Harry Reid

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. He is also a former supreme court justice of Texas. They have reported the bill out of the Judiciary Committee, and my friend was part of that reporting situation. Part of what they reported out has the Debbie Smith language in it, but it has more stuff in it than just that. So I would be happy to take a look at that. We can talk to the chair of the committee and the ranking member, who is on the floor here today, and if they would be willing to separate this stuff here and have it rather than what was reported out of the committee-- they can take a look at this. Senator Leahy was on the floor. He is not here now, but I would be happy to take a look at that.

Mr. REID. I am sorry, I didn't hear that.

Mr. REID. Yes. But before doing that, I have just been informed that this bill that was reported out of the committee on which the senior Senator from Texas serves--we have cleared it on our side. If they want to clear it today, we will get this out today. All they have to do is clear it on their side. We have cleared it.

Mr. REID. The bill that 55 Senators have cleared over here is a bill to protect crime victims' rights, to eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders, to improve and expand the DNA testing capacity of Federal, State, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and development of new DNA testing technologies, to develop new training programs regarding the collection and use of DNA evidence, to provide postconviction testing of DNA evidence to exonerate the innocent, to improve the performance of counsel in State capital cases, and for other purposes. We will pass that right now. We are happy to do it.

Mr. REID. This is what we deal with here. We have a piece of legislation that has been reported out of the committee. It has been cleared by the Democrats here in the Senate, and the Republicans are now saying: Well, we like that, but we don't want to do it that way; let's do it some other way. The point is the committee met and reviewed the House legislation and decided they wanted to do more than what the House did. I think we should go forward with what the committee says. I hear my friend the Republican leader and other Republican Senators say: Let's have the committees do their work. They have done their work. We approved their work. We are ready to pass this right now, which includes the Debbie Smith language but does a lot more.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, more diversion and delay. The Judiciary Committee took what the House did, reviewed it, and said: We can do better. It is here on the floor right now. Now they are saying: Even though the Judiciary Committee did it--and we are being told all the time to let the committees do their work--we don't like what they did. Let them do something else. The Debbie Smith Act is important, but the Justice for All Act is a lot better than that. Why don't we approve that?

Mr. REID. Yes, I object.

Mr. REID. This has been cleared on this side for more than 2 weeks-- more than 2 weeks. This is what is going on in the Senate. The Republicans basically oppose everything. That is what they decided they were going to do, and they do it. And they come back and say: We reported this out of the committee. I read what is in it. It is a very good piece of legislation. But they said: We don't like that. Let's forget about the committee process and do something with what the House did. We have a committee structure here that I have tried to follow. I admire the work done by Senator Leahy. He led this piece of legislation out of his committee. I accept it and I approve it, as do all other 54 Democratic Senators.

Mr. REID

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

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the more than 30 years of hard work and leadership Mr. Peter Munk has demonstrated as the founder and chairman of the board of Barrick Gold Corporation. Since Barrick Gold was established in 1983, Mr. Munk has worked to make Barrick one of the world's largest gold mining companies, with projects reaching four continents. In 1986, Mr. Munk bet on Nevada, bringing Barrick to the Silver State with the acquisition of the Goldstrike mine located on the Carlin Trend in Eureka County. Nevada has since become the largest source of gold in the United States, producing more than 75 percent of the gold mined throughout the country. Even today, the Goldstrike mine is one of Barrick's most productive properties. Two of Barrick's 5 core gold mines are located in Nevada, and the company continues to operate 7 mines throughout the State, employing more than 4,200 people. Mr. Munk has shared his many successes and accomplishments with the communities in which he works and lives, and through his philanthropy, he has demonstrated his dedication to education and health. He created the Peter Munk Charitable Foundation in 1992 and has made significant donations to his alma mater, the University of Toronto, which is home to the Munk School of Global Affairs. Additionally, the premier Peter Munk Cardiac Centre was constructed at the University Health Network in Toronto as a product of his generous contributions. Under Mr. Munk's strong leadership, Barrick Gold has given back to the many communities surrounding Barrick mining operations, and the company has helped provide added support for local economic, health, and social development. In Nevada, much needed school supplies, college scholarships, and large community projects have been funded with the support of Barrick Gold. The company has also implemented strict controls to help reduce the impacts of mining on the environment and contributed to wildlife restoration and improvement projects to enhance Nevada's native plants and species habitats. For instance, in 2012, Barrick partnered with Federal and State land managers to restore vital greater sage-grouse habitat that had been scarred and damaged by a devastating wildfire. Mr. Munk has made a significant impact on the State of Nevada and has established a lasting legacy on the international mining industry. His influence has been recognized by the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, and he was honored with one of Canada's highest honors for a private citizen when he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. Additionally, Mr. Munk was the first Canadian to be awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship in 2002 and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. As Mr. Munk steps down from his role as chairman of the board of Barrick Gold Corporation, I congratulate him on his many years of success and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. 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. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5 p.m. tomorrow, all postcloture time be yielded back and the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on Calendar No. 574; further, that following disposition of that nomination, the Senate proceed to vote on cloture on Executive Calendar No. 613, and that if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be yielded back and the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 760, 761, 762, 763, and 764, and all nominations placed on the Secretary's desk in the Coast Guard; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 422.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, this resolution concerns a subpoena to a Senate employee in a civil action pending in the Court of Federal Claims. The plaintiff in this case is an organization serving as trustee for a trust set up by Congress, through legislation sponsored by Senator Max Baucus, to promote conservation and recreational use of land in Montana. The suit arises out of a dispute between plaintiff and the Department of the Interior over the Department's amendment of the trust agreement with plaintiff. As part of discovery in the case, plaintiff has issued a subpoena to Holly Luck, a former employee of then-Senator Baucus, seeking information and documents involving this matter. This resolution would authorize Ms. Luck to provide written testimony and to produce documents from Senator Baucus's office, except where a privilege should be asserted, with representation by the Senate Legal Counsel. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 4 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2014; 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 any leader remarks, the Senate resume executive session to consider the Friedland nomination postcloture, with the time until 5 p.m. equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, there will be up to three rollcall votes tomorrow at 5 p.m. The first vote will be on confirmation of the nomination of Michelle Friedland to be a U.S. circuit judge for the Ninth Circuit. The next vote will be a cloture vote on the nomination of David Weil to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor, and the last vote will be on confirmation of the Weil nomination.

