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1A) American Foreign Policy

Whether or not Iraq under Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction is not relevant, and I know I keep getting asked this and my liberal friends keep pushing on this, when are we going to find the weapons of mass destruction? I do not care if we never find weapons of mass destruction. The fact is Saddam Hussein had a blood grudge against the people of the United States for what we did in eliminating him from power when he invaded Kuwait. We humiliated him in front of the world. He would have done everything possible to hurt and kill the people of the United States, the more power he got in his hands. And Iraq has vast new oil resources that are becoming available to it. Within a 5-year period had we not acted, Saddam Hussein would be the most economically powerful person not only in that region but in the world.

   And is there any doubt he would have used that power to overthrow the weak and the fat Saudi regime and thus he would have become even more powerful, perhaps the most powerful man on the Earth, and we were going to let that happen? A man who hated us and had a blood grudge against us? Maybe he did, maybe he did not have a nuclear weapons program; but with the tens of billions of dollars available to him, 5 years down the road he would have bought as many nuclear weapons from China or Korea as he wanted to buy. That was definitely a threat. And unlike President Clinton, our great President, George Bush, decided not just to pass it on to a future generation. Now that the people of America were focused and willing to do what was necessary for our security, President Bush prudently decided that taking Saddam Hussein out and working with the people of Iraq to build a democratic Iraq was the most important thing we could do for our national security, and I am sure that President Bush is going to leave to the next generation of Americans a world that is safer and more secure and with more opportunity than what his predecessor left the world with, which was he left us with every problem that he did not solve.

   I mean, President Clinton left us with the Taliban and al Qaeda; and, by the way, he also left us with a Korea that we now find has what? A nuclear weapon. By the way, the Clinton proposal that stopped the crisis over the nuclear weapons program in Korea was that President Clinton agreed to give lots and lots and lots of money to North Korea, one of the weirdest dictatorships in the world; and over the last 7 years, I guess it has been, over my objection and the gentleman from California's (Mr. Cox) and others, North

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Korea has been the largest recipient of American foreign aid of any country in Asia; and now they tell us, guess what, we fed their people, and they use their own money to develop a nuclear bomb. Surprise, surprise.

   If I have any complaint of our President during this crisis in our lead-up to Iraq was that he did not immediately talk about the moral basis for his decision-making. He was playing lots of games, and I am sure the State Department made him play those political power games at the United Nations and with NATO, but it took him a long time to do that, and he jumped through a lot of hoops trying to prove he was sincere; but I think that was a waste of our time, and, instead, it took him a while to get there, but when he gave a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, he laid the moral case out, and from that moment on we were out to liberate the people of Iraq, to work with them, to stand by them in building a more peaceful and a democratic society and to free them from this monster, Saddam Hussein, who not only had a blood grudge against the people of the United States but was the oppressor and the murderer of their people. So thus the moral case that the President made at AEI, I think it was a historic speech. I would recommend it to all of my colleagues, and I would suggest that was when our effort in Iraq took off. That was when the momentum was created that was unstoppable.

   And sometimes I am asked why did the Iraqis not just jump up and start supporting us as we predicted? What had happened was 10 years before under President Bush, Sr., we had let the Iraqis down and they were not certain when our forces came in that we would stay there and actually help them liberate themselves from their tyrannical regime. But I think there is every evidence now that that country is going in the right direction and that country will be a light for democracy, and we will use this victory to spread democratic government and peace throughout this troubled region, a region that was handed to us by George Bush's predecessor in flames. The Shiite demonstrations that we see are much smaller than the people can see on TV. The Shiite people of Iraq are Arab-speaking people. The Shiites of Iran are Persian. They are not the same group of people. And also the people of Iraq just freed themselves, the Shiites, of a monstrous dictatorship. They are not going to replace it with another dictatorship of clerics or anybody else.

   Our job in Iraq, as the President has stated, is to help those people build democracy, and we will not let anyone pressure their way into that government. I know the President has the respect of the people of the world now; and when he makes that statement, they listen to him unlike they would any other President.

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   So I have every confidence that we will not permit anti-democratic forces to pressure their way into power, and that we will work with the good people of Iraq in building the infrastructure of a system that will permit them to democratically elect their leaders. And, when they do, we will leave, if that is what they want us to do. We will be happy to leave. The President has made that clear. The people of the United States have made that clear. Because in building democracy in Iraq and helping the other people of that region to have democratic government, it helps in our own security.

