Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I would like to comment on a situation that much of the country is following very closely. I am speaking of the proposed merger between the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads. I have been contacted by various groups and organizations regarding this merger. I realize that there are concerns regarding the effects of the merger, and I have encouraged any person or group having concerns to participate in the open-comment period of the Surface Transportation Board, which ends today. The Surface Transportation Board, the Government agency now responsible for overseeing railroad mergers since the elimination of the Interstate Commerce Commission, will review all information and make the appropriate decisions regarding the merger. I also want to acknowledge that there are a number of individuals involved in the merger who are active supporters of my Presidential campaign. In order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest, this Senator wants to make clear his intention to not become involved in any discussion related to the proposed merger.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the debate on House Joint Resolution 170, further that debate on the joint resolution be limited to the following, Senator Harkin 15 minutes; Senator Byrd 15 minutes; Senator Hatfield 15 minutes. I further ask unanimous consent that no amendments be in order, and that immediately following the expiration or yielding back of time, the joint resolution be read a third time, and that the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution, with no intervening action, provided the following Senators be recognized to speak following the vote: Senator Graham of Florida, this Senator, and Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I think we have an agreement on the debt limit which will be coming from the House momentarily. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives from the House H.R. 3136, the debt limit bill, the bill be read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, all without any intervening action or debate.

