Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate insist on its amendments and request a conference with the House, and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees.

Mr. DOLE. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. DOLE. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I yield 2 minutes to the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Chafee].

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I yield 2 minutes to the Senator from Texas, Senator Hutchison.

Mr. DOLE. I yield 1 minute to the Senator from Michigan, Senator Abraham.

Mr. DOLE. I share the opinion of the Democratic leader. We have every intention of closely examining this issue to ensure the contingency fund provides States with the protection it is intended to provide.

Mr. DOLE. I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from Kansas, Senator Kassebaum.

Mr. DOLE. I yield 2 minutes to the Senator from New Mexico, Senator Domenici, chairman of the Budget Committee.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Santorum.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I yield 2 minutes to the Senator from Wyoming, Senator Simpson, a member of the Finance Committee.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Democratic leader. I thank him for his support and his cooperation in getting us this far. I think we are going to have a display that we have not had recently of bipartisan support for major legislation, which I believe the American people will appreciate. The Senate began debating welfare reform on August 7, and I predicted in my opening statement we were going to have a lot of contentious votes, a lot of debate, tough votes, and I also said that throughout all the debate we could not lose sight of two overriding facts. No. 1 was that our current welfare system had failed and, No. 2, it was our duty to fix it--talking about the Senate, not Republicans or Democrats. So we have had about 100 hours of debate since that time, and some of it contentious, and we have now had I think 40 votes; 41 will be the final vote. My colleagues remember the first week in August we thought we might be able to take up and finish welfare reform. But it appeared we had reached a roadblock after a couple days, and I recall some of the headlines. The media was quick to report that the Senate Republicans had failed and that welfare reform was on its last legs. The media got the story wrong because what is on its last leg in this Congress is the status quo. Today, I am proud to say that the Senate has kept its promise--no more business as usual, no more tinkering around the edges with a system that has cost American taxpayers $5.4 trillion--that is with a ``T''--in Federal and State spending over the past 35 years. Instead, we are fulfilling our duty. We are not only fixing welfare, we are revolutionizing it. We are writing truly historic landmark legislation, legislation that ends--ends--a 60-year entitlement program. And in the process we are closing the books on a 6-decade-long story of a system that may have been well-intentioned but a system that failed the American taxpayer and failed those who it was designed to serve. So today we begin to write a new story, a story about Americans who earn a paycheck rather than drawing a welfare check, a story about an America where welfare is no longer a way of life and where people no longer will be able to receive endless Federal cash benefits just because they choose not to work, a story about an America where power is actually transferred away from Federal bureaucrats in Washington and given back to our 50 State capitals and our Governors, Democrats and Republicans, and our State legislatures, Democratic or Republican, a story about an America that recognizes that the family is the most important unit in our society. Mr. President, there are some in this Chamber, including Senator Moynihan from New York, for whom I have the greatest respect, who believe the story we write today may turn out to be a harsh one. I disagree. I believe nothing could be more harsh on American men and women and children in need than to continue with the system that has failed them year after year after year. And rather than being harsh, I believe the vast majority of Americans agree that the system we create today is fair, it does help those in need and, above all, it is based on common sense. It is common sense to require welfare recipients who are actually able to work to do just that. It is common sense to put a 5-year lifetime limit on welfare benefits so it does not become a way of life. It is common sense to give our States the flexibility to devise programs that meet the specific needs of their citizens. I remember what Governor Thompson of Wisconsin told a group of us in my office, speaking to the Governors, that we were talking about mandating Governors, strings, conservative strings in this case, and Governor Thompson said, ``Who do you think we are? We are elected by the same people you are. Do you think I am going to allow somebody to go without medical treatment or without food in the State of Wisconsin?'' It is common sense. It is putting our faith in elected officials who are closer to the people. It is common sense to put a cap on spending because no program with an unlimited budget will ever be made to work effectively and efficiently. It is common sense to require that teenage mothers who have children out of wedlock stay in school and live under adult supervision in order to receive benefits. Otherwise, they have no chance to move off welfare. It is common sense to grant our States the ability to try to reduce our alarming illegitimacy rate. Mr. President, the American people should know that this legislation is not perfect. It is not going to magically solve all the problems, regardless of how we vote