   We are, with our commitment to freedom and democracy, building a better and more peaceful world. This is a world consistent with the dream of our Founding Fathers. This is a world that, again, is based on decision making, morally, in principle, based on decision making. That is the way to make a better world, not pragmatism that is making sort of power compromises and deals with people and regimes and gangsters.

   It is when we stand up for our principles and we try to build democratic societies, that is when things get better. That is what works in this world.

   So I am very grateful tonight to have had this opportunity to go into these details. We have challenges ahead of us, because there will always be people in the State Department and elsewhere who are thinking they are being pragmatic, but really are not living up to our principles. There always will be people who undercut our efforts and just do not believe that America can be a force for freedom overseas. That happened to President Reagan too, when he tried to fight the Soviets.

   But we can, with courage, with a commitment from our people, we can build a world that is more prosperous, we can build a world at peace, and we can build a world that is more free. And our greatest allies are the people of Iraq, the people of Afghanistan and the people everywhere in those Third World countries and other developing countries that long for democratic process and for a better life for them and their children.

1B) Energy Policy Act of 2003

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the `Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003'.

SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF INDEMNIFICATION AUTHORITY.

(a) INDEMNIFICATION OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION LICENSEES- Section 170c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(c)) is amended--

(1) in the subsection heading, by striking `LICENSES' and inserting `LICENSEES';

(2) by striking `licenses issued between August 30, 1954, and December 31, 2003' and inserting `licenses issued after August 30, 1954'; and

(3) by striking `With respect to any production or utilization facility for which a construction permit is issued between August 30, 1954, and December 31, 2003, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any license issued for such facility subsequent to December 31, 2003.'

(b) INDEMNIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTORS- Section 170d.(1)(A) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(d)(1)(A)) is amended by striking `, until December 31, 2004,'.

(c) INDEMNIFICATION OF NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS- Section 170k. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(k)) is amended--

(1) by striking `licenses issued between August 30, 1954, and August 1, 2002' and replacing it with `licenses issued after August 30, 1954'; and

(2) by striking `With respect to any production or utilization facility for which a construction permit is issued between August 30, 1954, and August 1, 2002, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any license issued for such facility subsequent to August 1, 2002.'

SEC. 403. MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT.

Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210) is amended--

(1) in the second proviso of the third sentence of subsection b.(1)--

(A) by striking `$63,000,000' and inserting `$94,000,000'; and

(B) by striking `$10,000,000 in any 1 year' and inserting `$15,000,000 in any 1 year (subject to adjustment for inflation under subsection t.)'; and

(2) in subsection t.(1)--

(A) by inserting `total and annual' after `amount of the maximum';

(B) by striking `the date of the enactment of the Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 1988' and inserting `July 1, 2003'; and

(C) by striking `such date of enactment' and inserting `July 1, 2003'.

SEC. 404. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LIABILITY LIMIT.

(a) INDEMNIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTORS- Section 170d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(d)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

`(2) In an agreement of indemnification entered into under paragraph (1), the Secretary--

`(A) may require the contractor to provide and maintain financial protection of such a type and in such amounts as the Secretary shall determine to be appropriate to cover public liability arising out of or in connection with the contractual activity; and

`(B) shall indemnify the persons indemnified against such liability above the amount of the financial protection required, in the amount of $10,000,000,000 (subject to adjustment for inflation under subsection t.), in the aggregate, for all persons indemnified in connection with the contract and for each nuclear incident, including such legal costs of the contractor as are approved by the Secretary.'.

(b) CONTRACT AMENDMENTS- Section 170d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(d)) is further amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following--

`(3) All agreements of indemnification under which the Department of Energy (or its predecessor agencies) may be required to indemnify any person under this section shall be deemed to be amended, on the date of enactment of the Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003, to reflect the amount of indemnity for public liability and any applicable financial protection required of the contractor under this subsection.'.

(c) LIABILITY LIMIT- Section 170e.(1)(B) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(e)(1)(B)) is amended by:

(1) striking `the maximum amount of financial protection required under subsection b. or'; and

(2) striking `paragraph (3) of subsection d., whichever amount is more' and inserting `paragraph (2) of subsection d.'.

