[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13964-13965]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 2673

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, we all know that our ally Israel is in a 
fight for survival because a terrorist group, so named by the United 
States and Europe, is at war with Israel right now. We remember how it 
all started, with the kidnapping of three Israeli boys and the torture 
and the deaths, and Hamas praised that. Tragically, there was a revenge 
killing, and the Israeli Government arrested the Israelis responsible 
for that and they are going to face justice, while Hamas praises--
praises--what happened.
  Today I spoke to the Ambassador, and this is what I heard him say--
and I haven't fact-checked this, but as I understand it there was a 
cease-fire in place, all sides agreed everything was clear. Israel was 
going to be allowed to clear out the tunnels which are being used to 
open to Hamas the country of Israel, where they go under the ground and 
they have one objective--to kill Israelis, to torture them, to kidnap 
them. No country--no country--could ever live with that, no country--
not our country.
  Imagine if we had 100 rockets a day coming from Mexico or Canada or 
from the sea, either side. We would never ever sit back for that. We 
would never sit back if under our great cities we had terrorists 
building tunnels so they could sneak in suicide bombers to kill our 
people.
  Here we had a cease-fire, and I know the Secretary of State worked 
hard. Yet and still what happened, even though it was known that Israel 
was permitted to continue clearing out these tunnels, a suicide bomber 
blew himself up, killed Israeli soldiers and someone else grabbed and 
kidnapped--we think--we think--an Israeli soldier. We don't know all 
the facts on it. This must be condemned.
  We have a bill, Senator Blunt and I, and it has 81 cosponsors on it. 
It is the Israeli American strategic partnership act, and it will send 
a strong signal today that we stand with Israel. We want peace. We want 
justice. We want a good life for the Israelis and the Palestinian 
people. But you cannot do it when you have a terrorist organization 
running, in essence, the Gaza Strip.
  In this bill Senator Blunt and I have worked on, there is a visa 
waiver section, and I want to go over that because I fear we may have 
objections to this. I am hoping not, I still hope we won't, but in this 
visa waiver section it does three things: First, it expresses the sense 
of the Senate that Israel should be designated as a program country 
under the Visa Waiver Program.
  Second, it urges United States engagement with Israel to help it meet 
the requirements of the waiver program; i.e., when Israelis come over 
they pay attention to the time on their visas and they go back to their 
country when the time is up.
  Third, it authorizes but doesn't require the administration to waive 
a nonimmigrant visa waiver requirement only if Israel meets all the 
other program requirements.
  Here is what is important. There are 38 countries in the Visa Waiver 
Program. These countries represent some of America's closest allies. In 
fact, 20 of the current Visa Waiver Program countries are NATO allies. 
So I want to say clearly to my friend Senator Sessions and anyone 
within the sound of my voice that the provision I hope he will not 
object to today, the provision gives Israel, the strongest ally of the 
United States in the Middle East, a chance to join the program. As a 
member of the Visa Waiver Program, Israeli citizens, many of whom have 
families in America, would be allowed to visit the

[[Page 13965]]

United States for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa. This 
deepens the ties between our nations.
  I want to read some of the countries that have these privileges: 
Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, the Czech Republic. I 
was proud to support them, but I am also proud to say that Israel 
deserves to be on that list. Why shouldn't they have the same 
opportunity?
  When we first wrote our visa waiver provision, there were objections 
that we didn't have enough flexibility. We changed it and now we have 
81 sponsors on this legislation. I would ask, how many pieces of 
legislation have 81 cosponsors? You couldn't even get it for a Mother's 
Day resolution. I mean this is strong. And of all the times for us to 
object to this United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, it 
should not be today.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of Calendar No. 492, S. 2673; that the bill be 
read a third time and passed; and the motion to reconsider be 
considered made and laid on the table, with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Alabama.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Reserving my right to object, I appreciate Senator 
Boxer's leadership on this issue. She is a great advocate and a strong 
supporter of Israel, as I am, and have been consistently since I have 
been in the Senate.
  I would note for the Senator that the expansion of this program has 
been problematic for some time. I have been involved with the Visa 
Waiver Program for quite a number of years. So my concern is not based 
on Israel, it is based on trying to maintain consistency and 
effectiveness of the program.
  It is not a program that I think is operating effectively. Congress 
has declared that no more waivers be granted until after this biometric 
exit system has been completed. I believe our House colleagues are 
considering a bill that is very similar to what Senator Boxer and 
others are supporting but it does not include this provision.
  Based on that, I am not able to support this amendment and would 
object.
  Mr. President, if the Senator would allow me, I would say let's pass 
a bill without that provision in it. Let's get that done today, and I 
will commit to further research and digging into this to see if there 
is any legitimate way based on law and consistency and the integrity of 
the visa waiver system that I could support it. It might be. Israel is 
an educated country. We have a lot of people who travel back and forth 
between our countries. It is just so far the State Department has not 
approved it. The House does not have it in their bill, and I and the 
Members of the Judiciary Committee who have dealt with these issues for 
quite a number of years--I have resisted the expansion of this program 
contrary to the law and State Department policy. Regretfully I have 
objected.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
  The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I won't be long, but I am so disappointed. 
I know my friend wants to be helpful, but I have to say that the visa 
waiver section--I am not being stubborn about this--all it does is it 
says that Israel should have the same privileges as Lithuania, Latvia, 
Estonia, and the Czech Republic.
  Of all the days to say no to this bill, with what is going on over 
there. It hurts my heart. It breaks my heart, because this bill 
authorizes $200 million in the value of U.S. weapons sales in Israel to 
a total of $1.8 billion. It is a stockpile that is intended to be used 
by U.S. forces, but in event of emergency, Israel can tap that. And, my 
God, this is an emergency. It is so critical. In fact, just last week 
the United States provided Israel with ammunition from the stockpile 
after Israel requested help to replace its depleted supplies.
  We shouldn't be waiting another hour to pass this, and here we are as 
the clock ticks down and we go off on our break and as my friend knows, 
this bill doesn't cost one slim dime--not one slim dime--not one penny. 
It is such a signal to Israel that we stand with her.
  It also has an energy section where we help Israel develop her 
natural gas supplies to become energy independent. It is so sad for me 
today.
  Last night Senator Corker had an objection. He cleared it. He and I 
had a real go-to on it. I know we had a bit of a misunderstanding. He 
backed off. I am so appreciative. Then Senator Coburn had a problem, 
and he backed off and he said, ``No, I kind of like this section.'' 
Then Senator Lee had a problem and Senator Coburn talked to Senator Lee 
and Senator Lee was fine.
  We have 81 people on this bill, and 1 Senator this afternoon is 
holding it hostage because he doesn't like the program. Well, we can 
all work together on the program, but why single out Israel because you 
don't like the program? Let this go.
  We can have a colloquy. We can work together, Senator Sessions. We 
can make sure there is no abuse here. We changed this so we would be 
sure there is no abuse.
  I am very saddened at this, and all I can say is that Senator Blunt 
and I are coming back with this bill over and over and over again, and 
one way or the other we will get it done.
  I say to my friends in Israel: Take heart. Eighty-one of our Senators 
are with you on this bill, and only a handful haven't even gone on, and 
only one--only one--objected. So take heart, because we are with you 
and we will get this done.
  Mr. President, that is the end of my remarks, and I note the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous that the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Reid). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, if it would be more convenient for you to 
come to the desk, I am happy to sit in the Chair.
  Since the Presiding Officer can't answer my question, I will note the 
absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Boxer). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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