Max Baucus

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Senator Hatch and I would like to recognize the outstanding career of Mr. Larry J. Goldberg, Principal Deputy Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS. Mr. Goldberg retired on January 3, after more than 35 years of distinguished government service. Mr. Goldberg began his career of government service in 1976 as Associate Legal Director for the National Center for Law and Deafness at Gallaudet College. He continued his work defending civil rights for persons with disabilities as a trial attorney in the Justice Department and later as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In 1989, Mr. Goldberg joined HHS in the Inspector General Division of the Office of General Counsel. He transferred to the HHS Office of Inspector General, OIG, at the inception of its independent Office of Counsel in 1996, and has risen through the ranks to Principal Deputy Inspector General, managing a staff of more than 1,700 auditors, criminal investigators, analysts, and attorneys, and a budget of more than $300 million. Throughout his career, Mr. Goldberg has demonstrated the essence of what it means to serve and protect the public. Most notably, he has accomplished systemic and institutional reforms that have enhanced HHS programs by strengthening protections against fraud, waste, and abuse and promoting efficient and effective program operations. His visionary leadership and perseverance in driving change has resulted in billions of dollars of erroneously paid and misused funds being returned to the critical programs that serve our most needy. Mr. Goldberg's career achievements also include establishing landmark legal rights for people with disabilities in employment, education, health care, and social services. His many contributions have had a far-reaching and lasting impact. During his 23 years with OIG, Mr. Goldberg's efforts and skill in fostering collaboration within OIG and with government partners have positioned OIG to meet vastly expanded responsibilities and to achieve results in priority areas. The depth and range of his professional knowledge and expertise are appreciated and respected throughout HHS, by the larger OIG community, by Congress, and by the health care industry. His dynamic leadership has had a direct and measurable effect on OIG's ability to align its resources, work plans and products, compliance initiatives, and investigative and enforcement activities to carry out its mission.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Benjamin Franklin once said: The noblest question in the world is, ``What good may I do in it?'' I rise today to honor the service of Russ Sullivan, who was a distinguished member of my staff for more than a decade until his departure earlier this month. Most of us come to the Senate because it is a place where, despite the many challenges, there remains a capacity to do great good. And too often people forget that. But Russ Sullivan never did. Every day he came to work in the Senate and for the Finance Committee, Russ led by asking our staff how can we do good here? And how can we make this country and the world a better place? Russ's leadership proves that by working to do good and working together to find solutions we can get things done. Russ is well known here on Capitol Hill. He has earned the respect and admiration of Senators and staff on both sides of the aisle. Russ's political career started early. He was twice elected Student Body President--once at McClellan High School and again at Baylor University. He had his sights set on a life of public service in Washington. In 1995, he became tax counsel and Legislative Director to Senator Bob Graham. In 1999, he moved to the Finance Committee staff to serve as Chief Tax Counsel to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Russ stayed on at the committee when I became chairman in 2001. Through his proven abilities, he was promoted to the staff director of my team in 2004. During the past 8 years, Russ led the Finance Committee staff to pass major bills that give real help to families across the country. We cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses. We defended Social Security from privatization. We opened new markets to U.S. exports to create more jobs here at home. We passed health reform to bring top-notch, affordable care to millions of Americans. And we are currently at work on a plan to modernize the U.S. tax code to reinvigorate the economy and create jobs. True to his style, Russ did all this without a hint of partisanship. He maintained a laser-like focus on solutions. That focus made the Finance Committee more productive, and it strengthened the bills we passed. I know there are many people here--including my colleagues in the Senate--who share my deep respect for Russ. Senator Reid once called Russ ``instrumental'' and a ``problem-solver.'' Former Senator Blanche Lincoln once said, ``We could not do our job without him,'' and boy, is she right. Russ has earned the trust of his colleagues and the admiration of his staff. People who meet with Russ are often surprised to see his desk tucked between filing cabinets and boxes right alongside interns, assistants and law clerks. Russ is a true team player. It would be impossible to honor Russ without recognizing his public service off of Capitol Hill. In his life outside the Senate, Russ truly embodies the question of ``What good may I do?'' For many years, he has been a mentor to young people, making a difference in hundreds of lives. Several years ago, Russ became a foster parent and legal guardian to help teenage boys secure a better future. Since then, he has been a legal or designated guardian for 18 teenage boys. Thirteen are currently in college, and several more have already earned degrees. One of Russ's sons, Abu Kamara, spoke to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette when it profiled Russ in 2010. Abu said, ``[Russ] kept telling me, keep your head up.' He got people to tutor me because my grades weren't good. He kept me focused and made sure I was doing the right thing. He's the reason I graduated from high school.'' Abu is the first person from his family to go to college. And there are several other young men who could