SEC. 405. INCIDENTS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

(a) AMOUNT OF INDEMNIFICATION- Section 170d.(5) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(d)(5)) is amended by striking `$100,000,000' and inserting `$500,000,000'.

(b) LIABILITY LIMIT- Section 170e.(4) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(e)(4)) is amended by striking `$100,000,000' and inserting `$500,000,000'.

SEC. 406. REPORTS.

Section 170p. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(p)) is amended by striking `August 1, 1998' and inserting `August 1, 2013'.

SEC. 407. INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.

Section 170t. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(t)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and

(2) by adding after paragraph (1) the following:

`(2) The Secretary shall adjust the amount of indemnification provided under an agreement of indemnification under subsection d. not less than once during each 5-year period following July 1, 2003, in accordance with the aggregate percentage change in the Consumer Price Index since--

`(A) that date, in the case of the first adjustment under this paragraph; or

`(B) the previous adjustment under this paragraph.'.

SEC. 408. TREATMENT OF MODULAR REACTORS.

Section 170b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(5)(A) For purposes of this section only, the Commission shall consider a combination of facilities described in subparagraph (B) to be a single facility having a rated capacity of 100,000 electrical kilowatts or more.

`(B) A combination of facilities referred to in subparagraph (A) is 2 or more facilities located at a single site, each of which has a rated capacity of 100,000 electrical kilowatts or more but not more than 300,000 electrical kilowatts, with a combined rated capacity of not more than 1,300,000 electrical kilowatts.'.

SEC. 409. APPLICABILITY.

The amendments made by sections 403, 404, and 405 do not apply to a nuclear incident that occurs before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 410. CIVIL PENALTIES.

(a) REPEAL OF AUTOMATIC REMISSION- Section 234Ab.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2282a(b)(2)) is amended by striking the last sentence.

(b) Limitation for Not-for-Profit Institutions- Subsection d. of section 234A of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2282a(d)) is amended to read as follows:

`d.(1) Notwithstanding subsection a., in the case of any not-for-profit contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, the total amount of civil penalties paid under subsection a. may not exceed the total amount of fees paid within any one-year period (as determined by the Secretary) under the contract under which the violation occurs.

`(2) For purposes of this section, the term `not-for-profit' means that no part of the net earnings of the contractor, subcontractor, or supplier inures to the benefit of any natural person or for-profit artificial person.'.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 occurring under a contract entered into before the date of enactment of this section.

SEC. 421. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the `Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003.'

SEC. 422. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this subtitle:

(1) The term `advanced reactor design' means a nuclear reactor that enhances safety, efficiency, proliferation resistance, or waste reduction compared to commercial nuclear reactors in use in the United States on the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) The term `eligible project costs' means all costs incurred by a project developer that are reasonably related to the development and construction of a project under this subtitle, including costs resulting from regulatory or licensing delays.

(3) The term `financial assistance' means a loan guarantee, purchase agreement, or any combination of the foregoing.

(4) The term `loan guarantee' means any guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary to pay all or part of the principal and interest on a loan or other debt obligation issued by a project developer and funded by a lender.

(5) The term `project' means any commercial nuclear power facility for the production of electricity that uses one or more advanced reactor designs.

(6) The term `project developer' means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other entity that is primarily liable for payment of a project's eligible costs.

(7) The term `purchase agreement' means a contract to purchase the electric energy produced by a project under this subtitle.

(8) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Energy.

SEC. 423. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.

(a) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE- Subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Secretary may, subject to appropriations, make available to project developers for eligible project costs such financial assistance as the Secretary determines is necessary to supplement private-sector financing for projects if he determines that such projects are needed to contribute to energy security, fuel or technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. The Secretary shall prescribe such terms and conditions for financial assistance as the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate to protect the financial interests of the United States.

(b) REQUIREMENTS- Approval criteria for financial assistance shall include--

(1) the creditworthiness of the project;

(2) the extent to which financial assistance would encourage public-private partnerships and attract private-sector investment;

(3) the likelihood that financial assistance would hasten commencement of the project; and,

(4) any other criteria the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate.

(c) CONFIDENTIALITY- The Secretary shall protect the confidentiality of any information that is certified by a project developer to be commercially sensitive.

(d) FULL FAITH AND CREDIT- All financial assistance provided by the Secretary under this subtitle shall be general obligations of the United States backed by its full faith and credit.

