERT WASN'T SO EASY. 2665 01:36:45,001 --> 01:36:48,000 HE STARTED TO BRAG HIM, BUT 2666 01:36:48,001 --> 01:36:52,000 COULDN'T DO IT THE ENTIRE WAY. 2667 01:36:52,001 --> 01:36:54,000 AS IF BRANDON TEAM ACTION 2668 01:36:54,001 --> 01:36:55,000 WASN'T HEROIC ENOUGH, THIS WILL 2669 01:36:55,001 --> 01:36:58,000 SEND CHILLS DOWN YOUR SPINE. 2670 01:36:58,001 --> 01:37:00,000 THIS TIME DURING THE FIGHT IT 2671 01:37:00,001 --> 01:37:03,000 WAS ESTIMATED NEARLY 300 TALIBAN 2672 01:37:03,001 --> 01:37:04,000 FIGHTERS ENGAGED THE U.S. 2673 01:37:04,001 --> 01:37:06,000 300. 2674 01:37:06,001 --> 01:37:08,000 I SAY APPROXIMATELY BECAUSE 2675 01:37:08,001 --> 01:37:11,000 SEVERAL AFGHAN ARMY MEMBERS WHO 2676 01:37:11,001 --> 01:37:12,000 ACCOMPANIED BRENDON'S TEAM FLED 2677 01:37:12,001 --> 01:37:15,000 BY THIS POINT. 2678 01:37:15,001 --> 01:37:17,000 AS BRENDON'S COVER CAME TO AN 2679 01:37:17,001 --> 01:37:21,000 END, HE PULLED JOE UNDER HIS 2680 01:37:21,001 --> 01:37:22,000 SOLDIER AND RAN ACROSS AN AREA 2681 01:37:22,001 --> 01:37:24,000 WHILE 300 TALIBAN FIGHTERS WERE 2682 01:37:24,001 --> 01:37:27,000 SHOOTING AT HIM. 2683 01:37:27,001 --> 01:37:28,000 GOD WAS WATCHING BRENDON THAT 2684 01:37:28,001 --> 01:37:30,000 DAY. 2685 01:37:30,001 --> 01:37:31,000 GOD SAW ONE MAN RISK HIS LIFE TO 2686 01:37:31,001 --> 01:37:35,000 SAVE ANOTHER. 2687 01:37:35,001 --> 01:37:37,000 GOD SAW FIT TO SAVE BRENDON FROM 2688 01:37:37,001 --> 01:37:40,000 HARM AS HE 2689 01:37:40,001 --> 01:37:41,000 SOLDIER TO SAFETY. 2690 01:37:41,001 --> 01:37:43,000 UNFORTUNATELY JOE F 2691 01:37:43,001 --> 01:37:47,000 SOON AFTER BRENDON GOT HIM BACK 2692 01:37:47,001 --> 01:37:49,000 BECAUSE OF A MASSIVE BLOOD LOSS. 2693 01:37:49,001 --> 01:37:52,000 STAFF SERGEANT MATT BENNIE 2694 01:37:52,001 --> 01:37:53,000 SURVIVED BECAUSE OF BRENDON'S 2695 01:37:53,001 --> 01:37:55,000 LEADERSHIP UNDER FIRE. 2696 01:37:55,001 --> 01:37:58,000 THE BATTLE THAT HAD GONE ON FOR 2697 01:37:58,001 --> 01:37:59,000 THREE DAYS WAS COMING TO AN END. 2698 01:37:59,001 --> 01:38:02,000 THE U.S. HAD AIR SUPPORT THAT 2699 01:38:02,001 --> 01:38:06,000 ESCORTED THEM OUT OF THE AREA. 2700 01:38:06,001 --> 01:38:07,000 ALL TOLD THE 2701 01:38:07,001 --> 01:38:09,000 KILLED 125 TALIBAN FIGHTERS AND 2702 01:38:09,001 --> 01:38:10,000 ONLY LOST TWO OF THEIR OWN WITH 2703 01:38:10,001 --> 01:38:12,000 ONE WOUNDED. 2704 01:38:12,001 --> 01:38:14,000 THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO CAPTURE OR 2705 01:38:14,001 --> 01:38:15,000 KILL THE WAR LORD AT THAT TIME 2706 01:38:15,001 --> 01:38:18,000 DUE TO THE LOSSES OF THE TALIBAN 2707 01:38:18,001 --> 01:38:19,000 THAT 2708 01:38:19,001 --> 01:38:20,000 FORCES GOT HIM SEVERAL WEEKS 2709 01:38:20,001 --> 01:38:22,000 LATER. 2710 01:38:22,001 --> 01:38:27,000 FOR THEIR HEROICS IN COMBAT 2711 01:38:27,001 --> 01:38:31,000 MASTER SERGEANT TOM 2712 01:38:31,001 --> 01:38:32,000 MATT BENNIE WERE AWARDED THE 2713 01:38:32,001 --> 01:38:35,000 STAR. 2714 01:38:35,001 --> 01:38:36,000 BRENDON 2715 01:38:36,001 --> 01:38:37,000 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS FOR 2716 01:38:37,001 --> 01:38:40,000 HIS VALOR. 2717 01:38:40,001 --> 01:38:43,000 IT WAS THE FIRST TIME A MEMBER 2718 01:38:43,001 --> 01:38:45,000 -- OF THE SEVENTH SPECIAL FORCE 2719 01:38:45,001 --> 01:38:46,000 GROUHAD BEEN AWARDED THE MEDAL 2720 01:38:46,001 --> 01:38:48,000 SINCE 1964. 2721 01:38:48,001 --> 01:38:49,000 IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE BRENDON 2722 01:38:49,001 --> 01:38:50,000 AND HIS FAMILY IN WASHINGTON 2723 01:38:50,001 --> 01:38:52,000 TODAY. 2724 01:38:52,001 --> 01:38:57,000 HE'S JOINED BY HIS BEAUTIFUL 2725 01:38:57,001 --> 01:38:59,000 WIFE MEGAN I HIS CHILDREN RYAN, DARBY, AND DILLON. 2726 01:38:59,001 --> 01:39:01,000 MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS THIS TYPE 2727 01:39:01,001 --> 01:39:04,000 OF STORY THAT WE RARELY HEAR 2728 01:39:04,001 --> 01:39:08,000 ABOUT ON THE 2729 01:39:08,001 --> 01:39:11,000 BUT THIS STORE WAS TO A-- THIS 2730 01:39:11,001 --> 01:39:14,000 STORIESTORIES WITH SO AMAZING THAT "60 2731 01:39:14,001 --> 01:39:16,000 MINUTES" DID A PIECE ON IT. 2732 01:39:16,001 --> 01:39:18,000 MASTER SERGEANT BRENDON O'CONNOR 2733 01:39:18,001 --> 01:39:22,000 IS A PERSON THAT OTHER WARRIORS 2734 01:39:22,001 --> 01:39:25,000 THAT HAVE PROUDLY SERVED THIS 2735 01:39:25,001 --> 01:39:28,000 COUNTRY HOLD IN THEIR HIGHEST REGARD. 2736 01:39:28,001 --> 01:39:30,000 HE'S A SOLDIER THAT UNDERSTANDS 2737 01:39:30,001 --> 01:39:33,000 THE PRICE OF FREEDOM. 2738 01:39:33,001 --> 01:39:35,000 THE UNITED STATES SENATE SALUTES 2739 01:39:35,001 --> 01:39:36,000 MASTER SERGEANT BRANDON O'CONNOR 2740 01:39:36,001 --> 01:39:37,000 TODAY. 2741 01:39:37,001 --> 01:39:38,000 I THANK THE PRESIDENT 2742 01:39:38,001 --> 01:39:39,000 I YIELD THE FLOOR. 2743 01:39:39,001 --> 01:39:40,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: MORNING 2744 01:39:40,001 --> 01:39:41,000 BUSINESS IS CLOSED. 2745 01:39:41,001 --> 01:39:42,000 UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER THE 2746 01:39:42,001 --> 01:39:44,000 SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE 2747 01:39:44,001 --> 01:39:48,000 CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2 2748 01:39:48,001 --> 01:39:50,000 THE CLERK 2749 01:39:50,001 --> 01:39:51,000 THE CLERK: H.R. 2892, AN ACT 2750 01:39:51,001 --> 01:39:53,000 MAKING THE APPROPRIATIONS 2751 01:39:53,001 --> 01:39:55,000 THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 2752 01:39:55,001 --> 01:39:58,000 SECURITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2753 01:39:58,001 --> 01:40:01,000 ENDING 2754 01:40:01,001 --> 01:40:03,000 FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 2755 01:40:03,001 --> 01:40:04,000 MR. REID: THE BILL HAS BEEN REPORTED, IS THAT 2756 01:40:04,001 --> 01:40:05,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 2757 01:40:05,001 --> 01:40:07,000 SENATOR IS CORRECT. 2758 01:40:07,001 --> 01:40:09,000 MR. REID: I CALL AN AMENDMENT 2759 01:40:09,001 --> 01:40:11,000 THAT'S AT THE DESK ON BEHALF OF 2760 01:40:11,001 --> 01:40:12,000 SENATOR INOUYE 2761 01:40:12,001 --> 01:40:13,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK 2762 01:40:13,001 --> 01:40:15,000 WILL REPORT THE ANTI. 2763 01:40:15,001 --> 01:40:18,000 THE CLERK: THE SENATOR AMENDMENT. 2764 01:40:18,001 --> 01:40:22,000 THE CLERK: 2765 01:40:22,001 --> 01:40:24,000 NEVADA PROPOSED AMENDMENT 1373. 2766 01:40:24,001 --> 01:40:30,000 STRIKE ALL AFTER THE ENACTING 2767 01:40:30,001 --> 01:40:31,000 CLAUSE AN INSERT THE 2768 01:40:31,001 --> 01:40:33,000 MR. DURBIN: I ASK TO DISPENSE 2769 01:40:33,001 --> 01:40:34,000 WITH THE READING OF THE 2770 01:40:34,001 --> 01:40:35,000 SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT. THE PRESIDING FICER: WITHOUT 2771 01:40:35,001 --> 01:40:38,000 OBJECTION. 2772 01:40:38,001 --> 01:40:39,000 FISCAL YEAR 2010, DEPARTMENT OF 2773 01:40:39,001 --> 01:40:40,000 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS 2774 01:40:40,001 --> 01:40:41,000 BILL. 2775 01:40:41,001 --> 01:40:43,000 THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOM 2776 01:40:43,001 --> 01:40:45,000 SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE, SENATOR 2777 01:40:45,001 --> 01:40:46,000 ROBERT C. BYRD OF WEST VIRGINIA 2778 01:40:46,001 --> 01:40:49,000 IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL, WHICH 2779 01:40:49,001 --> 01:40:51,000 IS GOOD NEWS, IMPROVING DAILY 2780 01:40:51,001 --> 01:40:53,000 AND EAGER TO RETURN 2781 01:40:53,001 --> 01:40:54,000 SENATE AS SOON AS HE CAN. 2782 01:40:54,001 --> 01:40:56,000 EXCUSE ME. 2783 01:40:56,001 --> 01:40:57,000 SENATOR BYRD HAS BEEN IN REGULAR 2784 01:40:57,001 --> 01:40:58,000 CONSULTATION WITH HIS STAFF IN 2785 01:40:58,001 --> 01:41:01,000 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS BILL 2786 01:41:01,001 --> 01:41:02,000 THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE 2787 01:41:02,001 --> 01:41:04,000 APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ON 2788 01:41:04,001 --> 01:41:07,000 JUNE 18 BY A VOTE OF 30-0. 2789 01:41:07,001 --> 01:41:11,000 THIS 2790 01:41:11,001 --> 01:41:14,000 I WANT TO THANK SENATOR COCHRAN 2791 01:41:14,001 --> 01:41:15,000 AND SENATOR VOINOVICH OF 2792 01:41:15,001 --> 01:41:16,000 WHO JOINS ME ON THE FLOOR FOR 2793 01:41:16,001 --> 01:41:17,000 THE COOPERATION IN DEVELOPING 2794 01:41:17,001 --> 01:41:19,000 THIS BILL AND I WANT TO THANK 2795 01:41:19,001 --> 01:41:20,000 THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 2796 01:41:20,001 --> 01:41:23,000 APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, 2797 01:41:23,001 --> 01:41:24,000 SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE FOR HIS SUPPORT. 