Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, a year ago I raised the issue of the problem of the small timber industry in Alaska, and we had an amendment to be offered to the tax bill. I was asked not to proceed then, and I received a commitment that this amendment would be included in the next tax bill as a technical correction. We thought it was going to be in this year again, and I discovered it is not in the bill. What this bill does, it deals with the problem created in the timber industry in southeastern Alaska when a series of companies failed and they left a situation where the pension plan is supported only by the surviving companies. These companies have the obligation to pay the pensions of those who retired from other companies that failed, prior to their demise, but they found they cannot do that and survive unless the time within which the payments are to be made is extended. That will be the purpose of this bill. The purpose of this bill is to extend the time so that the surviving companies can pay not only their own employer contribution for their own employees but for the employees of the companies that failed. I have been told today that this bill affects 600 to 1,000 jobs in southeastern Alaska now and up to 2,000 employees who already retired. Unless the time is extended, the surviving companies will fail and the existing employees will lose their jobs and those who have already retired will not get their pensions. I conferred with our friend, the chairman on the House side, Chairman Thomas. I suggested the only way to deal with this now, since the House has already passed this bill without the amendment in it, would be to have this independent bill passed. I am grateful to all who have been considering this bill all day long. It has been an all-day-long proposition, and I do hope it will be passed now so that we may try to see if the House can pass it before they adjourn. I do urge immediate passage of the bill.

Mr. STEVENS. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, this past August, Alaska lost a great hero and the Stevens family lost a cherished friend. Susan Butcher was the four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion and the first and only woman to mush her team to the summit of Mt. McKinley--with her friend and Iditarod race founder, Joe Redington, Sr. She is the reason we say ``Alaska--where men are men and women win the Iditarod.'' Susan left behind her husband David Monson and daughters Tekla and Chisana, and friends and admirers everywhere. In the solitude of the unforgiving Arctic terrain, this tough, focused, intelligent woman traveled and ran many thousands of miles with her dog teams over the years--a distance greater than a trip around the world. In David's words, she was the most driven woman on the face of this earth. Susan's skill as a musher was matched only by her great and abiding love for her dogs. If her dogs were happy, Susan was happy. Whether on the trail or at home, Susan always took care of her huskies before tending to her own needs. With only her ax and a parka, she once fended off a moose attacking her team along the trail. The moose killed two dogs and stomped 13 others. In another harrowing experience, she was rescued by her dogs when her sled broke through the ice on a remote river in the Wrangell Mountains. After that escape, Susan said she looked at every moment of her life as a gift. Susan did it all--living a life without many regrets and always great humor. Susan was blessed with a wonderful partner when she married fellow musher and lawyer David Monson. He gave her the love, laughter and relentless support that carried her through their years together. They expanded their family beyond their 100 huskies with the birth of their daughters Tekla and Chisana. Susan embraced motherhood with even greater passion, energy and devotion than she had in her life as a musher. And the girls blossomed in a home and cabin filled with books, music, Native Alaskan culture, and, of course, dogs. In December 2005, Susan was diagnosed with leukemia and began the toughest fight of her life. At the time, her husband David said ``We're going to do everything we can to make sure she has the best care. She does have the best attitude. Someone said this might be a tough disease, but this leukemia hasn't met Susan Butcher yet.'' Throughout her treatment in Seattle, Susan actively campaigned to help others by increasing donations to the National Marrow Donor Program and support for leukemia and lymphoma research. Over the past 20 years, Susan often traveled to Washington--bunking with our family--sled dogs, cat, kids and all. Presidents Reagan and George Bush, Sr., invited her and her lead dogs to the White House. She drove her team in the inaugural parades--the last time in 2001, with both her daughters in the sled. With her lead dog, Granite, she was welcomed by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to her Supreme Court chambers, and to the Pentagon by her friend General Colin Powell, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Susan had a gift for inspiring others to never give up, to test their limits, to see their way through to the finish line, and to always try the path less traveled. It is no wonder her favorite poem reflected her New England roots--Robert Frost's ``The Road Not Taken.'' On a winter day in 1994, near her home in Eureka, AK, the