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ALEXANDER on one of those having to individuals to leave. The truth of the issuing more bogus rulings, the Board do with micro unions. Another had to matter is they are not constitutionally should recognize that it is time to do with collection of union dues even there and need to leave. leave and to honor the Constitution. after the contracts had expired. On and This request was not about a per- I will wrap up with this. The D.C. ap- on and on, numbers of rulings, over 200 sonal preference or an attitude about peals court ruling was a victory for our have been made. They are all subject to any one individual. It was not about system of government. I believe it was challenge and invalidation because their qualifications. It was about the a victory for the Constitution. It en- there was no legitimate quorum for the oath of office we take. And that oath of sures that no one, including the Presi- National Labor Relations Board. At office says we will uphold the Constitu- dent of the United States, is above the this moment it is practically impos- tion. The NLRB appointments were un- Constitution. I simply ask the NLRB, sible for anyone to know which NLRB constitutional because the President its members who were unconstitution- decisions are valid and which are not. only has the power to bypass our ad- ally appointed, to recognize the sanc- It is my opinion that none of them vice-and-consent role here in the Sen- tity of our Constitution and vacate should be valid. But it is time to stop ate under the language of the Constitu- their offices immediately. Leave. Let this regulatory train wreck from get- tion. The court unequivocally found us in the Senate have the powers ting any worse. That is why this week that the appointments were made last granted to us by the U.S. Constitution I am introducing a bill that will freeze January while the Senate was not in to offer advice and consent to the any decisions, any regulations, any rul- recess, and were therefore void. There- President of the United States. ings made by this unconstitutionally fore, the President could not use the I yield the floor. appointed and invalid quorum of the recess appointments clause of the Con- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- National Labor Relations Board. Until stitution to appoint these individuals. pore. The Senator from New York. we have final resolution from the The ruling correctly concludes: ‘‘Al- (The remarks of Mrs. GILLIBRAND per- courts, the NLRB should not be able to lowing the President to define the taining to the introduction of S. 179 are move forward and create even more un- scope of his own appointments power printed in today’s RECORD under certainty across this country. would eviscerate the Constitution’s ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and We would not be in this position if separation of powers.’’ Joint Resolutions.’’) the President of the United States had The separation of powers is a critical f done what legally he is mandated to safeguard to ensure that one branch of EXTENSION OF MORNING do, which is work with Congress and government does not overstep the BUSINESS follow the Constitution. I hope that other. The court goes on to say that al- court ruling serves as a wakeup call for lowing these nominations to stand Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Presi- President Obama and for his entire ad- ‘‘would wholly defeat the purpose of dent, I ask unanimous consent that the ministration. Instead of going around the Framers in the careful separation period of morning business be extended Congress, instead of going around the of powers.’’ until 3 p.m., with Senators permitted Constitution, it is time for the Obama Additionally, because these appoint- to speak therein for up to 10 minutes administration to work with us on ments were unconstitutional, the board each. nominations. lacked the quorum necessary to make The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- I see the Senator from Nebraska is decisions over the past year. This calls pore. Without objection, it is so or- here, the former Governor, former Cab- into question over 200 rulings of the dered. inet member. I look forward to hearing board since last January. I personally Mrs. GILLIBRAND. I suggest the ab- his comments as well. believe that there is no doubt, if they sence of a quorum. I yield the floor. are not constitutionally there, if they The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- are there violating the Constitution, BALDWIN). The clerk will call the roll. pore. The Senator from Nebraska. then all of their rulings, all of their The assistant legislative clerk pro- Mr. JOHANNS. Madam President, I regulations, all of their actions as a ceeded to call the roll. rise today, first of all, to say thank board are invalid and void. Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent you to Senator BARRASSO and Senator That is why I wrote last Friday to that the order for the quorum call be ALEXANDER for speaking so forcefully the Government Accountability Office rescinded. on this issue. All of us in this body are asking them to report to us every sin- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without elected officials and we take an oath. gle decision they had made that was in objection, it is so ordered. In that oath, we raise our right hand excess of their powers to be there. You The Senator from Missouri is recog- and we promise our Nation that we will would think it would be common sense nized. uphold the Constitution of the United that the board would suspend all fur- (The remarks of Mr. BLUNT per- States, this very sacred document that ther action. You know, as a former taining to the introduction of S. 188 are has so soundly guided our great coun- member of the Cabinet, it never oc- located in today’s RECORD under try from one decade to another, one curred to me that I had the right to ig- ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and century to another, one generation to nore court decisions. I cannot imagine. Joint Resolutions.’’) another. The Chairman of the NLRB said this, Mr. BLUNT. I suggest the absence of In fact, many of my colleagues in ‘‘The board respectfully disagrees with a quorum. Congress took that oath earlier this the decision.’’ The Chairman indicates The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. month. Just 10 days ago, President they will continue to conduct business HEINRICH). The clerk will call the roll. Obama took the Presidential oath of as usual, even though a unanimous ap- The assistant legislative clerk pro- office with great pomp and cir- peals court has deemed the appoint- ceeded to call the roll. cumstance. We were all on the plat- ments of all but one member of the Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask form with him. He promised the Nation board to be unconstitutional. I find unanimous consent that the order for that he would preserve and defend the their action absolutely appalling. Deci- the quorum call be rescinded. Constitution of the United States. But sions by the NLRB are felt across the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I fear that now what we are seeing is a country. objection, it is so ordered. flaunting of that very document. It is not fair for the Board to say to f You see, the DC Court of Appeals the court: Go pound sand, which is ex- ruled that the President violated the actly what they are telling this court. FAREWELL TO THE SENATE Constitution with his appointment of It is already awful that 200 litigants Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I want to three members to the National Labor now have to go through the time and begin by thanking my colleagues—all Relations Board. I read the opinion. I expense to appeal their rulings. Instead of them—for their unbelievably gen- saw no other solution than to ask these of continuing business as usual and erous comments to me personally, in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:34 Aug 29, 2017 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR13\S30JA3.000 