The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MORNING BUSINESS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S5684-S5686 on July 15, 2013.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that we now proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam President, I rise today to talk about the balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution that I recently introduced with several of my colleagues. These cosponsors include Senators Manchin, Begich, McCaskill, Heitkamp and Tester.
Debates over the merits of balanced budget amendments have occurred for decades, and there is a wide range of conflicting thought on the topic. Proposing to amend the Constitution is something I do not take lightly. But after much thought and consideration, and having conversations with fellow Coloradans, I came to the conclusion that fundamental budgetary reform like this is necessary to restore Americans' confidence in our government and ensure long term fiscal health and stability.
I introduced the same balanced budget amendment in 2011 when there was still a great deal of uncertainty about our economy and its recovery. Although there has been economic progress, it is clear that we have not yet completely emerged from the downturn that began in 2008. It therefore remains critical that Congress continue to focus--in a bipartisan fashion on ways to promote job growth and economic recovery. It is to that end that I am proposing the idea of a balanced budget amendment to enforce budgetary discipline.
The proposal I am introducing requires the President to submit a balanced budget each year and ensures that our Federal Government spends no more money than it takes in, while allowing for exceptions in times of emergency. But most importantly my proposal takes steps to ensure that Congress doesn't make some of the same budgetary mistakes that got us into the mess we are in now. For example, my amendment prohibits deficit- busting tax breaks for Americans who earn $1 million or more per year unless the Federal Government is running a surplus. That is a commonsense approach that makes sense to Coloradans. And importantly, this amendment would shield Social Security in order to keep Congress from taking money from the trust fund to mask budget deficits. It is my hope that this amendment would prevent the unwise budgeting we have seen too often over the last decade while upholding the principle that we should pay for our government in a responsible manner, with waiver authority to be used only in exceptional circumstances. I think most Americans can agree to that. Coloradans certainly do.
As we all know, Congress will again debate spending and revenue issues very soon as we approach a new fiscal year and an imminent need to raise the debt ceiling if we are to avoid default on our debt obligations. The total national debt is projected to reach over $16.8 trillion at the end of 2013 and over $17.5 trillion in 2014. Coloradans find those figures alarming. We are on an unsustainable path and it is critical that Congress consider--as one tool--the type of discipline this balanced budget amendment would require. I would not suggest to my colleagues that this measure will solve all of our existing problems unilaterally, but it will help prevent the country from amassing massive debt in the future.
I know some of my colleagues are skeptical about any form of balanced budget amendment out of concern that it could be used to dismantle critical programs or force uncomfortable budgeting decisions that purportedly pick winners over losers. However, I truly believe a balanced approach such as the one I am introducing today will not require a slash-and-burn approach to programs that are the backbone of our national agenda, help grow our economy, and benefit hardworking American families. In fact, I believe the only true way to preserve the core programs that support America's seniors and provide care for the most disadvantaged members of our society, for example, is to ensure that we have the resources needed to fund them over the long term. Without fiscal reform, our social safety net programs will disappear. This result worries Coloradans.
The last time I introduced this amendment, I quoted progressive Senator Paul Simon, a Democrat from Illinois who championed the concept of a balanced budget amendment. I am going to do so again today--
because his words carry such resonance.
In debating the balanced budget amendment in 1993, Senator Simon said, ``I am here to tell you that the course we are on, unless it is changed soon, absolutely threatens all of the programs that you and I have fought for and believe in so strongly. The fiscal folly that we have followed for more than a decade has brought us to a crossroads. We face a basic decision, whether through default or through our actions to choose wisely the course that will lead us away from the brink.''
Senator Simon continued:
If we do not act, interest payouts will spiral upward until they consume not only Social Security but health care, education, transportation investments--every other need on our national agenda. My warning to you today is that a rising tide of red ink sinks all boats.
Senator Simon's caution is even more timely today, and I have the same concerns about the budgetary path we are on. We have a structural deficit and the only way to fix it is to fundamentally change the spending and revenue picture.
I have not given up hope that Congress may find common ground on a comprehensive plan to cut spending, reform the tax code, and shore up programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are critical to our Nation's middle class. For example, I laud the efforts of Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles and the many other advocates who are putting real ideas on the table to reduce deficits and debt. These are people working across the aisle every day to find common ground to reduce our national debt. With that spirit in mind, last fall I led a majority of members of the Colorado delegation both Democrats and Republicans on a letter to our respective leaders in the House and Senate to support a balanced, comprehensive debt deal, which includes spending cuts, new revenue, and responsible reforms to shore up our entitlement programs.
Because we have got to have the fortitude to ``go big,'' I endorse the general approach of the so-called Simpson-Bowles plan, which reforms all aspects of the budget. And I know many of my colleagues support that same framework. Finding agreement on comprehensive reform is the best possible action Congress can take to send a strong signal to main street businesses, financial markets and the American people that we are serious about stabilizing our budget for the long term. Similarly, this balanced budget amendment would chart a path toward long-term fiscal health and promote the kind of confidence and certainty we need to spur job creation, economic growth and prosperity for a growing middle class.
