Wayne Allard

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, to conduct a hearing on the Office of Thrift Supervision's Year 2000 preparedness.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Communications of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, on Wall Street view of Telecommunications Act.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Acquisition and Technology of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, in open session, to review the status of acquisition reform in the Department of Defense.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs would like to request unanimous consent to hold a joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to receive the legislative presentation of the Disabled American Veterans. The hearing will be held on March 18, 1998, at 9:30 a.m., in room 345 of the Cannon House Office Building.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 18, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to hold a hearing on ``Judicial Nominations.''

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, at 10 a.m. for a hearing on the topic of ``oversight of the Implementation of the Vacancies Act.''

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services to meet on Wednesday, March 18, 1998 at 2 p.m. for a hearing on ``The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and Nuclear Nonproliferation''.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Personnel of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, at 2 p.m. in open session, to receive testimony on active and reserve military and civilian personnel programs and the service safety programs in review of the Defense authorization request for fiscal year 1999 and the Future Years Defense Program.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I would like to respond briefly to the senior Senator from New York. I compliment him on his leadership on this particular issue. Obviously, those of us who are just new to the Senate appreciate the background and wealth of information that he brings to this issue and actually look forward to working very closely with him on these issues. A lot of what he says I agree with, and I think it is an issue that needs to be addressed today. With people like the Senator from New York working on this problem, I feel even more confident we will be able to address the problem in the near future.

Mr. ALLARD. I thank the Senator from Wyoming for giving me an opportunity this morning to talk a little bit about Social Security reform. It is a delight to be able to work with the senior Senator from Wyoming on this and many, many other issues. One of the most important challenges that we face as elected officials is the reform of Social Security. This issue, I think, is a test of our concern for future generations. The problem is far enough into the future that we could get away with doing absolutely nothing, but I do not believe this is acceptable. I am committed, and I think a majority of Members of both parties are committed, to the reform of Social Security, and doing it now. Currently, Social Security payroll taxes exceed the level of benefits that are paid out. We, therefore, have a temporary surplus in the program. This will continue to be the case until around the year 2013 when we begin to run Social Security deficits. Unfortunately, none of the current Social Security surpluses are saved. They are spent on other Government programs. If a private company established a pension system like this, the administrator would be sent to jail. With each passing year, we lose valuable time. Several years ago, the bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform forecast where they thought the budget would be headed over the next several decades. The most startling fact was that unless we reform entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare, those entitlements will consume virtually all tax revenues by the year 2030. Obviously, taxes would either have to be increased dramatically or spending would have to be cut dramatically on critical Government functions such as defense, law enforcement, transportation, and education. This is a future that we simply must avoid. But we can only do this by moving now to reform Social Security. In my view, it is time to begin the transition from an exclusively tax-financed system to an investment-based system. This will take time. Any transition will probably have to be implemented over a period of 25 to 30 years. That is why it is so critical that we begin the transition no later than the year 2000. Obviously, under any transition, we must guarantee current retirees the return that they have been promised. However, younger generations should be given the option of setting up some type of personal investment account similar to an IRA for a portion of their payroll taxes. Currently, the payroll tax on wages that is dedicated to Social Security is 12.4 percent. Half of this is paid by employees and the other half is paid by the employers. An initial transition might permit 2 percent to be invested in a mandatory account held by the taxpayer. These funds could be invested in common stock, bonds, Treasury notes, money markets, or any mixture desired by the taxpayer. The principal difference between this and the current system is that the personal investment account would be real money. This type of system is gradually being put into place in countries around the world. Australia, Chile, and Great Britain have also begun the transition to an investment-based pension system. The long-term benefits are significant. This system would gradually reduce the claim on the U.S. Treasury that exists with the current system. Taxpayers would get a better return on their payroll tax dollars. Each and every American would become a shareholder in the economy. The economy would benefit from the higher level of national savings by forcing everybody to save for their retirement. Mr. President, this is just one of a number of ideas being considered for Social Security reform. The important point is that we need to begin a national debate on this issue right now. We need to set to work now in devising a retirement system for the 21st century. Mr. President, I now yield the floor. Mr. MOYNIHAN addressed the Chair.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the journalistic profession in the state of Colorado. Bob Rawlings, publisher and editor of the Pueblo Chieftain and Sunday Chieftain and Star-Journal, has worked at the same newspaper for more than 51 years. During his tenure at the newspaper he has worked as a reporter, advertising salesman, General Manager, and since 1980 has served as Publisher and Editor. In 1984 he was selected to be president of the Star-Journal Publishing Corporation, which owns and operates both newspapers. In 1985-86, Bob Rawlings served as President of the Colorado Press Association. He also has served as a member and past-chairman of the Colorado Bar-Press Committee, and is a past president of the Rocky Mountain Ad Manager's Association. He was voted ``Colorado Newspaper Person of the Year'' in 1989, and was selected ``Citizen of the Year'' in 1993 by the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. In 1994, Bob Rawlings was honored as ``Colorado Business Leader of the Year,'' and at this year's Colorado Press Association's Annual Convention in February, Bob was presented with the ``Gold Rule Makeup Award,'' which is the highest honor a member of the press can achieve in Colorado. For more than a half-century, Bob Rawlings has served his community, state and nation. He represents the best and the brightest of his profession, and the citizens of Pueblo and the state of Colorado are honored to call him one of their own. It is individuals like Bob Rawlings who make America great. It is my pleasure to honor him and thank him for all he has done, and all that he will continue to do for Pueblo and Colorado.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I want to add my support to the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1998. The project that is before us now represents a scaled down version of what was originally promised. This project will be inexpensive enough to allow it to pass through Congress and finally do something towards fulfilling the obligations of the United States to the Tribes and their members, while at the same time not being so scaled down and cheap as to fail to live up to the promise our government made years ago. The Ute Tribes have accepted this proposal even though it is significantly less than what they were first offered. As to whether they are doing this because a smaller project fits all their needs, or because they are realistic enough to admit that the long history of broken treaties is most likely not about to stop now, I'm sure we all have opinions. The Utes are willing to accept this deal for a very simple reason: They need water. Anybody here can go to a water cooler and get a glass of water. But if you want to water your garden, you need a bigger source--a garden hose and a faucet. And if you need to water your farm, or supply industry, you need a bigger source yet. The Ute Indians are hoping they can rely on the Animas La Plata for their water needs, and they are hoping they can rely on the Government that promised them that water to follow through on delivering the water. The Act before us focuses on the three main items needed to fulfill our obligation. It calls for a storage reservoir to be built to hold the promised water, the conveyance needed to transport water to the reservoir, and the guarantee to the Ute tribes of the water in that reservoir. These three things are only, oh, 130 years or so in the coming. The Ute Indian Tribe signed a treaty with the U.S. Government in 1868. This treaty promised the Ute Indian Tribes a permanent, reliable source of water. In 1988, the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act reaffirmed these rights. It called for a much larger project than is before us now. The Ute Indian Tribe would, of course, probably still prefer the full Animas La Plata Project. Those who favor upholding the word of the United States government to the Ute Indian Tribe would probably prefer the full project. However, there are those who don't seem to care about these matters who have blocked a larger project. What we are considering now is smaller, cheaper, and less extensive, but the beneficiaries of it are willing to compromise. They need something, anything, more than they need an ideal. There are many reasons to vote for this project. I think the best reason is not because it is authorized by Congress, not because it is ratified by the Supreme Court, not because it is supported by the last three Presidents, and not even because it will save the country over $400 million from the originally agreed-to project. The best reason is simply that this project should be voted for because it is the duty and treaty obligation of the United States to the Ute Indian Tribes.

