mr. schumer: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent the call of the quorum be dispensed. .the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. schumer: mr. president, i rise today in opposition to senator session's am t amendment immediately mandating all federal contractors and subcontractors to use e-verify. first of all, obviously, legislating on and delaying a critical appropriations bill which is necessary for us to pass, which is necessary for us to pass quickly to secure our borders, ports and provide into our interior points of vulnerability is a delay that we don't need. but, secondly, and more importantly, despite claims this amendment only seeks to reauthorize e-verify for three years -- which i don't oppose -- the actual language of my distinguished colleague's amendment makes e-verify permanent and mandatory. there would be nothing wrong with that if the system actually worked. but, it doesn't. the distinguished senator from alabama and i agree upon one of the main seven principles f

mr. schumer: thank you, mr. president. i today rise today -- we're not in a quorum? we're not in a quorum, are we? the presiding officer: the senate is not in a quorum call. mr. schumer: thank you, mr. president. i rise today asking my colleagues to table the pending amendment filed by my distinguished colleague from alabama to the department of homeland security appropriations bill. his amendment would both make e-verify permanent and would immediately mandate all federal contractors and subcontractors to use e-verify. well, first i have good news for my colleagues, and good news for my colleague from alabama. the department of homeland security has just taken action. they were planning to do it before. it's coincidental but fortuitous that it occurs right now, that addresses the issue, or at least a good part of the issue that my colleague from alabama has raised. the department of homeland security today has issued a statement indicating -- quote -- "the administration's support for regulation that will award federal co

mr. schumer: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new york. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment so we can call up amendment 1764. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: the senator from new york, mr. schumer, proposes an amendment numbered 1764. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent further reading be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. schumer: mr. president, i ask that i be yielded 5 minutes of the 15 minutes, senator bennett, the ranking member of the rules committee, be given 5 minutes and senator chambliss be given 5 minutes. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. schumer: i rise about 1764, the move act of 2009. i want to thank my colleague, senator bennett, for his hard work on this. indispensable in getting this done were senator chambliss and senator nelson, ben nelson of nebraska, and senator cornyn, who had previous legislation that was similar. i also want to thank you, mr. president,

mr. schumer: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from ne new york. mr. schumer: thank you, mr. president. i know that we are going to -- we are now on the thune amendment. i know we've gone aside for other amendments and i know we'll be debating thune tomorrow morning, but because there are so many of my colleagues who want to speak and i had a lot to say, i'm going to speak for five minutes tomorrow morning but will give the bulk of my speech this afternoon. so, mr. president, i rise in staunch opposition to the thune amendment. i believe it's a dangerous amendment that would go far beyond authorizing gun possession for self-defense and not only create a serious threat to public safety but also severely undercut american federalism. amendment 1618, authored by senator thune, would force states and localities from across the nation to permit individuals from other states to carry hidden and loaded handguns in public, even where the elected representatives of those states have chosen to bar these persons from possessing firearms. the legislation would requ

mr. schumer: thank you, madam president. first, let me compliment my colleague from connecticut for his great leadership on the issue of health care as the acting head of the "help" committee. he has done a great job on a bill i think has garnered wide support and praise from one end of the country to the other. so i want to salute him for his work and his diligence. now, i rise today to speak in support of the critical resources provided in the energy and water bill, the bill we're debating, for federal hydrogen and fuel-cell research technology, which will give america's automotive industry a much-needed shot in the arm that it needs to revitalize and compete in the global market for fuel-efficient vehicles. in june i joined a bipartisan coalition of 17 senators and we wrote to protect the funding for this critical technology after hearing that the administration had significantly cut the budget for hydrogen research. i generally agree with the administration on energy policy, but in this area they are wrong. hydrogen rese

