Wayne Allard

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. I ask to speak as in morning business for the purpose of my remarks only and then return to regular business.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise this morning to talk about the remarkable record of leadership and achievement we have seen from this administration over the past 3 years in keeping America prosperous, safe, and secure. During this time our Nation and our President have confronted a series of crises and challenges that I believe are unmatched during any administration in recent history. Whether the challenge has been to our economic, social, or national security, President Bush has demonstrated courage, vision, and decisiveness in addressing these threats and challenges. At the outset of his term in office the President faced a significant threat to our economic security requiring immediate action. On January 20, 2001, the day President Bush was sworn into office, our economy was several months into a recession, what I call the ``Clinton recession.'' Later, over the next few months, America faced extraordinary adversity from the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This devastating event, combined with the unprecedented crises in corporate governance and accountability, demanded action on numerous levels. The President acted swiftly and decisively by securing from the Congress a series of tax cuts to stimulate business investment, preserve consumer confidence, and expand today's economic recovery into lasting prosperity for all Americans. The President's actions averted disaster. We experienced one of the shortest and shallowest recessions of modern American history. By all accounts, the economy is on very solid footing now because of the President's actions. For example, today we see 10 consecutive quarters of strong economic growth relative to gross domestic product. In fact, our economy averaged an annualized 5.5 percent growth over the last 3 quarters, the strongest three-quarter performance in 20 years. Manufacturing activity is rebounding. Since this time last year, the United States has led all major economies of the world with the highest manufacturing output expansion. This is in addition to our service economy, which also continues to outperform every other service economy around the globe. Recent corporate earnings reports are bullish, and investor confidence is rebounding, reflected by the 35 to 50 percent gains in major market indices since the fall of 2002. This includes a $4 trillion increase in the total market capitalization of the New York Stock Exchange. Inflation remains low by historical standards, at or below a very manageable 3 percent annual rate. Business investment is rising steadily, fueled largely by double-digit growth in equipment and software spending, and by growing inventory investment. Consumer spending growth is accelerating due to real gains in wages, salaries, and in disposable personal income, boosted largely by lower taxes. And, residential construction spending remains strong, and as of March 2004, both existing and new home sales accelerated to record levels. This translates into the highest national homeownership rate in our Nation's history, a record 69 percent. Moreover, looking at the lagging indicator of job creation, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics now confirm the recovery. The payroll survey shows over a million jobs created over the past 8 months. More importantly, the household survey, which is not often cited in the public media, shows that over 2 million new jobs have been created since November 2001, when the ``Clinton'' recession was finally reversed. Just in the last 2 months, more than 600,000 new jobs have been created. The President now faces new economic challenges, this time from many Members on the other side of the aisle who believe we need to undo President Bush's tax cuts. As we move closer to the November Presidential election, the political rhetoric from the other side is trying to convince us that the economy is much worse off than the facts demonstrate. Reversing the Bush tax cuts, as the Democrats propose, will only serve to reverse the economic growth we are now experiencing and that we project through the decade. We must all support the President in fending off increased ``tax-and-spend'' proposals. This President has also recognized and acted decisively to turn back significant threats to our families and our values. I believe the previous administration neglected several major challenges to the security of our seniors, our families, and our children. President Bush, on the other hand, is moving aggressively and decisively to defeat these challenges and make our families more secure. Our senior citizens are threatened by increasing health care costs and limited access to affordable medicines they need. The President developed and enacted historic Medicare modernization and prescription drug reforms. These initiatives enable seniors to get the medicines they need at discounted prices, and expand freedom for Americans to choose among healthcare providers and plans based on their individual needs. Further, the President's action makes sure low-income seniors receive additional financial assistance so they will not have to pay more to receive better benefits than they currently do under Medicare. Our families, more specifically the