tell you similar stories. Last summer, Russ lost one of his sons in a tragic incident. AJ Hassan, who was a student at the University of West Virginia, was assaulted one night and suffered a brain injury. Russ rushed to be at AJ's side, but AJ soon slipped into a coma. Washington was in the midst of a contentious deficit reduction debate. Somehow, Russ spent months juggling work, AJ's medical condition, and the needs of his other boys. I will never know where he found the time and energy to have all these bases covered so well. But AJ's condition wavered, and there were complications. AJ passed away in July. There was an outpouring of support for Russ and his family. Russ's friends and colleagues wanted to show him the same kind of caring and support he always shows others. Russ continues to mentor and help young people, and he is still changing lives. He helped found the Capital Area REACH program, an organization dedicated to helping young people find success. REACH connects students with job training, internships, tutors and scholarships. Some of these kids come from tough backgrounds. But REACH helps them find a pathway toward a stable and successful life. In the spirit of extending the same opportunities he had early in his career, Russ started a program for interns, law clerks and fellows to serve on the Finance Committee. It now has hundreds of alumni who got their first shot at work in Congress thanks to Russ. That includes a large number of people who have moved up the ladder on my staff. Russ fostered a culture where hard work gets the recognition it deserves. Like any great staffer, Russ would not leave me without an ace replacement to take on his role. We have a deep bench on the Finance Committee, and I am thrilled to have Amber Cottle as my new Staff Director. She has been on my staff for 6 years, most recently as my Chief Trade Counsel. Amber is a pro. She is whip-smart. And she is a master negotiator. Russ leaves some big shoes to fill. But Amber is more than capable and, as she likes to say, her shoes are much more stylish. I know without a doubt that she will do a great job. There is one more thing I would like to say about Russ. Rule number one in my office is to remember the people we serve. They are hard- working people back in Montana and around the country, and it is our job to help them out. Russ never forgot that. A southern boy, Russ adopted Montana as his home State. He thinks of the people of Montana as his neighbors. And Russ always rolled up his sleeves and got results. I truly appreciate all he has done. I know I am not alone in saying: thank you, Russ, for all your service all your hard work over the years. You did good, Russ.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, last year the U.S. experienced the most severe and extensive drought in at least 25 years. While the impacts of the drought affected both crop and livestock sectors, our commodity farmers have had some protection under crop insurance. With the House not passing a 5 year reauthorization of the Farm Bill last year, we have left one sector of agriculture to fend for themselves. Our ranchers across the country and in my home State of Montana have experienced the most extensive drought since the 1950. About 80 percent of agricultural land experienced drought in 2012. As last year came and went, a drought stretched across the United States. Wheat and corn fields dried up. Without enough forage, ranchers faced the decision to either to sell their herds or purchase extra feed, cutting into their thin margins. As of this week, over 2,000 counties have been designated as drought disaster areas by the USDA. In my state of Montana, 36 counties, or well over half of our State, are in disaster. Compound that with one of the worst droughts in recent history and our cattle and sheep producers are hanging on by a thread. Where our corn, wheat, and soybean farmers have crop insurance as a backstop, we have left our ranchers without any assistance. Pastureland last year was scarce and the cost of feed, when it was even available, was often unaffordable. Many ranchers are responding by culling their herds. That is why I have introduced the supplemental agricultural disaster assistance. This bill takes the three livestock disaster program I created in the 2008 Farm Bill and extends them for 2012 and 2013 losses. Covering losses from 2012 and 2013 will give our livestock producers some assistance through one of the worst droughts anyone in this chamber can remember. It will also cover our ranchers until the House and Senate can complete the 2013 Farm Bill. These livestock disaster programs expired in September 2011, leaving our livestock producers with no safety net. For over a year and a half, through one of the worst droughts in recent memory, our producers have been left to fend for themselves. Congress must make the responsible decision and pass this standalone bill I introduce today with Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwomen of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Roy Blunt. We must do our jobs and pass this basic safety net for ranchers.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, last year the U.S. experienced the most severe and extensive drought in at least 25 years. While the impacts of the drought affected both crop and livestock sectors, our commodity farmers have had some protection under crop insurance. With the House not passing a 5 year reauthorization of the Farm Bill last year, we have left one sector of agriculture to fend for themselves. Our ranchers across the country and in my home State of Montana have experienced the most extensive drought since the 1950. About 80 percent of agricultural land experienced drought in 2012. As last year came and went, a drought stretched across the United States. Wheat and corn fields dried up. Without enough forage, ranchers faced the decision to either to sell their herds or purchase extra feed, cutting into their thin margins. As of this week, over 2,000 counties have been designated as drought disaster areas by the USDA. In my state of Montana, 36 counties, or well over half of our State, are in disaster. Compound that with one of the worst droughts in recent history and our cattle and sheep producers are