March 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1385 (Mr. WICKER) was added as a cosponsor sponsor of S. 627, a bill to require the harmful. Schedule II is the next con- of S. 505, a bill to amend the Internal Secretary of Veterans Affairs to revoke trolled substances category for drugs Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the bonuses paid to employees involved in deemed to have some medical use, such Health Coverage Tax Credit. electronic wait list manipulations, and as cocaine and methamphetamine. The S. 539 for other purposes. view that marijuana has no medical At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the S. 678 use whatsoever, but the methamphet- names of the Senator from Minnesota At the request of Mr. INHOFE, the amine has some medicinal use is trou- (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) and the Senator from name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. bling and contrary to science. We can do better. New Hampshire (Ms. AYOTTE) were ISAKSON) was added as a cosponsor of S. In 2013, the Department of Justice added as cosponsors of S. 539, a bill to 678, a bill to declare English as the offi- issued guidance to Federal prosecutors amend title XVIII of the Social Secu- cial language of the United States, to and regulators to refrain from pros- rity Act to repeal the Medicare out- establish a uniform English language ecuting individuals that use, purchase patient rehabilitation therapy caps. rule for naturalization, and to avoid or sell marijuana in States where it is S. 546 misconstructions of the English lan- legal as long as a State regulatory At the request of Ms. HEITKAMP, the guage texts of the laws of the United framework exists that maintains cer- name of the Senator from Pennsyl- States, pursuant to Congress’ powers to tain standards, such as a ban on sales vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- provide for the general welfare of the to minors. As a result of this guidance, sponsor of S. 546, a bill to establish the United States and to establish a uni- more and more States have taken steps Railroad Emergency Services Pre- form rule of naturalization under arti- to legalize medical marijuana. paredness, Operational Needs, and cle I, section 8, of the Constitution. Sadly, despite this guidance, the in- Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Sub- S. CON. RES. 4 ability of Federal and State law to be committee under the Federal Emer- At the request of Mr. BARRASSO, the on the same page regarding the legal- gency Management Agency’s National name of the Senator from Arkansas ity of medical marijuana has resulted Advisory Council to provide rec- (Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cospon- in confusion and uncertainty for State ommendations on emergency responder sor of S. Con. Res. 4, a concurrent reso- regulators and the public about what training and resources relating to haz- lution supporting the Local Radio the law requires. This lack of clarity is ardous materials incidents involving Freedom Act. only part of the problem. Individual railroads, and for other purposes. f users of medical marijuana in States S. 559 with legalized medical marijuana con- STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED At the request of Mr. BURR, the tinue to be targeted by the Drug En- BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS names of the Senator from Pennsyl- forcement Agency. That is unaccept- vania (Mr. TOOMEY), the Senator from able and must change. Individuals who Missouri (Mr. BLUNT) and the Senator By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, use medical marijuana in States where from Kentucky (Mr. PAUL) were added Mrs. GILLIBRAND, and Mr. it is legal should not fear prosecution as cosponsors of S. 559, a bill to pro- PAUL): simply based on prosecutorial discre- hibit the Secretary of Education from S. 683. A bill to extend the principle tion. We can do better. engaging in regulatory overreach with of federalism to State drug policy, pro- I am encouraged that the winds of regard to institutional eligibility vide access to medical marijuana, and change are blowing at the Federal level under title IV of the Higher Education enable research into the medicinal on whether to prosecute medical mari- Act of 1965, and for other purposes. properties of marijuana; to the Com- juana, but confusion remains. While mittee on the Judiciary. the 2013 guidance likely trumps the S. 578 prior two memorandum, what message Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I wish At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the do these documents send? Is medical to introduce the Compassionate Ac- name of the Senator from Iowa (Mr. marijuana legal or not? Is it right that cess, Research Expansion, and Respect GRASSLEY) was added as a cosponsor of the law can be changed at a moment’s States Act CARERS Act. This com- S. 578, a bill to amend title XVIII of the notice by an unelected Federal pros- monsense legislation would make our Social Security Act to ensure more ecutor? And what protection does Federal marijuana criminal laws fairer timely access to home health services State law afford medical marijuana and more in line with our values and for Medicare beneficiaries under the users when State and