[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 21498-21507]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 1593. A bill to amend the Head Start Act to improve provisions 
relating to updating population data; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, it's been more than a year and a half since 
the No Child Left Behind Act became law. By passing that bill into law, 
we reaffirmed our commitment to provide every American child with a 
quality education.

[[Page 21499]]

  The education of our children must be one of our top priorities, 
because they are the future of this country. We have to give them the 
tools they need to succeed.
  Unfortunately, the fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq have 
driven education off the national agenda. This is especially 
disappointing now because public schools across the Nation are in 
jeopardy as States struggle to close unprecedented budget deficits. At 
a time when NCLB is imposing new unfunded mandates on States and local 
governments, schools have watched helplessly as their budgets have been 
slashed. Many of these schools are located in poor and rural areas, 
where the achievement gap is widest. These schools simply don't have 
the resources they need to do their job, and children are being left 
behind as a result.
  Some States, including Nevada, face an additional problem. These 
States have extremely high rates of population growth, and as a result 
they find themselves in a never-ending race to fund the growing demand 
for education. The formulas that allocate Federal education dollars 
usually don't factor high growth rates into their calculations. So, 
schools in these States find their backs against the wall even in the 
best fiscal conditions. You can imagine how precarious their situation 
is in a time of record federal and state budget deficits.
  I mentioned my State, Nevada. The condition of its public schools is, 
in many ways, quite dismal. Nevada has one of the highest high school 
dropout rates in the country and one of the lowest high school 
graduation rates. It is near the bottom in performance on national 
reading, writing, and math tests. Per-pupil, Nevada spends less money 
on its students than all but five other States. I could cite many other 
statistics, but you get the picture--and it isn't pretty.
  There is no magic fix for the problems facing schools in Nevada, or 
any other state. And because schools are primarily the responsibility 
of individual states, there is only so much the federal government can 
do to help. But I believe Nevada's problems stem in part from the fact 
that its high growth rate prevents it from receiving its fair share of 
Federal education funding. Nevada is the fastest growing State in the 
Nation by a wide margin. Its schools struggle each year to make room 
for new students. Despite all this, Nevada is dead last in Federal per-
pupil education funding. And I want to reiterate that this problem is 
not unique to Nevada--schools in other states also face budget strains 
as a result of high population growth rates.
  These States deserve their fair share of federal education dollars. 
It is an issue of fundamental fairness. I hope that we will address 
this problem in a comprehensive manner the next time we revisit NCLB. 
In the meantime, however, we should take this opportunity to correct a 
similar flaw in the way we fund Head Start.
  Throughout its 38-year history, Head Start has helped put millions of 
at-risk children on the path to success by giving them the social and 
academic skills they need to succeed in elementary school. It is a 
textbook example of a Federal program that has worked.
  Consider some of the statistics. At-risk children who participate in 
a quality early childhood education program are 33 percent more likely 
to graduate from high school, and 25 percent less likely to repeat a 
grade. Since a year of public education for one student costs 
approximately $5,900, it is safe to say that Head Start has saved 
taxpayers millions of dollars.
  Young women who participated in a quality early childhood education 
program have 33 percent fewer children out of wedlock, and are 25 
percent less likely to become teen mothers. Every dollar we invest in 
Head Start translates into four dollars of benefits for at-risk 
children, their families, and American taxpayers.
  So as you can see, Head Start is a critical component of public 
education in this country. Its holistic approach also addresses many of 
the underlying causes of poor academic performance by providing medical 
services and guidance for parents of at-risk children.
  But State budget crises have placed Head Start programs under siege 
along with all other aspects of public education--and programs in high-
growth states are among the hardest hit. Nevada has seven centralized 
Head Start agencies that administer almost 50 Head Start programs 
throughout the State. At current funding levels, these programs serve 
approximately 2,500 at-risk children not nearly as many as they could 
serve with adequate resources.
  We need to do everything in our power to help Head Start programs 
meet demand, because better-prepared students make elementary and 
secondary schools more effective. And because Head Start is a 
partnership between the Federal Government and States, Congress has the 
power to make a real difference on this issue.
  That is why I am today introducing the High Growth Head Start 
Assistance Act. It will reward high-growth States, such as Nevada, for 
their commitment to Head Start by ensuring that programs in their state 
receive their fair share of Federal funds.
  Congresswoman Berkley has introduced a similar bill in the House of 
Representatives, and I applaud her leadership on this issue.
  This bill will make a difference in the lives of thousands of at-risk 
children in Nevada and across the Nation. It is a matter of fundamental 
fairness. Most important, it represents a small but significant step 
toward fulfilling the promise we made a year and a half ago--a promise 
to leave no child behind.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1593

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. UPDATING POPULATION DATA.

       Section 640(a)(4) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9835(a)(4)) is amended in the flush matter following 
     subparagraph (B)--
       (1) by striking ``shall use the most recent data 
     available'' and inserting ``shall use data that is not more 
     than 2 years old''; and
       (2) by striking ``use of the most recent data available'' 
     and inserting ``such data''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Lieberman, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. 
        Feingold, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Durbin):
  S. 1594. A bill to require a report on reconstruction efforts in 
Iraq; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Daschle, 
Dodd, Lieberman, Bingaman, Johnson, Feingold and Lincoln to introduce 
legislation to require the President to report to Congress on his 
vision for a democratic, economically viable, and politically stable 
Iraq, his plan for achieving those goals, and an estimate on how much 
this is going to cost.
  After months of dodging questions, giving half-answers, and ignoring 
Congressional requests, the time has come for this Administration to 
level with the American people and Congress and spell-out its plan for 
rebuilding a country torn apart by years of dictatorial rule, ethnic 
strife, war, and terror.
  Our legislation requires the President within 60 days of the 
enactment of this act to report to Congress on: the current economic, 
political, and military situation in Iraq including the number, type 
and location of attacks on U.S. and Coalition military and civilian 
personnel in the previous 60 days; a discussion of the measures taken 
to protect U.S. troops serving in Iraq; a detailed plan for the 
establishment of civil, economic and political security in Iraq, 
including the restoration of basic services such as water and 
electricity and the construction of schools, roads, and medical clinics 
in Iraq; the current and projected monetary costs incurred by the 
United States, by Iraq, and by the international community; actions 
taken and to be taken by the Administration to secure increased 
international participation in peacekeeping forces and in the economic 
and political reconstruction of Iraq; a detailed time-frame

