| 00:00:00 | THAT WE AGREE ON THAT. |
| 00:00:03 | AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WE HAVE JUST EXACTLY THAT PARTICULAR FIGURE -- $5,478,704 MILLION. |
| 00:00:17 | SO THAT WAS THE TABLE DATED JUNE 30 WE ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH THE TREASURY AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. |
| 00:00:26 | AND WE FIND OUT FROM THE TABLE ISSUED ON YESTERDAY CITING THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, SEPTEMBER 30, A MONTH AGO, HOW WELL WE DO AND WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD A DEFICIT OR WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD A SURPLUS. |
| 00:00:42 | SPECIFICALLY, DID WE HAVE TO BORROW MORE MONEY? |
| 00:00:45 | NOW REFERRING TO THE TABLE, WHICH IS IN THE RECORD, YOU'LL FIND OUT UNDER THE AMOUNT "CLOSE OF THIS MONTH," THE FIGURE OF $5,606,486,000,000. |
| 00:01:05 | SO TO THE TABLE ITSELF, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES ISSUED YESTERDAY -- YEAH, THAT'S THE LANGUAGE -- FIGURES OUT YESTERDAY SHOW THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RAN A SURPLUS. |
| 00:01:17 | .. ABSOLUTELY FALSE. THIS REPORTER OUGHT TO DO HIS WORK. |
| 00:01:19 | THIS CROWD IS THE LAYSIEST BUNCH I'VE EVER MET. |
| 00:01:24 | THEY NEVER HAVE ASKED OR KEPT UP OR CHECKED THE FACTS. |
| 00:01:31 | ERIC PI NEVADA. |
| 00:01:32 | EN. |
| 00:01:33 | ALL HE'S GOT TO DO IS NOT SPREAD RUMORS. |
| 00:01:35 | DON'T GET INTO THE POLITICAL MESSAGE -- MESSAGE, MESSAGE, MESSAGE. |
| 00:01:39 | OH, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WE ALL ARE RUNNING THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR, SURPLUS, SURPLUS, LOOK WHAT WE HAVE WEIGH DONE DONE. |
| 00:01:49 | FALSE. THE ACTUAL FIGURE SHOWS THAT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR UNTIL NOW WE HAD, IN OTHER WORDS, TO BORROW $127 $127,800,000,000. |
| 00:02:05 | NOW, THAT'S INCREASING THE NATIONAL DEBT. |
| 00:02:10 | THAT'S THE DEFICIT -- $127. |
| 00:02:15 | 8 BILLION. |
| 00:02:16 | I CHECKED THIS WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. |
| 00:02:19 | AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE THEIR INTERPOLATION OF THE VARIOUS RECORDS. |
| 00:02:22 | I HAVE BEEN REPORTEDING, AS YOU'LL FIND IN THE TABLE, INSERT THE A $103 BILLION DEFICIT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, AS OF THE C. |
| 00:02:35 | B.O., JUNE 30 FIGURE. |
| 00:02:37 | WAIT A MINUTE. IT IS WAY MORE THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT. |
| 00:02:39 | IF IT IS $127 BILLION RATHER THAN $103 BILLION. |
| 00:02:46 | THEY SAY, IT IS SOME UNACCOUNTED BALANCES. |
| 00:02:49 | IT MIGHT BE INSTEAD OF $103 BILLION, $112 BILLION. |
| 00:02:56 | CONSCIENTIOUSLY WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THE TRUTH TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 00:02:59 | WE HAVE THOSE FIGURES HERE AND THIS PARTICULAR TABLE -- IN THIS PARTICULAR TABLE AND WE CAN ENLARGE IT FOR THE VIEWING SENATORS HERE. |
| 00:03:11 | AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE SAID HERE. |
| 00:03:13 | WE'VE GOT $5,478. |
| 00:03:16 | 7 BILLION. |
| 00:03:19 | AND NOW IT'S GONE UP INSTEAD OF $5,582 BILLION, IT'S GONE TO $5,606 BILLION. |
| 00:03:31 | SO YOU CAN SEEM WHEN WE GOT TO THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, NOT THE PROJECTIONS, NOT THE GUESSES, WHATEVER IT IS, WE HAD TO BORROW, OR WE HAD A DEFICIT OF $127 BILLION. |
| 00:03:45 | THAT'S GOING UP, UP, AND AWAY BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WE DID BETTER -- WELL, WE DIDN'T DO BETTER IN 1997, THE PREVIOUS YEAR. |
| 00:03:57 | BUT I SHOULD SAY THAT THE DEFICITS HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN, DOWN AND THEY HAD PROJECTED, FOR EXAMPLE, NEXT YEAR $82 BILLION DEFICIT, COMING DOWN FROM THE $127 BILLION. |
| 00:04:12 | OR I SHOULD SAY $103 BILLION AS IT'S SHOWN ON THIS PARTICULAR CHART. |
| 00:04:16 | NOW, INSTEAD OF $10 3W BILLION IT IS GOING TO $127 BILLION. |
| 00:04:21 | YOU CAN SEE AT A GLANCE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER $100 BILLION NEXT YEAR. |
| 00:04:25 | AND LOOKING AT THE FACT ISS, YOU CAN FIND THE EDITORIAL IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" TO THE EFFECT THAT WE'VE ALREADY SPENT $30 BILLION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY MONEYS AND WE'RE ALL RUNNING AROUND IN A CIRCLE, OH, I DON'T WANT TO TOUCH -- I DON'T, NO, I'M NOT GOING TO TOUCH. |
| 00:04:48 | THEY'VE ALREADY TOUCHED TO THE TUNE OF $30 BILLION. |
| 00:04:50 | THIS CONGRESS, THE HOUSE AND SENATE, REPUBLICAN AN DEMOCRAT, ALL OF US. |
| 00:04:56 | WE GOT TO GET THE TRUTH OUT. |
| 00:04:58 | EVEN THEN, FIGURING HOW THEY GET DOWN TO A SURPLUS, IS THESE PARTICULAR FIGURES THAT WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS ANOTHER CONFERENCE ONGOING AT THE MINUTE -- THE AIRPORT TRUST FUND. |
| 00:05:12 | WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF DANGERS WITH RESPECT TO THE AIRPORTS. |
| 00:05:15 | IT'S GETTING UNSAFE TO FLY. |
| 00:05:18 | WE NEED BETTER RADAR, WE NEED MORE RUNWAYS. |
| 00:05:20 | WE NEED MORE AIRPORTS. |
| 00:05:22 | WE NEED BETTER CONTROLS, BETTER CONTROL TOWERS, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAVE KIND KIND. |
| 00:05:27 | WE'RE BEING TAXED FOR IT. |
| 00:05:29 | WE ALL HERE FLY, AND WE PAY THE TAX AS AIRLINE TRAVELERS. |
| 00:05:36 | BUT $11 BILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON ANY AND EVERYTHING OTHER THAN AIRPORTS. |
| 00:05:42 | AND IT SHOWS THAT IT'S GOING UP $13 BILLION OR UNDER THE BUDGET TO $23 BILLION. |
| 00:05:47 | WE GOT THE MONEY BUT WE DON'T SPEND IT ON THE AIRPORTS FOR THE HIGHWAYS. |
| 00:05:54 | AND ACTUALLY HERE'S WHAT WE'VE ALREADY BORROWED FROM SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 00:05:59 | THEY'VE BEEN WRITING THESE EDITORIALS TO THE EFFECT, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHETHER WE BORROWED FROM IT OR NOT. |
| 00:06:06 | DICKENS IT DOESN'T. |
| 00:06:09 | THESE ARE JUST I. |
| 00:06:10 | O.U.'S IN THE DESK DRAWER. |
| 00:06:11 | I DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND HERE IN THE YEAR 2012 WHEN WE NEED TO RAISE TAXES IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS. |
| 00:06:27 | THE QUARTER OF EACH YEAR AND IF YOU DON'T DO IT BY THE THIRD QUARTER, WELL OUT YOU GO. |
| 00:06:33 | THAT'S THE WALL STREET MENTALITY. |
| 00:06:36 | OURS SHOULD BE THE LONG-RANGE AND WHERE ARE WE HEADED? |
| 00:06:39 | AND YOU'VE GOT THERE IN THE DESK DRAWER RIGHT NOW $1,859 BILLION I. |
| 00:06:49 | O.U.'S, NOT ONLY IN MEDICARE, MILITARY RETIREMENT, CIVILIAN RETIREMENT. |
| 00:06:54 | THESE -- DON'T WANT TO TOUCH SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 00:06:57 | I DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THE MILITARY RETIREMENT FUND. |
| 00:06:59 | I DON'T WANT TO BORROW FROM THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND. |
| 00:07:03 | THE HIGHWAYS, THE AIRPORTS. |
| 00:07:05 | SO WE JUST BRING THAT TO HAVE A MOMENT OF TRUTH HERE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE THIS MORNING FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT, WAIT A MINUTE -- I BETTER BRING IT BACK UP. |
| 00:07:18 | I WANT TO SHOW YOU BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER HEADLINE STORY ABOUT A 1% ACROSS-THE-BOARD. |
| 00:07:24 | OR 1. |
| 00:07:25 | 5%. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR $5 BILLION, MR. |
| 00:07:27 | PRESIDENT. AND NOW WE'VE GOT THE HOUSE, WE'VE GOT THE SENATE, WE'VE GOT THE LEADERSHIP, WE'VE GOT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT HERE IN THE NEXT TEN DAYS. |
| 00:07:35 | IF WE CAN ONLY AGREE TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND $5 BILLION. |
| 00:07:39 | EITHER CUT $5 BILLION IN SPENDING OR RAISE TAXES IN $5 BILLION OR DO WHATEVER WE'VE GOT TO DO, IN OTHER WORDS TO FIND -- CUT ACROSS-THE-BOARD. |
| 00:07:48 | THAT'S $5 BILLION. |
| 00:07:50 | WELL, HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS. |
| 00:07:51 | THE INTEREST COST IS $356 BILLION ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW. |
| 00:07:58 | I HAVEN'T GOT AN UPDATED FIGURE ON THAT. |
| 00:08:00 | I KNOW SINCE WE'VE HAD TWO INITIATIVES BY MR. |
| 00:08:03 | GREENSPAN THIS YEAR THAT IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THAN THAT $356 BILLION. |
| 00:08:09 | BUT IF YOU SEE GOING BACK TO WHEN WE DID LAST BALANCE THE BUDGET -- WE HAD A SURPLUS UNDER PRESIDENT JOHNSON. |
| 00:08:18 | THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO PRESIDENT EISENHOWER, WHEN THEY KEPT A DIFFERENT SET OF BOOKS THEN. |
| 00:08:24 | KEEPING THE SAME SET OF BOOKS THAT WE HAD BACK 30 YEARS AGO UNDER PRESIDENT JOHNSON, WHEN WE WERE HERE AND WE HAD A SURPLUS, MR. |
| 00:08:33 | PRESIDENT, THE INTEREST COSTS ON THE NATIONAL DEBT WAS ONLY $16 BILLION. |
| 00:08:38 | HERE THE INTEREST COSTS ON THE NATIONAL DEBT IS $356 BILLION. |
| 00:08:44 | IF WE WOULD HAVE JUST STAYED TIE-TIE WITH THE BOARD, HELD THE LINE, PAID FOR WHAT WE GOT GOT, WE WOULD HAVE HAD AND WOULD HAVE THIS MORNING NOT $5 BILLION, WE'D HAVE $340 BILLION TO INCREASE THE AIRPORTS, TO INCREASE MEDICARE, TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY, TO INCREASE DEFENSE. |
| 00:09:09 | WE COULD HAVE A TAX CUT AND WE COULD PAY DOWN THE DEBT IF WE HAD THE $340 BILLION. |
| 00:09:14 | THE HEADLINE OUGHT TO READ "LAST YEAR WE INCREASED TAXES. |
| 00:09:19 | " WHY? |
| 00:09:20 | WE INCREASED THE INTEREST COSTS BECAUSE WE INCREASED THE DEBT. |
| 00:09:24 | WHEN YOU INCREASE THE DEBT SOME $127 BILLION, YOU INCREASE THE INTEREST COSTS, WHICH RIGHT NOW ARE RUNNING AT $1 BILLION A DAY. |
| 00:09:40 | YOU'VE GOT TO PAY IT. |
| 00:09:41 | AND WORST THAN THE REGULAR TAXES, LIKE SALES TAX, YOU CAN GET A SCHOOL, GASOLINE TAX, WE GET ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR IT. |
| 00:09:51 | LAST YEAR THIS GOVERNMENT INCREASED TAXES, AND THEY'RE DETERMINED TO INCREASE TAXES TODAY, THIS YEAR AND IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, ALL THE TIME TALKING ABOUT SURPLUSES, ALL THE TIME TALKING ABOUT CUTTING SPENDING, ALL THE TIME TALKING ABOUT CUTTING TAXES. |
| 00:10:09 | NOW, MR. |
| 00:10:10 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 00:10:18 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA. |
| 00:10:20 | MR. |
| 00:10:21 | MACK: MR. |
| 00:10:22 | PRESIDENT, BEFORE I MAKE SOME REMARKS WITH RESPECT TO THE LEGISLATION BEFORE US, I HAVE EIGHT UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET DURING TODAY'S SESSION OF THE SENATE. |
| 00:10:30 | THEY'VE ALL BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINORITY LEADER. |
| 00:10:32 | SO I WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THESE REQUESTS BE AGREED TO AND THAT THESE REQUESTS BE PRINTED IN THE RECORD. |
| 00:10:37 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION? |
| 00:10:39 | HEARING NO OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 00:10:40 | MR. |
| 00:10:41 | MACK: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 00:10:42 | PRESIDENT. MR. |
| 00:10:43 | PRESIDENT, TODAY I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE VERY IMPORTANT TRADE PACKAGE THE SENATE IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING CONSIDERING. |
| 00:10:51 | AT A TIME WHEN OUR GLOBAL MARKETPLACE IS EXPANDING FASTER THAN EVER, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE POOREST COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND. |
| 00:10:57 | THIS COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE USES TRADE TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING FOR BROADER ACCESS TO AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES TO THESE MARKETS. |
| 00:11:07 | WHILE MANY BELIEVE THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANSWERS FOR THESE UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES MAY LIE IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS FOUND BY FACILITATING DIRECT PRIVATE INVESTMENT. |
| 00:11:18 | MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THE PLIGHT OF ONE OF THESE COUNTRIES WHICH I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND THIS PAST WEEKEND. |
| 00:11:23 | I SPENT TWO DAYS IN HAITI, MEETING WITH POLITICAL, BUSINESS, AND HUMANITARIAN GROUPS. |
| 00:11:31 | BY FAR, THE MOST DRAMATIC PORTION OF MY TRIP WAS WITNESSING THE EXTREME POVERTY AND DESPAIR WHICH GRIPS THIS NATION. |
| 00:11:38 | I SAW THE FACE OF AN ECONOMY SUFFERING FROM 17% INFLATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT BETWEEN 60% AND 80%. |
| 00:11:48 | LET ME TELL THE STORY OF ONE LITTLE BOY THAT I MET. |
| 00:11:51 | A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY, WHO THROUGH A HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION -- ONLY THROUGH SUPPORT OF PRIVATE DONATIONS -- IS ABLE TO OBTAIN AN EDUCATION. |
| 00:12:02 | AS A TOOL TO ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC STABILIZATION, AID IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. |
| 00:12:08 | MANY CHILDREN JUST AREN'T ABLE TO STAY IN SCHOOL. |
| 00:12:12 | THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR FAMILY'S SURVIVALMENT AND AGAIN, I JUST MIGHT MAKE A -- SURVIVAL. |
| 00:12:21 | AND AGAIN, I JUST MIGHT MAKE A POINT. |
| 00:12:23 | A GOOD NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE OF HAITI, THE PER CAPITA INCOME IS AROUND $50 A YEAR. |
| 00:12:27 | I MEAN, THE STRAIGHT CALCULATION OF THE PER CAPITA INCOME IS ABOUT $500. |
| 00:12:33 | BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAKEUP OF THAT DISTRIBUTION, YOU CAN SEE EASILY THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN HAITI THAT LIVE WITH A PER CAPITA INCOME OF AROUND $50. |
| 00:12:49 | IF THESE CHILDREN ARE TO HAVE A FUTURE, REVITALIZATION AND EXPANSION OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ARE NEEDED TO REACH THE GOAL OF ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY. |
| 00:12:57 | BY CREATING A FRAMEWORK FOR USING TRADE AND INVESTMENT AS A DEVELOPMENT TOOL, THE U. |
| 00:13:02 | S. WILL BE FOSTERING REFORM AT THE ECONOMIC BASE OF THESE COUNTRIES, TAKING DIRECT AIM AT LOWERING UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGH INFLATION RATES. |
| 00:13:11 | THIS LEGISLATION CREATES THIS FRAMEWORK BY EXTENDING ENHANCED TRADE BENEFITS TO THE COUNTRIES OF THE CARIBBEAN BASIN. |
| 00:13:19 | SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, U. |
| 00:13:23 | S. IMPORTS FROM CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN AT A DISTINCT DISADVANTAGE. |
| 00:13:27 | THE MEASURE WOULD BUILD ON THE EXISTING CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE PROGRAM, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS C. |
| 00:13:35 | B.I., BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL TRADE BENEFITS TO CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH MEXICO AND CANADA CURRENTLY ENJOY. |
| 00:13:40 | SINCE ITS INCEPTION, C. |
| 00:13:42 | B.I. HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES, HELPING TO PROMOTE REGIONAL SECURITY AND STABILITY FOR OUR CARIBBEAN NEIGHBORS. |
| 00:13:53 | OPENING THIS MARKET EVEN FURTHER, PARTICULARLY FOLLOWING THE RECENT DEVASTATION INFLICTED BY HURRICANES, WE HELP TO STIMULATE JOB GROWTH BY INCREASING EXPORTS AND EXPANDING MARKET ACCESS TO THESE COUNTRIES FOR U. |
| 00:14:06 | S. BUSINESSES. MR. |
| 00:14:07 | PRESIDENT, ANOTHER IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THIS TRADE PACKAGE ESTABLISHES U. |
| 00:14:10 | S. SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. |
| 00:14:14 | THE U. |
| 00:14:15 | S. STANDS TO BENEFIT A GREAT DEAL FROM A STRONG AND PROSPEROUS AFRICA. |
| 00:14:20 | BY FOST EGG GROWTH-ORIENTED ECONOMIC POLICIES, WE WILL HELP TO SUPPORT BROADER ACCESS TO AFRICAN MARKETS FOR AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES. |
| 00:14:29 | SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA MAKES UP A MARKET OF MORE THAN 700 MILLION PEOPLE AND IS POTENTIALLY ONE OF THE LARGEST MARKETS IN THE WORLD. |
| 00:14:36 | AS ECONOMIC REFORMS AND MARKET-OPENING MEASURES SPUR GROWTH IN AFRICA, IT WILL CREATE NEW AND BIGGER MARKETS FOR U. |
| 00:14:44 | S. EXPORTERS. |
| 00:14:45 | A PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE ALBEIT IMPORTANT PROVISION INCLUDED IN BOTH THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT AND THE CARIBBEAN BASIN TRADE ENHANCEMENT ACT, DEALS WITH TEXTILES. |
| 00:14:59 | THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY HAS HISTORICALLY PROVIDED THE FIRST STEP TOWARD INDUSTRIALIZATION IN MANY COUNTRIES. |
| 00:15:04 | THIS IS BECAUSE PRODUCTION IS FAIRLY SIMPLE, CAN BE DONE A SMALL SCALE, AND OFTEN USES LOCALLY ABUNDANT RAW MATERIAL N. |
| 00:15:12 | SEEKING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE U. |
| 00:15:15 | S. TEXTILE INDUSTRY, THIS LEGISLATION HAS SOUGHT COMPROMISE BY RESTRICTING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO APPAREL PRODUCED WITH U. |
| 00:15:22 | S. FABRIC AND YARNS. |
| 00:15:23 | ADDITIONALLY, THIS LEGISLATION PROVIDES STRONG PROTECTIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL TRANSSHIPMENT OF GOODS THROUGH AFRICA OR ELIGIBLE C. |
| 00:15:31 | B.I. COUNTRIES. |
| 00:15:32 | WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THESE COUNTRIES DO NOT BECOME STOP-OVER POINTS FOR PRODUCTS FROM COUNTRIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LEGISLATION. |
| 00:15:41 | MR. |
| 00:15:42 | PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE GROWTH WE HAVE ENJOYED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 00:15:46 | SINCE 1994, INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS CREATED MORE THAN 11 MILLION AMERICAN JOBS AND ACCOUNTS FOR POSITIVE% OF OUR NATION'S -- 30% OF OUR NATION'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. |
| 00:15:58 | IMPORTS HAVE HELD TO HOLD DOWN INFLATION, LOWER THE COST OF PRODUCTION, PROVIDE GREATER CHOICE TO CONSUMERS, AND HAVE GIVEN INCENTIVES TO RAISE PRODUCTIVITY. |
| 00:16:08 | AS EMERGING MARKET SEEKS TO GROW, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE UNITED STATES TAKE THE LEAD IN OFFERING THESE COUNTRIES INCENTIVES TO CONTINUE THEIR ECONOMIC REFORMS. |
| 00:16:17 | BY DOING, SO WE WILL BE PROVIDING THE CITIZENS OF THESEY AMERICANING COUNTRIES WITH MORE JOBS, MORE OPPORTUNITY AND GENUINE HOPE. |
| 00:16:26 | I BELIEVE A STRONG TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BEST FORM OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE WE CAN OFFER ANOTHER COUNTRY. |
| 00:16:31 | I THANK THE CHAIR, AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 00:16:49 | MRS. |
| 00:16:50 | MURRAY: MR. PRESIDENT? |
| 00:16:51 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON. |
| 00:16:52 | MRS. |
| 00:16:53 | MURRAY: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPEAK AS IF IN MORNING BUSINESS. |
| 00:16:55 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 00:16:58 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. |
| 00:17:01 | MR. |
| 00:17:02 | ROTH: RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT. |
| 00:17:04 | HOW LONG WOULD THE -- MRS. |
| 00:17:06 | MURRAY: SEVEN MINUTES. |
| 00:17:07 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:17:08 | MRS. |
| 00:17:09 | MURRAY: MR. |
| 00:17:10 | PRESIDENT, I THANK MY COLLEAGUE. |
| 00:17:11 | MR. |
| 00:17:12 | PRESIDENT, WE ARE NEARING THE END OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND THERE WERE INFERENCES MADE ON THE FLOOR YESTERDAY THAT THE CLASS-SIZE INITIATIVE SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THE FINAL BUDGET AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CLAIMED THAT THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INSIST THAT WE HIRE MORE TEACHERS TO REDUCE CLASS SIZE. |
| 00:17:29 | WELL, MR. |
| 00:17:30 | PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY TO CLARIFY THE PRESIDENT'S IMPORTANT AND AUTHORIZED ROLE IN FIGHTING FOR SMALLER CLASSES. |
| 00:17:38 | I'VE ALSO COME TO THE FLOOR TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS YEAR -- THIS YEAR -- WE HAVE SMALLER CLASS SIZES, WHERE DISCIPLINE HAS BEEN RESTORED AND KIDS CAN LEARN THE BASICS. |
| 00:17:50 | BECAUSE LAST YEAR, CONGRESS MADE A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT AND A BIPARTISAN COMMITMENT TO HIRE 100,000 NEW TEACHERS IN ORDER TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES IN FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD GRADES. |
| 00:18:01 | TODAY, AS THIS BUDGET PROCESS WINDS DOWN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR AGREEMENT IS NOT PUSHED ASIDE. |
| 00:18:07 | LET ME REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT THE PRESIDENT DOES HAVE THE AUTHORITY IN THE CONSTITUTION TO REGISTER HIS OPINION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE BUDGET IS ACCEPTABLE. |
| 00:18:16 | IN FACT, THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE JUST THE AUTHORITY, HE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER ARTICLE 1, SECTION 7, TO RETURN BILLS WITH HIS OBJECTIONS THAT HE DOESN'T APPROVE OF. |
| 00:18:28 | AND I'M GLAD THE PRESIDENT HAS THAT AUTHORITY AND THAT HE WILL USE IT IF THIS CONGRESS DOESN'T GUARANTEE CLASS-SIZE REDUCTIONS. |
| 00:18:35 | AND 38 SENATORS SIGNED A LETTER SAYING WE WOULD STAND BEHIND HIS THREAT ENED VETO, BECAUSE WE AGREE THAT -- THREATENED VETO BECAUSE WE AGREE THAT CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION IS CRITICAL. |
| 00:18:47 | MR. PRESIDENT, IN TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN EACH CLASSROOM, I'VE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS. |
| 00:18:50 | IN MARCH, I WAS TOLD IT WASN'T THE RIGHT TIME. |
| 00:18:53 | IN THE SUBCOMMITTEE, I WAS TOLD WE WEREN'T ALLOW TO DO OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 00:18:57 | IN FULL COMMITTEE, I WAS TOLD, IT'S TOO CONTROVERSIAL. |
| 00:19:00 | AND THEN WHEN I GOT TO THE FLOOR, I WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT WAS WRITTEN. |
| 00:19:07 | IF WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO TELL KIDS THEY WILL HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES NEXT YEAR, AND WE CAN'T TELL OUR TEACHERS THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR JOBS NEXT YEAR. |
| 00:19:19 | MR. |
| 00:19:20 | PRESIDENT, I'VE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS AND I'VE WAITED, BUT I'M TIRED OF WAITING, AS I SENSE THAT THIS CONGRESS IS TRYING TO UNDO OUR BIPARTISAN COMMITMENT. |
| 00:19:29 | WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL STUDENTS? |
| 00:19:32 | CONGRESS HAS TO WRITE THE ESEA AND UNTIL THEN YOU HAVE TO LEARN YOUR ABC'S IN A CLASS WITH 35 STUDENTS? |
| 00:19:37 | TO ME THAT, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. |
| 00:19:39 | I'M NOT GOING TO TELL THEM THAT. |
| 00:19:40 | IF THIS CONGRESS FEELS SO STRONGLY THAT GUARANTEEING SMALL CLASS SIZE IS NOT IMPORTANT, YOU GIVE THEM YOUR EXCUSES. |
| 00:19:47 | THIS IS ABOUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET THAT CONGRESS APPROVED LAST YEAR, AND IT'S ABOUT US KEEPING OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING EDUCATION BY REDUCING CLASS SIZE. |
| 00:19:59 | THE CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION EFFORT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS IN A LITTLE FIRST YEAR. |
| 00:20:03 | TODAY, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE KIDS LEARNING IN CLASSROOMS THAT ARE LESS CROWDED, LEARNING TO READ, LEARNING TO WRITE AND LEARNING THE BASICS WITH FEWER DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS. |
| 00:20:14 | THEY'RE WORKING WITH TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. |
| 00:20:16 | RESEARCH SHOWS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE HIGHER GRADUATION RATES, HIGHER GRADE POINT AVERAGES, AND ARE -- HAVE A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF PURSUING A HIGHER EDUCATION. |
| 00:20:25 | THEY'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF THE WORK THIS CONGRESS DID A YEAR AGO. |
| 00:20:30 | AND THE PRESIDENT HAS A RIGHT TO INSIST ON THAT. |
| 00:20:32 | WE AS DEMOCRATS HAVE A RIGHT TO INSIST ON THAT. |
| 00:20:36 | AND AS A SENATOR IN THIS BODY, I'M HERE TO INSIST ON IT. |
| 00:20:40 | NOW IS THE TIME TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENT. |
| 00:20:42 | NOW IS WHEN THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE. |
| 00:20:45 | NOW IS WHEN WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR SMALLER CLASSES. |
| 00:20:48 | IF WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL ALL THE BUDGET DEALS HAVE BEEN CUT AND UNTIL AFTER ALL THE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT, WE WILL HAVE FAILED THOSE TEACHERS, WEE WILL HAVE FAILED OUR PARENTS. |
| 00:20:59 | AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WILL HAVE FAILED OUR CHILDREN. |
| 00:21:01 | MR. |
| 00:21:02 | PRESIDENT, IT IS A NATIONAL PRIORITY TO REDUCE CLASS SIZE SO KIDS CAN LEARN THE BASICS AND SO DISCIPLINE CAN BE RESTORED IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 00:21:10 | IT'S A PROMISE WE MADE LAST YEAR AND WE NEED TO PUT OUR MONEY BEHIND IT WHEREVER IT'S APPROPRIATE. |
| 00:21:17 | A FEW WEEKS AGO I MET WITH A TEACHER IN TACOMA, WANTON, NAMED CHRIS PAINTER. |
| 00:21:23 | LAST YEAR 234R0R7 KIDS IN THEIR CLASSROOM. |
| 00:21:25 | THIS YEAR THERE WERE 13,000 BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID A YEAR AGO. |
| 00:21:28 | THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE KIDSMENT I SAW A DISCIPLINED CLASSROOM WHERE KIDS CAN LEARN THE BASICS. |
| 00:21:35 | NEXT YEAR WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY KIDS WILL BE IN MISS PAINTER'S CLASS, AND WE CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE TO THOSE 29,000 TEACHERS HIRED A YEAR AGO THAT THEY'LL KEEP THEIR JOBS. |
| 00:21:45 | MR. PRESIDENT, PUTTING ALL OF THE PROCESS QUESTIONS ASIDE, WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY IS THE -- IS THAT THESE KIDS HAVE SMALLER CLASSES. |
| 00:21:53 | THE TEACHERS AND PARENTS IN THIS COUNTRY CARE THAT WE DO THAT, PERIOD. |
| 00:21:58 | THE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW IN SMALLER CLASSES AREN'T WONDERING, HAS THIS BEEN AUTHORIZED? |
| 00:22:04 | OR IS THIS IN THE BUDGET. |
| 00:22:05 | OR DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES? |
| 00:22:10 | WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THAT WE FULFILL OUR PROMISES TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THAT WE MADE A YEAR AGO IN A BIPARTISAN PROCESS. |
| 00:22:19 | MR. PRESIDENT, I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT AT EVERY TURN, THIS CONGRESS HAS PUT SPECIAL INTERESTS AHEAD OF THE INTERESTS OF REAL FAMILIES. |
| 00:22:29 | THIS IS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY WE WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT FOR OUR KIDS. |
| 00:22:37 | WE DIDN'T ADDRESS THE LOOPHOLES THAT STILL ALLOW KIDS AND CRIMINALS TO GET THEIR HANDS ON GUNS. |
| 00:22:42 | WE DIDN'T MAKE SCHOOL SAFER AFTER THE COME BOON TRAGEDY. |
| 00:22:47 | WE DIDN'T PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE TO MORE KIDS. |
| 00:22:49 | THIS. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE WE HAVE IN THIS CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR KIDS AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM WE KNOW EXISTS. |
| 00:22:56 | AND I'M HERE TO SAY WE CAN'T LET THIS CHANCE PASS. |
| 00:23:00 | WE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENT TO REDUCING CLAGS SIZE. |
| 00:23:04 | WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL THOSE TEACHERS THEY WILL HAVE THEIR JOBS NEXT YEAR. |
| 00:23:10 | AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL THOSE KIDS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SMALL CLASSES NEXT YEAR. |
| 00:23:15 | LET'S STAND BEHIND OUR COMMITMENT. |
| 00:23:17 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 00:23:20 | PRESIDENT. I YIELD THE FLOOR. MR. |
| 00:23:21 | HOLLINGS: MR. |
| 00:23:26 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. |
| 00:23:29 | MR. |
| 00:23:30 | ROTH: MR. |
| 00:23:31 | PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE STATEMENTS MADE ABOUT THE PROCESS UNFOLDING. |
| 00:23:45 | AS I STARTED TO SAY, MR. |
| 00:23:47 | PRESIDENT, I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE STATEMENTS MADE ABOUT THE PROCESS UNFOLDING HERE. |
| 00:23:56 | ALLEGATIONS THAT THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS TIED THE PROCESS UP. |
| 00:24:03 | THE TRUTH IS WE HAVE STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 00:24:10 | THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS TRIED TO PROTECT THE 80 OR 90 SENATORS WHO SUPPORT THE BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUS ON THE MERITS OF THE BILL, NOT ON EXTRANEOUS ISSUES THAT ARE CALCULATED TO BLOCK PROGRESS. |
| 00:24:26 | MY FRIEND AND FINANCE COMMITTEE COLLEAGUE, SENATOR CONRAD, INDICATED, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HE WANTS TO RAISE SOME AMENDMENTS ON AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATING OBJECTIVES AND TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, AND THESE AMENDMENTS ARE RELEVANT AND SHOULD BE DEBATED. |
| 00:24:48 | AND THEY COULD BE IF OUR FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES REACH AGREEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER TO TABLE NON-TRADE AMENDMENTS. |
| 00:25:00 | THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE ABOUT ABOUT. |
| 00:25:03 | LET'S WORK TOGETHER ON THIS AND BEGIN TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON THE BILL. |
| 00:25:10 | LET'S NOT CONCEDE THE DEBATE. |
| 00:25:12 | TO THE OPPONENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR PROCEDURAL TACTICS. |
| 00:25:20 | LET'S FOCUS ON GETTING THIS BILL ACTED UPON, WHICH IS GOOD FOR AMERICA AS WELL AS THE C. |
| 00:25:31 | B.I. MR. |
| 00:25:32 | PRESIDENT, JUST LET ME SAY THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT, AND I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE BRING ABOUT A PROCESS WHERE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON THIS MOST CRITICAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 00:25:51 | WHAT CONCERNS ME IS IT'S TIME SENSITIVE. |
| 00:25:57 | FRAFERMENT, G. |
| 00:26:00 | S.P. HAS ALREADY EXPIRED -- FOR EXAMPLE, G. |
| 00:26:03 | S.P. HAS ALREADY EXPIRED. |
| 00:26:04 | THAT NOT ONLY WORKS AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF THE THIRD WORLD DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WE'RE TRYING TO HELP, BUT IT WORKS AGAINST THE BEST INTERESTS OF AMERICAN COMPANIES, WHO DEPEND ON THIS SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR THEIR MATERIAL. |
| 00:26:29 | MR. |
| 00:26:30 | PRESIDENT, I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT, YESTERDAY THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MAITED A VERY ELOQUENT STATEMENT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT TO THE WORKERS WHO ARE DEPENDENT UPON IT. |
| 00:26:49 | THESE ARE, LET ME EMPHASIZE, AMERICAN WORKERS. |
| 00:26:55 | SOMETHING LIKE 200? |
| 00:26:57 | MR. MOYNIHAN: YES, SIR, 200,000 THIS YEAR, UP FROM 150,000 LAST YEAR. |
| 00:27:02 | THIS IS NOT A DIMINISHING PROGRAM. |
| 00:27:06 | AS TRADE GROWS, THIS PROGRAM GROWS. |
| 00:27:08 | MR. |
| 00:27:09 | ROTH: COULD I ASK THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DON'T ACT ON THIS LEGISLATION WITH RESPECT TO THESE AMERICAN WORKERS? |
| 00:27:17 | MR. |
| 00:27:18 | MOYNIHAN: WE WILL HAVE BROKEN THE WORTED, OUR WORD -- WE WILL HAVE BROKEN THE WORD, OUR WORD, TO THEM, THAT BY ACCEPTING OPEN TRADE POLICY IN THE AFTERMATH OF WHICH THERE WOULD BE DISLOCATIONS, THE ECONOMY AT LARGE AND THE SOCIETY WOULD MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO TRANSFER TO OTHER WORK WITH OTHER SKILLS. |
| 00:27:44 | THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THAT WON'T HAPPEN. |
| 00:27:45 | BUT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, IT WON'T. |
| 00:27:49 | AND WE WILL HAVE BROKEN OUR WORD, WHICH WE GAVE 37 YEARS AGO. |
| 00:27:53 | AND PRESIDENT HAS REAFFIRMED, AS YOU HAVE, SIR, IN THIS BILL. |
| 00:28:01 | MR. |
| 00:28:02 | ROTH: MET ME JUST SAY TO MY DISTINGUISHED FRIEND THAT MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN THE LEGENDARY RUSSELL LONG WAS CHAIRMAN OF OUR COMMITTEE, THE T. |
| 00:28:13 | A.A. WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND NO UP WITH WAS TRYING TO SAVE IT. |
| 00:28:18 | AND THE CHAIRMAN WAS ABOUT TO WRAP THE GAVEL AND SAY WE WOULD MOVE ON TO OTHER THING. |
| 00:28:29 | AND I SAID, JUST A MOMENT, SIR, WE HAVE A COMMITMENT. |
| 00:28:32 | EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE CLAIMING NOW. |
| 00:28:35 | AND I'M PROUD AND PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE LEGISLATION WAS CONTINUED. |
| 00:28:40 | BUT IT'S A MATTER OF REAL CONCERN TO THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE DEPENDING UPON IT. |
| 00:28:51 | AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM, OF COURSE, IS TO ENABLE THESE WORKERS TO BE TRAINED FOR NEW JOBS, FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES. |
| 00:29:02 | AND WE HAVE AN ECONOMY WHERE THERE ARE, INDEED, MANY JOBS AVAILABLE. |
| 00:29:07 | SO IT BEHOOVES ALL OF US TO WORK TO EXPEDITE ACTION ON THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 00:29:15 | AND THE OTHER POINT I'D LIKE TO UNDERSCORE, TO EMPHASIZE, AGAIN IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED VERY ELOQUENTLY BY THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEW YORK, WHO BRINGS SO MUCH HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INTO THIS PICTURE, AND THAT IS THAT IF WE DON'T ACT ON THIS LEGISLATION, IT IS A DENIAL OF THE LIBERAL TRADE POLICIES OF THE PAST, WHAT, 30, 35 YEARS? |
| 00:29:44 | MR. |
| 00:29:45 | MOYNIHAN: OH, SIR, I WOULD GO BACK TO CORE DEL HALL AND THE RECIPROCAL -- KORDELL HALL AND THE RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT OF 1934 WHEN PUT IN PLACE THE PRESENT SYSTEM. |
| 00:29:57 | AS YOU KNOW, THE -- I KNOW THAT OUR FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA DOESN'T AGREE, BUT THE SMOOT-HAWLEY TARIFF WAS A CATASTROPHE. |
| 00:30:08 | AND WE HAVEN'T HAD A TARIFF BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR SINCE. |
| 00:30:11 | BUT WE -- WE RIGHT NOW ARE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. |
| 00:30:17 | EVERY PRESIDENT HAS CALLED. |
| 00:30:22 | MR. |
| 00:30:23 | ROTH: REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT. |
| 00:30:24 | MR. MOYNIHAN: BUT NOW, I THINK THE LEGITIMATE POINT IS MADE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON DIDN'T SEND UP A REQUEST FOR FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY IN 1995, DELAYED IT AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN IT. |
| 00:30:46 | NOW, IF WE HAVEN'T GOT THAT AND WE AREN'T GOING TO HAVE THE C. |
| 00:30:49 | B.I., WHICH PRESIDENT BUSH PROMISED -- OR WAS IT PRESIDENT REAGAN? |
| 00:30:52 | IT WAS -- THERE WERE A LOT OF PRESIDENTS IN THIS MATTER. |
| 00:30:57 | REAGAN. RONALD REAGAN. |
| 00:31:01 | AND IF WE HAVEN'T GOT THE AFRICAN AGREEMENTS, WE HAVEN'T GOT TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, WHAT, SIR, DO YOU AND I SAY YOU AND I, TAKE TO SEATTLE FOR THE CONFERENCE OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION? |
| 00:31:20 | WE GO AS IF WE HAD THOUGHT THERE NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUCH AN ORGANIZATION, DIDN'T WANT IT AROUND, AND WHAT IS IT MEETING IN THE UNITED STATES FOR. |
| 00:31:30 | I MEAN, TEN YEARS AGO YOU WOULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED THIS MOMENT. |
| 00:31:34 | MR. |
| 00:31:35 | ROTH: THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. |
| 00:31:39 | AND THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR RAISE SAYS A MOST IMPORTANT POINT, GOING BACK AGAIN TO THE NEED OF ACTION BEING TAKEN NOW NOW. |
| 00:31:49 | THE MEETING TO THE HELD OF THE W. |
| 00:31:52 | T.O. IN SEATTLE IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT EVENT EVENT. |
| 00:31:59 | IT CAN BRING ABOUT SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THIS CHANGING WORLD WHERE WE'RE INCREASINGLY INVOLVED IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY. |
| 00:32:10 | AND I WOULD JUST POINT OUT TO ME, IT'S INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT THIS LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STATES, YET IT LOOKS LIKE THE CHANCES ARE TO THE CONTRARY, THAT NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN, THUS GIVING THE WRONG SIGNAL TO OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES AND TRADE PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD AS TO OUR SERIOUSNESS ABOUT MOVING AHEAD ON TRADE POLICY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN'T TAKE ACTION. |
| 00:32:52 | JUST LET ME SAY ON FAST-TRACK -- AND I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT SENATOR MOYNIHAN HAS GIVEN IN COMMITTEE. |
| 00:33:03 | WE CERTAINLY HAVE TRIED TO PUSH FAST-TRACK BECAUSE WE FELT IT WAS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS PRESIDENT, LIKE EVERY OTHER PRESIDENT, HAVE THAT AUTHORITY. |
| 00:33:20 | AND, OF COURSE, IT NEVER HAPPENED. |
| 00:33:23 | MR. |
| 00:33:24 | MOYNIHAN: MAY I -- THE FLOOR NOT BEING EXACTLY TEEMING WITH SENATORS WISHING TO JOIN US, MR. |
| 00:33:34 | PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE POINT. |
| 00:33:35 | WE ARE AT A CRITICAL MOMENT. |
| 00:33:38 | WHERE'S THE SENATE? |
| 00:33:40 | BUT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE SENATE, LET ME OFFER SOME STATISTICS. |
| 00:33:46 | ABOUT THE CENTRALITY OF TRADE. |
| 00:33:52 | EVERYBODY -- THE CRASH OF 1929 IS PART OF AMERICAN MYTH, TRADITION, HISTORY. |
| 00:34:04 | YOU WOULDN'T KNOW MUCH OF AMERICAN HISTORY IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. |
| 00:34:10 | AND IN THE AFTERMATH OF THAT IN 1930, THE CRASH ACTUALLY GAME IN OCTOBER 30 -- SO IT WAS OCTOBER 29. |
| 00:34:27 | OUR G. |
| 00:34:29 | D.P. DROPPED 9%. |
| 00:34:30 | WELL, THAT'S A PRETTY HEFTY DROP, BUT THE STOCK MARKETS GO UP AND THEN THEY GO DOWN. |
| 00:34:36 | WHEN THEY GO DOWN, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE UP, THERE ARE BARGAINS MADE BY SELLING. |
| 00:34:41 | WHEN THEY'RE DOWN, THERE ARE BARGAINS MADE BY BUYING. |
| 00:34:44 | AND IT TENDS TO BE CYCLICAL AND IT'S -- IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY CHANGE THAT MUCH IN THE REAL WORLD. |
| 00:34:53 | IN 1930, IT DROPPED 9%. |
| 00:34:58 | IN 1931, IT DROPPED 6. |
| 00:35:01 | 4%. NOW, THAT'S AGAIN, A DROP, BUT IT'S EASING OUT. |
| 00:35:06 | IN FACT, IT WAS BEFORE WE UNDERSTOOD THE BUSINESS CYCLE VERY WELL, BEFORE COUNTER COUNTERCYCLICAL FINANCING. |
| 00:35:21 | THIS WAS A WORLD WHO NEVER HEARD OF -- WELL, THE AMERICAN WORLD HAD NEVER HEARD OF MAYNAR MAYNARD KAINES. |
| 00:35:30 | AND THERE WAS LEARNING GOING ON BUT IT HADN'T GOTTEN TO US. |
| 00:35:35 | THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD RESPONDED TO THE CRASH BY TIGHTENING CREDIT. |
| 00:35:40 | WELL, WHO'D EVER DO THAT TODAY? |
| 00:35:42 | AND THEY KNOW WHY. |
| 00:35:43 | THEY WOULD SHOW YOU WHY IN NUMBERS. |
| 00:35:44 | WELL, THEN CAME THE IMPACT OF SMOOT-HAWLEY IN 1932 AND THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, SIR, DROPPED 13. |
| 00:35:58 | 3%. THAT'S WHEN IT REALLY HIT. |
| 00:36:00 | AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE BRITISH, WHO HAD INAUGURATED THE -- CREATED THE IDEA OF FREE TRADE BY LONG ARGUMENTATION, GOOD ARGUMENTS, THE "ECONOMIST" MAGAZINE, WHICH I THINK NOW I UNDERSTAND HAS A LARGER CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES THAN IT DOES IN BRITAIN, BUT COMPARABLY ABOUT THE SAME READERSHIP -- IT WAS FOUNDED TO ADVOCATE FREE TRADE, AS AN ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE, THAT WORKED. |
| 00:36:33 | AND IT DID WORK. |
| 00:36:36 | DWRAI THEE RIFT SUCH CH SUCH AS ALBERT IMLAH, DEMONSTRATED THAT IN THE AFTERMATH THE BRITISH, HOWEVER, REELING FROM SMOOT-HAWLEY WENT ON TO EMPIRE PREFERENCE. |
| 00:36:53 | THEY DREW IN AND THEY WOULD DEAL WITH CANADA AND INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND, NOT WITH EUROPE, NOT WITH GERMANY. |
| 00:37:04 | THE JAPANESE WENT TO HAVING THEIR MARKET HERE CLOSED TO THEM, THEY WENT TO A GREATER FAR EASTERN COULD PROSPERITY SPHERE, WHICH IS A LONG WAY OF SAYING A JAPANESE EMPIRE, AND THEY INVADED MACHURIA, WHICH IS ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING CHINA, AND THEY BEGAN THAT PROCESS WHICH ENDED IN HIROSHIMA. |
| 00:37:35 | IN 1930 -- 1933 -- THAT SAME 1933 WHERE WE DROPPED 13. |
| 00:37:44 | 3%, UNEMPLOYMENT WAS SO HIGH AND SOCIAL STABILITY SO WEAKENED THAT A FRIGHTENED GERMAN MIDDLE CLASS ELECTED -- ELECTED -- ADOLF HITLER TO BE CHANCELLOR. |
| 00:38:03 | HE WAS CHOSEN IN THE REICHSTAG. |
| 00:38:08 | WELL THE REST IS HISTORY. |
| 00:38:09 | I JOINED THE NAVY IN 1943, AGE 1, AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE AROUND HERE DID MAYBE MAYBE -- -- MAYBE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE AROUND HERE DID. |
| 00:38:20 | DON'T REMEMBER. |
| 00:38:21 | MR. ROTH: I MIGHT SAY -- MR. |
| 00:38:23 | MOYNIHAN: I JOINED ON, YES, SIR. |
| 00:38:28 | IT WAS YOUR GENERATION. |
| 00:38:29 | THAT'S WHAT WE WITH THERE FOR. |
| 00:38:31 | TO FIGHT WARS THAT NEED BIT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE WORD HAD BEEN WISER. |
| 00:38:35 | NOT JUST ABOUT TRADE, OF COURSE NOT. |
| 00:38:38 | BUT DON'T UNDERESTIMATE TRADE. |
| 00:38:41 | WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PROFITS. |
| 00:38:45 | MR. ROTH: COULD I? |
| 00:38:48 | MR. MOYNIHAN: SIR, MR. |
| 00:38:49 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 00:38:50 | MR. ROTH: COULD I ASK A QUESTION OF THE DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR? |
| 00:38:54 | MR. MOYNIHAN: SURE. |
| 00:38:55 | MR. ROTH: WE ARE ENJOYING TODAY ONE OF THE GREATEST PERIODS OF PROSPERITY IN EIGHT, NINE YEARS OR SO, THIS COUNTRY HAS UNDERGONE. |
| 00:39:08 | UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOWER THAN ANYONE WOULD EVER HAVE PREDICTED A FEW YEARS AGO. |
| 00:39:15 | THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY IS BRIGHT. |
| 00:39:21 | IT WAS ONLY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO EVERYBODY WAS PREDICTING THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN AND JAPAN WAS BECOMING NUMBER ONE. |
| 00:39:32 | THE CONTRARY HAS HAPPENED. |
| 00:39:37 | AND IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME WE'VE ENJOYED THE LIBERAL TRADE PRACTICES THAT BEGAN MANY, MANY YEARS AGO IN 19 -- WHAT WAS THE YEAR -- MR. |
| 00:39:51 | MOYNIHAN: 1934. |
| 00:39:54 | MR. ROTH: 1934. |
| 00:39:55 | HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROSPERITY OF THIS COUNTRY, WHICH HAS THE MOST OPEN MARKETS OF ANY? |
| 00:40:05 | HAVE NOT PUT IT ON THE BASIS THAT A LIBERAL TRADE POLICY DOES WORK? |
| 00:40:14 | UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE SOME INDUSTRIES AND SOME WORKERS WHO DO SUFFER, AND THAT'S THE REASON WE ARE T. |
| 00:40:21 | A.A. TO HELP THEM MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT. |
| 00:40:25 | BUT OVER ALL, OUR COUNTRY HAS NEVER HAD A LONGER PERIOD OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY THAN WE ARE ENJOYING AND HAVE ENJOYED. |
| 00:40:37 | IT'S BEEN ENJOYED UNDER TWO PRESIDENTS. |
| 00:40:45 | ISN'T IT IRONIC AL THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD EXTEND THESE POLICIES THAT HAVE WORKED SO WELL TO A FEW COUNTRIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF SOME SUPPORT AND HELP AND IT WILL NOT ONLY WORK IN THEIR INTEREST, BUT AGAIN IT WILL WORK IN OUR INTEREST AS I THINK YOU POINTED OUT STARTING WITH THE GROWER OF COTTON, PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE FABRICS, THE APPAREL, THE WHOLESALERS, THE RETAILERS, AND THE CONSUMERS. |
| 00:41:19 | IT SEEMS TO ME, IT'S ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE THAT ANYONE WOULD ARGUE TO THE CONTRARY THAT WE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE ON THIS PATH OF A LIBERAL TRADE POLICY POLICY. |
| 00:41:36 | MR. MOYNIHAN: MR. |
| 00:41:37 | CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE POINT, SIR, WHERE YOU AND I ARE ALONE ON THE SENATE FLOOR, AS ONE OF THE EPIC DECISIONS OF THIS DECADE IS ABOUT TO BE MADE. |
| 00:41:50 | AND WHEN ASKED SENATORS WHO MIGHT BE LISTENING, WHERE ARE YOU? |
| 00:41:56 | BUT THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, SIR, IS OUR LEARNING HAS TRULY EXPANDED. |
| 00:42:10 | WE KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS. |
| 00:42:11 | YOU MENTIONED -- I MENTIONED 1933. |
| 00:42:18 | IN THAT YEAR, JOHN MAYNARD CANES PUBLISHED A BOOK IN THE -- KEYNES PUBLISHED A BOOK IN THE UNITED STATES CALLED -- SAYS IN PERSUASION," AND HE APPEARED THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN BRITAIN, AND HE ALREADY HAD A PRETTY GOOD RECORD . |
| 00:42:38 | I MEAN HE WROTE THAT GREAT ESSAY "THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE," OF VERSAILLES, HE WAS ON A BRITISH DELEGATION AN ADVISOR AND HE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE AWFUL, GERMANY WAS NOT GOING TO GET OVER THIS. |
| 00:42:57 | THAT'S A VERY FAMOUS ESSAY AND SINCERE IT IS SORT OF A JOKE. |
| 00:43:03 | WINSTON CHURCHILL BECAME CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHECKER IN 1926 AND TOOK BRITAIN BACK ON THE GOLD STANDARD AND HE WROTE AN ESSAY CALLED THE "THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF MR. |
| 00:43:17 | CHURCHILL," WHICH HE THOUGHT WERE PRETTY GRIM, AND THEY WERE. |
| 00:43:22 | BUT IN 1933 IN THIS BOOK, HE SS -- ESSAYS AN INTRODUCTION, TO WRITINGS EVERY THE YEAR AND HE SAID THE ECONOMIC GIANT IS JUST A MUDDLE. |
| 00:43:37 | WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT. |
| 00:43:38 | WE'LL GET THROUGH IT. |
| 00:43:39 | I ESTIMATE BY ABOUT THE YEAR 2030 WE WILL HAVE IT PRETTY WELL UNDER CONTROL, AND WE CAN GO ON TO OTHER ISSUES IN LIFE. |
| 00:43:48 | WELL, SIR, YOU MENTIONED THE EXISTING -- THE RECOVERY, THE PERIOD OF EXPANSION, NOT RECOVERY. |
| 00:44:00 | IN FEBRUARY OF THE COMING YEAR, THAT WOULD BE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS, WE WILL HAVE ENTERED OUR PERIOD OF SUSTAINED GROWTH OF 107 MONTHS, THE LONGEST IN HISTORY, UNLESS WE START KILLING IT, WHICH IS WHAT WE SEEM TO BE INTENT ON DOING. |
| 00:44:24 | OF COURSE THERE ARE DISLOCATIONS BROUGHT ABOUT BY TRADE. |
| 00:44:32 | JOSEPH SHUMPACHER WHO WAS -- WHO HAD IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION IT IS GENERALLY THOUGHT THAT SHUPPACHER WOULD BE REGARDED AS THE GREATEST ECONOMIST OF THE 21 CENTURY, HE IS AN AUSTRIAN, HE ENDED UP PROFESSOR OF HARVARD, IN HIS BOOK, "CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM AND DEMOCRACY, -- HE SPEAKS OF A PHRASE NOW IN WIDE USE OF THE CREATIVE DESTRUCTION OF CAPITALISM. |
| 00:45:04 | SURE, THERE COMES A TIME WHEN SHIPPING THE COTTON TO MILLS IN NEW ENGLAND NO LONGER MAKES SENSE. |
| 00:45:12 | THEY WANT TO HAVE MILLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, BRING THE MILLS TO THE COTTON, AS THE PHRASE WAS, IT DID MAKE SENSE, AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, YOU HAD EMPTY MILLS ALL UP AND DOWN THE RIVER IN LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS. |
| 00:45:26 | I MIGHT SAY IN GLOFERSVILLE, NEW YORK. |
| 00:45:30 | AND SUCH LIKE. |
| 00:45:32 | WELL, YES. |
| 00:45:33 | BUT THAT PUT AN END TO LIFE IN MASSACHUSETTS? |
| 00:45:37 | NO. THE NEXT THINGS YOU KNOW ROUTE 128 IS CREATING ENORMOUS ECONOMIC GROWTH. |
| 00:45:45 | AND THAT ILLUSTRATION IS CREATIVE BECAUSE IT BRINGS BETTER USES OF RESOURCES INTO PLAY -- DESTRUCTION -- AND TRYING TO KEEP JUST WHAT YOU HAD IS A FORMULA FOR RUIN. |
| 00:46:02 | NOT FOR RUIN, BUT FOR STAGNATION. |
| 00:46:07 | I SPEAK WITH SOME AT THE MERIT. |
| 00:46:10 | I WAS ONCE OUR AMBASSADOR TO INDIA, AND I SAW IT HAPPEN. |
| 00:46:15 | TARIFFS THAT YOU COULDN'T GET THROUGH. |
| 00:46:18 | GOVERNMENT PURCHASING. |
| 00:46:22 | WELL, SOVIET UNION. |
| 00:46:23 | THE SOVIET UNION, SIR. |
| 00:46:25 | WHAT WAS THAT -- OH, YES, THAT WAS THAT PLACE THAT WAS GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD. |
| 00:46:34 | I REMEMBER A MEETING IN BUCHAREST OF WORLD TRADE ADVOCATES OF THE TIME, IT WAS AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, ABOUT THE DEVELOPING WORLD, AND THE SOVIET DELEGATE JUST WAS ABSOLUTELY SWEPT THE CONFERENCE WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT AS OF THIS MOMENT, AS A GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY WITH OUR FRIENDS IN AFRICA, IN LATIN AMERICA, IN SOUTHEAST IRISH A, THE SOVIET UNION IS ABOLISHING ALL TARIFFS OF IMPORTS FROM THOSE COUNTRIES. |
| 00:47:13 | WELL THE CONFERENCE WENT WILD, SIR. |
| 00:47:16 | AND NO ONE STOPPED TO THINK, BUT WAIT A MINUTE, THE SOVIET DOESN'T HAVE TARIFFS. |
| 00:47:23 | EVERYTHING IS BOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT. |
| 00:47:31 | AND PUT THROUGH COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISES, ALL OF WHICH ARE IN RUINS. |
| 00:47:36 | IN RUINS. |
| 00:47:37 | EVENTUALLY IT COLLAPSED. |
| 00:47:39 | THIS WAS 20 YEARS BEFORE THE WHOLE SYSTEM JUST IMPLODED. |
| 00:47:44 | NOW WE ARE HERE TALKING FOR DEMOCRACY, TALKING FOR VITALITY, TALKING FOR EXPANSION, TALKING FOR A TRADITION THAT AS JERRY FORD SAID YESTERDAY IN THE ROTUNDA, HE CAME TO CONGRESS AS A SOCIAL MODERATE, A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, AND A DETERMINED INTERNATIONAL LIFT -- INTERNATIONAL LIFT. |
| 00:48:06 | HE WAS RIGHT. |
| 00:48:08 | HE WAS -- INTERNATIONAL LIST. |
| 00:48:10 | HE WAS RIGHT. |
| 00:48:11 | HE WAS RIGHT. |
| 00:48:12 | CAN IT BE WE HAVE FORGOTTEN ALL THAT, SIR? |
| 00:48:15 | I SAY AGAIN, MR. |
| 00:48:17 | PRESIDENT, THAT I GUESS I YIELD THE FLOOR, IN A CRIP R CRITICAL MOMENT IN OUR ECONOMIC HISTORY. |
| 00:48:26 | CRITICAL MOMENT. |
| 00:48:27 | WE ARE HOURS AWAY FROM RUIN US INDECISION. |
| 00:48:33 | THREE SENATORS ON THE FLOOR. |
| 00:48:36 | AND IT HAPPENS WE ARE ALL FRIENDS, AND PERHAPS EVEN GO TO BE MORE FRIENDS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ON THE FLOOR TOGETHER FOR TWO DAYS NOW. |
| 00:48:45 | IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND. |
| 00:48:47 | MR. ROTH: COULD I MAKE ONE FURTHER OBSERVATION AND GET YOUR REACTION TO IT? |
| 00:48:55 | THE IRONY OF WHAT'S BEFORE US IS THAT IF WE ENACT THIS LEGISLATION, IT WILL HELP THE VERY INDUSTRIES THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. |
| 00:49:08 | MR. MOYNIHAN: SURE ROGST ROTH AS WE SAID BEFORE, A WIN-WIN SITUATION. |
| 00:49:13 | MR. |
| 00:49:14 | MOYNIHAN: YOU SET A DIFFERENT MIX OF COSTS AND PROFITS, THAT TURNS OUT TO BE -- MAKES THEM VIABLE AGAIN. |
| 00:49:23 | MR. ROTH: AND I WOULD POINT OUT THAT AS PROJECTED BY THE INDUSTRY ITSELF, THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS LEGISLATION WILL CREATE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, SOMETHING LIKE 121,000 JOBS. |
| 00:49:39 | THAT IT WILL RESULT IN MARKETS EXCEEDING OR ROUGHLY $8. |
| 00:49:48 | 8 BILLION. |
| 00:49:49 | THAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEGISLATION IS NOT ONLY TO ENABLE THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO COMPETE BETTER HERE AT HOME, BUT ALSO TO BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO COMPETE ABROAD IN OTHER MARKETS. |
| 00:50:07 | IF WE DO NOTHING, AS HAPPENED IN THE PAST WE SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHINESE EXPORTS INCREASING. |
| 00:50:17 | AND SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE US MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE INDUSTRY SO THAT IT NOT ONLY HELPS THE ECONOMY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, CREATES JOBS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. |
| 00:50:33 | MR. |
| 00:50:34 | MOYNIHAN: MR. |
| 00:50:35 | CHAIRMAN, YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER. |
| 00:50:42 | IF YOU THINK OTHERWISE, THINK BACK TO OPPOSITE POLICIES AND WHAT THEY BROUGHT THE AMERICAN WORKER, THE 1930'S. |
| 00:50:53 | AND DON'T THINK WE CAN'T MAKE THOSE MISTAKES AGAIN. |
| 00:50:59 | WE KNEW ENOUGH NOT TO DO IT THEN. |
| 00:51:01 | WE DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY, BUT 1,000 ECONOMISTS WROTE PRESIDENT HOOVER, WHO WAS A SENSITIVE AND INTELLIGENT MAN AND SAID, NOTHING QUITE LIKE THAT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE. |
| 00:51:15 | NOW WE GET THOUSANDS OF DAYS. |
| 00:51:17 | THEY SAID DON'T SIGN THAT TREATY -- THAT TARIFF BILL. |
| 00:51:24 | THE SMOOT-HAWLEY. |
| 00:51:25 | DON'T SIGN IT, THEY SAID. |
| 00:51:29 | WELL, HE DID. |
| 00:51:32 | IT COST HIM THE PRESIDENCY, BUT THAT'S THE LEAST OF IT. |
| 00:51:37 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 00:51:38 | CHAIRMAN, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 00:51:40 | MR. ROTH: THANK YOU, SENATOR MOYNIHAN. |
| 00:51:43 | MR. |
| 00:51:45 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD. |
| 00:51:57 | MR. |
| 00:51:58 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. |
| 00:52:01 | MR. |
| 00:52:02 | ROTH: YESTERDAY I BEGAN MAKING SOME COMMENTS IN ANSWER TO CRITICS OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CONTINUE TO ANSWER THOSE NEGATIVE COMMENTS. |
| 00:52:23 | ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAS BEEN ASKED IS, WON'T THIS LEGISLATION RESULT IN THE FURTHER EROSION EVER AMERICA'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR? |
| 00:52:40 | NOW, NONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE RISEN IN RESPONSE TO THIS BILL HAVE ADDRESSED ITS SPECIFICS. |
| 00:52:49 | THE ROPE IS BECAUSE UNLIKE THE HOUSE-PASSED AFRICA BILL, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEASURES ARE DRAFTED IN A WAY THAT ENSURES A BENEFIT TO THE AMERICAN INDUSTRY AS WELL AS OUR AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN TRADING PARTNERS. |
| 00:53:08 | I MADE PASSING REFERENCE JUST NOW TO THE SPECIFICS AND HOW IT WOULD IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY AND THE AMERICAN WORKER. |
| 00:53:22 | AND WHAT MY COLLEAGUES WHO OPPOSE THE BILL HAVE DONE IS RAISE SEVERAL GENERAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST TRADE, THAT I THOUGHT IT MIGHT STILL BE HELPFUL TO ADDRESS. |
| 00:53:36 | ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT FALLS IN THAT CATEGORY IS THE ARGUMENT THAT TRADE HAS LED TO AN IRREVERSIBLE DECLINE IN U. |
| 00:53:48 | S. MANUFACTURING. |
| 00:53:49 | THAT ANY TRADE MEASURE, EVEN THIS ONE, WILL SIMPLY WORSEN THAT DECLINE. |
| 00:53:56 | AND LET ME TAKE THAT HEAD ON. |
| 00:54:01 | AMERICA IS NOT LOSING ITS MANUFACTURING SECTOR. |
| 00:54:06 | BY ANY MEASURE IT IS DOING A LOT BETTER THAN SOME OF MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES SEEM TO THINK. |
| 00:54:16 | THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MANUFACTURING HAS DECLINED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE U. |
| 00:54:24 | S. ECONOMY. |
| 00:54:25 | MANUFACTURING AS A PORTION EVER G. |
| 00:54:28 | D.P. HAS DECLINED STEADILY SINCE 1960. |
| 00:54:34 | FROM 27% OF G. |
| 00:54:35 | D.P. TO 17% OF G. |
| 00:54:39 | D.P. BY 1996. |
| 00:54:40 | BUT DOES THAT MEAN THE U. |
| 00:54:42 | S. IS LOSING IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA? |
| 00:54:48 | THE ANSWER IS NO. |
| 00:54:50 | ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, ALL INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES HAVE FACED A SIMILAR PERCENTAGE DECREASE INING MANUFACTURER AS A SHARE OF G. |
| 00:55:04 | D.P. FROM ABOUT 28% IN 1970 TO ABOUT 18% IN 1994. |
| 00:55:15 | THE DECLINE IN MANUFACTURING AS A PERCENTAGE OF G. |
| 00:55:18 | D.P. MEAN THAT AMERICAN INDUSTRY IS IN DECLINE AND OUTPUT IS FALLING? |
| 00:55:23 | AGAIN, THE ANSWER IS NO. |
| 00:55:29 | IN FACT, AMERICA'S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT EXPANDED 62% FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1997 TO 1996. |
| 00:55:41 | LUT ME REPEAT. THE FACT IS THAT AMERICANS INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT EXPANDED 62% FROM 1977 TO 1996, A PERIOD THAT CRITICS OF OUR TRADE POLICY THINK OF AS THE WORST STAGES OF OUR INDUSTRIAL DECLINE. |
| 00:56:03 | AMERICAN MANUFACTURING ADDED A NET FIGURE OF 4. |
| 00:56:08 | 4 MILLION NEW JOBS DURING THAT SAME PERIOD. |
| 00:56:14 | OR AN INCREASE OF 31% IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. |
| 00:56:22 | VERY IMPORTANT STATISTIC, I BELIEVE. |
| 00:56:24 | IT BEARS OUT WHAT THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEW YORK WAS JUST POINTING OUT. |
| 00:56:32 | ARE WE BEING BEATEN IN THIS MEASURE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION? |
| 00:56:39 | AND AGAIN THE ANSWER IS NO. |
| 00:56:44 | ACCORDING TO A MOST RECENT EDITION OF "THE ECONOMIST," WHICH I THINK IS ONE OF THE BEST PERIODICALS AVAILABLE TODAY, AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS UP BY 35% OVER 1990. |
| 00:57:05 | DURING THAT SAME PERIOD, JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH FELL FELL. |
| 00:57:12 | FEM BY 5%. |
| 00:57:13 | WHAT A CONTRAST. |
| 00:57:14 | OURS GREW BY 35%, JAPANESE FELL BY 5%. |
| 00:57:20 | THIS WAS A WORLD WHERE OUR COUNTRY WAS GOING TO BE DOWN AND JAPAN WAS GOING TO TAKE OVER. |
| 00:57:27 | INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT IN GERMANY HAS REMAINED A SLUGGISH 4% OVER THE SAME TEN YEARS. |
| 00:57:37 | WHILE FRENCH AND BRITISH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION GREW BY ONLY 8% OR 9% AREN'T ACTIVELY. |
| 00:57:48 | SO MANY -- IS THERE EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WORKERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS DUE TO INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY? |
| 00:58:00 | WELL, AS SENATOR MOYNIHAN AND I WERE COMMENTING EARLIER, THE ANSWER IS YES. |
| 00:58:07 | WE'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AS THIS COUNTRY IS ENJOYING TODAY. |
| 00:58:14 | AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY CURRENTLY, AS I SAID, ENJOYS THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN HISTORY AND RISING WAGES ACROSS-THE-BOARD EVEN FOR THE UNSKILLED WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL RATHER THAN FINISHING THEIR EDUCATION. |
| 00:58:33 | MR. MOYNIHAN: WOULD MY FRIEND ALLOW ME TO JUST MAKE HAS COMMENT IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION? |
| 00:58:38 | MR. ROTH: PLEASE PROCEED. |
| 00:58:40 | MR. |
| 00:58:41 | MOYNIHAN: IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE PROGRESSING AND WHAT WE ARE LEARNING, YOU MENTIONED WE HAVE THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN 340 YEARS. |
| 00:58:51 | THAT'S A LONG TIME. |
| 00:58:52 | WE ALSO HAVE THE LOWEST INFLATION. |
| 00:58:56 | MR. ROTH: THAT'S CORRECT. |
| 00:58:58 | MR. MOYNIHAN: NOW SIR, 20 YEARS AGO STATISTICS PROVED THAT THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. |
| 00:59:03 | THERE WAS SOMETHING CALLED THE PHILLIP'S CURVE. |
| 00:59:06 | THERE IS A TRADEOFF. |
| 00:59:07 | IF YOU HAVE HIGH INFLATION YOU HAVE -- THE HIGHER YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT GOES THE HIGHER YOUR INFLATION WILL GO. |
| 00:59:16 | -- I AM SORRY, THE LOWER YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT GOES THE HIGHER YOUR INFLATION GOES. |
| 00:59:21 | EVERY ONE SAID O GOD, WE CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH -- WE CAN GET THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOWN TOO MUCH BECAUSE THAT WILL SPARK INFLATION. |
| 00:59:35 | AND I REMEMBER, IF I CAN JUST BE REMINISCENT AND TELL WAR STORIES IN THIS CROWDED CHAMBER, I SEE WE ARE BACK TO THREE -- WELL THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS IS PRESIDING, AND THAT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE HIM IN THE CHAIR -- IN 1962 THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS, THEN CHAIRED BY DR. |
| 01:00:04 | HELL LETTER, WALTER HELL LETTER OF THE -- HELLER OF THE KEN AT THIS ADMINISTRATION. |
| 01:00:11 | WERE PUTTING TO THE THE ECONOMIC REPORT. |
| 01:00:14 | DID I SAY 1962? |
| 01:00:15 | I THINK 1963. |
| 01:00:16 | THAT'S THE REPORT THAT WAS CREATED BY BI THE EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1946 THAT GAVE US THE INSTITUTIONALIZED THE SORT OF COUNTERCYCLICAL ECONOMIC NOTIONS. |
| 01:00:31 | AND THEY SAID WE SHOULD HAVE A GOAL, WE SHOULD SET AS A GOAL FOR THE COUNTRY, AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 4%. |
| 01:00:41 | NOW IT WON'T BE EASY, BUT WE SHOULD BE BOLD AND IN THE LABOR DEPARTMENT WE WERE SORT OF DISTRESSED BECAUSE WE HAD DREAMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BELOW 4%. |
| 01:00:59 | SO WE GOT THEM TO CHANGE THE TEXT TO MAKE IT AN INTERIM GOAL OF 4%. |
| 01:01:06 | AGAIN A DREAM. |
| 01:01:09 | SIR, WE ROUTINELY HAVE 4%. |
| 01:01:11 | 30 YEARS AGO IT WAS SOMETHING YOU COULDN'T IMAGINE. |
| 01:01:15 | YOU COULD IN A SEMI -- IN A ROUSING ECONOMIC REPORT, IF THERE IS SUCH A THING, YOU SAID LET'S DO THINGS THAT ARE UNIMAGINED. |
| 01:01:27 | WE DON'T EVEN NOTICE WHEN THEY ARE REPORTED EVERY MONTH. |
| 01:01:30 | AND IT IS WORKING. |
| 01:01:35 | WHY PUT WHY PUT IT IN JEOPARDY. |
| 01:01:36 | MR. ROTH: I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE JUST SAID, SENATOR MOYNIHAN. |
| 01:01:46 | I HAVE TO SAY I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST PERIODS IN HISTORY WITH RESPECT TO OUR COUNTRY, AND I THINK THERE IS CREDIT ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE TO CLAIM CREDIT. |
| 01:02:03 | BUT I THINK -- MR. |
| 01:02:05 | MOYNIHAN: BUT SIR, WOULD YOU ALLOW, IF WE LET THIS CALAMITOUS EVENT TAKE PLACE OF JUST BRINGING DOWN THIS TREATY, THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND, TOO. |
| 01:02:18 | MR. |
| 01:02:19 | ROTH: I WOULD AGREE. |
| 01:02:21 | MR. MOYNIHAN: AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND. |
| 01:02:24 | MR. ROTH: AS YOU AND I JUST POINTED OUT, A MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS ON BOAT SIDES OF THE AISLE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 01:02:38 | I DO WISH SOME OF THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE WOULD COME DOWN AND GIVE THEIR REASONS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE AHEAD WITH THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 01:02:52 | IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF WE LOSE THIS STUDENT TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD. |
| 01:03:02 | BECAUSE IF I MIGHT SAY SO TO SENATOR MOYNIHAN, IT IS NOT ONLY LOSING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACT ON THIS LEGISLATION WHICH IN AND OF ITSELF IS SO IMPORTANT, BUT IT GIVES -- HELPS GIVE WHAT I THINK IS MISTAKEN MESSAGE TO THE WORLD THAT WE ARE NO LONGER INTERESTED IN LIBERAL TRADE POLICY PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE GOING OUT TO SEATTLE IN A FEW WEEKS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP FORWARD IN BROADENING, LIBERALIZING MAKING MARKETS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, WHICH OF COURSE IS PARTICULARLY IN OUR INTEREST BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES HAS THE LOWEST TARIFFS, THE MOST OPEN MARKETS, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE AHEAD AND BEGIN TO NEGOTIATE ACCESS TO OTHER MARKETS. |
| 01:04:03 | MR. MOYNIHAN: MR. |
| 01:04:04 | CHAIRMAN? |
| 01:04:06 | MR. ROTH: YES, SIR. |
| 01:04:07 | MR. |
| 01:04:08 | MOYNIHAN: WILL YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, AND AGAIN AND AGAIN? |
| 01:04:11 | WE, THE UNITED STATES, HAS THE LOWEST TARIFFS OF ANY MAJOR ECONOMY IN THE WORLD. |
| 01:04:18 | MR. ROTH: THAT'S CORRECT. MR. |
| 01:04:19 | MOYNIHAN: THE ONLY OUTCOME OF HAVING NEGOTIATING POWER AND A NEGOTIATING ROUND IS TO REDUCE THE TARIFFS OF OTHER PEOPLE. |
| 01:04:26 | MR. |
| 01:04:27 | ROTH: ABSOLUTELY. MR. |
| 01:04:28 | MOYNIHAN: AND SAY IT IS IN YOUR INTEREST TO DO IT. |
| 01:04:30 | WE HAVE HEARD TALK ABOUT THE SUBSIDIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SO FORTH. |
| 01:04:36 | YOU DON'T GET ANYWHERE WITH SUBSIDIES. |
| 01:04:39 | MR. ROTH: THEARS. |
| 01:04:40 | MR. MOYNIHAN: YOU GET ELECTED ONE YEAR SO ON AND SO FORTH. |
| 01:04:43 | BUT THE ECONOMY DOESN'T. |
| 01:04:46 | SIR, CHAIRMAN, THANK GOD YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE, BUT WHERE, SIR, ARE THE OTHERS? |
| 01:04:53 | WELL, I SEE OUR DISTINGUISHED FRIEND IS IN THE CHAMBER. |
| 01:04:59 | WELL HEAVENS, WE HAVE REACHED A CRITICAL MASS, THERE ARE FIVE SENATORS IN THE CHAMBER -- SIX -- NO, YES. |
| 01:05:11 | SIX. WELL, PERHAPS THE WORD IS GETTING ROUND THAT SOMETHING OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE IS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY, OR NOT. |
| 01:05:17 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:05:18 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 01:05:19 | MR. ROTH: THANK YOU, SENATOR MOYNIHAN. |
| 01:05:27 | MR. |
| 01:05:28 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 01:05:30 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: MR. |
| 01:05:33 | PRESIDENT? -- MS. |
| 01:05:34 | LANDRIEU: MR. |
| 01:05:35 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 01:05:38 | MS. LANDRIEU: THANK YOU. |
| 01:05:39 | I WANTED TO COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY. |