Mr. DOLE. I further ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be recognized for up to 10 minutes each with respect to the debt limit any time during the remainder of today's session: Senator Graham of Florida and Senator Pryor.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the conference report was agreed to, and I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, we have had a number of farm bills discussed and passed since I have been in the Senate. Of course, the first question is, is it good for agriculture and good for the consumers and good for the American people generally? I think we can say that the answer is in the affirmative in each case. I certainly thank Senator Lugar, the chairman of the committee, and Senator Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the committee. They have worked together, as we must, in agriculture. I have always found that if you bring a bill to the floor that is too partisan, either Democratic or Republican, it is not going to pass. And so, as has been the case in the past 20, 30 years, as far as I can recollect, this is a bipartisan piece of legislation. It should be bipartisan or nonpartisan. I do not believe that to the American farmer who is sitting out there making his decision on what is good or bad it depends on whether it has a D or an R behind it. But if it is worked out in Congress, as it has been, on a bipartisan basis, then I believe the American farmer, rancher, and, of course, the American taxpayer, too, is generally more satisfied. This bill is also a good environmental bill, as I will touch on later. I would like to also congratulate my friends and colleagues on the other side of the Capitol, Pat Roberts, and Congressman de la Garza. I have worked with them over the years. My friend, Pat Roberts, is my Congressman in western Kansas. He has done an outstanding job working with the Senate and working with the House and again in coming up with a very important piece of legislation. It is truly a bipartisan effort. I congratulate my colleagues, particularly those who were conferees. It has required a lot of patience and a lot of perseverance, qualities which farmers and ranchers have to have themselves. They have to have patience and persistence or they would not be in business very long. The legislation before us will transition America's farmers into the 21st century without disrupting the farm economy or land values, and farmers, as other Members in the Chambers have said, finally are going to plant for the market and not for the Government. In addition, this legislation provides farmers with what they have asked for the most--certainty, simplicity, and flexibility. As I travel across America, farmers and ranchers tell me the same thing: Keep it simple. All Government programs, and especially all regulations, must be simpler and less intrusive. The farm program should pass the common sense test. As I said, another big winner in this bill is the American taxpayer. This legislation ensures reasonable and responsible spending through a capped entitlement. If we are to balance the budget--and we will--the American farmer will tell you that everyone must contribute including himself. Farmers often remind me that they are taxpayers, too. And as taxpayers, farmers want a balanced budget because they know under a balanced budget, spending on interest payments are projected to decline $15 billion over 7 years. And the farmers would be one of the greatest beneficiaries in that event. For family farmers who often struggle to make ends meet, the money saved through reduced interest payments could make the difference between success and failure. This is landmark legislation. The bill contains one of the most significant conservation packages ever enacted. Instead of mandates and the heavy hand of Government, this bill reflects a common sense approach. This historic farm bill is one that conservationists can be proud of. This legislation includes elements from the conservation bill authored last year by Senators Lugar, Craig, Grassley, and myself, also known as S. 1373, the Agricultural Resource Enhancement Act. For example, this farm bill continues the Conservation Reserve Program which, at 36.4 million acres, makes the program twice the size of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This program is the Nation's biggest and the most successful private lands conservation program. The bill streamlines cost-share incentive programs into one revitalized program, the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. The program will spend $200 million per year on cost-share assistance for crop and livestock farmers as they work to control pollution and erosion. For years, farmers have been planting the same crops year after year which leads to excessive use of fertilizer, chemicals, and tillage to control pests and maintain crop yields. This bill provides farmers with complete planting flexibility, allowing them to plant environmentally sensitive crops. The bill also ensures sound conservation practices on over 300 million acres. This legislation continues the successful record of the 1985 and 1990 farm bills by requiring participating producers to meet soil conservation and wetlands protection standards. In addition, the bill provides funding for the restoration of the Florida Everglades, balances conservation compliance regulations, expands mitigation options for wetlands, and authorizes new conservation and wildlife enhancement programs. Several national farm organizations have praised the conservation provisions as providing a more common sense balance between practical conservation methods and protection of natural resources and wildlife. As I see it, this bill is not the end but a beginning. It is a positive first step in a larger effort to ensure that rural America prospers. From here, we can address other issues. Tax and regulatory reform are a must. Property rights protection and health care reform are vital. I am committed to taking action on these issues, so that rural America can realize a brighter future. American agriculture is ready and waiting for policies that will help prepare it for a successful 21st century. This legislation lays a solid foundation for sustained growth. Like other members on the Ag Committee--and I have been proud to be a member of that committee for a long time--I certainly have had outstanding staff, headed by Mike Torrey, who has worked closely with Chuck Conner and others, along with Dave Spears, who is in my Kansas office but has been back here from time to time to help us on this legislation, and Bruce Knight, who helped us a great deal with the conservation title. I want to thank my three staff members, in addition to all the others that have been mentioned by Senator Leahy and Senator Lugar. Without staff, I do not believe we could be here today, on the verge of voting for this historic legislation. This is historic legislation. This is a complete departure from the past when it comes to agricultural legislation. Again, I want to particularly commend our distinguished chairman, Senator Lugar, along with Senator Leahy and others, who have made it possible. Mr. BURNS addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I rise to submit a concurrent resolution regarding human rights in Kosova and in support of resolving the crisis in Kosova. I am pleased to be joined by Senator Pell, Senator D'Amato, Senator Pressler, Senator Levin and Senator Feingold. This resolution is being submitted today in the House by Representatives Engel, Molinari, and King. We are submitting this resolution because Kosova has been pushed to the sidelines by this administration--as well as the previous administration. And, without resolving the crisis in Kosova there is little, if any, hope of achieving a lasting peace in the Balkans. This resolution cites the course of events since 1989, during which the Albanian people in Kosova have been denied their fundamental human and political rights by the Milosevic regime. The 1995 State Department country human rights reports stated the following about the deplorable situation in Kosova, and I quote, ``Police repression continued at a high level against the ethnic Albanians of Kosova, and reflected a general campaign to keep [those] who are not ethnic Serbs intimidated and unable to exercise basic human and civil rights.'' Since martial law was imposed in Kosova more than 7 years ago, Albanians have been fired from their jobs, restricted access to all levels of education, especially in their own language, denied basic political rights, and subjected to severe human rights abuses, including torture. Among other things, this resolution calls on the Clinton administration to maintain the so-called outer wall of sanctions against Serbia until the situation in Kosova is resolved, to redouble efforts to open a USIA cultural center in Pristina, Kosova, and to appoint a special envoy to aid in negotiating a resolution to the crisis in Kosova. Since the Dayton accords were signed, there are those who claim that peace in the Balkans has been achieved. That is wishful thinking. Let me be clear: There will be no lasting peace or stability in the Balkans unless and until the situation in Kosova has been resolved. Indeed, ignoring Kosova could lead to yet another violent conflict that could bring in our NATO allies on opposite sides. Therefore, the United States must pressure the Milosevic regime diplomatically and economically to end its repression of the 2 million Albanians in Kosova. Mr. President, we must bring Kosova from the back burner to the front burner. We need a comprehensive approach to the Balkans which includes Kosova. I hope that the submission of this resolution will send a message to the administration that it is high time to exercise U.S. leadership on this critical matter.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, since last year we have been working hard to reform the foreign policy bureaucracy--to save the taxpayers nearly $2 billion and to get our foreign policy machinery working smoothly. This bill takes a big leap forward in that direction. And, this bill does even more. It supports numerous U.S. foreign policy goals--from Europe to Asia--at a time when our interests are being challenged around the globe. In addition to State Department reorganization, this bill has many other important provisions including: The Humanitarian Aid Corridors Act, which prohibits U.S. aid to other governments does not block U.S. assistance to needy populations; Full funding of the administration's request for assistance to Israel; Funding for the International Fund for Ireland and provisions to encourage recipients to use business practices consistent with the so- called MacBride Principles; A mandate for the establishment of Radio Free Asia and the beginning of broadcasts into China and other Communist countries in Asia; Prior notice of Security Council votes on U.N. peacekeeping activities and a limitation of the U.S. assessment percentage for U.N. peacekeeping to 25 percent; Authorization for the Bosnia and Herzegovina and self-defense fund to provide $100 million to arm and train Bosnian Federation Forces. The list goes on and on. The Point is that no matter how hard the administration tries to muddy the waters with its long list of objections--no matter how much rhetoric administration officials spew forth--it is clear that the Clinton administration is more interested in protecting the foreign policy bureaucracy and promoting the status quo, than protecting and promoting American interests. We've heard the administration's objections, but let's look at the facts. This bill is silent on abortion. With respect to Vietnam, the Congress is only requiring that the President certify that his own stated criteria have been met before relations with Vietnam are upgraded. This legislation supports U.S. foreign policy interests and only limits bureaucratic redundancy and inefficiency. This bill allows our limited foreign aid dollars to go further. Mr. President, to threaten to veto this bill is irresponsible. To actually veto this bill is inexcusable.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, Kansas Senator Richard L. Bond delivered a moving tribute to the State of Kansas on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of statehood. During our annual celebration in Topeka, WI, Governor Tommy G. Thompson served as the keynote speaker for the evening of celebration and appreciation. In his narrative, Senator Bond captured the heart and strengths of our State, and I ask unanimous consent that his remarks be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that a vote on the adoption of the conference report accompanying S. 4, the line-item veto bill, occur at 7 p.m. this evening, with the time between now and the vote to be equally divided between Senators McCain and Byrd.

