Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Yes.

Mr. LOTT. Madam President, if I may respond. Frankly, I was surprised that this Patients' Bill of Rights amendment was offered to this bill. All that had been indicated was that it would be offered this week if some agreement was not worked out. First of all, I want to make it clear that I am willing and very anxious to make a reasonable agreement. No. 2, this is not the only bill that was going to be up this week. There would have been--or there will be other opportunities. That is what surprised me, the fact that the agriculture appropriations bill was the bill to which the Patients' Bill of Rights issue was added. That was a surprise because I thought there would be a real strong feeling that we should move forward on the agriculture appropriations bill without it being delayed or deferred or impacted by other issues. That does not diminish at all the importance of patients' rights, but I thought there would have been another bill or another way that it could have been offered. So I, frankly, was surprised--I am not saying it was sort of a surprise attack; I don't mean that at all. I am just surprised the decision was made to offer it to the agriculture appropriations bill when we could have offered it or it could have been offered by others on other bills this week.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I find our Democratic colleagues have put the Senate in an unfortunate position by offering this bill at this time. The pending bill is the agriculture appropriations bill, certainly a very important appropriations bill. I think you could probably argue they all are. But even more so than usual, the agriculture appropriations bill this year is very significant because we are still dealing with an agriculture economy that has been shaken by prices and by the loss of some markets around the world. We need to move this bill forward. American farmers are in dire need of many of the provisions in this bill that has been developed in a bipartisan way, with Chairman Cochran leading the way. These farmers rely on the legislation and appropriations every year. For some reason, the Democrats have decided to ignore the needs of the American farmer and instead turn this bill into the health care reform bill. I have in the past, and as recently as last Friday, offered our colleagues on the other side of the aisle an opportunity to debate this issue in the form of a separate bill under a time agreement. However, they have always indicated a request for dozens and dozens of amendments. In fact, the latest discussion, sort of indirectly, but the latest number would call for a minimum of 40 amendments. Now, I thought they had a bill that basically represented the position they wanted to take on the Patients' Bill of Rights, as developed by Senator Kennedy and Senator Daschle. We have our approach, which is quite different, developed by Senator Nickles, the Senator in the Chair, Ms. Collins, Senator Frist, who certainly is one who could be very helpful in devising health-related legislation. So we have our two alternative bills, which I thought we could get a direct vote on and have some reasonable number of amendments and then go on to a final conclusion. However, it seems to me that colleagues on the other side of the aisle are interested in having an issue rather than bringing this Patients' Bill of Rights issue to a conclusion. I think clearly there are some things we need to do in this area. I assume there are some areas of agreement. There are some fundamental disagreements. For instance, I believe very strongly, in dealing with patients' rights and needs, where there is a dispute, there should be a process for resolving that dispute within a managed care organization or through an expedited outside procedure to get a result and not just look for more opportunities to file more lawsuits. However, I will continue, as I did last year, to work with the Democratic leader to propound a time agreement which will allow for votes on these important issues, the two approaches, as well as a reasonable number of amendments. In the meantime, I call for regular order with respect to the State Department authorization bill.

Mr. LOTT. I send a second-degree amendment to the desk.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I now withdraw the motion to proceed.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, in conclusion, I want to make it clear that while I am calling up this steel quota bill and signed the cloture motion, it is because I think this is an important issue and because I made commitments to Senators that we would have a vote on this issue. I do not think cloture should be invoked. I do not think this bill should pass. I think it would be a very large mistake if we pass it. I want to make that clear. I am not in any way supporting it. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to think about this vote very carefully. We have already had one steel-related issue passed by the Senate. If we start down the trail of imposing quotas, I think it will not be well received in the financial markets, and it is going in a different direction from what we have been trying to do. I want to make sure the record is clear from the beginning. With that, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 66, H.R. 975, the steel quota bill, and send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. LOTT. For the information of all Senators, this cloture vote will occur Tuesday, June 22. Mr. President, before I complete that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, cloture will occur Tuesday, June 22. I ask unanimous consent that the vote occur at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, and the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, 1 year ago the distinguished minority leader, Mr. Daschle, and I introduced S. 2180, the Superfund Recycling Equity Act, to overcome the unintended consequences of Superfund which continue to have major negative impacts on recycling. There is widespread recognition of the need for relief in this area, as evidenced by the number of Superfund bills that have been introduced since the 103d Congress, as well as the measures being considered in this Congress, all of which include nearly identical recycling relief provisions. I am grateful for the decision by Senators Chafee and Smith to include a strong recycling provision in their Superfund reform bill currently pending before the Environment and Public Works Committee. This inclusion was an important contributing reason to my decision to be an original cosponsor of the Superfund Program Completion Act of 1999 (S. 1090). As the committee approaches a markup of its legislation, I understand that the committee chairman and subcommittee chairman are negotiating with their minority counterparts and the Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reach a bipartisan consensus. In the spirit of the last year's Superfund Recycling Equity Act, which collected 63 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, I endorse such an approach and look forward to debating the bill on the Senate floor. Today, I am pleased to join the minority leader in bringing to the attention of the Senate the need to move expeditiously in this regard, recognizing that another year has passed without needed relief for recyclers.

