[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 180 (Wednesday, December 18, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S8920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT OF 2013--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 
1356.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 243, S. 1356, a bill to 
     amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to strengthen the 
     United States workforce development system through innovation 
     in, and alignment and improvement of, employment, training, 
     and education programs in the United States, and to promote 
     individual and national economic growth, and for other 
     purposes.


                                Schedule

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the 
Republican leader, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion 
to concur in the House message with respect to the bipartisan budget 
agreement postcloture.
  Rollcall votes are possible throughout the day. We will notify 
Senators as soon as we know that votes will be forthcoming.


           Measures Placed on the Calendar--S. 1845, S. 1846

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am told there are two bills at the desk 
due for a second reading.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will read the bills by 
title for the second time.
  The legislative clerk read as follows.

       A bill (S. 1845) to provide for the extension of certain 
     unemployment benefits, and for other purposes.
       A bill (S. 1846) to delay the implementation of certain 
     provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act 
     of 2012, and for other purposes.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would object to any further proceedings 
with respect to these two bills.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The bills will 
be placed on the calendar.


                          Unfinished Business

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today the Senate is debating the House-
passed budget agreement which was an important step in avoiding another 
dangerous and costly government shutdown to our economy such as we had 
in October. Another shutdown caused by the Republicans would undercut 
the economic progress of the last 4 years. When Republicans closed the 
Federal Government for business in October, it cost $2 billion in lost 
productivity alone. The combined cost of the shutdown and the 
Republican threats to force catastrophic default on the Nation's bills 
cost the economy 120,000 private sector jobs in the first 2 weeks of 
October alone--120,000 jobs.
  But the agreement the Senate is considering today will help us avoid 
another costly shutdown. The bargain rolls back the painful and 
arbitrary cuts of sequester, including devastating cuts to education, 
medical research, infrastructure investments, and defense jobs.
  This is not a perfect bargain. No compromise is ever perfect. But the 
Senate should pass this agreement quickly so the Appropriations 
Committee, under the leadership of Chairwoman Mikulski, can begin 
crafting appropriations bills.
  It is unfortunate the Republicans have forced the Senate to run out 
the clock on this measure, even though it passed the House on an 
overwhelmingly bipartisan basis and has the support of the majority in 
the Senate. Why are we wasting time? It is time to get back to setting 
fiscal policy through the regular order of the budget process rather 
than the hostage taking which takes place so often here by my 
Republican colleagues. It is time for Congress to show the American 
people that Democrats and Republicans can compromise rather than 
lurching from crisis to crisis. Yet Republicans have insisted on 
wasting 30 hours of the Senate's time before allowing a final vote on 
this measure, even though they know it will pass with bipartisan 
support.
  I read that the Republican leadership may also force the Senate to 
work through the weekend and next week by dragging out the 
consideration of several important executive nominations. That would be 
unfortunate. But if it happens, it happens. The Senate could wrap up 
work on the budget bill, pass a defense authorization legislation, and 
confirm these nominees by tomorrow afternoon. The only thing keeping us 
here is more Republican obstruction.
  I was also troubled to hear the senior Senator from Kentucky say that 
the nominations we have considered this session and those on which I 
filed cloture yesterday are nonessential. Nonessential? How about the 
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security? That is nonessential, 
the person assigned the task of protecting us from terrorist attacks is 
nonessential? I think that is wrong.
  Does the Republican leader consider the Secretary of the Air Force or 
the diplomats who run the State Department nonessential? There is a 
long list of people who have been confirmed who are essential to 
running this government.
  Does the Republican leader consider the judges who try criminal and 
civil cases in overcrowded courtrooms across the Nation nonessential? 
We confirmed talented and dedicated individuals to all of those 
essential posts last week.
  Does the Republican leader consider the Chairman of the Federal 
Reserve who sets this Nation's monetary policy to be nonessential? We 
will consider Janet Yellen's nomination to lead this very important 
part of our government, the Federal Reserve--we will do it this week. 
We will also vote on a number of other nominations, including a new 
Director of the Internal Revenue Service. Nonessential? And the Deputy 
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
  We will consider the nomination of Brian Davis of Florida--a perfect, 
classic example--to fill a district court seat that has been declared a 
judicial emergency. His nomination has been pending for more than 650 
days. Nonessential? I do not think so.
  On the contrary, these are absolutely essential nominees. It is their 
job to carry out justice, protect our country, and safeguard the 
economy. It is the Senate's job to confirm them. But how long will it 
take the Senate to complete its job? It is up to my Republican friends.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.


                       Reservation of Leader Time

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the 
leadership time is reserved.

                          ____________________