April 26, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3591 KENNEDY), the Senator from Maine order to carry out the Call Home Act’s Communications Commission to seek ways (Ms. COLLINS), the Senator from New requirements. to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces Mexico (Mr. BINGAMAN), the Senator The Call Home Act of 2006 would re- personnel deployed overseas. Everyday, military members deployed or from Massachusetts (Mr. KERRY), the place similar legislation from 1992 that assigned unaccompanied overseas are faced Senator from North Dakota (Mr. DOR- limited the FCC’s efforts to reduce with the burdens of being separated from GAN), the Senator from New York (Mrs. rates to specific countries. The Call families and loved ones. Your bill recognizes CLINTON), the Senator from Con- Home Act would expand the FCC’s ef- the burden these members and families en- necticut (Mr. LIEBERMAN) and the Sen- forts to benefit troops wherever they counter and takes an important step forward ator from South Dakota (Mr. JOHNSON) are deployed in support of the global to reduce the costs of high phone rates. were added as cosponsors of amend- war on terrorism. AUSA thanks you for introducing this leg- ment No. 3599 intended to be proposed We have received a letter of support islation and for your leadership on issues af- fecting all servicemembers and their fami- to H.R. 4939, a bill making emergency from the Military Coalition, which rep- supplemental appropriations for the lies. We pledge our strong support in seeking resents 36 military and veterans enactment of this important legislation. fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, groups. We have also received letters of Sincerely, and for other purposes. support from individual members of GORDON R. SULLIVAN, AMENDMENT NO. 3600 that coalition and others urging Con- General, USA Retired. At the request of Mr. HARKIN, the gress to enact this legislation: Vet- name of the Senator from Massachu- erans of Foreign Wars; Association of THE AMERICAN LEGION, setts (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a co- the United States Army; Enlisted Asso- Washington, DC, April 5, 2006. Hon. TED STEVENS, sponsor of amendment No. 3600 pro- ciation of the National Guard; Military posed to H.R. 4939, a bill making emer- U.S. Senate, Officers Association of America; Amer- Washington, DC. gency supplemental appropriations for ican Legion; Naval Reserve Associa- DEAR SENATOR STEVENS: On behalf of the 4 the fiscal year ending September 30, tion; Naval Enlisted Reserve Associa- million members of The American Legion 2006, and for other purposes. tion; Gold Star Wives of America; and Family, I would like to take this oppor- f Air Force Sergeants Association. tunity to offer our support for your draft leg- The Veterans of Foreign Wars’ letter islation entitled, The Call Home Act of 2006. STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED Your legislation would direct the Federal BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS of support says that calls home are Communications Commission (FCC) to make ‘‘lifeline’’ for the brave men and By Mr. STEVENS (for himself, every effort possible to reduce telephone women stationed abroad. rates for those deployed and fighting over- Mr. INOUYE, Mr. BURNS, Mr. I urge you to vote for this important seas in the war on terror. The bill also di- DORGAN, Mr. LOTT, Mrs. BOXER, legislation. rects the FCC to develop new technologies, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. NELSON of Flor- I ask unanimous consent letters in encourage foreign governments to reduce ida, Mr. VITTER, Mr. LAUTEN- support of this legislation be printed in international surcharges, and help provide BERG, Mr. WARNER, Mr. the RECORD. flexible billing for troops and their families. LIEBERMAN, Mr. BOND, Ms. There being no objection, the mate- All of these things would help make positive LANDRIEU, Mr. GREGG, Ms. MI- rial was ordered to be printed in the improvements in the lives of our KULSKI, Mr. DEWINE, Mr. JEF- servicemembers who just want to phone RECORD, as follows: home and talk to a loved one. FORDS NHOFE UR , Mr. I , Ms. M - THE MILITARY COALITION, We support efforts to reduce telephone KOWSKI, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. AL- Alexandria, VA, April 10, 2006. rates for our servicemembers stationed over- EXANDER, Mr. SANTORUM, Mrs. Hon. TED STEVENS, seas who depend on an affordable and timely DOLE, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. AL- U.S. Senate, means of communication with their family LARD, Mr. DOMENICI, Mr. ENZI, Washington, DC. and loved ones. Over a decade ago, American Mr. GRAHAM, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. DEAR SENATOR STEVENS: The Military Coa- Legion National Commanders discovered in lition (TMC), a consortium of uniformed ROCKEFELLER, Mr. THOMAS, Mr. their visits to troops in the Balkans that our services and veterans associations rep- servicemembers were being charged exorbant PRYOR, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. resenting more than 5.5 million current and telephone rates to call home. The American CRAIG, Mr. TALENT, and Mr. former servicemembers and their families Legion is strongly supportive of military BURR): and survivors, is writing to express our quality of life, and frequent and timely call- S. 2653. A bill to direct the Federal strong support of your bill, ‘‘Call Home Act ing home is a huge morale factor which Communications Commission to make of 2006,’’ that directs the Federal Commu- could only pay dividends to oUr troops going efforts to reduce telephone rates for nications Commission to seek ways to reduce into harm’s way. Armed Forces personnel deployed over- telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel Thank you for introducing this legislation seas; to the Committee on Commerce, deployed overseas. and for your continuous support of those on Science, and Transportation. Everyday, military members deployed or the battlefield today. We look forward to Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the assigned unaccompanied overseas are faced working with you and your staff on the en- Call Home Act of 2006 would require with the burdens of being separated from actment of this legislation. families and loved ones. Your bill recognizes Sincerely, the Federal Communications Commis- the burden these members and families en- CLARENCE HILL, sion to take such actions as may be counter and takes an important step forward Chairman, necessary to reduce telephone rates for to reduce the costs of high phone rates. National Security Commission. Armed Forces personnel deployed over- The Military Coalition thanks you for in- seas, including the waiver of govern- troducing this legislation and recommends ENLISTED ASSOCIATION OF THE ment fees, assessments, or other costs. that the bill be expanded to include all mem- NATIONAL GUARD, In seeking to reduce phone rates, the bers of the uniformed services. We also ap- Alexandria, VA, April 6, 2006. legislation would require the FCC to preciate your leadership on issues affecting Hon. TED STEVENS, Chairman, evaluate and analyze the costs of calls all servicemembers and their families and Hon. DANIEL INOUYE, Ranking Member, to and from official duty stations in- pledge our strong support in seeking enact- U.S. Senate, Committee on Commerce, Science ment of this important legislation. and Transportation, Washington, DC. cluding vessels whether in port or Sincerely, The Enlisted Association of the National under way; evaluate methods of reduc- Signed by 36 representatives of member or- Guard of the United States (EANGUS) is ing rates including deployment of new ganizations of the Military Coalition. pleased to express our strongest support, on technology such as Voice over Internet behalf of the Enlisted men and women of the protocol, VOIP, or other Internet pro- ASSOCIATION OF THE Army and Air National Guard, for the ‘‘Call tocol technology; encourage phone UNITED STATES ARMY, Home Act of 2006’’ which would authorize the companies to adopt flexible billing pro- Arlington, VA, April 6, 2006. FCC to take actions necessary to reduce cedures and policies call to and from Hon. TED STEVENS, telephone bills for all deployed service mem- Armed Forces personnel; and seek U.S. Senate, bers, active duty, Guard and Reserve. Washington, DC. Members of the Guard and Reserve com- agreements with foreign governments DEAR SENATOR STEVENS: On behalf of over prise over 45 percent of all U.S. personnel in to reduce international surcharges on 100,000 members of the Association of the Afghanistan and Iraq. Since September 11, phone calls. United States Army (AUSA), I write to ex- 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000 The legislation would, however, pro- press our strong support of your bill. ‘‘Call Guard and Reserve members for operational hibit the FCC from regulating rates in Home Act of 2006,’’ that directs the Federal missions for the Global War on Terrorism,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:29 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26AP6.051 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE S3592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 2006 all over the world. Unfortunately, many of Afghanistan and Iraq. Since September 11, and overall readiness. I look forward to these members, predominately in the junior 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000 working together in support of a strong and enlisted ranks, are not be able to afford ex- Guard and Reserve members for operational viable Reserve and Guard Force. Thank you pensive calls from overseas to families or to missions for the Global War on Terrorism, for all your hard work on their behalf with address personal issues that increase stress all over the world. Additionally, during any the ‘‘Call Home Act of 2006.’’ on the member. All servicemembers need month, approximately 25 percent of the Navy DAVE DAVIDSON, contact with their home areas and families Reserve force is doing some type of oper- CAPT, USN (Ret.), for a multitude of reasons; however most ational support to the fleet for operational Executive Director. Guard and Reserve member’s home towns are mission requirements. not in the vicinity of a traditional base; Unfortunately, many of these members, therefore contact with their families is crit- predominately in the junior enlisted ranks, GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., ical when deployed. are not able to afford expensive calls from Arlington, VA, April 5, 2006. Today’s guardsmen and reservists are pro- overseas to families or to address personal Mr. HARRY WINGO, fessionals. They are the best that we have issues that increase stress on the member. Counsel, Committee on Commerce, Science, and had and they are answering the call on a rou- All servicemembers need contact with their Transportation, U.S. Senate, Russell Senate tine basis not envisioned during the Cold home areas and families for a multitude of Office Building, Washington, DC. War. We need to take care of those that an- reasons. Most Guard and Reserve member’s DEAR MR. WINGO: On behalf of Gold Star swer the call from our nation. If passed this home towns are not in the vicinity of a tra- Wives of America, I’m writing to support the benefit for members of the Guard and Re- ditional base; therefore, contact with their ‘‘Call Home Act of 2006’’ which directs the serve will provide an important tool to bol- families is critical when deployed. FCC to seek to reduce telephone rates for ster recruitment, retention, family morale Today’s guardsmen and reservists are pro- Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas. and overall readiness. fessionals. They are the best that we have Gold Star Wives has a chatroom for new Thank you for recognizing one of the many had and they are answering the call on a rou- widows of the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflict. needs of the military community. You have tine basis not envisioned during the Cold Our survivors of the Global War on Ter- the support of EANGUS and our member- War. We need to take care of those that an- rorism know first hand how important it is ship. swer the call from our nation. If passed, this Working for America’s Best! to have frequent contact with their loved benefit for members of the Guard and Re- MICHAEL P. CLINE, ones deployed overseas. With reduced phone serve will provide an important tool to bol- Executive Director. rates for those serving overseas, it would ster recruitment, retention, family morale certainly help permit more frequent phone and overall readiness. I look forward to VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS calls to keep in touch with loved ones. It working together in support of a strong and OF THE UNITED STATES, would be a great morale booster. viable Navy Reserve, and all reserve compo- Washington, DC, April, 5, 2006. nents. Thank you for all your hard work on Thank you for this bill, and if we can help Hon. TED STEVENS, their behalf with the Call Home Act of 2006. in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact U.S. Senate, Sincerely, me. Gold Star Wives of America., Inc. is a Washington, DC. CASEY W. COANE, member of The Military Coalition. DEAR SENATOR STEVENS: On behalf of the RADM, USN (Ret.), Sincerely, 2.4 million members of the Veterans of For- ROSE LEE, eign Wars of the United States and our Aux- Executive Director. Chair, Legislative Committee. iliaries, I would like to take this opportunity to offer our support for your draft legislation THE NAVAL ENLISTED entitled, The Call Home Act of 2006. RESERVE ASSOCIATION, By Mr. MENENDEZ: Your legislation would direct the Federal Falls Church, Va. S. 2654. A bill to protect consumers, Hon. TED STEVENS, Communications Commission (FCC) to make and especially young consumers, from every effort possible to reduce telephone Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, rates for those deployed and fighting over- and Transportation, Russell Senate Office skyrocketing consumer debt and the seas in the war on terror. The bill also di- Building, Washington, DC. barrage of credit card solicitations, to rects FCC to evaluate the role of new tech- I am writing you on behalf of the members establish a financial literacy and edu- nologies, encourage foreign governments to of the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, cation program in elementary and sec- reduce international surcharges, and help members of the Navy, Marine Corps and ondary schools to help prepare young provide flexible billing for troops and their Coast Guard Reserve, their families and sur- people to be financially responsible families. All of these things would help make vivors. I’m writing to express our strongest consumers, and for other purposes; to positive improvements in the lives of our support for The ‘‘Call Home Act of 2006’’ servicemembers who just want to phone which would authorize the FCC to take ac- the Committee on Health, Education, home and talk to a loved one. tions necessary to reduce telephone bills for Labor, and Pensions. We believe that telephone calls and service all deployed service members, active duty, are a lifeline for our servicemembers sta- Guard and Reserve. By Mr. MENENDEZ: tioned abroad who depend on an affordable Members of the Guard and Reserve com- means of communication with their friends prise over 45 percent of all U.S. personnel in S. 2655. A bill to amend the Truth in and family. To help decrease these costs in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since September 11, Lending Act, to prohibit universal de- any way is the least we can do for those 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000 fault practices by credit card issuers, fighting for our freedoms and for their fami- Guard and Reserve members for operational to limit fees that may be imposed on lies who are making their own sacrifices on missions for the Global War on Terrorism, credit card accounts, and to require the home front. all over the world. Additionally, during any credit card issuers to verify a prospec- Thank you for introducing this legislation month, approximately 25 percent of our Re- tive consumer’s ability to pay before and for your continuous support of those on serve Forces are doing some type of oper- the battlefield today. We look forward to ational support to meet the country’s mis- extending credit to the consumer, and working with you and your staff on the en- sion requirements. for other purposes; to the Committee actment of this legislation. Unfortunately, many of these members, on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- Sincerely, predominately in the junior enlisted ranks, fairs. ROBERT E. WALLACE, are not able to afford expensive calls from Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, Executive Director. overseas to families or to address personal issues that increase stress on the member. today, families across this country face NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATION, All servicemembers need contact with their a growing problem of rising credit card Alexandria, VA, April 5, 2006. home areas and families for a multitude of debt. In 2004, the average American Hon. TED STEVENS, reasons. Most Guard and Reserve members’ household had $9,300 in credit card Committee on Commerce, Science and Transpor- home towns are not in the vicinity of a tra- debt, up from $3,200 just 12 years ear- tation, ditional base; therefore contact with their lier. More and more Americans are U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, families is critical when deployed. Due to using credit card debt to manage daily Washington, DC. time and operation differences, it is not living expenses such as basic living practicable for the families to call them and DEAR CHAIRMAN STEVENS: I am writing you costs, medical bills, and house or auto- on behalf of the members of the Naval Re- if they are able, the cost is still prohibitive. serve Association, members of the Navy Re- Today’s guardsmen and reservists are pro- motive repairs. And for college stu- serve, their families and survivors. I’m writ- fessionals. They are the best that we have dents, the problem cannot be over- ing to express our strongest support for The had and they are answering the call on a rou- stated. According to university admin- ‘‘Call Home Act of 2006’’ which would author- tine basis not envisioned during the Cold istrators, colleges lose more students ize the FCC to take actions necessary to re- War. We need to take care of those that an- to credit card debt than to academic duce telephone