[[Page 21500]]

and specific steps to be taken for the restoration of self-government 
to the Iraqi people; cost estimates for achieving those goals; and U.S. 
and international military personnel requirements for achieving those 
goals.
  I am pleased that, as Secretary of State Colin Powell announced last 
week, the Administration has finally decided to seek an additional 
United Nations Security Council Resolution authorizing increased U.N. 
participation in multinational peacekeeping forces and the political 
and economic reconstruction of Iraq.
  Nevertheless, President Bush waited far too long to seek additional 
help and, as a result, we will face an ever greater challenge in 
rebuilding Iraq in the months and years ahead. And this past Sunday, 
President Bush announced his intention to seek an additional $87 
billion to fund reconstruction efforts and military and intelligence 
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  What we need now is a plan on how to rebuild Iraq, an estimate on how 
much it is going to cost, what personnel, both military and civilian, 
U.S. and international, will be needed, and what the end game will look 
like.
  Our troops, along with our British and Australian allies, performed 
brilliantly in executing Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their unmatched 
skill, bravery, and professionalism made us all proud. They overthrew a 
tyrannical regime in three weeks and, for the first time in over thirty 
years, brought hope to millions of Iraqis. We owe them a tremendous 
debt of gratitude.
  But I believe United States troops assumed too great a burden in 
terms of manpower and exposure to risk, and will be forced to remain in 
Iraq longer than expected and at a higher financial cost.
  Let us look at the facts.
  Sixty-seven Americans have died in hostile action since the President 
declared an end to major combat operations on May 1, 2003. In total, 
286 U.S. troops have died in Iraq, 146 since May 1.
  One hundred and thirty-nine thousand U.S. troops are currently 
serving in Iraq, comprising 85 percent of coalition forces.
  Four car bombings in the past month have killed 121 people, including 
the UN's top envoy to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
  Earlier this year, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stated that 
the United States is spending approximately $4 billion a month in Iraq 
and, given the President's statement Sunday, there is no indication 
that this figure will go down anytime in the near future.
  These are enormous commitments, and yet, we do not have a clear 
indication from the Administration about its intentions in Iraq. And 
that is why I am introducing this legislation.
  We have assumed an enormous responsibility in Iraq and we must stay 
the course. But let us hear from the Administration on how it intends 
to stay that course and where that course will lead us. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1594

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Although President George W. Bush declared an end to 
     major combat operations in Iraq on May 1, 2003, as of early 
     September 2003, conditions in parts of Iraq continue to be 
     unstable, and President Bush has not yet provided Congress 
     with a detailed plan that outlines the strategic objectives 
     of Operation Iraqi Freedom, explains how and when the 
     President plans to accomplish these objectives, and estimates 
     the costs to be borne by United State taxpayers and the 
     international community.
       (2) On September 7, 2003, President Bush announced his 
     intention to seek an additional $87,000,000,000 to fund 
     reconstruction efforts and military and intelligence 
     operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

     SEC. 2. REPORT.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report 
     setting forth--
       (1) a description of the economic, political, and military 
     situation in Iraq, including the number, type, and location 
     of attacks on United States and other Coalition military and 
     civilian personnel in the preceding 60 days;
       (2) a discussion of the measures taken to protect United 
     States troops serving in Iraq;
       (3) a detailed plan for achieving the goal of establishing 
     civil, economic, and political security in Iraq, including 
     the restoration of basic services such as water and 
     electricity and the construction of schools, roads, and 
     medical clinics;
       (4) the monetary costs currently incurred and projected to 
     be incurred by the United States, the United Nations, Iraq, 
     and the international community;
       (5) the actions taken and to be taken by the President to 
     secure increased international participation in peacekeeping 
     efforts and in the economic and political reconstruction of 
     Iraq;
       (6) a detailed schedule and specific steps for achieving 
     the goal of restoring self-government to the Iraqi people; 
     and
       (7) United States and international military and civilian 
     personnel requirements.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. KERRY:
  S. 1595. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow 
small business employers a credit against income tax with respect to 
employees who participate in the military reserve components and are 
called to active duty and with respect to replacement employees and to 
allow a comparable credit for activated military reservists who are 
self-employed individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, the continuing activation of military 
reservists to serve in Iraq and the war on terror has imposed a 
tremendous burden on many of our country's small businesses. Too many 
small businesses, when their employees are asked to leave their jobs 
and serve the Nation, are unable to continue operating successfully and 
face severe financial difficulties, even bankruptcy. At the same time, 
more than one-third of military reservists and National Guard members 
suffer a pay cut when they're called to defend our Nation. Large 
businesses have the resources to provide supplemental income to 
reservist employees called up for active duty and to replace them with 
a temporary employee. However, many small businesses are unable to 
provide this assistance or temporarily replace the employee. I believe 
the Federal Government must take action to help small businesses 
weather the loss of an employee to active duty and protect small 
business employees and their families from suffering a pay cut to serve 
our Nation. That is why I am introducing legislation that will provide 
an immediate tax credit to assist both military reservists who are 
called to active duty and the small businesses who must endure their 
absence.
  The Small Business Military Reservist Tax Credit Act that I am 
introducing today will provide immediate help to affected small 
businesses through a Federal income tax credit and a reduced 
withholding requirement to help pay the difference in salary for a 
reservist called up to active duty and the cost of temporarily 
replacing that employee while he or she is serving our Nation. 
Specifically, the bill will provide a tax credit of up to $12,000 to 
any very small business, defined as any business with up to 50 
employees, whose employee has been called up for active duty. Up to 
$6,000 can be used to assist in paying any difference in salary for the 
activated reservist and up to an additional $6,000 can be used to help 
hire a temporary replacement. For small manufacturers with up to 100 
employees, the bill will provide a tax credit of up to $20,000, up to 
$10,000 to hire a temporary replacement. This tax credit is critical to 
immediately help struggling entrepreneurs keep their small businesses 
running after the loss of an employee to temporary military service. 
Too many American small manufacturers are already facing a difficult 
economy and strong international competition. This legislation provides 
higher thresholds for small manufacturers because they need greater 
help and employ more technical workers who are more expensive and 
difficult to replace. It will also help cushion the financial cost of 
being a citizen soldier for our reservists. I am pleased that this 
legislation is supported by the Reserve Officers Association.

