S8964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 Mrs. SHAHEEN thereupon assumed The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- sity, and Ohio State University for law the chair as Acting President pro tem- pore. No. school. After practicing law for several pore. Mr. REID. The Republican leader is years in Cleveland, he began his polit- f on his way and has an important ical career in 1963 as an assistant attor- speech to give, so if everyone will just ney general of Ohio. Three years later, RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY be calm while he delivers his speech. at the tender age of 30, GEORGE was LEADER RECOGNITION OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER elected to the Ohio statehouse. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- The 1970s was a period of economic pore. The majority leader is recog- pore. The Republican leader is recog- turmoil for many American cities, and nized. nized. Cleveland was no exception. In 1978, f REMEMBERING RICHARD HOLBROOKE Cleveland became the first American SCHEDULE Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, city since the 1930s to file for bank- yesterday America lost one of the most ruptcy, and GEORGE, who was serving Mr. REID. Madam President, fol- talented and dedicated diplomats it has as the State’s Lieutenant Governor at lowing leader remarks, the Senate will ever produced. Richard Holbrooke the time, decided he needed to do begin the final stage of our consider- began his diplomatic service several something to help his hometown. ation of the House message with re- decades ago as a young foreign service Mounting a challenge to the Demo- spect to H.R. 4853, which is the tax bill. officer in Vietnam. The storied career cratic incumbent, DENNIS KUCINICH, Postcloture time will expire tonight at that followed spanned the globe and GEORGE overcame tough odds and won 12:30 a.m. will remain an integral part of the dip- the race. Determined to bring the city The Senate will recess from 12:30 lomatic history of our Nation. around and bring Cleveland out of the until 2:15 today for weekly caucus Dick Holbrooke will always be re- economic ditch, GEORGE organized a se- luncheons. We will also have a number membered for pursuing the hardest ries of coalitions and public-private of Senators organized today to give missions, whether negotiating the Day- partnerships to bring Cleveland back their final speeches. We look forward ton Accords which helped end the war from the brink. More importantly, I to hearing from Senator BOND at 11:30 in Bosnia or his immensely difficult think GEORGE would tell us he helped today to deliver his farewell speech, final assignment as Special Represent- restore confidence and pride to the Senator JUDD GREGG will deliver his ative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. city. farewell speech at 2:15 p.m., and Sen- Ambassador Holbrooke doggedly pur- His motto was ‘‘Together, We Can Do ator HARKIN will be speaking at 3:15 sued what in his view best enhanced It.’’ And they did. He went on to serve p.m. for up to 45 minutes. Senator KIRK the diplomacy and national security as mayor for an entire decade and will deliver his maiden speech at 5 p.m. objectives of our Nation. We honor his helped close an ugly chapter in Cleve- today. legacy of service to America’s foreign land’s history. It was a remarkable Senators will be notified when any policy interests by continuing his ef- feat. Once called the ‘‘buckle of the votes are scheduled. I have spoken to forts to help Afghanistan deny the rust belt’’ and the butt of a lot of late the Republican leader, and we are Taliban a return to power and to dis- night television jokes, Cleveland un- going to try to work this out so we rupt, defeat, and dismantle al-Qaida. derwent a renaissance under GEORGE’s don’t have to be in until 12:30 and so we I might just add, I remember running leadership. It paid down a $110 million can move to other matters. We will into Dick at the White House a couple debt, added thousands of jobs, brought keep Senators advised as to what the of weeks ago. He never missed an op- new development and businesses down- exact schedule will be. portunity to be selling what he was town, and saw struggling sports fran- f doing. So he sidled up to me and in his chises transformed into contenders. RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME usual aggressive way began to discuss For GEORGE, it was never about him. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- his current mission in Afghanistan. He He would never take full credit for the pore. Under the previous order, the was a dedicated public servant, and we growth and prosperity Cleveland en- leadership time is reserved. will all miss him greatly. joyed or the fact that he was named TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS one of the Nation’s top mayors. It was f GEORGE VOINOVICH always about the people of Cleveland FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRA- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, working together to make the city TION EXTENSION ACT OF 2010 I rise to pay tribute to Senator GEORGE they knew and loved great again. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- VOINOVICH who has served this Cham- GEORGE’s outstanding work as mayor pore. Under the previous order, the ber and the people of Ohio with honor helped him win the Governor’s Mansion Senate will resume consideration of over the past 12 years after an already in 1990 where he served two terms. He the House message with respect to H.R. long career as a devoted public servant. faced a fiscal mess in Columbus, too, 4853, which the clerk will report. GEORGE has served in the Ohio state- and worked hard to rein in spending. The legislative clerk read as follows: house, as Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor, One of his signature achievements as Motion to concur in the House amendment as the mayor of Cleveland, as Governor Governor was education reform, and in to the Senate amendment with an amend- of Ohio, and as a U.S. Senator. That is particular the Cleveland school vouch- ment to H.R. 4853, an act to amend the Inter- quite a record of accomplishment. er program which provided thousands nal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the fund- When GEORGE walks out of the Cham- of low-income students with the oppor- ing and expenditure authority of the Airport ber for the last time, he will have tunity for a better education and ulti- and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, served 44 years in public service. mately greater opportunities in life. United States Code, to extend authorization But his record of success as Governor for the airport improvement program, and Yet in a career that has taken him for other purposes. from Cleveland to Columbus to Wash- was deep and far-reaching. He helped restore Ohio’s economy, balanced its Pending: ington and around the world, GEORGE has always made time for his family, budget, and saw unemployment hit a Reid motion to concur in the amendment and no one was surprised when in Janu- 25-year low. For a job well done, the of the House to the amendment of the Senate voters of Ohio reelected GEORGE to a to the bill, with Reid/McConnell modified ary 2009 he announced that he planned amendment No. 4753 (to the House amend- to retire at the end of this year in second term as Governor in 1994 with a ment to the Senate amendment), in the na- order to spend more time with Janet. remarkable 72 percent of the vote. ture of a substitute. GEORGE and Janet have been married Blocked by term limits from running Reid amendment No. 4754 (to amendment for nearly half a century and they have again for Governor, GEORGE ran for the No. 4753), to change the enactment date. seen a lot together. GEORGE grew up in U.S. Senate in 1998. He took the values The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the same working class neighborhood that earned him so much success in Co- pore. The majority leader. in Cleveland where he and Janet still lumbus and Cleveland to Washington. Mr. REID. We are not in a quorum call home today. He attended As a Senator, he has been at the fore- call, are we? Collinwood High School, Ohio Univer- front of numerous important national

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.004 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8965 debates. He has been a leading advo- So, again, thank you very much for Some other conservatives say that if cate for an effective and efficient Fed- your kindness to me over the years, we wait until next year to pass tax leg- eral Government and for simplifying both of you. islation, the GOP-controlled House the Tax Code. He has been involved in The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- could pass a better bill than this one. legislation to enhance America’s com- pore. The Senator from California. That is true, from my perspective, but petitiveness around the world, to re- Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I there is no guarantee that the Senate form our energy policy and to ensure wish to make a unanimous-consent re- or the White House would go along America’s strength and security. quest that after Senator KYL has 10 with such a bill or that we could get GEORGE has always had my respect minutes—— any better compromise in the end. In and admiration for his adherence to Mr. KYL. Madam President, I think I the meantime, every taxpayer would principle and for his straight-shooting can do it in 12 minutes. have been hit with a tax increase in the Mrs. BOXER. Fifteen minutes—I be style. He always told you exactly what first paycheck of the new year and for recognized for up to 25 minutes. many weeks thereafter. was on his mind. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Today we honor our colleague and Tax increases would almost certainly pore. Without objection, it is so or- hurt the economy. Look back to 1936, friend, GEORGE VOINOVICH, for his near- dered. for example, when President Roosevelt ly 41⁄2 decades of public service. We Mr. KYL. Madam President, I want thank Janet and the entire Voinovich raised taxes on high earners. The to speak for a few minutes about the shaky economy plunged back into de- family for sharing him with us, and on tax legislation the Senate is debating behalf of the entire Senate family, I pression and unemployment sky- and will be voting on before long. rocketed. wish to thank GEORGE for his service There has been some dismay on both Freezing the tax rates, on the other and wish him the very best in the years sides of the aisle regarding the merits hand, has the potential to help the ahead. He will indeed be missed. of the package. I emphasize a point economy and job growth. Some on the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- also made by others: Nobody thinks liberal left seem to think that tax pro- pore. The Senator from Arizona. this is a perfect bill. Most conserv- visions in this bill should implement Mr. KYL. Madam President, might I atives are upset about the unfunded ex- their particular philosophy of class just add a word to what the Republican tension of unemployment benefits and warfare. But the Tax Code is not a ve- leader has just said. As the Republican the fact that the tax rate extensions hicle for punishing certain taxpayers, whip, it is my job to visit with Sen- are not permanent. On the left, there as some on the left seem to think. I ators about their views on issues and are those who dislike the death tax re- would hope we all agree that we want votes that are coming up. I didn’t al- form and would have preferred that the to help the job creators as well as job ways like the answer GEORGE top marginal income tax rates be in- seekers. Ideology should not trump VOINOVICH gave me, but I always knew creased. There are other concerns as those concerns on either the right or that, as the leader said, it was a prin- well. left. cipled response to a question that re- I agree with some of the criticisms The key thing is that tax rates mat- flected his well-thought-out and deeply my conservative friends have made. ter to growth. Businesses must be al- felt views about the role of the govern- This is not the bill I would have writ- lowed to retain earnings so they can ment, issues on finance and debt, and ten. There are some provisions in the expand, invest, and hire new workers. generally from his long experience as package I disagree with or would have As I have come to the floor to point having been a public leader at the written differently. On the other hand, out again and again, many successful State level, as well as the Federal this is not the bill President Obama small businesses that create jobs pay level. would have written. He has made it taxes at the individual rate and would clear that he doesn’t like everything in So I join my colleague in paying trib- be hurt by increases in the top mar- it either. ute to an incredible public service ca- ginal income tax brackets. According The package represents a true bipar- reer and especially the time I have en- to IRS data cited by economists Kevin tisan compromise. That is something joyed working with Senator VOINOVICH Hassett and Allen Viard: we talk about a lot but seldom seem in the Senate. Fully 48 percent of the net income of sole able to do. But political circumstances proprietorships, partnerships, and S corpora- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- will not allow either party to dictate pore. The Senator from Ohio. tions reported on tax returns went to house- its perfect bill. So while neither party holds with incomes above $200,000 in 2007. Mr. VOINOVICH. Madam President, I got everything it wanted, there are That is the last year, incidentally, would like to express my appreciation provisions in the package to appeal to for which we have these figures. Other to the minority leader and the minor- both sides of the aisle, and most of us businesses would have been hurt by ity whip for all of the courtesies they agree it would be very bad for Ameri- skyrocketing capital gains and divi- have extended to me over the last num- cans to allow taxes to be increased. dend taxes. Raising capital gains and ber of years. One of the things, MITCH, The most important things this bill dividend tax rates would greatly dis- I have enjoyed doing is getting to know does, in my view, are to freeze all exist- courage the investment our economy you and Elaine. I watched you become ing income, capital gains, and dividend so urgently needs. Indeed, capital taxes the leader. I think you have done an tax rates and reform the death tax. are among the most distortive and outstanding job of keeping your team Without legislation, taxes are set to go least efficient taxes the government together. I appreciate your willingness up for every taxpayer in just 17 days. collects. to answer all of my telephone calls. So by maintaining current tax rates In my view, any comprehensive tax Senator KYL, the same with you. I and instituting death tax reform, the reform package should include signifi- can’t tell you how much I appreciated bill will provide positive economic cer- cant reductions in capital taxation. that, that we were able to keep an open tainty to families and to job creators. For now, I am glad that Members of dialogue on many of the issues in front This is a very important development both parties have decided to at least of the United States of America. for American taxpayers and for our block a capital gains tax increase, I wish to applaud the minority leader economy. which would have a severe impact on for reaching out to the President. As In fact, according to new data from job-creating investment. you know, I don’t agree with the com- Morgan Stanley, this bill could boost Death tax reform is another measure promise on the tax situation, but I economic growth to 4 percent or more in this bill that will provide certainty think it is something that is important next year. That is a lot better than the to job creators. I thank Senator LIN- for the future of our country. I have al- anemic 2 percent achieved in the third COLN for her leadership on this issue. ways found that when leaders get to- quarter of this year. We have spent a lot of time together gether and spend time thinking about Ironically, some commentators have over the last few years working on this those things that bring them together argued that this economic growth will issue, and she deserves much credit for rather than those things that divide benefit President Obama’s reelection her expertise and devotion toward them, the people of the State and the prospects and, therefore, should be op- crafting this plan, which will provide Nation benefit from it. posed. That is not clear thinking. relief to job-creating small businesses.