Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation temporarily suspending duties on imports of certain piano plates. This legislation is needed to address a difficult situation facing the domestic piano industry. A piano plate is an essential part of a piano. It is the iron casting over which the strings are stretched and tuned by pins inserted in the plate. Baldwin Piano & Organ Company, which employs more than 600 workers in the production of pianos in Arkansas and Mississippi, is one of a diminishing number of piano producers in the United States. Piano plates are produced in the United States by a single company, a competitor of Baldwin, whose production is for the most part captively consumed. As such, Baldwin lacks a domestic source for piano plates, other than the surplus production of one of its competitors. Due to its own demand for plates, Baldwin's competitor cannot meet Baldwin's requirements. Mr. President the history and recent contraction in the domestic piano industry points to the critical need for this legislation. Indeed, were the production of Baldwin or other domestic producers to be curtailed due to the insufficient availability of domestically- produced piano plates, it is likely that this would engender an increase in foreign piano supply, rather than an increase in market share of other domestic producers. This is evident from the fact that, in the early 1980s, there were 15 domestic piano producers supplying approximately 80 percent of U.S. consumption, whereas now only nine domestic producers remain--servicing approximately half, if not less, of the U.S. market. The domestic piano industry is well aware that foreign production stands ready to fill any gap in domestic supply. The legislation I am introducing today would temporarily suspend, through the year 2004, the rate of duty applicable to imports of piano plates provided for in subheading 9209.91.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Currently, the applicable rate of duty is 4.2 percent ad valorem. If the legislation is approved, the reduction in duty collection is estimated to be between $300,000 and $400,000 per year through 2004. Given the situation currently facing domestic piano producers, it is unlikely that there will be objection from other domestic manufacturers to the legislation proposed today. In view of the fact that Baldwin must resort to imported plates regardless of the duty rate applicable to such imports, and that no appreciable domestic production of piano plates will be displaced by imports, suspension of the duty rate will have no adverse affect upon the domestic industry. This legislation stands to ensure only that a U.S. piano producer will find a reliable source of supply for a critical component and thus will be better positioned to stand with other domestic producers in providing a secure and stable supply of pianos for the domestic market. I ask that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have one of the most difficult things to do now that I have had to do since I have served as majority leader of the Senate, and that is to announce that our beloved colleague from Georgia, Paul Coverdell, passed away today at approximately 6:10 p.m. in the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Paul has been a close friend and confidant, an outstanding Member of this body, and we will miss him greatly. At the appropriate time, I will join the rest of my colleagues in trying to make appropriate remarks to pay tribute to Paul, but for now I can't do any more than just make this announcement. I do want to say to Nancy Coverdell and the family that we extend our sympathy and our love. Our hearts are breaking also. Mr. President, I send a resolution to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration; further, that the resolution be read.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all Members of the Senate be made cosponsors of this resolution, and further that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, we will announce for the Senate and all those who knew and loved Paul, the details of the services for him when they are available. We don't have that information at this time. I presume sometime tomorrow we will know that. And also I want colleagues to know that they are encouraged to make statements of sympathy during the proceedings tomorrow when we are in session, if they feel so inclined. But, as is the tradition, we will designate a specific time at a later date so that all Senators will have time to appropriately express their feelings for this fine Senator. I ask the assistant majority leader conclude our proceedings this afternoon.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I thank the Chair.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I express my appreciation also once again to our Chaplain of the Senate, Lloyd John Ogilvie, and for his remembering our friend and my most trusted confidante, most reliable lieutenant, the Senator from Georgia, Paul Coverdell. I don't know of a Senator who works any harder or has a more indomitable spirit. I noticed particularly Friday afternoon how happy he was as he took leave of this Chamber because of the vote that we had just taken and realizing that he would have the opportunity to be home in Georgia on Friday afternoon and on Saturday. Our thoughts and our prayers are with him as he apparently undergoes a surgical procedure at this hour. I thank the Chaplain for his prayer. Coincidentally, this weekend I also had a little more time than I anticipated and was able to spend some time thinking about our country and reading some books. One of those that I read was ``Going For The Max,'' by Senator Max Cleland, also of Georgia. It is a really inspirational book about his life and his experience as a Vietnam veteran and the recovery period he had to go through and the inspiration from things he had learned in his life--12 principles of life that he had learned and on which he relies. I talked to him this morning to tell him how much I enjoyed his book; that I was inspired by it. And he said he was at that very moment standing there looking at Piedmont Hospital where our friend, Senator Coverdell, is, and he was saying a prayer for him. He offered to cover any meetings or appointments that needed to be done today or this week by Senator Coverdell. That is the kind of real love and appreciation and bipartisanship we need more of in this institution and in our lives. So I encourage my colleagues in the Senate, if you have not read it, get a copy of ``Going For The Max,'' and it will be an inspiration to you.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3 p.m. with Senators Byrd and Thomas in control of the time. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the Interior appropriations bill, and hopefully we will be able to complete our deliberations on that bill and get to final passage on all amendments and the bill itself tomorrow morning. Under the previous agreement, there are up to 10 amendments remaining to the Interior bill that must be offered and debated during today's session. Hopefully, some of those amendments will be withdrawn, others will be accepted, and maybe we will not need to have more than a couple of them actually voted on, and then go to final passage tomorrow morning. I believe those votes will be stacked in the morning at 9:45 a.m. At 6:15 this evening, the Senate will begin the final votes on the reconciliation bill which provides for the elimination of the marriage penalty tax. Senators should be aware that during the remainder of the afternoon on Friday, when all amendments were offered and/or debated, almost 40 potential votes could occur in regard to this legislation. Again, I hope and I think that several of those amendments were just filed as a precaution and that not nearly that many will actually require a vote; some of them can be accepted. But I do expect there will be somewhere between 10 and 15, at least, that will require a recorded vote. We will try to do a major portion of those tonight, if not all of them. We may try to get a consent to finish the remainder of the votes on amendments and final passage tomorrow morning after we take a look at exactly how many we are going to have to do, look at how many we would have to vote on tonight, how many we would have to vote on in the morning, and try to be reasonable in how we schedule those votes. But we do need to get both of them completed not later than tomorrow morning. So votes are expected into the night. We could have, I guess, conceivably 10, 15, or more votes tonight beginning at 6:15. Of course, we have stacked them and the votes will be limited to 10 minutes in length after the first vote. Senators will be encouraged to remain in the Chamber again during the votes. We were able to record 10 votes in about 1\1/2\ hours I think on Friday, which probably is some kind of new record. A lot of the credit for that goes to Senator Harry Reid, the assistant minority leader, because he stayed in the Chamber and helped me make sure that we wrapped those votes up as quickly as was possible. This will be an important week. After we complete those two very important issues, we will need to go to the Agriculture appropriations bill which has been awaiting action in the Senate now for probably a month. Senator Cochran has indicated he will be ready to go tomorrow morning or right after lunch, whichever is available to him, to begin debate on this very important legislation. We also would like to have the opportunity to consider the energy and water appropriations bill this week also. It is ready and should not take a lot of time. But that will depend on how long it takes on the Agriculture appropriations bill. I see smiles throughout the Chamber, the idea that we would complete these two bills I have already mentioned and then take up two appropriations bills, but with determination we can get it done. We achieved more last week than most people thought we would be able to do. It took work and it took some time and it took cooperation between leaders on both sides of the aisle. We were able to get that. I hope we can do it this week. I thank my colleagues for their participation and their cooperation. With that, I will yield the floor and I observe the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before we proceed, I don't want to delay the proceedings too long, but we are all very much aware our friend and colleague is undergoing a difficult recovery at this time and I know he has been on our mind. I appreciate the Chaplain including him in the opening prayer this morning. Could I ask my colleagues to join me now in a moment of silence for our colleague, a silent prayer, for his speedy recovery. (Moment of silence.)

