Nancy Kassebaum

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. It is my understanding that there are 10 minutes, equally divided, under the agreement. I suggest that amendment No. 1857 would prohibit discretionary spending for AIDS and HIV activities in excess of discretionary spending for cancer activities. No one would deny the importance of moneys for cancer activities. However, I will be offering an alternative amendment, No. 1860, in the sequence later. I oppose amendment No. 1857 that is being offered, because it compares only discretionary spending amounts and does not take into account entitlement spending under programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The inclusion of entitlement spending dramatically shifts the equation. Relatively few AIDS and HIV activities are financed through entitlement programs, while substantial entitlement spending is directed toward cancer. I think this is an important difference and one that I would hope everyone will take into consideration. I will yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, we had many of the opening statements on Friday and are prepared to move forward with amendments now. The Senator from North Carolina [Mr. Helms] has suggested I go ahead with an amendment. Amendment No. 1852 (Purpose: To provide for the adoption by States of the CDC guidelines for pregnant women)

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. No, I agree with the Senator. I know the effect of a second-degree amendment.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess under the previous order.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. For the information of all Senators, the Senate will resume consideration of the Ryan White bill tomorrow at 9:15. Under the consent agreement, if both amendments regarding FDA are offered and all debate time is consumed, Senators can anticipate a series of consecutive rollcall votes beginning at approximately 11 a.m, Thursday. Members should also be aware if the FDA issue is resolved earlier, then a series of stacked rollcall votes may occur as early as 9:30 a.m., on Thursday.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. I wonder if we can suggest the absence of a quorum at this point and see if we can put together a UC agreement which all parties could support.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Maybe I can try. I think that the minority leadership was concerned about the cloture motions that were filed and how that would affect scheduling. It has nothing to do with the Ryan White CARE legislation. It does, unfortunately, pose a problem for us. And it is my understanding there would not be an objection if we could put down a listing of all of the amendments yet to be debated. We can debate some tonight and then the votes would be tomorrow; is that correct?

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I wonder if the Senator from North Carolina will yield to me just for a moment to pose a question.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. We would be. My understanding, Mr. President, is that there are some negotiations on the Democratic side of the aisle that are ongoing.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Yes. Although it is changed.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Yes. It is a different approach because it is just targeted to the care, but using some similar language. We are going to end up voting on the Senator's amendment. This says the same thing but does not get into a definition.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. The Senator has it.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I send an amendment to the desk on behalf of Senator Graham of Florida for immediate consideration.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, this amendment has been agreed to by both sides. It addresses a problem that would exist particularly in Florida regarding formula. It is designed to be of assistance in addressing that in a way that we have all agreed we think works, to everyone's benefit.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I wish to express appreciation to the Senator from Utah. Senator Hatch, as he mentioned, was the original cosponsor along with Senator Kennedy of the Ryan White CARE Act in 1990. If it had not been for the leadership he provided, I am not sure we would be here today debating renewal of that legislation. It was crucial at that time to help develop an understanding of what it was all about, and I think without Senator Hatch's strong and forthright and dedicated concern at that time, it would have been extremely difficult to have the public awareness and support that it has. I just wish to express that appreciation to the Senator from Utah.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. I would just say Senator Hatch, of course, we miss on the Labor Committee, where he was at one time chairman and ranking member, and I have big shoes to follow in that leadership on the Labor and Human Resources Committee.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I am not sure if we are ready to propound a unanimous-consent agreement yet or not.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I was trying to get a copy of the language that had been used. The Senator from North Carolina mentioned we had passed that before? He mentioned it had passed by a large vote before. I was just wondering if it was the same language as in this, the exact same language? I do not think anyone could quarrel with the language that would say none of the funds authorized under a title should be used to fund AIDS programs or to develop materials to promote, encourage, directly or indirectly, homosexuality or intravenous drug use. But I was uncertain about getting into a definition of homosexuality. But I clearly have no objection to say that no funds should be authorized to be used for promotion. If I may, I want to look at the language that we passed before.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. That would be tomorrow morning, as well.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, there is a possibility of debate on another amendment that Senator Gregg has wanted to offer.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until the hour of 9:15 a.m., on Thursday, July 27, 1995; that following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be deemed approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then immediately resume S. 641, the Ryan White bill, with Senator Reid to be recognized, as under the previous order.