Senate Proceeding 03-10-09 on Mar 10th, 2009 :: 0:29:45 to 0:49:45
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0:26:55 to 0:29:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jon Tester

0:29:32 to 0:29:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: changes in our nation that our country determines is a state sponsor of terrorism like iran, syria are delicate policy issues. any changes in these policies deserves a democratic debate and careful deliberation.

0:29:46 to 0:30:06( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: it is simply undemocratic to tuck them in the middle of a large, unrelated, but must-pass spending bill. so i want to thank secretary geithner for his understanding of the sensitivity of these issues and working with senator nelson and myself to ensure that the spirit of the legislation is carried out in a responsible manner. i want to thank myolleagues in the senate who worked and others who have understood and majority leader reid who

0:29:50 to 0:31:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Thune

0:30:07 to 0:30:28( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: worked with me on getting clarification on the implementation of these provisions. it 's disappointing that the process unfolded this way. attempts to make foreign policy decisions in this type of secretive and manner. instead, i want to work with my colleagues in an open and

0:30:29 to 0:30:49( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: transpar the substance before we get to this point, even though at the end of the day we may still not find common ground. i would,, prefer that the provisions not be -- i would, of course, prefer that th in this bill at all but the assurances i he received from secretary geithner have allayed my most significant concerns and

0:30:50 to 0:31:05( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: i will vote in omnibus appropriations bill. with that, i want to yield to the distinguished senator from florida, who has been an ally in this effort to ensure that the clarifications that were needed

0:31:06 to 0:31:27( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: were and there and to -- he is a tremendous advocate for freedom and democracy for the people of cuba, and i have been privileged to work with him in getting these clarifications and making sure that we are in a position so that human rights activists and political dissidents in cuba still have their opportunity to create change. the presiding officer: the

0:31:20 to 0:35:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bill Nelson

0:31:28 to 0:31:49( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: senator fro nor florida is florida is recognized. mr. nelson: mr. president, i want to commend senator men endez for the conviction and the passion -- conviction and the passion that he comes to this important position of influencing the senate on this particular issue. i, likewise, want to say same thing about my colleague

0:31:50 to 0:32:10( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: from florida, who has been my good friend for 31 years and who comes to thi passion and commitment. and i want to thank my colleague from florida for him to come out here and even though this issue was negotiated between senator menendez and myself and

0:32:11 to 0:32:31( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: secretary geithner, he is willing to come and stand to embrace we have done. i want to call to the attention of the senate that our majority leader, senator reid of nevada, just came up to me and indicated that he supports this and wanted

0:32:32 to 0:32:55( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: me to state that here to the senate. mr. president, i came to congress 30 years ago and this issue has been an issue that any floridian has lived with for a long time

0:32:56 to 0:33:16( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: i have supported an economic embargo against cuba along with a ban on tourist travel to the island. i am a supporter of isolating the regime in havana and giving the cuban people so they desperately seek.

0:33:17 to 0:33:37( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: the provisions in this omnibus that came out of the appropriations committee did not do away with the embargo but it did weaken it. and i think that the better course is that we should allow our new president to undertake his own review of u.s. policy

0:33:38 to 0:34:02( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: towards cuba before pushing hasty and ill-advised language through on an am bus bill as senator mendez said, was crafted behind closed doors kept from public view from the rest of the senate's

0:34:03 to 0:34:24( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: view until it was disgorged from the full committee only a couple of weeks ago, it being the omnibus in a in order to keep the government functioning.

0:34:25 to 0:34:46( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: now, as senator mendez has outlined, we reached out to the secretary of the treasury and to the white house to clarify the implementatioimplementatioimplementation and enforcement of these regulations. and senator mendez has already put into geithner's letter of march the 5th and then his response of

0:34:47 to 0:35:07( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: clarification in a letter of march the 9th. i want to enter into the record the letter that senator mendez and i sent to secretary geithner on march the 6th the personal dhafeion we had

0:35:08 to 0:35:30( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: with him -- conversation that we had with him, which he so graciously then followed up with his letter of march the 9th reiterating. the presiding officer: is there objection? hearing none, so ordered. mr. nelson: now, i would like to engage my colleague from

0:35:31 to 0:35:51( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: florida, senator martinez this colloquy. mr. menendez mendez: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from florida. mr. men not dez: i want -- mr. ma want like to thank my two colleagues for the work that they've done here. they've done good we have stood together, the three of us, along with others but particularly threat of us who have been most immediately

0:35:35 to 0:40:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Mel Martinez

0:35:52 to 0:36:12( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: concerned with this issue in a way that i think is heartening to me, oftentimes i've seen our names written as hard-liners on cuba. you know, i prefer to think of ourselves as voices of freedom standing up to oppression because that is what is at stake here.

