Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
GENERAL SPEECHES TODAY.
MORNING BUSINESS AS THE SENATE
COMES IN LIVE ON C-SPAN2.
LET US PRAY.
ALMIGHTY GOD, STRENGTHEN THE
DESIRE OF OUR SENATORS TO SERVE
YOU.
MAY THEY JOIN YOU IN BRINGING
PEACE, JUSTICE, AND ORDER TO OUR
NATION AND WORLD.
CONFIRM THE WISDOM OF THEIR
SERVICE IN THE JOY THEY RECEIVE
FROM DOING YOUR WILL.
LORD, FILL THEM WITH YOUR SPIRIT
SO THAT THEY CAN DISCOVER
CREATIVE WAYS TO MEET THE
CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME.
GIVE THEM COURAGE TO CHANGE
THEIR MINDS WHEN IT IS NEEDED IN
ORDER TO TRAVEL ALONG A MORE
PRODUCTIVE PATH.
LET INTEGRITY BE THE HALLMARK OF
THEIR CHARACTERS.
WE PRAY IN YOUR YOUR HOLY NAME, AMEN.
JOIN ME IN RECITING THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG
OF AMERICA,
FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION
UNDER GOD,
WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE
CLERK WILL READ A COMMUNICATION
TO THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
FEBRUARY 4, 2011.
TO THE SENATE:
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
RULE 1, PARAGRAPH 3,
OF THE STANDING RULES
OF THE SENATE,
I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLE
MARK BEGICH, A SENATOR FROM THE
STATE OF ALASKA, TO PERFORM THE
SIGNED: DANIEL K. INOUYE,
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE.
MR. PRESIDENT?
MAJORITY LEADER.
FOLLOWING LEADER
REMARKS, THE SENATE WILL PROCEED
TO A PERIOD OF MORNING BUSINESS
MUCH SENATORS PERMITTED TO
ALLOWED TO SPEAK UP TO 10
MINUTES EACH THIS MORNING.
WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON
THE F.A.A. AUTHORIZATION BILL
THIS WEEK AND WE'LL MAKE MORE
PROGRESS NEXT WEEK.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S GOING TO
REPORT OUT A BILL ON --
AMENDMENT LEGISLATION ON
TUESDAY, FUNDING FOR THIS MOST
IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
WE HOPE TO COMPLETE ACTION ON
THIS BILL EARLY IN THE WEEK OF
THE 14th.
TODAY I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADER ON AN
AGREEMENT TO VOTE ON MONDAY ON
THE CONFIRMATION OF SEVERAL
EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS.
THERE WILL BE NO ROLL CALL VOTES
SENATE.
MR. PRESIDENT, THERE ARE THREE
BILLS AT THE DESK DUE FOR A
SECOND READING.
THE CLERK
WILL REPORT THE BILLS EN BLOC.
S. 289, A BILL TO
EXTEND EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF
THE U.S.A. PATRIOT IMPROVEMENT
AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005
AND SO FORTH AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
S. 290, A BILL TO EXTEND THE
SUNSET OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
THE U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
S. 291, A BILL TO REPEAL THE
SUNSET PROVISIONS IN THE U.S.A.
PATRIOT IMPROVEMENT AND
REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005 AND
SO FORTH.
MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD
OBJECT TO ANY FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS WITH RESPECT TO EACH
OF THESE THREE BILLS.
IS HEARD.
THE BILLS WILL BE PLACED ON THE
CALENDAR.
NOTE THE BE ABSENCE OF A
QUORUM.
THE CLERK
WILL CALL THE ROLL.
CALL:
C-SPAN2.
CONTINUES.
ST: SEN A TERROR ROGER WICKER
-- SENATOR ROGER WICKER, HE HAS
NOW MOVED ON TO ARMED SERVICES.
HE IS A PART OF THE LEADERSHIP
TEAM FOR THE SENATE.
A WANT TO START WITH YOUR
PERSPECTIVE ON EGYPT.
AS YOU SIT AND WATCH THIS WATER
YOUR CONCERNS FOR U.S. INTERESTS
IN THAT REGION?
ACTUALLY, EGYPT HAS BEEN A
LINCHPIN IN OUR POLICY TOWARD
ISRAEL.
THAT IS MY MAJOR CONCERN.
OF COURSE, WE DO NOT WANT TO
SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN IRAN THREE
DECADES AGO HAPPENED IN EGYPT.
IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT PRESIDENT
MUBARAK IS ON HIS WAY OUT.
THE QUESTION IS WHO IS GOING TO
REPLACE HIM.
THIS MAY HAPPEN TODAY.
IT WOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE
MILITARY, SOMEONE WHO IS IN
CHARGE OF THIS VAST MILITARY
ESTABLISHMENT THAT CONOLS 40%
OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF
EGYPT.
IN THAT CASE, I THINK IT WOULD
BE A STABILIZING TRANSITION
PERIOD TO THE EXTENT THERE IS A
GROUP THAT TAKES OVER INCLUDING
THE ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD, THEN WE
HAVE REAL TROUBLE.
AND I THINK WE HAVE YET TO SEE
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.
BUT I DKNOW THIS.
ISRAEL.
THEY SIGNED THE CAMP DAVID
ACCORDS BACK IN 1978.
SINCE THAT TIME, THEY HAVE EN
A RELIABLE PARTNER IN HELPING US
MAKE THE CASE THAT ISRAEL HAS
THE RIGHT TO EXIST.
AND THE ENTIRE ARAB WORLD SHOULD
NOT BE AT WAR WITH ISRAEL.
