Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, there is one final issue that also is current that I want to take the opportunity to comment on because it is likely to be an issue that will be of interest and debated, and one people will be addressing over the coming days while we are on our recess. Last year, President Bush and a bipartisan team of Senators and Representatives made good on our promise to strengthen and expand and improve Medicare for America's seniors. The bill, the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, represents the most significant improvement to Medicare in two generations. And now, because of this historic action, we are starting to see impressive results. We said reform would strengthen the program and increase choice and flexibility for our seniors. That is exactly what is happening. Medicare now gives more seniors access to more prescription drugs at a lower out-of-pocket cost. It provides seniors relief from the high cost of prescription drugs, especially the 12 million low-income seniors who need the help the most. The improvements to Medicare provide seniors with choice and control over their own health care plans. The new bill also protects seniors who already have prescription drug coverage they earned in the workplace. Educating seniors about improvements to the Medicare program and the new Medicare drug benefit is the right thing to do. It is also required by law. The law says seniors have the right to know how the prescription drug benefit is going to work and when they can start taking advantage of the new improvements to the program, such as the drug discount card. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues are attempting to subvert this legal obligation. They are blocking our legally required educational efforts. Why? Because they are trying to keep seniors from finding out their rights. They fear that the more seniors learn about the new Medicare benefits, the more seniors will like what they see. Not only are the Medicare opponents trying to keep seniors in the dark about their Medicare rights, these opponents are disparaging the education effort itself. But try as they may, they will not keep the truth under wraps. This is the ad they do not want you to see. It reads: First senior: So how is Medicare changing? The announcer: It is the same Medicare you have always counted on, plus more benefits like prescription drug coverage. Senior No. 2: Can I keep my Medicare just how it is? The announcer responds: Yes, you can always keep your same Medicare coverage. Senior No. 3: Will I save on my medicines? Announcer: You can save with Medicare drug discount cards this June and save more with prescription drug coverage in 2006. Senior 4: So my Medicare isn't different, it is just more? Announcer: Right. And you can learn more, call 1-800-

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Monday, February 23; I further ask that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and Senator Breaux then be recognized to deliver George Washington's Farewell Address, as provided under the previous order; provided that upon the conclusion of the address, the Senate then resume debate on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 429, S. 2061, the medical malpractice bill.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, on Monday, February 23, following Senator Breaux's reading of George Washington's Farewell Address, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 429, S. 2061, the medical malpractice bill. There will be no rollcall votes on Monday, but Senators are encouraged to come to the floor to debate this important bill. The next rollcall vote will occur on Tuesday, February 24. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2061, and the vote will occur at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. I, too, want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Inhofe and Senator Jeffords for their hard work in moving the highway bill to conclusion. I also thank the Democratic leadership, working with our leadership, working with the managers of this bill to move forward. It has been a long 2 weeks. It has been a challenging 2 weeks. I know the managers were able to work with many Members to accommodate a large number of amendments. I wish everyone a safe President's Day recess.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. On another issue, and to the best of my knowledge ongoing now, the Massachusetts Legislature is wrestling with how to respond to their supreme court, which has made same-sex marriage the law of that State. Even if the Massachusetts Legislature is successful in passing the constitutional amendment to block same-sex marriage, it will not come before voters for ratification for another 2 years. Beginning on May 17 of this year, Massachusetts will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Once these same-sex couples sue for recognition in their home States, the wildfire will truly begin. Same-sex marriage is likely to spread to all 50 States in the coming years. So regardless of what Massachusetts does today, it is becoming increasingly clear that Congress must act and must act soon. The Senate will begin working on the issue in the weeks ahead. This is not a fight we sought, and it is a fight we do not particularly relish, but the courts have brought us to it, and the people of this country will respond. We will not let activist judges redefine marriage for our entire society. We reject intolerance. We reject hatred. We must treat all our fellow citizens with kindness and with civility. But marriage should remain what it has always been in our Nation, and that is the union of a man and a woman. It is my hope the Massachusetts legislature will act today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, that brings this week to a close. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the provisions of H. Con. Res 361.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I know there are discussions going on, but I would like, if at all possible, to begin to bring matters to a close in the next several minutes. While some final decisions are made on this important bill, I will make a closing statement and then we will see what the outcome is on the remaining amendments. The transportation bill that we have been considering for the last 2 weeks is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we will consider in this second session. It is important not only for maintaining and improving our transportation infrastructure system-- something that we talked a lot about over the last 2 weeks--but it is also important, as has been discussed, for creating jobs. Conservative estimates are that this legislation would create as many as 1.6 million jobs over the life of the bill, and some analysts now believe it can create as many as 2 million new jobs. This legislation is also important for our Federal-State partnership. The bulk of expenditures in this country for our public infrastructure programs, for building, for expanding and maintaining transportation systems is not Federal dollars but State and local expenditures. The