Carte Goodwin

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the Access to Button Cell Batteries Act. This legislation will ensure that the small batteries we find in everything from car keys to musical greeting cards are properly secured, and kept out of the hands of our children. There is no question that technological progress makes our everyday activities a little easier. Such advancement has allowed for small batteries to be powerful enough to run many of today's devices, creating less bulky products. Unfortunately, with advanced technology comes a new potential hazard. Many may not know the possible consequences when a child gets their hands on these tiny batteries. Although many of these incidents are relatively harmless, should a child find one of these small button batteries, the consequences can be much, much worse--even deadly. We have discovered that battery ingestion has caused 13 deaths and numerous injuries, and from 1985 to 2009, there was an almost 7-fold increase in the percentage of ingestions with severe outcomes. This is unacceptable, and it is time for action. Lithium cell batteries, some the size of a penny, are a growing concern. Beyond the choking risk to children, the real issue is what happens when they are swallowed. The batteries can cause internal burns, and lasting damage can occur in just a couple of hours. These injuries can cause death or lifelong injuries including damaged vocal cords or torn intestinal tracts that require surgeries or feeding tubes. The Access to Button Cell Batteries Act would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to initiate a rule requiring that compartments on small battery products be properly secured. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the Access to Button Cell Batteries Act. This legislation will ensure that the small batteries we find in everything from car keys to musical greeting cards are properly secured, and kept out of the hands of our children. There is no question that technological progress makes our everyday activities a little easier. Such advancement has allowed for small batteries to be powerful enough to run many of today's devices, creating less bulky products. Unfortunately, with advanced technology comes a new potential hazard. Many may not know the possible consequences when a child gets their hands on these tiny batteries. Although many of these incidents are relatively harmless, should a child find one of these small button batteries, the consequences can be much, much worse--even deadly. We have discovered that battery ingestion has caused 13 deaths and numerous injuries, and from 1985 to 2009, there was an almost 7-fold increase in the percentage of ingestions with severe outcomes. This is unacceptable, and it is time for action. Lithium cell batteries, some the size of a penny, are a growing concern. Beyond the choking risk to children, the real issue is what happens when they are swallowed. The batteries can cause internal burns, and lasting damage can occur in just a couple of hours. These injuries can cause death or lifelong injuries including damaged vocal cords or torn intestinal tracts that require surgeries or feeding tubes. The Access to Button Cell Batteries Act would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to initiate a rule requiring that compartments on small battery products be properly secured. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. GOODWIN

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

Mr. GOODWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for up to 10 minutes.

