Jon Tester

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 286, submitted earlier today.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be read three times, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that any statements relating to the joint resolution be printed in the Record. The joint resolution (S.J. Res. 7) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S.J. Res. 7 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in accordance with section 5581 of the Revised Statutes (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in the class other than Members of Congress, occurring because of the expiration of the term of Roger W. Sant of Washington, D.C., as filled by the reappointment of Roger W. Sant, for a term of 6 years, effective October 25, 2007.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 7 and that the Senate then proceed to its consideration.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to consideration of S. Res. 285, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent the amendment to the resolution be agreed to, the resolution, as amended, be agreed to, the amendment to the preamble, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to, the preamble, as amended, be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, and that any statements related thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 276, and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. TESTER

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program. The reauthorization of this highly successful 10-year-old program would provide an additional $35 billion over the next 5 years to make sure that more of America's neediest children have access to one of their most basic needs--health care. In fact, 6.6 million of our most vulnerable children--that is an increase of 3.2 million children--will be covered by this bill. I applaud the efforts of my senior Senator, Max Baucus, for leading the charge to cover more children. Reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program is the right thing to do. Because of Max Baucus and the good work of the Finance Committee, almost 12,000 more children in Montana will have coverage this year. Montanans know just how well this program works. As president of the Montana Senate, I worked to increase the number of children eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program and pushed through full State funding of the Children's Health Insurance Program for Montana's children, expanding the enrollment from 10,900 to 13,900 children annually. As of this July, Montana's Children's Health Insurance Program is providing insurance for 14,304 children per month in the State of Montana. It just makes sense. Only children who do not have private insurance are eligible. I am going to repeat that because I have heard contrary stuff on the floor. Only children who do not have private insurance are eligible for this program. No one is double-dipping, no one who has insurance can receive this coverage. With this reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program, we as a country are investing in our most valuable resource--our children. If children have regular checkups and receive the preventive care they need, they are sick less and in school more, and they grow up to be healthy, productive members of our society with less problems in middle age and healthier in their elderly years. Mr. President, it is tough out there. Millions of children lack health insurance despite their parents' hard work and efforts to keep their heads above water. Many families cannot afford health insurance despite the fact that they have jobs. When it comes time for parents to pay the bills, health insurance comes after rent, food, clothing, utility bills, and gas for their car. Health insurance shouldn't be treated as a luxury, and access to health care shouldn't be a fantasy. We must be focused on improving the overall quality of health care for low-income children. We know there are more children eligible for benefits than are currently enrolled. In order to find and provide coverage for those children, States should be able to use the information from food stamp programs, free and reduced lunches, and other initiatives in place for low-income families. Up to now, these programs could not share information, so those with the greatest need would have to apply for each program separately. This Children's Health Insurance Program before us increases funding and outreach and enrollment efforts to find these uninsured kids. This is especially critical in rural States--rural States such as Montana. Rural children are more likely to be poor and less likely to have access to employer-based health plans even though most of their parents are employed. Nearly one-third of the kids in rural America rely upon CHIP and Medicare. The need is clear: Without children's health insurance, they would be uninsured. There have been a lot of stories shared today on the floor. I want to share another one, of a fellow Montanan. Duran ``Junior'' Caferro from Helena, MT, is a boxer and has been fighting for 10 years. He is ranked in the 125-pound weight class and will compete in the Olympic trials next month in Houston, TX. Duran is also an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe. His father, who works with at-risk youth, does not have health insurance and can't afford coverage for himself or his son. Helena has an urban Indian health clinic but not an Indian Health Service hospital, so Duran doesn't have access to emergency and hospital services with his IHS health benefits. CHIP has allowed him to have a choice in where he receives medical care, and he recognizes the value of this coverage. When asked about CHIP, he said the following: It is important that I have Children's Health Insurance Program because I don't have to be afraid to push myself when I'm training or fighting. It gives me one less thing to worry about. If Duran wins this tournament in Houston this summer, he will be a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team. He will turn 19 soon and will age-out of CHIP. He expects to become uninsured because he and his dad are still struggling and can't afford to buy private health insurance. Some may doubt the cost-effectiveness of this program, but this bill not only helps low-income children, it also helps middle America. Why is that the case? Because the coverage made available to low-income kids lowers the number of emergency room visits of uninsured children. Emergency room doctors no longer serve as primary care physicians for the uninsured, and that lowers the cost of health care for the rest of America--the middle class--who currently cover the cost of the uninsured emergency room visits. We all know that the middle class is feeling the pinch too. If we can lower health costs for them and provide health care to more of our kids, it is a win-win. The way to ensure the continued strength of our country for future generations is to improve the future of our most valuable asset--our young people--and this bill which reauthorizes the Children's Health Insurance Program does just that. Once again, I thank the senior Senator from Montana, Max Baucus, and the Finance Committee for championing this bill. They did some outstanding work. Hopefully, we will continue that work on the floor here tomorrow. We must pass this bill, and I urge my colleagues and the President to support it.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3206, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 276, S. Res. 236.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, en bloc, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 277 and the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 255 and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 287, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 278 and the Senate then proceed to its consideration.

