Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, it is my honor at this moment to present a distinguished guest to the U.S. Senate. His Majesty, the King of Jordan, King Hussein. I will suggest that we have a brief quorum call so that Senators can be notified to get here. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELMS

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I must leave the floor to take an important telephone call. Before I go, I see the distinguished Senator from New Hampshire, whom I respect highly, and I hope he will have a few words to say about this. But I ask unanimous consent that the staff members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee be granted floor privileges for the duration of the debate on this enlargement, and I ask unanimous consent that a list of the names of the staff members be printed in the Record.

Mr. HELMS

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. HELMS

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, tomorrow the Senate will be in a period of morning business from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m., as under a previous agreement, the Senate will begin debate on H.R. 2646, the A+ education bill, with Senator Roth being recognized to offer an amendment. In addition, the Senate may also consider S. 414, the international shipping bill, or S. 270, the Texas low-level radioactive waste bill, and any other legislative or executive business cleared for Senate action. Therefore, Members can anticipate rollcall votes throughout Wednesday's session of the Senate.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, it was just over two years ago--on Friday, February 23, 1996--that the federal debt broke the five trillion dollar sound barrier for the first time in history. The records show that on that day, at the close of business, the debt stood at $5,017,056,630,040.53. Just 22 years ago, in 1976, the federal debt stood at $629 billion,-- and that was after the first 200 years of America's history had elapsed, including two world wars. Then the big spenders really went to work and the interest on the federal debt really began to take off-- and, presto, during the past two decades the federal debt has soared into the stratosphere, increasing by more than $4 trillion in two decades (from 1976 to 1996). So, Mr. President, as of the close of business Monday, March 16, 1998, the federal debt stood--down-to-the-penny--at $5,530,456,190,863.05. This enormous debt is a festering, escalating burden on all citizens and especially it is jeopardizing the liberty of our children and grandchildren. As Jefferson once warned, ``to preserve [our] independence, we must not let our leaders load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.'' Was Mr. Jefferson right, or what?

Mr. HELMS

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

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order, upon the completion of the remarks of Senator Harkin.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am advised the Senator is on his way. I will suggest the absence of a quorum, but at the conclusion of Senator Harkin's remarks it already stands that we will adjourn under the previous order; is that correct?