2798 01:41:24,001 --> 01:41:26,000 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 2799 01:41:26,001 --> 01:41:29,000 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 2800 01:41:29,001 --> 01:41:31,000 AFTER THE DEVASTATING'S EVENTS 2801 01:41:31,001 --> 01:41:32,000 OF 2001 S ONE OF THE MOST 2802 01:41:32,001 --> 01:41:33,000 AMBITIOUS FEDERAL 2803 01:41:33,001 --> 01:41:34,000 REORGANIZATIONS SINCE THE 2804 01:41:34,001 --> 01:41:35,000 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WAS 2805 01:41:35,001 --> 01:41:37,000 CREATED AFTER WORLD WAR II. 2806 01:41:37,001 --> 01:41:38,000 IT WAS THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF 2807 01:41:38,001 --> 01:41:40,000 THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THAT THE 2808 01:41:40,001 --> 01:41:42,000 DEPARTMENT COULD BE CREATED AT 2809 01:41:42,001 --> 01:41:43,000 NO COST TO THE 2810 01:41:43,001 --> 01:41:47,000 THIS TRANSLATED INTO A 2811 01:41:47,001 --> 01:41:48,000 DEPARTMENT WITH AGING ASSETS, AN 2812 01:41:48,001 --> 01:41:50,000 INABILITY TO PRAF FOR AND 2813 01:41:50,001 --> 01:41:53,000 RESPOND TO -- PREPARE FOR AND 2814 01:41:53,001 --> 01:41:54,000 RESPOND TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND 2815 01:41:54,001 --> 01:41:55,000 FUTURE THREATS. 2816 01:41:55,001 --> 01:41:57,000 IN RESPONSE CONGRESS ON A 2817 01:41:57,001 --> 01:42:00,000 BIPARTISAN BASIS INCREASED 2818 01:42:00,001 --> 01:42:02,000 HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING BY AN 2819 01:42:02,001 --> 01:42:03,000 AVERAGE OF -- ANNUALLY ABOVE THE 2820 01:42:03,001 --> 01:42:06,000 PRESIDENT'S R 2821 01:42:06,001 --> 01:42:08,000 THESE INCREASES WERENVESTED 2822 01:42:08,001 --> 01:42:10,000 BORDER SECURITY, CHEMICAL 2823 01:42:10,001 --> 01:42:15,000 SECURITY, PORT SECURITY, TRANSIT 2824 01:42:15,001 --> 01:42:16,000 SECURITY, AVIATION SECURITY, AND CYBERSECURITY. 2825 01:42:16,001 --> 01:42:18,000 CONGRESS ENSURED THAT STATE AN 2826 01:42:18,001 --> 01:42:21,000 LOCAL PARTNERS IN HOMELAND 2827 01:42:21,001 --> 01:42:23,000 SECURITY HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES 2828 01:42:23,001 --> 01:42:25,000 TO EQUIP AND TRAIN THE FIRST 2829 01:42:25,001 --> 01:42:27,000 THIS HAS PAID OFF MAKING THE 2830 01:42:27,001 --> 01:42:28,000 NATION MORE SECURE IN MAKING US 2831 01:42:28,001 --> 01:42:30,000 BETTER PREPARED FOR DISASTER. 2832 01:42:30,001 --> 01:42:32,000 WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO. 2833 01:42:32,001 --> 01:42:34,000 THE COMMITTEE-REPORTED BILL 2834 01:42:34,001 --> 01:42:35,000 TOTALS $42.9 BILLION OF 2835 01:42:35,001 --> 01:42:38,000 DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY, 2836 01:42:38,001 --> 01:42:42,000 AN INCREASE 2837 01:42:42,001 --> 01:42:44,000 FISCAL YEAR -- CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2009. 2838 01:42:44,001 --> 01:42:45,000 CHAIRMANYRD HAS SET FIVE MAJOR 2839 01:42:45,001 --> 01:42:48,000 GOALS FOR BUILT. 2840 01:42:48,001 --> 01:42:49,000 NUMBER ONE, SECURE OUR BORDERS 2841 01:42:49,001 --> 01:42:51,000 AND ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS. 2842 01:42:51,001 --> 01:42:52,000 NUMBER TWO, PROTECT THE AMERICAN 2843 01:42:52,001 --> 01:42:55,000 PEOPLE FROM TERRORIST THREATS 2844 01:42:55,001 --> 01:42:56,000 AND OTHER VULNERABLITIES. 2845 01:42:56,001 --> 01:42:58,000 PREPARE FO 2846 01:42:58,001 --> 01:42:59,000 HAZARDS INCLUDING NATURAL 2847 01:42:59,001 --> 01:43:01,000 DISASTERS. 2848 01:43:01,001 --> 01:43:03,000 NUMBER FOUR, SUPPORT 2849 01:43:03,001 --> 01:43:04,000 LOCAL AND TRIBAL PRIVATE SECTOR 2850 01:43:04,001 --> 01:43:07,000 PARTNERS IN HOMELAND SECURITY 2851 01:43:07,001 --> 01:43:08,000 WITH RESOURCES AND INFORMATION 2852 01:43:08,001 --> 01:43:10,000 AND GIVE THE DEPARTMENT THE 2853 01:43:10,001 --> 01:43:13,000 MANAGEMENT TOO IT NEEDS TO SUCCEED. 2854 01:43:13,001 --> 01:43:14,000 TO MEET THESE GOALS CHAIRMAN 2855 01:43:14,001 --> 01:43:18,000 BYRD PROVIDES IN THE BILL 2856 01:43:18,001 --> 01:43:19,000 WORKING WITH SENATOR VOINOVIC 2857 01:43:19,001 --> 01:43:21,000 VOINOVICH $10.2 BILLION FOR 2858 01:43:21,001 --> 01:43:24,000 CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECT 2859 01:43:24,001 --> 01:43:26,000 INCLUDING AN INITIATIVE TO 2860 01:43:26,001 --> 01:43:28,000 COMBAT DRUGS. 2861 01:43:28,001 --> 01:43:30,000 $5.4 BILLION FOR IMMIGRATION AND 2862 01:43:30,001 --> 01:43:31,000 CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING 2863 01:43:31,001 --> 01:43:33,000 INCREASED FUNDS FOR THE 2864 01:43:33,001 --> 01:43:34,000 SOUTHWEST BORDER INITIATIVE AND 2865 01:43:34,001 --> 01:43:37,000 THE SECURE COMMUNITIES AND 2866 01:43:37,001 --> 01:43:39,000 CRIMINAL ALIENS PROGRAMS WHICH 2867 01:43:39,001 --> 01:43:40,000 IDENTIFY DANGEROUS CRIMINAL 2868 01:43:40,001 --> 01:43:43,000 ALIENS FOR DEPORTATION WHEN 2869 01:43:43,001 --> 01:43:44,000 LEASED FROM PRISON. 2870 01:43:44,001 --> 01:43:45,000 $7.7 BILLION FOR THE 2871 01:43:45,001 --> 01:43:48,000 TRANSPORTATION SECURITY 2872 01:43:48,001 --> 01:43:49,000 ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING 2873 01:43:49,001 --> 01:43:52,000 A $513 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE 2874 01:43:52,001 --> 01:43:53,000 PURCHASE AND INSTA 2875 01:43:53,001 --> 01:43:54,000 EXPLOSIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS AT 2876 01:43:54,001 --> 01:43:56,000 THE AIRPORTS. 2877 01:43:56,001 --> 01:43:58,000 FUNDING IS INCLUDED FOR 50 2878 01:43:58,001 --> 01:44:02,000 ADDITIONAL AIR CARGO INSPECTORS 2879 01:44:02,001 --> 01:44:04,000 TO MEET THE AUGUST 2010 MANDATE 2880 01:44:04,001 --> 01:44:08,000 FOR 100% AIR-CARGO SCREENING. 2881 01:44:08,001 --> 01:44:09,000 THE BILL PROVIDES $143 MILLION 2882 01:44:09,001 --> 01:44:11,000 FOR SUR 2883 01:44:11,001 --> 01:44:13,000 INCLUDING 100 ADDITIONAL 2884 01:44:13,001 --> 01:44:14,000 INSPECTORS A 2885 01:44:14,001 --> 01:44:17,000 SECURITY TEAMS TO IMPROVE THE 2886 01:44:17,001 --> 01:44:18,000 SECURITY ON THE TRANSIT SECURITY 2887 01:44:18,001 --> 01:44:20,000 SYSTEMS. 2888 01:44:20,001 --> 01:44:22,000 .9 BILLION FOR THE COAST GUARD 2889 01:44:22,001 --> 01:44:24,000 FOR SECURITY FOR CUTTER NUMBER 2890 01:44:24,001 --> 01:44:28,000 FOUR AND PROVIDE LONG LEAD 2891 01:44:28,001 --> 01:44:33,000 MATERIALS FOR NSC NUMBER FIVE. 2892 01:44:33,001 --> 01:44:35,000 IT 2893 01:44:35,001 --> 01:44:37,000 CUTTERS, 40 MEDIUM-SIZED 2894 01:44:37,001 --> 01:44:40,000 RESPONSE BOWS AND FUNDING FOR 2895 01:44:40,001 --> 01:44:42,000 INNER 2896 01:44:42,001 --> 01:44:43,000 ARE REQUIRED BY THE SAFE PORT 2897 01:44:43,001 --> 01:44:44,000 ACT. 2898 01:44:44,001 --> 01:44:48,000 $4.2 MILLION IS PROVIDED FOR THE 2899 01:44:48,001 --> 01:44:50,000 FIRST 2900 01:44:50,001 --> 01:44:52,000 INCLUDING $887 FOR URBAN AREA 2901 01:44:52,001 --> 01:44:54,000 SECURITY GRANTS, $950 MILLION 2902 01:44:54,001 --> 01:44:57,000 FOR STATE HOMELAND SECURITY 2903 01:44:57,001 --> 01:44:59,000 ANTS AND $350 MILLION FOR 2904 01:44:59,001 --> 01:45:02,000 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMCE GRANTS. 2905 01:45:02,001 --> 01:45:04,000 PORT SECURITY GRANTS 2906 01:45:04,001 --> 01:45:07,000 RECEIVE $350 MILLION AND TRANSIT 2907 01:45:07,001 --> 01:45:08,000 RAILROAD BUS GRANTS 2908 01:45:08,001 --> 01:45:10,000 RECEIVE $356 MILLION. 2909 01:45:10,001 --> 01:45:12,000 THE BILL INCLUDES $399 MILLION 2910 01:45:12,001 --> 01:45:13,000 TO COMBAT THE EVOLVING 2911 01:45:13,001 --> 01:45:14,000 CYBERSECURITY THREAT. 2912 01:45:14,001 --> 01:45:16,000 SINCE ITS INCEPTION THE 2913 01:45:16,001 --> 01:45:18,000 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 2914 01:45:18,001 --> 01:45:19,000 HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT MANAGEMENT 2915 01:45:19,001 --> 01:45:21,000 PROBLEMS. 2916 01:45:21,001 --> 01:45:23,000 THE 2917 01:45:23,001 --> 01:45:25,000 COMMITTEE BILL INCLUDES FUNDING 2918 01:45:25,001 --> 01:45:27,000 INCREASES AND CLEAR DIRECTION TO 2919 01:45:27,001 --> 01:45:28,000 STRENGTHEN PROCUREMENT AND 2920 01:45:28,001 --> 01:45:30,000 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AT THE DEPARTMENT. 2921 01:45:30,001 --> 01:45:32,000 THIS IS A GOOD BL. 2922 01:45:32,001 --> 01:45:34,000 BY FOCUSING ON THE FIVE GOALS 2923 01:45:34,001 --> 01:45:35,000 THAT CHAIRMAN BYRD HAS 2924 01:45:35,001 --> 01:45:37,000 ESTABLISHED FOR THIS BILL, WE 2925 01:45:37,001 --> 01:45:38,000 PROVIDE THE 2926 01:45:38,001 --> 01:45:40,000 INFORMATION NECESSARY TO BUILD 2927 01:45:40,001 --> 01:45:42,000 CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO SECURE AMERICA. 2928 01:45:42,001 --> 01:45:46,000 I URGE THE BILL. 2929 01:45:46,001 --> 01:45:54,000 AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO THE 2930 01:45:54,001 --> 01:45:57,000 SENATOR VOINOVICH OF 2931 01:45:57,001 --> 01:45:59,000 MR. VOINOVICH: I THANK SENATOR 2932 01:45:59,001 --> 01:46:02,000 DURBIN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO 2933 01:46:02,001 --> 01:46:03,000 ACOWLEDGE -- 2934 01:46:03,001 --> 01:46:05,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 2935 01:46:05,001 --> 01:46:06,000 SENATOR THE 2936 01:46:06,001 --> 01:46:07,000 SENATOR FROM OHIO. 2937 01:46:07,001 --> 01:46:08,000 MR. VOINOVICH: -- THE 2938 01:46:08,001 --> 01:46:09,000 COOPERATION THAT WE RECEIVED 2939 01:46:09,001 --> 01:46:12,000 FROM SENATOR BYRD AND HIS STAFF 2940 01:46:12,001 --> 01:46:14,000 AND WE'RE PLEASED THAT SENATOR 2941 01:46:14,001 --> 01:46:16,000 BYRD IS OUT THE THE HOSPITAL 2942 01:46:16,001 --> 01:46:19,000 AND RECUPERATING AT HOME. 2943 01:46:19,001 --> 01:46:25,000 I APPRECIATE THE FACT T 2944 01:46:25,001 --> 01:46:27,000 STEPPED IN TO PINCH-HIT FOR HIM THIS MORNING. 2945 01:46:27,001 --> 01:46:28,000 I WOULD LIKE TO CONCENTRATE ON 2946 01:46:28,001 --> 01:46:31,000 SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT I 2947 01:46:31,001 --> 01:46:34,000 THINK NEETO BE UNDERSCORED. 