[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16098-16105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013--Continued

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Mr. LEVIN. We hope cloture will be voted now. We have disposed of 119 
amendments to this bill. I talked to the majority leader, and if we do 
vote cloture tonight, which of course Senator McCain and I hope we 
will, we are still going to try to clear some additional amendments 
using the same process we have used up to now. We would hope we could 
clear some additional amendments right up to the time of final passage. 
Hopefully we can get to final passage tomorrow at some point.


                             Cloture Motion

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under 
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

  We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of 
rule

[[Page 16099]]

XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move to bring to a 
close debate on S. 3254, a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes.
         Harry Reid, Carl Levin, Kay R. Hagan, Barbara A. 
           Mikulski, Tom Udall, Jeff Merkley, Al Franken, Tom 
           Harkin, Jon Tester, Richard Blumenthal, Jeff Bingaman, 
           Patrick J. Leahy, Robert P. Casey, Jr., Amy Klobuchar, 
           Max Baucus, Michael F. Bennet, Mark Begich, Patty 
           Murray.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum has 
been waived.
  The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate on S. 
3254, a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes, shall be brought to a close?
  The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Franken), 
the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from West Virginia 
(Mr. Rockefeller), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the 
Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) are necessarily absent.
  Mr. KYL. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator 
from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) and the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter).
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Hagan). Are there any other Senators in 
the Chamber desiring to vote?
  The result was announced--yeas 93, nays 0, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 218 Leg.]

                                YEAS--93

     Akaka
     Alexander
     Ayotte
     Barrasso
     Baucus
     Begich
     Bennet
     Bingaman
     Blumenthal
     Blunt
     Boozman
     Boxer
     Brown (MA)
     Brown (OH)
     Burr
     Cantwell
     Cardin
     Carper
     Casey
     Chambliss
     Coats
     Coburn
     Cochran
     Collins
     Conrad
     Coons
     Corker
     Cornyn
     Crapo
     DeMint
     Durbin
     Enzi
     Feinstein
     Gillibrand
     Graham
     Grassley
     Hagan
     Harkin
     Hatch
     Heller
     Hoeven
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Inouye
     Isakson
     Johanns
     Johnson (SD)
     Johnson (WI)
     Kerry
     Klobuchar
     Kohl
     Kyl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Leahy
     Lee
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lugar
     Manchin
     McCain
     McCaskill
     McConnell
     Menendez
     Mikulski
     Moran
     Murkowski
     Murray
     Nelson (NE)
     Nelson (FL)
     Paul
     Portman
     Pryor
     Reed
     Reid
     Risch
     Roberts
     Rubio
     Schumer
     Sessions
     Shaheen
     Shelby
     Snowe
     Stabenow
     Tester
     Thune
     Toomey
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Warner
     Webb
     Whitehouse
     Wicker

                             NOT VOTING--7

     Franken
     Kirk
     Merkley
     Rockefeller
     Sanders
     Vitter
     Wyden
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote the yeas are 93, the nays are 0. 
Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the 
affirmative the motion is agreed to.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider that vote.
  Mr. McCAIN. I move to lay the motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.


Amendments Nos. 2923, as Modified, 2943, 2997, as Modified, 3023, 3121, 
   as Modified, 3142, 3144, 3172, as Modified, 3276, 3298, 3278, as 
                 Modified, 2996, and 3047, as Modified

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I call up a list of 13 amendments which 
have been cleared by myself and Senator McCain: Coats amendment No. 
2923, as modified by the changes at the desk; Webb amendment No. 2943; 
Casey amendment No. 2997, as modified by the changes at the desk; 
Cardin amendment No. 3023; Wicker amendment No. 3121, as modified by 
the changes at the desk; Portman amendment No. 3142; Webb amendment No. 
3144; Corker amendment No. 3172, as modified by the changes at the 
desk; Lieberman amendment No. 3276; Lautenberg amendment No. 3298; 
Blunt amendment No. 3278, as modified by the changes at the desk; 
Rockefeller amendment No. 2996; and Reid of Nevada amendment No. 3047, 
as modified by the changes at the desk.
  Mr. McCAIN. They have been cleared by our side.
  Mr. LEVIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider these 
amendments en bloc, the amendments be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendments were agreed to, as follows:


                    Amendment No. 2923, as modified

       At the end of Subtitle B of title III, add the following:

     SEC. 314. REPORT ON PROPERTY DISPOSALS AND ADDITIONAL 
                   AUTHORITIES TO ASSIST LOCAL COMMUNITIES AROUND 
                   CLOSED MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the congressional defense committees a report on 
     the disposition of any not yet completed closure of an active 
     duty military installation since 1988 in the United States 
     that was not subject to the property disposal provisions 
     contained in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
     1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 
     2687 note).
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) The status of property described in subsection (a) that 
     is yet to be disposed of.
       (2) An assessment of the environmental conditions of, and 
     plans and costs for environmental remediation for, each such 
     property.
       (3) The anticipated schedule for the completion of the 
     disposal of each such property.
       (4) An estimate of the costs, and a description of 
     additional potential future financial liability or other 
     impacts on the Department of Defense, if the authorities 
     provided by Congress for military installations closed under 
     defense base closure and realignment (BRAC) are extended to 
     military installations closed outside the defense base 
     closure and realignment process and for which property has 
     yet to be disposed
       (5) Such recommendations as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate for additional authorities to assist the 
     Department in expediting the disposal of property at closed 
     military installations in order to facilitate economic 
     redevelopment for local communities.
       (c) Military Installation Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``military installation'' means a base, camp, post, 
     station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or 
     other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
     Defense, which is located within any of the several States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.


