Thad Cochran

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, the majority leader has asked that it be announced that the Senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany the Agriculture appropriations bill at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The vote has been changed to occur at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with the final 2 hours of debate to take place on Wednesday 2 hours prior to the vote. Senators on both sides of the aisle have requested the vote be changed for various reasons, the most important being the request by the congressional delegation that will be attending the memorial service for the U.S. sailors killed aboard the U.S.S. Cole. That memorial service is to be held at 11 a.m. in Norfolk, VA, thereby making the previously scheduled vote not feasible. As for the remainder of the week, it is hoped that the Senate can complete most, if not all, business necessary for sine die adjournment. Senators should expect votes throughout each day and into the evenings at the end of the week.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until the hour of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18. I further ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then proceed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 4461, the Agriculture appropriations bill, as under the previous order.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. I ask unanimous consent the committee substitute be agreed to, the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 797, S. 1066.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 702, S. 1482.

Mr. COCHRAN. I ask consent the committee amendments be agreed to.

Mr. COCHRAN. I ask unanimous consent the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN. I ask unanimous consent the amendment be agreed to.

Mr. COCHRAN. Senators Snowe and Kerry have an amendment at the desk. I ask for its consideration.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of H.R. 5212 which is at the desk.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 933, S. 1109.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 428, which is at the desk.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 377, submitted earlier by Senator McConnell.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to announce to the Senate that agreement has been reached and I am able at the request of the majority leader to make an announcement on the scheduling of votes and other business before the Senate. I ask unanimous consent the vote on the Agriculture appropriations conference report now occur at 5:30 on Wednesday, October 18, and further, the allotted debate times prior to the vote now occur beginning at 3:30 on Wednesday.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now be in a period of morning business with Senators speaking for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following Appropriations Committee staff members and intern be granted floor privileges during the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 4461 for the fiscal year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations Act, and any votes that may occur in relation thereto: Rebecca Davies, Martha Scott Poindexter, Hunt Shipman, Les Spivey, Marc Dulaney, and Galen Fountain.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am very pleased to announce to the Senate that we successfully completed action in our conference committee and brought back to the Senate a bill that has already been approved by the other body by a substantial vote of support, and indications are that the President is prepared to sign this conference report. I am pleased to make that announcement because during the development of this legislation and the markup sessions that we held here in the Senate, and discussions of the bill on the floor of the Senate, there were some very contentious and controversial issues that were debated and considered. We didn't achieve all of the successes that Senators wanted to achieve, as is usually the case in the situation where you are negotiating compromise with the other body and dealing with views and opinions reflected in the policies of the administration. But, taken together, given the expressions of support and interest in the Senate for the provisions that are in the bill, I am confident that most Senators will be very pleased with this result. This is a good bill. It deserves the support of the Senate. It provides a restrained approach to funding the activities of the Agencies and Departments of Government that are funded in this bill. The total dollar amount for new budget authority, for example, is less than the fiscal year 2000 enacted level. It is less than the level requested by the President. It is less than the House-passed bill level, and it is less than the Senate-passed bill level. The fact is, every effort was made during consideration of this bill to be restrained and responsible in the allocation of funds that are available to this subcommittee under the budget resolution. The conference agreement provides total new budget authority of $74.5 billion for programs and activities of the United States Department of Agriculture (except for the Forest Service which is funded by the Interior Appropriations bill), the Food and Drug Administration, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This is approximately $1.1 billion less than the fiscal year 2000 enacted level and $2.3 billion less than the level requested by the President. It is $651 million less than the House-passed bill level, and $859 million less than the Senate-passed bill level. This conference report also includes an additional $3.6 billion in emergency appropriations to compensate agricultural producers for losses suffered due to drought, fires, and other natural disasters; to meet conservation needs; and to provide relief to rural communities. Including Congressional budget scorekeeping adjustments and prior- year spending actions, this conference agreement provides total non- emergency discretionary spending for fiscal year 2001 of just over $15 billion in budget authority and outlays. I am pleased to report that this conference report provides