[[Page 21501]]

  Since 1973, the United States has built an all-volunteer military of 
which reservists are an essential part. Our reservists are much more 
than weekend warriors. When they are called to active duty, they are a 
critical ingredient of any long-term or significant deployment of 
American forces. Everyone knows the contributions our reservists have 
made in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. They have 
been serving our country with distinction and pride for many years and 
should not be penalized financially for their honorable service. The 
use of reservists is a significant way to reduce the costs of 
maintaining a standing army and the cost of carrying a full standing 
army, in lieu of having a critical reservist component, far outweighs 
the small, targeted tax credit developed in this legislation.
  Reservists have become a vital component of U.S. forces in Iraq and 
the war on terror. On September 14, 2001, President Bush issued 
Executive Order 13223 authorizing the activation of up to 1 million 
military reservists for up to two years of active duty. Since October 
2002, there has been a presidentially approved ceiling of 300,000 on 
the number of reservists that can be on duty at any one time. Some 
295,000 reserves have been called up cumulatively since the issuance of 
the original Executive Order. Today, there are about 181,500 reserves 
on active duty in the war against terrorism.
  Just today, the Army announced that thousands of National Guard and 
Army Reserve forces will be required to extend their tours of duty. The 
new order requiring 12-month tours in Iraq and elsewhere means that 
many National Guard and Army Reserve troops could have their 
mobilizations extended anywhere from 1 month to 6 months. Extending 
tours of duty will make it more difficult for reservists, their 
families and the small businesses where they work to endure the 
hardships associated with serving our nation. It is imperative that we 
provide them with immediate assistance.
  A recent story in the Financial Times demonstrates the heavy price 
that some small businesses are forced to pay when one of their 
employees is called up for active duty. Lt. Col. Stephen Brozak, a 
Marine reservist and small business partner, was called up for active 
duty in November 2002. In addition to being a partner in the small 
financial services firm, Westfield Bakerink Brozak, Stephen is the only 
research analyst in the San Diego-based company. Since Stephen left to 
serve our country, the company has been unable to continue working on 
the investment banking issues he covered. This has dramatically 
affected the company's profitability and bottom line. To compound the 
problem, this small businesses is unable to provide Stephen a salary 
while he is on active duty and cannot afford to hire a replacement. 
Small businesses, like Stephen's, should not be crippled or 
incapacitated when their workers are called to serve our Nation. Our 
reservist solders who are called away from their jobs to serve our 
country should not have to endanger their family's finances to do so.
  The United States Chamber of Commerce estimates that 70 percent of 
military reservists called to active duty work in small- or medium-size 
companies. Everyone knows that small businesses continue to be a most 
effective at creating new jobs and spurring economic growth nationwide. 
Small businesses employ over 50 percent of the nation's work force. 
Nationwide, small businesses are currently creating 75 percent of new 
jobs. Furthermore, many these small businesses provide quality goods 
and services that are a vital link in the supply chain for our national 
defense. Many these small companies need immediate help to keep their 
business going while their employees are sacrificing for our country in 
Iraq and elsewhere.
  Many of our reservists left their companies in good shape. They were 
profitable, providing goods or services, creating jobs, adding to the 
tax base. Our nation should do everything possible to ensure that upon 
their return, reservists and their businesses to do suffer unnecessary 
hardships that ranges from impaired operations financial ruin; from 
deserted clients to layoffs, and even closure.
  Beyond the hardship of leaving their families, their homes and their 
regular employment, more than one-third of military reservists and 
National Guard members face a pay cut when they're called for active 
duty in our armed forces. Many of these reservists have families who 
depend upon that paycheck to survive and can least afford a substantial 
reduction in pay. Unlike many big businesses that can afford to provide 
supplemental income to make up for the salary disparity for military 
reservists called to active duty, most small businesses cannot afford 
to provide this benefit. This makes it more difficult for small 
businesses to attract and keep workers. I think it is imperative that 
we help families of reservists maintain their standard of living while 
their loved one serves our nation. We must ensure that our great 
tradition of citizen soldiers does not fade or stop because of the 
effect service has on work and family.
  Back in 1999, I wrote the Military Reservist Small Business Relief 
Act, which was enacted into law during the 106th Congress and 
authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to defer existing 
loan repayments and to reduce the interest rates on direct loans that 
may be outstanding, including disaster loans, for small businesses that 
have had a military reservist called up for active duty. It also 
established a low-interest economic injury loan program administered by 
the SBA through its disaster loan program. These loans have been 
available to provide interim operating capital to any small business 
when the departure of a military reservist for active duty causes 
economic injury. According to published reports, more than 10,000 small 
businesses have applied for these loans since August 2001. However, in 
today's economy, many small businesses are unable to take on additional 
debt to continue their operations. These small businesses need 
immediate tax relief to assist them in hiring a replacement and to pay 
their reservist worker who is away serving our country.
  This bill will help every small business whose owner, manager or 
employee is called to active duty. Most immediately, this bill will 
assist those small businesses whose employees are in service in Iraq 
and elsewhere but the act also applies to future contingency 
operations, military conflicts, or national emergencies.
  I ask all my colleagues to support this important legislation to help 
both military reservists and the small businesses they are forced to 
leave when they are called up for active duty.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. ALLEN (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Dole, 
        Mr. Hollings, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, Mr. Chambliss, and 
        Ms. Snowe):
  S. 1597. A bill to provide mortgage payment assistance for employees 
who are separated from employment; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Homestead 
Preservation Act which would make available low-interest loans to 
American workers who have been displaced by international trade so they 
can continue to make home mortgage payments. This legislation would 
provide needed mortgage payment assistance to these Americans facing 
difficult times.
  While the relaxation of trade barriers and free trade agreements have 
opened some new markets to American products and services, it has also 
led to a decline in the U.S. manufacturing and textile industries. 
These are the jobs that hard working Americans have depended on for 
generations and plants and facilities that have helped to sustain 
communities for decades.
  Americans are industrious, hard-working and innovative, but it is 
unfair to ask them to compete for employment with workforces that do 
not operate under comparable environmental or labor regulations and in 
countries that do not reciprocate and violate trade rules. I want to 
make