S30JA3 rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with BOUND RECORD 780 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 159, Pt. 1 January 30, 2013 the committee, on the floor, and in the George Abar, Nardos Abebe, Adam Abrams, Meaghan Hohl, Ryan Honeyman, Mirah halls and at meetings over the course Alex Abrams, Corey Ahearn, Robert Ahearn, Horowitz. of the last weeks. I will always be Alexandra Ajemian, Paige Alexander, Bev- Kristian Horvei, Vanessa Householder, grateful for our friendships. erly Allen, Katrina Anderson, John Anthony, Richard Houser, James Houton, Marcus How- I thank my wife Teresa, who is here Margaret Anthony, Sharde Armstrong, Felix ard, Matthew Howard, Thomas Hubbard, Arroyo, Geoffrey Arvanitis, Samuel Asher, Celes Hughes, Jeremy Hunt, James Hunter, with us, and my entire family for their Kerri Axelrod, Christopher Badger, Zachary Nisharna Jackson, Jeffrey Jacobs, David unbelievable support through this jour- Bamberg, Diane Baranik, Janice Barbato, Jansen, Stanley Jean-Charles, Vanessa Jean- ney. Timothy Barnicle, Camilla Bartels, Janice Simon, Aaron Jenkins, Lorrie Jenkins, Jon Five times Massachusetts has voted Bashford, Shannon Batten, Lauren Bazel, Jennings, Tiffany Jilek, Patrick Johnson- to send me to the U.S. Senate. Yester- Jayona Beal, Jeffrey Bean, Camille Bedin, Cheatham, William Johnson, Diane Jones, day, nearly three decades after the peo- Jesse Belcastro, Richard Bell, Ifetayo Belle, James Jones, James Jordan, Kathleen Joyce, ple of Massachusetts first voted me Daniel Benaim, Kelley Benander, Hannah Jeremy Kane, Mary Kane, Helen Kanovsky, into this office, the people with whom Bennett, Michael Beresik, Jennifer Bergman, Jonathan Kaplan, Moses Karugu, David Kass, I work in the Senate voted me out of Jonathan Berman, Shideh Biela, Guljed Deborah Katz, Deborah Kearney, Antionetta it. As always, I accept the Senate’s Birce, Geoffrey Boehm, Alison Bonebrake, Kelley, Kimberley Kendall, Lee Kennedy, Jeanette Boone. Shailagh Kennedy, Suzannah Kerr, Amy sound judgment. Ryan Bounsy, Kelly Bovio, Tomeika Bow- Kerrigan, Kathleen Kerrigan, Conor Kilroy, Eight years ago, I admit that I had a den, Charles Bowman, April Boyd, Jim Haeyun Kim, Renee Kinder. slightly different plan to leave the Sen- Boyle, Barbara Bracken, William Bradley, James King, Evan Kirsch, Cornell Knox, ate, but 61 million Americans voted Brigid O’Rourke-Brady, Jeremy Brandon, Amy Kobeta, Jackie Kohn, Karen Kornbluh, that they wanted me to stay here with James Brenner, Felicia Brinson, Amanda Alexandra Kougentakis, Peter Kovar, David you. So staying here I learned about Brown, Geoffrey Brown, Amy Brundage, Kowal, Paula Kowalczuk, Joan Kraus, Con- humility, and I learned that sometimes Daniel Brundage, Richard Bryers, Scott nor Kuratek, Zachary Kurland, Thomas La the greatest lesson in life comes not Bunton, Sarah Buss, Joseph Bykowski, Brian Fauci, Bonnie La Rue, Rachelle Lacque from victory but from dusting oneself Cafferty, Ann Cahill, Joseph Callahan, Sean Love, Alexander Landin, Annette Larkin, Callahan, Janice Camacho, Joseph Canty, Barry Lasala, Roger Lau, Dawn Lavallee, off after defeat and starting over when Nicole Caravella, John Carey, Larry Meghan Leahy, Janet Lebel, Michael Leighs, you get knocked down. Carpman, Cynthia Carroll, Meghan Carroll, David Leiter, Robin Lerner, Matthew Levin, I was reminded throughout this jour- Mary Carter, Jeffrey Cassin, Janeen-Marie Richard Levitt, Carissa Lewis, Jeffrey Lewis, ney of something that is often said but Castetter, John Cavanaugh, Larry Shaunda Lewis, Susan Lewis, Leslie Lillard, not always fully appreciated: All of us Chartienitz, Adam Chase, Theodore Chiodo, Simon Limage, Colleen Lineweaver, Ann Senators are only as good as our staff— James Chisholm, Abraham Cho, Eliza Chon, Linnehan, Sylvia Liotta, Katharine Lister, a staff that gives up their late nights Nicholas Christiansen, Michelle Ciccolo. Jonathan Litchman, Nancy Lo, Jennifer and weekends, postpones vacations, Patrick Coan, Colleen Coburn, Bonnie Lockhart, Frank Lowenstein, Danielle doesn’t get home in time to tuck chil- Coder, Elizabeth Coleman, Briana Collier, Luber. dren into bed, and all of those lost mo- Marissa Condon, Erika Conway, Monica James Ludes, Sandra Lumpkin, Lisa Conyngham, Jasiel Correia, Amy Corrigan, Lynch, Nathan Mackinnon, Brandon ments because they are here helping us Alexandra Costello, Amanda Coulombe, Pa- Macneill, Ian Macpherson, John Madigan, serve. They are not elected. They tricia Council, Arthur Coviello, Lisa Coyle, Marion Magraw, Kristina Malek, Rachel didn’t get into public service to get Stephen Crane, Bonnie Cronin, Veronica Mann, Katherine Manning, Mary Marcuss, rich. That is for sure. And their names Crowe, Francis Crowley, Joan Crownover, Alexandra Marks, Sarah Marks, Mary Marsh, are rarely in the newspapers. But from Elizabeth Cummings, Kevin Curtis, Amy Matthew Martin, Roy Martin, Alyssa the staff in the mailrooms to the peo- Dacey, Jeremy D’Aloisio, Lauren Daniel, An- Mastromonaco, Jennifer Masuret, D. Gray ple who answer the front phones to the drew Davis, Christopher Dawe, Andrea Maxwell, Megan McCafferty, Richard policy experts and the managers, the Defelice, Evan Dellolio, April Dempsey, McCall, William McCann, Sybil McCarthy, legislative correspondents who write Monique Deragon, John Desimas, David Di Ryan McCormick, Elizabeth McEvoy, Kelly Martino, Richard DiMartino, Benedict McGovern, Kara McGuire, Kevin McGuire, the letters, the caseworkers who make Dobbs, Toni Dockett, Quentin Donohue, Paul David McKean, Patrick McKiernan, Chris- government accountable, and the peo- Donovan II, Christine Dooley, Michael topher McMahon, Gregory McMorrow, Bar- ple everywhere in between, they make Doonan, Sarah Dugas, John Dukakis, Tracie bara McQueen, Bradford Meacham, Lisa the Senate work for people. Durden. Mead, Michael Meehan, Jason Meininger, I have been blessed to have a spectac- Amy Elsbree, Kathryn English, Audrey Ep- Dora Menefee, Stephen Meunier, Johanna ular staff. And while I know every one stein, Jonathan Epstein, Sally Ericsson, Michaels, Dimitri Michaud, Heather Mizeur. of my colleagues would say the same Meredith Fahey, Mark Falzone, Leslie Evelyn Monteiro, William Moody, Linda thing about their staff, it is true about Feinberg, Patricia Ferrone, Ronald Moore, Keshia Morall, Erik Morrill, Cara mine. Finlayson, John Finn, Simon Fischer, Roger Morris, Vincent Morris, Tim Morrow, Greg If I start naming names, I am going Fisk, Maura Fitzpatrick, Christopher Flana- Moscow, Nassar Mufdi Ruiz, Khalifah Mu- gan, Gordon Fletcher, Michael Flynn, Kate hammad, Sarah Mulkem, Marie Murphy, to miss somebody, so I am not going Foley, Patricia Foley, Eileen Force, Marcia Harry Nathanson, Brendan Neal, Andrew to. But I think every one of my staff Ford, Dia Forman, Judith Foster, Lynn Fos- Nelson, Charlene Neu, Karena Neubauer, Jo- will understand why I want to ac- ter, Taylor Francois, Kathleen Frangione, seph Newman, Kerry Newman, David Nibert, knowledge five who are not with us any Matthew Frank, Joseph Fritz, Ross Marvin Nicholson, Eric Niloff, Paul longer. They are up in heaven looking Frommer, Douglas Frost, Gordon Fung, Jen- Nissenbaum, Edward Noonan, Jessica Nord- down on all of us, and Ted Kennedy has nie Ganz, Lisa Garcia, Joanna Garelick, strom, Ashley O’Neill, Tyler Obenauf, An- probably drafted all of them; Jayona Denise Garris, Renee Gasper, Stephanie Ge- drew O’Brien, Thomas O’Connor, Brendan Beal, Jeanette Boone, Bill Bradley, rard, John Gerlach, Erica Giers, Scott Giese, O’Donnell, Christopher Olson, Eric Olson, Louise Etheridge, and Gene Heller—the Maria Giesta, Lisa Glufling, Jennifer Glynn. Leigh O’Neill, Brittney Opacak, Barbara Ian Goldin, Samantha Goldman, Caitlin Opacki, Mary O’Reilly, Kathryn Ousley, latter two of whom were senior citizen Gollop, James Gomes, John Gomperts, Mary Pappey, Michael Paroby, Jon Patsavos, volunteers in my Boston office who Augusto Grace, Justin Grad, Patricia Gray, Megan Perkins, Alexis Perlmutter. opened our mail for over a decade. Tennie Gray, Christopher Greeley, Meagan John Phillips, Anna-Liviya