today, whatever the conference vote may be when it comes back. But the Work Opportunity Act does put an end to a failed system. It does offer hope and opportunity to millions of Americans. It is a revolutionary step in the right direction, and it is further proof of the commitment this Congress has made to the American people. At the risk of forgetting someone, Mr. President, I wish to thank a number of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who helped make today's victory for the American people possible. There have been references to my colleagues, Senator Breaux and Senator Dodd and certainly the Democratic leader and others on that side of the aisle. All members of the Senate Finance Committee, including Senator Packwood, who was our chairman when we started this revolution, certainly deserve credit. Senator Packwood put the original bill together, brought it to the floor and we have made changes. Senator Hutchison was instrumental in reaching agreement on the formula which kept the bill alive. Senator Faircloth led the fight for important amendments regarding abstinence education. I wish to say a special word of thanks to our remarkable freshman class. They sunk their teeth into this issue from day one and never let go. Senators Abraham and Snowe and Ashcroft authored important amendments, and particularly Senator Santorum, who was in the Chamber every day, almost every minute, making certain the debate was moving forward. And he understands the program because he worked on it on the House side. I think he did an excellent job. And I know there are others I may have forgotten. But I thank also America's Governors, Republicans and Democrats--particularly Republicans because I work closely with the Republican Governors, whether it is Governor Voinovich of Ohio, Governor Engler of Michigan, or Governor Edgar of Illinois or Governor Thompson of Wisconsin, Governor Pataki of New York. They worked very closely with us throughout the process and so did State legislators and local governments because they are going to have the authority. We are going to follow the 10th amendment. We are going to return power to the people, power to the States that the 10th amendment and Bill of Rights say we should. So we are going to cast our votes in a few moments. It is not the end of the process; as the Democratic leader has indicated, we have to go to conference. We will have to reconcile our differences. In the Senate-passed bill, I think we save between $65 billion and $70 billion. The House has more savings. About $40 billion of our savings, I think, are under the jurisdiction of the Finance Committee. I think we will iron out the differences we have, and then we will send a historic bill to the President of the United States, who has indicated, at least preliminarily, he will sign the bill. I hope he will join with this Congress and the American people in writing a new chapter in the history of this great Nation. As I listened to the debate and I listened to the Senator from Illinois and the Senator from Minnesota, I regret that they believe we are going to punish America's children. I disagree with that, because I believe we are creating a better opportunity for our children in this legislation, a future of more hope and more opportunity. All of us come from different places in our lifetime. We have different backgrounds. Many come from hard-scrabble backgrounds and some not so hard scrabble. I can recall a long time ago in my family, in the small town of Russell, KS, when every member of the family worked. There were four children. Both my mother and father worked. I can remember a time, even in those days, because of the Dust Bowl and a lot of other things that were happening, we could not make ends meet. We moved into the basement, six of us, and rented out the upstairs so we could make ends meet. I think all of us can go back into our lives and say we had it tough. I remember coming to the Congress and working with Senator George McGovern from South Dakota on the Food Stamp Program, the WIC Program, and a lot of other programs that I believe protect children, contrary to what the Senator from Minnesota may have indicated. I also can think back to the days when I was a county attorney in my small county of Russell County. One of the responsibilities of the county attorney in those days in my State was to sign every welfare check that left the office. In a small county, you know everybody who received those checks. In fact, it was old age assistance at the time. I knew two of them, my grandparents, who were caught up in the Dust Bowl days, in the dust storms and who had no other recourse but to seek help. So I think when we vote on this bill, we should understand that, obviously, some are going to be in need and they are going to be taken care of and they are going to be young and old. But it is our hope that what we have demonstrated here, based on a lot of hearings and a lot of debate, is that we want to help people move out of this cycle of welfare, generation after generation, back in the mainstream, working, regaining their dignity and their self-esteem. That would be the goal of any welfare reform plan that I can think of. So I know how tough it is for some people to accept assistance, and I have always had the view that people want to work. If given the opportunity, they will work. We call our bill the Work Opportunity Act of 1995. It is not going to be perfect but, in my view, it is a big, big step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote for this bill. It is a big, big step in the right direction. The American people, by a vote of 88 percent, said this is the way they want to go, and I hope we will follow their lead. Mr. MOYNIHAN addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Or we could vote first and then hear the amendment.

