Dean Heller

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I wish to honor long-time Las Vegas resident and veteran, Willie McTear, who served our Nation in Vietnam. Our Nation's veterans--the very men and women who put themselves in harm's way--protect the freedoms that Americans enjoy every day. I am grateful to these brave men and women in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, who make significant sacrifices in service to our Nation. I am humbled to honor Mr. McTear for his dedication while serving in the military as a Rifleman/90mm Specialist. Mr. McTear is a veteran of Charlie Company, which was one of the last combat infantries of 160 men to be drafted, trained, and sent to fight in Vietnam. Despite significant risks and challenges, the men of the 4th Battalion of the 47th Infantry saw their service as a rite of passage. However, it did not come without the wounds of war and the loss of close comrades, and for that, our Nation is indebted to these servicemembers. Serving on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals, but to ensure they are cared for when they return home. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation. Today, we commend Mr. McTear for his acts of valor and the continuous sacrifices made by all of our servicemembers to ensure the safety and security of our Nation. We owe them and their families a great deal of gratitude for their commitment to America. I am proud to join the citizens of Nevada in recognizing Mr. McTear, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his service on behalf of this great Nation.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I wish to honor Nevadan Ed Vogel for his longtime dedication to journalistic integrity and for providing Nevadans with quality reporting. Working 35 years with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ed has covered the gamut of news stories as the RJ's Capital Bureau Chief. My fondest memories of Ed go as far back as when I served as secretary of state. It was with great pleasure that Ed and I operated with an open-door policy. Whenever he walked into my office, I knew I should settle in for an interesting story or an entertaining anecdote. I look back on those conversations fondly. Ed is a true character, and one that will be greatly missed in the halls of our Nation's Capitol. Well-known throughout Nevada for his endless curiosity, Ed was introduced to the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2012. His experience spans the better part of four decades, beginning back in 1971, he serves as an example within his profession. Committed to the story, truth above all, his words' worth today is immeasurable. As Ed announces his retirement, I reflect fondly upon our interviews together and wish him the best of luck in his new era of life. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this upstanding Nevada journalist.

Mr. HELLER

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

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

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I rise to recognize the great State of Nevada, as we celebrate 150 years of statehood. It is a remarkable opportunity to speak on the floor of this Chamber about this milestone, given the role the Congress played in the formation of the Silver State. The movement to make the Nevada Territory a State began within the territory, but the first attempt to formulate a Constitution failed. Shortly after, the 38th Congress passed an enabling act for Nevada statehood. Signed by President Abraham Lincoln on March 21, 1864, this bill made it possible for Nevada to eventually adopt a State constitution. Lincoln proclaimed Nevada a State on October 31, 1864. The guarantee of statehood was given to us by Abraham Lincoln, who, without assistance, would go on to pass the 13th amendment, win the Civil War, and heal our broken Nation. Marking the 150th year of Nevada's statehood takes me back to Carson City when I was just 4 years old. It was Nevada's centennial celebration, the date was October 31, 1964. I remember being with my family, sitting on the lawn, listening to the Carson City Municipal Band lead the festivities at the State capitol. During that same year, 1964, Lyndon Johnson was reelected over Barry Goldwater and would go on to declare a war on poverty. In 1964, race riots broke out in Harlem. Across the Nation, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. The 24th amendment to abolish the use of poll taxes was ratified. In 1964, the Summer Olympics were held in Tokyo, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, which ultimately allowed for increased military action in Vietnam. The James Bond film ``Goldfinger'' began its run in the United States and ``Bewitched'' premiered on television. So much has changed in these past 50 years, but the character of Nevada has not. From its first birthday to its 100th, to its 150th, Nevada continues to be shaped by its people, people who are entrepreneurial, fiercely independent, and as diverse as our terrain. We are molded by the grit, hard work, and pioneering spirit of individuals determined to succeed. The list of men and women who have molded our State is long. Where some saw impossibility, a Nevada Senator by the name of Newlands saw opportunity. To this day, his legacy lives on in the hay, the cattle, and the very fields that were made possible by the waters he brought to this desert. Standing among our Nation's great, frozen in bronze, greeting visitors to the Nation's Capitol is another Nevadan, Sarah Winnemucca. She, similar to many Nevadans, challenged the status quo. She refused to accept the injustices brought on her Native American brothers and sisters. Instead of fighting with a weapon, she fought with her pen. Through her words, the plight of our fellow Americans living on reservations was heard. Of course, in Nevada, Mark Twain was born. Samuel Clemens adopted the famous