reporter Skip Hollandsworth watched Susan and her dogs: ``She whispers a command, and in unison the dogs pull forward. The sled slips across the snow. Soon, Butcher and her dogs are like a mirage in the distance. A few moments later, the cold, silent land swallows them up.'' ``Sometimes when she leaves,'' David says, ``I wonder if she ever wants to return home.'' Some day in the years ahead, Susan and David's beautiful daughters Tekla and Chisana will graduate from high school. We hope they and their friends will find the same inspiration to challenge themselves as Susan's words instilled in our daughter Lily's Holton Arms class in 1999. Mr. President, Alaska lost one of its brightest stars when Susan Butcher passed away. We will always remember this remarkable and courageous woman. I ask unanimous consent that Ms. Butcher's commencement address to the Holton Arms School be printed in the Record.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it is with sadness that I call to the attention of my colleagues the recent passing of one of our most loyal and hardworking former Senate staff members, John Mark Lacovara. Mark, as he was called by his family and friends, was part of a Capitol Hill family, joining both his father and sister in holding staff positions in the U.S. Senate. Mark began his Senate career in 1969. He worked his way up the ranks in a number of jobs, starting first as an elevator operator, then as an enrolling clerk, and finally capping his career as the Senate journal clerk. Those of us who knew him admired his tireless and cheerful dedication to this body. Often he would be the last one to leave his office at night and the first to arrive in the morning, no matter how late the previous session had ended. He truly loved his job, but due to health reasons, he resigned in 1997. Mark was born in Washington. He grew up in Rockville and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School. Attending night school while maintaining his full-time Senate duties, he received a bachelor's, degree in political science with a minor in American history from the University of Maryland. He served as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve for many years. Mark Lacovara passed away on October 3, 2006. Mark was the son of the late John Lacovara, administrative assistant to the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and Mrs. Patricia Lacovara Ingold of Springfield. My colleagues join me in extending our deepest sympathy to her and Mark's sisters, Dale Monno, a retired lieutenant with the Capitol Police, and Joyce. He will be missed by all of his friends in the Senate.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, during my time of almost 7 years as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I have met with Dr. Von Eschenbach quite often. We had many requests for documents. I can't remember once that he refused. But beyond that, I came to the floor today to say that I have gotten to know Dr. Von Eschenbach personally, and I can't think of a more qualified man at this time to be confirmed to this position. I hope the Senate will vote cloture and we will confirm Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach as requested by the President. I thank the Chair.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5946 which was received from the House.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Stevens amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read for the third time and passed; and a motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I wish to correct my vote on rollcall 271, the motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act point of order on Senate amendment No. 5205. I am recorded as ``yea'' to waive the Budget Act point of order. It was my intent to uphold the point of order. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the record be changed so I will be recorded as voting against the motion to waive the budget point of order. The record should reflect my vote as ``nay'' on amendment No. 5205. It would not change the outcome of the vote.

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

Mr. STEVENS

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

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I believe it is time to close morning business.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. If my friend from Hawaii has no further comment to make, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. STEVENS. 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.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, again, I thank the 2 people primarily responsible for the bill being so well put together, Sid Ashworth and Charlie Houy, respective assistants for Senator Inouye and me. It has been a good period dealing with this bill. This is the largest bill we have ever provided for the Department of Defense.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator's understanding is correct. The Parliamentarian's office has indicated to my staff that the wireless alert capability language in the act does not preclude the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee from considering legislation next year to address FEMA's role with respect to the emergency alert system, and I commit to working with you to develop a bill that will set forth FEMA's role with respect to new emergency alert capabilities.

