[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S446-S449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. LUGAR:
S. 2562. A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of
Kazakhstan; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation
designed to extend permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is still subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik
amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure
to comply with freedom of emigration requirements. This bill would
repeal permanently the application of Jackson-Vanik to Kazakhstan.
In the post-Cold-War era, Kazakhstan has demonstrated a commitment to
meet these requirements, and in addition, has expressed a strong desire
to abide by free market principles and good governance. Since 1992,
Kazakhstan has been certified annually as meeting the Jackson-Vanik
requirements. This legislation would make this trade relationship
permanent and, in so doing, stimulate further market reforms and
encourage a commitment to safeguarding individual liberties.
The U.S. has a long record of cooperation with Kazakhstan through the
Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction. Kazakhstan inherited the
fourth largest nuclear arsenal in the world with the fall of the Soviet
Union. Through the Nunn-Lugar Program the United States has assisted
Kazakhstan in eliminating this deadly arsenal and joining the
Nonproliferation Treaty as a nonnuclear state.
Earlier this month, a team of American scientists working under the
Nunn-Lugar Program quietly entered Kazakhstan in sub-zero temperatures
to begin the careful packaging of bubonic and pneumonic plague samples
in accordance with international safety standards for the transport of
dangerous biological materials. I am pleased to inform my Senate
colleagues that the samples have been safely transported on a U.S. Air
Force C-17 cargo plane to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Fort Collins, Colorado. It marked the successful
completion of a 5-year negotiation to secure, transport and develop a
research program for the pathogens.
Cooperative research by American and Kazakhstani scientists will
develop prevention and cure possibilities for this deadly plague. It
provides new hope for places where the disease is naturally occurring
and helps deter the plague's use as a bio-terror weapon. As many may
know, Plague is a highly lethal disease spread from rodents to humans
by fleas. It caused the Black Death which swept across Europe in the
14th century. It is estimated that 20-30 million Europeans died--
perhaps as much as half of the continent's population at the time. An
estimated 75 million people worldwide died from the Black Plague.
[[Page S447]]
Kazakhstani and American plague experts will conduct joint research
on the samples at Federal labs in Fort Collins, CO. They will develop
advanced diagnostics and treatments for plague. This cooperative public
health research funded through the U.S. Department Health and Human
Services Biotechnology Engagement Program will yield valuable
scientific insights into a potentially devastating disease, which is
endemic throughout Central Asia. The aim of such cooperation is to
improve the protection of Kazakhstani and global populations against a
naturally occurring disease that could also be exploited by terrorists.
U.S. strategic and economic interests intersect in Central Asia. With
Russia to the north and Iran and Afghanistan to the south, energy-rich
Central Asia is at the frontline of American national security
priorities. We have tremendous opportunities in the region, but it will
take time and consistent high-level effort to build constructive
relationships. This region needs to have a much higher priority on
America's foreign policy agenda. In Kazakhstan, we have a record of 15
years of collaboration on weapons destruction through the Nunn-Lugar
program. This is a solid foundation on which to continue building our
relationship.
I recently traveled to Kazakhstan and met with senior government
officials and discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation with
the United States, including energy security. In my conversations with
Kazakh leaders I encouraged the government to pursue trans-Caspian
transportation options for oil and gas. At the current time, Kazakhstan
relies almost exclusively upon Russia to transport oil and gas to world
markets. In turn, Russia has occasionally demonstrated willingness to
use its control over these supplies for political gain at the expense
of our European allies. Opening trans-Caspian export routes will dilute
Russia's control over energy supplies. Likewise, having multiple export
options will reinforce the political independence of Kazakhstan. I was
pleased that Kazakh officials indicated a willingness to work with the
U.S. and their neighbors on these issues.
There are areas in which Kazakhstan needs to continue to improve.
These include market access, democratic and human rights reforms. The
U.S. must remain committed to assisting Kazakhstan in pursuing these
reforms. The government in Astana still has important work to do in
these critical areas. The permanent waiver of Jackson-Vanik and
establishment of permanent normal trade relations will be the
foundation on which further progress in a burgeoning partnership can be
made.