bills for all deployed service swer the call from our nation. If passed this failure. members, active duty, Guard and Reserve. benefit for members of the Guard and Re- Members of the Guard and Reserve com- serve will provide an important tool to bol- To fuel that growth, credit card prise over 45 percent of all U.S. personnel in ster recruitment, retention, family morale issuers have increased the number of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:29 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26AP6.086 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE April 26, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3593 solicitations sent to consumers 500 per- age money. Public education has not consumers to behave responsibly. cent since 1990 to a record 5.23 billion filled this void as only about one in Every individual must take responsi- in 2004. And they start sending them to five students between the ages of 16 bility for their own actions, but at the children at younger and younger ages. and 22 say they have taken a personal same time it is the obligation of the Last year, AJ, the son of my State di- finance course in school. companies who are earning billions in rector received his very first solicita- Credit card companies are exploiting profits from credit cards to behave tion at the age of 2 years old. If you this financial inexperience of young ethically as well. have a pulse and a social security num- Americans with an aggressive mar- This Credit Card Bill of Rights will ber, you can get a credit card. keting strategy designed to maximize help ensure that New Jersey consumers Credit card companies are increas- enrollment and profit, with little re- and consumers across the country are ingly targeting people who are likely gard for a potential customer’s ability given a fair chance at being responsible to default. They have focused their at- to pay. As a result, over 20 percent of consumers who will enjoy economic se- tention on teenagers and college stu- children between the ages of 12 to 19 curity as well as economic opportunity dents, people who live beyond their have access to a credit card. in their futures. means, and those who have declared This credit card marketing blitz fur- bankruptcy. Clearly, credit card com- ther intensifies once an individual en- By Mr. BOND (for himself and panies are not paying attention to ters college. During the first week col- Mr. LEAHY): whom they are giving a credit card, lege freshmen arrive on campus, they S. 2658. A bill to amend title 10, much less if the applicant can afford to are barraged by an average of eight United States Code, to enhance the na- pay the balance. credit card offers. Students actually tional defense through empowerment There is no question that we must double their average credit card debt, of the Chief of the National Guard Bu- demand personal responsibility from and triple the number of credit cards in reau and the enhancement of the func- consumers, but at the same time credit their wallets, from the time they ar- tions of the National Guard Bureau, card companies should not be allowed rive on campus until graduation. This and for other purposes; to the Com- to take advantage of consumers with large number of new credit card owners mittee on Armed Services. excessive fees and unreasonable inter- combined with the lack of financial il- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today I est rates. One study found that people literacy of high school graduates leads join my friend and fellow cochair of the in this Nation pay $90 billion each year to high levels of debt amongst Senate National Guard caucus, Senator in penalty fees and interest payments. undergrads. PAT LEAHY, in introducing bipartisan Just think about that for a second—- Credit card companies have actually legislation to strengthen one of our Na- $90 billion annually. It is money that encouraged this rise in credit card debt tion’s most important military and ci- could be used to send our children to through increasing the median balance vilian resources—the National Guard. college, to pay the health care bills of for undergraduates. As a result, 21 per- The Guard has a long and proud his- both our children in the dawn of their cent of undergraduates that have cred- tory of contributing to America’s mili- lives and our parents in the sunset of it cards, have high-level balances be- tary away game, while providing vital theirs, while still saving for our own tween $3,000 and $7,000. support and security to civil authori- retirements. The Protection of Young Consumers ties in the home game. Since Sep- One of the most egregious practices Act will protect people, especially col- tember 11, 2001, our citizen-soldiers is known as ‘‘universal default.’’ It in- lege students and other young people, have taken on greater responsibilities volves credit card companies raising against skyrocketing consumer debt and risks from fighting the war on ter- interest rates, up to 30 percent APR, on and the barrage of credit card solicita- ror to disaster assistance. customers who have a perfect record tions that lead to it. The bill will do so Today, the Guard supports the Na- with the credit card but miss a pay- by building on the current opt-out pro- tion’s military strategy overseas, func- ment with any other creditor. So a per- gram for pre-approved credit card so- tions as a primary line of defense here son can make their credit card pay- licitations by requiring young con- at home, and helps local responders ment on time every month but see sumers under age 21 to proactively opt- deal with overwhelming natural disas- their interest rate skyrocket because in to receive solicitations from credit ters. they paid their gas bill late. Further, card companies. This proposal will also We have seen the tremendous value this penalty interest rate is often ap- establish a financial literacy and edu- of Guard forces as they confront terror- plied not only to future purchases but cation program in elementary and sec- ists in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other retroactively to current balances as ondary schools to help prepare young hotspots, and as they provide water, well. This is a completely arbitrary people to be financially responsible food, and health supplies to victims of rate-hike intended solely to hike the consumers. Hurricane Katrina and other natural company’s bottom line. In addition to targeting high school disasters. That is why I am introducing the and college students, credit card com- More than 1,300 guardsmen from my Credit Card Bill of Rights—two pieces panies have become very adept at in- home State of Missouri were deployed of legislation that, taken together, will creasing their profits through hidden in less than 72 hours following Hurri- stop some of the most egregious prac- fees and deceptive advertising, taking cane Katrina, providing medical, trans- tices of credit card issuers while also advantage of Americans of all ages. portation, airlift, military police, engi- ensuring that future generations have The Credit Card Reform Act will pro- neering, and communications capabili- the information to make financial de- tect consumers against hidden fees and ties. For example, the 139th Airlift cisions. excessive interest rates. It does so by: Wing evacuated 23 critically ill young Many American adolescents are inad- 1) prohibiting ‘‘universal defaults’’ that patients from Children’s Hospital in equately prepared for the complex fi- I mentioned earlier, 2) banning unilat- New Orleans and brought them to Chil- nancial world that awaits them. In eral changes in credit card agreements dren’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City 2004, almost two-thirds of the students without written consent, and 3) requir- for the high-level care they needed. who took a personal finance survey ing that the fees charged by creditors Stories such as this were repeated all failed the test. are ‘‘reasonably related’’ to the cost in- over the country in most if not all our The causes for this failure are largely curred by the issuer. States. due to the lack of high school finance The bill will also establish standards Why was the Guard successful when courses available to teenagers com- that would prohibit unfair or deceptive other elements of the Katrina response bined with insufficient parental men- acts or practices, while tightening reg- were not? Quite simply, the Guard is toring. Statistics show that while a ulations on credit card companies to the entity best organized and trained large majority of both college and high ensure that they are not offering credit to initiate and coordinate a civil re- school students rely on their parents to high-risk cardholders without sponse to any disaster on the scale of for financial guidance, only 26 percent verifying their ability to pay. Katrina. of 13- to 21-year-olds reported their par- I would like to be clear that I am not In addition, more than 200,000 Guard ents actively taught them how to man- trying to remove the obligation for troops have left their homes, their