THAT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT
STABILIZING FACTOR IN THE
REGION.
THIS IS IN THE NEW YORK
TIMES THIS MORNING --
IS IT APPROPRIATE OR A MISSED
OPPORTUNITY?
FOR GOP CANDIDATES?
I THINK ITS TO THEIR CREDIT
THAT THEY HAVE NOT PLAYED
POLITICS WITH THIS.
THIS IS A TIME FOR EXTREME
PRUDENCE AND CAUTION.
WE HAVE ONE PRESIDENT AT A TIME
TIME.
CONGRESS HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
WEIGH IN.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE THE POWER OF
THE PERSON WITH THIS $1.5
BILLION IN AID THAT HAS GONE TO
EGYPT YEAR AFTER YEAR SINCE CAMP
DAVID.
BUT MOST OF IT COMES BACK TO THE
UNITED STATES IN THE FORM OF
MILITARY MANUFACTURING.
BUT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS
ADMINISTRATION ARE THE PRINCIPAL
POLICY.
FRANKLY, AS A MATTER OF WHAT IS
DOING IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST,
IT IS PROBABLY BEST NOT TO
INJECT PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS IN
THIS.
THE SENATE RESOLUTION ON
THE TRANSITION OF POWER -- WHAT
GOOD DOES THAT DO?
I WONDER MYSELF.
THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DEBATE AS
PEOPLE WHO WATCH CLOSELY KNOW.
BASICALLY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
FOREIGN RELATIONS COMTTEE AND
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN PUT IT TO
GET THEIR -- PUT IT TOGETHER AND
BASICALLY GOT IT BLESSED BY
THEIR LEADERSHIP.
I DARESAY MOST MEMBERS DID NOT
EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO READ IT IN
ITS ENTIRETY.
I THINK IT EXPRESSES THE GENERAL
SENSE ON CAPITOL HILL THAT WE
REALIZE A TRANSITION IS ON ITS
WAY AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE
QUICKLY AND IN AN ORDERLY
FASHION.
AND THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT ARE
ENTITLED TO A DEMOCRATICALLY
ELECTED GOVERNMENT.
BASICALLY, IT STRUCK THE GENERAL
PRINCIPLES BUT IN TERMS OF
MAKING NEWS OR TAKING A
POSITION, I THINK THE
SIGNIFICANT PART OF WAS THAT THE
TRANSITION SHOULD BEG ALMOST
IMMEDIATELY AND NOT WAIT UNTIL
THE END OF PRESIDENT MUBAK'S
TERM.
I THINK YOU COULD SAY THAT.
THE CENTER WILL BE WITH US
FOR A HALF HOUR.
-- THE SENATOR WILL BE WITH US
FOR A HALF-HOUR.
HE IS READY TO TAKE YOUR CALLS.
LET ME MOVE TO THE BUDGET.
THE HOUSE IS TAKING THE LEAD AS
IT DOES ON BUDGET ISSUES.
YESTERDAY, THE NEW BUDGET
CUTTING.
DEPENDING UPON PERHAPS THE
EDITORIAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE
PAPER, THAT HAD LINED VARIED
VERY DIFFERENTLY ABOUT WHETHER
THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TO FIND
SAVINGS OR WHETHER OR NOT IT
MEETS THE PROMISES MADE IT --
HERE WE ARE, DURING THE ELECTION
CAMPAIGN.
HERE IS THE NEW YORK TIMES --
JOURNAL --
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE
SENTIMENT AMONG REPUBLICANS ON
CAPITOL HILL IN BOTH CHAMBER.
I THINK THE STORY THERE
IS THAT IT IS A NEW DIRECTION
WHETHER IT IS AN INADEQUATE FOR
STEP OR NOT CAN BE DEBATABLE.
THE SIGNIFICANT THING IS THAT
THIS IS A NEW DAY AND WE ARE NOT
TALKING ABOUT NEW STIMULUS
SPENDING PROJECTS.
NEW APPROPRIATIONS TO BE SENT TO
STATES TO HELP THEM OUT OF THEIR
FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS.
THIS IS A NEW BUDGET CHAIRMAN,
AND THEEPLICAN MINORITY IN
THE SENATE FEEL THIS WAY ALSO,
THAT OUR SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO
CUT THE BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES.
IT IS THE DIRECTION THAT IS AN
ABOUT FACE.
THE NEW DIRECTION IS THE BIGGER
STORY THERE.
WILL THEY FIND ENOUGH
LIKE-MINDED DEMOCRATS?
I HOPE SO.
WE WILL SEE.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE VOTES.
I THINK REPEALING THE OBAMA
LONG-TERM SAVINGS.
THAT IS WHY WE HAD A VOTE
YESTERDAY OR EARLIER THIS WEEK.
IT WOULD TAKE IN 60 VOTES.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN AMENDMENT,
THE REAUTHORIZATION BILL.
IT WAS AN OPENING SALVO.
WE WILL BE SEEING IF WE CAN
TAKE OUR 47 REPUBLICANS IN THE
SENATE A GET FOUR OR FIVE
DEMOCRATS TO MOVE US IN THE
DIRECTION OF ACTUALLY CUTTING
THE BUDGET.
THE FIRST TASK IS GOING TO BE ON
THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION, WHICH
IS NEXT MONTH.
I THINK IT SAYS A LOT THAT THIS
NEW MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IS NOT SIMPLY
SAYING FOR THE REST OF THIS
FISCAL YEAR WE ARE SIMPLY GOING
TO RATIFY THE APPROPRIATION
LEVELS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD.
BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS
NO, EVEN THIS, THE CONTINUATION
OF THE STATUS QUO IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE.
WE ARE GOING TO CUT ON THAT
LEVEL.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO DO AS
DEMONSTRATED YESTERDAY, BUT I
THINK THE CUTS E GOING TO
COME.
IN MANY RESPECTS, IT IS NOT
GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER
PICTURE, AND THAT IS WITH A $14
TRILLION DEBT.
AND OUR COUNTRY REALLY RISKS
ECONOMIC RUIN.
THINGS HAVE GONE SO FAR OUT OF
HAND,E ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO
SOME PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT
THINGS AND MAKE SOME ADULT
DECISIONS.
LET'S GET TO OUR CALLS,
BEGINNING WIT CANTO OHIO.
YOU AREN ALIGN WITH THE
SENATOR.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY
CALL.
SENATOR, I HAVE A COMMENT AND A
QUESTION FOR YOU.
BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THIS MOVEMENT
IN EGYPT WAS STARTED BY
ANONYMOUS STUDENTS USING MODERN
ELECTRONIC DEVICES -- FACEBOOK,
WHAT EVER.
I THINK THA OBAMA'S SPEECH IN
JUNE 2009 AT CAIRO UNIVERSITY
STEERED THE STUDENTS UP.
I ALSO THINK THAT EVERY AMERICAN
MEDIA OUTLET -- THE JOURNALISTS
OVER THERE, I BELIEVE THE
ISRAELIS CALLED IT PROFESSIONAL
MARCUSESAND NARCISSISM.
I INCLUDE YOU A PART OF THE
GOVERNMENT.
WHAT IF PRESIDENT MUBARAK CALLED
FOR OBAMA TO STEP DOWN BECAUSE
HE HAS A LOT OF OPPOSITION IN
THIS COUNTRY?
THE LLER WAS NOT VERY
GOOD ON THE SOUND, BUT I THINK
HE HAS A POINT.
INTERNATIONALLY, PEOPLE LOOK TO
THE UNITED STATES FOR BROAD
PRINCIPLES, AND WE CERTAINLY
OUGHT TO BE STANDING FOR FREEDOM
AND DEMOCRACY AT THE SAME TIME
WE ARE APPROACHING -- AT THE
SAME TE WE ARE PROMOTING
STABILITY WHAT WOULD WE CARE IN
THE UNITED STATES IF FOREIGN
HEAD OF STATE SUGGESTED HOW WE
HANDD OUR DOMESTIC POLICY?
I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IN
THAT RESPECT AND HOW WE ARE SEEN
AS DICTATING WHAT PEOPLE IN A
SOVEREIGN COUNTRY SHOULD DO.
WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS OF HOW
THAT IS RECEIVED BY THE VARIOUS
FACTIONS OVER THERE.
THE CALLER MAKES A GOOD POINT.
REPUBLICAN.
REPUBLICAN.
AT THE NEWS MEDIA IS
FEEDG THE FIRE OVER THERE.
HOW CAN OUR GOVERNMENTS THINK
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO TELL OTHER
COUNTRIES TO PUT IN POWER?
OUR GOVERNMENT IS TAKING AWAY
MORE AND MORE OF OUR POWERS,
LIKE HEALTH CARE, WHAT WE HAVE
TO EAT, WHAT KIND OF CARS.
SO WE ARE NO BETTER THAN THEY
ARE, YET WE WANT TO TELL THEM
WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?
POINT.
I GUESS WE HAVE A POINT OF
BIPARTISANSHIP BETWEEN OUR FIRST
TWOALLERS.
OF COURSE, THE CALLER HAS SOME
VERY REAL CONCERNS ABOUT
DOMESTIC POLICIES AND THEY ARE
WELL TAKEN.
I THINK I WILL LET IT GO AT
THAT.
IT IS A FACT THAT THE UNITED
STATES IS A LEADER ON THE
WORLD STAGE.
TO A GREAT EXTENT, THEY LOOK TO
US.
IT IS ALSO A FACT THAT THE
AMERICAN TAXPAYERS, AS A WAY OF
BEING A PART OF A PROCESS TO
MOVE TOWARDS MIDDLE EAST PEACE,
THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS HAVE
PAID $1.5 BILLION A YEAR OR THE
EQUIVALENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THERE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE
EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS.
OFTENTIMES, THE UNITED STATES
HAS BEEN ABLE TO MOVE IN AND
PRESIDE OVER VERY DIFFICULT
ISSUES AND PROVIDE A FORUM FOR
GETTING THEM STRAIGHTENED OUT.
I HOPE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING
RATHER THAN SENDING THE SIGNAL
THAT WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR
THIS IS ROBERT, AN
INDEPENDENT.
GOOD MORNING.
I SEE A LOT OF PARALLELS WITH
THIS STUFF OVER IN EGYPT AND
OPLE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE OVER HERE -- I
THINK IT IS GOING BACK TO WHEN
GEORGE BUSH WAS PUT INTO OFFICE
NOT BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE
[UNINTELLIGIBLE]
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS
COUNTRY FEEL LIK-- USE A FEW
MINUTES AGO THAT THE
THIS.
SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, IT
LOOK LIKE THE REPUBLICAN SHOULD
BE INVOLVED WITH THIS.
THEY JUST WANT TO DROP IT ON THE
DEMOCRATS NOW.