hanging on by a thread. Where our corn, wheat, and soybean farmers have crop insurance as a backstop, we have left our ranchers without any assistance. Pastureland last year was scarce and the cost of feed, when it was even available, was often unaffordable. Many ranchers are responding by culling their herds. That is why I have introduced the supplemental agricultural disaster assistance. This bill takes the three livestock disaster program I created in the 2008 Farm Bill and extends them for 2012 and 2013 losses. Covering losses from 2012 and 2013 will give our livestock producers some assistance through one of the worst droughts anyone in this chamber can remember. It will also cover our ranchers until the House and Senate can complete the 2013 Farm Bill. These livestock disaster programs expired in September 2011, leaving our livestock producers with no safety net. For over a year and a half, through one of the worst droughts in recent memory, our producers have been left to fend for themselves. Congress must make the responsible decision and pass this standalone bill I introduce today with Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwomen of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Roy Blunt. We must do our jobs and pass this basic safety net for ranchers.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa once said ``Safety and security don't just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.'' Today, I am proud to join with Senators Kerry, Collins, Cardin, Shaheen, Snowe, and Conrad to introduce the Protect Our Kids Act. This legislation would establish a task force dedicated to reducing child deaths from child abuse and neglect. Child welfare professionals, law enforcement officers, and other child abuse prevention experts. Since 2002, more than 15,000 children have died due to abuse and neglect. This number is based on state-reported Child Protection Services data. But advocates predict the true number is far greater. Unfortunately, we do not have clear facts about the number of child abuse and neglect fatalities. Some children may have died from child abuse and neglect, even if they were not involved with the Child Protective Services system or their deaths were not reported as due to abuse or neglect. We know little about these deaths since there is no standard means of collecting this data across States. And not all State child protection agencies seek information considering child abuse or neglect fatalities from other agencies or offices like vital statistics, medical examiners, or law enforcement. We need to learn more about the deaths of these children, so that we can prevent the senseless murders of other children. Our children deserve to be protected from fear and terror especially when the threat to their safety and well-being comes from those that should cherish them the most. According to Child Protection Services data, in Montana we reported zero fatalities from child abuse and neglect last year. That is fantastic news. But there could be abuse or deaths not reported or not collected by Child Protection Services. So I am urging my State to lift the standard even higher. Child Protection Services needs to coordinate with other agencies for more data so that we can be sure that all Montana kids are safe. Our Nation must embrace its responsibility to protect our children. And we need to provide our children with mental health challenges the support they need to not only survive but to thrive as members of our society. We need to make sure that kids have access to physical and mental health services, so they can grow up into happy, productive adults. We need to help kids with mental illnesses by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health services and ensuring that kids know there is a support network backing them up. We have to use every resource at our disposal to prevent abuse and ensure mental health support. We should look at programs like home visiting, which currently provides professional assistance, right at home, for over 50,000 families across our nation, and see how they can be improved to do an even better job supporting vulnerable families. This legislation is a step in the right direction to protect kids. I commend my colleagues Senators Kerry and Collins for their years of work on this issue. Our colleagues in the House of Representatives have already acted on this legislation. Let us now join together and create a life free of violence and fear for our most vulnerable citizens. Let us pass the Protect Our Kids Act.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. I appreciate the Senator withdrawing his amendment. Had he not, I would have had to oppose it. It basically waives the Davis- Bacon requirements instruction for the Sandy rehabilitation projects. It is a bad idea, and we shouldn't have been on that road. Second, it changes the Code with respect to giving rules and also with respect to penalties with respect to withdrawals from IRAs. I don't think that is a good idea. More importantly, the fancy term is, it makes this bill blue-slipped; that is, because it is a revenue provision the Senator is offering and it did not originate in the other body, the other body would say: I am sorry, under the Constitution, revenue bills have to begin in the other body--in the House. This didn't begin over there. It began here, this provision, and so they would not even take up the bill. For that reason, I am glad the Senator withdrew his amendment, because it would cause unnecessary problems for people who deserve a lot of help in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. I thank the Senator. Mr. President, might I inquire of the Chair or the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, who is managing this bill, whether I might speak on a subject? Now, I don't want to speak out of turn, but I was going to make a brief statement with respect to the fiscal cliff and urging a resolution, showing with the chart I have here that we are not that far apart, but I don't want to get in the way here. Given the managers' preference in how they manage the bill, I defer to the managers because it is their bill.

Mr. BAUCUS. I will speak within that period of time. Thank you very much, and I thank both Senators.

