Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 300, which is at the desk, and I ask that the resolution be read.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. These clearly are five great Senators who have served their States and their country so well. And I am sure they will continue to do so, albeit in a different arena. Of course, I have said here, Dan Coats has been one of my closest friends for the past 20 years. I will miss him here but I will be with him in other areas. And, of course, John Glenn makes history once again flying off into space. And many Senators and their spouses will be there to see that event.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be printed as individual Senate documents a compilation of materials from the Congressional Record in tribute to Senators Dan Coats of Indiana, Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho, Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, Wendell Ford of Kentucky, and John Glenn of Ohio.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, the Senate will begin a period of morning business until 1 p.m. Following morning business, we may consider any legislation that can be cleared by unanimous consent.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Senate Resolution 303, introduced earlier today.

Mr. LOTT. I might say to Senators who are in the Chamber, and others who may be watching, ordinarily much of this is done at the very last minute of the session. I thought that some of it could be done this morning. I thought we would start our wrap-up work now. I think that is appropriate. We get, frankly, more attention, and it also will help conclude sooner tomorrow.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Senate Resolution 305, introduced earlier today.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Senate Resolution 304, introduced earlier today.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, negotiations are still ongoing with respect to the omnibus appropriations bill, but I think I can say that it is in its very final stages, and we should have a final conclusion before 2 o'clock so that all of the drafting can be carried out. I emphasize, though, there are a few minor issues that have not been finally cleared, and there are a couple of big issues that are still being debated about exactly what the effective date would be, for instance, with regard to the census issue. I think it is a very important issue. The census is in the Constitution. And the Constitution says that the census shall be taken by enumeration; that means count, head count. No amount of modern manipulation or technology can replace what the Constitution says. Twice Federal courts have ruled 3-0 that the census must be done by enumeration. But rather than fight this out on and on and on, I think the logical order to do business is, let the Supreme Court rule, which they will do in March, and then we will proceed from there. That issue has not been finally resolved, but it will be in the next couple of hours, and then every Senator and House Member will have an opportunity to ask questions, to look at the language. There are hundreds--thousands--of issues that are in this legislation. But the legislation will be available. There will be staff and Senators and Congressmen who have been involved, who can answer questions about things as varied as education and agriculture and defense and the drug war and missile defense. It is all in this bill. I must say that while there are some great disappointments on my part about what is not in the bill and some disappointments about some things that are in the bill, on balance this is going to be good for America. I had a question a moment ago about who is the winner and who is the loser. The only question should be: Is America the winner? Are our children going to be better off, safer? Will there be a greater effort to fight the scourge of drugs in our schools and in our society? The answer is yes. We will have a stronger defense. For the first time since 1985, we have stopped the free-fall in spending for the necessary readiness and equipment for our men and women in uniform. We added some $9 billion in this legislation for the drug war, for defense of our country, for intelligence, and for missile defense. We also agreed to $690 million for a greater effort in the drug area. We did agree to the President's request for more funds for education. A lot of time has been spent this year in the education area, and we have made some progress. We have a better higher education bill. We are going to have a stronger vocational education bill. And that is an area where I think we should put a lot more emphasis. We did improve on some of the programs connected to Head Start, and we are going to have more teachers in our schools in America, smaller class sizes. But the decision of how it is going to be done will be made at the local level in the individual school districts; it will not be dictated by and run by bureaucrats here in Washington, DC. So I think that was a significant achievement on both sides of the issue. I will not go down the list of all the areas in this bill, but when you look at them all and you consider what we have done and what this can lead to next year, I think it is progress, and I hope the Members will believe that they can support it. There will be time for Members to review its content. If a rollcall is requested, it is expected to occur at either 10 o'clock in the morning on Friday or 5 o'clock in the afternoon, to accommodate the maximum number of Senators and give them time to review the language that is included in the final agreement. Certainly, we will make Members aware of any specific time for votes, if necessary. I will be consulting with Senator Daschle on that. I thank my colleagues for their attention and for their cooperation throughout the year. I do have a number of issues that we would like to do in terms of some tributes and resolutions on travel and other issues. So I would like to do that now.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, the case of BCCI Holdings (Luxembourg), S.A., et al. versus Abdul Raouf Hasan Khalil, et al., pending in the District Court for the District of Columbia, is a civil action brought by court-appointed fiduciaries of the Bank of Credit and Commerce, International, known as BCCI, to recover on behalf of depositors and creditors of BCCI funds wrongfully diverted from the bank. Between 1988 and 1992, the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations of the Committee on Foreign Relations, under the leadership of Senator John Kerry and Senator Hank Brown, conducted a wide-ranging investigation into BCCI. As the Subcommittee described in its report to the Foreign Relations Committee, one of the individuals with whom the Subcommittee staff met during its investigations may have used his contacts with the Subcommittee to extort money from BCCI. The court-appointed fiduciaries are seeking to recover any such improperly diverted funds. As a part of that effort, the fiduciaries are seeking testimony from a former Subcommittee counsel, Jack Blum, about his contacts with the BCCI employee. Both Senator Kerry and the Committee believe that it is appropriate to authorize the testimony requested on this subject. This resolution would accordingly authorize Mr. Blum to testify about this subject and to be represented by the Senate Legal Counsel in connection with the testimony.