parents, are under assault by activist courts around the country undermining the sanctity of marriage. Not only are these courts overstepping their constitutional authority, but also they are trampling fundamental values and institutions held dear by the vast majority of Americans. The President stepped forward and joined several of us from the Congress to put down this assault decisively. While I do not take the amending of the constitution lightly, the proposed Constitutional amendment is our only recourse in preserving marriage in the United States as the union of only a man and a woman. Dumbed-down educational standards and sub-par learning institutions threaten the well-being and development of our children. The President brought forward another major reform with his No Child Left Behind initiative to instill higher, modern standards for performance in reading and math. The President has increased education spending nearly 25 percent over his predecessor--an $11 billion increase. This includes an increase of more than 30 percent for disadvantaged student programs, as well as tripling resources for effective reading programs for our youth. Moreover, the President's leadership restores to local officials the power and resources to establish programs and practices that work in their respective communities. Again, another example of extraordinary leadership backed by resources, compassion, and commitment. The President has been nothing but visionary and steadfast in protecting our families and our way of life. Today, the President is leading our Nation through another major crisis in the fight against Muslim extremists seeking to destroy our people, our livelihoods, and our liberties at home and abroad. We are a Nation at war--a global war on terror. This is not a war we started, but a war we will finish. Unlike his predecessor, President Bush has demonstrated to this Nation, indeed to the world, that he has the vision, the courage, and the fortitude to lead a global coalition to fight this enemy whenever and wherever is needed. The President will not shirk his duties to guarantee the safety and security of Americans or freedom-loving peoples around the globe. The enemy in this war did not mysteriously appear for the first time on September 11, 2001. Rather, this enemy has been consistently attacking the United States for over two decades. Unfortunately, over this period of time, our country's response to this growing threat was entirely inadequate, inconsistent, and inexcusable. Let me describe for you the evolution of our enemy in this global war on terror. In 1979, a band of Islamic fundamentalists, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, successfully overthrew the Shah's government of Iran as America stood by and watched. Nearly a year later, these fundamentalists stormed the U.S. Embassy and took the American staff hostage for 444 days. President Carter's response at the time: cancel Iranian travel visas and seek UN diplomatic assistance. In 1982, Muslim extremists bombed our Embassy in Beirut. The U.S. did not respond against the extremists. Six months later, the extremists bombed the U.S. marines' barracks and 241 U.S. servicemen were killed and another 80 were seriously wounded. This time, the U.S. response came from the Democratic-controlled Congress in the form of a resolution to withdraw all troops from the area. Unfortunately, as the 1983 presidential election drew near, President Reagan acquiesced. There was, and remains, an important lesson to be learned here for all Members of this body: our enemy perceives vulnerability during U.S. presidential election years. During this time we must redouble our vigilance and resist the internal sniping for mere political expediency. In 1985, Muslim extremists hijacked an Italian cruise ship, the Achille Lauro. In a specific act of defiance toward the United States, the terrorists murdered 69-year-old Leon Klinghoffer, tossing his dead body and wheelchair overboard into the sea. The terrorists were offered a deal by ``our allies'' for safe passage by ending the hijacking. When the hijackers were traveling to their new destination, President Reagan launched our military fighters to intercept and redirect their airliner to Sicily, Italy. After a few years in prison, the Italians set them free. The Muslim extremists then took up sanctuary with Saddam Hussein in Iraq. In 1986, Muslim extremists affiliated with Libya's Colonel Qadhafi bombed a West Berlin nightclub frequented by American servicemen. Two American soldiers were killed. Ten days later, President Reagan authorized an air strike in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya, from bases in England. The mission was somewhat complicated by the French denying us use of their airspace during the mission. In 1988, Muslim extremists, again sanctioned by the Libyan government, destroyed Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. No direct action was taken by either the U.S. or British governments. In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded oil-rich Kuwait. President George Herbert Walker Bush moved U.S. forces quickly to block further Iraqi advances while mobilizing a large international coalition force that ultimately expelled a decimated Iraqi military from Kuwait. Most Democrats in Congress voted against this use of force. Now, many of the same are saying that we did not go far