pen name while covering the news for the Enterprise in Virginia City. Twain wrote eloquently about Nevada, from the rough-and-tumble attitude of the Wild West to the beauty of Lake Tahoe, dubbing it ``surely the fairest picture that the whole earth affords.'' Any visitor to this pristine landscape would also agree. More recently, I think of Paul Laxalt, the former Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and U.S. Senator from Nevada. Among other things, he was instrumental in preserving Lake Tahoe and establishing our State's first community colleges and our medical school; or former Representative Barbara Vucanovich, who will be recorded in the history books as the first woman to represent Nevada in the U.S. House of Representatives. This alone is a remarkable achievement, but the integrity and determination with which she fulfilled her duties makes her achievement even grander. Former State Senator Bill Raggio also comes to mind. He was a true statesman and the longest serving member in the history of the Nevada State Senate. These individuals have left their mark, but it is the people of Nevada who have forged the Silver State. During the formation of our State's constitution, Nevadans demanded that our State's mothers and sisters be heard. The women of Nevada were granted the voice of a vote before the 19th Amendment was ratified by our Nation. We helped pioneer the vote for all. During World War II, when our brave soldiers fought for peace and prosperity, Nevadans who were not able to fight abroad brought forth minerals such as magnesium from the ground. Magnesium, harvested near the township of Henderson, was considered a miracle metal for the munitions and airport parts which would help lead to us victory. The residents of Boulder City built the Hoover Dam, a government infrastructure project which holds back 26 million acre-feet of water. The dam was completed early and under budget. With an expected 2,000- year lifespan, the Hoover Dam supplies clean energy to the grid, water to thirsty cities across the Southwest, and protection to downstream communities. Ever since we were borne into the battle to mend our broken Nation, Nevadans have been willing and able. Although our population is small, our caliber is high. From all walks of life, brave Nevadans have heard and responded to the call to arms. At Naval Air Station Fallon, we host the Navy's top gun school. The elite men and women of our Armed Forces who train here push the limit, compete, and set the tone for global air superiority. Welcoming tourists from across the globe, farming, mining, engineering, ranching, and serving in the Armed Forces, these are just a few things we Nevadans do. And as our State motto goes, all of these are done ``all for our country.'' Recent times have been tough in Nevada, but our pioneer spirit lives on. We continue to move forward. We have seen the booms and now, more than most, we continue to feel the most recent bust. Like many in our great Nation, Nevadans have lost homes, livelihoods, and the promise of a steady paycheck, but this will not deter us. Our State is battle born. We will continue to fulfill our 150-year-old promise of being willing and able to give all for our country. I am a proud Nevadan, and as the son of a auto mechanic from Carson City, it is a privilege to stand on this Senate floor to recognize our State's 150 years of Statehood. Before I close, I thank Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki, chair of the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission, for the hard work he has put into recognizing this important milestone. Over the course of this year, the commission has planned and overseen many events and activities, providing Nevadans an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. Syria

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Connor Perkins on obtaining one of the Boy Scouts of America's highest ranks of Eagle Scout. Connor began this journey as a Cub Scout in 2005 and 5 years later became a Boy Scout with Troop 695. His commitment to excellence continues to expand his record of 35 merit badges, 80 hours of community service, and 100 miles of hiking. Connor has also assumed leadership roles in the Scouts, serving as a den chief for the newer members, including his younger brother Bradley. Furthermore, Connor has lead as troop guide and historian, and he is presently the troop's senior patrol leader. As one of tomorrow's leaders, Connor enhances my faith in our great Nation's future. It is truly an honor for me to help in celebrating his advancement to Eagle Scout. Continuing at this level of accomplishment, with such a strong commitment to civic duty, Connor will certainly be a strong, contributing citizen of this great Nation. Connor plans to continue being an active Scout, even after receiving his Eagle status. The guidance of his loving parents and Scout leaders has undoubtedly instilled him with these motivations to do a good turn and make change daily wherever he may go. I am proud to have such a loyal and prepared member in my family and the Boy Scout family. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Connor on his loyal service and contributions to his troop and community.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I first would like to thank Senators Gillibrand, McCaskill, Ayotte, and Fischer for their hard work on this issue, and my friend from South Carolina, who has worked passionately hard on this issue also. As someone who strongly believes in bipartisanship, I am glad to see the Senate moving forward today on debating and voting on this particular issue. While we may not all agree on how to best solve this particular issue, we can all agree that it is too important not to debate and ultimately vote on ways to address it. Our military is the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are because men and women continue to volunteer to serve and to protect our Nation. The vast majority of these men and women serve with honor and integrity. However, there are a few bad actors in our military who commit crimes against their fellow servicemembers. The question the Senate faces is whether or not the military justice system is equipped to properly handle sexual assault within the ranks. After careful consideration, weighing all the facts, I feel the military today is not equipped, and that is why I support Senator Gillibrand's approach. Like everyone else in this Chamber, I am disappointed we ever got to this point. No soldier should have their service degraded due to dishonorable conduct in the ranks. But there have been ample opportunities for the military to address this issue within its own ranks, and too much time has passed without this problem being resolved. It is Congress's responsibility now to step in to protect the best America has to offer. Congress needs to address what is currently lacking for victims. Victims need to feel confident in reporting crimes of sexual assault. Victims must be protected from retaliation, and victims must be confident that justice will be served. Senator Gillibrand's legislation will accomplish these goals. If the Senate passes this bill today, loopholes in the military structure will no longer be an option to protect sexual assailants. These changes are long overdue and will hold the military to the highest standards that they strive towards. I encourage the rest of my colleagues to join me in supporting her efforts and keeping our commitment to protect the men and women who are honorably serving our Nation. Thank you, Madam President.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor an exceptional Nevadan, Corey Taylor. Corey is a sophomore at Las Vegas' Northwest Career and Technical Academy and the host of her own radio show, which focuses on bullying issues in high schools. She is on a mission to end the senselessness that is bullying. Championing a safe environment through activism of acceptance, even at a young age, Corey has embraced diversity by defending individual expression. Overcoming her own situation of adversity is just one example of character Corey stands upon as a leader in her community. The hard- earned money she saves goes to her radio show, where she reaches an audience through her words in addition to her actions. She encourages people of all ages to surround themselves with positive influences and to embrace their unique qualities. Through her community outreach, Corey encourages her peers to be true to themselves despite any type of social pressure. She refuses to let her spirits be diminished by bullying, and her work has inspired others to do the same. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Corey for her service and contributions to Nevada.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I wish to recognize an exceptional Nevadan and veteran, Army MG Floyd Edsall. On January 29, 2014, Nevada's humble servant was called home after 92 years of devoted community advocacy. Born December 21, 1921, Mr. Edsall answered a call for military service at an early age through his involvement at UNR in their ROTC program. In 1944, he fought in World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and three Bronze Stars for his valiant bravery. Upon his return from service with the Army's 63rd Infantry Division, Major General Edsall taught at Elko and Sparks High Schools as well as his alma mater UNR, where he coached football and track and field. Throughout his teaching and coaching career, he remained active in the Nevada Guard. Major General Edsall is recognized as the Nevada National Guard's first full-time adjunct general. From 1967 to 1979, he commanded the Nevada Air and Army Guard all while maintaining a steadfast dedication to expanding the Guard's enlistments during the Vietnam war. His focus and recruitment abilities exhibited with the Guard were widely regarded, and Major General Edsall retained his role of leadership over the span of three Nevada gubernatorial administrations. Recognizing a lifetime of commitment to service, the Nevada Army Guard dedicated a 1,697-acre training facility in his honor in 1997, and on May 10 of the same year, the Maj. Gen. Floyd Edsall Training Center opened to further the foundations of service his namesake bears. Major General Edsall's passing is a great loss and his loyal commitment to the Silver State will never be forgotten. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of a devoted Nevadan and honoring his accomplishments.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, today I wish to extend well-deserved congratulations to Nevada's own David Wise, a Sochi Olympic athlete who won gold in this year's debut sport of halfpipe skiing. Motivated by support from his family and the Nevada community, David triumphed this year in Russia to bring home one of the United States' nine gold medals. Despite difficult conditions in Sochi that proved challenging for these experienced athletes, David outperformed his skilled opponents by scoring a 92 on his first run in the halfpipe. As an American and Nevadan, I am honored that David represented our Nation proudly and brought home the gold. During his free time, David enjoys spending time with his wife Alexandra and their 2-year-old daughter Nayeli. David's accolades reach far beyond his athleticism and victories on the slopes. As a believer in service, David frequently supports a number of charities, including several water projects in the Dominican Republic. This community service extends to his local community, where he runs a youth group at his family's local church. Driven by his purpose founded in sport, service, and family, David embodies the spirit of an exemplary athlete that the Nevada Family is proud to call our own. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this remarkable individual as we show our pride and support for all of his accomplishments.