2948 01:46:34,001 --> 01:46:36,000 THE BILL RECOMMENDS A TOTAL OF 2949 01:46:36,001 --> 01:46:38,000 $44.3 BILLION IN APPROPRIATIONS 2950 01:46:38,001 --> 01:46:39,000 TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND 2951 01:46:39,001 --> 01:46:40,000 ACTIVITIES IN THE DEPARTMT OF 2952 01:46:40,001 --> 01:46:43,000 HOMELAND SECURITY. 2953 01:46:43,001 --> 01:46:45,000 OF THIS AMOUNT, $42.7 BILLION IS 2954 01:46:45,001 --> 01:46:48,000 FOR DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. 2955 01:46:48,001 --> 01:46:51,000 THIS IS ROUGHLY $145 MILLION 2956 01:46:51,001 --> 01:46:53,000 LESS THAN THE 2957 01:46:53,001 --> 01:46:54,000 DISCRETIONARY REQUEST AND IS 2958 01:46:54,001 --> 01:46:55,000 CONSISTENT WITH THE SUBCOMMITTEE 2959 01:46:55,001 --> 01:46:58,000 SPENDING ALLOCATION. 2960 01:46:58,001 --> 01:47:01,000 IN ADDITION, $1.4 BILLION IS 2961 01:47:01,001 --> 01:47:03,000 PROVIDED FOR COAST GUARD RETIRED 2962 01:47:03,001 --> 01:47:11,000 PAY AS THE ONLY M 2963 01:47:11,001 --> 01:47:14,000 AND $241.5 BILLION IS PROVIDED 2964 01:47:14,001 --> 01:47:16,000 FOR COAST GUARD OVERSEAS 2965 01:47:16,001 --> 01:47:17,000 CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS TO BE 2966 01:47:17,001 --> 01:47:18,000 TRANSFERRED TO THE COAST GUARD. 2967 01:47:18,001 --> 01:47:19,000 AND INSTEAD OF BEING 2968 01:47:19,001 --> 01:47:21,000 APPROPRIATED IN THE DEFENSE 2969 01:47:21,001 --> 01:47:22,000 APPROPRIATIONS BILL, IS BEING 2970 01:47:22,001 --> 01:47:24,000 APPROPRIATED HERE. 2971 01:47:24,001 --> 01:47:26,000 THE BILL INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT 2972 01:47:26,001 --> 01:47:28,000 RESOURCES FOR BORDER 2973 01:47:28,001 --> 01:47:30,000 AND ENFORCEMENT OF OUR 2974 01:47:30,001 --> 01:47:33,000 IMMIGRATION LAWS, FOR CONTINUED 2975 01:47:33,001 --> 01:47:35,000 IMPROVEMENTS IN SECURITY OF OUR 2976 01:47:35,001 --> 01:47:37,000 NATION'S AIRPORTS, FOR THE COAST 2977 01:47:37,001 --> 01:47:39,000 GUARD'S OPERATIONS AND 2978 01:47:39,001 --> 01:47:41,000 DEEP-WATER PROGRAM, 2979 01:47:41,001 --> 01:47:43,000 RECAPITALIZATION EFFORTS AND FOR 2980 01:47:43,001 --> 01:47:45,000 HELPING OUR CITIZENS PREPARE AND 2981 01:47:45,001 --> 01:47:47,000 RECOVER FROM NATURAL DISASTERS, 2982 01:47:47,001 --> 01:47:50,000 AND FOR EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING 2983 01:47:50,001 --> 01:47:51,000 OUR NATION'S FIRST RESPONDERS. 2984 01:47:51,001 --> 01:47:54,000 SENATOR DURBIN HAS INDICATED 2985 01:47:54,001 --> 01:47:56,000 THERE IS MUCH IN THIS BILL TO RECOMMEND. 2986 01:47:56,001 --> 01:47:57,000 IT FUNDS A NUMBER OF THE 2987 01:47:57,001 --> 01:47:59,000 DEPARTMENT'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES 2988 01:47:59,001 --> 01:48:01,000 AT OR ABOVE THE 2989 01:48:01,001 --> 01:48:03,000 LEVELS, AND I'M PLEASED THAT THE 2990 01:48:03,001 --> 01:48:05,000 SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 2991 01:48:05,001 --> 01:48:06,000 HOMELAND SECURITY UNDERSTANDS 2992 01:48:06,001 --> 01:48:08,000 THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO THE VERY 2993 01:48:08,001 --> 01:48:09,000 BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO FUND HER 2994 01:48:09,001 --> 01:48:11,000 PRIORITIES. 2995 01:48:11,001 --> 01:48:13,000 I'LL NOT LIST ALL OF THE BILL'S 2996 01:48:13,001 --> 01:48:15,000 FUNDED RECMENDATIONS, BUT 2997 01:48:15,001 --> 01:48:16,000 NOTE SOME OF THEM. 2998 01:48:16,001 --> 01:48:19,000 FUNDING IS P 2999 01:48:19,001 --> 01:48:27,000 SECURITY, INCLUDING THE FUNDS TO 3000 01:48:27,001 --> 01:48:33,000 SUPPORT 20,063 BORDER PATROL 3001 01:48:33,001 --> 01:48:35,000 AGENTS, 33,400 DETENTION BETS, 3002 01:48:35,001 --> 01:48:38,000 AND $800 MILLION FOR CONTINUED 3003 01:48:38,001 --> 01:48:40,000 WORK ON THE BORDER 3004 01:48:40,001 --> 01:48:41,000 IMPROVED RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. 3005 01:48:41,001 --> 01:48:42,000 STARTING IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 3006 01:48:42,001 --> 01:48:44,000 SIGNIFICANT INCREASES HAVE BEEN 3007 01:48:44,001 --> 01:48:45,000 PROVIDED FOR BORDER SECURITY AND 3008 01:48:45,001 --> 01:48:46,000 IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. 3009 01:48:46,001 --> 01:48:50,000 THIS BILL ALONE PROVIDES AN 3010 01:48:50,001 --> 01:48:52,000 INCREASE OF $880 MILLION FROM 3011 01:48:52,001 --> 01:48:55,000 THE FISCAL Y 3012 01:48:55,001 --> 01:48:56,000 EXCLUDING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS. 3013 01:48:56,001 --> 01:48:58,000 PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE WITH 3014 01:48:58,001 --> 01:49:00,000 THESE INVESTMENTS. 3015 01:49:00,001 --> 01:49:01,000 FEWER PEOPLE ARE ILLEGALLY 3016 01:49:01,001 --> 01:49:03,000 CROSSING OUR BORDERS. 3017 01:49:03,001 --> 01:49:05,000 THIS CAN BE SEEN IN THE DECREASE 3018 01:49:05,001 --> 01:49:07,000 OF APPREHENSIONS OF ALIENS ALONG 3019 01:49:07,001 --> 01:49:18,000 OUR BORDERS. 3020 01:49:18,001 --> 01:49:20,000 FROM OVER 3021 01:49:20,001 --> 01:49:22,000 WORDS WE'VE MADE IT MORE 3022 01:49:22,001 --> 01:49:24,000 DIFFICULT FOR 475,000 ILLEGAL 3023 01:49:24,001 --> 01:49:27,000 ALIENS TO CROSS OUR BORDER. 3024 01:49:27,001 --> 01:49:30,000 MORE FENCING AND PERSONNEL HAVE 3025 01:49:30,001 --> 01:49:31,000 ALLOWED THE BORDER PATROL TO 3026 01:49:31,001 --> 01:49:32,000 INCREASE THE MILES OVER WHICH 3027 01:49:32,001 --> 01:49:36,000 HAS EFFECTIVE 3028 01:49:36,001 --> 01:49:38,000 FROM 241 MILES IN OFBGT 2005 3029 01:49:38,001 --> 01:49:44,000 TO -- IN OCTOBER OF 2005 TO 600 3030 01:49:44,001 --> 01:49:47,000 IN OCTOBER OF 2008. 3031 01:49:47,001 --> 01:49:48,000 ADDITIONAL AGENTS DETENTION BEDS 3032 01:49:48,001 --> 01:49:51,000 HAVE ALLOWED CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT 3033 01:49:51,001 --> 01:49:54,000 TO INCREASE TOTAL REMOVAL OF 3034 01:49:54,001 --> 01:49:58,000 ALIENS, FROM 246,000 REMOVALS IN 3035 01:49:58,001 --> 01:49:59,000 FISCAL YEAR 2005 TO 347,000 IN 3036 01:49:59,001 --> 01:50:02,000 FISCAL YEAR 2008. 3037 01:50:02,001 --> 01:50:04,000 WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT WE 3038 01:50:04,001 --> 01:50:06,000 STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, 3039 01:50:06,001 --> 01:50:08,000 IT WILL BE AT GREAT EXPENSE. 3040 01:50:08,001 --> 01:50:10,000 IN PARTICULAR, I'M PLEASED THE 3041 01:50:10,001 --> 01:50:13,000 BILL 3042 01:50:13,001 --> 01:50:14,000 REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT A BIOMETRIC 3043 01:50:14,001 --> 01:50:16,000 AIR EXIT CAPABILITY. 3044 01:50:16,001 --> 01:50:18,000 AS THE CHIEF SPONSOR OF THE 3045 01:50:18,001 --> 01:50:19,000 SECURE TRAVEL A 3046 01:50:19,001 --> 01:50:21,000 COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP ACT 3047 01:50:21,001 --> 01:50:23,000 OF 2007, EXPANDING AND IMPROVING 3048 01:50:23,001 --> 01:50:27,000 THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IS ONE 3049 01:50:27,001 --> 01:50:28,000 OF M 3050 01:50:28,001 --> 01:50:30,000 THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM HAS 3051 01:50:30,001 --> 01:50:31,000 BECOME AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL 3052 01:50:31,001 --> 01:50:32,000 SECURITY TOOL BECAUSE UNDER THAT 3053 01:50:32,001 --> 01:50:33,000 LAW, COUNTRIES WHO PARTICIPATE 3054 01:50:33,001 --> 01:50:35,000 IN THE PROGRAM ARE REQUIRED TO 3055 01:50:35,001 --> 01:50:37,000 SHARE INFORMATION ON TERRORISTS 3056 01:50:37,001 --> 01:50:39,000 AND CRIMINALS, REPORT LOST AND 3057 01:50:39,001 --> 01:50:41,000 STOLEN PASSPORTS AND MAINTAIN 3058 01:50:41,001 --> 01:50:45,000 HIGH COUNTERTERRORISM AND 3059 01:50:45,001 --> 01:50:47,000 DOCUMENT SECURITY PRACTICES. 3060 01:50:47,001 --> 01:50:48,000 SINCE ENACTMENT OF 3061 01:50:48,001 --> 01:50:49,000 EIGHT NEW COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN 3062 01:50:49,001 --> 01:50:50,000 ACCEPTED IO THE PROGRAM AND 3063 01:50:50,001 --> 01:50:53,000 WE'RE SEEING GREAT IMPROVEMENT 3064 01:50:53,001 --> 01:50:54,000 IN THE SECURITY PRACTICES OF THE 3065 01:50:54,001 --> 01:50:57,000 27 COUNTRIES THAT WERE ALREADY 3066 01:50:57,001 --> 01:51:00,000 PARTIC 3067 01:51:00,001 --> 01:51:02,000 I'VE JUST RETURNED FROM 3068 01:51:02,001 --> 01:51:03,000 LITHUANIA AND LATVIA WHE I WAS 3069 01:51:03,001 --> 01:51:05,000 JOINED BY SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS 3070 01:51:05,001 --> 01:51:06,000 OF THE SENATE, INCLUDING SENATOR 3071 01:51:06,001 --> 01:51:07,000 DURBIN. 3072 01:51:07,001 --> 01:51:10,000 TWO COUNTRIES THAT 3073 01:51:10,001 --> 01:51:12,000 ADMITTED INTO THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM. 3074 01:51:12,001 --> 01:51:14,000 FROM A PUBLIC DIPLOMACY POINT OF 3075 01:51:14,001 --> 01:51:15,000 VIEW, IT HAS BEEN A HOME RUN AND 3076 01:51:15,001 --> 01:51:16,000 HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY 3077 01:51:16,001 --> 01:51:17,000 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND 3078 01:51:17,001 --> 01:51:20,000 CITIZENS ALIKE. 3079 01:51:20,001 --> 01:51:22,000 I WAS UP IN LATVIA, AND THEY 3080 01:51:22,001 --> 01:51:24,000 POINTED OUT TO ME THAT GENERAL 3081 01:51:24,001 --> 01:51:25,000 MULLEN WAS IN LATVIA, WHICH 3082 01:51:25,001 --> 01:51:28,000 SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST 3083 01:51:28,001 --> 01:51:31,000 THING IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT DAY 3084 01:51:31,001 --> 01:51:32,000 THAT HE WAS THERE, OR THE NEXT 3085 01:51:32,001 --> 01:51:36,000 DAY, REPORTING ON HIS BEING THERE. 