enough at that time. One of our key allies during the 1991 Gulf War was the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Following hostilities, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia forged closer military, economic, and political relations. One wealthy Saudi extremist took exception to this relationship and vowed to ``wage war against the American crusaders.'' This Saudi's name was Osama bin Laden. From that point forward, we have been victimized by a string of direct attacks by bin Laden's al-Qaida network--both at home and abroad. In 1993, al-Qaida exploded bombs in the garage of the World Trade Center towers, killing 5 Americans and injuring hundreds. President Clinton, at this time being advised by national security staff official Richard Clarke, did nothing in response. Later in 1993, 18 American soldiers were killed in Somalia, and the body of one soldier was dragged through the streets of Mogadishu before a cheering band of Somalis and al-Qaida. President Clinton's immediate response was the withdrawal of all troops from Somalia. No action was taken against those responsible. ABC News reported Osama bin Laden saying that al-Qaida soldiers: realized more than before that the American soldier was a paper tiger and after a few blows ran in shame and disgrace. In 1995, in Saudi Arabia, al-Qaida killed 5 and injured 30 Americans in a homicide bomb attack. A few months later, homicide car-bombers attacked U.S. military facilities at the Khobar Towers, killing 19 and injuring nearly 500 Americans. The perpetrators of these cowardly attacks all escaped. The U.S. did not respond. In 1998, al-Qaida bombed the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people, including 12 Americans, and injuring over 5,400 in all. The U.S. did not respond. In 2000, al-Qaida bombed the USS Cole, killing 17 and wounding another couple dozen of American sailors. The U.S. did not respond. Over the course of these 7 years, al-Qaida carried out multiple attacks against the United States. As the current National Security Advisor recently testified, it was clear that ``the enemy was at war with the United States.'' However, President Clinton, and his top counter-terrorist advisor Richard Clarke, did not go to war with the enemy. It is reasonable to conclude that our failed history to deal promptly and decisively with al-Qaida, at any point during this period, only served to embolden Bin Laden and his criminal band of extremists. Perhaps our failure emboldened others in the same way. During the latter part of the 1990s, Saddam Hussein began a campaign of actions increasingly more defiant of U.S. and UN imposed sanctions. In 1996, Saddam unleashed his forces on the Kurdish city of Erbil destroying U.S.-sponsored resistance organizations and executing U.S.- backed resistance fighters. In 1997, Hussein bullied UN inspectors, preventing them from performing their mission. He also threatened to shoot down American surveillance planes aiding the inspection program. In 1998, President Clinton threatened to bomb Iraq, but he did not follow through after the United Nations urged restraint. Later that year, Hussein kicked the UN inspectors out of Iraq all together. Over the next several years, Iraqi air defense units repeatedly shot at our military aircraft enforcing the UN sanctioned ``no fly'' zones. On more than one occasion, President Clinton launched limited, and arguably ineffective, aircraft and cruise missile strikes in Iraq to no avail. By the time President Bush took office in 2001, the determination and sophistication of our enemies were already well established. Unfortunately, our reputation of standing up to these criminal terror organizations and despots had decayed to a dangerous level. President Bush immediately set forth new policy and strategies, scrapping the ``containment'' policy in favor of a more comprehensive and decisive course of action to eliminate the al-Qaida enemy completely. The horrendous events of 9/11, barely seven months into his administration, demanded urgent and unambiguous action from the President. Without hesitation, President Bush directed his cabinet to prepare a decisive response against the murderous al-Qaida organization, including terrorist affiliates, and those foreign governments that sponsor and shelter the terrorists. As I said earlier, we didn't start this war--the global war on terror but we are going to finish it. Under President Bush's leadership over the past two-plus years, the United States has dealt a crippling blow to world terror organizations. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld summarized it best for us earlier this year when he reported that our armed forces have overthrown two terrorist regimes, rescued two nations, and liberated some 50 million people; captured or killed close to two-thirds of known senior al-Qaida operatives; captured or killed 45 of the 55 most wanted in Iraq, including Iraq's deposed dictator, Saddam Hussein; hunted down thousands of terrorists and regime remnants in Afghanistan and Iraq; disrupted terrorist cells on most continents; and likely prevented a number of planned attacks. This is an astounding record of accomplishment for our commander-in- chief, his national security staff, and the phenomenal men and women of our military services. I believe we are already seeing huge dividends from our actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We