Mr. LOTT. The successful efforts of Congressmen Shuster and Boehlert demonstrate again that the recycling issue can proceed on a bipartisan basis and that no serious opposition to its adoption exists.

Mr. LOTT. In this regard, I applaud the efforts of Chairman Shuster and Boehlert, who have worked tirelessly with their very competent staffs to help resolve the one significant remaining issue in contention. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of a recently negotiated and signed agreement dealing with paper scrap by all the affected parties.

Mr. LOTT. I have worked for years with my colleagues to reform Superfund. We must put this important program back on track to get the environment cleaned up effectively and efficiently, with polluters paying the bills, not innocent parties. There was clear tangible evidence of how Superfund is off track in a recent GAO report which was requested by House Commerce Committee Chairman Bliley. The GAO report revealed that a majority of the funds go for activities other than clean up, and this is clearly wrong. I hope the Senate will act soon because America deserves a viable Superfund program. While there are different bills being considered in the Senate at this time, both the minority leader and I stand committed to Superfund relief for recyclables and we assure all Senators that the differences between the bills in their recycling language will be addressed in the interest of moving forward with this needed legislation. With the bipartisan support of this needed relief in place, Mr. President, it is essential to stress that relief for recycling, an issue of fundamental fairness, must be accomplished in this session.

Mr. LOTT. Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Phil Morris of New Albany, MS, a long time friend and fellow Mississippian, who, as a traditional recycler, has struggled with the negative aspects of Superfund. Phil first brought this subject to my attention and, though our inability to pass Superfund reform last year led to sharp increases in his unintended Superfund liability, I commit to him and his fellow recyclers that Congress will act this year to ensure that such unreasonable, unfair and unintended actions under Superfund will cease. I again thank all supporters of this provision, especially the distinguished minority leader for supporting this attempt to restore equity and fairness where it has long been missing.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I certainly wish the Senator from Alaska a wonderful trip. I know how important his family is to him. I also want to thank him for his magnanimous decision not to object to the stacked votes. I know it is important to him to be here and participate in recorded votes. I also know his family is very important and Father's Day is very important. He could have objected, but he decided not to. I hope other Senators will follow that example. I try very hard to accommodate every Senator on both sides of the aisle. I fear that the problem in the Senate now is that I have been too accommodating, because we try to work votes around every Senator's schedule, and it is absolutely out of control. I have Senators come in here and say: Oh, please, please, please, don't have another vote after 9:30 on Friday. And other Senators say: You mean we are going to vote Monday afternoon? I realize voting is a problem, but it is required to move bills along. So I ask my colleagues to not get mad at me for trying to get our work done. This week has been unusually productive. With this bill, if we could have finished it today, we would have completed seven bills this week. Senator Reid and Senator Daschle share my frustration at what we go through. You would not believe the kinds of requests we get from Senators not to have votes during the middle of the day on Tuesday, or in the morning on Wednesday, or on Thursday afternoon. My colleagues, it is just out of control. We try to say on Mondays or Fridays, for good and valid reasons, we will not have votes on occasion. We try to tell Members in advance. Because of a number of problems, we have notified both sides of the aisle that there won't be votes next Friday, the 25th. But there is a limit as to how much we can do. I was always used to working Monday through Friday. I realize that when we go home, we are still working. When we tell Senators we are not going to have votes before 5 on Monday or after 12 on Friday, we still have difficulty. I thank Senator Murkowski for his attitude. I must say to all the Senators that we just have to be prepared to be here and vote. Here is another thing. Senators have now gotten to where, when there is a death in the family, they don't even want to miss a vote. That is a terrible and difficult time, but your constituents will understand. You can't ask 99 Senators not to have a recorded vote because you have had a death in the family. Sometimes it is an in-law. People understand if you can't be here. Meanwhile, back in the jungle, we have to get our work done. So I ask for your indulgence. I yield to Senator Murkowski.

