[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 126 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7575-S7576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. COLLINS:
  S. 3349. A bill to increase energy assistance for low-income persons, 
to extend energy tax incentives, and for other purpose; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Energy 
Assistance Act of 2008, legislation which would assist people who want 
to invest in energy conservation and alternative energy technologies 
and help set us on a path toward energy independence.
  As I visit communities around the State of Maine, I hear time and 
again that the high cost of energy is causing a crisis for many of our 
citizens. Rapidly increasing prices for home heating oil, gasoline and 
diesel fuel are a huge burden for many families, truckers, and small 
businesses. High oil prices affect virtually every corner of the 
economy, in Maine and throughout the country, and are a significant 
cause of the current economic downturn.
  Mr. President, I am concerned that in this difficult economy, 
investments in energy conservation and alternative energy improvements 
are simply too costly for many American families and small businesses. 
For example, under the present code, taxpayers who install energy 
efficient windows receive a 10 percent tax credit, up to $200, and 
taxpayers who install solar water heating systems receive a credit of 
30 percent, up to a total of $2000. In both instances, the investment 
which must be made by the taxpayer far exceeds the credit amount.
  With oil prices as high as they are, most families and small 
businesses are already scrimping and saving to make ends meet, and they 
do not have the money to finance the gap between the tax credit we 
provide and the cost of the investment. Ironically, the higher oil 
prices climb, the harder it will be for taxpayers to bridge this gap.
  The legislation I am introducing today calls for additional loan 
authority to support current Federal programs that help families and 
small businesses finance energy efficiency improvements. It also would 
provide much-needed grants for low-income individuals who cannot 
benefit from either tax credits or low-interest loans. These proposals, 
taken together, would go a long way toward achieving greater energy 
efficiency and reducing our Nation's dependence on foreign oil.
  The loan authority I am proposing would expand existing Federal 
programs that make low-interest loans to individuals and small 
businesses for energy efficiency improvements. This new loan authority 
would be made available through a new energy assistance revolving loan 
fund within the Treasury Department. Individuals who make less than 115 
percent of the median area income would be able to apply for low-
interest loans to cover the difference between the tax credits 
available for energy efficiency improvements and up to 90 percent of 
the cost of those improvements. The Federal agencies can make these 
loans directly, or through their lender networks.
  USDA, HUD, and other Federal agencies already have programs that can 
make loans of this kind to individuals. Small businesses can seek low-
interest loans for energy efficiency improvements under existing loan 
programs such as the SBA's 7(a) program. The revolving loan fund called 
for by my bill will enable these agencies to offer more loans to the 
individuals and small businesses.
  It is also important that we provide assistance to low-income 
individuals who do not have the income to benefit from tax credits, or 
who cannot afford to finance energy improvements even with low-interest 
loans. These individuals, especially, are still reeling from last 
winter's high energy prices, and it is critically important that they 
receive assistance before cold weather sets in again. To help those who 
are most in need, my bill would provide an additional $500 million in 
funding this year for grants for energy efficiency, weatherization, and 
renewable energy technology, and would double funding for the 
Weatherization Assistance Program. These grants will finance 
investments that will decrease energy prices for these citizens for 
years to come and are a wise investment.
  My legislation also includes several proposals I have long advocated. 
I have included these proposals so that this bill captures an overall 
picture of the energy challenges that our Nation faces. For example, 
this bill extends important tax incentives for renewable energy and 
energy efficiency that have expired, or are about to expire. These 
provisions include the renewable energy production tax credit, Clean 
Renewable Energy Bonds, tax benefits for energy efficient buildings, 
products and power plants, the tax credit for Plug-In Hybrid vehicles, 
the exemption from the heavy vehicles excise tax for idling reduction 
units and advanced insulation, and energy efficiency tax credits for 
homes.
  My bill would also provide a $500 tax credit to help consumers 
purchase and install new clean burning stoves, as well as efficient, 
clean wood pellet stoves, similar to a bill I introduced

