Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 436 just received from the House.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me first say I hope the Senator from Arizona will not be discouraged. I know a few votes would have made a difference, and I think if we can find another way to pay for it, that will pick up additional votes, at least on this side, perhaps on the other side. I want to make one announcement and a statement.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, we can no longer ignore the fact that teenagers across America are now resorting to illegal drugs in ever- increasing numbers. The most recent national household survey reveals that marijuana use among teenagers has nearly doubled since 1992, after 13 years of decline. It also reveals that attitudes toward illegal drug use are softening; fewer and fewer teenagers now believe that using illegal drugs is an activity that should be avoided. Earlier today, the National Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education [PRIDE], released its own annual survey of drug use by junior and senior high school students. According to the survey, not only are more and more high school students smoking marijuana, they are using it more frequently: one-third of high schools seniors smoked marijuana in the past year and more than 20 percent now smoke it on a monthly basis. The survey also shows that teenage use of hard drugs--cocaine and hallucinogens--is also on the rise. Since 1991, there has been a 36- percent increase in cocaine use by students in grades 9 through 12 and use of hallucinogens has risen a staggering 75 percent since 1988. Tomorrow, we will probably hear some more disturbing news. If preliminary reports are correct, the Dawn Survey, conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, will show that emergency-room admissions for drug overdoses are on the increase. Although then-Governor Clinton boasted during the 1992 Democratic Convention that President Bush ``hasn't fought a real war on crime and drugs * * * [and] I will,'' his record in office has not matched his campaign rhetoric. Through neglect and mismanagement, bad policy and misplaced priorities, the Clinton administration has transformed the war on drugs into a full-scale retreat. Drug interdiction is down. Drug prosecutions are down. The General Accounting Office tells us that the anti-drug effort in the source countries is badly mismanaged. And, perhaps most importantly, the moral bully pulpit has been abandoned. Regrettably, the administration's most prominent voice on this issue has been a surgeon general who believes the best way to fight illegal drugs is to legalize them. Obviously, we cannot continue down this path. Failing to control illegal drug use has real-life consequences that affect not only the user but the rest of society. Drugs and violent crime, for example, are inextricably linked. Forty-one percent of all reported AIDS cases are drug-related. Drugs are a major contributor to child abuse. And past studies show that heavy drug-users are twice as likely to be high school drop-outs than those who do not use drugs. So, Mr. President, we must ask ourselves: What can we do to jump- start the fight against drugs? For starters, we must restore the stigma associated with illegal drug use. Those of us in positions of authority--whether it is parents or teachers, religious leaders or those who hold elective office--must be willing to repeat over and over again the simple message that using drugs is wrong and that drugs can and do kill. This message has worked before. It was called the Just Say No campaign. Illegal drug use declined dramatically throughout the 1980's and early 1990's in large part because our culture stigmatized drugs and shamed those who used them. This message got through to millions of teenagers and saved thousands of lives in the process. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets is that, between 1980 and 1992, overall drug use declined by 50 percent. Cocaine use dropped even further--by more than 70 percent. These successes were the result of many factors, but perhaps the most important factor was the steady antidrug message that came out of Washington and through the media. As Jim Burke, chairman of the Partnership for Drug-Free America, has explained: ``Looking back at the progress made in changing attitudes in the 80's, it is very clear that the media played a very important role in shaping children's antidrug attitudes. We need them now to again increase their role in that regard.'' I agree. So, Mr. President, I rise today to do my own part, to help raise public awareness about the disturbing increases in teenage drug use. We must say ``enough is enough.'' Our children must understand that using drugs is not only stupid but life-threatening. This is a message that can never be repeated too often.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I wish to commend the House of Representatives, which yesterday passed a ban on [[Page S 16590]] the use of partial birth abortions by a margin of 288 to 139. There are many issues which divide reasonable people on both sides of the abortion debate. But use of this procedure, which occurs late in the pregnancy--even in the ninth month--is horrifying to contemplate and completely indefensible. I believe that people of good will, whatever their views on abortion generally, will agree that it is our obligation to act to defend the defenseless in circumstances where we can. This is one of those circumstances. Mr. President, earlier this year, Senator Smith introduced a similar ban on the use of partial birth abortions. It was placed on the Senate calendar under Rule XIV. It is my intention to schedule the House- passed bill for floor consideration at the earliest possible opportunity. I trust the Senate will pass the bill quickly and send it to the President for his signature. I have little doubt that certainly the President will sign a bill to end this kind of procedure, this kind of practice.