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, despite the fact that the Senate passed S. 2279, the Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998, it looks like next year will be the year for aviation. This is disappointing, since S. 2279 promised to bring much needed air service to underserved communities throughout the Nation--a promise that will be delayed. The first session of the 106th Congress should prove to be an important year for our Nation's air passengers. My top aviation policy priority remains to increase regional jet competition and flight service to smaller markets. Most Americans do not live in ``Hub'' cities and thus do not benefit from the range of choices and concentration of air service options. I look forward to working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, and on the Commerce Committee to insure that rural and underserved communities receive adequate air transportation with improved flight service and more affordable airline tickets. Commerce Committee Chairman McCain has been a tremendous help. He understands the needs of underserved markets, and fully appreciates that adequate and affordable air service is a vital economic development issue for smaller cities. He too wants to improve the quality and quantity of flights originating from smaller airports. He gets it. I look forward to working with the chairman to build upon the principles set forth in the Ford Act. Senator Slade Gorton of Washington, chairman of the Subcomittee on Aviation, has provided pivotal guidance and has been instrumental in bringing focus to the many aspects of aviation. His inclusive and enthusiastic approach has engaged all who work with him. Additionally, Senator Bill Frist proved to be a great asset and a very effective advocate for the rural aviation community during this past session. His hard work brought small and underserved communities closer to receiving much needed public policy changes for flight service improvements. I look forward to looking with him in the next Congress to insure that small town America's aviation interests are met. Aviation policy always effects the management and administration of local airports. Mr. Dirk Vanderleest of the Jackson International Airport is one outstanding Mississippi airport director that counseled me on the needs of small and under served markets. His wisdom is cherished, and his efforts to push Mississippi's aviation priorities are appreciated. Mr. Gene Smith of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus also counseled me on Mississippi's aviation needs. He served as a member of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission and distinguished himself as a supporter for regional jet air transportation. I hope the recommendations made by Mr. Smith and the other Commissioners are not overlooked in the next Congress. I look forward to his continued input in our Nation's future aviation policy discussions. Next year will be a watershed year for aviation policy. Quality air service for all Americans should be the focus of any aviation legislation. Quality air service is good for economic development, and it is good for Americans in the 21st Century.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. This afternoon, the Senate will begin a period of morning business. Following morning business, the Senate will consider any legislation that may be cleared by unanimous consent only. It is expected that the House will send over a 2-day continuing resolution that will keep the Government operating until midnight Wednesday. That will allow us to continue our negotiations on the omnibus appropriations bill. I can report that we have been meeting, of course on Sunday afternoon, and we have been meeting this morning, and we are back in sessions now between the House, the Senate and the administration. I think some progress is being made. It is, as most negotiations of this type, forward two, back one. A lot of the appropriations work has been done. We are now talking about language problems and also beginning to consider the supplemental appropriations final composition. As a reminder to all Members, it is hoped that the remaining legislation of the 105th Congress can be cleared by unanimous consent. However, if a rollcall vote is needed on the omnibus bill, all Members will be given ample notice in order to plan their schedules accordingly. It would appear to me at this time that there probably would not be--well, there will not be any recorded votes on any subject other than the omnibus bill, and that it may not occur until sometime Wednesday. We would look at the possibility of Wednesday morning, but it could be Wednesday afternoon. I think it will be a physical situation at that time, just physically getting the work done and allowing everybody to review it to make sure it is as we had agreed it would be. If there develops here in the next 3 or 4 hours the possibility that there could be a final vote Tuesday afternoon late, we will immediately notify all Members. But it appears that if a vote is required, it will probably be sometime during the day Wednesday, at least as things now stand. I thank my colleagues for their patience and their assistance.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I thank the Chair.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I think we will be able to extend that. It was just we had specific requests. Senator Bob Kerrey was here. He needs 30 minutes on intelligence. We had thought we would have at least an hour just in general, but we are getting specific requests. I am sure we will extend it. On Monday, hopefully, we will be able to do some business and, hopefully, even do the omnibus appropriations bill. But there is no need to limit it just to that. We will extend it.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask the Senate stand in recess under the previous order.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask the Senate stand in recess under the previous order. I withhold that for one second. Mr. CHAFEE addressed the Chair.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the motion to recess.