                           Amendment No. 2943

   (Purpose: To make Department of Defense law enforcement officers 
        eligible under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act)

       At the end of subtitle H of title X, add the following:

     SECTION 1084. AMENDMENTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAFETY 
                   PROVISIONS OF TITLE 18.

       Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 926B--
       (A) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``or apprehension 
     under section 807(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 
     7(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)'' after 
     ``arrest'';
       (B) in subsection (d), by striking ``as a law enforcement 
     officer'' and inserting ``that identifies the employee as a 
     police officer or law enforcement officer of the agency''; 
     and
       (C) in subsection (f), by inserting ``or apprehension under 
     section 807(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 7(b) 
     of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)'' after ``arrest''; 
     and
       (2) in section 926C--
       (A) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``or apprehension 
     under section 807(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 
     7(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)'' after 
     ``arrest''; and
       (B) in subsection (d)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``that indicates'' and 
     inserting ``that identifies the person as having been 
     employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer and 
     indicates''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``that identifies 
     the person as having been employed as a police officer or law 
     enforcement officer'' after ``officer''.


                    Amendment No. 2997, as modified

       At the end of subtitle E of title X, add the following:

[[Page 16100]]



     SEC. 1048. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ADVISOR PROGRAM.

       (a) Program Authorized.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 58 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 1144 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1144a. Transition Assistance Advisors

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
     as part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) a 
     Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program to provide 
     professionals in each State to serve as statewide points of 
     contact to assist members of the armed forces in accessing 
     benefits and health care furnished under laws administered by 
     the Secretary of Defense and benefits and health care 
     furnished under laws administered by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       ``(b) Number of Advisors.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
     ensure that the minimum number of Transition Assistance 
     Advisors in each State is as follows:
       ``(1) During the period beginning 180 days before the 
     commencement of a contingency operation (or, if later, as 
     soon before as is otherwise practicable) and ending 180 days 
     after the conclusion of such contingency operation--
       ``(A) in the case of a State with fewer than 1,500 members 
     of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air 
     National Guard of the United States residing in the State, 
     not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor; and
       ``(B) in the case of a State with 1,500 or more members of 
     the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air 
     National Guard of the United States who reside in such State, 
     not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor for each 
     1,500 members of the Army National Guard of the United States 
     and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in 
     such State.
       ``(2) At any time not covered by paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) in the case of a State with fewer than 5,000 members 
     of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air 
     National Guard of the United States residing in the State, 
     not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor; and
       ``(B) in the case of a State with 5,000 or more members of 
     the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air 
     National Guard of the United States who reside in such State, 
     not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor for each 
     1,500 members of the Army National Guard of the United States 
     and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in 
     such State.
       ``(c) Duties.--The duties of a Transition Assistance 
     Advisor includes the following:
       ``(1) To assist with the creation and execution of 
     individual transition plans for members of the National Guard 
     described in subsection (d)(2) and their families for the 
     reintegration of such members into civilian life.
       ``(2) To provide employment support services to members of 
     the National Guard and their families, including assistance 
     with discovering employment opportunities and identifying and 
     obtaining assistance from programs within and outside of the 
     Federal Government.
       ``(3) Provide information on relocation, health care, 
     mental health care, and financial support services available 
     to members of the National Guard or their families from the 
     Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
     and other Federal, State, and local agencies.
       ``(4) Provide information on educational support services 
     available to members of the National Guard, including Post-9/
     11 Educational Assistance under chapter 33 of title 38.
       ``(d) Transition Plans.--(1) Each individual plan created 
     under subsection (c)(1) for a member of the National Guard 
     described in paragraph (2) shall include the following:
       ``(A) A plan for the transition of the member to life in 
     the civilian world, including with respect to employment, 
     education, and health care.
       ``(B) A description of the transition services that the 
     member and the member's family will need to achieve their 
     transition objectives, including information on any forms 
     that such member will need to fill out to be eligible for 
     such services.
       ``(C) A point of contact for each agency or entity that can 
     provide the transition services described in subparagraph 
     (B).
       ``(2) A member of the National Guard described in this 
     paragraph is any member of the National Guard who has served 
     on active duty in the armed forces for a period of more than 
     180 days.
       ``(e) Funding.--Amounts for the program established under 
     subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be derived from 
     amounts authorized to be appropriated for operations and 
     maintenance for the National Guard for that fiscal year.
       ``(f) State Defined.--In this section, the term `State' 
     means each of the several States of the United States, the 
     District of Columbia, and any territory of the United 
     States.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1144 the following new 
     item:

       ``1144a. Transition Assistance Advisors.''.

