Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I thank Senator Collins for her leadership and for her illuminating the rest of the Senate. Maybe not everyone has as many trees as we do, and biomass. I appreciate what she has done.
I was proud to cosponsor this bill and be one of the leads on it, with Senator King. This amendment moves us forward in really recognizing the full benefits of the use of forest biomass as a homegrown energy solution. I also thank Senator Cantwell and Senator Murkowski for their work on this Energy bill and the inclusion of this amendment--an amendment that encourages interagency coordination to establish consistent policies relating to forest biomass energy.
We have often talked about how we don't want to have just one source of energy, whether hydro, nuclear--you name it. So we want to recognize the importance of this forest biomass energy and talk a little bit about it today.
I sent letters to the EPA and have spoken with administration officials, urging them to adopt a clear biomass accounting framework that is simple to understand and implement. Without clear policies that recognize the carbon benefits--and I will say that again: the carbon benefits--of forest biomass, private investment throughout the biomass supply chain will dry up and the positive momentum we have built toward a more renewable energy future will be lost.
Supporting homegrown energy is an important part in an ``all of the above'' energy strategy. Biomass energy is driving energy innovation in many rural communities. The forest industry in my State and those who work in that industry are already playing a significant role in the biomass energy economy. There is always room to do more.
I appreciate the discussions between my colleagues yesterday on the language of this amendment and am pleased we ultimately--including Senator Boxer's help and others'--found a solution that moves us forward. I know there is interest in continuing these conversations, and I look forward to doing so.
I thank Senator Collins.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I thank Senator Cardin and Senator Corker for their leadership and their bipartisan work to get these nominees through the Senate, as well as Senator McConnell and Senator Reid, who have been supportive of getting this done.
In fact, both of the nominees I am going to talk about for the important allies of Norway and Sweden may be a little bit of a surprise to everyone in the Chamber. The 11th and 12th biggest investors in the United States of America come from companies in Norway and Sweden, which are two of our biggest allies.
What is going on here? Well, this is actually the third time I have come to the floor this year urging Senator Cruz to remove his hold on these two nominees so that the Senate can move forward and fill these two vital diplomatic vacancies. Various reasons have been raised by him, both to colleagues and then publically.
I was hopeful. I know negotiations are going on, so I always give room for that. But this is not related to these two countries or these two people. I think that is important to remember. Often, our fights are about a particular post because of the post or a particular nominee. That is not what this is, so I am hopeful that this gives us more room to negotiate.
So what is going on here? Well, Norway has been without a confirmed ambassador for 859 days. There was an original nominee who did not work out, was withdrawn by the administration. Then this new nominee was put in and went through the committee without a problem, unlike the first nominee. It still remains that when you are in Norway--and a lot of Norwegians know about this--you haven't had an Ambassador from the United States of America for 859 days. You have ambassadors from Russia, China, but not from the United States of America. In the case of Sweden, it has been 468 days since the President nominated Azita Raji to be ambassador--again, someone who came through our committee without controversy. It is past time to get these nominees confirmed.
We need a U.S. Ambassador in Norway who is deeply committed to strengthening the relationship between our two countries. Sam Heins is our nominee. He is from Minnesota. He is the right person for the job, in addition to being an accomplished lawyer. He has demonstrated his devotion to leadership in the cause of advancing human rights. He founded, organized, and served as the first board chair of the Advocates for Human Rights, which responds to human rights abuses throughout the world. Obviously, this is something Norway cares a lot about, so he is a good fit for this country, not to mention that he is from Minnesota, the home of 1.5 million people of Norwegian descent, more than any other place in the world next to Norway.
Now we go to Sweden. Azita Raji is also an incredibly qualified nominee. She is a philanthropist, a community leader, and a former business leader. She served as a member of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, director of the National Partnership for Women and Families, and a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, an organization that supports international finance institutions.
These are qualified nominees, but you don't have to take my word for it. Here is what Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican colleague of the Presiding Officer's, said about Sam Heins and Azita Raji:
I believe both [nominees] are qualified . . . and we have significant interests in Scandinavia. My hope is that both nominees receive a vote in the Senate sooner rather than later.
He said this in part because for a while he had a hold. He resolved those issues. Senator Cotton has said he thinks these two nominees are no problem. As we know, the other Republicans on this committee have not raised any objections. They are right. We have significant interests in Scandinavia, and leaving these key positions vacant is a slap in the face to Sweden and Norway, which are two of our best economic and military allies.
