[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 1199

  Mr. REID. Another bill in the Judiciary Committee title package was a 
bill that reauthorized the Drug Endangered Children Program. There may 
be families who have not been affected by drugs in some way. It may not 
be their immediate family. It may be some distant family members, 
it could be neighbors. But my nephew died of a drug overdose. He had a 
problem from his time as a teenager until he died at the age of 38 or 
so. There is a terrible problem with illegal drugs; it leaves many 
victims. Many are innocent children who are found in homes, hotels, 
automobiles. My nephew died in a sleazy motel. Among those are innocent 
children who are found, as I have indicated, in homes, hotels, 
automobiles, and apartments where all kinds of illegal substances are 
produced.

  The product that is causing so much problem now is meth, 
methamphetamine. This bipartisan bill would authorize the Department of 
Justice to award $20 million per year--remember, this authorizes it--in 
grants designated to improve coordination among law enforcement, 
prosecutors, child protection services, social service agencies, and 
health care providers to help transition these drug-endangered children 
into safe residential environments.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged 
from further consideration of H.R. 1199 and the Senate proceed to its 
immediate consideration; that the bill be read a third time and passed 
and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; that there be no 
intervening action or debate.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Mr. COBURN. I would object pending our review of the legislation.

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