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:18 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.005 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 The result is a true compromise. preventing a massive tax increase on LCpl Robert J. Newton, 21, of Creve Coeur, There will be a large increase from this each and every taxpayer—outweigh IL, died August 23 while supporting combat year’s zero percent estate tax rate— that deficit increase, in my opinion. operations in Helmand province, Afghani- stan. Lance Corporal Newton was assigned to which is what I favor—to a 35-percent In conclusion, Americans are looking 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- rate; but that is much less than the 55- for economic growth and solutions to rine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, percent rate that will be in place on unemployment. Keeping tax rates based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat January 1. And the exemption is $5 where they are and providing some cer- Center Twentynine Palms, CA. million, which is preferable to the $1 tainty is a good place to start. I urge PO3 James M. Swink, 20, of Yucca Valley, million exemption after January 1. my colleagues to support this bill and CA, died August 27 while supporting combat Should death tax reform not occur operations in Helmand province, Afghani- see to it that job-killing tax rates are stan. Petty Officer Third Class Swink was a and the rate rise to 55 percent, small not imposed on anyone. hospital corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine businesses could be forced to reduce The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, their payrolls by more than 500,000 pore. The Senator from California is Camp Lejeune, NC. workers over the next 10 years, accord- recognized. MSgt Daniel L. Fedder, 34, of Pine City, MN, died August 27 while supporting combat ing to a former CBO Director, Douglas HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES operations in Helmand province, Afghani- Holtz-Eakin. Think of that. That is a CALIFORNIA SERVICE MEMBERS half million people whose jobs could be stan. Master Sergeant Fedder was assigned Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st threatened. have a number of issues I want to bring Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expedi- The effect of the compromise will be up today for the record to explain a lot tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. to eliminate the death tax liability for of the things we are faced with here as GySgt Floyd E. C. Holley, 36, of about 90 percent of estates that would Casselberry, FL, died August 29 while sup- we wind down before Christmas Eve— otherwise owe exorbitant sums. Ac- porting combat operations in Helmand prov- maybe. cording to the institute for Research ince, Afghanistan. Gunnery Sergeant Holley The first thing I am going to do is was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support on Economics and Taxation, the death ask to have printed in the RECORD a Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Ma- tax proposal in this bill would add list of the California-connected service- rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, more than $200 billion in annual eco- members who have died in Afghanistan CA. nomic growth relative to current law. SPC Andrew J. Castro, 20, of Westlake Vil- and Iraq. I have put their names in the So this is not about ‘‘giveaways to the lage, CA, died August 28 in Babur, Afghani- RECORD continually. And sometimes, if wealthy,’’ as some have asserted. Most stan, of wounds suffered when insurgents at- I have time, I read them. I want to say tacked his unit with an improvised explosive of the people helped by this measure this: Since August 5, 52 more Cali- device. Specialist Castro was assigned to the are small business employers. fornia-connected servicemembers have 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd A final word about the deficit: It is died in Afghanistan, and 2 more have Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Divi- true that extending unemployment sion (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. died in Iraq. compensation without cutting other SSG Casey J. Grochowiak, 34, of Lompoc, I ask unanimous consent to have government spending will add to the CA, died August 30 in Malajat, Afghanistan, their names printed in the RECORD. deficit—and there are some tax incen- of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked There being no objection, the mate- his unit with an improvised explosive device. tives in the bill that are similar to rial was ordered to be printed in the Staff Sergeant Grochowiak was assigned to spending, and should also be offset with RECORD, as follows: the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, spending cuts. It is important to note 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi- that we should not raise taxes to pro- AFGHANISTAN sion, Fort Carson, CO. vide the revenue—that would just grow Cpl Max W. Donahue, 23, of Highlands SGT Raymond C. Alcaraz, 20, of Redlands, the size of the Federal Government— Ranch, CO, died August 7 of wounds received CA, died August 31 in Logar province, Af- August 4 while supporting combat operations ghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy and Democrats are unwilling to find in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal forces attacked his vehicle with an impro- spending cuts, so we are left accumu- Donahue was assigned to I Marine Expedi- vised explosive device. Sergeant Alcaraz was lating more debt instead. The political tionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Bat- reality is that the unemployment bene- Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. talion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, fits would certainly pass both Cham- Sgt Jose L. Saenz III, 30, of Pleasanton, Bamberg, Germany. bers, and there are not and will not be TX, died August 9 while supporting combat Sgt Jesse M. Balthaser, 23, of Columbus, operations in Helmand province, Afghani- OH, died September 4 while conducting com- the votes in the Senate to cut spending bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- to offset the costs either this year or stan. Sergeant Saenz was assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine istan. Sergeant Balthaser was assigned to next. Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Ma- I admit that I am surprised to hear Camp Pendleton, CA. rine Division, III Marine Expeditionary some conservative commentators lump SSgt Michael A. Bock, 26, of Leesburg, FL, Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground the extension of current tax rates and died August 13 while supporting combat op- Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. Lt (SEAL) Brendan J. Looney, 29, of death tax reform into the same argu- erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Owings, MD, died in a helicopter crash Sep- Staff Sergeant Bock was assigned to the 3rd ment about the deficit. Congress has tember 21 during combat operations in the Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Divi- never offset theoretical revenue loss Zabul province, Afghanistan, while sup- sion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at from the annual AMT relief, for exam- porting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieu- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center tenant Looney was assigned to a Coronado, ple, because we all know there was Twentynine Palms, CA. CA-based SEAL Team. never any intent to collect it. Like- LCpl Kevin E. Oratowski, 23, of Wheaton, wise, Republicans have always viewed LCpl Ralph J. Fabbri, 20, of Gallitzin, PA, IL, died August 18 while supporting combat died September 28 while conducting combat the tax extender package and extension operations in Helmand province, Afghani- operations in Helmand province, Afghani- of other rates as exactly that—exten- stan. Lance Corporal Oratowski was assigned stan. Lance Corporal Fabbri was assigned to sions of existing law, not new tax cuts. to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bat- the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Divi- The left—and some commentators—de- talion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- sion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp light in misrepresenting the legislation tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Pendleton, CA. Cpl Christopher J. Boyd, 22, of Palatine, SGT Brian J. Pedro, 27, of Rosamond, CA, as providing ‘‘tax cuts for the rich.’’ IL, died August 19 while supporting combat But these are not tax cuts—only exten- died October 2 in Pol-e-Khumri, Afghanistan, operations in Helmand province, Afghani- of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked sions of decade-old existing tax rates— stan. Corporal Boyd was assigned to the 2nd his unit with small arms fire and rocket-pro- for everyone. The only new tax cuts are Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine pelled grenades. Sergeant Pedro was assigned the expensing for businesses sought by Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, to the 2nd Engineer Battalion, White Sands the President, with which Republicans Camp Pendleton, CA. Missile Range, NM. generally agree, and the payroll tax Sgt Ronald A. Rodriguez, 26, of Falls SrA Daniel J. Johnson, 23, of Schiller holiday. The actual revenue loss, there- Church, VA, died August 23 while supporting Park, IL, died October 5 of wounds suffered combat operations in Helmand province, Af- when insurgents attacked his unit with an fore, is about $237 billion, not the $900 ghanistan. Sergeant Rodriguez was assigned improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Af- billion that some assert. While any in- to the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, ghanistan. Senior Airman Johnson was as- crease in the deficit is unwelcome, the 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary signed to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, overall merits of this bill—including Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.006 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8967 LCpl John T. Sparks, 23, of Chicago, IL, combat operations in Helmand province, Af- SSG David P. Senft, 27, of Grass Valley, died October 8 while conducting combat op- ghanistan. Lance Corporal Jackson was as- CA, died November 15 at Kandahar Airfield, erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. signed to the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non- Lance Corporal Sparks was assigned to 3rd Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Ex- combat related incident. Staff Sergeant Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine peditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Senft was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 101st Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, SSgt Joshua J. Cullins, 28, of Simi Valley, Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Camp Pendleton, CA. CA, died October 19 while conducting combat Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air As- PFC Victor A. Dew, 20, of Granite Bay, CA, operations in Helmand province, Afghani- sault), Fort Campbell, KY. died October 13 while conducting combat op- stan. Staff Sergeant Cullins was assigned to LCpl Ardenjoseph A. Buenagua, 19, of San erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Com- Jose, CA, died November 24 while conducting Private First Class Dew was assigned to 3rd pany, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine combat operations in Helmand province, Af- Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. ghanistan. Lance Corporal Buenagua was as- Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, SPC Ronnie J. Pallares, 19, of Rancho signed to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Camp Pendleton, CA. Cucamonga, CA, died October 23 in Andar Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary LCpl Joseph E. Rodewald, 21, of Albany, district, Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suf- Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. OR, died October 13 while conducting combat fered when insurgents attacked his unit 1stLt William J. Donnelly IV, 27, of Pica- operations in Helmand province, Afghani- using an improvised explosive device. Spe- yune, MS, died November 25 while con- stan. Lance Corporal Rodewald was assigned cialist Pallares was assigned to the 27th En- ducting combat operations in Helmand prov- to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st gineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC. ince, Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Don- Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary SSG Aracely Gonzalez O’Malley, 31, of nelly was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Ma- Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Brawley, CA, died October 22 at Homburg, rine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine LCpl Phillip D. Vinnedge, 19, of Saint Germany, of injuries sustained in a non com- Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Charles, MO, died October 13 while con- bat incident October 12 at Mazar-e Sharif, SPC Matthew W. Ramsey, 20, of Quartz ducting combat operations in Helmand prov- Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Gonzalez Hill, CA, died November 29, in Nangarhar ince, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Vinnedge O’Malley was assigned to the 307th Inte- province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine grated Theater Signal Battalion, 516th Sig- when an insurgent attacked his unit with Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Ex- nal Brigade, 311th Signal Command, small arms fire. Specialist Ramsey was as- peditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Schofield Barracks, HI. signed to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry ´ Cpl Justin J. Cain, 22, of Manitowoc, WI, SPC Diego A. Solorzano Valdovinos, 24, of Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st died October 13 while conducting combat op- Huntington Park, CA, died October 29 in Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Camp- erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered bell, KY. Corporal Cain was assigned to 3rd Battalion, when insurgents attacked his unit on Octo- Cpl Chad S. Wade, 22, of Bentonville, AR, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I ber 27 with small arms fire in the Yahya died December 1 while conducting combat Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- Khel district in Afghanistan. Specialist operations in Helmand province, Afghani- dleton, CA. Solo´ rzano Valdovinos was assigned to the 1st stan. Corporal Wade was assigned to the 2nd LCpl Irvin M. Ceniceros, 21, of Clarksville, Battalion, 506nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Bri- Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine AR, died October 14 while conducting combat gade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, operations in Helmand province, Afghani- (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. Camp Pendleton, CA. stan. Lance Corporal Ceniceros was assigned SPC Brett W. Land, 24, of Wasco, CA, died Sgt Matthew T. Abbate, 26, of Honolulu, to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st October 30 in the Zhari district, Afghanistan, HI, died December 2 while conducting com- Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. his unit with an improvised explosive device. istan. Sergeant Abbate was assigned to the LCpl Joseph C. Lopez, 26, of Rosamond, CA, Specialist Land was assigned to the 2nd Bat- 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- died October 14 while conducting combat op- talion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade rine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Camp Pendleton, CA. Lance Corporal Lopez was assigned to the Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SSG Vincent W. Ashlock, 45, of Seaside, LCpl Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- CA, died December 4 in Khost province, Af- rine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, AZ, died November 4 while conducting com- ghanistan, in a non-combat related incident. Camp Pendleton, CA. bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- Staff Sergeant Ashlock was assigned to the LCpl Alec E. Catherwood, 19, of Byron, IL, istan. Lance Corporal Broehm was assigned 890th Engineer Battalion, 168th Engineer Bri- died October 14 while conducting combat op- to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. gade, Lucedale, MS. 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Cpl Derek A. Wyatt, 25, of Akron, OH, died Lance Corporal Catherwood was assigned to Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. December 6 while conducting combat oper- 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- LCpl Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, ations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. rine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, CO, died November 4 while conducting com- Corporal Wyatt was assigned to the 3rd Bat- Camp Pendleton, CA. bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- SPC Rafael Martinez Jr., 36, of Spring Val- istan. Lance Corporal Pearson was assigned talion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Di- ley, CA, died October 14 while conducting to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, vision, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp combat operations between Moqur and 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Pendleton, CA. PFC Colton W. Rusk, 20, of Orange Grove, Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan, of wounds suf- Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. TX, died December 6 while conducting com- fered when insurgents attacked his unit with SSgt Jordan B. Emrick, 26, of Hoyleton, bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- an improvised explosive device. Specialist IL, died November 5 while conducting com- istan. Private First Class Rusk was assigned Martinez was assigned to the 7th Squadron, bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat istan. Staff Sergeant Emrick was assigned to 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Com- pany, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. CO. Sgt Jason D. Peto, 31, of Vancouver, WA, LCpl James D. Boelk, 24, of Oceanside, CA, Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expedi- died December 7 from wounds received No- died October 15 while conducting combat op- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. vember 24 while conducting combat oper- erations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. LCpl Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, ations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Boelk was assigned to the AZ, died November 6 while conducting com- Sergeant Peto was assigned to the 3rd Bat- 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- talion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Di- rine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, istan. Lance Corporal Braggs was assigned to vision, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Camp Pendleton, CA. the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Sgt Ian M. Tawney, 25, of Dallas, OR, died Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Pendleton, CA. October 16 while conducting combat oper- Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. IRAQ ations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. 