0:36:13 to 0:36:34( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: as senator mendez so aptly placed, people in his district, people in florida, in your state and in my s them that we know, we know their stories, we know their names, we know their suffering. and it isn't about settling old score because these conditions continue even today.

0:36:35 to 0:36:55( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: los catalis beset -- just to name there to suggest that he wanted to see some change in the current system in cuba. he is in jail. his family him. his health is in it's because of all these things that are not only part of history but they're also part of today's reality that we stand up on the side of freedom.

0:36:56 to 0:37:16( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: and that means that a state is a sponsor of terror needs to be treated a little differently. i would dare is a that while i might not agree with everything that might be done, i trust president obama and secretary of state clinton to do a review of our policy towards perhaps in the light of day have

0:37:17 to 0:37:39( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: a discussion about what would be and wouldn't be appropriate. who i would object to is ything that would be unilateral, that simply would say, and the other thing and expect nothing on behalf of those that oppress the people of cuba. we need to expect that there b reciprocity of some type, that there be steps taken by the

0:37:40 to 0:38:00( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: cuban contrary to what they seem to have done last week, which is so to have circle the wagons and even more hint of military control over their and more repreg to the people of cube -- repression to the people of cuba. but i want to deem, deeply thank both sen senator nelson for what they were able to accomplish in this misguided piece o as i agree with you, inserted in

0:38:01 to 0:38:22( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: the dark of night with no democratic debate, with no discussion but simply inserted. i think the letters and the understanding that you have reached th the secretary of the treasury really handle the problem as it relates to the agricultural sales to cuba as well as the related licensing for traveling relating to doing business in cuba. you know, we talk often about an

0:38:23 to 0:38:43( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: embargo, but this embargo, supposedly, is, in fact, limited trade sanctions because we sell almost a billion dollars in agricultural good to cuba. we sell medicine or can sell medicine. and more humanitarian aid flows from here to cuba than any other country in the the dollars, hundreds and thousands -- country in the world. the dollars, hundreds of

0:38:44 to 0:39:04( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: thousands of dollars inry mittens that go to folks in this country to those in need in cuba. sadly the cuban too big of a cut out of it, but be that as it may. i look forward to the implementation of this legislation which i think creates the problem created by this misguided legislation. and i really thank both of you for your yeomen's work in getting this accomplished. i remain concerned about travel

0:39:05 to 0:39:26( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: by family. while i'm anyone who wants to awng he will or awntd a trip to cuba, there will be a need for regulations that will enshrine what i know will be a different policy under president obama i respecthat completely. but there needs to be some regulation about the frequency of travel and a amount of per diem dollars can

0:39:27 to 0:39:48( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: be carried back and forth to cuba. and i'm sure those will be fohcoming down the road. i also believe that it is important that we continue to -- to request that if there's gng to be legislating on this topic, that it be done in the open air, that we have an opportunity for fair debate and for a legislative process that's worthy of the kind of institution that w are.

0:39:49 to 0:40:05( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: i want to thank both of my colleagues for great appreciate the fact that we've been able to maintain what is an important foreign policy in disturbed in the way this was done but should be left in the hands of the executive to be done carefully, measuredly and

0:40:06 to 0:40:27( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: after study i yield the floor. mr. nelson: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from florida. mr. nelson: i want to thank senator martinez again i think tha it's important that we understand that when we have that full and fair and open

0:40:10 to 0:44:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bill Nelson

0:40:28 to 0:40:48( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: debate in the sunshine that we remember what candidate obama said during t he said what he wanted to do was go back to the status quo ante on travel to cuba by family members every year instead of once every three years and to

0:40:49 to 0:41:09( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: have more remittances every quarter than was cut back a few years ago by the previous administration. now, that seems to me to be common sense and family val oriented, and that's what the candidate articulated that became our next president of the united states.

0:41:10 to 0:41:33( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: and then once the new president announces his declaration of that policy, we can come out here and openly debate that while there's been disagreement within this body over the most effective way for to us help the

0:41:34 to 0:41:54( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: there is to be a new strategy towards cuba, the opportunity for the commander in chief to layt ou few lawmakers

0:41:55 to 0:42:15( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: in a must-pass appropriations bill without any opportunity for debate. families, many of them in florida, who have ties to loved ones still on the island and that's why i support president obama's efforts to

0:42:16 to 0:42:37( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: allow increased family travel once a year instead of every three years and the increased remittanceso family members. our job in guiding u.s. foreign policy towards cuba is to isolate the castro regime but not to prevent families from

0:42:38 to 0:42:58( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: being able to take ce of their loved ones. and on the bis of these letters that have been entered in the record today, personal assurance by the secretary of the treasury we appreciate very much, i have been assured by the

0:42:59 to 0:43:19( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: administration as to the implications and enforcement of these regulations. and although i agree with many of the colleagues that this omnibus bill is far from perfect perfect, i believe it's in the best interest of our country to provide the operational funding for the

0:43:20 to 0:43:40( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: united states government and for so many other important initiatives. now, this bill includes funding for lifesaving equipment at florida hospitals, for sheriff's offices, and for police departments to upgrade communications systems or to prevent kids from joining street

0:43:41 to 0:44:01( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: gangs. it provides money for cleaning up blithed downtown neighborhoods -- for blited downtown neighborhoods, to retrain workers who are losing their jobs and for projects to save one of the world's greatest natural treasures, the florida everglades.

