Harry Reid

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, as Senators, our work is measured by what we are able to accomplish for the middle class, what we are able to accomplish for the American people. I have watched very closely and been in touch, as we all know, having read all the stories, of what has gone on here in the last month. I am sorry to say that we spent 1 month on a bill calling for the importation of oil from a foreign country and then exporting that oil outside of America. I am glad we were able to work it out so that we had a number of amendments. That was really good. We felt very comfortable with that. I wish we could have done some more, but I am satisfied with what we were able to do. Of course now we await the action of the President, as we should be doing. The work of this Senate is based upon--should be based upon--what we are able to do for the middle class. We are a constructive minority, and we proved that the last month. To show how constructive we are, take for example TRIA, terrorism insurance. It is so important up and down the Las Vegas Strip, Times Square, everyplace in America. That is important to the business community. Yet that was held up in the last Congress by my Republican colleagues. To show our good faith, we were able to pass that in a matter of hours. That is the way it should be. We are going to vote tomorrow on the Clay Hunt bill. That is an important piece of legislation. I have worked hard on suicide prevention. We need to keep working on it. Each year in America 32,000 Americans kill themselves. That does not take into consideration the car accidents that are not reported properly, hunting accidents. We have about 24 veterans who kill themselves every day in America. We believe that is important for America, and because of that, we are going to pass that in a matter of hours tomorrow. That is the way it should be.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, there is an issue that is now before this body. It is an important issue. All we need to look at is what is going on around the world--terrorism attack in Australia; terrorism attack in Canada; in France, scores of people killed. We saw what happened in Belgium. Terrorism is for real. Senator McCaskill said it about the best way I have seen it described. The Republicans are more afraid of the DREAMers than they are of ISIS. By the way, ISIS said they are coming our way. Why should we be dealing with issues that have nothing to do with homeland security? We should pass a homeland security bill with no strings attached to it. That is where we are going to wind up. If the Republican majority in the House and the Senate wants to have a CR for Homeland Security--a continuing resolution--that would cut about $1 billion out of the budget for Homeland Security. Homeland Security was developed after 9/11. It was a bipartisan piece of legislation that consolidated 22 different government agencies. We need to get that done and sent to the President in a clean fashion. If my Republican colleagues have some problem with something the President has done on immigration, for example, hit it head-on. Do not hide behind Homeland Security. We need a safe homeland. I hope my Republican colleagues will join us to get that done as quickly as possible.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, NV. With its strong commitment to serving others, Congregation Ner Tamid is an integral and deeply valued part of the Las Vegas community. As the largest Reform synagogue in the State of Nevada, with a membership of more than 600 families, Congregation Ner Tamid is an important center for the Jewish community. For decades, the congregation has provided opportunities for religious education to members of all ages and helped sustain important Jewish traditions that have been practiced for centuries. At the same time, Congregation Ner Tamid has worked to develop strong, interfaith relationships with other communities in southern Nevada. Congregation Ner Tamid hosted the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada's annual Thanksgiving observance this past November, bringing together people with diverse spiritual views in a unified commitment to mutual understanding and cooperation. In particular, I appreciate the value Congregation Ner Tamid places on serving others and working to improve the Las Vegas community. Congregation Ner Tamid is committed to helping the homeless, engaging in important political discussions, and providing support to individuals and families through a variety of programs and events. I extend my congratulations to Congregation Ner Tamid on this important anniversary, and I thank Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Cantor Jessica Hutchings, president Jacky Rosen, and the past presidents of Congregation Ner Tamid for their leadership and dedication.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of our Nation's veterans to once again discuss the unjust and outdated policy of failing to give our veterans the full military retirement and veterans disability compensation benefits that they have earned in their service to the Nation. Full payment of retirement and disability benefits, together known as ``concurrent receipt,'' is an issue that I have strongly advocated for more than a decade. In the past, veterans were prevented from receiving the full pay and benefits they earned in dedicated service to our country. The law required that military retirement pay be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of any disability compensation a veteran received. I am pleased to say that many Senators have joined me in fighting this policy, and we have made some progress on behalf of our Nation's veterans In 2003, Congress passed legislation that allowed disabled retired veterans with at least a 50 percent disability rating to become eligible for full concurrent receipt benefits by 2013. In 2004, the 10- year phase-in period was eliminated for veterans with 100 percent service-related disability. With the phase-in period now complete, I am deeply gratified that all those veterans with over 50 percent disability ratings are now receiving the full benefits they earned from their service. These are significant victories that put hundreds of thousands of veterans on track to receive both their retirement and disability benefits. However, many more of our veterans remain unjustly impacted by the denial of concurrent receipt. For