Mr HELLER

Mr HELLER. Mr. President, today it is with great pride I congratulate all of the 2014 Winter Olympians, especially Tim Jitloff, David Wise, and Chas Guldemond, the three Nevada proudly call their own. A Reno native, Tim Jitloff grew up on skis and has been claiming international titles since 2005. Tim's unwavering dedication to his sport has developed him into a two-time Olympic athlete, qualifying for the Men's U.S. Ski Team for the first time when he was just 19 years old. In Sochi, he will compete in Alpine skiing's super combined giant and common slalom. Tim's successes extend not only to a first place finish at the 2013 U.S. Championship, but off the snow where he is a determined advocate in the fight against breast cancer, as his mother is a survivor. Tim's passion for service is marked by the respect he has earned on the big snow as well as his earnestness and resounding hard work. David Wise's Olympic status begins in the Reno snow where he began skiing as a 3-year-old. He turned professional at an early age after securing his first U.S. national title when he was 15. His wins include The Dew Tour, The Grand Prix, and repeat Winter X Game titles. David continued his achievements in 2013 when he qualified for his first Olympics in this year's debut sport of ski halfpipe. David's dedication to his passion, family, and faith personifies a true talent, unmatched and inspiring for all of Nevada. Chas ``Chuck G'' Guldemond has been a driving force in snowboarding since moving to Lake Tahoe in 2005. Working a series of odd jobs to pay his own way for the sport for years is just one of the testaments of character Chas contributes to the 2014 U.S. Olympic team. Chas has had seven healthy seasons of competition and won almost every major event in snowboarding since his early days of participating in the sport. In Sochi, he competes as one of the biggest names in slopestyle. The dedication and sacrifices Chas has made in pursuit of his dream are commendable. Steadfast in their training, each one of these athletes reminds us that even the seemingly unfathomable is possible. Our American pride grows stronger as these Nevadans compete in Sochi. It is an honor to watch them and the entire team compete in the name of a United States victory in these 22nd Winter Olympics. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these and all of the remarkable athletes on their accomplishments thus far. We wish them a safe and gold-winning trip to Russia.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, let me be clear that my amendment simply clarifies existing law. I am trying to provide some clarity that private flood insurance can be a viable option for homeowners and businesses. Private insurers are already subject to regulations in each and every State by their insurance commissioners, and those insurance commissioners are the best regulators for ensuring proper consumer protection. So I ask my colleagues to support the Heller-Lee amendment so we can provide the American people with more competition, higher quality, and less cost when it comes to flood insurance.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I am here today to talk about the Heller- Lee amendment to the flood insurance legislation we are currently considering. One of my core beliefs is that in order for Americans to succeed, regardless of the issue, we need more choices, we need higher competition, and we also need less cost. So let us talk about the NFIP. Right now, the National Federal Insurance Program has a near monopoly on the flood insurance market. In fact, I think if you ask most Americans if they knew there were other flood insurance policies other than through NFIP, you would probably get a blank stare. What most people don't know is that since the passage of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, private flood insurance has been understood to satisfy requirements and mandates to purchase flood insurance. In fact, when Congress passed the last flood insurance reform package under Biggert-Waters, Congress reaffirmed the intent that private primary flood insurance should satisfy requirements and those of mandatory purchase. Unfortunately, due to the lack of legislative language, there have been pervasive rejections of private primary flood insurance by most lenders. This is due to the fact that lenders are unsure about the validity of private-issue flood insurance, despite the fact this insurance has been issued and accepted in the past. For this reason, I, along with Senator Lee, have worked on an amendment that would provide clarification and hopefully eliminate this uncertainty. The Heller-Lee amendment provides a simple and clear definition of what is acceptable private flood insurance. Our amendment would define acceptable private flood insurance as a policy that provides flood insurance coverage issued by an insurance company that is licensed, admitted, or otherwise approved to engage in the business of insurance in the State or jurisdiction in which the insured building is located. Private insurers are already subject to statutes and regulations in each and every State. State insurance commissioners are the best regulators to allow and disallow any policy they deem proper or improper, and they have significant ability to assure fair and equitable settlements of claims. Further encouragement of private sector participation in the flood insurance market will help reduce the risks to which U.S. taxpayers are currently exposed. In fact, I would like to share some statements I just received from FEMA, after I asked FEMA if private flood insurance is a viable tool for some consumers to find lower cost options. FEMA stated: Private flood insurance would create competition. It is possible some homeowners could find lower-cost options for flood insurance as a result of privatized market competition. So I ask my colleagues to support the Heller-Lee amendment so we can give the American public more choices, higher competition, and less cost when it comes to flood insurance. Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside and that I be allowed to call up amendment No. 2700.

