March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1747 Senate the pending cloture motion, NOMINATION OF CHRISTOPHER deserve better than that from the Sen- which the clerk will state. REID COOPER TO BE U.S. DIS- ate—scheduling a series of show votes, The assistant legislative clerk read TRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT not for the purpose of actually improv- as follows: OF COLUMBIA ing the lives of the American people or CLOTURE MOTION solving the problems that confront our We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- country at this time of low economic ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the NOMINATION OF M. DOUGLAS growth and high joblessness but, rath- Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move HARPOOL TO BE U.S. DISTRICT er, for show votes, for purely partisan to bring to a close debate on the nomination JUDGE FOR THE WESTERN DIS- political reasons. of M. Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to TRICT OF MISSOURI At a time when millions of people be United States District Judge for the East- have lost their health insurance, when ern District of Pennsylvania. millions have been forced to pay higher Harry Reid, Patrick J. Leahy, Debbie NOMINATION OF GERALD AUSTIN Stabenow, Robert Menendez, Barbara premiums or deductibles, when 3.8 mil- Boxer, Patty Murray, Richard MCHUGH, JR., TO BE U.S. DIS- lion people have been unemployed for Blumenthal, Jeff Merkley, Carl Levin, TRICT JUDGE FOR THE EASTERN more than 6 months, when the labor Bernard Sanders, Joe Donnelly, Maria DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA force participation rate—the number of Cantwell, Barbara A. Mikulski, Tom people actually looking for work—has Harkin, Tim Kaine, Jeanne Shaheen, fallen to 30-year lows, and when nearly Jon Tester. NOMINATION OF EDWARD G. 46.8 million people are receiving food The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- SMITH, TO BE U.S. DISTRICT stamps, it is more than a little dis- imous consent, the mandatory quorum JUDGE FOR THE EASTERN DIS- appointing that the leaders of the call has been waived. TRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Democratic Party in the Senate are The question is, Is it the sense of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Cloture into scoring cheap political points. Senate that debate on the nomination having been invoked, the clerk will re- As I said, the American people cer- of Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, port the nominations. tainly deserve better. Again, I am a lit- to be United States District Judge for The assistant bill clerk read the tle bit surprised that some of the lead- the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, nominations of Christopher Reid Coo- ership on the Democratic side of the shall be brought to a close? per, of the District of Columbia, to be aisle would be so transparent and so The yeas and nays are mandatory United States District Judge for the obvious as to state their intentions to under the rule. District of Columbia; M. Douglas the New York Times, but that is what The clerk will call the roll. Harpool, of Missouri, to be United it appears. The assistant legislative clerk called States District Judge for the Western What we need is a Senate and a Con- the roll. District of Missouri; Gerald Austin gress that is more focused on creating Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the McHugh, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be an economic condition where the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. LAN- United States District Judge for the American people can find jobs rather DRIEU) and the Senator from Virginia Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and than politicians who are focused solely (Mr. WARNER) are necessarily absent. Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to on saving their jobs, particularly lead- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there be United States District Judge for the ing up to the next election. Of course, any other Senators in the Chamber de- Eastern District of Pennsylvania. this is the kind of stuff that makes siring to vote? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under people extraordinarily cynical about The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 75, the previous order, the time until 2:30 Washington, DC, but with an election nays 23, as follows: p.m. will be equally divided and con- coming up, I guess some people have [Rollcall Vote No. 83 Ex.] trolled between the two leaders or lost all sense of proportion. YEAS—75 their designees. UKRAINE Alexander Franken Murkowski The Republican whip. As we continue to discuss the proper Ayotte Gillibrand Murphy BETTER FOCUS response by the United States of Amer- Baldwin Graham Murray Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ica to Vladmir Putin’s invasion of Barrasso Hagan Nelson Ukraine, it is important that we stay Begich Harkin Portman wish to say a few words about the busi- Bennet Hatch Pryor ness pending before the Senate; that is, focused on two overarching realities; Blumenthal Heinrich Reed providing aid and assistance to the No. 1, the Government of Russia is Booker Heitkamp Reid much more vulnerable to Western pres- Boozman Hirono Roberts citizens of Ukraine who find them- Boxer Hoeven Rockefeller selves invaded by the Russian federa- sure than it might appear from the Brown Isakson Rubio tion. But before I get to Ukraine, I outside; No. 2, we have far more lever- Cantwell Johnson (SD) Sanders wish to say a quick word about a story age today against Moscow than we did Cardin Kaine Schatz 10 years ago or even 5 years ago be- Carper King Schumer that appeared today in the New York Casey Klobuchar Scott Times. cause of the renaissance in American Coburn Leahy Stabenow This was a remarkable story, re- energy, the oil and gas boom we are ex- Cochran Levin Tester periencing in America, thanks to the Collins Manchin Toomey markable in its transparency but also Coons Markey Udall (CO) in its cynicism in terms of what some discovery of a man named George Cornyn McCain Udall (NM) of our friends across the aisle have in Mitchell from Houston, TX, who pio- Donnelly McCaskill Walsh mind between now and November. To neered horizontal drilling, which to- Durbin McConnell Warren gether with fracking has allowed ac- Enzi Menendez Whitehouse put it in a word, they have given up. Feinstein Merkley Wicker They have given up legislating and are cess to natural gas and oil reserves un- Flake Mikulski Wyden going to spend the next several months dreamed of just 5 or 10 years ago. NAYS—23 holding a series of show votes which Let’s start with the first reality. As Ruchir Sharma of Morgan Stanley In- Blunt Grassley Paul are in essence those designed to high- vestment Management wrote on Mon- Burr Heller Risch light poll-tested messages. Chambliss Inhofe Sessions The New York Times writes this: day in the Wall Street Journal: Coats Johanns Shaheen Russia has become a classic weak-invest- Corker Johnson (WI) The proposals have little chance of pass- Shelby ment, high-inflation economy. Crapo Kirk Thune ing. Cruz Lee An economy plagued by massive lev- Vitter Little chance of passing. Fischer Moran els of corruption. But Democrats concede that making new NOT VOTING—2 According to Mr. Sharma: laws is not really the point. Rather, they are . . . wealthy Russians have been moving Landrieu Warner trying to force Republicans to vote against money out of the country at one of the fast- them. The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this est rates in two decades—$60 billion a year vote the yeas are 75, the nays are 23. I would think the American people since 2012—and now foreign investors are The motion is agreed to. would expect and certainly they would pulling out too.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.015 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1748 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 So it is worth noting that Russia’s which would greatly expand American Congress are committed to breaking economy is currently suffering through exports of liquefied natural gas by Vladimir Putin’s energy stranglehold a period of stagnation, despite the fact granting automatic approval to all ap- over the nations of Eastern Europe. that oil prices remain high. As a mat- plications for new LNG terminals that This is going to be very important be- ter of fact, its government’s main would ship gas to Ukraine and other cause if Putin keeps coming—as he source of income is oil and gas revenue, members of our NATO alliance. may very well do—and as Europe con- which has led our friend the senior One may wonder why that is nec- siders working with the United States Senator from Arizona to say that Rus- essary. Just to recapitulate, Putin uses to impose higher and higher costs, Eu- sia these days is ‘‘a gas station energy as a weapon. If he is not getting rope is going to look in the mirror and masquerading as a sovereign state.’’ what he wants out of Ukraine or Eu- say: What do sanctions against Russia They depend on the ability to sell rope, he squeezes off the supply of en- mean in terms of our economy? that oil and gas to Ukraine and Eu- ergy which is essential to the economy I am afraid they are going to be com- rope. Indeed, they use this as a polit- and to life itself in those vulnerable promised if they realize their engage- ical tool to work their will in Europe parts of the world. ment with us—and increasingly high and obviously in Ukraine. We have been blessed as a result of sanctions against Russia—has a nega- Sometimes we talk about crony cap- the innovations of people such as tive impact on their economy because italism here in America in which pri- George Mitchell with this new renais- it will essentially jeopardize their en- vate individuals and private companies sance in energy in America through ergy imports. collude with government in order to shale gas—sometimes called unconven- In addition to sanctions and gas ex- gain special benefits. That is what tional plays—but the point is we are ports, the third prong of America’s crony capitalism is. The Russian econ- now able to produce much more energy Ukraine strategy should include seri- omy represents crony capitalism on than we can consume domestically, and ous military assistance to Kiev. Every- steroids. If we could squeeze the in North America alone we are fast ap- one has said: We are not talking about oligarchs and the Kremlin advisers who proaching energy independence. We can American boots on the ground, but we have gotten fabulously rich thanks to afford to be an exporter of some of this are talking about providing military their collaboration with Vladmir Putin energy to vulnerable countries such as assistance to people who are trying to and the Russian Government, many of Ukraine and Europe, so we can get defend themselves. Vladmir Putin’s closest allies will Putin’s boot off their neck when it If our alliance and agreement with begin to rethink their support. That is comes to the impact he has on their en- Ukraine means anything, it means we an area of vulnerability we ought to be ergy supply. are going to help them defend them- Before the shale gas revolution, focused on like a laser. selves against Russian depredation. As I said yesterday, I am encouraged which has just been in the last decade Believe me, not only is Ukraine by the sanctions the Obama adminis- or so, there was very little the United watching but other nations, such as tration announced on Thursday. It is a States could do to deter Eastern Eu- NATO—which has a treaty relationship good start, but I would urge the admin- rope’s dependence on Russia’s LNG. with the United States and a self-de- istration to continue imposing serious The global energy landscape is much fense agreement in section 5 of the different than it was just a half decade penalties on high-level Kremlin offi- NATO treaty where aggression against ago. cials and the super-rich oligarchs who any single NATO country is treated as Back in October the House Energy & comprise Putin’s inner circle. In other Commerce Committee held a hearing an attack against all of them—are words, sanctions are not enough. We at which several Eastern European dip- watching America’s response in need to do more to dissuade and dis- lomats discussed the geopolitical sig- Ukraine. In some cases, America might not courage Putin and his allies from en- nificance of America’s natural gas gaging in the current course of con- boom. The Lithuanian Ambassador have to send that military aid directly. duct, as well as further adventures in said bluntly: ‘‘We need your gas. We We might only have to facilitate the other parts of Europe and areas of the want to buy your gas.’’ Well, Lithuania purchase of certain equipment from former Soviet Union. is one of the countries that are in the other sources. But either way, we It is time for more robust sanctions greatest jeopardy now against the dep- should be doing everything possible to that target the financial energy sectors redations of somebody like Vladimir make sure our friends and our allies of the Russian economy. The cost for Putin and a Russian Federation on the have the resources they need to deter Moscow’s aggression must be real, and march. Russian aggression further. that is not just me saying that, that is Meanwhile, the Czech Republic’s Dep- It is not just our enemies who are what President Obama said too. With uty Chief of Mission said that U.S. looking to see if America retreats— that in mind, I urge the administration LNG exports would increase his coun- pulling back in the world and creating to sanction the Russian arms exporter try’s leverage in future energy negotia- a vacuum that is being filled by people known as Rosoboronexport, which has tions with Moscow. This same Czech like Vladimir Putin—it is our friends been tied up in all sorts of corruption diplomat has also urged the U.S. Gov- and our allies who are wondering if scandals and which is also the primary ernment to treat LNG exports to NATO America is a dependable friend and arms supplier for Bashar al-Assad in countries the same way it treats LNG ally. If we are not, they are going to Syria, who has murdered about 150,000 exports to countries with which Amer- make other arrangements all around of his own people in the ongoing Syrian ica has a free-trade agreement. This is the world. civil war. how he put it: Such a policy shift ‘‘puts I have a few final words about what I cosponsored an amendment intro- us in a different league. We are in is at stake. duced by the Senator from Indiana League B and we would like to be in When Ukraine voluntarily gave up its that would end all U.S. Government League A.’’ nuclear arsenal in the mid-1990s, it did contracts with Rosoboronexport and Passing the Barrasso amendment, of so after receiving a U.S. security guar- punish the companies with whom it which I am a proud cosponsor, would antee. When other Eastern European does military-related business. Once put all NATO countries in league A, nations decided to join NATO, they too again, I hope that the majority leader, and it would send an unmistakable were seeking a guarantee from Amer- Senator REID, would reconsider and message to Vladimir Putin and his al- ica that we would come to their de- allow the amendment to receive a vote, lies in this aggression against the peo- fense and other NATO allies would also something he refused to do yesterday. I ple of Ukraine and potential aggression come to their defense. am hoping after a good night’s sleep against other countries that this weap- If Russia’s annexation of Crimea is and reconsideration, maybe he would on he uses, known as energy, is no allowed to stand, many of our allies, be open to that. longer available to him to use to in- our partners, and our friends will no I would also call on the majority timidate people and gain their terri- longer trust American promises, and leader, Senator REID, to allow us to torial ambitions. many would-be aggressors, such as offer another amendment introduced It would also demonstrate that Mem- China, will be emboldened to pursue by the junior Senator from Wyoming, bers of both political parties here in their territorial claims with much