[[Page 21502]]

sure that free trade is at the same time fair trade. The opening of the 
U.S. market offers great benefit to all Americans, but we should 
mitigate harm to people making a living in manufacturing or textiles. 
The People's Republic of China through their currency manipulations, 
dumping of wood bedroom furniture, textile commands and illegal 
semiconductor taxation violate rules of fair trade. One can also look 
to the recent decision by the Department of Commerce finding that South 
Korean subsidies provided to Hynix Semiconductor, Inc. have caused 
great damage to U.S. computer chip manufacturers. As our government 
continues to follow international trade rules, we owe it to our workers 
to hold foreign governments accountable for their violations of these 
agreements.
  Going forward, I pledge to take a hard look at all proposed free 
trade agreements to make sure the interests of the United States are 
not being compromised. It is essential in the negotiation of these new 
trade pacts not to place traditional U.S. industries at a distinct 
disadvantage. Free trade agreements have the opportunity to greatly 
enhance the economies of the U.S. and its partners, but they must offer 
generally equal benefits to people in both countries.
  Unfortunately, recent years have seen the closing of numerous textile 
and manufacturing plants in the Commonwealth of Virginia and many can 
be attributed to international competition. These economic disasters 
are not unique to my Virginia alone. People in communities in our 
sister States of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia have 
experienced such disasters as well. People from Maine to Ohio to 
California understand and have endured these large layoffs. With each 
of these closings, a community is thrown into turmoil with families 
left wondering how ends can be met until new employment is found.
  I understand no government program or assistance can substitute for a 
secure, well-paying job, but I believe the U.S. government can 
reasonably assist these families as they transition from one career to 
another. Presently, there are useful assistance programs that aid 
American workers seeking new employment, but unfortunately, there is 
nothing currently in place to protect what is usually a family's most 
valuable financed asset--their home.
  The Homestead Preservation Act has been introduced to meet that need. 
My legislation would provide families vital temporary financial 
assistance enabling them to keep their homes and protect their credit 
ratings as they work toward strengthening and upgrading their skills 
and search for new employment. Individuals seeking to take advantage of 
this program would need to be enrolled in a job training or job 
assistance program. Training and education programs that focus on new 
technology and emerging industries would aid displaced workers in 
gaining a skill that will allow them to find a good-paying and secure 
job in a new field.
  At a time when families are dealing with an uncertain future they 
should feel secure that food will be on the table and a roof will be 
over their heads. The loans to be provided by the Homestead 
Preservation Act would not solve all of the problems facing unemployed 
workers, but they would provide important assistance for families 
facing the prospect of losing their home.
  In closing, I would like to thank my colleagues Senators Warner, 
Edwards, Dole, Hollings, Graham, Chambliss and Snowe for joining me in 
introducing this legislation. They know and understand the hardship 
facing these families and I am grateful that they have signed on to 
help provide this needed assistance. When offered in the 107th 
Congress, this Homestead Preservation Act received tremendous 
bipartisan support. I would respectfully urge my colleagues to consider 
the value Americans place on owning a home and support this caring and 
needed initiative.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered printed in the Record, 
as follows:

                                S. 1597

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Homestead Preservation 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary of Labor 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall 
     establish a program under which the Secretary shall award 
     low-interest loans to eligible individuals to enable such 
     individuals to continue to make mortgage payments with 
     respect to the primary residences of such individuals.
       (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a loan under 
     the program established under subsection (a), an individual 
     shall--
       (1) be--
       (A) an adversely affected worker with respect to whom a 
     certification of eligibility has been issued by the Secretary 
     of Labor under chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2271 et seq.); or
       (B) an individual who would be an individual described in 
     subparagraph (A) but who resides in a State that has not 
     entered into an agreement under section 239 of such Act (19 
     U.S.C. 2311);
       (2) be a borrower under a loan which requires the 
     individual to make monthly mortgage payments with respect to 
     the primary place of residence of the individual; and
       (3) be enrolled in a job training or job assistance 
     program.
       (c) Loan Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--A loan provided to an eligible individual 
     under this section shall--
       (A) be for a period of not to exceed 12 months;
       (B) be for an amount that does not exceed the sum of--
       (i) the amount of the monthly mortgage payment owed by the 
     individual; and
       (ii) the number of months for which the loan is provided;
       (C) have an applicable rate of interest that equals 4 
     percent;
       (D) require repayment as provided for in subsection (d); 
     and
       (E) be subject to such other terms and conditions as the 
     Secretary determines appropriate.
       (2) Account.--A loan awarded to an individual under this 
     section shall be deposited into an account from which a 
     monthly mortgage payment will be made in accordance with the 
     terms and conditions of such loan.
       (d) Repayment.--
       (1) In general.--An individual to which a loan has been 
     awarded under this section shall be required to begin making 
     repayments on the loan on the earlier of--
       (A) the date on which the individual has been employed on a 
     full-time basis for 6 consecutive months; or
       (B) the date that is 1 year after the date on which the 
     loan has been approved under this section.
       (2) Repayment period and amount.--
       (A) Repayment period.--A loan awarded under this section 
     shall be repaid on a monthly basis over the 5-year period 
     beginning on the date determined under paragraph (1).
       (B) Amount.--The amount of the monthly payment described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall be determined by dividing the total 
     amount provided under the loan (plus interest) by 60.
       (C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall 
     be construed to prohibit an individual from--
       (i) paying off a loan awarded under this section in less 
     than 5 years; or
       (ii) from paying a monthly amount under such loan in excess 
     of the monthly amount determined under subparagraph (B) with 
     respect to the loan.
       (e) Regulations.--Not later than 6 weeks after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations necessary to carry out this section, including 
     regulations that permit an individual to certify that the 
     individual is an eligible individual under subsection (b).
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. SNOWE:
  S. 1598. A bill to require the Comptroller General to carry out a 
study to determine the feasibility of undertaking passenger rail 
transportation security programs that are similar to those of foreign 
countries; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, since the terrorist attacks of September 
11th, 2001, we have experienced a steep learning curve as a country and 
as a Congress in our efforts to improve homeland security.
  As we saw during the drafting and consideration of the airline 
security bill, the United States has not cornered the market on 
security innovations and measures--there is much that we can learn from 
other countries that