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26AP6.056 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE S3594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 2006 jobs, and their families to participate To remedy this, the legislation we in- capability of Guard leaders within the in another critical mission: the global troduce today to strengthen the Guard Department of Defense. war on terror. The National Guard has consists of three central planks. As we heard today from General provided as much as half the combat One, we will allow the National Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bu- force and 40 percent of the total force Guard Bureau to establish more formal reau, before the Defense Appropria- in Iraq. relationships with the Secretary of De- tions Subcommittee when he was asked I point out that the Guard is a tre- fense and the Joint Chiefs. questions by Senator INOUYE, he re- mendous value for the capabilities it We will give the Guard more muscle sponded with a football analogy. When provides. It gives 40 percent of the in existing relationships, elevating the we asked him if he was in the huddle, total military force for around 4.5 per- Chief of the National Guard Bureau to he said he was ‘‘not in the huddle’’ dur- cent of the budget. Whether at home or a four-star position and providing a ing the QDR. abroad, the men and women of the seat for him on the Joint Chiefs of This legislation would empower the Guard are performing their duties with Staff. Guard to respond in the affirmative the honor and valor, often at great sac- It goes without saying that to be a next time it is asked, ‘‘are you in the rifice to their families and their own part of a big decision, you have to be at huddle’’ on this major decision. lives. As they willingly make these the table. Having a four-star Guard I thank my colleagues for their past sacrifices to preserve American lives general providing advice to the support. I ask for their support of this and freedoms, we have a responsibility SECDEF instead of a two-star major legislation. to support them as they carry out their general will give our governors and Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- unique dual mission. 450,000 citizen-soldiers and airmen ac- sent that congressional findings re- While serving abroad, National Guard cess to the highest level of the DOD garding National Guard Forces be troops serve under Air Force and Army and ensure key policy decisions are printed in the RECORD. commands under title 10 status. But heard and taken into account. There being no objection, the mate- when the Guard operates at home, they To put things in perspective, the Ac- rial was ordered to be printed in the serve under the command and control tive-Duty Army has 12 four-star gen- RECORD, as follows: of the Nation’s Governors in title 32 erals and 46 lieutenant generals. The NATIONAL GUARD FORCES status. Air Force has 13 four-star generals and (a) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.—The Con- There is a lot more we can do to 35 lieutenant generals. The National gress finds that— 1. The Constitution of the United States make this work more smoothly. Guard, which represents over 40 per- Despite their importance on the recognizes a well-regulated militia is a ne- cent of the entire force structure, is street, as it were, the Guard is often cessity to the security of a free state. represented by three lieutenant gen- given short shrift back at Pentagon 2. The United States continues to face a erals and zero four-star generals. wide spectrum of threats at home and headquarters, which has proposed re- Can anyone tell me with a straight abroad, including terrorism, natural disas- peatedly to cut Guard personnel and face how the Guard one four-star gen- ters, proliferation of weapons of mass de- equipment budgets. struction and other emerging perils. In meet- The Guard will play a critical role in eral and an additional three-star will endanger our national security? The ing these threats, the United States relies response to another terrorist attack or heavily on the men and women of the Na- natural disaster, but the Pentagon has only element endangered would be the tional Guard. allowed its equipment levels to sink to Pentagon status quo which is outdated. 3. At no time in America’s history has the dangerously low levels. Currently, the Facts are stubborn things. Clearly, National Guard played so critical a role in National Guard has only about 35 per- the facts demonstrate a glaring, dis- the security of our homeland and in our Na- proportionate number of three- and tion’s military objectives abroad. cent of the equipment it needs. In Mis- 4. The National Guard is a vital part of this souri, only one of two engineering bat- four-star generals in the Army and the Air Force when compared with the Nation’s security, and this country relies on talions that were requested to assist the exemplary service provided this Nation with Katrina could respond because the Guard. by the members of the Guard, their families, other one did not have the equipment Second, we will ensure that the Dep- their employers and their communities. they needed. uty Commander of the Northern Com- 5. The National Guard is a critical compo- With the support of 75 of my col- mand is a member of the Guard, a new nent of the Department of Defense’s con- tribution to the security of our Nation and leagues, Senator LEAHY and I led an ef- command with the mission of coordi- nating responses to emergencies within has been key to the Department’s accom- fort to increase equipment funding for plishments at home and abroad. Much of the the Guard by almost $1 billion. We are the United States. The Guard is the entity best suited to success DOD has had would not have been going to continue that fight this year possible without the participation of Na- to ensure the Guard has equipment it respond to major incidents, and they tional Guard forces. needs to carry out both missions. need that capability. With both the 6. The National Guard’s response to our Just a few months ago, the Army Guard and NorthCom’s missions being Nation’s emergencies in the post 9/11 world proposed significant cuts to Guard defense of the homeland, it only makes has been unparalleled. troop strength. Three-quarters of the sense to have substantive input 7. Within hours of the attacks on the World Trade Center, 1,500 New York National Guard Senate again joined us in a letter op- through a lieutenant general as deputy commander. troops reported for duty. Within 24 hours of posing this, and I thank all of our col- the attacks, over 8,000 New York National leagues who joined us. Finally, we must ensure the Guard Guard Soldiers and Air men and women were We need to do more to empower the plays a role in identifying and filling on active duty supporting New York State’s Guard. We need to give the Guard more any gaps between civilian emergency security needs. These troops provided not bureaucratic muscle. Time and again, response capabilities and those of the just a calming presence on the streets of New the Guard has had to rely on Congress, military. Current DOD policy prohibits York during unsettling times; they provided not its total force partners in the ac- procurement of supplies or equipment New York’s first responders with critical pe- tive duty, to provide and equip fully for providing military support to civil- rimeter security support, refueling for civil- the resources it needs to fulfill its mis- ian authorities during emergencies ex- ian emergency vehicles, emergency lighting, power generation, communications, emer- sions. cept with the permission of SECDEF. gency transportation, engineering assets and That the Guard is left out of the Pen- That policy is outdated. It will give the other logistical support. tagon decisionmaking process is be- National Guard Bureau, in consulta- 8. At the request of the President, State yond dispute. In the most recent Quad- tion with the State adjutant generals, Governors supplemented the security of the rennial Defense Review, during the the budgetary power to research, vali- Nation’s airports with National Guard per- BRAC review process of 2004 and 2005, date, and make those equipment pur- sonnel. Their missions encompassed over 400 when the Army and Air Force reduced chases. airports in 52 States and territories. Na- National Guard force structure in 2005, Neither the homeland support nor tional Guard troops along the northern and southern borders were used to support the and when equipment levels of the Army the military support missions of the U.S. Custom Service, the Immigration and and National Guard reached the dan- Guard are likely to diminish. They are Naturalization Service, and the Border Pa- gerously low levels of 35 percent, Con- needed more now than ever. But we trol in the heightened post 9/11 security pos- gress has had to step in. must strengthen the decisionmaking ture.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26AP6.058 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE April 26, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3595 9. In contrast to Hurricane Andrew (1992) in force, providing support in their commu- 4. The Department of Defense does not ade- which National Guard forces constituted 24 nities and to civil authorities and first re- quately resource or equip the National percent of the military response, National sponders throughout their States. Guard for its current operational missions. Guard forces represented more than 70 per- 20. The National Guard is invaluable to Currently the National Guard receives only cent of the military force for Hurricane civil support mission, homeland defense and 4.5 percent of the Department of Defense’s Katrina. emergency preparedness. The National budget. 