Barbara Boxer

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I further ask that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3314 introduced earlier today.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I further ask that the bill be read three times, and the Senate proceed to a voice vote on passage of the measure. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 496, S. Res. 497, S. Res. 498, and S. Res. 499.

Mrs. BOXER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the resolutions be printed in the Record.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I stand today to congratulate the 2011 2012 National Hockey League champions, the Los Angeles Kings. This past season the Kings demonstrated remarkable skill, teamwork, and determination in capturing the franchise's first Stanley Cup. Thanks to an outstanding roster of seasoned veterans and promising young players, the Kings hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in the 45-year history of the franchise. On their historic run, the Kings became the first No. 8 seed to win the NHL championship. On their way to the finals, the Kings knocked off the first seed Vancouver Canucks, the No. 2 seed St. Louis Blues, and the No. 3 seed Phoenix Coyotes before capturing the Western Conference title. Despite their low seed, the Kings were dominant in each of their series, taking a 3-to-0 lead in each and never facing an elimination game. The Kings continued their dominance in the finals against the New Jersey Devils by once again taking a three-games-to-none lead in the series. The Devils were able to stay alive in games 4 and 5 to force the series to go to six games. However, in game six the Kings once again showed their prowess winning by a score of 6 to 1 and cementing their first championship. Throughout the season, the Kings were a model of hard work, dedication, and consistency. It is my pleasure to congratulate all members of the Kings organization who worked tirelessly to bring this hard fought victory to Los Angeles. As the Los Angeles Kings and their fans celebrate their first Stanley Cup victory, I commend them on a truly remarkable and memorable season and wish them more success in future seasons. S. Res. 498 (Designating June 20, 2012, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States) Whereas on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was officially designated as the national emblem of the United States by the founding fathers in the Congress of the Confederation; Whereas the bald eagle is the central image of the Great Seal of the United States; Whereas the image of the bald eagle is displayed in the official seal of many branches and departments of the Federal Government, including-- (1) the Office of the President; (2) the Office of the Vice President; (3) Congress; (4) the Supreme Court; (5) the Department of the Treasury; (6) the Department of Defense; (7) the Department of Justice; (8) the Department of State; (9) the Department of Commerce; (10) the Department of Homeland Security; (11) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (12) the Department of Labor; (13) the Department of Health and Human Services; (14) the Department of Energy; (15) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (16) the Central Intelligence Agency; and (17) the Postal Service; Whereas the bald eagle is an inspiring symbol of-- (1) the spirit of freedom; and (2) the sovereignty of the United States; Whereas since the founding of the Nation, the image, meaning, and symbolism of the bald eagle have played a significant role in the art, music, history, commerce, literature, architecture, and culture of the United States; Whereas the bald eagle is prominently featured on the stamps, currency, and coinage of the United States; Whereas the habitat of bald eagles exists only in North America; Whereas by 1963, the population of bald eagles that nested in the lower 48 States had declined to approximately 417 nesting pairs; Whereas due to the dramatic decline in the population of bald eagles in the lower 48 States, the Secretary of the Interior listed the bald eagle as an endangered species on the list of endangered species published under section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1)); Whereas caring and concerned individuals from the Federal, State, and private sectors banded together to save, and help ensure the recovery and protection of, bald eagles; Whereas on July 20, 1969, the first manned lunar landing occurred in the Apollo 11 Lunar Excursion Module, which was named ``Eagle''; Whereas the ``Eagle'' played an integral role in achieving the goal of the United States of landing a man on the Moon and returning that man safely to Earth; Whereas in 1995, as a result of the efforts of those caring and concerned individuals, the Secretary of the Interior listed the bald eagle as a threatened species on the list of threatened species published under section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1)); Whereas by 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested in the lower 48 States had increased to approximately 10,000 nesting pairs, an increase of approximately 2,500 percent from the preceding 40 years; Whereas in 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested in the State of Alaska was approximately 50,000 to 70,000; Whereas on June 28, 2007, the Secretary of the Interior removed the bald eagle from the list of threatened species published under section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1)); Whereas bald eagles remain protected in accordance with-- (1) the Act entitled ``An Act for the protection of the bald eagle'', approved June 8, 1940 (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.) (commonly known as the ``Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940''); and (2) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.); Whereas on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury issued 3 limited edition bald eagle commemorative coins under the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108 486; 118 Stat. 3934); Whereas the sale of the limited edition bald eagle commemorative coins issued by the Secretary of the Treasury has raised approximately $7,800,000 for the nonprofit American Eagle Foundation of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to support efforts to protect the bald eagle; Whereas if not for the vigilant conservation efforts of concerned Americans and the enactment of conservation laws (including regulations), the bald eagle would face extinction; Whereas the American Eagle Foundation has brought substantial public attention to the cause of the protection and care of the bald eagle nationally; Whereas November 4, 2010, marked the 25th anniversary of the American Eagle Foundation; Whereas facilities around the United States, such as the Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University in the State of Alabama, rehabilitate injured eagles for release into the wild; Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald eagles-- (1) is an endangered species success story; and (2) an inspirational example for other wildlife and natural resource conservation efforts around the world; Whereas the initial recovery of the population of bald eagles was accomplished by the concerted efforts of numerous government agencies, corporations, organizations, and individuals; and Whereas the continuation of recovery, management, and public awareness programs for bald eagles will be necessary to ensure-- (1) the continued progress of the recovery of bald eagles; and (2) that the population and habitat of bald eagles will remain healthy and secure for future generations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates June 20, 2012, as ``American Eagle Day''; (2) applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means by which to generate critical funds for the protection of bald eagles; and (3) encourages-- (A) educational entities, organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and develop educational tools for use in the public schools of the United States; and (B) the people of the United States to observe American Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and other activities. S. Res. 499 (Recognizing the tenth anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering) Whereas the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Establishment Act (Public Law 106 580; 114 Stat. 3088) was signed into law on December 29, 2000; Whereas the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (referred to in this preamble as the ``Institute'') awarded its first research grants in April 2002; Whereas the purpose of the Institute, a component of the National Institutes of Health, is to conduct and support research, training, dissemination of health information, and other programs relating to biomedical imaging, biomedical engineering, and associated technologies and modalities with biomedical applications; Whereas the Institute was established to-- (1) accelerate the development of new technologies with clinical and research applications; (2) improve coordination and efficiency at the National Institutes of Health and throughout the Federal Government; (3) lay the foundation for a new medical information age; (4) promote economic development; and (5) provide a structure for training current and future researchers based on the most recent innovative discoveries; Whereas the Institute and the biomedical imaging and bioengineering research communities encourage the integration of the physical and life sciences to advance human health by improving quality of life and reducing the burden of disease through research and discoveries; Whereas, since its establishment, the Institute has supported research to develop scientific advances in biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical engineering, and to advance the application of biomedical technology to improve detection, treatment, and prevention of disease by assembling diverse teams of scientists and engineers to pursue innovative medical therapies and technologies to better meet the health care needs of patients; and Whereas the Institute has helped to support scientific breakthroughs in areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer treatments, and nanotechnology, which are helping health care providers to better target care and meet the individual health care needs of patients: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) commends the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering for its leadership in research and its role in advancing technologies that improve patient health; (2) recognizes the remarkable impact that biomedical research supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering has had on patients; and (3) recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to pursuing the next generation of life-saving treatments and technologies for patients.