Piccione, Mary They were not paid. They just did this Greene, Daniel Gross, Carole Grunberg, Lou Pickel, Evan Pinsonnault, Cathryn out of love of country. We miss them Sasha Gsovski, Adrienne Guide, Larry Piscitelli, Carlos Polanco, Gareth Porter, all, and we thank them for their self- Gurwin, Dillon Guthrie, Therron Hagen, Jeanne Poulter, Ayanna Pressley, Daniel less contribution. Kevin Haggerty, Susie Hagins, Melissa Prince, Colleen Puma, Michael Queenan, I ask unanimous consent to have Haluptzok, Eric Hamburg, Alexandra Harper, David Quinn, Nancy Ramsey, Haley Rauch, Whitney Harrelson, Shelly Harrington, Jona- Tovah Ravitz-Meehan, Lisa Reid, Andrea printed in the RECORD at this point a than Harris, Morgan Harris, Jamar Harrison, Retzky, Kathryn Rhudy, Brian Rice, John list of names of the people who have Sebastian Hazzard, James Healy, James Richards, Elizabeth Richardson, Charles helped me serve this Nation. Hedberg, Jennifer Heilig, Kevin Herbert, Riley, Alex Rinder, Elizabeth Rios, Jennifer There being no objection, the mate- Elohim Hernandez-Camacho, AJ Hetzner, Ritter, Lauren Robertson, Andrew rial was ordered to be printed in the Devon Hewitt, Carmen Hicks, Heather Robichaud, Dana Robinson, Gerri-Lynn Rob- RECORD, as follows: Higginbottom, Kaaren Hinck, Maura Hogan, inson, Rima Robinson, Theressa Robinson,

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They are thanks to my colleagues, serendipity, Saunders, Brett Schenker, Eugene Schles- really the glue, and we couldn’t func- and the trust of our President, while I inger, Jack Schnirman, Charles Scheuler, tion without them; they are an ex- am closing a chapter, it is not the final Eric Schwager, Heather Sears, Wendy Sears, traordinary group of people; the Cap- one. But I assure you, amid the excite- Daniel Sepulveda, Jodi Seth, James Shaer, itol Police who protect us—police, ment and the possibility, I do feel a Robert Shapiro, Patrick Shearns, Charles whom a lot of people around here start- wistfulness about leaving the Senate; Shepard, John Sherman, Margaret Sherry, and that is because, despite the obvious Rebecca Shore-Suslowitz, Zachary Shore, ed to notice a little bit more after that Michelle Shwimer, Clare Sierawski, George awful day in 1998 when two were shot frustrations of recent days and years— Sifakis, Alison Silberman, Hadid Simmons, and killed on a busy Wednesday after- a frustration that we all share—this Kyle Simon, Kristen Simpson, Beatrice noon; the Parliamentarians and the place remains one of the most extraor- Smith, Hilleary Smith, Kathleen Smith, clerks and staff here on the floor, in- dinary institutions of any kind on the Nancy Smith, Richard Smith, Whitney cluding Gary, Tim, Trisha, Meredith, face of the Earth. Smith, Alexander Soto, Christine Spencer, and all the folks in the cloakroom. And On occasion we have all heard a Sen- Kathryn Stack, Rachele Stasny, Mark Dave on the other side and all the folks ator leave here and take their leave Sternman, Nancy Stetson, Jesse Stevens. in the Republican cloakroom—all of condemning the Senate for being bro- Gregory Stewart, David Stone, Mary ken, for having become an impossible Strain, Casey Suchors-Field, Kristine whom help to keep us going and are Sudano, Keerthi Sugumaran, Brendan Sul- unfailingly patient when we call for setting in which to try to do the peo- livan, Kevin Sullivan, Kyle Sullivan, Nancy the umpteenth time to find out wheth- ple’s business. Well, I want to be very Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Matthew Summers, er the vote schedule is going to let us clear about my feelings. I do not be- Katherine Swan, Shelli Sweeney, Mary go home to a child’s dance recital or lieve the Senate is broken—certainly Szpak, Brandon Tabassi, Tristan Takos, birthday party or any kind of family not as an institution. There is nothing Mary Tarr, Carmina Taylor, Theresa event. wrong with the Senate that can’t be Theobald, Megan Thompson, Lauren Tighe, I want to thank the many Bertie fixed by what is right about the Sen- Stephani Tindall, Timothy Todreas, Jose ate—the predominant and weighty no- Toirac, Atman Trivedi, Lawrence Trundle, Bowmans who came here more than 40 Christina Tsafoulias, Yakov Tsizis, Eva Tsui, years ago, dug in, and made the Senate tion that 100 American citizens, chosen Brendan Tully, Alper Tunca, Sharon Updike, their cause and their concern; people by their neighbors to serve from States Kelsey Utne, Ellen Vallon, Brady Van such as Meg Murphy of the Foreign Re- as different as Massachusetts and Mon- Engelen, Paul Veidenheimer, Carmen Velaz- lations Committee, who makes tana, can always choose to put paro- quez, Kevin Verge, Karen Vigliano, Varun everybody’s life easier. chial or personal interests aside and Vira, Michael Vito, Jennifer Vuona. I thank the reporters who catch us in find the national interest. David Wade, Bridgette Walker, Krysten the hallways—trap us, ambush us in I believe it is the honor of a life- Wallace, Meghan Walsh, Lumay Wang, Cath- time—an extraordinary privilege—to leen Ward, Setti Warren, Joan Wasser, Maria the hallways, and who, despite all the Wassum, Sharon Waxman, Stephanie Wayne, changes and challenges in their own have represented the Commonwealth of Michael Wayno, Thomas Weber, John business, still dutifully document the Massachusetts in the Senate for more Whiteside, Michael Whouley, Scott Wiener, first drafts of American history. I than 28 years. What a remarkable gift Jodi Williams, Karen Willis, Elsie Wilson, thank all the incredible people who it has been to carry the banner of Jonathan Winer, Hope Winship, Julie travel through these Halls working in- ‘‘Senator from Massachusetts,’’ just as Wirkkala, James Wise, Christina Wiskowski, credibly hard to get it right, people of each of you feel that way about your Roger Wolfson, David Wood, Sarah character who cover this place as a States—a banner, in our case, that was Woodhouse, Nancy Woodruff, Randi Woods, passed from the sons of the American Diann Woods, William Woodward, Elizabeth public service, not a sport. I thank Wright, Sheila Wulsin, Anthony Wyche, them. Revolution, such as Daniel Webster, to Christopher Wyman, Sarah Yedinsky, I thank David Rogers for all that he the sons of immigrants such as Paul Shawna Yen, David Yohn, Brian Young, has stood for so long in this institu- Tsongas, and to know that a State Sally Yozell, Krista Zalatores, Juan Zavala, tion. It is hard to imagine my job with- where the abolitionists crusaded at Heather Zichal, Anna Ziskend, Frances out seeing him in that long green coat Faneuil Hall and the suffragettes Zwenig. waiting by the elevator after a late- marched at Quincy Market could send Mr. KERRY. As I thank an entire night vote. to Washington sons, such as Ted Ken- staff of 561 incredible men and women Sometimes in politics it is now al- nedy and Ed Brooke, who fought to ex- in Massachusetts and Washington with most a sport in America to dismiss the pand civil rights; now, a woman, ELIZA- whom I have been privileged to work contributions of people who work in BETH WARREN, who proved that in Mas- through these 28 years, I also think government, people who make the Sen- sachusetts the glass ceiling has finally about the interns, 1,393, who have come ate work, but people whom the public been forever shattered. And what a re- in and out of our offices from Wash- never sees. I have admired the way our markable gift Massachusetts has given ington to Worcester. I am especially former colleague, Ted Kaufman, used me to come here and learn so much proud of those who started as interns to come down to the floor once a week about the rest of our country. and ended up as my chief of staff, a leg- and tell the story of one individual I have had the privilege of learning islative director, and senior policy Federal worker. The stories are legion. what truly makes our Nation tick. staffers, or the Kerry interns who went Instead of tearing these people down, What a gift, to have been the nominee on to work not just for me but who we ought to be lifting them up. And I of my party, to have come within a have for the last 4 years been top thank them all for the part they play whisper of winning the Presidency speech writers, trip directors, and sen- in our democracy. against a wartime incumbent; but ior communications staff at the White I will share with you, now that I have more important, to have experienced House for the President of the United come to this moment in the journey, I the magic of our Nation in such a per- States. I am proud of our internship can say without reservation that noth- sonal way, to experience the gift of program, and I am grateful to the peo- ing prepares you for it. Many times traveling along the banks of the ple who built it and who sustain it. now in 29 years I have been at my desk mighty Mississippi through Iowa and I also thank the incredible group of on the Senate floor—starting way over South Dakota and along the rivers unsung heroes who literally make the there, No. 99—listening as colleagues where Louis and Clark marked and Senate work, people who work not for bid the Senate farewell. Sometimes a measured the dream of our first Sec- individual Senators but work for all of farewell speech signals a complete de- retary of State, Thomas Jefferson, who