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, and immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted and the Senate then begin a period for the transaction of morning business until the hour of 11:30 a.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each, with the following exceptions: Senator Thomas, 45 minutes from 10:15 to 11; Senator Moynihan and Senator Kerrey, 30 minutes, from 11 to 11:30; Senator Jeffords, 10 minutes; and Senator Kennedy, 10 minutes.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent there be a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, March 12, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,529,750,398,747.62 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-nine billion, seven hundred fifty million, three hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred forty-seven dollars and sixty-two cents). One year ago, March 12, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,361,483,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred sixty-one billion, four hundred eighty-three million). Five years ago, March 12, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,211,673,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eleven billion, six hundred seventy-three million). Twenty-five years ago, March 12, 1973, the federal debt stood at $455,864,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-five billion, eight hundred sixty- four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,073,886,398,747.62 (Five trillion, seventy-three billion, eight hundred eighty-six million, three hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred forty-seven dollars and sixty-two cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the Foreign Relations Committee recently received an alarming letter--which the State Department was required to send pursuant to Title IV of public law 105-118--explaining that the United Nations Population Fund (known as UNFPA) is renewing its highly controversial population control program in communist China. Surely, the most inhumane human rights abuses in China occur in the name of reducing its birth rate. Under Red China's population control regime, women who already have one child are forced to abort their babies, and forced to undergo sterilization procedures. Nazi Germany could not have designed a system more brutally efficient than China's-- which systematically kills all but firstborn babies. And from the beginning, UNFPA has worked hand-in-glove with communist Chinese authorities. In fact, Presidents Reagan and Bush suspended funding for UNFPA precisely because of its activities in China, and it was not until President Clinton was sworn in (promising to keep abortions ``safe, legal and rare'') that UNFPA begin receiving U.S. taxpayer funds again. President Clinton's support for UNFPA has never wavered, even though China never backed off its forced abortion policy. So now you know, Mr. President, why the Administration occasionally gives lip service to the critics of China's brutal population control program, and why it occasionally assures Congress that it really does not want UNFPA in China. In fact, the Administration went so far as to put this in writing. I have at hand a letter from AID's Administrator, Brian Atwood, dated September 10, 1993, promising that, ``. . . if there are not significant improvements in China's population program, the United States will not support continued UNFPA assistance to China beyond 1995 when the current program ends.'' The same promise was made to other members of Congress. Mr. President, this promise is significant because decisions about UNFPA's programs are made by consensus by its Executive Board. In other words, as a leading contributor to UNFPA, and a member of its Executive Board, the United States had the opportunity and the wherewithal to veto a renewal of China's program. But the Clinton Administration refused to do so, despite promises made to Congress, and despite their own admission that China's population program has not made ``significant improvements''. Consider the U.S. statement at UNFPA's Board meeting: ``We believe that this program may have the potential to demonstrate clearly the efficacy and sustainability of volunteer, non-coercive family planning.'' Mr. President, this is cheerleading. It is an endorsement rather than opposition, as promised. It is curious, Mr. President, that UNFPA's previous 15 year program in China failed to ``demonstrate clearly the efficacy and sustainability of volunteer, non-coercive family planning''. Clearly, communist China sees nothing wrong with its policy of forced abortion. UNFPA's Executive Director actually praised communist China for ``achievements'' in controlling its population growth. For the State Department to pretend that UNFPA now cares whether China's program is coercive or not is dishonest. Mr. President, apparently the Administration cannot or will not keep its word when it comes to this issue. Therefore, I intend to make every effort to see that Congress cuts off funding for UNFPA once and for all. I therefore ask unanimous consent that the following letters be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks: (1) a February 13, 1997, letter to me from Barbara Larkin, Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs; (2) a September 10, 1993, letter to me from AID Administrator Brian Atwood; and (3) a May 18, 1994, letter to Rep. Smith from AID Administrator Brian Atwood.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I confess a measure of regret that it has taken the Congress this long to state the obvious in a clear and formal way that Saddam Hussein is a murderer, and should be brought to justice. I recall the occasion almost 10 years ago, when I stood on this Senate floor and condemned Saddam Hussein's crimes against his own people. Senator Pell, then the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and I joined in offering amendment after amendment on various bills then being considered by the Senate. Senator Pell and I were dismayed that there seemed so little interest in calling the world's attention to the sadistic tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Mr. President, anyone who believes that Saddam is a man who ``can be trusted'', a man with whom we can ``do business'' and have a ``human relationship'' (I am quoting the Secretary General of the United Nations on these points), needs to be reminded not only of the 148 lives lost in combat in Desert Storm or of the 37 lives lost on the U.S.S. Stark, but also of those pitiful women and children of Iraqi Kurdistan who were deliberately burned beyond recognition by Saddam's chemical weapons. I remind them of the Anfal campaign and the city of Halabja, and the hideous deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people. Let's face it, Mr. President, Saddam Hussein is the world's worst and most treacherous nightmare. He is a brutal and totally unremorseful killer with weapons of mass destruction and he is willing to use them at the slightest provocation. Mr. President, we must not be deceived. Should Saddam Hussein escape the yoke of sanctions, he once again will begin to amass weapons. He will be a threat to the United States and the American people, and to our allies in the Middle East, and the people of Iraq. The Clinton Administration pretense that all that is needed are sanctions in order to face up to Saddam's threat is dangerous nonsense. Sanctions deal with weapons--but the question is, who is going to deal with Saddam-- and how? It is past time to set in motion a process of gathering evidence, forming a tribunal, indicting and prosecuting Saddam Hussein. He is a war criminal. He is a murderer. Let there be an end to the pretense that installing cameras and finding biological weapons toxins will end our problems with Iraq. We need to get the weapons, yes. We also need, one way or another, to get Saddam.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, March 11, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,971,446,018.69 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, nine hundred seventy-one million, four hundred forty-six thousand, eighteen dollars and sixty-nine cents). One year ago, March 11, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,357,359,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-seven billion, three hundred fifty-nine million). Five years ago, March 11, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,211,257,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eleven billion, two hundred fifty-seven million). Ten years ago, March 11, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,482,356,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-two billion, three hundred fifty-six million). Fifteen years ago, March 11, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,225,057,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty-five billion, fifty-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,303,914,446,018.69 (Four trillion, three hundred three billion, nine hundred fourteen million, four hundred forty-six thousand, eighteen dollars and sixty-nine cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, the American Petroleum Institute reports that for the week ending March 6, the U.S. imported 7,700,000 barrels of oil each day, 190,000 barrels more than the 7,510,000 imported each day during the same week a year ago. Americans relied on foreign oil for 54.9 percent of their needs last week, and there are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the Persian Gulf War, the United States obtained approximately 45 percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's oil supply. Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil? By U.S. producers using American workers? Politicians had better ponder the economic calamity sure to occur in America if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the U.S.--now 7,700,000 barrels a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, March 10, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,525,631,040,092.91 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, six hundred thirty-one million, forty thousand, ninety-two dollars and ninety-one cents). One year ago, March 10, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,354,330,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, three hundred thirty million). Five years ago, March 10, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,208,636,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eight billion, six hundred thirty-six million). Ten years ago, March 10, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,481,157,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-one billion, one hundred fifty-seven million). Fifteen years ago, March 10, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,224,513,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty-four billion, five hundred thirteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,301,118,040,092.91 (Four trillion, three hundred one billion, one hundred eighteen million, forty thousand, ninety-two dollars and ninety-one cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, March 9, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,523,019,454,633.25 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-three billion, nineteen million, four hundred fifty-four thousand, six hundred thirty-three dollars and twenty-five cents). Five years ago, March 9, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,209,676,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred nine billion, six hundred seventy-six million). Ten years ago, March 9, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,485,526,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred eighty-five billion, five hundred twenty-six million). Fifteen years ago, March 9, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,222,370,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred twenty-two billion, three hundred seventy million). Twenty-five years ago, March 9, 1973, the federal debt stood at $455,698,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-five billion, six hundred ninety- eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,067,321,454,633.25 (Five trillion, sixty-seven billion, three hundred twenty-one million, four hundred fifty-four thousand, six hundred thirty-three dollars and twenty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, March 6, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,525,824,113,483.61 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, eight hundred twenty-four million, one hundred thirteen thousand, four hundred eighty-three dollars and sixty-one cents). One year ago, March 6, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,538,686,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-eight billion, six hundred eighty-six million). Twenty-five years ago, March 6, 1973, the federal debt stood at $454,901,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-four billion, nine hundred one million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,070,923,113,483.61 (Five trillion, seventy billion, nine hundred twenty-three million, one hundred thirteen thousand, four hundred eighty-three dollars and sixty-one cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, March 5, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,529,698,719.50 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, five hundred twenty-nine million, six hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred nineteen dollars and fifty cents). One year ago, March 5, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,359,515,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-nine billion, five hundred fifteen million). Five years ago, March 5, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,211,535,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred eleven billion, five hundred thirty-five million). Twenty-five years ago, March 5, 1973, the federal debt stood at $451,246,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-one billion, two hundred forty-six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,077,283,698,719.50 (Five trillion, seventy-seven billion, two hundred eighty-three million, six hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred nineteen dollars and fifty cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports that for the week ending February 27, the U.S. imported 7,649,000 barrels of oil each day, 544,000 barrels more than the 7,105,000 imported each day during the same week a year ago. Americans relied on foreign oil for 54.7 percent of their needs last week, and there are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the Persian Gulf War, the United States obtained approximately 45 percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's oil supply. Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil? By U.S. producers using American workers? Politicians had better ponder the economic calamity sure to occur in America if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the U.S.--now 7,649,000 barrels a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, March 4, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,529,409,747,928.18 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-nine billion, four hundred nine million, seven hundred forty-seven thousand, nine hundred twenty-eight dollars and eighteen cents). One year ago, March 4, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,363,583,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred sixty-three billion, five hundred eighty-three million). Five years ago, March 4, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,199,533,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred ninety-nine billion, five hundred thirty-three million). Ten years ago, March 4, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,491,607,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred ninety-one billion, six hundred seven million). Fifteen years ago, March 4, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,219,934,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred nineteen billion, nine hundred thirty-four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion-- $4,309,475,747,928.18 (Four trillion, three hundred nine billion, four hundred seventy-five million, seven hundred forty-seven thousand, nine hundred twenty-eight dollars and eighteen cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, March 3, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,586,832,076.70 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, five hundred eighty-six million, eight hundred thirty-two thousand, seventy-six dollars and seventy cents). One year ago, March 3, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,358,957,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-eight billion, nine hundred fifty-seven million). Five years ago, March 3, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,197,838,000,000 (Four trillion, one hundred ninety-seven billion, eight hundred thirty-eight million). Ten years ago, March 3, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,492,076,000,000 (Two trillion, four hundred ninety-two billion, seventy-six million). Fifteen years ago, March 3, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,219,388,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred nineteen billion, three hundred eighty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,309,198,832,076.70 (Four trillion, three hundred nine billion, one hundred ninety-eight million, eight hundred thirty- two thousand, seventy-six dollars and seventy cents) during the past 15 years.