[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--S. 239

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, in a moment I wish to make a motion, 
but I would like to say as a prelude, for 6 years I have worked on 
legislation to provide for notification in the event of a data breach. 
During that period of time, 43 States have passed their own 
legislation. We would not know of data breaches if it were not 
particularly for the State of California which has put forward action 
on several of them.
  The bill went to the Judiciary Committee. It has been heard in the 
Judiciary Committee. With the cooperation and support of the chairman 
of that committee, Senator Leahy, the bill has come out unanimously and 
has been pending before this body. There are holds on the bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate 
consideration of Calendar No. 180, S. 239, data breach modifications; 
that the committee-reported amendment be considered and agreed to, the 
bill, as amended, be read a third time, passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid on the table, without further intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, reserving the right to object--and I 
will object--I value the interest and effort Senator Feinstein has put 
into this bill. I have also worked on this issue for some time. Last 
year, I think my bill cleared the committee by unanimous consent, and 
this year her bill is out on the floor. There are some differences. I 
commit to Senator Feinstein, post my objection today, that we will try 
to work together to see if we can reach accord. There are some 
differences that are significant and some I am sure we can work out. So 
we will just have to give a good-faith effort at it.
  I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, if I could respond to something the Senator 
from California said, I commend Senator Feinstein for her efforts. She 
has worked very hard on this privacy matter. I realize there are some 
who want to block it. If you are a person who has had your identity 
stolen, if you have had your computer hacked, and somebody has gone 
into your bank account or somebody has ruined the chances of your 
children getting into a college, all from identity theft, you would be 
rushing down here to vote for this bill. I hope my friends on the other 
side of the aisle, Republican Senators, will stop objecting. I hope we 
can pass this legislation.

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