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I wish to thank the Presiding Officer very much for taking the Chair again and for his beautiful statement. I thought the Senator definitely debated the issue and took apart the argument that my Republican friends made against a rule that is widely supported by the American people. The Senator cited some of the amazing organizations. I will do that again tomorrow in the debate. Just for the sake of the folks who are still working here tonight, I don't plan to go much more than 5 minutes. It has been a very long day for everyone who works here and I respect that. It is not only these amazing groups that are with us that want us to defeat this very dangerous resolution--my colleague named some of them--the American Nurses are among those who understand what health care is about. They see people struggling to find a breath when they come in with these attacks. Also, religious organizations recognize we are only as good as the weakest among us. As Senator Lautenberg pointed out so eloquently, it is our kids who get the real impact of this many times as well as adults. What I wish to do in closing out the debate tonight--and we will have another hour of debate tomorrow--is just run through a few charts that tell the tale. The first one is: What does this resolution do? Because I know people may be following us and saying: What exactly do Senator Inhofe and his colleagues want to do? They want to repeal the rule that is about to go into place and block the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing the first-ever national mercury and air toxics standards for powerplants. These powerplants are giving off these poisons, and these poisons are going into the air. In the case of mercury, we wind up poisoning fish, which was such a great part of my colleague Senator Whitehouse's presentation. So poisons are being spewed into the air from these powerplants. In 1990, by a vote of 89 to 10 and in the House 401 to 25, we passed the Clean Air Act. Those were the amendments. It was signed by George Herbert Walker Bush. More than 20 years later, we have a court order because we didn't do what we were supposed to do. Now President Obama is doing the right thing to protect the people by moving forward with this first-ever national standard. We have to defeat this push to stop the Obama administration from doing what we wanted done since 1990 and what we wanted the then-EPA to do and it has taken this much time to get it done. Just as we are on the brink of getting this protective rule, which is so cost-efficient--for every $1 to $3, we save $9--they want to turn it around. What is at stake? There are 4,200 to 11,000 additional premature deaths. So when people say what we do doesn't matter, I say look at this. If this rule is repealed, more people will die prematurely. We will have 4,700 heart attacks, 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms, 6,300 cases of acute bronchitis, 5,700 emergency room visits and hospital admissions, 540,000 days of missed work due to respiratory illness. Again, it is $3 to $9 in benefits for every $1 invested in the powerplants, one-half of which have already done the right thing. Half the coal powerplants have done this already. So we are talking about ensuring that the rest of them do the same. Many companies have addressed their mercury and air toxic emissions. We should thank the coal companies that have already cleaned up their act, not reward those that have delayed in installing the pollution- control equipment. Anyone on the other side who says there is no pollution-control equipment that is available and this can't be done and it is going to result in increased electric utility rates should listen to the facts. They should talk to the people who already installed these important mechanisms. They created jobs doing it, and as far as electricity prices, there was no impact. I talked about the jobs that are provided. When we clean up these utilities, there will be 8,000 long-term jobs and 46,000 short-term jobs. It is actually a jobs bill when we clean up to current standards. What poisonous emissions does the clean air rule address? I think this is basically where I am going to end it. I am going to mention these things, and they sound scary because they are. Mercury and lead, this is what we are asking them to clean up, and my colleagues say, no, keep on polluting. Mercury and lead damages the nervous system of children and harms the brains of infants. Arsenic sound scary? It is. It causes cancer and damages the nervous system, kidneys, and the liver. My Republican friends say: Oh, it is OK. Who cares? We should all care. How about selenium? It harms the reproductive system of wildlife. Other heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium cause cancer and harm vital organs. Benzene causes cancer and damages immune and reproductive systems. How about this one, formaldehyde. It sounds scary. It is scary. It is a carcinogen, and that means it causes cancer--no question about that. Acid gases sound scary? They are scary. They damage the heart, the lungs, and the nervous system. Imagine breathing in acid gases and what that does to our pulmonary system. Toxic soot pollution causes respiratory illness, including asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, heart attacks, and premature death. Tomorrow I will go into these in greater detail. It is just a rhetorical question, but why would anyone in their right mind stand in the way of cleaning up these poisons. They say it costs too much. No, it doesn't because the companies that already did it say it is working. For every $1 we invest, we save $3 to $9. So it doesn't cost too much. Is it just about doing business as usual? That is fine if all we are doing is something that is benign. This is not benign. My colleague Senator Inhofe attacked the President and said our President is stymieing domestic energy production when we have the opposite truth. We have seen a tremendous increase in domestic energy production under this President, more than we have seen for decades. So don't blame this President and say he is trying to stymie domestic energy production. He has embraced an all-of-the-above strategy. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a paper entitled ``Develop and Secure America's Energy Supplies.''