2ndLt Robert M. Kelly, 29, of Tallahassee, SGT Ryan J. Hopkins, 21, of Livermore, Sergeant Tawney was assigned to the 3rd FL, died November 9 while conducting com- CA, died January 8, at Brooke Army Medical Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine bat operations in Helmand province, Afghan- Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sus- Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, istan. Second Lieutenant Kelly was assigned tained in a motor pool accident in Baghdad, Camp Pendleton, CA. to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Iraq, on October 4, 2008. At the time of the Cpl Jorge Villarreal Jr., 22, of San Anto- 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary incident, Sergeant Hopkins was assigned to nio, TX, died October 17 while conducting Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Bri- combat operations in Helmand province, Af- LCpl James B. Stack, 20, of Arlington gade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, ghanistan. Corporal Villarreal was assigned Heights, IL, died November 10 while con- Fort Carson, Colo. At the time of his death, to 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st ducting combat operations in Helmand prov- he was assigned to the Warrior Transition Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary ince, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Stack was Unit, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine SPC John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, CA, LCpl Francisco R. Jackson, 24, of Eliza- Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Ex- died September 24 in Fallujah, Iraq, of inju- beth, NJ, died October 19 while conducting peditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. ries sustained September 23 in a non-combat

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE6.038 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 incident. Specialist Carrillo was assigned to I will miss him both personally and focuses on a child who may have been 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th certainly as a member of the Foreign brought here by their parents. Their Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Relations Committee with the occu- parents broke the law, brought a child Division, Fort Stewart, GA. pant of the Chair. here, say, at 3 or 4 months, and the Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL child grows up and doesn’t even know these heroes, these Americans have I want to talk about a couple of other they do not have their papers until sacrificed and given it all for this Na- issues, to express my disappointment they get to be 18 years old. This is their tion. I am humbled by their service. I that because of an artificial line laid country. They love their country. A lot am humbled by the service of their down in the sand by our colleagues on of them are presidents of their student families, because this is a family com- the other side, they would not vote on body. Since when do we pin the crimes mitment. I am so proud, along with a civil rights matter to end don’t ask, of the parents on a child? We don’t do Senator BURR, to be cochair of the don’t tell, which is a policy that makes that here. Again, what are we gaining? Military Family Caucus. I pledge to our Nation weaker, not stronger. It is a We are losing. continue what I can do to make sure policy that brings pain to so many of So the DREAM Act, which started off that our commitment to our military our fellow Americans. They have to with huge bipartisan support, suddenly families is constant and that we are keep a secret as to who they are and has gotten to the place where don’t fulfilling our role to make sure they how they live their life, and that runs ask, don’t tell has gotten, where we are get treated with honor and respect and counter to what this country is all moving away from justice. Everybody that we lessen their hardships. We can- about. has their reason—oh, it can’t be part of not take away the pain of their loss. The thing is, when you are in the the military bill. If it is not part of the I also want to say I am working in military and you are side by side and military bill, they say: Why isn’t it every way I can to end this war in Af- you are in trouble, whether you are gay part of the military bill? It seems to be ghanistan. I support bringing the or straight has nothing to do with the a moving bar. troops home in 2011. There is some talk mission you are facing. There is a very I read about this big meeting called ‘‘No Labels,’’ where people got together it might be extended another year. I strict code of conduct in the military and said we are tired of the two parties don’t support that. As someone who that says whoever you are, you cannot not working together. It was sort of in- voted to go after Osama bin Laden and abuse your rights and privileges, teresting because it was on the day the Taliban and go into Afghanistan, whether it is about sexual harassment we lost a lot of years because President when the two parties did work together or anything else. That is very clear. So and we got over 80 votes for a tax bill. George W. Bush turned and focused his we already have a code of conduct that attention on the Iraq war, a war I did But be that as it may, let’s set that can apply to everyone. aside, here are two issues that have not support because I didn’t think it I was proud that in the survey that nothing to do with partisan politics be- was based on truth. It turned out that was taken, our military said they cause they are good for the country— it wasn’t. History will speak to that. didn’t think it would harm us in terms they help our young people and they We have been in Afghanistan a long of our ability to have a strong defense. make sure people can serve in the mili- time and they are going to have to Good for them. I read into the RECORD tary if they are qualified and their sex- stand up and defend their own country, a number of cases of heroes who have ual orientation essentially has nothing as all nations have to do to defend been run out of the military because of to do with it. We have a chance to themselves. We have given so much, their sexual orientation—heroes. A come together for the good of the coun- and today 52 more California-connected couple of them have been reinstated. try on these things. servicemembers since August 5—that is The courts are going to do away with 9/11 HEROES an ongoing sacrifice. don’t ask, don’t tell. So I would rhe- I still hold out hope that we can do We heard yesterday about a tragic torically ask my colleagues: Why on that, and we can also take care of explosion against NATO forces there on Earth would we leave this to the courts those heroes of 9/11 who went to that a headquarters in southern Afghani- when we could have the pride in stand- toxic pile in New York and looked for stan, where we lost six. I support that ing for civil rights? It is unfortunate. the survivors and then looked for re- withdrawal and doing it in a way that Some on the other side have flip- mains and breathed in that toxic air, makes sense. We are not going to do it flopped on this issue and said: Oh, well, which in those days the EPA said was in 1 day, or 6 months, but we should when the military leaders say it is OK, safe. Well, it wasn’t safe, and now they start it. I will be there. But now they are not. are sick. Yet we can’t seem to get the REMEMBERING RICHARD HOLBROOKE They set the bar every day at a dif- votes to help them. But I don’t give up. Connected to that, the second issue I ferent height. It is wrong and we I think we can do this. So let’s work wanted to bring up is the passing of should get this done. There was an ex- together on all these things. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke—some- cuse that, well, let’s do the tax cut TRANSPORTATION one I considered to be a friend, adviser, first. OK, we did the tax cut. So I am Another area where we have been a brilliant mind, a warm personality, a hoping they will let us go to this and able to work together in the past—and man who lived for his work and his vote on this so we can be proud as where I hope we will continue to work family. It is so ironic, in a sense. I saw Americans here, across party lines, together—is the Transportation bill. him twice last week because he and his that we can put aside partisan dif- We usually enact our highway trust wife had gone to the Kennedy Center ferences when it comes to civil rights. fund programs for about 4, 5 or 6 years awards. He seemed fine, so engaged, I was watching a TV special on the at a time. The last time we extended it and so well. It was a shock to read civil rights law that passed in 1964, and for 1 year, and now the extension is about what happened. the beautiful part of it was the coming ending. So we need to extend again the I send my love to his family, his wife, together of the parties, at the end of existing transportation authorization. and his children. He will be missed so the day, on an issue that was so right I am optimistic on this one because in much, because he had a very unique ap- for this country. I hope we can do this the House it didn’t seem controversial. proach to diplomacy. There was a love again. I just hope we can do this again. They added it to the continuing resolu- of what he did that you can’t create. If not, I say to the courts: Do the right tion and extended it to the end of fiscal When you talked to him, he engaged thing. You are doing it, but keep it up, year 2011. September 30 is the date. you because of his deep commitment because we are not any stronger as a It is important to note that 900,000 and love of his work, and his under- Nation, we are weaker, when incredibly jobs nationwide depend on this high- standing that diplomacy is the answer, talented, dedicated, patriotic Ameri- way trust fund and the reauthorization not war, and that you had to be tough. cans are turned away for absolutely no of it and all those programs—with As he pointed out, you had to meet reason. 85,000 jobs in my home State of Cali- with people you would not want to be DREAM ACT fornia. It is very important we do this in a room with. But he had to do that I wished to talk about that as well as work, whether it is through an omni- as he negotiated the end of the war in the DREAM Act—another area where bus budget or through the continuing Bosnia. this country is made stronger. This act resolution, however it ends up.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE6.040 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8969 This is an area again where the polit- national leaders continue to ignore this im- When I was a kid in school, we had a ical parties have come together. My portant issue, commerce will suffer, fatali- big lecture on how a bill becomes a ranking member, JIM INHOFE, and I ties will rise, congestion and pollution will law, and it sounds so easy. You start in have been working very closely on this grow unabated, and the United States will a subcommittee in one House or the find itself further and further behind its rap- and we support this extension. It has idly expanding international competitors. other, the subcommittee marks up the the support of the members of the To help prevent further job loss and ensure bill, the full committee marks up the Americans for Transportation Mobility vital transportation investments continue, bill and then it goes to the other House Coalition—and I will name some of the ATM Coalition strongly urges you to ex- and they do it. If there are differences, them: The American Public Transpor- tend SAFETEA–LU and expenditure author- they all meet happily in a conference tation Association, the American Road ity for the Highway Trust Fund through the and chat a little bit, they find the dif- and Transportation Builders, the Asso- end of fiscal year 2011. ferences and resolve them and the bill Sincerely, ciated Equipment Distributors, the As- AMERICANS FOR TRANSPORTATION then goes to the White House. The sociated General Contractors, the Soci- MOBILITY. President either signs the bill and ev- ety of Civil Engineers, the Inter- Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, this erybody celebrates or he vetoes it and national Union of Operating Engineers, extension will save jobs not only in the you have to get three-quarters of the Laborers International, the National short term, but it gives certainty to Chambers to override. It doesn’t exactly work that way in Asphalt Paving Association, National our States. We know our Nation’s high- real life. In real life—which you can’t Stone, Sand & Gravel, the United ways, bridges, and transit systems need explain in a textbook—the different Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, to be in good repair. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I will say this: With the construction parties bring different passions to the Listen, that is quite a group. When industry still in a downturn, it is tough table, and those passions are held deep- you have unions and you have the em- for them because of the housing crisis. ly. If I tell you where I see the passion ployers and you have the U.S. Chamber Construction jobs are few and far be- coming from on either side, it is my of Commerce—which is negative on so tween, and we have a very high unem- view. There is no science to this, it is many things, unfortunately, but posi- ployment rate in the construction in- just my view. But I think the passion tive on this—that is a good matchup. dustry. This extension is important. It the Democrats brought to the table Madam President, I ask unanimous gives certainty. It will save hundreds was that we needed to make sure, first consent to have printed in the RECORD of thousands of jobs, it will improve and foremost, the people who have been the letter from the Americans for our infrastructure, and provide that desperately hurt by this slow economic Transportation Mobility. foundation we need for a solid recov- recovery aren’t left in the lurch for the There being no objection, the mate- ery. So I look forward to taking that next year. Because technically, even rial was ordered to be printed in the up. though the recession has ended in RECORD, as follows: The last topic I wished to talk terms of GDP growth, the fact is, it is AMERICANS FOR TRANSPORTATION about—and I ask how much time re- a very painful, agonizingly slow recov- MOBILITY, mains in my 25 minutes. ery that is going on. Yes, jobs are being Washington, DC, December 8, 2010. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- created—up to now about 900,000 since TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES pore. The Senator has used 15 minutes. January—but it is not enough to make CONGRESS: The Americans for Transpor- Mrs. BOXER. I thank the Chair. up for the millions of jobs that were tation Mobility (ATM) Coalition strongly The last topic I wish to talk about is lost in the recession. So it is painfully urges you to extend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity my vote yesterday to move forward on slow, and we are worried about it. Act—A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) as a tax bill, the framework of which was So we brought that passion we had to well as expenditure authority for the High- sent to us by President Obama. There make sure middle-class families who way Trust Fund through the end of FY2011 as were negotiations with our Republican lost their jobs didn’t lose everything included in H.R. 3082, the ‘‘Full-Year Con- colleagues and then one very impor- else—they didn’t lose their homes, tinuing Appropriations Act of 2011.’’ While tant addition was made to the bill. didn’t lose the ability to send their the Coalition continues to support Congres- Many of us in the Senate wanted that— kids to school, and they have this sional efforts to enact a well-funded, long- and I am grateful for that addition— bridge of unemployment insurances, term surface transportation bill, the absence which, by the way, they pay for. They of such a bill makes this extension essential and it was the 1603 program, which is to creating and sustaining jobs and main- critical to our clean energy businesses have to be actually looking for work in taining America’s transportation infrastruc- and will result in tens of thousands of order to get it. That is the passion we ture. Furthermore, this extension provides jobs. brought to the table. much needed certainty for the construction This will allow companies that are The other passion was to make sure industry, states, and localities as they plan moving forward with solar, wind, and the middle class didn’t get a tax in- for the 2011 construction season. geothermal projects—clean energy crease. We were passionate on that SAFETEA–LU expired last September and projects—to essentially get a tax credit point, and we wanted tax credits for has since been operating on a series of short- up front. That is essential because businesses that resulted in jobs. Those term extensions—the latest of which expires at the end of this month. The uncertainty there are a lot of plans on the drawing were the passions we brought to the created by the lack of a multi-year federal board. If this hadn’t been renewed, we table. commitment to improving America’s high- would have lost those plans, and we I think it is fair to say the passions way and public transportation facilities is would have lost those jobs. So I am the Republicans brought to the table contributing to a slowdown in transpor- very pleased about that. were to help make sure the very tation development activity in many states. So much has been said about this tax wealthiest got taken care of in any The jobs impact of this situation has rippled bill, and I don’t know that I am going deal. Why do I say that? It is a fact in throughout the economy. Workers at design to say anything that is going to add to evidence. Their nonnegotiable terms and engineering firms, construction compa- included the extension of the tax cuts nies, equipment manufacturers, and mate- the debate, but I wished to lay out rials providers have lost their jobs and even some of what compelled me to vote yes to billionaires and millionaires. That more positions are on the line due to uncer- to move that bill forward. It is kind of was it. Passionate. Passionate. Just as tainty in federal funding, at a time in which summed up in a San Jose Mercury we were passionate about helping the the U.S. unemployment rate remains at News editorial, where they say: middle class, they were passionate on record highs. More than three-quarters of the spending this point, and they were passionate— Congress must not delay in passing a ro- will go to middle- and lower-income families and they have been—about the largest bust, multi-year highway and transit reau- through tax cuts, tax credits for working estates in America. A lot of them don’t thorization in the 112th Congress. While re- families, and unemployment insurance. even think estates ought to be in any authorization entails a host of challenging That is the San Jose Mercury News. policy and revenue issues, this effort should way taxed. be viewed as a key opportunity to move U.S. One could quibble that maybe it is 50 In America, for many years, we have infrastructure into the 21st century, bolster percent, more than 50 percent or maybe had what I would call an ethic that economic recovery efforts, and improve all 60 percent, but the fact is, this bill will this American dream is crucial. We Americans’ way of life. If local, state, and be a help to the middle class. want everyone to have it. We are proud

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:18 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.008 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 when people get to be multimillion- Since January 10 we have added 12.4 percent unemployment, and I did aires and billionaires. But we have a 937,000 jobs to this economy. But be- not agree with two major provisions— Defense Department to run, we have an cause 8 million jobs were lost in this the estate tax, which is a giveaway to education system to help, we have great recession, that is just not estates over $10 million, and it is a roads to be build, our national security enough. The President knows this. giveaway to the wealthiest few. It adds costs money, our domestic security That is why he knew he needed to come to the deficit because of that, and there costs money. Social Security has to be to us with a framework that basically is no reason to do it. taken care of, people pay into the sys- said we are not going to put a burden But on the whole I think this is tem, and health care—therefore, we be- on the middle class. They have suffered something we should do, and I look for- lieved for years, and it was bipartisan, enough. He had to swallow hard to do ward to getting it done so maybe my that for the wealthiest estates to have things that we know he did not want to colleagues on the other side will join us an estate tax was something that do. as we finish up a whole list of things worked. I will reiterate what the San Jose we need to do before we leave for the Frankly, somebody who inherits, Mercury News said: holidays. let’s say, a $7 million estate from their More than three-quarters of the spending I yield the floor. parents, they are going to be OK. By will go to middle- and lower-income families. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the way, that is a very small percent- That is an important point. pore. The Senator from Texas. age. Democrats believe 99 percent of es- I have talked about the importance Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, tates would not have any tax under our of the extension of unemployment ben- I rise today to say I think the Presi- plan. But Republicans were passionate efits. In my State of California more dent of the United States and our Sen- about this. They wanted a $10 million than 400,000 workers will lose their UI ate minority leader, MITCH MCCON- estate, and they wanted a lower tax benefits by the end of December, 2 mil- NELL, have done a great job. As I hear rate. lion workers nationwide. I have to say the talking heads and the pundits and Were I to write the book, ‘‘How A Mark Zandi, who was one of JOHN others talk about this compromise, Bill Becomes A Law,’’ I would have a MCCAIN’s top advisers, clearly says this way forward, I am sure of it be- different way of writing it. I would say: when you extend unemployment bene- cause no one is completely happy with Technically, this is what happens to fits, you get the best bang for the buck. it. People who think we should have a get it to the President, to get the bill. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- death tax are not happy with this bill. But what you need to know is what the pore. The time of the Senator has ex- People who think, as I do, the unem- passions are. I think at the end of the pired. ployment provision goes too far, is not day both sides could come away with Mrs. BOXER. I ask for 2 more min- paid for and should have been are on this, saying what we felt passionate utes, and then I will stop. the other side. about in this bill was good. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- But we are now faced with a choice. The one thing that was not addressed pore. Without objection, it is so or- Are we going to allow the taxes for in this bill is the deficit. A lot of us on dered. every single individual in our country both sides are passionate about that. Mrs. BOXER. This tax bill I voted on who pays taxes to go up on January 1? But I think at the end of the day there will help our working families. There is We could talk all day about how we was a decision, perhaps not voiced but a 2-percent cut in payroll taxes. I know should have addressed this much ear- certainly understood, that this is a some say: Is that going to hurt Social lier. Yes, that is true. But we are where stimulus bill, and we are going to have Security? We have a statement from we are. It is now mid-December, and it to do serious deficit reduction. Anyone the executive vice president of the is long past time when we should have who thinks we will not have to pay the AARP, the Association of Retired Per- told the American people—every fam- piper for these tax cuts is living in an- sons, saying the proposal has no finan- ily, every business in this country— other world. Of course we are. The cial impact on Social Security because what the tax policy is going to be for 2 question is, Do we do it now or do we the trust fund is made whole. That is years. do it when this economy truly turns critical. When we had the administra- I come here with a business back- around? ground. I wish more of my colleagues Then there will be another pas- tion at our caucus we made sure of had real business experience because sionate debate about who is going to that. sometimes when I hear the academics help solve the deficit. I have a feeling There is the extension of the child you are going to see the same thing. tax credit from the Recovery Act, the and the talking heads talk about what The Democrats are going to say: The earned-income tax credit, the childcare we ought to do—some say: Let’s just middle class are not responsible for tax credit, there is education relief and wait. We can do this better next year. this; let’s look to the upper income. refundable tax credits for college, Are you kidding me? Have you ever Our Republican friends are going to again, those clean energy incentives been in the real world trying to make say: It is class warfare. Don’t look to which were critical, the 1603 provisions, a decision about whether you can add the wealthy. job creation tax incentives, R&D tax one more piece of machinery to your We are going to have this battle credit, bonus depreciation, veterans factory floor and hire people to run it? again. But I voted for this bill because work, opportunity credit, small busi- You are not going to make the decision I think our economy continues to be in ness capital gains exclusion. if you do not know what your commit- a fragile state when it comes to job In closing, do I feel passionate that ments are going to be in taxes and in growth, and I think we had to move the people who earn over $1 million do the health care bill that is looming be- forward on this. I am glad we did be- not need a tax cut? You bet I do. I am fore every business in this country. cause this has been the worst recession passionate. To me, to add to a deficit Not only did I come from a business since the Great Depression. while we are in two wars to help people background, but I talk to business peo- I hate to remind people of what it when so many of them say don’t even ple throughout my State. They are not was like, but when George Bush was do this—we had a letter put in the hiring. Two-thirds of the jobs in this President, he came to us with Hank RECORD from 90 millionaires saying country are created by small business. Paulson, then-Secretary of the Treas- this is ridiculous. That is exactly what we should all ury, and Ben Bernanke, and they said I am passionate about that. That hope for. We don’t want jobs to be cre- to us: This economy is going to col- fight will go on. Frankly, it is a dis- ated in the government sector. That is lapse. Nobody is lending. Capital is fro- agreement between the two parties. a cost you cannot recoup. We need to zen. We are in desperate shape. That is fine. We cannot be expected to cut down on government sector jobs I have to tell you when the stock agree on everything. But I think mov- and make sure people in the private market went down—at one point it was ing ahead with this was very impor- sector are working because this is how almost 50 percent down—those were tant. Most economic forecasters esti- to build a strong and vibrant economy. tough times. We took many steps to mate the legislation will increase GDP As I mentioned, two-thirds of pri- get this economy back on track. I have growth, and I think that is critical at vate-sector jobs are in small business, to say things have stabilized. this time. My State is struggling with and small businesspeople are operating,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.009 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8971 generally, at low margins. They are What about the AMT? The AMT re- be permanent, and it is not going away. not hiring people when they are seeing lief in this bill goes to the very lowest It is going to be a 2-year extension, estimates on the cost to them of the income earners in this country. with a $5 million exemption and a 35- health care bill enacted this year, in- If we do not pass this bill, 21 million percent rate after that. cluding estimates that their taxes are American taxpayers will have to pay I believe this bill provides some relief going to go up next year. At every an alternative minimum tax because and helps people to plan for their es- level, taxes will go up if we do not pass the government says they are not pay- tates. I hope we can make it permanent this tax bill this year. ing enough. Now, I think it is a fair so people will be able to plan into the Capital gains and dividends are going question—at what point does the AMT far future so that their small business, to go up. Seniors have saved their life- kick in? Today, the AMT kicks in for a their farm, their ranch can be held by times to be able to retire, and they single person who makes $33,000 and a their heirs and keep the jobs those know they cannot live on Social Secu- married couple who makes $45,000. If family-owned businesses have pro- rity. Social Security was never meant we don’t pass this bill through this duced. to be a complete retirement plan. It Congress and let the President sign it, So I think it is important, when we was meant to be a cushion, a help with a married couple making $45,000 will get down to the bottom line—do we savings that would allow people to have to pay the alternative minimum pass this bill or not?—that there are al- maintain a standard of living. tax. ternatives. We could say: You know Talk to seniors today who have Our bill gives relief. The bill that is what, I want to write it differently. saved, and they are not earning one on the floor gives relief so that the ex- Let’s wait until next year. penny on their savings. They certainly emption from the AMT would go up to First of all, if we do that and we open are not going to do well if we raise the $72,000 for a married couple before the up what I think is a very balanced ap- tax on capital gains and dividends. alternative minimum tax kicks in and proach, then we are going to talk about What are we thinking? To raise taxes to $47,000 for a single payer. this a whole lot longer. It is going to on capital gains and dividends, that is So the bottom line is, if you think a take a while, and in the meantime peo- the level that allows many seniors to single person making $33,000 ought to ple are not going to be hired because live at a decent standard. have to pay the alternative minimum small businesses will not know what What about the tax rate? Every per- tax, then I cannot explain it to you. I their tax liabilities are going to be, and son who pays taxes faces an increase on do not think a single person making we will not have this settled, these January 1 if we do not pass this bill be- $33,000 should be subject to an alter- concerns for at least 2 years. Next, we can work on long-term tax cause they would go into a higher native minimum tax because they are reform. I thought the fiscal commis- bracket, and face a higher rate at each not paying enough tax. The AMT relief sion that just reported had some very level. in the bill will push it up to a level Let’s go back to small business. good ideas for tax reform where every- that is more reasonable—$47,000 for a NFIB, the National Federation of Inde- one would pay more of a flat tax. It single person and $72,000 for a married pendent Business, which is the largest would be slightly higher at the higher couple. small business organization in Amer- levels, bring in more revenue at the The estate tax relief—I think this is ica, says 75 percent of the small busi- higher levels and lower the tax on ev- a significant advance for the real nesses in this country are taxed at in- eryone. It would bring in more because world. Again, for small businesspeople, dividual rates. If their taxes go up it it would be simpler and more fair. I farmers, and ranchers, a $1 million ex- will present a barrier to their being think we ought to look at that. We emption will force farmers and small able to plan for the future and hire. may need to make changes in one way businesspeople whose equipment is val- People in business want predict- or another, but it was a good starting ued at more than it can produce to ability and stability. That is why hav- place. But if we wait until next year to ing at least 2 years is so very impor- sell—what happens is that the heirs to pass a bill, we are going to throw this tant. Doing it now so they can plan for that estate will have to sell the equip- economy into upheaval, and we will next year is so very important because ment or the business or part of the certainly not create the jobs that are they are looking for predictability. farm or all of the farm to pay taxes to the motivation behind this agreement. If I had written this bill with nobody the government. And the irony is that The President and the Republicans else’s opinions, I would have made the money in an inheritance tax is agreed on one thing; that is, the goal them permanent because I know small money that has been taxed and taxed should be to spur the economy and cre- business would much rather have cer- and taxed again. People pay taxes on ate jobs. How we get there, we have dif- tainty for 10 years of what is going to their earnings, people pay taxes on ferences, but at least there are some happen, or at least 5 years. But I did their profits in a business, they pay parts on both ends that will have the not get to write it by myself—neither taxes when they earn on their earn- effect of giving stability and predict- did Senator MCCONNELL, or the Presi- ings. ability to the small businesses in our dent. The death tax does not make sense in country that create two-thirds of the We have all sponsored bills to make the American dream because we have jobs so that they can start hiring. That the tax cuts permanent because we always said this is a country where you should be the dispositive part of the de- want jobs to be created in the private can work hard and give your children cision we all need to make to vote for sector knowing these are the good jobs the fruits of your labor. But because of this bill. of the future that can be sustained and the death tax, family businesses are You would have written it dif- grow our economy. If we allow these cut by 50 percent in this country be- ferently, Madam President, I would tax cuts to expire, the marriage pen- cause heirs have to sell the business to have written it differently, the Presi- alty is going to come back. The mar- pay the taxes. That does not affect just dent would have written it differently, riage penalty is my amendment that the family; it affects the people who and so would Senator MCCONNELL, if we was put into the tax cuts of 2001 and work for the family business. were the king and queen of America. 