10. The response to Hurricane Katrina Guard has an undeniable record of military 5. The Army National Guard has been proved that the National Guard is the Na- assistance to civilian authorities since the equipped at less than war-time readiness lev- tion’s first military responder and that the birth of this Nation, responding heroically els and is forced to transfer equipment to de- overwhelming majority of forces that re- and meeting every mission asked of them, ploying units. Army National Guard units spond to disasters in the United States will particularly in times of crisis—terrorism, that have returned from overseas deploy- be National Guard who will be on the scene natural disasters, plane crashes, blizzards, ments have also left behind many equipment before the Department of Defense is re- wildfires, floods. items for use by follow on units. Army offi- quested to respond. 21. There must be strong agreement be- cials do not track and develop plans to re- 11. More than 9,700 National Guard soldiers tween State and Federal leadership as to the place Guard equipment. and airmen were in New Orleans by August operational objectives during emergencies. 6. Army and Air National Guard forces are 30. National Guard deployed over 30,000 addi- State concerns about maintaining sov- generally expected to perform homeland de- tional troops within 96 hours of the storms ereignty must be respected. Governors, who fense and civil support missions only with passing. In wake of the Hurricane Katrina are most intimately familiar with and better equipment supplied for their war-fighting devastation, the National Guard mobilized understand the National Guard’s unique ca- mission or equipment supplied by the States. over 50,000 personnel in support of hurricane pabilities, must retain the ability and au- 7. In the current budget, the Department of relief in the largest and fastest domestic de- thority to deploy their National Guard the Air Force does not fund the Air Sov- ployment since World War II, saving over troops in times of crisis. ereignty Alert mission of the Air National 17,000 lives. The Air National Guard flew 22. Governors using State-to-State emer- Guard at full capacity. 8. During the BRAC process, the Air Force nearly 3,500 flights and over 12,000 tons of gency mutual assistance compacts are an in- failed to adequately solicit input of Air cargo in support of all Hurricane relief in the tegral part of the use of National Guard re- Guard leadership and State Adjutants Gen- last year. sources in responding to emergencies at eral. 12. The National Guard Bureau will be a home. 9. When developing Future Total Force 23. The National Guard and State Adju- part of any large-scale emergency response. Strategy, the Air Force failed to adequately tants General are invaluable nexus of coordi- As demonstrated during the Hurricane consult Air Guard leaders and State Adju- Katrina response, the National Guard Bu- nation between Federal and State planning, tants General. reau is a significant joint force provider for exercising and response to emergencies and 10. The Department of Defense does not homeland security missions. disasters. Over 50 percent of State Adjutants have adequate knowledge of the role of the 13. The National Guard is continuously on General are also State Emergency Managers National Guard at home or incorporated the active duty supporting State security mis- offering unparalleled integration of plan- National Guard’s significant capabilities sions, Federal security missions under Oper- ning, preparation and response capabilities into plans for homeland defense or security. ation Noble Eagle and overseas military op- in emergencies. 11. Left unchecked, the Department of De- erations as part of Operation Enduring Free- 24. National Guard forces are also uniquely fense will continue to ignore the Federal re- dom, Iraqi Freedom and more are engaged in positioned to engage within the U.S. and its quirements of the National Guard to perform regularly scheduled training and operational territories by virtue of their geographic dis- homeland defense and civil support missions. requirements around the Nation and the persal and relationships to State and local 12. The Department of Defense has not rec- world. Under Title 32, counter-drug activities governments. ognized the value of including State Adju- are a daily operational mission of the Na- 25. The National Guard is familiar with the tants General in all homeland defense and tional Guard, fortifying a longstanding suc- local area and local culture. The National military support to civilian authority plan- cessful relationship with civil authorities. Guard has close ties with first responders ning. 14. The Department of the Army and the such as local and State law enforcement, fire 13. The Department of Defense has not rec- Department of the Air Force could not fulfill departments, and other emergency service ognized that governors will rely on National current Title 10 responsibilities without the providers. The local community relies upon Guard manpower and equipment before rely- Army and Air National Guard. In 2005, Na- the National Guard because they are part of ing on Federal forces. tional Guard units at one time made up 50 the community. National Guard personnel 14. Although DOD has a Strategy for percent of the combat forces in Iraq. are more likely to have more experience Homeland Defense and Civil Support, which 15. The National Guard has mobilized over working with local responders than the ac- recognizes the National Guard’s critical role 300,000 soldiers and 36,000 airmen supporting tive component. in Federal and State missions, the strategy the Global War on Terror since September 26. WMD Civil Support Teams are a spe- does not detail what the Army or Air Na- 11, 2001. (Need NGB confirmation) cialized homeland security capability based tional Guard’s role or requirements will be 16. Since September 11, 2001, 85 percent of entirely in the National Guard. in implementing the strategy. the Army National Guard has been mobi- 27. As America prepares for an influenza 15. The Department of Defense and North- lized. Since September 11, 2001, the Air Na- pandemic, the National Guard has more do- ern Command have not articulated specific tional Guard has flown over 206,000 sorties mestic response training and decentralized requirements or capabilities that National accumulating over 620,000 flying hours. capabilities than any other military organi- Guard forces need during major homeland These deployments abroad have created a zation and ready to respond in a moment’s disasters. Without formal requirements, battle hardened and seasoned force of experi- notice. equipment deemed necessary for the Na- enced veterans ready for the challenges of 28. The National Guard Bureau has proved tional Guard to assist civilian authorities in the 21st century. its ability to plan for and respond to natural Katrina had not been purchased by the De- 17. National Guard forces have provided: 55 and man-made events with the establish- partment of the Army and the Department percent of the Army’s combat capability; 55 ment of Joint Force Headquarters-State, of the Air Force. percent of the Air Force’s airlift capability; Joint Task Force State, CBRNE Enhanced 16. The readiness of the National Guard to 50 percent of the Army strategic and tactical Response Force Packages, CERFP, National perform homeland missions that may be manpower; 45 percent of all in-flight refuel- Guard Reaction Force, NGRF, and the cur- needed in the future is unknown because the ing missions; 33 percent of all aircraft in Op- rent development of Joint CONUS Commu- National Guard’s roles in these missions has eration Iraqi Freedom; 100 percent of Oper- nications Support Environment, JCCSE. not been defined and requirements for man- ation Enduring Freedom A–10 missions; 66 Congress finds that despite the contribu- power, equipment and training have not been percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom A–10 tions of the National Guard to the United established; and preparedness standards and missions; 45 percent of all F–16 fighter mis- States— measures have not been developed by the De- sions; 86 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom 1. The Department of Defense has not partment of Defense. The Department of De- tanker sorties; 94 percent of Strategic Air adapted to the significant role of the Na- fense does not require the purchase of equip- Defense Alert; and 75 percent of all domestic tional Guard in this nation’s security. ment specifically for military assistance to combat air patrols in the Global War on Ter- 2. The Department of Defense, the Depart- civilian authorities for the National Guard. ror. ment of the Army and the Department of the 17. WMD Civil Support Teams’ face chal- 18. The National Guard offers unique effi- Air Force have not sufficiently integrated lenges in personnel, equipment acquisition ciencies between State and Federal, and do- the National Guard into planning, procuring and facilities under current Department of mestic and overseas missions, operating or decision-making processes. Defense and service budgets. under three different command relation- 3. The Department of Defense, the Depart- 18. The lack of coordination of National ships: Federal funding and Federal control; ment of the Army and the Department of the Guard and active duty forces hampered the Federal funding and State control; and State Air Force do not have a long-term strategy military response to Katrina. Advance plan- funding and State control. to equip the National Guard at a high level ning between active-duty personnel and the 19. National Guardsmen and women are of readiness for overseas or domestic mis- Guard is vital during emergencies. The De- their State’s primary emergency response sions. partment of Defense and the National Guard