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, President Kennedy once said: There are risks and costs to action, but they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. Here we are on December 28, just 3 days from what some have termed the ``fiscal cliff''--trillions of dollars in automatic tax increases, across-the-board spending cuts, including cuts in Medicare payments, unemployment benefits, and more. I rise today to call on the Congress and the President to take immediate action to resolve the year-end fiscal challenges. We can do it. We are very close together. The proposals are not that far part. I make this call on behalf of the people I work for in Montana. My bosses have given me clear marching orders, three simple words: Get it done. I believe their neighbors all across the country agree. It is about time we listened. In all the hype and the rhetoric here on Capitol Hill, many have lost sight of our fundamental duty to serve the American people. It is time to put politics aside and remember what is at stake for working families, farmers, and small business owners across our country. If Congress fails to act by the New Year's deadline, nearly every American will be hit with a tax hike, including 400,000 Montana families. That is approximately $2,000 out of the pockets of America's working families. About 125 million American workers will see smaller paychecks as a result of higher payroll taxes. More than 2 million Americans will lose the Federal unemployment insurance that helps keep a roof over their heads while they look for work. About 98,000 Montana parents will see a tax hike of $1,000 if they loose the child tax credit, and thousands more will be hit by the loss of the earned-income and American opportunity tax credits. As many as 28 million Americans and 52,000 working Montanans will be forced to pay the alternative minimum tax. Across-the-board mandatory spending cuts mean thousands of Federal employees will lose the jobs that put food on the tables for their families. Agencies in charge of keeping America safe, such as the FBI, Border Patrol, Department of Defense, and others, will be short- staffed. Families may lose farms and ranches that have been passed down for generations because of the estate tax hike. These aren't wealthy aristocrats. They are honest, hard-working people who get dirt under their nails every day to put food on their tables. All they want in return is to pass the land they work on, on to their kids and on to their grandkids. These are not just numbers on a page. These are people. We work for them. They are our employers. Montana families sit down together at their kitchen tables every month and make tough choices to make ends meet. They deserve a Congress that could do the same. Unfortunately, the list of last-minute legislation doesn't stop with the fiscal cliff. Our rural economies will take a big hit if the House fails to pass a farm bill. Make no mistake, the farm bill is a jobs bill. Agriculture supports 60 million jobs nationwide. In Montana, one in five jobs is tied to agriculture, and the Senate farm bill supports those jobs while also cutting spending by $23 billion. This bill is part of a responsible solution. There is absolutely no excuse for inaction. I call on the House to bring the Senate farm bill up for a vote immediately. Our farmers and ranchers break their backs to put food on their tables every day. At least they deserve an honest, fair, up-or-down vote on their jobs bill. Failure to reach agreement on these critical year-end issues will certainly cause market volatility and shock the greater economy. Experts predict that failure to reach agreement on the fiscal cliff will cause the economy to contract in the year 2013 by one-half percent, likely causing unemployment to climb to 9.1 percent, pushing our Nation back into recession. But it doesn't have to be this way. It is only because of stubbornness and stagnation on both sides of the aisle that we find ourselves facing this great challenge at the eleventh hour. The blame game has shifted into full gear, but there will be no winners if both sides continue to play this game of chicken. The United States is at a critical juncture. We can come together and show the world America is still the leader of a global economy or we can let obstructionism turn this country into a second-rate superpower. Just last week, I was doing some last-minute holiday shopping for my family. While in one store, I asked the sales clerk how business was going. We got to talking, and she told me how numbers were dramatically down this year. She said people were worried. With so much uncertainty about the future and the fragile economy, she said it was hard to convince people to spend their hard-earned money on gifts. That word, ``uncertainty'' is one I have heard quite often lately. Whether it is industrial leaders on Wall Street, small business owners on Main Street or farmers and ranchers on country roads, they are worried about the future. They understand confidence matters in our economy. It is time to act right now, today. We have a chance to earn back the confidence of the people we work for and show the world America is still the safest bet in the world. To give families and businesses certainty to start down a sustainable fiscal path, Congress and the President must agree on a balanced plan. They must ramp up over time and cut spending, while at the same time asking a little more from those who can afford it. The math will not work any other way. The clock is ticking. It is time to stop campaigning and start listening. It is time to make the tough choices the American people sent us to make. The President is meeting with congressional leaders at this very moment. My message to them is simple: We can do this. We can get this done, and we must. It is our responsibility. Here is a comparison of the latest grand bargain proposals made by the President and Speaker Boehner. As you can see, we are not that far apart. There is not a lot of difference. There are compromises that can be made on both sides. We are not far from an agreement on a balanced plan--a plan that will bridge the fiscal cliff. A balanced plan will encourage businesses to invest, enabling investors to return to the markets with confidence. Most important, a balanced plan will put Americans back to work in a growing economy. I understand time is short, New Year's Eve fast approaching. But I believe in life we have only two choices: try or do nothing. To ask the question is to answer it: Of course we try. If we try, we have another question to ask ourselves: Do we try our best? Of course, to ask that question is to answer it as well: We try our best. I choose to try, I choose to try my best, and I ask you to join me in that effort. Our first choice is a grand bargain that puts this issue to bed once and for all. That is unlikely, to be honest, this late in the game. But it is still my first choice, and we should still try. At the very least, we owe the American people a plan that addresses the immediate challenges and gives Congress additional time to reach a bigger deal. It will show we can work together across party lines, and it will set the tone for the tougher discussion we need to have to enact a long-term and comprehensive deficit solution. The American people are calling on us to act. They are calling for compromise, for common sense. It is time to put progress ahead of politics. As President Kennedy warned, we cannot be lulled into comfortable inaction. We need to face this challenge head on and use it as an opportunity to put our economy back on track. So let's get to work. I thank the managers of the bill for giving me this time, and I yield the floor.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, once said ``Safety and security don't just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.'' Today, I echo that call to protect our most vulnerable citizens as I join Senators Kerry, Collins, Cardin, Shaheen, Snowe, and Conrad to introduce the Protect Our Kids Act. This important legislation establishes a special task force dedicated to reducing child abuse and neglect in America. Comprised of our Nation's top child welfare administrators and researchers, law enforcement officers, and other dedicated experts, this task force would study and evaluate federal, state, and private child welfare systems and develop a comprehensive national strategy to prevent and reduce these tragic acts of violence. Since 2002, more than 15,000 children have died due to abuse and neglect. This number is based on state-reported Child Protection Services data. But advocates predict the true number is far greater. We don't have clear facts because currently, there is no national standard for collecting data on these young victims. Many state child protection agencies do not share vital data and statistics with other agencies, officials, or law enforcement. Clearly, more must be done to better protect our Nation's children. More must be done to protect them from the fear and terror of abuse, especially when the threat to their safety often comes from those that should cherish them the most. We need to bring this issue out of the shadows. It starts by learning more about the tragic deaths of these children, so that we can prevent the senseless murders from happening again. That is what this task force will do. They will study the issue and develop a national strategy and recommendations for improvements throughout the child welfare system. According to Child Protection Services data, in Montana we reported zero fatalities from child abuse and neglect last year. While that of course sounds like good news, the story is more complicated. We have heard of at least three child deaths related to abuse or neglect. Some abuse is going unreported. And there are clear gaps in data between the agencies and in the reporting. So I am urging my state to elevate the standards of protective services even higher. Child Protection Services needs to coordinate with other agencies. They need to share data so we can have a clear picture of the full scope of the problem. Everyone needs to work together to make sure that all Montana kids are safe. Our Nation must tackle this issue head on. We must embrace our responsibility to protect our children. We need to provide them with safe, nurturing environments and the support they need to thrive and succeed in our society. We need to make sure that kids have access to physical and mental health services, so they can grow into happy, productive adults. We need to help children with mental illnesses by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health services and ensuring that these young people know there is a strong support network backing them up. We should look at programs like home visits, which currently provide professional assistance, right at home, for more than 50,000 families across our Nation, and see how they can be improved to do an even better job supporting vulnerable families. We are blessed to live in the richest, most powerful country in the world. We have to use every resource at our disposal to strengthen our laws to ensure that all children are given a chance to succeed in life. This bipartisan legislation we are introducing today is a step in the right direction to protect our kids. I commend my colleagues Senators Kerry and Collins for their years of tireless work, fighting for the rights of our children. The House of Representatives has already acted on this legislation. Let us now join together and create a life free of violence and fear for our most vulnerable citizens. Let us pass the Protect Our Kids Act.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, once said ``Safety and security don't just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.'' Today, I echo that call to protect our most vulnerable citizens as I join Senators Kerry, Collins, Cardin, Shaheen, Snowe, and Conrad to introduce the Protect Our Kids Act. This important legislation establishes a special task force dedicated to reducing child abuse and neglect in America. Comprised of our Nation's top child welfare administrators and researchers, law enforcement officers, and other dedicated experts, this task force would study and evaluate federal, state, and private child welfare systems and develop a comprehensive national strategy to prevent and reduce these tragic acts of violence. Since 2002, more than 15,000 children have died due to abuse and neglect. This number is based on state-reported Child Protection Services data. But advocates predict the true number is far greater. We don't have clear facts because currently, there is no national standard for collecting data on these young victims. Many state child protection agencies do not share vital data and statistics with other agencies, officials, or law enforcement. Clearly, more must be done to better protect our Nation's children. More must be done to protect them from the fear and terror of abuse, especially when the threat to their safety often comes from those that should cherish them the most. We need to bring this issue out of the shadows. It starts by learning more about the tragic deaths of these children, so that we can prevent the senseless murders from happening again. That is what this task force will do. They will study the issue and develop a national strategy and recommendations for improvements throughout the child welfare system. According to Child Protection Services data, in Montana we reported zero fatalities from child abuse and neglect last year. While that of course sounds like good news, the story is more complicated. We have heard of at least three child deaths related to abuse or neglect. Some abuse is going unreported. And there are clear gaps in data between the agencies and in the reporting. So I am urging my state to elevate the standards of protective services even higher. Child Protection Services needs to coordinate with other agencies. They need to share data so we can have a clear picture of the full scope of the problem. Everyone needs to work together to make sure that all Montana kids are safe. Our Nation must tackle this issue head on. We must embrace our responsibility to protect our children. We need to provide them with safe, nurturing environments and the support they need to thrive and succeed in our society. We need to make sure that kids have access to physical and