Mr. LOTT. I am glad to yield.

Mr. LOTT. I must say, if I may respond, it was our intent to have more votes, but obstructionists can quite often prevail in the Senate. If somebody objects, it is pretty hard to force a vote. On Monday, I could call up Executive Calendar items. I can force votes, but I prefer not to do that. I have never liked the so-called ``bed check'' votes. I try to have votes on substance. That is the problem. Today, we had a blowup here at 9:45, and all kinds of efforts to be reasonable and get agreements came apart. I believe maybe by 11 o'clock, if enough people are gone, we can get this thing worked out.

Mr. LOTT. Thank you for doing that.

Mr. LOTT. In light of the agreement, there will be no further votes today, and the next votes will occur at 5:30 on Monday.

Mr. LOTT. I don't believe there has been a majority leader since Mansfield who has used a carrot as much as this majority leader. We don't go late on Mondays or Fridays.

Mr. LOTT. I will use leader time to respond briefly. I thank Senator Reid for his comments. I note the fact he was willing to work with us. We had the resolution worked out over a period of several days, commending our troops and commending the President and others for their work in Kosovo. That could have been difficult, could have caused amendments, and there could have been requests for recorded votes. That was one of several things we have done this week. I note the Senator from Nevada in his new role as the whip on the Democratic side has really made a difference. We appreciate his cooperation. Quite often, it takes a lot of time to work through the pending amendments. He has been very helpful. I am glad we had a good week. I am hoping every week will be similar to this week. I will keep working in that effort. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I'd like to pay a special tribute today to General Charles C. Krulak, the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, soon to relinquish command of our nation's Corps of Marines after almost forty years in uniform. With receipt of his final orders, directing him to stand-down and retire from active duty, an evolutionary change will occur--marking the first time in 70 years that a Krulak will be absent from the rolls of the United States Marine Corps. His father, Lieutenant General Brute Krulak, served as the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific. From the blood stained rice fields of Vietnam, where General Krulak commanded Marines during two tours of duty, to the wind swept sands of Kuwait where General Krulak lead his men to victory, this Marine has distinguished himself time and time again. For his devoted service to our country and for the brave Marines he led, General Krulak was awarded the Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with Combat ``V'' and two gold stars; Purple Heart with gold star; Combat Action Ribbon; and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. While General Krulak's inspirational leadership has always characterized his military service, it is his tenure as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps that will resonate long and far into the next millennium, ensuring the Marine Corps remains the world's premier crisis response force--the Nation's 911 force. A professional force that is committed, capable, and reliable to meet any challenge, under any circumstance, anytime and anyplace in the world. General Krulak had the wisdom and foresight to field an agile and adaptable force--a Corps of Marines who could prevail against the multifaceted threats which would challenge our Nation's security and its interests. General Krulak understood the importance of developing new concepts and techniques that would ensure decisive victory in the ``savage wars of peace.'' He forged his Corps of Marines through unrelenting sacrifice, initiative, and courage. His many initiatives as Commandant include, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, the DoD lead in nonlethal weapons technology and the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force. He created and implemented the ``Transformation Process'' of making Marines--a holistic approach to recruiting and developing young men and women to ensure they have the skills and basic character needed to effectively meet the asymmetric 21st century threat. Today, the Corps is meeting its recruiting requirements, forty-eight months consecutively and achieved its retention goals --a testimony to the wisdom and foresight of General Krulak. A key contributor to the Marine Corps family and a person General Krulak owes much success to is his wife, Zandi Krulak. She gave dignity and grace to the maturation of the Marine Corps family. In closing I want to recognize General Krulak for his uncompromising integrity to always do the right thing, for the Nation and his beloved Corps. The Marine Corps is a better institution today then it was four years ago, thanks to the sacrifice and devotion to duty by General Krulak. He has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Corps and to this Nation's security. Through his stewardship there is a renewed sense of esprit de corps. I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to wish General Krulak, his wife Zandi and their two sons, David and Todd, fair winds and following seas as he steps down as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Krulak's distinguished and faithful service to our country is greatly appreciated. He will be sorely missed, but surely not forgotten. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Semper Fi.