I WOULD THINK THAT YOU WOULD BE
A LITTLE MORE SYMPATHETIC FOR
EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY INSTEAD
OF JUST REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS.
THANK YOU.
WE DO HAVE A VESTED
INTEREST OVER THERE.
WE HAVE A STRONG ALLY IN ISRAEL.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ISRAEL HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SURVIVE AND
HAVE THEIR OWN COUNTRY OVER
THERE AND LIVE IN A PEACEFUL
MIDDLE EAST.
IT IS -- AND AGAIN, WE HAVE
SPENT OUR OWN TAX PAYER DOLLARS
TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.
THE POINT I WAS MAKING ABOUT
REPUBLICANS' SORT OF NOT
POLITICIZING THIS ISSUE IS THAT
IT IS A VERY, VERY VOLATILE OIL
SITUATION -- A VOLATILE
SITUATION.
EXTREME PRUDENCE SHOULD BE USED.
FOR THAT REAN, I WOULD THINK
THAT OBSERVERSND AMERICAN
VOTERS SUCH AS YOU WOULD BE
PLEASED THAT PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATES ARE NOT COMING IN AND
MAKING A POLITICAL ISSUE OUT OF
THIS.
TH THE FRONT PAGE IN
"USA TODAY," --
I PUT THIS ON THE TABLE NOT SO
MUCH TO RESPOND TO THIS, BUT
JUST TO TALK ABOUT YOUR GOALS
AND WHAT YOUR ATTITUDE IS WITH
THE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BUDGET
AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR
MANDATARY SERVICE PEOPLE AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR
PEOPLE MAKING SACRIFICES?
LET ME CLARIFY.
I AM CONTINUING ON THE ARMED
SERVICES COMMITTEE.
I HAVE HAD AN EXTRA DUTY WITH
FOREIGN RELATIONS FOR THE LAST
TWO YEARS, BUT I AM CONTINUING.
I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE
VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR
ACTUALLY, I HAD A GOLSTAR MOM
IN MY OFFICE YESTERDAY.
HER SON HAD BEEN KILLED IN
COMBAT IN IRAQ.
BASICALLY, SHE DID NOT COME
THERE WITH AN AGENDA WITH THE
COLD START MOTHERS'
ORGANIZATION, BUT SHE DID WANT
TO COMMUNICATE TO ME THAT AS WE
MAKE BUDGET CUTS WE DO NOT NEED
TO DISADVANTAGE OUR TROOPS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
I THINK THAT IS A LEGITIMATE
CONCERN.
I THINK EVERYTHING NEED TOE ON
THE TABLE.
THERE ARE EXPENDITURES IN THE
PENTAGON, PERHA THAT ARE NOT
DIRECTLY RELATED TO WHAT WE ARE
DOING IN IRAQ AND IN
AFGHANISTAN AND NOT DIRECTLY
RELATED TO TAKING CARE OF OUR
TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
I THINK WE CAN MAKE CUTS THERE
BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT ARTICLE
ABOUT FORECLOSURES.
I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT IT IS
DISTURBING TO HEAR THAT.
PERHAPS, THERE IS A SOLUTION,
BUT OVERALL, IT MAY BE A
FUNCTION OF THE HOUSING MARKET
AND THE FACT THAT POTENTIAL
BUYERS CANNOT GET CREDIT AND
COME IN AND BUY THE HOMES THAT
MILITARY PEOPLE ARE OFFERG FOR
SALE.
WE WILL NEED TO LOOK FURTHER
INTO THE DETAILS, BUT IT IS A
DISTURBING HEADLINE.
AS YOU LOOK FOR WAYS TO
TRIM THE BUDGET, --
UEST: THAT IS THE REASON I AM
ENCOURAGED BY THE DETERMINATION
TO HAVE A LEGITIMATE OVERSIGHT.
OFTENTIMES, WE ARE SO BUSY
TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION BEING
OFFERED AND WORKING OUT THE
DETAILS OF A NEW BILL OR A NEW
RESOLUTION OR A NEW
APPROPRIATION THAT WE FAIL TO
TAKE THE TIME TO EXERCISE OUR
ROLE AS A FUNCTION OF HOW OUR
MONEY IS BEING SPENT ALRDY,
ALL PROGRAMS ARE WORKING
ALREADY.
SO, OF COURSE, A REAL
AGGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN
CONGRESSMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS
BEEN MADE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE
OF RRESENTATIVES.
I KNOW THE SPEAKER HAS SAID THIS
IS NOT GOING TO BE "GOTCHA"
INVESTIGATIONS, PUTTING PEOPLE
ON THE SPOT, BUT IT IS GOING TO
BE OVERSIGHT IN TO HELP OUR
PROGRAMS ARE WORKING.
I THINK EVERY PROGRAM INCLUDING
VETERANS HEALTH AND ALL THE
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE
PENTAGON AND INCLUDING
ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD BE
THE SUBJECT OF VARIOUS THOROUGH
OVERSIGHT, AND THINK THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE MAY BE PLEASED
WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO WEED OUT
SOME PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT
GETTING THE RESULTS THAT WE
HOPED FOR.
THIS IS GREG WHO IS A
DEMOCRAT.
GOOD MORNING.
I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME IN EGYPT.
ONE THING THAT WE HAVE TO BE
AWARE OF IS YOU HAVE AN ELITE
POLITICAL CLASS IN EGYPT THAT
A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT, I
REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT A
QUORUM CALL BE DISPENSED WITH.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE
LEADERSHIP TIME IS RESERVED.
UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE
SENATE WILL BE IN A PERIOD OF
MORNING BUSINESS WITH SENATORS
PERMITTED TO SPEAK THEREIN FOR
UP TO 10 MINUTES EACH.
A SENATOR: THANK YOU,
MR. PRESIDENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS
MORNING IN SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT
32.
LOVEMR. HOEVEN: THIS AMENDMENT
INTRODUCES NEW LANGUAGE INTO THE
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AUTHORIZATION BILL.
IT IS OFFERED BY SENATOR ENSIGN,
SENATOR CONRAD, AND MYSELF.
IT CALLS FOR THE F.A.A. TO
DEVELOP A PROCESS TO INTEGRATE
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS,
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES AND
REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT INTO
THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM.
WE'VE ALL SEEN ON TELEVISION AND
READ IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE
REMARKABLE ROLE THAT UNMANNED
AERIAL VEHICLES AND REMOTELY
PILOTED AIRCRAFT ARE PLAYING
OVERSEAS IN THE SECURITY OF OUR
NATION IN THE WAR ON TERROR.
THEY ACHIEVED MILITARY
OBJECTIVES WITHOUT PUTTING OUR
MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM IN
HARM'S WAY.
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS WILL
CONTINUE TO PLAY THAT VITAL ROLE
IN OUR NATION'S SECURITY ABROAD,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO POISED TO PLAY
A BIG ROLE HERE AT HOME IN OTHER
IMPORTANT AREAS AS WELL.
AREAS LIKENNANCING OUR ABILITY
TO PATROL OUR BORDERS AND SECURE
VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE, FIGHT
CRIME, DETECT WILDFIRES, PROVIDE
VALUABLE CROP DATA FOR OUR
FARMERS AND RESPOND TO
EMERGENCIES LIKE FLOODS AND
FIRES.
I CAN GIVE YOU A PRACTICAL AND
PERSONAL EXAMPLE OF THEIR VALUE.
TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MY HOME
STATE, ALONG WITH OUR NEIGHBOR
TO THE EAST, MINNESOTA, WAS
BATTLING FLOODING IN THE RED
RIVER VALLEY AND MANY OF YOU
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY SAW THIS
ON TELEVISION.
PREDATOR AIRCRAFT ARE ON LOAN
FROM CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL
GAVE US REALTIME DATA ON ICE
JAMS AND OVERLAND FLOODING AND
MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HELPING US
TO FIGHT THOSE FLOODS AND
PROTECT OUR CITIZENS.
THAT VITAL INFORMATION ENABLED
BOTH STATES TO DEPLOY RESOURCES
IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT MANNER
AND MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR
THE PEOPLE OF NORTH DAKOTA AND
MINNESOTA AND THROUGHOUT THE
REGION.
JUST A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WOULD
HAVE BEEN THE STUFF OF SCIENCE
FICTION, A VISION OF THE FUTURE.
BUT TODAY IT'S REALITY AND WE
CAN DO MUCH, MUCH MORE.
IN FACT, UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
ARE ABOUT JUST THAT, THEY'RE
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AVIATION
TECHNOLOGY IN AMERICA AND I'M
PROUD TO SAY THIS OUR STATE OF
NORTH DAKOTA IS PLAYING AN
IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT ENDEAVOR.
THE GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE
IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA IS
ALREADY HOME TO PREDATOR B
AIRCRAFT THAT FLY MISSIONS FOR
CUSTOMS AN BORDER PROTECTION AND
WILL SOON BE HOME TO THE GLOBAL
HAWK AS WELL.
RIGHT NOW OVERSEAS PREDATOR
MISSIONS ARE OPERATED BY OUR
NORTH DAKOTA AIR GUARD IN FARGO,
NORTH DAKOTA.
THE GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE
IS ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE
STATE'S UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AN U.N.D.,
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
SCHOOL OF AEROSPACE.
THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE ACCESS TO
STATE OF THE ART TRAINING AND
TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE BASE.
OUR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE --
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE OPERATES UP
TO NINE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AND IS
IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING
U.A.S. SIMULATORS AND TRAINING
PROGRAMS TO PREPARE A GENERATION
OF YOUNG PILOTS FOR THIS RAPIDLY
GROWING FIELD.
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO
COMBINE THE VISIONARY THINKING
OF RESEARCHERS WITH THE
PRACTICAL ENERGY OF
ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES.
IN FACT, THE COMMERCIAL
APPLICATIONS OF UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT IN THE -- AND THE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICA'S
AVIATION INDUSTRY ARE ENORMOUS.
U.A.B. SPENDING WILL MORE THAN
DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT DECADE FROM
CURRENT WORLDWIDE U.A.V.
EXPENDITURES OF $4.9 BILLION
ANNUALLY TO $11.5 BILLION
ANNUALLY.
TOTALING JUST OVER $80 BILLION
FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
ACCORDING TO THE 2010 MARKET
STUDY.
HERE AND ABROAD OUR NATION HAS
LEDDED WAY IN THIS BREAKTHROUGH
TECHNOLOGY.
BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE.
WE NEED TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY
AND THIS AMENDMENT PROVIDES OUR
OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY
MAINTAIN, BUT BUILD ON THAT
LEADERSHIP POSITION.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL AUTHORIZE
THE F.A.A. TO SETUP PILOT
PROJECTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
IT WILL DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THESE
AIRCRAFT TO FLY SAFELY EITHER
CONCURRENTLY OR IN LAYERED AIR
ZONES IN OUR NATION'S SKIES.