2003. My amendment was to relieve the I want to keep the American dream Fortunately, we are in a democracy, marriage tax. A policeman and a alive. I think the inheritance tax not a monarchy, so we cannot have ev- schoolteacher who marry go into a should be done away with completely erything exactly the way we want it. higher bracket just because they got because it is money that has already This is a good start. married, not because they increased been taxed; it has been taxed in the Let me end by suggesting that once their incomes. That is wrong. Two system again and again and again. we make this decision—and I hope we schoolteachers who marry would go Every time something is earned, you will make the decision to move for- into a higher bracket, but the marriage pay a tax. So there is no policy reason ward, and I hope the House will join penalty relief bill I sponsored relieves for a death tax. us—then we will not have to discuss them to the greatest extent. It doubles I did not get to write the bill by my- tax cuts for 2 years. People will know the standard deduction instead of par- self, and neither did Senator MCCON- what they are going to owe for 2 years, ing it back, and that is what we need to NELL. We would have made estate tax and they will be able to start making have. relief permanent. But it is not going to plans on that.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:18 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.013 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 But the argument that is being ferently, but the bottom line is, this The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without made—that this is going to add more in Senate will overwhelmingly pass this objection, it is so ordered. the deficit—does need to be addressed, package. TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS and once this bill is passed, we must I hope that when all of the debate is KIT BOND get about the business of cutting over- finished, this bill will be signed by the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I all spending by this government. And President and we will move forward in rise to pay tribute to my old friend, that is not just the discretionary part, a joint effort to reduce the debt of this KIT BOND, a man who has dedicated the which is a minor part of our budget, it country, as adult leaders should do. better part of four decades to public is also the entitlements. What can we That should be our goal for the next 2 service, and who has never failed in all do to make the entitlements not con- years, as we now have settled the tax those years to put the people of Mis- tinue to grow beyond the capability to cut issue. Hopefully, we will go with a souri ahead of himself. pay for them in a reasonable economy? vengeance against the debt and some As KIT puts it: We must get the debt down, we must reform in the entitlement programs. Serving Missouri has been my life’s work. get the deficit down, and we have to We can do it. It will not be easy, but it . . . I have walked the land, fished its rivers concentrate on that if we put the tax can be done. That is why we ran for and been humbled by the honesty and hard cuts to bed. these offices—to be the leaders when work of our people. The highest honor is to One of the things we need to address our country needs leadership. receive and safeguard the public trust. is the implementation of this health I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- But KIT also knew when to leave the care bill, which is the other factor in sence of a quorum. field to somebody else. As he put it in jobs not being created right now. I The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. his retirement announcement last year hope we can repeal what we have UDALL of New Mexico.) The clerk will before a packed Missouri House Cham- passed and start all over so that the call the roll. ber: The assistant legislative clerk pro- businesspeople know that what we In 1973, I became Missouri’s youngest gov- ceeded to call the roll. passed is not going to work. It is going ernor. . . . I do not aspire to become Mis- Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent souri’s oldest senator. to be in the courts for a long time be- that the order for the quorum call be cause of the constitutional issues. rescinded. It may have been the one ambition Let’s go about planning for a health The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without KIT did not pursue. care reform that doesn’t put the fines objection, it is so ordered. Born in St. Louis, KIT is a sixth gen- and the penalties on businesses and in- eration Missourian. He grew up in Mex- REMEMBERING RICHARD HOLBROOKE dividuals. Let’s give them options so Mr. REID. Mr. President, last night I ico, MO, where his grandfather founded that affordable health care is there for was at home and received a message on the A.P. Green Fire Brick Company, them. We don’t have to do that with a my BlackBerry that Ambassador Rich- the largest employer in town. KIT and hammer; we can do it with options that ard Holbrooke had died. I felt very sad Linda still call Mexico home. are incentives for people to get health about that. He was such a nice man. He KIT has always been an overachiever. insurance because it will be affordable. was the epitome in his dealings with He graduated cum laude from Prince- Let them make choices for what fits me of a gentleman. Everyone who ton University and first in his class their family, not a big, government- worked with him knew how hard he from the University of Virginia School prescribed one-size-fits-all. worked. I join many thousands of peo- of Law. After that, he moved to At- Let’s start getting serious about a bi- ple who mourn the passing of Ambas- lanta to clerk for one of the great pio- partisan effort to cut the spending and sador Richard Holbrooke, a champion neers of the civil rights movement, cut the debt and cut the deficit. diplomat and my personal friend. Judge Elbert Tuttle of the Fifth Cir- Let’s set some parameters around ex- Ambassador Holbrooke dedicated his cuit Court of Appeals. tending unemployment so that more entire life to foreign service, to keep- After that, KIT went home to Mis- people will be hired and we will set ing America safe through tough, sen- souri to practice law. In 1968, he ran for standards that are reasonable for peo- sible diplomacy. I will miss him, his Congress and lost, but he did not lose ple to start giving back to the commu- friendship, his counsel. Our Nation will his taste for politics. A year later, he nity if they are able-bodied and have miss his tireless leadership and steady was appointed Assistant Attorney Gen- been unemployed for 2 years and more. guidance of our foreign policy. eral, where he ran the Consumer Pro- If we are creative and we work to- I had the opportunity to work with tection Division under Attorney Gen- gether, we can do this. But tearing this him closely on a number of occasions eral John Danforth. The future Senate package apart and saying: Well, I want during my tenure as majority leader. I colleagues would become close friends, it all my way, means we are not going appreciated our many conversations as political allies, and dominant figures to have the stability and predictability insights into the central national secu- in Missouri politics for more than a that will create jobs starting next rity issues of the day. The world bears generation. year. That is our stated goal on both the imprints of Ambassador In 1969, KIT was elected State audi- sides. I hope the Members of the House Holbrooke’s efforts to bring peace and tor, and in 1972, at the tender age of 33, will realize that anything we do next security to places torn by violence and he was elected as the youngest Gov- year is going to have to be with a conflict. From his early days in the ernor in the history of Missouri, and Democratically controlled Senate and Foreign Service to his leadership nego- its first Republican Governor in 32 a Republican-controlled House, and tiating the Dayton Accords to latest years. It was an extraordinary achieve- that means everything is not going to efforts at stabilizing Afghanistan and ment, followed by an equally extraor- be our way. Pakistan, Ambassador Holbrooke was dinary series of events. Four years I would not have written this agree- always at the center of the toughest se- after winning the seat, he lost it to a ment exactly this way, and neither curity challenges of a given era. Democrat named Joe Teasdale. But 4 would Senator MCCONNELL. I am sure America is safer and more respected years after that, he won it back from the President would not either. But around the world because of Richard the same guy. Senator MCCONNELL and the President Holbrooke. Our Nation mourns his As Governor, one of KIT’s greatest ac- have done what leaders need to do: passing. I offer my condolences to his complishments was working with the they have come together on a bill that family and loved ones during this most Democratic legislature to take the will move this country forward, and it difficult time. Parents as Teachers pilot program will not increase taxes on anyone who I suggest the absence of a quorum. statewide—a program that was de- is paying taxes today. How can anyone The PRESIDING OFFICER. The signed to help parents prepare their believe it will be good for the economy clerk will call the roll. children for the classroom and help of our country to raise taxes in a reces- The assistant legislative clerk pro- them score higher on standardized sion? ceeded to call the roll. tests. I am sure we are going to hear a lot Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I As a young father and Governor, KIT of debate on this floor about what indi- ask unanimous consent that the order saw how important the program was vidual Senators would have done dif- for the quorum call be rescinded. for his own son Sam. ‘‘As a parent

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.014 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8973 looking for an ‘owner’s manual’ to care I think anyone who knows KIT well Mr. BOND. Thank you, Leader for a new baby,’’ KIT said, ‘‘[Parents for will tell you the last 10 years have been MCCONNELL, for your very kind and Teachers] was my lifeline.’’ So in 1984, some of the happiest for him. Linda has generous words. KIT signed a bill requiring all Missouri made KIT a new man. I understand she Since I announced I was not running school districts to provide Parents as has improved his diet, his fitness rou- for reelection, I have been over- Teachers services. tine, and, thank heavens, his wardrobe. whelmed by the nice things folks have Since its inception in the mid-1980s, He has proudly watched his son Sam been saying about me. There is nothing this program has been immensely suc- stand up and defend the Nation KIT has like being eulogized while you are still cessful and helpful to parents all across served his entire life. First Lieutenant breathing. But to my good friend Missouri, serving 3 million children in Bond served two tours in Iraq, the last MITCH, it has been a long time since we the State. Today, the Parents as as a scout-sniper platoon leader, where sat back in the corner as the ‘‘Not Teachers program includes 3,000 pro- he conducted close reconnaissance and Quite Ready for Prime Time Players,’’ grams and has expanded to all 50 surveillance operations in order to gain but while I never made it to prime States and seven countries. intelligence on the enemy. We all time, except, of course, one appearance As Governor, KIT was also a strong thank him for his courage and his sac- as a very less-than-best-selling author advocate for biotechnology and the ex- rifice in defending our freedom and se- on the ‘‘Jon Stewart Show,’’ you cer- pansion of community health centers curity. tainly have arrived. to underserved areas. Now, I would be remiss if I failed to You have led us through many dif- After his success as a two-term Gov- acknowledge another one of KIT’s loved ficult and protracted debates. Through ernor, KIT decided to follow his former ones—his dog Tiger, who has become all of it, you have been an agile, dis- boss, Senator Jack Danforth, to Wash- sort of a YouTube celebrity around ciplined, and courteous negotiator, ington. He won his first term with 53 here. Tiger is, of course, named after with a good sense of humor. You kept percent of the vote, becoming the only KIT’s beloved University of Missouri us together on many tough votes, at Republican that year to capture a seat Tigers, and her favorite past time is least as much as is possible to keep 40- previously held by a Democrat. For the lying under KIT’s desk and destroying a something different, independent last 24 years, KIT has been a leader of stuffed University of Kansas Jayhawk. minds all together or, as I like to say, this body. Tiger may not be the kind of dog one 40 frogs in a wheelbarrow. But I thank There is no stronger advocate for the would imagine for the vice chairman of you, MITCH. While I have occasionally men and women of our Armed Forces the Senate Intelligence Committee. caused you heartburn—I realize that— than KIT BOND. He has worked hard to Even KIT admits she is a little bit of a I have always appreciated your intel- ensure that our Nation’s veterans get froufrou pet. But in Tiger’s defense, ligence, your leadership, and your the care they need and deserve. He has KIT likes to point out that the last friendship. You and Elaine are very become an expert on Southeast Asian time she saw FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, close friends of Linda and myself, and affairs, last year coauthoring a book on she would not stop barking. Chairman we wish you both the very best for the Southeast Asia and Islam entitled Bair has not one but two degrees from future. ‘‘The Next Front: Southeast Asia and the University of Kansas. ‘‘I think she FAREWELL TO THE SENATE the Road to Global Peace with Islam.’’ sniffed it out,’’ BOND said. Two years ago I announced my re- ‘‘It is not difficult to convince a sen- KIT has had a tremendous career in tirement from the Senate, and that ator to write a book,’’ KIT said. ‘‘The public service. He has been elected time has come. I have to begin by seven times in Missouri from State hard part is convincing people to read thanking all my colleagues and my auditor to his four terms in the Sen- it.’’ constituents for making this job one of ate—more than anyone else in the his- The Senate is indebted to KIT for his the best a person could hold. There is tory of the Show-Me State. service as vice chairman of the Senate no greater honor than being given the Looking back, KIT says his political Select Committee on Intelligence. He trust of the people at home to rep- has worked tirelessly to conduct re- adversaries kept him nimble, and the media kept him humble. Whatever the resent them. I have done my best to sponsible oversight of our Nation’s in- keep faith with my constituents on telligence community. He worked formula, KIT has been an outstanding Senator, and we will miss him terribly. every vote I have cast and every issue closely with former Chairman ROCKE- I am sure it is hard for Missourians to on which I have worked. FELLER and our current chair, DIANNE Through more than two decades of imagine KIT outside of office. It is no FEINSTEIN. In doing so, they showed all easier for his colleagues to imagine the membership in this world’s greatest de- of us the importance of working to- liberative body—sometimes delaying Senate without KIT. As his fourth term gether in a bipartisan fashion on mat- draws to a close, history will show he body—I have participated in my share ters of national security. has served the people of Missouri and of debates. When I first came to the KIT was instrumental in the passage the people of this Nation with passion, Senate, the Cold War was a conflict of the Protect America Act and the some thought we would never win. subsequent Foreign Intelligence Sur- honor, and integrity. He will be missed. Let me just add, back in the mid- Thanks to the courage and resolve of veillance Amendment Act of 2008. He 1980s, I started off in the very last seat former President Ronald Reagan, mil- worked tirelessly behind the scenes and back there, and then, 2 years later— lions of people now live in freedom. across the aisle to combat widespread these were not great years for Repub- During this last term especially, it misinformation about these bills. licans. We had two freshmen my first seems many debates will have history- Regarding the FISA Amendments year, and two freshmen 2 years later, shaping consequences. Act of 2008, KIT said: Senator BOND and Senator MCCAIN. So America has faced many challenges There is nothing to fear in [this] bill, un- seniority being what it is in the Sen- in the past 6 years: the longest reces- less you have Al Qaeda on your speed dial. ate, I got to move out of the very last sion since the Great Depression, wars Over the years, KIT worked hard to chair, moving over two more chairs, in Afghanistan and Iraq, the con- improve Missouri’s transportation and and BOND and MCCAIN came back there tinuing battle against terrorism, the infrastructure. Legend has it that his and joined us. fight to be competitive in a global staunch protection of Missouri’s high- We were such power players in those economy, and many more. As I look way funds even led to a physical alter- days, we referred to ourselves as the back, the successes we have achieved cation one day with our former col- ‘‘Not Quite Ready for Prime Time during my time here have come be- league, Senator Moynihan. The details Players.’’ cause people of good will were willing are a little murky with the passage of But I must say to my friend from to work across the aisle for the com- time, and Pat denied it ever happened. Missouri, you have come a long way mon good of our Nation. But KIT claims to have been the last from those early days. You have made As I address the floor today, I am Senator to be ‘‘slugged’’ on the Senate an enormous difference in the Senate, filled with memories of the many col- floor. The rest of us learned an impor- and we will all miss you greatly. leagues with whom I have worked over tant lesson that day: Don’t mess with The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the years. One stands out in my mem- Missouri’s highway funding. ator from Missouri. ory—the one who was my best friend