mr. schumer: i be asked unanimous to be given 30 seconds to ask a question. esiding officer: is there objection? mr. thune: i object to that. the senator from south carolina has been yielded time. the presiding officer: the objection is recognized. the senator from south carolina. mr. graham: thank you, mr. president. i thought this debate went down the side of liberal versus conservative until i got to understand during the confirmation hearings of judge sotomayor that senator feingold is probably one of the strongest gun guys in the senate so i have had to recalibrate where i stand on this issue in terms of trying to pigeon hole people. the point of the amendment, it shunned be oshouldn't be on thee bill. we are talking about a defense authorization to protect our troops and provide them equipment they need and give them a pay raise and now we're talking about guns and hate crimes and i don't know how we got here as a body but we're here. if you had to pick a nongermane amendment to talk about that made some sense that most americans, i think, with like us t

mr. chuck schumer says that he is a fan of the state of israel and really tell him that this is the time to put up or shut up because he could turn obama around on this issue if you wanted to. and pressuring him and letting him know how you feel is terribly important. so this book is not only to educate you, it is to give the hallmark assignments and, please, work like hell. thank you. [applause] >> i'm a little conflicted because you have waited so long for a book signing so let me take three or four questions and not heavyweight. >> we have a microphone, wait for it to get to you before you ask your question. >> hi, my brother in law is dr. david weldon, a conservative congressman from florida. you probably know him a and i asked him and to ask a question will let the republicans win in the house and senate in 2010? piven if the republicans are going to very well win the event that election of 2010. [applause] whether they will actually be able to win control or not is something we just don't know at this point that they will clearly have a very large net gain of seats. you need 38 sw

mr. schumer: thank you. the presiding officer: the senator from new york. mr. schumer: he's so astute that most of us think he does have eyes in the back of his head, because he sees and knows all. anyway, it is good to be here, and i rise today in support, madam president, of vital legislation that's long overdue. more than a decade has passed since matthew shepard was brutally murdered and yet the bill that bears his name is still not law. the matthew shepard hate crimes prevention act has broad bipartisan support here in the senate. it passed handily in the house and has the unequivocal support of the president and the attorney general. indeed, attorney general holder recently told the senate judiciary committee that passage of this legislation is one of -- quote -- "his highest personal priorities." it's essential that we act now to pass this amendment and make the matthew shepard act the law of the land. according to f.b.i. statistics more than 9,000 violent hate crimes were perpetrated in 2007. experts tell us that hate crimes often go unreported, so the a

mr. and chuck schumer who says he's a fan of the state of israel and tell him that this is the time to put up or shut up because he could turn obama around on this issue if he wanted to and pressuring him and letting him know how you feel is terribly important. so this book is not only to educate you, it is to give you homework assignments and please, work like hell. thank you. [applause] >> i'm a little conflicted because you waited so long for the signing so let me take three or four questions and not have you wait. >> we have a microphone, please wait until you get the microphone. >> this woman here is desperate. >> my brother-in-law is dr. dave weldon, a conservative congressman from florida. you probably know him. >> yeah. >> i asked him to ask a question. will the republicans win the house and the senate in 2010? >> the republicans are going to do very well and win the elections of 2010. [applause] whether they will actually be able to win control or not is something we don't know at this point. but they will clearly have a very large gain of seats. you need 38 switches in the house

mr. chuck schumer who says that he is a fan of the state of israel and really tell him that this is the time to put up or shut up. because he could turn obama around on this issue if he wanted to. and pressuring him and letting him know how you feel is terribly, terribly important. so this book is not only to educate you, it's to give you homework assignments, and please, work like hell. thank you. [applause] >> folks, i'm a little conflicted here because you waited so long for book signing, so let me take three or four questions. >> please wait for the microphone to get to you before you ask a question. >> this woman here is desperate. >> hi. my brother-in-law is dr. dave wheldon, conservative congressman from florida. you probably know him. >> yep. >> i asked him to ask a question. will the republicans win the house and the senate in 2010? >> the republicans are going to do very well, and win in effect the elections of 2010. [applause] >> whether they will actually be able to win control or not is something we just don't know at this point. but they will clearly have a very large net gain