I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in supporting this
important legislation. It is essential that we act promptly to bolster
this burgeoning democracy and promote stability and in this region.
______
By Mr. LUGAR:
S. 2563. A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of
Azerbaijan; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation
designed to extend permanent normal trade relations to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is still subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik
amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure
to comply with freedom of emigration requirements. This bill would
repeal permanently the application of Jackson-Vanik to Azerbaijan.
In the post-Cold-War era, Azerbaijan allows its citizens the right
and opportunity to emigrate and has demonstrated a commitment to meet
these requirements. In addition, Azerbaijan has expressed a strong
desire to abide by free market principles and good governance. Since
1992, Azerbaijan has been certified annually as meeting the Jackson-
Vanik requirements. This legislation would make this trade relationship
permanent and, in doing so, stimulate further market reforms and
encourage its continued commitment to safeguarding individual
liberties.
The U.S. has a long record of cooperation with Azerbaijan through the
Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction. Through the Nunn-Lugar Program
the U.S. has assisted Azerbaijan in safely securing dangerous
stockpiles of deadly pathogens and infectious diseases and improving
its ability to interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. In
2005 the Nunn-Lugar Program in close coordination with Government of
Azerbaijan transported 124 samples of 62 unique strains of plague,
anthrax, cholera, and other dangerous diseases from Baku to the U.S.
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC. These strains
were collected over many years from environmental, human, and animal
sources in Azerbaijan. The strains will be studied in joint research
programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and Azerbaijan medical
researchers.
Earlier this month I traveled to Azerbaijan and met with President
Aliyev and the First Lady of Azerbaijan. We had an interesting
discussion on the important role Azerbaijan is playing in energy
recovery and transportation. It is a tribute to Azerbaijan that they
are using their energy resources to the benefit of global security.
Building pipelines and opening energy production to foreign markets
requires difficult foreign policy decisionmaking. Azerbaijan is located
in a tough neighborhood, and countries there are under tremendous
pressure to keep their distance from the U.S. I thanked President
Aliyev for taking concrete steps to affirm his country's strategic
partnership with the U.S.
I discussed at length with the President and members of his
Government the possibility of connecting Azerbaijan's energy
infrastructure with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. I encouraged continued
progress on rapprochement between Governments in Baku and Ashgabat. I
heard encouraging statements toward improved relations and cooperation
on energy in both Ashgabat and Baku. It is clear that there is
willingness for progress.
Integrating some oil and gas production in Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan would diversify export routes for those countries and
import sources for European nations. Successful integration of such
trans-Caspian transport routes is a vital contribution to international
peace and security. In some countries oil and gas revenues are a curse,
leading to corruption and conflict. Two years ago President Aliyev
pledged to me that Azerbaijan would follow the Norway model in managing
its oil and gas revenues. As reflected by the State Oil Fund of
Azerbaijan's receipt in 2007 of the United Nations Public Service
Award, it is now on a path of transparency and is investing for
development today and for future generations. I am hopeful that
progress in Azerbaijan will continue and other emerging countries learn
from Azerbaijan's example.
One of the areas where we can deepen U.S.-Azerbaijan relations is
bilateral trade. In light of its adherence to freedom of emigration
requirements, compliance with threat reduction and unwavering
cooperation in the production and delivery of energy supplies, the
products of Azerbaijan should not be subject to the sanctions of
Jackson-Vanik. The U.S. must remain committed and engaged in assisting
Azerbaijan in pursuing democratic and human rights reforms. The
Government in Baku still has important work to do in these critical
areas, including in the area of media freedom and freedom of assembly.
I discussed the ongoing democratic reforms with President Aliyev during
my visit and was assured that they are proceeding. Azerbaijan faces an
important Presidential election this October. The support and
encouragement of the U.S. and the international community will be key
to encouraging the Government of Azerbaijan to hold free and fair
elections. The permanent waiver of Jackson-Vanik and establishment of
permanent normal trade relations will be the foundation on which
further progress in a burgeoning economic and energy partnership can be
made.
