[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 172 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S13044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        LIFT THE HOLD ON S. 1499

  Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I would like to submit for the Record a 
letter to our majority leader, Senator Daschle, regarding my request to 
hold all non-judicial nominations that come before the Senate until all 
holds are lifted on S. 1499, the American Small Business Emergency 
Relief and Recovery Act of 2001. I want to make sure that my colleagues 
are aware of what I am doing and why.
  As I just mentioned, my actions have everything to do with emergency 
assistance for small businesses. They are literally dying in the 
aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11. They badly need 
access to affordable financing and management counseling until business 
returns to normal, and the administration's approach is not adequately 
helping those who need it.
  Senator Bond and I introduced S. 1499 on October 4 to address the 
needs of small businesses trying to hold on in the aftermath of the 
terrorist attacks. For almost 2 months, emergency legislation with 63 
sponsors has been blocked from being considered because the 
administration and two Republican Senators have chosen to put holds on 
legislation rather than debate the bill and cast a vote.
  Today there is an article in the Miami Herald that says, ``. . 
.[there aren't] any objections to having the Kerry-Bond bill come to 
the floor for a debate as long as the Administration's and the Small 
Business Administration's concerns were aired.'' That implies that we 
haven't given them a chance to express their concerns and to work with 
us to pass this bill, when we have.
  We went to great efforts to work with SBA, Senator Kyl and his staff, 
and the administration. This has gone on long enough. I have not placed 
a hold on non-judicial nominees in haste. I do it because I have no 
alternative. Small businesses need assistance, the administration's 
approach isn't adequate to meet the needs of those businesses, and 
Senator Bond and I have a sensible approach to reach them. I ask my 
colleagues to lift their holds on the bill, let us debate the bill, and 
let us vote.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of my letter to 
Senator Daschle be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                Washington, DC, December 12, 2001.
     Hon. Tom Daschle,
     Majority Leader, United States Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Leader: As you know, Senator Bond and I have 
     introduced and are trying to gain Senate passage of S. 1499, 
     the ``American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery 
     Act of 2001.'' This legislation, supported by 63 Senators, 
     would provide emergency and immediate financial assistance to 
     small businesses around the country who are suffering 
     tremendous financial loss following the terrorist attacks of 
     September 11, 2001. More specifically, the bill would 
     leverage $860 million in federal dollars to make available 
     $25 billion in loans and venture capital to ailing small 
     businesses. The bill has widespread support in the business 
     community, and is endorsed by 36 groups concerned with the 
     financial health of small businesses including the US Chamber 
     of Commerce, the National League of Cities, the US Conference 
     of Mayors and the National Restaurant Association.
       Despite the widespread and bipartisan support for this 
     legislation, Senator Kyl continues to block its consideration 
     by the Senate. Yesterday, Senator Kyl noted his concerns are 
     based in large part on objections raised by the 
     Administration. Senator Bond and I have attempted to 
     negotiate with Senator Kyl and the Administration so that an 
     agreement could be reached to move this legislation. However, 
     it has become increasingly clear that Senator Kyl and the 
     Administration are not interested in negotiating our 
     differences. Rather, they are interested in delaying 
     consideration of this important relief interminably--
     ``running out the legislative clock'' at the expense of the 
     thousands of small businesses who are finding it more and 
     more difficult to keep their doors open without the relief 
     they so desperately need in these difficult economic times.
       For this reason, and regrettably, I have come to the 
     conclusion that, having tried to negotiate in good faith, my 
     only remaining option is to demonstrate, conclusively, that 
     under no circumstances will we back away from our commitment 
     to small businesses. To bring Sen. Kyl and the Administration 
     back to the negotiating table in earnest, I would like to 
     place a hold on all non-judicial executive nominations that 
     may come before the Senate. It is my hope that this hold will 
     be short-lived, as it will lead to more serious negotiations 
     and ultimately Senate consideration of S. 1499. However, I am 
     prepared to keep this hold in place until the Senate 
     considers our bill. A simple yes or no vote on this important 
     relief for small businesses is not too much to ask, and I 
     hope that our Republican colleagues in the Senate will at 
     long last allow us the opportunity to make good on our 
     promise to help struggling businesses nationwide.
       Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
     John F. Kerry.

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