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I thank Senator Byrd for this important clarification. I thank Senator Levin for being such a leader on this issue. I think it is important that people understand that this is not an issue that the northern states just decided to raise in the interest of getting our fair share. It is a matter of national security. The 9/11 Commission's report cites a lack of balance in manpower between the northern and southern borders. They note that the would-be terrorists in the millennium plot were detained on the northern border. This is not about being parochial. This is about our national security. This is about making sure that we have the resources to stop a terrorist from bringing materials for a dirty bomb in from Canada. It's about stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs like meth and marijuana that come in from the north each year. So I thank Chairman Byrd for clarifying that the additional Border Patrol personnel and funding contained in the Graham-Pryor amendment is not just going to go to the southern border, but will go to both of our borders. This amendment is vital to our homeland security, and I think that if the northern border gets 20 percent of the resources outlined in the amendment, we will have really done something significant to enhance the security of our 4,300 mile border with Canada. And so I thank the authors of the amendment, one of whom is here with us. Senator Graham, can you clarify that the intent of your amendment was to make additional Border Patrol agents and funding available for both the northern and southern border?

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise in strong opposition to the Alexander amendment. It is a bad idea. The amendment would take away $300 million from port security, rail security, and all the grant programs that fund the first responders in each of our home States. It would rob the Border Patrol, Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard of the resources they need to keep our Nation safe. It would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. The amendment would take $300 million and give it to departments of motor vehicles. Let me say that again. This amendment takes funds off the border, and gives funds to departments of motor vehicles. That is because the REAL ID Act will require every citizen to obtain a new driver's license from your State. To do that, you will need a birth certificate, your Social Security card, and some way of verifying your current address. It applies to everyone. It will require States to reissue more than 245 million driver's licenses--let me say that again. It will require States to reissue more than 245 million driver's licenses--only after certifying that the person requesting the document is an American citizen or in the country legally. States are also being asked to build a whole new set of databases and other information technology to link up with the Federal database and with other States. All in all, the national ID system will cost $23 billion--with a ``B''--$23 billion for the States to implement, and we are going to take away $300 million from port security and rail security and first responders in our home States and think that is going to make a difference. This amendment would only provide 1.3 percent of that $23 billion cost. That does nothing to help the States. In fact, it is an afront to them to say ``we hear your complaints,'' and then provide them with a 1-percent solution. Beyond the funding issues this amendment creates, endorsing REAL ID would be a real mistake. The REAL ID Act puts massive new Federal regulations on the States. From new databases and fraud monitoring, to new network and data storage capacity, the States will be tasked with an enormous range of new regulations and new requirements. Once REAL ID becomes effective, every State's department of motor vehicles will have to play immigration official. DMV workers will be tasked with reconciling discrepancies in Social Security numbers with the Social Security Administration. Departments of motor vehicles will have to require proof of ``legal presence'' in the United States from immigrants. REAL ID also creates enormous privacy concerns. REAL ID is a national ID card. Make no mistake about that. Every citizen who wants to get on a plane, who wants to enter a Federal building, and, possibly, who even wants to get a job will have to be a part of it. We should not be funding something such as that without a real debate in Congress about the wisdom of such a program. One month ago, 52 Senators voted to prohibit the expansion of REAL ID in the immigration bill. I hope we do not retreat from that progress by suddenly agreeing to this amendment to fund--at a 1-percent level--REAL ID. The way to improve our country's homeland security is not by outsourcing it to the States' Department of Motor Vehicles. Our security is improved by hiring more border agents, strengthening Customs and the Coast Guard, and ensuring local law enforcement has the tools they need to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats. This amendment sets the wrong priorities for homeland security, and I urge its defeat. I yield the floor.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, Indian Education is perhaps the most important issue facing Indian Country today because education represents hope. Higher education leads to better job opportunities. Better jobs lead to higher income and happier days. Higher income leads to greater access to health care and adequate housing and overall, a higher quality of life. Higher quality of life leads to strong communities. Happy, healthy, and strong communities are more resistant to the destructive forces of poverty such as chemical abuse, violence and neglect. No one disagrees that 85 percent unemployment in Indian Country is unacceptable. No one disagrees that it is unacceptable that the majority of America's at-risk youth live in Indian Country. However, merely reciting these statistics over and over won't make the situation any better. We need to work together to make Indian Country a better place to live, work and raise a family. Senator Dorgan and I introduce this vital legislation to help advance the remarkable work tribal colleges and universities are doing. Through grants awarded under this bill, tribal colleges and universities will have additional resources necessary to strengthen Indian communities through the provision of health promotion and disease prevention education, outreach and workforce development programs, through program implementation, research, and capacity building. Not only will it