Jim Talent

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. I am happy to hear that and I thank the gentleman for his comments.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce on the event of its 40th anniversary. This chamber has faithfully served the cities of Ballwin, Clarkson Valley, Ellisville, Manchester, Valley Park, Wildwood, Winchester, and parts of unincorporated St. Louis County, MO. Established on May 13, 1957, as the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the chamber was founded to enrich the communities of the West St. Louis County corridor. At its first meeting held in the basement of Ballwin Elementary School, the chamber dedicated itself to improving the quality of education, highways, and sewer systems. From these humble beginnings, the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce has grown into one of the most dynamic and progressive chambers in this region. With 385 members and 601 representatives, the chamber continues to advance commercial, industrial, and civic interest, as well as enhancing the community environment within cities and unincorporated areas. The West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce currently is involved in numerous activities including: monitoring local, State, and Federal legislative issues of specific interest to business; maintaining a proactive status to improve transportation facilities and services; publishing an annual ``Buyer's Guide and Membership Directory'' which is distributed to 50,000 residents; soliciting of new businesses and residents to the area; acts as a clearinghouse for information for prospective new businesses; and offers its members opportunities for networking, advertising, education, and referrals. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating the membership of the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce on this occasion. I am confident that the chamber will continue to lead the West St. Louis County corridor well into the next millennium.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that debate on this bill be limited to 20 minutes, 10 minutes on each side, which I understand the gentlewoman has no objection to.

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank all the speakers for their kind words about the bill and about the process. I do need to thank some other people, Mr. Chairman, very briefly. The Committee on Small Business shares jurisdiction over issues involving paperwork reduction with the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], the chairman, and his staff for agreeing to waive their primary jurisdiction over the legislation. I also want to thank the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh], a member of the Committee on Small Business who in his role as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, has along with his staff also assisted greatly in helping us move this measure forward in a speedy fashion. I would also like to thank our ranking member, the gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce], for his help in moving the bill through the committee at information age speed. It could not have been done without him. I would also like to thank the Committee on Small Business staff who worked on the legislation: Jeff Polich, Emily Murphy, Laurie Rains, and Harry Katrichis for the majority, and Patricia Hennessey and Tom Powers for the minority. With that, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Snowbarger]. (Mr. SNOWBARGER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas].

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. LoBiondo.]

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, This is a noncontroversial but very significant bill, Mr. Chairman. It is a supplement to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996. We call it the Paperwork Elimination Act. What the bill does, in fine, is require that regulatory agencies give the people that they regulate, not just small businesses but everybody, the option to store and supply the information they have to supply by electronic means: modems, computers, faxes, where that is appropriate. This is done within the framework of the Paperwork Reduction Act, which we passed unanimously last year. This bill itself passed the House last year unanimously, moved over to the Senate, was discharged from committee, but never reached the Senate floor. It came out of the Committee on Small Business unanimously. It is supported by the ranking member, the gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce], and myself. It is a good bill and a good step forward in trying to provide some additional options to people who are trying to supply information to the government in an efficient way at as little cost as possible. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to encourage quick passage of H.R. 852, entitled the ``Paperwork Elimination Act of 1997.'' Paperwork demands of the Federal Government place a tremendous burden upon all Americans. Some estimates place the total burden at more than 6 billion hours a year. To place this staggering number in perspective, 6 billion hours of labor is equivalent to 3 million employees working full-time to satisfy the often repetitive and duplicative requests of various Federal agencies. This is a expense which small business can ill afford. According to a 1995 study by Thomas Hopkins of the Rochester Institute of Technology, small businesses with less than 20 employees pay an average of $5,106 per employee annually in regulatory costs. This is in strong contrast to the average of $3,404 in regulatory costs per employer which businesses with more than 500 employees pay. Much of this regulatory cost stems from paperwork--paperwork which this legislation intends to eliminate. The Paperwork Elimination Act builds upon the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to further minimize the burden of Federal paperwork demands upon small businesses and others. H.R. 852 would accomplish this by advancing the use of alternative information technologies including electronic maintenance, submission, and disclosure of information. Essentially, this would mean that anyone with access to a personal computer or even a phone would be able to meet the Federal Government's information requests in an easier and less timely fashion. It is important to note that the Paperwork Elimination Act requires Federal agencies to provide for only the optical use of alternative technologies in complying with informational demands. This legislation should not in any way be construed as a mandate on individuals. Those without the ability or desire to comply with Federal regulatory demands electronically would not be required to do so against their will. H.R. 852 is identical to legislation passed by the House in the 104th Congress. In the last Congress, after a thorough hearing by the Small Business Subcommittee on Government Programs, our committee adopted this measure by voice vote and the House went on to pass it unanimously. Unfortunately, even though this measure was discharged by the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, the Senate was not able to take final action before the close of the 104th Congress. After consulting with Mr. LaFalce, our ranking member, we decided that we could move this legislation through committee without the need for an additional hearing. The committee held a mark-up on this legislation last Thursday, March 6. We reported this measure out unanimously by voice vote without amendment, and filed our report later that day. In conclusion, let me commend many out there for moving into the information age with such great speed and enthusiasm. I have observed businesses of all sizes eagerly accepting and embracing all forms of new technology. No office seems complete these days without a computer and fax machine. Products are being advertised, orders being taken, bills being paid, all by electronic means. Why should the Federal Government be any different? I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 852, the Paperwork Elimination Act. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. Announcement by the Chairman

