Ted Stevens

Mr. STEVENS

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I state for the record, according to my understanding, the only amendment we have not disposed of that was listed on the two lists is the amendment that Senator Harkin is about ready to discuss. Does any Senator have another amendment? Mr. President--I repeat the request--does any Senator have another amendment?

Mr. STEVENS. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. STEVENS. I ask for the adoption of the amendment.

Mr. STEVENS. If all parties to the exchange are supportive, I would be open to the possibility of having the Conference consider that language.

Mr. STEVENS. I am familiar with that legislation and fully support its adoption. In closing out its operations and responsibilities on Adak I understand the Navy wishes to transfer from Navy ownership as much as the base as possible; this includes both facilities that have foreseeable reuse and those that do not. Many of the moth-balled buildings on Adak were constructed before restrictions were imposed on the use of asbestos and lead paint. The environmental conditions at Adak, to which anyone who has visited there can attest, take a hard and quick toll on buildings and other facilities, especially those that are unused and not maintained. The Committee has included $15 million to resolve potential environmental hazards from deteriorating facilities. This funding will help to protect those who move to Adak to participate in its economic revitalization.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. STEVENS. I will be happy to eliminate one of the two. Mr. President, again, I call on the Senators involved to inform us if they going to proceed with the amendment. Mr. President, it is my understanding that the Senator from Florida is going to make a motion concerning the space amendment. I ask someone to inquire about that amendment. May I inquire of the Senator from Iowa, does he intend to proceed with his amendment? I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I tell the Senate, there are now three amendments that are not disposed of, to my knowledge: the Graham amendment on space and two Harkin amendments. I call on those Senators to ask what they intend to do.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank Senator Cleland for his remarks. He is a good friend of America's men and women in uniform.

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator from North Carolina will be pleased to know that the subcommittee believes that this project is very worthy, but we did not directly provide funding in FY 1999.

Mr. STEVENS. If the Senator would yield, the Senator raises an interesting point. I would be interested in learning of some of the types of initiatives that are under way that may prove useful in retaining personnel in the military.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the Senator from Georgia for his comments. The Subcommittee on Defense indeed supports these initiatives. Would the Senator from Hawaii agree?

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I appreciate Senator Dorgan's comments. The Air Force in particular is confronted with severe coatings problems in maintenance of its aging aircraft fleet. To protect the country's investment in these aircraft, it is important that the committee provide for increased research on anti-corrosive coatings. I agree with the Senator that NDSU would be a solid candidate for these anti- corrosion research funds. electronic combat testing

Mr. STEVENS. The Senator is correct.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank the senior Senator from Illinois for her interest in this matter. I would like to confirm that the intent of our committee's action was as she stated.

Mr. STEVENS. The distinguished Senator from New Hampshire is correct. The committee intends that the funds be provided to the New Hampshire Network for Science, Technology and Communication to conduct the effort described. Advanced Materials Intelligent Processing Center

Mr. STEVENS. I agree with my colleague from Florida. I have followed this difficult issue for some time. I firmly support the need for adequate training. And I believe that training can best be conducted in varying environments, including the terrain and surrounds of Eglin Air Force Base. I assure my colleagues from Florida that I will do my best to work this issue with my House counterparts during conference. Project at Ellsworth Air Force Base

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the House passed FY99 Defense Appropriations bill contains $35 million for impact aid for school districts impacted by excessive students from nearby defense installations. I would like to assure my friend, the Senator from Idaho, that it is my intention to give fair consideration to the House position regarding funding for impact aid during the conference to see if we can include these funds in the final conference report without negatively impacting the important operations and maintenance accounts of the Department of Defense.

Mr. STEVENS. I agree that this pilot program is in the best interest of the Navy and is not contingent on any other legislative action.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank my colleague from North Carolina for his thorough and careful review of this matter. shipbreaking provision

Mr. STEVENS. I am aware of these results and believe that the U.S. Customs Service is one government agency which should seriously consider deploying PFNA should the field test program yield positive results. The committee hopes that Customs Service will work closely with ONDCP to provide whatever assistance is necessary to ensure a complete and honest evaluation of the technology.

Mr. STEVENS. I thank my colleague. I agree with his understanding of the situation and the Committee expects DoD to proceed with obligation of the fiscal year 1998 funds and with the transfer of future program responsibility to ONDCP.

Mr. STEVENS. The committee has previously supported the PFNA project by adding funds to permit this new technology to be developed and tested. Like you, I am dismayed that the Department has failed to make available to PFNA the $3 million appropriated by Congress in FY 1998 and so far has demonstrated an unwillingness to carry out the PFNA test program according to congressional intent. It is the clear expectation of this Senator, and the Committee as a whole, that the Department will place no further obstacles in the path of a meaningful PFNA field test program.

Mr. STEVENS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.