Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk that is due for its second reading?

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in order to place the bill on the calendar under rule XIV, I object to further proceedings.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today we had a very busy day. We passed the Military Commissions Act, the Terrorist Tribunal Act, and also invoked cloture on the border fence bill, another very important piece of legislation. This evening, we reached agreement to consider the Department of Defense appropriations bill conference report, and tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock the Senate will vote on that conference report, and then we will resume the postcloture debate on the border fence bill. I remind my colleagues to be prepared for a busy day tomorrow, with votes throughout the day. Given the cloture vote this evening of 71 to 28, I hope we can expedite the border fence bill and finish it at an early hour tomorrow. This is a very important bill that focuses on border security and border security first, recognizing we have a lot more to do in the future, but it does give us that opportunity to address the fact that we have millions of people coming across the U.S. border every year illegally, and we need to start the enforcement of that border and that border security by a physical structure, UAVs, with cameras and sensors, specifically 700 miles of fence along that border. Following that, we will have the cloture vote on the message on the Child Custody Act, a very important bill that addresses one of our major initiatives here; that is, to secure America's values and look at the issue of a young girl being taken for an abortion across State lines without parental permission. It is common sense. We passed it on the floor of the Senate not too long ago, and this is an amended version that came over from the House, and now is the time for us to pass it once again. Beyond that, we have a number of other outstanding items that will need to be addressed before the recess. As we speak, issues surrounding our ports, again another part of that major thematic for this month of securing our homeland as we work on border security and funding the war on terror and giving our Government, our military, and our CIA the tools that we need to carry out this war on terror for our ports. Our port security has to be addressed. It is being addressed in conference. Conferees were appointed by the House earlier tonight and that conference met tonight, so I am very hopeful that we will be able to address port security over the next 24, 36 hours. In addition, we have nominations of the various judges that we need to consider before we leave. We have a treaty, U.S.-U.K. extradition that we need to address before we leave. There are other cleared items, including a large energy package. All of these are being held up tonight by the other side of the aisle, but I am very hopeful that we will be able to address these issues over the course of the next day or so. If we are unable to complete all of our work tomorrow, Senators can expect a Saturday session. It is clear, as I set out really 2 weeks ago, that we have a large agenda. We are moving along very, very well, making real progress, as shown by the six votes that we had over the course of the day. But we have a lot more to do, and we will stay until we finish that work either late tomorrow or into Saturday.

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 ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 29. 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 the transaction of morning business, with the time equally divided between the two leaders or their designees until 10 a.m.; further, that at 10 a.m., the Senate proceed to a vote on the adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R. 5631, the Department of Defense appropriations bill.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Thune) Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for 5 years we have been a nation at war. It is a war unlike any we have ever before fought. It is an ideological war against radicals and zealots. We are fighting a different kind of enemy--an enemy who seeks to destroy our values, to destroy our freedom, and to destroy our way of life, people who will kill and who will actually stop at nothing to bring America to its knees. It is a war against an enemy who won't back down, ever, telling interrogators: I will never forget your face. I will kill you. I will kill your brothers, your mother, your sisters. It is a war against an enemy who undertakes years of psychological training to consciously resist interrogation and to withhold information that could be critical to thwarting future threats, future attacks. But it is also a physical war. On the field of battle, it is a war that demands quick thinking and creativity. It demands tactics that entice the enemy to reveal his weaknesses. As we learned 5 years ago, safety and security aren't static states; they are dynamic, constantly shifting, constantly moving. We consistently and repeatedly have to be able to adjust and take stock and reassess and, when necessary, implement changes in response. In the past 5 years alone, in this body we have passed more than 70 laws and other bills related to the war on terror, but they haven't been enough. They haven't kept pace with the ever-changing field of battle. There is more we can do and, indeed, we must do. That is why over the last month we have focused the Senate agenda on security, and that is why today we address our Nation's security by debating one of the most serious and most urgent security issues currently facing the Nation: the detainment, questioning, and prosecution of enemy combatants--terrorists captured on the battlefield. A few weeks ago, I traveled with several of my colleagues to Guantanamo Bay. That is where the mastermind of 9/11 currently resides--Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. This man, the man the 9/11 Commission calls the principal architect behind the 9/11 attacks, didn't stop with 9/11. Not 1 month after 9/11, he was busy again plotting and planning, orchestrating, scheming, and conspiring to strike us again while we were still down. His next plot targeted the tallest buildings on the west coast with hijacked planes, buildings that house businesses and organizations absolutely critical to our economic and our financial stability, including the Library Tower in Los Angeles, CA. But this time, we were ready. We thwarted that plot, and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed now resides at Guantanamo. But he wouldn't reside there and we wouldn't have stymied his evil designs at that Library Tower if not for the ability to question detainees. Soon after 9/11, we detained an al-Qaida operative known as Abu Zubaydah. Under questioning, he yielded several operational leads. He revealed Shaikh Mohammed's role in the 9/11 attacks. Coupled with other sources, the information he gave up led to Shaikh Mohammed's capture and detainment. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed currently awaits prosecution. That prosecution cannot happen until we act. Our great Nation will know no justice--and his victims' families will know no justice--until Congress acts by passing legislation to establish these military commissions. Before we recess this week, we will complete this bill. We could complete it possibly today but if not, in the morning. The bill itself provides a legislative framework to detain, question, and prosecute terrorists. It reflects the agreement reached last week: Republicans united around the common goal of bringing terrorists to justice. It preserves our intelligence programs--intelligence programs that have disrupted terrorist plots and saved countless American lives. When we capture terrorists on the battlefield, we have a right to prosecute them for war crimes. This bill establishes a system that protects our national security while ensuring a full and fair trial for detainees. The bill formally establishes terrorist tribunals to prosecute terrorists engaged in hostilities against the United States for war crimes. Terrorist detainees will be tried by a 5- or 12-member military commission overseen by a military judge. They will have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the right to military and civilian counsel, the right to present exculpatory evidence, the right to exclude evidence obtained through torture, and the right to appeal. The bill also protects classified information--our critical sources and methods--from terrorists who could exploit it to plan another terrorist attack. It provides a national security privilege that can be asserted at trial to prevent the introduction of classified evidence. But the accused can be provided a declassified summary of that evidence. Moreover, the bill provides legal clarity for our treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions. It establishes a specific list of crimes that are considered grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. Ultimately, these procedures recognize that because we are at war, we should not try terrorists in the same way as our uniformed military or common civilian criminals. We must remember that we are fighting a different kind of enemy in a different kind of war. We are fighting an enemy who seeks to destroy our values, our freedoms, and our very way of life. To win this war, we must provide our military, intelligence, and law enforcement communities the tools they need to keep us safe. By formally establishing terrorist tribunals, the bill provides another critical tool in fighting the war on terror, and it provides a measure of justice to the victims of 9/11. Until Congress passes this legislation, terrorists such as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed cannot be tried for war crimes, and the United States risks fighting a blind war without adequate intelligence to keep us safe. That is simply unacceptable, and that is why this bill must be passed. I look forward over the next few hours to an open and civilized debate in the best traditions of the Senate. I urge my colleagues-- Republican, Democrat, and Independent alike--to work together to pass this bill. The American people can't afford to wait. Even though we are in the midst of an election year, this issue--the safety and security of the American people--should transcend partisan politics. The time to act is now. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, we have a period of 1 hour of morning business to start today's session. Following morning business, we have 1 hour of debate prior to a scheduled cloture vote on the pending amendment relating to military tribunals, to the military commissions. Before that cloture vote begins, the Democratic leader and I will continue to work toward an agreement that would allow us to consider the military tribunal legislation as a freestanding measure under a specific time agreement. We started talking about that yesterday and worked through the night, and we will continue over the course of the morning to reach that agreement. We are working in good faith toward an understanding on this bill and hope we will be able to work that out prior to that 11:30 a.m. vote. I will keep our colleagues posted as to the outcome of those talks. If we are able to reach a consent agreement, then I will vitiate the order for the cloture vote, and we will proceed directly to the military tribunals, the so-called Hamdan legislation, today. Votes will likely occur throughout the afternoon either on the cloture vote on that issue or on amendments that may be considered to the freestanding bill. We have a number of other important items to consider this week. The Defense appropriations conference report has been filed, and we do not expect that to take very much time at all. It may even be that we can do that at some point later today. We have the Homeland Security appropriations that will shortly be completed, as well as other conference reports that are underway, such as port security, which may become available. I remind my colleagues that we have a policy meeting on this side of the aisle to occur from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. today. If we can schedule debate on one of these issues during that time, we will likely be able to remain in session in order to make progress. I have a brief statement. Does the Democratic leader have comments?