With that said, I am convinced we will need additional tools that force long-term fiscal discipline. That is why throughout the years I have supported many policies to combat deficits such as a Presidential line item veto, establishing a committee to reduce government waste and a ban on earmarks.
Today, I ask my colleagues to consider my reasonable proposal for a balanced budget amendment. The proposal may not be perfect, it may benefit from my colleagues' suggestions to improve it, and it may be just one piece of the larger fiscal puzzle. But I do hope that my colleagues will give this proposal serious consideration as we continue to debate the best way to eliminate the debt and deficit.
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL J. MORELL
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Michael J. Morell, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who will leave his current position on Friday, August 9, 2013, and retire at the end of September. Mr. Morell's career spans over 33 years in the CIA during which he distinguished himself as a patriot, leader, and friend of the Senate.
Michael Morell deserves the gratitude of the entire Nation for his three decades of selfless service at the CIA.
An Ohio native, Mr. Morell received a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Akron in 1980 and an M.A. in economics from Georgetown University in 1984.
Since joining the CIA in 1980, Michael's talents lifted him from being an analyst covering international energy issues to some of the toughest assignments that the CIA has to offer: Presidential Briefer, Associate Deputy Director, Director of Intelligence, Deputy Director, and toughest of all, twice he was called upon to serve as Acting Director. In each assignment, Michael provided exemplary leadership for the men and women of the Agency and demonstrated he was someone who knew how to manage operations, sharpen analysis, invest in new technologies, and assure the smooth functioning of the entire CIA workforce.
As the President's Daily Briefer, Michael was at President Bush's side on that horrific day in September 2001. He was there at President Obama's side as Deputy CIA Director when the United States brought justice to Osama bin Ladin in May 2011. These are only two examples out of many where Michael helped guide the Agency and the Nation through some of the most complex and challenging times in our recent history.
As the Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael has had frequent interaction with Senators and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His professionalism, mature judgment, frank and sage advice, and interpersonal skills earned him the respect and confidence of the committee. His sound judgment and candor also directly contributed to his successful representation of the CIA's interests before the committee and Congress.
As the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, we have had additional opportunities to see Michael's contributions to this Nation. We cannot speak of them here, but the American people should know that his service goes beyond the public record, and has spanned the globe.
Throughout his career, Michael Morell demonstrated a profound commitment to our Nation, selfless service to the CIA, deep concern for Agency officers and their families, and a commitment to excellence. Michael is the consummate intelligence professional whose performance personified those traits of courage, competency, and integrity that our Nation expects from its professional intelligence officers.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Michael Morell for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence Agency and the people of the United States. We also thank Michael's wife Mary Beth and his children, Sarah, Luke, and Peter, for their support and understanding, as well as their sacrifices in allowing Michael to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation against those who would do us harm.
We wish the Morell family all the best in the future.
TRIBUTE TO TIMOTHY P. IRELAND
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Timothy P. Ireland, Deputy Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, OCA, at the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who is retiring after a long and distinguished career of government service.
Tim is not well known to the American people, but his quiet service and unflappable demeanor here made him a friend to the Intelligence Committee and staff
After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in international relations, Tim continued his education, earning a master's degree and Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. After teaching for 2 years, Tim joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1981, as an officer in the Directorate of Intelligence, focusing on European political and military affairs.
Tim worked in a number of analytic and management positions in the Directorate of Intelligence, authored a National Intelligence Estimate, and served on the President's Daily Brief staff.
Throughout his career, Tim worked in both policy and intelligence community positions. He spent 2 years in the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military affairs working on arms control and strategic defense issues. For nearly 4 years he worked in the National Intelligence Council. Tim entered the field of resource management in 1991 with a tour in the Office of Comptroller. He subsequently served in senior resource management positions in the Directorate of Intelligence, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, CFO.
In this last capacity, Tim proved invaluable to the committee in understanding the CIA's programs and finances, giving direct, accurate answers to difficult questions. Twice, Tim served as the Acting Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, serving as the CIA's primary interface with congressional oversight committees, leadership, and Members. While serving in the offices of OCA and CFO, Tim was known for keeping the Congress fully and currently informed.
In these capacities, Tim had frequent interaction with Senators and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His professionalism, thoughtfulness, and frank responses earned him the respect and confidence of the committee. His friendly demeanor and candor helped him successfully represent the CIA's interests before the committee and Congress.
Tim Ireland throughout his career has shown a deep commitment to our national security, proud service to the CIA, and a calm yet thorough performance in his work. His more than 32 years of service as an intelligence officer has helped to keep our Nation and its citizens safe.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Tim Ireland for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence Agency and the people of the United States. We also want to thank Tim's wife Andy for her support and understanding, as well as her sacrifices in allowing Tim to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation.
We wish Tim and Andy Ireland all the best in the future.
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