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, let me just say briefly, Mr. President, on the education issue, it is very difficult to deal with these negotiations fairly and honestly and productively when you have the President and the Democratic leadership coming out and bashing negotiators on issues like education. It also makes it difficult, when you have that happen, to be able to work with people with whom you disagree philosophically, although you try to work in good faith, but also it begins to diminish respect and trust. That is one of the biggest problems we have right now. It is so difficult to maintain a sufficient level of trust to be able to get your work done. I think most people who know me--Senators on both sides of the aisle--know that is very important to me. I strive to be trustworthy myself and to keep my word, and I find it very hard to work with people who I don't have that same feeling about. When it comes to education, I will stand aside to nobody, especially a bunch of people who went to private schools and then holler and scream about what ought to happen in public schools. I went to public schools from the first grade right through college. I went to Duck Hill Elementary and Grenada Elementary and Pascagoula Junior High School. My wife went to public schools. My children went to public schools. I believe and care about education and public schools. I worked for the University of Mississippi. My mother was a former schoolteacher. She taught school for 19 years. For the President to get up down there and demagog this issue about how he is not getting his principles in education is very hard for me to accept, Mr. President. What he wants is a Federal education program. He wants it dictated from Washington. He wants it run by Washington bureaucrats, and he wants it his way. I don't have faith in Washington bureaucrats. When the money comes to Washington and it trickles down through the Atlanta bureaucracy and trickles down to the Jackson bureaucracy, by the time it gets to the teachers and the kids, half of it is gone. And they are told, you must spend it this way or that way, when it may not be the way it is needed. I have faith in local school administrators, local teachers, parents, and, yes, the children, to make the decisions about what is needed for reading, what is needed in remedial math, what is needed to fight the drug problem. And so that is the basic difference for the American people. I ask you, who do you trust on education? The local officials, the local school officials, the parents, or Washington bureaucrats? That is the choice. President Clinton and his bureaucrats, the liberals in Washington, they want to run education and manipulate education from Washington, DC. The Republicans say we should return the money to the local level. If the schools want to use it for reading, fine. If they want to use it for extra teachers, great. If they want to use it for more school construction, that is their choice. If they want to use it for a drug- free school program, great; do that. That is the difference. Who do you trust? Local officials or national officials? Who do you trust on education? The son of a schoolteacher and people who went to public education, or pampered people who went to private schools and then stand on their mounts and look down their noses and tell us what ought to happen in public education? I have about had it on this issue, and I am sending a warning to the President of the United States: I am not going to tolerate a whole lot more demagoguery on this subject. Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, we will come in at 2 p.m., unless there is some need to change it on Monday. We will be in a period for morning business until 3 p.m., and the Senate will then proceed to any legislative or Executive Calendar items that may be cleared for action, and particularly when we do get to the final day, it is my hope and my expectation that some conference reports or some bills that may be available can be cleared for action. I know there is a possibility of that being available, and also nominations still continue to be a possibility, although all of that depends on how the negotiations go. We can't be tied up trying to work through nominations and conference reports while also being involved in negotiations on the omnibus bill. Senators will be advised of the voting situation as long as possible, hopefully 24 hours in advance of any recorded vote.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that there then be a period for the transaction of morning business until 3 p.m.-- that will be on Monday--with Senators permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 2 p.m. on Monday, October 12. I further ask unanimous consent that the time for the two leaders be reserved.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Executive Calendar: Nos. 872 through 885 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Army, Marine Corps and Navy. I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this morning, the Senate will be in a period for morning business until 12:30 p.m. Following morning business, the Senate can be expected to consider any legislative or Executive Calendar items cleared for action, although I don't expect any items to be cleared today. Votes are not anticipated during Saturday's session of the Senate, and it is expected that the Senate will not be in on Sunday, but we will be in Monday afternoon at a time we will discuss with the Democratic leadership. During Friday's session, the Senate passed a continuing resolution allowing Government to operate until midnight Monday. So it will be anticipated that by Monday afternoon, we will have agreement on an omnibus appropriations bill or we need to consider another short-term continuing resolution. Negotiations are ongoing at this time with regard to a number of issues, including the tax extender issue, a number of authorizations and appropriations issues, all of which could end up in the omnibus appropriations bill. Of course, there is a possibility on Monday, or at some point, some of the bills that are being discussed in connection with the omnibus appropriations bill might move separately. One example is the Treasury-Postal Service conference report. If we can get an agreement in the omnibus bill on some of the issues involved in that bill, that became controversial, if we get that worked out, we can move the bill freestanding, but all of that is in the process of being discussed right now. We will update our colleagues as progress is being made. I think that progress is occurring. A lot of negotiations are going on this morning and will continue throughout the afternoon. We have had meetings between the congressional leadership and the White House this morning. We expect to meet again at 5 o'clock this afternoon to get an assessment of where we are. We are getting Senators and House Members, Democrats and Republicans, involved in all those negotiations.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous unanimous consent agreement with respect to morning business on Monday, October 12, be amended so that 30 minutes are under the control of Senator Bob Kerrey, 15 minutes under the control of Senator Ford, and the remaining 15 minutes under the control of Senator Lott, or my designee.