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, we will continue our discussions. The goal will be to make sure Senators do have the opportunity to debate and amend this bill. We are just trying to put together an agreement to do that. If not, we will have the cloture vote and still have that debate and that opportunity as we go forward.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to comment briefly on another issue, the National Competitiveness Investment Act of 2006, a bill that was introduced yesterday with bipartisan sponsorship--myself and Senator Reid--a bill that focuses on our global competitiveness by focusing on education, by focusing on the resources we should be investing right here at home to make sure we are globally competitive with nations such as China and India. If we don't act, our Nation is going to lose our competitive edge. The United States today has the strongest scientific and technological enterprise in the world, including the best universities and the best corporations investing in research. But there is growing evidence and recognition that our educational system is failing to equip our young people and older people today to compete in this increasingly global economy. We are failing in the very areas that have in the past underpinned our strength, in areas such as mathematics, science, and engineering. We are going to have to invest in the future in those specific areas if we are going to preserve our competitive edge, what has made this country great, as we have competed with other nations around the world. We are in a 21st century global economy which depends on mathematics, science, and technology. Those are the foundations. They are the engine to create that economic security for the next generation. Two years ago, the Senate Energy Committee asked the National Academies to identify policies that would enable the United States to successfully compete and prosper. The National Competitiveness Investment Act of 2006, a bipartisan bill we introduced yesterday, incorporates the recommendations made by the National Academies and a number of other very similar studies that have been produced over the last 2 to 3 years. The bill reflects the bipartisan leadership of many Senators, including those of the three major Senate committees responsible-- Energy, Commerce, and the HELP Committee. In these few moments, I wish to comment on what this bill does because it is important for people to understand how we invest and where we invest to improve that global competitiveness in this 21st century economy. The bill doubles our investment for basic Federal research over the next 5 years at the National Science Foundation and increases investment for basic research at NASA and other science-related agencies. It creates a new teachers institute to improve teaching techniques-- how we teach math and science--focusing on education, on teachers who are responsible for putting forth that knowledge. It creates a DARPA-modeled advanced research projects agency at the Department of Energy dedicated to the goal of increasing innovation and competitiveness breakthroughs in technology. It expands scholarship programs that are aimed to recruit and train math and science teachers--teachers who really need to focus on the K- 12 area. It encourages more students, more high school students, to take advanced placement courses and enter the international baccalaureate programs. It will take an increased investment. Over the next 5 years, our economy will exceed $76 trillion--$76 trillion is how big our economy will grow. A 1-percent investment for the future is really a small price to pay for that continued security and leadership in the world. I did not have the opportunity to speak to this bill yesterday when it was introduced. I encourage our colleagues to join the bipartisan leadership--again, myself and Senator Reid who are sponsors of this legislation. Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for the information of our colleagues, we will engage in a unanimous consent request which will set out the activity for the afternoon and possibly early evening on the Supreme Court Hamdan decision. I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motion with respect to amendment No. 5036 be withdrawn, and that further, the cloture vote scheduled in relation to H.R. 6061 be delayed to occur following the disposition of S. 3930, and that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 634, S. 3930, relating to military tribunals; provided further, that the substitute amendment, the text of which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to as original text for the purpose of further amendment; provided further, that the only other amendments in order, other than any managers' amendments which are to be cleared by both managers and the two leaders, be the following: Levin, substitute; Rockefeller, congressional oversight; Kennedy, interrogation; Byrd, sunset; Specter, habeas. I further ask unanimous consent that the listed amendments be limited to 60 minutes equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, other than the Specter amendment and the Levin amendment which will be limited to 2 hours equally divided, as stated above, and that there be 3 hours for general debate equally divided, again, between the two leaders or their designees. I further ask unanimous consent that following the disposition of the above amendments and the use or yielding back of time, the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to a vote on passage, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I will have an opening statement on the bill. But what we have done is set out, with a time agreement, a way to address a very important piece of legislation. I appreciate the Democratic leader and his caucus, our leadership and our caucus all agreeing upon this outline of how we will address an issue that will make us safer and more secure. We will turn to the bill, and then I will make an opening statement, and then we will start right in with the amendment process following my opening remarks.