Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in a few minutes we will begin voting. As most people know, we are on a very important piece of legislation, the Commerce-Science-Justice appropriations bill. We have been on it for several days. As I look through the amendments coming forward, indeed, the amendments we are considering over the course of the afternoon and evening, it is clear we have a challenge. The challenge is to be able to comprehensively address the bill with debate and amendments but at the same time not open up the bill to lots of legislation which in many ways are rifleshots that are related to Katrina or that people are attempting to relate to Katrina. I say that in part because it is important we address the underlying legislation which does have some Katrina-related aspects to it. Looking at our response to Katrina, I believe there is a right and wrong way to address that natural disaster. We have tried to act and I believe we have acted in this Senate in a very responsive way in terms of having an emergency session with the initial $10 billion, having another supplemental for $51.8 billion from two nights ago, authorizing the affected courts to meet appropriately outside their jurisdiction, announcing a joint committee we are still working on in terms of the composition to look at what went right and what went wrong, passing legislation last night on the national flood insurance program. We are working very aggressively to respond in an appropriate way. What I fear and what simply cannot happen is to have individuals focus on the underlying bill and bring in Katrina-related responses when we are doing our very best and in a bipartisan way using the committee structure, using the authorizing committees to address comprehensively, rapidly, the emergency that is playing out before us. Once we complete the Commerce-Justice-Science bill, we will move it immediately to conference with the House and get the bill to the President for his signature prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year, which is 17 days away. That is why I want to stay on the appropriations process and do the appropriations related to the underlying bills and not use Katrina to try to pull in other amendments. Pending to this bill are a whole bunch of amendments. There is a whole long list of amendments the manager and ranking member are working with, offered by my colleagues, many from both sides of the aisle, but from the other side of the aisle predominantly, that ostensibly are for Katrina but which increase funding and authorize new major governmental programs. This is not the place for that. I pledge to work with both sides of the aisle, with the leadership on the other side, to have that appropriate authorizing language addressed but through the appropriate committees and not on these appropriations bills. I observe that while Katrina is the reason that is given for a lot of these amendments, as we look through them, in many instances they simply increase funding for an existing program, regardless of whether it provides assistance or help directly or even indirectly to the victims of Katrina. I argue that the Biden amendment falls under that category by increasing the COPS Program another $1 billion with no specific targeting to those who are directly affected. I say this after having over the last 10 days directed this Senate, directed and signed by law over $60 billion in immediate assistance to those who are affected by Katrina. In conjunction with the administration and those directly involved in the recovery and rebuilding effort in the United States, we have a lot more we are going to have to do in the coming days, weeks, and months. But this is not the appropriate bill to be adding spending that has not been vetted through the various committees of jurisdiction. In our leadership office we have set up an assessment team and look forward to working with the Democratic leadership in doing the same thing so we can give focus to consider the emergency responses we need to consider and also the longer rebuilding and reconstruction responses that have arisen and which we will respond to in a comprehensive, expeditious way with regard to Katrina. That sort of mechanism will facilitate and will better coordinate, rather than having individual amendments come to the Senate that are in many cases authorizing or increasing spending for preexisting programs, without looking at it in a more comprehensive way. We owe that to the people affected by the tragedy as well as allowing a reasonable, efficient operation in the Senate. I will oppose amendments on the bill that have not gone through a vetting of the issues. I promise we will be moving forward on a whole range of these issues that are targeted and an appropriate response to Katrina. The manager has spoken directly to this, as well, and I believe the chairman of the Committee on the Budget has. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST. I, too, commend the President for his quick action on a waiver for FEMA. I as well believe the President should consider waiving this cost-sharing requirement for as long as necessary for entities and areas in Louisiana where it is necessary. I am aware that the Louisiana delegation has sent a letter to the President to this effect, and I am supportive of what we can do to ease the burden for those impacted by Katrina.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period for morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I understand there are five bills at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. FRIST. In order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding en bloc.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning we will begin with a 1-hour period for morning business to allow Senators to begin to make statements. Following that time, we will return to consideration of the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill. In order to finish that bill in the next day or two, we will need the cooperation of all Senators, and that is our objective. Senators Shelby and Mikulski will be managing the bill and I expect a full day of consideration on that legislation. Rollcall votes will occur today and tonight on amendments, although we are making every effort to accommodate the Judiciary Committee over the course of the day in their hearings on the nomination of Judge Roberts. At this time, we have one vote scheduled this afternoon and that vote will be at 12:30 on the passage of S.J. Res. 20, a resolution of disapproval regarding a set of EPA regulations. Following that vote, we will recess briefly until 2:15 for our weekly policy luncheons.