Mr. HELLER. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to remember the life of my colleague, assemblyman Bernie Anderson, who passed on January 10, 2014. Serving with him as a fellow freshman in the Nevada Assembly was a privilege, and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to know and work alongside such a dedicated public servant. As a longtime teacher, assemblyman, and member of the Nevada National Guard, Bernie honorably served the Silver State for decades. I am proud to join the citizens of Washoe County and the State of Nevada to remember his legacy of service to his community. A native Nevadan, Bernie was a graduate of Bishop Manogue High School and University of Nevada, Reno alumni. From 1991 to 2010, Bernie served in the Nevada Assembly, representing Washoe County. During his time in the legislature, he served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, where he displayed a passion for the committee's work and often served as a mentor to his colleagues, offering invaluable advice and support. Bernie was also a teacher in Sparks, where he taught government and history in the city's schools for 32 years. As a longtime educator and avid reader, Bernie dedicated his life and career to education. In October 1985, he received the Teacher of the Month award from the Reno/ Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Educators work tirelessly to ensure our Nation's students are prepared to compete in the 21st century, and I am grateful for Bernie's dedication on behalf of Nevada's youth. Not only did he serve the citizens of Nevada as a legislator and a schoolteacher, Bernie was also a member of the Nevada National Guard. In 2007, he was honored with the Charles Dick Medal of Merit in recognition of his contributions to the National Guard. On behalf of all Nevadans, I thank Bernie for his many years of faithful, selfless service. Today, I extend my deepest sympathies to Bernie's wife Clyda, their children, and family and friends. I would ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of a dedicated public servant who served the Silver State proudly. Nevada will miss him.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate one of Nevada's own and four time Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux for being selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Greg ``Mad Dog'' Maddux excelled at the major league level, not only with refined skills and superior pitching mechanics, but also a mental approach to the game that was unmatched. His pitching philosophy has made him one of the greatest pitchers of the ``live-ball'' era. A 1984 graduate of Valley High School in Las Vegas, Greg Maddux excelled on the mound as a right-handed pitcher before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 1984 Major League Baseball draft. Mad Dog then spent the next 23 seasons accruing 355 wins, 3,371 strikeouts, and an unrivaled record of 18 Golden Gloves for the likes of the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Atlanta Braves, a feat that still remains unmatched. Mad Dog's prolific major league career also led him to be the only player in history to record 17 straight, 15-win seasons. It is no doubt that these numbers and records led to his near unanimous vote for entry to the Hall of Fame. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Greg Maddux for a distinguished playing career. It is my hope that he will serve as an example of what great things Nevadans can accomplish when they work with commitment and determination.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I rise today to discuss an issue that has been in the forefront of the minds of many Americans ringing in the new year; that is, extending benefits for the unemployed--something that is important, of course, for a lot of Americans. Before I begin, I wish to thank my colleague, my friend from Rhode Island, Senator Jack Reed, for his hard work and effort on this behalf as we and our staffs worked together to get this proposal moved forward for today's vote. I hope that my friends and colleagues in the Senate enjoyed their holidays and that everyone returned refreshed and ready to tackle some of the tough issues we have here in 2014. Unfortunately, while Congress was in recess, approximately 17,000 Nevadans greeted the new year not with optimistic expectations of a fresh start but with the anxiety of how they are going to feed their families and perhaps even pay their utility bills. When Congress left Washington, DC, in December, a lot of important matters were left undone and expired. As a result, millions of Americans were left with no idea whether their unemployment benefits were going to be fixed retroactively--something that has become, of course, all too common for this Congress to do. Helping those in need should not be a partisan issue. Providing a limited social safety net is one of the responsibilities of the Federal Government. Unfortunately, instead of planning ahead and figuring out the best way to do that, we are now forced to decide whether to reinstate these benefits after they have expired. We should provide some relief to the millions of Americans who were left hanging when Congress went home in December and temporarily extend unemployment benefits for the next 3 months. It is the right thing to do. That short period will help these families whose benefits expired abruptly while Congress works out a long-term solution that provides Americans with some certainty and is fiscally responsible. I understand my colleagues' concerns about the cost and their desire to pay for this extension. I too want to see our Federal debt brought under control. I think my voting record is proof of that concern. I too believe Congress should be more focused on passing laws that actually help create jobs. Growing our economy should be the primary focus and concern of this body. As a Senator of the State that leads the Nation in unemployment, believe me, I understand the importance of refocusing on jobs. I would rather be down here today discussing innovative ways to create jobs instead of the need to extend unemployment benefits yet again. But because of this administration and even some of the choices of this body, unfortunately, our economy is not growing quickly enough and many Americans are still hurting, including a lot of Nevadans. My State is struggling. I have repeated often on this floor that Nevada consistently tops the chart in unemployment, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. The statistics are surely revealing. But more startling is the obvious increase in impoverished Nevadans whom I meet when I go home. I would like to share an example. Every Thanksgiving one or two of my children join me in serving Thanksgiving dinner to folks in Reno who are in need and cannot cook a Thanksgiving meal for themselves. This year my daughter Emmy, who is in her freshman year in college, joined me in this experience. Every year that dinner sees more and more attendees. Every year the number of individuals and families who need help increases. This year the venue was absolutely packed. When my daughter and I arrived, the line outside the venue was four blocks long. It is such an obvious example of how so many Nevadans are