[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2273-S2275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



          Amendments Nos. 3031, 3089, 3170, and 3171, En Bloc

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following 
amendments be considered en bloc and that the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table: A Levin amendment relative to ATP; a Salazar 
amendment relative to the LWCF. I further ask unanimous consent that 
the following amendments which have not been filed be considered and 
agreed to en bloc, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the table: 
A Conrad-Gregg amendment on tax cap; and a Gregg-Conrad amendment for 
Senator Byrd on mine safety.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is 
so ordered.
  The amendments were agreed to, as follows:


                           AMENDMENT NO. 3031

 (Purpose: Provide funding for the Advanced Technology Program to help 
ensure America's competitive advantage and fully offset with reductions 
                            in function 920)

       On page 15, line 21, increase the amount by $140,000,000.
       On page 15, line 22, increase the amount by $21,000,000.
       On page 16, line 1, increase the amount by $98,000,000.
       On page 16, line 5, increase the amount by $21,000,000.
       On page 27, line 23, decrease the amount by $140,000,000.
       On page 27, line 24, decrease the amount by $21,000,000.
       On page 28, line 2, decrease the amount by 98,000,000.
       On page 28, line 5, decrease the amount by $21,000,000.


                           AMENDMENT NO. 3089

(Purpose: Restore $100 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
 Stateside Grant Program. Paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes)

       On page 3, line 13, increase the amount by $25,000,000.
       On page 3, line 15, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 3, line 17, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 3, line 19, increase the amount by $10,000,000.
       On page 3, line 21, increase the amount by $5,000,000.
       On page 4, line 1, increase the amount by $25,000,000.
       On page 4, line 2, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 4, line 3, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 4, line 4, increase the amount by $10,000,000.
       On page 4, line 6, increase the amount by $5,000,000.
       On page 4, line 13, increase the amount by $100,000,000.
       On page 5, line 4, increase the amount by $25,000,000.
       On page 5, line 6, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 5, line 8, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 5, line 10, increase the amount by $10,000,000.
       On page 5, line 12, increase the amount by $5,000,000.
       On page 13, line 21, increase the amount by $100,000,000.
       On page 13, line 22, increase the amount by $25,000,000.
       On page 14, line 1, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 14, line 5, increase the amount by $30,000,000.
       On page 14, line 9, increase the amount by $10,000,000.
       On page 14, line 13, increase the amount by $5,000,000.
       On page 53, line 1, increase the amount by $100,000,000.
       On page 53, line 2, increase the amount by $25,000,000.


                           AMENDMENT No. 3170

(Purpose: To provide an additional $500 million to enhance the ability 
  of the Internal Revenue Service to collect taxes owed but not paid 
                              voluntarily)

       On page 4, line 13, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 5, line 4, increase the amount by $340,000,000.
       On page 5, line 6, increase the amount by $14,000,000.
       On page 5, line 8, increase the amount by $9,000,000.
       On page 5, line 19, decrease the amount by $340,000,000.
       On page 5, line 21, decrease the amount by $14,000,000.
       On page 5, line 23, decrease the amount by $9,000,000.
       On page 6, line 8, increase the amount by $340,000,000.
       On page 6, line 10, increase the amount by $354,000,000.
       On page 6, line 12, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 6, line 14, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 6, line 16, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 6, line 22, increase the amount by $340,000,000.
       On page 6, line 24, increase the amount by $354,000,000.

[[Page S2274]]

       On page 7, line 2, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 7, line 4, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 7, line 6, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 25, line 24, increase the amount by $363,000,000.
       On page 25, line 25, increase the amount by $340,000,000.
       On page 26, line 4, increase the amount by $14,000,000.
       On page 26, line 8, increase the amount by $9,000,000.
       On page 53, line 1, increase the amount by $137,000,000.
       On page 53, line 2, increase the amount by $128,000,000.
       On page 55, line 13, strike $274,000,000 and insert 
     $500,000,000.


                           amendment no. 3171

 (Purpose: To provide $184 million over five years for the Mine Safety 
  and Health Administration to hire additional mine safety inspectors)

       On page 4, line 13, increase the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 4, line 15, increase the amount by $38,000,000.
       On page 4, line 17, increase the amount by $41,000,000.
       On page 4, line 19, increase the amount by $43,000,000.
       On page 4, line 21, increase the amount by $46,000,000.
       On page 5, line 4, increase the amount by $33,000,000.
       On page 5, line 6, increase the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 5, line 8, increase the amount by $40,000,000.
       On page 5, line 10, increase the amount by $42,000,000.
       On page 5, line 12, increase the amount by $45,000,000.
       On page 5, line 19, decrease the amount by $33,000,000.
       On page 5, line 21, decrease the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 5, line 23, decrease the amount by $40,000,000.
       On page 5, line 25, decrease the amount by $42,000,000.
       On page 6, line 2, decrease the amount by $45,000,000.
       On page 6, line 8, increase the amount by $33,000,000.
       On page 6, line 10, increase the amount by $70,000,000.
       On page 6, line 12, increase the amount by $110,000,000.
       On page 6, line 14, increase the amount by $152,000,000.
       On page 6, line 16, increase the amount by $197,000,000.
       On page 6, line 22, increase the amount by $33,000,000.
       On page 6, line 24, increase the amount by $70,000,000.
       On page 7, line 2, increase the amount by $110,000,000.
       On page 7, line 4, increase the amount by $152,000,000.
       On page 7, line 6, increase the amount by $197,000,000.
       On page 19, line 24, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 19, line 25, increase the amount by $32,000,000.
       On page 20, line 3, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 20, line 4, increase the amount by $35,000,000.
       On page 20, line 7, increase the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 20, line 8, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 20, line 11, increase the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 20, line 12, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 20, line 15, increase the amount by $38,000,000.
       On page 20, line 16, increase the amount by $37,000,000.
       On page 26, line 24, increase the amount by $1,000,000.
       On page 26, line 25, increase the amount by $1,000,000.
       On page 27, line 3, increase the amount by $2,000,000.
       On page 27, line 4, increase the amount by $2,000,000.
       On page 27, line 7, increase the amount by $4,000,000.
       On page 27, line 8, increase the amount by $4,000,000.
       On page 27, line 11, increase the amount by $6,000,000.
       On page 27, line 12, increase the amount by $6,000,000.
       On page 27, line 15, increase the amount by $8,000,000.
       On page 27, line 16, increase the amount by $8,000,000.
       On page 53, line 1, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 53, line 2, increase the amount by $32,000,000.
       On page 53, line 4, increase the amount by $36,000,000.
       On page 53, line 7, increase the amount by $37,000,000.