Mr. DOLE. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me indicate on this side of the aisle, for the present time the Senator from New Mexico, Senator Domenici, will be the manager in charge of the time on this side for the line- item veto. Mr. BUMPERS addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, may proceed to the consideration of a concurrent resolution to be submitted by Senator Lugar, further, the resolution be considered agreed to, and the motion to table be laid upon the table, the Senate then proceed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2854, the Agriculture Reform and Improvement Act, that the reading be waived, and there be 6 hours of debate on the conference report to be divided as follows: Senator Lugar, 2 hours; Senator Leahy, 1 hour; Senator Daschle or designee, 3 hours; further, that immediately following the expiration or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on the adoption of the conference report with no intervening action.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me add my hope that we can resolve the problem. I know there are a number of projects, including the Presidio, that I support, and hopefully this will--now and then we get things resolved around here. Maybe we can do this in the next few days. But we would like to in the interim, if we could, do the line-item veto and the farm bill conference report. That will give us some time, if there is any negotiating opportunities, to do that. It is also my hope that we can have a time agreement on the line-item veto. I understand that the distinguished Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd, would like us to at least proceed and then perhaps enter into a time agreement a bit later.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I am happy to indicate for the record that I would be pleased to try to be helpful in an effort to resolve the differences. Obviously, the one big difference is the Utah wilderness provision. The other projects, I understand, are not particularly controversial. I indicate that I am happy to be of help, or to take the leadership and try to bring people together. I have already spoken briefly to the distinguished Senator from Alaska, Senator Murkowski. It is the hope in the next few days we can make some progress.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I understand the distinguished Senator from West Virginia is on his way to the floor. Hopefully, we can have the agreement before we commence the debate on the line-item veto because debate is 10 hours in the agreement. We would like to have it immediately start taking affect. If we speak for an hour or two beforehand, that would be an additional time. The Senator from New Mexico will be here, as will others who are interested in this issue. Hopefully, we will not use the full 10 hours, have a vote early this evening, and then take up the farm bill conference report tonight.

Mr. DOLE. Senator Byrd.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, I now call up Senate Concurrent Resolution 49, correcting the enrollment of the farm conference report.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I understand it is all right with the Democratic leader if I obtain a consent agreement on the farm bill.

Mr. DOLE. Let me do that while we also work out a time agreement on the line-item veto.

Mr. DOLE. Let me yield to the Senator from Alaska.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 4, the line-item veto bill, and that the reading be waived.

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Seapower of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 27, 1996, at 1:30 p.m., in open session, to receive testimony on the Department of the Navy's submarine development and procurement programs in review of the Defense authorization request for fiscal year 1997 and the future years defense program.