Patty Murray

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, we are working with the Republicans at this time to come up with a list of remaining amendments this afternoon so we can make progress. We hope to be able to move forward shortly on a number of amendments that will be pending that we have agreed on. While we are doing that, the Senator from Illinois would like to speak as in morning business. How much time does the Senator need?

Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendments be set aside and that it be in order for me to call up the following two amendments en bloc: amendment No. 1459 and amendment No. 1455, as modified.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to this amendment. I also want fire grants. I want everybody to understand that the committee amendment already has $810 million in it for fire grants. That is an increase of $35 million. We just adopted another amendment to add $10 million to this. The offset that is in this bill will eliminate all the technology development and design to address capabilities. It decimates the counter-improvised explosive device--IED--technology. It specifically eliminates mass transit-specific counter-IED technologies. It decimates cyber-security research and development. The Senate computers are being attacked today. It eliminates the research to make sure we can stop that. It eliminates development and assessment of high throughput cargo screening technology. The list goes on. I believe we should be doing all we can for our firefighters. Even the International Association of Firefighters does not support this amendment--although I appreciate the Senator offering this amendment, and I agree with what he would like to do. But the offset decimates much of the technology we need to protect our citizens. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mrs. MURRAY. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning Program

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to consider a managers' package.

Mrs. MURRAY. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, the next amendment and final amendment in order is the Sanders amendment. I believe the Senator will speak.

Mrs. MURRAY. I welcome a colloquy with my distinguished colleague. Mr. Menendez. I thank the Senator. I have constituents back in my home State of New Jersey who have highlighted a concern with a current FEMA solicitation for their Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning Program. I am concerned that this solicitation shuts out both small and medium sized businesses. After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA was, rightly so, criticized for issuing sole-source contracts to three very large companies. We need to be sure this pattern is not repeating itself. I agree that updating the Nation's flood map is critical to managing and reducing the Nation's flood risk, but operating the program to benefit taxpayers by utilizing local, highly qualified businesses, I am sure, will produce the best results for the region, the State, and the country as well. In addition, I believe that taking local companies, with over a decade of experience and a track record of success, out of regional Indefinite Quantity and Indefinite Delivery contract work is counterproductive and has the potential to cost the taxpayers more money while providing an inferior product.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, the next amendment in order is the Grassley amendment No. 1415. I have told the Senator we are willing to take it on a voice vote if he wants to offer it. I call up amendment No. 1415.

Mrs. MURRAY. I thank the Senator from New Jersey for highlighting this issue. I agree that the flood-map program is an instrumental tool in reducing the loss of life and property from floods. The Homeland Security Subcommittee will work with the Senator to review the recent contract solicitation. I am committed to ensuring that DHS invests acquisition dollars in projects that are well planned, competitively awarded, well managed, closely overseen, and best able to serve local needs.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 1415

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, we are now moving to final passage on the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. I thank all our Senators, especially Senator Voinovich, for his cooperation. I want to thank all our staff members, and I will submit their names for the Record. I thank everyone for helping us move this bill forward.

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

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Healthcare Reform: The Concerns and Priorities from the Perspective of Small Businesses.''

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 9:30 a.m.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 2 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following colloquy be printed in the Record.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the tributes to Senator Coleman in the Congressional Record be printed as a Senate document and that Senators be permitted to submit statements for inclusion until Friday, August 7, 2009.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following colloquy be printed in the Record.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to lay that motion on the table on the last vote. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to morning business.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, July 10; 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, and there then be a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.