[[Page S7576]]

with Senator Crapo earlier this year. This new tax credit reflects the 
reality that with oil prices soaring, wood is again the fuel of choice 
for many families throughout the country, just as it was during the 
height of the oil crisis in the 1970's.
  I urge my colleagues to work together in a bipartisan way so that we 
can help Americans overcome the challenge of high oil prices and 
restore and strengthen our Nation's economy.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mrs, Feinstein):
  S. 3351. A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating 
a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-
submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage; 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Drug 
Trafficking Interdiction Assistance Act of 2008. The operation of 
unregistered, un-flagged, semi- and fully-submersible vessels to 
traffic narcotics and other contraband through international waters 
poses a serious threat to the safety of our communities and the 
security of our Nation.
  Self-propelled semi-submersible water-craft, or SPSSs, can operate 
with a significant portion of their hull below the surface of the 
water, making detection very difficult. Recently we've seen an increase 
in the production and use of SPSSs originating in Colombia and 
embarking north in the Pacific Ocean with up to 12 tons of cocaine 
packed on board. SPSSs are typically less than 100 feet long, carry 4-5 
crew, travel at speeds of up to 8 knots, and have a maximum range of 
3,500 miles.
  These submarines are often equipped with valves that allow the 
operators to quickly flood and sink the SPSS in the event of 
interception by law enforcement, sending the vessel and any drugs or 
other contraband on board to an unrecoverable depth. As the last part 
of the scuttling process, the operators eject from the SPSS, and law 
enforcement has no choice but to rescue them from the ocean in 
accordance with our obligations under international law. They avoid 
prosecution because no drugs are recovered. For the operators of these 
SPSSs, they are able to avoid prosecution--for now.
  This bill turns the tables on the traffickers. It builds off of the 
good work by my colleagues Senators Lautenberg, Smith, Cantwell, and 
Snowe, who have a bill that criminalizes the operation of an 
unregistered, stateless semi-submersible or submersible vessel. The 
legislation that I have drafted would clarify that the defendant's 
intent in operating the SPSS was to evade detection, add a robust 
affirmative defense to protect legitimate researchers and explorers who 
may happen to use a semi-submersible vessel, include a tough criminal 
penalty provision to prosecute SPSS operators, and direct the United 
States Sentencing Commission to account for mitigating and aggravating 
factors in the Sentencing Guidelines.
  As Chair of the Caucus International Narcotics Control and Judiciary 
Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, I have worked to not only curb drug 
demand and increase treatment options, but also to drug traffickers and 
disrupt supply. This bill is an important step in curbing this emerging 
threat and shutting down this new mode of trafficking.
  Between 2001 and 2007, there were 23 identified SPSS drug smuggling 
events. At the time, these vessels were largely seen by drug 
traffickers as risky and impractical. But after increasingly successful 
interdiction of go-fast boats and other means, drug traffickers began 
seeing SPSSs as a viable option. Between October 1, 2007 and February 
1, 2008, alone, there were a reported 27 SPSS events that successfully 
delivered an estimated 111 tons of cocaine. At between $500,000 and $2 
million per SPSS, they cost only a fraction of the profits these 
traffickers reap.
  These vessels have the capacity to deliver more than just illegal 
drugs--an SPSSs could easily accommodate other contraband, like 
terrorist operatives and weapons of mass destruction in its cargo-
holds. Their operation poses a significant danger to the United States 
and this legislation criminalizes their use while allowing for the 
continuation of legitimate research and exploring activities.
  I want to recognize my friend Senator Lautenberg for his leadership 
on this issue. I look forward to working with him to enact a tough and 
fair law that disrupts drug trafficking and other illegal smuggling 
activities. I also thank Senators Grassley and Feinstein for their 
support, and I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this 
important legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. REID (for Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 3352. A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher 
Education Act of 1965; considered and passed.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
placed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3352

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Extension of Programs.--Section 2(a) of the Higher 
     Education Extension Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-81; 20 U.S.C. 
     1001 note) is amended by striking ``July 31, 2008'' and 
     inserting ``August 15, 2008''.
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or in 
     the Higher Education Extension Act of 2005 as amended by this 
     Act, shall be construed to limit or otherwise alter the 
     authorizations of appropriations for, or the durations of, 
     programs contained in the amendments made by the Higher 
     Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171), by 
     the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (Public Law 110-
     84), or by the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act 
     of 2008 (Public Law 110-227) to the provisions of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 and the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act 
     of 2004.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect as if enacted on July 31, 2008.

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