| 01:05:42 | I WANTED TO GET SOME TIME THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS TO ADD MY VOICE TO SUPPORT OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN HOPES THAT AS WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE GREAT STRENGTHS AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE THIS A GOOD BILL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING THIS OPEN TRADE, THAT WE COULD BUILD ENOUGH SUPPORT TO PASS IT. |
| 01:06:03 | TO GET THROUGH WHATEVER PROCEDURAL HURDLES ARE NECESSARY. |
| 01:06:07 | I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM NEW YORK. |
| 01:06:11 | THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE FOR THEIR BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP IN ADVOCATING, AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE OPPONENTS, LET ME JUST MAKE A FEW POINTS ABOUT THIS AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT. |
| 01:06:25 | WHEN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS THIS INSUBSTANCE, CAN DO SOMETHING THAT EXTENDS OPPORTUNITY TO COUNTRIES THAT NEED OUR ASSISTANCE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BENEFITING AMERICAN WORKERS AND INDUSTRY, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TAKE THAT STEP. |
| 01:06:41 | WE CAN, BY VOTING FOR THIS BILL, ELEVATE THE COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN AFRICA, THE CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA, HOPEFULLY IF THAT PIECE CAN BE ADDED, AND THE UNITED STATES. |
| 01:06:52 | THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL ATTEMPTS TO DO. |
| 01:06:55 | MY STATE, LOUISIANA, IS SMART AND BLESSED TO HAVE POSITIONED ITSELF AT THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. |
| 01:07:03 | IT'S HOW OUR STATE BEGAN. |
| 01:07:05 | IT'S HOW THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND COMMUNITIES BEGAN HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO AND DEVELOPED INTO A STATE. |
| 01:07:13 | IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE THE RIVER'S IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR NATION. |
| 01:07:19 | BUT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS MORE THAN JUST A WAY TO MOVE GOODS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES; IT IS ALSO THE PRIMARY ARTERY FOR NORTH-SOUTH TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO THE SOUTH. |
| 01:07:35 | AND THERE LIES SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR THEM AND FOR US. |
| 01:07:38 | AT THIS TIME MUCH OF AMERICA'S TRADE FLOWS IN AN EAST-TO-WEST DIRECTION BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE EAST COAST, OR ASIA AND THE WEST COAST. |
| 01:07:47 | AND WE HAVE ALL BENEFITED, SOME TO A GRRAILT DEGREE THAN OTHERS, AND THERE HAVE MOST CERTAINLY BEEN CHANGES, BUT WE HAVE ALL BENEFITED FROM THAT FLOW. |
| 01:07:55 | BUT WE WILL TO INBENEFIT EVEN IN A GREATER WAY TO INCREASE THE NORTH-SOUTH FLOW. |
| 01:08:02 | WHILE LOUISIANA BENEFITS AND PAPTS, IT DOES NOT MAKE USE OF LOUISIANA'S NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE. |
| 01:08:09 | FOR THIS REASON, WHEN THE UNITED STATES HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE TRADE IN THE NORTH-SOUTH ACCESS, WE CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL INCREASE THOSE BENEFITS TO OUR STATE AND OUR NATION. |
| 01:08:24 | I WANT TO SAY THE BEST EXAMPLE FOR LOUISIANA IS NAFTA. |
| 01:08:28 | BUT PROMOTING TRADE BETWEEN MEXICO, THE UNITED STATES, AND CANADA, NAFTA MOVES GOODS ALONG A NORTH-SOUTH KOR DO THAT NATURALLY PRODUCES GROWTH FOR OUR STATE. |
| 01:08:39 | THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN QUITE DRAMATIC. |
| 01:08:42 | IN FIVE YEARS SINCE NAFTA WAS ENACTED, LOUISIANA'S TWRAID OUR PARTNERS HAS INCREASED 134%. |
| 01:08:50 | LOUISIANA'S EXPORTS TO MEXICO ALONE WERE UP 34% LAST YEAR. |
| 01:08:55 | THIS TRADE INCREASE SUPPORTS OVER 10,000 JOBS IN MY STATE AND GROWING EVERY MONTH. |
| 01:09:01 | THUS, FROM A STANDPOINT OF EN ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST, MANY PEOPLE, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA, SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF TRADE BETWEEN OUR OTHER SOUTHERN TRADING PARTNERS IN LATIN AMERICA, THE CARIBBEAN AND, YES, AFRICA. |
| 01:09:16 | THIS BILL IS ALSO ABOUT THE UNITED STATES PAYING MORE ATTENTION, SERIOUS ATTENTION, TO A CONTINENT WE HAVE IN MANY WAYS IGNORED. |
| 01:09:26 | I MUST SAY THAT SUCH AN EFFORT IS TOO LONG IN COMING. |
| 01:09:30 | UNTIL NOW U. |
| 01:09:31 | S. POLICY IN AFRICA HAS REALLY OPERATED IN TWO MODES: BENIGN NEGLECT AND COLD WAR GAMESMANSHIP. |
| 01:09:40 | OUR GOVERNMENT POURED AID INTO AFRICA WHEN IT WAS AN ACTIVE BATTLEGROUND AND THE IDEOLOGICAL STRUGGLE OF THE COLD WAR. |
| 01:09:46 | WE MADE MANY MISSTAKES IN OUR EFFORTS TO BE HELPFUL, WE SUPPORTED GOVERNMENTS THAT PAID ONLY LIP SERVICE TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND CARED LITTLE ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR A MODERN MARKET ECONOMY. |
| 01:09:57 | MUCH OF OUR AID WAS WASTED. |
| 01:10:00 | I'M SURE SOME OF IT WENT TO VERY GOOD USE. |
| 01:10:02 | AND THE SERIES OF WARS AND HUMAN TRAGEDIES HAVE LEFT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SOMEWHAT JADED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR REAL REFORM IN AFRICA. |
| 01:10:11 | OUR NEGLECT OF THIS CONTINENT WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS, OBVIOUSLY, IS STARKLY POINTED OUT BY OUR TRADE AND INVESTMENT STATISTICS. |
| 01:10:21 | ONLY 1% OF ALL U. |
| 01:10:24 | S.-FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT GOES TO AFRICA. |
| 01:10:26 | OF THAT 1%, HALF OF IT WAS IN THE PETROLEUM SECTOR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY WE IN LOUISIANA KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT, AND THE MAJORITY WAS CONCENTRATED IN ONLY FIVE COUNTRIES. |
| 01:10:39 | THAT LEAVES 43 OTHER NATIONS IN AFRICA WITH VIRTUALLY NO CONTACT WITH THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF FREE ENTERPRISE. |
| 01:10:47 | I BELIEVE THAT AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COUNTRY WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LEAVE BEHIND, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO DEVELOP A SOCIETY IN THIS WORLD OF HAVE'S AND HAVE NOT'S. |
| 01:11:00 | THE STRETCHES -- OR, STRESSES THAT SUCH DISPARITIES PRODUCE INHERENTLY RIP AT THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY, CAUSE UPHEAVAL AND ULTIMATELY CAN AND AS WE'VE SEEN ON OCCASION AFTER OCCASION, DECADE AFTER DECADE, CENTURY AFTER CENTURY TO SEVERE VIOLENCE AND WAR. |
| 01:11:18 | THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SOME NATIONS LIKE TANZANIA MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR WITHIN OUR OWN COUNTRY SEEM LAUGHABLE. |
| 01:11:30 | YET WE WONDER WHERE ROGUE NATIONS COME FROM. |
| 01:11:33 | WE WONDER WHAT PROMPTS THEM TO ACT IN VIOLENT AND IN OUR IDEA IN AN UNRESPONSIBLE WAY. |
| 01:11:41 | WHEN PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY ARE NOT VESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIETY, WHEN THEY FEEL THEY HAVE NOTHING AT STAKE IN THE COMMUNITY, CRIME AND VIOLENCE ARE THE RESULT. |
| 01:11:52 | THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS NO DIFFERENT. |
| 01:11:53 | WOULD THE SUDAN BE A ROGUE STATE IF IT HAD A SERIOUS TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE? |
| 01:11:59 | I DON'T BELIEVE SO. |
| 01:12:00 | UNFORTUNATELY, MUCH OF AFRICA FINDS ITSELF IGNORED AND DIVESTED FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY. |
| 01:12:07 | AGAIN, THE FIGURES PAINT A PICTURE STARKLY. |
| 01:12:10 | FOR 20 YEARS THE GAP BETWEEN THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS NOT CLOSED. |
| 01:12:19 | IT HAS WIDENED. |
| 01:12:20 | DECLINING COMMODITY PRICES COST AFTER KADS 50 BILLION IN EXPORT EARNING. |
| 01:12:23 | THIS IS TWICE AS MUCH AS THEY RECEIVED IN FOREIGN AID BETWEEN 1986 AND 1990. |
| 01:12:29 | 50% OF ALL AFRICANS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. |
| 01:12:33 | 40% LIVE ON LESS THAN $1 A DAY. |
| 01:12:36 | AND DEBT SERVICE CLAIMS OVER 80% OF AFRICA'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS. |
| 01:12:41 | IT IS NO WONDER THAT GIVEN THIS BLEAK PICTURE, TRADE RELATIONS WITH AFRICA NEED A JUMP-START. |
| 01:12:48 | NOT ONLY FOR AFRICA'S BENEFIT BUT FOR OUR BENEFIT, FOR SOUTH AMERICA, FOR THE CARIBBEAN, AND FOR EVERY STATE IN THE UNILATERAL, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT HAVE THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE TO OFFER FOR NORTH-SOUTH TRADE. |
| 01:13:03 | THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES ACT WOULD OPEN UP AMERICAN MARKETS TO APPARELED AND OTHER GOODS PRODUCED IN AFRICA BUT WITH THE RIGHT PERCENTAGES AND THE RIGHT MECHANISMS AND METHODS FOR MUCH OF THOSE GOODS AND SERVICES TO ALSO HAVE VALUE ADDED HERE, WHICH WOULD PRESERVE JOBS. |
| 01:13:21 | AS THE AMAZING GROWTH OF EAST ASIA HAS DEMONSTRATED, APPAREL IS A NATURAL ENTRY POINT INTO MANUFACTURING, AND A NATURAL SOURCE FOR MORE ROBUST TRADING RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA. |
| 01:13:34 | THE SENATE VERSION OF THIS BILL ENSURES THAT THE BENEFITS OF THIS RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT BE ONE-SIDED BUT WILL BE MUTUAL. |
| 01:13:41 | AS ONLY APPAREL UTILIZING AMERICAN-PRODUCED TEXTILES WILL RECEIVE THE G. |
| 01:13:48 | S.P. BENEFITS. |
| 01:13:49 | THUS, A STEADY TRAFFIC, TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, CAN DEVELOP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA. |
| 01:13:55 | SUCH A SYSTEM OF MUTUAL BENEFICIAL TRADE CAN ONLY ENHANCE PROSPECTS, FURTHER AMERICAN INVESTMENT AND INTEREST IN THE AFRICAN MARKET, CREATING JOBS, MR. |
| 01:14:06 | PRESIDENT, BOTH THERE AND HERE. |
| 01:14:08 | FOR MY HOME STATE OF LOUISIANA, THIS IS A VERY GOOD DEAL. |
| 01:14:13 | MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BILL JEFFERSON, HAS BEEN ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ADD ROW CATS FOR THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS THE MUTUAL BENEFIT FOR OUR STATE AND MANY STATES IN THIS NATION AND THIS CONTINENT. |
| 01:14:27 | FURTHERMORE, AS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PORTS OF THE WORD, TRADE IN EITHER DIRECTION TRANSLATES INTO HIGHWAY JOBS FOR CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA. |
| 01:14:37 | I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE CRITICISMS OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHICH WOULD -- WITH RESPECT TO THE DANGERS OF LABOR STANDARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION. |
| 01:14:48 | I TAKE THESE CRITIQUES AND CRITICS VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE I, FOR ONE, MOST CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF ANY TRADE RELATIONS THAT DOESN'T PROMOTE GOOD AND PROGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND LABOR POLICIES. |
| 01:15:02 | BUT, MR. |
| 01:15:03 | PRESIDENT, THE ONLY LONG-TERM ANSWER TO BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS IS ECONOMIC GROWTH. |
| 01:15:09 | NO COUNTRY WILL ADDRESS LABOR RELATIONS WHEN 50% OF ITS PEOPLE LIVE IN POVERTY. |
| 01:15:14 | NO COUNTRY CAN PROTECT ITS ENVIRONMENT WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO BE KEPT ALIVE. |
| 01:15:21 | POACHING, DEFOREST STATION, SLASH-AND-BURN AGRICULTURE, ARE ALL THE OF TOO LITTLE TRADE, TOO LITTLE EXCHANGE WITH MORE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. |
| 01:15:30 | THIS IS NOT TO ABANDON THAT -- THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD ABONN DONE PRINCIPLES. |
| 01:15:40 | WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE COUNTRIES. |
| 01:15:44 | ENGAGEMENT IS REQUIRED BECAUSE THE STATUS QUO IS EVEN LESS LIKELY TO PRODUCE THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS THAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE AND TO ADDRESS THE RIGHTS OF WORXFERY WHERE. |
| 01:15:53 | I AM SADDENED TO KNOW DESPITE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES ACT, IT IS UNLIKELY TO RECEIVE A FINAL VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE. |
| 01:16:03 | THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS SENATE I BELIEVE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS BILL ENACTED, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE LATE IN YEAR. |
| 01:16:12 | PROCEDURAL DIFFICULTIES COULD ABSORB THE LITTLE TIME WE HAVE REMAINING. |
| 01:16:16 | I MUST SAY THAT WHEN IT COMES TO QUESTIONS OF WORLD LEER, THE SENATE SHOULD MAKE TIME FOR THESE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS. |
| 01:16:22 | THE SENATE FLOOR HAS SEEN MANY ITEMS DEBATED THAT HAVE NOT ENJOYED BROAD-BASED SUPPORT AS THIS LEGISLATION DOES. |
| 01:16:28 | SO I STILL REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT OUR DIFFERENCES CAN BE WORKED OUT BECAUSE THIS AND OTHER TRADE BILLS AND PROVISIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO HELP US MAINTAIN THE UPWARD MOBILITY WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN AMERICA, THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH OF OPPORTUNITIES AND JOBS AND WAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT CAN ONLY HELP IF THESE AGREEMENTS ARE DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY, COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD AND THROUGHOUT PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. |
| 01:16:58 | I JUST WANT TO END VERY BRIEFLY WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE PORTION OF THIS BILL. |
| 01:17:05 | TO SAY THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT CENTRAL AMERICA AT THE WAKE OF THE HURRICANE AND HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA, THEY WERE DEVASTATED DEVASTATED. |
| 01:17:14 | SET BACK OVER A DECADE OR TWO ACCORDING TO SOME ANALYSTS ABOUT THE DEVASTATION THAT IS THAT HURRICANE WROUGHT, AT A TERRIBLE TIME, MR. |
| 01:17:22 | PRESIDENT, WHEN THEY WERE COMING INTO A DEMOCRACY, WHEN THE ECONOMIES WERE EXPANDING TO HAVE THIS HIT, WHEN VISITED, AS MANY OF US DID, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF THESE NATIONS. |
| 01:17:35 | YES, THEY ASKED FOR US TO HELP REPAIR THEIR HIGHWAYS; HE YES, THEY ASKED FOR OUR MILITARY TO ENGAGE AND PARTICULARLY OUR RESERVES, WHICH WE WERE HELP TO -- WHICH WE WERE PROUD TO HELP SEND DOWN. |
| 01:17:50 | BUT THE ONE THING THEY ASKED FOR MORE THAN ANYTHING WAGSZ THE CARIBBEAN TRADE INITIATIVE SO THEY COULD WORK THEMSELVES UP, SO THEY COULD HELP PRODUCE NEW JOBS, NOT ONLY IN THE CARIBBEAN BUT, NOT ONLY IN SOUTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL AMERICA BUT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 01:18:08 | SO LET US LEARN FROM THE PAST. |
| 01:18:11 | LET US LOOK CONFIDENTLY TOWARDS THE FUTURE. |
| 01:18:15 | LET US NOT COWER BACK BECAUSE THE RULES MAY BE DIFFERENT AND BECAUSE GLOBALIZATION IS UPON US. |
| 01:18:20 | LET US, MR. |
| 01:18:21 | PRESIDENT, BE BRAVE AND GO FORWARD, RECOGNIZING THAT GLOBAL TRADE BRINGS WEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY, NOT ONLY MORE TO OUR NATION BUT IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOING TO HELP CLOSE THE TREMENDOUS GAPS OF WEALTH IN THIS WORLD THAT IF WE DON'T CLOSE WILL PRODUCE NOTHING BUT UNREST, VIOLENCE, AND WAR IN THE FUTURE. |
| 01:18:45 | SO FOR ALL THE REASONS, PRIMARILY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT ALSO FOR WORLD PEACE, LET US BE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF TRADE AND THAT'S WHAT TODAY IS ABOUT. |
| 01:18:54 | I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 01:18:55 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 01:18:57 | PRESIDENT. MR. |
| 01:18:58 | FEINGOLD: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 01:19:00 | MR. |
| 01:19:01 | FEINGOLD: MR. |
| 01:19:02 | PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPEAK FOR UP TO FIVE MINUTES AS IF IN MORNING BUSINESS. |
| 01:19:06 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:19:08 | MR. FEINGOLD: MR. |
| 01:19:09 | PRESIDENT, I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY TO BRIEFLY COMMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. |
| 01:19:16 | THIS MORNING A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS LED BY THE SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA, SENATOR HAGEL, ANNOUNCED A NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM PROPOSAL. |
| 01:19:25 | AND LET ME SAY THAT I AND THE SENATOR IN ARIZONA, SENATOR MCCAIN, WARMLY WELCOME THE HEIGHTENED PARTICIPATION OF THIS NEW GROUP OF SENATORS, WHICH INCLUDES THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, THE SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA, SENATOR LANDRIEU, WHO HAS BEEN FROM THE DAY SHE CAME TO THE SENATE A STRONG SUPPORTER OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND I ALSO NOTE THAT IT INCLUDES FIVE REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY NEVER VOTED FOR A CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM MEASURE THAT INCLUDES LIMITS ON SOFT MONEY. |
| 01:19:55 | AS I PREDICTED LAST WEEK ON THE FLOOR YOU THE WALL OF PROTECTION FOR THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF UNLIMITED SOFT MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES IS RAPIDLY CRUMBLING. |
| 01:20:05 | WHILE I AM PLEASED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT, I AM NOT SURPRISED. |
| 01:20:10 | THE SOFT MONEY SYSTEM IS INDEFENSIBLE. |
| 01:20:12 | I THINK WE SAW THAT DURING OUR ABBREVIATED DEBATE LAST WEEK. |
| 01:20:16 | OPPONENTS OF REFORM DIDN'T REALLY DEFEND SOFT MONEY. |
| 01:20:19 | THEY TRIED TO DIVERT OUR ATTENTION FROM IT. |
| 01:20:21 | THEY ACTUALLY QUESTIONED WHETHER THERE'S ANYTHING CORRUPTING ABOUT UNLIMITED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CORPORATE AND UNION TREASURIES TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES. |
| 01:20:31 | WELL, MR. PRESIDENT, AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS WROTE IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WHEN HE HEARD ABOUT THESE COMMENTS ON THE FLOOR, HE SAID "YOU COULD ALMOST HEAR THE LAUGHTER COMING FROM BOARDROOMS AND EXECUTIVE SUITES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHEN SENATE OPPONENTS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM EXPRESSED DISMAY THAT ANYONE COULD THINK BIG POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CORRUPTING ELECTIONS AND GOVERNMENT. |
| 01:20:57 | " SO, MR. |
| 01:20:58 | PRESIDENT, I THINK THE NEW INITIATIVE, LED BY THE SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA, RECOGNIZES THAT THE OPPONENTS OF REFORM HAVE NOW RETREATED TO AN UNTENABLE POSITION. |
| 01:21:06 | THEY ARE DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE. |
| 01:21:10 | TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH UNLIMITED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES, THAT THIS IS SOMEHOW THE AMERICAN WAY, IS TO LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SIMPLY WILL NOT ACCEPT. |
| 01:21:22 | THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT SOFT MONEY IS WRONG. |
| 01:21:24 | THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT SOFT MONEY IS CORRUPTING R AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY KNOWS IT, TOO, AS THE GLOBAL CHAIRMAN OF DELA TOUCHE EXPRESSED. |
| 01:21:36 | WHILE THE HAGEL PROPOSAL DOES NOT BAN SOFT MONEY COMPLETELY, WHICH IS I BELIEVE IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF AN ACCEPTABLE FEIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL, IT DOES LIMIT IT SIGNIFICANTLY. |
| 01:21:45 | SO WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A WHOLE NEW GROUP OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS AS WELL AS SOME DEMOCRATS WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY SAYING IT IS NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO LIMIT SOFT MONEY AND IN FACT THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY SEEING THE ABUSE OF $300,000 OR $500,000 CONTRIBUTIONS AND THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT T SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH SENATOR HAIGLESS AND THE OTHERS TO REACH COMMON GROUND. |
| 01:22:08 | WHEN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LEFT THE FLOOR LAST WEEK, WE IN A TOTAL OF 5 SENATORS WHO HAD VOTED IN FAVOR OF REFORM. |
| 01:22:15 | NOW WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE, THERE ARE FIVE MORE SENATORS WHO APPARENTLY ARE PLEEMD TO VOTE TO CHANGE THIS SYSTEM. |
| 01:22:22 | I THINK THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT, MR. |
| 01:22:24 | PRESIDENT. AS I'M SURE ALL MY COLLEAGUES KNOW, BECAUSE WHAT'S 5 PLUS 5? |
| 01:22:30 | 60. IF WE CAN BRING ALL OF THESE SENATORS TOGETHER IN A PACKAGES THAT THEY CAN ALL ACCEPT, WE CAN BREAK THE FILIBUSTER. |
| 01:22:37 | WHAT WE NEED NOW IS REAL HARD WORK. |
| 01:22:40 | WE NEED BIPARTISAN WORK. |
| 01:22:41 | WE NEED TO BRIDGE OUR DIFFERENCES. |
| 01:22:43 | IF WE CAN DO THAT, WE CAN DEFEAT THE DEFENDERS OF THIS CORRUPT SYSTEM AND WE CAN GIVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A CLEANER AND FAIRER CAMPAIGN SYSTEM FOR THE NEW CENTURY. |
| 01:22:52 | MR. |
| 01:22:53 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 01:22:56 | P MR. |
| 01:22:58 | HOLLINGS: -- MR. |
| 01:22:59 | ROTH: MR. |
| 01:23:00 | PRESIDENT, MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 01:23:03 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. |
| 01:23:06 | QUORUM CALL: MR. |
| 01:25:58 | ROTH: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. |
| 01:26:00 | MR. ROTH: MR. |
| 01:26:01 | PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE CALLING OF THE QUORUMING DISPENSED WITH. |
| 01:26:05 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:26:09 | MR. |
| 01:26:10 | ROTH: MR. PRESIDENT, THE CRITICS OF AN OPEN AND FORWARD-LOOKING TRADE POLICY WOULD REFER -- WOULD PREFER TO AVOID A DEBATE ABOUT THE ACTUAL FACTS REGARDING THE U. |
| 01:26:25 | S. ECONOMY. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES. |
| 01:26:29 | ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, FROM 1970 TO 1997, THE PERCENTAGE OF U. |
| 01:26:41 | S. G. |
| 01:26:43 | D.P. INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 11% OF G. |
| 01:26:49 | D.P. TO 25%. |
| 01:26:53 | AND IF THE OPPONENTS OF THIS LEGISLATION WERE RIGHT IN THEIR CRITICISM OF U. |
| 01:26:59 | S. TRADE POLICY UKS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE FACING A PRECIPITOUS ECONOMIC DECLINE DECLINE. |
| 01:27:09 | IN FACT, THE UNITED STATES' G. |
| 01:27:16 | D.P. ROUGHLY QUADRUPLED OVER THE SAME TIME, 1970 TO 1997, GREW FROM $2 TRILLION TO $8. |
| 01:27:27 | 2 TRILLION. NOW, IF THE OPPONENTS OF DH BILL WERE CORRECT IN THEIR CRITICISMS OUR TRADE POLICY, WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC RISE IN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT ALONG WITH THE PREDICTED DECLINE IN OUTPUT. |
| 01:27:46 | IN FACT, FROM 1970 TO 1997, THE AMERICAN ECONOMY PRODUCED A NET INCREASE OF 33. |
| 01:27:58 | 5 MILLION JOBS. |
| 01:27:59 | TO PUT THAT IN CONTEXT, THE AMERICAN ECONOMY PRODUCED MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS THAN THE ENTIRE G-7 INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES COMBINED. |
| 01:28:15 | RATHER THAN FACING THE DOUBLE-DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT THAT GERMANY FACES, U. |
| 01:28:23 | S. UNEMPLOYMENT STOOD NEAR 4%. |
| 01:28:29 | THE OPPONENTS OF THIS BILL OFTEN FINGER OUR TRADE POLICY AS THE CULPRIT IN A DECLINE IN REAL WAGES FROM 1978 TO 1997. |
| 01:28:43 | BECAUSE TRADE IS A PERCENTAGE OF OUR ECONOMY -- BECAUSE TRADE AS A PERCENTAGE OF OUR ECONOMY DOUBLED WHILE REAL WAGES FELL. |
| 01:28:51 | IN FACT, WHILE WAGES FELL, THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF THE ENTIRE PACKAGE OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OFFERED TO WORKERS ACTUALLY INCREASED BY 2%. |
| 01:29:08 | THAT'S NOT TO DENY THAT THERE IS A GROWING GAP BETWEEN THE PAY OF OUR HIGHEST PAID WORKERS AND OUR LOWEST. |
| 01:29:16 | AND THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THIS GAP HAS GROWN. |
| 01:29:21 | BUT WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES TO ASK THREE BASIC QUESTIONS. |
| 01:29:26 | FIRST, IS THE GAP IN AND OF ITSELF A PROBLEM IF EVERYONE IS BETTER OFF? |
| 01:29:32 | SECOND, IS THE GAP ATTRIBUTABLE TO TRADE AS THE CRITICS COMPLAIN? |
| 01:29:37 | AND, THIRD, IS SLOWING THE PACE OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION OR WORSE YET THE IMPOSITION OF ACTUAL RESTRAINTS ON TRADE THE RIGHT POLICY TO REMEDY THE INEQUALITY IN WAGES? |
| 01:29:51 | AS TO THE FIRST POINT, THE GROWING GAP IN WAGES IS NOT NECESSARILY A PROBLEM IF ANYONE IS BETTER OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY. |
| 01:30:01 | AS NOTED ABOVE, WHILE WAGES FELL AT THE LOW END, THE OVERALL PACKAGE OF BENEFITS INCREASED OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES. |
| 01:30:13 | AND, FURTHERMORE, REAL WAGES ARE ONCE AGAIN ON THE RISE, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE LOW END. |
| 01:30:21 | BUT EVEN IF WAGES WERE IN FACT STAGNANT AND TRADE WOULD HELP, TRADE MAKES A BROADER RANGE OF HIGHER-QUALITY GOODS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL WAGE EARNERS IN THE ECONOMY. |
| 01:30:37 | IN OTHER WORDS, TRADE HELPS ENSURE THAT EVEN THE LOWEST-PAID SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY CAN GET HIGHER VALUE FOR THEIR DOLLARS THAN WOULD BE THE CASE WITHOUT THE COMPETITION TRADE BRINGS. |
| 01:30:52 | AS FOR THE SECOND QUESTION, WHETHER TRADE IS THE CULPRIT IN WAGE INEQUALITY, THE ANSWER IS THAT TRADE HAS SOME IMPACT BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE DISPARITY IN INCOME BETWEEN DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EDUCATION. |
| 01:31:13 | EDUCATION GIVES YOU THE TOOLS TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE AS THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT CHANGES OR AS EMPLOYMENT CHANGES GENERALLY. |
| 01:31:23 | AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE ECONOMY PAYS A PREMIUM TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GETTING A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, A COLLEGE EDUCATION, AND POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION AS WELL. |
| 01:31:37 | OUR ECONOMY DOES REWARD ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. |
| 01:31:41 | THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. |
| 01:31:43 | BUT SHOULD WE CHANGE IT? |
| 01:31:45 | SHOULD WE ELIMINATE ANY INCENTIVES TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER EDUCATION AS A WAY OF ELIMINATING THE WAGE GAP? |
| 01:31:54 | FEW PEOPLE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE RESPONSE. |
| 01:32:00 | BUT THAT REALLY FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION ON THE THIRD QUESTION QUESTION, WHETHER SLOWING THE PROCESS OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION OR IMPOSING TRADE RESTRAINTS IS THE RIGHT ANSWER TO ADDRESS THE WAGE GAP GAP. |
| 01:32:15 | AND THE ANSWER IS, NO, SIR. |
| 01:32:16 | IMPOSING RESTRAINTS ON TRADE WOULD AT BEST BE AN INDIRECT, INEFFICIENT, COSTLY, FOURTH-BEST OPTION. |
| 01:32:27 | IF THE DISPARITY IN WAGES RELATE TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, TRADE RESTRAINTS WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, MUCH LESS SOLVE IT. |
| 01:32:38 | INDEED, IF THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF ENCOURAGING IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND ENCOURAGING OUR YOUTH TO REMAIN IN COLLEGE, IMPOSING RESTRAINTS ON TRADE IS SIMPLY SELF-DEFEATING. |
| 01:32:53 | TRADE RESTRAINTS WILL DOING IN TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS OR IMPROVE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OR ACHIEVEMENT. |
| 01:33:01 | IT WILL SIMPLY COMPLWOSE IMPOSE HIGHER COSTS ON CONSUMERS. |
| 01:33:06 | AND ON WHOSE SHOULDERS WILL THOSE HIGHER COSTS FALL? |
| 01:33:10 | WELL, THOSE HIGHER COSTS WILL FALL DISPROPORTIONATELY ON THE LOWEST IN OUR SOCIETY, THE LOWEST IN THE ECONOMIC CENTER OF OUR SOCIETY. |
| 01:33:22 | IN OTHER WORDS, THE BURDEN OF TRADE RESTRAINTS WILL FALL PRECISELY ON THOSE GROUPS THAT THE CRIKST OF TRADE PURPORT TO WANT TO HELP BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY PER SEEVEN AS -- PERCEIVE AS AN INEQUITABLE GAP OF WAGES. |
| 01:33:37 | WHY IS THAT SO? |
| 01:33:38 | THE HAVEN'T THAT TRADE RESTRAINTS LIKE TARIFFS AND QUOTAS ARE HUGELY REPRESSIVE. |
| 01:33:45 | OUR HIGHEST TARIFFS FALL ON STAPLES SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING. |
| 01:33:51 | THAT'S AN INCONVENIENT FACT THAT THE CRIKST OF TRADE WOULD PREFER NOT TO PUBLICIZE. |
| 01:33:55 | WHAT THAT SUBMARINES THAT THOSE WORKERS THAT NOW RECEIVE RELATIVELY LOWER WAGES WOULD PAY THE COSTS FOR ANY INCREASE IN TRADE RESTRAINTS WHICH WOULD EXACERBATE THE INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE HIGH AND LOW END OF THE PAY SCALE RATHER THAN REDUCE IT. |
| 01:34:11 | WE ACTUALLY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WAGE INEQUALITY. |
| 01:34:16 | WE SHOULD AVOID ULINGSE THE GAP IN WAGES FROM THE HIGH AND TO THE LOW END AS AN EXCUSE TO HELP PROTECT CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IN THIS COUNTRY AND IMPOSE HIGHER COSTS ON CONSUMERS. |
| 01:34:30 | RATHER, WE SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON IMPROVING OUR PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES. |
| 01:34:37 | THIS IS BUT ONE OF THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THE RISING WAGE GAP. |
| 01:34:42 | I UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENTS THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE A FORMER TEXTILE WORKER AND RETRAIN THEM TO BE A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER. |
| 01:34:50 | THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD PURSUE POLICIES THAT WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL FLOWING WITHIN AND INTO THE UNITED STATES, THAT HELPS THOSE AT THE BOTTOM IN TWO WAILS. |
| 01:35:01 | THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL INCREASES RELATIVE TO LABOR WILL DEMAND MORE LABOR TO FULLY EMPLOY ITSELF AND APPRECIATE IN VALUE. |
| 01:35:11 | IT ALSO RAISES THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THOSE AT THE BOTTOM, MAKING THEM MORE VALUABLE, AND THEY WILL BE REWARD FOR SUCH PRODUCTIVITY ACCORDINGLY. |
| 01:35:24 | THIS CAN BE SUMMED UP SUCCINCTLY BY ONE QUESTION: WHICH HIGH SCHOOL-LEVEL WORKER GETS PAY THE THE MOST TO DIG A HOLE? |
| 01:35:31 | THE ONE WHO USES A SPOON? |
| 01:35:32 | A SHOVEL? |
| 01:35:34 | OR AN EXCAVATEER? |
| 01:35:36 | WELL, THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS -- THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE THREE IS NOT EDUCATION BUT THE CAPITAL THAT THEY EMPLOY TO PRODUCE. |
| 01:35:45 | ULTIMATELY, ALL ECONOMIC GROWTHS IS THE RESULT OF RISK TAKE ON NEW IDEAS THAT INCREASE OUR PRODUCTIVITY. |
| 01:35:54 | THEREBY INCREASING OUR STANDARD OF LIVING. |
| 01:35:56 | WHAT ARE THE -- WHEN WE LOWER, RATHER, THE GOVERNMENT BARRIERS TO RISK CAPITAL LIKE WE DID IN THE TAXPAYER RELIEF OF 1997, WHICH INCLUDED A LARGE CUT IN THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX, CUTS IN THE ESTATE TAX, CREATION OF THE ROTH IRA, CAPITAL BECOMES MORE ABAUN DANTS, FUELING THE WAGE INCREASE, STOCK MARKET INCREASES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS. |
| 01:36:33 | THE STABILITY OF THE DOLLAR IN THE PAST TWO DECADES AS OPPOSED TO THE TURMOIL OF THE 1970'S HAS ALSO GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO CAPITAL FORMATION. |
| 01:36:43 | NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE TAX ON CAPITAL IS UNINDEXED FOR INFLATION, BUT ALSO BECAUSE CURRENTLY INSTABILITY INCREASES THE RISKS ASSOCIATE WITH ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. |
| 01:36:55 | WHEN WE LOWER THESE BARRIERS AND RISKS, THOSE WITH CAPITAL WILL RISK IT ON THOSE WITHOUT CAPITAL BUT WHO POSSESS A SURPLUS OF TIME, ENERGY, TALENT OR IDEAS. |
| 01:37:07 | THESE IDEAS, ANYTHING FROM A BETTER MOUSETRAP TO THE PERSONAL COMPUTER, ALLOW US TO PRODUCE MORE OUT OF LESS, RAISING STANDARD OF LIVING OF ALL SECTORS OF THE WAGE BASE. |
| 01:37:20 | THESE ARE THE MOST DIRECT RESPONSES TO THE RISING WAGE GAP AND ALSO THE MOST EFFICIENT EFFICIENT, LEAST COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY SUCCESSFUL ANSWER TO WAGE AN INCOME. |
| 01:37:35 | CALLING FOR AN END TO TRADE LIBERALIZATION WILL NOT HELP NOR WILL OPPOSING THIS BILL. |
| 01:37:40 | MR. |
| 01:37:41 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD BACK THE FLOOR AND ASK -- MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 01:37:46 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. |
| 01:37:57 | QUORUM CALL: GETTING BACK TO SMOOT-HAWLEY AND EVEN HITLER. |
| 02:02:07 | I KNOW THAT PAT BUCHANAN, ONE OF THE ENTHUSE A ASS FOR COMPETITIVE -- ENTHUSIASTS FOR COMPETITIVE TRADE -- AND I THINK HE'S RIGHT -- HAS MIXED INTO A BOOK THAT HE'S PUBLISHED SOMETHING ABOUT WE OUGHT TO BE MORE CONSIDERATE OF HITLER. |
| 02:02:26 | PURE NONSENSE. |
| 02:02:27 | BUT NOW WE TALK ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, THE SENATOR FROM NEW YORK CITING SMOOT-HAWLEY AND HOW IT WENT DOWN WITH THE DEPRESSION AND HOW WE GOT HITLER AND THE ARISE. |
| 02:02:40 | AND, OF COURSE, IF YOU LISTEN TO THE ERUDITE GENTLEMAN AND NOT FULLY AWARE OF ALL THE FACTS, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT YOU THINK THAT THIS BILL IS TO AVOID A DEPRESSION AND AVOID HITLERISM OR SOMETHING SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME, SOMEHOW. |
| 02:03:01 | WITH RESPECT TO SMOOT-HAWLEY, WE HAD A GOOD DEBATE, MR. |
| 02:03:06 | PRESIDENT, SOME 15 OR MORE YEARS AGO. |
| 02:03:11 | I'LL NEVER FORGET IT. |
| 02:03:12 | THE LATE THE SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA, SENATOR JOHN HEINZ, AND MYSELF HAD TO CORRECT THAT RECORD. |
| 02:03:17 | AND WE GOT THE DON BIDELL ASSOCIATE STUDY THAT WAS THE FORMATIVE STUDY OF SMOOT- SMOOT-HAWLEY AT THE TIME. |
| 02:03:30 | AND RATHER THAN GOING INTO THE ENTIRE STUDY -- I'LL NEVER FORGET WITH RESPECT TO THE FACT THAT, ONE, THAT THE CRASH OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OF 1929. |
| 02:03:49 | THAT'S WHEN WE ALL WENT BROKE. |
| 02:03:55 | IT WAS EVERYTHING. |
| 02:03:57 | JUST WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW COULD EASILY HAPPEN. |
| 02:04:03 | AS FOR SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT WE ARE READING ON THE HORIZON COME TO BEAR. |
| 02:04:07 | BUT NOT BEING AN ALARMIST AND BEING A REALIST, LET'S LOOK AND REALIZE THAT SMOOT-HAWLEY, IN THE VERY FIRST INSTANCE, OCCURRED SOME EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE OCTOBER 29 CRASH. |
| 02:04:25 | IT WAS IN JUNE OF 1930. |
| 02:04:26 | THAT DIDN'T CAUSE THE CRASH OR CAUSE HITLER, CAUSE THE DEPRESSION AND CAUSE ALL OF THE DISASTER OF THE 1930'S. |
| 02:04:32 | ON THE CONTRARY, IT DID NOT AFFECT TRADE TO ANY EXTENT. |
| 02:04:40 | THE TARIFFS IN QUESTION AFFECTED ONLY ONE-THIRD OF OUR TRADE. |
| 02:04:47 | TWO-THIRDS WAS UNAFFECTED. |
| 02:04:50 | NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE TRADE. |
| 02:05:03 | MR. |
| 02:05:04 | PRESIDENT, I SUGGEST THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM. |
| 02:05:05 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. |
| 02:05:11 | QUORUM CALL: INGS: MR. |
| 02:07:13 | HOLLINGS: MR. |
| 02:07:14 | PRESIDENT? |
| 02:07:15 | I ASK THE QUORUM CALL BE VITIATED. |
| 02:07:17 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:07:19 | MR. HOLLINGS: REGARDING TRADE, IT WAS AT A THIRD OR A LITTLE LESS. |
| 02:07:22 | TRADE ITSELF WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND ONE-AND-A-HALF, LET'S SAY SOME ARGUMENT ABOUT 3% OF THE G. |
| 02:07:36 | N.P. 25% NOW. |
| 02:07:38 | I'M TRYING TO GIVE A COMPARISON SO YOU GET A FEEL OF THE EXACT IMPACT UPON THE ECONOMY. |
| 02:07:45 | AND THE TARIFFS IN QUESTION A FETHED ONLY $231 MILLION WORTH OF PRODUCTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1930, LESS THAN 1% OF THE WORLD'S TRADE. |
| 02:08:01 | SO IT DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, HAVE ANY REALLY EFFECT ON WORLD TRADE. |
| 02:08:09 | IN 1930 TO 1932, DUTY FREE IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES DROPPED AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS DUTYABLE IMPORTS. |
| 02:08:22 | SO WHAT YOU TAKE IS YOU LOOK AT THE EFFECT OF SMOOT-HAWLEY AND YOU LOOK AT THE UNAFFECTED TRADE, UNAFFECTED BY SMOOT-HAWLEY AND IT HAD A SIMILAR EFFECT DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE DEPRESSION, BUT NAMELY TALKING ABOUT CAUSE AND EFFECT. |
| 02:08:38 | WE BOTH ARE DISCUSSING THE EFFECT BUT NOT THE CAUSE, BECAUSE THE CAUSE WAS NOT SMOOT-HAWLEY. |
| 02:08:45 | WHEN ACCOUNT IS TAKEN IN, SMOOTH HAWLEY ONLY AFFECTED A FRACTION OF THE TRADE. |
| 02:08:53 | ONLY 33% OF THE $1. |
| 02:08:59 | 5 BILLION OF U. |
| 02:09:00 | S. IMPORTS WAS IN A CUT IABLE CATEGORY. |
| 02:09:04 | THE ENTIRE IMPACT OF SMOOT-HAWLEY HAS TO BE FOCUSED ON THE $1. |
| 02:09:09 | 5 BILLION NUMBER WHICH WAS BARELY 1. |
| 02:09:14 | 5% OF OUR G. |
| 02:09:16 | N.P. I HAVE THE FULL DEBATE, BUT I'VE GOT A BETTER AUTHORITY THAN ANY, I THINK WITH RESPECT TO SMOOT-HAWLEY. |
| 02:09:23 | PAUL KRUGMA IN "THE AGE OF DIMINISHED EXPECTATIONS," AND I FINALLY FOUND HIS QUOTE HERE. |
| 02:09:34 | "ALTHOUGH PROTECTIONISM IS USUALLY A BAD THING" I AM QUOTING FROM PAGE 64, "ALTHOUGH PROTECTIONISM IS USUALLY A BAD THING, IT IS WORTH POINTING OUT IT ISN'T AS BAD AS ALL THAT. |
| 02:09:50 | PROTECTIONISM DOES NOT COST OUR ECONOMY JOBS ANYMORE THAN THE TRADE DEFICIT DOES. |
| 02:09:54 | U. |
| 02:09:55 | S. EMPLOYMENT IS ESSENTIALLY DETERMINED BY SUPPLY, NOT DEMAND. |
| 02:10:00 | THE CLAIM THAT PROTECTIONISM CAUSED THE DEPRESSION IS NONSENSE. |
| 02:10:05 | THE CLAIM THAT FUTURE PROTECTIONISM WILL LEAD TO A REPEAT PERFORMANCE IS EQUALLY NONSENSICAL. |
| 02:10:16 | " NOW MR. PRESIDENT, THERE ARE YOU ARE. |
| 02:10:19 | ANY TIME THEY GET IN TROUBLE AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACTS WITH THEM, THEN THEY GO OFF AND THEY TRY TO GIVE GET YOU INTO A MY ASTHMA OF HISTORY, ABOUT HOW -- M. |
| 02:10:36 | I.A. SMA OF HISTORY, ABOUT HOW WE HAD GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES NOW WE ARE IN THE BEST OF TIMES AND HOW WE WILL CREATE JOBS. |
| 02:10:45 | THE SAME GROUP THAT SAYS WE WILL CREATE JOCKS IS THE SAME GROUP BACK IN 1993, I THINK IT WAS, YES, AND I QUOTE HERE, "FROM THE CAPITAL CITIES MEDIA, WOMEN'S DAILY WEAR THE ARTICLE ON NOVEMBER 16, 1993, "THAT WAS THE BATTLE CRY MONDAY BY DIRECTORS OF THE AMERICAN TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE, WHO IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO SOLIDIFY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR NAFTA PLEDGED NOT TO MOVE ANY JOBS TO MEXICO IN THE PACT AS PASSED. |
| 02:11:25 | THE ATM BOARD REPRESENTING FIRMS FROM EVERY FACET OF THE TEXTILE AND VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION THAT SAID COMPANIES WOULD NOT MOVE JOBS, PLANTS OR FACILITIES FROM THE UNITED STATES TO MEXICO AS A RESULT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. |
| 02:11:42 | " NOW, WHAT IS THE FACT? |
| 02:11:45 | DAN RIVER, IS TO BUILD AN INTEGRATED APPAREL MANUFACTURER PLANS PLANT IN MEXICO. |
| 02:11:57 | PURCHASES A DENIM MILL IN PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO. |
| 02:12:01 | DUPONT TO BUILD A PLANT IN HE WILL MY RA NEUROMUSCULAR MEXICO WITH A JOINT VENTURE. |
| 02:12:07 | GILL FORD CORN MILLS TO CREATE A MEXICAN AND AL PARK KNOWN AS "TEXTILE CITY. |
| 02:12:14 | " BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES TO BUILD A NEW MEXICAN PLANT TO PRODUCE WOOL PRODUCTS. |
| 02:12:23 | I HEAR ABOUT THE 720,000 JOBS THE INDUSTRY SAYS IT IS GOING TO CREATE. |
| 02:12:28 | I HEARD THAT NAFTA WAS GOING TO CREATE 200,000 JOBS. |
| 02:12:34 | MR. PRESIDENT, I KNOW CAT DEPORKLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT WE HAVE -- CATEGORICALLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THAT WE HAVE LOST 420,000 TEXTILE JOBS SINCE NAFTA. |
| 02:12:45 | WE HAVE LOST EXACTLY 31,700 JOBS IN SOUTH CAROLINA ALONE, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TO TURN TO THE ARTICLES BY KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES, AND I QUOTE, "IN AUGUST OF THIS CAREER, MORE TEXTILE MILLS ARE FUNNELING PLANTS AND INVESTMENT INTO MEXICO TO BE CLOSER TO THE CUT AND SEW APPAREL FACTORIES THAT HAVE ALREADY MIGRATED SOUTH OF THE BORDER ACCORDING TO A NEW ANALYSIS A FLOOD OF LOW PRICED FIE BRICK EXPORTS FROM ASIA DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS SEEKING TO CUT THEIR OWN COST ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY KURT SALMON AN ASSOCIATES. |
| 02:13:34 | " YOU GO DOWN AND IT SAYS, "SINCE NAFTA'S PASSAGE IN 1994, GEORGIA HAS LOST 28 PLUCKS TWO TEXTILES, 30,000 APPAREL AND TEXTILE JOBS. |
| 02:13:49 | " SO WE HAVE LOST 31,700. |
| 02:13:53 | THEY HAVE LOST 30,000. |
| 02:13:54 | THAT MAKES, AS YOU GO OVER THROUGH THE OTHER STATES AND THE OTHER COMMUNITIES, SOME 420,000 JUST TEXTILE JOBS ALONE. |
| 02:14:06 | AND RATHER THAN A BALANCE OF TRADE THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, A WIN-WIN SITUATION, THE INDUSTRY IS FOR THIS, EVERYBODY IS FOR IT AND WHAT HAVE YOU. |
| 02:14:15 | WE HEARD THAT CRY BEFORE, TOO. |
| 02:14:18 | IT WAS GOING TO CREATE A BALANCE -- INCREASE OUR BALANCE OF TRADE. |
| 02:14:24 | WE HAD $5 BILLION AT THE TIME WE PASSED NAFTA. |
| 02:14:27 | A $5 BILLION PLUS BALANCED THE TRADE. |
| 02:14:30 | NOW WE GOT A $17 BILLION NEGATIVE DEFICIT IN THE BALANCE OF TRADE WITH MEXICO. |
| 02:14:36 | SO THE PROVE OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING, AS I SAID BEFORE THERE IS NO EDUCATION IN THE SECOND KICK OF A MULE. |
| 02:14:44 | WE KNOW THIS NAFTA PROPOSITION THEY ARE TRYING TO SPREAD TO THE C. |
| 02:14:50 | B.I. AND THE SUB-SAHARA AT THE SAME TIME. |
| 02:14:54 | IT REMINDS ME OF AN INSURANCE POLL COMPANY POLICY THEY HAD FOR A COMPANY IN SOUTH CAROLINA YEARS BACK AND THE WINNING SLOGAN FOR THE PARTICULAR COMPANY WAS, THE CAPITAL LIFE WILL SURELY PAY IF THE SMALL PRINT ON THE BACK DON'T TAKE IT AWAY. |
| 02:15:15 | NOW HERE WE EXTEND THIS TO THE C. |
| 02:15:19 | B.I., AND THEN TO THE SUB-SAHARA, OR TO THE SUB-SAHARA AND THEN TO THE C. |
| 02:15:26 | B.I., EITHER WAY I THINK IT IS REALLY GOING TO THE C. |
| 02:15:32 | B.I., AND IT'S GOING TO BE KEPT THERE AND TAKEN AWAY FROM THE SUB-SAHARA. |
| 02:15:40 | THEY ARE NOT GOING TO INVEST ALL THE WAY OVER INTO AFRICA WHEN THEY ALL JUST PELLMELL ARE GOING DOWN THERE HAND OVER FIST TO COME INTO CARIBBEAN PRODUCTION. |
| 02:15:56 | I JUST TALKING A MINUTE AGO, WE REFERRED TO MR. |
| 02:15:59 | FARLY AND FRUIT OF THE LOOM, AND HOW THEY HAVE ALREADY CLOSED DOWN 17,000 JOBS IN THE PRESIDING OFFICER'S STATE OF KENTUCKY. |
| 02:16:09 | THEY CLOSED DOWN ANOTHER 7,000 JOBS IN THE LOUISIANA. |
| 02:16:13 | THEY MOVED TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS SO THEIR FOREIGN COMPANIES AND IT IS GETTING TO BE WHERE WE'VE GOT TO SORT OF SOBER UP AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REAL FACTS ARE. |
| 02:16:33 | TRADE. RECIPROCITY. CORDELL HALL WAS MENTIONED. |
| 02:16:34 | THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE CALLED IT. |
| 02:16:37 | RE-PRI KA -- RECIPROCAL TRADE POLICY. |
| 02:16:44 | WE HAD RECIPROCITY. |
| 02:16:45 | WE HAD A MODICUM OF IT IN THAT NAFTA. |
| 02:16:48 | IT DIDN'T AGREE. |
| 02:16:50 | WE HAD THE SIDE GREETS FOR LABOR. |
| 02:16:54 | WEAPON HAD RECIPROCITY. |
| 02:16:55 | WE GO DOWN THE LIST, MR. |
| 02:16:58 | PRESIDENT. AND WE FIND OUT NOW WE ARE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH ALL OF THE PARTICULAR TARIFFS WITH RESPECT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THE C. |
| 02:17:12 | B.I., SUB-SAHARA. |
| 02:17:13 | LET'S SEE ABOUT ABOUT THE C. |
| 02:17:16 | B.I. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS 43% TARIFF. |
| 02:17:22 | EL SALVADOR -- SOME OF THESE INCLUDE V. |
| 02:17:25 | A.T., A VALUE ADDED TAX. |
| 02:17:28 | EL SALVADOR 34. |
| 02:17:29 | 5%. HONDURAS 35%. |
| 02:17:30 | THIS IS ALL TEXTILES. |
| 02:17:33 | GUATEMALA, 40%. |
| 02:17:35 | COSTA RICA 39%. |
| 02:17:38 | HAITI 29%. |
| 02:17:39 | JAMAICA 40%. |
| 02:17:40 | NICARAGUA 35%. |
| 02:17:42 | TRINIDAD AND AT THAT BAY GO, 40%. |
| 02:17:46 | COMPARED TO THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY GIVEN AT THE STORE. |
| 02:17:51 | WE HAVE ALREADY LOWERED OURS TO 10%, AND THERE IS A FIVE YEAR PHASE OUT. |
| 02:17:57 | WE HAD A TEN YEAR PHASE OUT OF THE MULTIFIBER ARRANGEMENT. |
| 02:18:01 | AND NOW WE ARE GOING INTO THE FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR SO WE ONLY GOT ANOTHER FIVE YEARS. |
| 02:18:07 | AND THE REAL IMPACT, THE HEAVY REDUCTIONS ON THE GOOD TRADED ARTICLES THAT WE DO TRADE SOME IN TEXT FEELS IS GOING RIGHT ON OUT OF THE WINDOW. |
| 02:18:18 | SO YES, YOU GOT SOME FABRIC BOYS CALLING US AND SAYING OH, WAIT A MINUTE SENATOR, WE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 02:18:26 | THAT'S SHORT-SIGHTED. |
| 02:18:27 | IT IS JUST LIKE ALL THE APPAREL JOBS ABOUT GONE. |
| 02:18:31 | WHAT'S HAPPENING? |
| 02:18:33 | HAS KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES SAYS, THEY WANT TO LOCATE THE FABRIC PLANTS NEAR WHERE THE SOWING IS. |
| 02:18:40 | WHERE THE APPAREL IS. |
| 02:18:42 | IT IS JUST AN ECONOMY OF PRODUCTION AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY. |
| 02:18:45 | AND SO THEY ARE MOVING DOWN THERE. |
| 02:18:48 | AND THEY GOT MORE AND MORE AND MORE MOVING. |
| 02:18:52 | AND SO THE FABRIC BOYS THAT ARE CALLING ON THE PHONE, GIVE THEM ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, I CAN TELL YOU HERE AND NOW THEY WILL BE GONE. |
| 02:19:01 | I KNOW THIS, THAT ANY GOOD BUSINESS MAN IN TEXTILES IS LOOKING AT THIS SITUATION AND SAYS WITH FIVE YEARS, WAIT A MINUTE TO PUT IN THIS NEW MACHINERY, THIS NEW SPINDLE, OTHERWISE SAYS, I CAN'T GET MY MONEY BACK IN FIVE YEARS. |
| 02:19:19 | IT IS GOING TO TAKE ME FINE TO TEN YEARS TO GET MY MONEY BACK. |
| 02:19:23 | I JUST DON'T BUY IT. |
| 02:19:24 | I DON'T GET PRODUCTIVE. |
| 02:19:25 | AND THEN THE POLITICIANS WILL RUN AROUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HOLLERING, OOH THEY GOT TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE, THEY GOT TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE, THEY DOT TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE. |
| 02:19:37 | AND WHO HAS CUT OFF THE PRODUCTIVITY? |
| 02:19:38 | WE HAVE. WE HAVE. |
| 02:19:39 | WHAT ABOUT TARIFFS IN AFRICA? |
| 02:19:43 | FEDERAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, 30%. |
| 02:19:46 | CAM ROOM, 30%. |
| 02:19:49 | CHAD, 30%. |
| 02:19:51 | CONGO, 30%. |
| 02:19:54 | ETHIOPIA, 80%. |
| 02:19:56 | GA BOON 350%. |
| 02:19:57 | GHANA 20%. |
| 02:20:03 | KENYA, 0%. |
| 02:20:05 | MORITITI SUFMT S. |
| 02:20:06 | 50%. |
| 02:20:09 | TANZANIA 42%. |
| 02:20:11 | ZIMBABWE, 200%. |
| 02:20:12 | THERE THEY ARE. |
| 02:20:13 | WHAT'S REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN FROM PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS TRANSSHIPMENTS. |
| 02:20:20 | LET ME SAY A WORD, MR. |
| 02:20:22 | PRESIDENT, ABOUT THE TRANSSHIPMENT PROBLEM. |
| 02:20:24 | I'LL NEVER FORGET, IT WAS 1984, AND THIS SENATOR GOT 500 ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS AGENTS INTO THE TREASURY MOVES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, AND THEY DIDN'T HIRE THEM. |
| 02:20:42 | WELL WE KEPT ON PLEADING AND BY THE END OF THE 18 E. |
| 02:20:46 | 1980'S WE GOT SOME EXTRA ONES BUT HAVEN'T GO TEN ANY EGGS TRA ONES SINCE THAT TIME. |
| 02:20:53 | WE GO TO CUSTOMS EIGHT AND THEN SAY YES, IT IS STILL $5 BILLION IN TRANSSHIPMENTS. |
| 02:20:59 | BUT THEY SAY SENATOR YOU WANT US TO STOP T-SHIRTS OR DRUGS. |
| 02:21:03 | YOU LOOK THEM IN THE FACE AND SAY OF COURSE YOU GOT TO STOP THE DRUGS. |
| 02:21:07 | THEY SAY THAT'S ALL WE GOT. |
| 02:21:09 | NOW THEY ARE TALKING ALL OVER THE HALLS IN BOTH CHAMBERS ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF AND NOW WE JUST BEEN EDUCATED BY C. |
| 02:21:17 | B.O. THAT ONE-AND-A-HALF WILL TAKE AT LEAST 5. |
| 02:21:21 | 8% AND THEN IF YOU DON'T, IF YOU ARE GOING TO EXCLUDE SAY DEFENSE AND OTHERS, EMERGENCY ONES, IT IS GOING TO TAKE 11. |
| 02:21:31 | 8% ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT. |
| 02:21:32 | SO THEY ARE DEBATING OVER ON THE HOUSE SIDE RIGHT NOW THIS SO-CALLED CUT BILL, BUT WHAT THEY ARE DEBATING IS A CUT IN CUSTOMS AGENTS. |
| 02:21:40 | A CUT IN ENFORCEMENT. |
| 02:21:46 | OUR AFRICAN FRIENDS, I KNOW THEY CHANGED THE VOTE IN THE UNITED NATIONS SOME FOUR YEARS AGO OR FIVE YEARS AGO PASSED A RESOLUTION IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND SET UP THE HEARINGS, WE NEVER HAVE HAD THE HEARINGS. |
| 02:21:59 | OUR CHINESE FRIENDS WENT DOWN INTO AFRICA, THEY HAVE MADE ALL KINDS OF FRIENDS THERE OVER THE YEARS. |
| 02:22:05 | I'LL NEVER FORGET OVER 25 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS IN ZAIERE IT WAS A CHINESE BUILDING THE RAILROAD FROM THE HINDER LAND OUT TO THE COAST. |
| 02:22:17 | DOWN IN THE CONGO. |
| 02:22:18 | THEY HAVE HAD ALL KIND OF CONTACTS DOWN THERE WITH NELSON MANDELA AND ALL THE REST OF THEM, AND THEY WILL GET THEIR PLANTS AND TRANSSHIPMENTS AND THEY WILL BE COMING THROUGH AFRICA, AND OUR FOLKS WILL BE WORKING STILL, CUSTOMS LOOKING FOR DRUGS COMING UP FROM COLOMBIA AND SOUTH AMERICA, AND LITTLE VIEWING AND INSPECTION AS IS NECESSARY FOR THE AFRICAN TRADE. |
| 02:22:45 | SO YOU, IN REALITY ARE REALLY FATTENING THE COMPETITION IN THE PACIFIC RIM ALL UNDER THE AUSPICES AND AEGIS OF SAYING WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW OUR TEXTILE BOYS TO COMPETE WITH THE PACIFIC RIM INDUSTRIES. |
| 02:23:06 | AND THAT'S WHY I PUT IN THAT BOOK -- WE GOT THE BOOK OF ALL THE FABRIC MANUFACTURERS -- I WOULDN'T PUT THE ENTIRE BOOK IN, BUT WE INCLUDED JUST THOSE ENTITIES THAT HAD INVESTED ALREADY DOWN IN MEXICO. |
| 02:23:26 | REFERRING OF COURSE, MR. |
| 02:23:28 | PRESIDENT, TO "DAVID SONS TEXTILE BLUE BOOK," AND YOU CAN SEE HERE THE FABRIC RESOURCE LIST, AND WE WILL INCLUDE ALL OF THESE PAGES HERE -- NOT THE BOOK -- BUT PAGES 345 THROUGH -- WELL JUST THE FABRIC -- WELL WE CAN INCLUDE YARNS, TOO, NATURAL FIBERS, THEY GOT YARN ON 807, 809, WELL, MR. |
| 02:24:02 | PRESIDENT, THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH TO INCLUDE IN THE "CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. |
| 02:24:08 | " JUST ON THE FABRICS -- JUST THE YARNS, FORWARD, WOULD BE 11 PAGES. |
| 02:24:14 | BUT I ASK CONSENT TO INCLUDE THOSE IN THE RECORD AT THIS TIME. |
| 02:24:17 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:24:19 | MR. HOLLINGS: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR. |
| 02:24:22 | AS I RELATED ON YESTERDAY ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GO FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INTO TIJUANA, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING INTO MEXICO BUT IT LOOKS LIKE KOREA. |
| 02:24:45 | NOTHING BUT KOREAN PLANTS THERE. |
| 02:24:47 | I HAVE BEEN THERE, TRAVELED IN OTHER PARTS OF MEXICO. |
| 02:24:50 | I THINK WE OUGHT TO SAY A WORD THOUGH WITH RESPECT TO THE WONDERFUL ECONOMY THAT WE HAVE. |
| 02:24:56 | DO WE HAVE THAT SLOAN ARTICLE HERE? |
| 02:25:02 | MR. |
| 02:25:03 | PRESIDENT, I WAS TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE DEVASTATING EFFECT THAT THIS WOULD HAVE TO THE ECONOMIC STRENGTH, LIKENING THE COURSE OF THE UNITED STATES ON A THREE LEG HE HAD STOOL, THE ONE VALUE OF NATIONS IS UNQUESTIONED, THE SECOND THAT OF THE MILITARY, THE ONLY SUPERPOWER LEFT, THE THIRD LEG OF THE ECONOMIC HAS BEEN FRACTURED. |
| 02:25:37 | USED A 17% FIGURE BUT THE MOST RECENT FIGURE I HAD THE WORKFORCE AND MANUFACTURING HAD GONE FROM 26% DOWN TO 13%. |
| 02:25:47 | AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT SINCE WE ARE NOT SAVING HERE, I HAD THE ARTICLE WHERE THEY ARE ACTUALLY CONSUME WILLING MORE THAN OUR INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY. |
| 02:26:05 | IF YOU CAN FIND THIS THING HERE, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S THE SAME ARTICLE I WAS LOOKING AT. |
| 02:26:10 | IT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO IN ""NEWSWEEK"," WHERE THEY POINTED THAT OUT. |
| 02:26:18 | LAST WEEK MORT ZUCKERMAN IN ""U. |
| 02:26:21 | S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT"" TALKED ABOUT THE TWO LEVELS OF SOCIETY AND THE SPLIT WE HAVE THERE. |
| 02:26:26 | AND WE SEE SIGNS ON THE HORIZON, NOW, OF TROUBLE. |
| 02:26:30 | WE ARE NOT A PESSIMIST, WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY JUST AN OPTIMIST, WE ARE A REALIST. |
| 02:26:36 | AND WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING AS I HAVE POINTED OUT THIS EARLIER, THAT THE DEFICIT AS OF THE END OF LAST MONTH FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1999 WAS $127 BILLION -- NOT A SURPLUS, NOT LIKE THEY REPORTED IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" WHERE THEY HEADLINED THE STORY EARLIER TODAY THAT WE GOT INTO THE PARTICULAR RECORD THAT WE HAD THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE EISENHOWER DAYS WE HAD BACK TO BACK SURPLUSES, ABSOLUTELY FALSE. |
| 02:27:14 | $127 BILLION DEFICIT, ACCORDING TO TREASURYRY FIGURES. |
| 02:27:20 | THEY COULD BE INTERPLATED BY THE C. |
| 02:27:25 | B.O. ABOUT FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD. |
| 02:27:26 | AND IT SAYS THAT THERE MIGHT BE ABOUT $16 BILLION. |
| 02:27:32 | I AM WILLING -- I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO JUMP OFF THAT CAPITOL DOME WHEN MY DISTINGUISHED FRIEND FROM NEW MEXICO PUT THIS BALANCED BUDGET LAW THROUGH IN 1997, I SAID IF IT BALANCED THE BUDGET UNDER YOUR ACT, I WILL JUMP OFF THE CAPITOL DOME. |
| 02:27:48 | WE KNEW IT WOULDN'T. |
| 02:27:50 | WE KNOW NOW IT DIDN'T. |
| 02:27:53 | WHEN YOU ARE STILL SPENDING $100 BILLION MORE AND YOU ARE INCREASING YOUR DEFICIT FROM LAST YEAR AS WE ARE GOING TO DO ALREADY HERE THIS YEAR, WE JUST GO PELLMELL DOWN THE ROAD, YOUR INTEREST COSTS, YOUR DEBT INCREASES YOUR INTEREST COST CREATIONS, AND SO YOU YOUR SPENDING INCREASES INCREASES, AND THEY WANT TO GIVE ALL KIND OF TAX CUTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 02:28:19 | I KNOW I AM ON PRETTY SOLID GROUND. |
| 02:28:21 | SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID IN THE TALKS -- I WISH I HAD THAT ARTICLE OF YESTERDAY, IF YOU CAN FIND IT, GET "THE WASHINGTON POST" AND PAGE 3 OR 4, I WILL FIND IT IN A SECOND. |
| 02:28:35 | IF YOU JUST GET IN THERE AND WE WILL HAVE A "WASHINGTON POST" STORY AND I WANT TO GIVE SOME CREDIBILITY TO WHAT I AM SAYING. |
| 02:28:43 | IT IS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU TALK AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE SAYING IT IS A DEFICIT. |
| 02:28:48 | THE NEWS HEADLINE SAYS IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:28:51 | THE PRESIDENT SAYS IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:28:52 | THE MAJORITY LEADER SAYS IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:28:55 | THE MINORITY LEADER SAYS IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:28:56 | THE DEMOCRATS SAY IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:28:58 | THE REPUBLICANS SAY IT IS A SURPLUS. |
| 02:29:00 | YOU COME ALONG AND YOU SAY THERE IS A DEFICIT, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME SUPPORT FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. |
| 02:29:08 | AND SO ACTION MR. |
| 02:29:10 | PRESIDENT, I PUT IN THE SHEET OF PAPER EARLIER WITH RESPECT TO THE TREASURY FIGURES AND I'M GLAD TO PUT IT IN AGAIN, IF I CAN FIND A COPY OF IT, I'LL ASK THE STAFF TO GET A COPY OF THE SHEET FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN INSERT IN THE RECORD SO WE CAN SEE EXACTLY -- I'M NOT SAYING IT IS A DEFICIT, IT IS THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAYING THAT THERE IS A DEFICIT. |
| 02:29:45 | SO WE WILL FIND THAT. |
| 02:29:52 | MR. |
| 02:29:56 | PRESIDENT, -- FIND THE TREASURY SHEET, NOW. |
| 02:30:02 | RIGHT HERE IN THIS MORNING'S PAPER HERE -- THIS IS WEDNESDAY. |
| 02:30:07 | WE ARE ON THURSDAY, NOW. |
| 02:30:08 | IT IS HARD TO GET THE PEOPLE TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON. |
| 02:30:12 | BUT TODAY IS THURSDAY, IT IS AFTERNOON, AND WE ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY, SENATOR, THAN WE ARE TAKING IN. |
| 02:30:21 | AND IT IS AS USUAL. |
| 02:30:23 | LIKE TENNESSEE ERNIE SAID, ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT. |
| 02:30:28 | IF WE CAN GET THURSDAY'S "WASHINGTON POST," WHICH IS EASILY HAD, AND A SHEET OF PAPER THAT'S FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. |
| 02:30:37 | I KNOW THEY MADE A COPY. |
| 02:30:39 | YOU FIND A COPY OF THAT SHEET OF PAPER, PLEASE? |
| 02:30:47 | THERE IT IS "HILL NEGOTIATORS AGREE TO DELAY PART OF N. |
| 02:30:53 | I.H. RESEARCH BUDGET. |
| 02:30:55 | THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECORDED ITS FIRST BACK TO BACK SURPLUSES SINCE 1956-1957. |
| 02:31:04 | " AND THEN I WILL READ, QUOTE -- I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO INCLUDE THIS ARTICLE IN THE RECORD AS IF DELIVERED ON THE FLOOR. |
| 02:31:11 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:31:12 | MR. |
| 02:31:13 | HOLLINGS: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR. |
| 02:31:14 | "MEANWHILE FIGURES OUT YESTERDAY SHOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RAN A SURPLUS OF $122. |
| 02:31:20 | 7 BILLION IN FISCAL 1999 THE FIRST TIME THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECORDED BACK-TO-BACK SURPLUSES SINCE EISENHOWER'S ADMINISTRATION IN 1956-1957. |
| 02:31:35 | " ABSOLUTELY FALSE. |
| 02:31:36 | THERE ISN'T ANY QUESTION ABOUT IT. |
| 02:31:38 | I WILL RETAIN THIS FLOOR, SENATOR. |
| 02:31:40 | I KNOW OTHERS WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ACTIVE RENT SUBJECTS. |
| 02:31:44 | BUT I HAVE HAVEN'T GOT TIME HERE THIS MORNING TRYING TO GET A WORD IN EDGE WISE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRADE BILL. |
| 02:31:53 | AND IF WE FIND THE TREASURY SHEET THAT WAS ISSUED YESTERDAY, IT IS A WHOLE REPORT, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THE ENTIRE REPORT IN THE RECORD. |
| 02:31:59 | BUT IF WE CAN FIND THAT SHEET, WHAT WE WILL DO IS INCLUDE IT. |
| 02:32:08 | IT IS PAGE 20. |
| 02:32:09 | I HAVE MY HAND ON ANOTHER COPYRIGHT HERE. |
| 02:32:11 | PAGE 20 OF THE TREASURY -- DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY REPORT, TABLE 6, "MEANS OF FINANCING THE DEFICIT OR DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS BY THE U. |
| 02:32:23 | S. GOVERNMENT, SEPTEMBER 1999 AND OTHER PERIODS. |
| 02:32:27 | " THEN YOU WILL SEE THE ACCOUNT BALANCES COLUMN, THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR OF TOTAL FEDERAL SECURITIES -- IN OTHER WORDS, HOW MUCH DID WE HAVE TO BORROW -- AND WE HAVE GOT THE FIGURE HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, $5,478,000 704,,000,000 AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR, $5,606,486,000,000 A DEFICIT, NOT A SURPLUS, A DEFICIT OF $127. |
| 02:33:10 | 8 BILLION. |
| 02:33:11 | THAT'S AS OF YESTERDAY. |
| 02:33:12 | BUT YOU READ THE HEADLINE IN THE PAPER, THEY GOT BACK-TO-BACK SURPLUSES AND WE'VE GOT ANOTHER DEFICIT IN EXCESS OF OVER $100 BILLION. |
| 02:33:19 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO INCLUDE THIS IN THE RECORD AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT. |
| 02:33:24 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:33:25 | MR. HOLLINGS: NOW, MR. |
| 02:33:26 | PRESIDENT, HAVING GOTTEN THE RECORD MADE, THE POINT TO BE MADE IS THAT IT IS NOT AS ROSY AS MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES FROM NEW YORK AND DELAWARE, THE LEADERS ON THIS PARTICULAR MEASURE, HAVE POINTED IT. |
| 02:33:42 | WHEN YOU SEE THAT YOU ARE RUNNING DEFICITS NOW OF $127 BILLION, WHEN YOU SEE THAT THE TRADE DEFICIT IS WIDENING, WHEN YOU SEE THAT ACCORDING TO THE SLOAN ARTICLE WE WERE CONSUMING FASTER THAN WE WERE PRODUCING, THEN YOU CAN SEE TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON. |
| 02:34:09 | I REFER TO THIS MORNING'S FINANCIAL TIMES, I TAKE IT. |
| 02:34:15 | PAGE 4. |
| 02:34:16 | WIDE STPHIPG TRADE GAP RAISES FARE FOR DOLLAR. |
| 02:34:23 | I ASK THAT I INCLUDE THIS IN THE RECORD. |
| 02:34:25 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:34:28 | MR. HOLLINGS: A SLIDE IN THE U. |
| 02:34:30 | S. DOLLAR HAVE HAUNTED GLOBAL CURRENCY MARKETS FOR SELF MONTHS NOW. |
| 02:34:33 | THE DOLLAR WAS GRANTED A REPRIEVE LAST WEEK FOLLOWING BETTER THAN EXPECTED AUGUST TRADE FIGURES. |
| 02:34:40 | BUT MANY OBSERVERS BELIEVE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DOLLAR SU COMES TO MOUNTING TRADE IMBALANCES. |
| 02:34:47 | IT IS GOING UP OVER $300 BILLION. |
| 02:34:51 | AT THE U. |
| 02:34:52 | S. CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT -- AS THE U. |
| 02:34:55 | S. CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT HAS INCREASED, SERBS OF -- CONCERNS HAVE INTENSIFIED THAT INTERNATIONAL APPETITE FOR DOLLAR ASSETS WILL SOON BEING EXHAUSTED LEAVING THE UNITED STATES UNABLE TO FUND ITS TRADE SHORTFALL WITH THE REST OF THE GLOBE AND PRECIPITATING A SHARP DROP IN THE CURRENCY. |
| 02:35:17 | THAT COULD IMPERIL THE U. |
| 02:35:19 | S. ECONOMY'S RUN OF RAPID INFLATIONARY GROWTH. |
| 02:35:24 | " IT GOES ON TO SAY HOW WE HAVE HAD FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT WITH OF COURSE THE B. |
| 02:35:32 | P. TAKEN OVER AM CO, DAIMLER TAKING OVER MERCEDES, TAKING OVER CHRYSLER, VOTE A PHONE TAKING OVER AIRTOUCH, BUT THE PIG QUESTION IS WHETHER THIS SURGE IN FOREIGN MARKET AND DIRECT INVESTMENT CAN BE MAINTAINED. |
| 02:35:53 | THE BEAR FACTS ARE A LIBERALING. |
| 02:35:55 | THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT EXPANDING AT OVER 50% A YEAR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IS NOW IT HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE AT LEAST THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR, AS A PROPORTION OF G. |
| 02:36:08 | D.P. AND THE FAMILY CAN ONLY BE SOLD ONCE. |
| 02:36:12 | FEW BELIEVE THAT THE U. |
| 02:36:14 | S. ECONOMY CAN RELY INDEFINITELY ON THE SALE OF ASSETS TO COVER THE CURRENT ACCOUNT SHORTFALL. |
| 02:36:24 | SOMEANTISTS BELIEVE THAT THE DOLLAR'S 16% FALL AGAINST THE YEN SINCE THIS YEAR'S PEAK IN MI MERELY MARKS THE START OF A PERIOD OF GENERAL WEAKNESS IN THE U. |
| 02:36:35 | S. CURRENCY. SO WHAT ARE WE DOING? |
| 02:36:37 | WE'RE TAKE THE PRODUCTIVE. |
| 02:36:41 | THERE'S NOT ANY INCREASE IN JOBS. |
| 02:36:43 | THERE ISN'T ANY INCREASE -- THEY JUST RUN THE SPINDLES FASTER IN THE FABRIC PLANTS. |
| 02:36:48 | BUT THE PEOPLE WORKING BY THE SWEAT OF THE BROW -- THAT LITTLE MOTHER TRYING TO GET THE CHILD THROUGH COLLEGE SEWING IN THE APPAREL INDUSTRY, FORGET ABOUT THEM. |
| 02:36:59 | OH, WE'LL PASS ALL KINDS OF PROTECTIONS FOR HIGH-TECH, HIGH-TECH, WE EVEN REPEALED THE STATE TORT LAWS FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN'T HAPPEN UNTIL THE 1ST OF NEXT YEAR. |
| 02:37:12 | THEY WANT TO DO AWAY WITH THE IMMIGRATION LAWS FOR HIGH-TECH, THE ESTATE TAXES, THE INCOME -- THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 02:37:24 | THEY'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF BENEFITS. |
| 02:37:27 | I EVEN SAW THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ABOUT PUTTING IN FOR BOAT MANUFACTURERS OR SOMETHING SOMETHING, SUBSIDIES, SO WE COULD GET PLEASURE YACHTS. |
| 02:37:34 | WE GOT TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY. |
| 02:37:37 | WE'RE LOSING THE INDUSTRIAL BACKBONE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
| 02:37:44 | AND WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT THIS SENATOR HERE AND OTHERS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THE HIGH-TECH COMMUNITY IS THE ENGINE OF THIS WONDERFUL GLOBALIZATION, THE ENGINE OF THIS ECONOMIC GIANT, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
| 02:38:04 | NOT SO AT ALL. |
| 02:38:11 | THERE'S A BOOK -- WE DON'T PUT THE BOOK, OF COURSE, IN THE RECORD IN PRAISE OF HARD INDUSTRIES, BY IMAN FINGLETON. |
| 02:38:21 | BUT SURELY THE UNITED STATES HAS SCORED SOME REAL SUCCESS IN HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING IN THE 1990'S. |
| 02:38:26 | YES. BUT FAR FEWER THAN EVEN MOST EXPERTS REALIZE, PERHAPS THE STRONGEST REMAINING AMERICAN HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURER IS BOEING. |
| 02:38:38 | BUT EVEN BOEING IS DOING LESS WELL THAN IT USED TO. |
| 02:38:41 | QUITE APART FROM FACING INCREASING COMPETITION FROM THE EUROPEAN AIRBUS CONSORTIUM CONSORTIUM, BOEING HAS BEEN UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO TRANSFER JOBS ABROAD. |
| 02:38:55 | AND IT HAS ACTUALLY DONE SO, AS WILLIAM GRYDER HAS POINTED OUT IN HIS BOOK, "ONE WORLD READY OR NOT," 30% OF THE COMPONENTS USED IN BOEING'S 737 JET ARE MADE ABROAD. |
| 02:39:12 | IN THE 1960'S, BOEING IMPORTED ONLY 2% OF ITS COMPONENTS. |
| 02:39:19 | THAT'S LIKE BEATING AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS IS RAPIDLY BECOMING A VIRTUAL CORPORATION. |
| 02:39:26 | EVERMORE DEPENDENT ON SUPPLIERS IN JAPAN AND ELSEWHERE ABROAD FOR ITS MOST ADVANCED MANUFACTURING NEEDS. |
| 02:39:35 | I'D DIVERT FOR JAWS MINUTE, AND SAY THAT WAS THE TROUBLE WE HAD IN GULF WAR. |
| 02:39:41 | WE HAD TO GET PANEL DISPLAYS FROM JAPAN IN ORDER TO GET THE WEAPONS IN ORDER TO FIGHT THAT WAR. |
| 02:39:46 | WE WEREN'T MAKING THEM ANYMORE. |
| 02:39:48 | AND EVERY TIME I PUT IN A "BUY AMERICA" PROVISION IN THE DEFENSE BILL, I'D GET, OH, YOU FRUITCAKE, IS WHAT MIKE KELLEY CALLED THOSE THAT WERE TRYING TO PROTECT TRADE. |