SEC. 424. LIMITATIONS.

(a) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE- The total financial assistance per project provided by this subtitle shall not exceed fifty percent of eligible project costs.

(b) GENERATION- The total electrical generation capacity of all projects provided by this subtitle shall not exceed 8,400 megawatts.

SEC. 425. REGULATIONS.

Not later than 12 months from the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to implement this subtitle.

SEC. 431. PROJECT ESTABLISHMENT.

The Secretary is directed to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project.

SEC. 432. PROJECT DEFINITION.

The project shall conduct the research, development, design, construction, and operation of a hydrogen production co-generation testbed that, relative to the current commercial reactors, enhances safety features, reduces waste production, enhances thermal efficiencies, increases proliferation resistance, and has the potential for improved economics and physical security in reactor siting. This testbed shall be constructed so as to enable research and development on advanced reactors of the type selected and on alternative approaches for reactor-based production of hydrogen.

SEC. 433. PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

(a) MANAGEMENT- The project shall be managed within the Department by the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology.

(b) LEAD LABORATORY- The lead laboratory for the program, providing the site for the reactor construction, shall be the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (`INEEL').

(c) STEERING COMMITTEE- The Secretary shall establish a national steering committee with membership from the national laboratories, universities, and industry to provide advice to the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology on technical and program management aspects of the project.

(d) COLLABORATION- Project activities shall be conducted at INEEL, other national laboratories, universities, domestic industry, and international partners.

SEC. 434. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.

(a) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT- The project shall include planning, research and development, design, and construction of an advanced, next-generation, nuclear energy system suitable for enabling further research and development on advanced reactor technologies and alternative approaches for reactor-based generation of hydrogen.

(1) The project shall utilize, where appropriate, extensive reactor test capabilities resident at INEEL.

(2) The project shall be designed to explore technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of alternative approaches for reactor-based hydrogen production.

(3) The industrial lead for the project must be a United States-based company.

(b) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION- The Secretary shall seek international cooperation, participation, and financial contribution in this program.

(1) The project may contract for assistance from specialists or facilities from member countries of the Generation IV International Forum, the Russian Federation, or other international partners where such specialists or facilities provide access to cost-effective and relevant skills or test capabilities.

(2) International activities shall be coordinated with the Generation IV International Forum.

(3) The Secretary may combine this project with the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Program.

(c) DEMONSTRATION- The overall project, which may involve demonstration of selected project objectives in a partner nation, must demonstrate both electricity and hydrogen production and may provide flexibility, where technically and economically feasible in the design and construction, to enable tests of alternative reactor core and cooling configurations.

(d) PARTNERSHIPS- The Secretary shall establish cost-shared partnerships with domestic industry or international participants for the research, development, design, construction and operation of the demonstration facility, and preference in determining the final project structure shall be given to an overall project which retains United States leadership while maximizing cost sharing opportunities and minimizing federal funding responsibilities.

(e) TARGET DATE- The Secretary shall select technologies and develop the project to provide initial testing of either hydrogen production or electricity generation by 2010 or provide a report to Congress why this date is not feasible.

(f) WAIVER OF CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES- The Secretary is authorized to conduct the Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project without the constraints of DOE Order 413.3 as deemed necessary to meet the specified operational date.

(g) COMPETITION- The Secretary may fund up to two teams for up to one year to develop detailed proposals for competitive evaluation and selection of a single proposal and concept for further progress. The Secretary shall define the format of the competitive evaluation of proposals.

(h) USE OF FACILITIES- Research facilities in industry, national laboratories, or universities either within the United States or with cooperating international partners may be used to develop the enabling technologies for the demonstration facility. Utilization of domestic university-based testbeds shall be encouraged to provide educational opportunities for student development.

(i) ROLE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION- The Secretary shall seek active participation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission throughout the project to develop risk-based criteria for any future commercial development of a similar reactor architecture.

(j) REPORT- A comprehensive project plan shall be developed no later than April 30, 2004. The project plan shall be updated annually with each annual budget submission.

SEC. 435. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN PROGRAMS- The following sums are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for all activities under this subtitle except for reactor construction:

(1) For fiscal year 2004, $35,000,000;

(2) For each of fiscal years 2005-2008, $150,000,000; and

(3) For fiscal years beyond 2008, such funds as are needed are authorized to be appropriated.