me, this is a simple matter of fairness. There is no reason to deny a veteran who has served their country honorably the right to the full value of their retirement pay simply because their service also resulted in a disability that affects them each and every day for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, that is exactly what the current law does. This legislation will bring that indefensible practice to an end. This is not a partisan issue. Our Nation has been at war for over a decade, through both Republican and Democratic administrations, and our service members have performed with unmatched valor around the world. Our utmost duty as lawmakers should be to ensure that the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces receive the benefits they have earned. So once again, I rise on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Today, I introduce legislation that will eliminate all limitations to concurrent receipt. We must take action now to support our veterans who have never faltered in their unwavering service to this grateful Nation. This is the right thing to do. I hope my Senate colleagues will join me in supporting this bill. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of our Nation's veterans to once again discuss the unjust and outdated policy of failing to give our veterans the full military retirement and veterans disability compensation benefits that they have earned in their service to the Nation. Full payment of retirement and disability benefits, together known as ``concurrent receipt,'' is an issue that I have strongly advocated for more than a decade. In the past, veterans were prevented from receiving the full pay and benefits they earned in dedicated service to our country. The law required that military retirement pay be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of any disability compensation a veteran received. I am pleased to say that many Senators have joined me in fighting this policy, and we have made some progress on behalf of our Nation's veterans In 2003, Congress passed legislation that allowed disabled retired veterans with at least a 50 percent disability rating to become eligible for full concurrent receipt benefits by 2013. In 2004, the 10- year phase-in period was eliminated for veterans with 100 percent service-related disability. With the phase-in period now complete, I am deeply gratified that all those veterans with over 50 percent disability ratings are now receiving the full benefits they earned from their service. These are significant victories that put hundreds of thousands of veterans on track to receive both their retirement and disability benefits. However, many more of our veterans remain unjustly impacted by the denial of concurrent receipt. For me, this is a simple matter of fairness. There is no reason to deny a veteran who has served their country honorably the right to the full value of their retirement pay simply because their service also resulted in a disability that affects them each and every day for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, that is exactly what the current law does. This legislation will bring that indefensible practice to an end. This is not a partisan issue. Our Nation has been at war for over a decade, through both Republican and Democratic administrations, and our service members have performed with unmatched valor around the world. Our utmost duty as lawmakers should be to ensure that the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces receive the benefits they have earned. So once again, I rise on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Today, I introduce legislation that will eliminate all limitations to concurrent receipt. We must take action now to support our veterans who have never faltered in their unwavering service to this grateful Nation. This is the right thing to do. I hope my Senate colleagues will join me in supporting this bill. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, today the United States Senate family lost one of its Members. Early this morning, our friend and colleague, Senator Wendell Ford, passed away at his home in Owensboro, KY. Senator Wendell Ford's service to his State and country spanned seven decades. A veteran of World War II and longtime member of the Kentucky Army National Guard, Wendell Ford's first elected position was that of State senator. In 1967 he ran successfully for Lieutenant Governor. Four years later he was elected Governor. Following his term as Governor, the people of Kentucky sent him to the U.S. Senate, where he enjoyed a distinguished 24-year career. He was my predecessor as Democratic whip, a position that he held from 1995 to 1999. When Senator Ford retired, he was the longest serving U.S. Senator in Kentucky history, a record that my friend, the majority leader, eclipsed in 2009. Senator Wendell Ford loved Kentucky. His loyalty to his home State was never in question. During his time here in the Senate, he unabashedly and unapologetically fought for anything that would give Kentucky families a helping hand. Similarly, anyone or anything that threatened Kentucky and its people was met with Senator Ford's fierce opposition. My thoughts today are with his family. I express my condolences to his wife of 71 years, Jean Neel, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Senator Wendell Ford will be greatly missed by his loved ones, the people of Kentucky and the United States of America.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the career of the Honorable Philip M. Pro, who is retiring from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. For more than 25 years, Judge Pro has sat on the district court. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, and he took office on July 23, 1987. From 2002 to 2007, he served as chief judge for the district court. Since being appointed to this distinguished position by President Reagan, his consistent leadership and responsiveness to the public and the court have not gone unnoticed. In October 1993, then U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist appointed Judge Pro as chair of the Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System of the Judicial Conference of the United States. In 2007, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Judge Pro to the board of the Federal Judicial Center. Beyond his remarkable career at the district court, Judge Pro has had a tremendous impact on the entire legal community. He served for several years on the Study Committee to Review the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure. He was actively involved in numerous international rule-of-law programs in countries such as Hungary, Spain, Norway, Malawi, and South Africa. Judge Pro was integral in the establishment of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He served on the Law Advisory Committee for the law school and the advisory board of the school's Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution. In addition to his impressive work in the legal community, he has worked since 1987 to educate Nevada's youth about civic duties through his role with the We, the People . . . the Citizen and the Constitution Program. On a personal basis, I was chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission during tumultuous times, when it was discovered mob influences infiltrated Nevada's gaming establishments; Phil was one of my attorneys. We have joked, since then, that he was able to beat, on behalf of the State of Nevada and its gaming authorities, the best lawyers that the adverse interest could buy. He was then an advocate of the law. Phil understood the law, for which I will always be grateful. I would also be negligent if I did not announce to everyone within the sound of my voice my envy for his great voice. He has a deep baritone speaking ability, which sets him apart from almost everyone else. I thank Phil Pro for his friendship. Through his years of professional and voluntary service, Judge Pro has become a fixture in the Nevada legal community. I congratulate him on his many successes and decades of dedicated public service. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar Nos. 900, Broadcasting Board of Governors; 651, 970, Chemical Safety Board; 1079, Rasmussen; 514, Lopes; 1104, Bradley; 1141, Rosekind; 933, Tierney; 644, 645, 646, 737, Udall Foundation; 844, 845, 862, 864, 865, Legal Services Board; 757, 1085, 1086, Election Assistance Corporation; 1062, 1005, U.S. Attorneys; 1099, 1100, Coleman; 790, Alexander; 1111, Berteau; 1110, Scher; 1090, Baily; 1091, Cekuta; 1092, Uyehara; 1093, Mills; further, that the commerce committee be discharged from further consideration of the nomination PN 2092, O'Rielly; further, that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN2065, PN1279, PN1280, Legal Services Board; further, that the Environment and Public Works Committee be discharged from further consideration of PN1916, Udall Foundation; that the nominations be agreed to; 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; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 618; that the nomination be confirmed, the motion 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 nomination; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motions with respect to the following nominations be withdrawn: Calendar Nos. 840, Lopez; 922, Jadotte; 901, Stivers; 735, Cruden; and 553, Smith; further, that all postcloture time on the Honorable nomination be considered expired and the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the Honorable nomination; that upon disposition of the Honorable nomination, the Senate proceed to confirmation votes on the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 840, Lopez; 922, Jadotte; 901, Stivers; 735, Cruden; 553, Smith; further, that if any nomination is confirmed, the motion 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 nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, we are doing our best to keep everyone advised. We have got a picture; we have made a lot of progress. But in the meantime, my favorite words: I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and proceed to the consideration of the House message to accompany S. 2244, which is the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act; that the majority leader be recognized for the purpose of offering a motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 2244; that there be up to 10 minutes of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees prior to a vote on the motion to concur; that there be no motions to concur with an amendment or motions to refer in order prior to a vote on the motion to concur; finally, the vote on adoption of the motion to concur be subject to a 60- affirmative-vote threshold.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, my friend from Oklahoma seeks to amend the House-passed TRIA bill with an unrelated piece of legislation in the sense that he knows--we all know--would change the bill, it is gone, and that would be a modification to the bill. If the Senate were to amend TRIA, we would have to send it back to the House of Representatives. They are gone. They are not going to change anything in the bill. We have been told that many times. Amending the TRIA bill would be just another way to kill the TRIA bill. I say with respect to my friend from Oklahoma, whom I have worked with for 10 years, from the very beginning we have tried to work out something with him on this bill. We have been unable to do that. It is unfortunate, but his objection is going to kill TRIA. I am very sorry about that, but that is a fact. So I cannot accept his modification.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. With this nomination, this will be the last vote of this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that the remaining cloture motions with respect to judicial nominations be withdrawn and the Senate proceed to vote on the nominations in the order upon which cloture was filed and all time on the Bough nomination be yielded back.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. REID

Mr. REID. Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the Republican leader, the Senate will resume executive session and vote on the confirmation of the Santos and Rose nominations. Those will be done by voice. Following disposition of the nominations, there will be up to 3 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees in relation to the Saldana nomination. The time from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be equally divided and controlled in the usual form, followed by two rollcall votes on cloture and confirmation of the Saldana nomination. There will be our usual party caucuses today at noon. Rollcall votes will occur for sure this evening at 6 p.m. Reservation of Leader Time