mental health services, so they can grow into happy, productive adults. We need to help children with mental illnesses by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health services and ensuring that these young people know there is a strong support network backing them up. We should look at programs like home visits, which currently provide professional assistance, right at home, for more than 50,000 families across our Nation, and see how they can be improved to do an even better job supporting vulnerable families. We are blessed to live in the richest, most powerful country in the world. We have to use every resource at our disposal to strengthen our laws to ensure that all children are given a chance to succeed in life. This bipartisan legislation we are introducing today is a step in the right direction to protect our kids. I commend my colleagues Senators Kerry and Collins for their years of tireless work, fighting for the rights of our children. The House of Representatives has already acted on this legislation. Let us now join together and create a life free of violence and fear for our most vulnerable citizens. Let us pass the Protect Our Kids Act.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I would like to say a few words about our close, beloved friend, colleague, Danny Inouye. I am hard pressed to think of anyone in this body I respected and loved more than Danny Inouye. His broad smile, his desire to work with you, help you, his interest in finding common ground, his decency, his honesty, his forthrightness, and his dedication to service is unsurpassed. Someone pointed out to me that when Dan was first chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, he passed all of the measures through his committee virtually unanimously. We should stop and think about that for just a second. This place is now so polarized, it is so difficult to get measures passed. But Dan, as committee chairman, worked with his members so virtually every bill in his first year was passed unanimously. There was one that was 29 to 1. If only we would stop and reflect on that a bit, it would help us to work better together. Dan also worked very closely with Ted Stevens. One time Ted was chairman of the Appropriations Committee, another time the ranking member. The two of them worked very closely together to get measures passed through the Appropriations Committee. Other committees do the same; the chairman and the ranking member work well together. Regrettably, those measures then come out to the floor and become very polarized. That toxic dynamic of this echo chamber, Washington, DC, takes over once measures get on the floor. Everyone will talk about Danny as a military hero. He certainly was in so many respects. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he tried to sign up, and he was refused because he was Japanese American. The Japanese were the enemy. But he and others petitioned the President and he was able to finally sign up. Danny served his country, our country, fully over in Italy, losing an arm. He was such a hero, storming several German machine-gunner nests. He was so brave because he was American. He was fighting for his country. Some may have mentioned, or some might in the future mention, Danny's statement to many of us who went to a Prayer Breakfast a few months ago. Dan did not ever go to any Prayer Breakfasts, but he went to one. He wanted to explain why he did something. It was one of the more touching moments in my memory here. It is when Danny went through a bit of his life, explaining how he was--in Hawaii, in a foster home or an orphanage, something similar to that, and a bishop would come by monthly to each of the young children, and say: What can I do for you, young lady; you, young man? Danny right away said: I want a home. And Danny explained how he then went to live in the Security home, raised by nuns. That went a long way to help Danny appreciate and understand decency, working together, community. It meant a lot to him. Later, at Pearl Harbor he wanted to sign up. He did and served. But when he explained all of this to us, he then mentioned how he stormed-- he was a very good shot. He was an excellent shot. He was a marksman. He was a sharpshooter. He recounted the first German he shot and killed in Italy. At that moment he was pretty proud of himself, very patriotic. I am a good shot. I am an American. I got that German. They were engaged with the enemy frequently. He shot a few more Germans. One time he stormed a tower. There was a machine gunner up in the tower. Danny rushed up. Prior to that time, one of the solders threw a grenade or shot a bazooka. It blew up most of the Germans there in that tower. Danny stormed up the stairway, got up there and there was one still alive. Danny's immediate reaction was to use the butt of his gun to hit the soldier so the soldier could not shoot him. Well, at that moment, the soldier then reached into his pocket and pulled out photographs, photographs of the soldier's family, the soldier's mother, the soldier's brothers and sisters and children. Danny, in that instant, it was like an epiphany. He then realized he was not shooting the enemy, he was not shooting soldiers, he was not racking up statistics, he was killing people, a person, a real live person. It hit him so hard he then decided he had to leave. He had to stop this. He could not go on killing people. He went to the chaplain and said: Chaplain, I have to leave. The chaplain said: Well, I understand. That is your right. But maybe it is best if you stay in the service. Danny stayed. Danny said a lot of people count sheep going to sleep at night. Danny stayed awake at night. He could not sleep. He was counting the soldiers he shot and killed, and that had a huge, profound effect on him. Years later, the Senate was debating the Iraq war resolution. Senator Byrd walked up to Senator Inouye. Senator Byrd, as we will recall, was very much opposed to the United States entering the war in Iraq. He stood up on the Senate floor and very eloquently explained why it was the wrong thing to do--the United States should not send troops over to Iraq. Well, Senator Byrd walked over to Danny and said: Danny, I have to ask you if you can support this resolution. I know you cannot because, my gosh, you are a war hero and given your military service. Danny right away said: Oh, no, I will vote with you because it is the right thing to do. It is wrong for the United States to send troops over to Iraq. Danny said it was largely because of that experience, when that soldier reached in his pocket and showed him photographs of his family, that it just changed him. It changed Danny and made Danny realize the importance of not going to war unless it is absolutely, totally necessary, and going to Iraq was not necessary. I was so impressed with Danny in so many different ways. When I was first here, Danny was assigned to defend Harrison Williams who was charged with ABSCAM violations. I remember, right over here on the side over here, Danny set up; that was his responsibility as a lawyer on the floor to defend Senator Williams. I was stunned at Danny's presentation. It was so good. It was so thoughtful. He spoke with