have demonstrated to the Middle East region, and indeed to the world, that the U.S. is willing to go to war over weapons of mass destruction, even at the risk of significant loss of life. This action sent an extraordinarily powerful message to all-- there will be significant consequences of possessing, or attempting to acquire, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. This increased risk perception among potential adversaries, or threat of U.S. action, is now opening the door to diplomatic action to roll back illicit weapons and ballistic missile development programs. This is evident in Libya, where Colonel Qadhafi is now voluntarily turning over his weapons and secrets to the United Kingdom and United States intelligence officers. It turns out that Egypt was a major supplier to Libya, so now Egypt is getting out of the ballistic missile trade as well. This is evident in Syria, which is now engaged with U.S. Defense and State Department officials in divesting its ballistic missile enhancement programs while secretly trying to relocate their ballistic missile inventory in neighboring countries. Further, this is evident in Iran, which has now ``come clean'' in reporting its military nuclear programs and is opening up to more stringent inspections. We are seeing encouraging results with the decline of trans-national terrorism as well. Recently, the U.S. State Department released its annual report on Patterns of Global Terrorism, prepared by the Office of the Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism. The findings and conclusions are promising and further evidence that President Bush's vision and decisiveness are bringing about positive change. For example, in 2001, during the President's first year in office, there were 346 terrorist attacks world-wide. In 2003, that number was down to 190--a 45% reduction in just two years. In 2001, there were 219 anti-U.S. attacks worldwide. In 2003, there were 82--a 62% reduction in just two years. I believe these dramatic results are a direct result of George Bush's decision to declare war--not declare a police action or declare a negotiating strategy--but a global war against terrorists and those who harbor them. U.S.-led efforts are successfully attacking terrorists' training facilities, hideouts, weapons centers, financial institutions, and travel and logistics routes. Of course, this is in addition to our recent destruction of the two largest terrorist-sponsoring regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. The war continues. We must capture or destroy Osama bin Laden and his comrades-in-hiding. We must defeat the terror and criminal elements that continue to kill indiscriminately in Iraq. We must finish the reconstruction of the political and municipal infrastructure for both the Afghani and Iraqi people. We are on the verge of seeing new democracies take root, offering the promise of lasting peace and stability for this region that has grown accustomed to tyranny after decades of oppression and terror. Equally important, we must continue the offensive against other Muslim extremist organizations around the globe, denying these potential killers the opportunity to plan, prepare, or execute further acts of terror. President Bush is the visionary, the proven leader, and the commander-in-chief who will see this through and keep America safe and secure. The facts are in. The results are conclusive. We are winning the war against terror with persistence and will. We are keeping America prosperous with pro-growth tax and business policies. We are enriching our families with commonsense social and educational reforms. I believe most Americans recognize this record of extraordinary accomplishment. And I believe that Americans are extremely proud of the leadership, courage, commitment, and results of President George W. Bush. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004. National guardsmen and reservists are serving our country with virtue and valor in the war on terror. These brave men and women deserve recognition for the many sacrifices they make in serving and protecting this great country. Their families also deserve protection from potential financial hardships experienced at home that may result from the guardsmen or reservists being called to service. Since September 11, 2004, many men and women have left their jobs in the private sector to fill vitally needed positions for our national defense. In playing the role of true citizen soldiers, some have taken drastic pay cuts from their civilian jobs in order to fulfill their duty to their country. This is beginning to create financial strains on their families. The Department of Defense estimates that 3 percent of its reservists have been called up more than once since September 11, 2001. Additionally, the GAO reports that nearly 41 percent of reservists are impacted by a pay discrepancy between his or her military and civilian salary. The Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004 will see that the families and loved ones of Guard members and reservists, who are called to service after September 11, 2001, can access retirement funds without incurring any penalties. This important legislation will allow Guard members and reservists who are activated for more than 179 days to make penalty-free early withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) plan. This