3086 01:51:36,001 --> 01:51:38,000 AND THE THING THAT JUST BLEW HIM 3087 01:51:38,001 --> 01:51:40,000 AWAY WAS THE FACT THAT LATVIA 3088 01:51:40,001 --> 01:51:42,000 WAS APPROVED FOR VISA WAIVER STATUS. 3089 01:51:42,001 --> 01:51:43,000 IT WAS SO WELL RECEIVED BY THE 3090 01:51:43,001 --> 01:51:46,000 PEOPLE OF LATVIA. 3091 01:51:46,001 --> 01:51:47,000 I MUST NOTE, HOWEVER, THE TWO 3092 01:51:47,001 --> 01:51:48,000 AREAS WHICH CONTINUE TO 3093 01:51:48,001 --> 01:51:50,000 CONCERN TO ME. 3094 01:51:50,001 --> 01:51:52,000 ONE IS THE WAY THIS 3095 01:51:52,001 --> 01:51:55,000 ADMINISTRATION HAS BUDGETED FOR DISASTERS. 3096 01:51:55,001 --> 01:51:57,000 THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEA 2010 3097 01:51:57,001 --> 01:51:58,000 REQUEST FOR DISASTER RELIEF IS 3098 01:51:58,001 --> 01:52:00,000 ONLY $2 3099 01:52:00,001 --> 01:52:02,000 WE KNOW NOW FROM FEMA ESTIMATES 3100 01:52:02,001 --> 01:52:04,000 THAT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO PAY 3101 01:52:04,001 --> 01:52:05,000 FOR THE DECLARED DISASTERS 3102 01:52:05,001 --> 01:52:08,000 ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. 3103 01:52:08,001 --> 01:52:10,000 BASED ON CURRENT NEEDS, AN 3104 01:52:10,001 --> 01:52:11,000 APPROPRIATION OF $5.8 BILLION IS 3105 01:52:11,001 --> 01:52:12,000 REQUIRED. 3106 01:52:12,001 --> 01:52:14,000 I UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT AFFORD 3107 01:52:14,001 --> 01:52:16,000 THAT WITHIN THE DISCRETIONARY 3108 01:52:16,001 --> 01:52:18,000 SPENDING OF TS BILL, BUT I AM 3109 01:52:18,001 --> 01:52:19,000 HOPEFUL THAT THIS IS ADDRESSED 3110 01:52:19,001 --> 01:52:20,000 IN FUTURE BUDGETS. 3111 01:52:20,001 --> 01:52:22,000 THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED 3112 01:52:22,001 --> 01:52:23,000 HARD TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF 3113 01:52:23,001 --> 01:52:25,000 REQUESTING EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR 3114 01:52:25,001 --> 01:52:27,000 THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. 3115 01:52:27,001 --> 01:52:30,000 YET, NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED FIXING 3116 01:52:30,001 --> 01:52:36,000 THE WAY WE BUDGET DISASTERS. 3117 01:52:36,001 --> 01:52:37,000 LAST YEAR ALONE, $11.7 BILLION 3118 01:52:37,001 --> 01:52:38,000 IN EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL 3119 01:52:38,001 --> 01:52:40,000 APPROPRIATIONS WERE PROVIDED FOR 3120 01:52:40,001 --> 01:52:41,000 DISASTER RELIEF. 3121 01:52:41,001 --> 01:52:44,000 WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO KICK THE 3122 01:52:44,001 --> 01:52:45,000 CAN DOWN THE ROAD, RELYING ON 3123 01:52:45,001 --> 01:52:49,000 SUPPLEMENTAL EMERGENCY 3124 01:52:49,001 --> 01:52:52,000 APPROPRIATIONS TO PAY FOR KNOWN COSTS. 3125 01:52:52,001 --> 01:52:53,000 KATRINA WAS A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. 3126 01:52:53,001 --> 01:52:57,000 EXCEPTIONS WERE MADE TO 3127 01:52:57,001 --> 01:52:59,000 SPEED ASSISTANCE TO THOSE 3128 01:52:59,001 --> 01:53:00,000 STRUGGLING TO RECOVER FROM THE 3129 01:53:00,001 --> 01:53:02,000 ENORMITY OF THE LOSSES. 3130 01:53:02,001 --> 01:53:04,000 BUT NOW SOME OF THESE EXCEPTIONS 3131 01:53:04,001 --> 01:53:05,000 TO THE REGULATIONS ARE BECOMING 3132 01:53:05,001 --> 01:53:07,000 THE STANDARD RATHER THAN THE 3133 01:53:07,001 --> 01:53:08,000 EXCEPTION TO THE RULE. 3134 01:53:08,001 --> 01:53:11,000 THIS KIND -- IT'S KIND OF 3135 01:53:11,001 --> 01:53:12,000 INTERESTING 3136 01:53:12,001 --> 01:53:18,000 KATRINA, I COMMENT THAT HAD WE 3137 01:53:18,001 --> 01:53:20,000 WERE DOING SOME THINGS THAT WE 3138 01:53:20,001 --> 01:53:22,000 ORDINARILY DON'T DO IN A FEMA 3139 01:53:22,001 --> 01:53:23,000 ENVIRONMENT AND PREDICTED THAT 3140 01:53:23,001 --> 01:53:26,000 WHAT WE WERE DOING IN 3141 01:53:26,001 --> 01:53:28,000 WOULD BECOME THE ROLE MODEL FOR 3142 01:53:28,001 --> 01:53:29,000 OTHER DISASTERS THAT HAVE BEEN 3143 01:53:29,001 --> 01:53:31,000 EXPERIENCED BY STATE. 3144 01:53:31,001 --> 01:53:32,000 AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS 3145 01:53:32,001 --> 01:53:35,000 MORE AND MORE STATES NOW ARE 3146 01:53:35,001 --> 01:53:36,000 ASKING FOR MORE AND MORE 3147 01:53:36,001 --> 01:53:37,000 FEMA MONEY BECAUSE THEY'RE 3148 01:53:37,001 --> 01:53:39,000 SAYING YOU DID IT IN KATRINA. 3149 01:53:39,001 --> 01:53:41,000 WHY CAN 3150 01:53:41,001 --> 01:53:43,000 WHY CAN'TOU DO IT WHEREVER 3151 01:53:43,001 --> 01:53:44,000 ELSE WE HAVE A DISASTER? 3152 01:53:44,001 --> 01:53:46,000 THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE IF WE'RE 3153 01:53:46,001 --> 01:53:48,000 GOING TO HANDLE FEDERAL SPENDING 3154 01:53:48,001 --> 01:53:49,000 AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE 3155 01:53:49,001 --> 01:53:51,000 DEFICIT. 3156 01:53:51,001 --> 01:53:54,000 IN AITION, THIS BILL PROVIDES 3157 01:53:54,001 --> 01:53:56,000 ALMOST $16 3158 01:53:56,001 --> 01:53:59,000 AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. 3159 01:53:59,001 --> 01:54:01,000 AND THAT 3160 01:54:01,001 --> 01:54:02,000 COAST GUARD FUNDING TO PROTECT 3161 01:54:02,001 --> 01:54:05,000 OUR MARITIME BORDERS. 3162 01:54:05,001 --> 01:54:07,000 THIS IS A 99.6% INCREASE FOR 3163 01:54:07,001 --> 01:54:09,000 U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER 3164 01:54:09,001 --> 01:54:12,000 PROTECTION, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND 3165 01:54:12,001 --> 01:54:13,000 CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, AND U.S. 3166 01:54:13,001 --> 01:54:15,000 VISIT FROM FISCAL YEAR 2004 3167 01:54:15,001 --> 01:54:17,000 LEVELS IN THE FIRST DEPARTMENT 3168 01:54:17,001 --> 01:54:18,000 OF HOMELAND SECURITY 3169 01:54:18,001 --> 01:54:21,000 APPROPRIATIONS. 3170 01:54:21,001 --> 01:54:22,000 A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. 3171 01:54:22,001 --> 01:54:23,000 OUR COUNTRY SHOULD KNOW THAT. 3172 01:54:23,001 --> 01:54:24,000 THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR A 3173 01:54:24,001 --> 01:54:27,000 LONG TIME THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN 3174 01:54:27,001 --> 01:54:28,000 DOING THE JOB IN SECURING 3175 01:54:28,001 --> 01:54:30,000 I MUST TELL THEM THAT WE ARE 3176 01:54:30,001 --> 01:54:32,000 DOING A MUCH, MUCH BETTER JOB 3177 01:54:32,001 --> 01:54:33,000 THAN EVER BEFORE BECAUSE WE'RE 3178 01:54:33,001 --> 01:54:36,000 ALLOCATING THE RESOURCES 3179 01:54:36,001 --> 01:54:37,000 NECESSARY TO GET THE JOB DONE. 3180 01:54:37,001 --> 01:54:39,000 I'VE OFTEN WONDERED, THOUGH, IF 3181 01:54:39,001 --> 01:54:40,000 THERE WAS ANOTHER WAY WE COULD 3182 01:54:40,001 --> 01:54:46,000 SECURE OUR BORDERS AND DEAL WITH 3183 01:54:46,001 --> 01:54:48,000 THE 11 MILLION 3184 01:54:48,001 --> 01:54:51,000 IMMIGRANTS OTHER THAN BY 3185 01:54:51,001 --> 01:54:53,000 DRASTICA 3186 01:54:53,001 --> 01:54:57,000 FOR BORDER ENFORCEMENT. 3187 01:54:57,001 --> 01:54:59,000 IN 2008 THE U.S. REMOVED 347,000 INDIVIDUALS. 3188 01:54:59,001 --> 01:55:01,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2009, 3189 01:55:01,001 --> 01:55:04,000 BILLION IS AVAILABLE TO LOCATE, 3190 01:55:04,001 --> 01:55:06,000 DETAIN AND REMOVE UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS. 3191 01:55:06,001 --> 01:55:09,000 AT THE CURRENT PACE OF REMOVAL, 3192 01:55:09,001 --> 01:55:13,000 IT COULD REQ 3193 01:55:13,001 --> 01:55:17,000 INVESTMENT OF $272 BILLION IN 3194 01:55:17,001 --> 01:55:19,000 YEARS TO LOCATE AND REMOVE THE 3195 01:55:19,001 --> 01:55:21,000 ESTIMATE THE 11 3196 01:55:21,001 --> 01:55:22,000 UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS IN THIS COUNTRY. 3197 01:55:22,001 --> 01:55:23,000 WE MUST ASK WHETHER WE ARE 3198 01:55:23,001 --> 01:55:27,000 WILLING OR CAN AFFORD TO MAKE 3199 01:55:27,001 --> 01:55:29,000 THAT KIND OF INVESTMENT ENFORCEMENT RATHER THAN 3200 01:55:29,001 --> 01:55:30,000 INVESTING TIME IN 3201 01:55:30,001 --> 01:55:31,000 IMMIGRATION REFORM. 3202 01:55:31,001 --> 01:55:32,000 I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE 3203 01:55:32,001 --> 01:55:34,000 COURTESIES OF THE DISTINGUISHED 3204 01:55:34,001 --> 01:55:35,000 SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA, AS I 3205 01:55:35,001 --> 01:55:36,000 MENTIONED, AND HIS STAFF AND ALL 3206 01:55:36,001 --> 01:55:38,000 THE MEMBERS OF THE 3207 01:55:38,001 --> 01:55:39,000 APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE DURING 3208 01:55:39,001 --> 01:55:41,000 OUR APPROPRIATION OF THIS BILL. 3209 01:55:41,001 --> 01:55:42,000 I BELIEVE IT REFLECTS OUR 3210 01:55:42,001 --> 01:55:44,000 CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE 3211 01:55:44,001 --> 01:55:45,000 PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST FOR 3212 01:55:45,001 --> 01:55:48,000 THE DEPARTMENT AND OUR BEST 3213 01:55:48,001 --> 01:55:49,000 EFFORTS TO ARESS THE 3214 01:55:49,001 --> 01:55:51,000 DEPARTMENT'S RESOURCE 3215 01:55:51,001 --> 01:55:52,000 I LOOK FORWARD TO CONSIDERING 3216 01:55:52,001 --> 01:55:53,000 AMENDMENTS WHICH SENATORS MAY 3217 01:55:53,001 --> 01:55:55,000 SUGGEST TO THIS BILL AND TO WORK 3218 01:55:55,001 --> 01:55:56,000 THROUGHOUT THE APPROPRIATIONS 3219 01:55:56,001 --> 01:55:59,000 PROCESS TO ENSURE THE DEPARTMENT 3220 01:55:59,001 --> 01:56:00,000 HAS THE FUNDS TO CARRY OUT ITS 3221 01:56:00,001 --> 01:56:02,000 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 3222 01:56:02,001 --> 01:56:03,000 IN CLOSING, MADAM PRESIDENT, I'D 3223 01:56:03,001 --> 01:56:05,000 JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE 3224 01:56:05,001 --> 01:56:07,000 PRESIDENT'S BUDGET WAS RECEIVED 3225 01:56:07,001 --> 01:56:08,000 ON MAY 7 AND THE APPROPRIATIONS 3226 01:56:08,001 --> 01:56:11,000 COMMITTEE IS WORKING DILIGENTLY 3227 01:56:11,001 --> 01:56:13,000 TO MOVE FORWARD O 3228 01:56:13,001 --> 01:56:20,000 OF OUR 12 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS. 3229 01:56:20,001 --> 01:56:22,000 TWO OF THE 12 FISCAL YEAR 3230 01:56:22,001 --> 01:56:25,000 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS WERE 3231 01:56:25,001 --> 01:56:26,000 REPORTED ON JUNE 15 AND TWO MORE 3232 01:56:26,001 --> 01:56:28,000 REPORTED ON JUNE 25. 