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Paperwork Elimination Act. The purpose of this legislation is to advance the use of alternative information technologies and, in so doing, decrease paperwork demands by the Federal Government. The intended beneficiaries of this legislation are small businesses, educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal contractors, State and local governments, and others who face a disproportionate burden in complying with Federal regulations. Alternative technologies suggested include electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information. In achieving this purpose, the Paperwork Elimination Act hopes to assist Federal agencies complying with the purposes and goals of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Paperwork Elimination Act does not intend to replace any part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which has made great strides toward reducing regulatory burdens. The Paperwork Elimination Act is merely a supplement to the Paperwork Reduction Act, introduced with the intent of belatedly bringing the Federal Government into the computer revolution. It clarifies provisions within the law requiring agencies to utilize information technology by specifying that those with access to computers and modems should be able to use them when dealing with the Federal Government. I would like to take a moment to thank our former colleague, Peter Torkildsen of Massachusetts. Mr. Torkildsen introduced this legislation in the 104th Congress and worked tirelessly to see its passage. In April 1996, the legislation passed the House unanimously. The measure was then discharged from the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and sent to the desk for action. It is unfortunate that the Senate ran out of time before acting on this measure. I believe this is an important piece of legislation for small business. I am hopeful that my colleagues will concur and that this bill will receive favorable congressional action at an early date. Thank you.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the requirement of clause 2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I submit herewith the rules of the Committee on Small Business for the 105th Congress and ask that they be printed in the Record at this point. These rules were adopted by the committee on February 13, 1997. RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS, U.S. HOUSE OF