Mr. LOTT. I thank my colleagues. Amendment No. 3845

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, tonight, as we adjourn, we do so in memory of John O. Pastore, who served the people of Rhode Island here in the Senate from 1950 to 1976. Senator Pastore's life was in many ways a realization of the American dream--characterized by humble beginnings, hard work, opportunity, and accomplishment. His father was an immigrant tailor who passed away when John was a young boy. From that time on, he and his four siblings were reared by their mother, who supported the family as a seamstress. Senator Pastore earned his law degree from Northeastern University, through evening classes the school offered at the Providence YMCA. The family home was his first law office. Senator Pastore, was initially elected to office in 1934, when he became a Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He subsequently served as assistant state attorney general, lieutenant governor, and in 1945 became governor when his predecessor resigned for another office. Senator Pastore was then elected to two terms in his own right. In 1950, he was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacant seat. Two years later, he won the first of four full terms in this institution. He never lost an election. Many individuals have passed through the doors of this great chamber, and each has left a unique imprint. Senators for years to come will think of John Pastore whenever the ``Pastore rule'', relating to germaneness of debate, is invoked. Senator Pastore will be remembered in the United States Senate as a servant of the people and a man committed to his beliefs. Today, the thoughts and prayers of the Senate are with his family and his constituents.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, tonight, as we adjourn, we do so in memory of John O. Pastore, who served the people of Rhode Island here in the Senate from 1950 to 1976. Senator Pastore's life was in many ways a realization of the American dream--characterized by humble beginnings, hard work, opportunity, and accomplishment. His father was an immigrant tailor who passed away when John was a young boy. From that time on, he and his four siblings were reared by their mother, who supported the family as a seamstress. Senator Pastore earned his law degree from Northeastern University, through evening classes the school offered at the Providence YMCA. The family home was his first law office. Senator Pastore was initially elected to office in 1934, when he became a Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He subsequently served as assistant state attorney general, lieutenant governor, and in 1945 became governor when his predecessor resigned for another office. Senator Pastore was then elected to two terms in his own right. in 1950, he was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacant seat. Two years later, he won the first of four full terms in this institution. He never lost an election. Many individuals have passed through the doors of this great chamber, and each has left a unique imprint. Senators for years to come will think of John Pastore whenever the ``Pastore rule'', relating to germaneness of debate, is invoked. Senator Pastore will be remembered in the United States Senate as a servant of the people and a man committed to his beliefs. Today, the thoughts and prayers of the Senate are with his family and his constituents.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Vote On Motion To Commit

Mr. LOTT. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Vote on Amendment No. 3838

Mr. LOTT. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I move to waive the Budget Act and ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. LOTT. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that, to the list of Republican amendments, a relevant amendment by Senator Abraham be added.

