John Chafee

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I am authorized to announce on behalf of the majority leader there will be no more votes this evening. We will announce shortly the schedule for tomorrow, what time we will be coming in, what votes will be coming up and when they will be coming up. We will be ready to announce that very, very shortly. I ask unanimous consent that Senator Domenici be added as a cosponsor to the Chafee amendment.

Mr. CHAFEE. We, obviously, hope the Senator will not have an amendment, but should he have one, we shall be delighted to receive it.

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, we are waiting for the final arrangements for the schedule for early tomorrow, and pending that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE. I think we will have plenty of time.

Mr. CHAFEE. I suggest the absence of a quorum, Mr. President.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, the second amendment which I have is by the senior Senator from New Mexico, Senator Domenici. I send it to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am deeply concerned over the high incidence of highway fatalities in our country that involve alcohol. In 1996, more than 17,000 lives were lost as a result of alcohol- related collisions out of the 40,000 deaths overall in our country. So that is about nearly half. I believe that this measure will help reduce that. I understand the views of the opponents who think that it should be left to the States. But when you have a small State such as mine where there are people who are constantly going into the neighboring States, back and forth, it seems to me that in order to make our highways safer, and which obviously involves out-of-Staters, a law such as this is necessary. So I support it, Mr. President. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my colleagues from New Jersey, Senator Lautenberg, and from Ohio, Senator DeWine, in support of the amendment to strengthen drunk driving laws throughout the Nation. I am very concerned about the safety of our nation's highways. I am particularly troubled by the high incidence of highway motor vehicle injuries and fatalities involving alcohol. The statistics are truly alarming. In 1996, more than 17,000 lives were lost on our nation's highways as a result of alcohol-related collisions. This represents nearly half of the 40,000 fatalities that occur on U.S. highways every year. The real tragedy, however, is that drunk driving accidents are completely avoidable. This amendment would strengthen drunk driving laws across the country and dramatically reduce the number of fatalities attributable to driving while intoxicated. The amendment specifically targets those states that have not enacted a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) drunk driving law. In 1997, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a report entitled ``Setting Limits, Saving lives: The Case for .08 BAC Laws.'' The report cited studies which indicate that virtually all drivers, regardless of skill, are significantly impaired at the .08 BAC level. At that level, basic driving skills such as braking, steering and speed control, as well as judgment, reaction time, and focused attention are adversely affected. Contrary to the claims of those who oppose this amendment, the .08 standard does not punish social drinking. To exceed the .08 limit, one would need to consume an excessive amount of alcohol. The NHTSA report includes an example. In order to exceed the .08 BAC level, a 170 pound male would need to consume more than four drinks in an hour, while a 137-pound woman would need to consume three drinks, the report indicates. Despite these statistics, 35 states still maintain the higher .10 standard before someone is considered legally drunk--and that puts many lives at risk. Drunk drivers not only risk their own lives, but the lives of every other motorist on the road. The .08 level is a sensible approach to preventing senseless tragedies on our nation's roadways. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank you. Mr. President, I know the Senator from Oklahoma would like some time. And the opponents have 10 minutes?

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet for a joint hearing during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 4, 1998 at 2:30 p.m. in room 216 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a joint hearing on: ``Biological Weapons: The Threat Posed by Terrorists.''

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Readiness Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 1998, in open session, to receive testimony on the Ongoing Competitions to Determine the Dispositions of the Workloads Currently Performed at Sacramento and San Antonio Air Logistics Centers.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 4, 1998 at 2:30 p.m. to hold an open hearing on intelligence matters.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, and immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted, and the Senate resume consideration of S. 1173, the so-called ISTEA legislation.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, tomorrow, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1173, the ISTEA legislation. Under the consent agreement, Senator Bingaman will be offering an amendment on liquor drive-throughs. Following 30 minutes of debate, the Senate will then debate on the Dorgan amendment on open containers for 60 minutes. At 10:30 on Thursday, the Senate will proceed to two consecutive votes on the Dorgan and Bingaman amendments--Dorgan first and then Bingaman. Following those votes, it is hoped that the Senate will be able to adopt the funding amendment, which is the so-called Chafee amendment, the underlying amendment we have been dealing with today, and then begin consideration of the McConnell amendment regarding disadvantaged businesses. We hope to be able to enter into a time agreement with respect to the McConnell amendment immediately following those two back-to-back votes. The Senate will continue to consider amendments to the ISTEA legislation throughout the day on Thursday and into the evening. As a reminder to all Members, the first rollcall votes tomorrow will occur at 10:30 a.m., back to back.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. The Senator from North Dakota wants to speak in favor of the amendment.

Mr. CHAFEE. How much time does the Senator want?

Mr. CHAFEE. That is fine, 10 minutes, from the time of the opponents.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent there now be a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today it stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4; that immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted and the Senate resume consideration of amendment No. 1682, offered by Senator Lautenberg, to S. 1173, the ISTEA legislation as under the previous order.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CHAFEE

Mr. CHAFEE. Tomorrow, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1173, the ISTEA legislation. Under the consent agreement, the Senate will conclude 1 hour of debate on the Lautenberg amendment regarding drinking levels, with time equally divided, with a vote occurring on or in relation to the Lautenberg amendment at approximately 10:30 a.m. Therefore, Members should be prepared for the first rollcall vote tomorrow at 10:30. Following that vote, the Senate will continue to consider amendments to the ISTEA legislation. I hope at least two of the major amendments to this legislation can be offered and debated during Wednesday's session of the Senate. Members should therefore anticipate a busy voting day tomorrow. I certainly hope it will be a busy voting day tomorrow.