Mr. REID

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

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am told S. 2223 is due for a second reading; is that right?

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would object to any further proceedings with respect to this legislation at this time.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 345, S. 2199, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, following my remarks and those of Senator McConnell, the time will be equally divided and controlled until 11 a.m., and at that time there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed with the legislation now before us. Additional votes are expected today on confirmation of nominations. Floor staff is working to come up with convenient times for everyone in that regard and will notify Senators when we have those votes scheduled. Mr. President, today the Senate will vote on whether to end debate on the paycheck fairness legislation. This much needed legislation provides important protections for women. It addresses wage disparity, helping women negotiate for equal pay, and it empowers workers to fight back against wage discrimination--women in particular. It is a good and important bill, and it helps American women in many different ways, but for reasons known only to them, Senate Republicans don't appear to be interested in closing the wage gap for working women, such as my daughter and my grandchildren, the Presiding Officer's wife and daughter, friends and neighbors. Four years ago the Republicans filibustered this exact same legislation. Two years later the Republicans filibustered this legislation. Now for a third time the Paycheck Fairness Act is before us and it appears it is going to be filibustered again. They have indicated that they will likely not let us begin work on this important piece of legislation or this debate. If they are ideologically opposed to equal pay for equal work, they are free to vote against paycheck fairness, come down here and give speeches as to why it is such a bad idea, but we haven't heard any. Today's vote is simply to begin debate on the bill. Are they so repulsed by equal pay for hard-working American women they again will not debate equal pay for equal work, but they will obstruct equal pay for equal work? The Republicans come to the floor and try to offer amendments that have nothing to do with equal pay--nothing. I am at a loss as to why anyone would decline to debate this important issue or, if you don't like it, come and tell us why. Debate is what this institution is all about. It is the U.S. Senate. Hubert Humphrey said once: ``Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent and debate.'' That is what he said. So we should debate this bill. Together we can find a solution to this unfair wage disparity that costs average working women $464,324 over a lifetime, on average. American families want us to debate and hopefully pass this legislation. This legislation overwhelmingly is supported by the American people. People in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act are calling on us to pass this legislation. They are writing letters, they are posting on social media, and they are attending rallies. Our constituents have made their feelings known, but the Republicans have not gotten the message. Henry David Thoreau said: It takes two to speak the truth. One to speak and another to listen. The Senate Democrats have heard the truth about giving women a fair shot at equal pay for equal work. The truth is that working women make an average of 77 cents for every dollar their male colleagues make for doing the exact same work. That is not fair. Today we will see if Republicans will give working women and their families a fair shot when voting on debate for this important legislation. Millions of American women and men--everyone in America-- are hoping that a third time will be the charm for Senate Republicans. Recognition of the Minority Leader

Mr. REID. I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked.

Mr. REID. Madam President, I now ask unanimous consent that at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon the Senate proceed to the Felton nomination under the previous order; further, that following the disposition of the Felton nomination, the Senate proceed to the McSweeny nomination, also under the previous order; further, that following the disposition of the McSweeny nomination, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar Nos. 506, 619, and 522; that there be 2 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees prior to each vote; that upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order I have listed; that any rollcall votes, following the first in the series, be 10 minutes in length; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any statements related to these nominations be printed in the Record; that President Obama be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. REID. Madam President, for the information of all Senators, under the agreement we just had approved, there will be as many as five rollcall votes starting at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon.