[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 100 (Monday, July 15, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5684-S5686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that we now proceed to a period of
morning business, with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes
each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam President, I rise today to talk about
the balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution that I recently
introduced with several of my colleagues. These cosponsors include
Senators Manchin, Begich, McCaskill, Heitkamp and Tester.
Debates over the merits of balanced budget amendments have occurred
for decades, and there is a wide range of conflicting thought on the
topic. Proposing to amend the Constitution is something I do not take
lightly. But after much thought and consideration, and having
conversations with fellow Coloradans, I came to the conclusion that
fundamental budgetary reform like this is necessary to restore
Americans' confidence in our government and ensure long term fiscal
health and stability.
I introduced the same balanced budget amendment in 2011 when there
was still a great deal of uncertainty about our economy and its
recovery. Although there has been economic progress, it is clear that
we have not yet completely emerged from the downturn that began in
2008. It therefore remains critical that Congress continue to focus--in
a bipartisan fashion on ways to promote job growth and economic
recovery. It is to that end that I am proposing the idea of a balanced
budget amendment to enforce budgetary discipline.
The proposal I am introducing requires the President to submit a
balanced budget each year and ensures that our Federal Government
spends no more money than it takes in, while allowing for exceptions in
times of emergency. But most importantly my proposal takes steps to
ensure that Congress doesn't make some of the same budgetary mistakes
that got us into the mess we are in now. For example, my amendment
prohibits deficit-
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busting tax breaks for Americans who earn $1 million or more per year
unless the Federal Government is running a surplus. That is a
commonsense approach that makes sense to Coloradans. And importantly,
this amendment would shield Social Security in order to keep Congress
from taking money from the trust fund to mask budget deficits. It is my
hope that this amendment would prevent the unwise budgeting we have
seen too often over the last decade while upholding the principle that
we should pay for our government in a responsible manner, with waiver
authority to be used only in exceptional circumstances. I think most
Americans can agree to that. Coloradans certainly do.
As we all know, Congress will again debate spending and revenue
issues very soon as we approach a new fiscal year and an imminent need
to raise the debt ceiling if we are to avoid default on our debt
obligations. The total national debt is projected to reach over $16.8
trillion at the end of 2013 and over $17.5 trillion in 2014. Coloradans
find those figures alarming. We are on an unsustainable path and it is
critical that Congress consider--as one tool--the type of discipline
this balanced budget amendment would require. I would not suggest to my
colleagues that this measure will solve all of our existing problems
unilaterally, but it will help prevent the country from amassing
massive debt in the future.
I know some of my colleagues are skeptical about any form of balanced
budget amendment out of concern that it could be used to dismantle
critical programs or force uncomfortable budgeting decisions that
purportedly pick winners over losers. However, I truly believe a
balanced approach such as the one I am introducing today will not
require a slash-and-burn approach to programs that are the backbone of
our national agenda, help grow our economy, and benefit hardworking
American families. In fact, I believe the only true way to preserve the
core programs that support America's seniors and provide care for the
most disadvantaged members of our society, for example, is to ensure
that we have the resources needed to fund them over the long term.
Without fiscal reform, our social safety net programs will disappear.
This result worries Coloradans.
The last time I introduced this amendment, I quoted progressive
Senator Paul Simon, a Democrat from Illinois who championed the concept
of a balanced budget amendment. I am going to do so again today--
because his words carry such resonance.
In debating the balanced budget amendment in 1993, Senator Simon
said, ``I am here to tell you that the course we are on, unless it is
changed soon, absolutely threatens all of the programs that you and I
have fought for and believe in so strongly. The fiscal folly that we
have followed for more than a decade has brought us to a crossroads. We
face a basic decision, whether through default or through our actions
to choose wisely the course that will lead us away from the brink.''
Senator Simon continued:
If we do not act, interest payouts will spiral upward until
they consume not only Social Security but health care,
education, transportation investments--every other need on
our national agenda. My warning to you today is that a rising
tide of red ink sinks all boats.
Senator Simon's caution is even more timely today, and I have the
same concerns about the budgetary path we are on. We have a structural
deficit and the only way to fix it is to fundamentally change the
spending and revenue picture.
I have not given up hope that Congress may find common ground on a
comprehensive plan to cut spending, reform the tax code, and shore up
programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are critical to our
Nation's middle class. For example, I laud the efforts of Alan Simpson
and Erskine Bowles and the many other advocates who are putting real
ideas on the table to reduce deficits and debt. These are people
working across the aisle every day to find common ground to reduce our
national debt. With that spirit in mind, last fall I led a majority of
members of the Colorado delegation both Democrats and Republicans on a
letter to our respective leaders in the House and Senate to support a
balanced, comprehensive debt deal, which includes spending cuts, new
revenue, and responsible reforms to shore up our entitlement programs.
Because we have got to have the fortitude to ``go big,'' I endorse
the general approach of the so-called Simpson-Bowles plan, which
reforms all aspects of the budget. And I know many of my colleagues
support that same framework. Finding agreement on comprehensive reform
is the best possible action Congress can take to send a strong signal
to main street businesses, financial markets and the American people
that we are serious about stabilizing our budget for the long term.
Similarly, this balanced budget amendment would chart a path toward
long-term fiscal health and promote the kind of confidence and
certainty we need to spur job creation, economic growth and prosperity
for a growing middle class.