3233 01:56:28,001 --> 01:56:29,000 ANOTHER FIVE ARE SCHEDULED TO BE 3234 01:56:29,001 --> 01:56:30,000 CONSIDERED AND REPORTED BY THE 3235 01:56:30,001 --> 01:56:32,000 COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, TWO THIS 3236 01:56:32,001 --> 01:56:34,000 AFTERNOON AND ANOTHER THREE ON 3237 01:56:34,001 --> 01:56:37,000 THE HOUSE CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED 3238 01:56:37,001 --> 01:56:39,000 ITS VERSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 3239 01:56:39,001 --> 01:56:41,000 SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL 3240 01:56:41,001 --> 01:56:42,000 JUNE 24. 3241 01:56:42,001 --> 01:56:43,000 IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT SENATE 3242 01:56:43,001 --> 01:56:45,000 CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL COULD 3243 01:56:45,001 --> 01:56:46,000 NOT HAVE OCCURRED THAT SAME 3244 01:56:46,001 --> 01:56:47,000 WEEK, WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT US IN 3245 01:56:47,001 --> 01:56:51,000 A POSITION NOW TO GO TO 3246 01:56:51,001 --> 01:56:52,000 CONFERENCE WITH THE HOUSE. 3247 01:56:52,001 --> 01:56:54,000 EXPEDITIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THE 3248 01:56:54,001 --> 01:56:56,000 FISCAL YEAR 3249 01:56:56,001 --> 01:56:58,000 BILLS BY THE SENATE IS REQUIRED 3250 01:56:58,001 --> 01:56:59,000 IF THE CONGRESS IS TO COMPLETE 3251 01:56:59,001 --> 01:57:01,000 ITS WORK ON ALL 12 3252 01:57:01,001 --> 01:57:02,000 APPROPRIATIONS 3253 01:57:02,001 --> 01:57:03,000 1. 3254 01:57:03,001 --> 01:57:05,000 I HAVE LONG BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT 3255 01:57:05,001 --> 01:57:07,000 OUR FAILURE TO COMPLETE OUR 3256 01:57:07,001 --> 01:57:10,000 APPROPRIATIONS WORK ON TIME AND 3257 01:57:10,001 --> 01:57:11,000 THE 3258 01:57:11,001 --> 01:57:13,000 AND I INTEND TO SPEAK AT GREATER 3259 01:57:13,001 --> 01:57:15,000 LENGTH ON THAT DURING OUR 3260 01:57:15,001 --> 01:57:17,000 CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL. 3261 01:57:17,001 --> 01:57:19,000 BUT I DO 3262 01:57:19,001 --> 01:57:20,000 LETTER DATED MARCH 24, 2009, TO 3263 01:57:20,001 --> 01:57:22,000 THE MAJORITY LEADER, WHICH 3264 01:57:22,001 --> 01:57:23,000 INCLUDED THE SIGNATURES 3265 01:57:23,001 --> 01:57:25,000 REPUBLICAN MEMBERS, ASKED THAT 3266 01:57:25,001 --> 01:57:26,000 THE LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 3267 01:57:26,001 --> 01:57:27,000 THIS SESSION -- QUOTE -- 3268 01:57:27,001 --> 01:57:29,000 "ALLOCATE AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT 3269 01:57:29,001 --> 01:57:31,000 OF TIME FOR THE SENATE TO 3270 01:57:31,001 --> 01:57:32,000 CONSIDER, VOTE AND INITIATE THE 3271 01:57:32,001 --> 01:57:34,000 CONFERENCE PROCESS ON EACH OF 3272 01:57:34,001 --> 01:57:36,000 THE 12 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS 3273 01:57:36,001 --> 01:57:37,000 INDEPENDENTLY THROUGH A 3274 01:57:37,001 --> 01:57:39,000 DELIBERATIVE AND TRANSPARE 3275 01:57:39,001 --> 01:57:41,000 PROCESS ON THE SENE FLOOR." END OF QUOTE. 3276 01:57:41,001 --> 01:57:43,000 THE LETTER GOES ON TO POINT OUT, 3277 01:57:43,001 --> 01:57:44,000 FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS OVER 3278 01:57:44,001 --> 01:57:46,000 THEAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE 3279 01:57:46,001 --> 01:57:48,000 SENATE HAS FAILED TO DEBATE, 3280 01:57:48,001 --> 01:57:49,000 AMEND, AND PASS EACH OF 3281 01:57:49,001 --> 01:57:52,000 BILLS SEPARATELY PRIOR TO THE 3282 01:57:52,001 --> 01:57:56,000 END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WHICH 3283 01:57:56,001 --> 01:57:57,000 FOR A FORMER GOVERNOR AND MAYOR 3284 01:57:57,001 --> 01:57:58,000 I CAN'T UNDERSTAND. 3285 01:57:58,001 --> 01:58:00,000 FAR TOO OFTEN THIS HAS RESULTED 3286 01:58:00,001 --> 01:58:01,000 IN THE CREATION OF OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILLS THAT HAVE 3287 01:58:01,001 --> 01:58:02,000 BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR SO 3288 01:58:02,001 --> 01:58:04,000 LATE IN THE FISCAL YEAR THAT 3289 01:58:04,001 --> 01:58:05,000 SENATORS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO 3290 01:58:05,001 --> 01:58:07,000 EITHER PASS A CONTINUING 3291 01:58:07,001 --> 01:58:08,000 RESOLUTION, SHUT DOWN THE 3292 01:58:08,001 --> 01:58:09,000 GOVERNMENT, OR CONSIDER AN 3293 01:58:09,001 --> 01:58:10,000 OMNIBUS 3294 01:58:10,001 --> 01:58:12,000 THESE OMNIBUS BILLS HAVE NOT 3295 01:58:12,001 --> 01:58:14,000 ALLOWED FOR ADEQUATE PUBLIC 3296 01:58:14,001 --> 01:58:15,000 REVIEW AND HAVE CLOUDED WHAT 3297 01:58:15,001 --> 01:58:16,000 SHOULD OTHERWISE BE A VERY 3298 01:58:16,001 --> 01:58:18,000 TRANSPARENT PROCESS. 3299 01:58:18,001 --> 01:58:19,000 THE LETTER FURTHER POINTS OUT 3300 01:58:19,001 --> 01:58:22,000 THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA, ON MARCH 3301 01:58:22,001 --> 01:58:23,000 11, SAID HE EXPECTS FUTURE 3302 01:58:23,001 --> 01:58:25,000 SPENDING BILLS TO BE -- QUOTE -- 3303 01:58:25,001 --> 01:58:27,000 "DEBATED AND VOTED ON IN AN 3304 01:58:27,001 --> 01:58:29,000 ORDERLY WAY AND SENT TO HIS DESK 3305 01:58:29,001 --> 01:58:31,000 WITHOUT DELAY OR OBSTRUCTION SO 3306 01:58:31,001 --> 01:58:33,000 THAT WE DON'T FACE ANOTHER 3307 01:58:33,001 --> 01:58:36,000 MASSIVE LAST-MINUTE 3308 01:58:36,001 --> 01:58:39,000 LIKE THE ONE THAT WE HAD THIS YEAR." 3309 01:58:39,001 --> 01:58:41,000 SO LET US PROCEED WITH THIS BIL 3310 01:58:41,001 --> 01:58:43,000 AND DISPOSE OF THE AMENDMENTS 3311 01:58:43,001 --> 01:58:44,000 SENATORS MAY WISH TO OFFER 3312 01:58:44,001 --> 01:58:46,000 WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DELAY, TO 3313 01:58:46,001 --> 01:58:47,000 ALLOW US TO COMPLETE OUR 3314 01:58:47,001 --> 01:58:48,000 APPROPRIATIONS WORK THIS 3315 01:58:48,001 --> 01:58:52,000 SESSION. 3316 01:58:52,001 --> 01:58:53,000 AND I'D LIKE TO ADD THAT IT IS 3317 01:58:53,001 --> 01:58:54,000 INCUMBENT -- INCUMBENT -- ON OUR 3318 01:58:54,001 --> 01:58:58,000 SIDE OF THE AISLE TO MAKE SURE 3319 01:58:58,001 --> 01:58:59,000 AMENDMENTS ARE RELEVANT AND 3320 01:58:59,001 --> 01:59:00,000 GERMANE. 3321 01:59:00,001 --> 01:59:01,000 MR. PRESIDENT -- 3322 01:59:01,001 --> 01:59:02,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, I RECOMMEND 3323 01:59:02,001 --> 01:59:03,000 THIS 3324 01:59:03,001 --> 01:59:04,000 THEIR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT. 3325 01:59:04,001 --> 01:59:06,000 AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. 3326 01:59:06,001 --> 01:59:07,000 MR. DURBIN: THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 3327 01:59:07,001 --> 01:59:08,000 SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. 3328 01:59:08,001 --> 01:59:11,000 MR. DURBIN: I ASK UNANIMOUS 3329 01:59:11,001 --> 01:59:13,000 CONSENT THAT ERIC SAVANY OF THE 3330 01:59:13,001 --> 01:59:15,000 HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE 3331 01:59:15,001 --> 01:59:16,000 BE GRANTED FLOOR PRIVILEGES FOR 3332 01:59:16,001 --> 01:59:17,000 THE DURATION OF DEBATE ON THE 3333 01:59:17,001 --> 01:59:19,000 PENDING LEGISLATION. 3334 01:59:19,001 --> 01:59:20,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. 3335 01:59:20,001 --> 01:59:21,000 MR. VOINOVICH: I ASK UNANIMOUS 3336 01:59:21,001 --> 01:59:22,000 CONS 3337 01:59:22,001 --> 01:59:23,000 APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF 3338 01:59:23,001 --> 01:59:26,000 BE G 3339 01:59:26,001 --> 01:59:28,000 DURING CONSIDERATION OF 3340 01:59:28,001 --> 01:59:30,000 FISCAL YEAR APPROPRIATIONS BILL 3341 01:59:30,001 --> 01:59:31,000 AND ANY VOTES THAT MAY OCCUR IN 3342 01:59:31,001 --> 01:59:34,000 RELATION THERETO. 3343 01:59:34,001 --> 01:59:35,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3344 01:59:35,001 --> 01:59:36,000 OBJECTION. 3345 01:59:36,001 --> 01:59:37,000 MR. INOUYE: MADAM PRESIDENT? 3346 01:59:37,001 --> 01:59:38,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 3347 01:59:38,001 --> 01:59:39,000 SENATOR FROM HAWAII. 3348 01:59:39,001 --> 01:59:41,000 MR. INOUYE: TODAY THE SENATE 3349 01:59:41,001 --> 01:59:42,000 BEGINS CONSIDERATION OF THE 3350 01:59:42,001 --> 01:59:44,000 HOMELAND SEC 3351 01:59:44,001 --> 01:59:46,000 BI WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE 3352 01:59:46,001 --> 01:59:48,000 HOUSE AND MARKED UP BY THE 3353 01:59:48,001 --> 01:59:49,000 SENATE COMMITTEE LATE LAST 3354 01:59:49,001 --> 01:59:51,000 MONTH. 