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, later today, several of our Senate colleagues and I will have the honor of hosting interim Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and members of his cabinet in the U.S. Capitol. President Talabani was elected in April of this year. Since then, we have seen the Iraqis form their first democratically elected Government in over half a century. We have also witnessed complex and painstaking negotiations to draft a permanent Iraqi constitution. That historic document, that hopeful document, will be put to the people October 15, which is one short month away. The draft Iraqi constitution is a solid foundation for a democratic Iraq. It establishes a true democracy, a democratic system in which the voice of all Iraqis will be heard, human rights will be protected, the rule of law will be respected, and women will be full and equal political partners. It is a product of deliberate negotiations that included letters from all of Iraq's ethnic and religious groups. The process required enormous patience and flexibility--in other words, the tools of the democratic process--and it required great courage. In the face of constant terrorist threats and violence, the Iraqi people showed once again their determination to secure their rights and their future as a free and democratic nation. Garnering support for the new constitution is now one of President Talabani's most pressing tasks. In our meeting today, I will urge President Talabani to continue his efforts to reach out to all segments of Iraq's diverse population. It is vital that Iraqis of all walks of life participate in this referendum next month. It is also vital that the Sunni population rally behind this constitution and the framework of democracy and the governance it establishes. The Sunnis have raised concerns about federalism, about the role of Sharia law, and the allocation of oil revenues. These are all important issues that concern all of us as well. I look forward to hearing President Talabani's response in our discussions today. I also look forward to learning more from the President about conditions on the ground, his views on the security situation, the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, and the pace of economic reconstruction and revitalization. I will report back to this body either later today or tomorrow what I learned. In the meantime, I urge my Senate colleagues to continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Iraqi people in their efforts to secure their liberty and to fulfill their democratic potential. This is an extraordinary opportunity to change the course of history and bring peace and stability to the heart of the Middle East. The challenge is great, but we must persevere. America's security will depend on it. We cannot allow the terrorists to achieve their twisted aims and we cannot allow Iraq to fall into chaos or sectarian violence or return to those days of brutal tyranny and support for the terrorists. By the same token, Iraqis must continue to persevere as well. They must defeat the terrorists. They must deny them sanctuary in their communities. They must reject their heinous philosophy of murder. Freedom for Iraq is essential for freedom at home, and that is why we must continue to stand alongside our Iraqi partners. Over time, we will step aside as they assume complete responsibility for their security and for their future. I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture be discharged from further consideration of S. 1613 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. As in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on September 13, 2005, by the President of the United States: Protocol Amending Extradition Convention with Israel (Treaty Document No. 109-3). I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time, that it be referred with accompanying papers to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed, and that the President's message be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14. 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, and the Senate proceed to a period for morning business for up to 60 minutes, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the Democratic leader or his designee and the final 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee; provided that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 2862, the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill. I further ask that the time until 11 a.m. be equally divided between the two managers or their designees and that at 11 a.m. the Senate proceed to a vote on a motion to waive with respect to Stabenow amendment No. 1687, as modified.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Senate will return to the Commerce- Justice-Science appropriations bill, and we expect to complete our work on this bill tomorrow. The managers are working on several of the pending amendments and may be able to accept some of those without the need for rollcall votes. Others will need to be voted on, but we hope to set those votes at an early time tomorrow so that we can finish this bill as soon as possible. There are a lot of amendments remaining on the list, but I would hope Senators do not feel at all compelled to offer those amendments. We have been on this bill since last Thursday. Senators have had ample time to draft and offer their amendments, and therefore I would ask Senators to notify the managers if they intend to offer additional amendments. The first vote will occur at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13. I further ask unanimous consent 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, and the Senate proceed to a period of morning business for up to 60 minutes with the first 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee and the final 30 minutes under the control of the minority leader or his designee; provided that following morning business, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2862, the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that at 12:10, the Senate resume consideration of S.J. Res. 20; provided further that there then be 20 minutes equally divided for debate between Senators Inhofe and Leahy or their designees, and that following the debate, the Senate proceed to the vote on adoption of the joint resolution with no intervening action or debate. I further ask unanimous consent that following that vote, the Senate then recess until 2:15 for the weekly policy luncheons.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, we will begin today's session with a period for morning business that will extend for an hour, until 3. At 3, we will resume consideration of the Commerce-Science-Justice appropriations bill. We are prepared for Members to come forward to offer their amendments to the bill so that we can complete action early this week. We reached an agreement to limit amendments to the bill, and now is the time for Senators to come and debate their amendments. There is a vote scheduled for this evening. At 5:30, we will begin a 1-hour period of debate prior to a vote at 6:30 on the motion to proceed to the resolution of disapproval on regulations relating to mercury. If that motion is not agreed to, we would return to the Commerce appropriations bill. If the motion is agreed to, then we would begin 2 hours of debate on the pending resolution. Having said that, we will be continuing the appropriations process this week, with many of these bills having disaster-related language. It is important that we continue to expedite our efforts on all fronts, and therefore we will be voting throughout the week. In addition to our floor business today, Chairman Specter opened the hearings on the nomination of Judge Roberts at noon, now 2 hours ago. We will make every effort to not interrupt those hearings as we continue our work on the floor, and therefore we will be looking to stack votes around lunchtime each day or later in the evening throughout the week.