bill retroactively covers members of the Guard and Reserve who were called to service beginning on September 11, 2001, and extends coverage to those who may continue to be called on to serve on an active basis through September 12, 2005. Furthermore, this bill will encourage repayment of any withdrawal from an IRA or 401(k) fund within 2 years of a guardsman or reservist ending their active duty, ensuring retirement, financial security for soldiers and their families. It also temporarily lifts the contribution cap to equal the amount of the withdrawn funds to allow for full repayment. National Guard members and military reservists have been imperative to the military strength of our Nation over the years. Today, almost half of our military strength is from those who serve in the National Guard and military Reserve. There are currently 169,000 National Guard members and military reservists on active duty helping fight the war on terror. Since September 11, 2001, 373,707 total National Guard members and military reservists have been mobilized. There is no doubt we owe a great deal to our men and women in uniform who are so honorably serving their country by fighting the war on terror. Helping to ease the financial burdens of families of Guard members and reservists is a good start. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate on the Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief of 2004 to provide members of our National Guard and military Reserve with the financial relief they deserve for loyally serving and protecting this country. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004. National guardsmen and reservists are serving our country with virtue and valor in the war on terror. These brave men and women deserve recognition for the many sacrifices they make in serving and protecting this great country. Their families also deserve protection from potential financial hardships experienced at home that may result from the guardsmen or reservists being called to service. Since September 11, 2004, many men and women have left their jobs in the private sector to fill vitally needed positions for our national defense. In playing the role of true citizen soldiers, some have taken drastic pay cuts from their civilian jobs in order to fulfill their duty to their country. This is beginning to create financial strains on their families. The Department of Defense estimates that 3 percent of its reservists have been called up more than once since September 11, 2001. Additionally, the GAO reports that nearly 41 percent of reservists are impacted by a pay discrepancy between his or her military and civilian salary. The Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004 will see that the families and loved ones of Guard members and reservists, who are called to service after September 11, 2001, can access retirement funds without incurring any penalties. This important legislation will allow Guard members and reservists who are activated for more than 179 days to make penalty-free early withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) plan. This bill retroactively covers members of the Guard and Reserve who were called to service beginning on September 11, 2001, and extends coverage to those who may continue to be called on to serve on an active basis through September 12, 2005. Furthermore, this bill will encourage repayment of any withdrawal from an IRA or 401(k) fund within 2 years of a guardsman or reservist ending their active duty, ensuring retirement, financial security for soldiers and their families. It also temporarily lifts the contribution cap to equal the amount of the withdrawn funds to allow for full repayment. National Guard members and military reservists have been imperative to the military strength of our Nation over the years. Today, almost half of our military strength is from those who serve in the National Guard and military Reserve. There are currently 169,000 National Guard members and military reservists on active duty helping fight the war on terror. Since September 11, 2001, 373,707 total National Guard members and military reservists have been mobilized. There is no doubt we owe a great deal to our men and women in uniform who are so honorably serving their country by fighting the war on terror. Helping to ease the financial burdens of families of Guard members and reservists is a good start. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate on the Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief of 2004 to provide members of our National Guard and military Reserve with the financial relief they deserve for loyally serving and protecting this country. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Rob Brown, a legislative fellow in my office, have floor privileges for the duration of consideration Senate bill 2004.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I wonder if the Senator from Washington will allow me a moment.

Mr. ALLARD. Pardon?

Mr. ALLARD. I do not have a question. I wanted to know how much longer the Senator from Washington will take because we have Members in the Chamber who would like to speak. They have schedules and would like to get some feel of when their opportunity may come up to speak.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask the Senator from Washington how much longer she anticipates taking to complete her remarks.