mr. president, i yield 10 minutes to senator schumer from new york. >> senator is recognized to make thankyou mr. president and i would like to thank all of my colleagues who are working with us on this amendment, the senator from california who has been such a leader on these issues and will speak after me and she and i were commenting that this is probably the most dangerous piece of legislation to is the safety of americans when it comes to guns since the repeal of the assault weapon ban which she led the charge on to pass. i like to thank my colleague from new jersey senator lautenberg has been a leader on gun issues and then such a great job, mr. menendez, senator gillibrand, senator durbin was so many others working with us today on this issue. now today we are here to say in that we urge all of our colleagues thought to oppose this legislation. , the legislation would do nothing less then take state and local gun laws and tear them up. it would take the carefully crafted gun laws in york and tear them up. it would do the same in 47 other states. and the great irony of this amendment

schumer. >> thank you, mr. chairman and thank all of my colleagues, first, i'm going to follow up on some of the line of questioning of senator sessions and kyl, but i would like to first thank my republican colleagues. i think the questioning has been strong but respectful. i would also like to compliment you, judge. i think you've made a great impression on america today. the american people have seen today what we have seen when you have met with us one on one. you are very smart and knowledgeable but down to earth. you are a strong person, but also very nice person. and you have covered the questions thoughtfully and modestly. so now i'm going to go on to that line of question. we've heard you asked about snippets of statements used to criticize you and challenge your impartiality. but we've heard precious little about the body and totality of your 17-year record on the bench. which everybody knows is the best way to evaluate a nominee. in fact, no colleagues have pointed to a single case in which you said

mr. rove. >> i thought it was interesting when senator schumer introduced judge sotomayor that he clearly put her in the camp of ruth bader ginsburg and she herself identified clearly with ruth bader ginsburg. what you left out of your introduction was the central role of the judge sotomayor played in this whole drama. after all, she is the judge on the court of appeals who writes the opinion dismissing the claims of the new haven firefighters who were denied promotions because they happened to be latino or white. she did so in a way that even drew the ire of people who agreed with her. the judge for example on the appellate court with her condemned the manner in which she had just dismissed the constitutional claims of the firefighters without giving them due deference. some of the minority in the supreme court decision also held that the actions of the court of appeals, a panel that she led, were inappropriate in not giving -- bill: i don't think ms. society mayor is going -- ms. sonia sotomayor is going to be able defend that. it doesn't matter. many want another ruth bader ginsburg. presi

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senator schumer and senator gillibrand for their kind introductions. in recent weeks i have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 89 senators, including all of the members of this committee. each of you has been gracious to me, i have so much enjoyed meeting you. our meetings have given me an illuminating to our of the 50 states, and invaluable insights into the american people. there are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here, as many of you have noted, because of her aspirations and sacrifices for my brother and myself. i am very grateful to the president and tumbled to be here today as a nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii. my father, a factory worker, passed away when i was 9 years old. on her own, my brother -- my mother raised my brother and me. she taught

schumer. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i thank you, chairman bernanke for these two long days of hearings. this job is a very tough one and of course you're subject to criticism and that's a part of it, and some of it valid and some of it agree with. but i just would remind people where we were six months ago, worried that we might enter a great depression. and i think the actions that you and others have taken have avoided that. we still have a long way to go but it's easy to take all the shots and certainly i have my criticisms but also we should remember where we were six months ago and where we are today, and give you some good credit for that. so i thank you for that. now i would like to talk about credit cards, something i care a lot about. i know chairman dodd has mentioned them briefly. at the hearing back in may we discussed new credit card rules and i was troubled by the 18 month delay. senator dodd and i asked you to put the new rules into effect immediately. we talked about how consumers were suffering from an increase in predatory credit card practices, arbitrary rate increase