I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in supporting this
important legislation. It is essential that we act promptly to bolster
this important relationship and promote stability in this region.
______
By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. Sununu, and Mr. Specter):
S. 2565. A bill to establish an awards mechanism to honor exceptional
acts of bravery in the line of duty by Federal law enforcement
officers; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
[[Page S448]]
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional
Badge of Bravery Act of 2007 establishes an award to honor exceptional
acts of bravery in the line of duty by Federal law enforcement
officers. This bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Senators Arlen Specter
and John Sununu and it is supported by the Federal Law Enforcement
Officers Association along with other law enforcement groups.
An ``ABC Nightly News'' series last November reported that 2007 may
turn out to be one of the deadliest years in history for law
enforcement officers. That sour prediction has come to pass. The
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund--which commemorates the
service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and helps promote law
enforcement safety--found that officer deaths were up sharply
nationwide last year. There were 194 fatalities--34 percent more than
the year before.
Unfortunately, with crime on the rise around the country the increase
in fallen officers should be no surprise. The FBI's Uniform Crime
Report for 2006--the gold standard of crime reports in our country--
must be taken seriously. Murders were up 1.9 percent on top of the
previous year's increases--these were the largest increases in 15
years. What's more, violent crime rose 1.9 percent.
Clearly, our Federal law enforcement officers are doing their jobs in
an environment more fraught with danger than ever. Police departments
around the country are scrambling in an arms race to match the
firepower of the bad guys. In my view, we should give special
recognition to those Federal law enforcement officers who are going
above and beyond to protect us in this kind of environment.
With this bill Congress can continue its support of the brave men and
women law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day making
sure our communities are safe. I hope this bill will be accepted by the
full Senate.
______
By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Tester, Mrs. Murray,
Mr. Wyden, Ms. Cantwell Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Obama):
S. 2569. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize
the Director of the National Cancer Institute to make grants for the
discovery and validation of biomarkers for use in risk stratification
for, and the early detection and screening of, ovarian cancer; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am joined by my colleagues
Senators Dole, Tester, Murray, Wyden, Cantwell, Stabenow, and Obama to
introduce the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008--
legislation that supports the research of early detection and screening
of ovarian cancer
For many years, ovarian cancer has been called the ``silent killer''
because the list of symptoms women are warned to look out for are
merely whispers about the dangers of this deadly disease.
There is currently no effective screening test available for ovarian
cancer and the disease is difficult to identify because symptoms are
easily misdiagnosed. Without an effective screening test most women who
have ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late to be saved.
A woman's chance of surviving ovarian cancer is considerably greater
if she is diagnosed early. When ovarian cander is diagnosed early, more
than 93 percent of women survive longer than 5 years. Unfortunately, 4
out of 5 ovarian cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in the later
stages, when a woman's chance of surviving that long drops to about 30
percent.
Though only one in 69 women will face ovarian cancer, this disease
ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women and causes more deaths than
any other cancer of the female reproductive system. In the last year
alone, the National Cancer Institute, (NCI), estimated there were
15,280 deaths from ovarian cancer in the U.S.
Developing the tools to detect ovarian cancer early is critical to
improving the rate of survival for women struck by this disease--that
is why this legislation is so necessary.
Specifically, the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act would
authorize NCI to make grants for public or nonprofit entities to
establish research centers focused on ovarian cancer biomarkers.
Biomarkers are biochemical features within the body that can be used to
measure the progress of a disease and predict the effects of treatment.
This legislation also authorizes funding for a national clinical trial
that will enroll at-risk women in a study to determine the clinical
utility of using these validated ovarian cancer biomarkers.
I urge my colleagues to join me as well as the Society of Gynecologic
Oncologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the American College of
Surgeons in supporting the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of
2008.