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.017 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1749 more belligerence, and correspondingly the former Soviet Union, which was the 1994 agreement. Putin has proven the world will become a much more the third largest nuclear power in the to be an antidemocratic force in the dangerous place. In other words, the world—agreed to turn their nuclear world and in Russia. outcome in Ukraine is critically impor- weapons back over to the Russian Fed- When you are dealing with somebody, tant both to U.S. credibility and the eration as part of the Budapest agree- you need to look at their value system future of the international order. Our ment. In return for receiving the weap- and their agenda and their interest. policies should reflect that. ons, the Russian Government promised The value system of Mr. Putin is that I am disappointed that the majority to honor the territorial integrity of the of a KGB colonel. Most of his adult life leader has seen fit to cut off any oppor- Ukraine, and we were part of that deal. he worked for the KGB, so his value tunity for Senators on both sides of the I guess no one really fleshed out what system comes from that organization. aisle to offer constructive additions for honoring the territorial integrity of It is about the ends, not the means. De- a vote. We are not even asking for as- the Ukraine would mean, but clearly, mocracy is about the process. I am not surance that they would pass; we are in 1994 when the Ukrainian people gave surprised that he snuffed out democ- just asking for a vote on amendments, up the nuclear weapons they possessed racy—as any reasonable person would such as military assistance to the to the Russians—and we were part of know it in Russia—and that he has Ukraine, expediting the permitting of the deal where we were going to guar- made the Duma almost irrelevant, if LNG export facilities to help alleviate antee their territorial integrity for the not a joke. There is no independent ju- the stranglehold Putin has on Europe swap—no one envisioned that Russia diciary; if you oppose Putin, you are and Ukraine. The majority leader has would move into Crimea because they liable to go to jail. I understand where said no, he is not going to allow that, don’t like the political dynamic in he is coming from because of his value and we do need to get this bill out of Kiev. If the people of the Ukraine want system; I just don’t agree with it. here tomorrow—and we will—to send a to move west, that is not a reason to What we can’t do is let him affect unified message that this sort of ag- basically abrogate the 1994 agreement. those who are living around him who gression will not be met with silence What is going on around Russia is the want to go on a different path because by the U.S. Government. Even the ad- following: As the former Soviet Union the day you begin to do that, it never vocates of this underlying bill have collapsed, people who had been in the works out well. In World War II, every said it is not enough. This is just a sphere of influence of Russia—the time somebody gave Hitler a little of start. former Soviet Union—have all em- this or a little of that, it never worked I would like to hear a schedule from barked on a different path for the most out well. the majority leader of when he pur- part. There are a couple of people who So what do we do? The European ports to bring some of these other im- align with Russia but not many. community, along with the United portant issues to the floor—particu- My goal is quite simple: Allow the States, has a historic chance to reset larly if Putin does what many expect people of the Ukraine, Poland, and the what I think is a deterioration of world him to do, and that is to continue roll- former Soviet Union to make their de- security and order. Having sanctions ing on into Western Ukraine and per- cision about how they would construct combined with aid, including sanc- haps other countries. What will be their country apart from threats of tioning the Russians in a fashion they America’s response? What will be the force or intimidation by Russia. will feel, hitting their energy sectors, bipartisan response of the Senate? It is no surprise to me that all those their oil and gas companies What we have done so far is a start, but who could choose to move away from masquerading in this country, and in- it is nowhere near good enough to Russia because of the experience they creasing the capability of a gutted exact the kinds of costs President had in the past have done so. Ukrain- Ukrainian Army to defend themselves Obama said he wants to exact on Putin ian people will always have a unique from further insurgents, would be a and Russia for this act of international relationship with Russia, but they combination of hitting the Russians aggression and invasion in the country want to be Ukrainian. and helping the Ukrainians militarily of Ukraine. There are a lot of ethnic Russians in and economically without any boots on With that, I yield the floor and sug- Ukraine. We have everybody in Amer- the ground from the United States. I gest the absence of a quorum. ica. America is an idea, not an ethnic hope that is what the President will do. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The group or a particular religion. Ukraine That is what we are trying to do here— clerk will call the roll. is multiethnic. They have ethnic Rus- to some extent, at least—on the sanc- The legislative clerk proceeded to sians with a bunch of other folks— tions side in the U.S. Senate. call the roll. ‘‘Ukrainians,’’ for lack of a better I see Senator MCCAIN has arrived. He Mr. GRAHAM. Madam President, I word. has been the most consistent voice for ask unanimous consent that the order The bottom line is that they have the last decade about the role of Amer- for the quorum call be rescinded. been debating among themselves about ica, our destiny as a country, with The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without how to move forward and in what di- what we should align ourselves, under- objection, it is so ordered. rection to move. Yanukovych won an standing the Arab spring, and he has Mr. GRAHAM. Madam President, I election. He moved the Ukrainian peo- been a thorn in the side of Putin and believe Senator MCCAIN is on his way ple away from Europe and toward Rus- Russia for quite awhile. So I wish to, if to the Chamber. We want to have a col- sia. The President preceding him rode a I could, ask a question of Senator loquy about Ukraine. I ask permission revolution into power—the Orange MCCAIN. to do that when Senator MCCAIN ar- Revolution, which some would argue Given what we know about Putin’s rives. did not produce the results the Ukrain- past and what he has done in Crimea, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ian people were hoping for. It took us a what does the Senator expect in the fu- objection, it is so ordered. long time as a nation—and we are still ture and what can we reasonably do as Mr. GRAHAM. Madam President, as trying—to figure out who we are and a nation to change the outcome? Senator MCCAIN makes his way to the where we are going. Democracies are Mr. MCCAIN. I thank my colleague. floor, we are trying to figure out what messy. Madam President, I ask unanimous to do as a nation—along with our allies The one thing we should all be doing consent to engage in a colloquy with in Europe and throughout the world— is aligning ourselves around the con- the Senator from New Hampshire and about Ukraine and really what to do cept that choosing one’s destiny as an the Senator from South Carolina. with Putin. individual within the confines of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without In my view, this is a symptom of a law and choosing one’s destiny as a na- objection, it is so ordered. greater problem. Crimea had been a tion in international law should pre- Mr. MCCAIN. I thank my colleagues. part of Russia for a very long time, but clude having that choice taken away The American people should know ex- in 1954, I believe it was, Crimea became by your neighbor through military actly what has happened and what is part of a sovereign nation called the force and intimidation. happening now, and what may happen, Ukraine through an agreement. In 1994 Entering into Crimea was a breach of unless we show a steadfast and robust the Ukrainians—after the collapse of international law. It was a breach of response to the active aggression which

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.018 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1750 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 has just taken place as Colonel Putin same arguments used to justify its interven- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, if I could has moved and is aggressively using tion in Georgia to other parts of its near interrupt to ask unanimous consent the force of arms, invaded a country abroad—most ominously in Crimea. that the article entitled ‘‘Russia’s Ag- and absorbed part of that country into That is what Senator GRAHAM and gression Is a Challenge to World Order’’ Russia. A blatant act of aggression, Senator Lieberman said 6 years ago. by LINDSEY GRAHAM and Joe Lieber- sparked by the age-old practice of dem- They went on: man, dated August 26, 2008, be printed onstrations and desire for intervention This strategically important peninsula is in the RECORD. to protect Russian-speaking people has part of Ukraine, but with a large ethnic Rus- There being no objection, the mate- sian population and the headquarters of Rus- just been enacted by Vladimir Putin. sia’s Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol. rial was ordered to be printed in the Vladimir Putin’s forces, I would say RECORD, as follows: Then Senator Lieberman and Senator to my friend from South Carolina, as GRAHAM went on to argue for a much [From the Wall Street Journal, Aug. 26, 2008] he knows, are on the border of Eastern more robust response than the Bush RUSSIA’S AGGRESSION ISACHALLENGE TO Ukraine right now, and they are poised administration gave: WORLD ORDER to invade. They even have forces in Specifically, the Georgian military should (By Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman) Belarus. Vladimir Putin is figuring out be given the antiaircraft and antiarmor sys- In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Geor- the cost-benefit ratio of moving into tems necessary to deter any renewed Russian gia, the United States and its trans-Atlantic Eastern Ukraine, the cost-benefit ratio aggression. allies have rightly focused on two urgent and of moving into Moldova, which is not a Our response to the invasion of Georgia immediate tasks: getting Russian soldiers member of NATO; of inciting the Rus- must include regional actions to reassure out, and humanitarian aid in. sians there—there are 1,400 Russian Russia’s rattled neighbors and strengthen But having just returned from Georgia, troops stationed in Transnistria. He is trans-Atlantic solidarity. This means rein- Ukraine and Poland, where we met with vigorating NATO as a military alliance. figuring out the cost-benefit ratio of leaders of these countries, we believe it is imperative for the West to look beyond the inciting violence in the Russian-speak- It goes on and on. Senator Lieberman and Senator GRA- day-to-day management of this crisis. The ing population of the Baltic countries, HAM 6 years ago predicted this. I won- longer-term strategic consequences, some of especially Estonia. der what lesson this President took which are already being felt far beyond the Vladimir Putin is on the move. A from that event and their predictions. Caucasus, have to be addressed. fundamental and naive attitude toward Russia’s aggression is not just a threat to The fact is—and it is with great sad- Vladimir Putin by this President and a tiny democracy on the edge of Europe. It is ness I tell my colleagues—we will hear this administration, I hope, is shat- a challenge to the political order and values a lot of rhetoric, there will be a lot of tered for all time. Vladimir Putin is a at the heart of the continent. meetings, gatherings and conversations KGB colonel who said the greatest mis- For more than 60 years, from World War II and threats about what needs to be through the Cold War to our intervention in take of the 20th century was to break done. But for a broad variety of rea- the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the U.S. up the Soviet Union. He is intent on re- sons, which I do not have the time to has fostered and fought for the creation of a storing the Russian empire. That is go through, I predict to my colleagues Europe that is whole, free and at peace. This what Vladimir Putin is all about. And now that the sanctions that are in stands as one of the greatest strategic achievements of the 20th century: the grad- what has been our response? Fas- place, which are for a handful of peo- cinating. The President of the United ual transformation of a continent, once the ple, will be the extent of our reaction scene of the most violent and destructive States, in his press conference yester- to the invasion of Crimea and the fur- day, basically said, So what I an- wars ever waged, into an oasis of peace and ther violation of Ukrainian territory prosperity where borders are open and nounced and what the European Coun- from the east. uncontested and aggression unthinkable. cil announced was that we are con- After Hitler invaded Austria in 1938, Russia’s invasion of Georgia represents the sulting and putting in place the frame- he gave a speech in Vienna, from the most serious challenge to this political order work, the architecture for additional balcony of a hotel in Vienna. We should since Slobodan Milosevic unleashed the de- sanctions, additional costs should Rus- look back at that speech—and I will mons of ethnic nationalism in the Balkans. sia take the next step. give more quotes from it. It is a carbon What is happening in Georgia today, there- fore, is not simply a territorial dispute. It is How does Vladimir Putin read that copy of what Vladimir Putin said about statement by the President of the a struggle about whether a new dividing line Crimea. Hitler said they had to go in is drawn across Europe: between nations that United States? He reads it by saying, and protect the German-speaking peo- are free to determine their own destinies, We got away with it. We got Crimea ple and they had to do it with force of and nations that are consigned to the Krem- back. arms. But guess what. They were going lin’s autocratic orbit. Both the Senator from South Caro- to have a referendum. And they had— That is the reason countries like Poland, lina and I predicted he would not give they used to call it plebiscites then— Ukraine and the Baltic States are watching up Sevastopol and he would invade if they had a referendum—a plebiscite— what happens in the Caucasus so closely. We he felt it was necessary to do so. in Austria, and guess what. Ninety-six heard that last week in Warsaw, Kiev and Tbilisi. There is no doubt in the minds of So that is where we are today. Does percent of the people voted that they anybody believe that when the Presi- leaders in Ukraine and Poland—if Moscow wanted to be a part of Nazi Germany. succeeds in Georgia, they may be next. dent of the United States says ‘‘the ar- This is an old playbook Vladimir Putin There is disturbing evidence Russia is al- chitecture for additional sanctions, ad- is operating from. ready laying the groundwork to apply the ditional costs, should Russia take the So, tomorrow, fortunately, there is same arguments used to justify its interven- next step’’—how does Vladimir Putin going to be a vote on some assistance tion in Georgia to other parts of its near interpret that statement? to our beleaguered friends in Ukraine. I abroad—most ominously in Crimea. This I wish to digress for a minute. There believe military assistance is a vital strategically important peninsula is part of has been a lot of conversation about part of the assistance. Ukraine, but with a large ethnic Russian what the reaction was to Georgia and I ask my friend from South Carolina: population and the headquarters of Russia’s the invasion of Georgia and what the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol. Isn’t it true the first thing people need The first priority of America and Europe Bush administration did or did not do. once they have been invaded, once part must be to prevent the Kremlin from achiev- I will let people judge what the Bush of their country has been taken over, is ing its strategic objectives in Georgia. Hav- administration did or did not do. the ability to defend themselves? And ing been deterred from marching on Tbilisi I will submit for the RECORD an opin- isn’t it a fact that the Ukrainian mili- and militarily overthrowing the democrat- ion piece written by Senator LINDSEY tary, because of previous administra- ically elected government there, Russian GRAHAM and Senator Joe Lieberman tions, has been emasculated and they forces spent last week destroying the coun- dated August 26, 2008, after the inva- only have about 6,000 troops they can try’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, sion by Vladimir Putin into Georgia at rely on? We just saw in Crimea their port and security facilities. This was more than random looting. It was a deliberate the conclusion of my remarks. total inability to resist what the Rus- campaign to collapse the economy of Geor- At that time—this is 2008—Senator sians did to their fleet and to their gia, in the hope of taking the government Lieberman and Senator GRAHAM wrote: bases. down with it. There is disturbing evidence Russia is al- Mr. GRAHAM. The Senator from Ari- The humanitarian supplies the U.S. mili- ready laying the groundwork to apply the zona is absolutely right. tary is now ferrying to Georgia are critically