WE NEED THEM TO DEVELOP AIR
TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS
CERTIFICATION AND FLIGHT
STANDARDS FOR UNMANNED AERIAL
SYSTEMS TO FLY IN THE NATIONAL
WE'RE ALREADY FLYING U.A.V.'S IN
AIRSPACE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
NOW WE NEED TO OPEN THE SKIES
FOR THEM RIGHT HERE AT HOME TO
MAKE OUR NATION MORE SECURE, OUR
COMMUNITY SAFER, OUR ECONOMY
MORE DYNAMIC AND CREATE JOBS AND
OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT OUR
IF WE -- IF WE DON'T, YOU CAN BE
SURE THAT OTHER NATIONS WILL.
THE GOAL IS TO MAKE U.A.V.'S
WITH ALL OF THEIR REMARKABLE
CAPABILITIES A FULLY
FUNCTIONING, FULLY EMPOWERED
COMPONENT OF AMERICA'S AVIATION
SYSTEM.
MR. PRESIDENT, AMERICAN INDUSTRY
AND INGENUITY CAN CONTINUE TO
LEAD THE WAY.
THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LEAD THE
WAY FORWARD IN THE WORLD OF
AVIATION, BUT WE MUST PROVIDE
THE ENVIRONMENT THAT ENABLES OUR
AVIATION INDUSTRY TO DO IT RIGHT
HERE AT HOME.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL HELP US DO
JUST THAT.
I STRONGLY URGE SUPPORT FOR THIS
AMENDMENT.
THANK YOU.
AT THIS POINT, MR. PRESIDENT, I
WILL YIELD THE FLOOR AND I ALSO
SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.
THE CLERK
WILL CALL THE ROLL.
CALL:
QUORUM CALL:
"WASHINGTON JOURNAL"
CONTINUES.
WE WELCOME BACK TO THE
TABLE AT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE,
SENATOR JEFF BINGAMAN.
HOW REAL ARE THOSE CONCERNS?
WE HAD A HEARING
YESTERDAY AND SEVERAL EERTS
THE CONSENSUS WAS THERE IS NO
IMMEDIATE THREAT TO OIL
PRODUCTION IN EACH ITEGYPT OR TRANSIT
IN EGYPT.
I THINK OF THE CONCERNS ARE
UNDERSTANDABLE.
ANYTIME THERE IS A MAJOR
GEOPOLITICAL PROBLEM, YOU SEE
FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICE OF
OIL.
I DO NOT THINK WE ARE GOING TO
SEE A DISRUPTION IN OIL IN THAT
PART OF THE WORLD.
EVEN BEFORE THE CRISIS,
WEAK OR HEARING STORIES ABOUT WE
COULD BE SEEING $4 A GALLON GAS
PRICES.
WHAT IS CAUSING THAT?
THE CONSENSUS IS THA IT
IS PRIMARILY THE RAPID INCREASE
IN PURCHASES AND IN DEMAND FROM
EMERGING COUNTRIES PRIMARILY.
AND THERE IS NOT A GREAT DEAL
OF INCREASE OF DEMAND IN THE
MIDST ITS OR FROM EUROPE, CHINA,
INDIA, THESE COUNTRIES CONTINUE
TO GROW AND BUY MORE
AUTOMOBILES.
THE DEMAND FOR OIL KEEPS GOING
UP IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT
SPEAK ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY IN
THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.
YOU WERE ASKED TO COME MEET WITH
POLICY.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT
MEETING?
WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE
ISSUES HE DISCUSSED IN HIS STATE
OF THE UNION SPEECH.
HE TALKED ABOUT WE SHOULD HAVE A
GOAL OF PRODUCING AT LEAST 80%
OF ELECTRICITY THAT WE CONSUME
HERE IN THE COUNTRY FROM
RENEWABLE SOURCES AND FROM OTHER
CLEAN SOURCES.
HE SPECIFIED NUCLEAR POWER,
CLEAN COAL, AND NATURAL GAS.
HE TALKED ABOUT THAAND HOW WE
NEED TO DO A LOT OF CONSULTATION
TO SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH AN
AGREEMENT OF HOW THAT MIGHT BE
DONE OR WHAT LEGISLATION WOULD
BE INAPPROPRIATE TO TRY TO
IMPLEMENT THAT.
WE TALKED ABOUT HIS OTHER GOAL
WHICH HE TALKED ABOUT IN HIS
SPEECH OF HAVING 1 MILLION
ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BY
2015.
OF COURSE, THAT IS AN AMBITIOUS
I THINK HE RECOGNIZED THAT AND
EVERYBODY EE DOES AS WELL.
IT IS CERTAINLY A WORTHY GOAL
AND ONE THAT I AM ANXIOUS TO TRY
TO FIND WAYS TO HELP US ACHIEVE.
AS THE POINT PERSON FOR
ENERGY POLICY, WHAT DO YOU WANT
TO, WITH THIS DEBATE WITH?
I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS
ACHIEVABLE YET.
WE HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH TIME TO
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO
IS GET A BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS ON
LEGISLATION IN EACH OF THESE
VARIOUS ARE.
WE CAN DO MUCH MORE IN THIS
COUNTRY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
THAT IS ALSO EFFICIENCY IN
BUILDINGS.
THE PRESIDENT SPOKE ABOUT THAT
YESTERDAY IN HIS TRIP TO
PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT HIS DESIRE TO
SEE US DO MORE, IN COURAGE
BUILDING EFFICIENCY.