| 02:40:05 | NOW HERE THIS MORNING I'M GOING TO START A DEPRESSION AND HITLER ALL OVER AGAIN AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 02:40:11 | CAN'T TALK SENSE ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT. |
| 02:40:13 | BUT THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING. |
| 02:40:16 | LET ME QUOTE AGAIN, "MEANWHILE, DESPITE ALL THE TALK OF A RENAISSANCE IN THE AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY INDUSTRY, THERE'S ACTUALLY ONLY ONE TRULY STRONG AMERICAN SEMICONDUCT MANUFACTURER LEFT -- INTEL. |
| 02:40:31 | MOREOVER, INTEL'S SUCCESS SAYS LITTLE, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT ITS MANUFACTURING PROWESS. |
| 02:40:38 | IN FACT, THE COMPANY'S 24-FOLD GROWTH IN THE 15 YEARS TO 1997 HAS BEEN DRIVEN NOT BY ANY FUNDAMENTAL EFFICIENCY EDGE IN PRODUCTION ENGINEERING BUT RATHER BY THE COMPANY'S NEAR MONOPOLISTIC FRANCHISE IN PRODUCING MICROPROCESSORS FOR THE DOMINANT WINTEL STANDARD IN PERSONAL COMPUTERS. |
| 02:41:03 | IN ANY KAIRX INTEL IS JUST ONE COMPANY. |
| 02:41:05 | AND JUDGED BY ALL THE IMPORTANT CRITERION OF JOBS, NOT A PARTICULARLY LARGE ONE. |
| 02:41:11 | AT LAST COUNT, IT EMPLOYED 67,000 PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, LITTLE MORE THAN ONE-SIXTH OF I. |
| 02:41:20 | B.M.'S PEAK WORK FORCE IN THE MID-1980'S BEFORE ITS DOMINATION OF THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY COLLAPSED UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE RISING WINTEL STANDARD. |
| 02:41:31 | MOREOVER, INTEL IS NOT AS ADVANCED AS IT APPEARS. |
| 02:41:36 | IN FACT, IT'S WINTEL CHIPS ARE BASED ON AN AGING TECHNOLOGY KNOWN AS CISC, COMPLEX INSTRUCTION SET COMPUTING. |
| 02:41:46 | IN THE LAST DECADE, CISC HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY A TECHNOLOGY CALLED RISC, REDUCED INSTRUCTION SET COMPUTERING. |
| 02:41:56 | RISC CHIPS, WHICH ARE NOTED FOR THEIR USE IN SUCH HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTERS AS SUN MICROSYSTEMS NETWORK SERVERS, ARE MADE MAINLY IN JAPAN. |
| 02:42:08 | INTEL, APARXT THERE ARE FEW OTHER SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS LEFT IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 02:42:14 | THIS MAY SEEM SURPRISING IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT ACCORDING TO SUCH PROPHETS AS JERRY JASOLEWSKI, THE UNITED STATES HAS NOW RECOVERED STRONG LEADERSHIP IN SEMICONDUCTORS. |
| 02:42:31 | HE HAS REPORTED THAT AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR MAKERS BOOSTED THEIR GLOBAL MARKET SHARE FROM 40% IN 1988 TO 44% IN 1993, AND THUS SUPPOSEDLY HAS PUT THE UNITED STATES BACK IN THE TOP SPOT IN THE INDUSTRY. |
| 02:42:48 | AFTER THE BIG DECLINE IN AMERICA'S SHARE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 1980'S, ALL THIS SEEMED LIKE CONVINCING EVIDENCE IS A COMEBACK. |
| 02:42:55 | BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT HIS 44% FIGURE IS BOGUS. |
| 02:43:00 | IT IS BASED ON HIGHLY MISLEADING STATISTICAL PROCEDURES THAT CATEGORIZE MOST CHIPS OUTSOURCED BY AMERICAN COMPANIES FROM FACTORIES IN EAST ASIA AND ELSEWHERE AS AMERICAN. |
| 02:43:14 | THE ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS BIZARRE STATISTICAL TREATMENT IS THAT MOST SUCH CHIPS ARE MADE TO AMERICAN DESIGNS AND BEAR AMERICAN BRAND NAMES. |
| 02:43:26 | NWAU HARDLY MEANS THEY'RE MADE IN AMERICA. |
| 02:43:28 | EVEN DATA QUEST, AN INFORMATION INDUSTRY CONSULTING FIRM THAT IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF DATA ON THE WORLD SEMICONDUCTION PRODUCTION, COMPILES ITS STATISTICS ON THIS BASIS. |
| 02:43:42 | GIVEN THE PREVALENCE OF SUCH MISLEADING STATISTICS, HOW DO WE GAUGE THE TRUE STATE OF AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS? |
| 02:43:51 | AGAIN, FLOSS SUBSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE FIGURES. |
| 02:43:54 | THESE INDICATE THAT THE UNITED STATES RAN A DEFICIT OF MORE THAN $3 BILLION WITH JAPAN ALONE IN SEMICONDUCTORS IN 1997 1997. |
| 02:44:08 | GIVEN JAPAN'S HIGHER WAGE LEVELS, THEREFORE, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE IDEA THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS RECOVERED WORLD LEADERSHIP IN SEMICONDUCT CERTIFICATES JUST ANOTHER MYTH MYTH. |
| 02:44:20 | NOW, MR. |
| 02:44:21 | PRESIDENT, I WANT TO YIELD IN JUST A MINUTE HERE SO OTHER COLLEAGUES CAN ADDRESS THE SENATE. |
| 02:44:28 | BUT I'LL COME BACK BECAUSE WHAT YOU HAVE IS A SITUATION HERE WITH THAT SANDWICH BOARD THEY PUT UP WITH ALL OF THESE INDUSTRIES. |
| 02:44:40 | INDUSTRIES, THEY'RE ALL FOR THE AMERICAN WOFRPBLGTE UH-HUH. |
| 02:44:43 | THEY'RE ALL FOR MONEY, PROFIT. |
| 02:44:45 | THAT'S ALL THEY'RE FOR. |
| 02:44:47 | LET ME QUOTE PAGE 32. |
| 02:44:51 | "SINCE AMERICAN LABOR IS NOT REPRESENTED IN AMERICAN BOARDROOMS, THE REAL LOSERS FROM TECHNOLOGICAL GLOBALISM HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER. |
| 02:45:02 | MOREOVER, WORKERS' INTERESTS COUNT FOR SO LITTLE THESE DAYS THAT AMERICAN CORPORATE EXECUTIVES OPENLY PROCLAIM THEIR COMMITMENT TO UTOPIAN GLOBALISM WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST FEAR OF EMBARRASSMENT. |
| 02:45:15 | THE PATENT WAS MEMORABLELY COMPEMABLYIFIED A FEW YEARS AGO BAY COAL GATT POLL MOL I HAVE EXECUTIVE WHO TOLD "THE NEW YORK TIMES" -- AND I QUOTE, "THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUTOMATIC CALL ON OUR RESOURCES. |
| 02:45:30 | THERE IS NO MIND-SET THAT PUTS THIS COUNTRY FIRST. |
| 02:45:35 | ' END QUOTE. |
| 02:45:36 | THERE IS NO MIND SET THAT PUTS THIS COUNTRY FIRST. |
| 02:45:41 | END QUOTE. "A SIMILAR OUTSPOKEN DISREGARD FOR THE INTERESTS OF AMERICAN LABOR WAS APPARENT IN THE REMARKS BY N. |
| 02:45:50 | C.R.'S PRESIDENT WILLIAMSON. |
| 02:45:53 | WILLIAMSON SOME YEARS AGO WHEN HE SAID 'I WAS ASKED THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE UNITED STATES' COMPETITIVENESS AND I REPLIED THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT AT ALL. |
| 02:46:02 | WE AT N. |
| 02:46:03 | C.R. THINK OF OURSELVES AS A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE COMPANY THAT HAPPENS TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 02:46:12 | ' THAT'S THE SITUATION WITH FAFMT FARLEY AND FRUIT OF THE LOOM, EXACTLY WHAT WAS BROUGHT IN ISSUE FORTUITOUSLY BY "TIME" MAGAZINE WHEN THEY PUT IN THE ARTICLE "THE FRUIT OF ITS LABOR," THE POLITICS OF UNDERWEAR. |
| 02:46:30 | HOW THEY'VE CLOSED DOWN 17,000 JOBS IN KENTUCKY, 7,000 IN LOUISIANA, MOVED TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND THEN PUT THEM UP ON THE SANDWICH BOARD THAT, WHOOPIE, THEY'RE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 02:46:46 | SO IT'S FOR THEIR BILL SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY AND EVERYTHING ELSE. |
| 02:46:51 | WHO IS LOOKING AT THE WELFARE OF THE AMERICAN WORKER? |
| 02:46:56 | WITH THIS BILL? |
| 02:46:58 | WHO IS LOOKING AT THE INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH OF THE UNITED STATES? |
| 02:47:02 | WHO IS LOOKING AT THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? |
| 02:47:10 | YOU COULDN'T BE FOR THIS PARTICULAR BILL, KNOWING HOW IT'S BEEN DRAWN UP AND IT DOESN'T EVEN COMPARE WITH NAFTA AND YOU CAN'T PUT AN AMENDMENT UP. |
| 02:47:21 | THEY GOT THE TREE FILLED UP. |
| 02:47:24 | THEY PUT IN WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL FAST-TRACK, NO AMENDMENTS, AND THEN THEY GIVE THEIR FRIENDS THE FRUIT OF THE TREE. |
| 02:47:33 | IF SENATOR WELLSTONE, THE DEMOCRAT, COMES IN WITH AN AGRICULTURAL AMENDMENT, THAT'S NOT REFERABLE. |
| 02:47:46 | IT'S NOT TO BE ALLOWED. BUT, IF YOU TAKE THE SENATOR FROM MISSOURI WHEN HE COMES WITH A PARTICULAR AMENDMENT, THEN HE HAS ONE ON AGRICULTURE, THE LEADER COMES DOWN AND HE FINDS THAT'S RELEVANT. |
| 02:48:02 | AND WE STOP THE WHOLE PROCESS AND WE PLUCK THE LITTLE AMENDMENT FROM THE TREE AND PUT IT IN YOUR FRIEND'S AMENDMENT AND THEY CALL THAT "PROCEDURE IN THE MOST DELIBERATIVE BODY. |
| 02:48:13 | " IT'S THE MOST UNDEMOCRATIC PROCEDURE THAT -- UNPARLIAMENTARY KIND OF PROCEDURE THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY CONTEMPLATE. |
| 02:48:23 | THEY OUGHT TO BE EMBARRASSED HANDING A MEASURE THIS WAY. |
| 02:48:26 | BUT THAT'S NO EMBARRASSMENT IN THIS GROUP. |
| 02:48:29 | THEY ARE HEADED FOR THE BARN. |
| 02:48:32 | THEY KNOW THEY CAN PASS THIS RIGHT STRAIGHT ON OVER BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT AGREERS IN THE COMMITTEE AND WITH EVERYBODY TALKING ON THE FLOOR THAT SOMEHOW THE NULLIFIED -- USED TO BE THE UIGWU, WE'D SEEN THEM WORK THE FLOOR -- I HAVE BEEN IN IT TOO LONG. |
| 02:48:54 | I UNDERSTAND THE EXCEPTION. |
| 02:48:55 | MASS A SOUTHERN GOVERNOR, I DON'T BLAME THE FOREIGNERS FOR SAYING THAT WE GIVE THIS BENEFIT AND GIVE THAT BENEFIT. |
| 02:49:02 | THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID IN SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 02:49:08 | STILL, THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE SAYS, WELL, THEY GOT NEW JOBS. |
| 02:49:11 | THEY GET SKILLED AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND AND THEY CAN LEARN AND GET BETTER JOBS. |
| 02:49:15 | WE DO THAT. |
| 02:49:16 | WE DO THAT IN SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 02:49:18 | WE'VE GOTTEN IN HOFFMAN-LA ROCHE. |
| 02:49:23 | WE'VE GOTTEN IN B. |
| 02:49:24 | PL W. |
| 02:49:25 | I CAN RELATE. AND THEY'VE TOLD ME THE ONLY REASON THEY'VE COME IS ON ACCOUNT OF THE TECHNICAL TRAINING LEGISLATION THAT I INSTITUTED SOME 30 YEARS AGO. |
| 02:49:38 | I KNOW ABOUT GETTING NEW JOBS AND NEW INDUSTRY. |
| 02:49:41 | BUT WHEEF HEA A NET LOSS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS SINCE NAFTA. |
| 02:49:47 | OF 12,000 JOBS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 02:49:50 | I'VE HAD TO CORRECT IN THE CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR WHEN IN THE GOFRNSE RACE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE NEW JORX NEW JOBS. |
| 02:49:56 | BUT I SAID, ADD UP AND SUBTRACT. |
| 02:49:59 | YOU'RE NOT ANNOUNCING THOSE THAT ARE LEAVING THAT ARE GOING DOWN TO MEXICO. |
| 02:50:04 | WE'VE HAD COMINGS HERE. |
| 02:50:06 | WE'VE HAD UNITED TECHNOLOGIES. |
| 02:50:08 | WE'VE HAD THE TEXTILE PLANTS AND OTHERS TAKE OFF AND GO DOWN TO MEXICO. |
| 02:50:13 | AND SO YOU COULD SEE IT STARTING THEN AND YOU CAN SEE IT MUSHROOMING NOW, AND WE'RE BEING DERIDED HERE ON THE FLOOR TALKING ABOUT HITLER AND SMOOT- SMOOT-HAWLEY AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND AND PUTTING UP THE BANKER'S SANDWICH BOARD AND SAYING THIS IS FOR THE GOOD OF AMERICA. |
| 02:50:34 | WELL, MR. |
| 02:50:35 | PRESIDENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS A LITTLE BIT LONGER. |
| 02:50:42 | I YPEELD THE FLOOR. MR. |
| 02:50:43 | ROCKEFELLER: LP? |
| 02:50:44 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA. |
| 02:50:46 | MR. |
| 02:50:47 | ROCKEFELLER: I THANK THE PRESOODING OFFICER. |
| 02:50:49 | I ALSO THANK VERY MUCH MY CHAIRMAN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE COMPLERS COMMITTEE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT HE HAS MORE THAT HE WANTS TO SAY. |
| 02:50:59 | I SIMPLY WANTED TO COME TO THE FLOOR AFTER MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY SAID MAGNIFICENT THINGS TO SAY A WORD ABOUT A MAN THAT I REVERED REVERED, WORKED WITH, AND CHERISHED BOTH IN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL TERMS, AND THAT IS OF COURSE JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 02:51:18 | THERE'S SO MANY REASONS THAT I RESPECT AND IN A SENSE REALLY LOVE JOHN CHAFEE AND DO TO THIS MINUTE AND WILL. |
| 02:51:30 | AND MANY OF THEM HAD TO DO WITH WHAT IT WAS THAT HE DIDN'T SAY AND WHAT IT WAS THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL A NEED TO DO. |
| 02:51:41 | THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE IN THE "POST" THIS MORNING BY MARY MCGRORY THAT MADE ME THINK BACK TO THE TIME WHEN I WAS IN THE PEACE CORPS. |
| 02:51:51 | AND I SERVED WITH A MAN WHO HAS SINCE DIED BY THE NAME OF MARTI GROBLEY. |
| 02:51:58 | AND WE WERE WORKING ON THE FILL FEIGNS -- PHILIPPINES PROGRAM TOGETHER AND HE WAS AN ENORMOUS HERO OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN WORLD WAR II AND HAD DONE WORKS OF HEROISM WHICH I NEVER LEARNED ABOUT BECAUSE WHENEVER AS A YOUNG PERSON IN MY EARLY 20'S I TRIED TO ASK HIM ABOUT IT, BECAUSE I WANTED TO LEARN ABOUT IT HE SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. |
| 02:52:25 | AND I THINK THAT'S THE WAY OF MANY WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH SEARING EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL EXPERIENCES OF DANGER, OF PATRIOTISM, OF GREAT PERSONAL RISK, THAT THEY SIMPLY KEEP IT TO THEMSELVES, THERE ISN'T A NEED TO TELL OTHERS BECAUSE WAR IS NOT PLEASANT, WAR IS DESTRUCTIVE IN MANY WAYS, WAR IS CARRIED OUT IN THE INTERESTS OF THE NATION OR OF MANY NATIONS AGAINST ONE OR SEVERAL OTHERS. |
| 02:53:01 | BUT JOHN CHAFEE NEVER FELT A NEED -- IN FACT I NEVER, EVER HEARD IN ALL THE YEARS I KNEW HIM TALK ABOUT SERVING IN TWO WARS, THE FACT THAT HE WAS A MARINE. |
| 02:53:16 | IF YOU REALLY LOOKED AT JOHN CHAFEE, PARTICULARLY IN THE LATTER YEAR, YOU WOULDN'T NECESSARILY, UNLESS YOU REALLY LOOKED AT THAT CHISELED FACE, YOU WOULDN'T SAY THAT THIS WAS NECESSARILY A MARINE IN THE SENSE THAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN CLASSICAL TERMS. |
| 02:53:30 | I MEAN, HE WASN'T SORT OF INTO LOOKING TOUGH OR ACTING TOUGH OR BEING TOUGH. |
| 02:53:36 | HE JUST WAS TOUGH. |
| 02:53:37 | BUT HE WAS TOUGH ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE THAT HE LOVED, THAT HE REPRESENTED IN RHODE ISLAND, THAT HE DIDN'T DIRECTLY RESENT -- REPRESENT, ALTHOUGH HE DID AS A UNITED STATES SENATOR IN THE FORM OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN AND INHERITANCE OF WHATEVER QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENT THAT WE WILL INHERIT IN OUR COUNTRY. |
| 02:54:03 | HE WAS A STUFERDE ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND HE WAS FEROCIOUS IN THE WAY THAT HE THOUGHT FOR THEM. |
| 02:54:08 | BUT HE NEVER PUSHED HIMSELF FORWARD. |
| 02:54:12 | IT ALWAYS SEEMED THAT, AS YOU SAT AND WATCHED HIM ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WHEN HE WAS IN A HEARING CONDUCTING QUESTIONING, THAT HE WAS SEARCHING FOR TRUTH, NOT EITHER TO SHOW KNOWLEDGE OF WHICH HE HAD A DEEP, DEEP REPOSITORY, OR TO SHOTE SPECIAL SENIORITY OR EDGE. |
| 02:54:33 | IT WAS ALWAYS THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT THE WITNESS WAS SAYING, REFLECTING ON WHAT THE WITNESS WAS SAYING, BEING COURTEOUS TO THE WITNESS, TOUGH ON THE WITNESS WHERE THE WITNESS MIGHT BE WITHHOLDING INFORMATION OR NOT FULLY DISCLOSING PERHAPS SOME OF THE OTHER ARGUMENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THAT WITNESS'S ARGUMENT. |
| 02:54:52 | BUT I LOVED HIM FOR THOSE QUALITIES. |
| 02:54:58 | I HAD NO IDEA -- I THINK AS NONE OF US DID -- THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE HIS FATE SO EARLY. |
| 02:55:04 | I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FACT -- I DIDN'T LOOK FORWARD TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS GOING TO RETIRE. |
| 02:55:08 | YOU LOOKED FORWARD TO THE FACT THAT SINCE HE HAD ANNOUNCE THEAFEDS GOING TO RETIRE, THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GO BACK TO RHODE ISLAND, TO HIS BELOVED NORTHEAST, TO PROWL HIS STATE, TO BE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO STOOD BY HIM ALL THOSE YEARS. |
| 02:55:31 | AS THE SENATORIS KNOW, JOHN CHAFEE WAS ALSO A GOVERNOR. |
| 02:55:34 | I THINK THAT GOVERNORS BRING TO THIS BODY A PARTICULAR ABILITY AND DESIRE TO TRY REACH A COMPROMISE, TO FIND A SOLUTION. |
| 02:55:42 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER WAS A GOFRPBLG, AND GOVERNORS AREN'T -- OFTEN CAN'T ALLOW THEMSELVES TO TERRY AN I HAD OMG. |
| 02:55:54 | THEY CAN'T TERRY ON SIMPLY A PET U LENT FEELING ABOUT THIS SITUATION OR THAT PERSON BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY PERSON IN THAT STATE, BE THEY MAN OR WOMAN, WHO CAN RESOLVE A SITUATION. |
| 02:56:06 | AND, THEREFORE, THEY HAVE TO SEEK A COMPROMISE. |
| 02:56:09 | THEY HAVE TO SEEK A SOLUTION. |
| 02:56:11 | AND I LOVE THAT QUALITY IN A SENATOR, AND IT'S A QUALITY THAT JOHN CHAFEE HAD IN JUST AN UNPARALLELED AMOUNT OF. |
| 02:56:23 | SO HE NEVER GOT TO GO BACK HOME, AND I FEEL VERY SAD ABOUT THAT. |
| 02:56:27 | I WANTED TO THINK ABOUT JOHN CHAFEE AT HOME, ENJOY THE FACT THAT HE WAS LOOKING BACK ON ALL OF HIS YEARS OF NATIONAL SERVICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE AND ENJOYING HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND HIS CHILDREN AND GINNY AND HIS BELOVED STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND ALL OF THE NORTHEAST. |
| 02:56:44 | I MEAN, HE WAS A REMARKABLE PERSON. |
| 02:56:50 | ANOTHER THING THAT MARY MCGRORY SAID, SHE SAID, "IN AN INSTITUTION THAT CALLS EVERY MAN A GENTLEMAN, HE REALLY WAS ONE. |
| 02:56:58 | " NOW, THAT KIND OF PUTS US IN OUR PLAIRX BUT IT ALSO VERY MUCH SAYS AN ACCURACY ABOUT JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 02:57:12 | I'VE HEARD HIM TALK TO PEOPLE SHARPLY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS ON SUBSTANCE. |
| 02:57:18 | IT WAS ALWAYS ON ISSUES. |
| 02:57:19 | IT WAS OWLS ON WHAT WAS BETWEEN HIMSELF AND A RESOLUTION TO A POLICY PROBLEM THAT HE CARED ABOUT. |
| 02:57:30 | IN THE LEADER'S CHAIR SITS THE SENATOR FROM IOWA, SENATOR GRASSLEY. |
| 02:57:37 | HE AND I WILL REMEMBER BECAUSE WE WERE BOTH THERE, THAT IT WAS ONLY LAST WEEK, WHICH IS THE HEARTBREAKING PART OF IT, THAT SENATOR JOHN CHAFEE WAS CONDUCTING A HEARING, A A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, ON INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM OF WHEN CHILDREN ARE BOUGHT UP, OFTEN -- USUALLY ABUSED BY THEIR PARENTS OR BY OTHERS -- THROUGH A FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AT THE AGE OF 18 THEY'RE DECLARED, "INDEPENDENT. |
| 02:58:14 | " THE PRESIDING OFFICER'S COLLEAGUE FROM OHIO IS ALSO VERY INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM. |
| 02:58:21 | AND JOHN CHAFEE WAS QUIZZING THE ACTUALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE WHO HAD COME THROUGH THE SYSTEM, MANY, MANY FOSTER PARENTS, SOME OF WHICH HAD WORKED, SOME OF WHICH HAD NOT, BUT THEY HAD BEEN AT THE AGE OF 18 SCLTAIRD INDEPENDENT, JUST CAST OUT. |
| 02:58:38 | LOST THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE, DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT, NECESSARILY EVEN HOW TO OPERATE A WASHING MACHINE. |
| 02:58:44 | AND THEY SAID THAT TO US IN VERY CLEAR AND COMPELLING WAYS WAYS. |
| 02:58:53 | AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SITUATIONS LIKE THAT, I THINK, THAT MY FRIEND FROM IOWA WOULD AGREE WITH ME, THAT JOHN CHAFEE WAS AT HIS BEST. |
| 02:59:01 | HE WAS IN HIS 70'S AND YET HE WAS FOCUSED SO HEAVILY IN SO MUCH OF WHAT HE DID ON CHILDREN WHO WERE IN THEIR FOURTH AND FIFTH YEAR AND IN THEIR TEENS. |
| 02:59:15 | AND IT WAS A BURN AND A PASSION THAT NEVER RELENTED. |
| 02:59:21 | AND THE SENATOR FROM IOWA, SENATOR GRASSLEY, AND I ARE WORKING VERY HARD WITH OUR STAFFED AND WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE STAFF TO TRY TO COMPLETE THAT INDEPENDENT LIVING BILL, NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT WOULD EMBARRASS HIM AS A WAY OF HONORING JOHN CHAFEE BUT FRANKLY BECAUSE JOHN CHAFEE WOULD BE ON US TO DO IT. |
| 02:59:44 | KNOWING THAT'S NOT HERE TO DO IT HIMSELF. |
| 02:59:47 | SO WE INTEND TO DO THAT, AND WE WILL DO THAT. |
| 02:59:49 | AND WE WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD PASS THIS BODY AND THE OTHER BODY AND BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT. |
| 02:59:59 | JOHN CHAFEE'S HEALTH IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO COMMENT ON BECAUSE I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF HIM AND DO THINK OF HIM AS SO STRONG, AND I WONDERED, I THINK, AS MANY OF US DID, IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WHAT WAS IT THAT CAUSED HIM TO SEEM TO BECOME SO FRAGILE SO QUICKLY. |
| 03:00:20 | BUT BECAUSE I KNEW JOHN CHAFEE AND HAD KNOWN JOHN CHAFEE, I ALWAYS BELIEVED IF WOULD PASS BECAUSE JOHN CHAFEE ALWAYS CAME BACK. |
| 03:00:31 | I MEAN, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE. |
| 03:00:32 | AND HE WAS BEING FRAIL BECAUSE HE HAD HAD BACK SURGERY. |
| 03:00:37 | BUT THAT WASN'T GOING TO LEAD TO SOMETHING ELSE. |
| 03:00:40 | IT WAS SIMPLY THAT HE WAS GOING TO GET OVER THAT AND COME BACK AND TAKE HIS PLACE OVER THERE BEHIND WHERE THE FLOWERS ARE PLACED ON HIS DESK AND RESUME HIS WORK BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT JOHN CHAFEE DID. |
| 03:00:52 | I MEAN, HE DIDN'T RETIRE WHEN HE WAS IN HIS LATE 60'S. |
| 03:00:57 | HE CERTAINLY WAS FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT ENOUGH TO DO SO. |
| 03:00:59 | BUT HE DIDN'T RETIRE BECAUSE HE WANTED TO WORK. |
| 03:01:01 | HE LOVED PUBLIC POLICY, HE LOVED HELPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, HE LOVED HEALTH CARE. |
| 03:01:06 | I CAN REMEMBER DURING THE CLINTON HEALTH CARE DEBATES, IT WAS CLASSIC JOHN CHAFEE BECAUSE HE -- WE WOULD GO ON SUNDAY TELEVISION SHOWS AND HE AND I WOULD HAVE A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION BEFORE -- WE HAD DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE LEGISLATION, WE HAD A VERY WARM CONVERSATION BEFORE -- AND THEN HE WOULD DURING THE COURSE OF THE INTERVIEW PROCEED TO SHRED ME MERCILESSLY IN SGOOD MARINE FASHION. |
| 03:01:30 | BUT, YOU KNOW, SAYING -- USING GOOD FACTS AND GOOD EXAMPLES AND THEN AS SOON AS IT WAS OVER, HE'D GO RIGHT BACK AND WE'D BE AMEEBL. |
| 03:01:44 | I COMMENTED ON THAT SEVERAL TIMES. |
| 03:01:47 | BUT HE WOULD BRUSH IT OFF BECAUSE HE WAS DOING HIS WOFRPBLGT HE WAS DOING THE WORK THAT HE WAS HERE TO DO. |
| 03:01:54 | SO LET US REMEMBER WHEN WE THINK OF CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE OF JOHN CHAFEE BECAUSE IT WAS JOHN CHAFEE THAT DROVE THAT. |
| 03:02:05 | IT WAS CALLED THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, "CHIPS. |
| 03:02:09 | " AND IT WAS JOHN CHAFEE WHO DROVE THAT AND LAURI RUBINE REFMT, HIS STAFF PERSON, DROVE THAT. |
| 03:02:20 | THEY WERE DRAWING THIS INDEPENDENT LIVING BILL. |
| 03:02:24 | THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THAT HE DID OF PEOPLE OF ALL SORTS. |
| 03:02:27 | I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED, EXCEPT VERY BRIEFLY, AT THE BEGINNING THE ENVIRONMENT. |
| 03:02:31 | BUT, YOU KNOW, JOHN CHAFEE WAS ALSO A VERY INDEPENDENT PERSON. |
| 03:02:34 | AND I DON'T SAY THIS HAS A DEMOCRAT. |
| 03:02:36 | I SAY THIS AS A STPHOFERMENT I LIKED SO MUCH THE FACT THAT HE WAS SO FEROCIOUS LIT INDEPENDENT OF HIS OWN PARTY WHEN HE HAD CHOSEN TO OF HIS OWN PARTY WHEN THEY APPLIED PRESSURE TO HIM, FROM HIS CONSTITUENTS PRESUMABLY, WHEN THEY APPLIED PRESSURE ON HIM. |
| 03:02:53 | HE ALWAYS DID WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS RIGHT. |
| 03:02:55 | AND, YOU KNOW, IN THE SORT OF THE LONGER DAY OF LIFE, IF YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE AND YOU STAY WHO YOU ARE, PEOPLE WILL COME IN YOUR DIRECTION. |
| 03:03:10 | IF YOU BEND TO OTHER PEOPLE'S ALSO AND PEOPLE HAVE A ANSWER IS OF THAT, THEN THERE'LL NEVER BE A NEED FOR THIM TO COME IN YOUR DIRECTION BECAUSE THEY'LL SENSE THAT IF THEY OUTWEIGHT YOU, THEY'LL PREVAIL. |
| 03:03:24 | YOU COULDN'T DO THAT WITH JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 03:03:26 | WHETHER IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS THIS INCREDIBLE PERSON FROM RHODE ISLAND AND THE NORTHEAST, THIS SON OF EARLY AMERICA, WHETHER IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS A MARINE, WHETHER IT WAS JUST BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PARTICULAR AND UNIQUE NATURE, HE NEVER BACKED AWAY FROM ANYTHING. |
| 03:03:46 | SO I WOULD SAY IN CLOSING THAT JOHN CHAFEE WAS A GREAT, GREAT FIGURE OF THE SENATE. |
| 03:03:55 | I'M NOT IN THE POSITION AT THIS POINT TO SORT OF RATE GREAT FIGURES IN THE SENATE OVER ERAS, BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY WANT TO START WITH THE IDEA THAT JOHN CHAFEE WAS AND IS ONE OF THOSES. |
| 03:04:09 | I THINK IF HE WAS AN INSPIRATION, HE INSPIRED ME. |
| 03:04:12 | I FELT BETTER WHEN I SAW HIM, WHEN I WAS IN HIS PRESENCE. |
| 03:04:16 | I FELT MORE MOTIVATED. |
| 03:04:18 | I FELT BETTER ABOUT EVERYTHING BECAUSE HE JUST DID THAT TO YOU, WHETHER HE WAS ON HIS CANE, AS HE WAS IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO, OR WHETHER HE WAS VIGOROUS, AS HE WAS ALWAYS BEFORE THAT. |
| 03:04:31 | HE ENRICHED THE LIVES OF SO MANY. |
| 03:04:34 | HE SEEMED TO CARE VERY LITTLE ABOUT HIS OWN COMFORTS. |
| 03:04:38 | BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, HE WAS SO DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY AND SO IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THINK ABOUT BEGINY, I WANT TO THINK ABOUT HIS CHILDREN, I WANT TOGY I WANT TO THINK ABOUT HIS GRANDCHILDREN, I WANT TO THINK ABOUT HIS STAFF, PEOPLE WHO MUSTING ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED, NOW, ALL OF THEM, EACH OF THE CATEGORIES OF CLOSE PEOPLE THAT I'VE MEVENGSED. |
| 03:05:03 | AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY WERE RELATED TO, MARRIED TO, CHILDREN OF, GRANDCHILDREN OF AND WORKING FOR A REALLY VERY GREAT MIRN. |
| 03:05:16 | I THANK THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 03:05:21 | MR. |
| 03:05:22 | GRASSLEY: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IOWA. |
| 03:05:24 | MR. |
| 03:05:25 | GRASSLEY: THIS MORNING SENATOR CONRAD OFFERED AN AMENDMENT THAT I AM A COSPONSOR OF, AND I WANT TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER VOTING FOR THIS AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS AS WELL AS INDUSTRIAL WORKERS. |
| 03:05:54 | THIS PROGRAM, TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, IS BEING REAUTHORIZED IN THIS LEGISLATION, AND THIS AMENDMENT WOULD EXPAND IT JUST A LITTLE BIT. |
| 03:06:04 | PRESIDENT CLINTON ABOUT A MONTH AGO, IN AN ADDRESS, SPOKE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE COME FROM FOREIGN TRADE, A RESULT OF OPENING OF FOREIGN TRADE AND ALL THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT TAKES PLACE BECAUSE OF FOREIGN TRADE. |
| 03:06:29 | AND SO IF YOU CAN HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF JOBS CREATED DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A 50-YEAR HISTORY OF BREAKING DOWN TRADE BARRIERS BETWEEN COUNTRIES, WE HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT THE LIBERALIZATION OF TRADE IS GOOD FOR AMERICAN WORKERS, GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY. |
| 03:06:55 | FREE TRADE HAS PRODUCE THE MANY -- PRODUCED MANY WINNERS IN OUR ECONOMY. |
| 03:07:01 | THIS HAS BEEN TRUE SINCE 1947, WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND JUST 22 OTHER COUNTRIES CREATED THE REGIME FOR LIBERALIZED TRADE THAT WE'VE BEEN IN SINCE 1947 CALLED THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE. |
| 03:07:21 | SINCE 1987, WE HAVE HAD EIGHT SERIES -- SOMETIMES THEY'RE CALLED ROUNDS -- OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO BREAK THESE BARRIERS DOWN. |
| 03:07:37 | THESE MULTITRADE -- THESE MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE LIBERALIZED TRADE IN MANY SECTORS. |
| 03:07:44 | TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TARIFFS HAVE BEEN SCRAPPED. |
| 03:07:49 | MANY NON-TARIFF TRADE BARRIERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. |
| 03:07:51 | OTHERS HAVE BEEN SHARPLY REDUCED. |
| 03:07:55 | THE RESULTS OF 50 YEARS OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION HAS BEEN THE CREATION OF ENORMOUS WEALTH AND PROSPERITY, AND AS I HAVE SAID, MILLIONS OF NEW JOBS. |
| 03:08:10 | ONE-THIRD OF THE NEW JOBS CREATED JUST IN THIS DECADE. |
| 03:08:14 | BUT WHENEVER YOU HAVE A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, PROBABLY EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE A REGIMENTED ECONOMY, LIKE THE SOCIALIST COUNTRIES HAVE HAD, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME ADJUSTMENT IN THE ECONOMY. |
| 03:08:28 | THERE ARE SOME WINNERS AND SOME LOSERS, AND THAT'S TRUE IN OUR ECONOMY AND IT'S TRUE IN THE FOREIGN TRADE PART OF OUR ECONOMY. |
| 03:08:40 | FOR THIS REASON, MORE THAN 5 YEARS AGO -- MORE THAN 35 YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND THE 87TH CONGRESS THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY FAIR TO TRANSFER SOME OF THE NET GAIN FROM FREE TRADE TO INJURED WORKERS OR FIRMS OR INDUSTRIES OR EVEN ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. |
| 03:09:05 | THE FIRST UNITED STATES TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED BY PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND AUTHORIZED BY THE TRADE EXPANSION ACT OF 1962 TO HELP WORKERS DISLOCATED AS A RESULT OF A FEDERAL POLICY TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO FOREIGN TRADE. |
| 03:09:26 | IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PURPOSES OF OUR AMENDMENT, AND ALSO FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE ACT, TO HEAR WHAT PRESIDENT KENNEDY, ITS AUTHOR, HAD TO SAY ABOUT ITS INTENT AND SCOPE SCOPE. |
| 03:09:39 | AND SO I WOULD QUOTE: "I AM RECOMMENDING AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A NEW TRADE PROGRAM THAT COMPANIES, FARMERS AND WORKERS WHO SUFFER DAMAGE FROM INCREASED FOREIGN IMPORT COMPETITION BE ASSISTED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADJUST TO THAT COMPETITION. |
| 03:09:58 | WHEN CONSIDERATIONS OF NATIONAL POLICY MAKE IT DESIRABLE TO AVOID HIGHER TARIFFS, THOSE INJURED BY THAT COMPETITION SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE IMPACT. |
| 03:10:12 | " RATHER, PRESIDENT KENNEDY SAYS, "THE BURDEN OF ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT SHOULD BE BORNE IN PART BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT. |
| 03:10:24 | " WHAT PRESIDENT KENNEDY SAID WAS SO IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE ONCE AGAIN A SMALL PART OF IT. |
| 03:10:32 | "TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COMPANIES, FARMERS AND WORKERS WORKERS. |
| 03:10:42 | BUT IN SPITE OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S BELIEF THAT FARMERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET RELIEF FROM TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, JUST LIKE OTHER WORKERS WHO SUFFER FROM TRADE-RELATED JOB LOSSES, REALITY IS THAT FEW, IF ANY, INDIVIDUAL FAMILY FARMERS ARE EVER ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM. |
| 03:10:58 | HENCE, THE AMENDMENT BY SENATOR CONRAD AND MYSELF THAT'S OFFERED TODAY TO ADDRESS THIS INEQUITY. |
| 03:11:11 | SENATOR CONRAD AND I THINK IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT NOT ONLY FARMERS BE INCLUDED BUT FISHERMEN BE ADDED TO THIS GROUP AS WELL. |
| 03:11:22 | THEY ARE WORKERS. THEY HELP PUT FOOD ON OUR TABLES, AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS UNDER THE CURRENT PROGRAM THAT FARMERS HAVE. |
| 03:11:30 | OUR PROGRAM WILL CREATE A LIMITED NEW TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS PROGRAM PROGRAM. |
| 03:11:46 | IT WOULD PROVIDE CASH ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS AND FISHERMEN WHEN THE PRICE OF A COMMODITY FALLS SHARPLY AS A RESULT OF IMPORTS AND CAUSES THE FARM'S NET INCOME TO DROP. |
| 03:11:53 | THE FORMULA ENSURES THAT FARMERS WILL RECOVER A PORTION BUT NOT ALL OF THE INCOME LOST DUE TO IMPORT COMPETITION. |
| 03:12:03 | THIS IS NOT AN OPEN-ENDED PROGRAM, MY FRIENDS IN THE SENATE. |
| 03:12:08 | ASSISTANCE IS CAPPED AT $10,000 PER FARMER AND A TOTAL OF $100 MILLION PER YEAR. |
| 03:12:18 | AND, OF COURSE, IT MUST BE UNDER THE BUDGET ACT, THIS TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS PAID FOR. |
| 03:12:26 | IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS LIMIT TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FARMERS WOULD HAVE TO CONSULT WITH THE USTA'S EXTENSION SERVICE TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR ADJUSTING TO THE IMPORT COMPETITION. |
| 03:12:39 | MR. |
| 03:12:40 | PRESIDENT, IN ABOUT FIVE WEEKS, THE UNITED STATES IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A NEW ROUND OF GLOBAL TRADE TALKS WITH 133 OTHER W. |
| 03:12:52 | T.O. -- WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION -- MEMBER COUNTRIES. |
| 03:12:55 | THAT'S THE SAME -- THAT'S AN EXTENSION OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT STARTED OUT WITH 22 COUNTRIES IN 1947 FOR THIS REGIME FOR LIBERALIZING TRADE. |
| 03:13:07 | SO IN FIVE WEEKS, THESE TALKS START. |
| 03:13:16 | FARMERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AMONG ONE OF THE STRONGEST SUPPORTERS OF FREE TRADE, BECAUSE SO MUCH OF WHAT THEY PRODUCE IS SOLD IN OVERSEAS MARKETS. |
| 03:13:23 | IN FACT, THERE'S AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF SELLING OVERSEAS, BECAUSE EVEN IN NORMAL PRODUCTION, WE PRODUCE ONE-THIRD MORE THAN CAN BE DOMESTICALLY CONSUMED. |
| 03:13:36 | SO PROFITABILITY IN FARMING MUST COME BY SELLING SURPLUS OVERSEAS. |
| 03:13:42 | THE INCOME OF OUR FARM FAMILIES EARNED IN THESE FOREIGN MARKETS SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMY AND CONTRIBUTES GREATLY TO OUR NATIONAL WELL-BEING. |
| 03:13:56 | FARM SUPPORT FOR FREE TRADE CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT BENEFIT FROM FREE TRADE. |
| 03:14:09 | WE ARE IN THE WORST FARM CRISIS SINCE THE DEPRESSION OF THE 1930'S. |
| 03:14:12 | NOW, LOW COMMODITY PRIZES ARE NOT CAUSED EXCLUSIVELY BY IMPORT COMPETITION, AND I DON'T MEAN TO IMPLY THAT. |
| 03:14:18 | IN FACT, IT'S JUST THE OPPOSITE. |
| 03:14:20 | IT'S CAUSED BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR MARKETS OVERSEAS HAVE BEEN HURT BY THE FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT STARTED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO IN THE FAR EAST. |
| 03:14:32 | BUT, OF COURSE, IN OUR COMPLEX ECONOMY, EVEN IN OUR COMPLEX AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY, TRADE MIGHT BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THESE HISTORICALLY LOW PRICES. |
| 03:14:46 | THROUGH TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, WE LOOK AFTER AMERICANS WHO ARE HARMED BY IMPORT COMPETITION BUT NOT FARMERS. |
| 03:14:56 | THROUGH TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE LOOKED AFTER COMMUNITIES HARMED BY IMPORT COMPETITION BUT NOT FARM COMMUNITIES. |
| 03:15:07 | BETWEEN 1979 AND 1996, 12 TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES ASSISTED ABOUT 6,130 FIRMS WITH PETITIONS FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE. |
| 03:15:25 | DURING THIS SAME 17-YEAR PERIOD, THESE CENTERS ASSISTED ONLY 200 FOOD GROWERS AND PROCESSORS. |
| 03:15:34 | 200 FIRMS IN 17 YEARS THAT WERE NONINDUSTRIAL. |
| 03:15:39 | BUT THESE FIRMS, MR. |
| 03:15:40 | PRESIDENT PRESIDENT, WERE NOT INDIVIDUAL FAMILY FARMERS. |
| 03:15:44 | I'M CONCERNED THAT IF WE LOSE FARM SUPPORT FOR FREE TRADE, IT WILL BE VERY HARD AND PERHAPS IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR NEW TRADE DEALS WHEN THESE NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDE AMONG THESE 133 COUNTRIES. |
| 03:16:02 | FAIRNESS, EQUITY, COMMON SENSE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S PROGRAM ALL TELL US THAT FARMERS AND FISHERMEN SHOULD AND MUST BE A PART OF THE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. |
| 03:16:21 | SO, AS SENATOR CONRAD DID THIS MORNING, I STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT AMENDMENT. |
| 03:16:26 | AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 03:16:27 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS. |
| 03:16:36 | MR. |
| 03:16:37 | KENNEDY: MR. |
| 03:16:38 | PRESIDENT, WE ARE ALMOST A MONTH INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR AND CONGRESS HAS STILL NOT PASSED THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE WORK OF THESE DEPARTMENTS TOUCHES THE LIVES OF NEARLY EVERY AMERICAN. |
| 03:16:52 | YET THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO WORK OUT AN ACCEPTABLE BUDGET FOR THEM, ONE WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FULLY AND EFFECTIVELY. |
| 03:17:02 | THE MAJORITY HAS USED AN EXTRAORDINARY ARRAY OF GIMMICKS GIMMICKS, SUCH AS BOGUS EMERGENCY SPENDING DESIGNATIONS AND AN UNPRECEDENT LEVEL OF ADVANCED FUNDING, BUT EVEN THOSE BUDGETARY SLIGHTS OF HAND WERE INSUFFICIENT TO DO THE JOB. |
| 03:17:16 | THEY CONSIDERED RENEGING ON CONGRESS'S COMMITMENT TO PROIP TANTIVE MONEYS FOR THE STATES BUT BACKED OFF UNDER PRESSURE FROM REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS. |
| 03:17:26 | THEY PROPOSED INCREASING TAXES ON THE WORKING POOR BY CHANGING THE REIMBURSEMENT RULES FOR THE EARNED-INCOME TAX CREDIT. |
| 03:17:31 | EVEN THE LEADING REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DENOUNCED THAT AS BALANCING THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR POOR. |
| 03:17:38 | AND AGAIN, THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WAS FORCED TO RETREAT FROM AN OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSAL. |
| 03:17:41 | THE FACT THAT THESE CUTS WERE EVEN CONSIDERED SHOWS HOW OUT OF CONTROL THE BUDGET PROCESS IS. |
| 03:17:47 | IN DESPERATION, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOW PROPOSED THAT WE INDISCRIMINATELY CUT ALL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS BY 1% ACROSS THE BOARD. |
| 03:17:55 | IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WOULD TREAT ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS NO DIFFERENTLY THAN SPECIAL INTEREST PORK-BARREL PROJECTS. |
| 03:18:04 | THEY IGNORE THE REALITY THAT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHERS. |
| 03:18:08 | THIS TYPE OF MINDLESS CUT IS AN ADMISSION OF TOTAL BUDGETARY FAILURE. |
| 03:18:12 | THEY PRETEND SUCH A CUT WILL NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE PROGRAMS, BUT THEY ARE TERRIBLY WRONG. |
| 03:18:18 | THE HUMAN COST OF SUCH ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT WOULD BE VERY HIGH T. |
| 03:18:21 | WOULD HURT MANY OF OUR MOST -- IT WOULD HURT MANY OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE. |
| 03:18:28 | SOME 5,000 FEWER PRESCHOOLERS IN HEAD START, 2,800 FEWER CHILDREN IN THE CHILD-CARE PROGRAMS, 74,000 FEWER BABIES RECEIVING NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS. |
| 03:18:39 | 2,775,000 FEWER MEALS SERVED TO THE ELDERLY. |
| 03:18:44 | 120,000 FEWER DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS HELPED. |
| 03:18:47 | 6,000 FEWER JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH. |
| 03:18:51 | 10,000 FEWER WORK-STUDY GRANTS FOR COLLEGE. |
| 03:18:55 | 10,000 FEWER CHILDREN HELPED TO READ. |
| 03:18:58 | 3,000 FEWER STUDENTS IMMUNIZED. |
| 03:19:00 | 20,000 FEWER HOMES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. |
| 03:19:04 | 1,000 FEWER FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. |
| 03:19:06 | AND 50,000 FEWER MILITARY PERSONNEL. |
| 03:19:13 | NOW, MR. |
| 03:19:14 | PRESIDENT, EACH ONE OF THESE IS UNACCEPTABLE PRICE TO PAY FOR THE REPUBLICANS' INABILITY TO PRODUCE A FAIR AND FISCALLY SOUND BUG. |
| 03:19:21 | NOW, MR. |
| 03:19:22 | PRESIDENT, THAT WAS WITH A 1% CUT. |
| 03:19:24 | NOW WE HAVE MADE AVAILABLE TO US BY C. |
| 03:19:33 | B.O. A LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO THE HONORABLE JOHN SEPARATE, WHO IS THE RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, AND ALSO COPIES TO MR. |
| 03:19:42 | KASICH AND MR. |
| 03:19:43 | DOMENICI. AND THE CONCLUSION OF THIS -- OF THESE LETTERS IS THAT THE . |
| 03:19:49 | 97 THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WE -- CONFERENCE REPORT, WHICH WE PERHAPS WILL CONSIDER LATER, IS GOING TO BE INSUFFICIENT, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CONSIDERATIONS OF C. |
| 03:20:03 | B.O. AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- THEIR ESTIMATE IS IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NOT. |
| 03:20:10 | 9% BUT A TOTAL OF 5. |
| 03:20:11 | 8%. A TOTAL OF 5. |
| 03:20:14 | 8%. AND IF YOU WERE TO ELIMINATE DEFENSE AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS' PROGRAMS, IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF 11%. |
| 03:20:21 | SO HERE'S THE CUTS WITH 1% AND THE C. |
| 03:20:26 | B.O. SAYS IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE JOB AND FOLLOW THE PATHWAY THAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED BY THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, IT WOULD BE -- HAVE TO BE 5. |
| 03:20:37 | 8%. SO YOU CAN MULTIPLY ALL OF THESE FIGURES BY FIVE ANYWAY, AND IN SOME CASES, IT WOULD HAVE A MUCH MORE DRAMATIC ADVERSE IMPACT. |
| 03:20:45 | THAT'S THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE IN, MR. |
| 03:20:49 | PRESIDENT. AND THE FACT IS THAT THE PRESIDENT AND THE RANKING DEMOCRATS ON THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES SAY, WHY DON'T YOU GO ON BACK AND CUT OUT THE PORK THAT YOU PUT IN AND CUT OUT THE EXCESSES THAT YOU HAVE ADDED AND SEND US SOMETHING THAT IS RESPONSIBLE AND THEN WE CAN HAVE TRUE NEGOTIATIONS. |
| 03:21:11 | BUT THAT ISN'T THE WAY THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS MOVING. |
| 03:21:17 | THEY'RE JUST DOING ACROSS -- FAVORING ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS, WHICH WILL CUT AVAILABLE AVAILABLE, HELPFUL PROGRAMS THAT ARE INDISPENSABLE TO NEEGT PEOPLE FOR INFANTS OR FOR CHILDREN, FOR EDUCATION AND FOR HEALTH, AS WELL AS THE SPORK PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED -- AS WELL AS THE PORK PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED BY THE REPUBLICANS. |
| 03:21:40 | THESE PROGRAMS ARE MORE DEPLORABLE BECAUSE THEY'RE UNNECESSARY. |
| 03:21:43 | PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATS HERE IN CONGRESS HAVE PROPOSED FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MEASURE TO KEEP OUR HANDS ENTIRELY OFF SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY, EVEN WHILE WE MAKE THE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN OUR NATION IN THE COMING YEAR. |
| 03:21:55 | BUT REPUBLICANS REPEATEDLY SAID NO. |
| 03:21:57 | NO TO A CIGARETTE TAX THAT WOULD PREVENT TEEN SMOKING WHILE PAYING FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH INITIATIVES. |
| 03:22:01 | NO TO MAKING OIL COMPANIES PAY ROYALTIES THEY OWE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 03:22:06 | NO TO REDUCING CORPORATE WELFARE. |
| 03:22:07 | NO EVEN TO MILITARY OFFICERS WHEN THEY ASKED TO DEFER OR DELAY PROGRAMS, THE REPUBLICANS WANTED IT IN THEIR DISTRICT. |
| 03:22:15 | BY CONSISTENTLY DECLINING OPPORTUNITIES TO PRODUCE A BALANCED BUDGET, REPUBLICANS ARE ALTHOUGH A COURSE TO RAISE -- ARE ON A COURSE TO RAID SOCIAL SECURITY OF THIS PROPOSED 1%. |
| 03:22:26 | AND WHY HAVE REPRESENTED PROPOSED THIS LATEST GIMMICK? |
| 03:22:29 | WHY? |
| 03:22:30 | TO AVOID USING THIS YEAR'S SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES TO PAY FOR THIS YEAR'S GOVERNMENT SPENDING, TELL TELL US. |
| 03:22:36 | WHAT REPUBLICANS DON'T SAY IS THAT THE GIMMICKS THEY HAVE ALREADY VOTED FOR ALREADY GUARANTEE THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY WILL BE USED IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. |
| 03:22:42 | THAT IS WHAT THE LATEST C. |
| 03:22:43 | B.O. REPORT THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE LEADERS TODAY HAS INDICATED. |
| 03:22:51 | WHAT REPUBLICANS DON'T SAY SAY IS THAT THE GIMMICKS THEY HAVE ALREADY VOTED ALREADY GUARANTEE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE USED THIS YEAR. |
| 03:22:57 | I HAVE BUT ONE SIMPLE QUESTION FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD DISAGREE: WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM TO PAY FOR THE CENSUS, WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE SUDDENLY DECLARED TO BE AN EMERGENCY. |
| 03:23:07 | THIS MONEY MUST BE PAID TO CONTRACTORS AND STAFF THIS BUDGET YET AND THEY CAN'T BE BOUND ANYWHERE EXCEPT IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 03:23:15 | BY SIMPLY CALLING $4 BILLION ENTIRELY FORESEEABLE PROGRAM, THEY CANNOT SEE THEY'LL SPEND SURPLUSES THIS YEAR OF WHETHER THERE IS AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT. |
| 03:23:28 | AND THE SENSE IS PUT OF MANY PROGRAMS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SPENT BY REPUBLICANS THIS BUDGET YEAR. |
| 03:23:35 | WHEN ALL THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS PRODUCED BY THE REPUBLICANS IS REMOVED, WE CAN SEE THAT THE TRUTH GOAL OF THEIR 1% CUT IS NOT TO PRESERVE KOSHAL SECURITY SURPLUSES, BUT TO CUT GOVERNMENT EDUCATION ON CORE, HILL HEALTH AND JUSTICE PROGRAMS. |
| 03:23:50 | REPUBLICANS IN THIS CONGRESS ARE RETURNING TO THE TIME OF SPEAKER GINGRICH, WHEN THEY PROPOSED ABOLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ONLY NOW THEY'RE DISMANTLING IT PEACE BY PEACE. |
| 03:24:01 | TODAY'S REPUBLICAN PROPOSED, $288 MILLION CUT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CONTINUING THEIR LONG-STANDING ASSAULT ON OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. |
| 03:24:11 | LET'S NOT FORGET THAT WHEN REPUBLICANS FIRST ASSUMED THE CONTROL OF CONGRESS IN 1995, THEIR TOP AGENDA WAS TO RESCIND $1. |
| 03:24:18 | 7 BILL NONE IN EDUCATION FUNDING THAT IT HAD ALREADY SIGNED INTO LAW IN THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS. |
| 03:24:25 | THEN IN THE FIRST FULL FUNDING CYCLE, THE APPROPRIATORS IN THE HOUSE SOCKED THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH ABOUT. |
| 03:24:32 | 9 BILLION PROPOSED CUT, ALMOST 20%. |
| 03:24:34 | THEY TRIED AGAIN IN THE BUDGET YEAR OF 1997, WHEN SENATOR APPROPRIATORS SOUGHT 3. |
| 03:24:40 | 1 BILLION CUTS IN THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| 03:24:44 | DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, TOGETHER WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, SUZFULLY RESISTED EACH ONE OF THESE CUTS IN EDUCATION. |
| 03:24:51 | SINCE 1997, REPUBLICANS HAVE SOUGHT MORE MODEST EDUCATION CUTS OF 200 MILLION OR -- $200 MILLION BELOW THE PRESIDENT. |
| 03:25:01 | TODAY'S CUT IS CONSISTENT WITH REPUBLICANS LONG-STANDING GOAL OF DECREASING SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION. |
| 03:25:06 | IT IS WRONG. |
| 03:25:07 | IT IS SORT SIDED. |
| 03:25:09 | ITS NOT WHAT THE MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLE WANT OR DESERVE. |
| 03:25:13 | OF COURSE, MR. |
| 03:25:14 | PRESIDENT, SENATOR NICKLES AND REPRESENTATIVE DELAY WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT THEIR 1% WON'T HURT A BIT. |
| 03:25:19 | MIGHT NOT HURT THE OIL COMPANIES THAT FEPT TO PROTECT FROM PAYING FULL ROYALTIES TO THE GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR, BUT IT WILL HURT THE REAL PEOPLE I'VE DESCRIBED. |
| 03:25:26 | THE CUT MIGHT NOT AECT THE -- AFFECT THE TOBACCO COMPANIES NOW THAT THE CONGRESS HAS REJECTED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN TO RAISE CIGARETTE TAXES, BUT IT WILL HURT THOSE WHO RELY ON THE PROGRAMS REPUBLICANS WANT TO CUT. |
| 03:25:41 | MR. |
| 03:25:42 | PRESIDENT, I WANT TO JUST IN CONCLUSION POINT OUT ON THIS OTHER CHART WHAT THE CURRENT SITUATION IS AT THE PRESENT TIME WITH REGARDS TO HEAD START PROGRAM. |
| 03:25:53 | TODAY WE HAVE FOR THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IS ONLY 1 IN 100 ELIGIBLE CHILDREN THAT ARE ACTUALLY INVOLVED -- ENROLLED. |
| 03:26:00 | THOSE ARE THE -- WHAT THE CARNEGIE COMMISSION AND WHAT VIRTUALLY ALL THE RECENT STUDIES SHOW IS PROBABLY THE WISEST INVESTMENT OF FUNDS OF ANY OF THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. |
| 03:26:12 | BECAUSE THESE ARE THE EARLIEST YEARS OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING AMONG CHILDREN. |
| 03:26:18 | AND AS ALL OF THE RESEARCH HAS DEMONSTRATED, THE EARLIEST INTERVENTION IN THESE YEARS, IN THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH YEARS OF LIFE HAVE ENORMOUS CONDITIONS -- CONSEQUENCES IN THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE EDUCATION FOR THOSE CHILDREN. |
| 03:26:35 | ONLY 1 IN 100 ARE BEING ENROLLED. |
| 03:26:37 | AND THE HEAD START PROGRAM, WHICH HAS BEEN TRIED AND TESTED AND EVALUATED AND STRENGTHENED AND IMPROVED, TWO IN FIVE CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE NOW. |
| 03:26:47 | THREE OUT OF FIVE THAT ARE FINANCIALLY ELIGIBLE, CANNOT ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM. |
| 03:26:53 | THE CHILD-CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. |
| 03:26:55 | ONE IN TEN ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ARE ASSISTED. |
| 03:26:59 | THE EDUCATION FOR THE DISABLED, ONLY ONE IN FOUR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ARE ASSISTED. |
| 03:27:04 | THIS IS THE CURRENT SITUATION, AND IT'S AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND WE'RE GOING TO SEE TENS OF MILLIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, REDUCTIONS IN THOSE PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OVER THE COURSE. |
| 03:27:18 | YEAR HAVE ADDED A LOT OF BOONDOGGLE PROGRAMS OF THEIR OWN IN THESE OTHER APPROPRIATIONS. |
| 03:27:26 | AND NOW WE'RE BEING ASKED TO SEE REDUCTIONS. |
| 03:27:28 | I JUST INDICATED WHAT THOSE REDUCTIONS WOULD BE IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE 1%. |
| 03:27:32 | NOW WEB THAT IT'S GOING TO BE 5. |
| 03:27:35 | 8% -- NOW WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE 5. |
| 03:27:37 | 8% ACCORDING TO THE C. |
| 03:27:38 | B.O. AND. |
| 03:27:39 | MR. |
| 03:27:40 | PRESIDENT, THIS IS WRONG. |
| 03:27:41 | IT'S AN ABDICATION OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. |
| 03:27:44 | IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE. |
| 03:27:45 | AND I WOULD HOPE THAT OUR COLLEAGUES WOULD VOTE. |
| 03:27:52 | .. MR. REID: WOULD THE SENATOR YIELD WITHOUT LOSING HIS RIGHT TO THE FLOOR? |
| 03:27:55 | I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM MASSACHUSETTS, YOU'RE AWARE, ARE YOU NOT, THAT THIS LATEST SCHEME -- AND THAT'S WHAT I CALL IT, THIS LATEST SCHEME, THAT'S AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT -- IS ALMOST A ONE-A-WEEK PROGRAM THE REPUBLICANS HAVE COME UP WITH? |
| 03:28:10 | IS THE SENATOR AWARE THAT THEY WANTED TO DO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, LIKE EXTEND THE YEAR A MONTH. |
| 03:28:15 | ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT? |
| 03:28:16 | MR. |
| 03:28:17 | KENNEDY: YES. MR. |
| 03:28:18 | REID: THAT DIDN'T SELL VERY WELL. |
| 03:28:20 | ARE YOU AWARE THAT IT WAS DETERMINED EVEN BY THE VERY CONSERVATIVE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" THAT THEY HAD TWO SETS OF BOOKS THEY WERE TRYING TO KEEP IN ORDER TO HIDE THE PENDING OF SOCIAL SECURITY MEMBERS. |
| 03:28:32 | DOES THE SENATOR REMEMBER THAT? |
| 03:28:35 | >> MR. KEN NEDY: I REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION ON THE FLOOR. |
| 03:28:39 | IT WAS AN ARTICLE BY MR. |
| 03:28:41 | ROGERS ROGERS. |
| 03:28:43 | IT WAS VERY INTERESTING AND IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECORD. |
| 03:28:45 | I HOPE OUR COLLEAGUES WOULD READ THAT. |
| 03:28:46 | MR. REID: IN ADDITION TO HAVING TWO SETS OF BOOKS, IN ADDITION TO EXTENDING THE YEAR ANOTHER MONTH. |
| 03:28:52 | AND AS MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS SAYS, THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE DOING THAT WE'LL NEVER HAVE A Y2K PROBLEM. |
| 03:28:58 | THEY'LL JUST KEEP ADDING MONTHS TO THE YEAR. |
| 03:29:00 | ARE YOU AWARE ALSO THAT THE EARNED-INCOME TAX CREDIT, THE PROGRAM THAT RONALD REAGAN SAID WAS THE BEST ANTIWELFARE PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, ARE YOU AWEAR THEY TRIED AS ONE OF THEIR SCHEMES TO TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY FROM THE POOR, WORKING POOR IN AMERICA SO THEY COULD BALANCE THEIR SO-CALLED BUDGET. |
| 03:29:17 | IS THE SENATOR AWARE OF THAT? |
| 03:29:18 | MR. KENNEDY: WELL, I WAS AWARE OF IT. |
| 03:29:20 | AND THE PARTICULAR NEED FOR THAT PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE HELP AND ASSIST FOR LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN. |
| 03:29:27 | THIS IS BASICALLY THE CHILDREN. |
| 03:29:29 | THAT PROGRAM BENEFITS OF THE CHILDREN OF WORKING TOOR TO TRY AND GIVE SOME ASSURANCE THAT THEY'LL AT LEAST HAVE SOME MEASURE OF QUALITY OF LIFE. |
| 03:29:40 | AND THAT WAS THE PROGRAM THAT WAS TARGETED BY THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 03:29:46 | TO BE UNDERMINE THE -- TO BE UNDERMINED IN ORDER TO SORT OF SUCK BACK THAT PROGRAM AND THE RESOURCES IN THAT PROGRAM IN ORDER TO OFFSET WHAT THEY HAD -- OTHER BENEFITS THAT THEY HAD GIVEN TO THEIR -- TO SPECIAL PROJECTS. |
| 03:30:04 | MR. |
| 03:30:05 | REID: IS THE SENATOR AWARE AS PART OF THEIR SCHEME OF THE WEEK PROGRAM TO HAVE THIS BLUE SMOKE AND MIRRORS, IS THE SENATOR AS A ALSO -- AND I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, AS HE HAS SO APTLY POINTED OUT TODAY -- THAT NOW THEY WANT AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT, SAYING THEY WANT TO ELIMINATE WASTE AND FRAUD. |
| 03:30:24 | BUT THE SENATOR IS AWARE THAT ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS ARE INDISCRIMINATE. |
| 03:30:29 | IT DOESN'T GO TO ANY ONE POCKET. |
| 03:30:30 | IF CUTS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE BOARD. |
| 03:30:32 | IS THE SENATOR AWARE OF THAT? |
| 03:30:33 | MR. |
| 03:30:34 | KENNEDY:LY SENATOR IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. |
| 03:30:36 | IT DOES NOT, FOR EXAMPLE -- EVEN GIVEN THEM IN THE MILITARY -- GIVE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT KEAFZ OF STPHAFZ -- CHIEFS OF STAFF AND THE COMMANDERS THE RANGE OF OPTIONS IN ORDER TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 03:30:49 | NOW, WE'RE UP TO $270 BILLION-ODD IN TERMS OF DEFENSE. |
| 03:30:56 | 1% IS. |
| 03:30:57 | $2.7 BILL. |
| 03:30:58 | AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, WE HEARD FROM THE JOINT CHIEFS THAT THAT WOULD BE A DEVASTATING CUT IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL AND IN TERMS OF READINESS. |
| 03:31:11 | AND THE -- THEY'RE NOT GIVING. |
| 03:31:13 | THEY DON'T GIVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO ANY OF THE ADMINISTRATORS TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. |
| 03:31:17 | THEY'RE MANDATING REQUIREMENT ALL ACROSS THE BOARD AND THAT IS THE MOST INEFFICIENT WAY OF DOING IT. |
| 03:31:23 | MR. |
| 03:31:24 | REID: IS THE SENATOR WEAR INSTEAD OF THEIR SCHEME OF THE WEEK, THEY'VE NOW DONE TWO THIS WEEK. |
| 03:31:31 | SO NEXT WEEK MAYBE THEY'LL JUST USE ONE OF THE OLD ONES. |
| 03:31:34 | IS THE SENATOR AWARE WHAT ONE OF THE LATEST SCHEMES IS TO WITHHOLD MONEY FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH FOR 11 MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR SO ALL THE MONEY COMES IN THE 12TH MONTHS. |
| 03:31:47 | IT HEPEDZ THEIR BOOKKEEPING. |
| 03:31:48 | IS THE SENATOR AWARE OF THIS SCHEME THEY'RE FLOWING AROUND HERE. |
| 03:31:51 | MR. |
| 03:31:52 | KENNEDY: WELL, SENATOR, I HAD HEARD THAT, THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HOLD SOME $7. |
| 03:31:56 | 8 BILLION, AND THAT MAYBE THEY COULD WITH $1 BILLION FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. |
| 03:32:03 | N.I.H. MIGHT BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT. |
| 03:32:04 | THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT 7. |
| 03:32:13 | 8 BILL. -- $7.8 BILLION, EFFECTIVELY UNDERMINING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT BASIC RESEARCH THAT'S TAKING PLACE ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD AT A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY POSSIBILITY AND BREAKTHROUGHS IN TERMS OF HEALTH IN ORDER TO FUND THEIR NUMBER OF MILITARY PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT WERE NEVER REQUESTED BY THE MILITARY AND OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT WERE NEVER REQUESTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION EITHER. |
| 03:32:37 | THEY DON'T WANT TO CUT THOSE OUT BUT THEY WANT TO TAMPER WITH THE GREATEST RESEARCH THE CENTER IN THE WORLD, WHICH IS THE N. |
| 03:32:48 | I.H., AND DOING SO MUCH ON SO MANY OF THESE DISEASES THAT AFFECT EVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA, WHETHER IT'S CANCER, WHETHER IT'S ON THE ISSUES OF ALWAYS HEERMZ, WHETHER IT'S PARKINSON'S DISEASE. |
| 03:32:59 | YOU NAME IT, LUPUS, WHATEVER IT IS, OSTEOPOROSIS, THAT A AAFFECT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 03:33:05 | AND THEY ARE TAMPERING WITH THOSE FUNDS. |
| 03:33:06 | NOW, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF SHENANIGANS HERE IN THE BUDGETING OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET, BUT, SENATOR, I WOULD CERTAINLY AGREE WITH YOU THAT TAMPERING WITH THE N. |
| 03:33:19 | I.H. FUNDS AND THE WAY THAT THIS IS TAMPERED WOULD HAVE A DRAMATIC ADVERSE IMPACT IN OUR WHOLE BASIC RESEARCH PROGRAMS AT THE N. |
| 03:33:29 | I.H. AND WOULD BE -- CAUSE ENORMOUS HARM. |
| 03:33:32 | I WELCOME THE FACT THAT THE SENATOR HAS MADE THAT OBSERVATION BECAUSE I THINK -- IF THERE WERE EVEN MORE PROBLEMS IN THIS REPORT, THAT IN AND OF ITSELF WOULD JUSTIFY A REJECTION OF IT. |
| 03:33:45 | MR. |
| 03:33:46 | ROBB: IF THE SENATOR'S GOING TO LEAVE THE FLOOR. |
| 03:33:48 | HAS THE SENATOR COMPLETED HIS STATEMENT IN MR. |
| 03:33:51 | DORGAN: I'D LIKE TO ASK THE SENATOR A QUESTION. |
| 03:33:53 | MR. |
| 03:33:54 | REID: IF I COULD, I WANTED TO ASK THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA A PROGRAM. |
| 03:33:57 | I HAVE THE FLOOR. |
| 03:33:58 | AND I YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 03:34:00 | MR. |
| 03:34:01 | HOLLINGS: WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH. |
| 03:34:03 | AND THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS WAS WAITING AFTER THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS, SO PLEASE BE SHORT IF YOU CAN, BECAUSE WE WANT TO HAVE THAT COMITY CONTINUE. |
| 03:34:11 | MR. |
| 03:34:12 | REID: I WOULD SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, ARE WE IN A HURRY AROUND HERE? |
| 03:34:16 | I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T IN A HURRY. |
| 03:34:25 | [INAUDIBLE] THEN THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS, YOU STILL HAVE THE FLOOR THEN? |
| 03:34:30 | MR. |
| 03:34:31 | KENNEDY: MAYBE IF I COULD JUST YIELD. |
| 03:34:32 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA. |
| 03:34:34 | MR. |
| 03:34:35 | KENNEDY: I WOULD YIELD FOR A QUESTION FROM THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 03:34:38 | MR. |
| 03:34:39 | REID: THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS, I GUESS I HAVE THE FLOOR. |
| 03:34:41 | SO I -- I WOULD LIKE TO -- WE WILL SPEAK VERY SHORTLY SO THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS CAN BE RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:34:47 | I -- THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:34:50 | BUT I WANTED TO ASK THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS A QUESTION SINCE HE DOESN'T HAVE THE FLOOR, LET ME AT LEAST PROPOUND THE QUESTION. |
| 03:34:56 | MR. FITZGERALD: MR. |
| 03:34:57 | PRESIDENT? IF I COULD -- I'D LIKE TO HAVE UNANIMOUS COB SENT JUST TO SPEAK FOR A -- CONSENT JUST TO SPEAK FOR A COUPLE MINUTES ON OUR DEPARTED COLLEAGUE JOHN CHAFEE, AFTER WHICH I HAVE TO PRESIDE ON THE FLOOR AND RELIEVE SENATOR VOINOVICH. |
| 03:35:10 | AND THEN WE COULD GO ON. |
| 03:35:11 | I'LL JUST TAKE A COUPLE MINUTES HERE. |
| 03:35:13 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS WILL BE -- MR. |
| 03:35:16 | REID: I WOULD SAY TO THE CHAIR, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD MY TIME FOR TWO MINUTES TO THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 03:35:24 | AND I WOULD RECLAIM THE FLOOR WHEN HE FINISHES. |
| 03:35:26 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: I APPRECIATE THAT, THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA. |
| 03:35:29 | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:35:30 | THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 03:35:31 | MR. FITZGERALD: AND THANK YOU TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES. |
| 03:35:34 | I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY SENSE, MY GREAT SENSE OF PERSONAL LOSS ON THE PASSING OF OUR COLLEAGUE FROM THE GREAT STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 03:35:46 | I'VE ONLY BEEN IN THE SENATE FOR UNDER A YEAR NOW, AND I GOT TO KNOW SENATOR CHAFEE WHILE I WAS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. |
| 03:35:55 | AND EVEN IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, I CAME TO HAVE GREAT ADMIRATION AND RESPECT FOR SENATOR CHAFEE. |
| 03:36:04 | I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE GREAT SENSE OF GRIEF THAT MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR MANY MORE YEARS, FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM SEVERAL DECADES, HOW THEY FEEL ON HIS PASSING. |
| 03:36:19 | OF ALL THE PEOPLE I HAVE KNOWN IN MY LIFETIME, I HAVE TO SAY THAT SENATOR CHAFEE HAD MORE EVER AN AURA OF GOODNESS, OF KINDNESS, EVER GENTLENESS, AND OF FINENESS THAN JUST ABOUT ANYBODY I HAD EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY LIFE. |
| 03:36:40 | IN MANY WAYS HE WAS A QUINTESSENTIAL NEW ENGLANDER. |
| 03:36:45 | HE WAS MODEST. |
| 03:36:47 | HE WAS OFTEN TACITURN. |
| 03:36:49 | HE DID NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEALTH PROBLEMS HE HAD IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS -- IN FACT HE WISHED TO NOT TALK ABOUT THAT. |
| 03:36:58 | HE WAS VERY HARD WORKING. |
| 03:37:00 | OTHERS HAD SPOKEN ABOUT HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE SENATE, AS GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND, AND AS OUR SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. |
| 03:37:10 | BUT FOR ALL OF US WHO KNEW HIM PERSONALLY, HE WAS A GREAT AND FINE GENTLEMAN. |
| 03:37:17 | HE HE EMBODIED THE BEST OF HIS STATE, OF HIS REGION, OF OUR COUNTRY, AND CERTAINLY OF THIS INSTITUTION. |
| 03:37:26 | AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY NOW THAT I WANTED TO THANK JOHN CHAFEE FOR THE WARM WELCOME HE GAVE ME AS A FRESHMAN SENATOR COMING INTO THIS BODY. |
| 03:37:37 | I REGRET THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO THANK HIM WHILE HE WAS STILL WITH US. |
| 03:37:42 | WE USED TO SHARE THE ELEVATOR RIDES AFTER WE VOTED TOGETHER, WE WERE ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE DIRKSEN BUILDING TO THE, AND WE WOULD BE RIDING UP TO THAT TOP FLOOR TOGETHER AFTER PRACTICALLY EVERY ROLL CALL IN THE SENATE. |
| 03:37:57 | AND I GOT TO KNOW SENATOR CHAFEE QUITE WELL IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. |
| 03:38:02 | HE WAS ALWAYS VERY KIND AND INTERESTED IN ME AS A TREASURY MAN. |
| 03:38:06 | WAS ALWAYS OFFERING TO HELP. |
| 03:38:07 | WHEN I TOOK A TRIP EARLIER THIS YEAR TO GIVE A SPEECH IN RHODE ISLAND HE WANTED TO KNOW BEFORE EXACTLY WHERE I WAS GOING, MY EYE CONTINUE RATHER IN HIS STATE AND QUIZZED ME ABOUT THE EVENT AFTERWARD. |
| 03:38:21 | HE WAS A KIND MAN. |
| 03:38:23 | HE WAS A THEODORE ROOSEVELT REPUBLICAN WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND E. |
| 03:38:29 | ENHANCING IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND HE DID A MARVELOUS JOB AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE. |
| 03:38:38 | SO ON THAT I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS WIFE, VIRGINIA, HIS FIVE CHILDREN, AND MOST ESPECIALLY TO HIS STAFF. |
| 03:38:48 | SENATOR CHAFEE'S OFFICE IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO MY OFFICE IN THE DIRKSEN BUILDING, AND I KNOW THAT HE HAD A VERY LOYAL STAFF THAT LOVED HIM DEARLY. |
| 03:39:00 | MANY OF HIS LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS HAD BEEN WITH HIM FOR TEN YEARS OR MORE, WHICH WE SPEAKS THE SENSE OF LOYALTY THAT THEY, AND AFFECTION THAT THEY HAD FOR HIM. |
| 03:39:11 | I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS, AND WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO THEM. |
| 03:39:18 | JOHN CHAFEE WILL BE MISSED BY ME AND BY ALL OF US HERE, BY THE GREAT STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND BY OUR COUNTRY. |
| 03:39:26 | THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. |
| 03:39:27 | PRESIDENT. AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 03:39:32 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:39:41 | MR. |
| 03:39:42 | REID: I EXTEND MY APPRECIATION TO THE CHAIR AND WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE MINORITY LEADER WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT I WOULD HAVE THE FLOOR AFTER HE COMPLETES HIS STATEMENT. |
| 03:39:50 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MINORITY LEADER. |
| 03:39:52 | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:39:53 | MR. DASCHLE: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE, THE ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER FOR HIS -- HIS WILLINGNESS TO ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHY WE'RE HERE. |
| 03:40:06 | WE'RE STALLED FOR ONE REASON. |
| 03:40:11 | THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS AGAIN, FOR NOW THE NINTH TIME, HAS AGAIN FILLED THE TREE PRECLUDING 45 DEMOCRATS FROM OFFERING AMENDMENTS. |
| 03:40:22 | THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. |