improve education, but it will also improve the delivery of culturally appropriate health care services. In addition to good education and increased access to health care, this bill will also help create good jobs in Indian Country. Tribal colleges and universities are accredited by independent, regional accreditation agencies, and like all institutions of higher education, must undergo stringent performance reviews to retain their accreditation status. In addition to offering postsecondary education opportunities, tribal colleges serve reservation communities by providing critical services including: libraries, community centers, cultural, historical and language programs; tribal archives, career centers, economic development and business centers; health and wellness centers, public meeting places, child and elder care centers. Despite their many obligations, functions, and notable achievements, tribal colleges remain the most poorly funded institutions of higher education in this country. The continued success and future of the Nation's tribal colleges and universities depends on their ability to provide higher education and community outreach programs. For them to succeed however, they must have the financial resources to do so. I am honored to rise today to introduce this important legislation for improving conditions in America's Indian Country. I am proud of the folks who came together to help craft the bill and am proud to cosponsor it with my friend, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Dorgan. I am proud to serve on the Indian Affairs Committee and to work to improve conditions in Indian Country. For example, on April 5th, I held a Tribal College Summit at the Blackfeet Community College in Browning, the first of its kind. Leaders of all the Tribal nations in Montana and leaders throughout Indian higher education met to brainstorm about how we can improve tribal colleges in the State of Montana and across the country. By the end of the day, each group pledged to take specific actions to improve tribal college education throughout the U.S. Part of my pledge includes introducing this PATH legislation. By training more Indian students to enter the health care field, we will provide Indian country with more educated and self-sufficient members and improve the quality of and access to healthcare in Indian Country. Healthier communities and good-paying jobs lead to improved overall conditions in Indian Country. As a Montanan and member of the Senate Indian Affairs Community, I am proud to introduce this legislation. I look forward to swift consideration and eventual passage.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, Indian Education is perhaps the most important issue facing Indian Country today because education represents hope. Higher education leads to better job opportunities. Better jobs lead to higher income and happier days. Higher income leads to greater access to health care and adequate housing and overall, a higher quality of life. Higher quality of life leads to strong communities. Happy, healthy, and strong communities are more resistant to the destructive forces of poverty such as chemical abuse, violence and neglect. No one disagrees that 85 percent unemployment in Indian Country is unacceptable. No one disagrees that it is unacceptable that the majority of America's at-risk youth live in Indian Country. However, merely reciting these statistics over and over won't make the situation any better. We need to work together to make Indian Country a better place to live, work and raise a family. Senator Dorgan and I introduce this vital legislation to help advance the remarkable work tribal colleges and universities are doing. Through grants awarded under this bill, tribal colleges and universities will have additional resources necessary to strengthen Indian communities through the provision of health promotion and disease prevention education, outreach and workforce development programs, through program implementation, research, and capacity building. Not only will it improve education, but it will also improve the delivery of culturally appropriate health care services. In addition to good education and increased access to health care, this bill will also help create good jobs in Indian Country. Tribal colleges and universities are accredited by independent, regional accreditation agencies, and like all institutions of higher education, must undergo stringent performance reviews to retain their accreditation status. In addition to offering postsecondary education opportunities, tribal colleges serve reservation communities by providing critical services including: libraries, community centers, cultural, historical and language programs; tribal archives, career centers, economic development and business centers; health and wellness centers, public meeting places, child and elder care centers. Despite their many obligations, functions, and notable achievements, tribal colleges remain the most poorly funded institutions of higher education in this country. The continued success and future of the Nation's tribal colleges and universities depends on their ability to provide higher education and community outreach programs. For them to succeed however, they must have the financial resources to do so. I am honored to rise today to introduce this important legislation for improving conditions in America's Indian Country. I am proud of the folks who came together to help craft the bill and am proud to cosponsor it with my friend, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Dorgan. I am proud to serve on the Indian Affairs Committee and to work to improve conditions in Indian Country. For example, on April 5th, I held a Tribal College Summit at the Blackfeet Community College in Browning, the first of its kind. Leaders of all the Tribal nations in Montana and leaders throughout Indian higher education met to brainstorm about how we can improve tribal colleges in the State of Montana and across the country. By the end of the day, each group pledged to take specific actions to improve tribal college education throughout the U.S. Part of my pledge includes introducing this PATH legislation. By training more Indian students to enter the health care field, we will provide Indian country with more educated and self-sufficient members and improve the quality of and access to healthcare in Indian Country. Healthier communities and good-paying jobs lead to improved overall conditions in Indian Country. As a Montanan and member of the Senate Indian Affairs Community, I am proud to introduce this legislation. I look forward to swift consideration and eventual passage.