Mr. STEVENS. These are just some of the issues which must be considered before implementing this plan. In addition, the lack of public outreach to inform citizens of the new requirements concerns me. I see the potential for a disaster at our borders if regulations are hastily imposed. There is just too much at stake to implement a travel system that has not been properly tested, and this is why Senators Leahy, Gregg, Byrd, I worked together with House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rogers to craft bipartisan language to extend the WHTI implementation date. Our language simply gives the State Department and DHS more time to make sure this is done right.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from Vermont is correct. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are now in the process of developing the rules needed to implement this initiative. The State Department is proposing an alternate form of documentation to be accepted for land border crossings known as a passcard. The passcard would be slightly less expensive than a passport but would still require the same adjudication and background check as a passport and could only be used for land travel between our country, Canada and Mexico. Many of my constituents travel to Canada every day. I believe each Senator from Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington will agree it is imperative that the travel requirements between Canada and the United States be implemented in a manner that does not adversely affect Americans. To date, the construction and price of the passcards have not been established. Passcards are essential to ensure the flow of travel and business activities between the United States and other countries is not hindered. I am also concerned with the looming date of implementation for WHTI. The administration's current plan is to implement the air and sea portion of the initiative by January 2007, this coming January. This means that in just 3 months all U.S. citizens traveling by air and sea from Canada and Mexico or the Caribbean will need a passport to enter this country. The intent of language included in the Homeland bill is in no way meant to indefinitely delay the implementation of this initiative. Securing our borders is important, and I support these efforts. I want to make sure the State Department is prepared to adjudicate the large number of requests for passports and passcards this initiative will produce. Our language also creates a single implementation date for land and sea crossings. Families often take a cruise to Alaska, and continue their vacations in Canada. In order to avoid confusion to these travelers, we must have one date in which they are expected to have new documentation, rather than the current plan to implement sea this January and land in January 2008. Further, they should be able to use the passcard for both land and sea crossings, rather than requiring a passport for the sea portion of a vacation. I believe DHS and the State Department are operating under an unrealistic timeframe. We must ensure they have enough time to properly test and implement this system, which includes biometrics and new border security equipment. We must also clearly set out guidelines we expect to be met before this initiative can be implemented. This is what we hope to achieve with the language we included in the Homeland bill.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I come to the floor to join more than 35 of our colleagues in support of the National Competitiveness Investment Act. Our country's success is the direct result of our advancements in science and technology. Throughout our history, our scientists and engineers have created new industries--and their efforts have ensured our country's competitiveness in the global economy. Two key reports now raise serious concerns about our ability to continue this tradition. The ``Innovate America'' report by the Council on Competitiveness and the National Academies' ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report, also known as the ``Augustine Report,'' both conclude advancements in science and technology are our country's best hope for the future. They identify serious problems with our efforts in these areas. Sadly, this week the World Economic Forum announced our country has dropped from first to sixth place in its ``global competitiveness index.'' Our comprehensive legislation addresses several of these issues, and all of us owe a great debt to Senator Ensign, who has shown tremendous leadership in the drafting of this bill. As the new chairman of the Commerce Committee, I asked Senator Ensign to chair our Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness. Over the past 2 years, he has held a series of hearings on this issue. He also introduced S. 2802, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which the Commerce Committee passed without opposition in May. Senator Ensign has worked on a bipartisan basis with our colleagues on the HELP and Energy Committees. This act is the culmination of these efforts. It will help our country remain competitive by increasing Federal investment in basic research and improving student opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. This bill also develops the infrastructure we need to foster innovation in the 21st century. While this bill alone will not solve all of our challenges, it is an important first step. I urge each of our colleagues to cosponsor this legislation and vote in favor of its passage.