[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          UPCOMING CHALLENGES

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, at the beginning of each of this year's work 
periods, we have returned to the Capitol from all corners of the 
country reminded of the serious nature of the challenges we face. 
American families are looking up from the deepest ditch in 
generations--a hole we all inherited and one from which we are 
committed to climb out. Like Americans who worry about how they will 
pay their bills, send their kids to school, and afford to stay healthy, 
getting our economy back on track is the first thing we think about in 
the morning and the last thing we think about at night. We also know we 
are headed in the right direction.
  Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is home to the largest solar array of 
its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Last week, President Obama and I 
toured the Nellis solar array and met the people who benefit from the 
tens of thousands of solar panels that help power that base. It is a 
huge base; 12,000 people are fixed on that base. But the solar panels 
provide 30 percent of the electricity for that electric-hungry base. It 
is an example of exactly the kind of project that creates jobs, moves 
America toward energy independence, and makes the air we breathe 
cleaner. Because of the economic recovery plan we passed earlier this 
year, we are investing in projects such as this one at Nellis to put 
America on a path to prosperity.
  During the past few weeks, we have seen the good that can happen when 
we look out for Main Street, not just Wall Street.
  There is no reason the next work period should be any different. 
Similar to the earlier months of this year, the next one presents a 
long list of priorities.
  Before the July 4 holiday, we will do everything we can to help stop 
kids from smoking before they start, make tobacco products less toxic, 
and make sure tobacco companies are honest with the American people 
about the dangers of smoking.
  We will pass the conference report of the supplemental appropriations 
bill we passed last month--a bill that gives our brave troops the 
resources they need to do their jobs and return home safely.
  Both the HELP and Finance Committees will continue to work on health 
care reform legislation, the top priority of President Obama and 
millions of Americans. Both committees hope to report out legislation 
before our July 4 recess.
  We will begin work on a number of appropriations bills and, with 
Republican cooperation, we would like to finish work on some of those. 
I spoke to the Republican leader a few minutes ago, and we will have a 
plan to move forward on some of those appropriations bills.
  We will continue working to confirm President Obama's many nominees 
for critical positions. Those who have chosen to serve our country must 
be able to get to work without delay.
  We will begin the process of reviewing the most high-profile 
nomination of all, which is President Obama's outstanding pick for the 
Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor's record and qualifications are terrific 
and tremendous. In fact, if she is confirmed, she will bring to the 
bench more judicial experience than any sitting justice had when they 
joined the Court.
  Judge Sotomayor's experience comes not only from the legal world but 
the real world as well. Her understanding of the law is grounded not 
only in theory but also practice.
  Several Senators will have the pleasure of meeting with Judge 
Sotomayor this week, and I know they will be impressed. She deserves a 
fair and respectful hearing, and I know she will get that. I will do 
all I can to ensure she gets that and that Senators get what they 
require as quickly as possible. I wish to make sure she is ready to go 
when the new term starts.

                          ____________________