0:44:02 to 0:44:23( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: and these are just a few of the reasons why this legislation is so important. if this bill sh bill, shepherded through body by the esteemed chairman of

0:44:24 to 0:44:37( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: the committee, senator inouye, nasa will have to lay off skilled aerospace workers that are developing the replacement of the space shuttle. and so it is my vote for cloture on the 2009

0:44:38 to 0:44:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: omnibus bill, and i would urge our colleagues to do so. and, mr. president, i would yield to senator mendez. e presiding officer: the chair recognizes the senator from new jersey. mr. menendez: let me make now some broader comments about the omnibus having expressed my concerns and again in

0:44:40 to 0:46:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jon Tester

0:45:00 to 0:45:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: recognition in light of the assurances we have received on the matter that senator nelson and senator martinez and i is discussed is come to support 9 omnibus bill. it is an important measure to help our economy recover and keep essential services running and includes important funding for my home state of new jersey from an initial burst of capital

0:45:24 to 0:45:46( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: for a incredibly important to move large numbers of people across the hudson river to new york and also for revi reverse economic activity, access to

0:45:47 to 0:46:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: hospitals, ways to transit, doing so not only in terms of economic opportuni and an enormous number of jobs that will be created as a result of that but also as it relates to the quality of life and the envinment by moving a lot more people in a high-speed nonpolluting process versus thro flood control and protection of

0:46:11 to 0:46:32( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: our shore important in terms of tourism and fishing industry and the economy of new jersey; to grants that allow local law enforcement to have the latest technology to help the police officer on the beat. this bill invests in education, strengthening our commitment to science over the next decade so we can have a workforce that can

0:46:15 to 0:46:34( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Thune

0:46:33 to 0:46:35( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: compete on a global playing

0:46:35 to 0:46:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jon Tester

0:46:36 to 0:46:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: field and be second to no one in terms of that ability in those

0:46:43 to 0:47:04( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: fields that are going to be the competitive futures opportunity for our citizens and for our nation. it makes strong advances in health care. it billion for lifesaving research so that the national institutes of health leave no stone unturned in the search for treatment, for cancer, for diabetes and alzheimer's disease

0:46:45 to 0:47:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Thune

0:47:05 to 0:47:26( Edit History Discussion )

John Thune: that has taken over my strong and proud the bill allows us to immunize an additional 15,000 children against debilitating diseases and fundshe patient navigator program i established to help citizens make their way new a complicated health care system. the legislation puts resources toward revitalizing local

0:47:27 to 0:47:47( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: communities and keeping families in their homes because the housing cris is at the root of our overall economic crisis. development in over 1,000 cities and towns. it gives competive grants to revitalize neighborhoods and renews help 45,000 families keep a

0:47:30 to 0:48:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jon Tester

0:47:48 to 0:48:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: place to call "home." in short, the omnibus makes a birt investments that hel economy recover and our citizens get through this difficult time. so, mr. president, i'm happy to see the senate move forward this vitally important legislation although i am not

0:48:10 to 0:48:25( Edit History Discussion )

Jon Tester: the only senator to have felt frustration in this process i express that i am always open to discussions with my and i hope that we can work together in the future to make sure that in the greatest deliberative body in the world

0:48:26 to 0:48:48( Edit History Discussion )

Daniel Inouye: we will all do our deliberate before we take significant action. with that, mada mr. president, i yield the floor. mr. inouye: mr. president, i rise in opposition to amendment number submitted by the senat south dakota.

0:48:30 to 0:51:39( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Daniel Inouye

0:48:49 to 0:49:09( Edit History Discussion )

Daniel Inouye: this amendment would prevent the federal communications commission from reinstating the fairness doctrine. mr. president, this amendment is totally unnecessary. there is no funding in this bill for the f.c. to reinstate the fairss doctrine. this bill does not contain any

0:49:10 to 0:49:30( Edit History Discussion )

Daniel Inouye: provision directing the f.c. to reinstate the fairness doctrine. further, president obama does not support reinstating the fairness doctrine. the f.e.c. repealed this doctrine in 1987 and has no plans to bring it back.

0:49:31 to 0:49:51( Edit History Discussion )

Daniel Inouye: finally, just last week,7 senators, including myself, voted to include amendment to the voting rights bill that would prevent the f.e.c. from reinstating the fairness doctrine which is exactly what thi amendment would do. so, mr. president, there's in question about democratic