APPLIANCES, EQUIPMENT,
MANUFACTURING, AND ALL THOSE
AREAS I THINK MOST EXPERTS SAY
WE ARE NOT NEAR AS EFFICIENT IN
OUR USE OF ENERGY AS FOR EXAMPLE
THE JAPANESE A AND MA OF OUR
EUROPEANLLIES.
THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE
THERE.
THERE IS A LAW THAT CAN BE DONE
THE PRODUCTION SIDE.
WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THE
PROPER REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE
SO WE DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER OIL
SPILL DOWN IN THE GULF OF
WE STILL NEED TO PASS
LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
ON NUCLEAR POWER, HOW DO
YOU ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT
STORAGE AND PROLIFERATION?
I THINK THE RECORD OF
SAFE IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
IN THIS COUNTRY IS PRETTY GOOD
WE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO KEEP A
FOCUS ON THAT.
I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD RECORD
THERE.
PROLIFERATION ISSUES, WE NEED
TO BE CONTINUED TO BE WORRIED
ABOUT.
WE HAVE TO BE WORRIED THAT IT IS
NOT BECOME MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD
IN THESE COUNTRIES THAT ARE
PARTICULARLY VOLATILE AND
I THINKHE NUCLEAR NON-
PROLIFERATION TREATY HAS BEEN
OUR BEST DEFENSE IN THAT REGARD.
WE NEED TO T TO KEEP THAT
ALIVE.
THE PRESIDENT HAS COMMITTED TO
TALKED ABOUT DOING AS PART OF
THAT TREATY, WHICH IS TO KEEP
BRINGING DOWN THE U.S. ARSENAL
WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED
A BLUE-RIBBON COMMISSION ON THAT
TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A PLAN
SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION DOES
NOT SUPPORT WITH GOING AHEAD
WITH YACA MOUNTAIN.
THEY HAVE TRIED TO WITHDRAW THE
SO, I THINK WE DO NEED GOOD
EXPERTS, SCIENTIFIC ADVICE, AS
TO WHAT IS A GOOD PLAN B.
SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER
PERMANENT REPOSITORY?
IF SO, WHERE SHOULD IT BE?
SHOULD WE PLAN ON INTERIM
STORAGE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME IN SOME PERHAPS REGIONAL
WHAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER?
I THINK WE DO NOT HAVE THE
ANSWER YET.
I HOPE THE BLUE RIBBON
COMMISSION WILL GIVE US SOME
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I AM WONDERING HOW YOU
FEEL ABOUT ETHANOL POLICY, GIVEN
SOME OF THE FACTS WE HAVE
LEARNED ABOUT WHAT IT IS DOING
OVERALL TO ADD TO THE CARBON
ISSUES WITH TRANSPORTATION, FOOD
PRICE EFFECTS.
POLICY?
M.I.A. SUPPORTED TO BEGIN
TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY
PROVIDED TO ETHANOL.
WE TRIED IN THIS LAST LAME-DUCK
SESSION -- WE TRY TO GET AN
AGREEMENT TO GO AHEAD AND REDUCE
THE AMOUNT OF THAT SUBSIDY
VARIES SIGNIFICANTLY, I THINK
ABOUT 20% REDUCTION, AND THEN
PHASE IT FURTHER DOWN IN THE
COMING YEA.
I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO
I DO NOT THINK WE CAN JUSTIFY
MAINTAINING THE CURRENT 45 CENTS
PER GALLON SUBSIDY THAT WE
PROVIDE TO ETHANOL.
WE ALSO OF COURSE NEED TO KEEP
EVERY EFFORT GOING TO DEVELOP
THIS BIOFUEL WHERE WE ARE NOT
DEPENDENT UPON CORN AS THE
FEEDSTOCK FOR THE BIOFUEL THAT
WE ARE USING.
WHAT ARE YOU DRIVING THESE
DAYS?
YES.
I HAVE BEEN REALLY GLAD TO NOT
HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH FOR
EAGLE RIVER, WISCONSIN,
RON IS A DEMOCRAT.
GOOD MORNING.
WHEN IT IS CONGRESS GOING TO BE
HONEST WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?
YOU MEIONED CLEAN COAL.
CLEAN COAL IS A LIE.
NUCLEAR IS WAY TOO EXPENVE AND
TAKES WAY TO LONG TO DEVELOP.
OIL IS IN CHARGE OF WASHINGTON
UNTIL THE LAST DROP IS GONE,
SIR.
WHY ARE WE NOT DEVELOPING
BIODIESEL FUEL IN THIS COUNTRY?
IT CAN BE MADE FROM ANY KIND OF
VEGETABLE OIL OR EVEN ANY KIND
OF HEMP SEED OIL.
IT IS WEIGH LESS CORROSIVE THAN
ETHANOL.
I HAVE A 2007 DIESEL FUEL TRUCK.
AS I GET 23.8 ON THE HIGHWAY.
TRUCK.
THANK-YOU, RON.
I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO
PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZERO
BIODIESEL FUEL.
I AGREE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER
POINTS ABOUT THE HIGH PRICE OF
BUILDING A NEW NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT.
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT IT IS
EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS.
I THINK WE NEED TO GET TO A
POINT WHERE UTILITIES CAN CHOOSE
BETWEEN VARIOUS, CLEAN FORMS OF
ENERGY ON THE BASIS OF
THAT IS WHAT I THINK WE WOULD
TRY TO.
ON CLEAN COAL, I THINK THERE IS
THE TECHNOLOGY TO GO AHEAD AND
DO CARBON CAPTURED STORAGE, TO
TAKE THE CARBON THAT COMES FROM
UNDERGROUND.
THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN AT
WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO
DEMONSTRATE THAT WOULD BE THE
SOLUTION TO OUR COAL PLANTS, BUT
I THINK THERE IS SUCH A THING AS
CLEAN COAL.
AT LEAST IT HAS BEEN
DEMONSTRATED THAT IT CAN BE DONE
IN SOME CASES.
WHETHER WE CAN DO IT MORE
BROADLY, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE
TRYING TO DETERMINE.
AP BULLETIN --
WOULD YOU LIKE TO REACT?
36,000 IS A DISAPPOINTING
NUMBER.
OBVIOUSLY, THE EXPECTATIONS THAT
I HEARD WAS THAT IT WOULD BE
SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN 100,000
JOBS, PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS, THAT
PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT WOULD OF
BEEN CREATED IN JANUARY.
SO THAT IS A DISAPPOINTMENT.
THE OTHER FIGURE, THE
UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURE -- IT IS
ALWAYS NICE TO SEE UNEMPLOYMENT
COMING DOWN, BUT UNTIL WE GET
MORE EXPLANATION OF HOW EXACTLY
THAT FIGURE WAS ARRIVED AT,
SOMETIMES THAT REFLECTS MORE HOW
MANY PEOPLE QUIT LOOKING FOR
WORK THAN IT DOES ACTUAL NUMBER
OF FOLKS GETTING A JOB.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH
UNEMPLOYMENT IN NEW MEXICO?
WE ARE MODESTLY BETTER
THAN THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.
I THINK THE UNEMPLOYMENT IN OUR
STATE IS ABOUT 8.5% HOST: WHY
ARE YOU DOING BETTER?
WE HAVE A LOT OF PUBLIC-
SECTOR EMPLOYMENT IN NEW MEXICO.
WE HAVE FOUR MILITARY BASES.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF LARGE ENERGY
LABORATORIES.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHOSE
JOBS ARE PUBLIC SECTOR.
THEREFORE, AS THE A ECONOMY
REDUCES -- AS THE ECONOMY
REDUCES, THEIR JOBS ARE MORE
STABLE.
I AM WONDERING WHERE YOU
SEE THE COMPROMISE BETWEEN
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE OVER
THE NEED FOR TO CUT?
I AM NOT SURE WHERE THE
COMPROMISE WILL END UP BEING.
I THINK MY OWN POSITION WOULD BE
THAT WE SHOULD HEED THE ADVICE
THAT CHAIRMAN BEN BERNANKE HAS
BEEN GIVING US, AND THAT IS WE
NEED TO PUT IN PLACE A LONG-TERM
PLAN WITH SOME TEETH IN IT TO
BEGIN TO BRING DOWN THE DEFICIT,
BOTH BY SPENDING REDUCTIONS AND
REVENUE INCREASES.
WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT
IMMEDIATELY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE SLAMMING ON
RIGHT NOW.
I THINK THESE JOBS FIGURES WOULD
REINFORCE THAT PERSPECTIVE.
WE NEED TO CREATE OVER 100,000
JOBS EACH MONTH IN THIS COUNTRY
IN OER TO MEET THE FOLKS THAT
ARE COMING INTO THE WORKFORCE
FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO MEET THE
NEEDS FOR JOBS FOR THOSE FOLKS.
IF WE ARE ONLY CREATING 36,000,
OBVIOUSLY, THE ECONOMY IS STILL
ANEMIC.
WE NEED TO BE SURE WE DO NOT
MAKE IT MORE ANEMIC BY CUTTING
BACK ON SPENDING DRAMATICALLY
AND PRECIPITOUSLY.
OF THE NEXT CALL IS FROM
OLD TOWN, MARYLAND.
PHILIP IS A REPUBLICAN.
GOOD MORNING.
I WANTED TO REMIND THE
SENATOR THAT ALMOST EVERY TIME
-- I COULD NOT GET ON AT 8:30.
ALMOST EVERY TIME THAT JOBS AND
SO FORTH IS BROUGHT UP, WE TALK
ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY, HAVING TO
CUT THAT, SOCIAL SECURITY AND
MEDICARE.
SINCE 1935 WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY
WAS FIRST INSTITUTED, THE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HAS BORROWED NO LESS THAN $9
TRILLION FROM THAT FUND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT
THEY PAY IT BACK AS NEEDED TO
KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY AND
MEDICARE SECURE, NOT CUT IT IN
ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
THEY SAID THEY WERE BORROWING
THEY DID NEVER -- THEY NEV
SAID THEY WERE STEALING MONEY.
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS.
I THINK THE CALLER MAKES
A GOOD POINT.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT
CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEFICIT AT
THIS POINT.
WE ARE USING REVENUE FROM SOCIAL
SECURITY, BEING PAID INTO SOCIAL
SECURITY, TO MEET OTHER NEEDS
OF THE GOVERNMENT.
I THINK HIS POINT IS WELL TAKEN,
THAT IN ORDER TO GET SOCIAL
SECURITY ON A FOOTING WHERE IT
CAN BE PROJECTED TO BE SOLVENT
FOR 75 YEARS, WHICH THINK THE
ADMINISTRATION WOULD LIKE TO
SEE, AND MANY EXPERTS WOULD LIKE
TO SEE, I THINK SOME ADJUSTMENTS
COULD BE MADE.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO
CHANGE BENEFITS OR REDUCE
BENEFITS.
A TWEET ASKS --