[[Page 21503]]

have faced or addressed the same challenges. For this reason, I am 
introducing legislation that would require the General Accounting 
Office (GAO) to initiate a study examining passenger rail security 
measures that have worked for other regions and countries such as the 
European Union and Japan.
  For example, the $15 billion channel tunnel--or ``Chunnel''--linking 
England to the European continent has been open to train service, for 
passengers and freight, since 1994 without a major security incident. 
In 2000 alone, 2.8 million cars, 7.1 million passengers, and 2.9 
million tons of freight made the 31 mile journey under the English 
Channel safely.
  Security has always been a major concern for the Chunnel and Britain, 
France, and Eurotunnel, the company operating the tunnel, have made 
security a top priority without degrading passenger service. In fact, 
in addition to its private security staff provided by Eurotunnel, the 
Chunnel is policed by a bi-national force of police, immigration, and 
customs officers with armed patrols in the British and French 
terminals. And both the company and the respective government agencies 
also conduct routine intelligence-led security checks on both passenger 
and freight vehicles.
  So I suspect that our friends in Europe, and in Asia, and other 
regions, may be able to provide valuable insight on how we can improve 
our rail transportation security. It is my intent with this bill to 
direct GAO to complete, no later than June 2004, a study of rail 
transport security measures in other countries in an effort to seek 
innovative screening procedures and processes and other security 
measures that may be a benefit to the United States. Subsequently, an 
assessment of these measures would be provided to Congress.
  In the hours and days after September 11, Americans discovered we are 
not alone in this struggle and I urge my colleagues to support this 
bill that encourages the United States to reach out and learn from 
others.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. SNOWE:
  S. 1599. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
conduct a study of the feasibility of implementing a program for the 
full screening of passengers, baggage, and cargo on Amtrak trains, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
designed to enhance the security of our Nation's passenger rail 
network.
  Before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, boarding an 
Amtrak train was little harder than riding the subway--and in some ways 
it was easier, because you could purchase a ticket on board the train. 
Those days have passed, as Amtrak now requires photo identification and 
no longer permits ticket purchases on-board the train. But there has 
not been a similar change in the screening of baggage. The bill I am 
introducing today would create a new pilot initiative to screen 
passengers and carry-on baggage on the Amtrak passenger rail system. In 
addition, my legislation will examine ways to provide this screening, 
providing a proportional response that will reassure train passengers 
and step-up security.
  As a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface 
Transportation, I believe that by conducting a limited test of security 
screening of passengers and carry-on baggage on certain Amtrak routes, 
we can determine the feasibility of expanding screening to other Amtrak 
stations. Moreover, by starting with a cross-section of stations 
throughout the network, we can gain perspective on the expense, the 
infrastructure, and the personnel who might be needed to bring 
screening system-wide.
  This legislation will direct the Department of Transportation to 
initiate a demonstration project at five of the ten stations with the 
heaviest passenger traffic. Amtrak would be required to conduct random 
passenger and carry-on baggage checks or screening at these stations. 
Under the legislation, the Secretary of Transportation would be given 
authority to select additional stations in order to determine how 
screening works at smaller facilities. The bill envisions examination 
of a variety of X-ray and explosive detection devices, and metal 
detectors that would help assure safety on Amtrak.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in a strong show of support for this 
legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 1600. A bill to provide for periodic Indian needs assessments, to 
require Federal Indian program evaluations, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am pleased to be joined by 
Senator Inouye to introduce the Indian Needs Assessment and Program 
Evaluation Act of 2003.
  Recently, a significant report has been issued that, once again, 
calls into question the equity and effectiveness of Federal spending on 
Indian programs.
  This is not a new problem and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission's 
report entitled ``A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in 
Indian Country'' shows that the volume and methodologies of Federal 
spending are still both off the mark.
  The Commission's report found an ongoing failure to provide funds for 
the health, education and safety of Indian communities at levels 
equivalent to other U.S. populations and determined that, despite many 
studies, ``no coordinated, comprehensive Federal effort has been made 
to audit spending and develop viable solutions.''
  The Commission's Report recommended each of the six agencies 
primarily responsible for delivery of Federal services to Indians to: 
(1) conduct internal monitoring of its spending and budgeting for 
Indian programs; (2) ensure better coordination with other agencies; 
and (3) monitor unmet needs. It also urged Congress to appropriate 
funds to meet the unmet needs of Indian people and urged the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to create uniform standards for tracking 
and spending on Indian programs.
  The bill I am introducing today will address these ongoing problems 
and bring a rigorous analysis to the actual needs of Indian people, 
gauge how Indian programs are funded, and better tailor these programs 
so that needs are met and programs are carried out in an effective and 
efficient way.
  The bill: 1. directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a 
uniform method, criteria, and procedures for determining, analyzing, 
and compiling the program and service assistance needs of Indian tribes 
and Indians nationwide; 2. requires Federal agencies to conduct Indian 
Needs Assessments aimed at determining the actual needs of tribes and 
Indians eligible for programs and services administered by such 
agencies; 3. directs the Secretary to develop a uniform method, 
criteria, and procedures for compiling, maintaining, keeping current, 
and reporting to Congress all information concerning: (a) agency annual 
expenditures for programs and services for which Indians are eligible/ 
(b) services or programs specifically for the benefit of Indians; and 
(c) agency methods of delivery of services and funding; 4. requires 
Federal agencies responsible for providing services or programs to or 
for the benefit of tribes of Indians to: (a) file Annual Indian Program 
Evaluations with specified congressional committees; and (b) publish 
annual listings in the Federal Register of all agency programs and 
services for which Indian tribes may be eligible; 5. directs the 
Secretary to: (a) report to specified congressional committees on the 
coordination of Federal program and service assistance for which tribes 
are eligible; and (b) file a Strategic Plan for the Coordination of 
Federal Assistance for Indians.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:


[[Page 21504]]