funding at the President's request level, an increase of nearly $58 million from the fiscal year 2000 level, for activities and programs in this bill which are part of the Administration's ``Food Safety Initiative.'' The conference report provides adequate funding in our view for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which has the responsibility of conducting inspections and monitoring the safety of our Nation's food supply to ensure that the food that is consumed by Americans and produced and processed here is fit for human consumption, and free from contamination. This is a big challenge. It is a big worry all over the country because there have been instances where there have been problems in this area. We think this conference report responds to those concerns and that will have a very positive influence in helping to solve problems in this area of food safety. Let me also point out the emphasis in this conference report on agricultural research and education programs. We have to maintain a high level of technological sophistication in order to continue to produce an adequate amount of food and fiber for our country at reasonable prices, and to do so in a way that permits a level of profit for those engaged in farming operations to stay in business. It is very difficult in many areas of the country now for farmers and ranchers to make ends meet. They are confronted with a wide range of difficulties. We have to invest in research to try to find new ways of improving yields for the crops that are produced in our country, and to do so in a way that is not threatening to the environment or to the citizens of our country. We have a heightened awareness of problems that can occur in this area. There is almost a near hysteria in Europe over this issue. We are confronting difficulties in trade because we are having problems getting licenses for commodities and foods that are produced in the United States because they have genetically modified organisms--GMOs-- which is a big issue in the U.K. particularly. The tabloids have been fanning the flames of the hysteria that has taken hold there. The European Union has been very hesitant and difficult to deal with in approving licenses from exporters who would like to sell what they are producing in the European market. In my view, many of these practices are unfair and not based on sound science. But we need to have a regiment of research and development that is beyond question in terms of its impact on human health and our environment. That is why it is as important this year, more important than ever before, to have a robust research and education program that is supported by the Department of Agriculture. In colleges and universities and in Agricultural Research Service laboratories all around the country, there are funds that will be made available to help achieve the goals in this area. This conference agreement provides increased appropriations for agriculture research and education programs. Total appropriations of nearly $2 billion are provided for the Agriculture Research Service and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, $126 million more than the fiscal year 2000 level and $62 million more than the Senate-passed bill level. In addition, as requested by the President and provided in the Senate bill, $120 million in fiscal year 2000 funding will be available in fiscal year 2001 to fund the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems. Approximately $34 billion, close to 46 percent of the total new budget authority provided by this conference report, is for domestic food programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These include food stamps; commodity assistance; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the school lunch and breakfast programs; and the school breakfast pilot program, which is funded at $6 million. Included in this amount is the Senate- passed bill level of $4.052 billion for the WIC program, including $20 million for the WIC farmers' market nutrition program. The WIC program is a very important nutrition program and health program for women, infants, and children. Everybody is aware of the importance of school lunch and breakfast programs to help equip our children with the nutrition they need as they are at school so they can learn and do a good job at school. We also have a Food Stamp Program that is funded in this bill. In my view, these are funded at adequate levels to meet the demands and needs we have in our country. We have been very fortunate in this time of economic expansion and growth for jobs to be created so those who want to work can find work. We have people coming into the country now under special visa requirements because we have an inadequate labor supply, or at least an inadequately trained supply of labor to do many of the jobs that have to be done in this country. Many entry level positions are now being filled by those who are newly coming into the country, many just for the purpose of working on farms because people who live here and who have been here for a while either don't want to do the work or for some reason are unavailable to those who need help on their farms. This is a challenge. The point I am making in connection with the food and nutrition programs is we have been able to reduce the costs of some of these programs, particularly the Food Stamp Program, because of the expansion in the economy and the availability of jobs. We need to make sure through our budget policies that we continue to have an environment economically for job growth and expansion. For farm assistance programs, the conference report provides $1.3 billion in appropriations. Included in this amount is the full increase of $89 million above the fiscal year 2000 level requested by the Administration for Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses, as well as appropriations which, together with available carryover balances, will fund the fiscal year 2001 farm operating and farm ownership loan levels included in the President's budget request. Appropriations for conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service total $873 million, $69 million more than the fiscal year 2000 level, and