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. James M. Murphy. Mr. Murphy has been recognized as the 1996 Outstanding Businessperson of the Year by the Creve Coeur- Olivette Chamber of Commerce. This award highlights his continuing efforts not only with the chamber, but with the entire St. Louis construction and business community. It is indeed an honor to recognize his hard work and efforts as an outstanding leader and citizen. The following proclamation was presented to Mr. Murphy by the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments. Whereas Jim Murphy, president of Murphy Company Mechanical Contractors and Engineers, has served as the president of the Olivette Economic Development Commission, and Whereas his leadership of the Commission has contributed to the economic stability of Olivette, and created economic growth for the City of Olivette, and Whereas he has achieved unprecedented national success for his company in the construction and business communities, and Whereas he has served the St. Louis business community through leadership and dedication, and Whereas he has unselfishly devoted both time and effort to the health and welfare of the St. Louis community by supporting charitable, civic and business organizations, and Whereas he has demonstrated the highest ethical values in the conduct of his business and personal life, and Whereas his support of educational excellence has contributed to providing unlimited opportunity for future business and community leaders. Therefore be it Resolved, That James J. Murphy, Jr., be honored by the memership of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce as the 1996 Outstanding Businessperson of the Year. Mr. Speaker, I join the chamber and the St. Louis business community, in honoring Mr. Murphy for his continuing service to our community. His efforts are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Joan Berkman. Ms. Berkman is being recognized as the outgoing president of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to community service, through her work with the chamber and numerous other organizations, highlights her as an outstanding leader and citizen. The following proclamation was presented to Ms. Berkman by the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of her many accomplishments. Whereas Joan Berkman, 1996 President of the Creve Coeur- Olivette Chamber of Commerce and Area Manager of External Affairs, Southwestern Bell, and Whereas as President of the Chamber she has provided outstanding leadership in her commitment to develop partnerships between the residential and business communities, and Whereas she has challenged, encouraged and motivated the Creve Coeur and Olivette business communities to enhance, promote and sustain the quality of life and economic climate of both communities, and Whereas under her leadership the Chamber has worked with the City of Creve Coeur and Missouri State Highway Department for improvements to the I-270/Olive Boulevard Interchange, and Whereas under her leadership the Chamber, in partnership with the City of Olivette, established that city's first Economic Development Council, jointly-funded by the Chamber and City, and Whereas under her leadership the Chamber established a partnership of governments and business organizations for expansion of MetroLink, and Whereas for her outstanding contribution to the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce she was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Businessperson of the Year Award in 1991, and Whereas she has been recognized for her community service by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, as Volunteer of the Year, and Whereas she received the President ``C'' Flag Award for producing and coordinating the ``Teen Talent Showcase'', and Whereas she was recipient of the Arthur W. Page Award for Exceptional Performance in Public Relations for her ``Information for the Disabled'' Program, a Bell System Award, and Whereas she has demonstrated unselfish commitment of time and effort through volunteer leadership positions, active participation and support of many charitable, civic and business organizations, and Whereas she has been an inspiration to us all, and Therefore be it resolved that Joan Berkman, be honored by the membership of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce for her service as the 1996 President of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, I join the Chamber and the St. Louis business community in honoring Ms. Berkman for her continuing service to our community. Her efforts are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr.Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. William H. ``Bill'' Weber, a resident of my congressional district, who has been named the ``citizen of the year'' by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. It is my privilege to call this outstanding community leader my friend. Mr. Weber, a lifelong resident of St. Charles, MO, has distinguished himself with a lifelong commitment to volunteerism. He has championed numerous causes with his vision and energy. Mr. Weber has been the driving force behind the funding of numerous projects, including the St. Peters Rec-Plex and the YMCA of St. Charles. He has served on the board of directors for Boys Town of Missouri, Missouri K.I.D.S., Lewis and Clark Performing Arts, and United Services for the Handicapped. Mr. Weber knows that giving of yourself is simply more than donating a check. He understands that in St. Charles, as in the rest of the country, it is volunteerism which drives community spirit and cooperation. For all his life he has embodied those ideals. A quote recently printed in the St. Charles Chamber newsletter by Mr. Ben Blanton, may best describe his character: ``. . . this lion of a man has a teddy bear heart. A lion exterior to do battle for all the right things of our community, and a compassionate heart to weep over those who are in need.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Mr. Weber for his dedicated service and wishing him continued success. I am honored to join the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce in honoring this outstanding leader and citizen.