Mark Dayton

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending business.

Mr. DAYTON. I ask unanimous consent, the previous order notwithstanding, that I might speak for up to 15 minutes as in morning business to eulogize my former colleague, Senator Paul Wellstone.

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I call up amendment numbered 2123 for immediate consideration.

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. DAYTON. This makes it a felony to raise oil or gas prices more than 15 percent during a natural disaster and other emergencies, and gives the U.S. Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, and State Attorneys General the authority to prosecute violators. This creates an exception for cases in which a price increase is directly attributable to additional costs incurred by the seller. Currently, no Federal laws exist to address gasoline price gouging. Only 13 States have such laws to prosecute those who raise prices arbitrarily during times of emergency. On September 1, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush said in response to the price gouging that was underway: There ought to be zero tolerance of people breaking the law during an emergency such as this, whether it be looting or price gouging at the gasoline pump, or taking advantage of charitable giving or insurance fraud. On September 6th of this year, I wrote a letter to the U.S. Attorney General in which I said, in part: I respectfully urge the Justice Department to follow through on the President's warning and to investigate the sudden spike in gas prices nationwide, following Hurricane Katrina. I further wrote: I am deeply concerned that oil suppliers have used Hurricane Katrina as an excuse to grossly overcharge consumers, regardless of whether fuel is in short supply. The Administration has a responsibility to protect consumers from anyone who would exploit catastrophic circumstances for outrageous profit, and I respectfully urge you to investigate this matter. I ask unanimous consent my letter be printed at the conclusion of my remarks.

Mr. DAYTON. Almost 7 weeks later, I have not received even the courtesy of a reply from the U.S. Attorney General. More importantly, I am not aware of anything that he has done to investigate collusion among the oil companies, the refiners, and the gasoline distributors whose post-Hurricane Katrina price escalations parallel one another. Gasoline prices nationwide are 36 percent higher than 1 year ago. Natural gas prices are 145 percent higher. That means that current natural gas prices are almost 2\1/2\ times what they were a year ago. The price of home heating oil in my home State of Minnesota now is 63 percent above a year ago. Americans everywhere are being ravaged economically by energy companies, as the citizens in Louisiana and Mississippi were ravaged by Katrina--although, obviously, their physical and economic devastation was even worse. While we have properly come to the aid of hurricane victims, Congress has done nothing to help the victims of this energy price disaster. Apparently, the Bush administration has failed them, also. My amendment is an opportunity to do something to stop energy price exploitation, to make price gouging as illegal as it is immoral. Actions speak louder than words. Now is the time to act against exorbitant energy prices, not just talk about them. The vote on my amendment will show who is serious about driving energy costs down for all Americans, and who is not. Exhibit 1 September 6, 2005. Hon. Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Attorney General: On September 1st, President Bush said, with respect to price gouging following Hurricane Katrina, ``There ought to be zero tolerance of people breaking the law during an emergency such as this, whether it be looting, or price-gouging at the gasoline pump, or taking advantage of charitable giving, or insurance fraud.'' I respectfully urge the Justice Department to follow through on the President's warning and to investigate the sudden spike in gas prices nationwide, following Hurricane Katrina. In my home state of Minnesota, gas prices rose by 52 percent--from $1.97 to $3.01 per gallon--in the three-month period from June 1st to September 1st. In three days alone, from August 29th to September 1st, Minnesota gas prices surged 45 cents per gallon. I understand that storm damage to oil operations off the Gulf Coast has caused part of the problem. However, most of Minnesota's oil supply originates from Canada. I am deeply concerned that oil suppliers have used Hurricane Katrina as an excuse to grossly overcharge consumers, regardless of whether fuel is in short supply. The Administration has a responsibility to protect consumers from anyone who would exploit catastrophic circumstances for outrageous profit, and I respectfully urge you to investigate this matter. Thank you for your consideration of my request. Sincerely, Mark Dayton.

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, in accordance with rule V of the standing rules of the Senate, I hereby give notice in writing of my intention to move to suspend Paragraph 4 of Rule XVI for the purpose of proposing to the Bill, H.R. 3058, the Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, the following amendment: No. 2143. (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of Amendments.'')

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I send a modification of my amendment to the desk, and I ask unanimous consent it be so modified.