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:18 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.016 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 and mentor in the Senate, who took me the HAVA Act, told me he never want- use military action to stop imminent, under his wing and treated me and my ed to see a picture of that dog again, so violent threats. The combination can family as close friends, and that, of I autographed the picture and gave it make stronger, stabler allies. course, is the late Senator Ted Ste- to him. I trust he still has it in his I think SmartPower was no better vens. He was unflagging in his support trusted memory box. demonstrated than in the efforts of the of his principles, and everyone clearly Right now we are engaged on the Missouri National Guard Development knew where he stood. Yet he was a very Senate floor in passing a bill that will team in Nangarhar Province in Afghan- effective appropriator because he knew stop historic tax increases from hitting istan. These military-trained Guard how to compromise. I can only hope most American families and the entire men and women went to Afghanistan my colleagues and constituents know economy next year. I truly hope the with strong private sector expertise in where I stand, and I, too, know that House will be able to pass a bill for sig- a wide range of agriculture activities working across the aisle is the only nature by President Obama so we can and helped reestablish a profitable, le- way to get things done in this body. begin getting the economy to work gitimate agriculture in Agatha, while Right after I arrived, I had the pleas- again and preventing even more job they were maintaining security. ure of working with the late Senator losses. Assuming we can do it, the new By the end of the first 10-month Robert Byrd, who achieved the acid Congress has to put our economy back growing season, illicit poppy produc- rain trading compromise and passed on a sound footing. We must end the tion had dropped to zero in Agatha, the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. recent trend of the push for govern- which had been the second leading I also joined with former Senator Wen- ment overspending and passing the poppy producer in the Nation. I think dell Ford to establish a National Guard burdensome mandates on States and we have to expand that model with caucus, and now it is a pleasure to the private sector. Excessive regula- more National Guard units deployed work with PAT LEAHY to ensure that tions that go beyond reasonable safety but also a better coordination of not our dual-mission National Guard is and environmental restrictions are only our military forces overseas but adequately prepared to serve emer- costing us jobs in agriculture, energy, civilian assistance that must go with gency needs on the homefront and par- and many other areas of the economy, them. We must continue our efforts to ticipate in our national security issues and stopping badly needed develop- avoid giving al-Qaida and its related abroad. ments that we in this country need. terrorist allies an unchallenged place On the Appropriations Committee, I The size of the debt has become an to develop recruiting and training have enjoyed the successes I have had increasing concern for my constituents camps, command and control units working first with BARBARA MIKULSKI and others across the Nation. We have that threaten us. and now DIANNE FEINSTEIN to ensure a debt problem that is caused by spend- One of the greatest challenges, how- that public housing meets the needs of ing, not by having taxes too low. I am ever, is the publicly announced sum- the people it is supposed to serve and encouraged to see there has been more mer of 2011 withdrawal date from Af- the communities in which they live, discussion of having a flat tax with ghanistan. providing supportive assistance for the lower rates, eliminating a wide range It has told our enemies they only homeless—particularly veterans—and of deductions, credits, and other tax need to wait until next summer to put stopping lead paint poisoning of chil- bill earmarks. Doing so would make it our allies in the Karzai government on dren in old public housing buildings easier for all of us, as Americans, to fill notice that we may not be there to pro- across the Nation. Barbara and I also out tax forms, eliminating the time tect them after the summer of 2011. As gave a boost to what I believe will be and effort of figuring them out, and I important, it tells the shura or local the job-creating technology of the 21st think it should enable us to put more community leaders we will not be there century: agricultural biotechnology. of those resources into what we need, next year to protect them from the We did that with congressionally di- our top priority: job creation. Taliban, so they are less likely to co- rected spending in the National Speaking of job creation, I think operate with us. There must be a mes- Science Foundation budget. there are tremendous opportunities in sage, I believe, from the White House, With Senator DIANNE FEINSTEIN as export trade. I applaud President widely disseminated, that we will pull chair of the Senate Select Committee Obama’s call for expanding trade to out of Afghanistan only when condi- on Intelligence, we have put, I believe, create jobs. I look forward to seeing his tions on the ground indicate there will the Senate Intelligence Committee continued leadership and to seeing be security. back on a path of bipartisanship and Congress move forward promptly to A high point of my legislative career achieved passage of the first Intel- adopt the trade agreements with got an impetus in 2007, when I went ligence Act Reauthorization in 6 years. Korea, Colombia, and Panama. For our with Senator BAYH on a congressional I especially owe my Republican col- intermediate-term future, it is essen- delegation, a CODEL, to Afghanistan. leagues my sincerest thanks and appre- tial the United States participate in We were told that the limitations in ciation for sticking with me as we ne- the Trans-Pacific Partnership with the old Foreign Intelligence Surveil- gotiated our way through some tough countries on both sides of the Pacific lance Act were a great threat to our compromises, such as the fights we to take down barriers to trade and in- troops as well as to those of us on the have had on FISA. But when the Help crease export job opportunities. ground. I worked, as the leader said, America Vote Act came to the Senate As most of my colleagues know, I from that point until the summer of floor in 2001, ostensibly to cure prob- have been particularly interested in ex- 2008, with the strong support of my Re- lems with punchcard voting in Florida panding trade with Southeast Asia, publican colleagues, and a workable but which most of us Republicans which I believe is not well understood compromise across the aisle was devel- thought was an effort to discredit the by too many Americans. But the entire oped which gave the intelligence agen- election of former President Bush, I Asian region, however, provides huge cies the access they needed and, at the urged my colleagues not to block the opportunities for better American jobs same time, extended the protection of bill but to use it, not only to make it through trade and investment across rights of Americans overseas from un- easier to vote but tougher to cheat. the Pacific. warranted interception of messages by When we moved to the floor, I brought In addition to expanding economic telephone or e-mail. to the Senate floor a picture of a growth and jobs, trade is also an im- As a result, we currently have that springer spaniel, Ritsy Meckler, who portant element in SmartPower, the ability, but we must go to work quick- had been registered to vote in St. fight against terrorist insurgencies ly to make sure other provisions of Louis, MO, to make the point that if threatening other countries and ulti- vital intelligence collection measures we had positive identification, it would mately those of us here at home. As I and authorizations do not expire with- have been much more difficult for mentioned in the book the leader was out legislative extensions. For the Ritsy to register or certainly to vote. kind enough to speak of, we can and United States, our homeland, our de- My friend, CHRIS DODD, with whom I must use trade, investment, and edu- fense against terrorist acts from pris- had worked on many children and fam- cation interchanges to build strong oners of war is essential, and we must ily issues and who worked with us on economies as a necessary step as we prevent the release of Gitmo detainees

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.017 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8975 to other countries, where they will re- been honored to work with you and has made Missouri his life’s work. For turn to the battlefield. The fact that others on all the priorities facing our that, he deserves my respect and admi- one in four detainees already has come country and many more. Public service ration. back is a frightening figure because we has been a blessing and a labor of love Secondly, he has made major sac- believe there are many more who will for me. Little in life could be more ful- rifices to serve. As the leader said, he come back, and I fear one of those may filling. graduated first in his class from the conduct an attack on the United But I look forward to the next chap- University of Virginia Law School; a States. We need to have a law of war ter in my life. I am neither shy nor re- graduate from Princeton. I don’t need which allows us to hold them. tiring. There are ways to serve, and to explain to anybody in the Senate As a final thought on intelligence, elective office is only one of them. I what that could mean in terms of one’s however, the recent WikiLeaks scandal plan to continue fighting for Missouri career, in terms of making money. has shown us what damage the Internet and national priorities from a different CHRISTOPHER KIT BOND could have been can do to our diplomatic efforts as well vantage point. wealthy beyond anyone’s imagination. as the safety of those in dangerous Throughout 40 years of public life, I He had the intellect, he had the person- places with whom we have worked. The have met many wonderful people. I ality to succeed in any business that he even greater threat we see is the con- have visited every area of the State decided to engage in, and certainly in tinuing cyber attack on military intel- every term I have served in office. The the practice of law. ligence and private sector critical in- people I have met in office and the peo- I think in today’s world there is so frastructure. With my colleague from ple I have worked with have made the much cynicism about the people who Utah, Orrin Hatch, we have introduced job so rewarding I decided to stay choose a career of political service. a cyber security bill which will estab- longer. The people of Missouri have This is a great example for civics class- lish a cyber defense alliance to allow been my most trusted and valuable ad- es throughout this country, to see that private sector entities to cooperate visers and I thank them for giving me this is what we are talking about— with government agencies to protect support and helping me to identify not someone who chose not to make big our critical financial systems, our util- only the challenges but the solutions. bucks, not to travel the halls of power ities and, most of all, our communica- In addition to my colleagues and in the private sector, but to toil in the tions systems from attack. The battle friends, there are too many others to fields of being a public servant. Yes, is underway, and we will need every ef- thank, but let me give you the first there are many things about being a fort to stay ahead of the developing at- one. First, to my patient family—my public servant that are grand and glo- tacks as well as helping the private wife Linda, the light and love of my rious, but there is a lot that is not. sector protect their information. life; my talented, charming daughter- I would challenge anyone to go to as In closing, I will tell my colleagues I in-law Margaret, and my son Sam, many farm bureau picnics as my col- have worked in all possible party com- whom I regard as my personal hero for league has gone to and not admit a lit- binations. I have been in the majority his service as a marine ground-intel- tle bit of fatigue. I would challenge and minority. I have been fat and thin, ligence officer in Iraq. anyone to have attended as many State and being thin and in the majority is a Thanks to all who have worked for fairs as my colleague has attended and whole lot better. In my two terms as me in my office, on my committees, not confess a little fatigue. I would Governor, with a 70-percent Demo- and those who have helped me with po- challenge anyone to go to what my dad cratic majority in both the house and litical activities—hundreds and thou- used to call the ‘‘slick ham suppers’’ in the senate general assembly, they ex- sands over the years. Some were not small communities across the State plained to me how bipartisanship born when I started, others have passed after a long week of work, because he works. I figured it out during my sec- away. Fortunately, many are still here. knew there were people there who were ond term, which enabled us to do bet- As Mitch said, I thank my political going to be rewarded by his presence ter. It was my most successful term in adversaries for keeping me nimble and and that it was part of his job. He real- any office, and the general assembly the media for keeping me humble. ized that was very important. So I am and I both achieved passage of all the Most of all, I thank the voters of Mis- very respectful and have great admira- legislative priorities we had. souri for sending me to Jefferson City tion for the fact that he has toiled in So now if my colleagues will permit a three times and Washington, DC four the field of public service for all these little parting advice from an old bull: times to represent them. There is no years. Work together, play nice. greater honor. I have been truly The third thing I respect and admire I would follow up on the leader’s blessed to be entrusted by them with about him is how proud he is of his comment about a little scuffle I had the responsibility of public office. And family and how devoted he is to his with Pat Moynihan. I never talked I thank you from the bottom of my wife. It is wonderful to behold when about it. We never said anything pub- heart. someone exudes love and admiration licly until now. Later on, as we became The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and devotion to those people who are fast friends, he used to tease me about ator from Missouri. most important to all of us—our fami- setting up boxing matches so we could TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS lies. I have watched Senator BOND as raise money for charity. But when I KIT BOND he began to immerse himself in foreign looked at his height and his reach, I Mrs. MCCASKILL. Mr. President, I policy, and I know it was because he didn’t take him up on that. think it goes without saying there are went to bed every night and woke up In a world today where enemies are things Senator BOND and I might dis- every morning thinking of Sam, and real—the kind who seek to destroy oth- agree on, but today is not a time to Sam’s service and what Sam was doing ers because of their religion—it is im- talk about those things. I rise for a few and feeling, that compelled him to do portant to remember there is a lot of minutes to talk about Senator BOND as much as he could in the Halls of real estate between a political oppo- and the things I most respect and ad- Congress to help men and women such nent and a true enemy. In government, mire him for. It could be a very long as Sam Bond throughout our world. we expect spirited and principled de- list, and I don’t want to take too long, Fourth, and maybe this is the best bate where ideas compete and the best but I am going to hit the high points of one, Senator KIT BOND is not afraid of ones prevail. There will be issues where the things I think demand that anyone a fight. I think that is terrific. You people of good conscience cannot come who has paid attention to Missouri know, Missouri is a tough State. It is a together, but let us never let what can- needs to respect and admire this man tough State in that anybody who tells not be done interfere with what can be for. you their reelection is certain does not done. Events in the world and threats For 42 years, he has served the State know or understand Missouri. Every will continue to challenge us—ter- of Missouri. Let us start there. He election is a battle in Missouri. He has rorism, the economy, and growing loves the State we call home. I would a record of nine and two in those elec- debt. say that he knows it better than any tions. And for our beloved team, the Nearly 24 years ago, I was sworn in as living person in the world. He under- Missouri Tigers, he and I would take a U.S. Senator. Since that time, I have stands it, he is dedicated to it, and he that record any year in football. He has