With that said, I am convinced we will need additional tools that
force long-term fiscal discipline. That is why throughout the years I
have supported many policies to combat deficits such as a Presidential
line item veto, establishing a committee to reduce government waste and
a ban on earmarks.
Today, I ask my colleagues to consider my reasonable proposal for a
balanced budget amendment. The proposal may not be perfect, it may
benefit from my colleagues' suggestions to improve it, and it may be
just one piece of the larger fiscal puzzle. But I do hope that my
colleagues will give this proposal serious consideration as we continue
to debate the best way to eliminate the debt and deficit.
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL J. MORELL
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and
myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Michael J. Morell,
Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who will leave
his current position on Friday, August 9, 2013, and retire at the end
of September. Mr. Morell's career spans over 33 years in the CIA during
which he distinguished himself as a patriot, leader, and friend of the
Senate.
Michael Morell deserves the gratitude of the entire Nation for his
three decades of selfless service at the CIA.
An Ohio native, Mr. Morell received a B.A. degree in economics from
the University of Akron in 1980 and an M.A. in economics from
Georgetown University in 1984.
Since joining the CIA in 1980, Michael's talents lifted him from
being an analyst covering international energy issues to some of the
toughest assignments that the CIA has to offer: Presidential Briefer,
Associate Deputy Director, Director of Intelligence, Deputy Director,
and toughest of all, twice he was called upon to serve as Acting
Director. In each assignment, Michael provided exemplary leadership for
the men and women of the Agency and demonstrated he was someone who
knew how to manage operations, sharpen analysis, invest in new
technologies, and assure the smooth functioning of the entire CIA
workforce.
As the President's Daily Briefer, Michael was at President Bush's
side on that horrific day in September 2001. He was there at President
Obama's side as Deputy CIA Director when the United States brought
justice to Osama bin Ladin in May 2011. These are only two examples out
of many where Michael helped guide the Agency and the Nation through
some of the most complex and challenging times in our recent history.
As the Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency, Michael has had frequent interaction with Senators
and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His
professionalism, mature judgment, frank and sage advice, and
interpersonal skills earned him the respect and confidence of the
committee. His sound judgment and candor also directly contributed to
his successful representation of the CIA's interests before the
committee and Congress.
As the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence, we have had additional opportunities to see Michael's
contributions to this Nation. We cannot speak of them here, but the
American people should know that his service goes beyond the public
record, and has spanned the globe.
Throughout his career, Michael Morell demonstrated a profound
commitment to our Nation, selfless service
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to the CIA, deep concern for Agency officers and their families, and a
commitment to excellence. Michael is the consummate intelligence
professional whose performance personified those traits of courage,
competency, and integrity that our Nation expects from its professional
intelligence officers.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr.
Michael Morell for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence
Agency and the people of the United States. We also thank Michael's
wife Mary Beth and his children, Sarah, Luke, and Peter, for their
support and understanding, as well as their sacrifices in allowing
Michael to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation against
those who would do us harm.
We wish the Morell family all the best in the future.
TRIBUTE TO TIMOTHY P. IRELAND
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and
myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Timothy P. Ireland,
Deputy Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, OCA, at the
Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who is retiring after a long and
distinguished career of government service.
Tim is not well known to the American people, but his quiet service
and unflappable demeanor here made him a friend to the Intelligence
Committee and staff
After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1970
with a bachelor's degree in international relations, Tim continued his
education, earning a master's degree and Ph.D. from the Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. After teaching for 2 years,
Tim joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1981, as an officer in
the Directorate of Intelligence, focusing on European political and
military affairs.
Tim worked in a number of analytic and management positions in the
Directorate of Intelligence, authored a National Intelligence Estimate,
and served on the President's Daily Brief staff.
Throughout his career, Tim worked in both policy and intelligence
community positions. He spent 2 years in the Department of State's
Bureau of Political-Military affairs working on arms control and
strategic defense issues. For nearly 4 years he worked in the National
Intelligence Council. Tim entered the field of resource management in
1991 with a tour in the Office of Comptroller. He subsequently served
in senior resource management positions in the Directorate of
Intelligence, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the
Office of the Chief Financial Officer, CFO.
In this last capacity, Tim proved invaluable to the committee in
understanding the CIA's programs and finances, giving direct, accurate
answers to difficult questions. Twice, Tim served as the Acting
Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, serving as the CIA's
primary interface with congressional oversight committees, leadership,
and Members. While serving in the offices of OCA and CFO, Tim was known
for keeping the Congress fully and currently informed.
In these capacities, Tim had frequent interaction with Senators and
staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His
professionalism, thoughtfulness, and frank responses earned him the
respect and confidence of the committee. His friendly demeanor and
candor helped him successfully represent the CIA's interests before the
committee and Congress.
Tim Ireland throughout his career has shown a deep commitment to our
national security, proud service to the CIA, and a calm yet thorough
performance in his work. His more than 32 years of service as an
intelligence officer has helped to keep our Nation and its citizens
safe.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Tim
Ireland for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence Agency
and the people of the United States. We also want to thank Tim's wife
Andy for her support and understanding, as well as her sacrifices in
allowing Tim to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation.
We wish Tim and Andy Ireland all the best in the future.
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