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He did what he thought was dream of an America united, and power on my behalf and I will always right for the country, and he laid the dipped my fingers into the fountain in be grateful. groundwork for our ability to three Birmingham where water flows over Another master of the Senate, Mas- times balance the budget at the end of the names of those murdered trying to sachusetts’ Daniel Webster, delivered the 1990s. That is courage, and the Sen- vote or just registering to vote, to see 183 years ago this week what has often ate and the Congress and the country the water trickle over the words of Dr. been praised as the greatest speech in need more of it. King’s prayer that ‘‘justice might roll Senate history. He stood at the desk Frankly, the problems we live down like waters and righteousness that now belongs to the senior Senator through today come from individual like a mighty stream.’’ I drove across from New Hampshire and argued force- choices of Senators themselves, not the the Hoover Dam, and I wondered, as I fully in favor of the very idea that rules. When an individual Senator or a did, at what America can accomplish makes us the United States, that we colluding caucus determines that the when we want to, when we put our are all in this together, that we each comity essential to an institution such minds to it. Driving across the Golden have a stake in the successes and fail- as the Senate is a barrier to individual Gate Bridge at dawn I was reminded it ures of our countrymen, that what hap- ambition or party ambition, the coun- was built at the height of the Great De- pens in Ohio matters to those in South try loses. Those are the moments in pression, when so many feared our best Carolina or in Massachusetts or to which the Senate fulfills, not its re- days were behind us. What I have seen Montanans. ‘‘Union and liberty,’’ Web- sponsibility to the people but its rep- and heard and learned in traveling ster shouted, ‘‘now and forever, one utation as a sanctuary of gridlock. across our country as a Senator from and inseparable.’’ I ask colleagues to remember the Massachusetts has prepared me more As Caro retells it, those words spo- words of Ben Franklin, as that long for my travels to other countries as ken among the desks in the Senate left Philadelphia summer yielded our re- Secretary of State than any travel to those in the gallery in tears and cast a markable Constitution. Late at night, any foreign Capitol. model for how those of us in this after their work was complete, Dr. I already know I will miss the best Chamber must consider the constitu- Franklin was walking down the steps reward of carrying the title ‘‘Senator,’’ ents of our colleague’s as well as our of Constitution Hall, of Independence and that is when you open a letter own. But the truth is that none of us Hall, and a woman called out to him from someone who has traveled every ran for this office because of a great de- and she said: Well, Doctor, what have route and exhausted every option and bate held centuries ago. None of us we got, a Republic or a monarchy? who ultimately turned to you as the moved here because of the moving Franklin answered: ‘‘A Republic, if you last resort in public life and they fi- words of a Senator long since departed. can keep it.’’ Sustaining a functioning Republic is nally got the help they needed. I know We honor this history because we are work and it is, more than ever, I be- my colleagues who have experienced here because of the legacy that we can lieve, our challenge today. I am hardly this will say there is nothing better and want to leave. It is up to us, to my the first and I will, I hope, probably than getting that ‘‘I have tried every- colleagues here today and to those who not be the last to call on Congress to come after us, it is up to us to keep the thing, but nobody would listen to me, remember why we are here, to Senate great. but you got it done’’ letter or some- prioritize our shared interests above I fully believe we will meet that obli- times when you are walking a street in the short term, to bridge the breadth of gation if, as the President told the Na- a community at home and somebody the partisan divide and to reach across tion and the world last week, we seize comes up to you and thanks you for a the aisle and take the long view. Many this moment together. Yes, Congress personal response they never expected have stood here delivering farewell and public life face their difficulties to receive. That is when public service speeches and lamented what became of these days but not because the struc- has more meaning than the war of the Washington where President ture our Founding Fathers gave us is words our constituents dodge on the Reagan and Speaker O’Neill could cul- inherently flawed. For sure there are cable news. tivate an affiliation stronger than Standing at this desk that once be- moments of much great frustration, for party or a Congress that saw true longed—at this desk that once be- the American people and for everybody friendships between Senators such as longed to President Kennedy and to in this place. But I don’t believe they Kennedy and HATCH, Inouye and Ste- Ted Kennedy, I can’t help but be re- are the fault of the institution itself. It vens, Obama and COBURN; the odd cou- minded that even our Nation’s greatest is not the rules that confound us per se. ples, as they have been dubbed. leaders and all the rest of us are mere- It is the choices people make about I cannot tell you why, but I do think ly temporary workers. I am reminded those rules. it is possible this moment may see a this Chamber is a living museum, a The rules we work by now are essen- turn in the spirit of the Senate. There lasting memorial to the miracle of the tially the same ones that existed when are new whispers of desire for progress, American experiment. I joined the Senate and found things to rumors of new coalitions, and a sense No one has captured this phe- move much more easily than they do of possibility—whether it is on energy nomenon more eloquently or com- today. They are essentially the same or immigration. prehensively than Robert Caro did in rules under which Daniel Webster and I am deeply impressed by a new gen- his masterpiece about the Senate Lyndon Johnson operated, and they did eration of Senators who seem to have called ‘‘Master of the Senate.’’ I am great things. They are almost the same come here determined not to give in to sure many in this room—I know most rules Mike Mansfield and Everett Dirk- the cynicism but to get the people’s people have read it. In that book, be- sen and Ted Kennedy and ORRIN HATCH business done. I am confident that fore we learned of the levers Lyndon used to pass great pieces of legislation. when today’s freshmen take their turns Johnson pulled to push our Nation to- They are the same rules under which in leaving the Senate, they will be able ward civil rights, Caro described the the Senate Democrats and President to tell of new Senators added to that special powers the Founders gave the George Herbert Walker Bush passed an estimable list of odd couples, and with Senate and only the Senate, powers, agreement, including tax increases, to any luck by then it will not be odd. Caro writes, ‘‘designed to make the at least begin to tackle the deficit. I So I leave here convinced we can Congress independent of the President remind everyone, as I take my leave keep our Republic strong. When Presi- and to restrain and act as a check on from the Senate, when President dent Kennedy observed that ‘‘our prob- his authority, power to approve his ap- George H.W. Bush returned from agree- lems are manmade; therefore they can