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, today I recognize the accomplishments and efforts of Bill Woolf, a longtime Senate staffer and tireless advocate for Alaska's interests. Bill will retire at the conclusion of this Congress and move to his family home on Marrowstone Island in Washington State. For nearly 30 years, Bill has been an advocate for and friend to Alaska's fishermen. A former resident of Juneau, he began work in 1977 at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. In 1983, Bill moved on to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, where he became familiar with our State's fishing industry. Bill quickly established a far-reaching bond with those affected by and working in this important industry. For the past 20 years, Bill has worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide--serving on the staffs of both Frank Murkowski and Senator Lisa Murkowski. Staff members like Bill are the backbone of this institution. They meet and work with the administration, State officials, and constituents, and they help those elected to Congress pursue initiatives which will serve their State and our Nation well. During the two decades that he has worked in the Senate, Bill has been a vigorous advocate for the people and communities of Alaska. Those who have worked with him have the deepest respect for his commitment and contributions. On behalf of our Alaska congressional delegation and all Alaskans, I extend our appreciation to Bill for his service. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, as many of my colleagues are aware, we have been engaged in a long fight to bring international fishing up to the standards we have here in the United States under the Magnuson Stevens Act. The Senate passed this important measure by unanimous consent this past June. One of the most important sections of the bill deals with destructive fishing practices conducted by foreign vessels on the high seas that are not subject to any kind of international regulation and control. The high seas comprise more than half of the planet's surface, yet only 25 percent of this area is regulated by any regional fishery management organization. Management of fishing on the high seas is patchy at best. Some areas like the donut hole in the Bering Sea off my State of Alaska have adopted strict and effective management measures. However, too many areas have not, and without an effective management regime, destructive fishing practices will continue to be conducted by foreign fleets. In the United States our fishermen must adhere to an extensive set of management and conservation requirements which are laid out in the Magnuson Stevens Act. The eight regional councils located around the United States and the Caribbean Islands are a model of innovative and effective management approaches. In contrast, management internationally and especially with respect to high seas bottom trawling is sadly lacking. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as well as expanding industrial foreign fleets and high bycatch levels are monumental threats to sustainable fisheries worldwide. These unsustainable and destructive fishing practices on the high seas threaten the good management that takes place in U.S. waters. One of the proudest moments of my Senate career was going to the United Nations to fight and end the use of large scale driftnets on the high seas. We now have the opportunity to influence the effects of unregulated high seas bottom trawling. The outlines of an agreement on unregulated bottom trawling on the high seas will be discussed at the UN beginning on October 4th. There is clear political consensus that action is needed and the United States should take the lead in protecting our oceans. The bipartisan resolution I am introducing today with our co-chairman Senator Inouye and 16 other Senators calls on the United Nations to put an end to unregulated fishing practices on the high seas. It is my hope that the United States will work to secure adoption of a United Nations General Assembly Resolution calling on nations to stop their vessels from conducting illegal, unreported, and unregulated destructive high seas bottom trawling until conservation and management measures to regulate it are adopted.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the passage of this port security legislation marks the first time three Senate committees and their House counterparts have merged their collective expertise and crafted a truly comprehensive approach to port security. A bipartisan group of Members from both Chambers of Congress dedicated several months to developing this bill to better secure America. It is a credit to the Senate and the House that each committee involved agreed to pool their resources, put aside jurisdictional issues, and reach consensus on this bill. This act strengthens security at our land and sea ports, improves our maritime transportation security strategy, and enhances communication between the Department of Homeland Security and transportation security stakeholders. It includes a plan to get our trade activities up and running again in the event of a transportation security incident. And it creates a pilot program which will study the feasibility of scanning each of the containers--100 percent of the containers--entering our ports. This legislation will enhance the collection and analysis of information about cargo destined for our ports, and this bill aims to increase awareness of the operations at domestic and foreign ports. Once those in industry share important information about cargo in the international supply chain, we must analyze it quickly. This legislation expedites that process and ensures it begins earlier in the supply chain--before containers even reach our shores. This act requires information about cargo be provided and analyzed before the cargo is loaded on a vessel in a foreign port and shipped here. This bill also expands several initiatives with a proven track record of success. There are currently five interagency operations centers up and running throughout our country. These centers bring together Federal, State, and local security enforcement officials to ensure communication among them. This act expands this effort to each of the major seaports, and places the Coast Guard in charge of these centers. This act also builds upon the Department of Homeland Security's, DHS, past cooperation with foreign governments. The container security initiative, CSI, contained within this bill enables the Department, working in partnership with host government customs services, to examine high-risk containerized cargo at foreign