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, we are very close to being able to move 
toward final passage, but we still have a number of amendments to 
dispose of. If we can just have the patience of the body for a few more 
minutes, we can dispose of these final amendments and move toward final 
passage.
  First of all, I think it is important to thank colleagues--dozens of 
colleagues--who have given their amendments in the last hour--we 
appreciate it very much--and others who were able to work with us to 
get their amendments agreed to as the chairman has just reviewed.
  The next amendment is Senator Ensign. We ask colleagues to give the 
Senator from Nevada their attention.


                           Amendment No. 3166

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Ensign] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 3166.

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of 
the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:

 (Purpose: To deny funds in FY2007 for the United Nations Human Rights 
 Council, which the United States just voted against because countries 
   found complicit in sustained human rights abuses are eligible for 
       Council membership. Savings redirected to border security)

       On page 10, line 20, decrease the amount by $4,000,000.
       On page 10, line 21, decrease the amount by $4,000,000.
       On page 24, line 24, increase the amount by $4,000,000.
       On page 24, line 25, increase the amount by $4,000,000.

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, just very briefly, this amendment has to 
do with funding for the United Nations Human Rights Council which I 
believe is worse than the discredited United Nations Commission on 
Human Rights.
  Members will not be selected primarily on the basis of their 
commitment to human rights, even countries under Security Council 
sanctions for human rights violations or terrorism.
  The United States has been a member of the United States Commission 
on Human Rights since 1947, with one exception. That will no longer be 
the case. Due to a rotating membership, the United States will be 
ineligible for the Human Rights Council membership every 6 years. So 
our country, which has been at the forefront of promoting human rights, 
would periodically lose its seat but still be required to cover 22 
percent of the United Nations Human Rights Council cost.
  I am proud of the United States and how we have stood firm and 
opposed creation of this fatally flawed council. We need to make sure 
we are not funding this council, and that is exactly what our amendment 
does. It takes away the funding from the Human Rights Council and puts 
it toward border security.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, this amendment reduces the international 
account by $4 million. That is what it does. We have no assurance that 
it will actually take money from the Human Rights Council, although 
that is the intention of the Senator. The fact is, it reduces the 
international account by $4 million and increases the 750 account by a 
like amount.
  I yield the remainder of my time to the Senator from Maryland.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to vote against 
this amendment. The United States did not get all the changes it wanted 
made with respect to the Human Rights Council, but very significant 
changes were made. And under Secretary Burns, they have indicated that 
the administration intends to work with those changes to try to improve 
that situation. We have a real problem with respect to that Human 
Rights Council. But changes are being made. They are being made in the 
right direction.
  I very much oppose this amendment. I hope my colleagues will vote 
against it.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time has expired. The question is on 
agreeing to the amendment.

[[Page S2275]]

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second, and the clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk called the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber 
desiring to vote?
  The result was announced--yeas 50, nays 50, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 73 Leg.]

                                YEAS--50

     Alexander
     Allard
     Allen
     Bennett
     Bond
     Brownback
     Bunning
     Burns
     Burr
     Chambliss
     Coburn
     Coleman
     Collins
     Cornyn
     Craig
     Crapo
     DeMint
     DeWine
     Dole
     Domenici
     Ensign
     Enzi
     Frist
     Graham
     Grassley
     Gregg
     Hatch
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Isakson
     Kyl
     Lott
     Martinez
     McCain
     McConnell
     Murkowski
     Nelson (FL)
     Nelson (NE)
     Roberts
     Santorum
     Sessions
     Shelby
     Smith
     Stevens
     Sununu
     Talent
     Thomas
     Thune
     Vitter
     Warner

                                NAYS--50

     Akaka
     Baucus
     Bayh
     Biden
     Bingaman
     Boxer
     Byrd
     Cantwell
     Carper
     Chafee
     Clinton
     Cochran
     Conrad
     Dayton
     Dodd
     Dorgan
     Durbin
     Feingold
     Feinstein
     Hagel
     Harkin
     Inouye
     Jeffords
     Johnson
     Kennedy
     Kerry
     Kohl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Leahy
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lincoln
     Lugar
     Menendez
     Mikulski
     Murray
     Obama
     Pryor
     Reed
     Reid
     Rockefeller
     Salazar
     Sarbanes
     Schumer
     Snowe
     Specter
     Stabenow
     Voinovich
     Wyden
  The amendment (No. 3166) was rejected.
  Mr. SARBANES. I move to reconsider the vote.
  Mrs. MURRAY. I move to lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.