[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 108TH CONGRESS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on another subject, I commend the 
majority leader, before he leaves the floor, for his extraordinary 
leadership this year. We have truly had an outstanding 6 months. I am 
totally confident it would not have happened but for his nurturing of 
all Members and moving us in the right direction, dealing with the 
myriad complaints and concerns that arise from Members on both sides of 
the aisle during the course of trying to move legislation forward.
  As he goes into the August recess, he should feel very good about 
accomplishments so far this year.
  The accomplishments of this Senate in the first session of this 108th 
Congress would be considered remarkable in any historical comparison. 
But given that our President is in the second half of his term and the 
slender majority that his party holds in the Senate, the record of 
accomplishments is nothing short of extraordinary.
  These actions have substantially improved our homeland security, our 
national security, our economic security, and the health and retirement 
security of our seniors. We have compensated for the budgetary and 
appropriations shortfalls of last year and are on path to complete our 
appropriations for the coming year in good order.
  In the last 2 months alone, this Senate has taken the historic step 
of passing legislation to add a prescription drug benefit for our 
seniors in the Medicare program while imposing much needed market-based 
reforms. Almost 40 years after the programs creation, and after years 
of unfulfilled promises, the Senate is poised to complete final action 
when it returns in September.
  In the last 2 months, this Senate has passed both the defense 
authorization and defense appropriations bills to keep our military 
strong and ready.
  In the last 2 months, the Senate has passed the Federal Aviation 
Administration reauthorization to revitalize an air transport industry 
suffering from the effects of the terrorist attack of 
9/11.
  The Senate has passed appropriation bills for the legislative branch, 
military construction, and homeland security, with 8 others ready for 
floor action upon our return in September.
  After 42 days of consideration during the past 2 years, the Senate 
has passed an energy bill.
  After more than a decade of repression, the Senate has passed the 
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act.
  And to ensure funding of any disasters that may arise prior to the 
Congress' return in September, the Senate has enacted an emergency 
supplemental for FEMA funding.
  Looking to the earlier part of the year, the Senate, extended 
unemployment benefits to those who need it--twice; passed the 11 
unfinished spending bills from the last Congress; funded Operation 
Iraqi Freedom; initiated the protection of Homeland by confirming the 
nomination of the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
Security; maintained fiscal discipline by passing the Federal budget 
which the Senate failed to do last year; enacted the President's plans 
to create jobs and stimulate the economy; banned the horrific practice 
of partial birth abortion; passed the President's faith-based 
initiative; funded the effort to eradicate the scourge of global AIDs; 
acted to guard our children against abduction and exploitation by 
passing the PROTECT Act; improved safeguards from foreign terrorists by 
enacting the FISA bill; expanded of NATO to include most of the former 
Warsaw Pact countries; passed a significant arms reduction treaty with 
enemy turned ally, Russia; taken steps to bridge the digital divided by 
providing needed funds to historically black colleges; affirmed the 
constitutionality of using the term ``under God'' in the Pledge of 
Allegiance; awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to Prime Minister Tony 
Blair; and provided tax equity to men and women in our Nation's Armed 
Forces.
  This is a record all Senators can be particularly proud of. There is 
much yet to be done, but we have had an extraordinary first half of the 
year. Members of the Senate can go back to their States with a good 
feeling they have made great progress for our people.
  I yield the floor.

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