(b) REACTOR CONSTRUCTION- The following sum is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for all project-related construction activities, to be available until expended, $500,000,000.

SEC. 441. URANIUM SALES AND TRANSFERS.

Section 3112 of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h-10) is amended by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the following:

`(d)(1)(A) The aggregate annual deliveries of uranium in any form (including natural uranium concentrates, natural uranium hexafluoride, enriched uranium, and depleted uranium) sold or transferred for commercial nuclear power end uses by the United States Government shall not exceed 3,000,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent per year through calendar year 2009. Such aggregate annual deliveries shall not exceed 5,000,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent per year in calendar years 2010 and 2011. Such aggregate annual deliveries shall not exceed 7,000,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent in calendar year 2012. Such aggregate annual deliveries shall not exceed 10,000,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent per year in calendar year 2013 and each year thereafter. Any sales or transfers by the United States Government to commercial end users shall be limited to long-term contracts of no less than 3 years duration.

`(B) The recovery and extraction of the uranium component from contaminated uranium bearing materials from United States Government sites by commercial entities shall be the preferred method of making uranium available under this subsection. The uranium component contained in such contaminated materials shall be counted against the annual maximum deliveries set forth in this section, provided that uranium is sold to end users.

`(C) Sales or transfers of uranium by the United States Government for the following purposes are exempt from the provisions of this paragraph--

`(i) sales or transfers provided for under existing law for use by the Tennessee Valley Authority in relation to the Department of Energy's high-enriched uranium or tritium programs;

`(ii) sales or transfers to the Department of Energy research reactor sales program;

`(iii) the transfer of up to 3,293 metric tons of uranium to the United States Enrichment Corporation to replace uranium that the Secretary transferred, prior to privatization of the United States Enrichment Corporation in July 1998, to the Corporation on or about June 30, 1993, April 20, 1998, and May 18, 1998, and that does not meet commercial specifications;

`(iv) the sale or transfer of any uranium for emergency purposes in the event of a disruption in supply to end users in the United States;

`(v) the sale or transfer of any uranium in fulfillment of the United States Government's obligations to provide security of supply with respect to implementation of the Russian HEU Agreement; and

`(vi) the sale or transfer of any enriched uranium for use in an advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with nonstandard fuel requirements.

`(D) The Secretary may transfer or sell enriched uranium to any person for national security purposes, as determined by the Secretary.

`(2) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), and in paragraph (1)(B), clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (1)(C), and paragraph (1)(D) of this subsection, no sale or transfer of uranium in any form shall be made by the United States Government unless--

`(A) the President determines that the material is not necessary for national security needs;

`(B) the price paid to the Secretary, if the transaction is a sale, will not be less than the fair market value of the material, as determined at the time that such material is contracted for sale;

`(C) prior to any sale or transfer, the Secretary solicits the written views of the Department of State and the National Security Council with regard to whether such sale or transfer would have any adverse effect on national security interests of the United States, including interests related to the implementation of the Russian HEU Agreement; and

`(D) neither the Department of State nor the National Security Council objects to such sale or transfer.

The Secretary shall endeavor to determine whether a sale or transfer is permitted under this paragraph within 30 days. The Secretary's determinations pursuant to this paragraph shall be made available to interested members of the public prior to authorizing any such sale or transfer.

`(3) Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter the Secretary shall undertake an assessment for the purpose of reviewing available excess Government uranium inventories, and determining, consistent with the procedures and limitations established in this subsection, the level of inventory to be sold or transferred to end users.

`(4) Within 5 years after the date of enactment of this subsection and biennially thereafter the Secretary shall report to the Congress on the implementation of this subsection. The report shall include a discussion of all sales or transfers made by the United States Government, the impact of such sales or transfers on the domestic uranium industry, the spot market uranium price, and the national security interests of the United States, and any steps taken to remediate any adverse impacts of such sales or transfers.

`(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term `United States Government' does not include the Tennessee Valley Authority.'.

SEC. 442. DECOMMISSIONING PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) PILOT PROGRAM- The Secretary shall establish a decommissioning pilot program to decommission and decontaminate the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor located in northwest Arkansas in accordance with the decommissioning activities contained in the August 31, 1998 Department of Energy report on the reactor.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $16,000,000.

