[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 71 (Monday, May 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2889-S2890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HIRE MORE HEROES ACT OF 2014--MOTION TO PROCEED

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 332, H.R. 
3474.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the motion.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 332, H.R. 3474, to amend 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers to 
     exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the 
     Veterans Administration from being taken into account for 
     purposes of the employer mandate under the Patient Protection 
     and Affordable Care Act.


                                Schedule

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, following my remarks and those of the 
Republican leader, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30 
p.m. today. Last week cloture was filed on S. 2262, the Energy Savings 
and Industrial Competitiveness Act. As a result, the filing deadline 
for all second degree amendments is 4:30 p.m. today. There will be up 
to three rollcall votes at 5:30 p.m. today: confirmation of the 
Rosenbaum nomination to be an Eleventh Circuit judge, then confirmation 
of the Croley nomination to be General Counsel of the Department of 
Energy, and, finally, a cloture vote on S. 2262, the energy efficiency 
bill.


                          A Second Opportunity

  Mr. President, Henry Ford once said: ``Failure is simply the 
opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.'' Those are 
wise words from a man who knew a thing or two about overcoming logjams.
  The legislation before us today is an opportunity for Senators to 
intelligently reconsider energy efficiency. The consequences of this 
opportunity loom very large for this body.
  Shaheen-Portman is a good bill. It was a good bill last year when it 
was blocked by the Republicans. It is even better now. This legislation 
will give our country more energy independence and protect our 
environment. The Shaheen-Portman bill also gives Americans a fair shot 
at better providing for their families through increased savings on 
their energy bills. This is great for working Americans. It also 
creates 200,000 jobs.
  Senators Shaheen and Portman worked hard with Democrats and 
Republicans since this bill was introduced 3 years ago to make this 
legislation into the effective bipartisan bill it is today.
  No single bill will solve all of our energy problems, but this is a 
good first step.
  The business community agrees. This bill is supported by the Chamber 
of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the 
Business Roundtable.
  The Shaheen-Portman legislation is an opportunity for this country to 
address our energy needs on how they are affecting the environment. But 
the implications of this legislation extend far beyond energy 
efficiency. It goes to the integrity of this Senate we care so much 
about.

[[Page S2890]]

  The Shaheen-Portman bill is a chance for a fresh start for the 
Senate--really a new beginning. We had been making some limited 
progress this year in moving legislation, starting with the Murray-Ryan 
budget arrangement. Then we worked together--Democrats and 
Republicans--to pass a childcare development block grant, a flood 
insurance bill, and an extension of unemployment benefits.
  But as we considered legislation to help American families--like 
equal pay and a minimum wage increase--Republicans got off track, and 
working families did not get a fair shot.
  So here we are, once again, confronted with the possibility that a 
good bipartisan bill may fail. And for what? Democrats have acted in 
good faith, and we have bent over backwards to make this bill work. But 
it seems our efforts are never enough. Each concession we make brings 
new demands.
  The Republicans working with Senators Shaheen and Portman asked for 
changes to this bill, and 10 bipartisan amendments are now included in 
the bill before this body.
  Republicans asked for a sense of the Senate resolution on the 
Keystone legislation, and we agreed.
  Republicans changed their minds and requested a vote on stand-alone 
Keystone legislation, and we agreed.
  If Republicans stop their filibuster of this bill and allow it to 
proceed, the Senate will vote on Keystone pipeline legislation, and 
they know that. That is what they have asked for, and we have given it 
to them.
  But, Mr. President, they have held this bill hostage--this energy 
efficiency bill--as demand after demand has been met, but even now they 
are still seeking a ransom.
  So why are we here? Why is this bill at risk? I have spoken from time 
to time recently with my Republican colleagues. They come to me, 
saying: Harry, how could we get the Senate back on track?
  I appreciate their sincerity in trying to find a solution, but the 
answer is right under their nose. I say to them, look at what is 
happening right now.
  Mr. President, I have been told that two cosponsors of this 
legislation will not vote to invoke cloture. These are two gentleman 
who put their name on this bill.
  Look at how Republican obstruction is bringing the Senate to its 
knees again and again and again--and now even on this bill, a 
bipartisan bill. This is not a Shaheen bill. It is a Shaheen-Portman 
bill--a New Hampshire Senator and an Ohio Senator, a Democrat and a 
Republican.
  I repeat, this bill is being filibustered, obviously, by some of its 
own cosponsors. This useless, mind-boggling obstruction is what 
continually grinds the wheels of the Senate to a screeching halt.
  So to my friends who want to know how we can make things work better 
in the Senate, I say: Put an end to obstruction for obstruction's sake. 
Take yes for an answer. We have a good bipartisan bill. Let's pass it. 
It is good for the country. Stop filibustering this good bill.
  We made an agreement on Keystone, and Democrats stand willing to 
honor our commitment. But we need Republicans to honor their 
commitments.
  So let's use this second opportunity at passing this important bill--
Shaheen-Portman--to get the Senate working effectively and give working 
families, American families a fair shot at affordable energy.


                       Reservation Of Leader Time

  Would the Chair announce the business of the day.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kaine). Under the previous order, the 
leadership time is reserved.

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