Mr. ALLARD. I thank the Senator for that guidance.

Mr. ALLARD. I would hope we could go back and forth. I think that is the way the debate has been going. The next Senator I will call on is Senator Inhofe, and then whoever on your side.

Mr. ALLARD. I amend that and ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Oklahoma be allowed to speak for 20 minutes.

Mr. ALLARD. Nobody is calling for a vote on this amendment tonight, but there might be other votes.

Mr. ALLARD. Will the Senator from Nevada yield?

Mr. ALLARD. If the Senator from Washington will yield, I would like to pose a plan of how we can go through this. I suggest that maybe we can sit down with leadership and work out some time for debate. I know Senator Graham on this side of the Senate floor would like to wrap up this debate. Maybe we can get some time limits to give everybody an opportunity to speak. I know there is some interest in having some votes tonight. I believe I need to work with leadership on this side, if Senator Reid will work with leadership on his side, to determine if we can work this out. The Senator from Washington can finish, and I can call on the Senator from Oklahoma. Maybe we can sit down and work out a time agreement.

Mr. ALLARD. I yield.

Mr. ALLARD. I yield 15 minutes to the Senator from Oklahoma.

Mr. ALLARD. No. We are still hearing. Senator Inhofe has finished his statement. I would suggest we recognize the Senator from South Carolina for 40 minutes.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum, and I ask unanimous consent that the time be equally counted on both sides.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Texas for yielding. I want to talk a little bit about what has happened during the last 4 years after the President assumed office, and after we have had a Republican Congress. I think there were problems within the world and within this country that nobody wanted to admit were happening. For example, when this President took office, the economy was going down. The previous President--President Clinton--didn't want to admit that, but it was a fact. And that is an accepted fact today which everybody understands. Look at what the economy was doing when President Bush assumed office. The economy was going down. This President and this Congress, instead of putting the problem off to future generations and putting out a lot of rhetoric, did something. We cut the tax burden to stimulate this economy, and today the economy is doing much better. Employment is growing. We have a strong economy; it is getting stronger. People are being productive. We are getting people into homes. Right now, we have the highest home ownership rate in the history of this country, which means people of all races and ethnic backgrounds are getting an opportunity to own a piece of America. That is where the strength of this country is. Because of this President and this Congress working on those kinds of issues, there is a real difference in people's personal lives. The other thing that was not recognized and which some people wanted to ignore is the fact that we are much more secure today than we were 4 years ago. We didn't realize, 4 years ago, the threat that was happening as far as America. I recall an opportunity where I was interviewed on BBC. This was an interview that happened a couple or 3 years back. There was an individual on the other side who was from the Middle East. He said: Senator, what you don't realize is that you have been at war in America for 5 years already because of what is happening in the Middle East. They have already declared war on you. If you look at it historically, we had a few terrorist attacks on small areas that were rather insignificant. We ignored them. Then we had terrorist attacks on our embassies. We ignored them. We had a terrorist attack on Khobar Towers, and we ignored it. We had the attack on the USS Cole, and we ignored that. Then we had the World Trade Center in New York, and basically that was ignored. Finally, it took the attacks by terrorists on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon of the United States for people to wake up, and this President and this Republican Congress stepped to the plate and we dealt with those security issues. We provided the money to make this a modern military. This President said we needed a more modern military; that is, more mobile because times are changing. Our threat is terrorism throughout the world. We need to be prepared to address that. This President and this Congress didn't put that off to the next generation. We didn't put it off until somebody else would make a decision--some future Congress or some future President. We addressed that problem immediately. We got after it. We are continuing to get after it. We still have a concern. I am excited about the fact that we are now talking about sovereignty for Iraq where they are going to be their own leaders. That doesn't mean necessarily that we are going to have less involvement as far as the conflict is concerned. But we need a leader in this world who is trying to promote world peace. And we need a leader who is trying to secure the economic health of this country and the world, too. If we look back at the accomplishments of the last 4 years, there is a lot to be proud of. I am