mr. chairman. >> thank you, senator graham, and senator schumer. >> thank you, and i want to add my compliments to you, mr. chairman, for the judicious way you've conducted these hearings, and i want to say to senator sessions i thought his questions were sharp but fair, and to all of my colleagues that way, i also want to thank senator graham for that moving and important speech that he just gave in favor of her nomination. mr. chairman, and one final thing, i'm sorry to be coming and going here. we have a democratic meeting of the finance committee to try to tie things down so i apologize to my colleagues for that. mr. chairman, i'm enormously proud to be able to cast my vote today in favor of the confirmation of judge sonia sotomayor. this is an historic day for america. americans are familiar with the inspiring story that brought judge sotomayor from a bronx housing project through a prestigious legal education and now to a nomination to the highest court in the land. it is a great american story. it will inspire americans everywhere. americans of all races and creeds and colors to reach furth

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senator schumer and gillibrand for their kind introduction.recent weeks, i have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 89 senators, including all the members of this committee. each of you has been gracious to me and i have so much enjoyed meeting you. our meetings have given me an illuminating tour of the 50 states and invaluable insights into the american people. there are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here, as many of you have noted, because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother, juan, and me. i am very grateful to the president and humbled to be here today as a nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii. i grew up in modest circumstances in a bronx housing project. my father, a factory worker with a third grade education, passed away whe

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senator schumer and gillibrand for their kind introductions. in recent weeks i have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 89 senators, including all the members of this commitee. each of you has been gracious to me, and i have so much enjoyed meeting you our meetings have given me an illuminating tour of the 50 states, and invaluable insights into the american people. there are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here as many of you have noticed because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother juan and me. mom, thank you. i am very grateful to the president and humble to be here today as a nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii, i grew up in modest circumstances in a bronx housing project. my father, a factory worker with a third agreed education

mr. president, i yield 10 minutes to senator schumer from new york. >> senator is recognized to make thankou mr. president and i would like to thank all of my colleagues who are working with us on this amendment, the senator from california who has been such a leader on these issues and will speak after me and she and i were commenting that this is probably the most dangerous piece of legislation to is the safety of americans when it comes to guns since the repeal of the assault weapon ban which she led the charge on to pass. i like to thank my colleague from new jersey senator lautenberg has been a leader on gun issues and then such a great job, mr. menendez, senator gillibrand, senator durbin was so many others working with us today on this issue. now today we are here to say in that we urge all of our colleagues thought to oppose this legislation. , the legislation would do nothing less then take state and local gun laws and tear them up. it would take the carefully crafted gun laws in york and tear them up. it would do the same in 47 other states. and the great irony of this amendment

senator feingold, senator saunders, and senator schumer having been quiet, mr. speaker. they are trying to make sure that we get this public option through the senate as we work forward in the house. what we really need, mr. speaker, is for americans to let their voices be heard. because if they say, oh, well, the leaders in congress got it all under control, that's exactly when we lose it. the american people are like the wind that pushes the boat through the sea. i don't care how big your sail is, how pretty it is, what you put on it, if there's no wind it doesn't move. and that's how this democracy's going to work. as i praise representative russ feingold, let me tell you what he said on june 18, and he deserves our respect, mr. speaker. senator feingold said, quote, a strong public health insurance option is consistent with the healthy private market and effective private insurance plans. we have several insurers that operate in my home state of wisconsin that provide great health coverage to their beneficiaries. responsible insurers should have no trouble competing

what i was going to do is go to senator kyl, senator schumer and then we will take a break. senator kyl? >> thank you, mr. chairman. judge, could i return to a series of questions that senator feingold asked at the beginning relating to the maloney decision and the second amendment. >> sure. >> good afternoon, by the way. >> yes, good afternoon. you had indicateded that if that case were to become before the court, you would recuse yourself from participating in that decision. >> yes, in that case. >> you are aware that or maybe you are not, there are two other decisions dealing with the same issue of incorporation, the ninth circuit and the seventh circuit. the ninth circuit decided it differently than yours. if the court should take all three -- let's assume the ninth circuit stays with its decision so you do have the conflict among the circuits, and the court were to take all three decisions at the same time, i take it the recusal issue would be the same, you would recuse yourself in that situation? >> i hadn't actually been responding to that question. i think you are right for posing it. i clearly u