unable to provide for their basic needs, and this cannot be ignored. I know many economists point to a national unemployment rate that is improving, but at home we do not feel it. The unemployment rate in Nevada has consistently far exceeded the national average. In fact, the Silver State has led the Nation for the past 3 years in unemployment. The result is, of course, that people in Nevada are really hurting. It is difficult to stand here in the Nation's Capital--an area that has largely felt little negative impact of the recession--and describe just how tough times are for so many of my constituents. At these Thanksgiving dinners, I hear about the choices individuals are forced to make--whether to buy gas for their car or pay for heat in the frigid northern Nevada winters or buy school supplies for their children or perhaps save for the future. These are hard-working individuals who rely on these benefits. They are trying to find jobs. They want to provide for their children. But for these benefits to simply vanish without giving families the time to plan or figure out alternatives to help them get by is just not right. I too understand the concerns about the cost of these benefits. I would prefer to see them paid for in a manner that does not burden our Nation with more debt. I have previously introduced legislation that would do just that, legislation that would extend unemployment benefits while still paying for them. At the time I introduced my legislation as an alternative to a more costly bill because I think it is important to bring down our Nation's debt. I am ready to work with my colleagues to introduce similar legislation again this year, but in the meantime I propose that we pass this short-term extension now. That would allow Congress the opportunity to spend the next 3 months debating how to pay for these benefits in the future or perhaps how much longer they should be extended. Those are important questions worthy of more debate. But in the meantime, Congress simply must provide some temporary relief for those who are unemployed. Paying for these benefits would be the best approach. Congress could have taken the harder road to figure out the way to do that before departing for the holiday break and leaving millions of Americans hanging, but it did not. So let's pass this short-term extension and focus on a more fiscally responsible solution for the longer term. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, before I begin, I would like to offer my condolences to my friend and colleague from Oklahoma Senator Inhofe and his family on the tragic loss of their son Perry. Both my wife and I will continue to keep their entire family in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Health Care Reform I rise today to talk about the President's broken promises on ObamaCare and its effects on the people of Nevada. For more than a month now, the American people have witnessed how poorly this burdensome law has been implemented. People all over the country are frustrated with the problems plaguing healthcare.gov, as they should be. The government spent hundreds of millions of taxpayers' dollars to overpromise and underdeliver on the signature legislation of this administration. But there are serious problems in addition to the Web site, and one glaring issue in particular I would like to focus on today. We have all heard from the law's supporters that ObamaCare would give uninsured Americans access to health insurance. Time and time again they promised that people who already had their health plan could keep it. In fact, President Obama made the exact promise on numerous occasions. In a speech to the American Medical Association in June of 2009, President Obama said: . . . no matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise to the American people: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. But one of my constituents sent me a letter last week telling me that that was not the case. Sunny from the Las Vegas area wrote, ``I wanted to tell you that we have lost our wonderful health insurance plan.'' Sunny's family received a letter from their insurance company telling them that their existing plan did not qualify under the Affordable Care Act. They were automatically reassigned to a new plan that cost about $400 more per month. Let's remember what the President said, this time in August of 2009, during his weekly Presidential address about what he called ``phony claims'' regarding health reform: If you like your private health insurance plan, you can keep your plan. Period. But yet another one of my constituents, Kirk from northern Nevada, was just notified that his current health insurance has been cancelled. He went to the exchange to find a new policy and shared his story with me. He wrote: . . . despite higher deductibles and higher co-pays, my new insurance under this devastating law will be more than 250% of what I am paying now. Again, March 15, 2010, just a few days before the law was passed-- albeit unread--by a party-line vote and signed into law, President Obama said: If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. I wonder how President Obama and the law's supporters would explain that statement to Marc in Reno. Marc received a letter telling him that his current plan was no longer offered. The plan, the letter detailed, was cancelled in order to ``meet the requirements of the new laws.'' Marc was given the option to keep his plan for 1 additional year if he accepted a rate increase, even though he just saw a rate increase in September. Mark goes on to tell me: As an individual health care plan holder and a self- employed individual, the ACA appears to punish me for doing the right thing by having a health care plan for the past 10 years and rewards those who did not. But yet as recently as this past July, President Obama promised: If you already have health care, the only thing this bill does is make sure that it's even more secure and insurance companies can't jerk you around. President Obama made this statement more than 2 years after his administration admitted in comments in the Federal Register that 40 to 67 percent of existing individual policies would lose their grandfathered status. The President knew millions of Americans stood to lose their existing policies but he repeatedly told the American public in no uncertain terms that they could keep their plan. I think Steven from Washoe County would likely take issue with that promise. He told me that he now has health care that costs $293 per month. However, he just received a letter from his health care provider informing him that the cost of his health care would increase to $546 per month on January 1. That means his health insurance costs will nearly double next year. There is nothing affordable about that. There is nothing secure about that. On September 26, just days before the exchanges opened to a disastrous rollout, the President repeated yet again what the administration knew was not true: . . . the first thing you need to know is this: If you already have health care, you don't have to do anything. Well, I have another letter here from a father from Reno. He writes: I am writing to tell you that I'm now eating crow. A few weeks back I wrote to you and