| 03:40:26 | NINE TIMES, SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS SAID WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE WHICH AMENDMENTS ARE OFFERED, WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE WHICH AMENDMENTS ARE PASSED, WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF ROLE YOU AS UNITED STATES SENATORS OUGHT TO HAVE. |
| 03:40:44 | BUT WE'LL TELL YOU THIS, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 03:40:48 | WE'RE GOING TO DECIDE, IN OTHER WORDS, WHETHER TO GAG YOU AND TO LOCK YOU OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS YOU WERE ELECTED TO COME TO DO. |
| 03:40:59 | IT BEGAN ON MARCH 8 OF 19990 ON THE SO-CALLED EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY ACT. |
| 03:41:08 | THE BILL WAS OFFERED, THE MAJORITY LEADER WAS RECOGNIZED, AND THE TREE WAS FILLED, LOCKING OUT EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT THEIR RIGHT TO OFFER AMENDMENTS TO THE EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY ACT. |
| 03:41:22 | HE CHOSE TO DO IT AGAIN ON APRIL 22, THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX. |
| 03:41:26 | HE SAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE. |
| 03:41:28 | IT IS GOING TO BE OUR LOCKBOX OR NONE AT ALL. |
| 03:41:32 | WE SAID WHAT ABOUT MEDICARE? |
| 03:41:33 | WHAT ABOUT HOCKING UP THE MEDICARE TRUST FUND? |
| 03:41:36 | THEY SAID NO, YOU CAN'T OFFER THAT AMENDMENT. |
| 03:41:40 | WE'RE GOING TO FILL THE TREE, PRECLUDE YOU FROM OFFERING AMENDMENTS ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX, AND AGAIN THE ISSUE WAS SHELVED. |
| 03:41:50 | ON APRIL 27, 1999, THE Y2K ACT. |
| 03:41:55 | AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX AND VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE. |
| 03:41:58 | THE MAJORITY LEADER COMES TO THE FLOOR, FILLS THE TREE, PRECLUDES DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS AND SAYS IT'S TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT. |
| 03:42:07 | APRIL 30, AGAIN HE APPARENTLY TRY TOSS MAKE THE POINT THAT SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX IS IMPORTANT TO REPUBLIC'S JUST AS LONG AS DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 03:42:19 | AGAIN WE SAID WE'D LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT ON MEDICARE AND AGAIN OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE SAID IT'S OUR BILL OR NO BILL. |
| 03:42:30 | AT THAT POINT IT WENT FROM BECOMING THE REPUBLICAN LOCKBOX TO, AS OUR COLLEAGUE FROM MARYLAND, SENATOR MIKULSKI SAID THIS MORNING, THE REPUBLICAN SQUAWK BOX. |
| 03:42:44 | JUNE 15, 1999, THE SQUAWK BOX WAS DEBATED AGAIN. |
| 03:42:51 | AGAIN THE MAJORITY LEADER OFFERED THE BILL, FILLED THE TREE, PRECLUDED DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS, AND THE LOCKBOX WAS SHELLED. |
| 03:43:02 | ON JULY 16, REPUBLICANS USED THE SQUAWK BOX APPROACH AGAIN, CLAIMING TO BE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE BILL PASSED, PRECLUDING DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS ON MEDICARE. |
| 03:43:16 | ON JUNE 16, IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, WE DID IT AGAIN. |
| 03:43:21 | I SHOULD SAY THEY DID IT AGAIN. |
| 03:43:24 | AND THEN, NOW, ON SEPTEMBER 21, THE MOST RECENT EFFORT BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND THE MAJORITY TO LOCKOUT DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS, ONCE AGAIN THEY FILLED THE TREE, PRECLUDE WILLING DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS. |
| 03:43:42 | I ONLY RECITE THE LITANY OF OCCASIONS WHEN THE MAJORITY LEADER FILLED THE TREE -- AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH PARLIAMENTARY JARGON, THAT'S SIMPLY A REFERENCE TO A PROCEDURE THAT SOMEBODY CAN USE TO OFFER AMENDMENTS AND THEREBY FILL ALL THE SLOTS A BILL MIGHT HAVE PENDING THAT WOULD ENTITLE A SENATOR TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 03:44:15 | THAT'S WHAT FILLING THE TREE IS ALL ABOUT. |
| 03:44:16 | THAT'S BEEN DONE NOW ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. |
| 03:44:21 | AND THE SAD THING ABOUT IS IT BEING DONE ON THIS BILL IS THAT IT PLAYS RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE OPPONENTS OF THE LEGISLATION. |
| 03:44:27 | THE APPOINTMENTS ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO SENATOR LOTT AND THE MAJORITY FOR FILLING THE TREE, BECAUSE IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT EASY. |
| 03:44:38 | IT TURNS THE I SHALL EYE AWAY FROM WHETHER OR NOT ONE SUPPORTS C. |
| 03:44:43 | B.I. TO WHETHER OR NOT ONE SUPPORTS A SENATOR'S RIGHT TO BE A FULL PARTICIPANT IN THIS SENATE CHAMBER ON THIS OR ANY OTHER BILL. |
| 03:44:55 | IS CEASES TO BECOME -- A MATTER AFTER SENATOR'S RIGHTS. |
| 03:45:07 | I KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE I THINK THIS LEGISLATION IS LANGUISHED TOO LONG, BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A REAL CHANCE WE CAN GET THIS LEGISLATION PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW GOING INTO CONFERENCE WITH OUR HOUSE COLLEAGUES, I MADE AN OFFER YESTERDAY THAT WAS UNPRECEDENTED SINCE I'VE BEEN LEADER. |
| 03:45:27 | I SAID TO THE MAJORITY LEADER THAT IF HE WOULD AGREE TO ALLOW US TO OFFER SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS CONTEMPLATED ON OTHER LEGISLATION THAT I WOULD BE PREPARED TO WORK WITH HIM TO TABLE AMENDMENTS ON THIS BILL. |
| 03:45:43 | THAT'S REMARKABLE. |
| 03:45:46 | AND IT WASN'T WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN, PROTECTING SENATOR'S RIGHTS THAT I OFFERED THIS LATEST PROPOSAL. |
| 03:45:55 | I DRAW A DISTINCTION BETWEEN PROTECTING A SENATOR'S RIGHT TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT AND SUPPORTING WHATEVER AMENDMENT A SENATOR CHOOSES TO OFFER. |
| 03:46:04 | I TONIGHT HAVE TO SUPPORT AN AMENDMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL. |
| 03:46:09 | AS IMPORTANT AS SOME OF THESE ISSUES MIGHT BE. |
| 03:46:12 | BUT I WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT EVERY SENATOR'S RIGHT TO OFFER IT. |
| 03:46:20 | BUT THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT CAVEAT HERE, AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EMPHASIZED. |
| 03:46:24 | I SAID WE MUST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST OFFER THESE AMENDMENTS ON ANOTHER BILL. |
| 03:46:32 | WE'VE GOT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO OFFER MINIMUM WAGE ON THE BANKRUPTCY BILL WHEN IT COMES UP. |
| 03:46:41 | THE MAJORITY AGAIN SAID "NO. |
| 03:46:45 | " THE PROBLEM -- THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE SAID ON SO MANY OCCASIONS IS THAT THERE ARE THOSE ON THE MAJORITY SIDE WHO WANT THIS TO BE A SECOND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 03:47:00 | THEY WANT THIS BODY TO ACT AND TO PROCEED AS IF IT WERE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 03:47:08 | THAT'S THE PROBLEM. |
| 03:47:10 | AND THE AMAZING IRONY IS THAT OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES NEVER DREAMED OF ASKING FOR THIS KIND OF PROCEDURAL CONSTRAINT, THIS KIND OF ENSLAVED APPROACH TO LEGISLATION WHEN THEY WERE IN THE MINORITY. |
| 03:47:27 | THEY HAD TO TROUBLE OFFERING EXTRANEOUS AND -- AMENDMENTS THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR BILL WHEN THEY WERE IN THE MINORITY. |
| 03:47:36 | OF COURSE NOT. |
| 03:47:39 | AND THE AMAZING THING IS, DEMOCRATS NEVER INSISTED ON A PROCEDURAL -- A PROCEDURAL CONSTRAINT OF THE MAGNITUDE OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ARE NOW DEMANDING. |
| 03:47:55 | NEVER. |
| 03:47:59 | WHY? |
| 03:48:00 | BECAUSE WE HAD THE CONFIDENCE WHETHER A BILL CAME TO THE FLOOR, WE WOULD HAVE A GOOD DEBATE, WE TAKE ALL COMERS, TABLE AMENDMENTS WE DIDN'T SUPPORT, OFFER SECOND DEGREES ON AMENDMENTS WE THOUGHT COULD BE IMPROVED, WE USED ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US AND THIS SENATE ACTED LIKE A SENATE. |
| 03:48:16 | THIS SENATE ISN'T ACTING LIKE A SENATE TODAY. |
| 03:48:19 | THIS IS A SHAM. |
| 03:48:23 | THIS IS A TERRIBLE EXCUSE FOR THIS BODY. |
| 03:48:28 | THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. |
| 03:48:30 | WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME PLEADING FOR THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO. |
| 03:48:36 | AND IT HAPPENS OVER AND OVER. |
| 03:48:39 | ALMOST ONCE A MONTH THIS YEAR. |
| 03:48:44 | I'M TELLING YOU, WE'RE LOSING SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONAL TRADITION HERE. |
| 03:48:51 | WE'RE SEEING EROSION OF AN EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT BODY AND THE RIGHTS INCORPORATED WITHIN THAT BODY. |
| 03:49:02 | WHO TODAY COULD, WITHOUT SMILING, ARGUE THAT THIS IS THE MOST DELIBERATIVE BODY? |
| 03:49:10 | WHO COULD SAY WITH A STRAIGHT FACE, YES, THIS IS STILL THE WORD'S MOST DELIBERATIVE BODY? |
| 03:49:15 | I DARE SAY NO ONE COULD SAY THAT. |
| 03:49:19 | THERE IS NOTHING DELIBERATIVE ABOUT THE SENATE TODAY. |
| 03:49:24 | THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS A LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY LINE, YOU VOTE IT UP OR DOWN AND YOU MOVE IT ALONG. |
| 03:49:32 | I'M SURPRISED WE DON'T HAVE A CON VER HERE SOMEWHERE ON THE LOWER PART OF THE FLOOR WHERE WE JUST KIND OF SAY YES AND NO, YES AND NO AS THESE CON VER BELT BILLS COME THROUGH, NO DEBATE, NO DELIBERATION, LESS MOVE THEM OUT. |
| 03:49:49 | THAT ISN'T WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS EXPECTED OF US. |
| 03:49:55 | THEY EXPECTED MORE. |
| 03:49:57 | THEY PUT THE RIGHT IN THE HANDS OF EVERY SENATOR TO SAY NO, LET'S SLOW DOWN ON THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:50:04 | OR I WANT TO BE ABLE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 03:50:06 | AND I DON'T CARE WHETHER IT IS A FARM BILL TO A PEACE TREATY. |
| 03:50:09 | WE WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIBERATE IN THE MOST DELIBERATIVE BODY. |
| 03:50:17 | RUBBER STAMPING DOESN'T WORK AROUND HERE. |
| 03:50:20 | WE HAVE ONLY HAD A HANDFUL OF AMENDABLE VEHICLES. |
| 03:50:24 | JUST A HANDFUL. |
| 03:50:27 | THE RESPONSE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER TO MY OFFER SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY NEVER BE ANOTHER AMENDABLE VEHICLE IN THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS. |
| 03:50:35 | NO AMENDMENTS ON THIS BILL, NO AMENDMENTS ON ANY OTHER BILL. |
| 03:50:39 | THAT'S WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WANT. |
| 03:50:43 | AND THE RESULTS OF DOING BUSINESS THIS WAY IS REMARKABLE. |
| 03:50:46 | WE TALK ABOUT A LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL -- I'M TELLING YOU, I'VE NEVER SEEN A LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL OF THE MAGNITUDE THAT WE HAVE TODAY. |
| 03:50:55 | WE KEEP THROWING BILLS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL AND THAT LANDFILL KEEPS GETTING LARGER. |
| 03:51:02 | THIS HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LEGISLATIVE GRAVEYARD I'VE SEEN SINCE COMING TO CONGRESS. |
| 03:51:10 | REPUBLICANS GET ELECTED TO PROVE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WORK AND THEY PROVE IT EVERY DAY. |
| 03:51:16 | WHEN THEY ARE IN CONTROL THEY PROVE THAT GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT IT TO WORK. |
| 03:51:21 | THEY DON'T WANT A MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 03:51:24 | THEY DON'T WANT A PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS. |
| 03:51:27 | THEY DON'T WANT GOOD GUN LEGISLATION. |
| 03:51:29 | THEY DON'T WANT A GOOD PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL. |
| 03:51:32 | THEY DON'T WANT LEGISLATION THAT MOVES THIS COUNTRY FORWARD. |
| 03:51:35 | THEY DON'T WANT IT. |
| 03:51:36 | THEY OUGHT TO ADMIT IT. |
| 03:51:37 | THEY OUGHT TO ADMIT IT. |
| 03:51:40 | SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE A PART OF THIS, MR. |
| 03:51:49 | PRESIDENT. WE'RE GOING TO STICK UP OR R FOR OUR RIGHTS, WE'RE GOING TO AMEND LEGISLATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLOOR, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK INTO THAT LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL AND ONE BY ONE WE ARE GOING TO RECYCLE, BECAUSE I TELL YOU THAT'S WHAT THIS SENATE AND THIS COUNTRY NEEDS. |
| 03:52:06 | WE ARE GOING TO RECYCLE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS UNTIL IT IS DONE RIGHT. |
| 03:52:10 | WE ARE GOING TO RESIGH WELL MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 03:52:14 | RECYCLE GUNS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:52:15 | RECYCLE EVERY SINGLE BILL THE REPUBLICANS INSIST AND BURYING AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK. |
| 03:52:21 | BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO. |
| 03:52:23 | THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. |
| 03:52:26 | AND THAT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE IN DOING. |
| 03:52:31 | SO MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE TO SAY I'M DISAPPOINTED. |
| 03:52:35 | I AM ABOUT AS PATIENT A PERSON AS I THINK I CAN BE. |
| 03:52:44 | BY I LOSE MY PATIENCE. |
| 03:52:46 | AND I GET ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED AT THE LEVEL OF DUPLICITY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY ENCUMBRANCES THE MAJORITY LEADER DEMAND OF THIS BODY EACH AND EVERY DAY WE LEGISLATE. |
| 03:53:04 | THIS IS WRONG. |
| 03:53:05 | I'M NOT PROUD TO BE IN THE SENATE WHEN I CAN'T LEGISLATE AS A UNITED STATES SENATOR. |
| 03:53:10 | I AM NOT PROUD WHEN WE TEAR AWAY THE PILLARS OF THE SENATE INSTITUTION. |
| 03:53:14 | I'M NOT PROUD WHEN I CAN GO TO THE PUBLIC AND SAY YES, I AM ONE OF THE 100 MEMBERS OF THE MOST DELIBERATIVE BODY IN THE WORLD. |
| 03:53:23 | I'M NOT PROUD ABOUT THAT. |
| 03:53:25 | HOWEVER LONG I'M HERE I WOULD LIKE TO BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT AS A UNITED STATES SENATOR, I LINKED UP TO THE TRADITIONS AND THE PRACTICES AND THE EXTRAORDINARY HONOR THAT COMES WITH BEING A UNITED STATES SENATOR. |
| 03:53:39 | BUT THAT ISN'T HAPPENING TODAY. |
| 03:53:41 | I LEFT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12 YEARS AGO FOR A GOOD REASON. |
| 03:53:45 | I THOUGHT I COULD DO MORE HERE. |
| 03:53:47 | I THOUGHT I COULD PLAY A BIGGER ROLE HERE. |
| 03:53:52 | I THOUGHT THE SENATE WAS WHERE A SENATOR COULD REALLY LEGISLATE. |
| 03:53:57 | AND IT WAS TRUE IN 197. |
| 03:54:00 | IT WAS TRUE IN 1992. |
| 03:54:02 | IT WAS TRUE ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN SLOWLY BUT MUST ASSUREDLY, DATE BY DATE, BILL BY BILL, IN FILLING THE TREE, THIS MAJORITY LEADER SAID NOPE, NO, WE ARE GOING TO BE A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HERE. |
| 03:54:23 | FORGET REGULAR ORDER. |
| 03:54:24 | REGULAR ORDER SAYS YOU CAN OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 03:54:28 | WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE REGULAR ORDER IN THE SENATE. |
| 03:54:31 | WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NARROW ORDER OR NO ORDER AT ALL AS THE CASE MAY BE. |
| 03:54:35 | WHAT ORDER IS THERE WHEN SENATORS CAN'T OFFER AMENDMENTS AND WE ARE STYMIED FOR TWO DAYS. |
| 03:54:41 | DO YOU REALIZE HOW MANY BILLS WEAPON COULD HAVE FINISHED? |
| 03:54:44 | HOW MANY AMENDMENTS WEAPON COULD HAVE FINISHED IN JUST THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS? |
| 03:54:49 | WE COULD PROBABLY GO TO FINAL PASSAGE WITH THE NUMBER OF SENATORS THAT SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION BY THE END OF THE WEEK. |
| 03:54:54 | BUT HERE WE ARE STYMIED ONCE AGAIN. |
| 03:54:56 | WE HAVEN'T PASSED SOS LOCK -- SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX, PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL BECAUSE OF THE FILLED TREE. |
| 03:55:08 | WE THAT IS THE CASE HERE AS WELL. |
| 03:55:11 | WE WILL NEVER LET THIS LEGISLATION PASS IF WE CAN'T OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 03:55:15 | NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T SUPPORT IT. |
| 03:55:16 | I STRONGLY SUPPORT IT. |
| 03:55:19 | BUT BECAUSE I ALSO, EVEN MORE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF EVERY SINGLE SENATOR TO BE PARTNERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. |
| 03:55:31 | A SENATOR: WILL THE SENATOR YIELD FOR A QUESTION? |
| 03:55:34 | MR. |
| 03:55:35 | DASCHLE: I WILL BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:55:38 | MRS. BOXER: I WANT TO THANK MY LEADER FOR HIS COMMENTS AND HIS SPIRIT, BECAUSE IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY WHICH IS A CAN-DO SPIRIT. |
| 03:55:45 | WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, AND EVEN IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU, MY FRIEND, AND I KNOW IT IS, BECAUSE I KNOW THE KIND OF GOODNESS YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEART, THIS ISN'T YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT TO COME DOWN TO THIS FLOOR AND HAVE TO EXPRESS YOUR FEELING OF DISMAY AND YOUR ANGER, FRANKLY. |
| 03:56:04 | AND MY FRIENDLY'S TED A LIST LIST OF BILLS THAT ARE -- FRIEND LISTED A LIST THAT ARE IN THE LANDFILL OR GRAVEYARD AND I WANT TODAY ASK HIM ABOUT THREE OTHER ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE IN DANGER OF JOINING IN THAT REPUBLICAN GRAVEYARD. |
| 03:56:21 | THE 100,000 TEACHERS. |
| 03:56:23 | THE 100,000 POLICE. |
| 03:56:27 | AND DECENT, QUALIFIED JUDGES WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO GET A VOTE. |
| 03:56:31 | AND I WONDER IF MY LEADER WOULD COMMENT ON THOSE THREE AREAS AS WELL. |
| 03:56:37 | MR. DASCHLE: WELL, THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA PUTS HER FINGERS RIGHT ON THE ISSUES THAT I OMITTED, AND RIGHTFULLY SO. |
| 03:56:45 | YOU KNOW WE ALL HAD A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT AND CELEBRATED THE FACT THAT WE WERE GOING TO REDUCE CLASS SIZE JUST ONE YEAR AGO. |
| 03:56:53 | HOW IRONIC IT IS NOW, AFTER ALL THE CELEBRATION JUST IN 12 MONTHS THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. |
| 03:57:02 | NOW APPARENTLY CLASS SIZE IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE. |
| 03:57:06 | NOW APPARENTLY IT'S OKAY TO HAVE KIDS IN CLASSROOMS WITH 35, 40, 50 WHICH I SHALL. |
| 03:57:12 | IT DOESN'T MATTER. |
| 03:57:14 | SO THE SENATOR IS RIGHT ABOUT THAT. |
| 03:57:16 | THE SENATOR IS ALSO RIGHT ABOUT JUDGES. |
| 03:57:20 | I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LOOK JUDGE PAEZ IN THE FACE AND SAY HE GOT A FAIR DEAL HERE. |
| 03:57:28 | I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU TELL ANYBODY WHO HAS HAD TO WAIT FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS THAT SOMEHOW THIS SYSTEM IS FAIR. |
| 03:57:38 | AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW YOU TELL THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY OUT THERE THAT WE ARE BEING EQUALLY AS FAIR WITH THEM AS WE ARE WITH ALL NONHISPANIC JUDGES WHEN THAT SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE. |
| 03:57:49 | IF YOU ARE A MINORITY, YOU'VE GOT A BIGGER CONTEST THAN IF YOU ARE NOT IN GETTING CONFIRMED AND THAT'S HAS FACT. |
| 03:57:58 | I WON'T DEAL WITH ALL THE PERCEPTIONS THAT CREATES BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS, IT IS WRONG. |
| 03:58:05 | HISPANIC OR NONHISPANIC. |
| 03:58:08 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN OR NONAFRICAN-AMERICAN. |
| 03:58:09 | WOMAN OR MAN, IT IS WRONG, NOT TO HAVE A VOTE ON THE SENATE FLOOR. |
| 03:58:14 | WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? |
| 03:58:15 | WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? |
| 03:58:20 | WHAT IS WRONG WITH A VOTE. |
| 03:58:25 | THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN OUR SYSTEM WHEN SOMEBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO COMMIT HIM OR HERSELF TO PUBLIC SERVICE THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU WAIT THREE AND A HALF YEARS TO DO IT. |
| 03:58:36 | AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG. |
| 03:58:38 | WE ARE NOT GOING TO SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN OUR BACKGROUND. |
| 03:58:42 | WE ARE NOT GOING TO DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT YOU'VE GOT QUALIFICATIONS OR NOT. |
| 03:58:45 | WE ARE JUST NOT GOING TO DEBATE. |
| 03:58:47 | WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU WAIT AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL GO AWAY. |
| 03:58:50 | HOPEFULLY YOU WILL GO AWAY. |
| 03:58:53 | WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? |
| 03:58:54 | WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE INTENTIONS OF PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE? |
| 03:59:00 | GO AWAY. |
| 03:59:01 | DON'T MAKE ANY NOISE. |
| 03:59:05 | THAT'S WRONG. |
| 03:59:06 | THAT'S WORSE THAN A LEGISLATIVE LANDFILL. |
| 03:59:10 | MR. KENNEDY: WOULD THE SENATOR BE WILLING TO YIELD FOR A YES? |
| 03:59:13 | MR. DASCHLE: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS. |
| 03:59:17 | MR. |
| 03:59:18 | KENNEDY: BEFORE ASKING THE QUESTION, I THINK -- COULD MEND THE SENATOR WITH AN ELOQUENT AND ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS INSTITUTION AS ONE THAT'S BEEN HERE FOR SOME PERIOD OF ENTITLEMENT I SAY THAT THIS IS REALLY ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE LEADER HAS, I THINK, ACCURATELY DESCRIBED THE CURRENT SITUATION. |
| 03:59:44 | AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AS OUR FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA POINTED OUT WHAT IT MEANS IN TERMS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. |
| 03:59:50 | BECAUSE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE TREE, THIS OR BLOCKING AMENDMENTS OR THAT, BUT WE CAN TALK FOR EXAMPLE ABOUT LET'S JUST TAKE ONE BILL AND THAT IS THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS. |
| 04:00:06 | ON THIS CHART LISTED IN WHITE WERE ALL THE PROVISION THAT IS WERE IN THE SENATE BILL WHICH THE LEADER WAS THE LEADER OF AND SUBMITTED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 04:00:17 | ALL OF THESE PROVISIONS. |
| 04:00:19 | AND THEY REPRESENT THE BEST JUDGMENT OF A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION THAT WAS SET UP BY THE PRESIDENT AND UNANIMOUSLY MADE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. |
| 04:00:29 | THEY HAD TO BE UNANIMOUS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS. |
| 04:00:33 | THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO PUT THEM IN LAW BUT THEY SAID THESE ARE WHAT IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PEOPLE, OR BY THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE NEITHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATIONS OR IN OTHER INSTANCES IN THE MEDICARE. |
| 04:00:47 | NOW, ON THIS SIDE HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF HOUSE MEMBERS. |
| 04:00:58 | 68 REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS. |
| 04:01:01 | AND THESE FULL DOTS INDICATE THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS EFFECTIVELY AGREED WITH THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS ADVANCED BY THE MINORITY LEADER. |
| 04:01:13 | NOW, I WOULD ASK YOU, SINCE THIS WAS A BIPARTISAN PROGRAM AND THIS WAS WHAT THE LEADER HAD PUT IN AND WHICH HAD THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT BY THE DEMOCRATS, WHETHER HE WOULD NOT WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY THIS AFTERNOON TO GO AHEAD AND PASS WHAT WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SO THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE KIND OF CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT WE ARE DELAYED WHICH MEANS THAT THERE ARE 35,000 AMERICANS THAT ARE DELAED OR DENIED SPECIALTY CARE. |
| 04:01:55 | THERE ARE 31,000 THAT ARE FORCED TO CHANGE DOCTORS. |
| 04:02:00 | 18,000 FORCED CHANGE IN MEDICATIONS. |
| 04:02:03 | THE RESULT OF 59,000 AMERICANS HAVE INCREASED ADDED PAIN AND SUFFERING. |
| 04:02:08 | 41,000 HAVE WORSENING CONDITION, AND 11,000 HAVE PERMANENT DISABILITY. |
| 04:02:12 | THAT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE DAY. |
| 04:02:14 | AND AS I GATHER FROM WHAT THE LEADER HAS SAID, THAT THE KIND OF LEGISLATIVE TRAPEZE THAT'S BEEN SET UP BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, DENIES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION THAT CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE FAMILY OF AMERICA. |
| 04:02:36 | SO I THINK IT IS JUST WORTHWHILE AS WE TALK AND LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE SENATOR'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUNCTIONS, THE ACTUAL RESULT OF THE INACTION WHICH THE SENATOR HAS MEANT MEANS THAT REAL FAMILIES ARE BEING HURT IN AMERICA. |
| 04:02:56 | REAL FAMILIES ARE BEING HURT. |
| 04:02:58 | THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE HURT. |
| 04:03:01 | REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE GOT TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION, BUT THIS LEADERSHIP IN THIS BODY IS DENYING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE THE KIND OF PROTECTIONS THAT THEY SHOULD. |
| 04:03:16 | MR. |
| 04:03:17 | DASCHLE: THE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. |
| 04:03:21 | HE GAVE US A PERFECT ILLUSTRATION OF HOW THEY ARE BEING HERD ON HEALTH CARE. |
| 04:03:28 | I THINK HE IS -- HEARD ON HEALTH CARE. |
| 04:03:30 | HE IS ALSO RIGHT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PUT THIS IN TERMS THAT AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. |
| 04:03:35 | THIS HAS MORE TO DO WITH JUST PROCEDURE HERE. |
| 04:03:38 | WE ARE TALKING PROCEDURE AND SOMETIMES I MAY GET TOO ENDROSSED IN MY ONLY PROCEDURAL FRUSTRATION TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT WE TALK ABOUT THIS IN WAYS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FULLY UNDERSTAND. |
| 04:03:51 | IF YOU ARE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE TODAY AND YOU HAVE JUST BEEN RIPPED OFF BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY, IF YOU ARE OUT THERE TODAY AND YOU HAVE JUST BEEN DENIED CARE BY A HOSPITAL OR DOCTOR BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING TOLD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEY CAN'T DO IT, YOU ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS AFTERNOON ON THE FLOOR. |
| 04:04:10 | YOU ARE ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUR INABILITY TO HAVE A GOOD DEBATE. |
| 04:04:16 | IF YOU ARE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE AND YOU HAVE A CHILD WHO IS IN A CLASSROOM WITH 35 OR 40 KIDS, THEY ARE E. |
| 04:04:23 | THEN YOU ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW. |
| 04:04:26 | IF YOU ARE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE AND YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SOME CRIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T FULLY FUNDED THE COPS PROGRAM, THEN BY GOLLY YOU ARE AFFECTED DRAMATICALLY BY WHAT IS HAPPENING LIGHT NOW. |
| 04:04:40 | IF YOU ARE OUT THERE WORKING ON A LOUSY MINIMUM WAGE, AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET, THEN YOU ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE. |
| 04:04:50 | NOT THIS YEAR, NOT EVER. |
| 04:04:53 | IF THEY DID THEY WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED IT A LONG TIME AGO. |
| 04:04:58 | IF YOU ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW AND WONDERING WHY THIS IS ALL GOING ON, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TURN THE PAGES OF OUR CALENDAR BACK TWO WEEKS AND FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THEIR SIDE THAT DEFEATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, AND YOU ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. |
| 04:05:15 | SO DON'T LET ANYBODY OUT THERE -- I DON'T CARE WHAT ISSUE -- DON'T THINK THIS ISN'T RELEVANT. |
| 04:05:26 | THE ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER PROBABLY MADE THE BEST ILLUSTRATION. |
| 04:05:31 | I THINK OUR PEOPLE ARE IN GREATER DANGER TODAY THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE TO THE EXPOSURE OF GREATER NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION BUS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE UNITED STATES SENATE DID THREE WEEKS AGO, YOU ARE AFFECTED BY IT. |
| 04:05:45 | YOU ARE AFFECTED BY IT. |
| 04:05:49 | THIS IS MORE THAN PROCEDURE. |
| 04:05:52 | THIS IS WHAT'S IN HERE AND HOW AFFECTED WE ARE BY IT. |
| 04:05:56 | THIS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WHY WE GOT ELECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. |
| 04:06:00 | BECAUSE WE WANTED TO COME DOWN AND FIGHT FOR THESE ISSUES. |
| 04:06:04 | IT IS MORE THAN WHETHER YOU CAN OFFER AN AMENDMENT, IT IS WHETHER YOU PASS THE AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:06:09 | IT IS WHETHER YOU DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY FOR WHATEVER LIMITED TIME WE ARE HERE. |
| 04:06:13 | THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. |
| 04:06:15 | WE CAME TO FIGHT. |
| 04:06:18 | WE CAME NOT TO FIGHT AGAINST PEOPLE BUT TO FIGHT FOR THE THINGS IN WHICH WE BELIEVE, A BETTER MINIMUM WAGE, MORE TEACHERS, A GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AN END TO NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, A SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD, A BETTER MINIMUM WAGE IN WAYS THAT ONLY PEOPLE TODAY CAN DREAM. |
| 04:06:43 | THAT'S WHAT WE CAME TO FIGHT FOR. |
| 04:06:48 | THERE ARE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEBATES ABOUT THINGS. |
| 04:06:56 | THERE OUGHT TO BE. |
| 04:06:57 | SO, MR. |
| 04:06:58 | PRESIDENT, WE'VE GOT TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF BODY THIS IS GOING TO BE. |
| 04:07:06 | THOSE WHO WISH FOR THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OUGHT TO GO TO THE HOUSE. |
| 04:07:12 | THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE 2 MUN-YEAR TRADITION OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE -- THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND 2900-YEAR TRADITION OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL -- AND YOU PULL OPEN THIS DOOR AND HE SEE SOME WONDERFUL NAMES, NAMES IN SOME CASES THAT GO BACK FOR GENERATIONS, THESE PEOPLE FOUGHT -- THE PEOPLE IN MY DRAWER FOUGHT FOR THE SAME PEOPLE I'M FIGHTING FOR RIGHT NOW. |
| 04:07:38 | THESE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR HEALTH CARE, THESE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS SENATOR FAMILIES, THESE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR A SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD, THESE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR AND ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS OF THEIR DAY, THEY FOUGHT. |
| 04:07:56 | THEY WEREN'T HANDCUFFED. |
| 04:07:58 | THEY WEREN'T GAGGED. |
| 04:08:00 | THEY WEREN'T CONFINED TO A LEGISLATIVE STRAITJACKET AND THEY FOUGHT VALIANTLY AND TODAY WE SING THEIR PRAISES AS THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSANT GIANTS OF THE OLD. |
| 04:08:11 | WE WANT TO FIGHT. |
| 04:08:12 | WE WANT TO BE PART OF THIS PROCESS. |
| 04:08:15 | WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PASS THIS INSTITUTION ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF UNITED STATES SENATORS AND SAY, WELCOME TO THE GREATEST DELIBERATIVE BODY IN THE WORLD WORLD. |
| 04:08:28 | MR. DURBIN: WILL THE SENATOR FROM SOURJ DAKOTA YIELD? |
| 04:08:30 | MR. DASCHLE: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO THE SENATOR FRILL ILLITERATEMENT MR. |
| 04:08:33 | DURBIN: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS IMPORTANT DEBATE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING B WE USE TERMS LIKE "FILL THE FREE," WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A GAG RULE HERE THAT SAYS THAT MEMBERS OF THE SENATE CAN'T OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:08:46 | SOME CRIT, MAY SAY, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. |
| 04:08:49 | YOU WANT TO GO ON FOREVER. |
| 04:08:51 | YOU WANT TO KEEP OFFERING AMENDMENT AFTER AMENDMENT AFTER AMENDMENT SO YOU NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE AROUND THERE. |
| 04:08:57 | CAN THE NORKL THE LEADER ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, TELL US, 0 H. |
| 04:09:00 | HAVE WE OFFERED TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO LIMIT THE DEBATE ON AMENDMENTS? |
| 04:09:04 | TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS? |
| 04:09:07 | TO REQUIRE THAT THEY BE PUBLISHED IN THE RECORD SO THAT WE KNOW THE PARAMETERS OF THE DEBATE, WE KNOW THAT IT WILL AN END AT A CERTAIN TIME, WE KNOW THERE WILL BE AN UP-OR-DOWN DEBATE? |
| 04:09:18 | HAS THAT BAN PART OF BARGAINING? |
| 04:09:21 | MR. |
| 04:09:22 | DASCHLE: THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS HAS RAISED AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. |
| 04:09:24 | ON THE ISSUE OF BRURNTION THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY YES. |
| 04:09:28 | MY INITIAL POSITION ON BRUP WARX WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:09:35 | RELEVANT OR NONRELEVANT, WE OUGHT TO USE REGULAR ORDER. |
| 04:09:39 | I SHOULD SAY THAT. |
| 04:09:40 | WE OUGHT TO USE THE REGULAR ORDER OF THE SENATE IN TAKING UP A BILL. |
| 04:09:45 | THAT'S WHAT MY SUGGESTION WAS. |
| 04:09:46 | THE JORM SAID, NO, WE CAN'T DO THAT. |
| 04:09:48 | I SAID, WELL, WHAT ABOUT OFFERING AT LEAST FIVE AMENDMENTS THAT MAY NOT BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO BANKRUPTCY BUT ARE IMPORTANT TO DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATS? |
| 04:09:57 | AND HE SAID, NO, WE CAN'T DO THAT. |
| 04:09:58 | I SAID WHAT ABOUT OFFERING THREE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO DEMOCRATS THAT MAY NOT BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO BANKRUPTCY AND REQUIRING THAT ALL SENATORS FILE ALL RELEVANT AMENDMENTS PRIOR TO A CERTAIN TIME? |
| 04:10:12 | AND I'M TOLD NOW THE MAJORITY LEADER CAN'T DO THAT. |
| 04:10:14 | SO INCH BY INCH, STEP BY STEP THE MAJORITY WANTS TO ROB YOU AND ROB EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE OF YOUR RIGHT TO BE A FULL PARTNER IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 04:10:30 | WE ALL WANT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE LEGISLATION. |
| 04:10:34 | I WILL AGREE WITH SOME, DISAGREE WITH OTHERS. |
| 04:10:38 | ULTIMATELY I WOULD SUPPORT, IF THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS IS RIGHT, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CLOSE THE GAP ON BANKRUPTCY WITH SOME GOOD AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:10:47 | I'D BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT LEGISLATION. |
| 04:10:50 | I EXPECT TO BE. |
| 04:10:51 | BUT I ALSO EXPECT YOUR RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 04:10:54 | MR. |
| 04:10:55 | DURBIN: WILL THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA YIELD FOR ANOTHER QUESTION? |
| 04:10:58 | WOULD THE SENATOR AGREE WITH OUR FORMER FRIEND, THE LATE-DEPARTED MIKE SIGH NARX A CONGRESSMAN FROM OKLAHOMA, WHO USED TO BE QUOTED AS SAYING QX IF YOU DON'T WANT TO FIGHT FIRES, DON'T BECOME A FIREMAN AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO COME TO CONGRESS AND VOTE ON TOUGH AMENDMENTS, DON'T RUN FOR THE HOUSE AR SENATE? |
| 04:11:15 | " MR. |
| 04:11:16 | DASCHLE: WELL, THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS AND I REMAIN YOUR WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE VERY WELL. |
| 04:11:21 | NO ONE WAS SHARPER, MORE ENERGETIC, A BRIGHTER LIGHT IN OUR CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE THAN WAS MIKE SYNAR. |
| 04:11:31 | HE STHAID AND A LOT OF OTHER TRUTHFUL THINGS AND HE'S RIGHT. |
| 04:11:35 | IT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAYED OF. |
| 04:11:39 | WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE SENATORS AFRAID OF IN BRINGING UP AND DEBATING AN AMENDMENT? |
| 04:11:44 | WE DID THAT ALL THE TIME. |
| 04:11:47 | I CAN RECALL SO MANY OCCASIONS WHEN WE HAD TO COME DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND TABLE AN AMENDMENT THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD IMMEDIATE POPULARITY BUT WASN'T GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:11:56 | WE DID THAT. |
| 04:11:58 | WE TABLED AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:11:59 | WE SECOND-DEGREED THEM AND AGAIN I'M GETTING INTO BELTWAY BELTWAY-SPEAK HERE. |
| 04:12:04 | BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE, WE RESPECTED SENATORS' RIGHTS TO FIGHT FOR THE THINGS THEY CARED ABOUT, TO FIGHT FOR THE THINGS THAT THE PEOPLE SENT THEM TO FIGHT FOR. |
| 04:12:15 | THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS HAS DONE THAT HON AN ARRAY OF ISSUES. |
| 04:12:19 | EVERY SENATOR ON THIS FLOOR HAS COME WITH A CERTAIN AGENDA AND A BELIEF THAT THEY COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. |
| 04:12:24 | BUT HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VOICE? |
| 04:12:27 | HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE DWHU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEGISLATE? |
| 04:12:30 | HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU'RE REALLY SHOVED BACK INTO THE MENTALITY, INTO THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHEN YOU'RE A UNITED STATES SENATOR? |
| 04:12:42 | THAT ISN'T WHAT THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATES AND THIS COUNTRY SENT US TO DO. |
| 04:12:46 | I'D BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:12:50 | MR. |
| 04:12:51 | HOLLINGS: MR. |
| 04:12:54 | PRESIDENT, THE STAND THAT THE DISTINGUISHED LEADER HAS TAKEN IS ONE OF A FUNDAMENTAL NATURE. |
| 04:12:59 | IT IS ONE OF PRINCIPLE AND NOT POLITICS AND I'M IN THE BEST POSITION TO COMMENT UPON IT FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA FAVORS THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BILL. |
| 04:13:11 | HE WOULD FAVOR THROTTLING ME AND GETTING RID OF ME AND HAVING A QUICK VOTE, BUT HE UNDERSTANDS BETTER THAN ANY THAT THERE IS MORE TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAN A GYMNASIUM FOR POLITICAL GYMNASTICS WHEREBY ON PARLIAMENTARY POSITIONS YOU CAN JUST CUT EVERYBODY OFF. |
| 04:13:37 | I CAN'T SEE SENATOR MANSFIELD FOR A SECOND GOING ALONG WITH THIS NONSENSE. |
| 04:13:41 | I COULDN'T SEE FOR A SECOND SENATOR DIRKSEN EVEN SUGGESTING IT. |
| 04:13:46 | THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN AN UNWRITTEN RULE OF COMITY AND UNDERSTANDING AND FRIENDSHIP AND THE STRENGTH OF FEEL. |
| 04:13:54 | AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE SENATORS HAVE THAT FEEL, IT IS RESPECTED BY THE OTHER 99 SENATORS. |
| 04:14:00 | HERE THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, OUR MINORITY LEADER, HAS BEEN VERY, VERY ELOQUENT ON THE POSITION TAKEN. |
| 04:14:09 | AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, HIS POLITICS OTHERWISE. |
| 04:14:13 | HE'D GO ALONG WITH SENATOR LOTT AND SAY THE DICKENS WITH IT, FILL UP THE TREE, TOMORROW WE'LL VOTE AND WE'LL HAVE CLOVE AND THIS BILL WILL BE OVER WITH AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 04:14:22 | BUT THE SOIPT IS THE CASE. |
| 04:14:24 | HE'S TAKEN A STAND FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE MAJORITY AND MINORITY. |
| 04:14:30 | IT'S A SENATE STAND, AND I COMMEND HIM FOR TAKING IT. |
| 04:14:32 | MR. |
| 04:14:33 | DASCHLE: I THANK THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:14:36 | I KNOW THAT THE ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAS BEEN VERY PATIENT AND WAITING TO -- IN WAITING TO SPEAK AND FOR THAT REASON, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 04:14:47 | MR. |
| 04:14:48 | REID: BEFORE THE LEADER LEAVE, I THINK ON BEHALF OF THE DEMOCRATS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA, THAT WE CONGRATULATE AND APPLAUD YOUR STATEMENT. |
| 04:15:00 | THE UNITED STATES SENATE STANDS FOR WHAT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL WAS SET UP TO DO. |
| 04:15:04 | WE'RE NOT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 04:15:06 | WE'RE NOT ELECTED EVERY TWO YEARS. |
| 04:15:07 | WE'RE TO BE A DELIBERATIVE BODY, AND THE LEADER SPOKE SO WELL IN THAT REGARD. |
| 04:15:13 | AND I, AS I SAID, FOR ALL DEMOCRATS AND FOR THE COUNTRY RESPECT AND APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION. |
| 04:15:22 | I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OF MY FRIEND -- DIRECT A QUESTION, NOT ASK, TO MY FRIEND FROM NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 04:15:31 | I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM NORTH DAKOTA, DO YOU REMEMBER -- AND I SEE HER ON THE FLOOR THERE'S FOUR SENATORS, FIVE SENATORS HERE COINCIDENTALLY ON THE FLOOR, ALL OF WHOM AGREED THAT THE RUSH BY THE REPUBLICANS TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, WE OPPOSE THAT. |
| 04:15:51 | THE FIVE OF US ON THE FLOOR HERE TODAY, THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA, SENATOR BOXER, THE SENATOR IN MASSACHUSETTS, SENATOR KENNEDY, SENATOR HOLLINGS, THIS SENATOR AND THE LEADER WALKING OUT TO HIS OFFICE. |
| 04:16:03 | DO YOU RECALL THAT WE ALL A AOPPOSED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY? |
| 04:16:12 | DO YOU RECALL OUR OPPOSING THAT? |
| 04:16:14 | MR. |
| 04:16:15 | DORGAN: WELL, IN RESPONSE TO THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA, WHEN WE HAD THE DEBATE HERE IN THE SENATE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE RAISED WAS A QUESTION ABOUT WRITING INTO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES A PRACTICE OF USING SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BALANCING THE BUDGET. |
| 04:16:34 | IN OTHER WORDS, TAKING TRUST FUNDS THAT WERE DESIGNATED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, CAME FROM THE TAXPAYERS' PAY KHERX PUT INTO A TRUST FUND, AND THEN USING THEM JUST AS OTHER REVENUE, JUST LIKE IT'S ANY OTHER DOLLAR OF TAX REVENUE AND WE RAISED THE QUESTION, DO YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO WELD INTO THE U. |
| 04:16:52 | S. CONSTITUTION A PRACTICE AS DISHONEST AS THAT? |
| 04:16:55 | THESE ARE TRUST FUNDS, AFTER ALL. |
| 04:16:58 | MR. |
| 04:16:59 | REID: WHAT WAS THEIR ANSWER? |
| 04:17:00 | MR. |
| 04:17:01 | DORGAN: WELL, THE ANSWER WARX WE INSIST ON DOING IT THIS WAY. |
| 04:17:03 | WE DEMAND THAT WE CHANGE THE U. |
| 04:17:05 | S. CONSTITUTION BY REQUIRING THAT SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS BE COUNTED AS ANY OTHER FORM OF REVENUE FOR THE PURPOSES OF COMPUTING OUR BUDGET BALANCE. |
| 04:17:14 | WE DEMAND IT THEY SAID. |
| 04:17:16 | AND SO WE SAID -- IN FACT, ONE OF THE MEETINGS WAS IN THIS CLOAK, ANOTHER BACK THERE, ANOTHER ON THE FLOOR. |
| 04:17:23 | BUT WE SAID THEAGS NOT AN HONEST WAY OF BUDGETING. |
| 04:17:26 | IF DID YOU THAT IN PRIVATE BUSINESS, YOU SAID, WELL, I'VE GOT A COMPANY HERE BY THE WAY. |
| 04:17:31 | AND I WANT TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH PROFIT I MADE LAST YEAR. |
| 04:17:34 | AND IN SHOWING HOW MUCH PROFIT, I WANT TO BRING MY EMPLOYEES' PENSION MONEYS INTO THE PROFIT LINE. |
| 04:17:39 | AND THAT'S WHAT MY PROFIT S YOU DO THAT AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET TWO YEARS IN SOME MINIMUM-SECURITY PRISON SOMEPLACE. |
| 04:17:46 | YOU CAN'T DO THAT. |
| 04:17:47 | IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. |
| 04:17:48 | SO WE SAID IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS. |
| 04:17:51 | IT IS ESPECIALLY NOT APPROPRIATE THROK IT INTO THE CONSTITUTION. |
| 04:17:54 | AND THEY SAID, WELL, BUT WE'VE GOT TO USE THEM. |
| 04:17:56 | IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BALANCE THE BUFLINGT AND SO THEY SAT BACK IN THE CLOAKROOM, SENATOR CONRAND I SAID, WE'LL MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU. |
| 04:18:05 | WE WANT TO WRITE IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT QUEAK USE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET JUST AS OTHER REVENUES, JUST TAKE THEM OUT OF THE TRUST FUND AND USE THEM AS OTHER REVENUES AND WE WILL STOP DOING IT IN THE YEAR 2012. |
| 04:18:17 | MR. REID: THE SENATOR REMEMBER THAT WAS REALLY PUT IN WRITING BY ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS? |
| 04:18:22 | MR. |
| 04:18:23 | DORGAN: THE YEAR 2012 WASN'T PUT IN BRIGHTING. |
| 04:18:25 | WE SAID THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. |
| 04:18:28 | THEY SAID, OKAY. THEY HAVE TWO STAGES OF DENIAL. |
| 04:18:30 | FIRST OF ALL WE'RE NOT USING SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY, THEY SAID. |
| 04:18:34 | BUT THEN SECOND IF WE ARE, WE'LL STOP BY 2012. |
| 04:18:37 | THEN THEY SAID, IF YOU DON'T BUY 2012, WE WILL ACTUALLY PUT IN THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WE'LL STOP USING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS IN 2008 AND THAT'S WHAT THEY PUT IN BRIGHTING AND I STILL HAVE THAT DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF MY DESK SOMEWHERE WITH THEIR HANDWRITING. |
| 04:18:53 | WE WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE STOP USING SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS BY 2008. |
| 04:18:57 | BUT WE INSIST ON THE RIGHT TO DO IT UNTIL THEN AND WE IN FACT WANT TO TUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. |
| 04:19:04 | MR. REID: DOES THE SENATOR RECALL THAT THE SENATORS ON THE FLOOR OFFERED OUR OWN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WHICH SAID WE WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET THE HARD WAY, THE HONEST WAY AND WE DO NOT WANT TO USE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES? |
| 04:19:17 | WE OFFERED THAT AMENDMENT AND THE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT, EVERY ONE OF THEM, IS THAT RIGHT? |
| 04:19:21 | MR. |
| 04:19:22 | DORGAN: THE SENATOR FROM FLEF IS CORRECT ABOUT THAT. |
| 04:19:24 | WE OFFERED THAT AMENDMENT. |
| 04:19:25 | WE OFFERED THAT AMENDMENT ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. |
| 04:19:29 | THEY WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. |
| 04:19:31 | THE REASON THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, IF I COULD CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA, WE HAVE THE MAJORITY PARTY RUINING STEL VISION ADS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT THE MOMENT. |
| 04:19:41 | MR. REID: I WANTED TO GIVE A LEAD-IN TO MY FRIEND FROM NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 04:19:45 | MY FRIEND FROM NORTH DEPAK IS A STATE THAT'S SPARSELY POPULATED, SOMEWHAT LIKE NEVADA. |
| 04:19:49 | YOU HAVE ONLY A SINGLE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. |
| 04:19:51 | ISN'T THAT RIGHT? |
| 04:19:52 | MR. DORGAN: THAT'S RIGHT. |
| 04:19:53 | MR. REID: AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING ADS, I'VE BEEN TOLD IN THAT CONGRESSIONAL SCRTIRXT WHICH IS THE WHOLE STATE, SIGNIFICANT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE BAD BECAUSE WE'RE USING SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. |
| 04:20:04 | ARE THEY RUNNING ADS LIKE THAT? |
| 04:20:07 | AND I WOULD DIRECT A QUESTION TO MY FRIEND, IF THEY ARE, WOULD THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA COMMENT ON WHAT'S GOING ON. |
| 04:20:12 | MR. DORGAN: YES, IN FACT WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR STATE AND SOME OH, THE MAJORITY PARTY IS RUNNING ADS AND THEY ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DISHONEST BUT IN POLITICAL DIALOGUE YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, EVEN IF IT IS FUNDAMENTALLY UNTRUE. |
| 04:20:24 | THE ADS IN NORTH DAKOTA BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE TO SAY, WELL, THE DEMOCRATS ARE STEELEING OR TAKING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 04:20:33 | THEY ARE AIDES SPEND THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS. |
| 04:20:36 | WELL, IN FACT JUST THE OPPOSITE IS THE CASE. |
| 04:20:38 | IT'S THE MAJORITY PARTY THAT HAS TEANT SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS. |
| 04:20:41 | THEY DEMANDED THEY BE TAKEN BACK IN THE DEBATE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. |
| 04:20:45 | INCOME, THEY DEMANDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THEM AND PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION. |
| 04:20:48 | BUT THEY ARE NOW DOING IT AND DENYING THEY'RE DOING IT AND CHARGING OFERMENTSE IT IS KIND OF LIKE THE SCHOOLYARD PLAYGROUND, THE BIG BULLY THAT WOULD ALWAYS BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE. |
| 04:21:01 | NO, MOM, THOSE WEREN'T MY CIGARETTES. |
| 04:21:04 | IT IS THAT APPROACH. |
| 04:21:05 | LET ME READ TO THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA A LETTER TODAY THAT COMES FROM THE HEAD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE OFFICE. |
| 04:21:10 | MR. |
| 04:21:11 | REID: THAT'S DATED TODAY. MR. |
| 04:21:12 | DORGAN: DATE TODAY. |
| 04:21:14 | READ REID AND WOULD THE SENATOR EXPLAIN TO THOSE WITHIN THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE WHAT THE C. |
| 04:21:20 | B.O. IS. MR. |
| 04:21:21 | DORGAN: THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET SOFS AN OFFICE THAT HISTORICALLY A NONPARTISAN OFFICE. |
| 04:21:26 | IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SCOREKEEPER. |
| 04:21:28 | THIS WOULD BE THE REFEREE KEEPING SCORE ON NUMBERS AND BUDGETS, ALL RIGHT? |
| 04:21:33 | NOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY -- THIS IS VERY INTERESTING -- THE MAJORITY PARTY WROTE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE AND THEY SAID THAT -- MR. |
| 04:21:41 | REID: THE REPUBLICANS WROTE, IS THAT RIGHT? |
| 04:21:43 | MR. |
| 04:21:44 | DORGAN: THAT'S RIGHT. AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO HAVE A CERTAIN DIRECTED SCORING ADJUSTMENTS. |
| 04:21:49 | SO LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A DIRECTED SCORING ADJUSTMENT S THEY WERE WRITING TO THE C. |
| 04:21:56 | B.O. TO GET SOME COMFORT ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE DOING. |
| 04:21:58 | A DIRECTED SCORING ADJUSTMENT WOULD BE IF I WENT TO AN ACCOUNTANT AND SAID, ALL RIGHT, I NTS WANT YOU TO CERTIFY FOR ME WHAT MY CHECK CHECKBOOK BALANCE IS, BUT I DIRECT YOU NOT TO COUNT THE LAST TEN CHECKS I'VE WRITTEN IN DETERMINING THE BALANCE. |
| 04:22:12 | THAT'S A DIRECTED ADJUSTMENT. |
| 04:22:14 | OR I SAY, I WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHETHER THERE ARE ANY HILLS ON THE EARTH AND FOR THAT PURPOSE, WOULD YOU ASSUME THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT, A DIRECTED ASSUMPTION. |
| 04:22:26 | SO THE REPUBLICANS USE THESE DIRECTED ASSUMPTIONS AND SAID TO C. |
| 04:22:29 | B.O., USING THESE DIRECTED ASSUMPTIONS, TELL US, ARE WE IN GOOD SHAPE? |
| 04:22:33 | THE C. |
| 04:22:34 | B.O. SAID, OH, YEAH, USING THOSE ASSUMPTIONS, YOU'RE IN FINE SHAPE. |
| 04:22:37 | NOT USING SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY YOU'RE IN GOOD SHAPE. |
| 04:22:41 | SO TODAY WHEERS MR. |
| 04:22:42 | KREU#EN, THE HEAD OF THE C. |
| 04:22:45 | B.O. SAYS. IN RESPONSE TO CONGRESSMAN SPRATT WHO TWROTE HIM, HE SAID, "AS YOU REQUESTED, THESE ESTIMATES REFLECT THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE'S ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODOLOGY AND EXCLUDE THESE DIRECTED SCORING ADJUSTMENTS. |
| 04:23:00 | " THAT'S THE LITTLE FUNNY MONEY PROVISIONS THAT WERE PUT IN BY THE REPUBLICANS. |
| 04:23:03 | MR. |
| 04:23:04 | REID: NOT THE LAST CHECKS. |
| 04:23:06 | MR. |
| 04:23:07 | DORGAN: THAT'S RIGHT. THIS IS AN HONEST LOOK. |
| 04:23:09 | C. |
| 04:23:10 | B.O. SAID THIS IS AN HONEST LOOK. |
| 04:23:11 | NO GAMES HERE. |
| 04:23:13 | WE HAVEN'T JIMMYED UP THE LIMITS. |
| 04:23:17 | HERE'S WHAT THE HONEST LOOK S WHAT THEY SAID IS, YOU ARE NOW SPENDING, HAVING DONE YOUR 13 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS -- REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS -- YOU HAVE NOW SPENT $17 BILLION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND THIS YEAR. |
| 04:23:31 | AND YOU WILL REQUIRE A NEARLY 6% ACROSS-THE-BOARD REDUCTION IN ALL SPENDING, ALL SPENDING, VETERANS HEALTH CARE, SENIOR CITIZENS, THE W. |
| 04:23:46 | I.C. PROGRAM FOIRN FANTSS AND LOW-INCOME WOMEN, THE HEAD START PROGRAM -- YOU ARE REQUIRED A NEARLY 6% ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT IN ALL SPENDING IN ORDER TO AVOID YOUR CONTINUED USE OR MISSPENDING OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS. |
| 04:24:00 | SO THIS IS TODAY'S LETTER. |
| 04:24:02 | NOW, I WOULD JUST -- I WANT TO MAKE IT POINT. |
| 04:24:05 | THOSE WHO ARE SPENDING THE MONEY TO PUT THE DISHONEST ADS ON TELEVISION THIS AFTERNOON IN MY STATE OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. |
| 04:24:12 | THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED. |
| 04:24:15 | THEY KNOW IT IS DISHONEST. |
| 04:24:17 | THIS PROVES IT'S DISHONEST. |
| 04:24:20 | BUT MONEY IN TODAY'S POLITICS BUYS SPEECH. |
| 04:24:24 | IF MONEY IS SPEECH, THERE ARE A LOT OF SPEECHLESS PEOPLE, OF COURSE IN THIS KUFMBIT THAT'S REGRETTABLE. |
| 04:24:28 | BUT THE FOLKS WITH THE MONEY CAN PUT A TELEVISION AD ON AND THEY CAN SAY DOWN IS UP, BLACK IS WHITE, GRASS IS PURPLE, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO SAY, AND THEY CAN, AS THEY'VE DONE, THEY CAN ASK SOMEBODY WITH DIRECTED SCORING ADJUSTMENTS TO SAY, TELL ME MY BANK BALANCE, IF YOU DON'T COUNT THE LAST TEN CHECKS OR TELL ME THE EARTH IS FLAT, IF I INSIST THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT IN THE ASSUMPTION. |
| 04:24:50 | THEY CAN DO ALL OF THESE THINGS AND WHAT THEY DO IS CREATE A DISHONEST BRAND OF POLITICS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 04:24:55 | SHAME ON THOSE WHO DO IT. |
| 04:24:57 | MR. REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM NORTH ACCORDING TO, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THEN IS THE -- I SAY TO NIGH FRIEND FROM NORTH DAKOTA, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IS PASSING THESE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS AND THE C. |
| 04:25:10 | B.O. HAS SAID THAT THEY'VE ALREADY USED -- THEY HAVE USED -- THE MAJORITY PARTY GETS BILLS PASSED HERE -- THEY HAVE USED SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS MONEYS THIS YEAR. |
| 04:25:19 | THEY'RE RUNNING ADS IN THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY SIGNIFICANT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE USING SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY? |
| 04:25:25 | THE SENATOR HAS BEEN VERY DISCREET IN HIS DESCRIPTION. |
| 04:25:29 | TO ME WHERE I COME FROM, THAT'S A FALSEHOOD. |
| 04:25:32 | THAT'S A LIFMTE THAT'S DISHONEST. |
| 04:25:34 | AM I DIS-- AM I MIS MISINTERPRETING WHAT YOU HAVE SAID? |
| 04:25:39 | MR. |
| 04:25:40 | DORGAN: NO, YOU STATEED IT EXACTLY AS I SAID IT. |
| 04:25:43 | LET ME STATE ONE ADDITIONAL POINT AT THAT RELATES TO SOMETHING THAT THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER SPOKE ABOUT. |
| 04:25:47 | ONE WOULD SAY, IF YOU KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE -- AND WE KNOW IT TO BE TRUE BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET TO DATE -- WHY YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? |
| 04:25:54 | WHY DO YOU BRING AN ATTEMPT TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE? |
| 04:25:57 | THE POINT SWEE CAN'T BRING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE. |
| 04:26:00 | THE SENATE IS TIED UP DELIBERATELY. |
| 04:26:03 | WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A LEGISLATIVE TREE THAT'S BEEN CREATED THAT WOULD PREVENT THOSE ON OUR SIDE FROM OFFERING AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:26:10 | IF I MIGHT JUST TAKE ONE ADDITIONAL MINUTE, I GREW NEWSPAPER A TOWN 3600 PEOPLE AND WE HAD AN ELDERLY -- A TOWN 3600 PEOPLE AND WE HAD AN ELDERLY WIDOW IN MY TOWN. |
| 04:26:23 | SHE HAD A HUGE CRAB AM TREE IN HER FRONT YARD. |
| 04:26:26 | SHE WAS DISAGREEABLE ENOUGH TO DEPLANNED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE HAD SO MANY CRABAPPLES, COULD HAVE FED THE WHOLE GROUND. |
| 04:26:32 | THEY DROPPED ON THE GROUND. |
| 04:26:33 | SHE DEMANDED THAT CHILDREN NEVER PICK HER CRABAPPLES AND SO OF COURSE WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER DARK TO PICK HER AMS. |
| 04:26:41 | BUT SHE WAS ONLY DISAGREEABLE WITH THOSE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO PICK HER APPLES. |
| 04:26:46 | HER FRIENDS SHE WOULD USHER THEM IN AND THEY WOULD PICK HER CRABAPPLES. |
| 04:26:52 | AND I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE MAJORITY LEADER TODAY ABOUT THE TREE. |
| 04:26:56 | IT IS LIKE THE DISAGREEABLE WOMAN IN MY HOMETOWN TO --. |
| 04:27:01 | I AM GOING TO DECIDE WHO CAN COME IN AND PICK THE FRUIT FROM THIS TREEFMT AND BY THE WAY, THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ANYBODY FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 04:27:09 | NOBODY. NO ONE ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE IS GOING TO PICK ANY OF MY FRUIT. |
| 04:27:14 | WHY? IT'S PARTISAN. |
| 04:27:15 | EVERYBODY SAYS, WELL, YOU ALL, THIS IS ALL PARTISAN WITH YOU. |
| 04:27:19 | IT IS NOT PARTISAN WITH US. |
| 04:27:20 | IT'S PARTISAN WITH THOSE WHO WANT TO RUN THE SENATE IN A MANNER THAT SAYS, OUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO HAVE FULL OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEIR IDEAS TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AND AFTER ALL THAT'S THE ONLY CURRENCY IN THIS KIND OF INSTITUTION. |
| 04:27:33 | AN IDEA, A GOOD IDEA. |
| 04:27:37 | THE MAJORITY LEADER WILL SAY, THE WAY I WANT TO RUN THE SENATE IS MY FRIENDS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEIR IDEAS TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE VOTES. |
| 04:27:46 | BUT YOU IN THE MINORITY WILL NOT AND MAY NOT HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. |
| 04:27:50 | AND THAT'S WHY WE CANNOT ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE. |
| 04:27:53 | IT IS UNFORGIVABLE TO ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE. |
| 04:27:56 | TO SAY -- MR. |
| 04:27:58 | REID: I I DIRECT A QUESTION TO MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 04:28:01 | YOU'VE HEARD THE DIE LORK THE DISCUSSION, THE COLLOQUY BETWEEN THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA AND THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA. |
| 04:28:06 | I'D LIKE THE SENATOR TO COMMENT ON SOMETHING THAT WAS KILLED HERE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND THAT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. |
| 04:28:12 | WHY IS IT NEEDED? |
| 04:28:14 | I'D LIKE THE SENATOR TO COMMENT ON THAT, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY RUNNING ALL THESE FALSE ADS? |
| 04:28:20 | WHY DON'T WE NEED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE QUILD. |
| 04:28:24 | MRS. |
| 04:28:25 | BOXER: I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS PEOPLE ARE DISILLUSIONED TODAY AND DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD IS THAT THEY BELIEVE THEIR VOICE DOESN'T COUNT. |
| 04:28:36 | THEY BELIEVE THAT MONEY TALKS AND LISTENING TO THE DEBATE THAT WE HAD ON THIS FLOOR WITH THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE LEADING THAT FIGHT, I'M SURE THEY'VE CONCLUDED THEY'RE RIGHT. |
| 04:28:47 | THE SENATOR EQUATES MONEY WITH SPEECH. |
| 04:28:52 | TWALS TO ME ONE OF THE SADDEST DEBATES I'VE EVER HEARD AROUND HERE. |
| 04:28:56 | PEOPLE DON'T VOTE. |
| 04:28:58 | THEY DON'T PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THEY DON'T COUNT. |
| 04:29:02 | ORDINARY PEOPLE, AVERAGE PEOPLE -- THEY CAN'T MAKE THE $1,000 CONTRIBUTION OR THE $5,000 OR THE $10,000 OR THE $20 $20,000 OR THE $200,000 CONTRIBUTIONS IN SOFT MONEY THAT COME INTO PLAY HERE. |
| 04:29:16 | AND I THINK IT WAS A VERY SAD SITUATION WHEN THE REPUBLICANS, DEFYING A MAJORITY OF THIS UNITED STATES SENATE -- AND WE HAD A MAJORITY VOTE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM -- TOOK THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND THREW INTO THE GRAVEYARD, ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT OUR DEMOCRATIC LEADER AND OUR ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAVE TALKED ABOUT. |
| 04:29:38 | ALL THE IMPORTANT THINGS -- THE H. |
| 04:29:42 | M.O. REFORMS, THE TEACHERS, THE POLICEMEN, COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE THROWN INTO THAT GRAVEYARD. |
| 04:29:53 | THE LAST ONE BEING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. |
| 04:29:55 | MR. |
| 04:29:57 | REID: AND WE HAVE BEEN SO IMPEDED IN PROGRESS AROUND HERE. |
| 04:30:01 | DOES THE SENATOR ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE'VE DONG NOTHING WITH IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FAILSING THIS COUNTRY? |
| 04:30:06 | MRS. |
| 04:30:07 | BOXER: YES, I'VE BEEN WAITING THREE DAYS HERE TO SEE US GET INTO A DEBATE ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE, THINGS LIKE THE MINIMUM WAGE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. |
| 04:30:17 | MR. |
| 04:30:18 | REID: THE MINORITY LEADER HAS MENTIONED AND THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA HAS JUST MENTIONED MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 04:30:25 | YOU KNOW, WE JUST USE MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 04:30:28 | DOES THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA UNDERSTAND THAT OVER 60% OF THE PEOPLE WHO DRAW MINIMUM WAGE ARE WOMEN AND OF THOSE 60%, 40% OF THEM, THAT'S THE ONLY MONEY THEY GET FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES? |
| 04:30:40 | SO IN SORT, WOULD THE SENATOR AGREE THAT PEOPLE WHO NEED MINIMUM WRAIJ NOT TEENAGERS, AT MCDONALD'S FLIPPING HAM BURGERS? |
| 04:30:52 | MRS. |
| 04:30:53 | BOXER: MY FRIEND IS RIGHT. |
| 04:30:54 | WE MELD A PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE THE LAST DISCUSSION ON MINIMUM WAGE WHICH NOW SEEMS LIKE HISTORY IT WAS SO LONG AGO WHERE WE BROUGHT THAT POINT OUT THAT 60% OF PEOPLE ON THE MINIMUM WAGE ARE ADULT WOMEN, SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES. |
| 04:31:10 | AND IF THEY WORK FULL-TIME ON A MINIMUM-WAGE JOB, I SAY TO MY FRIEND, THEY ARE WAY BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. |
| 04:31:17 | THEY'RE EARNING SOMETHING LIKE $11,000 A YEAR AND FOR A FAMILY OF FLEE OR FOUR, YOU CAN BARELY MAKE T YOU CAN'T FEED YOUR KIDS, PAY YOUR RENT AND BUY THEM ANY CLOTHES AT ALL. |
| 04:31:30 | THE BOTTOM LINE IS MY FRIEND IS RIGHT. |
| 04:31:31 | WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MINIMUM WAGES, WE SHOULD GET BEHIND WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHEN IT MEANS IS IF WE DON'T RAISE IT, PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WILL BE HUNGRY. |
| 04:31:40 | CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY WILL BE HUNGRY. |
| 04:31:43 | WE ALREADY HAVE MANY, MANY CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY. |
| 04:31:45 | THAT IS THE LARGEST GROUP OF OUR CITIZENRY LIVING IN POVERTY. |
| 04:31:50 | AND I WANT TO ASK MY FRIEND TO COMMENT ON SOMETHING HERE, IF HE WOULD DO ME THAT FAVOR. |
| 04:31:54 | AND I'LL SO PROUD OF HIS LEADERSHIP AND THAT OF SENATOR DASCHLE TODAY, JUST IN FRAMING THE ISSUES. |
| 04:32:01 | WHEN I HEARD THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA GO BACK AND FORTH WITH MY FRIEND FROM NEVADA ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUE, I WAS VERY GLAD THAT THEY HAVE PHRASED THIS ON THE -- THAT THEY HAVE RAISED THIS ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A SOCIAL NET FOR SENIORS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 04:32:22 | WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE PEOPLE IN POVERTY ARE NO LONGER THE SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| 04:32:25 | WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF THAT. |
| 04:32:26 | BUT I WANT TO READ JUST A FEW LITTLE LINES HERE FROM AN EDITORIAL THAT RAN IN THE SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE AND IT WAS WRITTEN BY A MAN WHO WAS MANY YEARS AGO IN CONGRESS, FROM THE SAN DIEGO AREA. |
| 04:32:47 | EANDSZ NOW A SENIOR CITIZEN HIMSELF AND QUITE SHARP, AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THIS. |
| 04:32:52 | AND I'M GOING TO READ JUST PROBABLY TWO MINUTES' WORTH OF HIS WORDS AND I WOULD LOVE MY FRIEND TO COMMENT. |
| 04:32:59 | IT'S CALLED "TRUSTING THE G. |
| 04:33:01 | O.P. TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:33:04 | " "FOR ANYONE WHO JUST FELL OFF THE TURNIP TRUCK, REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS HAVE A NEW RALLYING CRYING: WE WON'T LET THEM RAID SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:33:18 | TOM DELAIRX WHO IS THE REPUBLICAN WHIP IN THE HOUSE, ASKS US TO BELIEVE THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND IS UNDER ASSAULT BY DEMOCRATS AND WE MUST TRUST HIS PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, TO PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:33:33 | HE SAIDINGS POIFED EA SOONER ENTRUST A LETTUCE LEAVE LEAF TO A RABBIT. |
| 04:33:40 | ' CREDIBILITY SURELY MATTERS IN PROBING THE VIOLENCE AT GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE IN THE WOODS. |
| 04:33:47 | WHOM DO YOU BELIEVE? |
| 04:33:48 | LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD OR THE WOLF? |
| 04:33:50 | HERE IS ONE OF THOSE DEMONSTRABLE FACTS OF HISTORY," AND HE GOES ON. |
| 04:33:55 | "HAD IT BEEN LEFT TO THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, WE'D NEVER HAD HAD SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE FIRST PLACE, NOR MEDICARE," HE SAYS. |
| 04:34:04 | "G.O.P. HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS INVARIABLY LINED UP IN OPPOSITION TO THESE SOCIAL PROGRAMS. |
| 04:34:09 | " MR. |
| 04:34:10 | REID: WILL THE SENATOR PAUSE BEFORE FINISHING HER STATEMENT? |