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.018 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8976 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 had three campaigns for Governor and State auditor, and I looked up and who age. In fact, part of this tax package I four campaigns for the Senate from the was directly across from me—KIT BOND strongly oppose. State of Missouri, and his record is and John Ashcroft. I will confess I Most notably, I am opposed to those nine and one in those elections. Let me moved the order so I didn’t have to provisions that give overly generous tell you, that is one remarkable look at both of you every single day. tax reductions to the wealthiest among achievement because in Missouri we But you were a reminder to me that us in the estate tax area. But I under- have some strong-minded folks. We there are many different ways to serve. stand that the President did what he have a bunch of folks on one end who It is with a great deal of reluctance had to do to get an agreement. This are very loud and very opinionated, that I say farewell to Senator KIT BOND economy clearly remains in a fragile and they are not going anywhere, and in the Senate. He has served here well, state and we can’t afford to wait until we have a bunch of folks on the other he has served his State well, and I hope we get everything we want. We cannot end who are just as loud and just as he remains a colleague and friend of let the perfect be the enemy of the opinionated, and they are not going mine for many years to come. good. Too often in this Chamber, in anywhere. But in the middle we have a With the utmost admiration and re- this Congress, people insist on having grand and glorious group of very stub- spect, I yield the floor. it their way or take the highway. Un- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- bornly independent people. fortunately, that prevents us from I like to point out to people that the ator from North Dakota is recognized. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I also doing things that are absolutely essen- State of Missouri elected John tial for the Nation. Ashcroft Governor and Harriett Woods want to add my voice in respect and recognition for the service of Senator Economists project that a failure to Lieutenant Governor in the same elec- pass this package could reduce eco- tion. Now, many of you may not know KIT BOND. He has been a terrific col- league. We have jousted over issues nomic growth next year by as much as who Harriett Woods is, but I can assure 50 percent. That would mean millions you my colleague and I both know such as water policy affecting our two States, but he has always conducted of jobs. So those who say, well, let’s these two people—John Ashcroft and just scuttle this, have to think very Harriett Woods—and they had abso- himself with honor and integrity and he will be missed in this Chamber. carefully. What is the risk to the econ- lutely nothing in common. They had omy of the United States? completely divergent ideological views REMEMBERING RICHARD HOLBROOKE Just to review where we have come of the world, yet Missourians elected Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, for a from, I believe the Federal response to both of them. Why? I will tell you what moment, I also want to note the pass- the recession and the financial crisis that grand and gloriously stubborn ing of Richard Holbrooke, a distin- has successfully pulled this economy streak of independents want in Mis- guished ambassador, somebody who has back from the brink. I believe we were souri—they want someone with a played a key role in working on the headed for financial collapse. Economic smile. policy towards Iraq and Afghanistan. growth has returned—not as robustly Check for KIT BOND. When you think Richard Holbrooke was a giant in as we would have liked, but nonethe- of KIT BOND, you think of him smiling. American diplomatic history. Richard Even if his teeth are gritted, and he is Holbrooke was a friend. I actually was less it has returned. In the fourth quar- telling you something you don’t want with him the Sunday before he passed ter of 2008, lest we forget, economic to hear or you can tell he is angry at away and was shocked to learn that he growth was a negative 6.8 percent. In you, he is still grinning. They appre- had been stricken; even more shocked the most recent quarter, it was a posi- ciate his intellect. He has always been to learn that he passed away on Mon- tive 2.5. That is a remarkable turn- an intellectual giant, and that is im- day. around. Richard Holbrooke leaves an extraor- portant when you are toiling the fields The same can be seen on the job dinary legacy of working for peace and of public service. His integrity. There front. In January of 2009, the economy for advancing the interests of this was never a doubt in all of these years lost over 800,000 private sector jobs in 1 country. Richard Holbrooke will be month. The next month we lost an- of KIT BOND’s service that this was not missed. a man of the very highest integrity. other 700,000 jobs; the next month, an- Mr. President, I have come to the other 700,000; the next month, almost And finally, a work ethic. And gee floor to discuss the tax extension pack- howdy, Missourians want a work ethic. 650,000. Now we fast forward to today, age before us. I support this package November of 2010, and 50,000 jobs were They want somebody who understands because it will provide, I believe, a sig- that they are working hard and they created. That is a dramatic turn- nificant boost to the economy next around, and we can see for month after want to see you working hard, and that year. It is necessary because the alter- is exactly what Senator BOND has done month after month that we now have native would be a significant tax in- positive job growth. This economy has for these 42 years. He has worked very crease on millions of middle-class fami- hard, even down to planting his chest- turned in the right direction and has lies in just a matter of weeks. done so in quite a dramatic way. nut trees himself on the farm in Mex- I recognize this package will increase ico. the deficit over the next 2 years, but We have also seen the rebound in the So the magic formula of a ready we need to distinguish between what is markets. The stock market hit a low of smile, intellect, integrity, and an the right economic policy short term 6,547 back on March 9, 2009. We are now amazing work ethic has put him in the and longer term. Short term, I don’t well over 11,000. So in economic same category as some of Missouri’s think there is any question that this growth, job creation, and the stock very greatest. From Thomas Hart Ben- economy remains weak, unemployment market, we have seen dramatic im- ton to Senator CHRISTOPHER KIT BOND, stubbornly high, and that means we provement as a direct result of TARP he has shown the world and shown our need to do more to provide liquidity in and the stimulus program. country what hard work, what some- the short term. That does not mean This economy still remains too weak, body who loves the middle of America that we should ignore the growing debt too fragile, with unemployment stub- and all that it represents can do in the that is all around us. That is a longer bornly high at 9.8 percent. By the way, Senate. term challenge, but it requires our ur- without TARP, without stimulus, the He has been a wonderful role model gent attention. best economists in this country, in- for many of us in Missouri, even if we We need to put together a plan this cluding Alan Blinder, the former dep- don’t always agree on every issue. And year to deal with our deficits and debt. uty chairman of the Fed, and the chief by the way, I will tell this story today: That is what the fiscal commission was economist at Moody’s, Mark Zandi, When I took my desk in the State audi- all about that Senator GREGG and I said without TARP, without stimulus, tor’s office, there is a tradition in the pushed for, which has just recently unemployment today would be 15 per- State auditor’s office in Missouri that concluded its work, with 11 of the 18 cent—8 million more people would be all the previous State auditors’ pic- members endorsing a plan to reduce unemployed. Despite some who say tures are around your office on a photo our debt by $4 trillion. they haven’t worked, TARP and stim- rail at the top. I sat down at my desk Just as with that package, I do not ulus, I believe the evidence is quite on the first day having been elected agree with all elements of this pack- clear they have worked.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:18 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.019 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8977 But more needs to be done. As we In fact, I asked CBO last year: What enth of 1 percent. It adds about $20 bil- enter the holiday season, we can’t for- are the most effective steps we could lion to the cost of the package over 2 get that one in six Americans are now take to promote economic growth. No. years, and it will do absolutely nothing unemployed or underemployed and so 1, interestingly enough, extend unem- to generate economic growth and to we must do more to create jobs. ployment insurance. That is in this create jobs. In a recent speech to the European package. No. 2, a payroll tax holiday. If made permanent, this provision Central Bank, Federal Reserve Chair- That is in this package. would add $100 billion in lost revenue man Ben Bernanke went as far as he In fact, as I indicated, this package to the Treasury in the next 10 years— could go on the question of fiscal pol- has an extension of unemployment in- $100 billion more than the package that icy, and he urged Congress to do more surance benefits at their current level I proposed. I don’t think that is fiscally to help the near-term economy, while for 13 months. This will prevent 7 mil- responsible, I don’t think it is wise, at the same time taking steps to bring lion workers from losing unemploy- and I don’t think it should be approved. down long-term deficits. This is what ment in 2011. Economists also rank this While we need to pass the overall he said: measure as high on bang for the buck, package to give a near-term boost to On its current economic trajectory, the as I indicated. the economy, we must also now pivot United States runs the risk of seeing mil- It also includes a business expensing and deal with the Nation’s growing lions of workers unemployed or under- provision allowing businesses to write debt. Gross Federal debt is already ex- employed for many years. As a society we off 100 percent of capital purchases in pected to reach 100 percent of the gross should find that outcome unacceptable. Mon- 2011. This is a useful incentive to get domestic product of this country in etary policy is working in support of both businesses to start spending again and 2011—well above the 90 percent thresh- economic recovery and price stability, but could generate more than $50 billion in old that many economists see as the there are limits to what can be achieved by additional investment in 2011. And, the Central Bank alone. A fiscal program danger zone. that combines near-term measures to en- again, CBO rated this measure as high One of our Nation’s leading econo- hance growth with strong confidence-induc- on bang for the buck. mists, Dr. Carmen Reinhart, came be- ing steps to reduce longer term structural Here are some of the examples of the fore the President’s fiscal commission. deficits would be an important complement tax cut benefits provided by this pack- She had recently coauthored a study of to the policies of the Federal Reserve. age. A mother with one child with the impact of debt on more than 20 I think the Chairman has it right. He $20,000 in income will receive a $1,100 countries over the last 200 years. She is clearly saying the Fed alone and its tax cut, a married couple with $40,000 concluded that when government debt actions are not enough to keep the re- of income will receive a tax cut of al- as a share of the economy exceeds 90 covery going. Congress also needs to most $2,000, and a married couple with percent, economic growth tends to be act. It needs to act in the near term by two children with $60,000 of income will about 1 percentage point lower than if taking steps to generate economic receive a tax cut of more than $3,300. debt levels were not so high. But don’t growth, and it needs to act on the long- Mark Zandi, the chief economist for be misled by 1 point lower. That sounds term challenge by putting in place a Moody’s and a former adviser to Sen- like nothing. The economy is growing ator MCCAIN’s Presidential campaign, plan to bring down deficits and debt in typically at 31⁄2 percent. One point less the immediate term and in the longer has examined the potential economic would be about one-third less economic term. impact of this package. This is what he growth. So we need to understand—the This package, the one before us, will concluded: consequences of debt are lower eco- ensure that middle-class taxpayers are The fiscal policy compromise will be good nomic growth for the future. not hit with a tax increase at the start for the economy next year. The mandatory Our long-term debt outlook is even of the year. It extends for 2 years all of tax cuts and spending increases will provide more serious. According to the Con- a substantial boost to growth in 2011, ensur- the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. By the way, ing that the still fragile economic recovery gressional Budget Office, Federal debt by far the most important thing for the evolves into a self-sustaining economic ex- could rise on the current trend to al- economy is the middle-class tax cut. pansion. The deal’s surprisingly broad scope most 400 percent of GDP by 2054. That That is what is critically important to meaningfully changes the near-term eco- is a completely unsustainable course. I the economy. The tax cuts for the high nomic outlook. personally believe the deficit and debt end—we can either do or not do—in ef- That is according to Mark Zandi, reduction plan assembled by the Presi- fect are mildly stimulative but, accord- chief economist for Moody’s. dent’s fiscal commission, on which I ing to CBO, they have pretty low bang For those who are concerned about served, could prove a way forward. for the buck in terms of economic the deficit, as I am, job one is to get Even though the plan did not receive growth. That is the high end tax cuts— this economy growing more strongly. the necessary 14 of the 18 votes on the pretty low bang for the buck, according That is job one. Then we have to pivot commission to guarantee a vote in to the CBO. and deal with the long-term plan to Congress, it did receive the support of This package also has the expanded deal with the deficit and the debt. As I 11 of the 18 commission members, child credit and earned-income tax noted previously, the one provision in which is more than 60 percent of the credit for families, the American op- this package that I particularly am un- panel. With 60 percent here, we can portunity tax credit for college ex- happy with is the estate tax provision. pass anything. But on our Commission penses, an alternative minimum tax I support the continuation of the 2009 we required 14 of 18 of the Commis- fix—otherwise millions of people would level with an estate tax exemption of sioners to agree to assure a vote in be getting a tax hike completely unin- $3.5 million for an individual, $7 mil- Congress this year. tended—and the R&D tax credit and lion for a couple, and a rate of 45 per- By the way, among the 11 who sup- other expiring provisions. This pack- cent. At those levels only one-quarter ported the plan, it was completely bi- age, according to the best economic ad- of 1 percent of estates would be subject partisan: 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, vice we can get, will help economic to any estate tax in 2011—one-quarter and 1 Independent. That outcome growth, will help job creation, creating of 1 percent of estates would be af- proved that Democrats and Repub- additional jobs in the private sector fected. That means 99.75 percent of es- licans can come together to solve this next year. tates would be exempt from any estate challenge. The package also includes three crit- tax under the provisions I am pro- Here is a quick overview of the fiscal ical measures to help the economy. It posing and did propose in the budget. commission plan: It provides nearly $4 includes a payroll tax cut for working Unfortunately, under the com- trillion in deficit reduction over the families. This will provide a 2-percent- promise package certain of our col- next 10 years. It lowers the deficit from age point reduction in employees’ So- leagues on the other side insisted that 8 percent of GDP in 2011 to 2.3 percent cial Security payroll taxes; a worker the exemption level be raised to $5 mil- in 2015 and 1.2 percent in 2020. It sta- with $40,000 in income would save $800. lion for individuals, $10 million per bilizes the debt by 2014 and then lowers This measure is widely recognized as couple, with the rate of 35 percent. it to 60 percent of GDP by 2023 and 40 one of the most effective ways to boost This will reduce the number of estates percent of GDP by 2035. It reforms So- near-term growth. subject to the estate tax to one-sev- cial Security to ensure its solvency for