                                S. 1600

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Indian Needs Assessment and 
     Program Evaluation Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the United States and the Indian tribes have a unique 
     legal and political government-to-government relationship;
       (2) under the Constitution, treaties, statutes, Executive 
     orders, court decisions, and course of conduct of the United 
     States, the United States has a trust obligation to provide 
     certain services to Indian tribes and members of Indian 
     tribes;
       (3) Federal agencies charged with administering programs 
     and providing services to or for the benefit of Indian tribes 
     and members of Indian tribes have not provided Congress 
     adequate information necessary to assess the adequacy of the 
     programs and services meeting the needs of Indian tribes and 
     members of Indian tribes, hampering the ability of Congress 
     to determine the nature, type, and magnitude of those needs 
     or the ability of the United States to respond to those 
     needs; and
       (4) Congress cannot properly fulfill its obligation to 
     Indian tribes and Indian people unless it has an adequate 
     store of information concerning the needs of Indian tribes 
     and members of Indian tribes nationwide.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to ensure that Indian needs for Federal programs and 
     services are known in a more certain and predictable fashion;
       (2) to require that Federal agencies carefully review and 
     monitor the effectiveness of programs and services provided 
     to Indian tribes and members of Indian tribes;
       (3) to provide for more efficient and effective cooperation 
     and coordination of, and accountability from, the agencies 
     providing programs and services, including technical and 
     business development assistance, to Indian tribes and members 
     of Indian tribes; and
       (4) to provide to Congress reliable information regarding 
     both Indian needs and the evaluation of Federal programs and 
     services provided to Indian tribes and members of Indian 
     tribes nationwide.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (2) Needs assessment.--The term ``needs assessment'' means 
     an assessment of the program and service needs of Indian 
     tribes and members of Indian tribes, that includes, at a 
     minimum, consideration of--
       (A) the population of each Indian tribe (including the 
     population of tribal members located in the service area of 
     an Indian tribe, where applicable);
       (B) the size of the service area;
       (C) the location of the service area;
       (D) the availability of similar programs within the 
     geographical area to Indian tribes or tribal members; and
       (E) socioeconomic conditions that exist within the service 
     area.
       (3) Program evaluation.--The term ``program evaluation'' 
     means an evaluation report developed in accordance with 
     section 4(b).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 4. NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND PROGRAM EVALUATIONS.

       (a) Needs Assessments.--
       (1) Development of method, criteria, and procedures.--Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with tribal 
     governments and with the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary 
     of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, 
     Secretary of Labor, Attorney General, Secretary of the 
     Treasury, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services, and heads of other agencies 
     responsible for providing programs or services to or for the 
     benefit of Indian tribes or members of Indian tribes, shall 
     develop a uniform method, criteria, and procedures for 
     determining, analyzing, and compiling a needs assessment.
       (2) Needs assessments.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, 
     each Federal agency, in coordination with the Secretary, 
     shall--
       (A) conduct a needs assessment to determine the needs of 
     Indian tribes and members of Indian tribes eligible for 
     programs and services administered by the agency; and
       (B) submit to the Committee on Appropriations and Committee 
     on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Appropriations and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives a report that describes the results of the 
     needs assessment.
       (b) Program Evaluations.--
       (1) Development of method, criteria, and procures.--Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary shall develop a uniform method, criteria, and 
     procedures for compiling, maintaining, updating, and 
     reporting to Congress a program evaluation containing all 
     information concerning--
       (A) the annual expenditure by a Federal agency for programs 
     and services for which Indian tribes and members of Indian 
     tribes are eligible, with specific information including--
       (i) the names of Indian tribes that are participating in or 
     receiving each service;
       (ii) the names of Indian tribes that have applied for and 
     not received programs or services; and
       (iii) the names of Indian tribes for which programs or 
     services were terminated within the preceding fiscal year;
       (B) programs or services specifically for the benefit of 
     Indian tribes and members of Indian tribes, with specific 
     information including--
       (i) the names of Indian tribes that are currently 
     participating in or receiving each program or service;
       (ii) the names of Indian tribes that have applied for and 
     not received programs or services; and
       (iii) the names of Indian tribes for which programs or 
     services were terminated within the preceding fiscal year; 
     and
       (C) the methods of delivery of the programs and services, 
     including a detailed explanation of the outreach efforts of 
     each agency to Indian tribes.
       (2) Program evaluations.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, each 
     Federal agency responsible for providing programs or services 
     for the benefit of Indian tribes or members of Indian tribes 
     shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Appropriations and the Committee on Resources of the House 
     of Representatives a report that describes the results of the 
     program evaluation.
       (c) Annual Listing of Tribal Eligible Programs.--On or 
     before February 1 of each year, each Federal agency described 
     in subsection (b)(2) shall publish in the Federal Register--
       (1) a list of all programs and services offered by the 
     agency for which Indian tribes or members of Indian tribes 
     are or may be eligible; and
       (2) a brief explanation of the program or service.

     SEC. 5. REPORT ON COORDINATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Indian 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a 
     report detailing the coordination of Federal programs and 
     service assistance for which Indian tribes and members of 
     Indian tribes are eligible.
       (b) Strategic Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, after consultation and coordination 
     with the Indian tribes, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Indian 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a 
     strategic plan for the coordination of Federal assistance for 
     Indian tribes and members of Indian tribes.
       (2) Contents of strategic plan.--The strategic plan under 
     paragraph (1) shall contain--
       (A) an identification of reforms necessary to the laws 
     (including regulations), policies, procedures, practices, and 
     systems of the agencies responsible for providing programs or 
     services for the benefit of Indian tribes or members of 
     Indian tribes;
       (B) proposals for remedying the reforms identified in the 
     plan; and
       (C) other recommendations consistent with the purposes of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal 
     year such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 1601. A bill to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family 
Violence Prevention Act to provide for the reporting and reduction of 
child abuse and family violence incidences on Indian reservations, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am pleased to be joined by 
Senator Inouye to introduce the ``Indian Child Protection and Family 
Violence Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2003'' to combat child abuse 
in Native American communities.
  First enacted in 1990, the Indian Child Protection and Family 
Violence Prevention Act was aimed at prosecutions of Federal and tribal 
employees