| 04:34:12 | MRS. BOXER: YES. |
| 04:34:13 | MR. REID: I CARRY WITH ME IN MY WALLET BECAUSE I THINK IT IS HARD FOR ME TO COMPREHEND THAT IT IS TRUE. |
| 04:34:18 | HERE IT IS. |
| 04:34:19 | JUST TO SO THAT LIONEL IS NOT TOO HOLD OLD TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. |
| 04:34:28 | I HAVE HERE IN MY WALLET, G. |
| 04:34:31 | O.P. LEADERS ON MED COMPARED AND SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:34:33 | LET ME READ WHAT SOME OF THE LEADERS HAVE TO SAY. |
| 04:34:37 | "HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DICK ARMEY, HERE'S WHAT HE SAID, "MEDICARE HAS NO PLACE IN A FREE WORLD. |
| 04:34:44 | SOCIAL SECURITY IS A ROTTEN TRICK. |
| 04:34:47 | I THINK WE'RE GOING HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND PHASE IT OUT OVER TIME AND WITH --" I COULD READ A STATEMENT FROM THE FORMER LEADER BOB DOLE, FROM HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. |
| 04:35:01 | THE POINT IS LIONEL VAN DERLIN IS RIGHT ON TRACK BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T VOTE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY TO BEGIN WITH AND THEY STILL HATE IT. |
| 04:35:11 | MRS. BOXER: I'M GLAD YOU CARRIED THAT AROUND BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO LISTEN TO THESE ADS ON TV, YOU WOULD THINK THE REPUBLICANS THOUGHT OF THE IDEA OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WHEN IN FACT THEY FOUGHT IT EVERY INCH OF THE WAY. |
| 04:35:22 | AND JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, 1994, DICK ARMEY IN ADDITION SAID, IF HE WAS HERE, HE WOULDN'T HAVED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:35:32 | SO THIS IS WHAT LIONEL WRITES. |
| 04:35:35 | HE SAYS, "G. |
| 04:35:36 | O.P. HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS INVEIGHABLY LINED NEWSPAPER OPPOSITION TO THESE SOCIAL PROGRAMS. |
| 04:35:43 | AS CASEY STENGEL WOULD ADVISE YOU, YOU COULD LOOK IT UP. |
| 04:35:48 | THEN HE SAYS, -- HE SAIDINGS "WHEN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S ORIGINAL SOCIAL SECURITY BILL NEARED PASSAGE, EVERY REPUBLICAN PRESENT VOTED TO RECOMMIT THE MEASURE, TO SEND IT BACK TO COMMITTEE, THAT IS, TO KILL IT. |
| 04:36:02 | " AND HE GOES ON AND THEN HE WRAPS UP THIS WAY: "TODAY'S G. |
| 04:36:08 | O.P. GENERATION OFFERS LITTLE MORE TO WARM ONE'S HANDS OFMBIT HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DICK ARMEY, REPUBLICAN, A ONE-TIME ECONOMICS PROFESSOR, HAS OPENLY URGED A PHASE-OUT OF SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:36:21 | AND NO LESS A PROPHETS, THE NEXT SEERK, NEWT GINGRICH, TIPPED HIS HAND UPON TAKING THE GAVEL IN 195 AND SAYINGS 'LET IT WITHER ON THE VINE. |
| 04:36:34 | " ' HE SAID THAT WAS HIS SUGGESTION FOR DEALING WITH THE SYSTEM. |
| 04:36:39 | HE GOES ON AND HE SAYS, "I OFFER THE FOREGOING COMPENDIUM FROM PUBLIC RECORDS NOT TO BE BELITTLE OR EMBARRASS LIKEABLE LEADERS OF PAST AND PRESENT. |
| 04:36:52 | THEY DIDN'T CLIMB THE LADDER WITH SUBNORMAL I. |
| 04:36:55 | Q.'S NOR BY IGNORING ORDINARY FOLKS IN THEIR STATES AND DISTRICTS. |
| 04:37:00 | BUT HE SAYS, NO MATTER HOW EARNESTLY ARMEY, DELAY AND THE REPUBLICANS ASK US TO TRUST THEM IN REGARD TO SOCIAL SECURITY, I OFFER THIS ADVICE. |
| 04:37:11 | DON'T. |
| 04:37:15 | " MR. |
| 04:37:16 | REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA, WE CAME TO THE HOUSE TOGETHER IN 1982. |
| 04:37:20 | I DIDN'T -- HAD NEVER SEEN YOU BEFORE UNTIL THE DAY WE HAD OUR ORIENTATION. |
| 04:37:24 | WE'VE SERVED TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE. |
| 04:37:29 | YOU AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME VERY TOUGH CAMPAIGNS OVER THE YEARS. |
| 04:37:32 | I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO PROUD OF THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OR YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS, WHOEVER YOU'RE SPEAKING TO, YOU SAY THE SAME THING IN RESPONSE TO THE SAME QUESTION. |
| 04:37:49 | YOU HAVE HAD TOUGH, HARD CAMPAIGNS, BUT YOU HAVE NEVER, EVER DEVIATED FROM WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. |
| 04:37:58 | AND IT'S CAUSED YOU SOME HEART HEARTACHE AND HEARTBURN BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN TOUGH DECISIONS. |
| 04:38:03 | THAT'S WHY I AM SO UPSET AND FEEL SO OPPRESSED, PUT UPON AND REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THESE ADS THAT ARE RUNNING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:38:14 | YOU CAN HAVE TOUGH CAMPAIGNS. |
| 04:38:16 | A PERSON CAN RUN AGAINST BARBARA BOXER, A PERSON CAN SPEAK OUT AGAINST BARBARA BOXER ON AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY DISAGREE WITH HOW YOU FEEL ON AN ISSUE. |
| 04:38:26 | THAT'S WHAT GOVERNMENT'S ALL ABOUT. |
| 04:38:28 | THAT'S WHO GOVERNING'S ALL ABOUT. |
| 04:38:29 | BUT NOT TO COME UP WITH, WE LOVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE DEMOCRAT ARE TRYING TO DESTROY IT. |
| 04:38:35 | THAT, I'M SORRY TO SAY, IS NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT RIGHT, IT'S DISHONEST, IT'S WRONG. |
| 04:38:42 | AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT. |
| 04:38:48 | THAT YOU TELL A LIE LONG ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BELIEVE IT. |
| 04:38:51 | AND I HOPE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT BELIEVE THE LIE BEING PERPETRATED AROUND THIS COUNTRY BY THE REPUBLICANS SAYING DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO DESTROY SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:39:00 | WE FOUNDED SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:39:04 | JUST LIKE CONGRESSMAN VAN DERLIN SAID. |
| 04:39:08 | WE DID IT ON THE VOTES OF DEMOCRATS. |
| 04:39:09 | WE HAVE SAVED SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:39:10 | WE ARE THE ONES WHO STOPPED IT FROM BEING PLACED IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, WHERE THEY WOULD RAID THE FUNDS MORE. |
| 04:39:18 | THAT'S WHY WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY IS DISTASTEFUL, IT'S WRONG, IT'S DISHONEST, IT'S REPUGNANT AND SOMEBODY SHOULD SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT. |
| 04:39:26 | THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY. |
| 04:39:27 | MRS. |
| 04:39:28 | BOXER: WELL, LET ME SAY, AND I WILL YIELD IMMEDIATELY TO MY FRIEND, THAT I AM SO PROUD OF YOUR LEADERSHIP TODAY ON THIS ISSUE AND SO MANY OTHERS. |
| 04:39:37 | AND I REALLY DO THINK THAT THESE ADS ARE GOING TO BACK BACKLASH. |
| 04:39:41 | BECAUSE IN THE END, THE TRUTH WILL OUT. |
| 04:39:44 | THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE A FAIR PEOPLE. |
| 04:39:49 | AND, YOU KNOW, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO JUDGE US AND THEY'RE GOING TO JUDGE US HARSHLY ON WHAT WE SAY AND WHAT WE DO. |
| 04:39:56 | BUT THEY WANT THE TRUTH. |
| 04:39:57 | AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE THE KIND OF WRITING HERE BY CONGRESS MAN VAN DERLIN, WHO -- BY CONGRESSMAN VAN DERLIN, WHO LEFT THE CONGRESS A LONG TIME AGO BUT STILL CARRIES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT, THAT HIS BEING IN HIS OWN CONSCIENCE UNABLE TO LET THIS GO AND WRITING SUCH STRONG WORDS WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR, I MIGHT SAY, AND EDITORIALS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:40:27 | I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S GOING TO FIND A BACKLASH ACROSS THIS NATION, AND I DO BELIEVE IN MY HEART PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE DOING. |
| 04:40:36 | IT IS VERY FAIR -- VERY FAIR -- TO ATTACK A CANDIDATE, A SENATOR, A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, A PRESIDENT ON AN ISSUE. |
| 04:40:49 | IT IS VERY FAIR TO DO THAT. IT IS NOT FAIR TO MAKE UP A STORY, MAKE UP A SCENARIO BECAUSE YOU'VE TAKEN A POLL AND YOU KNOW YOU'RE ON THE WRONG SIDE. |
| 04:40:59 | LIKE I SAID TODAY, THE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY CREATED A LOCKBOX FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:41:06 | THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU THEY HAVE THE KEY, AND THEY ALREADY OPENED UP THAT LOCKBOX TO GIVE $18 BILLION TO THE PROGRAMS THEY WANT. |
| 04:41:16 | IT'S LIKE THE CRAPAPPLE -- THE CRABAPPLE ANALOGY BEFORE. |
| 04:41:20 | THEY'RE TAKING OUT THOSE APPLES, $18 BILLION. |
| 04:41:23 | AND THEN THEY HOLD THE KEY. |
| 04:41:24 | SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS TO SAY THAT WE ARE NOT PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:41:30 | IT DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST OR THE LAUGH TEST OR THE TEST OF TIME OR THE TEST OF HISTORY. |
| 04:41:35 | AND I AM AGAIN VERY PROUD OF MY FRIEND FOR TAKING THE FLOOR. |
| 04:41:40 | MR. |
| 04:41:41 | REID: I'D SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA IN CLOSING OUR DIALOGUE THAT I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SENSE THAT THE SENATOR HAS THAT THIS WILL ALL COME OUT. |
| 04:41:49 | I HOPE THE SENATOR'S RIGHT. |
| 04:41:51 | MY CONCERN IS BASED UPON WHAT OUR LEADER SAID, SENATOR DASCHLE, JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO WHEN HE SAID THEY HAVE PUT IN THE LAND -- IN THE LANDFILL, THE GRAVEYARD CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. |
| 04:42:05 | MONEY CAN SURE CONFUSE A LOT OF THINGS. |
| 04:42:08 | AND WHEN THEY'RE SPENDING AROUND THE COUNTRY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THESE FALSE AND MISLEADING ADS ADS, I HOPE THAT WE CAN RIGHT THE SHIP. |
| 04:42:17 | WE NEED TO SPEAK OUT, AND I, AGAIN, TELL THE SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA HOW MUCH RESPECT I HAVE FOR HER FOR STANDING UP ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOR WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT. |
| 04:42:26 | MRS. |
| 04:42:27 | BOXER: WELL, WE WILL FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH. |
| 04:42:30 | MR. |
| 04:42:31 | REID: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO MY FRIEND FROM RHODE ISLAND, SENATOR REED. |
| 04:42:34 | MR. |
| 04:42:35 | REED: THANK YOU. I WONDER IF THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA SHARES MY SAME FRUSTRATION THAT AT THE TIME THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE DISTORTING REALLY THE RECORD OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND THEIR EFFORTS TO PROTECT IT -- AND, AGAIN, LIKE YOU, I LIVED THROUGH THE DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION BACK IN 1995 WHEN THEY LITERALLY WERE TALKING ABOUT DISMANTLING THE SYSTEM. |
| 04:42:57 | SO THIS CURRENT ATTACK SEEMS TO BE ENTIRELY BOGUS. |
| 04:43:02 | BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY'RE DISTORTING SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY'RE ALSO TURNING THEIR BACKS ON SOME IMPORTANT NEEDS OF THIS COUNTRY FOR LEGISLATION LEGISLATION. |
| 04:43:13 | MANY HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BUT THERE'S ONE I THINK BEARS EMPHASIS AND THAT'S THE HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION BILL. |
| 04:43:17 | AFTER THE TRAGIC DEATH OF MATTHEW SHEPARD IN THE WEST, AND OF JAMES BYRD AND THE TRAGIC COLUMBINE, ARSONS IN SYNAGOGUES IN SACRAMENTO, IT'S HIGH TIME THAT WE TOOK A VERY SIMPLE STEP TO PROVIDE THE FULL AMBIT OF OUR CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE CRIMES THAT ARE HATE ORIENTED, THAT HAVE BEEN BASED UPON GENDER OR DISABILITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. |
| 04:43:43 | AND YET THAT, TOO, IS IN, AS OUR LEADER SAID, THE LANDFILL OF LEGISLATION THAT HAS BECOME THIS CONGRESS TO DATE. |
| 04:43:51 | AND I WONDER IF YOU SHARE MY FRUSTRATION ABOUT THAT, SENATOR? |
| 04:43:55 | MR. |
| 04:43:56 | REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM RHODE ISLAND, THE SENATOR FROM RHODE ISLAND HAS MENTIONED JUST THREE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC AND MOST PUBLICIZED INCIDENTS, BUT THEY'RE HAPPENING EVERY DAY IN AMERICA. |
| 04:44:06 | TRAGIC EVENTS WHERE SOMEONE IS BEING HURT, MAIMED, KILLED BECAUSE THEY'RE A JEW, BECAUSE THEIR SKIN IS A DIFFERENT COLOR -- IT MAY BE BLACK, IT MAY BE BROWN, IT MAY BE YELLOW YELLOW. |
| 04:44:22 | THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS SOMEBODY MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE THAT SOMEONE DOESN'T AGREE WITH. |
| 04:44:26 | PEOPLE EVERY DAY ARE BEING HURT IN AMERICA. |
| 04:44:29 | NOW, I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM RHODE ISLAND, THERE MAY BE PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THIS HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION. |
| 04:44:37 | BUT IN THE LIGHT OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, COULDN'T WE HAVE A DEBATE ON IT? |
| 04:44:40 | I KNOW THE SENATOR FROM RHODE ISLAND WOULD AGREE ON A VERY SHORT TIME LIMIT. |
| 04:44:46 | I THINK WE COULD DO ALL WE HAVE TO DO IN TWO OR THREE HOURS. |
| 04:44:49 | DEBATE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE AN UP-OR-DOWN VOTE ON IT. |
| 04:44:51 | DON'T YOU THINK, I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM RHODE ISLAND, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE A DEBATE AND A VOTE ON THIS ISSUE? |
| 04:44:57 | MR. |
| 04:44:58 | REED: I DO, INDEED, AGREE WITH THE SENATOR. |
| 04:45:02 | AND WHAT ALSO STRIKES ME AS PARTICULARLY IRONIC IS WHEN ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURS, ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF POLITICAL THOUGHT, ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF THIS BODY, THERE'S UNANIMOUS CONDEMNATION. |
| 04:45:13 | THERE'S A LOT OF MORALIZING, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT, OH, ISN'T THIS HORRIBLE AND TERRIBLE. |
| 04:45:19 | YET WE HAVE IT WITHIN OUR POWER POWER, AS THE SENATOR SUGGESTS, TO BRING THIS LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR, TO HAVE A DEBATE, TO CONSTRUCTIVELY ENGAGE, TO COMPROMISE NOT ON PRINCIPLES BUT ON DETAILS SO THAT WE CAN FULFILL OUR LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES. |
| 04:45:34 | AND YET WHAT FRUSTRATES ME AND I BELIEVE ALSO THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA IS THE FACT THAT NONE OF THIS IS TAKING PLACE, THAT ALL OF THIS IS BEING WHISKED OFF TO THE SIDELINE SO THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO OUR JOB. |
| 04:45:47 | AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. |
| 04:45:49 | AND WHILE WE ARE BEING FRUSTRATED, I SHOULD SAY THAT, AS THE SENATOR POINTED OUT SO ACCURATELY, THESE CRIMES GO ON DAY IN, DAY OUT. |
| 04:45:59 | SOME VERY PUBLICIZED. |
| 04:46:00 | SOME WANT GETTING ATTENTION. |
| 04:46:01 | BUT DAY IN AND DAY OUT. |
| 04:46:03 | AND WE'RE ASKING FOR A VERY SIMPLE REMEDY. |
| 04:46:06 | LET'S MAKE THIS WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS. |
| 04:46:09 | LET US BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES THE POWER TO DEAL WITH CRIMES THAT ARE BASED UPON DISABILITY, BASED UPON GENDER, BASED UPON SEXUAL ORIENTATION. |
| 04:46:21 | IF WE DO THAT, THEN I THINK WE'LL ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE IN THIS SEWED. |
| 04:46:25 | MR. |
| 04:46:26 | REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM RHODE ISLAND THAT WE'RE TALKING STATISTICS AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NAMES OF PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW. |
| 04:46:37 | MATTHEW BYRD, THE YOUNG MAN IN WYOMING. |
| 04:46:39 | BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, EVERY DAY IN AMERICA, SOMEONE'S HUSBAND, SON, DAUGHTER, HUSBAND, WIFE IS BEING HURT. |
| 04:46:48 | A REAL PERSON THAT WE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND THIS CONGRESS HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THEIR LIFE A LITTLE BETTER, TO MAKE SURE THAT AN EXAMPLE IS SET WHEN SOMEONE COMMITS ONE OF THESE DESPICABLE ACTS, THAT IT WILL BECOME A CRIME, A CRIME. |
| 04:47:06 | IT SHOULD BE -- IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPPRESS PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION OR THEIR LIFESTYLE. |
| 04:47:14 | WOULD THE SENATOR AGREE? |
| 04:47:16 | MR. REED: I AGREE ABSOLUTELY. |
| 04:47:17 | BECAUSE ONE THING THAT RESONATES THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE DIALOGUE THIS AFTERNOON IS THE FACT THAT OUR INACTION COSTS INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS. |
| 04:47:30 | COSTS THEM BETTER HEALTH CARE, COSTS THEM BETTER EDUCATION, COSTS THEM THE RIGHT TO HAVE A FEDERAL JUDICIARY WHICH IS FULLY STAFFED BY COMPETENT AND COMMITTED JUDGES. |
| 04:47:39 | AND IT COSTS SO MANY LITERALLY THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OUR INDIFFERENCE TO HATE CRIMES CAN DO NOTHING TO STOP THESE CRIMES. |
| 04:47:47 | IN FACT, ONE COULD SUGGEST THAT THEY CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH DOES NOT DISCOURAGE THEM AND, THEREFORE, MIGHT ENCOURAGE THEM THEM. |
| 04:47:54 | BUT IN ANY CASE, OUR INACTION MEANS THAT AMERICANS ARE BEARING THE COST, AND THESE COSTS CAN BE AVOIDED SIMPLY BY BRINGING TO THE FLOOR LEGISLATION AND BY MOVING WITH RESPECT TO THIS LEGISLATION IN A PROMPT AND PURPOSEFUL WAY. |
| 04:48:11 | AND I THANK THE SENATOR. |
| 04:48:12 | MR. REID: I'M ABOUT TO YIELD THE FLOOR BECAUSE I KNOW THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS HAD THE TIME TO HAVE A LITTLE BREATHER SO THAT THE SENATOR IS NOW REJUVENATED TO GO FORWARD FOR A FEW MORE HOURS. |
| 04:48:22 | IS THAT TRUE? |
| 04:48:23 | MR. HOLLINGS: IF THE DISTINGUISHED LEADER WOULD YIELD, I THINK NOW IS THE TIME THAT THE RECORD SHOULD BE MADE THAT THIS ISN'T A QUESTION OF TIME-CONSUMING IN THE SENSE THAT THE MAJORITY LEADER WANTS TO MOVE IN AN EXPEDITIOUS FASHION THE LEGISLATION. |
| 04:48:41 | HE DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR AND HE DOESN'T WANT ANYBODY ELSE TO DISCUSS THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS. |
| 04:48:49 | LET'S LOOK AT THE FACTS. THIS BILL WAS CALLED ON FRIDAY FRIDAY, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY CORRECTLY. |
| 04:48:59 | AND WE HAD A MOTION TO PROCEED PROCEED. |
| 04:49:03 | NECESSARILY, SINCE EVERYBODY WAS LEAVING TOWN, I WANTED TO DISCUSS IT AND WANTED TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO. |
| 04:49:08 | I OBJECTED TO THE MOTION TO PROCEED, AND I GUESS IT WAS THURSDAY NIGHT -- IT'S ALREADY A WEEK NOW. |
| 04:49:18 | AND I GUESS THEY DISCUSSED AND VOTED ON OTHER MATTERS ON FRIDAY AND SET THIS AGAIN FOR MONDAY'S DISCUSSION. |
| 04:49:26 | BUT WE LOST OUR WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE, SENATOR CHAFEE, AND SO IN RESPECT TO HIM, WE DIDN'T DEBATE ANYTHING. |
| 04:49:34 | BUT WE ALL EXPRESSED OUR SYMPATHY AND DEEP SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL LOSS OF HAVING A WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE LIKE THIS WHO WAS SO CONSIDERATE AND SO MODERATE IN THE SENSE OF LISTENING TO BOTH SIDES AND WILLING TO DISCUSS IT. |
| 04:49:52 | SO WE WENT ON TUESDAY, AND WE MADE OPENING STATEMENTS AGAIN. |
| 04:49:58 | SENATOR MOYNIHAN AND SENATOR ROTH AND MYSELF. |
| 04:50:02 | I HAD TO LEAVE, BUT IT WAS THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED ALL DAY TUESDAY. |
| 04:50:09 | ON WEDNESDAY, I WAS PREPARED, HAVING RETURNED EARLY IN THE MORNING -- I HAD TO TESTIFY BEFORE A COUNCIL MEETING BACK IN MY OWN HOMETOWN ON TUESDAY EVENING, BUT I WAS BACK HERE EARLY. |
| 04:50:19 | I HAD THE AMENDMENT -- MR. |
| 04:50:22 | REID: THAT'S BECAUSE YOUR HOUSE BURNED DOWN? |
| 04:50:25 | MR. |
| 04:50:26 | HOLLINGS: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. |
| 04:50:28 | AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS, ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE SIDE AGREEMENTS ABOUT NAFTA. |
| 04:50:31 | WE WERE BEING SOLD THAT THIS WAS GOOD BECAUSE OF NAFTA, AND NAFTA HAD WORKED. |
| 04:50:34 | THAT WAS A MATTER OF DISPUTE. |
| 04:50:36 | BUT IN ANY EVENT, AT LEAST WE NEEDED SIDE AGREEMENTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND LABOR, REST PROS -- REST PROS ISITY AND OTHERWISE. |
| 04:50:44 | SO I ASKED THE STAFF, EVEN THOUGH I WAS GONE AND I HAD THE AMENDMENTS, AND WHEN I TOOK THE FLOOR ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, THEY WOULDN'T LET ME HAVE THE FLOOR. |
| 04:50:52 | I SAID, I JUST WANTED TO DISCUSS THE AMENDMENT. |
| 04:50:56 | AND THEY HAD ALREADY CALLED A QUORUM AND THE LEADERSHIP SAID NO. |
| 04:51:00 | WE STOOD AROUND FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF. |
| 04:51:02 | I WANT THE RECORD TO SHOW THAT THEY WAITED FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR THE LEADER TO COME NOT TO ALLOW ANY DISCUSSION. |
| 04:51:11 | I HAD GOTTEN UP TWICE AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE YOU CONSENT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR AMENDMENTS, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND. |
| 04:51:16 | AND THEN THE LEADER COMES AND THEY CALL THE SO-CALLED FILL UP THE TREE BUT REALLY PUT IT IN FAST-TRACK. |
| 04:51:23 | NAMELY, I COULDN'T OR YOU COULDN'T OR ANYBODY ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE PRESENT ANY AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:51:30 | NOW, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE -- THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS, YOU CAN GET YOUR AMENDMENT IN AT THE COMMITTEE HEARING. |
| 04:51:36 | YOU CAN GET YOUR AMENDMENT IN WHEN THE LEADER PUTS DOWN THE MANAGERS' AMENDMENT. |
| 04:51:43 | YOU CAN GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF THERE. |
| 04:51:46 | OR YOU CAN DO, SENATOR ASHCROFT FROM MISSOURI, GET THE LEADER TO CALL DOWN THE LAST AMENDMENT, COME TO THE FLOOR AND PUT UP HIS AGRICULTURAL AMENDMENT IN THE SAME BREATH THAT HE SAYS THAT THE SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA'S AGRICULTURAL AMENDMENT IS IRRELEVANT. |
| 04:52:04 | THAT'S HOW GOSH, HOW ARROGANT, HOW UNSENATORIAL THIS THING IS IS. |
| 04:52:10 | I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. |
| 04:52:13 | THEY JUST LOCK YOU OUT AND SAY, AS HAS BEEN POINTED OUT HERE, WE FILLED UP THE TREE BUT ONLY THE MEMBERS ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE CAN ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THE TREE. |
| 04:52:24 | AND NOW HERE WE ARE. |
| 04:52:26 | SO DON'T HAVE THE MAJORITY LEADER COME BACK HERE AND HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SAY, OH, THESE ARE IMPORTANT MATTERS. |
| 04:52:32 | YOU ALL WANT TO FILIBUSTER. |
| 04:52:33 | HE'S THE ONE. |
| 04:52:35 | I TOLD HIM, UP AND DOWN, I'D TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO A SIDE ON AMENDMENTS AND WE'D HAVE A ROLL CALL. |
| 04:52:41 | HE DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE THIS SUBJECT UP. |
| 04:52:46 | AND WE OUGHT TO HAVE MEMBERS ON THAT SIDE HAVING AT LEAST THE MANHOOD TO GET UP AND SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, THESE ARE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. |
| 04:53:00 | I WOULD THINK THAT SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 04:53:04 | IT'S BEEN -- THEY SAY 83% OF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA FAVOR IT IT. |
| 04:53:07 | WE KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION IS. |
| 04:53:09 | AND YET THEY WON'T EVEN BACK UP AND COME UP AND EVEN BROACH THE SUBJECT. |
| 04:53:16 | THEY DON'T WANT THE SUBJECT TO COME UP. |
| 04:53:19 | SO ALL WE'RE HEARING WHEN THE LEADER COMES IS THAT THIS IS A TOUGH JOB AND THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO, AND I'D BE GLAD TO TAKE TWO OR THREE AMENDMENTS. |
| 04:53:28 | I SAID, WAIT A MINUTE. |
| 04:53:29 | I'LL BE GLAD TO OFFER TWO AMENDMENTS RIGHT NOW, FIVE MINUTES TO A SIDE AND TEN MINUTES WE'LL VOTE. |
| 04:53:35 | TAKE 20 MINUTES TO A HALF AN HOUR WITH DISCUSSION AND VOTES VOTES, AND WE'D BE THROUGH WITH IT. |
| 04:53:40 | INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, IT'S A CLOSEOUT OF DISCUSSING IMPORTANT SUBJECTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 04:53:48 | SO HERE IT IS FROM FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK COMING ALL THE WAY TO THURSDAY NIGHT. |
| 04:53:58 | I ABSOLUTELY OPPOSE YOU GETTING THE FLOOR WHATSOEVER TO DISCUSS IT. |
| 04:54:00 | AND ALL OF THESE SUBJECTS -- WHETHER SOCIAL SECURITY, WHETHER IT'S THE EDUCATION MEASURES EVERYTHING ELSE THAT EVERYBODY'S INTERESTED IN, WHETHER IT'S THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS, HEALTH MATTERS OR ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT -- THEY'RE SAYING WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GET IN OUR SPENDING AND TRY OUR DEAD-LEVEL BEST TO GET IN OUR SPENDING UNDER THE COLOR OF NOT USING SOCIAL SECURITY AT THE VERY SAME TIME THAT EVEN THEIR OWN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE SAYS YOU'VE ALREADY SPENT $18 BILLION. |
| 04:54:33 | MR. |
| 04:54:34 | REID: MAY I SAY TO THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA BEFORE I GIVE UP THE FLOOR, WE'VE TALKED TODAY ABOUT A COUPLE OF VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS UNDERLYING LEGISLATION TO SHOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ACCOMPLISH HERE BECAUSE THEY PUT STUFF IN THE GRAVEYARD, IN THE DUMP YARD. |
| 04:54:50 | THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS SPOKEN OUT MORE VIVIDLY AND CLEARLY THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THIS BODY ABOUT THE NEED FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. |
| 04:55:01 | AND I HAVE SUPPORTED THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I THINK WE CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. |
| 04:55:11 | DOES THE SENATOR AGREE? |
| 04:55:12 | MR. |
| 04:55:13 | HOLLINGS: YES, SIREE. |
| 04:55:15 | I'M READY TO BRING IT UP. |
| 04:55:17 | OR I'M A REALIST. |
| 04:55:19 | LET'S BRING UP SHAYS-MEEHAN, THAT PASSED ON A STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTE OVER ON THE HOUSE SIDE, SO YOU THINK IT COULD BE VOTED UPON. |
| 04:55:26 | VOTED UPON. NOT EVEN FURTHER DISCUSSED. |
| 04:55:28 | 30 SECONDS TO A SIDE AND VOTE. |
| 04:55:32 | THEY WON'T LET YOU VOTE. MR. |
| 04:55:33 | REID: I WOULD ALSO SAY TO MY FRIEND, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TALK HERE TODAY ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:55:36 | I WANT THE RECORD TO BE SPREAD WITH THE FACT THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS WHO HAS BEEN THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ON MAKING SURE THAT WE DO NOT USE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. |
| 04:55:53 | THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA CAROLINA, YOU AND I ATTENDED MEETINGS UP AT THE SHERATON HOTEL. |
| 04:55:58 | WE'VE ATTENDED MEETINGS AROUND WHEN THERE WAS JUST A FEW OF US, AS THE SENATOR WILL REMEMBER, FIGHTING THIS ONSLAUGHT TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. |
| 04:56:07 | THE SENATOR RECALLS THE GRIEF AND THE EDITORIALS THAT WERE WRITTEN ABOUT US BECAUSE WE SAID IT'S WRONG TO USE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUSES. |
| 04:56:15 | DOES THE SENATOR REMEMBER THAT? |
| 04:56:16 | MR. HOLLINGS: I REMEMBER IT VERY, VERY VIVIDLY. |
| 04:56:18 | THE TRUTH IS THAT I FINALLY SAID, LET'S CUT OUT THE CHARADE, LET'S GO TO SOCIAL SECURITY ITSELF. |
| 04:56:30 | KEN APPLE, WHO IS THE ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:56:33 | I SAID, YOU FOLKS WRITE THE BILL, SO RATHER THAN I. |
| 04:56:35 | O.U.'S IN THE DESK DRAWER AND USING SOCIAL SECURITY MONEYS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT UP A LOCKBOX, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S A TRUE, HONEST-TO-GOODNESS LOCKBOX. |
| 04:56:46 | SO HE WROTE THE MEASURE. |
| 04:56:47 | AND I INTRODUCED THE MEASURE BACK IN JANUARY. |
| 04:56:51 | IT WENT TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, UPON WHICH I SERVE. |
| 04:56:53 | I'VE ASKED FOR A HEARING. |
| 04:56:54 | I CAN'T EVEN GET A HEARING. |
| 04:56:56 | THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT A TRUTH LOCKBOX. |
| 04:56:59 | MR. |
| 04:57:00 | REID: AND THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, IF HE SO CHOSE CHOSE, COULD BE THE RANKING MEMBER OR IF THE MAJORITY, YOU WOULD BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE, IS THAT NOT TRUE? |
| 04:57:07 | MR. |
| 04:57:08 | HOLLINGS: OH, YES, SIR. |
| 04:57:09 | I WAS THE CHAIRMAN UNDER PRESIDENT CARTER. |
| 04:57:11 | MR. |
| 04:57:12 | REID: SO IT'S NOT AS IF YOU'RE A JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. |
| 04:57:15 | YOU'RE THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND YOU CAN'T EVEN HAVE A HEARING ON I BILL? |
| 04:57:19 | MR. HOLLINGS: I'VE BEEN ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, I HELPED WITH MUSKIE. |
| 04:57:22 | WE WROTE THE LAW. |
| 04:57:23 | AND I'VE BEEN ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE EVER SINCE IT CAME INTO LAW, INTO BEING. |
| 04:57:30 | SO I'VE BEEN ON THAT BUDGET COMMITTEE. |
| 04:57:33 | I THINK SENATOR DOMENICI AND MYSELF ARE THE ONLY TWO REMAINING MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THERE EVER SINCE THE INSTITUTION OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. |
| 04:57:37 | MR. |
| 04:57:38 | REID: AND FINALLY, I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, THE DEBATE HERE IS NOT OVER THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA DOING -- YOU'RE NOT THE REASON THIS BILL ISN'T GOING FORWARD. |
| 04:57:52 | THE REASON THIS BILL'S NOT GOING FORWARD IS BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT. |
| 04:58:00 | I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WOULD ASSUME YOU MIGHT WANT TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT ON MINIMUM WAGE, OR YOU MIGHT WANT TO OFFER THE SHAYS-MEEHAN BILL. |
| 04:58:06 | AND YOU WOULD AGREE TO FIVE MINUTES ASIDE ON EACH ONE OF THOSE. |
| 04:58:09 | SO WE'VE HAD SEVEN DAYS AND WE ADD THOSE TOGETHER, 20 MINUTES OUT OF SEVEN DAYS ISN'T TOO MUCH TIME, IS IT? |
| 04:58:16 | MR. HOLLINGS: NOT AT ALL. |
| 04:58:17 | NOT AT ALL. AND THAT'S WHAT WE EMPHASIZE, THAT IT ISN'T A MATTER OF TIME AND HOLDING UP OR FILIBUSTER OR ANY OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS. |
| 04:58:23 | IT IS THESE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS WILL NOT BE TOUCHED UPON POLITICALLY BECAUSE ALL THAT'S BEING DONE IS LOOKING AT THE NEXT ELECTION AND LOOKING AT THE POLLS AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 04:58:39 | AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE UNPOPULAR VOTES MADE. |
| 04:58:41 | SO YOU'RE PROTECTED WITH THIS ARROGANT KIND OF THING OF FILLING UP THE TREE, INSTITUTING FAST-TRACK, NO AMENDMENTS EXCEPT THE ONES I CHECK THROUGH WITH. |
| 04:58:52 | AND I HOPE THIS IS PUBLICIZED. |
| 04:58:55 | I HOPE THEY HAVE A CONSCIENCE AND THEY'LL QUIT THIS NONSENSE SO WE CAN SAVE TIME, DISCUSS THE SUBJECTS, BE VOTED UP OR DOWN AND MOVE ON LIKE AN ORDERLY BODY. |
| 04:59:10 | I SUGGEST -- AS YOU WERE. |
| 04:59:12 | MR. |
| 04:59:13 | FITZGERALD: MR. PRESIDENT? |
| 04:59:14 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: STHOM ILLINOIS. |
| 04:59:15 | MR. FITZGERALD: MR. |
| 04:59:16 | PRESIDENT, I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OR TWO TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN LEVELED ON THE FLOOR HERE. |
| 04:59:21 | AFTER LISTENING TO THE COLLOQUY THAT HAS GONE ON FOR SOME TIME, THE ONLY THING THAT I THINK IS ACCURATE OUT OF IT IS THAT I WOULD AGREE, MY FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS FOUGHT FOR YEARS TO BAN CONGRESS FROM PLUNDERING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 04:59:37 | HE HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THAT FIGHT. |
| 04:59:41 | BUT THE ONE THING THAT I WOULD POINT OUT IS THAT THE WHOLE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAS BEEN VOTING TIME AND TIME AGAIN THIS YEAR AGAINST DOING JUST THAT -- LOCKING UP THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS SO THAT IT CAN'T BE SPENT ON OTHER PROGRAMS. |
| 04:59:59 | EVER SINCE THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM WAS CREATED, ALL THE MONEY THAT'S BEEN POURED INTO IT THAT'S OVER AND ABOVE THAT NECESSARY TO PAY CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT AND SPENT ON OTHER PROGRAMS. |
| 05:00:19 | AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT. |
| 05:00:20 | AND I AND MY FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AGREE WITH THAT. |
| 05:00:23 | AND I KNOW, SENATOR HOLLINGS, AS YOU HAVE SAID BEFORE, IF SOMEBODY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WERE TO REACH INTO AN EMPLOYEE'S PENSION FUND AND TAKE THAT MONEY OUT AND SPEND IT FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE EMPLOYEE'S PENSION, THEY'D GO TO JAIL UNDER LAWS THAT WE IN CONGRESS HAD PASSED. |
| 05:00:43 | AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AS WELL, THAT A FEW YEARS BACK, CONGRESS MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANYBODY IN STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAID ONE OF THEIR PENSION FUNDS. |
| 05:00:55 | AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CONGRESS MOVE FORWARD NOW TO ONCE AND FOR ALL BAN THE PLUNDERING OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND SO THAT WE ARE SETTING ASIDE MONEY AND ARE IN A BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION COME THE YEAR 2015 TO PAY THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS OF THE BABY BOOMERS AS THEY RETIRE. |
| 05:01:24 | NOW, I HAVE TO SAY THAT IF, INDEED, MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE IN FAVOR OF BANNING CONGRESS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON FROM SPENDING SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS ON OTHER PROGRAM, THEN WHY HAS IT BEEN THAT THEY HAVE VOTED AGAINST CLOTURE ON OUR SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX PROPOSAL TIME AND TIME AGAIN THIS YEAR? |
| 05:01:48 | AND IT'S FOR THAT REASON THAT I DISAGREE WITH MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA, WHO SAID SOME OF THOSE TELEVISION ADS SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT SHE THOUGHT THE CRITICISM WAS UNFAIR. |
| 05:01:58 | I DON'T THINK IT'S UNFAIR. |
| 05:01:59 | HOW CAN YOU VOTE AGAINST THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX BUT THEN SAY THAT YOU REALLY DO WANT TO PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY? |
| 05:02:10 | I THINK IT'S A VERY FAIR POINT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN MAKING. |
| 05:02:12 | IT'S A FAIR CRITICISM OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 05:02:14 | AND FURTHERMORE, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAS PROPOSED ONE NEW SPENDING BILL AFTER THE OTHER. |
| 05:02:27 | AND WE HAVE NO SURPLUS OTHER THAN FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 05:02:31 | AND SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE MORE SPENDING, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY? |
| 05:02:35 | THE ONLY PLACE TO TAKE IT, UNLESS YOU'RE PROPOSING A TAX INCREASE, IS TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 05:02:43 | NOW, ISN'T IT INTELLECTUALLY DISHONEST TO STAND HERE AND SAY SAY, WE SUPPORT PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY BUT AT THE SAME TIME GET UP AND PROPOSE A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW SPENDING BILLS THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO PAY FOR WITHOUT EITHER A TAX INCREASE OR ANOTHER RAID ON SOCIAL SECURITY SECURITY? |
| 05:03:01 | SO MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE SIDE, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I THINK THE CRITICISM HAS BEEN FAIR. |
| 05:03:10 | AND YOU HAVE SAID, MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA SAID THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT SOME OF YOUR PROPOSALS IN WHAT YOU CALL THE LEGISLATIVE GRAVEYARD. |
| 05:03:20 | BUT DON'T FORGET THOSE TIMES THIS SUMMER AND BEFORE THIS SUMMER WHEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN AGAIN, MY DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS PUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX PROGRAM IN THE GRAVEYARD, FROM WHICH IT STILL HAS NOT EMERGED. |
| 05:03:38 | IT'S ONLY BEEN WITH REPEATED PRESSURE FROM THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION AND ON THE APPROPRIATORS THAT WE HAVE LARGELY BEEN ABLE TO SET ASIDE THE MONEY THAT IS IN SURPLUS IN SOCIAL SECURITY SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE SPENT ON OTHER PROGRAMS. |
| 05:03:56 | AND I'M HOPEFUL, SENATOR HOLLINGS, THAT SOMEDAY I CAN WORK WITH YOU, THAT WE GET THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE PROTECTION FOR THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS. |
| 05:04:06 | RIGHT NOW WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOCKBOX, WE'RE REALLY JUST TALKING ABOUT USING THAT MONEY TO PAY DOWN THE GOVERNMENT DEBT, THE DEBT THAT IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN GOVERNMENT BONDS. |
| 05:04:16 | WE'RE REALLY STILL NOT AT THE POINT WHERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT CREATING A REAL TRUST FUND THAT HAS REALLY -- THAT HAS REAL MONEY IN IT THAT'S AVAILABLE TO PAY BENEFITS. |
| 05:04:26 | AND I THINK SOMEDAY WE NEED TO MAKE THAT TRUST FUND A REAL TRUST FUND. |
| 05:04:29 | BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, IN ORDER TO CROSS THAT LINE, WE DO HAVE TO HAVE THE GREAT NATIONAL DEBATE AS TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO INVEST THAT MONEY. |
| 05:04:39 | BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND A REAL FUND -- AND I FAVOR DOING THAT -- WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CROSS A THRESHOLD ISSUE OF WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THAT REAL MONEY TO BE INVESTED IN. |
| 05:04:49 | AND UNTIL WE'VE HAD THAT DEBATE AND REACHED CONSENSUS ON THAT ISSUE, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE TAKE THAT $3. |
| 05:04:58 | 5 TRILLION IN DEBT THAT WE NOW OWE TO PEOPLE WHO OWN GOVERNMENT BONDS IN THIS COUNTRY AND ALL AROUND THE WORLD AND USE THE SOCIAL SECURITY EXCESS TO PAY DOWN THAT DEBT. |
| 05:05:10 | THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST USE OF THE MONEY, AND IT IS FAR, FAR SUPERIOR TO TAKING IT AND FRITTERING IT AWAY ON OTHER PROGRAMS AND LEAVING OUR EXTERNAL DEBT AT SUCH HIGH LEVELS. |
| 05:05:24 | AND I WANT TO AGAIN COMPLIMENT MY FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN THE ONE PERSON WHO I HAVE FOUND IN THIS SENATE AGREES WITH ME ON THIS ISSUE, THAT IT'S WRONG FOR WASHINGTON TO BE TELLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS WHEN, IN FACT, THE NATIONAL DEBT IS STILL GOING UP. |
| 05:05:44 | IT'S GOING TO GO UP ALMOST $100 BILLION. |
| 05:05:47 | THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT I HAVE HAD COMING TO WASHINGTON -- HERE, I'M A FIRST YEAR FRESHMAN SENIORITY -- AND COMING FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR BACKGROUND IN BANKING, THE SINGLE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT I HAVE HAD IS GETTING USED TO THE WASHINGTON MATH. |
| 05:06:03 | AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THAT FIRST BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THEY SAID, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF SURPLUSES BETWEEN NOW AND 2015, AND I LOOKED AT THE BACK OF THE BUDGET, IT HAS SCHEDULED THE NATIONAL DEBT, AND I SAW THE NATIONAL DEBT'S GOING UP EVERY YEAR. |
| 05:06:17 | WELL, HOW CAN THE NATIONAL DEBT BE RISING IF WE'RE RUNNING SURPLUSES? |
| 05:06:23 | OBVIOUSLY, THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. |
| 05:06:26 | THAT'S ACCOUNTING STRIKES THAT IF ANYBODY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR USED THAT KIND OF ACCOUNTING, THEY WOULD BE IN JAIL. |
| 05:06:32 | THEY WOULD HAVE ANKLE BRACELETS ON. |
| 05:06:34 | THAT'S A DISGRACE. |
| 05:06:36 | AND IT IS MISLEADING. |
| 05:06:38 | AND FRANKLY I THOUGHT THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS WHERE HE GOT UP AND TOLD THE COUNTRY THAT WE ARE GOING TO PAY OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT BY 2015, I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY RECKLESS OF HIM TO SO MISLEAD PEOPLE, BECAUSE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT ONE OF ONLY TWO COMPONENTS OF OUR NATIONAL DEBT. |
| 05:06:55 | THERE IS TWO COMPONENTS OF OUR NATIONAL DEBT. |
| 05:06:58 | DEBT WE HE OWE TO PEOPLE WHO OWN GOVERNMENT BONDS, AND THEN DEBT WE OWE TO PENSION AND TRUST FUND LIKE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND, THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION FUND AND THE PRESIDENT -- WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO HAS A WELL-DESERVED REPUTATION FOR CHOOSING HIS WORDS CAREFULLY -- AND I HAVE TO SAY I LOOKED AT HIS STATEMENT I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING THAT HE SAID THAT WAS INACCURATE. |
| 05:07:20 | HE SAID WE WERE GOING TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT OWEDED TO THE PUBLIC BY 2015. |
| 05:07:25 | WHAT HE DID NOT TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- AND WHAT CONGRESS HAS NOT TOLD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- IS THAT THE OTHER PORTION OF THE NATIONAL DEBT THAT PORTION OWED TO GOVERNMENT PENSION AND TRUST FUND, IS GOING TO QUADRUPLE BETWEEN NOW AND 2015. |
| 05:07:44 | NOW SENATOR HOLLINGS HAS USED THE ANALOGY AT ONE POINT THAT'S LIKE A FAMILY THAT HAS A VISA OVER HERE AND A MASTERCARD OVER HERE. |
| 05:07:53 | NOW YOU WOULDN'T, IN YOUR OWN FAMILY LIKES, GO HOME AND UNCORK THE CHAMPAGNE IF YOU HAD PAID DOWN YOUR VISA BUT PUT EVEN MORE DEBT ON YOUR MASTERCARD. |
| 05:08:05 | SUCH A DUBIOUS REFINANCING IS NO CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. |
| 05:08:08 | AND YET ALL OVER WASHINGTON THEY ARE UNCORKING THE CHAMPAGNE BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING DOWN ONE PORTION OF THE NATIONAL DEBT AND THOUGHT TELLING ANYBODY THAT THE OTHER PORTION IS CONTINUING TO SKYROCKET. |
| 05:08:19 | SO WITH THAT, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR AND YES, I WILL YIELD FOR A QUESTION. |
| 05:08:28 | MR. REID: THE SENATOR TALKED ABOUT THE LOCKBOX BILL THAT WAS BEFORE THE SENATE. |
| 05:08:32 | DOES THE SENATOR AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE THAT THE DEMOCRATS, THE MINORITY, SHOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER ONE AMENDMENT ON YOUR LOCKBOX PROPOSAL? |
| 05:08:42 | MR. |
| 05:08:43 | FITZGERALD: WELL, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH YOU ORGAN AMENDMENT. |
| 05:08:46 | I WOULD CERTAINLY BE HAPPY TO VOTE ON IT. |
| 05:08:50 | MR. REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS, I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR INDICATING THAT YOU DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. |
| 05:08:57 | NEITHER DO WE. |
| 05:08:58 | THAT'S ALL THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT. |
| 05:09:00 | THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A LOCKBOX PROPOSAL, THE MAJORITY, AND WE DO, TOO. |
| 05:09:03 | WHAT WE THINK SHOULD HAPPEN IS THAT YOU OFFER YOURS, WE OFFER OURS, WE HAVE A DEBATE ON IT. |
| 05:09:08 | THAT'S WHAT THIS BODY IS ALL ABOUT. |
| 05:09:11 | AND I HAVE FOLLOWED THE SHORT CAREER IN THE SENATE OF THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS AND I HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPRECIATED I THINK YOU HAVE TAKEN TOUGH VOTES AGAINST THE MAJORITY IN OPPOSITION TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 05:09:27 | I THINK THAT'S GOOD. I WOULD ONLY SAY THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY DEBATE IS ONE WHERE WE SHOULD BE HONEST WITH ONE ANOTHER. |
| 05:09:36 | AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY IS THAT THERE ARE ADS RUNNING AROUND AMERICA, SPONSORED BY THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND THE R. |
| 05:09:49 | N.C., REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, WHERE THEY SAY WITH THIS CONGRESS, THIS YEAR, THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE SPENDING SOCIAL SECURITY MONEY. |
| 05:09:56 | AND I WOULD SAY TO MY FRIEND, WE'VE DONE OUR BEST TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THAT SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE, AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL, OF WHICH I THINK THAT THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS HAS THE ABILITY TO BE ONE OF THOSE, TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THOSE KINDS OF ADS. |
| 05:10:14 | THEY ADD NOTHING TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS. |
| 05:10:16 | THEY ONLY TAKE AWAY FROM IT. |
| 05:10:18 | AND THAT'S THE POINT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY. |
| 05:10:22 | THOSE ADS ARE DISINGENUINE, THEY ARE WRONG. |
| 05:10:27 | THANK YOU, SENATOR. MR. |
| 05:10:28 | FITZGERALD: SENATOR REID, I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT. |
| 05:10:31 | I STATED EARLIER I THINK THE ADS ARE FAIR IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE LOCKBOX SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR. |
| 05:10:38 | BUT CERTAINLY YOU WOULD AGREE THAT SOMETIMES YOUR PARTY HAS RUN ADS. |
| 05:10:42 | I WAS THE RECIPIENT OF $3 MILLION WORTH OF SOFT MONEY ADS THAT ACCUSED ME OF WANTING TO DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT TAKE AWAY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 05:10:57 | SO WHAT HAS MAINLY COME OUT OF THIS COLLOQUY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE, I THINK, IS YOU HAVE STATED A VERY GOOD CASE TORE WHY IT IS BETTER TO BE IN THE MAJORITY THAN IN THE MINORITY. |
| 05:11:08 | MR. REID: I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS, YOU LEARN QUICKLY, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT ISN'T HOW THIS BODY HAS RUN IN THE PAST. |
| 05:11:16 | FOR OVER 200 YEARS THIS BODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO SURVIVE ON COMITY. |
| 05:11:21 | YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THE MINORITY HAS RIGHT. |
| 05:11:23 | THERE WAS A TIME NOT LONG AGO WHEN THE DEMOCRATS HAD A VETO PROOF MAJORITY IN THIS PARTY, BUT YET THE REPUBLICANS WERE NOT TREATED BADLY. |
| 05:11:31 | WE FEEL, AND I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS, DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED AGAINST NO LOCKBOX PROVISION. |
| 05:11:38 | WE HAVE VOTED TO SUSTAIN OUR RIGHTS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR LOCKBOX PROPOSAL SO THERE COULD BE A DEBATE. |
| 05:11:47 | IF IN FACT YOU THINK THOSE ADS ARE RUNNING BECAUSE WE VOTED AGAINST LOCKBOX, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THAT YOU NEED TO STUDY THE ISSUE MORE FISCAL AT THE TIME. |
| 05:11:58 | MR. FITZGERALD: TO MY FRIEND FROM NEVADA, I WONDER IF THERE ARE ANY SENATE RULES THAT HAVE CHANGED INTEREST THE TIME THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN IN THE MAJORITY TO NOW WHEN THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE MAJORITY THAT YOU WOULD IDENTIFY THAT YOU THINK HAVE UNFAIRLY CUT OFF THE RIGHTS EVER THE MINORITY. |
| 05:12:15 | HAVE ANY RULES CHANGED? |
| 05:12:16 | MR. |
| 05:12:17 | REID: I SAY IN RESPONSE TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 05:12:20 | THE RULES HAVEN'T CHANGED. |
| 05:12:21 | THE FACT IS, HOWEVER, THAT THE MAJORITY IS TREATING THIS BODY NOT LIKE THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT IT TRADITIONALLY HAS BEEN THE RULES HAVE HELD HERE, THAT IT IS THE UNITED STATES SENATE, THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS, BUT IN FACT THIS BODY IS NOW BEING TREATED LIKE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHERE A BILL COMES UPON THE FLOOR, THERE IS A RULE OFFERED, AND THAT'S IT. |
| 05:12:43 | THE SO-CALLED TREE IS TIED UP, WE CAN OFFER NO AMENDMENTS AND WE ARE LOCKED OUT OF OFFERING AMENDMENTS. |
| 05:12:49 | THAT'S WHAT THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN SAYING TODAY. |
| 05:12:52 | ALL WE WANT TO DO IS OFFER AMENDMENTS. |
| 05:12:54 | AMENDMENTS ON SOMETHING LIKE MINIMUM WAGE -- I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS, SHOULDN'T THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES BE ABLE TO HAVE A DEBATE ON MINIMUM WAGE, I SAY TO MY FRIEND? |
| 05:13:05 | MR. FITZGERALD: I'M SURE AND I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY TO SOME EXTENT. |
| 05:13:09 | WE HAVE ONE OR TWO VOTES I CAN RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR. |
| 05:13:12 | BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW MANY TIMES WILL YOU KEEP BRINGING UP THE SAME ISSUES AS WELL. |
| 05:13:16 | MR. REID: I HAVE THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR MY FRIEND'S INTELLECT BUT THE SENATOR IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG. |
| 05:13:22 | WE HAVE NOT HAD A VOTE THIS YEAR ON MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 05:13:24 | WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE LAST YEAR, WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE THE YEAR BEFORE. |
| 05:13:28 | WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS HAVE A DEBATE, WE WANT TO HAVE AN AMENDMENT OFFERED WHERE WE RAISE MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 05:13:34 | AND WE HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. |
| 05:13:38 | IF THE MAJORITY DOESN'T LIKE IT, FINE. |
| 05:13:41 | THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA SAID HE WOULD AGREE TO A TEN-MINUTE TIME LIMIT ON MINIMUM WAGE. |
| 05:13:47 | I AM NOT SURE I WOULD AGREE TO TEN MINUTES, BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY AGREE TO TWO HOURS. |
| 05:13:51 | I SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS, JUST PICKING THAT ONE ISSUE, DON'T YOU THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE THAT THIS BODY DEBATE MINIMUM WAGE? |
| 05:14:01 | FITZ-PEGADO ABSOLUTELY. |
| 05:14:04 | I AM SURE. MR. |
| 05:14:05 | FITZGERALD: I AM SURE WE WILL AT SOME POINT. |
| 05:14:08 | WHETHER PROCEDURAL OR SUBSTANTIVE ON MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE I TALKED WITH SENATOR KENNEDY ABOUT IT AND HE WAS ACTUALLY PLEASED WITH MY VOTE EARLIER THIS YEAR ON THAT. |
| 05:14:16 | SO I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE HAD SOME VOTES THAT TOUCHED ON THAT AREA. |
| 05:14:19 | BUT I HAVE TO SAY I WAS NOT IN THE SENATE BEFORE THIS YEAR, SO I CAN'T COMMENT ON HOW IT WAS RUN WHETHER THE OTHER SIDE WAS IN THE MAJORITY. |
| 05:14:27 | I DO HAVE TO TELL YOU, THOUGH, MY IMPRESSIONS FROM SPEAKING TO SOME OF MY SENIOR COLLEAGUES ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE, IS THAT THEY FELT IT WAS ALWAYS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BE IN THE MINORITY, AND I THINK THEY PROBABLY OFTEN FELT THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT YOU FEEL NOW. |
| 05:14:44 | BUT WITH THAT, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 05:14:48 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:14:49 | PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 05:14:53 | MR. DURBIN: MR. PRESIDENT? FOR THE LAST SEVERAL HOURS ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE WE HAVE DISCUSSED BASICALLY THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE OVER THE LAST YEAR. |
| 05:15:01 | A LOT OF IT IS FOCUSED ON SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 05:15:06 | IT IS A CURIOUS THING THAT THIS PROGRAM WHICH ONCE WAS SO CONTROVERSIAL HAS NOW BECOME SO UNIVERSALLY LAUDED AND ACCEPTABLE THAT BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES ARE DETERMINE E. |
| 05:15:19 | DETERMINED TO BE PORTRAYED AS THE GUARDIANS OF SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 05:15:23 | COMING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE, THE SAME PARTY OF FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, I THINK OUR PARTY HAS GOOD CLAIM TO THE AUTHOR SHIP OF THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM OF SOCIAL SECURITY, AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN SUSTAINED NOW FOR SOME 62 YEARS PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT. |
| 05:15:44 | HAVING SAID THAT THOUGH, I WOULD CONCEDE THAT OVER THE YEARS WHAT STARTED OUT AS REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION TO SOCIAL SECURITY HAS ME LOAD TO SOME EXTENT AND THEY NOW EMBRACE IT WHERE ONCE THEY CALLED IT SOCIALISM AND BIG GOVERNMENT AND THE NEW DEAL AND FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT RUN AMUCK THEY HAVE NOW COME TO A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION SINCE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES RELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY TO LIVE AN INDEPENDENT AND DECENT LIFE AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT. |
| 05:16:10 | BUT THE DEBATE NOW SEEMS TO FOCUS ON WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE EXCESS MONEY COLLECTED, FOR INSTANCE IN PAYROLL TAXES, FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 05:16:21 | SHOULD THAT MONEY BE ALLOWED TO BE BORROWED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MONEY THEN USED FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE, PAID BACK TO SOCIAL SECURITY WITH INTEREST, OR SHOULD THE MONEY BE HELD SACRED AND A A PART, UNTOUCHABLE. |
| 05:16:36 | THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE THE DEBATE IS. |
| 05:16:39 | AND THE TELEVISION ADS WHICH HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF A LOT OF DEBATE ON THE FLOOR HERE RELATE TO AN EFFORT BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SOON TO BE ANSWERED BY THE DEMOCRATS BLAMING US FOR SOMEHOW SPENDING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 05:16:55 | IT IS AN INTERESTING CLAIM TO MAKE FOR SEVERAL REASONS. |
| 05:16:59 | FIRST, WE ARE THE MINORITY PARTY. |
| 05:17:02 | WE DON'T PASS BILLS HERE, THE REPUBLICANS PASS THE SPENDING BILLS. |
| 05:17:06 | AND SO TO BLAME US FOR A SPENDING BILL WHICH REACHES INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND JUST DEFIES ARITHMETIC AND COMMON SENSE. |
| 05:17:14 | IF THERE HAS BEEN A BILL PASSED, A SPENDING BILL, IT HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP. |
| 05:17:20 | IT HAS COME FORWARD AND BEEN SENT TO THE PRESIDENT PRIMARILY WITH REPUBLICAN VOTES. |
| 05:17:24 | AND FOR THEM TO SUGGEST THAT ONE OF THESE BILLS WENT OVER THE LINE, REACHED INTO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND AND BLAME THE DEMOCRATS FOR IT IS REALLY A STRETCH. |
| 05:17:33 | BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT WE CAN POINT TO, AND IT IS NOT IN THE AREA OF SPENDING BILLS, IT WAS A PROJECT BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO INITIATING AN IDEA OF A MASSIVE TAX CUT. |
| 05:17:48 | A PARTY -- THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH HAD WE MOANED DEFICITS FOR YEARS TO THE POINT OF CALLING FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, NOW WHEN THEY HEARD OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A SURPLUS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ANSWERED BY SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A TAX CUT OF SOME $792 BILLION GIVEN PRIMARILY IF NOT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN AMERICA. |
| 05:18:15 | THEY THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BIG WINNER. |
| 05:18:18 | IT WAS AN ECHO OF SENATOR ROBERT DOLE'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WHERE WHEN HE COULDN'T GET TRACTION AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON HE CAME UP WITH THE DOLE TAX CUT. |
| 05:18:27 | IT DIDN'T WORK FOR SENATOR DOLE THEN, IT CERTAINLY DIDN'T WORK FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY A FEW MONTHS AGO. |
| 05:18:33 | THEY TOOK THIS IDEA BACK TO THE STATES AND PEOPLE UNIVERSALLY SAID WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? |
| 05:18:40 | WHY WOULD YOU, AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF DEFICITS, BE GIVING US $792 BILLION TAX CUT PRIMARILY TO WEALTHY PEOPLE? |
| 05:18:49 | IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING, TAKE THE MONEY, PAY DOWN OUR NATIONAL DEBT, WHICH COSTS US A BILLION DOLLARS A DAY IN INTEREST. |
| 05:18:58 | IF WE HAVE A SURPLUS, MAKE SURE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS SOUND AND SOLID THE FOR DECADES TO COME. |
| 05:19:04 | PUT THE MONEY INTO MEDICARE. |
| 05:19:06 | MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT IS THERE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME OF OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO WILL NEED IT. |
| 05:19:14 | AND IN FACT, THOSE WHO ANALYZED THE REPUBLICAN TAX CUTS SAID, INCIDENTALLY, OF THE $792 BILLION, AT LEAST $83 BILLION OF THAT HAS TO COME OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 05:19:26 | SO THE SAME REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IT IS POINTING ITS FINGER AT DEMOCRATS AND SAYING WE ARE RAIDING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND HAD A TAX CUT PACKAGE PRIMARILY FOR THE WEALTHY WHICH DIPPED ITS HAND INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUND FOR $83 BILLION. |
| 05:19:40 | AND THAT'S A FACT. |
| 05:19:42 | NOW LET TAKE A LOOK AT THE SPENDING BILLS. |
| 05:19:46 | THE REPUBLICAN SPENDING BILLS, KEEPING IN MIND THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES AND HAVE NOW BROKEN FROM THE TRADITION OF CONGRESS WHICH USED TO CALL FOR BIPARTISAN MEETINGS OF THE APPROPRIATIONS MEETINGS THEY ARE VERY PARTISAN NOW. |
| 05:20:02 | I AM A MEMBER OF PROSTITUTE RATIONS COMMIT HOO THE IN THE SENATE AND I WAS IN THE HOUSE. |
| 05:20:06 | FOR YEARS WE WORKED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS IN AN EFFORT TO PASS BILLS. |
| 05:20:11 | SAD 0 TO SAY NOW MANY TIMES WE ARE NOT EVEN CALLED FOR MEETINGS. |
| 05:20:15 | THE REPUBLICANS AUTHOR THESE BILLS AND PUT THEY WILL TOGETHER, BRING THEM TO THE FLOOR, AND BASICALLY THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT MART OF THAT PROCESS. |
| 05:20:23 | SO WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THE CLAIM BY THE REPUBLICANS THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE REACHING INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND? |
| 05:20:29 | WELL, THE MOST RECENT THING WE HAVE TO POINT TO IS A LETTER FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. |
| 05:20:34 | THIS IS ONE OF THE TWO OFFICES WE TURN TO FOR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SUCH AS IF WE INITIATE A CERTAIN PROGRAM, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST US, HOW MUCH WILL THIS PROGRAM COST US EACH MONTH. |
| 05:20:46 | WILL IT ADD TO THE DEFICIT OR TO THE SURPLUS? |
| 05:20:49 | ALL OF THE BASIC QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN BUDGETING. |
| 05:20:55 | THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE HAS TODAY SENT A LETTER -- YESTERDAY, I BELIEVE, TO CONGRESSMAN JOHN SEPARATE, RANKING DEMOCRAT ON THE HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE. |
| 05:21:07 | CONGRESSMAN SPRAT A FRIEND OF MINE AND FORMER COLLEAGUE ASKED WHETHER OR NOT THE SPENDING BILLS ALREADY PASSED BY REPUBLICANS AND SENT TO THE PRESIDENT REACHED INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND? |
| 05:21:19 | AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICIAL, WHICH ENJOYS A REPUTATION PRIMARILY FOR BEING NONPARTISAN REPLIED REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY SPENT $17 BILLION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. |
| 05:21:33 | THEY THEN ASKED THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE IN THE SAME LETTER, WHAT ABOUT THE PROPOSED 1% ACROSS-THE-BOARD REDUCTIONS IN SPENDING WHICH THE REPUBLICANS NOW PROPOSE AS A WAY TO SOLVE ALL OUR PROBLEMS AND GO HOME? |
| 05:21:48 | IT WAS THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE THAT IN THE REPUBLICANS REALLY WANTED TO KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY AND NOT REACHED REACH IN THE TRUST FUND, THAT CERTAINLY 1% ACROSS-THE-BOARD WASN'T GOING TO DO IT. |
| 05:22:00 | THEY HAD TO FIND SOME $17 BILLION MADE UP THAT THEY ALREADY REACHED INTO THE TRUST FUND FOR. |
| 05:22:06 | THEY SHADE IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 4. |
| 05:22:08 | 8% CUT ACROSS-THE-BOARD FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. |
| 05:22:11 | MEAN 5. |
| 05:22:12 | 8% WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT FROM ALL BUDGETS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO AVOID TOUCHES TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND, JUST WITH THE APPROPRIATION BILLS ALREADY ENACTED BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE. |
| 05:22:27 | 5. |
| 05:22:28 | 8%. AND THEN THEY WENT ON TO SAY -- AND THIS IS IMPORTANT CONSIDERING THE REALITY OF POLITICS IN WASHINGTON -- IF YOU TAKE OFF THE TABLE THE DEFENSE BUDGET SAYING THAT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY CANNOT STAND A 5. |
| 05:22:40 | 8% CUT, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PART OF THE AIM ARGUMENT AND VETERANS PROGRAMS WHICH BOTH PARTIES HOLD DEAR, EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT 11. |
| 05:22:56 | 8%. HERE WE ARE DEEP INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. |
| 05:22:57 | WE DON'T HAVE OUR APPROPRIATIONS IN ORDER. |
| 05:22:59 | IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BOOKS AND NOT CUT SOCIAL SECURITY THE REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE TO CUT ALMOST 12% ACROSS-THE-BOARD IN BUDGETS LIKE EDUCATION. |
| 05:23:12 | HEAD START. |
| 05:23:14 | WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN. |
| 05:23:15 | MEALS AND ON WHEELS. |
| 05:23:16 | THINGS THAT SENIOR CITIZENS RELY ON. |
| 05:23:18 | WHAT A CURIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO THE REPUBLICANS TOLD US WE WERE SO AWASH IN MONEY THAT WE COULD GIVE OUT A $792 BILLION TAX CUT TO THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND NOW HAVE COME BACK TO TELL US THAT WE ARE IN SUCH DIRE STRAITS THAT THEY FRANKLY HAVE TO BE CUTTING EDUCATION BY 10% OR 11% IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BOOKS. |
| 05:23:44 | THAT TO ME SHOWS THE BASIC ARGUMENT MADE BY SO MANY OTHERS. |
| 05:23:52 | THE SAD REALITY IS WE COME TO THE END OF THE SESSION AND FIND OURSELVES BEE REST OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. |
| 05:23:57 | HAVING BEEN SENT TO WASHINGTON TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF AMERICA'S FAMILIES, WE HAVE DROPPED THE BALL. |
| 05:24:04 | I HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY IF YOU HELD THE GUN TO THE HEAD OF ANY SENATOR IN THIS BODY AND SAY I'LL SHOOT YOU UNLESS YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP AVERAGE FAMILIES LEAD A BETTER LIFE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY FIRE AWAY. |
| 05:24:19 | CAN'T POINT TO A THING. |
| 05:24:21 | WHAT DID WE DO ON MINIMUM WAGE? |
| 05:24:23 | NOTHING. |
| 05:24:24 | ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. TURNING OUR BACKS ON THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY STUCK AT A MINIMUM WAGE OF $5. |
| 05:24:31 | 15 AN HOUR. |
| 05:24:33 | THE REPUBLICANS WON'T ALLOW US TO EVEN DEBATE THE ISSUE. |
| 05:24:36 | THE GREEDY BIG BUSINESS INTEREST THAT WON'T GIVE WORKING FAMILIES A DECENT LIVING WAGE HAVE PREVAILED OVER THOSE WHO GET UP AND GO TO WORK EVERY SINGLE MORNING. |
| 05:24:46 | PRIMARILY WOMEN, MANY MINORITIES, WORKING AT MINIMUM WAGE, SHOWING THAT THEY BELIEVE IN THE WORK ETHIC AND HOPING THAT THIS BODY AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES FOR THEIR FAMILIES. |
| 05:25:02 | THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS. |
| 05:25:03 | HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN ACROSS ILLINOIS AND MET FAMILIES. |
| 05:25:05 | SAT DOWN WITH THEM, AND DOCTORS, AND NURSES, THEY HAVE TOLD ME HORROR STORY AFTER HORROR STORY TRYING TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED ONLY TO BE TURNED DOWN BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. |
| 05:25:17 | DOCTORS ON TELEPHONES DEBATING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES CLERKS ABOUT SURGERIES AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS THAT THE DOCTOR THINKS ARE NECESSARY. |
| 05:25:27 | AND LOSING THE DEBATE EVERY SINGLE TIME. |
| 05:25:30 | THESE FACELESS BUREAUCRATS IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT MAKE LIFE OR DEATH DECISIONS WITHOUT ANY MEDICAL TRAINING. |
| 05:25:36 | WE WANT TO STOP THAT. |
| 05:25:38 | WE WANT FAMILIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN ACROSS THE TABLE FROM A DOCTOR WHEN ONE IS SERIOUSLY ILL AND BE TREATED IN AN HONEST COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL WAY. |
| 05:25:48 | WE LOST THAT FIGHT ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 05:25:51 | NO, LET ME TAKE THAT BACK. |
| 05:25:53 | WE DIDN'T LOSE THAT FIGHT, AMERICA'S FAMILIES LOST THAT FIGHT HERE. |
| 05:25:57 | AND YOU THOUGH WHO WE LOFT LOST IT TOO? |
| 05:26:00 | ANOTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP. |
| 05:26:02 | THE HEALTH INSURANCE LOBBY PREVAILED BIG TIME IN THIS BODY AND AMERICA'S FAMILIES LOST BIG TIME. |
| 05:26:07 | THAT'S ANOTHER FAILURE OF THIS YEAR THAT WE HAVE SPENT HERE ON CAPITOL HILL. |
| 05:26:12 | CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM? |
| 05:26:13 | THIS IS TRULY A BIPARTISAN ISSUE. |
| 05:26:18 | SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, REPUBLICAN. |
| 05:26:19 | CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA. |
| 05:26:21 | SENATOR RUSS FEINGOLD THAT SITS BEHIND ME HERE. |
| 05:26:24 | DEMOCRAT FROM THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. |