       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
     to Congress a report setting forth a description of the 
     efforts of the Secretary to implement the requirements of 
     section 1144A of title 10, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (a)(1).


                           Amendment No. 3023

 (Purpose: To include the Coast Guard in the requirements relating to 
                      hazing in the Armed Forces)

       On page 139, line 3, add at the end the following: ``Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the 
     committees of Congress referred to in the preceding sentence 
     a report on hazing in the Coast Guard when it is not 
     operating as a service in the Navy, and, for purposes of such 
     report, the Armed Forces shall include the Coast Guard when 
     it is not operating as a service in the Navy.''.


                    Amendment No. 3121, as modified

       At the end of subtitle E of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2844. ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS FROM CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS 
                   APPLICABLE TO FUNDING FOR DATA SERVERS AND 
                   CENTERS.

       Section 2867(c) of the Military Construction Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (division B of Public Law 112-81; 
     125 Stat. 1706; 10 U.S.C. 2223a note) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Exception.--The Chief'' and inserting the 
     following: ``Exceptions.--
       ``(1) Exemption authority.--The Chief''; and
       (2) by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Chief Information Officer of the Department may 
     exempt from the applicability of this section research, 
     development, test, and evaluation programs that use 
     authorization of appropriations for the High Performance 
     Computing Modernization Program (Program Element 0603461A), 
     if the Chief Information Officer determines that the 
     exemption is in the best interest of national security.''


                           AMENDMENT NO. 3142

  (Purpose: To require a report on Department of Defense support for 
                   United States diplomatic security)

       At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1064. REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPORT FOR UNITED 
                   STATES DIPLOMATIC SECURITY.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, submit to 
     the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives a report on the findings of the ongoing 
     Department of Defense review of defense support of United 
     States diplomatic security.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include, but not be limited to, such findings and 
     recommendations as the Secretaries consider appropriate with 
     respect to the following:
       (1) Department of Defense authorities, directives, and 
     guidelines in support of diplomatic security.
       (2) Interagency processes and procedures to identify, 
     validate, and resource diplomatic security support required 
     from the Department of Defense.
       (3) Department of Defense roles, missions, and resources 
     required to fulfill requirements for United States diplomatic 
     security, including, but not limited to the following:
       (A) Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard detachments.
       (B) Training and advising host nation security forces for 
     diplomatic security.
       (C) Intelligence collection to prevent and respond to 
     threats to diplomatic security.
       (D) Security assessments of diplomatic missions.
       (E) Support of emergency action planning.
       (F) Rapid response forces to respond to threats to 
     diplomatic security.
       (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.


                           AMENDMENT NO. 3144

    (Purpose: To amend section 704 of title 18, United States Code)

       At the end, add the following:

                      DIVISION E--STOLEN VALOR ACT

     SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE.

       This division may be cited as the ``Stolen Valor Act of 
     2012''.

     SEC. 5002. FINDINGS.

       Congress find the following:
       (1) Because of the great respect in which military service 
     and military awards are rightfully held by the public, false 
     claims of receiving such medals or serving in the military 
     are especially likely to be harmful and material to 
     employers, voters in deciding to whom paid elective positions 
     should be entrusted, and in the award of contracts.
       (2) Military service and military awards are held in such 
     great respect that public and private decisions are correctly 
     influenced by claims of heroism.
       (3) False claims of military service or military heroism 
     are an especially noxious

[[Page 16101]]

     means of obtaining something of value because they are 
     particularly likely to cause tangible harm to victims of 
     fraud.
       (4) False claims of military service or the receipt of 
     military awards, if believed, are especially likely to 
     dispose people favorably toward the speaker.
       (5) False claims of military service or the receipt of 
     military awards are particularly likely to be material and 
     cause people to part with money or property. Even if such 
     claims are unsuccessful in bringing about this result, they 
     still constitute attempted fraud.
       (6) False claims of military service or the receipt of 
     military awards that are made to secure appointment to the 
     board of an organization are likely to cause harm to such 
     organization through their obtaining the services of an 
     individual who does not bring to that organization what he or 
     she claims, and whose falsehood, if discovered, would cause 
     the organization's donors concern that the organization's 
     board might not manage money honestly.
       (7) The easily verifiable nature of false claims regarding 
     military service or the receipt of military awards, the 
     relative infrequency of such claims, and the fact that false 
     claims of having served in the military or received such 
     awards are rightfully condemned across the political 
     spectrum, it is especially likely that any law prohibiting 
     such false claims would not be enforced selectively.
       (8) Congress may make criminal the false claim of military 
     service or the receipt of military awards based on its powers 
     under article I, section 8, clause 2 of the Constitution of 
     the United States, to raise and support armies, and article 
     I, section 8, clause 18 of the Constitution of the United 
     States, to enact necessary and proper measures to carry into 
     execution that power.

     SEC. 5003. MILITARY MEDALS OR DECORATIONS.