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senator schumer and gillibrand for their kind introductions. in recent weeks i have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 89 senators, including all the members of this committee. each of you has been gracious to me and i have so much enjoyed meeting you. our meeting said given me an illuminating chore of the 50 states and invaluable insights into the american people. there are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here, as many of you have noted, because of our aspirations and sacrifices for both of my brother and me. i am very grateful to the president and humbled to be here today as a nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii. i corrupt in modest circumstances in a bronx housing project. my father, the factory worker with the third grade education, passed away

mr. chairman. >> thank you, senator graham. and senator schumer. >> thank you, and i want to add my compliments to you, mr. chairman, for the judicious way you have conducted these hearings and i want to say to senator sessions, i thought his questions were sharp but fair, and to all of my colleagues that way. i also want to thank senator graham for that moving and important speech that he just gave in favor of her nomination. mr. chairman, and one final thing, i am sorry to be coming and going here. we have democratic meeting in the finance committee to try and tie things down, so i apologize to my colleagues for that. mr. chairman, i am enormously proud to be able to cast my vote today in favor of the confirmation of judge sonia sotomayor. this is a historic day for america. americans are familiar with the inspiring story that brought judge sotomayor from a bronx housing projects through a prestigious legal education, and now to a nomination to the highest court in the land. it is a great american story. it will inspire americans, everywhere. am

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senator schumer and senator gillibrand for their kind introductions. in recent leaks i have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 897 years including all of the members of this committee. each of you has been gracious to me and i have some much enjoyed meeting you. our meetings have given me and eliminating two or of the 50 states and it is valuable insight into the american people. there are countless family members and friends to have done so much over the years to make this a possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here as many of you have noticed because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother, juan, and me. mom, thank you. i am very grateful to the president and humbled to be here today as the nominee to the united states be one. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii. i grew up in modest circumstances in the bronx housing project. my father, a factory worker with a third grade educat

senator schumer, you're recognized for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i want to welcome judge sotomayor. we in new york are so proud of you. and to your whole family. our presence here today is about a nominee who is supremely well qualified with experience on the district court and appellate court benches that is unmatched in recent history. it is about a nominee who in 17 years of judging has authored opinion after opinion that is smart, thoughtful, and judicially modest. judge sotomayor has stellar credentials. there's no question about that. judge sotomayor has twice been the four been nominated to the bench. the first time she was nominated by a republican president. most importantly, judge sotomayor's record bespeaks judicial modesty, something that our friends on the bright have been clamoring for in a way that no recent nominees has. it is the judicial record, more than speeches and statements, more than personal background, that actually measures how modest the judicial nominee will be. there are several ways of measuring modesty in the judicia

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senators schumer and gillibrand for their kind introductions.n recent weeks, i've had the privilege and pleasure of meeting 89 senators, including all of the members of this committee. each of you has been gracious to me and i have so much enjoyed meeting you. our meetings have given me an illuminating tour of the 50 states and in valuable insight into the american people. there are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative for their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here, as many of you have noted, because of her aspiration and sacrifices for both my brother, one, and me. -- my brother, juan, and me. i'm very grateful to the president and humbled to be here today as a nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left their country in world war -- -world war ii. my father pastor when i was 9 years old. on her own, my mother raised my brother and me. she t