Mr. DOLE. Third reading would be one option. Can we go to third reading?

Mr. DOLE. In addition, if they have an amendment, it may be some of the same Senators that had asked me about that first week in October. So I will keep that in mind when they come around the next time.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me again remind my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the managers of the Agriculture appropriations bill are on the floor. They have been on the floor throughout the day. There are Members here who have amendments who, for some reason, are holding back offering those amendments. Let me repeat what I tried to indicate this morning, that if we can complete action on the six remaining appropriations bills this week and by the 30th of next week, by next Saturday, a week from this coming Saturday, we would, I think, be prepared to take the next week off, plus Columbus Day. That is if we complete action on the appropriations. I do not mean complete the conference but complete action in the Senate Chamber so that either will be ready for conference as soon as we return. We are trying to avoid the so-called train wreck come October 1, which I think can be avoided fairly easily. I know some of my colleagues are around but they just have not come to the floor. It is very difficult for the managers to proceed with the bill. If we finish this bill, this will be No. 8 out of 13. Then we will move to another appropriations bill, hopefully do three this week and three next week. But the managers of the bill cannot move unless they have the cooperation from Members. Members sometimes are hard to move, but if you intend to offer an amendment to this bill, I would say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please cooperate. We are only trying to accommodate the requests of many, many Senators the week of October 1. But we cannot accommodate those Senators unless we have the cooperation of all of our colleagues. There will be a vote sometime this afternoon, about 5:30.

Mr. DOLE

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

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a valued member of my staff whose length of service to me [[Page S 13680]] and the people of Kansas is nothing short of remarkable. Ruth Ann Komarek has just completed her 30th year of working for me. That is three, zero, Mr. President. A native of Ellinwood, KS, Ruth Ann came to my office from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1965, while I was still serving in the House of Representatives. She made the transition with me to the Senate in 1968, and she has been hard at work ever since. Ruth Ann serves as my office manager and supervisor of my mail operation, a mammoth task to say the least. Virtually every letter, fax, postcard, and package that comes into my office passes through her hands. That represents thousands upon thousands of pieces of correspondence every week. She gets each one where it needs to go and tries to make sure that every Kansan who writes to me gets a timely response. Ruth Ann also spends a lot of time keeping the rest of the staff-- especially the interns--in line. New staffers learn that her gruff exterior hides a heart of gold and a great sense of humor, but after she has laid down the law and made them earn their way. I am proud to recognize Ruth Ann Komarek for all her hard work for me, the Senate, and for Kansas. I look forward to her continued service in the coming years.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to commend my colleague from New Hampshire, Senator Judd Gregg, for the Medicare Improvement and Choice Care Provision Act which he introduced last week. The Medicare Program has received a great deal of attention in the last year, particularly since early April when the Medicare trustees report stated that the Medicare Program will become insolvent in just 7 years. Mr. President, Senator Gregg and all Republicans took this report very seriously. But, as anyone who has worked on this issue knows, to ensure the solvency of this program is going to require a great deal of commitment on the part of Congress and the administration. Our goal is very simple--to preserve, strengthen, and protect the Medicare Program. Today 37 million disabled and elderly Americans rely on Medicare for their health care. For their sake and for the millions of Americans who will rely on this program in the future, we need to take action. And that is exactly what Senator Gregg has done. The bill that he has introduced not only preserves and protects the current Medicare Program, it also strengthens the program to move it successfully into the 21st century. Mr. President, as I have said many times in this Chamber, the United States has the best health care system in the world. There is no other nation that compares to the quality of care delivered by our providers, our technology, and our innovation. Although Medicare has provided invaluable health care services to millions and millions of Americans, in some areas it has not kept pace with many of the advances in health care delivery enjoyed by the private sector. The bill introduced by Senator Gregg restructures Medicare so that its beneficiaries receive the same range of choices and possibilities that those with private insurance receive today. At the same time, it leaves traditional Medicare completely in place for those Medicare beneficiaries who are happy with the care and services they receive today. Mr. President, Senator Gregg deserves a great deal of credit for the leadership he has demonstrated on this very complex issue. As Congress is about to begin a very serious debate on Medicare reform in the coming weeks, the work of Senator Gregg will no doubt be an invaluable benefit.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, let me indicate to my colleagues that we are on the Agriculture appropriations bill. The managers are available, ready to do business, but nobody is coming forth with amendments. So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring over their amendments. Senator Cochran is here. Senator Bumpers is available. They are ready to do battle or do business, whichever. We need to finish six appropriations bills before October 1. As I have also indicated, if we finish the six appropriations bills, there is a possibility we will have a recess period for 5 days, which I hope will be an incentive to some of my colleagues to speed up the process. So, after this bill tomorrow, of course, we will vote on the historic welfare reform bill at probably about 3:30, after disposing of a couple other amendments. But we would like to complete action on the ag appropriations bill by noon tomorrow and then move to another appropriations bill, possibly foreign operations, which we think we could finish in a day and a half. And then it gets a little more difficult. But my view is, with the cooperation of everyone with the managers, we could complete action, say, by September 30, a week from Saturday, probably with a Saturday session. We probably would not finish all the conference reports, but at least have completed action on the appropriations [[Page S 13697]] bills. That would help avoid what some have referred to as a train wreck because we could continue the Government with a continuing resolution. It would not be a very--we can do that quite easily. On behalf of the managers, I want to make a plea to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that they are here, they are ready for business, and we would like to complete action on this bill by noon tomorrow. Thank you. Mr. BROWN addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, is the leader time reserved?