[[Page 21505]]

for child abuse and issues arising from child abuse and family 
violence.
  The act established extensive reporting requirements and character 
investigations for Federal and tribal employees who have regular 
contact with Indian children, and provided funding for prevention and 
treatment programs.
  Like so many social pathologies, American Indians are victimized by 
violence more than any other ethnic group.
  Research also shows that Indian victims of violence by family members 
or intimate partners are more likely than any other ethnic group to be 
injured and need hospital care.
  The act is expiring and needs to be reauthorized, but it also needs 
to include tougher criteria for background checks and a structured 
method for tribal assumption of child abuse prevention, prosecution and 
treatment programs.
  The bill is designed to improve the ability of the tribes to combat 
child abuse in their communities, build tribal capacity, and identify 
the impediments to more effective prevention, investigation and 
prosecution of child abuse.
  The bill also authorizes funding for building comprehensive tribal 
programs, and training and technical assistance--the cornerstones in 
developing the necessary expertise in the field. The bill will also 
facilitate establishment of safety measures for child protection 
workers to reduce unnecessary stress and improve program effectiveness.
  In its 2002 report entitled ``Violence Against Women: Data on 
Pregnant Victims and Effectiveness of Prevention Strategies are 
Limited'', the General Accounting Office cited the Centers for Disease 
Control and other researchers who found that there was a need for 
prevention strategies that incorporate cultural perspectives in serving 
ethnic populations. This bill will promote cultural perspectives by 
giving special considerations to tribal programs which incorporate 
traditional healing methods.
  Abuse by the Federal and tribal employees was the main reason for 
enacting the 1990 Act, however, employees are not the only ones that 
come in contact with Indian children. The bill I am introducing today 
will expand the scope of positions subject to character investigations 
and include contractors who have regular contact with Indian children.
  This bill clarifies the requirement that all positions within the 
Departments of Interior and HHS--not simply the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs and Indian Health Service--that have regular contact with 
children must undergo character investigations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
measure.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1601

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Indian Child Protection and 
     Family Violence Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       Section 402 of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3201) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) finds that--
       ``(A) Indian children are the most precious resource of 
     Indian tribes and need special protection by the United 
     States;
       ``(B) the number of reported incidences of child abuse on 
     Indian reservations continues to rise at an alarming rate, 
     but the reduction of such incidences is hindered by the lack 
     of--
       ``(i) community awareness in identification and reporting 
     methods;
       ``(ii) interagency coordination for reporting, 
     investigating, and prosecuting; and
       ``(iii) tribal infrastructure for managing, preventing, and 
     treating child abuse cases;
       ``(C) improvements are needed to combat the continuing 
     child abuse on Indian reservations, including--
       ``(i) education to identify symptoms consistent with child 
     abuse;
       ``(ii) extensive background investigations of Federal and 
     tribal employees, volunteers, and contractors who care for, 
     teach, or otherwise have regular contact with Indian 
     children;
       ``(iii) strategies to ensure the safety of child protection 
     workers; and
       ``(iv) support systems for the victims of child abuse and 
     their families; and
       ``(D) funds spent by the United States on Indian 
     reservations for the benefit of Indian victims of child abuse 
     or family violence are inadequate to combat child abuse and 
     to meet the growing needs for mental health treatment and 
     counseling for those victims and their families.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``two'' and inserting ``the'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by inserting after ``provide funds for'' the following: 
     ``developing a comprehensive tribal child abuse and family 
     violence program including training and technical assistance 
     for identifying, addressing, and decreasing such incidents 
     and for''; and
       (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
     semicolon; and

       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) implement strategies to increase the safety of child 
     protection workers;
       ``(D) assist tribes in developing the necessary 
     infrastructure to combat and reduce child abuse on Indian 
     reservations; and
       ``(E) identify and remove impediments to the prevention and 
     reduction of child abuse on Indian reservations, including 
     elimination of existing barriers, such as difficulties in 
     sharing information among agencies and differences between 
     the values and treatment protocols of the different 
     agencies.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``prevent further abuse'' 
     and inserting ``prevent and prosecute child abuse'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``authorize a study to 
     determine the need for a central registry for reported 
     incidents of abuse'' and inserting ``build tribal 
     infrastructure needed to maintain and coordinate databases'';
       (C) by striking paragraph (3);
       (D) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as 
     paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
       (E) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by subparagraph (D)), 
     by striking ``sexual'';
       (F) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (D)), 
     by striking ``Area'' and inserting ``Regional'';
       (G) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by subparagraph 
     (D))--
       (i) by inserting ``child abuse and'' after ``incidents 
     of''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``through tribally-operated programs'' 
     after ``family violence'';
       (H) by inserting after paragraph (6) (as redesignated by 
     subparagraph (D)) the following:
       ``(7) conduct a study to identify the impediments to 
     effective prevention, investigation, prosecution, and 
     treatment of child abuse;''; and
       (I) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
       ``(8) develop strategies to protect the safety of the child 
     protection workers while performing responsibilities under 
     this title; and''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 403(3) of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3202(3)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) any case in which a child is subjected to family 
     violence;''.

     SEC. 4. REPORTING PROCEDURES.

       Section 404(b) of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3203(b)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Cooperative reporting.--If--
       ``(A) a report of abuse or family violence involves an 
     alleged abuser who is a non-Indian; and
       ``(B) a preliminary inquiry indicates a criminal violation 
     has occurred;
     the local law enforcement agency (if other than the State law 
     enforcement agency) shall immediately report the occurrence 
     to the State law enforcement agency.''.

     SEC. 5. CENTRAL REGISTRY.

       The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention 
     Act is amended by striking section 405 (25 U.S.C. 3204) and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 405. BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney 
     General, shall conduct a study to identify impediments to the 
     reduction of child abuse on Indian reservations.
       ``(b) Matters To Be Evaluated.--In conducting the study 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, at a minimum, 
     evaluate the interagency and intergovernmental cooperation 
     and jurisdictional impediments in investigations and 
     prosecutions.
       ``(c) Report.--

[[Page 21506]]

       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report that describes the results of the study 
     under subsection (a).
       ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       ``(A) any findings made in the study;
       ``(B) recommendations on ways to eliminate impediments 
     described in subsection (a); and
       ``(C) cost estimates for implementing the 
     recommendations.''.

     SEC. 6. CHARACTER INVESTIGATIONS.

       Section 408 of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3207) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including contracted 
     and volunteer positions),'' after ``authorized positions''; 
     and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting the following: ``, which--
       ``(A) shall include a background check, based on a set of 
     fingerprints of the employee, volunteer or contractor that 
     may be conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation; 
     and
       ``(B) may include a review of applicable State criminal 
     history repositories.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``who is'' the 
     following: ``a volunteer or contractor or is''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``employ'' and inserting 
     ``contract with, accept, or employ''.