Title IX – Research and Development

Subtitle D--Nuclear Energy

Sec..946..Alternatives to Industrial Radioactive Sources

 SEC. 943. ADVANCED FUEL CYCLE INITIATIVE.

   (a) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary, through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, shall conduct an advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program to evaluate proliferation-resistant fuel recycling and transmutation technologies which minimize environmental or public health and safety impacts as an alternative to aqueous reprocessing technologies deployed as of the date of enactment of this Act in support of evaluation of alternative national strategies for spent nuclear fuel and the Generation IV advanced reactor concepts, subject to annual review by the Secretary's Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee or other independent entity, as appropriate. Opportunities to enhance progress of this program through international cooperation should be sought.

   (b) REPORTS.--The Secretary shall report on the activities of the advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program as part of the Department's annual budget submission.

   SEC. 944. UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT.

   (a) ESTABLISHMENT.--The Secretary shall support a program to invest in human resources and infrastructure in the nuclear sciences and engineering and related fields (including health physics and nuclear and radiochemistry), consistent with departmental missions related to civilian nuclear research and development.

   (b) DUTIES.--In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall establish fellowship and faculty assistance programs, as well as provide support for fundamental research and encourage collaborative research among industry, national laboratories, and universities through the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative. The Secretary is encouraged to support activities addressing the entire fuel cycle through involvement of both the Offices of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology and Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The Secretary shall support communication and outreach related to nuclear science, engineering and nuclear waste management.

   (c) MAINTAINING UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TRAINING REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE.--Activities under this section may include--

   (1) converting research reactors currently using high-enrichment fuels to low-enrichment fuels, upgrading operational instrumentation, and sharing of reactors among institutions of higher education;

   (2) providing technical assistance, in collaboration with the United States nuclear industry, in relicensing and upgrading training reactors as part of a student training program; and

   (3) providing funding for reactor improvements as part of a focused effort that emphasizes research, training, and education.

   (d) UNIVERSITY NATIONAL LABORATORY INTERACTIONS.--The Secretary shall develop sabbatical fellowship and visiting scientist programs to encourage sharing of personnel between national laboratories and universities.

   (e) OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.--Funding for a research project provided under this section may be used to offset a

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portion of the operating and maintenance costs of a research reactor at an institution of higher education used in the research project.

   SEC. 945. SECURITY OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES.

   The Secretary, through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology shall conduct a research and development program on cost-effective technologies for increasing the safety of nuclear facilities from natural phenomena and the security of nuclear facilities from deliberate attacks.

   SEC. 946. ALTERNATIVES TO INDUSTRIAL RADIOACTIVE SOURCES.

   (a) SURVEY.--Not later than August 1, 2004, the Secretary shall provide to the Congress results of a survey of industrial applications of large radioactive sources. The survey shall--

   (1) consider well-logging sources as one class of industrial sources;

   (2) include information on current domestic and international Department, Department of Defense, State Department and commercial programs to manage and dispose of radioactive sources; and

   (3) discuss available disposal options for currently deployed or future sources and, if deficiencies are noted for either deployed or future sources, recommend legislative options that Congress may consider to remedy identified deficiencies.

   (b) PLAN.--In conjunction with the survey in subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a research and development program to develop alternatives to such sources that reduce safety, environmental, or proliferation risks to either workers using the sources or the public. Miniaturized particle accelerators for well-logging or other industrial applications and portable accelerators for production of short-lived radioactive materials at an industrial site shall be considered as part of the research and development efforts. Details of the program plan shall be provided to the Congress by August 1, 2004.

  

2A) Get the U.S. out of the U.N

 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul) is recognized for 5 minutes.

   Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the leadership of this body to bring a very important vote to the House floor.

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   I recently introduced H.R. 1146, the American Sovereignty Restoration Act, which would end our participation in the United Nations. Millions of Americans have begun to question why we continue to spend $300 million each year funding and housing an organization that is actively hostile to American interests. Surely Congress, which routinely spends 15 minutes renaming post offices, can spare 15 minutes to vote on this fundamental issue of American sovereignty.

   Obviously, many Americans now want to get out of the U.N. because they resent its refusal to sanction our war in Iraq. The administration deserves some credit for ultimately upholding the principle that American national sovereignty is not a matter of international consensus and that we do not need U.N. authorization to act.