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, just down the hall from my office, the POW/ MIA flag stands in the Capitol rotunda. That flag flies as a sad, but proud, reminder of the sacrifices which brave people made in the defense of our country--in Vietnam, in Korea, and in World War II. As I am sure my colleagues know, today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day-- a day for all Americans to reflect on those who faithfully served this Nation but whose ultimate fate remains unknown. America must never forget those who have gone missing in the battles to defend our freedom. I opposed President Clinton's decision to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Shortly before the took office, then president-elect Clinton said that ``there will be no normalization of relations with any nation that is at all suspected of withholding any information.'' And while Vietnam may have selectively cooperated here and there, all signs continue to point to the fact that Vietnam is still willfully withholding information. We are still watching the Vietnamese Government. We are still expecting total cooperation. And we will not close the book until we are certain that we have the fullest possible accounting of every American POW and MIA. Today, let us look up to the POW/MIA flag in the rotunda, and really reflect. Many here have answered this country's call to arms, but today, let us remember those who endured a heavier burden as prisoners of war. Let us recall the pain felt by the families and friends of those who didn't come back, and those who remain missing in action. By honoring our POW'S and MIA's, we honor the freedom and peace they defended. We can take inspiration from their example and courage from their actions. Our country is great because of these American heroes, and we cannot rest until the fullest possible accounting is achieved.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I make a motion to strike the amendment numbered 2496. The Bradley amendment amends the plan that States must submit to receive Federal funds under the new block grant. Specifically, the amendment does three things: It requires the State to define who is eligible and who is ineligible for cash assistance. This creates the invitation for welfare litigation against the States over who is eligible for assistance. It creates an individual entitlement by requiring States to provide benefits to all individuals that the States deem eligible. This amendment shifts the entitlement from the Federal Government to the State government. The cycle of dependency that is created by the entitlement must be broken. Finally, the Bradley amendment creates an unfunded mandate on the States by possibly requiring States to provide unmatched funds to individuals. Mr. President, the point of this exercise is to provide States with the needed flexibility to address welfare reform, not to create another unfunded mandate on the States.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as I understand it, I think we can accept the amendment by the Senator from Massachusetts. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment by Senator Gramm be modified. I send the modification to the desk.