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:34 Aug 29, 2017 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR13\S30JA3.000 S30JA3 rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with BOUND RECORD January 30, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 159, Pt. 1 783 be solved by man,’’ he was talking it in China, in Iran, in other parts of those who don’t, the agenda it changes about a much more literal kind of nu- the world—the antidote to that, and it or sets by virtue of its power, is stead- clear option than the euphemism we is pushed by rival countries, is to dem- ily silencing the voice of the vast ma- use today to discuss Senate rules. But onstrate that we can get our economic jority of Americans who have a much his vision is just as important for us to house in order because we can be no harder time competing or who cannot recognize in our time, whether we are stronger abroad than we are here at compete at all. talking about the ability of Senators home. It is that simple. The unwilling- The insidious intention of that to debate and vote or about the issues ness of some to yield to the national money is to set the agenda, change the on which they do so. It is still true interest is damaging to America’s pros- agenda, block the agenda, define the today, as he said 50 years ago, that pects in the world. We are quick to agenda of Washington. How else could ‘‘reason and spirit have often solved talk about the global economy and we possibly have a U.S. Tax Code of the seemingly unsolvable, and we be- about global competition, but it is our some 76,000 pages? Ask yourself: How lieve,’’ he said, ‘‘they can do it again.’’ own procrastination and outright many Americans have their own page, I believe that too. avoidance of obvious choices that their own tax break, their own special So what effort do we need to put into threatens our own future. Other na- deal? our reason and spirit in order to do it? tions are both quick and glad to fill the We should not resign ourselves to a I believe there are three most signifi- vacuum that is brought about by our distorted system that corrodes our de- cant challenges that have conspired to inaction. mocracy. This is what is contributing bring about a dangerous but reversible If the Senate favors inaction over to the justifiable anger of the Amer- erosion in the quality of our democ- courage and gimmicks over common ican people. They know it, they know racy: the decline of comity, the deluge ground, the risk is not that we will fail we know it, and yet nothing happens. of money, and the disregard for facts. to move forward, it is that we will fall The truth requires that we call the cor- First, I have witnessed what we all behind, we will stay behind, and we rosion of money and politics what it is: have, a loss of simple comity, the re- will surrender our promise to those It is a form of corruption and it muz- spect that we owe one another, and the who are more than willing to turn our zles more Americans than it empowers. sense of common cause that brings all squandered opportunity into their ad- It is an imbalance that the world has of us here. The Senate as a body can vantage. taught us can only sow the seeds of un- change its rules to make itself more ef- The world keeps turning. The Senate rest. ficient, sure. But only Senators, one by cannot afford to forever stand still. Like the question of comity in the one in their own hearts, can change the Just as failing to deal with our deficit Senate, the influence of money in our approach to legislating which Henry and our debt puts our long-term inter- politics also influences our credibility Clay correctly defined as the art of ests at risk, so does taking America to around the world. So too does the un- consensus. the brink of default. Our self-inflicted acceptable and extraordinary difficulty I came to the Senate in 1985 as a we continue to have in 2013 operating Member of a hopeful and hard-charging wounds reduce our leverage and our in- fluence in the world. By failing to act, the machinery of our own democracy class of freshmen. Paul Simon, TOM Congress is making it harder to actu- here at home. How extraordinary and HARKIN, Al Gore, Phil Gramm, JAY ally advance America’s interests and how diminishing it is that more than 40 ROCKEFELLER, and I all have at least three things in common. We were all making it harder for American busi- years after the Voting Rights Act so sworn in as Senators at the same time. ness to compete and for American many of our fellow citizens still have We each explored running or ran for workers to succeed. If America is to great difficulty when they show up on the White House, and none of us made continue to lead the free world, this election day to cast their vote and it there. must end. have their voices heard. That too mat- (Laughter.) We have all bemoaned the lack of ters to all of us. The last remaining Member of that comity in the Senate. Those of you For a country that can and should class, Senator MITCH MCCONNELL, has who remain here will have the power to extol the virtues of democracy around now again been elevated by his peers as restore it. The choice to work respect- the world, our job is made more dif- the Republican leader. fully with one another is about as sim- ficult through long lines and overt I see a lot of a very similar aspira- ple as it gets. I have one suggestion, voter suppression and efforts to sup- tion that we felt when I came here in perhaps. While I am honored by the press people’s ability to exercise the 1985 in today’s freshmen and sopho- presence of so many colleagues who are right that we extol. So many still mores. Many came to the Senate run- here now—Republicans and Demo- struggle to exercise that right here at ning on the premise that it is broken crats—I have to say we all look for- home. beyond repair. I encourage each and ward to more days when the U.S. Sen- The last of the three obstacles we every one of them to reject that ate desks are full with Senators debat- have the ability, if not the will, to premise in order to restore the promise ing, deliberating, learning, listening, overcome is the unbelievable disregard of the Senate. The Senate cannot break and leading. We would all be stronger if for facts, for science in the conduct of unless we let it. After all, the value of this Chamber is once again crowded be- our affairs. It, like the first two, de- this institution, similar to any instru- cause it is the world’s greatest delib- grades our credibility abroad as well as ment of power, is how you use it. But erative body, the home of debate and at home. we can’t ignore the fact that today, deliberation, and not only when it be- My friends, the persistent shouting treaties that only a few years ago comes a departure lounge. match of the perpetual campaign—one would have passed 100 to nothing, don’t There is another challenge we must that takes place in parallel universes, pass at all. People who want to vote for address, and it is the corrupting force thanks to our polarized, self-selected something they believe in actually of the vast sums of money necessary to media, to some degree—makes it hard- don’t do so for fear of retribution. That run for office. The unending chase for er and harder to build consensus among is a reflection on all of us. As I prepare money, I believe, threatens to steal our people. The people don’t know what to to represent our Nation in capitals democracy itself. I used the wording— believe. So in many ways it encourages around the world, I am more than con- and I want to be clear about it—I mean an oversimplification of problems that scious that my credibility as a dip- by it not the corruption of individuals too often retreat to slogans and not lomat and ours as a country is deter- but corruption of a system itself that ideas for real solutions. mined, to a great degree, by what hap- all of us are forced to participate in America, I regret to say, is increas- pens right here in our own Capital against our will. ingly defaulting rather than choosing, City. The alliance of money and the inter- and so we fail to keep pace with other The antidote to the current narrative est it represents, the access it affords nations in the renewal of our infra- of American decline—and you will hear to those who have it at the expense of structure, in the improvement of our