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to speak about the use of ultrasound imaging by emergency physicians. October 2006 marks the 10-year anniversary of the establishment of the American College of Emergency Physicians, ACEP, Section of Emergency Ultrasound, which actively encourages research and training of emergency physicians in the use of emergency ultrasound. October 15, 2006, celebrates Emergency Ultrasound Day. As a trauma surgeon, I spent many days and nights serving the emergency department. Emergency ultrasound, defined as the use of ultrasound imaging at the patient's bedside, is a critical component of quality emergency medical care. Ultrasound imaging enhances the physician's ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients in the emergency department. It provides immediate information and can answer specific questions about the patient's physical condition, such as determining whether a presenting patient has thoracic and abdominal traumas, ectopic pregnancy, pericardial effusion, and many other conditions. High-quality emergency care is dependent on rapid diagnostic tools, enhanced safety of emergency procedures, and reduced treatment time. Imaging technology has greatly improved quality of care and made invasive medical procedures safer. Emergency physicians are trained in the use of imaging equipment during their residency as well as continuing medical education courses. Hospital privileges further validate this training. Emergency ultrasound has moved outside the hospital due to its compact nature. In fact, emergency ultrasound technology is helpful onsite during military and disaster medical care. It has served in the care of America's brave military troops during both the gulf and Iraq wars. Also, emergency ultrasound was used to care for patients last year after Hurricane Katrina and will be helpful in responding to other disasters and mass casualty events. Mr. President, I congratulate the work of the ACEP Section of Emergency Ultrasound. It has increased awareness of the contribution and value of emergency ultrasound by emergency physicians in the medical care of emergency patients, survivors of disasters, and our military forces serving at home and abroad. Research in this field should continue to be encouraged to allow the adaptation of critical technologies to continually improve the quality of emergency care.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, like all of my colleagues in this body, I recognize that our immigration system needs vast improvements. While we have spent a great deal of time discussing immigration over the past year, it appears unlikely that this body will pass comprehensive reform before we break for the recess. This week we have been discussing an important bill that would begin the process completely securing our southern border. I support that bill wholeheartedly and I would also hope to make other improvements to our immigration laws we can make before we end this session. Today, therefore, I'm proposing four separate bills intended to strengthen our immigration system. One will help military men and women become citizens more quickly, another will make it easier to remove gang members from our country, another will impose tough penalties on people who tunnel beneath our borders, and the fourth will begin an effort to stop illegal immigration at its source. I'd like to discuss all four bills briefly . . . they have different purposes and will all complement each other in efforts to improve our immigration system. I am introducing the Community Protection Against International Gangs Act. Street gangs remain the bane of our society. Their members sell narcotics, steal, and commit horrific acts of violence. Many of these gangs--groups like Mara Salvatrucha, better known as MS-13--draw their membership from immigrants to the United States. While the overwhelming majority of immigrants in the United States obey the law, those who join these gangs wreak havoc on immigrant communities all over the country. To protect our Nation, we need to stop them . . . now. Thus, I'm proposing the CPAIGA Act. This law will make our policy clear: immigrants who join gangs are no longer welcome in our country. Under my bill, anyone who joins a gang or helps one faces immediate deportation proceedings. In addition, my bill will let the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security deny visas to the nationals of any country that refuses to take back its own criminals. I am also introducing the Enhanced Border Tunnel Prevention Act. To enhance our crackdown on sophisticated criminal conspiracies, we should also impose tough new penalties on those who construct tunnels under our border. People who build tunnels, or allow them to be built on land that they own or control, should face serious time in prison. Smugglers who use them should have their penalties doubled. We