such authority. Sure, he was a lawyer doing what lawyers are supposed to do, but as I said, it was stunning. He was an amazing man. It may be kind of a small thing. It may not be something that is repeated terribly often on the floor of the Senate, but I was stunned at how good he was. Other things I have also dealt with him personally on, matters dealing with the Appropriations Committee and sometimes on matters dealing with Montana. I was really honored; we have this tradition around here called the secret Santa where we give presents secretly to one of our colleagues. I drew Danny Inouye's name. I was Danny's secret Santa. I thought: My gosh, what am I going to do to sufficiently honor Danny? I thought a little bit. Years ago there was something in Montana called the Devil's Brigade. During World War II the U.S. military joined with Canadians and set up secret training for rugged men, mountaineers, miners and loggers, and so forth to go over to Europe and help fight the war. It is interesting, this is a precursor to all of special operations: Navy SEALs and Rangers and all of the special operations sprung from this secret, joint U.S.-Canadian effort in Montana. It was called the Devil's Brigade. They went over in their first big operation to scale a cliff that was outside Rome, a hill held by the Germans. The Germans thought no way in the world would someone come up the cliff, so we will not defend the cliff. Sure enough, the Devil's Brigade climbed that cliff at night. They beat the Germans up on the top. I thought this was a great gift for Danny since World War II and Italy meant so much for him. But, regretfully, when I went to the little ceremony, Danny was not there and I could not give him my Secret Santa gift--but it is a small thing. As I walked over here, the secretary in my office said: Senator, you should see this. A letter came in today, just today, this morning. It is from Danny, and it was wishing me happy birthday. My birthday is 4 days after Pearl Harbor, and it just poignantly hit me. This was something thoughtful Danny did. He did it himself. It wasn't an office letter. It was something he wrote himself. I will just finish. There were a lot of things about Danny, but the one thing I think that is so appropriate, again, Dan was such a statesman. He was beloved, obviously a hero, and all the things we like to talk about. I would like to read a little excerpt from a book. It is a preface Dan wrote. Dan wrote his own personal history. It is a ``Journey to Washington'' by Senator Danny Inouye. There is a preface, written by Senator Mike Mansfield, at the beginning of the book, and I would like to read this preface. It summarizes Danny. The life of Danny Inouye has carried him from the streets of Honolulu into war, into law and political leadership in Hawaii, and, now, into the Senate of the United States as the first American Senator of Japanese ancestry. Dan Inouye's life is a personal triumph, a triumph of a man's courage and determination. But his triumph is, in the end, the triumph of America. The recognition which has come to Dan Inouye, like others before him, reveals the resilient capacity of this nation for replenishment, with energy and wisdom drawn from the many wellsprings of the human race. The story of Daniel Ken Inouye, an American, is, in truth, an enduring chapter in the story of America. So, Danny, aloha.

Mr. BAUCUS

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

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, we will soon be voting on whether to establish permanent normal trade relations--otherwise known as PNTR-- with Russia and Moldova and to update human rights legislation on Russia. We have to take many difficult votes in this Chamber, but this is not one of them. In fact, this is a rare opportunity to pass a good bill on which we all can agree. PNTR is good for U.S. jobs. Russia is a fast-growing market. When Russia joined the WTO in August, it opened its markets to the other 155 members of the WTO who have PNTR with Russia. PNTR will give U.S. farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers new opportunities in Russia and new jobs at home. Our competitors in China, Canada, and Europe are now taking advantage of these opportunities because they have PNTR with Russia. They already have it. We are the only WTO member missing out on these opportunities. If we now pass PNTR, we could level the playing field and compete. If we compete, we will win. We will sell more beef, we will sell more aircraft, we will sell more tractors, and we will sell more medical equipment. Our banks and insurance companies will grow. PNTR will give our knowledge industries greater protections for their intellectual property, and our farmers will have new tools to fight unscientific trade barriers. If we pass PNTR, American exports to Russia are expected to double in 5 years. This bill has strong enforcement provisions to help ensure that American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and exporters get the full benefit of PNTR. This bill has strong human rights provisions. Senator Cardin's Magnitsky Act punishes human rights violations in Russia and helps to address the corruption problems Russia now faces. In July, the Finance Committee voted unanimously, 24 to 0, in favor of PNTR legislation. Last month, the House of Representatives passed the PNTR legislation now before us with 365 ``yes'' votes. Now we need to act to pass this bill that supports U.S. jobs. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to take a good vote on a good bill. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of giving U.S. workers and businesses a chance to compete and vote in favor of the PNTR. I thank my colleague from Utah, Senator Hatch. He is a great person, and we have worked very closely. The two of us have worked together, and we made a good team to get this legislation passed.

Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Utah. He is a good man. I also thank staff who helped put this bill together. Amber Cottle, on my side, and Everett Eissenstat, who works for Senator Hatch, worked very hard. They lead very good, trained teams, I might add. They are very talented, able folks. I see this too as a vote to help propel us to the next level of trade expansion. One is the TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is being worked on by the United States and other Asian countries. I think it is a dramatic opportunity for growth. Second, working with Europe, the potential free-trade agreement with Europe, there has been a lot of interest in Europe joining the United States and reducing barriers to trade. It is a great opportunity that we should take advantage of. Obviously, that raises another question, which is trade promotion authority. Next year Congress and I will work to get trade promotion authority passed so we can include these trade agreements and help American companies and, equally importantly, help American consumers because American consumers and American workers are, frankly, helped dramatically by properly negotiated trade agreements when it is in the best interests of the United States. I thank the Presiding Officer for all she does too. I yield the floor.

Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. BAUCUS. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. BAUCUS

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

Mr. BAUCUS. I understand we are, in effect, debating Russian PNTR. Robert Louis Stevenson once said, ``The mark of a good action is that it appears inevitable in retrospect.'' When I traveled to Russia in February, many doubted that Congress would establish permanent normal trade relations, known as PNTR, with Russia this year. But in July the Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved legislation to do just that. And last month the House of Representatives passed very similar Russia PNTR legislation with 365 ``yes'' votes. Passing PNTR clearly is a good action for the United States. It is also an obvious one. Why obvious? Jobs. PNTR will mean more job opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers. Russia is a fast-growing market. For the United States to share in that growth, we must first pass PNTR. If we do, American exports to Russia are projected to double in 5 years. When Russia joined the World Trade Organization in August, it lowered its trade barriers to all WTO members who have PNTR with Russia. This is no small matter. It includes lower tariffs on aircraft and auto exports, larger quotas for beef exports and greater access to Russian telecommunications and banking markets. It also includes strong commitments to protect intellectual property and to follow sound science on agricultural imports. It includes greater transparency on Russian laws and binding WTO dispute settlement. All very important. One hundred fifty-five countries already receive these benefits in Russia. They receive those benefits right now. That is to say, every single member of the World Trade Organization--all 155 countries-- except one, the United States of America, receives those benefits. So right now, companies and workers in China, Canada, and Europe can take full advantage of these export opportunities in Russia, the world's sixth largest economy. But U.S. companies and workers cannot. We cannot let this stand. When Russia joined the World Trade Organization in August, we Americans gave up nothing. We will give up nothing if we pass PNTR legislation now. We change no U.S. tariffs, we change no U.S. trade laws. This is a one-sided deal in favor of American exporters. In my home State of Montana, one out of five 5 jobs today is tied to agriculture. Ranching is a major driver of our agricultural economy. When Montana ranchers can sell more beef in Russia, they can support more workers in Montana. It is that simple. It is a similar story in States all across our country. I know that passing PNTR will not solve all of our trade problems with Russia, but it gives us new tools to tackle these problems, such as binding dispute settlements. Thanks to the efforts of Senators Hatch, Stabenow, Rockefeller, Brown of Ohio, and others, this bill includes strong measures to ensure Russian compliance with its WTO obligations and that the administration enforces them. This legislation also includes the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act to help fight criminal rights abuses in Russia. In 1974, Senator Jackson and Congressman Vanik teamed together to pass legislation called the Jackson-Vanik bill, which this legislation repeals. Jackson-Vanik addressed one of the biggest human rights abuses in Russia at that time. And it succeeded. For the last 20 years, Jews have been able to freely emigrate from Russia, what Jackson-Vanik was trying to address. Jackson-Vanik is outdated. Jews can emigrate from Russia and this is no longer an issue. Senator Cardin has courageously pushed the Magnitsky legislation for years. I commend him. The Magnitsky provisions in this legislation address one of the biggest human rights abuses in Russia today. The bill would punish those responsible for the death of anticorruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and others who commit human rights violations in Russia. It would do so by restricting their U.S. visas and freezing their U.S. assets. Passing PNTR along with these provisions is the right thing to do. In closing, I urge my colleagues to follow the words of Robert Louis Stevenson and take good action. Every day we wait, U.S. farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers fall farther behind their competitors. We owe it to them to pass this legislation. We owe it to them to make it inevitable. I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wonder if the Senator from Ohio is ready to speak?

Mr. BAUCUS. How much time does the Senator wish to have?

Mr. BAUCUS. I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Ohio be allowed to speak for 5 minutes.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, before the Senator leaves the floor, I thank him very much for his leadership. He is a stalwart leader in protecting human rights all over the world, but in this case Russia. I think he is right in suggesting that it is a good follow-on to protecting human rights, and certainly in this case Russia. I thank the Senator very much. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that under the time to be controlled on the Democratic side, the following Senators be given the time listed: Senator Levin, 15 minutes, and Senator Cardin, 50 minutes. I understand that he has already used a certain amount of time, so the total will be 50 minutes. Senator Durbin will be given 10 minutes and Senator Lieberman 10 minutes; further, all time used for debate on the bill earlier today during morning business be counted toward the 5 hours allocated under the unanimous consent agreement.

Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. BAUCUS

Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wish to say a few words that deserve our attention. On Monday, an attack on U.S. troops in Afghanistan claimed the lives of SFC Darren Linde and SPC Tyler Orgaard of the North Dakota National Guard. Sergeant Linde was a graduate of Sidney High School in Montana. He earned many honors throughout his career, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation, and Army Good Conduct medals. He was a hero and a family man who put service to others above all. May all of us honor the sacrifice and service of Sergeant Linde and Specialist Orgaad by looking for ways we can circle around our troops and their families. There are no words to express how thankful we are for the ongoing commitment and dedication they show every day. Please join my wife Melodee and me in praying for the servicemembers and families devastated by this attack.