Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be granted permission to meet during the session of the Senate on Friday, October 13, 1995, for purposes of conducting a subcommittee hearing which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The purpose of this hearing is to examine the role of the Council on Environmental Quality in the decisionmaking and management processes of agencies under the committee's jurisdiction--Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate Resolution 180, a resolution designating October 15-21, 1995 as the ``Week Without Violence''; that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration; that the resolution and preamble be agreed to, en bloc; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating thereto appear in the Record at the appropriate place.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate a message from the House of Representatives on S. 641, a bill to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 641) entitled ``An Act to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990, and for other purposes'', do pass with the following amendments: Strike out all after the enacting clause, and insert:

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as indicated, I have introduced S. 1322, the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act of 1995. I am pleased to do so with the distinguished senior Senator from New York, Senator Moynihan, as the lead cosponsor. As the Senate knows, Senator Moynihan has been the expert and the leader on Jerusalem for his entire career. I am pleased that he has joined with Senator Kyl, Senator Inouye and other cosponsors in this important legislation. I would like to take special note of the roles of Senator Kyl and Senator Inouye in developing this legislation, and in agreeing to the changes included today. This legislation is very similar to S. 770, introduced on May 9, 1995. S. 770 [[Page S 15177]] currently has 62 cosponsors--and 61 of them are included on the legislation I am introducing today. There is one major change between S. 770 and S. 1322--the provision requiring groundbreaking in 1996 for construction of a new Embassy has been deleted, and minor or conforming changes have been made. All major provisions are identical: Findings on the importance of Jerusalem, statement of policy on recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, semiannual reporting requirements, and, most important, the requirement that the American Embassy be open in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999. A number of Members expressed concern about the potential impact of the requirement for breaking ground on construction next year. Clearly 62 percent of the Senate was comfortable with the provision. The lead cosponsor, Senator Kyl, felt particularly strongly about some action occurring next year--the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem. But Senator Kyl and the other cosponsors have agreed to remove the requirement in the interests of gaining even broader support. All of us in the Senate are aware of the possible impact our actions could have on the peace process in the Middle East. We want the peace process to succeed. As I said upon introducing S. 770, ``the peace process has made great strides and our commitment to that process in unchallengeable.'' Last spring, the fate of the declaration of principles ``Phase II'' agreement was very much up in the air. The July deadline was missed. The August deadline was missed. Fortunately, the Oslo II accord was signed last month. Implementation is underway. While always subject to disruption and always under attack from extremists, the pace process is working. The toughest issues are yet to be resolved in final status talks, including Jerusalem. In my view, the United States does not have to wait for the end of final status talks to begin the process of moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. As both S. 770 and today's legislation state: ``Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of Israel and the United States Embassy should be officially open in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999.'' In my view, we should begin the process of moving now and we should conclude it by May 31, 1999. That is the bottom line, and that is what S. 1322 does. In the 5 months since the introduction of S. 770, the Clinton administration has done nothing to bridge our differences. A questionable legal opinion was offered and a veto threat was made, but no substantive contacts have occurred. Not one. I am disappointed the administration has ignored what is obviously a strong bipartisan majority in the Senate. I am disappointed the administration has made no effort at all to communicate with the lead sponsors of this legislation. Our hope is to unify, not to divide, on the sensitive issue of Jerusalem. Our hope is to move ahead on this issue. Our hope is the administration will support the legislation to move the Embassy. In 2 weeks, Prime Minister Rabin, mayor of Jerusalem Olmert and hundreds of others will assemble in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to commemorate the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem. Many of us noted that the American Ambassador to Israel could not find the time to attend opening ceremonies for the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem in Israel. I am confident that the Congress will celebrate this historic event in a much more appropriate manner. In the coming days I expect additional cosponsors will be added to the Jerusalem embassy legislation. I also expect decisions to be made in the administration and in the Congress about how and when to proceed with this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that a legal analysis supporting the constitutionality of this legislation along with a comparison of S. 770 and S. 1322, be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I understand that S. 1322, introduced earlier by myself is at the desk.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask for its second reading.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Labor and Human Resources be authorized to meet for an Executive Session, during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995, at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to hold a business meeting during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995 at 3:00 p.m. to hold a closed conference with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on the fiscal year 1996 Intelligence authorization bill (H.R. 1655).