   But the administration sent mixed signals by doing everything possible to obtain such authorization, and by citing U.N. resolutions as justification for our actions. The message seems to be that the United Nations is credible when we control it and it does what we want, but lacks all credibility when it refuses to do our bidding.

   Perhaps it is time to stop trying to manipulate the United Nations and start asserting our national sovereignty. If we do not, rest assured that the United Nations will continue to interfere, not only in our foreign policy, but in our domestic policies, as well. U.N. globalists are not satisfied by meddling only in international disputes; they increasingly want to influence our domestic, environmental, trade, labor, tax, and gun laws.

   U.N. global planners fully intend to expand the organization into a true world government, complete with taxes, courts, and possibly a standing army. This is not an alarmist statement; these goals are readily promoted under on the U.N.'s own Web site.

   U.N. planners do not care about national sovereignty. In fact, they are openly hostile toward it. They correctly view it as an obstacle to their plans. They simply are not interested in our Constitution and Republican form of government.

   The choice is very clear: we either follow the Constitution, or submit to U.N. global governance. American national sovereignty cannot survive if we allow our domestic laws to be crafted or even influenced by an international body. This needs to be stated publicly more often. If we continue down the U.N. path, America, as we know it, will cease to exist.

[Time: 19:30]

   Noted constitutional scholar Herb Titus has thoroughly researched the United Nations and its purported authority. Titus explains that the U.N. charter is not a treaty at all but rather a blueprint for a supernational government that directly violates the Constitution. As such, the charter is neither politically nor legally binding upon the American people or Government. The U.N. has no authority to make laws that bind American citizens because it does not derive its powers from the consent of the American people. We need to stop speaking of U.N. resolutions and edicts as if they represented legitimate laws or treaties. They do not.

   In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I am merely asking House leadership to schedule a vote on H.R. 1146, the American National Sovereignty Act. Americans deserve to know how their representatives stand on the critical issue of American sovereignty.
 

3A) Over-the-Road Bus Safety Act of 2003

  S. 929. A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for security improvements to over-the-road bus operations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

   Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senators HOLLINGS, HUTCHISON, LAUTENBERG, SMITH, and SNOWE in introducing the Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003. The purpose of the bill is to provide funding assistance for security improvements to the intercity bus industry. The legislation is the bipartisan product of work that occurred during the last Congress under the leadership of Senator Max Cleland.

   Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress and the Administration have taken extraordinary steps to improve security. We have enacted the Homeland Security Act, which consolidated 22 agencies in a new Department of Homeland Security. We also have enacted the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, ATSA, which closed security gaps at our nation's airports and largely transferred the responsibilities of the security of air transportation to the federal government. In addition, we've enacted the Maritime Transportation Security Act, MTSA, which, for the first time ever, established a framework for security at our nation's maritime ports. Yet, much remains to be done as we work to identify and close security gaps.

   As we have witnessed in other countries, bus transportation can be the target of terrorist attacks. This is further evidenced by the fact that terminals that have already implemented a passenger screening process have seen a rise in discarded weapons in bus stations. In our view, facility improvements and baggage screening efforts

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would be a significant step to improving bus security.

   Therefore, the bill we are introducing today authorizes $35 million for fiscal year 2003 and $99 million for fiscal year 2004 to fund an intercity bus security grant program that would be administered by the Secretary of Transportation. It would include a matching requirement that recipients of federal grants fund 10 percent of the security improvement expenses.

   Already, $15 million was appropriated for bus security grants in the fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act and another $10 million was appropriated in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This bill, if enacted, will authorize the funding already appropriated, along with an authorization of $99 million for fiscal year 2004 and, in turn, give Congress time to further study existing and future needs for bus transportation security and determine what, if any, changes should be made to the program.

   The bill will help improve bus security by authorizing grants for security improvements at terminals; for the installation of surveillance equipment; for improvements to protect or isolate the driver; and for other specified improvements. The legislation also would require the Department of Transportation to complete a preliminary report assessing the adequacy of over-the-road bus security and determine what, if any, additional steps should be taken to improve bus security.

   There have been several well-publicized bus accidents since September 11, 2001, including an accident on October 3, 2001, that involved an attack on the driver and claimed seven lives. Passing this measure will allow Congress to take short-term action that will have a beneficial effect on the security of the bus industry and does not preclude consideration of longer-term security policy considerations.