     SEC. 7. INDIAN CHILD ABUSE TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 409 of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3208) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``sexual'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
       (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Demonstration Project.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services shall establish demonstration projects to facilitate 
     the development of a culturally-sensitive traditional healing 
     treatment program for child abuse and family violence to be 
     operated by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or inter-
     tribal consortium.
       ``(2) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or 
     inter-tribal consortium may submit an application to 
     participate in a demonstration project in such form as the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services may prescribe.
       ``(B) Contents.--As part of an application under 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     shall require--
       ``(i) the information described in subsection (b)(2)(C);
       ``(ii) a proposal for development of educational materials 
     and resources, to the extent culturally appropriate; and
       ``(iii) proposed strategies to use and maintain the 
     integrity of traditional healing methods.
       ``(3) Considerations.--In selecting the participants in 
     demonstration projects established under this subsection, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall give special 
     consideration to projects relating to behavioral and 
     emotional effects of child abuse, elimination of abuse by 
     parents, and reunification of the family.''; and
       (4) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
       (A) by striking ``there'' and inserting ``There''; and
       (B) by striking ``$10,000,000 for each of the years 1992, 
     1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``such sums 
     as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal 
     years 2005 through 2010, of which a specific sum shall be 
     specifically set aside each year for the demonstration 
     projects established under subsection (e).''.

     SEC. 8. INDIAN CHILD RESOURCE AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTERS.

       Section 410 of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3209) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``area'' and inserting 
     ``Regional'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``Secretary and'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary,''; and
       (B) by striking ``Services'' and inserting ``Services, and 
     the Attorney General'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(5), by striking ``area'' and 
     inserting ``Region'';
       (4) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``an area'' and 
     inserting ``a Regional''; and
       (B) in the last sentence, by inserting ``developing 
     strategies,'' after ``Center in'';
       (5) in the second sentence of subsection (g)--
       (A) by striking ``an area'' and inserting ``a Regional''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``Juneau Area'' and inserting ``Alaska 
     Region''; and
       (6) in subsection (h), by striking ``$3,000,000 for each of 
     the fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997'' and 
     inserting ``such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
     section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010''.

     SEC. 9. INDIAN CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY VIOLENCE 
                   PREVENTION PROGRAM.

       Section 411 of the Indian Child Protection and Family 
     Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3210) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``coordination, 
     reporting and'' before ``investigation'';
       (B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``child abuse and'' after 
     ``incidents of'';
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``and other related 
     items'' after ``equipment''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, and'' at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon;
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting after 
     ``responsibilities'' the following: ``and specify appropriate 
     measures for ensuring child protection worker safety while 
     performing responsibilities under this title''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) provide for training programs or expenses for child 
     protection services personnel, law enforcement personnel or 
     judicial personnel to meet any certification requirements 
     necessary to fulfill the responsibilities under any 
     intergovernmental or interagency agreement; and
       ``(E) develop and implement strategies designed to ensure 
     the safety of child protection workers while performing 
     responsibilities under this Act;'';
       (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8);
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
       ``(7) infrastructure enhancements to improve tribal data 
     systems to monitor the progress of families, evaluate service 
     and treatment outcomes, and determine the most effective 
     approaches and activities; and''
       (6) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) as 
     paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
       (7) in paragraph (1) of subsection (g) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (6)), by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(A) evaluate the program for which the award is made, 
     including examination of--
       ``(i) the range and scope of training opportunities, 
     including numbers and percentage of child protection workers 
     engaged in the training programs;
       ``(ii) the threats to child protection workers, if any, and 
     the strategies used to address the safety of child protection 
     workers; and
       ``(iii) the community outreach and awareness programs 
     including any strategies to increase the ability of the 
     community to contact appropriate reporting officials 
     regarding occurrences of child abuse.''; and
       (8) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by paragraph (6)), 
     by striking ``$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1992, 
     1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``such sums 
     as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal 
     years 2005 through 2010.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Lieberman, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Corzine, and Mr. Lautenberg):
  S. 1602. A bill to amend the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund 
of 2001 to extend the deadline for filing a claim to December 31, 2004; 
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the ``September 
11 Victim Compensation Fund Extension Act of 2003'' to extend the 
pending deadline of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund to 
December 31, 2004. I thank Senators Durbin, Schumer, Dodd, Lieberman, 
Clinton, Corzine, and Lautenberg for joining me as original cosponsors 
of this legislation.
  Along with Senator Daschle, Representative Gephardt and others, I 
worked hard to create the Victims Fund over the objections of some in 
the administration and Congress. We insisted that it be included in the 
legislation to bail out the airlines passed in the wake of the most 
devastating terrorist attacks on American soil. The current deadline 
for applying for compensation from the Victims Fund is rapidly 
approaching, but it has become apparent that many families need more 
time. Thus far, just under a third of eligible families have applied to 
the Fund for compensation--only about 1,282 death claims and 1,050 
injury claims have been filed so far by victim families, according to 
the Department of Justice.
  Ken Feinberg, the Special Master for the Fund, is doing his best to 
get victims families to understand their rights. Recently, he has even 
taken out extensive advertisements in a number of newspapers and 
created a series of

[[Page 21507]]

informational meetings and claim assistance sites to assist victims' 
families to file for compensation with the Victims Fund instead of 
filing a lawsuit against the airlines industry. I commend him for his 
efforts.
  It appears that only a few relatives of victims of September 11 are 
opting out of eligibility for the fund by filing a lawsuit against the 
airlines industry. While some families are likely weighing that 
decision, the number of disqualifying lawsuits is low--69 as of last 
month--and only three of those were in the last three months, according 
to The New York Times.
  Instead, victims support groups have told me that they receive calls 
daily from individuals who understand that the deadline is approaching 
but cannot face the emotional pain of preparing a claim. Mr. Feinberg 
has also commented that many victims are still too paralyzed by their 
grief to confront the logistical burden and emotional pain of filing a 
death claim.
  In light of this painful reality, I believe it is appropriate to 
extend the deadline for filing applications to the Victims Fund to 
December 31, 2004--an extension of just over a year. This extension 
would give grieving families additional time to mourn those who were 
lost and to overcome the emotional challenges of filing paperwork with 
the Victims Fund. In recent days, I have been in contact with several 
September 11 victims support groups, all of which agreed that such an 
extension would provide some relief during these dark days for victims' 
families as they endure the grieving process.
  As the anniversary of the tragedy of September 11 approaches, 
victims' families have many burdens. They do not need this arbitrary 
deadline confronting them between September 11 and the year-end 
holidays. This is something we can do now for victims of September 11. 
I urge my colleagues to support the ``September 11 Victim Compensation 
Fund Extension Act of 2003.''

                          ____________________