mr. chairman. i also want to thank senators schumer and children for their kind introductions. in recent weeks, i have had the privilege and pleasure of eat -- meeting 89 centersenators. each of you have been gracious to me and i have some much enjoyed meeting you. our meetings have given me and eliminating four of the 50 states and invaluable insights into the american people. they are countless family members and friends who have done so much over the years to make this day possible. i am deeply appreciative of their love and support. i want to make one special note of thanks to my mother. i am here, as many of you have noted, because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother and me. thank you. i am very grateful to the president and humbled to be here today as the nominee to the united states supreme court. the progression of my life has been uniquely american. my parents left puerto rico during world war ii. i grew up in modest circumstances and a housing project. my father, a factory worker with a third grade education, passed away when i was 9 years old. on he

mr. president, i would also like to thank chairman schumer and ranking member, senator bennett, of the rulesttee for their help and guidance on this resolution and i would also, mr. president, certainly not finish my remarks with offering my tremendous thanks to my colleague and friend, senator chambliss, from georgia, who along with senator schumer was an original cosponsor of this resolution but congressman chambliss has done a tremendous job. he is a delight to work with, and i am grateful for not only the hard work that he's put in on this issue and others that we have worked on but without a doubt for his friendship in working on so many issues. so, mr. president, i thank you. i thank my colleagues for, again, moving this initiative and this resolution, passing it forward in the senate. we look forward to being able to add to many other of those recommendations from the task force as we move forward, and as our congressional visitors center -- our capitol visitor center continues to grow. thank you, mr. president. and i yield the floor. mr. chambliss: mr. president? the presiding office

mr. airman,eople felt at the founding of america that ware quote, god's noble experiment. judge sotomay's personal sry shows that oday, more than 200 years later, we are still god's noble experiment. thank you. >> senator schumer and now senatorllibrand -- the other senator from new york. please go ahead, senator gillnd. thank y, chairma leahy, ranking member sessions for t privilege to speak on behalf of judge sonia sotomayor. president obama has chosen one the country's outstanding gal minds with his nomination of sonia sotomayor to the unit states supreme court. as a new yorker, i take great pride in jdg somayor's nomination, along with the rest of my ate and theirelegation and my lleagues from the house. as a woman, i te great pride this htoric nomination. in the words ofandra day o'connor,t took a ry long time to get the first woman on the supreme cou and i thought th we'd very likely always ve two and eventually, more. i am have thankful for president obaman his recognition of women's voicesnhe high court. her life and career are astudy in excellenc a commitment to learning and the law. her stor is also the quint essential american and new york story. growing up in public housing and raised with aove of

what i was calling to do is go senator kyl, senator schumer, and then we will take a break. senator kyl. >> thank you mr. chairman. judge, could i return briefly to a series of questions senator feingold asked relating to the pallone decision to the second amendment? >> sure. good afternoon by the way. >> i'm sorry? >> good afternoon by the way. >> yes. good afternoon. you indicated that case were to come before the court he would recuse yourself from participating in the decision? >> in that case, yes. >> and you're aware there are two of their decisions both dealing with the same issue of incorporation of one in the ninth circuit, one in the seventh circuit. the seventh circuit decided the case similarly to your circuit court of the ninth circuit decided differently although the case is on rehearing. if the court should take all three, let's assume the ninth circuit stays with its decision so you do have the conflict among the circuits and the court or to take all three decisions at the same time i take it the recusal issue would be the same, you would recuse yourself and the situation? >> i haven't a

schumer. thank you for introducing her before the committee. senator cornyn. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i want to thank my colleagues and as others have thanked the chairman and the ranking member for the manner in which these hearings were conducted, judge sotomayor herself acknowledgesor nojd that she could not have received a fairer treatment before the committee, and it's my hope that that will set the tone for hearings in the future, that perhaps somehow we have established a new standard of fairness that will guide both republicans and democrats as we consider future nominees from the bench. last week i made my -- cleared my intention to vote no on the confirmation of judge sotomayor to the united states supreme court, and i will do so for several reasons. first of all, judge sotomayor's record as a judge on the district court and court of appeals is generally in the mainstream. some of her decisions demonstrated the kind of result-oriented decision-making, one that suggests perhaps a liberal judicial activism that is too often steered the court in the wrong direction over the las