Mr. DAYTON. The staff is working on slight adjustments to the amendment so it meets the concerns of the chairman. I thank the chairman for his willingness to consider the amendment as part of the managers' amendment as modified. It needs to be further modified to conform to the desire of the chairman to have the language read up to the particular amounts which are $40 million for the increased antinarcotics efforts of the National Guard, $50 million for increased funding for childcare, and $10 million for increased funding for family assistance centers. If it is agreeable to the chairman, I will spend about 5 minutes discussing the amendment at this time, and I will proceed on that basis and recognize the amendment itself is still subject to further discussions.

Mr. DAYTON. I thank Senator Stevens for his support and assistance in this matter. I thank him and the ranking member and members of the committee and acknowledge in every one of these three areas the Senate Committee on Appropriations has added funding already above the President's recommendation. I recognize, also, that the committee is dealing with the budget constraints that were imposed upon it by the Senate budget, but conditions in the real world do not always conform to those constraints. This funding is essential to address these critical areas, beginning with an additional $40 million for the National Guard counterdrug efforts which would enable State coordinators to increase their border security, to increase reconnaissance, and to expand their effort to interdict the flood of illegal drugs into our country. These National Guard antidrug efforts are under the control of the Governors and Adjutant Generals so they do not violate Federal passe comitatus laws. Yet they are essential to our national security. Other than international terrorism, there is no greater threat to the safety, the health, and the well-being of our citizens than the increasing flow of illegal drugs into our country, into our neighborhoods, into our schools, and into our homes. They are destroying lives, they are destroying families, and they are destroying communities. In my home State of Minnesota I am told by local law enforcement leaders there are direct pipelines of illegal drugs now, especially methamphetamine from Mexico, right into the State of Minnesota. Border security is not just a Southern State crisis or a Northern State problem. Homeland Security is not just a Federal agency with increased priorities. As I listen to local law enforcement officials throughout Minnesota, they say we are losing the war against these narcotics terrorists. We are losing because our resources are being overwhelmed by their resources. These are battles that are going on not halfway around the world but right here at home, right within our own country, every day and every night. These are narcotics terrorists. They are drug-dealing gangs. They are dangerous predators. They are preying on Americans, young and old, rich and poor. They are pouring highly dangerous, very addictive, and corrosively expensive drugs into our country and our citizens' lives, and we are letting then get away with it. In many cases they get away with it entirely scot-free and leave the country with millions and millions of our dollars. These are very dangerous, destructive, evil people who are winning the war on drugs in this country because we--all of us, collectively, all of us Americans collectively--do not have enough good guys out there on our behalf who are fighting them. My amendment brings more money for the good guys to win this terribly destructive battle. Second, $50 million would go to increase the childcare services for military families. Again, I commend the committee, Chairman Stevens, for increasing the President's recommendation in this critical area. My amendment would add another $50 million because the Office of the Secretary of Defense currently estimates that 38,000 children of Active-Duty military families are not able to access military childcare because of the lack of spaces and facilities. This is especially critical because so many of these family members are being deployed for 12 or 18 months, leaving their spouses as single parents, financially strapped, needing to work and therefore needing quality childcare even more than before. Finally, my amendment adds $10 million for family assistance centers and personnel who are responding to the increased needs of military families--Active-Duty, Reserves, and National Guard, whose families are being seriously and severely impacted by the increased number of deployments for extended periods of time. The stresses of those long separations, the constant anxieties and uncertainties about the well-being of their loved ones abroad, the financial pressures, the difficulties emotionally of single parenting all add up and have put additional needs for these family assistance centers and their personnel for families while their loved ones are serving and after they have returned. And some wounded and seriously maimed are causing enormous family stress and strains for the next number of years. I thank, again, the chairman, and I thank the ranking member for his willingness to consider taking this amendment into the managers' package. I commend them for their leadership in these very important areas. I hope this amendment will be seen as constructive to that, and I hope the conference committee will see fit to include these increases because I can assure all the Members that it will be very much needed and very well used. I yield the floor.

Mr. DAYTON. No, I have no objection.

Mr. DAYTON. I do.