Mr. DOLE

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

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

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I thank my colleague. I am pinch-hitting for Senator Mack of Florida, who is, right now, involved in a very important hearing on the Banking Committee. Let me indicate I will place in the Record at this point a summary of the funding recommendations. As pointed out by my colleague from Washington, this is a reduction of about 8.6 percent. We believe we are setting an example for other branches. There are a number of areas where we made rather significant cuts, also terminating the OTA, for example, something that was not easy for many of my colleagues. But it is an indication we are concerned, we are sincere about a balanced budget, and we are prepared to do our share or more. The bill includes a provision relative to the disposition of the records and property of the Office of Technology Assessment subsequent to its closure. Specifically, the agreement provides that OTA's property and records ``shall be under the administrative control of the Architect of the Capitol.'' The Office of the Senate Historian has raised a concern that this provision not interfere with the transfer of archival material of the Office of Technology Assessment to the legislative archives of the National Archives. It is my understanding that the conferees had no such intent, and that the Architect of the Capitol will only assume temporary, administrative control of the material before transferring appropriate records to the National Archives. It is also my understanding that the Clerk of the House, after discussions with the Secretary of the Senate, has agreed that OTA's archival material shall be treated as records of the Senate and administered according to Senate Resolution 474 of the 96th Congress. This will give the Secretary of the Senate administrative jurisdiction over the archival records. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent a statement of a summary of funding recommendations be printed in the Record at this point.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following brief statements, the bill be advanced to third reading and final passage occur, all without further objection or amendment.

Mr. DOLE. I will be happy to yield to the manager on the other side and then I will make a brief statement.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now turn to consideration of Calendar No. 220, H.R. 2492, the legislative branch appropriations bill.

Mr. DOLE. I also confirm the Senator from Alaska, Senator Stevens, has, as indicated by the Senator from Illinois, Senator Simon, agreed to have hearings and a markup of an amendment that Senator Simon would have offered to this bill. So there are no amendments, no objections to it proceeding.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, this may be of interest to all my colleagues. We thought they might be interested in a statistical comparison from January through October 31 of the first session of the previous four Congresses to this current first session of the 104th Congress. The comparison contains the number of session hours, rollcall votes conducted, and measures passed in the Senate. In the first session of the 104th Congress, the Senate has already conducted 558 rollcall votes, as compared to the first session of the last four Congresses, as follows: 100th Congress, 362 rollcall votes; 101st Congress, 279 rollcall votes; 102d Congress, 241 rollcall votes, 103d Congress, 342 votes. In this first session alone, the Senate conducted 119 rollcall votes just on the budget resolution and reconciliation bill, and we are not finished yet. Actual session hours for the first session are 2 minutes' shy of 1,548 hours, as compared to the 100th Congress, 1,026 hours; 101st Congress, 861 hours; 102d Congress, 1,014 hours; 103d Congress, 1,091 hours. The final statistic I will share with my colleagues is the number of measures passed in the Senate in the first session of the various Congresses. In this first session, the Senate passed 259 legislative measures, as compared to 477 in the 100th Congress; 452 in the 101st Congress; 476 in the 102d Congress; 356 in the 103d Congress. Needless to say, this session has been historical in many ways, including the number of rollcall votes conducted in one day. The good news is that we have not passed as many legislative measures as [[Page S 16585]] the previous four Congresses. However, in this Senator's opinion, we have passed more sweeping, fundamental reforms that will help bring this country back to financial soundness, putting the American people back in control of their own budgets, and getting big Government off the backs of the American people and our States and cities across the country. I guess my one regret thus far--whether it is in this session or the next--is the failure to pass a balanced budget amendment. We failed by one vote. However, this Congress is far from over. Senators may yet get another opportunity to do what this Senator from Kansas believes is fundamental in controlling Government waste and spending--that is, passing a constitutional amendment calling for a balanced budget. I think it is clear, if the time we have spent here and the number of rollcalls are any indication, that the Senate has worked very hard this year, and I commend all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I thought this might make rather interesting bedtime reading, if we ever get home in time.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I have had a discussion with Senator Daschle regarding this. I send an original bill to the desk on behalf of myself and the Senator from South Dakota, Senator Daschle, regarding the Middle East peace extension, and I ask unanimous consent that it be immediately considered, that the bill be considered read the third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I, in turn, would like to thank Senator Helms for his cooperation. I know he has been trying and trying to get the State Department bill passed. He is working in good faith. We expect that a managers' amendment will be agreed on shortly and that the Senate will pass a modified version of his legislation. I am pleased that the chairman has lifted his objection, and that we can pass a clean MEPFA, Middle East peace facilitation extension--at least in the Senate. I hope it can be taken up in the House.