       Section 704 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 704. Military medals or decorations

       ``(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly purchases, attempts to 
     purchase, solicits for purchase, mails, ships, imports, 
     exports, produces blank certificates of receipt for, 
     manufactures, sells, attempts to sell, advertises for sale, 
     trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value any 
     decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed 
     Forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or 
     badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, 
     button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, 
     or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized 
     under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under 
     this title, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
       ``(b) False Claims to the Receipt of Military Decorations, 
     Medals, or Ribbons and False Claims Relating to Military 
     Service in Order to Secure a Tangible Benefit or Personal 
     Gain.--
       ``(1) In general.--Whoever, with the intent of securing a 
     tangible benefit or personal gain, knowingly, falsely, and 
     materially represents himself or herself through any written 
     or oral communication (including a resume) to have served in 
     the Armed Forces of the United States or to have been awarded 
     any decoration, medal, ribbon, or other device authorized by 
     Congress or pursuant to Federal law for the Armed Forces of 
     the United States, shall be fined under this title, 
     imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
       ``(2) Tangible benefit or personal gain.--For purposes of 
     this subsection, the term `tangible benefit or personal gain' 
     includes--
       ``(A) a benefit relating to military service provided by 
     the Federal Government or a State or local government;
       ``(B) public or private employment;
       ``(C) financial remuneration;
       ``(D) an effect on the outcome of a criminal or civil court 
     proceeding;
       ``(E) election of the speaker to paying office; and
       ``(F) appointment to a board or leadership position of a 
     non-profit organization.
       ``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `Armed Forces 
     of the United States' means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 
     Corps, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components 
     named in section 10101 of title 10.''.

     SEC. 5004. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this division, any amendment made by 
     this division, or the application of such provision or 
     amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be 
     unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this 
     division, the amendments made by this division, and the 
     application of such provisions or amendments to any person or 
     circumstance shall not be affected.


                    AMENDMENT NO. 3172, AS MODIFIED

       At the end of subtitle C of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1233. REPORTS ON SYRIA.

       (a) Report on Opposition Groups.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Director of National 
     Intelligence and Secretary of State shall submit to Congress 
     a report describing in detail all the known opposition 
     groups, both independent and state-sponsored, inside and 
     outside of Syria, operating directly or indirectly to oppose 
     the Government of Syria.
       (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) An assessment of the current military capacity of 
     opposition forces.
       (B) An assessment of the ability of opposition forces 
     inside and outside of Syria to establish military and 
     political activities impacting Syria, together with a 
     practicable timetable for accomplishing these objectives.
       (C) An assessment of the ability of any of the opposition 
     groups to establish effective military and political control 
     in Syria.
       (D) A description of the composition and political agenda 
     of each of the known opposition groups inside and outside of 
     Syria, and an assessment of the degree to which such groups 
     represent the views of the people of Syria as a whole.
       (E) A description of the financial resources currently 
     available to opposition groups and known potential sources of 
     continued financing.
       (F) An assessment of the relationship between each of the 
     Syrian opposition groups and the Muslim Brotherhood, al 
     Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and any other groups that have 
     promoted an agenda that would negatively impact United States 
     national interests.
       (G) An assessment of the impact of support from the United 
     States and challenges to providing such additional support to 
     opposition forces on the factors discussed in subparagraphs 
     (A) through (F).
       (b) Report on Weapons Stockpiles.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Director of National 
     Intelligence and Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
     Congress an assessment of the size and security of 
     conventional and non-conventional weapons stockpiles in 
     Syria.
       (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) A description of who has or may have access to the 
     stockpiles.
       (B) A description of the sources and types of weapons 
     flowing from outside Syria to both government and opposition 
     forces.
       (C) A description of U.S. and international efforts to 
     prevent the proliferation of conventional, biological, 
     chemical, and other types of weapons in Syria.
       (c) Report on Current Activities and Future Plans To 
     Provide Assistance to Syria's Political Opposition.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to Congress a report on all the support provided to 
     opposition political forces in Syria.
       (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) A full description of the current technical assistance 
     democracy programs conducted by the Department of State and 
     United States Agency for International Development to support 
     the political opposition in Syria.
       (B) A full summary of the communications equipment that is 
     currently being provided to the political opposition in 
     Syria, including a description of the entities that have 
     received and that will continue to receive such equipment.
       (C) A description of any additional activities the United 
     States plans to undertake in support of the political 
     opposition in Syria.
       (D) A description of the funding levels currently dedicated 
     to support the political opposition in Syria.
       (E) A description of obstacles and challenges to providing 
     additional support to Syria's political opposition.
       (d) Form.--The reports required by this section may be 
     submitted in a classified form.


                           Amendment No. 3276

 (Purpose: To authorize National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. to establish a 
  memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor free 
 persons and slaves who fought for independence, liberty, and justice 
                for all during the American Revolution)

       At the end of division A, add the following:

 TITLE XVIII--MEMORIAL TO SLAVES AND FREE BLACK PERSONS WHO SERVED IN 
                        THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

     SEC. 1801. FINDING.

       Congress finds that the contributions of free persons and 
     slaves who fought during the American Revolution were of 
     preeminent historical and lasting significance to the United 
     States, as required by section 8908(b)(1) of title 40, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 1802. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Federal land.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``Federal land'' means the parcel 
     of land--
       (i) identified as ``Area I''; and
       (ii) depicted on the map numbered 869/86501B and dated June 
     24, 2003.
       (B) Exclusion.--The term ``Federal land'' does not include 
     the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, 
     United States Code).
       (2) Memorial.--The term ``memorial'' means the memorial 
     authorized to be established under section 3(a).

