Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I know Senator Nelson will have 2 minutes of remarks to make; 30 seconds for me. The next vote will be our last. We anticipate a voice vote on the confirmation of Dirk Kempthorne after cloture is invoked. We are working on agreement for when we return. I expect the next votes to occur on the morning of Tuesday, June 6. 100 Hours of Service as Presiding Officer Two quick congratulations: On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate two Senators for their presiding service. Earlier this week, Senator Vitter reached the 100-hour mark and will receive the Golden Gavel Award; and later this morning, Senator Isakson will get his 100th hour of service. We thank them both for their efforts in the Chair. (Applause, Members rising.)

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the vote on the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, and following that vote that Senator Landrieu be recognized for 10 minutes, Senator Stevens for 10 minutes, Senator Reed for 10 minutes, to be followed by Senator Byrd.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, over the next 20 minutes or so, we will be wrapping up what has been a very busy but very productive week, moving to a period which will begin with the celebration of this weekend, in the sense that a lot of people will be with families back at home, back with their constituents, back in their communities, but we will move very quickly to our Memorial Day recess. I will have a few statements to make, a few words to say on what will be going on, on Monday. We have had a very successful week in the sense that we have completed another nomination thus far. We will have a few more in a little bit that we have agreed to on both sides. We have completed an immigration bill that we worked on for about a month--initially, for 2 weeks, then a pause, and then for the last 2 weeks--a bill that, as I said yesterday, does reflect the will of this body. Not everybody agrees with it. Not anybody, I think, agrees with everything in that legislation. But it is comprehensive legislation that demonstrates that we are governing, addressing the very real problems, real challenges that face us in America today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. When we come back we will deal with a range of issues. I will have a little more to say about that in a bit, but the first issue we will come back to has to do with another institution, the institution of marriage. Throughout human history and culture, the union of a man and a woman has been recognized as the essential cornerstone of society. For millennia, marriage has served as a public act, a civil institution to bind men and women in the task of producing and nurturing their offspring. In some eras it has existed apart from romance, love, and mutual regard. In ours, we have embraced the ideal of marriage that deepens and enriches the bonds of love, that grows with every shared memory, endeavor, and challenge: husband and wife, father and mother, building a family and a community over a lifetime. At its root, marriage is and always has been a public institution that formalizes that family bond--its intent to further the community's interest in successfully rearing the next generation of healthy and prosperous citizens. But now, this fundamental institution is under attack. There is a concerted effort underway to redefine marriage against millennia of human experience and against the expressed wishes of the American people. Activist courts are usurping the power to define this social institution. And if marriage is redefined for anyone, it is redefined for everyone. The threat is real. Just last year voters in 13 States passed by enormous margins State constitutional amendments protecting marriage; 19 States have State constitutional amendments also to protect marriage, and 5 more States have amendments pending. In total, 45 States have either State constitutional amendments or laws to protect marriage. Tennessee will give voters the opportunity to voice their opinions on the sanctity of marriage this November. It is one of seven States with similar amendments pending to their constitutions. If a marriage protection law passes in Tennessee, we will join those 45 other States that have approved legislation that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and, indeed, no State has ever rejected an effort to protect traditional marriage when it has been on the ballot. So with this progress at the State level that expresses the overwhelming support of the American people, what is the problem? Why does it need to come to the floor of this body? Voting for marriage on the State ballot is not enough to protect the institution. I need to explain. Because same sex marriage advocates cannot win at the ballot box, activists are continuing their campaign to convince State and Federal courts to rewrite traditional marriage laws. Currently, nine States have lawsuits pending challenging marriage laws. In five States, courts could redefine marriage by the end of the year--California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. In California, Maryland, New York, and Washington, State trial courts have already followed Massachusetts and found the definition of marriage in their State constitutions unconstitutional. All these cases are on appeal. Already we have seen a Federal judge in Nebraska overturn a democratically enacted Nebraska State constitutional amendment protecting marriage. That ruling is now under appeal in the Eighth Circuit. Another Federal case in Washington challenges the constitutionality of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. The case is stayed, pending resolution of litigation in the Washington State Supreme Court. Because of these attempts to overturn State laws and constitutional amendments, this Senate needs to act. The American people deserve a full debate on this foundational issue before marriage is redefined for everyone. That is why, when we return from the Memorial Day recess, I will bring the marriage protection amendment to the Senate floor to ensure the definition of marriage endures and remains true to the wishes of the majority of the American people. The amendment is straightforward. The amendment is simple. It reads: Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the Constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman. That is it. It is simple, straightforward--it is two sentences. The truth is, on the question of marriage, the Constitution will be amended. The only question is whether it will be amended by Congress as the representative of the people or by judicial fiat. Will activist judges amend the Constitution or will the people amend the Constitution to preserve marriage as it has always been understood? I say the people should have a voice. The American people have a right to settle the question of what marriage will be in the United States. Marriage is an issue that rightly belongs in the hands of the people, of the American people. So before the courts impose a vast, untested social experiment for which children will bear the ultimate consequence, let the people hold a thorough debate. The matter before us is critical. The debate before us is essential. Let it be held now for this and future generations of Americans, and let it ultimately lead the way forward.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 418, the adjournment resolution; provided that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