Federal law col- ensure that medical marijuana is more Medicare program. lide, especially when marijuana is clas- accessible to the millions of Americans S. 582 sified by the Federal Government as a who need it for treatment purposes. I At the request of Mr. WICKER, the schedule I drug? This legislation brings name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. thank Senator KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND certainty and uniformity to these and Senator RAND PAUL for joining me SULLIVAN) was added as a cosponsor of issues. S. 582, a bill to prohibit taxpayer fund- on this bill, and I appreciate their hard Another problem with current law is ed abortions. work on this legislation. that medical marijuana operates large- The CARERS Act would clarify how S. 591 ly in the shadows because financial in- the Federal Government handles med- At the request of Mr. BLUNT, the stitutions are scared to do business ical marijuana in the States. Cur- with legitimate marijuana businesses. name of the Senator from Mississippi rently, 23 States and the District of Co- (Mr. WICKER) was added as a cosponsor Banks and other financial institutions lumbia have passed laws legalizing are hesitant to do business with legiti- of S. 591, a bill to amend the Internal medical marijuana for qualified pa- Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently mate marijuana businesses because tients. But the Federal Government they are concerned about losing their extend the new markets tax credit, and still bans medical marijuana and treats for other purposes. Federal depository insurance or facing the people who use it with contempt. It Federal prosecution. As a result, the S. 615 is time we end this backward approach medical marijuana industry operates At the request of Mr. CORKER, the toward a substance that helps treat largely as a cash business which is bad names of the Senator from Colorado millions of Americans, including vet- for the economy and endangers public (Mr. BENNET) and the Senator from erans, who suffer from debilitating dis- safety. Dealing with high quantities of South Dakota (Mr. ROUNDS) were added eases. cash and having to transport it leaves as cosponsors of S. 615, a bill to provide Today, the Federal Government clas- these businesses and their operatives for congressional review and oversight sifies marijuana as a schedule I drug, as easy targets for criminals. of agreements relating to Iran’s nu- meaning it lacks a recognized medical The current medical marijuana situa- clear program, and for other purposes. value and it has a high potential for tion in America is untenable. It is un- S. 627 abuse. Incredibly, marijuana shares the fair for the Americans that operate le- At the request of Ms. AYOTTE, the same classification with such drugs as gitimate marijuana businesses. It is name of the Senator from Pennsyl- heroin or LSD-substances that no one unfair to people with disabilities, in- vania (Mr. TOOMEY) was added as a co- disputes are incredibly dangerous and cluding veterans with post-traumatic

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:03 Mar 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MR6.019 S10MRPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with SENATE S1386 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 10, 2015 stress, traumatic brain injury or miss- The bill would also allow States to to the payrolls. The policy behind the ing limbs who rely on medical mari- import CBD. CBD is an oil substance EITC is one I and many of my col- juana for treatment. It is unfair to made from a marijuana plant that con- leagues support as it is intended to fos- children with intractable epilepsy who tains virtually no THC-meaning you ter betterment and personal responsi- need cannabidiol-known as CBD-to con- experience no high from the drug. CBD bility by giving those on the lowest trol their seizures. is the medicine Jackson needs-along rungs of the labor pool an extra incen- This issue has a real impact on the with thousands of other individuals tive to jump in and stay in the work- lives of ordinary Americans. Recently, with Dravet syndrome-to control his force rather than rely on welfare pro- my staff met with Jennie Stormes, a seizures. We must make this important grams. woman recently forced to leave my drug more available so people can ac- It does this by providing a tax benefit home State of New Jersey because of cess the medication they need. to low-income individuals based on the our restrictive medical marijuana The bill would create a safe harbor amount of earned income they have. laws. Ms. Stormes’ son Jackson suffers for banks and financial institutions The earned income tax credit is re- from Dravet syndrome, a severe and de- that want to do business with legal fundable, so it benefits even those who bilitating form of epilepsy. Without medical marijuana businesses. It is not don’t earn enough money to have a medication, Jackson can have multiple safe that these businesses are forced to Federal income tax liability by pro- seizures in a day. This condition has af- deal only in cash. It is bad for our viding them a cash payment. fected Jackson’s development and put economy and it is bad for law enforce- In 1996 Congress as a matter of policy him through a tremendous amount of ment. The bill would institute protec- determined that the earned income tax credit should be ‘‘denied to individuals pain. tions that these institutions need to not authorized to be employed in the Jeannie Stormes and her family feel comfortable doing business with United States.’’ That is the exact lan- shared with my staff the hardships of medical marijuana establishments. guage used in the title of the relevant living in a State where it is hard to The bill would promote research. A provision that was enacted in 1996. gain access to the medication Jackson large problem for our Nation is that Congress carried this policy out by re- needs. Jackson has tried 23 different not enough research exists on the im- quiring those claiming the earned in- drugs in 60-plus different combinations, pact of medical marijuana. We know come tax credit to provide a Social Se- but nothing worked to control his sei- there are legitimate medical uses of curity number for themselves, their zures. She talked about how medical the drug, but we can learn much more. marijuana was the first drug that con- spouse, and their children. We need to allow experts to access the From a policy perspective, this rule trolled his seizures and changed their drug to conduct tests and clinical made a lot of sense to me and many of lives. Unfortunately, Jennie announced trials to fully understand the effects of my colleagues, as it passed both the her family was moving to Colorado be- the drug and how it can best be uti- House and the Senate with broad sup- cause it was too difficult in New Jersey lized. This will only benefit the doctors port. Obviously, if the object of the to access the medicine Jackson needed who prescribe it, the lawmakers who earned income tax credit is to encour- to stay alive. regulate it, and the people who need it. age work, it makes no sense to provide We need this legislation to help the Finally, the bill would allow VA doc- such an incentive to those who are not Jackson Stormes of the world. No child tors to prescribe medical marijuana to legally allowed to work. Why would we in America with a debilitating disease veterans in States that have legalized want to encourage individuals to break deserves to live a life of pain without medical marijuana. Many men and our immigration laws? access to the medication that he or she women in uniform who have bravely What Congress didn’t know at the needs. Jennie and Jackson’s story served our Nation come home with in- time was that at an unknown future pains me. It tells me that we have a visible wounds of war and they deserve date, a President, with the stroke of a long way to go. But their story also the best care available. This means al- pen, would essentially grant millions of gives me hope. It gives me hope be- lowing them access to the medicine undocumented workers amnesty. Under cause despite all the hardships they they need to heal or control their con- the President’s action, those pre- have gone through, they remain strong dition. Those who have served our viously working illegally in the United and committed to their cause. It is peo- country deserve to be served by us, and States will be eligible for work author- ple like Jennie and Jackson who make that means receiving the best care ization and a Social Security number. our country great. It is for them that available. Based on an IRS interpretation of the we need to continue to fight to move I want to thank Senators PAUL and earned income tax credit eligibility re- our country forward. GILLIBRAND for working on this legisla- quirements, those who obtain a Social The CARERS Act would take signifi- tion with me and I urge my colleagues Security number will be eligible to cant steps towards addressing the situ- to work with us to help ensure the claim the earned income tax credit not ation that Jackson and Jennie went CARERS Act is signed into law. only for future years but for previous through. years while they were living and work- First, the bill would end the Federal By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, ing in the United States undocu- prohibition of medical marijuana. Mil- Mr. ENZI, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. mented. Based on the statute of limita- lions of Americans need to gain access INHOFE, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. SCOTT, tions, those obtaining deferred action to the medicine that works best for Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. could then go back and amend or file them. The Federal Government’s cur- RISCH, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. COR- returns for up to 3 previous tax years rent stance on medical marijuana has NYN, and Mr. JOHNSON): to take advantage of a credit that can only created confusion and uncer- S. 686. A bill to amend the Internal be worth several thousands of dollars tainty. This bill would prohibit the Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a limi- each year. Federal Government from prosecuting tation on certain aliens from claiming The legislation I am introducing persons who are in compliance with the earned income tax credit; to the today with Senator ENZI will fix this State medical marijuana laws and let Committee on Finance. loophole by making it clear that those people, like