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am going to make a unanimous consent request that Senator Carper open this debate--and I give thanks to Senator Inhofe for allowing that--for 8 minutes, and then Senator Inhofe will use 15 minutes at his discretion. Then we will go to Senator Shaheen for up to 10 minutes. Then we go back to Senator Inhofe for another 15 minutes from his side, and then our side will be Senator Lautenberg for 10, Senator Merkley for 10, and Senator Whitehouse for 10.

Mrs. BOXER. Why not give us an exact time. I think it is important. So we are saying instead of 15 minutes of time--I would just say some of my people--can the Senator from Oklahoma take the first segment for 15 minutes--because I know Senator Shaheen is going to be waiting to speak--and then we will give you 20 minutes after that?

Mrs. BOXER. So 18 minutes.

Mrs. BOXER. OK. Then we will go to Senator Shaheen for 10 and back to Senator Inhofe for 18 minutes.

Mrs. BOXER. All right. Then the others will have 10 minutes apiece after that.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take 3 minutes now, then yield up to 15 minutes to the Senator from New Jersey. I would then ask my friend, the Senator from Rhode Island--who is in the chair--to take up to 15 minutes, if he would like, and I will sit in the chair.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I just wish to say to my colleague Senator Inhofe before he leaves, that under this President we have seen more domestic energy production than we have seen probably in decades and decades--more domestic energy production and less reliance on imported oil than we have seen in decades and decades. So let's not attack President Obama for not working to ensure that we have the domestic capacity here at home to produce energy, because we are producing it from all sources. The other point I wish to make is that my friends on the other side are ignoring the facts. The facts are that for every $1 to $3 that will be invested in clean utilities, we get back $9 in benefits. The Presiding Officer has spoken on this quite often, and the fact is there are many benefits to doing this. The other point I wish to make--which is very important--is that one- half of our coal-fired powerplants have already made these important technology upgrades. That is wonderful news. Why would we reward companies that haven't done what these others have done, that are continuing to spew forth the most dangerous chemicals? The list of them goes on and on. But we are talking about mercury, we are talking about arsenic, lead, and formaldehyde. I will get into that, but if we allow this congressional resolution to pass, why would we be rewarding the most recalcitrant utilities that are not cleaning up when the technology is clearly there? There is a cost-benefit ratio. Our kids will breathe better. Later on tonight, I will spell out how many deaths will be avoided, how many asthma attacks will be avoided. We hear a little coughing in the Chamber today. That is the sound, unfortunately, we hear in classrooms all over this country. If we go into a classroom and we ask how many kids have asthma, one-third of the kids will raise their hand. If we say: How many of you know someone with asthma or have asthma yourself, half the kids will raise their hand. So this isn't benign. What my colleague is doing is essentially pushing forward a resolution that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency from doing its job that we asked them to do 20 long years ago when we passed the Clean Air Act amendments. It is my privilege to yield up to 15 minutes to Senator Lautenberg, followed by the Presiding Officer, Senator Whitehouse.

Mrs. BOXER. It shows how U.S. crude oil production is way up under President Obama. It is way up. Over the last 2 years domestic oil and natural gas production has increased. In 2010, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003 and total U.S. natural gas production has reached its highest level in more than 30 years. How can my colleagues stand and say this President doesn't like the coal companies and is trying to push them out of business so we will have less energy production? Wrong. What he is trying to do and we are trying to do--those of us who are going to oppose the Inhofe resolution--is say we want to see coal continue, but we don't want it to spew forth--mercury, arsenic, selenium, other heavy metals, benzene, formaldehyde, acid gases, and toxic soot. It is pretty straightforward. Clean it up. When I was a kid, my mother said: Clean your room. She said: You made a mess so clean it. I see some of the pages are smiling because their mothers say the same to them. What I found as I matured over the years is that we need to come back to some of those basics. Clean up your mess. They are making a mess. But it is not the benign mess that is in some of the bedrooms of our kids, with toys, papers, and clothes scattered around; it is dangerous toxins, and it has to be cleaned up. Tomorrow is an important vote. I hope tonight people will think about this debate because a lot of the things we do here maybe don't have such a direct impact on people's lives. This has a direct impact. What we breathe and the fish we eat are all related to what is going to happen tomorrow. I hope we will vote no on the Inhofe resolution and allow the EPA to do its work which 75 percent of the American people support. They want clean air, they want clean water, and we want to make sure they get it without interference. Let's vote down the Inhofe resolution and move forward with clean air. I think we will all be proud tomorrow if we can defeat that resolution. I note the absence of a quorum and yield the floor.

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

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that the majority leader be recognized; and that following the remarks of the leaders, the Republican leader be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 37; further, that the time until 11:30 a.m. be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the majority controlling the second 15 minutes; and finally, that at 11:30 a.m., the Senate proceed to vote on the adoption of the motion to proceed; that if the motion to proceed is agreed to, all other provisions of the previous order with respect to S.J. Res. 37 remain in effect, and that if the motion to proceed is not agreed to, the Senate resume consideration of S. 3240 and the votes in relation to the amendments remaining in order.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, there will be several rollcall votes beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. The first vote will be on the motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 37, a resolution of disapproval regarding the EPA's mercury and air toxics standards. The additional votes will be on amendments to the farm bill in order to complete action on the bill.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield at this point for a question?

Mrs. BOXER. First, I want to thank the Senator so much--so much--for taking to the floor today and explaining to everyone within the sound of his voice that we face a very important vote, because we have a colleague on the other side of the aisle who wants to say to the Environmental Protection Agency: Stop your work and allow polluters to continue to poison this atmosphere and those of us who live in it. You are talking about mercury. There is arsenic, there is lead, there is formaldehyde. We have to say to the utilities: Clean up your act. We are giving them enough time to do it. I want to ask my friend a question, and then I will yield altogether to him. The question is, is my friend aware that the cost-benefit ratio of this rule that Senator Inhofe wants to now repeal is 9 to 1? In other words, for every $1 that we put in to make sure this pollution goes away or is controlled, there is $9 of benefits in health? Is my colleague aware of that?

Mrs. BOXER. Right.

Mrs. BOXER. That is right.