Federal share from all public infrastructure spending in this country averages about one-quarter or 25 percent. That is the Federal share. Further, at the Federal level annual spending for ground transportation programs represents less than 2 percent of all Federal spending. But this important spending serves as a catalyst for economic growth. I believe it is a small investment we can make in our economy. It is an essential investment in moving our economy forward while also making it safe for us to use our highways and our intercity rail systems. The funding for our Federal highway and mass transit infrastructure system is complex, it is obscure, and I freely admit that it is confusing. Here in the Senate, the legislation involves at least six standing committees, sometimes with overlapping jurisdiction. The financing of our Federal highway system includes spending subject to annual appropriations. It also includes automatic or mandatory spending. The financing of these expenditures comes from many sources-- from gas taxes, from excise taxes, from user fees, and from general revenues. But this afternoon, I would like to address in as simple a way as I can my understanding of the Federal spending issue that clearly has frustrated both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Several points: First, this is a 6-year authorization and spending bill. The administration supports enactment of a 6-year bill. While they do not support the level of resources this bill devotes to transportation spending, I hope we will be able to find a compromise with the House of Representatives and the administration that will meet all concerns. We are currently operating all these programs under a temporary extension that expires on February 29. Before the end of the month, we will have to once again temporarily extend the expiring authorities. Funds have already been provided for the programs this year in the Omnibus appropriations bill that we enacted last month, but authorization to expend those funds will lapse at the end of this month. Point No. 2: The bill--or I should say more precisely the four bills--highways, mass transit, safety programs, and financing-- establish an overall level of ``contract authority.'' For the next 6 years, this contract authority is estimated to total $318 billion. What is contract authority? There has been a lot of confusion. I was on the Senate floor as we talked about this bill in the last several weeks. And, indeed, throughout Capitol Hill, people do not fully understand what contract authority is. Contract authority is created in law, authorizing the Federal Government to enter into contracts and incur obligations in the future but in advance of, or even in excess of, funds available for that purpose. The funds actually necessary to carry out that contract authority must be provided later--usually later in the appropriations bill--and it is called liquidating appropriations. Point No. 3: How will this bill before us today, if enacted, impact Federal spending in the future? There has been a lot of focus on spending today, and a lot of fracturing of the discussions on this spending. Interestingly, the bill also includes language that limits the amount of this $318 billion in contract authority that can be obligated or liquidated over the next 6 years. This bill sets that limit to be $290 billion, which is nearly $28 billion less than the level at which the contract can be set. If one is concerned about spending, it is this so-called obligation limit that really matters--not the contract authority. Therefore, when I compare what the Senate bill proposes to spend versus the President's budget request, it is a difference of about $6 billion a year. I am committed to resolving this difference as this legislation works its way in regular order through the Senate and conference with the House. Fourth and last point: Since this bill limits the amount of contract authority that can be obligated over the next 6 years, one possible solution might be to reduce the higher contract level to a level that we actually believe will be obligated and spent. There may be some who can explain the difference, but simplistically I think that those two-- the obligation limit and the contract authority--should be the same. Indeed, the President's budget sets both the contract authority and the obligation limit at identical levels. Therefore, I suggest that we all remain flexible on this spending issue, and that as this bill goes forth we give consideration to reducing the contract authority level down to what we truly expect to spend. Today, even before this bill ever becomes law, the Federal aid to the highway trust fund is estimated by the administration to have $25.6 billion in unobligated balances. This is in unobligated contract authority. Let me repeat. Today, we have put on the books $25.6 billion in contracts that we have not fulfilled and are not likely to honor because we have been limited--or will be limited--by previous legislation to the level of these obligations. Thus, I am convinced that as this bill proceeds we can find ways to reduce its costs and address the concerns raised by the President. This is a very difficult and complicated legislative issue. I congratulate all the committees involved, especially the committee chairmen and ranking members and their staffs who have brought this legislation to the Senate for consideration. Indeed, it is because of all the complexities involved that they are to be truly congratulated for even getting this far. In closing, just as an aside, let me conclude that one lesson that we might learn from these legislative exercises surrounding the highway bills over the last several weeks--indeed months--is as we look to the future, we may want to rethink the structure of our committees in this area. We may want to find ways that could streamline this overall legislative process to make funding more transparent and to improve the overall oversight of these various transportation programs. I probably would find that restructuring of committees and how we consider major infrastructure legislation in the Congress even more difficult than just passing a highway bill. But I think we need to start thinking about this for the future.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will complete the final 30 minutes of debate prior to the vote on invoking cloture on the substitute amendment to S. 1072, the highway bill. That vote will occur at 9 a.m. today. If cloture is invoked, it is my hope that we will be able to dispose of any germane amendments in a timely manner, thereby clearing the way to wrap up consideration of the substitute. Once the substitute is disposed of, we still may require a cloture vote on the bill itself. It is my hope that we will be able to speed the process along and be in a position to complete action on the bill today. As was announced last night, it is my intention to remain in session until we pass this bill. Senators should expect rollcall votes throughout the day. In addition, I remind all Senators that all second-degree amendments must be filed at the desk no later than 9 a.m.