[[Page 16102]]



     SEC. 1803. MEMORIAL AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Authorization.--In accordance with subsections (b) and 
     (c), National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. may establish a memorial 
     on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the more 
     than 5,000 courageous slaves and free Black persons who 
     served as soldiers and sailors or provided civilian 
     assistance during the American Revolution.
       (b) Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds.--National Mall 
     Liberty Fund D.C. may not use Federal funds to establish the 
     memorial.
       (c) Applicable Law.--National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. shall 
     establish the memorial in accordance with chapter 89 of title 
     40, United States Code.

     SEC. 1804. REPEAL OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

       Public Law 99-558 (110 Stat. 3144) and Public Law 100-265 
     (102 Stat. 39) are repealed.


                           Amendment No. 3298

 (Purpose: To express the sense of Congress on health care for retired 
                   members of the uniformed services)

       At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

     SEC. 704. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HEALTH CARE FOR RETIRED 
                   MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) members of the uniformed services and their families 
     endure unique and extraordinary demands and make 
     extraordinary sacrifices over the course of 20 to 30 years of 
     service in protecting freedom for all Americans, as do those 
     who have been medically retired due to the hardships of 
     military service; and
       (2) access to quality health care services is an earned 
     benefit during retirement in acknowledgment of their 
     contributions of service and sacrifice.


                    Amendment No. 3278, as modified

       At the end of subtitle H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1084. MODERNIZATION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT MAIL DELIVERY 
                   SYSTEM.

       (a) It is the sense of Congress that the Department of 
     Defense should partner with the United States Postal Service 
     (USPS) to modernize the USPS mail delivery system to address 
     problems with the delivery of absentee ballots and ensure the 
     effective and efficient delivery of such ballots, including 
     through the establishment of a centralized mail forwarding 
     system to ensure that blank ballots are properly redirected.


                           Amendment No. 2996

 (Purpose: To authorize certain maritime programs of the Department of 
                Transportation, and for other purposes)

       Beginning on page 590, strike line 11 and all that follows 
     through page 595, line 7, and insert the following:

     SEC. 3501. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Maritime Administration 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013''.

     SEC. 3502. CONTAINER-ON-BARGE TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) Assessment.--The Administrator of the Maritime 
     Administration shall assess the potential for using 
     container-on-barge transportation in short sea transportation 
     (as such term is defined in section 55605 of title 46, United 
     States Code).
       (b) Factors.--In conducting the assessment under subsection 
     (a), the Administrator shall consider--
       (1) the environmental benefits of increasing container-on-
     barge movements in short sea transportation;
       (2) the regional differences in the use of short sea 
     transportation;
       (3) the existing programs established at coastal and Great 
     Lakes ports for establishing awareness of deep sea shipping 
     operations;
       (4) the mechanisms necessary to ensure that implementation 
     of a plan under subsection (c) will not be inconsistent with 
     antitrust laws; and
       (5) the potential frequency of container-on-barge service 
     at short sea transportation ports.
       (c) Recommendations.--The assessment under subsection (a) 
     may include recommendations for a plan to increase awareness 
     of the potential for use of container-on-barge 
     transportation.
       (d) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Administrator shall submit the 
     assessment required under this section to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives.

     SEC. 3503. SHORT SEA TRANSPORTATION.

       (a) Purpose.--Section 55601 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``landside congestion.'' 
     and inserting ``landside congestion or to promote short sea 
     transportation.'';
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``coastal corridors'' 
     and inserting ``coastal corridors or to promote short sea 
     transportation'';
       (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``that the project may'' 
     and all that follows through the end of the subsection and 
     inserting ``that the project uses documented vessels and--
       ``(1) mitigates landside congestion; or
       ``(2) promotes short sea transportation.''; and
       (4) in subsection (f), by striking ``shall'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``may''.
       (b) Documentation.--Section 55605 of title 46, United 
     States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
     by striking ``by vessel'' and inserting ``by a documented 
     vessel''.

     SEC. 3504. MARITIME ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 503 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 50307. Maritime environmental and technical assistance

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
     engage in the environmental study, research, development, 
     assessment, and deployment of emerging marine technologies 
     and practices related to the marine transportation system 
     through the use of public vessels under the control of the 
     Maritime Administration or private vessels under Untied 
     States registry, and through partnerships and cooperative 
     efforts with academic, public, private, and non-governmental 
     entities and facilities.
       ``(b) Requirements.--The Secretary of Transportation may--
       ``(1) identify, study, evaluate, test, demonstrate, or 
     improve emerging marine technologies and practices that are 
     likely to achieve environmental improvements by--
       ``(A) reducing air emissions, water emissions, or other 
     ship discharges;
       ``(B) increasing fuel economy or the use of alternative 
     fuels and alternative energy (including the use of shore 
     power); or
       ``(C) controlling aquatic invasive species; and
       ``(2) coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency, 
     the United States Coast Guard, and other Federal, State, 
     local, or tribal agencies, as appropriate.
       ``(c) Coordination.--Coordination under subsection (b)(2) 
     may include--
       ``(1) activities that are associated with the development 
     or approval of validation and testing regimes; and
       ``(2) certification or validation of emerging technologies 
     or practices that demonstrate significant environmental 
     benefits.
       ``(d) Assistance.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
     accept gifts, or enter into cooperative agreements, 
     contracts, or other agreements with academic, public, 
     private, and non-governmental entities to carry out the 
     activities authorized under subsection (a).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for 
     chapter 503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 50306 the 
     following:

``50307. Maritime environmental and technical assistance.''.