Mr. LOTT. I thank my colleagues for their cooperation. This is the only way we are going to be able to get through this list. This is a good way to do it. In light of the agreement, the next votes will be in a stacked sequence at 6:30. We will try another stacked sequence of six at that time. If we can proceed on this basis, we can get this work completed at a reasonable time tonight. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I will submit a unanimous consent request, and I make the request that the time already used on this amendment would not count against the time we are fixing to ask for in this unanimous consent. I ask unanimous consent that the time between now and 6:30 p.m. be equally divided in the usual form between the two leaders and the following amendments be debated for up to 20 minutes, equally divided, in the following order: Bingaman, on education; Roth, on phone tax; Graham, on Medicare; Grassley, on farmers; Baucus and Kerrey, regarding the KidSave matter; Grams, on Social Security. I further ask unanimous consent that at 6:30 the Senate proceed to a series of votes in relation to the above-listed amendments in the order offered, with 2 minutes of debate equally divided for each amendment prior to each vote.

Mr. LOTT. Yes.

Mr. LOTT. I think that is a reasonable request, Mr. President. I modify my request to that effect.

Mr. LOTT. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if the Senator from Alaska will yield briefly, first of all, I listened carefully to the comments of the two distinguished Senators who are the ranking member and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The service of these two Members surpasses all the rest of us, with the possible exception of the President pro tempore, Senator Thurmond. But beyond that, the wisdom and the sage advice they give all of us is greatly appreciated. I certainly believe and will continue to believe that we should give the highest possible priority to these appropriations bills. We have an agreement now that will lead us to the conclusion of the Interior appropriations bill, I believe next Monday. I believe the votes could possibly be on Tuesday morning. I hope before we go out for the August recess that we do at least four more or all five of the remaining bills. I know clearly we could do four of the remaining bills: Agriculture, Energy and Water, Treasury-Postal Service, and Commerce- State-Justice. There may be some difficulty with HUD-VA that would cause it to go over until September. But I appreciate their comments and their good advice. I will certainly weigh that very carefully. I appreciate the fact that they are willing to take to the floor and ask for this help in getting their work done. In fact, it is our work. It is the people's business. I appreciate their comments. I commend and thank the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and also the ranking member, Senator Levin, for the work they did on the Department of Defense authorization bill. We got it finished. Hallelujah. The Senate has produced the final vote on one of the most important bills we will do all year, the Department of Defense authorization bill. There is a lot of important language in there. It is not only about the ships, the planes, and housing; It is also about health care. It is a big, important bill. Without the patience and the tenacity of the chairman, the Senator from Virginia, and the help he received from the Senator from Michigan, we wouldn't have it done. I commend them; and, again, the senior leadership of the two Senators on the Appropriations Committee who spoke is admirable. I appreciate it very much. As a leader, you have to rely on the senior leaders, and the managers, the chairmen. In this case, I did, and they did it. I thank Senator Stevens for his comments and for yielding me this time.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I certainly want to move this along. I want to have a vote on the Moynihan substitute on the death tax, and then have a vote on our alternative. That would be the best way to proceed. We would have two votes and Senators could cast their votes accordingly, and we would move on. Instead, we have an agreement that will take all day and into the night. Instead of taking 2 or 3 hours, it will wind up taking probably 10 or 12 hours. I hope on the marriage penalty tax we could vote on the alternative. Senator Moynihan has a reasonable alternative. We could vote on that, vote on our alternative, and be through with the marriage penalty tax and move on to the appropriations bills. We do have a matter we are working through on both sides to try to deal with the question of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, the language suggested by Senator Thompson. We are trying to find a way to get an agreement on the language and a way to consider that. We must do the people's business. We have to do these appropriations bills. We have to do at least four appropriations bills beyond the Interior appropriations bill. When we get that done, I don't see any problem then in moving to China PNTR. I can't make days out of whole cloth, and I can't make commitments until we get our work done. But we are all working on that, I think, in good faith. Senator Reid worked assiduously on these appropriations bills. Energy and water we may be able to do in a day or two. Agriculture, I will be surprised if we don't have 80 or 100 amendments pop up. That bill could take a week. It is very important to our country. We all want the Agriculture appropriations bill completed. Commerce, State, and Justice--no matter what Members might think about Commerce or State or Justice, we need to get that bill done very badly. That bill quite often is like fly paper, it draws a lot of amendments. If we made a commitment, if we made up our minds on both sides of the aisle we will complete Interior and do three more appropriations or four more appropriations bills next week, we could do it. But it would take an extraordinary amount of heavy lifting to get that done. I will work with Senator Stevens and Senator Byrd. It is rare for these two Senators to take the floor and say what they have said today. I have to weigh that carefully.