Lisa Murkowski

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Yes.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Certainly.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Well, to answer the Senator's question, I have been working aggressively and constructively with the Senators from Michigan to try to figure out how we can provide for a level of response. I do not doubt the anxiety and urgency the people in Flint must feel. This is a difficult situation to be in, and it is not a situation that any of us would want any of our constituents to be in. I think there is an imperative from those who are seeking this assistance that--given that there is a Federal role, how can we help to facilitate the appropriate response on the Federal side? If there is a way to help expedite funding to move toward a solution, I think that is appropriate. I think the Senator's question is, Are we jumping ahead here if we do not know how much? I think it is fair to say that the original estimates were based on the disaster declaration the State had requested. I think it is going to be critical that we understand what the costs will be, and hopefully we will learn about that next week. I know they have been working aggressively to determine that. We also need to know what the spend plan is because we saw what happened with the stimulus. You can almost get too much money--if that is possible--going in, and you cannot spend it in the way it is best needed. I think we want to be thoughtful and responsible stewards of the taxpayers' dollars in recognizing that, and I think we want to also recognize that the role we have ought to be a proportionate role, and how we can be working to advance that is something we have been attempting to do.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 4, 2016, at 10 a.m.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 4, 2016, at 10 a.m., in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Hearing to consider the nominations of Mary Katherine Wakefield, Andrew LaMont Eanes, Elizabeth Ann Copeland, and Vik Edwin Stoll.''

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 4, 2016, at 10 a.m.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 4, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., in room SR-253 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a Subcommittee hearing entitled ``Ensuring Intermodal USF Support for Rural America.''

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on February 4, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I would note for Members that we have just concluded the first cloture votes on the Energy Policy Modernization Act. There has been some interesting discussion about where we are in the process and how we might find a path forward toward completion of this very important bipartisan measure--a measure that has, I think, reflected good, strong work throughout the committee process and good, strong work throughout the floor process, but we have yet more work to do. Know that this Senator, along with the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is committed to doing just that, along with the Senators from Michigan as well as many on this side. So I think the message to those who are wondering what is happening after that noon vote--the word is that work is continuing, and I am optimistic about the outlook for the final passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act. Madam President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we have been relatively quiet on the Senate floor today with consideration of the Energy Policy Modernization Act, but that does not mean that there has not been a great deal of activity behind the scenes as we try to work out some of the issues that remain before us as we move to consider how we can successfully modernize our energy policies, an effort that many have been engaged in and great efforts of collaboration and cooperation. To our colleagues who are looking forward to activity on this measure, know that, as the managing Members on the floor, we too are looking forward to figuring out the way that we are able to advance this important bipartisan reform legislation. I recognize that we are at the end of the day.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I thank the minority leader, and I rise this morning to thank and to welcome Rabbi Yosef Greenberg from Anchorage, AK, who was introduced by the President pro tempore, the Senator from Utah. This Senator thinks it is important to appreciate and realize that today there is a little bit of history being made. It is the first time we have had a rabbi from the State of Alaska who has been willing and able to provide the morning prayer before the Senate. The rabbi has led our State for two decades, beginning in 1991, not only leading a small but vibrant Jewish community across the State but also reminding us of the significance of the Jewish culture, the Jewish history, not only to Alaska but throughout the Nation. He has been instrumental in the building of the Jewish cultural center and a museum that recognizes that history and culture. Every year he is truly a leader in the broader community within Anchorage as he brings together people from all faiths at the Jewish Cultural Gala, which is probably one of our more preeminent social gatherings and which is for a good cause. The leadership of Rabbi Greenberg is not only strong and recognized within the Jewish community but across all faiths within our very broad and inclusive State of Alaska. It is indeed a pleasure to be able to listen to his words, reflect on his words, and thank him for his leadership in my State. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I thank the leaders.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3033 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Lee- Murray amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; I ask that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

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

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, February 4; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following leader remarks, the Senate then resume consideration of S. 2012; finally, that the time until 11 a.m. be equally divided between the two managers or their designees.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 353, S. Res. 354, S. Res. 355, and S. Res. 356.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now vote on these amendments en bloc.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I urge that Members oppose this amendment that would impose a Federal mandate on retail electricity and natural gas suppliers to reduce a certain percentage of electricity or natural gas that their customers use annually. We have considered this before. We have seen it. It has been under consideration for about a decade. Most recently, the energy committee rejected this same proposal as we were moving forward on this bipartisan Energy bill. A national mandate like this depends on the behavior of end-use customers. The concern that you take a one-size-fits-all policy that refuses to recognize very real regional differences that are in play out there with energy use is problematic. As the Senator from Minnesota said, 25 States already have this in place, but what we do by imposing a new national mandate is we upend those existing State programs. We have a good, bipartisan efficiency measure contained in this. That is why a Federal EERS has not worked before. Now is not the right time to move forward with it. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the votes in this series be 10 minutes in length so we can move through the amendments we have in front of us.

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

Ms. MURKOWSKI

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I would note that there will now be a series of eight votes when we commence at 2:30 this afternoon, and recognizing that there are committees meeting and other Senate business going on, we would hope to be able to process these votes relatively efficiently, respecting that 10-minute vote parameter, so that we can move through them in a manner that respects others' schedules. With that, Madam President, I yield the floor.