Mr. ALLARD. Thank you very much. Mr. President, I just wanted to briefly stand up in recognition of the hard work of my colleague from Colorado on this very, very important issue to Colorado. And I want to add my support to the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988. I have a number of comments that I would like to submit to the Record. But I just want to recognize in a public way that Senator Campbell has worked very hard on this. Obviously, I think both of us would have preferred to have the full project. But in light of what has come to light, I think most of us agree that we need to keep our word with the Ute Indians in the area, and we need to proceed ahead. It is vital to the area. It is important. Even though it might not be ideal for what we would like to see happen, at least we need to move ahead. I thank the senior Senator from Colorado for yielding to me and wish him the very best. I will be there supporting him all the way.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, how much time remains?

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I want to add my support to the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1998. The project that is before us now represents a scaled down version of what was originally promised. This project will be inexpensive enough to allow it to pass through Congress and finally do something towards fulfilling the obligations of the United States to the Tribes and their members, while at the same time not being so scaled down and cheap as to fail to live up to the promise our government made years ago. The Ute Tribes have accepted this proposal even though it is significantly less than what they were first offered. As to whether they are doing this because a smaller project fits all their needs, or because they are realistic enough to admit that the long history of broken treaties is most likely not about to stop now, I'm sure we all have opinions. The Utes are willing to accept this deal for a very simple reason: They need water. Anybody here can go to a water cooler and get a glass of water. But if you want to water your garden, you need a bigger source--a garden hose and a faucet. And if you need to water your farm, or supply industry, you need a bigger source yet. The Ute Indians are hoping they can rely on the Animas La Plata for their water needs, and they are hoping they can rely on the Government that promised them that water to follow through on delivering the water. The Act before us focuses on the three main items needed to fulfill our obligation. It calls for a storage reservoir to be built to hold the promised water, the conveyance needed to transport water to the reservoir, and the guarantee to the Ute tribes of the water in that reservoir. These three things are only, oh, 130 years or so in the coming. The Ute Indian Tribe signed a treaty with the U.S. Government in 1868. This treaty promised the Ute Indian Tribes a permanent, reliable source of water. In 1988, the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act reaffirmed these rights. It called for a much larger project than is before us now. The Ute Indian Tribe would, of course, probably still prefer the full Animas La Plata Project. Those who favor upholding the word of the United States government to the Ute Indian Tribe would probably prefer the full project. However, there are those who don't seem to care about these matters who have blocked a larger project. What we are considering now is smaller, cheaper, and less extensive, but the beneficiaries of it are willing to compromise. They need something, anything, more than they need an ideal. There are many reasons to vote for this project. I think the best reason is not because it is authorized by Congress, not because it is ratified by the Supreme Court, not because it is supported by the last three Presidents, and not even because it will save the country over $400 million from the originally agreed-to project. The best reason is simply that this project should be voted for because it is the duty and treaty obligation of the United States to the Ute Indian Tribes.