   Efforts to pass similar legislation is also underway in the House of Representatives, where the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, under Chairman Young's leadership, has already reported legislation to be considered by the full House.

   I want to thank Senators HOLLINGS, HUTCHISON, BREAUX, LAUTENBERG, SMITH, and SNOWE for joining me in this effort. I look forward to working with all members to move this legislation forward.

   I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

   There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

   S. 929

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

   SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003''.

   SEC. 2. EMERGENCY OVER-THE-ROAD BUS SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

    (a) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, shall establish a program for making grants to private operators of over-the-road buses for system-wide security improvements to their operations, including--

    (1) constructing and modifying terminals, garages, facilities, or over-the-road buses to assure their security;

    (2) protecting or isolating the driver;

    (3) acquiring, upgrading, installing, or operating equipment, software, or accessorial services for collection, storage, or exchange of passenger and driver information through ticketing systems or otherwise, and information links with government agencies;

    (4) training employees in recognizing and responding to security threats, evacuation procedures, passenger screening procedures, and baggage inspection;

    (5) hiring and training security officers;

    (6) installing cameras and video surveillance equipment on over-the-road buses and at terminals, garages, and over-the-road bus facilities;

    (7) creating a program for employee identification or background investigation;

    (8) establishing an emergency communications system linked to law enforcement and emergency personnel; and

    (9) implementing and operating passenger screening programs at terminals and on over-the-road buses.

    (b) REIMBURSEMENT.--A grant under this Act may be used to provide reimbursement to private operators of over-the-road buses for extraordinary security-related costs for improvements described in paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (a), determined by the Secretary to have been incurred by such operators since September 11, 2001.

    (c) FEDERAL SHARE.--The Federal share of the cost for which any grant is made under this Act shall be 90 percent.

    (d) DUE CONSIDERATION.--In making grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give due consideration to private operators of over-the-road buses that have taken measures to enhance bus transportation security from those in effect before September 11, 2001.

    (e) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.--A grant under this Act shall be subject to all the terms and conditions that a grant is subject to under section 3038(f) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 5310 note; 112 Stat. 393).

   SEC. 3. PLAN REQUIREMENT.

    (a) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary may not make a grant under this Act to a private operator of over-the-road buses until the operator has first submitted to the Secretary--

    (1) a plan for making security improvements described in section 2 and the Secretary has approved the plan; and

    (2) such additional information as the Secretary may require to ensure accountability for the obligation and expenditure of amounts made available to the operator under the grant.

    (b) COORDINATION.--To the extent that an application for a grant under this section proposes security improvements within a specific terminal owned and operated by an entity other than the applicant, the applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the applicant has coordinated the security improvements for the terminal with that entity.

   SEC. 4. OVER-THE-ROAD BUS DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``over-the-road bus'' means a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment.

   SEC. 5. BUS SECURITY ASSESSMENT.

    (a) IN GENERAL.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a preliminary report in accordance with the requirements of this section.

    (b) CONTENTS OF PRELIMINARY REPORT.--The preliminary report shall include--

    (1) an assessment of the over-the-road bus security grant program;

    (2) an assessment of actions already taken to address identified security issues by both public and private entities and recommendations on whether additional safety and security enforcement actions are needed;

    (3) an assessment of whether additional legislation is needed to provide for the security of Americans traveling on over-the-road buses;

    (4) an assessment of the economic impact that security upgrades of buses and bus facilities may have on the over-the-road bus transportation industry and its employees;

    (5) an assessment of ongoing research and the need for additional research on over-the-road bus security, including engine shut-off mechanisms, chemical and biological weapon detection technology, and the feasibility of compartmentalization of the driver; and

    (6) an assessment of industry best practices to enhance security.

    (c) CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY, LABOR, AND OTHER GROUPS.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with over-the-road bus management and labor representatives, public safety and law enforcement officials, and the National Academy of Sciences.

   SEC. 6. FUNDING.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out this Act $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and $99,000,000 for fiscal year 2004. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
 

3B) Tribute to the Chemical Weapons Working Group Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the Chemical Weapons Working Group, CWWG, for receiving the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission's 2003 Earth Day Award. Each year a dozen organizations in Kentucky receive this award for their outstanding commitment to the environment.

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