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TOM the business of our country, and that Well, I have no doubt that colleagues HARKIN wanted to see me. My staff sur- begins by putting our economic house have asked that question about me or mised that he was probably coming to in order. It begins by working from the any one of us, and it has been back and ask for money for the Iowa Democratic same set of facts. Although I believe we forth. But 29 years later I have learned party. They were wrong. It was a visit cannot solve any of these problems un- something about myself. I learned that where TOM just came to share a few less we solve all of them, I note these the Senate runs on relationships. I words that were very simple but which three challenges because I believe the know that some of my more recent col- meant the world to me; a colleague vis- Senate is going to be locked into stale- leagues—sent here in tumultuous elec- iting just to say he was proud that I mate or our politics are going to be ir- tion cycles—hear that and think it is had been the nominee of the party in reversibly poisoned unless we break code for checking their beliefs at the 2004, and he looked forward to working out of it. I say this hopefully as some- door and going Washington. It is not. with me more in this institution. one who respects and loves this institu- And I would add: Don’t kid yourself; no Let me tell you, those are the con- tion and loves this country and wants one got here on a platform of pledging versations that make the difference, to see us move forward. to join an exclusive club and forget those are the conversations you never Some things we know are moving for- where they came from. forget, and that is the U.S. Senate at ward. In the same time that comity When I say that relationships mat- its best. It is a place where relation- has decreased and the influence of ter, I don’t mean back-slapping, glad- ships matter the most. And it matters money has increased, I have seen the handing, hail-fellow-well-met, go- because Teddy, TOM, and so many oth- Senate change for the better. This along-to-get-along relationships; I ers here understood instinctively that Chamber used to be filled with the mean real relationships. And to today’s if 100 Senators knew each other—and voices of men, and men only. Decisions hard-charging colleagues who came to our leader has worked very hard to try affecting more than half the population Washington to shake things up, I would to find a way to make this happen— were made by people representing the remind them, so did I, so did TOM HAR- then you can find the ways to work to- other half. When I walked into the Sen- KIN, and the others I mentioned. If I gether. ate Chamber to take my first oath 28 told you that a 40-year-old newly mint- To my surprise, I learned it here in a years ago, I was joined by my two teen- ed Senator JOHN KERRY was going to way that I never could have predicted, aged daughters. It struck me that I had tell you that relationships mattered alongside people I never thought I twice as many daughters as there were most, I would have looked at you as if would count as one of my proudest women in the U.S. Senate. Today, with you had three heads. I cut my teeth in friends. Last week JOHN MCCAIN intro- the service of 20 women—including grassroots activism. I didn’t come up duced me at my confirmation hearing. Massachusetts’ new junior Senator— through the political ranks. I burst JOHN and I met here in the Senate, this is a stronger and smarter place, onto the scene as an activist, and when coming from very different positions more representative of our belief that you are an activist, all that singularly and perspectives. We both loved the out of many, we are one; more capable matters to you—to the exclusion of al- Navy; I still do to this day. But I have of fulfilling the vision carried from most everything else—are the issues. different feelings from JOHN about a Washington to Webster to our current Where are you on an issue? Right or war. President; that we are a stronger Na- wrong, that is the ballgame. For both of us, Vietnam was a demar- tion when our leadership reflects our Wrong. It is not the ballgame. That cation point in our lives, the way it population. is not what makes a good Senator. was for so many of our generation. We have made huge strides on turn- That is not what makes the Senate Well, late one night on a CODEL—for ing the page on gay rights. In 1993, I work. My late colleague of 25 years Ted people who are listening and don’t testified before Strom Thurmond’s Kennedy taught me that. I saw him know about CODELs, it is a trip of Armed Services Committee, pushing to late at night on the Senate floor sit- Senators and Congressmen going some- lift the ban on gays serving in the mili- ting with his colleagues talking and where in the world—to Kuwait after tary, and I ran into a world of listening. He wanted to know about the first gulf war, JOHN and I found misperceptions. I thought I was on a your State; he wanted to know about ourselves in a C–130 sitting opposite ‘‘Saturday Night Live’’ skit. Today, at your family; he wanted to know why each other. Neither of us could sleep, last, that policy is gone forever, and we you came here. He had a unique ability so we talked. We talked late into the are a country that honors the commit- to know not just what he needed from night about our lives and our war. ment of all willing to fight and die for you on a vote or a piece of legislation Shortly thereafter, George Mitchell our country. We have gone from a Sen- but to know what you needed on a per- and Bob Dole flew us together on a se- ate that passed DOMA—over my objec- sonal level as a friend, as a colleague, lect committee to investigate the fate tions—to one that just welcomed its as a partner. of Americans missing from the war in first openly gay Senator. My old friend—now Vice President which we had fought. It was a tough These are good changes for our Sen- JOE BIDEN—had a saying in his family: time, an emotional issue in an era ate and our country, but we have more If you have to ask, it is too late. With where Rambo was a box office smash work to do. This place needs more Teddy, you never had to ask. He always and a Newsweek magazine cover print- women, more people of color, more di- knew, and he was there. He was there ed provocative photos which asked versity of background and experience, on a foggy morning on Nantucket when whether Americans were still alive but it is still a remarkable place. my father passed away, and Teddy ma- over there. I am reminded of the letters of Harry terialized almost out of nowhere. There Into that cacophonous cauldron, Truman that he used to write home to he was at my porch door. He didn’t call JOHN MCCAIN and I were thrown to- wife Bess as he sat in the back row of ahead; he didn’t ask. He came to mark gether. Some were suspicious of both of the Chamber. Late one night after the the passage. He was there. It was an in- us, but together we found common great debate of the New Deal Era, he stinct for people and an impulse to ground. I will never forget standing wrote: help. with JOHN in the very cell in the Hanoi I hear my colleagues, and I pinch myself He taught so many of us during that Hilton in which he spent a number of and ask, How did I get here? period of time. Somewhere along the years of his life, just the two of us