can't allow our borders to become a sieve. In addition, I am introducing the Soldiers to Citizens Act. Just as we make it clear that criminals have no place in the United States, we should simultaneously do everything we can to welcome the finest people from around the world. Every year, over 8,000 people who are not U.S. citizens enlist in our armed forces. They serve with valor and distinction . . . they defend our liberty. If they wish to become citizens, they should not face unnecessary burdens. Under my legislation, anyone who gives our military 2 years of honorable and satisfactory service can acquire citizenship under an expedited process. Service in the military strongly implies that a person has acquired the things we expect from new citizens: a command of English, good moral character, understanding of our history and appreciation for our democratic institutions. Thus, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines whose chains of command certify that they've met these requirements should be able to acquire citizenship by filling out some simple paperwork and swearing the citizenship oath. I believe that the Senate should do everything it can to speed the citizenship process for others in the military who do not want to avail themselves of this process. In particular, we must do away with the burdensome, duplicative process that requires military enlistees to give fingerprints once when they join the military and again when they apply for citizenship. At the same time, we should establish a high- quality, toll-free information center to provide timely, accurate information to any servicemember interested in becoming a citizen. Finally, I am introducing the Illegal Immigration Source Study and Focus Act. Finally, I believe we need to do more to deal with the underlying causes of much illegal immigration: social, economic, and political conditions in Mexico that lead many to believe they have no choice but as to leave their homeland. Illegal immigration hurts both the United States and Mexico. Our governments must work together so we can understand what areas produce the most illegal immigrants and what we might do to help immigrants. My bill would begin a process of collaboration. It will mandate regular reports on the areas that produce the most illegal immigrants and, just as importantly, focus our own aid to Mexico on improving the conditions that produce illegal immigration in the first place. Steps like those I have proposed will not change our immigration system overnight. They will not end illegal immigration. But they will make our cities safer, stem the flow of illegal immigration, and help those who serve in our armed forces. These are worthy measures and I urge all of my colleagues to support them. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bills be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, like all of my colleagues in this body, I recognize that our immigration system needs vast improvements. While we have spent a great deal of time discussing immigration over the past year, it appears unlikely that this body will pass comprehensive reform before we break for the recess. This week we have been discussing an important bill that would begin the process completely securing our southern border. I support that bill wholeheartedly and I would also hope to make other improvements to our immigration laws we can make before we end this session. Today, therefore, I'm proposing four separate bills intended to strengthen our immigration system. One will help military men and women become citizens more quickly, another will make it easier to remove gang members from our country, another will impose tough penalties on people who tunnel beneath our borders, and the fourth will begin an effort to stop illegal immigration at its source. I'd like to discuss all four bills briefly . . . they have different purposes and will all complement each other in efforts to improve our immigration system. I am introducing the Community Protection Against International Gangs Act. Street gangs remain the bane of our society. Their members sell narcotics, steal, and commit horrific acts of violence. Many of these gangs--groups like Mara Salvatrucha, better known as MS-13--draw their membership from immigrants to the United States. While the overwhelming majority of immigrants in the United States obey the law, those who join these gangs wreak havoc on immigrant communities all over the country. To protect our Nation, we need to stop them . . . now. Thus, I'm proposing the CPAIGA Act. This law will make our policy clear: immigrants who join gangs are no longer welcome in our country. Under my bill, anyone who joins a gang or helps one faces immediate deportation proceedings. In addition, my bill will let the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security deny visas to the nationals of any country that refuses to take back its own criminals. I am also introducing the Enhanced Border Tunnel Prevention Act. To enhance our crackdown on sophisticated criminal conspiracies, we should also impose tough new penalties on those who construct tunnels under our border. People who build tunnels, or allow them to be built on land that they own or control, should face serious time in prison. Smugglers who use them should have their penalties doubled. We can't allow our borders to become a sieve. In addition, I am introducing the Soldiers to Citizens Act. Just as we make it clear that criminals have no place in the