     SEC. 3505. IDENTIFICATION OF ACTIONS TO ENABLE QUALIFIED 
                   UNITED STATES FLAG CAPACITY TO MEET NATIONAL 
                   DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 501(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``When the head'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--When the head''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Determinations.--The Maritime Administrator shall--
       ``(A) for each determination referred to in paragraph (1), 
     identify any actions that could be taken to enable qualified 
     United States flag capacity to meet national defense 
     requirements;
       ``(B) provide notice of each such determination to the 
     Secretary of Transportation and the head of the agency 
     referred to in paragraph (1) for which the determination is 
     made; and
       ``(C) publish each such determination on the Internet Web 
     site of the Department of Transportation not later than 48 
     hours after notice of the determination is provided to the 
     Secretary of Transportation.
       ``(3) Notice to congress.--
       ``(A) In general.--The head of an agency referred to in 
     paragraph (1) shall notify the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate--
       ``(i) of any request for a waiver of the navigation or 
     vessel-inspection laws under this section not later than 48 
     hours after receiving such a request; and
       ``(ii) of the issuance of any such waiver not later than 48 
     hours after such issuance.
       ``(B) Contents.--Such head of an agency shall include in 
     each notification under subparagraph (A)(ii) an explanation 
     of--
       ``(i) the reasons the waiver is necessary; and
       ``(ii) the reasons actions referred to in paragraph (2)(A) 
     are not feasible.''.

     SEC. 3506. MARITIME WORKFORCE STUDY.

       (a) Training Study.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study on the training needs of the 
     maritime workforce.
       (b) Study Components.--The study shall--
       (1) analyze the impact of maritime training requirements 
     imposed by domestic and international regulations and 
     conventions, companies, and government agencies that charter 
     or operate vessels;
       (2) evaluate the ability of the United States maritime 
     training infrastructure to meet the needs of the maritime 
     industry;

[[Page 16103]]

       (3) identify trends in maritime training;
       (4) compare the training needs of United States mariners 
     with the vocational training and educational assistance 
     programs available from Federal agencies to evaluate the 
     ability of Federal programs to meet the training needs of 
     United States mariners;
       (5) include recommendations to enhance the capabilities of 
     the United States maritime training infrastructure; and
       (6) include recommendations to assist United States 
     mariners and those entering the maritime profession to 
     achieve the required training.
       (c) Final Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     a report on the results of the study to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives.

     SEC. 3507. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION VESSEL RECYCLING CONTRACT 
                   AWARD PRACTICES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Comptroller General of the 
     Government Accountability Office shall conduct an assessment 
     of the source selection procedures and practices used to 
     award the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve 
     Fleet vessel recycling contracts. The Comptroller General 
     shall assess the process, procedures, and practices used for 
     the Maritime Administration's qualification of vessel 
     recycling facilities. The Comptroller General shall report 
     the findings to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the 
     Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (b) Assessment.--The assessment under subsection (a) shall 
     include a review of whether the Maritime Administration's 
     contract source selection procedures and practices are 
     consistent with law, the Federal Acquisition Regulations 
     (FAR), and Federal best practices associated with making 
     source selection decisions.
       (c) Considerations.--In making the assessment under 
     subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consider any 
     other aspect of the Maritime Administration's vessel 
     recycling process that the Comptroller General deems 
     appropriate to review.

     SEC. 3508. REQUIREMENT FOR BARGE DESIGN.

       Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this 
     title, the Administrator of the Maritime Administration shall 
     complete the design for a containerized, articulated barge, 
     as identified in the dual-use vessel study carried out by the 
     Administrator and the Secretary of Defense, that is able to 
     utilize roll-on/roll-off or load-on/load-off technology in 
     marine highway maritime commerce.

     SEC. 3509. ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE SURPLUS TRAINING EQUIPMENT.

       Section 51103(b)(2)(C) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``or a training institution that is an 
     instrumentality of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the 
     United States or District of Columbia or a unit of local 
     government thereof'' after ``a non-profit training 
     institution''.


                    amendment no. 3047, as modified

       At the end of subtitle D of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 643. CLARIFICATION OF COMPUTATION OF COMBAT-RELATED 
                   SPECIAL COMPENSATION FOR CHAPTER 61 DISABILITY 
                   RETIREES.

       (a) In General.--Section 1413a(b)(3) of title 10, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``shall be reduced by the 
     amount (if any) by which the amount of the member's retired 
     pay under chapter 61 of this title exceeds'' both places it 
     appears and inserting ``may not, when combined with the 
     amount of retired pay payable to the retiree after any such 
     reduction under sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, cause the 
     total of such combined payment to exceed''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on January 1, 2013, and shall apply to 
     payments for months beginning on or after that date.