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I am pleased to report that hour by hour, day by day, we are making steady progress in the rescue and recovery efforts in response to the natural disaster witnessed now a week and a half ago. As I speak, there are 20,000 Active military personnel on the ground, along with 50,800 National Guard, 4,000 Coast Guard, and 8,900 FEMA responders. There are over 1,000 uniformed commissioned public health personnel on the ground as we speak. Law and order in New Orleans has been completely restored. Power is back for most of the city's central business district. City hall has running water and electricity. The Army Corps of Engineers reports that the city will be completely drained by early October. Hundreds of city engineers have been working around the clock, even sleeping on the floors of their pumping stations, to drain the toxic flood waters out of the city. Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, is seeing continual progress. In his words, we are feeding more people, we are recovering more people, the infrastructure is more improved, we are clearing more roads, we have more power--every day more victories. Meanwhile, the Federal Government remains committed to helping shoulder the burden. To date, Congress has allocated more than $62 billion in aid for rescue relief and recovery efforts. President Bush has granted the hurricane survivors special evacuee status which will make it easier for the storm victims to collect Federal benefits such as food stamps, childcare, and Medicaid wherever they are in America. FEMA has begun distributing $2,000 per household so that the survivors can start to get back on their feet and meet their immediate needs. This week, Congress will continue to clear measures to cut redtape and bureaucratic tangles to help hurricane victims get the assistance they need. I expect the Senate over the week to clear legislation making it easier for evacuees to receive welfare benefits and student aid. We also intend to boost FEMA's borrowing authority from $1.5 billion to $3.5 billion. The national flood insurance program administered by FEMA is facing its greatest losses in history. We need to make sure they have the resources they need so that victims receive appropriate, proper, and timely payment. We are also working on ways to spur private investment in this overall rebuilding effort. Katrina is estimated to have swept away over 400,000 jobs. People need these jobs, and the Gulf Coast needs to be rebuilt bigger, more modern, and more prosperous so that it can provide economic opportunity. We will continue to press forward with the joint hearings announced last week on the preparations for hurricanes and that immediate disaster response. We need to find out what went wrong, what went right, what worked, and what did not. It is clear that things did not turn out as we would like for them to at a response level, at the Federal level, at the State level, or at the local level. There have been problems at all levels of government, and we will get to the bottom of those problems. Through it all, America will emerge smarter, stronger, and more effective in how we respond to disaster, natural and manmade. Nature has dealt a painful blow, but America does stand unified, and in the past 2 weeks her citizens have shown tremendous courage, generosity, and outpouring of spirit. Countless people are pouring out their hearts, time, and resources, and literally opening their homes to shelter and comfort the survivors. There are over 1.1 million people displaced. About half of those, or about 500,000, have been displaced to other States than those three most affected States. Private donations to hurricane relief funds have soared to nearly $700 million. The American Red Cross alone has received $500 million in gifts and pledges. Thirty-six thousand Red Cross volunteers are serving in over 675 shelters in 23 States. The Salvation Army has received over $65 million. America's Second Harvest has raised nearly $12 million and delivered 16 million pounds of food. The list goes on. These are but a few examples. Americans from all across the country and all walks of life are asking what they can do to help. The past 2 weeks stand as a testament to the depth and strength of our national character and civic bonds. Millions of citizens, millions of Americans, are committed to the care, nurture and well-being of one another. The rescue and recovery will continue. The cities and towns all across that Gulf Coast will be rebuilt. They will reemerge more modern and more prosperous than ever before. The Senate will continue moving forward on behalf of our fellow citizens and on behalf of future generations who will call the gulf coast home. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I understand there are five bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading and, in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own requests en bloc.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3669, which was received from the House.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this National Flood Insurance Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act of 2005 is another example of the bills we are bringing to the Senate floor and working on in a bipartisan way because we are addressing quickly, responsively, and aggressively the natural disaster hurricane and its aftermath. There have been several of these bills over the last week, and we will continue to address them as they are presented to us and as they come forward--again, working together in a bipartisan way.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, under the order just entered, our next vote will be at 12:30 tomorrow on the pending disapproval resolution. Prior to that vote, we will resume consideration of the Commerce-Justice- Science appropriations bill. We will be working in the morning with the two managers to begin to see how many amendments remain and which of the pending amendments are ready for votes. Again, I encourage Members to contact the chairman and ranking member and alert them if they intend to offer an amendment from that list. Tomorrow, we hope to make good progress on the bill as we move toward final passage. We will alert Senators as we stack additional votes throughout the afternoon. I also ask my colleagues for their additional consideration during rollcall votes. We will try to provide some continuity to the committee hearings and nomination hearings over the course of this week. I ask Members to be prompt for rollcall votes so that we can dispose of these amendments in a timely fashion.