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time so that I can add my words to those of my colleagues in memory of my friend and classmate, Frank Tejeda, who recently fought his last battle. He fought so many in his life. He fought them all with honor and with grace, and that is the way he fought his last one as well. I remember working with Frank on the Armed Services Committee for the 4 years that he and I served in this institution, and working so well with him and in a spirit of bipartisanship. And for Frank Tejeda that was not something that he did when it was politic but not when it was not politic. It was something he did all the time. He did not even think about it. It was just a function of his character. Frank loved people and he looked at individuals as individuals and he worked with them and for them his whole life. Frank was a man who went through a lot of adversity; had a lot of difficult times. Mr. Speaker, that makes some people bitter, but it empowers other people. It allows them to understand, truly, the sufferings that other people are going through and to be a method of comforting them, and that is what Frank did. Mr. Speaker, there is a verse from ``America the Beautiful'' that I really like. I think of it when I think of my colleagues and my friends who are veterans and have served their country so honorably, and I think it sums up at least a part of Frank's life and his public service so well. I would like to recite it in closing my remarks. Oh, beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life. That was our friend Frank Tejeda. We will miss him. I would like to add my voice to my colleagues in extending my condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding accomplishments of 2d Lt. Lia B. Bowler. In December, Ms. Bowler successfully completed Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. In the fine tradition of the corps, she persevered through the rigors of the training and was accepted into the elite group of Americans that serve our country as officers in the Marine Corps. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only to congratulate Ms. Bowler on her commission, but also to recognize her outstanding work for the Second Congressional District of Missouri. We had the honor of her service first as an intern and later as our system administrator. In the almost 2 years she worked in the Washington office, she exhibited a dedication, diligence, and professionalism which were highly valued by everyone who worked with her. Although her loss to the Marine Corps will be felt by our office, it will be a gain for the Marines. Therefore, it is with great confidence that I can say her service as an officer will be in the highest traditions of the corps.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the World Organization of China Painters and recognize the efforts of its membership to promote and celebrate the accomplishments of their unique artistic talents. China painting is the overglaze decoration of china, and its artists are seeking recognition as a fine art. I rise today not only in support of their efforts, but for all artistic and cultural activities which promote the participation in and the appreciation of the arts in all areas. The efforts of the World Organization of China Painting, stands as a testament not only to the art of china painting, but as an example of the importance of artistic achievement. The World Organization of China Painting has over 6,000 members around the world of which my State, Missouri has the largest membership. The organization is presently headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, where they have a museum displaying numerous works by china painting artists. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the World Organization of China Painting on their efforts to promote and advance their art form.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Monsanto Co. of St. Louis, MO. Awarded the first National Watershed Award, Monsanto was honored for Operation Greenstripe, a voluntary partnership to protect the quality of America's watersheds. Developed in 1992, Operation Greenstripe combats the problem of surface water runoff of soil sediment, the No. 1 threat to stream quality in the United States. Monsanto works with the students in Future Farmers of America [FFA] to encourage farmers to plant and maintain grassy buffer strips along waterways. Seed retailers join the partnership and donate wildlife-compatible grass seed for farmers to plant to lessen runoff and nurture wildlife habitat areas. The result has been to encourage farmers to adopt stream-protecting practices, teach future farmers the benefits of good stewardship, and to begin to make a difference in stream quality. Since its inception, the program has been expanded from 1 test location, to acceptance in 14 States with partnerships involving State and Federal agencies and with support from organizations and private groups. It's an excellent example of a voluntary, private initiative that makes a difference. The Watershed Award was established by CF Industries and is administered by the Conservation Fund. The award is given to those programs that safeguard fresh water through innovative, nonregulatory methods. It is truly an honor for Monsanto to be included in the first group of those recognized for their efforts to protect one of our Nation's greatest natural resources. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in congratulating Monsanto on winning the Watershed Award and for their outstanding efforts to improve the quality of our Nation's waterways.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning because during our August recess a very significant event happened in the lives of one of our colleagues, and we did not have the opportunity to acknowledge it as a House because we were not in session. Our good friend, and, Mr. Speaker, you know him well, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Inglis] and his wife, Mary Anne, had their fifth child on August 7, 1996. She is Sara Meade Inglis; they are going to call her Meade. She was 6 pounds 13 ounces. I am sure she has grown since then. She has a brother, Robert, and three sisters: Mary Ashton, McCullough, and Andrews. So our good friend and colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Inglis] now has and his wife, Mary Anne, have one son and four daughters. I am sure that the House joins me in wishing little Meade well and congratulating the Inglis family. There is no greater blessing in the life of any family than the birth of another child, and I am sure we all wish them health and happiness for many years.