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I saw first- significant process in the history of our gravel-voiced people’s champion from hand that our political process works country—or of any country—for the ac- Ohio; from a soft-spoken, loyal, Medal only when leaders are willing to listen counting of the missing and dead in of Honor winner from Hawaii who used to each other but also to everyone else. any war and afterwards and then work- to sit right here; and from a college That is how I first came to the Sen- ing to lift the embargo and ultimately professor turned proud prairie populist ate—not with my vote but with my normalize relations with an old enemy. and Senate Pied Piper who was taken voice—and that is why the end of my JOHN had every reason to hate them, from us far too soon and far too quick- tenure here is in many ways a bookend. but he didn’t. We were able to heal ly. From every Member of the Senate, Forty-two years ago, I testified be- deep wounds and end a war that divided there are characteristics, passions, fore Senator Fulbright’s Foreign Rela- an awful lot of people for much too quirks, and beliefs that bring this place tions Committee about the realities of long. That is a common experience, and alive and unite to make it the most ex- war in Vietnam. It wasn’t until last only the relationships that are forged traordinary legislative body on Earth. week that I would sit before that com- in the Senate could have made that That is what I love about the Senate. mittee again, this time testifying in happen. I love that instead of fighting against my own confirmation hearing. It com- JOHN has this great expression: A each other, Bill Frist, the former Re- pleted a circle which I never could have fight not joined is a fight not enjoyed. publican leader, and I were able to join imagined drawing but one our Found- He loves to debate, he loves to battle, forces to fight HIV and AIDS around ers surely did. That a citizen voicing his opinion about a matter of personal and so do I. But I will tell my col- the globe and to convince an unlikely and national consequence could one leagues, having fought beside him and conservative named Jesse Helms to day use that voice as a Senator, as the having fought against him, it is a heck support and pass a bill unanimously chairman of that same committee be- of a lot better and more fun to have that saved millions of lives on our fore which he had once testified as a JOHN fighting alongside of you. We still planet. That is what makes this place private citizen, and then as the Presi- have differences. There has been a lot so special. dent’s nominee for Secretary of State, of newsprint used up covering some of Instead of ignoring a freshman Sen- that is a fitting representation of what them, but I will tell my colleagues ator, Chairman Claiborne Pell allowed we mean when we talk about a govern- this: We both care about the Senate as me to pass my very first amendment to ment ‘‘of the people, for the people, and an institution, and we both care about change our policy on the Philippines. the country’s leadership and the world by the people.’’ So I found myself with Dick Lugar, In the decades between then and now, even when we see it differently, and we paired as Senate election observers this is what I have learned above all both know that at some point America who helped expose the voter fraud of else: The privilege of being here is in has to come together. the Marcos regime, ending a dictator- being able to listen to your constitu- We shared this common experience, ship and giving a nation of more than ents. It is the people and their voices and we have seen a lot together. We 90 million people the opportunity to much more than the marble buildings both were able to travel the country as know democracy again. That is what and the inimitable institutions they Presidential nominees for our party, the Senate can do, and that is what I house that determine whether our de- and both returned to the Senate to love about it. mocracy works. carry on in a different way. Few people Instead of focusing on our different In my first appearance before the know what that feels like. But just accents and opposite ideologies, Jesse Senate, at the Fulbright hearings, I being by his side in Hanoi made it im- Helms and I found that our concern for began by saying, ‘‘I am not here as possible for me not to be overwhelmed illegal drugs was greater than any po- John Kerry. I am here as one member by his sense of patriotism and his devo- litical differences between us. So Jesse of the group of 1,000, which is a small tion to country. It meant something made it possible for an investigation to representation of a very much larger else: If you can stand on the kind of proceed and for the Senate to expose group.’’ common ground that we found in the the linkages between the Contras in I feel much the same way today as I Hanoi Hilton, then finding common Nicaragua and the flow of drugs to leave. We are still symbols, representa- ground on issues here at home isn’t American cities. That is what the Sen- tives of the people who have given us hard at all. I will always thank JOHN ate can do. the honor to speak and advocate and MCCAIN for that lesson. The Senate can still work if we learn vote in their name, and that, as the One of the magical things about the from and listen to each other—two re- Bible says, is a ‘‘charge to keep.’’ One Senate is this amazing mix of people sponsibilities that are, like Webster day, the 99 other Senators who con- and how they could come together to said about liberty and union, one and tinue on for now—and soon to be 100 make something happen. I have learned inseparable. again in a few days—will also leave in and been impressed by the experiences So as I offer my final words on the their own turn—in your own turn— of every single one of my colleagues, Senate floor, I remember that I came some by their own choosing and some and I honestly marvel at the reflection of age in a Senate where freshman Sen- by the people’s. Our time here is not of each State’s special character in the ators didn’t speak that often. Senators meant to last forever. If we use the people they send here. I have learned no longer hold their tongues through time to posture politically in Wash- from all—from a fiery, street-smart so- whole sessions of Congress, and they ington, we weaken our position across cial worker from Maryland; from a shouldn’t. Their voices are just as valu- the world. If democracy deadlocks down-to-earth, no-nonsense farmer able and their votes count just as much here, we raise doubts about democracy from Montana; from a principled, con- as the most tenured Member of this everywhere. If we do not in our deeds servative doctor from Oklahoma; from body. But being heard by others does prove our own ideals, we undermine an amazingly tenacious advocate for not exempt them from listening to oth- our security and the sacred mission as women and the environment who ers. the best hope of Earth. But if we do our blazed a trail from Brooklyn to Rancho I came to the National Mall in 1971 jobs right, if we treat our colleagues Mirage and the Senate, who teams with with fellow veterans who wanted only with respect and build the relation- a former mayor of San Francisco who to talk to our leaders about the war. ships required to form consensus and took office after the assassination of President Nixon tried to kick us off find the courage to follow through on Harvey Milk, committed to stand The Mall. We knocked on door after our promises of compromise, the work against violence and for equality; from door on Capitol Hill but too often we do here will long endure.