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

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I congratulate the managers for their hard work and efforts. Following the vote, there will be no further votes until after the Presidents Day recess. Therefore, the next vote will occur on Tuesday, February 24. I will have more to say on the schedule before we close this evening. I do thank all Members for their cooperation over the last 2 weeks.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I want to take a minute to let colleagues known what the Democratic leader and I have discussed with respect to consideration of an energy package. The Chairman of the Energy Committee has been working hard, along with others, to put together a slimmed-down energy package that addresses some of the concerns that members of the Senate had with the conference report last fall. While there was some interest in addressing energy amendments on the highway bill, the Democratic Leader and I agreed that we will instead consider energy separately from highways. Under this agreement, I will Rule 14 an energy package and put it before the Senate in an expeditious way. We will consider it as quickly as possible, in a constrained manner, with as few amendments as possible. Senator Daschle and I will seek to get an agreement to limit amendments, but if that is not possible, we understand that it my be necessary to file cloture to move the process along. The goal would not be to preclude any Member's right to offer an amendment, but to ensure that the Senate has an opportunity to decide: do we want to consider a slimmed-down energy package, or not? So, for the information of colleagues, that is how Senator Daschle and I have agreed to handle energy issues in the immediate future. I would now yield to the Democratic leader for his comments. Mr. President, this is indeed how the Majority Leader and I have agreed to proceed with respect to the consideration of an energy package. I believe this is the most appropriate way to proceed, and I appreciate working with the Majority Leader to reach this understanding.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I am proud to join today with Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator Thad Cochran, Senator Mike DeWine, Senator Christopher Bond, Senator James Talent, Senator John Warner, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to introduce the ``Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004.'' Earlier today, I was pleased to be joined at a press conference by an impressive array of leaders in this fight--Dr. Louis Sullivan, Dr. Rene Rodriguez, Dr. Randall Maxey, Dr. John Maupin, and Dr. James Gavin. I appreciate their support for this legislation, and also appreciate the support of other national leaders committed to closing the health care disparity gap in America. Last May, in a speech to graduating students and families at Morehouse University's School of Medicine, I outlined a framework for action to combat disparities. Since then, I have reached out broadly and worked with a wide range of stakeholders and leaders to gather their input and ideas to ensure the legislation we are introducing today includes the best possible strategies to eliminate health disparities. I am also proud to be joined today by a number of colleagues who are committed to this cause. I particularly want to thank Senator Landrieu for working across party lines on this bipartisan legislation. As former Surgeon General Louis W. Sullivan, MD, said at a press briefing earlier today on this legislation, ``[e]thnic minorities represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, and therefore, it is critical that we have a sustained and coordinated commitment to addressing this national problem. The ``Closing the Health Care Gap Act'' seeks to do that. . .'' This legislation builds on past bipartisan efforts to address disparities in our health care system--most importantly, the ``Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000,'' which I authored with Senator Edward Kennedy. The legislation we are introducing today goes much farther. Over recent years, we have made tremendous advances in our knowledge of and fight against disease. But we know that millions of Americans still experience disparities in health outcomes as a result of ethnicity, race, gender, or limited access to quality health care. For example, disparity populations exhibit poorer health outcomes and have higher rates of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, infant mortality, cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. African Americans and Native Americans die younger than any other racial or ethnic group. African Americans and Native American babies die at significantly higher rates than the rest of the population. African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans are at least twice as likely to suffer from diabetes and experience serious complications from diabetes. These gaps are simply unacceptable in America today. Let me repeat, they are unacceptable. And, today, we begin a new and aggressive effort to address these inequities. The root causes of the health care disparities are multiple and certainly complex. That is why we need a broad and comprehensive approach to reduce and eliminate these disparities. This legislation takes a bold step in that direction. Many of our Nation's smartest minds have examined this problem in detail. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its landmark report ``Unequal Treatment,'' concluded that health care disparities are caused by socioeconomic factors, language barriers, access to services problems, behavioral risk factors, and cultural issues including, unfortunately, mistrust and misunderstanding of some patients toward the health care system. The ``Closing the Health Care Gap Act'' directly addresses the root causes of health care disparities by focusing on five key areas: expanding access to quality health care; strengthening national leadership efforts and coordination; helping increase the diversity of health professionals; promoting more aggressive health professional education intended to reduce barriers to care; and enhancing research to identify sources of racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities and assess promising intervention strategies. More specifically, this bill: promotes improved understanding of the quality of health care delivered to racial and ethnic minorities and health disparity populations; improves collection and reporting of data on the health care of racial and ethnic minorities and health disparity populations; reduces some of the fragmentation of health care delivery experienced by disparity populations; strengthens the doctor-patient relationship by providing a series of tools to improve communication and continuity of care; supports the use of community health workers; supports the implementation of multidisciplinary treatment and preventive care teams; improves education and information to allow patients to better manage and control their own care; and increases the proportion of racial and ethnic minorities among health professionals. It is important that we act, as well, because health care disparities magnify many of the quality deficiencies in our overall health care system. This point was well documented by the IOM in a series of reports issued during the past several years. Therefore, the bill takes aggressive steps to improve the quality of health care for all Americans. A key part of this effort necessarily involves the need to strive for greater standardization of health data collection. At the same time, we must ensure that this information allows us to better identify and address gaps in our health care system by including important information about patients' race and ethnicity. While the Federal Government has a critical role to play, it is important to remember that government alone is incapable of closing the care and treatment gaps which exist in our health care system. Therefore, the legislation promotes partnerships between the Government and the private sector, and fosters collaboration at the community level to improve care, as well as access to care. The bill expands access to quality health care for minority and underserved patients through a community-based model that seeks to help patients utilize health coverage that may be available, to provide health system patient navigator services so that they may best utilize available coverage, to emphasize health awareness, prevention and health literacy efforts so that patients can effectively take part in their or their children's treatment decisions, and to improve chronic disease management. Turning our back on these health disparity problems would be a national failure. Every American deserves the best quality of health care possible, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or where they live. Again, I appreciate the commitment of many of my colleagues. Together, I know we can make great progress against this critical problem. There is a growing awareness on the national level of the existence and importance of the serious disparities in the quality of health care that many minority and underserved Americans receive. This presents us with an important opportunity to move forward. My intention is to continue to build this national awareness, which can provide the basis for bipartisan efforts to fight and reduce these disparities. Today's bipartisan bill introduction represents a key step in this process. I would like to very quickly thank some of the organizations that are supporting this bill: Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association, The National Conference for Community and Justice, The Association of Minority Health Professions Schools, National Urban League, American Association of Family Physicians, National Patient Advocate Foundation, National Association of Community Health Centers, Health Choice Network, National Association of Public Hospitals, American Hospital Association, The Endocrine Society, St. Thomas Health Services, Ascension Health, The American Society of Transplantation. With this strong base of initial support, the broad consensus that is beginning to emerge on this issue, and the bipartisan commitment of so many, it is my hope that we can make real progress toward eliminating health care disparities and end--once and for all--this intolerable blight on our Nation.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 361, the adjournment resolution, that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 304, submitted by Senator Brownback today.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST. I concur with the chairman of the Budget Committee and agree with the sentiments expressed by the Committee's Ranking Member. Indeed the provisions in this legislation establishing transportation spending categories are somewhat meaningless unless we enact broader enforcement tools. Those broader enforcement tools should be addressed separate and apart from this legislation. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 12. I further ask that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then resume consideration of S. 1072, the highway bill, provided that the time until 9 a.m. be equally divided between the chairman and ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee or their designees. I further ask consent that the mandatory quorum be waived for both cloture motions and the cloture vote on the substitute amendment occur at 9 a.m.; provided, further, that Senators have until 9 a.m. tomorrow to file second-degree amendments to the highway bill.