United States, we should simultaneously do everything we can to welcome the finest people from around the world. Every year, over 8,000 people who are not U.S. citizens enlist in our armed forces. They serve with valor and distinction . . . they defend our liberty. If they wish to become citizens, they should not face unnecessary burdens. Under my legislation, anyone who gives our military 2 years of honorable and satisfactory service can acquire citizenship under an expedited process. Service in the military strongly implies that a person has acquired the things we expect from new citizens: a command of English, good moral character, understanding of our history and appreciation for our democratic institutions. Thus, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines whose chains of command certify that they've met these requirements should be able to acquire citizenship by filling out some simple paperwork and swearing the citizenship oath. I believe that the Senate should do everything it can to speed the citizenship process for others in the military who do not want to avail themselves of this process. In particular, we must do away with the burdensome, duplicative process that requires military enlistees to give fingerprints once when they join the military and again when they apply for citizenship. At the same time, we should establish a high- quality, toll-free information center to provide timely, accurate information to any servicemember interested in becoming a citizen. Finally, I am introducing the Illegal Immigration Source Study and Focus Act. Finally, I believe we need to do more to deal with the underlying causes of much illegal immigration: social, economic, and political conditions in Mexico that lead many to believe they have no choice but as to leave their homeland. Illegal immigration hurts both the United States and Mexico. Our governments must work together so we can understand what areas produce the most illegal immigrants and what we might do to help immigrants. My bill would begin a process of collaboration. It will mandate regular reports on the areas that produce the most illegal immigrants and, just as importantly, focus our own aid to Mexico on improving the conditions that produce illegal immigration in the first place. Steps like those I have proposed will not change our immigration system overnight. They will not end illegal immigration. But they will make our cities safer, stem the flow of illegal immigration, and help those who serve in our armed forces. These are worthy measures and I urge all of my colleagues to support them. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bills be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today we will begin the session with a 1- hour period of morning business. At the conclusion of the morning business period, we will address the pending bill, H.R. 6061, the secure fence legislation. I filed cloture on the pending amendment and the underlying bill last night, and I will speak to that process in a moment. I do want to remind everyone that the consent agreement now provides that all first- degree amendments to the secure fence bill must be filed at the desk no later than 2:30 today in order to qualify under rule XXII. Today we will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 in order to accommodate one of our weekly policy meetings. To further explain, last night I filed an amendment to the secure fence bill, and that amendment included language to establish the military tribunals, the legislation that is in response to the Hamdan legislation from several months ago which the Supreme Court has handed down, which reflects the agreement announced last week between the President and Senate Republicans. I also filed cloture on this amendment last night, as well as cloture on the secure fence bill. There will be a cloture vote Wednesday on the Hamdan amendment. If that cloture on the amendment is invoked, there would be time for postcloture debate on the amendment. Once all postcloture time is expired, there would then be a vote on the adoption of the amendment, followed immediately by a cloture vote on the secure fence legislation. All those votes would be Thursday. I explained that last night, and I explain it again now because it illustrates the procedural moves that have to be made in order to finish this bill with certainty before we depart on Friday or Saturday. It is critical that we do so. The very important, critical, high-value interrogation programs cannot continue until we legislate, and indeed the military tribunals, military commissions cannot take place in terms of trying these enemy combatants until we act. It is important with regard to what I said for people to understand that the Democratic leader and I and our caucuses are working very hard to get a unanimous consent agreement to consider the Hamdan legislation freestanding. However, last night we did not reach that agreement, or early this morning, but I am very hopeful that we can do so shortly. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the National Competitiveness Investment Act of 2006. Unfamiliar as it might sound to some, I am joined by the Democratic Leader, Senator Reid, on this important legislation. This truly is a bipartisan bill. It reflects the fact that when it comes to our country's economic future, there is wide bipartisan support for those policies that will keep the United States competitive in this ever changing, dynamic, global economy of the 21st century. The bill we are introducing today is a product of many Senators who have come together . . . who put aside political affiliations . . . to craft a broad comprehensive bill. The legislation has evolved over the course of the 109th Congress. Two years ago, under the leadership of Senators Domenici, Alexander, and Bingaman, the Senate Energy Committee asked the National Academies what were those policies that--if enacted--would enhance the science and technology enterprise so that the United States could successfully compete, prosper, and be secure in this new century. Out of that request, the National Academies created a high level committee of experts headed by the respected former CEO of Lockheed, Norm Augustine. Chairman Augustine put the problem in stark terms when he wrote last December: ``In the five decades since I began working in the aerospace industry, I have never seen American business and academic leaders as concerned about this nation's future prosperity as they are today.'' The U.S. today has the strongest scientific and technological enterprise in the world, including the best research universities. But there is growing evidence and recognition that our educational system is failing in those areas that have directly underpinned our strength-- science, engineering, and mathematics. We must invest for the future in those areas if we are to maintain our technological edge in the world. The Augustine report entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' did identify four broad areas for policy action. These were: 1. Increase the talent pool by improving K-12 science and math education. 2. Strengthen the Nation's traditional commitment to reseaerch. 3. Increase the talent pool by improving higher education focus on training math and science teachers. 4. Improve incentives, primarily through the tax code, for innovation. The President's budget also recognizes the need to target Federal resources on those areas that will allow the country to continue to lead in innovation. The President's ``American Competitiveness Initiative'' similarly focuses on increasing resources for basic research and science, and by filling gaps in our education competitiveness agenda with expanded ``Math Now'', Adjunct Teacher Corps, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. Trying to put all this into one piece of legislation has been a challenge. Indeed, at least three different Senate Committees--Energy, Commerce, and HELP--all have jurisdiction over programs and policies in this area. This does not even address tax policies under the jurisdiction of the Finance Committee. So in July I directed the three major Senate Committees with responsibility for authorizing legislation to combine their various proposals into one bill. The bill Senator Reid and I introduce today is the result of a lot of hard work over the summer and August recess month. First I want to acknowledge the leadership of Senator Ensign, Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness in helping to produce this legislation. Second, I thank the Chairmen and Ranking Members of Energy, Commerce, and the HELP Committees for their dedication to this project--Senators Domenici, Bingaman, Stevens, Inouye, Enzi, and Kennedy. Finally, Senators Alexander, Lieberman, Hutchison, Nelson, and Mikulski have contributed their time and insights into this important legislation and I am sure there are others I have failed to mention. While the legislation does not address all of the issues raised in the various studies--it is doubtful anyone piece of legislation could-- it nonetheless is a start, it is a good first step, and of course it is a bipartisan first step. The legislation would, among other things: 1. Authorize a doubling of the funding for basic Federal research over the next 5 years at the National Science Foundation, and significantly expand funding for basic research at National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and NASA. 2. Recruit and train needed new math and science teachers. 3. Create new Teachers Institutes to improve the teaching techniques for math and science. 4. Create a DOE--DARPA dedicated to the goal of increasing innovation and competitive breakthroughs in technology. 5. Expand scholarship programs to recruit and train math and science teachers at the K-12 level. 6. Increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses and entering International Baccalaureate programs, and 7. Increase funding for ``early career'' researchers. Authorizations for these programs would total $73 billion over the next five years, less than $2.0 billion above the President's request. When we consider that over the next five years our economy will exceed $76 trillion--a 1 percent investment for the future seems a small price to pay for our continued economic security and leadership in the world. This legislation is the correct thing to do for the country's future economic security. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the National Competitiveness Investment Act of 2006. Unfamiliar as it might sound to some, I am joined by the Democratic Leader, Senator Reid, on this important legislation. This truly is a bipartisan bill. It reflects the fact that when it comes to our country's economic future, there is wide bipartisan support for those policies that will keep the United States competitive in this ever changing, dynamic, global economy of the 21st century. The bill we are introducing today is a product of many Senators who have come together . . . who put aside political affiliations . . . to craft a broad comprehensive bill. The legislation has evolved over the course of the 109th Congress. Two years ago, under the leadership of Senators Domenici, Alexander, and Bingaman, the Senate Energy Committee asked the National Academies what were those policies that--if enacted--would enhance the science and technology enterprise so that the United States could successfully compete, prosper, and be secure in this new century. Out of that request, the National Academies created a high level committee of experts headed by the respected former CEO of Lockheed, Norm Augustine. Chairman Augustine put the problem in stark terms when he wrote last December: ``In the five decades since I began working in the aerospace industry, I have never seen American business and academic leaders as concerned about this nation's future prosperity as they are today.'' The U.S. today has the strongest scientific and technological enterprise in the world, including the best research universities. But there is growing evidence and recognition that our educational system is failing in those areas that have directly underpinned our strength-- science, engineering, and mathematics. We must invest for the future in those areas if we are to maintain our technological edge in the world. The Augustine report entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' did identify four broad areas for policy action. These were: 1. Increase the talent pool by improving K-12 science and math education. 2. Strengthen the Nation's traditional commitment to reseaerch. 3. Increase the talent pool by improving higher education focus on training math and science teachers. 4. Improve incentives, primarily through the tax code, for innovation. The President's budget also recognizes the need to target Federal resources on those areas that will allow the country to continue to lead in innovation. The President's ``American Competitiveness Initiative'' similarly focuses on increasing resources for basic research and science, and by filling gaps in our education competitiveness agenda with expanded ``Math Now'', Adjunct Teacher Corps, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. Trying to put all this into one piece of legislation has been a challenge. Indeed, at least three different Senate Committees--Energy, Commerce, and HELP--all have jurisdiction over programs and policies in this area. This does not even address tax policies under the jurisdiction of the Finance Committee. So in July I directed the three major Senate Committees with responsibility for authorizing legislation to combine their various proposals into one bill. The bill Senator Reid and I introduce today is the result of a lot of hard work over the summer and August recess month. First I want to acknowledge the leadership of Senator Ensign, Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness in helping to produce this legislation. Second, I thank the Chairmen and Ranking Members of Energy, Commerce, and the HELP Committees for their dedication to this project--Senators Domenici, Bingaman, Stevens, Inouye, Enzi, and Kennedy. Finally, Senators Alexander, Lieberman, Hutchison, Nelson, and Mikulski have contributed their time and insights into this important legislation and I am sure there are others I have failed to mention. While the legislation does not address all of the issues raised in the various studies--it is doubtful anyone piece of legislation could-- it nonetheless is a start, it is a good first step, and of course it is a bipartisan first step. The legislation would, among other things: 1. Authorize a doubling of the funding for basic Federal research over the next 5 years at the National Science Foundation, and significantly expand funding for basic research at National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and NASA. 2. Recruit and train needed new math and science teachers. 3. Create new Teachers Institutes to improve the teaching techniques for math and science. 4. Create a DOE--DARPA dedicated to the goal of increasing innovation and competitive breakthroughs in technology. 5. Expand scholarship programs to recruit and train math and science teachers at the K-12 level. 6. Increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses and entering International Baccalaureate programs, and 7. Increase funding for ``early career'' researchers. Authorizations for these programs would total $73 billion over the next five years, less than $2.0 billion above the President's request. When we consider that over the next five years our economy will exceed $76 trillion--a 1 percent investment for the future seems a small price to pay for our continued economic security and leadership in the world. This legislation is the correct thing to do for the country's future economic security. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

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 upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record as if read, without intervening action or debate.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 613, S. 3679.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I now send a cloture motion to the desk on the underlying bill.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment No. 5031.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.

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

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