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.020 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1751 important to the innocent men, women and elite remains kleptocratic, and its aggres- fense Minister, who got fired yester- children displaced by the fighting, some of sion exposed as much weakness as strength. day, gutted the Ukrainian military, whom we saw last week. Also needed, imme- The invasion of Georgia will not only have a setting up a scenario such as this, diately, is a joint commitment by the U.S. unifying effect on the West, it also made making it impossible for the Ukrain- and the European Union to fund a large- clear that Russia—unlike the Soviet Union— scale, comprehensive reconstruction plan— has few real allies of strategic worth. To ians to effectively defend themselves. developed by the Georgian government, in date, the only countries to defend Russia’s Here is the question for us: Do we let consultation with the World Bank, IMF and actions in the Caucasus have been Cuba and the Russians get away with it? They other international authorities—and for the Belarus—and the latter, only after the Krem- have been planning this for a while. U.S. Congress to support this plan as soon as lin publicly complained about its silence. Clearly, the pro-Russian forces inside it returns to session in September. In the long run, a Russia that tries to de- Ukraine took on the task of neutering Any assistance plan must also include the fine its greatness in terms of spheres of in- the Ukrainian military and they have rebuilding of Georgia’s security forces. Our fluence, client states and forced fealty to done a heck of a good job. Should the past aid to the Georgian military focused on Moscow will fail—impoverishing its citizens supporting the light, counterterrorism-ori- in the process. The question is only how long United States and our NATO partners, ented forces that facilitate Tbilisi’s con- until Russia’s leaders rediscover this lesson at the request of the Ukrainian people, tribution to coalition operations in Iraq. We from their own history. supply them with defensive weapons to avoided giving the types of security aid that Until they do, the watchword of the West rebuild the military, gutted by pro- could have been used to blunt Russia’s con- must be solidarity: solidarity with the peo- Russian elements? To me, the answer ventional onslaught. It is time for that to ple of Georgia and its democratically elected is yes. Because if we want to make change. government, solidarity with our allies Putin think twice about what he does Specifically, the Georgian military should throughout the region, and above all, soli- be given the antiaircraft and antiarmor sys- darity with the values that have given mean- next, he has to pay a price greater than tems necessary to deter any renewed Russian ing to our trans-Atlantic community of de- he has for Crimea. If he gets away with aggression. These defensive capabilities will mocracies and our vision of a European con- this and he doesn’t pay any price, he is help to prevent this conflict from erupting tinent that is whole, free and at peace. going to be on steroids. But if he again, and make clear we will not allow the Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, if peo- thinks about moving and he sees on the Russians to forcibly redraw the boundaries ple are wondering why Senator other side of Crimea a Ukrainian peo- of sovereign nations. ple willing to fight with some capacity, Our response to the invasion of Georgia MCCAIN’s name wasn’t on that article— must include regional actions to reassure he is on everything else Joe and I did— that will change the equation. Because Russia’s rattled neighbors and strengthen it is because he was running for Presi- it is one thing to cheer in Moscow for trans-Atlantic solidarity. This means rein- dent and just got the nomination. getting something for almost nothing vigorating NATO as a military alliance, not We were very much worried then, the in terms of effort. It will be another just a political one. Contingency planning three of us, that the Bush administra- thing to talk about Russian soldiers for the defense of all member states against tion wasn’t doing enough, and we need- getting killed to continue to be on the conventional and unconventional attack, in- ed to help the Georgian people as a sig- aggressive path. cluding cyber warfare, needs to be revived. nal not only to those in Georgia but So if the NATO alliance, along with The credibility of Article Five of the NATO the United States, doesn’t help rebuild Charter—that an attack against one really other people in the neighborhood. can and will be treated as an attack against Let’s talk about the Ukrainian mili- the Ukrainian military so they can de- all—needs to be bolstered. tary. It has been devastated, it has fend themselves without our troops The U.S. must also reaffirm its commit- been gutted, because Yanukovych, the being involved, we have made a his- ment to allies that have been the targets of Ukrainian President, who won the elec- toric mistake, because everybody in Russian bullying because of their willingness tion by less than 1 million votes—if the world is watching how this movie to work with Washington. The recent mis- you take Crimea out of Ukraine ends. The Iranians are watching, after sile-defense agreement between Poland and electorally, then no pro-Russian can- Syria, now Russia. Does anybody in the U.S., for instance, is not aimed at Rus- sia. But this has not stopped senior Russian didate inside Ukraine has much of a their right mind believe the Iranians officials from speaking openly about mili- chance to win. So now they have de- take us seriously as a nation when it tary retaliation against Warsaw. Irrespective stroyed the balance of power inside comes to stopping their nuclear pro- of our political differences over missile de- Ukraine politically. So as those left in gram? fense, Democrats and Republicans should Ukraine, the Ukrainian people move So I say to Senator MCCAIN, you have join together in Congress to pledge solidarity west, they are going to have the ability been a voice for realism, understanding with Poland, along with the Czech Republic, to align themselves with Europe. Putin Putin for who he is. For years, you against these outrageous Russian threats. have been telling the Senate and the Finally, the U.S. and Europe need a new is, in my view, very much likely to trans-Atlantic energy alliance. In recent take some eastern cities that may ask country and the world at large: Watch years, Russia has proven all too willing to for his help, because the referendum by this guy. There have been a series of use its oil and gas resources as a weapon, and the Ukraine to move west they op- foreign policy failures that have added to try to consolidate control over the stra- posed, but they can’t stop because of up to make it confident to Putin that tegic energy corridors to the West. By work- the electoral change. he can move forward without con- ing together, an alliance can frustrate these So watch out for a move by Ukraine sequences. designs and diminish our dependence on the to integrating the European Union in So I hope we can convince our col- foreign oil that is responsible for the higher April or May when they have an elec- leagues in the Senate and the House to energy prices here at home. In crafting a response to the Georgia crisis, tion, and people in the east create a honor a reasonable request by the we must above all reaffirm our conviction fake fight and Russia uses that as a Ukrainian people to help them rebuild that Russia need not be a competitor or an reason to go further into the east. the military destroyed by pro-Russian adversary. Since the collapse of the Soviet But to Senator MCCAIN’s point: forces. Union, Democratic and Republican adminis- President Obama has conceded Crimea. Mr. MCCAIN. Madam President, I trations have engaged Russia, sending bil- There is just no other way we can say would like to make a couple additional lions of dollars to speed its economic recov- it. Our European allies and our Presi- points to my friend from South Caro- ery and welcoming its integration into the dent have basically said, If you do any lina, and I notice the Senator from flagship institutions of the international New Hampshire is here. community. We did this because we believed more, we are going to get tougher with that a strong, prosperous Russia can be a you. The Senator from Arizona nailed In 1994, an agreement, a treaty was strategic partner and a friend. We still do. this. What does that say to Putin? I got reached which divested Ukraine of the But Russia’s leaders have made a different Crimea. Seven people and I may be world’s third largest nuclear inventory. choice. While we stand ready to rebuild rela- sanctioned, but I have been given Cri- In return for Ukraine turning over that tions with Moscow and work together on mea by Europe and the United States. inventory of nuclear weapons, there shared challenges, Russia’s current course The sanctions we are talking about was a pledge made by Russia, the will only alienate and isolate it from the rest get tougher only if he moves further United States, and the British that of the world. We believe history will judge the Russian into his sovereign neighbor. they would respect the territorial in- invasion of Georgia as a serious strategic Six thousand troops are combat- tegrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. miscalculation. Although it is for the mo- ready in Ukraine. Why? Because the That was a part of the treaty. Obvi- ment flush with oil wealth, Russia’s political pro-Russian President and their De- ously, Vladimir Putin violated that.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26MR6.006 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1752 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 The second point is, look, I have no the Soviet Union (which would include re- So far, however, the Western response has illusions or worry about the long-term sponsibility for a number of economic basket been anemic. Mr. Putin is little influenced future of Russia. Russia is now a gas cases), he is determined to create a Russian by seizure of personal assets of his cronies or station masquerading as a country. sphere of influence—political, economic and the oligarchs, or restrictions on their travel. security—and dominance. There is no grand Unilateral U.S. sanctions, save on Russian Once we get the LNG and other energy plan or strategy to do this, just opportun- banks, will not be effective absent European to the European countries, it will dra- istic and ruthless aspiration. And patience. cooperation. The gap between Western rhet- matically reduce and eventually elimi- Mr. Putin, who began his third, non- oric and Western actions in response to out- nate Vladimir Putin’s influence be- consecutive presidential term in 2012, is and-out aggression is a yawning chasm. The cause there is nothing but corruption playing a long game. He can afford to: Under message seems to be that if Mr. Putin and oligarchs in Russia today. One of the Russian Constitution, he could legally doesn’t move troops into eastern Ukraine, the reasons Vladimir Putin wanted the remain president until 2024. After the inter- the West will impose no further sanctions or nal chaos of the 1990s, he has ruthlessly re- costs. De facto, Russia’s seizure of Crimea Crimea and did not want Ukraine to be stored ‘‘order’’ to Russia, oblivious to pro- will stand and, except for a handful of Rus- independent is because he was afraid tests at home and abroad over his repression sian officials, business will go on as usual. this ‘‘disease’’ may spread to Russia. of nascent Russian democracy and political No one wants a new Cold War, much less a The Russian people are also sick and freedoms. military confrontation. We want Russia to tired of the kleptocracy and the cor- In recent years, he has turned his authori- be a partner, but that is now self-evidently ruption. tarian eyes on the ‘‘near-abroad.’’ In 2008, not possible under Mr. Putin’s leadership. He Finally, again we need—and we the West did little as he invaded Georgia, has thrown down a gauntlet that is not lim- ited to Crimea or even Ukraine. His actions should have had in this legislation—a and Russian troops still occupy the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. He has forced Ar- challenge the entire post-Cold War order in- commitment to help export our excess menia to break off its agreements with the cluding, above all, the right of independent energy to the Europeans so they then European Union, and Moldova is under simi- states to align themselves and do business would be able to reduce their depend- lar pressure. with whomever they choose. ency—not just Ukraine but all of Eu- Last November, through economic lever- Tacit acceptance of settling old revanchist rope on their dependency on Russian age and political muscle, he forced then- scores by force is a formula for ongoing cri- President Viktor Yanukovych to abort a ses and potential armed conflict, whether in energy. Europe, Asia or elsewhere. A China behaving So I have no doubt about the future Ukrainian agreement with the EU that would have drawn it toward the West. When with increasing aggressiveness in the East of Russia. It will collapse like a house Mr. Yanukovych, his minion, was ousted as a and South China seas, an Iran with nuclear of cards. But in the short term, what result, Mr. Putin seized Crimea and is now aspirations and interventionist policies in Mr. Putin will do in committing fur- making ominous claims and military move- the Middle East, and a volatile and unpre- ther aggression—because this has ments regarding all of eastern Ukraine. dictable North Korea are all watching events raised his popularity dramatically at Ukraine is central to Mr. Putin’s vision of in Europe. They have witnessed the home. One of the most respected people a pro-Russian bloc, partly because of its size fecklessness of the West in Syria. Similar di- vision and weakness in responding to Rus- whom Senator GRAHAM and Senator and importantly because of Kiev’s role as the birthplace of the Russian Empire more than sia’s most recent aggression will, I fear, have AYOTTE and I had to deal with over the a thousand years ago. He will not be satisfied dangerous consequences down the road. years was Bob Gates. Mr. Gates served or rest until a pro-Russian government is re- Mr. Putin’s challenge comes at a most this country in a variety of posts, the stored in Kiev. unpropitious time for the West. Europe faces latest of course being as an out- He also has a dramatically different a weak economic recovery and significant standing Secretary of Defense. This worldview than the leaders of Europe and the economic ties with Russia. The U.S. is emerging from more than a dozen years at morning in the Wall Street Journal he U.S. He does not share Western leaders’ rev- erence for international law, the sanctity of war and leaders in both parties face growing wrote a piece called ‘‘Putin’s Challenge isolationism among voters, with the prospect to the West.’’ I am not going to read borders, which Westerners’ believe should only be changed through negotiation, due of another major challenge abroad cutting the whole thing. process and rule of law. He has no concern across the current political grain. Crimea I ask unanimous consent that it be for human and political rights. Above all, and Ukraine are far away, and their impor- printed in the RECORD. Mr. Putin clings to a zero-sum worldview. tance to Europe and America little under- There being no objection, the mate- Contrary to the West’s belief in the impor- stood by the public. Therefore, the burden of explaining the rial was ordered to be printed in the tance of win-win relationships among na- need to act forcefully falls, as always, on our tions, for Mr. Putin every transaction is win- RECORD, as follows: leaders. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt lose; when one party benefits, the other must [From the Wall Street Journal, Mar. 25, 2014] said, ‘‘Government includes the act of formu- lose. For him, attaining, keeping and amass- PUTIN’S CHALLENGE TO THE WEST lating a policy’’ and ‘‘persuading, leading, ing power is the name of the game. sacrificing, teaching always, because the (By Robert M. Gates) The only way to counter Mr. Putin’s aspi- greatest duty of a statesman is to educate.’’ Russia has thrown down a gauntlet that is rations on Russia’s periphery is for the West The aggressive, arrogant actions of Vladimir not limited to Crimea or even Ukraine. also to play a strategic long game. That Putin require from Western leaders strategic Russian President Vladimir Putin has a means to take actions that unambiguously thinking, bold leadership and steely re- long-festering grudge: He deeply resents the demonstrate to Russians that his worldview solve—now. West for winning the Cold War. He blames and goals—and his means of achieving the United States in particular for the col- them—over time will dramatically weaken Mr. MCCAIN. This is very important lapse of his beloved Soviet Union, an event and isolate Russia. for all of our colleagues and the Amer- he has called the ‘‘worst geopolitical catas- Europe’s reliance on Russian oil and gas ican people to know, and they do not trophe of the 20th century.’’ must be reduced, and truly meaningful eco- have to take Senator GRAHAM’s and my His list of grievances is long and was on nomic sanctions must be imposed, knowing word for it. Already we are accused of full display in his March 18 speech announc- there may be costs to the West as well. being partisan—politics stops at the ing the annexation of Crimea by Russia. He NATO allies bordering Russia must be mili- water’s edge, all of that baloney. When is bitter about what he sees as Russia’s hu- tarily strengthened and reinforced with alli- miliations in the 1990s—economic collapse; ance forces; and the economic and cyber they cannot rebut the message, they the expansion of NATO to include members vulnerabilities of the Baltic states to Rus- shoot the messengers. This is former of the U.S.S.R.’s own ‘‘alliance,’’ the Warsaw sian actions must be reduced (especially Secretary of Defense Gates: Pact; Russia’s agreement to the treaty lim- given the number of Russians and Russian- So far, however, the Western response has iting conventional forces in Europe, or as he speakers in Estonia and Latvia). been anemic. Mr. Putin is little influenced calls it, ‘‘the colonial treaty’’; the West’s Western investment in Russia should be by seizure of personal assets of his cronies or perceived dismissal of Russian interests in curtailed; Russia should be expelled from the the oligarchs, or restrictions on their travel. Serbia and elsewhere; attempts to bring G–8 and other forums that offer respect and Unilateral U.S. sanctions, save on Russian Ukraine and Georgia into NATO and the Eu- legitimacy; the U.S. defense budget should banks, will not be effective absent European ropean Union; and Western governments, be restored to the level proposed in the cooperation. The gap between Western rhet- businessmen and scholars all telling Russia Obama administration’s 2014 budget a year oric and Western actions in response to out- how to conduct its affairs at home and ago, and the Pentagon directed to cut over- and-out aggression is a yawning chasm. The abroad. head drastically, with saved dollars going to message seems to be that if Mr. Putin Mr. Putin aspires to restore Russia’s global enhanced capabilities, such as additional doesn’t move troops into eastern Ukraine, power and influence and to bring the now- Navy ships; U.S. military withdrawals from the West will impose no further sanctions or independent states that were once part of Europe should be halted; and the EU should costs. De facto, Russia’s seizure of Crimea the Soviet Union back into Moscow’s orbit. be urged to grant associate agreements with will stand and, except for a handful of Rus- While he has no apparent desire to recreate Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. sian officials, business will go on as usual.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.022 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1753 No one wants a new Cold War, much less a my colleagues: Senator DONNELLY, who I believe it is time for us to set military confrontation. We want Russia to represents Indiana in the Senate, as forth—I appreciate what the President be a partner, but that is now self-evidently well as Representative STEPHEN LYNCH, has done with the sanctions, but we not possible under Mr. Putin’s leadership. He who is a Congressman who represents need to do more. If we do not do more has thrown down a gauntlet that is not lim- ited to Crimea or even Ukraine. His actions Massachusetts. now, then Russia—I fear that Vladimir challenge the entire post-Cold War order in- We had an opportunity, actually, to Putin in particular will move into the cluding, above all, the right of independent see and meet Ukrainians. In fact, when remainder of Ukraine and that we will states to align themselves and do business we went down to Maidan, there were undermine our agreement on the Buda- with whomever they choose. 30,000 people there protesting. Do you pest Memorandum. But, most impor- Tacit acceptance of settling old revanchist know what they were protesting? They tant, we have a lot at stake. scores by force is a formula for ongoing cri- were protesting the Russian invasion First, as my colleagues have said, if ses and potential armed conflict, whether in and illegal annexation of Crimea. They we do not stand with NATO to send a Europe, Asia or elsewhere. A China behaving were standing for their country, and with increasing aggressiveness in the East strong message to Vladimir Putin, by and South China seas, an Iran with nuclear they were standing against Russian ag- not just sanctioning individuals, we aspirations and interventionist policies in gression. should sanction segments of the Rus- the Middle East, and a volatile and unpre- In fact, one of the experiences we had sian economy so he understands there dictable North Korea are all watching events is that as we walked along, so many are serious consequences for invading in Europe. They have witnessed the people came up to us and said: Thank another country. fecklessness of the West in Syria. Similar di- you, America. Thank you for standing We should provide military assist- vision and weakness in responding to Rus- with us. In fact, I met a mother and ance to the Ukraine military so they sia’s most recent aggression will, I fear, have daughter who had come from Crimea. can defend themselves. We should re- dangerous consequences down the road. They were waiving a flag—a Ukrainian visit our decision and reinstate the So we are not just even talking about flag—and they gave me this, what I memorandums of understanding that Ukraine. We are not even talking about hold in my hand, and they put it we have with Poland and the Czech Re- that part of Europe. We are talking around me. What they wanted me to public for missile defense systems. We about the lesson that bad people— know is that they were from Crimea as a country should be looking to help whether they be Kim Jong Un or and they did not accept the Russian ag- Europe reduce their dependency on whether they be the Chinese who want gression and invasion of their country. Russian natural gas and oil, and there to increase their influence in the South What they asked us to stand for is to are steps we can take that will be good China Sea or whether they be the Ira- stand for the freedom of the Ukrainian for our economy but will also be good nians who continue to supply weapons people to decide their future and to not for the safety and security of the to Hezbollah fighters to the fight in let Russia interfere with their ability world. Syria, which the resistance is losing— to decide what they want for their We should be doing all that now so in case you missed it, there was an in- country. Vladimir Putin, who is a schoolyard teresting article this morning about They are wonderful people. They are bully, understands we are very serious. how jihadists will establish a base in very patriotic. In Maidan there were Why does it matter? Not just NATO, Syria with which to export terrorism over 100 Ukrainians who were killed. but we had Ukraine give up their nu- throughout the Middle East and the Many of them were murdered by snip- clear weapons in exchange for the world, including the United States of ers who were up on the rooftops, who agreement of the United Kingdom and America. were just killed in cold blood by the the United States that we would re- The President of the United States Yanukovych government, the pro-Rus- spect their sovereignty, and they felt has to understand Vladimir Putin for sian-backed government, because they they had assurances of security from what he is and what his ambitions are were simply doing what we in the us. and what he will do. United States of America call coming How are we going to deal with nu- My friend from South Carolina and I out and stating their viewpoint, say- clear proliferation around the world are not sure what he will do now. But ing: We want a government that is not and get other countries to give up their I think it is obvious, with his troops corrupt. We want a government that nuclear weapons if we are not serious amassed on the boarder of Eastern will allow us to have a say in our fu- and we do not say now: Vladimir Putin, Ukraine, he is contemplating further ture. For that they were murdered in we are serious—tough sanctions, much action. Whether he does so, I am not cold blood. tougher than have been in place. We sure, but I think his calculation has to We are at an important moment for are going to support the Ukrainian do with the cost-benefit ratio of fur- our country right now. What happened military and we are not going to stand ther aggression against a sovereign na- in Crimea and what is happening in for any more aggression against the tion. Ukraine matters very much to the Ukrainian people—because otherwise I see my colleague. United States of America, because if why give up your nuclear weapons, Could I just make one more comment we do not stop Russian aggression to- again, if you are a country, if the because my colleague was in Ukraine ward Ukraine, then I think this very United States of America does not recently. These are wonderful people. much threatens the NATO alliance. It mean anything they say on an agree- All they want is what we have. They do puts us in a position where our words ment they have signed on to? not want to be part of Russia. They are do not have meaning because we were a In addition, what will the Chinese tired of their corrupt dictator, signatory to the 1994 Budapest Memo- do? In the Senkaku Islands they have Yanukovych, whom they had. They are randum, along with the United King- been very aggressive toward the terri- willing to stand for weeks in freezing dom. tory of not only the Japanese but also weather in Maidan—this huge square in Russia violated that memorandum by the Philippines, the Vietnamese, and Ukraine. Madam President, 110 of them invading Crimea. They have made fur- they are watching. They are watching were assassinated by snipers. ther efforts to amass their troops on whether we care whether Russia in- Can’t we at least give them some the boarder of Eastern Ukraine. In vades another country, whether we weapons with which to defend them- fact, what they are also doing is send- care that Vladimir Putin is pushing selves and speak up for them, rather ing armed Russian agents into Eastern the Ukrainian people around. than saying ‘‘additional costs should Ukraine to try—they are armed, they That is why this matters, not just be- Russia take [the] next step.’’ have money—and they are trying to ac- cause we stand in solidarity with the I yield for my colleague from New tually create artificial demonstrations people of Ukraine—we do and we Hampshire. in Eastern Ukraine so they can use the should—so they can decide their fu- Ms. AYOTTE. Madam President, I very same excuse they used in Crimea ture, not Vladimir Putin—they, the wish to thank my colleague from Ari- to go over and take more territory of people of their country, should decide zona and my colleague from South Ukraine in violation of international their future—but also because it mat- Carolina. I was in Ukraine on Sunday, law and in violation of all standards ters for us around the world, not just and I was in Maidan, along with two of among civilized countries. China, not just nuclear proliferation,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:13 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.023 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1754 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 but what do the ayatollahs in Iran the 1994 agreement with no punishment So to Senator MCCAIN and Senator think about how serious we are about for taking the Crimea, then I hope you AYOTTE, both of you have been to the ending their nuclear weapons program. understand what comes next. The the- Ukraine in the last couple of weeks. This is an important moment for ory of this case can apply to many You have done the hard work of trav- America, and it is time for our Presi- countries in the region, not just Cri- eling away from your constituents and dent to really step forward. The initial mea and the Ukraine. So we need to re- your families to find out first hand steps he took were in the right direc- ject this theory of the case. what is on the ground. I hope that peo- tion, but it is time not to continue say- We need to make him pay a price for ple in the body will listen to their ex- ing there will be further costs. The what he has done, not what he might periences. There are a lot of Democrats costs must be rendered now. The Sen- do. If he does not pay a price for what who seem to have the same experience. ate will be taking an important step in he has done, I can assure you what he Mr. MCCAIN. I thank my colleague, providing loan guarantees to Ukraine will do. He will do more. The last and I appreciate his longstanding sup- and a scheme for sanctions, but ulti- thought is that Senator MCCAIN and I port for freedom and democracy mately I call on the President of the and Senator AYOTTE have been talking throughout the world, but also for a United States to say to Vladimir Putin about the Al Qaeda buildup in Syria. very prescient piece that he and Sen- now—to recognize whom we are dealing The Director of National Intelligence ator Lieberman wrote 6 years ago pre- with, the former KGB colonel—to say has testified before the country as a dicting the likelihood of the events to him: We are going to impose sanc- whole, before the Congress, that the Al that we have just observed taking tions on entire segments of your econ- Qaeda elements in Syria are rep- place. There is an article in the Wash- omy. We are going to hurt your ability resenting a direct threat to our Euro- ington Post: ‘‘Three ways NATO can to do business in the world because you pean allies and to our own homeland. bolster Ukraine’s security,’’ by Ian have invaded another country. We are There was a press report yesterday: Brzezinski. I ask unanimous consent going to bolster NATO, and we are What is your Congress and your Com- that it be printed in the RECORD. going to reinstate missile defense sys- mander in Chief doing about it? There being no objection, the mate- tems in the Czech Republic and Poland, We have been told as Members of the rial was ordered to be printed in the that we will not accept this aggression. Senate that the 26,000-plus Al Qaeda RECORD, as follows: It is time for the President to say fighters, many of them European, some [From the Washington Post, Mar. 24, 2014] American, are