| 05:26:26 | THEY COME FORWARD AND SAY WE HAVE A BIPARTISAN WAY TO TRY TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS, THIS MESS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCING. |
| 05:26:31 | IF HAS EVERYBODY ACROSS AMERICA CYNICAL ABOUT OUR PROCESS. |
| 05:26:35 | THE PRESIDENT SUPPORTS IT. |
| 05:26:37 | IN FACT THE MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS SUPPORT IT. |
| 05:26:39 | 55 VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT. |
| 05:26:40 | NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE SENATE. |
| 05:26:42 | YOU NEED 60 VOTES. |
| 05:26:43 | BUT WE COULDN'T DISLODGE SOME 45 REPUBLICANS, BOUND AND DETERMINED TO KEEP THIS MISERABLE SYSTEM IN PLACE. |
| 05:26:52 | ANOTHER FAILURE OF THIS CONGRESS. |
| 05:26:54 | SENSIBLE GUN CONTROL. |
| 05:26:55 | I CAN TELL YOU WALKING INTO THE CLOAKROOM RIGHT BEHIND THE SENATOR FRUIT HERE HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN STARTLED TO HEAR NEWS FLASH, CNN IS ON, WE ARE IN ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL IN, AMERICA. |
| 05:27:08 | MORE VIOLENCE. |
| 05:27:09 | KIDS BEING SHOT DOWN. |
| 05:27:10 | TEACHERS BEING SHOT. |
| 05:27:11 | THE GRIEF OF PARENTS AND THE VISITS BY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT. |
| 05:27:16 | NEWS MAGAZINES AND SHOWS ON TELEVISION JUST FOCUSING FOR DAYS AND WEEKS ON VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS. |
| 05:27:24 | PEOPLE ACROSS ILLINOIS AND ACROSS AMERICA SAYING SENATOR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE THIS A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE TO PROTECT OUR KIDS IS THIS WELL, WE WORK-UP ALL KINDS OF SPEECHES ON THE FLOOR, BUT WHAT DO WE DO? |
| 05:27:35 | WE HAVE ONE BILL, A SENSIBLE GUN CONTROL BILL WHICH SAYS IF YOU WANT TO BUY A GUN AT A GUN SHOW, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD OR A HISTORY OF VIOLENT MENTAL ILLNESS AND THAT BILL PASSES THE SENATE WITH THE VOTE OF VICE PRESIDENT GORE BREAKING A TIE, GOES OVER TO THE HOUSE AND DISAPPEARS. |
| 05:27:56 | SENSIBLE GUN CONTROL. |
| 05:27:57 | NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR. |
| 05:27:58 | THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY AND THE HOS AND SENATE DON'T WANT TO ACT ON THAT ISSUE. |
| 05:28:03 | I PRAY TO GOD THERE IS NEVER ANOTHER SCHOOL TRAGEDY IN AMERICA. |
| 05:28:08 | BUT IF THERE IS, EACH OF US WILL BE HEALTH ACCOUNTABLE AS TO WHETHER WE DID EVERY WE COULD TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF KIDS AND THOSE WHO WOULD MISUSE THEM, CRIMINALS AND THOSE WITH SERIOUS BACKGROUND PROBLEMS. |
| 05:28:21 | THIS SENATE PASSED A BILL, BARELY, THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS KILLED IT. |
| 05:28:27 | THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, ANOTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, WON, AND AMERICA'S FAMILIES AND SCHOOL KIDS LOST AGAIN. |
| 05:28:36 | 100,000 KEEP E. TEACHERS? |
| 05:28:37 | THIS IS A PROGRAM THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED FOR ONE SIMPLE REASON. |
| 05:28:40 | HE BELIEVES AND I AGREE WITH HIM AS A PARENT THAT RAISED THREE KIDS, IF YOU HAVE FEWER KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR NEEDS. |
| 05:28:47 | I WENT OUT TO WHEATON, ILLINOIS, MET WITH A TEACHER WITH 16 KIDS, SHE WAS PART OF THE PRESIDENT'S PROGRAM AND SAID THANK YOU. |
| 05:28:56 | I CAN HELP THE KIDS FALLING BEHIND, HELP THE GIFTED KIDS IT WORKS BETTER WITH A SMALLER CLASSROOM. |
| 05:29:04 | WHAT PARENT WOULDN'T AGREE WITH THEM? |
| 05:29:05 | I REMEMBER HOW TRANQUIL LIFE WAS WITH ONE CHILD IN OUR HOUSE AND HECTIC IT BECAME WITH A SECOND AND THIRD ARRIVED. |
| 05:29:13 | IMAGINE A CLASSROOM FULL OF KIDS, 15, 20, 25, OR PO KIDS. |
| 05:29:17 | THE PRESIDENT SAID REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE CLASSROOM AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE KIDS THAT CAN READ AND LEARN BASIC MATH AND HAVE A BETTER CHANGES FOR EDUCATION. |
| 05:29:26 | THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO KILL THIS PROGRAM. |
| 05:29:27 | THEY DON'T AGREE WITH THAT PROGRAM. |
| 05:29:30 | LAST YEAR THEY VOTED FOR IT. |
| 05:29:31 | THIS YEAR THEY WANT TO KILL IT. |
| 05:29:33 | THIS IS A PARTISAN BATTLE. |
| 05:29:34 | THE LOSERS IN THIS BATTLE ARE FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA WHO EXPECT US TO DO SOMETHING IN WASHINGTON TO MAKE EDUCATION BETTER FOR OUR KIDS AND GIVE THEM A BETTER CHANCE. |
| 05:29:43 | THE COPS ON THE BEAT PROGRAM. |
| 05:29:44 | I SEE MY FRIEND SENATOR LEAHY ON THE FLOOR FROM VERMONT FROM THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, I WAS PROUD TO SERVE WITH HIM, HE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE COPS PROGRAM, PRESIDENT CLINTON PROGRAM TO SEND POLICE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY POLICING TO REDUCE CRIME. |
| 05:30:01 | YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AFTER WE SENT THESE POLICE OU THE 0 TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO, CAIRO, ILLINOIS, THE CRIME RATE WAS COMING DOWN? |
| 05:30:10 | THE PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO COMMIT CRIME, THERE WERE MORE COPS, A FEW MORE SQUAD CARS, THEY DECIDED NOT TO DO IT. |
| 05:30:17 | THANK GOODNESS. |
| 05:30:19 | THAT MEANT FEWER VICTIMS WOULD RESULT AND LESS CRIME WOULD BE PERPETRATED ON THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. |
| 05:30:24 | AND REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUGHT US TOOTH AND NAIL. |
| 05:30:26 | THEY DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM. |
| 05:30:29 | DESPITE ITS PROVEN SUCCESS. |
| 05:30:31 | THEY HAVE PUT PARTISANSHIP AHEAD OF REALITY. |
| 05:30:34 | THE REALITY IS WE ALL WANT TO BE SAFE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. |
| 05:30:37 | WE WANT OUR KIDS SAFE THIS SKOO SCHOOLS AND THE PRESIDENT HAS A PROGRAM THAT WORKS AND THEY WANT TO KILL IT. |
| 05:30:42 | STOP THE 100,000 COPS PROGRAM. |
| 05:30:44 | THAT IS SO SHORT-SIGHTED. |
| 05:30:46 | AND THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM. |
| 05:30:49 | HERE IS ONE WHERE SENIORS ACROSS AMERICA TELL US, SENATOR DODD FROM CONNECTICUT, SENATOR LEAHY AND OTHERS, THIS IS A REAL CONCERN. |
| 05:30:58 | MAYING THAT BILL EVERY SINGLE MONTH FOR THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT MEDICARE DOESN'T COVER. |
| 05:31:02 | THE PRESIDENT HAS A PLAN TO MOVE US FORWARD. |
| 05:31:03 | NOW THE REPUBLICANS SAY OH, HERE COMES TRA BRAND-NEW PROGRAM. |
| 05:31:08 | THEY HAVE A SELF-FINANCING MECHANISM MERE AS THEY SHOULD TO MAKE SHERN WE DON'T CAUSE ANYMORE PROBLEMS TO THE FISCAL PICTURE IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 05:31:16 | AND I THINK THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD ON THIS PRESIDENTIAL SUGGESTION OF A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SENIORS ACROSS AMERICA. |
| 05:31:26 | SO WE COME TO THE END OF THIS SESSION WITH AN EMPTY BASKET, NOTHING TO SHOW TO THE FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA, OH, WE HAVE DRAWN OUR PAYCHECKS, WE HAVE PUNCHED OUR TIMECARD FOR OUR PENSIONS AND WE ARE HEADED HOME LOOKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT. |
| 05:31:42 | MY BASIC QUESTION TO THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS WHY ARE YOU HERE. |
| 05:31:46 | WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE CALLED LEADERS IN YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAD? |
| 05:31:50 | WHY DO YOU ASK TO SERVE IN THE SENATE WHICH WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE GREATEST DELIBERATIVE BODY IN THE WORLD IF YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO DELIBERATE THESE QUESTIONS? |
| 05:31:59 | WHY ARE YOU AFRAID TO DEBATE THESE QUESTIONS? |
| 05:32:01 | IF YOUR POSITION IS SO SOUND AND SOLID FOR GOODNESS SAKES STAND UP AND DEFEND IT. |
| 05:32:06 | LET ME ARG MU MY BEST POINT OF VIEW YOU DO THE SAME AND LET HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE. |
| 05:32:11 | UP OR DOWN. |
| 05:32:12 | YES OR NO. |
| 05:32:13 | LET IT BE PRINTED IN THE "CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. |
| 05:32:16 | " LET IT BE SEEN BY THE WORLD. |
| 05:32:17 | THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE. |
| 05:32:18 | THAT'S WHY WE RAN FOR THE OFFICES, NOT FOR A TITLE BUT TO DO SOMETHING FOR AMERICA'S FAMILIES. |
| 05:32:23 | AND WE HAVEN'T DONE IT THIS YEAR. |
| 05:32:25 | WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVE TO HELP FAMILIES LEAD A BETTER LIFE. |
| 05:32:29 | WE HAVE LOST OPPORTUNITIES. |
| 05:32:30 | AND I HOPE WE DON'T CONTINUE TO. |
| 05:32:32 | WE HAVE GIVEN INTO SPECIAL INTEREST TILE BE TIME AGAIN. |
| 05:32:35 | WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE INTERESTS OF AMERICA'S FAMILIES. |
| 05:32:38 | I SINCERELY HOPE THAT SENATOR DASCHLE WHO TOOK THIS FLOOR EARLIER PREVAILS. |
| 05:32:42 | THAT HE CAN CONVINCE SENATOR LOTT THE REPUBLICAN LEADER TO FINALLY LET THE SENATE ROLL UP ITS SLEEVES AND GET DOWN TO WORK. |
| 05:32:49 | FOR GOODNESS SAKES THE LAST TWO WEEKS LET'S DO SOMETHING SUBSTANCE. |
| 05:32:53 | LET'S HAVE THE COURAGE TO VOTE ON AN INIRE. |
| 05:32:56 | THIS EFFORT TO STOP DEBATE. |
| 05:32:58 | PUT A GAG RULE ON SENATORS HERE SO WE CAN'T STAND UP AND OFFER AMENDMENT ON ALL ISSUES I MENTIONED FRAJLY IS A TRAVESTY. |
| 05:33:06 | A TRAVESTY NOT ONLY ON THOSE WHO SERVE HERE BUT THE HISTORY OF THIS INSTITUTION WHICH I AM PROUD TO BE PART OF. |
| 05:33:13 | I SINCERELY HOPE SENATOR DASCHLE CAN PREVAIL AND WE CAN HAVE THE DEBATE WHICH MESH R AMERICAN FAMILIES DESERVE. |
| 05:33:18 | I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 05:33:19 | A SENATOR: MR. |
| 05:33:20 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: STROM CONNECTICUT. |
| 05:33:22 | MR. |
| 05:33:23 | DODD: MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT I BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK AS IF IN MORNING BUSINESS. |
| 05:33:27 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 05:33:28 | MR. |
| 05:33:29 | DODD: MR. |
| 05:33:32 | PRESIDENT, I'M, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, TOMORROW, THE SENATE WILL SAY A FOND FAREWELL TO ONE OF ITS LONGEST SERVING EMPLOYEES, SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME MORE THAN 18 YEARS, ALMOST 19 YEARS, KATHY KITE. |
| 05:33:48 | MR. PRESIDENT, KATHY KITE BEGAN HER SENATE SERVICE ALMOST 34 YEARS AGO. |
| 05:33:52 | SHE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING EMPLOYEES IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 05:33:58 | SHE BEGAN HER SERVICE NOVEMBER 1, 1965. |
| 05:34:03 | OBJECT THAT DATE, MR. |
| 05:34:06 | PRESIDENT, KATHY KITE JOINED THE STAFF OF HER HOME STATE SENATOR, ED MUSKIE. |
| 05:34:13 | NEARLY SIX YEARS OF SERVICE WITH SENATOR MUSKIE, KATHY KITE SERVED WITH WASHINGTON, JOHN CULVER OF IOWA, SEVERAL YEARS IN THE 1970'S ON THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BEEN HERE A FEW YEARS WILL RECALL THAT BACK IN THOSE DAYS IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR SENATE STAFF TO BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC STAFF MEMBERS TO SERVE FOR TEMPORARY STINTS ON THEIR CAUCUSES CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES. |
| 05:34:43 | IN FACT AS A HISTORICAL NOTE THE CAMPAIGN OFFICES ARE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THESE BUILDINGS. |
| 05:34:48 | THAT PRACTICE IS LONG SINCE OVER WITH BUT BACK, 25 YEARS, 30 YEARS AGO, THAT WAS NOT UNCOMMON PRACTICE. |
| 05:34:55 | AS I MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET, MR. |
| 05:34:57 | PRESIDENT, FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS AND NINE MONTH, ALMOST 19 YEARS, IT HAS BEEN MY VERY GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE KATHY KIPE AS A MEMBER OF MY STAFF. |
| 05:35:07 | SHE JOINED MY OFFICE A FEW DAYS AFTER I WAS SWORN IN AS A NEW MEMBER OF THIS VERY BODY. |
| 05:35:11 | AND I CAN SAY WITHOUT ANY HESITATION THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY OF OUR TIME, MR. |
| 05:35:16 | PRESIDENT, IN MY OFFICE, HAS BEEN MARKED BY CONSISTENT, OUTSTANDING THOROUGH COMMITMENT ON HER PART TO SERVING NOT ONLY ME AND THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT IN CONNECTICUT BUT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE FROM ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. |
| 05:35:27 | AS A FELLOW NEW ENGLANDER PERHAPS THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT WE CAN BESTOW ON ANY INDIVIDUAL IS TO SAY THAT SHE IS IS TRUE YANKEE. |
| 05:35:36 | KATHY IS A TRUE YANKEE IN ALL THE WONDERFUL MEANINGS OF THAT WORD. |
| 05:35:41 | SHE EPITOMIZES THE VERY BEST VALUES OF OUR REGION OF THE COUNTRY. |
| 05:35:45 | SHE IS DILIGENT AND HARD WORKING, RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS NO MATTER THEIR STATION IN LIFE. |
| 05:35:50 | SHE IS MODEST AND DISCRETE, A PERSON OF FEW WORDS. |
| 05:35:54 | INDEED IN AN ERA AND IN A CITY WHERE THE DUBIOUS QUALITY OF SELF PROMOTION IS RARELY IN SHORT SUPPLY, KATHY SERVES A LIVING REMINDER OF THE TIMELESS VIRTUE OF LET ONE'S WORK SPEAK FOR ITSELF. |
| 05:36:07 | SHE ALSO POSSESSES VIRTUES OF LOYALTY AND DEDICATION. |
| 05:36:11 | SENATORS AND OTHERS WITH WHOM AND FOR WHOM SHE HAS WORKED OVER THE YEARS COULD ALWAYS TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT SHE WOULD BE AT HER DESK EACH MORNING AT 7:00 AS SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME FOR ALMOST 19 YEARS, COME RAIN OR SHINE, SNOW, WHATEVER THE WEATHER, SHE EARNED THE TRUST OF THOSE AROUND HER NOT BY WHAT SHE SAID BY WHAT SHE DID RELIABLY AND SPECIALLY DAY IN AND DAY OUT FOR THESE PAST 34 YEARS. |
| 05:36:37 | MR. |
| 05:36:38 | PRESIDENT, EACH OF US WHO IS PRIVILEGED TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE KNOWS WELL THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING LOYAL AND TALENTED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK WITH US IN THIS WONDERFUL INSTITUTION. |
| 05:36:50 | THESE SERVANTS, THESE PUBLIC SERVANTS, MAY NOT HAVE THEIR NAMES ON ELECTION CERTIFICATES OR IN THE NEWSPAPERS, BUT THEY ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE ABILITY OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO FUNCTION ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 05:37:04 | IN A VERY REAL SENSE, MR. |
| 05:37:06 | PRESIDENT, THEY MAKE THE WHEELS OF THIS DEMOCRACY TURN EVERY SINGLE DAY AND IN SO DOING THEY MAKE THE REAL -- THEY MAKE REAL THE TIMELESS PROMISE OF OUR PREPT GOVERNMENT. |
| 05:37:17 | KATHY CYTE, MR. |
| 05:37:19 | PRESIDENT, HAS DEAD CAUGHTED THEIR WORKING LIFE, ENTIRE WORKING LIFE, TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 05:37:25 | BY HER REVERENCE OVER THE PAST THIRD AFTER STRIRX SHE HAS MADE AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO -- SHE HAS MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS INSTITUTION. |
| 05:37:36 | SHE EPITOMIZES WHAT A SENATE STAFF AMERICAN SHOULD BE. |
| 05:37:40 | SHE HAS RENDERED TRULY EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THIS INDIVIDUAL SENATOR, TO FORMER COLLEAGUES THAT I'VE MENTIONED ALREADY, TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND TO OUR NATION. |
| 05:37:47 | COME NEXT MONDAY MORNING I'LL CALL THE OFFICE. |
| 05:37:50 | I SUPPOSE OUST HABIT, AT AROUND 7:00 OR 7:15. |
| 05:37:54 | AND THAT VOICE WILL NOT BE THERE AS IT HAS BEEN FOR ALMOST 19 YEARS. |
| 05:37:59 | KATHY WILL RETURN TO A PLACE SHE CALLS HOME, HER BELOVED MAINE. |
| 05:38:03 | I KNOW I SPEAK FOR ALL WHO HAVE WORKED WITH HER OVER THESE YEARS, THESE PAST 34 YEARS, IN SAYING "THANK YOU" FOR THAT YOU WILL SHE HAS DONE TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE AND ON THEIR BEHALF, LET ME SAY THAT I WISH HER IN HER RETIREMENT A LIFE FULL OF NEW CHALLENGES, GOOD HEALTH AND MANY OTHER REWARDS THAT SHE SO RICHLY DESERVES FOR THEIR LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE. |
| 05:38:27 | WE THANK YOU, KATHY, FOR A JOB WELL DONE. |
| 05:38:30 | A SENATOR: MR. |
| 05:38:31 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT MR. |
| 05:38:35 | LEAHY: MR. |
| 05:38:36 | PRESIDENT, ON MONDAY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IN THIS BODY, I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THE NEWS THAT -- THE PASSING OF OUR FRIEND AND DEAR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 05:38:53 | I SPOKE OUT AT THAT TIME ON THE FEELINGS THAT BOTH MYSELF AND MY WIFE HAD FOR JOHN AND FOR GINNY AND FOR THE FAMILY. |
| 05:39:01 | I'D LIKE TO EXPAND ON THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE. |
| 05:39:08 | WHEN I SPOKE FIRST, IT WAS OFF THE FLOOR. |
| 05:39:12 | BUT JOHN AND I SPENT SO MUCH TIME IN THIS BODY THAT I FELT IT WOULD BE ONLY APPROPRIATE THAT I SAY SOMETHING HERE. |
| 05:39:17 | BECAUSE I FEEL AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE TO HAVE SERVED WITH HIM. |
| 05:39:24 | I KNOW HIS PRESENCE IS GOING TO BE MISSED GREATLY BY EVERYBODY HERE. |
| 05:39:28 | IT STILL SEEMS STRANGE TO STAND ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND SEE HIS DESK WITH A BLACK SHROUD ON IT AND THE FLOWERS THERE, SOMETHING THAT IN MY 25 YEARS I'VE SEEN SEVERAL TIMES FOR COLLEAGUES. |
| 05:39:46 | YOU ALWAYS HOPE THAT YOU WOULD NOT SEE BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE IT, YOU KNOW WHICHEVER SIDE OF THE AISLE IT'S ON THAT YOU'VE MISSED A MEMBER OF THIS VERY SPECIAL FAMILY. |
| 05:40:01 | THERE ARE ONLY 100 WHO ARE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE AT ANY TIME IN THIS BODY TO REPRESENT A QUARTER OF A BILLION PEOPLE. |
| 05:40:08 | WE HAVE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER OTHER, AFFECTION FOR MANY, AND I THINK IN THIS CASE, WHEN YOU HEAR BHEAS BEEN SAID BY SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, YOU KNOW THE GREAT AFFECTION AND RESPECT THERE WAS FOR JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 05:40:26 | AND IT'S ONLY NAFIRM HE WAS A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY MAN. |
| 05:40:30 | HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO SERVING HIS STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND HIS COUNTRY. |
| 05:40:35 | HE DID SO WITH A COMMITMENT THAT YIELDED MANY BENEFITS TO ALL AMERICANS WAY BEYOND RHODE ISLAND OR NEW ENGLAND. |
| 05:40:44 | HE HAD A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER. |
| 05:40:48 | HE NEVER QUESTIONED WHEN DUTY CALLED, EVEN WHEN IT WAS AT HIS OWN PERSONAL SPEEFIRMBS HE LEFT YALE UNIVERSITY AS AN UNDERGRADUATE TO SERVE IN WORLD WAR II. |
| 05:40:58 | HE RETURNED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN KOREA SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING A LAW DEGREE AT HARVARD. |
| 05:41:03 | HIS CONTRIBUTION TO RHODE ISLAND AND OUR COUNTRY CONTINUED AS GOVERNOR OF HIS STATE, AS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY NAVY, AND AS UNITED STATES SENATOR. |
| 05:41:12 | THE LIST OF POSITIONS HE HELD CRATES A MAN OF RARE QUALITIES, BUT WHAT HE DID IN THOSE POSITIONS IS WHAT PLACES JOHN AMONGST THE FINEST AMERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 05:41:24 | HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT ISSUES, BUT HE HAD THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO SEARCH FOR COMPROMISE AMONG OTHERWISE DIVIDED COLLEAGUES. |
| 05:41:34 | HE NEVER SEEMED TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE SENATE WAS WORKING TOWARD A COMMON GOOD, NOT AN INDIVIDUAL ONE. |
| 05:41:42 | IN TAKING THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR IN 1926 IN A LARGELY DEMOCRATIC STATE, TO HIS FOUR-TERMS IN THE SENATE, JOHN CHAFEE SHOWED THE COUNTRY THAT HE WAS WILLING TO LOOK PAST PARTY LINES AND SEE WHAT WAS AT THE HEART OF THE ISSUE AT HAND. |
| 05:42:00 | HE MADE SO MANY SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SENATE IN THE 24 YEARS HE SERVED IN THIS BODY, AND I WAS PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WITH HIM IN EACH OF THOSE YEARS. |
| 05:42:16 | HE WAS A TIRELESS ADVOCATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. |
| 05:42:21 | HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE IN 1974. |
| 05:42:29 | AVENUES STAUNCH ALLY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS. |
| 05:42:34 | HE WAS ALWAYS ONE OF THE STRONGEST VOICES BEHIND THE PROTECTION OF OUR WETLANDS, AS WAS THE NEED TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING FROM FURTHER PROGRESSION. |
| 05:42:43 | I REMEMBER OUR LATEST LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TOGETHER ON THE SO-CALLED TAKINGS LEGISLATION WHEN JOHN AND I TOOK TO THE SENATE FLOOR DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF STATES AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITIES. |
| 05:42:57 | I'M STHURE MANY IN THE SENATE PROBABLY GREW TIRED AS THE TWO OF US REMINISCED ABOUT NEW ENGLAND CHARACTER AND THE LANDSCAPE WE LOVE SO MUCH. |
| 05:43:06 | AT TIMES DURING THAT DEBATE I THOUGHT THAT THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF RHODE ISLAND AND VERMONT SHOULD PROBABLY HIRE US FOR ALL THE THIVENGS WE WERE SAYING. |
| 05:43:16 | BUT WE MADE OUR POINTS. |
| 05:43:20 | WE MADE OUR POINT. AND IN HEALTH CARE JOHN WAS AN ADVOCATE OF COMPROMISE. |
| 05:43:25 | HIS EFFORT TOSZ STRENGTHEN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID WERE ACTUALLY SEEN AS TRYING TO APEES BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE. |
| 05:43:31 | WHAT HE WAS TRYING DO IS BRING US TOGETHER. |
| 05:43:33 | BECAUSE IN EVERY BEND OF THE ROAD, JOHN WAS AN ADVOCATE OF SERVING HIS COUNTRY TO THE VERY BEST OF HIS ABILITY. |
| 05:43:41 | AND HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THAT IN EVERY DAY OF HIS LIFE. |
| 05:43:45 | I THINK OF ARMS CONTROL ISSUES IN THE 1980'S. |
| 05:43:52 | JOHN CHAFEE, JOHN HEINZ, DALE BUMPERS -- I REMEMBER WORKING WITH THEM -- WE WERE SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "THE GANG OF FOUR" -- AS WE WORKED TOGETHER ON THE NUCLEAR ARMS RACE. |
| 05:44:13 | AS A DECORATED VETERANS TRAN, A RESPECTED VETERAN, A RESPECTED FORMER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, JOHN WAS NOT ONLY AN INSPIRATIONAL STRATEGIST IN THE GANG OF FOUR BUT AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NEEDS FOR AN OPERATIONALLY EFFECTIVE NUCLEAR TRIAD. |
| 05:44:30 | SO ALL OF US LOSE A BELOVED FRIEND, ONE WHO WILL BE MISSED DEARLY IN THE SENATE BUT THE COUNTRY SHOULD KNOW THE COUNTRY HAS SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS. |
| 05:44:42 | HERE IS A MAN WHOSE OUTLOOK AND MORALS OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD. |
| 05:44:49 | AND THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT SENATORS IN THE FUTURE AND THE PRESENT SHOULD EMULATE EMULATE. |
| 05:44:57 | HE WAS AN ANCHOR OF CIVILITY FOR THE SENATE. |
| 05:44:59 | IT IS INTERESTING THAT BOTH HE AND MY DISTINGUISHED PREDECESSOR, THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM VERMONT, BOB STAFFORD, SERVED AS CHAIRMEN OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE. |
| 05:45:17 | BOTH WORKING FOR THE BETTER GOOD. |
| 05:45:21 | AND SO MARCEL AND MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH GINNY AND THE REST OF THE CHAFEE FAMILY, ALSO WITH JOHN CHAFEE'S STAFF, AMONG THE FINEST PEOPLE HERE, HIS EXTENDED FAMILY. |
| 05:45:30 | HE WILL BE MISSED. |
| 05:45:33 | IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR THE 99 REMAINING SENATORS TO HAVE SERVED WITH HIM. |
| 05:45:38 | AND, MR. |
| 05:45:39 | PRESIDENT, I THINK ALL 99 KNOW THAT. |
| 05:45:41 | MR. |
| 05:45:42 | PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 05:45:46 | MR. |
| 05:45:47 | ROTH: MR. |
| 05:45:48 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE. |
| 05:46:00 | MR. |
| 05:46:01 | ROTH: MR. |
| 05:46:02 | PRESIDENT, SOME OF MY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES ARGUED THIS PAST WEEK THAT WE'RE LOSING JOBS IN MANUFACTURING TED KOPPELLY IN TEXTILES AND A-- PARTICULARLY IN TEXTILES AND APPAREL BECAUSE WE HAVE SET THE AMERICAN STANDARD OF LIVING TOO HIGH TO THE MINIMUM WAGE, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, WORKPLACE SAFETY RULES, ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, AND SOCIAL POLICIES LIKE PARENTAL LEAVE. |
| 05:46:33 | THAT IS THE SORT OF BROAD ASSERTIONS WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT EVERY TRADE BILL OR TRADE VOTE THAT HAS COME TO THE FLOOR IN THE PAST YEARS. |
| 05:46:44 | THEY ARGUE THAT ANY TRADE LIBERALIZATION WILL LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN OUR OWN LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS RATHER THAN ENCOURAGING AN INCREASE IN THE LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AMONG THE BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES. |
| 05:47:02 | THAT ATTACK ON THIS LEGISLATION IS WRONG FOR THREE REASONS. |
| 05:47:07 | FIRST, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT TRADE HAS WEAKENED OUR LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. |
| 05:47:16 | QUITE THE CONTRARY, DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1970 TO THE PRESENT DAY, WHILE TRADE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AMERICAN G. |
| 05:47:26 | D.P. MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 11% TO 25%, OUR LABOR AND ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WERE STRENGTHENED. |
| 05:47:35 | AND WHAT WE HAVE WITNESSED HAS BEEN THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE TRADE CRITICS WOULD HAVE PREDICTED. |
| 05:47:43 | OUR LABOR LAWS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE STRONG PROTECTION TO WORKERS, AND THE REACH OF OUR WORKPLACE SAFETY LAWS HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND. |
| 05:47:54 | THE LAST 30 YEARS WITNESSED THE PASSAGE OF LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, ENORMOUS SET-ASIDES OF WILDERNESS AREAS AND SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR AND WATER QUALITY. |
| 05:48:08 | WE'VE SEEN SUFFICIENT PROGRESS ON ENDANGERED SPECIES SO THAT THE PRESIDENT RECENTLY REMOVED THE BALD EAGLE FROM THE LIST OF ENDANGERED SPECIES. |
| 05:48:20 | WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF A MORE POTENT SYMBOL OF THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN THE LAST 30 YEARS? |
| 05:48:28 | HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH? |
| 05:48:31 | NO, THERE IS STILL MORE WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. |
| 05:48:38 | BUT BASED ON THE LAST 30 YEARS OF EVIDENCE, THERE'S NO REASON TO FOREGO THE BENEFITS OF TRADE BASED ON THEER RANT ASSUMPTION THAT TRADE WILL SOMEHOW UNDERMINE THE BASIC FABRIC OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAULS OR ENCOURAGE A RACE TO THE BOTTOM. |
| 05:48:57 | WHAT HAS BEEN TRUE IN THE UNITED STATES HAS ALSO PROVED TRUE ELSEWHERE. |
| 05:49:04 | THE TRUTH IS THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A RISING STANDARD OF LIVING IS UNNECESSARY PREDICATE FOR HIGHER LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND TRADE IS ESSENTIAL TO BOTH GOALS. |
| 05:49:17 | AND WHAT THE MOST RECENT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN IS THAT AIR AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVED AS PER CAPITA INCOME INCREASES. |
| 05:49:28 | THE GROWTH IN CONCLUSION DECLINES AS INCOMES RISE. |
| 05:49:33 | THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT THEN THAT POVERTY IS THE ENEMY OF BOTH LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND THAT BOTH BENEFIT FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH TO WHICH TRADE CONTINUES. |
| 05:49:47 | THIRD, THERE ARE SOUND REASONS WHY A HIGHER LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS WILL NOT LEAD TO A RACE TO THE BOTTOM, EVEN IN A WORLD OF EXPANDING TRADE. |
| 05:50:00 | POLLUTION CONTROL COSTS EVEN IN THE DIRTIEST OF INDUSTRIES ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN 1% OR 2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS. |
| 05:50:11 | IN OTHER WORDS, EVEN IN THE DIRTIEST OF INDUSTRIES, THE COST OF COMPLIANCE WITH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PERSUADE COMPANIES TO INVEST IN OTHER COUNTRIES SIMPLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LAX ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. |
| 05:50:29 | TRADE CRITICS WHO ARGUE THAT TRADE WILL DEVASTATE THE ENVIRONMENT TEND TO OVERLOOK THAT FIRMS GENERALLY INVEST IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD'S POLLUTION HAVENS TO GAIN MARKET EXCESS, NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. |
| 05:50:47 | IN OTHER WORDS, COMPANIES GENERALLY INVEST BECAUSE THEIR EXPORTS FACE TARIFFS ARJ BETWEEN 10% AND 30%, A COST DIS DISADVANTAGE THAT CAN ONLY OVERCOME THROUGH INVESTING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE THAT TAIFER WALL. |
| 05:51:05 | AND GIVEN THOSE FACTS, WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF BEATING DOWN HIGH TARIFFS IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE EXPORT OF GOODS FROM CLEAN FACTORIES IN THE UNITED STATES RATHER THAN ENCOURAGING TRADE RESTRAINTS THAT LEAD TO INVESTMENT IN POLLUTION HAVENS. |
| 05:51:24 | EQUALLY IMPORTANT, OUR COMPANIES TEND TO TAKE THEIR EXISTING TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES WITH THEM, EVEN WHEN THEY DO INVEST IN POLLUTION HAVENS ABROAD IN ORDER TO GET AROUND THE HIGH TARIFF WALLS. |
| 05:51:41 | THEY DO NOT DO THIS OUT OF ALTRUISM. |
| 05:51:45 | THEY DO IT BECAUSE THIS MAKES GOOD, COST-EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC SENSE. |
| 05:51:56 | OUR COMPANIES HAVE FOUND WAYS OF PRODUCING IN THE UNITED STATES THAT BOTH ALLOW THEM TO COMPLY WITH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REMAIN GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE. |
| 05:52:07 | WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING THE EXPORT OF THOSE TECHNIQUES OF MANUFACTURING WHEREVER WE CAN. |
| 05:52:15 | BUT WHAT THOSE FACTS MOST ASSUREDLY DO NOT MEAN IS THAT TRADE HAS SOMEHOW LED TO A RACE TO THE BOTTOM. |
| 05:52:24 | IN FACT, TRADE APPEARS TO LEAD TO A RISING STANDARD OF LIVING LIVING, ENVIRONMENTAL AS WELL AS ECONOMIC TERMS. |
| 05:52:32 | MY COLLEAGUES SAY THAT WE CAN NO LONGER COMPETE IN TEXTILES AND APPAREL BECAUSE OUR PRODUCERS COMPETE WITH MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD WITH FAR LOWER STANDARDS OF LIVING. |
| 05:52:46 | AND THEY EXPLICITLY OR IMPLICITLY ARGUE THAT WE MUST IMPOSE TRADE RESTRAINTS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THESE INDUSTRIES AND THE ASSOCIATED JOBS. |
| 05:52:59 | LET ME BE BLUNT. |
| 05:53:02 | THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN PROTECTIONISM. |
| 05:53:05 | FOR EVERY JOB WE SAVE THROUGH TRADE RESTRAINTS, WE LOSE MANY MORE IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY. |
| 05:53:11 | AS WE HAVE LEARNED THIS PAST SUMMER DURING THE DEBATE OVER QUOTA LEGISLATION, SAVING ONE JOB IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY BY IMPOSING TRADE RESTRAINTS PUT 40 JOBS IN THE CONSUMING AND EXPORTING INDUSTRIES AT RISK. |
| 05:53:28 | THOSE WHO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION DO NOT FAVOR THE WIN-WIN OUTCOME THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BILL WOULD CREATE AND THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ITSELF SUPPORTS. |
| 05:53:41 | MR. MOYNIHAN: WILL THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN YIELD FOR A QUESTION? |
| 05:53:44 | ROTH RONEL I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YILD. |
| 05:53:46 | MR. |
| 05:53:47 | MOYNIHAN: YOU -- MR. |
| 05:53:48 | ROTH: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO YIELD. |
| 05:53:49 | MR. MOYNIHAN: YOU SPEAK OF THOSE WHO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 05:53:52 | I BELIEVE WE VOTED TO MOVE TO THIS LEGISLATION BY A VOTE OF 9 90-8? |
| 05:54:00 | MR. ROTH: THAT'S CORRECT. |
| 05:54:01 | MR. MOYNIHAN: I BELIEVE THIS KAK CAME OUT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, UNANIMOUS BOTH PARTYS? |
| 05:54:08 | MR. ROTH: THAT'S CORRECT. |
| 05:54:09 | MR. MOYNIHAN: WOULD YOU THINK I WAS OUT OF RANGE IF I SUGGESTED THERE ARE 75 VOTES FOR THIS LEGISLATION AS IT IS? |
| 05:54:16 | MR. |
| 05:54:17 | ROTH: I ANY THAT'S A FAIR STATEMENT. |
| 05:54:19 | MR. MOYNIHAN: WELL THEN DON'T YOU THINK WE SHOULD FIND A WADE AROUND OUR SELF-IMPOSED RESTRAINTS? |
| 05:54:25 | AND VOTE? MR. ROTH: I COULDN'T MORE AGREE WITH YOU. |
| 05:54:28 | I WISH WE COULD PROCEED. |
| 05:54:30 | I THINK THIS LEGISLATION IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. |
| 05:54:34 | I THINK WE HAVE, AS YOU SAY, A VAST MAJORITY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AS WE'VE ALREADY SAID ON MANY OCCASIONS. |
| 05:54:42 | IT HAS THE STRONG SUPPORT. |
| 05:54:44 | PRESIDENT. |
| 05:54:45 | MR. MOYNIHAN: WHO WAS MEETING THIS MORNING WITH THE PRESIDENT FROM NIGERIA. |
| 05:54:50 | MR. |
| 05:54:51 | ROTH: AND AS I UNDERSTAND A NUMBER OF THE AMBASSADORSS FROM THE COUNTRIES IMPACTED IN AFRICA -- OR WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION HAVE BEEN CALLING AND TELLING PEOPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE THEY ATTACH TO IT. |
| 05:55:04 | IT WOULD BE A MAJOR SETBACK, EX INEXCUSABLE FOR THIS LEGISLATION NOT TO PROCEED. |
| 05:55:12 | MR. |
| 05:55:13 | MOYNIHAN: THANK YOU, SIR. |
| 05:55:17 | MR. |
| 05:55:18 | ROTH: MR. PRESIDENT, AS I SAID, THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN PROTECTIONISM. |
| 05:55:26 | FOR EVER ROY JOB WE SAVE THROUGH TRADE RESTRAINTS -- FOR EVERY JOB WE SAVE THROUGH TRADE RESTRAINTS, WE LOSE MANY MORE IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY. |
| 05:55:34 | AND WE HAVE, IN DEVELOPING THIS LEGISLATION, DEVELOPED AN APPROACH THAT REALLY IS A WIN-WIN OUTCOME. |
| 05:55:45 | AS THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BILL WOULD CREATE AND THE -- I MIGHT SAY, THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ITSELF SUPPORTS. |
| 05:55:53 | SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE -- SEEM INSTEAD TO PREFER THE LOSE-LOSE-LOSE OPTION OF IMPOSING A REGRESSIVE FORM OF TAXATION ON THE POOREST OF OUR SOCIETY, LOWERING EMPLOYMENT IN THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL SECTOR AND LOWERING EMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY. |
| 05:56:14 | I WANT TO REEMPHASIZE WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING. |
| 05:56:18 | IT'S NOT THE CHAIRMAN, IT'S NOT THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT IS TELLING YOU THAT THE SENATE BILL WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER SALES AND HIGHER EMPLOYMENT IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY; NO IT'S THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ITSELF. |
| 05:56:35 | THAT IS TELLING US THAT THE SENATE BILL WOULD INCREASE TEXTILE SHIPMENTS BY $. |
| 05:56:44 | 8 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS -- BY $8. |
| 05:56:48 | 8 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS AND INCREASE TEXTILE-RELATED EMPLOYMENT BY 121,000 JOBS OVER THE SAME PERIOD. |
| 05:56:54 | THAT IS A WIN-WIN OUTCOME WE SHOULD SUPPORT AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TOSS SUPPORT THE MOTION TO PROCEED AS A CONSEQUENCE. |
| 05:57:04 | OR, RATHER, I SHOULD SAY, TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO THE LEGISLATION. |
| 05:57:12 | WITH THAT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 05:57:15 | MR. |
| 05:57:16 | MOYNIHAN: MR. |
| 05:57:17 | PRESIDENT, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING -- THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM NEW YORK. |
| 05:57:20 | MR. |
| 05:57:21 | MOYNIHAN: -- THAT I WHOLLY AGREE WITH THE REMARKS, THE STATEMENTS OF OUR REVERED CHAIRMAN AND MAY I SAY, THERE IS STILL HOPE -- IT'S NOT OVER YET. |
| 05:57:49 | I THANK THE CHAIR. MR. |
| 05:57:50 | HOLLINGS: MR. PRESIDENT? |
| 05:57:51 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 05:57:52 | MR. |
| 05:57:53 | HOLLINGS: I HAD EARLIER TRIED TO ABTAIN THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO THANK MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM ILLINOIS, SENATOR FITZGERALD. |
| 05:58:02 | HE'S A BANKER, HE IS A FINANCIER. |
| 05:58:06 | HE'S FAR MORE EXPERIENCEED WITH FINANCIAL AFFAIRS THAN I. |
| 05:58:10 | AND HE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, AND HE COMES NOW AND MAKES IT BIPARTISAN. |
| 05:58:16 | AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HIM. |
| 05:58:19 | WE HAD A BIPARTISAN MOVE WITH SENATOR HEINZ AND MYSELF IN PASSING SECTION 13301. |
| 05:58:29 | BUDGET ACT, WHICH SAYS YOU COULD NOT USE SOCIAL SECURITY, EITHER THE CONGRESS OR THE PRESIDENT, IN REPORTING A BUDGET. |
| 05:58:39 | THAT WAS VOTED UPON BY 98 SENATORS IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION. |
| 05:58:47 | YET THEY CONTINUE TO IGNORE IT IT, AND SO I'VE BEEN LOOKING SINCE WE LOST SENATOR HEINZ ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE FOR SOME ASSISTANCE. |
| 05:58:58 | WE HAD OTHERWISE THE LEADERSHIP OF SENATOR ARMSTRONG AND SENATOR BAUSCH WITS. |
| 05:59:04 | WE WENT TO THE EXTREME IN 1989 OF VOTING FOR A VALUE-ADDED TAX, A 5% VALUE-ADDED TAX ALLOCATED TO REDUCING THE DEFICIT A UNDERSTAND THE DEBT SO WE WOULDN'T -- THE DEFICIT AND THE DEBT SO WE WOULDN'T SPEND SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 05:59:24 | WE HAD EIGHT VOTES IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 05:59:27 | IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. |
| 05:59:29 | AND WE RECOMMENDED AGAIN ANOTHER -- WE TRIED TO PASS OTHER LAWS, BUT WITH RESPECT TO THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR'S STATEMENT THAT WE HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE -- THE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY SEVERAL TIMES, LET ME CLARIFY THAT OBSERVATION OF HIS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE'RE RIGHT NOW INTO THAT SAME SITUATION. |
| 06:00:00 | HERE NOW THE TREE IS FILLED UP. |
| 06:00:04 | YOU'VE GOT VERITABLY FAST-TRACK. |
| 06:00:07 | NAMELY, YOU'VE GOT A BILL OUT FROM THE COMMITTEE WITH OF COURSE THE SUBSTITUTE OF THE LEADER'S AMENDMENT OR MAYBE THEY WANT TO CALL IT THE AMENDMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ITSELF. |
| 06:00:22 | BUT, WHATEVER, IT'S THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT, THE COMMITTEE BILL, AND YOU CANNOT AMEND IT. |
| 06:00:32 | AND WHEN THE TREE IS FILLED UP THAT WAY ON CLOTURE, YOU DON'T GIVE CLOTURE AND HOPING THAT YOU CAN, BY GOSH, BREAK IT DOUFRN SO THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO PUT IN SOME AMENDMENTS AND THEY'LL GET THE MESSAGE AND ALLOW YOU TO DO T NOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE. |
| 06:00:52 | IF THIS PERSISTS, I TAKE IT, TOMORROW -- I'M HOPEFUL -- I DON'T KNOW, BECAUSE I'M IN A MINORITY OF A MINORITY OF A MINORITY HERE -- AND SO I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING UN UNTO IT BUT IT COULD VERY WELL OCCUR THAT WE MAY NOT GET CLOTURE TOMORROW MORNING, SA AT 9:30 IF THAT'S WHEN THEY CALL THE VOTE. |
| 06:01:14 | I SQD A LITTLE WHILE AGO AND THEY SAID, NO, THEY DIDN'T THINK ANY VOTES TONIGHT OTHER THAN THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION. |
| 06:01:20 | WE CAN VOICE VOTE THAT. |
| 06:01:23 | WE MAY, BUT I DOUBT IF WE COULD GET THAT VOTE, BE VOTING ON IT RIGHT NOW -- THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH PAUL THE OTHER ADD-ONS TO IT. |
| 06:01:33 | I THINK MAYBE THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED TOMORROW. |
| 06:01:37 | SO THE REASON THAT YOU DON'T VOTE CLOTURE IS TO TRY TO GET SOME AMENDMENTS AND CONSIDERATION AND BE ABLE TO DISCUSS IT. |
| 06:01:45 | THAT WAS THE SITUATION EACH TIME THAT THEY BROUGHT UP THAT SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 06:01:50 | I KNOW BETTER THAN ANY BECAUSE I PUT IN MY AMENDMENT AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, DRAWN, IF YOU PLEASE, BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR HIMSELF. |
| 06:02:02 | AND WE INTRODUCED IT. |
| 06:02:03 | IT WAS REFERRED UNDER THE RULES OF COURSE TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, TO BE ON THAT BUDGET COMMITTEE SINCE THEY STARTED IT AS A BUDGET COMPLETE -- 94-24-25 YEARS -- 7 HAD -- 1974, SHOULD I SAY. |
| 06:02:22 | 25 YEARS, BEEN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. |
| 06:02:26 | I THOUGHT I COULD GET A HEARING. |
| 06:02:27 | THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT A TRUE LOCKBOX, TAKING IT OFF BUDGET. |
| 06:02:33 | THEY'LL VOTE FOR A SENSE OF THE SENATE. |
| 06:02:34 | THEY'LL VOTE FOR THE LAW AND THEN TOTALLY IGNORE THE LAW. |
| 06:02:37 | AND IF YOU CAN PUT IT IN, AS WE'VE GOT IT PROPOUNDED NOW, IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE I CAN TELL YOU HERE AND NOW, WE REALLY WILL HAVE A LOCKBOX AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO TOUCH IT. |
| 06:02:50 | WE WON'T HAVE TO DEBATE WHETHER WE ARE OR NOT. |
| 06:02:53 | EVERYONE CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND IT. |
| 06:02:55 | THAT WAS THE SITUATION UNDER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE GOING TO CALL IT THE SO-CALLED LOCKBOX. |
| 06:03:02 | ONE PROPOSAL WAS MADE BY THE DISTINGUISHED MAJORITY LEADER THAT IT ALLOWED THREE AMENDMENTS. |
| 06:03:08 | WE'D BRING IT UP, HAVE THREE AMENDMENTS, CONSIDER IT WITH TIME AGREEMENTS AND THEN VOTE. |
| 06:03:14 | WHEN THEY FOUND OUT MY ONE AMENDMENT WAS FOR THE TRUE LOCKBOX, IT'S IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHICH THEY WON'T EVEN GIVE YOU A HEARING, THEY WOULDN'T AGREE AND WE HAD TO GO AHEAD AND VOTE AGAINST CLOTURE. |
| 06:03:32 | THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS CALLS THAT A VOTE AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY, NOT AT ALL. |
| 06:03:37 | THAT'S A VOTE REALLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 06:03:41 | TOMORROW WHEN A STAVENGS NUMBER VOTE, LET'S SAY, ASSUMING AGAINST CLOTURE, SOMEONE CAN SAY, WELL, THEY VOTED AGAINST THE TRADE BILL. |
| 06:03:52 | NOT AT ALL. NOT AT ALL. |
| 06:03:53 | THEY'RE FOR THE TRADE BILL. |
| 06:03:56 | THE DISTINGUISHED MINORITY LEADER HAS MADE THAT CLEAR. |
| 06:03:59 | THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, HE'S FOR THIS BILL. |
| 06:04:04 | WHAT? |
| 06:04:05 | HE'S TRYING TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES. |
| 06:04:09 | AISLE TO PRESENT AMENDMENTS. |
| 06:04:12 | BUT THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS WAS MISTAKE TON CHARACTERIZE THAT AS A VOTE AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY SEVERAL TIMES. |
| 06:04:19 | OH, WHY DID YOU VOTE AGAINST IT IF YOU REALLY ARE SINCERE? |
| 06:04:23 | WE'RE SINCERE, ALL RIGHT. |
| 06:04:24 | AND WE'RE SINCERE IN TRYING TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY. |
| 06:04:28 | AND I WAS ONE OF THEM T AND I'LL GO IMMEDIATELY NOW TO THE OBSERVATION MADE BY MY DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ABOUT 90 VOTES. |
| 06:04:39 | AND PROCEED -- I WAS ONE OF THOSE 90. |
| 06:04:41 | THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN PASS THE BILL WITHOUT EVEN CONSIDERING ANY AMENDMENTS. |
| 06:04:47 | WHEN I VOTED TO PROCEED, I VOTED JUST THAT -- LET'S PROCEED TO DEBATE THE AMENDMENTS, VOTE UPON THEM, AND THEN GET TO A FINAL ENACTMENT THEREOF. |
| 06:04:59 | I'VE GOT SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE WANT TO BRING UP, BUT I SEE THE OTHER MEMBERS HERE PRESENT THAT WANT TO SPEAK, SO I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 06:05:11 | MRS. |
| 06:05:12 | MURRAY: MR. PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON. |
| 06:05:14 | MRS. MURRAY: MR. |
| 06:05:15 | PRESIDENT, I COME TO THE FLOOR THIS EVENING TO JOIN WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN PAYING TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 06:05:21 | WITH HIS PASSING THIS WEEK, THE SENATE REALLY LOST A WISE AND COURAGEOUS VOICE. |
| 06:05:27 | ANYONE WHO SPENT ANY TIME IN THE SENATE COULD SEE THAT SENATOR CHAFEE'S REPUTATION FOR HONESTY AND INDIVIDUAL CONVICTION WERE WELL-DESERVED. |
| 06:05:36 | I WANT TO OFFER HIS FAMILY MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR SHARING HIM WITH US FOR SEWING. |
| 06:05:45 | HE SERVED AS A ROLE MODEL OF WHAT A SENATOR SHOOFMBIT THE MORE I THINK ABOUT SENATOR CHAFEE, THE MORE I REALIZE THE QUALITIES THAT ARE RARE TODAY WERE COMMON IN THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND. |
| 06:05:57 | RARE QUALITIES LIKE COURAGE, INDEPENDENCE, AND A DESIRE TO ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT. |
| 06:06:05 | HE OFTEN FOUGHT ALONE FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS RIGHT. |
| 06:06:09 | HE WORKED FOR LEGISLATIVE COMPROMISE BUT NEVER COMPROMISED HIS PRINCIPLES. |
| 06:06:14 | I WAS PROUD TO JOIN WITH HIM ON IMPORTANT INITIATIVES AND HIS MARK CAN BE FOUND ON MANY ENVIRONMENTAL LANDMARK PROTECTION LAWS ENACTED IN THE LAST 26 YEARS. |
| 06:06:24 | HE WAS A THOUGHTFUL ENVIRONMENT LIST, PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF PEOPLE, WILDLIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT AS A WHOLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BALANCING THE NEEDS OF OUR ECONOMY. |
| 06:06:34 | HE RECOGNIZED THE FACT THAT THE WEST HAD A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS NATURAL RESOURCES THAN THE EAST. |
| 06:06:41 | HIS WORK ON CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, OIL POLLUTION AND EN ENENDANGERED SPECIES HAS BENEFITED THE ENTIRE NATION. |
| 06:06:48 | THE PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN MY STATE, 3,000 MILES AWAY FROM RHODE ISLAND, ARE FAR BETTER OFF TODAY BECAUSE A MAN NAMED JOHN CHAFEE SERVED FOR 23 YEARS IN THIS BODY. |
| 06:07:01 | SENATOR CHAFEE WAS ALSO A CONSISTENT AND ARTICULATE SPORTER OF TRADE AND ON ISSUES LIKE CHINA M. |
| 06:07:10 | F.N. WE WORKED FOR THE SAME GOALS. |
| 06:07:12 | HE WAS WITH A CHAMPION OF WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE LONG BEFORE IT WAS POLITICALLY CORRECT. |
| 06:07:18 | LONG BEFORE ANYBODY HEARD OF SOCCER MOMS HE STOOD ALONE MANY TIMES TO FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH AND HE NEVER BACKED DOWN. |
| 06:07:25 | SENATOR CHAFEE WAS ALSO A STRONG ADVOCATE OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND HE WAS A VOICE OF REASON IN AN INCREASINGLY EMOTIONAL DEBATE. |
| 06:07:35 | HE PROTECTED A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO DETERMINE HER OWN FATE AND TO MAKE HER OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS. |
| 06:07:40 | HE WORKED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINICS. |
| 06:07:48 | I ALWAYS TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF COMFORT KNOWING HE WAS AT THE TABLE FIGHTING FOR WOMEN. |
| 06:07:54 | BUT PERHAPS HIS GREATEST COMMITMENT OF ALL WAS TO CHILDREN. |
| 06:07:57 | ALL CHILDREN. |
| 06:07:58 | HE WORKED TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME CHILDREN. |
| 06:08:05 | AND HE FOUGHT TO PROTECT MEDICAID. |
| 06:08:06 | I KNOW. |
| 06:08:07 | THERE ARE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW HEALTHY ADULTS BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF SENATOR CHAFEE. |
| 06:08:14 | ONE OF MY MOST VIVID MEMORIES OF SENATOR CHAFEE WAS FIGHTING ON THE FLOOR IN JUNE OF 1997 TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE SECURITY FOR THE 10 MILLION UNINSURED CHILDREN. |
| 06:08:23 | HE REFUSED TO GIVE UP HIS GOAL AND REFUSED TO PASS AN EMPTY PROMISE. |
| 06:08:28 | HIS WORK CREATED THE SUCCESSFUL BIPARTISAN CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM WHICH ULTIMATELY WILL PROVIDE HEALTH SECURITY FOR FIVE MILLION CHILDREN. |
| 06:08:38 | THINK OF THE KIND OF IMPACT HE WILL HAVE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THOSE FIVE MILLION CHILDREN. |
| 06:08:46 | MR. PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF MY GOALS IN THE U. |
| 06:08:48 | S. SENATE IS TO SPEAK OUT FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE AT ALL. |
| 06:08:52 | CHILDREN, WORKING FAMILIES, THE ENVIRONMENT, BATTERED WOMEN, THE ELDERLY. |
| 06:08:56 | THOSE ARE THE CAUSES THAT JOHN CHAFEE SERVED AND SERVED SO SELFLESSLY. |
| 06:09:01 | I ONLY HOPE THAT I CAN MEASURE UP TO THE STANDARD HE SET FOR ALL OF US. |
| 06:09:06 | WHEN SOMEONE LIKE JOHN CHAFEE, SOMEONE WITH RARE PERSONAL QUALITIES AND A LEGACY FOUND IN THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE'S HE HELPED, WHEN SUN LIKE THAT LEAVES THE WORLD, IT MAKES THE REST OF US REFLECT ON HIS CONTRIBUTION. |
| 06:09:20 | MR. |
| 06:09:21 | PRESIDENT, THIS SENATE IS THE POORER FOR HIS PASSING. |
| 06:09:25 | THANK YOU, AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 06:09:29 | MR. |
| 06:09:30 | HOLLINGS: MR. |
| 06:09:31 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 06:09:34 | MR. DORGAN: MR. PRESIDENT? |
| 06:09:35 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA. |
| 06:09:37 | MR. DORGAN: I HAVE WATCHED WITH SOME INTEREST IN RECENT DAY, THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HOLDING FORTH ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE ON TRADE ISSUES. |
| 06:09:43 | THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME HE HAS OFTEN COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE TO ENGAGE IN INTERESTING AND ROBUST DEBATES ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TRADE. |
| 06:09:54 | I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BILL THAT'S BEFORE US, THE HOUSE BILL, DEALING WITH AFRICAN TRADE, AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT, IF YOU READ IT, IT READS LIKE A LOT OF TRADE BILLS WE'VE DEALT WITH. |
| 06:10:15 | IT IS KIND OF A NAFTA FOR AFRICA APPROACH WITH TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE AND C. |
| 06:10:20 | B.I. AND OTHER THINGS ADDED TO IT, AND AS I WAS THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS I REALIZED THAT NOTHING EVER CHANGES VERY MUCH. |
| 06:10:26 | I GUESS IT HAS BEEN FOUR OR FIVE OR SIX OR SEVEN CAREERS I HAVE BEEN HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE TALKING ABOUT TRADE ISSUES REALLY TO NO A VAIM. |
| 06:10:35 | THE DEBATE NEVER, EVER CHANGES. |
| 06:10:37 | THOSE WHO COME TO THE FLOOR PROPOSING A NEW TRADE INITIATIVE WILL SPEAK ONLY ABOUT THEIR NEW TRADE INITIATIVE. |
| 06:10:45 | THEY WILL REFUSE TO SPEAK AT ALL OR REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE RESIDUE AND THE PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM THE TRADE BILLS WE HAVE RECENTLY PASSED. |
| 06:10:54 | NAFTA BEING ONE, U. |
| 06:10:56 | S.-CANADA BEING ANOTHER, AND GATT BEING A THIRD. |
| 06:11:00 | YOU NEVER HEAR ANYBODY WILLING TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS. |
| 06:11:05 | I HAD A CHART WITH ME AND IT'S LOST IN A PILE OF CHARTS SOMEWHERE BUT I WISH I COULD SHOW IT, IT SHOWS THE TRADE DEFICIT. |
| 06:11:15 | YOU KNOW AFTER SEVERAL DECADES OF BALLOONING FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICITS, AND THAT'S GETTING DEFICITS UNDER CONTROL, NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER DEFICIT. |
| 06:11:22 | IT IS THE TRADE DEFICIT. |
| 06:11:24 | AND THE ANNUAL TRADE DEFICIT ON A CHART IS JUST SPEAKING ALMOST STRAIGHT UP. |
| 06:11:32 | IT IS A DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCE OF BAD TRADE POLICY AND A RANGE OF OTHER THINGS BUT ESPECIALLY BAD TRADE POLICY. |
| 06:11:40 | YES, THE COLLAPSE OF THE ECONOMIES OR DIFFICULTIES OF THE ECONOMIES IN ASIA CONTRIBUTE TO IT, AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO IT, BUT BY AND LARGE THIS HAS BEEN AN ABIDING TRADE DEFICIT, GROWING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND A CHART WOULD SHOW A VERY SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN THIS DEFICIT. |
| 06:11:58 | IT IS SERIOUS. |
| 06:11:59 | OUR CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE DEFICIT, AS A RESULT OF THIS TRADE DEFICIT, IS GOING UP, UP AND UP, AND IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. |
| 06:12:06 | WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THIS. |
| 06:12:08 | AND YET THERE IS NO DISCUSSION HERE ON THE FLOOR BY THOSE WHO BRING TRADE LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR TO SAY, WELL LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. |
| 06:12:14 | LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR CURRENT EXPERIENCE WITH OUR TRADE PRACTICES. |
| 06:12:20 | IT IS NOT THE CASE THAT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD PUT A WALL AROUND OUR COUNTRY OR WE SHOULD RESTRICT TRADE OR WE OUGHT TO DECIDE TO IN SOME WAY DIMINISH TRADE. |
| 06:12:30 | THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL. |
| 06:12:31 | I DO BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT AFTER ABOUT 50 YEARS OF POST SECOND WORLD WAR EXPERIENCE IN TRADE WE OUGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON. |
| 06:12:42 | THE FIRST 25 YEARS POST SECOND WORLD WAR OUR TRADE POLICY WAS EXCLUSIVELY FOREIGN POLICY. |
| 06:12:46 | OH, THEY CALLED IT TRADE POLICY BUT IT WASN'T TRADE POLICY IT WAS FOREIGN POLICY. |
| 06:12:50 | WE USED TRADE AS A FOREIGN POLICY INSTRUMENT WITH WHICH TO HELP A RANGE OF OTHER COUNTRIES ADD THE WORLD AND THAT WAS FINE BECAUSE WE CAN BEAT ANY COUNTRY VIRTUALLY ON ANY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ANY COMPETITION WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND OUR BACK, WE WERE BIGGER, TOUGHER, STRONGER, MORE ABLE TO COMPETE, AND WE COULD ESSENTIALLY CREATE ALL A KINDS OF APPROACHES THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN FOREIGN POLICY, CALL IT TRADE POLL I, STILL WIN, STILL PRE VAIM. |
| 06:13:19 | BUT THE SECOND 25 YEARS AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THINGS WERE DIFFERENT. |
| 06:13:25 | ESPECIALLY RECENTLY OUR TRADING PARTNERS HAVE BECOME SHREWD, TOUGH, ECONOMIC COMPETITORS. |
| 06:13:32 | THIS IS NOT ANY LONGER AND SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY. |
| 06:13:35 | IT OUGHT TO BE ABOUT TRADE POLICY AND WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR OUR COUNTRIES -- COUNTRY'S INTEREST AND HOW TO ENGAGE IN POLICY OR POLICIES RATHER WITH OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL. |
| 06:13:48 | YES TO THEM AND ALSO TO US. |
| 06:13:51 | AS I LISTEN TO THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING I TOLD THE SENATE SOME MANY YEARS AGO. |
| 06:14:00 | I HAD A YOUNG SON WHO ORDERED AN ANT FARM FROM A MAGAZINE, AND HE IS 12 NOW, BUT I GUESS HE WAS PROBABLY FIVE YEARS OLD AND SAW THIS ADVERTISEMENT FOR AN ANT FARM AND IT WAS A THING THAT YOU ORDERED WHERE YOU WOULD -- IT HAD PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH YOU KNOW KIND OF A LARGE SHEET ON EACH SIDE YOU WOULD FILL IT UP WITH SAND AND IT WAS A CONTAINER, IT WOULD HOLD THE SAND AND THEY SENT YOU THE CONTAINER AND SAND YOU PUT THE SAND IN THE CONTAINER THEN THEY SENT YOU THE AND THES SEPARATELY. |
| 06:14:33 | THEY SAID IN ORDER TO PUT THE KANTS IN THE CONTAINER IS PUT THAT LITTLE VIAL OF ANTS IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR AWHILE TO SLOW THEM DOWN A LITTLE BIT. |
| 06:14:43 | MY SON GOT THIS IN THE MAIL HE GOT THE ANTS IN THE REFRIGERATOR, SLOWED THEM DOWN A BIT POWERED THEM IN THE AND THE FARM PUT THE TOP ON FOR A MONTH OR TWO WE WATCH THESE ANTS IN THE AND THE FARM. |
| 06:14:55 | THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN 100 ANTS, 200 IN THIS FARM, YOU WATCH THEM EVERY DAY, GO FROM ONE END OF THIS PARTITION HAULING ALL THIS SAND BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH AND NOTHING EVER CHANGED I LOOK AT THE ABSENCE I THOUGHT, I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE THINKING IF THEY THINK. |
| 06:15:11 | THEY KEEP HAULING THIS SAND BACK AND FORTH, BACK AND FORTH, NOTHING EVER CHANGES. |
| 06:15:15 | YOU KNOW, THE SENATE IS A LOT LIKE THAT. |
| 06:15:18 | THE SENATE IS LIKE THAT. |
| 06:15:20 | ESPECIALLY LIKE THAT ON TRADE POLICY. |
| 06:15:22 | YOU COULD PUT A BLINDFOLD ON AND EAR MUFFS ON AND FOR SEVEN YEARS NOTHING CHANGES. |
| 06:15:28 | AT LEAST THE SEVEN YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN THE SENATE. |
| 06:15:30 | BACK AND FORTH, BACK AND FORTH. |
| 06:15:32 | NEVER A CHANGE. |
| 06:15:34 | ANYBODY HERE HAVE A DEBATE -- ANYBODY HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT THE PROVISIONS IN NAFTA THAT LEAD TO THE TERRIBLY UNFAIR TRADE IN DURUM WHEAT. |
| 06:15:47 | ANYBODY HEAR OF THAT? |
| 06:15:49 | I HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE OF COURSE AND TALKED ABOUT IT A LET. |
| 06:15:52 | MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT DURUM WHEAT AT ALL. |
| 06:15:56 | PROBABLY MANY OF THE EXPERT STARVES THAT WORK WITH US ON TRADE -- STAFFERS HAVE NO INTEREST IN AND KNOWLEDGE OF DURUM. |
| 06:16:04 | IF THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF DURUM THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF SEMOLINA FLOWER. |
| 06:16:09 | BUT IF THEY ATE PASTA THEY ARE EATING SEMI-LY THAT FLOUR AND DID YOU U. |
| 06:16:18 | DURUM WHEAT. |
| 06:16:19 | SO YOU ARE WORKING ON TRADE ISSUES HERE IN THE SENATE AND YOU EAT SPA GET I OR ELBOW MACARONI OR LASAGNA YOU MIGHT BE EATING SOMETHING THAT CAME FROM A NORTH DAKOTA DURUM FIELD. |
| 06:16:31 | AFTER THIS COUNTRY NEGOTIATE ADD TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CANADA, WE HAD A TRADE NEGOTIATOR THAT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH CANADA AT THAT PUT IT IN WRITING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. |
| 06:16:38 | HE SAID IN WRITING, THIS IS CLAYTON YEUTTER, OUR TRADE AMBASSADOR, IN WRITING HE SAID, THAT THERE WILL NOT BE AN INCREASE IN THE FLOW OF GRAIN BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE BORDER AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT. |
| 06:16:51 | THAT WAS A GUARANTEE IN WRITING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. |
| 06:16:54 | IT WASN'T WORTH THE PAPER IT WAS WRITTEN ON. |
| 06:16:57 | WASN'T WORTH ANYTHING. |
| 06:16:58 | THE FACT IS, THE TRADE AGREEMENT WAS ENACTED BY CONGRESS, AFTER IT WAS NEGOTIATED, IT WAS SENT HERE, IT WAS VOTED ON BY CONGRESS AND IT PREVAILED, I DID NOT SUPPORT IT, BUT IMMEDIATELY WE HAD AN AVALANCHE OF CANADIAN DURUM COMING ACROSS OUR BORDER. |
| 06:17:18 | AND THAT DURUM UNDERCUT OUR FARMER PRICES TOOK A COUPLE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF OUR FARMERS IN ONE YEAR AND IT HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN. |
| 06:17:27 | THIS PAST YEAR IT WAS THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF DURUM, OVER 20 MILLION BUSHELS IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, FOR SIX MONTHS, UP OVER 80%, AND PEOPLE SAY WELL IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT'S TECHNICAL JUST DETAILS. |
| 06:17:41 | YEAH, THAT'S FINE IF YOU WEAR A SUIT AND TIE BUT TRY RAISING DURUM SOMEWHERE AND HAVING THE PRICE COLLAPSE AND SEE WHAT IT DOES TO YOUR INCOME AND THEN WONDER WHETHER IT'S IMPORTANT AND WONDER WHETHER YOU UNDERSTOOD IT AND WONDER WHETHER YOU HAD A RESPONSIBILITY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TRADE THE NEXT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE TRADE PROBLEMS YOU CAUSED FOR THESE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY WHO ARE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE, WONDER ABOUT THE TRADE PROBLEMS YOU CAUSED THEM BY THE PREVIOUS TRADE AGREEMENTS. |
| 06:18:07 | THE SAME AGREEMENT, NAFTA, WHICH IS OPENED THE FLOOD GATES TORE THIS GRAIN COMING IN THAT TERRIBLY HURT OUR FAMILY FARMERS WAS ADVERTISED TO US AS THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA KNOWS, AS BEING A TRADE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD CREATE SEVERAL00,000 NEW JOBS IN OUR COUNTRY -- SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND SAND NEW JOBS IN OUR COUNTRY. |
| 06:18:30 | IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THAT WAY. |
| 06:18:32 | WHEN NAFTA WAS NEGOTIATED WITH CANADA, MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES, WE HAD A TRADE SURPLUS WITH MEXICO AND A SMALL TRADE DEFICIT WITH CANADA. |
| 06:18:40 | NOT SO MALL BUT A TRADE DEFICIT WITH CANADA. |
| 06:18:43 | SO THIS CONGRESS PASSES NAFTA. |
| 06:18:47 | APPROVES NAFTA. |
| 06:18:48 | THE TRADE SURPLUS WITH MEXICO HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED FROM A SURPLUS TO A 16 -- $16 BILLION ANNUAL DEFICIT JUST IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ALONE. |
| 06:18:59 | AND THE TRADE DEFICIT WITH CANADA HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED. |
| 06:19:04 | A STUDY BY THE ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE, ROB SCOTT SAYS, "NAFTA RESULTED IN A NET LOSS OF OVER 440,000 JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 06:19:19 | " SO THAT'S WHAT THE NAFTA SUPPORTERS ADVERTISE. |
| 06:19:21 | THEY GOT A LOT OF NEW JOBS CREATED. |
| 06:19:23 | THE FACT IS A LOT OF JOBS WERE DESTROYED. |
| 06:19:26 | THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY. |
| 06:19:31 | IN FACT, BIG TRADE BALANCE THAT IS WERE POSITIVE WERE TURNED TO VERY LARGE TRADE BALANCE THAT IS WERE NEGATIVE FOR OUR COUNTRY. |
| 06:19:35 | AND YET THE SAME FOLKS CONTINUE TO PEDDLE THE SAME MERCHANDISE. |
| 06:19:42 | HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE. |
| 06:19:43 | WELL, JUST DO THIS TRADE AGREEMENT AND SOMEHOW IT WILL BE BETTER. |
| 06:19:47 | MY RESPONSE TO ALL OF THIS IS TO SAY, IF WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TRADE, I'M PERFECTLY WILLING TO LISTEN AND BE REASONABLE ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS. |
| 06:19:57 | I WANT TO HELP AFRICA. I WANT TO HELP THE CARIBBEAN NATIONS. |
| 06:20:00 | I WANT TO REACH OUT AND YOU WILL ALL THOSE THINGS. |
| 06:20:05 | WAY WANT TO BE FAIR. |
| 06:20:06 | I WANT OUR PRODUCERS TO HAVE FAIR COMPETITION BUT I AM WILLING TO ENTERTAIN THESE ISSUES BUT I REFUSE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AND SAY THIS IS OUR AGENDA. |
| 06:20:14 | THE OUR AGENDA IS THE NEXT TRADE AGREEMENT WE PUT TOGETHER WE DEMAND YOU RESPOND TO IT AND WE DON'T INTEND TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS CREATED IN PREVIOUS GREETS. |
| 06:20:22 | TO US THEY ARE IRRELEVANT WE SAY. |
| 06:20:24 | WE DON'T INTEND TO ADDRESS THEM. |
| 06:20:26 | THEY DON'T MATTER. |
| 06:20:27 | THEY DON'T EXIST. |
| 06:20:28 | AND WE DON'T INTEND TO TALK ABOUT THEM. |
| 06:20:31 | WELL, THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, THOSE FARMERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR FARMS, BECAUSE OF UNFAIR TRADE, BECAUSE UNFAIR TRADE THAT RESULTS WHILE THE REMEDIES THAT WOULD NORMALLY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO FIGHT THAT UNFAIR TRADE HAVE BEEN TRADED AWAY IN PREVIOUS TRADE AGREEMENTS, THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS ON FARMS FIND LITTLE SOLACE IN THE NOTION THAT WE HAVE A NEW AGREEMENT NOW AND WE DON'T INTEND TO TALK ABOUT THE OLD PROBLEMS. |
| 06:20:54 | IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DISLOCATIONS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN PREVIOUS TRADE GREETS AND FIX THEM. |
| 06:21:00 | THE QUICK E WAY FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON AND FOR THAT MATTER THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND THE TWO MANAGERS OF THIS BILL, THE QUICKEST WAY TO HAVE A THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT NEW TRADE INITIATIVES IS TO AGREE TO HAVE A THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE OLD TRADE POLICIES AND SFWIN TO FIX THEM F WE ARE NOT WILL WILLING TO FIX SOME OF THE PREVIOUS MISTAKES IN GREETS YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET CON SENSUOUS U. |
| 06:21:28 | SUCCESS TO MOVE TO NEW ISSUES. |
| 06:21:30 | I TOLD THE PRESIDENT ON FAST-TRACK, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BEST WAY FOR YOU TO GET FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY FROM THE CONGRESS IS TO EXPRESS A WILLINGNESS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN NAFTA, U. |
| 06:21:41 | S. CANADA AND GATT. |
| 06:21:43 | I KNOW THIS MEANS LITTLE TO SOME WHO SORT OF SEE A WORLD VIEW AND SEE A HORIZON THAT A LOT OF US PROBABLY CAN'T SEE, BUT WHEN A SHIP PULSE PULLS UP AT A DOCK IN CALIFORNIA LOADED WITH GRAIN THAT IS DUMPED IN THIS COUNTRY, CLEARLY ILLEGALLY, AND THERE IS NO REMEDY TO ADDRESS IT, AND OUR FARMERS SAY HOW CAN GRAIN SHIPPED FROM A EUROPEAN PORT TO A DOCK IN CALIFORNIA AND SOLD FOR HALF THE PRICE OF THE GRAIN THAT'S BEING SOLD FOR HERE EVEN AFTER TRANSPORTATION IS PAID HOW CAN THAT BE? |
| 06:22:21 | THE ANSWER IS, IT IS UNFAIR TRADE AND THERE IS NO REMEDY TO DEAL WITH IT AND YOU CAN'T STOP IT. |
| 06:22:27 | THAT'S WHY PRODUCERS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SAYING TO THOSE WHO ARE PUSHING NEW TRADE GREETS, HELP US FIX SOME OF THE TRADE PROBLEMS WE HAVE. |
| 06:22:33 | WHEN YOU DO THAT, WE WILL LISTEN. |
| 06:22:35 | WE WILL WORK WITH YOU. |
| 06:22:36 | WE WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ADDITIONAL TRADE ISSUES. |
| 06:22:41 | BUT IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO SIMPLY IGNORE THE MISERY AND THE SUFFERING AND THE DIFFICULTY THAT SO MANY PRODUCERS IN THIS COUNTRY EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES. |
| 06:22:52 | IT IS NOT FAIR TO IGNORE THEM. |
| 06:22:54 | WE MUST GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT. |
| 06:22:57 | AND I FIND IT FASCINATING THAT SOME WHO HAVE BEEN SO CONCERNED ABOUT DEFICITS THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE LEAST CONCERNED ABOUT TRADE DEFICITS. |
| 06:23:11 | JAPAN, $50 BILLION, $60 BILLION EVERY YEAR. |
| 06:23:15 | EVERY YEAR. |
| 06:23:16 | WANT TO BUY A T-PHONE STEAK IN TOKYO. |