expressed my support for health reform and my dissatisfaction with the government shutdown. Since then, I've received notification from my insurance company informing me that my current policy is being discontinued. I then began shopping for new policies for myself and my family and have found that rates are two to three times what I am currently paying and that my max out of pocket will double, all for basically the same plan as what I have now. In essence, I've been put into a situation where I can either save for my kid's college education or buy healthcare. But this particular letter closes with something that really highlights the tough financial decisions facing the American people in these difficult economic times. This father says: I'm unfortunately one of those people who makes too much money to qualify for Federal subsidy, but not enough to sell my house which is still underwater from the housing crisis of 2008. This is the reality of the health care law. Now, in addition to trying to save for his children's education and attempting to recover from the housing crisis, a father has been forced off the plan he likes. The options available are two or three times more expensive. These stories don't fit with the narrative we have heard for nearly 5 years. President Obama is now trying to backtrack on the dozens of times he made his promise to the American people. Only last week he said: Now, if you have or had one of these plans before the Affordable Care Act came into law and you really liked that plan, what we said was you can keep it if it hasn't changed since the law passed. That is just not true. That is not what he promised. Now my constituents are receiving cancellation notices for their existing plans. The administration argues that even though many people are losing their existing plans, those plans were subpar policies and their new policies will be better, but that ignores the promise. My constituents liked their plans. They decided what was best for them, what plans fit their individual and family needs. The President and the administration knew before the legislation passed that millions of Americans would lose their current plans. They admitted it in the Federal Register after the bill was signed into law, but the whole time they continued to promote this promise and dismiss any concerns as fearmongering or phony claims. That is unacceptable. These personal stories are why I am proud to cosponsor the If You Like Your Health Plan You Can Keep It Act, introduced by my colleague Senator Johnson of Wisconsin. This is a simple but necessary bill to give Americans the ability to keep their health plans if they like them. The people of Nevada deserve better, and they deserve to have a government that keeps its promises. I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor one of Nevada's own veterans, MSgt Michael Landsberry, who died a hero's death in Sparks, NV, on October 21, 2013. After spotting a student with a gun at Sparks Middle School, Master Sergeant Landsberry moved directly into harm's way to protect his students and others from danger. He was fatally shot. This patriot leaves behind a legacy of self-sacrifice and service to his country and community. Master Sergeant Landsberry was an Alabama native, a graduate of McQueen High School, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a University of Nevada Reno alumnus, and a decorated master sergeant Nevada Guard airman. In 2001, Master Sergeant Landsberry enlisted in the Nevada Air National Guard and subsequently began working for the Washoe County School District. He began his teaching career at Trainer Middle School, where he spent 4 years teaching history, math, and science. In 2006, he started teaching math at Sparks Middle School. Throughout his tenure as a teacher, Master Sergeant Landsberry served as a coach in his community for middle school basketball, cross country, track, and volleyball, as well as high school soccer. He was a passionate teacher, coach, and mentor who touched the lives of his students and those in the community each and every day. In 2006, Master Sergeant Landsberry deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he performed duties as an airlift validator for the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center. He deployed again in 2011 to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, executing air transportation functions for the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron. Throughout his career, Master Sergeant Landsberry was extensively decorated, signifying his strong work ethic and commitment to service. Today, I also want to recognize and express my gratitude to Master Sergeant Landsberry's family. The sacrifices of our servicemembers and their families are debts that can never fully be repaid. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to his wife, Sharon, and his two daughters, Alisa and Andrea. This tragedy is one that all of us struggle to understand, but we will continue to remember Master Sergeant Landsberry as a great and honorable man and father. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of a courageous patriot whose act of heroism cost him his life but saved many more.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a true Nevadan, humble public servant, and dedicated family man, Wilbur Faiss. Believed to have been the Nation's oldest-living legislator, Mr. Faiss's passing is a great loss and his commitment to serving the Silver State will never be forgotten. Representing Las Vegas, Mr. Faiss served 2 terms in the Senate from 1976 to 1984. During his time in the Legislature, he authored two important laws, including one allowing pharmacists to substitute affordable, generic brands in place of name brand drugs, and another to allow seniors to access State parks and campgrounds for free. Mr. Faiss was also a strong advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment in 1977 and has professed that voting in support of that piece of legislation was one of the proudest moments of his life. On his 100th birthday, Mr. Faiss lent advice from his experience in the Senate, stressing the importance of compromise and a positive outlook, whether in your professional or personal life. It is clear that he practiced these sensibilities in the Senate and at home. His marriage of 79 years to his late wife, Theresa, is a testament to this philosophy. In 2012, he and Theresa were recognized as one of the longest married couples in the U.S. The citizens of the Silver State were fortunate that such a dedicated and passionate individual called Nevada home. Mr. Faiss serves as an example for others who hold the role of public office. My thoughts and prayers go out to his three sons, six grandchildren, five-great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Today, I would ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of a devoted Nevadan and honoring his accomplishments.