amassing in Syria. Al this very clearly and to impose the THREE WAYS NATO CAN BOLSTER UKRAINE’S consequences on Russia now because Qaeda leaders from the tribal regions SECURITY after they invade Eastern Ukraine, it in Afghanistan and Pakistan are mov- (By Ian J. Brzezinski) ing into Syria to organize this cabal. will be too late. NATO’s response to Russia’s invasion of Vladimir Putin needs to understand One of the goals that they would like Ukraine has drawn a red line, but it is one now that we are very serious about to achieve is to take this force that is that leaves Ukraine militarily isolated, fend- this, that we will stand by our word in the fight in Syria and disperse it ing for itself. If the West’s economic and dip- under the Budapest Memorandum, that back to Europe and the United States. lomatic sanctions are to deter Moscow from we will stand with the Ukrainian peo- What are you doing about this further military aggression, they must be ple, and that we will make sure that we threat, Mr. President? Members of the complemented by a robust defensive strategy will not accept aggressions from Vladi- Senate, you have been told—11, 12 to reinforce Ukraine’s armed forces. mir Putin, and that this school yard years after 9/11—that Al Qaeda is When Russia invaded Crimea, it mobilized thinking about hitting us again. They 150,000 troops along Ukraine’s eastern fron- bully understands, through strength, tier. Most of those forces still menace that the United States of America will exist in a certain part of the world. Ukraine, with some 20,000 troops still occu- not be bullied around, nor will our They are amassing capability. Their pying the peninsula while provocateurs sent friends and allies. leaders are moving in to help organize by Moscow continue to stir unrest in the Mr. GRAHAM. Will the Senator yield this group. What is our response? What country’s eastern regions. for a question? are we doing? NATO’s response has, by contrast, been There is the Membership Action It is just not Ukraine. The whole underwhelming. The United States and Brit- Plan, MAP—I think that is the acro- world is melting down. I would end ain reinforced the air space of Estonia, Lat- nym—where a country gets ready to with this thought. Ronald Reagan had via and Lithuania with a handful of fighter a great slogan. It was not a slogan. It jets, and AWACs patrols fly over Poland and enter into NATO. Georgia would like Romania. The United States deployed about that. I think Ukraine now would like was a world view: Peace through a dozen F–16s to Poland and sent an addi- that. Here is the basic tension; don’t strength. Here is what I will say to the tional ship to the Black Sea. No ally appears you agree? times in which we live, and I will talk to have mobilized any ground forces. A plurality before Crimea was in- about this more later. I want to come When Ukrainian Prime Minster Arseniy vaded wanted to move into the Euro- with my colleagues and talk about the Yatsenyuk met with President Obama this pean Union and Ukraine. Now, I think Al Qaeda threat in Syria and else- month, his request for weapons that would clearly a majority, if you take the Cri- where. enable his military to better defend against mea out, wants to associate with the Peace is an illusion when it comes to Russia’s massed forces was politely declined. Instead, the Obama administration offered European Union. Putin is saying hell radical Islam. It can never be achieved. uniforms and military meals. no. So the Ukrainian people in the But here is what can be achieved: secu- In a similarly negative move, Vice Presi- coming months are going to make a rity through strength. We need to have dent Biden visited Warsaw and Vilnius, Lith- move toward the European Union and as a Nation security policies, national uania, last week to reassure them of the U.S. alliances with NATO, most likely, and security policies that will deter aggres- military commitment to their security, but the Russians are going to try to stop sion from nation-states and radical Is- he bypassed Kiev. This was surely noted by them. lamic organizations who do not fear Moscow, as was Obama’s recent statement I fear the way they will choose to death. We have no such policy. We need that he would not allow the United States to stop them is not to try to influence the to have security through strength. We get involved in a ‘‘military excursion’’ in Ukraine. vote but to try to grab some eastern are cutting our military. We are gut- These U.S. and alliance actions constitute cities where you will have vocal minor- ting our ability to defend ourselves a red line that depicts Kiev on the outside ity Russian populations saying: Come through reducing intelligence capabili- and on its own. This must be deeply disillu- here and help your fellow Russians. We ties at a time when the threats are on sioning for Ukrainians who in recent months are being absorbed by a bunch of thugs the rise. have so courageously expressed their desire in Kiev. Senator MCCAIN made a good This is the most dangerous time in for freedom and a place in Europe—and point while we are talking. The theory American history—since the end of the whose forces participated in a NATO collec- of the case for Russia is: We have a le- Cold War, in many ways since the end tive defense exercise as recently as Novem- ber. This red line can only reassure Vladimir gitimate right to go into this area to of World War II—because the enemies Putin and his military planners, whose use protect native Russians, ethnic Rus- of this Nation are getting stronger and of unmarked military personnel—and the sians. That has no limit in that region. we are getting weaker. Somebody plausible deniability they provided—in Cri- If we adopt the theory of the case, ig- needs to change that calculation before mea reflected at least initial concern about nore international law, let him break it is too late. potential responses from the West.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:53 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.024 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1755 There are prudent defensive measures the mea reflected at least initial concern about 140,000 of whom have been slaughtered United States and NATO can and should take potential responses from the West. already in the most atrocious fashion. to bolster Ukraine’s security. First, One of the more remarkable returns I say to my colleagues and to the Yatsenyuk’s request for military equipment to the days of the Soviet Union was American people: We cannot ignore the should be immediately approved, and anti- when Vladimir Putin had the press tank and anti-aircraft weapons should be in- lessons of history. We cannot revert to cluded. Equipment and weapons could quick- conference and was asked if those were the 1930s when isolationist impetus in ly be transferred from prepositioned U.S. Russian military in Crimea, and he this country kept us out of being pre- military stocks in Europe. said: Well, they can buy old uniforms pared for a conflict. If NATO cannot attain the consensus to from most any store in the region. If it had not been for Franklin Dela- initiate such assistance, then Washington He not only denied that Russian no Roosevelt and the actions he took should forge a coalition of the willing or act troops were there, but he added to the in the late 1930s, we would have had an on its own. These weapons would complicate flat-out lie with a statement so ridicu- even worse time after Pearl Harbor. It Russian military planning and add risk to its lous that he must have known that we operations against Ukraine. U.S. equipment is up to the President of the United in particular would bring back unpleasant knew that he was absolutely lying States to inform the American people memories of when Soviet forces encountered through his teeth. Let me just say to of what our vital national security in- Western weapons in Afghanistan. my colleagues what we need to do is we terests are. That does not mean in- Second, the alliance or a U.S.-led coalition must recognize the reality that Presi- volvement in another war. should back that assistance with the deploy- dent Putin is not, and will never be, But we cannot leave the world be- ment of intelligence and surveillance capa- our partner. He will always insist on cause the world will not leave us. So bilities and military trainers to Ukraine. being our adversary and working to re- the President of the United States— This would provide not only needed situa- vise the entire post Cold War vision of tional awareness and help the Ukrainian rather than announcing that if the military maximize its defensive capacities, a Europe whole, free, and at peace—and Russians go any further there will be but it would also force Moscow to consider the security architecture that supports punishment for it, the President of the the potential political and military repercus- it. Our policy must begin with the re- United States needs to go before the sions of any actions that affect that pres- ality of what Vladimir Putin is, what American people and say: Here is what ence. The deployment of military trainers to his ambitions are, and what he is will- we are facing. We are facing what Sen- Georgia was one of the more effective ele- ing to do. ator GRAHAM just talked about: the ments of the U.S. effort to bolster Georgia’s We have to support Ukraine’s emer- rise of Al Qaeda across the Middle security after it was invaded by Russia in gence as a successful democracy with a 2008. East; the failure in Syria, which is now Third, NATO allies and partners should thriving economy, fighting corruption, becoming a breeding ground for Islamic soon conduct a military exercise in Ukraine and with a strengthened national extremism; the Chinese assertiveness as part of the effort to train the Ukrainian unity. We must ensure that the March in the South China Sea; the Iranian military. The alliance’s plan to wait until its elections in Ukraine occur on time, talks which are ‘‘failing;’’ and of course next scheduled exercise in Ukraine, this freely, and fairly. We must meet this latest and most outrageous aggres- summer, could incentivize Russia to take ad- Ukraine’s request for immediate mili- sion committed by Vladimir Putin. ditional military action before then. tary assistance as part of a larger, The world is a dangerous place. It The NATO Response Force, created to de- long-term initiative to help the ploy on short notice a brigade-level force cries out for American leadership. As backed by combat air support, is well suited Ukrainian armed forces rebuild and re- LINDSEY GRAHAM said, there was a guy, for such an exercise. The force offers a means form into an effective force that can in the words of Margaret Thatcher, to demonstrate Western resolve prudently deter aggression and defend their na- who won the Cold War without firing a and rapidly. It has the potential to signifi- tion; support countries such as shot. It is called peace through cantly reinforce Ukraine’s defense against a Moldova and Georgia in deepening strength. It is through being steadfast. sudden Russian offensive, but it is not big democratic, economic, and military re- Right now, when the Chinese an- enough to jeopardize Russia’s territorial in- forms that can hasten their integration nounced that they are increasing their tegrity. Each of these initiatives would complicate into the Euro-Atlantic community; ex- defense spending by 12.2 percent, we are Putin’s ambitions regarding Ukraine and pand sanctions under the Magnitsky announcing that we are cutting our de- could be executed in the near term. None Act; increase targeted sanctions fense dramatically. That is a long se- would present a threat to Russia. They against Putin’s sources of power, espe- ries of cuts in defense, which can put would, however, amend the red line the alli- cially for corruption; push for an arms this Nation’s national security inter- ance has mistakenly created, assure Ukrain- embargo against Russia; prevent de- ests further in danger. ians that they are not alone and force Mos- fense technology transfers; use the up- I thank my colleague from New cow to consider the possibility of a much coming NATO summit to enlarge the Hampshire for going to Kiev. It is an more costly and prolonged military conflict. uplifting and wonderful experience to The absence of a firm Western response will alliance; move Georgia into the Mem- only encourage Putin to act aggressively bership Action Plan; expand NATO co- see how much they want to be like us, again, be it to drive deeper into Ukraine, operation with Ukraine; conduct sig- how much they appreciate what little make another attempt to seize Georgia, ex- nificant contingency planning within we do, how much it matters to them to pand Russia’s occupation of Moldovan terri- NATO to deter aggression and defend be able to be part of Europe and free, tory or grab other areas that were once part alliance members, especially along the and to have an economic system that is of the Soviet Union. eastern flank; strategically shift NATO not beset with the corruption and NATO’s response to this crisis is critical to military assets eastward to support de- kleptocracy that devastated their both Ukraine’s security and the alliance’s long-term future. A NATO summit planned terrence. economy. for September is to focus on the alliance’s We must take these actions. None of They need our help. I hope tomorrow way forward in a new world. But what it does them, by the way, entail the commit- we will be passing legislation which to assist Ukraine today and in the coming ment of American troops. I also want will be the first step in providing that weeks will have a far more profound influ- to make one additional comment. I assistance to this Nation. I say to my ence on its future and transatlantic security. hope that the Senator from New Hamp- colleagues, the people of Ukraine will Mr. MCCAIN. It goes on to say: shire would comment as well. When- be watching us. They are watching These U.S. and alliance actions constitute ever I see a news story—no matter what we do. The sooner we guarantee a red line that depicts Kiev on the outside which network it is on—the over- $1 billion of loan guarantees to them, and on its own. This must be deeply disillu- whelming majority of American people the sooner we impose these sanctions sioning for Ukrainians who in recent months do not want to have anything to do which are embodied in this bill in a bi- have so courageously expressed their desire with Syria. partisan fashion, the better it will be for freedom and a place in Europe—and The overwhelming majority of Amer- for the people of Ukraine to know that whose forces participated in a NATO collec- icans do not want to have anything to tive defense exercise as recently as Novem- we stand with them. ber. This red line can only reassure Vladimir do with Ukraine. We do not even want Ms. AYOTTE. Madam President, I Putin and his military planners, whose use to assist the people of Ukraine. We do want to thank the senior Senator from of unmarked military personnel—and the not want to assist the people of Syria Arizona for his leadership and to really plausible deniability they provided—in Cri- that are fighting and struggling— frame what Ronald Reagan said. It is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:53 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A26MR6.014 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1756 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 so important at this moment. He said: want the Affordable Care Act to stay in for people to stay outside of the ranks Of the four wars in my lifetime, none place, and if they want changes, they of those who are insured. They are es- came about because the U.S. was too only want minor changes. Only 11 per- sentially guaranteeing that people who strong. So when we talk about peace cent of people in this poll said they could get insurance, because they have through strength, we are talking about want to repeal and replace the law, and the ability now over the course of the ensuring that we do not have to get in- only 18 percent said they wanted to re- next few days to sign up, aren’t going volved in another conflict. Before I peal it completely. to be able to get it. went to Ukraine I was in Afghanistan. It is not rocket science to figure out Of course, I think people understand One of the commanders that I was why we have hundreds of thousands of this concept because there is plenty of speaking with in Afghanistan