3355 01:59:51,001 --> 01:59:54,000 THIS WEEK THE COMMITTEE ON 3356 01:59:54,001 --> 01:59:55,000 APPROPRIATIONS WILL MEET 3357 01:59:55,001 --> 01:59:58,000 CONSIDER FIVE ADDITIONAL 3358 01:59:58,001 --> 02:00:01,000 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS. 3359 02:00:01,001 --> 02:00:02,000 OVER THE 3360 02:00:02,001 --> 02:00:07,000 EXPECT TO HAVE MANY OF THESE 3361 02:00:07,001 --> 02:00:11,000 PASSED BY THE SENATE SO THAT WE 3362 02:00:11,001 --> 02:00:12,000 CAN 3363 02:00:12,001 --> 02:00:15,000 THESE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT 3364 02:00:15,001 --> 02:00:16,000 MEASURES. 3365 02:00:16,001 --> 02:00:19,000 THE BILL BEFORE THE SENATE WAS 3366 02:00:19,001 --> 02:00:21,000 PREPARED BY OUR HOMELAND 3367 02:00:21,001 --> 02:00:22,000 SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRED BY 3368 02:00:22,001 --> 02:00:24,000 SENATOR ROBERT BYRD. 3369 02:00:24,001 --> 02:00:25,000 SENATOR REID AND HIS RANKING 3370 02:00:25,001 --> 02:00:27,000 MEMBER, SENATOR VOINOVICH, AND 3371 02:00:27,001 --> 02:00:31,000 ALL OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS, 3372 02:00:31,001 --> 02:00:33,000 CRAFTED THIS BILL WHICH PROVIDES 3373 02:00:33,001 --> 02:00:36,000 $42.7 BILLION IN DISCRETIONARY 3374 02:00:36,001 --> 02:00:38,000 SPENDING FOR THE CRITICAL 3375 02:00:38,001 --> 02:00:41,000 PROGRAMS TO DEFEND OUR NATION, 3376 02:00:41,001 --> 02:00:43,000 PROTECT OUR BORDERS AND RESPOND 3377 02:00:43,001 --> 02:00:46,000 TO NATURAL DISASTERS. 3378 02:00:46,001 --> 02:00:49,000 THE AMOUNT REPRESENTS A 7% 3379 02:00:49,001 --> 02:00:51,000 INCREASE OVER THE FUNDING 3380 02:00:51,001 --> 02:00:55,000 PROVIDED IN FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUT 3381 02:00:55,001 --> 02:00:57,000 IS APPROXIMATELY $150 MILLION 3382 02:00:57,001 --> 02:00:59,000 LESS THAN THAT REQUESTED. 3383 02:00:59,001 --> 02:01:03,000 AN ADDITIONAL $241 MILLION IS 3384 02:01:03,001 --> 02:01:11,000 ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BILL FOR 3385 02:01:11,001 --> 02:01:12,000 THE OVE OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OF THE 3386 02:01:12,001 --> 02:01:15,000 COASTS GUARD. 3387 02:01:15,001 --> 02:01:16,000 OUR COLLEAGUES SHOULD THANK 3388 02:01:16,001 --> 02:01:18,000 SENATOR BYRD AND SENATOR 3389 02:01:18,001 --> 02:01:21,000 VOINOVICH FOR COMPLETING THE 3390 02:01:21,001 --> 02:01:23,000 HARD WORK ON THIS BILL. 3391 02:01:23,001 --> 02:01:25,000 THIS BILL WAS MARKED UP BY THE 3392 02:01:25,001 --> 02:01:28,000 COMMITTEE THREE WEEKS AGO AND 3393 02:01:28,001 --> 02:01:31,000 APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS 3394 02:01:31,001 --> 02:01:33,000 BIPARTISAN VOTE. 3395 02:01:33,001 --> 02:01:35,000 AS THE SENATE REVIEWS THIS AND 3396 02:01:35,001 --> 02:01:38,000 OTHER SPENDING BILLS WHICH WILL 3397 02:01:38,001 --> 02:01:41,000 SOON FOLLOW, I URGE IT TO BE 3398 02:01:41,001 --> 02:01:43,000 MINDFUL OF THE IMPORTANCE OF 3399 02:01:43,001 --> 02:01:45,000 THIS TASK. 3400 02:01:45,001 --> 02:01:47,000 IT IS 3401 02:01:47,001 --> 02:01:48,000 EFFICIENT OPERATION OF OUR 3402 02:01:48,001 --> 02:01:50,000 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WE MOVE 3403 02:01:50,001 --> 02:01:53,000 TO PASS THIS MEASURE AND 3404 02:01:53,001 --> 02:01:57,000 COMPLETE A CONFERENCE WITH THE HOUSE. 3405 02:01:57,001 --> 02:01:59,000 FOR TOO LONG WE HAVE RELIED ON 3406 02:01:59,001 --> 02:02:02,000 CUMBERSOME OMNIBUS SPENDING 3407 02:02:02,001 --> 02:02:03,000 MEASURES TO FUND OUR FEDERAL 3408 02:02:03,001 --> 02:02:06,000 AGENCIES. 3409 02:02:06,001 --> 02:02:09,000 IN ORDER TO BREAK THIS HABIT, THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE 3410 02:02:09,001 --> 02:02:10,000 WILL CONTI 3411 02:02:10,001 --> 02:02:13,000 NONCONTROVERSIAL BIPARTISAN 3412 02:02:13,001 --> 02:02:14,000 BILLS WHICH WILL BE WITHIN A 3413 02:02:14,001 --> 02:02:18,000 CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED BUDGET 3414 02:02:18,001 --> 02:02:19,000 LEVELS AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED 3415 02:02:19,001 --> 02:02:22,000 EXPEDITIOUSLY BY THE SENATE. 3416 02:02:22,001 --> 02:02:24,000 PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE QUICKLY 3417 02:02:24,001 --> 02:02:29,000 WILL DEMONSTRATE THE SENATE'S 3418 02:02:29,001 --> 02:02:32,000 ABILITY TO ACT RESPONSIBLY IN 3419 02:02:32,001 --> 02:02:34,000 FULFILLING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. 3420 02:02:34,001 --> 02:02:37,000 THE BILL BEFORE US DESERVES THE 3421 02:02:37,001 --> 02:02:41,000 SUPPORT OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY. 3422 02:02:41,001 --> 02:02:43,000 IT IS A CLEAN BILL, FREE OF 3423 02:02:43,001 --> 02:02:45,000 UNNECESSARY LEGISLATIVE RIDERS. 3424 02:02:45,001 --> 02:02:47,000 IT IS WITHIN THE COMMITTEE 3425 02:02:47,001 --> 02:02:50,000 SPENDING ALLOCATION. 3426 02:02:50,001 --> 02:02:51,000 AND $150 MILLION BELOW THE 3427 02:02:51,001 --> 02:02:53,000 AMOUNT REQUESTED. 3428 02:02:53,001 --> 02:02:55,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, I STRONGLY 3429 02:02:55,001 --> 02:02:59,000 RECOMMEND ITS 3430 02:02:59,001 --> 02:03:00,000 I YIELD THE FLOOR. 3431 02:03:00,001 --> 02:03:01,000 THE PRESIDING 3432 02:03:01,001 --> 02:03:02,000 SENATOR FROM 3433 02:03:02,001 --> 02:03:04,000 MR. SESSIONS: MADAM PRESIDENT, 3434 02:03:04,001 --> 02:03:06,000 I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK, 3435 02:03:06,001 --> 02:03:10,000 NUMBER 1371 AND WOULD ASK FOR 3436 02:03:10,001 --> 02:03:11,000 ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. 3437 02:03:11,001 --> 02:03:13,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT. 3438 02:03:13,001 --> 02:03:14,000 THE CLERK: THE SENATOR FROM 3439 02:03:14,001 --> 02:03:16,000 ALABAMA, MR. SESSIONS, PROPOSES 3440 02:03:16,001 --> 02:03:21,000 AN AMENDMENT NUMBERED 1371 TO 3441 02:03:21,001 --> 02:03:22,000 AMENDMENT 3442 02:03:22,001 --> 02:03:23,000 MR. SESSIONS: I ASK UNANIMOUS 3443 02:03:23,001 --> 02:03:24,000 CONSENT FUHER READING BE DISPENSED. 3444 02:03:24,001 --> 02:03:25,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3445 02:03:25,001 --> 02:03:28,000 OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MR. SESSIONS: MADAM PRESIDENT, 3446 02:03:28,001 --> 02:03:30,000 THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE 3447 02:03:30,001 --> 02:03:33,000 PERMANENT THE E-VERIFY SYSTEM 3448 02:03:33,001 --> 02:03:35,000 THAT IS SUPPORTED BY SECRETARY 3449 02:03:35,001 --> 02:03:38,000 OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SECRETARY 3450 02:03:38,001 --> 02:03:41,000 NAPOLITANO AND WOULD REQUIRE 3451 02:03:41,001 --> 02:03:42,000 THAT THE GOVERNM 3452 02:03:42,001 --> 02:03:45,000 GOVERNMENTAL CONTRACTORS WHO DO 3453 02:03:45,001 --> 02:03:48,000 WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 3454 02:03:48,001 --> 02:03:52,000 USE IT BEFORE THEY HIRE PEOPLE 3455 02:03:52,001 --> 02:03:55,000 TO ENSURE THAT THE INDIVIDUALS 3456 02:03:55,001 --> 02:03:57,000 THEY HIRE ARE AMERICANS AT A 3457 02:03:57,001 --> 02:03:59,000 TIME WHEN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT IS 3458 02:03:59,001 --> 02:04:00,000 9.5%, THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT 3459 02:04:00,001 --> 02:04:01,000 THAN EVER. 3460 02:04:01,001 --> 02:04:06,000 I 3461 02:04:06,001 --> 02:04:07,000 I YIELD THE FLOOR. 3462 02:04:07,001 --> 02:04:08,000 MR. DURBIN: MADAM PRESIDENT? 3463 02:04:08,001 --> 02:04:09,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 3464 02:04:09,001 --> 02:04:11,000 SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. 3465 02:04:11,001 --> 02:04:12,000 MR. DURBIN: I HAVE 12 3466 02:04:12,001 --> 02:04:14,000 UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS FOR 3467 02:04:14,001 --> 02:04:15,000 COMMITTEES TO MEET WITH THE 3468 02:04:15,001 --> 02:04:17,000 APPROVAL THE MAJORITY AND 3469 02:04:17,001 --> 02:04:18,000 MINORITY 3470 02:04:18,001 --> 02:04:20,000 ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE 3471 02:04:20,001 --> 02:04:23,000 REQUESTS BE PRINTED IN THE RECORD. 3472 02:04:23,001 --> 02:04:25,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT JECTION, SO ORDERED. 3473 02:04:25,001 --> 02:04:27,000 A SENATOR: MADAM PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE 3474 02:04:27,001 --> 02:04:31,000 SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA. 3475 02:04:31,001 --> 02:04:32,000 SLAB SLAMINNESOTA. 3476 02:04:32,001 --> 02:04:33,000 MS. KLOBUCHAR: 3477 02:04:33,001 --> 02:04:34,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, IT IS MY HONOR 3478 02:04:34,001 --> 02:04:40,000 TODAY ALONG WITH FORMER VICE 3479 02:04:40,001 --> 02:04:42,000 PRESIDENT MONDALE TO ESCORTAL AL 3480 02:04:42,001 --> 02:04:43,000 FRANKEN AS THE NEW SENATOR FROM 3481 02:04:43,001 --> 02:04:45,000 OUR STATE. 3482 02:04:45,001 --> 02:04:46,000 AL TOLD ME THE THIRD YEAR OF HIS 3483 02:04:46,001 --> 02:04:50,000 CAMPAIGN WOULD BE THE BEST. 3484 02:04:50,001 --> 02:04:52,000 AND HE WAS RIGHT. 3485 02:04:52,001 --> 02:04:54,000 I DID WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, 3486 02:04:54,001 --> 02:04:56,000 FIRST OF ALL, SOME OF THEM AND 3487 02:04:56,001 --> 02:04:57,000 MANY OF THEM E HERE, FOR THE 3488 02:04:57,001 --> 02:05:01,000 HARD WORK THEY DID IN THE PAST 3489 02:05:01,001 --> 02:05:04,000 SIX MONTHS DOUBLE DOUBLE DUTY. 3490 02:05:04,001 --> 02:05:05,000 THEY NEVER COMPLAINED AND DID IT 3491 02:05:05,001 --> 02:05:07,000 WITHOUT EXTRA RESOURCES AND ARE 3492 02:05:07,001 --> 02:05:09,000 AS HAPPY AS CAN BE THIS IS 3493 02:05:09,001 --> 02:05:13,000 REVOLVED AND SOMETHING ABOUT NORM COLEMAN. 