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Tomorrow, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1072, the highway bill. The vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the pending substitute to the highway bill will occur at 9 a.m. It is my hope that if cloture is invoked, we will be able to dispose of any additional germane amendments in a timely manner, thereby clearing the way to wrap up consideration of the substitute. Once the substitute amendment is disposed of, we still may require a cloture vote on the bill itself. Again, it is my hope that we will be able to speed the process along and be in a position to complete action on the bill tomorrow. It is my intention, however, to remain in session until we pass this bill. Senators should expect rollcall votes throughout the day tomorrow, with the first vote occurring at approximately 9 a.m. In addition, I remind all Senators that all second-degree amendments must be filed at the desk no later than 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FRIST. I thank the assistant Democratic leader. It has been a challenge for both sides the last 2 weeks as we have been on this bill. Again, we gave the time for discussion and debate, and we had regular order throughout using the Senate rules. With that, we will be able to complete our goal of giving very careful consideration to this bill. At the end of this 2-week period, during which people have had plenty of time, plenty of opportunity to understand what is in this very important bill, they will have the opportunity to vote. They will have that opportunity tomorrow.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning the Senate will conduct a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the minority leader or his designee and the second 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1072, the highway bill. It is my expectation that following the final remarks of several Senators, Chairman Inhofe will move to table the Warner amendment on seatbelts. Therefore, Senators should expect the first vote to occur prior to noon today. As a reminder, two cloture motions were filed yesterday in relation to the highway bill. Those cloture votes are scheduled to occur tomorrow. I also remind all Senators that under cloture rules, all first-degree amendments must be filed by 1 p.m. today. If cloture is invoked on the substitute to the highway bill on Thursday, we will remain on that until disposed of. Members may have germane and timely filed amendments considered but the Senate will act on this measure this week. Members may use some postcloture debate. However, we will remain and complete action on this measure before the weekend.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I will take a moment to comment on the economic good news that does continue to roll in. After weeks of positive indicators, the latest economic reports show that the economy is steadily expanding. Specifically, new jobs are coming online and unemployment continues to fall. According to the latest payroll survey, 112,000 new jobs were created in January, the largest monthly increase since December of the year 2000. Fully 366,000 new jobs were added over the last 5 months. The national unemployment rate continues to decline. In general, the unemployment rate reached a level of 5.6 percent. That is the fastest 7-month decline in over a decade. In fact, unemployment is now lower than it was, on average, during the 1970s, during the 1980s, or the 1990s. It is still too high and we will continue to work aggressively to lower that unemployment rate. However, with the fastest 7-month decline in a decade, the trends are moving in the right direction. The Council of Economic Advisers has other good news. On Monday, the Council released the latest economic report of the President. They anticipate the economy will create millions of new payroll jobs by the end of the year. They also emphasize that America is on a path to higher sustained output for years to come. A survey released in January by the U.S. Institute for Supply Management found, for December, new orders booked by industry increased at their best rate in 50 years. The bottom line is the economy is growing, America is moving in the right direction. Contrary to its critics, President Bush's tax cuts are working. By passing the tax cuts, we were able to reduce the unemployment rate by nearly 1 extra percentage point. We have increased the number of jobs available by as much as 2 million. And we have increased real GDP by as much as 3 percent. But there is still much to be done. As we consider these positive numbers, we must also work to enact policies that help every American who needs a job to find a job. We must use the tools at our disposal to create the conditions which lead to job growth. That is one reason passing this highway bill is so crucial. Every $1 billion we invest in transportation infrastructure generates more than $2 billion in economic activity. It also creates an additional 47,500 new jobs. Our roads, our ports, and our railroads are vital to America's economic success. Indeed, it is estimated that the highway bill will add a whopping 2 million jobs to the economy. That is 2 million reasons to pass this bill this week. Today and Thursday, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is scheduled to deliver his monetary report to the Congress. Chairman Greenspan has expressed confidence that the economy will continue to grow and to grow more jobs. While he does his important work at the Fed, we must continue to do our work in this Chamber to bolster the economy and help create jobs. Lowering health costs, reducing the downward drag of frivolous lawsuits, ensuring affordable energy, cutting redtape, and opening new markets, all of these progrowth policies will help keep America moving forward. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

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