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:34 Aug 29, 2017 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR13\S30JA3.000 S30JA3 rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with BOUND RECORD 786 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 159, Pt. 1 January 30, 2013 So let us in the Senate or in the rect, unconditional, and comprehensive Clinton affirming their solidarity with House be bigger than our own districts, talks.’’ He is the same person who Israel. Senator Hagel was not among our own States. Let us in spirited pur- called for establishing a U.S. diplo- them. Six months later, after a relent- pose be as big as the United States of matic mission in Tehran. less onslaught of Palestinian ter- America. Let us stand for our beliefs He is the same person who dismissed rorism, 87 Senators signed a different but, above all, let us believe in our ‘‘a military strike against Iran’’ as letter asking President Bush to ‘‘ini- common history, our common destiny, ‘‘not a viable, feasible, responsible op- tiate a reassessment of our relations in our common obligation to love and tion.’’ And he is the same person who with the Palestinians.’’ Once again, lead this exceptional Nation. They say suggested that the United States might Senator Hagel refused to sign. He also politics stops at the water’s edge. That be able to live with a nuclear Iran. refused to join 89 other Senators in is obviously not always true. But if we During his years in this Chamber, signing a November 2001 letter that care for our country, politics has its Senator Hagel’s opposition to Iran urged President Bush to maintain limits at home and abroad. sanctions placed him in a very small strong support for Israel and to con- As I leave here, I do so knowing that minority. For example, only one other tinue snubbing Arafat until the Pales- forever the Senate will be in my soul Senator joined him in voting against tinian leader ended his terror cam- and that our country is my cause and sanctions in 2001, and only one other paign. yours. I thank you all for your friend- Senate Banking Committee member On April 12, 2002, a Palestinian sui- ship and the privilege of serving with joined him in rejecting a different cide bomber killed 6 people and injured you. sanctions package in 2008. more than 100 others in Jerusalem. (Applause, Senators rising.) Simply put, Senator Hagel has no That same day, Senator Hagel went to f credibility on perhaps the biggest for- the Senate floor and suggested a moral eign policy challenge facing the Obama equivalence between Palestinian ter- EXTENSION OF MORNING administration’s second term and on rorism and Israeli self-defense. BUSINESS American national security interests Three months later, he published an Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask in the Middle East and around the article in the Washington Post be- unanimous consent that the period for world. moaning ‘‘the endless cycle of vio- morning business be extended until 4 Consider how his nomination was in- lence’’ and declaring that ‘‘Israel must p.m., with Senators permitted to speak terpreted by Iranian journalists and take steps to show its commitment to therein for up to 10 minutes each. government officials. Press TV, a peace.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Tehran-based propaganda network, In a 2003 interview with a local news- COONS). Without objection, it is so or- noted with satisfaction that Senator paper in Lincoln, NE, Senator Hagel dered. Hagel is known for ‘‘his criticism of ratcheted up his rhetoric even further, Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I suggest Washington’s anti-Iran policies’’ and saying the Israelis ‘‘keep Palestinians the absence of a quorum. ‘‘has consistently opposed any plan to caged up like animals.’’ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The launch [a] military strike against In 2009, Senator Hagel coauthored a clerk will call the roll. Iran.’’ policy paper that advised President The assistant legislative clerk pro- The point is, not that we should be Obama to pursue a dialog with ceeded to call the roll. threatening military strikes against Hamas—again, a State Department- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask Iran, but to take this off the table en- designated terrorist organization; unanimous consent that the order for tirely completely undercuts any diplo- Iran’s primary proxy in the area. More the quorum call be rescinded. matic efforts we might take to deny specifically, the paper recommended The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Iran a nuclear weapon. that Washington ‘‘offer [Hamas] in- objection, it is so ordered. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ira- ducements that will enable its more f nian foreign ministry responded to the moderate elements to prevail, and Hagel announcement by declaring: cease discouraging third parties from HAGEL NOMINATION We hope that practical changes will be cre- engaging with Hamas in ways that Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, the ated in the U.S. foreign policy and . . . that might help clarify the movement’s nomination of Chuck Hagel to be the the U.S. officials will favor peace instead of views and test its behavior.’’ next Secretary of Defense has already warmongering. Most of us believe, including the U.S. done damage to the credibility of the The Iranians are claiming we are the State Department, that Hamas’ views United States in its attempt to deny ones warmongering, while they are and behavior are already clear enough: Iran a nuclear weapon, thus building a nuclear weapon. It is committed to the annihilation of emboldening one of the most dangerous Just for good measure, the Al Israel; it fires rockets and Iranian- regimes in the Middle East. To limit Jazeera Web site published an article made missiles at civilian areas; and it that damage, President Obama should headlined: ‘‘Obama defeats the Israel indoctrinates Palestinian children in a choose someone else to lead the Pen- Lobby.’’ Is this really the impression culture of hatred and violence. tagon. we want to give our adversaries and Of course, Senator Hagel’s most fa- After all, the Nebraska Senator is our allies in the Middle East? Is this mous comments—or I should say infa- the same person who has consistently how we encourage our friends, to say mous comments—on Israel were deliv- opposed sanctions against Iran. He is we will be there to support our allies? ered during a 2006 interview with the same person who wanted Wash- Is this the message we want to convey former Clinton administration official ington to support Iranian membership to our adversaries such as Iran, that Aaron David Miller. In that interview, in the World Trade Organization. He is has threatened the annihilation of Senator Hagel said ‘‘the Jewish lobby the same person who voted against des- Israel, to wipe it off the map? Unfortu- intimidates a lot of people up here.’’ ignating the Iranian Revolutionary nately, that is the message that is con- These remarks are deeply offensive, Guard Corps as a terrorist group at a veyed by the nomination of Senator but they are also quite revealing, for time when it was orchestrating the Hagel as Secretary of Defense. they confirm that he simply does not murder of U.S. troops in Iraq. Not only has Senator Hagel been a understand the true basis of the U.S.- He is the same person who refused to persistent critic of Iran sanctions, he Israeli alliance. sign a letter asking the European has also displayed a stubborn hostility The American people and their elect- Union to label Hezbollah—an Iranian toward America’s closest Middle East- ed representatives support Israel for proxy—as a terror group, even though ern ally. obvious reasons: Both of our countries it is so designated by the U.S. State In October 2000, shortly after Yasser are pluralistic democracies with a Department. He is the same person who Arafat launched the second Intifada, 96 shared commitment to liberty, equal- urged President Bush to offer Iran ‘‘di- Senators signed a letter to President ity, and basic human rights; both of

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