  Mr. LEVIN. I yield the floor and thank all our colleagues for their 
cooperation. We will continue until vote on final passage, which we 
expect tomorrow, to clear additional amendments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, we continue, after a few hours' pause 
today because of the objection of one Senator by long distance. But I 
am very confident, with the cooperation of our colleagues, we can 
finish this amendment process tomorrow, and I hope we can have the 
cooperation of all our colleagues.
  We have tried very hard to make sure every amendment gets 
consideration and is brought up. We have now approved well over 100 
amendments, and I think most Members have had at least one amendment 
approved so far. So I hope we can continue the cooperation and we can 
finish this bill tomorrow.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCAIN. Tomorrow, a vote is scheduled on the Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and I would like to take a few 
minutes to talk about the upcoming vote.
  The first thing I think we ought to understand is this is not 
anybody's treaty. It is not President Obama's treaty. It is not John 
Kerry's treaty. It is not even Bob Dole's treaty, although he certainly 
is the person who has been deeply involved.
  The vote on the treaty is the right thing to do on its merits. It is 
important to note a list of veterans groups in support.
  I have not forgotten that 36 Republicans signed a letter opposing 
consideration of any treaty during the lameduck, but there is no reason 
we shouldn't have a vote. The letter says they would oppose 
consideration, but we did have the motion to proceed. Some may be 
worried about passing a treaty in the lameduck session. The argument 
has no basis in the Constitution or Senate practice. Since the 1970s 
alone, the Senate has approved treaties during lameduck sessions a 
total of 19 times. There is nothing special or different about lameduck 
sessions. So I would like to address a few of the misconceptions about 
the treaty that I keep hearing.
  It is true that the treaty establishes a committee, but that 
committee has exceedingly limited powers. It can review reports 
submitted by countries on the steps they have taken to implement the 
convention, and it can make nonbinding recommendations for additional 
steps, and that is it, nothing else. It can't require our Federal or 
State governments or courts to take any action. There is no threat to 
the United States or our sovereignty from the committee.
  With respect to abortion, this is a disabilities treaty. It has 
nothing to do with abortion and doesn't change our law on abortion in 
any way. Trying to turn this into an abortion debate is wrong on 
substance and bad politics.
  I have heard people say that ratifying the disabilities convention 
would take decisions out of parents' hands and let the U.N. or the 
Federal Government decide what is best for our children. That is just 
wrong. The treaty doesn't give the Federal Government or any State 
government new powers with regard to children with disabilities. The 
treaty cannot be used as a basis for a lawsuit in State or Federal 
court.
  Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh made this crystal clear in 
his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and in 
every conversation that I have had with him. I wouldn't support the 
treaty if it were any other way.
  So let's take a step back and look at how this looks if America 
rejects this treaty. China has joined. Russia has joined. We are the 
country that set the standards on rights of the disabled. We want 
everybody to play by international rules. We lose credibility if we 
turn around and refuse to participate in a treaty that merely asks 
other nations to live up to our standards and our rules.
  We received a letter from the blind Chinese dissident Chen Cuangcheng 
talking about the plight of the disabled around the world and what a 
strong message it would send if the United States ratified this treaty. 
There is no reason we can't say we lived up to our obligations. We need 
to step up and do the right thing--for Bob Dole and our veterans 
throughout the world.
  I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of a 
letter from the internationally known blind Chinese dissident who, 
thank

[[Page 16104]]

God, miraculously recently left China through the efforts of our State 
Department and our government.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:
                                                November 26, 2012.
     Hon. John Kerry,
     Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senate, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Richard Lugar,
     Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. 
         Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators, I am writing you to personally ask for your 
     support for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with 
     Disabilities (CRPD). As you know, my work on civil rights 
     began with trying to ensure that people with disabilities in 
     my home country of China were afforded the same rights as 
     everyone else. The CRPD is making this idea real in 
     significant ways around the world today. Worldwide, there are 
     over 1 billion people with disabilities--and 80% of them live 
     in developing countries. Disability rights is an issue that 
     the world cannot afford to overlook.
       When the United States enacted the Americans with 
     Disabilities Act over twenty years ago, the idea of true 
     equality for people with disabilities became a reality. Many 
     nations have followed in America's footsteps and now are 
     coming together under shared principles of equality, respect 
     and dignity for people with disabilities as entailed in the 
     CRPD. The U.S.--which was instrumental in negotiating the 
     CRPD--can continue to advance both its principles and issues 
     of practical accessibility for its citizens and all people 
     around the world, and by ratifying the treaty, so take its 
     rightful place of leadership in the arena of human rights.
       As I continue my studies in the United States, it is a 
     great pleasure to now learn firsthand how the U.S. developed 
     such a comprehensive and strong system of protection for its 
     citizens with disabilities. I am so hopeful that you will 
     support ratification and allow others to benefit from these 
     triumphs. Thank you for your leadership.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Chen Guangcheng.
  Mr. McCAIN. I will read from his letter:

       When the United States enacted the Americans with 
     Disabilities Act over twenty years ago, the idea of true 
     equality for people with disabilities became a reality. Many 
     nations have followed in America's footsteps and now are 
     coming together under shared principles of equality, respect, 
     and dignity for people with disabilities as entailed in the 
     CRPD. The U.S.--which was instrumental in negotiating the 
     CRPD--can continue to advance both its principles and issues 
     of practical accessibility for its citizens and all people 
     around the world, and by ratifying the treaty, so take its 
     rightful place of leadership in the arena of human rights.