seaports before it is loaded on vessels destined for the United States. The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-T PAT), a voluntary public-private partnership, is also strengthened in this bill. The Commissioner of Customs and border protection will now be able to certify that a business's supply chain is secure from the point of manufacture to the product's final U.S. destination. Under this legislation, whether cargo crosses our border at Laredo or arrives on a ship from Hong Kong, participating companies' supply chains will undergo a thorough security check. This will add another layer of security to the C-T PAT initiative. Since this is a voluntary system, we have also included provisions which encourage those in industry to go above and beyond the security requirements already in place. These new incentives include expedited clearance of cargo. Mr. President, while I was disappointed earlier this year by the negative public reaction to foreign investment in our Nation's port terminals, we learned a great deal from hearings held by the Commerce Committee on this matter. As a result of those hearings, this bill requires DHS to conduct background checks on all port personnel. Current law only requires the Transportation Security Administration to perform checks on those workers directly tied to transportation at the port, or involved in its security. From the Commerce Committee hearings, it was evident that a more stringent requirement was needed. To prevent future attacks, we must secure our ports. This bill is a major step forward in this effort. Senator Inouye is my co-chairman on the Commerce Committee, and I thank him and Senators Grassley, Baucus, Coleman, Collins and Lieberman for their leadership in drafting this bill, as well as the House committee leaders who were involved. I would also like to thank the staff members on each of the committees--they have worked tirelessly on this bill. Our country's ports have become enormous operations. To fully address security of our ports, it is important that we appreciate the impacts security requirements might have on economic efficiencies in transportation and trade. We must strive to be a secure state without becoming a security state. Each of the Senate and House committees involved in this bill has jurisdiction over an area vital to the safety of our ports. Working together, our committees have developed a comprehensive bill which will help shield our Nation from future terrorist attacks. It is my hope our colleagues will support this act and move quickly to pass this bill.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the Senate I proceed to the immediate consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 5631, the Defense appropriations bill. I further ask unanimous consent that there be 2 hours of debate equally divided between the majority and minority, with that debate time not counting against the 30 hours postcloture, and that a vote on adoption of the conference report occur at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 29.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am pleased to present the Defense appropriations conference report for fiscal year 2007 with my colleague from Hawaii, our cochairman, Senator Inouye. Two nights ago, in a strong measure of bipartisan support for our men and women in uniform, the House of Representatives passed this bill. There are only 4 days left in the fiscal year. The 2007 Defense appropriations conference report must be signed into law by the President before Saturday at midnight. Finishing debate on this bill tonight and passing it tomorrow morning will ensure that this bill will get to the President in time so there will be no lapse in money available to our men and women in uniform to conduct the ongoing activities throughout the world. This bill includes the continuing resolution for those appropriations bills which have not been completed. This continuing resolution, or CR, as we call it, was negotiated on a bicameral, bipartisan basis. It is what we call a clean CR. There is no other problem associated with this CR. It has been supported on both sides of the aisle, and we are grateful to the Members in both the House and the Senate for that approval. Our conference report represents a balanced approach to fulfilling the financial needs of the Department for fiscal year 2007. It provides $436.5 billion in new discretionary spending authority for the Department of Defense. This amount also includes $70 billion in emergency spending for early fiscal year 2007 costs associated with the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the global war against terrorism. The bill fully funds the 2.2 percent across-the-board military pay raise as proposed in the President's budget. This conference agreement also provides $17.1 billion for additional fiscal year 2007 reset funding for the Army and $5.8 billion for the Marine Corps. These are specific amounts identified by the services as necessary to meet their fiscal year 2007 equipment requirements. The additional reset funding provides for the replacement of aircraft lost in battle and the recapitalization and production of combat and tactical vehicles, ammunition, and communications equipment. In addition, the conference report provides $1.1 billion for body armor and personal protection equipment and $1.9 billion to combat improvised explosive devices. The bill also provides $1.5 billion for the Afghanistan security forces fund and $1.7 billion for the Iraq security forces fund. These funds will continue the training of indigenous security forces and provide equipment and infrastructure essential to developing capable security forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill does not address the funding for basic allowance for housing within the military personnel accounts, sustainment, readiness and modernization funds contained in the operation and maintenance accounts, environmental funding, or Defense Health Program funding. These accounts will be conferenced later this year with the House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for those accounts. They are separate from this bill. Finally, I would like to note that the bill provides more than $3 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment to improve their readiness in combat operations as well as their critical role in our Nation's response to natural disasters. I urge all Members of the Senate to support this bill. It supports the men and women in uniform who risk their lives for our country each day. By voting for this measure, we show our support for what they do. I also wish to thank my cochairman again, Senator Inouye, for his support and invaluable counsel on the bill. And before I recognize him, I would like to allocate 10 minutes of the time on our side to the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma. But I yield to my friend from Hawaii.