Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party luncheons.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12. I further ask 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 then begin a period of morning business for up to 60 minutes, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the Democratic leader or his designee and the second 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee; provided that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 1268, the Iraq-Afghanistan supplemental appropriations bill, as provided under the previous order.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, tomorrow, following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the Iraq-Afghanistan supplemental. We began debating this important appropriations bill this afternoon, and it is my hope that we can begin the amending process early during tomorrow's session. The chairman and ranking member will be here to receive amendments, and I encourage all Senators who intend to offer an amendment to contact the managers as soon as possible. Again, Senators should expect a busy week this week as the Senate considers the Iraq-Afghanistan appropriations bill. Senators should expect votes throughout the week, with possible late night sessions.

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

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following the 5:30 p.m. vote today, the Senate then immediately proceed to consideration of S. Con. Res. 25; provided further, the Senate then proceed to a vote on adoption of the concurrent resolution, with no intervening action or debate, and no amendments in order to the resolution or preamble.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Senate will begin this afternoon with a period for morning business to allow Senators to make statements and introduce legislation. At 3 p.m. today, Chairman Cochran will be here to begin consideration of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for defense, the global war on terror, and tsunami relief. I expect opening statements on that bill during the afternoon. I also hope if Senators have amendments, they will begin to offer those amendments during today's session. At the very least, Senators should notify the cloakrooms of their desire to offer specific amendments so that the chairman and ranking member may begin the process of scheduling their considerations. I remind all Senators we have a vote scheduled this afternoon at 5:30 on the confirmation of a U.S. district judge. That is the nomination of Paul Crotty to the Southern District of New York. In addition to that vote, we have a resolution relating to airbus that we will likely schedule for a rollcall vote. Therefore, Senators can expect at least two votes today. I add that if amendments are offered to the appropriations bill today, I will also be talking to the managers of the bill and the Democratic leader about scheduling votes on those as well. This important bill provides necessary funds for the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as additional funding for humanitarian assistance related to the tsunami. I hope the Senate will act effectively and efficiently on this appropriations bill and use the underlying legislation as focus of the intent of this bill and not as target practice for other amendments. There has been a lot of discussion over the issue of immigration. I believe the Senate will need to address immigration reform. However, this is not the place for comprehensive immigration reform. We need to be thoughtful and deliberate on that issue and not allow funding for our troops to become ensnarled in that national debate. The Democratic leader and I have begun discussions on the aspect of how we might address immigration. I do urge our colleagues to show restraint on this issue and on other issues that will clearly slow down this emergency spending bill. Having said that, we will have a very busy week on the bill. We can expect full sessions and well into some evenings as we consider this legislation. I do thank my colleagues.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 96.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I agree with the understanding of the Senator from Mississippi.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I thank the Senator for his question. The phrases ``any additional action'' and ``large commercial aircraft market'' are solely intended to address those activities associated with business activities regarding the marketing and sale of large fixed-wing aircraft to commercial carriers in the passenger transportation market. They are not intended to address business activities of any specific company at the secondary or tertiary supplier level. Nor are they intended to address other business activities of any specific company engaged in other platform-related activities.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate voted this afternoon in support of the resolution I submitted along with the Democratic leader, Senator Reid, and the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee expressing the Senate's concern about various subsidies provided by European governments to Airbus. This resolution sends a strong signal that the Senate supports the President's leadership and commitment to leveling the playing field in the large civil aircraft market. As many of my colleagues know, the administration has been working hard to resolve this issue through the World Trade Organization, WTO. Last October, the United States filed a complaint at the WTO alleging that the subsidies provided to Airbus were in violation of WTO rules. This January, the European Union agreed to freeze launch aid payments and other support to Airbus while attempting to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on government support to the civil aircraft sector. Unfortunately, despite the heroic efforts by former U.S. Trade Representative and current Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, the negotiations begun in January have broken down. Nevertheless, I want to commend him in particular for his involvement in these talks and his commitment to achieving a fair resolution of this issue. Since January, there has been little discernible progress in addressing the launch aid issue, which directly affects Boeing, Airbus's main competitor in the civil aircraft market. The Senate, in passing this resolution today, is stating very clearly that EU subsidies to Airbus must end and that launch aid must be rejected in order to avoid WTO action by the U.S. I am encouraged by the comments of EU Trade Commissioner Mandelson in favor of extending the negotiation period that expires today to give both sides more time to reach a fair deal. However, additional discussions will only be productive if Commissioner Mandelson recommits to the framework agreed to 90 days ago. If the EU continues to flout the January agreement, WTO action may be unavoidable. In addition, in my view, if the EU were to provide any new launch aid support for the A350, the U.S. would have no choice but to immediately request a WTO panel. This would be the largest trade dispute in the history of the WTO. I hope we do not have to go that route. It would be much better if both sides would come back to the table and restart substantive negotiations with the goal of reaching a bilateral agreement. American companies can compete with anyone in the world, but not on an uneven playing field. Airbus is a mature, profitable company that should compete on commercial terms without government subsidies. This resolution today says that we believe the playing field must be leveled for all competitors in the commercial aircraft market. fourth ``resolved'' clause

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 102 which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 103 submitted earlier today.

