John McCain

Mr. McCAIN

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

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. I thank the Senator. It is certainly my intention that any agreement permitting the imaging of Israel using commercially available, satellite-based remote sensing technology will continue to be reported to the United States government for review. The Congress has indicated that it viewed imaging of Israel to be a significant matter, and the intent of this legislation is to make sure that any agreement that could lead to imaging Israel will be reported.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise to support and cosponsor the legislation that Senator Roberts introduced earlier today that reinstates the 50 percent retirement ``earned benefit'' plan for men and women in the military who retire with 20 years of military service. I also implore the Senate leadership to act quickly on this legislation and move for its swift passage before the 105th Congress adjourns for the year. Times have changed since 1986. Our economy has prospered, producing historically high levels of employment and resulting in the emergence of a very difficult recruiting and retention environment for the armed services. Maintaining a top-quality force requires a military personnel system that has the flexibility to react quickly to the dynamics of the civilian market, and the leadership and confidence to follow through with critical personnel decisions rather than neglecting them out of fiscal opportunism. Regrettably, this year, first, second, and third- term enlisted retention, pilot and mid-grade officer retention, and recruiting are all short of the goal for each of the services. Recruiting and retaining quality individuals requires pay scales that adjust to meet prevailing rates rather than fall 14 percent behind comparable civilian pay. It requires adequate funding for recruiting. It requires proper promotion rates--not promotion boards that take five months to process reports of promotion boards, as is the case with the Navy. It requires proper living conditions and morale, welfare and recreation services. It also requires reasonable tours of duty, a higher quality of civilian leadership, and ``role models'' within the leadership who are seen to take service members' quality-of-life concerns to heart. Reinstatement of the 50 percent retirement plan for career military men and women would serve as an important signal of resolve to our service members that the United States Congress is aware of the shortfall in benefits for those who wear the uniform of their country and is acting to improve those benefits. Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee heard directly from the Joint Chiefs that restoring retirement benefits is a requirement for recruiting and retaining the qualified individuals we rely on to defend this nation. General Hugh Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated clearly that fixing the military retirement system is a top recommendation for restoring the readiness of our armed forces. Army Chief of Staff General Reimer has written to me that . . .the retirement package we have offered our soldiers entering the Army since 1986 is inadequate. Having lost 25 percent of its lifetime value as a result of the 1980's reforms, military retirement is no longer our number one retention tool. Our soldiers and families deserve better. We need to send them a strong signal that we haven't forgotten them. The military medical health care system, particularly the TRICARE program, has been described by Service Chiefs as falling far short of what is warranted and needed. We cannot ignore the erosion of retirement and health care benefits, and the resultant impact on retention and readiness. General Reimer writes, ``The loss in medical benefits when a retiree turns 65 is particularly bothersome to our soldiers who are making career decisions.'' From the Service Chiefs' answers, it is highly questionable whether we are meeting any of these requirements. On the contrary, it is clear that there is much work to be done. Finally, it is demoralizing to the men and women we send into harm's way, and is incomprehensible to the American people, who expect a well- trained and well-equipped force, to witness as many as 25,000 military personnel and their families on food stamps. One tax provision that I have tried to reverse this year excludes uniformed men and women in the military from beneficial tax treatment on the profits resulting from the sale of their homes. We order servicemembers to move from place to place, but we do not afford them the same tax treatment as other U.S. citizens. Should this issue have been permitted to exist for so many years? Mr. President, we cannot afford to neglect this array of personnel concerns. Let us begin by acting immediately to restore the higher earned benefit plan for retired service members. Senator Roberts has offered critical legislation to help reverse the diminishing retention rates that cripple our Armed Services and ultimately diminish their ability to execute our National Military Strategy. On behalf of all men and women who have honorably dedicated their careers to serving this country in uniform, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise to support and cosponsor the legislation that Senator Roberts introduced earlier today that reinstates the 50 percent retirement ``earned benefit'' plan for men and women in the military who retire with 20 years of military service. I also implore the Senate leadership to act quickly on this legislation and move for its swift passage before the 105th Congress adjourns for the year. Times have changed since 1986. Our economy has prospered, producing historically high levels of employment and resulting in the emergence of a very difficult recruiting and retention environment for the armed services. Maintaining a top-quality force requires a military personnel system that has the flexibility to react quickly to the dynamics of the civilian market, and the leadership and confidence to follow through with critical personnel decisions rather than neglecting them out of fiscal opportunism. Regrettably, this year, first, second, and third- term enlisted retention, pilot and mid-grade officer retention, and recruiting are all short of the goal for each of the services. Recruiting and retaining quality individuals requires pay scales that adjust to meet prevailing rates rather than fall 14 percent behind comparable civilian pay. It requires adequate funding for recruiting. It requires proper promotion rates--not promotion boards that take five months to process reports of promotion boards, as is the case with the Navy. It requires proper living conditions and morale, welfare and recreation services. It also requires reasonable tours of duty, a higher quality of civilian leadership, and ``role models'' within the leadership who are seen to take service members' quality-of-life concerns to heart. Reinstatement of the 50 percent retirement plan for career military men and women would serve as an important signal of resolve to our service members that the United States Congress is aware of the shortfall in benefits for those who wear the uniform of their country and is acting to improve those benefits. Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee heard directly from the Joint Chiefs that restoring retirement benefits is a requirement for recruiting and retaining the qualified individuals we rely on to defend this nation. General Hugh Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated clearly that fixing the military retirement system is a top recommendation for restoring the readiness of our armed forces. Army Chief of Staff General Reimer has written to me that . . .the retirement package we have offered our soldiers entering the Army since 1986 is inadequate. Having lost 25 percent of its lifetime value as a result of the 1980's reforms, military retirement is no longer our number one retention tool. Our soldiers and families deserve better. We need to send them a strong signal that we haven't forgotten them. The military medical health care system, particularly the TRICARE program, has been described by Service Chiefs as falling far short of what is warranted and needed. We cannot ignore the erosion of retirement and health care benefits, and the resultant impact on retention and readiness. General Reimer writes, ``The loss in medical benefits when a retiree turns 65 is particularly bothersome to our soldiers who are making career decisions.'' From the Service Chiefs' answers, it is highly questionable whether we are meeting any of these requirements. On the contrary, it is clear that there is much work to be done. Finally, it is demoralizing to the men and women we send into harm's way, and is incomprehensible to the American people, who expect a well- trained and well-equipped force, to witness as many as 25,000 military personnel and their families on food stamps. One tax provision that I have tried to reverse this year excludes uniformed men and women in the military from beneficial tax treatment on the profits resulting from the sale of their homes. We order servicemembers to move from place to place, but we do not afford them the same tax treatment as other U.S. citizens. Should this issue have been permitted to exist for so many years? Mr. President, we cannot afford to neglect this array of personnel concerns. Let us begin by acting immediately to restore the higher earned benefit plan for retired service members. Senator Roberts has offered critical legislation to help reverse the diminishing retention rates that cripple our Armed Services and ultimately diminish their ability to execute our National Military Strategy. On behalf of all men and women who have honorably dedicated their careers to serving this country in uniform, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 7, 1998, to conduct a hearing of the following nominee: Ira G. Peppercorn, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring.