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26AP6.069 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE S3596 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 2006 must plan and exercise together to prepare quirements for the National Guard for mis- four-star level, the Secretary and the for events in the homeland. sions in support of states and other civilian President receive only filtered advice 19. The National Guard leadership and authorities. from the Chiefs of Staff of the Army 10. The National Guard Bureau plays a State Adjutants General are not adequately and the Air Force about National involved in Department of Defense planning critical role in the development of require- guidance developed at Northern Command, ments for military assistance to civilian au- Guard matters. including concept of operations plans and thorities. The Army and the Air Force chiefs functional plans for military support to ci- 11. NORTHCOM lacks knowledge of its the- can provide keen insights about the vilian authorities. ater of operations, specifically State emer- Guard’s role as a prime military re- 20. There was a lack of coordination of gency plans and resources, and knowledge of serve to the active components. How- Joint Task Force Katrina and the National National Guard resources. NORTHCOM needs ever, they are not responsible for, and Guard headquarters in supporting States. to be reformed to include increased National therefore are not experts on, disaster 21. The Department of Defense has not ade- Guard leadership and participation in all lev- relief and homeland security functions quately incorporated or funded the National els of its operations. Guard to participate in joint exercises in Mr. LEAHY. Mr President, I am that the Guard carries out at the State military assistance to civil authorities, pleased today to join my friend and co- level, often under the command-and- which would have allowed for a more effec- chair of the Senate National Guard control of the Nation’s governors. Plac- tive response to Hurricane Katrina and other Caucus, the Senator from Missouri, ing a National Guard General on the homeland emergencies. Joint Chiefs offers the fullest and most Senator BOND, in introducing far- 22. Northern Command does not have ade- sensible guidance to our leaders on all quate insight into State response capabili- reaching legislation that will strength- en our Nation’s defense and the Na- aspects of the Guard, and this arrange- ties or adequate interface with governors, ment would give the Nation’s gov- which contributed to a lack of mutual under- tional Guard, which is an inextricable standing and trust during the Katrina re- part of the bedrock of our security. The ernors a straight line to the Joint sponse. National Defense Enhancement and Chiefs and the President on military matters. 23. There is an unresolved tension between National Guard Empowerment Act of the Department of Defense and the States re- Creating a Guard senior advisor to 2006 would empower the National garding the role of the military in emer- the Secretary of Defense and the Presi- gency response that could be resolved if the Guard. dent streamlines and formalizes an ar- It offers the Guard new authorities Department of Defense and the Department rangement that already arises in real and a greater and more fitting voice in of Homeland Security adopted and made emergencies. During the darkest early NIMS a priority for emergency management. policy and budgetary discussions that days of Katrina, for example, the cur- 24. The National Guard lacked communica- is more line with the reliance that we rent National Guard Bureau Chief Gen- tions equipment during Hurricane Katrina, place on this force of proud men and eral Steven Blum was by the side of the suggesting that the Pentagon does not as- women. sign homeland defense and military assist- Secretary of Defense and the President. The Nation asks the Guard to provide ance to civilian authorities a sufficiently A permanent Guard presence on the a large part of the ground forces in high priority. Joint Chiefs ensures that this advisory Iraq, but then we give the force no say 25. The Department of the Army decided to relationship is in no way last-minute reduce end-strength without substantive in strategic planning and budget dis- consultation with Guard leaders and the Air and ad-hoc. cussions. In fact, there have been re- The second way that this legislation Force has decided to reduce end-strength cent efforts within the armed services without substantive consultation with Na- puts the National Guard’s authorities to cut the force precipitously. more in line with its real-world mis- tional Guard leaders. Anyone who has watched recent 26. The Department of the Army currently sions is by giving the force more budg- events knows that the role of the plans to scale back the Army National Guard etary authority. The Act gives the Na- Guard is dramatically changed as we to 324,000 soldiers from 350,000. The Depart- tional Guard the ability to research, ment of the Air Force plans to scale back the come into this century. develop and procure equipment that is We ask the Guard to carry out mis- Air National Guard by 14,000 airmen and peculiar to its unique mission in the women. To cut Guard manpower in this time sions at home in response to disasters of increased homeland need, and the realm of homeland security. and possible domestic attacks, but This authority would be similar to fluxation of current Department of Defense then give the force no real ability to transformation policies affecting the Army the authority of the Special Operations develop new equipment for this unique Command, given under the Nunn-Cohen and Air National Guard, sets up an undeni- mission. And, in a crunch, our senior able risk to this country. legislation of the mid-1980s, to develop 27. National Guard force structure cuts defense leaders—including the Presi- unique equipment for the special could result in the closure of over 200 Na- dent—turn to the Chief of the National forces. tional Guard community-based facilities Guard for guidance in addressing and Last year, Congress appropriated al- throughout the U.S. responding to emergencies within the most $1 billion for the National Guard (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of domestic United States, yet those same to procure equipment that has applica- Congress that— senior Guard leaders receive only medi- 1. The National Guard is a force essential tion for homeland security. This legis- to the Nation’s security and safety. ated and filtered advice at other lation establishes more formal struc- 2. The National Guard brings to bear sig- points. This gap between the Guard’s ture for the Guard to refine such equip- nificant capabilities for contingencies at real world missions and its institu- ment requirements and work in close home or abroad. tional position is simply unacceptable. coordination with the states to ensure 3. The National Guard is no longer a stra- It is not efficient, and it is not smart. an adequate force structure—fully ade- tegic reserve, but an operational reserve. It violates basic notions of logic, and it 4. States and governors are not adequately quate in domestic emergencies—is in represented at the Department of Defense. hinders our ability to get the full po- place. 5. The role of the National Guard Bureau tential out of the National Guard. The final way that this legislation as chief communicator between the Depart- Our legislation will take them from brings realistic authorities to the ment of Defense and the Department of the 19th and 20th century structure Guard is by ensuring that the Deputy Homeland Security and the States needs to into the 21st century’s reality. Commander of Northern Command is a be enhanced. Our legislation directly addresses three-star general from the National 6. The men and women of the National this troubling missions-to-authorities Guard. This Command is charged with Guard have earned the right to be rep- gap in three very specific ways. First, resented at the highest levels of the Depart- planning for the active military’s re- ment of Defense. the National Defense Enhancement and sponse to federal emergencies, as well 7. The National Guard leadership needs to National Guard Empowerment Act of as coordinating the response with be integrated into the highest offices in the 2006 would elevate the Chief of the Na- other federal agencies and civilian au- Department of Defense, the Department of tional Guard to the rank of General thorities. Any military response in the the Army and the Department of the Air with four-stars, also installing this domestic United States will surely in- Force. senior officer on the Joint Chiefs of clude the National Guard, in many 8. The National Guard Bureau plays a crit- Staff. The Joint Chiefs is the highest ical role in planning for and responding to cases with the State governor over- future terrorist attacks in the U.S. military advisory body to the Presi- seeing the effort. 