| 06:23:20 | DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT KIND OF TARIFF WILL BE IMPOSED ON A T-BONE STEAK COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES SOLD IN A TOKYO STRUNT? |
| 06:23:28 | DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT? |
| 06:23:29 | I BET NOT. |
| 06:23:30 | AFTER THE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH TO BE YO IN ORDER TO GET MORE U. |
| 06:23:33 | S. BEEF INTO TOKYO, WE HAVE A 50% TARIFF ON BEEF GOING INTO TOKYO WHICH DIMINISHES BUT SNAPS BACK IN THE QUANTITY INCREASES. |
| 06:23:43 | SO TODAY THERE IS A 40. |
| 06:23:46 | 5% TARIFF ON EVERY POUND OF BEEF GOING INTO TOKYO. |
| 06:23:49 | THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A FAILURE IN ANY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN ANY TRADE NEGOTIATION. |
| 06:23:55 | BUT OUR TRADE NEGOTIATORS WHEN THEY REACH THAT DEEM YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WON THE OLYMPICS. |
| 06:24:02 | FEASTING AND REJOICING ALL CONGRATULATE, BROKE THEIR ARMS PATTING EACH OTHER ON THE BACK. |
| 06:24:07 | IT WAS A FAILURE. |
| 06:24:08 | 40. |
| 06:24:09 | 5% TARIFF ON FOREIGN MARKETS FOR OUR BEEF IS A FAILURE. |
| 06:24:12 | IN FACT THE AVERAGE TARIFF, OUR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS FINE OVERSEAS AFTER ALL THIS POSTURING GENUFLECTING AND TRADE TALKS THE AVERAGE TARIFF CONFRONTING OUR PRODUCTS GOING OVERDECEMBER FROM THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IS NEARLY 50%. |
| 06:24:28 | WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONNESS SEATTLE IN DECEMBER WITH OUR TRADE NEGOTIATORS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH OUR TRADE NEGOTIATORS AND WE HOPE VERY THAT FOR ONCE WE COULD WIN. |
| 06:24:42 | WILL ROGERS ONCE SAID, THIS IS I GUESS 60 YEARS AGO, WILL ROGERS SAID, "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS NEVER LOST A WAR AND NEVER WON A CONFERENCE. |
| 06:24:53 | " HE SURELY MUST HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR TRADE NEGOTIATORS. |
| 06:24:57 | WE MUST START, IT SEEMS TO ME STANDING UP FOR THE INTEREST OF AMERICAN PRODUCERS AND AMERICAN WORKERS. |
| 06:25:01 | NO, FOUGHT IN A WAY THAT PROHIBITS COMPETITION. |
| 06:25:06 | WE CAN COMPETE. |
| 06:25:07 | OUR FARMERS CAN COMPETE. |
| 06:25:09 | THEY ARE WILLING TO DO THAT. |
| 06:25:10 | BUT THEY ARE SURE NOT WILLING TO COMPETE WITH THE TROUND RULES AREN'T FAIR. |
| 06:25:15 | WE END A NEGOTIATION WITH EUROPE ON THE ISSUE OF GRAIN AND LET ME GO BACK TO GRAIN BECAUSE I REPRESENT A FARM STATE, WE DIDN'T EVEN PLACE A EUROPEAN SUBSIDY ON EXPORT GRAIN THAT IS MULTIPLES OF OURS. |
| 06:25:27 | AND SO WE SAY THAT'S FAIR COMPETITION. |
| 06:25:29 | I DON'T THINK SO. |
| 06:25:30 | NOT IN MY HOMETOWN IT IS NOT FAIR COMPETITION. |
| 06:25:33 | BUT IT IS THE BEST THEY COULD GET. |
| 06:25:35 | SO THE RESULT IS WE HAVE A TRADE AGREEMENT THAT'S UNFAIR. |
| 06:25:39 | A TRADE AGREEMENT THAT HURTS OUR PRODUCERS. |
| 06:25:43 | WELL, MR. |
| 06:25:44 | PRESIDENT, THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA I KNOW HAS SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO IMPART TO THE SENATE. |
| 06:25:51 | LET ME SAY THAT SENATOR ROTH FROM DELAWARE IS MANAGING THIS BILL. |
| 06:25:58 | HE IS A SENATOR I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR. |
| 06:26:01 | I'VE WORKED WITH HIM. |
| 06:26:02 | I LIKE HIM. |
| 06:26:03 | WE'RE FRIENDS. |
| 06:26:04 | HE COMES TO THE FLOOR I AM SURE HE FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT THIS BILL. |
| 06:26:09 | SENATOR MOYNIHAN, LEGISLATIVE GIANT AND A GREAT THINKER. |
| 06:26:12 | COMES TO THE FLOOR, FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT THIS BILL. |
| 06:26:16 | AND THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA FEELS DIFFERENTLY. |
| 06:26:19 | I FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THESE ISSUES. |
| 06:26:22 | AND THE WAY TO DEAL WITH THEM IS TO HAVE AMENDMENTS OFFERED AND HAVE VOTES. |
| 06:26:28 | YOU KNOW, ONE WOULD THINK JUST AN ELEMENTARY LESSON IN POLITICS IS THAT POLITICS IS A PROCESS OF MAKING CHOICES. |
| 06:26:37 | YOU MAKE CHOICES BY VOTING. |
| 06:26:40 | BUT WE HAVE THIS VINEYARD I DESCRIBED EARLIER THAT HAS BEEN PLANTED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER WITH A WHOLE SERIES OF TREES NOW, AND HE HAS DECIDED THAT HE IS THE GATEKEEPER OF THE VINEYARD, IT IS HISTORYS, THESE ARE HISTORYS AND HE WILL DECIDE WHO COMES THROUGH THE GATE AND PICK THE FRUIT. |
| 06:26:56 | HIS FRIEND WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. |
| 06:26:58 | MY FRIEND WILL GET AND AN OFFER THEIR AMENDMENTS BUT I WON'T ALLOW ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS BECAUSE IT IS A NUISANCE. |
| 06:27:03 | THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO LEGISLATE. |
| 06:27:05 | THAT'S NOT THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO BUSINESS IN THE SENATE. |
| 06:27:09 | IT IS AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE. |
| 06:27:11 | THE MAJORITY LEADER SERVED THERE, I SERVED THERE. |
| 06:27:13 | WE UNDERSTAND THAT. |
| 06:27:14 | IN THE HOUSE YOU HAVE A RULE COMMITTEE, YOU HAVE A ONE MINUTE RULE, YOU HAVE A FIVE MINUTE RULE, AND EVERYTHING HAPPENS BY THE CLOCK. |
| 06:27:20 | THAT'S THE WAY THE HOUSE WORKS. |
| 06:27:22 | BUT WHEN THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION CREATED THIS SENATE THEY CREATED A DIFFERENT BODY. |
| 06:27:27 | I GUESS THEY CANNOT JETTISON THE HABITS THAT DIE HARD FROM THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE HOUSE, AND WHO NOW WANT TO CONTROL THE SENATE IN THE SAME MANNER, BUT THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS EVERY RIGHT IN MY JUDGMENT TO COME TO THIS FLOOR WHEN THIS BILL IS RAISED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AND TO OFFER AMENDMENTS AND SAY TO MEMBERS OF SENATE BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, HERE ARE MY IDEAS. |
| 06:27:52 | HERE IS THE MERIT THAT I ASCRIBE TO MY IDEAS. |
| 06:27:54 | HERE IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT. |
| 06:27:57 | HERE IS MY PASSION. |
| 06:27:58 | LET'S HAVE A VOTE UP OR DOWN. |
| 06:28:00 | I AM NOT AFRAID OF THAT. |
| 06:28:01 | HERE IS WHAT WE DO DO. |
| 06:28:04 | IT SEEMS TO ME WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN THIS SENATE WHERE WE ALLOW FULL, FREE, OPEN DEBATE. |
| 06:28:09 | BUT THAT UNFORTUNATELY THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. |
| 06:28:13 | AND SO WE HAVE THIS LEGISLATIVE FREE. |
| 06:28:16 | BEFORE THAT WE HAD A FILIBUSTER THAT GOES ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED, BUT WE HAVE THE MOTION TO PROCEED AND WE WILL MOVE ON. |
| 06:28:24 | NOW WE HAVE THIS LEGISLATIVE TREE, TREE, TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. |
| 06:28:29 | I HOPE AT SOME POINT THAT WE CAN DO THIS IN A DIFFERENT MANNER. |
| 06:28:32 | THE BEST WAY FOR THIS IS THAT THE TO ACT IS FOR PEOPLE WITH IDEAS TO COME TOGETHER. |
| 06:28:37 | THIS WREAK I WORKED WITH SENATOR BROWNBACK ON A BILL THAT WE INTRODUCED DEALING WITH WIRELESS TELEPHONES. |
| 06:28:45 | I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH SENATOR CRAIG ON A W. |
| 06:28:47 | T.O. TRADE CAUCUS. |
| 06:28:48 | I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A RANGE OF OTHERS DEALING WITH LEGISLATION ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE. |
| 06:28:58 | THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO LEGISLATE. |
| 06:29:00 | TO FIND GOOD IDEAS AND WORK TOGETHER TO GET THEM DONE. |
| 06:29:02 | THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE NOT IS WORKING THESE DAYS AND MANY WAYS IT IS REGRETTABLE BECAUSE THE PUBLIC IS NOT WELL-SERVED BY THIS KIND OF PARLIAMENTARY TACTIC THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN NOW. |
| 06:29:14 | MR. PRESIDENT, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR, AND LISTEN TO THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 06:29:20 | MR. |
| 06:29:21 | HOLLINGS: MR. |
| 06:29:22 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 06:29:24 | MR. HOLLINGS: LET ME THANK MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA, SENATOR DORGAN, KNOWS THIS PARTICULAR SUBINTIMATELY. |
| 06:29:35 | HE IS AN EXPERT IN THIS THE FIELD BE -- SUBINTIMATELY. |
| 06:29:43 | HE IS RIGHT ON TARGET. |
| 06:29:46 | THAT IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT WE CANNOT DEBATE TRADE. |
| 06:29:49 | JUST GENERAL SPEAKING. |
| 06:29:51 | I AM GOING TO SAY A FEW COMMENTS IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE WITH RESPECT TO THE OVERALL IDEA THAT THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY, COMPUTERIZATION AND OTHERWISE, IS THE ENGINE -- THIS IS THE ENGINE THAT'S REALLY GOTTEN AMERICA, THIS WONDERFUL BOOM OF ITS ECONOMY. |
| 06:30:10 | IT HAS FOR THE STOCK MARKET, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY. |
| 06:30:17 | AND WE WILL HAVE TO GET INTO THAT. |
| 06:30:21 | THERE ARE A FEW LOOSE ENDS. |
| 06:30:22 | JUST RECENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEW YORK, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT, QUESTIONED THE MATTER OF JOBS AND THE STATISTICS USED. |
| 06:30:34 | SO I HAVE THE STATISTICS FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS DATA DATED OCTOBER 15 AT 12:05, AND WE HAVE LOST 17,007 PAY PERIL JOBS AND 13,005 TEXTILE JOBS FOR A TOTAL OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL LOSS IN SOUTH CAROLINA OF 31,200, AND A NATIONAL LOSS OF 424,000. |
| 06:31:13 | THAT'S THE AUTHORITY FOR THE STATISTICS OR FACTS THAT I'VE BEEN USING. |
| 06:31:21 | FURTHER, MR. |
| 06:31:22 | PRESIDENT, I HEARD THE DEBATE -- I WANT TO BE SURE THAT DOESN'T SLIP MY MEMORY -- THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM DELAWARE CAME UP, THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR COMMITTEE A MOMENT AGO, AND SAYS THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF JOBS IS THE HIGH TARIFFS. |
| 06:31:40 | HIGH TARIFFS. |
| 06:31:41 | THAT'S WHY THEY GO TO GET HIGH TARIFFS. |
| 06:31:44 | I WILL TRY TO GET TO SEE HIM LATER. |
| 06:31:47 | MAYBE HE IS JOINING ME IN MY POSITION, BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY DON'T REDUCE THE TARIFFS. |
| 06:31:56 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WE INCLUDE IN THE RECORD AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT THE TEXT OF TARIFFS IN THE CRIB YEAH AND TEXT OF TARIFFS IN AFRICA. |
| 06:32:04 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 06:32:05 | MR. |
| 06:32:06 | HOLLINGS: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR. |
| 06:32:07 | NOW WE MADE THAT POINT THAT WITH NAFTA WE AT LEAST ELIMINATED THE TARIFFS. |
| 06:32:14 | WE HAD SIDE AGREEMENTS ON LABOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT. |
| 06:32:17 | WE HAD RECIPROCITY, AND WE CUT DOWN ON THE TARIFFS. |
| 06:32:21 | BUT HERE WE HAVE NO RECIPROCITY. |
| 06:32:24 | THERE IS NO ELIMINATION, AND ACCORDING TO THE ARGUMENT JUST PROPOUNDED BY THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, ZIMBABWE WITH A 200% TARIFF, ALL OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY SHOULD MOVE THEIR IMMEDIATELY. |
| 06:32:42 | UNDER HIS REASONING. |
| 06:32:43 | THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, WITH ELIMINATION OF THE TARIFFS, THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. |
| 06:32:51 | WITH ELIMINATION OF THE TARIFFS, THE INVESTMENT HAS GONE SOUTH. |
| 06:32:56 | THAT SUCKING SOUND, AS ROSS PEROT TALK, THEY CAN'T HEAR IT BUT I'VE HEARD IT, 32,200 IN MY STATE, BE I CONTINUE TO HEAR THE SOUND SO I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT. |
| 06:33:14 | FURTHER, MR. PRESIDENT, THE STATEMENT WAS MADE BY THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM IOWA, WE HAD A 50-YEAR HISTORY OF REMOVING BARRIERS -- NOT AT ALL. |
| 06:33:31 | NOT AT ALL. |
| 06:33:32 | WE HAVE HAD A 50-YEAR HISTORY OF REMOVING OUR BARRIERS USING FOREIGN TRADE AS FOREIGN AID, BUT TAKES TEXTILES ALONE. |
| 06:33:52 | WE'VE GOT THE BOOK, AND THIS IS FOREIGN REGULATIONS AFFECTING U. |
| 06:33:56 | S. TEXTILE AND APPAREL EXPORTS. |
| 06:34:00 | THAT'S THE 1994. |
| 06:34:01 | NOW THE REASON THEY HAVEN'T, MAYBE IT IS ON ACCOUNT OF ME BECAUSE I USED TO USE THIS BOOK OVER AT COMMERCE AND THEY ARE NOT PUTTING IT OUT BUT YOU GET UP THE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES AND MAKE UP AN EVEN BIGGER BOOK. |
| 06:34:13 | BECAUSE IT HAS GONE UP IT HASN'T GONE DOWN. |
| 06:34:16 | HE SAID 50 YEARS OF LIBERAL TRADE POLICY ELIMINATING OR REDUCING TARIFFS. |
| 06:34:24 | THE WAR WAS OVER IN 1945 TO 1995 WOULD BE 50 YEARS. |
| 06:34:35 | THE 1994, 49 YEARS, THAT'S 49 YEARS OF NOT REDUCING TEXTILE TARIFFS AND NOT REDUCING THE ALL THE OTHER TARIFFS AND NON-TARIFF BARRIERS. |
| 06:34:52 | YOU CAN'T GET IN AND DO BUSINESS STILL IN JAPAN. |
| 06:34:54 | IF YOU WANT TO SELL TEXTILES OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT TEXTILES IN KOREA YOU'VE GOT TO GET A VOTE OF THE INDUSTRY. |
| 06:35:02 | EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE USED THE JAPANESE SYSTEM OF CONTROLS CAPITALISM. |
| 06:35:10 | AND IT WORKS. |
| 06:35:11 | THAT WAS THE AMERICAN SYSTEM UNDER ALEXANDER HAMILTON. |
| 06:35:17 | WE POINT OUT TIME AGAIN THAT THE BRITS, ONCE WE WON OUR FREEDOM IN THE EARLIEST DAY, DAVIDRY CARD OR THE DR. |
| 06:35:28 | OF COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE, ADAM SMITH, OPEN MARKETS, LET'S GO RIGHT NOW THE BRITS CORRESPONDED WITH HAM I I WILL TON SAYING YOU FLEDGLING COLONY, NOW THAT YOU HAVE WON YOUR FREEDOM, LET YOU TRADE BACK TO THE MOTHER COUNTRY WITH WHAT YOU PRODUCE BEST AND WE WILL TRADE BACK WITH YOU WHAT WE PRODUCE BEST. |
| 06:35:48 | HAMILTON SAID IN A BOOK, "REPORTS ON MANUFACTURERS", "BUG OFF. |
| 06:35:57 | WE ARE NOT GOING TO REMAIN YOUR COLONY. |
| 06:35:59 | " AND THE SECOND BILL THAT PASSED THIS CONGRESS FROM WHICH I STAND HERE THIS EVENING, ON JEWEL 4, 189 -- ON JULY 4, 1789, THE FIRST BILL BEING THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES, THE SECOND BILL AND THE 4TH OF JULY, 1789, A TARIFF BILL OF 50% ON 60 ARTICLES AND WE STARTED AND BUILT THIS ECONOMIC GIANT WITH CONTROLLED CAPITALISM, WITH PROTECTIONISM AND IT IS EMULATED AND I DON'T BLAME THEM, IT'S WORKED. |
| 06:36:33 | IN JAPAN. |
| 06:36:35 | IT IS NOT ABOUT BEING FAIR. |
| 06:36:38 | THIS WHINE AROUND HERE, THESE AMERICAN POLITICIANS. |
| 06:36:42 | YOU GOT TO BE FAIRX BE FAIR. |
| 06:36:44 | COME OFMBIT YOU GOT TO BE REALISTIC. |
| 06:36:46 | TRADE IS TRADE. |
| 06:36:50 | A FAIR PRICE FOR A SOUND ARTICLE. |
| 06:36:54 | IT'S NOT A GIVEAWAY. |
| 06:36:56 | JAPAN IS WORKING. |
| 06:36:59 | ITS SYSTEM IS WORKING. |
| 06:37:00 | EVERYBODY HAS WRITTEN ALL OF THESE ARTICLES. |
| 06:37:03 | THAT'S WHY I WANTED EVERYBODY TO READ EMIN FINGLETON'S "HARD INDUSTRY" BOOK. |
| 06:37:12 | I CAN'T PUT THE WHOLE BOOK IN THE RECORD, BUT WE MAKE REFERENCE HERE IN JUST A MINUTE. |
| 06:37:18 | BUT JAPAN STILL OUTPRODUCES ITS MANUFACTURE -- A LITTLE 125 MILLION TO 260 MILLION UNITED STATES CITIZENS. |
| 06:37:30 | THEY OUTPRODUCING US. |
| 06:37:32 | THEY GOT A STRONG ECONOMY. |
| 06:37:34 | THEY GOT A BETTER SAVINGS RATE AND EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT. |
| 06:37:38 | THERE MAY BE ONE TWOR BANKS. |
| 06:37:41 | BUT A LOST THEM DIDN'T GO BANKRUPT. |
| 06:37:44 | THEY ROO ADJUSTED AND THEY CONTINUE TO TAKE OVER MARKET SHARE, MARKET SHARE, MARKET SHARE. |
| 06:37:49 | THIS PAST YEAR THEY'VE TAKEN OVER AGAIN MORE OF THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY THAN THE AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS. |
| 06:37:55 | SO IT'S WORK BEING. |
| 06:37:59 | IF I WERE THE EMPEROR, I'D RUN IT THE SAME WAY. |
| 06:38:03 | I'M NOT RUNNING AROUND BEING UNFAIR. |
| 06:38:06 | WE'RE BEING DOWNRIGHT STUPID. |
| 06:38:07 | THE SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA JUST POINTED OUT THE OBSERVATION OF WILL ROTHERS, WE WIN EVERY WAR BUT LOSE EVERY CONFERENCE, BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING AROUND LIKE WE'RE FAT, RICH, AND HAPPY, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE, THAT WE'VE GOT THIS BOOMING ECONOMY AND EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT. |
| 06:38:24 | NOT SO. |
| 06:38:29 | 00 BILLION DEFICIT IN THE BALANCE OF TRADE. |
| 06:38:33 | -- $300 BILLION DEFICIT IN THE BALANCE OF TRADE. |
| 06:38:38 | THE DEBT $127 BILLION MORE IN THE RED, IN THE HOLE. |
| 06:38:45 | CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, LESSENING NOW. |
| 06:38:49 | GREENSPAN RAISING INTEREST RATES. |
| 06:38:52 | AND I'M LOSING TEXTILE JOBS AND HAVE LOST THEM TO THE EXTENT, LIKE I SAY, THE TWO-THIRDS OF THE CLOTHING THAT I'M LOOKING AT IS REPRESENTED IN IMPORTS, AND I'M FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN THE ONE-THIRD THAT'S VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE AND VERY COMPETITIVE BUT CANNOT REMAIN SO IF THIS BILL PASSES. |
| 06:39:15 | YOU KNOW WITHIN THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, WREER EA GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH OF A PROPOSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE PHASING OUT OF THE ARRANGEMENT AND SO WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO BATON DOWN THE HATCHES NOW AND START PUTTING IN -- STOP PUTTING IN THESE GIVEAWAY PROGRAMS TO THE CARIBBEAN AND TO THE SUB-SAHARA ON THE BASIS OF HELPING THE CARIBBEAN AND ON THE BASIS OF HELPING THE SUB-SAHARA. |
| 06:39:45 | WE KNOW FROM HARD EXPERIENCE -- THAT'S WHY I PUT IN -- I JUST CAUGHT CALLED -- THEY SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY PAGES. |
| 06:39:54 | I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT IN THE BOOK OF THE FOREIGN FIRMS THAT ARE LOCATED IN TEXTILES IN MEXICO JUST IN THE FABRIC FIELD FIELD. |
| 06:40:01 | THE REASON I DID THAT OF COURSE IS THE FABRIC FIELD JUST ABANDONED, IF YOU PLEASE, THE APPAREL BOYS THAT WE GOT THE VOTES FOR THE SEVERAL TEXTILE BILLS THAT WE PASSED. |
| 06:40:12 | BUT THEY'VE LOW KUWAITED DOWN THERE, AND WE'VE GOT THAT SUCKING KOUNDZ, AND I'M TRYING TO PROVENT IT BECOMING -- PREVENT IT BECOMING A ROAR. |
| 06:40:26 | THERE'S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND. |
| 06:40:28 | NOW, MAYBE THEY ARE LISTENING BECAUSE I GOT A LETTER HERE JUST A MINUTE AGO FROM ATMI. |
| 06:40:36 | I HADN'T SEEN THIS LETTER. |
| 06:40:38 | IT'S DATED ALL THE WAY BACK ON OCTOBER 1, 1999. |
| 06:40:48 | THERE'S ONE OTHER DATE HERE. |
| 06:40:50 | THERE'S TWO DATES -- SEPTEMBER 28, 1999, BUT "DEAR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OUR VIEWS REGARDING THE CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE AND THE AFRICA GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT THAT'S APPROVED BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND TO EXPRESS FOR THE RECORD OUR POSITION ON ANY TRADE PACKAGE THAT MIGHT INCLUDE THE MEASURES. |
| 06:41:17 | " MR. PRESIDENT, I'D ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE LETTER IN ITS ENTIRETY BE INCLUDED. |
| 06:41:20 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 06:41:21 | MR. |
| 06:41:22 | HOLLINGS: I DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD OR MISQUOTE, BUT THEY SAID THEY FOUGHT THE C. |
| 06:41:26 | B.I. PART OF THE BILL. |
| 06:41:27 | BUT THEN I QUOTE FROM THE LETTER HERE ON THE THIRD PARAGRAPH, QUOTE, "ATMI CANNOT, HOWEVER, SUPPORT SENATE PASSAGE OF THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT IN ANY FORM AS A STAND-ALONE BILL OR AS PART OF A TRADE PACKAGE BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS POSED BY A CONFERENCE WITH THE HOUSE HOUSE. |
| 06:41:52 | WHILE S. 1387 INCLUDES CRITICAL U. |
| 06:41:55 | S. YARN AND FIBER REQUIREMENTS, THE HOUSE-PASSED AFRICA BILL WILL PROMOTE MASSIVE ILLEGAL TRANSSHIPMENTS OF ASIAN AND APPAREL PRODUCTS THROUGH THE 48 NATIONS OF SUB-SAHARA AFRICA TO GAIN DUTY-FREE, QUOTA-FREE ACCESS TO THE U. |
| 06:42:16 | S. MARKET. |
| 06:42:17 | THE RESULT WILL BE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ILLEGAL ASIAN, PARTICULARLY CHINESE, TRANSSHIPMENTS WHICH WILL ENTER THE U. |
| 06:42:27 | S. AT ZERO DUTY, RESULTING IN JOB LOSSES FOR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN THE U. |
| 06:42:36 | S. TEXTILE, APPAREL, AND FIBER INDUSTRIES. |
| 06:42:39 | THE HOUSE AFRICA BILL IS SO FATALLY FLAWED THAT ANY COMPROMISE OTHER THAN THE BILL APPROVED BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD BE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO OUR INDUSTRY. |
| 06:42:53 | THEREFORE, WITHOUT FIRM ASSURANCE THAT THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S AFRICA BILL WILL BE MAINTAINED IN CONFERENCE, WITHOUT CHANGE, WE REMAIN OPPOSED TO ANY PACKAGE CONTAINING THE AFRICA BILL, EVEN IF IT WERE TO ALSO INCLUDE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S YARN-FORWARD 807(A) 809 C. |
| 06:43:20 | B.I. BILL AND THE ENTIRE LETTER. |
| 06:43:23 | WELL, THAT THERE WOULD HAVE SAVED ME ALMOST A DAY IN THIS DEBATE BECAUSE WE'RE USING THE SAME THOFERMENT I WISH WE COULD HAVE THE SANDWICH BOARD BACK UP WHERE THE ATMI, THEY WERE OFF SAYING -- THE ATMI THAT REPRESENTED ALL OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WAS SUPPORTING MY POSITION. |
| 06:43:41 | WELL, THEY SAY THEY OPPOSE HALF OF MY POSITION, NAMELY, THE C. |
| 06:43:47 | B.I. SO WE AT LEAST GOT SUPPORT FROM MY OWN ATMI FOR THE POSITION I'VE TAKEN. |
| 06:43:54 | I'LL BEGINING TO FEEL A LITTLE STRENGTH HERE THIS AFTERNOON HERE, WHERE WE'RE PICKING UP A LITTLE SPEED. |
| 06:44:01 | MAYBE I CAN GET THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA TO SUPPORT ME. |
| 06:44:05 | I'M GOING TO TRY MY BEST, BECAUSE I WANT EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND JUST EXACTLY WHAT WAS BEING TALKED ABOUT BY THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA WITH RESPECT TO THE OVERALL TRADE, BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE FINDING OUT WITH RESPECT TO AGRICULTURE, WHERE I WOULD THINK THAT IT WOULD ALMOST BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ASK FOR ANOTHER -- ANOTHER -- ASSIST OR SUBSIDY TO AGRICULTURE -- AND I SUPPORT AGRICULTURE. |
| 06:44:39 | EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. |
| 06:44:40 | BUT YOU GOT TO BE UP FRONT AND LAY IT ON THE LINE. |
| 06:44:45 | AND WE HAVE A MAGNIFICENT AGRICULTURE, NOT ON ACCOUNT OF MARKET FORCES -- MARKET FORCES -- ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT FORCES. |
| 06:44:55 | THIS MARKET FORCES, FREE MARKET. |
| 06:44:57 | THEY'RE ALWAYS, GIVE ME THAT WHEN I BRING UP MY TEXTILE BILLS. |
| 06:45:01 | AND THEY'VE GOT, WHAT? |
| 06:45:03 | WELL, THE LAND ITSELF. |
| 06:45:06 | WE HAD OUR FRIEND, THE SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS, TALKING ABOUT THE LEASES AND SO FORTH THAT THEY CAN GET OUT THERE AND GRAZING LANDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND TO GET THEIR WOOL. |
| 06:45:21 | I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISTINGUISHED ANNOUNCER THAT DOESN'T INVITE ME BACK ANYMORE FROM TEXAS, THAT HE'S GOT A MOHAIR SUBSIDY. |
| 06:45:37 | I KNOW THAT THEIR TELEPHONE IS SUBSIDIZED WITH THE CO-OPS. |
| 06:45:47 | THE ELECTRICITY IS SUBSIDIZED. |
| 06:45:52 | THEY'VE BEEN GETTING PRICE SUPPORTS. |
| 06:45:54 | THEY GET EXPORT PROMOTION, TRADE PROMOTION, AND EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT. |
| 06:46:00 | IF IT RAINS THEY GET HELP. |
| 06:46:02 | IF IT DRIES UP AND THEY GET A DROUGHT, THEY GET HELP. |
| 06:46:06 | NOW WITH DURUM WHEAT AND THESE SO-CALLED FREE TRADE MARKET FORCES, WE'VE HAD AN AMENDMENT INTRODUCED HERE ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE. |
| 06:46:18 | SO YOU CAN SEE, MR. |
| 06:46:22 | PRESIDENT, THAT THE ARTICLE BY MARGE ZUCKERMAN HERE ON OCTOBER 18 IN THE CLERK WILL REPORT, STARTING "WE ARE BECOMING TWO NATIONS. |
| 06:46:36 | THE PROSPEROUS ARE RAPIDLY GETTING MORE PROSPEROUS AND THE POOR ARE SLOWLY GETTING POORER. |
| 06:46:42 | GEORGE W. |
| 06:46:43 | BUSH DID WELL TO REBUKE HIS PARTY WHEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS MANEUVERED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BY PROPOSING TO DELAY THE EARNED-INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THE WORKING POOR, PAYING IT IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS RATHER THAN AN ANNUAL LUMP SUM. |
| 06:47:01 | I DON'T THINK," MANY EA QUOTING -- "I DON'T THINK THEY OUGHT TO BALANCE THE BUDGETS ON THE BACK OF THE POOR," END QUOTE, BUSH SAID. |
| 06:47:10 | "INSTEAD, IT IS TIME FOR ASPIRING LEADERS TO PONDER HOW THE TWO NATIONS MIGHT MORE CLOSELY BECOME ONE. |
| 06:47:18 | THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS GROWING DRAMATICALLY, BUT THIS PROSPERITY IS BEING DISTRIBUTED VERY UNEVENLY. |
| 06:47:26 | THE AMERICA THAT IS DOING WELL IS DOING VERY WELL INDEED. |
| 06:47:30 | BUT MOST BENEFITS HAVE GONE TO THOSE WHO WORK IN INDUSTRIES WHERE THE MAIN PRODUCT IS INFORMATION. |
| 06:47:37 | THE LOSERS HAVE BEEN THE PRODUCERS OF TANGIBLE GOODS AND PERSONAL SERVICES, EVEN TEACHERS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. |
| 06:47:47 | THE HIGH-TECH INFORMATION ECONOMY HAS BEEN GROWING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES THE RATE OF THE ORLDTE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY. |
| 06:47:56 | IT HAS ENJOYED SUBSTANTIAL JOB GROWTH, THE HIGHEST PRODUCTIVITY GAINS -- ABOUT 30% A YEAR -- AND BIGGER PROFITS. |
| 06:48:05 | IT CAN, THEREFORE, AFFORD BIGGER WAGE GAINS ABOUT FOUR TIMES THAT OF THE OLDER ECONOMY. |
| 06:48:12 | THIS WAGE GAB -- THIS WAGE GAP IS LIKELY TO WIDEN FOR YEARS TO COME. |
| 06:48:18 | THE RICH GET RICHER. |
| 06:48:19 | THE CONCENTRATION OF WEALTH IS EVEN MORE DRAMATIC. |
| 06:48:22 | NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST EDWARD WOLFF POINTS OUT THAT THE TOP 20% OF AMERICANS ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 100% OF THE TOTAL GROWTH IN WEALTH FROM 1983 TO 1997 WHILE THE BOTTOM 80% LOST 7%. |
| 06:48:39 | ANOTHER STUDY FOUND THAT THE FOP 1% SAW THEIR AFTERTAX INCOME DUMPED 115% IN THE PAST 22 YEARS -- THE TOP FIFTH HAVE SEEN AN AFTERTAX INCREASE OF 43% DURING THE SAME PERIOD. |
| 06:48:57 | WHILE THE BOTTOM FIFTH OF ALL AMERICANS, INCLUDING MANY WORKING MOTHERS, HAVE SEEN THEIR AFTERTAX INCOMES FALL 9% 9%. |
| 06:49:10 | THE RESULT IS THAT FOUR OUT OF FIVE HOUSEHOLDS, SOME 217 MILLION PEOPLE, WILL TAKE HOME A THINNER SLICE OF THE ECONOMIC PIE THAN THEY DID 22 YEARS AGO. |
| 06:49:25 | NOW, MR. |
| 06:49:26 | PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT I INCLUDE THE ARTICLE IN ITS ENTIRETY IN THE RECORD AT THIS POINT. |
| 06:49:30 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 06:49:31 | MR. |
| 06:49:32 | HOLLINGS: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR, BUT I EMPHASIZE -- I EMPHASIZE -- THE TOP FIFTH HAVE SEEN AN AFTERTAX INCREASE OF 43% DURING THE SAME PERIOD WHILE THE BOTTOM FIFTH OF ALL AMERICANS, INCLUDING MANY WORKING MOTHERS, HAVE SEEN THEIR AFTERTAX INCOMES FALL 9% 9%. |
| 06:50:00 | FALL 9%? |
| 06:50:01 | DISAPPEAR. |
| 06:50:03 | THAT'S THE ISSUE IN THE BILL BEFORE US. |
| 06:50:08 | THAT'S WHY THE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TAKES THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO DISAPPEAR. |
| 06:50:14 | YOU'VE SEEN EXACTLY WHAT CAUSES THAT DISAPPEARANCE. |
| 06:50:17 | IT'S SO-CALLED FREE TRADE, FREE TRADE. |
| 06:50:21 | THE C. |
| 06:50:22 | B.I. WE'RE ALL FOR LIBERAL FREE TRADE. |
| 06:50:25 | WELL, WE CAN SIT AROUND AND POLITICIANS AND WE CAN WONDERFULLY AGREE UPON IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION ON THIS HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING. |
| 06:50:36 | BEFORE YOU CAN OPEN UP "X" MANUFACTURING, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE CLEAN ACRES CLEAN WATER, MINIMUM WAGE, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SAFE WORKINGPLACE, SAFE MACHINERY, PLANT CLOSING NOTICE, PARENT AM LEAVE, ALL OF THESE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING THAT REPUBLICANS SUPPORT, THAT DEMOCRATS SUPPORT. |
| 06:51:00 | BUT THEN WHEN YOU OPEN IT UP WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OF THE ECONOMIC STRENGTH, THE INDUSTRIAL BACKBONE TO BEGIN TO HOLLOW IT OUT AND SAY, FREE TRADE, FREE TRADE, YOU CAN GO FOR 58 CENTS AN HOUR DOWN TO -- IT'S NOW, LET'S SAY SOMEONE USED THE FIGURE 82 CENTS AN HOUR -- TO MEXICO WITH NONE OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS, NONE OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS. |
| 06:51:25 | I WENT DOWN TO MEXICO. |
| 06:51:27 | I CROSSED INTO TIJUANA AND THE MAYOR SAW ME. |
| 06:51:31 | AND HE SAID, SENATOR, I WANT YOU TO MEET WITH 12 PEOPLE. |
| 06:51:35 | I SAID, WELL, YES, I'M DOWN HERE AND YOU'VE BEEN NICE ENOUGH TO COME OUT. |
| 06:51:40 | I HAD I'LL BE GLAD TO. |
| 06:51:41 | I WAS LOOKING AT ALL IFRN -- I WAS LOOKING AT ALL THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND TALKING TO THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, NOT THE POLITICIANS. |
| 06:51:51 | BUT THE MAYOR WAS VERY COURTEOUS, SO I MET WITH THEM IN A LITTLE GROUPING AND IN A SHORT WORD, BHAPED -- THIS WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO -- THEY HAD AT HEAVY RAIN AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR AND THEY HAD JUST FLOODED AND WASHED DOWN THESE LITTLE -- THERE ARE 100,000 OUT IN THIS VALLEY OF HARD DIRT AND THEY TAKE AND FOR A LIVING PLACE, THEY TAKE FIVE GARAGE DOORS AND PUT IT TOGETHER. |
| 06:52:23 | THERE'S NO STREETS. |
| 06:52:24 | THERE ARE NO POWER LINES. |
| 06:52:26 | THERE'S A LITTLE ELECTRIC WIRE. |
| 06:52:28 | BUT THAT ISN'T SUFFICIENT OTHER THAN TO HOLD ON A LIFMTE THEY GOT A CAR BATTERY TO OPERATE THE TV. |
| 06:52:35 | IT IS A TERRIBLE, MISERABLE EXISTENCE. |
| 06:52:38 | BUT THEY'RE PROUD PEOPLE AND THEY WORK AND THEY TRY TO GET THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. |
| 06:52:45 | AND SO WHEN THE RAIN HAPPENED AND THEY ALL BOGGED DOWN, THEY MISS ADD DAY OF WORK. |
| 06:52:49 | SO THEY WENT TO THE PLANT THE NEXT DAY TRYING TO HOLD ONTO THEIR GARAGE-DOOR HOUSING AND THEY FOUND OUT UNDER THE WORK RULES IN MEXICO THEY WERE DOCKED ANOTHER THREE DAY, SO THEY LOST FOUR DAYS' PAY. |
| 06:53:04 | WELL, THAT SORT OF GOT THEM A LITTLE PUT OUT, THIS PLANT THAT HAD MOVED DOWN FROM ST. |
| 06:53:15 | AN LOW, CALIFORNIA, MAKING THESE PLASTIC COAT HANKERS. |
| 06:53:19 | A MONTH PASSED IN FEBRUARY. |
| 06:53:23 | THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROTECTION WHATSOEVER IN THE INSIDE WITH MANUFACTURING LIKE WE TALK WITH ABOUT MACHINERY AND SAFE WORKINGPLACE AND IT'S FLICKED OFF INTO THE WORKERS' EYE AND HE LOST HIS EYE. |
| 06:53:38 | AND THEN THAT GOT HIM MORE CONCERNED. |
| 06:53:41 | BUT ON MAY 1 THEY HAD A FAVORITE FAVORITE SOUP ADVISOR AND SHE WAS EXPECTING AND SHE WENT TO THE FRONT OFFICE AND SAID, I'M SORRY. |
| 06:53:52 | I'M NOT DOING WELL. |
| 06:53:53 | I'M SICK. |
| 06:53:54 | I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO HOME. |
| 06:53:55 | THEY SAID, NO YOU YOU'RE NOT. |
| 06:53:58 | YOU'RE STAYING HEE AND WORKING OR ELSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A JOB. |
| 06:54:02 | SO SHE STAYED, WORKED, MISCARRIED AND THAT BLEW THE COVER. |
| 06:54:07 | THE EMPLOYEES SAID, AH, WE'RE GOING UP TO CALIFORNIA AND WE'RE GOING TO GET A UNION. |
| 06:54:14 | AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID? |
| 06:54:15 | THEY WENT UP THERE AND GOT A LAWYER IN LOS ANGELES AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD A UNION. |
| 06:54:23 | THESE PEOPLE ARE CLEVER ENOUGH WHEN THEY MOVED DOWN TO FILL OUT THE PAIRNTION SAY THEY'VE THE G. |
| 06:54:28 | A.O. UNION AND THE PAPERS ARE THERE, THEY NEVER SAW A SHOP STEWARD, THEY NEVER SAW A UNIONMAN OR ANYBODY ELSE AROUND THE PLANT, NEVER MET THEM, NO ONE WAS THERE BUT THEM. |
| 06:54:41 | BUT THEY SWAP MONEYS AMONGST THEMSELVES TO TRY IT MAKE IT LOOK OFFICIAL. |
| 06:54:46 | MEXICAN LAW SAYS IF YOU GOT A UNION AND TRY TO ORGANIZE ONE, YOU LOSE YOUR JOFMBITANT 129 HOURS TALK WITH THE MAYOR WERE FIRED. |
| 06:54:56 | CONMAKE A LIVING ANYMORE. |
| 06:54:57 | COULDN'T GET A JOB. |
| 06:54:58 | YOU WONDER WHY IMMIGRATION -- I'D HAVE SNEAKED INTO THE UNITED STATES OR SOME OTHER COUNTRY I CAN TELL YOU NOW, TO FEED THE FAMILY. |
| 06:55:09 | THAT'S THE KIND OF WORK CONDITIONS THAT WE TRY TO PREVENT, STILL PERSISTING INCIDENTALLY IN MEXICO. |
| 06:55:17 | BUT THAT'S THE KIND OF SIDE AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAD TO TRY TO DEAL WITH LABOR SIDE AGREEMENTS. |
| 06:55:24 | SO WE DID THAT AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT AT ALL WITH RESPECT TO THE DIFFERENT COMPANIES DOWN THERE, LET'S SAY, IN EL SALVADOR. |
| 06:55:38 | I'LL JUST -- I WON'T GET INTO EVERY ONE OF THEM. |
| 06:55:41 | A KOREAN OPEN MAQUILLADORA, A CRIBIAN APPAREL, AMERICAN FREE TRADE ZONE, SANTA ANA EL SALVADOR. |
| 06:55:54 | DEATH THREATS, WORKERS ARE LEGALLY FIRED AND IP TIM DATED, PREGNANCY TEST, FORCED OVERTIME, LOCKED BATHROOMS, STARVATION WAIRPBLGS WORKERS PAID IS A CENTS FOR EVERY $16. |
| 06:56:11 | 96 PAIR OF KATHY LEE PAINT PANTS THEY SOFMTED CURSING AND YELING AT THE WORKERS TO GO FASTER. |
| 06:56:18 | DENIAL OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO WORKERS. |
| 06:56:21 | BLACK LISTED IF THEY TRY TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS. |
| 06:56:24 | CARIBBEAN APPAREL SIN ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC INSPECTION. |
| 06:56:28 | THE AMERICAN FREE TRADE ZONING IS SURROUNDED BY WALLS TOPPED WITH RAZOR WIRX AFIRMD GUARDS ARE POSTED AT THE ENTRANCE. |
| 06:56:37 | FORCED OVERTIME, 11-HOUR SHIFTS, SIX DAYS A WEEK, MANDATORY PREGNANCY TESTS. |
| 06:56:43 | AND ON AND ON. |
| 06:56:45 | I COULD SEE OTHERS AND I'VE GOT TO GET THIS IN THE RECORD HERE THIS EVENING BECAUSE I'VE BEEN VERY CONSIDERATE OF THE COLLEAGUES. |
| 06:56:53 | MANY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT OUR LATE COLLEAGUE, THE SENATOR FROM RHODE ISLAND OFMB. |
| 06:56:58 | AND I'D ALWAYS YIELD FOR THAT AND FOR OTHER PARTICULAR PARTS THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE. |
| 06:57:03 | BUT YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER KATHY LEE, WAL-MART SWEATSHOP IN GUATEMALA, ST. |
| 06:57:15 | LUCAS, SANTIAGO, GUATEMALA. |
| 06:57:24 | 11 1/2 TO 14-HOUR SHIFTS. |
| 06:57:27 | THE WORKERS AT THE FACTORY BETWEEN 66 AND 80 HOURS A WEEK. |
| 06:57:34 | REFUSAL TO WORK OVERTIME IS SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAVEMENT THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME THIS OFFENSE OWE CURBS THE WORKER IS TIRED. |
| 06:57:41 | BELOW SUBSISTENCE WAGES. |
| 06:57:43 | FOR 44 REGULAR HOURS, THE PAY IS $28. |
| 06:57:48 | 57 OR $65 -- OR 6 A CENTS OF AN HOUR. |
| 06:57:54 | THIS DOES NOT MEET SUBSISTENCE FEEDS. |
| 06:57:57 | ARMED SECURITY GUARDS CONTROL ACCESS TO THE TOILETS, CHECK THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE WOMEN SPEND IN THE BATHROOM, HURRYING THEM UP IF THEY THINK THEY'RE SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME. |
| 06:58:09 | PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PLANT IS PROHIBITED BY HEAVILY ARMED GUARDS. |
| 06:58:13 | YOU CAN GO RIGHT ON DOWN THIS WILL LIST HERE. |
| 06:58:22 | I'VE GOT TO REFER -- ONE OF THEM I KNOW. |
| 06:58:26 | I'LL IT WILL YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU TRY TO HORG A UNION, THEY'LL SHOOT YOU. |
| 06:58:32 | I'VE GOT THE RFRNS TO THAT -- I'VE GOT THE REFERENCE TO THAT IN ONE OF THE PAPERS HERE WITH SEVERAL OF THE COUNTRIES. |
| 06:58:47 | POINT "YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD. |
| 06:58:52 | AS THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE SAID, A WIN-WIN SITUATION. |
| 06:58:55 | YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ANOTHER SENATOR SAY, THIS IS THE WAY WE WANT TO GO. |
| 06:58:59 | CAN'T WE STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN AND GET THESE LABELS -- DREADFUL SITUATIONS CLEANED UP BEFORE WE GO. |
| 06:59:06 | IS THAT WHAT WOULD WANT TO DO, THE STAMP OF APPROVAL ON THIS KIND OF HEINOUS CONDUCT DOWN THERE IN THE CARIBBEAN? |
| 06:59:16 | THIS ISN'T WHAT EVERYBODY IS SITTING ON THE BEACHES -- WE KNOW IT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE SUN SUNTAN OIL. |
| 06:59:22 | WAITING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO CALL US BACK INTO SESSION HERE THIS FALL MAYBE IF WE DON'T PASS THIS BILL. |
| 06:59:32 | ALL KINDS OF THREATS MADE HOW IMPORTANT THE BILL IS. |
| 06:59:38 | BUT I'LL FIND THAT OTHER REFERENCE, IF YOU CAN, WHERE THEY TRIED TO ACTUALLY THREATEN TO KILL HIM FOR JOINING A UNION AND EVERYTHING ELSE OF THAT KIND. |
| 06:59:52 | IN SEPTEMBER, GUY OWE VAN KNEE FUENTES, A UNION ORGANIZER ASSISTING THE WORKERS AT CARIBBEAN APPAREL, RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT FROM THE COMPANY. |
| 07:00:03 | HE WAS TOLD THAT HE AND HIS FRIENDS SHOULD LEAVE THE WORK OR THEY WOULD BE KILLED. |
| 07:00:09 | HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS DEALING WITH THE MAFIA AND IN EL SALVADOR, IT COSTS LESS THAN $15 TO HAVE ONE KILLED. |
| 07:00:18 | WHOOPIE! LET'S PASS THE C. |
| 07:00:20 | B.O.I. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GOAT THAT KIND OF PROURX THE CHEAP SHIRT THAT THEY COME AND PUT ON THE FLOOR AND SAY, LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING. |
| 07:00:29 | THE RETAILERS ARE FOR THIS BILL BILL. |
| 07:00:32 | SURE THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY'LL KILL IF YOU YOU DON'T PRODUCE FOR NEXT TO NOTHING DOWN THERE IN THE C. |
| 07:00:37 | B.I. IT'S A BROADER PROBLEM, MR. |
| 07:00:41 | PRESIDENT. |
| 07:00:42 | LET'S GO RIGHT TO WHAT THE I'VE HEARD ALL YEAR LONG ABOUT SOFTWARE, SOFTWARE. |
| 07:00:50 | SOFTWARE IS THE ENANYONE GIN, -- SOFTWARE IS THE ENGINE THAT'S REALLY RUNNING THIS WONDERFUL ECONOMY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND OF COURSE WE HAVE EA HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING MICROSOFT'S BILL GATES AND I HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF HIS ADMIRERS. |
| 07:01:14 | I PARTICULARLY ADMIRE THE RECENT INITIATIVE WITH HIS FOUNDATION THAT THEY GAVE $1 BILLION TO OUR FRIEND BILL GRAY GRAY, UNITED EGROW COLLEGE FUND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY BLANG BLACK IN AMERICA COULD RECEIVE A COLLEGE EDUCATION. |
| 07:01:36 | YOU COULDN'T JUST WANT FOR MONEY. |
| 07:01:39 | MAKE TDS 2 BILLION. |
| 07:01:40 | THEY CAN AFFORD IT. |
| 07:01:41 | BUT THAT'S THE FINEST THING THAT THIS SENATOR HAS HEARD ALL THE YEAR OF 1999. |
| 07:01:49 | THAT SOMEHOW SOMEWHERE IT'S AN ECONOMIC SITUATION THAT WE FACE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA CAROLINA, GEORGIA, THE SOUTHERN PART OF OUR COUNTRY, WHERE WE HAVE HAD FOR A LONG TIME A LACK OF ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE MINORITIES. |
| 07:02:10 | AND THEY GET BELEAGUERING -- AND THEY GET BELEAGUERED AND BESEECHED, WHY DO DOO THEY DO BETTER? |
| 07:02:19 | I CAME OUT AND SAW THAT LITTLE FREEDOM SCHOOL FOR THE BLACKS. |
| 07:02:23 | IT WAS ONE BIG BILINGTED. |
| 07:02:25 | THEY HAD FOUR CLASSROOMS IN ONE ROOM. |
| 07:02:28 | A POLT-BELLYED STOVE IN THE MIDDLE AND ONE TEACHER. |
| 07:02:33 | AND THEN THEY WON WONDER WHY THEY'RE I WILL LIT -- I WILL LITERAL AND SO FORTH -- AND THEN THEY WONDER WHY THEY'RE ILLITERATE AND SO FORTH. |
| 07:02:48 | AND SOMEHOW WE'VE BEEN GETTING THEM JOBS. |
| 07:02:50 | AND YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'VE GOTTEN THEM TEXTILE JOBS, OVER 50 RAILROAD $OVER 50% ARE WOMEN. |
| 07:03:01 | THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW THE MINORITY TO WORK IN A TEXTILE PLANT WHEN I FIRST CAME TO PUBLIC OFFICE. |
| 07:03:05 | I CAN TELL YOU THAT NOW. |
| 07:03:09 | WHY THEY HAD THE BLACK CAUCUS, THE DISTINGUISHED CONGRESSMAN, JAMES CLYBURN OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WHY ISN'T HE OPPOSED TO THIS BILL? |
| 07:03:22 | DON'T GIVE ME ANY SANDWICH BOWL OF ALL THE MONEY BOYS, FOR LORD'S SAKES. |
| 07:03:28 | ASK IS AS THEY USED TO SAY WITH THE PACKARD ALL, ASK THE MAN WHO OWNS ONE. |
| 07:03:34 | ASK THE CONGRESSMAN WHO'S WORKED IN THE VINEYARDS, TRAINED IN THE PUBLIC, HEADED UP OUR HUMAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL AND NOW HEAD OF THE BLACK CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
| 07:03:47 | HE IS ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THIS. |
| 07:03:50 | BECAUSE HE JUST GETTING JOBS FOR HIS PEOPLE. |
| 07:03:53 | AND HE KNOW NOW WE'RE GOING TO EXPORT JOBS. |
| 07:03:57 | THAT'S THE BIGGEST EXPORT WE GOT. |
| 07:03:59 | EXPORT, EXPORT, EXPORT. |
| 07:04:00 | WELL BACK TO BILL GATES. |
| 07:04:03 | HE HIMSELF -- I'M REFERRING OF COURSE IN PRAISE OF "HARD INDUSTRIES" BY IMAN FINGLETON. |
| 07:04:13 | MR. |
| 07:04:14 | GATES EXEMPLIFIES THE SORT OF MIND THAT SUCCEEDS IN THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY. |
| 07:04:18 | HE REPORTEDLY CAN RECALL THE TELEPHONE EXTENSION NUMBERS AND CAR LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF COUNTLESS MICROSOFT EMPLOYEES. |
| 07:04:30 | ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORS, JAMES WALLACE AND JAMES ERIKSSON, EVEN AS A CHILD HE DISPLAYED AMAZING MEMORY SKILLSLESS. |
| 07:04:38 | IN PARTICULAR, HE WON A LOCAL PAIR ISSUE CONTEST BY MEMORIZING AND RECITING THE ENTIRE SURMON ON THE MOUNT. |
| 07:04:47 | THE PASSAGE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF NEARLY FOUR STANDARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNS OF TYPE. |
| 07:04:53 | AMONG THE HUNDREDS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CONTEST, OVER THE YEARS, GATES, WHO WAS THEN ONLY 11, WAS THE ONLY CHALLENGER WHO EVER SUCCEEDED IN RESIGHT -- IN RECITING THE ENTIRE PKAGE WITHOUT STUM NELING O. |
| 07:05:10 | MISSING A LINE. |
| 07:05:11 | " NOW, YOU GOT TO RESPECT THAT. |
| 07:05:15 | THAT FELLOW DESERVES $1 BILLION A YEAR OR WHATEVER IT IS HE IS AI MAKING. |
| 07:05:22 | I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH IT. BUT I DO KNOW HE'S DONE EXTREMELY WELL AND I VISITED IN RID? |
| 07:05:28 | MONDZ, WASHINGTON AND HE'S GOT THE MOST MAGNIFICENT KIND -- I MEAN COMMON SENSICAL APPROACH TO HIS EMPLOY. |
| 07:05:39 | I UNDERSTOOD FROM "TIME" MAGAZINE AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR THEY HAD 22,000 EMPLOYEES A STOCK OPTION AND ALL. |
| 07:05:49 | THEY'RE 22,000 MILLIONAIRES. |
| 07:05:52 | THEY'RE ALL WELL-PAID AND WE RESPECT THAT AND WE DON'T OPPOSE THAT AND WE DON'T EXPECT THIS BILL IS GOING TO AFFECT THAT ONE WAY OR THE OFERMENT BUT IT IS GOING TO AFFECT PENTAGON $8. |
| 07:06:02 | 37 AN HOUR TEXTILE WORKER IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, I CAN TELL YOU THAT, ON THE AVERAGE THEY SAY IT IS EVEN BETTER, $10 AN HOUR NOW. |
| 07:06:11 | WHATEVER. |
| 07:06:13 | THEY'VE GOT HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:06:18 | WE ALL TALKING ABOUT THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:06:21 | A YOUNG LADY CAN WORK SHE CAN GET HEALTH CARE SO WHEN THE CHILD IS SICK THEY CAN GET TO A DOCTOR. |
| 07:06:29 | WHEN SHE CAN SAVE A LITTLE EVERY MONTH AND GET OUT A POLICY AND SEND THE KIDS TO COLLEGE, THAT'S A GOOD JOB, I'VE LOST 31,2 LUN HUNDRED OF THEM. |
| 07:06:43 | I CAN TELL YOU -- 31,200 OF THEM. |
| 07:06:47 | I CAN TELL YOU NOW, THE SENATOR FROM DELAWARE SAYS WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS REALIZE THE TRAIN, THE GLOBAL COMPETITION, HIGHER SKILLS, BETTER JOBS. |
| 07:06:58 | WELL LET'S THINK ON THOSE 31,200, BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE HAD A NET LOSS OF JOBS. |
| 07:07:05 | YES, WE'VE GOTTEN IN, I GOT TECHNICAL TRAINING THAT'S THE ENVY OF EVERYONE, AND WE'VE GOTTEN BMW AND HOFFMAN LA ROACH, HITACHI, OTHER INDUSTRIESED ENVY OF EVERYBODY, I GOT GE, GENERAL ELECTRIC, THE TROUBLE IS I USE TODAY HAVE FIVE I GOT ONE LEFT. |
| 07:07:28 | THEY ALL LEFT TO GO TO BRAZIL, MALAYSIA OR ELSEWHERE TO MAKE THEIR COMPAS TORS OR THEIR TURBINES. |
| 07:07:35 | SO I CAN TELL YOU NOW, MR. |
| 07:07:38 | PRESIDENT, IT ISN'T EASY TO HOLD ON TO THESE INDUSTRIES AND WHAT'S HAPPENED TO MY INDUSTRY AND THE REASON I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS ABOUT SOFTWARE IS TO DISABUSE THE POLITICAL MIND HERE IN THE NATIONAL CONGRESS THAT THAT'S NOT THE ENGINE ON THE ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ARE HEADED THE SAME WAY OF TEXTILE. |
| 07:08:02 | WHEN I PUT IN THE LIST, AND I WOULD ASK, MR. |
| 07:08:05 | PRESIDENT, TO INCLUDE THIS LIST FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION IN THE RECORD. |
| 07:08:09 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 07:08:12 | MR. HOLLINGS: I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR. |
| 07:08:14 | 1998 RATIOS OF IMPORTS TO CONSUMPTION, AND WHERE AIRCRAFT ENGINES NOW WE IMPORT 70%, YOU SEE. |
| 07:08:22 | THE AIRBUS, THE MARKET FORCES, MARKET FORCES, MARKET FORCES. |
| 07:08:27 | WELL, THE EUROPEANS VERY SENSIBLY IT SHALL NOT UNFAIR -- THIS WHINING ABOUT FAIRNESS, COMMON, THAT COMES FROM SILLY POLLSTERS THAT NEVER RAN FOR OFFICE. |
| 07:08:40 | THE EUROPEANS RELIES THAT WAIT A MINUTE, OUT OF THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY CAME THE MAGNIFICENT RESEARCH IN AEROSPACE. |
| 07:08:47 | OUT OF OUR SPACE PROGRAM CAME THE MAGNIFICENT RESEARCH IN AEROSPACE. |
| 07:08:53 | SO WE GAVE THAT TO THE BOEINGS THE LOCK HEEDS THE HEALTH CARE DONE HE WILL DOUGLAS AND ALL OF REST OF THEM, AND MR. |
| 07:09:04 | PRESIDENT, WE GAVE THEM EXPORT-IMPORT BANK FINANCING, AND IT WAS A PREDOMINANT INDUSTRY AT ONE TIME. |
| 07:09:15 | THE ENGINES BEING MADE BY G. |
| 07:09:17 | E., PRATT WHITNEY AND THE REST, BUT NOW WE FIND OUT THAT WE ARE IMPORTING THE MAJORITY OF THE ENGINES. |
| 07:09:24 | THE AIRBUS CROWD, I SEEN WHERE MY AIRLINE, U. |
| 07:09:28 | S. AIRWAYS I TRAVEL BACK TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HAS BOUGHT AIRBUS. |
| 07:09:33 | THEY DIDN'T BUY BOEING. |
| 07:09:34 | THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BUY AMERICAN. |
| 07:09:36 | I REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO DEMONSTRATE IF THEY DIDN'T BUY AMERICAN. |
| 07:09:40 | SO WE CAN GO DOWN THE LIST, TAPE RECORDERS, TAPE PLAYERS, VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER, TURN TABLES, 100%. |
| 07:09:48 | RADIO TRANSMISSION RECEPTION APPARATUS, 57 -- 58%. |
| 07:09:56 | TELEVISION, 68. |
| 07:09:57 | 5%. YOU GO DOWN THE ELECTRICAL COMPAS TORS AND RESISTORS, THAT'S WHERE I LOST MY G. |
| 07:10:04 | E. PLANT, 69%, ALMOST 69. |
| 07:10:11 | 5%. THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE LESS THAN 30% BEING PRODUCED HERE, AND IT GETS THEN UNPRODUCTIVE TO PRODUCE HERE. |
| 07:10:23 | UNECONOMICAL. |
| 07:10:24 | WATCHES, 100%. |
| 07:10:25 | LOOK AT THE WATCHING ON YOUR HAND IT CAME FROM ELSEWHERE, I CAN TELL YOU THAT. |
| 07:10:32 | FOOT WEAR, 84. |
| 07:10:33 | 2%. LOOK AT THE SHOES. |
| 07:10:35 | IF THEY STOP WORKING OVERSEAS, WE DOT TO GO BAREFOOT. |
| 07:10:40 | THIS IS A LIST. |
| 07:10:42 | NOW, WHAT ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL ENGINE FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT ECONOMY THAT THEY BRAG ABOUT? |
| 07:10:50 | I'VE STOPPED THEM I THINK BRAGGING WITH SOME OF THE COLUMNS HERE IN THE FINANCIAL NEWS AND OTHERWISE, BUT IN SEARCH OF A WORLD BEATING SOFTWARE TALENT, MR. |
| 07:11:04 | GATES HAS INCLUDED SIX JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES AMONG 25 TOP UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE WHERE HE LIKES TO CONCENTRATE MICROSOFT'S RECRUITING EFFORTS. |
| 07:11:20 | CASIO, GATES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JAPANESE SOFTWARE TALENT GIVEN THAT ONE OF HIS CLOSEST FRIEND AND CAN HAVE DANTS IN HIS EARLY DAYS WAS A JAPANESE SOFTWARE ENGINEER, KUZIKO NISH NISHEI BEFORE THEY HAD A FALLING-OUT IN THE 1980'S, GATES CALLED HIM "MY BEST GUY EVER. |
| 07:11:44 | " THE REASON I SAY THIS IS, -- QUOTE -- "FOR A SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEUR IN A LOW WAGE COUNTRY, THE CAPITAL COST PER JOB CAN BE AS LITTLE AS $10,000, A REDUCTION OF MORE THAN 90% FROM THE MAINFRAME ERA. |
| 07:11:59 | THIS FIGURE IS WELL WITHIN THE REACH OF SOFTWARE SUBCONTRACTING COMPANIES IN LOW-WAGE COUNTRIES, AND FAR LESS THAN IS NEEDED TO GET STARTED IN EVEN THE LEAST SOPHISTICATED AREAS OF MANUFACTURING. |
| 07:12:14 | " SO WE KNOW NONE BETTER THAN MR. |
| 07:12:17 | GATES THEMSELVES, THEY GOT THE MENTALITY. |
| 07:12:21 | WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE GATES IN THE WORLD, MR. |
| 07:12:28 | NEICI WILL PROBABLY NEAR EQUAL HIM ACCORDING TO GATES HIMSELF. |
| 07:12:36 | WHEREAS IT COST $100,000 TO CREATE A TEXTILE JOB, YOU GOT HIGH-TECH MACHINERY NOW IN THESE PLANTS, THEY HAVE BEEN SPENDING $2 BILLION A YEAR -- EXCUSE ME, $300,000, I USE THAT QUOTE FROM ON PAGE 18 HERE OF THIS PARTICULAR VOLUME, WHICH IS AUTHORITATIVE AUTHORITATIVE, "SPENDING IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. |
| 07:13:01 | AS RECOUNTED IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," THE CAPITAL REQUIRED IN A STATE OF THE ART SPINNING MILL THESE DAYS CAN AMOUNT TO AS MUCH AS $300,000 PER JOB. |
| 07:13:14 | " IN CONTRAST THIS REQUIRES ONLY $10,000 IN SO-CALLED SOFTWARE. |
| 07:13:22 | THE MIND REFLECTS HERE IN THE SENATE BODY BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THEY BLINDLY LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET, MAYBE A BUNCH OF THEM ARE MAKING A BUN AND OF MONEY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE FURTHER. |
| 07:13:34 | ALTHOUGH KNOW IS IT THEY ARE MAKING A FORTUNE. |
| 07:13:37 | BUT THEY ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE JOBS. |
| 07:13:38 | I'VE TRIED MY BEST TO GET THE FIGURES WITH RESPECT TO THE BALANCE OF TRADE IN SOFTWARE, AND I'M CONVINCED THAT WE GOT A DEFICIT IN THE BALANCE OF TRADE, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FIGURES, THE UNITED STATES RECEIPT IN SOFTWARE IS $3. |
| 07:14:02 | 2 BILLION AND THE PAYMENTS . |
| 07:14:04 | 05 BILLION FOR A NET BALANCE OF $2. |
| 07:14:07 | 7 BILLION IN SOFTWARE TRADE. |
| 07:14:11 | BUT I LOOK FURTHER, AND I FOUND OUT THAT LICENSING IS CONSIDERED EXPORTS. |
| 07:14:19 | SO AS A LICENSE IN INDIA, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OTHER PLACES, TO DO THIS COMPUTERIZATION LIKE MY LIGHT BILL IN SOUTH CAROLINA IS MADE UP IN INDIA OUT OF A FIRM FROM COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA AND THEY SEND IT OVERNIGHTTIME WHEN THEY CLOSE DOWN, ALL THAT WORK IS DONE FOR THEM WHEN THEY COME TO WORK IN THE OFFICE IN THE MORNING, IT IS ALL A DONE DEAL, AND THEY PAY LET SAY $10,000 A JOB OVER THERE WHEREAS IT COSTS AT LEAST $100,000 IN THE AMERICAN SOFTWARE INDUSTRY. |
| 07:15:00 | WE SHOULD REALLY DWELL ON THIS PARTICULAR VOLUME, MR. |
| 07:15:04 | PRESIDENT. A HARD LOOK AT COMPUTER SOFTWARE, BECAUSE IT GOES RIGHT DOWN AND SHOWS NOT ONLY THE JAPANESE ARE COMING IN, BUT THE CHINESE ALSO. |
| 07:15:17 | I HAD IN HERE SOME MARKED SECTIONS WHICH ARE EASILY REFERRED TO ABOUT THE JAPANESE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE REALLY GOT THE PLUS BALANCE OF TRADE. |
| 07:15:34 | I READ THAT EARLIER TODAY, BUT LET ME SAY THIS: CHINESE PROGRAMMERS CAN DEVELOP SOFTWARE FOR A CLINIC IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE END USER'S BASIC REQUIREMENTS. |
| 07:15:50 | PERHAPS THE MOST SURPRISING AND FOR AMERICAN SOFTWARE WORKERS THE MOST OMINOUS ASPECT OF I. |
| 07:15:57 | B.M.'S CHINESE AFFILIATE IS THAT IT IS PIONEERING A NEW WORK SHIFT SYSTEM LINKING SEVERAL LOW-WAGE COUNTRIES. |
| 07:16:07 | WHEN THE CHINESE PROGRAMS FINISH EACH EVENING THEY PASS THEIR WORK TO LATVIA AND BELORUS WITH OTHER I. |
| 07:16:15 | B.M. ENGINEERS CONTINUE WORKING ON THE MODULES DURING THE CHINESE NIGHT. |
| 07:16:23 | NO WONDER BLOOMBERG NEWS COMMENTED "THE TILT IN SOFTWARE DESIGN TOWARDS MORE BASIC INTERCHANGEABLE PRODUCTS IS GOOD NEWS FOR COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA WITH ARMIES OF TALENTED PROGRAMMERS. |
| 07:16:38 | " GIVEN THAT I. |
| 07:16:39 | B.M. IS LAID OFF THOSES OF PROGRAMMERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE MESSAGE COULD HARDLY BE CLEARER. |
| 07:16:50 | THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY SPREAD INTO THE THIRD WORLD IS ALREADY BEGUN AND A CHALLENGE TO THE WEST SOFTWARE JOB-BASE IS IMMINENT. |
| 07:17:04 | SO CHINA IS COMING IN, MR. |
| 07:17:10 | PRESIDENT. THERE ISN'T ANY DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS PARTICULAR INDUSTRY WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE OR ENGINE FOR THIS GLOBAL COMPETITION THAT WE ARE INTO IN THE UNITED STATES, THIS GLOBAL ECONOMY, THAT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE LOSING THIS PARTICULAR INDUSTRY AND WE OUGHT TO HAVE A FULL DEBATE WHEN YOU START LOSING YOUR HAND TOOLS AND MACHINE TOOLS, WHEN YOU START LOSING YOUR STEEL INDUSTRY, WHEN YOU START LOSING THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, FOUND THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, WHEN YOU START LOSING FINALLY YOUR SOFTWARE INDUSTRY, THEN THIS CROWD WILL SOBER UP AND BEGIN TO DEBATE THE TRADE BILL AND IN THE PROPER FASHION. |
| 07:18:04 | THIS IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE WORKER. |
| 07:18:07 | IT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE ECONOMY. |
| 07:18:09 | IT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES. |
| 07:18:15 | IT IS A TERRIBLE, FATAL BLOW, FINAL AND FATAL BLOW TO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY. |
| 07:18:22 | AND I KNOW FROM HARD EXPERIENCE, I HAVE BEEN IN THE WORK OF CREATING JOBS, I KNOW ABOUT EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL TRAINING. |
| 07:18:28 | I KNOW ABOUT THE BEST OF THE BEST COMING IN AND I KNOW ABOUT THE BEST OF THE BEST LEAVING. |
| 07:18:34 | IN SPITE OF ALL THE JOBS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN IN, WE HAVE HAD IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN SOUTH CAROLINA A LOSS OF 12,000 JOBS, AND DON'T GIVE THEM THE WASHINGTON SOLUTION OF RETRAINING AND RESKILL. |
| 07:18:51 | WE HAD THE ONEIDA PLANT, IT MADE OUT JUST T-SHIRTS. |
| 07:18:57 | IT HAD TO CLOSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. |
| 07:18:58 | WE GOT IT THERE SOME 35 YEARS AGO, AND MAKING THESE T-SHIRTS AND HAD 487 EMPLOYEES, AND THE AGE AVERAGE WAS 47 YEARS OF AGE, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED AND GONE WHERE? |
| 07:19:15 | THEY'VE GONE TO MEXICO. |
| 07:19:17 | THEY DIDN'T CREATE THE JOB FOR THE ONEIDA WORKER, THEY LOST THE JOB FOR THE ENEIDA WORKER. |
| 07:19:25 | NOW WASHINGTON, OVERSMART AS WE ARE UP HERE TELL US THIS IS A TREND. |
| 07:19:30 | GLOBAL COMPETITION. |
| 07:19:32 | ENGINE OF THE ECONOMY AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF NONSENSE. |
| 07:19:38 | RETRAIN -- LET'S TRY THAT ON FOR SIZE. |
| 07:19:40 | LET'S ASSUME TOMORROW MORNING WE'VE GOT THEM RETRAINED AND RESKILLED, SKILLED COMPUTER OPERATORS. |
| 07:19:49 | I KNOW THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR IS AN OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERER. |
| 07:19:53 | HE KNOWS BUSINESS, AND HE KNOWS THAT BUSINESS IS NOT GOING TO HIRE THE 47-YEAR-OLD COMPUTER OPERATOR, THEY ARE GOING TO HIRE THE 21-YEAR-OLD COMPUTER OPERATOR. |
| 07:20:07 | BUSINESS IN COMPETITION CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE ON THE RETIREMENT COSTS OF THE 47 -- THE HEALTH COSTS OF THE 47-YEAR-OLD. |
| 07:20:16 | THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ON THAT 21-YEAR-OLD. |
| 07:20:19 | SO ANDREWS, SOUTH CAROLINA, IS A GHOST TOWN. |
| 07:20:24 | DEADLINE. WE GOT SOME OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT I BROUGHT IN THERE BUT I CAN TELL YOU, THOSE 487 ARE NOT GOING, AS THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SAYS, JUST RETRAINING AND RESKILLED. |
| 07:20:37 | THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY, WITH THE AUTOMOBILE PARTS INDUSTRY, WITH THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY. |
| 07:20:47 | BOEING. AND NOW, MR. |
| 07:20:50 | PRESIDENT, ACCORDING TO THE RECENT STATISTIC WITH THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY. |
| 07:20:57 | SO THIS CONGRESS, THIS GOVERNMENT HAS GOT A REAL PROBLEM UP HERE. |
| 07:21:01 | IT IS NOT A PROBLEM OF GETTING THESE FOLKS, ME INCLUDED, REELECTED. |
| 07:21:07 | IT'S A REAL PROBLEM THAT ONLY WE CAN HANDLE. |
| 07:21:10 | THAT ONLY WE CAN TAKE CARE OF. |
| 07:21:12 | EVERYONE ELSE HAS THEIR GOVERNMENT AND THEIR SIDE. |
| 07:21:16 | WHEN IS OUR GOVERNMENT GOING TO GET ON OUR SIDE? |
| 07:21:20 | YES, THE SECRETARY OF LABOR IS NOT CALLING OVER HERE. |
| 07:21:25 | IT IS UNFORTUNATE. |
| 07:21:26 | YOU KNOW WHO IS CALLING OVER HERE? |
| 07:21:31 | THE SECRETARY OF STATE. |
| 07:21:32 | THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHE IS GOT A EUROPEAN DESK, SHE'S GOT A JAPANESE DESK, SHE'S GOT A CHINESE DESK. |
| 07:21:40 | SHE'S GOT A CUBAN DESK. |
| 07:21:42 | WHEN IS SHE GOING TO GET AN AMERICAN DESK? |
| 07:21:46 | SHE IS NOT GOING TO HAVE ONE. |
| 07:21:48 | THAT ISN'T HER RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 07:21:50 | BUT SHE'S TALKING FREE TRADE, FREE TRADE SO THAT THE STRIPED PANTS DIPLOMATS CAN RUN AROUND AND GET EVEN -- CAN GIVE AWAY MORE. |
| 07:22:00 | YOU KNOW HOW WONDERFUL. |
| 07:22:01 | WELL WE WERE FAT RICH AND HAPPY AFTER WORLD WAR II. |
| 07:22:05 | WE ARE GOING BROKE. |
| 07:22:06 | WE ARE GOING BROKE. |
| 07:22:07 | I CAN PROVE IT HERE. |
| 07:22:08 | WATCH IT. YOU WATCH IT. |
| 07:22:09 | YOU WILL SEE IT HERE. |
| 07:22:11 | IT WILL HAPPEN, EVEN IN A WAY -- NOT TOTALLY BROKE, OBVIOUSLY. |
| 07:22:16 | THE ECONOMY IS SIMMERING DOWN. |
| 07:22:18 | DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. |
| 07:22:19 | WE ARE LOSING THAT HARD INDUSTRY. |
| 07:22:22 | HARD CORE INDUSTRIES, THE MIDDLE CLASS. |
| 07:22:25 | THAT'S THE STRPGT OF THE DEMOCRACY. |
| 07:22:29 | ACCORDING TO G. |
| 07:22:30 | K. CHESTER TON. |
| 07:22:31 | THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SUCCEEDED. |
| 07:22:35 | AS A FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY. |
| 07:22:36 | THE STRONG MIDDLE CLASS AND INSTEAD WE ARE GETTING RID OF IT AS ZUCKERMAN SAYS WE ARE GOING INTO TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE, THE HAVES HAVES AND HAVE NOTS, AND ONE IMPORTANT INDUSTRY TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS ABOUT TO BITE THE DUST WITH THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 07:22:58 | I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 07:22:59 | A SENATOR: MR. |
| 07:23:00 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM OREGON. |
| 07:23:03 | MR. WYDEN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 07:23:04 | PRESIDENT. MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE EIGHTH TIME IN RECENT DAYS THAT I HAVE COME TO THE FLOOR TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BECAUSE FRANKLY I THINK THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY. |
| 07:23:16 | A PRIORITY NOR THIS SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND ONE THAT WE CAN TACKLE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. |
| 07:23:24 | SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE AND I HAVE TEAMED UP ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, ABLE TO GET 54 VOTES ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE FOR A CONCRETE FUNDING PLAN FOR OUR APPROACH, AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING IS FOLKS CAN SEE IN THE POSTER RIGHT NEXT TO ME IS URGING SENIORS TO END IN COPIES OF THEIR PRE SCRIPPS DRUG BILLS. |
| 07:23:49 | THIS POSTER IS VERY CLEAR. |
| 07:23:51 | WE LIKE SENIORS TO SEND US COPIES OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS DIRECTLY TO EACH OF US IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, SO THAT WE CAN EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THIS BE TACKLED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. |
| 07:24:07 | SENATOR SNOWE AND I HAVE HEARD AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT JUST HAS TO BE PUT OFF UNTIL AFTER THE 2000 ELECTION. |
| 07:24:16 | THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE JUST GOING TO BIKER ABOUT IT, AND SORT OF HAVE AN ONGOING FINGER POINTING EXERCISE AND NOTHING WILL GET DONE WELL, I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT WANT TO TALK EMTHIS ISSUE AND TACKLE IT IN THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS. |
| 07:24:37 | SINCE I HAVE COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE BROUGHT THIS POSTER URGING THAT SENIORS ACCEPTED IN COPIES OF INTO PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS. |
| 07:24:44 | I HAVE HEARD, MR. |
| 07:24:45 | PRESIDENT, FROM A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGUES HERE IN THE SENATE, AND THEY HAVE SAID WE DO NEED BIPARTISAN ACTION. |
| 07:24:54 | A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE ASKED FOR COPIES OF THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE-WYDEN BILL, AND WANT TO THOUGH MORE ABOUT IT, AND I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TONIGHT TO READ FROM SOME OF THESE BILLS. |
| 07:25:06 | PARTICULARLY FROM FOLKS I AM HEARING FROM IN OREGON. |
| 07:25:08 | BUT I WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES RELATING TO THIS QUESTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND PARTICULARLY ASK ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD -- WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD AS A NATION TO COVER PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE. |
| 07:25:31 | MR. |
| 07:25:32 | PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES, I BELIEVE THAT AMERICA CANNOT AFFORD TO NOT COVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 07:25:39 | THE REASON THAT THAT'S THE CASE IS THAT THE DRUGS OF THE 21ST CENTURY ARE GOING TO BE PREVENTIVE AND THEY ARE GOING TO ALLOW FOR PATIENTS TO BE TREATED ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS, AND IT IS GOING TO MAKE PART A OF MEDICARE, THE HOSPITALIZATION PART OF MEDICARE, LESS EXPENSIVE. |
| 07:26:00 | I MENTIONED A PARTICULAR DRUG THE OTHER NIGHT, AN IMPORTANT ANTICOAGULANT, A DRUG THAT HELPS TO PREVENT STROKES, IT IS A DRUG THAT WOULD COST PERHAPS $1,000 A YEAR TO ASSIST SENIORS WITH. |
| 07:26:16 | IF YOU CAN PREVENT THOSE STROKES THROUGH THESE ANTICOAGULANT DRUGS, YOU CAN SAVE $100,000 THAT MIGHT BE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISABILITY. |
| 07:26:31 | NOW, THERE IS ONE BIPARTISAN BILL. |
| 07:26:34 | ONE BIPARTISAN BILL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO DEAL WITH THIS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ISSUE. |
| 07:26:41 | IT IS THE SNOWE WYDEN LEGISLATION, AND MY VIEW IS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THESE HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN A PREVENTIVE KIND OF WAY RATHER THAN INCURRING THE EXTRA EXPENSES FOR MORE INSTITUTIONAL CARE. |
| 07:27:00 | AND I WANT TO MENTION A FEW OF THE KIND OF DRUGS THAT WILL BE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANT TO OLDER PEOPLE. |
| 07:27:07 | ONE WOULD BE NUPAGEEN THAT HELPS CANCER PATIENTS AND TOES WITH COMPROMISED I AM MUPE SYSTEMS, BOOST WHITE BLOOD CELLS COUNTS. |
| 07:27:21 | ANOTHER IS GLUCOPHAGE NOW BEING USED TO HELP THOSE AT RISK NOR DIE BEES TEST FROM GETTING THAT DISEASE THAT CAUSES SO MANY OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS. |
| 07:27:29 | MR. |
| 07:27:30 | PRESIDENT, I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT DIABETES, MY MOM HAD IT FOR A LONG TIME. |
| 07:27:35 | I HAVE SEEN THE COSTS OF THESE MEDICINES AND TO THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH A PARTICULAR DRUG AND AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO COVER THESE SENIORS WITH THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS, IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN OPTION AS A NATION WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PASS UP ANOTHER DRUG WOULD BE VAZATEK THAT TREATS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND STAIFIKS OFF HEART DISEASE AND STROKES AND OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. |
| 07:28:05 | THESE ARE ALL IMPORTANT MEDICATIONS. |
| 07:28:08 | THEY DO COST MONEY, BUT WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE CAN USE THESE MEDICINES WHEN SENIORS GET THESE MEDICINES, THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO STAVE OFF MUCH MORE SERIOUS AND MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. |
| 07:28:25 | SO IT IS JUST SENSIBLE IN MY VIEW TO MAKE SURE SENIORS WHO NEED THESE MEDICATIONS, MEDICATIONS THAT ARE PRESENSITIVE IN NATURE CAN GET THEM UNDER THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE WYDEN BILL THAT WOULD BE DONE. |
| 07:28:40 | I THINK AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IN MY READING HISTORY, THERE IS PRETTY MUCH NOTHING THAT CAN GET ACCOMPLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT'S TRULY IMPORTANT THAT ISN'T BIPARTISAN. |
| 07:28:52 | AND OUR PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE EACH SENIOR A CHAPS AT AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, AND IT OUGHT TO BE RECOGNIZABLE TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BECAUSE OF VERSION OF THIS MODEL IS WHAT ENSURES GOOD HEALTH FOR THE FAMILIES OF MEMBERS OF THIS BODY IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. |
| 07:29:11 | SINCE MY DAYS WITH THE GRAY PANTHERS AND I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF YEARS NOW, I HAVE SEEN HOW MANY, MANY SENIORS HAVE TO WALK AN ECONOMIC TIGHT ROPE, BALANCING THEIR FOOD AGAINST THEIR FUEL COSTS, AND THEIR FUEL COSTS AGAINST THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. |