In a December New York Times op-ed, former Vice President Walter Mondale--himself of Norwegian descent--highlighted the U.S. national security interest in confirming these nominees, saying: ``[I]n a time of dangerous international crises, we need to work with friends and allies, using all the tools of diplomacy.'' Vice President Mondale understands that now is not the time to forsake a 200-year-old diplomatic relationship.
Norway and Sweden share a vital security partnership. Norway is one of our country's strongest and most dependable international allies, a founding member of the NATO alliance, and its military works with the United States. This is key to my colleagues who care about the aggression of Russia.
Norway works with us in standing up to Russia's provocations in the Ukraine and in countering ISIS, the spread of violence, and Islamic extremism. May I say that Norway actually has a portion of its border that it shares with Russia.
Norway is also playing an important role in addressing the Syrian refugee crisis. It expects to take in as many as 25,000 refugees this year. It has already provided more than $6 million to Greece to help respond to the influx of refugees seeking a way to enter Europe.
I would also add from a military standpoint that Norway recently purchased 22 more fighter planes--22 more fighter planes, bringing their total to over 50--from Lockheed Martin, based in Senator Cruz's district in Fort Worth. That is where these planes are being built, and they are worth nearly $200 million apiece. That is what Norway is investing in the United States. They deserve an ambassador.
Sweden, like Norway, plays an important role in our national security. Sweden is a strong partner in our fight against ISIS, in our attempts to curb North Korea's nuclear program, in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and in promoting global democracy and human rights.
Sweden is also on the front lines of the Syrian refugee crisis. More than 1,200 refugees seek asylum in Sweden every day, and Sweden accepts more refugees per capita than any other country in the EU.
All of us on both sides of the aisle have talked about the importance of a strong Europe during this very difficult time. Yet every other major nation in Europe has an ambassador except for Sweden and Norway.
So I ask my friends and colleagues on the other side who are not obstructing these nominations to help us work this out with Senator Cruz because this has gone on for far too long. This isn't a joke. These are two major allies.
We also have economic relationships. As I mentioned, Norway represented the fifth fastest growing source of foreign direct investment in the United States between 2009 and 2013--that is in the world--and is the 12th largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States overall. Maybe they are too quiet about it and people don't realize it. We would never think of blocking an ambassador to England or to France, but right now the ambassadors to these two countries are being blocked.
There are over 300 American companies with a presence in Norway. By not having an ambassador in Norway, we are sending a message to one of the top investors in the country: Sorry, you are not important enough to us to have an ambassador in your country. But all the other major nations have an ambassador. In October, as I mentioned, they reiterated their commitment by buying all those fighter planes from the State of Texas, from Lockheed Martin.
Norwegian Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide said Norway's F-35 purchase marks ``the largest public procurement in Norwegian history.'' It has been 30 years since Norway ordered new combat planes, and instead of choosing a European manufacturer, whom did they choose? They chose a manufacturer in the United States, right in Texas. Do you think those other European countries don't have Ambassadors in Norway? They do. I hope Senator Cruz and his friends are listening to this right now because they chose to buy those planes from the United States, right from his home State of Texas.
Sweden, like Norway, is also one of the biggest investors in the United States. Sweden is the 11th largest direct investor in the United States. Swedish foreign direct investment in the United States amounts to roughly $56 billion and creates nearly 330,700 U.S. jobs. The United States is Sweden's fourth largest export market, with Swedish exports valued at an estimated $10.2 billion. Sweden, like Norway, deserves an ambassador.
Scandinavian Americans are understandably frustrated by the fact that Senator Cruz is obstructing these nominees. As the Senator from a State that is home to more Swedish Americans and Norwegian Americans than any other State, I know it because I hear it every day. I hear it from people across the country, and most importantly, I hear it from the Foreign Minister and others in countries who are waiting to get an ambassador.
So, again, we have an ambassador in France, we have one in England, and we have one in Germany. We have an ambassador in nearly every European nation but not in these two key Scandinavian countries.
There is really no doubt about the important relationship between our country and Norway and Sweden. We need to confirm Sam Heins and Azita Raji immediately.
I do appreciate the support of nearly every Republican Senator for these nominees, the support of the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Corker, the great leadership of Senator Cardin, the leadership of Senator Reid and Senator McConnell on these issues, and the leadership of my colleague Senator Franken whom we will hear from shortly. It is time to get these done.
263; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. I note that Senator Lee, as I assume he did with the other objections, was making this objection on behalf of Senator Cruz and that, secondly, that was the Ambassador to Norway whom I asked consent for.
I now ask unanimous consent for the Ambassador to Sweden.
148; that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. I believe we will now hear from Senator Franken, my colleague from the State of Minnesota.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source