glad we had some real leadership in the White House. I am glad we had some real leadership in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that took on those issues. They are not easy issues. They are difficult issues. But the good message to the rest of the world is, America is stepping to the plate. I am looking forward to continuing the fight and the work with my other Members to make sure we have a strong economy. That is a challenge. We need to make sure those tax cuts we provided are stimulating our economy and economic growth; make that economic engine go so we have a free market system which is working; and make sure those incentives are out there so Americans who work hard are justly rewarded and they can keep the benefits of their hard work in their own pockets and it doesn't have to be sent to the Federal Government for it to spend; they get to spend it themselves in their own communities to meet there own needs. That means less government. It means we can rely more on individuals to assume responsibility. We need to work to make sure we create opportunities for everyone. That is the challenge we have ahead of us. Tax cuts are expiring. One of the challenges we are facing in the Senate is the budget deficit. We have to be sure we reduce the deficit. Our economy is responding to the tax cuts. I don't think anybody can say tax cuts didn't help. We have to keep our country strong for our security. We still have challenges, we recognize that. But we have to face up to those challenges and not push them off to future generations. I happen to believe you have to stand up to terrorism. We learned the hard lesson. We learned if you ignore terrorism, it doesn't go away. We learned that you have to stand up to the terrorists. If you do not, with each success the recruitment of terrorist groups goes up. We saw that. With each success, the terrorist groups get more money, they get better financing, and they are a greater risk. I compliment this President. I am proud to be a part of a body which has over the last 4 years made a difference in this country. That is not to say we do not have a lot of challenges; we certainly have a lot of challenges. But we are off to a good start. We need to continue. I look forward to working with this President for another 4 years because I think he has done a good job in leadership. I think this country needs him. I think this Congress has some challenges ahead of it, and we need good, strong leadership. I yield the floor.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I understand Senator Warner is on his way to the floor. I thought, in the meantime, I would make a few comments on a very important section of the Defense authorization bill. Then the plan is to recognize Senator Graham of South Carolina. I believe he has an amendment he is working on. As chairman of the Strategic Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, I have the responsibility of overseeing a lot of nuclear programs, one of the most important of which is nuclear cleanup. The Department of Energy is facing the potential collapse of its plan to accelerate risk reduction and cleanup of this Nation's nuclear weapons production legacy. I think we must act responsibly to give the Department the clarification it needs to complete cleanup of the sites in our lifetime. In 1997, the Rocky Flats cleanup was expected to take until 2045, at a cost of $17.1 billion. Now, working together, the State Government of Colorado and the Department of Energy have developed a plan under which closure is expected in 2006, at a cost of $7.1 billion. Key to our success was the collaboration between the State and the Department of Energy in devising the path forward. The initiative to accelerate cleanup of the tank farms was proceeding on a similar path in other States. The DOE had been working with each of the various host States to develop strategies for acceleration and closure plans in the States of Washington and Idaho, as well as South Carolina. We were so very successful in getting cleanup at Rocky Flats in Colorado and saving billions upon billions of dollars for the taxpayers that I was hoping we could put together a plan that would be working well in cleanup efforts in those three States which still have considerable challenges ahead of them. Last year, the Idaho District Court threw a monkey wrench in those plans. The court interpreted the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to prevent the plans that DOE and the States have agreed on from going forward, by striking down a cornerstone of these plans, which was DOE's approach to classifying the waste in the tanks. It is not just the accelerated cleanup plans that were called into question, it is also the base plans that the Department of Energy had in place for years. Now in South Carolina and Washington, since the 1980s, it has been clear that the cleanup plans have called for less radioactive tank waste being treated and disposed of onsite. Unless the law is clarified, these plans will not be able to proceed, and it will be impossible to devise new ones. It is our responsibility in the Congress and as members of the Armed Services Committee to clarify the law so as to allow the plans agreed upon by DOE and the States to proceed. I am convinced if we work