  And he concludes:

       As I continue my studies in the United States, it is a 
     great pleasure to now learn firsthand how the U.S. developed 
     such a comprehensive and strong system of protection for its 
     citizens with disabilities. I am so hopeful that you will 
     support ratification and allow others to benefit from these 
     triumphs. Thank you for your leadership.

  I couldn't say it with any more passion nor any more authority.
  I yield the floor.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak 
as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam President, I rise to address an issue that 
concerns families and children and veterans and so many children in 
North Carolina and Ohio and around the country and around the world. I 
rise for millions of Americans, family members friends, loved ones, and 
colleagues who experience some level of disability.
  People living with disabilities have long been isolated, pushed to 
the margins of society. An example of that is America's deaf community. 
The deaf community strongly supports this treaty. Gallaudet University 
is a university founded in 1864 by an act of Congress, the charter 
signed by President Lincoln. The university shows that people with 
disabilities are capable of doing so much more to enrich our culture. I 
sit on the board, the only Senator in this body who sits on the board 
of Gallaudet, this great university. It is the only one of its kind in 
the world. It is close to 150 years old. We know how important it is.
  Many students at Gallaudet from other countries want to be able to go 
home to the same kinds of accessibility they have experienced while 
studying in the United States, but they do not have it in far too many 
places. A recent State Department report found that people with 
disabilities remain one of the groups most at risk of being trafficked. 
That should spur all of us to do what we can to ensure that every human 
being has the chance to reach her or his God-given potential.
  Yet too many people with disabilities around the world and Americans 
abroad lack this protection. This includes being forced into low-wage 
employment, being forced to beg for meals, being less likely to have 
access to transportation and the justice system in whatever country 
they happen to be located.
  In America, we fought to pass the Americans With Disabilities Act, 
and we lead the world in services and accessibility for disabled 
people. We passed it because democracy is only as vibrant as it is open 
to the participation of all citizens. That is why I was proud to 
cosponsor critical amendments to the ADA, the Americans With 
Disabilities Act, to make the definition of disability more inclusive. 
We fought hard for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 because access to a 
good-paying job, to public transportation, to public accommodation 
should be universal.
  Some detractors say Americans are taken care of here at home; why 
should we worry about discrimination that disabled people in other 
countries might suffer? Dr. King wrote in ``Letter from the Birmingham 
Jail'' that:

       Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

  He explained that:

       We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied 
     in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one 
     directly, affects all indirectly.

  If we are to maintain our global leadership, if we believe in 
American exceptionalism, and if we are to strengthen our moral 
leadership, then surely we must ratify treaty No. 112-7 in support of 
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  This is not a liberal or conservative issue. It is not a Republican 
or Democrat issue. This is a cause for people who fight for what is 
right. That is why some 300 organizations support ratification, 
including the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the 
Wounded Warrior Project, the Hindu American Foundation, the Islamic 
Society of North America, the Jewish Federation of North America, the 
National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  Let me share a couple letters. Bernard from Franklin County, in the 
center of my State, wrote:

       I am concerned about recent grumblings . . . I have a lot 
     of regard for the ADA and a keen awareness of discrimination 
     against people with disabilities.
       When will the Senate take up this U.N. Resolution? What can 
     I do to help convince oppositional Senators that this is an 
     important and necessary resolution for people with 
     disabilities, especially our Nation's veterans?

  Bernard, my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Senator McCain, 
former majority leader Bob Dole, both of whom served our country 
honorably in the Armed Forces, and 21 veterans organizations agree with 
you. Senator McCain wrote: ``Ratifying this treaty affirms our 
leadership on disability rights and shows the rest of the world our 
leadership commitment continues.''
  This should be an opportunity for all Americans to come together and 
show the world we are committed to ensuring the basic dignity of every 
human being.
  An advocate for people with disabilities, Deborah Kendrick of 
Cincinnati, recently wrote that supporting the U.N. Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities is ``the good old-fashioned right 
thing to do.''
  She is absolutely right. The CRPD is an antidiscrimination treaty, a 
civil rights issue, a human rights issue. It embraces the values of our 
own Americans with Disabilities Act.

[[Page 16105]]

  It will not affect U.S. law and does not infringe upon U.S. 
sovereignty. Ratifying this treaty does allow us to reassert our 
leadership globally on disability rights. It will give us a seat at the 
table as parties to the convention grapple with how best to implement 
it. This treaty is important for Americans with disabilities, including 
soldiers and veterans when they work abroad, study abroad or simply 
travel abroad. That is why I urge my colleagues to join in ratifying 
this treaty, to stand up for people with disabilities in Ohio, 
throughout America, and around the world.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________