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. I would also like to briefly discuss current National Security Agency practices, including its bulk data collection programs and the implication these programs have for the privacy of Nevadans and millions of other law-abiding citizens. Due to published reports in newspapers around the world, Nevadans are well aware that the Federal Government has been collecting phone data of law-abiding citizens without their knowledge through a process known as bulk collection. These practices are mostly authorized by section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. Specifically, section 215 permits the FBI to seek a court order directing a business to turn over certain records when there are reasonable grounds to believe the information sought is relevant to an authorized investigation of international terrorism. ``Relevance'' has been found by the courts to be a broad standard that, in effect, allows large volumes of data to be collected. These same records can be combed through in order to identify smaller amounts of information that are relevant to an ongoing investigation. In other words, it has been established that section 215 allows for massive amounts of data to be collected in order to find the tiny amount of data that would solve an investigation regarding international terrorism. The court's reasoning that this is permitted is because, when submitted, it is likely that the data will produce information that will then help the FBI. Millions of Americans' call records are collected and stored by the NSA because a few numbers may solve an authorized investigation. Supporters of bulk collection practices have defended this program as an important tool in the fight against terror. They have said this is a mechanism to access the logs quickly, and they are not actually listening to the content. President Obama even said: When it comes to telephone calls, nobody is listening to your telephone call. Instead, the government was just sifting through this so-called metadata. The President is correct. They are not listening to the actual calls like the FBI conducting a wiretap, but let me outline that the government can figure out what is going on from those call logs. For example, they will know that an American citizen in Ely, NV, received a call from the local NRA office and then called their Representative and Senators. But they claim that the content of that call remains safe from government intrusion or they will also know that a Nevadan from Las Vegas called a suicide prevention hotline and spoke to an individual for 12 minutes, but they will not know what that person discussed. The question I have is this: Why does the Federal Government have to house this data? I believe it is because Congress has authorized a massive surrender of our constituents' privacy. I want to be clear: I share the concerns of all Americans that we must protect ourselves against threats to the homeland. I also believe we must continue to understand that terrorism is very real and that the United States is the target of those looking to undermine the freedoms we hold as a core of our national identity. Are we sacrificing our own freedoms in the process? Are we sacrificing our constitutional rights that are afforded under the Fourth Amendment? If so, this is a steep price to pay to protect Americans from terrorism. So the next question must be: If the price to protect Americans from terrorism is an incredible loss of individual privacy, what are the results of this program? What has the bulk collection program provided in tangible results that justifies a privacy intrusion of this level? The answer is that two cases have been solved in the collection of millions of records through the use of the program authorized by section 215. We know that because on October 2, 2013, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy, asked the NSA Director Keith Alexander the following question: At our last hearing, the deputy director, Mr. Ingliss, stated that there's only really one example of a case where, but for the use of Section 215, both phone records collection, terrorist activity was stopped. Was Mr. Ingliss right? To which Director Alexander responded, ``He's right. I believe he said two, Chairman.'' Congress has authorized the collection of millions of law-abiding citizens' telephone metadata for years, and it has only solved two ongoing FBI investigations. Of those two investigations, the NSA has publicly identified one. In fact, that case would have easily been handled by obtaining a warrant and going to that telephone company. The case involved an individual in San Diego who was convicted of sending $8,500 to Somalia in support of al-Shabaab, the terrorist organization claiming responsibility for the Kenyan mall attack. The American phone records allowed the NSA to determine that a U.S. phone was used to contact an individual associated with this terrorist organization. I am appreciative that the NSA was able to apprehend this individual, but it does not provide overwhelming evidence that this program is necessary. As Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon noted, the NSA could have gotten a court order to get the phone records in question. In essence, Congress has authorized a program that invades the privacy of millions of Americans with little to show for it. The results simply do not justify this massive invasion of our privacy, and that is why I want to end bulk collection practices authorized under section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. I joined Senator Leahy to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral USA Freedom Act. This legislation, among other things, will rein in the dragnet collection of data by the National Security Agency. It will stop the bulk collection of Americans' communication records by ending the authorization provided by section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. Some in this Chamber will argue this removes a massive tool for the NSA to assist the FBI. I disagree with that. All this legislation does is shut down the collection of millions of Americans' metadata by the NSA. If the FBI needs a telephone number, they can go to a FISA judge and get a warrant. The phone company can still provide that data. Chances are a major phone provider will have that data as they keep all detailed records for at least 1 year. When talking broadly about how certain technological developments should be incorporated in our justice system, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court William Douglas once said: The privacy and dignity of our citizens are being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps. Taken individually, each step may be of little consequence. But when viewed as a whole, there begins to emerge a society quite unlike any we have seen--a society in which government may intrude into the secret regions of a person's life. Here in the Congress it is our responsibility to take great care to acknowledge each possible step that could whittle away our privacy. We must examine its necessity carefully and reasonably. In this case, I do not believe such practices are warranted. We can continue to protect Americans from threats of terrorism without infringing on individual privacy that the Constitution protects under the Fourth Amendment. We should shut down bulk collection practices. With that, I thank the Chair, yield the floor, and suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELLER

Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be rescinded.