Mr. DAYTON

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

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, headed by a Cabinet-level Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence. While I am loath to add another agency to the already oversized Federal bureaucracy, it is imperative that we elevate peace to at least the same level as war within the Federal Government, inside the President's Cabinet Room, and in our national policymaking. The Department's mission is set forth in section 101 of the proposed legislation. It says: The Department shall-- hold peace as an organizing principle, coordinating service to every level of American society; endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking; promote the development of human potential; work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict, use field-tested programs, and develop new structures and nonviolent dispute resolution; take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict; address matters both domestic and international in scope, and encourage the development of initiatives from local communities, religious groups, and nongovernmental organizations. The legislation mandates that an amount not less than 2 percent of the Department of Defense's annual appropriation be expended for those peacemaking and peace-advancing efforts, which does not affect the Department of Defense's level of funding. Now is clearly the time to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. The continuing war in Iraq, a war which I opposed, a war initiated before all attempts at peaceful resolution had been made, should teach us again that war is not the answer. Despite the incredible heroism of the men and women in our Armed Forces who have fought, patrolled, and helped so well and for so long in Iraq, 138,000 of them are still there with no end in sight. More of them are wounded, maimed, and killed every day. Terrorism activities against our troops and against Iraqi citizens are continuing and even increasing in their lethality. Tragically, wrongly, but unavoidably, anti-American hatred also continues to grow throughout the Arab world. Who can doubt that some of the sons and daughters of Iraqis killed during the past 2\1/2\ years of war will grow up to become vicious terrorists, hell-bent on revenge against America. Our leaders did not intend to create this anti- American backlash, what the CIA calls ``blowback.'' However, they are ignoring it at our peril. Our Nation possesses a military might that is unprecedented in the world's history and unparalleled in the world today. We must remain so. Yet, if we are to remain the world's leader and if we are to lead the world into a more secure and a more prosperous future, we must become better known and more respected for our peacemaking successes than for our military forces. Peace is far more than the absence of war, although that is the starting point. Peace, to have any lasting value, must be advanced, expanded, and strengthened continuously. Doing so requires skill, dedication, persistence, resources and, most importantly, people. We need thousands of American emissaries of peace at home and abroad. We need our embassies to become centers for peaceful initiatives worldwide, and we need advocates for peace- promoting policies here in Washington. This country was founded by a Revolutionary War, a necessary war for independence. But our Nation's Founders wanted this to be a nation of peace. President Thomas Jefferson said, in 1801: That peace, safety, and concord may be the portion of our native land, and be long-enjoyed by our fellow-citizens, is the most ardent wish of my heart, and if I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I shall think I have not lived in vain. Mr. President, 158 years later President Dwight Eisenhower, himself no stranger to war, said: I think people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. To further that goal, in 1984, Congress passed legislation and President Ronald Reagan signed it into law, creating the U.S. Institute of Peace. Today, the Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan organization funded by Congress to promote peace and curb violent international conflict. The last 20 years have shown that the Institute, and all of us, have much more to do to create and to sustain a peaceful world. Similar to Thomas Jefferson, peace, safety and concord for our fellow citizens is the most ardent wish of my heart. If I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I think that I shall not have lived in vain. A peaceful world, inhabited by people throughout the world who have learned how to keep peace better than how to make war, who want peace, who know its benefits and who insist that their governments let them have it--that would be the best world and the greatest inheritance we could give to our children and our grandchildren and generations that will follow them. Without it, nothing else is reliable. With it, everything else is possible.