3494 02:05:13,001 --> 02:05:14,000 LAST WEEK HE MADE A DIFFICULT 3495 02:05:14,001 --> 02:05:15,000 DECISION. 3496 02:05:15,001 --> 02:05:17,000 HE HAD A RIGHT TO PURSUE A LEGAL 3497 02:05:17,001 --> 02:05:18,000 CHALLENGE BUT HE DID WHAT WAS 3498 02:05:18,001 --> 02:05:20,000 RIGHT FOR MINNESOTA. 3499 02:05:20,001 --> 02:05:21,000 NORM WAS MY SENATE COLLEAGUE FOR 3500 02:05:21,001 --> 02:05:25,000 TWO YEARS. 3501 02:05:25,001 --> 02:05:26,000 WE OFTEN WORKED TOGETHER FOR 3502 02:05:26,001 --> 02:05:28,000 SHOULD FOR MINNESOTA AND WE WISH 3503 02:05:28,001 --> 02:05:30,000 HIM AND HIS FAMILY THE BEST. 3504 02:05:30,001 --> 02:05:33,000 DESPITE JUST A LITTLE DELAY, TO 3505 02:05:33,001 --> 02:05:36,000 BE EXACT, 246 DAYS SINCE THE 3506 02:05:36,001 --> 02:05:37,000 ELECTION DAY AND 183 DAYS SINCE 3507 02:05:37,001 --> 02:05:40,000 THE SENATE CONVENED, WHY WOULD I 3508 02:05:40,001 --> 02:05:43,000 KNOW THAT, AL FRANKEN NOW JOINS 3509 02:05:43,001 --> 02:05:46,000 ME IN REPRESENTING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. 3510 02:05:46,001 --> 02:05:47,000 I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW AL VERY WELL 3511 02:05:47,001 --> 02:05:49,000 THE PAST FEW YEARS AND I KNOW 3512 02:05:49,001 --> 02:05:50,000 THAT HE WILL BE GETTING 3513 02:05:50,001 --> 02:05:52,000 ACQUAINTED WITH HIS FELLOW 3514 02:05:52,001 --> 02:05:53,000 SENATORS IN THE COMING WEEKS AND 3515 02:05:53,001 --> 02:05:54,000 THE COMING MONTHS. 3516 02:05:54,001 --> 02:05:57,000 THIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE WITH 3517 02:05:57,001 --> 02:05:58,000 SPECIAL PEOPLE AND I KNOW AL 3518 02:05:58,001 --> 02:05:59,000 LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH 3519 02:05:59,001 --> 02:06:01,000 EVERY MEMBER OF THE UNITED 3520 02:06:01,001 --> 02:06:03,000 STATES SENATE. 3521 02:06:03,001 --> 02:06:04,000 I ALSO KNOW THAT AL ARRIVES IN 3522 02:06:04,001 --> 02:06:07,000 WASHINGTON READY TO GET TO WORK 3523 02:06:07,001 --> 02:06:10,000 AND READY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA. 3524 02:06:10,001 --> 02:06:12,000 HE BRINGS WITH HIM THAT SAME 3525 02:06:12,001 --> 02:06:15,000 HIGH ENERGY AND PASSION AND 3526 02:06:15,001 --> 02:06:18,000 IDEALISM OF OUR FRIEND, PL WELLSTONE. 3527 02:06:18,001 --> 02:06:19,000 I WAS TELLINGAL THAT WHEN I 3528 02:06:19,001 --> 02:06:24,000 FIRST CAME -- TELLING AL THAT 3529 02:06:24,001 --> 02:06:27,000 WHEN I CAME TO THE CAPITOL I WAS 3530 02:06:27,001 --> 02:06:29,000 STUNNED HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME TO 3531 02:06:29,001 --> 02:06:30,000 ME WHEN THEY KNEW I WAS FROM 3532 02:06:30,001 --> 02:06:34,000 MINNESOTA, THEY SAID THAT'S 3533 02:06:34,001 --> 02:06:35,000 WHERE PAUL WELLSTONE WAS FROM, 3534 02:06:35,001 --> 02:06:37,000 PEOPLE ON THE TRAM ELEVATORS, 3535 02:06:37,001 --> 02:06:38,000 THE COPS ON THE FRONT LINE, THEY 3536 02:06:38,001 --> 02:06:40,000 REMEMBER PAUL BECAUSE OF THE 3537 02:06:40,001 --> 02:06:41,000 DIGNITY AND HOW HE TREATED 3538 02:06:41,001 --> 02:06:42,000 PEOPLE. 3539 02:06:42,001 --> 02:06:45,000 AL, I KNOW, WILL DO THE SAME. 3540 02:06:45,001 --> 02:06:47,000 BEFORE SEEKING ELECTIVE OFFICE, 3541 02:06:47,001 --> 02:06:50,000 AL HAD A FULL CAREER. 3542 02:06:50,001 --> 02:06:52,000 AMONG OTHER THINGS HE WAS AN 3543 02:06:52,001 --> 02:06:53,000 EMMY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER, AND 3544 02:06:53,001 --> 02:06:55,000 BEST SELLING AUTHOR WITH THREE 3545 02:06:55,001 --> 02:06:56,000 BOOKS GOING TO THE TOP OF THE 3546 02:06:56,001 --> 02:06:57,000 "NEW YORK TIMES" BEST SELL ARE 3547 02:06:57,001 --> 02:07:04,000 LIST AND THE HOST OF A NATIONAL 3548 02:07:04,001 --> 02:07:06,000 RADIO SHOW AND A GRAMMY 3549 02:07:06,001 --> 02:07:08,000 AWARD-WINNING SATARIST AND HAS 3550 02:07:08,001 --> 02:07:10,000 GONE FOUR TIMES TO IRAQ TO 3551 02:07:10,001 --> 02:07:12,000 ENTERTAIN OUR TROOPS AND TO 3552 02:07:12,001 --> 02:07:14,000 VISIT OUROUNDED SOLDIERS. 3553 02:07:14,001 --> 02:07:17,000 WE ALL KNOW AL SPENT SOME TIME 3554 02:07:17,001 --> 02:07:21,000 IN COMEDY BUT DURING THIS LONG 3555 02:07:21,001 --> 02:07:23,000 CAMPAIGN HE HAS DEMONSTRATEDDED DEMONSTRATED TO 3556 02:07:23,001 --> 02:07:24,000 MINUTE PIN HE TAKES HIS JOB 3557 02:07:24,001 --> 02:07:27,000 SERIOUSLY AND I KNOW HE IS 3558 02:07:27,001 --> 02:07:29,000 TAKING HIS NEW JOB AS SENATOR INCREDIBLY SERIOUSLY. 3559 02:07:29,001 --> 02:07:32,000 HIS HEART IS WITH MIDDLE-CLASS 3560 02:07:32,001 --> 02:07:34,000 FAMILIES WHO WORK HARD, LIVE 3561 02:07:34,001 --> 02:07:36,000 RESPONSIBLY AND KNOW THE RULES. 3562 02:07:36,001 --> 02:07:38,000 HE KNOWS THEIR HOPS AND FEARS 3563 02:07:38,001 --> 02:07:42,000 BECAUSE HE HAS LIVED IT. 3564 02:07:42,001 --> 02:07:44,000 WHEN HE WAS FOUR HIS FAMILY 3565 02:07:44,001 --> 02:07:45,000 MOVED TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA. 3566 02:07:45,001 --> 02:07:46,000 HE TELLS THE STORY OF THAT MOVE. 3567 02:07:46,001 --> 02:07:48,000 HIS DAD NEVER GRADUATED FROM 3568 02:07:48,001 --> 02:07:51,000 HIGH SCHOOL AND NEVER HAD A CAREER. 3569 02:07:51,001 --> 02:07:53,000 BUT HIS MOM'S FATHER OWNED A 3570 02:07:53,001 --> 02:07:55,000 QUILTING BUSINESS OUT EAST AND 3571 02:07:55,001 --> 02:07:57,000 HE GAVE AL'S DAD A CHANCE TO 3572 02:07:57,001 --> 02:07:59,000 START UP A FACTORY IN THIS TOWN. 3573 02:07:59,001 --> 02:08:00,000 AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS, THE 3574 02:08:00,001 --> 02:08:02,000 FACTORY FAILED. 3575 02:08:02,001 --> 02:08:03,000 AND AL MOVES FAMILY MOVED TO THE 3576 02:08:03,001 --> 02:08:05,000 TWIN CITIES. 3577 02:08:05,001 --> 02:08:06,000 YEARS LATER, AL ASKED, WHY THAT 3578 02:08:06,001 --> 02:08:08,000 PARTICULAR 3579 02:08:08,001 --> 02:08:10,000 AND HIS DAD SAID WELL, YOUR 3580 02:08:10,001 --> 02:08:11,000 GRANDFATHER WANTED TO OPEN A 3581 02:08:11,001 --> 02:08:13,000 FACTORY IN THE MIDWEST AND THE 3582 02:08:13,001 --> 02:08:15,000 RAILROAD WENT RIGHT THROUGH THAT 3583 02:08:15,001 --> 02:08:17,000 TOWN SO AL ASKED, WHY DID THE 3584 02:08:17,001 --> 02:08:19,000 FACTORY FAIL AND HIS FATHER SAID 3585 02:08:19,001 --> 02:08:24,000 "WELL, IT WENT THROUGH THE TOWN 3586 02:08:24,001 --> 02:08:26,000 BUT IT DIDN'T STOP IN THE TOWN." 3587 02:08:26,001 --> 02:08:30,000 EVENTUALLY THE FAMILY, INCLUDING 3588 02:08:30,001 --> 02:08:31,000 AL, AND HIS OLDER BROTHER 3589 02:08:31,001 --> 02:08:35,000 SENATORRED IN A MINNEAPOLIS 3590 02:08:35,001 --> 02:08:36,000 SUBURB AND HIS FATHER BECAME A 3591 02:08:36,001 --> 02:08:37,000 WAS A HOMEMAKER. 3592 02:08:37,001 --> 02:08:39,000 BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY AND 3593 02:08:39,001 --> 02:08:42,000 OPPORTUNITY HIS FAMILY ENJOYED 3594 02:08:42,001 --> 02:08:44,000 LIVING IN AMERICA, HE SAYS HE 3595 02:08:44,001 --> 02:08:45,000 FELT LIKE THE LUCKEST KID IN THE 3596 02:08:45,001 --> 02:08:46,000 WORLD. 3597 02:08:46,001 --> 02:08:48,000 AL LIKES TO TELL JOKES AND HE 3598 02:08:48,001 --> 02:08:50,000 HAS SOME GOOD ONES, HE'S NOT ONE 3599 02:08:50,001 --> 02:08:52,000 TO MAKE FUN OF FAMILY VALUES 3600 02:08:52,001 --> 02:08:55,000 BECAUSE THERE IS NO HUSBAND OR 3601 02:08:55,001 --> 02:08:56,000 NEAR WHO IS 3602 02:08:56,001 --> 02:08:59,000 MORE DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY. 3603 02:08:59,001 --> 02:09:01,000 HE MET HIS WIFE-I SEE HER NOW IN 3604 02:09:01,001 --> 02:09:02,000 THE GALLERY -- DURING HIS 3605 02:09:02,001 --> 02:09:04,000 YEAR AT COLLEGE. 3606 02:09:04,001 --> 02:09:06,000 THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED 33 YEARS 3607 02:09:06,001 --> 02:09:07,000 AND TOGETHER THEY HAVE RAISED 3608 02:09:07,001 --> 02:09:10,000 TWO CHILDREN. 3609 02:09:10,001 --> 02:09:12,000 AL TELLS A STORY ABOUT HER 3610 02:09:12,001 --> 02:09:13,000 FAMILY: HER DAD, A DECORATED 3611 02:09:13,001 --> 02:09:16,000 WORLD WAR II VETERAN, DIED IN A 3612 02:09:16,001 --> 02:09:19,000 CAR ACCIDENT WHEN SHE WAS 17 MONTHS OLD. 3613 02:09:19,001 --> 02:09:22,000 THE DEATH LEFT HER MOM SUDDENL 3614 02:09:22,001 --> 02:09:23,000 WIDOWED AND ALONE WITH FIVE 3615 02:09:23,001 --> 02:09:24,000 CHILDREN. 3616 02:09:24,001 --> 02:09:26,000 IT WAS A LESSON FOR THE FAMILY 3617 02:09:26,001 --> 02:09:29,000 AND AN EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE FAMILY 3618 02:09:29,001 --> 02:09:31,000 PULLED THEMSELVES UP WITH HELP. 3619 02:09:31,001 --> 02:09:32,000 HE KNOWS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR 3620 02:09:32,001 --> 02:09:34,000 SO MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE 3621 02:09:34,001 --> 02:09:37,000 STRUGGLING TO MAKE IT SQUEEZED 3622 02:09:37,001 --> 02:09:39,000 OVER TIGHTER, OVER HEALTH CARE 3623 02:09:39,001 --> 02:09:41,000 COSTS, COLLEGE COSTS, HOUSING COSTS. 3624 02:09:41,001 --> 02:09:43,000 DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, AL 3625 02:09:43,001 --> 02:09:45,000 HAS TRAVELED TO EVERY CORNER OF 3626 02:09:45,001 --> 02:09:46,000 MINNESOTA, FROM THE IOWA BORDER 3627 02:09:46,001 --> 02:09:48,000 TO THE CANADIAN BORDER. 