Mr. KERRY . Madam President, I would like to submit for the RECORD a letter to our majority leader, Senator Daschle, regarding my request to hold all non-judicial nominations that come before the Senate until all holds are lifted on S. 1499, the American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2001. I want to make sure that my colleagues are aware of what I am doing and why.
As I just mentioned, my actions have everything to do with emergency assistance for small businesses. They are literally dying in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11. They badly need access to affordable financing and management counseling until business returns to normal, and the administration's approach is not adequately helping those who need it.
Senator Bond and I introduced S. 1499 on October 4 to address the needs of small businesses trying to hold on in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. For almost 2 months, emergency legislation with 63 sponsors has been blocked from being considered because the administration and two Republican Senators have chosen to put holds on legislation rather than debate the bill and cast a vote.
Today there is an article in the Miami Herald that says, ``.....[there aren't] any objections to having the Kerry -Bond bill come to the floor for a debate as long as the Administration's and the Small Business Administration's concerns were aired.'' That implies that we haven't given them a chance to express their concerns and to work with us to pass this bill, when we have.
We went to great efforts to work with SBA , Senator Kyl and his staff, and the administration. This has gone on long enough. I have not placed a hold on non-judicial nominees in haste. I do it because I have no alternative. Small businesses need assistance, the administration's approach isn't adequate to meet the needs of those businesses, and Senator Bond and I have a sensible approach to reach them. I ask my colleagues to lift their holds on the bill, let us debate the bill, and let us vote.
As I just mentioned, my actions have everything to do with emergency assistance for small businesses. They are literally dying in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11. They badly need access to affordable financing and management counseling until business returns to normal, and the administration's approach is not adequately helping those who need it.
Senator Bond and I introduced S. 1499 on October 4 to address the needs of small businesses trying to hold on in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. For almost 2 months, emergency legislation with 63 sponsors has been blocked from being considered because the administration and two Republican Senators have chosen to put holds on legislation rather than debate the bill and cast a vote.
Today there is an article in the Miami Herald that says, ``.....[there aren't] any objections to having the Kerry -Bond bill come to the floor for a debate as long as the Administration's and the Small Business Administration's concerns were aired.'' That implies that we haven't given them a chance to express their concerns and to work with us to pass this bill, when we have.
We went to great efforts to work with SBA , Senator Kyl and his staff, and the administration. This has gone on long enough. I have not placed a hold on non-judicial nominees in haste. I do it because I have no alternative. Small businesses need assistance, the administration's approach isn't adequate to meet the needs of those businesses, and Senator Bond and I have a sensible approach to reach them. I ask my colleagues to lift their holds on the bill, let us debate the bill, and let us vote.