9. The National Guard Bureau is in a dent and the Secretary of Defense. Currently, there are few if any senior unique position to understand and create re- Without a Guard representative at the Guard officers at the highest reaches of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26AP6.073 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE April 26, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3597 the Command, and the legislation capita, Native Americans have the does not place any conditions or proce- would ensure expertise on the force ex- highest percentage of people serving in dures on that declassification process, ists there. the U.S. Armed Forces. Native Ameri- it only requires that the Congress be There has been a lot of discussion al- cans have honorably served in every provided with notice so that it can ready about this legislation after Sen- war fought by the United States. After meet its own constitutional respon- ator BOND and I last month expressed completion of their service, many Na- sibilities. our intention to pursue it. To clear up tive American veterans return to their Information is usually declassified any confusion, let me say what this communities on trust lands. Passage of because the public’s need to know out- legislation does not do. This legislation this legislation would provide them the weighs the security risks to intel- does not affect the National Guard’s option of veterans cemetery burial in a ligence sources and methods. In such role as one of the primary military re- location convenient for their families cases, it is important for the Congress serves to the Air Force and the Army, and loved ones. to be informed so that Senators and which we believe is beneficial for the Throughout my tenure in Congress, I Representatives can discuss the issues country. have always fought for the rights of with the American people. It also does not inflate the size of Na- our indigenous peoples. The Native And if the President declassifies in- tional Guard headquarters here in American Veterans Cemetery Act formation so that his subordinates can Washington. We put a firm cap on the of2006 is another step forward in help- discuss intelligence with reporters, size of the Guard Bureau in this legis- ing native peoples. The Department of Congress should be alerted so that the lation. The legislation further does not Veterans Affairs supports enactment of intelligence committees can ensure create any new general office positions this legislation and estimates it to be that national secrets are not being beyond the four-star Joint Chiefs posi- budget neutral. It is my hope that the used for political purposes. tion. It only ensures that the adequate Senate will expeditiously proceed to According to court filings and media seats of representation is in place in the consideration of this important reports, the Vice President’s chief of key positions; in fact, the legislation bill. staff, I. Lewis Libby, acting on the di- actually removes a less influential I ask unanimous consent that the rection and authorization of the Presi- Major General officer slot on the Joint full text of the bill be printed in the dent and Vice President, disclosed in- Staff. RECORD. formation in the 2002 National Intel- What this bill does do—and with There being no objection, the text of ligence Estimate on Iraq’s weapons of great intensity—is to give the National the bill was ordered to be printed in mass destruction to select journalists. Guard the institutional muscle com- the RECORD, as follows: This was not done to provide the Amer- mensurate with the Guard’s missions. S. 2659 ican people with a fuller understanding With this bill, we can ask the Guard to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- of the pre-Iraq war intelligence; the Es- do all that it does, but then say that, resentatives of the United States of America in timate was fully and publicly declas- yes, it can have a seat at the table dur- Congress assembled, sified shortly afterwards in a more ap- ing key discussions involving the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. propriate manner. Rather, the selective Guard’s missions and readiness. With This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native declassification and leak was intended this bill, we can tap into the Guard for American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2006’’. to stem a tide of bad press and dis- situations like the war in Iraq and the SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANI- credit an administration critic through response to Hurricane Katrina and tell ZATIONS FOR GRANTS FOR THE ES- a subtle campaign of media manipula- TABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CEME- these proud men and women that we TERIES ON TRUST LANDS. tion. take are committed to taking real Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, According to the prosecutor in Mr. steps to keep the size of this force is amended by adding at the end the fol- Libby’s case, Libby provided informa- steady and improve its stock of avail- lowing new subsection: tion on Iraq’s purchase of uranium able equipment. ‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may make grants from Niger to New York Times re- With this bill, we can ensure that our under this subsection to any tribal organiza- porter Judith Miller. The Niger claim senior leaders—the Secretary of De- tion to assist the tribal organization in es- was not a ‘‘key judgment’’ of the NIE, tablishing, expanding, or improving vet- meaning that it was not deemed by the fense and the President—are making erans’ cemeteries on trust land owned by, or decisions about the National Guard held in trust for, the tribal organization. intelligence community to be a pri- based on the best available informa- ‘‘(2) Grants under this subsection shall be ority. It was included in the body of tion. made in the same manner, and under the the report ‘‘for completeness,’’ accord- With this bill, we strengthen the Na- same conditions, as grants to States are ing to the primary author. At the time, tional Guard, the military chain-of- made under the preceding provisions of this the Department of State’s intelligence command, and the Guard’s ability to section. office found the Niger uranium claim effectively serve each of the States and ‘‘(3) In this subsection: to be ‘‘highly dubious,’’ and the intel- ‘‘(A) The term ‘tribal organization’ has the the entire Nation. meaning given that term in section 3764(4) of ligence community downplayed the this title. Niger connection afterwards: By Mr. AKAKA (for himself and ‘‘(B) The term ‘trust land’ has the meaning The CIA had deleted a reference to Mr. INOUYE): given that term in section 3764(1) of this Niger from the President’s October 7, S. 2659. A bill to amend title 38, title.’’. 2002 speech in Cincinnati; United States Code, to provide for the Two senior intelligence officials had eligibility of Indian tribal organiza- By Mrs. FEINSTEIN: downplayed the assessment in testi- tions for grants for the establishment S. 2660. A bill to amend the National mony to the Senate Intelligence Com- of veterans cemeteries on trust lands; Security Act of 1947 to require notice mittee; to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. to Congress of certain declassifications The International Atomic Energy Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise of intelligence information, and for Agency had denounced the claim as today to introduce an important piece other purposes; to the Select Com- being based on forged documents; and of legislation for our Native American mittee on Intelligence. The intelligence community had re- veterans. The Native American Vet- Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I in- tracted the intelligence. erans Cemetery Act of 2006 would pro- troduce today legislation to require the Let me say that again: the intel- vide tribal organizations eligibility for White House to notify Congress when it ligence community had retracted this Department of Veterans Affairs grants declassifies information. This bill will piece of intelligence. None of this addi- to establish veterans cemeteries on both enhance Congress’s oversight tional information, apparently, was trust lands. Currently, VA does not abilities and ensure that intelligence is provided by Mr. Libby. have the authority to make such not used for political gain. Had the Senate and House intel- grants. This legislation recognizes that as ligence committees been informed of Native American veterans have a the head of the executive branch, the this declassification, as would be re- long and proud history of military President has the authority to declas- quired by this legislation, Members service on behalf of this Nation. Per sify any information he so chooses. It could have corrected the public record.