approximately $6 million more than the level recommended by the Senate. Conservation programs, in my view, are some of the less well advertised programs of the Department of Agriculture. We have increased the amount of acreage available for the Wetlands Reserve Program by 100,000 acres. We have also worked hard on these programs to ensure they help improve wildlife habitat on farms and on the lands that are owned by American citizens. We have incentive programs, not just mandatory programs, but programs that encourage the management of land so that conservation is enhanced, and the protection of soil and water resources is enhanced by the way landowners use and care for their lands. We found that to be a very popular way of helping to encourage and obtain the best possible land management practices, rather than having a Federal Government come in with threats and other sanctions that can be imposed on landowners. It is better to do it in a way that is educational and nonthreatening and based on incentives rather than sanctions, fines, and penalties from the Federal Government. We also see in this bill something that is important to every rural community: development programs, housing programs, water and sewer system programs. They are all important in rural America. Many of these communities have some of the lowest income families in America and therefore they don't have the economic base to pay the costs that would be required for utilities and other lifestyle enhancements that are available in the larger towns or the cities of our country. These programs are very important in States, such as mine and others, which have to depend upon Federal assistance to make sure they have safe drinking water, they have sewer systems, they have electric lights, they have telephone service access. These programs are funded in this bill this year. For rural economic and community development programs, the conference report provides appropriations of $2.5 billion to support a total loan level of $8.8 billion. Included in this amount is $763 million for the Rural Community Advancement Program, $680 million for the rental assistance program, and a total rural housing loan program level of $5.1 billion. A total of $1.1 billion is provided for foreign assistance and related programs of the Department of Agriculture, including $115 million in new budget authority for the Foreign Agricultural Service and total appropriations of $973 million for the P.L. 480 Food for Peace Program, $31 million above the fiscal year 2000 level, and the same as the President's request and Senate bill levels. Total new budget authority for the Food and Drug Administration is $1.1 billion, $74 million more than the fiscal year 2000 level and $24 million more than the Senate-passed bill level. The conference report also makes available an additional $149 million in Prescription Drug User Fee Act collections. The increase in new budget authority, together with the redirection of base funds, provides FDA with an additional $130 million from the fiscal year 2000 level for funding requirements identified in the President's fiscal year 2001 budget request. These include the full increases requested in the budget of $30 million for food safety, $20 million for construction of the Los Angeles laboratory, and $22.9 million for premarket review. Also included is a portion of the increased funding requested for FDA to enforce Internet drug sales, enhance inspections, improve existing adverse events reporting systems, and continue counter-bioterrorism activities. In addition, the conference report appropriates, contingent on a budget request, the $23 million FDA has identified it needs for fiscal year 2001 to carry out the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000. The FDA said it needed this amount for this next fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this conference report that provides these new responsibilities, to guarantee safety and efficacy of drugs in this new era, so that is included in this report. For the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, $68 million is provided; and a limitation of $35.8 million is established on administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration. As my colleagues recall, as passed by the Senate, this bill included not only the regular fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill, but a ``Division B'' providing supplemental appropriations, rescissions, and other emergency provisions relating not only to programs and activities under this Subcommittee's jurisdiction but to various other Departments and agencies of government. Provisions outside this Subcommittee's jurisdiction have been deleted by the conference committee and will be addressed, as appropriate, on other bills. Funding for emergency assistance for farmers and landowners who have been affected by drought, fires, and other natural disasters that have occurred this year is now included as Title VIII of this conference report. The total assistance package has been scored by the Congressional Budget Office at $3.6 billion. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use such sums as necessary of the Commodity Credit Corporation to compensate farmers for crop and quality losses at the same rates as have been used in previous years. However, unlike years past, there is no limit on the amount of funds available for this assistance, thus eliminating proration of producers' payments and hopefully expediting payments. Other assistance provided by the bill includes $490 million for the livestock assistance program, $473 million for dairy producers, and $328 million for producers of certain specialty crops. The agreement provides needed conservation funding by making $35 million in technical assistance available for the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program, and providing an additional $110 million for the Emergency Watershed Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Senators worked very hard in the conference on this issue, and other issues as well. We have expanded the opportunities to sell what we produce in the international marketplace in this conference report as a result of changes in sanctions policy. There