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. PRESIDENT. I ask unanimous consent that the full Committee on Environment and Public Works be granted permission to conduct a hearing to receive testimony from Isadore Rosenthal, nominated by the President to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; and William Clifford Smith, nominated by the President to be a Member of the Mississippi River Commission, Wednesday, October 7, 9:30 a.m., Hearing Room (SD-406). THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on foreign relations

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent tha the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 7, 1998 at 10:00 a. to hold a hearing. THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on governmental affairs

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Wednesday, October 7, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. for a hearing on the nominations of Dana Covington to be Commissioner, Postal Rate Commission, and Ed Gleiman to be Commissioner, Postal Rate Commission. THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on indian affairs

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 7, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. in room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building to hold a hearing on: ``Judicial Nominations.''

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 7, 1998 immediately following the 2:00 Hearing in room 226 of the Senate Hart Office Building to hold a hearing on: ``A Review of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.''

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3874, the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization.

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the conference report be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to the conference report be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I hereby give notice in writing of my intention to move to suspend the provisions of Rule 22 requiring that the following amendment be germane:

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. For the information of all Senators, this cloture vote will occur on Friday. All Senators will be notified as to the exact time when this becomes available. I now withdraw the motion.

Mr. McCAIN. I now move to proceed to H.R. 2431, and send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 678, which is at the desk.

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 456, H.R. 2431, the religious freedom bill.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 514, H.R. 3528.

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, Senators Grassley and Durbin have an amendment at the desk. I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the amendment be agreed to, the committee amendments be agreed to, the bill be considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements appear in the Record.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate considers the conference report accompanying S. 2206, that the reading be waived and that there be 30 minutes for debate on the conference report with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Jeffords and Kennedy or their designees, that upon the use or yielding back of time the conference report be adopted, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without intervening action.

Mr. McCAIN

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 290, submitted earlier by Senators Lott and Daschle.

Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the resolution appear in the Record.