schumer will be recognized for five minutes. we will reserve his other five minutes for later on when we will be introducing judge sotomayor. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i want to welcome judge sotomayor. we are so proud of you in new york your whole family is exceptionally proud to be here today to support this historic nomination. our presence here today is about a nominee of who is extremely well qualified with experience on the district court and appellate court benches that is unmatched in recent history. it is about a nominee who has offered opinion after opinion that is smart, thoughtful, and judicially of modest. she has trouble -- she has stellar credentials bridge as toys been nominated to the bench, gone through confirmation hearings with bipartisan support most important, judge sotomayor's record speaks to judicial modesty, something that our friends on the right have been clamoring for in a way that no recent nominees has. it is the judicial record more than personal background that accurately measures how modest a judicial nominee will be. there are several ways of measuring modesty in the judicial record. judge sotomayor more

schumer and martinez. we have talked about mikulski's nine years, old europe, senator mccain and ten years, we talked about the kennedy 13.5 years. you know what we've not talked about, mrrman? how much these chemical, how much these biologics are costing patients. let me give you numbers. the whole point that patients have access to these drugs, 192,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2009 in american women. you know how much your septum costs? $4,000. you remember when we were outraged how much tax law costs? $4,000 a year, one of those chemical compounds cost $4,000 a year. we were outraged about that. this is 12 times the cost of that. it's a very good treatment. it's a very good medication but it's $48,000. rheumatoid arthritis, 1.3 million adults have rheumatoid arthritis are affected each year. $20,000 for remicade. 148,000 men and women diagnosed with colon cancer each year. to spend almost $2,000 a month or the patient with colon cancer that's got to spend $2,000 a week. what kind of progress is that, mr. chairman? >> mr. >> let me go into order. >> mr. chairman. >> let me go to barbara mikulski who i should have recognized a moment ago. >> a questi

mr. lieberman: i thank the chair. madam president, this amendment i'm introducing with senator mccain as my lead cosponsor and a strong bipartisan group of cosponsors, including senator reed of rhode island, senator snowe, senator schumer, senator inhofe, senator dodd, senator hutchison, senator collins, senator kyl, and senator cornyn, and i'm very grateful for that support. to state it briefly and then to go into some detail, this amendment would remove funding from this bill that was add by way of amendment in the armed services committee -- $438.9 million -- $439 million -- to build a second engine for the joint strike fighter plane. and i will argue on behalf of the amendment i've introduced with senator mccain and others that this is a waste of $439 million to buy a second engine for a plane that we don't need. in fact, estimates are that continuing the acquisition of this second engine will cost over $6 billion of taxpayer money that we don't need to spend because there has been a competition for the engine to be used in the joint strike fighter, which is now the heart and soul of our -- of america's hopes for the future when it comes to tactical aviation, particularly after the senate terminated the f-22 progra

hagan, begich, dorgan, baucus, nelson of nebraska, kohl, inouye, bennett of colorado, landrieu, and schumer. mr. reid: mr. president, i ask consent that the cloture vote on the substitute occur at 5:30 p.m. monday, august 3. if cloture is invoked, postcloture time be considered to have begun as if cloture had been invoked at 11:00 a.m. on monday morning. further, mr. president, i have a cloture motion at the desk on the bill itself. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: cloture motion: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on h.r. 299, the agriculture appropriations act for fiscal year 2010 signed by 17 senators as follows: mr. reid: i ask that reading of the names be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: again, you renew my request, mr. president, that the cloture vote occur on the substitute a 5:30 on monday, august 3. and if cloture is invoked, postcloture time be considered to have begun as if cloture had been invoked a 111:00 a.m. furt