said to people lining up as we approach the precedent. When folks rush home from me: You know, Senator AYOTTE, I deadline for enrollment seeking to get work late on election day to go vote, worry about America’s span of atten- care. It is not rocket science why there they often see very long lines outside tion. I am worried. I have fought here. are over 1 million people only yester- of the polling place. But we don’t shut I have done multiple tours here. We day alone going to the Web site trying down the polls at 8 o’clock when there sacrificed here. I am really worried. I to find out what their options are. is a line outside. We allow people who understand how people at home view The simple fact is that even today, as are in line to vote because they worked where things are in Afghanistan. But we stand on the brink of the enroll- hard to get there, to get in line. They for us just to throw our hands up right ment deadline, there are still millions deserve a chance to express their now and what that will do—I am just of Americans who remain on the out- choice in an election. That is essen- worried that we are forgetting the les- side of the best health care system in tially what the President has an- sons of what happened on September the world. There are still millions of nounced today, that individuals who 11, when we thought that we did not families who are waking up today, as are in line on March 31 are going to get have to be engaged, when we thought they have week after week, year after a chance to sign up, because why on that the fight could stay over here and year, wondering how they are going to Earth would we deny people the ability to get insurance? I get it that there are that this country Afghanistan, which pay the medical bills that are piling up people who oppose this law, who want was a haven for Al Qaeda, that they for a sick father and worrying what it repealed, and many people of good would just leave us alone. would happen if their child were diag- faith who want it replaced with some- Unfortunately, in this fight with Al nosed with a disease, having no way to Qaeda, they won’t leave us alone. Now thing else. But the reality of here and pay for it. That is a reality still today now is that there are millions of people we are facing a situation in Syria for millions of families. Many of them, where our Secretary of Homeland Secu- who are going onto the Web site every frankly, have stayed away from the day. There are hundreds of thousands rity or our Director of National Intel- Web site because of the misinformation ligence has said the threat of Al Qaeda of people who are calling, and they de- that has been spread by opponents of serve a chance to get health care insur- in Syria is a threat to our homeland. the health care law. As we look at events unfolding ance, to be able to treat their loved Now as we are coming to the enroll- ones for the diseases that they have around the world, what is happening in ment deadline, we are seeing a surge of Ukraine does matter to the United today or may incur. interest, much of it from families who I would note that there is precedence States of America. are desperate to finally get access to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time to this. When President Bush was man- health care insurance that will allow of the Senator has expired. aging the enrollment process for Medi- Ms. AYOTTE. I ask unanimous con- them to avoid the fate of millions of care Part D, he did, in fact, the same sent for 1 additional minute. other Americans who have fallen into thing. He extended the enrollment The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without bankruptcy, have lost their homes, deadline for people who were in process objection, it is so ordered. have lost their cars, and who have lost and for complex cases. People who were Ms. AYOTTE. I would say in order their savings simply because of a trying to sign up for Medicare Part D that we don’t have to deal with wars mistimed illness. at the enrollment deadline received here and that we hopefully don’t have I was pleased today to see the Presi- extra time, and there were plenty of to send our men and women in uniform dent make a very simple announce- Republicans who supported that effort. to war, we have to maintain a strong ment. What he said is that people who I come to the floor today to make it position in the United States and are in line trying to apply for health clear that for a lot of folks it makes Ukraine using the strongest sanctions care insurance when the deadline hits sense that if people are so desperate for we can, having a prepared military, on Monday are going to get a shot to health care and they are in the process and supporting our allies to ensure complete their application. of filling out these applications, they that we don’t fall back into forgetting For very complex cases, for instance, should get the chance to finish the job. the lessons we have seen. When Amer- women who are in a situation of ex- I am continuing to receive letters ica disengages, it becomes dangerous treme domestic violence who don’t and emails from people who have gone for America. That is what this is want to apply jointly and have to apply through the process and whose lives about. themselves, they are going to be able have been transformed. I simply want I am pleased we are going to pass bi- to have a little extra time as well. For to make sure that on Monday, if people partisan legislation to support most of the people I represent, that is are in the process of signing up, they Ukraine. I ask the President to issue just common sense. don’t get foreclosed from the possi- even stronger sanctions against Russia, If someone is desperately in need of bility of experiencing a reality such as Vladimir Putin, and to ensure we stand health care and if they have gone one of my constituents, Sean Hannon, with the people of Ukraine, because months, years, and maybe even decades from Weston, CT. I will finish by read- when we stand with them we stand for without health care and they have this ing a letter he sent to our office. ourselves as well and what we believe chance—a chance that will expire Mon- Speaking for himself and his wife he in. day this year—then if they are in line said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- trying to fill out an application, they As working freelancers, my wife and I are ator from Connecticut. should be able to get through that ap- not covered by company health plans and we have had to buy private health insurance out HEALTH CARE plication even if the midnight clock of pocket. It has been our largest financial Mr. MURPHY. Yesterday, hits. burden. Last year, our monthly premium for healthcare.gov saw about 1.2 million I heard my friend from Wyoming Golden Rule was $1,216. That came to $14,592 visits to the site. The call centers, speak on the floor earlier today and annually. This plan also came with a huge which are busy enrolling people at a criticize this announcement from the deductible that needed to be met completely pace that is now exceeding 50,000 to President. I thought it was worthwhile before any payout. to come to the floor and make it clear This year, Golden Rule increased our pre- 100,000 people a day, saw 390,000 phone mium to $1,476 a month, or $17,712 annually. calls. that if someone is criticizing a simple On February 1, thanks to the Affordable A new poll just came out suggesting decision to allow people a little bit of Care Act, we were able to switch from Gold- that a full 60 percent of Americans extra time, they are essentially rooting en Rule to Connecticare on the CT Exchange.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:53 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.026 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1757 It wasn’t easy to go through enrollment, but around the country as we are getting hours. They have people who are work- we had great assistance from a woman at the letters and concerns. We were told on ing part time with more than 30 hours, enrollment center in New Haven, and she the floor that all of these stories—nine and according to the health care law stuck with us until we got it right. Let me tell you what the new healthcare of us were reading different stories— those are full-time employees. So they plan has done for us . . . that all of these are lies. have workers with more than 30 but First and foremost, we lowered our month- These are not lies. These are people who do not receive health benefits, and ly premium of $1,475 to $309. Let me spell hurt by the President’s health care he says: that out so you know it wasn’t a typo: three law. We see them in States all around Are we supposed to lay off full-time teach- hundred and nine dollars. That is a savings the country. ers so that we can provide insurance cov- of nearly 80%! We don’t know how many people erage to part-time employees? So now I am sure you are thinking that we have signed up, how many have gone to must have made a huge sacrifice in quality That is a question asked by the su- of care or services. Just the opposite. We the Web site. The White House can’t perintendent of schools in a town in have lost none of the benefits we previously even tell us if they know how many central Connecticut. He says: had. We were able to keep all of our doctors, have insurance. If we have to cut five reading teachers to our primary GP and specialists. They all ac- Sure, they may have had a lot of peo- pay for the benefits for substitute teachers, cept the insurance. ple visit the Web site. I wonder how I’m not sure that would be best for our stu- While we still have a high deductible, un- many people have actually paid to have dents. like the previous plan that didn’t pay any- insurance? What the President asked The impact of this health care law thing until the deductible was met, we now for is he said: We are going to get 30 have co-pays for doctor visits of $30, and pro- and the mandate and the costs go way cedures such as CAT scans and MRIs are $75 million people who didn’t have insur- beyond the health care of an individual for each visit, and the remainder of the ex- ance to have insurance. or a family or a community. It goes to pense is covered COMPLETELY, even before It looks as if there may be fewer than so many other things, including the the deductible is met. 2 million who go through that. We education of our young people. And And we have the peace of mind of not being know that fewer than 1 in 10 young those are some of the tradeoffs and the dropped or penalized for pre-existing condi- people—the people who are supposed to unintended consequences that have de- tions. pay for this program—young people They finish by saying: veloped since passing a 2,700-page paying more so that older, sicker peo- health care law. Despite the messed up rollout and the at- ple will pay less, those people aren’t Whether they delay the signup date tendant growing pains of a massive program, signing up. Only 1 in 10 of those eligible ObamaCare has been a Godsend, and we are to allow more people to sign up, as a at that age is signing up. doctor, my concern is for those people overwhelmed and ecstatic over the dramatic That is what we are seeing across the who do sign up, what kind of care are difference this has made in our family budg- country, and that is why the worry is et. they going to get. Are they going to be that there is going to need to be a big We are sharing all of this personal infor- able to keep their doctor, which the bailout of this program because the mation here because there is an aggressive President promised. The deadline date money that is being spent by the tax- campaign underway to dismantle this valu- is less important than the kind of care able program. The misinformation being put payers is not getting the job done. people can get with the insurance they out there is skewing public opinion and this They are not doing it in a way to actu- are mandated to buy as a result of the must not happen. . . . This treasure is ours ally help the people who need help to lose if we do not speak up now. without hurting so many other people, health care law, and pay a lot more Yesterday 1.2 million people went to the 5 million people who received let- than they would have paid had the law the Web site and 400,000 people called in ters of cancellation. not been passed. Will they be able to to seek help. I imagine those numbers I hear my friend and colleague from keep their doctor? Will they be able to will continue to escalate as we move Connecticut. It is not only people—one see a doctor? through the weekend. They deserve to person who may have gotten insurance We know there is a shortage coming be able to get to a reality that Sean in Connecticut who may have been of about 90,000 physicians, half of them Hannon and his family are experi- helped in that situation. The impact on specialists, half of them primary care encing now. They deserve to have a jobs and communities has been dra- physicians around the country. This is chance at paying lower premiums, 80 matic. When I looked at the State of coming in the next 5 or 6 years. We percent savings, for some individuals, Connecticut, there was a story in the know the things that are happening to finally get insured for the diseases, New York Times only last month about along those lines with not enough illnesses, and conditions that have the impact of this law that my col- nurses, not enough physician assist- plagued these families for years. league and friend has voted for that ants, not enough EMTs, paramedics— I applaud the President for allowing has now been changed over two dozen across the board not enough people to these families the ability to complete times. They are interviewing a super- take care of the population of this their applications, and I hope that intendent of schools in Meriden, CT. country. Having insurance is not many of them get to see the same final We just heard a story of somebody enough to provide care. reality that the Hannons of Weston, who was helped by the health care law. The President made promises that CT, have. Now let’s look at what has happened to are not being kept. That is a concern I I yield back the remainder of my the superintendent of schools in Meri- have when I hear the deadline is ex- time. den, CT, Mark Benigni. He is also a tended. My concern is what happens The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. board member of the American Asso- after they sign up. Will they be able to COONS). The Senator from Wyoming. ciation of School Administrators. get the care they need? Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I In an interview with the New York Last week, the Associated Press re- come to the floor, having heard my col- Times, he said that the new health care ported the results of a poll of all these league’s concerns and story of a family law was having ‘‘unintended con- different cancer hospitals. My wife is a who was helped by the President’s sequences for school systems across the cancer survivor, so I know how impor- health care law. We want people in this Nation.’’ tant it is for people to have the peace country to be helped. My concern is We have a letter from somebody in of mind to get the care they need. Of there are a lot of people who are actu- Connecticut, but let’s see what hap- the 19 hospitals that responded to the ally being hurt by the President’s pened to school systems across the Associated Press, only 4 of the 19 said, health care law. We shouldn’t have to country. Maybe they have children in yes, they will be able to accept all of hurt people, specifically people who school, I don’t know. the plans of the people who are signing have had insurance, to try to help peo- The article states: up on the Web site in those States ple who haven’t had insurance. That is In Connecticut, as in many States, signifi- where those hospitals are located. So it the big concern that my friend from cant numbers of part-time school employees is not just a matter of keeping your Connecticut referred to as I came to work more than 30 hours a week and do not own doctor, but it is getting the doctor the floor this morning to discuss. receive health benefits. you need at a time of family crisis, per- I have grave concerns about the im- We know the health care law defines sonal family concern—the time when pact on the people of Wyoming and all a workweek as anything above 30 people are most vulnerable. Will the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:11 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.028 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1758 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 fact they have some coverage bought up or not sign up for a bit of time— proposal that ensures the VA funds and through a Web site actually help them what kind of care are they going to handles this correctly so there is no get the care they need? And will the get? Whether they are insured through scoring issue. The bill passed the House doctor who happens to see them—even the Web site this week, next week, or nearly unanimously. In fact, the vote if they are able to keep their own doc- the week after, what kind of care is in the House was 346 to 1. As the Pre- tor—be able to spend the time inter- going to be available to them? And siding Officer knows, not much passes acting with the patient or, with all the what happens when they find the cost either body nearly unanimously, but additional paperwork and time-con- of the care—as for so many people I this did with very widespread bipar- sumption activities, will the doctor hear from in Wyoming—is much higher tisan support, 346 to 1. This is the bill have to cut the visit short, spend time than they were paying before? And if which has come over here to get final looking more at the computer screen they had a policy they liked—or are approval. than looking at the patient? There are still finding, if they didn’t have insur- With the addition of an amendment complaints in every State of the Union ance—many of them still think the to help pay for any costs associated from patients who are complaining ei- rates are unaffordable. with the bill—and the amendment has ther to their doctor or the nurse at the I thank the Chair. I yield the floor, been fully vetted and is supported in a office or at the checkout area of the of- and I suggest the absence of a quorum. bipartisan way—with the addition of fice saying, you know, I would have The PRESIDING OFFICER. The an amendment, we have no opposition liked to have had the doctor look more clerk will call the roll. here in the Senate on the actual sub- at me and not so much at the computer The bill clerk proceeded to call the stance of my proposal, on moving for- screen. roll. ward with these 27 important VA clin- There are many components of this Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask ics around the country, two of which health care law that are harmful to unanimous consent that the order for are in Louisiana. health care delivery and to patient the quorum call be rescinded. Unfortunately, the only objection care in this country, and so the Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that appears to reside here in the Sen- dent decides to unilaterally delay a objection, it is so ordered. ate is from the Senator from Vermont, part of the law that this last week or Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask Mr. SANDERS, who does not object to the week before the Secretary of unanimous consent to be recognized for this bill as amended, who does not ob- Health and Human Services said will up to 10 minutes. ject to the substance within the four not be done; this is the deadline; this is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without corners of this bill, but who simply it. When is the law not the law any- objection, it is so ordered. wants his much bigger, much broader more? When it is just Swiss cheese? UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—H.R. 3521 VA bill passed. I applaud his passion to advocate for it, but there is significant When do you trust somebody, take Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I come concern with that much bigger, much them at their word? Words have mean- to the floor again to try to move for- more complicated proposal. There are ings. ward on a bill with near unanimous It is time for this President and this support. In fact, with regard to the ac- 43 Senators, including myself, who administration to actually realize the tual substance of the bill, within the have very significant concerns about American people see what is hap- four corners of the bill, it has unani- that proposal. I think it is really unfortunate for pening. Each time they do a delay or mous support because it would advance him to block something where there do a change or do this or that, it has a 27 community-based health care clinics are no concerns—it has been vetted, it huge impact on people’s lives as they for veterans in the VA system imme- has bipartisan support, and every con- try to decide what to do and what mat- diately, around the country, which ceivable substantive issue has been would serve hundreds of thousands of ters and what doesn’t matter under worked out—simply to hold that as veterans in communities that abso- this administration. People are very hostage for a much broader bill that lutely need this type of expanded com- disappointed as a result of the health has concerns and opposition from al- munity-based clinic. Two are in my care law. Those who were looking for most half of the Senate, 43 Senators. State—one in Lafayette, one in Lake something better haven’t found it. So I hope we can avoid that, and I We still don’t know how many people Charles, LA. come to the floor to ask for unanimous actually have paid for insurance. We All of these community-based clin- consent. may know how many went to the Web ics—including the ones in Lafayette I think the American people want us site, but we don’t know how many of and Lake Charles—have been fully au- to work together. I think the American those who bought insurance through thorized by the VA and throughout the people want us to agree on things we the Web site actually had their own in- process. They have been on the books. can agree on. There is a lot to fight surance and got one of those letters—of We have been planning on them and about, there is a lot to wrestle with, the 5 million people who got letters of moving forward with them for some there is a lot to disagree about, and we cancellation—canceling their insur- time. But they have hit a series of bu- should work on that stuff too, toward ance or how many were uninsured. reaucratic glitches. an agreement. I am open to doing so It looks as though the Web site For the Lafayette and Lake Charles with Senator SANDERS. But in the doesn’t even want to look into that. On facilities in particular, first they hit a meantime, I firmly believe the Amer- the paper application there is actually big VA glitch when the VA just ican people want us to agree where we a box to check off. It says: I didn’t have screwed up—and those are their words, do agree. Don’t create disagreements insurance but now I am going to get it. not mine—just screwed up in the let- that don’t exist. They want us to move The Web site left that off. I don’t know ting process to put out contracts to lo- forward where we can move forward. if that was ineptitude on the part of cate land and to build or lease these fa- They want us to make progress where the designers of the Web site or if it cilities. Because of that bureaucratic we can and keep working on the rest. was left off or fell through the cracks mistake, the VA lost a whole year in In that spirit, I ask unanimous con- in the disastrous rollout. I don’t know, the process in terms of moving forward sent that the Veterans’ Affairs Com- but it wasn’t there. So the administra- with these clinics that are fully ap- mittee be discharged from further con- tion, which said our goal is that of the proved, fully authorized. sideration of my bill, H.R. 3521, and the 30 million people who do not have in- During that year of delay, out of the Senate proceed to its immediate con- surance, getting them insured, will blue CBO decided to score how these sideration; that my amendment, which never know the answer to that. Then clinics are financed differently than it is at the desk, be agreed to; the bill, as there is the question of who are these ever did before. I won’t go into the amended, be read a third time and folks, in terms of young or old, sick or weeds, but suffice it to say that under passed; and that the motion to recon- not sick. And we know of those eligi- this new scoring method, it created a sider be laid upon the table. ble, only about 1 in 10 has signed up. scoring issue, which it never did before. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there But the big concern is—regardless of Well, that was an additional hurdle and objection? some of these things the President is additional point of delay to which we Mr. SANDERS. Reserving the right doing to delay this and let others sign had to respond. We overcame it with a to object.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:53 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.029 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1759 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- colleagues to make sure we get the 60 that. So he doesn’t lose any advantage. ator from Vermont. votes. And I say to my colleague from He doesn’t lose any momentum. We Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ap- Louisiana, work with us. Bring some of could move forward on something we preciate the interest my colleague your other colleagues on board. Please do agree on and build from there. I from Louisiana has on this very impor- don’t tell me this is too expensive. If it think that is more reasonable and tant issue. I agree with him that we is too expensive to take care of our vet- more constructive. want to expand VA health care, that erans, then let’s not go to war in the There is literally no disagreement we have run into a bureaucratic mo- first place. among any of us in this body about rass, and there are 27 facilities in 18 So I give my colleague from Lou- these clinics. I have worked hard with States that can and should be ap- isiana the opportunity now to do some- several other colleagues to address proved. If the Senator from Louisiana thing really extraordinary, to do some- every question and every concern out is prepared to join with me, we can thing the veterans’ committee wants. there. The amendment at the desk pass his concern today or within the I object to the proposal from my col- erases some of those concerns. We have next couple of weeks, along with many league from Louisiana, and in its place covered the waterfront on this clinics other provisions the veterans commu- I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- issue in particular. nity is deeply concerned about. ate proceed to the consideration of Cal- I am very disappointed that we can’t During the last government shut- endar No. 297, S. 1950; that a Sanders move forward as a first step and agree down, it is not widely known but the substitute amendment, the text of S. on what we agree on. We disagree on truth is that we were 7 to 10 days away 1982, the Comprehensive Veterans enough. Let’s agree on what we agree from a situation where veterans—dis- Health and Benefits and Military Re- on. Let’s move forward on what we abled veterans, veterans who have pen- tirement Pay Restoration Act, be agree on and pass these 27 clinics and sions—were not going to get their ben- agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read start that progress and certainly con- efits. The comprehensive bipartisan a third time and passed; and the mo- tinue to work on important com- legislation that received 56 votes here tions to reconsider be considered made promise on the much bigger piece rep- on the floor—unfortunately, not the and laid upon the table with no inter- resented by the Sanders bill. vote from my colleague from Louisiana vening action or debate. I yield the floor. but 56 votes, and we are working to get If we pass this right now, we deal The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- the 60 votes we need to overcome a Re- with the Senator’s concerns and a lot jority leader. publican point of order, and we are of other concerns. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- going to get those 60 votes—makes sure The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- imous consent to use leader time for a we do have advanced appropriations so tion is heard to the request of the Sen- few minutes. no disabled veteran will not get a ator from Louisiana. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without check in the event of another govern- Is there objection to the request of objection, it is so ordered. ment shutdown. the Senator from Vermont? HEALTH CARE My colleague from Louisiana may or Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I object Mr. REID. Mr. President, the junior may not think that is an important on behalf of 43 Senators, including my- Senator from Wyoming has come to issue. I don’t know. I think it is an im- self. the floor several times recently talking portant issue. And I can tell him the Reclaiming the floor and reclaiming about the fact that examples he and reason the legislation I introduced has my time, I would say we all want to other Republicans have given dealing the support of the American Legion— work very hard to help veterans. We all with ObamaCare, examples they think and, by the way, 500 of them were here acknowledge that the health care and are bad, I call lies. That is simply un- this morning at a very interesting work claim backlog issues are ex- true. I have never come to the floor, to hearing—has the support of the VFW, tremely important. That is why I am my recollection, and said a word about the DAV, the Vietnam Veterans of very involved in all of those issues any of the examples Republicans have America, the Iraq and Afghanistan across the board. That is why, for in- given regarding ObamaCare and how it Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives stance, I am an active member of the is not very good. But I have come to of America, and virtually every organi- claims backlog working group, work- the floor—I think my friend, the junior zation is because they understand that ing with the VA to improve that situa- Senator from Wyoming, must be get- the veterans community has very seri- tion and proposing focused legislation. ting mixed up about what I have said ous problems we have to address. We all care very much about that. about the Koch brothers and what they My friend from Louisiana may or But right now Senator SANDERS’ have done regarding health care. But it may not have concerns about making comprehensive bill has significant con- is easy to get mixed up because I think sure that every veteran gets their ben- cerns in opposition—43 Senators, over it is hard to separate the Koch brothers efits in an expedited way and that we 40 percent of the whole body. I do ob- from the Republican caucus, anyway. don’t have this backlog. Our legislation ject on behalf of myself and the rest of Mr. President, I have asserted and I addresses that. My friend from Lou- those folks. I do commit to continuing will continue to assert that the Koch isiana may or may not be concerned to work on those issues, but I also ex- brothers are trying to buy America, that there are veterans who want to press real regret that when this body is and they are doing it in a number of take advantage of the post-9/11 GI very divided on the important details different ways. They don’t believe in bill—which over 1 million people are of that bill—and the details do mat- Social Security. They don’t believe in now having advantage of—and are hav- ter—we don’t come together on some- minimum wage. They don’t believe in ing problems with getting instate tui- thing we agree on, and we can’t accom- benefits—unemployment benefits. tion. Our legislation addresses that. plish a few important steps at a time. They don’t believe in environmental Our legislation for the first time makes Perhaps Senator SANDERS thinks laws. As you know and read in the sure dental care will be part of VA that if we do this, somehow it takes paper, they have a chemical plant. health care. Our legislation addresses away momentum for his larger bill. I They were fined about $400,000 over the the reprehensible situation faced by think that is nonsense. These 27 clinics last week or 10 days and ordered to pay many women and men in the military in 18 States are important, but they about $50 million to bring it up to who had to deal with sexual assault. are a trivial part of that broader bill. standard because it was deleterious to We think they should get the care they They are a trivial part of all of the pro- the health of people in the area. need. And on and on and on. posals in that broader bill. I don’t The Koch brothers are running false So we have a comprehensive piece of think it takes away any momentum in and misleading ads all around the legislation which is supported by vir- any way, shape, or form for that broad- country against Democratic Senators tually every veterans organization in er bill. I will continue to be just as dealing with health care. Do they care this country. We received 56 votes—1 committed and just as interested in VA about health care? Of course not. These person was absent who would have health care issues and working down are false and misleading ads, and they voted for it—57 votes, and we are now the claims backlog and everything have gone so far as to have actors there working with some of our Republican else. These clinics are a tiny part of pretending they are from the States,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:53 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.030 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1760 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 26, 2014 and they not only have done that in Mr. WICKER. Madam President, I The result was announced—yeas 59, one State; they used the same actor in ask for the yeas and nays. nays 41, as follows: different States. So the record should The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a [Rollcall Vote No. 86 Ex.] be very clear. Yes, I have called many, sufficient second? YEAS—59 if not most, of the anti-Obama ads by There appears to be a sufficient sec- Baldwin Harkin Murray the Koch brothers false and misleading ond. Begich Hatch Nelson because they are. The clerk will call the roll. Bennet Heinrich Reed Blumenthal Heitkamp VOTE ON COOPER NOMINATION The legislative clerk called the roll. Reid The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there Booker Hirono Rockefeller The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under any other Senators in the Chamber de- Boxer Johnson (SD) Sanders the previous order, there is now 2 min- Brown Kaine siring to vote? Schatz utes of debate, equally divided, prior to Cantwell King Schumer Cardin Klobuchar Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Shaheen a vote on the Cooper nomination. Carper Leahy Senator from New Jersey (Mr. MENEN- Stabenow The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Casey Levin DEZ) is necessarily absent. Coats Manchin Tester jority leader. Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator Toomey Mr. REID. I yield back all time. Collins Markey is necessarily absent: the Senator from Coons McCain Udall (CO) The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time Donnelly McCaskill Udall (NM) Tennessee (Mr. CORKER). Walsh is yielded back. Further, if present and voting, the Durbin Menendez Mr. MENENDEZ. I ask for the yeas Feinstein Merkley Warner Senator from Tennessee (Mr. CORKER) Franken Mikulski Warren and nays. would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Gillibrand Murkowski Whitehouse The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a The result was announced—yeas 93, Hagan Murphy Wyden sufficient second? nays 5, as follows: NAYS—41 There appears to be a sufficient sec- [Rollcall Vote No. 85 Ex.] ond. Alexander Fischer Moran YEAS—93 Ayotte Flake Paul The question is, Will the Senate ad- Barrasso Graham Portman Alexander Gillibrand Murkowski vise and consent to the nomination of Blunt Grassley Pryor Ayotte Graham Murphy Boozman Heller Risch Christopher Reid Cooper, of the Dis- Baldwin Grassley Murray Burr Hoeven Roberts trict of Columbia, to be United States Barrasso Hagan Nelson Chambliss Inhofe Begich Harkin Paul Rubio District Judge for the District of Co- Coburn Isakson Scott Bennet Hatch Portman Cochran Johanns lumbia? Sessions Blumenthal Heinrich Pryor Corker Johnson (WI) Shelby The clerk will call the roll. Blunt Heitkamp Reed Cornyn Kirk Thune The bill clerk called the roll. Booker Heller Reid Crapo Landrieu The result was announced—yeas 100, Boozman Hirono Roberts Cruz Lee Vitter Boxer Hoeven Rockefeller Enzi McConnell Wicker nays 0, as follows: Brown Inhofe Rubio [Rollcall Vote No. 84 Ex.] Burr Isakson Sanders The nomination was confirmed. Cantwell Johanns Schatz YEAS—100 Cardin Johnson (SD) Schumer VOTE ON SMITH NOMINATION Alexander Gillibrand Murphy Carper Johnson (WI) Scott The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Ayotte Graham Murray Casey Kaine Sessions BALDWIN). Under the previous order, Baldwin Grassley Nelson Chambliss King Shaheen there is now 2 minutes of debate equal- Barrasso Hagan Paul Coats Kirk Stabenow Begich Harkin Portman Cochran Klobuchar Tester ly divided prior to a vote on the Smith Bennet Hatch Pryor Collins Landrieu Thune nomination. Who yields time? Blumenthal Heinrich Reed Coons Leahy Toomey Mr. CORKER. Madam President, I Blunt Heitkamp Reid Cornyn Lee Udall (CO) Booker Heller Cruz Levin Udall (NM) yield back all time. Risch Boozman Hirono Donnelly Manchin Vitter Roberts The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time Boxer Hoeven Durbin Markey Walsh is yielded back. Brown Inhofe Rockefeller Enzi McCaskill Warner Burr Isakson Rubio Feinstein McConnell Warren The question is, Will the Senate ad- Cantwell Johanns Sanders Fischer Merkley Whitehouse vise and consent to the nomination of Cardin Johnson (SD) Schatz Flake Mikulski Wicker Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to Carper Johnson (WI) Schumer Franken Moran Wyden Casey Kaine Scott be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern Chambliss King Sessions NAYS—5 District of Pennsylvania. Coats Kirk Shaheen Coburn McCain Shelby Mr. CORKER. Madam President, I Coburn Klobuchar Shelby Crapo Risch ask for the yeas and nays. Cochran Landrieu Stabenow Collins Leahy Tester NOT VOTING—2 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Coons Lee Thune Corker Menendez sufficient second? Corker Levin Toomey The nomination was confirmed. There is a sufficient second. Cornyn Manchin Udall (CO) The clerk will call the roll. Crapo Markey Udall (NM) VOTE ON MCHUGH NOMINATION Cruz McCain The legislative clerk called the roll. Vitter The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Donnelly McCaskill Walsh The result was announced—yeas 69, Durbin McConnell the previous order, there is now 2 min- Warner nays 31, as follows: Enzi Menendez utes of debate equally divided prior to Feinstein Merkley Warren [Rollcall Vote No. 87 Ex.] Whitehouse a vote on the McHugh nomination. Fischer Mikulski YEAS—69 Flake Moran Wicker Mr. BLUMENTHAL. I yield back Franken Murkowski Wyden time. Alexander Enzi Lee The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Ayotte Fischer Levin The nomination was confirmed. objection, all time is yielded back. Barrasso Flake Manchin VOTE ON HARPOOL NOMINATION Bennet Graham McCain Mr. GRASSLEY. I ask for the yeas Blunt Grassley McCaskill The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under and nays. Boozman Hatch McConnell the previous order, there is now 2 min- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Brown Heitkamp Moran utes of debate equally divided prior to sufficient second? Burr Heller Murkowski a vote on the Harpool nomination. Carper Hirono Murphy There is a sufficient second. Casey Hoeven Nelson The Senator from Vermont. The question is, Will the Senate ad- Chambliss Inhofe Paul Mr. LEAHY. I yield back all time. vise and consent to the nomination of Coats Isakson Portman The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr., of Pennsyl- Coburn Johanns Pryor Cochran Johnson (SD) Reed objection, all time is yielded back. vania, to be United States District Collins Johnson (WI) Reid The question is, Will the Senate ad- Judge for the Eastern District of Penn- Coons Kaine Risch vise and consent to the nomination of sylvania? Corker King Roberts M. Douglas Harpool, of Missouri, to be The clerk will call the roll. Cornyn Kirk Rubio Crapo Klobuchar Scott United States District Judge for the The assistant legislative clerk called Cruz Landrieu Sessions Western District of Missouri? the roll. Durbin Leahy Shelby

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:12 Mar 27, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G26MR6.033 S26MRPT1 tjames on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with SENATE March 26, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1761 Thune Vitter Whitehouse As I say, he is a good friend of mine. tion of Joseph W. Westphal to be Am- Toomey Warner Wicker What is different about him is, there bassador Extraordinary and Pleni- NAYS—31 are a lot of people who have a career, potentiary of the United States of Baldwin Hagan Schumer have a background in academia, but America to the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- Begich Harkin Shaheen then there are the ones who have bia? Blumenthal Heinrich Stabenow shown they also have a heart—they The nomination was confirmed. Booker Markey Tester The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Boxer Menendez Udall (CO) have a reason for what they are doing Cantwell Merkley Udall (NM) and they have a love for using the posi- the previous order, the motion to re- Cardin Mikulski Walsh tion they hold to help other people, and consider is considered made and laid Donnelly Murray Warren upon the table. Feinstein Rockefeller that is what Joe Westphal has done for Wyden Franken Sanders a long period of time. The President will be immediately Gillibrand Schatz When Joe was Under Secretary—I notified of the Senate’s action. The nomination was confirmed. think he was actually Acting Secretary f f of the Army—we were together in LEGISLATIVE SESSION southern Oklahoma at Fort Sill. Fort NOMINATION OF JOSEPH WILLIAM Sill is outside of Lawton, OK, in the WESTPHAL TO BE AMBASSADOR southwestern part of the State, and we PROTECTING VOLUNTEER FIRE- EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENI- had two schools down there, one called FIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY RE- POTENTIARY OF THE UNITED Geronimo and the other was Sheridan. SPONDERS ACT OF 2014—MOTION STATES OF AMERICA TO THE Not Sheraton, like the hotel chain, but TO PROCEED—Continued KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA the Sheridan Indians, and we all know The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under who Geronimo is. These were old ate will resume legislative session. the previous order, the clerk will re- schools. They are public schools, but The Senator from Georgia is recog- port the Westphal nomination. the roofs leaked, and they had been nized. The legislative clerk read the nomi- around for a long period of time. The REMEMBERING KATE PUZEY nation of Joseph William Westphal, of majority of the kids who went to Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I rise New York, to be Ambassador Extraor- school there are the sons and daughters today to discuss the fifth anniversary dinary and Plenipotentiary of the of our military people. And because of of the tragic murder of a Georgia cit- United States of America to the King- his heart, for them, we went down to- izen who volunteered for the Peace dom of Saudi Arabia. gether and we looked at this and saw Corps, who traveled to West Africa to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under something could be done to help these the nation of Benin and lost her life. the previous order, there is now 2 min- kids. So we put together—and he did She lost her life because she did the utes of debate equally divided prior to through the Army—using it, perfectly right thing—she reported the abuse of a vote on the Westphal nomination. legitimately, for the percentage of the children in a village school where she The Senator from Oklahoma. population in the school who were ac- taught. Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask tually the sons and daughters of mili- The reason I have recently returned unanimous consent that I be recog- tary people, and we built a school that from Benin is that I have taken this nized for perhaps more than 2 minutes is now a model for schools and estab- case on as a personal passion, to see to or such time as I may consume. lishments that are in conjunction with it that justice and some closure comes The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there large cities. It is something that now a to the family of this wonderful young objection? lot of kids are very happy as they grad- lady. Her name was Kate Puzey. Kate Without objection, it is so ordered. uate from the Freedom Elementary Puzey was top of her class, valedic- Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask School at Fort Sill, OK. Oklahoma has torian, outstanding student, and she my colleagues to recognize they have at this school 1,000 servicemember chil- wanted to go out and save the world, to an opportunity now to support some- dren. So we replaced the old one for help the world and fulfill the dream one who is most deserving for the posi- them. John Kennedy professed in 1961 when tion of Ambassador to the Kingdom of I also remember when we had a re- he created the Peace Corps. Saudi Arabia. His name is Dr. Joseph quest—and I am sure the Chair knows, So Kate Puzey went to Benin and she William Westphal. While he is not an because he has made requests of the found that one of the village natives in Oklahoma man, in his heart I think he bureaucracy before, and sometimes it the village where she was teaching was is. He spent most of his time or much takes longer than it would be other- abusing children in the school where of his time in Oklahoma. He is a good wise, longer than it should take—be- she was teaching. In this very remote personal friend of mine. He actually at- cause we had a need in my State of area, she took the only communication tended and graduated from the Univer- Oklahoma for a museum to have an old mechanism she had to report the viola- sity of Oklahoma. Then he came back Huey helicopter that had been used in tion of these children to the appro- and was head of the political science the military many years ago. We tried priate authorities in Cotonou, Benin. department at Oklahoma State Univer- everything we could to get that done, Unfortunately, because those commu- sity—kind of an unusual combination. and one phone call from this guy nications were not secure, a relative of Joe Westphal is one who has had a named Dr. Joseph William Westphal, the person she reported notified the career in academia—and I don’t really and it was done. person she had reported that he had care that much about that, except for I probably shouldn’t say this to my been reported. That night, in her hut in his two exposures in Oklahoma—but he Democratic friends over here, but I the Nation of Benin, her throat was cut also was the chancellor at the Univer- have been such a good friend of his, I and she died. She died because she did sity of Maine, he taught public policy was afraid to express myself for fear the right thing. as the adjunct professor at Georgetown President Obama might change his This Senate, 2 years ago, joined me University, and he has been a Capitol mind. But nonetheless he is now up for and Senator BOXER in passing the Hill professional staff member for a confirmation—I understand we are Peace Corps Protection Act, which is long time. He actually was on the going to do that by voice vote—and I now named the Kate Puzey Peace House Budget Committee for a long pe- can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t take Corps Volunteer Protection Act. This riod of time. He was also a special as- advantage of the opportunity to vote provides a mechanism and a way where sistant to our Senator THAD COCHRAN, for Dr. Joseph Westphal to be U.S. Am- Peace Corps volunteers can report vio- although this has been some time ago. bassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- lations or trauma of a sexual nature, In the executive branch, Joe served bia. gender-based violence, or any other as the Army assistant secretary, then I yield the floor. type of violence against themselves or the Acting Secretary of the Army— The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. in any other place where they might be that was 2001—and then as the 30th BROWN). Is there further debate? as a servant of the Peace Corps. Be- Under Secretary of the Army for the If not, the question is, Will the Sen- cause of that, there are now ombuds- past 5 years. ate advise and consent to the nomina- men and ways and mechanisms where

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