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 the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I now ask for their 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 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3829, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3322, introduced earlier today.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, under the previous order, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that at 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, the Senate proceed to executive session, with 10 minutes of debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking member, followed by a vote on the confirmation of the following judicial nomination on the Executive Calendar: Calendar No. 626, Renee Marie Bumb to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; provided further that following the vote, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 497, which was submitted earlier today.

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. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, on May 30, 1868, mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. This marked the first observance of Memorial Day. On Monday, America will continue this tradition by honoring our Nation's fallen soldiers in ceremonies across the country. Ever since GEN George Washington defeated the British at Yorktown, American soldiers have honorably defended the cause of liberty in conflicts at home and, indeed, around the world. Today, our men and women in uniform are bravely waging the war on terror, taking the battle to the enemy so that the enemy does not do battle here at home. America thanks our soldiers for their dedication, for their determination, and for their patriotism. We honor the 25 million living veterans who have served their country in past wars with honor and courage. And we remember those patriots who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Two years ago, I had the privilege of attending the dedication of the National World War II Memorial. It was the largest gathering of surviving veterans in 60 years and an experience I will never forget. One of the veterans was asked how did they do it, how did ordinary young men set aside their fear in the face of extraordinary odds against determined enemies. The veteran replied simply: There's nothing else you can do but do your best and keep firing until the ammunition runs out. One of the inscriptions on the monument is a quote by President Truman. It embodies the patriotic spirit of this annual remembrance. It reads: Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. So on Monday, we remember, we honor, and we respect America's heroes, the men and women who did their best, and we repay in small measure the debt we owe them for their service and their sacrifice.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on today's Executive Calendar: Nos. 443, 573, 590, 591, 592, 593, 595, 615, 629, 640, 664, 665, 615, 640, 666, 667, 668, 669, 671, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 700, 701, 702, and 703 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk; provided further that the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of four lists of Coast Guard nominations at the desk and the Senate proceed to their consideration; I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment of the Senate, the majority leader and the senior Senator from Virginia be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today, we confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the DC Circuit, we confirmed General Hayden as CIA Director, and we confirmed a former colleague, Dirk Kempthorne, as Secretary of the Interior. In addition, we were able to confirm several nominations by unanimous consent. We have had a productive stretch in the last few weeks that we have been in session. Yesterday, we did pass the comprehensive immigration reform bill after a total of 4 weeks of good debate. Again, I congratulate the managers of the bill for their dedicated work in moving the bill along for passage. I congratulate Senators McCain and Kennedy, Senators Martinez and Hagel, and the entire Judiciary Committee which generated the bill, and all of my colleagues for their participation and active debate with amendments. When we return from the Memorial Day recess, we will continue on the motion to proceed to the marriage protection amendment. The first vote of the week will occur in the morning on Tuesday, June 6. That vote will be on a district judge nomination. As we head in into the Memorial Day recess, we honor all who have died serving our great Nation.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate proceed to S. Res. 236.

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, without further intervening action or debate.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask the Chair now lay before the Senate a House message to accompany S. 1235. The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives:

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I now ask for its second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under rule XIV, I object to my own request.

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, following the remarks of Senator Obama for 10 minutes, Senator Levin for 30 minutes, and then Senator Schumer.