| 07:29:31 | WE HAVE NOW GOT MORE THAN 20% OF THE NATION'S OLDER PEOPLE PAYING MORE THAN $1,000 PER YEAR FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND THE TYPICAL SENIOR, MR. |
| 07:29:42 | PRESIDENT, IS USING 18 PRESCRIPTIONS A YEAR. |
| 07:29:49 | 18. MR. KEN DOMAN JUST WROTE THEY FROM MEDFORD, OREGON, FROM A MODEST INCOME. |
| 07:29:54 | HE SPENT MORE THAN $1,230 SO FAR THIS YEAR ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES. |
| 07:30:02 | THE TYPICAL SENIOR TAKING 18 DIFFERENT PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:30:06 | I HOPE THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS EFFORT TO COLLECT THESE DRUG BILLS FROM SENIORS, AS THIS POSTER SAYS, WE HOPE THAT SENIORS AND FAMILIES WILL SEND IN COPIES OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLINGS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET SOME RELIEF FOR KEN DOMAN AND OTHERS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE FACING SUCH SERIOUS AND URGENT HEALTH CARE NEEDS. |
| 07:30:31 | NOW, SOME HAVE SAID THAT WE JUST OUGHT TO WAIT. |
| 07:30:35 | WE OUGHT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION, WE OUGHT TO JUST WAIT FOR A COMPREHENSIVE MEDICARE REFORM. |
| 07:30:43 | FRANKLY, I KNOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT THIS, THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF US WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE BROADER, MORE COMPREHENSIVE MEDICARE REFORM. |
| 07:30:54 | BUT UNDER THE SNOWE-WYDEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROPOSAL, WE ARE USING THE KIND OF PRINCIPLES THAT MAKE SENSE FOR MEDICARE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. |
| 07:31:03 | IT IS CHOICE ORIENTED. |
| 07:31:05 | IT GIVES A LOT OF OPTIONS TO OLDER PEOPLE. |
| 07:31:09 | WE USE MARKETPLACE FORCES TO CONTAIN COST. |
| 07:31:13 | IT'S WHAT WORKED FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THEIR FAMILIES. |
| 07:31:17 | I THINK IT CAN WORK FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AT HOME AND IN OREGON. |
| 07:31:23 | I THINK IT CAN WORK FOR THE OLDER PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT IN THE DAYS AHEAD WE CAN MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THIS SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO ACT. |
| 07:31:39 | NOW IN THIS ISSUE, THE QUESTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND WILL CONGRESS TACKLE IS NOW, ALL OF THE POLITICAL PROGRESS NO, SIR AT THIS INDICATORS HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE CONGRESS IS GOING TO PUNT ON. |
| 07:31:54 | THEY HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE PUT OFF. |
| 07:31:59 | WELL, I DON'T SEE HOW WHEN SENIORS ARE SENDING US COPIES OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS, AND I HOPE THEY WILL DO IT JUST AS THIS POSTER SAYS, SENIORS AND FAMILIES, SEND IN YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS TO YOUR SENATOR IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 07:32:14 | I DON'T SEE HOW A MEMBER OF THIS BODY, A MEMBER OF THIS CONGRESS, CAN SAY THAT WE OUGHT TO PUT THIS ISSUE OFF WHEN THERE IS A MODEL THAT 54 MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE HAVE VOTED FOR, THAT'S GOT STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THAT USES MARKETPLACE FORCES AS A MODEL. |
| 07:32:35 | LET'S NOT SAY THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUGHT TO BE PUT OFF. |
| 07:32:41 | I THINK THAT WE KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT IN A COST-EFFECTIVE KIND OF FASHION. |
| 07:32:50 | OUR BILL DOESN'T INVOLVE PRICE CONTROLS. |
| 07:32:53 | THERE ARE SOME WHO SEEM TO THINK THAT THAT'S THE WAY TO GO. |
| 07:32:56 | WHAT TROUBLES ME ABOUT PLANS TO DEAL WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS THAT INVOLVE PRICE CONTROLS IS WE'LL JUST HAVE MASSIVE COST-SHIFTING. |
| 07:33:05 | IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE SORT OF ACTING AS THE BUYER FOR ALL THE MEDICINE, MAYBE POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO NEGOTIATE A DISCOUNT. |
| 07:33:17 | I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT THAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE. |
| 07:33:20 | BUT WHAT TROUBLES ME ABOUT THAT APPROACH IS THAT YOU WILL JUST HAVE THE COST PASSED ON TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT BE 26 OR 27, MAYBE A DIVORCED MOM WHO HAS A COUPLE OF KIDS WORKING AS HARD AS THEY CAN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY FIND OUT THAT THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL SHOOTS UP BECAUSE CONGRESS ADOPTED AN APPROACH IN THIS AREA THAT DOESN'T USE MARKETPLACE FORCES. |
| 07:33:45 | SO UNDER THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE-WYDEN PLAN, THE ONLY BIPARTISAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL NOW BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE, WE REJECT THOSE KINDS OF COST CONTROLS. |
| 07:33:56 | WE DON'T ADVOCATE A KIND OF ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL FEDERAL APPROACH, WE USE MARKETPLACE FORCES. |
| 07:34:04 | THE KIND OF FORCES AND HELP TO DELIVER DECENT AND AFFORDABLE CARE TO MEMBERS OF THIS BODY AND OUR FAMILIES. |
| 07:34:12 | I KNOW A LOT OF OUR COLLEAGUES ARE ON THE FLOOR AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, AND I DON'T INTEND TO TALK A WHOLE LOT LONGER, BUT I DO WANT TO READ JUST BRIEFLY FROM A COUPLE OF THE OTHER LETTERS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM OREGON, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL WE GET BIPARTISAN ACTION ON THIS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ISSUE. |
| 07:34:40 | I THINK THE QUESTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IS THE KIND OF ISSUE THAT CAN LEAVE A REAL LEGACY FOR THIS SESSION. |
| 07:34:47 | IT IS THE KIND OF IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT WOULD REALLY HELP FOLKS AND HELP FAMILIES AT A TIME WHEN A LOT OF THEM ARE FALLING BETWEEN THE CRACKS. |
| 07:34:57 | WE KNOW THE ECONOMY IS STRONG. |
| 07:34:59 | WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DOING WELL. |
| 07:35:01 | IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN THE STOCK MARKET, MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE DOING VERY WELL. |
| 07:35:06 | BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE STOCKS IN THOSE TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. |
| 07:35:10 | THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS ON MODEST INCOMES. |
| 07:35:13 | AND A LOT OF THE SENIORS THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH SINCE MY DAYS WITH THE GRAY PANTHERS ARE TELLING ME AND THEY ARE TELLING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT THEY JUST CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:35:28 | THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. |
| 07:35:29 | THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:35:32 | THERE IS A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE. |
| 07:35:35 | THE WRONG WAY IN MY VIEW IS TO SORT OF HAVE A KIND OF PRICE CONTROL REGIME AND PRODUCE A LOT OF COST-SHIFTING AND HAVE A LOT OF INTERVENTION BY GOVERNMENT -- I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO WORK. |
| 07:35:50 | I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO END UP GETTING HURT BY THAT APPROACH. |
| 07:35:53 | I THINK THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. |
| 07:35:56 | THE RIGHT KIND OF A PLOCH, THE ONE ADVOCATED IN THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE WYDEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL USES MARKETPLACE FORCES. |
| 07:36:05 | GIVES SENIORS THE KIND OF BARGAINING POWER THAT HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS WOULD HAVE. |
| 07:36:10 | THOSE BIG ORGANIZATIONS, THE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS CAN GO OUT AND NEGOTIATE DEEP DISCOUNTS. |
| 07:36:18 | THEY USE THEIR BARGAINING POWER IN THE MARKETPLACE TO GET DISCOUNTS. |
| 07:36:23 | AND WHAT HAPPENS SENIORS GET SHELLACKED TWICE. |
| 07:36:26 | THEY GET HIT TWICE BECAUSE MEDICARE DOESN'T COVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. |
| 07:36:31 | MEDICARE STARTED OUT AS HALF A LOAF BACK IN 1965, DIDN'T COVER PRESCRIPTIONS, EYEGLASSES AND HEARING AIDS, A VARIETY OF NEEDS OLDER PEOPLE V BUT AS A RESULT, A LOT OF SENIORS ARE MAYING MORE PROPORTIONALLY OUT OF POCKET TODAY THAN WHEN MEDICARE BEGAN IN 1965. |
| 07:36:54 | SO SENIORS AREN'T ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS AND IN FACT A LOW INFORM INCOME ELDERLY WIDOW IN EFFECT HAS TO SUBSIDIZE THE BIG PURCHASERS, THE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, THAT CAN NEGOTIATE DISCOUNTS. |
| 07:37:08 | NOW, THERE IS A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE MEDICATION. |
| 07:37:13 | THE WRONG WAY IS TO CREATE A ONE-SIZE-FITS ALL FEDERAL REGIME AND SORT OF PUT THE GOVERNMENT IN THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO ORCHESTRATE THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM. |
| 07:37:29 | THE OTHER IS TO USE A MODEL THAT WE KNOW WORKS. |
| 07:37:33 | AND UNDER OUR PROPOSAL, WE CALL IT "SPICE" -- THE SENIOR PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE COVERAGE EQUITY ACT, SENATORS SNOWE AND I, WE REJECT THIS GOVERNMENT KIND OF NOD HE WILL AND WE USE AN APPROACH THAT INVOLVES PRIVATE SECTOR KINDS OF CHOICES AND OPTIONS AND GIVES SENIORS BARGAINING POWER. |
| 07:37:55 | AND WE HOPE THAT MORE OLDER PEOPLE WILL SEND US COPIES OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS. |
| 07:38:01 | THIS POSTER REALLY SAYS IT ALL. |
| 07:38:03 | IT IS TO SENIORS AND THEIR FEAFMS SEND US COPIES OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS. |
| 07:38:10 | SEND IT TO YOUR UNITED STATES SENATOR. |
| 07:38:13 | WRITING YOUR UNITED STATES SENATOR, THE UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHINGTON, D. |
| 07:38:17 | C. AND I'M JUST GOING TO WRAP UP TONIGHT, MR. |
| 07:38:19 | PRESIDENT, BECAUSE I KNOW SEVERAL OF OUR COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS MATTERS IMPORTANT TO THEM WITH JUST A COUPLE OF OTHER LETTERS. |
| 07:38:29 | FROM THE OREGON COAST, IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, I RECEIVED A PARTICULARLY POIGNANT LETTER FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WITH AN INCOME OF ABOUT $1,000 PER MONTH. |
| 07:38:44 | SHE'S GOT TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, A NUMBER OF PRESCRIPTIONS, AND SHE HAS JUST OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, JUST IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OUT OF HER $1,000-A-MONTH INCOME, SHE'S HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $700. |
| 07:39:04 | THAT'S JUST OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, FROM SOMEBODY WHO'S ON A VERY MODEST INCOME. |
| 07:39:13 | PICTURE ANY ONE OF US OR OUR RELATIVES TRYING TO GET BY ON AN INCOME OF $1,000 A MONTH AND HAVING TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF IT, SOMETHING LIKE $700 JUST IN RECENT DAYS, ON PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:39:27 | WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT. |
| 07:39:30 | BUT THAT'S THE REALITY OF WHAT SENIORS ON THE OREGON COAST ARE FACING. |
| 07:39:34 | THAT'S THE REALITY OF WHAT SENIORS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY ARE FACING, AND THAT'S WHAT THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE-WYDEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL SEEKS TO DEAL WITH. |
| 07:39:46 | WE WANT THAT PERSON TO GET SOME REAL RELIEF. |
| 07:39:50 | WE THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO ACT ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS. |
| 07:39:55 | NOW, ONE OTHER LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE WILLIAMETTE VALLEY, NOT FAR FROM MY HOMETOWN, I THOUGHT WAS ALSO PARTICULARLY POIGNANT, THIS WAS FROM A SENIOR WHO SENT ME REALLY ALL OF THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:40:17 | I THINK JUST AS WE SEND OUR POSTER -- SEND US COPIES OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS AND A LOT OF THE SENIORS ARE DOING IT IN A PRETTY DETAILED KIND OF FASHION. |
| 07:40:26 | THIS IS JUST -- NOBODY CAN READ THE SMALL PROINTS -- JUST AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I'VE RECEIVED FROM ONE OLDER PERSON IN THE WILLIAMETTE VALLEY. |
| 07:40:35 | AND SHE REPORTS THAT SHE ON A VERY MODEST INCOME IS SPENDING $236 A MONTH ON HER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND, AS SHE REPORTS, THAT'S WITHOUT THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS THAT SHE HAS ALSO GOT TO TAKE. |
| 07:40:55 | 78 YEARS OLD AND SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS GOING TO ACT. |
| 07:41:02 | SHE'S PRETTY SCREPT CAL, JUST THE WAY A LOT OF OTHER SENIORS ARE IN OUR COUNTRY. |
| 07:41:08 | AND I ANY WHAT WE SHOULD SHOW WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW, MR. |
| 07:41:11 | PRESIDENT, AND COLLEAGUES, IS THAT THIS SENATE IS WILLING TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES AND TO DO ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS. |
| 07:41:18 | THE TIME FOR FINGERPOINTING AND SCAPEGOATING ON THIS ISSUE IS OVER. |
| 07:41:27 | WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER YEAR FOR -- FOR ANOTHER FULL YEAR -- FOR ACTION ON THIS MATTER. |
| 07:41:33 | WE OUGHT TO MOVE NOW. |
| 07:41:35 | THERE'S ONE BIPARTISAN BILL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE, ONE THAT I BELIEVE CAN BRING DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TOGETHER. |
| 07:41:44 | I'M GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE TO TALK ABOUT THE "SPICE" PROGRAM, THE SENIOR PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE COVERAGE EQUITY PROGRAM. |
| 07:41:56 | IT'S VOLUNTARY IN NATURE, NOBODY IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE ANYTHING. |
| 07:42:01 | NO SENIOR, NO FAMILY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE ANYTHING IN TERMS OF THEIR BUYING PRACTICES, SHOULD THEY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING. |
| 07:42:12 | BUT FOR MILLIONS OF OLDER PEOPLE, THE "SPICE" PROGRAM, THE SENIOR PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE COVERAGE EQUITY ACT, WILL BE A BARGAIN AND WILL BE A WINNER BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE SENIORS THE KIND OF BARGAINING POWER THAT THE BIG HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD. |
| 07:42:30 | IT'S NOT RIGHT IN MY VIEW TO GIVE THOSE BUYERS SIGNIFICANT POWER IN THE MARKETPLACE AND TO JUST SAY THAT SENIORS AND FAMILIES DON'T MATTER. |
| 07:42:41 | IN EFFECT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. |
| 07:42:43 | WE'RE JUST TELLING THEM, WELL, YOU JUST GO ON OUT AND DO YOUR BEST AND WALK INTO A PHARMACY AND EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SUBSIDIZING THE BIG BUYERS, THIS SENATE WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. |
| 07:42:54 | I BELIEVE IT'S TIME FOR BIPARTISAN ACTION ON THIS. |
| 07:42:57 | I BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO CREATE AN APPROACH THAT COVERING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS UNDER MEDICARE THAT USES THE FORCES OF THE MARKETPLACE, THAT'S BIPARTISAN, THAT HELPS TO HOLD COSTS DOWN. |
| 07:43:11 | I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF SENIORS CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS. |
| 07:43:16 | THERE'S A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH IT. |
| 07:43:20 | THE BIPARTISAN SNOWE-WYDEN LEGISLATION IS WHAT WE THINK THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO GO. |
| 07:43:25 | WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME TO THIS FLOOR AND TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR ACTION ON IT. |
| 07:43:31 | AS THIS POSTER SAYS, WHAT WILL HELP IS IF SENIORS SEND IN COPIES OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS. |
| 07:43:37 | WE URGE THAT SENIORS SEND THEM TO US, SEND THEM TO THEIR SENATOR HERE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHINGTON, D. |
| 07:43:45 | C., 20510. |
| 07:43:46 | BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO SEE HOW URGENT THIS NEED IS. |
| 07:43:54 | THE NEED WAS GREAT YEARS AGO, MR. |
| 07:43:57 | PRESIDENT, BUT IT IS GETTING EVEN GREATER. |
| 07:44:00 | TOO MANY OLDER PEOPLE EVERY WE, EVERY WEEK, ARE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THEIR FOOD COSTS AND THEIR FUEL COSTS AND THEIR FUEL COSTS AND THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. |
| 07:44:10 | LET US SHOW THAT WE CAN DELIVER ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE ISSUE. |
| 07:44:14 | IT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE. |
| 07:44:18 | WE HOPE THAT SENIORS, AS THIS POSTER SAYS, WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH US, LET US KNOW THEIR FEELINGS ON THIS IMPORTANT MATTER, AND I INTEND TO KEEP COMING BACK TO THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, MR. |
| 07:44:29 | PRESIDENT, UNTIL WE GET ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. |
| 07:44:33 | AND I YIELD THE FLOOR. MR. |
| 07:44:34 | LOTT: MR. |
| 07:44:35 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER. |
| 07:44:36 | MR. |
| 07:44:37 | LOTT: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THERE NOW BE A PERIOD FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ROUTINE MORNING BUSINESS WITH SENATORS PERMITTED TO SPEAK FOR UP TO TEN MINUTES EACH. |
| 07:44:43 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 07:44:44 | MR. |
| 07:44:45 | LOTT: AND I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE NOW PROCEED TO THE CONSIDERATION OF H. |
| 07:44:49 | J. RES. |
| 07:44:50 | 73, THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION WHICH IS AT THE DEFMCT I FURTHER ASK CONSENT THAT THE JOINT RESOLUTION BE READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSEDANT THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE TABLE THE. |
| 07:44:59 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 07:45:00 | MR. |
| 07:45:01 | LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE IMMEDIATELY PROCEED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING NOMINATIONS ON THE EXECUTIVE CALENDAR: NO. |
| 07:45:11 | 98, SHERYL SHAVERS TO BE UNDERSECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR TECHNOLOGY; NO. |
| 07:45:17 | 99, KELLEY KARNS TO BE ASSIST TEANTS SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NUMBER 13, LAWRENCE HERINGTON, TO BE -- TO SERVE ON THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK; NO. |
| 07:45:31 | 'S 2442, 45 AND 246, THREE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSIONERS; NO. |
| 07:45:36 | 253, THOMAS PLEERRY TO BE A FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSIONER; NO. |
| 07:45:41 | 254, STEVEN VAN BEAK TO BE ASSISTANT DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION; NO. |
| 07:45:46 | 255, MICHAEL FRAZER, FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION; NO. |
| 07:45:55 | 256, GREGORY RODES, NO. |
| 07:45:58 | 270, FLORENCE MARIE COOPER TO BE A U. |
| 07:46:02 | S. DISTRICT JUDGE IN THE ZRL CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA; NO. |
| 07:46:06 | 274, BARBARA LYNN TO BE U. |
| 07:46:08 | S.A. DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS; NO. |
| 07:46:11 | 277, GERALD PASIER TO SERVE ON THE CHEMICAL SFAILT AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD; NO. |
| 07:46:21 | 277 FOR THE TENNESSEE VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NO. |
| 07:46:25 | 279, GLENN MCKOLIC TO BE ON THE T. |
| 07:46:30 | V.A. BORED OF DIRECTORS, DORIAN HAVE A NECESSARY HAVE A WEAVE FOR THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK AND DAN RINBERGS TO BE ON THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK. |
| 07:46:43 | AND THEN SEVEN SENTENCING COMMISSIONERS AND 293, PAUL SEED TO BE U. |
| 07:46:48 | S. ATTORNEY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. |
| 07:46:52 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION? |
| 07:46:54 | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 07:46:55 | MR. GRAHAM: MR. |
| 07:46:56 | PRESIDENT? RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT --, THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA. |
| 07:47:01 | MR. GRAHAM: I HAVE A QUESTION OF THE LEADER. |
| 07:47:03 | WOULD YOU AGREE TO DELETE NUMBER 279 FROM THE LIST OF NOMINATIONS? |
| 07:47:11 | MR. LOTT: MR. |
| 07:47:12 | PRESIDENT, I WOULD INQUIRE OF THE SENATOR, IS THAT GLENN MCCULLOUGH, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS? |
| 07:47:23 | MR. |
| 07:47:24 | GRAHAM: YES. MR. LOTT: NO, I WOULD NOT AGREE TO THAT. |
| 07:47:26 | AND I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE SOME 27 NOMINATIONS HERE -- 25 NOMINATIONS PLUS TWO MORE THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK AGREEMENT TO GET A TIME LIMIT AND A VOTE ON THE NOIM NATION OF LINDA MORGUEEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD. |
| 07:47:45 | I HAVE AN AGREEMENT NOW THAT WE PROCEED TO A RECORDED VOTE ON THAT ONE. |
| 07:47:49 | AND ALSO NUMBER 271, THE NOMINATION OF RONALD GOULD OF WASHINGTON TO BE A U. |
| 07:47:54 | S. DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT. |
| 07:47:56 | THAT ONE WOULD BE -- WE NEED TO REQUEST ONE HOUR OF DEBATE AND THEN A RECORDED VOTE. |
| 07:48:00 | SO THERE IS A TOTAL OF 27 NOMINATIONS HERE, AND INCLUDING TWO THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A RECORDED VOTE. |
| 07:48:09 | BUT IF -- YOU KNOW, IF -- IT'S A PACKAGE. |
| 07:48:14 | THEY ALL GO OR THEY NONE GO. |
| 07:48:16 | MR. GRAHAM: IN LIGHT OF THAT, MR. |
| 07:48:19 | PRESIDENT, I OBJECT. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: SHORXDE. |
| 07:48:21 | MR. LOTT: MR. |
| 07:48:22 | PRESIDENT, IF I COULD JUBS HEARD BRIEFLY ON THAT, AGAIN I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE PACKAGE OF 27 NOMINATIONS. |
| 07:48:28 | MOST OF THEM ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATS. |
| 07:48:33 | I'D GUESS PROBABLY 23 OR 24 OR 25 OF THOSE. |
| 07:48:36 | THERE ARE TWO OR THREE ON HERE THAT ARE REPUBLICAN POSITIONS. |
| 07:48:40 | AND ONE OF THEM FOR THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY WHICH I PRESUME IS BEING OBJECTED TO FOR AN UNRELATED REASON, BECAUSE CLEARLY THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THIS NOMINEE, I WILL BE BACK EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS THAT I WOULD RUN THIS PACKAGE UP, I PRESUME TO 34 -- FWEEN 34 AND 40 NOMINATIONS. |
| 07:48:58 | ALL I CAN DO IS GET THEM CLEARED AND THEN OFFER THEM TO THE DEMOCRATS AND IF THEY OBJECT, THEN THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM. |
| 07:49:08 | I SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP WAS NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE JUDGES. |
| 07:49:13 | TWO OF THEM WOMEN. |
| 07:49:14 | ONE OF THE WOMEN FROM CALIFORNIA AND ONE OF THEM A JUDGE TO BE ON THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. |
| 07:49:20 | SO FOR ONE SIX-YEAR APPOINTMENT -- I BELIEVE IT IS A SIX-YEAR TERM -- TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY WHERE THERE IS A FLEED FOR THESE TWO SCRTERKTS, THEY'RE WILLING TO HOLD UP 30 -- 26 NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING TWO WOMEN AND A NINTH CIRCUIT JUDGE. |
| 07:49:41 | NOT REAL SMART. |
| 07:49:43 | I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND IT. |
| 07:49:45 | AND I HOPE THAT THE LEADERSHIP AND THE PRESIDENT WILL SPEAK TO THOSE THAT OBJECT ON THIS -- IN THIS WAY. |
| 07:49:50 | BECAUSE I HAVE HE HEARD ALL KINDS OF RHETORIC HERE TODAY ABOUT HOW IT'S DIFFICULT IF YOU'RE A WOMAN POUR A MINORITY TO GET YOUR NOMINATION APPROVED. |
| 07:50:00 | AS A MATTER OF FACT, I BELIEVE THE RECORD WILL SHOW THAT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THIS CONGRESS -- THIS PREVIOUS CONGRESS AND THIS ONE IN THE LAST YEAR HAS CONFIRMED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES THAN ANY CONGRESS IN HISTORY. |
| 07:50:12 | NOW, I DO NOTE IT'S PRETTY HARD TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT ALL THE NOMINATIONS AND DETERMINE EXACTLY HOW MANY MINORITIES WERE APPROVED BECAUSE WE DON'T -- THERE'S NO RECORD. |
| 07:50:23 | WE DON'T CHECK WHETHER YOU'RE A MINORITY, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, HISPANIC OR WHATEVER. |
| 07:50:28 | ASIAN -- IT'S -- YOU'RE A PERSON. |
| 07:50:30 | ALL WE CAN TELL IS BY YOUR NAME YOU'RE A MAN OR A WOMAN. |
| 07:50:34 | BUT BASED ON JUST THE GENDER STATISTIC, AS A MATTER OF FACT, SINCE I'VE BEEN MAJORITY LEADER, WE'VE APPROVED A LOT MORE WOMEN THAN GEORGE MITCHELL DID WHEN HE WAS THE MAJORITY LEADER. |
| 07:50:49 | SO THESE ACCUSATIONS THAT WERE MADE HERE TODAY RING HOLLOW. |
| 07:50:55 | I REALLY HATE TO SEE THE SENATE STOOP TO THAT LEVEL. |
| 07:50:58 | BUT I MET WITH THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS TODAY. |
| 07:51:01 | TOLD THEM WE WERE IS GOING TO TRY TO CLEAR THESE 27 NOMINATIONS AND WE'LL KEEP TRYING TO MOVE THEM AUFMT BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S, YOU NO, REASONABLE TO TRY TO HOLD UP ONE SIX-TERM -- SIX-YEAR TERM NOMINEE TO TRY TO GET TWO LIFE LIFETIME NOMINEES TO THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, A CIRCUIT THAT ALREADY HAS TOO MANY JUDGES IN IT, A CIRCUIT THAT IS THE MOST LIBERAL IN THIS COUNTRY, A CIRCUIT THAT IS OVERRULED MORE THAN ANY OTHER CIRCUIT IN THE COUNTRY. |
| 07:51:31 | AND WITH A COUPLE OF NOMINEES THAT ARE CLEARLY ACTIVISTS AND HAVE QUESTIONABLE RECORDS. |
| 07:51:36 | WITH WITH THAT I UNDERSTAND THE OBJECTION. |
| 07:51:38 | HOPEFULLY WE CAN CLEAR IT UP OR EARLY NEXT WEEK. |
| 07:51:40 | I YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 07:51:42 | MR. GRAHAM: MR. |
| 07:51:43 | PRESIDENT? MR. |
| 07:51:44 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM UTAH? |
| 07:51:46 | MR. |
| 07:51:47 | BENNETT: MR. |
| 07:51:49 | PRESIDENT, I WAS IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY TO HOLD A HEARING OF THE Y2K COMMITTEE WHEN SENATOR MOYNIHAN, A MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE, JOINED ME. |
| 07:52:01 | I GREETED HIM WITH THE NORMAL GOOD HUMOR THAT WE GREET ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES, BUT HE DID NOT RESPOND IN GOOD HUMOR. |
| 07:52:10 | INSTEAD, HE SAID TO ME, "I HAVE VERY SAD NEWS. |
| 07:52:16 | " I'VE A LITTLE SURPRISED AT THAT AND ASKED HIM WHAT WAS SO SIGNIFICANT AS TO CAUSE HIM TO BE SO DOWNCAST. |
| 07:52:27 | HE SAID, "JOHN CHAFEE DIED. |
| 07:52:32 | " THAT WAS VERY SAD NEWS INDEED. |
| 07:52:35 | I WAS STUNNED, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM NEW YORK, AND HAD TO REFLECT ON HOW RECENTLY I HAD SEEN JOHN CHAFEE, SPOKEN WITH HIM, FOUND HIM IN GOOD SPIRITS, IF NOT IN GOOD HEALTH. |
| 07:52:53 | INDEED, I THOUGHT HE WAS IN GOOD HEALTH. |
| 07:52:57 | ON FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK I WAS ADDRESSING A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM THE STATE OF UTAH, ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SENATE AND SENATE PROCEDURE AND SENATE LIFE AND WAS INTERESTED WHEN I GOT A QUESTION THAT I OFTEN GET FROM PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE POLITICAL ARENA. |
| 07:53:19 | THEY SAID, TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A SENATOR AND SPECIFICALLY THIS QUESTION WAS, TELL US ABOUT THE SENATORS. |
| 07:53:29 | AND THEN THE QUESTIONER SAID, TELL US WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE. |
| 07:53:35 | THAT'S ALL -- THAT'S ALWAYS AN INTERESTING QUESTION. |
| 07:53:40 | YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE ANSWER BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE BY LEEFLING THEM OUT. |
| 07:53:44 | BUT I SAID TO THAT GROUP ON FRIDAY, WELL, I HAVE MANY FRIENDS IN THE SENATE. |
| 07:53:53 | BUT ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS IS JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 07:53:59 | I PUT THOSE TWO INCIDENTS OVER THE WEEKEND TOGETHER. |
| 07:54:05 | ON FRIDAY, I AM CITING THE NAME OF JOHN CHAFEE AS ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS, PANDZ ON MONDAY ONE OF MY OTHER FRIENDS IN THIS BODY TELLS ME OF JOHN'S PASSING. |
| 07:54:24 | I'VE WAITED UNTIL NOW TO TAKE THE FLOOR TO PAY TRIBUTE TO JOHN CHAFEE PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE PRESS OF BUSINESS AND PARTLY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID I COULD NOT KEEP MY COMPOSURE. |
| 07:54:53 | AS THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL KNOW THAT MY EMOTIONS SOMETIMES RUN VERY CLOSE TO THE SURFACE. |
| 07:55:03 | I GET DEWEY-EYED AT THE DEDICATION OF A PARKING LOT. |
| 07:55:12 | FOR THAT REASON, AN OCCASION LIKE THIS ONE CAN BE A DIFFICULT ONE. |
| 07:55:20 | AT THE SAME TIME, HOWEVER, MR. |
| 07:55:22 | PRESIDENT, I WANT TO LOOK AT THE DEATH OF JOHN CHAFEE FROM A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. |
| 07:55:33 | WE MOURN HIS PASSING, WE BECOME EMOTIONAL AT THE THOUGHT OF HIS LOSS, BUT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT IN MANY WAYS THIS IS A TIME FOR REJOICING. |
| 07:55:54 | I HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS, OF DEALING WITH AGING PARENTS. |
| 07:56:03 | MY FATHER WAS 95, MY MOTHER 96 WHEN THEY PASSED AWAY. |
| 07:56:08 | NEITHER ONE OF THEM IN GOOD HEALTH. |
| 07:56:11 | MY MOTHER DEALT WITH AN AGING PARENT IN HER LIFETIME, A FATHER WHO HAD A STROKE AND THEN LINGERED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS THEREAFTER. |
| 07:56:24 | MOTHER USED TO SAY TO US, IF I'M KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, REJOICE. |
| 07:56:34 | I DON'T LOOK FORWARD TO GOING THROUGH OLD AGE. |
| 07:56:38 | WHEN PEOPLE RETIRE VERY OFTEN THEY GO DOWNHILL RAPIDLY. |
| 07:56:45 | JOHN SHOWED NO SIGNS OF THAT, BUT HIS HEALTH WAS FAILING. |
| 07:56:49 | HE HAD BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A BACK PROBLEM. |
| 07:56:53 | HE WAS NOT AN OLD MAN, BY MY STANDARDS -- 77 SEEMS INCREASINGLY YOUNGER AS I GET CLOSER TO IT MYSELF. |
| 07:57:04 | BUT I THINK OF THE POSSIBILITY OF JOHN CHAFEE RUNNING DOWNHILL IN OLD AGE, AND I THINK WE MIGHT REJOICE THAT HE WAS SPARED THAT. |
| 07:57:28 | JOHN CHAFEE LEFT AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME. |
| 07:57:38 | AT THE TOP OF HIS FORM. |
| 07:57:43 | AVENUES SENATOR'S SENATOR, HE WAS INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING. |
| 07:57:50 | WE DIDN'T VOTE TOGETHER VERY OFTEN, BUT WHEN WE DID, HE WAS ALWAYS GRATEFUL, AND WHEN WE DIDN'T, HE WAS ALWAYS UNDERSTANDING. |
| 07:58:01 | I NEVER HAD AN OCCASION WHERE JOHN CHAFEE WAS DISAPPROVING. |
| 07:58:09 | WE STOOD TOGETHER ON ONE ISSUE ISSUE, WHERE WE WERE TWO OF FOUR REPUBLICANS. |
| 07:58:17 | ONE OF THE OCCASIONS WHERE WE CROSSED THE LINE -- JOHN DID THAT MORE OFTEN THAN I -- TO JOIN WITH A GROUP OF DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATS, THAT WAS THE FLAG AMENDMENT. |
| 07:58:31 | JOHN AND I BOTH HAD GREAT REVERENCE FOR THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT WE NEALT OUR REVERENCE FOR THE CONSTITUTION OUTWEIGHED THAT AND THAT THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD NOT BE AMEND TO DEAL WITH A NONEXISTENT PROBLEM. |
| 07:58:47 | BECAUSE FLAG BURNING IS NO LONGER GOING ON IN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT BY THOSE WHO WANT TO GODE US INTO ATTEMPTING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION. |
| 07:58:59 | AT LEAST THAT'S THE WAY I SAW IT AND THAT'S THE WAY JOHN SAW IT. |
| 07:59:02 | AND HE WAS ALWAYS FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE WHEN WE HAD THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. |
| 07:59:08 | BUT THE THING I WILL REMEMBER THE MOST ABOUT JOHN CHAFEE AS A SENATOR'S SENATOR WAS THE WAY HE WOULD GO AFTER PROBLEMS AND NOT PEOPLE. |
| 07:59:21 | THE WAY HE WOULD TACKLE CHALLENGES AND NOT THE CHALLENGERS. |
| 07:59:27 | THE WAY HE WOULD MAINTAIN A CONSTANT GOOD HUMOR, EVEN IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULTIES WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY OR DIFFICULTIES FROM ACROSS THE AISLE. |
| 07:59:44 | IT'S A TIME FOR REJOIGSING -- IT'S A TIME FOR REJOICING. |
| 07:59:52 | REJOICING BECAUSE WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DEALING WITH THIS MAN RIGHT UP TO THE END OF HIS LIFE AND THEN SEEING HIM SPARED THE LONG GOODBYE THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OTHERS -- RONALD REAGAN FOR EXAMPLE. |
| 08:00:22 | I THINK IF JOHN CHAFEE WERE GIVEN THE KHOIRX HE WOULD TAKE THE CHOICE THAT THE GOOD LORD HAS GIVEN HIM RATHER THAN LINGERING ON IN SOME CRIPPLED FASHION. |
| 08:00:35 | SO HE HAD A WEAK HEART, WEAKER THAN ANY OF US KNEW. |
| 08:00:40 | THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT KIND OF SITUATION WAS PERHAPS THERE, BUT I'M FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF MY MOTHER, WHO LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN OLD AGE SAID, IF I'M TAKEN SUDDENLY, DON'T MOURN; REJOICE REJOICE. |
| 08:01:03 | THERE'S VERY LITTLE I THINK THAT WE CAN ADD TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JOHN CHAFEE'S LIFE. |
| 08:01:10 | WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE KNEW HIM HIM, SERVED WITH HIM, AND WE WERE WITH HIM RIGHT UP TO THE MOMENT WHERE HE LEFT, AS I SAY, AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME. |
| 08:01:30 | I EXTEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY. |
| 08:01:40 | I HAVE MET BOTH HIS WIFE AND HIS SON. |
| 08:01:43 | I KNOW WHAT FINE PEOPLE THEY ARE. |
| 08:01:46 | I KNOW HOW DESPERATELY THEY FEEL THIS LOSS. |
| 08:01:54 | NOW, MR. |
| 08:01:59 | PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE SENATE COMPLETES ITS BUSINESS TODAY, IT ADJOURN UNTIL THE HOUR OF 9:30 A. |
| 08:02:07 | M. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29. |
| 08:02:09 | I FURTHER ASK CONSENT THAT ON FRIDAY, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PRAYER, THE JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS BE APPROVED TO DATE DATE. |
| 08:02:17 | THE MOURNING HOUR BE DEEMED EXPIRED, THE TIME FOR THE TWO LEADERS BE RESERVED FOR THEIR USE LATER IN THE DAY AND THE SENATE THEN BEGIN 30 MINUTES OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS ON H. |
| 08:02:27 | R. 434, THE AFRICAN TRADE BILL. |
| 08:02:30 | I FURTHER ASK CONSENT THAT THE CLOTURE VOTE OCCUR AT 10:00 A. |
| 08:02:35 | M. ON FRIDAY. THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 08:02:37 | MR. BENNETT: FOR THE INFORMATION OF ALL SENATORS, THE SENATE WILL BEGIN DEBATE ON THE AFRICAN TRADE BILL AT 9:30 A. |
| 08:02:44 | M. FOLLOWING 30 MINUTES OF DEBATE, THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO A DELOCH VOTE ON THE ROTH SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO THE -- TO A CLOTURE VOTE ON THE ROTH SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO THE TRADE BILL. |
| 08:02:53 | THE FIRST VOTE WILL OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A. |
| 08:02:55 | M. F CLOTURE IS NOT INVOKED ON THE TRADE BILL, IT IS THE MAJORITY LEADER'S INTENTION TO MOVE ON TO OTHER LEGISLATIVE ITEMS. |
| 08:03:02 | THIS TRADE BILL HAS BEEN THE PENDING BUSINESS FOR ONE WEEK AS OF TOMORROW'S DATE. |
| 08:03:06 | ONE WEEK IS PRECIOUS TIME WHEN THE END OF A CONGRESSIONAL SESSION IS NEAR. |
| 08:03:10 | I WILL OF COURSE -- OR THE MAJORITY LEADER WILL OF COURSE NOTIFY THE MINORITY LEADER AS TO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE ITEM THAT HE INTENDS TO BRING UP. |
| 08:03:19 | ALSO, THE SENATE MAY ALSO BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT TO ACCOMPANY THE D. |
| 08:03:25 | C. LABOR-H. |
| 08:03:26 | H.S. BILL WITH A VOTE ANTICIPATED EARLY NEXT WEEK. |
| 08:03:29 | IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE SENATE, I NOW ASK THAT THE SENATE STAND IN ADJOURNMENT UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER FOLLOWING THE REMARKS OF THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA. |
| 08:03:38 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: ROUKS. |
| 08:03:42 | -- THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 08:03:44 | MR. |
| 08:03:45 | GRAHAM: MR. PRESIDENT? |
| 08:03:46 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA. |
| 08:03:47 | MR. |
| 08:03:48 | GRAHAM: MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE A STATEMENT TO MAKE ON LEGISLATION WHICH I WILL INTRODUCE THIS EVENING. |
| 08:03:54 | PRIOR TO THAT, I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE ELOQUENCE OF THE REMARKS THAT THE SENATOR FROM UTAH HAS JUST DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF OUR FRIEND, JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 08:04:07 | MANY OF US HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH INTO OUR SOULS AND EXPRESS THE DEPTH OF OUR AFFECTION THOR THIS SPECIAL MAN MAN. |
| 08:04:19 | THE SENATOR FROM UTAH HAS SUCCEEDED IN THAT EFFORT. |
| 08:04:22 | AND I COMMEND HIM AND THANK HIM FOR SHARING THOSE EMOTIONS. |
| 08:04:31 | MR. |
| 08:04:32 | PRESIDENT, A SECOND ITEM BEFORE I TURN TO MY REMARKS FOR PURPOSES OF INTRODUCTION, I HAVE EXERCISED THE PREROGATIVE WHICH IS EACH SENATOR'S TO PLACE A HOLD -- WHICH MEANS THAT LEGISLATION CANNOT BE BROUGHT UP WITHOUT AT LEAST REFERRING TO AND DISCUSSING IT WITH THE SENATOR WHO HAS PLACED THE HOLD. |
| 08:05:01 | IN THIS CASE, I DID SO ON THE LEGISLATION WHICH IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE TAX EXTENDER BILL. |
| 08:05:09 | THIS IS LEGISLATION WHICH EXTENDS THE LIFE OF A NUMBER OF CURRENT TAX PROVISIONS. |
| 08:05:17 | AS A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, I SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION AND I WILL VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 08:05:25 | I AM GOING TO ANNOUNCE PUBLICLY THAT I AM WITHDRAWING THE HOLD THAT I HAD ON THAT LEGISLATION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION. |
| 08:05:35 | FIRST, I'M DOING SO BECAUSE I THINK IN THE SPIRIT OF COMITY AND THE EFFORT TO GET IMPORTANT WORK ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE -- WHAT I HOPE WILL BE RELATIVELY FEW DAYS REMAINING IN THIS FIRST SESSION OF THE 106TH CONGRESS, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW THE SENATE TO TAKE UP THIS LEGISLATION WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY, DELAY INSOFAR AS IT IS THE PRODUCT OF MY ACTION. |
| 08:06:07 | BUT SECOND, AN EXPLANATION OF WHY I IMPOSED THE HOLD IN THE FIRST INSTANCE; I SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION AND IRSUPPORTED IT IN LARGE PART BECAUSE IT MEETS WHAT I THINK IS A FUNDAMENTAL TEST,; IT IS PAID FOR. |
| 08:06:31 | THIS LEGISLATION CONTAINS INCREASES IN CERTAIN TAXES SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COST OF THE TAX RELIEF WHICH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE EXTENDERS. |
| 08:06:41 | NOT TO DO THAT WOULD HAVE HAD THE EFFECT OF DIPPING INTO THE SURPLUS, AND NOW THAT MEANS DIP WILLING INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS SINCE WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT THE NON-SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS. |
| 08:06:57 | BUT THIS BILL MEETS THE TEST OF BEING FISCALLY PRUDENT. |
| 08:07:02 | HOWEVER, I ALERT THE SENATE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER BILL WHICH IN MANY WAYS WAS A COMPANION OF THE TAX EXTENDER LEGISLATION, VOTED OUT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE TAX EXTENDER LEGISLATION, AND THAT IS LEGISLATION WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR INCREASES IN THE REIMBURSEMENT LEVEL TO PROVIDERS OF VARIOUS HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. |
| 08:07:35 | AGAIN, I SUPPORT THE CONCEPT THAT THERE IS A JUSTIFIABLE CASE FOR INCREASING THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS, AND WE HAVE DONE SO IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT THE SENATE WILL POSSIBLY SOON BE CONSIDERING IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY A BILLION DOLLARS IN FISCAL YEAR 2000, $5 BILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2001, AN AND -- AND AN ADDITIONAL $5 BILLION OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS -- EXCUSE ME, AN ADDITIONAL $9 BILLION OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS FOR A TOTAL OF $15 BILLION. |
| 08:08:16 | MY CRITICISM OF THAT LEGISLATION IS UNLIKE THE TAX EXTENDER BILL, IT IS NOT PAID FOR, AND THEREFORE WE WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE FOR $15 BILLION OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING WHICH WILL HAVE TO COME DIRECTLY OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS. |
| 08:08:34 | IT HAD BEEN MY INTENTION BY HOLDING THE TAX EXTENDER BILL TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE TAX EXTENDER BILL WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE ADDITIONAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICARE PROVIDERS, BUT WITH AN APPROPRIATE OFFSET SO THAT THERE WILL BE $15 BILLION EITHER OF REDUCED SPENDING ELSEWHERE, OR ADDITIONAL TAXES TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICARE PROVIDERS. |
| 08:09:07 | IT HAD BEEN MY THOUGHT THAT BY MERGING THESE TWO BILLS TOGETHER AND USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THE OFFSETS FOR THE MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT INCREASES, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEND TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATION WHICH IT MIGHT BOTH CONSIDER AND FAVORABLY VOTE UPON. |
| 08:09:29 | IT NOW APPEARS, MR. |
| 08:09:32 | PRESIDENT, THAT IN FACT WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE UP THE INCREASED REIMBURSEMENT TO MEDICARE PROVIDERS, AT LEAST NOT TAKE IT UP AS SEPARATE LEGISLATION. |
| 08:09:44 | RATHER IT WILL BE EITHER DELAYED TO SOME FUTURE DATE, OR TAKEN UP AS PART OF THE LIKELY END OF THE SESSION MAJOR FINANCIAL COMPROMISE. |
| 08:09:56 | SO IT APPEARS AS IF THERE IS NO PURPOSE TO BE GAINED BY HOLDING THE TAX EXTENDER BILLS FOR PURPOSES OF OFFERING AN AMENDMENT OF A BILL WHICH IS NOT GOING TO BE TAKEN UP ANYWAY. |
| 08:10:12 | SO, FOR THOSE SOMEWHAT CONVOLUTED REASONS, BUT REASONS WHICH I HOPE WILL BE SATISFACTORY TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY, MY COLLEAGUES, I AM ANNOUNCING THAT I AM LIFTING THE HOLD ON THE TAX EXTENDER BILL AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE WILL SOON PASS IT, AND THAT IT WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR OTHER LEGISLATION. |
| 08:10:34 | THAT WHEN WE DECIDE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO EXTEND A TAX BENEFIT TO A CERTAIN CLASS OF TAXPAYERS OR IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO INCREASE INCREASE SPENDING IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO CERTAIN CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY, THAT WE WILL HAVE THE FORTITUDE TO MAKE THE JUDGMENT AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR EITHER THOSE REDUCTIONS IN REVENUE FROM ONE SOURCE OR INCREASE IN APPROPRIATIONS TO ANOTHER. |
| 08:11:03 | SO HAVING SAID THAT, MR. |
| 08:11:05 | PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN TO THE LEGISLATION WHICH I WILL INTRODUCE THIS EVENING WHICH IS ENTITLED, "TRANSITION TO TEACHING. |
| 08:11:17 | " THIS LEGISLATION STARTS FROM A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. |
| 08:11:22 | BILL ARRADINE IS A FIRST YEAR TEACHER AND HE TELLS ME THAT HE IS GREATLY ENJOYING HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 08:11:31 | HE HAS 150 STUDENTS FROM THE 9TH TO 12TH GRADE AT NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL NEAR OWE KA LA, FLORIDA. |
| 08:11:39 | MR. |
| 08:11:41 | ARRADINE TEACHES RAUBL MECHANICS AND HE HAS SPARKED AN INTEREST IN STUDENTS THAT MAY LEAD MANY OF THEM TO REWARDING, LUCRATIVE AND CHALLENGING CAREERS. |
| 08:11:52 | I KNOW MR. ARRADINE BECAUSE I DID ONE OF MY WORKDAYS DRK IN FACT MY MOST RECENT WORKDAY AT NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT IS THE STORY THAT I LEARNED THAT DAY AT NORTH MARION THAT BRINGS ME TO THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY. |
| 08:12:09 | NOW UP TO THIS POINT IT MAY NOT SEEM THAT UNUSUAL OF A STORY. |
| 08:12:14 | A BEGINNING TEACHER FACING NEW CHALLENGES. |
| 08:12:17 | BUT MR. |
| 08:12:18 | ARRADINE BRINGS SOMETHING ELSE TO HIS FIRST YEAR AT NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL. |
| 08:12:23 | HE BRINGS A PREVIOUS CAREER OF 11 YEARS OF ON THE JOB EXPERIENCE. |
| 08:12:29 | HE HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN A LOCAL CHEVROLET CAR DEALERSHIP. |
| 08:12:34 | HE IS NOW STARTING A SECOND CAREER AS A TEACHER. |
| 08:12:38 | THE STUDENTS LOOK TO HIM WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. |
| 08:12:41 | WHEN HE SAYS YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW THIS IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE, THEY KNOW, HE KNOWS, WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. |
| 08:12:50 | HAVING JUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE INDUSTRY, HE TEACHES AT THE CUTTING EDGE. |
| 08:12:55 | THE INFORMATION THAT HE BRINGS TO HIS STUDENTS IS WHAT HE WAS ACTUALLY DOING IN THE WORKPLACE NOT THAT LONG AGO. |
| 08:13:03 | MR. ARRADINE IS ALSO A BRIDGE. |
| 08:13:06 | HE IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE WORLD OF EMPLOYMENT. |
| 08:13:13 | HE OFFERS THEM ADVICE. |
| 08:13:14 | COUNSEL AND REAL-LIFE CONNECTIONS TO FUTURE JOBS. |
| 08:13:18 | MR. |
| 08:13:19 | ARRADINE LEARNED OF THE OPENING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WHEN ONE. |
| 08:13:24 | THE AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC TEACHERS RETIRED. |
| 08:13:27 | HE APPLIED FOR THE JOB. |
| 08:13:29 | HE WAS ALLOWED TO RETAIN A TEMPORARY TEACHING CERTIFICATE BASED ON HIS PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE. |
| 08:13:34 | HE WILL TAKE FOUR COURSES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO OBTAIN A PERMANENT TEACHING CERTIFICATE. |
| 08:13:41 | NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WALTER MILLER COULD NOT BE MORE CLOSE E. |
| 08:13:45 | PLEASED WITH THE SITUATION. |
| 08:13:47 | MR. |
| 08:13:48 | ARRADINE IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE STUDENTS. |
| 08:13:52 | NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL WAS ABLE TO FILL A VACANCY AND EASE ITS TEACHER SHORTAGE. |
| 08:13:58 | MORE AND MORE SCHOOLS WILL BE TURNING TO TEACHERS WHO ARE IN THEIR SECOND CAREER. |
| 08:14:05 | "THE WASHINGTON POST" OF OCTOBER 4 OF THIS YEAR REMARKS ON THE TREND OF PROFESSIONALS ENTERING TEACHING AFTER YEARS OF WORK IN A NONACADEMIC JOB. |
| 08:14:16 | MR. |
| 08:14:17 | PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT AT THE END OF MY REMARKS, A COPY OF AN ARTICLE ENTITLED, "DISILLUSIONED FIND RENEWAL IN CLASSROOM," BE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD. |
| 08:14:28 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 08:14:30 | MR. GRAHAM: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 08:14:31 | PRESIDENT. EVERY AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS. |
| 08:14:34 | THOUSANDS OF YOUNG AMERICANS ENTER THE CLASSROOM. |
| 08:14:37 | AND ALMOST EVERY YEAR AT THIS TIME I HEAR FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA -- ABOUT TEACHER SHORTAGES. |
| 08:14:47 | WHAT DID I HEAR IN 1999? |
| 08:14:49 | I HEARD FROM MIAMI DADE THEY HIRED 1,700 NEW TEACHERS FOR THE 1999 SCHOOL YEAR, BUT STILL HAD 300 VACANCIES TO FILL ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. |
| 08:15:02 | HILLS BREAUX COUNTY, TAMPA, HIRED 1,493 TEACHERS FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WERE STILL 238 TEACHERS SHORT WHEN THE FIRST SCHOOL BELL RANG. |
| 08:15:15 | ORANGE COUNTY, ORLANDO, NEEDED 1,300 TEACHERS FOR THE NEW YEAR, STILL HAD 50 VACANCIES A MONTH AFTER SCHOOL STARTED. |
| 08:15:26 | THESE CONCERNS WILL ONLY GET WORSE. |
| 08:15:29 | 40% OF CURRENT SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50. |
| 08:15:33 | THEY ARE NEARING RETIREMENT. |
| 08:15:35 | WHO WILL BE THE FUTURE ROLE MODELS TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICANS? |
| 08:15:40 | WHO WILL TAKE THEIR PLACES IN THE CLASSROOM? |
| 08:15:43 | THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS IS CRUCIAL IF WE ARE TO LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE. |
| 08:15:55 | MR. |
| 08:15:56 | PRESIDENT, I WOULD ALSO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUBMIT FOR THE RECORD AN ARTICLE BY DR. |
| 08:16:01 | ROBERT MCCAIN ENTITLED "A 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGE: UNDER PREPARED AMERICANS. |
| 08:16:10 | " THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 08:16:11 | MR. |
| 08:16:12 | GRAHAM: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 08:16:13 | PRESIDENT. |
| 08:16:15 | DR. MCCAIN RAISES SEVERAL CRUCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC AND -- DR. |
| 08:16:19 | MCCABE RAISES SEVERAL CRUCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC ITEMS FACING EDUCATION IN COMING YEARS. |
| 08:16:25 | LET ME MENTION TWO OF THESE ISSUES. |
| 08:16:26 | FIRST THE AMERICAN FAMILY STRUCTURE WILL CHANGE IN THE NEXT DECADES. |
| 08:16:32 | HALF OF ALL CHILDREN WILL SPEND SOME OF THEIR CHILDHOOD IN SINGLE PARENT HOMES AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN POVERTY. |
| 08:16:43 | CHILDREN WHO GROW UP IN A NUCLEAR FAMILY VERY OFTEN WILL FIND BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS WORKING THUS WILL BE LESS ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE CHILD'S SCHOOL AND SCHOOLWORK. |
| 08:16:56 | THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING TO AMERICAN FAMILIES. |
| 08:17:00 | THAT IS WHAT WILL INCREASINGLY BE THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT FROM WHICH AMERICAN SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL ENTER THE CLASSROOM. |
| 08:17:10 | BUT AS THEY EXIT THE CLASSROOM, SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS UPON GRADUATION WILL BE GREATER. |
| 08:17:19 | IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CENTURY, 50 YEARS AGO, 20% OF AMERICAN JOBS REQUIRED A SPECIFIC SKILL. |
| 08:17:28 | AT THE END OF THIS CENTURY, TODAY, 80% OF JOBS NEED SKILLED WORKERS. |
| 08:17:35 | THUS THE AMERICAN STUDENT WILL NEED TO GAD WAIT FROM SCHOOL BETTER PREPARED FOR THE HIGH-TECH WORLD THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND DUAL INCOME FAMILIES IN GENERAL WILL FACE MORE CHALLENGES IN BEING ABLE TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE SUPPORT OF THAT CHILD'S EDUCATION. |
| 08:17:54 | THESE CHALLENGES AND OTHERS WILL FACE THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. |
| 08:18:00 | I RISE TODAY TO TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD IN EASING THE NATIONWIDE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND OFFERING CHALLENGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICA'S WORKING PEOPLE BY INTRODUCING THE TRANSITION TO TEACHING ACT OF 1999. |
| 08:18:19 | SENATOR KENNEDY IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR HIS WORK IN INCLUDING SIMILAR LANGUAGE IN THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION REAUTHORIZATION BILL. |
| 08:18:30 | REPRESENTATIVES JIM DAVIS OF FLORIDA AND TIM ROAMER OF INDIANA HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THIS ISSUE. |
| 08:18:38 | WE HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL MODEL ON WHICH TO BUILD THE TRANSITION TO TEACHER PROGRAM. |
| 08:18:44 | SINCE 1994 THE TROOPS TO TEACHERS PROGRAM HAS BROUGHT MORE THAN 3,000 RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL TO OUR CLASSROOMS, PARTICULARLY AS MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS. |
| 08:18:59 | SCHOOLS IN MY STATE OF FLORIDA HAVE BEEN BENEFITED BY MORE THAN 270 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE TROOPS TO TEACHERS PROGRAM AND ARE BRINGING THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCE TO THE CLASSROOM TODAY. |
| 08:19:12 | TROOPS TO TEACHERS AND NOW TRANSITION TO TEACHING ASSIST IN OVERCOMING TWO OF THE MAIN OBSTACLES THAT MID-CAREER PROFESSIONALS FACE WHEN THEY WANT TO BECOME A TEACHER. |
| 08:19:24 | IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THIS NOW, AS MR. |
| 08:19:28 | ARRADINE HAS SHOWN, BUT THIS LEGISLATION WILL ASSIST AND SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS. |
| 08:19:34 | THE FIRST ISSUE THAT IS ADDRESSED INVOLVES TEACHING COLLEGES WITHIN UNIVERSITIES. |
| 08:19:41 | THESE TEACHING COLLEGES ARE OFTEN SET UP FOR THE TRADITIONAL STUDENT IN THEIR EARLY 20'S RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL JUST STARTING THEIR NEW LIVES. |
| 08:19:51 | THESE PROGRAMS ARE GENERALLY TAKEN OVER FOR A MULTIYEAR PERIOD AS A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT. |
| 08:19:58 | THIS LEGISLATION ENCOURAGES TEACHING COLLEGES TO DEVELOP CURRICULUM SUITABLE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ALREADY HAS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. |
| 08:20:08 | THESE PROGRAMS ARE MORE STREAMLINED, MORE FLEXIBLE IN SCHOOL HOURS. |
| 08:20:12 | THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THE MID-CAREER STUDENT BRINGS MORE LIFE AND WORK EXPERIENCE THAN DOES A TRADITIONAL COLLEGE STUDENT. |
| 08:20:22 | BY DEVELOPING SUCH PROGRAMS, TEACHING COLLEGES CAN MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS BUT ALLOW A MID-CAREER WORKER MAKING THE CHANGE INTO TEACHING TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN A MORE EFFICIENT, STREAMLINED MANNER. |
| 08:20:35 | TEACHING COLLEGES ARE ALSO ASKED TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH AND SUPPORT FOR THESE NEW TEACHERS DURING AT LEAST THEIR FIRST YEAR IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 08:20:48 | SECOND, TRANSITION TO TEACHING WILL ASSIST TEACHERS WHO COME TO THE PROFESSION IN MID-CAREER IN A VERY TANGIBLE WAY. |
| 08:20:56 | GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED OF UP TO $5,000 PERFECT PARTICIPANT TO OFFSET THE COST OF BECOMING A CERTIFIED TEACHER. |
| 08:21:03 | WHY ARE THESE GRANTS APPROPRIATE? |
| 08:21:06 | THE TRADITIONAL COLLEGE STUDENT COMES DIRECTLY FROM A FAMILY SETTING. |
| 08:21:12 | THEY TYPICALLY HAVE LIMITED PERSONAL OR FAMILY FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. |
| 08:21:21 | IN CONTRAST, PEOPLE LIKE MR. |
| 08:21:22 | ARRADINE, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN FAMILY. |
| 08:21:24 | THEY HAVE SPOUSES. |
| 08:21:25 | THEY HAVE CHILDREN. |
| 08:21:26 | THEY HAVE A HOUSE AND CAR PAYMENTS. |
| 08:21:28 | THEY HAVE THE KIND OF FINANCE OBLIGATIONS THAT WOULD BE A TYPICAL OF ANY MID-CAREER ADULT. |
| 08:21:36 | THEY WILL NEED THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM THAT LITTLE DEGREE OF SUPPORT AND HELP WHICH WILL ALLOW THEM TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION TO BECOME A CERTIFIED TEACHER AND MOVE INTO A SECOND CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 08:21:52 | THUS THIS LEGISLATION DEALS WITH TWO OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO BECOMING A TEACHER IN MID-CAREER. |
| 08:21:59 | THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS IS STREAMLINED, AND STIPENDS ARE PROVIDED TO OFFSET THE COST OF THIS ADDITIONAL EDUCATION. |
| 08:22:06 | THE SUCCESS CAN BE HIGHLIGHTED BEST BY A PERSONAL STORY. |
| 08:22:11 | A PERSONAL STORY NOT LIKE MR. |
| 08:22:14 | ARRADINE WHO IS IN HIS FIRST YEAR BUT FIRST PERSONAL STORY OF A MAN WHO IS ALREADY WELL INTO HIS SECOND CAREER. |
| 08:22:22 | RON ADD DIKES GREW UP IN A MILITARY FAMILY. |
| 08:22:27 | HIS FATHER WAS A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER. |
| 08:22:30 | WHEN MR. |
| 08:22:31 | DIKES ATTENDED COLLEGE AT SAM HOUSTON STATE HE FOLLOWED IN HIS FAMILY MILITARY STEPS AND ENROLLED IN THE ROTC WHEN HE GRADUATED HE BECAME A COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. |
| 08:22:44 | FOR MORE THAN 21 YEARS MR. |
| 08:22:45 | DIKES SERVED OUR NATION AS AN ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER LIVING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. |
| 08:22:50 | HE FEELS THE HIGH LIGHT OF HIS CAREER WERE THE THREE YEARS HE SPENT ON GENERAL NORMAN SH WART COULD HAVE STAFF AT MCDILL AIR BASE IN TAMPA DURING THE GULF WAR. |
| 08:23:03 | MR. DIKES RETIRED FROM THE ARMY IN 18995. |
| 08:23:05 | BUT YOU CAN SAY HIS SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY DID NOT END. |
| 08:23:09 | WITH THE HELP OF THE TROOPS TO TEACHERS PROGRAM, MR. |
| 08:23:15 | DIKES BEGAN A SECOND CAREER TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES AT BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL IN BRANDON, FLORIDA. |
| 08:23:20 | HE HAS BEEN ON THE FACULTY OF BLOOMINGDALE SINCE 1995. |
| 08:23:25 | THIS YEAR HE TEACHES THREE PERIOD OF HONORS WORLD HISTORY AND TWO PERIODS OF AN ELECTIVE CLASS HE CREATED, THE HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR. |
| 08:23:35 | MR. DIKES' MILITARY EXPERIENCES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF HIS CLASSROOM TEACHING. |
| 08:23:40 | IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPING NEW ELECTIVE COURSES LIKE THE ONE ON THE VIETNAM WAR, MR. |
| 08:23:45 | DIKES USES THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED LIVING AND WORKING 12 YEARS IN EUROPE WITH THE MILITARY TO ENLIVEN HIS WORLD HISTORY CLASSES. |
| 08:23:55 | WITH HIS BACKGROUND HE OFFERS ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING A MILITARY CAREER OR WISHING TO ATTEND ONE OF THE NATION SERVICE ACADEMIES. |
| 08:24:08 | MR. DIKES FEELS THIS CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE TROOPS TO TEACHERS PROGRAM. |
| 08:24:15 | IT REKINDLED HIS INTEREST IN TEACHING FROM HIS COLLEGE DAYS. |
| 08:24:18 | IT OPENED DOORS TO CERTIFICATION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO HIM. |
| 08:24:24 | IN SOME SENSE, TROOPS TO TEACHERS HELPS MAKE PERFECT MARRIAGES. |
| 08:24:30 | BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL NEEDED A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER. |
| 08:24:34 | RON DIKES NEEDED A CHALLENGING, REWARDING SECOND CAREER. |
| 08:24:39 | HE, THE SCHOOL, AND ALL OF BLOOMINGDALE STUDENTS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PERFECT MARRIAGE. |
| 08:24:47 | OTHER PROFESSIONALS, OTHER WORKERS, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FOLLOW IF THE FOOTSTEP OF THE RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL LIKE MR. |
| 08:24:55 | DIKES WHO HAVE SET SUCH A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR US AND THE STUDENT THAT THEY SERVE. |
| 08:25:01 | LAW HE FORCE, ATTORNEYS, BUSINESS LEADERS, SCIENTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, TECHNICALLY COMPETENT MEN AND WOMEN AND OTHERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THEIR WISDOM WITH STUDENTS. |
| 08:25:14 | AS I MENTIONED UNDER THE TRANSITION TO TEACHING ACT, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WOULD BE AWARDED GRANTS TO DESIGN AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM MODELED AFTER TROOPS TO TEACHERS TO TRAIN MID-CAREER PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TO BECOME TEACHERS. |
| 08:25:31 | INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS OF UP TO $5,000 TO PAY FOR THE COURSES AND TRAINING THEY NEED TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS. |
| 08:25:39 | IN RETURN FOR THE TRAINING, THE NEW TEACHERS WOULD AGREE TO TEACH IN LOW INCOME SCHOOLS DETERMINED BY THE PERCENTAGE OF TITLE 1 STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL POPULATION FOR THREE YEARS. |
| 08:25:51 | THIS LEGISLATION IS TIMELY. |
| 08:25:54 | WE ARE AT THE CUSP OF RETIREMENT OF MILLIONS OF BABY BOOMERS. |
| 08:25:59 | BY ENCOURAGING RECENT RETIREES OR MID-CAREER PROFESSIONALS TO BECOME CERTIFIED THROUGH THE TRANSITION TO TEACHING AND TO SPEND A FEW YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM, WOULD WE WILL BRING LIFE SKILLS OF EXPERIENCED AMERICANS TO OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS. |
| 08:26:15 | I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 08:26:19 | OUR NATION'S CHILDREN DESERVE OUR BEST EFFORTS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION THAT THEY WILL NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE 21ST CENTURY. |
| 08:26:30 | MR. PRESIDENT, I SEND TO THE DESK THE LEGISLATION AND ASK FOR ITS APPROPRIATE REFERENCES. |
| 08:26:38 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE BILL WILL BE RECEIVED AND APPROPRIATELY REFERRED. |
| 08:26:50 | A SENATOR: MR. |
| 08:26:52 | PRESIDENT? THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 08:26:54 | MR. LEVIN: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT I ALLOWED TO PROCEED IN MORNING BUSINESS FOR FOUR MINUTES. |
| 08:26:58 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 08:27:00 | MR. LEVIN: I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR. |
| 08:27:01 | I KNOW THIS IS EXTENDING THE TIME BEYOND WHICH THE SENATE WAS TO BE IN SESSION AND AS ALWAYS I APPRECIATE HIS COURTESY, AND BEFORE THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA LEAVES THE FLOOR, LET ME ALSO JUST COULD MEND HIM FOR A VERY VISIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT EDUCATION, THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL LARGE NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND THE VAST SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE WHICH WE CAN TAP IF WE UTILIZE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A PREVIOUS OCCUPATION AND THEN ARE WILLING TO GO INTO TEACHING WHICH IS SURELY AS HIGH A CALLING AS EXISTS, I BELIEVE, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. |
| 08:27:39 | TEACHERS SHOULD BE PLACED WAY UP THERE ON PED STALLS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE GIVE THEM AND THE COMMITMENT THAT SO MANY OF THEM HAVE SHOWN. |
| 08:27:51 | I JUST WANT TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA FOR SELECTING AN AREA WHERE WE CAN REALLY MAKE A CONTRIBUTION THROUGH LEGISLATION TO THOUGHT ONLY OUR CHILDREN BUT TO STUDENTS OF WHATEVER AGE THROUGH THE USE OF THESE GREAT POOLS OF TALENT THAT HE HAS IDENTIFIED. |
| 08:28:12 | MR. |
| 08:28:13 | PRESIDENT, EVERY MEMBER OF OUR SENATE FAMILY WAS GRIPPED IN SADNESS AND GRIEF WHEN WE HEARD OF THE DEATH OF JOHN CHAFEE. |
| 08:28:23 | JOHN CHAFEE WAS A GIANT FOR MANY REASONS. |
| 08:28:26 | HE WAS A KIND MAN. |
| 08:28:28 | HE WAS A TRULY GENTLE AND A MAGNIFICENTLY DECENT SENATOR. |
| 08:28:33 | TILE AND TIME AGAIN, LIKE TOWERING SENATORS OF THE PAST, JOHN CHAFEE, A PRAGMATIST, A MODERATE, A MAN OF SOUND JUDGMENT AND GOOD SENSE, WORKED TO COOL THE PARTISAN PASSIONS IN THIS BODY AND LED HIS COLLEAGUES, OF BOTH PARTIES, TOWARD COMMON GROUND. |
| 08:28:51 | HE WAS ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS THAT SENATORS LOOKED TO FOR ADVICE AND FOR LEADERSHIP ON THE HOST OF ISSUES THAT HE WAS AN EXPERT IN. |
| 08:29:01 | HEALTH ISSUES, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, TRANSPORTATION AND MANY ISSUES WHERE HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EFFECTIVE LEADERS OF THIS BODY. |
| 08:29:11 | HE BROUGHT TO THIS BODY AN EXPERIENCE WHICH WAS INVALUABLE. |
| 08:29:16 | AS A MARINE, WAR HERO IN TWO WARS, AND LEGISLATIVE BATTLES OF THE SENATE, ONE FREQUENTLY SENSED IN JOHN CHAFEE THE KIND OF A QUIET SELF-CONFIDENCE AND A STEADY DETERMINATION OF SOMEBODY WHO HAD SURVIVED REAL COMBAT. |
| 08:29:34 | JOHN CHAFEE WAS DIRECT. |
| 08:29:35 | HE WAS WITHOUT GUILE. |
| 08:29:37 | HE HE DID NOT POSTURE AS HE AMBLED ABOUT THIS BODY. |
| 08:29:43 | HE JUST TALKED STRAIGHT AND LET HIS FRIEND AND HIS COLLEAGUES KNOW WHAT WAS ON HIS MIND AND ASKED HOW HE MIGHT BE HELPFUL. |
| 08:29:52 | NO HIDDEN AGENDAS WITH JOHN CHAFEE, JUST A STRAIGHTFORWARD, GOOD NATURED DECENT AND KIND HUMAN BEING WHO CARED DEEPLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND AND OF THIS NATION AND WHO SHARED EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD WITH US AND WITH THAT NATION. |
| 08:30:14 | I VISITED OFTEN WITH JOHN CHAFEE IN HIS OFFICE, GOING THERE FOR ADVICE, TO TRY TO GATHER FROM HIM SOME OF THE WISDOM WHICH HE HAD GATHERED OVER THE YEARS. |
| 08:30:28 | I SHALL MISS AS EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY WILL MISS, HIS SHY SMILE, HIS SPECIAL INTEGRITY, AND HE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON OUR HEARTS. |
| 08:30:41 | I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HIS NAME IS CARVED IN THAT DESK WHICH HAS THE FLOWERS BONN IT, BUT HE LEFT A VERY -- UPON IT, BUT HE LEFT VERY DEEP MARK ON OUR HEARTS, OUR SOULS AND OUR SPIRIT. |
| 08:30:56 | WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT HIS FAMILY TAKES COMFORT IN THE CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT JOHN CHAFEE WILL BE MISSED BY A LEGION OF FRIENDS, BY ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES, AND WE WILL BE SUSTAINED BY HIS MEMORY, BY HIS INTEGRITY, BY HIS CHARACTER, BY HIS GOOD NATURE, AND AS LONG AS WE SERVE IN THE SENATE, EVERY ONE OF US THAT HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH JOHN CHAFEE WILL REMEMBER HIM IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY. |
| 08:31:28 | AGAIN I THANK THE CHAIR, AND YIELD THE FLOOR. |
| 08:31:33 | THE PRESIDING OFFICER: UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER, THE SENATE STANDS IN ADJOURNMENT UNTIL THE HOUR OF 9:30 A. |
| 08:31:41 | M., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1999. |
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