Max Cleland: “I rise today to address three issues on which we will be voting in the Senate on Monday: The railroad retirement reform…”

“I rise today to address three issues on which we will be voting in the Senate on Monday: The railroad retirement reform bill, the comprehensive energy legislation, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge legislation. First of all, I would like to express my support for the railroad retirement reform bill. As thousands of Georgians who have contacted my office in support of this legislation will state, action by the Senate on this legislation is long overdue. I was pleased to support the cloture vote that occurred yesterday to move to this legislation. The House of Representatives passed this legislation more than once by overwhelming, bipartisan majorities, and the Senate version has 74 cosponsors, including my sponsorship. I think this bill should receive the same opportunity for a vote. Not only would current and former employees benefit from this legislation but also the widows and widowers of former employees. This legislation is the result of a long effort by both industry and labor to reform the railroad retirement system. Not often does Congress have the opportunity to vote on a cooperative effort supported by virtually everybody affected in the industry. We have that opportunity now. We should take advantage of it. We would be remiss to ignore it and not support it.”