Jackson, gain access to the Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, granted deferred action are not eligible care they need. today I am introducing legislation with to claim the earned income tax credit The bill would reschedule marijuana Senator ENZI and a few other Senators for the years they worked in the as a schedule II drug. The Drug En- to close a tax loophole that could mean United States as undocumented work- forcement Agency insists that medical billions of dollars in tax benefits going ers. This proposal is simply an exten- marijuana is a fallacy. It insists that to individuals based on work they per- sion of current policy. Those granted marijuana is a dangerous substance formed illegally in the United States. deferred action will still be able to and it is properly classified as a sched- The tax benefit I am referring to is claim the earned income tax credit in ule I drug. Doctors know that is wrong, the earned-income tax credit. The years going forward for work they per- I know that is wrong, Jennie and Jack- earned-income tax credit was estab- form legally. This proposal reflects the son know that is wrong. It is time we lished as a work incentive to help move commonsense proposition that Amer- finally properly classify marijuana. more individuals from the welfare rolls ican taxpayers should not subsidize

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:44 Mar 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10MR6.044 S10MRPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with SENATE March 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1387 work they performed illegally in the Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask United States, transparent and accessible in- United States. unanimous consent that the text of the formation about the location and identity of This bill should be a no-brainer for bill be printed in the RECORD. asbestos and asbestos-containing products in any of my colleagues who agree that There being no objection, the text of the United States is necessary to better pro- we should not reward individuals for the bill was ordered to be printed in tect consumers, workers, families, and the people of the United States. breaking our immigration laws and our the RECORD, as follows: SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF ASBESTOS-CON- employment laws. I encourage my col- S. 700 TAINING PRODUCT DATABASE. leagues on both sides of the aisle to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- The Asbestos Information Act of 1988 (15 support this commonsense piece of leg- resentatives of the United States of America in U.S.C. 2607 note; Public Law 100–577) is islation. Congress assembled, amended— SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (1) in section 4— By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Reducing (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) HELLER): Exposure to Asbestos Database Act of 2015’’ through (7) as paragraphs (4) through (8), re- S. 691. A bill to require the Nuclear or the ‘‘READ Act’’. spectively; and Regulatory Commission to obtain the SEC. 2. FINDINGS. (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol- Congress finds that— lowing: consent of affected State and local gov- (1) the Administrator of the Environ- ‘‘(3) ASBESTOS-CONTAINING PRODUCT.—The ernments before authorizing the con- mental Protection Agency has classified as- term ‘asbestos-containing product’ means struction of a nuclear waste repository; bestos as a category A human carcinogen, any product (including any part) to which to the Committee on Environment and the highest cancer hazard classification for a asbestos is deliberately or knowingly added Public Works. substance; or in which asbestos is deliberately used or Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- (2) the International Agency for Research knowingly present in any concentration.’’; imous consent that the text of the bill on Cancer has classified asbestos as a class 1 (2) in section 2, by inserting ‘‘(referred to human carcinogen; be printed in the RECORD. in this Act as the ‘Administrator’)’’ after (3) despite the enactment of the Asbestos There being no objection, the text of ‘‘Administrator of the Environmental Pro- Information Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 2607 note; tection Agency’’; and the bill was ordered to be printed in Public Law 100–577), which sought to improve (3) by adding at the end the following: ECORD the R , as follows: transparency and public awareness of the ‘‘SEC. 5. ASBESTOS-CONTAINING PRODUCT DATA- S. 691 presence of asbestos in commercial materials BASE. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and products, many people in the United ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Using funds otherwise resentatives of the United States of America in States still incorrectly believe that— made available to the Administrator, the Ad- Congress assembled, (A) asbestos has been banned in the United ministrator shall, in accordance with this SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. States; and section, establish and maintain a database of This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Nuclear (B) there is no risk of exposure to asbestos asbestos-containing products (referred to in Waste Informed Consent Act’’. through the use of new commercial products; this Act as the ‘database’) that is— SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. (4) asbestos is still being imported and ‘‘(1) publicly available; In this Act, the terms ‘‘affected Indian used, and is otherwise present as a contami- ‘‘(2) searchable; and tribe’’, ‘‘Commission’’, ‘‘high-level radio- nant, in some consumer and industrial prod- ‘‘(3) accessible through the website of the active waste’’, ‘‘repository’’, and ‘‘spent nu- ucts in the United States; Administrator. clear fuel’’ have the meanings given the (5) according to the Environmental Protec- ‘‘(b) SUBMISSION OF DETAILED IMPLEMENTA- terms in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Pol- tion Agency, the manufacture, importation, TION PLAN TO CONGRESS.— icy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101). processing, and distribution in commerce of ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days many asbestos-containing products are not after the date of enactment of this section, SEC. 3. CONSENT BASED APPROVAL. banned in the United States, including— the Administrator shall submit to the appro- (a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may not (A) cement corrugated sheet; priate congressional committees a detailed authorize construction of a repository unless (B) cement flat sheet; plan for establishing and maintaining the the Secretary has entered into an agreement (C) clothing; database, including plans for the operation, to host the repository with— (D) pipeline wrap; content, maintenance, and functionality of (1) the Governor of the State in which the (E) roofing felt; the database. repository is proposed to be located; (F) vinyl floor tile; ‘‘(2) INTEGRATION.—The plan described in (2) each affected unit of local government; (G) cement shingle; paragraph (1) shall detail the integration of (3) any unit of general local government (H) millboard; the database into the overall information contiguous to the affected unit of local gov- (I) cement pipe; technology improvement objectives and ernment if spent nuclear fuel or high-level (J) automatic transmission components; plans of the Administrator. radioactive waste will be transported (K) clutch facings; ‘‘(3) IMPLEMENTATION.—The plan described through that unit of general local govern- (L) friction materials; in paragraph (1) shall include— ment for disposal at the repository; and (M) disc brake pads; ‘‘(A) a detailed implementation schedule (4) each affected Indian tribe. (N) drum brake linings; for the database; and (b) CONDITIONS ON AGREEMENT.—Any agree- (O) brake blocks; ment to host a repository under this Act— ‘‘(B) plans for a public awareness campaign (P) gaskets; conducted by the Administrator to increase (1) shall be in writing and signed by all (Q) non-roofing coatings; and parties; awareness of the database. (R) roof coatings; ‘‘(c) DATE OF INITIAL AVAILABILITY.—Not (2) shall be binding on the parties; and (6) consumers and workers are at risk of later than 180 days after the date on which (3) shall not be amended or revoked except asbestos exposure, and families of workers the Administrator submits the plan under by mutual agreement of the parties. are also put at risk because of asbestos subsection (b)(1), the Administrator shall es- SEC. 4. APPLICATION. brought home by the workers on the shoes, tablish the database. This Act applies to any application sub- clothes, skin, and hair of the workers; ‘‘(d) SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON ASBES- mitted to the Commission for construction (7) the Environmental Working Group esti- TOS-CONTAINING PRODUCTS.— authorization for a repository that— mates that as many as 10,000 citizens of the ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date (1) exists as of the date of enactment of United States die each year from mesothe- that is 270 days after the date of enactment this Act; or lioma and other asbestos-related diseases; of this section, and not less frequently than (2) is submitted on or after the date of en- (8) the National Institutes of Health re- annually thereafter, any person who manu- actment of this Act. ported to Congress that mesothelioma is a factured, processed, distributed, sold, im- difficult disease to detect, diagnose, and ported, transported, or stored an asbestos- By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and treat; containing product in the immediately pre- Mr. MARKEY): (9) mesothelioma responds poorly to con- ceding calendar year shall submit to the Ad- S. 700. A bill to amend the Asbestos ventional chemotherapy, and although new ministrator a written report, in a form to be Information Act of 1988 to establish a combination treatments for mesothelioma determined by the Administrator, containing public database of asbestos-containing have demonstrated some benefits— information sufficient to identify the char- products, to require public disclosure (A) the median survival period for meso- acteristics and location of the asbestos-con- of information pertaining to the manu- thelioma is only 1 year after diagnosis of the taining products. facture, processing, distribution, and disease; and ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The report under para- (B) the