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my chairman for yielding me this time and I want to congratulate him for his work on this and the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Pickett] for his work as well and the leadership of the House for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly. Like many of the people who have spoken on this, I want to relate my remarks from a personal standpoint. I do not have a personal connection, but a lot of my constituents do. When I got elected to Congress in 1992 they came and talked to me about the issue. I decided to study it some. After I studied it, it did not take all that long, I reached the conclusion that indeed we had left hundreds and hundreds of men behind in Vietnam and probably in Korea as well, and I reached that conclusion, Mr. Speaker, to my shame. Well, in the years that have passed since then, I along with many of the other Members here have tried to get out what we believe is the truth about these men and to take whatever steps we can to recover them or at least to recover their bodies. It has been difficult to do and I am not naive enough to believe that it is going to be any easier in the future. But earlier this year we did something that I thought was very significant. We established a series of safeguards to try and make sure that at least it did not happen again. We put that in the defense authorization bill which the President eventually signed, and I was very proud of those changes and very sorry when many of them were taken out in the bill which recently passed the House and Senate and which the President signed. I know that my chairman and others from the House fought the deletion of those provisions at that time and I respect their work very much. I did not see why we needed to have 10 days for commanders in the field to decide whether a person was missing. I did not see why we did not need to require forensic, standard forensic certification before finding that a bone or a tooth was sufficient to identify a missing serviceman, and I did not see why we should not have periodic reviews of cases so that families could have current understandings of what had happened to their loved ones. We are remedying it now with this bill. I think it is an attempt, after the fact, but an attempt after the fact to keep faith with those we did leave behind. Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing we can do for them, it is to try to make sure it does not happen again.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize nine outstanding students from my district. These students set their sights high, and as a result, each student received a Congressional Award. Congressional Awards are given to students who excel in the four program areas, including public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition and exploration. The awards are divided into three categories, based on age, accumulated hours, and duration of activities. It was my privilege to meet these outstanding youths and present them with their awards. First, Dana Metzler of Kirkwood was awarded the Silver Congressional Award. Ms. Metzler was between the ages of 16 and 18 and had worked a minimum of 420 hours over at least 15 months to earn her award. Ms. Metzler attends Kirkwood High School. Second, there were eight Bronze Congressional Awards, youths at least 14, who had worked 210 hours over the course of at least 7 months. These honorees included: Tanith Leigh Balaban of Chesterfield, who attends Parkway Central High School; Alyssa Barker of Fenton, who attends Rockwood Summit High School; Kevin Buckley of Bridgeton, who attends Christian Brothers College in Clayton; Kathleen Castello of St. Louis, who attends Rosati-Kain High School; Megan Connally O'Keefe of Bridgeton, who attends Pattonville High School; Kathleen Paige of St. John, who attends St. Thomas Aquinas-Mercy High School; Stephanie Schaller of Ballwin, who attends Cor Jesu Academy; and Christopher Slaten of St. Louis, who attends Parkway West of Middle School. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to recognize these extraordinary young people for their achievements. Their success is a true reflection not only of their drive and determination, but also on the parents, family members and teachers who have supported their hard work and determination. These students are an excellent example of what young people will achieve when given the opportunity.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lt. Dennis Hufford of the Chesterfield Police Department. Lieutenant Hufford has the honor of being the first officer from the Chesterfield Police Department to be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, VA. On September 13, 1996, Lieutenant Hufford, joined by his wife, three children, and Chesterfield Police Chief Johnson, graduated from the academy, the most venerated institution of its kind in the Nation. Lieutenant Hufford has been an asset to the community and the Chesterfield Police Department since its inception in 1989. Serving as the commander of the Detective Bureau, he was the second officer hired by the department. Later, he was promoted to commander of field operations where he now supervises 70 officers. Lieutenant Hufford will use the skills he learned at the academy when he returns to this position this week. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in congratulating Lieutenant Hufford on this exciting milestone and tremendous accomplishment, as well as commend the Chesterfield Police Department and Chief Johnson on an excellent choice.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lisa Elizabeth Givens, a distinguished student from Chesterfield, MO. Ms. Givens recently was awarded a scholarship by the AMVETS to pursue a career in international business. Ms. Givens competed against hundreds of applicants nationwide to win the scholarship. This is just one of the many ongoing youth programs AMVETS has developed to recognize the importance of scholarship and rewarding bright and industrious young people like Ms. Givens. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in congratulating Ms. Givens and wish her all the best in her pursuit of her goals.

Mr. TALENT

Mr. TALENT. It leads me to wonder, Mr. Speaker. I think there would be very strong support on both sides of the aisle for any plausible plan to respond on an ongoing and consistent basis to the depredations by Saddam Hussein. I know I would be very receptive to that. I repeat, I have been defending the President. I wondered at the time when this was occurring why the press was so interested in my comments back home. I think it was because, here I was a Republican defending what the President was doing, but I thought his response was very appropriate. If we are having difficulty getting the Saudis to go along, we know we have had difficulty getting the Europeans to go along, all the more important that we be consulted here, and that we be able to act in a united way between the executive and legislative branches. I am not saying this, inviting the President to come in, so we can step on what he is trying to do. I think probably we would be supportive if it was a reasonable plan. But if he does not do that then certainly he exposes himself to the criticisms.

Mr. TALENT. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.