Mr. DOLE

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Therefore, I ask for its first reading. The bill (H.R. 1833) was read the first time.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that there be a period for the transaction of morning business until 6:30 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein for not more than 5 minutes each.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, when Republicans took control of Congress in January, we promised the American people that we would rein in the Federal Government, and shift power back where it belongs--to the States and to the people. The Senate has worked hard to fulfill that promise. We are tackling regulatory reform, tax reform, and private property rights--and we are just getting started. Today, I am joined by Senator Lugar, Senator Craig, and Senator Grassley, to introduce the Resource Enhancement Act of 1995. This bill outlines practical and necessary reforms to the environmental provisions of the 1995 farm bill. Mr. President, the 1985 farm bill included three environmental provisions which revolutionized farm policy. Swampbuster, sodbuster, and the Conservation Reserve Program provided the first link between the preservation of soil and wetlands, and farm program participation. No doubt about it, these programs have been successful. But over the past decade, we have learned many valuable lessons. Now it is clear that substantive reform is needed. These provisions were not intended to put high-quality land in the CRP. They were not intended to allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Army Corps of Engineers to usurp the authority of the USDA. In 1985, no one anticipated that a blanket ``highly erodible land'' designation--based on 1930's wind data--would reduce property values in 13 western Kansas counties. In 1985, no one expected that existing drainage ditches or tiles in farmed fields would be labeled ``abandoned'' and thus be prevented from repair. In my view, this legislation achieves balanced reform by building on the intent of the original legislation. The primary focus of the 1985 farm bill was preventing soil erosion. We have made good progress toward that goal, but much remains to be done. Now we must expand our focus to include water quality and wildlife habitat improvements. Soil conservation and the Conservation Reserve Program are crucial to achieving those goals. In the past, farm program participation was tied to conservation compliance. However, the trend in farm spending is clear. Since 1985, Commodity Credit Corporation spending on wheat has declined over 40 percent. Spending on milo has declined a staggering 69 percent. At this pace, any linkage will soon vanish. If we aim to fulfill the intent of conservation and wetlands laws--and we should--we must adjust to today's conditions. Earlier this year, I spoke to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting. Farmers there told me that they are willing to accept less Government support--if the Government will stop interfering in their businesses. Our bill is a prescription for judicious reform. In my view, it is a remedy desperately needed to save farmers from a terminal case of overregulation. This legislation will accomplish three basic goals: First, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, while maintaining basic environmental objectives; Second, restore respect for basic private property rights; Third, promote voluntary compliance of conservation and environmental objectives. Further, this bill adds flexibility and uniformity to conservation and wetlands compliance. Flexibility will be the guiding principle of conservation compliance. The current system of measuring erosion and regulating compliance will be clarified and codified. The Conservation Reserve Program will be reauthorized and modified. In addition to protecting highly erodible land, the program will incorporate water quality goals, wetlands protection, and wildlife preservation. Many farmers tell me that the current swampbuster regulations allow the Government to infringe on their property rights. However, the conservation community tells me that swampbuster is one of the most important wetlands protection laws ever enacted. In our bill, we address the need for deregulation by exempting frequently cropped and nuisance wetlands. At the same time, we aim to further wetlands protection by directing USDA to enroll wetlands in the CRP. Mr. President, this bill is the result of months of hard work and cooperation among conservation, wildlife, and farm groups. I believe its impact will be good for the environment, good for wildlife preservation, and good for farmers. It is my hope that this legislation represents a new covenant between the environmental and farm communities. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort to give the American people better, not bigger government.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me indicate to my colleagues that we are not going to proceed on the instructions to conferees at this point on the so-called reconciliation package. We may do it the next day. We may do it next week, but not today. It seems to me that we need to first talk to the President of the United States. Hopefully, we will get to do that this afternoon. One of the things the President complained about is that we are not passing appropriations bills. I would like to now turn to the conference report to accompany the foreign operations appropriations bill, if there is no objection.

Mr. DOLE. I appreciate the Democratic leader, Senator Daschle's cooperation. I was not aware of the other until about 11:50. I will talk to the Senator privately about it. Senator Domenici came to my office, and he feels that, at least as far as today is concerned, there is something else that is more important than discussing a motion to instruct conferees. So we do now have consent to go to the foreign operations appropriations bill. There is one amendment in disagreement. We will accommodate the schedule this evening, whatever happens.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I submit a report of the committee of conference [[Page S 16471]] on H.R. 1868 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Let me thank the managers of the bill.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, was leader time reserved?

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

Mr. DOLE. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Lugar, Mr. Dole, and Mr. Craig pertaining to the introduction of S. 1373 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')