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble 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, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 97, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to speak to the resolution that was just passed, along with my fellow Lady Vol fan and colleague, Senator Lamar Alexander, who is currently occupying the Chair. This is a resolution honoring our friend Pat Summitt, head coach for the University of Tennessee women's basketball team, as one of the greatest coaches in NCAA basketball history. For 31 seasons, Pat Summitt has served as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball team. When she first took the position in 1974 as a 22-year-old graduate teaching assistant, her team consisted of non-scholarship players who depended on her to wash their uniforms and drive the team's van. Only 53 fans witnessed Coach Summitt's first win that season. But from that day forth, Coach Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols started what is now an unprecedented winning tradition. This season, Pat became the Nation's all-time winningest NCAA basketball coach, men's or women's, with her 880th career victory, surpassing the legendary Coach Dean Smith of the University of North Carolina. Along the way, Pat Summitt has achieved unparalleled results on the court, elevating the Lady Vols to one of the elite programs in all of sports. Her resume consists of 15 30-plus win seasons, including one undefeated season record of 39 to 0. Pat has coached her team to six national titles, including back-to-back-to-back championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The Lady Vols played in their 16th Final Four this past Sunday as Pat Summitt set a new all-time record for Final Four appearances. Following her remarkable run in the 1990s, the Lady Vols were named ``Team of the Decade'' by ESPN, tying with the Florida State football team, and on October 13, 2000, Coach Summitt became only the fourth women's coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The University of Tennessee has recently honored Pat Summitt by renaming the court at Thompson-Boling Arena ``The Summitt.'' Today I join together with the many Lady Vols fans in acknowledging Coach Pat Summitt for her service to her team, the University of Tennessee, and the game of basketball. Her dedication to excellence over the past 31 years has been exemplary and has made her a role model for future generations of students, players, and coaches. Congratulations, Pat Summitt. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in about an hour and a half we will receive the address by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. It all began on November 22--not that long ago. On that icy Ukrainian day, hundreds of thousands of protesters from all over the countryside converged on Kiev's Independence Square to protest the Ukrainian Presidential election. The incumbent favored candidate, Viktor Yanukovych, had been declared the winner already. Meanwhile, nonpartisan, independent exit polling--or series of polls--showed that Viktor Yushchenko, leader of the opposition party, had a clear nine- point lead. For 17 days, in subzero weather, hundreds of thousands of men and women filled the streets of Independence Square, huddled in tents among strangers, braving the threats of police violence. It was an astonishing emotional display that stunned the world as these images came through our newspapers and across the television. After 17 days of this nonviolent solidarity, the people won. A new election was held. On January 23, Viktor Yushchenko was sworn in as the new President. The ``Orange Revolution'' will be forever emblazoned in the memories of all those who strive for freedom. On behalf of the Senate, I am privileged to welcome the leader of this historic moment, President Viktor Yushchenko, to our Nation's Capitol. Today, at 11 a.m. the President will address a joint session of Congress, making him the only leader of a former Soviet republic outside of Russia to do so. We are honored to have him address our highest legislative Chambers. We extend to him our congratulations and to the Ukrainian people our friendship and support. We are grateful for the sacrifices the Ukrainian military made in pursuing the cause of freedom and security in Iraq. However, much lies ahead. I am heartened by President Yushchenko's commitment to reform. Following his inauguration, the Senate pledged to support the Ukrainian people to establish full democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, and a free, transparent, and open economy. We firmly support Ukraine's independence and territorial sovereignty and their full integration into the international community of democracies. The President of the United States has requested resources to support Ukraine's democracy building. It goes without saying that the Senate supports funding Ukraine's efforts. I look forward to President Yushchenko's historic address to the Congress in a short while. He and the people of Ukraine have inspired the world and have written a new chapter in the story of human freedom. On that first day the marchers filled Independence Square, they chanted: ``Together we are many. We cannot be defeated.'' Today, on behalf of the American people, I say to the people of Ukraine: Together we are one. Freedom will prevail.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning, following the leader time, we will resume consideration of the State Department authorization. In a moment, we will consider a couple of resolutions that have been cleared, with some brief remarks. Following that, there will be debate time remaining before 10 this morning, to be used for the pending Biden amendment. At 10 a.m., we will vote on the Biden amendment as the agreement provided last night. Following that vote, the Senate will recess for a joint meeting of the House and Senate to receive an address by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, which is at 11 o'clock. Therefore, the Senate will proceed to the House of Representatives at approximately 10:30 this morning. At the conclusion of the joint meeting, we will resume debate on the State Department bill. I expect votes throughout the course of the afternoon and likely into the evening, if necessary, to finish that bill. I hope Members will show some restraint and not feel compelled to offer amendment after amendment to the underlying bill and only those amendments that are substantive and necessary. Chairman Lugar and Senator Biden are expected to be on the floor throughout the day working on amendments. Senators should notify their respective cloakrooms if they intend to offer an amendment to the State Department bill. We will need to work very efficiently over the course of the day. I ask for all Members' assistance in this process.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 98, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the Biden amendment and to second Chairman Lugar's remarks. The chairman is looking to the future of the United Nations and not to the past. The negotiations at the U.N. regarding U.N. reform and the lowering of U.N. peacekeeping dues are underway. Let us ensure that our next Ambassador to the United Nations has an opportunity to go to New York and to work on this issue. Our Ambassador will be working to lower U.S. dues. By adopting Senator Biden's amendment, we will make that job more difficult by conceding our willingness to live with the status quo. We have an opportunity to lower the U.S. rate to serve the U.S. taxpayers better and to make the U.N. more efficient if Congress does not send mixed signals to the U.N. Next week, the Foreign Relations Committee will have its hearing on John Bolton to be Ambassador to the U.N. We will have the opportunity to discuss this issue at length with him. Do we want to make his job that much harder by adopting this amendment? If we adopt this amendment, we undercut him before he gets there. It is time for real reform at the U.N. Achieving a sustainable level for peacekeeping assessments is an important first step. The Congress has spoken to this issue in the past. Let us give our Ambassador to the U.N. an opportunity to get up there and to lower our rates. Let us also not let this issue be the one item that threatens passage of this important legislation. I yield the floor.