together we can achieve the same kind of results on complex issues such as we achieved at Rocky Flats, where we accelerated cleanup by 40 years at Rocky Flats, significantly reducing risks to the public and workers and saving the taxpayers $10 billion. If we do not get this problem solved at the nuclear sites in Idaho and Washington and South Carolina, what we are going to end up with is a possible increase in additional costs of $86 billion. We simply cannot deal with those kinds of costs. And consider the stress that is in the Armed Services right now. So it means you just do not move forward with cleanup. The Senators from those three States, I know, have been spending a good deal of time trying to work out an agreement. It is called the WIR issue. In committee, we fenced off $350 million that was set aside to deal with cleanup in those three sites and other parts of the country. We did that so it would not get used in other parts of the bill because if you allow that money to go out, that means there is less money for cleanup. And those of us who have been pushing cleanup for years in the Senate would not want to lose that $350 million because it would be just hanging out there. So we fenced it off. We adopted an amendment in committee that was proposed by Senator Graham to kind of get us out of committee and give the delegations from those States an opportunity to negotiate and see if they could work out some better provisions than what we left with out of committee. We simply have to work out something. If we cannot get an agreement, maybe we will have to step in to just work with those three States and see what other provisions we can move forward so the cleanup, at least, can move forward. I am very concerned that we do not stop cleanup. Cleanup is very important. It is something we need to move forward. The plan DOE had in mind was a plan that would have met performance standards that have been specified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They are the ones who have oversight for disposal of low-level waste. And the debate over whether the grout used to stabilize residue should be included in concentration areas is basically a red herring because the bottom line is, what we are doing here meets the requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. So I am hopeful that on the floor of the Senate we can get this problem further resolved than what we did in committee. I understand Senator Graham might have an amendment he wants to bring forward. Mr. President, I recognize the Senator from South Carolina.

Mr. ALLARD. If the Senator from South Carolina will yield, I wish to enter into a colloquy with him to make sure we have laid out this debate. First, we had a plan by the DOE to expedite cleanups of sites in South Carolina, Washington, and Idaho. Then we had a court case that was litigated in the district court in Idaho. As a result of that, that case is going to definitely be appealed to the Federal court of appeals and may even go as far as the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, we have some cleanup needs in these various States. As I understand what the Senator's amendment would provide, we are going to keep our $350 million for cycling, which is vital, and it is going to say that the money is going to be available for treatment. But we are not going to have any removal or anything from a contaminated site, except for South Carolina. South Carolina has a plan that has been worked out with the State. The State is very comfortable with it. It is a State-driven plan. We are trying to work out something where we don't create a problem among the various States. We don't want this process to tie up South Carolina and, obviously, we want to see cleanup move ahead in Idaho and Washington. My concern, as chairman of the subcommittee, is that I don't want to see taxpayer dollars wasted on a huge white elephant out there that will add something like $86 billion to the cleanup budget, which we don't have. I hope we can work this out, and you are trying to work it out among yourselves. I hope I characterized it properly.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I thank the Senator for his hard work and diligence. Certainly, I am glad he is a member of the Armed Services Committee. It has been a pleasure to work with him on many issues. I know there is a good deal of frustration on this particular issue. I recognize, in a public way, his dedication and hard work on this issue in trying to clean up this area. It is very important to his State and, hopefully, we can reach some kind of agreement in the ensuing few hours on this debate.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I have a letter from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to the Secretary of Energy. It addresses the disposal of waste as contemplated in section 3116. The last paragraph reads: The Board believes that disposal of wastes as contemplated in Section 3116 can be accomplished safely and should enable efficient disposition of the radioactive waste. The Board, under its statutory safety oversight mandate, will continue to follow DOE's actions to ensure that activities related to disposal of such waste are conducted safely. I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I yield the floor.