have been many initiatives introduced on this subject. I know the Senator from Indiana, Mr. Lugar, has a wide, sweeping, and very thoughtful approach to this sanctions issue reflected in a bill he has introduced. I hope we can pass legislation in this area that sets new policies and establishes a new way of going about deciding when and where to impose sanctions that tie the hands of our exporters and have an adverse impact on our ability to sell what we produce on the international marketplace. I am not saying sanctions are bad. We have to use them in certain cases. They have proven to be very effective in certain cases. Normally, this is when we have the cooperation of other countries. But when we just unilaterally impose sanctions, in many cases that ends up being more hurtful and harmful to our farmers and ranchers and businesses than to anybody else. We have to be careful how we approach this whole issue. I think the conference committee exercised good judgment and an awareness of concerns throughout our country on this issue when it made the changes that are reflected here. I am hopeful with the emergency assistance provisions that are in the bill, the other programs that have been funded, the Senate will be able to enthusiastically support and approve the work that this conference committee has done. This conference report carries a number of other legislative provisions adopted by the conference committee, including the Continued Dumping and Sudsidy Offset Act; the Conservation of Farmable Wetland Act; and the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act. Mr. President, we are already well beyond the October 1 start of the new fiscal year. This conference agreement is the product of two lengthy sessions of the conference committee. The conference report was filed last Friday night, October 6, and was adopted by the House of Representatives on October 11 by a vote of 340 to 75. Senate passage of this conference report today is the final step necessary to send this fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill to the President for signature into law. Senator Kohl is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee. It has been a pleasure to work with him throughout the hearing phase of the development of our factual basis for writing this bill. In all the discussions we have had in working on challenges before the subcommittee, I could not have asked for more cooperation or careful and thoughtful assistance than Senator Kohl provided to me and to the committee as a whole. The full committee, of course, had a role to play in this, all members of our subcommittee and full committee, too. I want to express my appreciation to all of them. It was a pleasure working in conference with Chairman Joe Skeen, from New Mexico, who is serving in his last year as chairman of the subcommittee. This is his sixth year in that capacity. The House has term limits on subcommittee chairmen. It effectively prohibits his service beyond this year as chairman of the subcommittee. But he has really been a hard-working leader in the House on the development of this legislation and this appropriations bill. We will miss working with him as chairman. We hope to be able to continue working with him closely in the years ahead, though, as a fellow member of the Appropriations Committee in the House. Marcy Kaptur, from Ohio, is the distinguished ranking Democrat on the House committee. It is always a pleasure working with her. She was very helpful in the development of this bill during our consideration of it in conference with the House. I know none of this excellent work product would have been possible without the outstanding assistance and hard work that has been turned in by our able staff members: Rebecca Davies, who is the chief clerk on this committee, Hunt Shipman, Martha Scott Poindexter, Les Spivey, and with the wise counsel and influence of my chief of staff, Mark Keenum, and with others who participated in the development of this bill. I say thank you. It would not have been possible without their help. This is an outstanding work product. We appreciate your excellent effort. I do not want to leave out Galen Fountain either. He is the chief clerk on the Democratic side of our subcommittee. He has been a very helpful person to work with, and we appreciate very much his outstanding assistance, too. I know of no Senators who have asked to be recognized at this point, but I repeat what the majority leader provided by way of information to the Senate in the opening announcements this morning. We have time reserved today, we have time reserved on Tuesday, and a short period of time on Wednesday for discussion of this bill, and then a vote will occur at 11:30 on Wednesday morning. I hope Senators will take advantage of these opportunities if they have questions or if they have statements they want to make in connection with the bill. I yield the floor.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my prepared remarks describing the provisions of this conference report be printed at this point in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, in behalf of the majority leader, I am pleased to announce that today the Senate will begin debate on the conference report to accompany the Agriculture appropriations bill. Under a previous order, debate on the conference report is limited to today's session, the session on Tuesday, and a brief period on Wednesday morning. The vote on the Agriculture appropriations conference report is scheduled to occur at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Although no votes are scheduled for Tuesday at this time, votes could occur on Tuesday, if necessary. The Senate may also consider any legislative or Executive Calendar items available for action during today's session.N O T I C E Effective January 1, 2001, the subscription price of the Congressional Record will be $393 per year or $197 for six months. Individual issues may be purchased for $4.00 per copy. The cost for the microfiche edition will remain $141 per year with single copies remaining $1.50 per issue. This price increase is necessary based upon the cost of printing and distribution. Michael F. DiMario, Public Printer