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I wish to announce that the Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on Thursday, October 12, 1995, at 9:30 a.m., in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The hearing will discuss health care fraud.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be allowed to meet during the Thursday, October 12, 1995, session of the Senate for the purpose of conducting a hearing on S. 1239, the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1995.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on International Finance of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995 to conduct a hearing on the semi-annual report from the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs on the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995, at 2 p.m.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 12, 1995, at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, the Senate is stuck in a filibuster of the Cuba Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1995. Unfortunately, some have decided to make this a partisan issue. The White House has unleashed a lobbying barrage. This should not be a partisan issue. The House passed similar legislation with strong bipartisan support. In fact, 67 Democrats joined Republicans in that effort, including Minority Leader Richard Gephardt. There are Democratic cosponsors of the pending legislation--Senators Graham of Florida, Lieberman, Hollings, Robb, and Reid. I have no doubt that more Democratic Senators would support the bill if we could get to a vote. I hope the minority will allow us to vote. The legislation before us addresses many of the concerns raised by the administration regarding the House version. At least 10 substantive changes to address administration concerns have been made in the pending Dole-Helms amendment. This bill will have to go to conference, where the administration will have ample opportunity to air additional concerns. I do not know if the White House or Democratic Senators are aware of the changes that have been made in this bill. But I hope they will take a look at the 10 changes. What I believe the Senate should do is speak on the issue of bringing democratic change to Cuba. Fidel Castro is watching closely what we do today. I know the last thing any Member wants to do is send Castro a signal of approval for his refusal to change. But we should be clear--many of the opponents of this legislation have always opposed the embargo on Cuba, and have always wanted sanction on Castro lifted. That is not President Clinton's stated policy, and it is not a policy that would receive more than a few votes in this body. There are legitimate concerns about the legislation. That is why Chairman Helms has made so many substantive changes in the legislation. Virtually all the issues raised by the White House in the statement of administration policy have already been addressed. I ask unanimous consent that an analysis of the administration's concerns and the modifications in the pending amendment be printed in the Record after my remarks.

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

Mr. DOLE

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

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following the remarks of the distinguished Senator from Connecticut, Senator Dodd, that the Senate stand in recess until 1:45 p.m.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, there are a number of committees meeting now, and I think it might be in the best interest if we recess for a few moments.

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, earlier today, I was joined by a number of my Senate colleagues, and by Congresswoman Andrea Seastrand of California in announcing the introduction of legislation to designate the Federal Triangle project as the ``Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.'' Like most who work in Washington, I have enjoyed watching the monthly progress made on the construction of what, upon its completion in 1997, will be an important addition to this city's architectural landscape. And in my view, Congresswoman Andrea Seastrand had come up with exactly the right name for the project. President Reagan always believed that Government and the private sector should be partners and not adversaries. And the Federal Triangle project--authorized during the Reagan administration--was constructed in that spirit. As Senator Moynihan, who is a cosponsor of this legislation, was the driving force behind congressional approval of the project. And he pointed out on the Senate floor in 1987 that the project's construction involved no appropriated Federal funds. Rather, money was borrowed from the Federal Financing Bank, and will be repaid with revenues derived from leasing office space. It is anticipated [[Page S 15120]] that after 30 years, the Federal Government will own the building outright. It is also fitting to name a building that will house an international trade center after President Reagan, because no one stood stronger for free and fair trade than he did. While naming a building can certainly not repay the debt America owes to Ronald Reagan, it is a fitting tribute to a man who transformed this city, this country, and the entire world. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as all Senators know, the Senate is a place of traditions. And one tradition we have is honoring those colleagues who preside over the Senate for more than 100 hours a session. Presiding over the Senate can be very tough duty. There are periods, of course, where absolutely nothing is happening. But there are also periods where rulings from the Chair may change the course of legislation, or of history, itself. One Senator that has impressed all of us with the knowledgeable and fair way he presides--as well as with the leadership he has shown on a wide number of issues--is Senator Rod Grams of Minnesota. And I am pleased to announce that Senator Grams has now become the second Senator in this historic Congress to have earned the Golden Gavel Award for presiding over the Senate for 100 hours. Minnesotans can take great pride in the achievement of Senator Grams, and I know all Senators joins with me in congratulating him.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, there will be a vote momentarily. That will be the last vote of the day. It could be the last vote of the week, depending on whether or not we get to appoint conferees to S. 652, the telecommunications bill, tomorrow. I understand there may be an instruction on the other side. If there is an instruction, that could require a vote tomorrow. And we hope to appoint conferees to welfare reform, H.R. 4. The President has asked about expediting that. Others have asked about expediting that. We are prepared to appoint conferees. We hope we can do that tomorrow. As to Monday, I hope to have an announcement tomorrow whether or not we will be in session at all on Monday, and if we are in session, what we will be about, because as I understand, there is going to be a massive traffic jam on Monday. They tell me thousands of buses are going to be in town, so it might not be possible to get to the Capitol, or, if you get here, it might not be possible to get anywhere else. I will try to accommodate my colleagues and make that announcement as early as I can tomorrow.

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, earlier today, I was joined by a number of my Senate colleagues, and by Congresswoman Andrea Seastrand of California in announcing the introduction of legislation to designate the Federal Triangle project as the ``Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.'' Like most who work in Washington, I have enjoyed watching the monthly progress made on the construction of what, upon its completion in 1997, will be an important addition to this city's architectural landscape. And in my view, Congresswoman Andrea Seastrand had come up with exactly the right name for the project. President Reagan always believed that Government and the private sector should be partners and not adversaries. And the Federal Triangle project--authorized during the Reagan administration--was constructed in that spirit. As Senator Moynihan, who is a cosponsor of this legislation, was the driving force behind congressional approval of the project. And he pointed out on the Senate floor in 1987 that the project's construction involved no appropriated Federal funds. Rather, money was borrowed from the Federal Financing Bank, and will be repaid with revenues derived from leasing office space. It is anticipated [[Page S 15120]] that after 30 years, the Federal Government will own the building outright. It is also fitting to name a building that will house an international trade center after President Reagan, because no one stood stronger for free and fair trade than he did. While naming a building can certainly not repay the debt America owes to Ronald Reagan, it is a fitting tribute to a man who transformed this city, this country, and the entire world. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.