Mr. DAYTON

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

Mr. DAYTON. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Dayton pertaining to the introduction of S. 1756 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, headed by a Cabinet-level Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence. While I am loath to add another agency to the already oversized Federal bureaucracy, it is imperative that we elevate peace to at least the same level as war within the Federal Government, inside the President's Cabinet Room, and in our national policymaking. The Department's mission is set forth in section 101 of the proposed legislation. It says: The Department shall-- hold peace as an organizing principle, coordinating service to every level of American society; endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking; promote the development of human potential; work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict, use field-tested programs, and develop new structures and nonviolent dispute resolution; take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict; address matters both domestic and international in scope, and encourage the development of initiatives from local communities, religious groups, and nongovernmental organizations. The legislation mandates that an amount not less than 2 percent of the Department of Defense's annual appropriation be expended for those peacemaking and peace-advancing efforts, which does not affect the Department of Defense's level of funding. Now is clearly the time to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. The continuing war in Iraq, a war which I opposed, a war initiated before all attempts at peaceful resolution had been made, should teach us again that war is not the answer. Despite the incredible heroism of the men and women in our Armed Forces who have fought, patrolled, and helped so well and for so long in Iraq, 138,000 of them are still there with no end in sight. More of them are wounded, maimed, and killed every day. Terrorism activities against our troops and against Iraqi citizens are continuing and even increasing in their lethality. Tragically, wrongly, but unavoidably, anti-American hatred also continues to grow throughout the Arab world. Who can doubt that some of the sons and daughters of Iraqis killed during the past 2\1/2\ years of war will grow up to become vicious terrorists, hell-bent on revenge against America. Our leaders did not intend to create this anti- American backlash, what the CIA calls ``blowback.'' However, they are ignoring it at our peril. Our Nation possesses a military might that is unprecedented in the world's history and unparalleled in the world today. We must remain so. Yet, if we are to remain the world's leader and if we are to lead the world into a more secure and a more prosperous future, we must become better known and more respected for our peacemaking successes than for our military forces. Peace is far more than the absence of war, although that is the starting point. Peace, to have any lasting value, must be advanced, expanded, and strengthened continuously. Doing so requires skill, dedication, persistence, resources and, most importantly, people. We need thousands of American emissaries of peace at home and abroad. We need our embassies to become centers for peaceful initiatives worldwide, and we need advocates for peace- promoting policies here in Washington. This country was founded by a Revolutionary War, a necessary war for independence. But our Nation's Founders wanted this to be a nation of peace. President Thomas Jefferson said, in 1801: That peace, safety, and concord may be the portion of our native land, and be long-enjoyed by our fellow-citizens, is the most ardent wish of my heart, and if I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I shall think I have not lived in vain. Mr. President, 158 years later President Dwight Eisenhower, himself no stranger to war, said: I think people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. To further that goal, in 1984, Congress passed legislation and President Ronald Reagan signed it into law, creating the U.S. Institute of Peace. Today, the Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan organization funded by Congress to promote peace and curb violent international conflict. The last 20 years have shown that the Institute, and all of us, have much more to do to create and to sustain a peaceful world. Similar to Thomas Jefferson, peace, safety and concord for our fellow citizens is the most ardent wish of my heart. If I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I think that I shall not have lived in vain. A peaceful world, inhabited by people throughout the world who have learned how to keep peace better than how to make war, who want peace, who know its benefits and who insist that their governments let them have it--that would be the best world and the greatest inheritance we could give to our children and our grandchildren and generations that will follow them. Without it, nothing else is reliable. With it, everything else is possible.

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Kimberly Jackson on my staff be granted the privilege of the floor throughout my remarks.

Mr. DAYTON

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I call up amendment No. 1844 and send a modification to the desk and ask unanimous consent that the amendment be modified.

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. DAYTON. Is there an amendment pending?

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, this is a very simple amendment. It addresses the severe crisis in counties in northwestern Minnesota that were flooded last June after they had planted their crops. Many farmers in that region of my State lost most or even all of their crops. So the preventive planting program has been established which allows them to plant alfalfa and other cover. It says, after November 1, they may harvest the crop or graze on the crop. That works well for most of the country, but whoever wrote that date into law some time ago forgot to check the weather maps as they pertain to northern Minnesota which, by November 1, is often under snow. The intent of the program is to provide for the ecological covering of the affected acreage, then allowing for farmers to salvage something off the land in addition to the preventive payment from the Government by harvesting it or allowing grazing on it. The effective date is too late to benefit Minnesota farmers. This amendment would simply say, for those counties in Minnesota and elsewhere across the country that have been declared an agriculture disaster in this calendar year by either the President of the United States or by the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to their authorities, that they would then, for the purpose of this year only, be able to use that acreage for harvesting or grazing effective October 15. It moves up the timetable. I think it preserves the original and actual intent of the program, and it means it applies to northern Minnesota, as it does to the rest of the country. I yield the floor.

Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished chairman. I say that the practice of the committee chairman of treating himself equally with anyone else should be noted and praised. I commend it to the rest of the committee chairmen and ranking members as well. I thank the chairman for his remarks. I apologize for the late moment and also the absence of a score. I had received a score today on a broader amendment, which was $2 million for this coming fiscal year 2006. I was asked to restrict the amendment. I believe, quite confidently, when the score is obtained, it will be less than that $2 million. I am mindful of the imperatives on the subcommittee that they have to meet the mark they have been given. I recognize this will have an impact on that. I hope my staff might work with the chairman's staff and look for some suitable offset and some way to address this issue. I thank the chairman for his consideration. I apologize again for adding to his burdens.

Mr. DAYTON

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