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:51 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.021 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE S8978 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 14, 2010 at least 75 years and puts the program So these are Americans who either coverage tax credit was increased on a more sustainable path beyond the lost their jobs and their health cov- slightly and the rules surrounding it next 75 years. And it includes funda- erage, or lost large chunks of their pen- were made more flexible. mental tax reform, making the Tax sions and their health coverage. These modest changes enabled tens of Code simpler, fairer, and more effi- As I stated earlier, this amendment thousands of trade-affected workers cient, while also raising more revenue would extend modest enhancements to and retirees to use the tax credit and for deficit reduction. the health coverage tax credit or purchase private health coverage to re- Now that we have a responsible and HCTC. place the employer-sponsored health realistic bipartisan plan on the table The HCTC was established 8 years benefits they lost. Specifically the tax and national attention is focused on ago to help these workers and retirees credit now covers 80 percent, rather the issue, it is up to Congress and the purchase private health coverage to re- than 65 percent of coverage costs; rath- President to finish the job. place the employer-sponsored coverage er than 65 percent of coverage costs; Tax reform may be the most impor- they lost. beneficiaries are allowed to use the tant component of the fiscal commis- Unfortunately, because of the modest coverage to purchase coverage for sion plan. Here are the key elements size of the tax credit and other limita- themselves and their spouses; and they included in the fiscal commission plan: tions, many credit-eligible individuals are allowed to apply the credit to less It eliminates or scales back tax ex- have remained uninsured. expensive coverage under a Voluntary penditures that are currently running And as too many Americans know, Employee Benefit Association VEBA. $1.1 trillion a year and lowers tax the combination of no health insurance Since these provisions were put into rates. That will promote economic and a dramatically reduced pension place, the number of displaced workers growth and dramatically improve spells financial hardship. Dramatic fi- and retirees using the health coverage America’s global competitiveness. And nancial hardship, particularly for peo- tax credit has more than tripled, in- it makes the Tax Code more progres- ple forced into early unplanned retire- creasing from about 14,000 to approxi- sive. The Commission’s illustrative tax ment. mately 50,000. reform plan demonstrates how scaling These are Americans who worked But the health coverage tax credit back tax expenditures can lower rates. hard, were loyal to their companies, provisions are set to expire at the end This plan is a beginning. It has to be- earned their pensions and employer- of this year. come law in order to have its full ef- sponsored health coverage day after We can not let that happen. It does not matter where the en- fect. I hope very much our colleagues day after day until the day they hanced health coverage tax credit pro- will consider supporting this plan, the watched it all evaporate. visions come from. It could have been tax plan before us, and the deficit re- Americans like Mike, from the Recovery Act. It could have been a duction plan that needs to be an inte- Brookville, OH, who wrote me to let bill the minority championed. The ve- gral component of a long-term fiscal me know how important the tax credit hicle does not matter. plan for the Nation. is and how worried he is that it will re- But the merits of these provisions do I yield the floor. vert back to covering only 65 percent of matter. That is why Senators The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- premium. STABENOW and WICKER and I bring this ator from Ohio is recognized. Mike is a Delphi retiree, thousands of Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, I who were left high and dry when the amendment forward. These provisions have merit. They ask unanimous consent to set aside the new GM abandoned them. will keep Americans insured in an en- second-degree amendment to the Reid- Larry from Miamisburg, OH, is an- vironment where the lack of coverage, McConnell substitute to offer amend- other Delphi retiree. coupled with pension cuts, could mean ment No. 4763. In his letter to me, he said: I am impoverishment. If we do not extend The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there writing to ask for help for us the Del- these provisions, the spouses of former objection? phi retirees. First for the HCTC in- workers will definitely lose their cov- Mr. ISAKSON. I object. crease and ultimately for the loss of erage, and those former workers them- Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, our retirements. Sir, they have taken selves likely will. That is in no one’s Senator STABENOW, Democrat from everything from us, even now our dig- best interests. Michigan, Senator WICKER, a Repub- nity. As I mentioned earlier, approving lican from Mississippi, and I bring this Larry and Mike are victims of what this amendment would likely increase amendment to the floor to extend for 1 can only be called a myopic pension the cost of this bill by less than .006 year modest enhancements to the deal cut by the new GM during its percent. Health Coverage Tax Credit Program. I bankruptcy proceedings. That is a small price to pay for a life- am going to throw a slight curve ball The new GM clung to an agreement line. It is a small price to pay to keep and start with the cost of this amend- signed back in 1999 in order to provide middle class Americans from slipping ment, which will help place its benefits full pensions to some union Delphi re- into poverty. into context. tirees and allow other nonunion and This should not be a matter of de- While we are awaiting a final score, union retirees to receive deep pension bate. This should not be the focus of a based on some preliminary numbers, cuts. partisan divide. This should be a small this amendment should come in under Both groups of former employees— step all of us take together on behalf of $50 million. That is less than .006 per- those who received their full benefits Americans who did what we asked cent of the cost of this legislation. It is and those who did not—devoted most of them to do. $50 million out of roughly $800 million. their careers to GM before Delphi was They deserve our respect, they de- Now let’s look at who the amend- spun off. serve our consideration, and—as our ment helps. Both groups of former employees economy continues to pose challenges It helps Americans who took a kid- earned their pensions by working hard even before the hardships these Ameri- ney punch when the companies for for GM year-in and year-out. cans face—they deserve this modest ex- which they worked either packed up But Mike, Larry, and others like tension of tax credit benefits. and moved their operations overseas, them were forced to live with finan- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- or when the companies for which they cially devastating pension cuts, while sent the amendment, No. 4805, be print- worked went bankrupt and turned their counterparts received their full ed. their pension obligations over to the pensions. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Pension Benefit Guarantee Corpora- And now these same retirees may objection, it is so ordered. It will be tion. once again lose access to health cov- printed. I probably do not have to tell you erage. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- what it means when an American’s To prevent it, we need to extend the ator from Georgia is recognized. pension goes over to PBGC. It means enhanced HCTC provisions. Mr. ISAKSON. I ask unanimous con- that American’s pension is slashed— Under the American Recovery and sent to be recognized for up to 7 min- often dramatically. Reinvestment Act ARRA, the health utes.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:15 Dec 15, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14DE6.022 S14DEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with SENATE December 14, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8979 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to see a sense of certainty and a sense With those remarks, I yield the floor. objection, it is so ordered. of optimism, which certainly our coun- f Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I rose try needs. yesterday afternoon when we opened As far as the estate tax—and I love RECESS the vote and voted in favor of going to very much the Senator from North Da- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under a final vote today on the tax package kota, but I disagree vehemently on his the previous order, the Senate stands before us. Like many have expressed in explanation about the estate tax. Let in recess until the hour of 2:15 p.m. this body, there are things I like and me tell you the reality of the estate Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:44 p.m., things I dislike about it, but I come to tax. I have dealt with it. I have dealt recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem- the floor today to talk about the with it for 33 years as a real estate bled when called to order by the Pre- broker in the State of Georgia. things I like about it and to make a siding Officer (Mr. BEGICH). particular point with regard to scoring. The assets of most American families First, I want to point out that 41 are real estate, whether it is farmers f days ago the people of the United and landowners or whether it is simply FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRA- States went to the polls and voted. In a homeowner. Other wealth in America TION EXTENSION ACT OF 2010— is by people who have a small business. the State of Georgia they voted for me. Continued I ran a campaign on the basis that we With the confiscatory tax rate of 55 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- do not have a tax problem; we have a percent, which is what it would be Jan- ator from New Hampshire. spending problem. I ran a campaign uary 1, and an inordinately low deduc- based on the American people wanting tion or unified credit of $1 million, FAREWELL TO THE SENATE us in Washington to do what they have most American landowners, most Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise had to do in the last 3 years: sit down American business owners who had an today on behalf of myself and my wife at the kitchen table, reprioritize, and estate worth anything over $1 million Kathy to thank the people of New spend within their means. We must do would have had to liquidate their es- Hampshire for giving us the great that. tates to pay their taxes. honor and privilege to represent them. A little known fact about the IRS I commend what Senator CONRAD This is an extraordinary body, the from North Dakota said, and I com- Code that a lot of people don’t realize Senate. It is filled with wonderful peo- but we all suffer from is that when you mend the courage of the others who ple. I look around this room and I see die, you have 9 months to file your voted for the deficit reduction commis- a lot of them, friends, people I have had taxes and pay your taxes with the gov- sion report because it is the kind of the chance to do work with. I admire ernment. They have 3 years to say shared sacrifice and tough love that all them immensely. I thank them for whether they will accept it. So in a 9- of us need next year to rein in spending their friendship. And when people ask month period of time, a family at a in this country and get our balance me about leaving the Senate, what is point of bereavement, with some as- back. But in the immediate future, in the thing I am going to miss the most, sets, find themselves at a rate of 55 per- the next 31⁄2 weeks, America’s taxes are I always say, it is the people, the peo- cent. That is confiscatory, and it is not ple of the Senate, because they are spe- going up at a time of protracted reces- right. If they have to liquidate their sion and high unemployment. That cial, dedicated to making this country property or sell their business that a better place, dedicated to doing their doesn’t make any sense. asset no longer produces income; there- In 2003, when I was in the House, I jobs well, dedicated to serving Amer- fore, income taxes go down. ica. didn’t like the idea of putting a I can demonstrate on a graph or So I thank you for the great honor sunsetting on the Bush tax package be- chart or blackboard that an asset that and privilege that you have given cause I feared exactly what is hap- has to be liquidated and paid at a tax Kathy and me to allow us to serve and pening now—protracted uncertainty, 2- rate of 55 percent one time does not, participate in this body with your- year renewals, American business not over 10 years, pay as much as would selves and your spouses. I want to knowing what to do. While I will vote have been paid over the earned income for this package today, I hope we will that small business or land would have thank everybody else who has been so learn the lesson that 2-year incre- created. So the estate tax 2-year deal is helpful throughout our career, the mental sunsets or things such as that a good deal, and it should be perma- folks here at the dias, the staff, people are not good for the economy and not nent. Five million dollars is a lot of in the cloakroom, throughout this good for America. We, as Members of money, but in the scheme of things for building. I mean, there are so many this Congress and this Senate, must a small business, a family farm, a coop- people who make this Senate work, deal with challenges when they con- erative, it is not a lot of money. But it people working in the furniture room, front us—not by arbitrarily setting is the lifeblood of a lot of families. If and people working in the hallways, times for sunsets and sunrises that we confiscate that business or con- our staffs, obviously. make us make policy under duress and fiscate that land because the tax rate This is a special place filled with peo- difficult circumstances. forces a sale, then we are actually ple who are committed to making the But on the scoring issue I want to hurting ourselves in the long run, and Senate work. I thank them for allow- point out two things about the tax we are hurting families in the long run. ing Kathy and me to be part of that. rates and about the estate tax. There Last, there is a spending component, But I want to take a point of personal are those who say by extending the ex- and we are going to have to, next year, privilege here and especially thank my isting tax rates we cut revenue that sit around the kitchen table of the Sen- wife Kathy who is here today. You are would have come in. Hypothetically, ate and deal with our spending because not allowed to acknowledge people, I that is correct, but in reality that is it is out of hand. But I do believe the know that, but I am going to violate not correct because, historically, from tax policy we are extending for the the rules. My wife is sitting right up John Kennedy to Ronald Reagan to next 2 years will bode well for our there. Kathy. George W. Bush, Republicans and economy. I agree with Senator CONRAD We have been married 37 years, and Democrats who were confronted with it will probably help increase produc- for 32 of those years we have held elec- difficult economic times, when they tivity by about one-third, which will be tive office; 9 major campaigns, innu- changed tax policy and lessened the good for our country. It will be good merable campaigns such as those for burden, they increased the revenue. So for our tax rates. If we can combine other people that we have participated my forecast based on the next 2 years that with a fiscal policy that has in. Through this whole intensity—and is we will see for the first time a clear shared sacrifice and tough love when it we all know, who have participated in example of dynamic scoring and hope- comes to spending, we can regenerate this process, the intensity of the elec- fully change a little bit of CBO’s mind the American dream and the great tive process in this Nation—there has on how they look on tax policy. I think American engine of entrepreneurship been a rock and a solid force in our we are going to see more employment, and return our country to the pros- family. She has raised three extraor- we are going to see more risk capital perity we all hope and desire it will dinary children, Molly, Sarah and put out by business, and we are going have. Joshua, who have been exceptional in

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