majority of mesothelioma patients graph (1) shall include— use of asbestos-containing products in die within 2 years of diagnosis of the disease; ‘‘(A) the type or class of asbestos-con- the United States, and for other pur- and taining product; poses; to the Committee on Environ- (10) until asbestos is completely banned ‘‘(B) the manufacturer of the asbestos-con- ment and Public Works. from being used in or imported into the taining product;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:03 Mar 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10MR6.020 S10MRPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with SENATE S1388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 10, 2015 ‘‘(C) any applicable import history of the SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS Resolved, That the Senate— asbestos-containing product; (1) recognizes that Robert Levinson is the ‘‘(D) the name and street address of any lo- longest held United States civilian in our cation accessible by the public in which the SENATE RESOLUTION 99—CALLING Nation’s history; person has reasonable knowledge that the as- ON THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN (2) notes the pledges by current officials of bestos-containing product has been present TO FULFILL ITS PROMISES OF the Government of Iran to provide their Gov- within the immediately preceding calendar ASSISTANCE IN THE CASE OF ernment’s assistance in the case of Robert year; and Levinson; ‘‘(E) any additional information the Ad- ROBERT LEVINSON, THE LONG- (3) urges the Government of Iran, as a hu- ministrator determines is appropriate to en- EST HELD UNITED STATES CI- manitarian gesture, to intensify its coopera- able consumers and workers to avoid expo- VILIAN IN OUR NATION’S HIS- tion on the case of Robert Levinson and to sure to asbestos-containing products. TORY immediately share the results of its inves- tigation into the disappearance of Robert ‘‘(e) ORGANIZATION OF DATABASE.—The Ad- Mr. NELSON (for himself and Mr. Levinson with the United States Govern- ministrator shall— RUBIO) submitted the following resolu- ‘‘(1) categorize the information available tion; which was referred to the Com- ment; on the database— (4) urges the President and the allies of the mittee on Foreign Relations: United States to continue to raise with offi- ‘‘(A) in a manner consistent with the pub- S. RES. 99 lic interest; and cials of the Government of Iran the case of ‘‘(B) in such manner as the Administrator Whereas United States citizen Robert Robert Levinson at every opportunity, not- Levinson is a retired agent of the Federal determines will facilitate easy use by con- withstanding serious disagreements the Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a resident of sumers; and United States Government has with the Gov- Coral Springs, Florida, the husband of Chris- ‘‘(2) ensure, to the maximum extent prac- ernment of Iran on a broad array of issues, tine Levinson, and father of their seven chil- ticable, that the database is sortable and ac- including human rights, the nuclear program dren; cessible by— of Iran, the Middle East peace process, re- Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from ‘‘(A) the date on which information is sub- gional stability, and international terrorism; Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Kish Island, mitted for inclusion in the database; and Iran, on March 8, 2007; ‘‘(B) the name of the asbestos-containing (5) expresses sympathy to the family of Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and product; Robert Levinson for their anguish and ex- checking into the Hotel Maryam, Robert ‘‘(C) the model name; presses hope that their ordeal can be brought Levinson disappeared on March 9, 2007; to an end in the near future. ‘‘(D) the name of the manufacturer; Whereas, in December 2007, Robert ‘‘(E) the name of the importer, if applica- Levinson’s wife, Christine, traveled to Kish f ble; Island to retrace Mr. Levinson’s steps and ‘‘(F) the name of the reporting person; met with officials of the Government of Iran AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND ‘‘(G) the name and street address of any lo- who pledged to help in the investigation; PROPOSED cation in which an asbestos-containing prod- Whereas, for more than eight years, the SA 273. Mr. KIRK submitted an amend- uct is reported to have been present; and United States Government has continually ment intended to be proposed by him to the ‘‘(H) any other element the Administrator pressed the Government of Iran to provide bill S. 178, to provide justice for the victims considers to be in the public interest. any information on the whereabouts of Rob- of trafficking; which was ordered to lie on ert Levinson and to help ensure his prompt ‘‘SEC. 6. PENALTIES. the table. and safe return to his family; SA 274. Mr. VITTER submitted an amend- ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Any person who know- Whereas officials of the Government of ment intended to be proposed by him to the ingly manufactured, processed, distributed, Iran promised their continued assistance to bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on sold, imported, transported, or stored an as- the relatives of Robert Levinson during the bestos-containing product in the imme- visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of the table. diately preceding calendar year and who did Iran in December 2007; SA 275. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amend- not submit a report to the Administrator Whereas, in November 2010, the Levinson ment intended to be proposed by him to the under section 5 shall be liable for a civil pen- family received a video of Mr. Levinson in bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on alty of $10,000 for each day after the deadline captivity, representing the first proof of life the table. under section 5(d)(1) the report has not been since his disappearance and providing some SA 276. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amend- ment intended to be proposed by him to the submitted. initial indications that he was being held somewhere in southwest Asia; bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on ‘‘(b) FALSE OR INACCURATE INFORMATION.— Whereas, in April 2011, the Levinson family the table. Any person who knowingly provides false or received a series of pictures of Mr. Levinson, SA 277. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an inaccurate information in a report under sec- which provided further indications that he amendment intended to be proposed by her tion 5 or who knowingly fails to provide in- was being held somewhere in southwest Asia; to the bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to formation required in a report under section Whereas Secretary of State John Kerry lie on the table. 5 shall be liable for a civil penalty of $10,000 stated on August 28, 2013, ‘‘The United States SA 278. Mr. CASSIDY (for himself and Mr. for each violation of this paragraph.’’. respectfully asks the Government of the Is- PETERS) submitted an amendment intended lamic Republic of Iran to work cooperatively to be proposed by him to the bill S. 178, SEC. 4. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. REPORT. with us in our efforts to help U.S. citizen Robert Levinson.’’; SA 279. Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself, Ms. Not later than 2 years after the Adminis- Whereas, on September 28, 2013, during the HEITKAMP, and Ms. AYOTTE) submitted an trator of the Environmental Protection first direct phone conversation between the amendment intended to be proposed by him Agency establishes the database of asbestos- leaders of the United States and Iran since to the bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to containing products under section 5(a) of the 1979, President Barack Obama raised the case lie on the table. Asbestos Information Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. of Robert Levinson to President of Iran Has- SA 280. Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. 2607 note; Public Law 100–577) (referred to in san Rouhani and urged the President of Iran BROWN) submitted an amendment intended this section as the ‘‘database’’), the Comp- to help locate Mr. Levinson and reunite him to be proposed by him to the bill S. 178, troller General of the United States shall with his family; supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. submit to the appropriate congressional Whereas, on August 29, 2014, Secretary of SA 281. Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mrs. committees a report that contains— State Kerry again stated that the United GILLIBRAND) submitted an amendment in- (1) an analysis of the utility of the data- States ‘‘respectfully request the Government tended to be proposed by him to the bill S. base, including— of the Islamic Republic of Iran work coop- 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on the (A) an assessment of the extent of use of eratively with us to find Mr. Levinson and table. the database by consumers, including— bring him home’’; SA 282. Ms. AYOTTE (for herself and Mr. (i) whether the database is accessed by a Whereas the United States Government is DONNELLY) submitted an amendment in- broad range of the public; and currently engaged in regular, direct negotia- tended to be proposed by her to the bill S. (ii) whether consumers find the database to tions with the Government of Iran over its 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on the be useful; and nuclear program; table. (B) efforts by the Administrator to inform Whereas March 9, 2015, marks the 2,922nd SA 283. Mr. HELLER submitted an amend- the public about the database; day since Mr. Levinson’s disappearance, and ment intended to be proposed by him to the (2) recommendations for measures to in- he is now the longest held United States ci- bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on crease use of the database by consumers; and vilian in our Nation’s history; and the table. (3) recommendations for measures to fur- Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investiga- SA 284. Mr. VITTER submitted an amend- ther reduce the harm caused by exposure to tion has announced a $5,000,000 reward for in- ment intended to be proposed by him to the asbestos, including bans on the importation formation leading to Mr. Levinson’s safe re- bill S. 178, supra; which was ordered to lie on and use of asbestos-containing products. turn: Now, therefore, be it the table.

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