This legislation is of vital importance to the health of thousands of
women across our Nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues
to pass this critical investment in the fight against ovarian cancer.
______
By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. Stevens):
S. 2570. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to
authorize waivers by the Commissioner of Social Security of the 5-month
waiting period for entitlement to benefits based on disability in cases
in which the Commissioner determines that such waiting period would
cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries; to the Committee
on Finance.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to discuss
legislation that I have introduced that will fix an inequity in the
Social Security disability insurance system. This inequity rises from
Federal law that places an arbitrary 5-month waiting period on when an
individual who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness is eligible
for disability compensation provided through Social Security benefits.
Currently, under title II of the Social Security Act, Federal law
requires a 5-month waiting period from when the patient is diagnosed
until the disability benefits begin. Monthly cash benefits, about $980
on average, will be provided to the disabled individual to help offset
medical or any other expenses and will also help diminish the financial
hardships that are faced by those workers.
The monthly cash benefits that are available to the individuals can
help not only offset the medical or other expenses, but they can really
help to diminish financial hardships that are faced by the workers, by
the families, who really may have very little or oftentimes no
resources to fall back upon during the early months of a disability.
This legislation came about as a result of a telephone call received
in my Anchorage office to the head of my constituent services. She
received a call from a constituent in Alaska by the name of Robert
James. He indicated he had been diagnosed in November with stage 4 lung
cancer, and he was given, at that time, 3 to 6 months to live. He
called my office asking for help.
He wanted to know how, as someone who had just been diagnosed with a
terminal illness, he might be eligible for disability compensation
provided through Social Security benefits.
And so my constituent service director, after listening to his story,
went through everything to try to figure out a way to help this
individual, only to learn that the process, the law as it sets out now,
provides for a 5-month waiting period.
Although Mr. James has insurance coverage through his employer, he is
unable to work because of his disability. He is going to incur
thousands of dollars, probably hundreds of thousands of dollars in
medical bills because of this arbitrary 5-month waiting period.
If he had only been given the opportunity to demonstrate his case for
financial hardship to the Social Security Commissioner, he and his
family may have qualified for this cash benefit offset. What my
legislation would do is give the Social Security Commissioner the
ability to waive the 5-month waiting period on a case-by-case basis for
terminally ill individuals who would have to demonstrate the financial
hardship.
[[Page S449]]
In Mr. James's case, as I indicated, he is employed, works for the
cargo department of a major airline in Alaska, but he would have to
demonstrate there is financial hardship as a consequence of this
terminal diagnosis.
It makes you wonder why this 5-month period. The capriciousness of a
5-month waiting period is evidenced by looking at the legislative
history. In 1972, the House Ways and Means Committee report sought to
reduce the waiting period from at that time 6 months to 5 months. At
the time the Senate Finance Committee was pushing for a shorter period.
They were pushing for a 4-month period.
So back in 1972, you had a 6-month period. Some wanted it to go to 4
months. Eventually they agreed upon a 5-month waiting period. But it
begs the question: Should it be 4 months, 5 months? Should it only be 1
month?
My legislation would give the Social Security Commissioner the
discretion to waive the waiting period if the terminally ill individual
can demonstrate a financial hardship. This will alleviate the financial
burden or help to offset the financial burden of a terminal illness on
the disabled individuals and their families and will also provide for a
financial offset for paying medical bills after he or she is deceased.
I would ask that in honor of my constituent, Mr. Jones, my colleagues
support this bill because there are people who become disabled. We know
they are unable to work. They need that monthly support to help offset
the costs of their terminal illness.
For this reason, it is imperative that the Social Security
Commissioner have that ability on a case-by-case basis to make a
determination for disability benefits. Mr. James's chemotherapy costs,
we understand, are about between $10,000 and $15,000 per monthly
session, and this does not include the other medical bills he is
facing.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation so that
Robert James and Americans like Mr. James have the ability to qualify
for disability benefits to offset these costly expenses without having
to complete an arbitrary 5-month waiting period.
____________________