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the television, cable, and satellite industries recently launched the ``Be the Boss of What Your Kids Watch'' campaign. This campaign, which is headed up by my good friend Jack Valenti, educates parents about how to protect their children from inappropriate television programming. When Senator Inouye and I first became co-chairmen of the Senate Commerce Committee, several groups and individuals approached us; they were concerned about decency in media content. In November 2005, our Committee began the process of bringing each of these groups together. We convened an Open Forum on Decency and held hearings. In all, more than 30 groups and individuals shared their concerns and insights with us. The ``Be the Boss'' campaign is one noteworthy initiative which developed from these efforts. Surveys show that only three percent of Americans know how to use the V-chip, a feature in every television set which enables parents to block programs based on ratings. This $300 million ad campaign seeks to teach parents how to use this--and other-- blocking technologies and will help them better monitor television programs. In July, Jack Valenti and Peggy Conlon, the president of the Ad Council, kicked off the ``Be the Boss'' campaign when they showed our committee their first two public service announcements. Thanks to these announcements, and the campaign web site, www.thetvboss.org. parents now have information about the V-chip, cable and satellite controls, and television ratings. Earlier this week, kits containing information about this campaign were delivered to every Member of Congress. I urge my colleagues to share these valuable resources with their constituents, and I thank Jack Valenti and his colleagues for their leadership on this issue. I yield the floor.

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006. I am joined by my colleagues from the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senators Inouye, Lott and Lautenberg. Pipelines are one of the safest forms of transportation, and in most cases their safety record has been steadily improving. Unfortunately however, as recent events in my State demonstrate, there is still much to be done. This bill addresses the problems that have occurred in Alaska and other safety issues that have been brought to the Committee's attention. The bill reauthorizes the pipeline safety programs of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for Fiscal Years 2007 through 2010. Highlights of the bill include: Increased Department of Transportation Resources Dedicated to Overseeing Pipeline Safety--The bill provides an additional 45 Federal inspectors (a 50 percent increase) over the 4 years of the bill at a cost of $6 million in Fiscal Year 2010. Currently PHMSA has 90 inspectors, but the DOT Inspector General has stated in the past that these relatively low staffing levels are a matter for concern. Ninety inspectors translate to one inspector for every 18,000 miles of pipeline in this country. Strengtened Programs to Reduce Construction Related Damage to Pipelines--The bill includes new civil enforcement authority against excavators and pipeline operators responsible for third-party damage incidents and provides grants to states that have damage prevention programs in place. Construction related damage, such as damage caused by excavation for a highway project, is the greatest cause of pipeline accidents that result in death or injury. This occurs most often on the distribution systems that run through the neighborhoods where people live and work. These incidents have increased by 49 percent since 1996. Applying DOT Safety Standards to the Currently Unregulated Low Stress Pipelines--On August 31, the DOT announced proposed rules to cover low stress pipelines in unusually sensitive areas. Pipeline operators will have to meet new safety requirements, including cleaning and continuous monitoring, along more than 1,200 miles of pipelines. However, low- stress lines that aren't in such sensitive areas would continue to be unregulated. The bill goes further than the regulation and requires DOT oversight of all low-stress pipelines. Increased Accountability of Pipeline Company Officials--The bill includes a provision that would require senior officials at pipeline companies to certify that the information they are providing to regulators is accurate. Enhanced Pipeline Research--The bill would also boost PHMSA's research and technology development budget for pipeline safety issues such as corrosion by $10 million over the length of the bill. A Study of Pipelines Critical to Energy Supply--The bill includes a study of oil pipelines that are critical to the nation's energy supply in order to determine if there are sufficient safety regulations in place to ensure their safety. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee are also working on pipeline safety legislation. I hope that our three Committees can work together over the next month while the Congress is out of session to develop a joint legislative product that we can pass and have signed into law when we return in November. Many of the provisions in the three bills are similar and we should have enough common ground to achieve this goal.