Mr. GOODWIN. Mr. President, I rise to talk about an issue of incredible importance to my home State of West Virginia, to the Presiding Officer's home State of Virginia, and, indeed, to our entire country; that is, the safety of our coal miners. Unfortunately, during the past 4 years, West Virginia has dealt with three significant mining disasters. On an early morning in January 2006, an explosion rocked through a central West Virginia coal mine killing 12 people. Less than a month later, tragedy struck again at a mine fire in Logan County, where two more miners were lost, and just this past spring, West Virginians mourned, yet again, when 29 of their neighbors were lost in the worst coal mining disaster in nearly a half century. Through these tragedies, our Nation was sadly reminded of the dangers and risks miners face every day to provide a living for their families and affordable energy for our country. We collectively were reminded how important it is for miners, companies, and regulators to work together to keep our mines safe. Finally, we witnessed how my fellow West Virginians have come together in the midst of crisis and in a time of tragedy. Yet the story of West Virginia lies not simply in such tragedy but, rather, in the story of thousands of West Virginians who go to work every day to produce nearly half the electricity consumed in this country. It is a story of good-paying jobs with benefits that help form the foundation of strong families and strong communities across my home State. It is a story my predecessor, Robert C. Byrd, knew very well. In remarks he gave as a young Congressman in his maiden speech on the floor of the House of Representatives nearly 60 years ago, Senator Byrd emphasized the importance of coal in a speech lamenting our Nation's increasing dependence on foreign oil, remarking in that 1953 speech: We . . . must pursue not a policy that is detrimental to the economy of this nation and which impairs its strength while enriching other nations, but a policy that will strengthen our beloved country. Those are words that certainly resonate and ring true today, which is why we should continue our efforts to develop technologies that allow our country to harness this abundant energy source in a cleaner way, such as the bipartisan carbon sequestration bill put forward by Senators Rockefeller and Voinovich. Coal can and must be a part of the solution to the energy challenges of the 21st century. West Virginians know this and understand that our future depends on our ability as a nation to extract and burn coal more cleanly. West Virginians simply want to be part of that conversation and part of the solution. As we move forward to ensure coal's vital role in the future of our economy, we must simultaneously also keep our focus on assuring that mines remain safe. It is not simply about preventing or investigating a large-scale disaster when that may capture the attention of the Nation and the world for a brief period of time. Rather, when tragedy strikes in a coal mine, it is usually far away from satellite trucks, international media, and the glare of television cameras. All too often, when a coal miner is seriously injured or perishes or succumbs after a battle with black lung disease, it is simply a community and a family who mourns quietly. I would note that in addition to the 29 miners lost at Upper Big Branch, another 15 coal miners have been killed on the job so far this year, and it is only September. Sadly, these deaths often go unnoticed by the country at large. The loss is just as great and just as tragic to the families, which is why everyone must remain committed to coal mine safety each and every day and each and every shift. I know my colleagues in the Senate understand this and have taken this responsibility seriously. The changes brought about in 2006 after Sago and Aracoma were significant and positive. I was privileged to have played a small role in drafting legislation in West Virginia to help form part of the basis for the Federal MINER Act--the first comprehensive mine safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years. Our work, however, is not complete. In his final months of service to West Virginia and our Nation, Senator Byrd was working with Senator Rockefeller to craft and push additional mine safety legislation. During my brief tenure in this body, that has been a fight I have been honored to carry on. Although these efforts may not be completed during my tenure, I have every confidence that the Senate will continue its hard work on passing additional coal mine safety legislation. There are serious issues that additional legislation needs to address. We need comprehensive and targeted inspections and increased transparency in mine safety recordkeeping. We need a sophisticated and effective way to separate good operators from the bad. For those who are irresponsible, we need enhanced oversight and enhanced penalties. We need to strengthen protection for miners who speak out about unsafe conditions and make certain their livelihoods are not jeopardized when they choose to do so. Although my time in the Senate is not long, it has been and will always remain my enduring privilege to have served in this body alongside so many dedicated public servants, including and especially my friend, colleague, and senior Senator from West Virginia, Jay Rockefeller. My remarks here today are on behalf of the State we represent and her people whom we both revere. No coal miner should have to go to work fearing for his safety, and no coal miner should fear for his job for raising concerns about that safety. Coal mine safety is workplace safety, and it is the right thing for our country to do. I yield the floor.

Mr. GOODWIN

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

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider en bloc Executive Calendar Nos. 628, 740, 741, 742, 743, 929, 931, 961, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 1006, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, and 1082; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; and I now ask that the Senate proceed to Calendar Nos. 1083, 1084, 1085, 1086, 1087 and 1088, and that the nominations be confirmed.

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I move to reconsider the vote and lay that motion on the table; and I ask unanimous consent that no further motions be in order, that any statements relating to the nominations appear at the appropriate place in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6102, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

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

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 628, submitted earlier today.

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, there will be no rollcall votes during Monday's session of the Senate. The next vote is scheduled to occur at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Defense authorization bill.

Mr. GOODWIN

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

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 627, which was submitted earlier today.

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

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 629, submitted earlier today.

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, September 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate proceed to a period for the transaction of morning business until 3 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; and that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 3454, the Department of Defense authorization bill.

Mr. GOODWIN

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I understand that S. 3793, introduced earlier today by Senator Baucus, is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request.