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:40 Apr 27, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26AP6.057 S26APPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMSENATE S3598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 2006 I would hope that with this reporting ‘‘(2) the Archivist of the United States; and tion of food and forage, to the production of requirement, administrations of both ‘‘(3) the heads of applicable elements of the renewable energy and novel industrial prod- political parties will be deterred from intelligence community. ucts; improper use of intelligence. ‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—This section does not Whereas, in industry, extension, and basic apply to the declassification of intelligence research, the Crop Science Society of Amer- In addition to stemming the done as part of the mandatory or systematic ica has fostered a dedicated professional and politicization of intelligence, the bill I declassification of information as described scientific community that, in 2005, included introduce today also notes the impor- by section 3 of Executive Order No. 13292, of more than 3,000 members; and tance of keeping the full intelligence March 25, 2003, or any successor Executive Whereas the American Society of Agron- community informed of declassifi- Order.’’. omy was the parent society that led to the cations. If the President chooses, for (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of formation of both the Crop Science Society whatever reason, to declassify informa- contents for that Act is amended by insert- of America and the Soil Science Society of tion, the intelligence agency that had ing after the item relating to section 507 the America and fostered the development and following new item: the common overall management of the 3 been responsible for those secrets has sister societies: Now, therefore, be it to take steps to protect intelligence ‘‘Sec. 508. Notice to Congress on certain declassifications of intel- Resolved, That the Senate— sources and methods. ligence.’’. (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary year of Similarly, the National Archives are the Crop Science Society of America; (b) REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON CERTAIN OFFI- to be informed upon a Presidential de- (2) commends the Crop Science Society of CIALS AUTHORIZED TO DECLASSIFY INFORMA- classification so the Nation’s records America for 50 years of dedicated service to TION.— advancing the science and practice of crop can be appropriately maintained. As (1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 15 days science; has been highlighted again today with after the date of the enactment of this Act, (3) acknowledges the promise of the Crop the release of the Archives audit over the President shall submit to the congres- Science Society of America to continue en- sional intelligence committees a report set- the reclassification of intelligence, the riching the lives of all citizens of the United ting forth a current list of each official of Archives play an important role in pro- States by improving stewardship of the envi- the Executive Office of the President, other viding declassified intelligence to the ronment, combating world hunger, and en- than the President, who is authorized to de- public. To do so, it must be informed hancing the quality of life for another 50 classify information other than information years and beyond; and when information enters the public do- originally classified by such official. (4) respectfully requests the Secretary of main. (2) UPDATES.—Not later than 15 days after the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of It should be made clear that there adding or removing an official from the list this resolution to the President of the Crop are more traditional procedures by required by paragraph (1), the President Science Society of America. which individual intelligence agencies shall submit to the congressional intel- declassify information on a regular ligence committees an update of the list and f basis, when the release of that informa- a notice of the addition or removal of such SENATE RESOLUTION 447—CON- official from the list. tion is seen as no longer damaging the GRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY national security. This is done thou- (3) CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMIT- TEES DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term OF WISCONSIN BADGERS MEN’S sands of times a week throughout the ‘‘congressional intelligence committees’’ HOCKEY TEAM FOR WINNING intelligence community. means— THE 2006 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE It is important that the public have (A) the Select Committee on Intelligence ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVI- access to as much information on its of the Senate; and SION I MEN’S HOCKEY CHAM- government’s activities as possible. To (B) the Permanent Select Committee on PIONSHIP that end, I look forward, through this Intelligence of the House of Representatives. Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Mr. legislation and otherwise, to working f KOHL) submitted the following resolu- with my colleagues and the executive SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS branch to ensure that declassification tion; which was considered and agreed is done as extensively and as quickly as to: possible without risking our national SENATE RESOLUTION 446—RECOG- S. RES. 447 security. NIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY Whereas, on April 8, 2006, the University of There being no objection, the text of OF THE CROP SCIENCE SOCIETY Wisconsin men’s hockey team won the Fro- the bill was ordered to be printed in zen Four in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by defeat- OF AMERICA ing— the RECORD, as follows: Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Mr. (1) the University of Maine Black Bears by S. 2660 KOHL) submitted the following resolu- a score of 5–2 in the semifinals; and Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tion; which was considered and agreed (2) the Boston College Eagles by a score of resentatives of the United States of America in to: 2–1 in the championship game; Congress assembled, Whereas Robbie Earl and Tom Gilbert each SECTION 1. NOTICE TO CONGRESS OF CERTAIN S. RES. 446 scored a goal and Brian Elliott had 22 saves DECLASSIFICATIONS OF INTEL- Whereas the Crop Science Society of Amer- in the championship game; LIGENCE INFORMATION. ica was founded in 1955, with Gerald O. Mott Whereas Adam Burish, Robbie Earl, Brian (a) NOTICE REQUIRED.— as its first President; Elliott, and Tom Gilbert were named to the (1) IN GENERAL.—Title V of the National Whereas the Crop Science Society of Amer- All-Tournament Team, and Robbie Earl was Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.) is ica is one of the premier scientific societies named the Most Outstanding Player of the amended by adding at the end the following in the world, as shown by its world-class tournament; new section: journals, international and regional meet- Whereas the success of the season depended ‘‘NOTICE TO CONGRESS ON CERTAIN ings, and development of a broad range of on the hard work, dedication, and perform- DECLASSIFICATIONS OF INTELLIGENCE educational opportunities; ance of every player on the University of ‘‘SEC. 508. (a) NOTICE REQUIRED.—Not later Whereas the science and scholarship of the Wisconsin men’s hockey team, including— than 15 days after the date of the declas- Crop Science Society of America are mis- (1) Andy Brandt; sification of any intelligence by the Presi- sion-directed, with the goal of addressing ag- (2) Adam Burish; dent, or Vice President if authorized by Ex- ricultural challenges facing humanity; (3) Ross Carlson; ecutive Order or other delegation of author- Whereas the Crop Science Society of Amer- (4) Shane Connelly; ity from the President, the President shall ica significantly contributes to the scientific (5) A.J. Degenhardt; submit to the congressional intelligence and technical knowledge necessary to pro- (6) Jake Dowell; committees notice on the declassification of tect and sustain natural resources on all (7) Davis Drewiske; such intelligence. land in the United States; (8) Robbie Earl; ‘‘(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ADDITIONAL NO- Whereas the Crop Science Society plays a (9) Brian Elliott; TICE.—It is the sense of Congress that, in fur- key role internationally in developing sus- (10) Josh Engel; therance of the protection of intelligence tainable agricultural management and bio- (11) Matthew Ford; sources and methods and to ensure appro- diversity conservation for the protection and (12) Tom Gilbert; priate handling and dissemination of intel- sound management of the crop resources of (13) Tom Gorowsky; ligence, any notice submitted to the congres- the world; (14) Jeff Henderson; sional intelligence committees under sub- Whereas the mission of the Crop Science (15) Ryan Jeffery; section (a) should also be submitted to— Society of America continues to expand, (16) Andrew Joudrey; ‘‘(1) the Director of National Intelligence; from the development of sustainable produc- (17) Kyle Klubertanz;

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