3628 02:09:48,001 --> 02:09:50,000 HE HAS HAD COFFEE AT THE MAIN 3629 02:09:50,001 --> 02:09:52,000 STREET CAFES AND HE HAS SPOKEN 3630 02:09:52,001 --> 02:09:53,000 AT LOCAL BEAN FEEDS AND TOURED 3631 02:09:53,001 --> 02:09:55,000 HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES AND STOOD 3632 02:09:55,001 --> 02:09:57,000 WITH WORKERS, BEEN TO VETERANS 3633 02:09:57,001 --> 02:09:58,000 HALLS AND HE HAS AGAIN TO 3634 02:09:58,001 --> 02:10:00,000 COLLEGE CAMPUSES. 3635 02:10:00,001 --> 02:10:03,000 HE HAS BEEN THERE DAY IN AND DAY 3636 02:10:03,001 --> 02:10:06,000 OUT, LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA. 3637 02:10:06,001 --> 02:10:08,000 NOW HE HAS THE HONOR AND THE 3638 02:10:08,001 --> 02:10:10,000 RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THEM IN 3639 02:10:10,001 --> 02:10:11,000 THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. 3640 02:10:11,001 --> 02:10:14,000 THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS AN 3641 02:10:14,001 --> 02:10:16,000 OLD AND ESTABLISHED INSTITUTION. 3642 02:10:16,001 --> 02:10:22,000 FOR ANY NEWCOMER IT TAKES SOME 3643 02:10:22,001 --> 02:10:23,000 GETTING USED TO, TO TH TO THE UNIQUE 3644 02:10:23,001 --> 02:10:25,000 CUSTOMS. 3645 02:10:25,001 --> 02:10:26,000 THIS IS A BIG MOMENT FOR FRANNIE 3646 02:10:26,001 --> 02:10:28,000 AND THEIR KIDS. 3647 02:10:28,001 --> 02:10:30,000 AL AND HIS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES 3648 02:10:30,001 --> 02:10:32,000 HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WHILE FOR THIS. 3649 02:10:32,001 --> 02:10:33,000 THE STATE HAS BEEN WAITI. 3650 02:10:33,001 --> 02:10:37,000 THE SENATE HAS BEEN WAITING. 3651 02:10:37,001 --> 02:10:38,000 BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ME, 3652 02:10:38,001 --> 02:10:40,000 FRANNIE HAS BEEN WAITING. 3653 02:10:40,001 --> 02:10:41,000 MY F 3654 02:10:41,001 --> 02:10:44,000 FEW MONTHS WAS THE IDEA SHE HAD 3655 02:10:44,001 --> 02:10:45,000 ACTUALLY PACKED A BAG WITH HER 3656 02:10:45,001 --> 02:10:47,000 TOOTHBRUSH IN IT THAT SHE HAD 3657 02:10:47,001 --> 02:10:49,000 RIGHT NEXT TO HER BEDSIDE IN 3658 02:10:49,001 --> 02:10:50,000 CASE ATNY MOMENT THE COURT 3659 02:10:50,001 --> 02:10:53,000 WOULD COME WITH A DECISION AND 3660 02:10:53,001 --> 02:10:55,000 SHE AND AL WOULD HAVE TO RUSH TO 3661 02:10:55,001 --> 02:10:57,000 WASHINGTON SO HE COULD TAKE A 3662 02:10:57,001 --> 02:10:58,000 CRITICAL VOTE. 3663 02:10:58,001 --> 02:11:01,000 WELL, TODAY, THE TIME HAS COME 3664 02:11:01,001 --> 02:11:03,000 AND AL WILL CAST HIS FIRST VOTE. 3665 02:11:03,001 --> 02:11:05,000 IF THERE IS ANY SILVER LING TO 3666 02:11:05,001 --> 02:11:07,000 THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS, IT IS 3667 02:11:07,001 --> 02:11:08,000 THAT AL HAS HAD TIME TO PREPARE 3668 02:11:08,001 --> 02:11:12,000 FOR THIS MOMENT. 3669 02:11:12,001 --> 02:11:14,000 THE TIMES ARE TUMULTUOUS, THE 3670 02:11:14,001 --> 02:11:15,000 STAKES ARE HIGH AND HISTORY 3671 02:11:15,001 --> 02:11:16,000 FOREVER JUDGE WHETHER WE FAIL OR 3672 02:11:16,001 --> 02:11:20,000 SUCCEED, WHETHER WE ARE 3673 02:11:20,001 --> 02:11:21,000 COURAGEOUS OR TIMID. 3674 02:11:21,001 --> 02:11:24,000 AL FRANKEN IS READY NOR THIS JOB. 3675 02:11:24,001 --> 02:11:25,000 IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK. 3676 02:11:25,001 --> 02:11:27,000 AND AL FRANKEN, THERE'S A DESK 3677 02:11:27,001 --> 02:11:29,000 WAING FOR YOU IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. 3678 02:11:29,001 --> 02:11:37,000 THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. 3679 02:11:37,001 --> 02:11:38,000 I YIELD THE FLOOR. I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM. 3680 02:11:38,001 --> 02:11:42,000 THE PRESIDING 3681 02:11:42,001 --> 02:14:27,000 WILL CALL THE ROLL. 3682 02:14:27,001 --> 02:15:10,000 QUORUM CALL: 3683 02:15:10,001 --> 02:15:11,000 QUORUM C 3684 02:15:11,001 --> 02:15:12,000 MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT? 3685 02:15:12,001 --> 02:15:13,000 OFFICER THE MAJORITY LEADER. 3686 02:15:13,001 --> 02:15:14,000 MR. REID: I ASK UNANIMOUS 3687 02:15:14,001 --> 02:15:15,000 CONSENT THAT 3688 02:15:15,001 --> 02:15:16,000 QUORUM BE TERMINATED. 3689 02:15:16,001 --> 02:15:18,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3690 02:15:18,001 --> 02:15:19,000 OBJECTION. 3691 02:15:19,001 --> 02:15:21,000 THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE SENATE 3692 02:15:21,001 --> 02:15:24,000 THE CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR 3693 02:15:24,001 --> 02:15:26,000 A 3694 02:15:26,001 --> 02:15:27,000 JANUARY 3, 2009, FOR THE 3695 02:15:27,001 --> 02:15:28,000 REPRESENTATION OF THE STATE OF 3696 02:15:28,001 --> 02:15:29,000 MINNESOTA. 3697 02:15:29,001 --> 02:15:31,000 THE VICE PRESIDENT: THE 3698 02:15:31,001 --> 02:15:32,000 CERTIFICATE, THE CHAIR IS 3699 02:15:32,001 --> 02:15:34,000 ADVISED, IS IN THE FORM 3700 02:15:34,001 --> 02:15:36,000 SUGGESTED BY THE SENATE. 3701 02:15:36,001 --> 02:15:37,000 IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE 3702 02:15:37,001 --> 02:15:39,000 READING OF THE CERTIFICATE WILL 3703 02:15:39,001 --> 02:15:42,000 BE WAIVE AND IT WILL BE PRINTED 3704 02:15:42,001 --> 02:15:43,000 IN FULL IN THE RECORD. 3705 02:15:43,001 --> 02:15:45,000 IF THE SENATOR-ELECT WILL 3706 02:15:45,001 --> 02:15:47,000 PRESENT HIMSELF AT THE DESK, THE 3707 02:15:47,001 --> 02:15:50,000 CHAIR WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH 3708 02:15:50,001 --> 02:15:52,000 OF 3709 02:15:52,001 --> 02:16:15,000 CONSTITUTION AND 3710 02:16:15,001 --> 02:16:16,000 LAW. 3711 02:16:16,001 --> 02:16:19,000 THE VICE PRESIDENT: PLEASE 3712 02:16:19,001 --> 02:16:20,000 RA 3713 02:16:20,001 --> 02:16:21,000 WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE 3714 02:16:21,001 --> 02:16:22,000 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED 3715 02:16:22,001 --> 02:16:26,000 STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, 3716 02:16:26,001 --> 02:16:27,000 FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; 3717 02:16:27,001 --> 02:16:30,000 THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH 3718 02:16:30,001 --> 02:16:32,000 AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; 3719 02:16:32,001 --> 02:16:33,000 THAT YOU TAKE THIS OBLIGATION 3720 02:16:33,001 --> 02:16:34,000 FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL 3721 02:16:34,001 --> 02:16:35,000 RESERVATION OR PURPOSE 3722 02:16:35,001 --> 02:16:36,000 OF EVASION; 3723 02:16:36,001 --> 02:16:37,000 AND THAT YOU WILL WELL AND 3724 02:16:37,001 --> 02:16:40,000 FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE 3725 02:16:40,001 --> 02:16:41,000 DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON 3726 02:16:41,001 --> 02:16:46,000 WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO 3727 02:16:46,001 --> 02:16:50,000 ENTER, SO HELP YOU GOD? 3728 02:16:50,001 --> 02:16:51,000 A SENATOR: I DO. 3729 02:16:51,001 --> 02:18:34,000 THE VICE PRESIDENT: 3730 02:18:34,001 --> 02:19:20,000 [APPLAUSE] 3731 02:19:20,001 --> 02:19:48,000 [APPLAUSE] 3732 02:19:48,001 --> 02:19:50,000 [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 3733 02:19:50,001 --> 02:19:51,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER. 3734 02:19:51,001 --> 02:19:52,000 MR. REID: I HAVE A RESOLUTION 3735 02:19:52,001 --> 02:19:53,000 AT THE DESK AND I ASK FOR ITS 3736 02:19:53,001 --> 02:19:55,000 CONSIDERATION. 3737 02:19:55,001 --> 02:19:56,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3738 02:19:56,001 --> 02:20:00,000 OBJECTION 3739 02:20:00,001 --> 02:20:02,000 THE CLERK WILL REPORT. 3740 02:20:02,001 --> 02:20:04,000 THE CLERK: S. RES. 208, TO 3741 02:20:04,001 --> 02:20:05,000 CONSTITUTION 3742 02:20:05,001 --> 02:20:07,000 PARTY'S MEMBERSHIP ON CERTAIN 3743 02:20:07,001 --> 02:20:09,000 COMEELTS F 3744 02:20:09,001 --> 02:20:13,000 CONGRESS OR UNTIL THEIR 3745 02:20:13,001 --> 02:20:14,000 SUCCESSORS ARE CHOSEN. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3746 02:20:14,001 --> 02:20:17,000 OBJECTION, THE RESOLUTION IS 3747 02:20:17,001 --> 02:20:19,000 CONSIDERED AND AGREED TO. 3748 02:20:19,001 --> 02:20:20,000 A SENATOR: MOVE TO RECONSIDER. 3749 02:20:20,001 --> 02:20:21,000 A SENATOR: MOVE TO TABLE. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT 3750 02:20:21,001 --> 02:20:23,000 OBJECTION. 3751 02:20:23,001 --> 02:20:24,000 MR. REID: MADAM PRESIDENT? 3752 02:20:24,001 --> 02:20:27,000 UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER THE 3753 02:20:27,001 --> 02:20:28,000 AUTH 3754 02:20:28,001 --> 02:20:30,000 18, I ANNOUNCE THAT SENATOR 3755 02:20:30,001 --> 02:20:31,000 FRANKEN IS ASSIGNED TO THE 3756 02:20:31,001 --> 02:20:34,000 COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, 3757 02:20:34,001 --> 02:20:36,000 SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING AND 3758 02:20:36,001 --> 02:20:39,000 SOON AS THE MARK UPIS COMPLETED 3759 02:20:39,001 --> 02:20:41,000 ON THE "HELP" COMMITTEE HEALTH 3760 02:20:41,001 --> 02:20:45,000 CARE BILL, HE WILL GO ONTO 3761 02:20:45,001 --> 02:20:46,000 I NOTE THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM. 3762 02:20:46,001 --> 02:20:48,000 MADAM PRESIDENT, I ANY IT IS 3763 02:20:48,001 --> 02:20:50,000 APPROPRIATE -- I ASK THAT WE 3764 02:20:50,001 --> 02:20:51,000 RECESS 10 MINUTES 3765 02:20:51,001 --> 02:20:55,000 THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.