Mr. ALLARD. Thank you very much. Mr. President, I just wanted to briefly stand up in recognition of the hard work of my colleague from Colorado on this very, very important issue to Colorado. And I want to add my support to the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988. I have a number of comments that I would like to submit to the Record. But I just want to recognize in a public way that Senator Campbell has worked very hard on this. Obviously, I think both of us would have preferred to have the full project. But in light of what has come to light, I think most of us agree that we need to keep our word with the Ute Indians in the area, and we need to proceed ahead. It is vital to the area. It is important. Even though it might not be ideal for what we would like to see happen, at least we need to move ahead. I thank the senior Senator from Colorado for yielding to me and wish him the very best. I will be there supporting him all the way.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, how much time remains?

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Endangered Fish Recovery Act of 1998, legislation that is designed to authorize activities taking place on the Upper Colorado River Basin and the San Juan River Basins to protect various endangered fish species. The legislation is the product of meetings between water districts, power users, state and federal governments, and environmental groups and by no means reflects consensus. What it does reflect is a bargaining point that all agree is the proper place to begin. At the request of these groups I am introducing this legislation. I would also like to include in the Record letters requesting that I introduce this legislation. I want my position to be clear, it is my view that authorizing legislation should provide certainty to water users in Colorado under the Endangered Species Act and should also allow Coloradans a greater ability to develop their full allotment of the Colorado River. It's also my view that the Fish & Wildlife Service, who are preparing a biological opinion on the program, should reach the conclusion that the program meets the criteria necessary to reach that goal. So while at this point I am only introducing this legislation upon request, I hope that after further negotiations among all parties and the biological opinion issued by the FWS all parties involved will support this, or subsequent, legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that additional material be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Endangered Fish Recovery Act of 1998, legislation that is designed to authorize activities taking place on the Upper Colorado River Basin and the San Juan River Basins to protect various endangered fish species. The legislation is the product of meetings between water districts, power users, state and federal governments, and environmental groups and by no means reflects consensus. What it does reflect is a bargaining point that all agree is the proper place to begin. At the request of these groups I am introducing this legislation. I would also like to include in the Record letters requesting that I introduce this legislation. I want my position to be clear, it is my view that authorizing legislation should provide certainty to water users in Colorado under the Endangered Species Act and should also allow Coloradans a greater ability to develop their full allotment of the Colorado River. It's also my view that the Fish & Wildlife Service, who are preparing a biological opinion on the program, should reach the conclusion that the program meets the criteria necessary to reach that goal. So while at this point I am only introducing this legislation upon request, I hope that after further negotiations among all parties and the biological opinion issued by the FWS all parties involved will support this, or subsequent, legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that additional material be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I announce that today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11 a.m. to accommodate a number of Senators who have requested time to speak. At 11 a.m., the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1173, the highway bill. It is hoped that the donor amendment will be available to be offered at 11 a.m., followed by the finance title. After adoption of the finance title, it will be the majority leader's intention to conduct the cloture vote that had previously been postponed by unanimous consent. With that in mind, Members should anticipate a very busy voting day, with votes occurring in the evening. We will attempt to complete action on the highway bill. I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. I thank both the chairman and ranking member for their willingness to work with me on this very important issue. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. ALLARD. I want to thank the chairman for yielding, and I will engage the chairman and the ranking member in a brief colloquy, if I may. I had an amendment, 1328, filed and was prepared to offer it for a vote. The amendment would have added particulate matter and ozone as an equally weighted factor for funding from the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program (CMAQ). My concern is that Colorado has problems from PM-10 in the Denver Metro Area that are transportation related that could be lessened from inclusion in the CMAQ program. My understanding is that high altitude states may have a problem with respect to this pollutant that low altitude states may not have. As the chairman and the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee both know, my amendment would have an impact not only on the CMAQ program, but on the formula as a whole. Out of respect to the hours of work put in by the Senator Chafee, Warner, and Baucus, I'm not going to offer the amendment. However, H.R. 2400 which was reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives does make allowances for funding PM-10 in CMAQ. It's my hope that the leadership of the EPW Committee would find a way to help areas like Colorado deal with their unique problems with respect to PM and carbon monoxide in conference and I will provide any assistance necessary in working toward that end. I will not be offering that amendment with the assurances that you will continue to work with me.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. I thank the Senator from Minnesota for his very fine statement. I have no further comments and I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.