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I know a number of Senators are going to want to join me in paying tribute to a great Marine, the Commandant, General Krulak. I hope that others will come to the floor this afternoon, or on Monday, and join me in expressing our appreciation for the work he has done. Mr. President, Marines do it all--in the air, on the land, and on the sea. With a service like the Marine Corps, sometimes people come in and say: Well, can't they go ahead and just be in charge of it all? I certainly understand that when you get to know an outstanding man like General Krulak. It is especially true when you consider that the Nation's Marines have a tremendous record of pride and history and going out and doing the job when it is the toughest. Their attitude has been exemplified by this feisty, pull-no-punches Commandant. I have really appreciated the fact that when I met with him privately and asked him direct questions, he gave me direct answers. I have appreciated the fact that when he has been before committees of Congress--particularly the Armed Services Committee--he responded in a way he thought was best for our country, as to what the marines really needed, and not necessarily what he was expected to say or even told to say. That is typical of the Marines and typical of this General and his family. So I want to pay special tribute to General Charles C. Krulak, the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, soon to relinquish command of our Nation's Corps of Marines after almost 40 years in uniform. General Krulak's retirement will mark the first time in 70 years that a Krulak will be absent from the rolls of the United States Marine Corps. His father, Lieutenant General Brute Krulak, served as a Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific. General Krulak's illustrious career is replete with achievements from the blood-stained rice fields of Vietnam, where he commanded Marines during two tours of duty, to the wind-swept sands of Kuwait, where he commanded Marines during the Gulf War. For his devoted service to our country and for the brave Marines he led, General Krulak was awarded the Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with Combat ``V'' and two gold stars; Purple Heart with gold star; Combat Action Ribbon; and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. During his tenure as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Senate has come to know of many of the virtues of this modern-day warrior. His accomplishments will resonate long into the next millennium, ensuring that the Marine Corps remains the world's premier crisis response force. I remember that during a 1996 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the posture of our military, the service chiefs were asked what they needed most. The other service chiefs rattled off some new weapons systems. Not Chuck Krulak. The Senate always relied on his frank and honest opinion, no matter the issue. He wanted Gore-Tex cold weather gear and boots for his troops. General Krulak has always placed his Marines first. That is why he is loved as Commandant. The people came first; the men and women of the Marine Corps came first. General Krulak is a visionary, a person who clearly understands the situation at hand. He understood the importance of developing new concepts and techniques that would ensure decisive victory in the ``savage wars of peace.'' He forged his Corps of Marines through unrelenting sacrifice, initiative, and courage. His foresight resulted in the creation of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, taking the DOD lead in nonlethal weapons technology and the creation of the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force. He created and implemented the ``Transformation Process'' of making Marines--a holistic approach to recruiting and developing young men and women to ensure they have the skills and basic character needed to effectively meet the Asymmetric 21st century threat. He labored to institutionalize the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment, while maintaining, and in many cases elevating, performance standards in every aspect of the Marine Corps recruiting and development processes, be they mental, physical, or moral. Today, the Corps has met its recruiting requirements forty-eight months consecutively and has achieved its retention goals--a testimony to the wisdom and foresight of General Krulak. General Krulak not only pursued better Marines and asked for Marines to be capable of winning our Nation's future battles, but he also made better Americans. He promoted a focus on character development and high ethical and moral standards. He stressed the core values of honor, courage, and commitment, which exemplify the Corps. They are attributes that will serve the Marines well long after they have hung up their uniforms. In a way, I don't think Marines ever hang up their uniforms; they wear them the rest of their lives. I remember, years ago, I had on my staff a man that worked on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Cecil Dubuisson, a Sergeant Major. A Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps is really super-special. As we traveled around South Mississippi into Louisiana, I would run into people--young men and older men--and they always recognized him as ``Sergeant Major.'' There was a special bond between these men that the rest of us could only hope to achieve. In closing, I want to recognize General Krulak for his uncompromising integrity to always do the right thing for the Nation and his beloved Corps, and for his unwavering conviction that exemplifies a way of life, not just a motto. It speaks powerfully to the citizens he serves. It has been my good fortune, and the Senate's good fortune, to witness the resolve of a person who believes so strongly about the institution in which he serves. General Krulak, the Marine Corps is a better institution today than it was 4 years ago. Your sacrifice and devotion to duty have made it so. You have provided a significant and lasting contribution to your Corps and to the Nation's security. Through your leadership, there is a renewed sense of esprit de corps. Those who follow your example will be a testament to the legacy you leave behind. I wish General Krulak, your wonderful wife Zandi, and your two sons, David and Todd, ``fair winds and following seas'' as you step down as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps on June 30, 1999. Your distinguished and faithful service to our country is greatly appreciated. You will be sorely missed but surely not forgotten. Thank God for the Marines Corps, thank God for General Krulak.